#AND SHES TRYING TO BECOME THE NEXT BLACKSTAFF

[emmy-dekarios-bg3]

(Gale x Emmy dancing pics by @thelittlesorceressbg3 )

Heart of the Weave: Part 3

Chapter 33

So, something tells me my parents don't know about what happened in the forests yesterday. My brothers have kept their mouths shut for now, and I'm sort of grateful for that. My mother and father both seem content, smiling at me as I devour these pancakes. However, I also feel slightly guilty for keeping it a secret even though the trauma has already been inflicted. 

 “MMM… Gods bless whoever invented this delicious food,” I mumble as I finish stuffing my face. Gale takes Jenevelle out from her stroller, feeding her a morning bottle as I finish eating my breakfast. 

“I don't doubt that you could live off pancakes every day for the rest of time,” Gale comments, raising an eyebrow as he observes me eating. Everyone is staring at me completely entertained, and while I'm usually bothered by eyeballs on me while I eat, that's not the case today. 

 “Now that you're finished, baby time?” Fanden asks as he hands Onyx over to me. I kick my feet with excitement as I delicately take the baby from his arms. Aelric and Jenevelle both have their eyes glued to me as I hold the tiny tiefling baby, and I can tell they aren't pleased. We all converse with one another, and it's…relaxing. This wonderful city we've grown accustomed to is inviting us in with its relaxing yet fun atmosphere, making  quality time together with everyone just that much more enjoyable.  In fact, our next stop after this is the festival. Face paints, animals, clothing booths, and live music. The babies will go nuts! 

“Mum!” I hear a familiar voice from the distance, and it's Neeve dashing toward us as quickly as she can, with Maddox not too far behind her. She must be finished with those ‘errands.’ 

“My darling daughter! What kind of tomfoolery have you been up to with your dashing husband?” Neeve pulls out a letter of some sort that's tied with a red ribbon. “Hmm?” She side-glances at Gale for half a second, as if she thought I wouldn't catch that. 

 “Open it.” I untie the ribbon despite the fact my hands are occupied with a newborn baby. The letter drops down, revealing quite a bit of information. “Now read it. Out loud.”

I clear my throat as I begin to speak. 

Dear Mrs. Dekarios,

Blackstaff Academy has been reserved for you and as many people as you'd like as a courtesy of the Academy Staff. Music, food, and dancing will be provided for all involved, so please come in your favorite attire and bring your favorite peers. We wish you a very happy birthday, and look forward to seeing you present. 

Sincerely, 

The Dean of Blackstaff Academy 

Located in Waterdeep 

I begin to tear up from the intense excitement, feeling a surge of energy jolt through me like a virus. I jump up, squeal, and become absolutely speechless. Unfortunately, this startles the baby, who sticks out his bottom lip and Fanden immediately takes him from me with no hesitation. 

“Holy shit!” I scream. “B–b–b–”

“Come on, use your words,” Astarion teases as I try to speak. Everyone (except Fanden, who is trying to calm the baby) smiles enthusiastically as I shift my eyes from the letter to them. I can feel my eyes water as my heart begins to race from the ecstatic feeling I just got. This is exactly what I need. 

“Honey, was this your idea?” I ask Gale, my smile frozen on my face at this point. No really, my cheeks feel stiff. 

“All of us. We figured it would be a perfect treat for your birthday. I love you, my beautiful wife.” We lean in to kiss each other sweetly on the lips in front of everyone, and I don’t want the sweet sensation to come to an end. To know this is the man I've married is the biggest blessing in the Universe. 

“I love you too. So much. Thank you…” I face my family and friends, taking a deep breath as I continue to speak. “And thank you all for giving me a wonderful birthday to look forward to.”

“We will have the food and everything catered before you arrive,” my father adds. “I'm taking the boys on a fun trip for their birthday coming up. Oops… Sorry, twins. I meant to keep that a surprise.” My mother rolls her eyes, but chuckles at his absurdity. So that's where I get my brain fog from. 

 “And we will be keeping the babies while you all have your fun,” my mother chimes in, who reaches for Jenevelle from Gale’s arms. “You all deserve the best.”

 “This is amazing… Holy shit,” I say once more, and Fanden finally smiles after the baby stops fussing. His stare is locked on me for a solid minute, and now I feel terrible for scaring the baby. 

 “Yeah, holy shit, which…your excitement caused Onyx to do in his diaper. No matter, I'll go change him. But when I get back… Festival time?”

 “You're not mad at me, right?” I ask him with wide eyes and stick out my bottom lip. “I'm sorry I scared the little guy.” Fanden, as protective as he is of me, is also very very protective of Onyx. He does manage to laugh, and mess up my hair on purpose with his free hand. 

 “I could never be mad at you. Anywho, I'll meet you all at the festival. Therran is the leader, everyone follow him.”

 “You might want to reconsider. I’m a follower, not a leader,” Therran argues playfully as he stands up, seeming a bit tense physically. “Plus, I will cropdust anyone who stands behind me.” My father groans and places his face within his hands. 

 “NOPE. NAH. I’ll lead,” I quickly put my two cents in without a second thought. I absolutely refuse  to stand behind Therran after he just devoured ten pancakes. Then I realized: I also suffer from horrendous tummy aches that may take out an entire village. 

“You're just as bad as Therran!” My father explains as he leans his head back, clearly annoyed at our nonsense. “All three of you children flatulate horribly, as if something has brutally corrupted your insides.” 

“Fine, Astarion, Asher, and I will lead the way. You can trust all of us,” Shadowheart murmurs as she places Annaliese in the stroller. Excitement courses through me like a river, and I look forward to what lies ahead for today. 

[selunesdreams]

Somebody in the Hells Loves You

“Gale, I don’t mean to sound unappreciative, but what are you doing here? We haven’t spoken in years - we’re practically strangers-”

A bright white flash interrupted Florence, and she lifted her gaze to find a strange, tentacled ship tearing through the night sky.

