[ Gale folds his hands behind his back, smiling sweetly, the very picture of innocence. ]

I have no idea what you mean.

[ Ulterior motive? Him? Never! His pick was entirely altruistic, merely for Astarion's enjoyment. If there's a certain similarity between the characters and themselves, that's purely coincidental. If their unlikely relationship plants the idea in Astarion's head that he should be nicer to Gale, it's a happy accident. ]

But if it soothes your worries, I assure you, they share the limelight. Soon enough, the cat-and-mouse game is put aside for much greater concerns.