The Bazaar
In the bright mid-day, the air is cool and crisp and full of the sounds and smells of a bustling street lined on each side with booths, vendors and customers some loudly haggling over prices of the displayed wares. Occasionally a Zelak patrol wanders by to keep the peace and to keep a lookout for those with sticky fingers … and, to be sure, there are plenty shady sorts lurking in the shadows, regarding the passersby with hungry eyes. Or perhaps that's just a peddler over there, begging for a scrap of bread. In any case, it's a barrage on the senses exciting and exhilarating, full of life and action.
The bazaar is once again teeming with people. Familiar smells waft through the air, and the sound of hawkers and salesmen ring through one's ears. It's a typical busy day, especially for the dragoness, Arcadia, who has just sold her last glass Creen.
Arcadia smiles thanking her patrons… finally the glass Creens are gone… She is well ready to make some different ones… one that of course are better than the first. She looks about as people come and go, placing out 2 new bright red orb necklaces.
A large Naga cuts a path through the milling crowd, sliding and passing deftly around the ambulatory people, a Savanite tagging along behind him.
Bassai says, "Ah yess, here it is at last."
Bassai slithers towards the glass shop, and its unusual proprietor
A white Cervani doe ambles slowly past the booths. She stops and examines the jewelry in a booth very close to the dragones', taking a particular interest in the bits made of some of the more rare metals. On a leash she holds is a creature with large pointed ears, a tawny coat with deep brown stripes marking it's back and legs, and an extremely bushy black and white ringed tail. Oddly, it a wears a very tight fitting muzzle. Behind the doe is a Vykarin with a black shell, laden with packages.
Arcadia gives the Naga a friendly grin… and to the Doe she gives the same. "Halloo! Welcome to my little part of this Bazaar… I've just set out some new creations! Is there anything either of you are looking for? "
Tekki looks at the glass sculptures, his tailtip flicks quietly behind him. He seems just a tad uncomfortable… maybe it's the dragon? Naaahhh.
Bassai looks at the doe, then back at Arcadia, "My request may take some time, please allow the lady to go firsst."
Bassai as well seems intimidated by the dragon, it shows a little in his posture, how he is drawn up to his full and considerable height of 6', yet still short compared to her.
The Cervani looks up. "I am mearly browsing." she says, with just the slightest edge of sharpness to her voice. It's one of those tones that comes from people who don't know any other way to speak.
Bassai says, "Ah yesss… Tekki do stop fidgeting… "
The Savanite nods to his master and seems to take a sudden intense interest in a glass goblet.
Arcadia cooos softly to the Doe. "As you wish… " she sits down upon her haunches… if she does it out of politeness (as it makes her a good bit shorter) or because she is simply resting is disconcernable. "Please feel free to look as long as you like… I am still bring things out"… she turns her bright gaze to the Naga once more… "I believe I now have the option of addressing your request Sir."
Bassai says, "Perhaps you recall our meeting the other night at the party. Just to cover any social difficulties, my name is Bassai, and I am an archeologist."
A small rock goes skittering past the group, and if one were to look, he could see that it was kicked by a black Khatta, with his hand in his pockets, his head hung low, and an angry expression on his face.
Bassai says, "I understand you are a very skilled glassworker"
Bassai says, "I need something special made."
The Khatta seems not to notice anyone, just walking by and muttering under his breath.
Arcadia nods "I believe I do remember that, Most please I am to make your acquaintance… Oh? and what might that be my good sir? "
The black shelled Vykarin who was standing with the doe, makes a beeline for the rock. He scoops it up in his mouth and bounds over to the black Khatta, his tail wagwagwags. "Rech?" it barks, stone in mouth.
The Khatta jumps at the bark, fur standing on end as he comes to a complete stop. "Uh, what?"
