Here the writer shows us that Astarion saw Tav assisting him as a transaction and he now wants to know what Tav expects in return.
This is totally in character for A. A. and it works really well, showing us that in spite of ascending and gaining such great power, Astarion is still damaged. He is insecure and he still has low self-esteem. He cannot not believe Tav helped because they love him, or simply felt that ascension was the best option for him.
In the responses, the options are all very different, giving the player a good choice of motives for Tav.
I wanted what was best for you. (altruistic, reassuring)
I wasn’t about to release 7,000 hungry vampire spawn into the world. (chose the lesser of two evils)
I don’t feel great about it to be honest. (no motive given but expresses regret over allowing the ascension)
I wanted a powerful ally, and now I have one. (selfish, transactional)
However, player if choses the altruistic, reassuring first option, the second set of dialogue choices is far too narrow. There is not one positive response to the question,
'So, tell me what you desire. What can I do for my dearest pet?
I want to be a vampire, like you. (selfish, transactional)
I want you, I want your body. (selfish, transactional and completely insensitive!)
You can tell me that you've learned something from all this. (Preaching and hostile)
I am not your pet. (hostile)
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The second set made it feel like they had an argument off screen and were just coming into the tail end of it.
It is not consistent with the things you've had to say and do to reach AA in the first place.
The very last line is a perfect example. Why would we suddenly take issue with him calling us "pet"? He's called us that as a spawn earlier in the game. Why is it a problem now? It makes sense that AA would respond to it in an upset manner, given the players hostility toward it comes out of left field. But the comment itself is OOC given it was never an issue before.
There is no context for the *players* hostility in the second set of dialogue. You've just achieved a goal that *both of you* have actively worked towards, plotted together, and fought hard to achieve. I'd love dialogue to reflect that a good portion of players are *positive* in that moment. Not upset.
