Leon laughs as Geoffrey recounts his tale about a fight with a drunken squadron captain. "That's not one my great-uncle Theodore told me. From the sound of your stories, it sounds you soldiers spend more time fighting each other than the enemy."

Entering the Horseshoe, he realizes how much he reeks. In fact, drenched in sweat from his training, he understands why some of the passer-by on the street were giving the group a wide berth. He heads upstairs to wash himself. Looking at himself in the mirror, he sees that his hair has became long and unruly. Not only that, he notices some stubble growing on his chin. 

"Not good. A enemy could grapple you by the hair in a fight. You can't allow them to have any advantages like that," he recounts Theo's words, spoken years ago. Leon considers going to a barber, but decides against it: he didn't have much coin, and it would be best to save it. 

He heads downstairs and asks Hana for a pair of scissors and a razor. 

Lazlo also heads upstairs and takes a bath. 

"Actually, Hana," Hyre begins, "before I forget - can I work in the evening tomorrow, instead of in the morning? There's something else I need to do tomorrow."

Once Hyre's done talking to Hana, he'll go upstairs and wash as well.

ooc: Do i take it correctly that Aelar will be in trouble if he's found back in the stacks?

((He won't be arrested, but he may get thrown out of the library for causing trouble.))

Hana considers Hyre's request for a moment, then nods.
"You must be feeling pretty confident, because that's our busiest time. If you can keep up with helping prepare the ingredients, then honestly, I'd rather you help out then." she says as she heads towards the kitchen to start preparing the group's dinner, a specialty known as the Dragon's Hoard. It'd BETTER be a hoard, it has to feed six people, and one of them is a half-orc.
Thankfully, the men's bathing chamber has both shower stalls and a large tub, so the guys are all able to get clean without having to wait their turn.
Meanwhile, Barna seems awkward as she cleans up opposite Kallista.
"Do you need any help washing your wings?" she asks, trying to be friendly with the only other girl she knows her own age.

Kallista starts laughing at the question, and tries to stop herself. She fails, but does her best to explain, "S...sorry, I'm not trying to be rude. You're the... first person to ask me a question like that. It's always, 'Are those real?' 'Can you really fly with those things?' Stuff like that. I'm fine though. Thanks for asking, I'm used to cleaning them on my own at this point."

Aelar considers then comes to a decision.  He was here to gather information and take chances.  To learn about magic.  If Raia could help him influence the mind of the clerk, then perhaps he could accomplish everything at once.  If not, he'd likely be tossed from the library but with enough grovelling he could always get back in.  The humans of the Nest seemed to like grovelling.

Aelar waited for the clerk to arrive with the key.  Raia, I want you to use that mind spell on this clerk.  How do we do it?

Barna nods, and curls her arm inward, showing off scars she's gotten on her tricep.
"I wonder if I would have these scars if I could have found a place in Hon..." she muses.
"I can relate, though... people treating you like some kind of sideshow attraction. 'Where's your tattoos' 'don't make her mad, she'll kill everyone', 'use short words or she won't understand'." Barna says bitterly.
"Though you must have had it way harder than me. I can sometimes pass for human if someone's not looking too closely at me." she says, then hears through the wall the guys starting to run the water.
"I wonder... if Hyre thinks I'm pretty... I mean, I don't know if any of the boys are your type but you could certainly have any of them you wanted with your looks, wings or not." she says, then her ears twitch, hearing the voices of the guys. Her eyes look shifty. She slowly rises out of the water and creeps towards the door. She is DEFINITELY going to try and peek on the boys.

((XD i guess i was the tie breaker in the vote, though honestly I don't mind if a new player is found or not. I'm flexible.))

