Wyll. Gods, had he aged.
What a trio they made in the privacy of that curtain. A devilishly handsome prince, though he had come to look more like an infernal version of the duke that they'd rescued years ago. The tyrant lord, and their resident death dealer turned damsel. Tav didn't like Wyll's odds— present company excluded, there was a whole ballroom full of potential enemies if he made a stand here.
Astarion plucked her glass from slackening fingers, sipping while looking every bit the beautiful machiavellian dignitary he felt. His free hand smoothed back over her tightly-styled head.
"Blood has done wonders for your complexion already, darling, even if it's just a few drops in the wine. I'll see you get some this evening— it does please me to see my pets are well fed." He gestured back to Wyll with the glass, languid demeanor projecting confidence. "And what have you been up to, hm? If you're looking for something, maybe I can help you find it."
Tav's mouth stuck. Be content. Glutted on drink, the room shimmered with sweat and candlelight. The back of her head was buzzing with some stolen life, whispers of wrongness, but the possibility of moving after being so thoroughly sated— it'd be a sin to move an inch.
"No, thank you. I think I've already found everything I needed." Wyll's stance softened, but his eyes were still bright with resolve. Even without the tadpoles to help them connect anymore, she could read him loud and clear. Are you alright?
No.
He shifted to stow his blade.
"It seems your guest could use some air. Surely you could spare her a few moments?" Astarion's eyes narrowed. Did Wyll expect that to go over well? Knowing damn well Tav didn't need air anymore, given what's already hinted at.
A slow smile crept, exposing fang. His hand stopped its movements at her head to grip her shoulder too tight, swinging her from the sloth fog.
"Would you terribly mind? I'd hate to leave my other guests too long."
What? Alone? Why was he willing to let this happen?
Astarion waved them off, finishing the glass, resuming his affable and nonchalant appearance. The chair relinquished its hold on her, and Tav brought herself to stand, glancing back, uneasy. She didn't trust this at all. His hand caught hers as she pulled away, the elf looking Wyll dead in the eyes. "But you should know, I've been the one protecting her from big daddy Bhaal. If she leaves my protection, I can't say what will happen." A threat, then, though it answered some things. She knew there'd be a catch.
"And to where does that protection extend?"
"My palace walls, of course."
"So even you can't do much, then."
With that, they left. The curtain had dropped back too fast. What did his face look like? She couldn't get out of there fast enough, bounds ahead of Wyll to the nearest set of doors.
"Where are we going?"
"Move fast, move quiet." Okay, fine. She was eager to get as far as she could get. If she stepped outside of the grounds, would she turn into a red slurry and reabsorbed like Orin had on the circle in the temple? How many seconds would she get to say goodbye, again, before becoming bloody mist?
Stone halls went by in a blur. She remembered the small rooftop courtyards. Not an exit, but outside. He meant to take her for a breather? Braziers flickered out after them. A shade, presumably, to ensure their moment wasn't too private. He had to know it was following them.
"Hey—!"
"Shh."
Tav swallowed. Her calves ached already and she could feel a cramp working its way up her side. Drinking in excess, years in a box underground— she was no longer a magic user on the road. No wonder her stamina had gone to shit.
They'd made it through a thick set of doors into the courtyard. The lights bowed in the gust from the door, and it shut heavy behind them. A deeper darkness seeped between the hinges after them, and Wyll pressed a thumb to the blurring outline. A sigil snapped into the metal and wood and the creature was gone- the courtyard's blazes gasping tall before resuming a natural, gentle glow.
He must have learned a few things in Avernus. They were finally alone.
"Will someone tell me what the hells is going on?" Tav wrenched off the heels. Did being undead make her immune to blisters now? Gods, if anything good could happen to her today, let that be it.
A second later her arms were trapped at her sides. The Blade of Avernus had caught her in his own, sealing her in a tight hug.
"You're really here." She gave him an awkward pat, minding the horns. In her mind, she'd only seen him a few hours ago. He was warm, sulphur clinging to his singed coat.
She could drain him right here.
"Sorry." He stood back, hands on her shoulders, holding her at arms length. "We only have a few moments before that thing comes back. And it will be furious." His sincerity disarmed her.
"What are you even doing here?"
"Things have gotten worse in the Gate since you've been gone, Tav. I — we— we're trying to set things right."
"We? What's worse than an elder brain?"
"No, more like we've been trying to set things right since then. You could help, if—"
"Hold on."
"Friend, please. Find out what it is that's keeping your father from reaching you here. Then, we might be able to free you yet."
The courtyard dropped into a darkness not even the stars could reach. The pleading glow of Wyll's eyes was all she could see. When the unnatural night started to lift, the world came back in greyscale before weak wicks ignited on their own. Wyll pushed her away in time for Astarion to rejoin them on the balcony, the shadow from before winding between his ankles like a hyper-affectionate cat.
"Remind me again where you're staying while on vacation from Avernus? That little shack in the crossing is all Zariel can afford her staff nowadays? You know, I have plenty of rooms here, since you seem keen on dropping by unannounced. Will you and sparks be sharing a room, now, or are you still at the staring lustily while maintaining separate beds phase?"
"Unfortunately, I must decline. I do not care to lodge in a place with so many ghosts." Half joking, Wyll looked to Tav apologetically. He raised both his hands in defeat and shook his head. "It's alright, even I can tell when I'm not wanted. I'll find my own way out."
He didn't even look back.
He left her here. Just like that. She was numb. Then, furious. How could he come here, knowing she was in a situation, just to ask more of her? After Tav was removed from the picture, just how much had fallen apart? There wasn't anything left to bring them together, smooth things over past petty disagreements in a united front, but they were still adults. Sort of.
"Hmph. You think you know a guy. A monster hunter should be able to deal with a few spirits." Astarion's arm found hers again, leaning over with a grin. "You still want walkies?"
"I'm good, thanks." He sighed.
"I'd only brought you out of the box for one reason, and am perfectly content to put you back away when you no longer entertain me."
"And a walk would entertain you?"
"No. But continuing to string your friends along might." At least he held no further pretenses about being friends with the same people anymore.
"Was it true, then? About protection from Bhaal? Why?" She was alive, relatively speaking. But still beholden to Bhaal's bidding, and eventual madness should he reach her again. Tav would have to answer for the failure with the brain. Astarion would be a close, and convenient, target should her strength return.
A laugh.
"Don't sound so hopeful, pet. In fact, don't worry yourself about it at all." How the fuck was she not supposed to worry about her future like that? She didn't even think she'd have a future, and now the problem had been forced back upon her. Sensing her bristling, Astarion ceded to bringing her fingers up to brush his lip.
"It's my fault you've been allowed to think about such things. I've been ignoring you long enough this evening, and tire of the band. What do you say we retreat to a corner of the crimson palace for a little dinner and a show?"