It takes a few hours for Astarion to realize they've just destroyed their entire supply of food.

True, Astarion wasn't the one who really needed it. It's both a blessing and curse to sustain himself entirely off of blood, and although he would argue in favor of the curse option, it's come in handy this very once.

Until it doesn't because he's now subjected to Gale's groveling.

"Gods, I can't believe the Underdark is so barren! With hundreds of varying life forms, you'd assume even the slightest morsel of food would be available to anyone with a human-adjacent diet! But of course, that's a tall ask for such a place as this. Food, water, even a good night's rest is nothing more than a distant dream. Not unless you fancy being trapped in Menzoberranzan again."

He's not even talking to Astarion. Now, if Astarion were to respond and start up a conversation, he likely wouldn't even bat an eye before going on and on again about some other complaint. But as it stands now, Gale is talking just to talk and nothing has been more irritating thus far.

"Oh, do shut up already." Astarion groans. "You're wasting more energy yacking along than actually walking at this point."

Gale frowns. "I most certainly am not. Do you have any concept of how many calories simply speaking burns per hour? I'll tell you this for free, it is minuscule in comparison to walking a kilometer. Walking engages over two hundred muscles over and over! A single step requires nearly the entire system! Speaking, especially in common, is only half that! Yes, it does require more than the movement of tongue and lips -the movement of one's lungs and diaphragm are impartial to speech- but all of that pales in comparison to the way one's legs must-"

"Does your mouth ever stop moving?" Astarion snaps. "Perhaps if you had something to wrap those loose lips around? Would that get you to finally shut up?"

Just as he expected, Gale bristles at the comment. "I will have you know, my services are not to be offered so freely as that and especially not to the likes of you, Astartion."

Gods, he's pretentious. The wizard clutches at his robes in offense, as if he were a cleric of the most high and righteous diety. Astarion will admit, he finds it half amusing, past everything else. To watch someone react so heavily to his words is almost refreshing. Tav seemed almost too unphased by anything and everything he said. And Shadowheart either disapproved quietly or added a snark of her own. The other one...Wyll, was he? The hero he is, any filthy words would likely cause him to melt.

Gale huffs as he points an accusing finger at Astarion. "Honestly, why would you even suggest something so-"

Another step forward and suddenly, their feet are no longer on the ground. A net of rope pulls them up, Astarion's limbs tangling with Gale's as they bounce once, twice, then settle after the third. Elbows dig into Astarion's side and he tries to adjust, only for his leg to slip through one of the holes. Gale grunts as he tries to move as well but to no avail as he too slips, his head falling against Astarion's shoulder. They lay in the hanging net chest to chest.

"Get- ugh! Get off of me!" Astarion tries to push away but he has nothing to push against, not with how his legs dangle out the bottom of the net. He tries to grab onto one of the knots above his head but he doesn't quite have enough strength to lift both him and Gale together.

After another moment of shuffling, they accept their defeat for the time being. "A trap. Curious that our well-esteemed rogue didn't see it?"

Astarion would hit him if he knew where they were. "I could say the very same, oh wise wizard."

Silence passes between them before they can refocus on the task at hand. They've been trapped and something deliberately set this up. If they want to continue to live, they should think of getting out and quickly.

"See if you can reach my dagger. It's on my side." Astarion tells Gale, who then starts to shuffle again. He leans closer, hot breath spreading across Astarion's collar as the wizard's fingers brush against his side. Fingers fumble against his waist, caught on the textures of his outfit. The hand rises upward clumsily, almost reaching up to his chest. "What are you doing?"

"I can't feel it!" Gale overcorrects, his palm landing itself firmly against his thigh.

Astarion's skin crawls and he tries to move his leg away. "Just stop touching me! You're making things worse!"

"You told me to get your dagger!" Gale argues, exasperated. Thankfully, his hand does leave, returning to its proper place above both of their heads. It allows the wizard to push himself off of Astarion a few inches.

"Well, it most certainly wasn't there, now was it?" Astarion glares up at him, but it doesn't last. "Haven't you a plethora of spells? Surely one would work against a net of all things."

Gale's brows furrow as he looks up at the rope fibers. "While I can think of a few that would get us out, the fall would only cause more damage. It looks to be a ten-foot drop at least. Survivable, but your spine would take the brunt of it both our weights. Vampire healing aside, I think it best we avoid such a tumble." He continues in a mumble. "Besides, fire and rope have never been the best of friends."

