City in Blood

A/N Thank you Auriene and Nikoru Sanzo for your reviews! Hope you enjoy!

Today the city was dancing, the palace has been opened and all homeless were let in. Today the cellar was plundered, pantry emptied and food and wine was finally plentiful. Today their defender and tyrant, the mad Gromnir was slain and so the citizens started to dance, the dance of those soon to die.

Palace floors still drenched in blood, bodies tossed into the old prison to be burned, an army waiting just outside the gates – those were tomorrow's problems. Today there was the joy of vengeance, jubilation of oppressed who managed to toss off master's foot. Today everybody laughed too loud and drank too much. Today all steps lead to the throne room, where all surviving musicians in the city were hastily gathered by one thief clad in pink.

That was where the true crowds were. Beggars and prostitutes, merchants and wounded, all helpless, so far able only to tremble in fear and pray, were now cheering and spinning and singing. Tears were there and next forgotten as the music changed, hundreds of feet stomped to one tune. For one night everyone wanted to just forget the weeks of tragedy and pain. All the gathered misery finally overflowed and took a false shape of joy.

But from all the couples whirling on the stone floor, blood still hot on their hands and under their bare feet, two stood apart. Graceful and dexterous, like no human could ever be, their bodies bending, beautiful and seemingly tireless. Not as desperate, or maybe their desperation was of a different kind? A self proclaimed demon of dance and a follower of Eilistraee mesmerized others, dancing the night away.

The drow finally shed his camouflage, let his hair free, chose clothes for their comfort instead of protection from this cold, windy, blinding world. He danced to feel free, as he did a long time ago, in a city where freedom for those of his belief was just a myth, a barely audible whisper, only muttered in absolute secret. Now he could paint a crescent moon on is chest and none of the citizens, all burned out with hatred towards Bhaalspawn, would as much as take notice. He could laugh and no one would remember this moment of emotion, a potential weakness. His body remembered constraints, but for once in his life, he didn't feel them anymore.

His partner was different. This was her melody, she knew all the steps. She knew the approaching end, but it let her down so many times before, her entire life was beginning to take shape of this tune. The end was near, but never there. Teasing, scaring, threatening pain and rest alike. There was nothing she could do but dance or take the final step. For now she danced, furiously, madly, finding all her feelings in an absolute mess. They would all die. She felt this inevitability in her blood, it flashed before her very eyes.

But all things came to an end. It was well after midnight when Daria's legs gave out completely and as exhilarating as it was, she couldn't dance a minute longer. The madness that took them left her completely exhausted, even the wine she drank seemed to burn out in the music. Solaufein had to support her to get off the stage and she felt his skin completely drenched in sweat, his loose shirt clinging to his chest. He still had some strength left, because giggling like an overjoyed child he picked her up and carried to one of the rooms they claimed, after occupying the fortified citadel. He was smiling a wide, unrestrained smile, like she never saw him before, as if he finally relaxed after a truly long time. Though that also may have been caused by the wine.

She giggled too. It suited him. It was a work in progress to fit him into their group, though Imoen seemed to take a liking to him immediately, even presenting him with some of the more enjoyable of her jokes. The rest… well Xan and Anomen had strong opinions about the drow in general, Jaheira was overprotective and careful, and Sarevok needed to learn to fit in himself. At least there was Minsc. Daria could always count on Minsc.

Her musings were cut short when she was dropped on a bed by a swaying dark elf. He fell just by her side a second later, wiped of his strength, defenseless and yet smiling. She poked him. His smile only grew wider.

"This was one of the best nights in my life" he said.

"And it's not over yet" she giggled and only then realized what she was doing. Shameless coquetry. The wine did not evaporate from her head after all.

"Daria..." his voice change and a small frown appeared on his face. They were clearly in a situation with… possibilities. Only he had no experiences with how surfacers handled that. Already, she had the doubtful pleasure of explaining to him the intricacies of how prostitution worked here, before following one of the masqueraded vampires into the abandoned prison. He clearly had no idea of the local social clues or lack of thereof in this situation. He started with hesitation. "I can… feel you. I mean, I can feel when you're hurt or in danger… I can… From the moment you resurrected me there is a link..."

"Yes, I expected that, I mean..." she blurted out. She did not want to say too much and she was way too relaxed and tipsy for being careful. "It's a side effect. Sarevok knew exactly what I did, he taught me, so he knew how to cut the link properly. But you will have to wait for it to fade. A bit. I don't know. A few more days?" She faked a chuckle.

"It's not unpleasant. I feel my own spirit lifting when I feel your determination, when you sense danger, a sword is in my hand before I even realize it. I thought it was starting to pass, but today, during the dance… I could see what you see. I can't really make any sense of them, but I thought I saw a few of your visions."

