open: free cities

[ancunin]

Who: Astarion & anyone
When: Arrival, beginning of October
Where: Free Cities: Cadens and Libertas
What: Settling in, exploring options, meeting new people
Warnings: OPT-OUT. Potential spoilers for Baldur's Gate III up to the beginning of Act 3, let me know if you prefer to avoid spoilers! CONTENT WARNINGS: General vampire stuff with biting and blood drinking, brain parasites, past physical and sexual abuse - anything more than vague reference will have the warning in the comment's subject line.




x.

( starters in comments below )

Comments

[ancunin]

[ If he were a kinder, more generous person, Astarion might saunter over to the soldier and convince a free drink out of him for her. But he's neither, so - he shrugs in a suit yourself sort of way. He's not judging one way or the other.

An eyebrow raises as he finishes wiping down one glass and sets it aside for another. ]

How do you mean?

[ Of course he's seen the damage at the barracks, heard the whispers about Libertas. He just wants to hear what she thinks first. ]

[pathologise]

I'm a doctor so I pitched in.

( on the medicine at least, a spare pair of hands was useful even if hers didn't have some of the skills they probably wanted. good old-fashioned stitching couldn't go wrong even if magic was... not what she was thinking about )

I didn't ask too much about what happened, helping was more important.

( and it helped her be distracted for a while )

[ancunin]

[ A doctor? Not particularly useful to him. ]

Was it? [ More important to help? His tone hints at patronizing, his smile cold and insincere. ]

For all you knew those soldiers received their wounds butchering poor, innocent civilians. Always ask questions first.

[ And assume whoever you're talking to is a liar. ]

[pathologise]

My job isn't to judge.

( not that it ever stops anyone, opinions are always formed and there are always some people they'd love not to treat based on acts or beliefs. but that wouldn't be any more right )

Just to help. I save lives at least the best that I can.

( even if some things here were past her best efforts )

[ancunin]

How admirable.

[ His tone is dripping with sarcasm. The soldier Astarion pointed out earlier waves for another drink, but Astarion ignores him until the Abraxan is forced to slide closer to them. He orders another drink, and is Adrienne watches them, she'll notice Astarion confuse the inebriated soldier into believing he hadn't given over the correct amount of coin the first time, getting him to pay twice. He shoos the soldier back to his seat, and turns to grab a glass, pouring some brown liquid into it and sliding it toward the doctor. ]

And what do you get out of it?

[ Her job. A place of moral superiority? ]

[pathologise]

( she's surprised when the drink appears in front of her, paused for a moment before she smiles )

Thanks.

( and drinks a little before answering his question )

Other than saving a life? I don't do this to get something... I became a doctor to help people, because I loved chemistry... nothing else.

[ancunin]

[ He pretends not to hear her thanks. Give someone an inch, they'll take a mile. He's just bored and doesn't particularly like that soldier patron. ]

Well, good for you, I suppose. Living out your dreams in a strange, new land.

[ He's back to drying glasses, leaving any continuation of this up to her. ]

[pathologise]

( she pulls a face at that, it not being quite what she'd said but she doesn't make a comment on it )

Is that what you're doing? Or is this a getting quick money thing?

( despite the face she'd pulled it's a genuine question if worded badly. had he been a bartender before, was he doing something new or just finding quick money while he figured things out. though quick money assumed he hadn't been here long and... she couldn't decide if he was too used to being in this bar or not )

[ancunin]

[ He laughs at the suggestion that he wants to be doing this. There's a bitterness to his tone. ]

It's an I prefer having a roof over my head. Thing.

[ He'd considered making due on the streets, but no. Not when other options were available, even if helping out at a tavern isn't exactly making good use of his talents... it could be worse. ]

[pathologise]

( her head tilts slightly, agreeing with the sentiment. if she didn't have an easy go-to she'd have had to find something else to do. she's glad she didn't have to )

Do I want to know what you'd rather be doing?

( another drink of her drink. it's definitely a very loaded question -- something healthy, illegal, strange. you didn't always want to know )

[ancunin]

It's quite a long list. Maybe if we get to know each other better.

[ He gives a little smirk, but with that he seems done with the conversation - taking a few of the glasses he'd finished drying and turning to start working on some other chore he's meant to be doing back here. ]

Enjoy the drink.