Mismatched. Aleksei's expression creases, guilty concern writ inescapably large for a moment before he forcibly wrenches those emotions away. Doki won't appreciate that. He'll have to keep that to himself.

It would be easier if it had been him in the cart. But that isn't what happened.

"No one likes Kirkwall," Aleksei confirms without hesitation. He hadn't much liked cities anyway. Too closed in, too many people, not enough ways out to be convenient. Not that any of that mattered now. They'd have to get used to it.

He has the urge to reach over and cover Yevdokiya's hand with his own. If this were only as simple as putting a glove over her hand—

"I hear it is filled with pirates now," He continues, stirring his stew, voice pitched low. "And other questionable folk. Could be good for us. Perhaps they are not so concerned with what we do when we aren't being useful."

His voice trips delicately over useful. What is useful to these people? Aleksei does not care to find out.

"Maybe we learn how to fence what we steal. Pirates are good for that, aren't they?"

It would have made certain escapades of their easier in the past. How often can they send their sweet mother a beautifully carved vase when they'd all rather have coin?