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Caliphas is the city of fog. A place where the thirsty waters meet the Hungry Mountains. A place of towering spires, cathedrals of colored glass, grim stone gargoyles and weeping alabaster angels. A place of music and light for the chosen few, and mist and darkness for the common throng. The streets are crowded with people from all the countries touching the waters of Lake Encarthan, brought by the sleek messenger ships and fat and wallowing merchant galleys. It is said that everything can be bought somewhere on the cobbled streets of Caliphas - for a price.
While much of the city’s commerce is conducted in shops and stands throughout the varied districts, it’s said that one can find anything one wants on Barragaro road. From dusk to dawn, vendors, barrow boys, and traders of all types loudly haggle over goods, from folksy crafts and jerked fish skewers to stolen wares and mysterious curiosities.
A novelty on Barragaro road is an inn. A winter ago, several buildings caught fire. Fortunately, nobody was hurt - but nevertheless a glaring charred ruin was left in one of the most busy parts of the city. Several months after the event, someone bought the burned buildings and brought dwarven masons and elven gardeners to build something new.
Now, a huge 4 stories tall building stands and bright light shines through large windows of the double height ground floor.
A sign of golden pig on a stake rotates above the door and criers stand at the front, shouting at the top of their voices: "Welcome! Welcome! The Golden Pig Inn is open for business! Welcome!"
Wily Ondir walked into the Inn and studied his surroundings, in particular his eyes were scanning for rare and tasty wine...
perception check
Jayla arrived at Caliphas' port on board of her merchant employer's tradeship. She had spent her time thus far at the fortress-city of Aaramor, so this was an interesting change of scene.
As the merchant set up shop at the market, Jayla was tasked to "reserve" a table at the inn.
And so the hooded woman walked into the inn. Her eyes observed the establishment before finding an empty table.
She sat down, waiting for her employer to come in.
The man nods curtly to the criers at the door as he enters the Golden Pig. Giving a cursory glance around the room, he walks up to the bar. ”An ale,” he says.
While he waits, he removes his backpack and places it at his feet. ”How much is a meal?” he asks as he looks for an empty table. ”And why a golden pig?”
Coming in through the door you see a woman of 6 foot 3, a muscular and curvy build, with Red hair, Amber eyes and fair skin.
But the most striking feature are the two straight horns on her head just above the ear, pointing to her back and up a bit.
She is wearing a explorer's clothes with a chain shirt, and is carrying a Great sword on her back, and a long sword at her hip.
The lady looks for an empty table and finds none.
She finds one with one person and asks
"Do you mind if I sit here?"
Raskir looked around the tavern. Dressed in furs and skins, he carried a traveler's pack and leaned on a long carved spear adorned with feathers. A small grey owl perched on his shoulder. At home in the wild places of the world, the city made him uneasy. Still, the spirits had led him here, to Ustalav. Perhaps he would find a clue to his heritage here, in this land of darkness and mysteries.
A man with a rapier at his side and a faint air of foppishness about himself seats himself at the bar and places a gold coin on the table "Greetings, good sir, I shall have a glass of your finest wine and some beef stew with a loaf of bread."
Jayla looks around the tavern again now that she is seated.
She notices a woman who appears of elven lineage.
An elven female. Interesting, the first elf in a tavern full of humans.
From underneath her hood she nods.
As she replies, she does so in fluent elven tongue. Maybe surprisingly, thusfar the folk in the tavern have been humans.
"<I mind not. However, when my employer is done with his task at the market he will arrive here too.>"
Caliphas. Been here before. How long ago? Five years? Five hundred?
Shaking his head, the man pulls his cloak tighter around himself, shivering in the fog.
Barragaro Road. I once knew a girl from here. No you didn't, when would I have ever met her? You didn't, but I did.
"Quiet," he mutters to himself, ducking into the nearest inn - the Golden Pig, judging by the criers out the front. As he passes, he scans their faces, finding nothing. No memories of these people, then. That was good.
Senses overwhelm him as he enters the tavern, pulling off his hood. He stands there - a tall, slim Varisian man of about twenty-five, clean-shaven, thick black hair cut short and neat. Eyes sweeping across the room, he approaches the bar, already digging in his coin pouch.
