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There is something to say, of the way that people tend to be follow in their habits.
You can’t teach an old dog new trick, as the saying goes, after all.
Karlach always despised those words, they just weren’t true at all!
An old dog can always learn, if you have the patience for it.
If you have a gentle hand, if you have the kindness to follow its pace.
Most people wouldn’t give it another thought.
But most people just go along with their life, none the wiser.
Most people have never had to beg for anything, to feel the dirt staining your knees as you’re forced to bend them.
Most people never felt any pain, never knew the harshness of the world.
And even those who have tend to be part of those who forget.
Karlach isn’t as stupid as people assume she is.
Most people will mistake her smiles and kindness for being weak.
After all, it is a truth in the Hells, where one cannot leave any space for any gentleness.
But this isn’t Avernus, this place should be better than the devils of the fiery Hells.
And yet, many people forget that gentleness is a choice, one taken with bravery and strength that those who take pleasure in cruelty forget.
And Karlach will never regret taking this path, the moment she got out of Averna.
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Her new companions were quite the little group of misfits, it appeared.
She was grateful that Wyll decided to spare her life, and that she now had a brand new band of people to take on this journey!
She knew most of them weren’t here because they wanted to be, and most of them wouldn’t even stick around if it wasn’t for the little parasite in their head.
But she didn’t care.
For the first time in so long, she had People!
And she adored all of their, in their chaotic and brooding ways!
There was one, tho, that she couldn’t help but want to gravitate around.
Their fanged friend, the mysterious vampire spawn that shared their band of misfits.
Astarion was quite closed off, despite the way he flirted and smiled at them all.
Karlach wasn’t very fooled, no matter how much she went along with him. She liked his company, thus she didn’t really mind the mask of pleasantries that he showed.
She knew better than anyone how it felt to wear a mask, to masquerade as something else in the hope that it got people off your back.
Dog knows dog, after all.
One that knew what it felt to be leashed could always recognize a kin.
She wasn’t gonna call his game off, however.
She was quite happy to follow his little play, especially in front of the others.
She did hope that one day, he would let her in.
From one free dog, to another.
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Everything came to head in that blasted swamp, as they took on the Hag.
Most of the group had gotten separated, taking on the masked servants of that damned hag.
The result wasn’t pretty, fitting for the real look of the swamp.
Karlach was alone, but she knew that her companions weren’t far.
Taking one last look at the room, she went searching.
The first one she found was Shadowheart, but she was busy healing Gale, who must have taken a big hit.
Nodding at them, she went further into the lair.
She didn’t how she heard it – must have been the emptiness of it all – but she paused in front of one of the room.
A whimper.
She blinked, taking her surrounding before stepping into a more shadowed corner.
Of all things, Karlach didn’t expect to their Astarion curled up, crouching on the ground with her back to her.
“Hey, Fangs?” She tried to call out, taking slow steps towards him.
He flinched at the noise – scrambling to turn around.
She stopped, staring at the frantic eyes that still looked like they weren’t actually seeing her.
He didn’t seem to be breathing – but if he had been, she was sure he’s breathing would be as quick as the fear she can smell of him.
Because it was fear – the rawest form of it, the absolute terror that took over you completely.
Karlach never wanted to see Astarion ever look like this again.
“Astarion?” She called, without moving a muscle, keeping her tail curled around her leg like a lifeline.
He didn’t flinch, but his ears seemed to perk up at the sound.
And he moved, before she could do anything.
Lowered himself quickly, on his knees.
His forehead touching the floor, his arms under him.
She froze completely at the sight of him.
She’s seen it happen – so many times, to so many.
She remembers the fear – the feel of the floor on her knees, her face in the scorching soil.
She could do the pose by muscle memory only.
And in just a blink – it was like she had never even left her own leash.
“Karlach!” A familiar voice cut off her rushing thoughts, “Is everything alright over there?”
And just like that, she was a person again.
Karlach took a huge breath, blinking away everything as she scrubbed her face off.
“Y..Yeah!” She called out to Shadowheart from where she stood, ignoring the flinch of her friend at her feet.
“Just give us a moment, alright?” She added, turning to the door so that her voice wasn’t as loud.
She took another calming breath, making sure she wouldn’t loose herself again.
She had to be strong right now, for Astarion!
“Hey, Fangs?” She tried, keeping her voice gentle, using the nickname instead.
There was no response, but she wasn’t sure he could hear her proporly.
She sighed, knowing it wasn’t gonna be easy.
She wanted to hold him so badly – to take away all the pain, all the fear that she knew she would feel if she even dared to take a peak with the parasite in their head.
She wanted hug him, so tightly, but she would hate herself more by burning him.
Instead, she took a look around the room for anything useful. There wasn’t much, only old furniture. However, there was a lot of discarded fabric, even a few leather pelt here and there that could be used for bags.
She slowly walked around her fanged friend, trying hard to make her steps as light as possible, keeping her weight away from him.
She knew, that he would never want anyone in their group to see him like this. And oh did she understood.
Instead, she took the pelts and the fabric. Slowly, she went back to him.
“Hey, it’s me again, Karlach,” She said gently, “It’s just me, I’m going to put some fabric on you, okay?”
She waited a bit, even if she knew she wasn’t gonna get a response. Not like this. Not when she knew back then that talking never brings anything.
Then, gently, she put the fabric around him. She made sure her touch was soft but quick, so that it wouldn’t burn. She talked through it, explaining every movement.
He didn’t even move.
She hated how she could just handle his limbs.
Her friend should never have to resort to this, and she vows to never make it happen again.
Once all the fabric is put – she tangles the pelt on it.
Then, when everything is put, she slowly move her hands around him – and brings him up in her arms.
She keeps the hold gentle, hoping the leather will be enough to handle her fiery skin.
In her arms, Astarion has gone completely limp. She rearrange her arms, guiding his head against her shoulder.
There – she feels him take a breathe.
And just like this, she feels like a warrior again.
As she walked outside, she knew that the moment Astarion is back to himself, he’ll pretend this never happened.
And she wouldn’t even mind!
But she would not forget.
And she hopes that, one day, they’ll be close enough to share their pain.
One free dog to another.
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