[She is observant just enough to pause for a breath. He hasn't told her to stop, which of course she would if he did. The way his next words come, however, she takes what she knows about him. He has probably been separated from that life for a good period of time.
She could probably say any number of stupidly optimistic things, but they would be wrong. Inappropriate. Insensitive. She's not stupid enough to tell him that it'll be okay. So instead, she draws herself closer to him and wonders if it's just better to speak what she thinks might be his language. She traces her touch beneath his arms and circles around to his chest and after a moment's consideration, she embraces him to her, pressing her chin gently into the back of his shoulder.]
Astarion.
[Maybe she only says it to bring him to the present moment. Not to a past behind him that he can't hold any longer.]
no subject
She could probably say any number of stupidly optimistic things, but they would be wrong. Inappropriate. Insensitive. She's not stupid enough to tell him that it'll be okay. So instead, she draws herself closer to him and wonders if it's just better to speak what she thinks might be his language. She traces her touch beneath his arms and circles around to his chest and after a moment's consideration, she embraces him to her, pressing her chin gently into the back of his shoulder.]
Astarion.
[Maybe she only says it to bring him to the present moment. Not to a past behind him that he can't hold any longer.]