<TIAMAT> *Roary hasn't made a whole lot of friends anyway -- he's easily intimmidated and since most people seem to ignore him, he hasn't gotten much of a chance to socialize. He busies himself studying his work, though he would admit he's a little lonesome sometimes. ^_^

<JETMODE> *Kender's out with the animals! He's made up for missing that week or two with Whisper's trial by showing up and working overtime every day with the animals.

<JETMODE> *Kender's just finishing up with feeding the animals, and Cinno is seated on a nearby fencepost, washing his face.

<TIAMAT> *Well, Roary's in the training grounds right next to where Kender's working, if that's okay, looking around for his partner who he usually practices with, who has conveniently ditched him today.

<JETMODE> *Let's see. Kender's working with a rather testy gryphon at the moment. Seems he doesn't like what he's been offered for dinner.

<JETMODE> <Kender> *sigh* Oh, come on. This is exactly what I fed you yesterday, and you liked it then!

<TIAMAT> *Roary hears Kender and turns slightly, eyeing the birdy-beastie (and his caretaker) with interest.

<JETMODE> *The gryphon shrieks, and Kender makes a face. "Fine then, but you're gonna be hungry."

<JETMODE> *Cinno eyes Roary and meows a greeting.

<TIAMAT> *Roary, meanwhile, has wandered over and starts slightly when he hears Cinno; he turns to the cat and (somewhat gingerly) holds out his hand.

<JETMODE> *Cinno sniffs it politely and stares at him expectantly.

<TIAMAT> *CATS. XP :D Roary scritches Cinno's chin gently, eyeing the gryphon out of the corner of his eye.

<JETMODE> *Kender has finally convinced the gryphon to eat, and he pats its head gently, looking up curiously.

<JETMODE> *Kender catches his eye and waves, grinning. "Cinno strikes again."

<TIAMAT> *Roary smiles back, a bit shyly, and returns the wave with his free hand. "He's yours?

<JETMODE> <Kender> Yep. *ambles over and gives Cinno a rough pet, earning him a yowl* You new?

<TIAMAT> *Roary swiftly withdraws his hand from Cinno's chin when the cat yowls. "Er, yeah...kind of. I've been here a few weeks...

<JETMODE> <Kender> *kindly* He was yellin' at me. What's your trade?

<TIAMAT> *Roary: Trade? .. Oh. I'm studying alchemy. *though he looks a little guilty about it.

<JETMODE> <Kender> *tilts his head curiously* Wow.. that's complicated stuff.. do you like it?

<TIAMAT> *Roary: Oh, yeah. *small laugh* I've been mixing potions ever since I was a kid. I mean, mostly roots and weeds and spring water, but...it's really not too hard, as long as you get the ingrediates right.

<JETMODE> <Kender> It'd be a lot to remember, though. *looks dazed for a minute, then grins* I like workin' with animals. Gonna be a BeastMaster, like my dad. *happy smile*

<TIAMAT> *Roary stares at the gryphon. "That's neat... *pause* Can you actually understand them?

<JETMODE> <Kender> Oh, sorta. They're pretty good at getting their intentions across.

<TIAMAT> *Roary: So you're a BeastMaster? Have you been here long?

<JETMODE> <Kender> *wavers hand* Seven months or so. *grin* I'm not exactly an old-timer.

<TIAMAT> *Roary laughs a bit. "That's pretty good, though, I hear a lot of people don't make it past the first week or two. I'm kind of surprised I've gotten this far...just being here and all.

<JETMODE> <Kender> *nods* If you like what you're doing, you'll stick to it -- mostly, I think. Some people come because there's nothing else for them.

<TIAMAT> *voice from behind Kender: Oy, Oanesdale! You finished feeding that great lump of a gryphon?

<JETMODE> *Kender jumps, then glances back over his shoulder with a grin. "Sure did -- he ate it up right quick when I told him we'd try feeding him horse-food tomorrow."

<TIAMAT> *Gilbert ambles up to them, nodding his approval. "Good work, Oanesdale, you tell him who's in charge around here. Innit that right? *he rubs the gryphon's beak. "Well, I suppose that's everything -- can't keep your pretty girl waiting while you're down here cleaning the stables. *he grins and gives Kender a little shove. "Go on then, get outta here! And take that terror with you. *referring to Cinno.

