The buzz about the room indicates that, yet again, Lord Titus haut Mikide is having to sell off large portions of his estate. Presently, that includes a large number of curios and works of art. A few additional items not part of the estate are to be auctioned as well.

During a break in the sale of knick-knacks (expensive knick-knacks, but knick-knacks nonetheless), some different items are going up on the block.

In particular, one of these items is a vulpine who looks as if he's been through quite a few scrapes. He's shackled and manacled, placed at one end of the stage.

Jarik strains at the constraints. o O { They think they can make me a slave? Impossible. }

Jynx sits in one of the chairs, arms crossed and an angry expression on his face. He turns to an older gray tabby Khatta, "Why'd you drag me here, Dad?"

A grizzly-looking lupine barks, "… and next we have a slightly used male vulpine, strong and scrapping, perfect for hard labor or just to impress the neighbors. He also is trained in the use of medicines… "

The older gray Khatta looks to Jynx, and says, "Some day, when you take over the family business," his ear flicks at the notion, "you'll have to be ready to know a bargain when you see it."

A raccoon in scholar's attire sits quietly near the front, a pad of paper rests in his lap.

The wolf looks about the crowd, seeing not all that much interest, then adds, "He also happens to be an EXILE, from a distant world! Certification from the Temple is available as proof." This prompts several "ooos" and "ahhhs". "Starting bid, three silvers."

Jynx just sighs, keeping his eyes fixed on the stage and tail twitching angrily.

Wearing her brand-new uniform, Envoy works her way down one of the lower deck aisles, quietly hawking her Temple Scout Cookies to those in the aisle seats. A rather large green-black Zelak follows behind her, carrying some boxes of cookies and wearing an incongruous Temple Scout beret on one antennae. She looks up towards the stage at the mention of 'Exile'.

Attracted by the crowd entering the building after a day's work of odd jobs, and curious more about what this culture considers 'art' than anything else, another fox edges his way through the crowd at the back of the house, but doesn't press too much further into the crowd. He doesn't like them. While clothed in a simple belted tunic, he carries himself with pride, looking like just another merchant.

A golden vixen raises her hand. "Three silvers!" she squeals. *BING*

"We have three silvers," the lupine auctioneer barks. "Do I hear four?"

The Rath'ani's ears perk at the mention of an exile. He takes up his pad and begins sketching something.

Zephyr, where he's been trying to peer above the crowd, freezes at the mention of the word 'exile'. o O { What?! }

Jarik snarls at the wolf, "I am a knight, not a slave. I will NEVER be a slave, death first!"

Another wolf helpfully comes out on the stage … and puts a muzzle over Jarik's mouth, strapping it in place.

Zephyr's ears perk, and his tail lashes furiously – unfortunately for a short otter behind him, who's repeatedly puffed across the nose with it. "Sir, your tail!" "Shh… " o O { Jarik?! }

The Rath'ani winces at the rough treatment of the fox, then shakily raises a hand. "Four!" he calls out.

Jarik fights the muzzling. The 'helpful' wolf gets a few bites for his trouble…

Jynx looks over at Dominic, "Well, you haven't bought anything so far, so where are all these 'good bargains'?"

The helpful wolf smiles and waves at the crowd … "accidentally" whopping Jarik a few times as he does so. He walks away, grumbling.

Dominic hisses, "I'm not going to blow all my money on the garbage. There are some rare items coming up… "

Envoy stops selling cookies to head closer to the stage.

Zephyr, ears back now, fights his way forward through the crowd, trying to get Jarik to notice him. o O { I don't have any silvers! }

"I hear four!" the auctioneer says, momentarily distracted by the antics to one side. "Do I hear five silvers?"

Jarik snarls as best he can and glares at the lupine…

Jynx. o O ( I'd rather be fighting with Gnarr than be here… )

The raccoon scholar begins sketching on his pad again. He keeps his ears perked for any higher bids.

