#graagh╭┈─ [ 01. in character ]

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@teapottroubles inserted ;

"I'm a nice person but I'm about to start throwing rocks at people." from Tav

❛ Is that so ? ❜ The lightheartedness in his tone isn't hard to miss , eyes shining with amusement as he takes his place by her side. ❛ Come , now. There are better outlets than to immediately resort to violence. ❜ His words aren't at all spoken like a lecture , or even an attempt to talk her down from her frustration. Instead , they're more of a suggestion.

❛ Tell me , Tav. What is it that ails you so ? Who has stoked the flame of your anger ? ❜

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Sometimes Graagh wonders what it is that keeps him standing long enough to take such hits. He certainly doesn't have the usual strength that comes with being a Half Orc of his stature , perhaps it just channels itself into resilience instead. Or he's just plain stubborn. That seems to be the most plausible theory thus far.

He watches her work on the bandages for a moment before turning his gaze elsewhere , glancing up at the leaves in the trees. There's much one can learn from the forest , from nature in its entirety. ❛ And you're wiser for it , no doubt. ❜ It's not often that people not of a druidic background take it to heart. It's one of the many things he admires about her. Her tenacity to learn , the way she jumps into action. He just wishes that she didn't carry herself with such uncertainty. ❛ It's not a skill I'd wish upon anyone. ❜ He doesn't exactly enjoy violence , he tries to avoid it when possible. But they do what they must under these circumstances. ❛ Both you and Quothe are far more than welcome here among our party. We wouldn't leave you to fend for yourself , not when we're all suffering from the same affliction. ❜

He nods , satisfied with her answer. When she's done tending to his wounds , perhaps he'll go pay Tavarin a visit , just to be certain. ❛ I can't say I'm familiar with a bow and arrow in any form , no. ❜ He chuckles softly. Yes , he does believe that they would be far more forgiving than Astarion would be. ❛ If you're willing to teach me. I may not be the fastest of learners. ❜ He tuts to himself. ❛ What's that phrase ? You can't teach an old dog new tricks ? I'd hate for your efforts to bear fruitless. ❜

Birdie admires that about her. Lae'zel seems so fearless. There's never any hesitance. She doesn't have to stop and think and worry. She admires that about all of the frontline members of the party. Birdie fears she would crumple under one blow from a sword, but she watches them take hit after hit without faltering.

Cutting the bandages as neatly as she can manage, she glances up briefly and shrugs her shoulders with a small smile, unsure of what to say to the compliment. "I learned a lot from the forest." She thinks maybe they would get a bit more lost or eat some unpleasant berries without her, but she's not a healer or a wizard or even much of a fighter, just good with a bow. "But not how to fight goblins. You're all very nice for letting me travel with you. Quothe, too," she adds, because she wouldn't stick around if the bird couldn't stick around.

"And I think so. She was with Gale - I just took one from her backpack. But I left a note." She uncorks a bottle of water to clean the wound first and foremost. "And some Rogue's Morsel so she can make more." Birdie knows herbs just fine, but leaves the process of combining them to someone with a little more dedication to the craft. "My father thought crossbows were easier to aim with. Have you tried it before? Maybe we can start there. Out in the woods - the trees don't mind getting hit as much as Astarion would."

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ooc

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wood fired pizza ? how is pizza supposed to get a job now ....

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besides , how could pizza be fired if it didn't already have a job ?

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He waits for her to join him , letting out a content sigh as he listens to the sound of rustling leaves. There's a deep respect he holds for her ( not that he doesn't respect all of those within their party , he does. ) for her constant endeavor towards familiarizing herself with the flora and fauna that surround them. He supposes it comes with having lived deep within the forest , but it's something that makes him want to keep her close.

He nods. ❛ That's good to hear. ❜ During battle , it isn't uncommon for Graagh to focus less on his companions and more on the enemy. Not that he doesn't care , of course , for he cares deeply and isn't afraid to show it. But it takes a great deal of his limited strength to keep himself standing , so he tries to keep his eye on the battle instead of worrying himself with the state of the party. ❛ She is indeed. ❜ Always rushing in head first ―― the living , breathing embodiment of no mercy. She's a great asset to have , that's for sure. Even if sometimes they don't see eye to eye on certain matters.

❛ You do us all a great service , Birdie. I don't know what we'd do without you. ❜ She's the one who , like today , is the first to make sure they've all gotten proper healing. The first one to volunteer to gather food for Gale to cook , and the first to offer an ear lest you need it. He's never met someone with a greater heart.

