Astarion's laugh was usually a welcomed song, but tonight it grated at me like a dull saw through bone. I was unaware that taking a much welcomed break from our adventure to come see my home was going to be this humiliating. I turned my head away from my mirror to look at him. The only welcomed solace was that I couldn't see his face in the mirror as he giggled at me.
"Astarion, you're not helping." I frowned deeply.
"But you're such a pretty princess. I just can't believe they would dress you up like this."
He was laughing at the dress my mother had left me to wear to my aunt Velora's wedding. Sadly, the woman's side of the wedding party had to dress in the same pink dress that my grandmother picked out. The dress was tight in my arms and felt as comfortable as a straight jacket. My bodice had laces that bite into my skin. The lace pink socks made me look like a five year old. And, worst of all, the frills from my petite coat scratched my legs, something fierce. It felt like I had spiders crawling all over me. I wanted to tear the thing off and cast a fireball on it, but I would rather face the devils of Avernus than grandmother's wrath. And here was Astarion laughing his head off like a drunken madman.
"Har. Har. Har." I mocked his laughter.
I don't think he's ever seen me dressed like the noble I really was. It was mostly trousers or nothing at all. Since Astarion wasn't participating in the wedding party he was dressed in a velvet black vest with gold filigree, as per grandmother's request for all guest. Tight leather pants that left nothing to the imagination and a long black cloak with similar gold trim that gave him a long willowy look. His black leather boots were the ones we found in the underdark. Drow in design and silent. I should steal them from him for how much he has made fun of me today. Yet, the most interesting thing was they he had disgusted his eye color and fangs to be hidden. His normal red eyes were dark onyx coals and his sharp teeth were hidden by a simple glamor.
I had been getting ready for the better part of an hour. Scrubbing, brushing, and perfuming every inch of me. Adventuring was fun, but I had a stonk to the highest of heavens. The bath was the relief and now I simply felt like the lowest level of hell.
"I could simply tell my father you're a vampire and we can have a wedding and a funeral on the same night." I hissed.
His laughter stopped, but a smile still crossed his face. "Well, bringing me here was your idea, darling. Far be it from me to have a little fun with my evening. I mean, a little flirting, a little wine and how could you not fall in love with me? I mean meeting your parents was always part of the plan, but we did the steps out of order for someone of your ranking."
I blushed remembering the night in the grove. I was the daughter of the Lord and Lady De Rolo of Whitestone. Had it gotten out I had slept with someone outside of marriage it would be a scandal.
"You know," Astarion had sauntered over to me. He leaned in close, bringing the scent of moonlight and baby's breath with him," We have a bed and I wouldn't mind eating you on it. Both ways.:
I glared, wishing the infernal flames within me to burn him. There was a sizzle and a little pop as the ends of his hair caught fire.
"Hey! Hey! Not the hair!" He patted his head vigorously. I couldn't help my grin. His red eyes narrowed and the furrows of his brow pressed together. "Look, for all my jokes I am happy to be here, but I would rather not be killed for sleeping with a Lord of WhiteStone's daughter. Percival de Rolo is not a man any vampire wants to find himself in front of. Bad enough he might find me in his daughter."
I snorted, "My father put down his guns a long time ago."
"Yes, but not his firing squad."
"Ha, ha yeah."
Astarion looked at me, pleading in his fear laced eyes.
"Alright, alright. I will view my dad as the world saving, vampire killing, gun toting adventurer that you do. I just, it's hard seeing him that way. I forced that man to play dress up and come to tea parties with me as a girl. It's hard imagining him being that way. He once cried when he spilled milk on our pet bear. That man is not a badass."
"Of course not, you are his daughter-," Astarion cut himself off abruptly, "I'm sorry did you say pet BEAR?"
I smiled," We have two."
"Fucking rich people, I swear. Anyway, I don't expect you to view your father as such, but please understand how I have to see him if you want me to live to see the next dawn."
