Liv's Miscellaneous Muses

An Overflow Bin for an Overactive Imagination

[aldanonthesage]

((as previously alluded to, I have a new blog for creative endeavors. the-rimar-roses is my new repository for notes and works related to my ongoing novel project, and rimar-roses-rp is my multiverse rp sideblog for characters from the novel. both are currently works in progress, but i hope to finish build them and have them up and running within the next few days. neither blog will be high-activity, as im in grad school now, but i hope to use both as a creative outlet. so if you want to rp, please follow me on the new blogs and a shoot me a message. i also still have a main blog here. 

[donewithnashersshit-blog]

Out of necessity, I’m returning to all my blogs with a blank slate. If there is a thread you want to continue, please message me. Otherwise, all threads are dropped, because it’s been so long I just don’t remember them. Sorry!

[livsmiscellaneousmuses]

((I believe I am caught up on replies for this blog. Please message me if I missed something. I’m afraid I am dropping Festival threads for Stella and Boulder unless discussed.))

[neverwinterforgottenhero]

Girl talk-Open rp

[livsmiscellaneousmuses]

neverwinterforgottenhero:

Rith felt relieved, the other woman seemed nice and didn’t care too much about formalities. She wasn’t that used to find such nobles. Especially at parties. But the paladin was even more surprised to find that the young lady had made her dress. 

“You made your dress? You’re very skilled then. Do you often sew?”*

Rith was impressed, the other woman seemed at ease in those parties, she looked naturally elegant and respected the proper etiquette. Still she was cordial and didn’t look like the usual lady. Not that she didn’t look like a Lady, no, she looked graceful enough, but lacked that particular disdain, peculiar to wealthy. 

That was unusal but honestly much more agreeable. The paladin was glad to have found someone nice enough to talk to her. So she didn’t feel like pass for what she was not. The noble woman was apparently mistaken about her. 

“Oh I’m not a lady, I’m just a knight. In fact I just returned to Neverwinter this month. And you? You seem like you know well the city and its court.” 

Stella’s eyes sparkled at the mention of sewing, and she had to stop herself from going on an enthusiastic rant about the latest batch of dress designs she’d completed- which included the dress she was wearing tonight. Reigning herself in, she smiled again.

“A knight?” she asked curiously. “How exciting! I wanted to be made a squire to someone you know, so very badly, but Mama was dead set against it. To answer your questions, though, I live here in Neverwinter. I’ve never actually traveled much, I’m afraid. But yes, I sew often. It’s a side-effect of a passion for designing clothes, I’m afraid. But tell me, where did you return from. You must have traveled all sorts of places as a knight!”

[troubledtieflings]

[Open Starter - Darian]

[livsmiscellaneousmuses]

troubledtieflings:

The dwarf grunted. “That bit ain’t yer damn business to decide anyway. That’s fer the people yeh saved to decided, and from what I’ve heared they’ve fuckin’ decided. Yeh saved their arses, and they think yeh did a damn fine job o’ it.” She grunted again and tugged on her beard, studying Darian with sharp eyes. “There’s a lot o’ bastards what would’ve said fuck it and left everything to go to shit. And a lot o’ them what would’ve tried, but fucked it up. And some what would’ve ended up joining the evil son o’ a bitch, and to hell wit’ the consequences. Yeh didn’t do any o’ that, an’ yeh did a shit heap o’ good because o’ it.”

And what about the people he hadn’t saved? The people of West Harbor, and Fort Locke, and Highcliff, those that fell before the King of Shadows - did they get a say in this evaluation of his efforts?

But he didn’t say any of that, of course. In fact, despite his own misgivings, he found he couldn’t stop himself from laughing quietly, shaking his head in an almost disbelieving sort of amusement.

“I have to admit,” he said after a moment, “You make a pretty good argument, and a damn good pep talk. …Come to think of it, I think I might know at least one of each of those ‘bastards’ you mentioned! Still, being better than some doesn’t mean no one else could have done it better– and I know there’s at least a few things I would do differently, if I had the chance.”

