Abomentolor looks a bit disappointed, but states "I guess our experiment has to wait then. I guess you will come with us back to Riddleport? Wouldn't be a good idea to travel alone here in this forest."
He then turns to follow Jimmy and Gwen back. Rolling up his bedroll and stowing away his mess kit, he is ready to go.
As everyting is packed up, and double checked that nothing is forgotten, the group of five, Abomentolor Goblinburner, Jimmy Fiddle, Oz Torm, Gwenhwyfar Yongirsdottir with her cat Noir Destinée and Tauriell with her red tailed hawk Fluffy Puff (aka Shaylin) are on their way back to Riddleport.
With Tauriell in the lead, on a way they already travelled, it is no problem to find back and the journey is even a bit faster than yesterday. About mid afternoon the party enters the city. The, in comparison, quiet forest with it's birds and little rodents and a rustling here and the wind in the leaves there, is replaced by the numbing noise of the bustling life of a large city. Welcome back to civilization.
With some more time you arrive at Mary Poppins Inn again, and without much ado get the keys to the same rooms as the day before yesterday. After that is set, Mrs. Poppins asks "Anyone a bath again?" and takes notes for everyone ordering.
Then she turns to Oz Torm "How can I be of service Mister?"
"No thank you. Too much washing earns you a thin skin." Abomentolor replies to Mrs. Poppins. and to his companions he adds "But eating can be done everday, even several times. I'll enjoy another delicious meal at the 'Flying Halibut'. You're coming along?"
I'll take everyting you have to offer, and the receipt as usual. But in an hour or so. I'll also have dinner first."
Tauriell then turns to Abomentolor "I'll just stow away my luggage, I'll meet you all there."
"That will be nice. Eating without me cooking. You come too, Jimmy?". Then Gwenhwyfar hurries to keep up with Tauriel "Wait I need to put my stuff into the room too."
She then changes from her Explorers outfit into her blue dress before leaving for dinner.
Abomentolor adresses Oz "When you got your room, you can find us next door. We'll keep you a seat." As he is in no mood to run up two floors and then back down again, he leaves his belongings with Mary Poppins.
He leaves the Inn and enters the Flying Halibut, asking to be seated at a table for five.
One after another enters the tavern, being surprised at the ambience. Everyone is greeted at a reception, the reservation is checked, if you have one, and you are seated at a table. That is, if you meet the house standards.
Coming in with an explorers outfit, dirty from your exploring, that might earn you a disapproving look, but if you arrive in full armor with weapons, other than a dagger, entrance is refused.
As you take your seat with Abomentolor you notice, that the clientele here is well behaved, and nothing like the typical harbour tavern. The interior is fine woodwork, and a red carpet is running along the main walkway. The servants are all dressed in fine black and white garments and politely fulfill every customers wishes.
The name of the tavern might be owed to the carved ivory halibut hanging from the ceiling over the bar.
The front of the tavern has large glass windows, offering a wonderful view on the Cypher Gate that is still brightly lit by the sun, but will soon be painted orange as the sun sets.
On the bar, seated on a box covered with a fine cloth, sits a small female halfling with long blond hair, playing classic music on a fiddle.
Niamh is playing the four seasons by Vivaldi and swaying to the rhythms.
Her playing skill matches the high quality of her instrument.
A few moments later a waiter arrives and asks "What may I offer you? Something to drink from our wide selection of wine, beer and liquor? Or would you also like something for dinner?" and then waiting for the orders.
Abomentolor steps in first "I'll take some fish with a wine of your choosing, but not the Halibut, I already had that one two days ago."
"Very well sir, I suggest tuna steak on seasons salad with toast and a port wine?" checking if Abomentolor agrees the waiter makes a mental note, turning to the next person at the table.
"I'd like fish too" Gwenhwyfar utters a bit unconfident in this situation.
Nodding in her direction te waiter suggest "Madam, I recommend you try our famous grilled halibut fillet with fried potatoes and a glass of Riesling."
Not sure what the waiter is talking about but uncomfortable to contine this conversation Gwenhwyfar simly nods.
"I'll take the same, the grilled halibut, but none of this fancy drinking stuff for me, bring me a big mug with good ale to allay my thirst." waiting to see, if the waiter dares to frown at her for the comment.
Polite as always the waiter replies "Certainly madam, I'll get you a Dark Lager Beer, that matches perfectly with the fish."
Jimmy had quickly climbed the stairs to his room where he stored his belonging, spending extra time to ensure his weapon and armor are stored correctly. He also puts on his second set of clothing, a dull set of adventurers gear, but this set is still clean. Once he is finally done upstairs he is a few minutes behind the others but heads to the Flying Halibut all the same.
He walks in and finds them at their table, and sits down with a smile to his companions. "Sorry I'm a little late, but at least it seems you haven't started without me"
Turning to Jimmy Fiddle the waiter asks "And what will it be for you sir?"
Gwenhwyfar glad that the attenion of the waiter is now on someone else remembers that she wanted to talk to Abomentolor earlier and asks him "Abomentolor, do you have siblings?"
"I sure have. There might be even more than I know of. Why do you ask?" Abomentolor replies.
Gwenhwyfar, explains "Well, Tauriell said you might be a brother of Rumpelstiltskin, so are you? And if you are, who is this Rumpelstiltskin?"
A loud slap can be heard from Tauriell's facepalm
Abomentolor quickly searching his memory
remembers a fairy tale, and with Tauriell slapping herself, he is pretty sure to know what that is about and decides to play along.
