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[divinestrike]

[Random starters are okay, too!]

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[mystracal]

I have a favorite drink, but you're unlikely to find it as far out as we are. Something sweet will do perfectly fine, and I daresay is well-suited for both of us.

[divinestrike]

That's plenty a help. I'll pick you out something nice. Please make sure I have somewhere very nice to get cosy in. I'll stay longer if you let me sit somewhere soft.

[mystracal]

I'm starting to think this was all a ploy for me to conjure something comfier to sleep on than a bedroll in the dirt.

[divinestrike]

Now, now, I didn't say that. But I wouldn't argue against it either. You know as well as I do that the ground, even in a bedroll, isn't the most comfiest place to be. But honestly, I was just thinking a pillow or two would be nice.

[mystracal]

A pillow or two it is.

[But by the time Nepione arrives, he's got closer to eight pillows of varying sizes. Gale, too, likes to be cozy.]

[divinestrike]

[She agonises longer than she should over a choice of wine for him. But they have plenty of stores that they haven't depleted just yet. So when she pokes her head into his tent, she offers up a mulled wine. It's not quite what she originally envisioned, but it's should still be good. In fact, so good that it should suit them both.

She'll forego mead for this very special occasion. In her other hand, a couple of silver goblets, which she waves back and forth.]

Heeeello. Room for one more?

[She means herself. It's her. She's the 'one more.']

[mystracal]

Just enough room for an esteemed colleague.

[He pulls the flap aside for her so she can step inside. Next to all those pillows is a low table and a couple of wine glasses - it seems he also thought to provide drinkware. No problem in having a second set, should something happen to the first.]

I've been meaning to chat with you more often. I vastly prefer getting to know one another on a more intimate level through polite conversation than via our unwelcome visitors.

[He gestures to his head.]

[divinestrike]

[She preens. 'Esteemed colleague.' It's not what she'd call herself, but from him, she'll take it. She carefully steps in, mindful of where she steps, takes a moment just to situate from a first impression. Parking herself momentarily by the low table, she sets down the goblets and the bottle she's brought before she decides that the pillows must be for her.

Grinning for some moments, she seats herself carefully. What he follows up with, however, makes her take him just a touch more seriously.]

Oh, have you, now? [She asks, considering that usually she's the one full of never-ending questions. She'll have to find a means to keep it that way.] It's true that our little companions do make that a little more difficult. It's different when you can see an expression. There's no time like the present, Gale.

[mystracal]

No time like the present, indeed.

[He waves his hand and conjures a couple of pillows for himself on the other side of the table, taking a seat upon them.]

Now, I think we should perhaps lay some ground rules for this game.

[divinestrike]

Oh, I love rules.

[Which said by so many other people would likely come across as sarcastic, but when she says it, it sounds so happy, so chipper, that it is likely that she genuinely likes order.

And rules.

Patiently, she presses her hands into her lap, watching him intently, as if she doesn't care to miss a moment.]

What kind of rules? I thought I would need to come with some, but I see you've already beaten me there.

[mystracal]

For starters, I suggest that anything said here stays here. The last thing we need is for any inebriated admissions to become the subject of gossip around the campfire.

[divinestrike]

I'm surprised you think I would say anything.

[Maybe he's not saying that about her, though, but rather himself.]

Gale, that was a given. Of course I would prefer it if what comes out here, stays right here, regardless of who's saying it. Do I really expect either of us to say something that will fall into that? No. Not especially. But better to get that out of the way.

[mystracal]

[Oh, he's absolutely saying that about himself. It wouldn't be intentional, but he's well aware that for as much as he enjoys wine, he doesn't hold his liquor terribly well.]

No harm in setting it as an established rule, even if we don't think it will be an issue. Beyond that, I assume I need not mention that we should be honest with what we admit to. It'd defeat the purpose of this exercise otherwise.

[divinestrike]

[His second is worthy of a pause.

Nepione rather likes keeping information about herself to herself. She can admit that when she wants to avoid a discussion, a question, anything that just might permit someone closer to her, she tends to evade or distract.

