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Dataset card Data Studio Files
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Leliana shivered with disgust. "The house needs to be burned down, else you’re risking a plague."
"But what are we going to do with him?" Asked the tavern’s barkeeper, pointing towards the mayor. Everyone was looking expectantly at her and Astarion who was sprung like a whip. "My partner will gladly get rid of him for you or we leave him at your mercy."
"NO!!!" The man yelled once again, pissing his pants. Astarion scrunched up his nose but didn’t loosen his grip. "Oh, I’m rather enjoying this. Can I kill him now? Though watching the angry mob tear this piece of dirt to pieces would be equally as satisfying."
The man writhed in Astarion’s grip like a worm. "My fellow villagers, I implore you, don’t be foolish, can’t you see there’s a vampire standing among us? He’s the one who did it! I finally caught himandhiswitch! You’re going to believe two strangers and murderers instead of your mayor?!"
Astarion let out a sarcastic high pitched laugh. "Ha! Nice try!"
A wave of unease spread throughout the crowd. Leliana sensed the situation could turn dire unless the drugged girl was woken up as the only reliable witness.
"He-he killed them and she with her witchcraft moved the bodies to my h-home!" He shrieked.
"Oh, spare me your bullshit, mayor Randolf, it’s you who was at the bar with the girl," said the burly barkeeper. The mayor gulped. "Aren’t you supposed to be on my side, Horace?"
"I thought you were just bedding them, not murdering them! I was so fucking stupid."
"This is amazing," Astarion chuckled, pressing his dagger to the tender flesh of the man’s neck. "May I?"
"Kill him," said the hoarse quiet voice of the mother. Others agreed with the judgment. Astarion efficiently slit the man’s throat and it was over. The villagers inspected the basement, indeed finding their missing daughters, those whose faces were still recognisable. They set fire to the house afterwards and burned mayor’s body along with it.
It was a grim spectacle, yet Leliana smiled, hugging Astarion around the waist. "So, how does it feel being a hero again?"
"Believe it or not, I kiiiind of missed it," he admitted sheepishly. "How very pathetic of me, I know."
"It suits you," she replied, kissing the tip of his nose. They watched as the villagers slowly walked back into their homes, only the woman with her daughter and barkeeper were still hanging around. The young woman was coming back to her senses. "I’d like to thank both of you," said the mother, "if there’s anything we can do for you, get you something to eat or money for the road, just ask."
"I can give you a room for free, and food on the house," offered the barkeeper gesturing towards the tavern. "I trust your partner won’t hurt us? I mean no offence, of course."
Leliana nodded but remained quiet allowing Astarion to speak for himself. Stigma around vampire spawn was still prevalent, however at least the man didn’t imply Astarion belonged to her or was less than her. "No harm to innocents."
They stayed in the tavern till the next evening. The barkeep prepared a bloodied steak for Astarion and had the villagers spare some coin. Despite everything, Leliana allowed herself to feel a bit more optimistic about their future if only for a short moment.
Their lives became a series of attending various festivals and performing odd jobs. Setting rat nests on fire, hunting down thieves, saving lost kids from a hungry wolf pack or rescuing a rich banker from the Upper City from becoming dinner for a couple of ogres.
"We should’ve let them bake him and ransack his property," Astarion remarked, rolling his eyes. Leliana shot him a look. "What? We need the money, darling!"
"He did pay us, love," she said.
Astarion scoffed. "Way too little considering I have to still dig crusty ogre mucus from underneath my nails. It’s not coming off!"
"Aw, you poor thing, I’ll clean them for you," Leliana said mockingly, suppressing a giggle. "No, you don’t have to," he pouted.
"I clearly do because you’ll be whining about it till my head explodes."
"Fine," he huffed. "I can’t afford to look unpresentable next to you."
"Here I thought you were the eye-candy in this relationship," she smiled. He narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. "Well, of course I am, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t the most beautiful person in all Faerun...and you look cute when you’re blushing."
It started following year, the dizzy spells, fatigue, losing balance. Easy to shake off, ignore, and hide from Astarion at first. At least Leliana thought.
They were passing a mining town when massive explosion shook the ground. Couple of people managed to not get crushed by the rubble and ran screaming for help. She knew Astarion wouldn’t be happy if they got involved but she had to. Her spellwork had gotten better over months of regular use, ironically a complete opposite situation to her physical state.
