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That could be anyone, Astarion. Seems rather open-ended to me. You've never considered anything else? Like, I suppose my ideal would be someone who likes to read. Someone knowledgeable about history. Someone I can have engaging conversation with. And other types of engagement, I guess. Someone easy on the eyes. Someone who can make me laugh while also irritating me. Someone who can keep me honest.
Things like that. I'm sure you have other qualifiers for your right person.
Things like that. I'm sure you have other qualifiers for your right person.
[ Astarion was supposed to say something like, "Oh, yes, I pinky promise I'll be the gentlest vampire there ever was." ...But this will have to do. ]
It wouldn't do to deprive you of the greatest gift of all — the occasion to earn my trust.
[ He relinquishes the novel to Astarion with a flourish, unbothered by any offense he took at Gale's rules. It's clear that the content of Astarion's character will be judged by the condition in which he returns this book, for good or ill. If Astarion can treat one of Gale's precious possessions kindly, that speaks well of him. If he can't, perhaps an errant fire bolt finds him when he least expects it. ]
Besides, it's been quite some time since I had the chance for intelligent conversation with someone other than a tressym. It would be a waste to throw away the opportunity to engage in some spirited literary discourse.
[ Gale tries very hard to make this sound like a coveted opportunity for intellectual dialogue and less like mandatory book report with a lonely wizard. ]
It wouldn't do to deprive you of the greatest gift of all — the occasion to earn my trust.
[ He relinquishes the novel to Astarion with a flourish, unbothered by any offense he took at Gale's rules. It's clear that the content of Astarion's character will be judged by the condition in which he returns this book, for good or ill. If Astarion can treat one of Gale's precious possessions kindly, that speaks well of him. If he can't, perhaps an errant fire bolt finds him when he least expects it. ]
Besides, it's been quite some time since I had the chance for intelligent conversation with someone other than a tressym. It would be a waste to throw away the opportunity to engage in some spirited literary discourse.
[ Gale tries very hard to make this sound like a coveted opportunity for intellectual dialogue and less like mandatory book report with a lonely wizard. ]
[ These days, it's rather rare for Astarion to do anything like he is supposed to do - the whole point of throwing away the mantle of being controlled and finding some measure of peace in the man you've become. Something like that - not that he thinks about it terribly often.
Anyway.
Astarion takes the book carefully enough, turning it in his hands before he opens it to the first page to have a quick glance through. He is gentle with it, despite his irritation and the flick of a glare he laid Gale with, careful if all things like nails and errant hair and the like. As much as it might be novel to torment the wizard, he has no reason to be this brutish.
Lifting his head back up, he closes the book with a careful snap. ]
Are you telling me you distrust me, after all we've been through? How heartbreaking.
[ He sounds utterly desolate. In the most sarcastic way possible. ]
I'll read the book and, if I enjoyed it, we can discuss it.
Anyway.
Astarion takes the book carefully enough, turning it in his hands before he opens it to the first page to have a quick glance through. He is gentle with it, despite his irritation and the flick of a glare he laid Gale with, careful if all things like nails and errant hair and the like. As much as it might be novel to torment the wizard, he has no reason to be this brutish.
Lifting his head back up, he closes the book with a careful snap. ]
Are you telling me you distrust me, after all we've been through? How heartbreaking.
[ He sounds utterly desolate. In the most sarcastic way possible. ]
I'll read the book and, if I enjoyed it, we can discuss it.
True. Even more so when considering your situation. I think you deserve something a little more than anyone who isn't irritating to be around, for whatever that might matter.
Wait. Why would you let me know? Should I even be aware of things like that? I mean, I guess if it involved me, then yes. I'm not your mother. [He's older than her, after all.] You don't need to report to me. I just want you to be happy.
Well. I would use the word curious. If only because, again, I would want to encourage something beneficial to you? Why am I even trying to explain this to you. I care what you want. You're important to me. That's it.
[ Gale waves a hand, dismissive. ]
Oh, please — prepare yourself to be delighted. After all, you've a recommendation from a man of incomparable taste.