"I swear to you even if my father does find out I will make sure to keep you safe." I tilted my head until our foreheads met, "I promise." He gave me a light tap on the lips. "But just so you know, you don't have to do this. You may leave whenever you want. I would never keep you against your will." Something in Astraion's stature shifted, maybe a relaxation of his shoulders, but it was gone in an instant.
"And miss tormenting you. Never." He grinned and I was bemused with how he managed to make his usually toothy grin without fangs.
"You know once this wedding is over I am killing you."
"Oh, Give it your best shot, darling. I know all your weak spots."
I felt his cool fingers wrapped around my tail. The cold sent shivers throughout my body. The calm heat between my legs began a furnace in an instant. His head moved in closer to mine to kiss me more vigorously then he picked me up to set me on my vanity, moving the brushes and powders.
"Little pet," Astarion's voice was low. His chilled breath danced on my ear, "When this party is over I will rip that dress off of you myself." I felt his other hand glide overy stomach to come to cup my breast. He squeezed ever so lightly and I hitched nearly messing up my lipstick. He began to nuzzle the spot on my neck, the place where he put his first bite. His tongue ran over the healed punctures, but I still quaked with the memory of the chill that ran through me. That irresistible cold and siphon of his mouth. When he pulled away a plea escaped me involuntarily.
"No." The whimper caught me off guard. Astarion looked all too pleased with himself.
"Endure a little while longer for me, darling."
I stared into his dark eyes, looking for the familiar shape of red. But all there was in those eyes was hunger and desire. Don't get me wrong, Astarion was always hungry, but when he hungered for me, and only me, I could feel waves of bubbling need in my belly. He kissed me before releasing me from his grasp on my tail.
"Now, we need to go," He smiled, "Party starts soon and I need to thank your step grandma for being the best torturer this side of Alexandria."
"She is a woman after Loviatar's own heart, I swear."
We left my bedroom and into the decorated hallways of Castle WhiteStone. It was a simple trip down two flights of stars and to our left that we found the grand ballroom. It smelled of fresh food, wine, and flowers. The sounds of chattering and music could be heard from behind the great hall doors. Two pixies stood at attendance and beckoned us through, bowing as we parted the threshold.
When we entered we were accosted by flashing lights and a shattering sound. "By the Gods what is that?" I yelled.
My sister, Vesper, popped her head from behind a large box surrounded by black umbrellas, wires and glass bulbs.
"It's my latest accident. The pictograph." My eldest sister and near replica of my father if he was a woman said with a flourish. Vesper was in a similar pink dress to mine, though her feet were bare.
I blinked repeatedly trying to force the white spots away.
"When I developed the plate I can give you a perfect replica of today."
"So, like a painting, only done in a mere moment?" Astarion asked. "Is it magic?"
"Nope, not magic, but science!"
"Fascinating!" The curiosity in Astarion's voice wasn't feigned.
"It really is!" My sister's face brightened. To have someone show even the slightest bit of interest in her inventions would always set her a wind. "See, I discovered this from having to work with the Slayer's Take, not to get it confused with my mom's Slayer's Bake, when they had to solve a bunch of dead bodies showing up. We needed to get the information out to the guild and it had to be fast! Faster than most artists to sketch. I can up with this when my dad-"
"Vesper!" One of the pixies called out. "Another guest is coming. Be ready."
"Oh! You better get to your seats. I gotta change the plate and take a picture of the next guest." Vesper fumbled around with the box. Taking out a silver plate and replacing it with a new one. "Gotta be careful not to touch it or I'll just have my own fingerprints. Again."
We left my older sister. "See, my dad is like that. All knowledge with no so-" I looked at Astarion, his nose and eyes were red and beginning to water. Worst yet, his tears weren't exactly clear like mortal tears, but blood.
"Gods. That woman is covered in silver." He said in a hushed whisper. "Never mind the firing squad a simple hello almost killed me." He took out a handkerchief and wiped his eyes. "Oh, this truly is an owlbear den."
