#Aura Elmsong

[wellthebardsdead]

*the emerald grove devil, understanding*

———

Falûne: *seated up on the wall of the grove, hugging his knees to his chest as he watches the party from afar and fights back tears, Halsins scolding still running through his mind* …

Halsin: *walks over holding food, his heart aching seeing his son in such a state. Driven to the edge just to save him only for him to blow up in his face* … *sits beside him and places the food down* …I’m sorry.

Falûne: *hugs himself tighter with his tail and looks away* I only wanted to help…

Halsin: I know moon flower… I know… *sighs* I had no right to raise my voice at you like that… I was just, so afraid I’d lose you-

Falûne: well I would’ve lost you if I didn’t come to save you… those goblins would’ve killed you… *sniffles* then I’d be all alone… all because you keep chasing after a ghost you were too scared to say ‘I love you’ to.

Halsin: *never thought of it like that or from his perspective before* …You’re right… and I’m so sorry… this whole time I’ve tried to keep you safe while I chased a memory… I never once thought I may be leaving you behind just like… she left me behind… *sighs* when I look at you… I still see the little babe I found beneath selûnes light right here at this gate… I have to accept that you’ve grown up now… I’ve missed out on so much of that growth chasing the past when I should have been embracing the present to see your future… can you ever forgive me?…

Falûne: … *looks at him teary eyed*

Halsin: *raises his arm as if offering a hug*

Falûne: *shuffles closer and snuggles in against him* I forgive you papa… I’m sorry I disobeyed you…

Halsin: It’s alright son… I’m sorry I hurt you…

Falûne: …I don’t think she’s a ghost… I think she’s still alive…

Halsin: *chuckles* perhaps… she was a stubborn as a rothe… just like you… though you’re not blood related… you’re definitely her son.

Falûne: *smiles* maybe… we might… find her, when we go to moonrise?…

Halsin: maybe…

Falûne: there’s always hope right?

Halsin: yes… there’s always hope… *offers him the food before looking back at the party and seeing Dammon and Rolan both looking around wondering where he is* after you’ve eaten, you’d better go join the party. I see a few faces wanting a dance with you~

Falûne: even though, they know I’m a devil now?

Halsin: Wylls a devil and they seem to be enjoying his company. *points to Karlach cheering on a group of kids dragging Wyll over to dance by the fire, mol snatching his underwear and making a run for it in the process*

Falûne: *giggles* maybe I’ll… fit in better than I thought.

*meanwhile*

Jaheira: *walking to the edge of the barrier, seeing Aura seated by the bridge, staring out at the darkness* Waiting for the ghosts are you?

Aura: *whines looking back at her* no… *ears flicking as she looks back out at the darkness, the glimmer of a unicorn catching her eye, and the chime of shells in its mane ringing in her head* I’m watching for a sign…

[wellthebardsdead]

*emerald grove devil au, love is closer to home*

———

Falûne: *seated on his bed looking over the tattered pages of his favourite medicine guide* if we’re headed into the underdark I’ll need a lot of salts to create antidotes incase we encounter any number of the poisons down there- *closes it and tilts his head staring at the names on the cover* papa, you said- Auras last name was… Elmsong right?

Halsin: *getting ready for bed, sits down beside him with a grunt* mhm, Aura Elmsong. Her parents were the ones who wrote that guide.

Falûne: Really?! So she’s the little wolf they mention in their added notes?

Halsin: yes… she was… a very poorly child. Her parents were ostracised from the grove for using unconventional methods of medicine. Ones that didn’t require ‘natural’ means of extraction. While they pioneered alchemy across the swordcoast, it cast a shadow over their names… and cast Aura out, literally…

Falûne: what?… why?

Halsin: Klaus and Aria both left on their quest to document every remedy and ingredient they could almost immediately after Aura was cured from the illness that nearly killed her in her first winter… she was too fragile to take along with them and so they left her behind.

Falûne: why didn’t the grove take care of her?…

Halsin: my family and the arch Druid before me did in her first years… but as time came to pass, and they all passed away it was only me still trying… each time her parents returned it was only a brief stay before they left again, and auras resentment for them grew bigger, as did her resentment for the grove, because all of them-

Falûne: thought little of her because of the stigma around her families name.

