When the rabbitfolk entered, Fin's eyes gave way his feelings when his face did not. First confusion, then excitement, a bit of apprehension, then finally contempt. He'd been the one to inquire about participating in the fighting ring, so the prospect was appealing. However, he recalled rumors of the local clan feuds and saw how this one was muscling in.

Though his face held like a stone, his voice was a forced courtesy, "I'll admit, I was the one interested. However, recent news has drawn us elsewhere rather quickly. We will need to leave. With haste."

Madame Moulot stands from the table, card in hand, and in a wretched voice she has somehow manipulated to sound old and weary beyond her years, says: "We were just finishing up, Teddy, and I'm afraid the news is terrible. The spirits have informed me that this poor lamb has lost his entire family in a blazing inferno, over at their farm in Crag's Crescent." She gestures to Effulgyn. "Well, everyone but one--there might be a child still alive. They don't have any time to spare. They must go rescue the poor girl and time is of the essence!"

Effulgyn’s jaw drops. “But… you said…,” he stammers. Too much all at once for him to process, but casting around at the others, he finds his way.

”I’m leavin. Now. And I don’t have time fer any fighting ring. Thank you madam.” He bows to Moulot, stands, and walks directly up to the rabbit. “Excuse me,” he says, firmly suggesting the rabbit move out of the way, his tone implying that he will not take no for an answer. 

Teddy, easily twice as tall as Effulgyn, and quite sure in his abilities, stays his ground. With a bit of a chuckle he says "Now now little one, no need getting all injured and whatnot before the fight. That wouldn't do at all."

Madame Moulot, in a bit of betrayal of how weak and frail and old she made herself sound earlier, steps deftly between the two men. "Teddy, there is no need for this! You of all people should know the importance of family! Let them go! Abe will understand." 

"Not that boss," Teddy says, with a smidge of frustration. "The big boss. Ulysy. 'Fraid I won't be able to show up empty handed."

Madame is not able to produce a counter argument to this news and you get the sense that Ulysy, whoever he is, is a big name in Beres. With nothing to say she returns her body language to the weak, frail persona she had adopted. There is one literal second of thick tension in the room, and then, as if he'd been waiting for this moment, Ash steps forward. 

"I'll go, willingly." he says quietly. "You let the rest go attend to their, uh, stuff. I'll catch up." 

(OOC Can you describe the room and who is in the room and blocking our way)

Are there windows or doors out of the building?

Fin's eyes move between the rabbitfolk until he centers Teddy. A hand stays locked to his scabbard while the other throttles the grip. In such a tight space, a drawn sword wouldn't be much good, but he could get close to use the pommel and guard to decent effect. "Take the direction and leave. You've sent your message, and we won't be held captive for hours until your boss chooses to make a game of us fighting."

OOC here is a quick map I put together. 

The front door is identified, and the two red squares on the stairs indicate the rabbitfolk pals Teddy brought with him. The stair is quite narrow, but two standard sized humanoids could squeeze by if they needed to (though it wouldn't be comfortable). 

There are only really two people in the main lobby area, those being Haldeen (little pink oval) and Fin (grey circle). There are two heavy curtains in the room and you can assume they cover windows but you can't see the windows themselves. You are on the second floor so would potentially take falling damage from a jump, and potentially piercing damage if you had to break a window.

The room everyone else is currently in is small with no windows. Teddy is pretty much standing just inside, blocking the only door. Directly in his way is Madame Moulot, and beside her Ash. Effulgun is just behind her, and Ferg and Arc are behind them. 

What you don't know is how many people are waiting for you downstairs (if any) and if you can safely get to your cart and just like roll away. 

Reading Fin's body language from outside, the two rabbitfolk enter into the room. Here is what it looks like. 

Teddy holds his hands out in de-escalation.  "Now now, like I said, no need to get all out of sorts here. This one says he'll do it and if he wins he'll be all the richer for it. If time really is of the essence, best be on your way." 

“Ash,” whispers Effulgyn urgently, his eyes still on Teddy with a bored expression — many have underestimated him before, it’s a sad result of their having been born too large the halfling decided long ago —, “what is this nonsense? You’re supposed to be comin with us. Ye can’t just sacrifice yerself or whatever yer doin.”

