[ The tenor of that oh suggests that this isn't what Gale has called him here to talk about, but it overtakes the moment nevertheless. They haven't spoken in such explicit terms about Gale's devotion to his goddess beyond what one typically expects of a master and her disciple, the romantic connotations left aside because they haven't established themselves as having traveled into such territory. But Gale blushes when he touches the new earring, mentions Tara's displeasure with her companion's former lover, and once again they skirt around the ever-growing elephant in the room.

Still, Astarion seems unable to keep the pleased smile from his features, a huff of breath accompanying a nod. ]

I'd hardly have given it to you if I thought otherwise.

[ He shifts his weight to his back foot as he takes a longer look; free, this time, not to pretend he's otherwise occupied. He's tempted to continue on, to say that this suits him better, but that's a mine of its own. ]

Though I suppose that matters less than what you make of it.