🔮 exsanguinated (with @sangwhine)

[mystracal]

tfln | invitations | and there was only one bed | undermountain alurlyath | what could be | blood bond | the price of freedom
it wore his face | dinner with morena dekarios | rediscovery

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[mystracal]

[Indeed he doesn't. By the time Astarion returns, everything is back where it started, from the oil to the blade. Gale even took the time to fill the basin with clean water, just in case. He dares not leave that tent anything but perfect after his faux pas. A part of him wants to chalk it up to Astarion being as dramatic as ever, but it's difficult when said dramatics are aimed at him, and are - most importantly - his fault.

No, Astarion had every right to be angry, and unlike his flirtations, that anger felt real. Real, painful, and incredibly raw in a way that he's rarely seen from the vampire. They don't spend much time in one another's company, unfortunately. And maybe they never will, Gale considers.

He doesn't come over to tell Astarion how his date went, but he leaves a little something for when he returns that he hopes will smooth the waters: a fine bottle of Undermountain Alurlyath.]

[sangwhine]

[Thankfully, the time apart has given Astarion's anger time to cool. And time for him to remember what's most important here: finding protection for himself, securing allies. When he finds the bottle waiting for him, it seems as good a time as any to see what needs to be done to salvage things.

Instead of a message, Astarion makes his way over to Gale's tent. He puts on a carefree and casual affect. He doesn't mind seeing Gale feel guilty, but too much would be counter to his purposes. He can't have Gale avoiding him completely. No, needs Gale to think the words didn't cut too deep. That things are healing over already.]

So, how was your meeting with mother dearest?

[mystracal]

[After their last conversation, Gale was of the mind that Astarion might avoid him for the time being, or even consider never speaking to him again, save for when absolutely necessary. He's a little surprised when the vampire walks right up to his tent uninvited - pleasantly so, of course, as it gives him the opportunity to do better than before, to mend what little rapport they had. He was just getting ready to settle down and do some reading of a certain necromantic tome; he instead leaves it closed and gives Astarion a polite - if uncertain - nod in greeting.]

It went as well as could be expected. She's headed back to Waterdeep, none the wiser that I'm one step away from death's door at any given moment... including right now, I suppose.

[sangwhine]

[Astarion offers Gale a winning smile in response. Some uncertainty is to be expected, of course. Given how things ended last time. But at least Gale isn't turning tail and fleeing. Though he is still being very...Gale about it all.]

I suppose I was getting my hopes up thinking that impressing her would do something to remove the air of gloom and doom that clings to you like a pall, but beggars and choosers.

I trust she appreciated how well you clean up at least.

[mystracal]

[Thankfully, it doesn't look like Astarion is here to end him - or that he's even holding a grudge. Gale assumes he's masking the latter, but remains cautiously friendly. He prefers it to Astarion's usual (verbal and literal) dagger and knives.]

Oh, that she did. She said I looked 'rather dashing for someone who clearly hasn't had a good meal in years,' and insisted I tell her about what I've been studying. She found necromancy to be an acceptable answer. She has always been supportive of me, no matter how eclectic my interests.

[sangwhine]

Well, then I won't see my shirts going missing again, will I?

[Astarion reaches out, brushing an imagined bit of dust from Gale's shoulder. He's being perfectly pleasant. :)]

[mystracal]

[Gale glances toward his hand, inspecting his shoulder after as though the dust would still be there.]

No, no you won't. No need to borrow them for the foreseeable future. And I'll be sure to ask next time. I should have asked the first time.

[He gives Astarion a short, apologetic bow.]

You have my sincere apologies for that.

[sangwhine]

[The apology is good, it does mollify Astarion somewhat. But he gives a click of his tongue, shaking his head at Gale in censure.]

Next time, we'll be buying you your own shirt. So you can become a presentable human being when the need strikes you.

Unless you've found you don't like the feeling of being a rather dashing starving wizard.

[mystracal]

[A smirk cuts into his face.]

I think my wardrobe is adequate enough for now. These were unusual circumstances, and was hopefully the only time I'll need to paint a finer portrait of myself than I am, for the time being. We have more important matters at hand than my attire.

[sangwhine]

And here I thought that this entire debacle might convince you to invest more importance in your appearance.

[He gives a dismissive wave of his hand.]

[mystracal]

I'm handsome enough to get by for now. Besides, I'll have plenty of time for that once we've dealt with the Absolute and are rid of the tadpoles.

[The smallest beat.]

Unless you're offering to help me.

[sangwhine]

[Astarion gives him a careful look, arching an eyebrow in question. If Gale is asking...]

If you enjoyed our time together, I think that can be arranged.

[mystracal]

I didn't say that. [He also didn't not say that.] But you have proven that I could use an expert opinion in such regards, and you are clearly the most fashionable one of our group. The only one whose clothing I would bother taking, as you well know.

[And besides that, it'll give him a chance to get to know Astarion better so he doesn't put his foot in his mouth again. It's a win-win, as far as he's concerned.]

[sangwhine]

I am the most fashionable, aren't I? It's good of you to take note of that.

[He can't help but preen. If Gale wants to flatter him, that's perfectly in line with what Astarion wants.]

But since you've done well enough to recognize your shortcomings, you're welcome in my tent for further assistance.

[mystracal]

[Gale has found a little flattery goes a long way with most people; he's glad that holds especially true for Astarion.]

And if nothing here will suffice, there's always Baldur's Gate. It might not be the safest time to go shopping, but I'm sure there will be a day where we're left at camp while the others continue to investigate. If we're in need of supplies, we might as well kill two birds with one stone.

[Figuratively. Don't kill any birds, Astarion.]

[sangwhine]

[He'll kill as many birds as he wants to, thank you. But the flattery and talk of fashion are a welcome distraction. He does seem to appreciate moments when he can indulge in his vanity.]

I do know of at least one boutique with tolerable taste in the Lower City. We're not likely to find much better than that out here.

We'll just have to work on things other than your wardrobe until we reach the city.

[mystracal]

Such as?

[Today in "Questions Gale Probably Doesn't Want to Know the Answer To:" this.]

[sangwhine]

Your grooming, your hygiene. When was the last time you oiled your beard?

[He didn't get a chance to see to Gale's beard the last time, not before his own outburst. He leans in for a closer look now, drawing his fingers along Gale's jawline to test the feel of it.]

[mystracal]

[Gale leans back reflexively at Astarion's touch, but not enough to completely pull away from the examination.]

I don't exactly carry beard oil with me when on the road.

[sangwhine]

We'll have to remedy that, darling. It's coarse and dry. Not exactly the sort of thing that would welcome a lover's touch.

[mystracal]

[A rueful smile and a dry laugh to go with it.]

Good thing I don't have any of those these days.

[sangwhine]

[Astarion gives a sharp smile in reply, lightly catching Gale's chin in his hand before releasing him.]

We could easily change that.

[mystracal]

[The slightest color appears on his cheeks, barely visible in the light of his tent, but having half-expected a remark like that, he holds firm this time.]

I think you'd have to change a lot more than my clothes and grooming for that, Astarion. Not an easy task by any stretch of the imagination.

[sangwhine]

[Darkvision is so handy for flirting in dimly lit places. But Astarion does note the slight change in Gale's demeanor. Maybe that won't be so difficult to unravel, if the wizard is honest with him.]

No? Your heart isn't still hung up on your goddess, is it?

[mystracal]

[There's the slightest pause as Gale's brow tightens; he doesn't seem tense so much as fighting a painful memory.]

It's hard to harbor feelings for one who condemned you to death, no matter what you felt before.