𝑔𝑎𝑙𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑘𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑜𝑠 (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
corporeity) wrote2024-11-12 12:45 pm
corporeity) wrote2024-11-12 12:45 pm
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WELCOME TO THE SALTBURNT NETWORK
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@WATERDEEP
text 🔮 audio 🔮 video
WELCOME TO THE SALTBURNT NETWORK
USERNAME
@WATERDEEP
text 🔮 audio 🔮 video
You had no choice.
( He's not going to be the Stefan he was. Can't even isolate himself if he wanted. Needs to push away the guilt he feels for making the choice for Damon. Damon is alive. Not a monster. Not buried. Not worse. He's alive. )
It won't be long before it happens again, and this time Damon will be just as defenseless.
( But alive. )
( He's not going to be the Stefan he was. Can't even isolate himself if he wanted. Needs to push away the guilt he feels for making the choice for Damon. Damon is alive. Not a monster. Not buried. Not worse. He's alive. )
It won't be long before it happens again, and this time Damon will be just as defenseless.
( But alive. )
But alive.
[ a thought shared. ]
And not wholly defenceless, when he has you. [ finger tapping the glass. ] I can help as well, at least to an extent. I’ve warded Astarion and I’s rooms against intruders already.
[ a thought shared. ]
And not wholly defenceless, when he has you. [ finger tapping the glass. ] I can help as well, at least to an extent. I’ve warded Astarion and I’s rooms against intruders already.
But alive.
( living. breathing. )
Really. Intruders not including vampires. How so.
( living. breathing. )
Really. Intruders not including vampires. How so.
[ with a look, edging toward teasing: ] Magic, Stefan.
[ another drink. ]
I was once the most accomplished wizard of my generation. Of the past several, in fact.
[ spoken with more truth than ego, though there’s a glimmer of the latter in his crooked smile, to be sure. and a little wistfulness, in his faraway look. ]
[ another drink. ]
I was once the most accomplished wizard of my generation. Of the past several, in fact.
[ spoken with more truth than ego, though there’s a glimmer of the latter in his crooked smile, to be sure. and a little wistfulness, in his faraway look. ]
( he smirks, draining the rest of his glass and setting it down between them back on the desk. )
I mean, how does your magic distinguish between intruders. Does it require everyone to have an invitation? Or, does it work each time someone tries. Just inquiring into the logistics. I'm not against it. Damon probably won't be. But, I need to know how it works. And, maybe I might want one, too.
( But, at least if he has knowledge, he knows how it works. he believes Gale. he comes off as a scholar. and a good person. and real help.
he hopes it doesn't bie them in the ass. )
I mean, how does your magic distinguish between intruders. Does it require everyone to have an invitation? Or, does it work each time someone tries. Just inquiring into the logistics. I'm not against it. Damon probably won't be. But, I need to know how it works. And, maybe I might want one, too.
( But, at least if he has knowledge, he knows how it works. he believes Gale. he comes off as a scholar. and a good person. and real help.
he hopes it doesn't bie them in the ass. )
It’s — my magic isn’t so rigid, [ relenting, ] though I appreciate your interest in the technicalities. The weave that composes it is all around us, you see, so I need only to thread it thusly. [ an accompanying gesture, free hand threading the needle. ] To use another spell as an example, I could direct a fireball your way and make it so you did not feel the lick of a single flame.
[ as for the aforementioned technicalities, he waves a hand. ]
It can be otherwise tailored, of course. To allow specific individuals, respond to a code-phrase, punish offenders. If you can imagine it, it can be done.
[ as for the aforementioned technicalities, he waves a hand. ]
It can be otherwise tailored, of course. To allow specific individuals, respond to a code-phrase, punish offenders. If you can imagine it, it can be done.
Edited 2025-05-28 22:05 (UTC)
And, what if we made it so that everyone would need a proper invitation. That would fall under code word?
( That seems to be the simplest and keep protections from other vampires. According to Buffy, this place is crawling with them. )
( That seems to be the simplest and keep protections from other vampires. According to Buffy, this place is crawling with them. )
[ gale tips his head to catch stefan’s eye. grins small but sure. ]
Then you can bring me a bottle next time.
