[His smile turns just the slightest bit bashful at her observation, but he can't help but be pleased that she'd noticed— and while he might not be certain of what would be considered fashionable in her world and time, he had found the combination he'd settled on aesthetically pleasing, so he could only hope others would feel so, as well.]
I thought I might try something, yes. I don't believe I'll be giving up my robes entirely anytime soon, but these are rather comfortable. I thought to draw inspiration from what you found for me and thought these might be suitable.
["He spent an hour agonizing over what to wear," Tara informs her cheerfully, getting up from her spot in front of the fire to stretch and spread her wings before trotting over and looking up at the visiting witch with fondness. "Good evening, Ms. Steinbeck! It is a pleasure, as always. I, for the record, am very fond of fish. How sweet of you to think of me!"
Gale lets out a good-natured huff as he shakes his head at Tara's interjection, reaching out to gingerly take Amelia's basket from her so that he can set it down somewhere.]
Very kind of you; thank you, on both counts. We'll have plenty to eat to go along with these, as well. It seems only right to ring in the start of a new year with good food, good drink, and good company.
Looks like we're all set for the evening then. First...
[Before Gale sets down the basket, Amelia reaches inside to take a glass jar (with a decorative ribbon tied around the lid) filled to the brim with hundreds of tiny silvery fishes, no bigger than half of a finger.]
[Gale cannot help but smile warmly as Tara's eyes light up and she arches her back before circling Amelia's legs, rubbing against them with her tail waving contentedly, then coming to sit with her paws neatly in front of her.
"You have my thanks, Ms. Steinbeck! What a generous gift! Mr. Dekarios, if you wouldn't mind assisting...?"
She trails off, but Gale doesn't need her too elaborate, chuckling as he sets the basket on the table and holds a hand out for the jar, happy to assist in gingerly removing the lid and lowering it so that Tara can help herself. She purrs loud enough to be heard from where they stand, and she daintily spears one of the tiny fishes with her claws and proceeds to eat it, closing her eyes.
"Oh, divine! You have exquisite taste, Ms. Steinbeck."
Gale takes Amelia's hand with a look of amusement before leaning in to press a kiss to the side of her mouth, greeting her properly at last.]
I think she'll be quite occupied with those for some time.
[Upon receiving Tara's thanks and approval, Amelia gives a relieved sort of smile and then a bigger one as Gale kisses her. She wonders if her face will start to ache from all this warmth.
She squeezes Gale's hand as she brushes some of her hair behind her ear.]
We'll leave her be then. I'm glad she approves of her New Year's Eve snack.
So are we in front of the fire or out on your balcony? Either one is fine, but it'd be pleasant to start the countdown in the open air.
Trying to win points with Tara is very clever of you, indeed.
[He's mostly teasing, knowing Amelia was simply being herself in this regard, but there's no denying that Tara acts as though she'd raised him herself, and he knows her to be very invested in his love life, perhaps inappropriately so. Then again, who's to say what's an appropriate level of investment for a tressym?
He squeezes her hand in return, then gently tugs as he starts to take a few steps backwards towards the balcony, encouraging her to come along with him.]
Absolutely the balcony. My favorite place in the entire world— or a replica of it, and I can think of nothing lovelier than starting the new year with you beneath the stars.
[New year, new relationship moving forward. Amelia follows Gale and takes a deep breath to take in the cool simulated night air.]
You know, if things had been different, I might have dropped by back home to spend my New Year there instead of here. We've been here for months now and... Well.
[He knows she has at least a few good friends to look in on, students she might like to check in with back home. Amelia is one of those who is fortunate enough to be able to go back without it being potentially catastrophic, and while he would hardly begrudge her a trip home, he's glad she's opted to stay here with him.]
You made it sound as though you had a few traditions you might have liked to revisit there had you gone, but I quite like having you to myself.
[He gives her a particularly cheeky smile as he gestures towards the luxuriously upholstered bench on the balcony, releasing her hand only to take a seat and pat the cushion beside him before extending his hand in offering.]
[With her hand in his, she makes sits down and makes herself comfortable.]
