#《 ° universe 》 companion ; ranger of the shadowlands

[shdwtouch]

@murderyn liked for a short + casual random starter

❝ if two people use detect thoughts on each other, whose mind are they readin' ? ❞

[shdwtouch]

@bloodtwin liked for a short + casual random starter

❝ someones mom is probably usin' ya as a bad example fer her kids. ❞

[shdwtouch]

@alittlebitofmuse continued from here

as a child she had walked these streets with pleading eyes and open palms, begging coin and food from scornful faces and turned backs. shade still clearly recalled the day she had watched a man slip through the crowd with nimble fingers, pulling trinkets from pockets and coin purses from belts. wide eyed she had watched his progress in silence, awed. and so she had studied him, and others like him, until the aching in her stomach encouraged her to follow in the footsteps of her teachers. it had taken time and practice, but eventually she too could stalk the crowds of citizens with nimble fingers and quick feet, disappearing before anyone took notice. and that was how she managed to survive, until she was old enough to work and then, eventually, leave the city for the shadowlands.

returning now to baldurs gate, the instincts she had thought she'd outgrown in her time away awoke within her. her fingers suddenly itched and feet ached for the meditative rhythm of her old pickpocketing rituals. the words uttered had been mostly to herself, a quiet encouragement, but when the vampire responds she is shaken from her own reverie, and shocked to find a kindred spirit. returning his grin, she watches him disappear into the crowd, then steels herself for her own efforts. easing herself through the motions, the tiefling finds it almost easier than she had remembered. to think, this had once been the only thing she knew.

reconvening with astarion, she accepts his offered gift, presenting her own to him: a small purse of coins. ❝ you're quite skilled, astarion. ❞ she praises with a smile.

[shdwtouch]

@bubblybabins continued from here

shade knew she had a tendency to say things people didn't want to hear, and offered bluntly out of ignorance and social inexperience. sometimes, the realization that her words were undue, or even misunderstood, took time to dawn, but the other tielfings barely contained anger is enough to make her understand her mistake. she recoils from the other, face falling. for a moment she has to retrace herself, acquaint herself with the words she had spoken from an idle heart.

the intention had been pure. the ranger had felt some kinship with this strange individual that found sanctuary amidst the shadows. they were both outcasts, both survivors, and shade had looked to the other with respect and awe. tabithas magic and spirit were strong, seemingly unhindered by her own essence; an essence that seemed dark like shades own, uncertain, but put to good use. to see what others might consider poison - their own unique gifts - wielded with both grace and emotion... a curse turned into a blessing. like shade hoped to be.

❝ I-I'm sorry. ❞ she stammers, her voice heavy with sincerity. ❝ I-I didn't think- I wasn't thinkin'. I didn't mean for it t' come out like that. I'm sorry, tabitha. ❞ trying to hold the other tielfings gaze, her eyes eventually fall in shame. ❝ I'm sorry you're in pain. I'm sorry if I caused it. I didn't mean it like that, I swear it t' ya'. ❞

[shdwtouch]

@sorrowsick continued from here

the words are offered quietly, sincerely. almost as if she is afraid to let them escape her, let them define this wonderful thing she had found. peace, companionship, understanding. a whirlwind of things the ranger had not sought in this cursed place, but had somehow been blessed enough to find.

in that moment, caught unawares by the sudden hug, something within Shade cracks. eyes wide, she feels warm tears welling between rapid blinks. there is a glowing warmth in her chest, spreading from the places Cross holds her close. its almost too much, almost overwhelming. it is not a blazing light, but it succeeds in bringing a gentle glow to the shadowy, lonely parts of her soul. it is the same light she had seen in flashes between a parent and child, lovers, thieves in the night. and in that moment, hearing the others words, it is more than enough to overflow and wash away a lifetime of loneliness. all of that, for this.

the tiefling cannot contain the sob that escapes her, bringing her arms around the assassin tightly. she finds peace in that crushing, warm embrace, and returns it in kind. fingers clenched against their back, face buried partially between their hair and the curve of their neck. she is shy - and embarrassed - for the tears that stream down her face, but if Cross had the sense to feel them on their skin then they would also recognize the curve of a smile, teeth partially bared in joy and agony.

