"Sure." Kar says, laughing to himself at the irony, "It seems we share that in common." Kar says, smiling and following them in to get a meal.
Kar gives a sly wink at Adsila before getting his own food, 8 plates piled high.
He sits down and looks at the food before looking to Aananda, "I figured I'd get all that I needed ahead of time, that way you know the rest is all for you." He says, assuming that when they mean big appitite they mean far more than what he eats.
"Well, it does look like enough for a light lunch," she said doubtfully, waiting for Tam and Adsila to get some food before digging in.
Fourteen plates and about five minutes later she looked up from the destruction at a sea of empty dishes.
"Are you sure there isn't any more?" she asked plaintively.
After eating his eight plates, Kar watches in admiration of Aananda as she eats, his face a mixture of awe, terror, admiration, and hunger. He had eaten all that he could eat, though he never feels the feeling of being full, he simply knows when to stop.
Watching Aananda eat the last of her food, he looks over at her now entirely enveloped with awe, "Wow... I think I might be in love." He says jokingly, "But seriously, do you have extra space hidden in that small frame there?" He asks, jokingly peeking under the table to check for piles of hidden food. "Where does it go? I know I can put it away and stay small, but you!" He says, almost dumbstruck, but by no means speechless.
She blushed.
"Er, well, I always have had a big appetite. And it's gotten worse lately. I guess the babies have big appetites too." ^.^
"Aaah, you are with child." Kar says, "Can't say I know what you're going through, but I can say good for you." He says, smiling for her.
"So who's the father? Ryo, this strapping young elf, or someone I havn't met yet?" He asks, praying and hoping that it was not an akward topic for her, as he was not one for words.
"Aaah, you are with child." Kar says, "Can't say I know what you're going through, but I can say good for you." He says, smiling for her.
"So who's the father? Ryo, this strapping young elf, or someone I havn't met yet?" He asks, praying and hoping that it was not an akward topic for her, as he was not one for words.
"That would be Tam, my mate. It's, uh, a little strange to hear him referred to as an elf. I'm still getting used to the ears. There, uh, was a bit of a mishap. Thankfully he's better now, just a little bit different than he used to be."
Kar raises an eyebrow quizically, but then passes on asking, as if understanding that they might not want to divulge such information to a passing traveller.
"Well I wish you great fortune in your child raising." Kar says, "I myself have never been one for children." Kar says playfully.
Kar raises an eyebrow quizically, but then passes on asking, as if understanding that they might not want to divulge such information to a passing traveller.
"Well I wish you great fortune in your child raising." Kar says, "I myself have never been one for children." Kar says playfully.
"Thanks. We're gonna need it. These little ones are gonna be a handful. It's a good thing we still have plenty of time to prepare." :)
"I never really thought of it that way before, whether or not I like children. It's not like I ever imagined having children some day. I was raised in a monastery. All I ever wanted to do was become a monk, but then some stuff happened and I got kicked out. Which is when I met Tam and well, I guess a lot of things changed pretty quick. But I know that I'll love these children because they're ours."
Kar pauses for a moment, contemplating what she said.
"I guess it would be different if they were mine. I just couldn't stand for them to wind up like I did." He says, and then realizes that he is talking out loud, "Vagabonds and thieves all of them." He says jokingly.
Kar pauses for a moment, contemplating what she said.
"I guess it would be different if they were mine. I just couldn't stand for them to wind up like I did." He says, and then realizes that he is talking out loud, "Vagabonds and thieves all of them." He says jokingly.
"Hmmm. I don't think you're much of a thief. You seem pretty concerned with paying back kindnesses."
"Don't worry, I'm not gonna pry into your past. We all have our own secrets here. It takes time to build trust."
"So....other than wandering is there anything else you like to do? Me, I'm a mechanic. There's just something totally fascinating about machines. It's so much fun taking them apart and putting them back together in some way that's even more efficient." ^.^
"Well so far in my life I've played host to many many roles." Kar says, and waits a moment to gather his thoughts, "All the jobs I spent more than a few weeks at were..... Caravaneere, merchant, ship captain, pirate, thief, shop keeper, bartender, spider farmer, Lion tamer, circus freak, adventurer, city guard, pioneer, and abnormally large snake tamer." He says, taking a deep breath afterwards, "And all of that is in the past two years."
"But mostly I just travel. Those other things I did for means to an end. I travel to get away from it all." He says, "And no, I'm not a very good thief, I usually just pickpocket for coin to buy food." He says, "Though never from someone who would miss the coin. I diddn't figure a shirt would set a family back very far." He says, "I usually have a vast selection of outfits, but I guess not right now." He says casually.
