The Scholars Quarter is relatively active in the morning, with deliveries being made and people going to their various work and study places. The instructions that Anisa have given to Kin lead her to a small park next to a middle school, and across from that to a modest townhouse on a corner lot. The curtains are drawn still in the two front windows, as well as those on the second floor, but the name of the mail-slot is clearly 'Lightfoot, A.'

The Kiriga walks, or rather, glides along the street. Today she's wearing her black and purple zolk kimono and has taken the time to fully brush out her main and delicately pin it back up at the base of her skull. When she reaches the townhouse, she checks her directions. "I suppose this must be it. It doesn't look as if anyone is home," she says to herself in Imperial. Never having been very shy, though, she walks up to the door and raps her knuckles upon it firmly.

There's some noise from within the house, and after a few moments the door is opened by a familiar brown Lapi. "What is… oh!" he says in surprise, and tries to pat down his bed-head fur and straighten out his hastily thrown on robe. "Lady Ryuu, what a pleasant surprise! Please come in!" he states, and opens the door wider for the Kiriga.

Kin looks taken aback by the appearance of the Lapi and that hes obviously just gotten up. "Oh, forgive me, I did not know you would not be up yet. I'm very sorry. I can come back later when you are better prepared?" the Kiriga offers as she hesitates in coming in.

"Oh, it isn't a problem," the Lapi claims. "I was awake, just… wondering what to have for breakfast. Have you already eaten?"

"I have some smoked fish at sunrise, but nothing since then. I do not eat often unless I exert myself in some manner," Kin says as she smiles and steps through the doorway. "Yourself? I could try to prepare you something, if you like? I have little experience as a cook, though."

"I have lots of experience at burning stuff," Xander admits, rubbing his head. "And I'm a bit wary of using some of Aaron's kitchen stuff." From the doorway, the dining area would be to the right, filled with a fairly nice table, along with a wet bar and counter that separate from the kitchen area. To the left is a small living room, with a couch and stuffed chairs facing a fireplace, and an office area through an archway behind it filled with bookshelves and other odd items.

Kin peers around inside the unusual (to her) house. "You should try just eating things raw; it keeps the flavor better," the Kiriga observes, "But then I suppose that you don't eat meat either, do you?" Absently, she reaches over and tries to claw-comb down his rather bad case of bed-head. "Anisa is arranging transport out of the city for a bit, so this was the last time I would be able to come by. I wanted to at least see you one more time before we leave."

"Well I'm glad you thought of me," Xander says, holding still for the combing and smiling. "I'm sure there are some veggies in the chaos box that are still fresh," he says. "Oh, and there's tea. My cousin must have fifty different blends!"

"You were quite memorable," Kin tells the Lapi as she manages to get his hair a little more under control. "Now, your breakfast. Well, why don't … you are a fire mage, yes? Well, then you can help me." The Kiriga takes the Lapi's hand pulls him towards the kitchen.

"O-okay," Xander says, being tugged along helplessly. The kitchen appliances aren't very different from what Kin might have seen at Snowshoes: there's a ceramic gas stove and oven, a sink with faucets, and a selection of implements kept in wooden blocks. A kettle sits on the stove already, even. The only odd thing is a cabinet covered in strange runes and symbols.

Kin frowns. "Kitchens in my lands do not look like this," she admits as she releases the Lapi's hand. "Where does he keep the tea and whisks? Preferably rattan or bamboo whisks, of course."

"Ummm, I know the tea is in the bar," Xander says, tapping his chin with a finger. "And… everything else is kept in these cabinets and drawers. Anisa knows where it all is – I think she helped organize it all. What sort of tea do you want?"

"Preferably a green tea, perhaps gyokuro. For that we will need full tea leaves. But if you have powdered leaves that will also do," Kin says as she heads towards the bar to look., "And would you warm up a kettle of water? It needs to be about one-hundred-ten degrees. That should be easy for a fire mage, yes?"

"Yes, I know how the stove works at least," Xander says, and goes about preparing the kettle. The bar has several shelves, and boxes on the shelves filled with little paper bags organized by some incomprehensible system. But the labels on the bags are fairly clear, listing a name, origin and general category of tea within each. One box has several Nagai blends, if not the exact one Kin was hoping for.