❝ thank you. ❞ she breathes shakily, laughing in spite of herself. ❝ thank you. ❞

[shdwtouch]

@alittlebitofmuse continued from here

❝ I'm pretty forgivin', but I really don't think I would forgive someone who tried t' kill me. an' if ya succeeded in doin' so ? well, I'd come back just t' kill ya. ❞ she responds flatly, arms crossing defensively over her chest. eyes narrowing, she assesses him, trying to decide if that was something he would really try to do. shade was almost painfully trusting, and tried to see the best intentions in everyone, but the rogue had struck her as particularly brash and self-serving. she imagined if he had reason to harm her he would, but otherwise... she hoped he had better sense.

❝ anyone wantin' me dead would have t' put a bit more work in than a knife t' the throat. ❞ the ranger finally says, offering the elf a slight mischievous smile. ❝ but you don't want me dead, do ya' ? ❞ maybe she senses his sanguine instinct, or maybe she's just trying to make light of the rather macabre turn of conversation.

[shdwtouch]

@alittlebitofmuse continued from here

shade looked up to halsin, truly. both in stature and with a deeply rooted respect. many a time she had heard of him, heard of his efforts to end the curse, and many a time she had tread the outskirts of the territory, pacing in indecision on whether to seek him out at the fabled emerald grove. part of her reluctance was fear; would he be welcoming to her, or would he refuse to see her due to her inherent nature ?

the other part was wrought of an unspoken anxiety, something she tried not to let rest in her mind too much for fear it would consume her every thought: that she, tied to the curse as she seemingly was, would suffer for its removal, and for that relation alone she was doomed, despicable. incapable of being saved. this was the question she came to the archdruid with, even knowing he might not have the answer. but, surely someone who had seen the extent of the curse like he had might know. so she hoped, though the ranger was not altogether certain of what kind of answer she was hoping to receive, if any at all. reassurance, mayhap ? a direction ? hope ?

❝ I know we haven't been introduced, archdruid. my name is shade. I- well. ❞ she wrings her hands before her, pulling idly at her fingers, all the while fidgeting beneath his gaze, face low and shadowed by her hood. ❝ I've been living in the shadow-cursed lands for some time now. I've been able to survive it, somehow, and... attune t' it. like no one else has been able t'. ❞ her words are slow, meandering, but laced with apprehension. ❝ I know you've tried t' lift the curse, and I... ❞

faltering, shade struggles to form the question at the forefront of her mind into words. then, finally raising her head, she looks to halsin earnestly. ❝ what's going t' happen t' me when the curse is lifted ? ❞

[shdwtouch]

the tieflings eyes go wide, not from pain but amazement as she watches the others efforts, feels the skin seem to pull itself back together. she had only experienced healing magic a handful of times before, and only at the hands of her late guardian, in her early youth when she had been allowed to run unchecked amidst Zaras books and relics. Zaras magic had always had a coldness to it, but this was... a different sensation, a different kind of cold. intuitively Shade knows that Ryn had just called upon something else within her, and while she is curious of its nature she is moreso touched by her gentleness and kindness in providing the aid.

flexing her arm, the ranger grins first in response to the question, further amazed by the improvement in status. no pain, not even stiffness. before where it had taken her breath with its sharpness was now just a cold tingling. ❝ amazin'. ❞ Shade says, looking to the other. ❝ you're amazin'. ❞ she moves as if to pull Ryn into an embrace, but catches herself - they are both dirty and sweaty, and she isn't sure how the other will receive the gesture anyway - and awkwardly stops short, instead deciding on a hearty but gentle pat on the shoulder. ❝ thank you. ❞

Ryn's eyebrows furrowed a she shuffled closer to Shade in an attempt to get a better look at the injury. It was hard to see, especially with the blood covering everything. There was a good chance that the potion was doing its job, but there was also a good chance that it wasn't strong enough. "Here, let me just-" she held her hand out above the wound and slowly breathed in as she mentally reached past the draconic magic that she normally called upon (useless in this situation; she's capable of many amazing feats of magic - except healing) instead reaching into the dark recesses of her spirit. It was often a struggle; getting it to listen to her (even moreso now) but with some extra encouragement; twisting the desire to harm into healing; the energy flowing from her hands into Shade's injury. It along with the healing potion should be enough to stabalise the wound. "How's that feel?"

