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You don't know what possessed you to dig up that grave. Grave digging wasn't a hobby of yours, much less was it even a guilty pleasure that poked at the corner of your mind every now and then. So why you should think it, and give in to that feeling, is beyond you. Perhaps it was just the mystery of it. The great Arcane Tower looming over you, coupled with the unassuming nature of the grave that was so lovingly marked. There must be treasures to be found here, right?
Unfortunately, all you dug up was the skeletal remains of a very large dog and an equally large dog collar that now hung loosely from its bony neck. You took the collar to examine it, finding runes inscribed into the leather. It also held a tag, the name 'Myrna' carved delicately into it. While at first you were charmed by the thing, smiling at the love this beast must have had in its lifetime, it did not take long for a devilish idea to pop into your head. With a snicker, you bounded over to the vampire in your party.
"Try it on!" You cheer as you hold the collar aloft to Astarion.
"I'm not some pet." He spits, but that doesn't deter your enthusiasm.
"Of course you're not!" You assure him as you jingle it again. "But look how lovely it is. I think you'd look so dashing!"
He narrows his eyes at you, and behind the annoyance is the tell-tale sign of the man giving in. Traveling this long with him has given you an advantage. You know just how to butter him up; you even couple your words with a few blinks of your big, round eyes. When he still doesn't say anything, you press further, "Just for a little while? Please, Astarion?"
It's the begging that gets to him, finally relenting with a click of his tongue. "Fine, give it here." You squeal with delight, practically skipping behind him to fasten the thing about this throat. You do it just tight enough to be a proper accessory.
"I was right!" You say as you come around to face him again. "You are dashing!" The actual word that comes to mind is 'cute,' but you don't think that's the proper term to use if you wish to make him buckle. He seems happy enough by this choice of word, posing ever so slightly as a hand bobs his short curls.
"I'm always dashing, darling."
Astarion keeps his word, wearing it as your party explores the tower. Along the way, you cannot help but steal glances at him. It's something he notices (and something you wanted him to notice) because he grins and flashes his collared neck at you from time to time.
Eventually, you find yourselves on a floor that looks particularly lived in. Or, at least, once was, considering the deterioration of the building. There is a bed, moth-chewed, and next to it, a crumbling bookcase. In the corner is a rickety table, covered in yellowed papers and long dried-out pens. And by the window, within arms reach of the old chair, is a rather plain-looking button.
It has obviously not been pressed in a very long time. It is dusty, rusted around the edges where it meets the wall. You look it over curiously, and once more are possessed by something that makes you act instead of think. Using but one little finger, the button depresses.
"Ah!" Comes a shocked moan from behind you. You're turning your head, shocked yourself, to look at Astarion as he says, "I don't know what you did, but it made my neck piece vibrate."
There's a moment of silence that stretches between the members of your party as you look at each other. He notices the button then, and with wide eyes, meets your gaze again. You motion to it with a nod, glancing quickly between him, the button, then back to him as you wiggle the criminalistic finger. Astarion catches your drift with a smirk.
"Go on." He says.
Watching him eagerly now, you press the button once more. Once more, he moans-- a bit over the top this time, but that wrinkle in his furrowed brow is one you recognize as sign enough that he's truly enjoying himself. A wicked smile splits your cheeks as you move to press it again.
"Can you two not do this?" interrupts Shadowheart, who is an unfortunate and unwilling participant in your game. "We don't have the time for you to just... flirt."
"Yeah." Karlach agrees. Her hand rubs awkwardly at the back of her neck. "You two are adorable, don't get me wrong. But this? It's a bit much."
Your smile does not falter as you speak to your other companions. Your tone is light, all in good fun. "You guys don't have to be here for this. There are plenty of other floors for you to explore."
"May I reiterate: we do not have time." Shadowheart urges. Her hands are placed squarely on her hips while she chastises you. "We have better things to do."
"I cannot think of anything better to do than this." Astarion disagrees. When he looks at you, there's a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. One that convinces you to give the button another press.
He moans again, louder this time, the sound much more depraved. He makes a big show of it as he stretches his arms out to the ceiling. The performance makes both Shadowheart and Karlach grimace, which only makes you laugh.
"Like I said. Plenty of other floors."
"Five minutes." Shadowheart hisses as she shows you her palm. "Five. No more. That's all you're getting, and you're done." With that, she turns on her heel and trudges towards the staircase.
Karlach only says, "Have fun, you two!" before she follows after the girl. Once the two are out of sight, you beckon Astarion over, who quickly obliges.
"What a curious device." He muses aloud, studying it. The two of you are sitting together on the floor before it. Astarion asks, "Whatever is it for?"
"I think it's a food dispenser." You point to the evidence-- a nearby dog bowl with dried up bits of chow placed beneath a pipe. This makes Astarion's eyebrows shoot up.
