[ That's a lot of questions. Astarion raises his hands in a placating gesture, or perhaps like he's trying to physically hold back the deluge. ]
Now, now, darling, one at a time; you're not so much unpacking as you are upending the satchel. Firstly, no, morose is not the word I'd use. More, ah— [ He waves a hand, gazing up as he considers and dismisses some of the more cutting words that immediately spring to mind. ] Studious? Devoted to one's work, one might say.
Secondly, I'm merely playing the game the way it's meant to be played. You can hardly fault me for employing a bit of strategy. [ He says this as if tonight isn't his first time ever playing the game and as if he has a strategy other than intentional obtuseness, 200 years of deprivation, and a shit memory. All the same, he smiles with all the smugness of a cat in a creamery. ]
Thirdly: yes, though it was quite accidental. A bit of carelessness with a candle, you see. [ He sighs, a hint of disappointment creeping into his tone. ] And it wasn't a very large fire...
[ This man has +7 to Sleight of Hand—it was not, by any stretch of imagination, an accident. That had been when Petras was newly turned and the dumb brute had thought he could take whatever he liked from his siblings on strength alone. Astarion had hardly been the only one to teach him otherwise; it's just that his own relative strength meant he had to be a little more creative in his approach. ]
As for that last inquiry... [ Astarion puts on an expression of mock innocence. ] At your request, my lips are sealed.
[ Which, is more or less answering the question in and of itself. Sorry, Kaveh. ]
no subject
Now, now, darling, one at a time; you're not so much unpacking as you are upending the satchel. Firstly, no, morose is not the word I'd use. More, ah— [ He waves a hand, gazing up as he considers and dismisses some of the more cutting words that immediately spring to mind. ] Studious? Devoted to one's work, one might say.
Secondly, I'm merely playing the game the way it's meant to be played. You can hardly fault me for employing a bit of strategy. [ He says this as if tonight isn't his first time ever playing the game and as if he has a strategy other than intentional obtuseness, 200 years of deprivation, and a shit memory. All the same, he smiles with all the smugness of a cat in a creamery. ]
Thirdly: yes, though it was quite accidental. A bit of carelessness with a candle, you see. [ He sighs, a hint of disappointment creeping into his tone. ] And it wasn't a very large fire...
[ This man has +7 to Sleight of Hand—it was not, by any stretch of imagination, an accident. That had been when Petras was newly turned and the dumb brute had thought he could take whatever he liked from his siblings on strength alone. Astarion had hardly been the only one to teach him otherwise; it's just that his own relative strength meant he had to be a little more creative in his approach. ]
As for that last inquiry... [ Astarion puts on an expression of mock innocence. ] At your request, my lips are sealed.
[ Which, is more or less answering the question in and of itself. Sorry, Kaveh. ]