Thalia looked up as the entourage made its way into the inn. She recognized Mari from the day before when she had gotten arrested. After seeing the way Ritsuko treated Mari's escort she knew odds were that he was the one looking to hire. Thalia considered that Mari must be pretty good at her craft given that the man seeking to hire the worlds best killer would also take the time to bust a scoundrel out of prison. Her food got there a moment later and she began to eat away at it. She wasn't as graceful as Faye or even Lavernius. She was about halfway done when she called for some ale.

"Never too early to start drinking," she winked at Lavernius.

Lavernius took the napkin from off his lap as he finished eating, wiping crumbs off his fingers and lips. He picked up his cup and refilled it with steaming hot tea. "Seems some patrons would agree with you on that. However none for me, I'd rather not nod off this early in the day." Lavernius drank his tea, keeping his back to the hubbub. He had turned his head along with the rest and simply watched before he went back to his breakfast.

Now finished, the man sipped his tea as he waited for Illaya to get her drink. "Shall we leave after you get your drink?" He inquired, though he had no business with the soldiers, the man who walked in alongside them had sat down with the woman who was talking to Illaya, it was all connected and he wondered what business was transpiring. Perhaps it had something to do with what happened in the Izukani Quarters.

Faye kept her head up for longer then probably anyone else present in the inn aside of staff, before eventually coming back to her meal. Although she really wanted to comment on Illaya getting her drink on when sun was still barely up, she refrained, but a weak smile creeped up on her face.

"Never too early huh...Because we know how well that ends already..." The more she thought about it, the more this whole morning situation actually started to amuse her, rather than make her further upset. Her own reactions included... Still, it would probably take more time than 'by the end of the day' for her to laugh at it.

Done with her meal Faye put her utensils together on the plate, wiped her mouth with a napkin and leaned back. The girl began to look around, slowly finishing her tea, her gaze repeatedly landing on Illaya, her 'visitor' and accompanying her high rank Glorious Legionnaire with yet another woman. Given the Izukani woman and the Legionnaire sat together and seemed to know each other well, Faye once more began to wonder what was the purpose of the visit and if it had anything to do with the Legion.

More and more questions raised in her head as she thought, yet Faye remained quiet as her gaze lazily jumped back and forth between the people, trying to make sense of any of this. "Sooo..." The girl eventually started, but faced Lavernius. "...Lavernius what do you hope to see today?"

Lavernius scratched his chin. "Anything and everything really. Going into a marketplace that features Izukanese art, it'll make me feel like a child again. The Izukanese make beautiful things, I hope you two will enjoy it as much as I do." He smiled fondly. "I can't wait." He bit into his pastry and placing it down, wiped his mouth with a napkin while he licked the glaze off his fingers. The pastry was pleasantly sweet, the crust crisp and flaky while the inside was soft and chewy. He took the occasional sip of tea to create a nice balance while he enjoyed his dessert.

Her drink showed up and she ordered another before even taking a sip from the first. It wasn't lasting long, and before she knew it her breakfast arrived just in time for her second mug to show up. "I suppose it is early, but I'm not much of a lightweight. Besides, the atmosphere in this place just got pretty depressing. I'm okay with leaving as soon as I finish eating." When Lavernius turned his head for a moment, Thalia ran a finger across his pastry, scooping up some of the icing before eating it. She smiled playfully when she was caught. He would be fine, she had done worse things to torment him.

As soon as her restraints were removed, Mari snapped her wrists, stretching and relocating the joints, slowly regaining the dexterity. As she stepped into the Horseman, she was careful to stay in the vicinity of Erenzo, as he was her responsible. It was in the interest of neither for her to try making a run for it, so being obedient was the best course of action.

As the three sat down at the table, Mari gave the room a quick glance, checking who was there. But truly, she was curious about her new associate's friend.

"Yes I would like some food, thank you." she carelessly replied to the query, snapping back to the conversation she was absent from.

Everyone, the Dancing Horseman
Erenzo nodded and raised his hand once more. "Breakfast please," he called for some of the servers. While Erenzo seemed to be the more talkative one, Ritsuko remained still and observant, watching Mari's movements. The izukani woman closed her eyes and seemingly resigned herself to whatever was happening.

"Tea, Grayore-sai," the izukani pointed out as Milanee approached them with a kettle and some cups, Erenzo was mildly surprised, his thoughts were elsewhere at the moment. She set them down and poured for the three at the table.

Erenzo nodded and thanked Milanee as she left. "Right, introductions," Erenzo straightened. "Mari, this is my associate and close advisor, Ristuko Hayata. Ritsuko, this is Marianna Laranis."

The izukani woman bowed her head slightly, acknowledging Mari. "A pleasure, Marianna."

Esther arrived a bit later with bread, cheese and some eggs, alongside utensils. Erenzo directed the server to Mari's side of the table then suddenly takes a bit more interest at Illaya's table. "Ritsuko? Is that one of the artist's whom you bought a piece from?"

The associate looked over to the table and pouted, wondering. "I believe so. I have not met him in person, however, but I do admire his works."

Erenzo smiled, opportunity had come to him in the form of a crownlander artist. He stood up and made his approach. With a tug on his coat, he made his way and noticed just now of a possible Thaa'nas in the room from the looks of one of the patrons in the same table.

