Who: Gale Dekarios & others! Status: Closed. Where: Various. What: Closed threads for December! Warnings: PG to start, will edit as needed. Astarion might be his own warning. c:
[This particular request couldn't have come at a better time. It's been a couple of weeks now since Astarion had suggested having Gale accompany him should he decide to sit for a portrait, and when Gale comes across Miss Dorina Gray's request for subjects, the wizard decides there's no time like the present and proceeds to coax his companion into taking the plunge, so to speak.
Of course, his own curiosity is piqued, as well— given the painter's particular gifts.]
I'll admit, I'm interested to see how this turns out.
[He offers Astarion an encouraging smile as they approach Miss Gray's atelier together, giving the vampire a good clout on the shoulder.]
Given what I've heard of her method, you may not need me to make 'corrections' after all— but I do promise to be vigilant.
[ What were the chances, that they would be discussing paintings and then a quest would come along upon that very subject? He accepted it because it felt, well, if not right at least fortuitous. A sign, perhaps, from the universe.
And also, there's some additional benefit here, presumably. Another quest (besides his own personal quest for painting) checked off.
But now that they're standing outside of her shop, he feels anxious, which is a feeling he doesn't really know how to articulate or one that he knows what to do with, but he's got all this nervous energy now. ]
Maybe this was a bad idea. For all we know, I haven't got a soul at all.
[ Ok that's demonstrably false with the whole falling in battle and being revived. ]
[Gale can certainly understand there being some anxiety regarding this whole thing, though he doesn't say so aloud, only gives his friend a sidelong glance as his smile quirks slightly to one side.]
Well, that is most certainly not true for a number of reasons— ones I could list, if you like, though I'm sure you know them as well as I do.
[Astarion, please.]
I maintain this is an excellent idea. Even if it doesn't turn out to be exactly what you wanted, I have a feeling we may still learn a little something if her power turns out to be genuine. Aren't you curious?
Well, sure, but you know what they say about curiosity...
[ It killed the cat, Gale!!!
Astarion takes a deep (unnecessary) breath. ]
Maybe we'll learn something we both don't want to know about me. Perhaps in my soul I'm nothing more than a blood-thirsty monster.
[ He says it flippantly, but only to cover what he really means. Maybe at the end of all of this, he really will betray the party. Maybe he'll kill all six of his siblings and go through with the ritual himself.
[It certainly does kill the cat, or potentially humbles the wizard— he's no stranger to those kinds of consequences, and yet that still doesn't seem to hinder his inquisitive nature in the least.
He slows his pace, coming to a stop to turn towards Astarion in full and gently grabbing his upper arm to command his attention.]
Now, I'll hear none of that.
[His expression is uncharacteristically stern, a face he doesn't pull all too often.]
You're a great deal more than that, and I should hope that by now, you might have started to believe as much.
[Flippant or otherwise, Gale knows when certain comments ought to be addressed.]
[ Astarion stills. His instinct, as ever, is to flee the weight of this conversation, the presence of that hold, the certainty of that stern expression. But he stays.
You can't possibly know that is on the tip of his tongue, but Gale does know him, and isn't that a frightening thought? And in a weird way, he finds himself trusting Gale's assessment more than he might trust someone else's because he knows he's not the only person on the precipice of making a decision that could be a little less than thrilling for everyone involved.
Gale yearns for power in a way that he does, even if for different reasons. So Gale's assessment matters more than most.
Astarion hums noncommittally, still trying to give into the desire to weasel out of this conversation. But then: ]
Thank you. I appreciate your belief in me. I do. I just...
[ he trails off and looks away. He hasn't decided against the ritual. He hasn't decided that his siblings lives are worth more than power, and he thinks that the fact that he's still weighing that decision says something about him. Just like wanting the crown so badly says something about Gale.
Gods, they were a weird fucking party. ]
I don't even know if I want you to be right. [ he swallows thickly, admitting something he wouldn't admit to anyone else. ] I'd rather be capable than kind. I don't ever want to be weak again.
[There's a long, heavy moment of silence before he releases Astarion's arm, giving a nod of understanding. He turns his own gaze back towards Miss Gray's atelier to relieve Astarion of the weight of it; talking about these things openly never came easily, and he realizes the significance of his sharing it at all.
Ostensibly, they've seen one another at their worst. If anyone should be able to talk about these things, it's them.]
Capable and kind need not be mutually exclusive. You can be both. Or—
[He makes an effort to include a note of levity in his voice, enough to keep this from becoming even more dour than the vampire might care for.]
As close to as you can manage to 'kind,' at least.
[He exhales, glancing back to try and gauge Astarion's expression without lingering too long.]
I do believe in you, regardless. I don't know that we would have made it this far if there wasn't something there worth believing in.