Eyes skipping quickly over the room, he sees mainly plain faces, though he has to fight his mind to avoid dwelling on them. When a man wielding a rapier seats himself nearby, requesting beef stew and bread, he raises his eyebrows slightly. "I'll have the same," he says softly to the barkeep. "Though I don't wish for the finest wine. As long as it's dry and red, I'll be satisfied." He then falls silent, fiddling with his coin, seemingly distracted.
Valeria replies
"Thanks, this place is getting packed."
She flags a barmaid to order her meal.
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Although the huge double-height common room is thronged with people seemingly from all corners of Golarion, one large table stands empty - right in the middle of the room. Although there are twelve chairs at the table, only one of them is filled.
A dirty-looking man in a leather coat and tricorn hat glumly sits and drinks beer from large frosted glass, which he delicately holds in hand gloved in riveted iron piece of armor. From the distance, the only thing that can be seen of the man is that his beard is long and dirty, and that he wears a patch across one eye. All in all, he looks distinctly villainous.
Seeing this strange man with a beard Ondir walks over and takes a seat directly opposite from and looks at him curiously...
Valeria ask her table mate
"Were you looking for that gentleman over there?"
as she points to the table.
Jayla moves her head to look past Valeria.
Sticking to common for the time being she replies;
"A..gentleman? The type of man who takes care of his looks and mannerism, polite towards others....
The man at the table does not meet those standards on looks, most likely with his social skills as well."
If the barmaid asks Jayla if she wants to eat anything, she'll have a few slices of bread and a mug of ale.
Leather coat. A traveller? Worker? Just trying to keep out the weather most like; but does it even look like rain?
"Shut up," Henric mutters to himself. His fingers fly to the small flask of potion in his coat pocket, knowing he can drown out the voices when he retires to a room for the evening.
Tricorn hat. Saw that once in the Shackles. The Lusty Maiden, remember her? Fine vessel she was. No I don't remember, that was you, not me. Ah but you are me, or were once. Tricorn. Remember. Delicate touch on that glass; odd considering the gauntlet. Not so odd, maybe he's holding it with care because of the gauntlet. Is he wearing more armour? Don't know, can't tell under the coat. Would you all just shut up; I'm trying to watch.
Sipping his wine, Henric watches the bearded man, studying him carefully, trying to get a feel for his movements, his mannerisms - and trying to gain some insight as to his motivations and intentions.
More patrons who looks "less than average" seem to wander in.
Jayla observes the man who just sat down opposed to the "pirate".
Nothing outstanding catches her eye yet...
More than that, another man ()catches her attention. This "Varisian"'s mannerism is different somehow. She tries to focus her hearing and sight on him alone as he sits at the bar, looking at the central table..
Her focus worked...for a short time her hearing and vision became quite sharp.
..."Shut up,", this voice was heard coming in just a little while ago, but it didn't seem to be aimed at anybody around him.
On a low voice, half adressed to Valeria;"That "Varisian" at the bar is talking to nobody in the room. Unless there be somebody who cannot be seen with him, his mental condition must be bad."
She didn't need it, but she stood up to get another mug of ale from the counter.
Still covered in her hood, not looking sideways at him and waiting for her drink, she dropped a few lines towards . But on a tone low enough only he'd hear it.
"I've seen Varisians, but none yet whom have an arguement with the air or such nearly black eyes. You must be a special breed.". Receiving her drink she walks back to the table she and Valeria were sitting at.
Henric blinks as the woman addresses him, but keeps his gaze directed at the strange bearded man, giving no indication that he heard. After a few more moments of studying, he makes his way to the table where the red-headed woman was talking to another, more muscular redhead. He helps himself to a chair, sitting silently for half a minute or so before suddenly asking, "I'm sorry, but do I know you? Or have I known you in the past?"
Red hair both of them what are the odds of-
well you obviously weren't around in Taldor last century with the twins that was a fine-
these ones aren't bad to look at either, though I preferred-
silence you're distracting me I need to-
you weren't distracted then in fact you loved it when they-
hey I had red hair once in-
yes but you never looked-
shut up shut up
Drowning the whispers with another mouthful of wine, he watches the two women, awaiting an answer. I'm a fool for doing this, he thinks, knowing for certain that these thoughts are his own. For putting myself out like this.
From underneath the hood she looks at the man. Though she could reply in Varisian, since Valeria is at the table she sticks to common.