((The main problem with adding another player, IMO, is that they'll probably always feel out. Story-wise, it would make no sense if they're from Hon, so they'll be a new person. Not that the group didn't meet new NPCs that more or less joined the group, but they're still NPCs and if they sometimes feel out of the group, it'll make sense. In terms of OOC, the story has only been going for... 4 in-game days, I think? But spans over 1200 messages. No sane person will ever read it all, so there will be many things they won't know. In-character it'll make sense they won't know all that but it might add to the feeling of not being part of the group.
Lastly, after all the justifications above, I admit I don't like large groups. I prefer the 3-4 over 5-6, but 5 is still better than 6. If you choose to add someone, however, I won't object.

Also, if you're bringing this up... how pretty would Barna be considered on average? I remember her being tall and strong naturally for being a half-orc but also that her orcish features are very subtle. Like you said in the last post, people might mistake her for a human if they don't look closely. Other than that, the only two things about her appearance I can remember are her black (now with some blond) hair and a red dress, I think. So... each time I imagine her I reach a different picture. Could you maybe write a short description? I'm 99% sure I'm imagining her totally different from you.

Also, aren't boys supposed to be the ones peeking? This one's definitely new. I don't know about other place but, where I live, public boys' showers are as quiet as a cemetery. Get in, do your stuff, get out. Avoid eye contact and do not look at old people. The only people who talk with each other are probably asking their friend for shampoo if they forgot to bring their own.))

Ooc: one option would be to have the new player run an npc. They’re already in the story and it’s one less character the DM has to track. In my opinion. 

((Oh don't worry, I have an idea about how to introduce a new character.))

((Also, I have drawn a sketch of Barna already ;3 as I have drawn sketches of several others because I'm weird like that ;3 ))

It's not very refined right now, but I figured it was JUST far enough along to share. The others are still in the 'really rough' stage so they're not suitable for sharing just yet.

"Ah yes, because every guy wants a girl with bright purple skin, giant black horns, and wings. You look great," she smiles, and gets out after her, intending on following.

Barna creeps out, looking first into the hallway, then tip-toes to the door of the men's chamber. She's surprised that Kallista is joining in, but that certainly doesn't stop her! She just grins that tusky orc grin and waves her over, signalling the all-clear. She crouches by the door (Dripping water all over the floor in front of it, because she didn't think with her head when she got the impulse) and tries to quietly push it open, just enough to maybe catch a glimpse of some good stuff.

Sister Daar would have a fit if she found out, but Barna is intensely curious and driven by her base instincts... half-orcs are primal creatures, and as much as she tries to deny her heritage sway, she has every intention of seducing Hyre ANYWAY, so she's just getting a preview.

Barna's stealth: 13

((Guys, roll perception to see if you notice the door opening and at least one pair of eyes peeking in on you XD ))

Perception 14 

Perception: 5.

((In case any of us succeed, is Kallista looking as well? It might change our reactions, maybe. If the roll is successful, I'll wait for an answer to my question. Otherwise, I guess Hyre's just taking a shower in one of the stalls.))

Leon was taking his first stab at shaving, which unfortunately didn't go so well. He curses as he nicks his chin with the razor, and decides it may be better to begin by cutting his hair. 

Perception: 16

 (That's two in a roll!)

Out of the corner of his eye, his notices the door swing open and Barna's face peeking in. He's never talked to Barna before, but he could guess why she's looking in. Nonetheless, Leon has a towel firmly wrapped around his waist as he shaves- he decides to pretend like he doesn't see her. 

((That's up to Kallista is she's boldly peeking in on the guys too XD but Barna has definitely been caught peeking.))

Thanks, Raia.  Wish me luck.

Aelar waits for the clerk to show up at the door, then approaches without a try at stealth.  As the man turns, Aelar has a sheepish look on his face, "I'm sorry.  I probably shouldn't be here, I know but I'm just so anxious.  I love to learn and my patron expects results and that room looks so big.  I could help you search for the books and when we find them I'll just stay in there and do my reading so I don't disturb anyone else, even closing the door, and you can go on with your other duties, and just forget I'm even here, and then the books will be right where they belong when I'm done. Won't that be helpful?" Aelar speaks in a very breathy manner, breathing all over the clerk, urging him to go along with the suggestion.