Beist smiled wholeheartedly as Charlotte shyly accepted the candy, taking it from his hand with her legs. Aw, how adorable! He could have sat there and observed her for hours, but he thought she might be uncomfortable with him staring and his attention was drawn to something else anyways.

"Ah, I never had the pleasure of meeting Lloyd myself, sadly. I'd be very interesting in his research." Beist mumbled as Kamille and Caedes spoke about the ooze researcher. From the sounds of it, they weren't very fond of him, and Caedes and Zarius had gotten into their current conditions thanks to the work they were doing for him. He awkwardly avoided eye contact and decided not to mention the little ooze in a bottle in his pocket. Perhaps it was best to keep Trashjar's existence to himself for now. Beist found even oozes cute, though he also found just about any creature cute, such a the giant spindly-legged creepy crawly currently munching on a piece of candy in front of him.

"Oh, yes, about your leg. Is it still not healed? Hmmmm..." Beist said to Caedes, looking concerned. He knew what Caedes really needed, but wasn't sure how to go about bringing it up. Did they not know they were a vampire? Maybe they were trying to hide it? Still, Beist felt awful letting them sit there with a hole through their leg. He really wanted to help even if it was a little awkward.

With a glance at Kamille, he leaned over the table to whisper to Caedes. He suspected Kamille might already have figured it out as well, but he could still show the courtesy of keeping it private. "You can drink some of my blood if you'd like. I really wouldn't mind, I have quite a lot of it." he said as quietly as he could into Caedes ear.

Zarius twitches in his sleep before his eyes eventually open slightly. Despite his exhaustion and soreness, he rolls over on his side and slowly pushes himself up to sit on the side of the bed. He places a hand against his forehead, feeling a bit light headed and dizzy but otherwise much better than he was when Caedes first arrived at the Witch's home with him. 

Looking down at his hands, he watches the way his fingers shake from fatigue as he clenches and unclenches his fists. He sighs and glances around the empty room. Caedes must have either left or is in another room. He pushes himself up to stand and staggers over to the wall, using it to steady himself as he shuffles to the doorway into the living room. 

He spots the Black Quills around the couches, but still doesn't see the changeling or the witch or...there had been someone else hadn't there? Some larger fellow, right? His memory was a bit hazy, but he was certain he saw someone else before he passed out. 

Shaking his head, he looks at the half-elves as they sit quietly playing their card game. He hadn't really met them formally and only vaguely knew anything about them. For the life of him, he can't remember if Kamille had ever told him their names. Things would be a lot less awkward if she had. Then again, this was only the second time the tiefling had interacted directly with the Witch. 

"Apologies...is everyone in the kitchen?" He asks them quietly.

Charlotte is perfectly content as she takes the candy from Beist; she brings it to her mandibles and goes about trying to unwrap it; her process of unwrapping the candy is a tad awkward, leaving plenty of sound from the wrapper as she tugs at the ends in her jaws. Caedes sighs, exasperated; and he looks at Kamille as she mentions children, which is certainly one way to consider the spider.

Eventually, his gaze follows hers to where Mischief is… well. “He lives up to his name,” he remarks; there’s a light joking tone in his voice. Finally, Charlotte succeeds in unwrapping her piece of candy, freeing them from the never-ending crinkling sounds. She works the pink candy into her mouth and wiggles her legs with delight and anticipation at the flavours of the strawberry.

Then, she plops down into Caedes’ lap with her legs tucked at awkward angles. He sets a hand on her back, tracing the red hourglass; he sighs. “He probably wouldn’t have.” he agrees grimly, recalling the tiefling’s state no less than an hour ago; knocking on death’s door, rattled by every bump and jolt in the wagon. “I’m thankful for both of your help; I couldn’t possibly ask you for anything more than that.”

Had anything gone wrong Zarius probably would have succumbed to his infection; he’d laid it all on the line for the mere chance the witch could have helped, and it had worked out in the end... but they had played their cards a little too close for comfort.