[ as thanks. ]
Then you can bring me a bottle next time.
[ as thanks. ]
I have good taste.
( And that's a promise. )
Thank you, Gale. I promise, I won't be throwing myself off the roof any time soon. Or, Damon. I can't guarantee Damon won't be doing the throwing.
( And that's a promise. )
Thank you, Gale. I promise, I won't be throwing myself off the roof any time soon. Or, Damon. I can't guarantee Damon won't be doing the throwing.
A good thing you’re still a vampire, then.
[ he’s not getting involved in all that! ]
You’re very welcome.
[ with a final swig, he stands to leave. there’s only so much comfort that can be given at this hour, in this situation, isn’t there? and he imagines it wiser to be elsewhere, when damon wakes (and his favoured vampire awaits him, besides). ]
And you know where to find me, my friend.
[ he’s not getting involved in all that! ]
You’re very welcome.
[ with a final swig, he stands to leave. there’s only so much comfort that can be given at this hour, in this situation, isn’t there? and he imagines it wiser to be elsewhere, when damon wakes (and his favoured vampire awaits him, besides). ]
And you know where to find me, my friend.
[ after about 20 distinct fantasies — ]
I couldn’t tell you what I’d prefer if I thought about it for hours.
But, perhaps, if something of mine appealed to you…
[ He’s worn less of Gale’s belongings as spring supplants winter, leaving Gale to ponder exactly how much he savoured it. Astarion, all wrapped up in him, even while spending time with another — ]
I couldn’t tell you what I’d prefer if I thought about it for hours.
But, perhaps, if something of mine appealed to you…
[ He’s worn less of Gale’s belongings as spring supplants winter, leaving Gale to ponder exactly how much he savoured it. Astarion, all wrapped up in him, even while spending time with another — ]
Now there's a thought.
[ And that text is it, for a while, until—
—at intervals, the minutes in between presumably spent putting each outfit together, Astarion sends along a series of photos: pieces from Gale's wardrobe, carefully selected and placed on their bed (for lack of properly being able to photograph himself), at first laid out smooth, still on the hanger, then — by the third picture — posed, the fold of an arm mimicking a hand behind the head, the pants legs crossed. One of Gale's cream-colored shirts, paired with Astarion's black trousers (which, hadn't he been wearing those this morning); one of Gale's polos and a pair of his slacks. Nothing too racy, save for the sixth (and for the moment, final) photo, which features another curated look — and a pair of Gale's underwear, peeking out from underneath. ]
[ And that text is it, for a while, until—
—at intervals, the minutes in between presumably spent putting each outfit together, Astarion sends along a series of photos: pieces from Gale's wardrobe, carefully selected and placed on their bed (for lack of properly being able to photograph himself), at first laid out smooth, still on the hanger, then — by the third picture — posed, the fold of an arm mimicking a hand behind the head, the pants legs crossed. One of Gale's cream-colored shirts, paired with Astarion's black trousers (which, hadn't he been wearing those this morning); one of Gale's polos and a pair of his slacks. Nothing too racy, save for the sixth (and for the moment, final) photo, which features another curated look — and a pair of Gale's underwear, peeking out from underneath. ]
[ For the duration of Astarion’s silence, Gale returns to his (unpaid) work. Shelving here, tweaking a display there. The first picture stops him in his tracks, looking down in initial confusion, then blushing understanding. He clips himself on the corner of their potions’ table upon recognising the trousers Astarion had almost certainly been wearing when he left, instead splayed on their bed. Unable to keep himself from thinking of — well — every inch of pale skin Astarion has allowed him to regard and touch, of late.
And it’s cute, besides, which is surely not a word many would apply to a centuries-old vampire. Gale can think of no other descriptor for the effort. The silly little poses arranged for their amusement alone.
By the time he straightens all the bottles, the final photo has pinged his phone. ]
Wow 😳
It would be terribly useless of me to say they’d all suit you, wouldn’t it?