Boulder grunted, though it sounded suspiciously like a belch, and spat on the ground. “Fuck that,” she said succinctly. “We all got shit to change, but until some idiot mage turns back the damn clocks we ain’t gonna get to change shit.” She eyed the Knight Captain. “Yer fuckin’ awful at takin’ thanks an’ compliments, yeh know that?”

[childeofsune-deactivated2018111]

A pretty young woman, with pale blue eyes and paler blonde hair, wandered into the Temple of Sune late one the afternoon. Her traveling clothes were finely made. Blouse, breeches, and warm cloak- none would have looked out of place in a court or noble affair. The astonishingly large axe on her back, however, might have. She looked around the temple with bright, curious eyes, and offered you a friendly smile when she spotted you. "Hello. This is a Temple of Sune, isn't it?"

The elf turned to greet the newcomer, his smile welcoming and wide. “It is, fair one.” He gathered from her attire that this lovely young woman was likely a noble. Nobles often sought refuge in the temple, it offered a respite from the politics and schemes of their daily lives, and a place they could simply exist as people instead of being nothing but a rank in society. 

The presence of the axe was unusual, but if she had come from the road…

He offered her a deep bow, his long black hair nearly spilling to the floor. “Have you come seeking the guidance of a priest? A day in the baths? Or are you here simply to enjoy the pleasure and beauty of Sune’s glittering halls and lush gardens?” His dark eyes met the woman’s with warmth. 

[livsmiscellaneousmuses]

childeofsune:

Imagining this lovely young woman with a temper that would ward others away was a difficult feat. Her strength, Asher did not doubt, but he strained to picture her truly enraged.

All the better for her, the bard supposed with a fleeting smile. If one could not see her temper about to flare, they would likely be minced courtesy of that axe. Woe be to those who judged based on appearance.

“It is as you say, we learn what we must,” Asher agreed. “I have some skill with the bow for that very reason, as well as the blade, but what I favor is the power of song. Words, wit, charm. These are a bard’s forte, and passion,” he admitted. His dark eyes twinkled then, a mischievous smile forming upon his lips as he added with a wink, “And if all else fails, I always have my hair, do I not?”

Stella laughed brightly. “A powerful weapon if ever I’ve seen one!” she declared with a grin. Her eyes sparkled with amusement, but she heaved a sigh. “Really, your hair is wonderful. I hope you don’t mind me saying that. It’s absolutely beautiful.” She giggled. “You know, I used to wish I had lovely dark hair like that. I didn’t realize until I got older just how pale it would make me look. I’d practically be a corpse!” She laughed again, then eyed Asher’s hair. “If you don’t mind me asking, do you ever style it? Only, I saw some styles in Silverymoon I’m certain would look stunning on you. I could show them to you, if you like.”

[leastofus]

A grubby dwarf in leather armour stumbles into the clinic, dragging a makeshift stretcher. A body, curiously small and stout, is lying on the stretcher and covered in blankets. "Oi! Are yeh the fuckin' healer?"

Eiryan raised his head from where he sat at the bedside of a sleeping woman, elderly, close to passing. Even now he could feel her life draining slowly, slipping. She was tired and ready to fade, and it was his job, amongst other things, to see her gently to the quick-time roads of the dead.

When the dwarf entered, however, the peaceful flow of ebbing energy was disturbed, the air rippling with pain and life, a trembling flow like water displaced. The energy from the small form shook.

He stood, moving faster than expected from one with such a broad chest, and was soon by the side of the stretcher. He did not look at the dwarf, occupied, instead, with the smaller form. The half-orc gestured to an empty cot, sheets clean and stark white. “Indeed, good dwarf. What happened?” he asked, and his voice rumbled from within his chest, deep and dark like the roots of a mountain. As he spoke, he reached out, not with his hand, but with his own life force, brushing the prone figure’s, seeking to comfort.

[livsmiscellaneousmuses]

leastofus:

livsmiscellaneousmuses:

leastofus:

“Ah, no,” he said. “City boy, born and raised, unfortunately,” he said with a wide smile. When he noticed that the dwarf seemed less than interested, he cleared his throat. He grabbed a broom from behind the cabinet. “Sweeping was the next chore that needed to be done, then inventory, if you would still like to help.”

