Dance Amongst The Roses | Astarion x OC | Gale x OC

Chapter 11: The Tiefling Party

As night descended upon their camp, it transformed into a scene of revelry and camaraderie. The air was alive with the sounds of laughter and music, intertwining with the comforting glow of campfires. Tieflings, their horns gleaming in the firelight, moved gracefully through the grounds, sharing tales of valor, raising toasts to their champions, and indulging in the merriment of the moment.

At one end of the camp, Halsin, the elder druid, observed the festivities with a contented smile, his weathered features illuminated by the flickering flames. With a goblet of wine in hand, he observed the lively dance of the tieflings, finding solace in the simple joy of witnessing his companions revel in the warmth of companionship.

Among the throng, Lilith, her senses heightened by the pulsating rhythm of the music and the infectious energy of the celebration, moved with an almost ethereal grace. Her steps were a whirlwind of movement, drawing the attention of those around her as she danced with a mesmerizing fervor. Each twirl and flourish seemed to channel the very essence of the night itself, infusing her with a surge of magical energy that coursed through her veins like a tempest.

Meanwhile, Christinus, his mood lifted by the genuine camaraderie of the tieflings, found himself immersed in the revelry despite his initial reservations. As he sampled the offered wine, his expression soured at its bitter taste, prompting him to discreetly dispose of the offending drink. However, his spirits lifted as he caught sight of a familiar figure weaving through the crowd.

Approaching him with a mischievous grin, the young musician he had encountered in the inner grove greeted him with playful familiarity. "You've come to my rescue twice now," she remarked with a twinkle in her eye. "It's only fair I repay the favor. Let me weave a melody in your honor!"

"You're too kind," he said with a gentle smile. "Can I persuade you to play a tune with me instead? I've been feeling nostalgic."

"I'll do my best, though I can't guarantee I'll match your skill," she replied.

"I have faith in your abilities," he assured her, gesturing for her to follow him into his tent. Astarion, observing from a distance, wore a mask of concern as they disappeared within. Moments later, they emerged, the elf carrying his lute and a parchment of sheet music. The vampire's expression softened with relief.

"Ready?" he asked as they positioned themselves. "One, two..." With that, he began to strum, his fingers dancing deftly across the strings. Together, they wove a tapestry of gentle, whimsical notes, painting the air with a romantic melody that seemed to transport those around them to another realm.

"True that I saw her hair like the branch of a tree. A willow dancing on air before covering me. Under cotton and calicoes ——Over canopy dapple long ago." His voice, a melody both haunting and enchanting, wove through the air, drawing forth a crowd whose ears had grown weary of mere melodies, now eager for the depth of his song.

"True that love in withdrawal was the weeping of me. That sound of the saw must be known by the tree. Must be felled for to fight the cold. I fretted fire but that was long ago." As his words unfolded, couples twirled around the flickering flames, caught in the spell of his song. Among them, eyes sparkled with admiration for the elven troubadour whose voice painted pictures in their minds. 

With each crescendo, his voice soared, carrying the weight of emotions untold. He sang not just to the crowd, but to her, the other player, as if his heart's melody sought to find its harmony in hers.  "And it's not tonight! (oh, oh) Where I'm set alight! (oh, oh) And I blink in sight! (oh) Of your blinding light! (oh)" As the chorus rang out, Lilith, moved by the music, pulled Gale into an awkward dance, while Lae'zel observed with a stoic appreciation for the skill displayed.