“Indeed.” he takes a moment to look around Kamille’s kitchen, eyes narrowing when he hears her mentioning the familiarity of the oozes… and then Lloyd. There’s a slight scowl on Caedes’ face that arises, perhaps the most expressive he’s been so far, at the mention of the researcher. “I’m sure his research is… important, but his methods of it are… dangerous, as has been seen.” he remarks bitterly; he tucks his leg close to the leg of the chair.

“Lloyd should perhaps find a less dangerous blindspot to drag others into; or consider a change in his method of research.” Charlotte looks between Caedes and the others at the table; there’s a little click-clack of the candy in her mouth. “I appreciate the offer…” he trails off, looking out absently towards the door. He, admittedly, wants to leave; but he’s reluctant to do so when his deal with Zarius is still up in the air. “...perhaps it would be good for him to sleep off the effects of the fever. Thank you again.”

He sits up a little straighter, adjusting his posture as he steels himself to remain in the witch’s abode for a questionable amount of time… he looks to Beist then, frowning at the mention of his leg. “It’s fine. It won’t kill me.” he answers, turning his eyes away from the large beast man— until he suddenly leans towards him. Caedes tenses; his pale eyes narrow and he seems to draw back a little as Beist pulls in close and proceeds to offer him the strangest string of words that he’s ever heard in his admittedly short lifetime.

For a moment, the changeling stares across the table between Beist and Kamille at the wall, then looks at Beist with furrowed brows and an utterly baffled expression. “... I'm sorry?”

Caedes looked like a fish trying to climb a tree, clearly out of his element and uncomfortable about it. Maybe he knew they already were figuring him out? There were few creatures she knew to not benefit from healing effects of potions, most of them undead ones. Even unholy creatures like demons could benefit from those, so it narrowed things down. And there were few undead things that were as put together and handsome as Caedes.... Maybe if she could offer him a healing potion with a bit of blood to the mixture, she could be certain of his nature without raising his suspicion too much........

A noise from the other room caught her attention, and she raised to go check it, without paying full attention to what Beist was whispering to Caedes. The Black Quills were often very quiet, so she thought it was Zarius waking up, and she was right.

All of the Black Quills raised their heads from their game, but Poe was the one that jumped up and walked towards him.

"Yes, they are all in the kitchen. Do you need help? How are you feeling?"

It was when Kamille showed up at the kitchen's door, smiling softly at the tiefling. He should be resting a while longer, but since he was up, he might as well join them and start to make his way back to his normal, healthy state with some food and tea.

"Are you sure you're ready to walk? Then come eat something. Your recovery will be faster if you do."

Kamille walked over to him, ready to offer a support should he need it, going over to his healthy arm to gently grab it - it was a firmer touch in comparison to the more pompous gesture she used to display, clearly in the hopes of being something he could lean upon if his strength faltered. A stark distinction to her mischievous self, the earthly tones of her personality felt like a sturdy, unshakable foundation of stone, showing up when needed - when talking about business. Zarius already knew a little of her habits, so he probably also knew it was no use trying to deny her, even if he wanted. She slowly led him back to the kitchen, where she would certainly push a bowl of food on his hands and not allow him to rise again until she deemed he was good to go. 

Beist was equally baffled by Caedes bafflement, looking down at him in confusion, his head tilting slightly.

"EH? Blood, my boy. You-" Beist began, stammering, but then stopped when he realized something.

Does Caedes really not realize that he's a vampire? But, it's so obvious... The pale skin and white hair, the lack of healing even after drinking a potion, the uncannily handsome features... He's one hundred percent a vampire! How does he not know!? Well, Beist supposed he would also be confused if someone offered him blood and he didn't know he was a vampire.

Beist recomposed himself, placing his hands together in front of him and looking at Caedes with concern. How was he supposed to break it to the boy that he needed to drink blood...? He placed one of his extra hands in front of his mouth and awkwardly cleared his throat.

"Ehem. So, ehhh... You haven't had any of the soup. Do you... not like food?" Beist asked, trying to break the news as gently as possible. The best way seemed to be by letting Caedes figure it out himself with just a little help.

