#based on that post theorizing that gortash made/commissioned stillmaker because Yeah that's absolutely correct

[johnandrasjaqobis]

past 1am, post an unconnected and incomplete chunk of sorta-durgetash (post lobotomy and subsequent coronation reunion) because i'm in the trenches and just thrilled i'm writing literally anything at all

“That blade you have,” Gortash said, sitting forward and waving a hand toward it, “would you mind if I took a closer look?”

Joseph raised an eyebrow, pushing past the way that suggestion sent his blood roiling for a moment. “A little, yes.”

That got a light scoff. “Please, we both know you're no less dangerous without it. And as I've said, it would be counterproductive to go to all this trouble only to try and kill you now.”

It seemed like a decent point. The hesitation was still heavy before Joseph relented and pulled the dagger from his belt.

He hadn't really looked at himself since that vision had taken him down at the bridge, but the symbol of Bhaal was now all the more poignant as its empty eye sockets stared up at him. That much made a hell of a lot more sense now, at least.

It also sent a quick shiver down his spine that he didn't have time to fully identify the source of before Gortash was taking the blade carefully from his hand.

“Not even a scratch,” Gortash murmured, seemingly to himself as he turned it over. “I suppose the enchantments would have helped – where did you say you found it?”

There was a memory nagging at the corner of his mind, and Joseph ignored how it was beginning to bring on a headache. “I didn't.”

Gortash glanced up with the start of a smirk. “Didn't say, or didn't find it?”

“Fucking smartass.”

It was instinctive, somehow, and Joseph barely managed not to flinch as soon as he processed the words himself. Gortash just grinned.

“Is that any way to speak to an archduke?”

“Maybe not a legitimate one.”

That got a short bark of a laugh, and that –

Damnit, godsdamnit, he liked this guy.

“It was under the temple in Rivington,” Joseph said, trying to ignore practically everything else, “buried. I imagine because it had been used to murder the head priest.”

Gortash considered that a moment before giving a derisive scoff. “If Orin is disorganized and impulsive, her people are even worse. Whatever the case,” he flipped the blade around to hold it out hilt first, “I am glad to see it found its way home.”

Joseph found himself hesitating again; his hand closed around the hilt but he didn't pull it back at first. He remembered something about this, something about the knife and the man holding it out to him, and maybe it was the fact that he had more than half a second to consider all of that, but it abruptly snapped into place in a way very few memories had so far.

“You made this,” he said, more of a statement than a question. “You…gave this to me.”

He couldn't read the expression that flashed over Gortash’s face, and the single nod seemed as even and unperturbed as any other so far.

“I did. Bhaal may have his own holy relics, but it never hurts to have extra. Or an upgrade.” The next grin was a little sharper. “You wore both, but seemed to prefer this one.”

“Which did absolutely nothing for your ego, I'm sure.”

“What can I say – an artist appreciates his work being appreciated.”