thirsted | SALTBURNT

I remember him, though I can't say we ever spoke beyond a few hellos.

[ Or rather, he remembers the zombies, and he remembers what Gale's had to say about him, but the more important thing, the one that actually catches, is: ]

I'm sorry. You'll have to scold him quite soundly, when you see him again.

[ When, not if, when he knows he couldn't bear the alternative if Gale ever disappeared. ]

The spirit in the catacombs, correct? Though "Daisy" is a more charming name by a considerable margin.

Trust, I intend to.

( when. amazing that astarion, a relative stranger, seems so confident — not that parisa isn't confident in her own ability, but rather the plausibility. equations, schematics, the rules of the universe and every additional universe. whether those rules can be argued with. boring stuff. important stuff. )

Yes, that's her. Daisy is just a nickname, which I think she enjoys — but she'll respond to anything you call her. I think she just likes being thought of fondly. She's requested you, by name. Emmrich considered himself her priest, someone holding her best interest at heart, their views on death aligned. I believe she sees a similar spark in you, and wants to meet your acquaintance. I'll arrange it. She is a strange little thing though, and ( sighs,,,,,, ) very beloved by me. I don't think you would mistreat her, but I wouldn't be doing my due diligence if I didn't remind you that she is precious.

( because she is sweet. because she was ours. )

[ Now, that comes as a surprise. Once, he'd have accepted just for the proximity to an entity with some power, or rejected it outright for lack of desire to care for another creature. But now, he has the hen. But now, he has Gale. But now— ]

I see.

You needn't worry about me, though I understand you still will, where she's concerned.

If it's me she wants, it's me she'll get.

Good. Well. She'll like you. She likes good things. Let me know when you're free and I'll introduce you.

[ She likes good things. Too kind, and yet. ]

This evening? I can meet you by the entrance to the crypts.

Works for me. You'll need me the first time, but after you can come and go at your leisure. And Daisy likes company, so come often if you like.

[ A beat. ]

Do you think she'll like the hen?

Truthfully, Astarion? She likes everything. She'd be delighted if you brought her a shiny penny, or a piece of string. I think she might faint from happiness if you brought the hen. She doesn't get out much. Or at all, from my understanding. Do you have Sign Language where you're from? She tends to speak a lot with her hands, mostly to express emotion. Emmrich and myself were attempting to learn it — I'll show you what I know. She'll like that, too.

Well, I can certainly do better than a piece of string. Or a shiny penny, for that matter.

And no, not by such a name, but I can grasp the concept — and I'm a quick learner.

Considering that only you and Emmrich had been visiting her before, I assume the same rules will apply to me. A careful touch for a nervous girl.

I think that's a fair assumption. She's less shy than she is unsocialized. I get the impression she's very lonely, particularly with Emmrich gone. She did love him quite a bit.

( parisa says: join the club! haha. we have fun. )

I'm sure she'll inevitably invite Gale, once the two of you are comfortable, if he'd even agree to meet her. You never know, with that one.

A man must retain a certain sense of mystery.

I'll see you tonight.
You're welcome to stop by our suite, afterward, if you'd like.

( she thinks about saying — well, i'm not very good company at the moment, which is probably circumstantially obvious, given everything. she is emmrich-less, and partly sibling-less, and can't help but wonder if this is all a little self-sabotagey on her own terms. if cutting ties is the same as saying goodbye, and if she says goodbye, maybe she'll be next. staying here eternally was fine as long as emmrich was around to amuse (see: take care of) her. now?

well, being lonely isn't serving her any, not that anyone other than armand has noticed much — not their fault but parisa's, who doesn't often let anyone in. one exception, once. a telepath needs people. (not to read necessarily — she learned her lesson very well with shadowheart.) )

Sure. I'd like that.

[ The answer makes him feel good — proud, a little, in a selfish way, for having offered a hand and had it taken. He knows, in her shoes, that he wouldn't go looking for company on his own. That he'd need someone — like Matt, like Lauralae — to seek him out, were he to wake one day and find himself alone in his suite.

Once, maybe, he'd have skirted around this. And yet. ]

Good, because I'd be terribly cross if you said no.

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