[ He seems...almost remorseful, by the sound of it. Like he's so certain this is where he's at in his life, and he can't escape it, and that the reality of it is sad--a contrast to the world that Gale grew up in and knows, where kind and capable go hand in hand.
It doesn't sit well with him. Not the thought of it, not their difference, not the weight of the decision ahead of him, not the warmth of Gale's (potentially misguided) belief. He's not sure what he expected. Some part of him wanted honesty, but nothing Gale says feels dishonest. Maybe some part of him wanted to see Gale admit they were similar in that regard.
But maybe they never had been in the first place.
He sighs and shakes his head, clearing his thoughts and all the made up little stories about their relative positions. ]
We were all desperate.
[ And desperation was more important than belief, or goodness, or any other worthy measure. They made it this far because none of them wanted to sprout tentacles.
It's apparently the last he wants to say on the subject because he nods towards the shop ]
[Gale won't argue that last part, though he doesn't feel their desperation necessarily outweighs every other possibility. He looks, for a moment, like he might like to say more, but after watching Astarion's face for the space of a heartbeat or two, he opts to let it rest there— for now. There are few things that are enough to keep Gale of Waterdeep from speaking his mind, but he can read a room, and Astarion is making his desire to leave the subject behind quite clear.
Instead, he nods, taking a few steps to put himself ahead of Astarion so that he can knock at the door to announce their arrival before he opens it, ushering his friend forward with one hand.]
Very well, let's see what she has to offer. You may even have fun, if you let yourself.
[Astarion's idea of fun, he knows, is very different from this, but optimism!]
[ He's gotta say it! But in he goes anyway. The shyness he'd exhibited outside is gone when he steps over the threshold. It was something Gale could see because they're friends, but Astarion can hardly act that way around strangers, can he?
Instead, when they run into the artist herself, he's as charming as ever. ]
No, I imagine not, but let's see about broadening those horizons of yours, hm?
[Gale offers him a cheeky smile in response before closing the door behind them, letting Astarion take the lead once they're inside— they're here to have his portrait done, after all.
The artist herself greets them warmly, her gaze blank but still managing to rest directly on Astarion himself, a knowing smile curling her lips as she leans forward, resting her weight on a cane with both hands.
"Of course, of course! If you're here, then I'm sure you already know I don't deal in dubloons, I take it."
Gale clears his throat softly before chiming in, charming and congenial as ever.]
Indeed. We've heard that it's thrilling tales you seek, instead— my companion has plenty of those, I assure you!
[ Oh, Astarion has plenty of retorts ready for broadening his horizons, but then they are inside and here is the painter, so he's got to be on his best behavior or something. ]
Just so. We were adventurers, even before coming here.
[ He's going to tell all lies, really. But that's fine, right? ]
[Or something. He's off to a decent enough start, at least.
The painter herself looks thoughtful for a moment before she nods, gesturing towards the nearby sitting area.
"Well then, that saves me having to explain it to you. Why don't you both take a seat and I'll get started?"]
Ah— [Gale interjects while raising a finger, shaking his head despite the fact that she can't see it.] No, I'm afraid you're mistaken, it's just going to be Astarion who—
[She cuts him off, firm.
"Either you both sit, or you leave. I can't have anyone who isn't involved in the process disturbing my aura."
The wizard looks to his friend, momentarily hapless. He doesn't want to infringe on Astarion's portrait session, but he had promised to be here.]
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🗡️ astarion | picture of dorina gray
Of course, his own curiosity is piqued, as well— given the painter's particular gifts.]
I'll admit, I'm interested to see how this turns out.
[He offers Astarion an encouraging smile as they approach Miss Gray's atelier together, giving the vampire a good clout on the shoulder.]
Given what I've heard of her method, you may not need me to make 'corrections' after all— but I do promise to be vigilant.
no subject
And also, there's some additional benefit here, presumably. Another quest (besides his own personal quest for painting) checked off.
But now that they're standing outside of her shop, he feels anxious, which is a feeling he doesn't really know how to articulate or one that he knows what to do with, but he's got all this nervous energy now. ]
Maybe this was a bad idea. For all we know, I haven't got a soul at all.
[ Ok that's demonstrably false with the whole falling in battle and being revived. ]
no subject
Well, that is most certainly not true for a number of reasons— ones I could list, if you like, though I'm sure you know them as well as I do.
[Astarion, please.]
I maintain this is an excellent idea. Even if it doesn't turn out to be exactly what you wanted, I have a feeling we may still learn a little something if her power turns out to be genuine. Aren't you curious?
bg3 spoilers
[ It killed the cat, Gale!!!
Astarion takes a deep (unnecessary) breath. ]
Maybe we'll learn something we both don't want to know about me. Perhaps in my soul I'm nothing more than a blood-thirsty monster.
[ He says it flippantly, but only to cover what he really means. Maybe at the end of all of this, he really will betray the party. Maybe he'll kill all six of his siblings and go through with the ritual himself.
