JETMODE: * Wherever he went the night before, Kain is up bright and early the following morning, practicing his swings in the small yard near the stable. He's washed, fed, clothed and really wants nothing more than to get things over and done with, so he can go home. Which isn't to say that Neenah's a bad place -- but it's definitely not home.

TIAMAT: * He hasn't been down there long when the sound of footsteps swiftly approaching can be heard, and a moment later, Jostin appears in the stable yard doorway. He pauses abruptly when he spots Kain. "Oh -- awake already, are you?"

JETMODE: * Kain glances up, surprised to have company, and stops in the middle of a swing, resting the flat of his blade against his shoulder. "I don't get to sleep in most days," he replies dryly. "Guess you don't, either."

TIAMAT: * Jostin utters a faint snort. "Temple duties call. You are practicing? Tai said you enjoy a good spar..." He takes a step into the yard, closing the gate behind him.

JETMODE: "I enjoy a good scrap," Kain corrects him, shrugging, and a grin tugs at the corner of his mouth. "But I'll settle for a spar." Clearly he thinks things are looking up -- unless he gets his butt handed to him, which he doesn't much like the idea of.

TIAMAT: * Jostin arches an eyebrow. "Not too many scraps around here, I'm afraid -- the guards don't much like it, you see. My sisters don't either, come to think of it." He unsheathes his sword lazily, taking a few more steps toward the blond elf.

JETMODE: "Their loss, I guess," Kain answers comfortably, pulling his sword from where it rests and settling into a fighting stance. "It's all in good fun -- at least where I come from."

TIAMAT: * Jostin nods curtly, gripping his blade in both hands as he eases into a defensive position of his own. "So...a senator's son, you must have had quite a bit of training. Are you going to be a knight?"

JETMODE: "Guess so." Kain gives a liquid shrug, then lunges forward, thrusting a couple times experimentally. "Dad wants me to carry on the family name and all -- not much choice."

TIAMAT: * Jostin parries the blows easily before darting in with a thrust of his own, aiming for the lower part of Kain's side. "You don't sound very...enthusiastic about the thought," he remarks dryly.

JETMODE: * Kain scoots lazily out of the way, darting in again without bothering to pause. "It's not the most entertaining way I could spend my life, no," he replies. "Politics really isn't my gig."

TIAMAT: "I see," Jostin swats Kain's sword away, bringing his own down toward the other elf's shoulder. He goes silent for a moment, as if contemplating saying something else.

JETMODE: * Kain blocks the blow and flicks it away, apparently more interested in the fight than conversation. He tries a few more passes, never really attempting to get close to Jostin, just exchanging blows in the interest of passing time.

TIAMAT: * Jostin matches Kain's blows evenly, and gradually the pace of the spar increases as the elves get a feel for each others' skill. With a clang, they lock blades, each pushing against the other, and the dark skinned elf asks very suddenly, "So what exactly are your intentions with my little sister?"

JETMODE: * Kain doesn't answer for a moment, almost stumbling when he actually hears the question. "Intentions?" he says blankly. "What are you tal--" He then breaks off with a violent snort, when he realizes what Jostin means, breaking away from his blade at the same time. "I dunno where you're coming from with that, but I don't have any intentions. I'm here to escort her from Kamaria to Neenah and back." He looks almost indignant at the suggestion.

TIAMAT: * Jostin, about to lunge again, falters for a moment, giving Kain a deeply suspicious look. "And no other thoughts crossed your mind along the way. None at all?"

JETMODE: "No!" Kain says crossly, taking the offensive with a quick series of passes. "Don't be dumb -- I've already got someone I'm interested in." Their swords cross with a violent clang. "And anyway, I'm not the kind of guy who'd do anything to a defenseless girl, got me?"

TIAMAT: * Jostin takes a step or two backwards when Kain assaults, quickly sidestepping the last swing in the pass and coming around Kain from the side, aiming for his back. "Hey, don't take it the wrong way -- she's my baby sister, I'm just looking out for her best interests. How was I supposed to know what kind of escort she came with?"

