Since it's been a slow day, Aaron the Lapi has retreated to the back of the apothecary to peruse his copy of The Sylvanian Heresies some more, trying to find any references to the mysterious word 'san'…

The door 'chime' signals someone entering the shop… and a familiar smell makes it possible to hazard a guess at who it is. "Lightfoot," comes a level hiss. "Come out here."

Aaron sighs and closes the book, then heads for the front of the shop. Along the way, he picks up and lights another incense stick to cover the odor of his visitor. "Yes, Mage … uhh … Quiche was it?" he asks when he reaches the counter.

"Qing," hisses the serpent tersely. "I'm here to discuss your involvement in the incident the other night."

The Lapi eyes the Rokuga suspiciously. "O-kay. Do you mean the incident where you incited a spirit to trash my shop, or the one where you forgot to make your spirit-spy invisible?"

Qing's expression doesn't change. "The former is of no concern, as all charges against me have been lifted. The latter is of little consequence, though it is related, I suppose. You were in the Old City graveyard, this we know… and you managed to deliver that staff into the hands of someone suspected of a very serious misuse of magic. By authority of the Collegia, and your Temple, you are being detained for questioning. Bring the amulet you described for Dean Faust, as well. It may be important." The snake raises one of his upper arms, and snaps his fingers.

Aaron blinks, and tugs on his black ear before asking, "Ummm … what amulet would that be?"

The door opens. Four Jupani Temple Guards walk in, accompanied by a Zelak. One of the Guards stops, and motions for the Zelak to pause just outside.

"The amulet you aquired from the alleged 'High Priest of the Sixth Kadam'," hisses the witchdoctor, folding his arms. He looks over the tops of his smoked glasses. "I have neither the time nor the patience for your stalling, so simply get it and we can be on our way. The sooner this is over with, the sooner you can return to your trinket peddling."

The shopkeeper shrinks back a bit at the sight of the Jupani Guards. "Really … I don't have any amulets … except for some good-luck charms. I only, uh … acquired … the staff… "

The Rokuga folds his arms. "Then were you simply lying to the Dean?"

The Jupani Guards spread out through the room, and start fingering their way through anything that looks even remotely like an amulet.

Aaron stands up straighter. "Now just one moment here. I don't recall ever mentioning any amulets to Dean Faust. The only thing I mentioned was the staff, since that was the only thing I had."

One of the wolves walks up to Aaron. "Where's this staff then, Citizen?"

Aaron's ears droop back as he answers the guard, "Well … I don't actually know. I sort of dropped it when a wild animal attacked me and couldn't find it again."

"I seem to recall hearing about an amulet," hisses Qing, frowning. "But no matter. I'm sure a search of your shop for any other illegal magical apparati is warranted. In the meantime, you will accompany us."

The wolf guard growls quietly, then starts sniffing about the room. Hmm. Last any mage knew, noses weren't good at picking up traces of magic. Maybe it's for effect.

"Illegal?!" the Lapi cries. "Now hold on! I don't deal with illegal items or substances, and I always keep track of who purchases potentially dangerous materials!" Aaron produces a slightly used ritual candle from under the counter, and says, "Here! This is one of the candles used in the ritual, and it didn't come from my shop! If you're going to investigate suppliers of magical apparati, I suggest you start by sniffing out which shop carries this type of candle."

Qing moves his head just enough that it can be described as a nod. "Good. Anything else from the ritual would be useful too. Hurry it up. We have no more time to waste."

The first wolf Guard takes the candle, while a second Guard provides a bag to stuff it into. Hopefully that won't mess up the evidence any further.

Aaron says, "Well, the candles were the only things I saw. The place was deserted when I got there, except for the vicious carnivorous beast that attacked me, an unfortunate Embassy guard that startled me, and that hideous eyeball creature you sent that took several years off of my life."

"Very well, then. If you've nothing else to bring voluntarily, we can go. The rest of the search can be done by a Collegia investigator." He jerks his head at the guards and the Lapi, and slides toward the door. "Perhaps when you understand the gravity of the sitation, Lightfoot, you will be more cooperative. This doesn't involve only you."

Aaron grumbles and follows the Mage, muttering, "… probably pickled your own brain with those chemicals, you pale old… " under his breath.

Whatever the Lapi grumbles, it's either unheard or ignored by the witchdoctor, who secures his hat and glasses before slithering his way back out to the street.

The Guards follow the witch-doctor, and pick up the Zelak along the way.

The Lapi makes sure to keep as far from the Zelak as possible.