mystracal | 🔮 exsanguinated (with @sangwhine)

[He shifts in Astarion's grasp, doing his best to fight his body's natural reaction.]

It is the City of City of Splendors, though it has apparently been wasted on me until now in regards to fashion. You'll be there to help with that, too.

[A beat as a thought occurs to him.]

Gods, what will I say to my mother?

[What will he say? Astarion feels a coil of nervous energy in his stomach. He's certain of his ability to charm any woman, but these circumstances are quite different.]

How would one go about introducing one's paramour to their family, hm? Tell her the charming story of how we met. How we were drawn together by aberrant tadpoles. How you absconded with my undergarments and by the hand of circumstances it led you to fall for me.

For one, I'm not going to tell my mother about the tadpoles. I haven't quite broached the topic of the orb yet.

[And by 'haven't quite,' he means he's not touching that until the orb is gone.]

And two, she's a fairly perceptive woman. She'll know what you are the moment she lays eyes on you.

And what do you think she will have to say about that?

[Astarion's aiming for disaffected in his tone, but there's a small thread of worry that runs through it. He doesn't want to quite face the thought of what happens if Gale's mother doesn't approve.]

I can't say. My mother's only ever cared for my happiness. I like to think she'd see how you make me feel rather than what you are.

[But oh, he heard that sliver of worry.]

Astarion, are you concerned about what my mother will think of you?

[Don't call attention to it, Gale. Astarion shifts somewhat, pressing himself closer to Gale's back.]

It's a perfectly reasonable worry, isn't it? Seeking the approval of the family of one's beloved.

I'd say so, especially when that family is Morena Dekarios.

[He gives Astarion's arm around him a reassuring pat.]

No matter what she thinks, it wouldn't change my feelings for you. I'd only worry what she might ask.

If you're worried, we can always agree upon our answers beforehand. Ensure that she can't catch us in a lie or omission of truth.

[He drums his fingers lightly against Gale's chest, considering this.]

I'm a poor liar, and you know it. Moreover, I doubt we can prepare for everything she'd ask.

Then, what do you propose? For when I should meet your mother.

[He thinks for only a second, the span of a heartbeat.]

I think you should be yourself. I'll worry about what I'll say to her, yes, but I'd rather she see you for the man you are. The man I love.

[He smiles lopsidedly to himself.]

She'd want me to be happy, and you want me to be happy. You two might actually get along better than expected, if given the chance.

I would hope we would be given the chance, should we survive all this.

[He settles, moving his hand to rest over Gale's heart.]

I have promised you as many days together as we might have.

[Pulsing in time with the orb, Gale's heartbeat is warm and calm, steady as opposed to the thundering rhythm it so often beats in Astarion's company. Though he tries not to let it bleed into his voice, Gale can't help but wonder just how many days in each other's company they might have, even if they do survive all they face. Mystra had implied she'd remove the orb if he brought her the crown, so perhaps they'll have more than Gale thinks.

... but she hadn't said it outright, had she? Surely the goddess who demanded his death for some semblance of forgiveness wouldn't make promises she doesn't intend to keep.

That's a distressing thought, and one Gale doesn't want to ponder a moment longer, knowing just how heavy his heart will become if he does. He wants to rest in Astarion's arms, enjoy the evening, revel in his newfound freedom and the intimacy they've shared. Gale wants his love to carry him farther than the orb may ever allow.

It's a bridge they will cross eventually, but not now. Not tonight. He takes a deep breath - from beyond the tent comes the smell of food, as Wyll has apparently finished cooking.]

I suppose we should join the others. They'll no doubt want to celebrate your victory.

[If Mystra denies Gale his freedom from the orb, Astarion is going to have Words with the goddess. Though at the moment his mind is more occupied with the thought of how he would make his way to Waterdeep once the tadpole is gone. As well as the larger social implications of what it would mean for him to return home with Gale, meet his family, spend the rest of their days together...

The smell of food doesn't catch his attention until Gale speaks up. He makes a thoughtful hum at the back of his throat. He's quite comfortable where he is, naked and pressed to the warmth of Gale's skin.]

I think I'd consider my victory quite thoroughly celebrated.

[He gives Gale's ear a playful little nip to emphasize the point.]

