"The inn I'm bringing you to is owned by a good friend of mine. He is well-known to many "odd" travelers that come from all over. It may be a bit shabby but it is home to many." Issa explained, Nino could only give him a look as the houses and buildings nearby steadily grew worse and worse. 

"Are you sure its a renown establishment? Everything around looks like its part of the slums." Nino asked and Issa gave a hearty laugh. 

"Everone says that. I can guarentee you that it is a reasonable establishment." 

Nino saw a group of people sitting outside covered in blankets, their unkempt hair and ragged clothes made it a testament of what type of area they were in.

"Um... sure?" Nino questioned and Issa gave laughed. 

"Here we are!" Issa exclaimed and he threw open the doors. Nino glanced at the sign next to it. 

"The Dancing Deer Inn" 

Nino entered after Issa to find the room scattered with broken furniture. Tables were overturned and chairs were in pieces. At the three remaining tables among the mess sat individuals and pairs as they discussed among themselves. 

Their entry caused a disturbance in the cozy atmosphere as all patrons of the inn turned to face them. 

"Ah Issa!" a voice called from the bar, a humongous giant of a man stood polishing a dish as he threw open his arms as if to pull them into a hug. Now Nino had seen giant people, this person easily looked as if he had trained to be a bodybuilder all of his life and then retired.  What was odd for Nino was the man was not infact a man, as the large mane of hair that surrounded his head alongside the fur that ran along body, or the fact that he had feline eyes and nose. 

"Ornifer! It's been too long my friend. Tell me, has Catalana stopped in yet?" Issa greeted the bartender, Nino following him to the bar as the other patrons brought their attention back to themselves.

The barkeeper Ornifer gave a hearty chuckle as he set his plate down and gripped the bar.

"Sadly ya just missed her, she came in around three days prior. Heading toward Rose Garden."

"Drats, well how about Winstrom? Eris? Butch?" 

"Winstrom is probably still on tour, the Nagas are pushing for an invasion and he was drafted to defend against them. Eris is back in her kingdom as her trial is over and Butch hadn't come in for weeks." Ornifer told them. 

"Welp, guess we won't be meeting people your age young one. Guess you'll have to wing it with these old folks am I right?" Issa nudged Nino who scowled. 

"Old, young, what does it matter? If we can work together and watch each other's backs then I am happy to help them out." Nino glared.

"Well, only someone with no friends would say that." Issa's words jabbed at Nino who only deepened his glare. "Ornifer! A cup of Sun Shimmer for me... and maybe a water for the kid." 

"I keep telling you I have friends!" Nino cried out while the barkeeper laughed. "The usual then, alright doc it'll be out in a few." 

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

"Tell me kid, what brings you to this place this late at night? Wouldn't you like to stay at one of those better inns." Ornifer asked, his hands busy mixing together two liquids. 

"I'll be honest and say I have no money. The doctor here was kind enough to recommend this place to me, saying I might meet some people to team up with." 

"Well..." Ornifer paused, scratching his head as he turned around, a cup of amber liquid in his hands. "We certainly get the eccentrics of the bunch, most inns tend to kick them out but I think they offer an amusing atmosphere at times." The barkeeps eyes glinted as he gazed at the figures scattered around his inn. The groups at the tables alongside the few that sat on broken chairs or leaned against the walls or simply sat down on the floor using a cloak to not dirty their pants. 

"If you want to talk to them then be my guest. Most keep to themselves so don't take it to harshly if they ignore you." Ornifer smirked as a cup was handed to Nino who took it with both hands. 

Nino stared into the cup to see his reflection look back at him from the reflective liquid. His face had dark spots of dirt clinging to his face as well as his grizzled hair flowing all-over the place. 

"Maybe I'll ask in the morning... when I've freshened up." Nino nodded his head before downing the drink. "One room please, I've no money for now but I'll pay you tomorrow!" Nino exclaimed and slammed his cup on the bar, earning him gazes from across the room. 

"Floor 2 Room 4, and wash before you enter the bed, a bucket of water is in the room at the end of the hall." Ornifer hands over a key. 

"Thank you!" Nino grabbed the key and practically ran up the stairs.

"He is an interesting kid doc. Thats why you brought him to my ole bar aye." Ornifer chuckles as Issa's eyes lazily glanced at the Caith in front of him.  "He has these wild ideas, keeps spouting about this demon king that will destroy the world. If I didn't bring a crazy over whenever I meet them you'd run out of business." Issa slurred and Ornifer tightened his eyebrows.

"Its a word of mouth place, never did like the spotlight anyway. What are his odds? He doesn't look skilled at all so many of my regulars probably wont pick him up. Maybe the Gaunt Gems would take him in or ole Rufort and his team... he always had a bleeding heart."

"You know the Gaunt Gems are on an assignment for the Kingdom of Inara and won't be back for a while... heck if the rumors are true about their destination they won't be back at all. As for Rufort and the Helm Horns... its cause of his bleeding heart that they'd have to take as many contracts as they do. I don't often care for many people... not since that time but for some reason I just want to help this kid out... so look after him for me." Issa eyed his drink as if he found it distasteful before looking up again.

Ornifer observed the Faun before him, his hands wiping away at a glass as he thought about the situation and looked around at the other patrons of the inn as he decided his words. A slow sigh escaped from the giant lion-beast as he put down the glass he was polishing. 

"You don't often ask for favors so I'll do this for you just once. I'll give the kid breakfast and maybe an introduction, I got two who came in not an hour ago requesting additional aide, seems like they're traveling to Rose Garden so he can meet Catalana if you needed to get something to her." 

"Just the two meeting is enough, if you can send someone to catch up to her and let her know she is to meet with Nino then I'll greatly appreciate it." 

"It will be done doc, though this Nino kid talks about a demon king? I've heard stories about how this place used to be covered in ash, as battle raged across the land... only rumors... and only the most ancient of Fae and Flora speak of it."

"Thats something to think on... good night Ornifer, I thank you for the usual and I'll pay the tab by the end of the week!" 

"You better, next time you waltz in here without coin I'll make sure you'll need a doctor of your own you old goat." Ornifer playfully threatened and with a wave Dr. Issa Glenwood left the inn to those who still lurk away at night, who sat among the rubble and debris of past patrons. Leaving the giant of a Caith with a mane of hair that shown like the sun on this dim night, who wipes away at a glass as he observed each patron.