Built for Sin

ALYS,

The bright light and muffled noises grew louder and brighter as her eyes opened. Staring at a clear blue sky as a trail of thick smoke wafted in the air. Sitting up slowly she takes in her surroundings, she wasn't sure where she was. The more and more she looks around the more she realizes the nautiloid crashed.
Panic began to rise in her once she also realized that who she had met on the ship prior was now missing. Assessing herself , she came to the conclusion she somehow made it unscathed. Standing up, Alys began to walk away from the water she was near. The more and more she walked, the more it became apparent it crashed at a beach.

"I need to find safety." Alys told herself.

Scanning the wreckage, she notices a giant hole in the ship reaching the other side of the beach. Swiftly yet cautiously she headed in. Suddenly the ship groaned and three brain creatures crawled in front of her. Clearly ready to take on a fight.
Holding her ground, she produced her cantrip thorn whip. Dodging an attack from one she spun the whip in her hand as she shot it at them. A smirk crossed her face as she realized she had killed one. One by one she took each one out.

Out of breath she put her now recalled her whip. As she scanned the wreckage she saw two mind flayer bodies. Without hesitation, Alys made way for the bodies to loot. Though she wasn't sure of her location, she still knew she needed a coin to survive. Her stomach was beginning to rumble.
After finding a magical item and some smoke bombs she pressed on, coming out of the other side of the wreckage. Taking a right she walked up a hill, slightly hearing a commotion. As she came to the top she saw a man with a head full of white curly hair, magistrate clothes obvious.

"You! I found one of those brain things in the bush! Can you kill it, like you did the others?" Alys was taken back. Why would a random man need her help? He seemed capable enough to take down a few small creatures.

"You seem capable, do it yourself." Was all that came out of her mouth as her face twisted. Something felt off and she didn't intend to find out why that was.

Turning around to walk in the opposite direction of the man she felt someone grab her hand. Spinning her around she was held up with her back against the man's chest. The mysterious man was holding a dagger to her neck.
"What is wrong with you!" Alys exclaimed in horror. She has just escaped death, could she really have found herself back in its grasp so soon? The sun was beating down on her face as she struggled to keep the dagger away from her body.
The pair tussled on the ground, both reaching for a grasp on the dagger. The man proved stronger and held her to the ground.

"Shh ..shh not a sound." The man told her in a hushed tone, a charmed tone. "Not if you want to keep that.. darling neck of yours."

Alys was starting to panic even more, why would this random man attack her? She had her hands firmly on the base of the dagger pushing it away from her. His hands were on the back of her head, forcing her closer. "Now, I saw you on the ship. Didn't I?" The man paused before saying something once more, "nod."
In a swift act of thinking, Alys threw her head forward, Head-butting the man. The man pulled away in pain as he held his forehead. "Argh! You wretched little-"

Alys got on her feet and stood her ground, "Little what?! You want to finish that sentence!?" She could feel the heat in her cheeks begin to rise and her tail twisted in irritation. Suddenly, the pair winced in pain as their minds began to twist into each other.
She was now looking out of unfamiliar eyes, prowling dark, busy streets. Reaching to hold the memory, it fades to the worm. The light. The fear. Just as quickly the entire feeling fades away. They felt like they could breathe.

"What was that? What's going on?" The man questions as he catches his breath, now staggering.

The feeling of uncertainty was looming over her, could she trust this man to tell him? Her stomach was in knots and she wanted to puke. "Put the dagger away and then we'll talk." Alys demanded the man with hesitation in her voice.
The man gritted his teeth in annoyance, "I'm not an idiot. It has to be those tentacled monsters. Something they did.." he trailed off as his gaze shifted elsewhere. "They took you too. I saw it during.. whatever just happened." He sighed as a smirk crossed his face putting the blade away.

"And to think I was ready to decorate the ground with your innards. Apologizes." Alys sighed herself, she knew if it was her she might've reacted the same. She couldn't blame the man fully. But then the nastiest thought crossed her head.

I could decorate the ground with your innards. What a beauty that'd be.

"Apology accepted. I might have done the same if roles were reversed." Alys told him as she kept distance from him. She had to hold her composure, afraid of what thoughts might show up.

"Ah, a kindred spirit." He purred confidently as he commented on Alys. "My name's Astarion. I was in Baldur's Gate when those beasts snatched me."
Alys held a twinge of happiness, she was also from Baldur's Gate. This was the best news she has gotten, maybe they can help each other. "I'm from Baldur's gate also, I'm only a bard."

"We clearly run in different circles."

Her face pinched up at his words, she knew traveling with him meant trouble. She could smell it off of him. Despite her better judgement she asked him, "You should travel with me, our odds are better together." Astarion's face grew with approval, "I was thinking of going it alone, better maybe going together isn't so bad."Alys smiled and began walking on, Astarion was quickly following behind her.