“Well? You paint an excellent picture.” Tav smiled, having seen the fantasy and liking the ramifications of it. He was right. She longed to have a purpose. She’d always had one. To become Bhaal’s chosen, which she no longer wanted, of course, and then to defeat the Absolute. It also warmed her to think she’d have a companion who would stay in her life. Gale was eager to return to Waterdeep. Astarion had clearly moved on. Halsin left with the refugees to settle them in the curse-free Shadowlands. Everyone had plans that took them away from Tav. Perhaps that was why she agreed to go to the damn party today in the first place? Because she was terrified now that the battle was over, she would be alone with her sins. “I mean, sure. It sounds like it could be fun. Though, I’ll need some sort of wage, as I can’t imagine being the face of the Knights of the Shield, and making money scavenging and selling what I find?” She laughed and looked off to one side. “Hells, I don’t even have enough money left to pay for the rest of the month upstairs.” Her companions moving on meant less hands chipping in for their accommodation. 

Not a problem. Balduran was a master of seeing the right opening, and going for the kill. Or in this case, the capture. My accounts have been paying the owner even in my absence, and it is more than large enough for the two of us. He handed her the bottle of wine and lifted it to her lips. In the beginning, we’ll need to work closely together so I can bring you up to speed with how to run an operation like this one. You won’t have to worry about rent while we arrange for funds to be transferred into your name as my partner. She swallowed the wine he poured into her mouth, and stared into his sharp pink and black eyes. It makes sense, doesn’t it? We have worked so wonderfully together against the Absolute. Surely there is nothing we can’t achieve together now? Tav swallowed more wine, and enjoyed the buzz she was starting to feel. Say yes, and we will be the true rulers of this city. My city. We will ensure it is governed fairly and prevent anyone like Gortash from holding the city and it’s people hostage ever again. He lowered the bottle and leaned closer to her. His breath mixed with hers, and she could taste vanilla and garlic. 

“Are you sure you want to keep working with me?” Tav grinned, cheeky as ever. “I snore, and I’m not exactly tidy company. Oh, and of course, I’m a murderous Bhaal Spawn and I drink wine like a fish.” 

You are magnificent, Tav. One of his tentacles dared to stroke at her hand on the bottle. His eyes burned with certainty, and she felt his conviction surround her with an angry edge. He was insulted that she would dare to put herself down. You know the necessity of killing evil and protecting the innocent. You value freedom as much as I do. You defied a God! An Elder Brain! All the odds and all expectations. I am in awe of you. His hand cupped her cheek, and he couldn’t keep his longing from reaching out to her. It was brief, but she felt the depth of his passion for her. Before she could comment on what she was feeling, he reeled himself back in. I do not mind snoring, as I do not sleep. My telekinesis makes keeping my home tidy effortless. There is a tavern above us, so I can keep you stocked up with wine. Nothing you have said changes my mind about inviting you into my home, or my partnership. 

“Not even the murderous Bhaal Spawn part?” She tried to hold onto her humour like a safety blanket, but her tone lacked conviction. She was still reeling from, well, all of it. 

You are perfect exactly as you are, Tav. Balduran picked up the medal and torn white fabric from the table. He waved the medal at her with a chuckle. I will take this, however, since you gifted it to me. 

“Erm…sure.” Tav smiled awkwardly, and they both knew she was talking about more than the medal. She was saying yes. To all of it. 

Good. You should get your rest. We have a busy day ahead of us. He floated up out of the chair and flew over toward his makeshift bedroom. You can use my bed to sleep in, for now. 

“Thanks. Hey, wait a minute?” She raised a brow and her long black braid swung behind her. “I thought you said you don’t sleep?” She stood up and started to walk towards the stairs. “Why do you have a bed, if you don’t sleep?” 

For sex, of course. Her voice died on her tongue, and she shoved the bottle back in her mouth to drink deeply. Suddenly, it was a battle not to think about how Mind Flayers have sex, and she knew he’d heard her thoughts when he sniggered in her mind. If you wish to ask me, you may. 

“No fucking way. I haven’t had enough wine to ask a friend how they fuck.” Not yet anyway. Unfortunately, her mind didn’t stop imagining it. She arrived at the top of the stairs and found him lying on soft cushions and a thick blanket. Still only wearing black harem pants… 

If you permit it, I would like to enter your mind more deeply. Now you do not have an Ilithid parasite inside you, it isn’t as effortless for me as it once was to share your experiences that I have not witnessed firsthand. I would like to experience your memory of the party at Astarion’s estate before you arrived here tonight.

“Why?” Tav gruffly answered as she lowered herself to sit on the bed. At the mention of Astarion her mood soured with sadness. Her tail coiled around her and she drained more wine from the bottle. By now he was probably ‘having a little nibble’ of one of those pretty noble ladies he wanted to pump for power. 

I wish to see how many faces I will recognise from the last time I was the Emperor of Baldur’s Gate. And if he saw Astarion’s clear motives as well and could hamper them moving forward? That wasn’t petty…surely…

“Oh.” That made sense to her, so she shrugged and put the now-empty bottle to one side. She flopped down onto her back, further astounding Balduran with how comfortable she was with him. “Probe away, and swerve out of the way of the darker thoughts. I had a few urges today that were, erm, not so pleasant.” 

I have never swerved away from any of your thoughts, Tav. He cupped her cheek and gently turned her face to look at him. And I’m not about to start now. Relax and open your mind to me. In return, I shall help you have a dreamless sleep. Tav smirked and brought her hand up to her chin to make finger tentacles again. 

“Don’t make promises you can’t keep.” 

I never have, and I am not about to start doing so now. Tav inhaled with bliss at the press of his mind to hers. Her pupils dilated, and she could feel…everything. Sounds, colours, tastes—they all intermingled. She licked her lips, tasting vanilla and garlic there. As well as wine, sweat, and sleep. It was a surreal experience, and she surrendered to it. Her eyes rolled shut, and his tentacles caressed her arms and neck. He soothed her to sleep, tenderly, and wholeheartedly possessed her mind. Yes, Balduran did as he promised. He analysed every face and interaction she witnessed and was alarmed at how many faces he did not recognise. Power has changed hands quite a lot under Gotash, it seems. Once finished with the memory of the party, he lingered in her mind and gave her a dream of nothingness. A blissful gift for the Bhaal Spawn. He also held her in his arms and tentacles and remained in her mind all night. Learning and relearning everything possible, so his plan would be effective and swift. Both returning to power from the shadows as the Emperor, and finally making Tav his.