Saw a post on here about the amount of times Raph gives you the up and down look and I must say I didn't notice before in game but um, yeah, he does it alot š¤£
So have a gif of the first subtle one and a clip of the second (cause I like his line work). I caught it twice in the very first interaction with him lol.
Contemptuous Creatures, Chapter 26- 'A Word, If You Please'
All this and more on my Ao3! :) Full chapter under the cut!
āIt's fucking freezing here and I hate it.ā I say as I wrap the blanket more tightly around myself. I have been trying to sleep for over an hour now, but am kept awake by the unrelenting chill that permeates the air.
Raphael sits on the chair by the window, reading one of his books that heās conjured to occupy his time while I sleep. Attempt to sleep, anyway. Each time I complain, turn over, or pull the blanket impossibly tight around me, I can practically feel Raphael smile. He reads by the light of a floating flame heās also conjured, and the room is otherwise dark aside from the eerie glow of the blueish hue the snow reflects from the moon through the window.
āI offered to be your bedfellow,ā Raphael reminds me, āI was toldāwhat was itāto ājump up my own arse and take a whiffā? And they say the Lower City folk lack artistryā¦ā
āUghh.ā I groan and pull the blanket over my head, āFine, sit on the bed.ā
āWhat was that, dear? Iām afraid youāre speaking into what passes for a mattress in this little hamlet, and I cannot hear you. From your diaphragm, if you please.ā
āSit on the bed,ā I say through clenched and chattering teeth, lifting my head up so the words are clear, though I am certain he heard them just fine.
āSit on the bedā¦?ā
āPlease.ā
āOh, well, if you insist. And with such fine manners, too.ā Raphael says smugly. I feel the weight of him dip the mattress at the foot of the bed. The relief is instant, and I press my feet against his thigh.
āCan you make the blanket warm, like you did the coat earlier?ā I ask.
āOf course I could,ā Raphael says simply with no effort to make it happen. I consider asking with a āpleaseā, but I get the sense Raphael prefers me using his body rather than his magic for comfort.
After about a minute, I have inched myself further and further to be close to Raphaelās heat that I am curled up like a pill bug, legs tucked in so my feet and bottom are by the devilās leg. My face and shoulders are still frigid, and I am shivering frequently.
After another few minutes, Raphael slowly lowers himself down so he is lying beside me, head propped up on his hand. Half-asleep, I curl into him, my face in his chest. The warmth allows me to rest more fully. How unimaginably odd it is, for sleeping next to a devil to be the most comfortable thing I could do.
A hand rests on my hip, slowly trailing up and down the side of my body, from hip to shoulder. The hand grows a touch more bold, beginning to rub my backside, a little more insistent. A new hardness begins to assert itself against my belly.
I tense up. Iām finding I do not want to have sex with Raphael, not now. For one, I am exhausted, and secondly, there is an effect about being on the surface of Faerun that makes it feel more⦠real. This is where my friends are, my real lovers. Itās where Astarion is. Not nearby, of course, but on this reality, this planeā¦
But can I refuse Raphael? I havenāt ever tried or wanted toāeach time weāve touched, thereās been a clear desire, but thatās absent now. He wonāt care, would he, if I told him ānoā? Heās an archdevil of the hells, the son of Mephistophelesāhe wouldnāt simply be denied something he wants, right?
āShh, sleep now, little mouse,ā Raphael says softly, lifting his hand from my rear and resting it on my upper arm, āRest. You are safe.ā
I pull myself back to look at him properly. Is this some kind of trick? He does not seem angry or annoyed as he looks down at me with a surprising softness,
āOf all the sins I commit, I do not take lovers who are not displaying their unrestrained desperation for me.ā He says with a cocky, but reassuring smile, āYou will crave me soon enough, and that is something worth waiting for.ā
Raphael conjures his book and reading flame again, holding the novel open with one hand above me, the other still supporting his head as his attention drifts comfortably from me to his reading. A tension I hadnāt even noticed was there in my chest relaxes as I know he will not touch me against my will. I resent the odd feeling of gratitude I feelāit is hardly a kindness toĀ notĀ assault someone, but I admit Iām pleasantly surprised I didnāt have to so much as push his hand away or make an excuse. Less could be said of others Iāve lain with, and here, an archdevil can respect a boundary without issue.