And yet it would be true.
The first and the last stand out, though I’m afraid I’ll be tempted to swiftly undress you, in either case.
And it’s cute, besides, which is surely not a word many would apply to a centuries-old vampire. Gale can think of no other descriptor for the effort. The silly little poses arranged for their amusement alone.
By the time he straightens all the bottles, the final photo has pinged his phone. ]
Wow 😳
It would be terribly useless of me to say they’d all suit you, wouldn’t it?
And yet it would be true.
The first and the last stand out, though I’m afraid I’ll be tempted to swiftly undress you, in either case.
Hardly useless when it's the correct answer.
I wouldn't pick out something that didn't suit me, would I?
[ Typed out as he lies on his back, phone held over his face, feet kicking happily over the edge of the bed. Is it strange to still be so taken by flirtation? To find the effort of sustaining interest to be effortless? ]
At any rate, I shan't spoil the surprise.
You'll have to wait until the end of your shift to see what I've chosen.
And to take it off of me.
😇
I wouldn't pick out something that didn't suit me, would I?
[ Typed out as he lies on his back, phone held over his face, feet kicking happily over the edge of the bed. Is it strange to still be so taken by flirtation? To find the effort of sustaining interest to be effortless? ]
At any rate, I shan't spoil the surprise.
You'll have to wait until the end of your shift to see what I've chosen.
And to take it off of me.
😇
I suppose not.
[ and isn’t that pleasing, to have said the right thing without effort. To not strive to please, exactly — but to do so, anyway. ]
How lucky I am.
And how tortured! To content myself with fantasy until then.
[ and isn’t that pleasing, to have said the right thing without effort. To not strive to please, exactly — but to do so, anyway. ]
How lucky I am.
And how tortured! To content myself with fantasy until then.
[ after touching his brow and finding it furrowed — ]
Ha.
However could I deny you?
[ that pinch persists, chiefly as a consequence of trying to get the angle of the selfie just right. nothing too different from the usual, then: hair half-up to make shelving easier, button-down open at his chest and sleeves rolled, gifted earring glinting in the afternoon sun of the greenhouse. complete with a bashful smile on his face. ]
Ha.
However could I deny you?
[ that pinch persists, chiefly as a consequence of trying to get the angle of the selfie just right. nothing too different from the usual, then: hair half-up to make shelving easier, button-down open at his chest and sleeves rolled, gifted earring glinting in the afternoon sun of the greenhouse. complete with a bashful smile on his face. ]
[ When the picture comes through, he smiles without thinking, thumbing over the screen — over that little divot of concentration — as he tallies each other detail like a dragon collecting bits of gold for its hoard. He startles a little when he realizes he still hasn't responding, sending first, ]
♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
[ And then (after setting the picture as his phone background), ]
Alina's lucky I don't spend all day at the shop when you're on duty.
Hurry home when you're done. I'll count the seconds.
♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
[ And then (after setting the picture as his phone background), ]
Alina's lucky I don't spend all day at the shop when you're on duty.
Hurry home when you're done. I'll count the seconds.
I so love to hear you say that.
[ “home” ]
Promise I’ll be there soon.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
🏃🏻🏃🏻🏃🏻🏃🏻🏃🏻
[ Sooner even than he intended, leaving an hour or so early with a ludicrous grin and stammered excuse. He loves the shop, he loves their community of mages, unlike anything he’s known, untainted by competition — but nothing compares to the comforts (and wiles, it seems) of home. Gale hardly makes it through the door before casting about for Astarion. And as much as he’s been cycling through fantasies for the whole of the afternoon, unable to remember even the most basic potion recipes, the real thing outdoes his imaginings.