Zarius forces a smile as Poe rises and makes her way over to him. "Oh, please do not trouble yourself. I am fine."^[1] He's already troubled them enough. Then again, he knows nothing he says will prevent them from helping him anyway. 

Part of him hoped that Kamille wouldn't notice he was up, but of course the woman knew of everything happening in her own home. If the walls sprouted eyes and ears, he would hardly be surprised. When the witch appears from the kitchen, he doesn't put up any resistance as she grabs onto his good arm. 

"No, but I have been a rude enough guest as it is." He does his best to keep a teasing tone in his voice. "I hope my companion has at least been making for some good conversation. He can be pretty quiet around strangers."

He leans on the witch just enough to keep his legs from shaking as they make their way back to the kitchen. There's no protest from him as Kamille makes him sit down at the table. He gives Caedes an apologetic smile, fully aware that this whole mess was more than what the changeling had signed up for in the first place. At the very least, he wanted to make it up to him. 

Though he is starving, he still hesitates when Kamille puts the bowl of food before him. He takes a breath, resigning himself to his hunger and starts to eat what he can. Really, if the witch or her large multi-armed furry friend had wanted him dead, they had ample opportunity to-

Wait.

He gets a better look at Beist. He wasn't just imagining it. The man really did have an extra set of arms, didn't he?

It takes the teifling a few moments to process this information before he snaps out of it and just goes back to eating. He didn't have the energy to think too critically about the kinds of strange friends the witch kept at her beck and call. The soup, he would admit, is pretty good though.

---

[1] Smooth Talking

Caedes offers Kamille a side-glance when the witch stands; there’s something uneasy about his expression, perhaps almost pleading, as though he might not want her to leave him with the werebeast that just offered him his own blood. He looks back at Beist with furrowed brows, ignoring the click-clack of Charlotte moving the candy around in her mouth.

“... What about it?” he asks; but his unease doesn’t entirely come from the odd question alone.

It hasn’t escaped him that throughout his travel with Zarius, he has been keenly aware of the state of his injury; not due to his physical symptoms or the weakness that came with the infection, but the scent of iron, which had lingered about him early into the incident, had been intoxicating at first.

As his infection worsened, the scent too had changed; and he found it less… distracting.

Caedes shifts his gaze away from Beist while something of a scowl creases his lips; it’s strange to even consider something like that appealing. He attributed it at first as something to do with his undeath, and… it could still be, but this was the first he’d ever noticed it so transparently. “I like food fine,” he answers with a shake of his head; that’s a lie, he hasn’t eaten properly in quite some time. “I’m just not hungry, that’s all.”

To his relief, Kamille is quick to return— but not alone.

Seeing Zarius so soon is both a surprise and a relief.

“Good morning, sunshine.” Caedes redirects his anxiety into a friendly tease, albeit it comes off with an exhausted undertone. “How’re you feeling?” The changeling asks; no sooner has the question left his lips does a little head peek up from his lap, just barely visible over the table. Charlotte blinks a few times, bringing a few of her legs to rest on the table as she pulls herself up farther to get a look at Zarius with a tilted head.

Her expression doesn’t change, but Caedes knows she’s taken to the tiefling well; and she’s much more innocent than he, finding it much easier to trust; so she’s probably happy to see him up and about.

He doesn’t prod much more than that, watching Kamille bring him a bowl of soup— which is a relief, given Zarius had barely the strength to eat properly during the worst of his illness.

Kamille looked pretty satisfied once everyone was at the table. After pushing a bowl of soup into the tiefling's hand, she also left a plate with bread and cheese in front of him, giving her back to the table for a minute to make some more tea.

"You didn’t sleep long. Your friend told us how the story of your adventures is quite an embarrassing one. Which, you must know, is exactly what I like."

