Dinner were different. I could have gone better, but it weren't a disaster. Though the run up to it? Well that be a whole other story.
I were on me bed, all dressed fancy, Bailey in me hands as I were lifting her up, then putting me nose on hers when I pulled her back down, just a bit of nonsense, playing about until she saw I were wearing me earrings. Blimming cat took to playing with one, caught her claw in it and yanked down, cutting me ear with the metal. Still can't really blame her, she were only doing what cats do, but talk about throbbing, and the blood! Who'd have thought such a tiny cut would bleed like that, but then she did rip the hole the earring went through. So I decide to take meself off to see Maddoct, except he weren't at the soothery, Elias were and said he'd take a look. I mean, I were there, a bloody cloth on me ear, so it would have been stupid to say no. We talked a bit, nothing much, he asked if it be ok to ask me a question about me trip with Ath, asked after me family, paid me a compliment about me dress. He's getting better with that whole bedside manner business. I asked me own question about him, if he be alright, at peace, though I didn't get the answer I hoped for. I did have another question but just before I were to ask it, his new assistant showed up, her, that Ruevir. I finished speaking with Elias, who had given me some ground nutmeg on loan for a milk pudding I were making, then I went to leave and she stopped me. An apology she gave me, for her behaviour. Well, I were surprised but, really? I ain't certain if it be sincere or just something done to please Elias. I told her I had a bit of trouble accepting it, on account she be a large part to do why me and him broke up, but I said that she were to take care of him, otherwise well, what were the point of what she did? Would have been for nothing. I don't like her, or trust her, but she had the guts to apologise to me face, so there is that.
I went home, me ear patched up and me nutmeg in hand. Ma and I made a good pudding too, not to mention a few custard tarts.
Dinner! I'll be forgetting me own mind before long. So aye, it were just me Ma, Ath and me. Food were good and Ma, being Ma, were interested in anything and everything Ath would tell her, until he told her a bit too much. I knew this would happen, I mean, I ain't trying to keep secrets, just trying to ease me folks into the idea that this man be a bit different to them that they know. He told her who he were, like, what he were. I mean, it came as a bit of a surprise to say the least, but not half as much as when he asked her outright if he could be staying in me room for the eve! I wanted a hole to open up there and then to swallow me in. Me Ma were adamant, naturally, that I be sleeping in her room. Then he be talking about how he felt about me and all, which were lovely, aye, but even a blind man can see that you don't argue with a lasses mother over such things! So I stayed with her, and he had me room.
I'd spoken to one of his friends. He were in the inn reading through a book which turned out to be names. He asked me if I knew a Fiontann. Naturally, I do given that he be a friend of Elias and Aths. So I pointed the man in the right direction to find him. We also had a bit of a giggle..well I did..about him not being that old compared to Ath, infact I called him a baby, which I don't think he appreciated much. He wants to improve his numbers too. I were thinking of telling him where he could go to do that but, for some reason I just kept it to meself. I don't know why, maybe because the tutor be wrapped up already with too many I know and like. He also spoke of me friend! Bild! Said there were word a dwarf were with the elves and mentioned the music, so I thought straight away it must be him, but then I got a name and me hunch were confirmed! I miss that dwarf. I invited the man to supper, I think it'll do Ath and him good to talk given that their kind be all over the place and seldom with others like them, they can talk about things that I wouldn't even understand over a good pint and a full belly.
Bailey brought another toad in, I think I'm going to start naming them at this rate, I'll get Ath to put it out if he be visiting.
