escordvi | [open] september catch-all

To obtain passage to Nogard is no simple task for a Paladin.

But I shall see that it is done.

[ It just, like, might take him a while. He has to go make some calls, so to speak. ]

This is cute. I like this determination.

I undertake all tasks with determination.

I believe I have secured passage. It requires some subterfuge, so I must travel light. I pray that your Leviathan does not move in the meantime.

Subterfuge!

You really are a man after my cold, dead heart. 🫀

Subterfuge can be acceptable when performed for the right reasons.

[ And with any luck no one will ask Xenk direct questions so he doesn't have to admit to being a Paladin. See? Foolproof. ]

How did you send that symbol? Is that a human heart?

And just for the record here, the "right" reason is sexual gratification?

There's a separate input for the symbols. I guess Jarlaxle didn't teach you everything.

[ 💅 ]

To visit a friend who is far from me. Whose presence I find myself in want of.

[ Don't put him on blast like this!! It's not.. just... about sex. They'd need to actually have sex for that to be the case. ]

He did not. Perhaps you may show me when we are able to speak in person.

Edited (made it xenkier) 2023-09-21 17:18 (UTC)

Of course. For friendship. Well, I'm looking forward to it, regardless. You can see my apartment.

[ his apartment, with his things, and his little windowbox garden of deadly plants, where everything is his and no one is bothering him and no one puts garlic in your sheets ]

Edited 2023-09-21 17:20 (UTC)

Yes. ( ◡‿◡ *) I would enjoy that.

[ They're good friends :) But Xenk is indeed on the next ship into Nogard. Yeah, it's something of a reconnaissance ship, and yes, Xenk has "disguised" himself so he's skipped his armor and he's wearing black versus his usual blues. It's not his first time somewhere that's a den of crime (he's been to Waterdeep, maybe not as far as Baldur's Gate, but you know,) so he at least knows to keep his coin purse in his boots. Why, he's even left his sword and brought only his dagger with him. He really got dressed down for this!

Well, and the Paladins wouldn't take him if he didn't prove that he could do it, so much as it rankles him to practice in misdirection, Xenk has done what he must. This is a sanctioned visit, so that's lawful. And he'll still answer all questions directly, so it's probably for the best that he ignores anyone who tries to speak to him, and arrives in Nogard with his shellphone in hand. ]

I have arrived in Nogard. Where do you live?

[ Astarion sends him his address. He's fretting a little, Xenk will be his first real visitor to his apartment! The first guest he's ever entertained for real and not just, you know, for Cazador.

He sets out a pot of tea and a cup for Xenk (earl grey) so that it is steeping and should be ready when he arrives. And then he just stands there awkwardly waiting because he's gotta be a good host?? He's gonna do great yeah this is good. ]

[ Xenk manages to find his way to the address, without asking for help, no less! He believes in the best in people, but in places as these new arrivals are easily scammed, so he continues to avoid speaking to anyone. It perhaps takes him a bit longer than it would have taken him otherwise to find his way, but find his way he does.

Following the numbered doors, Xenk arrives at Astarion's apartment and knocks. He hopes he has the correct one. He won't lie if he ends up in the wrong one, but he's in unknown territory and that means he's on alert, at least somewhat. That's surely the only reason to be so tense when visiting a friend. ]

Astarion? It is Xenk Yendar at the door.

[ Astarion opens the door for him and laughs at his overly formal announcement. ]

Yes, of course it is. But you don't require an invitation to enter homes.

[ That's a joke, because, he does. Normally, at least. That's just how vampires work. But he gives Xenk a sweeping, bowing gesture to welcome him in all the same, cheeky and teasing.

But glad to see him. ]

Please, good sir, enter my humble abode.

[ Xenk smiles to see him, warmed by the sight of his friend. It's true that, unlike Astarion, Xenk does not need an invitation to enter. But it's the polite thing to do! Even in Nogard.

He quirks a brow somewhat curiously at the formal address, and grand gesture, though judging by Astarion's tone... ]

You are teasing.

[ He gets it!!! He hopes he gets it, anyway, because he's going to enter, as asked. ]

It brings me joy to see you well, my friend. I am grateful for your invitation.

I am.

[ Aw, Xenk gets it. Good for him. He closes the door behind them and leads them over to a cute and nicely set table with the tea. He has to do this right!! You have to give proper hospitality to guests, or else some god probably gets very mad. ]

There is tea in the pot, if you would like some.

[ He's working on his observation skills! And considering that when someone's tones do not match their actions, it's due to a deeper meaning. He's excited to have gotten it right, however. It really is a learning experience for him.

Xenk follows Astarion into the apartment, casting his eyes around to observe the place. It's lovingly decorated and clearly well cared for. Even the setting for tea was clearly done with great care.

And Astarion can't even drink tea, so he's really being an incredible host right now. ]

I would, thank you.

[ He moves towards the table, happy to take a seat for his tea. Look, it was a bit of a thirst trap to get him here, but he's certainly not regretting that he came. ]

You are a gracious host. Your apartment is lovely.

[ Astarion sits down across from him at the table and pours his cup of tea for him. ]

You're my first guest. It's rather nice, to invite someone over.

[ He'll still get dressed up for him he's just trying to do the right thing here okay!! ]

Do you want sugar?

[ He bought some special.....not milk though because that goes bad too quick. ]

[ It's great!! Astarion is so excited, it's very cute. ]

It is an honor to be the first.

