
Out of Character: Sorry all - it's Christmas. Visiting family the past few days. [Getting] FAT too with all the holiday cooking.... Hope everyone has Health, Happiness, and Prosperity this [Christmas]!
In Character: Berin's drunken ruse fades quickly as he sat amongst the women, listening to their banter and taking careful mental notes. All were beautiful and strong and mysterious to his inexperienced mind, and he was still pretty shaken by being at the table among them. The gruff Krusten probably fought Ogres in her sleep for practice - pity the fool who angered HER. The literal Mina was most assuredly from another land or culture, even the most common references were lost on her. His attention was held by Antreen though, solicitous in her mannerisms and careful not to offend. Truly a healer of both body AND spirit, he thought.
But their interest in him waned and his need for shelter was growing. He subtly eyed the dimly lit tavern and calculated his odds. Nodding to himself, he slipped from the bench and looked to the women. "Please ma'ams. I can do stuff an' I won't make a fuss. Jus' consider it tonight an' I'll meetcha at th' front door at sunrise." He stayed a moment and tried to make eye contact with each, Antreen last, with his most beseeching look.
Nodding finally, he shuffled off toward the bar and got the attention of the man there. "'Scuse me Guv'nor. I sees your Inn is gettin' a mite busy an' a'sides drink, yore going to need somethin' ta keep th' men's int'rest, maybe even make 'em thirstier. I can play pipes an' do some jugglin' an' I'm pretty good if I DO say so myownself. Maybe we could do some business for a hot meal, a bath, maybe a tankard or two for dry lips, 'an a place by the fire tonight? Havin' somethin' ta take their minds off their troubles is usually worth twice that in coin for th' Inn...."
Anntreen sweeps up the spare coins Krusten refused to take, "We can use them for the kids - if nothing ells." She goes off to pay the lady and get the room key.
As she stands and heads off she looks at the man standing near Krusten that has said hi to her with such familiarity and yet she gave him such a delay before response. "Krusten I think some one is waiting to speech with you." Anntreen jesters over at the commoner whom had greeted her with a "Me-lady"
Anntreen slides the 1 silver 5 copper not needed back in to her bag. This leaves the 5 silver for the room in her hand, and 4 silver 5 copper in her purse.
When the sobered up fellow- wonders of,Anntreen thinks aloud to her self, speaking under her breath "I wonder if hes a local and can show us a round town or to the ranch tomorrow morning?" A light breath and bright smile see's him off.
And a mumble of, "Needs a guide." fallows Anntreen as she leaves the table.
The old server pockets the coins and walks back to the counter. She comes to the table then and looks ready to show you to your room. The innkeeper looks intensely at Berin: "Too late pal", he answers, "A last round of drinks and I'll close the door for the night. We are not used to stay up late here in the countryside".
Anntreen gathers up her pack and the other items by the table, grunting a bit to the wait of them as she lifts them to become ready to fallow the old woman when she leaded the group to there room.
"Don't for get your items by the fire." Anntreen remarks smiling.
Anntreen speaks [to] the old bar maid asking about the accommodation, while allowing her comrades to gather there items and make themselves ready.
"Mam, dose a room include accuses to possibly a drawn bath? We have been on the roads for a while, and I cant think of something I would like more then a bath before bed. You also made suggestion before that a rooms cost might include a meal? As you know we have already eaten so would it be possible rather then the meal to get some extra cider sent up to the room instead?"
Ferrin nods enthusiastically in agreement with Tomas, "Yes, yes! My stomachs is loud for foods! We Halflings do not likes it sleeping in the wets and colds. Even on our ships, there is below decks for sleepings, not outs in the weathers. Lets us please go eats." He clasps his hands together and turns the 'begging child' eyes up at Jonathan.
Out of Character: I'll be happy to roll a skill check if it's necessary to influence Jonathan.
As Mina goes to retrieve her cloak and quarterstaff, she overhears the conversation between the barkeep and Berin. Mina walks back to Anntreen and whispers to her, "She's a Mi'Lady? I've heard that title is used only for royalty. Is she someone special?"
With a plight smile and brightly eyes Anntreen responses in kind.
"Mi'lady is a formal greeting for a woman, if you are trying to gain favor. My Lady is a proper greeting for a woman of low noble title. But I can see how they are easy to confuse."
She [goes] on to give an example.
"Mi'lady how are you this fine night? In comparison. And this is my Lady Rose Wellwaters from the count of. Mi'lady tends to be used often also when a man is embarrassed he has forgotten or does not know the name of the woman he is trying to address."
"I'm not stopping you from going", Jon stated, "But I won't get much sleep until I know why it appears we have gone in circles heading for that grove." Jon plops down, takes his scimitars and places them next to him, then starts looking over his bow for damage.