“What in the hells?” Her body was frozen in terror. “Is that a-”

For once in his life, Gale was speechless, and as the ship rapidly approached, he cursed and grabbed Florence by the hand.

“Unless you want to see that thing from the inside, I suggest we run.”

Pairing: Gale x Named Tav/OFC

Summary: It’s been nearly a year since anyone has heard from Gale Dekarios. Once a promising mage, he now lives as a recluse, stripped of Mystra’s favor and cursed by netherese magic due to a well-intentioned but catastrophic mistake.

For Florence Ashveil, who left Blackstaff Academy years ago after circumstances thwarted her dreams of becoming one of the best and brightest wizards of her generation, the silence has been even longer. But when their paths cross again just as they are abducted by a Nautiloid ship, it seems they’ll have plenty of time to get reacquainted.

Rating: mature

Words: 3.8k

Tags: just-fucked-it-up-with-Mystra era Gale, slow burn, mutual pining, mysterious past, baggage, sexual/romantic tension Warnings: brief tangential mention of Astarion-related trauma, not graphic, viewed as flashback.

a/n: Welcome to my first Gale fic! The pipeline is real. This story is still developing, so I'm not sure how the rating/tags will be impacted. It's reasonable to expect some eventual smut. Sorry if you were waiting on the next installment of Forms of Imprisonment, I got distracted by this one but promise it’s coming soon!

There were countless times in Florence Ashveil’s thirty years of life when she complained she “ was in the Hells .” Secondary school, family reunions, her first breakup - her mother had chastised her on each occasion, explaining ad nauseam how everyone endures such things, that they don’t equate to suffering a place like Avernus. Once, during exams week, her second year at the Academy, she wrote the phrase in a letter home and received a pigeon from Cora Ashveil the next day.

“I pray you never truly experience the hells, Flossie, because I fear your poor tolerance for distress would set you up poorly for surviving them.”

If only her mother could see her now.

*Hours Earlier*

Florence perused the offerings of the crowded Waterdeep Market alone, following her usual Tenthday ritual. Hundreds of stalls and camped vendors shouted at passing visitors, vying for their gold. A few called out to her with flirtatious compliments, encouraging her to come closer or try a free sample, and she shook her head with a terse smile, keeping wary of thieves. Her fingers touched her coin purse several times to confirm it was still there. She stopped at her usual booth, inspecting produce with a frown as she tried to ignore the never ending voices screeching in her mind.

Check for worms, maggots - what if they’re infested with maggots and you don’t see-

Relief came as distraction - an ostentatious, familiar voice, chatting with a nearby vendor, as if incapable of stopping.

“Did you know the skin of a kiwi is just as edible as the rest of it? I had a friend from Snowdown as a child, his family had vines upon vines of the things growing-”

Gale Dekarios.

It had been roughly a year since the public had seen him, and even longer for Florence. The last time they were in the same room, he’d given her a wistful look as she carried her belongings out of the Academy, books tucked under one arm, her bag slung over the opposite shoulder. She’d kept her eyes downcast, and shuffled out the door as her mentor, Vajra Safahr, solemnly escorted her out. Gale had opened his mouth, as if wanting to say something, but quickly closed it and disappeared down the hall. Florence somehow found the idea of him pitying her more mortifying than the whispers as she left Blackstaff Academy for good.

So when she’d heard he’d become a recluse after an erroneous act of devotion to gain Mystra’s approval, she’d wondered if it had felt the same to him as it did her - to lose your chance at greatness because your weakness got in the way. There had been rumors he and the goddess were involved in romantically, beyond the magic and mentorship. The news hadn’t shocked Florence. Gale Dekarios, a man of massive talent with the Art, was also not difficult to look at.

And Mystra was…Mystra.

“Florence, is that you?”

He squinted in her direction right as she attempted to duck behind a fruit crate and clumsily, she dropped the cabbage she had been examining into the dirt.

“Shit.”

She stooped to grab it just as Gale’s fingers reached it, and he held it out in his palm, like some sort of offering.

Contaminated, filthy, don’t touch it, throw it away, throw it away-

“Gale! I-”

“Apologies, I didn’t mean to frighten-”

“-such an idiot, head’s always somewhere else these days-”

They both fell silent, realizing they’d been nervously chattering over one another, and Gale placed his hand on her arm with a soft chuckle. The gesture was tender, unassuming, and a wave of warmth spread through her body in response. No one had touched her in years, save the occasional side-hug from her mother.

“It’s good to see you.” He said earnestly, with a thin-lipped smile as he stood from his crouch beside her. She caught something in his gaze, akin to pity, as he assessed her, and she felt sick.

“Likewise, I…how have you been?” She passed the produce vendor a few coins with an apology and awkwardly carried the cabbage as they stepped to a nearby wall to move away from the busy path.

“I spent most of the last year in my tower, essentially a hermit. Gets rather lonely, but I do at least have-“ he stopped himself and cleared his throat. “Apologies, I’ve…not spoken to anyone but my Tressym in quite some time.”

“I had heard, are you…well?”

“Yes, yes, everyone’s familiar with the rumors.” He waved dismissively, and a shadow crossed his features. “But how are you , Florence? Surely up to something magnificent. As I recall, you were talented with the Art, much more so than our peers…”

“Oh, I…I’m actually…” she released a long breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding, “I have nothing impressive to report, honestly. I work at St. Laupsenn as a potions artificer.”

“St. Laupsenn, truly? I spent a little time convalescing there with a nasty case of ruddy pox. For all their kindness, leaving that place was a relief like no other…” He trailed off. “Surely there are other notable things happening in your life? Extracurriculars? Don’t tell me you’re wasting your talent brewing healing potions for a living…”

“I…have a shift at the Hanging Lantern a few nights every ten-day.”

