🔮 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]

If nothing else, you are ever the scoundrel. I daresay it's a part of your charm.

[He brings Astarion's hand, still held in his, to his lips, pressing a kiss to his knuckles. Just one more - he can't help himself.]

Do we... [Oh, he's had too much wine to work out logistics, but his brain is trying anyway.] Do we tell the others? Do you think they'll notice?

[sangwhine]

[Astarion hesitates a moment, squeezing Gale's hand in a soft pulse.]

Did you want to keep this a secret? I think they're likely to find out. Knowing how nosy they all are.

[mystracal]

[There's how nosy the rest of their companions are, and then there's the Gale Doesn't Talk About The Object of his Affections Challenge (Impossible).]

I only ask for your comfort. I'd sing it from the rooftops if we had any nearby. To say I don't particularly hide my feelings well is a vast understatement, for better and for worse.

[sangwhine]

I'm not one to turn down the offer of a serenade.

[He draws Gale's hand to his lips, echoing the kiss to his knuckles.]

It doesn't bother me at all.

[mystracal]

You might regret it when they're sending you their condolences.

[It's a self-deprecating jab, but he meant it well. His head might be in a bit of a dizzy haze, but he's feeling energized, his heart thudding away in his chest alongside the pulse of the orb.]

Now, unless you have better plans, I think we should make ourselves comfortable, and then I'm going to regale you with all the abjuration I've been studying so that you may walk in the sun, sans tadpole.

[Don't think for one second that he forgot about that, Astarion. Dedicating his time to solving a very specific problem for his paramour is Gale's idea of high romance.]

[sangwhine]

Oh, they'll certainly know if you spend the night regaling me with arcana whilst we lounge upon my bedroll. That's nothing short of a declaration of undying love for your sort, isn't it?

[He's teasing as he says it, but he's still tugging on Gale's hand towards said bedroll. Astarion sets about making himself comfortable, propping his head up with a few pillows, but he releases his hold on Gale so the wizard can position himself as he sees fit.]

[mystracal]

I could think of far more elaborate ways to show my devotion, were I not so tipsy. I'm starting to think that was all a part of your plan for the evening.

[Gale allows himself to be tugged toward the bedroll, but upon seeing there aren't nearly enough pillows, he conjures half a dozen more with a wave of his hand. They poof into existence, and he sets himself up a comfy spot leaning against a few, leaving a spot for Astarion next to him, should he want to move closer.]

[sangwhine]

I admit I didn't quite plan this far ahead but it is a pleasant surprise.

[Astarion is starting to see that there are many benefits to having Gale as a partner, not the least of which is snagging a few of the conjured pillows to bolster his own little pile. He leaves a comfortable distance between them, not so much to be cold but not so little to be suggestive.]

[mystracal]

A pleasant surprise indeed. Most pleasant.

[Gale gives Astarion a smile as he moves just a little closer, apparently plenty comfortable with the gap between them. With that, he props his head on one arm, using the other to draw lines just above them.]

I was thinking of enchanting a piece of jewellery. Something inconspicuous.

[He draws the rough approximation of a person and then, after a moment's thought, gives it pointy ears and tops it with wavy hair - perfectly coiffed curls.]

Though perhaps a cloak would be better. How does clothing affect your ability to stand in the sun?

[sangwhine]

As far as I'm aware, it offers a temporary reprieve, but not much more than that. I haven't made a habit of letting myself burn to a pile of ash in the sunlight before.

[He considers Gale's little drawing, weighing the options.]

Jewelry would be preferable though. Something understated would have less of a chance of limiting the sort of outfits I'm able to wear. Fashions change, and I would be loathe to dress myself with the same cloak year in and year out when the style of it has long since gone out of vogue.

[mystracal]

A pragmatic choice, fashionably speaking.

[He places a finger on the figure's chest, drawing two lines up its neck to make a necklace. The illusory drawing glows softly as it hangs in the air above them, but as he touches where an amulet would be, the charm itself glitters like a star in the night sky.]

The first enchantment: something to shield you, attuned as a bulwark against the sun itself. This is no mere energy it will deflect, but that of the cosmos itself.

[He cants his head to look Astarion's way, giving him a cocky smile.]

Child's play for a talented wizard.

[sangwhine]

Then I should count myself lucky that I know such a talented wizard.

[He gives Gale a sly smile in response, before looking back to the drawing.]

Though it does lead me to wonder if it were such a simple thing, why other vampires would not have just enslaved sufficiently talented wizards to craft such enchantments in the past.

[mystracal]

For one, they may find that enslaving a wizard is a surefire way to never get quite what you want out of them. We wizards do not enjoy being caged like animals, but we are no beasts. Any wizard capable of such exotic enchantments would no doubt spend their time and energy planning exactly how to make it go wrong, and at the worst time for their captors.

[sangwhine]

You are a devious man, aren't you? I like it.

[mystracal]

I may have a contingency plan or two, just in case someone plans on kidnapping me. Let's just say it's not in their best interest to ensnare the Wizard of Waterdeep.

[sangwhine]

It does bring me comfort to know that you won't be easily taken from me. Or at least whoever attempts it will suffer for it.

[mystracal]

To be frank, I can't imagine who would want to steal me away these days, given I am currently without all the qualities that would make me a worthwhile target. All the less to worry about, I suppose.

[That may sound self-deprecating, but he doesn't seem too bothered by it - it's hard to be when he's a little inebriated and in such fine company.]

[sangwhine]

Should this involvement of ours become well known, I can think of at least one unwise soul who might make an attempt.

[Said with more than a hint of venom. Gale can guess exactly who he's talking about.]

[mystracal]

Ah.

[Yes, he would be the prime suspect. That venom tempers him; he reaches over to give Astarion's hand a reassuring touch.]

We'll have to deal with him before he realizes then, won't we? I said I'd be beside you, so I can't go getting kidnapped now. It'd be poor manners.

[sangwhine]

[Astarion turns his hand to catch Gale's fingers in his, giving them a soft squeeze.]

It all depends on how closely he's watching. If he sends my siblings after me, we'll need to mind your manners very closely.

But we may want to seek them out on our own. They could lead us to him and his ritual.

[mystracal]

[Gale's brow knits.]

How will we go about that? At night, I imagine.

[sangwhine]

At night would be preferable, yes. I know the usual haunts where Cazador would send us to hunt for prey. Flop houses and brothels.

[mystracal]

I doubt it will surprise you to learn I am no expert in such locales, but I assume the two of us will make for an easier investigation than bringing the others.

[sangwhine]

I'm sure I have enough experience for the both of us, darling. Though I would perhaps prefer some additional support in the endeavor in case things turn violent.

[mystracal]

Perfectly fair. For all we know, it could be all six of them together, if Cazador is so desperate to have you.