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Ah, so at least it did seem like things had a standard within the Oban rankings. It wasn't as if Alinta doubted it but then sometimes the way others spoke about the military at events...well things just seemed a bit more unorganized and rougher in her mind. She should have known better, especially considering some of the uppity types that such nonsense came from. Why had she even doubted in the first place? All Alinta could do was nod, listening to Torsten as he described things while pondering them.

"Oh? They probably would want the xaraan returned, right?" Alinta confirmed with a small smile. "If I took one I think I would get too attached then it would be hard to let go. I suppose there's trainers within the army though since someone has to help with the cavalry. I wouldn't want to step on their toes, but at the same time Xaraan shouldn't rampage like that." They couldn't simply bring in wild beasts or that would cause too much chaos. Some of the troops did tame their own and work with them but then there were the mounts that were provided to recruits who were bred for battle and known for their loyalty and companionship to soldiers.

"Ah, yeah." Alinta nodded, flustered by being called a runner even though she had hoped she could get away with being seen as one. "Ladies are such sticklers for clean things that they would never dare walk below the upper streets. Only soldiers that see them are probably those who attend events and are hired as guards or something." She managed before darting inside to browse through the display of herbs. Alinta purchased a basket as well which she carried on her arm once she had filled it with the herbs requested by her mother. One would think that she was supplying a full infirmary with all the different ingredients! Still, once Alinta handed over the golden coins she was thankful that Torsten wasn't nearby to see exactly how much she was spending.

While it wasn't a large quantity of each type of herbs the varieties that she was picking up were a bit more rare and costly as a result. Either way once the purchase was finished she nodded to the shopkeep who bowed respectfully as Alinta left. "Torsten? I got what I needed. So now about that drink?"

Wouldn't it be tempting to lie and keep the xaraan then? She opened her mouth before closing it tightly. Then that would surely be a matter of pride and that was important in their society. Who would want a beast tamer who had a bad reputation because they couldn't train one xaraan? Fair enough. So she didn't argue the point anymore. It was probably best if she just went and sought out a mount later for herself, without needing to take it by tricking the Oban army. At least she now had the herbs and the paperwork so that she could relax for the remainder of the day. Alinta made certain the latch was closed on the basket of herbs, carrying it along as she followed Torsten.

This was a tavern? Alinta tilted her head with confusion, studying the place. "It's a bit smaller than I imagined." She admitted, the admission making her cheeks flush ever so slightly. Was that acceptable to say? What type of errand girl had never been to a tavern before? Coughing slightly she straighted and looked over at Torsten. "I mean compared to the ones that I've been too before. There's so many though that I keep forgetting them and they just kind of merge together with all that errands I run." She turned away to try to hide the embaressment that crossed her features, Alinta momentarily distracted by all the noise. It was rather rowdy, wasn't it? "Got it." Alinta kept going forward until she saw a smaller side table with three chairs, the fourth one was obviously missing or broken but that was fine for her since she only needed two chairs. One for herself and another to place her basket on, the girl tugging the chair close to her so that she could reach it quickly in case someone decided to try anything.

"I guess you must find this one cozier." As did so many other people. How did almost twenty earthlings cram into such a small place? Then again maybe it wasn't that small, just a bit cramped compared to the mansions that Alinta was used to visiting. Her mother did have a favorite teashop but that was in the upper district with even an outer patio and a wrap around...okay so maybe common life was a bit different from what she was accustomed to. She noticed the smirk but opted not to respond, simply following Torsten's example by brushing off the area in front of her. "I suppose I could grab a bite." She acknowledged with a nod. "I was so busy running around this morning that I didn't think to grab food. You said they have pie?" It wasn't her first choice but then again having food in a tavern was probably not normally a healthy or fancy affair, was it? "I suppose I can take a slice with my coffee as well. Do we just wait on them to appear or order elsewhere?" She glanced around, not accustomed to even having to wait on a server. Did that guy just smack at the server's behind? But then she was smacking him back so Alinta supposed it was just a bit of teasing. This will take getting used to. That was for certain.

Alinta blinked with confusion, the hybrid simply watching the interaction unfold. "Ah." She had managed to get out the noise before closing her mouth again to let Torsten speak with Zuzette. At least she was assuming that was the server's name since Torsten had said it so casually. "Cocky, hmm?" She managed quietly before raising a hand to cover her mouth, her confusion quickly turning into amusement. She would consider it confidence perhaps, but at least she agreed saying humble was a bit of a stretch from what she had learned of Torsten so far. Then the attention turned back to her and she felt her cheeks warming once more. Why would she need to purchase blush with how easily her cheeks gave away her emotions?! Seriously, it was different to receive indirect compliments or the usual polite etiquette but having others so openly say nice things truly startled her.

