“Do you want an orange peel and some bitters to go with that?” he teases as he gets to his feet. It’s a short walk, only a few steps, so he doesn’t bother with his cane so his hands can remain free. He has a small liquor stash in his bedroom office. Nothing to make fancy drinks, only the preferred liquor choices of his closest friends and some glasses. There’s bourbon for Inej, whiskey for himself and Jesper, kvas for Nina and brandy for Wylan.

Pouring two fingers into the glasses of the respective booze choices, he offers the bourbon to Inej before settling back in his seat with his whiskey. He’s glad she’s comfortable with him, they’ve wiled away many long nights in his room by this point. Most he’d be annoyed with by now, but he misses her now when she’s gone and he works in utter silence late at night.

“To seeing if you now sing sea shanties when drunk,” he jokes as a pretend toast, raising his glass and taking a sip. It burns his throat and belly, then is followed by the pleasant sweet aftertaste and warmth. He doesn’t plan to really get drunk, but getting tipsy isn’t past him.