While Luastra went about her evening as usual, eating dinner and relaxing in the living room with a book, Astarion decided to take his time to plot in his study. He still hadn't told Lu about his interaction with Gortash at the office, and now he wasn't sure how to bring it up. Gortash, however, didn't seem to be the person to let sleeping dogs lie.
Regardless, Astarion needed a plan of action to get in and out with Lu unharmed while also posing as a harmless upper-class couple. They would need to arrive in the middle of the rest of the guests, preferably after someone important so their names weren't as memorable. That timing would have to be improvised when they arrived.
After the guests were announced, Gortash would most likely have some sort of speech or address, since he was unveiling his newest creations for the Fist. They would need to stay for that, then a few dances afterwards with a couple drinks in between. They would be there for an hour, two tops. Then they could return home and continue their lives as they had been. Astarion frowned, remembering that Lu would probably be summoned for an audience with the lord.
He sat at his desk, thinking of excuses to whisk her away before Gortash could get his claws into her. Astarion briefly wondered why he cared if she had an audience with him during the ball, but he pushed those thoughts to the side. He didn't like or trust the man, so he didn't want him anywhere near Lu, which posed more problems. The vampire wasn't sure if he wanted to get involved between a murder god and his faithful, but he just might for Lu.
He would unpack that thought later.
No matter how he looked at the situation, Astarion realized that unless he wanted to antagonize Gortash further at his home, he would need to let Lu meet with him for a few minutes. If it had been anywhere else, Astarion would probably have a better plan, but he had no idea the layout or hidden secrets the lord's manor held. Besides, this was Lu's business partner, for a lack of a better word. He would just need to have the carriage ready as soon as she was out of Gortash's presence. They would be gone as soon as possible if he had any say in it.
On a more positive note, this would be the night were most people would be interested and gossiping about him and Lu on their courtship. Astarion guessed that Nosilna, Lu's mother, would most likely make an appearance in support of her daughter's new status, which would only make the gossip mill run faster. Then he could propose, and his plans could come into fruition.
Once his engagement ring was on her finger, Astarion's plan was to talk to her about Cazador's true nature. His vampiric master was no father figure, but a horrible enslaver. He debated showing the scars on his back, but he would decide that later. For now, he would describe some of the harrowing events he had gone through to sow sympathy. Lu seemed fond of him now, she would surely want to defend him against such a monster. Especially if he came to her in a moment of trust.
And once he was free of that monster forever, Astarion vowed to give whatever Lu wanted for the rest of her natural life. Gold, riches, power, anything, he would reward her greatly for his freedom. If she wished to be rid of Gortash, he would see the lord be flung from High Hall. If she never wanted to hunt in the sewers, he would find ways to bring victims to her. If she wanted to live on the moon, he would find a way to get there. Astarion would do anything if it meant he would never be under someone's control again.
Astarion stood from his desk once he was done planning, thinking he had made a good game plan. He would send Lu to the tailor's tomorrow to order a new dress to her liking and he would go see the damage to his office. When he returned, he would come clean about what had happened that had him rush home so quickly.
He walked across the hall into the living room to see Luastra sprawled out on the couch with the book resting on her chest. She had one foot on the ground while the other rested on the arm of the furniture. Astarion smiled, glad that she felt safe enough to fall asleep in front of the fire in their home. He had worried that the strange note and dagger on the door would leave her on edge the rest of the night, but she settled back into her routine easily.
Quietly, he walked around to the front of the couch and removed the book from her grasp to place on the end table. Astarion gently picked her up, careful not to wake her, and carried her up to her room. The day had been filled with excitement, both positive and negative, and he wanted her to continue to rest.
He kicked open the door as softly as he could before making his way over to the bed. Carefully, he put her down on the mattress before covering her with the covers. Lu settled in instinctively with a slight smile on her face. Astarion felt the sides of his lips turn up as well before he shook his head. How a person with such a dark and murderous urge could come across so adorable, he would never understand.
He took his leave, closing the door quietly before retreating into his own room to retire.
~U~
Luastra woke up the next morning, surprised to find herself in her bed fully dressed. She blinked in the sunlight before she stumbled over to her wardrobe to change into her robe. The last thing she remembered was reading by the fireplace. She guessed she had fallen asleep there, and Astarion had been kind enough to carry her to bed.
She had noticed that he had been doting on her lately, not that she minded. She had been afraid that he would be wary or even fearful of her after learning of her heritage and her urges. However, it seemed to do the opposite. Given that he was a vampire, she couldn't be shocked. He was in the same boat as she was, needing to feed on the populace. Of course, he had only fed on animals until he met her.
