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I nodded and took her hand. She squeezed it tight, and I knew we would do everything we could to help. Because no one should have to go through this alone. “We will. First, we will start funding worthy research projects before we try to tackle the taboo. We might even get specialists from around Manzimor to help with this. It will be a difficult, but worthwhile, journey.”
Darith looked at me. “Do you think it will help?”
“I don’t know,” I replied honestly. “But I know that it’s worth trying.”
“That’s good enough for me.” She nodded and a small smile appeared on her face. “Come on, I found a bakery that makes the most amazing pastries. I think we could both use a golden delight.”
We continued down the path, arm in arm. We passed by an old Halfling couple sitting on their porch. They smiled and waved as we walked by. Their clothing was bright and colorful, and the patterns on their fabrics were symmetrical and balanced. The stripes suggested they were from Puble, but the Lamido of the different Halflings communities intensified the trade among each other.
“Good afternoon,” I called out to them.
“And a good afternoon to you, my dear,” the woman replied.
Her dark skin was wrinkled with age, but her eyes were still bright and full of life.
“It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it?” she said.
“Yes, it is,” Darith replied. “I’m glad we can enjoy it together.”
“How long have you lived in the city?” I asked.
“Oh, about fifty years,” the woman said as she rested her hands in her lap. “My husband and I moved here shortly after we were married. We just wanted a fresh start, you know?”
Her husband offered us tea, and we kindly declined.
I smiled at them. “What was it like back then?”
“Oh, it differs from Puble,” the woman said with a laugh. Her braids swayed as she shook her head. “But it’s always been a good place to live. The people here are friendly and there’s always something to do.”
Like I thought. Puble.
“Less nosy neighbors,” her husband chimed in as he took a sip from his glass. “That’s what I like about it.”
The woman laughed and patted his hand. “You’re just saying that because you don’t want people to know about your little hobby.”
I chuckled. “Oh?”
“He likes to craft little wooden toys,” the woman cheerfully said. “He’s quite good at it, too. Our grandkids love them.”
He shook his head. “It’s nothing, really.”
His head wrap came undone, and I saw the gray in his beard. But he was smiling, and his eyes were twinkling.
“Nonsense,” the woman said. “You’re a very talented man.”
He leaned over to kiss her cheek. “Thank you, my dear.”
The woman smiled and turned back to us.
“It’s nice you can occupy yourself with something you love,” I smiled. “It’s important to have a hobby.”
“Yes, it is,” he replied. “I’m glad I can still do it at my age.”
We bid them farewell and continued on our way. The bakery was just around the corner and the smell of baked bread made my stomach growl. A sign in the window advertised “Decadent Pastries and Delicious Treats.”
“The best treats in town,” Darith said as we walked in. The glass case was filled with colorful pastries of all sorts, and my mouth watered just looking at them.
“Can I even eat anything? I don’t want to offend them.”