"Chances that we have are almost non-existent. I have only been in Numeria for 1 1/2 years and have seen many people, but i do not recall having seen you before. Yet you speak as if you have been around for quite some time."
Rolling to see if he shows any change of expression.
A patron seems to take an interest in the pockets of , a well dressed man is usually wealthy. Jayla noticed it and right when the man was reaching for 's pockets, she swiftly draws her rapier, keeping it an inch away from the man's private parts. Since she had to tilt her head slightly to the left, her pale skin was accentuated by a lock of bright red hair. But the rest of her face remains yet hidden.
"You are advised to remove your hand there, lest you wish to become a eunich."
Watching the show with great interest Ondir's eyes were briefly diverted by the woman with a rapier and the apparent pick pocket...
"I... apologise. I must have confused you with someone else."
No, it's her. HAS to be. She's lying, you know she was always good at that.
It's not her. I've never seen her before. And despite your best efforts, I am NOT going crazy.
"You see, my memory isn't quite what it used to be. I've been-"
Behind you.
Without taking his eyes off the woman, he grips the top of his cane, drawing it enough to show two inches of steel. "It's quite alright," he says calmly. "He'll move. He's smart enough to know that remaining here is a bad idea."
Hand still calmly resting on his cane, he continues, "I've been travelling some time now. And our friend here might be disappointed to know that as a result, my purse isn't as heavy as my attire may suggest."
Fellow to our right. Green skin. Watching us. Keep an eye on him.
hmmm..."fun"
Ondir seeing the discomfort that his gaze was causing to the man focused his gaze even more so in the infamous way several fey predators focused upon a particularly juicy meal...
As Raskir enters, he dismisses his owl, sending her out to hunt. He comes in and orders a bowl of stew and finds a seat at the mostly empty table, nodding at the dirty-bearded stranger.
Level 0
Detect Magic
Light
Create Water
Mending
Level 1
Cure Light Wounds
Command
Jayla gracefully sheaths her rapier. She puts back the lock of hair into the hood. While doing so, her sleeve slightly goes back an inch or two, faintly revealing some strange lightblue markings on her pale skin.
"So mister, for what reason do you have an arguement with the air around you?"
"I wasn't arguing," he says carefully, attempting to defend himself. He lets the blade drop - his cane is just a cane again. "I have... a very active mind, nothing more. And sometimes, I need to tell my thoughts to be quiet awhile. Unfortunately, I do tend to lose track of where I am, and sometimes my wishes for silence end up more vocal than I would like." He smiles wryly.
"Also, I am but a traveller, hardly worthy of such formal address. My name is Henric. Use it as you will." His dark eyes twinkle over the rim of his glass as he sips more wine.
Those markings. Tattoos? Varisian? No, not Varisian, she's too pale. Adopted maybe? Even so, I've never seen ink that light. Not in this lifetime. I don't recognize the patterns, either. How odd.
For fun's sake, rolling for Sense motive, racial penalty -4..
Not having associated with many people directly, any subtle flaws in his response elude her.
"If one would wish for silence, an inn is quite an unpractical place to be at."
"It makes more sense than you might think," the Varisian winks. "You see, the drone of background noise gives me something to focus on, to keep myself distracted. The wine helps as well, though." His smile widens slightly.
"I don't believe I caught your name, though, or that of your lovely companion. If we're to be talking awhile, I'd like to know the names of my conversation partners."
...there is no appearant risk in telling a first name. Distrust could be spawned from refusing simple social ethics...
"I don't know the name of my "companion", if you will. We too have only just met. I am called Jayla."
She replies after downing a mug of ale
"Sorry, where are my manners, I'm Valeria Avila Leonard."
"Hmm, most of the patrons know to stay away from the middle table, I need more information" Prying his ears away from the interesting conversation going on to his right and his own internal monologue, victor whispers discreetly to the bartender "I say, is their anything I should know about the bearded main siting at the table in the middle of this establishment?"
After days of being some what bored sitting in the crow's nest on the look out for pirate ships, land or warning lighthouses, Xaikon finally saw Caliphas on the horizon. Eagerly she shouted to the deck below, "Captain, Caliphas on the horizon.", for her journey from Canorate was coming to an end. Taking up the job of being the lookout in the crow's nest of the merchant ship for free passage that included meals, and to earn some coin as the same time. Convincing the captain she was suitable for the job was not easy, considering folklore of many cultures generally viewed winged humanoids with distrust or outright fear. After persistent nagging and a demonstration on how fast she could move about the ship's top rigging she finally got the job.
