Kuori takes in a deep, contented breath as the group strides towards the little inn where they would seek refuge for the night.  The little mining town, Stroggar, well suited her mountain-born sensibilities.  All around her she could see the signs of hard work and industry, of people conscientious and determined. Below her feet she could feel the strength and purity of the earth and stone.  "I wonder if they would let me explore the mines....." she thought aloud a little wistfully. 

 Upon entering the inn, Quicksilver scans the taproom for the inevitable table of elders intent on outdoing each other with stories of the past.  He catches the eye of a serving maid, holding her gaze while looking her up and down, he smiles at her knowingly.  She blushes and he gives a quiet chuckle.  He signals for a round and without ado, pulls up a chair at the elders' table.  So my friends, I am weary from the road and am in a mind for drink and tales.  Surely, such respected townsmen as yourselves have a few tales to tell? 

 Kuori carefully leans her massive, stone-headed maul against the wall behind her chair.  She perks up at Quicksilver's call for ale and tales.  She greatly enjoyed the tales of other peoples and cultures.  Maybe they would have some legends about this orb they had been searching for.....

Kuori sits gingerly upon her chair.... Why were these Lowlander seats always so small?..... and listens carefully to the talk around the tavern. 

 Kuori briefly entertains a fantasy of snapping each of this pompous Lowlander whelp's fragile limbs like the brittle twigs they appeared to be.  With a sigh she pushes the image aside and says in her most civil tone, "Courtesy young Daren.  Courtesy is very important.  We are guests here... paying guests, but guests all the same.  Perhaps it would be best to ask our hosts about your laundry... instead of telling them.  And I have a name.  It's Kuori... not Giant.  'Koo-or-ee'.  I'm sure a man of your self-reputedly staggering intellect and charm can remember it."  She bats her eyelashes at him in a girlish manner and smiles at him sweetly. "If you keep referring to me as 'Giant', your next sleep won't be on top of a pile of dirt, but rather under it." 

With that made clear she also puts in an order for hot food, though a simple stew would suffice her... as long as it came in a triple sized portion.  She keeps her ears open to the conversations around her until her food arrives and asks her server, "Who would we talk to to find out more about the local legends?" 

 Kuori thanks the young man for his effort and settles into the large chair with some relief.  She repeats her question about the whereabouts of any local lorekeeper or sage. 

 "Peace, good dwarf, you'll not need your hammer tonight.  'Tis true I carry the blood of my dark kin, but I also carry that of the light.  I am no threat to you or this town.  In that you have misjudged me, but it is good to err on the side of caution.  If I am not welcome at your table, I will leave you to your drinks, however I do have business in your fair town.  I'll kindly not have others spreading nasty rumours about me, when all I have offered you is my good will."  With that he catches the eye of the young man trying to enter the kitchens to let him know he has been seen.  Quicksilver walks purposely towards the young man and drapes an arm around his neck casually.  "Is there a problem sir?  If you've a problem with me, then by all means let's be gentlemen about it.  Speak your mind and have done with it, for the graciousness of this establishment is wearing thin." 

The dwarves are somewhat abashed, you think, though they don't make any move to make the Drow stay at the table.

 Daren's trick with Kuori's chair silences the bar, the crash is huge. The shady man takes the opporunity to push Quicksilver away from him and dash into the kitchen, rushing to the back door of the inn. 

 "I'm not sure, but I intend to find out."  Pulling his hood down to cover his features, Quicksilver heads to the front door.  "Don't break Daren's fingers, we might need him later." 

 Pulling his hood back enough so his features can be seen at a close distance, Quicksilver steps out of the shadows.  "You my friend are about to have a very bad night.  I don't take kindly to those who would imperil my friends."  He parts his cloak enough so that his crossbow is clearly visible to the man, then shrugs it closed again.  "If you've thoughts of running friend, I very much doubt you can outrun this and I see very well in the darkness.  Let us be gentlemen and continue the conversation you so rudely left earlier.  Now tell me the contents of your message, the name and whereabouts of your contact, and the possible nature of any response from your contact.  Answer to my satisfaction and you will live.  Evade or lie to me and things will go... badly I'm afraid."