A fancy poodle wearing quite a bit of jewelry calls out "Five" casually.

The auctioneer says, "I hear five! Five silver shekels! Six? Do I hear six?"

Envoy has some trouble getting through the crowd standing in what might have been an orchestra pit at some time, until people start to notice Bem and make some room.

The golden vixen looks a bit reluctant, then looks back to Jarik, and raises her hand, waving about. "Six!"

A large green Naga appears the back of one of the upper galleries, with two Savanites in two, surveying the lower balconies and the wares offered on the block.

With a sigh, the raccoon checks in his moneypouch.

Bassai says, "At least we found someplace to stand, and nothing of significance is being sold now."

Envoy gets to the foot of the stage and waves, "Hey, Jarik!!" The hand she's waving is still holding a box of cookies.

In a gallery not far from the Naga, a Khatta in white armor and a magenta cloak reclines, looking somewhat bored at the present proceedings.

Jarik looks out over the crowd. o O { Let them try to enslave me. Just let them try… } He blinks and looks down. o O { Envoy? }

"Seven? Do I hear seven silver shekels?"

"Seven!" the raccoon calls out again, waving a pad of paper with his half finished sketch of Jarik upon it.

A black digitigrade hindpaw catches on someone's chair as the other fox tries to move forward, resulting in a dropped purse and some mumbling about predators. Zephyr's too distracted to notice. o O { That sounded like … Envoy? } "Envoy?" he calls.

Envoy hmms, figuring Jarik can't talk with the muzzle, so she says to the auctioneer, "You can't sell Jarik! Besides, his sword alone is worth more than seven silvers."

Envoy looks around for the voice calling her name.

The golden vixen looks disappointed. She looks to Envoy, then to Jarik, then just sits down, crossing her arms.

"Seven! I hear seven! Do I hear eight?"

Bassai takes an idle moment to look around for anyone he recognizes, and the Champion of Roses who is here somewhere. He notices the Khatta in the armour and cloak, and asks the Savanite with him and Tekki, "Is that her there?"

Jynx's ears perk at the name. o O (Envoy's here?)

Ibis nods in reply to Bassai's question.

Zephyr winces. o O { Naive as ever, that's her alright. Don't get in trouble, please… } "Jarik!" he calls, then "Envoy, over here!" again.

Envoy gesticulates a bit more energetically now, using her wings even, to get the auctioneer's attention.

"Going once!"

Jynx looks to Dominic, "So how 'bout it Dad, think he'd be a good chew toy for Gnarr?" The cat grins mischievously.

"EIGHT! Eight silver shekels by the Temple … er … Scout… "

Zephyr stops and tries to see who the bidder is. o O { Who's buying him? Hope it's not one of those lords or something. }

"Do I hear nine silver shekels?"

Bassai looks at the commotion below, thinking, { Great serpent, its that crazy Aeonian again, } then slithering closer to the Champion of Roses.

Dominic growls, "Not at nine silver shekels, son."

Envoy doesn't realize she's placed a bid, with half of her attention trying to find the source of the familiar voice…

Zephyr, familiar with auctions, is careful not to jump to see what's going on. o O { Who's bidding for him? }

The Champion of Roses doesn't notice Bassai's approach, though she's accompanied by three other armored felines (one Khatta, two Kattha), who incline their heads at his arrival.

Jarik strains against the shackles, drops of blood dripping from wounds caused by the bands cutting into his wrists. He growls in a low tone. His eyes and ears scan over the crowds. { Okay, Envoy is here … and … Zephyr? }

Envoy tries asking the wolf to remove the muzzle so she can talk to Jarik.

The wolf ignores Envoy's request.

Envoy explains, "You can't have him bound like that, it only makes him angry. You wouldn't want him to start killing people, would you?"

The wolf raises an eyebrow, but still doesn't respond to Envoy.

