Talin and Astarion stepped out of the swirling portal into a cobblestone in the middle of a busy street. The portal behind them got smaller and smaller, and with a final whoosh, it vanished.

"Well," Astarion murmured, "this certainly isn't Gale's bedroom. Or anywhere near his tower, for that matter."

"Gods, damn it," Talin cursed. Failing the spell once was a rookie mistake, but failing it for the second time made her really frustrated. It was unacceptable, Talin of house Elaran, the formidable sorceress failing in magic. "This is worse than last time. At least I made it into the tower that time."

"Oh, don't worry, darling, you'll get it right next time..." he reassured her, then mumbled to himself, "Hopefully."

Talin glanced around the spreading metropolis, her eyes catching the iconic Mount Waterdeep looming over the city. "There, Astarion," she said, a bit louder, "the mountain. This is certainly Waterdeep. The City of Splendors," she said with admiration.

Astarion squinted his eyes a little to observe the mountain in the distance. "But where precisely are we? Do you know where Gale resides?"

"I haven't the faintest clue," Talin replied.

"Everyone seems so cheerful around here," Astarion observed, his tone hinting at his discomfort amidst the buzzing atmosphere.

"This is no ordinary day. There must be a festival happening. Look at the streets. They're so colorful," Talin said, slightly amused.

The streets were crowded, alive with music, dance, and laughter. Lanterns and ribbons swayed gently in the warm breeze. Revelers clothed in the colors of blue and orange were everywhere, creating a vibrant and lively atmosphere. The salty sea air was filled with the scent of aromatic spices and roasted meats mixed with something incredibly sweet. Horse-drawn carriages clattered in all directions.

"Ugh, if Gale is here, we'll never find him in this crowd," Astarion remarked, slightly irritated by the swarming mass. "But we must move."

As they searched across the city, they had to navigate through the crowds of cheerful revelers. The sun started its descent slowly, casting long shadows through the streets. Moving through the mob proved slightly challenging, and it slowed them down a little, but they managed, eventually reaching Castle Ward.

They wandered into an area that wasn't only residential. Astarion looked around, a particularly weathered sign hanging about a nearby doorway catching his eye. "The Yawning Portal," he read aloud. "This must be a tavern."

"Yes, that's the tavern where Thalia performs! Gale told me about this place." Talin explained. "That's it! We must be close," she exclaimed, excited that they might find Gale soon. "Come, let's check if she's in there tonight."

"Who's Thalia?" Astarion asked, frowning a little.

"Gale's sweetheart," she reminded him. "I've told you all about her."

Astarion searched his mind, but for the life of him, he could not remember what Talin had told him about her. "Ah, that Thalia. Of course," he replied smoothly, feigning recognition.

Talin eyed him suspiciously for a moment but chose not to pursue the matter further.

They entered the tavern and were greeted with a lively, crowded atmosphere. Every inch of it was packed with folk laughing, drinking, and engrossed in card games and conversations.

The tavern was quite big, with several side rooms and most likely multiple stories high. On one side, wooden stairs led to the upper levels. The interior was mostly made of wood, with well-worn wooden boards covering the floor. The light from the fireplace, the simple chandeliers, and the candles on the tables created a warm and inviting atmosphere. The bar was set against one wall, with barrels, flagons, and various drinks ready for serving. Next to the bar was the stage for performers.

They had to make their way past the crowd to get a better view of the stage, and Talin, being of a petite stature, found it challenging to catch a glimpse. Astarion moved forward, taking her by the hand. Holding her close, he broke through the crowd, and they could finally get a good view of the stage. There was a performer, but to Talin's disappointment, it was not Thalia.

"Is that her?" Astarion asked, leaning slightly towards Talin.

Talin let out a deep sigh to calm her rising frustration caused by his question. The bard on the stage was a halfling with short brown hair. She played a lute and sang like Thalia, except Thalia was human with long, wavy, auburn hair and striking green eyes. So, the contrast was quite obvious. "No, Astarion," she replied. "You have no recollection of Thalia, do you?"

He ran his fingers through his curls and flapped his arms in the air awkwardly. "Well… no," he admitted, looking down, bracing himself for a lecture. To his surprise, Talin did not complain.

"I'm sure once you've met her, you won't be able to forget her so easily," she said calmly.

Astarion looked around with slightly narrowed eyes. "We could ask around," he suggested. "Maybe someone here knows where she is or where we can find Gale."

