[Astarion snorts hotly at that offer of sympathy; no doubt an expected response, given how poorly mercy attunes itself to him. Pity even less.]

No, I imagine we'll be here just a few days more. It's not as if we're here to actually sway the man, only to sniff out the stage, in essence.

[And then, mildly:]

Please don't tell me you want to spar the moment I get back.