[He glances toward Astarion, pulling in a deep breath.]
I'm sure she is, I just... right. Best not keep putting it off.
[Giving Astarion's hand a return squeeze, he swallows his nerves and knocks on the door. Several solid seconds pass before there's sound from the other side - locks being undone, then the handle turns and the door opens, revealing Morena Dekarios.
Draped in an robe of warm violets and blues that covers the elegant dress beneath, she's fitted for the occasion, her hair held back with a fancy pin in a loose bun while wisps of greying brown trail down past her age-flecked shoulders. The jewellery she wears is just this side of gaudy, more for costume than communicating the apparent wealth the Dekarios line has at its disposal. Her son clearly got a lot of her looks, right down to the hair color and deep-seated, hazel eyes. However, she stands taller than Gale by nearly half a head, and it's immediately apparent that age has affected neither her height nor strength as she gathers up her son in her arms, his back cracking from the embrace.]
My darling Gale!
[She puts him down just far enough to place a half-dozen kisses to his face and hair in a scene that would be embarrassing for a child, much more so an adult man, no matter how much he adores his mother. The moment she's done fawning all over her son, she casts Astarion with a glance, and there's a severity behind her smile that she does little to hide.]
... and your guest.
[She remains smiling as Gale straightens his coat, but it's clear she's scrutinizing Astarion. Gale clears his throat, smiling himself, albeit far more genuinely.]
It's good to see you so energetic, mother. Forgive us for being late. First, please, let me introduce you: this is Astarion.
no subject
I'm sure she is, I just... right. Best not keep putting it off.
[Giving Astarion's hand a return squeeze, he swallows his nerves and knocks on the door. Several solid seconds pass before there's sound from the other side - locks being undone, then the handle turns and the door opens, revealing Morena Dekarios.
Draped in an robe of warm violets and blues that covers the elegant dress beneath, she's fitted for the occasion, her hair held back with a fancy pin in a loose bun while wisps of greying brown trail down past her age-flecked shoulders. The jewellery she wears is just this side of gaudy, more for costume than communicating the apparent wealth the Dekarios line has at its disposal. Her son clearly got a lot of her looks, right down to the hair color and deep-seated, hazel eyes. However, she stands taller than Gale by nearly half a head, and it's immediately apparent that age has affected neither her height nor strength as she gathers up her son in her arms, his back cracking from the embrace.]
My darling Gale!
[She puts him down just far enough to place a half-dozen kisses to his face and hair in a scene that would be embarrassing for a child, much more so an adult man, no matter how much he adores his mother. The moment she's done fawning all over her son, she casts Astarion with a glance, and there's a severity behind her smile that she does little to hide.]
... and your guest.
[She remains smiling as Gale straightens his coat, but it's clear she's scrutinizing Astarion. Gale clears his throat, smiling himself, albeit far more genuinely.]
It's good to see you so energetic, mother. Forgive us for being late. First, please, let me introduce you: this is Astarion.