Movement caught the newcomer's eye, his scarlet gaze shifting to watch as that tattooed man stepped behind the bar. It was a bit surprising to him, given his first impression of the man. Perhaps he was just a regular, familiar with the tavern? Perhaps the barmaid wasn't the only staff tending the bar today, and in fact this abrasive seeming stranger was a local bartender.

Whatever the case was, he was glad to be offered a drink. It was what he'd came for after all.

"Hm." Still undecided, he took a moment to look back over the shelf display, considering what exactly it was he wanted. Just then, a flash of red and white darted onto the stool beside him. Red hues of a different shade followed the tiny bird as it then, seeming to his eye almost indignant, hopped up from its perch onto the bar. Its behavior was curious to him, more pointed and confident than one would normally expect from a bird. Perhaps it wasn't wild after all... or had otherwise just grown comfortable around humans. At any rate, it flew off again as swiftly as it had arrived, alighting on some round object on the other side of the room. He couldn't quite determine what it was, but the sight was faintly amusing. It looked to the quiet patron's eyes as though the bird had settled to nurse some comically oversized egg.

...

[i]...Something was wrong.[/i]

It took a few moments for him to notice, a few moments longer to react. As the tavern suddenly grew quiet, all the noise unnaturally dispelled as like a painting muddled by water, the dark garbed visitor went still and alert in his seat. A hand drifted back down to his side as he made ready to stand, sharp eyes darting around the room in search of... [i]something.[/i]

When 'something' appeared, [i]plopping[/i] into existence from thin air, the sound that accompanied it was answered by the much quieter [i]click[/i] of a firearm's hammer being primed. The newcomer's hand was already on his weapon, scarlet eyes glaring squarely at the product of that nightmarish silence.

The well polished pistol would be disappointed, however, as it didn't even get to clear its holster.

What had emerged unbidden into the tavern was not some inscrutable horror, but a bewildered old man in ruddy robes, looking a measure more alarmed than even those who'd witnessed his arrival. Still the now slightly-less-new newcomer eyed that cheerful seeming wizard a moment longer, his posture remaining cautious and ready. Only once he was satisfied that the old man was just that, an old man in need of a drink, did he begin to relax again. With a long exhale he carefully lowered the hammer back to a safe position, settling back into his seat.

Another deep breath was warranted as his gloved hand returned to the bar top, slender fingers drumming restlessly on the wood. [i]Wine.[/i] Yes, a wine was what he needed. A rich, relaxing [i]red[/i] to quiet his nerves.

"Red wine, [i]please.[/i]" His tone was clear, polite, yet slightly strained as he addressed the man behind the counter. He'd finally settled on what drink he wanted.

Just in time, too, as yet again a bundle of red and white nearly interrupted him. Though it was much bigger this time, relatively speaking. What was a [i]child[/i] doing at the bar? Whose kid was this? Staring baffled from beneath his worn hat, the snowy haired patron blinked a couple times before some recognition set in. Those feathers, though very strange, looked familiar. A vibrant, fiery plumage like only one he'd seen before. He glanced back across the room to confirm, finding no trace of that unusual bird.

Huh. Well, it [i]had[/i] seemed oddly intelligent.

Turning back to watch as the boy was scolding his elder, he let out a quietly bemused huff through his nose. What a strange place he'd stumbled into...

After a moment, he turned his attention to where his arms rested on the bar top, pointedly keeping to himself. Kindly magicians and bird children were none of his concern at the moment. He'd sought out a tavern to wind down, relax and have a nice drink. He'd already had enough excitement as of late.