Depending on the year, I spent the eve either in glamor and finery with a fellow witch, Berna, or at the most crowded and seedy bar imaginable with my other friends, Adam and Michael.
Basically, none of them allowed me to be alone during New Year's Eve.
[Amelia has some really good friends, few that they are.]
So if anything, me indulging you would satisfy their conditions for me.
[Very good friends indeed. He entwines his fingers with hers as she sits, raising their joined hands so that he can press a lingering kiss against the back of hers before lowering them to rest between their legs.]
They're quite right not to do so— no one should usher in a new year alone. It sounds like at least in that regard, they would approve of all this.
[He is, admittedly, curious to know more about her friends, curious to know what they would think of him and their involvement. He has always cared a little too much about other people's opinions.]
I can easily envision you in finery, but it is difficult to imagine Amelia Steinbeck, witch and educator, in a bar of low repute. You must stick out tremendously.
You'd be correct. If anything they'd be in awe of what I've gotten myself into.
[They'd be in awe that she's found a person who showers her with affection from the grandest of gestures to the little touches and kisses like the one on the back of her hand just now. And even more surprising is how she's comfortable with it all.]
And being a redhead will do that. But those kinds of bars are... Colorful. Fun even. It's mostly for people-watching with Adam and Michael. We'll play board games or card games, sometimes other guests will get involved... It makes for good memories.
[She leans her back against the seat with a soft sigh.]
Michael is also a witch. He's older than I am and stressed the importance of how I need to collect as many good memories as possible to make up for the years before and in case the years ahead become difficult.
I've been to my share over the years— there is a certain spirit to them that one can't find elsewhere, and you do meet a colorful collection of people. I do see the draw, even if it's difficult to imagine. Time well spent with good friends does make for memories well worth keeping.
[He squeezes her hand gently in agreement, always glad to hear about another piece of her life back home, another one of the many bits that made her who she was.]
I do think your friend has the right idea. Magickind in your world being as long-lived as they are, and with such an important burden to bear on their shoulders... having memories of such moments will bring you light during darker times, remind you that there are things worth fighting for, large and small. Hope is not to be underestimated.
[Amelia nods solemnly. Hope was probably the only thing that kept her going since she became a witch. She would have died without stubbornly holding onto it even if she didn't recognize it as such at the time.]
He and Adam both were pivotal to my life after I finished my training with my teacher. Adam is a normal human; he has no magic and nothing particularly remarkable except for his upstanding character. He's in the know about magickind for various reasons, but he's one of the most trustworthy people I know.
[... You know, she knew she almost forgot to mention something important. This is one of the follies of being guarded and selective with personal information.
Amelia coughs lightly.]
For full disclosure, Michael was my ex. Ex-boyfriend. [She wrinkles her nose and brow, not really liking how that sounded and unsure of how Gale will take to the term.]
My previous paramour. Someone I used to— Well, I think you get the picture.
[Wow that was weird to lay out during a date, good job Amelia]
[It's good to know that she hasn't been alone all this time, that she has friends she can trust and depend on, people who have become fixtures in her life after her teacher's departure. Though she has not shared every detail with him, it's been made clear enough that her time studying was unhappy— the difficulty she'd once had in accepting even the gentlest compliment from him had been proof enough.
His brow furrows slightly as she cuts herself off and proceeds to fumble through her attempts to finish her statement, but he does rather get the picture before she gets to the end. Even the term "boyfriend" was clear enough given the context, even if it's not a term he's terribly familiar with.
It may not be typical date conversation, but she certainly has his interest.]
You're still friends?
[He sounds genuinely curious, rather than put out, because he's never had the opportunity to experience such a thing. His parting with Mystra had been nothing short of devastating, brought him to his absolute lowest point— though in fairness, one was not typically 'friends' with a goddess to begin with.]
Not that you shouldn't be! [He's quick to follow-up, doing a bit of fumbling of his own.] I've just not seen it done before, at least not firsthand. Of course you would have been with someone before now; you're a very singular woman. I would have been surprised otherwise— but I've spoken of my... romantic past with you when it's been relevant. You should feel comfortable doing the same. Or not!
[He puts a hand up to accompany his sharp correction.]
