Astrid tried to listen, or at least appear that she was listening, as the large, friendly man began describing just exactly how to get to the bakery. Her attention though, was torn between him and Kate, whose head kept poking out every so often from beneath the cauldron. She did try to pay attention at least to the general directions on how to get there, so she would know where to go if Kate managed to escape her predicament. As soon as the child slipped out from under the large pot, Astrid relaxed and smiled more naturally up at the large man as he waffled on about this, that, and the next thing. Eventually though, her legs grew tired of standing still and she could tell the other man was beginning to get impatient. When he took a breath, Astrid jumped in.<br/><br/>"Well, thank you very, very much, Sir. I'll just be on my way then and let you get back to your business before your food grows cold. Thank you for your time." She smiled at both of them and scurried off before she could be drawn into another lengthy 'conversation'. Once she had gone a little way from the two men she slowed down and smiled slightly smugly, whispering to Calden.<br/><br/>"Of course I was right. Besides, now that I think about it, was she really in any danger...? She could have just said she was playing hide and seek or something if they'd found her..." Astrid mused as she began following the stairs the way the man had said. She supposed she had perhaps been a little rash in her haste, but in the moment she had been afraid for her friend. She sighed, "Alright, I'll try to keep you in the loop. But how?"<br/><br/>She trudged along the stairs, peering into windows and trying to decipher the little signs, but nothing looked like a bakery. When Calden mentioned the man might have lied she began to wonder that too, but before she could answer him she heard a little, high pitched voice. She looked around and smiled when she saw Kate's grinning face and wildly waving hand. Astrid sped up a little to reach the girl and followed her into the little shop. As the delicious smells of baking assailed her, Astrid's stomach gave a low growl. It smelled delicious! Her eyes grew wide as she looked about the place and caught sight of the masses of baked goods on the shelves. How in the world could they even MAKE that much food, let alone give it to people?<br/><br/>Her thoughts were interrupted when another large man greeted them. She smiled and nodded when he said she must be Astrid, nodding again with a grin when he asked if Kate had really let her sleep in her hideout.<br/><br/>"Oh, no Sir. It was quite alright. I didn't mind it one bit. She made sure I was comfortable, and I had a lovely sleep. Thank you. She's been ever so kind!" She jumped a little when the man suddenly shouted over his shoulder at someone and she glanced at Kate with slightly widened eyes for a second before settling back into a smile as the kind looking woman appeared and Kate ran over to her.<br/><br/>"It's lovely to meet you. Kate talks about you both quite a bit." She smiled when Tristy asked how she liked the town, nodding her head, "It's quite lovely, though I wouldn't call it little!" she giggled. "I've never seen a town as huge as this! And Kate has been awfully lovely to me. She's been kind and generous, and has shown me around a bit. She's been wonderful!" She beamed at her little friend, then looked back at her mother and then at Grumbles. "Thank you very much for the delicious breakfast. It was the most wonderful thing I've had in a long time!"