I watch Raphaelās face read as I lie next to him, my feet pressed against his legs to warm up. He really is a handsome devil; a strong jaw and nose. Eyes focused on the lines of the story- he is not rushing his reading, he is really taking in the story, it seems. Illuminated in the soft light thrown by the floating fire, the contours of his face are striking.
āYou arenāt expecting a bedtime story, are you?ā Raphael says without taking his eyes from the page. The corner of his mouth tics up in a small smile.
āNot expecting, but I wouldnāt say ānoā,ā I say, adjusting my position to get more comfortable. Raphael turns to me.
āIf I read to you, will you put away those dreadful puppy-dog eyes of yours?ā
āDreadful?!ā I say, pushing his arm a little, āHow dare you- Iām adorable.ā
āYou are, and itāsā¦nauseating at times,ā Raphael says, nose scrunched as if there is an unpleasant smell.
I burst out laughing at the earnestness with which Raphael says this. At my laughter, Raphaelās face softens, and he laughs as well. We settle into a comfortable silence for a while.
āRaphael, are we⦠friends?ā I ask, āOr are you just using me to get this Crown?ā
Raphael closes the book and puts it down,
āI do not see why one would negate the other. Friends use each other frequently, do they not?ā
āNot forĀ total control over the hells, no.ā I say, āFriends do things like cook for each other and stand up for each other in conflict. And it canāt be just one way, it has to be balanced.ā
āOnce the Crown is in my hands, I could grant you anything you desire.ā Raphael says, āPerhaps even freedom from your last two debts to meā
āThat āperhapsā is doing a lot of heavy lifting there...ā I say, and Raphael laughs gently, affirming that what I said was accurate.
āClever girl.ā He praises, and I feel a familiar surge of warmth deep in my belly. Damn this creatureās velvet voice.
āWhat makes this crown so important anyway?ā I ask, trying to distract myself, āArenāt you powerful enough?ā
āThe Crown of Karsus, forged with potent Netherese arcana, could allow its owner to conduct magic free from the Weave and Mystraās reaches. It sat as little more than a useless artifact in the basement vault of Mephistopheles for more than a millennium before it was recently stolen. Once I take hold of the Crown, not only will I wield its powers, but I will rightfully ascend to the level of Asmodeus himself.ā
āOkay, well thatās not going to happen.ā I say, flopping onto my back, āI think the Crown should get back to Mystra where she can keep an eye on it. Or better yet, be destroyed.ā
āWe shall see,ā Raphael says lightly, looking down at me, āYour companions seem to care for you greatly; Iām confident they would do nearly anything to ensure your safety.ā
āIs that a threat?ā I ask, eyebrow raised.
āWhen I threaten you, you will know it.ā Raphael says, āI only mean that their imaginations are surely running wild with all the horrible, depraved things I could be doing to you.ā
Another stirring deep in my belly forms as our eyes meet for a long moment. I think for a moment he might kiss me. Or that I might kiss him.
āGo to sleep, little mouse. You are a terrible distraction.ā Raphael says with a degree of fondness, pulling his book back out and flipping to the page he was on earlier.
āGood night, then.ā I say, with a confusing mix of disappointment and relief. Part of me does want to climb on top of him and throw his book against the wall⦠but I think if I do, Iād regret it. Iām tired and cold and Raphael is right- Iām not craving him the way I usually do. While weāre the surface, all I can think about is the faces of my friends. Theyāre close now, but so far awayā¦
I close my eyes and try to focus on my breathing, shutting out other thoughts. Sleep comes slowly as I inch ever closer to Raphael to combat the chilly air. At some I am being held in one of his arms, my head resting on his bare chest, my arm wrapped around his middle. He must have taken his outerwear off, for he is only wearing his thin white undershirt.
Half-asleep and with the soft firelight glow from the reading flame, I feel as if Iām back at camp. There is no heartbeat keeping time under my head, but that feels familiar too, as if I were lying with Astarion. The heat of Raphaelās body is not unlike Karlach's. The soft sound of pages turning could just as easily be Gale⦠I close my eyes again and sleep deeply at last.
Sunlight cascades into the room, waking me up. I am fully wrapped around Raphael, arms and legs while he is now reviewing what seems to be Infernal contracts floating above him still. The arm Iām resting on is lazily stroking my back as if lost in thought but stops once he realizes Iām awake.
