Lavernius was surprised to hear Illaya's voice. "Oh Illaya is that you? Apologies, the light isn't the best. But what a beautiful dress you're wearing. And I wouldn't mind, I'll leave the door unlocked so grab a few drinks and come up." Lavernius then disappeared from view as he went to make the room more welcoming for the women. He put his sketchbook back into his knapsack and then put the bag into a wardrobe along with his cloak and spare clothes. He also put his easel and canvas to the side while he set up chairs for them to sit in. Taking off his ascot and vest, he put them in the wardrobe as well. The artist shook his flagon and found it to be half filled, it explained why his eyes felt heavy. He rubbed them and placed his wine on the desk top, he would hold off on drinking any more for now. He unlocked the door and opened it, walking out as to meet the two in the hallway and lead them, as well as possibly carry their drinks, after all it was only appropriate as they were carrying other things as well.

"I'm sorry, but I fear the whole world saw your tumble."

"Well its like people say; They're always there to see you fall, huh..." Faye retrieved last pieces of paper from Illya with a smile, blush still rosing her cheeks. "...Not many are ever there to help you back up however..." The girl forcefully stuffed the rest of her belongings in her knapsack and laughed cheerfully. "I haven't even had a drink yet and im already getting philosophical...Speaking of drinks, you get some and I take care of the bags? Probably shouldn't be trusted with any liquids after this display." Faye once more chuckled with a sigh. Oh it was so embarrassing...

Passing by Atlas, she patted his arm twice. "Night night big boy." The golem slouched forward with a rumble and seemed to have deactivated.

Thalia smirked and nodded at Lavernius' invitation, but respectfully declined Faye's offer to carry her bag, "I don't mean to sound insulting, but it is quite heavy and I wouldn't want to burden you with it." It wasn't a complete lie. The bag did have a cloak, a leather suit, boots, two short swords, a dagger, and about two dozen smaller knives tucked away inside. She slung it over her back and added, "I appreciate the offer though."

Leading Faye inside of the tavern had to be pretty awkward for the poor girl. The commotion stopped as all eyes were on them, or mostly Thalia. They probably didn't mean to insult poor Faye, but Thalia's appearance suggested that her social status was far higher than the average denizen of the Dancing Horseman. And her tits, gods the way her corset was tightly knotted around her body had them practically overflowing. The silence only lasted for a few seconds before most, if not all of the men started catcalling and making suggestive gestures at the two women. There were even some comments about bringing her friend along with her, which Thalia honestly couldn't tell if Faye would take as a compliment or not. Thalia spoke over the commotion as she made her way to Joyse, "Now now, boys, you'll have to behave yourselves if you want me to come back downstairs to play later." She turned to Joyce, showed her the contents in her hand before depositing them in the woman's pocket and whispering a few words in her ear. Then, not wanting to remain downstairs any longer, Thalia made sure Faye was going to make it upstairs without accidentally getting herself carried away.

The two women made it to the top of the stairs and the noise calmed down a bit behind them. Fucking pigs. Thalia greeted Lavernius before opening her bedroom door and tossing her bag inside, only after doing a quick scan, and then a second scan in order to make sure no one was there and everything had been where she left it. "Shall you give us the tour, Mr Mylarc?" A barmaid came up the stairs behind Thalia and Faye, carrying a platter with five mugs and a plate of sandwiches. Thalia took the platter from the woman and sent her on her way, turning back to Lavernius, "Onward, then."

"Hello Faye, hello Illaya. Don't you two look beautiful tonight." He smiled. Lavernius took the platter before Illaya could. "I don't mean to be rude but I insist." He balanced the platter on one hand as he offered his other to Faye, happily taking her bag. He balanced the platter well, having learned a trick or two in his days so that the plate of sandwiches didn't shift nor did a drop of ale spill over. The artist slung the bag over one shoulder and walked over to his room where he opened the door and walked through before turning and holding it open for the other two. He placed the platter onto the desk while placing Faye's bag next to her when she sat. Though the trip was short so his actions would seem a bit excessive he smiled, "Any amount I can help is the amount I wish to." He stated simply.

