#foggyshadows

So my health is still being a mess and it's not well, but my tag game list is growing and hopefully I haven't missed any. I love it when I'm tagged even if it takes me a while to respond to them <3 <3 <3

Some are spicy so below the cut enjoy!

So I've dug through my inbox and yoinked every tag I've gotten since September and as promised, here is that giant wave of tags! You guys are all so amazing thank you so so much!

First up a sneak peek at the next part of "Reborn Moon" Series featuring Theorn my FtM Druid TW: dead name use, bastard asshole family, disrespect of pronouns

Thank you @shandoratheexplorer for a WIP tag!

Next up we have a snippet from the Ambrosial Blood series taking place after "Shadows, Surprises, and Secrets or How to Discover a Monster" featuring Thyrin and Vin being supportive of Thyrin who just received some rather intense news.

Thank you @chaushaus for the WIP tag!

Next up a snippet from the WIP part 3 of Lullaby of Twisted Darkness and Blood series where Kai gets a little...testy with Shadowheart. Question is is it a vague spoiler or not? How would Kai know what Reithwin used to look like? Stories? Visited?

Thank you @shandoratheexplorer for another WIP tag!

Next up we have another from part 3 from Karlach's POV and what she felt on the trek to Last Light Inn

Thank you @shandoratheexplorer for the third tag!

Next we've another from part 3 (I'm feeling generous today with this one <3) Karlach POV again

Thank you @optimisticgrey for the tag!

Next we have a sneak peek from the next chapter of Feral Soul which will be wrapping up at the end of November. Tis bittersweet, but it is coming Nov 29th. This chapter will be coming this Saturday and is a bit of a doozy.

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"What question? Is it an...intimate question?" Karlach teased a little,

"No! No. Ah I was wondering if you had an idea or two for an evening out. Nelia suggested that I step back with Theran and actually court and woo, but well...I'm still very new to all this myself and uh Nelia mentioned she sometimes comes to you for ideas when she's stuck," I spoke awkwardly, Karlach grinning.

"Just teasing fangs relax and definitely. If Theran had a rough session, I'd suggest a nice dinner. The Elfsong is usually pretty busy, but if you ask Kenna for the private room, it is quiet and cozy. Can you shapeshift into anything?" Karlach asked,

"A bat and wolf," I replied,

"Go for a run afterwards. Theran loves a good run especially now he has more control of his Wild Shape," Karlach spoke kindly, before I nodded.

"Alright, thank you Karlach," I spoke softly, before Karlach touched my shoulder.

"Are you alright Astarion?" Karlach asked gently, and I took a deep breath.

"Just trying to figure things out honestly. We're both absolutely bad at all this and honestly we didn't even really court before Theran proposed to me and while my trauma is significant, some of what Theran has gone through makes mine pale in a twisted fucked up way. I mean I was the puppet and canvas for one sadistic vampire lord. Only one, even though Cazador sold me out, it was only sexually, not physically like torture," I spoke softly, and Karlach squeezed my shoulder gently.

"You'll figure it out both of you. It's as tough for Theran as it is for you, but the beauty of it is you both get to figure it out together, figure out what works for you both," Karlach spoke gently, before I nodded.

"Thank you Karlach," I spoke softly,

"Of course Astarion. I'm here if you just need a chat or if you two maybe want to do a double evening out, I'm sure Kaemon would like that possibly, I'll ask," Karlach spoke gently, as I nodded.

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Thank you @optimisticgrey for another tag!

Next we have another snippet from part 3 in another chapter that is a WIP with a vague spoiler. How does Kai know Loviatar? What does Abdirak speak of? And Astarion being Astarion LOL

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"Your friend is behind the old statue in the entrance, but he isn't in good shape." Abdirak spoke calmly,

"Thank you. We were looking for him." I spoke softly and Abdirak nodded.

"I cannot stress enough that it is vital you get him help. Loviatar's dark days were not kind to anyone under their twisted perversions." Abdirak spoke sternly and I nodded.

"We're going to work on it. Thank you. Good luck on your journey." I spoke quietly and Abdirak nodded and headed off.