"Sorry, you're right, I just don't think you'd trust me if I told you." Kar says akwardly.
"You want to get away from everything? But....that's not possible. There's something everywhere....I don't get it. Is this one of those figures of speech things?"
She shrugged. "And I told you, trust takes time. Don't worry about it. You don't have to tell us more than you're comfortable with. Although, as long as you're not some horribly evil person, we're not gonna judge you. All of us here have had to hide what we were for one reason or another."
"But you still haven't answered my question. What do you like to do?"
"It's a figure of speech. to 'get away from everything' is to clear your head and free yourself from responsibility." Kar says, not trying to be obnoxious with his explanation.
"though you're right, I'm no horribly evil person. Not as far as I know anyway." He says, smiling at his joke, "As far as the answer to your question.... I don't know. I really just wander." Kar says, "Not much I do like... I liked my time as a ship captain, open seas were nice, but it's not something I'd do everyday." He says.. and he seems frustrated that he can't really answer your question. "I... I don't really know, I guess I just havn't found out yet."
"But that makes no sense. You can never be free from responsibility. Everyone is responsible. For themselves, for the world around them, for making it a better or worse place. It's like trying to get away from oxygen."
She blushed. "Sorry. I did mention I was raised in a monastery right? I, uh, missed out on learning a lot of the er, social niceties."
"It's okay if you don't know yet what you like to do. But you should definitely keep looking until you find something that does make you happy. That's important. That's something you can take with you no matter where you go."
"I guess you can never really be free or responsibility, but you can avoid alot of it." Kar says, "And don't worrry, I wasn't raised at all, so I missed out on quite a bit aswell. Had to learn alot for myself." He says, a twinge of sadness in the statement, "But I was better off a street urchin than at home."
"I guess you can never really be free or responsibility, but you can avoid alot of it." Kar says, "And don't worrry, I wasn't raised at all, so I missed out on quite a bit aswell. Had to learn alot for myself." He says, a twinge of sadness in the statement, "But I was better off a street urchin than at home."
"It's sad when that happens. Most of the kids at the monastery were there because their parents didn't want them. I thought I was one of those, but I got to meet my mom recently. It turns out she wanted me, but had to leave me there to keep me safe. I'm sorry you didn't have a nice safe place like that to grow up. I just don't understand how anyone could not love their own child."
"If there's one thing I did learn at the temple it's that family is what you make of it. Some families are all related, but some just sort of come together. So be forewarned, if you stick around you're likely to get drawn into this strange extended family." ^.^
"It was more like open contempt than lack of love." Kar says, venom in his voice.
Changing his tone quickly, back to a more comfortable tone, "I've had my fair share of family-friends." Kar says, "It might be fun to get you know you all better." He says smiling, "Your home is certainly interesting enough."
"You may very well come to think our home is one of the most interesting places in Agartha. I can't say that things are ever quiet and calm around here for long." Says a voice from the doorway. Ryo stands there in outfit he bought to blend into the jungle, having decided to go without his normal cloak and robes and relax.
"Kar is it? Razzy came and told me someone new was here after Ryleh kicked him out of the mirror room. He seemed glad he didn't have to weed today, and went back to his room. Something about organizing notes."
Kar wheels about for and for a moment is shocked to see the mechanical arm, but he recovers quickly and raises from the table. Heading over and shaking his hand (the non-mechanical one) "Yes, Kar whitefall. I'm sorry about the circumstances of my arrival, it won't happen again." He says, "You must be Ryo?" He asks "I've heard alot about you, it takes a kind heart to take someone in from the streets." He says, referring to Adsila, "You must have a big heart."
Kar wheels about for and for a moment is shocked to see the mechanical arm, but he recovers quickly and raises from the table. Heading over and shaking his hand (the non-mechanical one) "Yes, Kar whitefall. I'm sorry about the circumstances of my arrival, it won't happen again." He says, "You must be Ryo?" He asks "I've heard alot about you, it takes a kind heart to take someone in from the streets." He says, referring to Adsila, "You must have a big heart."
"Yeah, that he's got. Now if we can just get him to use his head a little more, that would be good," she said wryly.
"No, don't look like that, Ryo. I'm not mad at you anymore. But we do need to find a way to resolve that um, issue soon. The way things stand it's hurting you both. I'll help however I can."