I would never presume to be owed information regarding the details of— [He cuts himself off, sighing, then gives her a sheepish smile.] Well, I think you get the picture.
[... Okay, that response was very endearing to her. Amelia has to use her free hand to muffle the giggle that threatens to spill from her mouth. It's one of relief and nervousness that she didn't realize she had.]
I think I do. Get the picture, that is.
[She scoots closer to Gale so that she can lean against his shoulder; a way for both of them to settle into the closeness of each other.]
Yes, Michael and I are still friends. We both agreed that we were better as such. If anything, I think I could have told you a little earlier but it did slip my mind.
[He automatically lifts their joined hands to adjust as she moves closer to him, welcoming the warmth and closeness that she offers, and gives a sigh of relief as he leans in to rest his chin against the top of her head for a moment, grateful that she seemed to find his response entertaining more than anything else.]
I do try. I'm quite glad to hear I've succeeded.
[She's offered plenty of distraction of her own, whether she intends to or not.]
I'm glad that you've been able to come to an arrangement that works for you, as well. Trustworthy friends are too valuable to let go of, if one can avoid having to do so.
[There is a small twinge of something in his voice, not quite jealousy, but just the tiniest note of uncertainty. The concept may be new to him, but he could never begrudge Amelia for holding onto someone who means something to her. If he'd ever been fortunate enough to part so amicably with someone, he likely would have done the same.]
[There's someone else she hasn't told Gale about, someone whose significance he already has encountered in the Vale. She opens her mouth about to speak up—
(But then her heart stings when she thinks about their smile, her gut twists with guilt over surrounding herself with Gale's warmth because it's like she's almost, almost able to forget about...)
Amelia swallows and exhales; the shakiness can almost go unnoticed.]
Making friends has never been one of my greatest strengths but the ones I do have... I'm grateful to them for making sure I'm not entirely hopeless. I think they'd all like you, Gale. Berna, especially.
[There's a small shift in her that he does pick up on, momentary though it is, and he offers another squeeze of her hand as wordless reassurance. It's simple enough to attribute it to the confession she offers next.]
It sounds to me like you've done quite well for yourself. Quality over quantity; the people you've chosen to surround yourself with sound like precisely the sort of people you need.
[He feels a twinge of something he can't quite name in his own chest when he says that; perhaps he really is being selfish, wanting her to stay here rather than go home to visit. Dwelling on that too long seems dangerous, considering the uncertainty of their future.]
I'll admit... I've always cared a little too much about what other people think of me, so I'm certainly glad to hear you think so, but more than that, they're important to you. While your opinion of me ought to be the only one I lend any weight to, I can't help but hope you're right.
Well... I can certainly understand that. I'd want the people in your life to have a decent opinion about me. That's why I made sure to give Tara a gift, for instance.
[And she supposes that Astarion's opinion of her had improved since their first meeting which wasn't a great start.]
We've been here a few months and have met a good number of people. And I want you to know that ending the year and greeting the new one with you wasn't something I imagined.
[Amelia feels her cheeks grow warm.]
So... I'm grateful that you're part of my life now, Gale.
I'll have you know that Tara is already quite fond of you, but that gift of yours will certainly cement your place in her heart. She's a discerning old girl, but she's spoken quite highly of you.
[Yes, he has discussed her with his cat good friend Tara, who has quite honestly been thrilled to see him opening his heart to new possibilities. Long overdue, he supposes; he's done more than his share of sulking and nursing a broken heart, and what he feels now, even though their relationship is yet young— it makes what came before pale in comparison, because more than anything, it's real. He feels seen, and the further he gets from his time with Mystra, the more he realizes that he had never been seen as a partner, but a pet to be kept.]
I can't say it was something I expected, either— but I have never been so pleasantly surprised.
[He drops his head to press a kiss against her temple, his lips curling into another fond smile. Meanwhile, a Mage Hand delivers a tray with a pair of glasses and Amelia's basket to the table beside their bench, causing him to raise an eyebrow when he notices— he certainly hadn't done that, nor was he responsible for the delivery of the charcuterie tray that followed.