Kin searches for several minutes. "Your brother does not have Jadaian teas," she says with a small tone of disappointment present. She ends up having to test the Nagai teas by sniffing them and finding one that smells relatively close. As she carries the small bag over to the stove, she says, "You did not tell me that your friends call you Hotfood. Why do they call you that?"

"FOOT!" Xander replies, then covers his mouth. "Err, didn't mean to shout. It's 'Hotfoot', and it's just a joke." He sticks a wooden whistle into the spout of the filled ceramic kettle and sets it on the stove. After turning a valve, he mutters something and snaps his fingers to ignite the gas flame.

Kin takes a step back when Xander suddenly yells. She bows her head, saying, "I thought they said … I am sorry. I have offended you." Her hands curl a bit tightly around the bag she's carrying. "I am not doing well in these lands; the culture and expectations are so alien. I … seem to offend people often."

"It's not that!" Xander says, trying to cheer up the reptile. "It's just that… uh, it's an accidental insult, to refer to a Lapi as 'food' of some kind. I get teased a lot with that 'Hotfood' thing."

"Food? It would be impossible for me to eat you, though," Kin points out, "The worst I could do is nibble." She sets down the bag and starts looking through the utensils, looking for something close to a whisk.

"Well, there is this urban legend about 'The Hasenpfeffer Society'… err, but that's just to frighten conies," Xander says. "Can you describe what you need for the tea?" he finally asks, figuring he could help her search.

"A whisk. A bamboo rod that has been split and frayed at the ends to make a series of stiff bristles," Kin tries to explain and she goes drawer by drawer, "It is for mixing liquids and various types of batter." She then adds as an afterthought, "And I am glad to see that you are much calmer today."

"I had a good night's sleep," Xander explains, then says, "Ah, I think I know where to find one of those; down in the basement with the apothecary stuff. I'll be right back!" And with that, the Lapi vanishes through the hallway door.

The kettle starts to whistle soon after Xander leaves the kitchen.

Kin finds herself alone in the kitchen. Unable to stop her curiosity, the Kiriga goes to the fridge and opens it, wondering what could be inside the odd box. When the kettle whistles, the Kiriga jerks her head up and whacks it on the the frame of the chaos box. Wincing and holding the top of her head, she closes it and goes to the stove … where she looks stupidly at it for a moment, trying to figure out how to get the pot off the stove safely. "Maybe they have a rag," she muses.

There are towels near the sink, and the kettle has a wooden handle that shouldn't get too hot. It hardly matters though, as Xander appears with an armful of stuff and his ears folded down. "Dagh, why would he get such a loud whistle!" he complains.

Kin carefully takes hold of the handle and tries to move the kettle off the flame and onto an unlit burner. "It doesn't seem too loud to me," she says, but my ears are a lot smaller. The Kiriga then looks at the pile in Xander's arms and says, "Whisks are not that big … or have that many parts."

"Oh, it was all packed together," Xander explains and sets down his load on the counter. There are mortars and pestles and glass measuring cups and pipettes and a variety of whisks. None of them seem to be made of bamboo, but they come in a variety of lengths and sizes and stiffness of bristles.

"Are they safe to use?" Kin asks as she goes over to inspect the pile. She picks up and inspects each one, poking the bristles to check their flexibility. As she looks, her tail absently slinks around on the floor, occasionally brushing against Xander's foot.

Xander leans in close to follow the examination, and says, "They were sealed up. Aaron doesn't take any chances with his tools, considering all the poisonous stuff he works with."

"Have they been cleaned of any poisons?" Kin asks as she peers at a particular whisk she has chosen. The leans in and sniffs the bristles.

"Well, your nostrils aren't turning black or anything, so I guess so," Xander says with a teasing grin.

Kin ends up also licking the whisk tentatively, then turns to give Xander an odd look. "How would my scales possibly turn black?" she finally asks, seemingly missing the joke. The Kiriga then actually leans over and licks his nose, then notes, "And there, if it was poisoned, you too will now die." She flashes a toothy grin.

"What a way to go though!" Xander says, before rubbing his nose pad. "Can you use any of these?"

