Irzen looked around the room, "This is a nice place you have here, Mertul. Friendly, cozy and comfortable like a well-used bed. Who's the proprietor? I like to pay them my compliments on the pleasantness of this establishment."

"Let me get your orders in and I'll be back to answer your question." Mertul said whirling around heading to the kitchen at the back of the tavern.

Up above the bar keep on a balcony, music from an all human band of men and women set the mood with their medieval melodies that echoed throughout the place. Some of the patrons stood up and began dancing. This was what The Neverending Story tavern was really known for, the music could be heard from the street and often drew in people to either listen or dance.

About five minutes later Mertul came back with a tray of drinks that the party ordered. Eyeing the drow swordsman, "To answer your question master drow. There is no "one" owner of the Neverending Story tavern. It's a shared establishment since it doesn't just apply to those here in Asylum. This city is what some would call a 'nexus.' a place between worlds. The tavern itself is really a door. A Big door. Most people who come here or end up here having drunk themselves into a stupor not realizing that they're no longer home, or are they. It's all in your head. Your imagining things. I've heard them all and this place is neutral ground. So, enjoy yourselves. Eat, drink, and be among-st friends. Stay and rest."

The elementalist reached into a small pouch on her belt and produced a single platinum coin and handed it to Mertul. "This should cover all my friends and I. Food, drink, and lodging."

"Thanks, Alyson," Irzen offered, "That's very kind of you."

Mertul about dropped to her knees when Alyson caught her and pulled her back to her feet, "Umm. Umm."

Alyson's gaze assured the dwarf woman, "Don't do that. I am equal here. I am no one special. Just a mage traveling with her friends, okay? And keep the change."

"Okay." Mertul nodded in agreement, "Thank you very much. I, ah, need to put this in a place for safe keeping. Be right back." She turned back to the bar and disappeared once more.

Quake downed the first gallon stein of beer with no problem, "BBAARRPPHH! Excuse me!" Her belch caused Serna and Neven to jump at the sound.

Alyson chuckled as the kids jolted in their seats, "Hahahaha!"

Willow shook his head with a smirk before he started to eat his meal. Irzen burst out laughing at the Stone Elemental and then proceeded to dig into his repast. After Serna and Neven recovered themselves, they too delved into their feast. As all of them ate, sounds of conversation gave way to the sounds of munching, crunching, slurping and drinking.

Quake downed another gallon of ale just as easily as the first one and followed it by yet another loud belch. "BBRAAAAAAAAAAPPHH!!"

Serna and Neven burst out laughing at this belch and smiled at each other.

This time she attracted the attention of a group of surly dwarves sitting at an adjacent table. There sat a couple of miners covered in soot and dirt. Filthy to the core which made Quake miss being in her true form. "Chug! Chug! Chug! Chug another one!"

"You might want to take it easy on that ale, Quake," Irzen cautioned, "If you're not careful, that stuff could go to your head."

And chug another gallon of ale she did, however, the third was well renown as Dragon Fire and upon release the third nearly deafening belch towards the ceiling, Quake lit up the crystalline lights, quite literately. **WHOOSH!**

The crowd went wild with 'Ooooos and ahhhhhs.'

"Good grief!" Irzen cried, "Do you always do that when you've had too many?"

"Quake. You're a hit," The elementalist observed the other table, "and you have competition."

"Competition? Hah! I'll take them all on." Quake downed two more gallons of ale when it buzzing feeling hit. She was smiling from ear to ear and thoroughly felt the tingly sensation all over.

"Yeah! I think its time to cut you off," Irzen noted, "You've had more than your fill and you're beginning to attract attention."

"Attention we may or may not need," Willow added, "Neutral territory or not, a little discretion here would not be a bad thing. What say you, Quake and Alyson?"