"Sorry," she said apologetically to a confused Kar, "I'm not trying to be mysterious. We, uh, had a bit of an argument earlier today, that's all."
"No reason for you to apologize. Either it's a secret or you don't feel like explaining it, either way it's non of my business." He says, Heading back to his seat.
"No reason for you to apologize. Either it's a secret or you don't feel like explaining it, either way it's non of my business." He says, Heading back to his seat.
"Let's just say it's a sibling thing."
An old man wearing loose robes wanders into the room.
"Ah. I see I was not hearing things after all. Welcome back.." he does a double take when he sees Tam, "from your obviously very eventful trip."
"And a newcomer. Pleased to meet you, boyo. I'm Quo, formerly of the Temple of Falling Water. Unfortunately the Temple has become a rather hostile environment of late so here I am. You must have just gotten here. I know you weren't here when I went for my afternoon na- er, meditation. Hope these young whippersnappers have been making you feel welcome."
Kar gets a bewildered look on his face, "Yes, I do enjoy the company here." He says, "Exactly how many other people are here that I have yet to meet?"
Kar gets a bewildered look on his face, "Yes, I do enjoy the company here." He says, "Exactly how many other people are here that I have yet to meet?"
"Well I don't know who you have and haven't met, sonny, but staying here now there's Ryo, of course, it being his house, and Ormarr, Adsila, and Razzule. And then there's Ryleh, Aananda's mother. And me. And Aananda and Tam. That's everyone I know about. It's nice of Ryo to let us all stay at his house. I have to say, it's much nicer than the hut I was living in after the Temple was captured."
Kar smiles, "So, Ryleh, Ormarr and Razzule." Kar laughs, "At least now I know what to expect." He says, getting up to shake the old man's hand.
Kar smiles, "So, Ryleh, Ormarr and Razzule." Kar laughs, "At least now I know what to expect." He says, getting up to shake the old man's hand.
The old man's grip was surprisingly firm. Kar has the impression that Quo is much stronger than his frail appearance would suggest.
"Well, I doubt that. I find that expectations are just so much excess baggage. It's better to travel light. Especially around this group."
"Got it, nix the expectations. I'll remmber that" Kar says, taking his seat once again. "So, if you don't mind me asking, what's up with this group? I feel like there's a big backstory to this assortment."
"Got it, nix the expectations. I'll remmber that" Kar says, taking his seat once again. "So, if you don't mind me asking, what's up with this group? I feel like there's a big backstory to this assortment."
"The quick summary? When Aananda was a baby her mother left her at the Temple in order to protect her from enemies that were trying to kill her entire bloodline. And boy was she a handful. There was a bit of a misunderstanding a while back and she got sent away. At some point in that process she ended up working with Tam and Ryo, fell in love with Tam, and adopted Ryo as a brother. Now before he met those two, Ryo already had this place and was looking after Ormarr and Adsila. And then the three of them met Razzule and he got added into this crazy group too. So then they went looking for Aananda's mom and found me instead. And then found Ryleh too. And we all ended up back here."
Just one big extended family." ^.^
"There are some complications to all of that. Mostly involving Aananda's brother, Chan. He's pretty much as evil as evil gets. So watch your back. He has a nasty habit of doing unpleasant things to the people around her. The rest of that story isn't mine to tell, but I figure you deserve fair warning."
"Sounds like a charmer, maybe we'll dance one day. I'd like to show him how I tango." Kar says, smiling a cocky smile.
"Sounds like a charmer, maybe we'll dance one day. I'd like to show him how I tango." Kar says, smiling a cocky smile.
"Don't get too cocky," she says sadly. "He was pretty powerful all on his own. And since the demon possessed him....Destroying him is something that has to be done, but it won't be easy."
"Hey, I'm not one for destroying folk, but if he gets his kicks killing everyone you've ever met I might just get the chance." Kar says, a cocky tone beneath his reason, "I'm no hero, but removing a little smudge of evil from the face of Agartha wouldn't be too much trouble." Kar says.
Kar looks up confused at her, Did you say demon?
"Hey, I'm not one for destroying folk, but if he gets his kicks killing everyone you've ever met I might just get the chance." Kar says, a cocky tone beneath his reason, "I'm no hero, but removing a little smudge of evil from the face of Agartha wouldn't be too much trouble." Kar says.
She sighed and drew a quick map of Agartha, shading in the territory totally controlled by Chan.
