He'd just met her, and usually when he found a girl that intrigued him he waited a few nights to even ask about spending some time talking or drinking. But he'd already felt a kinship with this girl, and she was a friend already if nothing else. He'd not enjoyed talking about Mercenary work with anyone in a long time. Usually he just [i]did[/i] it, and didn't speak about it. If someone on other expeditions asked a question, they usually did so nervously, and it made others nervous because it showed they didn't know what they were doing. But Valerie seemed both capable and inquisitive. She was sharp and well tempered, and endearing to chat with. He'd felt at ease helping her earlier and would again, he realized. 

[i]Or maybe most of the girls you've met were just tavern wenches, or died too early to get to know.[/i] Well, that may or may not be the case. But he found her smile contagious, and he met her eyes as a smile grew on his face as well. "Cool." he said, his smile now blooming into a grin. He passed her by slowly and gestured with a nod for her to follow his lead as he strode out of the courtyard. It had been a little awkward asking her, but he felt some of his confidence coming back. [i]Just buying a drink for a new friend you're helping out[/i].   

The Tavern they made it to was called "Orc Ire and Dragon Fire." The sign hanging above the cobblestone street at the doorway held a sigil of an Open flame, crisscrossed by an Axe and a Scimitar. Inside, lantern light could be seen from the windows they passed. The merry stories and shouts of jovial laughter was suddenly unmuted once the door opened. Markus held the door open with one hand for Valerie to walk in. Once they were inside, the Swordmage waved to a few nondescript people in the crowd, leading over to a table left of the front door, a few tables down and against the wall. Two cushioned chairs were set. 

All about them, men played cards or drinking games. Some told stories and laughed merrily. A few had decided to sit alone, and some even sat two at a time like Markus and Valerie were. There were a few Elves, Dwarves, even a Gnome with two Halflings among the crowd. 

"I'll go grab our drinks. One sec." he told her, and headed over to the barkeep across the floor from their table. He rested his elbows on the counter, his back turned to her as he waited for the order to be met. Within a minute, he headed over to Valerie with two fine Ales, and set one in front of her. He let out a long sigh as he plopped into his chair. The room was warm and the hearth on the right side of the room blazed brightly. Next to it, a woman sang a [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lALd6Ee2GO4]folk song[/url], though not too loudly.
[@Luminosity]