super busy but hi i miss ffxiv i played again today raghh happy 10th anniv the rising event makes me cry i love ffxiv :(( but anyway! bg3 thoughts in tags!

What are Drifa's first opinions of the companions before she gets to know them?

Lae'zel: First companion she would meet, immediately understands she's very brave and 'knows what she's doing', respects. As time goes on, I think Drífa's indifference towards her comments/insults would wane, she would ignore it/not understand what she's saying, or would just think she's making a comment like 'you have an ugly large nose' and drifa is like 'you have no nose, see drífa have eyes', then would probably get tired of it, poking the bear, but remain stoic which i think would bother lae'zel more than getting a reaction lolol. Lae'zel hates Drífa... or does she.... :)

Shadowheart: Second companion, small elf girl, anytime shadowheart is like 'i don't wanna talk about it' drífa's like 'aight' and leaves, which is why shadowheart likes her now. Drífa is concerned, a small elf all alone. Feels shes quite small and fragile to be into the things shes talking about, but whatever. literally has no idea who shar is so is like 'cool goddess, i respect your faith' because drifa also follows a rather fierce goddess. Drifa prefers to listen over talking, so they get along well. shadowheart is desperately trying to smash rn

Gale: Pulled this weirdo out of a rock, a malnourished human, appears sickly. Drífa is confused by most of what he says, but he is rather poetic so she enjoys the 'nonsense' he talks about. Now she has 3 main landers to take care of. Gale talks way too much, but it is entertaining to her. She does not like that he believes he could compete with a goddess.... the gods are gods for a reason, to think you could understand their meaning, or be equal to one is conceited to her. She understands it's because of 'love', but she is weary. Gale is trying to smash now in my play through.

Astarion: weird little malnourished elf man. He also talks to much. Drífa has two talkative dramatic tiny boys and two ladies that hate each other so she's kinda remembering why she lived in isolation for 35 years. Astarion she probably views like a cat, like seeks attention when he wants it, eats what he wants, believes he's the best one here. She is not afraid of him being a vampire because she simply would never let an elf fell her, that would be a true dishonor. he's mildly offended. She doesn't tolerate his dislike of children, but typically doesn't really care what he does.

Wyll: Another little guy with sad eyes. Another human. Drifa likes him, he's polite, seems to know what he's doing, seems 'the most normal' plus has seen his share of battle (like lae'zel) so she's glad to have him along. Obviously when things go down she's like 'wow... yet another guy with baggage with a blue lady...' side eying gale. She likes his stories, listens intently to his deeds of good and protecting the sword coast, overall likes him but is still like 'here is another small human- oops small devil for my collection'

Karlach: Finally someone who looks like they're a warrior. Likes her, feels like she doesn't need to protect/take care of, which is good so she can focus her energies on the softies of the party. Drífa would like Karlach, she's a bit blunt and a bit more energetic than Drífa is used to, but probably likes that. Karlach's dancing, lust for life, and fire would be highly approved. I think Drífa wouldn't really get why she's sad about not being touched

Halsin: another gd ELF, but this ones big and can turn into a bear so thats ok. I think they'd have a lot in common but Drífa views him more as a tree hugger. She appreciates nature, so i think they could get along well.... though she finds him confusing... she doesn't feel like she needs to worry about him, and he's pretty forward and upfront so it works out well.

There are all first impressions. Drífa was raised to take care of herself and herself only, keep to her own, and that strength = power, because her lifestyle is very physically demanding. Being big and strong is important, being fat and strong is more important to survive frozen winters etc. She is a loner suddenly surrounded by people for the first time in her life, and is doing her best to keep them alive because obviously they need her help and this is a mission given to her by her goddess, why else would she have sent the ship to take her, to bring her to these people...

28 please?

28. "You're so cute."

Astarion could feel eyes on him as he flipped through his book--nothing interesting, but it saved him the pain of small talk around the camp fire. He tried to ignore it--and managed it, for a moment--but ultimately he had to look over to see who was watching him.

Oh. Falerin. What a surprise.