Arc says "We are going together or not at all"

"Give us some time to talk, will you?" Ash says to Teddy. Teddy hesitates a moment and then shrugs, leaving the room and allowing Fin to enter, if he wishes. (OOC Fin, I assume you would want to hear this so I am going to proceed--but if you wish to stay in the other room with the rabbitfolk that's cool too, just let me know.)

"Look. The only reason I am here is to complete the mission. I am not interested in rabbit politics or women who use fake incense to cloud the judgement of stupid people who don't know the difference between a fortune and a future." he glares at Madame Moulot. "I reckon we won't be able to fight our way out of this one. Even if we made it to the donkey, they'd catch us and then what?" he looks around. "I also reckon if none of us make out out to tell the tale, we won't be able to continue our mission at all. This way at least we ensure someone gets to Kindermarsh." And with that, he takes out the vials that ID had given him just over 24 hours earlier, still in their pouch. "Who wants these? Remember: don't get them wet."

“All right Ash, all right. If that’s how you want to play it I see there’s sense in it. Although really I think yer just scrappin for a melee. We’ll do ok without ye and we’ll see ya again in the academy in a few days. Don’t hurt any of em too badly bruiser, eh?,” Effulgyn winks.

Ferg steps forward taking the vials "I'll make sure these are well taken care of"  He puts them in his personal pouch.  "It looks like it is settled then, we move fast and Ash"  Ferg gives him a grateful nod "Ash will fulfill whatever requirement this Ulysy seems to need."  He looks way up at Teddy but with great presence and says "You are a bit of a bully, see if you can keep our friend alive!"  He looks at the others "It is time to go and go quickly"  He makes his way past Teddy very much NOT looking at him this time.

Fin stops a moment when he hears Ash's criticism of Madame Moulot's techniques and even offers a futile, "Hey..." at the general characterization of her more enthusiastic clients (Fin being among them now). However, he allows the consensus to give way to his protective urge, "Don't get beat, and don't overdo things. If they realize you've got an edge, they'll take it, I'm sure. Keep your trump cards hidden until you want to run. We'll be back soon. Until then, boost me up a bit; I'd like a go at whoever they've got."

You watch as Teddy and his two silent red-clad companions lead Ash out and down the stairs of Madame Moulot's apartment. A silence hangs in the air and is eventually broken by Haldeen.

"The fights are brutal, but won't likely kill him." she eventually says, with an off putting dissonance on the word kill that stays in your ears slightly too long.  "And don't worry. He has a place to come back to if he needs. He can stay with me." she looks pensive, and a bit doubtful, but sincere in her offer. 

Madame Moulot, still clutching the card she had chosen for Ash, sits back at the table, looking worn and thin, like an dishcloth that's been overused. 

"I think we bought you some time, but not a lot. Wherever your journey takes you next, leave soon." she says. 

Arc "Let's go" he moves to the door and exits with his fist still clenched and questioning his decision not to fight them.

Once they get outside Ferg asks everyone "So are we to continue on to Kindermarsh?"  He looks at Efflylgyn questioningly.  "Are you ok with your family situation?  Or do we need to make a stop there?"  ..

“Ferg… You’re a man o logic, right? Ummm…, gnome of logic that is. Ya see, I’m more likely to go with me heart. An it’s tellin me the farm’s ok. I say, let’s carry on, mates. Come on Asterix!,” he says, clicking his tongue. 

Standing at the cart, you notice that all of Ash's things have been removed. He didn't carry much, but the cart feels lighter (if only just in spirit). 

Haldeen, who has followed you outside, gives you a reassuring nod. You get the impression that if you wanted a hug, she would grant it, but she makes no offer. Instead she turns back and returns to the Dew Drop Inn. 

The two men that were once smoking on the balcony of The Eight are gone, and there is no sign of the Bugbear, or of Teddy and Ash. All seems eerily quiet in Beres as you head back up the street, heading for the main road. 

OOC Effulgyn is on the bench with Asterix in the reins. Where is everyone else? Do you want to visit any stores or anything? Ferg, is Parson out or are you hiding him again to avoid demonstrating your magical abilities?

"Lets get moving"