#tiny male

[smolgloves]

The Wizard and The Herbalist

Summary: Gale and Freya put their skills together for the perfect potion

Tw: mentions of crushing? Nothing too crazy, this is all fluff

I think I got it!” The wizard exclaimed as he paced around his tent with a book in hand. Curiosity had taken hold of Freya near the campfire, Gale was so engrossed in whatever he was reading that he was absentmindedly walking around for the past hour. She didn't dare go near him during his trance lest she wanted to get stepped on, he normally was more aware of the borrower's presence but after that one time involving the fish barrel… Pushing those thoughts aside, Freya ambled over to Gale.

“What are you on about?”

Gale smiled down at the borrower. “Ah Freya, I was just about to look for you.”

“I was near the campfire.” She giggled, then raised an eyebrow at him. “But tell me, why were you going to look for me?”

Gale knelt down on the terrain, stifling a groan along the way down and flipped the book over to Freya. She noticed the images of Sylvan stone and a Gauth eye. “I think I have found a way to make the size reduction spells more effective!”

Freya cocked an eyebrow. “Effective how?”

There was a joyful gleam in the wizard's eye. "I could reduce the height of one of our companions to a range closer to your height.”

She stared up at Gale with wide eyes. There wasn't many times others had shrunk down; if they needed to sneak into any place that required crawling through a crack in the wall, Freya was always the first to volunteer, but when they shrunk, they still towered over her. Freya only reached their knees, which was less daunting than the usual, but it still wasn't like talking to a borrower. She missed being able to talk to someone in the eyes without craning her neck or being able to wrap her arms around someone in a full embrace. As comforting as it can be to be held in a hand, physical contact was still so much different than before, she never would have realized how much she would miss the little things like that. “You're kidding.”

“Quite the contrary.” Gale pointed at the eye on the page. “The Gauth eye is said to make spells much more potent. So say we add ingredients that are used to make potions that deal with size shifting and I drink it….”

“Then you can do a more powerful reduction spell!” She beamed.

“Spot on.” His smile grew. “And I think I know of a little herbalist who could help me.”

