After storing the last of the items collected from his recent trip to the southern Xenean wilderness, Aaron the Lapi hands his assistant Jasmine the updates to the inventory. "It's good to be back. I hope everything went smoothly while I was away?"

"Oh, about the usual," the middle-aged Skeek replies, shuffling her paperwork.

A foppish-looking fox pokes his way into the shop. "Greetings and salutations, good shop-keeper!"

The jangling noise of the opening door can be abruptly heard, heralding the entrance of a customer. The customer in question is a pure white female Lapi, wearing a simple pair of brown trousers, a gray shirt, and black zolk vest. She looks rather annoyed, and begins to start looking around the shop.

The foppish fox lets out a quiet 'eep!' and ducks out of the way of the recently-arrived Lapi.

Aaron turns to see who came in, and immediately stands up straighter when he sees the customer. "Greetings, miss, and welcome to Lightfoot's Apothecary! How may I be of service to you?"

The white Lapi blinks as she is spoken to, looking a bit embarrassed. "Hello Mister, er, Lightfoot." She looks around at all the shelves and such as she speaks, "I wonder if you can help me find something."

The piebald Lapi steps out from behind the counter, and straightens out his black ear. "I will certainly try! What is it you're looking for?"

The fox looks as if he's about to speak up, but then realizes that he's not a 'miss'. A frown crosses his muzzle, but he just shakes his head and makes his way down one of the aisles.

Aaron makes a little gesture behind his back, but it's hardly needed as Jasmine has already gotten up to follow the fox.

"My mother is looking for some kind of spice from Babel. She says it's good for cooking." She turns her gaze back to the Lapi with a frustrated sigh, "And of course she sent me to go find it. Now I can't remember what it was!" She throws her hands up, then crosses her arms.

Aaron hmms and taps his chin. "I've quite a few things that can be used as spices. Why don't you have a seat," he says and gestures to one of the small tables near the front window, "and I'll bring things out for you. Maybe hearing their names will jar your memory?" Aaron smiles.

The fox's voice can be heard protesting, "I was merely SNIFFING a sample. I was most certainly not NIBBLING on anything! Why, what do you take me for, Madame?"

The white rabbit sighs, "Maybe. At least it can't hurt. Oh, my name is Anisa, by the way. Sorry for just traipsing in like that." She thrusts her hand out for a shake, but not in the same ladylike manner as most women.

"I take you for the mooch that comes in every morning for the free tea cookies," comes the voice of Jasmine from the racks.

"I am NOT a MOOCH! I am a BARD! A musician! A master of the musical arts!" the fox says in a hurt-sounding whine.

Aaron takes Anisa's hand, and seems unsure for a moment whether to shake or kiss her on the wrist. He settles on shaking. "Pleased to meet you. I'm Aaron. You can help yourself to some tea and pastry while you wait if you like."

"Why, thank you!" says the fox from the other side of the aisle. He rushes over and takes a chair. "Bring it on!"

Black ear going 'lop' again at the sight of the fox, Aaron moves to the other table and holds out a chair for Anisa.

The foppish fox licks his chops.

Suddenly, the fox's eyes light up as if he's noticed something different. "Sayyyy! You've been gone a really long time, haven't you?" He seems to be focusing on Aaron. "Have you been on any adventures? Anything worth immortalizing in song?"

"Well, thanks for the offer, but food sounds somewhat… gross at the moment. No offense." Anisa walks over to the table, and sits down in the offered chair, resting her head in a paw. "Sorry I forgot what spice it was, too. I don't know why mother sends me on these errands. It's just a waste of my free time."

"More for me," says the fox, happily.

Aaron sets a pastry in front of the fox, and says to Anisa, "Ah, the tyranny of mothers. I'll try not to take up too much of your free time, though." The white ear wiggles to show he's joking, and then the rabbit is off into the stores while Jasmine resumes her perch behind the counter and bores holes into the fox with her stare.

Anisa arches a brow at the strange fox, then turns back to Aaron. "Thanks, I appreciate it." She drums her fingers on the table, looking out the window wistfully.

