Cultural Differences OR I just want my merchant's license.

Chapter 7: An Interesting Encounter and its Aftermath

 In the Old Man's Nook, Geoffrey was in the middle of a conversation with Cory about the ruby and the black market when the strangest group he'd ever seen walked through the threshold into the bar. A tiefling, an elf, a halfling, a half-orc. Quite interesting.

As Reginald and the rest of the party looked across the tavern, Geoffrey watched them with a growing smile. Cory leaned over towards Geoffrey and whispered in his ear.

"That's the group–the suspects," Cory said.

"All together like that?" Geoffrey said, bemused.

"Word is they've been getting along with one another," Cory said.

"And doing what?" Geoffrey said.

Just then, Zoe locked eyes with Geoffrey, and she got the attention of the rest of the party. The crew started making their way over, with Lucas taking the lead. Cory glanced towards Geoffrey–nervous. Geoffrey sat patiently and let them approach. This did make things interesting.

"Good evening, sirs," Lucas said. He stopped in front of the table, a polite smile on his face. "Would you mind sharing your table with us this evening? We would be happy to get you a drink or two if you'll stand our company."

Cory opened his mouth, but Geoffrey spoke up before he could say anything.

"We would be quite happy to have some company this evening. And drinks? Even more so," Geoffrey said. Cory closed his mouth and silently studied the faces about the table. The party studied them right back.

With a friendly nod, and a gesture to the others, Luca and the others took seats around the table with Geoffrey and Cory.

Lucas put his hand up and called the waiter over for the drinks. As Lucas turned away from the waiter, he said, "To be honest, friend, we have come here for a bit more than company."

"Is that so?" Geoffrey said.

"Yes. The guard party ended up receiving some unwanted enhancers--if you catch my meaning," Lucas said. His smile widened, doing its best to loosen up Geoffrey. "Me and my friends have been trying to help the guard out some–since we've nothing much else to do–by figuring out why they found themselves in possession of such things. We were wondering, did you happen to misplace some of your own... substance, perhaps?" Lucas watched Geoffrey's face carefully, then continued, "We aren't here so much to accuse, just to check to see that it won't happen again. Such a thing is terrible for the local dealer's reputation, after all."

Geoffrey wore his calm smile and hardly even blinked.

"My apologies," Geoffrey said, "But I have little interest in substances beyond the present ones," he raised his glass towards Lucas and gave a nod. "Though I have taken an interest in the other goods brought about by our apparent mutual acquaintance. I suppose my questions brought about a general suspicion of myself. My apologies for taking your time like this."

As he spoke, Lucas nodded along. Zoe and Kalin, however, made eye contact as their own silent conversation, and they nodded ever so slightly.

It was a silent conversation that Geoffrey completely missed. His eyes, with much amusement, were stuck to Lucas.

"Very well," Lucas said. "Apologies for bothering you and your companion, then. We'll be off to check the rest of our list. Have a good evening sir."

"You as well," Geoffrey said.

With a bit of bustle and a wave from Rari and Amora, the party left the table, leaving Geoffrey and Cory to their free drinks. Geoffrey watched as Amora briefly pulled out an instrument, saying something to the others, but Rari whispered something else in her ear, and they kept going out the door.