🔮 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 gives a soft snort through his nose, forgetting himself for just a moment as he gives Morena a smile that's all teeth.]

Believe me, my dear. Should that would-be goddess even try to sink her claws into him again, I will personally find my way to Elysium to tear her apart.

[mystracal]

[Morena doesn't get the chance to reply, but if her grin is anything to go by, she likes that answer.

Gale and Tara make their way back into the room, Gale holding the aforementioned sweet loaf on a silver platter in one hand and a hand towel in the other, wiping some powdered sugar from the front of his fine outfit; unfortunately, there's still a touch in his beard and hair, making him look more salt-and-peppered than usual.]

Forgive us, but we had a bit of a situation in the kitchen.

[He gives Tara a playfully chiding look; she sits on the floor and licks more powdered sugar from her paws.]

It's not my fault you weren't listening, Mr. Dekarios. If you had been, you'd have known there was already an open bag of sugar just waiting to be used.

[He sets the platter on the table.]

You could have stopped me with a mage hand or two rather than leaping at the bag in my hand and clawing it open.

[sangwhine]

[Astarion almost wants to preen at the sight of that grin. But in the heartbeat before Gale and Tara arrives he remembers himself, his expression faltering as they're interrupted. His gaze flicks to Gale immediately, his recovery taking a moment longer as he takes in the scene that's presented to them. He looks to Morena, trying to judge if she noticed before putting on a smile.]

Ah, I see that Tara has seen fit to make my love even sweeter.

[Astarion reaches for Gale, dusting some of the remaining sugar from his beard, giving himself something to do with his hands.]

[mystracal]

[If Morena noticed, she doesn't give it away, giving both Gale and Tara a dubious look. She's about to chastise them for making a mess of her kitchen, but Astarion's quip catches her off-guard, and she finds herself laughing.

Gale takes that as a good sign, smiling as he lets Astarion fuss over him. He keeps his voice low, leaning closer.]

Glad to see she didn't put you through the wringer while I was away.

[By the time Morena quiets to a chuckle, she's already put the mess mostly out of mind.]

Well, I suppose since Tara made the mess, Tara can clean it up. And don't you even offer, Gale - you're a guest now, and I'll not have guests cleaning the kitchen.

[Gale puts up his hands in defeat and takes a seat, helping himself to a slice of the sweet loaf; it tastes exactly as the name would imply, the texture fluffy and soft on the tongue rather than grainy. Morena doesn't bother with a piece for the moment, launching into a story about how a young Gale tried to cook her breakfast once, only for her to wake up to find her stove had been turned into a giant chicken that promptly trapped Gale in the pantry.]

[sangwhine]

[Astarion refrains from having a piece himself. He's tempted to tell Gale what Morena might have seen when he leans close, but she seizes control of the conversation before he has a chance. Thankfully, it's a lighthearted subject, and one that does wonders to set Astarion a little more at ease. He's more than happy to poke fun at Gale's younger misadventures, just to see how it makes him fluster and squirm.

By the time the evening winds down, he's nearly forgotten his earlier lapses, and the looming implications of what Morena might know. Better to let himself savor the moment, knowing he's kept his word to Gale.]

My dear Morena, I can only imagine you must have and endless assortment of tales about the follies of your son's youth. I'm looking forward to hearing every single one of them.

[mystracal]

Of course, Astarion. I'll be happy to tell you plenty when we inevitably go shopping together to prepare for the wedding. I simply cannot wait to see what outfits you'll pick for yourself and Gale.

[Gale meanwhile, is more than mortified at some of the tales she has to tell, that one in particular. Couldn't she have picked one where his magic was a stunning success rather than the time he had to barricade himself in the pantry to hide from transfigured poultry?]

Yes, prepare to have your ear chewed for a while as she regales you with all the embarrassments of my youth rather than my more prodigal endeavors, of which there are many, I assure you. [And before his mother can protest too much—] But we'll have to save those for another time, as it is getting quite late. Wouldn't want to be out too much longer, would we?

[sangwhine]

Not much longer, no. Although it has been a wonder and a delight to share your company. Do feel free to call upon me whenever you'd like. I am at your service.

[Astarion gives Morena a polite nod before turning to Gale, reaching over to take his hand.]

I'm sure that I'll hear plenty of your exploits once we've exhausted the embarrassments, my dear. Besides, I've heard a number of them from your own lips already.

[mystracal]

[Gale slips his hand into Astarion's, ever-struggling to pull his eyes away.]

Oh, but there's so much more my lips could tell if given the chance.

[Morena clears her throat as she gets to her feet, though whether it's genuine or she's being polite goes unsaid.]

Of course, my sweet rabbit — my boys rather, both of you. You're in town now, so no need to be strangers, especially when we'll be family soon. At least let me show you to the door before I send you out in the cold.

[Gale rises himself, gathering his coat, not straying from Astarion until he's ready to move. That one moment of being out of the room and away from him was enough.]

[sangwhine]

[Astarion follows easily, keeping close to Gale's side as well, if for no other reason than to straighten his coat once he dons it. He puts his own on before slipping his hand back into Gale's, giving Morena another nod in acknowledgement.]

Thank you again, for your hospitality and your blessing. Truly I have been honored by both.

[mystracal]

[Morena smiles brightly; she looks very much like Gale when she does, her eyes so earnest and hopeful.]

You're welcome here anytime, Astarion.

[She opens her arms for a hug; she's apparently a hugger. She takes one from Gale first, pressing a kiss to the side of his head as she nearly cracks his spine a second time. As she pulls back and straightens his coat, she deftly slips a small box into his pocket.]

And you too, Gale. Do not let it be years again before I see my son come home.

