Yewbough led them back down to the bar on the first floor where they could order supper. On the way there, they passed by the receptionist's counter. The young and pretty lady behind the counter was having a whispered conversation with an older woman with a wrinkled face and gray hair tied in a bun. Shay's sharp ears could pick out what they were saying, though.<br/><br/>"When you go to put today's take into the safe, remember the new combination - six, zero, eight," the older woman was whispering to the receptionist. "And while you're down in the cellar, put down some poisoned bait for the rats as well, before they start breeding."<br/><br/>In the bar, Yewbough found a quiet corner table for the two of them. He passed a pair of gold coins to the serving wench and ordered their meals. Their food arrived promptly, showcasing the bounties of Seahurst: fish grilled with lime and herbs and a side of freshly baked bread spread with butter and honey, accompanied by a small bottle of white wine. "Cheers," Yewbough toasted, raising his glass.<br/><br/>While they ate, the bard described some of his plans. "According to the invitation, I'm going to need to buy a costume for the masquerade - and it says formal masquerade, so it'll have to be an extra fancy and extra expensive costume, or a magical disguise, at that. There's also the matter of buying a rose for a gift, although that can wait until the day before the ball. Did you know that it's custom to bring a gift for the host? And that it's very bad form for the host to put away a gift unused, or even worse, throw it away or re-gift it? That's why the gift is a flower - it's easy for the guest to obtain one, and it's easy for the host to put to use - just make a bouquet and show it off somewhere until the flowers wilt, and then it won't be offensive to throw it out after it's been used. I guess I'll be doing some performances over the next few days to be able to afford it all. I should head out early tomorrow morning and see if anyone is looking to hire a bard to perform or advertise."<br/><br/>At the end of the meal he was ready to retire to their room, unless Shay had other ideas...<br/><br/><hr/><br/>Perception 19: success on eavesdropping whispered conversation (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=59340)