Boulder grunted in surprise, but offered no additional comment as she accepted the broom. She got to work immediately, tackling the job with a single-minded determination that was almost frightening- and more than a little amusing, considering the broom was taller than she was. When she passed close to Eiryan, it became obvious that she was humming to herself as she worked. The tune could only be described as gravelly and warlike.

Eiryan smiled pleasantly as the dwarf took the broom. He had half expected the diminutive man to refuse his request, and he would hardly have been in any position to argue. The dwarf had helped him so much already, and Eiryan couldn’t ask him to help more than what he was comfortable with.

He began counting inventory swiftly, marking down amounts on a piece of parchment stuck to a board. Bandages, poultices, dried herbs, medicinal powders, everything going on his list. As the dwarf moved about him, Eiryan couldn’t help but smile. “Is that something you have just now created, my friend dwarf?” he grinned at him.

Boulder grunted. “Nah. Some song me mother used to sing. Said it used to be some fuckin’ war chant or somethin’. I jus’ like it. S’pposed to be a song for one o’ them war gods, but it’s still somethin’ what gets caught in me head.” She eyed the imposing half orc menacingly. “Yeh got a problem with it, healer?”

[livsmiscellaneousmuses]

open rp

[livsmiscellaneousmuses]

donotdaretoswashmybuckle:

livsmiscellaneousmuses:

Boulder grunted again, then shrugged. “I don’ give much o’ a fuck. Yeh do what yeh gotta damn well do, Sparkles. I’ll take care o’ me business, yeh take care o’ yers.” She shot a disgruntled glance Eilera’s way. “But I’m not damn well likin’ bein’ kept waitin’ any longer’n I have to fuckin’ wait. Yeh gonna be on time, elf?”

“I promise to be perfectly punctual, lest I incur your wrath. You are not one whose patience I would care to test,” Eilera admitted frankly.

A nod, then a sniff, and she slapped her hand against the bar’s surface. “But enough business, for the moment we enjoy our drink, yes? We’ve several more rounds yet in us, I am certain!”

Boulder grinned savagely. “More than a few, elfy. And I’d bet good fuckin’ coin I’ve got more left in me then you’ve got left in yer scrawny self. You game for a contest?”

[leastofus]

The Littlest Barbarian - Closed Starter for Stella

[livsmiscellaneousmuses]

leastofus:

livsmiscellaneousmuses:

“Pleased to meet you, Master Aizo,” Stella chirped. The handshake, and the decided lack of any deference of hand-kissing, was deeply satisfying as far as Stella was concerned. She rather liked this man already. At his suggestion, however, her smile turned faintly sheepish. “I’m quite certain he’d eat it, if he had enough teeth left. But he got rather… forward, and I’m afraid I quite lost my temper with him. But no matter that. Might I ask what brings you here, Master Aizo?”

Serge let out a low, rumbling laugh. It was quiet, but held a note of sadistic amusement. He released the young woman’s hand and turned back to the bar. “Sounds like he got what was coming to him, miss.” Serge eyed his empty mug and waved the barman over. He ordered another, in the same wordless manner as he had before, and answered Stella’s inquiry. “Good paying work, hopefully. And decent drink. You, Lady Stella?” he responded, mimicking the form of address she had used on him. “Hopefully not looking for some helpless man with a mouthful of teeth for you to punch in.”

Feeling rather smug that she’d gotten the quiet, grumpy stranger to laugh, Stella shook her head. 

“Hardly,” she answered with a laugh. “I’m just travelling. My parents decided it was... ah, time I have a chance to explore the north a little more. It took some convincing to get them to let me leave on my own, but here I am!” Despite her odd pause, the young woman seemed genuinely delighted. “I was going to try and go visit Icewind Dale, but the caravan master I spoke with said I’d likely be caught there all winter. So I think I’ll go in the spring. For now I’m headed to Waterdeep.” Smiling at Serge, she waved a hand to his mug. “I may not be able to offer you work, but can I offer you a drink, at least? It’s been awhile since I’ve had a pleasant conversation with anyone.”

