crimsonvoid | closed @stoicradiance

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[The sharp whistle of a blade cutting through the air echoed in the stillness of the camp. The glimmer of steel shone brightly against the moonlight, reflecting the fire nearby. It had been a long day, and the sound of Lae'zel sharpening her blade, the sound of Scratch barking and running after Halsin, Gale shooing Astarion away from his cooking station. Taliira's head was throbbing, and the wounds she had sustained from today's ambush stung.

With a heavy sigh, Taliira managed to slip away unnoticed by the rest of the camp. There was a river nearby, and she was sure that if anything happened her sharp hearing would be able to catch any distress coming from her companions. They were a loud bunch, after all.

But some time alone, under the stars and away from all the noise and light would do her headache some good.

When she got to the river, Taliira began to remove her clothes. She folded her shirt and leggings into a neat pile and set them aside on a rock in hopes that they wouldn't get wet. She pulled the leather band that held her hair together off and set it on top of her clothes, combing her fingers through her hair to rid herself of any knots.

The first step into the water was slow, mostly due to its coldness. It didn't deter her, though, and before long the water was up to her waist. She leaned back, dunking herself under the ripples of water and closing her eyes. The cold shock felt nice against her throbbing wounds and the ache in her head. When she surfaced, her black and white hair clung to her like a second skin and she had to push it away from her face.

Yeah, this was exactly what she needed.]

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[Reprieve from the rest of the camp wasn't exactly an original idea apparently on Dimselle's part. At first she mistook the rippling sound of the river not twenty feet behind her to be the sound of some animal making it's way through the water to cross as she had done some time ago.

Then she hears the unmistakable inhale and splash of someone going under and she realizes that now, she may be the unwilling participant in setting in on someone's bath time. Not that the dwarf could care in one direction or the other about who might be out there but more that she is subtle enough to sneak up on most the camp if she weren't at least trying to be known. Gods forbid she startle Lae'zel and get ran through or worse- have to deal with an earful from Gale.

She weighs her options and figures to come right out with it is a safer bet, then begins to gather her mortar and pestle and the various herbs she had been grinding down into potions and unceremoniously dump everything back in her pouch for later. She approaches from the other side of the river with her own leggings rolled up to her knees and her braids pulled up into huge twin buns atop her head to keep from skimming the water when she'd crossed earlier.

Oh. Taliira. Guess those who dwell in the dark share the same habits. Dims pauses, awkwardly waiting for the other to notice her, barefoot and ankle deep in the water with one hand raised awkwardly in greeting.]

[Taliira sunk into the water, letting her hair spread around her like oil on water. She closed her eyes, the cool breeze alleviating some of the tension from her head. The distant voices of those in camp seemed to fade away as she focused on everything else around her.

The sound of the water splashing against the shore.

The sound of fish breaching the surface.

The sound of insect wings buzzing by some flowers.

The sound of footsteps approaching.

Her ears flicked up at the sound, and crimson eyes turned to look towards Dims. For a moment she half expected either some sort of enemy trying to ambush them or Astarion sneaking away from camp to come to seek her out. The sight of the dwarf made her relax, though, and she was sitting up so her face wasn't half submerged.]

Hey. I was wondering where you went off to.

[Tal didn't seem to mind that she was naked, or that her hair was the only thing really covering her.]

Great minds think alike.

[Dimselle waded through the shallow edges of the water to get a little closer to being adjacent from Tal and sinks down to sit on the mushy clay of the riverbank. Tal had always been easy to talk to if they spoke at all, a silent understanding that sometimes, nothing at all was better than fighting to come up with the words. Dims raises a brow towards the distant chatter of their camp mates and leans forward on her elbows to give her companion full attention.

To Dims, those few conversations between seemed more important that way. Why waste time with idle chatter? Instead of squandering the opportunity with small talk, it felt like an attempt at a real connection, a real peak through the curtains.

Or, maybe she read into it too much, nostalgic and latching to the drow for the occasional taste of home. Dims was no scholar, wasn't her business.]

What threw you over the edge? I wandered off about the time Gale started monologing about the magical properties of gremishka.

[Tal dipped back in the water, running her hands through her hair to wash out any grime and dirt that might have accumulated in it during the day. If only they had access to a real bath, oh she'd probably spend hours lounging in the tub; the scent of lavender would whift through the air and sink into her skin, and she would play with the bubbles if she felt the childish need to.