Although she considers protesting, she takes a moment to reflect. Surely, surely she won't find herself in a corner where she has to say something she's been clinging onto. Loosing a breath she's been holding, the tiefling offers an uncertain, somewhat stilted nod.]

...Yes, all right. That's two for two on obvious. This isn't really an exercise, though. It's supposed to be fun. You're making it sound like work.

[mystracal]

[He smiles with shrewd delight.]

Exercises can be plenty of fun with the right mindset. And that's what the wine is for.

[Of course, that comes from the guy who has more books than healing potions in his tent. There are some sitting along nearly every wall of the fabric enclosure, even more tucked away into a small chest by his bedroll.]

[divinestrike]

[She doesn't even bother trying to hide the groan that is set free. Ah. Leave it to him to put it in such a way. It sounds like another fascinating rendition of Education with Gale, which, to be fair, is actually something she enjoys quite a lot.

Just—]

You're impossible. Yes, okay. Fine. Exercise. Fun. Educational. Testing the limits of my brain tonight. I think we should have a rule about... this not becoming about work. No work or duty or obligation discussion.

[mystracal]

[Gale scoots the silver goblets next to the bottle and uncorks it, filling them both before sliding one her way.]

Fair enough. As you're my guest, you start.

[divinestrike]

[She looks grateful already. Taking the goblet he's offered in hand she seems content to simply hold it for some moments.]

Hm. Do you prefer it if I ask questions or if we just offer up information about ourselves?

[She remembers the original point. Sharing things they've never done versus things they have.]

[mystracal]

[He puts the cork back in the bottle and sets it aside, taking his own goblet and breathing it in.]

I prefer questions. As much as I love the sound of my own voice, I'm never quite sure what to say about myself, aside from my usual accolades.

[divinestrike]

Well, that's easy. You should be sharing things you're comfortable sharing.

[Unless, of course, he's shared all of those things already. Maybe she can get away with taking a different approach.]

I know you like reading a lot. What's your favourite kind of book? I can't see you necessarily being the sort to like fables.

[mystracal]

Not all fables, no, though even I cannot fully resist their allure. There is often some truth hidden within even the most imaginative of stories, granted that Volo didn't write them. I have read my fair share of fairy tales.

[He thinks for half a second.]

To be quite honest, I'm not sure I can pick a favorite kind. I like so many for different reasons: some for what they can teach us, some for how they inspire, and others for pure, unadulterated enjoyment.

[divinestrike]

[She hides a laugh in her goblet. Ah, yes. Volo. The man sure does seem to take some liberties with whatever he might be getting his excessively adventurous self into. A wonder he hasn't perished yet. If she ever thinks she's reckless, at least she isn't Volo.]

That's all... incredibly fair. It'd probably be hard for anyone who was a book enthusiast to pick a single genre over the others. Doesn't help that sometimes one's in a mood to read a certain kind of story and that will undoubtedly affect what the preference is, even if only fleetingly.

[Tipping her head this way and that, she finds herself looking about at his collection. She'll have to peruse it for herself at some point. She doesn't mind a little reading material late at night. Provided it's not too complex for her to grasp.]

Have you ever thought about writing a book yourself?

[mystracal]

I've entertained the idea a time or two, but thought it'd be something saved for my later years.

[He takes a drink, the barest amount of tension lacing his brow.]

Now, I'll be lucky to have later years at all.

[divinestrike]

[She should have expected that kind of response. As she turns his words over in her head, she uses her goblet as a means to stall. That's worthy of a very, very long drink.]

We'll find a way.

[It sounds simple, perhaps. A little insensitive of her? She tries not to. Surrender is not something she wants to do. It's not something she's inclined to throw herself to. She must go down fighting.

So too, should he. And if he can't. If he finds that he's unable to, then she will do so for him.]

You might not want to hear that, but I can't give up. I would never forgive myself if I did. I won't ask you to reflect my feelings on that, but I can't listen to you concede so easily.

[mystracal]

[Gale smiles so easily at Nepione, albeit a bit ruefully.]

Believe me, conceding is not my intention. I wouldn't be here if it were. It's simply a matter of fact that once all is said and done regarding these tadpoles, I've still got at least one unfortunate condition to contend with.