Envoy says, "He's very good at that, you see. I saw him slay dozens of demonic imps once."

Bassai nods his head in return and stands at an available distance, recognizing there is no need or desire for social pleasantries at this time. He instead checks Tekki and Ibis, then observes the auction.

The fox is six feet tall, but is having trouble getting around a portly raccoon who's standing on his chair to see better … and who has bodyguards, apparently. "I'm not bothering you, I'm just … excuse me?" He growls and ducks, moving sideways instead. o O { What's she doing? }

Ibis rubs at his wrists, looking on.

A cobra Naga pops up, hissing, "NINE!" He's dressed fairly flamboyantly, as far as Nagas go, adorned in spotted furs.

Envoy adds, "And he didn't even use his magic then," to her plea to the wolf guard.

Zephyr manages to get closer to the stage … close enough to see the latest bidder. o O { A snake? }

"Nine to Hinar the Furrier! Do I hear ten?"

Jynx hmms. o O ( Interesting use for a slave… )

Envoy briefly considers the possibility of bidding money she doesn't have…

Bassai hisses, "A rather gaudy and inappropriate way to remember a slave," to himself, observing the crowd.

The auctioneer says, "Nine silver shekels. Going once … "

The muzzle stretches tight against Jarik's straining jaw.

A Zerda hops up, barking, "TEN silver shekels!"

Envoy calls out, "Eleven!" in a different voice… that seems to come from somewhere to her left.

"TEN silver shekels to Ab'duhl the Gooshurm Mast – ELEVEN! Eleven shekels to the golden vixen in the front row… "

Zephyr eyes a merchant's coin pouch for a moment, then glances around for guards. o O { Hm… }

The golden vixen next to Envoy puts her hand to her throat, as her ears flush pink.

Envoy thinks, o O { Gooshurm Master? Oh dear, I can't let him get Jarik. }

"… do I hear twelve? Aha! I see TWELVE from Ab'duhl the Gooshurm Master… "

Jarik leans back, letting the constraints slacken, then he surges forward, hard. o O { Come on! Break! }

Zephyr tries as best he can to get Jarik's attention without being mistaken for a bid. o O { What's a Gooshurm? }

Envoy looks around, trying to find another likely proxy…

Jynx stifles a wide yawn, over an hour now and Dominic hasn't bid on anything.

A couple of bats stand near Envoy, looking a bit bored at the proceedings.

Envoy spots Bassai, but he's too far away for her project… and the Eeee might realize what she's doing if she tried it again.

Dominic elbows Jynx to prompt him to wakefulness again.

"Going once!"

Jynx oofs, and makes a quick glare at his father, then back at the stage.

The "furrier" snake looks balefully in the Zerda's direction, his tongue flicking angrily.

Envoy frets, and calls out, "Twenty!" loudly … and much more quietly adds, "boxes of cookies."

Bassai waves indulgingly at Envoy from the upper balcony with a casual disinterested look.

Envoy figures only the Eeee would hear the addition.

Both of the bats look at Envoy, then chatter amongst themselves.

"TWENTY silver … do I hear twenty-one?"

Envoy waves back to Bassai, wondering if the Naga would loan her some shekels … he seems wealthy enough.

Jarik's eyes focus in on Zephyr. { Don't get involved, Zephyr. They'll learn how hard a fox is to imprison… }

The gaudy poodle looks up surprised at the sudden upward swing in price, then goes back to fluffing her curls.

"Going once!"

Bassai has turned his attention to the Savanites beside him for the moment, "I much prefer silent auctions," he hisses to them.

"Going twice!"

"Twenty one!" comes the voice from somewhere in the middle of a mob of people.

Zephyr looks around. o O { Who? }

Jynx arches a brow, and looks for the bidder.

The wolf gives a weary look in the direction of the voice. "And do I hear twenty two?"

Envoy blinks, and scans the crowd again … but she's not exactly tall, and doesn't think climbing up on Bem would be proper.