"L-like which ones?" that was a very good question. She wasn't sure she was supposed to see some of them.

Solaufein smiled, leaned closer, slow as to give her ample time to react and with deliberation of a repeat, kissed her neck, his lips and then tongue found a same spot on her throat. Remembering the vision vividly she reached inside his shirt, touching the warm skin, stopping just over his heart, beating rapidly, like a living creature trapped under her fingertips.

"A self fulfilling prophecy?" she sighed with a smile. This wasn't what she expected.

Solaufein leaned back on his elbow, question on his face.

"Did it happen, because you saw it happen? Because it didn't have to… I mean you're not obliged..." she began to explain.

He smiled.

"You're my savior, my redemption, my path through the darkness..." he answered. And he was hers. As low as she fell, was falling, without her spirit, she managed to come back. But if she didn't stop then, if she did the unforgivable… if she had killed that child… Back then she would have felt nothing. In the seemingly darkest, cruelest place, just as she was about to fall completely… she was shown something good. Something kind. She owed him her soul… Her heart. Without him, she wouldn't have it anymore. A path through the darkness… Yes, she understood.

This time she leaned in and found his lips. She tried to show him, that she was thankful too.

And hide that she hoped against hope that it was Xan in her vision. That she was growing heartsick again with each passing day, the distance between them once more an uncrossable rift and one more war to fight on the horizon. Each time he looked at her, there was shame and guilt on his face, the failed relationship weighting him down like a bag of stones. Was it so wrong that she wanted some pleasure? Was it so wrong that she wanted a moment of relief? Was it so wrong that Solaufein smiling at her so widely made her heart skip in joy? If it wasn't, then why was she feeling so guilty?

'I am not unfaithful' she tried to convince herself. 'He didn't… He doesn't care about me being faithful, because we're not together, I...' She was losing focus, all thanks to Solaufein moving his hands under her dress, deft fingers once again in dance, but this time tuned to her breathing. Her heart grasped at the chance to be heard, skin demanding to be touched, caressed, loved… held dearly. She needed this. She yearned for this.

And so did he. His eyes half-closed, body moving, retracing all forgotten memories. Daria realized she's not the only one running away.

"Phaere..." she whispered barely audibly, but Solaufein jumped away as if she screamed in his ear.

"I'm sorry! Forgive me, honor..." he gasped fervently, not even realizing the name fell from her not his lips. She stopped him, putting a hand on his shoulder, a gesture he recognized instantly.

"Sol… don't apologize… It's..." she couldn't find a word. How was it, that they both wanted to be there with a different person? Because it wasn't 'fine'. He looked at her torn between trusting her and accepting a punishment all his life taught him he'd deserve for insulting a lover.

"I'm… I'll focus. Forgive me. You deserve better and I..." He reached back to her.

"You don't owe me anything" She stopped him. "Mellonamin… My friend. A love doesn't just disappear because it's unfulfilled. And if you are not ready to move on… there is nothing wrong with that." Her own advice reached her then. She felt tears gathering in her eyes.

"I can do this for you. That much at least, for saving me. It doesn't have to mean anything more, if you don't want it to."

"I… don't think I'm ready to move on either" she admitted. And plopped into the pillows, taking a deep breath to calm her racing heart. It was so easy without her spirit… just not caring. She'd never say she missed it, but some parts of life were simpler.

"Do you think I should ever return to the Underdark?" Her would-be lover moved to the other side of the bed, choosing an abandoned pillow.

"Why?" she lifted her head.

"I can't fit in, clearly. I can understand the language, but everything… the way people act, how not to… this weather thing you have, the constant light and the open space… I just can't get used to it. Each night is a relief. I'm not saying I want to return to the drow, but in the Underdark at least I stood a chance of being self-sufficient. Here… I can't function without your help."

"I… get you. Being thrown into a world without any first hand experience is terrifying. But believe me, it does get better, with help. And the world is vast and varied. There's more to it than crowded human cities and war. And it's far too interesting to lock yourself away. For as long as I am able, I will help you make sense of it and find a place you could love."

"I… don't think I could do it alone."

"Lucky then, that you don't have to" she smiled.

"Why aren't you sleeping with Solaufein?" Her gentle, tactful sister greeted her, opening the door to their shared room but a crack.

"Immy… my feet are about to fall off. Can we please talk about it once I'm in my bed, possibly asleep?"

"Well, let me think about it? No. You are going to tell me here and now, why my foolish sister isn't warming the bed of one handsome, head-over-heels in love with her drow."

Daria sighed.

"Because I love Xan, okay?!" she whispered so no one but her sister would hear.

"Well, he doesn't love you back." That was cruel, even for Imoen.