JETMODE: * Kain whirls to meet him, expression bordering on contempt for a moment. He relaxes, however, falling back with a shrug. "If you say so." He doesn't sound terribly convinced, miffed that his motives were suspect. "Well, relax, I'm not interested in her."

TIAMAT: * Jostin frowns but doesn't reply, about to charge again when a familiar feminine voice hails them from toward the temple. "Good morning, boys!" The dark-skinned elf pauses, glancing over to see the girl of their discussion trotting toward the yard.

JETMODE: * Kain looks up in surprise, frowning at Tai's appearance and mostly glad she wasn't there for the conversation. He sheathes his sword with a lazy shrug. "Another time," he suggests, then waves at Tai, who is followed closely by her sister, Becci.

TIAMAT: * Jostin nods toward Kain, following his lead in putting his sword away and ambling toward the gate to meet his sisters. Tai smiles cheerfully as she lets herself and Becci in. "Glad to see you're both up -- are you ready to go, Kain?"

JETMODE: * Kain, trailing somewhat behind Jostin, looks up blankly at this, tilting his head. "Go?" he asks. "I thought you were planning to stay a couple days." Becci blinks, then looks between Tai and Jostin as if to say "Nobody told him?"

TIAMAT: "Er..." Tai falters, looking mildly embarrassed, but Jostin merely smirks, leaning lazily against the fence surrounding the yard. "Becci has a small errand for us -- she wants us to bring a local healer who lives outside the city here to look at a patient," the girl explains, finishing with an apologetic look toward her escort.

JETMODE: * Becci shoots her brother a very stern look, but Kain doesn't appear to have noticed, his gaze fixed irritably on Tai. "What, so nobody bothered to tell me? I didn't get in that late ..." He shrugs, scratching the back of his head. "I guess I'm okay to go. I ate a little bit before I came out here."

TIAMAT: "I'm sorry," Tai offers a little meekly as Jostin flinches very slightly under his sister's gaze. "It's not a long trip -- it only takes about half a day to get there, so we should be able to get back to the city tonight. I've packed us some lunch, too..."

JETMODE: 'Yeah, all right. Walking, I guess?" he says, knowing full well his horse can't carry three people. He steps out of the pen, ambling over to where his gear is sitting in a heap. It's a way to spend the day that doesn't involve sitting around bored, he supposes, much as he would have liked to finish his spar.

TIAMAT: * Tai's smile returns brightly as she exits the pen again and trots back toward the temple. "Yup -- like I said, it's not far, and it's such a beautiful little path to her cabin!" Jostin doesn't follow, instead watching a little moodily as they disappear inside the temple.

JETMODE: * Kain isn't much on nature walks, but he nods agreeably at Tai's assessment, shouldering his gear as they go. "Guess we better get started," he says, stretching. "Lead the way, since I assume you know it." He cracks a grin, and Becci leaves them with a wave, off to attend to her duties at the temple.

TIAMAT: "Oh yes," Tai replies as Kain catches up, smiling sideways at him as they make their way through the temple and out the front door, where Tai proceeds to lead them toward the city gates. "Kristy is an old friend of ours -- almost like a big sister! We've known her since we were little. We used to go to her house quite often."

JETMODE: "That's a relief," Kain grunts, looking around the city as they go. "I guess the roads are pretty safe around here?" He's pretty sure he can handle anything they run across, but all the same, he'd rather not have to.

TIAMAT: "Mostly! The local guards sort of came to include Kristy's lake in their route -- since she lives so close, and so many people visit her or have her visit them, it just made sense. So we don't see hardly any bandits or raiders, at least on this road." Tai leads them out into said road, a small, dusty little path leading northeast away from the holy city.

JETMODE: "Guess that makes sense," Kain remarks, though he does wonder at how one person can rearrange an entire guard route. "She'd pretty popular?" he asks doubtfully. "I don't know of many hermits around Kamaria."

TIAMAT: "Well, she's the best healer in the area," Tai replies with a small shrug. "And the closest. So yeah, a lot of people appreciate her. We kept trying to convince her to move into the city, but she really likes having her own space. And she's said swimming in the ocean isn't quite the same as the lake she lives on."

JETMODE: "Saltier," Kain says, and he shrugs. "So why are we bringing her to the city? Got a house call or something?" He looks skyward and stretches. "Or does she not visit the city regularly?"