A good point, but Astarion doesn't grant him the pleasure of knowing it.

"So, what? You plan to wait here until someone comes along to help us?" The sarcasm doesn't land as he intended.

"I'm doubtful that's a possibility. We're more likely to be killed here than be offered sanctuary of any sort." Gale looks out at the world below them. His eyes narrow on a spot ahead and Astarion feels himself go still. He gets the urge to ask what it is, but he keeps quiet. Any more sound could attract it.

Even in the dim light, Astarion sees the moment Gale goes pale.

"By Mystra's nails..." Gale suddenly starts moving again. He tries to pull off of Astarion but the net gives too much for him to get leverage. Astarion tries to help him up, both hands lifting on the wizard's hips, but it gets them nowhere. Gale's arms shake with the effort he expends to lift himself with his upper body alone. His bad hand slips first, making him crash back down onto Astartion's lap.

The sound of tick, tick, ticking, comes from below Astarion. Not footsteps or the crunch of paws. Whatever it is, it walks on many points. Or perhaps there are several of them. Claws, maybe? Sharpened nails that click against the stone.

"Shit-" With a shink, they're falling again, but the impact doesn't land nearly hard enough against Astarion's back. Instead, cold arms pull him in, their dark skin eerily similar to a drow's. Almost too similar, but the sounds don't add up. If these are drow, then what was the-

Astarion stares up at a drow's face and several pairs of black eyes blink back. More tick, ticks as the drow lowers him to the floor and realization hits Astarion like a wooden stake through the side.

Drider. Half-spider, half-drow. Five of them, all watching him and Gale with odd expressions. They chitter to each other, a language incomprehensible to Astarion. The sounds are more a click of their teeth than real words, but they all seem to understand each other well enough.

"Hells!" Astarion scrambles away, his legs pushing him as far from the drider as he can go. Gale clambers with him just as a drider leans down to swipe at him. They're both at a severe disadvantage. Not only can they not outrun these creatures, but any attempt could only make them more hostile. The fact they haven't been actually attacked yet is a miracle in itself.

They climb to their feet, Astarion's hand already reaching for his daggers. He holds them out in a defensive pose, a threat in any language.

One of the driders, a thin woman with a gaunt face, takes a step closer. She chitters at him, a hand reaching out toward him. "Back!" Astarion commands, his teeth grinding together. "Stay back!"

She stops, then continues again after a moment. Another chitter and this time, she opens her palm to him. A portion of bread lies inside.

It's an offering. An offer of food, universally known as a peace attempt.

"Is...is that for us?" Gale asks, his eyes wide with bewilderment. The drider doesn't answer directly, her hand still outstretched.

They exchange a look. Astarion's eyes narrow, a silent warning for what trusting these creatures may cause, but Gale's shoulders ease slightly. He doesn't trust them, but he thinks this may not end poorly. If Astarion trusts him.

Another look at the drider and Astarion finally, reluctantly, nods in encouragement. Even he isn't stupid enough to bite the hand that's offering peace.

When Gale takes the bread portion, the driders behind light up in coos and awes. It's beyond bizarre, but a second portion is offered, this time by a younger male. He's less patient as he shakes his hand out to Gale, black eyes bright with joy.

Gale examines the portion already in his hand. "It doesn't seem poisoned. Stale perhaps, but not tampered with." He bites off of it and Astarion waits with baited breath. If he so much as chokes-

"It's fine. Not a bread I'm familiar with, but the flavor is quite good. A hint of bitterness that mixes well against its harder texture. Here," Gale hands over the portion in his hand, then takes the other offered from the young drider. Again, they coo in response, their legs tapping with excitement.

It's Astarion's turn to examine the bread. He doesn't eat it, but he does smell that hint of bitter Gale mentioned. It's harder than most bread he's encountered, but it comes less from being stale and more as if it were intentional. Very interesting.

"Oh! One at a time, please!"

Astarion looks up to see Gale crowded with hands. Four driders are offering him bits of their food and eagerly awaiting his response. This time, they give more than their food. Other strange things are thrust at Gale all at once, some mushrooms and other trinkets they must've found lying about. The tallest drider watches the exchange with a frown, but he does little to stop them.

