It's a beautiful day, punctuated by a lightly brisk breeze blowing down the street, carrying upon itself smells of fragrant candle wax, freshly-baked bread, and arrangements of flowers, among so many other things. The street lacks the sort of frenzied activity of the Bazaar, but it nonetheless has its own sort of color and life, just at a pace more to the liking of many of the nobility and other well-to-do.

Turtle looks around her, pushing back the strands of hair which blows into her face when she faces certain directions. Her green and gold tapestry-like robe dress swings around her idly. Finally, she wanders in the directions of the flower shop ahead.

A Jupani with several parcels suddenly changes direction and crosses the street. "Oh Countess, I didn't expect you here so early, I haven't finished getting everything… " Up close it becomes obvious that she is actually a poodle, though with a convincing, and very fresh, furstyle that makes her seem quite wolfish.

She bows to Turtle, "I'm terribly sorry, I thought you were someone else. I didn't expect there to be two Aeonians shopping today."

A Korv in Temple robes hops along with Turtle, cawing out of habit more than anything else. He looks curiously at the poodle, then at the Inquisitrix.

Turtle looks down at the Jupani. "Another Aeonian? A countess?"

At the mentioning of 'Countess' an Eeee, that has up until now been idly munching on a piece of bread, twirls one ear in the direction of the small crowd. He glances up and cuts himself another piece, carefully trying to make out what is said. He is plainly clothed and leaning against a wall.

"Yes, The Countess Ophelia of the Northern Shore of the Himar." Jupani-esque poodle answers, holding her shopping bags against her front. Looking at the Korv, realization suddenly dawns on her, "Oh! You must be the Inquisitrix that returned last summer. I know Eustace mentioned your name… oh… I'm terribly embarrassed that I've forgotten. My name is Kelsey Van Kabril."

Turtle looks slightly annoyed. "Countess Ophelia. Of course." She pauses, scowling a bit a Eustace's name. Finally, she just gives a cold nod. "A pleasure, Ms. Van Kabril… now if you'll excuse me… " She turns.

Skrill cuts himself another piece of bread, and tries to look very inconspicuous as soon as anyone lays an eye on him, chewing slowly.

"Oh, please don't think badly of Eustace because of me. He hardly ever talks about the Temple, and doesn't like when I show an interest, but he wouldn't want me to be so rude to one of the higher ranking Inquisitors." Kelsey pleads, her poodleness showing through, "Is there any way I can make this up you? I know all the best shops around here, for clothing, accessories, hair. I'm sure I could help you find what you're looking for."

Turtle's Korv assistant snorts at the whole situation, and bounces along with the unicorn Inquisitrix.

Kelsey tags along behind with the doggedness of a minor noble sensing a social situation going awry and trying to stop it.

Turtle looks back at Kelsey. "Oh do not think me that way. I meant not to be rude. Now, about the clothing and accessories stores? Tell me about them, I'd love to see it." Her demeanor warms up only by a degree or so, but still…

A group of Savanites walk by, bearing some rolled up canvas in several colors suspended on wooden poles, slung over their shoulders.

"Oh, there's several good ones. The Upper Cut is just over there, it mostly deals in men's designs, but they have some jackets… " Kelsey reconsiders who she is talking to. "Actually, another of my favourites is Fashionable Fabrics. Its also quite close, and Mistress Goode works completely in Zolk. Each dress is a unique creation for many of Rephidim's elite."

The golden specks in Turtle's eyes twinkle. "How interesting." She brushes back her hair again. "Well, are we off, Neekto?"

As the Inquisitrix and Noble continue, accompanied by the hopping Korv, they pass a cowled and robed Kattha artist who is busily painting on the street corner. His robes and cowl are splashed with bits of color, suggesting that at times he must wipe his brushes on them or else just get particularly messy in his work. A glance at his canvas, however, reveals that he is painting the scene on the street, including blurs that suggest the occasional wagon rolling by, and various pedestrians.

Neekto nods, hopping to keep up with Turtle. "As you wish, Inquisitrix!"

Skrill puts back his knife in his belt. Throwing the rest of the bread over his shoulder, he continues down the street in the same direction as the nobles.

The artist has started to add quite a bit of green and blue to a part of his street scene … reflecting the colors of the canvas borne by the Savanites, as they start to set up some sort of stage to one side of the street.

Kelsey steps around the Khatta, and onto his painting. She doesn't even notice, as the Inquisitrix is much more important than any street artist's work. "Mistress Goode is always in demand, but I'm sure she has something that might interest you. Oh, here we are."