TIAMAT: "Oh, she does. But Becci said they have a patient who has a rather...peculiar condition. She didn't go into details, but she said she'd like Kristy's input as soon as possible. She should be back from her rounds today, so this is the earliest they could have called on her." By now, she's lead them to a small little brook flowing southwest toward the ocean, which she turns the follow, heading in the opposite direction as the current.

JETMODE: "Ah." Kain doesn't say anything more for a while, amusing himself by considering what kind of "peculiar condition" this patient might have. The entertainment value of this is fleeting, however, so he eventually turns to watch the stream, eyeing the fish that dart inside it. At least if things take longer than she thinks they'll have something to eat.

TIAMAT: * Tai walks along quietly as well, humming occasionally as she takes in the scenery -- the path really is rather pretty, if one likes wildflowers and berry bushes. A couple of hours pass quite uneventfully, until the stream takes a sudden bend southward. "Ah," Tai remarks happily as she turns the follow the path. "Getting close. It shouldn't take us too much longer to get there now."

JETMODE: "All right," says Kain, ready to sit down for a while. "So, what's she like?" he asks, having nothing else to talk about and finally bored with watching the fish. "Seems kind of antisocial living way out here."

TIAMAT: * Tai doesn't reply immediately, apparently thinking about this. "I wouldn't call her anti-social," Tai says finally. "She's quite friendly and always welcomes visitors. She just thinks the city is a bit too noisy and busy to be living there. And, like I said, she just likes to have her own space. Oh, and she's blind," she adds, as if as an afterthought.

JETMODE: * Kain turns to look at Tai blankly, expression almost incredulous. "She's blind? And she walks her own route?" Now he appears slightly impressed. "Guess I understand wanting your own space, though.." He stretches again, reaching back to stick his hands behind his head.

TIAMAT: * Tai nods approvingly. "Always has, always will. Jostin has asked a hundred times if she wants him to go with her, but she'll have nothing of it. Very independent, you see. She knows the area extremely well -- obviously." Off in the distance, the sparkle of water can be seen from a larger body of water than the stream they've been following -- Kristy's lake coming into view.

JETMODE: * A faint smirk crosses Kain's face at the mention of Jostin, but he doesn't say anything, instead looking ahead to the water and sighing, almost with relief. "Well, I hope she doesn't mind an escort back to the city," he remarks. "I want to get back in time for dinner."

TIAMAT: "Just don't call it an escort," Tai says with a faintly amused smile. "We're simply walking with her back to the city -- she'd probably let us stay at her house if we weren't headed back there anyway." She falls silent again, quickening her pace just slightly as the lake comes into view.

JETMODE: * Kain utters a faint, amused snort, but he matches her pace, just as eager to get there, if likely for different reasons. "Won't breathe a word," he says, then falls silent to conserve his breath for the walk.

TIAMAT: * Tai smiles fondly as a small cabin on the lakeshore appears, on the other side of the stream. She's practically trotting as she leads them across a tiny bridge that crosses the brook and right up to the cabin, which is surrounded by a neat garden and a couple of fruit trees. "Kristy?" she calls as she knocks on the door.

JETMODE: "Come on in, Tai," calls a voice from inside the cabin. "Your friend, too. I was just sitting down for lunch." Kain blinks, looking slightly unnerved, and he glances at Tai.

TIAMAT: * Tai grins at Kain, not looking surprised in the least as she pushes the door open to let them in. "Should have known -- you probably heard us way back on the bridge, didn't you?"

JETMODE: "Mmhm." Kristy appears to have already set two extra places at the table, and she's making her way briskly back to the kitchen as they walk in. "It's soup, so if you brought lunch, you're more than welcome to have that, as well." Kain hesitates in the doorway, then shrugs, taking one of the seats at the low table.

TIAMAT: "We have bread and cheese and a bit of dried meat," Tai replies, unslinging her pack and quickly taking out their own supplies. "Enough for three, of course. How have you been? Oh, I'd like you to meet Kain Dorgany. Kain, this is Kristy Neor, the healer."