They’ve traversed so much ground together, his proffered hand and hesitant questions far from the now sure grip at Astarion’s waist, swiftly tugging him close, back to chest. Forgetting that he was meant to be admiring Astarion’s curated ensemble and instead nosing after his pulse, peppering kisses along the waning crescent of his throat. ]
[ “home” ]
Promise I’ll be there soon.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
🏃🏻🏃🏻🏃🏻🏃🏻🏃🏻
[ Sooner even than he intended, leaving an hour or so early with a ludicrous grin and stammered excuse. He loves the shop, he loves their community of mages, unlike anything he’s known, untainted by competition — but nothing compares to the comforts (and wiles, it seems) of home. Gale hardly makes it through the door before casting about for Astarion. And as much as he’s been cycling through fantasies for the whole of the afternoon, unable to remember even the most basic potion recipes, the real thing outdoes his imaginings.
They’ve traversed so much ground together, his proffered hand and hesitant questions far from the now sure grip at Astarion’s waist, swiftly tugging him close, back to chest. Forgetting that he was meant to be admiring Astarion’s curated ensemble and instead nosing after his pulse, peppering kisses along the waning crescent of his throat. ]
[ hellspawn gets an almost-smirk, a rueful quirk of the lips—the hustle and bustle of this place could put mystic falls to shame—and damon crosses his arms, leaning against a conveniently-placed bookshelf. ]
Well, I won't disturb your quiet too long, then. Just wanted to say thanks for the effort.
[ even if it didn't work, it means something that gale tried. damon isn't used to sincere displays of emotion, but he knows how to put one on: eyebrows drawn up, eyes wide and hang-dog, eye contact, the whole deal.
of course, he's about to follow it up with another request for help. but hey, that's being a witch for you—always cleaning up supernatural messes. ]
Well, I won't disturb your quiet too long, then. Just wanted to say thanks for the effort.
[ even if it didn't work, it means something that gale tried. damon isn't used to sincere displays of emotion, but he knows how to put one on: eyebrows drawn up, eyes wide and hang-dog, eye contact, the whole deal.
of course, he's about to follow it up with another request for help. but hey, that's being a witch for you—always cleaning up supernatural messes. ]
Edited 2025-06-04 02:38 (UTC)
[ The time being what it is (or rather, Gale's sense of dedication being what it is), Astarion visibly startles when the door opens. Then again, perhaps it's less surprise than it is the parallel note of delight. He'd heard the footsteps in the hall, known the gait and weight of them, and yet—
Any sense of decorum seemingly forgotten, he yelps, the sound dissolving into bubbling laughter as Gale's arms wrap around him. The book he'd been reading almost falls from his hands entirely — and he has half a mind to let it, if not for the fact that it's the volume Gale had given him for Christmas, now not just a distraction but an object of some sentimental value. ]
You're back early, [ he says, breathless, his head falling pliantly to one side to bare more of his neck. Greedy, as he's swiftly proven himself to be, for Gale's attention and affection, though he wriggles in the next moment, suddenly stricken. ] Wait, wait—
[ As soon as he manages to pry himself free, he — though the effect is somewhat lessened by how excited he still is — strikes a pose, one leg stuck out, his hands on his hips, a grin splitting his features even as the tilt of his head attempts coyness. Heather grey trousers, cornflower blue shirt, slightly large on his frame — both Gale's. ]
Better on a model than on the bed, don't you think?
Any sense of decorum seemingly forgotten, he yelps, the sound dissolving into bubbling laughter as Gale's arms wrap around him. The book he'd been reading almost falls from his hands entirely — and he has half a mind to let it, if not for the fact that it's the volume Gale had given him for Christmas, now not just a distraction but an object of some sentimental value. ]
You're back early, [ he says, breathless, his head falling pliantly to one side to bare more of his neck. Greedy, as he's swiftly proven himself to be, for Gale's attention and affection, though he wriggles in the next moment, suddenly stricken. ] Wait, wait—
[ As soon as he manages to pry himself free, he — though the effect is somewhat lessened by how excited he still is — strikes a pose, one leg stuck out, his hands on his hips, a grin splitting his features even as the tilt of his head attempts coyness. Heather grey trousers, cornflower blue shirt, slightly large on his frame — both Gale's. ]
Better on a model than on the bed, don't you think?
