[Blunt is just fine in this case— Gale is many things, but he is hardly coy.]
Though I've regained some of my power, I found myself quite limited when the tadpole first took root. Rather disappointing, as I'm sure you can imagine, especially when I've come to pride myself so greatly on my accomplishments. Even now, having rapidly recovered a fair amount, I am not the same as when I was at my peak.
A potential I've not forgotten for a moment since the start, I assure you. You could say it's been on my mind.
[Is this the right time for a dad joke? Probably not, but it might help keep things light. Either way, he's magic-ing up some hot water for that tea of theirs in the meantime.]
Not to worry. I've not given up hope of finding a solution yet! I'm a rather determined mind, you'll find.
I'm sure that is the case, as it resides inside your skull.
[ Is this observation a joke? It might be. Xenk looks worried as he says it, but his eyes betray some mirth. At least Gale does not seem overly troubled, or he would not make so obvious a pun. ]
That is good to know. I hope that a solution is found, though not before a solution has been found for Astarion's plight in the sun. I would hate to arrive in Baldur's Gate only to discover that the sun has claimed his life.
[Was it a joke? The world may never know, though Gale thinks he catches a bit of amusement in the paladin's gaze. Is that growth? It might be growth.]
As for Astarion's plight, I might well be able to aid him in that regard. Though I'm unable to change anything about his actual constitution, there are magical items that would serve well to protect him from the sun— rare, certainly, but I am a wizard of considerable talent, even lacking the greatest of my powers.
I should hope so. If such items exist, he deserves to have them. A life in perpetual darkness is a cruel fate for one so bright as he.
[ Astarion's well-being is obviously a priority for Xenk, and he promised to find him when they got out of here. That's a date he plans to meet, no matter the time it takes. But you don't really have to wonder how Xenk feels about Astarion once Xenk gets on that subject. ]
I discussed perhaps seeking a scroll of True Resurrection in order to cure his ailment, but I believe it is not an avenue he wishes to pursue. I can well understand, when one considers how long he has lived as he has. Even should I be rid of my curse, I have spent so long with it that I cannot imagine existing in any other way.
[A scroll of True Resurrection... Gale had one in his possession, but Astarion had never expressed interest in it, though the wizard had thought he might when that information first came to light.]
While a scroll could certainly be procured, I can understand his hesitance. I cannot pretend to know his mind exactly, but given the circumstances of his current state of being, I believe conquering it by other measures may have some additional meaning to him.
[Rising above and defying the one who had made him that way, for one, but Xenk also speaks the truth. After awhile, one simply becomes accustomed to things.]
Regardless of the method, I don't intend to see my friend have to hide away in the dark for the rest of his days, once we rid ourselves of our stowaways.
[ Xenk nods. He knows many of Astarion's secrets now, though whatever his plans may be moving forward is unknown to him. Curing his vampirism isn't among those, that much is clear. ]
Indeed. The person he was before is not the person he is now. I imagine it would be deeply upsetting to return to that state, even should it be considered a cure.
[ But not even becoming a full vampire would help him, really. The sun would still prove a problem. ]
We can but hope that you are able to discover one such method. The dark is not truly so terrible, but still... having known the light and all its splendors, it would be cruel indeed for him to be forced to the shadows once more.
I'll not have him return to it, if it can be helped. You and I may be new friends, but rest assured, I never leave a knot knotted.
[Or so Tara likes to tell him. He offers his companion a wry smile as they walk; this is one of those issues that is certainly going to remain on his radar.]
Much like the issue of your curse. I intend to use all of the resources at my disposal— of which there are many, even so far from home. One does not become an Archwizard by being complacent and letting answers come to them.
[Gale can definitely do this! What are prodigies for?]
I do appreciate your vote of confidence— I shall do my very best to deliver, even if it takes some time.
[He smiles warmly, then gestures out to the deck ahead of them.]
Well, I do believe I've had sufficient time to wake properly and come to my senses— why don't you show me some of this training routine of yours? Maybe I can be tempted to join you, though I make no promises.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[Blunt is just fine in this case— Gale is many things, but he is hardly coy.]
