BG3 companion reactions to a friendly Githyanki!Tav, who give awkard smiles and creepy staring because not use to this realm's body language
I love this ask cuz I have a tav like this too XD
BG3 companion reactions to a friendly Githyanki!Tav, who give awkward smiles and creepy staring because not use to this realm's body language
Astarion isn't a stranger to creepy stares and smiles. At first he actually thinks that this friendly Gith is into him, and it makes it easier for him to carry out his plan to seduce Tav. However as time went on, and the party grew bigger, he realized that it wasn't just him this behavior was for, this was just tav. Now he finds it incredibly amusing. He will often make comments, and uses his background as a magistrate to teach Tav certain manners. He will develop the habit to comment on Tavs posture and stares, but never from pure judgement. He helps Tav learn the body language of others, especially so no one ever makes fun of Tav without them realizing. a Tav will have light teasing from him, but Astarion doesn't let others tease Tav too much.
At first Gale is a little frightened. Maybe a lot. He assumes it is some intimidation tactic and keeps his eyes on the Gith. His back isn't turned to them at all. As he notices their special attention to trying to understand the body language of other people he'll pipe up, stating some fact he learned about people's tendencies in certain situations. In a way he calls out Tav on their imitation of others. He feels quite proud of himself having understood Tav's true intentions in their creepy smiles and stares, and now such things are actually quite charming to him. “Imitation is the best flattery” and all, he is more than happy to help Tav understand some body language, and tell them to maybe ease up on intense stares. He doesn't get intimidated by their smile anymore! He actually finds it cute.
The first few times he smiles and waves, after a while it's just a smile…then it's just a glance every now and then to see if Tav is still staring. He isnt intimidated or scared just..concerned. He approaches Tav about this, making a little comment about their staring and wondering if they needed anything. Upon learning Tav is just trying to seem friendlier he smiles warmly now understanding, and doesn't mind it all. He can do without intense staring and makes a small comment but now he doesn't mind it as much anymore. When he notices Tav staring he will either walk over and start speaking, or urge Tav to speak towhoever they stare at. He does get proud with Tavs progress when they start feeling more comfortable around others.
At first she thinks Tav is teasing her. She does not stand for it and makes a few comments about the staring. To the smiles she will stare…then look away not paying it mind. She doesn't understand why Tav is looking at her like that, but she's been alive for many years, and has seen the growth of young soldiers in her time. One day she has the random comparison of Tavs behavior to that of an awkward young adult and her perspective shifts. She doesn't bring that up or question Tav directly about it, but she makes light comments about stares and how sometimes it's seen as rude. Whenever she sees Tav changing their behavior or smiling for too long she'll remind them to relax, to carry on as themself. During some encounters she may ask if Tav caught onto a habit off whoever they spoke to, for example if they speak to someone who moves around a lot she might explain what she saw in that person was anxiety, and that is why they were moving a lot during conversation.
Karlach gives you her biggest smile back and takes your stares and smiles as an opportunity to strike up conversation with you. Sure the stares are creepy, but Karlach's seen a lot. She's also been alone at times, so sometimes she feels as if she sees her younger awkward self in Tav. A lot of her advice on recognizing body language and expressions is mostly based on “trust your gut” and “be yourself!” She's quick to help defend Tav if they're being teased too much, in the sense that you're trying and that's all that matters! If Tav opens up to her about their confusion more, the more likely Karlach is to find conversation with strangers in camps and the city and bring Tav into the conversation hoping it would normalize the smiling and help with the staring.
Whenever Tav stares in their creepy way trying to be friendly, she stares back, with a look almost like concern. She hasn't really experienced something like this with her kin before, so to see one of her own acting so strange she would often lecture Tav into drinking water, eating, or reporting their health status. She is under the assumption at first that it has something to do with an illness caused by the tadpole. Laezel is also learning about the realms' habits, and in time she connects the dots, understanding that this was Tav's way of trying to fit in with this new culture. She doesn't comment on it much, at one point she may have even copied the smiles and stares Tav gives to the other companions, though that quickly stops. For the most part she doesn't comment and lets Tav do their thing, understanding why, but she does see it as assimilation.
The first time she lets it slide, she's been staring at some of their companions the way Tav stares at her. The only difference is why. The second time she gets suspicious, and tilts her head staring back, waiting to see who the first to look away will be. To her this is a challenge, even when Tav gives her a creepy smile. She'll take the moment the two of them are alone to question them intensely. Now Minthara is a wise woman, and she'll see the confusion in Tav's body language, and now they're both confused. She explains why she thought Tav's behavior was odd, and seeing that Tav seemed a little disappointed by the reaction of their behavior she'll move on. She doesn't offer much insight or advice, any question about the realms overall social “rules” on whats acceptable and what is not is always answered with what's true in Drow society. Though she makes a comment on how she can't tell if Tav's assimilation is good or bad, at least that is what she considers Tav's behavior to be.
Absolutely not. She's made it obvious her beliefs on the Githyanki in the beginning of the game, and when Tav smiles at her in such a way she at first believes they are mocking her. Of course it doesn't add up after her life has been saved and they were truly friendly or interactive with her. Slowly she starts inviting Tav to sit with her at camp, getting more comfortable and understanding Tav just wants a friend. She makes a comment about having never seen a Githyanki smile the way Tav does, but she likes it, and says just that.
Wyll smiles back, as the Blade of the Frontiers he isn't intimidated by a smile…though he gets concerned with the stares. Who wouldn't? He will approach and call them out, not in a rude way but in a curious way like "you're staring again, is everything alright?” Checking in on Tav, and learns very quickly they're just being friendly. He gets curious about their upbringing, and with Tav's permission to ask he will wonder how different their culture is to his. As the son of a Duke he has a lot to teach Tav, if they'll let him. He doesn't mind their stares at all when it comes to him, but is always patient and helpful to answer questions Tav has.