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alexiusgoesrogue · 4 months

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Status Update: Emirates and Dubai (DXB)

The check-in at the gate was a mess and easy at the same time. The announcer voice did not make it very easy to hear whether Group B or Group E would be boarding next. But with that sorted out quickly, with delay thanks to the Lufthansa strike, I was on my way down into my first ever shuttle ride. Meanwhile dad watched from the rooftop of the car park since the viewing platform was closed off for construction.

And of course, I got “lucky”. Two crying infants/toddlers just a row ahead of me. I at first tried to sleep through the flight, like the girl sat to my left did, but even noise cancelling headphones have their limits, and I can’t sleep upright. I am yet to figure out how to kick back my seat.

Curious thing I noticed, the monitors in the seats occasionally show when the next prayer time would be for muslims according to the local timezone, with a graphic showing the direction of Mecca. Also, there’s three cameras on the plane which I could switch between freely to look around outside. I just barely used the feature, it was mostly pitch black for my night flight.

Before flying over Bucharest, food was served. I was asked whether I’d like beef or chicken. But the constant language switching today made me not realize that I asked “nochmal?” in response. The curious look the steward gave me made me realize my mistake.

I chose beef, and was handed a full tray just a minute or two later

Food Ranking

Noodles: 4/5, a weird taste for noodles, but tasty nonetheless, and the bell pepper (?) was a good touch

Main Course: 5/5, first time eating what I assume to be spinach. In itself, not my thing. But with the side dish (no idea what it was, tasted like a tasty, decently spiced, coarse version of mashed potatoes), it was absolutely tolerable. The meatballs and sauce were great, too.

Cheddar: 3/5, a bit unusual texture and taste compared to non-airplane-food cheese, but fine.

Bread roll: 4/5, totally fine to eat on its own when failing to realize there is also a piece of butter on the tray

Crackers: 3/5, basically just a softer version of tuc

Belgian Cookie: 2/5, very soft baked, yet a gooey (?) texture, and a strange, at most tolerable taste

Cheese Cake: n/a, I was too stuffed to try it

***

Another interesting discovery, when the canon is dark, the ceiling has small lights to look like the night sky.

Additionally, I watched a few available episodes of Bluey before takeoff. The headphones provided would make a fine video on Dankpods for sure, and not to be praised.

What I take away from this first leg of the tour done:

-don’t store your bag under a seat, or you will have no legroom. And six hours suck with my busted knees.

-figure out the seat position feature before everyone has boarded

-avoid switching between English and German, only do it if necessary

-never again settle for a middle seat. Go window or aisle, either is far better than the awkward middle.

The flight has been survived though. As of writing, I am currently waiting at the gate for my next flight, twice the length. Send help

The Dubai airport (DXB) is big, yet it doesn’t feel that way. Genuinely, you only feel the size when you see how far up the elevators go, or when you have to take a small train to get to your gate. London Stansted is several times smaller, yet feels endlessly long.

Next achievement I unlocked was finally paying with credit card in person. Only took five tries, but I got my food after all. And I am still unsure whether I like the different taste of McDonald’s food in Dubai.

#new zealand #travel #dubai #get ready for round two

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slusheeduck · 7 months

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Slumber Party

Astarion and Gale have a fun night of kicking their feet, giggling, and discussing the all-consuming power they both intend on taking for themselves. “Well, would you look at that. Looks like you and I are going to be roommates.”

Gale, already settled in bed with a book (and a hot water bottle for his aching…well, everything—the luxury!), looked up with an amused smile at Astarion—hair still damp from the bath he’d no doubt enjoyed—as he dropped onto the bed beside him with a long sigh.

“Gods, this is perfect. What a lovely little treat after dealing with a megalomaniacal wizard.” He peeked an eye open to look over at Gale. “No offense.”

“Not too much taken.” Gale shut his book. Astarion was always talkative after a fight; there’d be no reading now. But that was fine, really, considering he hadn’t been able to focus much to begin with. “Though I’m surprised. I thought you’d be in Fal’s room.”

