Alice didn't look up at him and continued stroking the cat as if she was deaf.

"I figured it would be good for Alice to see her family, not to feel too isolated." Tobias explained. "And I had some business in town anyway. I hope the job's been treating ye kinder?" He sipped his tea.

Elijah looked at her with a sad expression before looking to Tobias. "It's been.. difficult. There was an opinionated article in the paper about my shortcomings. It's been making it more difficult to do my job as people are losing their trust in me. But I will be having help soon, so I am hoping to make a more positive dent in things and make it a more peaceful town."

"Oh... well, doesn't sound like that's a very good newspaper." Tobias said. "But help can't hurt, considering the types in this town..."

Alice picked up her tea and began to drink.

Elijah nodded and sighed. 'I tried to speak to the reporter who wrote that article. He claimed I was trying to censor him when I was just trying to warn him of the dangers in sensationalizing news. It could lead people to think things that aren't true and hurt people. I suppose he will write about that soon enough." He put a hand to his face as this was getting to him. "It's amazing how just wanting to help people can get so complicated. Maybe I should give up and be a farmer like you." He chuckled weakly.

"I could always hire you as a labourer during harvest." Tobias joked. But he shook his head. "Every job comes with difficulties. But yours comes with a wonderful chance to help people and keep the town safe. That's what matters. Don't worry what some paper writes. People love gossip, but they also forget about one piece of gossip as soon as their attention is drawn by the next." That's what he kept telling Alice and himself. People would forget the scandal soon enough and move on with their lives.

Elijah sighed and nodded. "That is true. The only thing that usually stales faster than bread is gossip unless new things arise. I just need to keep trying, thank you for your kind words though. I guess things have been getting to me. But you both know how it is when it seems like a town is against you for just trying to do your best. It isn't fair, and I hope things go soon enough. I think this new constable will really help with the matter at hand though.'

"Aye, I hope that will help. The people I know speak very highly." Admittedly the only people he knew in this town were the Wards, but he decided not to mention that."

Elijah smiled and nodded. "Thank you, that helps." He glanced towards Alice. "How has things been living so far away in such a small place? I imagine you miss the smell and sounds of the sea already."

Alice looked up. "It's been very well, thank you. Farm work takes some training, but I'm getting used to it."

Elijah nodded, "You've always been very smart, I'm sure you can adapt to the work just fine. I hope you make friends there, if its possible. It sounds like a very lonely place."