Once the ship docked in the city's harbour, she collected her pay and thanked the captain, she quickly walked down the gangplank onto the cut stone of the docks, she whistled for Krist to come to her. As before she ignored the stares from the dock workers as she made her way to the market district. After a few minutes wandering through the market area she came across criers in front of The Golden Pig Inn. Xaikon stood in front of the building with one hand on her chin as she looked at the tall structure. By this time the criers had quietened as they were more interested in staring at her, than doing their job.
Speaking softly in strix to Krist sitting on her shoulder, "Well let us see what they have to offer.". Without another word she walked up to the entrance of The Golden Pig Inn, entered the building only to halt to survey the establishment and it's patrons.
Noticing no more empty tables she let out a sigh before making her make to the bar counter to take up one of the available seats towards the end of the counter. In common, "May I have a meal of bread with meat, and mug of mead. Oh, a small piece of raw meat too, if you don't mind.", placing a few coins on the counter. While she waited for her meal and drink, she turned to view the other tables to see if anything of interest was happening.
Green skin. Piercing gaze. Seems to resemble some kind of predator, perhaps a raptor. Same table, man in hides. Feral-looking. Trapper? Hunter? Or is he part of a savage tribe?
Bar. Foppish sort from earlier. Listening in. Pay him no mind, but let nothing slip.
New woman, just entered. What in the nine hells is she?
Some kind of harpy-kin, I'd wager, with those wings. Shame you left your earplugs at Lepidstadt.
Hush. I'm in the middle of a conversation here.
"Well, Jayla, Valeria." Henric smiles, raising his almost empty glass. "Here's to new connections." He downs his glass and excuses himself briefly for another. Returning with more wine, he continues, "So what brings you to Caliphas? Is it the local cheer? The magnificent weather?" As he talks, and drinks, he can hear the voices starting to subside - something he is thankful for. He remembers the small glass vial tucked into his jacket pocket, the potion that will allow him to lose himself, to silence them for another night - if this conversation went well, and the wine was plenty, he mightn't even need it. And that would certainly be a nice change.
You should be so lucky.
As Henric goes off for his new fill, Jayla noticed the most unusual figure yet. A sort of bird-like woman.
"Valeria, have you yet seen people like that woman?", as she points at .
When Henric comes back, Jayla is about to answer when....
*Sound of a person being tossed through the inn's doors.*
Through the spoiled drinks and grease, a man comes sliding on the floor and comes to a stop 8 feet away from the table Jayla, Valeria and Henric were sitting at. Jayla looks over to the scene....
"The cause has just come sliding over the floor."
The scene
Two angry elves followed. Looking at the tools they carried, they must have been gardeners. But for elves they seem rather muscular.
The man stands up, trying to get away and he sees Jayla.
"You, i sent you to reserve a table. You're to come back afterwards. These point-ears are after my life! They thrashed the two other guards and my stand!"
One of the elves objects; "Don't lie human. Your guards were picking and wrecking our work, insulting us on appearance while they were at it. Do you know how long good gardening takes? You even tried to kill a female colleague when she yelled at you. You, hooded woman, you are with this rotten pig?"
If the cause is ended, i am no longer restricted.
In elven she simply replied; <I don't know this man. But it sounds he thinks non-humans inferior. This world would suffer no loss if he'd be gone.>
The elves are abit surprised to be adressed in their own tongue, but seem content with the answer. "Hah, seems we think alike miss......and you, filth, you'll be coming with us. Nobody will mourn your "passing" by. After this all, they knock him out and drag him off.
"With that, my reason has been discarded."
Valeria replies to Jayla's question
"Nope, I've not seen, but have heard of them."
after the scene
"Wow, that could have started a bar room brawl.
And there are worse trouble makers than that,
Like gnomes that spike drinks with a surprise and think it's a good prank."
"Spiking a drink....to mix some unknown substance into a beverage to add an unexpected result.....
Does a drink solidify or evaporate when it turns into a prank? Is it still consumable afterwards?"
