"Jeff, don't talk like that, you're being insulting!" (Lily)
"Oh, my bad! No harm intended young lad! I simply meant that another demi-human arrived! I'm Jeff, by the way. I haven't seen you around these parts before! You new? It's always nice to see a new face! Hahahaha!" (Jeff)
Jeff laughs as he slaps me on the back. He seems especially friendly, guess I'll manage to live another day.
"I'm sorry about all these folks, they aren't bad people, just a little wary. You know humans and their superstitions! Oh, I'm a dwarf by the way, if you couldn't tell by my appearance! I'm the blacksmith in this little village, so if you ever need any metalwork done come see me. There's nothing better than living in a village this size, you don't have any competition! Hahahahaha..." (Jeff)
Jeff continues to slap me on the back as he talks about everything from his business to the weather. He's very animated and can find anything funny, but for me, he's a gold mine. The amount of information I gain from this one-sided conversation is extraordinary. Over an hour passes as he continues to yammer on, I think he's overjoyed to see my interest. After frequently trying to say something, eventually Lily successfully interrupts Jeff.
"And then, after surviving the fight without a scratch, he sat on his own sword! And I told him..." (Jeff)
"Excuse me, Jeff, I think I should help Adam find a place to stay for the night. I hate to cut your conversation short, but it's getting late and he hasn't eaten anything yet either." (Lily)
"Oh, my bad! I tend to ramble on sometimes. My family tells me that it's a bad habit of mine! Hahahaha! I'll see you later lad, feel free to stop by my shop any time!" (Jeff)
And with one final pat on the shoulder, Jeff turns and resolutely walks away. I'll have to remember to not get stuck alone with him. Hmmm, he seemed unprejudiced, well, I guess there's people like that too.
"Say, Lily? Didn't you say that you had no one to talk to? What about Jeff?" (Adam)
"Well, Jeff is, you know, I might not have enough time to work if I talked to him often. And, don't get me wrong, there are people I can talk to. But, it's not the same, I never know when their opinions of me might change. I don't want to become friends with someone who I might just become a burden for, or who might come to hate me..." (Lily)
Her sentence gets quieter and quieter as she speaks, until it tapers off at the end. She avoids my eyes as well, seems it's an uncomfortable topic for her. Pushing her would be pointless, at least she treats me normally. Although, she might be one of the only ones, what a headache. I'm going to have to come up with a way to improve the villagers opinion of me. I've gotten a rough impression of my circumstances from Jeff, and it seems like I'll be stuck here for a while.
"Well, lead the way!" (Adam)
"Huh?" (Lily)
"To an inn or some place I can stay." (Adam)
"Oh, right! Follow me!" (Lily)
She leads me down the main street, or rather, the only street. Soon, we arrive at the only two story building in the village. It's made mostly of stone, but has a wooden roof. In front, a wooden sign reads 'Bed and Food' with simple carvings of fresh baked bread and a bed beside it. This reminds me of a question I've been meaning to ask Lily, I'll ask her over our meal. Wait a minute, oh no! I don't have my wallet with me! And even if I did, they wouldn't accept US currency!
"Ummmm, Lily, I just remembered, I don't have any money to pay for food or board..." (Adam)
I hesitantly voice my concerns. I hope she doesn't think I'm trying to take advantage of her generosity. Despite me initially thinking she was crazy, I've determined that to not be the case. In fact, I'd say it was very lucky that I ran in to her.
"Oh, don't worry about that! You helped me hunt those wolves, remember? The money I received for them should more than cover it!" (Lily)
Awwww, what a considerate gesture! Lily, you have improved my impression of you once again! I mentally give her a thumbs up.
"Wait, when did you sell them anyways?!" (Adam)
"During your conversation with Jeff, you didn't notice?" (Lily)
Aw snap! I need to be more observant! If I continue to live like this, I'll stop living at all! It must be because I'm not used to having good eyesight, that's definitely why. I'm not making excuses for myself, probably.
As we speak Lily guides me inside and to a counter. Behind it, stands a middle aged woman with curly black hair. She has a bandana wrapped around her forehead, causing her hair to stick up on all sides of it. Her demeanor is similar to that of potential investors I had met with before. She scrutinizes me up and down, then speaks to Lily.
"What'll it be?" (????)
"Two meals and an additional room for tonight." (Lily)
"That'll be 70 coppers" (????)
"Here you are." (Lily)
Upon confirming the amount, the woman's expression completely transforms into a brilliant smile.
"Here's the key to the room next to yours. Just wait at a table over there and your food will be right out!" (????)
Lily passes the key to me and we sit down at an empty table. I glance at the woman, who is now shouting at someone in the kitchen, then look back at Lily.
"She seems, eccentric?" (Adam)
"Oh, that's just how Anna is. If she wasn't that way it wouldn't be this easy to get a room here. In her own words 'I don't care if it's the demon king himself! If they pay, they stay!' Despite her cold demeanor, she's the one that runs this inn. Her straightforward business approach has won her the praise, and criticism, of many."
The food arrives and I gobble mine down with vigor. While I eat, I question Lily about some things I'm confused about. Then, I follow her to my room, tell her good night, and collapse on my bed.