[ Astarion cannot see a future where he doesn't have the power to do what he wants and needs to do; for him, there is no option beyond hijacking Cazador's ritual for himself. Otherwise, he'll be trapped, stuck in the darkness for the rest of his eternal life, and that isn't a suffering he can content with. Even if his sire were gone, he would still be bereft of colour, of joy, of the life that had been taken from him.

It's hard not to dwell on it, on his own impending doom, but he can at least attempt to focus on Karlach. For now. ]

What count as 'homey' for you? My home was filled with expensive, macabre art, dead bodies and torture chambers.

[ He shakes his head. ]

Or did you intend to live with Halsin and Gale, too?