“Then what are we waiting for? Let's get to it!”

~~~~

Back at home, Freya spent time in the greenhouse making potions and salves all day, but she never brewed anything beyond healing elixirs before. Skaars Hollow never had any type of ingredients that could let her experiment with doing anything as advanced as transmutation! Gale gathered the supplies and went to work grinding up the gauth eye and sylvan stone, while Freya oversaw the progress of it all, making sure the ingredients were mashed to perfection before they began the potion brewing.

At last, the potion was complete, it stood tall over the borrower, holding an orange liquid within. Freya stared at with wide eyes. “Do you think it's ready?”

“I believe we gave it enough time to settle.” Rubbing his chin, Gale tentatively grabbed the bottle and popped off the lid. “In a normal trial, one would run tests to make sure this was safe to drink… but I trust your expertise.”

Freya couldn't help the grin that stretched across her face. “You're the one who did the work.”

He smiled. “True, but your guidance was instrumental to the success of this.”

Despite the swelling pride growing in her, Freya couldn't help but shy away from the praise. “I think you should talk less and drink the potion.”

Gale laughed under his breath before pressing the bottle to his lips. The orange liquid disappeared down his gullet, no drop was left behind. Gale took a breath. “Not the worst potion I've drank, but the taste is left to be desired.”

“But did it work?” The anticipation in her voice was palpable.

“There's only one way to find out.” With a flick of the wrist, Gale's hand lit up, a pale blue light snaked down from his fingertips to his palm. He pressed his hand to his chest and with a smile, he uttered a phrase: “Diminue.”

Gale dwindled in size before Freya's very eyes, she watched as he disappeared beneath the table, normally a larger one would just reach a low table such as the one by the wizard's tent. Freya dashed to the edge and peered over it. There Gale was, waving up at her at tiny height, this needed to be seen up close! Freya undid her grappling hook and descended down to the rocky ground.

It almost felt like a dream walking up to Gale; a larger being now reduced to five inches. This should have been a work of fiction, but when she reached out with a shaky hand and brushed against his arm she realized just how real this was.

“Gale, you beautiful bastard, you did it!” The shrill joy could not be contained! Freya pulled him into an embrace.

“Well this certainly is more comfortable than staying on one's knees for an extended amount of time.” Gale said with a titter.

“Or constantly looking up.”

Gale pulled away, glancing around the world around them, his tent loomed over like a building, his books became towers, and rocks became boulders. “I must say, the world feels vastly different from your point of view.”

Freya raised a brow. “Care to elaborate?”

“Sometimes, this world feels small, like you could explore Faerun before your life is over.” Gale fixated past the sandy beach to the murky waters ahead, his brown eyes wide with wonder. “But at this height, I'm looking at a world I'm familiar with, and I'm coming to the realization that there is so much more to this world than I have ever known.”

“I'd agree with you, but I've only ever known this perspective of the world.” Freya stood beside Gale, his wonder had spread to her. “Maybe one day you could show me that side of the world.”

“It would be my honor.” A smirk spread across his face. “But first, I want to explore the campgrounds through your eyes.”

“But of course.” Freya began walking, motioning for him to follow her. She was accustomed to walking around this rocky terrain, stepping over pebbles that would have been missed by larger beings. If only Gale was as aware. He stepped onto some loose rubble and nearly stumbled into Freya. Immediately, he began to revert back to his normal height.

Freya gasped out, for a moment, she feared the wizard would fall into her but he fortunately braced himself, his arms on either side of her and his face a mere inches from the tiny lady.

“Gods, I'm terribly sorry, Freya.” Gale quickly sat up to give her some space. “It seems this spell requires more concentration than a normal reduce spell.”

Despite the near death experience, Freya couldn't help but laugh. The spell was short lived but there was hope. “I think we'll have to do a few more trials before we attempt that again.”

[smolgloves]

Screaming and crying and giggling at this!

My Little Starlight

It is finally done - after 16 hours of work! This was a (fairly old - sorry!) request from one of my Patrons to see more G/T Bloodweave, and I’ve been really deep in my. Feelings with God Gale as a concept, still treasuring his mortal Astarion even after ascension to godhood

You can check out more of my work on Patreon!

Patreon | Instagram | Redbubble

DETAIL CROPS:

[bonkalore]

I've said before that Cyprus is actually much bigger naturally than he usually is seen, but he mostly takes this size when he's in the water. He's not as used to it above water, but he and Lucy were trying to be more honest with each other to avoid further miscommunications.

He was already crushing on her, but think he may have fallen a little bit in love with her after this lol I think he gets in deeper than he intended to for sure.

I've been having fun exploring his character more tho and finding that despite his in control and confident exterior, he gets quite bashful and shy when vulnerable~

[smolgloves]

A Moment's Meditation

Masterlist

Summary: Tav opens up about their past

Tw: Death mentions, blood mentions, angst

Dusk began to settle on the monastery, shades of reds and oranges splashed the sky, leaving a breathtaking view to watch together.

However, Tav was in a deep trance, their eyes shut as they sat cross legged on the worn down cobblestone. Freya had known monks were serious about their meditation but it had been two hours!

“You're going to miss it.”

Tav gave a faint smile. “Oh, I'm seeing it in ways you couldn't imagine.”

Freya couldn't help but roll her eyes. “I don't think I'll ever comprehend your monk phrases.”

“Is it so hard to believe that I can see a sunset with more than just sight?” They asked with a chuckle. “I can feel the rays of the sun on my skin, hear the birds chirping before they turn in for the evening, and I can sense the waning patience of a tiny companion wanting some company.”

Her face immediately flushed. “Y-You're making that last part up!”

Tav finally gave in, opening their eyes to see a flustered Freya standing on a vine tangled ledge. Their smile only broadened. “Okay, the last part was just me hearing your sighs.” They got up to look out at the view, leaning against the ledge just meters away from Freya. “But you're right, I shouldn't miss gazing upon the sunset.”

Finally, they could finally enjoy watching the sunset together! Freya's ulterior motive for tagging along with Tav was in effect, with everything going on, the two hardly had alone time together. If anything, Astarion had seized more time with Tav than her, but fortunately, he refuses to hang around when Tav is meditating.

Now she understands why.

“So… does this monastery help you… while you meditate?” Freya asked awkwardly.

“In a sense, I didn't practice the teachings of Lathander much, but this place does help me find peace amidst the chaos.”

In Freya's years of living, she didn't know much about monks, it wasn't like she saw a lot in Skaars Hollow. “How did you become a monk?”

A soft sigh emanated from their lips. “Now that is a story of the past.”

