[The change in Morena is abrupt enough to startle Astarion. He hasn't always been the best judge of character, but he had thought that things were going quite well up until this point. The tight line of her lips, the sharp scrutiny in her gaze is like ice shooting straight through his veins.
He feels himself tense, his back straightening unconsciously—fix your posture lest I have Godey pull out your spine, boy—a tremor in his lips hidden as he presses them together—must you always smile like there isn't a thought in that vacant head of yours?—but he doesn't flinch away. He owes that much to Gale, at least. He won't relent. He holds tight to Gale's hand, pale knuckles clutching to him in a white-gripped vice.]
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He feels himself tense, his back straightening unconsciously—fix your posture lest I have Godey pull out your spine, boy—a tremor in his lips hidden as he presses them together—must you always smile like there isn't a thought in that vacant head of yours?—but he doesn't flinch away. He owes that much to Gale, at least. He won't relent. He holds tight to Gale's hand, pale knuckles clutching to him in a white-gripped vice.]