january crew adventure/catchall [OPEN!!]

[partybabysitter]

Who: Xenk Yendar + YOU!
Status: Open!
Where: All around! Some prompts on the Eventide and some just on Nogard, Elah, or Eltrut
What: Crew adventures, Manta board adventures, all sorts!
Warnings: There's a heat prompt in the Manta board this month so like. That's gonna be a thing, calling it now.

Crew Expedition: Exploration (Open to Crew)

[ No point in having a crew if you don't go out and explore! Captain Xenk and the rest of the crew of The Eventide have taken the ship out on an adventure? Where will they go? Will they just hang out on deck, lounge in the captain's quarters or perhaps find some turbulent seas? Either way, everyone is expected to do their part aboard the ship, so Xenk can be found above deck, checking on knots or keeping a steady hand on the wheel.

The wind is definitely blowing his billowing white blouse as he stands there on the deck. He looks amazing, all smiles as he announces their departure. ]

Hoist the anchor and let us take sail! [ Xenk laughs. Oh, he's enjoying this. ] The great unknown of the seas awaits, and the Tidebringers shall rise to meet it!

Crew Expedition: Bounty (Open to Xenk's CR)

[ Of course, the open seas aren't free of danger. With the sun down and the misty coastal fog looming in, the deck of The Eventide takes on an almost ethereal glow. It's quiet, one might say too quiet. Perhaps you're part of the crew, or perhaps you're simply aboard at Xenk's invitation. Either way, the clouds in the sky keep the night dark, and the howling call of a sorrowful, wailing cry rings from afar. But not far enough.

Xenk raises his sword, the blade already singing with its holy glow. He doesn't bother with his full armor on the ship, but that's one thing he always has at the ready. ]

The undead walk among us. Be on your guard.

[ He doesn't just mean him and Astarion, to be clear. ]

The Wolf Among Us (Eltrut)

[ Later in the month, Xenk can be found on Eltrut, surrounded by a litter of wolf pups. Two are presently held in his arms, while two others bite at the legs of his pants and snarl playfully at him. The sight of Xenk Yendar holding several wolf puppies is. Very cute. But he takes his training seriously! Even if he is sporting several shallow cuts and bites on his sleeves and hands. ]

Excellent work, Emberwood, Ashmoon. [ He's named them. And now he's calmly talking to the ones actively biting him. ] Now, cease your biting and sit so that your sisters may have a turn.

She's Sew Lovely (Open to Corsairs)

[ An escort for a trapped seamstress is exactly the kind of job Xenk signs up for with gusto. Moved by her plight and committed to her cause, Xenk is of course aboard the ship that is escorting her to safety in Eltrut. He's ever the noble, straight-laced Paladin than ever, in his half-plate and full kit. But alas, Xenk is only one man, and the ambush that meets their ship is one that has been clearly planned.

The Corsairs strike. A disappointing, but not unheard of conflict between the two factions, though with all of Xenk's friends (and paramours) in the Corsairs, he'd rather not turn his blade upon someone he knows. Whether you're meeting him on the deck or he's chased you down to the seamstress' cabin in question, Xenk arrives with his sword raised, though his words betray a clear desire to solve this without bloodshed. ]

Turn back now, for the good of all. No amount of fine fabric or faerie magic is worth the cost of this woman's life.

The Hanged Man's Gambit (Elah)

[ Xenk feels a particular kind of way about the Paladin behind the earlier months' incidents. That injustice was done is no question. That the Paladins took even longer to track the man down is also true. It should bring him relief to see man charged and the villain brought to justice, but this matter of public sentencing seems... macabre.

Xenk mulls around the voting box. He won't tell anyone to sway their vote or anything like that, but it's clear after he's cast his vote that he feels unhappy about it. Maybe if you're brave (and don't mind an earful) you can ask him for his thoughts! ]

Dost Thou Even Heft? (Elah)

[ Xenk is actually here at the competition to observe -- having quite high Strength himself, he feels it may be somewhat unfair if he joins. But that doesn't mean he can't enjoy observing the festivities, as strong bodies on display are always a gift to nature, or Tyr, or whatever excuse he might have.

The point is, Xenk is observing. And someone may have grabbed him and is trying to get him to participate. Perhaps even... you? ]

Very well, I suppose if I must participate...

[ He starts to strip out of his shirt, revealing that beautiful, smooth skin from underneath. You have to do this right. ]

Who would like to challenge me?

Comments

[partybabysitter]

[ Compassion is, after all, one of Xenk's tenets. Tyr's laws may call for justice, but Xenk's Oath leaves room for both. At his discretion, of course. Those he cherishes, those he loves, get the brunt of it. But he would grant mercy to any who show remorse for their actions. (Just, you know, extra when it's someone he's very much in love with.)

