Rue responds gleefully in Elvish.  "Beaucoup de salutations, les amis! Je suis ravie de faire votre connaissance - je suis Rue Olincha. Cette grande ville est tellement magnifique, j'ai pensé que je serais trop long!"

Out of politeness, he repeats his greeting in Common for the rest of the table.  "Many greetings, friends!  I am so glad to meet you - I am Rue Olincha.  This great city is so wondrous, I thought I would be late!"  He grins animatedly - he hasn't been still since entering the tavern.  "I am glad I did not miss things!"

He listens until Bonnie arrives, staring intently at each speaker in a somewhat disconcertingly way.  When he is served, he gives thanks in another rapid-fire garble of languages.  He is much more interested in his companions than the drink, though he does share in the toast.  He seems particularly entranced by Arvel, at least until Jun performs his little ceremony, which he watches with equal intensity.  

Aerys' nods at Cassandra's mention of the Silver Phoenix. "Aye. I've seen the ship before, beautiful ship as well. Fast as the wind."

He takes another sip of his ale when he notices Jun speaking into his water and then it starts to steam. He tilts his head and smiles, "Excellent trick! Where did you learn how to do that?"

Jun gives a slight smirk and looks Aerys in the eyes as he responds.

"Would you believe I learned it from Port Nyanzarou's Harbormaster?"

He takes another sip from the cup.

"He used the trick to brew up a drink using roasted beans of some kind, but I find it works just as well for other beverages."

"Roasted beans? I've never heard of such drink. I bet it tastes gross! Very interesting trick, seems it has came in handy more often than not, eh?" Aerys' says as he lifts the mug to his lips and drinks his ale. He starts to look around the tavern and smiles at how happy and entertained everyone looks.

"So far, my first time in Waterdeep is going great. The mood in here is so jovial and lively, it reminds me of my old ship! Every night the rest of the crew and I would sit around a lantern and swap stories from previous voyages." He takes a long look at the pit in the ground.

"I wonder what kind of monstrosities are down there." He takes another long drink from his ale.

"Well, zee accounts differ from group to group. Some find large beasts of the underground, spidairs and bats and such. Others face zee peoples of zee underdark, drow and duergar. Zee more fantastic stories feature harrowing tales of zee undead in zee thrall of zee ancient wizard 'Alaster Blackcloak 'imself!"

Jun cocks an eyebrow at Arvel.

"Just how 'ancient' are we talking?"

"Zee tales say 'a thousand years'..."

Arvel waves his hands and waggles his fingers.

"OOoooooOOOOOOoooo!"

Jun stares blankly at Arvel for a few seconds, then waves his free hand, waggling his fingers. He says half-heartedly,

"OOoooOOOoo, scary…"

Aerys, not averting his gaze from the pit, says in a somber tone. "Has anyone ever," he pauses trying to find the word "conquered it? Has anyone ever seen this ancient mage and did battle with him?"

"Ha! Zee tales of Undermountain are more numerous zan zee cobbles of Rainrun street! Any adventurer in zee city will tell you all zee tales you'd wish to hear...

...as long as you are buying zee drinks!"

As Arvel and Aerys begin to talk about fanciful tales told by anonymous adventurers, Jun brings his cup back to his lips but pauses for a second before drinking.

For Orynn only:

Rue grins widely at the wriggled fingers and OOOoooOOOing and mimics the gesture himself.  He throws a glance at the pit, but he's much more interested in his companions.  He tries to recall what he's read about Halaster Blackcloak.

History 24

"Plus.. I guess that if you come up again alive after fighting monstruosities, drows, and undead, and with some good gold and a couple of magic objects... you call it a day and retire, buying a small ship that can take you whenver you want to go... and never come back to such an horrible place... " adds Dekket to Aerys comment of conquering the dungeon below the city. 

"Plus zee city 'erself benefits from 'aving so many puissant adventurers living 'ere. In times of crisis, zey can be deputized into ze City Watch and come to 'er aid."

Aerys drops his stare at the pit and looks at Arvel and Dekket, "Someday, I'd like to go and check it out. Maybe not anytime soon, as I have some city exploration to do."

"My duties leave me wiz some free time on most days. I would be 'appy to show you the sights!"

Jun turns back to Arvel.

"What kind of duties?"

"Oh, eet ees nozzing really. My greatuncle ze Duc has some shipping concerns in zee city and occasionally needs someone to keep an eye on zem. Zee stipend is depressingly small, but the duties zemselves are blessedly light. It leaves me plenty of time to be a...what was zee word? Ah, oui! A...raconteur!"

"Aye, she's a beaut, tha's for sure," Cassandra says with a grin when Aerys acknowledges having seen the Phoenix.  Then her face falls a bit as she looks back down at her drink.  "Should be back aboard right now, what with her settin' out for Baldur's Gate in the mornin'... but guess tha's not gonna be happenin' any time soon."

She grimaces ever so slightly and looks away when Jun does his 'tea ceremony,' but doesn't say anything about it.  In fact after mentioning the Phoenix's morning departure she remains rather quiet and dour.

((At work currently so no colored text))

"Why do you think that?" Aerys asks Cassandra.