[ Oh, there’s the laugh. Like bells, like soaring music. Beautiful and happy and his, when he had hardly heard it before, in their first walks together, those early days in the manor, with Gale trailing after him like a stray dog, fed once by the hand that accepted his favour and unable to forget it. ]
Better. [ breathed more than said, as he steps closer, unable to hold himself apart, even in service of appreciating the sight of Astarion, all wrapped up in him. His, not to keep but to guard. They haven’t plainly discussed his desires, partly because Gale thinks it so obvious. I want you and only you forever written in shaky hands and unwavering looks. He can hardly decide where to fix his attention, with the looser neckline revealing Astarion’s lovely collarbone, the cuffed trousers indicative of that slight difference in their builds, the blue that somehow makes him look lighter, younger, freer, or maybe that’s the flush of excitement. The slouchier fit only looks refined on him, an intentional elegance that Gale could never pull off. ]
[ mouth twitching, smile all crooked — ] Far better than anything I could imagine.
[ And he imagined so much, in the intervening hours. It takes an herculean effort not to kiss him, as soon as he re-enters his orbit, drawn close enough to slide his knuckles under Astarion’s jaw, eyes still flickering between his and the rest of his person, bright hazel made dark by intent. ]
—And if I want to see the model on the bed?
[ In his clothes, in their room, ]
Better. [ breathed more than said, as he steps closer, unable to hold himself apart, even in service of appreciating the sight of Astarion, all wrapped up in him. His, not to keep but to guard. They haven’t plainly discussed his desires, partly because Gale thinks it so obvious. I want you and only you forever written in shaky hands and unwavering looks. He can hardly decide where to fix his attention, with the looser neckline revealing Astarion’s lovely collarbone, the cuffed trousers indicative of that slight difference in their builds, the blue that somehow makes him look lighter, younger, freer, or maybe that’s the flush of excitement. The slouchier fit only looks refined on him, an intentional elegance that Gale could never pull off. ]
[ mouth twitching, smile all crooked — ] Far better than anything I could imagine.
[ And he imagined so much, in the intervening hours. It takes an herculean effort not to kiss him, as soon as he re-enters his orbit, drawn close enough to slide his knuckles under Astarion’s jaw, eyes still flickering between his and the rest of his person, bright hazel made dark by intent. ]
—And if I want to see the model on the bed?
[ In his clothes, in their room, ]
Ah — [ he drags a hand over his beard, scratching at his jaw. it’s kind of damon to bother, when he failed. when stefan felt the need to resort to something drastic to prevent a terrible loss. ]
I suppose you’re welcome, though I’m sorry to have failed you so. Not quite the wizard I once was.
[ but that seems a self-indulgent sorrow, so he attempts a recovery. ]
Are you — that is to say — circumstances being what they are, are you all right?
I suppose you’re welcome, though I’m sorry to have failed you so. Not quite the wizard I once was.
[ but that seems a self-indulgent sorrow, so he attempts a recovery. ]
Are you — that is to say — circumstances being what they are, are you all right?
No, [ bluntly honest, shrugging disaffectedly, ] but that's not your problem.
[ it's stefan's. ]
The only cure in my world? I didn't even know it existed until Stefan told me about it. You didn't fail. It was inevitable.
[ which is all true—gale was never going to be able to cure the bite, or save damon from its effects. his life just doesn't work like that. he had to try, for as long as he could, but damon didn't expect it to work.
but... ] There is something new I could use a wi—zard for, [ probably calling the guy you're asking for help the wrong thing isn't a great idea, ] if you're up for it. This one isn't as inevitably doomed as a cure for a werewolf bite.
[ it's stefan's. ]
The only cure in my world? I didn't even know it existed until Stefan told me about it. You didn't fail. It was inevitable.
[ which is all true—gale was never going to be able to cure the bite, or save damon from its effects. his life just doesn't work like that. he had to try, for as long as he could, but damon didn't expect it to work.
but... ] There is something new I could use a wi—zard for, [ probably calling the guy you're asking for help the wrong thing isn't a great idea, ] if you're up for it. This one isn't as inevitably doomed as a cure for a werewolf bite.
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