Sergeant Grimsdatch nods to Orryn and waves over Durnan.  "You had something to say to our prorpietor, here?" he says, firmly but not altogether unkindly.

The driver, for his part, looks like he would rather be down the Portal than here at the moment, but swallows some water and begins.  "Y-Yes.  Yessir.  Begging you pardon, but I make deliveries.  Every day.  People trust their goods with me.  Never late, never damaged.  That's what I tell them, and that's what I do.  Every day, sir.  Today, there was the worst traffic I've ever seen a couple o blocks down from the Yawning Portal.  I mean, horses, carriages, pedestrians to thick you can't move.  For must have seemed like hours.  I'm gettin nervous here, because, like I said, never late, never damaged.  All of the sudden, it all clears up.  Everybody's gone -- the carriages, the horses -- even the ruddy people!  Never seen anything like it.  Well, never late, never damaged  -- did I say that already?  So I give my own team some encouragement, and we take off like a shot.  Like a shot, I say sir!"

He nods sheepishly at Durnan, and takes another sip of water.  "Well, I must have taken the corner by the Yawning Portal too fast, because next thing I know I'm slamming up against the wall!  Never meant to do so, sir, honest!  And I wasn't leaving the scene, either.  I had to chase down my horses.  They had a good fright out of this, but as soon as I found them and hitched them to a post, I came right back here to tell you what I had done, sir."  He looks from Rue to the Sergeant.  "And attacking brooms?  Please, sir, I know nothing about this."

"Although..." the driver regards you all in turn, almost pleadingly.  "Never late -- looks like I can't say that no more.  Never damaged, though -- maybe you would be so kind as to point me to those brooms, so I can get them to my customers when we're done here?  Please?"

Aerys chuckles, "I don't think your customers will want some splintered and charred pieces of wood, my friend. What is your name?"

((I apologize for not posting, got the new Assassin's Creed game so I've been fairly addicted recently lmao))

"What you are seeing 'ere, Armar, is a true testamon to zee Waterdhavian community spirit! When zis unfortuante accident occurred, each and every patron 'ere responded wiz alacrity. Zee carriage's contents were apparently animated brooms. Normally a nuisance and a prank for zee children, but wiz proximity to zee Portal a potential life-ending peril! In addition, zee crash knocked over some source of flame and set zee stage on fire! Fortunately, zee taproom's reputation for whetting whistles also means zere is plenty on hand for zee dousing of conflagration!

A bucket chain was formed! Menacing tools of sweeping were fought! Perilously dangling citizens were saved from almost certain perishmon! True 'eroics all around!

As for les Misters Dwindlejoy and Grady, we should allow your fine squad zee opportunity to interview zee witnesses before we make any unfounded accusations zat may unfairly impugn them prematurely."

Even when the city watch members make their way over to the stage, Cassie pays them no heed until all of the fire is put out.  If any of them insist on her speaking to them immediately, she simply says, "Not until I am certain all of the fire is out," and continues with her cantrip.

Once she's certain there are no remaining embers that could reignite the stage or any nearby tables she will willingly yet reluctantly make her way over to the gathering for questions, but she won't offer up any information unless asked directly.

She DOES keep a stern eye on Dwindlejoy and Grady, while casting an occasional cautious glance at Leilani.

Having said his piece, Arvel gives the sergeant a chance to absorb what the charmer has said.

While sipping some water, he scans the crowd, looking for familiar faces.

Jun continues sipping on his ale, not saying anything, watching Grady and DJ.

"So, an accident.  We have rules in Waterdeep about driving recklessly," Sergeant Grimsdatch says to the driver.  "You will of course pay the relevant fines, and help Durnan and his staff clean up the mess."  He looks peers down at Grady, about whom he knows, and Jun, whom he does not know, but who seems notably silent.  "What can you two tell me about this...accident?"

Jun takes another sip of ale before responding,

"Anything I could add would likely be disputed by others here, with little proof either way beyond the word of witnesses."

Jun visibly looks at Grady with a distasteful look on his face as he finishes.

"Which is why we should allow zee good Armar to gazzer zee statemons of zee witnesses in zee absence of any accuzations, non? Let us try not to antagonize one anozzer in zee meantime, s'il vous plaît?"

Arvel is giving Jun his best "I'm working here" smile. Like a lawyer silently telling his client to use his right to remain silent.

Jun looks at Arvel as he speaks, but as he finishes, Jun looks away past him in the direction of the librarian he saw Grady shove into the portal. 

Arvel follows Jun's gaze. He gives Jun a reassuring single nod of the head. And then Arvel's eyes slide to the arrow still in Grindlejoy's hands.

Grady looks abashed, then grins at Jun  "I did not want to say this, now that the trouble is past, but Dwindlejoy and I, we...went to protect this patron over here, and this crew" -- he motions to encompass all of you - "these strangers to the city - oh yes, don't think we haven't noticed your accents,  your mannerisms -- attacked us, citizens in good standing! "

Jun begins untying his sheathed sword from its place on his belt as he waits for the Sergeant to react to Grady's accusation. When fully untied, Jun lays they sheathed blade on top of the bar, whereupon Kita the hummingbird perches upon it.

Arvel stands loudly, attempting to distract from his companions' actions.

"Strangairs, monsieur?! I 'ave been a resident of Watairdeep for years and consider myself a proud Watairdhavian like zese fine people 'ere!"

He gestures around to everyone who has helped and been helped.

"I suggest we allow zee sergeant to collect zee statemons of zese upstanding citizens, who no doubt will corroborate zee accounts my companions and I will lay out."

He catches Leilani's eye and gives her a very quick, pleading look.

Rue doesn't object to being called a stranger to the city.  It was true.

He bows his head to the Sergeant and gives his account, more calmly this time.  "I saw zis person," he gestures to Grady, "toss a patron into zee pit, during zee chaos."  Rue points out the librarian.  "He seemed aggressive, and I believed it was intentional.  It is true I did attack, to startle, to stop zis happening again."

Arvel slumps back into his seat and begins rubbing his eyes in frustration.

Internal monologue:

Orynn finds a chair and sits, still trying to avoid attention, and not talking until talked to.

The sergeant shakes his head at Grady and chuckles.  "A citizen, I'll grant you.  Good standing though -- ehhh, that might be a stretch."  He turns sharply on Rue at her outburst.  "Tossing  people into the pit?  That would be new, even for this pair.  Let's collect statements as this gentleman suggests, starting with that.  No, not from you," he raises his hand to silence Grady as the squat man starts to speak.  "You will get your turn, when these people are done." 

Hearing that the guards are going to take statements makes Dekket desire to have jumped to the pit. 

"Calm down boy " he thinks to himself " they are not here for you and they have more important things to think of..." 

He tries to remain calm until spoken.