"The bartenders usually know all the gossip and rumors," Talin added. "Let's ask them."

They approached the bar. While Astarion leaned against it, Talin sat on one of the barstools. They drew the bartender's attention, a sturdy dwarf with tanned skin and light brown hair. To Talin, he looked like any other dwarf, but his beard, long and neatly braided, flowing nearly to his belly, intrigued her.

"Hello there, travelers," the bartender greeted them in a gruff but friendly voice. "What will it be tonight?" he asked.

"Well, what do you recommend?" Talin inquired, suddenly intrigued.

"Perhaps a Purple Hill Cider, for a sweet lass like you, made from fresh apples grown in the Waterdeep hills, and a strong Black Grog Ale for the lad, aye?" The dwarf suggested while polishing a tankard with a worn cloth.

Talin giggled. "In that case, I'll try the cider, please," she said, excited to taste this sweet drink.

"Talin, dear, we're not here to imbibe," Astarion muttered, leaning in closer, his lips almost brushing against her ear.

Talin tilted her head slightly to face him. "Oh, don't fret. It's just a little taste," she replied. Her voice was smooth, charismatic, and almost seductive.

Astarion did not say anything. He just watched her, mesmerized by the details he might not have fully appreciated before. The fullness of her lips when she smiled at him, the way the fabric of her dress followed the elegant curve of her back and the way she always carried herself with grace, even when she was simply sitting at a bar.

"I'm curious. Why do you assume we are travelers?" Talin asked the bartender while he served them their drinks.

The dwarf laughed. "I know all the regulars that come here," he replied. "But I've never seen you two around. Where do you hail from?" he asked with a keen interest.

"We've come all the way from-"

Before she could finish her sentence, Astarion cut in smoothly. "Forgive us for a moment, friend." He seized her by the arm, steering her gently away from the bar.

"Talin, stop giving information to strangers," he whispered, his eyes darting around the space nervously. "You never know who might be listening."

Talin yanked her arm free from his grasp. "I was merely making conversation and being polite," she protested softly.

"I know, my dear. But you have to be careful. Not everyone is like you," he noted, his tone somewhat patronizing.

To him, Talin was still very naive to the ways of the world. Her upbringing taught her honor, justice, and how to navigate the political society perfectly. But for most of her life, which wasn't that long, she was shielded by the real world and its horrors.

"Just trust me. I've spent enough time in places like this," Astarion added with concern.

She was ready to protest again in defiance, but instead, she paused and considered his words for a moment. "You're right, of course," she admitted. " I'm sorry."

"No need to apologize, my love. Just be careful." He comforted her, relieved she didn't protest and cause a scene. That certainly would have drawn too much attention to them. The crowded space made him anxious, and her presence alone was already causing heads to turn in their direction. She was dressed in a long, flowing dress made of white satin with a plunging neckline. The fitted bodice enhanced her waist, decorated with a silver belt and an ornate brooch. The dress had a high slit on both sides, which revealed her legs, and her every movement drew eyes to her.

Beside her, Astarion was like a shadow. His black leather armor, with its high collar, blended seamlessly with the crowd. It was fastened with leather straps, one of which crossed diagonally over the chest. The only decorative detail was the metallic buckle on the strap, shaped like a crescent moon, and the buttons.

He kept glancing over his shoulder with unease. A shadowy figure in the corner, far on the other side of the room, caught his attention. It seemed like their eyes were fixated on Talin.

Talin returned to the bar. "Excuse me, sir," she said politely, drawing the bartender's attention. "It seems we have some pressing matters to attend to, but maybe you can help us before we go our way. We're looking for a wizard."

The bartender chuckled. "You'll have to be more specific, lassy. Waterdeep is crawling with wizards."

"He goes by the name Gale," Talin clarified. "Mystra's chosen if you catch my meaning." She glanced at Astarion briefly with a cunning smile.

"Aye, Gale, of course, I know him," the dwarf said, nodding in recognition. "He's a regular here. And now he comes even more often. You see," he leaned in, his voice lowering slightly, "he's Thalia's beau now, our famed bard."

"Ah yes, Thalia. Her reputation precedes her. Will she grace us with her presence tonight? We'd love to see her perform."

The bartender shook his head. "Not tonight," he said regrettably. "But you should come back tomorrow. Wouldn't want to miss her if I were you."

"That's a shame. Do you know where we might find her… beau, Gale?" Talin asked, her voice laced with anticipation.

The bartender shrugged. "Can't say that I do, lassy."

