🔮 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]

[Oh, absolutely it will help. Astarion sinks back down into his seat, suddenly more at ease, resting his chin casually against a hand as he takes Gale in. It feels surreal, that after all that's happened, after all he's done, Gale would still want something more, want something genuine. But he does. At least he says he does, and Astarion can't see a reason to doubt him.

Now all the reasons why he'd targeted Gale in the first place take on a different light. His wit, his intelligence, the cocksure way he grins, the charming color of his blushes. None of those things are simply assets to be used, or balms to ease the task of seduction along for Astarion. Now they're color and embellishments to the canvas that is a man who wants Astarion for who he is, and a man who Astarion wants in ways he's never truly considered before.]

I hope this means I can pay compliments to your finer features without worry of seeing you scurry away like a frightened rabbit.

[mystracal]

Perhaps.

[He's feeling just a little bold tonight. Must be the good atmosphere.]

But only if they're genuine compliments. You said you'd be honest, and I'm going to hold you to that.

[sangwhine]

Darling, I'm always honest with my flattery.

[He gives Gale a wide smile in response. It's hard to stop smiling.]

[mystracal]

Really.

[Gods, the way his fangs show when he really smiles captures Gale's attention so thoroughly that he has to take another sip just to look away.]

Need I remind you what you've said about me.

[sangwhine]

Only the parts you're doubting.

[mystracal]

As I recall, you said you um. Liked the rugged look of it. Said it was quite charming.

[sangwhine]

And I do.

You're very charming.

[mystracal]

[Annnnnnd there's the color on his ears. It's the wine, he swears.]

Well. In the spirit of honesty, I suppose I should tell you that you're also charming. [A beat, then immediate course correction in light of the earlier discussion.] When you want to be, not when you feel you have to be. It's a different kind of charming, of course, and knowing you're sincere about it now feels quite a bit... better.

[Nailed it.]

[sangwhine]

Well, I do try. [He pauses a moment.] It's not the charm or the conversation that ever felt forced, just what I knew had to come at the end of it.

[mystracal]

Ah. And how would you prefer they end now, now that you can decide however you wish?

[sangwhine]

[After a pause.]

I don't quite know. I don't think I would mind simply having you here, when it's all said and done.

[mystracal]

[Gale smiles widely; it's a little lopsided, but utterly sincere.]

I'm happy to stay as long as you'll have me. I, ah. [A chuckle, oh no, and back comes the gesticulation, as though that'd help him from emptying his glass.] I actually did have something I've been meaning to discuss with you, when I found the time. Probably terrible timing right now, but if you'll indulge me.

[sangwhine]

Go on. I'm feeling indulgent.

[The smile helps to put him at ease. Not that he's too worried anything they might discuss can be much heavier than what's behind them now.]

[mystracal]

Right. What do you know about abjuration magic?

[sangwhine]

Aside from your nocturnal emissions, not terribly much. Why?

[mystracal]

[He's just going to ignore you calling his midnight monologues that, Astarion. Or maybe he's just too into the thought of talking about what he's been studying.]

Abjuration is the art of shielding magic. It protects the subject, banishes outside forces, blocks that which would cause them harm. Certain types of wards can even be targeted toward specific kinds of energy. It can be powerful with the right amount of magic woven into it by a talented spellcaster, but it's not a potent enough solution on its own to, say, try to protect an individual from the sun.

However, were you to combine it with other spells from other schools of magic... now that's where things get interesting. Do you know why?

[Astarion could tell him no, and there's a high chance he'd tell him regardless. He's got that look of gearing up for an explanation.]

[sangwhine]

[Oh, this is about the sunlight. Astarion feels strangely touched, his smile warming as he watches Gale go on...and on about this latest idea.]

Tell me why, darling. I can tell you're dying to go on.

[mystracal]

[Indeed he is. He's been working on this since he first said he'd help Astarion, and he's excited to share some of his theories.]

With the right combination of enchantments, I'm certain one could create an almost permanent, portable shield that would be strong enough to protect the user from the sun's light. Even vampires - and of course, vampire spawn.

[That conclusion, while fairly obvious, is something he's clearly proud of. He even gestures toward his vampiric friend for flavor.]

It would require not just protection from the sun's light, but another spell for Darkness, something isolated to the wearer of a ring or a garment, perhaps. I doubt many studies have been done on this matter, unfortunately. It is a bit of a niche subject, but I was considering it the other night, and we may be able to find a book or two on them at Sorcerous Sundries.

[sangwhine]

[All this talk of the arcane goes right over Astarion's head, but the way Gale describes it makes it seem possible. It gives him hope. A possibility, however small, beyond the otherwise enticing prospect of usurping Cazador's ritual.]

Well, aren't we lucky that we happen to be in precisely the right city for that. I'm sure our leader wouldn't protest to a stop off for research purposes.

[mystracal]

Exactly. I need to stop by there anyway for research into the crown we saw controlling the Elder Brain. Gods, there's so much to learn right now, Astarion. I might be able to solve all our problems, if given the chance.

[And there goes the last of his glass of wine.]

[sangwhine]

Perhaps not all our problems, but certainly a good many of them.

[He holds up the bottle in offering.]

Would you like some more?

[mystracal]

[He shakes his head.]

One glass is plenty for me. That's your wine, and I've hardly seen you drink.

[sangwhine]

Unfortunately, even the finest wine tastes of vinegar to me due to my condition. But it does improve with finer company.

[mystracal]

Ah.

[He looks just a hair sheepish - and disappointed.]

I suppose I should've asked you that at some point. Would've certainly saved me all the time I spent picking a vintage. I agonized, I'll have you know. [A beat.] Probably no need to tell you that.

[And this is why he insisted on one glass.]

[sangwhine]

I do love to hear of you agonizing over me, darling. It's hardly wasted.