Willie
Alright, so we'll just assume the inn is open. Yet, that did little to persuade this man from entering. He remained outside of the building for the time being, not feeling prompted to go in for a drink or bed just yet. For now, he clutched a journal nice and tight on his person, flipping through its contents eagerly. Almost as if to reminisce... Paying no mind to the other souls around him, of course.
Michael
*Erec tumbled down the set of stairs as he was pushed off by the tavern wenches. He fell in a drunken daze, with a cheeky smile on his face. Above sneered a disgusted maiden watching his flight.*

*The drunken fool laid at the bottom of the stairs with a cheery beat in his heart. Singing tavern songs, completely ignoring his fallen state. He made an attempt to reach for a pint of ale, but was quickly slapped by a passing tavern wench.*

"Just my plight," *Erec mumbled.* "I have coin, yet service denies me any of its pleasures."

*He stammered off singing a whimsical tune in a drunken state.*
Willie
Alright, enough lollygagging. Time to get in there! Perhaps see if the innkeeper has any leads on potential targets, maybe a lost party in need of-

*Oh.*

His eyes immediately landed on the drunkard making a scene, and he couldn't contain a snicker. This man certainly seems like the life of the party... However, the mention of coin tickled his ears. Maybe he might end up in need of assistance, and as a result, he'll reward the male?

In any case, he stood a safe distance away and watched with an amused grin. Wonder what his next move is?
Michael
*Returning to his senses, Erec slowly retreated to his feet, but in the process was quickly pushed over to a table by an unknowing passerby. In his misfortune, Erec had toppled over the table of a band of town ruffians. The men arose around the poor sought with the expected anger one would receive after ruining a meal.*

"Ohohoho," *Erec in a nervous stammer.* "Lads, allow me to explain this predicament."

"Your head caved in is enough explanation with what you did," *Cried one of the ruffians surrounding Erec.*
Willie
Oho, looks like the situation's getting hairy! Time to rush in and be the gallant hero of the tavern. He approached the band of ruffians and placed a hand on one of the men, the one that cried out beforehand.

"Gentlemen, *Gentlemen*, surely our... Compatriot here meant no harm. Why waste precious time and energy on a petty squabble? Can we not cause a scene in such a lovely locale?"
Michael
*The bald stout one eyes down the intruding person with a brutish expression.*

"You 'finkin that bloody minge of a buffoon would walk away from this mess, huh?" *He said angrily.* "Lads and I paid too much money to waste it on this lot!"

"I would argue that I'm a victim of this," *Erec spoke out cheekily as he hides behind the stranger.* "A person pushed me onto your direction."

"It doesn't bloody matter!" *Cried the other.* "You still did it, so in return, you deserve a good beating. Innit lads?"
Willie
Sigh. He didn't want to waste precious coin saving this man's ass... But he might get a return on his investment if he does. He put his hands in his pockets and cast a glance to the floor.

"So not even providing some coin of my own to replace your lost sustenance would suffice?"
Michael
"Abou—"

*Right before one of the ruffians of could say anything. Erec, out of nowhere, bashes one of them with a glass bottle. Everyone in the tavern bursted at the scene, witnessing before hand a brawl.*

*Erec foolishly turns to his new met compatriot,* "I wouldn't wanna waste coin on these oafs. It's poor investment in your part."

*In a rush, a fist flew Erec's way and knocks him back a fair bit. Leaving the stranger standing alone amidst the ruffians*
Willie
*You bloody fool...* Is what he wanted to say, but ultimately, the flying of fists is much more prevalent than his own thoughts at the moment. For now, these assholes.

The man slid back and scanned the room. Take out the closest threat first. He dashed towards the nearest bandit and tackled him across a table, sending the fiend tumbling to the floor.

He turned to the oaf trying to fight these guys.

"Pick your battles, mate! We need to leave lest we get unnecessary attention on us! ...*More* Unnecessary attention, at any rate."
Michael
"And what will they do watch and stare?" *Erec said as he picked up an empty metal mug.* "Attention comes either way!"

*He throws the mug at the bald one, watching tumble down over another table. Cheers and Jeers mix in the witness crowd, loudly blending smoothly amongst one another.*

"I mean this isn't so bad," *Erec continued.* "There's like... Five of them left, how hard can this be?"
Willie
"...All I wanted was an easy payday, and here we are."

Grumbling profanities under his breath, the man picked up a stool and charged another of the bandits with it, the wood splintering underneath the ruffian's body. He turned on his heel, and grabbed a broken table leg, to toss to the man being attacked.

"Heads up, bruv! Knock 'em silly!"
Michael
"Payday?" *Erec said after he bashes a chair at one of the bandits.* "Then you really dodged this one."