Disappointed, Talin thanked the bartender and took a sip of the cider. Mmm, refreshing, she thought, and it had just the perfect touch of sweetness.

Since they had no luck at the inn and no time to indulge, they decided to leave. On their way out, Astarion accidentally bumped into a woman moving in the opposite direction, thumping her shoulder and causing her to stumble briefly and spill her drink. The woman, slightly annoyed, turned, her hazelnut eyes landing on him. The annoyance immediately dissipated as she appraised Astarion with a flirtatious smile. "My, my, I haven't seen such a handsome face like yours around here," she said playfully.

Astarion met her gaze, eyeing her from head to toe. She was taller and bustier than Talin, with olive skin, dressed in a cream blouse with puffed sleeves and a low neckline. The blouse was paired with a blue and brown bodice laced up at the front, accentuating her generous curves.

"Well, aren't you a sweet thing," he drawled, feigning a confident smirk.

"I can be even sweeter," she said, tucking her curly brown hair behind her ear, gazing intently. "How about you buy me another drink? she suggested, gently touching his chest and moving closer. "To make up for spilling this one."

"While that sounds wonderful, I'm afraid we're in a hurry," Talin said sarcastically, interrupting them as she stepped between Astarion and the woman. "Here, for your drink," she added, placing a gold piece in the woman's hand. "Now, off you go." She gently nudged her in the opposite direction.

She turned to Astarion with an annoyed look on her face. "Really, Astarion? I am right here."

Astarion's smile faded quickly. Suddenly, he felt very uncomfortable and a little bit revolted. "I'm sorry," he said. It's an old habit that's hard to break. This place triggers some… instincts and memories."

"Let's get out of here. We need to find Gale," Talin urged.

With a disgusted grunt, she stormed out toward the tavern's exit. Astarion followed, trying to keep sight of her, but it was difficult as her svelte form almost sank into the crowd.

Once outside, she turned to a nearby alley, avoiding the large group of revelers on the street. A figure lunged at her as soon as she stepped into the shadowy passageway. Luckily, Astarion was close and on alert. His roguish reflexes were sharp, and to the attacker's surprise, he parried their assault. The attacker stumbled backward, and their hood fell back, revealing a young man's face. He was human, not more than twenty years old. He still had his dagger in his hand but had already lost the advantage, so he tried to run. But Astarion was swift. He grabbed the young man, and his blade flashed in the lantern's light.

"Tell me one good reason why I shouldn't cut your throat?" he growled demandingly, pressing the dagger into the young man's throat.

Surprised and terrified, the man glanced nervously at Astarion and Talin, whose hands crackled with a barely restrained arcane energy.

"Please, don't hurt me," the man begged, visibly unsettled by Astarion's piercing red eyes. "I meant no harm," he said, setting eyes on Talin. "I only thought you might be carrying some… extra gold."

"Ugh, a petty thief. Get out of my sight!" Astarion scoffed, releasing the young man, uninterested in further confrontation.

The thief, visibly relieved, nodded hastily and scrambled away, disappearing into the alleys of Waterdeep.

Astarion sheathed his dagger and turned to Talin, eyeing her from head to toe, taking in the luxurious fabric of her robes and the glint of shining jewelry adorning her neck, wrists, and even hair.

"What?" she asked while adjusting her hair with her delicate fingers. "Why are you gaping at me like that?"

"You know, darling, I adore your fashion choice, but maybe you should tone it down a notch next time we're on a mission," he drawled.

Talin sighed in frustration. "This was not supposed to be a mission but a nice simple visit," she explained. "We go to Gale's, ask for assistance, maybe enjoy a slice of that delicious pie he made me last time, and head back home. I didn't plan to explore the city."

She smoothed her dress with a few elegant gestures. "Now, let's move." Without waiting for him to catch up with her, she made haste in the opposite direction of where they had come the first time.

Astarion followed. "So, where should we look for our wizard?"

"Stop asking me, Astarion. I don't know." Talin blurted.

"Talin, wait," he said, taking her hand, which made her stop abruptly. "You're clearly upset."

She turned to face him. "I am, Astarion. You embarrassed me in front of that commoner." She averted her gaze, pouting.

"Really? A commoner?" He sighed heavily. "Look, it was not my intention to embarrass you, Talin," he explained. "She barely noticed you were there."

"Oh, then forgive my outburst. That changes everything," she said with a touch of disdain, rolling her eyes in irritation.