It's so, so strange. Astarion doesn't know how to take this, isn't sure whether to trust them or to trust his cautious nature.

The driders turn away, then. Their gazes don't leave Gale, but they've started to walk away. The offers have all been taken and now, the creatures whistle as they snap their outstretched hands, as if beckoning a cat.

"I...I think they want us to follow." Gale's eyes meet Astarion's, asking. That surprises the vampire almost as much as these spiders have.

"This smells like a trap." He frowns. "It's suspicious."

Gale nods. "Understandable, but..." Without explanation, the wizard utters a whisper of a spell. His eyes close for a moment, then snap open again in surprise. "Elminster's boxers! I don't believe it!"

"What?" Astarion steps closer, his hand reaching out to touch but he stops it just shy. "What did you do?"

The wizard turns to him, a baffled smile on his lips. "I read their thoughts. They're friendly and...protective." Gale straightens, amazement shining in his eyes. "There's a theory I once read about. It said that animals all perceive us and our relations differently. Like dogs! A man's best friend, as they're known. They see us as their masters, but a mouse or bear wouldn't be the same!"

Astarion tilts his head, hands on his hips. "Well obviously. A mouse can't much eat us, now can it?"

Gale shakes his head, undeterred. "No, this is different! See, it goes beyond the cycle of predator and prey! A dog sees humans -and elves by extension- as their masters, yes? But domesticated birds aren't the same. To them, we're mates! And cats view us as their own family, albeit hideous and quite clumsy. But a Tressym will see us as we are, other beings entirely different from them! They know the difference between humanoid and feline!"

"And how does this connect to the drider, exactly?" Astarion's gaze flicks to said creatures, who continue to whistle at them. Odd. Very odd.

"That's just it! They see us as pets! I'm not sure if it's true for all driders, but these ones at least think we're animals of lower intellect. They wish to take us in like Tav did Scratch!" Gale laughs. "Amazing, isn't it?!"

Astarion blinks at him. Then, he tries to comprehend it all. "So they," He points to the driders, "think we're...cats?"

"Precisely!"

"Oh, fuck me." Astarion sighs. While it's better than the alternative, he doesn't want to be a pet either. Maybe they could slip away, like a real cat would?

"No, no, this is good for us!" Gale is quick to assure him. "They have food -and water, I assume! Most importantly, they want to protect us and should we play this out correctly, these driders could guide us a good way through the Underdark!"

Astarion stays silent. He watches the driders, their shiny eyes and desperate calls grating on his conscious. Just the memory of their hands makes him want to turn around now and drag the idiot of a wizard with him...but it's not the worst plan. Better than no plan at all, and Astarion understands safety over dignity. It's what kept him partially sane through two hundred years of shit.

"Fine."

Gale is perhaps a little too eager to feed into this whole game. He makes a show of resisting their whistles, then follows them cautiously. The idiot must own a cat himself because even his footsteps mimic that of a stray. He moves forward a few steps, then pretends to be distracted by something else. When the whistling returns, he follows again.

Astarion doesn't know whether to burst out in laughter or curse whatever god has damned him like this. It's stupid and humiliating! He will not act like a damned cat!

Yet, he does just that. By the time Gale has given up most of his false cautiousness, Astarion has gathered the pattern of his footsteps and follows in his act of sly movements to the drider's camp. Of course, it's only partially an act. He's much more concerned with keeping aware than the magician, it seems.

They enter into a small opening in the stone wall -to call it a cave would be quite generous. The walls are illuminated by a glowing pile of mushrooms in the middle of the shelter, pictures lining their surfaces not unlike hieroglyphics. They show the set of five driders all standing side by side like a family portrait. Astarion notices that the two youngest drider are depicted as children in the picture, likely a reflection of when they all banded together, if they aren't related by blood.

In the furthest corner is a small hole dug into the ground, away from the rest of the shelter and protected by a barrier of pebbles. Astarion tries to peek inside, but the glow of the mushrooms doesn't quite reach that far.

The first drider to greet them beckons them into the cavern proper. Gale goes willingly, his eyes cast to the pictures as well. Then, he examines the mushrooms in the center, their blue hue casting shadows over his face. "Astonishing...They've built a life for themselves here. And are those eggs-" Gale is stopped before he can get close to the hole. The largest drider holds his hands out, a stern shake of his head following after. One of the older female driders cut in to argue with him and Gale backs away to sit against the wall, beside Astartion.