Tara, apparently, was intent on making sure they enjoyed their evening thoroughly. He chuckles softly, closing his eyes and taking a brief moment to bury his face in Amelia's hair.]
To say that I'm grateful to have the chance to be in your life doesn't feel like enough... with you, I forget myself.
[She's getting used to the small displays of affection that Gale gives her so freely in their moments alone but simultaneously it still feels jarring after being so long without something like kisses to her hands and head, hand holding, and so on. Their relationship is so green but he was more ready to be engulfed in this than she was.
Ah, thank you Mage Hand from Tara. Before Amelia can reach for the bottles and glasses, she stays where she is so Gale can continue to embrace her. Up close, the magic in her hair hums, a faint sensation that he may be able to pick up.
He says that he could forget himself, to be lost in her. Concerningly, she can almost relate.
(But forgetting was hard.)]
Try not to forget yourself before getting a drop of drink, please.
[She says that with playful sternness before reaching up to give Gale a pat on the head.]
[It's not the first time he's felt latent magic while simply being in her presence; she was powerful enough that anyone sensitive to the arcane would be able to pick up on it if they kept themselves open, but even so, this was different, a more deliberate hum that while faint, seems to resonate with that particular moment, something that makes his smile tug slightly to one side.
He laughs sharply as she gives him that mock-patronizing pat; it never fails to amuse him when she takes that particular tone with him, especially since he's been on the receiving end of her sternness in earnest in the past.]
That's right, we're meant to be celebrating! It would be an awful shame if I were to get ahead of myself. Embarrassing, really.
[He's able to have a bit of a laugh at his own expense! He hasn't entirely forgotten, and he releases her so that she can reach for the glasses as planned, standing so that he can claim the charcuterie tray that had been so thoughtfully delivered and set it somewhere a bit more convenient for the pair of them.]
Is celebrating the passing of a year common where you're from? Different regions handle it in their own way in Faerun, but along the Sword Coast, it's largely celebrated by feasting and drink— something all of our festivals seem to have in common, I think. People will gladly take any excuse to indulge!
It is. There are different New Year traditions and some cultures have more specific dates to celebrate, but by and large it is globally welcomed.
[Amelia takes the glasses and the bottle of fizzy apple cider from the basket. First cider, then champagne.]
Aside from feasting and drinking, however, many people use the last few days of the old to reflect on what was accomplished or not in the past year. In a way, everyone shares their goals, hopes, and dreams for what they wish to achieve once we shed off the last day.
[He adjusts the positioning of the table on his side of the bench, moving it to sit before them so that they can easily share its contents while sitting together and enjoying the view. The charcuterie board he sets on it afterwards is quite elaborate, and while magic had sped up the process a bit, it's clear he'd spent quite a bit of time on it. There are no less than three salami roses.]
That does seem prudent. A way of realigning oneself for the year to come, while perhaps learning a bit from the one we leave behind.
[Ideally. He settles himself beside her again, watching her take up the cider with interest.]
I can hardly say I've had a typical year— neither of us have, in fact, but all the more reason to reflect upon it. I don't feel as though I've quite finished making the necessary steps, but I will say I feel myself to be a very different Gale than I was a year ago. Then, even the idea of venturing outside of my tower was...
[He trails off and shakes his head, a wry smile quirking to one side.]
Truly unthinkable. Little did I know how much awaited me beyond those walls.
[While pouring him some fizzy cider, she listens to Gale, conscious of the fact that he's had to deal with a lot, to say the least.]
You've had a tumultuous time. [Between the orb, the parasite, going on an adventure to address both... Amelia hands him his glass.]
I'd be surprised if you hadn't changed to some degree based on those circumstances.
As for myself, truthfully, I think I've managed a consistent life routine after becoming a teacher. Save for the supernatural mishap that's bound to happen, I am proud to say that a majority of my students who take my advanced course have been able to pass their major exams. My goal for the next class is to raise their average scores and teach them better studying strategies.
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I thought I might try something, yes. I don't believe I'll be giving up my robes entirely anytime soon, but these are rather comfortable. I thought to draw inspiration from what you found for me and thought these might be suitable.
