Before he could take more than two steps, the Elf-Girl stopped him. She was asking about the tracking progress. He facepalmed, but tried to pass it off as simple weariness.
I would like that, but I dunno if these folks wanna go that route. He looked up ahead at Mama, who had stopped, and was looking back at him frustratedly. He started scratching the back of his head.
They said sommat about headin out in a half-hour.... the thought that maybe he could maybe diffuse being the center of attention for a bit crossed his mind. Mama wants to go get some quality nap time in-- he said, as he indicated further up, towards the bear, as she was stopped between them and a thick copse of obscuring bushes between the forest edge and the Inn. If ye can talk some sense into em', I'm game to start right away. Jus.... His cheeks were on fire. He could feel it. Mama wants some quality time after gettin that thing outta her. Pretty insistent. Best not to fight such things. I'll be back afore ya know it. In th' meantime, see about gettin these kids game on the plan too, 'k girl?
Absently, he dug in his rucksack, and returned the bag.
I'll need that back when we get started, but there ye go.. he wheezed, before wordlessly pointing back toward the bear and then shuffling off.
And with that, the old man tottered away.
---
(a half hour later)
---
The old man tottered back to the wall of the Inn. Half his beard was slicked over to one side, and his clothes looked ruffled. He leaned heavily on his walking stick, while the big brown bear rubbed playfully on his legs. He sighs, then kneels down and tries to rub her on the hump of her back and behind her ears. She knocks him over, and savagely nips and chews all over him. He reciprocates a bit, then climbs back up, trying his best to continue walking back to the inn.