The Wizard of Waterdeep

:) !!!

I am something of an appreciator of them you might say.

A wry smile. "It was usually a table of one at my place - though I always try to at least provide breakfast for my occasional encounters. A healthy relationship with food leads to a full belly and a robust mind."

... Alright then!

Hah - I think if you started holding back your true thoughts, is when I would start to truly be concerned.

Oh, yes, indeed!

[All of us will]

I daresay a very long nap is in order. After all of that.

.... Everything alright over there?

Should we make our way back to Sharess's Caress? You make it seem like you may wish to make use of their...err... specialists.

.. At the very least the choices of company there are better than who you might find remaining alive in this temple.

Ah-

[He doesn't know, but he quickly conjures a simple, small bucket and hands it to her]

[that has him cocking an eyebrow]

Ah, welcome to the wonderfully terrifying world of free will.

I'm happy for you. Truly.

"I think she'd laugh at you for trying."

"A bit too spicy for your tastes?"

"Ahah. I take pride in being able to fill the bellies of my allies. Believe you me, if it were possible for me to 'donate' to sate your thirst, I would. But the curse of Netherse magic that swirls throughout my body and soul has made me quite repugnant."

"I think you'd find it quite off-putting."

"I'm not sure I'd consider that a *plus*. If my food could talk to me I would quickly lose my appetite."

He snorted.

"I believe *you* have no right to judge about 'flirting' with one's food." He pointed a finger.

"Ah...there she is...come to me beautiful..."

Gale sat back against a tree with his freshly filtered cup and took a sip, smiling and closing his eyes. "Marvelous..."

But I understand there's certain instincts that can't be easily dissuaded. I'll try not to take it to heart."

"That may be a generous way of putting it. There are times when, for all your sharp teeth and claws, you act like *you're* the prey and we're the predators."

He moved the pot off of the fire.

"I would hope we've been more supportive than that, or been inviting enough to make you feel at ease. >>

Gale's eyebrows went up and he leaned back from the pot. "... That seems uncalled for." He said, looking a little hurt.

"Ah. Trouble in paradise?"

>> but you know, that's not necessarily a result of his 'evolution'. Such a drastic change to one's mind and body can have a psychological effect. You yourself, I'm sure, are familiar with looking into a m-...ahem...with suddenly not being able to recognize yourself?"

"I'd be a hypocrite to condemn his heeding of the call for more power. It's an ever present one for us wizards. You already know my own folly for such a thing."

The smell of coffee starts to spread through camp, and that alone seems to perk him up a bit. "I'd say he's definitely acting different, >

"Ah, yes...his questionable decision to 'evolve'..."

"Huh. I didn't think you kept your hunting grounds so close to camp. Don't you and Tav have an erm...arrangement? Or was it you and Feyran?"

In spite of his well established tiredness, nothing can stop Gale from his innate desire to yap endlessly.

"So, how was your night? Any good hunts?"

A good-natured chuckle. "Oh, don't worry. I'm not sure my mind has even been recording memories. I'll probably forget most everything you've said until after my first cup."

"Enjoy my company? Well, that's lovely to hear." He offers a sleepy smile, and shakes some coffee grounds into the pot over the fire.

I would be remiss to not point out you're using the term 'abuse' in that very sentence.