Off the stage, some servants begin moving some large square, flat objects: framed paintings.

"Going once!"

Envoy looks back up to the balcony, and signs towards the Naga and Savanites, "He is my friend, can you help me?"

The bats continue chattering amongst themselves, casting suspicious glances in Envoy's direction.

"Going twice!"

Zephyr stretches up, trying to see. He hadn't had his ears focused on the bidder. { Who is it?! }

"Third and FINAL time!"

Bassai refrains from signing a reply, in case it is interpreted as a bid.

Zephyr moves towards where the voice came from anyway. o O { Please don't let there be bodyguards. Want to get him free … nice and easy after this… }

"SOLD!"

Envoy notices the glances from the Eeee, and wonders if a few boxes of beetle cookies would mollify them…

Envoy blinks and turns back to the Auctioneer. She didn't know there were only three chances to top a bid!

Jarik's muscles tense and he prepares a plan for escape. o O { Just remove the constraints, wolf. Come on… }

A Rath'ani with a sketchpad tucked under his arm quickly exits the room, a relieved expression on his face.

Jarik thinks. o O { Someone thinks they own me? Hah! }

The "helpful wolf" comes back, joined by a couple of Savanite slaves, walking toward Jarik.

Envoy frowns and looks around, trying to find the successful bidder… and anyone that looks like a certain fox.

Meanwhile, some other Savanites move the paintings into position, set up on a table so they can be viewed … at least by those with spyscopes or from the front row or so.

The wolf and the Savanite slaves lead Jarik slowly off to the side of the stage.

Bassai says, "Can you recognize them from this distance, Ibis?"

Zephyr eyes the wolf moving towards Jarik. { If I do anything, Wyn will suffer … so I can't do anything right now. At least not in the open. As soon as he gets out of here, though… }

Envoy starts moving towards the side Jarik is led off to.

Jynx hmms, well, that's one less canid to worry about. "I hope you plan on a least buying one of those paintings, so we can get out of here."

Ibis squints, then signs, "It is difficult, sir, but I believe those are Ikata originals."

Jarik extends his claws, ready to move if they remove the shackles…

Zephyr moves quickly after Envoy, trying to catch up with her and follow Jarik.

The poodle with large amounts of jewelry look over the paintings, a bit bored with the fox on the stage.

Dominic says, "Next up are some paintings by the renowned, if raving mad, artist, Kame Ikata. Some of his pre-Loony period."

Bassai says, "If you aren't sure, we should move closer, I don't wish to accidentally miss the piece because of the distance."

Envoy tries talking to the wolf again, "Hello, could you tell me who bought this fox?"

Ibis nods. "As you wish." He heads to the back of the gallery, toward the stairway access.

Bassai accompanies Ibis to a better position on the ground floor.

The wolf gives Envoy an annoyed look, "Please, madame! Bidding for the slave is over."

Envoy says, "Well, can you ungag Jarik then?"

Jynx arches a brow, "Ikata? Not that wacko again. His stuff is weird, Dad."

The wolf, in a louder voice, announces, "Now, back to items from the Titus haut Mikide estate. We have several RARE paintings by Kame Ikata – yes, originals! – from the Pre-Disturbance and his Early-Post-Disturbance periods."

Bassai checks for Tekki's presence once he is closer.

Zephyr listens carefully as Envoy asks, but only moves up on the other side as if he's trying to get a better view of the paintings. His ears, however, focus on where Jarik was led off, as he strains to pick up anything said beyond that point.

Tekki is right behind Bassai, not daring to chance getting separated in this crowd.

Jarik almost grins at Envoy's request.

Bassai focuses only on the paintings, trying to spot the differences between the pre- and post-madness ones.

The fox is ushered off the stage and out of sight. The "helpful wolf" soon returns.

The jeweled poodle moves closer to the paintings as well, but hardly with interest.