Oh, and a tray of fruits and pastries that she could lean over and grab, with a cup of wine to wash it down.

Sometimes she missed home.

Menzoberranzan could be cold and cruel most of the time, but the luxuries were nice.]

I think at some point I toned them out.

[A small grin crossed her face.]

But all the noise was giving me a headache, and I think I started hearing Gale start to argue with Astarion on the proper ratio of garlic to meat and I did not want to get dragged into that.

[Mismatched eyes watch Tal scrub away the grime of the day from her hair with some interest. She nearly considers joining the drow before shoving the thought aside. Dimselle had no intention of trying to comb and care for this ridiculously long mane she insisted on keeping.

Perhaps one of few luxuries she indulged in was a taste of occasional vanity with the draw back of having to maintain her hair. Getting it wet seemed more work than it was worth as of the moment. It was bad enough she'd have to brush it later.]

I genuinely cannot imagine caring so much about anything.

[Dims rolls her eyes and shakes her head.]

But yes, they're quite a chatty little troop. I understand why you would be chasing some peace and quiet- which I'm, ah...effectively imposing on. I should give you some space.

Hah.

[Shaking her head of water, Tal relaxed against the gentle waves. There wasn't much else to do, other than scrub herself down. It's not like they had soap that she could use — though, perhaps Gale had some if she thought about it.

Floral scented.]

You don't have to go. We both came out here to get some time away from the group. The river is big enough for two people, I think.

[Unless the rest of them decided to suddenly need bath.]

[What an idea, the entire group barging in and ruining the peace. Actually, better not think of it at all, just in case she summoned them.]

If you're sure, though I'm not exactly much in the way of company.

[Dims watches Tal's hair cling to the sides of her neck and decides she's done enough gawking at her friend before turning her attention to the rippling water against her ankles. She dips down to run a hand along the surface of the water while starlight glitters behind her distorted reflection.]

Just know I'm not offended by straight forwardness.

[While the rest of the camp had been busy with either weapon maintenance, cooking dinner, annoying the cook, and even sparring, Halsin had found himself caring and entertaining their animal companions. Scratch and the Owlbear Cub (who has not been named) had been playing tag with a much larger wolf, mainly because when he had turned into a bear Gale had given him the most disgusted look as if to say the bears were somehow dirtier than wolves.

But he had managed to tucker them both out, and once they were both curled up and sleeping, Halsin trotted over towards the river. He needed a quick bath before he came to eat or else Gale would have another fit about hygiene and how no one in this camp took proper care of themselves.

He moved through the bushes, dropping Wildshape just as he emerged from the foliage. He had been in the process of removing the straps of his armor when he spotted Tal and Dims. His gaze lingered on the way that Tal's hair clung to the curve of her breast for perhaps a bit longer than it should have before Halsin cleared his throat.]

Ah, apologies ladies. I did not realize the river was occupied.

[Dims is just about to say something when she hears rustling. She snaps her head up, still hunched with a hand in the water ready to act. Until Halsin emerges from the brush and she instantly relaxes again.

She notices him avert his gaze and she suppresses the urge to roll her eyes.

Couldn't blame him. At least Dims was subtle.]

Hello, big guy.

[The dwarf waggles her fingers at the hulking figure before shaking the water off her hand and reclining back with palms behind her to prop her up right, crossing her ankles as she goes.]

[Tal couldn't help but smirk, the expression both amused and playful. She sunk into the water, letting her hair fan out again. Halsin looked like a deer caught in the lantern light of a traveling cart, but perhaps it was a bit more bashful.

It was cute.]

Looking for a bath?

[It hadn't been the first time that one of their companions had seen her naked — they had all taken baths together countless times, and in truth, nudity wasn't something that she was particularly shy about.]

[The bashfulness melted away into a playful grin. Halsin glanced over at Dims for a moment before tilting his head towards the water. His fingers tugged on the hem of his trousers.

An invitation, perhaps.]

If its alright with the two of you, that is. I wouldn't want to impose.

[Ah. Was that for her- no, of course not. She can't imagine why it would be, perhaps a question to whether she minds or not?

Which, naturally, of course she doesn't care. She could afford herself the small pleasures of enjoying the view while the two cleaned up.