As the words fell from her lips, Florence realized she’d just told him she moonlighted at one of the most notorious Festhalls in Waterdeep with no further context. She watched his face reveal all his thoughts as he processed what she’d said.

He blushed. “The Hanging Lantern? Ah - not what I’d expected, but I’m sure you - do you…?”

“Oh! Oh no, I hardly have the looks for that-“ she forced a laugh to displace her discomfort, “I play piano. Set the ambiance, you know, so they can do all the hard work.”

She swallowed and glanced over her shoulder.

“Of course! How could I forget! You always had a beautiful way with music, invariably working your craft into how you wielded magic. Truly creative, poetic, even…”

Florence had appreciated his verbosity, and never quite succumbed to the bitter jealousy her classmates had towards Gale. Perhaps he stumbled over words or bragged a bit too much, but at his core, he meant well. She believed that sincerely. However, as she stood in the middle of the market, she wished she was anywhere else as she made small talk with the renowned wizard.

“I ah…I apologize, Gale. You caught me at an inopportune moment. I have actually somewhere to be, but it was lovely catching up with you.” She placed a delicate touch on his forearm. “Perhaps we’ll cross paths again soon?”

“Yes, yes, I hope we do. Don’t let me keep you. It was a pleasure speaking with you.”

If he tried to conceal his disappointment, he did a poor job of it. Gods, he must have been so lonely this past year. She nodded politely and, as she change direction to leave, his smile faltered. She’d gotten several steps away before she heard him clear his throat and call after her.

“Florence?”

“Yes?” She turned, her mind focused on the produce still in her hands. Invisible dirt and grime on her fingers preoccupied her every thought. She yearned to toss it in the nearest bin as fast as she could and scrub underneath her nails until they bled.

“I…for what it’s worth, if you wanted to, I think you have the looks for anything. I’m sure you look lovely at that piano every night.”

She blinked at him as he turned and walked away without another word. Behind her, a rothé reached over the wooden fence of its pen and nibbled at her hand. She stepped away, startled.

“Here,” she said, extending the cabbage to it, “it’s all yours.”

The rothé accepted her offering and dropped it to the earth, grazing at it with appreciation. Florence wiped her hands on the waist of her trousers several times and walked home with an empty market basket and the makings of a headache.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

He was in the crowd.

Gods-be-fucking-damned he was in the crowd. She should have never told him where she worked.

Florence set her sheet music on the piano, despite her lack of need for it. She’d memorized everything, but it gave her something to focus on, particularly on nights like tonight when she was prone to distraction. Typically, an over-familiar gentleman would question her about her personal life, or a fight would break out at the bar. Tonight, Gale Dekarios beamed at her and waved cordially from a booth.

Hells.

Surprisingly, the night progressed without incident, and she eventually forgot he was there. Once she’d packed her things into her bag and walked out onto the dimly lit street, Gale was leaning against the side of the tavern, arms crossed in front of him.

“Excellent musicianship.” He complimented her and pushed off the wall. “Apologies if my attendance was disruptive, it’s…been a while since I’ve been out or seen an old friend.”

Friend? She thought to herself. How loosely did this man define friendship? To seek her company. How lonely must he have been?

“Thanks…I rarely have people stop by to listen to me play. I’m more…background noise.”

“I did have to, rather awkwardly, explain my business there when I wasn’t interested in paying for…companionship, but it’s always good to get away from typical comforts…”

She stopped walking and turned to him.

“Gale, I don’t mean to sound unappreciative, but what are you doing here? We haven’t spoken in years - we’re practically strangers and-”

A bright white flash interrupted Florence, and she lifted her gaze to find a strange, tentacled ship tearing through the night sky. People screamed around them and the streets flooded with chaos as bodies collided with one another, stampeding towards hope of escape.

“What in the hells?” Her body was frozen in terror. “Is that a-“

For once in his life, Gale seemed speechless, and as the ship rapidly approached, he cursed and grabbed Florence by the hand.

“Unless you want to see that thing from the inside, I suggest we run.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The tadpole wriggled in her brain like a slithering migraine while her breath fogged the glass of her containment pod. As she returned to consciousness, she kicked and slammed her fists against the window, desperately trying to break out.

A sphincter shaped gate opened across the room, splayed apart in a disturbing manner. Through the fogged window, she glimpsed a githyanki searching the room, trailed by a dark-haired woman with unfortunate bangs and…

Him.

“Help! Get me out! Please!”

Florence prayed her cries would make it through the thick walls of the pod, and to her relief, Gale’s head snapped towards her and he rushed over, investigating the exterior for any indications of weakness.

“There you are! Hold on!” He pressed a hand to the glass to reassure her, and she touched it from the other side.

He’d been looking for her.

Muffled by her vessel of containment, she heard the gith arguing with him, insisting they leave her to die. When he refused, the gith left on her own, and Florence couldn’t blame her. They were wasting valuable time.

She watched him run back and forth across the ship several times before he made any progress, the dark-haired woman lingering near the door until he returned to the pod with a triumphant grin and a strange rune. He inserted it into a nearby console and the seal broke and hissed. A mist rose around her before she was ejected onto her hands and knees, and she struggled to catch her breath, body convulsing as she vomited. Gale rushed to her side, dropping to his knees, and rested his hand on her shoulder with a grimace as she retched.

“Never thought I’d get you out of there.”

“Thanks for saving me.” She panted and wiped her mouth with the back of her arm.

“There will be time to debrief later. The ship’s crashing and if we delay any longer, we’re dead!” Shadowheart yanked Florence from the floor and shoved her towards Gale. He held an arm around her shoulders to steady her.

With a cough, Florence nodded in agreement. “Lead the way.”

They followed the woman through vesseled passageways, using Gale as a support until she got her bearings.

