Astarion notices that little twitch in his peripheral vision, but doesn't comment. Jedao can tell him what he needs, as and when it becomes necessary. The second cut follows the same path as the first, less than a half-inch away, and then delicately changes path to cross back and forth over it a few times - finally breaking skin, bringing up a few drops of thick, dark blood.

He isn't breathing, but he's smiling.