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[tadpoled]

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[tadpoled]

[Tav smirks back before he leaves to go downstairs. His feet are light down the stairs. He asks for several measures of bread, meat, and water and then marches back upstairs. With his back to the door, he eases it open, coming face to face with most of the party in their room.]

Here's breakfast. Before we discuss matters.

[waterdhavianwizard]

[Gale shuffles their friends in as they arrive, indulging a little of their good-natured ribbing but mostly steering the conversation away from Tav and the events of the previous day: Gale is not keen to revisit his participation any time soon, and Tav's part of it is his to tell.

He makes sure he and Tav have the seats closest to where they -- well, dwelling too long on it will make this meeting impossible, but at least Gale's face won't go scarlet every time he looks at someone if he's the one sitting there.

The food is well-received, as most of the comforts in Elfsong have been so far; always a relief to have something fresh without having to scrounge for it.

He picks a bit at a little bread, too distracted to eat -- mostly by the coming conversation this time, rather than Tav, though he does keep one arm settled across the back of Tav's chair.

When everyone seems settled and at least a little sated by breakfast, Gale clears is throat.]

We thought it might be helpful to regroup a bit, after, ah... recent events. [Gale's other hand flexes against his thigh as he tries not to dwell too much on exactly what that was.]

Obviously for all of us there's still business outstanding in the city, but there's also the matter of Orpheus and the Emperor. I don't think this is a decision any of us ought to be making on our own, particularly since it impacts some of us, [His eyes dart briefly to Lae'zel.] differently than others.

[Astarion arches an eyebrow, sipping from a small bottle of something suspiciously viscous.] Did you invite us here for a debate? How deliciously egalitarian.

[tadpoled]

[Tav dispenses the breakfast among the party and then sits down beside Gale. It's a good plan to sit where they are because Tav knows these ruts in the wood quite well.

He listens as Gale preludes the important discussion to be had, grateful the wizard is taking the lead rather than him. He looks up at Lae'zel as well before back down at his breakfast.]

I would not want to make this decision for all of you. [Tav's shoulders slump.] I feel we should take a poll.

[waterdhavianwizard]

It's not fair for us to lay this entirely on Tav, either.

[Gale's voice is polite but firm: even he has been probably too eager to defer to Tav on things on their journey so far, but it's not fair of them to deflect so much responsibility.]

Our options are to free Orpheus -- which will potentially require stealing the hammer from Raphael, and likely not make our Illithid... patron too happy -- or to side with the Emperor, which will likely mean Orpheus' death. Neither are especially pleasant, but it seemed only right we discuss.

[He gives Tav's shoulder a quick, soft squeeze, leaving his hand there as Lae'zel quickly launches into a defense of siding with Orpheus.]

[tadpoled]

[Tav looks over to Gale and smiles affectionately at him. Lae'zel launches into her defense and Tav can't help but feel guilty for ever supporting the Emperor in the first place. The Emperor fills Tav's mind and he grabs his head, almost falling out of his chair.]

He can hear us.

[waterdhavianwizard]

[Gale curses and quickly casts silence on the room, cutting off the heated debate that kicks up between Shadowheart and Lae'zel.

He guides Tav back to his chair, arm around his shoulders this time to steady him, and casts a stern look around the room -- an unspoken instruction to be quiet in the waning moments of the spell.

It doesn't last long, only long enough for Gale to get control of the room and to help steady Tav. One final stern look at the others and he lets it drop.]

Are you alright, my dear? Perhaps we ought to see if our... friend at Sharess' Caress can help facilitate this conversation before any more harm come to you.

[tadpoled]

[Tav can hear the flurry of questions from the Emperor until the bubble of Silence rolls over them. The relief is palpable as Gale helps to steady him. Tav gasps, grateful and leans against Gale.]

That may be wise.

[He doesn't realize he's sweating until a drop of it slides down his temple.

Shit.]

[waterdhavianwizard]

[Gale purses his lips as he sees the strain even this has put on Tav, and quickly goes to get a wet cloth to press to his forehead.]

We'll meet at Sharess' Caress in an hour. Pair up with someone who knows sending. if you go anywhere, if something happens let us know.

[tadpoled]

[Tav wipes at his brow and nods in agreement to Gale's suggestions.]

Please be careful.

[The rest of party takes some food with them as they file out of the room. Tav turns to Gale, grateful for the wet towel.]

Thank you, love.

[waterdhavianwizard]

[Gale does his best to tamp down on his anger as their friends depart, and when he leans against the table, looking down to search Tav’s face.

His expression softens a little for Tav though, as it always does, and Gale bends down to kiss the top of Tav’s head.]

