[ Shock plays out on Shadowheart's face when she realizes it's Astarion who approached her. It fades away as she listens to him go on, replaced by a frustration with his words and his blase tone. Of course he thinks this is nothing. Of course he thinks there's a way to just leave.

But Shadowheart knows better. She schools her expression the way her superiors do (the way her superiors did, back when she still acted in service of her Lady), trying to project a calm she does not feel. She makes a note of the fact that time apparently hasn't passed at all back home, given that Astarion hasn't asked her when the hells she went.

That's fine.

It's fine.

It's all fine.

Shortest version, alright. ]

This is village called Revelbrooke. You've been summoned to worship the Old Gods. There's no way home and all our powers are gone. I've been here for three years. We're more likely to die than ever see Faerun again.

[ a beat, and then ]

Any questions?