#EmpTav

[imperial-daffodil]

A quick sketch of Daff grabbing the Emperor for a little break

[sovereign-spaw]

Emperor fans

I am sorry

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Tav: Sleeping on their lap

And The Emperor is holding his hand up, looking at its hand and then Tav, wondering if it's appropriate to pet their head

Mhm!! I think Emperor would! Gently pet their head and run their fingers through their hair.

I think Emps is privy to how non-mind flayers see romance and maybe is even nostalgic for that kind of affection and intimacy, even if they can't experience it the same way that they used to.

[fiddlehead-soup]

Crying and thinking about The Emperor's reaction if Tav fell asleep on him

They've been so so afraid of it this entire time and now they're taking a little nap, head resting on his lap, curled up and cuddled to him

I love this, too! Perhaps the first instance of blatant trust from Tav, since having found out about Emperor's true form?

I think it would mean a lot to Emps and they treasure the memory more than any mystic artifact or treasure chest full of gold they've ever plundered. ❤️

[fiddlehead-soup]

Thinking more about a Tav involved with Emperor/DG but is scared of mind flayers!

Emperor always wears only the most minimal armor in their presence, so not to seem so intimidating. They also remain seated or knelt on the ground and do not make the first move. They never reach out to touch Tav unless Tav initiates contact, and Emperor is always asking for verbal consent, even though their minds are connected. Their touch is very tender, and they refrain from using their tentacles and only touch them with their hands so that they can get used to their presence in this new form.

Emperor feels they messed up when this happened with Ansur. They don't want to mess things up again. So they will take it slow. And they will have faith in Tav, that Tav won't do the same thing Ansur did.

Tav has no intention to do anything of the sort, though. They're just...nervous. Shy. Unsettled.

But Emperor's voice is sooo soft and soothing. They whisper sweet words into Tav's mind, so many reassurances, so many 'thank yous' for giving them a chance.

They spend so many nights like that...just being in one another's presence. Tav getting used to Emperor's new (to them) form. And so many days, of Emperor's voice in Tav's head, just as gentle. Sometimes even a little snarky, making them laugh.

It takes a long time, but when the final battle with the brain finally rolls around and Emperor fights at Tav's side against hoards and hoards of mind flayers...Tav isn't afraid anymore.

That mind flayer is their protector...and they will help protect whatever is precious to them. They will be a hero of Baldur's Gate right along with Tav.

And there's nothing frightening about that!

[fiddlehead-soup]

It's Random Thoughts Hour, but I wonder how Emperor would treat a Tav who has max affection with Dream Guardian who, upon finding out it is a mind flayer, was actually was scared of it, but conflicted since they were so close with DG.

Emperor would know through Tav's thoughts that they are not disgusted...just frightened. And rightfully so. Mind flayers can be a huge threat. And it would also know that Tav does still care for it, but is also facing a lot of anxiety because of it.

I think, after the battle with the giths, Emperor would speak directly into Tav's mind so the others couldn't hear, and reassure them it means no harm. And that it can continue to take the DG form if Tav so wishes.

Tav nods shyly and Emperor does, even if it barely has enough energy to maintain the form after such a rough battle.

I think Emperor would be desperate to keep Tav interested in them. It doesn't want to lose Tav and everything they had built up with one another. But Tav also feels guilty now, making Emperor take on this fake form.

I think Emperor would be very patient and go at Tav's pace, while also taking every chance to remind them how different it is from a typical mind flayer. Yes, Tav is right to be so frightened, but Emperor is an exception, it promises. 💜 They take things very slowly, and on a night of intimacy in the prism, Emperor in its mind flayer form lies perfectly still as it lets Tav explore its body however Tav wants, so Tav knows it and won't be so scared anymore. Also, answers any questions about mind flayer biology! Knowledge is the best thing to dispell fear!

By the end of that night, Tav is much more comfortable with Emperor and tells it to never take the DG form again. 💞

[sovereign-spaw]

In a perfect world, mindflayer!Tav and The Emperor could recreate the spaghetti scene from Lady and The Tramp but with brains instead of spaghetti

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Work in progress because I am so hyped about this one :3

I have not yet added the Partial Illithid features to Daff's face because it's a very delicate process.

This corresponds to the early stages of when they met the Emperor in person and in his true form. Trust was already there - also that never ending fascination that only grew stronger after the reveal.