"I think just coffee and pie for me." Agreed Alinta once she regained her composure, the girl straightening up in her chair. "If you have some sweet cream then I'll put it into the coffe..." She saw the look across Zuzette's face and realized it may be a bit much asking to sweeten her drink and so Alinta shook her head. "I mean, just bold is fine! Just like how I like it." She nodded with a determined expression. The pie would be sweet enough, right?

"Pfft." Zuzette smiled. "We'll see what I can add in the back, no worries." She glanced over at Torsten as if making certain there wasn't anything else on his end either before going towards the kitchen.

"Ah, I see. That does make sense." Replied Alinta with a small nod, thinking about her request some more. "I guess soldiers prefer their coffee bitter and strong to wake them up, right?" She questioned before settling back in her chair thoughtfully. There were quite a few things she had to still learn about everything it seemed. If she hadn't been traveling between Matori and their manors in Oba then perhaps she could have taken more time to just wander the streets. Her mother did open a healing clinic to help out others, but it was always so busy there and not really a taste of what daily life was for the average soldier or the like. It was a place of healing, a refuge where they tried to help and make others as comfortable as possible. Alinta just didn't have the abilities to heal like her mother though and had focused more on just honing her strength, as frustrating as it was sometimes.

"Hmm?" Alinta blinked at the question, her mouth opening to answer bluntly before she closed it again. How did she put this? It probably wasn't best to disclose that she was carrying plans for the higher ranks within her belongings and so Alinta just started to piece together an idea in her mind. "Just documents, some old training manuals for a scholar who asked me to run an errand. He had a friend at the encampment but didn't have the time to leave the library for them." She gave a slight shrug. "I figured why not? I enjoy running about and picking up some papers for pay seemed like a steal. What about you though? Been in that particular regiment for long? Are you a Sulburi native or from the countryside or something?"

"I see." Who knew that going out to pick up some plans would result in Alinta learning so much today? Either way she tried to maintain a neutral expression even though she was actually very intrigued by Torsten's answers. There were so many details that she had never known that she was quickly realizing while being out and about in the city like this. "I suppose I should try that. I've always had a bit of a sweet tooth which is why I prefer something in my coffee."

Alinta blinked at his reaction to her cover story. "What do you mean? Isn't spreading knowledge a good thing?" She replied with confusion, her brows furrowing at why it would be a waste for her to help out. Not that it was actually her role, but now she was getting invested in Ali, the errand girl and wanted to understand why it would be a shame to deliver plans and the like. It also didn't help that her attempt to deflect the conversation away from her and back towards Torsten was not working as he simply waved off her questions. So much for that tactic! Maybe sometimes reading military strategies was not quite as effective as she thought? "What do you mean by more?" Alinta tilted her head thoughtfully, the question actually giving her pause. She had only ever thought of staying faithful to the family and doing her best to support her mother and keep the others safe. They had given her so much...her expression faltered. "I don't mind the way my life is at the moment. I've just never been really given the chance to consider what options there are, honestly." It wasn't as if her family was going to put her into an arranged marriage or anything so she never had seen what lay ahead beyond her studies and just supporting Calix as head of the family one day. "It would be interesting to pick up more experience and skills...but I am alright supporting others too, if that makes sense."

A sly smile slowly crossed Alinta's lips as she listened to Torsten. "I didn't realize that you were part of the recruitment sector." She teased quietly, settling back once a teen dropped off a coffee and an ale for Torsten. "Pie will be comin' soon, Zuzette will be bringin' it over. Hope the milk is nuff, miss." He explained with a smile, his gaze lingering on Alinta expectantly until she swirled the coffee around and took a sip. It was admittedly less bitter than it could have been but there was still a tinge to it that nearly made her wince. She could endure it though! What type of errand girl faltered because she wanted something sweet instead of bitter? So Alinta put on a smile and nodded encouragingly towards the boy. "Thank you." She received a toothy grin in return before he nodded and darted off towards the kitchens.

"Where was I?" Alinta set down the coffee, wrapping her hands around the warm mug to soak in its worth as she pondered Torsten's perspective. "I suppose it's something to think about. I never thought of joining the military before, but I would like to do my best to help others. I'm not much of one for the spotlight so anything that would let me keep trouble away from loved ones, especially trouble that needs punched in the face, would be intriguing. Is leadership why you joined the military? Hoping to be a commander one day?"