[color=8dc73f][b]Tomomi Kinpachi[/b][/color][hr] She slipped the sword pair onto her belt, before straightening her clothes. The lady of the house seemed absent, from the brief time Tomomi had stepped out, and she wasn't about to go looking for her lest she stumble onto something private or embarrassing. Checking once more for the key, she placed it securely upon her person, not in any of her pockets but in her undergarments, where none would think to search. As for the box, she placed it deep within her backpack, hiding it within her room. Twas not her companions she feared however, twas the thieves and scoundrels that may burst into her room and make off with the tomes. Knaves that Lorrimor had wished her to protect it from. The tavern was what she sought, a local watering hole wherein information could be found, where loose lips flapped in the abundance of drinks, or money. That, and she wanted something strong to drink. That being said, Tomomi had no idea where the local tavern was, having went directly towards the funeral. Stepping out of the house, she walked for a moment until she found one of the townsfolk and asked for their direction. The townsfolk were nice enough people, even to those that appeared to be foreigners. Even the most shy of the locals wouldn't spurn somebody in need of drink, and asking around for the tavern had her pointed to a small building. A bold sign hanging just above the door marked the area as 'The Laughing Demon', while a small sign on the ground indicated that a show tonight was featuring the 'Varisian Violists'; although the 'i' in 'Violists' had apparently been hastily written in chalk when someone realized they had made a spelling mistake. The ambience seemed inviting enough, with warm lightning and the infrequent laughter coming from within. Tomomi rubbed her chin thoughtfully, wondering if the show later tonight would be worth going. Shrugging, she went in, heading straight for the bar. [color=8dc73f]"I bid you good morning, my good man. A mug of your best drink, if you please."[/color] She spoke to the man behind the bar.Even as she spoke, she was listening hard to the chatter around her, trying to see what she can learn from idle chatter before asking in depth about anything. "[color f7976a]Sure thing dearie! Coming right up![/color]" said the man tending the bar. He was a rather large figure, with a round nose and a chevron mustache, and he suppressed a sly grin as he bent down beneath the bar. [hider Mechanics] Tomomi rolled a [color green][b]21[/b][/color] on Perception [/hider] [hider Rumors] There were only a few people in the establishment, mostly workers complaining about the day they had yesterday or pre-complaining about the day they were about to have today. The only ones who didn't seem to be talking about work were two gentlemen across the bar. "[color f7976a]That stupid dog nearly ran under my wagon as I was hauling grain through town yesterday. I swear, next time I'm not going to stop, I'm just going to let the wagon roll right over him![/color]" "[color f7976a]Don't you dare! Old River is a good dog. Does a better job of watching your kids than you do, at least.[/color]" "[color f7976a]Oh I've got something you can watch...[/color]" Despite the implied threat, the man just shook his head in irritation and finished his drink, while the one across from him rolled his eyes. [/hider] "[color f7976a]Liquid ghost![/color]" said the barkeep, setting a mug beside Tomomi, the contents of which [i]appeared[/i] to be ale, but she could swear that it was glowing faintly green. "[color f7976a]Four coppers.[/color]" Tomomi stared down at it incredulously. What sort of drink was that? But it did seem to be his best, so it would be rude to refuse it. Dropping the coppers into his hand, she took a cautious sip at the drink. It tasted... well, it tasted like ale, but certainly sweeter. Certainly not something she minded. Some old dog running under a wagon was certainly an unfortunate thing to happen, but not the sort of information she was looking for. [color=8dc73f]"Anything new around town?"[/color] She took another sip from the mug. [color=8dc73f]"I've just came in yesterday you see."[/color] "[color f7976a]New?[/color]" repeated the barkeep, humming slightly as he polished a beer glass. "[color f7976a]Well, the Varisian Violists are playing in here tonight; first round is on the house for all attendees![/color]" he said, grinning widely as he did. His eyes flitted around, as if he was trying to come up with something else, before his grin slowly sank. "[color f7976a]We lost one of our own recently, and I hear his daughter was taking it pretty hard, but nothing really out of the ordinary besides that.[/color]" [color=8dc73f]"Ah yes, that. I've attended his funeral yesterday."[/color] Tomomi sighed, before picking up the mug and finishing off the content. [color=8dc73f]"There was some odd people stopping him from being buried too. Good thing that man had a silver tongue, and talked them out of it. Wonder why they seemed so disgruntled..."[/color] "[color f7976a]Eh.[/color]" the bartender gave a noncommittal noise. "[color f7976a]The people 'round here have never really warmed up to the idea of magic and such. Grimsburrow is a crotchety old man, and Alendru isn't exactly a sterling example of a man.[/color]" The bartender set his glass down and leaned a little farther over the bar to speak quietly to Tomomi. "[color f7976a]'tween you and me though, people definitely seem more on edge, recentsly. Dunno if the ol' Professor's death has 'em spooked or what, but it's definitely there.[/color]" Nodding at the bartender's words, she slipped another 4 coppers towards him, asking for another mug of that liquid ghost. [color=8dc73f]"Perhaps those Violists later tonight will ease some of that tension then."[/color] People on edge around here? Perhaps there was something more waiting, lured by whatever the professor had.