["He spent an hour agonizing over what to wear," Tara informs her cheerfully, getting up from her spot in front of the fire to stretch and spread her wings before trotting over and looking up at the visiting witch with fondness. "Good evening, Ms. Steinbeck! It is a pleasure, as always. I, for the record, am very fond of fish. How sweet of you to think of me!"
Gale lets out a good-natured huff as he shakes his head at Tara's interjection, reaching out to gingerly take Amelia's basket from her so that he can set it down somewhere.]
Very kind of you; thank you, on both counts. We'll have plenty to eat to go along with these, as well. It seems only right to ring in the start of a new year with good food, good drink, and good company.
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[Before Gale sets down the basket, Amelia reaches inside to take a glass jar (with a decorative ribbon tied around the lid) filled to the brim with hundreds of tiny silvery fishes, no bigger than half of a finger.]
Dried anchovies. These are for you, Tara.
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"You have my thanks, Ms. Steinbeck! What a generous gift! Mr. Dekarios, if you wouldn't mind assisting...?"
She trails off, but Gale doesn't need her too elaborate, chuckling as he sets the basket on the table and holds a hand out for the jar, happy to assist in gingerly removing the lid and lowering it so that Tara can help herself. She purrs loud enough to be heard from where they stand, and she daintily spears one of the tiny fishes with her claws and proceeds to eat it, closing her eyes.
"Oh, divine! You have exquisite taste, Ms. Steinbeck."
Gale takes Amelia's hand with a look of amusement before leaning in to press a kiss to the side of her mouth, greeting her properly at last.]
I think she'll be quite occupied with those for some time.
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She squeezes Gale's hand as she brushes some of her hair behind her ear.]
We'll leave her be then. I'm glad she approves of her New Year's Eve snack.
So are we in front of the fire or out on your balcony? Either one is fine, but it'd be pleasant to start the countdown in the open air.
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[He's mostly teasing, knowing Amelia was simply being herself in this regard, but there's no denying that Tara acts as though she'd raised him herself, and he knows her to be very invested in his love life, perhaps inappropriately so. Then again, who's to say what's an appropriate level of investment for a tressym?
He squeezes her hand in return, then gently tugs as he starts to take a few steps backwards towards the balcony, encouraging her to come along with him.]
Absolutely the balcony. My favorite place in the entire world— or a replica of it, and I can think of nothing lovelier than starting the new year with you beneath the stars.
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You know, if things had been different, I might have dropped by back home to spend my New Year there instead of here. We've been here for months now and... Well.
I have a better reason to be here than in town.
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[He knows she has at least a few good friends to look in on, students she might like to check in with back home. Amelia is one of those who is fortunate enough to be able to go back without it being potentially catastrophic, and while he would hardly begrudge her a trip home, he's glad she's opted to stay here with him.]
You made it sound as though you had a few traditions you might have liked to revisit there had you gone, but I quite like having you to myself.
[He gives her a particularly cheeky smile as he gestures towards the luxuriously upholstered bench on the balcony, releasing her hand only to take a seat and pat the cushion beside him before extending his hand in offering.]
Terribly selfish of me, I'll admit.
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Depending on the year, I spent the eve either in glamor and finery with a fellow witch, Berna, or at the most crowded and seedy bar imaginable with my other friends, Adam and Michael.
Basically, none of them allowed me to be alone during New Year's Eve.
[Amelia has some really good friends, few that they are.]
So if anything, me indulging you would satisfy their conditions for me.
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They're quite right not to do so— no one should usher in a new year alone. It sounds like at least in that regard, they would approve of all this.
[He is, admittedly, curious to know more about her friends, curious to know what they would think of him and their involvement. He has always cared a little too much about other people's opinions.]
I can easily envision you in finery, but it is difficult to imagine Amelia Steinbeck, witch and educator, in a bar of low repute. You must stick out tremendously.
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[They'd be in awe that she's found a person who showers her with affection from the grandest of gestures to the little touches and kisses like the one on the back of her hand just now. And even more surprising is how she's comfortable with it all.]
And being a redhead will do that. But those kinds of bars are... Colorful. Fun even. It's mostly for people-watching with Adam and Michael. We'll play board games or card games, sometimes other guests will get involved... It makes for good memories.