"Pardon the intrusion but do you happen to be Lavernius Mylarc? I have one of your works hung on my walls. Admirable work and talent you have, good sir." He said with a bow, introducing himself to the people at the table. "Erenzo Grayore, a fan. Lady Ritsuko had bought one of your works, I believe of the terraces in Izukani. Marvelous piece. I have been searching for more of your works and have found little. Possibly already bought before I had the chance to get them for myself."

Lavernius looked up and over, the cup of tea pressed to his lips as he looked at the man talking to him. He was dressed well, his garb was Izukanese but the man's name wasn't. The artist but down his cup and offered his hand to shake. "Pleasure's all mine." He grinned, quite surprised someone recognized him. He didn't sign his work with his name, usually the only way people know he's him was word of mouth as he did most of his dealings in person or through his mother's shop. "I'm honoured to hear that, and am quite flattered to hear my work sells so well." Lavernius smiled as he reminisced about the piece the man spoke of. "Yes, Izukani has some beautiful views to paint, it is truly wonderful. Though..." He looked back at the man's associates and looked back. "I doubt you came here to just talk about art. After all your associate, Lady Ritsuko, was talking to Illaya before you arrived." The man picked up his pastry and looked at the line through it and glanced at Illaya before biting into it. "So then, Sir Grayore, what would you like to actually talk about?"

Lavernius' eyes moved towards her and she shot him a look of her own, if you didn't see me do it, then I didn't do it. She didn't imagine that Lavernius would be that well received, but she hadn't seen anything that he painted, just some really good drawing in his sketchbook. It was settled then, Thalia would stick around long enough to see a painting of his. And then Lavernius mentioned Thalia's chat with Ritsuko. What a fucker. Thalia would mind her tongue for now, making sure not to trigger a chain of events that would end in bloodshed. She owed that to Lavernius and Faye at least. After all, their lives weren't hers to take. Yet.

Mari patiently awaited the arrival of her food. Once the dish had hit the table, she composedly began eating her breakfast. In that same time, Erenzo had stood up and went over to some other table to have a chat with someone, and Marianna could feel the Izukani's eyes running her up and down. The Lorcasian woman suddenly stopped eating and faced towards Ritsuko.

"Yes, I am who you think I am. No, I am not dangerous to you as of this morning and yes, of course I am not trustworthy." Mari spat out that sentence in a rush, somehow still keeping her calm and composed demeanor. As soon as she was done, she returned to her breakfast, keeping her head down as she ate.

Everyone, the Dancing Horseman
Erenzo chuckled.

"Very well," the businessman said. "I would have simply liked to create an appointment with Miss Illaya. Lady Ritsuko may have gotten a bit forceful with her words. I simply noticed you were here, might as well compliment on good art while I'm at it." Erenzo then noticed the Thaa'nas in the center of the three, her bandana in their color. No other person would dare wear a color that would symbolize them so openly. Such an odd party.

"Miss Illaya, whenever you are free," he said with a bow. "I would wish to talk to you."

Back at the table, Lady Ritsuko nodded. "I know as much, Marianna. You simply remind me of someone else," she said as she sipped her tea. "A bit bland."

"No, I don't think so. Your associate told me all I needed to hear, and I don't very much care how you wish to say it differently. I'm not the person you're looking for, never have been, never will be." Thalia flicked her wrist, waving the man off.

You do have a debt to settle with their client, y'know. Rachel wasn't your last and you know it.

No matter how much she wished Erenzo would just eat his own fist, she did still have questions in need of answers. Maybe if she could actually finish her breakfast it would change her mind. Thalia looked down at her plate and noticed she had pretty much finished everything already. She frowned. The Gods were cruel, and one day Thalia may just reach up to the heavens and rip them from their thrones for tormenting her so.

Faye remained silent, watching the situation unfold as her gaze still jumped between all the participants and fingers fiddled with a toothpick. This whole situation felt so...unnatural and weird, and she had her questions, but as Lavernius said It wasn't her business after all.

Why would Glorious Legion be in such urgent need for a... 'businessmen bait' ? They ought to have better ways of handling their affairs, right? It made no sense for her, even less considering the other profession Illaya introduced herself with; of a fisherman. Well that part, it could be reasoned that Illaya tried to cover up her profession, given how often it is mistaken with one of the courtesan... Maybe that's what it was about? The Legionnaire caught her fancy and doesn't understand the difference? She couldn't imagine a high rank Legionnaire to be such a boor however, to pester the woman like that, and use his people to achieve such goal...

The atmosphere indeed got thick, situation weird, and by the look on things Illaya seemed really unhappy with the man bothering her, whatever the case was. When Lavernius got up, the girl saw her chance. She got Illaya and Lavernius into an uncomfortable situation before, now she may try to get them out of one. "Yeah! Lets go." The girl cheered excitedly as if that was all she waited for and got up as well, grasping onto Illaya's hand and pulling it. From a quiet observer she suddenly became a ball of energy "The sooner we'll go, the better deals we'll get. All the pretty stuff will be bought out soon!" With vigorous step, Faye began to make her way to the exit giving Erenzo a brief wave and a smile, and would let go off Illaya's hand only if she felt a definite refusal on her part.

Faye pulled Thalia away before the woman could accept or reject the offer. It was probably for the best. Hopefully Erenzo and his entourage would be long gone by the time they returned, but she feared the worst most likely scenario. Before they got too far from the table Thalia grabbed her second mug and brought it with her as Faye lead them to the door. She took a big swig of her ale before gripping Faye's hand in return and made her way for the door. Thalia looked over her shoulder at Lavernius before raising her mug to Erenzo, "ciao."