"I didn't mean to...well, never mind. They can't much understand me it seems." Gale turns away from them to look at the picture, his questions now pointed in Astarion's direction. "Look at these symbols." The wizard's hand passes over a series of markings under each picture, careful not to disturb them. "Do you think these are their names?"

The vampire holds back any snide comments and really looks at the symbols. They aren't common, but they almost resemble Elvish. It's too far removed for Astarion to make sense of it, but some of the letters definitely hold similar appearances. "What do you know about driders, Gale? Have any of your countless books mentioned them?" His genuine interest betrays any attempt at teasing.

"Not much is said about them." Gale furrows his brows, his hand falling back down to his side. "They worship Lolth, the spider queen, but so do most drow. They were once drow, I do believe. As legend would have it, they were cursed by their goddess and given spider bodies. After, they were shunned from Menzoberranzan and lived across the Underdark in solitude. Logically, they should be like drow, but these ones aren't. They're entirely different creatures, with a language all their own. No other drider I've met has been like this."

That piques Astarion's interest. "You've met a drider before now? My, you certainly are a busy wizard, aren't you?"

It's so curious how Gale's face changes in rapid succession. First, a wave of panic overtakes him but then a fraction of a second later, his face is pinched with false bravado. He's lying, Astarion knows, just like he lied about how he knew Astarion was a vampire. It would fool anyone else, surely, but not him. Never him.

"Ah, I'd hardly call it a formal meeting! More an escort, really. He was in association with an organization I sought work with during my schooling. A kind fellow, but not very social. He spoke common and addressed others as people, even if his outlook on other beings may not have set us as equals. It's part of why I find these particular driders so intriguing."

Astarion considers calling him out on the little fib, but he decides against it ultimately. Like the vision they shared, the one with a different Tav and an ending to the world that has not come yet, Astarion files it away for later. Evidence he can use for another conversation.

With a smile, Astarion leans closer. "Lovely. So we've coupled ourselves with enigmatic driders. And you still think it's a good idea to stay here?"

"Of course. They may be unusual but they hold no ill will for us. Of that, I am sure."

"Fine. But if they attack us in the middle of the night, I'll hold you accountable."

"I'll be sure to cover my back along with my neck from now on."

The comment comes as a surprise to Astarion. It's a jab, he's sure. A comment meant to hurt him for his lowest moments in the drow prison. It does, but Astarion is nothing if not adaptable. He wipes all emotion from his face besides a rogue smirk and...Gale doesn't glare at him, or scowl. He's smiling in that way he does when he's taking the piss out of Astartion, but no malice has settled in his features.

He was joking...with no intent to harm.

Astarion must pause for too long because the smile quickly disappears. "What? You did try to kill me in my sleep, I know you did! My hair may be going grey but my memory is as sharp as ever!"

And just like that, the moment is gone.

"Don't let your panties in a twist, Darling. I've agreed to your little truce. Don't act surprised when a vampire's reputation rings true."

"Yes, I suppose you're right." The scowl Gale gives him is expected but for some reason, it turns Astarion's stomach. He regrets his words, but there's little he can do for it now. Instead, Astarion gets up and sits a ways away from both Gale and the driders.

He stares at nothing, his thoughts unusually clouded. Perhaps he's just hungry.

After some time, one of the younger driders creeps towards him and Gale, two ceramic bowls in hand. She sets them down in front of them, then retreats for another two bowls. The first are filled with the same bread from before and the second holds water. Astarion examines both closely, still unsure about this whole thing. The bread seems no different than before, but there's no way for him to know if the water has been purified or not. The mushrooms' glow doesn't do enough for Astarion to fully see if the water is clear either. For all he knows, this could be poisoned.

"What do you think, Wiz-" Astarion turns to see Gale already drinking from the bowl. "What are you doing?!" Astarion marches over to the wizard and pulls his bowl away. It's ridiculous, all of this is ridiculous! "Did you even check to see if it's drinkable?!"

Gale wipes his mouth as he gathers himself. "I...I wasn't thinking straight. I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize to me, you're the one who's risking his health on drider water!" Astarion hisses. "Honestly, has all sense escaped you?!"

The man shakes his head, his brows knitted together. "It tasted fine. Perhaps touch earthy, but that's to be expected." Then, he relents. "But, you make a good point. I suppose dehydration got the better of me. A mistake I will not repeat."