JETMODE: "Pleasure," Kain says politely, and Kristy nods, making her way out from the kitchen. She pauses, setting a large pot of soup down on the table, then extends her hand to Kain, who takes it after a moment's hesitation. "Am I correct in assuming you're Kail Dorgany's son?" Kain blinks, then nods, releasing her hand. "Yeah, that's my dad."

TIAMAT: "I met him on my way to Kamaria," Tai explains. "I've been working for Glenn Greenstone, one of the other senators ever since I arrived at the capitol. He sent us to Neenah on an errand, and then Becci sent us here to fetch you -- she'd like you to have a look at one of her patients." As she talks, the elf girl quickly breaks the bread into hunks, serving it up along with the meat and cheese on plates that Kristy had already set out on the table.

JETMODE: * Kristy, meanwhile, is doling out the soup. "I see," she says comfortably, arching an eyebrow with some amusement. "I'll be glad to come out right after we eat. I have a suspicion which of her patients it is." She passes the bowls around, then seats herself. "So your work in Kamaria's been keeping you busy?"

TIAMAT: "Oh, very." Tai sits down herself, taking a bit of the bread and dunking it in her soup. "Lord Greenstone just has me running errands for him, mostly, but I enjoy it. And I found a lead on my family that he's looking into while we're here on this trip -- so hopefully when we return, he'll know more!" She takes a bite of the bread, chewing thoughtfully "And how have you been? Becci said you picked up a couple new houses on your rounds."

JETMODE: * Kain, having absolutely nothing to add to the conversation, eats heartily. "Oh, one or two. My schedule's a bit full, but I try to take those I can." She eats sedately, then tilts her head in Tai's direction. "I'm glad you fell in with good people, at least."

TIAMAT: * Tai sips at the soup a bit gingerly, as it is quite hot yet. "Oh yes. Lord Greenstone has been wonderful -- he even lets me stay at his manor in exchange for the work I do for him." She falls silent for a while as she eats.

JETMODE: * Kristy nods comfortably, and she applies herself to eating for a while as well. "And I suppose you do work for the council as well?" she asks Kain, who is caught with his mouth full and forced to splutter a moment before he can reply. "Yeah. I run errands for my dad." Kristy smiles briefly and returns to her food.

TIAMAT: "I sat in on one of the council meetings," Tai says somewhat abruptly. "Luke -- Lord Greenstone's personal assistant -- was away and he needed someone to take notes for him." She pauses, looking thoughtful. "I don't know much about politics, but it was...interesting."

JETMODE: * Kain gives her a very doubtful look, but Kristy nods thoughtfully. "Well, politics were never my thing, obviously, but it may be something you enjoy." She sounds slightly amused by this, and Kain shakes his head. "Definitely not my thing," he says.

TIAMAT: "Kain is not looking forward to the day he has to follow in his father's footsteps..." Tai muses with a small smile. She finishes up her soup, setting the bowl down lightly. "Would you like some help cleaning up, Kristy? We should get going soon if we want to be back in time for dinner at the temple tonight."

JETMODE: "Oh, I'll just put the soup away and clean the dishes later." Kristy gets to her feet, reaching for the pot. "We'll want to be back in the city before nightfall." Kain pushes his bowl aside and gets to his feet. "Good soup," he says, and Kristy grants him a brief smile. "Why, thank you."

TIAMAT: "Very good," Tai concurs, gathering up the bowls and plates and taking them into the kitchen after Kristy before returning to re-pack her haversack quickly. "Do you need to pack anything, Kristy?"

JETMODE: "Everything should be in order," Kristy replies, returning from the kitchen to scoop up her bag and a nearby walking stick. It doesn't seem strictly necessary, but she carries it almost out of habit. Kain starts for the door ahead of them, assuming they don't need anything from him.

TIAMAT: * Tai glances at him but allows him to go without comment, though she pauses in the doorway to wait for the blind healer. "Sorry to drag you out again after you'd just gotten back -- you did just get back, right? Becci said you did -- but she also sounded kind of serious about this patient of hers..."

JETMODE: "It isn't a problem, really." Kristy smiles briefly. She pauses as Kain walks out the door, then reaches out a hand to catch Tai by the arm with barely any fumbling. "Could I have a word, quickly, before we go?" she asks, expression quite serious.

