[ He half-expects Astarion to leave him hanging, having gotten his hopes up for a laugh. When he actually offers the tome, Gale's eyes widen in surprise, first that he's actually relinquishing the damn thing and then that it's unexpectedly... good. Gale wouldn't peg Astarion as the type to part with just about anything valuable without receiving something in return, but he chooses not to look a gift horse in the mouth. For now, anyway.

His gaze ping-pongs from Astarion's face to the grimoire and back for a few moments before his greedy hands snatch it for himself, eyes scanning over the cover in excitement. ]

Oh! Well, my gratitude was always going to be sincere, but it's... particularly sincere now. The idea of digging into this is quite thrilling indeed.

[ Gale holds the grimoire to his chest, as if worried Astarion is going to take it away. ]

You must tell me where you found this.