Prompt: It's not too late, let's go.


"You know, I can't help but feel a little left out."

Gale didn't jump, at least, and he was quite proud of himself for that. But the little jolt and shiver from being snuck up on—by a vampire no less—just couldn't be avoided. Astarion, on the other hand, looked casual as anything, absently fiddling with his telescope.

"I'd love to know what I'm leaving you out of," Gale said, shutting his book.

"Well, my bunk's right across from yours, so don't think I missed your little light show with our fearless leader. Reaching into the Weave or whatever it is you call it." Astarion sent him a pointy grin. "So why does he get magic lessons, and the rest of us don't?"

There's no good way to answer this. Luckily, Gale was spared a sputtered out reply as Astarion continued.

"Why, did you ever consider that I might want to learn magic?"

Gale squinted at him as he set his book aside. That's the thing he was finding with Astarion—it was very difficult to figure out how much he said was just to rile people up, and how much was genuine. Falerin managed quite well with him, given the looks they'd been giving each other, but Gale? Even before his self-imposed year of isolation, reading people had never been his strong suit, and the tadpole really should be helping more than it was.

"Well, you seem to have a good grasp on what you do know," he finally said. "You know the basics, clearly, and I…well, I'll be honest, I just assumed this sort of thing wouldn't interest you."

Astarion's hand paused on the telescope, red eyes narrowed as they met Gale's gaze. "Because you think I'm stupid."

"What? No! I-I never…what would make you think I…?"

"Oh, it's not personal. You probably think everyone here is stupid. Here you are, Gale of Waterdeep, big-shot wizard with your plush tower waiting for you. And you're stuck with us peons while we search for a cure." Astarion pushed the telescope, sending it spinning. "I know your type. I've lured plenty just like you back to Cazador. Perhaps not with your taste in magic items, but deep down, you're the same."

"Astarion." The name came out much sterner than Gale meant it to, and that seemed to give the elf pause. "I don't think anyone here is stupid, including you. I've seen you be plenty cunning, and that requires no small amount of intelligence."

Astarion's eyes darted over him, looking for the lie. He swallowed after a moment, then looked back at the telescope. "I really was a magistrate, you know," he said, voice softer and missing the venom from just a moment before. "Yes, I may have had some help getting there, but that was still very impressive for an elf of my age. And I took it seriously! Too seriously, even, considering that's how I…wound up like this." He let out a long breath through his nose, falling silent.

Gale chewed the inside of his lip as he crossed his arms, thinking of the best way to respond. This, he knew, was deeper than just wanting to learn about magic, or even just being clever. But unless he was going to do a dive into Astarion's mind—which, from experience, was decidedly not a pleasant way to share information—there was no way to tell how he should respond.

"Then let me show you how to reach into the Weave," he finally said. "You're able to do it, same as Falerin and I did. It just takes some instruction, and I am more than glad to give it." He stepped up to stand beside him. "After all, it's not too late, let's go. Give it a try."

A strange look crossed Astarion's face, like he was caught between surprise and suspicion. His pale brows drew together, and he looked for a moment as though he was going to accept the offer. But instead, he scoffed with a haughty little toss of his head.

"Some of us got our arses handed to us by a pack of kobolds earlier today, so I'm afraid I'll have to decline," he said. He once again locked his eyes on Gale's; this time, though, there was no calculation or suspicion. Just…relief. "But another time, maybe."

"Just say the word."

Astarion gave him a little smirk just on the edge of being a real smile, then adjusted the telescope back to where it was before. "Sleep well, Gale," he said breezily as he turned to head back to his camp. "I'll let you know if we find any tasty items while we're out tomorrow."

Gale puffed out a laugh, then shook his head as he went to pick up his book. Look at that, he was getting people skills. Well, vampire skills. He'd have to tell Tara about this when he got home.