While she didn’t feel particularly threatened by Caedes, even if to serve her own curiosity, she would want to clear her doubts - she could mix a healing potion with a little bit of blood, so the herbal and bitter taste of the potion would make the taste of blood not as proeminent. If it worked, she would have her answer. But she also wanted to talk to Beist first about what he thought of it and if he had the same suspicion as she did. She had heard a lot of stories about vampires during her life, but no actual encounter that would tilt her opinion. Overall, she had found the cautionary tales all a bit silly, specially as she turned to see the gentleman before them, politely refusing food. If he had wished any harm upon them or Zarius, it would've already happened. She knew him to be a recent addition to Zarius timeline because she hadn’t had a glimpse at him during Zarius first visit.

Such a gentleman, carrying his friend all the way to her doorstep, while he was wounded himself........

Kamille raised an eyebrow.

Hm.......

Interesting...............

"........although... embarrassing stories are among my favorite ones... I'd also settle with the story of how you two met."

It would hardly come as a surprise to both Zarius and Beist that the request for a story came as payment for her hospitality. She often found it a fair price, even. One night of peace, protection and healing for information. Wasn’t it?

Kamille came back with a fresh kettle of tea, pouring some for everyone.

"You probably were in no condition of paying attention, but this fair gentleman that healed your arm is Beist. Beist, Zarius is........... a friend."

It was complicated.

"But, Zarius, I need to know.... What the fuck happened to your arm? Healing potions would only go to a certain extent of healing, I only managed to get you stable before Beist could arrive. Caedes tells us you met Lloyd, and from that I can assume a number of things...."

She was clearly very amused by all of that. Lloyd was so nerdy and unassuming, and yet people kept on getting themselves stuck in horrible situations on his behalf.

Mischief made a quick appearance at the table, only to steal Zarius spoon straight from his hand and fly away again. Kamille didn’t look surprised, merely grabbing another spoon and giving it to the tiefling, looking as he progressed through his food as if she wouldn’t allow him to leave the table without emptying his plate first. 

"I see. Well then, you should eat something even if you're not hungry. Your body needs the energy if you want to heal that injury." Beist said to Caedes, gesturing to the pot of soup that he knew wouldn't suit their tastes. But, it wasn't like he'd shove his neck into Caedes' mouth. This was something he should probably take slowly.

Beist looked up in surprise as Zarius entered the room. He'd have to get back to trying to hint at Caedes' true nature once he was done worrying incessantly over the man that had been nearly dead not so long ago and surely was in desperate need of some rest now walking about as if he was fine and joining them at the kitchen table.

"Oh my, are you sure you're alright to be walking around right now? That wound was very serious. You need to rest. The magic that healed your arm did nothing to relieve you of your fatigue, you know." Beist voiced his concerns, a sincerely worried expression on his face as he looked down at Zarius from the entire side of the table he took up. "Once you're done eating, you should really lie down again. I might be able to heal serious injuries, but if you drop dead from exhaustion, I won't be able to do anything about that."

Beist could guess what happened to Zarius's arm. There was only one creature he knew of that could dissolve flesh like that, and in only a specific part of the body. The conversation leading to Lloyd only helped to confirm his suspicions. Why though, would someone stick their arm into an ooze? That part, he'd like to hear. He listened intently.

Zarius shoots Caedes a weak smirk. "Just peachy, thank you for your concern."

He wouldn't admit to Caedes that he had been a bit anxious that the assassin would have just up and left after he was safe in the care of two capable healers. He's relieved to see the changeling has chosen to stay despite his obvious discomfort. 

The tiefling chuckles at bit at Kamille's comment. In retrospect, it was a pretty dumb decision on his part that nearly cost him his life. He made a miscalculation on just how potent the acid of an ooze was. That was entirely on him. Obviously a creature capable of dissolving wood and stone would be able to dissolve flesh quite quickly. 

"I am glad my suffering could bring some joy to you, Lady Kamille," he teases before looking at Beist and nodding in agreement. "Probably not, but I suppose I am so exhausted that I am having trouble resting. Or perhaps I am worried Lady Kamille will chase my shy friend off with her hospitality."

Though tired, he manages to keep up the polite and joking façade. It was second nature for him next to tricking and manipulating people to bend to his whims. With any luck, neither the witch nor this beast man would ever become victims of his first nature.

