You awake in the center of a circle that includes all your friends. You sit bolt upright as you return to the world of the living, even though for you it simply felt like any other sleep. You pan your gaze over all the friendly faces.
"We all decided that we could not do this without you." Shadowheart claims with fraudulent smile.
"Really?"
Asterion snorts. "We had a spirited discussion."
"Oh." You stand and dust yourself off.
"Thank you, everyone!" Opening your arms, everyone takes a step back.
"I said... Thank you, everyone!"
Karlach cringes. "No offense, Dove, but I'll give it a minute or two just to make sure I don't get struck by lightning."
"Alright." You pout sadly before the Barbarian.
"Oh fuck it!" Karlach caves immediately and rushes forward, picking you up into a big bear hug.
"Glad you're back. But... Don't go daring gods to kill you, yeah?"
"I learned my lesson." You claim without a hint of truth behind it. Only Asterion winks at you. You pull him aside.
"I'm glad you had my back. You wanna go grab a bite?"
"Dinner with a beautiful woman that just came back from the dead? Now that is an offer I can't refuse." You take his hand and guide him somewhere dark and quiet.
"What brought this on, aside from your usual morbid fascination with seeking your own death?"
You shrug. "I really just need to be taken advantage of by someone right now. It was traumatizing, not knowing if I would wake up."
A giggle escapes his thin lips. He touches them curiously. "You know, Darling, I'm starting to think that this relationship might be a bit toxic."
"Eh?" Without further adieu he latches onto your neck like a snake and begins sucking the warm vitae within. You moan, immediately losing yourself to the feeling. The idea him taking all of you into himself and you slipping away fills your mind. It is intoxicating. Perhaps that is what he meant? Asterion learned from the last incident, however. Once he had his fill he releases you, a bit woozy but no worse for wear. He licks the twin prick points to stop them bleeding and pulls back, smiling at you like he had just had sex. You fan yourself.
"Dizzy..."
"I'll take it as a compliment." He says slyly.
"Oh, should we have sex, too?"
"No, I'm fine." He said flatly, waving you off.
-
Your part approached the entrance to the Goblin camp. With nothing in life being easy, the Goblins present a blockade of archers, worgs and fire flanking the road to funnel all who approach into a choke point. The wooden walls are build into the mountain and seem sturdy. As you approach, you realize you will be flanked on all sides.
"What do we do?" Shadowheart whispers.
"They're just Goblins at the end of the day." Karlach shrugs.
"Naturally-" You begin to speak.
"Oh gods..." Shadowheart mutters, bracing herself.
"-we walk up and I'll use my 'Drowness' to force them to let us pass. They can't say no."
"Good thinkin', Dove!" Karlach compliments.
"That's not good thinking!" Shadowheart exclaims.
"That worked once! This is a fortress we are infiltrating and they are not simply going to let us pass because one of us happens to be a Drow." You give her a smug look before she finishes speak.
"How can you be so confident?" She asks in an annoyed tone.
You do not want to say that you win regardless of whether the Goblins let you through or capture you. They are known for being quite cruel and without mercy. It sounds positively glorious. You begin to walk, regardless of whether the others follow you. After a few steps they do follow cautiously. Karlach is right, after all, if worst comes to worst they are just goblins. You approach the one that is posturing as though he is in charge. He has positioned himself in the center of the rogue with a beast at either side of him. You wonder what he would have them do to you were you to act belligerent. A subtle, dangerous smile crosses your lips at the thought.
The Goblin male, sensing malicious intent, takes a cautious step backwards, lowering his head in your presence.
"Uhh..." He can not seem to find the right words. You stop in front of him, a few feet away. You stare at the Goblin expectantly, brows raised and red eyes wide and unblinking. Your shadow is cast over her, both figuratively, and literally. A bead of sweat rolls down his small brow during the standoff.
You touch your chin in thought. `I may need to be a bit more bold if I'm going to have this man punish and capture me.` Your smile widens as you regard the muck. There is an ample mixture of dirt, water and feces from the Worgs. You lift your chin haughtily.
"I am... Meant to soil my feet in this mud."
"N-no!" The Goblin stammered, waving his hands in front of him.
"Of course not, my Lady!" He says while desperately looking around.
You laugh. "You seem to be looking for something, however, in a moment I will begin walking and I wonder what will happen if the soles of my shoes are soiled."
"Shit! Shit!" he gives one more cursory glance about before throwing himself on the ground, face first in the dirt and shit as you take your first step. Your foot extends to land on his back. You take another big step and hop over the muck nimbly.
You turn around on the other side. He is lifting his face up, dirty and brown. A good color for his green skin. You make an annoyed sound. He gasps, wondering what he did wrong.
`He's trying to make this boring. I have to push him more. Something's got to give.` You point towards your party.
