A grumpy loner

In a corner, near the stairs to the rented bedrooms, sits a hulking orc, going through a hefty share of ale, smoking a pipe. Everyone seems to understand to keep distance from him. Even the barmaid keeping him **** only puts his drink at the opposite end of the small table to let him grab it himself. His scarred face screams of anger and resentment, but also sadness. It's a crime for someone to be so wracked in pain, even for a race prone to strong emotions. You think you can try to help him out, even if you can't fix the problem, you can at least help lessen his internal strife. You get two pints of the stronger ale Dandree is offering for the festival and make your way to the orc.

He looks in your direction, seeing your approach and grumbles "Piss off soft-skin. I have no business with you."

"Just thought you could use a friend. Mind if I sit with you?"

The orc eyes you up and down "use a friend? What, are you some kind of well dressed whore?"

He's as rough and direct as he looks. Tread carefully, you tell yourself. "Not quite. I sell my voice, not my body." The orc chuckles as he crosses his arms "Very well bard. Are you here trying to offer me your voice, for a pretty penny?"

"That wasn't the plan, no. I was going to offer you my ears, and a pint of ale, free of charge."

"I'll take the ale" as he leans forward to take the goblet from your hand "Tell me, what use do I have with your ears?"

"Well, something's got so you angry everyone is afraid of you, and probably for good reason. Way I see it, you have two options. You get further drunk and angry and eventually start a fight, paying the owner gold for whatever you broke, or you talk about whatever is on your mind and get it off your chest. Consider my ears the cheaper option, if nothing else"

"You must think me quite the mercenary"

"You're certainly outfitted like one. I'll bet you have some stories to tell."

"None of them happy stories, I'm afraid." as the orc takes a large swig of his ale

"I'm sorry to hear that" as you gently sip yours. "Anything recent bothering you?"

"Ya.." The orc's gaze teeters off, looking through the window on the opposite side of the tavern "I've lost the last bit of loyalty this blasted plane had."

"Lost a friend?"

"I thought they were my friends, yes." As he sighs "A high-minded paladin. Preachy to a point, but always tried to keep me out of trouble. Should have been more thankful to him. A dwarven sorcerer, she spoke utter nonsense half the time, but I had never had a better drinking companion. There was a ranger. Young and arrogant, like most of you Elves are, but utterly fearless. And than, Achita." the Orc paused, dwelling on a memory and collecting his thoughts. "A druid, and a fellow orc. Powerful and headstrong. Beautiful too, but apparently cares more about her damned pet than she does about people." The orc took a strong, deep swig to finish off his ale "To the Nine Hells with all of them, abandoning me like this! Just their way too, saying goodbye with just a note, like some kind of cruel joke"

"Cruel because they didn't say goodbye in person?"

"Yes..." the fighter bobbed his head side to side with an internal debate, before exposing a vulnerability "and crueler still, because I can't read."

You're still surprised that it's still not entirely common for non-elves to not be able to read "That's terrible. I'm really sorry to hear they left you behind."

"Thank you, Elf" he responded quietly, the **** seems to be hitting him hard, as he's starting to get woozy.

"Do you have a place to stay?" The orc shook his head no "Than how about this? I'll share my room with you. In the morning, I'll read your letter for you, and if you're lucky you can catch up with your friends, or at least figure out where they've gone to..."

"Share a bed with you? What kind of elf are you?" The orc seemed surprised, but hardly offended. You respond softly "I said you can share my room, not the bed"

"Damn. Right, you did say that. That's still a kind offer, and I'll take you up on it. I think I'll make my way up there now. Floor should be fine for me. Enjoy the rest of your evening"