continued from here
@divinelght
The pale elf stands in one spot; crimson eyes scour the camp. These grounds were once quiet with the crushing weight of uncertainty , now livened with music and roars of celebrations as mortals gather with alcohol at their fingertips. Astarion, instead, observes everyone as he stands quietly, eyes harsh, with a bottle of wine in his hand. He looks unapproachable, but it is what he favoured; to be left alone in the midst of a lively gathering. The idea of actively helping others struggled to settle into the folds of his mind. There is a sour taste to it, much like the wine that fails to grant even a sliver of contentment.
As he watches the grounds, a glimmer of gold catches the corner of his eye. Immediately, he turned to see Aurora as she eases into her bedroll in a weightless, fluid motion with a relaxed demeanor. She was the one the tieflings truly had to thank. With her persistence and determination of helping others, she led the group into this victory. The elf scowls as he takes another drink from his sour wine. However, an idea presents itself in the middle of his rampant thoughts. Aurora did prove herself to be strong, helpful…and he guessed naivete did not stray too far. He needed her on his side. She made a fine ally, and with his resolve, he knew he needed to do anything to keep and strengthen said alliance.
He clears his throat, coated in the bitterness of cheap alcohol, before he makes his way towards the young woman. Upon approach, she greets him with a warm grin. In the glow of the burning fire, he is able to see her warm beauty.
“I’d enjoy it better if I didn’t have an assembly of tieflings expressing their thanks at every corner. It gets tiresome after a while,” The elf sighs as he watches her shift in her bedroll to offer a space beside her. A darkness sullies his smirk as his mind reels with countless schemes fitting for ensuring a close alliance; something that would keep his own safety secure. Astarion accepts the offer without a word and settles into the space offered. “But, I do have to admit–being called a ‘hero’ does have its perks–more so, if you had accepted the that tiefling’s reward in the first place–but I digress…” he began with a disgruntled sigh at the thought of her not accepting the reward for their efforts. “What about you? Are you relishing in your valiant efforts? I couldn’t help but notice our Blade of Frontiers keeping his eyes–well, eye–on you the entire night. He seems to be admiring the newest hero among us, I take it.” Astarion watches her, keen on her reaction to his own prying observation.