"I must do it," she said, clasping his hand. "I know," he replied begrudgingly. "For once I wish you were a little more selfish."
"Then I wouldn’t be the infuriatingly nice naive fool you fell in love with."
"Point taken. Let’s go before I tie you down and drag you away," he groaned. "But if I break a nail, it’s your fault."
The entrance to the mine was completely blocked, with some citizens trying to dig the rocks away. Someone suggested to use dynamite but it would cause more damage and quite possibly kill any miners underneath on the other side.
"Love, I will have to cast telekinesis, then I need you to—"
"Just don’t drop it on my head, darling."
Telekinesis wasn’t her strong suit but she managed to move the outer layer of rocks. Couple miners were stuck under the rubble which Astarion lifted for them to get away to safety. However the rocks were never ending, the mine completely caved in. She was getting tired.
Astarion glanced at her, worried. "We cannot save everyone, I don’t want to you to hurt yourself."
"Lady, please, there’s still three of our friends missing! They can’t be further in, only couple more meters, please!" Begged one of the miners. Astarion’s glare was murderous.
The dizziness hit her unexpectedly and she lost control over the spell. A large boulder wavered in the air as she crumbled to her knees. She couldn’t see nor hear. Only felt a touch of Astarion’s arms around her.
She regained consciousness but felt this time the dizzy spell was longer and more intense than before. Astarion was nervously pacing around a room. The window shutters were closed, something to eat and drink was left on the table. There was a knock on the door and a woman in an apron handed Astarion a bar of soap and clean sheets.
"Star-," she croaked, her throat dry like a sandpaper. She could barely lift her arms or feel her legs. He was at her side immediately. "I knew I should’ve not let you do it, gods!"
"It’s nothing, I’m fine."
He scoffed. "You’re not fine. You think I haven’t noticed?! We’re going to back home and I’ll start making the perfumes."
She kept her mouth shut. A fucking failure, that’s what she was. Wouldn’t he be happier with a less self-sacrificing idiot? Most likely.
The dizziness episodes were happening more and more frequently, and lasted longer. Leliana could barely stand straight. No amounts of healing Shadowheart casted on her made it go away. Gale was useless too. Astarion unwillingly contacted Halsin. The buff druid’s knowledge was the last resort. He split his lip biting into it so hard trying to suppress the urge to tear out his throat, he had to leave the bedroom for a while to calm down. He couldn’t stand Halsin touching her. Even though she shut down his advances Astarion knew Halsin was still in love with her.
"Physically there’s nothing wrong. No poison, fever, no illness," Halsin said, his usual calm tone was laced with frustration. "So we aren’t going to do anything? Just sit around like idiots?!" Astarion snarled. Nobody answered. He hated feeling so helpless, it was almost as if he was again in that tomb Cazador locked him in. Out of solidarity, Halsin, Gale, and Shadowheart stayed and took turns in attending to her while Astarion was working or hunting. He was only feeding himself to stay upright, not really having any appetite.
Leliana was slowly becoming bedridden, not responding to his voice, not even seeing him. Hundred lashes from Cazador hurt less than watching her wither in front of him. "Do not do this to me," he whispered, kissing her temple. Her skin was cold to the touch. "Don’t you dare."
He slept glued to her side to make sure he could feel her barely perceptible breath. It was getting shallower each coming day until it stopped and he couldn’t hear her heartbeat either. He jumped out of bed, frantic, hurrying Halsin and Shadowheart out of their temporary bedrolls.
"She’s dead, druid, fucking do something! Shadowheart?!"
Gale was oddly calm, as if waiting for something to happen but unsure what it was. "She isn’t dead, Astarion, and you saw Shadowheart’s healing spells didn’t have any effect before."
"Then why isn’t she breathing, why isn’t she responding?"
"I think she’s transforming. It’s almost complete," said Gale. Fuckin cryptic wizard. Astarion was close to smacking the hell out of him.
"What? Speak to the point! What’s going on?"
"I can sense the energy. Very similar to what Mystra radiates. It’s not exactly weave, it’s something different."