āYou snore, you know.ā Raphael says without looking away from the floating parchment as I blink my eyes open.
āYeah, Iāve been told that before.ā I say, groggily sitting up and stretching my arms above my head. The air is cool, but refreshing after hours spent next to Raphaelās extreme warmth, āGood thing you donāt sleep.ā
āI couldnāt if I wanted to. Your nasal cacophony will not be ignored. I pity your companions.ā Raphael says playfully, āI assume Astarion is the one you lay with the most? His was the name you called most frequently during the night.ā
I feel my cheeks turn pink, though I canāt quite place why. Perhaps itās because sleeping chastely next to Raphael was the most intimate thing we could have possibly done. Maybe itās because Iām embarrassed that he gained some insight into my unconscious mind. Iām not surprised I said Astarionās name out loud. Iāve been avoiding thinking of him, swatting away his face appearing in my mind like an insistent gnat. It aches too much to dwell on. Our last meeting, making love- truly making love, not just fucking was⦠perfect. So lovely and affirming, it was possibly one of the biggest mistakes Iāve ever made. We were so close to getting to a fully platonic place-- well, I was anyway. I think Astarionās already gotten there, but I got pulled right back into my little infatuation.
I mentally swat Astarionās face away again now as it forms in my mind, swat away my urge to know what he is doing, if he is safe.
If heās thinking of me, too.
āYou have something of a ātypeā, perhaps?ā Raphael says, interrupting my thoughts.
āWhat do you mean?ā
āBeautiful, cruel, and soulless.ā
āHeās not cruelĀ orĀ soulless!ā I snap, standing up and stepping away from the bed, āYou donāt know him.ā
āForgive me, I did not mean to strike such a nerve,ā Raphael says, and as angry as I feel, I believe him. I believe he didnāt intend to irritate me, but I feel just so protective of Astarion, especially when heās not here to advocate for himself.
I straighten out my clothes and try to fix my hair a bit in the mirror, as itās been mussed over the course of the night, and try to ground myself in the moment. Raphael stands as well, fetching his jacket and brushing it off. He is inspecting the garment as he says,
āYour vampire is⦠fortunate to have someone like you.ā The words sound forced but sincere, as if they are in a language Raphael is newly learning. I turn to Raphael, who looks composed, but almost too much so, as if he is forcing a neutral posture and expression while he adjusts the sleeves.
āIn what way?ā I ask, wondering if I could wrangle a direct compliment out of him.
āDonāt push it.ā Raphael says with a playful sneer, buttoning up his doublet, āCome, we will get you fed before preparing to see our darling, dear Haarlep. I am sure they are most anxious to see you.ā
Raphael and I sit and eat a breakfast of unfathomably salted herring, which is, apparently, the local delicacy. The attentive innkeeper watches as I try to choke down the overly salted fish on toast with a smile. Raphael orders a second helping on my behalf to the delight of the innkeeper and horror of myself. I quickly request for it to be packaged so I can āsavor it laterā and Raphael orders a third helping for the road so I can have the second helping now. I kick him under the table but manage to finish the second dish under the careful eye of the kindly dwarven innkeeper and my hellish companion.
āThank you for visiting!ā Says the kindly innkeeper as Raphael and I walk toward the exit of the building, āYou two lovebirds have a great day! Is it a long journey home?ā
āItās a ways south.ā Raphael says slyly, āTake care, now. The little missus and I will be sure to visit again soon.ā
Raphael steers me away from the view of the innkeeper and out the door quickly before anyone could see me pretend to gag.
āYou think youāre funny, donāt you?ā I ask.
āI have my moments.ā Raphael says, āAre you ready, my sweet?
I take one last inhale of the uncomfortably freezing, but undeniably Faerun air before nodding my head. In a suddenĀ whooshĀ of heat, we descend back down to the depths of hell.
