<TIAMAT> *Hmm, okay. Kender and Whisper are down by the training grounds -- well, by the stables, actually. Whisper just finished practicing a bit and is waiting for Kender to finish up his duties. She leans easily against a fence, stroking Cinno.

<TIAMAT> *Watching Kender. Not leaning her back against the fence. More like her elbows.

<JETMODE> *Cinno is, of course, purring at the attention. The gryphon apparently liked dinner today, so Kender's in the stall with him, going over his coat with a brush while he eats.

<TIAMAT> *There are footsteps behind Whisper and Cinno, and a rather sneering voice. "Hello, Whisper.

<TIAMAT> *She glances over her shoulder, then stands up suddenly, turning around to face him. "...Gulzak.

<TIAMAT> *He smirks at her, strolling over next to her and leaning against the fence. "Long time, no see, hon."

<TIAMAT> *Whisper shifts uncomfortably. "That's rather the way I like it.

<JETMODE> *Kender peers out of the stall at the voices, expression inquisitive. "What's going on?"

<TIAMAT> *Whisper tenses. "Nothing, Kender."

<TIAMAT> *Gulzak chuckles and looks over at Kender. "Oh, so this is Kender, is it?

<JETMODE> <Kender> .. *pats the gryphon* I'll be back in a sec. *then he vaults out of the stall, dusting his hands off*

<TIAMAT> *Gulzak laughs when he sees Kender in full. "He really is a country bumpkin! What can you possibly see in him, Whisper?

<JETMODE> *He ambles over, eyeing Gulzak with a bit of puzzlement. Then he glances at Whisper. "Who's this?"

<TIAMAT> *Whisper glares, voice venomous. "Stay away from me, Gulzak.

<JETMODE> <Kender> *arches an eyebrow* *very politely* Is there something else you needed? Because if there isn't, you'd probably better be on your way. I've got work to do.

<TIAMAT> *Gulzak glances at Kender, then smirks down at Whisper. "My dear, dear Whisper. *his face suddenly goes malicious, and he leans down close to her, so that Kender can't hear. "You can't hide from me. You will be mine. *he straightens up, smirk returning as he ambles off, giving a wave without turning 'round. "Until next time, Whisper! Oh, and Kender -- *he glances over his shoulder, smirking evilly* -- Watch your back.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper glares after him, restraining the urge to gut him from behind.

<JETMODE> <Kender> *brow knits* Who was that?

<JETMODE> *Cinno mrrs irritably.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper, without turning around: Gulzak. *pause* The Gladiator.

<JETMODE> *Light dawns! Kender looks a little horrified. "THAT was the Gladiator?"

<TIAMAT> *Whisper leans her back against the fence, looking at her feet. "Yes, it was.

<TIAMAT> *He's a great ugly brute, too.

<JETMODE> <Kender> *murmur* Well, that explains a few things..

<JETMODE> <Kender> .. You know him?

<TIAMAT> *Whisper sighs. "Unfortunately. He was ... interested in me a while back.

<JETMODE> <Kender> *arches eyebrow* A while back?

<TIAMAT> *Whisper nods. "Before I met you. Before you were even here, I think.

<JETMODE> <Kender> *awkward pause* Well..

<TIAMAT> *Whisper turns, smiling. "You better go finish up, huh?

<JETMODE> <Kender> Yeah, I will. *he shakes his head, then leans over and kisses her on the cheek* Don't worry about him, Whisper.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper smiles a bit broader. "No, I won't. He knows I don't want anything to do with him. He's known for a long time.

<JETMODE> *Kender grins at her and goes back to work. The gryphon is eyeing them both darkly.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper, to the gryphon: What're you looking at?

<JETMODE> *The gryphon flattens its ears at her and squawks indignantly.