The most evident difference would be that the "pre-madness" paintings actually look visually appealing – mostly landscapes, though a few still lifes and even fewer portraits. The post-madness paintings … are "subject-indistinguishable" for the most part.

Jynx says, "I don't think Mom would like you putting that stuff all over the house. It'll warp Eve."

Envoy looks for some way backstage…

Bassai hisses, "Hopefully the less appealing ones won't fetch a high price," to no one in particular.

It is for the earlier work that Kame Ikata is known best, and valued. The latter work … sells only for name recognition value. Or, that is, if you have a mind to hang it in the guest room when you have relatives over that have overextended their welcome.

Dominic says, "Hush!"

Jynx rrrs under his breath.

A landscape painting goes up for bidding – At first glance, it looks fairly surreal, and might suggest one of his later works, for those not in the know, but one might just consider it "fantasy landscape". It depicts a land with red, rocky soil, dominated by extremely tall and narrow needles of rock that thrust upward into the sky … a sky which looks as if it flows like emerald-green water. "Wyrms in Flight in Shabar," the wolf auctioneer says. "Starting bid, 1 gold coin!"

Dominic raises his hand and is recognized by the auctioneer.

The auctioneer nods and barks, "We have one gold coin from Dominic Kurai!"

Zephyr studies the stage, planning. o O { Wonder if they have catwalks up there? }

Jynx grimaces, "That's a bit steep… "

The bidding progresses furiously. Dominic doesn't bid beyond his opening bid, and nods to his son. "Yes. But it would have been a bargain at one gold coin." The piece ends up going for ten gold coins, perhaps a bargain in some circles, but steep by most.

The other paintings go at similar prices – that is, those which are from Kame Ikata's "pre-stark-raving-mad" phase. A bemused-looking peacock seems to be buying a good portion of the pieces.

Jynx grins knowingly. He could probably get one of those things for free.

Failing to find a way backstage, Envoy turns back to the crowds and spots Zephyr.

Zephyr pads quietly up beside Envoy, seemingly absorbed in the auction, but whispering almost unnoticeably to her every time the auctioneer speaks out. "Who bought him, did you see?"

"And … at last we have the last works from the … er … Pre-Disturbance period, painted on site at a First Ones site in lands distant. Very rare!"

Envoy shakes her head, frowning, while the Zelak watches Zephyr with an air of suspicion.

Bassai looks up and focuses on this painting.

Envoy asks Zephyr, "Did you escape the Temple, or did they release you?"

"We start the bidding on this piece at … one silver coin." It's a picture of a stone room filled with veins of glowing crystals that seem to traverse its surfaces randomly.

This time, there are no hands that shoot up immediately.

Bassai waits, to see what the response will be.

Dominic looks thoughtful … starts to raise his hand, then lowers it, shaking his head.

Jynx grins, "Thinking of getting that for Eve's room, Dad?"

Zephyr continues idly moving his muzzle, as if he's reciting something to himself. A list, perhaps, or a budget. He lifts a paw and counts on his fingers, then nods, satisfied. The next time the auctioneer speaks, he whispers again. "Release. Kind of. I'll explain later, and I want to hear how you're even existing. But Jarik's in trouble, I think. We need to find who bought him."

Dominic hmphs. "I'm afraid we missed the good ones. Word got out about this auction better than I expected."

Bassai hisses loudly, "I suppose it is worth that, one silver."

The jeweled poodle winces at the painting, "It's hardly worth that, even for the artist's name."

Envoy whispers back, "I don't know who to ask. The auctioneer is busy, and I can't find a way backstage."

The auctioneer looks around. "Ahem." He walks off the stage, and confers with a poodle standing to one side.

Bassai hisses quietly, to Tekki perhaps, "Thiss will be hard to justify."