Her mug in one hand, and the other as a fist supporting her chin....
"This does however present a new situation. I am no longer restricted by that man, yet i have no goal for travels as it is."
When her meal and drink arrived, Xaikon gave the piece of raw meat to Krist. Smiling at Krist enjoying the meat, she took a sip of her mead before breaking off a piece of bread to dunk into the meaty sauce. As she started eating she heard the commotion coming from the front door. She quickly turned to see the human on the floor near the table consisting of two females, and two elves behind the man. She leaned against the bar counter to watch the interplay between them as she sipped her mead taking closer while studying them to see if they were adventurers.
Once the man was dragged out, she remained turned leaning against the bar counter, twisting only to grab a piece of her meal to eat.
Alvoise finishes his ale. Looking around at the crowded tavern, he sighs in frustration. Reaching into his backpack he pulls out a leather pouch and a sheaf of brown paper about the size of half his hand. He sprinkles some dried, brown leaves onto the paper, considers it a moment and adds a pinch more. After carefully rolling the paper, he seals the paper with the tip of his tongue.
”’Scuse me, mind if I get a flare?” he says as the bartender gets within earshot. He lifts the cigarette higher so there’s no confusion.
The bartender nods in a nonchalant way and passes over a candle stump flickering with a blue flame. After delivering a beer to a dwarf, he slides an ash tray down the bar towards Alvoise.
Alvoise flares his cigarette then takes a long puff and exhales the smoke in two streams from his nostrils. Watching the smoke rise from the end of the cigarette, he seems much more content.
Raskir is wary with all the strange goings-on about him but he figures it is just a normal day in the city. He gets up and goes to the doorway, returning with his owl on his shoulder. He stops to admire the hawk that accompanies the winged woman. [b]"I hope your companion has good hunting here...I am Raskir, from the north. This is Tuuli."[/b[
.
A surprised expression clearly forms on her face as the wild looking man stops by her and introduces himself in a friendly manner. Since travelling from her home lands she never encountered an individual, yet alone a human, approaching her in a friendly manner. Normally it has been the opposite when they approached her, normally to insult her, or outright trying to scare her enough to force her to leave.
Xaikon remains silent as she looks the man up and down briefly before speaking, "Tuuli you say.", with a smile forming as the lifts her hand towards the owl in a friendly manner, "This is Krist. Yes, the hunting has been good along the mountains, before the voyage across this large body of water to here.We travelling the world to learn more about it. I am known as Xaikon, from the western mountains of the human kingdom they call Cheliax." She pauses to take a sip of her mead, "Are you also a traveller by chance?"
Henric watches the scene unfold, about to draw his sword again, but sees the woman - Jayla - handle it in an oddly cold way. He raises an eyebrow at her as the elves drag the man off.
Cold expression. A hardening of the jaw. She's steeling her resolve. A lie. It isn't my place to pry.
Deeming it safest to drop the subject, he simply continues drinking his wine, interjecting with, "I find myself in the same situation. I've spent the last fifteen years studying at Lepidstadt University, and for some reason, my feet decided they'd had enough, and carried me to Caliphas. Deep down, I must have some idea of what brings me here, so I suppose my next task is finding it."
Owl. Accompanying the feral man. Interesting. A mage, then? Or is it just a pet?
I thought you were trying to have a conversation?
I was. But not with myself.
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Leather coat. A traveller? Worker? Just trying to keep out the weather most like; but does it even look like rain?
"Shut up," Henric mutters to himself. His fingers fly to the small flask of potion in his coat pocket, knowing he can drown out the voices when he retires to a room for the evening.
Tricorn hat. Saw that once in the Shackles. The Lusty Maiden, remember her? Fine vessel she was. No I don't remember, that was you, not me. Ah but you are me, or were once. Tricorn. Remember. Delicate touch on that glass; odd considering the gauntlet. Not so odd, maybe he's holding it with care because of the gauntlet. Is he wearing more armour? Don't know, can't tell under the coat. Would you all just shut up; I'm trying to watch.
Sipping his wine, Henric watches the bearded man, studying him carefully, trying to get a feel for his movements, his mannerisms - and trying to gain some insight as to his motivations and intentions.
[dice=Perception]1d20+6
[dice=Sense Motive]1d20+4
As you look at the strange man, you realize that he remains a complete mystery to you.
