Lyss suppresses a giggle at the name of Volo's friend, and seats herself out of the big dragonborn's line of sight.

"Are you sure you can really pay us that much?" Dneevar asks Volo after swallowing another piece of brisket. "I mean, I'm not necessarily here for the coin, but it would be nice to know if you can be true to your word." (Insight: 3) "But yes, you can count on me to do the job."

Trani doesn't think of herself as a hero. She was pretty much just saving her own skin, though, come to think of it, she didn't run away at least. So maybe that's something.

Being usually quiet, she sidles over to the table where the conversation is occurring to listen. A job would be a good thing and the pay would likely be better than she can earn as an unknown performer in this city.

Volo quickly pockets Roses bag of coins, “Well, I’m very fond of this hat, how about I pay you by taking you out to dinner? Then you can admire it all you like.”

”As for the coin, my dragonborn friend, all I can say is trust me - you’ve read my books, not just critically acclaimed but also commercial successes. I’ll have the money for you.”

Dnee is too taken by Volos charm to determine much of his intentions, but from his knowledge of the author, he is generally successful, and well meaning, but known to exaggerate the truth at times.

At the very least, there's a lot of coin being tossed around, and if her co-workers aren't interested or motivated by coin... well, so much the better.

"We're in.", Lyss says in a slightly more mature voice.

"Very well onto the more important matters. We need to know where your friend was last seen and any others that he is known to associate with." Alden says in a neutral manner, falling back into his soldier training to be logical about the situation.

“No, um not the three of us, what I meant was...  nevermind just take the hat.” Volo looks disappointed as he throws his hat down next to the 5 bags of gold.

He looks to Alden. “Thank you for taking this on. I last saw him 2 nights ago, at the skewered dragon in the dock ward. As for friends, he’s a popular guy, I mean, not as popular as me, but he knows a lot of people - most the city - or at least those worth talking to.”

Trani finally pipes up. "Ya need someone who can talk to people? I'm ya gal right here," she says, beaming at Volo.

Looking to Trani, he says “Yes, I’m sure that will help, I heard your words to that ogre, almost as good as mine! But be careful, Waterdeep seems to be getting less safe by the day.”

"Skewered Dragon. Is there anything about this place we should know?" Alden asks as he almost cracks a smile at seeing Volo pout about the loss of his fancy hat. 

“Well, it’s certainly a more... basic establishment than this. The clientele are a little on the edgy side - but that’s part of it’s charm I guess. I wrote a little about it in my book, “Volo’s guide to Waterdeep” Available in any book store worth the bricks it’s made of!” 

Volo, though he seems to know he’s being taken for a ride - can’t resist Rose’s charms. “I’ll hand them round now!” He smiles giddily as he hands everybody their 2 dragons, his eyes lost on Rose.

Lyss can hardly believe her and Aimee's luck! Makes almost getting drained by the blood bat bug worth it!

She'll claim her purse and extra, and make sure Aimee tucks it in a pocket she won't lose it from.

Alden takes the money and looks to Rose with a another quirked brow, quickly understanding why her mother thought she needed to be watched. While his face was blank he could not help but think 'Dear gods what have I gotten myself into...'

Trani can't completely hide a smile as she reaches for her share. She always thought she was a rather spoiled child, but Rose takes it to a whole new level. May the gods find a way to help her family, she starts thinking to herself before feeling odd and coming to a sudden understanding that such things were beneath the gods. She shakes off the feeling and gets back to the matter at hand.

"How soon should we get started? Right away? I mean... I'm ok but some of ya look like ya had a rough go."

Bonnie comes over to the table, “Oh hi, I’ve got your wine hear ms Rose, sorry about the boss - he’s a bit short but he’s not all bad - is there anything else I can do for anyone? You all really came through tonight - I was really scared!”

"No, I think I'm alright," Dneevar tells the waitress, hand clutching his chest where his wound is to stop the bleeding. "Maybe another mulled wine... I'm nearly finished with this one." He takes out the 4 nibs and places them on the table, before returning to contemplative thought.

Bonnie steps back from the nibs that Dnee placed on the table. “Oh no sir, this ones on the house!”

Dneevar hesitantly places the nibs back in his pocket. "Oh.. thank you miss." He quickly finishes his brisket and downs it with what's left of the glass of mulled wine he currently has. He is doing quite fine for someone who nearly died a minute or so ago, but he is a bit disoriented and aloof from the conversation with Volo.

“Why thank you Lady Rosamund, I shall save it for our dinner. Now unless you have any more questions, I’ll leave you to it. I have an exciting new book coming along and it won’t write itself.”