<div class="floatright"><div align="center">(http://i.imgur.com/miOIgK5.jpg)<br/><br/>(http://i.imgur.com/1eDk9ov.jpg)</div></div><br/>Ralana smiled, nodding her head at the affirmation that Miyuki was indeed willing to go along with the halfling.  Like most halflings she had known Jax seemed affiable and friendly enough, and once Miyuki had agreed that she was with him, at least for the moment, the waitress seemed content.  Though she did say, "Just Ralana miss, I don't earn my family name back until my slave contract ends in two years."  She reached up and tapped a delicate circle band of lace that went around her neck.  It was a slave collar in symbol only as it appeared that a gentle tug would likely break the delicate material.  "If you'll follow me then?"  She led the way, and Jax hobbled along fairly well on crutch and good leg.  Likely he wouldn't have been able to keep up with the redheaded human woman normally.  But the tavern was quite full this late in the afternoon and the trio had to weave in and around people as they went.<br/><br/>One customer reached out and smacked Ralana's ass, an action that caused the redhead absolutely no reaction.  Jax on the other hand 'accidentally' stumbled into the man who had the wandering hand as he walked past, his crutch somehow mysteriously slipping and coming down on the man's foot.  The man in question roared in pain and made a playful and not very serious swing at the halfling, who only ducked and hopped ahead a few feet.  The rest at the table seemed to enjoy the show and were laughing at the man as he reached down to rub at his foot.<br/><br/>Then the trio were beyond the table as Ralana led them  towards the back of the building and down a dimly lit hallway beyond the bar.  Immediately she turned to the left through an arch way into another hallway.  This hallway was lined with large arches every ten feet.  The first of them however had a heavy black curtain pulled across it.  Miyuki’s keen hearing heard voices behind the curtain, but the din from the main room was too great to make out any words.  Ralana led them past another three alcoves, allowing them to look in.  Beyond each archway was a simple alcove, with benches along each of the side walls and a large simple window of frosted glass along the opposing wall.  Between the benches sat a simple table with a lit candelabra, holding 3 candles.  Though currently the candles were unlit as the late afternoon sun filtering through the frosted windows was enough light.  Upon reaching the last of the alcoves Ralana drew the curtain aside and gestured for the bard and halfling to enter, saying<strong>"I'll be right back with your drinks."</strong><br/><br/>Jax stepped aside and let Miyuki enter first, before somewhat awkwardly getting into the boot himself, carefully manuvering his splinted and bandaged leg.  He settled himself so that his back was resting against the outside wall of the tavern, his face cast in the light from the window next to his head.  Then he gingerly pulled his splinted leg up onto the bench next to him so that he sat sideways in the booth.  Twisting at the waist so that he was facing Miyuki he gave a smile.  He was just about to speak when Ralana returned and set down a large mug of foaming dark ale in front of the halfling, and a pitcher of wine, rose colored, though it appeared slightly darker in the dim light of the booth.  In addition she set down a wine glass and a small silver box.  Miyuki recognized it as a small flame starter, one made with flint and steel, with oil coated thread at the end.  She gestured to the candles,<strong>"You can light the candles with this miss, if you decide you need a little more light." </strong>Then looking at Jax she added,<strong>"Or if you decide you need a flaming brand to shove into the face of a lecherous halfling."</strong><br/><br/>Jax laughed as Ralana closed the curtains on them, sealing them away in their own little private world.  Jax took a sip of his ale before saying,<strong>"So, a pretty and rather exotic looking woman enters the bar.  Her first time in Laelith if I had to guess.  Your skin's too fair to have soaked up much of our sun for more than a day or two, but I'd guess you just came in on a boat today.  She looks for a room at the explorer's guild hall, so she's looking for some sort of action, and suggests working out some sort of payment plan with the devastatingly handsome yet tragically injured man that she's fallen in love with at first sight. How close am I to the truth and what is it that I can do for you my fairest of the fair?"</strong>