"Who the hells was that?" Shadowheart asked,

"Explain later come on." I replied,

"You better. All this juicy drama has me salivating for details." Astarion remarked and we headed for the entrance, finding the statue, slowing down when I heard the sobbing and set the crate of Infernal iron down before taking my axe off and setting it on top before slowly walking over and finding Kai in a nook of a broken down part of the wall behind the statue.

"Kai? It's me Karlach." I spoke gently and knelt down. Kai didn't respond, but I heard him whispering.

"Please. No more. No more." Kai whispered and I was cursing that I couldn't touch anything right now, trying to think.

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Thank you @optimisticgrey for another tag!

Next up a piece from the upcoming chapter of "Broken Melody of Twisted Darkness" part 1 of Lullaby of Twisted Darkness and Blood where Kai's departure of Neverwinter goes horrendously awry.

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"Incendē!" I shouted and a group dropped that nearly had a group of women and children fleeing, one of the other groups turning and heading for me. I moved away from where people were fleeing to, drawing the attackers away. I began to duck and weave around their attacks, spotting an army of archers beginning to take up position and picking up different groups. I slipped past them and took off running across the docks, whistling hard and heard one archer shout, arrows soon flying over me and taking down the attackers. Suddenly the world slowed down as it began to tilt, fiery pain tearing through me before I landed in water and I began to struggle. I knew not how to swim as the light above me grew darker.

Darkness slowly slipping over me.

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Thank you @optimisticgrey for a fourth tag!

Last WIP and final @optimisticgrey tag comes from a new fic idea forming on Ellipsus and is born of a what if question that hit me as I was driving yesterday.

Thank you everyone who tagged me in a WIP tag but that isn't all the tags yet nope! We got more to come because well I basically hermited up during Kinktober and barely interacted outside smut, drama, and tragedy!

Next up we have five sentence snippets and this one is from Bloody Soul Shadow Moons in the upcoming chapter "Depths of the Broken".

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"Whoever this bastard is, he's old." Tesrin muttered,

"I am indeed little spawn and it is quite rude to mutter. I predate Strahd, actually I was ancient when Strahd was just born. I predate many vampires and deities honestly. A perk if one's ambitions arise late in their undeath." Moradius spoke icily and Tesrin gripped their war hammer tighter.

"We aren't here to talk Moradius." Karlach growled and Moradius chuckled as he stood up. I realized then how many werewolves there were as well, on the fringes and the cold pit of realization set in. This was a trap and no one was meant to walk out of here alive. Could an Aasimar be made into a vampire? Karlach would just straight be killed, her blood was half hellfire. 

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Next is from another chapter of Bloody Soul Shadow Moons dubbed "Frigid Finality"

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Mysterious figure

I watched the brawl silently, my wings tucked tightly to my back, hands clasped behind me as I observed. Several cambions appeared.

"We'll get them milord." one growled and I held a hand out.

"No." I spoke sternly,

"Milord?" one asked,

"The one needs this fight and the other is dead whether the other succeeds or not." I spoke sternly and they nodded and stayed where they stood.

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We have a third from Bloody Soul Shadow Moons from the chapter "Sunset Heartbeat" Shadow and Minthara have a talk

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"You seem to be doing better." Minthara remarked,

"I'm getting there. Something on your mind?" I asked,

"I'm mainly concerned that you lost yourself so deeply that it was holding you back." Minthara remarked and crossed her arms.

"Lost myself?" I asked,

"As Lae'zel said to you, that you have to forge with all you were given yet you did not you refused for many years to use it all. Why?" Minthara asked,

"I got all the memories after the fight with Orin and I mean all of them. I did a lot of things I wasn't proud of so I put it up in a box and focused on trying to find myself outside of that, but didn't realize I was ignoring a vital part of me." I replied and Minthara was quiet.

"I know I can be...abrasive and blunt being a Drow raised in Menzoberranzan and that the way I do things may not be how it is done here on the surface, however even as I learn to be less of my upbringing, I can understand having parts of your history that you aren't proud of and wanting to ignore it, but it does you no good as you have discovered to do so. What I did under the Absolute's control is certainly many things I am not proud of, but it is still a part of me just as you murdered for many many years for Bhaal and aren't proud of it, but it is still a part of you. I would like to spar with you more as well, your skill before was...impressive." Minthara spoke quietly and I smiled.

"Why Minthara was that a compliment?" I teased and she punched me in the arm.