“I see you made friends.” She said as they dodged smoldering piles of ash and carrion as dragons soared dangerously close to the sides of the vessel, screeching and roaring as they set fire to the ship.

“That’s Shadowheart. I found her trapped in a pod, like you.”

“Enough dawdling! We are wasting time.” The githyanki shouted as they met her at the ship’s helm.

“And that’s Lae’zel.” He murmured.

Blocking their path, a Mindflayer fought a large cambion in, and Florence clutched her head as his voice echoed inside of her brain.

“Get to the helm, I’ll hold them back.”

“Don’t have to tell me twice.” Gale said and drew an arcane gate for the four of them. He gripped Florence around the waist and pulled her through, letting go once they stepped through the portal, and began fumbling with the controls. As he did so, a brain with legs and claws scrambled up and stopped at Gale’s feet.

Florence’s eyes widened in alarm, and she instinctively took a step back. “What is that?!” she shrieked.

Gale, his attention still fixed on the console, replied, “I... don’t rightly know, but it seems to be on our side.” He paused for a moment, his brow furrowing. “It called itself Kitty at one point, but I pulled it out of a human skull, so I’m not sure if that’s a comfort.”

“Gods, I’m going to faint.”

“I’d prefer it if you didn’t.” Gale responded, and with a final flick of a switch, the console hummed to life, stopping the vessel dead in the air.

“Ha!” He said triumphantly, “See? Everything will be just-“

Suddenly, the ship jolted, emitting a loud creak, and darkness consumed all light in view.

“K’chakhi!” Lae’zel pushed Gale out of the way and studied the console. “You’ve cut the power. We’ll crash!”

“Brace yourselves!” Shadowheart warned. Florence searched for something to hold on to, but when the Nautiloid careened to the side, she slipped through the air with no hope of saving herself. Panic gripped her as she plummeted towards her certain death, the others falling just a few feet above her.

“Take my hand!” Gale’s voice cut through the chaos, grasping for her as they free fell. “There’s a transportation sigil on that rock below. I’ll try to get us there-”

His strained fingertips grazed her skin, and he seized her by the wrist. Midair. He seized her by the wrist and pulled her against him, transporting them from the sky to the arcane sigil. Suspended in time and space, Florence’s panic grew. Gale held her close enough that she could smell the cologne that lingered on his neck. An earthy, spicy blend of cedar, sage, and ginger. Just underneath his shirt, she caught a faint glow. Some sort of magically infused tattoo?

“My magic is…diminished, of late.” He confessed over the dull roar of the void. The sporadic swirls of light inside the sigil illuminated his grim expression. “I can only get one of us out. Find me and-”

She hit the solid ground with a thud before he even finished speaking, and the force knocked the wind from her lungs. Blinded by the sun, Florence squinted and threw a hand in front of her face, looking out at the vast body of water shimmering ahead of her. Time passed differently in magical planes, and it seemed hours had elapsed in the seconds the sigil had trapped them. Fortunately, Gale had transported her to this beach, and not an entirely different dimension.

She pushed herself up from the ground and clapped away the sand sticking to her palms. When she turned, she found the Nautiloid wrecked behind her. From the state of it, survivors were unlikely. She kept vigilant as she moved through the rubble, scanning her surroundings for any signs of Gale.

“I saw you. You were on that ship. You’re one of them.”

A pale, ruby-eyed elf with white hair darted into her path and drew his dagger. She raised her palms in a peaceful gesture.

“I fell from the Nautiloid, abducted, just like you.”

“Do you take me for a fool? You teleported!”

“I don’t have time for this,” Florence grumbled. She pushed past him and stormed up the beach and into the wreckage.

“Wait! Where are you going?” He shouted, too stunned to react.

Ignoring his protests, she wandered through the smouldering remains of the ship until a familiar, whooshing sound of a portal caught her attention. Florence exhaled with relief at the sight of Gale’s arm sticking out of the swirling violet hole.

“A hand? Anyone?”

Without hesitation, she grabbed his arm and pulled with all her strength until the portal spat him out. She fell backwards, and he landed on top of her, inadvertently pinning her down.

“Are you alright?” Concern etched his face as he stared down at her. “I hope I didn’t send you too far...”

“I’m fine, but Gale, what-“ Florence began, her words interrupted by a voice from behind.

“My, my. Seems you found your missing friend.” The elf from the beach was leaning against a nearby boulder, hand still on the hilt of his dagger. A clear warning.

“Ah, I didn’t realize we had company.” With an apology, he scrambled off of Florence and helped her to her feet before turning to the elf.

“I take it you too were the victim of a rather unpleasant ocular insertion?” Gale tapped his temple and brushed himself off, extending a hand. “I’m Gale, of Waterdeep-”

“I suggest you stow that hand if you’d prefer to keep it, wizard.”

“Lovely friend you’ve made already, Florence.” Gale mumbled and shoved his hands in his trouser pockets as he bowed his head to Astarion. “I’d advise you to stow that blade or I’ll have to- ack!”

A sharp, searing pain erupted between Florence’s temples. The world seemed to spin as visions, not her own, flashed before her.

You sat cross-legged in a tavern with a hand atop a young patriar’s, sharing a bottle of wine. His other hand touched your knee, and you kissed him, but your chest caved in with repulsion. You insisted he blow the candles out when you reached his room, and eyes open in the dark, you focused on one spot of light, cast from the window, until it was all over -

The vision stuttered and slipped away, fading into…

Darkness. Never ending darkness. Violet-black of the shadow weave swirling as the mark on your chest throbbed harder than your aching heart. You almost had everything, and you gave it all up to impress her. You failed, never good enough. She’ll never forgive you. She doesn’t want you. Nobody could want you, not if they knew-

Florence held her arms out, grasping for anything to anchor herself as another vision flooded her senses like a crashing wave. Her fingertips brushed against the coarse surface of the boulder, and she leaned on it for support as a surge of alien memories invaded her mind.

