🔮 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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[sangwhine]

[Astarion isn't about to say no to another kiss. He lets the last kiss linger, cupping the nape of Gale's neck in his hand, his thumb gently rubbing against the joint of his jaw.]

You look every bit like a man who is doing very well for himself, my dearest.

[He pulls his hand away to press it against Gale's chest, over the orb. It does worry him that it remains, he'd like to have words with Mystra about her refusal to remove it outright, but that's not for right now. Right now, impressing Morena Dekarios is a far more pressing matter.

He moves his hand to Gale's elbow, tugging at him.]

Now, shall we go? As much as I love being fashionably late, it wouldn't do for that to be the way I meet your mother.

[mystracal]

You can blame the delay on me. She knows I have a tendency to get lost in my own head and lose track of time.

[He allows Astarion to pull him from the room, following him down the tower and taking his arm after stepping outside. The evening air is crisp, cool winds from the harbor chilling the city as the lamplighters ignite the streetlights with magic. It's a fair distance across the city to the district where his mother resides, but with the market open well into the evening hours to cater to Waterdeep's busy night life, there are still plenty of people on the streets. They've not been in the city long, but Gale can't wait to explore the shops and stalls with Astarion in tow, eager to spoil him rotten with the finest goods this side of the Sword Coast.

But first, they have to get through dinner. He chats as they stroll, his good mood evident in his voice despite his nerves.]

You know, I never thought I'd be doing this. The idea of introducing my mother to someone over dinner, and that someone is my betrothed? It's something that I'd have considered an impossibility, once upon a time.

[sangwhine]

[Astarion hasn't had much time to partake of the City of Splendors since their arrival. Though the night life in Waterdeep is less dangerous than that of Baldur's Gate, he's been quite unwilling to separate himself from Gale's side for long. The reality of their situation still hasn't quite sunken in. It still feels like living in a world forever clouded with the hazy fog of dreams, and if he's dreaming he wants to make the most of it.

So he holds tight to Gale's hand in his, keeps his eyes more on his partner than on the streets around them. The purple is a very fetching color on Gale. It perfectly matches the hue of a bruise Astarion left on his neck that just barely peeks out above his collar at the side of his neck. Astarion can't help but let that faint hint of a mark draw his eye whenever he catches sight of it. A reminder that Gale is his, that he's been allowed to stake his claim on such a wonderful man.]

Darling, if we get started on all the impossibilities that have brought us here, we'll only be halfway through the list by the time we reach your mother's home.

[He gives a squeeze to Gale's hand, favoring him with a sideways glance and a smile.]

I couldn't have imagined this either. Not in another thousand years. But I'm glad to have it nonetheless. To have you.

[mystracal]

I highly doubt I'd be here without you, so we can both consider ourselves grateful.

[Is red just as fetching as purple? Because there's always a tinge of it across his cheeks when he talks to Astarion, particularly when he's thinking about the future they'll have together. Less time has passed since the fall of the Absolute than he'd like, but more than enough since he last had someone worthy of bringing home, someone of whom he hopes his mother will approve. He's not a deity, so that will surely be a point in his favor. More importantly, Astarion treats Gale well - very well, if the desirous marks he leaves across the wizard's skin are indicative of his devotion.]

Tara will be there too. You remember Tara, I'm sure.

[sangwhine]

[A wide grin spreads across Astarion's face at the mention of their deft pigeon hunting companion. He's always been partial to cats, and a tressym is no different. Even better, perhaps, since he can converse with Tara without needing a potion or a spell to facilitate.]

How could I forget a lady as lovely as Miss Tara? It will be an honor to have the pleasure of her company again.

[mystracal]

She'll appreciate the flattery, I'm sure.

[A tressym may not be a cat, but to say Tara doesn't have a personality similar to a common feline would be disingenuous. She can easily be won over with some good scritches and a warm lap. His mother, however—]

I do hope Tara hasn't kept my mother too informed about the goings-on in my life as of late. I'm sure she'll be surprised no matter what, but... well, some details are better given in person than secondhand.

[sangwhine]

She never did quite strike me as a gossip. I'm sure she knows when to apply a measure of discretion.

[There's a pause, Astarion turning something over in his mind as he drums his fingertips against Gale's arm.]

What all do you intend to tell her, dear? Aside from well, the obvious.

[mystracal]

I was hoping nearly everything this time, given my utter lack of divulgence before.

[However, it is a long list, and she'll need some time to digest it. Perhaps he should stick with what's important for the evening.]

The orb, certainly. It's far past time I tell her about that. And us, of course, though I assume she'll figure that out well enough on her own.