"Mister Beist, you have my gratitude. Do let me know if there is anything I can do to repay you. Once I have the energy to actually be of any use that is." He wasn't sure what kind of favor the large hairy beast man would want in return for his assistance, but it couldn't put him in any more peril than working for Lloyd did. "I can assure you I will not let your aid go to waste. I will try to go back to sleep in a little while."

He looks at the half-elven woman. It is not surprising that she wants more details about what happened and about his pale companion. She did like her stories. Fair enough, he owed her an explanation at least if not much more for all her help. 

"Ah, well. How we met and what happened to my arm are related. I recruited Caedes to help me with a contract to research oozes for Lloyd. Once our original contract was complete, we stayed at an inn in Lilicors Village."

Just as he is about to take another spoonful of soup, Mischief snatches the cutlery right from his hand like an expert but not so subtle pick pocketer. Too exhausted to try to snatch it back, he waits as Kamille brings him another one. "Thank you. I suppose we will see how long I can hold onto this one." No doubt the raven would want every piece of shiny metal it could get its beak on.

"As I was saying," he continues. "It turns out the owner of the inn had an ooze in their basement. It was not too keen on leaving without some encouragement. Needless to say, trying to drag an ooze did not go too well."

Zarius takes another few bites of soup, careful not to eat too quickly. "After that we started heading across the swamp to get here, but we were side tracked when we crossed paths with Lloyd and his assistants stuck in the path left behind by an elder ooze. We rescued them then he insisted on going after the creature, so we assisted with that as well. That was when Caedes was injured."

The pale man’s eyes darken somewhat, brows furrowing slightly at his suggestion of the soup. He could always eat it and take the bluff; it wasn’t like there wasn’t the option; but his body’s changed since his undeath.

Eating to feign his humanity is one thing; but being able to physically keep it down for more than a few hours is another. He taps his hands against the table in a rhythmic pattern, just to discharge some of his discomfort with this situation. “...I appreciate your concern, but I’m fine.” he insists, simply offering Beist a smile. “It will heal in its own time, I’m sure.”

He’s thankful when Zarius enters; not only because the tiefling is up on his feet, but because it gives the conversation a change in direction. Thank the gods.

Caedes grins back but doesn’t respond to the comment; he lets Zarius take his seat, not wishing to bombard him in his state, and allows Beist and Kamille to take the reins on this conversation. He turns his attention to observing the witch’s kitchen for just a moment instead; from the dangling herbs, to the pot of stew being offered to her guests.

Eventually, he turns his attention back to the conversation and offers Zarius a tilt of his head and a dramatic sigh; he bounces effortlessly off his comment with a similar tone of playful banter. “She’s practically been pouring that soup down my throat; she offered me a chair, a drink, and friendly conversation.” He rests his fingertips against his collarbone in a dainty feint, “The witch of the Moonglade is even more generous than I have heard.”

He offers Kamille a playful smile; an assurance that he is, in fact, joking— but also, everything’s sort of true.

Charlotte wiggles a bit, only ducking down beneath the table when Mischief suddenly makes an appearance at the table to snatch the spoon right out of Zarius’ hand. Alright, kind of rude. He offers the raven a cocked brow before digging into one of the pouches on his belt. While the conversation goes on, he pulls a coin between his fingers and leans an elbow on the table, twisting it just enough for Mischief to see the glint of metal in the light of the kitchen.

Maybe it'll be enough to keep the bird off of Zarius, or maybe it'll just encourage its thievery. Worth a shot.

“An offering for our raven host?” he suggests, leaning his cheek against the open palm of his other hand. Charlotte, meanwhile, does not seem thrilled about the potential appearance of the bird; quietly, the light passes over her— making her invisible to those at the table.

He cuts in at the end of Zarius’ story, offering a shrug of his shoulders; but his attention drifts from Mischief, to Zarius. He briefly studies his exhaustion in the sluggishness of his movements. He’s clearly comfortable enough with the people here to eat their food. which is a testament to their reliability.

