#demonwebs

Well, this was probably the quickest one of their little schemes had backfired on them. They weren't... quite sure what exactly he was implying there. Biting lessons? Did he want to watch them bite someone... or something? Or was that him asking them to bite him? Or for him to bite them?

Well, none of that was happening. No way. Nope. Not a chance. They did not like biting, not because the act was unpleasant but more for the idea of the closeness the act required. The idea of having their mouth on another person.

But well... the idea of touching Vhaal in particular wasn't so bad. He could be trusted. He'd proved that, he'd been gentle with their ears for the brief moment they'd allowed the touch. Biting was a little different though.

They weren't sure they liked the thought of Vhaal holding them in place while he bit them anywhere. Not yet.

The reverse though... maybe they could do that.

Their mind wanders for the briefest of moments, on what Vhaal would taste like. If he would be sweet. Then to the thought of Vhaal gently stroking their hair and not just their ears while they bit him--

Their face flushes a deep red, a familiar sight to Vhaal by now surely.

"As though you need anyone to teach you to bite. I've seen you use half out campmates as chew toys before." The answer comes out more defensive than they mean it to, the bard clearly trying to deflect from whatever is going on in their head.

Definitely not nerves about potentially touching Vhaal. Nothing like that--

WRITING ON THE WALL

“&– - And to what gain would I ever deny myself such? Mmm... your dislike towards my stature would only grow should you get the honor of gazing upon my full truth.” // @demonwebs

Death is something that has been at the forefront of his mind, more and more the longer this goes on. The more the anxiety of his goddesses displeasure and the potential consequences eats at him. Which also means, what happens after.

Neither Lolth nor Shar were known for being merciful, and somehow he doubts Lolth has been pleased which Vhaals activities of late. Yet, if she's shown such disapproval, Vhaal hasn't said anything. Then again, Lyrthindor hasn't exactly shared Shars clear distaste for their arrangement, has he?

Regardless, he'd only intended to say... that he hopes if something happens, that Lolth shows him more mercy than Shar will to him. A stupid, pointless, and naive hope. Yet, hope, nonetheless.

He expects Vhaal to laugh it off, to make some jest and clearly ignore the gravity of their situation. Like always. Like they both did.

He's completely taken off guard by what is said instead.

It's so... strikingly out of character. For the drow who would brag about his own selfishness, about how Lyrth was his and he'd never let him go. No, Vhaal was saying he would ask the gods to take him to his family, his wife and child. Even if it meant Vhaal would lose him in the process.

It isn't as though there was ever a world in which they'd be together after death. It just wasn't in the cards for them, that ship had long sailed. There wasn't a world in which Vhaals declaration was anything more than pretty words and sentiment, but... Lyrth has always been sentimental.

The words leave his chest tight, a lump forming in his throat.

"Vhaal'krin... you know..." He stops, trying to piece the words together the best he could. "You know I wouldn't put you in this position, wouldn't engage with you in this way... if I wasn't absolutely certain... if I wasn't absolutely certain that reuniting was an impossibility. I wouldn't begin this with you, just to abandon you for another. Even if it were her." He says softly, hand moving to gently rest over the one holding the blade.

"Even... if what you said did happen. I would miss you." His thumb gently rubs the back of the others hand. "And... in the void, or wherever Shar sees fit to drag me... I will miss you there, as well." I will miss you, just as I miss her. Another face to grieve, alongside the others.

            PUCK   FROWNS   SO   DEEPLY.     He  hangs  his  poor,  miserable  head.  Utterly  ashamed  of  himself  in  every  way,  like  a  guilty  puppy.  ❝  Katya  &  I  have  discussed  this  at  length   .  .  .

                                   .   .   .    Yes.   ❞

            According to Katya, at least. And her word is law.

@demonwebs

“   you're a needful creature, ” he admonishes, though he would be lying if he said he wasn't... enjoying this little game they had pursued. the surface could be so incredibly dull, what else was there to do? ... a great many things, of course, but as of right now, they were neither in mortal peril nor solving needless riddles. so. throwing game.

xvilnar grips vhaal'krin's waist and hoists him up, peeling him off of his front and throwing him over his shoulder with apparent ease. he's featherlight, and pliable given the situation, which made the task all the easier. “   where, into the flowers again? or off the cliff? ” he contemplates aloud, before turning his gaze to the shallow riverbed nearby. the drow turns slightly on his heel and his grip tightens with the apprehension of @demonwebs' retaliation.

Eyes that carried the surface valleys into endless dark narrowed at her silly master -- or masterling, as she liked to call him in her head. He acted more like a child than most of the children she knew, from the surface at least. "Well… apparently rather well, since you’re already awake," she huffed, giving his pretty nose a small, playful poke.

Everything scared her - the other drow, most humans on the surface, even her own shadow some days. Everything but Vhaal. How could she fear him, when the worst of his orders were to scratch his head or describe the colors and tastes of the surface?

"Besides," she murmured, "how could I abandon you? I wouldn’t survive a single step outside the house…" Or half the halls of the mansion, for that matter.

"Will you stop pouting now?"