The fallout from the fall of the absolute was, in a word, strange. Two worlds existed for Tav, and she felt like she didn’t belong in either of them. When out in public, Tav was being referred to as the saviour of Baldur’s gate, as were the rest of her companions. Most had moved on from the city, of course. Karlach and Wyll were in Avernus battling devilish hordes together. Halsin led the refugees toward the shadowlands, curse free of course, to settle there. Lae’zel now leads Githyanki freedom fighters up and down the swordcoast. Gale went looking for the remains of the crown of Karsus which hasn’t resurfaced since. Shadowheart was the only one to keep in touch with Tav, as she travelled from Selunite temples and holy sites. Rediscovering her roots, while avoiding Shar assassins. 

This meant that to the city, only two saviours remained in the limelight. Tav, and of course, Astarion. They couldn’t walk the streets without being stopped for autographs or overwhelmed with gifts. Invitations to parties were unending. Astarion handled and vetted most of them on their behalf. There in lied the second world that Tav was struggling to find her place in. Astarion’s world. His palace was a kingdom in itself, and now he had an army of servants to attend to him. Most of them are willing servants, but there are a few that are charmed as well. Tav confronted him about this, but he assured her that the charm was a memory-altering one. Once those enchanted servants cross the threshold, they knew Astarion was a vampire lord. He decided not to broadcast that he is ‘the vampire ascendant’, after all. Then, at the end of their shift, the same servants left the place and forgot what their master was. Astarion was simply a wealthy magistrate to them, until they returned to the palace again, of course. 

It was one of those grey areas that Tav didn’t know what to do with. Astarion didn’t treat his servants like Cazador did. He expected obedience and loyalty, but he didn’t torture or feed on them. He paid them decent wages and swanned around the palace like it was the most natural thing in the world for him. For Tav, it was far from natural to ring a bell and have someone enter the room with their head bowed low and ready to obey her commands. She refused to do it, in fact, but that didn’t stop Astarion from ringing the service bell on her behalf. Or from ordering the servants to call her ‘my lady’. That wasn’t the only thing he insisted on, either. Since their victory, Astarion has become unusually affectionate. Within five minutes of being in the same room, Astarion’s hand would appear on her shoulder or her arm. He dropped the D word far more often. ‘How are you, my darling? Ah, there is my darling. Is that stake cooked to your liking, my darling? Do not keep my darling waiting. Darling, I’ve been looking everywhere for you.’ 

The winking and hungry looks had returned to the same frequency and intensity as when they were courting. She lived with him in his gothic palace and was doted on by his servants. He wined and dined her with the top brass of the city, and showed her the wonders Baldur’s gate had to offer. It felt like they were courting, even though she knew they weren’t. Tav’s smile was sad as she relished these last moments with Astarion. At least she could have something to hold close in her dreams and heart when she wondered what life with Astarion could have been like. Had he…truly cared for her. She wasn’t a fool. All the dinner shows, parties, and festive gatherings were all power moves for the vampire. Astarion was truly established now as a magister in public and a superior replacement for Cazador’s mastery of pulling the strings in the shadows. 

He doesn’t need me anymore. Tav smiled, standing at the end of her bed and staring at the dress laid there for her to wear to tonight’s grand ball. Astarion was hosting a high-society event and hand-picked, once again, a fancy outfit for her to wear. So she’d look like a shining gem on his arm. The dress itself was a high fashion item. Soft silk slippers with a kitten heel; the left stocking was white and the right was red. The dress itself had slits on either side to her mid thigh to show off said stockings, and was a beautiful cascade of red and white ruffles. They spiralled at her left hip like a flower and across her right shoulder and collar. This was a dress made for dancing and displaying her curvaceous form. There was even a red and white flower hair piece for her to tame her ginger locks with. 

This is it. Tav exhaled deeply and removed the dressing gown she’d donned after her lavender bath. This is the last night of being pampered. The last night of being Astarion’s pet. In the morning…I’m gone. 

It was well overdue, and she already had her bag packed and ready to depart at first light. She planned to wear her normal druid robe, shift into a raven, and fly out of the window when the palace was silent. I could visit Halsin in the Shadowlands? See how the new settlement is going? Or maybe I go deep into the forest and be with nature? Maybe I need to be alone for a while. It wasn’t going to be easy…leaving Astarion. But it’s long overdue. She rolled her shoulders and focused on the moment. Her last, wonderful moment where she can bask in Astarion’s affection…before moving on forever. He’s got what he wanted. He’s finally free and happy. It’s time for me to be the same. I deserve to be free and happy too. After everything I’ve sacrificed to get to this point, I’ve damn well earned it. Even if… Tav sighed and felt the fine fabric of the dress in her hands. Even if it will be the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. To walk away from him. 

A letter burned a hole in her bedside table drawer. She’d drafted it five times. In the end, the shortest version was the one she was going to leave Astarion by means of an explanation for her departure. I couldn’t stand telling him I’m leaving and for him to shrug and ask me what I’m waiting for. For him to not care at all. Or for him to be angry that I don’t want to be his pet anymore. To throw away the place he has made for me by his side, for something so trivial as ‘love’. Tav rubbed her face and steeled herself. I’m not stupid. I know who and what Astarion is. I’ve always known. He isn’t a good man. She chuckled to herself and slipped her legs into the stockings. I just…love him anyway. He has goodness in him, but he’s also a vicious killer when he wants to be. Manipulative and power-hungry. I love him, even though I know he isn’t good for me. Staying is killing my heart. Slowly bleeding out like an addict in denial. Hoping he’ll one day wake up and realise he does love me after all? Pah. I’m not stupid, and neither is he. Tav pressed her hands to her chest and scrunched her eyes shut to fight off the start of tears. So I’ll have to leave and hope I can mend these wounds on my own instead. Tomorrow, I begin that difficult journey. But tonight? She cleared her throat and shimmied into the red-and-white dress with a smile. Tonight is my last night to have him smile and ‘adore’ me. I’m going to make the most of it. 

Once she was ready, Tav slipped out of her room to follow the sound of music and joyous laughter. Her hands fussed with her hair, half up and half down in the floral hair piece…when a shadow moved in her room. A shadow with glowing red eyes and a toothy grin.