It's probably something that would feel less serious if the concept of his conversation with Geralt hadn't been haunting him for the last few months. It wasn't even about Geralt himself, in the end - it was about everything Estinien had allowed him to represent in his head. It's the feeling of having a phantasm of the night explained away by mundane logic in the light of day.

He does feel slightly foolish about all of it, now that Jaskier is dismissing the need for it so plainly - not least because he apparently hasn't forgotten about the circumstances that this conversation started in! Estinien thinks to object, but on second thought, he can't even deny that's what he was doing. Or rather, spying on his domain as a means to vicariously spy on the man.

When did he become so ridiculous, he wonders? Life was easier when he only had one thing going on in his head.

As it is, he stares down at him, still clutching the wine bottle as Jaskier pats his arm. His wings fold closer, apparently discarding the notion of needing to suddenly escape. For Jaskier's curiosity, their texture is most like something belonging to a vast serpent.

"Well," he begins, but doesn't have much to follow it up with. Maybe he'll just be direct. "You've made an impression. With or without the Witcher." After a moment longer, he adds: "I do drink, by the way."