[shdwtouch]

@sorrowsick continued from here

she nods, moreso to herself than the other, gaze downcast. ❝ I remember seeing the other children bein' minded by their mothers. I remember feelin' sad 'cuz no one had ever said the same things to me, not even when I had someone lookin' out for me. they cared. there was a bond there that I would never have. words that no one would ever say t' me, have never said in my life. ❞ worrying at her bottom lip, she blinks rapidly as if to conceal tears, but those had stopped coming to her eyes when she mused like this years ago. there was nothing to cry over, after all.

raising her head, she looks to cross, face somewhat sad. ❝ you're not wrong. but... there are words they say, combinations of words I guess, in situations that are unique t' them. words formed in the love of a mother for their child. you might hear them from other people, but... mostly it falls on a mother to say them. ❞

[shdwtouch]

@alittlebitofmuse continued from here

something twists in the tieflings gut, her face falling, brow furrowing. the familiar sting of a bullys words, nothing she was a stranger to, and so she steels herself, features hardening to reveal nothing. ❝ it was a joke, Astarion. ❞ Shade says coolly, tone just as dry and flippant as the vampires.

she knows there is no use in defending herself, or even reminding him of what she'd already divulged to the companions. yet. ❝ though ya should not be so quick t' smirk; some of us don't get a choice in what we become or who we serve, now do we ? ❞ shadow curses and vampire lords make us more alike than not. the ranger keeps the rest of her words from slipping out, her gut twisting again, this time with regret at what she might have said. even if he spoke with the intent to hurt, she wouldn't fall into the same trap. she would not allow cruelty to make her unkind.

[shdwtouch]

” i am a half elf , but most people don’t know that.”

❝ oh ? do people usually mistake ya fer an elf ? er- a whole one, ah mean. ah would guess its easier t' assume yer a full one from a glance. ❞ Shade hums thoughtfully, studying his features carefully as if to make her own assessment.

❝ still, ya look like people t' me. ❞ the tiefling shrugs, then offers a smile. ❝ an' thats whats important, right ? we're all just people in the end. ❞

[shdwtouch]

at Aubreys offer the tieflings features shift with a look of something like surprise, eyebrows raised as she looks first to the woman then to the grave she had been digging. as if lost in thought Shade shifts, pulling her hood back over her features with practiced ease, then pulls her shovel from the dirt as she turns her gaze back to the other, a small, grateful smile playing at her lips.

❝ yer a cleric, right ? of Selune ? ❞ the ranger asks, certain now she had seen the other tielfing around Last Light. certain even more of her assessment, given the blessing that provides the other safety amidst the shadows. ❝ d' ye know any prayers ? ❞

The tiefling certainly notices how the other shifts backwards into the dimmer lighting, a fact that has Aubrey stopping her forward momentum, not wanting to make the woman shy away from her further. The last thing she wanted was for something to happen because Aubrey was too eager to interact with somebody. Perhaps she was lonely, perhaps she wanted somebody other than the small group she had been gathered in to interact with.

"Oh, you know what... that's true. I suppose I deserved that.." she chuckles, shaking her head. "We both have our protection from the curse though so we should be okay... I just-" she hesitates, looking at the work that the woman was doing.

"Do you want help?" she asks, quite suddenly.

[shdwtouch]

“Don't exhaust the gods with your requests. Save something to when you need them.”

for a moment the tiefling looks morose, eyes distant. what had she ever asked of the gods ? when she needed food ? when she needed help ? when she needed equipment, shelter, work, support, guidance ? Shade had needed so much in her life, and every little bit of it had been gotten by her own hands, not through divine intervention. if Shar, or anyone else, held any care for her... she'd never felt it.

❝ ah've never asked the gods fer anythin'. an' they've never given me anything beyond heartache. if ah make a request, its o' myself, not them. 'cuz I'm the only one that's ever come through on 'em. ❞ her hands curl into tense fists, yet she smiles at the wizard. ❝ if it exhausts the gods then maybe they shouldn't listen t' prayers they don't answer anyway. my words are fer those here, not who may be listenin'. ❞

@galefcrce

[shdwtouch]

“I think if it weren’t for the doom and gloom, this joint might actually be almost peaceful.” And a perfect place for her to internally gloat about feeling the cold. Chilled to the bone, almost, and in a way that excited her. “Pity we couldn’t have brought that Hyena into camp. He looked awfully cute once that goblin had stopped pokin’ at him.”

❝ it can be. ❞ Shade tilts her head, as if considering the notion. like she hadn't spent numerous nights, possibly days, meditating upon the darkness from the safety of her camp prior to joining the adventurers. frowning at the mention of the hyena, the ranger chirps with pity. ❝ I hope the poor thing managed t' make it back t' the border safely, it wouldn't be able t' survive the curse on its own. ❞ its a gloomy thought, but it wouldn't be the first creature she had seen fall prey to the shadows, or what lurked within them. as peaceful as it sometimes was, the land was also dangerous.

