Intermission.

Cole makes his way back to the tap room, where he swings by the bar, surprising the barkeep when he orders a pitcher of water instead of anything alcoholic.

"Leave the pitcher." He says, when he begins pouring him a glass.

Making his way down the stairs, Shard spots Cole and smiles, "Ah, my new best friend, how goes your day so far?" He asks, as he reaches the counter, passing his food tray to one of the waitresses, making sure to tip her well for her inconvenience. Noticing again how it was the woman from before still checking out Cole. "You know," He says conspiratorially, "You should just ask him out." He says to the woman before crossing his arms and leaning forward onto the bar.

"Just the water for you then?" He asks Cole.

((((OOC Read Hetty's room post. Hetty Projected an illusion of herself in the kitchen mouthing for help)))

Shard glances to a band playing near the hearth, when he senses the use of magic, which draws his attention. Takes him several moments of scanning the tap room to discern it's source, not knowing if it was malevolent or not. Then by chance he catches an image of Hetty in the kitchen mouthing "Help" he acts without thinking, vaulting over the counter, and over a surprised serving girl, with his hand on the hilt of Draken, he body slams the door into the kitchen, and with his back to the wall quickly spins around searching for threat. Not seeing any except for a few terrified serving girl's and a cooks. He looks again to the image of Hetty, stepping to it cautiously, and giving the look to the others to make sure they saw her too. Their confused glances confirmed it and he rushes to pull her into his arms only to discover it had been an illusion.

Taking a moment to process what he saw and what he thought he read on her lips, he mutters.
"Shit." And quickly and dives through the kitchen door, nearly knocking over another server, as he vaults over the bar, making a bee line to the stairs.

Watching Shard leap and act about, before running past him to head up the stairs he shrugs and shakes his head.

"That is a very odd man."

Finally having his fill of water. Cole stands and thanks the waitress stands, and decides to explore the city a bit more.