mygod | audience: astarion

[ just a group of people spray bottling gale like he’s a naughty cat for weeks on end like No. Stop That. ]

There’s reading up on interesting new things, darling. And then there’s whatever happens with Karsus when you’re an ambitious and knowledge hungry mage. [ … ] Perhaps it won’t matter to him as much now his opinion on Mystra has shifted somewhat.

[ it’s good to hear he does have someone keeping an eye on what gale is doing with that bloody book, now he and karlach are over here. ] … I. [ ah. ] I’m not necessarily sure about that. But he might listen if I tell him I’d rather he didn’t risk everything he bloody went through to get rid of the orb for five minutes of Karsus related fame.

Sometimes, you simply enjoy unraveling magical secrets.

[Look. He has a bias. A giant bias. It took a lot of development to happen to get him to even scold Gale about the damn book.]

He listens to reason when you pose it to him. His decisions with the arcane may be poor, but he isn't unreasonable in other areas. He wouldn't risk you for something like that.

Perhaps one by someone a little less power hungry and known for destroying their own kingdom, perhaps?

[ just a slight suggestion. ]

…

[ that’s such an insistent statement, he’s almost a little embarrassed by it. maybe essek’s right. or maybe gale will unlock something that makes whatever he could have (has?) with astarion pale in comparison. ]

I suppose we shall see. I trust him to do what’s best for him, ultimately. [ there’s a layer to that, but he would like it if what’s best for gale… well. involved him. at the end of the day. ]

[His brows twitch ever so slightly together, and his eyes shift hastily elsewhere. His mouth works quietly, and he swallows down something before the regal neutrality comes back.]

...I'm sure he will.

[ looks at him. ]

[ ?

Looks back.]

...What?

You looked like you wanted to say something.

[He hesitates, then shakes his head.]

No. I'm fine.

[ binch. ]

… If you say so, darling.

[ a sigh. ]

I suppose we’ll just have to force our way to a good ending, and then perhaps we can both hide that book from him before we leave.

[A taste of Astarion's own medicine!!!

The tension in his jaw and shoulders relax a little, though.]

...I will take it, if you want. I am still bias as a wizard.

Are you interested in the writings of Karsus, despite everything you’ve heard and seen?

[STOP. Clears his throat.]

It seems a waste to at least not have it for research, even if I shooed Gale from it. Besides... I feel it is a fair trade.

He can give me the book for the personal Dunamancy spell I taught him which is much better in my opinion.

[ blinks. ]

Dunamancy?

Yes. Dunamancy is the school of magic I've spent my life studying. It deals with probability, time, and gravity.

[This explains so much about this stupid, gay bastard's everything.]

[ imagining gale with power of probability, time and gravity and goes through a whole motion of ‘oh dear’ to ‘interesting’. ]

That explains the floating then.

[Listen. It's edgy and sexy, and Astarion will understand when Gale gets the Weave access back.]

Well... in a way. It is simply something... I got stuck doing.

[ yes that was something he was considering. ]

Stuck doing it? You were assigned it?

[Just know he created it; therefore, he is the one who is really edgy and sexy (no).]

No... [A dry, short laugh.] It was... Well, you know how it is when you are young and trying to be unnecessarily impressionable. Attempting to show off, and then...

It became sort of expected of me, so I had to keep up the act.

[EVERYONE ASSIGNING HIM HEIGHT COMPLEX, BUT REALLY IT WAS MORE STUPID.]

[ he’s very edgy and sexy, gives him a little kiss. ]

…

[ well. is he floating now? ]

You’re aware none of us are expecting you to keep up an act, correct?