Perhaps she'd bathe when they left. The idea was tempting and she had intruded enough today. She wouldn't ruin the chemistry with her boring presence if she could help it.]

Be my guest- though technically Tal was here before I was.

I don't mind.

[But honestly, who would mind watching Halsin strip naked in front of them?

She held her hand out towards Halsin in a small wave. The river was big enough for the both of them and then some, after all. There was plenty of room.

A fish or two swam past her and it took all her willpower to stay still and not jolt at the feeling of scales against her legs. She glanced over at Dims to give Halsin some semblance of privacy.]

Are you sure you don't want to join at this point?

[Halsin let out a soft chuckle at their welcome. He took his time removing the brown and green leather vest he wore, setting it beside Taliira's clothes. His shoes and trousers soon followed, and before long he stood naked on the shore of the river.

It was a rather chilly night, but it wasn't anything he wasn't used to.

The first step into the water sent a shock of ice through his veins, but he pressed on. The quicker he submerged at least half his body in the river the quicker his body would acclimate to the temperature.

And perhaps he wouldn't have to deal with the minor embarrassment of having both women see his body's reaction to the cold for much longer.

If they were paying attention, anyway.]

I-

[She hesitates.

With a clear offer made Dims snaps her attention once again to Tal. She's actually thankful for the distraction because the alternative is Dims sits there like she's watching some dancer at a brothel shuck off layers while Halsin tries to get himself sorted.

She chews it over for a moment, brows pinched in thought. At this point it's almost more strange for her to sit on the bank and watch the minnows swarm her feet.

She fidgets with the strings of her shirt nervously. Seeing someone else nude would always be easier than being so herself, especially when in comparison to Tal or Halsin she was mediocre to look at, at best.]

I...suppose. If I don't now, Gale will likely complain I'm late to dinner. Gods forbid.

Either that, or he'll start complaining to you too about hygiene.

[Gale was always so ready to complain about how their group goes so long without a proper bath, though it's not like they had anywhere to take a proper bath. They were in the middle of the wilderness, surrounded by mountains on one side and forest on the other.

If Gale was able to find a bathtub with hot water and a tray of oils and soaps, then she would consider religion again.]

It's not too bad once you're in. Though I almost fear for the getting out portion of this endeavor.

If anything, I'm sure body heat will do wonders in keeping ourselves warm once we get out.

[Halsin came to a stop about a foot or so away from Tal. The water came up to just above his navel, though now that he was in here he found that he didn't mind the cold all that much.

The Drow turned back to look at him, giving him a playful smile before her attention was snatched to Dims once more.]

And if that fails, a fire could easily be made to dry ourselves off.

[Dims attention splits for a moment to take in Halsin's bare chest and shoulders before turning back to Tal again. How is it fair that men like that even exist?

At this rate it seems like there's more positive than negatives to getting in- aside from being laid bare in front of two of the most model esque individuals in camp. Hm.]

I...suppose.

[Dimselle code for "yeah, you've convinced me" and with that she begins loosening the strings on the front of her shirt to peel it and her own leggings away to follow into the water.

But her hair. Maybe she can get away with keeping it up.]

[Tal couldn't help but grin at Dims. She turned to give her the slight privacy that she had given Halsin and moved to swim towards him.

Not that she had to, she could just stand up and walk, but this was better. Mostly because the way he looked down at her as she approached made her feel some kind of way and she was sure if she had the opportunity she would be wrapping herself around him in seconds.]

At the very least we can't take too long in here, or else Gale will get upset if we're late to dinner.

[She swears Gale was more of a mother to her than her own, but perhaps she didn't have the best comparison.]

[Halsin took a moment to sink down into the water, holding a hand out for Tal to take and bringing her in closer. They had been dancing and flirting around each other for some time now, though to be fair he had been doing the same with Dims.

Though that one was a bit more difficult to navigate, given how Dims was.

But he was nothing if not patient.]

If nothing else, the company is wonderful.

[She laced her fingers with his and he dragged her towards him, letting her glide through the water.]

[You can hardly blame a duergar for being...well, a duergar. Dimselle's marriage had been clearly printed in bold letters and flings were naturally just as flatly propositioned from her end. She wasn't exactly versed in romance or intimacy even in the slightest.

At times like this, watching Tal and Halsin so clearly connect from her spot on the sidelines, she felt this heavy weight settle in the pit of her stomach that burned like acid. She pushes away the uncomfortable sensation and finally begins to wade in.