~~~

A young Tav had wandered the streets of Wyrm’s Crossing for days, traveling into alleys to dig through the trash. No one seemed to stop to help the child, they had no idea where to go. The world they grew up in had now turned terrifying, why couldn't mummy and daddy just wake up already?

It was a particularly chilly night for the lost halfling, huddling into the alley with their face buried in their knees. Tears fell down Tav's cheek, their world seemed uncertain now.

It wasn't until the sound of a crash broke the child from their sobs.

“Would you be quiet?” A male voice said. “Your recklessness will get us caught!”

“It's the dead of night, Tror. Who's out here?”

Despite their snappy tone, the feminine voice sounded soft and kind, like their mum. Pushing themselves off the cold ground, Tav shuffled over to investigate. Their eyes widened as they saw two beings much smaller than a halfling digging through a sack of trash that was torn open!

“You'd think the tenants of this place wouldn't throw out such exquisite stuff.” The dark haired woman said, holding up a hair pin that gleamed in the moonlight.

“They're elves,” Tror scoffed. “They probably threw it out cause it was last year's fashion.”

“Oh well, our gain.” The woman replied with a chuckle. “Now let's head to Sharess’ Caress, I bet they threw out a lot of food!”

As the two headed for the opening of the alley, Tav stepped out of the shadows. “E-excuse me, I need help.”

The tiny beings stopped in their tracks, letting silence filled the alley for a long time. It wasn't until Tav took a few steps closer that they moved.

“Stay back!” The tiny red headed man turned to face Tav, he pulled out a sewing pin like a sword pointed at Tav, while keeping in front of the woman. “Do not take another step!”

“I-I'm sorry…” Too many times Tav was met with nasty responses by people when they asked for help. Why did they think this time would be different?

“Hold on.” The woman stepped forward in the light, her honey colored eyes studied Tav like mum did when she was trying to find out if they were fibbing about something. After what felt like a million years to Tav, the tiny woman spoke. “You're a child.”

Tror grabbed the lady's wrist pulling her closer to him. “Does that matter, that's a big folk!”

A small giggle slipped out of the halfling's mouth, no one had ever called them big before.

“Oh hush, Tror, they can't be anymore than six summers old.” She broke away from him and smiled at Tav. “What sort of threat can a child pose?”

“Many that you neglect to think of apparently.” He grumbled.

“Pay him no mind, we just have to be extra careful due to our size.” She said, “My name is Piper, what is yours?”

“Tav.”

“Tav,” She repeated in a sweet voice. “What are you doing out here? It's not safe for a little one.”

“Mu-Mummy and daddy won't wake up.”

Piper pursed her lips. “Pray tell, what do you mean?”

They didn't know the answer, but hot tears pricked the corners of their eyes. Tav had spent an entire day trying to shake them awake, they didn't even sleep on their bed, they laid on the ground.

Tror stepped forward “Piper, there's blood on their shoes.”

When Tav was trying to wake up mum and dad, they were laying in a puddle of blood, but why did that matter? They get cuts when they play outside. “Did they get a bad cut?”

Piper's gaze softened at the child. “Something like that...”

Tror stepped in front of Piper. “This is all very sad, but we have to go.”

“We can't just leave them!”

“What would you have us do?” He ran his hands through his fiery colored hair. “Take them home?”

“Can I?” Tav asked. “Just so for a day, out of the cold?”

Piper's eyes only softened at Tav. “I'm afraid our home is too small for you, but don't worry, we'll do something.” She grew quiet, the motherly demeanor morphing into one of uncertainty. She stood there, glancing between Tav and the streets beyond them, the features on her face scrunched up as she racked her brain for an idea.