The fox gobbles down a pastry, and licks every last crumb off of his paws. He helps himself to some tea without asking, to wash it all down. Then, he turns to regard Anisa. "My, my, my. You look positively STUNNING, the way the light streaming in from the window catches your head-fur so. It's as if you have a halo! … Do you mind if I compose a song about you?"

The white Lapi flares her nostrils at the slob of a fox. "Only if it'll keep you away from me!"

The fox's ears droop. "Ah … I'll sit another chair away, then." He hops up and sits in the next chair over. "Now then … what was your name again? And what do you do? That always helps to personalize a song."

Jars rattle in the back of the shop as Aaron continues to pick out samples.

The fox whines.

Anisa pours herself a cup of tea, keeping a puzzled and annoyed eye on the fox. "Anisa, and I work as a barmaid." She takes a sip of her drink, then stares at the fox. "And if you make any wench jokes, I'll hurt you."

"Wench, wench… " muses the fox. "Oh! No, not at all!" In a lower voice, he muses, "Cinch, stench, bench, wrench… inch? Lynch!" He drops his voice again. "Aha. Uhm … maid. Staid. Bade?"

"Given the way he sings," comments Jasmine, "I think he might enjoy that, girl." Her black eyes twinkle.

The white Lapi just hmphs, and goes back to sipping her tea.

The fox hmphs indignantly. "Now then … let's see… Oh! You work at … uhm … Wiggletail? Uhm … Floppy ear? No, it was some verb and a body part … ah … Swiftfoot's! Ah! That's it, right?"

"Or … no … that's someone else entirely," muses the fox.

"I work at Snowshoe's, my father's place." She begins to sip her tea, then stops. "Wait a minute… How do you know where I work anyways?"

"Well, your threats of bodily harm and your less-than-womanly … er … I mean … ah … " The fox adjusts his collar. "Your skillful service and charming personality are well-known to all bards!"

Anisa glares at the fox, but decides not to retort for now. "Any luck finding the spices?" She calls out to Aaron, "My friends are waiting. We're supposed to go dancing tonight."

Aaron exits the back aisles, and sets down an armload of jars and other containers on the countertop. He then retrieves a wooden palette from behind the counter, which seems to have various bowl-like depressions carved into it. He eyes the fox, and briefly fingers the blowgun holstered inside his vest. "I'll have them ready for you in just a moment, Anisa." He begins spooning out samples into the little bowls.

The fox strums his lute, and begins to sing…

My sweet, my darling Anisa,

I'll forever dream of love so true,

And always away, I'll miss her –

And those plates of crumblecakes, too!

Aaron winces at the lyrics, and brings the sample tray over to Anisa's table, taking the seat opposite her.

The white Lapine nods with an impatient sigh, and goes back to gazing out the window. She freezes, flaring her nostrils as the fox's song starts. Ears turning red from embarrassment, she looks at the assorted spices. "I might be able to tell which they are."

The fox still sings!

So bring me another, Anisa,

It's so much better coming from you!

Oh I wish so much I could kiss ya,"

But I'd rather not be black and blue!

Anisa glares at the fox. "You'd better keep that last part in the song!" She smirks, then turns back to Aaron.

Trying to ignore the fox, Aaron points out the various spices. "This pink powder is Sugarfir flakes. Very rare until recently. It's a good sweetener. These green nuggets here are Skedat Fire, a very hot spice. You don't want to know where it comes from, though… "

The white Lapi taps her chin, "Hmmm, this is more of a tangy tasting spice. Mom uses them in her soups a lot."

"Those are HOT?" squeaks the fox. "Uhm … that's good to know. Well … I think I'll be going now. A good day to you!"

"Good now that you're leaving anyway," Aaron mutters under his breath, low enough so that only Anisa is likely to pick it up. "Tangy you say? These orange flakes are Soursweet; does that sound familiar?"

The foppish fox shoots out the door, letting it slam behind him.

Anisa twirls an ear around her finger, smirking at the barely audible mutter. She winces as the door slams. "Actually, it does somewhat, but I'm not sure if that's what she's looking for." The rabbit sighs, "I wish she'd send Tyson to look for this stuff; he's the one that works back in the kitchen."