Quickly, she took her morning bath and got dressed for her day. It was easily midmorning by the time that she made it to the kitchen, and Astarion had already left for the day. Although, when she placed the bread and butter on the counter, she found a note on there as well. Concerned, she scanned the note before she smiled.
Luastra
I have scheduled a visit for you to see a local tailor. She is renowned for creating exquisite ballgowns for grand occasions. She is expecting you this afternoon for a fitting and color selection. She has assured me that your gown will be ready to dazzle the guests at Gortash's event.
I shall see you tonight.
Astarion
Luastra shook her head before she placed the note back on the counter. She should have guessed that he was up to something last night when he was pacing in his study. Astarion was probably planning something regarding the note that was left on the door, and she was sure that he would lay out all his plans while she ate dinner. He was nothing if not thorough when it came to a party. It made her wonder what their wedding was going to look like.
If she liked this tailor, she would gladly go back for a wedding dress. Maybe she would even ask for advice. She had no customs or ideas when it came to weddings, seeing as Bhaalists had no reasons to have those types of traditions. Most had double suicides in the name of passion, which Luastra didn't want. Ever. Even drow customs were a mystery to her, as her mother kept a lot of tradition from her. She had turned to Bhaal from Lloth for a reason, after all.
Once the time came, Luastra glanced over the address at the bottom of the note and walked down the road to the tailor. She passed by the bakery, waving in the window to her friend. She made a mental note to come back the same way on her return to stop in. She had grown fond of the baker, and Luastra wondered if she would be interested in visiting outside of her working hours. First, she would need to ask the woman's name.
Luastra found the tailor's shop and walked inside, and she was greeted with a huge selection of fabric and dresses on display. There were a few people bustling about, clearly working hard as she made her way to the desk in the middle. A half elf woman was going over a book before glancing up at Luastra.
"Can I help you?" she asked in a bored tone. Luastra stiffened before nodding.
"Yes, I have an appointment. My name is Luastra Gallanth, but the appointment was made by Astarion Ancunin," she explained as the half elf straightened at the mention of her surname. Her mother's name had pull in the strangest places it would seem.
"My apologies, of course, we have you right here," the woman assured before tapping the book she had been working in. "Let me grab the seamstress for you, and she will get you taken care of."
"Thank you," Luastra replied before the half elf scurried away, leaving Luastra in the main room. Unsure what to do with herself, she perused the fabrics. Astarion hadn't mentioned what he would be wearing, and she wondered if it mattered if they matched. He would have said something if it did, but she found herself still worrying about it, which made her smile.
The big bad Dark Urge concerned about what color she was wearing with her soon-to-be betrothed to a ball in the Upper City. Completely ridiculous. And yet, here she was, at the tailor's having a dress made for such an occasion. The world turned in strange ways.
"Oh, my dear," an older woman exclaimed towards Luastra as she turned. An older human woman walked to Luastra with her arms out. The drow straightened and watched as the human grabbed her upper arms with a grin. "You are the spitting image of your mother."
"Oh, thank you. I didn't realize that she shopped here as well," Luastra smiled, hoping that she was turning up the charm. The woman reached up and patted her cheek.
"And I didn't know she had a daughter. That woman likes her secrets," the woman laughed before guiding Luastra to a room behind the desk. "But it wasn't your mother who set up the appointment I hear."
"Ah, no," Luastra grinned shyly as the woman shook her head knowingly.
"You know, that Astarion has been a long-time customer as well," the woman informed. Luastra raised an eyebrow as the woman closed the door behind them, leaving the two of them alone in the room with a large mirror and a stool. "He has an eye for the finer things, he does."
"Very true," Luastra smiled before she stepped on the stool at the woman's instructions.
"You know, I've never known him to send a lady friend," the woman remarked. Luastra's ears perked up, interested in gossip in her beaux. The woman hummed to herself as she grabbed her things and brought them closer.
"He hasn't?" the drow fished before taking off her clothes at the tailor's instruction.
"Nor any friend, for that matter. He always had his nose in a wine glass or in someone's business, but I always figured he was married to his work," the woman explained as she began to take Luastra's measurements. "And then he appears before I arrive, making an appointment for a Lady Luastra. He did it on purpose, you know. Before I could ask any questions."
"I'm sure he just needed to head to work," Luastra tried to reassure as the woman scoffed.