[livsmiscellaneousmuses]

Open Starter: Stella

[livsmiscellaneousmuses]

rasereiverfallen:

livsmiscellaneousmuses:

The noblewoman was slightly envious of Raserei’s tea. It smelled divine, quite unlike any tea she’d had before. And it certainly smelled like it tasted far better than the watered down and sour wine the waitress had brought.

She was momentarily distracted from Raserei’s revelation regarding his half-sister by the arrival of their food. Though she ate as daintily as if she were at some formal dinner, it wasn’t long before Stella had managed to pack away a sizable portion of food. Of course, sizeable for her was next to nothing compared to what Raserei consumed. She tried not to stare, but the way he simply attacked his food was… well, she wasn’t even sure how to describe it, but it stopped her from interrupting him until he came up for air.

“A half-sister?” she asked curiously. “Do you know where she is? I’ve got friends in quite a few cities I could write to who might be able to help you look for her. It would be the least I could do, after you’ve been so kind as to let me travel with you.”

He felt better after he had food in him, the tension in his muscles slowly fading. Even still, he tore through his food.  Old scars from former battles.  Even after all this time he was still terrified one of them would walk in and drag him away and he wouldn’t see food for weeks after; he had to eat it all now. Raserei wanted to make sure he ate all he could just in case…

Raserei nodded when she seemed to question him looking for his sister, but quickly shook his head when she offered to help look for her.  He swallowed his food down hard. 

“Nien, that won’t be needed.” They wouldn’t find anything and he could humor her, but with even the smallest chance they would catch wind of her…it would be bad.

Not to mention he didn’t want her knowing which side of his birth parents she was from. It was odd but he hated informing people he had family outside of his adoptive family, that he had siblings outside of his adoptive sisters. Maybe it was because he didn’t want to admit he had family outside of them himself. The sickening thought that his father had bred before him made his stomach knot and so he decided it was time to put more food in his mouth so he hopefully wouldn’t have to answer anymore questions about his sister. Knowing he had four brothers was enough to make him want to eat an entire feast out of stress let alone a younger sister. 

“But thank you.” he said with a mouth full of food.

“Alright,” Stella replied agreeably. She was interested in helping Raserei, but if he didn’t wish for her to help track down his sister in such a way she was hardly going to insist. It wouldn’t be polite. Still, her curiosity was hardly quenched. It was difficult to imagine Raserei with siblings, much less a sister. He was easily the most unique person Stella had ever met, imposing and broad and... well, a little smelly, but she’d been trying to ignore that. Regardless, it was difficult to imagine that there was a woman like him somewhere. A part of Stella rather wanted to meet her.

“I take it you haven’t met your sister before?” she asked interestedly. “Do you know anything about her?”

[livsmiscellaneousmuses]

Open Starter: Stella

[livsmiscellaneousmuses]

Stella was keenly aware of the tension hanging in the air between herself and her companion, but coming out and asking if she’d somehow offended him seemed a bit indelicate. Not to mention rather silly- all she’d done was insist he get a good night’s sleep! Finally, she decided to try simply offering up a new topic for conversation.

“So, Raserei, I don’t think you ever mentioned if you have a destination in mind? I know I don’t myself. Just wandering a little, you see. Are you headed for anywhere in particular?” she asked curiously, offering him a warm smile.

[rasereiverfallen]

The hot water was already brought to him when Stella started to speak to him.  He was steeping his tea and letting the fragrant steam calm him. She had actually asked the question before, not in those words, but the core was the same and when she had he gracefully dodged it. but it was in passing his answer was fleeting at the time. 

“I found out I have a half sister.” Raserei answered, “I plan to find her.” 

He decided to leave out the more important details behind those words. There were horrors he wanted to save her from, even though he just met her.

And because he was still worried about the leash he thought she was starting to put around his neck. Again a clawed hand moved up to a faded scar around his neck, barely noticeable because of age and his skin color. 

When the first of his food the barbarian dug into his food, or maybe tore would be a better way to explain it. He acted like the food might up and walk away or that someone was about to rip it away from him. 

But he was right, he just needed to eat his anger away. 

