Lasciel smiles and nods at the Hippopotamus-person and gives them a quick "Thanks."  Lasciel wore his best kit and gear for this trip and while not exactly nervous he is very conscious of trying to present the right appearance.  "Or perhaps merely smaller on the outside," he offers to Gael with a wink.  He walks with his head up, shoulders back and eyes forward.  He does find his eyes straying to the alcoves and shelves, part of him longing to touch and examine the knicklnacks and bric-a-brac but he forces his hands to behave themself.

     Lasciel blinks siddenly and sneezes as they step from the onset of the stairs to, apparently, the exact room they are being summoned to.  "I think we found our host," Lasciel says quietly and them steps inside as instructed.

     "Greetings," Lasciel calls out in a bright and friendly greeting.  "I am Lasciel Argent, known as 'Lash' to some.  Resident of Waterdeep, former member of the City Watch and current Bard in Residence at The Mosh Pit of Trollskull Alley in the North Ward (though my exact wages have yet to be codified...)  I was requested to come to Blackstaff Tower and to bring my friends...  While not all could attend despite the prestigious invitation, we who could have answered the call..."

     Lasciel is tempted to add more, to either introduce his friends (though he suspects they can do that for themselves) or to ask who it is they are addressing...  But he fears that may come off as rude.

Chumba:

Staying quiet at the understated but impressive magical effects, Chumba strives to listen closely and remember what is said.

Klaes is impressed with the magic within the walls of the Blackstaff, but he keeps to himself. He does not want to make himself a fool, but he does not know the protocols of this place. Before entering the Blackstaff's room, he takes off his top hat. After Lasciel introduces himself, he gives a half step. "Klaes Ashford." He then bows low, bringing his top hat to his chest. "At your service madam."

After Lash introduces himself, followed by Klaes, the human woman who is only in her mid thirties laughs saying “I’d been told you had a silver tongue Lasciel Argent and my informants did not let me down. And you Gael, my informants have also told me about you.” Looking at Klaes she says “you also I know about but you, but I’m not sure about the hat?” Looking at Chumba she says “you are new to Waterdeep, what brings you to my city?”

At this point the party realises that there is another person in the room. She is a pale skinned, white haired finely featured woman with a slight alien cast to her features. The women introduces her saying “this is Lady Fyngold, who lets just say is the daughter of an old friend of mine and is visiting from down south. Why don’t you tell these people a bit about yourself before I explain why I’ve summoned you here?” She says to the woman.

Chumba:

Bowing deeply, Chumba says, “You are most observant, milady.  I am Chumba Wamba, and I hail from the Wyrmdoom Crag far to the north.  My clan is known for defeating evil dragons, and when our speaker leaned of a new evil dragon rising to our south, I was honored to be sent out to hunt it.”

Klaes silently bows low to Lady Fyngold.

Lady Fyngold starts to bow then awkwardly turns it into a curtsey.

"Good morning. I am Fyngold Fluffington," she says then quickly corrects herself. "Lady Fyngold Fluffington. I'm pleased to meet you, although I could wish it were in better circumstances."  

She seems reticent to say much and constantly fingers a large signet ring. Finally she continues, apparently keen to change the subject; "I understand that you own a fine establishment in town.  I have some musical skills that I would be happy to place at your disposal.  But I fear that there will be work to do before we can engage in such pleasures."

"I'm pleasure to meet you too Lady Fluffington." replies the portly dwarf "I'm Gael Stormwind, co-owner of the Mosh Pit. Kleas and I are always looking for talented performers for our tavern so I'm sure that you would be a great addition to our merry band." 
Gael pauses a moment focusing on Lady Fluffington's signet ring (History, 7) "You mentioned a work to do, what kind of work are we talking about?"

     “Lasciel Argent,” Lasciel says as he bows in return to Lady Fyngold Fluffington’s bow-turned-curtsy, throwing her a friendly wink as he does.  “Call me Lash, if it pleases…”

     “Gael and Klaes are the owners, Chumba and I are just hired help,” he confesses.  (Chumba is also not an owner, yes?  Apologies if I’m wrong…)  “Though I may be speaking out of turn I’ve no doubt they would be more than happy to make use of any musical talents you offer!”

     Lash then adds in a “stage” conspiratorial voice: “Just sort out the wages up front, I’m still waiting to hear about that…”  Lash is quick to smile and chuckle but then quickly turns serious.  “But I suppose the entertainment at The Mosh Pit is not why The Blackstaff has gathered us here today…?”  

“You are quite correct Lash. I need you to deal with a small problem which I don’t have the time or inclination to deal with. Apparently several of the outlying farms are beyond the North Gate are being terrorised by a scarecrow come to life.” The Blackstaff says.

"A scarecrow come to life? That is material for a very good song or play!" replies Gael "We could solve this mystery and at the same time compose something new for the Mosh Pit...wonderful!" The dwarf pauses a moment "I mean, terrible for those poor farmers, yes terrible indeed."
"I'm sure, if my other companions agree, that we could look into this matter on your behalf Master Blackstaff, for a fee of course."

     "A comedy of errors, perhaps?" Lasciel agrees.  "Perhaps a series of shorts skits well suited for the attention span of our customers..."  Lash is already liking this idea and creating a rough outline in his head without even knowing how things will turn out in the truth of the matter.  He has almost lost track of where he was and what he was doing here when suddenly he chokes and sputters...

     "A fee?" he asks, nonplussed at the notion.  "From the Blackstaff?"  

     Lasciel quickly leans in to Gael and whispers at him. "THE Blackstaff is asking us to do her a favor... Which do you think is better for the business - Doing it and having the Blackstaff pleased with us, or haggling over prices??"  Lasciel then steps away, turns to The Blackstaff and shrugs and gestures such to indicate that he is of course happy to help... He only works for the guy asking for payment.  And that guy still has never even paid him.  Lash can apparently say a lot with a shrug and some hand gestures...

"When you say 'several', how many are we talking about?" Fyngold asks.  "And how well defended were they?"

“Could be one, could be several. The stories vary but however many there were the farmers were scared out of their wits as these creatures, or creature, have been slaughtering their livestock.” The Blackstaff says.

As to Gael’s request for a fee she merely looks at him as if he is joking.

Trying to change the subject from Blackstaff's clear offense. "Ahh, I am sure it is just restless spirits. We shall take care of it in noo time madam."

Chumba:

”This seems like a reasonable request that will help the local farmers.  Let’s be about it at once.  Is there anything else we need to know before we go?” asks Chumba, realizing that many more troubles than just evil dragons can afflict the common folk.

Seeing that his request for a fee as somehow angered the powerful wizard, Gael laughs as he says "Of course, of course we can take care of those restless spirits in no time."

     "So it is decided then," Lash says to The Blackstaff, "We'll grab our gear and head to the North Gate to investigate.  Unless there is further information such as if these farms had any defenses or defenders or specific farms or farmers we should contact then we shall head out with all haste!"

     "If this is the type of work you are looking for, Lady Fyngold, we would be pleased to have you join us," he adds with a smile.

"Just Fyngold is okay - or Fyn if you like and I'd very much like to join you, I find myself at a loose end right now and this place give me the willies," she says shuddering.  "No offence meant, it's just that I prefer the inside to be smaller than the outside."

"Noo problem maam. We shall hav a guud time." Says Klaes putting his top hat back on now.