Swiftly maneuvering through the streets of Baldur’s Gate, you ran for your life, but it was too-

A thunderous crack suddenly filled her head, causing her to lose her balance and fall on all fours.

The woman at the piano was someone you thought you could have fallen for, once. Her chestnut hair fell across her face as she played, the soft curve of her half-elvish ears peeking through thick waves as her bottom lip jutted out. You recognized that look, the focus in it. Such talent, such promise. What terrible thing befell her? Why did she leave the Academy? You never got a goodbye, but perhaps it was foolish to expect one. But you approached her at the market because she was like a beacon of hope. Something familiar from your past that you wished you’d paid more attention to rather than-

“Ugh!”

As Florence regained consciousness, she blinked furiously to ease the pulsating burn in her head. Her tadpole seemed to wriggle with recognition, then settled, seemingly sated. She spared a glance in Gale’s direction. Sweat trickled down his forehead, his hand pressed tightly against his heart with a pained expression, as he avoided meeting anyone’s gaze.

“What in the hells what that?” The elf demanded.

“I think we were in each other’s heads…” she groaned.

“Well, it seems you were telling the truth, after all.” With an apologetic smile, he sheathed his blade and wiped his hands on his belt.

“Let’s start over. I’m Astarion.”

“Pleasure.” Gale responded sarcastically and stood with a grunt. Strategically, almost possessively, positioned between Florence and Astarion, he supported her as she rose from the ground, not turning his back to their new acquaintance. Once more, the peculiar tattoo caught her attention, visible beneath his shirt collar. It no longer glowed, but in the light she could see that it subtly connected to the crinkle of his eye, as if magic tunneled through the capillaries under his skin.

“Likewise.” Astarion said. “So, do you have any idea what these…things are in our heads?”

“Tadpoles.” Gale said, “It appears our minds are linked. Unless you know a healer, in a few days’ time, we’ll undergo ceremorphosis and become mindflayers.”

“Mindflayers? Ha… ha!” The elf cackled, “of course we will.”

“We should stick together until we find someone who can extract them. There were others on the ship. I’d like to see if they survived the crash as well.”

“The more the merrier.” Astarion’s demeanor was suspiciously cheerful, a stark contrast to their earlier interaction. Florence had worked in a Festhall for three years, she could easily spot a charlatan. But rather than press the issue, she chose instead to concentrate on surviving the night without becoming illithid.

They found Shadowheart unconscious on the beach as they wandered the debris in search of supplies. Procuring bedrolls, some abandoned packs from fishing posts nearby, and a few dinner rations, Gale suggested they regroup and rest until morning.

“Out here? In the wilds?” Florence picked at the skin around her thumb and glanced towards the burning ship behind them.

“Presumably, there won’t be a tavern for miles. I think we’re roughing it.” Gale’s expression seemed genuinely sympathetic, which came as a relief, because she felt quite high maintenance complaining under the circumstances.

Astarion edged closer to her, “Don’t worry, darling, I’ll keep you safe,” and she swore she caught a disapproving scowl on Gale’s face before he retreated to the edge of camp, explaining, with some urgency, that he needed to get a sending spell to someone in Waterdeep to check on his Tressym.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Thanks for reading! Please leave a comment/feedback/constructive criticism (this is not peer read) and a kudos on AO3 if you enjoyed (or feel free to hate-kudos it, I won't mind.)

If you'd like, you can connect with me here on Tumblr or check out my Astarion fic (that features Gale), Forms of Imprisonment!

[triinitas]

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ: BUNNIE'S WISHLIST :･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱₊˚⊹ ᰔ — i'll be compiling a list of fun thread/plot ideas here !

♡ GENERAL

i love all sorts of things, but here are some genres i love: - angsty plot - fluffy/cute plot - slice of life - written combat - adventure !! - corruption - ships !!! i love ships !!!!!

♡ DEMENIA

- a blind dinner date set up by someone they mutually know - thaltha has hired [your chara] to "babysit"/bodyguard demenia while she goes into some old ruins - demenia finds [your chara] unconscious (maybe injured?) and brings them back to her place to nurse them back to health - corruption arc?? demenia is exposed to the horrors of the world with the help of [your chara]... detais tbd w/ u - pre-neverwinter, while she's staying in the blackstaff tower; [your chara] && her become "school pals" and get up to shenanigans together

♡ FREIORA

- other chara gets accidentally ambushed by her while she's transformed - freiora is hired to bodyguard [your chara] for one reason or another - freiora is on a guard job and confronts [your chara] while they're trying to steal something/do something nefarious - frei & another wolfy character doing wolfy things - freiora && [your chara] get super drunk and end up on a wild Hangover-esque adventure that they both forget the next day - freiora and [your chara] are both mercenaries and were hired together to run a job

♡ ZORAH

- a party of debauchery: she's there to steal some weird nobleman's stuff [your chara] is there for whatever reason you want ! - [your chara] finds && confronts zorah while she's trying to assassinate/steal/do a nefarious deed - zorah uses her infernal charms (lol) to convince [your chara] to help her do research on an old legend involving an artefact - zorah hires [your chara] to help her on a mission to delve into some ruins to find an ancient tome - zorah enters an arranged marriage w/ [your chara] to secure a position of power for herself

[therogue-librarians-assistant]

Diary, Merpenoth

LUNA GOT ARRESTED.  She apparently had Anthony cast Speak with Dead on some of the suspects from the bombing and the guard (predictably) got back to her on it.  The argument... she really does believe that she’s got the best solution to any problem.  I’ll be fair, the guard is far from the most capable, but listening to her try to persuade the guards to let her continue...  wow.

They gave her two weeks of labor and some fairly hefty fines.  Anthony got his family to send her some money and I chipped in as well.  Welcome to the club, dear.  I sincerely hope this didn’t make Vajra mad at her.

