<div class="floatright">(http://i.imgur.com/ysEooVf.jpg)</div><br/>Velma smiled and held up a finger and went to fetch them, tossing them beneath her pillow before explaining,<strong> "If my Da found em, he'd wear em through with all the sniffin.  He's a good man, but a perv to be sure, just like all Thunderaxes I suppose.  I'm assuming you met my nephew, Flint?" </strong>She smiled,<strong>"I know, I know, some people think it's weird to hear a twenty one year old human girl refer to a dwarf in his second century as her nephew, but that's the dwarven way.  Me Da is me Da, and there's no arguing that.  Doesn't matter to the dwarves if your parents are blood or honor kin.  Since I'm Dwalin's daughter, and Flint's his grand son, by his second daughter, that makes me Flint's Aunt."</strong>She shrugged and then blew off the conversation as if it didn't matter.<strong>"Now, I promised I'd see you back to the Seven Hells tavern safely, but I do expect to see you again at some point, for your fragrance at least.  But if you need anything else, tea to make you infertile, creams to remove scars, sun sticks, anything alchemical, you come see me first ok?  I may wait tables to help me Da, but it's for my love of him, not the work.  I don't want you thinking I'm just some waitress."</strong><br/><br/>Velma smiled and once they were both dressed and ready they made their way downstairs.  Dwalin was waiting for them however.  He stood with his hands on his hips and a stern glare,<strong>"What have I told ye about bringin girls home Velma?"</strong><br/><br/>Velma heaved a great sigh,<strong> "I know dad, I know."</strong><br/><br/>He stomped his foot and said,<strong> "I told ye that's me job, yers is te find a man te put a grand babe in there,"</strong>He poked a finger right into Velma's bared midriff.<br/><br/><strong>"I know dad," </strong>she said as she wrapped him in a great bear hug and kissed the top of his shiny bald head.<br/><br/>Miyuki watched as he hugged her back for just a minute before pushing her away with false bluster,<strong> "Get offa me girl, quit yer blubberin sissified ways already." </strong>But Miyuki could see the way Dwalin was trying very hard to hide a smile.<strong> "Bah, get outta here, yer in me way, I gotta tavern te clean an soup te start, an that good fer nothing Jakob is movin slower then usual today." </strong>The old dwarf practically pushed the two of them out the door, and Miyuki couldn't help but notice that the old dwarf took the opportunity to lightly place his hand on her ass as she did, giving it a single squeeze as he pushed them out the front door.<br/><br/>They began walking down the hill towards the seven hells tavern as Velma explained,<strong>"He's a great big teddybear in his own way you know.  It's why people love him, they see right through the bluster and bravado and bluffs." </strong>She chuckled and shrugged,<strong>"Teddy bear, maybe that's where I get it from?" </strong>She looked at Miyuki and smiled,<strong> "He's not told anyone how old he is, but I know people think he's getting up there in age.  Dwarves live a long time, but not forever.  He came to Laelith because the heat takes away the pain in his joints, or so he says.  Personally I think he thought he was coming here several decades ago hoping to meet his maker with an axe in his hand.  But he found something different, found a new life here.  My newphew Flint says that raising me probably tacked another twenty years onto his life.  I can't help but wonder if I should meet a man, give him a grand child.  I can't imagine that he would love it any less then he's loved me."</strong><br/><br/>Miyuki would notice a soft look in Velma's face then as she reached up to adjust her spectacles.<strong>"Sorry, I'm being overly emotional.  That's just what any new lover wants to hear, her conquest talking about her relationship with her elderly father." </strong>She shook her head,<strong> "Instead, lets talk about something better.  Tell me about my nephew, specifically anything I can use to embarrass him when he comes for dinner next week!"</strong>