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[lawfullyliteral]

Post for any overflow from other memes that hit Captcha or to start something new if an idea hits you and he's not on a meme. Hit me up.

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continued from tfln

[neverstopfailing]

Edgin is definitely eating, but he doesn't seem to know what to do with the compliment. "Fine," he concedes finally, washing back a bite with a drink. "What do you wanna hear?"

[lawfullyliteral]

"What do you wish to share?" He reached for the bread and broke off another piece, slathering it with more butter. Xenk, it seemed, had quite a fondness for butter.

[neverstopfailing]

He nearly counters with nothing, but that's just an unfair reflex and he sighs, making an effort not to get distracted by the way Xenk eats. He can acknowledge that it's both hot and annoying - they're simply objective fact. "Give me a genre, at least. I can take it from there."

silly headcanon

[lawfullyliteral]

Xenk's love of butter came from his first introduction to honey butter from a caring family who'd taken him in after his escape from Thay. It had been the one spark of joy that reminded him not a whit of home and was his bridge into the wonders of the world outside of madness. Honey butter was his weakness, and that had melted (pun intended) into all butters. He enjoyed his bite again, then looked across the table at Edgin. "What song fills your heart most right now?"

it's good stuff ❤️

[neverstopfailing]

Edgin has a few comforts like that that aren't dissimilar, but for now he's just left trying to shake off stupid, effortlessly sexy Xenk. No wonder the poor serving girls didn't have a clue.

"Here," he sighs, strumming his lute again, before he eases into a soft song about a girl reuniting with her mother after a flood that destroyed their village. It's bittersweet but earnest, and he smiles with mock-humility at the scatter of applause from people in nearby seats.

[lawfullyliteral]

A pitcher of wine was brought to the table by a grateful patron, and Xenk smiled over at Edgin. "I am not alone in appreciating the feeling in your words. It was a lovely song, Edgin. Thank you."

[neverstopfailing]

"Yeah, well. A lot of people underestimate the power of music." He lifts the pitcher in gratitude, pours a glass for the both of them. His daughter is still on his mind - she always is - but he won't say that out loud.

[lawfullyliteral]

"I've found that the heart is something that grows exponentially the more one lets others into it. One cannot run out of love to give, Edgin. And those that have found their way into one's heart always have a place there. It's a comforting fact." He sipped a little at the wine, not minding it, but the paladin never overindulged.

[neverstopfailing]

"Some hearts definitely have capacity," Edgin argues, but there's no heat in the words as he kicks his feet up onto the empty chair next to Xenk. "And I don't know about always, but sure, whatever helps you sleep at night."

[lawfullyliteral]

"One would hate to tell Holga that your heart has no room for her." He grinned over at Edgin, watching the bard make himself comfortable and the worst of the hangover seemed to have eased off him.

[neverstopfailing]

"Please," he scoffs, "have you seen Holga? Her biceps take up forty percent of my heart on their own. It's actually kind of a problem." The hangover has eased, but that's not enough to make him slow down with the wine.

[lawfullyliteral]

A laugh then, and Xenk went for another bite of stew. "It does my own heart good to see you not only with those around you that you love, but who know they are loved and who return the feeling. Holga is good for you and Kira, as the pair of you are for her. The fates moved you together at just the right time."

[neverstopfailing]

"No, nope," Edgin says, but it's still not combative. Simply matter of fact as he breaks off another piece of bread. "The fates don't get credit for that. Or if they do, they also have to take the rap for me spending all that time in prison away from her."

[lawfullyliteral]

"As they must. Your... stint in holding let matters play that drew darkness out into the light. Which you then smote. I'd say the fates had it right."

[neverstopfailing]

"Yeah, but you see how the fates could have just prevented the whole thing in the first place? By your reasoning, I mean. I'm not part of some - grand design, Xenk. I'm just living my life."

[lawfullyliteral]

"We are all part of someone's design, Edgin. Your choices are leading you down the path you need to be led down." Because clearly there was a reason for everything. Even sticky fingered bards.

[neverstopfailing]

"Careful." There's a sudden edge to his words, a sharp unhappiness to his eyes when they cut up to Xenk. "Because you're getting dangerously close to some implications you don't want to make." He's spent a decade now raking himself over those coals of guilt, the knowledge that she'd be alive and well if she'd never fallen in love with him.

[lawfullyliteral]

"Edgin," Xenk starts, setting his glass down as he leans forward. "It is a shame she was taken from you too soon. From her child. But she is not erased from existence. As I told you before, there are other planes. Other places she may be watching you from. Waiting. This is not something to be heartbroken over. The fault of her... being gone lays with those that took her, Edgin. Not in you."

[neverstopfailing]

"But it was part of fate's plan for me, wasn't it?" Edgin is prickly, a little bitter. "And her fate was to die too young. You gotta see why I don't put any stock into that, man. You're not gonna change my mind."

[lawfullyliteral]

"Without her loss, you wouldn't have Holga. Nor would Kira. Your wife and you brought a wonderous life into this world. She has a bright future in front of her, Edgin. And that is because of you. And your wife. And Holga. Is it everything you want?" Xenk's eyes dropped, and he thought back to his parents. Before the red mist, then the brief glimpse afterward. "Nothing is ever as we dream, bard. But what we do with what we're given is what makes us who we are."

[neverstopfailing]

Edgin stares at him for another long moment, silent, before he sighs and drains his glass. "I'm too sober for this conversation."

[lawfullyliteral]

"Overimbibing doesn't erase the world. I wish you'd find yourself a less harmful coping measure, Edgin." Were those puppy eyes he was giving him?

It was puppy eyes.

[neverstopfailing]

The waitress nearby swoons partially, and Edgin flusters, making a grumpy noise. The puppy eyes very nearly work, but he takes another long drink with an air of obstinacy. "You never told me why, exactly, you were in Waterdeep."

[lawfullyliteral]

The waitress was ignored, because Xenk's attention was on Edgin. "Am I not allowed to visit with those who I call friend?"

[neverstopfailing]

"So this was - literally just a social call?" His eyebrows go up slightly, a little surprised. "What's a party with you and your friends like, anyway? I bet the posture in the room is perfect."