❛ And how was Tav ? She took one of her potions too , did she not ? ❜ He couldn't help but worry about them all after the fact - it was one of the only things keeping him awake half of the time. He chuckles softly at the suggestion. ❛ A good thought , but I do believe my aim would be cause for alarm. I'd hate to miss the target and pierce right through someone's tent. ❜

Arms folded to cradle the supplies she'd brought over, Birdie hesitates for only one moment before taking a seat near him. The druids in camp are... not intimidating, that's not the right word, but it's humbling to be around them. She's spent her whole life trying to understand the forest, the animals. It seems to come so effortlessly to them and on a level she could never reach. Birdie is friendly with the crows but Halsin can turn into a bear. She wonders if Graagh can do the same - she's never seen it, if he can.

"I'm alright." She shakes her head, setting down the jar of salve and bandages, a small, clean dagger to cut them with (she couldn't find scissors). "I'm quicker than they think," and good at climbing her way up to the high ground. "And Lae'zel is a good defender."

Not a traditional one. Her tactics are more offensive, certainly, charging directly in and cutting the enemy down before they even have a chance to land a blow. But Birdie notices how she goes out of her way to intercept the enemies that target the rest of them. She doesn't doubt she'd have a stray arrow or two lodged in her were it not for Lae'zel knocking their bows aside - or chopping off their arms.

"I was worried about her. I made her take one of Tavarin's potions." It goes without saying that she would rather die than swallow her pride and go to Shadowheart for healing and Birdie doesn't press that particular issue. "You three were worst off, I think." Him and Lae'zel and Tav. "Maybe you should start training with bows and arrows?" It would keep them out of harm's way much better. "I could teach all of you."

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Graagh watched silently as the rock skimmed across the water's surface , lips curling into a small smile. ❛ Well , ❜ He finally spoke up after a moment of deliberation , head turning from the lake to the elf beside him. ❛ I do suppose the water is a better target any. That , or maybe the attack dummy we have. But the water is far more forgiving when it comes to blunt projectiles. ❜

Sure , it's good for swords training , or perhaps even bow and arrow ―― but he can just imagine what the ricochet would look like if one started to throw rocks at it. Last thing they need is for one of their companions to complain about being pelted with stone.

He hummed thoughtfully. ❛ Yes , much has happened as of late. Being angry is a normal reaction , I would think. ❜ Anger , confusion , sorrow , and fear. Graagh leans more towards melancholy , himself. He's tried to make peace with it all. How successful he's been , however , is up for debate.

❛ Save that anger for combat , Tavarin. It will prove most useful then. ❜ A gentle hand rested on her shoulder. ❛ I know my advice seems like . . well . . shit , but you mustn't let it consume your every waking moment. Allow yourself some respite while you have the chance. ❜

" Well my usual outlets involve an anvil and a white hot fire, but I don't exactly have access to that either. So, rocks it is. " Tav huffed and skipped another rock across the lake they'd set up camp by, digging her boots into the sand.

But, like most occasions, the man had a point. And a good one at that. The elf immediately deflated, and gnawed on the inside of her bottom lip.

" I just- I don't know. I'm mad to be mad I guess. There's a worm in our brains, a nasty druid putting the lives of dozens of people in danger, a cult looming over our heads... I had a notoriously short temper back in the city, before all of this- " She motioned around with her hand half heartedly.

" But I'm finding lately the urge to throw blunt objects more and more frequent. "

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❛ Mm ? ❜ If asked , he would not lie and say that she didn't startle him. The weariness of the day's events seeped well into his bones long ago , and it's taken all of his effort to stay awake. So when she spoke up so suddenly , pointing out the gashes on his arm that had long since been forgotten , he was jolted back to reality from being deep in thought. After a moment , he gestures for her to sit by him. ❛ Come , come. ❜

There's a small smile that curls onto his lips - knowing just how truthful the statement is. Graagh wouldn't want to disturb her rest , anyways. A good night's sleep is rather hard to come by given the circumstances. ❛ And how are you faring ? Any stray arrows catch you ? ❜ He gives her a once over , just to be certain. ❛ If we're going to be patching up wounds , I want to make sure you're taken care of as well. ❜

@underworldsarcade - for graagh

"I can help you dress it."

It probably shouldn't be surprising that someone as light on their feet as Birdie can appear so soundlessly. She points a finger, not very discreetly, towards the ugly gashes across Graagh's arm - a well-aimed blow from a Gnoll.

"I have salves. And bandages. You wouldn't have to wake up Shadowheart that way. She gets grumpy." This is said in a conspiratorial tone, though Birdie is very matter-of-fact about it. She tilts her head. "It will scar if we don't."