“Mm. Like I said, tree fell on me; it’s not nearly as interesting as trying to drag an ooze from a basement; or... I don't know, fist fighting a bear? Just wrong place, wrong time… and weak tree structure. It happens.”

Kamille took all the jest and jokes with a warm smile, apparently very satisfied with herself - and with the fact everyone seemed well and enough at ease to joke around at her table. She wouldn’t press Caedes for his personal information, as she had already a plan in her mind to know what she wanted to know without spilling his secret out in the open, happy to just raise an eyebrow at Beist for the moment.

Then, she chuckled at Zarius remark.

"What better way to overcome a miserable moment of suffering than to turn it into a good story?"

Kamille listened in while slowly sipping on her tea. It was a very similar story to the inn she and Bellighul stood, with an acidic black ooze in their wine cellar. At the time, she managed to make a tunnel with her earth magic out of the cellar and into the woods, leaving the task to bully the ooze into the tunnel to the Lord of Ghouls. It worked, and Bellighul got out of it with an only slight burn... at least compared to the condition of Zarius' arm.

"Well....... I'm glad it worked but..... It did look like you dunked your whole arm into the ooze, which is.... more than I would expect of you... Regardless!"

Kamille got up to pick up the used plates and cups, just waving a hand for it all to jump on its own accord and neatly arrange on her sink, starting the process to wash themselves. There was still a steaming kettle with an aromatic tea on the table, and the Witch seemed to be fumbling around her cabinets in search of something.

"In my line of work, what brings me eager and willing customers is word of mouth.... And I will always want people to get out of here with a good review... Which includes parting ways with you well rested, well fed and ready to do it all over again."

Mischief doesn’t miss the glint of the coin Caedes was offering. Holding the spoon between his claws, once again he landed on the table, eyeing the coin with some suspicion before quickly snatching it from his hand. Before he would leave, the raven made a quick happy dance, bouncing up and down with his wings slightly open, giving Caedes a good look. Yes, Mischief would remember this one. Not sure if it was good or bad.

Kamille came back to the table with a plate of cookies.

"Ahh... Glad to see Lloyd's predilection for dangerous, acidic oozes is bringing people together........ Nothing like watching a giant ooze digest an entire horse to really make people connect. Just how many giant oozes there are in that swamp? We found a giant elder ooze too. A group of researchers asked us not to kill it, so we managed to freeze it. Not sure what happened after. Clearly nothing good."

Once again, she was not the one that ended up hurt, but she was glad to realize she was not the only one getting into trouble because of the ooze researcher. Her interactions with him were very brief, however. She took a deep sigh.

"Which brings me to the question: What is your next step from now on? What will you need to follow journey once you two recover?"

Then she turned to Beist.

"I'm grateful for coming so quickly, Beist. Whatever it is you need, just ask. If you’re in need of any reagent or recipe that is in my possession, just ask. I will want to confer with you about a slight modification to the my healing potion to see if I can make it more potent.... Will need your opinion on that." 

Beist didn't mind Caedes denial. This was something that might take some coming to terms with. It was best to take it slow. It might even be best to let someone else explain this to him. He'd just met the Vampire, after all. Maybe there was someone whose opinion he would trust more. He wouldn't push it.

Beist looked a little deflated. His ears drooped and his tail was still on the ground behind him as Kamille, Zarius, and Caedes all went on about their encounters with Lloyd and the oozes in basements and the Marsh Flats. He'd really missed so much opportunity. Had everyone here except him seen an elder ooze? And they hadn't even been happy about it like he would have been. No one else seemed to have an appreciation for the slimy sanitation crew like he did.

He perked back up just a little when Kamille asked him for help with improving the potency of her healing potion. Now that sounded fascinating! He was excited to see what new ingredient she might have in mind. Maybe he could even learn from this and improve his own potions if their recipes were similar enough.

"Oh, of course! I'm happy to help. I'll keep that in mind if I'm ever in need of anything. What kind of modification did you have in mind? I'm very interested to hear it!" Beist replied with a smile, his tail waving behind him again as he got his mind off of missed opportunities.

