Work Text:
Part II
Tav assumed that by reaching the camp without getting caught meant the game is over and their ridiculous companions will drop the whole silly thing.
The others couldn’t be too far behind, but it was an eerily quiet journey back. Tav was practical, a good tactician whose strategies and planning often won battles. A thoughtful use of invisibility and transportation spells helped them make the journey quietly, carefully and without expending too much energy. Tav didn’t want to return to camp flustered and out of breath, looking like a deer escaping a hunter- what would the others think? No, Tav would let the others scramble in their stupid game; likely, they’ll get distracted by something else, and Tav will return early and come up with some excuse as to why Astarion, Shadowheart, and Gale fell behind for a bit.
The peaks of the camp tents were in sight. Tav could hear Wyll and their newest member of the team, Karlach, chatting as the sun began to lower over the tops of the trees as well as La’zel’s grunts of effort as she trained on her practice dummy. Tav took one quick look over their shoulder and didn’t see so much as a rustling leaf indicating movement. An exhale, a shake of the head to clear their thoughts, and Tav approached camp.
“Well met.” Wyll greets with a tight smile. Something is bothering him.
“Hi-ya.” says Karlach with an enthusiastic wave
“Hello.” Says Tav, “The others will be along shortly, I’m sure, they just—” Tav’s words fade quickly as Shadowheart comes out of her tent with a watering can, tending to her plants. To the left, Tav sees Astarion sitting and reading a book as if he’s been there for hours. Gale is sorting through a barrel, gathering ingredients for dinner. “…oh. Erm. Never mind, then.”
“Looks like they beat you back. What was the hold-up anyway?” asks Karlach, “Shad-sy was being cagey when we asked.”
“Oh. Nothing of note, really.” Tav says, thrown off by being the last one to camp. “You know me, I like to look in every crate we pass. No stone left unturned, and all that.” Gale, Astarion, and Shadowheart were each engaged in their respective activities, no aura of mischief about. The knot in Tav’s gut relaxes—their game is over. Good., Tav thinks.
“Nothing of note?” Wyll says, irritated- almost disappointed. Tav can sense a lecture coming—and one that is well-deserved if Tav is perfectly honest with themself. The brief respite of tension in their gut is gone. Wyll gestures for all of the party members to come over, “Listen, please; all of you. It’s not enough that these woods are filled with goblins, gnolls, and who knows what else. Our very minds threaten our safety! A devil of the nine hells has taken a highly unwelcome interest in us. We cannot afford to separate- especially to leave one on their own. It’s dangerous and irresponsible.”
“Tav was not five minutes behind us—” Astarion begins flippantly.
“—It doesn’t matter.” Wyll says firmly enough that Astarion looks away, expression unreadable. “Five minutes is more than enough time to get hurt or killed.”
“The warlock is right.” La’zel adds, “To leave one of us vulnerable is to leave all of us vulnerable. It will not be tolerated.”
“It won’t happen again.” Gale says after a moment, earnestly. “You’re more than correct. It was a reckless mistake and one not to be repeated.” Small nods and sounds of affirmation ripple through Tav, Shadowheart, and Astarion.
“That being said…” Wyll says, tone lightening and indicating the lecture is over, “I am glad to see that no one was hurt.” The tension deflates a bit from the group as Wyll lets the matter drop.
The evening progresses normally with no more mention of the days events. They sit around the campfire to eat, the night air cool and refreshing.
“I’ve gotta ask…” Karlach starts, “You weren’t really just poking about in crates for so long that Gale, Astarion, and Shadowheart just … left you on your own. What were you really doing?”
Tav stumbles for a good excuse, completely caught off guard. It’s clear that La’zel and Wyll also didn’t believe Tav’s story and want to know the truth.
“Erm, well…”
“Tummy troubles?” asks Karlach empathetically.
“In a manner of speaking, certainly,” Gale says with a small grin before Tav can reply. Two matching snorts of laughter come from Astarion and Shadowheart. Tav shoots them a warning glare, that only makes them laugh harder. Wyll and Karlach share a look, as if waiting to hear a bit of gossip everyone else is in on.
“Indigestion is a poor excuse and indicates a weak constitution.” La’zel says, “Adjust your diet moving forward.”
“Sound advice.” Tav says before wanting to move on as quickly as possible, “How was training today?”
