[ Astarion debates, for a moment, continuing the full-court bitchy press, but— however funny he finds it, however lightly he might try to take it, Rand certainly doesn't, and, as strange as it feels for him to ever let up on a source of teasing, well. Rand is a little too earnest for it to feel entirely good, and far be it from him to forget that the entire reason they're having this conversation at all is because Rand trusted him enough to offer his neck. The least he can repay him with is consideration.

And so his expression sobers, a hint of apology to the line of his mouth, though he doesn't offer the thought out loud. ]

That's quite the burden to bear, [ he says, at length. Again, he can't really argue the point, not when he's tasted what he's tasted. It's a little difficult to reconcile between systems of beliefs — he's not certain he's ever put much serious stock in reincarnation — and any further introspection is begging for an existential crisis he's not inclined to have in the presence of another person.

So, instead, he offers up the thought he'd had before, a kernel of honesty he wouldn't normally be inclined to share: ]

Well, I suppose we're all lucky it's you.

[ A beat. Haven't you more important things to be doing than dallying around with me? ]

I— assume I ought to keep that information to myself, should anyone ask?