"Hardly, darling," Astarion replied, gently setting her hand back down but letting his fingers drape lightly over top of it, fingertips resting delicately against the back of her hand. She could pull it back easily and freely. Or not. He wasn't trying to sway her one way or the other, his free hand reaching for his wine. "Rarely do I meet someone quite so lovely and interesting."

All of it was only half true, at best. Rarely did he get to use his charms for his own enjoyment and benefit, would have been the honest answer.