[sangwhine]

Yes, I imagined that would start the evening.

[He gives a bit of a huff. He'd been planning to ignore the orb for the time being, but well, if Gale's going to mention it...]

But the orb for certain? Even though Mystra hasn't deigned to grace you with its removal yet?

[mystracal]

[He heard that huff, his brow knitting.]

The orb is the reason Mystra cast me out in the first place. I can't very well not mention it.

[sangwhine]

True, but it's still there, still looming.

[He shakes his head a little, trying to cast the thought of it away]

I suppose I'm just surprised, given how uncertain you were on mentioning it to her before.

[mystracal]

I felt far more volatile then, even with Mystra's charm keeping the hunger at bay. We had the end of the world to worry about, then.

[He sighs.]

I sometimes wonder if I shouldn't have just given her the crown. Had the Waveservants go looking for the pieces so I could piece it back together.

[sangwhine]

She should have removed it regardless. The crown belongs to the Chionthar now. It's hardly any of your business.

[He gives Gale's hand a small squeeze in comfort.]

But we can talk of that another time, dearest. It isn't as though it's going anywhere.

[mystracal]

[Gale feels the weight of disappointment - mostly from himself, but he'd be lying if he said he didn't feel Mystra's as well, his goddess reaching through the Weave with every spell cast to express her discontent with his continued disobedience. That squeeze to his hand does wonders to bolster him, more than he can express with even words.

He offers Astarion a grateful look instead, his smile reaching to his eyes.]

You're right. You often are, you know. I couldn't give it to her, not in good conscience. Not after everything she did to me, and by extension, to everyone else. To you. However, should the need for us to find it arise, we know where to start our search.

[sangwhine]

Of course I'm right, dear. I'm your wise and loving fiancé.

[He returns that smile with one of his own. It truly is a world of difference to see Gale smile and recognize the harm done to him rather than the lovesick hurt puppy look he used to put on whenever Mystra came up in conversation.]

[mystracal]

Wise, loving, handsome, and ever so humble.

[If they weren't walking, he'd steal a kiss, but alas - it must wait. He guides Astarion into a turn down a thin alley; it's a bit dark, most of the streetlights barely reaching down the lane, but he trusts Astarion won't let him walk right into anything too dangerous.]

A shortcut, if you don't mind. Something to make up for lost time. I'm sure you'll know these streets well enough soon.

[sangwhine]

It's good that you didn't forget handsome.

[Astarion preens under the praise. Certainly a kiss would cement it, but that can wait. He looks to the alleyway, reminded of how much time he spent skulking about similar ones in Baldur's Gate. Though these are much cleaner and seem far less dangerous.]

But rest assured, my dear, soon Waterdeep will surrender to me secrets even you haven't been privy to.

[mystracal]

Oh? And I assume you'll share such secrets with me, should you think they fall into my purview?

[sangwhine]

Of course, darling. You'll know all the dirty secrets I find in your beautiful city.

[mystracal]

It will always be my beautiful city, no matter what dirt you uncover. Just keep any and all secrets about my mother to yourself.

[Not that he thinks she has any scandalous goings-on, but better safe than sorry. They come out the other side of the alleyway, the district visible in the distance.]

And speaking of my mother, I'll be the first to warn you that she can be... a lot for some people. She has a charm, certainly, but it can be an acquired taste.

[sangwhine]

Now you've only piqued my curiosity as to what sordid affairs she might be hiding.

[But regardless, Astarion straightens up a bit knowing they're nearing their destination. He fidgets with the collar of his shirt again, over the bite marks, lifting his chin just a hair.]

Rest assured, I'm certain that I've handled worse company.

[mystracal]

I've no doubt you have.

[After what Cazador put Astarion through, his mother should be a delight by comparison. His eyes flick toward his partner as he futzes with his collar.]

Are you worried?

[sangwhine]

[He gives a huff. Curse Gale for being observant enough to key into his anxiety. But he isn't about to hide it, he lowers his hand, shaking his finger out with a flick of his wrist.]

It's all rather new territory for me, dearest. And not one I thought I'd ever have a chance to tread.

[He bites at his lip, indenting it with a fang before he remembers himself and tucks it away with a shake of his head.]

I suppose I—am worried. If she doesn't think well of me I would be loathe to come between the two of you.

[mystracal]

Astarion.

[Gale slows his gait, his brow knitting.]

You're not going to come between us. After today, if you never wish to see my mother again, so be it. She might take umbrage with that, but you are the most important person in my life.

[sangwhine]

The point is to avoid any umbrage, darling.

[He gives a soft sigh, turning to face Gale.]

But you're sweet to remind me of where I stand. Thank you.