[ Astarion's mind is already searching for constellations of possibility, anything for Gale to hold onto as an alternative to the orb, but he's never been a planner. Maybe their illithid potential, or - again - Raphael, both gambles, the latter feeling more desperate and also more dangerous.
He needs to rest before he can look at this properly, worn down from the day, even though he feels time slipping from them as they speak.
Astarion is loathe to release him, but they don't need whichever Harpers are on watch to witness any more of this private moment than they likely have already. He lets go of a shaky breath against Gale's shoulder, then pulls back enough to look at him. ]
Yes. Of course. [ He hadn't fully appreciated that they have the exceedingly rare gift of private rooms here, stormy as he felt earlier, but he is grateful for it now. His gaze sweeps Gale's face, taking him in, wanting to memorize the lines of it while also feeling the ache of doing so. Lifts a hand to tuck a wayward strand of hair behind his ear, lingering at his cheek. ] We have a few hours, at least.
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He needs to rest before he can look at this properly, worn down from the day, even though he feels time slipping from them as they speak.
Astarion is loathe to release him, but they don't need whichever Harpers are on watch to witness any more of this private moment than they likely have already. He lets go of a shaky breath against Gale's shoulder, then pulls back enough to look at him. ]
Yes. Of course. [ He hadn't fully appreciated that they have the exceedingly rare gift of private rooms here, stormy as he felt earlier, but he is grateful for it now. His gaze sweeps Gale's face, taking him in, wanting to memorize the lines of it while also feeling the ache of doing so. Lifts a hand to tuck a wayward strand of hair behind his ear, lingering at his cheek. ] We have a few hours, at least.