Auntie-Ethel quietly appraises the creature behind the Lintoll.  

(History, to identify the creature's nature?  21... If Arcana, instead, the result would be another +2)

"I'll refrain from partaking in the spirits.  I suspect at least some of us should stay out of the bottle, prior to meeting the mayor for his ceremony later."

Noon looks around the empty tent and holds up empty hands to Karen- Jan.

However, talking among yourselves, you’re pretty sure Bigge had paper with him at his recruiting stand.

Ethel has read about doppelgängers. She has heard many of the same stereotypes that have already been mentioned about them being spies, assassins and hedonistic thieves. They’re adept shapechangers and are reported to be able to read the thoughts of those around them.

Ethel also knows that while sometimes descriptions of some creatures is accurate and often applies to most members of the group, when it comes to more reclusive species, the information has to be eyed with care. Noon is not giving them any reason to believe he’s evil in anyway.

Avaria smiles at the man, "Thank you for being so forthcoming with us.  I must say I am delighted to meet one of your kind that is not under the umbrella of what is known about doppelgangers as you say.  I am pleased to know we'll always be welcome at your Lintoll as I have never been to such an incredible spectacle of a location.  I only wish we could actually enjoy it.  Hopefully next time."

The shifter gives the headmaster a little bow and nodding to her friends, "Shall we?  Might be a bit early in the day for this, but we need to solve this now before something else happens.  I need to know why we were being infiltrated, I just don't understand it.  To Bigge first?"

"To Bigge!"

"You said the new fellow joined a week ago? Were you already on your way to Spandelyion at that point? Or had at least decided you were heading here?"

“Yes, our schedule is not secret. They would have known we were coming here.” Noon says.

"Thank you. We will be in touch. Since this is not a formal contract, just wanted to be clear of the boundaries. If we are sure that this Princip is the one who tried to kill our friend, and they don't just give up and turn themselves over to you for whatever punishment the Lintoll would require, are there limits on the measures you would approve? Or so long as it is handled without ending up before the Mayor and Guard, we can do what we must?"

“You have our blessing for anything that keeps the Lintoll’s reputation from being besmirched.” Noon says. “If you are able to turn Princip over to us, you can rest easy that neither you nor anyone else in all of Faerun will ever have to worry about them again.”

((I think Jan's good to head to Bigge and pen a note for Mard. In it she'd say that she and some of the others got busy, and that Ula, Bigge and Hammerdasher are representing the crew who captured the two pirates. She considers writing an apology, but decides against it.))

((Once they are at the Lollipop.))

Martin will peruse the drink menu with trepidation. He will nudge Dave-a and whisper,

"You a big drinker? After my first real hangover I mostly gave it up. Sooo sick."

Dave-a smiles at Martin, "Well, maybe not a big drinker?  But Cassius used to make this mean moonshine.  I would sneak a drink or several and then head out and lay in the middle of a clearing and stare at the stars.  It was a fun little trip and yeah, a few mornings I'd pay for it, but i'd do it again in a heartbeat, an escape of sorts.  He used to hide it back behind the woodpile."  she chuckles, "Don't know how he didn't know I was going back there and sneaking drinks."  she looks pensive for a moment, "maybe he did?  I don't know."

She looks over Martin's shoulder, reading the menu and then points to one that piques her interest, "That one sounds good."

Martin smiles over at Dave-a,

"You never know a parent knows and lets you get away with!"

He squints down at the menu item,

"Demon's Delight? Firey cinnamon with a hint of jalapeno?"

Martin winces,

"This is already going to hurt after, no reason for it to hurt now! I think I will take... Frozen Lake. I'm partial to mint and the cream topping seems interesting."

A dark cloud falls over Avaria's face as Martin mentions parents.  "No... Cassius was not my father."

She shrugs, "To each their own.  Demon's Delight sounds perfect."

Martin's smile disappears as he says,

"Oh, I'm sorry I just thought since... Sorry."

And then he drops it, awkwardly.

To Dave-a's Demon Delight choice,

"Yep, but three times? Maybe the Lemon Tornado? A Swamp Troll could be fun! Maybe a Unicorn... Pee. Should have read that one before I suggested it."

After a longer discussion with Bigge about what to do with the letter and with assurances that you will still try to get to the mayor's show piece later today, you make your way to the Tree Sap Lollipop tent.

You find a large open tent, with a wagon at the back with all the signs of a distillery on hand. Inside, polished wooden tables and chairs, circle a dark, well worn bar. The barkeep, a generically handsome human, easy enough on the eyes but instantly forgettable afterwards, smiles and welcomes the four of you in.

A massive chalkboard hangs from the supports of the tent with almost every imaginable flavour combination shown. 

Once you decide on your drinks, the bartender asks "Paying as you go, or are you running a tab?"

Dave-a pats Martin on the back and a small smile returns to her face.  "It's aight, you didn't know.  Maybe someday we can share our stories?  I'd love to hear how you have become such a famous bard."

Looking up to the barkeep, Dave-a pulls out the ticket from Noon and hands it over, "I believe they are on the house.  I would enjoy a Demon Delight, and my friend here, a Frozen Lake." She turns to Karen and Auntie, "What about you two?"

The bartender arches one eyebrow when he sees the black ticket. He accepts it and holds it up to the light and then smiles.

"Indeed they are," he says. He hands the Demon Delight to Dave-A. He looks at Martin-Marrin then back to Dave-A "Are you sure about this one having a drink too?"

Prior to departing for the Tree Sap Lollipop tent, Auntie-Ethel will separate from the group and remain behind with Bigge.  "I won't be much help on this investigation," she says.  "I rely on focus and concentration to control the weave and cast my spells.  I can't lube up with drink and still be at my best.  And apparently if I'm not carrying a buzz, I would be a liability to this creature's mind-reading."

"I'll stick with Bigge and represent us with the Mayor in the event your hunting takes longer than anticipated."

Ethel's reasoning is partially honest.  She is reluctant to loosen herself up with alcohol prior to - potentially - needing to cast spells with lives on the line.  But that leads into her real insecurity... over several recent battles, her spells haven't been of any help to the party.  Her Web last night did more to aid the villain's escape than anything else.  The others are more than capable of taking on a single doppelganger, and in the meanwhile, she wants some time to rethink how she approaches combat and life-or-death magical decision making.  

Once the others are gone, she queries Bigge on crew selection, and whether they have enough funds to attract any but the desperate?

At the Xanthe's Wish Recruiting Station:

Bigge invites Auntie-Ethel to take his seat when she starts talking to him, forgetting that she really isn't as old as she appears.

"Unless you're one of the big navies or big trading companies, the desperate are your best bet," Bigge says. "I'd be suspicious of someone who showed up claiming all sorts of fancy sailing and manners and the like. That's the one that'll stab you in the back before the first sail is up. Desperate, well, where else are they going to go? Besides, most of the ships like the Rose . . . I mean Xanthe's Wish, well it's more like a room and board plus commission basis."

Bigge finally looks around, looking a hint nervous.

"They'll be back before the whole mayor thing, right? I don't fancy having to go to that."