<TIAMAT> *Roary probably finds Gilbert fairly fascinating. Not too many dwarves where he comes from. ^_^

<JETMODE> *Cinno hisses at Gilbert, flicking an ear dismissively, and Kender laughs, flushing a little. "She doesn't mind too much -- I don't think. I'll see ya tomorrow, Gilbert."

<TIAMAT> *Gilbert trots off toward the next stable, waving back to Kender.

<TIAMAT> *Roary: ... A friend of yours?

<JETMODE> <Kender> My master, actually. He trained my father back in the day. *grins, holds out his arms to Cinno, who leaps into them and clambers up to his shoulder* Well, I've gotta head to dinner, like he said.

<TIAMAT> *Roary: Oh -- right, sorry, I didn't mean to disrupt you.

<JETMODE> <Kender> No, it's all right. *pauses* You want to come? We don't mind company.

<TIAMAT> *Roary flushes a little. "Oh, it's all right -- I don't want to be a burden..

<JETMODE> <Kender> *waves a hand* Nah, it's not a problem. I gotta feed my freeloading roommate, anyway. *grins*

<JETMODE> *He's cooking dinner tonight. ;)

<TIAMAT> *Roary grins a little. "Well, if you're sure you don't mind -- er, by the way, I'm Roary. Roary McFaye.

<JETMODE> <Kender> Kender Oanesdale. Nice to meet you, Roary. *smiles*

<TIAMAT> *Roary: Yeah, you too, Kender. *I assume Kender's leading them back up to his room?

<JETMODE> *Yep, that's where they're headed! When they get to his room, Kender pushes the door open. "Hey, anybody here?"

<TIAMAT> *Well, as Kender walks in, Jarod and Whisper are sitting at the table, Whisper looking rather amused and Jarod annoyed. Whisper smiles at Kender as he enters, then turns back to Jarod. "No, you're still not right, try again!

<TIAMAT> *Jarod simply scowls.

<JETMODE> <Kender> *a bit puzzled* What's going on?

<TIAMAT> *Whisper grins mischeviously. "O Mighty Telepath here is trying to read my mind and failing spectacularily.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod mutters. Roary is peering around Kender's shoulder into the room.

<JETMODE> <Kender> ... I don't know if I'd want him reading my mind ... *remembers Roary* Oh! Hey, come on in. We have a guest!

<JETMODE> *Cinno springs down and heads to his food dish.

<TIAMAT> *Roary steps out, smiling nervously. Whisper eyes him up, but Jarod just gives a wave as he wanders over to his bed, rustling through his bag. Whisper stands, smiling. "Cinno made another new friend, did he?

<JETMODE> *Kender laughs. "Yeah, pretty much. This is Roary --" He points at Jarod. "Jarod." And at Whisper. "Whisper. They've been waiting for me to make dinner -- I think."

<TIAMAT> *Jarod: Yeah, where've you been? To busy feeding the animals to feed your own friends!

<TIAMAT> *Whisper smirks. "O Mighty Telepath is not in a good mood tonight.

<JETMODE> <Kender> *airily* If you were that hungry, you could have had some fruit. *he trots over to the kitchen to wash up*

<TIAMAT> *Roary: Well, er -- it's nice to meet you all.

<JETMODE> *Kender's going to start cooking now. "Just make yourself at home, Roary -- we've got space."

<TIAMAT> *Roary: Er, okay. Thanks for the invitation...

<JETMODE> <Kender> *cheerfully* Of course!

<TIAMAT> *Whisper sits at the table, motioning for Roary to follow, which he does. Jarod comes back over after a bit, book in hand, and sits opposite of Roary. He double-takes slightly when he sees his face. "Hey, kiddo, that's some scratch you got there. What happened?

<TIAMAT> *Whisper shoots Jarod a nasty look and Roary flushes darkly. "Er..

<JETMODE> <Kender> *protest* Jarod, that's really rude.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod flushes a bit himself. Whisper grins a little nastily. "What, O Mighty Telepath can't read Roary's mind, since he's so nosy? *Jarod flushes a bit darker and glares at Whisper.

<TIAMAT> *Roary laughs nervously. "Oh, it's okay, really. I...er...got into an...accident with my dad's sword when I was a kid.

<JETMODE> <Momo> *Kender comes back over, hands dripping, and looking a little concerned. "Roary, you really didn't have to say." He looks at Whisper and Jarod. "What the heck happened, you guys?"