~~~~~ Back at Camp ~~~~~
āAlright,ā Wyll says as the companions gather at first light to make a plan for the day. āWe cannot ignore the threat of the Steel Watch any longer. Every day they march forward into a tyrannical rule from which our Bauldarianās must be free. At the same time, we have to find out the truth about Tav, once and for all. Laāzel and I have come up with a plan to divide and conquer.ā
āTo the foundry to dismantle the Steel Watch, we need a combination of stealth and power. For this team, we are going to have Karlach, Shadowheart, and Astarion.ā Protests are already forming, and Wyll raises a hand to indicate silence for another moment. āTo the diabolist will be myself, Laāzel, and Gale.ā
āIām going to the diabolist,ā Astarion says firmly.
āWe need your stealth to get into and move around the foundry, Astarion. This isnāt negotiable.ā Says Wyll, just as firmly.
āI want to go to the diabolist too,ā Shadowheart says. Wyll runs a hand over his face in frustration.
āYou should not have done such a poor job the last time you were in the hells then.ā Laāzel snaps back, āIt was your team that allowed for Tav to be caught in the devils claws, was it not?ā
āButĀ GaleĀ can go again?ā Astaion protests indignantly.
"What, exactly, are you insinuating?" Gale demands, hands on his hips.
āListen up!ā Wyll says forcefully, and the camp turns to him, āWe are playing with strategy, not feelings. You were chosen for your assignment because that assignmentĀ needsĀ you. You are all smart, strong, invaluable members of this team. Assignments are not up for negotiation, and any further arguing is just more time we sit here without answers and without the Netherstone we need. Are we understood?ā
A grumble of acceptance passes through the camp. Karlach catches Wyll's eye and mouths a silent āthank youā for her placement. Of course, she would go to the hells again for Tav if it were necessary, but itās a relief to beat up these big steel baddies instead for the time being.
āI⦠I could help. I want to help.ā Says a voice from behind the adventurers, pulling all their attentions. Hope emerges from the tent Tav had once held. āCan I help you?ā
āI wish to help as well.ā Says Halsin, who had been brewing tea for the crew and is now passing mugs and cups along for everyone, āThose metal contraptions are an affront to nature. It would be a pleasure to tear them apart.ā
āBut we do. I do, anyway. I will not speak on behalf of Hope.ā Halsin says, gently smiling at Hope and handing her a cup of tea, āThe urge to cause destruction does not find me often, but it has here, seeing those⦠wretched things stomp around the city.ā
āI want to help too. I can heal, I am a healer. You have a healer already, but there is more than enough hurt to go around.ā Hope says with a stressed sounding laugh.
āAlright, you two can join the Foundry team,ā Wyll says, not wanting to place Hope in the diabolist team.
āAre we not going for subtlety and stealth?ā Astarion asks with an arched eyebrow, āThatās hardly going to be accomplished if we bring along a party that rivals the Circus of the Last Days. Perhaps we should invite Lucretious along as well?ā
āI did like her,ā Karlach says.
āShe did have a certain panache, didnāt she?ā Astarion agrees, trailing away from the conversation at hand.
āOh, for the love of the Gods, canāt you two focus on anything?ā Complains Gale in near unison with Laāzel.
āIāll go to the diabolist.ā Says Hope, turning all faces back to her.
āNo, Hope, you donāt need to do that.ā Says Karlach, approaching Hope, āYou can go to the foundry or stay here, but youāve only just escaped from hell.ā
āI know Helsik. She knows me. We both know Korilla. And Raphael. It could be good⦠I could be good.ā
āWhy not stay here and rest?ā suggests Wyll, āYouāve been though enoughā¦ā
āI CAN HELP!ā Hope shouts, with a sudden rush of anger that surprises the group, āI was trapped,Ā chainedĀ in a state of not-doing and now I want to do!! Miss Mouse would do! She does! I can too, and Iām going to Helsik and I donāt care if you donāt want me to or not. You canāt stop me.ā
The ferocity of Hope is unexpected, but in a way that seems to inspire the team. It seems all of the companions were pitying Hope for what sheās been through, but pity isnāt what this cleric wants or needs. She needs to be empowered.
āYou heard her.ā Halsin says with some pride, āSheās going to the diabolist.ā
~~~~~ Back at the House of Hope ~~~~~
Raphael and I arrive in the House of Hope in another fiery blaze. My heart aches to leave the surface but the heat here is far more comfortable than the frozen tundra we were just in. We arrive in the portal room, and I immediately begin to walk towards the office where Haarlep is being kept.