He looked around and laughed, "A tour?" He spun in a circle, "There's my wardrobe, bed, easel and canvas, doors to balcony, desk, and there's the door. Tour over." He took two mugs and handed one to each woman. "I haven't done much since we've parted ways Faye, I enjoyed a light dinner and had spent most of the time afterwards gazing at the stars. It's a past time I enjoy, staying up late to look at the stars and waking up early to watch the sun rise." He took his flask and sat down on the bed.

"No its okay, really..." Faye smiled but it faded quickly as Illaya already walked inside. "...I can do it..." She added quietly, to noone but herself at this point. The girl fixed her grip on her knapsack strap as it hung down her shoulder and followed the woman inside. And oh dear was it a mistake... Inside, every single pair of eyes turned on them. Or Illaya rather, and really there was nothing to blame them for there. Now that Faye got a glance in the light of the inn as well, she'd be staring herself...If not for the fact that she had her head down, looking at nothing but her own shoes and the wooden dirty floor.

She followed behind Illaya, like a shadow, a servant behind her master, nervously tugging on her royal blue bandana every now and then. It meant nothing anyway...This walk of shame seemed to be never ending, and every word thrown their way felt like a lash of a whip. Even when the men called on her too, she was just 'her friend', a bonus. All the girl tried to focus on were her steps, earnestly trying not to listen as she kept repeating in her head. "Don't trip. Don't trip. Don't trip..." Half way through she even considered just turning around and leaving, but that'd be just that much more pathetic. When she finally reached the upper floor, she ignored what Lavernius said and refused his help without looking him in the eyes, strengthening her grip on the strap, holding it dearly.

She should've stayed at the temple and not stick her nose out. Faye really didn't want to be here at this point, but she lacked courage to either go downstairs and reserve her own room or just completely leave. And so once she sat down in Lavernius' room, without a word she took her place under the wall and slid her backpack under the seat. Although the girl tried to hide it as well as she could, she was at brink of rolling tears. Once Faye received her mug, she stared at it before emptying at least half of it on one go, before placing it on her lap, her absent gaze again stuck down on wavy surface of the liquid inside. She just nodded lightly to whatever Lavernius had to say.

Thalia saw it all over poor Faye's face how much she was feeling down in the dumps. She wasted no time practically chugging her first mug of ale before getting a second one and starting on it. Lavernius had taken a short moment to give them the tour, but Thalia walked around the room looking at everything with the utmost curiosity. Imagining herself in other people's lives was something she found much amusement in. She even slid her fingers across as much of his stuff as she could without coming off as being too intrusive or creepy, but it helped immerse her in her fantasy world even more. Thalia could practically picture him standing out on the balcony gazing up at the stars, sipping on his wine without a care in the world, or standing there painting the scenery of the festival to come.

It didn't take long for the look on Faye's face to finally get to Thalia, who walked over to where the poor girl was sitting. Thalia swung herself around and sat on the girls lap, wrapping an arm around her and smiling playfully. "Men can be such foul beasts. Thank the Gods for your adorable face and strength to protect us in case any of those drunken fools get a bad idea." She gave Faye an innocent kiss on the forehead before turning back to Lavernius, "There truly is nothing better than a calm, clear night sky. You're proving to be a pretty interesting character, Mr. Mylarc."

Lavernius looked back at the door as if expecting such a drunkard to walk in at that exact moment. As Illaya talked he got up from his bed went to lockethe door. As he leaned against the door he fought back the want to yawn but failed. He turned around with a sheepish smile. "Apologies, I've been always been on the lighter end when it came to alcohol tolerance. One flask of wine is usually my limit. I think I'll be turning in for the night but I suggest you two sleep here tonight, we don't know who may be waiting outside." He went to the wardrobe and took off his dress shirt. "I'll leave the bed to you two, I will manage out on the balcony." He tucked it away and pulled out his traveler's cloak. "Tomorrow I hope to hear more about why I'm so interesting to you Illaya."