"Ah, but then my day wouldn't be half so bright!" Aaron points to the next bowl, which has a mottled chunk of… rock. "This is Pepperock… also called Pepperlick by Cervantis. It's… peppery."

The female Lapi looks up at Aaron in the eyes, then gives a lop sided grin. "Yeah, bright… " She looks down at the spice. "Well, it sort of looks like that, but I don't know that it's all that peppery."

The next bowl has gray and black grains in it. "Maybe it's this, then – Lemon-Garlic. It's a mix of ground grass seeds and dried garlic. Mixes up well with water."

Anisa dabs a finger in the Lemon-Garlic spice, and tastes it. "Getting closer." She then tries the Soursweet. "But then again, this might be it. I just can't tell." She sighs, looking positively bored.

Aaron hmms, watching Anisa's face. "Tell you what… Why don't you tell me where to go, and I'll bring the samples to your mother personally," Aaron offers, hoping to cheer up the bunny… and maybe get into her good graces on the side.

The white Lapi blinks, and sits back in her chair confusedly. "Say what?" She crosses her arms. "Are you telling me that you'd go off to Babel just for some measly spices?"

Aaron blinks as well, then laughs out loud! "Oh my! No no… I meant I'd bring these samples to your mother, so she can pick out which one it is she wanted, and you can go to your dance… "

"Oh!" Anisa, looks embarrassed, her ears bright red. "I though you meant you'd go off this measly rock." She sighs, "Well, have you ever heard of Snowshoe's Tavern?"

"Snowshoe's? Yes, I think my uncle used to bring me there whenever I got back from the jungle. I think he had a crush on one of the cooks," Aaron says with a wink.

"Well, that's where I work; it's my parent's place. You can – " She stops mid sentence, looking right at Aaron. "Jungle? There aren't any jungles on Rephidim… "

"Oh, I meant jungles on Ai and Ur," Aaron explains. "Most of the herbs, spices and medicines I stock here have to be gathered from wild plants, and I did the collecting for my uncle before I inherited the shop. Although, I still have to go out now and then to keep up the stocks."

The look of annoyance and sarcasm melts from Anisa's face, and a look of interest replaces it. "Really? Wow!" She rests her chin in her paws. "I've always dreamed of getting off of here one day. My big brother Gibson is an adventurer, and sends me stuff from all over!" She sits back up. "What's it like down there? I've never been to the surface."

Aaron smiles at the sudden change of attitude. "Oh, it's beautiful in the wilderness, even if it is a dangerous sort of beauty. Even the Himaat desert has its charms, despite the poisons and monsters. My last expedition passed through it, and I saw some things I can hardly believe! I was able to bring a few souvenirs back though, before I went south into Xenea. I was half tempted to visit that Savanite city, but … well, I'm not much of a city person, let's say… "

Anisa's eyes shine with wonder as she listens to the other rabbit. "Wow, that's Amazing!" A wistful look comes to her face. "I wish I could go to the Savanite Lands; I hear they're all savage!" She leans back in her chair, looking out at the fading light with a sigh. "But I'm just stuck at the Tavern for now."

Aaron smiles, "Well, surely you must get lots of travelers there at least? Most far places are only romantic from a distance, although there are some exceptions."

The white Lapi crosses her arms with a grimace. "We just get the local rabble,mostly. A bunch of gawkers and loudmouths, and it doesn't help that I have to act all civil towards them." She dips her finger back into one of the spices again, taking another taste absentmindedly. "One day I'm going to join up with my brother and actually do something for once."

"What does your brother do in his travels?" Aaron asks, leaning forward a bit.

"Well, he… " Anisa stops, and looks to the ceiling in puzzled thought. "Umm, to be honest, I'm not sure exactly what it is he does… " She shrugs. "But anything's better than here!"

Aaron grins. "Well, have you seen all that Rephidim has to offer already? And I don't mean just the city."

The white rabbit takes a sip of her tea, "I've seen enough. The most I do is go out with my friends, since that's all there is to do around here."