Astarion scoffed. "That came out wrong," he replied, trying to diffuse the situation. "I meant I did not want to react in the way I did. It was a reflex. An instinctive retort." He paused for a while, pulling her closer. "You know what the nights usually meant for me," he spoke softly, almost whispering.

Talin's chest tightened at his words, and she sighed heavily. The unspoken pain reflected in his eyes said enough. Her frustration began to soften and morphed into understanding. "I know," she replied softly.

"After a while, you don't care," Astarion continued. You just pick a target. And if that target is enthusiastic, you don't just walk away."

Talin paused for a moment to gather her thoughts and contemplate his words. Then, she looked up at him. "Astarion, I love you with all your quirks. And I know breaking free from something you did for two hundred years is not simple. But… would you try?"

"I already am," Astarion said.

"Thank you," she whispered. "Now, we really have to move."

"Wait, no makeup kiss?"

Talin chuckled. "No, you're not getting one."

"Then, I'm stealing one," he said, pulling her close and kissing her gently. He stayed for a moment, enjoying the sweetness of the cider that remained on her lips and the scent of lavender before letting her go. "Now, we can go."

Talin couldn't help but smile. Her anger was like the storm she could summon: It came suddenly and passed just like the storm itself.

"Should I try the spell again?" she suggested hesitantly.

Astarion gently placed a hand around her shoulders and pulled her closer, gazing at the starlit sky. "You know, it's such a beautiful night in this cosmopolitan city. The wizard's not going anywhere, is he?" he asked, looking down to meet her gaze. "Why don't we use the opportunity to explore this marvelous place while looking for Gale, hm?"

Talin narrowed her eyes playfully. "Oh, just admit it, Astarion. You're not exactly eager for me to attempt another portal spell."

"Well, perhaps not until you've mastered it," he admitted. "We don't want another surprise visit. Honestly, I don't know which would be worse, catching him in the act with his lady friend or hearing him recite love poetry to her."

Talin's genuine, unrestrained laughter at his remark caught him by surprise. He couldn't remember the last time he heard her laughing like that. She was utterly delighted. Her own amusement provoked a genuine smile on his face.

"You know," she said, still struggling to contain her laughter, "we are nearing the city docks, and Gale once mentioned having a balcony with a view of the water. It is his favorite place. Perhaps we should focus our search near the harbor, Talin suggested.

"Clever," Astarion replied, "but I don't recall him mentioning that."

"Have you asked him?"

"No…"

Talin shook her head and managed a wry smile. "If you had asked him, you would've known. Now come on, I think we're close."

A sneaky thought crossed Talin's mind as they navigated the crowded streets adorned with colorful ribbons and banners. By now, she was fully aware that the city was celebrating Lliira's Night, a festival where dance was its heart and soul.

As they rounded a corner, a festhall came into view. Its doors were wide open, inviting everyone to join the dancing. Astarion, focused on reaching the docks as quickly as possible, hardly noticed the growing excitement in Talin's demeanor.

As they were nearing the festhall, suddenly, without a word, Talin grasped Astarion's hand and pulled him towards the dancing crowd. "I'm so sorry, Astarion."

Caught off guard, he didn't even get to ask what she was apologizing for before he found himself amidst the dance that had spilled out from the festhall to the street.

"Just one dance, I promise," she teased.

Astarion hesitated at first but was drawn to her irresistible allure and sensual grace and allowed himself to be led into the dance.

As the song ended, its slower rhythm reflected their deepening connection. She closed her eyes and leaned on his shoulder, showing rare vulnerability, silently asking for his protection from the harsh reality of their lives. He held her close and guided her gently. When the music stopped, they locked eyes. Hers were full of hope and anticipation. He sealed the moment with a kiss and a silent promise of safety.

Even as the next song's lively beat filled the atmosphere, they stood motionless, heads pressed together in a quiet intimacy. Talin giggled softly, provoking a smile from Astarion. "That didn't hurt, did it?"

"Only because it was with you," Astarion responded warmly. He enjoyed the moment of carefree happiness in the city more than he cared to admit.

"Now, no more distractions, I promise. We have a wizard to find," she said with determination.

"After you, my dear," Astarion replied, gesturing for her to lead the way. She wrapped her arm around his, and they continued their quest to find Gale of Waterdeep. They scoured the area near the docks, asking people passing by and inspecting the plaques on every house near the harbor. Then, at last, one plaque read the name they sought: Gale Dekarios.