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[Amelia associates Valentine's Day with bright reds, pinks, and white worn for school spirit. Students carrying around basket of goodies from their friends or special someone. Her giving away Valentine themed candy and receiving many in return. Some years, she would be gifted flowers and they'd stay strangely fresh for longer than expected. More importantly, the past few years, she's spent the romantic holiday with little to no fanfare in terms of her relationship status (though one year, Berna insisted on doing a Galentine's Day with her granddaughter hosting the event at her cafe. That was an interesting evening).

This year, she arrives, dressed to impress, to the restaurant that Gale has picked out. Had it not been at his insistence, she truly would have let the day pass by, none the wiser. But he made the plans and Amelia finds herself being agreeable to it. Why wouldn't she?

The hostess leads her to the table and she brushes some of her hair behind one ear.]

Hi. I hope I didn't keep you waiting? [She makes a gesture with one hand at her entire get up.]

"Black-tie" formal takes some time as you can imagine...

[She looks Gale over and glances at her feet.]

... And you look very sharp.

No, not at all— I'm afraid I was unfashionably early, myself; you're—

[His cheerful response begins the moment her voice reaches his ears, but he cuts himself off as he looks up and gets a first good look at her, feeling as though his very breath has been knocked out of him even as he gets to his feet, visibly stunned. It's not the first time he's seen her dressed up, and while he thinks her impossibly lovely no matter what she's wearing, she still makes quite the impression.

Smiling broadly, he steps towards her as she looks towards her shoes, taking both of her hands in his and leaning in to press a chaste kiss against her cheek. How incredibly fortunate he is, to be joined by such a vision.]

And you look absolutely stunning. Even if I had been left to wait, it would have been well worth it.

[He gives one of her hands a squeeze before releasing both of them, stepping aside to pull her chair out for her.]

Please, have a seat— I ordered wine already, but we can certainly acquire another bottle if this one doesn't suit your tastes.

[Gale's affection can be absolutely embarrassing; however, this observation is done with the most affection. Amelia is glad she's looking at her feet when she hears the pause caused by him looking at how she's dressed up, his follow-up praises with the kiss on her cheek, and her face reddens again.

They've taken several steps together and yet he makes it seem like he's always seeing her in a new light. How on earth has the witch been able to handle this so far? She lets out a huff of breath and takes the seat he's pulled out for her.]

You're always prepared when it comes to treating me, so I doubt I'll have any complaints.

If it weren't for you, I probably would have let Valentine's Day pass by.

[She shrugs awkwardly.]

It was never a high priority before us as you can imagine.

[For better or for worse, he wears his heart on his sleeve, though he's come to believe that they complement one another extremely well in that regard. He notes the blush in her cheeks and is almost certain that it mirrors his own, even as he makes an effort not to be entirely overcome by how much he admires her.

He gives her a knowing smile as he takes his seat opposite her, proceeding to fill a glass for her to match his own.]

For my part, I didn't even know such a holiday existed until quite recently. I do appreciate you humoring me.

[It may not have been a priority for her before now, but there's no denying they have something worth celebrating. He sets the bottle down and slides her glass across the table towards her, then reaches for his own.]

Given the last few months, I find myself in quite the celebratory mood!

[She manages to get herself together or at least enough to put up a cool and composed face when she looks back up at him (although the color in his cheeks poses a challenge in her keeping it).]

The historical origins of Valentine's Day is similar to Halloween; religious in nature but morphed into something more broad and decidedly non-religious as time marched on as did the evolution of modern and urban societies.

[... Oh that's boring and non-romantic so she coughs into her fist.]

But I'm glad I can celebrate it with you.

[Boring to someone else, perhaps, but Amelia is having dinner with perhaps the one person in the hotel who would find the sordid history behind the holiday fascinating and wonderfully engaging dinner conversation.]

I do love a history lesson with my romantic evenings! [Said without a hint or irony or sarcasm, though his tone does soften as he continues:] I'm glad to be able to celebrate it with you, as well. There is no one I would rather be with this evening.

[Or most evenings, if he's being truly honest.]

Would it be terribly unromantic of me to ask about those religious origins...?

Perhaps. I think it would be more romantic to give you a book about the subject.

[These goddamn bookworm nerds.

(Speaking of, there is a matter of a gift she wants to bestow him as the evening goes further but she'll keep that to herself. It should be a nice small surprise).]

I'm a little more interested in dinner and seeing if you have anything else up your sleeve.

Oh, a book.

[There's a distinct note of teasing in his voice, but there's no denying he would absolutely welcome any new reading material she had to offer.]

I can always do with more of those.

[Amused, he reaches for his menu; he hadn't given it too much thought before she arrived, preferring to consider ordering with her company instead, and his smile quirks to one side as he glances at her over the top of it.]

There's no stargazing this time, I'm afraid, but there may be a little something.

