Begging for Scraps

Chapter One

Astarion was used to it.

Being one of seven vampire spawn meant that Astarion was constantly in a fight for resources and favor. His desire to vie for attention, at least, faded within the first few years of his turning. Unfortunately, it then became seven vampire spawn all attempting to earn inattention lest they become Cazador's next focus. But for everything else?

It was seven of them constantly fighting amongst themselves. Every scrap of food, every meager bit of bedding, every opportunity for a fresh wardrobe, each piece of entertainment...Each and every thing became a mad scramble and a battle just to get something . Astarion didn't have magic like Leon nor was he as vicious as Violet. He was one of the younger ones, constantly falling short of getting first pick. It was no wonder he developed skills aligned with thievery.

Now as one of six adventurers, Astarion watched them divide out various coin and looted items. Watched books and other small sources of entertainment be taken. Watched as five claimed various spots to claim their own at their chosen campsites. The driest spots most free of rocks and at least somewhat level. He watched resources get passed around in the form of potions, scrolls, and even healing. He watched and he waited to snatch up whatever was left behind by the others, never offered first pick. Nor second or even third. It simply wasn't thought about. Which was fine.

After all, Astarion was used to it.

It was no different now as he watched from the sidelines as the group figured out who got what from their latest haul. They'd passed through a small town with a merchant recently, giving them the opportunity to sell off anything that they didn't have any need for and purchase more supplies. Food and potions came first, which was a given, followed by a few new scrolls for Gale to study and learn from. Practical. New weapons for Karlach and Lae'zel, armor for Shadowheart and Wyll...It made sense for these things to be bought.

The new books for Gale to read at his leisure, the new stuffed toy for Karlach to tuck away, some sort of mat for Lae'zel to use for meditation...These were less important, but Astarion still got it. He watched as the group dispersed to where they had set up their tents in their chosen locations in order to relax for the evening. Just another day on the road.

He started for his own space, a quick movement of his hand pocketing one of the health potions unaccounted for in passing. He ignored the uneven ground his own tent was on, honestly just grateful it wasn't on a riverbank again as he ducked inside. The others would be occupying themselves and Gale would take care of dinner at some point. Nobody was going to miss their wayward vampire until morning came along.

Which meant that Astarion had time to sit down on his bedroll, tugging his shirt off and digging out an old sewing kit to start mending a new tear from where the cloth had worn out. Another thing that he was used to from being with Cazador. Astarion had learned quickly had to care for his own things to help preserve them. It also helped to have a skill he could use to help the other spawn out with in exchange for small favors or resources. It was just another form of bartering.

He focused on his mending, not paying attention to the sounds from outside of his tent. After the shirt was set aside, he was moving onto the next, relaxing into the mindless task. Perhaps that was why he didn't notice when Gale was approaching, startling slightly when the man entered his tent with a rustle of canvas and an agitated huff, pricking his finger with the needle and biting back a curse.

"Do you mind?" Astarion demanded, affronted at having his space invaded. It wasn't much of a space in the first place to even warrant such behavior!

"Do you mind? The sharpening block for the knives has gone missing, delaying dinner for every one, and I can only assume that you've stolen it and I would rather have it back than to allow Lae'zel to sharpen a perfectly good meat cleaver on the same stone she does her swords which have only the gods know on them." Gale said rather pointedly in turn.