<TIAMAT> *It's been about a month or so since the undead attack, and Arena life has finally returned to normal -- as normal as Arena life gets, anyway.

<TIAMAT> *On this particular peaceful afternoon, one would find Jarod and Jukka over at Lady Gwen's, the former attempting to improve upon his telepathy. And probably without much success. It's not exactly his strong point, for some reason.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod lays his head down on the table, sighing in frustration. "I just can't seem to get it right, Jukka."

<JETMODE> *Jukka reaches over to ruffle his hair, smiling. "I think you're trying too hard to force it. It'll come in time, I'm sure."

<TIAMAT> *Jarod raises his head a bit, resting his chin on his hands. "Yeah, but that doesn't make it any easier now... *he sighs again and closes his eyes, trying to probe her thoughts.

<JETMODE> *Jukka wrinkles her nose at him. "That one wasn't bad. You almost got through."

<TIAMAT> *Jarod screws his face up a little, then opens one eye, sending her a wave of happiness as he grins a little tiredly. "Almost doesn't do the trick, though. At least I've got empathy down pretty well. Mostly."

<JETMODE> *She smiles, returning the emotion with a hint of amusement. "Would you like to try it without a block?"

<TIAMAT> *Jarod pauses for a moment, then nods. "That might be good. I had enough trouble trying to pick up specific thoughts without you blocking me out before, anyway. Let me know when you're ready."

<JETMODE> *Jukka thinks for a moment, then settles on something and smiles. "Ready!"

<TIAMAT> *Jarod nods, sitting up again as his eyes glaze over and he slowly reaches out to her telepathically.

<JETMODE> *Jukka has chosen to dwell on a particularly vivid memory of her family from a time when she was small, and they'd camped out on a valley ridge just outside a small town. It was the first time she danced with her sister.

<TIAMAT> *It takes him a few minutes, but Jarod finally manages to piece the memory together -- it sort of came in parts, and it took a moment to make sense of it. He blinks once out of his reverie, looking tired but pleased.

<JETMODE> <Jukka> *smiles* You found it.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod returns the smile. "Indeed, I suppose I did. And a rather nice thought it was, too. Your tribe, I assume?

<JETMODE> <Jukka> Yes. *happy smile* Mama took me and Hatani into the circle with her for the first time. It was exciting, though we nearly forgot our steps.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod grins a little. "I noticed. Though it seemed like you did quite a good job anyway."

<JETMODE> <Jukka> *laughs* Good enough that she brought us out the next night, too.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod: And a good thing, too. Look where it brought you.

<JETMODE> *Jukka opens her mouth to respond, but she's interrupted by the door opening and closing behind a tired-but-cheerful Kender.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod glances up. "Kender! Back so soon?"

<JETMODE> <Kender> Yep! Gilbert wanted to start work with a new trainee, so he sent me home. *he blinks, noticing Jukka* Oh, were you two busy?

<JETMODE> *Jukka smiles and shakes her head.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod, easily: Oh no, we were just finishing up, actually. I could use a break.

<JETMODE> <Kender> If ya say so. *he trots over to his bed and swings his pack down, and Cinno makes a disgruntled noise from inside it*

<TIAMAT> *Jarod turns back to Jukka, looking a little concerned. "Do you have a place to stay tonight?

<JETMODE> *Jukka looks thoughtful. "I believe I'm supposed to perform at the Silver Knight again, but I won't be staying there ..." She smiles. "I'll probably stay over at Cassie's for tonight."

<TIAMAT> *Jarod nods and smiles a bit. "Well, there's always room here if you need it, too."

<JETMODE> *Jukka laughs. "I know."

<JETMODE> *Kender gives a faint snort. "Sure you don't want to stay for dinner?"

<JETMODE> *Jukka shakes her head. "It's nearly time for me to go."

<TIAMAT> *Jarod: "Thanks again for your help. Sometimes my partner..." *he shakes his head, sighing a bit, and goes to hold the door open for Jukka.

<JETMODE> *Jukka trots over, grinning. "I'll stand in any time you need me." Then, with a wave, she's gone.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod waves back, shuts the door, and shuffles back over to the table, collapsing back in his chair. "I tell you, Kender, trying to read people's minds isn't an easy task."

<JETMODE> *Kender snorts again. "I think it's harder to read some people's minds than others." He grins. "Always room here, indeed."

<TIAMAT> *Jarod glances up at him, blinking in genuine puzzlement. "Well, there is, isn't there?"