“The Open Hand Temple!” She gasped out. “The monks could help you!”

“The temple?!” Tror cried out. “That's on the other side of town!”

Piper glared at her partner with her hands on her hips. “It's the only place I know that would be safe for them.”

Tav had heard of the monks before, but they didn't know much about them, did mum and dad know more about them? “Will they really help me?”

“Of course they will.” Piper clasped her hands together. “Now, let's make haste, you shouldn't be out here any longer.”

She took confident strides towards the child, seeing her closer made Tav realize just how tiny she was, she didn't even reach their knees. “Kneel down, and hold your hands out like so.” She said, cupping her hands. Tav did exactly what she said, their eyes glued to her as she climbed into the child's hands.

She was so warm compared to Tav's icy hands; they felt a little bad she had to deal with that, but she didn't seem to mind. “Now, follow my instructions and we'll get you there before midnight.”

“Have you gone mad?” Tror shouted as he ran up to them. “We can't just guide a child through the streets, what If someone sees us?”

“At this hour?” Piper jeered. “You worry too much, my love.”

Fierce brown eyes glared up at the two. “I will not go along with this, I'm sorry Piper but this is too dangerous.”

“Okay.”

“Okay?”

Piper gave a shrug. “I'm not going to make you come on this dangerous quest with us. Just go back home and I'll be back within a tenday.”

His eyes nearly bulged out of his head. “You're serious?!”

Piper didn't respond to him, she just looked up at Tav with a smile. “Let's go hun.”

Tav was hesitant to go, they didn't want Piper in trouble, but finding a warm place was more dire. They stood up and headed out of the alley, they didn't get very far before the sound of feet hitting the road followed behind them.