I was about to tell him to call it quits. He didn't have to do any of this. But before I could, the last person we needed stepped in front of us.
"Gwendolyn." My father, who had my mother on his arm, walked up to me. They were the definition of a power couple. My mother was dressed in the same pink horror, but wearing it far better than either me or my sister. She had added an asymmetrical cut in the leg. Oh, Grandmother wouldn't like that, but my mom was an expert at pissing her off.
Father was dressed in the official colors of the De Rolo family, a light blue with a dark vest with white pants and undershirt. Father was getting up there in his years. Graying hair and limping pace, but my mother barely looked past forty and she was nearing her hundreds.
My father embraced me and immediately I felt like I was a little girl again. Even after everything that has been happening I was glad I managed to take a moment to make memories with them. I didn't know how long I had. The whole mind flayer tadpole really puts life into perspective when you don't know how long you have to live.
"How have your travels been? Please tell me you have a cleric with you at all times? Do you need a carriage? I had to sleep on dirt and rocks in my day, but I do have the money to make sure you don't. Well, your mother does, but-." My father pounced into a tÃrate of questions before I could even say hello.
"Dear, surly Gwen is adventuring just fine. She is still alive after all."
"I have a few scrolls of revivify." My father was reaching into his pockets and I saw the golden glow of the gentle parchment paper. "You know back in my day, we had to do whole rituals to bring someone back from the dead. Incenses and words from loved ones pull the soul from the beyond."
"Dad please. I am good. I promise."
My mother patted his arm. "See, dear. Gwendolyn is perfectly fine."
"This is quite cute and I hate to interrupt, but who is Gwendolyn?" Astarion, who had been standing right beside me, finally became a figure in my parent's eye.
"My daughter," my dad gave Astarion a look over. His left eye twitched and I could see the familiar scrutiny he gave to his invention pass over Astarion.
"Dad, this is Astarion, one of my partners while I slay monsters and save the world. We are a group of eight and my other friends will be here tonight as well. They just needed to buy clothes as they are not used to such a fancy affair." I did my best to take his attention off the fact that Astarion and I were alone and tried to place an emphasis on the entire party. No man would ever be good enough for his little girl. Or any of his girls. I didn't want to tell Astraion, but Dad had already shot at Leona's first suitors.
"Tav, I have no idea your real name was Gwendolyn. From henceforth you won't be hearing the last of that from me."
"It's a stage name, Astarion. I am a bard and want to protect my family from death threats."
"Or shame." Added my mother.
"Quick with a quip. I see where you get your sharp tongue from, Gwendolyn." Astarion added an extra emphasis on my name as if tasting the word.
I flicked my forked tongue and received snickers from my parents. "Yes, Tav, after all when your friends get here I want to hear all about adventures. I have baby portraits that need to be seen." My mother added the same emphasis Astarion as to my stage name.
"Mother! Please!"
"Nooo!" Astarion's eyes glittered as if my mother offered him a dragon's horde, "The ones where they are on the blanket and their little bum is showing. Show me."
I buried my head in my hands. The embarrassment was hot on my face. I was already a solid red, but the air heated up around me.
"Gwendolyn, darling. We tease," My mother placed a hand on my shoulder, "We know you only ever try to do the right thing. Also-."
"You look like a walking corpse fruit." The bottom of my stomach fell to the floor as my grandmother's voice shrilled over the gentle music. Grandmother was a dominating figure. Tall, with the sharpest cheekbones an elf could have. Instead of a dress she wore long pink and white robes that trailed behind her. "I had forgotten about your hellspawn. Had I known she would look this clashing in pink I would've gone with lilac or violet." Though my grandmother's words were about me her stare was on my mother. She sneered long and hard at what my mother did to her dress. She wouldn't dare say anything directly to my mother, but tossing her disrespect to me was fair game. It was an unspoken family rule that you had to defeat grandmother on your own to get her to back off. Once you were old enough to speak you were old enough to battle this monster. I was always too afraid of her. I couldn't bring myself to speak the words, so I cowared.