Turtle smiles. "Oh, very nice."

The artist simply halts where he is, not looking up or moving. However, already a fairly detailed rendition of Turtle, Neekto and Kelsey have been worked into the scene. He must work very fast.

Fashionable Fabrics is a small store for all the importance Kelsey attributes to it. Unlike most of the others, there aren't dresses in the large windows to either side of the door. Instead hang a wide selection of lace strips. A small sign says 'Open'. The poodle glances across at the Korv, trying to anticipate which of them will hold the door.

Turtle waves a hand at Neekto. "Well?"

Skrill quickly walks over to the door and says "My ladies, allow me." opening it for them.

Neekto hmphs, narrowly being beaten by the Eeee. He smoothes his feathers, trying to maintain his dignity.

Turtle looks surprised. "Well, thank you, sir." She swaggers into the store, her chin slightly aloft.

Skrill bows his head, first to Turtle and then to the poodle as they pass.

Kelsey jumps back with an expression that exemplifies the Jupani she pretends to be, then quickly hides it. Letting her eyes slide suspiciously sideways to watch the Eeee, she passes by Skrill and into the store after the Inquisitrix.

Neekto stifles an indignant caw, and flutters into the store.

With a sharp look at the Korv's neck, Skrill enters the shop as well.

Inside the store a Savanite is standing on a pedestal with her arms held out. She is wearing a simple black zolk dress, that seems to have an elaborate bow on the lower back. Seeing the Inquisitrix, with the poodle and Korv following, she stiffens up.

"Did I stick you again Pins?" A voice says from behind the large black bow.

Turtle glides past the model with a bemused expression. "Quite lovely, madame." she calls out behind her.

"My! Customers, I'm terribly sorry I didn't hear you come in." A Kujuku stands up from where she was working, "I was absorbed in the stitching."

Turtle's eyes narrow a bit. "Quite alright." She swings her cape behind her and traverses the model on the stand. "I have received a good recommendation about your dress-making."

Neekto hops around, inspecting dresses, doing his best to look properly interested in anything that might interest the Inquisitrix.

Kelsey trails behind the Aeonian, her head snapping up as she finally remembers the name. "I'd like to introduce Inquisitrix Turtle. After the stunning piece you made for the wife of Barcodamus de Medici, the Quartermaster Supreme for the Landing Day Ball, I knew I had to recommend your store to her."

Outside, there is a rumbling sound, and then a manhole pops open in the middle of the street. A geyser of water shoots up from the street, bearing a suited figure who whines and yelps pitifully. He sounds distinctly vulpine, somehow. The geyser, however, ends just as suddenly as it started. The Guards rush in, collect the suited Fox, and drag him away. Life returns to normal.

Kelsey glares outside, muttering, "him again." She blinks momentarily at Skrill still standing in the doorway, then goes back to impressing the Inquisitrix.

Mistress Goode glides alongside the Aeonian in all her feathered grace. "I'm honoured that you would be interested in one of my designs. Did you have anything specific in mind. Would you like to see some fabrics, or a few of the more standard styles?"

Skrill eyes the scene outside for quite a while, until the fox is dragged away. Then he walks into the shop and looks at the fabrics… one ear keeping track of the conversation though.

Neekto, pretending to ignore the disturbance outside, just smoothes out his feathers again, and keeps up with the others.

Pins remains standing on the stool with her arms stretched out, and not moving except for her eyes which dart around trying to follow everyone.

Turtle says, "Oh, viewing styles would be nice. But do you have any non-standard?"

"Oh yes," Mistress Goode sweeps out a wing to indicate a large bound volume. "My works are original creations, but most people request a standard base, then modify it. I'm quite willing to work entirely from your measurements if you prefer. In here are some renderings of my earlier pieces."

The Kujaku opens the book to show off her work for the Inquisitrix.

Neekto cranes up his neck, standing on the tips of his claw-toes to try to get a look at the book.

Turtle wanders over to admire them. "Of course. But then my tastes are admittedly a bit more… unusual than some."

One of the pieces looks distinctly Gallisian in design, the sketched model being a poodle with a silvery hairdo piled up in a way that would put a beehive to shame. The voluminous gown could vaguely suggest the form of a bell, with the wearer's torso being the handle, but with a wide "collar" that fins out, showing off the shoulders and neck, accompanied by pearl chokers, done in a silvery blue fabric with trim of a moonstone hue.

"I would expect nothing less from someone as cultured as you are," Mistress Goode says, turning the pages slowly. "Please describe what you're interested in, if you don't see something similar here."