“Okay, wait! I'll come along!”

~~~

“And then I was taken to the temple. It wasn't until later that a monk took me to the mountains to train under the ways of the four elements.”

As Tav wrapped up their story, Freya could only conjure up more questions in her head. “And what of the borrowers?”

“They left before I reached the steps.” Tav smiled as they continued to reminisce. “I would leave out scraps of my food under my bed but I never saw them again.”

“I suppose that was to be the outcome.” Freya's words didn't match her views; she understood why they never kept in contact, but if she were in that position, she probably would have at least wanted to make sure the child was adjusting, maybe even give a proper goodbye. But Freya knew she was being biased.

“I wouldn't dare to hold that against them.” They broke away from Freya's gaze to watch the sun dip into the horizon. “They did a lot for me in that short moment, I'm not sure I'd be here if it weren't for them.”

“You mean with the tadpoles?” Freya gave a cheeky grin.

Tav snorted in response. “Oh absolutely! If it weren't for the tadpoles, I wouldn't have great company.”

“I guess you have a point, you and Astarion are becoming such good friends.” She teased back, but the borrower felt a trace of venom laced in her words.

“I'm not just talking about Astarion.” A dashing smirk flickered onto the halfling's lips. “I've had a soft spot for borrowers since I've met them, so meeting you has been one of my favorite memories so far.”

A blush scorched Freya's pale cheeks, hearing them say that was like a symphony to her. She couldn't believe that traveling with Tav would make her heart sputter like this, if only she knew if Tav thought of her this way. Freya turned towards the breathtaking view to enjoy this small moment with Tav. “Me too…”

[lkrmacro]

flight service

[luxthestrange]

Incorrect quotes#952 Beel U QT~

M!Mc: There are 20 letters in the alphabet, right? Beel: Nope, there's 26 M!Mc:Ah, I must have forgotten U, R, A, Q, T Beel: Aww, that's cute, but you're still missing one? M!Mc: You'll get the D later ;)

Beel:...!?!

[sthenollagniabull]

Malachi Ezekiel

[gt-and-videogames]

Hideaway rest | Clive Rosfield

[smolgloves]

My boy

It's too dangerous to venture alone! Take this with you🙌🙌🙌

[prettyinpinkkk]

dude I don't think anyone here knows how fucking DESPERATE I am to lose we1ght, I skip two meals and am forced to eat dinner, I will literally DO ANYTHING, if I have to steal pills from stores I WILL, If I have to start drinking energy drinks I fucking will, if I have to shoplift shit from stores I will, I will do WHATEVER it takes, even if its just a singular p0und I will be happy, I want MY stomach to get smaller, I want to see a difference in my face, I want to look as sick as possible, I want people to be concerned, I want people to be shocked and scared when they see how sk1nny and s1ck I have gotten, I'm literally losing sleep over this,

is that too much to ask for? why did God have to torture me and make my life miserable with this fat, tub of lard you call a "b0dy"

[olivexing]

Ben recognizes her friend, who is exposed to be a sea monster-

He didn’t want her to find out.

[sm0lprism]

I commissioned the wonderful @entomolog-t to draw my g/t Baldur's Gate 3 oc, Ria, with Astarion and I'm absolutely over the moon with it!! This is very reflective of their encounter in the first chapter of my fic, Bite-Sized. I love this so much and I'm so happy with how Ento brought Ria to life.

[smolgloves]

I love this 🥺

thinking about Orpheus and Eurydice but g/t and i can’t tell which is worse

giant Orpheus with tiny Eurydice. she’s so small, she’s hard to spot even when one does look for her. he’s always kept a careful eye, making sure she was safe and alright, so the idea of her walking in his footsteps out of sight is terrifying to them. every one of his steps is like twenty of hers, so he has to go so. agonizingly. slow. to make sure she can keep up. he can’t even sing, because he has to concentrate all of his hearing on the softest footsteps behind him.

alternatively, tiny Orpheus and giant Eurydice. he can hear every one of her steps, when she sighs, when a large teardrop splashes onto the ground. he has to be careful to stay in her sight, but far enough ahead that he has a comfortable distance from the booming steps. he stumbles through half of it with his eyes screwed shut, worried she’ll go a step too far and he’ll get a glimpse of her form. she always did consume his entire vision, something so giant and beautiful you can’t help but look, a deeply rooted instinct he has to fight off with his entire body.

ultimately it doesn’t matter which is more tragic.

he’ll look back at her either way.

[bonkalore]

Sort of continuation of the very wholesome comic with Cyprus and Lucy. Here Cyprus is remembering that gravity is more of a thing to worry about on the surface than it is under the water.

He seems confident all the time but he's really got a lot on his mind when trying to be lol

[bearchris]

[smolgloves]

The Trial

Summary: Freya is reunited with her cousin, but must face a trial for breaking the rules

Tw: mentions of death, mentions of slavery, transphobia/enbyphobia, deadnaming

Deep underground, unbeknownst to the people of Skaars Hollow, was a colony of borrowers. Tunnels were painstakingly carved by the tiny people to keep such a large group hidden from the larger beings. Uncle Eskel said it was better that way, but after sitting in the empty room with only four dirt walls to keep her trapped, Freya started to wonder if this way was truly keeping her people safe or if this was merely a way to keep them sheltered.

The door creaked open and a figure not much taller than Freya slipped in. “I can't stay here long but you need to tell me everything.”

“Kes!” Freya jumped up from the bedroll and practically tackled her cousin into a hug. His arms wrapped around her and she was fully embraced in the familiar scent of smoke and ash that clung to him. “I was worried sick about you.” He said, trying to sound stern but the crack in his voice gave himself away.

“I know, I'm sorry.” Freya pulled away from Kes to meet his gray eyes. Soot smeared his round cheeks; when Freya slipped out of the border, he was still in the forge. Gods, he must have been searching for her since last night! “I thought I could get more supplies beyond the border.”

“I figured that much,” Kes sighed, taking Freya by the hand and sitting down on the bedroll with her. “But I need to know if you were spotted by that group that caused havoc in Huskin's Tavern.”

Freya tucked her knees to her chest, despite being close to Kes, she still struggled to meet his worrisome gaze. Unlike her, Kes was a more cautious and secluded borrower who didn't care to leave the safety of the walls. To him, there was uncertainty when one ventured out to larger being territory, and he refused to be put in a position where he might get caught. So he opted to be the colony's blacksmith, while Freya looked for supplies for him. They made a pretty good team, but that still didn't make telling Kes what happened any easier. “I got caught last night by that group.”

“By the gods, are you alright?!” Kes grabbed onto her shoulders and began studying her for any signs of injuries. “One of the scouts said you were covered in blood! Which one hurt you?!”

“I'm fine, really!” Freya shoved her cousin away, but flashed a smile. “It takes more than a few travelers to knock me down.”

“I'm glad this experience hasn't shaken your confidence, but this is serious.” He sighed. “What happened out there?”

“They didn't want me to head back home alone, and agreed to escort me back.” Freya avoided eye contact as she uttered those words, yet the horror that radiated off of him was palpable. “They were already planning on coming to town for some business.”

“What kind of business?”

“They were going after the goblins that terrorize the outskirts of the town and their leader wants to investigate the plague.” Freya took a shaky breath, fearing Kes’ reaction. “I think they're going to help us.”

Kes stared at her like she was suddenly growing horns and a tail. “Help us or help the real townsfolk?”

“All of us, Kes!” She exclaimed. “They seem like… good people.”

“Large ones don't help borrowers.” He clenched his jaw. “And if they do, it's never for the right reasons.”

Freya was no stranger when Kes acted this way, she knew what he had been through and thirteen years later, he still was traumatized by the raid of their colony. Normally, Freya would leave him alone to mourn his losses, but in a few hours, Freya would have to stand before the elders and face a trial that may not stand in her favor. Her only hope was to persuade Kes into seeing her point of view. She placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. “I don't know how else to explain it, but they're different.” Freya sighed softly, thinking about how Tav treated her, and wondered of their fate. Did they survive or were they already dead? Freya had to push those thoughts out of her head, Tav had to be fine. If they haven't fallen to the illithid parasite, then surely they wouldn't fall to Huskin! “Their leader speaks with such passion and kindness.”

Kes hastily shushed her. “You know better than to talk like that!”

“I'm just thinking about our colony!” Freya retorted. “We've been hurt by the plague too, and they have a lead on how to end it, maybe if we asked-!”

“You're going to get exiled or executed If you keep talking like this!” Kes hissed out, a fierce glare met locked onto her before fading away. He sighed. “Look, maybe there are nice large ones out there, but you need to play this smart. Tell them you were scared, be vague, do that and your punishment might not be so severe. Please, I can't lose you, Freya.”

“Okay.” Freya nodded, there was no getting through to him. Pride and fear kept a lot of borrowers in line, it was usually a life saver but Freya feared that would soon be their downfall if the plague continued to spread.

