Defeating the Elder Brain had its upsides, but unfortunately, it removed a vital piece of him - from him and your guys' companion Karlach as well. With him, it's returning to the shadows. But this time is different, he's free this time, still spawn, yes, but now he has you. He's not truly alone anymore. Astarion knows you love him, he really does, the insecurity that you're using him still plagues his mind - only time and work can he work through that.

But the Underdark has been a nice twist, no worrying about the sun. Though, it wasn't a real choice either of you made, actions that he indirectly made under Cazador and the former Vampire Lord himself had done needed to be righted. Astarion has already worked through his hunger and urges as a spawn and if the seven thousand spawn released from Cazador's dungeon would allow, he'd guide them through the same path he's navigating already - with you as support.

Menzoberranzan has been a major adjustment, and quite frankly, reminds him too much of Baldur's Gate. So, you'd think with a large city like that, at least one person saw a vampire spawn, but no. Never that easy - hence the stay at a random inn. Watching his signature scowl while hunched over the desk with a map in his tight grasp only makes his expression funnier from your spot on the bed. "Laughing isn't making you likable right now, darling." There's no bite behind his words, but you both know he'd be poking fun if the roles were reversed.