"You don't always have to threaten people," Kerri says, "sometimes you just need a moment to explain. And you're thinking of a lie of omission."

"I didn't threaten him, I gave him gold!" Lyss whines, stomping a foot.

"I don't think the wiggly mouth guy's gonna be happy with us, and that guy's gonna be in trouble too now. Sometimes the nicest thing you can do is lie to someone."

Spark bobs his head.

"Yes, certainly!  Lies are the best kind of truths."

Lyss looks a bit less certain, not sure that Sparky is the voice of agreement one wants, but says, "Yeah. See? He gets it."

(Ooc - assuming your flashbacky conversation is done? Let me know if I move too fast btw.)

“Will get those for you. Aimee, I’m afraid the kitchen will be closed now, but they might have some pies and pastries as bar snacks, I’ll get a selection.” Renaer nods as he heads over to place his order with Durnan, making conversation with a drunken Meloon. 

Volo smiles and gets up from his seat, his arms spread wide in an embrace that Floon rushes towards, crying into his shoulder. As they hug, he makes eye contact with Aimee and gives her a big thumbs up. 

As Threestrings waves at Aimee, he is accosted by Kerri, “A bone to pick? Were they that much trouble? I’m so sorry Kerri, they’re good kids really! I’m glad you are all back here safe and sound though. Have you met my friend Bonnie, she’s new to town and works here at the Yawning Portal.” Bonnie smiles politely offering a hand, “Kerri is it? I’m Bonnie, nice to met ya. Nice to be making new friends, I heard people in the city weren’t too welcoming, but Threestrings has proved that wrong.”

Kerri returns the smile and shakes Bonnie's hand, "It's a pleasure to meet you, now, if you would excuse me a moment," she turns back to Three-Strings, "You actively encouraged children to go out on a dangerous mission?"

"Ooo! Yes! Pies please! And some milk?"

Lyss hops up on a stool, kicking her feet.

Bonnie awkwardly backs away from the conversation, keeping a toothy smile which stretches out uncomfortably. Threestrings sighs, 
“Kerri, I only sent you that message because I overheard them being sent out by Volo over there. I tried to discourage them, but they don’t listen to me.... they don’t listen to anyone! What are you doing with old Lord Neverembers son? Is it true what I’ve heard?” he transitions into a whisper, 

Kerri only

Kerri doesn't look that convinced, but does smile and leans in close to Three-Strings.

 She looks back to Bonnie, "Sorry about that, please sit, if Three-Stings likes you then I'd like to get to know you better."

Double thumbs back to Volo.

(Where is everyone else then? Still standing by the entrance? Anyone helping Renaer carry drinks?)

Bonnie sits, blushing, “Oh me.... well there’s not much to say really, I’m just small town girl who wanted to see life in the big city. We don’t have such marvels as there are here, and Ikve never heard music quite like threestrings. How about you Kerri, are you from the city? How do you know Threestrings?”

"I'm from the Northern Islands," Kerri laughs, "Three-Strings and I met through a... mutual friend."

((Lyss is perched on a stool or chair somewhere, waiting for Renaer to bring back pie, and for Volo to come over and give them the heroes welcome (and gold) they've earned. She's also sitting between Aimee and the well, just in case her friend decides to go see if there are more trolls down there or whatever.))

((Aimee is edging around towards Volo and Floon, gauging if she can get past Lyss to the well :D.))

Spark is huddled in a corner somewhere, tinkering with a piece of odd black armor and, as always, muttering to himself.

"Oh, well, I guess when he gets back with that pie, I'll have to eat Aimee's portion so it doesn't go to waste if she's not here to eat it...", Lyss proclaims loudly.

Aimee pauses, eyes narrowing on the well then looking back to the pie source. She licks her lips, tense with happy indecision.

 Volo runs up to the group, grabbing Aimee on route in a gigantic hug before coming up to Lyss with his arms spread wide. A gigantic smile, beams across his face. “You did it! I’m so happy you made it, but you seem to have lost a few friends on the way? Come, let’s sit and celebrate, while you tell me all about your evening” He gestures towards a nearby table.

Meanwhile, Bonnie smiles politely, “The northern islands, I’ve never been. What’s it like up there?” Behind her, Kerri can see Renaer paying for the round before contemplating how he will carry the gigantic pile of pies he has bought as well as the drinks.

Lyss shoves a chair in and stands on the seat so she's at table height.

"Well, after we dealt with that thing here, and you hired us to head out, we did some scooting and sneaking, and ended up in a bar where Floon had been, and Red decided she'd had enough and was going to find some fellas to spend the evening with, so I took her dice and gold to keep them safe, and used them to play some dice and get some info, then then things went a bit wild and we ran out of there... Aimee, am I missing anything? You're a better storyteller than I am, you want to tell Mister Volo about our night?"

"So there was a giant ooze that ate a guy, he was dead though! And bird people, they killed me then I got better and killed them! And the octopus head guy was all like "Disappointing! Not at us, some other orc guy, we killed him! There was a brain with legs and a big eye guy with more eyes floating in the sewer, also killed it! Some goblins, yep we killed them!"

She changes her appearance to the dead duergar, then one of the dead bird guys then to the octopus head guy then to the half-orc wizard the back to herself.

"Ohh, and that giant poo!"

She holds her hands apart to show it's unbelievable size.

"Really, about half the people I met tonight are dead! Things are way more interesting out here than in the cloister! Almost no one died there!"