Canon is Mercedes Lackey's Joust.

[alta]

(He is curled up in a corner, glaring at anyone who happens to spot him.)

Are you my new Master? (The words are stilted and unsure.) You don't look like a Tian...

And I've never heard the name "Mun" before. Is it a...nickname? (He used to have those before his family was slaughtered and herded off like cattle.)

Who will tend Kashet? (He's asking too many questions, but all of them are important. Being around Ari so long has loosened his tongue.)

Haraket won't like that I'm missing from my chores.

Comments

[squeak_squeaker]

Are you doing okay there, little guy? [Kronk felt sorry for him... he seemed lost and sad and stuff. Maybe he could use some cookies or a nice piece of chocolate cake?]

[alta]

...why do - (He stops himself and takes a deep breath.) I am a little hungry. (But not as hungry as he once was while he worked for Khefti the Fat.)

[squeak_squeaker]

You look like you're kinda hungry. Do you like chocolate cake? [Kronk worked for something far, far worse. But he got to use the palace kitchen as often as he liked, which was a big plus!]

[alta]

(Except not. Vetch was starved, beaten and worked harder than a mule. On top of that, he was forced to sleep wherever he could find a nook - which wasn't many places. Considering he lives in the desert, he was usually exposed to kamiseen winds (which includes hot sand).)

I've never had it.

[squeak_squeaker]

You know. [Passing him a plate with half the cake on it.] You got to eat well and then, when you're all big and strong and handsome too, you got to make nice with rich old ladies.

And then you don't have to be hungry anymore! [...was Kronk the right person to take advice from when it came to life choices? He was only trying to help, though. He didn't have this much food back in the village!]

Not from Joust but yay Lackey party?

[adeptable]

There is little enough joy in this place, leeka'el.

:D

[alta]

I have not experienced joy in some time. That doesn't surprise me.

\o/

[adeptable]

I do not believe you will find answers here.

[alta]

Answers...

I'm not sure any exist. (And even if they did, they probably wouldn't make him feel any better.)

I just want freedom.

[adeptable]

There is little enough of that, either.

[alta]

... (He can't hide his disappointment.)

How do you know so much? (His tone isn't accusatory, just curious.)

[adeptable]

I have been here for some time, leeka'el. It grows no more pleasant with time.

[alta]

I'm sorry. (He doesn't like seeing anyone sad. Well, anyone aside from his cruel Tian masters.)


Leeka...el? What does that mean?

[adeptable]

Do not be. Such is the way of things.

[He pauses for a moment.]

Ah...boy-child.

[alta]

(All he can do is nod. He knows well how the world works.)

They call me Vetch. (But that's not his name. Not really.)

Imma just gonna thread-jack like a boss.

[tylendel]

Why so glum?

WHY HELLO THERE STUDENT I'VE NEVER MET

[adeptable]

There is too much of lonelieness here.

HEY THERE TEACHER I SHOULD HAVE MET

[tylendel]

That part is difficult, but there are people. [Lots of them.] Even if the ones we want to see aren't here, we can make new alliances.

VAN USED TO WHINE ABOUT YOU A LOT. I MEAN TELL US STORIES. >>;;

[adeptable]

It is difficult to think so any longer. Time and again I have been abandoned.

VAN IS A PEACOCK. ALL PEACOCKS WHINE.

[tylendel]

At least you're not the one doing the abandoning.

...THIS IS TRUE. HE SEEMED PARTICULARLY WHINY, THOUGH.

[adeptable]

Sometimes a mind is simply broken, leeka'el. I know your story.

HE NEEDS SOMEONE TO TAKE CARE OF HIM.

[tylendel]

I'm not surprised. I wish I knew yours.

HE NEEDS TO NOT BE A PANSY.

[adeptable]

Has my Wingsister been so reluctant to share it?

I'LL MAKE A MAN OUT OF YOU! /hits replay

[tylendel]

She tells me anything I want. Or...she did. By what she said, you would be...

Starwind k'Treva?

[sandwormie]

It's not so bad. Even if it's kind of cold here...

[to desert kids, all normal temperatures are cold.]