Turtle scans the pages. "Anything sarong-like? I do prefer that type of dress."

Another dress, fitting the sarong description in design, has a touch of mystery to it. The model in the picture also wears a drape that is twirled about her neck and shoulders and over her head to form a loose cowl. The overall result suggests perhaps Himaatian garb – or would be convincing enough to anyone who had actually never been there and thus would not realize that showing this much fur (or scales or feathers or skin) would be inappropriate in Abu Dhabi, even though it might be conservative by Gallisian standards.

"Something like this perhaps?" The Kujaku chirps.

Turtle's eyes glitter once more. "Oh yes!"

"It looks complex, but is actually a very simple design. I could have it finished for you in two days if you'd like to select a fabric." Mistress Goode smiles. "Pins get the… oh wait, just stay where you are, I'll get the book."

Skrill looks at the fabrics, feeling them as he says "Seems like the war has not affected your stocks at least. I would imagine such fabrics as these would be hard to find nowadays."

Turtle glances curiously over at Skrill, her eyebrows shifting.

"Well, Grabbit silk is almost impossible to get, but I rarely make a full dress of that." Mistress Goode sweeps up the fabric swathes in her wings and presents them to Turtle, "Zolk is a little more expensive now, but still only a fraction of the dress's cost."

With a smile Skrill continues "I can imagine an increased price do not worry your customers though. But still, let us hope for a quick end to this war." turning to look at Mistress Goode.

Turtle's attention turns back to the fabrics, searching for something different.

On reflection, the Kujaku chirps, "Some of my suppliers have told me certain dyes are unavailable as well. I don't let it interfere with my creations."

Turtle raises an eyebrow again. "Oh? How so?"

"Oh, if someone wants something, it's my supplier's worry to find it, not mine." The peacock quips with a happy smile.

Turtle narrows her eyes. "Of course." She returns to the fabric once more.

Kelsey reaches over from where she was quietly watching, and fingers an iridescent red swath of Zolk, "This one is rather striking." Fiery reflections of her hand appear on the material.

The book yields another dress, this one of a far different look, with bolder colors, and a suggestion in the illustration of highlights of fiery fabric of a very reflective sheen. The zolk dress is done in strips that spiral around the waist and spill outward, having an effect that suggests, in abstract, a raging fire, with leaping flames that all serve to point upward, calling attention to the wearer's face. The ribbon-adorned headdress only furthers this theme.

The poodle then looks at the matching garment it was made into, "Wow." is her only comment.

Turtle says, "Oh, it is very lovely, but I already have something somewhat like it." There, she points to a watercolored zolk of pink, peach, and yellow. "Now, this is a bit different."

"Its an excellent choice, Inquisitrix. Do you wish me to make your sarong from this?" Mistress Goode asks.

Neekto squints, perhaps trying to envision Turtle in her new wardrobe. Not that he is likely to have an eye for this sort of thing, but it helps to be prepared in case one is asked one's opinion, in order to say something convincing.

With a sigh Skrill glances out the window, not really too interested in clothing, nor conversation about it.

Turtle nods. "Of course," she says, a bit annoyed at having to be asked, but not showing it.

"Excellent. Can you make your measurements available to me, or should I take new ones now?" The peacock asks, sweeping the fabrics back to their home.

Turtle explains her measurements to the designer, taking great pains to describe them well.

Sounds of music drift in faintly from one of the streetside performances across the way.

Skrill looks out the window instead, at the commotion outside. Trying to avoid hearing this part of the conversation, out of embarrassment.

Mistress Goode efficiently writes down the Inquisitrix's measurements, and adds a few notes of her own. "There, I'll be able to get started on it as soon as I finish this other piece."

With apparent interest Skrill looks out the window. He seems to see something very interesting indeed.

Kelsey seems fascinated by the red dress, she hasn't taken her eyes off it. "How long would this one take?" How much, is probably something you don't ask in this store.

Skrill leans back a little, seemingly relaxed, but he still keeps an eye on the activity outside.

"Oh, that would require another week afterwards, Kelsey," Mistress Goode says.

"Very good." Turtle turns to face the window as well, finally noticing the commotion outside.

Pins brings her arms back up to the proper angle, she'd let them drop when no one was looking her direction.

The commotion going on outside, as visible through the window, seems to consist of the Temple Guard chasing after a few sprinting Savanites. Must be some more slaves acting up. The music, incidentally, has stopped. Disruptions like this don't do much for performances, after all. Distracts the crowd.