Sweeping his black ear back out of his face, Aaron asks, "Really? Have you been on a twilight carriage ride out among the manors and estates? Have you seen the fortress of the Knights Templar, or the Procession at midnight from the center of the island, where the air is so clear it seems that there's nothing between you and the stars? Or maybe an illicit tour of the Old City, with all its mysteries? Maybe a night in a hotel Underside?"

Anisa blinks at the black and white Lapi, "Well… no." She hesitates, then Shrugs. "I didn't even know Underside had a hotel." She grimaces. "But if it's on Rephidim, I don't know how great it could be."

Aaron leans back and chuckles, "And you never wonder why so many tourists visit Rephidim? If you really want a taste of the surface, I'll let you know the next time I'm going downside for a day-trip and you can come along if you like."

Anisa blinks hesitantly, "W-well, okay… but only if I can get time off. I'm the only barmaid at the Tavern, and I know Daddy likes to keep me around for 'atmosphere'… " She says the last word with a bit of a grumble.

Grinning, Aaron whispers conspiratorially, "Well, I can suggest it to your mother then. Fathers are never able to let go of their little angels, after all."

The door once again begins to budge, heralding the arrival of a new shopper. The door opens slightly and the head of a white-furred child-like creature can be seen peeking in from outside.

The white Lapi's ears turn crimson, and she looks out the window in embarrassment. "Well, if you want to… that is… " She notices the setting sun, "Oh no! I'm late!" The rabbit bounds up out of her chair, and plops down a few coins to Aaron. "Thanks for your time, but I gotta run! Andrea'll be furious that I kept her and Denise waiting!"

Aaron stands up quickly, nearly knocking over his chair. "Oh, it was my pleasure, Anisa! I'll drop by to take care of your mother's order later this evening." He then turns and smiles to the new arrival. "Welcome to Lightfoot's Apothecary, little girl… Oh, beg pardon! You're an Aelfin, aren't you?"

Backing away with a smile, Anisa nods, talking a mile a minute. "No, thank you! And if you ever get hungry or anything, make sure you stop- oof!" She backs up over the small Aelfin, and tumbles to the ground.

The white furred 'little girl' tilts her head slightly when she is addressed. The Aelfin lowers her head slightly as if considering if she should enter or not, right before the white Lapi barrels over her. With a high pitched squeal the Aelfin falls on her bottom, causing her staff to tumble from her hands to the ground below.

Aaron's ears shoot up, and he rushes over to help the two ladies back to their feet!

"Ow!" protests Anisa. "Hey! Why don't you look where you're going, short stuff?!"

Aaron retrieves the dropped staff, and returns it to the Aelfin, wincing internally at Anisa's remarks.

A sniffle can be heard from the Aelfin from where she landed on the ground. Sitting, she hardly stands taller than the average knee, and may be easily missed by other oncoming traffic. Upon hearing the words of the white Lapi, the girl lowers both her head and her ears. "It was not my intent to obstruct thy way, ma'am," she answers in a rather high voice.

The white rabbit gets back to her feet, and brushes off her trousers, her face softening a bit. "Well, okay… I'm sorry too then." Her ears twitch as she remembers the time once again. "I gotta go! It was nice meeting you, Aaron! Don't let my mom talk your ears off!" With that, the snow white bunny rabbit runs out the doors, and bolts down the street, looking as though she were some sort of freed slave.

Aaron sighs slightly, then bows to the Aelfin and says, "Please forgive my friend, Lady, for she has the exuberance of youth, and the wisdom to match."

Yet another shopper appears at the doorway: a gray fox dressed in a black cloak, from which a number of tails can be seen poking out from the back. He stops at the doorway, mildly surprised to find it blocked. "Uh, are you open?" he asks.

The Lapi stands up straight again to answer the newest new arrival, "Why yes, dear Mage, welcome to Lightfoot's Apothecary. As I've only recently returned from abroad, forgive me for asking if this is your first visit?"

The Kitsune nods. "Yeah, this is my first visit. I didn't really know about this place until someone in the Bazaar recommended to me."

