Not finding any opportunity,  Sef simply approaches the girl as she work her way through the crowd.  Trying to seem friendly,  he says,  "Excuse me, miss? I know you don't know me, but could you spare just a moment to talk? I have a message for you."  (Persuasion: 8)

(OOC: And yes, the Stealth roll was more of if there was an opportunity... which there wasn't)

OOC: You don't sound like a cultist or anything.... LOL

The young halfing girl looks at you concern but begins to step away as an older half-elven woman comes up with a basket of cabbages the same vibrant green color as the other produce.

"Trevor the crowds are restless," the older half-elf woman with dark skin and gray-streaked black braids calls out to the older male halfling helping Ruz. "Best have Tova with you," she adds curtly. "Tova find your father," the older half-elf woman says shooing the girl away from Sef. "Can I help you traveler," she then asks Sef keeping her shoulders squared and her body between the entrance to the stall, the girl, and Sef.

The older half-elf woman looks at Sef suspiciously with set graying furrowed eyebrows and a hard mouth as Tova slips back into the shelter of her family's stall. The old woman's appearance is very much like the halflings, however the word healthy springing to mind. Meanwhile, the other denizens of Whitehaven look decidedly varying colors of beige and gray. She also wears the symbol of Melora proudly around her neck and wears a set of plain earth tone robes.

Ruz will take two weeks, one for himself and one for Sef, then go to wait for Sef before rejoining Gale.

Edit: one week seems fine, then. He’ll get Sef’s coin back to him later.

OOC: Two weeks for a party of 4; FYI sorry I forgot to mention that!

"Thank you kindly," the male halfling replies taking the coin as the young halfling girl comes back into the stall and starts to help him. "May Melora bless your travels," he added again before moving onto the next customer.

"To the rendezvous point then?" Gale suggests. "Might want to get out of the crowd a bit so we don't lose anything valuable." If Malcom doesn't protest, she'll start making her way towards the agreed meeting spot, trying to stick to the edges of the crowd and stay away from the pickpockets. She also looks around the area to see if there are guards nearby, and if they seem aware of the issue.

Perception: 17

Sef looks at the half-elven woman nervously - because he is rather nervous!  Taking just a tiny step backward,  he keeps his posture neutral,  not wanting to challenge the woman.  "I'm sorry,  but I did have a message for Tova.  But I could certainly discuss it with you instead.  I mean,  if there was some place to talk."

Sef looks about for some place off to the side of the stall - still in view but not in the middle of the crowd - and nods his head in that direction. "Really, it would just be a moment."

(Persuasion again, if needed: 13 - hopefully he comes off less like a cultist this time!)

Gale notices the guards are either standing around the smith at the other end of the street or nowhere to be seen within the crowds of people doing business. It seems like Whitehaven suffers from a lack of order or apathy of leadership in general.

"Guards aren't doing anything," Gale tells Malcom in a low voice. "You feeling altruistic, or or do we want to keep our heads down?" On one hand, it didn't feel great to just let this happen when they could do something to stop it. But, their whole goal in the marketplace was to avoid drawing attention, and catching thieves probably wouldn't be subtle.

“You know me,” Malcom whispers with a chuckle. “Never one to make a stand if it isn’t necessary. Bedsides there isn’t much either of us can do without exposing our magic to everyone here... maybe it would be best to report it to the town master once we are finished with this whole ordeal. Then either they can take care of it, or we can be authorized by the town to deal with it on behalf of Ellyria.” He explains to Gale. 

OOC: You are bounty hunters but your bounty was specifically for the road bandits, remember? Oh to hero or not to hero...

The market remains busy. The party can see an active livery renting horses, a man making bread in a large outdoor stone oven with the smell wafting over the market. Lots of sights, sounds, and smells permeate the air as the morning hours ebb steadily away.

Quote from Culuril >>

Sef looks at the half-elven woman nervously - because he is rather nervous!  Taking just a tiny step backward,  he keeps his posture neutral,  not wanting to challenge the woman.  "I'm sorry,  but I did have a message for Tova.  But I could certainly discuss it with you instead.  I mean,  if there was some place to talk."

Sef looks about for some place off to the side of the stall - still in view but not in the middle of the crowd - and nods his head in that direction. "Really, it would just be a moment."

(Persuasion again, if needed: 18 - hopefully he comes off less like a cultist this time!)

OOC: Apologies seems you post as I did and my edits did not show up. Anywho..

The older half-elven woman moves with Sef to the side of the stall but still quite visible to her halfling companions and possibly not in ear shot of as many people.

"Yes," the older woman says her hand on her holy symbol as she waits for Sef to go on.

Still nervous,  Sef tries to speak calmly and keeps his voice low.  "I just wanted to let you... well,  Tova...  know that the town officials seem really desperate for candidates - and reapers come tomorrow.  And I heard them specifically mention the Owen's youngest daughter.  So, I just wanted her to be aware.  I mean,  if you're all servants of Melora then you'll probably be fine."  He glances around a moment then shrugs. "That's all."

The older half-elven woman sighs loudly.

"Thank you for your honest help. You are at great risk knowing this information," the half-elven woman begins. "Have you told anyone else?" She asks her face filled with concern but continues. "They've not reaped from Whitehaven in three years. The Ellyrians fail to realize that taking all our arcane magic users from us means they are no magic users to make more magic users the way nature intended. Melora knows arcane gifts aren't given so easily as those who are servants of nature and the divine. This...magic drought us of their making. They had to realize it would happen eventually," the woman explains. "I am Velandria Owens. This is my family. My brother in law Tervor and my niece Tova there," she adds. "What's your name? How did you come to know such secrets," she asks her tone low as well.

Sef initially shakes his head as the woman asks if he has told anyone else.  He listens attentively until she finishes. "A pleasure to meet you Velandria.  I'm Sef.  I just tend to keep my ears open... I was in the law master's court earlier,  asking about work. Anyhow I should catch up with my friends.   Very good to have met you and your family. "  He gives her a smile and prepares to step away, looking for Ruz.

"It doesn't seem like they care enough to do anything. I'm guessing they'll agree to 'look into it' or some crap like that if we tell them." Gale rolls her eyes, making air quotes with her fingers. "But, you're probably right. It would be hard to stop them without magic or brandishing weapons, which weasel-face made clear would get us arrested."

Ruz starts leading the way to the edge of town with Sef in tow. “So we ready to get back to paying work? This food is worth the price, but... hardly a good way to find bandits.” 

OOC: Please see the group PM before posting again. Thank you.

Malcom gives a sad nod. “I know it may feel like the wrong thing to do, but it’s really all we can do. Just keep our heads down and meet back up with everyone else. See what they learned.” He says solemnly.

(After that, I think our side of the split up is ready to move on. To meet up with the rest of the party)

Gale matches his nod, turning to watch the bustling marketplace in silence and wait for their friends to return.

((Agreed, think we're pretty much ready))

Winding his way through the growing crowd in the market, Sef spots Gale and Malcom as they wait for him.  He makes his way over to them and greets them with a smile. "Hi! Mission accomplished on my side.  I met one of the Owen family members and let them know.  So, did you guys learn anything?  Are we ready to go?"