Alexi, meanwhile, had found company of his own. 

Standing outside in the darkness, feeling it only appropriate that he wait patiently for his companion to return, a figure was soon spotted wandering absently his way. The scribe watched the form warily, the safety of church grounds battling with the recent attack in his mind as he tried to decide just what to do.

A loud, jaunty whistle stopped the mental debate quickly, however, along with the figure finally coming into view to show a rather familiar face.

"Charles? What are you doing still at the church?"

"Why, waiting for you of course." Charles greeted Alexi with a swaying bow, smiling a little too widely. "You asked me to mind the room, and so my friend I did. But just in case you returned with nothing to show for your efforts..."

"I found an escort, actually." His reply was maybe a bit too swift, but the scribe didn't recant word nor tone before his friend. Brown eyes scrutinized Charles coldly, lips pulling into a tight frown at the sight. "And... you're drunk."

"[i]I[/i]... Am not." Charles rose -yes, he had held his bow that long- to look his friend in the eye. "Merely... relaxed, yes. Surely one such as I could not get drunk on anything that could be found on Church grounds, yes?"

Alexi's response was little more than an exasperated groan, hoping beyond hope that he might be able to usher Charles on his way as quickly as possible. His friend was a good man... somewhere... but the past years living under the church had driven something of a wedge between scribe and noble son. It had been quite some time since he had drunk more than the sip of wine offered at service, been some time since he had visited the brothels and Inns his friend still frequented. 

Charles liked to lament Alexi's 'prudish' turn. Alexi himself had started to grow accustomed to it, but that seemed little comfort to the son of one of the three great landowners of the city.

"Oh! And [i]what[/i] have we here?"

[i]Oh dear Lord who watches over all... Why?[/i]

Alexi didn't turn around as the door opened behind him, Charles' face lighting up with [i]exactly[/i] the kind of addled thoughts he had wanted to avoid inciting. Stepping around his friend, the well-dressed nobleson grinned up at Katherine and Edda, offering another bow.

"Good evening dear ladies, and who might you- ahhhh..." Looking over the armor and weapon Katherine bore, Charles' grin found itself growing. His gaze darted to Alexi, still stubbornly trying to pretend this wasn't happening, mirth evident within his voice. "I know you've been holed up in the church Alexi, but I think you misunderstood what 'companion' you need for your journey."

"Master Stanhope!" Sister Edda's features condensed into righteous indignation at the sight, the slight woman slamming hands to her hips and appearing to almost to grow in stature. "Have you no regard for the Lord and his grounds!?"

"And good evening to you as well, Edda." Charles remained blissfully ignorant of the woman's mounting ire, stepping forward as if to speak again, before Alexi finally turned and grabbed his friend's shoulder.

"Charles." He managed to speak the word firmly enough to grab his friend's attention, despite the rash color burning his cheeks. "Horse. Did you find one for me?"

"Horse? Oh yes, all prepared as soon as you need to go!" Crisis averted... almost. "But if you're looking for rid-"

"THANK you Charles, I don't know where I'd be without you." Alexi managed to aim Charles towards the exit, a slight push setting him on his way. "I'll send you a letter from Avantshire. Have a good night, stay on the main roads. Good. Bye."

Alexi groaned aloud as his friend finally made his exit, turning slowly back to the two women by the door. 

"So... it seems my horse is ready for when we leave." The words didn't do much to quench the red from his face, but it was better than stammering over excuses... maybe. "And now you can say you've met Charles Stanhope... Please accept my apologies."

Sister Edda, for her part, merely shook her head, muttering under her breath about the pitiable state of Charles' soul. With a someone curt nod to both Alexi and Katherine, she made her way back inside, teachings catching up just in time so that the door was not slammed behind her.

All in all... not the greatest follow-up to an already lousy night. Alexi dared to hope he was getting his misfortunes done with early.