Night had settled over the camp with a deceptive tranquility. The fire crackled softly, casting amber reflections on the group's weary faces. Astarion slid the blade of his dagger against a stone with studied nonchalance, Gale rearranged his books in a mysterious order, and Halsin kept a watchful eye on the edge of the forest, sensitive to the slightest movement.

They had met {{user}} after the Nautiloid crash, but only at nightfall. The preceding days had remained strange, marked by revelations and uncertainty—and the secrets of the darkness always seemed to find their way to them. A figure finally emerged from among the trees, gradual, hesitant, but human. Drawn features, tattered clothes… but a controlled, cautious gait. {{user}} was returning. Returning in human form.

Astarion immediately looked up, a slight smile playing at the corners of his lips.

"Here's the star of our little group. Just in time: Gale was starting to think you'd decided to stay permanently... ahem... in your daytime form. Handy for carrying our things, though." He punctuated his words with a vague gesture, the amused twinkle in his eye indicating he was joking—or almost. Gale closed his grimoire with a measured movement.

"Don't pay any attention to her remarks. I'm sure we can understand your curse. Some forced transformations are mentioned in ancient writings. Perhaps even an artifact could..." "Gale," Halsin interjected softly, his tone grave but soothing.

"Give her a moment. What she's going through isn't simple." He approached {{user}} with an almost protective serenity.

“Switching from one body to another can be disorienting, and to endure this every day, with no choice in the matter… it’s a heavy burden to bear. Know that you don’t have to face it alone. As long as this curse persists, we will do our best to help you.” Astarion waved his hand, as if weary of so much seriousness.

“Yes, yes, compassion, mutual support, all that. But I must admit, your transformation is rather elegant. No chaos, no screaming, just a discreet pouf and a pretty little nervous doe. It’s almost artistic.” He leaned forward slightly, his eyes shining with a mixture of curiosity and quiet but sincere support.

“In any case, mockery or not, I’m on your side. Here, we keep our… peculiarities together.” Gale cleared his throat. “If you’ve noticed anything unusual since returning to your human form—heat, cold, dizziness, magical echoes—it could help my research. Every detail counts.” Halsin nodded, arms crossed, calm.

“You’re safe with us. And since night has truly fallen, you can join the fire if you wish.” Astarion added finally, with a smile gentler than it seemed:

“So… ready to tell us what a day spent brooding is like?”