A good thing Astele didn’t resist too much. Jaheira really didn’t fancy having to shove the Guildmaster through a Dimension Door like a sack of cabbages — or worse, slinging her over her shoulder like a prize stag while wildshaped into an owlbear. Oh, that would have been a story. But this was better. A walk home, plain and simple. Legs on the ground, dignity intact.
They walked through the winding alleys of the Lower City, construction sites flocking around them in the collective effort to rebuild the city, a good portion of them funded by the Guild's money. Astele's money. A financial help that gave the dukes no other choice but to accept it, just like they accepted any other rich merchant's help. Since money was the only language they understood, and Minsc's reassurances would do little to aid anyone's cause anyway.
The night was quiet, but not too quiet. Comfortable. Familiar. After so many years of sneaking glances in smoky back rooms, of stolen touches behind locked doors, of lives too tangled to belong to each other fully — Jaheira should have been used to it by now...
She caught herself glancing sideways more than once, fingers twitching with the impulse to reach out and take Astele’s hand. To lace their fingers together like it was nothing. Like she didn’t live half her life behind masks and mirrors and guarded words. She wanted to look up at her, eyes soft, unguarded, and say gods, I’ve missed you — but the words hovered unsaid behind her teeth.
What if Astele didn’t want to take that step? What if she never intended to?
So she said nothing. Just kept walking at her side, close enough that their arms occasionally brushed. That was enough. For now.
At least they didn’t have to worry about being followed anymore. And once they stepped through the door of her home, the Harper wards humming softly at their return, Jaheira allowed herself to breathe.
The house was quiet, the kind of peace that only was possible when children were deep in their dreams. Only then, Jaheira gently took Astele's hand in hers. Without a word, she led her up the stairs, each step creaking softly under their feet.
Upon reaching the bathroom, Jaheira released Astele's hand, moved to the large tub at the corner and extended her hands over the empty basin, her fingers tracing intricate patterns in the air as she whispered an incantation. In response, a shimmering veil of magic unfurled from her palms, coalescing into a cascade of crystal-clear water that poured seamlessly into the tub, filling it with a gentle, rhythmic lapping.
Once the tub was nearly full, Jaheira's incantation shifted, her voice adopting a deeper timbre as she invoked another spell. A soft, golden glow emanated from her fingertips, descending upon the water's surface. The liquid responded immediately, rippling as waves of warmth permeated it, transforming the cool water into a soothing bath. The steam began to rise, curling in the air carrying the subtle scent of lavender and chamomile, herbs she had infused into the water countless times before for their calming properties, and now infuses yet again for good measure.
Satisfied, Jaheira turned back to Astele, a gentleq smile on her lips. "The bath is ready," she murmured, her voice soft, inviting.