<JETMODE> <Kender> Sure is! But if you keep chasing her with those kinds of lines, she might get the wrong idea.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod looks a little dumbfounded. "I don't think she would...I never meant it like that!

<TIAMAT> *Jarod: It's just...well...she doesn't always have a place to stay, and I don't want her sleeping in the halls or something.

<JETMODE> <Kender> *shrugs cheerfully and ambles to the kitchen* Well, she is pretty. And she seems really nice, too.

<JETMODE> <Kender> *grins* I can see why you'd worry.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod: She IS nice. *small snort* Nicer'n you sometimes, you great lump -- er, what do you mean?

<JETMODE> <Kender> *merrily* Well, with her looks and charm, she could have her pick of anybody -- wonder why she's hanging out with you ...

<TIAMAT> *Jarod: H-hey! You see, she IS nicer than you. *disgruntled* Hmph.

<JETMODE> <Kender> *murmur* Nicer in LOTS of ways.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod hmphs again. "Yeah, like she isn't rude to her friends."

<JETMODE> <Kender> Aw, don't be like that. I just like to call it payback. *he's firing up the stove, getting ready to cook some dinner*

<TIAMAT> *Jarod looks at him blankly. "Payback for WHAT?"

<JETMODE> <Kender> *happily* I dunno, read my mind!

<TIAMAT> *Jarod scowls. "You watch it, one day I will, when you're least expecting it!"

<JETMODE> *Kender suppresses a giggle. "You better be careful about doing that, though. Might find something you don't want to see."

<TIAMAT> *Jarod: Oh, yeah, uh huh, like what, your secret thoughts about Whisper? *he rolls his eyes.

<JETMODE> <Kender> *coughs* At least I acknowledge that I have them.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod snorts. "I don't fantasize over your girlfriend, Kender, that's your job."

<JETMODE> <Kender> I wasn't talking about MY girlfriend.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod is FINALLY catching on. He gives Kender a startled sort of look. "Oh no, now, wait a minute...I mean, it isn't like that--"

<JETMODE> <Kender> Sure, sure. *drops some meat in the pan, where it sizzles* That's why you're almost always hanging out with her --

<TIAMAT> *Jarod frowns. "But we're...we're just friends! *frustrated noise* She helps me with my telepathy, you know...like tonight--

<JETMODE> <Kender> And even when you're not you're always TALKING about her --

<TIAMAT> *Jarod goes a little red. "So!? That doesn't mean anything..."

<JETMODE> <Kender> And you're always grinning like an idiot, too. *waves a ladle at him and smiles*

<TIAMAT> *Jarod scowls, glaring slightly. "I think that's you you're talking about there.

<JETMODE> <Kender> I could keep goin', if you really want to know more. *he's mostly paying attention to dinner, right now, which is apparently chicken*

<TIAMAT> *Jarod: Huh, some friend you turned out to be. Look, you think what you want, but I'm telling you, it's not like that. *unhappy look*

<JETMODE> *Kender, seeing he's actually upset, finally relents. "Oh, forget it, Jarod. I didn't mean -- most of it. Dinner'll be ready in a few minutes anyway."

<TIAMAT> *Jarod mutters something, then goes quiet. After a few minutes, he comes around, wandering over to the kitchen to check out dinner. "Well, it smells good, anyway.

<JETMODE> <Kender> *grinning* Good -- I'm glad your nose still works, even if your brain doesn't.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod, a little desperately: Well, I seem to recall a time when YOU'RE head wasn't working quite right...

<JETMODE> <Kender> *cheerfully* I guess that's true. But, yaknow, you're a lot easier to target now than I am, aren't you?

<TIAMAT> *Jarod grumbles. "Since when do you pick on people? Huh, just because you've got a girlfriend doesn't mean you have to go around making fun of others...

<JETMODE> <Kender> *eyeroll, dishes out the food* Quit your whinin', Jarod. *grins* I seem to recall you doin' the same to me anyway.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod shoots him a slightly nasty look. "Yeah, but you WERE acting like a lovesick fool then! Huh, sometimes you still do. *he sighs and takes his plate, shuffling back to the table, looking a little dejected.

<JETMODE> <Kender> *taking his own plate* But at least I know when I am. *starts eating contentedly* If you want, I can ask her how she feels about you ...

<TIAMAT> *Jarod nearly chokes on his chicken. "NO! *clears his throat, swallowing hard and going red again. "I told you, she's just a friend... *uncomfortable look*

<JETMODE> *Kender chuckles quietly. "All right, all right." And he starts to eat his food.