"Don't get used to it. I will win next time." Minthara spoke sternly and I chuckled as I rubbed my arm.

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Fourth up from Foggy Shadows in the chapter "Hope in Starlight" where Astarion accepts gracefully that the chapter with him and Telra is complete...and is something blossoming or is that just friends being friends helping each other cook?

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Astarion

I watched Telra move around the kitchen helping Gale with dinner and Halsin followed my gaze before looking at me.

"Are you alright my heart?" Halsin asked softly and I looked up at him. 

"A tiny bit jealous...but if Telra ends up happy that's what matters in the end." I replied softly and Halsin kissed my forehead.

"The love you two had will never die my heart, but perhaps it was not a love of the soul rather a love of healing. You were both broken by your masters respectively, collared and chained, lambs for slaughter, yet the love you two shared allowed you to rise against them, albeit with a bit of tadpole assistance. It let you achieve a rare sense of freedom that although it made many unsure at first, has proven a boon for all you meet and interact with. You have helped Thackery, Corbin and Ordum find their lives, especially Thackery and Corbin with their health that had brought them to you. You helped restore the city to its former glory, helped the refugees you once grumbled about often build lives and take adventures, and I'm certain if I asked, your influence would spread beyond Baldur's Gate." Halsin spoke gently and I lightly punched him.

"Now darling, I do have a reputation to maintain." I spoke feigning haughtiness however I was smiling as I said it and Halsin chuckled as he cupped my chin gently, kissing me before touching his forehead to my own.

"You are amazing." Halsin murmured and I cuddled closer with him, Halsin wrapping his arms around me. 

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Final one is from Hitchhiker's Guide to the Hells or the Fiery Detour to Friends, Romance, and Tadpole Curing featuring Tor POV with Halsin

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"I was pleased to be named Archdruid, it is a great honor." Halsin spoke guarded and I reached out to cup his cheek.

"You don't have to wear the mask with me Halsin and if you wish to join me and let loose, you are welcome to." I spoke gently before withdrawing and heading off towards the thicker woods. I started to pick up pace, weaving through the woods before pausing when I heard heavier footsteps behind me, glancing back to see Halsin catching me, smirking before taking off into the woods. Halsin kept pace, yet I could tell that he was holding back. I shifted around until I was able to trip Halsin and he hit the grass hard before shaking his head and looking up at me.

"The hells you do that for?!" Halsin growled and I crouched down as I smiled.

"This is to let go Halsin. Let loose your Druid. It's been far too long for you." I spoke calmly and tapped his nose before taking off. A growl echoed behind me and I heard the footsteps heavily racing after me as I grinned and took off. I wasn't worried about getting lost or getting too far, I had spent the hunts learning and mapping the entire wilds around the Grove. I leaped over a tree, catching a branch and swinging over to a river rock and landing on it neatly before leaping over to the opposite shore and as I entered a clearing, felt a weight wrap around me before hitting the ground. I grunted and managed to wiggle around to see Halsin grinning, panting.

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Yeah I know I never follow the rules with the five sentence LOL thank you @shandoratheexplorer @optimisticgrey @tynithia @chaushaus and @arachnomancer for the tags in five sentence games!

Next up are two last lines one from part 3 of Kai's POV and the other from part 2 of the Hitchhiker's series featuring Mav and Tor as the main characters.

Thank you @emfirebender and @optimisticgrey for the tags!

The remaining tags will be their own separate posts, but I want to thank everyone who has tagged me and I am sorry it took me so long to get back to them. Kinktober had me in its claws and I've expanded my writing skills with thanks to the few who were beta read by fellow writers whom I much much appreciate.

Kinktober was something I seriously needed as well, I was struggling so badly to get things out and now I find myself attempting to organize what the brain cells are now cooking.

Again thank you all of you <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

Now tagging back all you amazing people: @optimisticgrey @shandoratheexplorer @emfirebender @tynithia @chaushaus @arachnomancer

Chapter 26 of Foggy Shadows is now live!

Something new today, a snippet of the chapter!

"Well I have messengers and a mage hawk heading out in different directions spreading the word, hopefully someone will have heard of Aodhán." I spoke quietly and Karlach nodded.

"What exactly might this Aodhán have to offer?" Minthara asked curiously, 

"If the book was any indicator, Aodhán has used treant bark to grow organs, attach it to skin, and mended muscle." I replied and Karlach furrowed her brow.