Turtle looks a bit absorbed as she walks closer to the window. She cranes her neck, trying to see better if it something needing her intervention.

If there was anything, it seems the Guard must have managed to chase it off. A bard on the corner starts playing a ditty, and pedestrians resume window-shopping.

The Eeee moves over, to give Turtle a better view as he says "It seems to be over now anyway, madam."

The fiery dress still captivates Kelsey's attention, at Skrill's words she says, "Oh yes, do make it then. What's going on outside?"

The poodle looks to see what everyone was staring at outside.

Skrill begins "Well, it seems to be a gathering of Savanites, one of them speaking about liberation. Like what have happened in the Naga empire recently. But the guards broke it off before it got ugly."

Pins doesn't look at Skrill at all, and instead stares straight ahead.

Turtle shoots a glance at Skrill. "How very unfortunate." She swings back to Neekto, motioning him to give the designer her address for the sarong order. "These rebels are being ridiculous, if you ask me. Savanites asking for freedom is the same as them asking for trouble."

Skrill rubs his nose and says "And still, this is happening among the Nagai."

"I couldn't agree more. I was witnessed a similar disruption yesterday. Fortunately there aren't any squibbits around this time," Kelsey remarks.

Neekto nods in agreement. "The Nagai Empire, while its intent may be noble, is seriously misguided. They're only serving to cause unrest." His feathers bristle.

Skrill rubs his chin and asks, "What I do wonder, how does this affect the contacts between Rephidim and Nagai?" He looks much more interested now than before.

Turtle motions again to Neekto. "Squibbits?" she asked casually.

Outside, the shadows grow longer and the sky burns red as the sun slowly sets. Already, the lamp-lighters make their rounds up and down the street.

Neekto explains to Turtle, "Squibbits are disagreeable little slug-like creatures, a sickly gray in color, except for their bright green heads. They serve as sustenance for those who cannot afford better, though the head is poisonous."

"Well, I'm not really concerned what a bunch of slaves get up to, or their Nagai masters." Kelsey comments, wandering past Pins to look at a few of the items hanging on the walls.

Neekto shudders. "They're fairly slimy. Wouldn't touch them, myself. Squibbits, that is."

"Well, I suppose they would at least qualify as Nagai food, yes," Turtle said, then grows impatient with Neekto. "Now do please give the madame our address for the order so we might head home before the night is over."

Mistress Goode flutters her wings, "Oh these are all very weighty matters, or repulsive ones. I really wouldn't offer my meager opinions into your company. I have a few things I must get to now, but if you need any assistance, I'm right here."

"Oh!" Neekto ducks down, cawing lightly. "Terribly sorry, Inquisitrix. Ahem. Yes now. Inquisitrix Turtle resides, of course in the Rephidim Temple, in Inquisition Block A, Cell … " He rattles off Turtle's address.

The peacock swiftly takes down the details, adding them to the Aeonian's file, "I'll contact you as soon as it is ready."

Neekto caws, then hops to the door, opening it for the Inquisitrix. "So, shall we be back to the Temple, Inquisitrix? It's getting dark… "

Turtle swivels her skirt around. "Very well. Now we must depart before it gets too dark. Come, Neekto." She nods politely before heading for the door.

"I'll just stay back to speak with Jallicou about my dress, Inquisitrix. I have had a wonderful afternoon with you, I hope I've managed to help in some small way." Kelsey smiles, as she wags her tail in a supplicating way.

Neekto caws, "Exactly." He bobs his head. "A good evening to you!" he bids to the Kujaku and poodle.

Turtle pauses at the door. "Of course you have." Her eyes sparkle.

"It was my pleasure," Kelsey bows.

With a nod Skrill says "Perhaps I should escort you to the temple, madam. We do not know what can lie in store in the shadows of the alleys outside."

Mistress Jallicou Goode bows as well to the Inquisitrix.

Turtle slips an intricately mechanized crossbow from off her shoulder. "That won't be necessary." She flashes a knowing grin in Skrill's direction, eyes narrowed, before slipping out the door.

Pins does her best to avoid looking at Turtle, which would be inappropriate, while also remaining absolutely still and facing the door. She ends up staring at a point on the edge of the ceiling.

Neekto shrugs apologetically at the bat … then flutters on out the door.

Skrill glances up to Pins, as she is standing there in the middle of the room. Then he shrugs and walks out through the door. Looking at Turtle as she walks away towards the temple he realizes he has achieved nothing today. Straightening the collar of his jacket he sets of in another direction, thinking about the strange scene he has witnessed, and what it may bring in the future.