Findlay ordered some of the same stew the two women and their child had ordered. When he heard the woman ask for warm milk a smile broke his worn face for the first time since he’d entered the tavern. He saw the waitress’s forced smile and he called after her with a small gnomish voice, “bring her milk, I can warm it for the babe!”

Then he hoped down from his chair while his own food was fetched and made his way over to their table. He pushed his spectacle back on his forehand and gave a quick bow when he reached their table. “Findlas at your ladies services. I don’t think they easily serve warmed milk, but I know a trick that can help warm it up for you. What’ the babe’s name?” he asked as they waited on the milk to be brought.
This message was last updated by the GM at 20:12, Thu 07 Mar 2019.

When the gnome invited himself to the table, the mother turned slightly to shield her child.  The action was purely reflexive and judging by the amount of road dust on the pair and the tired look in their eyes, it was probably nothing intentional.  She turned back to the diminutive gnome with the seemingly large heart.  "Your help would be most generous and welcome."  At the request for the name, the mother opened a little to reveal more of the child.  A girl who looked a lot like her parent with thickening reddish blonde hair and wide, rested eyes that promised a long and sleepless night for the pair.  "This is Sara," Dara said as she put her finger to the baby's chubby cheek and pushed on it slightly.  "I'm Dara and my companion here is Lydia.  We just arrived with the latest caravan."  With an open hand she motioned to him an offer to take one of the vacant seats.  "We might be here for a little bit.  Any suggestions on where we might be able to go to get groceries and supplies and perhaps a laundry or a hot bath?"
This message was last updated by the GM at 20:12, Thu 07 Mar 2019.

FIndlas smile and cood at the babe for a second, speaking directly to her with a smile, “well met Sara. You have much life to look forward to! New things to enjoy and endure. I envy you!”

Then he looked to the two women and shook his head as he replied, “greetings to you each as well. I just walked into town myself today. Supposed to meet a friend who’s lured me down here from the nice comfort of a well heeled city with promises of things to do and see and experience that I can’t get there. So unfortunately I know as little of the town as you both. My apologies on that score.”

As the milk arrived with the waitress, Findlas cupped the container in his hand for a few moments, then dipped his small finger in with a satisfied nod and handed it to Dara. “I hope that’s not too hot. I can cool it a bit if needed.”
This message was last updated by the GM at 20:13, Thu 07 Mar 2019.

"There is no need to apologize, if there were need of anything it is I who should for assuming you knew."  Accepting the offered milk, Dara verified the temperature was correct before beginning the arduous effort of feeding Sara without losing equal amounts to her clothing.  Lydia produced a rag to use for spills which Dara gladly accepted having forgotten it on her own.  "Again, I thank you for your efforts.  Are you a practitioner of the arcane?  I could not help but notice the cantrip you employed."  While her eyes were focused on what she was doing, her attention was on the conversation.  "Your friend, will you be meeting him or her here?"
This message was last updated by the GM at 20:13, Thu 07 Mar 2019.

The gnome nodded vigorously, "yes she'll be along sometime. She doesn't know I'm here after all!" Then he shook his head just as vigorously in answer to her question.

"No. I'm a simple craftsman, no magic for me. Or I suppose you'd call it magic I guess? But I don't cast spells, no miss. Just some things some of my people can do here and there. Sure you've heard of gnomes that can talk to animals and such. Well, there's others of us that can do other things like your magicians. But we just do it. You know? Probably something to do with our fading connection to the First World. Different gnomes can do different things, though some do tend to do the same things. That's boring though!" Findlas ended with a smile.

"So, what brings you out to the frontier with a babe? You have other family coming to town soon?"
This message was last updated by the GM at 20:14, Thu 07 Mar 2019.

"I have heard of gnomes yes, but um..." she paused a little as her cheeks turned a shade of red from embarrassment, "I've never actually seen one before now.  No wait!  Yes I have.  I saw one on a caravan some time ago."  But that didn't really count.  She averted her eyes down to her daughter less because she needed attention but more a way to escape staring.  The child complied with her retreat making a sound, her infant way of wanting more food.  Dara took another small spoonful of broth with a bit of a mushed potato and put the spoon into Sara's mouth.

