<div class="floatright">(https://i.imgur.com/f4gYJV8.jpg)</div><strong>Name: Astra (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=347305.msg16353821#msg16353821)</strong><br/><strong>Location:</strong>Expedition Camp -- Kitchens<br/><strong>Warnings:</strong><br/><strong>Open/Closed:</strong>Open<br/><strong>Direct Interaction Tags:</strong>Kael, Liam, NPCs, Freis<br/><strong>Mentioned Tags:</strong><br/><strong>Actions Taken:</strong>Attempt to diffuse the situation<br/><hr/><strong> </strong><br/><br/>Astra had endeared herself very quickly in the expedition for three reasons despite being a half-demon. She was a woman who was easy on the eyes and ears. She had an incredible bedside manner when healing. She could cook beautifully and was generous with the portions. During their travels, she had spent her time thawing frosty shoulders and cold suspicion among her companions and had found time to meet with most people on the crew simply to check in. The best way to combat prejudice was to get ahead of it with a smile, after all!<br/><br/><strong>"Protection? Bah!"</strong>Astra said, standing near the ringleader with a tray of bread in her hand.<strong>"More like a nice chunk of bread with gravy! Poor thing needs more meat on his bones - he's practically wasting away!"</strong>she said with a displeased tut while squeezing her way into the gang.<strong>"Hold this, love,"</strong>she said to the man on her right. She gave him a look-over, placing the face to a name.<strong>"And I do hope your boil is feeling better, Donnie. No other flare-ups, I hope?"</strong>To his credit, Donnie did as was asked. It was unclear if it was due to his confusion or a general fondness for the healer who had cured his boil, but that didn't matter much. Her straightforward and pleasant tone was not easily ignored by the drunks. She grabbed one of the loaves of freshly baked bread; it was still warm to the touch and the one in her hand had a faint fragrance of rosemary. She ripped it in half.<br/><br/><strong>"Now here you go, Raff,"</strong>she said to the ringleader, gently reaching for his hand.<strong>"That temper is going to get you in trouble one of these days! What did we say about good boys? They..."</strong>She leaned in expectantly, drawing out<em>theeeeey</em>and giving Raff a moment to pick it up on the answer. It took the oafish man a moment before recognition took hold and he began to recite what Astra had said to him on multiple occasions now. She chimed in with a smile to speak in unison.<strong>"...get good rewards! Yes. Now be a deary and eat this bread. I think all your drink has gone to your head and this will help calm you down."</strong>It wasn't sound medical advice, but it was an excellent diffusion tactic.<strong>"And there's more where that came from, young man! You just come find me when you're done. Donnie, be a good lad and spread the bread, why don't you?"</strong>She gave a little<em>shooing</em>motion with her hand. There was reluctance for a moment as Raff made a choice on what to do. Fighting a demon was one thing. Fighting the healer who had people begging for more of her baked goods was an entirely different thing.<br/><br/><strong>"Time and place, man,"</strong>Donnie said with a low grumble. His eyes were downcast as he took a step back. Raff sneered, biting into the bread. He chewed noisily with his mouth open as he stared at Kael. That drunken intensity had simmered down, but there was still ego to consider. None of the men were prepared to be the first to back down, but they also did nothing to escalate the situation.<br/>