"This area and the surrounding cities are completely controlled by Chan. His influence extends even farther. Within his territory he is able to gain information from the ground, though he often doesn't bother. He isn't as in tune with earth as I am. He's spent his time and energy on mentally controlling all those around him, at the cost of some of his natural abilities. He has creatures that patrol the jungle and at least three powerful minions left. That we know about. And then there's Chan himself. If you're lucky he'd just kill you. If you're not lucky you'd end up being added to his minions. No, they're not undead, well, not all of them. He's very adept at twisting the minds of the living. And there's something else about him that I can't tell you without giving away things about myself. Let's just say that our kind has been hunted for a very long time, and it's dangerous to let others know the truth. Make no mistake, Kar, Chan is NOT a little smudge of evil. And yes, I did say demon. He is possessed by a powerful demon."
"But this place is safe from his spying. Mom went to a lot of trouble to add protections to the wards. And since you haven't ever been seen with me in any place he could see, you should be fine."
Kar looks out at the map, scanning the area that Chan controls. "This sounds really serious." He says, thinking silently and processing all that Aananda said. "Let me get this straight, there is a demon controlled man who is secretly taking over controll of Agartha? Who wants to kill you? and If allowed to expand unchecked, presumably all manner of evil things will occur?"
Kar looks out at the map, scanning the area that Chan controls. "This sounds really serious." He says, thinking silently and processing all that Aananda said. "Let me get this straight, there is a demon controlled man who is secretly taking over controll of Agartha? Who wants to kill you? and If allowed to expand unchecked, presumably all manner of evil things will occur?"
"That pretty much sums it up. Except he doesn't know he wants to kill me yet. It's only a matter of time. He'll figure it out soon. He, uh, wants me for his...mate," she added wrinkling her nose in distaste. "When he finds out I already have a mate...he's gonna be pretty pissed. Er, yes, I do know how totally sick that is, that my brother would want...that." She shuddered. "I'm lucky I've been able to keep hidden from him."
Kar's nose wrinkles with disgust at the idea, "Well it sounds like I'm not the only one who isn't exactly on good terms with some of their family."
Kar's nose wrinkles with disgust at the idea, "Well it sounds like I'm not the only one who isn't exactly on good terms with some of their family."
"Yeah, I guess that's one way to put it. I still remember what he used to be like. He liked to play tag, and we'd always race to see who could get to the waterfall pool first after lessons. He loved when he got to read the scrolls in the library. He had a lot more patience than I did. But now....it's like the brother I knew when we were kids never even existed."
"Well, being possessed by a demon tends to have those effects on people. Is there no way to get it out of him to get your brother back?" Kar asks
"Well, being possessed by a demon tends to have those effects on people. Is there no way to get it out of him to get your brother back?" Kar asks
"No. He...changed. Before the demon. The demon was reputedly so impressed by Chan's inherent evilness that he decided that he would make the ideal host. I wish I knew what happened, why my brother turned evil."
Kar winces at the realization of his mistake. "I'm sorry." Kar says, "It seems hard to understand, but sometimes these things happen." He says, "Trust me, I know about some of what you're going through." He says.
Kar winces at the realization of his mistake. "I'm sorry." Kar says, "It seems hard to understand, but sometimes these things happen." He says, "Trust me, I know about some of what you're going through." He says.
"Then I'm sorry too. I wouldn't wish this kind of situation on anyone."
"Agreed." Kar says, "Well this whole businss has left a bad taste in my mouth, and I think it should be a discussion left for another time." Kar says quietly clapping his hands, "Is there anything around here that we can do to improve the mood?" He asks smiling once again as if none of the information he just gained had any affect on him.
"Well, I'd suggest picking some things from the garden for dinner. With Aananda and Ryleh back we'll need enough to feed at least a medium size army." ;)
"Well I suggest we get to work then." Kar says smiling, as he heads out, leading any who will help him, to gather fresh produce for dinner tonight.
"I do enjoy cooking." Kar says as he gathers (only what Adsila will allow him to gather) "I enjoy knowing how the great food got on my plate."
"Well I suggest we get to work then." Kar says smiling, as he heads out, leading any who will help him, to gather fresh produce for dinner tonight.
"I do enjoy cooking." Kar says as he gathers (only what Adsila will allow him to gather) "I enjoy knowing how the great food got on my plate."
"Well, you'll have to talk to Razzule about that. He's the one that usually cooks. And he seems to be a bit picky about who he lets in his kitchen. Or maybe it's just me he doesn't want nibbling on the food before it's ready.":)