[He raises a brow at that wink, largely letting it roll off of him as so much of Astarion's flirting does, though where he once would have simply dismissed it, it's now met with plain amusement.]

Now, now, I hardly meant to imply otherwise— well. I suppose I did. Your definition of 'friendly' encompasses a great number of things, but I hadn't thought to include paladins of Tyr among them.

[The server returns with his glass, and he gives a nod of thanks before taking it up and helping himself to a generous sip, not even bothering to go about proper wine-tasting procedure— the situation is a bit too urgent for that.]

The time may not matter in the greater scheme of things, but I can't help being curious. [It is, after all, his way— and an unfamiliar world means he has all sorts of investigating to do.] All that said... I won't pretend it isn't a welcome reprieve. Time in general does not feel to be on our side, otherwise.