[ Gale feels himself relax now that the conversation topic's moved away from a sore spot. If he had to choose, he'd rather Astarion rant at him all day about how boring his pick of novels was. At least his dramatic flair would make it interesting. ]

And rightfully so. [ Life's too short to read bad books. Particularly their lives, which risk being cut very short via brain worm every day. ] I welcome hearing your enjoyment or your fury.

[ He knows which he'd prefer, of course, but he won't turn down a lively discussion when it's presented to him. After all, he considers himself an excellent debater. ]

But perhaps you'd be more drawn to the detective's usual quarry instead. A notorious thief; as guileful as a fox, but as mannered as a gentleman. A trickster to be sure, yet there's a certain charm.