[ Oh, she's like a kicked puppy. Emotionally and physically vulnerable. Despite himself, Astarion feels an awful, foreign sensation in his gut. ]

There's that shame again. A terribly unproductive emotion, if you ask me.

[ He would know. It's not exactly an emotion he's unfamiliar with. ]

You needn't feel guilty. [ He places a hand on his chest. ] I thought your speech was quite impassioned.