I should have… I’m sorry, my dear. I should have realized.

[None of his thoughts are especially charitable right now; the threat of harm to Tav has more or less cemented his own decision.]

Are you hurt? I’m sure there’s a potion in my pack.

[tadpoled]

‘s alright. I’d forgot about him.

[Tav dabs at his forehead, looking up at Gale.]

Just a headache. But we should get to Sharess’ Caress as soon as we can.

[waterdhavianwizard]

[Their tadpole passengers do not make Gale feel especially good about even a headache. He brushes his fingers across Tav’s cheek for a moment, still frowning, then nods.]

Probably for the best to see if he’ll even allow us to meet there. It just… [He sighs.] I panicked a bit. I didn’t want anything else to happen to you.

Why don’t you rest for a moment? I’m going to arrange for someone to take care of what we left in the tub while we’re out. [Through a hefty payment, no doubt. He tips Tav’s head up gently and bends to kiss his cheek.]

Meet me downstairs, when you’re ready?

[tadpoled]

[Tav looks up at Gale with an affectionate smile, trying to catch Gale’s hand but misses. At the thought of being alone though, Tav speaks up.]

Join me?

[His headache is getting worse and he’d rather not be without Gale.]

[waterdhavianwizard]

[Gale purses his lips, screaming in his own mind for the Emperor to stop whatever he’s doing to Tav to no response. Despite his earlier conversations with all of their number, the Illithid seems to have gotten particularly fixated on Tav of late.]

Of course. [He slips out of his boots and guides Tav to the bed, sitting him on the edge to help Tav with his own. Gale tosses back the covers and leans against the headboard, drawing Tav into his arms.] Rest. I’ll keep an eye on you, and wake you when we need to leave.

[tadpoled]

[Tav eases himself down on to the bed, pinching his nose as the headache increases. Luckily, Gale is there to help him get his boots off and into bed. He leans against Gale at first before simply resting his head in Gale's lap.]

Thank you.

[waterdhavianwizard]

Do you need a sleep spell, my dear? [Gale strokes his fingers through Tav’s hair, brow furrowed in concern as he watches him. Part of him wants to say something — pledge he won’t let Tav get hurt, something equally devoted and brave, but it’s hard not to feel small in the face of an Illithid’s capabilities.]

I love you desperately.

[tadpoled]

No. I don't want to see him. [Tav stretches out more on Gale's lap before settling in a position that allows him to look up at Gale.]

And I love you. More than I thought myself capable.

[waterdhavianwizard]

You’ll have to rest eventually. [Gale scratches lightly at Tav’s scalp.] Maybe we can… see if our friend at Sharess’ Caress has anything that might help. [He grimaces.] Loathe as I am to further ingratiate ourselves with a devil.

Certainly a dearth of trustworthy options available to us.

[tadpoled]

Not now. [Despite his objections, Tav's eyes are drooping under the attention from Gale.] We may have to deal him, no matter what we want.

[waterdhavianwizard]

I know, I know, I just… [Gale sighs, trying not to give in to the urge to just let Tav doze off. What harm could there be in a moment or two?

But they’ve been through too much in the last few days already.] I know. It’s not as if any of this has been ideal so far.

[He smooths his hand over Tav’s hair again.] You wanted to stay awake, my dear. Don’t make me use a little shocking grasp.

[tadpoled]

[Tav nods drowsily as Gale speaks. The headache grows more painful, but the fingers in his hair help to reduce the pressure. Before he can answer, Tav begins to drop off to sleep.]

[waterdhavianwizard]

[Gale frowns as he watches Tav drift off, giving him a gentle nudge to try to stir him awake. As he drifts off, though, the Emperor calls.]

After everything, you would still consider freeing the gith? You would set yourself against me?

[tadpoled]

[Tav realizes he's standing in the Astral Plane again, staring down the Illithid who was once his savior, now turned oppressor.]

I have also kept you alive by standing against Vlaakith. We are continuing to stand against her. If you would free Orpheus peacefully, there would be no need for conflict.

[Where Tav lays in Gale's lap, he furrows his brow.]

[waterdhavianwizard]

[The Emperor’s tentacles quiver in annoyance.]

I thought we were long past such naivete. If you free him, he will kill me without hesitation— and all hope of putting a stop to the Netherbrain will be lost.

I thought we had grown close. At least close enough to trust each other. But if you free him, I will not stand idly by and let it happen.

[tadpoled]

[In Gale's lap, Tav squirms as he continues to talk with the Emperor.]

There are more possibilities than one in our path forward. Orpheus is just as important a life as you.

We had grown close, but clearly that was a mistake.