"Gods above, you mean she’s—"
Leliana could hear them but couldn’t react just yet. Astarion was gripping her hand so strongly she was worried he was going to snap her bones. The energy flowed all around her, flowing into the touch as well. She slowly opened her eyes, met his intense beautiful gaze. He looked wrecked like she’d never seen him before. "What’s h-happening," she croaked weakly.
Gale appeared above her, looking more interested or fascinated rather than worried. "Seems like you’re becoming a goddess. Or at least, a demi-goddess." He stated matter-of-factly as if she just changed her clothes. Astarion stared in utter disbelief.
"I thought I lost you...I really thought I fucking lost you."
"The fish people aren’t a myth after all," snickered Shadowheart.
Gale snorted, dumbfounded. "Fish people? Those who we met in the Underdark?"
"Haven’t you heard of the power of worship of fish people? They can grant people godly powers if they believe in the purity of their heart."
"Of course I’ve heard about it, thought it’s lunacy, and it’s been ages since we were down there."
"You can’t expect to become a god in five minutes, Gale." Shadowheart patted Leliana’s shoulder and turned to leave. "Let’s go, I’m sure the two love birds want their privacy now." The door closed behind their friends but neither Leliana or Astarion paid attention to their surroundings. The smell of his perfume engulfed her as his lips gently touched hers. Tentatively at first. She embraced him, pulling him closer, hungry all of a sudden. She felt so alive, full of energy, on top of the world...and so sickeningly in love with this man. Didn’t take him long to make her climax and dominate her senses. She was gasping his name out loud, digging her nails into his scarred back. It was more intense somehow, a deeper connection, like her brainwaves were on overdrive joining with his.
Astarion let out a guttural moan as he spread her legs wider, entering her again and again. "I love you so much," he whispered, his voice raspy, "my...goddess."
She fell asleep at dawn but it was more like a trance. She didn’t need to sleep anymore. Was it really the fish people’s doing? She remembered the kelp, remembered them bowing. If they had knees it would probably look like kneeling. She had no idea though what it meant other than simple gratitude. Her skin was smoother to the touch, hair silkier, eyesight sharper. Astarion stirred next to her, a soft lazy smile spreading across his lips. "Morning. How are you feeling?"
"I can’t describe it. Strange, great, different but still the same," she said, studying her hands and body. The energy field was all around her, like a silver shimmer. She sensed the same energy around Astarion, on the places where she touched him. His mouth, arms, torso, and groin especially...mainly the groin, looked like they’d been painted with pearlescent sheen. She might’ve been a goddess now but it was him who looked divine. "I covered you with...something," she said, feeling her cheeks going red. He chuckled. "A godly gunk? Hmm, I rather like that."
"Open the window," she suggested, suddenly thinking that maybe the magical residue, or whatever is was, could do what she hoped it could do? What if her biggest wish became a reality? No more doubts and regrets?
"Hold out your arm to the sun."
He looked at her quizzically but did as she said. The windows shutters almost didn’t budge from rare use. He quickly stepped away from the window, leaving only his forearm out to face the sun rays. She stood up from the bed, observing and waiting for any reaction. Nothing was happening. Astarion’s eyes widened and it was one of the extremely rare moments he was speechless. He stepped into the light fully, the sun bouncing off of the silvery particles. The only patch of skin that began to burn after a long while was his elbow.
"Missed the spot, my sweet," he pointed out and she leaned in and kissed it. They made love all day, with every window shutter wide open from that moment on.
There was a knock on their door a week later. Astarion grumbled in protest, pinning Leliana to the bed as she attempted to get up. "Mhmm." He nuzzled her neck, playfully biting her shoulder. "Ignore that."
"It may be important."
"More important than this?" He asked opening her mouth with his and hooking his leg under hers. Gods, he was perfect.
However, the knocking was incessant so unwillingly he got up and opened the door. There was a mass of people standing and looking rather admiringly. She recognised so many faces of those they helped.
"H-hello," she waved, not really knowing what to say. "How did you find us?"
"None of us have any idea. We just knew where to go," spoke the older woman at the front of the group, the one whose daughter they saved.
"All of you at once?" She asked in disbelief. They nodded in unison. "What are you here for?"
"To celebrate you."
Astarion looked positively delighted. "Don’t ask why, darling. It’s a party! We accept!"
