She smiled as the warmth of the alcohol settled in her belly and the bards' lute and drum filled the tavern with upbeat melodies. It'd been her fourth free drink that night.
Brynjolf shook his head. "There's something about drinking with someone else's coin that makes it go down much smoother, eh, lass?"
"You've got that right," Anya replied.
The same Bosmer that'd been purchasing her drinks all night sent another over her way. He sat at the bar, glancing at her every so often and giving a sloppy grin whenever he caught her eye. Dressed in thick, elaborate fabrics, fingers adorned with a few showy rings, and slightly smeared makeup gathered beneath his eyes; he looked better off than most at the bar, even with it being in a more upscale part of the city.
Anya returned a lopsided smile, raising the pint at the mer in thanks. Her eyes moved to Brynjolf who watched her lift the mug with poorly veiled envy.
"Are you feeling a bit neglected?" she asked, teasing him with a soft kick beneath the table.
"A bit," he replied. With a smile, he added, "I'm not often the one ignored at a tavern."
"Maybe you should start treating people better," Anya said, smirking, "for a change."
He chuckled and shook his head once more. "As if you didn't just get done cleaning out his home." Brynjolf side-eyed the Bosmer. "I almost pity him."
The pair had been hired to search for a rather specific amulet owned by the Bosmer– their employer claiming it to be a stolen family heirloom, as though either of them cared–but Anya and her sticky fingers couldn't help but nab a few other valuables for herself. But given the large jewels on his rings, the extra rewards she claimed would go unnoticed.
"And I don't think it was your friendly banter at the bar that caught his attention," he added, his eyes blatantly traveling down to her chest, her collarbones and cleavage on display in her low-hanging shirt. He returned to her gaze and tilted his head.
"I can't believe you'd suggest such a thing," she retorted, feigning offense. "As if my enchanting personality wasn't good enough."