(in response to Engi) @Soldat Elf

The bartender returned a bedazzled nod at the other strange young woman who had entered. Her exotic equipment and attire was yet another wonderment to his eyes. Some suggestion of nobility, perhaps in the way she dressed, made him wonder if he should be addressing her by some elevated title. Not that he had any idea how.

"U-uh, w-welcome!…" he stammered with the offer of a humble smile.

--

(in response to Sonia) @Mas Bagus

"Fiveteen coppers for the room," she said, before placing an additional twelve pieces. "And here, for venison stew, mead, and a loaf of bread. Keep the change!"

"R-right, of course!" The bartender collected the coins, before handing Sonia the key to her room. Arrangements were made for her orders, and would soon be served – the large bowl of venison stew was hot and savory, and the barley loaf lightly spiced with herbs. The aroma of mead had already infused the room, but up close the amber-colored drink packed a headier punch. For the price, the food was fresh and abundant - a perk of small villages out in the midst of nowhere.

"Th-thank you for your patronage, we hope you enjoy your food and stay!" the bartender managed with an awkward bow.

"Th-thank you for your patronage, we hope you enjoy your food and stay!"

"You're welcome." when the bartender bowed, Sonia looked around to appreciate the cozy simplicity, the smell of old wood, and the delightful aroma from the kitchen. When her attention was on the stammering bartender again, she tried to offer a smile to ease his nervousness, because it seemed generous tipping wasn't enough...

"A lovely inn you have here, yes?" Sonia began after the bartender handed her order to the kitchen staff, her red eyes watched his every movement, (especially when he pocketed the money), yet her voice was still friendly and assuring. "How has business been lately?-- Good, I presume?"

Robert nodded at Engie, then excused himself.

"Miss Engie, my apologies, but I have things I need to do before the stores close for the day. If you'll excuse me."

He made a short, but congenial bow of his head with his hand on his chest, then turned and headed down the street, and toward the general store.

(So much to do, so little time... ... Dad's gonna be pissed.)

A few minutes later, he located his quarry; the unassuming general goods merchant's establishment. A random selection of housewares, dry goods, and other sundries lined shelves behind the large counter. In establishments like this, it was customary to tell the shopkeeper what you wanted, and they got it down for you, AFTER you paid for it.

Casually, he hailed the clerk.

---

“And I’m Jean. Nice to meet all of you.” said the young man from the far valley. Though he got the distinct feeling that no one there was interested in him or anything else he might to say. Robert and their newest acquaintance, Arthur, were talking shop about lumber and construction. Jean realized that he was left with no other commonality beyond being in the same town. Well, that was to be expected. No knowing whether these people would even be around for the mission coming up on the morrow.

Jean stayed for the moment listening to the men talk before he realized that Sonia and Engie had left for the barkeep. Not being a part of their conversation and not wanting to interrupt, Jean also silently left for the bar. He already had a room, so he wasn’t desperate for the keeps attention. He sat at the bar returning any greeting the keep might have said with a wave of his hand and a smile. Jean shifted the stool forward, the wood squeaking against the floor. Jean got comfortable waiting for the tavern keep to finish what looked to be three different conversations at once.

"So where is that bearded fellow Robert?" She asked when Engie removed her headwear, drawing some more onlookers' attention to them.

"Miss Engie, my apologies, but I have things I need to do before the stores close for the day. If you'll excuse me."

He made a short, but congenial bow of his head with his hand on his chest, then turned and headed down the street, and toward the general store.

"Oh." Engie paused to remember. "He zaid he's koing to do zomezing pefore zee sdore clozes," she said gently to the demoness. Without the helmet and goggles, let alone the natural long gray hair and darker gray eyes. She seems to look attractive and innocent, melting the demoness's soul.

"U-uh, w-welcome!…" he stammered with the offer of a humble smile.

Greeted the young innkeepers with a smile. "Kood Heffening. I vould like to haffe your piggest room, ein full-courze meal, und your taffern's zignature poose. Zank vu." She said to the young with a warmth smiled.

It seems that onlookers glaring as a gut felt. It made her feel uncomfortable.

Kaelara watched as the tavern's atmosphere subtly shifted with the arrival of the horned woman and her companion. Her sharp gaze assessed them—there was a distinct air of strangeness about the pair, enough to make even seasoned travelers murmur and gawk. Kaelara, however, was unfazed by their appearance. She had encountered all manner of beings on the road. What mattered was their intent.

Turning back to the barkeep, Kaelara gave a slow nod. "A knight, you said? Do you recall anything about him? His armor, or demeanor?" Her voice was steady, though a spark of curiosity flickered in her eyes. Information was a valuable currency, and she intended to gather as much as possible before dawn.

Noticing the demoness and the woman with striking grey hair settling in nearby, Kaelara's lips pressed into a neutral line. Despite her lone-wolf tendencies, they were all converging on the same trail. She inclined her head toward them, acknowledging their presence she dipped her spoon into her soup, taking a bite at last before adding, "I'm Kaelara Ashwyn"

Her introduction was curt but direct, fitting for someone who rarely bothered with pleasantries. Still, there was a spark of interest in her eyes.