Unlike Tal, if she intends on coming closer there really is no other option for her but to swim, unless the two want to talk to the top of her forehead and hair. Which she does with some degree of shame.

She would almost cast enlarge to save face. Almost.]

I think Gale will manage. I'm sure he has his own company to entertain at the moment.

Edited 2023-12-21 06:57 (UTC)

Hah! As if Gale would call entertaining Astarion a blessing.

[Once Dims was in the water she took Halsin's hand and tugged him closer to the shore so they could be around her. She sunk into the water, not quite sitting on the riverbank, but floating just above the sand. The water barely covered her nipples, and her hair fanned around her and covered everything else.]

[Halsin couldn't help but laugh. Unlike Tal, he did have to sit on the bank. He was much taller, and if he didn't sit he would be standing completely exposed to the world. He didn't mind sitting, though, he rather enjoyed bathing in rivers.]

Oh, he's not too bad. One just has to get around his prickly nature.

[Was Halsin talking about Gale or Astarion?

Yes.

He leaned back on his hands, his gaze settling on Dimselle for a moment and an easy smile settling on his lips.]

Are you comfortable, Dimselle?

[Dims smirks in that barely there way that you could almost call a smile for her. A rare treat on her end- she must really like these two. At least enough.]

I never said good company.

[Dims takes in the whole situation, the water now up to her neck and those face framing pieces of hair clinging to her jaw.

She's on her tiptoes barely skimming the bottom and if she stood flat you'd lose half her face. This is also just a little shameful if not so ridiculously silly looking from an outside perspective.

They look like a group of people shaped stairs.]

Comfortable-? Ah, yes, no I'm fine.

[She avoids looking him in the eye before rolling her shoulders in a shrug.]

[The water rippled with the three of them so close by now. The small schools of fish swam away from them, swimming downriver or somewhere far enough away that they wouldn't get caught with whatever they were doing. The moon was full tonight, and the glimmer of the silver lighting made the water glow — along with causing Dims silvery blond hair to glow as if surrounded by a halo.

Tal's hair had a similar effect on only half of her head.

They were two beautiful women, strong and fierce and plenty capable. He had seen them take down more evil than he would have thought on the journey he had joined, and in truth, it only made him more curious about them.

Though he will say, a Duergar and a Drow... they were difficult to figure out sometimes.

For good reason, of course.]

How has your druid craft been going, Dimselle?

[At the mention of her new druidic nature Dims all but scowls. Another eye roll, at this rate they'd pop out of her skull.]

There's mushrooms on everything. It's in the crevices of my armor, on my tent- I can't pick or scrape enough of it off without more growing anytime I touch fucking anything. It's clinging to my weapons. I don't even want to talk about my boots. Ugh.

[She sinks lower below the surface of the water until it's up to her nose. She'd never understand how Halsin did it. The greenery of life worked around him and with him along side most living creatures but she spent day in and day out fighting off fungi.

For all the benefits of becoming more in tune with nature some of the drawbacks made her wish she never had tried.]

[Tal did her best not to laugh at her predicament. Magic had never really been her strongest point when she trained at Arach-Tinilith. Well, that wasn't true. The magic given to her by Lolth had come easy to her. Winning the favor of the Spider Queen was as much a blessing as it was a curse, and while she could no longer use Lolth's magic, that didn't mean what she learned went to waste.

She could still heal, and she could conjure radiant divine energy to power her sword strikes. Magic came as easy as breathing, but the type of magic that Halsin and Dimselle were doing — Hells, even the magic that Gale weaved, and Wyll with his Patron's contract — was far beyond her means.

Nature's gifts were as powerful as they were beautiful, and seeing Halsin wield them in combat was terrifying to behold. Dims was just getting started on what she could do. Tal might not be in training anymore, but she recalled how long the process of learning magic had taken.]

Do you think the mushrooms are attracted to you because you resonate with the Underdark? Mushrooms are sort of our specialty, after all.

[Dims comes up just enough to be able to speak to Tal without a mouthful of water.]

The thought had crossed my mind.

[A bitter mumble followed by an unfocused glare that's totally, definitely not directly pointed towards a felled log with some orange shelf shaped fungus growing from the side of it off the bank of the river.