"This one should function," Kin says and goes back to the teapot. Carefully, she lifts it open and peers inside at the steaming water. After setting the whisk aside and picking up the bag again, she pauses, "I do not know how much to use. So … I will guess." And with that, she empties a portion of the bag's contents into the pot. Up goes the whisk again and she starts to gently mix the water in the pot for a few moments. She closes the pot back. "To steam," she explains.

"I remember some of the Nagas at school would have special ceremonies for making their tea," Xander notes. "But we all figured it was just their way of being snobby." The Lapi goes to the 'box' then and opens it up to look inside. "Hmmm. I'm always afraid something will jump out when I open this. I mean, I'm a mage… I should know better… but still." He takes out an apple and sniffs it.

"Well, there are proper ceremonies for making tea, but they are often for special occasions, such as a wedding; or before a night of romance," Kin explains. "Plus, this … room isn't the appropriate place for a ceremony; it would require a brazier, a low table, some well made pillows for kneeling, and you would need the appropriate attire." Looking at the box again, she asks, "Why are you afraid something might jump out?"

"Because this thing's enchantment is recharged by a Chaos Mage," Xander says. He brings the apple to the counter and slices it up with a knife. Rummaging through drawers, he finally finds some wooden skewers and makes apple ka-bobs that he browns over the stove flame.

"Oh," Kin says, looking for all the world as if she has no idea what that really means. "You mentioned the other night that you do … ballroom dancing?" she asks.

"Yes," Xander says. "Learned it just for the Ball, you see… but never actually used it. It was fun to practice though, except for when that pony stepped on my foot."

"But … how do you dance in a room filled with balls? Or is it a room shaped like a ball?" Kin asks as she checks on the tea. She dips a claw tip into the surface of the liquid, then tastes it. "Hm, I think it is ready. Can you get me a couple teacups?"

"Oh, it's a room you have balls in," Xander explains, and looks through cabinets for teacups. "A ball is… a formal dress party, where everyone acts like they have a stick up their… backs." He finally finds two matching teacups that aren't mugs.

"Oh, I see," Kin says as she takes the two cups and carefully inspects them for cracks. "Why didn't you go to the party?"

"Oh I did, but we turned it into a magic show," Xander says. He looks in the icebox again, and says, "Drat, no ice cream."

"I've never been to a dance, though I have been taught to dance. I do not know if it is the same as ballroom dancing," Kin notes as she starts pouring out the steaming tea into the cups. She stops when the liquid is about one finger's width from the top.

The Lapi settles for sprinkling some cinnamon on the apple slices. "Performance dancing?" he asks.

"I … perhaps. I am not sure how to explain it in your language," Kin says after a moment of thought. Gently, she picks up one of the teacups in both of her hands and offers it to the Lapi. "It is treated as a form of art and expression in my land. Those who specialize in it train for years before they are allowed to perform in public. Any mistake is punished."

"Err, punished?" the Lapi asks, taking the cup. "Would you like me to light the hearth? As long as we don't spill anything we can sit on the couch and warm up."

"Yes, depending on if you were nobility or a commoner, the punishment would vary. Most often it was caning," Kin notes in a matter-of-factly tone. She then smiles to the Lapi and nods, "If you like. Warmth would be most comforting." The Kiriga pauses, then adds in an almost teasing tone, "Or, if you wish, I could sit in your lap. Mammals are most warm."

"Sure!" Xander says, and dashes into the living room (apparently walking at a casual pace is something Lapis either learn young or not at all). The fire is lit with a loud WHOOMPH of displaced air.

Kin has to pause there and wonder what he meant by the sure. Upon hearing the fire ignite, she assumes it was just agreement on lighting the fire. So, she picks up her cup and walks into the living room and looks for a spot near the fireplace.

There's a Rughrat fur in front of the fireplace, and Xander is sitting on it rather than on the couch, with his teacup on the stone apron. He offers Kin one of his apple-ka-bobs. "You can eat fruit, right?" he asks.

Kin sits down near the Lapi on the rug and sets her teacup upon the apron as well. She even actually curls her tail around Xander's legs slightly, though whether it's a sign of affection or that she wants the warmth, is not clear. "Of course. I can eat both plant and animal, depending on what is available," she answers as she sniffs the apple kabob. "In fact, vegetable tempura is quite delightful."

"That's where it's dipped in batter isn't it?" Xander says, and actually pets Kin's tail without really noticing that he's doing it. "You probably find Rephidim's food bland."

