World Adjustments, and A Brash Dwarven Lass.

Roland tugged on the wool tunic with a finger. It was comfortable, if not a little tight at the collar. The pants were probably the only thing that felt right, tough blue jeans that seemed tougher at the seams than the average store brand, and a leg brace clasped around his right leg. As for shoes, they gave him spare hiker boots. When Roland asked where he got all this from, Stollen shrugged and said they were 'Old things from storage'.

He squinted as daylight greeted him, shifting his weight on the cane as he looked around. The sound of a crackling fire drew his attention as he found the dwarf sitting down on an advil, wiping the top of her chest with a sweat rag. The tank top she wore looked a tad drenched, and her ponytail braid frizzled from the humid environment. She looked far from exhausted, but he noticed how she tugged at her tank top that seemed a little tight on her. Her tits seem to visibly wobble in her undershirt, looking ready to burst from limitations placed by her bra. But even then-

Roland fell backwards, losing his footing as something wet blinded him. Catching himself, Roland removed the used rag from his face just in time to see a cherry-face scowl that has now taken over the dwarf's features, “Keep yer eyes ta ya damn self ‘uman, ur I'll make ya ‘alk without a cane." Rune stood up to full height, adjusting her top as she shoved her tools into her belt, "Now if you're done bein' a feckin perv, let's git gonna de inn before business 'ours kick in."

Roland pressed his cane forward as he stood up. Taking a breath as they both began walking down the dirt path. The dwarf would give the occasional glance back to see if he was in arm’s reach but would stop periodically for Roland to take small rests and to keep him upright. Till finally, the town came into a good view as the two made their way down the hills. Roland looked to Rune as he shifted his weight on his cane, then back at would could only be Thimbleweed. “So uh, Rune-”

Her eyes whipped into his direction, teeth gritted as she clenched her fist, “Only Da calls me Rune!” She seemed to soften as she noticed her tone, “Caw me Belle. Just Belle.”

“Okay uh, Belle, I’m sorry If we got on the wrong foot earlier-”

“Aff on da wrong foot? She looked up at him as she gave him a more than puzzled look, “Wha? Cos I busted ya balls a bit, I al' of ‘he sudden 'ate ya?” She stopped and placed her hands on her hips, “I don’t hate ya you damn beansproyt. How am I’m supposed ter act when a fuckin eejit is dropped on me doorstep?”

“Well um,” Roland looked at her and scratched at his head bandage, “It’s just that you seemed pretty pissed this morning when I woke up-”

The dwarf jabbed a finger into his rib, “You stole me lip-boun' ya arse! Yer lucky I didn’t craic ya jaw an' take sum av ya teeth as penance! I’ll never get that-”

Her prodding finger and frown softened as she noticed his recoil, letting out a deep sigh as she placed her hand on her hips, “...Luk, we don't git visitors at de forge, a customer maybe, but that’s rare, but never visitors. let alone a 'uman.”

Roland's eyes became lit with confusion, “So are uh, humans...that rare?”

Belle seemed to shrug, “This far south? Pretty much. Not ta say they’re aren’t human merchants an' traders dat come down an' whatnot, but in terms of a home? They tend ta live further up norn...Luk de point is, you’re a stranger, but you’re a stranger dat da practically nursed back ta health an' Will be apparently stayin' with us. In short, we’re stuck together, whether ya like it or not...” Belle tugged at her tanked top once more, it looked a tad strained, more so than this morning. The dwarf concealed another grunt as she frowned up at him, “Now stop wi' de quesshuns! Do ya want ter eat or not?!”

“I do! I mean yes-”

“Then stop eyefuckin' me damn tits an' git movin'! De stones on da lad!” she huffed as she marched forward. Tugging at her top straps to keep her passengers inside.

Roland nodded as they seemed to enter the town. With the name Thimbleweed, he was half expecting a ghost town, yet the fauna said otherwise. Lush greens filled the trees and outer fields while the market stands littered the cobblestone earth that seemed to encircle its surroundings, ending at three paths. A large house that had a plantation of corn and other produce, a building with an unfamiliar symbol on the top, a church it seemed, and the other lead into a dense mob of trees. He would have continued to admire his surroundings if he didn’t notice how some of the pedestrians stopped and stared. Like Belle, they were small in stature but had a softer if not thinner build. Hairs lined and trimmed in the middle of their large….well, large for their body, feet as some whispered and carried on with their business. His gaze continued to wonder as ears finally heard the streams of trickling water.

A fountain was being looked at by a lithe man with...Pointed ears and silver hair, not gray and aged. Genuine full silver. He looked paler then perceived, but the color seemed to be returning to his features as the fountains cracked marble began to seal up and restructure itself. A faint glow easing and entrapping into the once brittle and battered stone and foundation.

He would have observed more till felt a strong arm pull him into a building. The door closed behind him as the smell of fresh baked goods and meat filled the air. The interior was...Homey. It had an authentic renaissance aura wooden tables and chairs lined up next to one and other. And open windows to let the sunshine through and illuminate the room. All to reveal the telltale sizzle and pilfering smoke that seemed to be coming from the kitchen.

“Rose! we’re here! come on ‘nd meet da new face in town!”