<TIAMAT> *Roary: Really, it's okay. It's not like it's a big secret.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper rolls her eyes, grinning a little. "Jarod didn't do so good on one of his preliminary telepathy tests, so he has to redo it next week.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod scowls. "And my new teacher was expecting me to start tomorrow! It's not MY fault they put me up against a HALF-ORC who's mind is thicker than sludge..

<JETMODE> <Kender> *murmur* Maybe they thought that a simple mind would be easier for you..

<JETMODE> *He heads back to the kitchen.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod: I heard that, Kender! *he looks miserable.

<JETMODE> <Kender> *a little guiltily* I'm sure you'll do okay next time.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper turns back to Roary. "So what're you studying?

<TIAMAT> *Roary: Oh -- Chemisty. Er, alchemy.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod: Why am I the only mage here?

<JETMODE> <Kender> 'Cause you're a sucker for punishment. *grins*

<TIAMAT> *Jarod sighs and lays his head down on the table, looking tired. Roary frowns a little. "I'm sorry about your test...

<TIAMAT> *Jarod glances up. "Eh? Oh, it's okay. Not like I'm in any big rush to leave this place..

<JETMODE> <Kender> *fires up the stove* I'm sure gonna be here a while.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod: Hey Kender, what's for dinner?

<JETMODE> <Kender> Roast! They had it on sale down in the market -- got some greens for a good price, too.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod: Sounds good. *he digs out a telepathy book and sits at the table reading.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper wanders into the kitchen by Kender. "Do you need some help?

<JETMODE> <Kender> Oh, sure. *grins and points to the greens* Chop those up for me, could you?

<TIAMAT> *Whisper: Sure. *she takes the knife and starts chopping, a little awkwardly. But at least she's using a knife. :D She's used to those.

<TIAMAT> *Roary is ... petting Cinno. ^_^ And Jarod's reading, occasionally muttering to himself.

<JETMODE> *And Cinno is purring. Yay!

<JETMODE> *After a few minutes, there's a knock at the door -- and Kender being how Kender is sets the food down and goes to answer it.

<JETMODE> *As soon as the door opens, he's engulfed in a squealing mass of humanity that appears to consist of two young girls and an older woman shouting variations of "Kenny! Kenny!" and "Kender, you've grown up!"

<TIAMAT> *Whisper glances toward the door as Kender opens it and stares when she sees who's behind it, greens completely forgotten. Roary turns and watches curiously, and Jarod looks faintly horrified.

<JETMODE> *Outside in the hall, there's a masculine roar of laughter, and Kender, utterly bewildered, yelps out "Dad? Mom?"

<JETMODE> *The oldest of the females has by now released her son and is looking around the room speculatively, making room for a younger male who gets his older brother in a headlock. Once they manage to shuffle inside further -- the two younger girls are clinging to his legs and his waist, the owner of the booming laugh sticks his head in.

<TIAMAT> *All three of mine are looking utterly bewildered. Jarod looks like he wants to hide.

<JETMODE> <Kender> Ow -- Johan -- Marta, let go of my leg -- I'm gonna fall!

<JETMODE> *The woman turns around, clucking, and the oldest finally booms out, "Get off him, you three, it's my turn!" At this, Kender goes an odd shade of white, and the three scatter so that his father can catch him in a bone-crushing hug.

<JETMODE> <Kender> *after he's released, and staggering a little dazedly* Everybody .. meet .. my family.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper can't help but giggle a little at the girls. Jarod was trying to shuffle back by the beds and look busy.

<JETMODE> *Too bad, Jarod! The older girl intercepts him, looking at his book. "Hey, hey -- what are you studying? My dad says not everybody does stuff like work with animals."

<JETMODE> *The younger girl, on the other hand, squeals and charges Cinno, sweeping him up into a snuggle. "Cinno!"

<TIAMAT> *Jarod stops abruptly, staring down at the girl slightly wide-eyed. "Um ... m-magic.

<JETMODE> *Kender's father flops down at the table, grinning. "Nice setup you've got -- not far from where I stayed when I was here. 'Course, it wasn't this nice!"

<TIAMAT> *Whisper inches over to Kender, still looking amused, and whispers, "Did you know they were coming?

