*flings open the tavern door and strides in* (RIFT Tavern Thread)

[Askari]

Above the tavern, the inn maintains rooms for weary travelers. With a loud crash, a door near the top of the stairwell is thrown open and a young man's drunken voice can be heard, "I told you Askari! I've got a barred red cock vane and white hens!"

A woman's voice, more soberly (and quietly) answers with a chuckle, "Excuse me?"

The young man heaves a sigh of frustration, "My arrow fletching! A red barred cock and two white hens. You know darn well that wasn't MY arrow stuck in yer bum after that last rift ruckus! And I won't stop drinkin', til you apologize for the slander!"

"Very well, I'll refrain from impugning your honor further. You're quite drunk enough already. I hold you, and your ummm...fletching, blameless in my recent injury. I'm sorry I teased you," says the woman as they start down the stairway (she doesn't really sound sorry).

A young Mathosian man, dressed in forest-green leathers, rounds the corner at the bottom of the stairwell and notices the recent increase in patrons. He stops and blushes momentarily, then tries to look nonchalant. A tall Mathosian woman in plate comes up behind him and pushes him towards an empty table, "Come along master archer..let's get some food in you."

The leather-clad rogue starts to sheepishly move towards the table, when he recognizes Alirrin and begins grinning like the drunken idiot he appears to be. "Hey! I know that guy! It's my buddy Flop Ears!"

And with that, he leaps up onto the table and begins to sing (loudly and badly):

Doooo... yourrrrr... ears hang low?
Do they wobble to and fro?
Can you tie 'em in a knot?
Can you tie 'em in a bow?
Can you throw 'em o'er your shoulder like a elemental soldier?
Do your ears hang low?

Do your ears stand high?
Do they reach up to the sky?
Do they droop when they are wet?
Do they stiffen when they're dry?
Can you semaphore your neighbor with a minimum of labor?
Do your ears stand high?

Do your ears flip-flop?
Can you use them as a mop?
Are they stringy at the bottom?
Are they curly at the top?
Can you use them for a swatter?
Can you use them for a blotter?
Do your ears flip-flop?

Do your ears stick out?
Can you waggle them about?
Can you flap them up and down as you fly around the town?
Can you shut them up for sure when you hear an awful bore?
Do your ears... stick... OUT.....?

He then belches loudly, slumps to his knees, and passes out.

The young woman rolls her eyes, "My apologies for the interruption sirs and madams. I'll just take him back upstairs to sleep this off."

With that she rolls him onto her shoulders with apparent ease and carries him back up the stairs, occasionally slamming his head into the wall.

[Jezerai]

Jezerai sings along to the tune with gusto and, when done, upends her second mug of ale, followed swiftly by the shot of whiskey.  She twirls a finger over her head, signaling the server to deliver another round.

[Alirrin]

Alirrin sighs and rolls his eyes. "Anghredadwy."

Jireen chuckles as if she's never heard this particular anthem before. "Oh, Alirrin, relax. Our ears *are* pretty big compared to theirs."

With another sigh, he accepts the round brought by the barkeep and says, "Fine. But they're buying this round." With that he smiles and sits back, and says, "Thus does the saga begin."