Chapter 2

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She carefully picked away at the small portion of food on her plate, wondering how much of this was actually edible. Shadowheart had cooked and that generally meant they took their life in their hands as much as they did when fighting but their usual cook- the wizard, Gale- was out cold at the moment healing. Tav took an editable bite and absently mocked playing her violin with her fingers on her thigh. Somewhere along the whirlwind of the kidnap and crash her beloved violin had been lost to her. Thankfully, she was a fine sorcerer in her own merit… helped by her bronze draconic blood of course. Gale had definitely taken every opportunity to remind her how much she didn't have to study and practice and still get by with her magic, unlike himself. What she didn't need on this adventure was reminders of her mother's constant nagging.

"What are you playing there?"

Tav looked up across the fire to one of her new companions. A male elf magistrate from Baldur's Gate who sat staring at her across the flames. His deep red eyes seemed to look her up and down while waiting for his answer.

"My violin. I would usually play a bit in times like this but it seems to have been taken from me on the ship."

"A sorcerer and a bard? Quite the talent."

She ignored the mocking tone in his voice, refusing to rise to the bait. "I dabble. My father taught me to play. Sometimes the magic comes through easier for me while playing."

"Well don't let our gith friend know. She doesn't seem like she would give any merit to anything artistic."

"Oh, I don't know," Tav smiled and finished off the last bit of food with a grimace. "She's turned killing into quite a masterpiece at times. Painted quite a bit of ground it seems."

That earned a quick smirk and a short snort laugh. "Quite the master painter, our Lae'zel"

"Any secret artistic talents of your own?"

He leaned back against the log they found and dragged near the fire. "Oh, I have a great many talents. Typically, anything pertaining to being horizontal, and vertical. And occasionally diagonal. And I have yet to hear of any complaints." A not to subtle purr came through his words.

Tav had to hold back the eye roll. "Anything to do with your clothes remaining on?"

"On, off. Doesn't matter either way. I'm a master of it all."

She rose from her spot and walked past him. "Well good thing you can practice that all on your own."

"I'd be happy to indulge in a collaboration," he looked up at her and chuckled.

Tav shook her head and walked back to her tent.

"In your dreams."

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The sun could not set soon enough. Astarion had been unable to get any rest through the day. His mind unable to settle unsurprisingly. Instead, he turned to some work to fill his time and mind until the moment the sun finally set and he could step outside. She wasn't supposed to be at work until nine. Glancing at his watch, Astarion realized he had a few hours more to kill before he could attempt to stroll by again. Shoving his hands in his pockets, Astarion meandered down his normal route instead. The night was lovely, he mused. Hopefully a reflection of how the rest of the night would go, hopefully.

Soon enough he made his way to the Siren. As soon as he stepped foot inside, Nettie the waitress from last night jogged over to him with a devilish grin on her face and her hands full of beer.

"You sit over there," she said curtly and pointed with a tilt of her head to a high-top table in the corner.

"And hello to you as well," he muttered but did as she said.

He settled in and flipped through his upcoming appointment bookings on his phone, attempting to remain and calm as he could.

"Hello, my name is Tav is there anything I can get you…you!"

Astarion looked up from his phone and smiled wide. "Yes, me. Hello again."

"Got some guts coming back here after yesterday." Her violet eyes narrowed and stared him down.

"Yes, well you fell for me yesterday so I figured I would return the favour."

Tav rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "Do those lines actually work on anyone?"

He winced. "Sorry, old habit. Can we try again? Fresh start." He put his phone down and held out his hand. "Pleasure to meet you, I'm Astarion."

Many thoughts seemed to flash across her face in an instant but she reached for his hand and firmly gave a shake then pulled away quickly. "Tav."

"Tav," he repeated. It was nearly heaven to say her name again and not feel like a knife was being plunged through him. "Honestly, I came by to apologize for yesterday. There was no excuse for my stupor. I saw you had been cut, are you okay?"

"Well," she drawled and scanned his face for sincerity. "Yeah. I'm good." She held open her one hand palm up as evidence. There were faint red lines where they had healed overnight. "And it's okay. Hazard of the job really," she trailed off and shifted on her feet. "Thanks for checking in with me. You really didn't have to."

"I did. And I hope you will give me the opportunity to make it up to you." He winced. Maybe that was a bit too forward?

"No," she said quickly. "No, that's okay. This is enough. Truly." Tav chuckled and placed the menu she had in her hand in front of him. "Well, maybe make sure to leave me a good tip tonight and we can call it even."

Before he could retort, Tav strode off to take care of another tablet that had been seated. Fine, he could call that a win in his books. At least she no longer seemed to be angry at him. From what he remembered, it took a lot to actually make Tav angry but when you did, gods help you. He picked up the menu and casually flipped through it for show.