“Well, yes, and I’ll probably move there tomorrow night.” Astarion settled under the covers, looking as pleased as a cat as he curled up beneath the blankets. “But he’s got every intention of spending the night combing through the Emperor’s old hideout to burn off some nervous energy from dealing with Lorroakan. I, on the other hand, am not going to waste the first chance I’ve had at being in an actual bed. He can listen to Aylin and Isobel quote sonnets into each other’s nethers or whatever passes as sex for them when he finally comes up.”

Gale snorted at that. “I thought elves didn’t sleep. You meditate, don’t you?”

“Yes, yes, but it’s significantly nicer in a feather bed.” He gave Gale a pointy grin. “Besides, it’s like a sleepover if it’s just the two of us. We can talk about boys and braid each other’s hair.”

“I can’t braid, and what boys are there? Falerin, who we talk about enough.”

“Well…there’s Wyll.”

“And Halsin.”

“I don’t want to talk about Halsin. This is a bear-free environment.” Astarion made a face. “And I don’t want to braid, either. I’m very comfortable.”

Gale rolled his eyes with a smile. “Then I suppose we should go to sleep.” He started to reach for the lamp.

“Or…” Astarion shifted on the bed, scooting closer to the edge to properly look at Gale. His eyes glinted red in the low light. “We could talk about what you said in Lorroakan’s study. About taking the Crown of Karsus for yourself to become a god.”

Gale’s smile faded, and his eyes flicked nervously up to Astarion. “It wasn’t anything serious,” he said as blithely as he could, rolling onto his back. “That’s just how wizards…talk, really. It’s no secret we’re an ambitious bunch, and things like that can just…pop out as we try to out-think each other. Entirely hypothetical, I assure you.”

He glanced to Astarion again; the vampire’s grin had only spread, and he rolled onto his side to rest his chin in his hand.

“Oh, I know that’s what you want everyone else to think. Just a silly little pissing contest between egos.” His eyes narrowed. “But I know what it looks like to dream of power, know the rush that comes from having it so close.” He looked up, lips curling even more. “I think that’s why we make such good friends.”

Gale shut his eyes, letting out a long breath. “All right, fine,” he whispered. “But nothing I say here leaves this room.”

“Of course not. That’s poor slumber party etiquette.” Both hands were propping up Astarion’s chin now. “So, you want to oust Mystra.”

“I wasn’t lying; it really is for the good of everyone,” Gale said, raising a finger. He sighed. “You were right, back when I was teaching you Mirror Image. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life—however long that is...” He tapped his chest. “…begging for her forgiveness.” He worked his jaw for a moment, staring at the ceiling. “Mystra is the Weave. You can’t love one without the other, not really. But magic carried on without her, and if she falls, it will carry on again.” He looked over at Astarion. “But she picks favorites. I’m not the first Chosen she’s picked up and spat out, and in retrospect, I was foolish for thinking it would end differently.”

“Of course you would, though,” Astarion said quietly. “You were in love.”

“And now I’m not, and I see…everything so much more clearly.” Gale rolled onto his side, propping himself up on his elbow. His eyes were bright. “When I was teaching Falerin to reach into the Weave, when I was teaching you Mirror Image, all I could feel was…joy at being able to show you what I experience every day. Even if I’m nowhere near where I was before the orb, the Weave is still there. And so many have no access to it. They could, and if Mystra was even a fraction less selfish than she is, she could go beyond her Chosen. And if I were in her place, if I were the God of Magic, I would ensure that it would.”

Astarion half-smiled. “And the power’s not so bad either, is it?”

Gale shook his head. “That’s beside the point.” He leaned forward. “The fact is, I know what it means to be mortal. More importantly, when it comes to the Weave, I know what it is to be a prodigy, to be Chosen, and to be rejected. I understand. Mystra never will.” He made a face, thumping a fist into the mattress. “And I’m close. I’m so close I can practically taste the divinity.” He huffed a sharp breath through his nose, then glanced over at Astarion. “And you probably think I’m a hubristic fool.”