TIAMAT: * Tai, about to follow Kain out the door, turns quickly to keep from tripping down the front steps, looking blankly at her friend's seriousness. "O-of course, Kristy..." She glances over at Kain. "We'll be just a minute, okay? You can go on if you want..." She turns back to the blind elf, following her back into the cabin with a frown. "Is everything all right?"

JETMODE: * Kristy looks weary for a moment, but she shakes her head, making sure Kain is well gone before she speaks again. "No, nothing's the matter with me, but -- you haven't got your hopes pinned on that boy, have you?" she asks, expression growing somewhat stern.

TIAMAT: * Tai looks utterly baffled for a moment, apparently too stunned at the look on Kristy's face to speak. "I...what?" She pauses to recover. "I haven't...we haven't...where did this come from?"

JETMODE: * Kristy tuts her, much of the sternness fading. "Just a guess, Tai. Have you got any hopes beyond simple friendship or not?" She smiles, but there's a shadow over the expression, as though she isn't terribly happy with the message she has to deliver.

TIAMAT: "Well..." Tai hesitates again. "I...no. I mean, I don't know. He's -- I just feel...a really close connection to him. But...I don't think he feels the same anyway, so..."

JETMODE: * Kristy's sightless gaze turns to her, almost as though she can see, and she finally releases her arm. "Well, that may be for the best, Tai. I know it seems unkind, but I can't help thinking it would be .. unwise."

TIAMAT: * Tai gives her friend a rather unnerved look, even though she knows the healer can't see. "Care to explain why you feel this? Not that I don't trust your judgment, Kristy, but sometimes I wonder how you know everything you do..."

JETMODE: * Kristy scratches her cheek, then shrugs. "Oh, heaven knows, Tai. I certainly don't. I just get hunches sometimes.. I've learned to listen to them." She starts toward the door, smiling. "Come on, now, we don't want to keep the young man waiting. He might fall off the bridge watching the fish too closely."

JETMODE: * Kain has not fallen in the lake, but he is waiting impatiently for the two, looking questioningly at Tai as they start walking again. Kristy doesn't say anything, content to simply lead the way back to town.

TIAMAT: * Tai flashes Kain a sweet smile. "Girl talk, you know -- I haven't seen her in some months now!" She grins and trots after Kristy down the path toward Neenah.

JETMODE: * Kain shakes his head, expression blank, and follows the pair down the path. He doesn't say anything for some time, merely watching the two chat as they make their way back to the city. With Kristy setting the pace, they reach Neenah well before evening, and they reach the temple as the sun begins to shift, spilling its rays over the marble walks. Kain gives a low sigh of relief, sticking his hands behind his head as they approach the building.

TIAMAT: * Tai smiles fondly as the temple comes into sight, giving a little sigh of her own, though this one more out of content than relief. She pauses just briefly on the steps of the temple. "You know, Kristy.." she starts in an undertone, "Jostin sure was disappointed that he couldn't come bring you to the city himself." Her mouth twitches in a small smile.

JETMODE: * Kristy gives a very soft "tch," frowning and shaking her head. "I supposed he's still here, then," she says, stopping halfway up the steps. "Well, I suppose there's nothing to be done." She smiles wanly. "That's unkind of me." She starts walking again.

TIAMAT: * Tai watches her for a moment, then trots to catch up. "Well, he is very fond of you, you know."

JETMODE: "I understand that, Tai, very clearly." She pauses again, shaking her head. "And I'm very fond of him. Just not in the way he wishes." She starts walking again. "We've covered this territory before." Kain lags behind them, though he can still hear their conversation quite clearly. He feels very strongly as though he shouldn't be listening to the conversation.

TIAMAT: * Tai has almost forgotten that Kain is back there, since she's been walking with Kristy the whole way back to the city. "I'm sorry," she says after a moment. "I shouldn't have brought it up...but..." She cuts off when a voice hails them from the back of the temple. "Tai? Kristy!" Jostin appears from one of the back hallways, making his way hurriedly through the temple to greet them.