Faye quickly finished her mug, but hasn't moved for another instead remaining in the same position. When Illaya sat on her lap, she twitched in surprise. Faye's eyes made her way from short contact with hers, down to her ample chest which was being almost shoved into her face be it intentional or not, and then quickly to the side. "Lock on the doors serves the same purpose and is just enough..." The girl murmured, fondling her bandana. She followed Illaya's silhouette for a moment after she got up, before dropping her eyes down again.

"I won't be a bother, I'll leave once it gets a little quieter downstairs..." Faye said before Lavernius left.

Mari smiled as she got herself away from the wall and close enough to grab the tray. As she stood up, she eyed the guard.

"That'll be all, soldier. Dismissed." she stated with her usual ice cold voice. The guard stepped away and so did she, making her way to the bed. Mari sat down and grabbed some of the tobacco, carelessly grinding it with her hands before pressing it into the pipe. After said action was done, she lit the tobacco up, taking couple of puffs from the pipe as she did so.

Thalia smiled and gave Lavernius a small wave as he stepped outside. It would be rude to take his bed and let him sleep out there, but even knowing him for such a short time Thalia could imagine that he truly wouldn't have a problem with it at all. Even still, she wasted no time sitting on his bed, starting on her third mug. The alcohol had definitely started to set in, and poor depressed Faye was being far too much of a prude. It must have been nice, only carrying around the baggage of one's own vanity. Faye hadn't killed someone not even an hour ago because of what they had done, and the harsh reality that resulted from those actions. Nor did she have a blood stained dagger strapped to her leg, a blade that would need a thorough cleaning and sharpening before it's next mission. The longer she stared at Faye, the more she could see the girls face becoming pale. Lifeless. Eyes that cried tears of blood, and a face covered in scars. And then the burns. Thalia closed her eyes, but the image became more clear. She shoved the thought down in the deepest reaches of her mind.

She opened her eyes again, staring at nothing in particular, "is my company really that bad?"

Both women sat still quiet for a longer while, only sounds of the night and drunkards below stirring the thick atmosphere of silence. Faye calmed down to a point where her eyes weren't welling up with tears anymore, but her gaze was still stuck on that certain spot on the floor between her feet, as if chained to it with steel. She kept playing with the bandana on her neck, wondering how much it really meant. For her, for others...It was only a piece of material after all. All its worth was contained within color, its meaning was there only because someone decided to give it such...

Faye could feel Illaya's gaze on herself, and that was probably what pulled her attention away from her thoughts. Why was she staring, was it pity? Something else?

"Is my company really that bad?"

The question kind of shocked her and the girl slowly raised her head to look at Illaya. "Why would you say that...?" She asked with a voice weak from withholding for so long. "I enjoy your company...and I bet every single man downstairs and vicinity would've killed for it. Pff, some women even. Just..." Faye began to feel guilty. Given Illaya's apparel it was obvious she had some plans and was looking forward to this evening, which Faye was ruining right now. "...Its just tough you know. People treating me not like an equal just because Im a bit...smaller, have a funny voice and I forget stuff or have an ambition in which I actually believe. They don't see my hard work, or the fact that I haven't chose to be like that. They just see what's on the outside and make fun of it, like you back at the plaza...It just really bums me out and...Im really sorry if I'm killing this evening for you. I thought it'd be fun then...all this happened.

"Fuck everyone downstairs. This outfit, this evening, all of it was work. It was never meant to be fun. Even now." She would be lying if she said she never did have fun with her work, though, but tonight was not one of those nights. Her gaze was upon her hands, playing with some of the fabric of her dress, staring quizzically for a moment.