"I'm sure," she remarked sarcastically before sighing. "It is good to see that he has an interest in having company as well. I always worried about him being on his own all the time."
"I agree, he tends to keep to himself too often," Luastra replied.
"So, how serious are you two?" the woman asked as she started to pin fabric to Luastra's body. She hummed questioningly before the woman rolled her eyes. "For years, Astarion swears off any romantic interest, and then he comes in all love sick, talking about his woman needing a dress. Is it that serious?"
"Oh," Luastra replied, withholding a laugh with a smile. He would go over the top to sell their courtship. "I believe so. He's taking me to Lord Gortash's Ball in two days, so I think it's serious, but-"
"I don't think there are any buts about it, miss. Astarion doesn't take anyone to anywhere. He always goes alone. He might not leave alone, but he never goes with anyone. The fact that he's bringing you to a lord's ball is quite a big deal," the woman informed as she kept pinning. Luastra swallowed before smiling. While she knew that they would both need to go to this event regardless of what they wanted, Astarion had mentioned that he wanted to throw parties with her when they had the space to do it. Surely that was the same as voluntarily taking her to a ball, right?
"Then I will make sure to thank him," she smiled into the mirror.
"Where did you two meet, anyway? It seems that you came right out of the woodwork."
"At the Grand Duke's Soiree, actually. My mother wanted to introduce me to the noblepeople of Baldur's Gate, and I met Astarion there."
"Seemed like it worked out."
"I like to think so. A few days afterwards, he asked my mother if he could court me. He wanted to get to know me further."
"That fast?"
"Well, my family is from the Underdark, I think he was concerned that I would return home before he had a chance to talk with me," Luastra reasoned with a smile.
"I suppose that's fair. I just didn't think that he would start a courtship so quickly after just meeting you," the woman explained before raising an eyebrow up at her. "You're not some kind of witch who put a love spell over our poor Astarion, are you?"
"No, no, nothing like that," Luastra laughed as the woman smiled. "I promise, something between us just clicked. It just felt right, and we mesh really well. I feel at home when I'm around him."
"That's good to hear. I was worried that you were after his money or something," the woman teased as Luastra rolled her eyes playfully. "But it's good to hear that he's doing well. When the dress is done, I expect him to be the one to pick it up."
"I don't mind coming by."
"I know, my dear, and I do hope you swing by, but I do need to give him a piece of my mind. That boy has been coming to me for years, and now this is how I find out he has someone in his life. Disgraceful," the woman complained.
"I will let him know when I see him next," Luastra chuckled.
"Good. Now, let's talk about you," the woman smiled once the pinned fabric was in place. Luastra glanced at the mirror, and she could see the base outline of a simple, yet elegant, gown made of muslin and pins. "What color were you thinking?"
"I'm not sure," Luastra admitted, remembering being a little overwhelmed in the front room. "Most of my wardrobe is black and purple, so maybe something different. I do like that color scheme, but I think branching out would be good as well."
"Maybe a deep dark green, then," the tailor suggested as Luastra nodded. She had never thought to wear green before. "It will look almost black in some lights, but we can go lighter if you'd like."
"Maybe a shade lighter. I want to know it's green," Luastra grinned as the woman nodded.
"Perfect, then I will get working on it. You said that the ball is the day after tomorrow?"
"That's right."
"Then I will make sure that it is done that morning. Have Astarion pick it up just before noon, and feel free to accompany him. I would love to see you two together," the woman informed as she started to gently remove the fabric from Luastra's body. The drow quickly redressed before staring at the tailor.
"I'm sorry if this is rude, as I'm sure I should have asked sooner, but I didn't catch your name," Luastra mentioned as the human woman chuckled.
"Gods above, where are my manners?" the tailor shook her head before she did a slight bow at her hips. "Lysabel Vithrab, but most call me Lysa."
"Thank you, Lysa. I'm very excited to see the gown when it's finished," Luastra grinned.
"Oh, you'll be turning heads left and right, I can almost guarantee it," Lysa reassured with a laugh. "But I'll let you get on your way. I'm sure you have things to do today that don't involve gossiping with an old lady."
"It was a pleasure to meet you, and I will see you in a few days," Luastra informed with a wave. Lysa waved back as Luastra left the little shop.
The drow started her way back home, excited to see how her new gown was going to turn out. Green hadn't been a color she would have thought to wear, and she was excited to see how it would look on her. She found herself hoping that Astarion would like it as well. If he had recommended Lysa, there would be a good chance that he would. She seemed very skilled, especially if she had caught Astarion's eye for fashion and fancy things.