He gave him a stiff little smile in kind, then resumed his reading. He thought he'd planned this well. The thought process was this: Wyll and Lae'zel were both too dangerous--one because of his do-gooder nature, the other because she was practically ready to murder anyone who looked at her wrong; Gale was too desperate; Karlach was obviously a no-go with the lack of touch; Shadowheart was too...look, he wasn't really sure what Shadowheart's thing was, but something was off. Falerin--sweet, half-mad Falerin--was the best option left. Not only did it work out that he ended up the defacto leader of their little party, thus ensuring Astarion was extra safe, but with his fey-touched nature, there was plenty of plausible deniability if he ever did bring up a complaint. The bite had been a good test, so he'd assumed that sleeping with him would be relatively safe.

But ever since, the warlock had been looking at him with big, soppy eyes and a stupid smile on his face. Gods, had he been a virgin? He couldn't be, not if he dealt with the fey. So he did his best to balance the proclamations and flirtations with plain ignoring him. He wanted to be close to Fal for safety; he did not want anything more.

And yet, he still felt his two-toned gaze on him, and it was growing more and more unsettling. He finally shut his book, looking over at Falerin with another stiff smile.

"Yes, my little treat?"

Falerin didn't respond, still staring at him with the dopiest smile. Astarion's dropped, fair brows drawing together.

"Darling? Falerin?" He snapped his fingers in front of Fal's face. "Are you off with the fairies, dear?"

Fal startled a bit, but the smile remained. He gave a soft little laugh, cheeks flushing deliciously--it might be time to ask for another bite. The half-drow met his eyes warmly.

"Sorry. It's just..." He rubbed his face, looking bashful. "You're so cute."

Astarion blinked. Cute? Cute? He was a monster, a vicious killing machine who felt no worse about using the stupid, mad warlock in front of him than he did about the inevitable dagger that he'd lodge right between Cazador's ribs. How many hundreds had he lured to their deaths? How many false promises had he whispered into hopeful ears? If he had to kill everyone in this camp--yes, Scratch included!--to get his freedom, he'd slit all their pretty throats without a moment's hesitation.

And Falerin thought he was cute.

He didn't even try to spin that into a flirtation. How could he? Beautiful, he could work with. Sexy, definitely. Seductive, tantalizing, tempting, alluring...the list went on. But cute? He had nothing for that, and so he just stared at Falerin.

Fal, at least, had the good sense to give an embarrassed laugh. "I know, I know, you probably don't get that often. But it's true. You..." He bit his lip, tugging it to the side; it was one of the few things he did that Astarion had to admit he liked (silently, of course). "When you read, or think, or just...you know, when you're not performing..."

"I don't perform."

"Sure, of course you don't. But your face gets so soft, and your lips turn up a bit--I think it's natural. And with the way your hair is just now..." Falerin shrugged. "I don't know, it's cute! You're cute, Astarion."

Astarion scoffed. "We'll see if you still feel that way the next time I'm covered in blood."

"Is it weird that I kind of like when you get like that?"

"Is it we--yes, it's weird! You're..." Astarion stepped up to him, fully intent on telling him just how strange he was and, if he wanted this to go any further, maybe he'd consider keeping a little more quiet. He looked over the half-drow's face, lifting his head haughtily as he did. His eyes drifted over his lips, still bitten, over the freckles on his cheeks, up to the odd-colored eyes with the faintest shadows around them and the errant strands of hair that fell over them in a way that, damn it all, was rather charming.

He sighed, looking upwards. Well. Things could be worse, really, couldn't they?

Falerin tilted his head slightly, adding to the charm. "I'm...?"

Astarion sighed again, a bigger, more dramatic one, before he said, in a small voice, "You're...cute, too." Might as well make it count, so he leaned in to give him a quick kiss. "But if you repeat that to anyone..."

Falerin laughed. "Our secret." He smiled up at him, reaching up to cup Astarion's cheek, but wordlessly letting his hand drop as the vampire stepped back out of reach. "Feel like a drink tonight?"

"Gods, I thought you'd never ask." Astarion opened his book with a pleased little smile. Well, it was a messier plan than he'd initially hoped for, but he couldn't say it didn't have its perks.

Since I have to replay the game fully in order to get access to better companion interactions in the epilogue camp, please consider this me just speculating / headcanoning interactions. (Includes the bard oc of my friend.) Writing isn't polished, just rough idea.

Of course, might be spoilers for those who did not finish the game ever. You were warned.

