Joser moves to stop Blue from going any further by placing a hand upon his shoulder, when suddenly things go dark.  Then the coalescing lights appear, and the darkness goes away to reveal a strange rabbit.  He knows enough to know when magic is in play
He turns to the three women, his eyes narrowing at the drow a moment before turning back to Blue.   Ye've come ta them wit' this tale o' dreams an' doom.  Ye canna blame 'em fer bein' a bit cautious an' concerned this might be some kind o' trap or somethin'.  Sit back down an' answer some questions.

"If you are going to bring us information, please, ensure that we understand it before you go.  We aren't dumb, but it seems your excitement makes you a bit less cogent."

Blue raised an eyebrow at the sudden absence of light.  Rather, the sudden absence of light the others experienced.  He sighed at the childish display by Kel'li.  Under the cover of darkness that he was entirely unhindered by it, Blue used his blade to deftly spear a morsel off of her own plate.  By the time the dark switched off in preference for the sorceress's balls of fire, Blue was nibbling on it, straight off the tip of his sword.  With a look of distaste, he wiped the pastry off his blade onto the surface of the table as though the sweet treat was a surprisingly rotten peice of fruit.

"'Rudeness?' I'n'a un'a magic uppa tavern cabin."  He snorted, settling back down and polishing the tip of his blade on the edge of his sash.  By the time the blade was clean, so was the garment.  Wiggling slightly, he sheathed the blade then folded his arms.

The elf let the pause grow for a moment before actually saying anything.  ""Arr, so's yer askin' me now?"  He asked the drow sardonically, before dismissing her from notice and looking over to the others.  "I dun' yet gets a looksie onna screamer; I'in on'y feela haunt such'n now.  But'a freckin' spook's mor'in alike meh'n alike 'books' hexer; I'mma lilly-livered scarmon' iffin'ot."  To demonstrate...SOME point, Blue tapped a spot in the middle of his forehead, then gave a slow nod.  He shrugged.  "Dun' no-nevermind.  Haunts'a haunt, same'ses an'uter."

Pjofr was content to be left at their table as the mammals spoke. Casually the avian grabbed morsels from his companions' plates and deftly tossed them into his beak. He made for Joser's tankard when he caught a series of gestures from the man. With a sigh Pjofr stood, grabbed the other tankard and made his way to join the others.

As he neared the table the lights went out. Casually Softfeather made his way to Joser's side and placed the tankard in front of his companion, sitting as light returned. With a kraa, the Kenku made his introductions, "Pjofr. Pjofr." Then with uncanny similarity he repeated Joser's earlier words, " He don' speak Common... canna unnerstand wha' his squawks."

Softhfeather continues, "Blue speak the language of the others. I am unable to help you with that accent" and nods his head knowingly.

(OOC) Unless Blue has Truesight, the darkness will also affect him.

OOC: I'll leave it to you to imagine how he ignores magical darkness, but he can ignore magical darkness.

Joser begins to laugh.  Ye cagey basta'd, he chuckles.  All'a' dis time ye could actually talk in Common, an ' not jus' r'peat it.  He swats the kenku playfully on the shoulder.  I knew I liked ye.
He turns to the others.  I dunno about me mates 'ere, bu' I, fer one, would'na mind expandin' me circle of acquaintences and travellin' companions.  An' it's no because I think a group o' women cain't handle theyselves, 'cause yaw rightly seem like ye can.  It's mainly 'cause I've jus' been hangin' aroun' these smelly bums.  He chuckles at Blue and Softfeather.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:11, Tue 01 Feb 2022.

Shaking his head at the slightly taller human, "Pjofr! understand  Common  but  only speak  bleedin' words  of others"

Taking another draught of his tankard he turned to the members of the other group. With a slight rise in the tip of his beak, "this  cagey basta'd  Pjofr! Softfeather  How you doing?"

Bran sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. This day had already started out on a strange foot. He looked at the ladies and shrugged. "Apparently what ever fortune, or misfortune, favors us has decided to supply us with three new traveling companions. If that is agreeable with you ladies."

At least he could understand the human and kenku, the elf's way of talking would take some getting use to.

“They’ll provide us extra time to run,” Basilisa told Bran with a playful squeeze of his arm. “Fear not, Bran. You’re still the best-looking man here!” The saucy Bard laughed, teasing the newcomers with a wink.

Blue glanced first to the drow, and then to the priest.  "Notta slash yer sail, but mayhaps we's check the lookout when I's sent 'ole specter off'na Endless Seas."  He protested, sending a glance at each face in turn.
Eventually, Blue's gaze turned back to the bard.  "Ifin we're's ta help yeh, whatall didja plunder tha' yer haunt's got'all 'ungry fer yeh??"

Though it was still early there were several other customers at the inn for breakfast. At least up until the brief display of magic. Several of them quickly paid and left, leaving only the owner the serving girl and a group of four rather unsavory looking individuals at the far end of the room. All of which seem intensely interested in your group now.

The owner scowled in the direction of your table as the serving girl quickly made her way to the kitchen. The four at the table simply seemed to watch, waiting to see what happened next.