“No, no!” Wyll says insistently, “I think we should all know what exactly separated you from the others. After all, it could have been a life-or-death situation.” His tone lacks the earlier disappointment and frustration and instead feels playful. Karlach also leans forward, elbows on her knees, ready to learn about what happened. La’zel appears disappointed that the conversation moved away from her progress on training, and she continues to eat.
“Aren’t we all entitled to our secrets? Our… little quirks?” Tav says, just wanting the matter dropped. “Isn’t that exactly what you were saying earlier to me, Shadowheart?”
“Are you ticklish, Wyll?” Shadowheart asks suddenly, and shoots Tav a pointed look.
“I’m afraid not.” Wyll says, grinning and unsure of where this is headed, “In fact, that’s how I taught some of the Tiefling kids in the Grove some hand-to-hand combat techniques. They’d even gang up on me and try to take me down, but I disappointed them every time. It’s not a bad way to learn how to defend yourself quickly, though. Why do you ask?”
“Perhaps you could give dear old Tav a lesson or two…” Astarion says
“It’s really nothing.” Tav says quickly, wanting to regain control of the conversation. They take a big breath, “Long story short, I got caught up in some of those damned vines, Gale tried to help me out, found out I’m a little ticklish, and the others thought it funny to hunt me down for their own little game. It’s stupid, childish, and none of you” Tav points to Astarion, Gale, and Shadowheart “are coming along tomorrow.”
There is moment of silence before the entire camp bursts with laughter. Tav covers their face with one hand- and yes- a little bit to hide their own smile at this silly situation that is unexpectedly bonding the group.
“That’s so adorable!” Karlach coos and scrunches her hands in Tav’s direction, “I want to just tickle you right now! If only I wouldn’t scorch you…”
“You nearly let yourself be killed because you cannot handle a child’s game or get out of some vines by yourself?” La’zel scolds through a barely suppressed smile and raised eyebrow.
“Perhaps you would benefit from my tutelage,” Wyll says with a laugh.
“Yes, yes. We all had heaps of fun.” Tav says, spearing a piece of food forcefully with a fork. “About tomorrow—”
“I’m coming!” Karlach asserts, “Camp was so boring today - no offense Wyll and La’zel- and I can’t tickle you even if I wanted to. Which I do….But won’t.”
“Good enough for me. Karlach’s in. You can take Gale’s spot.” Tav says, happy to reassign the biggest offender of the days earlier events. Karlach pumps her fist in joy, while Gale pouts,
“I question the wisdom of—”
“You’re out. Karlach’s in.” Tav says firmly, and Gale lets the matter be.
“I hope you don’t expect to replace Astarion and me, too,” Shadowheart says with a hint of mischief in her eye. “We have some new tools of persuasion at our disposal now, after all…”
“Oooh, yes!” Astarion stands, moving to stand right behind Tav and places his hands on their shoulders, “What a wonderful new way to negotiate with you, sweet Tav.” He wiggles and flutters his fingers around Tav’s ears and neck, “Now, about my share of the loot we’ve found today…”
“Cut it out.” Tav says swatting at the elf’s hand, but a smile cracks their strict façade, “Besides, I meant it earlier. You three are staying at camp tomorrow.”
“No, I don’t think we are.” Says Shadowheart, standing up and approaching Tav slowly, threateningly, “I, at least, have every intention of being in the group tomorrow.”
“Well I’m definitely going.” Says Wyll assertively, “You lot got into too much trouble without me today. So, Tav, whose spot am I taking? Astarion’s?”
“Oh, you can’t replace me with Wyll…” starts Astarion
“I will not be cast aside because you are too weak to stand up to these istik.” La’zel complains
“You already said I could go!” says Karlach
“Surely I’m of more use to this party on the road…” says Gale
Before Tav could begin to talk sense into their companions, they were fully surrounded by a cacophony protests, assertions, and threatening wiggling fingers, demanding to be included in the next day's adventures.
Tav was outnumbered. Their companions were positively starved for levity, and it seemed that Shadowheart still had a score to settle with Tav. At least that’s how it felt when Tav ended up belly down on the ground with Shadowheart sitting on their rear end, one arm wrapped around both of Tav’s legs while the other hand took off their shoes.
“Shadowheart!! Get off of me!” Tav yelled, squirming under Shadowheart’s weight. If Tav were to be extremely honest with themselves, they might admit that they could have tried harder to get out from under Shadowheart. If Tav were to be perfectly honest, they would maybe even admit they were having just as much fun as the others were on this ridiculous, silly, tadpole-talk-free night.
