---

Jean smiled as Sonia introduced herself. He could tell from her tone she wasn’t happy. About what, Jean couldn’t say. Perhaps about the accommodations, or maybe even his interjection. However, she still answered him and resigned to going to the inn for the night. Jean opened his mouth to say something as Sonia turned expecting him to follow. He did a little two step getting his feet in order as he walked up to Sonia.

“Right, of course.” he said as the two were about to leave the hall. Before they got far, another of the potential prospects appeared. She was on the shorter side, young looking, yet with silver gray hair. She had a strong accent Jean couldn’t place, but he was able to mostly understand her. This woman, introducing herself as Engie, carried with her a rather large case on wheels. Jean couldn’t help but think even with the wheels, that case would be cumbersome to tote around. Still, she sounded like she needed the inn, as well. She also appeared friendly.

“We were just about to leave for the tavern and inn.” said Jean, “You should probably get a room to drop off that bag before you do much shopping. I know the captain has a decent number of supplies for those opting to volunteer, so there’s that to consider. Though, given the size of your luggage, it’s hard to imagine you would need anything more. Still. You’re more than welcome to tag along with us.”

Jean turned to Sonia. Though Jean just met her, Sonia didn’t seem like the kind to play around. With Engie now, the number of people who seemed more than sure to be for the rescue attempt seemed to be growing before the day was even over. Hopefully that would bode well for the captain’s efforts. “Anyway, Engie, I’m jean. Nice to meet you. And this is Sonia. We’ve only just met. I look forward to working with you. Both of you. So, to the inn we go?”

Sonia waved a hand at the blonde girl. "Sonia Alhathya here, pleased to meet you."

Sonia studied the girl, her features, her accent, and the luggage she brought with her. The latter caught her attention more, and the recollection of the girl declaring the potential explosion brought a ripple of concern.

When the girl was starting to act bothered by her brief but intense scrutiny, the young demoness spoke. "I believe if your equipment is as dangerous as you described, I'd rather have it here than the inn. Or better, somewhere far away from other people." Sonia was still smiling when she said that, and her tone was warm. A perfect gesture of friendliness for the onlookers, but for those gazed by her red-slitted eyes, the glare flashed a crystal-clear message. "Don't you agree?"
@Randomness @Soldat Elf
_____

On the other corner of the hall, Sonia heard the bearded timberman discussing with the old swordsman about his findings and the result of his parlay with the captain. Suffice to say, he brought some interesting information; that the town had a Herbalist who might know more, that the captain promised 3 days' worth of supplies for them, and his suspicion of the captain not being thoroughly honest with them.

After her business in the inn is done, she will check this herbalist as well. Sonia might had a thing in her purse to make their interview more productive. @wierdw

(in response to Kaelara) @JP

The young barkeep blinked at Kaelara, nodding along nervously as he registered her requests. "Y-yes, of course, a room for the night… and a hot meal – r-right away, ma'am! That'll be twenty copper pieces please! A-and the special today is mushroom soup with venison!"

He offered her a cheery smile, and then gestured to an older, gruffer man peeking out from the back rooms, sternly clutching a spatula. The older man peered at Kaelara with weighing eyes, before disappearing to the kitchens.

[Should Kaelara pay the coppers, the barkeep would present her with a key to her room, located upstairs]

Turning back to Kaelara and pondering her inquiry about the missing noble, the barkeep broke into a sheepish smile. "I-I'm afraid I don't know much about that, milady. We told the soldiers everything we know… which isn't a lot. Lady Miralys stayed here for an evening some weeks ago. She kept to herself for the most part, and I never really got to speak with her. She did seem a bit... preoccupied, though. Th-that's about all I can tell you..."

Meanwhile, Kaelara was receiving a mix of glances from the other patrons, from veiled suspicion to yearning intrigue. From the corner of the room emanated the quaint sound of a lute playing a folkish tune. Deft fingers plucking at strings, the bard playing the instrument shot a playful wink at Kaelara from afar.

