The doors swing open and a man clad in grays and dull browns enters. He has a hard face with a jutting chin and hawkish nose. Despite these prominent features he is handsome enough in an aristocratic manner. His movements demonstrate a certain economy of motion, as he stops in the doorway to carefully scan the common room. Apparently satisfied only then does he enter.
The common room is quiet, a few patrons sit alone nursing hangovers, and a barmaid is busy wipeing off tables. Hailing her he strides purposefully forward, the two tridents strapped to his back forming an odd frame for his salt and pepper hair as he sweeps off his gray widebrimmed hat.
"Morning M'am, I'm lead to believe I might find accomodation here. Do I have that right?"
She smiles at him in welcome and lets her cloth fall upon the table top.
"Oh yes, first time at the Dragon? You can't be from around here! The Dragon caters to your type." She smiles coquetishly.
"My type? And what might that be Rowena dear? I am from around here as it happens, Orussus is my lady as well as my home. I pay attention, keep my ears open, and see that certain palms are greased."
Rowena, looks troubled and backs away a step.
"You're an adventurer, right? Wait, how do you know my name?"
"Don't worry M'am, like I said I do my research. I know your brother Hallan, had a talk with him a few weeks back, he's now rethinking some of his choices - notably who he associates with. I'm a detective by trade you see, its my job to know my city."
Rownea nods guardedly, and raises her gaze meeting a pair of weary but piercing gray eyes.
"I I..." She stammers feeling a blush rising, suddenly flustered.
"There's no need to worry about me Rowena. Now I've heard I am to announce myself to Joe the proprieter, don't worry about your brother he's not a bad sort, he just got caught up with the wrong people - that's over now."
So saying, he moves over to the bar and takes a seat. He does not need to wait long before Joe moves down greeting him with a knowing smile.
"And who might you be stranger? Not worrying my barmaids are you?"
"I hope not Master Joe," he turns back to see Rowena watching him and gives her a slight nod before turning back to Joe.
"I certainly have no wish to cause problems in your establishment. Quite the opposite in fact, I mean to solve them. I am Rigabold Parr, detective, investigator, and - when strictly necessary - adventurer.
I was hoping I might place an advertisment for my services in the common room and use the Dragon as a base of operations. My old premises have become compromised and I had heard that you might indulge me in my enterprise."
Joe studied Parr for a long moment plucking a glass from beneath the counter and wiping it with a rag, seemingly as much by habit as design. Finally after a pregnant pause, the Dragon's owner meets Parr's eyes with his own.
"I think we can accomodate you Rigabold Parr. Whether you will recieve comissions here, well, who can say?"
"Excellent, I shall fetch my things. You are a genorous man Joe, if you are ever in need of my services please do not hesitate, they are yours for the asking."
With that Parr leaves, returning a half hour later to nail up several notices in the common room.
Rigabold Parr
Detective Extraordinaire
Reasonable Rates
Missing Persons
Thefts
Blackmail
Surveillance
Contact at the Red Dragon
[Sblock=OOC]Let me know if I should remove Rowena, hopefully an additional barmaid ought to be okay, right?[/Sblock]