JETMODE: * Kristy holds back a grimace, keeping her expression politely neutral as Jostin approaches. She lifts her hand in a wave, smiling briefly, and Kain catches up with the other two, clearly curious to see how this exchange is going to go.

TIAMAT: * Tai smiles happily as Jostin trots up to them, glancing between the girls, though he either doesn't notice or doesn't acknowledge Kain at all. "How was the trip? No trouble?"

JETMODE: "None at all," Kristy says with a smile. "I suppose Becci's around -- I'd like to speak to her about this patient." Kain lingers toward the back of the group, just as glad he isn't noticed for now. He isn't much interested in returning to the sparring match now, tired from a day of walking.

TIAMAT: "Oh yes -- she's back here.." Jostin looks like he wants to take Kristy's arm, but Tai shakes her head slightly and he steps away. The group pauses for a moment before Jostin turns and leads them back toward where he came from. He's quiet for a moment before glancing back at Kristy. "So -- been all right? How're the new stops on your rounds going?"

JETMODE: * Kristy nods briefly, letting her cane stump against the floor as they go. "Smoothly. They're good people -- and I like to help those I can." She falls silent, and Kain continues tagging along, almost ashamed at how amused he is by this.

TIAMAT: * Tai glances back at Kain as Jostin chats away at them. "Oh, of course. Well, I'm glad to hear there's no trouble on your new route. It is good to see you again, though, now that your rounds are even longer..." The dark skinned elf pauses as he leads them into the parlor. "Well...I'm sure Becci has tea steeping somewhere..." He hesitates, then heads toward the kitchen, calling her name.

JETMODE: "I'm here," Becci answers cheerfully, coming out of the kitchen, as predicted, with tea in hand. "They're back early! Hello, Kristy -- I trust the walk wasn't too hard." Kristy smiles, inclining her head toward the sound of Becci's voice. "Of course not, Becci, I've walked longer stretches in a day." Kain ambles over to a seat, still agreeably ignored.

TIAMAT: * Tai trots over to help Becci with the tea, pouring out a couple cups and handing them carefully to Kain and Kristy. Jostin, meanwhile, appears to be attempting to help Kristy find a seat of her own. "Would you like anything to eat, Kristy? That kind of walk can make one rather hungry..."

JETMODE: * Kristy accepts his help reluctantly, sitting down and taking her tea from Tai. "I ate before I came, Jostin -- I'm fine." Becci shakes her head slightly, trying not to smile. "Perhaps you should eat something, Jostin. I haven't seen you eat anything since breakfast."

TIAMAT: "Oh, I'm fine," Jostin replies cheerfully, taking some tea for himself and sitting next to Kristy. Tai seats herself with a faint sigh, shaking her head very slightly.

JETMODE: * Kristy drinks her tea in silence for a moment, then sets cup and saucer down on the table. "Becci, this patient of yours. Is it that man in the western quarter?" Becci nods agreeably. "Oh yes, he's the one. I'm terribly sorry, but his condition is well beyond my skills." Kristy merely nods.

TIAMAT: * There's a silence for a moment, and Jostin opens his mouth to say something, but Tai quickly interjects. "Anything we can do to help, Kristy? Becci?"

JETMODE: "No, we'll be fine -- I assure you." Kristy smiles politely, getting to her feet and taking up her staff. "It's really probably better if fewer of us go." Becci nods in agreement. "I am sorry, but I think the crowd would aggravate him ..." Kain permits himself a brief grin, leaning back in his chair.

TIAMAT: * Again Jostin opens his mouth to speak, and again Tai preempts him. "That makes sense. Jostin and I can make dinner and have it ready for you when you return." She smiles as she gets to her feet, and Jostin stammers. "Er...dinner? Yes... of course."

JETMODE: "That will do nicely." Kristy's expression turns grateful, as briefly as she can manage, and Becci takes her by the arm in her usual fashion, steering her from the room. "We'll be back in an hour or two then," Becci trills, leaving the other three alone in the room.

