#bloodyarn.

[grief-worn]

"You can't swim??? (Gasp) ME NEITHER!"

There was always something about the little seamstress that Shadowheart felt drawn to. Maybe this was it.

"I knew I liked you for good reason, Babsi." An arm wrapped around the fairer woman's shoulders. Far be it from her to initiate contact so readily, but kinship was so desperately helpful in times of trouble. The trouble, of course, being that everyone was bullying the cleric. Boo hoo.

"At least now I'll have a friend to keep me company when we're left ashore by the rest of these hooligans."

It seemed they'd not be invited to any future pool parties. Not like Shadowheart would have any interest in such folly.

"…that does beg the question, though," a curious squint of greener eyes. "would you sink? Or float?"

[saturnmused-a]

@bloodyarn // tianyu & babette // bg3 starter call.

❝ i don't think it's a crazy, unattainable idea, ❞ the warlock says with an appraising look at the other; there's a sparkle in eyes that warns at trouble, but otherwise no indication of such inklings. ❝ i think you should, you know. follow your heart, let it lead you to where you need to be. ❞ tianyu smiles then, and it emphasizes the scar on nose as it scrunches up with barely-suppressed delight. he's just happy to be included, has no thought to any potential danger in this plan of hers. ❝ and you know you have the rest of us behind you when you do, babette. ❞

[grief-worn]

❝ You can't seriously like the bug, can you ? ❞

"The bug? He has a name, you know." Shadowheart flicks her wrist with faux offense, pretending as if she didn't refer to him in the very same way just a couple weeks prior. "Cricket is fantastic company. He's quiet, intelligent, and won't waste my time whining and prattling on like the others." She pulls her lips into a sneer, filing through each companion in her head. Hardly anyone here she prefers over the insect.

Well, Babette is pleasant enough. In better moods, Shadowheart might even refer to her as lovely.

"… don't tell me you have an issue with him? Is it the mandibles?" The cleric leans closer, the fledgling spark of sympathy in her eyes. "Just don't look at them. Ignore the nasty, pointy bits and he's very tolerable."

[grief-worn]

" Lae'zel is scary. I think she hissed at me one time. That, or she sneezed really weirdly . . . "

"She isn't scary. It's all hot air, you know." At the very least, Shadowheart seems glad Babette isn't so eager to defend the gith.

"Maybe that's the noise you heard. The steam squeaking out of her nose like a balloon, her ego is certainly inflated like one." she snorts.

After a few short breaths, the settling of an almost-laugh, she looks down, letting her stare scale the flow of eggshell locks dipped in lilac. Compared to a warrior like Lae'zel, Babette seems more fragile than ever. Porcelain. A painted doll so close to chipping with the faintest touch.

"Oh, don't be frightened, Babsi. I really don't think she'd hurt you." No, such violence would never be raised against the seamstress. Lae'zel is not so heartless.

A distraction would do some good, right about now.

"I saw a patch of yarrow growing by the stream. Seemed to be blooming quite nicely. Maybe we ought to go frolic?"

[grief-worn]

☕️ Seriously, Mc Donavans new menu prices. Outrageous...

Right, she's quite done discussing this Mc Donavan's nonsense. It has been the obnoxious little thorn in her side for a good week now. Every night it's the same runaround. The same dead-end conversation. Not a single idiot in camp ever listens to her, and now they had the audacity to complain?

"—yet you still insist on buying that crap, Babette." Shadowheart snips, standing to a full puff of her chest. "You beg on hands and knees for it and cry when I won't play along, out of anyone here, you do not get to criticize the expense." A pointed finger jabs Babette in the chest, firm but not hard, only enough to seize the other's attention. "You realize they aren't forcing you to buy anything, right? Honestly, you act as if you have no choice."

… she will neglect to mention how much those apple fries have become a treat she looks forward to. It might be for the best they lay off the stuff, at least for a while. Some of her trousers feel a lot tighter than they did before.

"Instead of whining like a child, how about you make yourself useful and learn a bit of self-sustainability?" she halts, squints, then turns away with a huff. "Actually, never mind. I'll do the cooking from now on. If it'll get you to shut up." It can't be that hard to do what they do, maybe she'll use actual harpy meat. That'll show them.

"… get out of my sight. Lunch won't be making itself, hm?" The sooner Babette leaves, the sooner Shadowheart won't have to suffer under those repulsive puppy eyes anymore. She's never been able to resist them, but it's even worse as of late. "Oh, and one more thing! I'll be able to tell if you sneak off and eat there in secret. You are not as clever as you think, Babsi."

An accidental nickname. It's not her fault. She's upset!

[grief-worn]

" So... you eat meat or not ? Mc Donavans has some coupons for harpy nuggets . . . "

Coupons. She likes the sound of that. Respectably frugal, and an expense she might allow.

… but, harpy nuggets?

"Are the harpies ethically sourced?" Shadowheart asks, feeling for a decision. "Or are they even sourced at all? It's a rumor that they don't use real meat, but rather a pinkish sort of paste. Is that really something we should put into our bodies?"

She's sure they're rubbery and bland on top of it all. No, she'll stick to apple fries and pumpkin pasties.

[grief-worn]

hand-holding, flower pressing, candle making, you know, the real dirty stuff uvu

Her mood always seems to improve when she spots those ivory locks. Shadowheart eases, posture lightening. She hums a low and affectionate chuckle.

"Hand-holding? Flower pressing? Babette, are you quite sure you know what a fetish is?" There might have been a slight miscommunication, but a question so sincere only warranted a proper answer.

"Those do sound pleasant, though. I wouldn't need much convincing." She extends a hand and chances a wider smile. "We can get a head start, at least. Holding your hand is no trouble at all."

[grief-worn]

@bloodyarn sent [ makeup ] to reapply eye shadow.

Today unearthed a lot of unexpected feelings. To start, Shadowheart is sure she would die happy if she never had to step foot in another swamp ever again. There's frog shite between her toes and every centimeter of her person is coated in bog water and mold, not to mention, the kohl around her eyes faded ages ago.

Normally, she'd mend this on her own, without the help of anyone. Shadowheart has little to care for, little to own, thus the layering of her face is a ritual she protects fiercely. Cosmetics might seem trivial to some. A burdening chore that has no place in their already rigorous schedule. But it is all she is allowed to choose. Her face, her appearance, the gate that seals and the diorama that replicates each facet of stoicism she aims to encapsulate.

A mask of ashen shadow, powdered black carefully applied across lidded eyes, the veil she hides behind. It is precious, it is hers. She's not interested in letting anyone so close to her face, but today challenged the seamstress even more than it challenged the cleric.

Shadowheart keeps still, patient, head gently tilted to allow freer access. Each dab of delicate fingers causes a flinch, a reflex. The pair are tucked away in a tent; Shadowheart's own. Privacy she allows Babette and only Babette.

"You don't need to do this." she husks, her gaze trained on the canvas ceiling. "You need rest, Babette. Even I can see how tired you are." She still refuses to use the hexblood's little nickname. The less familiar the two become, the better off. That doesn't mean she can't express a bit of tenderness, though.

A hand stays Babette's wrist, fingers gently holding, cradling. "That hag really got to you. I'm not sure I've seen you get so uncomfortable, even with all we've endured." Shadowheart glances, studying the charcoal stained on Babette's forefinger. "Are you quite sure you're alright? We have time, enough for you to close your eyes, gather your strength."