"Is that so?" He's still off-balance, but there's laughter in his voice again. "I'm afraid I'm very out of practice, but I'll keep the reassurance in mind."

At this rate, the blush behind his mask will be staying all evening, but...maybe that's a small price to pay for a little warmth, and company, even if the flirting remains just flirting.

"Well. Here, then." He tugs the tail loose from his belt and offers the end to Ashton. "Hold this and follow me to the bar so you don't lose me in the crowd."

The crowd isn't that rowdy, although if anyone was going to get lost in it, it's probably a small gnome. He's being deliberately silly now.