There's a rub there, as Elidibus is listening. Gatetown? He picked up on its existence when he took Ardbert's body. What better sort of place to bring his message that everyone could be a hero than Eulmore's detritus. Leave it to mortal man, to place their dinner table right next to their septic pit. Anyway, listening to her gives him time to wonder whether something would have existed in Ardbert's time. Perhaps he can avoid familiarity suggesting one thing or another. He settles on an impression of a neutral response. After all, she could be talking about a place here as much as a place near Ardbert's homeland.

Let's be fair. That 'half-day' was more tracking him down and pinning a specific identity than not knowing it was an Ascian. Right now, 'Ardbert's' grin widens as he provokes her to pout and point levels of prickled pride. It's not malicious or anything. Just what he feels his host body might have been seen doing in this circumstance.

"Sorry!" Clearly that grin does mean he's not very sorry. Still, he raises both his hands (the one hanging onto the bag as best it can be anyway) and holds them palm out as though to ward off Irhya's pout. "But if it's about materials and expenses, and you know that Tataru's good for handling ledgers, why not just speak to her and see if you can't work on something together?"

No more impatience with part-time jobs! A professional businesswoman handling the books. More things to think of than whether Ardbert sounds too much like Elidibus! It would be a win-win...-win.

Surely Irhya has thought of this before?