Maybe he's no better than Cazador. ]
no subject
He slows his pace, coming to a stop to turn towards Astarion in full and gently grabbing his upper arm to command his attention.]
Now, I'll hear none of that.
[His expression is uncharacteristically stern, a face he doesn't pull all too often.]
You're a great deal more than that, and I should hope that by now, you might have started to believe as much.
[Flippant or otherwise, Gale knows when certain comments ought to be addressed.]
no subject
You can't possibly know that is on the tip of his tongue, but Gale does know him, and isn't that a frightening thought? And in a weird way, he finds himself trusting Gale's assessment more than he might trust someone else's because he knows he's not the only person on the precipice of making a decision that could be a little less than thrilling for everyone involved.
Gale yearns for power in a way that he does, even if for different reasons. So Gale's assessment matters more than most.
Astarion hums noncommittally, still trying to give into the desire to weasel out of this conversation. But then: ]
Thank you. I appreciate your belief in me. I do. I just...
[ he trails off and looks away. He hasn't decided against the ritual. He hasn't decided that his siblings lives are worth more than power, and he thinks that the fact that he's still weighing that decision says something about him. Just like wanting the crown so badly says something about Gale.
Gods, they were a weird fucking party. ]
I don't even know if I want you to be right. [ he swallows thickly, admitting something he wouldn't admit to anyone else. ] I'd rather be capable than kind. I don't ever want to be weak again.
no subject
Ostensibly, they've seen one another at their worst. If anyone should be able to talk about these things, it's them.]
Capable and kind need not be mutually exclusive. You can be both. Or—
[He makes an effort to include a note of levity in his voice, enough to keep this from becoming even more dour than the vampire might care for.]
As close to as you can manage to 'kind,' at least.
[He exhales, glancing back to try and gauge Astarion's expression without lingering too long.]
I do believe in you, regardless. I don't know that we would have made it this far if there wasn't something there worth believing in.
no subject
[ He seems...almost remorseful, by the sound of it. Like he's so certain this is where he's at in his life, and he can't escape it, and that the reality of it is sad--a contrast to the world that Gale grew up in and knows, where kind and capable go hand in hand.
It doesn't sit well with him. Not the thought of it, not their difference, not the weight of the decision ahead of him, not the warmth of Gale's (potentially misguided) belief. He's not sure what he expected. Some part of him wanted honesty, but nothing Gale says feels dishonest. Maybe some part of him wanted to see Gale admit they were similar in that regard.
But maybe they never had been in the first place.
He sighs and shakes his head, clearing his thoughts and all the made up little stories about their relative positions. ]
We were all desperate.
[ And desperation was more important than belief, or goodness, or any other worthy measure. They made it this far because none of them wanted to sprout tentacles.
It's apparently the last he wants to say on the subject because he nods towards the shop ]
Come on, let's just get this over with.
no subject
Instead, he nods, taking a few steps to put himself ahead of Astarion so that he can knock at the door to announce their arrival before he opens it, ushering his friend forward with one hand.]
Very well, let's see what she has to offer. You may even have fun, if you let yourself.
[Astarion's idea of fun, he knows, is very different from this, but optimism!]
no subject
[ He's gotta say it! But in he goes anyway. The shyness he'd exhibited outside is gone when he steps over the threshold. It was something Gale could see because they're friends, but Astarion can hardly act that way around strangers, can he?
Instead, when they run into the artist herself, he's as charming as ever. ]
Good afternoon. We're here about a painting.
no subject
[Gale offers him a cheeky smile in response before closing the door behind them, letting Astarion take the lead once they're inside— they're here to have his portrait done, after all.
The artist herself greets them warmly, her gaze blank but still managing to rest directly on Astarion himself, a knowing smile curling her lips as she leans forward, resting her weight on a cane with both hands.
"Of course, of course! If you're here, then I'm sure you already know I don't deal in dubloons, I take it."
Gale clears his throat softly before chiming in, charming and congenial as ever.]
Indeed. We've heard that it's thrilling tales you seek, instead— my companion has plenty of those, I assure you!
no subject
Just so. We were adventurers, even before coming here.
[ He's going to tell all lies, really. But that's fine, right? ]
no subject
The painter herself looks thoughtful for a moment before she nods, gesturing towards the nearby sitting area.
"Well then, that saves me having to explain it to you. Why don't you both take a seat and I'll get started?"]
Ah— [Gale interjects while raising a finger, shaking his head despite the fact that she can't see it.] No, I'm afraid you're mistaken, it's just going to be Astarion who—
[She cuts him off, firm.
"Either you both sit, or you leave. I can't have anyone who isn't involved in the process disturbing my aura."
The wizard looks to his friend, momentarily hapless. He doesn't want to infringe on Astarion's portrait session, but he had promised to be here.]