The lupine auctioneer walks back up to the podium, a grin painted on his face, as he says, "We have decided to make a special package with this series of paintings … including the earliest works from Kame Ikata's Early-Post-Disturbance period! The entire series… " He gestures to the table where the paintings are being set up. "… will go as a unit, with a starting bid of one silver shekel!"

Dominic bites at his lip. His hand starts to go up … then back down … then back up … He sits on it. "No. It would never sell."

Zephyr waits, pretending to examine the paintings again, until a merchant near him starts talking loudly to an associate … then whispers back to Envoy. "Money talks here. Have any?"

Envoy whispers back, "I have 92 shekels, and 8 boxes of cookies."

Jynx grins again, "Thinking of redecorating dad? I think that stuff'd scare off the customers."

The jeweled poodle considers. "Well, I suppose I could always give that one to a relative." She calls out, "One silver."

Bassai carefully surveys the crowd for signs of interest.

The auctioneer smiles a bit. "One silver coin! Do I hear … a silver and a copper?"

Bassai sighs, he'll have to bid; he raises his hand, "Silver and a copper."

"A silver and a copper! Do I hear a silver and two coppers?"

Zephyr blinks, ear flicking once as he responds … still in a soft whisper. "Perfect. Next time they're free, don't just ask. Find someone who'd know, and offer then some coins for the answer. Their memory will improve quickly."

Bassai attempts to catch the jeweled poodle's attention, "Madame."

The servants are still putting several "post-disturbance" paintings on the table.

Zephyr thinks. o O { Where'd she get that much money? And … cookies? }

The addition of the other paintings, however, doesn't seem to drum up any more interest in the crowd.

The poodle looks miffed at being disturbed, but looks around. "Yes?"

Envoy looks back towards the middle of the crowd, trying to match faces of people to those she remembers being in the general area of the winning bidder.

"Goi – " The wolf breaks off, seeing his two bidders conferring with each other.

Bassai says, "I want just the first one of those pieces; I will let you have one of the rest at a much more economical rate."

Bassai says, "Let me purchase the set."

Those closest to the winning bidder would seem to be the golden vixen (She seems to move around a lot), and that fur-wearing Naga.

Zephyr looks where Envoy's looking. "No, no … not the merchants, they're rich … they don't care. Have to bribe a worker who saw… "

The poodle blinks. "I-I suppose." She fingers one of three earrings. "Well, alright."

Envoy says, "All of the workers are still on the stage though."

Bassai shouts loudly to the auctioneer, "My bid stands at one silver and one copper."

The wolf looks at the poodle and snake, and says, questioningly, "Going once?"

Jynx yawns again, "Its hot in here."

Dominic fidgets, fighting to keep his hand down. But he keeps it down, mumbling under his breath.

"Going twice… "

"Going three times, final time – SOLD!" the auctioneer says in a rush, not seeing any interested faces in the crowd – save for that gray tabby Khatta who can't seem to get the nerve up to make a bid.

Bassai sighs, "Yess… "

Ibis is already up on the stage, amongst the workers who are still putting paintings on the table. He seems to be quite engrossed in examining the paintings, and nobody has thought to chase him away. Perhaps they think he's part of the crew.

Jynx begins to stand and stretch, "Well, that's all of it, let's go home now… "

Bassai waits to see where he is directed, then asks the bejeweled noble, "Would you like to accompany me Madame, and make your selection?"

The poodle looks over at Bassai with singular amusement. "I suppose you must have relatives you really dislike."

Bassai says, "Yes, many, associates actually."

"Next, we have a collection of jewelry from the Desolate Bands, a rare beauty of stone and polished bone… "

Bassai progresses towards the stage, curious at Ibis' actions.

The poodle nods, and smiles a bit wryly.

Bassai says, "Come, Tekki."

Jynx stops midstretch, and looks bewildered at the stage before angrily slumping back down into his chair.

Envoy hmms, seeing a pair of black paws that appear and then disappear again.

