Astarion reflexively turns and prepares to attack at the hands behind him (never mind they keep him from falling). Gods, he hates being so out of sorts, so unprepared. He should be more aware, but his abilities have truly never been so dampened before. Then he realizes he recognizes the hands, the face, the... unnecessary fact correction to his entirely valid cursing. His shoulders relax from the tension he'd been holding, and there's a brief flit of genuine emotion in his expression.

"Gale." It takes Astarion a moment to recognize the... relief in his own voice, this slip in his dramatic demeanor to something dangerously revealing. Relief though? ...At seeing Gale? Gods, he never thought he'd be so happy to see the man nor to imply that relief within his tone so openly. He makes a face at the realization: "Ugh."

He straightens though, lifting an eyebrow at that particular comment.

"Is it really so surprising? It's not the first time we have been mutually kidnapped. At least this go round we were closer in proximity before being swept away to gods know where."