#bog of eternal ick

[kdmerchant]

Alright.

I havnt managed to write this much I'm such a short period of time in so long. I'll admit there is a lot of me in the character. Way too much for comfort but I'm letting it out in this fic.

I remember writing when younger and everyone saying no one likes a self insert. I'm disregarding that sentiment completely in this fic, so there is about to be more truama talk in this chapters and those to come. Some of it is icky. I won't go too far into the bog of eternal ick, but it's there.

Not all my work will be this way, this one's for me. Read it or don't, my feelings won't be hurt. I'm processing (constantly). 😊

I'm going to try and finish out this next chapter today, and thought I would drop a snippet.

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“Apologies. I didn’t mean to intrude.” Halsin held up a hand as he spoke and turned to leave. Paradigm pulled away from Astarion who pouted.

“Wait,” she held out a hand, “Are you here for that healing session?” Her

Halsin nodded, and Astarion shifted his weight sitting up to glare at the intruder.

“You can stay if you want.” She said while straightening out his shirt collar. “Making my arm better will suit the whole group. He also said there will be talking, you can get to know me through misery.” The derisive tone in her laugh made him eager enough to stay.

“I’m not sure that’s advisable.” Halsin said while Astarion stood up and helped Paradigm off the rug.

“I thought this was my healing session.” Paradigm furrowed her brow.

“It’s up to you, but I figured he may serve as a distraction.” Halsin supplemented with praise. “If that isn’t the case, don’t worry about it.” He set incense of cedar wood and lavender on the table, ignited it long enough to blow it out, spreading a thick calming scent through the small space.

“I think you should stay.” Paradigm insisted. “I bet there are some stories that will be brought up that I don’t want to repeat all that much. It will also leave you to decide whether I’m worth the trouble.”

“She keeps alluding to trouble and yet I see none.” Astarion said waving a hand dramatically towards Halsin. He took a backpack filled with clothes, threw the bedroll over it for a makeshift chair and curled up in the corner watching as the tall druid motioned for Paradigm to lay face down on the cot.

“Want me to remove my shirt?” Paradigm asked genuinely not knowing if that would help.

“It would make this more effective.” Halsin said as he slathered his hands in some oil that smelled of rosemary and honey. The scents mingled in such a pleasing way that it almost put Paradigm at ease.

Almost.