Though I've regained some of my power, I found myself quite limited when the tadpole first took root. Rather disappointing, as I'm sure you can imagine, especially when I've come to pride myself so greatly on my accomplishments. Even now, having rapidly recovered a fair amount, I am not the same as when I was at my peak.
no subject
[ For all that it's super gross, Xenk has to hand it to that thing. It let's his friend walk in the sunlight, and that's more than he can ask. ]
Not that there is much good fortune to be had, given the potential for ceremorphosis, of course.
no subject
[Is this the right time for a dad joke? Probably not, but it might help keep things light. Either way, he's magic-ing up some hot water for that tea of theirs in the meantime.]
Not to worry. I've not given up hope of finding a solution yet! I'm a rather determined mind, you'll find.
no subject
[ Is this observation a joke? It might be. Xenk looks worried as he says it, but his eyes betray some mirth. At least Gale does not seem overly troubled, or he would not make so obvious a pun. ]
That is good to know. I hope that a solution is found, though not before a solution has been found for Astarion's plight in the sun. I would hate to arrive in Baldur's Gate only to discover that the sun has claimed his life.
no subject
[Was it a joke? The world may never know, though Gale thinks he catches a bit of amusement in the paladin's gaze. Is that growth? It might be growth.]
As for Astarion's plight, I might well be able to aid him in that regard. Though I'm unable to change anything about his actual constitution, there are magical items that would serve well to protect him from the sun— rare, certainly, but I am a wizard of considerable talent, even lacking the greatest of my powers.
no subject
I should hope so. If such items exist, he deserves to have them. A life in perpetual darkness is a cruel fate for one so bright as he.
[ Astarion's well-being is obviously a priority for Xenk, and he promised to find him when they got out of here. That's a date he plans to meet, no matter the time it takes. But you don't really have to wonder how Xenk feels about Astarion once Xenk gets on that subject. ]
I discussed perhaps seeking a scroll of True Resurrection in order to cure his ailment, but I believe it is not an avenue he wishes to pursue. I can well understand, when one considers how long he has lived as he has. Even should I be rid of my curse, I have spent so long with it that I cannot imagine existing in any other way.
no subject
While a scroll could certainly be procured, I can understand his hesitance. I cannot pretend to know his mind exactly, but given the circumstances of his current state of being, I believe conquering it by other measures may have some additional meaning to him.
[Rising above and defying the one who had made him that way, for one, but Xenk also speaks the truth. After awhile, one simply becomes accustomed to things.]
Regardless of the method, I don't intend to see my friend have to hide away in the dark for the rest of his days, once we rid ourselves of our stowaways.
no subject
Indeed. The person he was before is not the person he is now. I imagine it would be deeply upsetting to return to that state, even should it be considered a cure.
[ But not even becoming a full vampire would help him, really. The sun would still prove a problem. ]
We can but hope that you are able to discover one such method. The dark is not truly so terrible, but still... having known the light and all its splendors, it would be cruel indeed for him to be forced to the shadows once more.
no subject
[Or so Tara likes to tell him. He offers his companion a wry smile as they walk; this is one of those issues that is certainly going to remain on his radar.]
Much like the issue of your curse. I intend to use all of the resources at my disposal— of which there are many, even so far from home. One does not become an Archwizard by being complacent and letting answers come to them.
[He's absolutely the man for both of these jobs.]
no subject
Then I hope to remain in your capable hands. If anyone is capable of discovering a solution, it must surely be you.
we can probably wrap or handwave their training stuff together soon if we want!
I do appreciate your vote of confidence— I shall do my very best to deliver, even if it takes some time.
[He smiles warmly, then gestures out to the deck ahead of them.]
Well, I do believe I've had sufficient time to wake properly and come to my senses— why don't you show me some of this training routine of yours? Maybe I can be tempted to join you, though I make no promises.
that works for me!
[ And since it's Xenk you know he's not exaggerating. He means that, truly. ]
You are welcome to join me. I begin with a series of stretches, then move on to jogging and sprinting.