#bg3 zarina doesnt shut the fuck up esp if she is in her performative mood

[zorkaya-moved]

“Yeah, no, nobody who looks like you minds their own business.” oh god no this was even better from astarion im sorry

@avaere

It makes her laugh. Openly and without holding back, placing her hand on her stomach to keep herself from keeling over from how dramatic he sounded upon saying that. He is correct, Astarion knows far more the likes of her than any other person in this camp. More than the great wizard who was beloved by the goddess, more than the Blade of Frontier, more than anyone, truly. He knows and he understands, he's a man far smarter than most would give him credit for. She knows a survivor when she sees one, they speak to her journey and they let her know of power they hide within if they did not break from pressure.

He should be proud of himself. He was bent but he remains... himself. It'd be fun to assist him in taking down his 'master' if he allows her to offer him support in that endeavor. It's be fun to watch a vampire lord finally go down, she is confident in their skills to take down someone like that, but she must gain some more information. It'd be mutually beneficial if she supports Astarion if he ever wishes to go against that critter. Well, she'd need that vampire out of Baldur's Gate no matter what. Cazador is not as big of a threat to her as Mephistopheles, but he is still someone who must be approached with strategy, not pure brawl.

"You are most correct, dear Astarion!" She exclaims, theatrics undergoing a new phase as she places one hand on her chest and the other behind her back while giving him a bow as if she's a ringleader or as if she's an entertainer. A bard would be envious of her performance, but she won't go down that road, not yet. Not while her current skills are more important and powerful. "Why would I not mind others' business when it can cause a delightful turn of events? Knowledge is power, gather as much as you can!"

The garden of knowledge will make one the most dangerous. If you know enough secrets, one word from your lips will bring ruin to peace so hardly won over by those who call themselves heroes. Zarina straightens up as she gives Astarion another smile, but it's sly and confident as she doesn't let the tadpole in her brain to take away from what she is and what she knows. It's better this way when her powers are limited, it gives her a new outlook and humbles her.

"Everyone's business is my business as long as it falls under my jurisdiction within Baldur's Gate. Because each mistress and each lover a noble takes can be used for blackmail," she begins, passing by him while keeping one hand behind her back and the other snapping her fingers to create small ice figurines looking like humans, elves, gnomes, just five of them. "Each whisper, each discussion, each deal made, each love confession made. It's not my business, but..." And when she squeezes her hand into a fist, they shatter in the air. "It's my turf. The business of others, that's why so many want me dead. Because knowledge is power, Astarion, and you must use any and all opportunity to get it." Golden eyes look back at the vampire spawn, giving him another encouraging smirk. "But I will be kind to you. Your secrets will not be used against you as we are allies in this troubled present. We are equals. Your business will remain yours until you request my services as support. As my respected equal," genuinely so, but she'll kill him without hesitation if he betrays her. "I will not rob you of freedom nor will I ask for anything unfair as payment. I'm not Raphael or Mizora. My contracts are clean cut."