Tavern

You decide to hit up the tavern, the most immediate one is a very tall buildings towering above anything you've seen from your old world, being almost impossibly tall for what a stone building should be, but as you suddenly realize as you continue towards the tavern, is that the surrounding buildings are also taller than those you are used to, although too dark for you to really appreciate the architecture and craftsmanship.

You head towards the tall tavern and spot the sign, aptly named 'The Lofty Ambition' with a picture of a small human like creature preparing to shoot some giant monster in the back with a bow. You hear the laughter and singing from behind the large wooden doors, and smile to yourself, as you open the doors and head inside. The scene inside the tavern are a lot livelier than you are used too, with plenty of people laughing and chatting together and the clanking of glass on wood as some people tap along to the band with the glasses. The music is quite pleasant and you find yourself swaying in time with the music as you make your way to the bar.

As you make your way over to the bar a short human like man stands on a stool as he serves a drink, and smiles at you as you approach. Despite his small stature, the man has a handsome rounded face, with a jolly expression on it, with curly brown hair, and green eyes that scan the bar area making sure none of his patrons are waiting on a refill.

"Hello there miss, welcome to the lofty ambition." The short man says in a warm jolly voice loudly to be heard over the bustle of the music behinds you and the patrons chatting and singing along. "You have the look of someone who's new to Aurora, am I right?" He continues as he takes out a glass, and fills it with crystal clear water.

"Yes, I just stepped through a moment ago." You say after finding a volume that is audible over the background as you lean in to the smiling man.

"Ah I figured as much you have that look about, please have this on the house it'll help the headaches." The man slides the glass over to you and you take it and drink it. "The name is Thomas, owner of this fine establishment, peddler of merriment, and retired adventurer at your service." The man says with another devilish smile as he bows as you finish the glass and smile.

"Thank you, I am Emma, farmers daughter, an a hopeful new adventurer." You reply with a smile as you offer out your hand, which Thomas takes and shakes with a firm grip.

"Well I can give you some friendly pointers on the adventurers life as you like, us halflings pride ourselves on sharing wisdoms with those who'll listen, especially such a delicate soul such as yourself, if I was 50 years younger and maybe a bit taller." Thomas says with a wicked grin as he takes back your glass.

"That sounds perfect, I was also looking for a room for a day or two while I get everything I need, I was hoping you might be able to help with that too." You reply with a smile, as you move your blonde hair back and reveal your pointed ears momentarily.

"Certainly, I can you one of the best rooms in the place at one gold per night comes with free meals, or if you don't have that much to spare I've got some more modest rooms for a couple silver pieces per night." Thomas says as you reach back and fish out a gold coin with a five engraved into it.

"I'll take a room for four days, and the rest as a tip for any advice you can give me, if that seems fair." You say as you offer the coin to the halfling.

"More than fair, now I can talk now or if you'd rather retire for the night and recover from the portal, then we can talk in the morning, to be fair it should be quieter so that might be for the best, don't worry your room is on the top floor so you should get all the peace you need. If you want any food I think I've got some light snacks I could prepare before you head up." Thomas says with a smile as he takes the coin and places it into a draw that extends from a large metal contraption with dozens of levers and buttons, and then hands you a large key and gestures you towards the stairs to the side of the bar.

"Thanks, but I think I might rest for a while." You reply as you head up the stair case, until you reach the top floor, where you notice the loud music and sounds of people below have died away, and all you hear is the slight creak of the floorboards beneath your footsteps.

You see a number engraved into the key, and find a door with the corisponding number, a simple enough task given there are only four on this floor, and you unlock the door and push it open, closing it behind you and locking it. You barely have time to register the furnishing or surroundings as you reach the bed, which is huge and soft as you strip off quickly and climb in, as the urge to sleep overwhelms you.