"Clingy!" Her mouth fell open in shock as she echoed the insult. "What an awful accusation to make. I most certainly do not get clingy!" Ellie folded her arms and tossed her head with an indignant huff. Had he said as much in reality, she wouldn't have been needled, but feigning a quick temper would make her seem more impulsive and less intelligent...and thus, more easily underestimated, if they were indeed being watched.

"Hmph. You force them to take the first swing. I know you all to well, brother." She smiled at him slyly over her shoulder before tightening the buckles of her weapon sheaths hanging from her belt. "Do try to keep the property damage to a minimum. We are still guests in this city, remember."

Ellie opened the door with a mocking little bow as she made a motion for Malik to step through first. She suspected someone would surely attempt to force entry into their room while they were gone, if they had the poor misfortune to fall under suspicion so soon, and she'd made sure spies would find only what the two of them wanted to be found.

The bar itself was more dismal and solemn than Ellie anticipated. Most kept to themselves, drinking sullenly and casting suspicious glances at the door. The bartender bit every coin he was passed. The most noise game from the bangaa dicing in the corner, banging steins of foul-smelling liquor with shouts of triumph and camaraderie.

Ellie regarded that particular table coolly, as if the two Elezen were above such things, before selecting a stool to perch upon.