[livsmiscellaneousmuses]

The noblewoman was slightly envious of Raserei’s tea. It smelled divine, quite unlike any tea she’d had before. And it certainly smelled like it tasted far better than the watered down and sour wine the waitress had brought.

She was momentarily distracted from Raserei’s revelation regarding his half-sister by the arrival of their food. Though she ate as daintily as if she were at some formal dinner, it wasn’t long before Stella had managed to pack away a sizable portion of food. Of course, sizeable for her was next to nothing compared to what Raserei consumed. She tried not to stare, but the way he simply attacked his food was... well, she wasn’t even sure how to describe it, but it stopped her from interrupting him until he came up for air.

“A half-sister?” she asked curiously. “Do you know where she is? I’ve got friends in quite a few cities I could write to who might be able to help you look for her. It would be the least I could do, after you’ve been so kind as to let me travel with you.”

[drizztofmenzoberranzan-deactiva]

-Closed starter for livsmiscellaneousmuses-

[drizztofmenzoberranzan-deactiva]

Though out of sight, the obviously dwarven female was easily heard from a long distance and wondered if all of Many-Arrows heard her too. Knowing orc patrols roamed the area, Drizzt hastened his approach until he got a good look at who was making all the noise. The armor is what caught his eye at first, never had he seen a dwarf pass on fine metal armor for that of leather, almost akin to that of his own. Then the sight of the pig almost made him laugh aloud, for it seemed like it was about to heave whatever it had just consumed. She didn’t seem to be of these parts so the drow wisely kept his cowl down and tried to keep his hands out of sight. The dwarf was seemingly unaware of his approach so to announce himself he purposely crunched on a fallen branch a short distance from the newcomer. 

Her rude and angry greeting was unsurprising for Drizzt, for whenever he met a new dwarf he found himself at the end of harsh words or even a throwing hammer from time to time. Though this was not a reaction to his appearance but just to his arrival so he calmly took a step back and let his wrists rest upon the hilts of his two fabulous scimitars, a calm but loud statement. “I approach with no foul intention. I was on my way to Mithral Hall when I heard your shouting. I assumed you may have required some assistance.” Over her shoulder he saw the crushed leaves atop the rock and understood what he had just interrupted. “ Good choice, I see you’ve run into the problem more than once.” Under the cowl the ranger smiled and moved his hands away from his blades, showing he truly meant no harm. “I did not mean to stop you, My name is Drizzt Do’Urden. Where are you headed to all by yourself? This area is not completely safe, even for a battle hardened dwarf such as yourself” He had long ago noted the many notched axe on her back. The drow hoped he wouldn’t be dodging that in a few moments. 

[livsmiscellaneousmuses]

The dwarfs bright eyes narrowed suspiciously as he approached. Whether that suspicion was born of malice or simple wariness was not entirely clear. Though she tensed visibly as Drizzt neared, she made no move to reach for her weapon. She listened without comment as the drow spoke, returning to the leaves she was mashing after he introduced himself.

“I know they’re the right fuckin’ choice. That’s why I’m damn well usin’ ‘em,” she said, apparently referring to the leaves. Once she finished mashing them, she scraped the resulting paste off the rock and began feeding it to the pig. “And I heared of you before, Do’Urden. Damned good to meet yeh. I’d shake yer fuckin’ hand but I’m busy with me idiot pig.” As the idiot pig in question licked the medicine off of the dwarf’s hand, she glanced up at Drizzt and gave him a nod. “Me name’s Boulder. This is You Fucker. We’s headin’ to Mithral Hall. Got delayed on account of this orc sucker eatin’ me rope. Again. I’m guessin’ yer headin’ the same way, elfy?”

[singerofmilil]

((First of all, I want to thank all Muns for creating/choosing so wonderful Muses, because each one of you is a joy to talk and to RP with. :D

Now, witness, how this playthrough will end in a total disaster with all of them in one party. XD

The mod is called Icewind Dale and is a remake of the game Icewind Dale for NwN 2 engine.

