Ke'ri's father approached Lon'qu around six months after he started working for them. He was your typical vegetable salesman. As in your average middle class middle man. He was of average build, average height, and black hair; The most average hair color. He cheated the farmers that sold him product, but hey: if that was his worst sin, then he deserved a medal. He loved his family intensely, and would protect it at all costs. That meant letting other people with farms tighten their belts so that he could provide for his. A strange combination of business and family in this one man. The most peculiar average man you would ever meet.

He approached Lon'qu and said this:

"Ke'ri claims that you've been sleeping in back alleyways."

"I have been for half a dozen years." Lon'qu agreed.

"And you have been working for me for a half a dozen months."The man rubbed the back of his head. "If you were going to do something stupid, you would have done it by now."

"Stupid isn't in my nature." Lon'qu grinned back.

"Do you think I am stupid?" His tone made Lon'qu's smile disappear.

"No Sir."

"We are both pretending that you didn't scare off that drunk guard with a torch three weeks ago." The man's eyebrow looked as if it were attempting to escape.

"It would be bad if I let your buisness burn." Lon'qu pointed out.

"Ever the pragmatist."

"You have to be."

There was a pause in the air as that comment digested.

"Winter is coming soon." The man pointed out.

"I have survived before." Lon'qu chuckled. "But thank you for the concern."

"We have an extra bedroll. You have served us well. And for free."

"I took the spoiled vegatbl-"

"No one was going to buy those anyway." The man pointed out. "Either way, I would be remiss not to offer the bedroll for the winter at least."

"I have survived before."

"What kind of survivor has pride?" He extended an arm. "Just for the winter."

"Alright."

When Lon'qu took the hand, he was drawn in so that the older man could whisper in his ear.

"If my family is put in danger because of you, it won't matter how good you are with that sword. I will hunt you down and kill you. Understand?" He brought Lon'qu back out to arm's length. "Let's get you settled then."

Lon'qu was under the distinct impression that this was Ke'ri's doing, not her father's.