*In a spurt, he forcefully tackles down another. Having to struggle a firm beating between each other.*
Willie
He- he tossed you a perfectly good table leg and you refused to use it. *Wow.*

With a frustrated huff, the smooth talker rushed towards the man being assailed and threw his head into the counter. How many more do we have?
Michael
*A Skulking midget taps the side of the man. He gives him a mean mugging face with arms ready to fly at his direction. Out of nowhere, Erec kicks the dwarf down, knocking him out completely.*

"That makes him the last," *Erec said cheekily to the stranger.*
Willie
About damn time. The man gave a satisfied groan, and put on a forced grin to the stranger. Maybe not completely forced, cuz that was kinda fun... But still. He took in the cheering from the crowd to try and bolster his mood.

"Nicely done, mate. Now what say we get out of here, yeah?"
Michael
*The Tavern settles down from excitement, immediately proceed on there business,*

"Not before we get ourselves a drink, eh?" *Erec replied.* "We caught ourselves a fight here, and breather is much what we need. Say, while we drink, let's get ourselves acquainted, talk about 'payday' that you want."

*Erec makes his away across the tavern and pulls up several chairs and a toppled table, As he sat down, he motioned to one of the tavern girls to get him drinks.*
Willie
He growled to himself. Let's weigh the options here... On the one hand, this man got them into a brawl right and is most likely an alcoholic. Not very reliable. But, on the other hand...*Payday.*

The word rung in his head like a gong, and like that, he made his way to the table this man was setting up with a toothy grin.

"You have my attention, mister. And just who exactly might I be bartering with?"
Michael
*With an eyebrow raised, Erec assessed the stranger with a playful suspicion. Yellow boots, daggers in his belts, and a bandana wrapped around his head. He eyed him closely.*

"I'm the same man as you," *Replied Erec sarcastically.* "Well more for the coin, than for the circus... If... That is your profession I presume. Either that or you must be a horrible bounty hunter..."
Willie
"Well, I wasn't exactly expecting a brawl now, was I?"

Playful glare. Maybe. The man adjusted the pouch on his side, which rattled ever so slightly.

"Plus, contracts have slowed down as of late. A man has to earn his keep somehow, wouldn't you agree?"
Michael
"Ah, so you're a man of the latter!" *Erec said leaning back.* "How quaint... How much do you earn off of bounty? 10... No... 20 silver per head?"
Willie
"50 to 100, actually. I'd be happy to demonstrate if you doubt my effectiveness."

Is that a thinly veiled threat? Judging from the way his hand drifted to his side, maybe.
Michael
"Yet here we are..." *Sighed Erec.* "No matter, my offer to you exceeds your bounties."

*Erec slides a crumbled missing poster over to the stranger.*

"I've talked to this mayor, from a town that's just a league away from here. Says his daughter has been missing for 2 weeks now... It seems he's so desperate for her little lass to come back home that he's willing to pay 2.5 gold pieces for her safe return. I mean sick as it sounds like she's some lost pup, the pay is real."
Willie
2.5 gold pieces? That got him leaning forward a bit. Interesting...

"Talk about opening the treasury... Is the task open to all or is this a private affair just for us? We need to determine if we're going to have competition, mate."
Michael
*Erec leans forward with his face grimacing.*

"No we don't have to worry about that, lad," *Erec said quietly this time.* "I've talked to other so called 'adventurers' and none wouldn't bother with this task."

*Erec jumps slightly as two mugs of ale were being placed down at the table. He looks around the tavern with some odd eye around before he leans in.*

"They say she went missing in a dark forest... The ones rumored of fell things that muck about in there."
Willie
Well, that certainly makes things that much more dangerous. But... The coin. He swallowed a lump in his throat and shook off the dread he felt from the mere mention of the creatures.

"Well... That explains the lack of competition. So then, what makes you think we stand any chance against them, bruv?"

"...So you're saying that we go and take on a mission that has other adventurers turning their heads and running, all because of a hunch and the promise of gold?"
Michael
"Basically..." *Erec spoke softly as he sipped from his mug.* "Though I doubt the rumors to be true. It's all wives tales and fairy tales to me. Things just to scare children from trouble."
Willie
"You should know that with the world we live in, nothing is as simple as fairy tales."

A sip of ale to ease his rushing mind.

"...How would we go about splitting the profits if we take on this task?"
Michael
"Obviously fifty-fifty..." *Erec said a little offended.* "There's only the two of us."
Willie
"Unless we managed to tack on another unfortunate soul to our ragtag party here. You wouldn't happen to have any ideas there, would you?"
Michael
"You'd expect some poor sod, possibly wanking in the woods, join us?"
Willie
"Not saying it's impossible, just want to account for every possibility before I agree to helpin' ya, mate."
Michael
"I see your thinking," *Erec replied cynically.* "But I doubt the possibility."

*He reaches hand out to the stranger.*

"Erec, Erec of the River Crossing at your service."
Willie
He shook the stranger's- now known as Erec- hand, short and sweet.

"Milo, of... Well, everywhere. Call me a drifter. Charmed."
Michael
"Now that we got acquainted here, might as well just get a move on."
Willie
He follows behind; somewhat unnerved with the whole premise of this quest.