[ And he's modest, too! With all the thought he put into picking this particular novel for Astarion to read, he had better enjoy it. It's a little more exciting, a little more bloody than his usual fare. He figured Astarion might appreciate something more thrilling. Of course, it's not entirely solving murders and running from the guards; there's the unlikely bond that forms between two sworn rivals, too, but that seems less of a selling point for Astarion. He doesn't strike Gale as the type to be invested in real people's relationships, much less fictional ones'. He likes to think that this will be the story to change that. ]
As works of fiction go, I assure you it's among the greats. I'm quite fond of the character of Detective Morin myself. A polymath and prodigious investigator, intellect second to none. [ With slight irritation in his voice: ] Some may find him egotistical, but I dare say they lack reading comprehension.
[ He relates to this character. Perhaps a little too much. ]
Oh, please — prepare yourself to be delighted. After all, you've a recommendation from a man of incomparable taste.
[ And he's modest, too! With all the thought he put into picking this particular novel for Astarion to read, he had better enjoy it. It's a little more exciting, a little more bloody than his usual fare. He figured Astarion might appreciate something more thrilling. Of course, it's not entirely solving murders and running from the guards; there's the unlikely bond that forms between two sworn rivals, too, but that seems less of a selling point for Astarion. He doesn't strike Gale as the type to be invested in real people's relationships, much less fictional ones'. He likes to think that this will be the story to change that. ]
As works of fiction go, I assure you it's among the greats. I'm quite fond of the character of Detective Morin myself. A polymath and prodigious investigator, intellect second to none. [ With slight irritation in his voice: ] Some may find him egotistical, but I dare say they lack reading comprehension.
[ He relates to this character. Perhaps a little too much. ]
[Maybe a little.]
Okay. So we care about each other. That's. Great? And we're important to one another. Lovely.
[That sure is what she's taking out of this conversation.]
Okay. So we care about each other. That's. Great? And we're important to one another. Lovely.
[That sure is what she's taking out of this conversation.]
Of course. Is this the part where I ask you out on a date or something? Do you even go on dates?
Yes, your taste is easily the most noticeable thing about you.
[ Is that shade about his choice in wizarding robes? Perhaps, but who's to say.
Astarion is, in fact, going to sit down and read this book; not just because it was offered to him, and he would apparently like it, but also because he's going to be bored otherwise, lounging around in camp, so he might as well do something useful with his time. If it means he earns a little favour with one of their magical companions, then surely that's just a little plus.
He cannot help, however, the way his lips curl into a smirk as he draws the book against his chest. ]
Would you say, perhaps, that he is one of your favoured literary characters? You seem to have the impression you've a lot in common, Gale.
[ Because Gale is also intelligent but also egotistical and, from the sounds of it, both could be considered irritating on a bad day. ]
[ Is that shade about his choice in wizarding robes? Perhaps, but who's to say.
Astarion is, in fact, going to sit down and read this book; not just because it was offered to him, and he would apparently like it, but also because he's going to be bored otherwise, lounging around in camp, so he might as well do something useful with his time. If it means he earns a little favour with one of their magical companions, then surely that's just a little plus.
He cannot help, however, the way his lips curl into a smirk as he draws the book against his chest. ]
Would you say, perhaps, that he is one of your favoured literary characters? You seem to have the impression you've a lot in common, Gale.
[ Because Gale is also intelligent but also egotistical and, from the sounds of it, both could be considered irritating on a bad day. ]
Well, let's change that. Why don't you let me take you out?
Somewhere that you'd like to see. It can be full of people or just the two of us. No tadpole discussion. No work. Just leisure. I don't know. Maybe I can put together a picnic or something.
That was what I had in mind. Maybe a little unorthodox to have a picnic without much food, but I see nothing wrong with reinventing the idea. Does that mean you're accepting my proposal?
Please. As if I would dispose of you. Red wine? Would you like for me to pack anything special for you?
[Oh.]
Wine and myself. Got it. I won't fit in the basket, so I hope that's fine.
Wine and myself. Got it. I won't fit in the basket, so I hope that's fine.
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