[Gale smiles sheepishly.]

I won't, mother. I promise.

[He steps back; Astarion's turn for a hug, and she's unfortunately not the sort to ask first.]

[sangwhine]

[At least Astarion going second means he has a moment to prepare himself, though a moment isn't quite enough time to keep him from looking like a spooked cat. He still accepts the hug, only a little stiff as he returns it and straightens himself when Morena moves away.]

I—ah, thank you.

[mystracal]

[Morena takes a moment while she's by his ear, her voice barely audible above Gale in the background as he says goodbye to Tara:]

I'll make sure we have something you can eat next time.

[She's all smiles as she pulls away, despite the spooked-cat look.]

Travel safe, both of you!

[And with that, she steps back toward the door, scooping Tara up and insisting she stay out of the chilly night air. It's bad for a tressym her age, after all. Gale waits until the door is shut before he speaks.]

I think that aside from some rather intrusive questions on her part, that went well enough.

[sangwhine]

[Oh, she knows. She certainly knows. Astarion doesn't have a moment to put his thoughts together before she moves away and the door's shut. So instead he stands there, staring at it, still dumbfounded when Gale speaks.

He gives a laugh, a high-pitched and nervous thing in reply.]

Dearest—your mother knows that I'm a vampire.

[mystracal]

[Gale stiffens, his eyes on Astarion. That nervous laugh makes him equally nervous.]

Are you certain? I know you've not hid yourself particularly well in the past, and she can be sharp, but you even bothered to eat, so surely not?

[sangwhine]

[Astarion flicks his hand, gesturing towards the closed door.]

It would take a woman duller than a butter knife not to notice how I flashed my fangs at her when the subject of your goddess came up. And given that she's offered to serve something more to my tastes the next time we visit, I think she's quite well aware.

[mystracal]

[Gale's eyes trail to the door.]

Ah.

[He swallows the knot in his throat, trying to remain optimistic as he nods to himself.]

Well... if she's offered to cater to your particular tastes, then I'd say you've earned her good graces. In fact, you might be the first person I've ever brought home who she liked enough to do that.

[sangwhine]

She certainly seemed to take it in stride.

[Which is a good thing, yes? So why is Astarion's stomach churning? He swallows as well, turning to Gale.]

Can we—let's go, darling. It's been a long evening.

[mystracal]

[Gale offers him a reassuring smile - as much of one as he can muster, at any rate.]

Of course, my love.

[With that, he leads the way home, back the way they came, never letting go of Astarion's hand. He waits until they're off the main drag before he speaks again, grateful for the privacy offered by the alleyway.]

Are you all right? You seem as rattled as I was going into this evening.

[sangwhine]

[Astarion's very grateful for the contact, holding tight to Gale's hand to ground himself.]

Oh, perfectly fine, dearest. I'm only trying to stop myself from wondering what ulterior motives your mother might have for not revealing what she knows outright yet promising to accommodate me. Because why wouldn't my future mother-in-law have ulterior motives, hm?

[He takes a breath, exhaling roughly.]

I—I don't know. Hells. Your mother is lovely, darling. I'm only looking for a knife that I know isn't there.

[mystracal]

[Gale slows, stopping, turning to Astarion and searching his face as much as himself for an answer. While he doesn't think his mother poses any threat whatsoever to Astarion, he does agree that it's odd she said nothing about his being a vampire. He'd suspected long ago that his mother would suss out his true nature almost immediately, but he'd assumed she'd say something about it, as well.

His nose wrinkles, his brow furrowing as he thinks aloud.]

My mother is not known for deception, not known at all for holding her tongue when she has something to say. That can only mean she had a reason to do just that, one she felt was good enough to keep from jeopardizing the night by voicing her suspicions. She's long wanted me to settle down, and is unfortunately justified in her doubt that I would ever bring home a suitable partner - and given she cares only about my happiness and relative safety, the bar is dreadfully low.

[And that he couldn't even bring home someone she thought made him — and would continue to make him — truly happy is a painful reminder of one of his greatest inadequacies. Still, it does lead him to a plausible reason as to why she wouldn't reveal Astarion's vampiric nature.]

If I had to guess, she didn't mention your being a vampire because she thinks there's a chance I am unaware, and she doesn't want to be the one to break the news.

[sangwhine]

[Astarion huffs, making a face at the explanation. It's perfectly reasonable, of course, even if it doesn't align with what his paranoid mind is whispering to him.]

I feel as though I should be insulted on your behalf, darling.

[It's said without the biting edge that his nerves gave his earlier words. Gale knows his mother best. If he thinks that's a reasonable conclusion to draw, then why wouldn't it be true?]

Perhaps we'll have to make a point of telling her.

[mystracal]

[Gale tips forward, bringing himself close enough to lean his forehead against Astarion's.]

Perhaps I should wear something that shows more of my neck next time. Let her see the marks you've let on me in all their glory.

[sangwhine]

[The gesture to catches Astarion off-guard. He tenses a moment before sighing, leaning his forehead back to Gale's.]

I do like the sound of that.

[He reaches up, running his fingertips under the edge of Gale's collar, tracing over the most recent marks that he's left there.]

It went well, though, didn't it?

[mystracal]

[At Astarion's touch, he cranes his neck one way, allowing him more space to keep tracing.]

I think so, all things considered. She was kind to you when I was out of the room, wasn't she? I worried what questions she might be assailing you with.

[sangwhine]

[He stretches his fingers along the line of Gale's neck, curling them against his nape before leaning forward to press a kiss to his lips.]

She was. To be honest, she mostly asked about my history. And my intentions towards you. I assured her we'd have no more adventures and I'd treat you better than Mystra did.