And ultimately, for all that Astarion fears his own cruel impulses and his own theoretical mistakes, he has proven to make good choices when offered them. He has proven to show remorse for acts, and even thoughts, of cruelty. He is not so evil as he thinks he is, though Xenk knows it is difficult for him to believe it. Two centuries is a very long time to be told you are worthless, to be treated as though you are worthless, and to perhaps even believe that you are worthless. With a life so long, one could hardly blame him for defaulting to cruelty, for he was treated so cruelly. It is the simple fact that he doesn't that Xenk loves so dearly. With so much pain in his heart, his kindness is all the more valuable. ]

You see? There was no harm done, no pain furthered for ill gain.

[ Xenk reaches forward to tuck a stray lock of Astarion's hair behind his ear, smiling softly at him. Astarion may never see himself as kind, perhaps. But he will have Xenk there to remind him, as long as he needs. ]

You chose to be kind.

[subigito]

[ Astarion allows Xenk this simple touch, not pushing him away. He's sensitive to it when Xenk's fingers run along his ear, but he doesn't mind. It's nice. Reassuring. ]

I chose not to get into a fight with the people I love over it. But I suppose if I cannot have a conscience of my own, you'll be a good enough substitute.

[ In a way, that was how Tav was, too. ]

[partybabysitter]

[ Xenk's smile quirks a bit, shifting to a smirk. This is one of those turns of phrases, isn't it? Or. No, a metaphor. Or perhaps not. In either case, Xenk doesn't mind it. ]

It would be an honor, my love.

[subigito]

[ Astarion reaches over, finally coming out from his cocoon of blankets, to cup Xenk's face with his hand, running his thumb along his cheekbone. ]

You're ridiculous sometimes.

[ He huffs out an affectionate laugh, though, and shakes his head. ]

[partybabysitter]

[ Xenk leans into the touch, eyes fluttering shut for just a moment. He feels such joy in these quiet moments, such peace to simply know and be known. ]

Fortunately, it seems you do not mind it.

[ He chuckles too. He does take most things literally, but it's more on purpose now. Certainly it is with Astarion, who he knows so well. ]

I daresay you enjoy this about me.

[subigito]

[ He thinks to give a biting retort but then his expressions softens. ]

I do. You're so different from anyone I know. Impossibly good. I should hate it, but...

[ He doesn't. He's drawn to him, instead, a moth to flame. ]

[partybabysitter]

[ Xenk grins, bright and honest as no other. A flame indeed, lighting the way for others in the coldest of nights.

He reaches up to take Astarion's hand, squeezing it warmly. ]

You love me. As I do you.

[subigito]

I...

[ Astarion's throat suddenly feels quite dry, and a feeling like panic rises within him. They're words he's said a thousand times, to a thousand gullible souls. Words that were so simple once, and yet mean so much now.

He realizes he feels this way because he does mean them now. It's so obvious that Xenk does too, but Xenk has a honesty he's never been able to claim in kind. Xenk is beautiful and kind and deserves someone who can say it back.

It catches in his throat and he realizes he's gone a rather long pause without saying anything. He can't quite hold Xenk's gaze when he finally responds. ]

Yes, I...I think after all of this, I must.

[partybabysitter]

[ Oh, Xenk hadn't meant to press him. It had simply felt so natural to admit, and so natural to assume. The opposite of hate is, after all, love. And while Astarion is a man of contradictions and complexities, his admittance to not hating Xenk's goodness -- that which makes Xenk him, was as good as a confession to Xenk.

To see the man struggle now, and still admit it despite surely all his fears to the contrary, warms Xenk to the very core. He would have waited years, decades, or centuries to hear Astarion speak those simple words. To have them confirmed now, and hear the catch in his voice as he admits it... Xenk could imagine no greater feeling than this.

He wants to proclaim it loudly, he wants to leap and yell and let every person know. He is Xenk Yendar and he is loved. His smile remains bright as he admires Astarion, the joy so clear it could very well deal radiant damage. He doesn't need to add anything, really, but he's Xenk Yendar, it just wouldn't be him if he didn't say something deeply obvious. ]

It warms my heart dearly to hear you say it.

[ Truthfully though, he had already known. He had known, just as sure as Xenk has loved him, too. For longer than they've been "together," this thing they share has been far more than friendship. Xenk squeezes Astarion's hand again, bringing up to kiss each of his knuckles in a gesture of admiration and acceptance. His eyes sparkle with the unabashed honesty that only he can make so endearing. He can only hold himself back for so long, so joyous is he. ]

How marvelous, to love and be loved in kind.

