[Uh. Wait, this isn't going as planned?? Um?? Just give him a moment to drain the rest of his drink so he doesn't have to look at either of them and can buy himself a few more seconds to come up with an answer—]

The Manor of the Wicked is for members of my guild first and foremost. Besides, why would you want to stay outside of Dahngrest? It is quite the walk, and you'd have to deal with plenty of monsters. So really, no point in considering it further!

[aaaaand he's busying himself getting a refill, let's just move on!!!

...but yeah, here's a free hand after he's done with that, okay.]