Halsin: exactly… She was as wild as nature itself, a lone wolf choosing solitude over ostracisation… And I was the clumsy bear who stuck beside her through it all… even if she really didn’t want me to at times. *chuckles* she used to terrorise me when we were children. She once chased me up a tree and I was stuck there crying for my mother for ages… but she was a good person… *smiles softly at him* she’d of been such a wonderful mother to you son.

Falûne: … *looks at the book quietly and opens it to the front page reading the text, ‘dedicated to our wild little wolf’* … *sets it aside and snuggles in close to Halsin, nuzzling into his arms* can you tell me more stories about her?…

[wellthebardsdead]

*Emerald grove devil au, a blacksmiths loose screw*

———

Falûne: *locked in a room in Wyrms rock fortress after Gortash took him hostage to make sure the group behaved themselves and killed orin, a heavy collar around his neck enchanted to act as a mobile hold monster spell keeping him imprisoned and unable to teleport or leave at all* selûne I know you don’t like me but Mielikki and Silvanus can’t reach me here and- *blinks as the collar suddenly breaks and falls off him* huh? *looks over as the steelwatch machine guarding his door just crumples to the ground* what the?

*meanwhile*

Dammon: *whistling away as he tosses an unconscious Wulbren into an open steelwatch machines torso with an equally unconscious Gortash inside* there we go- *picks up his welding rod and breaths fire on it igniting it before pulling his mask over his face and welding the cavity closed as he talks to himself* see how you like dying in one of the machines you betrayed Karlach for you miserable pile of crap, this’ll teach you to kidnap my fiancé he’d better be unharmed or ill go back to hell just to kill you a second time- nasty little racist prick picking on Barcus like that you don’t deserve to have a friend like him-

Gortash: *blinks awake slowly seeing sparks flying and then darkness as he’s welded in* what the- *jumps as the machine suddenly lurches upright, gears grabbing at his clothes and skin and only then just registering the agony his wrist is in* h-huh?! *grabs at it to find his hand severed and missing along with the stone* sh-shit! Shit- *starts banging on the metal to try and get out, waking up wulbren in the process*

*A few minutes and a walk to the peer later*

Dammon: *whistling as he stops the machine just in front of the water, smiling up at it proudly and admiring his work* hm, I’ve improved.

*muffled bangs and screaming*

Dammon: shame no one will see it though. *kicks the steelwatch automaton making it fall forward into the water, drowning them both. An uncomfortably content smile on his face as he watches the bubbles slowly fade*

Wyll: *runs over with his father and the rescued hostages as Barcus and the gondians gather with the iron hands* we got them!

Barcus: and Mr Silverbough should be getting your lû right about now-

Falûne: DAMMON!! *jumps out of Halsins arms and runs to him*

Dammon: *smile disappearing and being replaced with a face of relief as he holds back tears embracing him* My love!!

Halsin: *smiling at them* our son picked a good egg. How did you fare my heart?

Aura: *in her grey wolf form, trots over to him and spits out gortash’s severed hand*

Halsin: great work as usual~

[wellthebardsdead]

*Some of the emerald grove devil au as Halsin tends to Lûne following the Drow poisoning~* and Aura belongs to @stoplickingthedamnbear

———

Halsin: *walks into his and Lûnes room, laying him on his bed and removing his clothes to ease the fever and sweats as the antidote fights the poison* …

Falûne: *voice and breath shaking as he speaks* I-I’m s-sorry p-

Halsin: be quiet son… *removes his shirt and sighs with relief seeing no further injuries beyond his hand* deliberately disobeying me is one thing. But leaving the grove at night without telling anyone and not even wearing a hint of armour to protect yourself. I’m disappointed in you Falûne…

Falûne: *tears stinging his eyes again, his words and disappointment hurting more than the poison* I j-ust wanted t-to help-

Halsin: You can’t help anyone if you’re dead Aura- *covers his own mouth in shock* I-…

Falûne: *staring up at him in equal shock*

Halsin: … *sighs* you’re just like her…

Falûne: …did… did Aura… run into danger often?…

Halsin: more often than most… and usually I was the one who ended up hurt by chasing after her and running head first into said danger to save her… but for every time I saved her… she saved me… and then… I lost her to that accursed place…