Bassai says, "I would like a glasss sphere, that can withstand the heat of a normal fire, and a certain amount of internal pressure"
Arcadia mmmms softly… "I can make that… Do you wish it to be solid or hollow? "
Bassai says, "hollow. I need to be able to fill it with some water to make steam"
"Hargra… HEEL!" the Cervani snaps at her Vykarin. Who simply stands there in front of the Khatta, tail wagwagwagging.
Bassai says, "also, a spout suitable to attaching a hose will be necessary, two would be ideal"
Tekki looks at the Khatta and Vykarin, tilting his head to one side.
Arcadia frowns at the Vykarin… she's a bit nervous… that thing going wild would positively crush all her wares… her ears droop some… "I can do that as well sir… Do you want this to be simply functionary? Or would you like me to beautify it as well?
"Yeah Hargra, you better do as she says," the black Khatta says, while looking for a way to escape the overhappy Vykarin.
Bassai says, "functional will be sufficient, I am somewhat concerned that it might explode if handled improperly, so I will likely have it operating inside a box."
Latania angrily storms after her guard. "We'll play when we're done." The leash in her hand drops, forgotten for a moment and the small fuzzy creature attached to it makes a beeline for Arcadia's stand. It sniffsniffs at Bassai, then squeezes under the cart.
Hargra whines piteously. "Ro wray?"
Bassai waits patiently during this interruption.
Jynx ponders a bit, (Oh, fetch!) He takes the rock from the Vykarins's mouth, and lobs it down the street.
The little creature sniffsniffs Arcadia's foot, it's huge ears perk curiously up at the dragon.
Bassai says, "Tekki, see if you can easily capture the creature beneath the cart"
Arcadia quickly steps back…
Arcadia says, "Ohhhhhh!!!!!!"
Hargra tears after the rock, sending packages flying. A box of dresses smacks the black Khatta squarely in the face.
Latania sighs. "You just can't hire good help these days." she slowly begins to collect her packages.
"Ack!" The black Khatta falls flat, the box spilling open and tangling him in dresses.
Arcadia looks at the small fuzzy at her feet. "oh dear… here you… scoot… shooo"
The little fuzzy critter sniffsniffs the dragon again, it makes a noise that sounds almost like a word… were it not for the muzzle hampering it. It blinkblinks up at Arcadia.
Arcadia awwws a bit… "Poor little thing… Why ever would she have a muzzle upon it? "
The Vykarin eventually bounds back up and drops the slobbery stone on the Khatta.
Bassai observes the commotion, hissing to him self, "Oh yes… "
Bassai says, "Likely it is a vile and snappy creature"
The Khatta wrestles with the dresses, only to become more tangled and a big, slobbery rock dropped on him, "Ouch!"
Arcadia mmmms "I wonder what it is… I've not seen one of these in my travels… It's kind of adorable.
Hargra nudges the Khatta and wagwagwags it's tail again. "Wray rech!"
The fuzzy critter makes the noise again, it sounds almost like a question.
Bassai says, "I do suggest you leave its muzzle on"
The Khatta, now about paralyzed due to the dresses, just scowls up at the Vykarin.
Bassai says, "some things are poisonouss"
Latania continues to pick up her dropped items, still unaware that her pet has escaped.
Hargra is completely oblivious to this. Instead he picks up the rock again in his mouth, and drops it on the Khatta a second time. "Rech?"
Arcadia's ears perk up "But of course, I 'm not going to release it… It's not mine to do so… I'd best keep a hold of it… " she looks about for the leash to lightly put her tail on it. "Any how… Do you need a glass box as well? Do you think you could give me a diagram of this design? "
Jynx acks! "If you drop that on me again, I may just retch myself!" He struggles again, now awash in slobber.
The Cervani approaches Jynx. "I'm terribly sorry." she clears the dresses away and tries to load them on the Vykarin's back. "Are you hurt in any way?"
Bassai says, "the box I believe should be wooden, I could fabricate a design I suppose, I am only trying to replicate something I have seen back in the empire."
The fuzzy critter sniffs Arcadia's tail, and makes that same questioning squeak.