[jbk405]

I read Peace Talks last night, the new novel of The Dresden Files that I learned was out when I went to pick up my copy of The Rise of Kyoshi.

Maybe it’s the overhyped anticipation due to the five-year delay since the last book came out, or maybe it’s a side-effect of the book being split in two, but a lot of it was a letdown from what I was hoping for.

On a technical level, it seemed like the book returned to the unnecessary and creepy over-sexualization of the early part of the series.  For the first few novels Jim Butcher had the bad habit of needing to describe just how sexy women were even in highly inappropriate circumstances, and even when it didn’t make sense (The first novel infamously had a seen where a woman had been murdered with magic that made her heart literally explode from her chest, and yet despite having her ribcage flung open her breasts were somehow still in the same position and shape as always for titillation.  Ugh).  Butcher himself has admitted that the early novels are distinctly amateur work, and his writing has gotten a lot better since then, and as it went along these sorts of creepy details fell by the wayside.  There is still plenty of sex and sexuality in the later novels, but not like this.  Now, though, we’re back to describing how sexy every single woman is, even when it’s not plot-relevant, and even when he really shouldn’t (Including several “She’s so young that I won’t think of her that way, so it’s a good thing I’m chivalrous because let me describe how she’s sexy anyway”).

Several of the plotpoints have been done before earlier in the series, and there’s no recognition or comment on that fact.

One of the background threats is that the White Council of Wizards is planning to expel Harry from their membership, which will remove their protection against a lot of the dangers he faces, and yet nobody says that they tried this already ten years ago.  This was a main book plot back at the start of the series, after Harry started the war between the Red Court of Vampires and the White Council.  The White Council wanted to revoke Harry’s membership, hand him to the Vampires with an apology, and be done with it.  And it’s not that they can’t try the same idea again now, but it should merit some discussion.  Talking about the previous attempt could be used to show how desperate the White Council is becoming, grasping at any straw they can even if it had already failed once before.  Or use it to show how serious they are now: Last time they essentially tried to rules-lawyer their way around his membership by claiming that he never passed the initiation trials so technically he was never a member at all, this time have them acknowledge that he is a Real Member and draw up a formal charge of treason to show that it’s a methodical and planned attack.

Another big part of the story is Harry’s fight with Ebenezar McCoy, his former mentor and secret grandfather, and Harry’s crushing emotional damage when he learns that Ebenezar isn’t the paragon of virtue that he once thought.  Except that, again, they’d already done that.  Long ago Harry learned that McCoy is the “Blackstaff”, the unofficial BlackOps hitman of the White Council, and it took several books before Harry was willing to look him in the eye and talk to him again.  To now have another “You mean the man who taught me magic is flawed, and not perfect?” plotline without even referencing the first storyline is just awkward.  A lot has happened since then that could easily explain why this is a new wound all over again, including Harry learning that McCoy is his grandfather, but without addressing their previous conflict it just seems redundant.

There were also several plotlines that were brought up and then dropped, clearly meant to foreshadow something that never happened.  Like Detective Bradley’s investigation, and Ramirez’s hostility towards Dresden.  These are probably casualties of the need to split this book in two, with their payoff happening next novel, but as it is they’re not Cliffhangers or Sequel Hooks, they’re just left hanging.

The book wasn’t a total waste, and I’m definitely still sticking around for the rest of the series, but after five years of waiting...I wanted more.

[emmy-dekarios-bg3]

Heart of the Weave: Part 2

Please only read if you've read part 1, which you can find HERE.

Chapter 19

My confidence levels drop tremendously as everything around me becomes a blur. 

  “That's my daughter you're talking about. GUARDS.” I can hear my father’s angry voice shouting as I dissociate. He approaches me and delicately takes my arm to get me off the stage. “Emmy, darling, are you alright?” 

It was supposed to be a good day. I had my confidence and love for music back for a measly moment, and it all faded to dust instantly. I study the blonde elf, realizing something is beyond suspicious about her. Cursed, maybe? Is she a hag? Or maybe she really is a deranged woman seeking attention and trying to steal my husband from me. It concerns me the level of brutality people will commit to get what they want. 

  “What? Are we not allowed to have an opinion on music tastes?” L says, her voice snarky and filled with hatred. “She isn't good–” Gale stands up, handing the baby to Karlach as he stands above her, his eyes filled with rage as the guards approach her to take her away from the restaurant. 

  “Listen to me. I don't know who you think you are or why you have any business being here, but leave my wife alone. I don't care if you dislike her music but have some respect! What immature behavior coming from someone who was supposed to be a student at Blackstaff. One of my own students at that! I should have seen the signs of your absurd behavior a long time ago.” The woman’s eyes are turning red as she becomes distraught, angry; her blood is practically boiling out of her skin. As the guards try to grab her, she swiftly reaches for Jenevelle, grabbing her as quickly as possible, which no one expected. Gale’s brow furrows as his jaw drops,  fighting for the baby. She uses misty step, but joke is on her as I use a counterspell. I grab the woman’s arms, unable to use a spell on her or my baby could get harmed in the process. Karlach then comes in hot and heavy, whacking her upside the head, causing L to drop Jenevelle – who I was prepared to catch, by the way. 

  At this point, she's taken by the guards and off to the cells she goes, though I wouldn't be surprised if she manages to get out somehow. As we make eye contact, I begin to suspect something even more unusual about this elf, but I can't figure out what it is. 

 “That'll teach you to leave my wife alone. And by God, you lay your hand on my baby…” Gale closes his eyes tightly, breathing heavily as he fights off his next words. Fanden comes up to me and takes the plate shards out of my skin. 

  “Sis, are you alright? What…who…was that?” I'm shaking as I try to process what in the actual hell just happened in front of me. 

