Morning Misunderstandings

Before I could decode Withers' warning a flap of canvas rustled behind me. “Morning,” came Wyll’s voice, groggy but bright. He stretched, horns glinting faintly in the dawn. “I’ll start training the tieflings today. One day of practice is better than none, right?”

“Good man,” I said. “They’ll need it.”

He smiled and turned to ignite the ashes, preparing for breakfast. “..And a good amount luck as well. But that is out of my pay-grade."

Seconds later, Karlach stepped out from under her tarp, stretching like a cat. Her skin shimmered faintly, steam rising in the damp air. “Morning, soldier,” she said, her grin wide enough to light the camp. “Thanks for last night. Just being touched again… it was lovely.”

“Lovely?” I teased. “Not ‘life-changing’? I’m hurt.”

She laughed, bumping my shoulder. “Don’t push it. You’ll ruin my badass reputation.”

Before I could answer, Wyll turned from the fire. “So, the ritual went well?"

Karlach blinked, then froze. “The ritual?” She looked at me, realization dawning. “We didn’t actually do it, did we?”

“Technically... no.”

Her eyes widened in alarm. “So, what now? You mean I’m still on the clock? What if I start sprouting tentacles before breakfast?”

“Relax,” I said, holding up my hands. “We’ll handle it soon. Quick morning ritual, no problem—”

At that moment the other tents rustled. Lae’zel and Shadowheart emerged almost simultaneously. Their eyes met across the camp. For a heartbeat, they froze. Then both turned red and snapped their gazes away.

Karlach noticed immediately. Her grin turned devilish. “Oh-ho! What’s this? You two seem awfully skittish today.”

“It’s nothing,” they said together—too quickly.

Karlach glanced at me, then back at them, her grin widening. “What did you do this time, soldier~?”

Before I could reply, Wyll raised his hands. “Karlach, stop. I recognize that look, Ive been there myself. They can’t talk about it..”

Karlach blinked.

Lae’zel’s eyes sank to the ground.

Shadowheart’s face turned crimson. “It wasn’t so b—” She caught herself mid-word, biting her lip. Lae’zel’s glare snapped to her like a whip. I nearly lost it trying not to laugh.

Lae’zel turned sharply and stalked toward her training dummy, blade in hand. Moments later the the sound of sharp strikes echoed through camp, deliberate rhythm—her preferred coping mechanism when words failed her. Shadowheart busied herself with her braid, muttering under her breath. The tension between them was unbearable—and hilarious.

Karlach raised an eyebrow. “well they are all strange as shit this morning, but we have important stuff to do.” She grinned at me. “Morning shower, soldier. You promised.”

Before I could respond, she grabbed my wrist, bringing me slight discomfort.

In a **** attempt to get out of the situation Shadowheart blurted out, “I’ll come too!”—then froze. “Just to, uh, make sure you don’t hurt yourself.”

I arched a brow. “Really now?”

Her blush deepened. “No! I mean—I—just forget it!” She covered her face with both hands.

Karlach purred in mock-flirtation. “You’re welcome to join, sweetheart. I don’t mind you watching.”

[Karlach: Corruption +1]

Shadowheart let out a muffled squeak and fled toward her tent. Karlach leered at me and then broke out in hearty laughter. I could only laugh with her—loud, unrestrained, the sound chasing away the morning’s eerie calm.

This day was starting out great.