Bassai looks back at the doe, and her troubles, then says to Arcadia, "You may wish to hand me that creature, I will return it to the owner over there."
Arcadia nods a bit, her curiosity peeked as she down at the creature… she moves to pick it up. "Mmmm… perhaps… "
The Khatta sighs, "No more than usual." He achingly gets to his feet.
The fuzzy thing sits there. Obviously whatever it is, it's tame enough to be picked up.
Bassai says, "I would also need a slightly larger basin, to rest the sphere in, and heat it using charcoal. The basin could be just as easily be stone"
Arcadia smiles and picks it up… "hello there little one… " she nods to the Naga "Well I am not a stone worker, I can fashion the glass orb however. Would you like it to have handles?
"Ah… no bones broken, good." Latania says, handing the Khatta a ten shekel piece. "This should cover your cleaning bill. Although it would be wise to not throw stones around Vykarin again."
Bassai says, "yes, those would be useful"
The fuzzy critter, once in Arcadia's arms, starts making the same muffled questioning noise over and over again. Occasionally bumping it's muzzled nose into her hands.
Jynx blinks, "Oh, well, thank you-, thanks you very much! And I'll remember your advice." He pockets the coin, a perplexed look on his face.
Arcadia hmmmms lightly… to keep her own business or not… she does not wish to make a fool of herself in front of this buyer… nor anger the doe… Oh but what could such a little thing do to her? Perhaps it too can sing like a Creen…
( One less healing spell to cast. ) Latania thinks to herself.
Bassai says, "Tekki, please catch that Khatta and try to bring him here, I have something to ask him."
Large liquid eyes blink up at the dragon. It continues to make the almost intelligible noises, something that starts with a 'd' by the sound of it.
"Well, good day," Jynx nods farewell to the Cervani, and walks on, a bit happier now.
The Savanite bows to its master and catches back up with the Khatta, tapping him on the shoulder.
Arcadia oh… decisions… Ah well what could happen… " she fluffs the creature's ear and looks at the muzzle to see how to take it off. She adds to the Naga "Is there any thing else I could create for you sir? "
The Khatta jumps!. o O (Now what?) He turns and looks at the Savanite, "Oh, hello there. Can I help you?"
Latania continues picking up her soiled dresses, grumbling to herself and piling them on Hargra's back. The Vykarin contentedly chews on his rock.
Tekki points to Bassai over by the glassware stand and motions for the Khatta to follow him.
Bassai says, "There are a few things, I do not need any of these items immediately, I just wished to ascertain if you could create them. I would possibly need a magnifying lens, and a few mirrors as well."
Bassai says, "A few other events must occur before they will be necesssary"
Arcadia mmms softly… "I can do mirrors… I can attempt a lens but really They are quite hard to produce for me. "
The fluffy creature in Arcadia's hands simply blinks up at her. There is an easily openable snap on the side of the muzzle.
Jynx looks over to where the Savanite motions, "Hey, that guy looks familiar… " He follows the slave back over to the cart.
Bassai nods, "Thank you for your asssistance, I will supply you with plans when I am ready
Off in the back, Latania finishes loading her clothing back on the Vykarin. she begins to try and tug the rock from it's jaws.
Arcadia ever so absently unsnaps the muzzle tho she does keep tight hold of the creature.
Tekki leads the Khatta to his master, tapping the Naga on the shoulder when he arrives.
The fluffy creature shakes the muzzle free, peers around, sniffs at Arcadia's hand and speaks one word in perfect Rephidim standard… "Dead?" it squeaks.
Bassai turns, "Ah yes, good job Tekki." He looks down at the Khatta, "I believe we have met before."
Arcadia arches an eyebrow at the creature… "Dead? What a strange first word to say… " she wonders if it is simply a mimicing…
The Cervani's ears perk at the noise. She madly begins searching around her.
Bassai looks swiftly at the creature, his slit eyes narrowing. "Most unusual"
The Khatta nods, "I think so. Funny meeting you again." He lets a small smile, "Was there something I can do for you?"