❝ mighta made ah nice companion. ❞ the ranger muses, tilting her head to the other side, but bites her lip in reserved thought. ❝ though, it deserved its freedom after bein' tortured by those goblins. I hope it finds ah better home. ❞

[shdwtouch]

“A curious thing, these shadow cursed lands, don’t you think?” To Shade

❝ oh yes. ❞ Shade responds, her tone light and wistful as she gazed up at the swirling darkness, the fragments of a moonlit sky beyond. this was her home, yet she had very little to offer in understanding of it, no answers to provide the party... or herself. the shadow-cursed lands were a mystery, one that intertwined with her own identity and purpose. sighing, she looks from the sky to the crackling fire before them.

❝ even knowin' what happened here, there's still somethin' about 'em that... ye can't find 'n ah history book. the curse is... strange. everythin' is... twisted. ❞ frowning thoughtfully into the flames, the tiefling shakes her head. ❝ but I still find 'em beautiful. ah mystery I don't know I, or anyone, will be able t' solve. but most folk are too scared of the curse t' try. most folk don't see it as anything but scary. ❞

turning her head, she regards the Drow with intent eyes. ❝ what do you think ? ❞

[shdwtouch]

A gift has been left for Shade. Sure, Vigor could leave any manner of things, but there's something about Shade's youth that gives him an idea. Cherry fudge. Who's to say if she'll enjoy it? But he remembers how he would wait outside the sweet shop as a kid, on the rare day they managed to sneak out, desperate for a small luxury. So that's what he offers Shade, a small luxury. Impractical, non-essential, but well deserved.

Shade was rather unaccustomed to gifts. though they weren't entirely a foreign concept; she had given out a few in her time, but had received... well, none, from a living person at least. of course, it was never her expectation to receive them, but she did know it was something that happened. tokens of appreciation, birthday presents, and celebratory gifts had all been witnessed passively by the tiefling. she simply did not have the social circle, or understanding, to achieve such things.

so to receive one now was... odd. she stared at the parcel curiously, hands hovering nervously before it, hesitant to touch and confirm it was there. was it for her ? had it been left by mistake ? the ranger glances about her, as if awaiting for someone to emerge and claim it as theirs, accidentally discarded or otherwise. but there was no one. her green gaze returns to it, and she takes a deep breath, flexing her fingers, before picking it up. it has a slight weight to it, the squarish object wrapped in parchment and secured with twine. not unlike the parcels she had seen carried about marketplaces in Baldurs Gate as a child.

and there was a scent, sweet and tart and... was that ? Shades eyes widen as she carefully undoes the twine and peels back the paper to reveal a dark wedge, an oaky brown pierced by juicy, red berries. chocolate. a treat she had tasted only once before, and of the smallest morsels, but it had melted on her tongue and danced within her dreams for nights after. this is a hearty chunk, not something she is familiar with, soft but firm, slightly waxy to the touch. and she isn't entirely sure of the berries held within; an educated guess might be cherries, but even if they were she wouldn't know it. yet, she is certain the tangy smell emanated from them.

Shade tries to decide what to do with it, nibbling thoughtfully on her bottom lip as she gazed at the delicacy. certainly such a treat was worthy of an occasion ? though, she couldn't think of one. chocolate melted, didn't it ? and while this form seemed to be more resilient, she had no idea if it would save in her pack, not to mention the cherries. no, it seemed this was a gift for the moment, intended for no purpose other than enjoyment. and, as a gentle smile grows on her features, the ranger is certain she can make peace with that. plus, shouldn't she enjoy her gift ardently, so she could thank whoever had given it to her just as heartily ?

still, she holds herself in reserve as she raises the piece, turning it to watch the light glisten within the wet surface of the cherries. suddenly uncertain, she brings it to her lips and carves a meager bite out with her teeth, part berry and part chocolate. holding it on her tongue, she savors the bitterness of the cocoa, the tart sweetness of the cherry, the decadent way it melted in her mouth. slowly, thoughtfully, she chews, closing her eyes to fully embrace the culinary delight at her fingertips.

it is consumed in thoughtful bites, slow and intentioned, thoroughly enjoyed, until she is left sucking the remnants from her fingers, strays streaks of chocolate and the juicy stains of the cherries. delicious. lovely. Shade could define the experience with any number of words. she sighs happily, thankful. what a lovely gift. unexpected as it was, but treasured to the last morsel.