Soon Kaelara's meal was brought and placed in front of her at the bar. The aroma of mushrooms, wild game, and seasonal herbs mixed into a savory blend that gently steamed from atop the large serving bowl filled with soup.

"H-hope you enjoy!" The barkeep smiled shyly at her, one hand fiddling with the other.

"It is zarcasm. Anyvay, zoze Hexbloziffes do not haffe fuzes yet. Zo it is fine, as like ein candle vizout fire nearpy." Engie said to her fellow party members nearby.

She then looked on demoness huntress. "Anyvay, Miss Zonia. Vould like to schare vith me in zee room? I'm baying up for tvo in room zat to check in. Zince zee ozer voman had peen left Halready..." She said.

"It is zarcasm. Anyvay, zoze Hexbloziffes do not haffe fuzes yet. Zo it is fine, as like ein candle vizout fire nearpy." Engie said to her fellow party members nearby.

Sonia had been on the road long enough but this bubbly princess in front of her was one heck of a specimen. In hindsight, she looked like a wayward noble girl whose smartness encompasses many things but lacks it in the common sense department. Sonia noticed that when she explained the nature of her words earlier; a sarcasm, she said. And suffice to say Sonia wasn't impressed by the girl's explanation.

Still, she intently listened to her, until the point when Engie changed the topic by offering her a room to share.

"Zince zee ozer voman had peen left Halready...

"Miss Engie," Sonia said, discarding her trademark friendliness and swapping it with blunt assertiveness. "I'd like to accept your offer, but as it stands now it seems you intend to bring explosive ordnances into a public lodging establishment without any surety but your words only. Hence, for now, I would say no, and I'd greatly appreciate it if you would pay more attention to your accouterments and ensure they are stored safely, handled responsibly, and informed to nearby authorities. Danke schön."

Giving the girl an enigmatic smile, the demoness turned to Jean and added teasingly. "But, what about master Jean? Why not invite him instead?"

---

“Wait, so you were being serious about having explosives?” said Jean is slight surprise. When Engie first mentioned blowing up the inn, Jean thought the gray haired woman was being protective of her decidedly numerous possessions. However, despite trying to pass if off as sarcasm, she all but confirmed she had bombs within her pack. Jean coughed and closed his eyes, quickly composing himself.

“W-well if she traveled this far with them. I would certainly hope she knows how to pack them away so there aren’t any accidents.” Despite trying to give Engie the benefit of the doubt, Jean’s tone of voice still betrayed some worry. He took a step back, but remained in the proximity of the two other women he was conversing. He had conflicting thoughts trying to justify that Engie probably knew what she was doing, and the fact that she had fused bombs only a couple feet away.

“I already have a room at the inn.” said Jean, somehow the change in topic quelling any uncertainty of their newest acquaintance, “So I’m going to have to pass bunking up with our ordinance expert. However, I’m sure there are others in need of lodging who are opting not to remain in the assembly hall. If finding enough beds is the issue, you could probably bunk with one of them. I think I saw a couple already leaving to the tavern already. Maybe you could catch up with them. Like I said before, Sonia and I were just about to head there ourselves.”

“Wait, so you were being serious about having explosives?”

Sonia silently sniffed the air and whispered 'yes' to no one in particular. Whatever that meant, the demoness masked it with genuine affability as she turned at Engie and spoke.

"Regardless, feel free to tag along if you feel so inclined."

As cautious as she may, Sonia was not one to enforce anything on someone, and Jean's assessment had a slight merit to it. Still, she expects a certain degree of thoughtfulness from this girl. At least inform the barkeep of her luggage so the correct precaution can be taken.

Sonia turned to Jean again gesturing him to take the lead and start moving. "You seem like a regular around here. Are there any specialties in that inn you can recommend? Well, let's not tarry any longer, shall we? Tell me about this place while we go there."

@Randomness@Soldat Elf