"It is a more domestic task than you could afford most days," Ned says with a nod. She has told him a bit about her travels back home, and they remind him more of a hedge knight's or sellsword's life than the days he spent serving at a keep. "Let's enjoy it while we can."

The warm mug feels good beneath his fingers, the wine warming him from the inside. He drinks slowly, gaze drifting from the room around them and all the lights and people celebrating within it, to Aella beside him.

Her sailor's mouth no longer surprises him. It is still a contrast to her sweet gamine's face, but Ned is quite used to it by now. He smiles back at her at the assurance, genuinely pleased. And one brow lifts at her in return. "It is a very fair price. A drink now and then, for multiple expeditions." Ned hums, considering. "I begin to doubt this pragmaticism you boast of. Or perhaps you have a very long and sinister plan in place." Amused eyes gaze back at her from over his mug.