 “I don't know. Some man-crazed woman who thinks my husband belongs to her? I don't…know, exactly.” I sigh as he takes the final pieces out of my ankle, tossing them in the trash nearby. “Thank you, Fanden.” I take Jenevelle from Gale, holding her close to my chest as my heart throbs with various emotions, all negative ones to be exact. Gale places his hands on my shoulders, his eyes saddened by what happened. 

“I'm at a loss for words. It was supposed to be such a big day for you. Emmy, my love, I'm so sorry.” 

“If it's any consolation, you did incredible,” Gortash chimes in, patting me on the back gently. “You really do have an eye for the musical talents. I'm proud of you.”

“I wish it could've gone differently. That bitch tried to take my child. I'm fuming, really. What the fuck was that…” I sit down with Jenevelle curled up in my arm, completely blown away by how quickly everything shifted into the dark. Who is this woman really? Why was her go-to move to try and take my baby from me? 

Suddenly, it hits me like a train: she’s a hag. There's no other explanation, and if she's able to get out of the prison cells, then that basically answers everything. I've killed one hag, and I can sure as hell do it again, especially when it comes to my family. Or maybe she's just crazy as HELL but really…why come after a baby like Auntie Ethel did? 

“Sweetie, you did amazing. Don't let that filth ruin your day. You truly did incredible and I am so proud of you. We all are,” my mother says, wrapping me in an embrace with Jenevelle snuggled between us both. The baby’s whimpers from that traumatic event truly broke my heart. “I'm so sorry that happened. She envies you.”

“I know. You're absolutely right.” 

I'm angry. Angry at the fact my daughter got grabbed by some crazy woman who has no reason to hate me. Our miracle baby who will always be a baby… I can't imagine her being taken away from me. I keep picturing her yanking our scared baby out of Gale’s arms; and it was so rapid too! Surely she's some delusional woman but why else would she specifically target a female baby, which hags absolutely crave? It's in their nature after all. I shake my head, trying to rid myself of these thoughts. What matters is that my baby is safe. I'm holding Jenevelle against my chest, feeling her gentle sobs as she snuggles me close. 

“Gods…and to think I never saw through her mischievous persona the entire time at Blackstaff. Am I really so blind?” Gale takes a deep breath, then exhales shortly. His hand rubs my back gently in a comforting motion. “You were so quick to catch her. And that counterspell… Love, I am beyond impressed.”

“Those parental instincts kicked in FAST. Hell, I'm not even her parent and I could feel that adrenaline kick in so quickly,” Fanden chimes in. “There is definitely something off about her.” My brother sits down next to me, realizing how scared and rage-induced I am. A worried expression is painted on his face. 

“No kidding. Nobody has truly witnessed the wrath of Karlach until today. I'm still angry about what happened. It's a miracle I didn't throw hands.”

“Karlach, love, you whacked her upside the head,” Wyll chimes in. 

“That's beside the point.” 

 I have always been protective of my children but I've never felt such a sense of overprotection until now. I haven't seen my baby so scared since…well, since Ketheric yanked her out of Gale’s arms. Nobody expected that shit since he was invisible. I feel like I should have seen this one coming somehow. 

 Gale and I make it home, both rather quiet during the walk to kind of process everything that happened. When we get inside, Gale immediately picks up the baby from the stroller, holding her close in his arms as he rocks her. I sit down on the sofa, exhausted mentally and emotionally from this day that was supposed to be one of the best. Gale gets comfortable next to me, and begins holding my hand within his free one as Jenevelle falls asleep in his opposite arm. 

“My love, you are absolutely incredible. I don't think I can tell you that enough. The way you tricked her, and caught Jenevelle as she was about to hit the ground…I could feel my heart racing with anticipation. I tried to get to her but your instincts were so…swift. I've always been so attracted to everything about you, but that made me want you more. I didn't think that was even possible. I'm so glad our daughter is okay. It's all because of you.” I try fighting the urge to cry, and the feeling comes from both the sweet words from Gale and the thought of losing my children. I'm feeling a wild magic sense of emotions honestly. 

“Thank you…that means the world to me.” Gale’s eyes widen, realizing I'm fighting tears, and he places a finger under my eyes, catching the tears as they begin to fall. I close my eyes as they drip on his skin, and I take a deep breath, feeling a huge weight removed from my chest. Maybe it's his comfort that brings me a sense of peace. 

“Go take a warm lavender bath, baby. I'll be here with our daughter. I'll even prepare dinner. Just relax. Please. I know today went in a completely bizarre direction and you didn't deserve that.” I lean in to kiss him, smiling as I do so, then I stand up and head to our bathroom to soak in the most relaxing herbs. 

[emmy-dekarios-bg3]

Heart of the Weave: Part 2

Please only read if you've read part 1, which you can find HERE.

Chapter 19

My confidence levels drop tremendously as everything around me becomes a blur. 

  “That's my daughter you're talking about. GUARDS.” I can hear my father’s angry voice shouting as I dissociate. He approaches me and delicately takes my arm to get me off the stage. “Emmy, darling, are you alright?” 

It was supposed to be a good day. I had my confidence and love for music back for a measly moment, and it all faded to dust instantly. I study the blonde elf, realizing something is beyond suspicious about her. Cursed, maybe? Is she a hag? Or maybe she really is a deranged woman seeking attention and trying to steal my husband from me. It concerns me the level of brutality people will commit to get what they want. 

  “What? Are we not allowed to have an opinion on music tastes?” L says, her voice snarky and filled with hatred. “She isn't good–” Gale stands up, handing the baby to Karlach as he stands above her, his eyes filled with rage as the guards approach her to take her away from the restaurant. 