"Not going to lie that sounds...really interesting." Karlach remarked and Shadowheart touched her arm.

"It's alright to think of the possibilities for yourself as well Karlach. No one would blame you for having thoughts about being free of that engine within your chest." Shadowheart spoke gently and I nodded in agreement.

"Definitely not." I spoke quietly and Karlach smiled.

"We need to focus on Telra. I'll be alright." Karlach spoke cheerfully and I finished first. 

"Are we still taking Telra on a girl day in three days? For her next day off?" Shadowheart asked,

"I have no bounties at the moment." Minthara remarked and Karlach nodded.

"Alright we'll meet at the bakery early." I spoke kindly and Shadowheart nodded.

"Where are we going to take her?" Minthara asked,

"I'm not sure yet." I replied and Shadowheart rubbed her chin.

"We could take her to the music and theater hall. They have a play about dragons and heroes going on right now, just started. It's absolutely a horrendous representation of heroes, but it's simple and wouldn't be overtaxing to Telra either." Shadowheart pondered and Karlach chuckled.

"I know which you're talking about, I caught it a few months ago with Thorin and you are spot on on it being absolutely horrendous, laughably so." Karlach spoke amused,

"And then perhaps a picnic in Telra's favorite spot of the city? Do we know where that is?" Minthara suggested,

"The garden terraces above the docks. She's had me take her there a couple times, sometimes Thorin went with. I'll ask Gwinn to make together a hearty picnic for five." Karlach spoke quietly and stacked the plates for Shadowheart once we finished eating. I nodded as I sipped my juice.

"Alright, it's settled then." I spoke cheerfully and they all smiled.

Aodhán is one of the main characters in @shandoratheexplorer amazing Symphony series and they have given me the permission to have him be a part of my fic, which I am hugely honored for this opportunity. Thank you Shandora <3

I was tagged for a WIP Whenever so this is from Chapter 33 "Hope in the Starlight" from Foggy Shadows. Little fluffy teaser with some cute adorableness.

I went into the kitchen slowly as Karlach and Jaheira headed to the sitting room and Gale was standing at the cauldron, brow furrowed.

"I can't figure out what this needs." Gale muttered and I gently touched his shoulder.

"Let me taste it." I spoke gently and Gale turned, smiling as he scooped up another spoonful, holding it out with his other hand under it to keep it from spilling. I let the flavors run over my tongue before smiling.

"Which one?" Gale asked,

"Sage, up top there." I replied and pointed. Gale fetched some and put a bit in before stirring it and tasting it.

"Perfect. Thank you." Gale spoke gently and I nodded.

"Of course." I spoke gently and Gale set the spoon aside and put the rolls into the oven as I got down the bowls and silverware. 

Astarion

I watched Telra move around the kitchen helping Gale with dinner and Halsin followed my gaze before looking at me.

"Are you alright my heart?" Halsin asked softly and I looked up at him. 

"A tiny bit jealous...but if Telra ends up happy that's what matters in the end." I replied softly and Halsin kissed my forehead.

"The love you two had will never die my heart, but perhaps it was not a love of the soul rather a love of healing. You were both broken by your masters respectively, collared and chained, lambs for slaughter, yet the love you two shared allowed you to rise against them, albeit with a bit of tadpole assistance. It let you achieve a rare sense of freedom that although it made many unsure at first, has proven a boon for all you meet and interact with. You have helped Thackery, Corbin and Ordum find their lives, especially Thackery and Corbin with their health that had brought them to you. You helped restore the city to its former glory, helped the refugees you once grumbled about often build lives and take adventures, and I'm certain if I asked, your influence would spread beyond Baldur's Gate." Halsin spoke gently and I lightly punched him.

"Now darling, I do have a reputation to maintain." I spoke feigning haughtiness however I was smiling as I said it and Halsin chuckled as he cupped my chin gently, kissing me before touching his forehead to my own.

"You are amazing." Halsin murmured and I cuddled closer with him, Halsin wrapping his arms around me. 

Thank you @shandoratheexplorer for the tag <3

I've been tagged a couple of times in two separate games and I'm slowly starting to get back into the groove of things!