"I-i..." Daria couldn't find a response. The door didn't move an inch.

"You nothing. You will go back to Solaufein's room, say you're sorry and tell him you want to be held in his manly arms, like in all the romance novels. And you will put that childish crush behind you. I am doing this for your own good, sis! Because if you think I'm going to keep letting you cry on my shoulder each time Xan's an ass, then you're wrong"

With that the pink head slammed the door in Daria's face, a faint click of a shut lock reaching elf's ears.

"Immy?!" Daria began to pound her fist on the door. "This isn't funny!"

"Have a good night! You can thank me in the morning!" Was all she got in return.

"Imoen!" All her shrieking was doing, was waking their neighbors. Swearing bitter revenge, the diviner resigned herself to look for a different place to rest her weary bones. Shuffling her feet she moved to the other rooms her party took.

She took a quick vision through the first on the right. Minsc and Anomen were snoring in tandem, she could hear them through the door. She wouldn't wake them without taking a fireball to the door and she had none left prepared. Drat. Jaheira had a room on the left, but she took no part in celebrations and was fast asleep for a couple hours already. If Daria found no other place she'd wake the druidess, but only if there was no other way. The third room was devastated, the fourth was Solaufein's and hopefully it was far enough that he didn't hear Imoen.

Opposite to it was… Sarevok. No, not that moron. Last was Xan and his door was left slightly open. She couldn't sleep there either, but he shouldn't have left the door unsecured in a citadel full of drunks. On her tip toes she approached and knocked quietly.

No one answered. She took a quick glimpse inside.

It was empty. The bed slightly ruffled, the oil lamp on the table dark. There were no signs of struggle and most of Xan's equipment was still in place, excluding his Moonblade, components and cloak. That ruled out a thief breaking in. What could cause her usually careful friend to leave his room open?

"Mistress?" she felt her familiar's tickling thought answering her worry, soft like rat's whiskers. "Are you alright?" Ah, yes. Gooseberry was still locked inside her room with Imoen. He could probably find a hole to come to her, but Daria got a better idea.

"Gooseberry, is Immy asleep?"

"Yes. There is a man with her in a bed, one of the knife-blood-fight kind. They were very loud before mistress, but now they are quiet."

"Ah." Well, that explained why Immy claimed the room. She could have said so in advance though.

"Can you see her clothes?"

"They are on the floor."

"Could you perhaps bite a couple holes in them?"

"By the time the sun is up, there will be only shreds left" the familiar eagerly vowed.

"Don't overwork yourself."

"..."

"Gooseberry?" she sensed he had something more to say.

"Check on the crumb-elf mistress. You'll sleep better."

"I will. Goodnight, Gooseberry."

"Goodnight, mistress."

She only needed a quick peek to make sure he was alright, nothing too invasive. Just to know he didn't need any help. If he was busy or with someone she wouldn't see enough… well she saw enough before. But safety was a priority. That was what she said to herself.

She had a handkerchief of his he lent her one day and she never gave back. She kept it safe in robe pockets with other emergency components. Delicate evereskan fabric was slightly tattered, but spotless. She held it and concentrated. She saw…

A night surrounding the moon elf, standing on the city walls among its defendants, turned towards the attacking army. Catapults overworked and sweating with grease, sending fire into the darkness. His arms moving with grace that should be unattainable to mortals, weaving intricate patterns to create enchantments with ease and skill Daria admired for years. His magic wreaking chaos among the catapult crews, both giant and men, turning ally against ally. But it was not enough, not yet, and after each spell finished, his palms rose again to start another. Daria reached out to him, forgetting for a second that it was a vision, stubbed her finger on a door, got startled and fell on her butt.

She took a quick look around. No one saw, at least.

So Xan was on the city walls. She took another quick glance into the morning. He'd return safely just before the dawn. He probably picked a night he knew he wouldn't be needed, to perfect a new spell and simply forgot to lock his door. Well, it was better than trying out untested magic in the middle of a close quarter battle and he couldn't practice breaking minds on his friends, could he?

Jealously was such an ugly thing. Xan was really not the type of person to enjoy casual encounters and she had no more right to restrain him in that manner, than he had to stop her. Especially with her being in Solaufein's bed just an hour ago. And yet she didn't like the thought that she could find him in someone else's bedroom. Not a very pretty trait she had.

Well… but she needed a bed. And here was an empty one. Surely Xan wouldn't mind. Especially if he'd never found out. A short nap until Imoen lets out her 'guest' and then Daria could rightfully claim her own bed for the night. Taking one more look around to make sure she wasn't seen and then using a divination for absolute certainty, Daria sneaked in and blocked the door behind her with a chair.

She didn't have enough strength left to crawl under the covers, she just dropped on the bed and instantly fell asleep.