Centshuu faced Markieth with a menacing scowl and inquired, "Are you sure about what you just said?"
Markieth met his gaze, a glint of confusion in her eyes.
/"Sir?"\ she replied.
"I asked, are you sure that the other party involved in this brawl are my friends and not some other group of customers you guys had before we came in? Are you sure you're getting your facts straight?" Centshuu asked aggressively.
Because the girl couldn't understand the language, Ripply translated it into Hephsi for her.
Markieth nodded firmly
/"Yes, sir, I'm sure. Nearly every girl working here knows who you gentlemen are, thanks to Madam Bell. Also, we witnessed all six of you entering together not long ago so there's no way I'd be mistaken about this"\ she said and Ripply did the translation to Scrimis for Centshuu.
After receiving the unfortunate confirmation, Centshuu looked to the side, his thoughts dwelling on what could have compelled his friends to engage in a brawl within the Velvet Serpent? An establishment known for its elegance and discretion.
"What's the meaning of this, Centshuu?" Bell asked, annoyance evident in her voice.
Centshuu swiftly turned to face her, countering, "The meaning of what?"
"This chaos! Why on earth is your group of perverts causing a disturbance in my respectable establishment?!" Bell's anger was palpable, though she succeeded to maintain her composure.
Centshuu shrugged.
"How the hell would I know? Haven't I and Ripply been here with you the whole time? If I'm not mistaken, the news was brought to both our attention and at the same time, so why are you asking me? The boys and I came here for a purpose and we haven't fulfilled that yet so beats me why they got involved in a brawl. Maybe, the drink your girl gave them was a little bit too strong" he said then smirked cockily.
Bell retorted, "Don't you dare shift the blame! Given your pack's reputation for heavy drinking, it's ludicrous to suggest that our bear could have intoxicated them to the point of misbehavior."
Centshuu maintained his composure, deep down knowing his friends weren't drunk because there wasn't enough money to buy the needed number and quality of drinks it would take to make them so.
"Then something else must have incited them. I trust my boys, and they don't start fights without provocation, but, they sure do end them." He said, however, Bell's expression made it clear that his joke was a miss.
"Anyway, as I mentioned, we're here for a mission that's yet complete. There must be a rational explanation for the ongoing commotion. My boys wouldn't act without cause," Centshuu defended his comrades, even if it strained his relationship with Bell—a relationship already strained by the brawl involving his team and another guest.
"You trust your boys, huh?" Bell said then scoffed.
She crossed her arms and said, "Your boys that you trust so much, have you told them why you came to see me? Have you told them that you plan on making them return to that damn forsaken town, Scriiz?"
Centshuu refrained from saying anything back. He just blinked with a proud smile.
Bell chuckled "You bastard. You haven't told them shit and here you are spouting nonsense about trusting them"
"I do trust them"
"But not with this very important information?Interesting. Very interesting indeed. If I've ever seen a hypocrite— which I have, and a lot for that matter— then you'd be right above everyone else on the list, Centshuu. For fucks sake, you really are an asshole. A complete piece of shit" Bell said.
"Bell, that's enough—!" Ripply, who had gotten fed up with her insults said, but Centshuu cut him off.
"I was planning to—" Centshuu began, then paused, sighed before he continued, "I intended to inform them once we had secured everything required for our journey back to Scriiz from you."
Bell raised an eyebrow. "You intended to disclose the truth once you've spent your last Squarez on reserving a ride to that wretched town, leaving them with no other choice but to accompany you. How considerate of a leader you are," she remarked before shifting her gaze to Ripply.
"You certainly have a knack for choosing companions, Ripply," she commented, and Ripply averted his eyes.
Centshuu, unfazed, said, "Words or insults matter little to me tonight. What matters is that we're returning to that town to obtain what we need. Afterward, we'll hunt down the Ferallith and reap the rewards. We'll be wealthy once it's done—"
Bell interjected, "And what about the damages your rowdy group has caused to my establishment?! Who will bear that cost?!"
Centshuu smirked confidently.
"In that case, it seems you have no choice but to help us secure affordable passage back to Scriiz. Once our pockets are filled with Squarez, after our successful mission, I see no reason why I can't cover any incurred damages. You know what, I might even provide a little extra for new dresses for your girls," he proposed, giving a side glance at Makieth and what she was wearing.
Bell retorted, "I have no choice, you say? How 'bout I throw all of you from my establishment for causing a disturbance and you for personally irking me? How does that sound as a choice?"
Centshuu fell silent for a moment but still his expression remained unchanged.
He always anticipated her readiness to throw them out.