[Amanaduial the archer]

Aman raised an eyebrow at the newcomer as, after first of all stumbling in and colliding with the coatrack, he now seemed to be fascinated with the bar, running a hand along it appreciatively. Much as Aman was sure the bar's creator would have been thrilled, Aman broke into the man's reverie. "So, are you done admiring my bar, or would you like me to come back in a bit, dear stranger?"

He looked up, apparently startled, and his cheeks and ears took on a slightly red tinge, before stammering a reply. "I..err...yes, heh, I'm quite done."

Aman couldn't help her smile widening, and as the man asked for a room, he turned to survey the room, caught up once again in some sort of strange spell as he gazed around. Aman cleared her throat lightly and pushed the log book in front of the man. "Just sign...here," she pointed at the spot on the page with a slim finger, "and there is a deposit of 2 coppers for this room."

She had hesitated before saying this last part, taking in the state of the man's disheveled clothing, but had to say it. Awrygan had done a few odd jobs around the Inn to earn his room for the night along with breakfast and lunch. Aman knew she shouldn't do that sort of thing often, as it certainly wouldn't do for the Inn to be thought of simply as a place where a free meal and room can be got, but she had taken a liking to this odd gentleman (using the word gentleman very loosely, of course). She almost thought she wouldn't mind that much if he didn't pay, as she suspected he wouldn't be able to, and after all, he said he would be staying for a while, he could earn his keep...

Aman stopped making excuses in her heart as the man extracted from his heavy-looking black overcoat a gold pen and signed his name in a slightly italicised script. Aman subtly read the writing upside down; Beren. Then he fished once more into a different pocket of aforementioned coat and withdrew two copper coins. Aman took them with a smile, and the man rolled his eyes and winked. "Smile now, huh?"

Now it was Aman's turn to blush slightly, and she looked down quickly, closing up the log book and withdrawing it, before taking a key, complete with dragon keyring, and holding it out to the young man. He smiled and took it, then coughed slightly and leaned forward conspiratorially, and Aman subconciously did the same.

"Also, is there...is there anywhere I could, erm, get some...new clothes?" Beren finished hopefully. Aman nodded, understanding, while running through the possibilities. "There's nowhere very near by, although you could have come by something in the mathom sale..." she ignored the man's puzzled expression. "Never mind. Look, as I'm guessing you won't want to wear any of my clothes," the man's eyes widened, and he looked apprehensive, before Aman continued again. "so I'll ask Derufin to send up some of his clothes, if I can persuade him."

"Please do. In the meantime, could I get something for a parched throat?"

Aman drew an ale for Beren before slipping off to ask Derufin.

[ July 16, 2003: Message edited by: Amanaduial the archer ]