"Well, sometimes the worthy part cannot be seen so clearly." he teased back, a small smile on his lips. Ace almost chuckled when Caine answered his question about their other travelling companion. Apparently, he wasn't very happy with the better-than-thou act either. He wondered how long the man would last in a group where he wasn't liked. Well, maybe Ace would come to like him, depending on how much fun teasing the man would turn out to be. Who knew. "Even an animal would rather stay warm than freeze to death." he pointed out. "And I doubt he would be comfortable in anything less 'worthy' than silken sheets." Ace shrugged, not really caring about whatever the other would get in or not. He wasn't up to take care of anyone, specially if they were sick, but if he was honest with himself, he wouldn't take care of the other in any thinkable situation. So there was no point in worrying. Ace was comfortable enough where he was, and if the other wasn't... Well, not his problem.<br/><br/>The other thing Caine said got his attention, though.<br/><br/>"Hmmm." Ace mumbled back, turning his head and only then noticing the dagger on the man's belt. He smiled. "Oh, thanks for the tip. If things go well tonight and I'm on a good mood, you might even get a new dagger tomorrow as a thank you." he said, the challenge of another kind of hunt settling in. "Besides, what good is a hunt without danger, after all?"<br/><br/>When Caine retired, Ace asked for two other beers, gathering his things from the ground and carefully trying the gauntlets on the outside of his bag. When the mugs arrived, the mercenary placed the bag over his shoulder and grabbed a mug with each hand, before making his way towards the man, a nice smile on his face. The other had dirty blond hair and beard adorning a scowling face, broad shoulders and strong arms and a few scars on his arms, showing he had at least one bit of experience in the rough side of life. The man raised his eyes when Ace approached, scowling even further at him. The mercenary ignored the other, as he kept smiling as kindly as it was humanly possible for him, and sat down in the chair besides him, placing one of the mugs in front of the other.<br/><br/>"What do you want?" the man growled.<br/><br/>"Are you expecting someone?" Ace asked, ignoring the suspicious glare the other gave him, simply waiting. After some time, the man snatched the mug in front of him. "I think we can both enjoy each other's company, then."<br/><br/>"You mean you want a free room for the night?" the man asked, not even bothering to lower the mug to talk. Ace sipped his own drink, smirking to himself. It was obvious the other was already suspecting him, and actually Ace couldn't blame the man. However, he wasn't one to give up so easily and, to be honest, he definitely didn't care about his partners manners, as long as they could satisfy him where it mattered.<br/><br/>"Well, it wouldn't be exactly free, you know." Ace teased, pressing their knees together. "Or is it that you don't like the way I look?" the mercenary knew it wasn't it. If not for the scars, he would be a man beautiful enough to please even the most spoiled princesses, and those who could look behind the scarred skin or that didn't care for them were pleased enough. And Ace knew that men like this one in places like the Boar's Belly did not care.<br/><br/>"I don't like that you look like a mongrel who will slit my throat in my sleep." the man grumbled, sending a wary look at the bag on Ace's shoulder.<br/><br/>"I only attack men who can't satisfy me." Ace pressed their legs even closer, knowing it was safe enough for him to do so. "And I bet you can do it. Easily."<br/><br/>It was a simply challenge, that if refused could mean several things to the man's pride. And the pride of a drunk was easily wounded. The man growled, gulped the remaining liquid down, got up and left for the stairs, without sending another look at Ace. He considered it victory enough as he followed the man, knowing he could finish convincing the other when they were in the room. Ace waved at the bartender when he saw him staring, and received a silent chuckle in return.<br/><br/><br/>The sun hadn't even began to show its first rays when Ace opened his eyes, his back sore because of the poor quality bed he slept in. Nevertheless, he was happy, satisfied. In this life, he didn't get to really pick comfortable beds and nice sheets, and he was fine with it, as long as there was a body to keep him warm and to worn the strains of his muscles away.<br/><br/>He took a breath in, allowing himself to enjoy, just for another moment, the feeling of the strong arm around his waist, of companionship, not really daring to think about what it meant, before carefully getting up. Another perk of drunken partners - they were always harder to awake on the morning. Quickly and silently, Ace put his clothes on, before searching for the man's belt, where the dagger had remained since the night before. He weighted it in his hand, impressed that it seemed like it was really of a good quality. Not marvellous, but better than most could afford to carry. After a little thought, he searched for the man's pocket, picking up the slightly heavy bag of coins. He carefully placed just enough coin so the man could pay for the room, as he was in a good enough mood to feel a little sympathetic, and took the rest with him, grabbing his armour, bag and sword on the way to the door. Ace stopped only to send a playful kiss to the still sleeping man before he closed the door behind him.<br/><br/>He dragged his things to the stairs before tying the leather armour around his body, placing his cape carefully inside his bag and putting on the gauntlets and the sword on his waist. Stretching his shoulders, Ace walked down the stairs, humming quietly so he wouldn't wake anyone. These kind of rooms were rarely soundproof, and he wasn't eager to awake moody guests.<br/><br/>Ace stopped, frowning, surprised to see Crusty inside the inn. He actually had thought the other would spend the night outside. Ace bit his lips for a second, thinking, before smiling and walking quietly to the man. He knew the other would probably hear him, if he was as trained as he seemed, specially since he was humming just moments before, but then, he hoped the other dislike would be enough from keeping him to turning. That or maybe he was still sleeping.<br/><br/>Ace then threw his arms around the other's neck, giving him a small peck in the cheek.<br/><br/>"How are your highness feeling on this beautiful morning?" he whispered in the other's ear, before quickly drawing back so he wouldn't receive a punch in the face. Or a sword in the guts, he honestly couldn't tell. He didn't allow the other an answer and continued. "Tell Caine I'll be outside, waiting for you princesses to get ready." he winked at the man and tossed a coin on the bar to pay for the beers on the night before. He wasn't against stealing, but stealing from inns were always a bad idea, even for him - specially if he ever needed to return.<br/><br/>He began humming again, keeping an eye on the other man just to assure he wouldn't try to come after him with his sword, and exited the inn.