She returned shortly after he placed the menu down and took his drink order. It was disgusting, truly. Astarion had to use his centuries of acting to smile through the choice of red wine they offered. Slowly drinking it down was near torture but it was almost worth it to be able to watch Tav while she worked.

There were a few things he noticed about this Tav that were different from his Tav. Somewhere, in the back of his mind he had realised this wasn't exactly his Tav but it was still startling to some extent.

Obviously in this incarnation of Tav, she had a different life. His Tav had been a high-born elf with draconic lines and well educated as a result of that. She had known the masterworks, read and spoke several languages, could dance and play to the classics. Her family had worked hard to train her powers, she had been a very skilled sorcerer. She had her flaws though. Tav was a terrible cook and camper, that was for sure. Absolutely hopeless at setting up a tent or being efficient in making her pack. Most of the others took pity on her and slowly trained her up, himself included. He remembered sitting at the fire during watch for a few weeks and oversaw her attempts at lockpicking. It was pitiful really, but she loved to learn.

This Tav…

Astarion finished off the dreadful drink and mused. She seemed a decade or two younger than when he had first met his Tav who had been in her mid fifties when they met. Rougher around the edges, not as polished in her movements and words. Her face and arms lacked several scars she used to have. The long, thin scar that ran across her face she gained in one of their first battles was missing but the constellations worth of freckles still covered her face and shoulders.

A burst of laugh came out and drew his attention to where she was standing with Nettie. That sound was exactly the same. He smiled to himself and waved her over for the bill.

"Well, hope you enjoyed your night," Tav said and placed the bill folder on the table. Astarion felt her look him over as he finished his payment. "I hope to see you again soon." Her smile and tone sounded sincere.

"Of course, darling. I will see you again soon."

It hurt to walk out of there again but he did have things to accomplish. Work to complete. Appointments to keep. He thought back to his datebook and realised he also had a few important phone calls to make, his blood bank contact for one and Delphine shortly after. At least going into the rest of the night he had something to look forward to.

"That asshole!" Tav stopped short and nearly chased down the infuriating man who had just left. Astarion. What an old-fashioned name. But, for some reason it suited him to a tee. She had been joking when she said to leave her a good tip. He obviously didn't pick up on that.

"What's wrong?" Nettie asked as she walked over to switch out glasses. A bit too much curiosity in her tone.

Tav frowned and pinned Nettie with a glare. They had been snippy with each other all night after yesterday and Tav wasn't sure she wanted to share since apparently nothing was sacred with Nettie.

Despite her better judgement, she pushed the receipt into Nettie's face. "Did you have something to do with this?"

"With what?" Victor butted in from his spot across from them.

"He left me a big tip!" Tav screeched.

"Nothing." Nettie bit out at the same time. She looked over the piece of paper and let out an impressed whistle. "Damn, that is a big tip."

Victor held up his hands in defence. "Hey, big tip is always a positive, right?" Brows wiggled in suggestion. "Who left it?"

Nettie grin was evil enough for a devil "Tav's new wanna-be-beau."

"Oh, good," Victor's lips pulled back into his dorky grin. "Sounds like you needed a big tip."

Tav slapped her hand down on the counter. "He is not! I do not! Need I remind you? I. Am. Engaged!"

"Yes, yes," Nettie tossed the piece of paper back at Tav. "Gods forbid we ever forget. Tav, the guy is hot. He walked in here last night like a moth to a damn flame. I'm surprised he didn't combust staring at your ass," she waved her hand to dismiss Tav's rebuttal. "Seriously though, no harm in flirting. He seemed harmless. Just go with it and enjoy."

"Looky, no touchy," Victor offered.

Tav rolled her eyes and walked away, tucking the hundreds of gold tip into her pocket. Those two were dangerous. But no need to start that argument again.

Harmless? Did Nettie actually get a look at the guy? There was nothing harmless about him. Astarion. Those dark red eyes had burrowed into the back of her skull for most of the time he was there. Lounging in his chair with a confident ease. He was well dressed in the way you could tell everything was hand tailored but not over the top. Several rings covered his long fingers, all real, she was sure. Some of those rocks were huge. She could tell he was trying to be inconspicuous but was failing miserably. That was a man who dripped temptation. He also seemed the type that would flit from girl to girl like a bee in a meadow.

He was exactly the kind of guy she avoided. Been there. Done that. Never again.

She was engaged to reliable man for that reason. Percy was exactly the opposite.

But he seemed familiar, didn't he?

Tav snorted at the own idea in her. No. Absolutely not.

She lied to herself.