[ Astarion isn't a stranger to being pursued — his beauty had been the primary tool in his arsenal as a hunter, an easy lure — but it certainly feels a little funny taking this particular form; not purely earnest (or lustful) pursuit, but a beating around the metaphorical bush that rings quite close to his own approach to the world. A front made up of charm, smoke and mirrors, sleight of hand for the sake of both stunning its audience and drawing attention away from the machinations behind it.
That said, he doesn't expect Mat to really have any ulterior motive in this other than a good time, as precariously close to the edge of genuine sentiment they might come. It doesn't not feel like trying to outfox one's own reflection, stumped at each new turn by the fact that they've essentially taken the same step — an endless game of one offering the other the chance to go through a doorway first.
(And what is he supposed to do with that?)
On top of all that, it doesn't escape him that Mat has generally maneuvered around anything deeper than, "Aren't I a scamp," without breaking a sweat. ]
So, no to the archetypal dashing prince, but at least a maybe to the bloodsucking monster. It must be my lucky day.
[ It's a little bit of self-effacement — he resents being referred to as a monster and has started fights over less. He trusts, implicitly, that it's not a line of joking that Mat will try to follow. ]
And don't try to pawn me off already, or I might take umbrage. I seem to recall you saying you're not one to share.
the ol' "misery matryoshka"
That said, he doesn't expect Mat to really have any ulterior motive in this other than a good time, as precariously close to the edge of genuine sentiment they might come. It doesn't not feel like trying to outfox one's own reflection, stumped at each new turn by the fact that they've essentially taken the same step — an endless game of one offering the other the chance to go through a doorway first.
(And what is he supposed to do with that?)
On top of all that, it doesn't escape him that Mat has generally maneuvered around anything deeper than, "Aren't I a scamp," without breaking a sweat. ]
So, no to the archetypal dashing prince, but at least a maybe to the bloodsucking monster. It must be my lucky day.
[ It's a little bit of self-effacement — he resents being referred to as a monster and has started fights over less. He trusts, implicitly, that it's not a line of joking that Mat will try to follow. ]
And don't try to pawn me off already, or I might take umbrage. I seem to recall you saying you're not one to share.