<JETMODE> <Kender> Nuh-uh.. *he's looking a little shellshocked*

<JETMODE> *His mother clucks again. "Come on now, where are your manners! Introduce your friends, won't you?"

<TIAMAT> *Roary flushes a bit. So many people ..

<JETMODE> <Kender> Uh, yeah! *he takes a deep breath* Jarod over there is my roommate, and Roary just stopped in for dinner -- and that's Whisper. Uh.. er. Yeah."

<TIAMAT> *Whisper smiles and Roary grins a little sheepishly, nodding hello to everyone. Jarod is still trying to inch away.

<JETMODE> *Jarod's pinned by Elly, who is still plying him with questions, and Johan has attempted to engage Roary in conversation. Marta is swinging Cinno around the room, and Kender's parents are talking to him and Whisper.

<JETMODE> <Johan> Hey -- you're Roary, right? I'm Johan.

<TIAMAT> *Roary: Er, yeah. Um, nice to meet you. *he smiles a bit.

<JETMODE> *Johan looks around the room. "Man, you guys are so lucky -- Dad says I might get to come here a couple years, too, but not 'til I'm older." He makes a face.

<TIAMAT> *Roary: O-oh? Er, how old are you?

<JETMODE> <Johan> I'm fifteen -- I'm gonna run the ranch, since Kender didn't want to, but I have to learn some stuff here, too.

<TIAMAT> *Roary: Oh ... so you're going to be a beast master too? Kender said it's a family trade...

<JETMODE> <Johan> Yeah, sorta. If "family trade" means Dad did it -- Grampa was an accountant.

<TIAMAT> *Roary laughs a little. "You must really like animals to own a ranch, huh?

<JETMODE> <Johan> Yeah! I can't talk to them like Kender does, though. *broody look, then brightens* What are you gonna do?

<TIAMAT> *Roary: Oh -- I'm studying alchemy. Though no one else in my family does. *slightly guilty look*

<JETMODE> *At random, Marta pops up at his shoulder and shouts "I'm gonna be a KNIGHT!"

<TIAMAT> *Roary looks rather startled. ^_^

<JETMODE> <Johan> Go away, Marta. *grins at Roary* That's okay. Dad said it was all right if we wanted to do something else, but we both like the work -- except when it smells.

<JETMODE> *Marta sticks her tongue out at Johan.

<TIAMAT> *Roary: What kind of animals do you raise?

<JETMODE> <Johan> Horses and pack animals, mostly. The mayor wouldn't let us keep meat-eaters. *he looks a little disappointed about that*

<TIAMAT> *Roary, warily: Meat-eaters?

<JETMODE> *Johan nods and smiles brightly. "Like wolves and dragons! ... Though I guess they wouldn't let us keep dragons anyway ..."

<TIAMAT> *Roary pales slightly. "D-dragons? Well ... I know they have wolves here, I've seen a few ... and I'm sure they have Dragons somewhere, but I've never seen one. ... Well, except for the bone dragon ...

<JETMODE> <Johan> *attentive* Bone dragon? We didn't hear much about it -- Corvin swears he saw it, but Corvin's a dumbass. What happened?

<TIAMAT> *Roary, a little nervously: W-well, a...a necromancer tried to summon this huge bone dragon...but I guess she couldn't control it or something, because as soon as it appeared, it started attacking...half the standium was destroyed, and it tore the roof open when it flew off, and a lot of people were, uh, hurt...

<JETMODE> <Johan> *wide-eyed* COOL! Were you there? Did you see it?

<TIAMAT> *Roary: Yeah...yeah, I was there. It was ... *searches for a word* ... bad.

<JETMODE> *Johan looks impressed. "The worst thing I ever saw was when one of the horses got loose and --

<JETMODE> <Dorian> *sharply* Johan!

<JETMODE> <Johan> Uh, never mind.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod's looking over at Kender nervously, wishing he'd come to the rescue. ^_^

<JETMODE> *Elly is poking through his books. "I always thought telepathy wasn't something you could learn out of a book.."

<TIAMAT> *Jarod: Er, well, the book is more of a guide...it gives you techniques and exercises you can use to practice on...

<JETMODE> <Elly> Really? Hey hey -- can you try it on me? Can you read my mind?

<TIAMAT> *Jarod mutters awkwardly. "Er, I'd really rather not...Strictly speaking, I'm not supposed to use it on just anyone...