The party

My Ophelia – diplomat/tank 1 and the one to wail sing “Let it goooooo!” as soon as the team will go outside,

Eilera ( donotdaretoswashmybuckle ) – thief/rogue and the one to help Ophie sing “Let it goooooo!” while picking up some merchant probably,

Boulder ( livsmiscellaneousmuses ) – ranger/tank 2 and the one, who doesn’t give a fuck,

Arizan ( twicebetrayer) – healer/solution to undead problems/tank 3 and the one, who just now saw, what he’lll have to go thorugh and is terrified,

Kimmuriel ( lieutenantkimmuriel ) – wizard (lack of psion mods, sorry) and the one, who’s going to play a Scar:

All in all, a balanced party. :-)

I can’t wait for imagining possible IC reactions to problems they’ll going to run into. I’m especially concerned about sanity of our two drow boys.

We still need a name for the team, so if you have any ideas…))

[livsmiscellaneousmuses]

((THIS IS BEAUTIFUL AND I AM SCREAMING))

[livsmiscellaneousmuses]

open rp

[livsmiscellaneousmuses]

Boulder grunted out a short bark of laughter, and shook Eilera’s hand firmly. The dwarf was beginning to like the elf more and more, and approval shone in Boulder’s bright eyes at the way Eilera shook her hand without hesitation. “None o’ that shit, elfy. I ain’t interested.” She took a long draw of ale, then eye Eilera. “So, when we gonna get started?”

[donotdaretoswashmybuckle-deacti]

Elbow leaning against the bar, Eilera rested her chin in her hand. “Hm … my enthusiasm wishes to proclaim that we should leave on the ‘morrow however, reason dictates that is not possible.” The tip of her hook lightly tapped against the bar’s edge. “We shall need supplies, naturally.”

The moon elf’s gaze grew unfocused as her mind sorted through all the necessary items for their upcoming jaunt. At last, she nodded slowly then offered her estimation, “Would three days hence suffice for you?”

[livsmiscellaneousmuses]

Boulder grunted again, then shrugged. “I don’ give much o’ a fuck. Yeh do what yeh gotta damn well do, Sparkles. I’ll take care o’ me business, yeh take care o’ yers.” She shot a disgruntled glance Eilera’s way. “But I’m not damn well likin’ bein’ kept waitin’ any longer’n I have to fuckin’ wait. Yeh gonna be on time, elf?”

[livsmiscellaneousmuses]

closed w/ rasereiverfallen

[livsmiscellaneousmuses]

Stells was about to apologize to the stranger in spite of his rather leering smile when an arm suddenly wrapped around her shoulders. She glanced towards the strange woman with a start, offering her a confused smile that quickly transformed into something much warmer when she pointed Raserei out to the noblewoman. 

The sight of the tiefling, and the people accompanying him, was breathtaking. They looked somehow stately and wild, majestic in their haphazard form of finery. Already Stella was imagining similar such costumes, or alterations that could be made to call attention to certain details and draw the eye away from the less attractive portions of the outfits. But as fascinating as the clothing was, Raserei’s appearance proved to be enough to distract her from even that. He looked at home in the garb, even as it heightened his unnatural appearance. Privately, Stella thought he looked stunningly handsome. He was a far cry from puffed-up noblemen, true, but he wasn’t a noble. He was unique, as unique as his outfit, and as far as Stella was concerned he was far better company than any noble she’d met.

Offering the woman who’d pointed him out a quick thank you,” Stella slipped away to approach Raserei. She waved at him as she went, smile broad and cheerful. If she was intimidated by the rest of his tribe, she hid it well. “Raserei! Raserei, I was just looking for you!”

[rasereiverfallen]

Raserei smiled as she approached him, she looked so beautiful in her dress, but then again there was little he imagined she wouldn’t look good in. 

“Looking for me?” He asked slightly confused.

It seemed a bit beyond his grasp of understanding of why she would.  There were plenty of handsome young men at the ball she could spend her time with, and they looked far less out of place then he did. Or maybe she was insulted and needed him to break someone’s face? No, if they needed their face broken she could do it just fine herself.

Really he only showed up because the group of his people that showed up wanted to go and see how these “balls” worked.  Some made rather crude jokes about the name of the event and Raserei threatened them all to keep those to themselves at the gathering. This world was now part of his employment and he didn’t want to deal with angry nobles any more then he had to. 