��Actually, I’m thinking that I have never been so actively attracted to you.” Astarion chuckled as Gale rolled his eyes, watching the wizard roll onto his back again. “Obviously, I kid, but we really are two birds of a feather, aren’t we? You with your aspirations of godhood, me with my plans of ascension. Oh! Imagine if you named me as your Chosen. Gods, think of all that power.” He gave a very sharp, unabashedly evil grin. “We’d have all of Faerûn at our feet.”

Gale puffed out a laugh. “Sorry to disappoint, but—and I mean this as nicely as I can say it—I would never name you my Chosen, Astarion.”

“No? I’m hurt, darling,” Astarion said with a put-on little moue. He shook his head. “I’m already fairly certain of who you would name Chosen, but tell me anyway.”

“Falerin, naturally.”

“I knew it.” Astarion’s cheek went back to his palm. “So, you’d take him from the fey, then?”

“Certainly. He was studying to be a wizard, you know, when he was trying to treat his illness—he only went to the fey because there was a time limit.”

“Ah. He’s already traded autonomy for ability.”

“Exactly. And even after my apotheosis, I would still be myself. Still Gale of Waterdeep, just…improved.” He looked over at Astarion. “I care about him, far more than the fey ever could just by virtue of their nature. As for his illness, plenty of wizards find methods to extend their lives—I’ll guide him to finding his answers.”

“Mm. He does have something of a Chosen One about him, I suppose. And he’d be a hero by the time we’re all done.” Astarion looked up, quiet for a long moment. “Of course, he’ll be my spawn by then. So in a way, I’ll still get those perks of being the God of Magic’s Chosen, albeit indirectly.”

Gale blinked a few times. “You’re…planning on turning him?”

“I’m floating the idea,” Astarion said with a smooth shrug. “I want to keep him safe, when all’s said and done. As an ascendant, the best way to do that would be as my spawn.”

Gale squinted. “Like you are to Cazador.”

Astarion bristled. “No. Not even remotely,” he said through his teeth. He took a breath, willing himself to relax. “I know I won’t be the same after I ascend. I’m not stupid. But…it’s possible that my love for him won’t be the same as it is now. So if I turn him, if I make him mine in a way that goes beyond the emotion of it…I’ll get to keep my heart, and he’ll be untouchable when he’s a Vampire Ascendant’s favorite.” He looked over to Gale, and his mouth twitched. “And now you probably think I’m a monster.”

Gale was quiet for a moment. “I think it’s romantic of you,” he said after a moment. “Granted, romantic in a thoroughly fucked up way. But I’m the last person who could judge you for that.” He let out a sigh. “But we should probably rest up. I can only imagine what’s in store for us if this is our first day in Baldur’s Gate proper.” He leaned over to turn off the light, then laid back. “Good night, Astarion.”

“Good night, darling.”

There was a quiet rustle as each of them settled in, and a mutual pre-sleep/meditation sigh. After a few minutes of trying to sleep, though, Gale’s eyes opened. He stared up at the ceiling, brow furrowing.

“Astarion?”

“Hm?”

“What if Falerin says no? To both of us.”

“No to what we have planned for him, or no to what we have planned for ourselves?”

“Both, I suppose.”

Astarion was silent, not moving a muscle. Gale, of course, didn’t have dark vision, so there was no way for him to read the body language of the dark shape on the bed beside his.

“I try not to think about it,” he finally said. “Good night.”

A clear end to the conversation, so Gale let it lie. And, as he shut his eyes again, he found himself doing that exact same thing.

Casual Banter Masterpost

#baldur's gate 3 #bg3 #bg3 fic #astarion #gale of waterdeep #Tragically there ARE two beds #They share a little nook in Elfsong tho and I couldn't NOT have shenanigans like come on #Also trying to figure out formatting in a post-fictober world but we're getting there #Anyway I went to Vegas and back this weekend which is around 12ish hours round trip so get ready for a lot of writing #Because I had THOUGHTS

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