"Dead?" the creature repeats, as if waiting for an answer.
Arcadia smiles softly "No not dead… " she humors it… and pats it's ears.
The creature seems to consider for a moment. Then squeaks, "Kill!" and BITES into the dragoness' hand! Luckily it's too small to do any huge amount of damage… but still gets a good chomp in.
Bassai turns back to Jynx, "I recall seeing you at the Kujaku's party, do you remember the artist who made a brief appearance?"
The Cervani rushes up to the booth. "Ack! How did it's muzzle get off? Quickly… we need to get it back on… "
Arcadia eeeks! and frowns… "Ah serves me right!" she tries to hold still the little beastie.
Jynx gives a start at the loud squeal, and glances over at the booth, "You alright over there?" He then looks at the Naga. "Artist?"
The fuff'nar tenaciously clings to the dragon's hand. Squeaking "kill!" through it's teeth.
Arcadia shakes her hand some getting rather unsettled about this… She uses her other hand to try and pry open it's mouth, her arm still holding the creature to her side.
Arcadia says, "One of theee… ooooooh … these days I'm going to learn… "
The fuff'nar's jaws aren't all that strong (probably why it was able to be kept in such a flimsy muzzle) and is quickly extracted from Arcadia's hand. It blinks back up at her, squeaking "Dead?" yet again.
Bassai says, "Perhaps I have made a mistake, in any case, I had heard you encountered Kame Ikata at some point."
Arcadia smirks "Yes… dead… " she shakes her head, her eyes narrowing. " She quickly moves to put the muzzle back on.
Latania says, "They're scavengers from Lamu. Dagh… my cousin had me watch the horrid beast." she reaches over and tries to help with the muzzle.
Bassai hisses, "I wish to examine him in a more controlled environment."
Jynx thinks, then recognition dawns on him, "Is he that crazy Savanite that paints on people?"
Bassai says, "Yes, that one"
With the aid of the Cervani and the Dragon both, the muzzle is placed back on and the fuff'nar is soon yet again making muffled little squeaking noises. "Let me see your hand." the Cervani says to Arcadia.
Arcadia looks to Latania… "I see… Well I have certainly been taught a rather… painful lesson" she smiles lightly… cradling her hand after she has handed the creature back to the doe. "Shame really… it's rather cute. "
Jynx nods with a grimace, "Yes, I had a run-in with him." He remembers the smell of the painting materials used, and scrunches his nose.
The Cervani glances at Jynx. "Ah… so you were the Khatta Fenter told me about. and here I thought all this time he was lying when he tried to sell me his robe… claiming it was a Kame painting."
Bassai says, "So is he on the loose, or can he be found?"
Arcadia flicks her ears listening to what the others speak of… She looks about to find a scarf to bandage her hand.
Jynx blinks over at the doe, "The raccoon? I was starting to think he was as crazy as Ikata." He looks back to Bassai and shrugs, "I don't know, last I saw of him he was in the Moz Eisley asylum."
Latania takes up the creature and ties it firmly to Hargra's back. She takes a strange leather pack from the various items on the Vykarin and returns to Arcadia's shop. "PLEASE let me see your hands, Madame dragon. I would rather not get blamed should you become infected."
Arcadia blinks! "Infected? … " she offers her hand.
Bassai says, "Would you convey me there, I have been unable to find it by my own effortss."
Bassai's tongue flickers out.
Jynx's grimaces at the tongue flick, "Well, I was lost at the time, so I don't know if I could find it again or not."
The Cervani begins removing a few vials from her pack. "Please hold your hand out, just as you are now. This shall take a few moments." She sprinkles some green powder on the ground at her feet in a roughly circle shape, and places a silver bracelet on each wrist.
Bassai says, "oh… that's so… disssappointing"
Bassai says, "Well, if I paid you a few shekels, would you search out that place?"
Arcadia arches an eyebrow… well she shall see this woman at work… perhaps this was not a total foolish move… "Alright… " she watches with infinite curiosity.
