Chuckling as the soldier got what he deserved, Nathaniel finished his meal, and watched the soldier scuttle out of the inn like a scared rat from the corner. That's what you get when you talk big, he thought, and a dark, mischievous smirk appeared on his lips. However, it disappeared when the barman grabbed the girl. A part of him would have sprung up to defend her, and a part of him didn't care.<br/><br/>The ale was something different, though. He grabbed Ashi by one hand to move him back onto his thighs, and raised the other one. "I'd take it, if you don't want it." he offered, leaning a little, and pressing his fingers between the black cat's shoulder-blades to keep the animal down. Ashi's head soon appeared above the board of the table, anyway, aiming his large eyes at the girl. Nathaniel sighed, and dragged him back down.