"Ah this brother you mean. He died a tragic death when he was cheated out of his well deserved reward. I don't want to talk about it." playing his role, as if it was a truly saddening chapter of his past.
As the composition is over, Niamh stands up and puts her fiddle in the violin caise, calling the barkeeper to give her a hand with the descent.
"Thank you" she said as he places her at the bottom, giving her the fiddle down.
Tauriell has a hard time to keep her jaw from dropping but not willing to call Abomentolors bluff she states "I wouldn't have mentioned it, if I knew that it was such a touchy subject."
But she is not really good at keeping a straight face.
Gwenhwyfar get's the feeling that at least Tauriel knows something, she is not telling. "Am I missing something?"
Although she sees through the charade, Niamh comes over with a notepad to the table where the waiter stands and asks "The old irascible Rumpelstilskin is your brother? You have to tell me about him. I always thought he's just a myth!"
Very interested to see how this fairytale continues she is playing clueless.
Another clueless victim falling for this prank is too much for Tauriell. "Excuse me please I need to visit a privy." and as she get's up and walks away it looks like she is in a hurry to get there.
As she arrives there unheard and unseen by the others and free to let her emotions out, she can't decide if she needs to laugh, or cry about that situation and that much naivete.
"As I already told, it's a tragic chapter of my family's history that I don't want to talk about and for sure won't talk about with a stranger!" Abomentolor replies a bit irritated, that this little girl dares to call his bluff.
"I didn't expect it would insult you that hard. I mean... it has been a very long time ago, hasn't it? Niamh asks him deadpan.
Gwenhwyfar, confused that she seems to be the only one who hadn't heard of Abomentolors brother asks "What do you mean, a myth. Why does everyone know this Rumpelstiltskin?"
"It was long ago. But it was a low blow for the whole family. If he had gotten what was promised, we might now be close relatives to royal blood. I could be an Earl, a Baron, or something along these lines instead of turning up old stones from the woods for a few coins." Abomentolor replies, playing along with the tale.
"This is, of course, a real drama. Who was this Rumpelstilskin, I mean in character?" Niamh tries to lead the issue back to Rumpelstilskin.
"If you can't let it go. He was an admirable guy. He worked really hard and managed to to research how gold could be produced from cheap ingredients. But instead of using that knowledge to become rich himself, he used it to safe the life of a poor girl, that was sold into slavery by her father."
"And after all this toiling, which not only saved the girls life, but also made her the queen of the country and rich beyond imagination, she manipulated him and sent him away with nothing. That broke his heart and he died."
Trying to hold back his tears
he adds.
"Such a kindhearted, compassionable guy was he. Killed by the hard heartedness of such a spoiled brat."
An ruth expression on Niamh's face she says "It's really a disgrace.
May I ask you what you are instead of a baron, as this tragically end of your brother prevent your high renown?"
"As I already told, I'm a hard working man, earning my bread as a mercenary, trying to continue spreading the good, my brother intended, with my humble capabilities."
"The only title that Abomentolor over there deserves is 'Goblinburner' and possibly an addendum of 'Pyromaniac'." Jimmy says with a smile on his face.
For once Jimmy is privy to the joke but lets it play out. If Gwen gets much more flustered he may step in to help
That is all too much for Gwenhwyfar. This saddenig family history, and Abomentolor trying to step in his good brothers footsteps. She starts to sob "I misjudged you Abomentolor, I'm sorry. This is all so sad." and looks with incomprehension at Jimmy for being so unsensitive in this emotional situation.
"Abomentolor, before Gwen comes over there and gives you a hug I think you might want to tell her the truth" Jimmy says smiling at the gnome
Turning to the man who has spoken she asks"Oh, then he earns his money with travelling around and burning goblins? And you are his tour escort? This sounds very exciting!"
"I'd take a hug from Gwen anytime, and I don't want to disappoint her." and turning to Gwen he adds "Gwen, no need to be sad. I overacted a bit. Rumpelstiltskin was not as close to my heart as I pretended towards this nosy halfling there."
"Ey, I need tales to tell stories and write songs and I think this will be a very admired storie." Niamh says grinning
Gwenhwyfar is now completely confused looking at Jimmy she asks "Even you know his brother?"
As Tauriell comes back from te privy she comes to the table and looking around she observes "You still haven't told her, have you?" shaking her head with disbelief.
Taking Gwens face in her hands, and looking her straight in the eyes she tells her "Gwenhwyfar, you have to be strong now. It's not your fault, that you don't know. You are just the one person in this world that has not heard it yet. But Rumpelstiltskin is just a figure out of a fairy tale. It was just a joke on Abomentolor, you didn't get. I'm sorry it didn't end there."
She gives Gwen a moment to let it sink in, and then asks "You are going to be ok?"
Gwenhwyfar feels like the biggest simpleton on the planet, her face blushing. Trying to avoid Tauriell's eyes she mumbles "Yes."
After Tauriell releases her face she disappears behind her curtain of hairs.
"Excuse me please, Mister, would you like to order something, or should I come back later?" the waiter who stood there all the time asks, to remind Jimmy of his presence again.
"Surprise me. Sorry I somewhat forgot you were there." Jimmy says with a smile to the waiter
"For me salad and water please."
"May I take a seat?"looking at Abomentolor, waiting for a response
Nodding to Jimmy and Niamh the waiter retreats to forward the orders to the kitchen and the barmaid.