[ Astarion was supposed to say something like, "Oh, yes, I pinky promise I'll be the gentlest vampire there ever was." ...But this will have to do. ]
It wouldn't do to deprive you of the greatest gift of all — the occasion to earn my trust.
[ He relinquishes the novel to Astarion with a flourish, unbothered by any offense he took at Gale's rules. It's clear that the content of Astarion's character will be judged by the condition in which he returns this book, for good or ill. If Astarion can treat one of Gale's precious possessions kindly, that speaks well of him. If he can't, perhaps an errant fire bolt finds him when he least expects it. ]
Besides, it's been quite some time since I had the chance for intelligent conversation with someone other than a tressym. It would be a waste to throw away the opportunity to engage in some spirited literary discourse.
[ Gale tries very hard to make this sound like a coveted opportunity for intellectual dialogue and less like mandatory book report with a lonely wizard. ]
no subject
It wouldn't do to deprive you of the greatest gift of all — the occasion to earn my trust.
[ He relinquishes the novel to Astarion with a flourish, unbothered by any offense he took at Gale's rules. It's clear that the content of Astarion's character will be judged by the condition in which he returns this book, for good or ill. If Astarion can treat one of Gale's precious possessions kindly, that speaks well of him. If he can't, perhaps an errant fire bolt finds him when he least expects it. ]
Besides, it's been quite some time since I had the chance for intelligent conversation with someone other than a tressym. It would be a waste to throw away the opportunity to engage in some spirited literary discourse.
[ Gale tries very hard to make this sound like a coveted opportunity for intellectual dialogue and less like mandatory book report with a lonely wizard. ]