Strolling these streets together would have been quite magical, in other circumstances. This is all a tad apocalyptic for my liking. * How do you like my new look? * I'd be lying if I said it wouldn't take some getting used to, but what can a few extra tentacles do to a bond as strong as ours? When this is all over, we'll have time enough to unpick the specifics of your new condition. Psionics alone could take months to thoroughly evaluate, not to mention the matter of your diet... But I'm getting ahead of myself. We've a Netherbrain to defeat. Then we get to the fun stuff. Against all odds we cured ourselves. Free from the parasite. Free from the prospect of ceremorphosis. I can hardly believe it. I will not become an accursed illithid! Not to cast any slight on you, of course. Your present form is but a sign of your gallantry. * I did what was necessary. * They'll write stories of this, of course, each fable sprouting more falsehoods than the last. But for that one seed of truth: You. You did this. You are a mind flayer, the very thing you sought to eradicate. Whatever self you still possess is quickly ebbing away. Your friends and enemies alike are ripe for manipulation, and if not manipulation, then consumption. Soon you will not be able to trust yourself at all. You will be a monstrosity beyond redemption. Or not. Perhaps you are unique among illithid-kind. Perhaps you will retain enough of who you are to resist your nature. A rogue mind flayer. Like the emperor. The risk is certainly yours to take - will you? * You will survive, but you will be ready to take your life if you fell the slightest loss of control. * You have thwarted the illithid Grand Design. You have defeated three Chosen and a Netherbrain. You are miraculous, and you have earned the right to live. Your fate will be what you make of it. Now, you are your own Master. But it seems that Gale's mind is elsewhere. The crown - it's somewhere in the Chionthar. If I salvage the stones, I can reforge it. And once I have, I'll return it to Mystra. She'll cure me of my affliction, and I'll finally be free. * Are you sure you're ready to give up such powers? You'll never have the chance again. * I'm sure. A wise man learns from his mistakes, and strives not to repeat them. I shall bring the Crown to Mystra. If this adventure has taught me anything, it's that there are things in this world far more valuable than power. You, for example. You were always wiser than me when it mattered most. Besides, I've grown quite fond of this merry band of ours, and I'd quite like to see what happens to it. I'm sure Mystra will summon me soon enough, but until then, I propose we celebrate our victory the mortal way - with a drink in our hands and reckless abandon in our hearts. * I'll stay in the city. The world could use a mind flayer with good intentions. And a mind flayer's intellect. * It seems you found peace with yourself - I'm glad. Just as long as your intentions remain as pure as they are now. It's curious. After all the wonders and monstrosities we've witnessed, waking beside you seems more unreal than any of it. I'd forgotten what it felt like, to greet a sunrise without fear of it being my last. Soon, I'll deliver the crown to Mystra, and be rid of the orb at long last. I'll be free. * You're lucky. I wish my own condition were so easily cured. * Whatever for? I rather like this new you. In fact, your tentacular transformation has inspired me to make a little change of my own. I've decided to drop this whole 'Gale of Waterdeep' business. It's a bit... pompous, don't you think? You're now in the company of plain old Gale Dekarios - a most brilliant wizard of intentionally limited renown. At your service. Now, I believe this is the moment where I should get to my point, so to speak. I love you, more than I've ever loved anyone, mortal or immortal. And you've proven your love for me in more ways than even the greatest mathematicians would dare to count. That being said, I wondered if you might consider accompanying me back to Waterdeep as a new member of the Dekarios clan? * You'd really wish to marry me, in my present condition? * Your 'present condition' is that you're the one I love. And your current form is merely a reflection of the depths of your sacrifice. It only makes me love you more. There will be some practicalities to iron out. The guest list, the venue, and we'll need to find a very open-minded cleric. I promise we'll make it work, if you'll have me? * I accept. I'll marry you, Gale Dekarios. * You will? Oh, thank goodness for that. We'll need time to make the arrangements, of course. The catering alone will need to be quite extraordinary... But that's all to come. The day is young, and there are thousands more days ahead of us. You and Gale have made a home for yourselves in Waterdeep. Sometimes it isn't clear what he loves more - his research or you. But whenever he looks into your eyes, or up at the stars while he sits by your side, you know the answer. One such night, your reveries are interrupted by an embarrassed apprentice, delivering an urgent message, written in a frail hand. An invitation to a gathering of former allies - those who stood with you against the Netherbrain six months ago. Gale the adventurer has quickly become Gale the academic, but he's all-too happy to leave his tower for this meeting. Hello, darling. I wasn't sure our withered old friend could live up to his promise, but here we are. At least I assume it's you in there. It's a little hard to tell. How have you been since... everything? * I admit, it wasn't easy. * No, I imagine not. I am sorry, I wish things had worked out differently for you, but... Well, no use dwelling on it, is there? Starting to wonder if you'd show up. * Are you joking? I've been counting down the days. * Honestly, so have I. Oh, come here, will you? It's been forever. Hmm, you feel a little more substantial than before. Less camping and scrounging off the land, I take it? * I don't know how much you want to know about my diet, but I'm doing really well. * Fair point. I'm not quite sure this evening's refreshments will be to your tastes but hopefully the company will make up for it. I'm glad you seem well. Truly. You're quite certain I look acceptable? I can't remember when I last wore something other than my teaching robes. It feels a little odd to find myself in something so unsinged. * Gale, I am an illithid. I strongly suspect this will distract the attention of others from your clothing. * Sorry, my love, that was a little insensitive of me. May I say - your tentacles are looking wonderfully moist this evening. No finer illithid ever seen in the face of Faerûn. I won't keep you to myself for too long, but while I have you - I want to say thank you for encouraging me to attend this evening. Teaching at Blackstaff Academy has proven such an unexpected pleasure. Sometimes I find it hard to tear myself away. Just one of the myriad unexpected ways life has delighted me in recent months. Even my own city feels new to me, now that I share it with you. * I only wish I could share it with you more. But I'm happy as long as I'm with you. * I'm just glad you're happy there. When we met, our lives were rather different, and being here this evening... well, it reminds me how much has changed. When our adventure began, our troupe had no more in common than the worm in our brains. Standing here now I no longer see the people we were - frightened, desperate, alone. We changed. We survived. And we did it it together. I've missed them. I've missed this. * We still have each other. That's all I'll ever need. * I'm not sure I'll ever get over my good fortune in that respect. You are the happiness I never dreamed I could deserve. God knows we suffered for our salvation, but it was worth it, wasn't it? We did something incredible. And wherever life takes us - we'll carry the memory of that with us forever. Now, much as I could spend an eternity in your company - we see plenty of each other already. Tempting as it is to keep you all to myself, we'd be terrible company if we didn't mingle for at least part of the evening. * Kiss him. * I love you. Now go on, before I change my mind.
