Regarding (im)mortality

21: The city can do what now?!

In the following month while preparing for the moon festival Astarion found himself sort of adopted by Arista's family. He'd have long discussions with Rhyl and Elvaer about how to be sneaky, try to gently discourage Bel from flirting with him and exchange stories of his and Arista's adventures with Div and Alak. All in all life was good. The Spawn were settling in just fine, the arrangement working out better than expected. They were fed and - aside from the one or other odd incident - behaved themselves quite good. It gave Alak just enough trust in them to allow the ones that were best behaved into the city for the moon festival. A reward of some sort, hoping to motivate the others that were not allowed in yet to do better.

It made Astarion really happy to see that Sebastian was one of those allowed to participate. The guy seemed positively giddy to socialize with someone other than the Spawn that came with him to this town.

"I mean I have some friends within the Spawn but the atmosphere is still pretty tense around here", he'd explained to him the other day, "It'll be nice to be amongst regular mortals once again without the constant thoughts and talks about how to control my thirst."

Right now he was waiting in front of the portal Div had created. The festival would be in two days time and Arista's and his companions from the past adventure had arrived one by one. Those that had time to come anyways.

Shadowheart had arrived yesterday and she even brought her parents. They were quite excited to celebrate a moon festival as it spoke to their worship of Selûne and as thus were curious how a celebration in the name of Eilistraee would look like. Jaheira had jumped at the chance to get away from her duties in Baldur's Gate and Minsc had insisted to come along. Halsin had politely declined, not wanting to leave the budding community he was building around moonrise towers just yet. Wyll and Karlach had agreed to try and come for the festival itself. Not able to stay very long due to Karlach's heart. Lae'zel had also had to decline, unable to travel to Faerûn quite so soon again. They couldn't invite Minthara for obvious reasons... it was just too dangerous to tell her where the city was lest she might use the knowledge to try to get back into her house's good graces.

Right now they were waiting for Gale and Div was unusually vocal next to him.

"I can't believe I'm meeting the great Gale of Waterdeep. Mystra's chosen", he said with a big smile. It was rare to see him this excited, usually he was the calm voice of reason, thinking before he spoke, but now it seemed like his brain ran on overdrive about meeting a famous wizard.

"He's not that grand you know?", Astarion chuckled out, "He didn't invent any cool spells like you did, you know?"

Div waved his hand. "Oh stop it, brother. I only do utility spells, combinations of spells that already exist. It's not big deal really."

Astarion chuckled, rubbing a fist over his chest at being called 'brother' by this young Drow. He was still getting used to being part of a real family again after so many years of being one of seven Spawn siblings that held no real familial feelings towards each other.

"It's more than Gale can say of himself", Astarion retorted, "You should be proud of your achievements, you know?"

Div opened his mouth to answer but didn't get to it because at this very moment Gale finally made his way through the portal, carrying his Tressym in his arms and letting her jump down once he was through. Div stared at him for a solid minute before finally remembering to close the portal he had opened.

Astarion chuckled to himself at how starstruck Div seemed to be and approached his old friend. "Glad you could make it wizard", he greeted him, holding out his hand.

Gale smiled, gripping his forearm in their usual handshake and pulled him into a hug, patting his back a few times before pulling back. "It's good to see you Astarion", he said and looked around, "Where's Arista?", he asked.