Joser watches as people pay and vacate the premises.  He also spies the four at the far end.  Aw, look.  Ye've gone an' scairt off ev'rybody, he says.  He then nods his head at the only others left.  'Cept them four.  Seems ta me they don' wan' us here.
He looks at them directly.  'Ave you lot somethin' ta say?

"Maybe they have taken a fancy to us?"

Pjofr's head moved this way and that. Seeming to not really focus on or see anything, but he had noticed the patrons that didn't leave as well. Keeping one eye on the far table, the kenku continued engaging with their new acquaintances, "you  taken a fancy to  Softfeather  best-looking  Pjofr  here"

Gooseflesh prickled Blue's neck, but he didn't turn his head.  He didn't have to.  This was not shaping up to be a good day.  He took a casual sip of his juice, popping a foot up on the table and casually resting the naked blade of his sword on his boot.  A finger from his loose grip drummed on the cross guard.

The drow's comment earned a long, calculating glance.  Blue was neither amused nor impressed, and his gaze betrayed even a note or two of disgust.  Based on the previous ten minutes, he more inclined to take it as a matter of conceit or delusion rather than sarcasm.  "Nah.  Yeh's jus' gota fresh haula angry folk, 'n some ready fera rough'n'tumble."  He replied finally, setting his tankard beside his boot.  With the pugilist's direct challenge it was probably best to be ready for the real threat brewing.

"Yeh yeh'ar."  Blue agreed with the kenku, mood somewhat softening.

The scowl on the bartenders face is suddenly replaced by a look of confusion. He then follows the girl into the kitchen. You can faintly hear the sound of a door closing shortly after.

The four gents at the far table just sorta look from one to the other before standing and placing a few coin on the table. The one man, the smallest of the bunch lifts his tankard toward Joser before finishing it and sitting it back on the table as the four exit the front door leaving the group alone in the tavern.

Clearly Cinnabar isn't surprised as the tavern empties out, the four men who watch them closely are offered a friendly smile from across the room and a more knowing but still polite nod as they file out.  Only after the room is completely empty does she speak again, and even then a bit more quietly.

”Even in a city as big as this one it is not surprising to find common folk afraid of magic, and probably more likely to find those who recognize Drow and presume some degree of hostility from them.”

Joser nods at the four men as they get up to leave.  You gen'lemen ' ave ye'selves a most excellent day.  It is said with genuine friendliness.
He turns back to his companions, old and new.  I was kinda hopin' fer a bit o' mornin' exercise, he says with his feral grin.  But, tha's a'right.  I'm sure I'll get some later.
He chuckles.  While I've seen a few 'round the fight clubs and fightin' pits, I ain't 'ad the opp'rtunity ta meet any o' 'em.  In or out tha' 'rena.  He shrugs.  So, no opinion one way or t' other yet.
He pauses, then continues, but a bit sheepsihly.  Though, ye are, by far, the pretties' of the drow I've seen.

Kel'li blushes a little, but that quickly fades.  "Okay, what next, friends."

Bran had mostly stayed silent since the three people had come to their table, letting the woman handle things to start with. Plus, he couldn't understand half of what at least one of the newcomers was saying. A frown set on his face as he listened. And his lips twisted a bit at the display of magic from his companion.

But his face lightened and he smiled at Basilisa when she squeezed his arm.

He cleared his throat lightly, looking at the three that had approached them. "Well. If we are to travel together going forward, and if you truly wish to be of aid against a...haunt...or whatever may be coming, then I suppose I have no objection for now. Should you prove yourselves good friends and comrades, then you'll be most welcome."

He glanced at the three wonderful women. "Seeing as how we now have privacy with everyone else leaving," He smirked slightly. "should we inform them of our intended destination and see if they are still willing to come along?"

"We can but do our best and hope for the best from others.  If you feel them worthy to accompany us, speak on.  I will finish my tea."

Look, I know that when yer face is as pretty as mine, i's intimidatin', he says in jest, knowing full well how his face appears.  A' some point, ye may need ta perpetrate some violence, or keep it from bein' perpetrated on ya.
He waves a hand to indicate himself and his two companions.  We three are pretty good a' perpetratin' violence.  An' at stoppin' said perpetration from othas.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:59, Wed 09 Feb 2022.

“After what we saw happen to that poor wretch back on the ship, I am in favor of putting as many bodies between me and that fell spectre as possible!” Basilisa agreed with welcoming the trio. “I will explain the ‘Why & Wherefore’ of the evil spirit’s pursuit when we have more privacy.” The raven-haired Bard remained all too aware of the hostile foursome who surreptitiously cleared out of the tavern.

“If that’s not an ambush in the making, I’ll eat your riding leathers,” she said to Joser with a snort. She leaned toward the group. “How shall we play this, then? Find a way out, or face the.pm head on?”

Kel'li looks towards the door for a moment, then back to the group.  "The advantage to taking them head on is not having them at our backs.  We are better off knowing where they are and being ready for them."