Astarion was never fond of the camp pet, Scratch. You watched as he scoffed in disgust every time Scratch tried to bring him his slobbered on ball. Or how any time Scratch was mentioned, Astarion would pipe in, calling him a 'mangy mutt' or a 'dumb animal'.

The absolute shock you felt was immeasurable when you strayed from the camp one night to then see Astarion laughing and giving Scratch belly rubs just outside of the camps perimeters.

You stood there, stunned. You couldn't even speak for a solid minute or two as you stood there, watching the scene unfold. Was this the same Astarion you knew? Or perhaps a doppelganger?

But, before you could speak a single word, Astarion lifted his head, mid-laugh, and he caught the sight of you in the corner of his eye.

His face fell instantly, his hands immediately retracted from Scratch's belly and he stood up from where he was on his knees. You could have sworn you saw the faint dusting of a blush on his pale cheeks.

"What are you gawking at?"

Astarion spat with venom.

"The damned mutt was attacking me, you saw it!"