At the scrambling, Nciphisa begins to peer down over at the hunting form of Inoksi, his snout clearly screwed up into an expression conveying both curiosity and a faint distaste. "What seems to be the matter?"
"It was to be an engagement ring. I'd already talked to my family, and they'd talked to my bride to be's family, and all that was left was for me to formally propose to her, but now... what am I going to do? The ring is a family heirloom. It's not actually that valuable inherently, but it is irreplaceable to me, as they'll all know if I show up with a different one, and I'll be judged a failure! Oh I must find it!"
At that, the other patrons, including Nciphisa, begin to assist in the search, although it's uncertain whether they are truly looking to help the struggling figure Inoksi portrays himself to be, or whether they are simply on the hunt for the jewellery, in the hopes that they can pocket it unobserved. Whatever the matter, they do not find the ring, it being safely tucked away within a pocket of Inoksi's attire. On the other hand, he does manage to attract a fair bit of attention, attention that ends as the disguised Pybyr perks up and speaks.
"Oh! Maybe I left it at the restaurant! I must look! But if any of you should find it, bring it to my room on Ikhaya Street. It's the basement quarters. And there's a healthy reward for any who do!"
With that, Inoksi shot from the room, his haste exaggerated by a squawk as he bumped into a patron passing through the door. But rather than continue faking his flight, he calmed and stepped through the door into the emptiest of the gambling house's rooms, where the Pybyr were too engaged in drink and the games of chance before them to look in his direction. Facing the corner, he swiftly shifted disguise, this time vaguely emulating one of the Ncane elders. Enough to give the appearance of dignified riches, at any rate.
Returning to the table of Nciphisa, he found his prior seat unoccupied, and casually slipped into it, flipping a few chips out before him as if their value was all but worthless in his eyes. The casual display of wealth attracted the eyes of all those around the table, eyes that flickered with surprise as he bent over, removed the ring from its hidden pouch, and sat back upright, idly flipping it in his hand.
"Hmm... What's this?"
The dealer was the first to react. "Sir, that ring belongs to the patron who was in the seat just before you occupied it. He left only moments before, and said he resides on Ikhaya Street. There was mention of..."
Nciphisa cut the dealer off with a swift gesture and swifter words. "A journey the likes of which an elder such as yourself should not be forced to make. Not when one has only just arrived at the table for some entertainment and relaxation. Please, let me have the honour. The hands have been against me, and I wish to retire with what remains of my honour."