🔮 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]

[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.

[mystracal]

[He smiles against Astarion's lips; despite the chilly night air, his face is plenty warm.]

You already do. I cannot promise our lives will be entirely adventure-free, but perhaps they'll be less life-threatening, at the very least.

[He can't help himself as he steals another kiss, leaning back against the wall of the building that forms one wall of the alley.]

[sangwhine]

[Astarion leans forward to chase his lips, loosely tangling his fingers in Gale's hair to keep him held close. It is, perhaps, not the ideal location for stealing kisses with his fiance, but he isn't going to complain. Not when something as simple as Gale's touch soothes the worries he had just moments ago.

After a breath he parts, drawing his hand away with a lingering touch to the line of Gale's jaw. He gives a playful little flick to his chin at the very end.]

At the very least, yes. Now, shall we continue on our way? I much prefer our bed to a clandestine alleyway.

[mystracal]

[For more of those touches, Gale would follow Astarion to the ends of Faerûn, to the other side of Toril and beyond.]

As do I. As I recall, I was promised I'd be allowed to dote on you tonight.

[He takes Astarion's hand again and starts walking once more; don't forget about those moments of concern he had during dinner Astarion, because he sure hasn't. He intends to talk about those, too.]

[sangwhine]

[Ah, well. He may have been hoping Gale wouldn't recall that particular detail, but that is the issue with having a very intelligent wizard lover, isn't it? Astarion laces his fingers with Gale's, giving his hand a soft squeeze.]

I'm looking forward to it, darling.

[mystracal]

[It's well into the night by the time they get home, the streetlights having long been lit, most people in the market district having headed home for the evening while the taverns are lighting up. Gale takes his time getting back, enjoying the night stroll, in far less of a hurry than they were on the way over; as they near the tower, he opens the front door with a wave of his hand.

As he waits for Astarion to step in first, an idle thought crosses the back of his mind:]

What are the rules for where and where not you can enter without invitation? You seemed to need one to step into my mother's house, but given this is your home, are the former requirements no longer necessary?

[sangwhine]

[Astarion will gladly step in, relaxing a bit to be home. It's still novel to have a place he can call home. He turns back to Gale, tilting his head a bit at the question.]

In the simplest terms, I can't enter a residence without invitation. Taverns, shops and the like don't apply. You've extended your invitation here, so I can come and go as I please.

[mystracal]

Ah. A good thing, too, as I have enough enchantments to work on as it is.

[His first order of business being the shortcuts to the various floors of the tower. Decorating the entry level are a number of paintings, tapestries, and decorated mirrors, each featuring artistic depictions of family and figures enjoying various activities: reading, writing, dining, being measured for a fine suit, and the like. They fit well with the rest of the decor, not standing out too much, even if they do come off as a bit ostentatious. What these (rather cleverly, if one were to ask Gale) hide are short-range portals that can quickly take anyone attuned to them to the corresponding room and floor, saving them a long walk up multiple flights of stairs.

As it's taking the magic some time to fully attune to Astarion's particular signature, Gale has mostly relegated himself to the stairs since their arrival. As a man who is nowhere near as fit as he should be, he is beyond ready to enjoy the magical enhancements his unique home has to offer. He beelines for the stairwell as he slides out of his fine coat.]

[sangwhine]

[Astarion follows after, giving an eye to the tapestries and paintings. He's had his eye on them since he first arrived, as well as the rest of the entryway, considering how he might be able to give Gale's tower a bit more glamor. Perhaps some scones, new molding along the ceiling. He certainly has ideas brewing in his mind, and time to contemplate as they climb the stairs together.]

Speaking of your enchantments, dearest, you'll have to let me know which parts of your decor you're most attached to and which ones I'm free to play about with.

[mystracal]

[Gale hmms to himself, eyeing one of the tapestries that hangs near the bottom of the stairs - the one that goes directly to the library.]

Well, the pragmatic decor will have to stay. The portals, that sitting couch by the window that Tara loves. The bookshelves, of course. I would like the kitchen to stay as is, if you don't mind.

[sangwhine]

[Astarion gives an approving hum in response, nodding along to himself.]

I wouldn't dream of disturbing Miss Tara's favorite spot. I'll keep your kitchen and library intact as well, don't you worry.

But the rest, I think, could use a little embellishment.

[mystracal]

[He chuckles quietly as they pass the second floor and move onto the third.]

Magic is my area of expertise, not interior design. As such, I'm open to any suggestions.