The little Aelfin locates her staff and scoots over to it, taking it in hand and using it to help herself up. In response to Aaron's comment, the Aelfin smiles slightly and returns his bow with a slight curtsey. "It is no bother. Many a time I have encountered such that would overlook my being. 'Tis a fault of my stature I would suppose," she tells the shopkeeper before glancing over at the one addressed as a mage.

"Well anyway," Francisco continues, "they suggested that you might be able to help me with a particular item I'm looking for?"

Turning from the newcomer, the Aelfin reaches over and tugs on the Lapi's arm. "Excuse me, shopkeeper? I come seeking arcane supplies. Would thou assist me in my endeavor?" she asks him with wide blue eyes.

Aaron looks between the two customers, and says, "I can certainly try to satisfy both of your needs. Why don't you have a seat and tell me what you need?"

The little mage inclines her head respectfully to the shopkeeper. "Thy assistance is most appreciated," she thanks him. Glancing again to where the shopkeeper was seated, the Aelfin begins on her way to the table, dusting the remaining dirt from her robes as she walks. Of interest to the taller mage would be the color of her robes, for they are of green: a traditional color of a water mage.

The Kitsune looks around for a seat, and sits also. He looks towards the Aelfin. "After you," he offers.

The Lapi picks up a form from the box below the Jobs Board, and offers it to Francisco. "You might want to fill this out, if you'd like to list your services here on the Jobs Board." He isn't quite sure what to make of the Aelfin yet.

The door to the shop opens again… and this time, an eye-stinging, acidic odor enters with the patron the door admits. An ivory Naga pours through the doorway, wrapped in a thick, white mantle. A black, bowl-shaped hat shades his face, along with a round pair of smoked glasses covering his eyes. A starkly black symbol is emblazoned on the chest and back of the snake's garment.

The black robed fox takes the form, and looks over it thoughtfully.

The Aelfin takes a seat at the table. Barely does her chest extend above the top of the table, given her height. She smiles over at the other mage and twitches her ears slightly, looking much more happy now that she is seated. "Thou doest practice the art?" she asks the Kitsune, before turning her attention to the Lapi and asking him a question as well. "Ye speak of jobs? Wouldst that imply a manner of gaining one? I have been charged to find a quest to further my studies, and need travel to yonder land below."

Francisco looks over, and down, at the Aelfin. Nodding, he replies, "After a fashion," with a slight grin.

Aaron's ears droop as the odor hits him, but he maintains his smile to the Aelfin. "So you're also a Mage then? Well, you can fill out one of these forms, and post your availability on the Jobs Board here, or see if there's one available that you might fill." Behind him, Jasmine begins lighting incense tapers to counter the aroma coming off of the Naga.

The Kitsune wrinkles his nose up a little too.

The stench of formaldehyde follows the Naga right up to the counter. "Where is the proprietor?" hisses the reptile, keeping his gaze level.

While the seated mages chat, Aaron takes a step closer to the pale Naga."Greetings, Mage. Are you by any chance looking for some thistlebark? I have just brought in a fresh supply. I am Aaron Lightfoot, your humble proprietor."

The small head of the Aelfin nods to the Kitsune before a tiny arm is lifted to point at the multi-tailed fox. "What be thy species? In my studies I have not encountered such a creature as thee," she asks him. Again she turns to the shopkeeper and again she nods. "I would like that, ye… " The Aelfin begins to speak but seems distracted by the smell in the form of a few coughs, though she continues once she is free of them, "… I would like that, yes." Another turn of the head and the Aelfin spies the sight of the Naga, and summarily attempts to make herself less noticeable.

"Excellent. No, I am merely in need of supplies expended during my last job on this… altogether-too-bright floating rock." A pair of arms emerge from the Naga's mantle to place themselves on the counter… followed by another pair… and another. Perhaps 'Naga' isn't the right word.

Jasmine comes around with a cushion for the Aelfin, to bring her up a little higher, and brings her a form as well. A fragrant taper is also left burning on the table.

Aaron smiles a little wider, and takes a half-step back from the counter. "Certainly, sir… or madam… what supplies would you be needing?"