It's been six months since the adventure ended. Astarion and Loki had settled into their new life as lord and consort. The vampire aristocracy was a messy ordeal, but given Astarion's prowess, it was easier to keep them under his thumb. Of course, the paranoia of having enemies close never left either of them... Gale and Seldazr both frequently visited the manor to drop by for a while. Gale went on his usual wizardry adventures, in attempts to procure artefacts for unclear reasons.. He remained in a relationship with Loki and Astarion, but had taken time away to think about his own goals and desires for the future knowing he'd always be welcomed back. As for Seldazr, he mandatorily took breaks of his adventuring and book writing to make sure Scratch got to see Kiwi often enough. The owlbear had become too big and too used to living in the manor's garden. Kiwi did enjoy the attention he attracted. For Loki, things did not go as expected. He was attacked by a stray party of monster hunters not too long after moving into the palace, and had secluded himself to his and Astarion's room for several months. The nightmares never left, but they had lessened. Grymforge, the shadowlands, the githyanki creche, Cazador... Many more. Some of the toughest battles haunted his mind with different recollection, muddling his memories. While Loki was keen on keeping himself inside to focus on healing his mind, he was met with a letter from Withers himself.. Astarion would've probably ignored it (busy as he is) if he didn't think the occasion would be a good experience for Loki.. And thus he dragged his consort out with the promise they'd see Gale, Seldazr, and everyone else again. Even Karlach and Wyll?

Loki: [shuffling around nervously] Astarion: Dear, stop fidgeting. You'll be fine. [holds his arm around Loki's waist] Loki: I just did not expect to this place again.. Seems like withers was busy. Astarion: Hmm, I would've preferred to host a party myself... Loki: That's just more work isn't it? You can't do everything, besides we were invited.. It would look bad not to show. Astarion: I thought you wanted to stay inside? Tk tk tk. Loki: Right. Right. I need to stop moping. I'll mingle.. They stop to see Seldazr annoying the bard in the midst of camp with a barrage of questions.. Not too unfamiliar, but best left be until he can redirect his attention to his friends.

Loki: Wyll? Is that you? You look so.. Buff. How did you get here? Wyll: I've been Monster hunting in avernus! Withers provided a portal.. I've got lots of stories to tell. Loki: ..A portal? Maybe don't say that one out loud. [looks over to see Astarion show off his bat form to halsin, he chuckles] Wyll: Enough about me- There's something different about you.. Karlach: [walks up, surprising Loki] Soldier! It's his hair. It got so long! Loki: I keep forgetting about that... [brushes his hair out of his face] No clue what I look like nowadays... Karlach- How are you here? Isn't your engine.. Karlach: Ah, calm down.. It's fine- For now! It's just for tonight. It won't bust, no worries. Loki: Does that mean I can get a hug? Karlach: Of course!! [hugs him tightly] Momma K got so many hugs to give, I've been saving them up. Loki: Oof- Are Lae'zel and Shadowheart here too..? Wyll: I think they're late..? I haven't seen Gale yet either. [puts his arm around Karlach] Loki: Are you two..? Karlach: Verily! [leans into Wyll, smiling brightly] Wyll: Speaking of couples, you're looking rather princely Loki. Are you sure you're not a spoiled husband by now? Loki: Gods.. Don't tease me. I'm still not used to it. [looks flustered] Loki looks over to see Jaheira and Minsc interrogate Astarion, but he's casually deflecting them.. They briefly make eye contact, only for Astarion to gesture to Loki to have fun and not worry about anything.

It didn't take long for a Griffon to show up in the camp, mounted by Lae'zel and Shadowheart. The two proudly announced themselves to have eloped only recently. Lae'zel then continued to brag about their mount, even though she casually compared it to a dragon.. Then Shadowheart would go on and on about this Imp they've adopted, Lae'zel's expression went from prideful to mildly flustered and annoyed, remarking she would have tossed it if Shadowheart didn't like the imp so much.

Gale essentially arrived, with Tara on his shoulder, placing himself in between Astarion, Minsc and Jaheira in hopes to cool off their conversation. Then he would brag about some trinket he uncovered recently, showing off an assemblage of things he's collected during his adventures.. Needless to say, Astarion looked thankful for the arrival of his boyfriend even if he didn't express it openly.

The night went on, many exchanging stories, sharing laughs. Reminiscing about the adventure amongst other things. Scratch was playing with a seemingly familiar object, refusing to let it go even though he wanted it to be thrown. Some remarks were made about Loki's massive change in appearance, and how no one expected Lae'zel to ever get married.. It was a good party. It should be a yearly event, Loki thought. Cheers.