Shadowheart says something but Astarion doesn't deign to listen. He's too busy enjoying the warmth of the sun on his skin, the sense of freedom that the air in the mountains seems to bring. For the first time in a long time, he feels untouchable. He's not going to ruin that by listening to whatever she's wittering on about.
In hindsight, he probably should have listened.
Thankfully, the trap is old and rusted, and explodes with little more than a puff of noxious fumes that linger around his knees and disperse quickly. It could have been much, much worse.
❛this is what happens when you don't listen to me.❜ ( @divnties / shadowheart )
"Yes, thank you," he drawls, ears twitching and lips pressed together in twin irritation and embarrassment. "Maybe if you spent less time on inane chitter-chatter, I might be more inclined to listen when you have something important to say." He's being unfair, but shame prickles at the back of his neck. That could have been very bad indeed, could have wiped out their little party with one misstep, and while it's not entirely his fault, his lack of attention would certainly have played a part.
He waits until the rest of the group have moved on, some grumbling and others rolling their eyes ( fondly, he hopes ) to hang back with Shadowheart.
"Thank you," he says, a little stiffly.