"That sounds nice to me. I'll have that."

"Right," says the host. "Two venison and a roast chicken. I'll come back in a little while and clear up the oysters. Enjoy."

After the host has taken his leave, the three get down to the serious business of shucking and eating the oysters.

"Have you told Velma about your job with the guards?" asks Granny.

"No I haven't. I have a new part-time job helping out at the guard station."

Velma's hand stops halfway to her mouth; an oyster in her fingers. She slowly put it back down and asks, "Did you say you are helping the guards? Why would you do that?"

"There's so many things happening in the city at the moment. We need an honest guard to keep people safe. If I see anything dubious hopefully I can call it out from the inside."

Velma is silent for a moment and then she says, "Well, when you put it like that. It makes a lot of sense." She then smiles and takes a drink of her wine.

[Guilliame has the distinct impression that Velma has a problem with his choice to join the guard.]

Quietly: "Velma, if you know about problems the guards are causing. whether it's one guard or the whole lot let me. I can't guarantee anything but if I'm on the inside I might  be able to achieve something." 

Looking a little uncomfortable, Velma says, "No, no." Then, after a moment, she adds, "Of course, I suppose there must be good and bad people in all large organisations."

She then takes another drink of her wine.

"Hello," interrupts the host coming up, "Have you finished? Can I clear the table?"

Is there anything left? If so then yes otherwise ask whether people are ready.

After Granny asks and is given the opportunity to have Velma's last oyster, they are all gone and so the host gathers together the dirty dishes and leaves the three to finish their goblets of wine.

"Guilliame was an adventurer for a while," says Granny casually to Velma. "He went north to search the ruins west of Ilbarsis... He has a sword, and armour as well. He can look after himself."

"Really," says Velma, turning to look at Guilliame. "You have a sword?"

Before Guilliame can reply, the front door opens and a man in flamboyant dress enters carrying a lute. The host sees him and heads over to chat to the newcomer.

"I have a sword and I now have permission to carry it around town. But I'll think about that before I do it willy nilly. I met young Master Brand Alaric on my travels as well. I'll have to tell him either him or this inn or both are over-charging for their wine if I see him again." 

"I think the wine is fine," says Granny Naomi draining her goblet of the last of it.

The newcomer with the lute is directed over to the fireplace where he takes a stance and begins quietly playing and then singing some popular recent songs; he is not bad and the table's attention turns to him until the host brings out the food.

Madame Damass has excelled herself, the meals are excellent and the atmosphere nice, though perhaps no longer conducive to conversation.

Master Damass returns partway through the meal and asks if anyone would like something else to drink. Granny Naomi asks for a small mug of beer.

[OOC: Please let me know what drinks you would like and if there is any topic of conversation you wish to bring up.]

OOC No other drinks and nothing extra specific to add. At the end of the evening suggest we take a cab for the 3 of us via Velma's house.

[OOC: A busy day for me today, won't be able to return a move until later this afternoon. hope you had a nice birthday yesterday.]

The dinner and entertainment is pleasant and the rest of the evening passes uneventfully. 

Finally, the host comes to the table and tells Guilliame the price for the meal: 6 Constantines and 6 Lions.

[OOC: Presuming Guilliame pays up, the three of them soon find themselves outside. If he wants to challenge the price, we can go back.]

After being wished a pleasant evening by the host, the three soon find themselves standing outside the entrance to the Scholar's Ward.

Unfortunately, there are no cabs in evidence.

"Where do you live?" Granny asks Velma.

"I live at the western end of the island," replies Velma hesitantly. 

"Shall we go for a walk?" says Granny.

"I hate to say this but we need to keep an eye out. The streets seem rather more dangerous than usual of late."

"No one would dare attack us with two magi," says Granny Naomi with a smile. "And we could go by the house and you could pick up your sword."

"It should be okay," adds Velma nodding her head in agreement with Granny. "I walk home most nights by myself. And it isn't raining tonight, so there should not be any stirges out."

[OOC: Do you look further afield for a cab, or do you walk? And, if you walk, do you go via the house and pickup your sword and/or leave Granny at home while you escort Velma to her place?]

"Why don't we head to your place Velma. Granny can protect us if there is any problems."

Both Velma and Granny laugh at this and the three jovially set off in the direction of the western end of the Scholar's Ward. It is a pleasant evening with pleasant company and the three chat happily together as they walk.

Eventually, they reach the area where Velma lives and Guilliame notices that she becomes a quieter the closer they get to her house.

"This is my street," she says as they reach the turn-off. "There's no need for you to come any further," she adds, "Mother is probably asleep by now, and I do not want to wake her."

[OOC: Does Guilliame walk Velma to her door or head back home with Granny.]

"We'll wait here but just make sure you get to your door safely."