[Gale can't help but smile at that. As he also prefers where he is, he ignores a pang of hunger at the moment, the coolness of Astarion's skin against the warmth of his back helping ease any lingering aches in his muscles. That nip pushes a quiet laugh out of him.]

Perhaps they can be convinced to try again tomorrow. They care about you, you know.

[Hm, Astarion hasn't stopped to think to long on their companions. But it wasn't just Gale who came for him, who stood next to him while he faced down Cazador. It isn't just Gale who's been here for him along the way. Gods know Karlach has been exceptionally vocal in her support for Astarion in his struggle, as much as Astarion hasn't yet allowed himself to acknowledge it. He lifts his head a little, glancing to the closed flap of his tent, the shadows cast by figures by the firelight. He can faintly hear the sounds of their conversation, not enough to make out words, but enough to intuit the tone of it, the underlying emotion.

He strokes against the skin of Gale's chest, contemplative.]

Would you like to join them, dearest? To cut our pillow talk short?

[As Astarion strokes his chest, Gale can't help but think that he was right: maybe he should be the big spoon from now on.]

I think it would be nice to celebrate with them, for a time. We can always come back to the pillow talk, now that we'll be sharing a tent.

[He puts a hand atop Astarion's.]

Besides, I've worked up quite an appetite tonight. Wouldn't be good to sleep on an empty stomach.

[Astarion does love touching Gale, it's true. He catches Astarion's hand in his, pulling it up to his lips for a kiss.]

I can't very well let you go hungry. And I suppose I'll have plenty of chance to monopolize your time otherwise.

[Though he is loathe to separate from Gale, he does pull away after a moment, pushing himself to stand and stretch, unabashedly naked. He offers a hand to Gale to help him up.]

[Gale is a little more reserved when it comes to his naked body, grabbing his towel before taking Astarion's hand, wrapping it around his waist once he's up.

It's been a long time since he had a lover who actually cared about his physical body - who actually appreciated it. He stretches as well, albeit slowly, carefully to accommodate for his soreness. He needs to get used to that again, too.]

You're welcome to monopolize all my time after we eat, you know.

[Astarion will certainly appreciate Gale's body enough to make up for Mystra ignoring it. The sweeping gaze he gives Gale when he stands is evidence enough of that.]

I think I'll be taking you up on that offer. But, for now, you did mention a rather dashing man who would lend you clothes for the night.

[Astarion's already moving towards his packs, rifling through to find something that would suit Gale.]

[Gale remains a pinch red across his ears from that lingering glance, his eyes following Astarion as he sifts through his clothes.]

Karlach is going to tease me about this, no doubt.

[Astarion gives a laugh as he pulls out a nice linen shirt in navy blue, offering it over to Gale's.]

Oh, I doubt that either of us will hear the end of this from dear Karlach anytime soon.

[He takes the shirt, holding onto it until he has some pants.]

I daresay she has been championing us for some time now. Even if she weren't, you'd best prepare your back for the hug she's likely to give you. She's quite proud of you for what you did today.

[That gives Astarion reason to pause, a pair of fine black pants in hand. He and Karlach share a similarity in their time spent enslaved by an immortal power and he's grown very fond of her particular brand of humor and banter. But pride?

With the earlier revelation still at the edges of his thoughts, it's like a piece falling into place. He rubs a hand at his chest, quietly wondering at the warmth spreading there. When he turns back to offer Gale his pants it's with a wide grin across his face.]

I'll prepare my ribs for her onslaught.

[Gale smiles in return. He might be Astarion's most fervent defender on account of their relationship, but Gale has no doubt each and every one of their companions would have faced Cazador on Astarion's behalf without a second thought if it came right down to it. Astarion might not think it himself, but he has more friends than he knows, ones who would - and will, no doubt - defend him until the very end. When on a shared journey that's been as arduous as theirs since the very beginning with the Nautiloid, it's nigh impossible not to make some strong bonds, no matter how different they all may be as individuals.

He slips into the pants, pulling the shirt on next to tuck it in. It's not a bad look thus far.]

Ah, there's that quality in your clothing I liked so well. Such fine fabric, even all the way out here.

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I meant Gale's hand in that last tag. Whups

I figured as much. ;)

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