Ma'ar is silent for a bit, pacing and chewing his lip. 

:- I think sometimes I've - been tempted to judge people for not being paranoid: he sends, after a long pause. :Because it - felt like they were trying to feel safe by not looking at the world and noticing the danger, rather than by being prepared for it. But...I think maybe there's something wrong with that frame, and it doesn't actually make sense for me to feel that way: 

:It did feel sort of judgmental! It wouldn't make sense in the environment I grew up in to be paranoid like that and willing to cripple people for spooking me and not even go back for them later. If that means it's not wise for me to go to Predain, I guess it means that, but...:

:...I was thinking about that too. I think that - hmm, so when I was fourteen, practically the only thing I had was being paranoid. I didn't have resources or skills or anything, just - being vigilant all the time and ruthless about doing whatever I had to to survive. And I still almost died a few times: 

Shrug. :But - maybe that means I'm miscalibrated now. Since now it'd be two of us, not one, and we could maybe bring Skan too, and we do have money and resources and a lot of skills, and I can read...: 

:It occurred to me that once you have met my dad we could bring him. He's in the Guard and would not look ridiculous with a sword. If we need someone scary-looking who is not a teenager:

:Oh! That's a really good idea. He'd probably be better at handling talking to the Guard there, too, I - think they'd respect him more because of his job: 

:I mean he only speaks Tantaran but if that isn't an obstacle, sure:

:I think a lot of the King's Guards speak Tantaran too. And - part of it would just be how he looks. It's a really good idea, thank you for thinking of it: 

:You're welcome. You can be introduced when you come to his town with me:

Nod. :All right: 

:Should I tell him next time I talk to him you're coming?:

:Oh right. Probably: 

:Then I will. He has a communication artifact, we talk a few times a week:

Nod. :Thank you: 

After their exams it's time to get ready to go. Aza's planning to Gate it, it's a long annoying journey elsewise. She packs clothes and books but not much else since her dad has things.

They both do very well on their exams, as per usual. 

Ma'ar checks if Aala wants to come. (She doesn't; she has break plans. She also announces that she wants to ask the hertasi to move out of their shared room and into a dorm with her best friend.) 

He packs fairly lightly as well, more because he doesn't have that many possessions than because Azabel's dad does. By count if not by weight or volume, most of what's in his travel bag is magic artifacts. He also has the booklet of classes available next session at their level, to peruse and pick his choices while they're on the trip. 

He joins Azabel for the Gate, looking a bit nervous but also curious and excited. 

And she Gates them straight to her father's front doorstep. "Welcome to Riverfork!"

Ma'ar turns and glances curiously around at the neighbourhood. 

It's a small, unremarkable village, with houses and gardens and a tavern and a little Guard office; the house looks out on the forking river in question at a distance of some tens of meters, and there's a bridge over a narrow bit, and more houses over on that side. A boat squeezes under the bridge and stops off at a pier to collect vegetables from somebody who comes out to meet it.

Aza takes the gate down and turns to open the door and is greeted by her father, who hugs her tight.

It's nice. It feels...peaceful. Not dangerous. Ma'ar isn't sure if he trusts this impression, but he is noticing it. 

...It still feels a bit weird and awkward, watching people be physically affectionate with their family members. He stands back, smiling politely, and waits for Azabel to take the lead in introducing him. 

"Dad, this is Ma'ar. Ma'ar, this is my dad Charl."

"Good to meet you," says Charl.

"It's good to meet you too," Ma'ar says, nodding to him and trying not to be visibly tense. "Thank you for hosting me." 

"Aza talks about you a fair bit," Charl remarks.

"Oh?" Ma'ar blinks, suddenly wishing he had thought to discuss with Aza what sorts of pleasantries her father would try to engage in so he could practice his responses. "We, uh, do have a lot of classes together." 

"Mm-hm. Come on in."

The house is a touch roomier than Ranara's but less decorated. It looks like the last time Aza was here she made a magic freezer for the kitchen.

Ma'ar looks around and tries to spot something to compliment Charl on, other than the fridge which is Aza's work; he's pretty sure that compliments on the host's house are a normal social interaction.