[ His first guest!! How wonderful. Xenk looks it over all of it again, knowing that he's the first to see it. He can only imagine that Astarion was not allowed much in the way of personal effects, before. So all of this must be quite the treat.

He can tell Astarion is excited. It's really quite endearing. Xenk will happily have some sugar in his tea. ]

Certainly. Thank you.

[ He's got a nice little bowl with little tiny sugar tongs and everything. He gets a sugar for him and drops it in his cup and there's already a spoon out and everything. He's literally just playing house here since he cannot partake himself but that's ok!! he's enjoying it!

Because, yes, he was literally given nothing, before. But now, even for all this apartment is small, he's got a nice bed with red silk sheets and a warm looking comforter. At the foot of the bed is a heavy, locked truck that has his things from Faerun. His little cross-stiches are sitting on a bookshelf that's slowing being populated with books (and a rather nice jeweled dagger). The table is in the kitchen part of the apartment which isn't really being used that much, but it's set up with all kinds of little knickknacks. There's a good display of alcohol, some fairly fancy bottles. And of course, his little windowsill plant set up don't eat those they're very poisonous. In a closet off to the side he's even getting multiple outfits, imagine that. ]

Tell me more about the subterfuge! You must have been very excited to come visit.

[ It's So Much for a guy who literally can't even drink tea, but that just makes Xenk appreciate it more. He hasn't been to a proper tea party himself, but he recognizes the trappings for what they are. And Astarion really did go all out with his hosting duties here.

His apartment feels lived in. Alive. If ever there was any proof of the fact that Astarion was truly alive, vampire spawn or no, then one could find it here in how he has decorated his apartment, and left his personal mark and touch on every inch of the space. There was surely no doubt that Astarion deserved his own space.

It makes Xenk smile, enough that he manages to avoid frowning too much as he speaks of his subterfuge. ]

I was indeed. [ He's still a little embarrassed about that, but he's gonna own it. He literally isn't even wearing his usual clothes, that's how much he wanted to come. ]

The ship I boarded was... [ He leans forward, to whisper. He is very bad at subterfuge, see. ] I am not supposed to tell you, so you must promise you will not share it with your fellow Corsairs, but the ship I boarded was meant for reconnaissance. I do not know if the Paladins have many such voyages planned throughout the month or what the occasion is, but they would not allow me aboard unless I was dressed more "discreetly." Hence my current attire.

[ Astarion leans forward and listens like this is some big secret. Playing along. But there's literally no way the Corsairs haven't figured this out, but he's going to let him have it. ]

Well, good job! I'm proud of you for impressing them.

[ It's a little bit patronizing but also a little bit serious? He can't hand out honest praise he's gotta half-ass it. ]

[ Xenk can't quite tell if this is honest or if it's teasing. It's such a toss-up now that he and Astarion are close friends.

He's going to just assume it's honest. ]

Thank you. I admit it is not my strength, but I can do what I must.

[ He's down to a dagger and no armor, his ass is not prepared but at least he has healing magic if he gets shanked. ]

[ Astarion laughs. What he must, huh? ]

I suppose I shouldn't leave you guessing, then.

[ He stands and wanders over to the closet to pull out the outfit he'd gotten from his quest. I have finally decided he got a copy of the one he wore because I liked it. So there. She just happened to have a couple versions of it I guess. Obviously one of them got sold, because he did a good job with the quest. ]

[ Xenk's eyes follow Astarion to his closet. ]

This is the dress?

[ It's a beautiful dress, if one can call it that. Entirely too revealing, completely inefficient, and needlessly complex.

It's a marvel. Xenk is so confused about how he's feeling about it. He's seen women in similar dresses of course, and even some men, given his past and all his travels in Faerûn.

But he really wants to see Astarion wear this. He can feel his pulse quicken at the thought. ]

Will you try it on?

That is why you used subterfuge to come all the way over here. It would be rather cruel of me to have you do all that for nothing.

You just sit there and enjoy your tea, and I'll be back shortly.

[ He grabs a pair of heels and some stockings and heads to the bathroom to get himself dressed. The laces of the corset are no problem with his dexterity, of course.

When he'd worn it before he'd used a silken shall to cover his scars where they peek over the back of the corset, but it's nothing Xenk hasn't seen before. Instead, because he's a cheeky bastard, he puts on a string of pearls. You know the ones. A pin with black feathers sits nicely in his hair.

Finally, he puts on a bit of make up, just some color to compliment the outfit since he otherwise looks, well, dead.

He's left Xenk stewing in anticipation long enough. He walks back out to show him. ]

Well? Was it worth the trip?

[ Xenk nods, taking a sip of his tea as Astarion retreats to get dressed. There is certainly an anticipation building within him, though Xenk cannot begin to imagine why. Is it the mere though of his good friend, dressed in something so revealing, that makes his mouth dry and his mind stall? What would the actual sight bring, if only imagining it has brought him so far?

No, he is merely supporting his friend, isn't he? While Xenk can admit he is perhaps driven by a baser need in the urgency with which he wished to see him, there is nothing outright unlawful in what he's doing. Changing clothes and joining his Paladin allies in a quest... and he is running reconnaissance on the Corsairs, in his own way.

Astarion emerges from the bathroom as Xenk runs the logic in his head, and all of those thoughts instantly dissipate.

Tyr give him strength. The dress, the makeup, the pearls. A surge of warmth rushes through him, loudly pounding blood into his ears. Is his pulse always so loud? Xenk feels his fist clench, but he's sure he isn't in control of it. His mind blanks, his jaw slackens.

He is struck speechless. ]

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