"Well...good. You're the one who wanted to stay with these things, so you'll have to live through our stay with them. it's only fair." Astartion is quick to add, "And don't drink any more of this water! You'll get even more parasites."

Gale frowns up at him. "What else am I supposed to sustain myself on, then? It's not as if you have a safer alternative. Hunger I can live with for some time, but water is a key component to my continued survival. If I let myself go to waste I...I could..." Gale's words slow to a stop. He pauses, his eyes narrowing at nothing. Astarion watches him, only now noticing the way his pupils have blown wide.

Wordlessly, Gale grabs back the bowl and looks into it as if it held the world's greatest mysteries. Then, he grabs one of the mushrooms from the center, his eyes staring into it intensely. His pupils do not narrow at the light cast directly into his face.

"What?" Astarion finally cracks. "What is it?"

When Gale looks up at him, his entire body has gone sluggish and Astartion can already guess at what is happening. "I think...Gods, I can't think. Everything is...is moving. I feel light, sort of? Like magic feather. No, falling feather? Words...words."

Right. Amazing. Astarion really couldn't have hoped for something better than his only somewhat reliable ally to be drugged.

Crouching down so they're at eye level, Astarion speaks as clearly as he can. "Do we need to leave?"

"No, no." Gale waves a hand dismissively. "It's not that. I just feel...feel..."

"Intoxicated?"

It's as if a new and profound realization has hit Gale, then. His eyes widen and a smile stretches wide across his face. When he looks at Astarion, the vampire can tell all lights have been blown out inside that head of his. "Euphoric!"

And just like that, the wizard falls into a fit of giggles. It's a new sound, to be sure. Astarion can't recall if he's ever heard Gale laugh like this. Each giggle comes out in short bursts, the tone high and almost manic. It's slightly concerning, especially as he falls backward. But thankfully, the fit slows and Gale is left to stare at the ceiling of their shelter, his entire face still lit up with a smile. Whatever he's seeing, it must be good.

Astarion at least knows they aren't in danger of being poisoned now. He even starts to contemplate joining Gale in the high, but quickly decides against it. As much as he hates to be left out of such fun, someone needs to stay present. Besides, at least this has gotten Gale to stay quiet for an hour or two. He'll let the wizard ride out this drug, then they can talk properly about their plan going forward.

But one hour turns into two and Gale still hasn't moved. The occasional giggle fit will leave him, but he doesn't do much besides that, his mind entirely wiped of...well, everything really. The driders finish their own dinner and gather together in a pile for the night, the sounds of their sleep putting Astarion at ease. One less thing to worry about.

Gale's voice breaks the silence after some time. "Gods...I can't remember their face."

Astarion quirks an eyebrow. "Who, Darling?"

"Tav. I can't...I'm forgetting things. I'm forgetting." He starts to shake, all joy leaving in a flash as horror fills the wizard. Astarion stands. He's lived long enough to witness the paranoia heavy drugs like this can bring. Has experienced it himself on a few occasions, even. "Mystra save me, I can't remember!"

"Sh, sh," Astarion kneels at Gale's side and offers his arm as something for the human to grab onto. The shaking extends to Astarion's arm, the grip clammy. "You're alright. I'm...here for you." Comforting doesn't come naturally to Astarion and it has never been more frustrating than it is at this very moment. He never cared if someone else was falling into a panic, not past his own safety and the possibility of a murder falling on his hands. But now? Now, Astarion's heart clenches with the pain of seeing tears fall down Gale's cheeks.

The man doesn't seem to see anything at all as his eyes move frantically, never latching onto a single object for more than a half-second. His grip is tight, but it loosens every so often as his muscles spasm. Astarion holds him through it, his soft reassurances doing little to ease Gale's mutters- no, pleas to his goddess for help. "Mystra, save me," Gale chants, over and over in nothing more than a whispered sob.

Eventually, the mutters slow to a stop. Astarion continues to hold him as best he can, the silence passing over them with some reassurance that the worst of it is likely over. Then, a while later, Gale's eyes meet Astarion's properly. His pupils have shrunk to a natural size for this lighting and deep inside of them, the vampire can see awareness return.

Gale breathes out heavily as he sits up, a hand on his head. Astarion backs away from him, expecting to feel relief from losing so much contact but instead, he feels...colder.

