The bar, much to Bialar's relief, does in fact have raslak. The woman behind the counter stares at him, startled so much by his appearance that she spills the alcohol. She swears and hands him the glasses before attempting to mop up the mess. He smirks at the top of her head and crosses the room to sit at the table Aeryn has commandeered.
"You're going to have to get used to that reaction," she notes as he gives her a glass.
"Yes I suppose so." He sits down and takes a large mouthful of his drink, feeling the warmth of the alcohol course down his throat. Whatever changes have occurred to his body, he is pleased to note that the raslak still has an effect.
"She's still looking," Aeryn says and then smirks. "Maybe you have an admirer?"
He pulls a face. "Not my type."
"What type is that? Unattached?"
He gives her a steady look. "That is not funny."
"Sorry." She swirls the liquid in her cup. "I'm not going back, you know."
Bialar doesn't know what to make of that statement. "I… didn't say that you would," he says slowly. She stares into her glass, her face pale. He suddenly realises where this is going. "Your offer to remain with me needs no further… commitment, Aeryn. If you changed your mind tomorrow, I would not hold that against you."
She glances up then. "I… thank you."
"Is there anything else we need to cover?"
She smiles slightly. "No. I think we're good."
"Very well." He lifts the glass and then pauses. "One other thing?"
"What's that?"
"Just come out and say it next time hm? Fortunately I gathered what you were hinting at, but I think things would be better if we are honest with each other Aeryn."
Her cheeks colour slightly and she jerks a brief nod. "Alright."
"Right." He finishes his drink. "You want another?"
"Yes," she says adamantly.
He grins and sweeps up her glass. "I'll be right back, right after I've charmed the bartender."
Her laughter follows him across the room.
They are rather drunk by the time they give up on waiting for the tailor and make arrangements for a room. They stumble up the stairs. Aeryn missteps at the top and sprawls on the landing. Bialar tries to help her up but is hindered by the fact he is laughing at her.
"Shut up," she tells him, which makes him laugh more. He grabs her hand and hauls her to her unsteady feet.
"There you go," he says. She huffs at him but does not pull away when he takes her hand in his. He peers at the peeling painted number on the nearest door, and points down the passageway. "It's that way."
"If you say so."
He leads her to the right door and, after several fumbled attempts, manages to get the key into the lock. It clicks loudly as he twists it and he opens the door. He bows extravagantly to Aeryn.
"After you, Officer Sun." She chuckles at this display of manners and sweeps in regally. He grins at her and follows her, closing the door behind them.
The room is small and the curtains that hang at the window are faded, but everything is clean. He decides that it will suffice for the moment. Aeryn flops onto the bed and he smiles at that as he heads to the window. He opens it and allows the cool air to enter the room. Then he turns and looks at her.
"How much longer, do you suppose?"
"No idea," she mumbles sleepily. "But I think… I think I am going to go to sleep."
"Too much raslak," he notes with a chuckle.
"Hm." She shifts onto one side and bunches the pillow under her head. "Are you…?"
"I feel fine." He does, oddly. Oh his head buzzes somewhat, but it is vague and he doesn't feel any unpleasant effect. "You sleep. I'll… wait."
She doesn't answer and he realises she's already gone. He rolls his eyes and then crosses to the bed. Stares down at her for several microts, a soft smile on his face. He is more grateful for her remaining with him that he can put into words. Taking one of the blankets from the end of the bed, he carefully covers her over and then strokes the dark hair.
"She won't be happy if she catches you doing that." Talyn's sudden observation makes him jump.
He expels a hard breath. "She won't catch me," he replies. "She's deeply asleep."
"Is that a valid excuse?"
"I am merely looking after her. I have no ulterior motive in mind."
Talyn snorts. "I'm in your mind, Bialar," he reminds him. "I know that is a lie."
Bialar says nothing for a moment, just looks at Aeryn. "It doesn't matter," he murmurs aloud finally. "She is never going to see me now."
"Us," Talyn corrects and Bialar shrugs a shoulder.
"The point remains that I am no longer Sebacean. I am… I have no idea."
"Unique."
"Different."
"Isn't that the same thing?"
"Not… exactly."
Talyn sighs. "It is a matter of opinion. What do you see it as?"
"I was not thinking of me," he admits, his eyes sliding down to Aeryn's slumbering form again. "Were you aware of the stares we got just coming here? People see something different, something strange." He pauses. "Something to fear."
"Aeryn does not fear us."
"No. But neither does she…" He lets his words trail off. Talyn is more than aware of his feelings for Aeryn Sun. "It might not even matter."
Talyn sniggers. "I'm pretty sure we are… fully functional, Bialar."
He does not answer that but hauls his mental barriers up instead, pushing the second consciousness away from his awareness as he moves from the bed. He is not ready to examine that part of himself right now.
Despite the alcohol, he feels no tiredness. It is possible this form needs little rest but he knows he could not sleep now even if he wanted to. There is a chair in the corner of the room and he throws himself into this and stares bleakly out at the darkening sky.