[ Astarion doesn't have the buffer of his freshly-pilfered drow leather to absorb any of the shock, and Tav's wine -- and his own anger, brewing black under his skin -- has muddied his reflexes, missing the small window in which to dodge Gale's hand.
He goes down hard, letting loose a stuttered gasp as the water conducts Gale's sparks in rippling arcs around them both, jolting through his hands and up his spine. Astarion's vision goes dark for a moment, feet and hands kicking up silt until he finds purchase by pinning Gale's elbow with one hand, half-straddling Gale's hips -- one knee at his hip, the other bracketing his thigh -- with Gale's legs splayed open beneath him.
He coughs up water and sand, spitting it in the direction of Gale's face as he finds his bearings. They're both soaked, still sparking, chest rising and falling heavily as Astarion catches his breath, a strange thing to have to do now. ]
I thought I was a tiger to you, sweetheart. [ He digs sharp nails into Gale's upper arm where he has him pinned, voice rough and dangerous, his other hand twisting in the heavy velvet of Gale's shirt as he attempts to yank him closer. There's blood in his mouth, and he realizes he bit his tongue when Gale shocked him, his hair dripping onto Gale's face and chest as copper sings through his teeth. ] Do you like watching me prowl?
tru luv
He goes down hard, letting loose a stuttered gasp as the water conducts Gale's sparks in rippling arcs around them both, jolting through his hands and up his spine. Astarion's vision goes dark for a moment, feet and hands kicking up silt until he finds purchase by pinning Gale's elbow with one hand, half-straddling Gale's hips -- one knee at his hip, the other bracketing his thigh -- with Gale's legs splayed open beneath him.
He coughs up water and sand, spitting it in the direction of Gale's face as he finds his bearings. They're both soaked, still sparking, chest rising and falling heavily as Astarion catches his breath, a strange thing to have to do now. ]
I thought I was a tiger to you, sweetheart. [ He digs sharp nails into Gale's upper arm where he has him pinned, voice rough and dangerous, his other hand twisting in the heavy velvet of Gale's shirt as he attempts to yank him closer. There's blood in his mouth, and he realizes he bit his tongue when Gale shocked him, his hair dripping onto Gale's face and chest as copper sings through his teeth. ] Do you like watching me prowl?