"And it vibrates because...?"
"Classic Pavlov's dog. Dog gets shocked, dog gets hungry. Dog eats!"
"Hm..." he seems to be considering your explanation seriously. "I don't think I'm getting it. Why don't you press that button again, see if it can't get my brain juices flowing?"
"Yeah, sure, if you think it will help." You say just as nonchalantly, in spite of your twitching lips. When you press the button yet again, his reaction this time is much more subdued. There is but a hint of a rumble in his throat as you watch his lashes flutter.
"Oh, love. You simply must try this." He's already reaching up to undo the clasp. You laugh heartily, wiggling with excitement.
"Yes! Please, Master!" In a playful high-pitched voice, posing silly like a dog, you're only joking. You even add a little bark for good measure, laughing just after. But when he doesn't react right away, your skin prickles with uncertainty. You blink at him, trying to gauge his reaction through his blank expression. "Sorry, too much?" You chuckle, feeling slightly embarrassed that you got ahead of yourself.
It's still a moment before he responds, staring at the ground as though deep in thought. He finally responds in a shuddering breath, "Actually? Strange as it is, that's actually doing something for me."
You roar with laughter, leaning back on your heels, clapping your hands. "Why am I not surprised!" You bellow, amusement echoing off the cracking walls around you. Once you're calm again, you say, "Put that collar on me and we can see how far this goes."
He does just that, tightening the leather about your throat, perhaps slightly tighter than you had set for him. You look up at him with one raised eyebrow, and he simply responds with a smirk. "There." He retracts his hands, leaning with a thumb to the button. "And now..."
The thing about your neck vibrates. It’s the barest touch of an electric shock stinging at your nerves. It's more the surprise of it that gets you, makes you flinch and squeak out a little, "Ah!" Your hands reach instinctively for your throat, fingers gently grazing the leather and its carvings. You shiver ever so slightly.
"And?" says Astarion after a pause, letting you catch your wits. "Thoughts?"
"Oh, it's delightful." You breathe, more joking than serious. You bat your lashes at him just as you had earlier and plead, "Another, master?"
He laughs as he leans an elbow on the window sill. He regards you lazily, looking you up and down. "That's a dangerous trick you've picked up there. I'm a little frightened."
"Aw, come on!" You laugh too, and strike some ridiculous pose. "I'm just a sweet little thing! Wouldn't hurt a fly!"
"Is that so?" He sets a cheek to his fist as he stares you down. "If that's the case, give me another. Beg like the cheeky little pup you are."
He's only joking-- or, at least, you think he's joking, considering the fun you two are having. But the words, coupled with the natural husk of his tone, send a buzz through you that is definitely not from the collar. It snakes through your system, striking like lightning between your hips. The physical reaction you show is subdued, but it's enough. He grins widely once he realizes.
"Oh! So it's like that, then!" He chirps, positively delighted by the discovery.
"Wait!" You show your palms in mercy. Your cheeks are burning. "Sorry, I didn't think--! I mean, I didn't mean to--!"
"It's quite alright, sweetheart." He assures you. "We can't always help what turns us on." Astarion gives his shoulders a little shake, settling into his seat by the window. "Speaking of, I'd love to hear you beg again."
Well, now you're embarrassed. Before it was all fun and games, but it got a little too real a little too fast. He's got you squirming.
"Come now," he whines, but there's a bit of playfulness returning to his voice that makes you perk up. "Just one more? For me?" It's his turn to bat his lashes at you, and the sight makes you giggle. "Make it a good one. Make it count."
He knows just how to butter you up, making you smile and only slightly forget the heat pooling between your thighs. You know giving in to his demand is only going to make it worse, but you can't resist playing with him. Oh well, you think. You're here for a good time, not a long time!
You curl your fingers, wrists going limp and becoming feigned paws. Already he's laughing as you bring them to your chin. You're happy to further break the tension, but most of all, it pleases you to make him smile. To hear him laugh. All of it, in the end, is worth it just for that alone.
"Please, master? Make me feel good again."
You swear you can see just the faintest dusting of pink on his pale cheeks. You chew at your lip to suppress a chuckle. Still, that look he's giving you isn't one of shame. He's loving the little show you're putting on for him.
"Very good." He praises, and then presses the button.
The vibration is nothing but a tickle, yet the sensation that jolts down your spine is enough to give you a full-body shiver. It makes the both of you laugh.
"Alright, enough fun." You say, working to remove the collar from your neck.
"Boo." Is all he says, but stands up in agreement.
You place the collar down upon the old desk, giving it a light tap as you leave it there. Astarion and you head towards the stairs, and as you descend, you call out to tease your compatriots waiting somewhere down below: "You guys making out?!"