[ What a reaction. Astarion is learning that Gale is quick to fluster, when he hits the right trigger points, and it doesn't escape his notice that both vampires and sex are two of them. It's a fun little game to play, particularly around this many people and particularly when the pair of them are highly visible.

And they are being watched, as Astarion takes Gale's arm and they descend the ballroom stairs, heads beginning to turn on the floor below. There's a poised neutrality to most of the looks they're getting, though a few are openly wistful and some bleed resentment.

While Astarion could hold his own against the average puffed-up noble, perhaps it's a good thing he's only pretending to drink the wine tonight. ]

I’d invite you to one should you ever make it to Baldur’s Gate, but I suspect you’d be as popular there as you are here. [ Using Gale's proffered arm as leverage to lean into his space, voice low. ] And said popularity's a touch more harrowing when the ladies bite.