A Bard's Tale of a White Bat, the Scarred Bear, and a Rabid Red Fox

9.

Everything feels so heavy and numb. Though Astarion wiped as much of it as he could, the blood was still stained on him. His whole hand was still practically red. "Sorry darling, did you say something?" His mind has been distant since leaving Cazador's palace.

"I was mentioning how I drew a bath for you. If ye wanted to." Gwynnistri states and gestures to the tub in their room.

"You drew me a bath?" He quirks his brow.

She nods. "Yeah, took the last bit of the hot water, and some extra stuff too. Clean clothes are on the bed." She got up to leave her own room.

Figuring she'd sleep in his for the night after taking a bath at the river. She was still a little bloody as well, not as much, but still. Used a teleportation spell to get them out of there as everyone was exhausted after that battle. She's still in some Druid robes that Jaheria had custom-made for her. It was stained with blood now, but she wore white and grey robes. Similar to what apparently the Circle of Blood Druids wore. It reminded him of birch trees with the colors, plus it looked nice on her.

However, he stops her with some simple words. "Stay. Share it with me." He then cleared his throat as his tone sounded so much softer than usual. "I'd rather you heal me and get my back than me struggling with it."

"Alright." She opens up her room.

Since coming to the city she has added a few personal touches to it. Had a few sketches on the wall. Mostly of animals and plants as she The trident leaning against the wall. A little bed of blankets for Scratch and the owlbear cub in the corner. Vials of blood with labels off to the side are organized neatly. Then Astarion's brow quirked up at seeing the tub.

"What the fuck is that?" He points at the tub that looked to be blood red. But it didn't smell at all like blood. It was a bit more floral and some spices.

She leans over and cups some water. It didn't stain her hand. "It's mostly a rose water bath with some bergamot, rosemary, other herbs, and a little salt."

"You know I don't really care for flowers."

"Do you want the hot bath or not?"

Could practically see the steam coming from the tub. It smelled nice too... He scoffs and rolls his eyes. "Fine."

His brow went up a little bit as she moved away. Then realized she was giving him a bit of privacy to change. It was briefly an odd thought to him. But she has always wanted him comfortable. It's always a trait of hers. "Aren't you going to strip as well? Or are you just going to wash your clothes as you bathe as well? Or just stand there gawking?" He touches the water and nods slightly as it is a nice temperature.

The half-elf's mouth opens ever so slightly but nods yes. Sliding her clothes off, and undoing her plated braid to wash her hair. The drool from the werewolves made her hair feel sticky form one of them loomed over her. It met a swift end with her trident. One of them did get a bite, but they didn't last long after. Either way, it ended all the same. Once bare, she steps into the tub first while hearing the rustling of clothing behind her.

"You look like you are bathing in blood or wine." Astarion comments before getting in the tub as well. Surprised at how nice it felt on his skin. As it felt soothing, and gave a sense of temporary calmness with the aromas. Even a faint sigh left his throat.

"Feel good?" She cups some water in her palms before rinsing off her face with it. It had surprised him with how it didn't stain her face.

"It's alright..." He watches as she dunks her head under the water. Rinsing out the blood and grime of the day out of her warm curls. Noting her reflection in the red water when it stilled, and nothing from him. ' How do you see me now, darling?' The vampire's thoughts stir as the washcloth presses against his skin with soap. Scrubbing way every bit of his dried blood off his ivory skin.