Itās only a few steps before I remember Iām tethered to Raphael, who is taking his sweet time walking. I try pulling him forward, but to no avail. My feet slide as I try to drag Raphael ahead,
āFor godsā sake, would you comeĀ on?ā I demand trying to get to the office
āI do not rush for anyone, especially theĀ gods. Though your efforts are both valiant and entertaining.ā Raphael says, taking deliberately slow steps. I release a frustrated exhale and wait for him to catch up. We walk at a damned snail's pace and eventually are led to the office.
Smoke is curling up from the gap between the door and the floor, and it smells of smoke and burned wood.
āHaarlep?ā I call out once weāre in hearing distance, āHaarlep, are you there?ā
āPet!ā Comes Haarlepās excitable voice, muffled from behind the door, āPet, itās you! Do please tell Raphael to let me out, would you, my dear one?ā
We finally approach the door, and I look at Raphael expectantly to unlock it. After a dramatic flourish of adjusting his sleeve, Raphael passes his open palm over the door, and it unlocks with a mechanical-soundingĀ click.
A burst of smoke emerges with Haarlep as they exit. Haarlep is naked and covered in soot and scratches, looking like they were just in battle. They rush over to me, looking over my body and face,
āYou are well? Safe?ā Haarlep asks, eyes wide, gently touching my cheek. Their hair is wild, tangled around their horns and falling accross their face. Somehow it only makes Haarlep more attractive.
āYes, and are you--?ā
The second thing Haarlep does is turn away from me, lift Raphael by the neck and slam him against the wall. In his human form, Raphael is significantly smaller than Haarlep, and his legs do not quite reach the ground, dangling below him. Raphaelās face remains unperturbed hands steadying on Haarlep's strong forearms.
āI did not like your game, Raphael.ā Haarlep hisses, nose to nose with Raphael.
āIf you thought this was a game, perhaps you need a bit more time to reflect...ā Raphael says with a smug smile.
I take a peek into the office, and it appears to have been entirely charred. Furniture has been thrown and damaged, and small flames are still burning across the room. It looks like a dragon had been released in there.
Haarlep sneers and tosses Raphael down the hall a small ways as easily as a rag doll. I am tossed along with him, bound by our invisible tether.
āApologies, pet!ā Haarlep says, rushing to catch me, just before I hit the ground, āPlease forgive me!ā Haarlep casts some spell, and I feel the tether release. Haarlep helps me stand, and Raphael, who has changed into his cambion form just before crashing into the ground, stands on his own.
āI do hope youāve gotten this out of your system, Haarlep. I do not wish to fight with you right now.ā Raphaelās shoulders are squared; he is clearly irritated that Haarlep is not displaying contrition. Haarlep does not seem to have gotten their anger out of their system as they match Raphaelās posture. Chests are puffed out, arms are flexed, and fists are clenched. I would be a liar if I said I wasnāt intrigued by this brutish display of powerā¦
āMaster, an update.ā Comes a different voice. Korilla approaches from the other side of the hall behind Raphael, and we all turn to look at her, āUnless now is not a good timeā¦ā
Korilla looks between Raphael and Haarlep, throwing me a small hateful glance as well, which is returned. Bitch.
āNo, your timing is most opportune, Korilla.ā Raphael says, dusting off his doublet, āWhat news from our young adventurer friends?ā
āYou saw them?ā I ask Korilla, āWere you spying?ā
My mind is flooded with contradictory feelings. Fury that Korilla was watching my friends without them knowing, jealousy of her being near to them, and a desire to know for certain they are well.
āYes, mouse.ā Korilla says in a patronizing tone, āThat is very much my job. Do you have any other inane questions?ā
I resist the urge to make a rude gesture and settle on a glare and crossing my arms over my chest. Haarlep comes to stand next to me, a large hand on my shoulder. Iām surprised with how much Iāve missed Haarlep- their presence really is grounding and I let myself melt a bit into their touch.
āGo on, Korilla.ā Raphael urges,
āAnother Netherstone has been acquired. The one from the Bhaalspawn, Orin. The six are preparing to get Gortashās stone within the tenday.ā
Pride and relief bloom in my chest, unfurling wildly. āAll sixā, Korilla had said- that means theyāre all alive. And furthermore, getting the stone from Orin is such an accomplishment. I could cry for how glad I am to know this and Haarlepās hand squeezes me lightly and happily before pulling me toward them.