Shrugging a little, Francisco says, "I guess they've still not put my entry in the big Encyclopaedia yet. I'm a Kitsune. The name's Francisco. As in… "

Francisco casts another quick glance at Qing, and shivers slightly. "… San," he finishes.

Aaron calls over the Naga's shoulders, "I'll be right with you, Mage Azinsan!"

A bright smile greets Jasmine for her help once the Aelfin has climbed up upon the cushion. "Ye are very kind, ma'am. I thank ye," she thanks the woman. The distraction of this help manages to keep the Aelfin from spotting the extra arms of the 'Naga', and her attention is once again moved to the table and the forms placed there. "Kitsune ye say? Nay, I have never encountered any of such a race. Ye may not know of my race, for I am an Aelfin. My people do not frequent Rephidim – or so I have been informed," she tells the Kitsune as she writes upon the form.

The white Rokuga (Ah, that's the term) nods. "I'll require six pints of blood from any sentient … two pounds of Nohbakim bones, properly prepared. Some chalk … and you must be sure it's absolutely wh-… " He stops abruptly, and his head turns suddenly to look at nothing. The Rokuga pauses there, for a moment, and his head slowly and smoothly begins rotating on its long, serpentine neck.

Keeping his eyes away from looking at the Naga, the fox nods. "I doubt you would have. As far as I know, I'm the only one around," he replies, with something between pride and dismay.

Aaron looks a bit queasy at the list so far, but asks, "Would that be liquid or powdered Karnoran? And do you need it from a healthy donor, a deceased one, or an executed one?"

"Exile," mentions the Aelfin as she peers at a line of text she doesn't seem to understand. "Wouldst that be thy status? I am of the knowledge to understand that is the term for such single, and singular, entities." The Aelfin seems to figure out what she needs to do and scribbles something down, before continuing to fill out the form. Oddly, she never does look up from the form, even when spoken to. It's almost as if she is trying to hide in the open.

"Fresh, if possible… Its potency can be preserved if mixed with grave soil." The Rokuga still hasn't looked back at Aaron, but he's taken to looking around over the tops of his smoked glasses. Crimson peeks over black.

"Status?" Francisco repeats. "Uh, if that's on the form and you don't know what to put, I guess 'single' would work."

The rabbit seems to shrink a bit at the 'fresh' requirement. "And the Nohbakim Bones – do you refer to the Rainbow Water Cleansing Ritual, or a different one?"

"That ritual won't be necessary," hisses the reptilian mage. He draws a crystal lens from one of his pockets, and places it in front of one ruby eye, draping something filmy over it as he does so, with one of his many arms. "Just so long as they're ground to the consistency of coarse sand." He continues to speak, but it's in no intelligible language.

Those four white ears quirk back slightly and the Aelfin peeks up at the Kitsune. "Do forgive me; I fear I have not full mastered Rephidim Standard as of yet. I meant to ask of your status within Rephidim, which does not apply to the given forms," she explains to him before quickly looking back to the form. Little fingers guide the quill pen and the form begins to near completion.

Aaron clears his throat, unnerved by the Spirit Mage's actions. "You also mentioned chalk?"

"Status? Oh, mine? Uh, well, yes – Exile, as you mentioned, but a citizen and member of the Collegia Esoterica. Is that what you mean?" the fox replies, as his eyes wander over to glance at the Naga again, feeling the fur on the back of his neck prick up.

The Aelfin pauses all at once, the quill pen stopping halfway through a word. Her left set of ears wiggle slightly, followed by the same performance from her right set. After a moment she slowly begins to turn around to peer directly at the reptile across the room from her.

"Aldrasth… ss'ralth… moradth… korkahn… " The Rokuga has taken to droning in a flat tone of voice, slowly swiveling in place and peering through the lens. Milky-blue ribbons, barely visible, move across the surface of the eyepiece. He doesn't reply to Aaron yet.

Jasmine has vanished into the back of the shop, where the vibes are less creepy and the air a bit fresher.

The white mage's eyepiece sweeps slowly over each patron in turn. It passes over the Lapi, the Aelfin … and stops on the multi-tailed Exile. "Hmm."