Falûne: you never… told me why she went there…

Halsin: her rite… her own stubborn honour for whatever foolhardy reason demanded she assume the form of a wolf and make the journey to every circle across faerun as only a wolf. When she’d return with all the blessings of the arch Druids, then she would take her place as Faithwarden to serve this circle along side me… I begged her not to go, I warned her the harpers had told of Ketheric mobilising an army… she promised she would be back before I assumed my role as arch Druid… and then my warning came true… *looks out at the mural of dark justiciars* she would have been nearing moonrise by that point… to receive the blessing of nature itself as her final one before my own… and then… then the darkness came… and she never came home… *looks at him with a sadness in his eyes he’d tried so hard to shield from his son* Promise me Lûne… You will never ignore my warnings ever again… I’ve already lost her… I cannot lose you as well.

Falûne: *heart heavy seeing the pain in his eyes and hearing it in his voice* I-i promise papa…

Halsin: … *leans down pressing his forehead to his* thank you son…

Falûne: *nudges his horns against his forehead* …

Halsin: you’re grounded for a month by the way.

Falûne: UGHHHHHHHHHHH JUST LET THE POISON TAKE MEEEEE!

[wellthebardsdead]

*One more of the devil of the emerald grove because I need it*

———

Falûne: *old enough now to walk and talk, clip clopping around his and Halsins room giggling as he avoids getting dressed for bed*

Halsin: *nabs him and slips him into his night robe* Got you little jaybird!

Falûne: *squeals and kicks and flutters his little wings happily, giggling as Halsin tickles him before placing him in his bed, his pet piglet hen climbing up to cuddle* where papa going tomorrow?

Halsin: I won’t be gone long little one, just heading into moonhaven to ask the remaining residents for some advice.

Falûne: Is it about the wolf lady again?

Halsin: *sighs* yes… it’s about… her again…

Falûne: … *sits up and hugs him, so tiny he can’t even stretch his arms around his stomach* you find a way to get through the dark papa, you can do anything!

Halsin: *smiles and pats his hair* thank you son…

Falûne: you tell me story about her again??

Halsin: another one? I’m sure I’ve told you everything about her already. Hm… well, there was the story about the beehive but you’re too young to be hearing that one. *chuckles* ah… there was one time she fought off an entire hoard of goblins defending the younglings like yourself.

Falûne: *eyes sparkling* ohhh!! Tell me that one!

Halsin: *chuckles* alright alright, settle down now I’ll tell you…

*meanwhile, far beyond moonhaven amongst the depths of the shadowcurse*

Jaheira: *walking cautiously with her harpers* darker than darkness itself… stay close, our scouts said to look for the- *pauses as a large grey wolf trots towards them, a mild limp to her back leg and a moon lantern around her neck* wolf… *steps closer* Are you Aura?…

Aura: *nods and flicks her ears, two ruby studs glinting in the torchlight, gifts from a beloved bear from long ago* I am…

[wellthebardsdead]

Falûne: *staring at the rubble that was the cloister where he was raised, most of it still standing but a great deal needing repairs and a great deal of its inhabitants needing healing and aid* …

Shadowheart: *pats his shoulder nervously* we don’t have to, closure doesn’t always mean confrontation.

Falûne: no… I need to see him… I need. I need to know.

Isobel: *looks at him, then at Aylin* no matter what his reasonings may be. He’s committed unspeakable cruelties in the house of the moon maiden and in her name. We will insure he is dealt with…

Aylin: Justice will be met with my hand if need be, child.

Falûne: *nods and looks behind him to see Halsin and Aura standing ready*

Aura: *gripping Halsins hand* behind you all the way, pup.