āVery good.ā Raphael says approvingly, āThe conditions for negotiation are ripening perfectly.ā
āThere is another thing,ā Korilla says with a glare towards Haarlep and myself, āthe adventurers seem to have been under the impression that your mouse is dead.ā
Raphaelās face tenses and his eyes narrow, āAnd how, may I ask, did they come to this impression?ā
āThey said you told them yourself, Master. That you visited their camp and told them Mephistopheles killed her. Apparently, you told them the entire deal was off; the mouse for the hammer.ā Korilla says matter-of-fact.
āHaarlep.ā Raphael says with a chilling calm, glowing eyes flashing to his incubus, āA word, if you please.ā
Raphael, son of Mephistopheles.
Itās funny how two things have coincidentally kept me away from social media and limited my personal art time: a demanding workload and wanting to avoid spoilers as I (slowly) continue my run of Dragon Age: The Veilguard.
But my forgetfulness worked in my favor this timeāI just realized I never posted this drawing of Raphael here!
Shadowheart-Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler
Chosen by Karlach for the pun, and who does the duet with her. Shadowheart wants to act too cool for it, but is all bought in in by the chorus.
La'zel-Bad Reputation by Joan Jett
Is not singing on the beat and essentially shouting the lyrics like slam-poetry, not fully understanding the point of this activity.
Wyll- Holding Out for a Hero by Bonnie Tyler
This is one of the performances of the group; there is dancing, there is audience participation, and there is raw and unfiltered earnestness.
Astarion- Paint the Town Red by Doja Cat
Thinks he's too good for this whole ridiculous singing thing, but he's been practicing the whole week before they go out. He nails it and acts like he couldn't care less.
Gale- I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor
Originally wanted to do Wonderwall by Oasis but this was veto'd by every single other companion. Shadowheart chose this song for Gale and honestly? He crushes it even though not one single note was correct.
Karlach- Pink Pony Club by Chappell Roan, Don't Stop Me Now by Queen, I Wanna Dance with Somebody, Whitney Houston
Organized the event and cannot choose just one song. Is it the most technically accurate performance? No, but good Gods it gets people on their feet.
Minthara- Don't Speak by No Doubt
This was the actually just the command Minthara gave when she was invited to karaoke and Karlach made it work when taking down people's songs.
Halsin- Big Yellow Taxi by Joni Mitchell
"Pave paradise, put up a parking lot" becomes part of Halsin's frequent phrases and says it every time he sees construction developing on nature while shaking his head sadly.
Dame Ailin and Isobel- A Whole New World from the Aladdin soundtrack
They refused to perform without the other. Dame Ailin is a HUGE Disney adult as it turns out and hits Aladdin's lines way too hard. 100/10 performance.
Jahira and Minsc (ft. Boo) -Don't Go Breaking My Heart, Elton John, Kiki Dee
All Minsc's idea, Jahira hates performing but loves Minsc. Minsc sings both parts by accident and lets Boo get in there
Raphael- La Traviata by Giuseppi Verdi
The. Entire. Opera. Uses infernal magic to make everyone watch the performance. Nails it, but everyone hates it.
Haarlep- If You Seek Amy, Britney Spears
Gets every single person's number after the performance.
Iāve had a couple people ask for prints so I made a preorder! Iāll have prints with me at c2e2 as well but the shop will be stocked next week! Shop link is in my bio.
first you gotta do the build up and then the actual fucking and the fucking is pretty easy but you never know how long the fucking should last, and eventually you're like "okay I'm tired of this" so the characters cum, but you're not done yet because you can't just end it at "he fucking nutted everywhere" you gotta keep going, and the characters have to chat a little or cry or think about how horrible they are or something and then you kinda don't know when to end that either so now you're 2k words in and you might have put too much self hatred and not enough sucking dick. so you wrap it up, and think well it's done now.
or sometimes you have it all perfect in your mind and you knock the whole thing out in 2 to 3 hours.
There is no drug on earth that can replicate the absolute euphoria of hitting a writing flow state at 2:00 AM. You arenāt even typing anymore. You are a vessel. You are a channel for the gods. The characters are speaking directly into your brain and youāre just the stenographer trying to keep up. You feel like you could fight a bear. You feel like you invented the alphabet