Emily smiled casually while joining Tehr up in the carriage to find a seat there inside, turning to face him from the other side. His question seemed to have her smirking a hint and thinking things over for a few seconds, before replying in a calm voice. "Oh, I could share some stories certainly if that makes the journey easier for you, but I don't think I should keep just talking all the way. So I hope you'll have the energy for something more engaging later." She chuckled briefly and then nod her head in agreement.<br/><br/>"Though alright. So, the halfling people have been around for centuries here. The isles may not have the nicest weather all around, but the heavy rains bring a fair crop to the people that work hard, and the lands are fertile. In the older age, the first halfling settlers on the isles set down at the heartlands, over a territory that came known as daggerwood. The area was ripe with thieves and bandits, preying on travelers heading north, and merchants heading back south with their goods. The halfling outriders formed during that age. Charged with calming the area, they entered into conflict with the bandits, drawing the anger of the nearby elven clan for destroying much of the forest in turn, but it was a necessary step to ensure that people could come and go without fear of robbery, rape, and murder."<br/><br/>She cleared her throat and smiled at him. "In gratitude for the outriders service, the royalty gave these lands to the halflings with a rather contested political move, declaring the halfling barony there outside of the power of all others but the crown. The announcement infuriated a local duke that had planned to sweep in and claim the territory for his own after the halflings had first calmed the region, to gain control of the trade roads and to tax them." She smirked, but continued again. "Halflings settled to the hills and plains, allowing the woods to grow and return, but sparse this time around, keeping them from becoming too thick and dense, and keeping watch for bandits. Over the years, a number of problems emerged, most from the western coast where the Duke's power slowly vaned, until the Houses became more prominent than single nobles."<br/><br/>That made the halflings half a millenium old in their settlement's rise then at least. Still, smiling calmly she continued to speak at a leisurable pace. "There are trade roads on both sides of the heartlands, leading from the north to the south towards the capital. Our outriders watch after the roads as charged to do by the royalty, but enjoy a relative autonomy on our own area. We have our own rulers deciding our matters, while we pay our taxes to the Queen and are loyal subjects we are also organised as families that watch over the safety of our area." She smirked a hint, sighing.<br/><br/>"Now, there's a lot of history about us before then, and about the origin of the fierce warhounds the outriders take into battle, but I imagine that is not what you are curious about. More as to what we are like and what you can expect to see, mmm?" Emily smiled while her fingertips played with the hem of her skirt, affording a bit of view of those smooth thighs rising higher, a hint of black lace held up against the halfling's mound beneath as she thought on things and spoke again.<br/><br/>"While the halflings that visit the city are expected to live by the ways of the kingdom, the heartlands are in a fertile inland area of the isles, receiving a fair share of both sunshine and rain. The fields are bountiful, and provide more than our small corner of the world needs, leading many to specialize in preparing fine wines, cheese, and so forth, taking up preparing something we can excel in, and often that may begin a tradition a family follows. Many still take up the role of outriders, and they are considered the 'nobility' among us, for they risk their lives to protect all of us. Among our kind, nobility is earned, not a given birthright. Though those who retire from service retain their respect claimed over the years, but an early retiring often earns a few teasing whispers now and then, unless there's a reason few want to talk about." She watched him while explaining, chuckling.<br/><br/>"A bit grim again am I ? Ah well. On a lighter topic, we are quite cheerful people, enjoying life in the old ways. We made peace with the elves a long time ago as well, and have learned of the area we stay in and how to enjoy it. Many people go around wearing fairly little when the days are hot and warm, and don a coat against the chilly weather on rainy days but often relaxing indoors by a hearth's flames again in little to wear. Its not unusual to spot a halfling lad simply wearing short pants and a wide hat while working the fields, and a halfling miss may end up wearing just a set of straps to cover up her chest while doing the same work. Though some love to play with lace, leather, and so forth. We just don't hold so many taboos about covering ourselves up, but that doesn't mean we aren't curious about clothes now and then. There's a few families that prepare fine clothes around our area, but they may be, shall we say, eccentric to some people's tastes."<br/><br/>Snickering somewhat, she shook her head again. "While they aren't as wild as the gnomish experimental play-clothes, some halfling clothiers specialise in creating clothes for couples that enjoy a hearty romp and want a little extra excitement. Likewise, while we do have marriage, there's been times with far more men than women in our area, and the other has also been true. We've had romance dramas of several folk after the same person, and sometimes the pursued person has likewise been unable to really choose. While among humans such may be scandalous, its fairly accepted here to have such pursuits, though we follow 'chains' and 'paths' of sorts. Copper chain for the beginning path, silver chain for a longer lead one, gold one for a loved person, and a very rare platinum often forged for legendary lovers."<br/><br/>She smiled at this, shaking her head. "Many consider the copper chain as a sign of 'serious dating', rather than a casual fling. Silver chain an announcement of deep interest, similar to human offering of a ring to propose, getting engaged first. Gold is a show of love, and often inscribed with the names of all those in the bond. Platinum, well, that happens after years of being together, and still loyal and devoted to one another. Though some of our heroes of old are said to have offered a platinum chain to their beloved after just a few years, and recognised for their burning passion and truth of their hearts." She smiled, shaking her head a little again. "I hope that doesn't seem too silly to you, not being a human custom."<br/><br/>Her fingers playing with the hem had lifted it higher on her thighs, giving him a good view of the black cloth tugging on the halfling's mound closely, following along its shape between those relaxedly parted thighs.