"Yes, that is what it is. But the batter is made with a specific recipe. As for the food in Rephidim, it is passable. The food we had on the trip here was much worse," Kin comments and then glances at the petting hand. She doesn't stop him from doing it, at least. The Kiriga then finally takes a bite from the kabob.

"I hope it's isn't too spicy," the Lapi says, munching on one of his own apple slices. "I developed a taste for cinnamon back on Caroban."

"This is quite mild and good. If you desire spicy, you should try some of the peppers from Jadai that you cook food with. They are legendary for clearing the sinuses of even the most ill of people," Kin says with a small smile. "Xiao once told me that in town they would wager on how quickly a tourist would run out of a restaurant and stick their heads in a bucket of rainwater."

Xander laughs at that. "Oh, that sounds like the kyootcumber booths in the Bazaar," he says. "And worse on Caroban. Every Sphere has some sort of recipe for magical prank food." He sips his tea, and wrinkles his nose a bit at the bitterness – but it's not as bad as mateh at least. "So you only have a day left in Rephidim before you leave? Where are you and Anisa off to anyway?"

"Sylvania. We are heading to the ruins of some Countess that apparently was very evil to investigate the legends about shadows," Kin explains, "Which reminds me, I wanted to ask your opinion on something; would it be possible to create a powder which easily flashes a bright light? I am thinking that would be useful in dealing with shadows. Or perhaps you would like to come? A mage would likely be useful."

Xander's eyes go wide over the rim of his teacup, and his ears droop backwards. "Syl-Sylvania?" he asks after swallowing his tea. "Evil… ruins… ummm, why? That sounds incredibly dangerous!"

"It is likely dangerous, yes. But … it matters for reasons I am not sure I can go into," Kin says and bows her head apologetically. "But it may be connected to some events in my own homeland which … may be working to tear it apart. It is my duty to go."

"Well… there's probably some flash powder in storage at the old Collegia here," Xander says softly. "We use it for fireworks and… well, making things flashy if we need to. You may have quite a trip ahead of you though; Rephidim isn't near Sylvania, and the only time it's safe to fly down there is when the island is overhead. Rephidim screws up the weather everyplace else, but it actually improves it over Sylvania I've heard. You'll have to fly to Chronotopia and take the train from there."

Kin nods at that and takes a long drink from her teacup. "Anisa will be going too because it may have connections to someone she has dealt with in the past, a Cervani named Vandringar," she adds as she sets her cup back down. "So, would you like to go with us as well? I understand if you do not."

"Umm, I don't know if I can, I'd have to check with the bursar's office," Xander says. "Still… an actual adventure, just like Aaron has. I'd need to read all those books on Sylvanian monsters and cults and such," he notes, looking past Kin to the library. "If you're prepared to go though, have you made sure there isn't anything you regret not doing first?"

"There are lots of things I regret not doing," Kin notes quietly. "I wanted to see more of this city and go to events that are considered 'fun' here. I was not allowed to go to many events back home. Anisa had mentioned going out to a club before we left but … I do not feel in the mood to club someone. I do not even have a good club."

"Club? Oh! Anisa means 'dancing' when she says that," Xander says, after a moment of confusion. "Really energetic dancing, with a big crowd of people and lots of music."

"If we go, would you like to go?" Kin asks. "I would prefer it if I had someone I felt I could trust dancing with me. If I even dance; I do not know your dances. And I am glad I do not need a club, I have two swords already and that is enough."

"Sure! I've never been to one either," Xander admits. "I've heard it's bit like having sex without touching, and your ears ring for hours afterwards."

"I would not know what sex is like, so I suppose I will discover what it is like at the club," Kin notes with a small shrug, then finishes the last bite of her kabob and sets it aside. The Kiriga then practically drapes herself on the Lapi while she soaks up both the fireplace, and his, warmth. "If you don't go, do you think we could borrow some of the books you mentioned? Or is there any that is specifically on legends of Midnight Murder and a Countess?"

Xander is distracted for a moment, then says, "There probably is something that mentions those. Aaron has all sorts of weird books about legends and secret societies and cults and how to say 'Please don't eat me' in lots of different languages."

