At the bar, Rhio said to Rennyb:
"Have you a tale to add to the archives?"

And Rennyb thought a moment... but then a
woman dressed in a peasant blouse and skirt of
black linen entered with a bewildered look.
He was just turning to look, when the creak
of a sliding panel heralded the arrival of
two (rather dusty) black cats and two women...
one of whom was the very picture of a mad
scientist...

"So you see," Rennyb continued, turning back
to Rhio... "the very act of storytelling summons
storytellers."

"I was about to embark on a recounting of the
tale of Hieronymous Hazard and the house he built,
but seeing as we have persons new (or at least,
new to me) arriving... let's invite them to
introduce themselves and spin a tale of their own!"

Rennyb lept up and hoisted a foaming tankard (which
had moments ago, been a rather conventional pub glass)
from the bar and strode over to greet the latest
arrivals into the bar. "Hullo, hullo! Where've you all
been and what've you seen? Come, please, join us at
the bar and dazzle us with your adventures!"

Rennyb fell backwards suddenly, plopping into a
great chair (built of fur and mammoth bone and smelling
of old smoke) which came suddenly into focus to catch him.
He propped his feet up upon an antique chest which appeared
to serve as an ottoman. Then, taking a deep pull from whatever
spiced brew his cup contained, he looked upon the others in
eager anticipation...

"Why doesn't the woman in the ruby x-ray specs go first, then?
What's cooking behind those secret panels???"
...