Envoy makes her way up the stairs, followed by Bem, and knocks on the door to one of the rooms.

A thin slit in the middle of the door slides open… "Oh, Envoy!", says a voice from inside. The slit slides back closed, and jiggling latch sounds are heard.

Envoy smiles and waits patiently on the threshold.

Chiaroscuro opens the door, smiling at Envoy. He looks fairly thin, even for a naturally slim mongoose, and his clothes are starting to tatter at the edges. "Do come in, Envoy… "

Envoy slips into the room, followed by the head of a large black and green Zelak…

Chiaroscuro blinks at the Zelak… and turns to Envoy. "You did not mention you were bringing company, Lady Envoy."

Envoy blinks and looks back over her shoulder. "Oh… This is Bem. He's been assigned by the Queen of Shkarkin Hive to be my bodyguard. Is it alright if he comes in?"

Chiaroscuro hmms, looking about his highly cramped room. "If he does not mind being on the floor, or standing… I suppose so."

The Zelak bodyguard's ominous presence is only slightly mitigated by a colorful Temple Scouts beret and sash affixed to its carapace. Bem comes in and folds his limbs in close to take up as little room as possible.

Envoy says, "I picked him up on my recent trip. How have you been, Chipper? You look thinner than usual."

Chiaroscuro closes the door, latching it carefully, then sitting down on the bedside. "I have been better, Lady Envoy… money has not been easy to come by, even with Feli's payments for the dancing lessons. And now that he is gone… "

Chiaroscuro shrugs, then brightens. "But you are returned safely from your trip, Lady Envoy. How did it go?"

Envoy smiles, "I wasn't executed. The Queen bit me and made me part of her hive instead."

Envoy says, "I think the Zelaks have a lot of potential."

Chiaroscuro looks confused for a moment… "You shall have to clarify, Lady Envoy. Were you in danger of being executed? And potential, in what way?"

Envoy says, "As an alien scout, I was trespassing without leave. But Queen Shkarkin saw potential in future contact with my… people. They are very advanced in biomanipulation… "

Envoy smiles, "I think the Zelaks will make fine spaceships someday."

Envoy says, "And once they can make drones that look like other races, they will most likely become more sociable."

Chiaroscuro sounds out the words that he does not understand. "Bi-oh-man-ip-u- oh, no matter. 'Spaceships'? Are those like airships?"

Envoy nods. "Similar."

Chiaroscuro thinks. "Lady Envoy, I am rather curious… you seem to have a talent for making friends at many levels in this society. Was that part of your nature on your original world?"

Envoy nods. "My name is my function. I was created to interact with others."

Envoy says, "Although… I sometimes think people view me less than favorably here. Many of the natives think that I am insane."

Chiaroscuro smiles. "Well, you are sometimes hard to comprehend. You have great knowledge that I do not, and speak of things I have never known. And you talk of things in a very unique manner… your focus is not the focus of others."

Envoy tilts her head. "Yes. How can I be more like others?"

Chiaroscuro thinks of this for a few moments. "I do not know that you necessarily should, Lady Envoy. The most treasured things are the rarest, and I find your rare personality quite interesting, even… " He looks away for a moment. "… charming."

Envoy smiles, "Thank you, Chipper. I was wondering if you could help me with something… do you have some free time?"

Chiaroscuro says, "I certainly do, and would be glad to assist you. What would you have me do?"

Envoy says, "I am trying to find a particular Naga, and thought you might have some insights into where I might find him."

Chiaroscuro coughs. "A Nag- one of the *snakes*?" He leans forward, ears perked intently.

Envoy nods, "Isstan by name. Mind Mage by trade. You told me you had encountered a Naga Mind Mage before."

Chiaroscuro nods. "Yes, Belth-something… the one with the visage of Nakh himself, who meant no evil… " He shakes his head vigourously as if to clear it. "Those memories are hazed, from having the buzzing in my skull then. What do you want me to find this Isstan for?"

Envoy says, "I am hoping he can help me find another Mind Mage, that may have been involved in the assassination of the Captain-Astromancer. Isstan is adept at the transfer and manipulation of memory however, and I have no defenses against magical influences. Your experience with Balthazar may let you spot any magical attempts Isstan may make against me."

Chiaroscuro hmmms. "I doubt that experience shall give me great advantage, Envoy. But my knowledge of fighting snakes is great, as you know… and perhaps force and speed can be greater than magic, if needed." He smirks slightly… "So I would assume you wish me toto track him, and bring him to you… alive." he intones the last word as if it would be his second choice.

Envoy blinks. "Well, I don't want to abduct him, exactly. I saved his life, but I have also learned to be cautious when asking for favors. I assume he can be found through the College Esoterica, and you have spent more time there than I have."

Envoy says, "Asking for him with a Zelak behind me might cause an involuntary defensive reaction… but you are known to be harmless."

Chiaroscuro nods. "I have… and to think of it, I have seen a snake there once before. What is more, Lady Haskalah's pass allows me free motion in the college."

Chiaroscuro smirks slightly… "I am far from harmless, Lady Envoy, especially to a snake. But if that is the image I project, so much the better."

Envoy smiles, "Then will you ask around there for me? One of the Life Mages there has a grudge against me."

Chiaroscuro nods… "I shall ask… and try to simply speak with this 'Isstan'." He grimaces slightly. "You must know how greatly it raises my hackles to do that, though. All my nature tells me to leap and bite with ivory fang."

Envoy says, "Due to the nature of what I need to ask him, it would be best if you could have him meet with me outside of the College."

Chiaroscuro nods. "I see. Where preferably for you, that I may ask him this?"

Envoy hmms, "Freedom Park is near the College, but is little visited. It should be a safe place, I think."

Chiaroscuro says, "Understood. Should I say who it is that wishes to meet him? Shall I suggest he come alone? And are there other things I should tell him when I meet him?"

Envoy blinks three times before answering, "You can say that I want to see him about a sensitive matter. I think he would come alone. As a Mind Mage, few would try to cross him."

Chiaroscuro mentally notes all this. "Very well, then. In the next few days, I shall try to locate this snake and speak with him.

Envoy says, "Can you start today?"

Chiaroscuro shakes his head. "Tomorrow, at best. I still have chores to perform here in the Tavern to pay for my room, and that is most highly needed."

Envoy nods, "Thank you!" She gives the mongoose a quick hug. "What else have you been up to? Can I treat you to dinner?"

Chiaroscuro returns the hug gladly. "To answer your second question first… yes, though I do not wish to seem a kra'glidon. And for your first question, let me begin with… " He continues speaking as the two (with Bem following) head downstairs for supper.