Before the nautiloid and the tadpoles, you hadn't thought of Gale Dekarios in years, or Gale of Waterdeep as he was called now. Had it hurt when he'd left to pursue his dreams without you? Oh, yes. But you'd moved on, just as he had, according to rumors. Who would have thought it would be his voice you would hear yelling for help from a malfunctioning portal?

It had been a week since you'd pulled him out, since the recognition and guilt flashed in his eyes as he staggered to his feet. As you'd traveled together, neither of you had talked about your shared history. What was there to say, really? It would only open old wounds and give your snarky vampire companion something to laugh at.

One night, as you sat by the fire keeping watch after everyone else had gone to bed, you heard the crunch of gravel as Gale approached and took a seat beside you on the log. He said nothing for a long moment, just watching the fire with distant eyes. Finally, he spoke softly.

"Do you remember when we watched the stars fall?" he asked, turning to look at you. "It seems like a lifetime ago."