I love you all!~The first human to rediscover the dwarven enclave, a half pint in.
Bernin found Gregarious not long after. It wasn’t hard to miss when the dwarf entered. It also helped that the barkeep shouted his name above the general hubbub of the tavern. She had moved to one of the corner tables, hoping to scope out Gregarious before he saw her. He looked jolly and jovial, taking his time to greet those closest to the door. From what she saw he knew most of the people here. That of course was the main reason he immediately locked eyes with her, after all, she was new here.
He stared at her for a full second, as she tried to discern his expression. He looked away and was instantly back to his usual mood. It was disturbing to her. The switch was instant, without pause and no one around seems to have noticed. He made his way around and seemed to almost naturally blend back into the tavern. She only kept track of him because she was trying. He was making her way to her, not directly of course. He was still moving towards her. A few hello’s later and he sat down opposite her.
“What do ya want?”
“I’m here for an audit, it’s been 5 years… sir.”
Gregarious seemed to exhale deeply and wiped his hand down his face.
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“Alright then, see me tomorrow…afternoon. Top of the tree.”
She nodded and moved to stand up.
“Nah need to leave for me. Do whatever ya want.”
He walked back off, blending back into the crowd and sat down a couple tables away, as easily as he had sat at her table. The interaction was interesting to her. She had assumed this treatment from a councillor, but it seemed a bit more warm in the same vein. At least there was little nonsense to cut through.
She drank deeply of the remaining beer and caught her charm between her teeth. It tasted like blackberries and mint. That was good news, it meant the alcohol had been neutralised, but more importantly, when he leaned over to shake her hand, he hadn’t dropped anything in her drink. It was better to be prepared. She sat for another 10 minutes before making her way to the tavern keep. He waved her off before she started.
“No need miss, your room is upstairs and reserved.”
She took the proffered key and made her way up. Following the numbers she eventually found her room. She then spent a full hour making sure the room, door and doorknob were not spelled maliciously. The doorknob especially, last time she forgot it had turned out to be a trained mimic, she was lucky to have her full 12 fingers after that.
She then had to set up her own protection before finally laying down in the bed. It had been an exhausting few days and if Gregarious had been any indication it wouldn't get better. As she nodded off, she felt something else in the room with her. Instead of tripping her reflexes or alarms though, it felt warm and inviting, almost like laying the sun on a warm day.