  “Listen to me. I don't know who you think you are or why you have any business being here, but leave my wife alone. I don't care if you dislike her music but have some respect! What immature behavior coming from someone who was supposed to be a student at Blackstaff. One of my own students at that! I should have seen the signs of your absurd behavior a long time ago.” The woman’s eyes are turning red as she becomes distraught, angry; her blood is practically boiling out of her skin. As the guards try to grab her, she swiftly reaches for Jenevelle, grabbing her as quickly as possible, which no one expected. Gale’s brow furrows as his jaw drops,  fighting for the baby. She uses misty step, but joke is on her as I use a counterspell. I grab the woman’s arms, unable to use a spell on her or my baby could get harmed in the process. Karlach then comes in hot and heavy, whacking her upside the head, causing L to drop Jenevelle – who I was prepared to catch, by the way. 

  At this point, she's taken by the guards and off to the cells she goes, though I wouldn't be surprised if she manages to get out somehow. As we make eye contact, I begin to suspect something even more unusual about this elf, but I can't figure out what it is. 

 “That'll teach you to leave my wife alone. And by God, you lay your hand on my baby…” Gale closes his eyes tightly, breathing heavily as he fights off his next words. Fanden comes up to me and takes the plate shards out of my skin. 

  “Sis, are you alright? What…who…was that?” I'm shaking as I try to process what in the actual hell just happened in front of me. 

 “I don't know. Some man-crazed woman who thinks my husband belongs to her? I don't…know, exactly.” I sigh as he takes the final pieces out of my ankle, tossing them in the trash nearby. “Thank you, Fanden.” I take Jenevelle from Gale, holding her close to my chest as my heart throbs with various emotions, all negative ones to be exact. Gale places his hands on my shoulders, his eyes saddened by what happened. 

“I'm at a loss for words. It was supposed to be such a big day for you. Emmy, my love, I'm so sorry.” 

“If it's any consolation, you did incredible,” Gortash chimes in, patting me on the back gently. “You really do have an eye for the musical talents. I'm proud of you.”

“I wish it could've gone differently. That bitch tried to take my child. I'm fuming, really. What the fuck was that…” I sit down with Jenevelle curled up in my arm, completely blown away by how quickly everything shifted into the dark. Who is this woman really? Why was her go-to move to try and take my baby from me? 

Suddenly, it hits me like a train: she’s a hag. There's no other explanation, and if she's able to get out of the prison cells, then that basically answers everything. I've killed one hag, and I can sure as hell do it again, especially when it comes to my family. Or maybe she's just crazy as HELL but really…why come after a baby like Auntie Ethel did? 

“Sweetie, you did amazing. Don't let that filth ruin your day. You truly did incredible and I am so proud of you. We all are,” my mother says, wrapping me in an embrace with Jenevelle snuggled between us both. The baby’s whimpers from that traumatic event truly broke my heart. “I'm so sorry that happened. She envies you.”

“I know. You're absolutely right.” 

I'm angry. Angry at the fact my daughter got grabbed by some crazy woman who has no reason to hate me. Our miracle baby who will always be a baby… I can't imagine her being taken away from me. I keep picturing her yanking our scared baby out of Gale’s arms; and it was so rapid too! Surely she's some delusional woman but why else would she specifically target a female baby, which hags absolutely crave? It's in their nature after all. I shake my head, trying to rid myself of these thoughts. What matters is that my baby is safe. I'm holding Jenevelle against my chest, feeling her gentle sobs as she snuggles me close. 

“Gods…and to think I never saw through her mischievous persona the entire time at Blackstaff. Am I really so blind?” Gale takes a deep breath, then exhales shortly. His hand rubs my back gently in a comforting motion. “You were so quick to catch her. And that counterspell… Love, I am beyond impressed.”

“Those parental instincts kicked in FAST. Hell, I'm not even her parent and I could feel that adrenaline kick in so quickly,” Fanden chimes in. “There is definitely something off about her.” My brother sits down next to me, realizing how scared and rage-induced I am. A worried expression is painted on his face. 

“No kidding. Nobody has truly witnessed the wrath of Karlach until today. I'm still angry about what happened. It's a miracle I didn't throw hands.”

“Karlach, love, you whacked her upside the head,” Wyll chimes in. 

“That's beside the point.” 

 I have always been protective of my children but I've never felt such a sense of overprotection until now. I haven't seen my baby so scared since…well, since Ketheric yanked her out of Gale’s arms. Nobody expected that shit since he was invisible. I feel like I should have seen this one coming somehow. 

 Gale and I make it home, both rather quiet during the walk to kind of process everything that happened. When we get inside, Gale immediately picks up the baby from the stroller, holding her close in his arms as he rocks her. I sit down on the sofa, exhausted mentally and emotionally from this day that was supposed to be one of the best. Gale gets comfortable next to me, and begins holding my hand within his free one as Jenevelle falls asleep in his opposite arm. 

“My love, you are absolutely incredible. I don't think I can tell you that enough. The way you tricked her, and caught Jenevelle as she was about to hit the ground…I could feel my heart racing with anticipation. I tried to get to her but your instincts were so…swift. I've always been so attracted to everything about you, but that made me want you more. I didn't think that was even possible. I'm so glad our daughter is okay. It's all because of you.” I try fighting the urge to cry, and the feeling comes from both the sweet words from Gale and the thought of losing my children. I'm feeling a wild magic sense of emotions honestly. 

“Thank you…that means the world to me.” Gale’s eyes widen, realizing I'm fighting tears, and he places a finger under my eyes, catching the tears as they begin to fall. I close my eyes as they drip on his skin, and I take a deep breath, feeling a huge weight removed from my chest. Maybe it's his comfort that brings me a sense of peace. 

“Go take a warm lavender bath, baby. I'll be here with our daughter. I'll even prepare dinner. Just relax. Please. I know today went in a completely bizarre direction and you didn't deserve that.” I lean in to kiss him, smiling as I do so, then I stand up and head to our bathroom to soak in the most relaxing herbs.