Falûne: *nods* thanks mama… *takes in a long breath before walking to the cloister, his eyes scanning the panicked masses before him, hundreds of new acolytes studying to earn their priesthood, now either laying dead or dying as the seniors try to aid them, and standing amongst them doing nothing to help-* Hello, Father Keldran. *opens out his wings wearing his cambion form proudly after spending his whole life forced to hide it behind a seal*

Keldran: *spins around, nearly collapsing in shock at the devil dressed in selûnite robes before him* F-Falûne?… you- but-

Falûne: I know the truth now… I know about my mother… I know what you did to her… I know you’re my father. I was born as a tiefling and when you killed her- I became a cambion with her dying breath… I know my grandfather is Mephistopheles. I know you placed a seal on me to hide my true form from me… and I know you betrayed our lady by turning to shar to curse my mind and memories so I may never remember all the pain you put me through. My hooves are still misshapen from being forced to wear boots and walk like I have feet. I look at my body still and I’m disgusted by what I see when there’s nothing wrong with it at all but you- you made me believe I was mauled and disfigured by a bear when I failed my rite but I never did my rite! There was no bear! It was a stuffed bear in the room you killed my mother in you made me remember!! All this… all this for what?… so I’d be raised good?… *sighs* why couldn’t you just treat me with love?… with kindness?… what did I as a child do to you that was so unforgivable that you resorted to everything you did?! *fighting back tears as it all comes back again* the broom closet, the beatings, the cold food- who- who makes a child wear a scorns bridle for speaking their birth language?! I didn’t choose to be a tiefling or a devil I didn’t choose to speak infernal! *chokes out a sob as he steadies his breath and steps closer* but even after all of that… I… *takes his hand* I forgive you…

Keldran: *expression souring from shock, to anger as he yanks his hand free and strikes him hard across the face* You vile! Ungrateful! Disgusting hellbeast! *raises his hand to strike him again*

Aylin: *grabs his wrist and snaps it in her grasp* In my mothers name. *lifts him off the ground by it to meet her gaze* you shall do harm. No. More. *hurls him into the rubble and charges at him with her blade drawn as the group rallies around her to beat the crap out of him, all except Aura, Halsin and Astarion who come to Falûnes aid*

Astarion: *lifts Falûne up off the ground, the cambion having fallen back in shock* come on. You’re too pretty to be sitting in the dirt… *strokes his hair back from his face* why didn’t you just kill him?…

Falûne: what good would that have done?… *looks to Aura as she stands before him, open arms waiting*

Aura: … *smiles and opens them wider*

Falûne: m-mama. *falls into her arms sobbing into her armour*

Aura: *smiles and kisses his temple and one of his horns as he nuzzles into her* shhh, im proud of you little moon.

Halsin: *rubs his back* so very proud.

[wellthebardsdead]

Falûne: *staring at the huge spread of food laid out before the group as flaming fists, harpers and refugees gather in and take their share* Miss Aura made all of this??

Halsin: Oh yes, she hasn’t lost her touch for feeding an army and feeding them well. A whole century and it still looks and smells just as I remember. When it was her turn to cook, the whole grove would gather outside the kitchen hoping to be first to get a bite.

Falûne: I-I can tell, it looks amazing, I… *looks at his empty plate before scooping a little portion of each onto it, only for Aura to appear and pile his plate up high* Ah?? B-but the others-

Aura: There’s enough for everyone honey. There’s a lot of folks depending on you staying alive and you’re no good to us starved. *pats his hair and walks over to join Halsin at their table*

Falûne: *nervously looks at his plate seeing more food than he’d ever dream of having in one day never mind one meal* gods what I’d give for a halfling stomach right now…

*half an hour later*

Aura: h-honey are you alright?

Falûne: *nearly in tears trying to clean his plate* hnnn

Gale: Ah, don’t mind him, hes improved a great deal since we first met, he was thin as a rake and content with eating cold porridge or leftovers.

Aura: what?!

Karlach: aye, the fancy pants priests at his cloister made him eat all alone an only after they were done eating. Even though he was the one cooking the food.

Astarion: his blood was tragically thin when I had my first feed but since he’s been well fed by our dear Gale it’s improved greatly~

Aura: *glares at him before looking at Lûne and gently taking the plate away* honey it’s alright, whatever you don’t eat I’ll give to your furry companions. *looks to scratch and the owlbear* you’re not going to be in trouble if you don’t finish it.

Falûne: *looking more green than blue as he sits there regretting the last several bites* I’m already being punished- nobody touch me- I’ll pop.