Philip
Eventually, Sonja finished her drink and was beginning to feel somewhat tired. After bidding the others farewell, she headed back upstairs to their rooms to get some rest. But en route, she noticed Carlyn had left their door ajar! Remembering that they hadn't come down to drink with them, Sonja decided to investigate. She gave the door a brisk knock, choosing not to peak inside until she heard a reply from Carlyn.
Norma
Somewhere in the meantime, Carlyn has completely worn herself out with studying, training, and likely musical practice. For a moment after Sonja's knock, it seemed like there wouldn't be an answer, though in due time the Dog finally called back, "Come in! I'm here."

Her room was kind of a studious mess. Books at her desk, small piles of silver and forms here and there. Seems that after all this time, she was still managing her parent's business. It was likely state taxes that she was handling, and the money she had wasn't her own. It was probably sent from their shop all the way in Kadho, and her task was simply to sort it out into piles for the taxing - as well as any mathematics that came inbetween. Another one of her plethora of talents was shown; maths.

Even beyond that, there were a few books of war. Guides of how to do certain things. Such and such that would prepare her for further battling.
And even *Further* Beyond that was music books that hadn't even been opened tonight. Carlyn had already worn herself out with business and training. The Dog herself was laying on her bed, although she had sat up when Sonja came in, giving her a (tired) smile and a wave.

"How've you been? Did you have fun with Sivne and the new girl?"
Philip
At the prompting from Carlyn, Sonja slowly pushed open the door and stepped inside. She was immediately confronted with all the studious mess that was strewn about. This wasn't necessarily a bad thing—It was just a stark contrast to Sonja's room. Clearly, Carlyn had been working and studying hard for... Something. But before the brawny Beastkin woman could remark on it, Carlyn beat her to the punch. Sonja blinked, then nodded slowly, turning her ice blue gaze towards the other adventurer. 

"...It was alright, I suppose. The new girl, Ildilnytra, seems to drink even more than Sivne."

The comment brought the hint of a smile to her otherwise serious expression. She wouldn't have guessed such a prim and proper Silnarian mage would be so found of drinking. But looks could be deceiving, Sonja supposed.

"What have you been up to here? Studying hard?"

She raised a quizzical eyebrow, motioning towards the books.
Norma
"A bit of studying."

The response seemed almost comedic - obviously, it was less so studying and more so working. The Dog looked towards her desk and mumbled something under her breath, before saying more audibly, "I've been working from afar. I'm still a merchant, after all. I'm still bound to my job regardless of where I am. And beyond that, I *Was* Studying on combat techniques. I want to try and learn how to defend you guys, as well as myself."

Carlyn stood up and gave a bit of a dramatic stretch, letting out a long and droning groan.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it. I wish I could have come, but I had to do my taxing and imports. Figured I might as well studying combat and music while I was here, since it'd be a bit awkward if I just... Showed up at the bar after leaving home unannounced."
Philip
As Carlyn talked about what she had been working on, Sonja nodded slowly and took it all in. She did seem somewhat amused with the initial response. It was certainly more studying than Sonja would have ever considered "A bit." But perhaps Carlyn spent a lot of time studying when she was back at home? Sonja didn't question it.

"Keeping on top of your commitments is important." Sonja reaffirmed with a solemn nod. "I'm sure your studying will pay off. I should probably practice with my new crossbow more too..."

After a brief pause, Sonja continued.

"What makes you think the people back home would notice if you went a bar with some friends?"

While part of her understood the hesitation, she also found it hard to comprehend how anyone would know to look for Carlyn here, seeing how she had lead unannounced. But perhaps there was more at play here than Sonja realized.
Norma
"Some sort of... Guilty intuition, I guess. I just feel bad, spending all my time with you guys instead of taking care of my responsibilities. I've been letting this work pile up for a few weeks now - they send me taxing and sales from Kadho every week. It's not much, and should only take me two hours per delivery, but I haven't stayed on top of it due to being worn out from questing and practicing. My parents were always really strict about me staying on top of the business - they wanted me to take over for them when they're too old to work. I still intend to, but they're not too old yet, so I've got a few years to do what I *Really* Want to do."

Carlyn, as she spoke, averted her eyes a bit towards to work on the desk and then towards the floor. She definitely seemed to be upset about having put it off so long. Her time was well-spent questing and adventuring, talking and drinking, but her responsibilities of work had been severely curbed. 

"I'll go out with you lot next time, but I just... Had to get this done tonight. Took me about 4 hours of going as fast as possible. I'm not even sure all of my math was correct."
A sort of chuckling sigh was given, and she looked back up to Sonja with this small grin.

"It's too much fun, being with you three. It makes it hard for me to focus on the stuff I *Don't* Want to do."
Philip
The large Beastkin Ursinoid remained silent while Carlyn explained what had been bothering her about all the work. Sonja wouldn't have pretend to understand how to run a business. But she did know that the burden of unfinished responsibilities could weigh greatly on one's conscious. That seemed to be exactly what was happening here with Carlyn. Well, more or less. Hearing Carlyn agree to hang out with them next time, Sonja nodded slowly and spoke up.

"Your commitment to fulfilling such responsibilities, even while away from home, is certainly admirable." The brawny bear lady commented. "If you are ever overwhelmed with things like this in the future, I would be happy to lend my assistance." She insisted with a brief nod. "We are a team, we work together. No one should feel left out... I look forward to your company in the future." Of course, what aid Sonja could actually provide on complicated topics such as math and finance was probably dubious at best. But it was the thought that counts, right?

"Besides the business work stuff... Are there other things you don't want to do that we distract you from?" Sonja wondered cautiously, glancing about the room.
Jennifer
"Always good to have more options in a fight." She gave a nod to Sonja when she got up and left. Sivne looked to be in thought for a moment, staring at empty space infront of her.*
Norma
"Thank you, Sonja. I'll remember that. For now, though, there's really not much you can help with unless you want to try learning the flute. It'd be... Definitely fun to watch you try to play an instrument."

Carlyn look a look over at her relatively small flute case sat on top of her books. She had been playing at least since she joined up with her party, probably for not much longer. She wasn't the best by any means, but she was the most skilled of the four.
Steve
Ildilnytra offered a nod, finishing off her fizzy drink before putting it down, and idly twiddling her thumbs. "So... How much would you like for the training? Coin, that is."
Jennifer
"You're with us now, i'm not making you pay me for it. Don't start giving me ideas though." *She smirked a little and set her tankard down, having enough to drink.*
Steve
"Understood. Thank you very much, Sivne..." Ildi gave her head a small bow, leaning back into her chair and thinking now. She had been unaware prior that she had joined the merry gang of folk but wasn't opposed to it in the slightest. "So, tomorrow... What business did you have to clear up in 'town', if you don't mind?"
Jennifer
"Buy equipment for this run in the caves. I don't like doing work for free, so i'm certainly not dying for free. We need to get you kitted up anyway."
Steve
"Kitted up? With what, exactly?" She titled her head, before looking herself up and down. "Aside from something for close range, I would think I'm all set."