She approached his tent for the third night in a row. He grinned when he saw her walking over, but didn't look up from the book in his hands. He was alarmingly elegant. That was a word she found herself using often to describe him, but it was a term most suitable. His hair was always pristine, his clothing mended from careful stitches, his posture something resembling that of an idol. Even covered in blood, he looked better than anyone in camp. She smiled to think that she was up to his standards, even if she was only a "play mate," as he liked to call her. He called her many things, "darling," "dear," "beautiful," but the detached look in his eye communicated more than his words did.

"What are you reading this time?" She asked, waiting for him to put the book away.

"Oh, nothing terribly insightful. I'd prefer it if you picked up more gaudy filth when you rummage through whatever it is you like pilfering." He sighed deeply as he turned a page, crossing his legs and still not looking at her.

Mori snatched the book from his hands, tossing it aside, before standing closer to him. She pulled his chin up to look at her and scrutinized his gaze, their eyes following each other.

"Jealous little pet, aren't you?" Astarion grinned as he teased her, flashing his fangs as he smiled. He traced a hand up her arm, still seated, before standing to meet her.

"Don't pretend you weren't watching me. You practically begged me to come over here." Mori spoke lowly, her face inching closer to his.

"And you, my dear, shouldn't pretend that you don't know what you're doing, sauntering around me all night. I could eat you right up. You'd like that, wouldn't you?"

After those words left his mouth, Mori heard a scoff in the distance, one of her companions trudging off into the woods. Astarion grinned more wildly after that.

His face was very expressive, but it didn't reveal anything. Nothing relevant, anyway. Mori didn't know what to think of him. He'd opened up some. Not enough for someone trying to make a genuine connection. Any personal details he'd spared came from abnormality, like he was just as surprised as she was by the information he revealed. She couldn't tell what he was playing at. At first, it was easy. He wanted a good time as well as she did. No strings attached. Now, she had seen his scars. He told her about his master -- former master, now. He shared pieces of himself so small, so disjointed that Mori didn't know how he was using those moments in his scheme. And it left her unsettled.

"Why did you tell me that you're a vampire?" Mori asked, still in his personal space.

His brows and his mouth relaxed for only a beat of silence before he resumed his seducer act. His expressions were a performance. That much was clear.

"So that we could truly enjoy each other, my sweet." He lifted a hand to her waist, trying to pull her closer. She swatted away his hand, stepping away slightly.

"Why not take what you need without telling me? Why make a point to draw attention to it?" She asked again, voice steady and eyes unwavering. Astarion rolled his eyes and made his own step back from her.

"You certainly don't want to have any fun, do you? Must you always be so scrutinizing? I swear, it's like you have to draw out every detail." She paused, giving him more space to answer, and he nervously looked around, shifting uncomfortably. His eye flicked back up to hers and he knew she wouldn't relent in her questioning. It made him scowl.

"You think me a monster, then? You think I'm so uncivilized to just do whatever I want?" He spat out.

"Neither of us are civilized enough to do anything but whatever we want. I thought that's why you liked me, Astarion." Mori's voice was level, and the ease with which she spoke insulted him.

"Unlike some people, I happen to possess some manner of self control." His eyes traced her figure as he drew out his words.

This wasn't going where she wanted. And as much as she wanted to interject -- to make a comment about how her lack of control would lead to his death if he tried betraying her -- she knew that wouldn't get her the answers she wanted. She'd try something else.

Astarion liked compliments, didn't he?

"You do have self-control." That was all he'd get from her tonight.

His shoulders relaxed. His eyes softened. His jaw unclenched. He didn't like being called a monster. Technically, she didn't say it, but that's what he heard. Interesting.

Astarion's mouth opened a couple of times before closing again. Mori sighed. This wouldn't go anywhere.