The old man beamed in joy as both Jolokia and Arufi approached him.  He hadn't even expected there to be one adventurer in town, so to find [i]two[/i] was a godsend.  Making a note to give an extra large offering to the Church of Aster later, he held out his arms as his voice boomed out unnecessarily loud throughout the tavern.

"You must help us, brave travellers!  Though you have clearly come from far," he intoned, as he noted their unusual appearances, "We, the humble people of Akerfield, implore your aid!  For you see-"

"So you'll give us anything if we help you?" Jolokia cut him off, her crimson eyes practically the size of saucers as she leaned eagerly towards the old man, her long green ponytail bobbing frantically back and forth.  "Like... Like you'll buy me the ribeye [i]and[/i] the hotpot?"

The old man... Was not sure how to respond to this.  The girl was clearly a Masalan, there was no mistaking it.  The red eyes, those pointed ears, the ever-so-slightly noticable fangs... It had been a long time since he'd met one, of course, but he'd always remembered them as being rather wise and contemplative, albeit a bit too overeager once they got going with anything.  And, well... Whilst he remembered their vast appetites, he was sure that food wasn't the only thing they thought of.  Maybe she was just delirious from hunger.  Yes, that had to be it.

Still, he felt it was wiser to speak to the Nem first.  Whilst many in these parts would mistake such a small girl for a child, someone as learned and well-travelled as himself could immediately recognize a Nem when he saw one.

"It is... Rather unusual to see one of your kind, Netuyem."  He couldn't help but use the full name of the Nem race, even if it made him seem somewhat pretentious.  After all, a venerable soul such as himself had to keep up appearances.  "We are desperately in need!  Night after night, our fair town of Akerfield is placed under seige by... By unnatural forces!  They... They keep taking away our children to the mountains!  My... My dear, sweet daughter disappeared last night, and... And I must beg of you, in the name of Aster, and of your Ila-Nem and..." He took a moment to turn his attention back to Jolokia, who was still staring expectantly at him, her eyes wide and her smile gormless. "And your Tamarind, I beg of you... Please, help us!"