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The fire crackled, sending embers flying up into the air. Most of the camp was gathered around it. laughing and talking amongst themselves whilst they ate, drank and celebrated a recent victory. Conversation flowed freely, as did the banter. All of the tension from the first couple of weeks had, mostly, fizzled out now. Even the newest addition, Halsin, had come to fit into the group quite quickly, even if he didn’t share the plight that had brought them together to begin with.
Nyaxath watched her companions from a distance. The tips of her claws giving the owlbear cub a good scratch that had him cooing softly. Much like Scratch, he had come to discover her claws were the best for scratches. As soon as he’d had enough of her, the cub ran off after Scratch to playfully chase him. A game the dog was more than happy join in with. The sight made her smile. She was glad that they were getting along.
The sound of laughter drew her attention back toward the rest of the group. Whatever had happened had Astarion acting mildly offended whilst everyone was either laughing or smiling brightly. It was a good sight. A lot had happened since their arrival to the Shadow-Cursed Lands. Some bad, some good. There were victories to be celebrated and kicking back and relaxing like this would only do good for everyone’s morale in the coming fight.
As much as Nya wished to join in with all of them, her mind was completely focused on the future and what steps needed to be taken next. While she hadn’t actually asked for the role of leader, she had embraced it when it came to her and took everything in her stride. Exactly as her mother had taught her. But with that role also came with the fact that many, many things were now weighing heavy on her mind. Like those that they had lost in the most recent battle or how she could really feel the damn tadpole tonight. The way it was wriggling around behind her eye, like an itch that couldn’t be scratched, was maddening.
Slowly, she stood up from the position she had been crouched in and stretched her back out. Her body was sore and her muscles ached. What she really needed was some rest, but she doubted either her brain or her parasite would allow her to get any. Still, even just laying down and doing her best to clear her mind would be better than nothing. So, instead of joining the others, Nya made her way toward the ruined tower that they had set the camp next to. Early on in their journey, she had discovered that places like this were excellent for stepping away for a moment and recollecting herself.
As she got a fire going in the old fireplace, she heard footsteps behind her. She didn’t need to turn her head to know who it was. She had already known that Karlach would notice her absence and would come looking to see what was keeping her.
“So, this is where you’ve been hiding, darling. Is everything alright?” she asked.
“I’m fine, just a lot on my mind is all,” Nya replied. She patted the cold stone for her to come and join her. As Karlach settled down next to her, their tails became entwinned with each other. “A lot in it as well.”
She laughed softly as she titled her head to the side, ever so slightly. “Sounds like you need a distraction.”
“Oh?” Nya raised an eyebrow ridge. “What exactly did you have in mind, love?”
Karlach’s eyes sparkled, her flames flickering from orange to blue as she smiled and her tail unwrapped from Nya’s. She had no chance to react before she found herself pinned to the ground. Karlach straddled her and began to pepper her face with kisses. She made sure to leave no part of her face untouched. Her jaw, her lips, her nose, her forehead and horns. Nya laughed as she made a very half-hearted attempt to push her girlfriend off of her. In reality, she could do so easily, but she didn’t want to. She was, not only, enjoying the attention, but all thoughts of the future, and the tadpole, had disappeared. For the time being, at least.
By the time that Karlach finally decided to let up, they were both completely out of breath. Nya smiled brightly at her, a warmth blooming within her chest… As well as elsewhere. Her smile was one that Karlach returned.
“See? That worked well, didn’t it? All thoughts of future battles and tadpoles, poof! Gone! Now you can come and celebrate!”
Nyaxath hummed and nodded. They could, but being alone and having Karlach on top of her had her mind drifting to other things they could be doing instead.
“Indeed, I could or we could stay here and have our own little celebration.”
Her words had Karlach’s smile turning into a wide grin. “Cheeky, you, but you know what? That’s not a bad idea either.”