"Then I should look before we leave. Any information is always welcome. It often avoids unpleasant mistakes," Kin notes and then with an actual hissing laugh she says, "Your kind really worries about being eaten, don't you?"

"It runs in the family," Xander notes. "My uncle was eaten. All they found were his feet. That's when Aaron inherited the Apothecary Shoppe and a lot of his weird books. Monsters love the taste of Lapi, for some reason. Which means I'd better go, just to watch out for Anisa. If anything happened to her, who knows what my cousin might do? I mean… he's got a special room upstairs where they beat each other up. They're both a bit weird, frankly… "

"Beat each other up? Is that another strange euphemism of these lands?" Kin has to ask, just to be certain. "And I promise I won't eat you; you're too warm and comfortable to eat." The Kiriga pauses, then asks, "Do you find me weird? Lilac and Anisa both find me weird, I believe."

"They probably aren't used to reptilians is all," Xander says. "I know lots of Nagas, and once you get past the attitude and smell and get them drunk they're just fine. I think. I don't know much about how they actually think or anything. But you seem nice enough, and you don't have that funny smell the snakes do."

"I was about to ask if you thought I smelled funny," Kin admits as she shifts a bit to adjust her draping weight. "Do you know much about Jadai?"

"Just that it's an important province of the old Empire, and really important for trade and travel," Xander says, leaning back a bit. "I bet Anisa and … Lilac was it? I bet they think you're weird because you look like a normal person. It's easy to see Nagas as 'alien' but when you have arms and legs folks think that if you're built similar, you must be similar."

"Yes, Lilac. The bard. She is stranger than I am, I would think, but … "Kin says as she lets the comment trail off. "Jadai is a beautiful place, but it has problems. Women are … treated more or less as property there. The nobles can do whatever they want, even unspeakable horrors should they choose. One of them in particular is working towards some sinister goal that I haven't been able to uncover. That one … he stuffs people for art." The Kiriga actually coils a slight bit tighter at the last statement.

"What? Stuffs?" Xander asks, a bit shocked. "You mean… like for a museum display stuffed?"

"Like that, yes. From what I have heard, he has a private museum of his 'art'," Kin says with a shudder. "I was to be a part of it, somehow."

"Okay, so this is the guy you're up against? He sounds… I mean, I don't think even the Gallisians can be that perverse. Well, maybe a few of the more inbred ones, but still," the Lapi says, and strokes the side of Kin's neck in sympathy. "I'd rather be eaten, I think."

The stroking actually gets a small rumble out of the reptile before she regains some of her composure. "He is dangerous and powerful, but I will not go quietly into that sort of life or death; I will die proudly, with sword in hand or by my own hand first," she states firmly. "He is also an ally of the man called Vandringar."

"Well, I'll help you then," Xander says, puffing out his chest a little. "Nobody should treat women like that! It demeans them and… makes men look like… jerks!"

Kin twists her neck in an angle only reptiles can easily manage and gives the Lapi's cheek a small kiss. "You' have a king heart, Xander Lightfoot," she says as she uncoils from around the Lapi. "And I fear I have taken up far too much of your time. You must have many things a mage of your importance would need to attend to."

"Yes, like… uh, I was gonna take a shower," Xander says, suddenly derailed. "If you want to wait, you can look through the books. Then we can go get your scales polished like you wanted."

"Do you wish me to assist with your shower? I understand that it is difficult for most mammals to easily clean their backs," Kin offers with a smile.

"Rrrrr," Xander says, looking lost for a moment. "That depends… umm… do you have like a particular season or… uh… ah, never mind! You should look through the library for now. We'll worry about scrubbing backs after I learn how to keep you properly polished." The buck hops up to his feet, and makes for the hallway. "Just… make yourself comfortable! I'll be quick!" he promises before disappearing from sight.

"A particular season?" Kin asks as Xander vanishes from sight. She shakes her head slowly, adding, "Mammals are so unusual and … did he just offer to learn how to polish scales? I do not know if I will understand him, but … at least he is comfortable to be around." The Kiriga goes about cleaning up from their shared 'breakfast', then heads into the library to peruse the books. "My instincts are mixed on this; I fear we are going to Sylvania for nothing; there is no real link, only guesses," she whispers to herself in Imperial. "And I must remember to ask the others about bringing Xander along; we may need magic to fight magic… "