[subigito]

[ Astarion blushes deep at the reaction, so pure and obvious. So radiant. But he can't take it back now, and he certainly doesn't want to. Instead, he just watches, warm and in awe, as Xenk kisses his hand, and his eyes sparkle so beautifully. ]

Well, don't go making such a big deal out of it.

[ He doesn't mean it, even as he says it he wishes he hadn't. How can he tell Xenk Yendar not be himself? How can he ask the sun to stop shining? He's simply embarrassed, that's all. He doesn't handle feelings well.

So his expression softens, and he tries again. ]

What I mean to say is...I think it was already obvious, for some time now. But I am glad to see how happy it makes you.

[partybabysitter]

[ Xenk's smile is a mile wide, knowing in his heart that for all his embarrassment, Astarion's words are spoken only in jest. His pale skin is most radiant when it glows in the beautiful pink shade of a blush, and it's clear that he's trying. For Xenk. Xenk surely feels like the luckiest man in the world for it, to have found himself so deeply wedged into Astarion's heart that he fights the urge to deny what he feels, and instead tries to speak honestly.

For him. ]

I have known. Even before speaking the words myself, or realizing how much you truly mean to me, I believe I... I too have loved you dearly for quite some time.

[ Xenk squeezes Astarion's hand and leans in closer, twining their legs once more. To pull him closer, to hold him gently and share this love he feels, for that's all he could want. ]

I would love you even without words, Astarion. You owe me not this admission, and thus I treasure it for the gift that it is.

[subigito]

The sentiment is far more important than the words. Words are too easily manipulated.

[ he lets xenk pull them closer, slots himself up against him. ]

But if the words make you this happy, then I shall endeavor to use them. To remind you that you are might light and that I love you.

[partybabysitter]

[ Xenk nods. They've spoken at length about how lies come more easily to Astarion than the truth. It's the truth of them now that warm Xenk's heart so. He can feel the honesty in every word.

Now it's Xenk's turn to blush. Somehow it had been easy to hear Astarion confirm that he loved him, but hearing such a bold admission -- and an honest one, has him awash with warmth. He doesn't look away, for there's nothing of himself that he would wish to hide from Astarion, but he leans in closer to pepper kisses on Astarion's face. ]

I could never forget it, yet the reminder makes my heart soar all the same. I feel as though I am the luckiest man in all the realms.

[ And this is Xenk talking, so it's not even hyperbole. And technically, he and Fenris would be the luckiest men in the realms, but you get it. It might be a little hyperbole, actually. But it's also deeply sincere. ]

[subigito]

Maybe you are, to have two beautiful lovers like me and Fenris, hm?

[ of course he's going to ruin it, his voice taking that flirting edge and teasing Xenk.

But only for a moment. Seriousness come back quickly. ]

I'm lucky, too, you know. To have found someone as patient and kind as you. I certainly never thought I'd find my way into the bed--let alone the heart--of a paladin, but I'm glad I did.

[ another moment and then he sighs ]

I'm sorry, for today. For...I don't know, coming back here and brooding about it, besides. You shouldn't have to reassure me about something like this.

[partybabysitter]

[ Xenk finds he cannot stop smiling. Astarion can't 'ruin it' if Xenk sees his words for that they are. And it's true—he is lucky. Not because his lovers are simply beautiful, but because of the beauty of their hearts. Xenk reaches around to run a hand through Astarion's hair, fingers resting on the back of his neck, leaning in close enough that their foreheads nearly touch. ]

A paladin and a vampire spawn do not a common pair make, yet here we are. With Fenris as well, we make for an uncommon trio.

[ He couldn't be happier for it, though. Xenk knows he is blessed to be loved for who he is, not only for who others believe him to be. Astarion sees his fears and his doubts, even sees the ways in which he will not bend. Yet he loves him for these very reasons. Because of them. ]

You need not apologize, for you have done no harm, and thoughts are not a thing to forgive.

[ He closes his eyes, smile so suffused with warmth and care that he could very well light the room with it. ]

You well know that treating others with compassion is my duty, but this comfort I offer to you, my love... I do this because I want to. Not for duty, nor an Oath, but because you are dear to my heart.

[ Because he loves Astarion and he can be selfish about it, if he wants to be. He's learned a bit from Astarion too. ]

[subigito]

I know.

[ He smiles, soft but also cautious, in that way he always is around real feelings. In the same way that the sun is still beautiful to see every day, but still terrifying on some level. ]

You're quite clear when it comes to expressing your feelings.