The barkeeper/innkeeper frowned. [b]“There goes a confident one.”[/b] He muttered, darkly. Maybe it had been different in the past, but--these days--patrons didn’t go about carousing, upsetting the locals, and then announce where they were lodging for the whole world to hear. 

Still, the innkeeper was used to hosting all kinds. The flashy fox and feathered female were far from the most frivolous fiends ever to darken the door of his inn. [b] “How about more ta drink, instead?”[/b] He suggested to Shiki, when the man put coin on bartop. [b] “You’d do better not ta take local lore as lightly as that one.”[/b] He nodded toward the stairs where Miiya had departed. [b] “I don’t trade in witchcraft, nor do I recommend it ta out-of-towners. Yew’ll have to look fer yer own talisman tomorrow.”[/b] He pointedly did not recommend Shiki obtain one from the foxkin, any of the patrons, or the shady character in the corner, as Miiya might have.

The night deepened and the storm outside continued to grumble with muted growls of thunder. As the fire burned low, the tavern’s patrons began to depart--most out into the stormy night, with only one or two lodgers heading to the inn’s rooms. 

Those that left departed in pairs or larger groups. With each departure, the shady figure in the back seemed to track their movements. Their face was cast in shadow by the cowl they kept raised, but slight twitches indicated where they watched those who departed. When there was only the latecomer and one pair of patrons left, the innkeeper announced that the bar was closing, and all present needed to leave or hire a room for the night.

[b]“Alright, well that’s my cue to leave you fine folks.”[/b] Reed said. [b]“I wish you the best on your endeavors. If you can bring back a spot of bright or kindness to this town, there’s still some of us who would welcome it,”[/b] he asserted as he wrapped his lute in an oilskin and headed out into the darkness. 

After the musician had departed, anyone left at the bar would find that the common room was now empty. Of the shady figure, there was no sign. Had they hired a room? Had they gone out into the tempest? It could be that no one cared, but it was certain that no one had noticed.

[b]”Alright, yew don’t hafta go home, but you can’t stay down here. Rent a room or get out.”[/b] The innkeeper said brusquely to anyone still hanging about.