[A gift of his own, naturally, but something else as well— something he's been keen to collect on for some time now.]

I'm looking forward to it then.

[She'll follow suit and open up her menu as well.]

I have to say, it's been a while since I've dressed up, at least for a sophisticated meal.

While I feel you look lovely no matter what you're wearing, perhaps I ought to come up with more occasions for you to do exactly that.

[She may have difficulty with compliments at times, but he's hardly going to shy away from them tonight— and if the way his gaze lingers is any indication, he'd been exceptionally truthful about just how much he likes what he sees.]

Hmm. Formal Fridays, perhaps? Small affairs, mind you, nothing over the top.

Every other Friday. I think I'd like to save some of those to just curl up in blanket and be as informal as possible.

[She associates Fridays with the end of the school week after all; it's when everyone, including her can finally take a (theoretical) breather!

But, she admits to herself internally, it is nice that Gale looks at her like that when she appears this way.]

Anyways, dinner... What tickles your fancy tonight? Something tried and true or something new to explore together?

Ah, of course— balance in all things.

[And, though he may be teasing, her idea of a Friday night well-spent is the same as his. Dressy occasions are all well and good, but they're enjoyable because they're a departure from the ordinary— and he just so happens to find the 'ordinary' incredibly comfortable.

He lets out a thoughtful hum as he at last reaches for his menu, looking it over.]

I hadn't given it much thought yet, aside from ordering the wine. Something new is always tempting— you know me, incessantly plagued by curiosity. What is 'biryani'...?

Biryani? Oh, that would be a mixed rice dish. It originates from a continent from my world.

[The very mention of it makes Amelia crave more Indian all of a sudden.]

Let's order that then. And on that note, you've given me some ideas on other items for our meal.

That sounds splendid.

[He smiles gamely as he looks up at her from his menu, glad to have something resembling a tour guide on this particular culinary adventure.]

If you have any suggestions, I would love to hear them. I've made you a few dishes from my own home, but it seems that for every dish I've had the opportunity to sample from yours, there are a dozen more to try. I'm not complaining, mind you— food is a remarkable way to learn about a place and the people who live there, their culture and history. I also quite like the pleasant surprise whenever our two worlds have a culinary overlap— there's quite a lot of that, as well, and yet more differences than one could even begin to count.

[As usual, he has a great many words to express what should be a very simple opinion, but he likes to think Amelia is oft charmed by his loquaciousness.]

[Not that she would ever say it aloud (or at least, not for a long, long, long time...) but Amelia does like Gale's rambles and tangents. Maybe it's overdone at times, but she's never thought it needed to be pointed out (unless his praise is too much and it embarrasses her).

The menu is set down and before she calls over a waiter, replies to him.]

I think it's settled then. We'll have some Indian cuisine for you to sample and enjoy and that will include dessert.

Oh, and some discussions about Indian folklore and myths. I don't suppose you've found the Ramayana in the libraries yet?

I haven't!

[Of course, Amelia has a book recommendation for every occasion, and his response is genuinely quite eager as he reaches for his glass of wine, setting his menu down once more.]

I take it I should put that on my list— no doubt I'll be especially curious to see what it holds after the tales you're sure to pique my interesting with this evening. I'll have to think of an equivalent recommendation as we discuss.

[One good turn— or book— always deserves another.]

I think you'll find the tale riveting and comparable to that of the gods of your world. There should be plenty of cultural differences and parallels that could occupy your mind for hours.

[All of that can be further discussed over their meal. The waiter is called over and Amelia puts in their order. There's the biryani, chicken tikka masala, freshly baked naan, vegetable samosas... It's all fresh and delicious, made even better with each other's company.

Amelia is just notably smiling a lot more and less reluctantly around Gale, paying no mind to anyone else in the restaurant. Normally, she'd feel silly for letting her tough facade drop so easily, but it's been a more than a month now. Everything feels right with Gale or if not that, at least it's unmistakably good.

Dessert is a classic mango lassi and feeling satisfied, Amelia leans back in her seat with her cup in her lap.]

Well, I don't think I'm going to seconds. That was delicious, wasn't it?

[Some of the guests around them are finishing up their own meals and the music in the restaurant swells up, prompting some of them to stand up, arm in arm with a dance partner.]

[Dinner itself is divine— there was little chance of it being anything else, given the exquisite company, but the restaurant's food certainly lives up to its claims, and Gale is quite happy to enjoy culinary whirlwind tour of India as directed by his dining companion. He makes mental notes about several dishes as they eat, comparing them to those he's more familiar with or considering how he might replicate them on his own, but more than anything, he is as enthralled with the woman sitting opposite him as ever. They talk, they laugh; conversation has come to feel so easy and natural between them that he can hardly remember the not-so-distant days when he had still been so uncertain of where he stood with her.

