I think Astarion is working through some growing pains. [And Dante has seen it, much like a child who wishes for their parent disappear when they are told to go to their room because being reprimanded, because it's the most painful thing. It's not always what the child means, there's just no emotional regulation. Dante has noticed that Astarion had his own struggles with regulation, not that he's a child, but his experiences seem insulated and focused on self-preservation.] And I know that's not your problem. I don't expect you to forgive him, that's a gift you give to yourself when you're ready for it. I don't expect you to cow to him or anything that's beneath your dignity.

[Dante knows Astarion can be a lot.]

But if you ever need a buffer, I'm bedrock, I'll talk to him and calm him. I don't think you're awful and I don't think you say the things you say for no reason, it's a reaction to an action.

[Dante has to think about that last statement for a moment, because it's cryptic and he's not the best at deciphering these things. She's suddenly not talking about Astarion, because Astarion definitely sees her, or they wouldn't have this kind of back and forth.

It took him a moment to realize this was about the ex-, Thranduil, whose name he didn't know, nor did he know anything about or what he looked like. Funny, because they were, in fact, neighbors-ish living three rooms down from one another in the same tower. He's probably seen him at some point, but he has no idea that Thranduil is the common denominator here.]

No man, or woman or...well you know...no one is worth your tears. If they don't see you then that's their problem, but [and this is just a thought exercise] what do you want them to see?