Francisco looks right back at the Naga with narrowed eyes. "If you don't mind, I don't really care for the way you're looking at me," he says to Qing.

The Aelfin follows the reptile mage's gaze to the Exile sitting across from her. "I believe yonder Naga is looking at ye," she informs the Kitsune, mentioning something that is likely obvious to the man. "Do ye know that one?" she then asks, frowning at the Exile's tone.

Aaron takes a moment to slip a dart into his blowgun while the Naga is preoccupied, then hides it back under his vest.

"I don't mind at all," murmurs the witchdoctor. He continues to peer through the eyepiece, and begins his muttering anew. The words are different, but the gist is the same: Gibberish.

"Well, I happen to mind," the fox shoots back.

The Rokuga finds a natural pausing point in his mutterings to hiss, "That's of no concern to me." He segues smoothly back into his droning.

Aaron takes a deep breath … gags on the smell and thinks better of it … then says, "Sir, I can't have you annoying the other customers, even if you aren't singing."

The Aelfin tracks the conversation back and forth with her head, stopping when the reptile begins to chant again. Facing the reptile mage, she asks, "Wouldst ye explain thy art upon this place? Thy interest is of such that I feel inclined to infer as to your superior skill."

Francisco gets up from his seat. "I must insist that you stop," he says, trying to keep a calm tone to his voice.

The Rokuga's muttering continues on, until finally he reaches one last word, and claps each set of hands together, in a stage from the bottom, to the middle, to the top. "The incantation is complete. There is a spiritual disturbance here, and it is in my interest to discover the nature of it."

The Kitsune hrmphs. "There'll be more than just a spiritual disturbance here in a moment," he warns.

"The nature of it," Aaron says, "is that you're disturbing our spirits with that Evil Eye bit… "

The spirit mage is still, for a while, as if pondering something going on only in his head. "By the Coils of the Great Serpent… " he whispers to himself. He pushes his glasses up again, concealing his red eyes, and leans toward Aaron to whisper something.

The gray fox tilts his head, trying subtly to overhear.

Aaron, luckily, doesn't need to lean in at all to hear the whisper…

The Aelfin scoots off her cushion and climbs to the floor with her form in hand. While walking over to the counter she keeps her eyes locked on the six-armed reptile as she studies him. "Then I assume ye art be of the spirit?" asks the little Aelfin as she walks. By the way the little one just stares at the reptile, and the fact she actually nears him now, one might infer that she has moved from fear to curiosity.

Qing glances down quizzically at the Aelfin in his hurried whisperings … but seems to be too much in a rush to answer. He's quite clearly agitated, though it doesn't seem to be at the Aelfin.

The Lapi's ears droop a bit, and he leans forward and whispers back while trying to hold his breath at the same time…

Qing's face tightens, and he whispers something tersely before straightening again.

Francisco looks at Aaron. "Perhaps I should take my business elsewhere?" he wonders.

Aaron stands up straight. "Oh no, Mage Azinsan, just a small misunderstanding! I'll be right with you!" He then motions the Rokuga around the counter. "I think what you need is here in the back of the shop… "

Qing, without saying anything more, merely dives behind the counter!

Francisco fires Qing off a look, then nods back to the Lapi.

A howling noise cuts through the air, and a sudden burst of wind blasts the front door open!

The little Aelfin blinks once, ears shooting up like quad radar. Noticing the movement of Qing, she throws herself to the floor as fast as she can manage, her staff hitting a shelf and causing a few items to fall around next to her.

Aaron dives down behind the counter himself, then pokes his head up over it to see what's happening.

The wind wails like a banshee, as it whips through the room, knocking posts from the board and sending loose papers flying.

The reptilian mage doesn't resurface. "Get down, shopkeeper!" he hisses. He slithers, even as his arms scrabble about to scuttle him toward the back area of the shop – like some grotesque combination of snake and crab.

Pots and vials begin to fly off the shelves, spinning about the room as if thrown by some unseen spirit having a tantrum!

