gnomad eases his way over to where Mrs Clause's knife is stuck in the wall, he tugs it free, and pops it into the washer.

"Good blade that, but might be safer here for a few hours" he returns to his own table, crunching through popcorn, and not obviously moved by the loss of the cider.

The badger sitting at the table, however, does move him "Wh..?" the question dies on his lips, but the badger answers anyway.

"Should have asked nicely for the cloves, not badgered him..and don't ferret in your pack either. Anything animal-related is going to cause you trouble, it just gives the techies ideas"

gnomad slumps into his chair, and eyes the badger, that it should speak is less disturbing than the clothes it wears.

"Abandonned your quest have you? I sent you here so you didn't have to try the pass, and could get straight to Kansas. Do I have to explain EVERYTHING to you?"

gnomad look guilty, and silently retrieves the banner, which he re-attaches to his pack. He makes for the washroom door.

"No sneeking back to the Tap&Spile" adds the badger.