~~~~

Freya tugged at the sleeves of her green blouse, the questions had been relentless since the trial began, it didn't help when the entire colony had gathered around to listen to her brush with danger. She told them the story about getting caught by Astarion, meeting Tav and the rest of the group, and having to stay until morning; she of course, left out certain details that might make the colony panic more, but the main story was the truth.

“And they just let you go?” Asked uncle Eskel.

“Yes.”

“Why?” Uncle Eskel's stone gray eyes bore into Freya. He was definitely the spitting Image of Kes, but where her cousin showed more kindness and sympathy when he looked at Freya, uncle Eskel only showed a stern disapproval. The two quarreled for a long time, as to why, that remained a mystery. Whatever the reason, Freya knew she wouldn't get any pardons for simply being the elder's niece.

“They… didn't see a use in keeping me.” Freya sighed. “The group had better things to do than keep a borrower around.”

Murmurs spread around the room speculating how a borrower would simply be let go. Then one elder named Whitcomb broke through the crowd. “Preposterous, a larger being wouldn't let a borrower go!” He shook a bony fist in the air. “We are too valuable on the black market.”

“Ta- The halfling showed empathy when they met me.” Quizzical looks painted the faces of the five elders, none of them could wrap their heads around a larger one being nice to a borrower. “Their priority was to figure out what was causing the plague in Skaars Hollow, they had no time to… sell me off.”

“Why are they curious about the plague?” The elder named Petrona asked. She was a woman in her forties, the youngest elder of the five. The only reason she was appointed was because her mother- the previous elder, had gotten sick from the very plague and was likely to die.