"Yes, not my best plan," he admits. "We were quite tired and the ooze was more stubborn than expected. Anyway, I do not think either of us will be welcome back at that inn anytime soon."

Zarius always tried to minimize risks while coming up with strategies, even on the fly. In retrospect, the choice to try and wrestle an ooze was ill thought out. They could have just left the thing in the basement and find somewhere else to rest for the night. That would have been much less trouble. But at the same time, he wonders if Caedes would have stuck with him if that situation hadn't gone the way it did. In a way, being put in such a vulnerable position proved that the assassin had little interest in stabbing him in the back, even if he easily could have. 

"I certainly hope we do not have to repeat this exact situation. I would rather avoid oozes for a while."

He glances across the table at the sets of spider eyes peaking over the edge of the table at him. Charlotte has been an interesting creature to have hanging about while he has traveled with the assassin. She has impressed him with her intelligence and usefulness in various situations. The changeling is lucky to have found her.

He can't help but chuckle when Charlotte turns invisible as Mischief snatches the coin from Caedes' hand. They'd be lucky to walk out of the Witch's house without losing all their coin in the process. 

"That...is a good question." He looks over at Caedes. They hadn't had the chance to discuss how exactly their previously discussed deal would even work. This wasn't the best time, place, or company to have that conversation either. He knew little to nothing about Beist and his working relationship with Kamille was still new. 

"I plan on returning home at least. Ideally we would be able to find a ship to Zeinav City. I do not think I am willing to trek through the Marsh Flats again. At least not for a while."

He finishes off his bowl of soup before sliding it aside. The tiefling takes a moment to let his meal settle. The potions and healing were doing their job well. He felt a lot better, though the exhaustion was still lingering. His eyelids feel heavy despite the restlessness in and uncomfortable aching in his muscles. 

“It was a whole deal; inn didn’t really live up to its name anyways: no real loss there. A mosquito could run a better inn than that goblin, and still be a more likeable bloodsucker.” he remarks loosely as Zarius comments on the situation.

Most of his attention remains on the bird; but he pays distant attention to the conversation as it’s tossed about between witch, druid, and tiefling. He feels Charlotte ball up in his lap as Mischief lands on the table before him, eyeing the coin with beady black eyes, before he snaps it up. Once it’s gone, Caedes lowers his hand with a chuckle; he leans his cheek against the curled knuckles of one hand as Mischief does his happy dance, then flutters away.

He hopes that’s enough of an offering to appease the shine-eyed bird for the rest of the evening, at least until Zarius is done.

“There’s too many of them.” Caedes remarks with a sigh; he briefly catches sight of Zarius as he turns his head slightly to look at Kamille with her plate of cookies. “Too many oozes, too many elder oozes, too many ooze researchers.” Really, it’s a miracle that Zarius made it as far as he did without collapsing; and while Lloyd proved invaluable to their travel in ensuring that Zarius was able to travel even in his worst state…

… He still doesn’t like that guy for holding him up as much as he did; nothing will convince him that the exertion didn’t worsen Zarius’ condition much quicker than it otherwise would have.

Caedes shares a look with the tiefling upon her question; indeed, Zarius had skipped any promise or intent to follow through on a deal for the time being. Zarius’ next move is about as unknown as his own— if this falls through, and Zarius decides not to risk associating with him— he’s not actually sure what he’ll do next.

Still, this is not the time to talk about it.

“Mm. I would like to avoid the Marsh Flats for now as well… Although, I’m surprised you have any sea legs to you.” he taunts the tiefling good-naturedly. On his lap, Charlotte reappears, blinking up at him, before turning around to peek over the table at Zarius; she hears the clink of his bowl as he sets it aside. “You sure you don’t wanna head back to the infirmary and sleep a little longer?”

Caedes blinks across the table at Zarius; this time, there’s little remnant of taunting in his tone, albeit his lazy smile remains as it always does. “You didn’t sleep much on the way here.”