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"Hmm, most of the patrons know to stay away from the middle table, I need more information" Prying his ears away from the interesting conversation going on to his right and his own internal monologue, victor whispers discreetly to the bartender "I say, is their anything I should know about the bearded main siting at the table in the middle of this establishment?"
"Aye. Bad luck follows that one. I can not imagine why Kaigan let him sit at that table in the first place. And on the opening night as well"", replies the bartender.
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After days of being some what bored sitting in the crow's nest on the look out for pirate ships, land or warning lighthouses, Xaikon finally saw Caliphas on the horizon. Eagerly she shouted to the deck below, "Captain, Caliphas on the horizon.", for her journey from Canorate was coming to an end. Taking up the job of being the lookout in the crow's nest of the merchant ship for free passage that included meals, and to earn some coin as the same time. Convincing the captain she was suitable for the job was not easy, considering folklore of many cultures generally viewed winged humanoids with distrust or outright fear. After persistent nagging and a demonstration on how fast she could move about the ship's top rigging she finally got the job.
Once the ship docked in the city's harbour, she collected her pay and thanked the captain, she quickly walked down the gangplank onto the cut stone of the docks, she whistled for Krist to come to her. As before she ignored the stares from the dock workers as she made her way to the market district. After a few minutes wandering through the market area she came across criers in front of The Golden Pig Inn. Xaikon stood in front of the building with one hand on her chin as she looked at the tall structure. By this time the criers had quietened as they were more interested in staring at her, than doing their job.
Speaking softly in strix to Krist sitting on her shoulder, "Well let us see what they have to offer.". Without another word she walked up to the entrance of The Golden Pig Inn, entered the building only to halt to survey the establishment and it's patrons.
Noticing no more empty tables she let out a sigh before making her make to the bar counter to take up one of the available seats towards the end of the counter. In common, "May I have a meal of bread with meat, and mug of mead. Oh, a small piece of raw meat too, if you don't mind.", placing a few coins on the counter. While she waited for her meal and drink, she turned to view the other...
Xaikon remains silent as she looks the man up and down briefly before speaking, "Tuuli you say.", with a smile forming as the lifts her hand towards the owl in a friendly manner, "This is Krist. Yes, the hunting has been good along the mountains, before the voyage across this large body of water to here.We travelling the world to learn more about it. I am known as Xaikon, from the western mountains of the human kingdom they call Cheliax." She pauses to take a sip of her mead, "Are you also a traveller by chance?"
Raskir pauses, remembering the events that caused him to leave home. The changes that came over him, suspicious looks and accusations of deviltry.
"Yes, I am. You might call me a wanderer."
"Spiking a drink....to mix some unknown substance into a beverage to add an unexpected result.....
Does a drink solidify or evaporate when it turns into a prank? Is it still consumable afterwards?"
...
Valeria answers the question
"The spike was the gnome's potions or something similar.The drink never solidified or evaporated, and was still drinkable.
Most were tweaks of transformative spells, though I think he did a few of the enchantment variety."
"I see. No particular destination I guess, like me.", speaking before taking the last piece of her bread to finish off the meal.
"Did you see what happened at that table with the two females?"
After a long pause of silence, Xaikon speaks softly to Raskir, "Seeing we like each other's companions, and seem to enjoy being in the wilderness, Raskir would you like to team up in wandering around?"
To Xaikon: "I must say I don't understand what that business with the elves was about. Is it always like this in the city?" He pauses to consider her offer. "As long as our paths run together, I think it might be a good idea to have another two pairs of eyes looking out for us."
Objective for being here is gone. Staying in this place..not an option.
Jayla, with a lack of objectives, observes the surroundings now that there are more people.
Focussing...(notice the hoodies sneaking up on Dirtbeard)
"Valeria, Henric. Have you yet seen those hooded figures sneaking up on the pirate?"
Since it didn't involve her, she merely observed.
Her focus then shifted towards the winged woman and the wild man.
Interesting. Clarification could be in order to calm down any suspicions.
Jayla stands up and walks to the counter, right next to Xaikon and Traxnik. Ordering a mug of mead for a change, she says on a lowered tone;
"The business was the man had wronged the elves and will receive punishment.". Turning around counterclockwise to them she heads back to the table and sits down.