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"Sure," Earendil agreed. "I have my map in our room at the inn. I can grab it while I'm putting your staff away."

"On that note," Iorlas spoke up, "you might want to put that staff away before someone challenges you."

"Right." Earendil couldn't help but smile. "I'm afraid the staff is not one of my strong points. It would not end well. Come on, everyone."

He motioned for them all to head inside, and started towards the door.

Iorlas pursed her lips thoughtfully. "Well ... it depends on peoples' moods," she explained. "Some days have more people carrying staffs than others, there's no rhyme or reason to it. And even then, people aren't always challenged, only if someone feels like it. That being said, if you're carrying a staff, you're fair game. It's a shame to decline, because if you turn down a spar you're essentially saying that you're a coward. I know, it's not necessarily the truth, but that's how people understand it. It's better to at least make an attempt, no matter your actual skill level."

When they headed inside, they could see the rest of the group who was still sitting at the tables in the dining room of the inn, though it seemed they were already finished eating.

"Hey, there you are!" Amalirahc exclaimed. "We were wondering where you were! The food's all gone already, you're going to have to order some more of your own if you want to eat! But where WERE you? We didn't see you anywhere ALL MORNING!"

"And picked up a new friend in the process," Aethos quipped. "I'll be back, I'm going to put this away."

He showed the fat purse that he'd won and headed towards the rooms to put it away safely for Alassëa.

Curiosity was evident in Amalirahc's eyes, and he tilted his head slightly as he looked at Iorlas. He looked very thoughtful for a moment, as if he were sizing her up somehow; but a moment later he grinned as widely as he ever did and chirped, "Hi, new friend! What's your name?"

"Hi, Iorlas," Amalirahc waved at her. "I'm Amalirahc!"

He went on to introduce everyone else that was there, and by the time he had finished (and Iorlas had asked him to repeat a few of them), Aethos had returned empty-handed and Earendil had also put Miyuki's staff away. At that point, everyone who had not yet eaten sat down, and soon there was food for them as well.

Amalirahc had finished eating, but he ran over to sit next to Miyuki. "Hey," he murmured under his breath, climbing onto the bench next to her. "Did you notice something weird about Iorlas?"

He spoke quietly, so that only she could hear him.

Immediately, Amalirahc was intrigued. He leaned closer to Miyuki so that she wouldn't have to speak loudly either. "Oh?"

He couldn't place it, exactly, but there was something about her that bothered him - and he hated feeling like that, because she was very nice, but he just couldn't help it. He wondered if what Miyuki would have to say would help to shed light on the situation.

Amalirahc nodded thoughtfully, glancing up at Iorlas briefly before looking back at Miyuki. "That's weird ... did you ask your ada about it?"

Because to him, it made sense that if someone had said something weird it would be best to ask them about it and find out exactly what they meant by it.

Amalirahc shook his head. "Maybe they were just confused or something," he decided. "No, it's something else that's weird. I can't say exactly what it is.

He did have something of an idea, but he wasn't willing to say it at the moment. He was doing a good job of hiding it, though.

Amalirahc didn't question MIyuki's words, only nodded and looked back at the woman. Yes, she was different, all right ...

"Hey, so what are you doing this afternoon?" he asked, changing the subject abruptly. Gone was the serious look of the moment before, replaced with his usual goofy grin.