[She leans her back against the seat with a soft sigh.]
Michael is also a witch. He's older than I am and stressed the importance of how I need to collect as many good memories as possible to make up for the years before and in case the years ahead become difficult.
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[He squeezes her hand gently in agreement, always glad to hear about another piece of her life back home, another one of the many bits that made her who she was.]
I do think your friend has the right idea. Magickind in your world being as long-lived as they are, and with such an important burden to bear on their shoulders... having memories of such moments will bring you light during darker times, remind you that there are things worth fighting for, large and small. Hope is not to be underestimated.
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He and Adam both were pivotal to my life after I finished my training with my teacher. Adam is a normal human; he has no magic and nothing particularly remarkable except for his upstanding character. He's in the know about magickind for various reasons, but he's one of the most trustworthy people I know.
Michael—
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Amelia coughs lightly.]
For full disclosure, Michael was my ex. Ex-boyfriend. [She wrinkles her nose and brow, not really liking how that sounded and unsure of how Gale will take to the term.]
My previous paramour. Someone I used to— Well, I think you get the picture.
[Wow that was weird to lay out during a date, good job Amelia]
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His brow furrows slightly as she cuts herself off and proceeds to fumble through her attempts to finish her statement, but he does rather get the picture before she gets to the end. Even the term "boyfriend" was clear enough given the context, even if it's not a term he's terribly familiar with.
It may not be typical date conversation, but she certainly has his interest.]
You're still friends?
[He sounds genuinely curious, rather than put out, because he's never had the opportunity to experience such a thing. His parting with Mystra had been nothing short of devastating, brought him to his absolute lowest point— though in fairness, one was not typically 'friends' with a goddess to begin with.]
Not that you shouldn't be! [He's quick to follow-up, doing a bit of fumbling of his own.] I've just not seen it done before, at least not firsthand. Of course you would have been with someone before now; you're a very singular woman. I would have been surprised otherwise— but I've spoken of my... romantic past with you when it's been relevant. You should feel comfortable doing the same. Or not!
[He puts a hand up to accompany his sharp correction.]
I would never presume to be owed information regarding the details of— [He cuts himself off, sighing, then gives her a sheepish smile.] Well, I think you get the picture.
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I think I do. Get the picture, that is.
[She scoots closer to Gale so that she can lean against his shoulder; a way for both of them to settle into the closeness of each other.]
Yes, Michael and I are still friends. We both agreed that we were better as such. If anything, I think I could have told you a little earlier but it did slip my mind.
After all, you're very distracting as of late.
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I do try. I'm quite glad to hear I've succeeded.
[She's offered plenty of distraction of her own, whether she intends to or not.]
I'm glad that you've been able to come to an arrangement that works for you, as well. Trustworthy friends are too valuable to let go of, if one can avoid having to do so.
[There is a small twinge of something in his voice, not quite jealousy, but just the tiniest note of uncertainty. The concept may be new to him, but he could never begrudge Amelia for holding onto someone who means something to her. If he'd ever been fortunate enough to part so amicably with someone, he likely would have done the same.]
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[There's someone else she hasn't told Gale about, someone whose significance he already has encountered in the Vale. She opens her mouth about to speak up—
(But then her heart stings when she thinks about their smile, her gut twists with guilt over surrounding herself with Gale's warmth because it's like she's almost, almost able to forget about...)
Amelia swallows and exhales; the shakiness can almost go unnoticed.]
Making friends has never been one of my greatest strengths but the ones I do have... I'm grateful to them for making sure I'm not entirely hopeless. I think they'd all like you, Gale. Berna, especially.
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It sounds to me like you've done quite well for yourself. Quality over quantity; the people you've chosen to surround yourself with sound like precisely the sort of people you need.
[He feels a twinge of something he can't quite name in his own chest when he says that; perhaps he really is being selfish, wanting her to stay here rather than go home to visit. Dwelling on that too long seems dangerous, considering the uncertainty of their future.]
I'll admit... I've always cared a little too much about what other people think of me, so I'm certainly glad to hear you think so, but more than that, they're important to you. While your opinion of me ought to be the only one I lend any weight to, I can't help but hope you're right.
