I really like Petras' reaction here: "What the hells happened to you, Astarion? What are you?"
There is a datamined post (I can't find it!) where Aurelia and Leon are scoffing at Astarion. Making comments like "You were always the runt", "Always crying", and "You never supported our plans to try and escape."
I think this gives so much insight into what Astarion was like under Cazador. Completely resigned.
Man… the light from the Blood of Lathander✨ was too strong and that was why I missed the Astarion event with the vamp spawn. Had to load an old save to see it and I thought it was some kind of bug when they vanished🥺💦