#maestarion

Kindred Soul, Cracked Spirit

An Astarion/Tav chapter fic

Chapter 16: Romance and all its strategy:

Astarion breathed a sigh of relief when all the tieflings in their varying states of drunkenness finally seemed to get the hint that he really wasn't interested in talking to them and left him alone. It was all very well to swim in praise and gratitude for their efforts to clear the goblin menace and make the road safe again, but the irritating creatures kept going on to regale him with all their tediously boring hopes and dreams and plans for when they got to Baldur's Gate. He didn't care and he had no intention of acting like he did. Not that he had really heard a word anyone had said to him since Mae had stepped out of her tent after taking a nap and getting ready for the party…

In Chapter Sixteen, the tadfools revel with the tieflings after dealing with the goblin threat. And Astarion and Mae have their own revelry, though the path is less than smooth.

Earning the E rating again with this chapter, folks! (and pretty much most chapters here on out lol)

If you're new to the story, start at Chapter One here! :)

Kindred Soul, Cracked Spirit

An Astarion/Tav chapter fic

Chapter 15: These dreams of you ain't real enough:

So, the legendary Halsin isn't goblin food after all. Looking at the beast of a man, Astarion could see that the goblins would have been hard pressed to cut through all the meat and muscle to chop him down for a stew – or whatever it was that goblins cooked. Though Mae seemed to be making quite a meal of him with her eyes alone. Astarion wasn't jealous exactly, but he couldn't help but feel slightly... invisible. It was made all the worse upon catching Shadowheart and Lae'zel both watching him with raised eyebrows – Shadowheart adding insult to injury with a knowing smirk. He glared at them in turn, which only seemed to amuse them more. So now they're getting along? And at my expense. Wonderful.

In Chapter Fifteen, the tadfools rescue Halsin; Mae continues to confound Astarion when it seems everyone else is having more success drawing her eye; and Mae's Papa pays her another visit.

Kindred Soul, Cracked Spirit

An Astarion/Tav chapter fic

Chapter 14: Know your anger:

She gave a mirthless bark of laughter. "No one's completely innocent." He sighed and she was relieved she was still avoiding looking at him and staring into the fire so she was spared the disappointment likely written all over his face. A long pause stretched out between them before Wyll finally spoke up again. "Mae. Do you know why I favour rapiers over swords?" "They're lighter and subtler?" "Those are some advantages, yes. But no. A rapier is designed to pierce and stab. The movements required involve less waving because the blade is too thin for slashing to be effective. Swords, however, are designed for slashing. And if you're not careful and build up too much momentum in attacking your target, or your target manages to grip your arm to control your movement, you risk getting hurt yourself." She said nothing. What was the point? He wouldn't let it go until he'd said his piece. It was better if she just sucked it up and bore it – no matter how patronising or misguided she found it – or she'd never know peace.

In Chapter Fourteen, Tensions simmer and rise within Mae's band of misfits, making for a disruptive night's rest, and the tadfools finally reach the goblin camp.

Kindred Soul, Cracked Spirit

An Astarion/Tav chapter fic

Chapter 11: Luck and vain

Astarion glared into the mirror he'd pilfered from one of the abandoned houses in Moonhaven on a whim. At the time, he'd been hopeful that maybe the quirks of the tadpole might extend to allowing him for the first time in 200 years to see himself staring back. When he devastatingly found that not to be the case, he'd for some reason been unable to bring himself to throw it away, despite the sour feeling he got every time he laid eyes on it. Finding Mae's compact mirror earlier had only served to intensify his bitterness. As if summoned by the thought, he saw not his own reflection, but that of Mae behind him, a curious expression on her face as she slowed down to a stop from walking past. He sighed with resignation. "Looking at something?" "Just the back of your head," she replied glibly. "What're you doing?" "I'm looking too, but not seeing very much. Another quirk of my affliction." "Wait. So the tadpole brought back your ability to walk in the sun, walk through doors uninvited, step in water, get the benefits of healing magic, but draws the line at giving you back your reflection? Well that's just fucking rude."

In Chapter Eleven, Karlach finally reveals the reason she fit Mizora's criteria; Mae pushes Gale too far; and Astarion and Mae's relationship takes an unexpected turn.