TIAMAT: * Jostin watches them go, looking a bit disappointed, but Tai continues to grin as she trots toward the kitchen. "Oh, don't look so sad, Jostin, she's not walking home tonight, you know," she calls back once the two girls are out of earshot. "Well, I should certainly hope not!" Jostin replies with mild alarm, getting to his feet to follow Tai. "It's far too late to -- who ever said I was sad?" he says suddenly, but Tai merely giggles.

JETMODE: * Kain tries not to snort, watching the other two, then he straightens and stands up. "Well ... I'm gonna go lie down for a while guys ... wake me when dinner's ready, all right?" Entertaining as it might be to watch, Kain's feet are sore.

TIAMAT: * Jostin glances back at Kain, looking for all the world like he's just noticing him there for the first time, but Tai pokes her head over her brother's shoulder with a smile. "We will, if we don't forget you're around," she says, ducking out of Jostin's reach as he scowls at her.

JETMODE: "Better not," Kain grumbles, then he turns and ambles from the room, sticking his hands behind his head. "We all walked all day, you know. I'm hungry, too."

TIAMAT: * It's mid-morning the next day; the weather has been fair, though a storm seems to be coming in from the west, across the vast ocean. The three visitors of the Zedekiah family are gathered on the steps outside their temple along with their hosts. Jostin is looking worried and a bit anxious. "Are you sure you all should be traveling with this storm coming in?" He glances toward the harbor, where the darkening sky is just visible, far off in the distance yet.

JETMODE: * Kristy dusts her sleeves off, frowning slightly. "If I leave now, I'll be home long before it reaches us." Kristy sighs, and Becci smiles gently. "Jostin, we've all traveled under worse conditions." Kain shakes his head, starting down the steps to fetch his horse from where it's tied.

TIAMAT: "Probably best if we get a head start as well," Tai comments, watching Kain disappear around the temple toward the stable yard. "No telling how bad the storm is -- if we stay, we may be stuck here for days. Lord Glenn would worry." Jostin shifts uncomfortably, still looking worried himself. "Well, I suppose...that makes sense...sure neither of you want me to accompany you, at least a little ways?" He glances between Kristy and Tai.

JETMODE: "I assure you, I'll be fine," Kristy remarks, straightening her gear and starting down the steps. "I'll see you all on my next round -- and of course, call me if you need me." It isn't long before Kain returns with the horse, stopping at the bottom of the steps and looking up toward Tai. "Ready to go?"

TIAMAT: * Tai waves after Kristy, perfectly away that the healer can't see and yet also certain that she is aware of the gesture, before turning toward Kain with a nod. "Just give me one minute..." She turns back toward her siblings, embracing each of them tightly. "Take good care, okay? I'll write more often, I promise."

JETMODE: "Of course, dear," Becci says cheerfully, waving at her, and she nudges Jostin to make sure his attention is on his sister and not the object of his romantic intentions. "I expect to hear from you," she says mock-sternly. Kain, in the meantime, mounts up, waiting for the farewells to cease.

TIAMAT: * Jostin gives a little grunt, but returns Tai's hugs tightly. "Yeah...be careful, okay? And...you know you can let us know if you need anything." "I know," Tai replies with a smile, finally releasing them and trotting back over to Kain, glancing up at him rather expectantly.

JETMODE: * Kain blinks down at her for a moment, then reaches down to take hold of her arm and help her up into the saddle. "All right," he says cheerfully. "We've got a storm to outrun. Might stay at a roadside inn if things get too wet," he muses, waiting for her to settle in place.

TIAMAT: * As they rode this way for some weeks already, Tai is now quite used to riding behind Kain's back, arms wrapped snugly around his waist. "That might be nice," she replies, equally cheerfully; she apparently has missed the dumbstruck look on Jostin's face at seeing her settled so comfortably against her escort.

JETMODE: * Kain doesn't seem bothered by the arrangement, having gotten used to it in their travels as well. He waves a quick farewell to Jostin and Becci, trying not to grin -- he did notice the look, and turns the horse toward the road, pushing it into a rapid trot. "Well, maybe we'll get lucky and it'll blow north of us, anyway," he remarks.

TIAMAT: * Tai nods as she turns back to wave to her siblings, calling a final farewell. Jostin almost misses it as he continues to stare at the duo, quickly raising his hand to return the wave as they disappear through the crowds.