Tekki keeps close behind, as the snake approaches the stage. Already, the slaves have stopped putting the paintings on the table, and are now wrapping them up again and moving them off to the side of the stage.

Dominic lets out a long sigh. "All right, all right. One lesson you have to learn is that not every auction will have a bargain. Don't buy anything just for the sake of buying something."

Zephyr's ears droop. "They're all busy. Right." He glances again where Envoy's looking. o O { Erf … That golden vixen was pretty close. Wyn'd bite me if she saw me trying to flirt, but if it might work to get her to tell me… }

Bassai follows the paintings, heading off to the side of the stage.

Jynx rolls his eyes, "Then what's the point if you don't buy anything?"

"… for this beautiful necklace of Lapis lazuli and dracoraptor claws, we start the bid at one copper coin… "

The poodle follows Bassai, and looks a little miffed at missing out on the beginning of the jewelry sales.

"Just in CASE, son … just in case," Dominic says, as he starts to get up.

Jynx blinks, "You're leaving? I thought you were going to stay?"

Envoy blinks, torn between following Bassai, who might be able to get her backstage, and going after Jynx, who might have heard who bought Jarik…

Ibis gives Bassai a smile and a bow. He signs, "I believe you may have something of merit here."

Envoy whispers to Zephyr, "I know the Naga that is about to collect the paintings; he might be able to get backstage."

Dominic growls, "Another lesson. Don't bring along a restless son who could care less about learning any lessons about the trade."

Bassai nods, looking at Ibis, hissing quietly, "Yess?"

Zephyr's ears perk. "You do? Good … Can you get his attention? That's all we need to know, is who took Jarik… "

Jynx stands, "That's the best thing you've said all day."

Envoy nods to Zephyr, and heads towards Bassai and his small entourage.

Ibis signs, "The interiors of the site. Kame Ikata rendered them in painstaking detail. Perhaps the images may hold some meaning to one of your training." He follows the slaves off the stage, to the back area where the bidders pay for and receive their "prizes".

Tekki looks to Bassai, then follows along. After all, he'll no doubt be required to help carry things.

Zephyr follows Envoy at a comfortable distance, trying to look as if he's … just going in the same direction.

Bassai slithers after the two Savanites.

Envoy trots up to Bassai, "Scholar Bassai!"

Bassai halts, recognizing that voice, thinking { oh rotted eggs, }and turns, "Yes Madame?"

"Sold to Inquisitor Caesar Moffat! Now, next, we have a hammered bracelet of blackwood, copper and malachite. Starting bid, three copper coins… "

Bassai says, "I have pressing business; what do you require?"

Envoy says, "Did you happen to notice who bought the fox that was on stage before the paintings where brought out?"

Zephyr notices that the 'bug" is staying with Envoy. o O { What the? }

Bassai says, "Sorry I did not; I was only paying casual attention to the proceedingss."

The poodle looks increasingly annoyed at being held off from the jewelry sales by the strange winged unicorn, but says nothing.

Jynx yawns yet again, "What now, Dad?"

Dominic grabs Jynx and pulls him along, trying to weave his way through the crowd.

Envoy's face falls. "Oh, thank you anyway. Would you like to buy some cookies?"

Jynx ouches! "What'd I say?"

Zephyr glances at the stage again, ears trained on the Naga. o O { If he's not there, no way I can trace a scent … too many walking around there. }

Dominic offers Jynx no further explanation, but simply drags him on out of the Auction House.

Bassai looks at the bug behind Envoy, "Oh wait, yes, your insect has reminded me, it was the expert on Zelak behavior. I assumed your bug was here with him."

Bassai says, "He seems to be absent now, so perhaps that is the person who purchased him. I must go now; I am detaining this kind lady."

The poodle nods a bit self-righteously.

Bassai bows quickly to Envoy and slips backstage to investigate his prizes.

