[ Astarion never does discover what Gale's tainted blood tastes like. Tav calls them back down for a discussion about the crèche, before they end their day; and Astarion retreats to his tent with rat and stolen wine on his tongue, Gale's offer effectively aborted, for now.
They don't speak of it, and whatever strange moment they'd shared on the roof feels years away by the time they venture underground. Food certainly isn't better, there, but it does exist. Duergar taste earthy - a little fungal, even, darkly funny given the myconid conflict they're asked to step into - and they aren't Astarion's favorite vintage, but beggars can't be choosers.
It was only a matter of time before Tav clocked Gale and Astarion's petty rivalry, and she begins to separate them on missions like they're children. Shadowheart and Karlach are the favored party, with the rest of them shuffled into rotation as needed. Being sidelined doesn't really rankle Astarion, at this juncture; he's not invested in risking his neck for everyone else, so if Tav wants to put the girls on the frontline, all the better for him.
But he can tell it eats at Gale, the way he broods by the fire at camp and perks up like a puppy every time Tav picks him for their mission-of-the-day. And even if Astarion doesn't want to get blown up or body-slammed by bulettes, it is irritating when Gale is determined more useful - and there are more bizarre arcane artifacts in the Underdark than mundane locks to pick.
One evening after dinner, Tav sits down with Gale and a map and they gesture excitedly together about some abandoned arcane tower down here. After they finish this business with the myconid colony, she promises, she's going to bring Gale along to see what's what.
Gale's good mood is annoying enough that Astarion sneaks a peek at the map and, around the lunch hour the next day - when most of them are reading or dozing or kicking the shit out of an illithid punching bag, in Lae'zel's case - Astarion feigns leaving camp for a nibble, and wanders in the direction of the tower. Just to get a look, maybe secure some invaluable intel that will make Tav realize she should bring him along rather than Gale.
The path there is absolutely riddled with fucking mushrooms. Astarion doesn't know what half of them are, but he watches a lizard creep too close to one and promptly explode, setting off three others near by. So he's treading carefully. Sneaking. Which means he's acutely aware that someone else is sneaking behind him.
Has been following him since he left camp, actually. Astarion can't imagine Gale wants to offer his neck today - hasn't let himself imagine it since that evening on the monastery roof, so as not to feel anything resembling disappointment or gods forbid yearning in relation to Gale - and so he is likely just here to chide him for being naughty. Or off his competition for slot number three in Tav's favor.
Astarion doesn't turn around yet, just calls back behind him all sing-song, ]
Are you keeping notes on my whereabouts for teacher? [ He does turn, then, spotting Gale not far behind, after having to drop from a ledge to catch up. Astarion twirls one of his daggers in hand, facing Gale and taking a few meandering steps backward. He's aware of the mushrooms around him, and doesn't intend to back into one, but it's fun to make the wizard sweat. ] Should I ask you for a permission slip next time I leave camp?
no subject
They don't speak of it, and whatever strange moment they'd shared on the roof feels years away by the time they venture underground. Food certainly isn't better, there, but it does exist. Duergar taste earthy - a little fungal, even, darkly funny given the myconid conflict they're asked to step into - and they aren't Astarion's favorite vintage, but beggars can't be choosers.
It was only a matter of time before Tav clocked Gale and Astarion's petty rivalry, and she begins to separate them on missions like they're children. Shadowheart and Karlach are the favored party, with the rest of them shuffled into rotation as needed. Being sidelined doesn't really rankle Astarion, at this juncture; he's not invested in risking his neck for everyone else, so if Tav wants to put the girls on the frontline, all the better for him.
But he can tell it eats at Gale, the way he broods by the fire at camp and perks up like a puppy every time Tav picks him for their mission-of-the-day. And even if Astarion doesn't want to get blown up or body-slammed by bulettes, it is irritating when Gale is determined more useful - and there are more bizarre arcane artifacts in the Underdark than mundane locks to pick.
One evening after dinner, Tav sits down with Gale and a map and they gesture excitedly together about some abandoned arcane tower down here. After they finish this business with the myconid colony, she promises, she's going to bring Gale along to see what's what.
Gale's good mood is annoying enough that Astarion sneaks a peek at the map and, around the lunch hour the next day - when most of them are reading or dozing or kicking the shit out of an illithid punching bag, in Lae'zel's case - Astarion feigns leaving camp for a nibble, and wanders in the direction of the tower. Just to get a look, maybe secure some invaluable intel that will make Tav realize she should bring him along rather than Gale.
The path there is absolutely riddled with fucking mushrooms. Astarion doesn't know what half of them are, but he watches a lizard creep too close to one and promptly explode, setting off three others near by. So he's treading carefully. Sneaking. Which means he's acutely aware that someone else is sneaking behind him.
Has been following him since he left camp, actually. Astarion can't imagine Gale wants to offer his neck today - hasn't let himself imagine it since that evening on the monastery roof, so as not to feel anything resembling disappointment or gods forbid yearning in relation to Gale - and so he is likely just here to chide him for being naughty. Or off his competition for slot number three in Tav's favor.
Astarion doesn't turn around yet, just calls back behind him all sing-song, ]
Are you keeping notes on my whereabouts for teacher? [ He does turn, then, spotting Gale not far behind, after having to drop from a ledge to catch up. Astarion twirls one of his daggers in hand, facing Gale and taking a few meandering steps backward. He's aware of the mushrooms around him, and doesn't intend to back into one, but it's fun to make the wizard sweat. ] Should I ask you for a permission slip next time I leave camp?