“They want to cure the town of this ailment.” Freya glanced over to Kes, his jaw clenched tightly as he stared at her with wide eyes. She wished she could read his mind right now, was he mentally screaming at her for speaking too much or just filled with general anxiety?

“So Freya got lucky and was spared by kind travelers?” The elder known as Veron said, running his fingers through his graying beard. Things seemed to be going Freya's way, the hammering in her chest was slowly easing up.

But Mirable cleared her throat and stood up. “I'd like to remind the council that Freya lingered in the tavern after she was free.” Freya cursed under her breath, of course Mirable would rat her out!

“Is this true, Freya?” Uncle Eskel's voice cut through like a blade, ready to pierce her heart if she even utters the wrong words.

“I did,” She let out a heavy sigh. “I wanted to know more about the plague to see if I could learn anything that might help us.”

For a moment, the crowd seemed to approve of Freya's logic. That maybe the young borrower was only risking herself for the sake of her people, surely she shouldn't be punished so severely for thinking about the fate of her people, right? But Mirable only glared at Freya with dagger-like eyes. “Oh? If that's the case then explain why you attacked the one who tried to kill the Gith?”

Gasps dispersed around the room, Kes looked as though he might rip out his own dark hair. If the ground decided to open up below Freya's feet, she would gladly let herself be swallowed up to avoid this trial.

“Answer the question, Freya.” Uncle Eskel snapped.

“She was aiding in learning more about this plague.” It took everything in Freya to keep her voice from trembling. “I wanted to do my part in aiding them to that.”

“Borrowers are forbidden to aid larger beings no matter the reason!” Her uncle shouted. “You know this, yet you defied the very law that has kept our people safe!”

“Standing back and watching them die could only hurt our people!” Freya retorted.

“Father…” Kes cleared his throat, his hands shook more than Freya did. “Perhaps, Freya's intentions should be… considered over her nativity?”

“Silence Kan… Kestrel!” Uncle Eskel shot a piercing glare at his child. “All of Freya's actions will be judged!”

Nails dug into Freya's clenched fists, even ten years after Kes began his transition, Uncle Eskel's efforts to use his child's true name was lacking. Years of arguing with him wore him down enough to use the correct name to keep the house civil, yet they all knew uncle wasn't keen on the change. Anger boiling, Freya was ready to lash out at her uncle, but her eyes glanced over to her older cousin, who shook his head at her. She didn't need to read minds to know Kes was telling her not to start this now, and as much as she hated it, she knew he was right, the correction can wait until after she is given a penalty.

Petrona glanced over at uncle Eskel. “I hate to say it, but Kes has a point. If the travelers mean to seek aid for this plague then surely Freya should meet a less severe punishment?”

Loza, the other female elder scoffed. “Even if the large ones aid this town, we will not obtain such gratification.”

“That's not true!” Freya blurted out, all eyes fell on her now. Her throat threatened to close in an attempt to seal her true words from leaving her lips, but the searing glares from the elders kept her from freezing up. She had to speak up, to vouch for Tav and their companions. “I mean… their leader seemed keen on helping everyone affected by the plague. Perhaps, aid could even… reach us.”

The collective gasp wasn't at all surprising but it was disheartening, the quiet murmurs became full blown clamors, people spoke of theories of what the group did to Freya to make her say such a blasphemous thing.

“Are you suggesting that we reveal ourselves to those travelers just because a few of our own are ill?” Whitcomb bellowed out.

“Absolutely not!” Her breathing became more ragged, her mind racking for ideas that could win the colony over. “But maybe… I could… ask for the assistance myself.”

“No!” Kes shouted out, terror flickered in his eyes. His fear was reasonable, but Freya only gave him an apologetic look before continuing. “I heard they're going to investigate the cave south of here. If I go there, I could get the answers and hopefully, a cure for this plague. I would be the only borrower they interact with during the whole journey.”

“Have you gone mad, girl?! You're asking to befriend the very beings that have oppressed our people!” Fury was painted on uncle Eskels's face; there was no doubt he wanted to do nothing more than to scream at the top of his lungs for even hearing such a suggesting, but he maintained a professional decorum. “Have you forgotten the last time a borrower befriended a large one?” He asked in an eerily calm tone.