“I hope I didn’t keep you looking for long.” He added.

[livsmiscellaneousmuses]

“Not at all!” Stella exclaimed graciously. Though she tried to remain polite, she couldn’t help but pause when she reached Raserei to take in his outfit with a curious once-over. It was even more intriguing up close than it had been from a distance. “You look very nice,” she complimented him, meeting her eyes once more. She had to tilt her head back to do so.

“I was merely trying to find out if you had any intentions of attending the ball,” she continued eagerly. “Apparently, you did. I was rather hoping I might see you here.”

[livsmiscellaneousmuses]

((Apparently marathoning Donwton Abbey makes it 100000 times easier to write Stella))

[childeofsune-deactivated2018111]

A pretty young woman, with pale blue eyes and paler blonde hair, wandered into the Temple of Sune late one the afternoon. Her traveling clothes were finely made. Blouse, breeches, and warm cloak- none would have looked out of place in a court or noble affair. The astonishingly large axe on her back, however, might have. She looked around the temple with bright, curious eyes, and offered you a friendly smile when she spotted you. "Hello. This is a Temple of Sune, isn't it?"

The elf turned to greet the newcomer, his smile welcoming and wide. “It is, fair one.” He gathered from her attire that this lovely young woman was likely a noble. Nobles often sought refuge in the temple, it offered a respite from the politics and schemes of their daily lives, and a place they could simply exist as people instead of being nothing but a rank in society. 

The presence of the axe was unusual, but if she had come from the road…

He offered her a deep bow, his long black hair nearly spilling to the floor. “Have you come seeking the guidance of a priest? A day in the baths? Or are you here simply to enjoy the pleasure and beauty of Sune’s glittering halls and lush gardens?” His dark eyes met the woman’s with warmth. 

[livsmiscellaneousmuses]

Though it hardly seemed possible, Stella’s smile broadened. Her eyes shone with a fierce pride and deep gratitude. “Well,” she replied merrily, “I don’t serve as much of a deterrent to danger, I’m afraid. People think the axe is merely decoration.” A flash of something a shade darker than her other emotions flickered through her eyes, and the words Their mistake hung unspoken in the air. “But I assure you, I wouldn’t let a soul lay a finger on you,  my friend.”

[childeofsune-deactivated2018111]

“Nor I, you,” Asher solemnly returned though the seriousness in his tone was quick to dissipate, a glint twinkling in his eyes as he appended, “Though I have a feeling you would prove far more of an obstacle in that regard than I. Fools your foes must surely be to not heed the warning of that axe.”

The bard shook his head, an astounded laugh escaping him. “Truly. I am quite certain I could not even lift such a weapon!”

He sat back, leaning on his palms, head tilted as he considered the woman sharing tea with him. “Beauty is often mistaken for kindness, or worse, fragility,” he noted. “But the ease with which you move, like your weapon is a part of your body, an extension, not merely a tool, this to me speaks of one who is attuned to their strengths, and will use it if necessary.”

Asher blinked then shook his head with an apologetic laugh. “Forgive my rambling, dear Stella. I have been trained to observe the body of others. The language of one’s movement can be as telling as a thousand words, yes?”

[livsmiscellaneousmuses]

Stella tried not to be a vain woman, she really did. But even so, Asher’s compliments- compliments on her fighting skills, no less!- delighted her and made her swell with pride.

“I’m afraid that isn’t a language I’m quite so good as you at reading,” she admitted with a laugh. “But you are correct. People think beauty means you can’t be anything but beautiful, or that if one enjoys the finer things in life they must enjoy them to exclusion of all else. It’s rather disappointing, really.” She smiled at Asher, a bit self-deprecatingly. “Though, in all honesty, I feel I must admit my skills with an axe, such as they are, are more a matter of necessity. I... have always had something of a temper, you see. It’s made me rather unpopular in some circles.”

She took a dainty sip of tea, as poised as if she were in the courts of Neverwinter rather than sharing a picnic with a Sunite. “Might I ask what your weapon of choice is?” she inquired, struggling not to sound too eager.