[ it was not his cat. cas was just helping out with her thumb and height deficiencies, it's a public service he was happy to provide. that wasn't the plan when he struck out for the midnight stroll, just where he ended up.

jaskier suggests a bath, and cas looks down at his person, giving his own shoulder a quick sniff. maybe the bard's advice isn't misplaced, he had been clinging to a chicken earlier. between that and cat assistance, he's certainly not smelling like roses.

apparently there's that and a good deal of other things he's so clearly lacking this stranger's been compelled to make comment. baffled, he's searching over himself, making sure he'd put on everything that's commonly expected of a human to wear out in public - pants, shirt, shoes, okay. hat? was he supposed to put on a hat? why didn't dean tell him he needed a hat?? there's a moment of trying to examine his own back, and cas nearly pulls a dog-chasing-its-tail before the grabbed hand keeps him in place. ]

Oh, um. My apologies, how embarrassing. [ a beat, and a thoughtful frown. ] Hygiene aside, what other things am I lacking?

[ clearly something that involves commerce, since the bard's pushing money into his hand, but who is he supposed to take this money to now? he'd known the middle ages were more particular on societal demands and appropriate dress for station, but he hadn't been prepared for this. already mired in confusion, he doesn't follow the part about mages any better, head shifting to a bird-like tilt. ]

Does being a bard make your insistence on paying me more trustworthy? [ serious question, and his hand is still hovering there where jaskier put it, flat, coin in palm, outstretched between them, like he's a life-sized ken doll to be adjusted around as needed. ] Is there a service tied to this?

[ is he signing up for something, or did this man just make a purchase from him? what even has happened here. ]