“Of course I haven't.” Freya's jaw clenched, how dare her uncle question her loyalty, she was not like the boy from thirteen years ago. The boy who befriended the larger being only to be betrayed and hunted down along with the rest of her colony for a quick profit. The very raid that took the lives of her parents, and the lives of Kes’ mother and younger brother. She wasn't stupid, she knew what larger beings were capable of, but if the fate of her colony rests in the hands of Tav, then she must do everything she can to make sure her people survive, even if such methods were… unconventional.

“I worry about Freya's alliance.” Mirable's cold voice silenced the crowd. “There was another questionable character amongst the travelers. The pale elf had a bounty on him, Huskin and his grunts wanted him, and the way he fought... He used more than blades to slaughter his enemies, he also tore into the neck of one of the cooks. I've only heard of vampires doing such a thing.” The scout studied Freya for a moment, she saw the guilt written on her. “I'm right, aren't I?”

She couldn't face anyone, not Mirable, not the elders, not even Kestrel. There was no good way to explain why Tav kept a vampire around, Freya couldn't even fully understand why. Her silence was all the confirmation the crowd needed.

“By the gods!” Uncle Eskel shouted. “You would have us put our trust in a group who lets a vampire roam free?!”

“One that walks in the sun too!” Veron added.

“Did he charm you?” Petrona gasped.

“Of course not!” Freya scrunched her nose. “The halfling is the one who leads the charge and he listens to them.”

“A vampire will always listen to their instincts.” Whitcomb warned. “And a colony of borrowers will satisfy their hunger for a bit.”

The panic in the crowd grew like a pot of water boiling over. Youngsters mentioned second hand stories about vampires, while the elderly feared they must uproot their lives and leave Skaars Hollow, and mothers cried out for the safety of their children. It was chaos that couldn't be contained.

“You have put our colony in danger with your recklessness!” Uncle Eskel shouted.

“Everything I have ever done was for the colony!” She snapped back.

“It was for your own selfish desire to seek out adventure, like your father!” Her uncle screamed out, his voice silenced the crowd, they watched in bated breath realizing this was no longer just a trial of a borrower who broke the rules, but a family affair being put on display. When Freya didn't retort back, uncle Eskel cleared his throat of all the rage he had pented up. “I have given you a pass due to it being the very thing that saved you from the raid, but now I see my leniency has put us at risk.”

Freya tensed up. “What are you saying?”

Uncle Eskel took a deep breath. “As of tonight, you are no longer welcome as a member of our colony. You will be escorted beyond the border where you will continue your exile alone.”

Yo-you can't do this!” Freya shrieked, her eyes locked onto her older cousin's, who shared the same look of fear as her. Neither of them should be surprised yet they were gutted by the verdict no less!

“Are we sure we should let her go freely,” Loza scowled. “Where she could always return with… unwanted guests.”

“I will not sentence the daughter of my sister to be executed.” While still stern, a glimpse of pity shone in his eyes. It was easier to pretend her uncle hated her, but deep down, Freya knew he had a soft spot for her just for looking like her mother.

“There must be another way, father!” Kes pleaded, tears pricked his eyes. “What if we forbade her from leaving the walls.”

“No!” Uncle Eskel bellowed. “She will continue to sneak out and cause trouble!” His cold glare fell onto his niece. “If you won't abide by the rules that kept your ancestors alive, then you can live on your own where your actions will only get yourself killed!”

“All I did was try to help!” There was no holding back tears anymore, she looked back to Kes, meeting his eyes one last time before Mirable pushed Freya along to send her out in the wilderness.

A/N: Hey, I just wanted to take a moment and say this was my first time writing transphobia in a story and while I took time to consult with people about the topic before hand, I will still admit that this is a topic that I wanted to tread carefully on. I didn't want to shoehorn the topic in but also not downplay the affects of misgendering/deadnaming. If anyone has more advice on how to write such a delicate topic. Let me know! Also Kes is trans-masc and would use he/they pronouns, I'm not quite sure how to write a character with multiple pronouns. So if anyone has any tips on that, feel free to let me know. Thank you for your support!