To the barkeep, she added, "I'll take a flagon of ale to go with the stew." Her tone softened just slightly. "And thank you for indulging my questions."

Though her mind remained preoccupied with Lady Miralys' disappearance, Kaelara made a mental note of the adventurers gathering around the tavern. Like it or not, they soon be fighting side by side.

A gradually loudening array of footsteps. Flapping and crinkling sounds of a held pamphlet.
Heartbeats. Loud, thumping heartbeats.

A hunched ominous figure emerges onto the assembly hall, draped in a tattered black cloak that seemed stolen straight from Death's Robes themselves. The creature breathes heavy, its glass eyes gleaming white with a readiness to cause havoc. His right hand raises--

"Huff... Shit."

Ludwig scratches his head of hair, seemingly being too late or too early to the assembly.

Glancing further, he notices a bearded man sleeping on the floor. Ludwig walks towards him, facing the poster in his hand towards him.

"Hey. Hey, you. Did people already assemble, or are you the only one who cared to attend this?" _@Rekkuza

^{@KITCHEN GUN}
Arthur cracks open an eye, glancing at the newcomer. He raises from his bedroll to a sitting position, a jaw-cracking yawn making its way out of him. His hand reflexively finds his sword's scabbard, but the mercenary doesn't grab for it, only laying his hand over it. "Whawasit...?" he slurs, still half-asleep.

He snatches the poster from Ludwig's fingers, squinting down at it for a minute, before handing it back. "Oh, that. Yer pretty late to the party, lad. The others all left for the inn, as far as I'm aware. Pretty sure I'm the only one sleepin' here tonight." Another yawn shakes Arthur's large frame. "Sleep I'm lookin' forward to goin' back to, if ya don't mind. Go look fer the Captain if ya wanna know more, he's the one in charge of this whole thing. Should be somewhere in the building..."

With those words, Arthur lays back down, wrapping himself tightly in his travel blanket, his soft snoring quickly filling the room again.

(in response to Sonia) @Mas Bagus

The demoness's eyes on the bartender raised further discomfort in him, but her smile and friendly demeanor were reassuring. Between the captivating crimson of her gaze and the horns framing the top of her head, it was difficult to look away for even a moment.

"U-uhm, y-yeah! Business has been... good!..." The bartender stammered, not totally knowing the difference between 'good business' and otherwise. It was the sort of question his uncle would ask his father when in town; he himself was more used to the locals airing their latest stresses and grievances.

"A lot busier as of lately – with the arrival of the soldiers at first, and now you all!…" He commented with a sheepish smile. "Feels like our little village has become the focus of attention lately… albeit for the wrong reasons. I do hope you all find the poor missing Lady…"

–

(in response to Robert) @wierdw

The sturdy, well-aged gentleman behind the counter assessed Robert for a moment, eyes narrowing. "Yer not a soldier. You one of them outsiders?... Ya look a 'lil familiar, but also a 'lil strange…" The uncertainty in his slow, measured voice seemed to soften at the vague recognition of fellowship in Robert. "...Well, how can I help ya?"

–

(in response to Jean) @Randomness

Wrapped up in conversation, the bartender couldn't offer much more than a simple smile and nod towards Jean. Still, Jean's quiet presence made the bartender feel a tad bit more comfortable in the presence of the others grilling him with questions and queries.

–

(in response to Engi) @Soldat Elf

The striking accent made the bartender blink, nodding slowly as he registered Engi's requests. "R-right, of course... Our biggest room – that would be our large suite…" He confirmed to make sure he was understanding her correctly. "And a full course meal, got it… and booze. We've got plenty of that!" His wide eyes shone with a glint of unease. If she truly was foreign nobility, he dared not accidentally offend her in any way. And though he was curious about her origins, he refrained from asking.

"...The total would be… 35 copper pieces, please!" He chirped with a gracious smile, straightening his posture like a personal attendant. Following payment, her orders would soon be processed and served, and the key to her room presented to her.

–

(in response to Kaelara) @JP

Turning back to Kaelara, the bartender mused for a moment in recollection. "Yes, a knight… her bodyguard, perhaps… they seemed close, and kept to themselves for the most part. His armor… it was light in color, mildly decorated. Not like the soldiers who came here recently. Probably had a more personal role? I can't say I know the first thing about knights or soldiers though."

Scratching his head, he gave her an abashed look, before continuing. "His demeanor… he seemed serious, I suppose. Courteous, but also, concerned?... I don't know…" His expression scrunched as he further tried to assess the mood of a man shrouded in foggy memory. Slowly, he shook his head with uncertainty. "...I'm sorry but I can't remember much more…"

To her follow-up request of a flagon of ale, the bartender relaxed with an accommodating smile. "Of course, coming right up!" He reached for a clean mug and filled it to the brim with bubbling beverage, placing it before Kaelara. "That'll be three coppers, please!"

At the softening of her tone, the bartender could feel himself ease up. His smile turned more natural and a light blush colored his cheeks. "H-happy to be of help, ma'am! If you have any more questions, just let me know!"