He laughs warmly as Amelia declares herself finished, and gives a shake of his head.]

Absolutely so— and no, I don't think I could fit another bite, delectable as it was.

[He removes his napkin from his lap and sets it aside on the table, he gaze briefly drawn by other couples rising from their seats as the music starts to build, and he smiles knowingly to himself— this particular opportunity was the primary reason he had chosen this place. He turns his attention back to Amelia, gesturing towards the large area that has clearly been reserved for dancing.]

I know it's been a couple of months now, but I never did get the dance I'd been hoping for at the winter ball.

Oh?

[There's a small blink from her, but the mention of dancing gets her to straighten up. The expression on her face is a mixture of intrigued and hesitant, but more of the former.]

Oh yes, you're right. It had gotten to late to dance last time.

[Amelia brushes stray strands behind her ear, trying to settle her nerves before they have a chance to bubble up.]

I'm okay with one dance. To the side. Not in the center.

[okay, she's nervous anyway]

... It's been a while.

[He can certainly keep things within those boundaries, but he stifles another laugh as he gets to his feet and extends his hand to her in offering, both fondness and amusement alight in his gaze.]

It's been quite some time for me, as well. I assure you, I have spent more parties than I can count biding my time on the sidelines for fear of making a fool of myself.

[He's just as likely to make a misstep now as he was then, but given the present company, he finds he no longer cares who sees, what judgments they might pass. The present-day Gale of Waterdeep is far less concerned with maintaining a certain graceful image than he once was.]

We'll keep to ourselves, off to the side, I assure you. I even promise not to step on your feet.

[Her lips quirk at the last mention as she stretches her arms and hands and then moves to stand up, accepting Gale's hand in the process.]

I'm holding you to that, you realize?

[And when they start to relocate themselves to a more private dancing spot, she adds:]

You'll be the first person to dance with me in years.

[He gives her hand a squeeze before he properly takes her arm, leading her towards the dance floor.]

Oh, of course— your requests will be taken very seriously. Have you ever known me to be anything but a man of my word?

[Flirtatious teasing subsides slightly as they find a space off to the side to call their own, his smile softening as he drops a hand against her waist.]

I'm quite honored to be granted the pleasure. I'll do my utmost to make it one worth remembering.

[The music that's begun to swell is a slower song, which he's grateful for as he starts to lead— nothing fancy or over-the-top, nothing to draw attention, just a moment to be shared between them.]

[She wouldn't have realized it as she positioned herself with Gale's hand on her waist and one of her hands on his forearms, but there's a glow about her as they start to dance with her following his lead.

With the music surrounding them and their slow drifting across their designated spot, part of Amelia's mind wanders, wondering if what she's experiencing right now is common for anyone else, but her. Berna and Michael have kept reminding her that she had so much life ahead of her; such was their privilege as magickind. Amelia's mind had yet to fully accept it especially when she's at a ripe age by mortal standards. She had lived with so much heaviness and several lifetimes of hardship. That should have been more than enough.

But within Gale's grasp and his gaze and after everything they've been through, another lifetime, full and rich, felt more than possible. It felt like magic.

Before the current music fades into the next number, Amelia shifts so that she could press a kiss to his cheek, following it with a soft murmur.]

Thank you... For this whole evening. I wouldn't have asked for anything else.

[For just a moment, he thinks it might be a trick of the light, or perhaps even a projection of how he, himself, feels— but no. Amelia is positively glowing, in the most literal sense of the word, and he feels his own heartbeat quicken in response, the faint glow of weavelight making itself known along the marks that creep up the side of his neck.

With each step, he lets the slow and meandering piano in the music guide him, drawing her just a bit closer with a hand at the small of her back as his other hand joins with hers. It feels easier than any attempt at dancing he can remember— he doesn't feel nervous, or concerned with perfection, only in allowing this moment to be what it is and bloom in its own time. It feels perfectly natural, which is quite something for someone who has spent many a gathering on the sidelines looking for excuses not to dance, but his own feelings mirror hers.

It is magic in its own right. That she has the power to make him forget all that weighs on his mind, to think about what a future together might look like instead of focusing on the fact that he might not have one at all— it is more powerful than any spell he could ever recite.

He leans into the kiss she presses against his cheek, raising a hand to lightly brush a lock of hair back from his face.]

Here I thought I ought to be thanking you for spending it with me. I would gladly give you a thousand such evenings— how could I pass up the opportunity to celebrate a day dedicated to those who are most dear to us?

[Chuckling softly, Amelia leans her head against Gale's chest, unable to respond to his grand declarations once again. She really can't think of anything else to make this evening, full of such warmth, any better than it already is. As the song begins to end, she slows her dancing and draws back to tug him towards a bench.]

Alright. We can do some more dancing later if you'd like, but I actually have something for you.

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