Thalia scoffed, "You don't get out much, do you? I mean look at yourself, you're dressed casually. You didn't take the time to fix yourself up, so why would you care about what a bunch of drunken fools think when they see you walking next to me?" She stood up her spot on the bed and continued, "believe me, if I thought you were some trashy harlot that gave a rat's ass about what people like those morons downstairs thought about you when they've been avoiding their wives all evening by getting drunk in a pub, telling stories about all of their great adventures, and how many women they've fucked then I most certainly would not consider wasting my time with you." Thalia moved closer to Faye and put her hands on the woman's shoulders, pushing them back to correct her posture before taking one hand and lifting her chin up, "You must demand their respect. You are Faye, an accomplished Thaa'nas, and they will never come close to being anything as great as that in their miserable lives. It's your choice, either frown and fight back tears or make them grovel at your feet and tell tales of your greatness every time you pass by." She wasn't in a mood to keep her voice down, but for Lavernius' sake she tried, and was failing. "You are short. Your boobs are smaller than mine. You forget things, you're clumsy, you have ambition. All of these things define you, pick them the fuck up and wear them like armor." Thalia picked up the last mug and started drinking. "I don't pity someone who chooses to let others define them." She pushed her mug into Faye's hands and practically made her take a drink. "I do apologize on behalf of all of the spineless Thaa'nas you've had to work with, but you will not get the same weakness from me." Helping Faye stand up, Thalia continued, "Now, you can either sulk at my harsh truths or wait for things to calm down downstairs and go back to your room, or you can join me," she held up two black pens and some ink, "out on the balcony as I paint the lightweight's face." Her smile was sincere, but also very mischievous.

Faye's expression was something between fear and surprise, and the girl kind of looked as if she was about to cry again as Illaya lectured her. She didn't however. Once it was over she stared deeply into Illaya's eyes before giving her one of the most sincere of smiles and dropping her head once more embarrassed, this time in a good of ways. "Thank you, that..." Faye wiped her eyes and sniffed for the last time. "...That was probably the harshest, yet the nicest thing I've heard ever since I left home...But it wasn't even them downstairs that upset me so much, just..." The girl stopped for a moment and shook her head vigorously before finally raising it, still smiling. "...You know what forget it. They can go choke on their staves and scrolls for all I care."

Faye accepted the drink and then the hand, and as she was getting up she fell forward into Illaya's arms, hugging her. It wasn't sensual; Just a brief squeeze on her ribs, after which Faye stepped back. "Im sorry... Also..." She took a knee and began to browse through her knapsack, eventually pulling out few coal sticks and a small pouch, inside of which was just coal dust. "...If we get them slightly wet, he won't feel a thing. He'll feel the scratch of a pen." Faye passed these to Illaya with a smile, but it faded slightly as she withdrew the hand a bit. "Just one thing bothers me...What does this outfit has to do with your work?"

The hug was a bit unexpected, but she understood. The alcohol was really starting to take hold as Thalia's thoughts became rather naughty. Faye's final question snapped her out of it a bit.

Thalia shrugged, "in my profession, it's all about dressing for success. I work for a few businessmen mostly handling paperwork at times and keeping up with scheduling, but sometimes when they have a very important meeting with another businessmen they like me to get all pampered up and tag along. At a certain point men stop thinking with their brains and start making decisions with their cocks, and that is why I get paid well enough to keep a pretty dress or two." She placed her two pens next to the bed and took the coal sticks from Faye. Thalia grabbed Faye's hand before she could retract it and slid the mage's index finger inside of her mouth, squeezing it with her lips and using her tongue to sensually rub it. She pulled Faye's finger from her mouth slowly and used it to dab the coal sticks, getting them wet enough so Lavernius wouldn't feel them on his face. Thalia released the woman's hand and motioned towards the balcony door, "These were your idea, so you've got to play as much of a part in it as me." Her expression was definitely mischievous.