“I will. In good time.” Shadowheart says, removing Tav’s second shoe and tossing it aside, “I was just wondering where your most ticklish spot is…” Tav groans and scrunches their toes together in a pathetic defense to what they know is coming. What Tav didn’t expect was for Shadowheart to twist around and tickle their underarms.
“AH! Shaa-hahaha-dowheart!! Hehhehe- don’t!!” Tav tries to tuck their arms into themselves, but this only succeeds in keeping Shadowheart's wiggling fingers wedged between Tav’s arm and ribs. Tav tries to thrash away, but there’s nowhere to go.
“Oh my! Such a fearsome squeal.” Teases Wyll, “A shame we missed this ferocious display earlier!”
“Looks fun.” Karlach says wistfully, putting her hands on her hips, clearly feeling left out. As if already prepared, Gale produces a feathered quill and hands it to Karlach, “Give this a try. No direct contact needed!”
“Hey, thanks, solider!” Karlach wastes no time twirling the stiff feathery tip up and down Tav’s foot, even dipping the feather between Tav’s toes. Shadowheart has to use both arms to continue to hold Tav’s legs steady as Tav begins to fight back in earnest.
“Karlach-! No! AHAHAH--!” Tav kicks their legs, trying to escape the ticklish torment. The sensation seems to ricochet all up their legs and right into their core. Tav gets enough momentum and successfully rolls onto their side, forcing Shadowheart to stand and get off. Karlach backs off as well and twirls the used feather in Gale’s ear before returning it, causing the wizard to emit his own ticklish giggle mixed with groan (”Ugh- Karlach, that was all over their sweaty foot! By all means- keep it.”).
Shadowheart and Tav wrestle for a moment. Tav gets their fingers under Shadowheart’s arms, causing a squeak of surprise from her. Tav seizes this opportunity, wrapping their arms around Shadowheart’s waist, lifting her off the ground, and tickling her sides. Shadowheart’s laugh is frantic, punctuated by curses. Tav’s advantage doesn’t last long as Shadowheart twists out of the grasp. The two stand off, arms raised ready to pounce, breathing heavily, sweat on their brows. They are both smiling and it is clear this fight is more play than brawl.
“My money’s on the cleric.” Astarion stage whispers to La’zel.
“A foolish bet. One that I will accept.” La’zel agrees. Astarion holds out a hand to shake, but La’zel does not seem to know what to do with it. (”And now you shake my hand…” Astarion prompts. La’zel grasps his wrist after a moment and begins to violently move it back and forth. “OW!—Not like that-- You know what? That’s fine.”)
“A truce?” suggests Tav, tentatively putting their hands down.
“Or a reschedule. When we’re better prepared and with less of an audience.” Shadowheart says, indicating Astarion and La’zel, “Perhaps we both need Wyll to train us. I’ve never… That is, I didn’t know I was ticklish.”
“Excellent!” Wyll says, “We’ll begin training in the morning.” Wyll places an arm around Tav and Shadowheart’s shoulder, one under each arm, before quickly wiggling his fingers at the crook of each of their necks.
Meanwhile, Karlach continues to irritate and tickle Gale with the borrowed quill, twirling it around his neck and face. Gale swats the feather away, but cannot touch Karlach without risking being scorched. But the wizard is nothing if not a quick thinker. He casts a mage hand between them and commands it to lightly grasp and poke at Karlach’s abdomen, forcing her to retreat.
“Hey! Hahaha-Not fair-!” Karlach says, though she seems delighted, flames leaping joyfully in the air surrounding her. Gale influences the hand to tickle at Karlach’s neck, sides, and even feet- causing her to jump away, but never very far at all.
“My money’s on the barbarian,” Astarion says, and grabs La’zel’s wrist, shaking it rapidly in the same manner she did to him earlier. La’zel nods solemnly in agreement with the new bet, clearly accepting this version of a handshake to be the proper custom.
The night dies down after some time, each of the adventurers tired, cheeks aching from the laughter the evening brought them. Not since the infection had any of them been so free from thoughts of ceramorphosis or the seemingly unending series of tasks required to find a cure.
This strange group is on the strangest of journeys. Death, danger, peril are awaiting all of them, but sometimes, just for a while, they can indulge in a little levity.