Kindred Soul, Cracked Spirit

An Astarion/Tav chapter fic

Chapter 10: The face you hide

Astarion rocked on the balls of his feet, eyeing Mae as she continued her nightly rounds and mentally kicking himself for volunteering so much information about Cazador. So quickly and willingly placing his cards on the table for her, mostly unprompted. His reasoning had been true. She did need to know what they were up against. But he cringed at how she hadn’t even needed to ask, before he was airing his dirty laundry to her. Hells, she even gave him an opening to backtrack after he brought it up. There was something about her that just made him feel... Well, not compelled to tell her things… It wasn’t like it was with Cazador – he knew she didn’t have any enchantment affinity. Any charm she had was strictly of the mundane variety. Although he’d seen first-hand how she could impressively deceive, persuade, and manipulate people with those mundane skills. Yet he never felt she was doing that to him. She simply made him feel heard and worth listening to. In a way he hadn’t genuinely felt in... Well, he wasn’t sure if he ever had. Certainly not by anyone who knew who and what he was. It made him want to tell her everything. He hated it. And he kind of hated her for it.

In Chapter Ten, secrets abound as the party take a miserable venture into a swamp to uncover Kagha's secret, Astarion and Mae work together to uncover the secrets of the Necromancy of Thay,

...And Astarion embarks on a secret reconnaissance mission of his own...

If you're new to the story, start at Chapter One, here! :)

As a quick side note, I will be reducing the chapter drop rate to monthly after this chapter as I'm struggling to keep up lately. Sorry to those enjoying this so far and looking forward to updates.

Kindred Soul, Cracked Spirit

An Astarion/Tav chapter fic

Chapter 9: Can't bite the devil

"I hear you did the deed," Astarion greeted Mae conspiratorially. He had been sitting on a log away from the rest of camp, his pack nearby as he waited for the others to finish their morning preparations. Mae had brought her breakfast over and sat next to him, taking the opportunity while she fuelled up for the day to check that he wasn't worse for wear without her blood donation the previous night. She cast him a sidelong glance. I see word gets around here as fast as it used to in the caravan. "Huh. I'm surprised at you, Astarion. You don't strike me as a prude. Why dance around the word 'sex'?" He rolled his eyes dramatically. "I'm not. But straight-talking is less fun or gossipy." "Fair enough." "So, how was your little romp?" Deed? Romp? Fuck these are terrible euphemisms. She leaned in as if about to tell him a secret and he leaned in to to hear it, grinning widely. Then she whispered teasingly, "A lady never tells." "You don't strike me as a titled noble," he echoed her words back at her. "Why play coy?" Technically I COULD be a titled noble, but fuck that for a game of soldiers... She snorted. "I'm not. But stringing you along is much more fun. So, who told you?"

In Chapter Nine, Mae finds yet another diversion to their overarching goals, much to Astarion's delight. And a mysterious visitor makes the party an offer.

Kindred Soul, Cracked Spirit

An Astarion/Tav chapter fic

Chapter 13: Forged and counterfeit:

Astarion was absolutely completely in control of the situation. This was all just a fun little game he and Mae were playing. A classic game of cat and mouse – although it was unclear exactly who was the cat and who was the mouse anymore. An outsider would probably guess Mae as a fairly youthful-looking halfling was the mouse, and he as a vampire spawn was the cat. But they'd be underestimating her – just as he had upon first meeting. She could be – and often was – just as deadly. Regardless, he told himself it didn't matter that she seemed to keep pulling the rug out from under him because he definitely did not care. This was all just a bit of fun.

In Chapter Thirteen, Mae and Astarion do their best to ignore their feelings. Karlach does her best to ignore her disappointment that Dammon's upgrade doesn't solve all her problems. And Wyll and Mae are both forced to reckon with a part of their identities.

Kindred Soul, Cracked Spirit

An Astarion/Tav chapter fic

Chapter 12: Faux, shot, sold, and bleed

Something felt off with Astarion, and Mae couldn't put her finger on what exactly. She had been relieved that that things didn't seem to be awkward after turning him down. He wasn't even pouty or sulking! Of course, he could have stood to be at least a little more affected by it for her own ego's sake. But he was rather insufferable when he was surly and she was too tired to put up with that shit after her horrible night's sleep. That relief had been subsequently replaced by the disquiet she now felt at his strange behaviour – the way he'd become more and more quiet and pensive as the conversation with Dammon about infernal iron had progressed. As they began to walk away from Dammon's work space to regroup with Shadowheart – small puffs of dust being kicked up with each tread of their boots – she strategically positioned herself to walk beside him and Karlach rather than striding ahead like she usually did. It enabled her to pick up on his sidelong glances in her direction. Glances that she was fairly certain had nothing to do with his earlier advances based on his expression. Every so often she would meet his gaze. And rather than either looking slightly sheepish as if he'd been caught ogling her or flashing her a coquettish smile, he looked… …Guilty??

In Chapter Twelve, Astarion sees a new side to Mae when she confronts Kagha; and Mae's past catches up to her.