The Fellowship Grows, the Journey Continues (RP)

Ezme looks back at the girl, her face very serious. "I come from much, much farther away. And where I come from, little girl gets clocked upside head just for thinking about talking like that to her elder…" Ezme shifts her weight and narrows her eyes, her face unreadable as she stares down the impertinent child.

Her expression suddenly breaks into a playful smirk and she straightens. "I think I will like it much better here."

"Wait," Lille says, giving both the girl and Ezme equally puzzled looks. "What stops them from just flying over here? Are some people maintaining a smoke screen? How long have they been there?"

Albert looks at Roald and shrugs. Then knocks on the door again, a bit louder this time. He adds "Hello? The door appears to be stuck." hoping someone inside would be inclined to react.

Roald takes a few steps back.
'' There's smoke coming out of the chimney, maybe they're in the back, cooking ''
He realizes that this far fetched conclusion is more wishful thinking than anything else, but his stomach is rumbling none the less.

"Is your daddy home? Or your mother?" Ezme asks the girl, glancing distractedly Albert and Roald’s direction to try to keep track of them.

"Yes, I think we need to speak with your Daddy or other adults who know about the... zom-bees. Lille skips over correcting Ezme about the domestic situation and leans down over the fence to pat the enthusiastic puppy again. "Have you ever smelled anything strange past those buildings?" Lille asks in Wildspeak, indicating the end of the village that’s supposedly closest to the border.

'' I would like some water if it's not too much trouble, but my friend here will be happy to try your ale.''
Roald looks around the shabby room. There is indeed a fire in the hearth, but no sign of a pot.
'' Is there a place where we can find some food in this village? We've travelled a long way and could use some good food and sleep''

"No, I don’t have a Mommy," Lille replies solemnly. "Or a Daddy. But I had someone who kept me safe and cared about me. That’s what’s important." She tries to smile, but also sounds sad, and seems confused about that part. She pats the dog again absentmindedly. "You’re a good protecter," she says in Wildspeak. "Remember to stay in the house with your pack if something dangerous comes." After another moment of thought, she looks to Ezme and tips her head towards the field the girl indicated.

"I might." Albert answers the old lady as he rustles through his backpack. After a half minute he pulls out an old Deer's Antlers mug. "Will this do?"

He walks over to check out the kettle. It's been a while since he's smelled booze this fresh. "A place to rest would be very welcome, ma'am. All we need is a roof over our heads for one night. No need to go through any trouble."

He hands over the mug. "How much for the ale?"

Ezme purses her lips shut upon hearing the girl's pointed question. She is glad to see Lille pipe up, drawing the attention to herself and away from the suddenly pained trapper. Making a mental note regarding the druid's response, Ezme opts to quickly shift the conversation to a more comfortable topic.

"Though we do need place to stay, perhaps best we chat with your father before you commit to hosting guests...." She starts making her way around the fence protecting the residence, heading toward the field, then pauses to glance back at Theo and Daryl. The two lads stand awkwardly in the road, obviously torn about whom they should be following and trying very hard not to talk to one another about it. "No inn here, I think. We all may need to split between different houses..." Ezme clarifies to them, in case they'd missed that vital piece of info. "But I would like to confirm this with adult." She gestures toward the field and waits to see if they follow.

Lille can’t help but smile at the dog’s enthusiasm, breaking her out of the shared melancholy with the girl. When Theo and Daryl act strangely(again), Lille sneaks a look at Ezme, trying to catch her reaction. She maintains her thoughtful silence all the way into the field, as the dog describes how he once chase a rabbit over *here*, and *this* is the man who gives the best belly rubs. She lingers back a little, unsure of how to start a conversation with the erstwhile fence menders.

Ezme doesn't visibly react, but inwardly she grimaces as Theo follows after them. She'd kind of hoped for a moment's respite from the dour mood. But maybe the lad would lighten up now that he was away from the apparent source of his vexation....

As they all approach the menfolk, Ezme quietly braces herself for whatever reaction she and this other "unconventional" woman would garner from them. As the chatting men pause in their conversation to turn and look, she puts her right fist to her chest respectfully and bows her head.

"Hail be thou, and peaceful tidings from mine to yours," she greets formally. She straightens. "House Felder." Given her observations about local customs, she decides to add her operating name to her greeting: "Ezme. Born of Brahm the Trapper of Dalhurst…" She nods toward her companions. "Walking with me are..." Ezme pauses awkwardly, realizing that she has no clue what houses they belonged to. "... They go by Lille and Theo," she finishes a little lamely, a hint of chagrin flashing across her face.