"Devana." My father's voice was icy. "I believe we needn't start this wedding off with insults. Like you had said, if you had remembered you had a total of five grandchildren this won't be an issue." My father, though no bard, was skilled in twisting words. He rebuffed her insult by placing the blame back on her.
My grandmother only snorted a retort, which was the closest thing to a victory as one could get.
"Grandmother." I said steely. I bowed gracefully, "Glad to see you well." She looked at me directly and I could see one of her eyebrows raise.
"Astarion, this is Devana Vesser, my step-grandmother." Vesser sneered. She always hated when we called her that, but if she was going to act like a step grandmother then she would be treated like one.
"Charmed. Though I can not believe our dear Gwen has such a prominent family. I see that the heads of the household are most competent." Astarion put on his most pleasant smile equipped with shining puppy dog eyes and all. The tension that I have been enveloped in evaporated. Astarion had just springboard off my father's comment and indirectly called grandmother stupid.
"At least she keeps picking elves to partner up with. At least we do know she is her father's daughter."
"I assure you there was never any doubt." My father didn't hold any venom in his voice, he simply stated a fact so coolly then turned away from grandmother. "Astarion what is your profession?" The movement was slight, but effective. Blocking my grandmother from sight and ending the conversation with daft positioning while including a stranger into the conversation to make sure anything was said would be overheard was ingenious.
"I was a magistrate in Baldur's Gate. Since I had the fortune of meeting our lovely, Gwendolyn, I have been adventuring with her and our band of miscreants."
My grandmother, excluded from the conversation, left our sights. I felt a breath of relief as she continued her rounds. I squeezed Astarion's hand as a thanks. My father nodded to me letting me know not only did he approve of Astarion, but that I was safe. I felt protected at that moment.
"Do tell us how that is." My mother insisted.
Before Astarion could continue a shout booming through the hall. "TAV!" Karlach's hand her hands in a cone around her mouth while Gale had amplified her voice. They spotted me as I turned, horrified.
"Oh, no." I groaned
"Oh, yes!" My mother said in delight.
Karlach was in her regular clothes just with a bow tie. Gale and Wyll look like a children's drawing of what a noble would look like. All ruffles and lace with gaudy purple clothes. Lae'zel looked as if she were going into battle. Her regular silver mail was simply exchanged for a black one. A sword twice her height on her back. Shadowheart, bless her, was the only one who dressed in black and gold like was asked of her. If she swirled I could see a storm following her. She was gorgeous.
Before I could say anything my mother shuffled passed me with the quickness of a woman excited for a play.
"Pardon us, Astarion, I must go embarrass my daughter." My father said, "It is my job."
"Please," Astarion stepped to the side, "I encourage it."
I stood there stunned, mouth agape, face on fire.
"Ah yes excuse me," Astarion got the attention of a waiter roaming around with a tray of wine. Astarion handed me one of the glasses and I swiped it. "Drink up, darling. It's going to be a fun night."
I had gulped down two-thirds of it when my sister, Leona walked in on the arms of my ex-boyfriend, Davil Starsong.
Leona had my mother's brown hair and a beautiful triangle face. Her pink dress fit around her snuggly showing off curves she didn't have years before. She was all awkward limbs and round, but now she was tall, lean, and held our mother's elven features even more. Her dark hair swirled downwards in perfect ringlets. Davil held onto her intimately, his black and gold tailcoat enhanced his regal features. Long auburn hair framed his face.
The floor seemed to fall out before me, my stomach lurched as if someone had punched me in it. My eyes went wide as my older sister walked past me. Her eyes never looking at me, but Davil met my eyes, then away.
"Who are they?"
"My ex boyfriend and my sister." I finished the first glass of wine then Astarion gave me his.
"We're going to need a lot more wine."