The Rollicking Rooster

The Rollicking Rooster's sign showed that of a rooster in mid-roll. The inn itself was a modest two story affair with a small tavern in the first floor. The party had two rooms at the inn. Being adventurers, they had experience roughing it, so simply split themselves into men and women. Ilya parted off from Lauren with a request that he play for her again soon. Lauren did not quite know what was going on, though he was happy to see Ilya so enraptured by his music. She had never really shown interest before, and now did so after admitting to pitying him. He worried that this was simply more pity.

Lauren got changed out of his adventuring clothes and into something that breathed. Hard boiled leather may keep you alive, but it was killer for your skin. Jasper kept his armor on whenever he could, even while sleeping. He was playing with one of his daggers. He had two magic ones now, and about a dozen more nonmagical ones. This was one of the nonmagical variety. He was flipping it in the air then catching it. Lauren did not want to confide in him. Lauren did not like him and barely trusted him. But Lauren was not prone to keeping things quiet: the fault of a bard.

"Did Ilya seem unusual to you?"

Jasper thought for a moment, "Not really." Then he sat up, "Did she say something to you that you suspect something? Do you think she could be a doppelganger, or one of Lord Aaron's crew with disguise magic?"

Jasper was often paranoid like that. It was a good practice for an adventurer. Lauren did not want to make a mountain out of a molehill. "It's nothing like that. It's just that, I think she's paying attention to me because she pities me."

Lauren knew what would happen next, and it did. Jasper laughed. Jasper laughed at Lauren. "Maybe she does! I certainly do! Hahahaha." When he finished laughing he said, "You idiot. She hangs about you because she likes your music. That's always why. It must have some pansy quality to it that draws the elves. I certainly couldn't tell what she hears in that drivel."

Lauren's cheeks burned. This was every conversation with Jasper, yet Lauren needed someone to talk to. It was infuriating. He wished things would change about this situation. He decided to say so.