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.)

[adeptable]

What do you call you?

[alta]

...Kiron. I was named after my father.

[adeptable]

Keren'sel, Kiron. I am Starwind.

[alta]

Starwind...

You don't look like an Altan... Or a Tian.

[adeptable]

I am k'Varda. Tayledras. Hawkbrother, if you wish.

[alta]

(He perks up.) You work with birds of prey?

[adeptable]

I do. K'Treva's bondbirds are famed, though I have not seen mine in some time.

[alta]

Dragons aren't much different. (He clearly loves this topic.) I tend one dragon named Kashet.

[adeptable]

I've not seen a dragon.

[alta]

I wish I could show you one. They're beautiful and quite intelligent.