Barliman Butterburr murmured a suitably non-committal response, with the practised ease of someone used to listening in to at least three conversations at once, whilst tending bar, and feigning interest in yet another would be adventurers tales. His eyes and ears taking in just enough information to stay abreast of the various conversations, shifting his focus to where it was most needed... or the juiciest information could be gleaned.
Raffles didn't notice, or if he did, he wasn't offended, and carried on
'Ate all my sausages she did'
'I like a woman with a good appetite' Barliman replied distantly
Raffles paused slightly
'Eldo got her off in the end, he was most apologetic, but she'd already ripped quite the hole in my backpack'
He poked his fingers into the largest hole mournfully.
Barliman's attention shifted, and he glanced at Raffles looking slightly startled... he'd heard a lot over the years, behind the bar at the pony...
'But you know what dogs can be like when they get the scent for something'
'Right...' his attention started to drift again.
'So now I need to find some way to pay for the repairs... and a new hat'
His attention snapped back... he didn't like the sound of one of his guests suddenly having financial problems... he quickly tallied Raffles outstanding tab in his head.
Room and breakfast had been paid for in advance... so, it was just these last 2 drinks and the pre-dinner snack (a cold slice of coney pie) that he was owed... oh and the extra bacon from breakfast... or was it sausages... he'd have to ask Aggie. Anyhow, it didn't seem too much was owed by his reckoning.
He relaxed slightly, but not fully.
Raffles began rummaging around in his pack while he spoke, pulling out something absently from his pack and plonked it onto the bar without really looking at it.
Barliman glanced at it
'Is that a Neeker shell'?
'Yes, I was out in the marshes... for a while ... got a few of these'
'Old Mandeville uses these' Barliman turned it over in his hand... no idea what for if I'm honest, but if they are the right sort, he might pay you a little for them... it wont be much mind'. If you head over to Combe and speak with Cartwell, Old Mandeville is never in the same place for more than a day or so, but eventually he'll turn up there, so Cartwell will see you right.
'And if you're willing, I'll take those mushrooms you've got, for the kitchen' Barliman's keen eye had spotted some rather nice looking mushrooms amongst the detritus coming from Raffles' backpack.... They were quite the delicacy.
'I'll take it off your tab?'
'Of course' Raffles replied, still rummaging and putting various odds and ends onto the bar.
Finding nothing else of note Raffles stopped, and draining his drink, scooped everything (minus the mushrooms) back into his pack.
'Right, I'm off for a change of clothes and a wash... ill be back later to see about dinner'
'Aye Ralph' Barliman nodded, whilst actually listening intently to a rather heated discussion between two dwarves about the relative merits of Agates and Amethysts.
