Welcome to Gaia! ::

As they got closer to Zinris, Pruu felt herself tensing up. For one thing, she did not want to be seen leading around an earthling in her home. For another.. well, she didn't want her family to meet the kid and get attached as though it were a new pet. Just dirty? Maybe the youngling would need a little encouragement... "Oh, it is much more than that," she mused. "Around here, guests need to get covered in mud before they enter the village. It's a sign of respect. That you accept and appreciate the land that you now walk on." She looked down at the child with a completely straight face. "You wouldn't want to offend the people helping you get home, would you now? There are certain elders who are very particular about who comes and goes." At least that last part was true..

"Good." Mud would only be able to do so much. Anyone who tried looking close enough would notice the lack of antennae. With luck, she would be able to skirt by anyone who would bother looking that closely.

She mentally winced at the reminder that they were going to her home, but her outer expression remained focused. "You will be needing a boat to get yourself home, and those don't come free. Even in your case, I would wager. Unless you have a bunch of money hidden on yourself somewhere, I have to grab things for trading." Her lips pressed slightly at the thought of sending the child alone, but she wasn't about to go over to the big island herself!

'We're?' Pruu shook her head with a snort. "Someone will go with you. For enough money, you earthlings will do just about anything." Surely someone at the dock would be willing to ensure that the child would make it home.

She glanced down at the question and sighed softly. She reached into the basket to pull out one of the thin towels and held it out to the child. "No, no sleepy drinks will be needed. Here, wipe your face and blow your nose. ..You may keep it for your trip." Find some mud to roll the child in, grab some of their tradable items, give someone at the docks some money and a threat, and then she could brush the whole incident off forever. A simple enough plan.