Druidic magic felt entirely different than the similar magic she and Tal shared. She barely understood it herself and frankly neglected her studies towards it in favor of using it more as an additional tool in battle. Lately this was not the case, plants became near personified as she continued to become in tune with the flora and she found that she was developing an ache like empathy for not just animals but people.

And make no mistake, Dimselle didn't like most people.

Maybe she had changed more on the surface than she had even noticed.]

Or perhaps they do it to spite me. Mushrooms are fickle and persistent little shits.

[Taliira was laughing this time, tilting her head back to look up at the sky. Gods, it was strange to see it every night. She half expected to wake up and see the darkness of the caverns, and instead she was greeted by the most stunning colors in the sky.

It felt endless, like she would fall into it if she wasn't careful.]

Maybe it's because you're calling them little shits that they have it out for you.

Perhaps they find themselves attached; an affinity of sorts. They see themselves in you. Kindred spirits.

[Which, of course, makes perfect sense to him.

Dimselle was resilient and strong, able to grow and thrive even in dangerous environments. She was tough, strong, but on the inside she cared despite her trying to not show it.]

[Dims begins to answer Tal and pauses short. Her glare shifts from the mushrooms just behind the drow to Halsin and the only part of her expression that changes is her eyebrows raise.

She looks at Halsin. Then Tal. Then Back to Halsin.

Then finally settles on Tal.]

You hear the way this man just called me a fickle little shit?

[Tal couldn't help but start laughing. Between Halsin's encouraging words, Dims annoyed pout, and her words, she had tears in her eyes as she tried to compose herself. She ended up leaning up against Halsin for support, and after a few seconds she was giggling behind her hand.]

You're going to wake up with a pile of mushrooms in your hair, Halsin.

[She gave Dims a bright grin, the laughter still clear on her expression.]

It wouldn't be the strangest thing I've woken up to.

[Halsin was smiling, clearly amused by this whole situation. He leaned back on one hand, with one leg propped up and sticking out of the water. Taliira was using that leg to lean against, almost as a recliner.

He turned to look at Dimselle, a smile almost a copy of the brilliant one that Tal had.]

[To see these two laughing drags another pleased smirk from the dwarf, which is about as close to jovial as you can get from her without prying it from her. They dredge up something warm and sweet from her insides that swells in her chest- it's actually fairly uncomfortable if she focuses on it too much. Like suffocating in honey.

Oh and they're such an image to look at. Dimselle has never had a soft spot for art as it had, frankly, little to no purpose but these two would have made a fine painting out here glistening in river water with the moon glowing down on them all comfortable leaned on one another.

Or, as fine a painting as she can assume, she really had no eye for that sort of thing. She did think they looked rather delightful here together though. She would almost be jealous at the effortlessness, if she weren't just glad to see Tal having a break.]

At least it would only be toadstools finding you in the night, Taliira attracts vampires in her sleep.

[Dims wouldn't dare attempt ruin their peace with her presence so she stays where she's at, wading a foot or two away with a lingering gaze that could burn holes through stone.]

Hey!

[Her laughter rang out into the night; a few birds that were nesting nearby seemed to take offense and flew off, though that didn't seem to stop her from laughing. She did press the back of her hand to her lips in an attempt to at least muffle herself, though from the endearing expression on Halsin's face, it seemed that the bear found more amusement in this than anything else.]

In my defense, at least the vampire shows up with my consent. Can you say the same about your mushrooms?

[She was not going to try and argue that fact. Everyone in camp knew that she was feeding Astarion using her own body. No one seemed to have any objections to it, so long as Astarion kept control, and if he were ever to not have that control, Tal was more than capable of dealing with it.

Still, it was obvious from her paler complexion come morning some days, and the bite marks that seem to be so very persistent on her neck. She did, at least, heal those and did well to hide the marks as best she could.

Though, now she was naked and while her wet hair did cling to her, if one were to look hard enough, they would be able to find traces of two puncture holes on her throat without much issue.]

[And Dimselle did see the signs. She had long since clocked the persistent sickly looking dark circles and occasional irritation of the bite marks left freshly healed. She also couldn't frankly care how Taliira conducted her time as long as she were safe.

Of course, Tal could handle herself but there was no penalty for a healthy dose of skepticism and caution.]

I can assure you I'm not asking for their presence.

[Dims can only grumble in response now remembering her own plight. Fucking mushrooms.]

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