Zephyr's eyes widen. o O { Expert on those bugs? What would be want Jarik for? Got a clue, at least. Time for hunt, now. }

Zephyr pads up alongside Envoy again as the party departs. "Expert on Zelak behavior? You know who that is?"

Envoy blinks… "Aski Medes?"

Envoy says, "Yes, I know where he lives, in the Scholar's Quarter."

Zephyr tilts his head, then whispers again. "What species? And what sort of person?"

Behind the stage, there is an area that has been set up for bidders to pick up and pay for their prizes. Assorted statuary, paintings, jewelry and junk awaits. For Bassai, there is a stack of framed paintings, wrapped in heavy cloth and bundled securely, set upon a wheeled cart for the buyer to borrow.

Bassai looks around for the person to pay, and Ibis and Tekki

Envoy says, "Rath- … raccoon. Middle aged, very curious and knowledgable about Zelaks and other species."

A bat at a counter seems to be receiving payment, and giving out receipts. A previous buyer leaves, making the counter open for the time being.

The fox's tail curls quietly back and forth. "Good, or bad sort? And … why would he want Jarik?"

Bassai slides up the counter, "I purchased the Kame Ikata works."

Envoy says, "Jarik is an Exile, and Scholar Medes is curious about Exiles."

Envoy says, "He seems good natured."

The bat looks at Bassai and nods, then checks a board. "One silver and a copper, please. Or any denominations coming to one thousand one hundred shekels."

Bassai says, "You can provide change, I pressume."

Envoy says, "Let's go; he should be pleased to meet another Exile."

The bat says, "But of course."

Bassai hands across the gold coin to the bat.

Zephyr nods quietly. "All right … And, more important, to make sure Jarik's free, now, with him. If he's not, I'll see to it that he is. Let's go… "

The bat leans down behind the counter … then after a bit comes up with three silver shekels, nine coppers, and a receipt.

Envoy leads Zephyr and Bem out of the auction house…

Bassai takes them all and puts them away securely, turning to the noble poodle.

There are several gasps that can be heard outside the room. Someone must have gotten a REAL bargain on some jewelry…

The poodle is looking about in her purse, which resembles a large jewelry bag.

Bassai says, "It would seem the auctioneers were more efficient than I anticipated, and have already bundled the works together. If you wish, I will call on your ressidence tomorrow with the lesser works."

Bassai says, "So no further time is wasted opening them up and sorting through them."

The poodle looks up, frowns, and then turns to Bassai. "Oh, of course," she smiles, looking a bit relieved, as she glances back at the door.

Bassai says, "I will need your card before you leave."

Bassai smiles, "I am new to Rephidim, or I am sure I would be aware of your noble house."

The poodle nods, and hands him a small card out of her purse, with text which glitters with metal leafing.

Bassai waves, "Good luck with your purchases," then turns to his.

Ibis and Tekki await at the cart, ready to pull it away. A lupine guard checks Bassai's receipt, and gives him the all-clear.

The poodle hurries out as quickly as is dignified.

Bassai says to Ibis and Tekki, "Now there is the matter of getting them home."

Bassai says, "Ibis, I presume the Champion and her companions rode here, and did not take a carriage.""

Ibis nods, and signs, "That is most likely correct."

Bassai says, "Okay, I will hire one to take us back to our Inn, and to take you back to Golgotha. It is dark, and a long walk, and you are too valuable a possession of the Champion's to be subjected to that. It would be negligent of me to do so."

Ibis bows his head, and then signs, "You are most considerate, sir. I will certainly relate to the Champion your concern for her possessions."

Bassai says, "Please convey my thanks to her for all the assistance you have given me. It has been invaluable, and much more than I expected. Now, we should go."

Ibis nods, and he and Tekki pull on the cart, heading for the service exit.

Bassai follows behind the two Savanites as they go outside. The purchase is loaded into a nearby carriage, and soon they reach their prospective destinations: Bassai and Tekki at the Three Thieves' Inn, and Ibis a little later at Golgotha.