As I've had three, I'm going to post two snippets from Ellipsus and a WIP from a fic! Due to the snippets and WIP being *spicy*, it is below the cut.

I was tagged by both @deadly-diminuendo and @shandoratheexplorer for this so I will do two one for each :D thank you both of you for the tags <3

First up the last line for the latest draft chapter of Broken Melody of Twisted Darkness chapter 27 "Suns Come, Suns Go" (I know I'm such a bloody tease haha)

I had a feeling that he was hiding something, but perhaps it was to protect me, protect me from some unforeseen darkness. For as the sun bathed us in its light with the rising sun greeting yet another day, I felt like things were shifting once more, that things were beginning to fracture, the shadows growing stronger at the edges of the fractures.

Hmmm who is Kai hugging? Mysteries abound hehe.

The next is a snippet from the next chapter of Foggy Shadows titled "Druid Magics"

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"Are we still taking Telra on a girl day in three days? For her next day off?" Shadowheart asked,

"I have no bounties at the moment." Minthara remarked and Karlach nodded.

"Alright we'll meet at the bakery early." I spoke kindly and Shadowheart nodded.

"Where are we going to take her?" Minthara asked,

"I'm not sure yet." I replied and Shadowheart rubbed her chin.

"We could take her to the music and theater hall. They have a play about dragons and heroes going on right now, just started. It's absolutely a horrendous representation of heroes, but it's simple and wouldn't be overtaxing to Telra either." Shadowheart pondered and Karlach chuckled.

"I know which you're talking about, I caught it a few months ago with Thorin and you are spot on on it being absolutely horrendous, laughably so." Karlach spoke amused,

"And then perhaps a picnic in Telra's favorite spot of the city? Do we know where that is?" Minthara suggested,

"The garden terraces above the docks. She's had me take her there a couple times, sometimes Thorin went with. I'll ask Gwinn to make together a hearty picnic for five." Karlach spoke quietly and stacked the plates for Shadowheart once we finished eating. I nodded as I sipped my juice.

"Alright. It's settled then." I spoke quietly and they smiled.

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Again thank you both @deadly-diminuendo and @shandoratheexplorer for the tags <3

I got tagged by three separate folks in this game so I'm going to give three last lines/paragraphs from my WIP draft chapters!

WARNING SPOILERS AHEAD!!!!

(Vague ones but still some spoilers)

Chapter 15 of Bloody Soul Shadow Moons "Dragons!" is now live!

https://archiveofourown.org/works/61372756/chapters/159774709

Astarion wakes up to chaos in the Gate, but the news he bears only adds to it. Will the chaos settle soon or will it continue to grow in the ever shifting dark?

AND

WIP tag a long! I'm starting a work in progress tag a long! Below is a sneak peek from the twenty fourth chapter of Foggy Shadows "Blizzards and Enemies"

"How long will this part take?" Minthara asked,

"A while. We're in the fourth circle, Cania is the eighth. Going to Avernus is going to be the longest and most likely the most difficult as once we reached Avernus, the hells are literally going to break loose." I replied and Minthara furrowed her brow.

"Alright." Minthara spoke softly,

"You can rest if you wish, nothing will harm you whilst you are in my presence. Creatures of these realms learned quickly why they should not cross me." Charon spoke and we exchanged looks before shrugging and settling down. Astarion pulled out cards and I chuckled.

"Do you usually carry cards with you?" I asked amused,

"No, but I thought there might be some time between the parts of our mission here." Astarion chuckled and started shuffling.

"Well I am not against a hand or two of poker to pass the time." Minthara remarked and Astarion smiled.

"No betting. This is just to pass time." I remarked,

"Spoilsport." Astarion chuckled and started dealing out cards. I carefully picked mine up and we started playing. Five hands slipped by and we settled down after to rest, waking only to the harsh bite of cold. Minthara swore in Drow and dug out the clothes I had told both of them to get as did Astarion. I dug my own out and we layered up though the cold still bit nastily. Charon slid up to a frozen dock and I made double sure the spike harness on my boots was seated securely before stepping out carefully. I nodded and Astarion and Minthara stepped off as well. They had the same harnesses on their boots that Dammon had fashioned for us. 

No pressure tags for: @goodgirlgonebard @shandoratheexplorer @arafel0194 @verbenaa @strixamans @dramatiquechipmunk