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[And she supposes that Astarion's opinion of her had improved since their first meeting which wasn't a great start.]
We've been here a few months and have met a good number of people. And I want you to know that ending the year and greeting the new one with you wasn't something I imagined.
[Amelia feels her cheeks grow warm.]
So... I'm grateful that you're part of my life now, Gale.
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[Yes, he has discussed her with his
catgood friend Tara, who has quite honestly been thrilled to see him opening his heart to new possibilities. Long overdue, he supposes; he's done more than his share of sulking and nursing a broken heart, and what he feels now, even though their relationship is yet young— it makes what came before pale in comparison, because more than anything, it's real. He feels seen, and the further he gets from his time with Mystra, the more he realizes that he had never been seen as a partner, but a pet to be kept.]I can't say it was something I expected, either— but I have never been so pleasantly surprised.
[He drops his head to press a kiss against her temple, his lips curling into another fond smile. Meanwhile, a Mage Hand delivers a tray with a pair of glasses and Amelia's basket to the table beside their bench, causing him to raise an eyebrow when he notices— he certainly hadn't done that, nor was he responsible for the delivery of the charcuterie tray that followed.
Tara, apparently, was intent on making sure they enjoyed their evening thoroughly. He chuckles softly, closing his eyes and taking a brief moment to bury his face in Amelia's hair.]
To say that I'm grateful to have the chance to be in your life doesn't feel like enough... with you, I forget myself.
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Ah, thank you Mage Hand from Tara. Before Amelia can reach for the bottles and glasses, she stays where she is so Gale can continue to embrace her. Up close, the magic in her hair hums, a faint sensation that he may be able to pick up.
He says that he could forget himself, to be lost in her. Concerningly, she can almost relate.
(But forgetting was hard.)]
Try not to forget yourself before getting a drop of drink, please.
[She says that with playful sternness before reaching up to give Gale a pat on the head.]
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He laughs sharply as she gives him that mock-patronizing pat; it never fails to amuse him when she takes that particular tone with him, especially since he's been on the receiving end of her sternness in earnest in the past.]
That's right, we're meant to be celebrating! It would be an awful shame if I were to get ahead of myself. Embarrassing, really.
[He's able to have a bit of a laugh at his own expense! He hasn't entirely forgotten, and he releases her so that she can reach for the glasses as planned, standing so that he can claim the charcuterie tray that had been so thoughtfully delivered and set it somewhere a bit more convenient for the pair of them.]
Is celebrating the passing of a year common where you're from? Different regions handle it in their own way in Faerun, but along the Sword Coast, it's largely celebrated by feasting and drink— something all of our festivals seem to have in common, I think. People will gladly take any excuse to indulge!
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[Amelia takes the glasses and the bottle of fizzy apple cider from the basket. First cider, then champagne.]
Aside from feasting and drinking, however, many people use the last few days of the old to reflect on what was accomplished or not in the past year. In a way, everyone shares their goals, hopes, and dreams for what they wish to achieve once we shed off the last day.
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That does seem prudent. A way of realigning oneself for the year to come, while perhaps learning a bit from the one we leave behind.
[Ideally. He settles himself beside her again, watching her take up the cider with interest.]
I can hardly say I've had a typical year— neither of us have, in fact, but all the more reason to reflect upon it. I don't feel as though I've quite finished making the necessary steps, but I will say I feel myself to be a very different Gale than I was a year ago. Then, even the idea of venturing outside of my tower was...
[He trails off and shakes his head, a wry smile quirking to one side.]
Truly unthinkable. Little did I know how much awaited me beyond those walls.
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You've had a tumultuous time. [Between the orb, the parasite, going on an adventure to address both... Amelia hands him his glass.]
I'd be surprised if you hadn't changed to some degree based on those circumstances.
As for myself, truthfully, I think I've managed a consistent life routine after becoming a teacher. Save for the supernatural mishap that's bound to happen, I am proud to say that a majority of my students who take my advanced course have been able to pass their major exams. My goal for the next class is to raise their average scores and teach them better studying strategies.
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