When the gnome asked why she was on the road, Dara hesitated.  To anyone who knew she was Varisian through and through with her colorful attire, decorative jewelry and the most obvious being her Kapenia that she currently wore draped over her shoulders.  "A more accurate question would be to ask what I am doing here.  I'm from Varisia, one of the traveling people, and before you ask no I am not going to steal anything from you so you need not worry.  I have lived the majority of my life on the road.  I'm new here, just another stop far from home.  We-"  Again Dara stopped when her child began to fuss.  "Hungry aren't you," she said in that high tone, cute voice that all mothers used with young children.  Dara took a little of the warm milk and concentrated on Sara while she continued.  "It's just us-"  She stopped suddenly.  To admit she was alone was not the smartest thing to do.  Anyone who held a bit of wisdom would have known she went silent for fear of saying too much.
This message was last updated by the GM at 20:15, Thu 07 Mar 2019.

OOC: odd, I swear I replied to your post yesterday! Maybe I was on my iPad and didn't hit send...sorry!

Findlas laughed robustly at how Dara spoke of gnomes, though it was still small because of his stature. "Well and good! You're viewpoints have not been colored by too much interaction with my kind before." He leaned in conspiratorially, "some of us can be a bit... much for others to handle. We've a zest for new that can weary others long before we tire of novelty."

"I've known others from your homeland before in my life, though I myself wasn't sure that the stories of your people and their inability to settle had too much truth to them. Seemed too gnomish to me. But you're the third I've known that spoke of such so it must be real." he smiled at Dara and the babe. Then he noted Dara stop short as she spoke of their group size. Findlas got a knowing look on his face. He reached up to pat her arm lightly.

"You're safe with me young lady. No need to worry on my account, though caution in this world isn't a bad thing." As if to drive home his point, Findlas spun his hands together and in the middle of them appeared a colorful if crude, somewhat flimsy, little dolly. "It won't last long, but something to distract the babe if ye need it. I'll work on something more permanent and bring it by when you figure out where you're staying." he seemed thoughtful once more as he asked, "is someone pursuing you? We can get my friend to help you if they are. I'm sure she can help with that kind of thing."

If nothing else, the gnome was a chatty little fellow.  Still, Dara didn't mind, she'd had enough of the caravan and was not opposed to some friendly conversation.  "If someone were pursing me, I would not ask someone else to take on unnecessary risk in providing aid or support."  Obviously she evaded the question with a vague reply.

When he offered the figure, Dara politely declined it.  "If I give that to her she'll forget about eating and then when it faded she would surely become upset and start crying.  Your offer is kind, thank you."  She continued to feed the child who was rapidly showing herself to be a voracious little eater.  Dara snuck a bite in where she could but between conversation and child, they were few and far between.  It didn't seem to bother her though.

"Actually, a large number of my people have settled.  A good number have moved to Korvosa, Magnimar... Kaer Maga..."  She said the last in a distasteful way, her face crunching up as if the very word was foul to speak.  "The nomadic ways of my people are not as widespread as one might think though they are far from uncommon."  She'd already come this far so she continued.  "I could have settled down but it is not my calling."  Her free hand went to her throat where the choker with the symbol of Sarenrae embedded in it.  "She bids me to care for the young and the sick.  I believe that She blessed me with Sara as a way to remind me of the importance of what I do in Her name.  When I am in a place long enough I often times work with pregnant mothers helping them through their journey to parenthood and the delivery of their little bundles of joy.  Perhaps if I am here long enough I might be able to perform similar mercies, not to mention minister to those both sick of body and of spirit."  Sara began to fidget a little so Dara put the spoon down and stood Sara up on her leg.  A sudden, loud burp erupted from the little one which seemed to sooth the fuss though now that she was up on her feet, Sara seemed to want to start moving around.

"I'll take her," Lydia offered, reaching for and claiming the child so that Dara could finish her meal.  Lydia put Sara to the floor and holding on to her little hands allowed Sara to start lumbering around a little.

OOC: It's quite all right, we've all done that kind of thing before.

OOC:  Might have been me when I was xferring posts across to this thread.  If so, sorry :(