I cannot get over them. I just cannot. :3

I just cannot wait to have time to work on it. It'll take a while :3

[imperial-daffodil]

A very rough sketch - first sighting of DaffFlayer, post game. Their sweet little head is going to be so fun to draw TTwTT

I want to see the Universe within you with my own eyes. I want to see the Universe outside with your eyes. Show me what you feel. Let me make you feel what I see.

[imperial-daffodil]

I still haven't finished my artworks, but seeing it is the last day of the Emperor Week, I am posting the wips. I will finish them, because I have more ideas than ever, more love, and irl stuff cannot curb my wishes :3

So here is a piece I had intended to finish by the end of this week, but life keeps delaying stuff. I am sending both the inks and the beginning of the colouring (it's watercolour I was a FOOL to think it'd be done in one tiny afternoon x) ) - this one is for the Promise prompt but it will be finished much later

Then is the very very rough sketch of a piece I will call 'Allies' that is going to be the longest to finish - featuring my first Tav, Daff, and the Emperor - I am definitely drawing its armour on this.

I did not want to stay silent during this week, yet, no obligation to reblog these as they are only wips :3

[sovereign-spaw]

Pre-relationship Tav x Emperor is so funny and cute to me

Fact is, they've got a crush on the mindflayer, they think it's handsome.

Unfortunately, they think about that a lot, forgetting he can probably hear them, so much of their days are spent like this;

Tav, thinking: The Emperor is so cute I wonder if I have a chance-

Tav: ...

Tav, thinking: I forgot he can hear my thoughts- he can't possibly be listening to all of them, right? Right. He has better things to do. I'm sorry if you heard that, please ignore it

He heard all of it

It will not ignore any of that

[imperial-daffodil]

The Inks are finally done! Still have to get used to the new scanner and manage the levels and contrasts, but I tested it today! I cannot wait to paint this piece. 'a quick one' I said. In my sketchbook. Except, it is never a quick one when I am in love, and am I in Love TTnTT

The Emperor, Shield and Protector, and my first and canon Tav, Daff. A Gith Wizard who always has had a strange fascination for Illithids, and used to wonder whether or not they'd be so dangerous, or plain evil, if they were not enslaved to an Elder Brain themselves.

And they got a beginning of an answer here. The Emperor is more 'human' than many they've come across during their life. A mirror, and a completely different person, to recognise oneself and learn from - an individual to feel safe around, and to care for.

. . .

"I do not know what the future holds, Ras'til. But I do know that whatever happens, whether we fail or not, I will be by your side. I never want to let you out of my mind."

-- Daff, the The Emperor, one night in the Astral Plane.

Some time, just as they're quietly in the Plane, resting after that fateful night, Daff just watches the Emperor and whispers to it "zhak vo'n'fynh duj" - the Illithid does not know how to answer, so it only asks the Gith to sleep, for they have work to do.

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Considering The Emperor is used to being feared and hated, I can't help but wonder how they'd feel about Tav saying "I feel safe with you" and they genuinely mean it too

I think their initial instinct is to buck the idea and not believe it--they've been burned before--but then they realize that they are literally connected to one another's minds, and Tav is telling the whole truth; they really do feel safe with Emperor.

What a beautiful feeling it must be for them to feel cherished once more.

Of course, it doesn't hurt that it strokes their ego, either. ^_^

[fiddlehead-soup]

The Emperor: -now help me!

Tav, 🥺👉👈: Oh, umh... I know this is a bad time, since you're getting your ass kicked by a bunch of highly trained warriors, but would you like to go on a date...?

The companions: ...huh

Tav: 👉👈 They're so handsome...

I think Emps would be exasperated by Tav's dual bravery/stupidity, but after the fight was won, would actually agree to the date and later comment on how admirable they were during the battle.

[fiddlehead-soup]

Sometimes I throw the prism away, wait for it to return, and then throw it away again. I do it because I'm bored and throwing away a thing that automatically comes back is just fun

Anyway sometimes I wonder how The Emperor feels about that

The Emperor: Please stop throwing the prism around I'm trying to fight off 20, highly skilled gith warriors

Tav: He he, ball goes zoom :]

LOL This is so funny. We probably give Emps such a headache but they've also never met anyone like us so they're just kind of exasperatedly fond.

[fiddlehead-soup]

u should read surround soundd on ao3 i think ud like itttt

I just bookmarked it for later! Just skimming it, it looks amazing! 💜🧠🦑