A woad in a pot

I've been social. Like I promised myself. I haven't done a stellar job at it, but it is a start.

Upon visiting the local doctor, it turned out to be the same man I have saved from a snare some two seasons back. I have struck a deal with the man - fortunately he was not attached to coin and a trade comfortable for us both had been managed, medicines for materials he would then use to make different sorts of ointments. While he scurried around to prepare the things I needed (oddly adorably, I have to admit, even though it baffles me why the man apologises so much) - I spoke to another man that was waiting there, hooded up. I find that ridiculous, which I gave voice to, but we spoke about other things - mostly, the doctor and once I realised the stranger traveled as well - about that. We discussed Caradhras and the mountain range there and if there is anything behind them. I believe it to be so, for no mountain range I know of takes up enough land for there to be nothing north of Rohan, Gondor, Mordor and the rest of these lands. No mountain range takes up a quarter of the known world, especially with Forodwaith and Dale being a thing to the north of these mountains.

Afterwards... I have seen notices of a gathering - a "potluck", they called it, or something similar. Everyone was to bring food and share it with all the others that showed up. Theoretically, that is a good idea, but in practice, everyone but me brought pastries (though one dwarf have brought a cram, which I definitely didn't expect. I wonder what people thought of that) - so we were stuck with a pot of bigos and a whole roast, prepared by the host - who was absent and there has been a hobbit leading the event instead.

Hobbits... there were two and both were... oddly adorable, not like the doctor has been, but one in the jovial, happy way of the halflings, and the other... well, she behaved childishly, which in hindsight, threw me off somewhat. There were four dwarves, a couple other women and the two men I met earlier at the Soothery, the doctor and his hooded friend. The latter stood in a corner with his hood on (much to my amusement), though to his credit, he took the hood off and moved towards the fireplace later, even engaging in conversation with one of the two women. The dwarves mostly discussed between eachother, with an occasional input from other people, while one of them coursed between the other dwarves, one of the two women (I've heard one of them laugh at some point, so I believe the conversation went well) and the hobbit, basically doing everything he could to help.

I sat at the long, central table first, but when one of the dwarves hopped onto the tabletop and promptly fell off, I retreated to one of the side tables, joining the doctor and discussing with him medicines and methods of combatting goblins, as I've heard he fought one off. Being a man of lithe frame and poor defensive skills, I was curious how did he manage and I have learned it was through a vial of acid in his pocket. A grisly, if effective defense, though not one I shall use myself. We discussed other matters then and he seemed knowledgeable and intelligent - if... I can't say he sounded condescending, but there was derision when I spoke of the woodswitch. If we speak again, I hope that won't result in considering me a witless fool. The conversation in general was rather pleasant.

When the co-hosting hobbit came and spoke with us, I've overheard someone gathering up to leave on the other end of the room and realised just how late it had gotten, so I left myself, after saying farewells. I picked up my things and have decided to come back for my pot later, asking it to be left in the yard.
I will do that tomorrow, or day after, whenever I shall venture to the homesteads with the doctor's trade goods. I know not what he uses mistletoe for and I might ask out of curiousity. We shall see.

The winter is right around the corner, and while I still feel out of place in public... it is not as bad as I expected. Perhaps I shall visit warm taverns during the light snow months.
Or invest in a shovel to dig myself out on the heavier days. It would make winters less lonely.