Aaron cowers down behind the counter again, and calls out, "What's going on!? Is everyone okay?! There's no angry poodle out there, is there?"

"It's the manifestation from that Nohbakim, idiot!" shouts the spirit mage. "Get whomever you can, and get away from it!"

Francisco stands right where he is, his cloak whipping around in the gale, seemingly oblivious to the wind and the flying objects. His eyes fixate on where the Naga is concealing itself.

The little Aelfin mage clutches her hands over her head as she shivers against the ground. Various items repeatedly knock into her, causing her to whimper under their assault. "Sir Mage! Wouldst thou be the cause of such chaos? If be nay, wouldst thou act to cease it?" can be heard from the Aelfin as she does her best to call his help while being buried under her arms for protection.

Aaron grumbles about spirits and Nohbakim, and crawls towards a shelf with a large sack on the bottom tier.

*crash* *shatter* Various containers smash into walls and furniture … but not a one of them touches the Kitsune.

Francisco glances at the Aelfin, and blinks. "Did you hear me cast any spell? Perhaps you should ask him over there," he says, nodding his head to where Qing is.

Hoping that it's enough indication that he's crawling across broken glass, the white Rokuga doesn't reply to the Aelfin, instead crawling further back into the shop. With a curse, a white stream slips around the corner, and through an exit into an alley.

Aaron reaches the sack, and pulls out a handful of wood-chips. After muttering, "If this works, I'll never complain about getting thistlebark through Nagai customs again," he stands and throws the chips into the maelstrom … then ducks back down and covers his head with his hands.

*smash* A couple of bottled elixirs smash against the back door.

A bottle containing an eye of … something … lands directly in front of the Aelfin. Given that it's landing near her head, the little one peeks out at it. A shrill scream follows and the Aelfin quickly covers her head under her hands again.

The chips fall from the air, clattering to the floor. And so does everything else that was airborne. The winds abruptly come to a stop, and the howling ceases. The front door swings shut of its own accord.

Silence.

"I'm not cleaning this up!" comes a shrill, frightened Skeek voice from the back of the shop.

The Kitsune watches the Rokuga leave, and relaxes a little – not that he looked that tense during that whole episode. At the scream, he perks an ear andlooks around at the Aelfin questioningly.

Aaron finally stands and surveys the damage, with a forlorn look on his face. That is, the half of his face not covered by a his big black lop-ear.

"I'm going to file a complaint against that spirit mage," the Lapi grumbles. "Conjuring up a poltergeist like that… "

Francisco blinks at something, and nods to the Aelfin. "You could say that," he replies.

A delicate hand reaches from atop the Aelfin's head and quickly pushes the disturbing bottle of eye away from the cowering girl. After a few more seconds have passed, the Aelfin lifts her head slightly to survey the room. A relieved sigh escapes the little creature and she, for the second time today, pushes herself off the ground with her staff. Once up, the Aelfin searches around for her staff, and scoops that up as well. "By the Mother's Arm's, wouldst someone explain what occurred here?" she turns to ask the Shopkeeper.

The fox looks over towards Aaron. "I'll also be filing a complaint against him – I'm sure the Collegia would be interested to hear about such actions. Uh, do you have his name, though?" he asks the Lapi.

Aaron blinks at the Kitsune. "I thought you knew him?"

Shaking his head, the gray fox replies, "No. I've never seen him before today."

"Well," Aaron says, "He can't be too hard to track down, if he came to Rephidim to do a big job. I'll ask at the Temple."

"Then the Collegia should surely be able to track him down also," Francisco notes. "Anyway, I'd still like to know if you have the item I'm trying to find. Shiga skin? The colorful, the better?"

After taking a quick inventory of the mess, Jasmine climbs onto the countertop and says, "Everybody turn out your pockets – One of the Eep eyes is missing."

As the others speak, the little Aelfin reaches up to place the form she filled out upon the rather dirty counter. Paper placed where it is certain to be seen, she reaches over to smooth the swirl that is her mane of hair, and turns to walk off toward the door. "Such a fascinating land is this Rephidim," she declares to herself, her ears twitching to cast off the spices that have covered them.