It dawns on him then, that Astarion wasn't uncomfortable holding Gale. His skin didn't itch, nor did he need to force himself into staying there after the tears had stopped.

Astarion doesn't know what it means, but he shoves the discovery to the side for now. "Are you back on the mortal plane, Darling? We've certainly missed you." The flirting tone comes so naturally, he doesn't even notice it, but it feels wrong on his tongue. Too performed and ingenuine.

"I believe the drug has run its course, more or less," Gale confirms. "And it's safe to say that whatever water source these drider are drinking from is well and fully contaminated. It's no wonder why they've turned out how they did."

"Yes, that would explain things." Astarion throws a glance toward the driders. They haven't moved an inch since last time.

His focus returns to Gale, his smile growing. "Well, oh great plan-maker? What is our next course?" He can already guess what it'll be. Escaping the driders won't be hard, not when-

"We stay here for now."

Astarion blinks, then frowns. "You want to stay with a group of drugged-up driders? Why?"

"It's our safest way through the Underdark."

Something shifts in Astarion, a dark feeling beginning to settle in his chest. "That's not all. Why do you insist on staying with them?" All humor is gone, instead placed with a snide tone. "We did fine defending against the drow and whatever those birds were. So, why the need for protection all of the sudden?"

Gale seems surprised by the shift. "I...I'm not sure what you're referring to. I just told you my reasons-"

"Then give me another one. Tell me, other than for safety, why you want to stay around these creatures."

They sit in silence for a few long seconds. Then, Gale's eyes harden. "Astarion, I don't know what you're getting at. Speak plainly to me, if you want a specific answer."

So, he does. "When we first met them, you were overjoyed. You...liked the idea of being their pet, no?"

A dusting of pink colors Gale's cheeks. He laughs quickly as he rushes to answer. "It's nothing of the nature you're thinking, I assure you! I find this particular group captivating in its enigmatic qualities. And...well, perhaps I enjoy being pampered. I've always been one to enjoy the niceties of civilization. A warm-water bath, a glass of Waterdeep's best Cabernet Sauvignon red wine, and a good book in hand? No mortal has ever been so close to touching godhood than that with an evening such as that. The very word 'relaxation' is its definition."

Astarion almost can't believe him. Almost. "You are positively ridiculous, Gale of Waterdeep." The shift in topic is unexpected, but he finds himself leaning into it rather than demanding his answers. This is...comfortable again.

"I don't think it so strange." Gale defends. "I'm sure you'd enjoy something similar, wouldn't you? An evening out to the spa with a rich glass of your favorite blood. Even the undead must admit that is a blissful vision."

"I never said a spa day wouldn't be thoroughly enjoyed." Astarion smiles, already liking the thought of it. If he no longer had to worry about Cazador or the Underdark or illithid tadpoles, a spa day would be the perfect evening out. "I think you're ridiculous for implying these driders are even capable of giving us anything similar. Shit, they've already drugged you!"

A soft smile crosses over the wizard's face. "Ah, that you do have a point on. But even still, it isn't so bad. They've given us meals and that's more to say for any other creature in this abyss. And now I know to avoid their water. A step in the right direction, all things considered."

He doesn't have a response to that. Not one other than a roll of the eyes. "Fine. If you're so sure these drider can help us, then I'll tack along for the ride. But once you give the word, we're leaving."

"Of course." Gale smiles. "And perhaps I can look into harvesting fresh water from the lower hanging stalactites close by. If that doesn't work, then I may be forced to look into my memory for a water-conjuring spell, which I promise will be no easy feat."

"Good. You do that." Astarion nods, turning away. He lays out his tattered bedroll and settles himself on the opposite side of the glowing mushrooms from the drider. "I need rest and you've wasted enough of it already." If he adds a bit more whine to his voice than is necessary, no one mentions it.

"And perhaps if the driders have collected enough materials, I could craft one-"

"Good night, Gale!"

A pause, then a shuffling. "Good night, Astartion. And...thank you. For watching me."

Astarion can't bring himself to respond. Not when he can almost swear his chest fills with something foreign and his undead heart threatens to beat once again. He'll forget this ever happened by tomorrow and they will go back to their bickering. Just as things should be.

Astarion has had it rough lately, so I figured I could let Gale have a hard time this chapter. It's only fair.