It felt more like a religious gathering than a party but there was food and children running around playing tag. Whatever the hells it was, Astarion was having a blast going around lecturing everyone how to properly pray. They were indeed praying. To her.
One of the women remarked with a smile, "My dear, your partner is very nice albeit a bit intense!"
Leliana chuckled. "Please ignore him."
She stepped away from the little group gathered around her and walked towards Astarion. "Star, my love, please go gather the kids and show them some tricks. Just don’t do any knife throwing on live targets!"
"Darling, I would never," he smirked.
The religious non-party party lasted till nightfall, the people recited the last prayer and promised to come back regularly on that day every year.
"This was...strange," Leliana said. "I don’t understand it."
Astarion seemed to understand it perfectly. "We have a cult, love."
"Sounds oddly familiar."
"It does indeed, you’re a way prettier cult leader though."
The wedding ceremony was happening under the basking sun in the middle of summer. Astarion picked the spot - near the hill where they first met, right next to the crashed nautiloid ship. Shadowheart and Gale were there already, taking care of the sitting arrangements for the guests. It was quite the spectacle. Gnolls, humans, tiefling children and Halsin, Rolan and his siblings, Omeluum, Dame Aylin and Isobel. Around a hundred of spawn from the Underdark came as well, those who were able to control themselves. They were shadowed by the nautiloid wreckage and Gale’s darkness spell.
Fish people were floating in the water, maybe not entirely understanding what’s this all about. Nobody even knew how they got there but Leliana suspected the kelp had everything to do with it. Suddenly the sky parted and a massive red dragon flew in with Leliana’s favourite alien friend on top of it.
"I see you’ve been busy," Lae’zel remarked with a smile and hugged her. "Can’t believe you’re really marrying that fool."
Leliana glanced upon Astarion talking to Gale, not believing it either. The freedom looked good on him. All these people were here for him as well, not just because of her.
"Now you’re not the only one who bedded a goddess, wizard. And I am marrying her," she heard him say. Gale rolled his eyes and let out an exasperated breath. "This is not a contest, Astarion."
"I’m almost sad that it isn’t. I’d have won."
"Gods...do you have your vows ready?"
He turned back, his eyes meeting hers. "Of course I do." He’d been practicing for days, stopped each time Leliana came near.
Shadowheart walked up to them holding an attendance sheet. "We’re still waiting for Karlach and Wyll, then we can begin."
"There they are!" Exclaimed Mol, one of the tiefling kids they helped at the Grove. The barbarian and warlock jumped out of the Avernus portal, hellish flames encircling them. Karlach was beaming.
"Well, fuck me, soldier. We almost didn’t make it, this hellion was causing trouble." She nuzzled a little horned baby in her arms. Wyll looked over the moon content. Both of them had more scars than they had before but radiated happiness. "More trouble than a bunch of cambions," added Wyll, caressing the baby’s head. The hells were in for a treat.
"Alright, let’s do this everyone!" Gale cleared his throat. "We’ve gathered here to connect this unlikely pair in marriage. Two people I’ve come to know under perilous circumstances whom I’m lucky to call friends. Difficult times either shatter the bonds between people or make them closer to one another. We’ve been through a lot together and I’m glad to say the latter is true for our little merry band, especially these two standing in front of me. Go ahead, Astarion."
Leliana looked up at him and he once again had that tender disbelieving expression he had when he told her he loved her as they sat next to his grave. He pulled out the paper with his vow and threw it into the water. "I had this entire elaborate speech prepared but it would be much better to just say it how I feel it without rehearsals. Everything I’ve told you back at the cemetery still holds true only thousand times stronger. Most people here know I’m a bit of a walking...uh, problem. You could’ve blasted my head off right upon that hill behind the nautiloid where I almost knifed you, you could’ve staked me, betrayed me to Gur. I would’ve been dead million times if not for you. Actually, if you followed my every stupid suggestion, we’d all be dead or mindflayer thralls. You showed me kindness in equal measure to everyone else around and I know I was a bit of a bitter prick about it. I don’t understand how I’ve earned your love despite all that and probably never will. Now thanks to you I can stand here not burning to cinders. You’ve given me everything and more than I could ever have imagined. I don’t want this to end. I want you, as my forever and always."