"Perhaps you should inquire of Fenter." Latania remarks as she prepares herself. "That is… if he's ever allowed to leave the college grounds again."
Jynx, who was on his way home, is suddenly reminded of Gnarr. Here's a chance to avoid him and get a few more shekels. "Well, I can always try."
The Cervani finishes her preparations and stands in her circle, chanting in a deep and ominous tone. Nothing happens for several moments… the bites begin to feel less painful and more… tingly.
Arcadia blinks… and watches… her eyes wide… here ears high as she pays total attention.
Bassai says, "Tekki, please pay him 5 shekels"
Bassai says, "I will give you another 10 should you locate the home"
The Savanite nods and digs through the moneypouch, presenting the Khatta with a five shekel piece.
Jynx wows inwardly, this has turned out to be a halfway decent day so far!
Jynx takes the coin with a smile, "Well, when do we start?"
Bassai watches Latania's rite
Latania continues chanting, her hands tracing invisible runes in the air. Her silver bracelets seem to darken a bit and the air around her chills. She obviously chants on.
Bassai says, "You may start as soon as you wish. Myself I have no desire to wander the streets aimlessly, as that has been a great part of my day so far. I will be at the three thieves in."
Bassai says, "You can call on me there when you locate it"
Jynx nods, "Well, I'll look for Fenter, he might be able to show me."
Arcadia mmms next to silently, she considers doing some sculpture of this in her blue glasses. … the ideas run through her mind quickly …
The life mage's chanting reaches its peak, her words are muffled by a guttural growling tone as she continues on. Then, just as it seems her voice can no longer strain itself… she stops. Her shoulder slump slightly and she exhales, then quickly composes herself and begins to collect her things. She kicks away the green circle in the ground as she works.
The wounds on the dragoness' hands are completely healed, even the soreness from the day's work is gone.
Arcadia ummms… and says softly… "… thankyou? "
Bassai watches Latania, then lets his gaze drift over her possessions, and the small creature that has caused this trouble, thinking {What a strange animal, to speak with no mind }
Latania doesn't even glance at the dragoness. "I normally charge three silvers for such a thing, but I'd rather not be held responsible should you lose your hand or somesuch."
Bassai o O {I wonder… if a mind mage can move memories from one person to another, could a physic mage move a voice?}
Hargra spits out his rock and sniffsniffsniffs the fuff'nar.
Arcadia's ears droop… she shifts uncomfortably… "I will happily pay you if you wish… It was my own foolishness… not yours… "
Bassai nods to the Khatta, "Good, then I will see you soon hopefully."
Tekki gathers his things, sensing that the master is preparing to leave.
Jynx nods to the Naga. o O (Now to find the place… )
Bassai waits, observing the doe and the dragon.
The Cervani looks up at Arcadia as she removes the tarnished bracelets. "Pah… half the nobles in Rephidim call to me for healings. And the ones who are not healed by me are healed by students of mine. I can live quite well without your money, just don't even think about calling the authorities on me for this little incident." She begins to walk back to her Vykarin, placing the bag in his back.
Bassai slithers forward, joining Latania as she leaves, "If it would not trouble you, I have a few small questionsss."
Arcadia blinks?? "… no… of course… not… " she looks rather confused… why ever would she do that? she shrugs and begins to put up her wares… it's definitely time to close up. "Ah… have a nice day? " she adds as a half thought.
The Cervani turns to the Naga, although doesn't quite stop. She seems eager to leave.
Jynx jingles the new coins in his pocket, and begins to walk off in a much better mood than he arrived in. o O (Now I wonder where that crazy raccoon is… )
Bassai says, "Oh, don't let me delay you, please, I'll ask as we progress, its about that creature you possessss… " Bassai's question recedes with him and Latania into the bazaar, the only ears to hear it being Tekki's, as he follows faithfully behind.
Arcadia shakes her head… but she smiles at least it's been eventful this day… She glances one last time to the sky and picks up her wares and retires for the night.
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