He's been around long enough (and, as a former magistrate, dealt with enough criminals) that he had managed to figure out some of the twists and turns of the plot before he had reached the end of the book, but that did not necessarily make it a bad read. It was not so predictable that he was bored, but the plot clues were laid out in such a way a smart reader could find them, and that is what he had done - found them. It was a decent enough way to spend some of the hours of the night, when his companions slept.
Only needing half the time, it did certainly give him a touch more free time to waste on novels.
The next enjoyable thing about having the book is the fact that he finishes it within a few days, and then starts a new game: how long will Gale wait before demanding the book back. Astarion imagines a single week truly will be the limit, as he had promised, but he's entertained by the idea of Gale watching him finish the book and pouncing on him for his opinions immediately, like a predator hiding in the bushes. Either way, he lets himself draw it out until he's approached, and he almost looks petulant about it. ]
Oh? Has it been a week already?
[ Obviously. Astarion is back in his usual camp gear, a hole in the sleeve of his shirt that he's been frowning at for the last hour. Time for the needle and thread, it seems. ]
no subject
He's been around long enough (and, as a former magistrate, dealt with enough criminals) that he had managed to figure out some of the twists and turns of the plot before he had reached the end of the book, but that did not necessarily make it a bad read. It was not so predictable that he was bored, but the plot clues were laid out in such a way a smart reader could find them, and that is what he had done - found them. It was a decent enough way to spend some of the hours of the night, when his companions slept.
Only needing half the time, it did certainly give him a touch more free time to waste on novels.
The next enjoyable thing about having the book is the fact that he finishes it within a few days, and then starts a new game: how long will Gale wait before demanding the book back. Astarion imagines a single week truly will be the limit, as he had promised, but he's entertained by the idea of Gale watching him finish the book and pouncing on him for his opinions immediately, like a predator hiding in the bushes. Either way, he lets himself draw it out until he's approached, and he almost looks petulant about it. ]
Oh? Has it been a week already?
[ Obviously. Astarion is back in his usual camp gear, a hole in the sleeve of his shirt that he's been frowning at for the last hour. Time for the needle and thread, it seems. ]
Very well. Have your book back.