Chapter Text
Aria tranced well into the morning, awakening to find herself still overwhelmingly drained from the events of the previous night. The weary sensation was akin to her first encounter with a hangover, and she hoped a hearty breakfast would assist in restoring some of her vigor. Aria swiftly made her way to the nearby river, where she dedicated extra time to freshening up in order to present herself flawlessly before her companions. With a pocket mirror in hand, she meticulously examined the bite marks on her neck, relieved to find them faint and scarcely visible. “At least he had the decency to be gentle,” she mumbled to herself.
As she made her way back to camp, Astarion intercepted her path. “Good morning. How do you feel?”
Aria adjusted her posture, striving to appear more composed than she truly felt. “I’m fine, I just feel a little woozy.”
“It'll pass,” he reassured. “Just be glad I'm not a 'true' vampire. A bite from them and you might wake up as a vampire spawn, like my good self. All of a vampire's hunger, but few of their powers.”
Having revealed his big secret, Astarion seemed more open to discuss the nature of his affliction, and Aria leapt at the opportunity to ask more. “Is that how you can stand in the sun? Because you're not a 'true' vampire?”
Astarion chuckled, “Oh no, I should be cinders in this light! I hadn't seen the sun for two hundred years before we crashed here. Someone - or something - wants me alive. They've changed the rules. Standing in the sun, wading through a river, wandering into homes without an invitation - they're all perfectly mundane activities now! As for my other quirks - well, we can figure those out in time,” he grinned devilishly.
Aria reveled in his bold, flirtatious demeanor, finding herself equally drawn to reciprocate his charismatic energy. “If I can help, just ask. We're in this together.”
“Oh you're such a sweetheart!” Astarion laughed whimsically. “I'm just glad you're being sensible about these… revelations. I was worried people might turn up with torches and pitchforks! Although there's still time…” he trailed off, seeing their other companions approaching.
Karlach was the first to speak, “Vamps don't scare me, as long as they keep their teeth to themselves. No sense judging someone for who they are. Except devils, obviously.”
“I'd just better not wake in the night to find fangs at my throat,” Shadowheart added.
Aria confidently folded her arms. “I trust him. He won't hurt us,” she smiled, affirming her faith in the vampire spawn.
“Quite the opposite; I’m here in the spirit of openness and honesty, to work together as a team,” Astarion promised.
Karlach grinned warmly, “We all have our shit to bear. As long as you remember your manners, Astarion, you're welcome at my fire.”
“There now, we’re all friends again,” he jovially exclaimed. “Shall we go? There's a long day ahead of us.”
As Astarion and Karlach retreated to their tents to prepare for the day ahead, Shadowheart lingered behind, eyes fixated on Aria. “Do you intend to offer your neck to him again?” she questioned.
Wishing to be honest with her newfound friend, Aria nodded. “I’m considering it. At full strength he'll be all that more powerful as an ally.” She looked off in the direction of the flirtatious rogue. “But I know, I can't let my guard down,” she added in a serious tone.
Shadowheart bit her lip as she processed Aria’s words. “The thought of him feeding off any of us doesn't exactly bring me comfort, but you've been good to me, and as we've established before, we need each other. At least let me help you while you help him,” she proposed, conjuring restorative magic around the bard to dispel her fatigue.
Aria sighed gratefully. "Thank you..."
As the day progressed the party became consumed with battling enemy goblins and gnolls in the surrounding wilds, leaving little room for idle conversation. With each passing hour, Aria's impatience to converse with their resident vampire intensified. Once night descended and the group returned to camp, she wasted no time in seeking out Astarion's tent. Upon her arrival, he greeted her warmly. “There you are, I was just thinking about you, and that delicious moment we shared last night.”
“I’m flattered to know I left such a lasting impression,” she teased.
Astarion chuckled softly, a hint of embarrassment creeping into his voice. “I’ve had this condition for two centuries, but truth be told,” he paused, clearing his throat, "you were my first," he admitted, cheeks flushing as he avoided her gaze.
Aria gasped in astonishment, a radiant smile spreading across her face as she struggled to contain her excitement upon hearing his confession. Before she could speak, he pressed on.
“In all these years, I’ve only ever fed on beasts. Drinking the blood of thinking creatures is a different thing entirely! You were delectable. And now I just can’t help but wonder how the others taste…” he trailed off, sneaking glances at the half elf and tiefling.
“You’re looking at other necks? I’m hurt,” Aria playfully feigned jealousy.
“Don’t worry, there’s enough of me to go around. I’m a man of tremendous appetites,” Astarion boasted. “I don’t think they’d volunteer, of course, but it doesn’t make me any less curious. Take Shadowheart, for example. She strikes me as having a heavy, enigmatic flavor. Vintage port on two legs. But Karlach - a tiefling seasoned by hellfire? What could she possibly taste like?”
“Something potent, I’m sure. A smokey Waterdeep whiskey?” Aria suggested, happily matching the enthusiasm of his curiosity.
“Ohh, that sounds very appealing,” he pondered. “I’m almost convinced.”
Aria laughed from their exchange, “This is still theoretical, right?”
“Absolutely! A mere thought experiment.” Astarion mused as another wonder entered his mind. “So - in the spirit of theoretical questions - if you had to take a bite from one of them, who would it be?” he asked with a mischievous smirk, moving closer to hear her secret answer.
Aria's eyes traveled the length of his figure, “You, of course,” she replied seductively.
“Oh, I’m flattered. Who knew you had such taste?” he played along. “Unfortunately, all this talk is getting me hungry. I’d better find something I can actually sink my teeth into.”
Aria gently placed a hand on Astarion’s arm before he could take his leave. “You know… I’m open to the idea of you feeding on me,” she murmured, her voice laden with intrigue, “as long as we discuss it beforehand.”
Astarion's adrenaline rushed at the enticing offer of another satisfying meal. “Well darling, how generous of you,” he purred, his lips curling into a knowing smile. “That sounds like a perfectly reasonable arrangement.”
Aria returned his smile and withdrew her hand from his smooth, pearlescent skin, beckoning towards the tree line away from the camp. “Shall we find some privacy to… dine together?” she coaxed.
Captivated by her boldness, Astarion nodded eagerly. “Lead the way.”