<JETMODE> *Elly looks horribly disappointed.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod looks guilty. "But...er...hey, do you know what telekinesis is?

<JETMODE> <Elly> *peers up at him* Teleke-what?

<TIAMAT> *Jarod actually grins a bit at that and glances around the room for a suitable object. He points to a glass sitting on the counter. "See that glass over there, next to Kender? Watch.

<TIAMAT> *He concentrates and stretches out his arm slightly, and slowly the glass begins rising.

<JETMODE> *Elly watches it intently, mouth opening a little in surprise.

<TIAMAT> *He directs the glass slowly over toward them and lowers it into her hands.

<JETMODE> *She clasps it, then bounces a little with delight. "That's so cool!"

<TIAMAT> *Jarod opens his eyes, looking a bit tired -- even doing that much still wears him out a little. He pats her head. "I'm glad you liked it.

<JETMODE> <Elly> Hey hey -- can you do it again?

<TIAMAT> *Jarod: ... -_-;

<JETMODE> *Meanwhile, Kender's parents are sort of giving him the third degree -- his mother wants to know if he's been eating right and dressing warmly, while his father'd like to hear about how the animals are doing. When there's a break in the conversation, Kender's mother suddenly smiles warmly at Whisper. "But we're being so rude, aren't we? How about you, Whisper? How exactly did you run across this son of ours?"

<TIAMAT> *Whisper: Oh -- I, er, I kind of showed Kender around when he first got here.

<JETMODE> <Rinelle> Really! I hope he wasn't too much trouble -- sometimes he gets lost in our own backyard.

<JETMODE> <Kender> Our backyard is seventy acres of forest!

<TIAMAT> *Whisper smiles a bit. "Oh no, no trouble at all.

<JETMODE> <Rinelle> *crossly, to Kender* Really, Kender, why didn't you ever write and tell us you'd found a girl! What in heaven's name is wrong with children these days? They don't tell their parents anything!

<JETMODE> <Dorian> *coughs* Rinnie, if I recall, we didn't tell your parents 'til a month after the wedding ...

<JETMODE> <Rinelle> Never you mind that, Dorian!

<TIAMAT> *Whisper flushes slightly, looking a little guilty.

<JETMODE> <Kender> I -- uh -- I didn't have much time to write or anything.

<JETMODE> <Rinelle> *hmphs* *to Whisper* I hope he's been treating you nicely -- I did my level best to raise a gentleman, but you see what that got me!

<TIAMAT> *Whisper laughs a little. "I couldn't ask for anyone better, really.

<JETMODE> *Kender goes red at this, but Rinelle beams.

<JETMODE> *Dorian's attention is drifting at all this mushy talk.

<JETMODE> <Kender> Oh, I found Gilbert, Dad -- do you want to go see him later?

<JETMODE> <Dorian> Eh? Oh! Of course! I'd love to see how the old bastard's getting on. *bright grin*

<JETMODE> *Suddenly, a peculiar odor fills the air. Kender blinks for a moment before identifying it. "Oh no -- the roast!" And he charges into the kitchen -- but not in time to save dinner.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper curses under her breath and follows Kender. Ouch.

<JETMODE> *I further note that in the midst of all this socializing, Marta and Cinno have disappeared -- but what with dinner scorching, I doubt anyone will notice yet. ;)

<JETMODE> <Kender> *with some dismay* Wow, it's totally ruined ...

<TIAMAT> *Whisper, a little guilty: I'm sorry, Kender--

<JETMODE> <Kender> *laughs* It's not your fault at all, you know that -- I'm the one who forgot about it.

<JETMODE> *Rinelle and Dorian exchange knowing glances.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper: Well ... we can always go out. The Rustling Ghost has good food...

<JETMODE> <Kender> Think they have a table big enough?

<TIAMAT> *Whisper smiles. "I'm sure we can figure something out.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod wanders over. "What's that smell?

<JETMODE> *Kender turns around. "Dinner, actually. Uh, we were thinking of heading to the Rustling Ghost instead.."

<TIAMAT> *Jarod: Oh. *he looks at the roast a little sadly*

<JETMODE> <Kender> *grin* Some other night. Awful sorry, Jarod.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod: Hmph, yeah, whatever. *he grins at Kender though.

<JETMODE> *Kender grins back then trots out to announce the change in plans to everybody else.