Aerys leans forward and looks at the man, reading every facial expression and body movement, "How do I play? How do I win? What are the rules?"

Insight: 22 to see what kind of person he seems to be.

Rusty looks at Jun, theatrically placing the back of his hand to his forehead.  "You wound me, my muscled good sir!  I will have you know that I am a first-rate hack, and the purveyor of wonders to delight the eye and entrance the senses!"  He slaps down the same flyer you had seen before coming to the Portal.

"And as for you, my musical friend," he nods to Rue, "Like yourself, I am an artist, but I have confidence - and, unlike me, that is no small thing."  He jumps up onto your table and motions to the crowd.  "Yes, yes, ladies and gentlemen, the show will go on - must go on - shortly."   He leans in conspiratorially towards Arvel to whisper "my friend, what the Duke doesn't know can't hurt him."  He speaks louder, to the crowd again, "As even Durnan would say, what happens in the Portal stays at the Portal!" he finishes with a winning smile at Casasndra.

When the halfling jumps on their table, Orynn almost tips his chair backward as he shrinks from the scene and attempts to distance himself from the spectacle.

As Orynn tries to slip away, the sound of a small thunderclap reverberates from a point about 5 feet above the halfling as Jun takes another sip of his drink.

When the halfling gives Cassandra a smile, it is met with a suddenly stern befreckled frown as Cassandra stands to her feet.

"I strongly sugges' you step down from the table, good sir.  I do nae like feet near ma' drinks. Especially feet belongin' to someone what's alread' been told we do nae wan' what ee's sellin'."

Her hands are clenched into fists at her sides, and the smell of smoke has returned, this time much more noticeable.

Rue snatches his flute off the table before the Halfling can smash it.  His drink stolen, his flute nearly stomped, and reading the rest of the table, Rue's friendly grin is gone as he steps away from the table.  

"Con Artist, a short of Confidence Artist, or Confidence Trickster."  Rue narrows his eyes.  "One who swindles others by first gaining trust, or confidence."  Rue is not very tall, but he brings himself up to full height and lifts his head, a haughty posture that makes him look even more like an Elf than he already did.  He eyes Bighat up and down, which does not take very long.  "You are not very good, my friend."  

Gripping the flute in one hand, Rue lifts two fingers to his lips.  "Would you like to see what I can do?"

"My sincerest apologies, madam," Rusty says to Cassandra, as he hops off the table with ill-defined grace.  "I mean no disrespect, but, I might have something that could help with your....ah...condition."  He pulls out from his vestments what appears to be some ointment or snake oil, and you can read "For the Treatment of Rashes and Burns," before he secrets it back into his pockets.  "After the show, of course."

Turning to Rue, he smiles ingratiatingly "As for you, sir, I know what you can do! Threestrings opens for me this evening, and I daresay you are his better!"  From the side of the table, Threestrings clears his throat.  "Er...equal.  You kept up with him, without practice, and tonight the Portal heard it.  With my help, by tomorrow, all of Waterdeep could hear you!  Soon, your name could ring in all corners of Faerun!  You and I should talk about a contract.  I can see greatness in your future, yes I can!"

Rue lowers the fingers from his lips, but only slightly.  He glares at Rusty, apparently offended by the comment toward Threestrings.  

"Go away, Artist of Confidence."  Without the cheerful demeanor, Rue's voice is hoarse.  Without the grin, his pale skin and red-rimmed eyes reflect his sickly nature.  "These are not things we want.  Go away, or you will feel what I can do."

(Edit, because I only just saw it...)

"And I am not 'sir'!"

Jun leans back in his chair and takes another sip from his cup.

Rusty bows formally to Rue.  "Forgive me, good gentlebeing," for the first time, the bombastic halfling stumbles over his words.  "I meant no offense.  My parents, Oghma rest their souls, taught me every being has the absolute right to be addressed how they prefer."  He stops and blinks for a long second at Jun, before turning back to Rue.   "Yes, I daresay I did cross a line.  You have my apologies."  He bows a bit deeper, and you think this might be the first thing this Mister Bighat has said with any real sincerity.

After a long pause, the practiced facade snaps back into place, at least partially.  "Durnan!  Bonnie!  Another round here, on me!"  The entire taproom cheers, and he quickly adds "for this table, for this table, for these good folk only."  The taproom lets out a deflated "awwww," but quickly goes back to their own business.

Jun chuckles at the crowd's reaction, and takes another sip.

Aerys leans back and goes back to drinking his ale.

Cassandra remains standing, her glare still fixed on Rusty.

"I do nae have...that kin' of condition," she says firmly as her fists clench tighter.  She visibly shakes as she tries to keep control of herself. "I think ye' best be steppin' off, Mister Bighat."

Dekket also leans back and eats one carrot from the meal. 

Rusty continues to bow and mutter apologies as he backs off slowly, gingerly, across the floor.  Midway, he turns, and calls towards the stage.  "Places, everybody, places!  The show will start soon!"  He casts a nervous glance back at your table, and you barely hear him mutter. "please..."

As Rusty backs down, Rue slowly lets his hand fall away from his mouth.  He's finally grown still, hunched in on himself, seemingly smaller now.  

For a few long moments, Rue faces away from the table, apparently staring at the floor.  He turns and slowly makes his way back to his seat, now avoiding looking at anyone.  Pushing the drinks away from himself, Rue lays the flute on the table, coddling it in one hand.  With the other, he gestures toward Jun with a brief glance and whispers, far too quietly to make out.

For Jun:

Jun glances back to Rue.

For Rue Only:

 Jun then stands from the table, picks up the emptied water pitcher, and starts making his way to the bar.

As Bighat walks away Aerys just glares him down the entire time.

As Jun stands, Rue looks away.  But restlessness is already setting in.  After a few moments, Rue grips his flute and pushes himself back up, stepping quickly to catch up to Jun.

Jun sets the emptied pitcher on the bar and tries to catch Durnan's attention. As Rue catches up to him, Jun speaks to him while keeping his eyes on Durnan.

"Seems as though Mr. Bighat got under your skin a bit."

Jun turns to look at Rue directly.

"Everything alright?"