Chiaroscuro's apartment is typical for much of Rephidim- small. It is just large enough to hold a bed, small closet, chair, and a bit of floor space. Some paterned cloth hangs from one wall, trying to block out the blandoise gray atmosphere. No bathroom is here, the facilities being in a communal room to save on costs. But the room is clean, and a window lets in enough light to see well.

Envoy sits down on the edge of the chair. "This is just like my dorm room at the Bard's Guild."

Chiaroscuro nods, shutting the door. "It is not much, but it is a place to live, and it is affordable." He stretches a bit before sitting cross-legged on the bed.

Chiaroscuro says, "Now, then… you spoke the word 'mongoose'. By this you are referring to my people?"

Envoy nods.

Envoy says, "Well, to your species."

Chiaroscuro nods. "And how do you know I am not a Kavi with a deformity of the hands? This is what most others in the bazaar think. Including the Kavi."

Envoy says, "The Kavi are clearly descended from some sort of mustelid. There are anatomical differences that go beyond the shape of their hands."

Chiaroscuro nods. "Ones which you alone are perceptive enough to know, Lady Envoy. When have you encountered my people before? Are you of Kitellia, or another land on Tarrah?"

Envoy shakes her head, "I have no information on that world. It has not been surveyed by my… people."

Chiaroscuro blinks slightly. "Your people travel the worlds?"

Envoy thinks on her reply. "Not exactly. They explore and survey, but seldom contact. Exploration is done through living probes like myself."

Chiaroscuro nods, though his mouth indicates he still does not understand exactly. He seems to try to be concentrating intently on Envoy's words. "Is that why you are here, on a mission of exploration?"

Envoy says, "That has become my mission, although not intentionally. I followed someone through a dimensional gateway, and on arrival I was cut off from my parent organism."

Envoy smiles, "Your species exists in many continuums, so it is not impossible that you will meet another of your kind in this universe, if not someone from your homeworld."

Chiaroscuro looks rather confused at Envoy's more techincal terms. "Your people know of other ichnuemoni, on other worlds?"

Envoy nods, "Yes. That is how I recognized your species."

Chiaroscuro thinks about this for a long moment… then speaks. "But there are none here, on Sinai. And I have been told there is no way to leave this world."

Chiaroscuro's voice raises a tone in eagerness. "But your people have explored many worlds. Is there any way you know to leave here?"

Envoy says, "There is much that is not understood on this world. The people you see now are not natives, they arrived on a ship that travels between worlds. But there were older tenants of this world, who have left ruins and relics… and they too had the ability to travel between worlds, I think."

Envoy says, "I know of many ways to leave this world, but none of them are available to me."

Envoy says, "The First Ones left though, many thousands of years ago. They may have left behind their means of escape as well."

Chiaroscuro mulls over this information for a time, his tail flicking behind him distractedly. Then he nods. "If so… I would leave this world. Since my arrival, I have had… buzzing, like a noise, but not so. The retcotheric ether of this world is so strong, and my mind so tuned to detecting it, I always sense it… buzzing and flickering, even in my dreams."

Chiaroscuro says, "But until a way can be found – and I hold little hope of that – I am here, and must survive and explore."

Envoy nods, "Yes, it interferes with the part of me that communicates with others of my kind as well. Would you like me to inform you if I hear of an expedition to explore some ruins? As an Exile, your alien insights may grant you a place on such an undertaking."

Chiaroscuro smiles. "I would appreciate the information… but I doubt I would be of service. The buzz of the skull I have is much less here, in Rephidim, than elsewhere… and as it is said, 'One claw on a hand is best to none'. But I would ask you for something else."

Envoy says, "Yes?"

Chiaroscuro stretches his neck slightly, then speaks. "You have been the only one to know of my species. Most here, in the bazaar, think me a Kavi. I know not how they would treat me, would they know I were other than that. There is an acceptance of me as a Kavi, and it is one I think will prove useful to me. Therefore, I have not told I am an Exile to any but you, who knew it at a glance. I consider it best that my being a… 'mahn-goose', as you said… remain a secret."

Envoy nods.

Envoy says, "I am beginning to understand the need for secrets. Have you seen a Mage from the Sphere of Chaos about your buzzing, though?"

Chiaroscuro says, "But you have great perception, and know more of this world. Do you think this is so? Am I wise to keep this secret, and ask others to keep it?"

Chiaroscuro shakes his head. "I have yet to talk to any magicians of this world, save for one."

Envoy thinks. "The general perception I have noticed towards Kavis is that they are not especially bright, but not to be trusted. People underestimate them while still watching closely what they do."

Chiaroscuro nods. "Inquistor Melchizedek said this, and I am finding it so."

Envoy says, "More than any other species here, they seem to exist on all levels of society."

Envoy says, "Given a choice, I think you could do worse than appear to be a Kavi. It is not particularly limiting."

Chiaroscuro nods. "Then I would ask you keep my secret, and ask your friends Viela and Rawrii to as well."

Envoy says, "I will explain it to them. They seem to understand secrecy without any difficulty."

Envoy smiles, "Do seek out a Chaos Mage though. If anyone can alleviate the quantum buzz, they can."

Chiaroscuro smiles a bit. "Thank you. I shall endeavor to do so… silencing it would give me nights of good sleep."

Envoy stands up, and holds out her hand with a smile, "If you ever need to contact me, I can be reached through the Bard's Guild."

Chiaroscuro stands, smiling, and kisses the hand in a gentlemanly way. "I am sure our paths shall cross again. And I would be most happy to grant you information, to serve as Chuupa to your Rik'." He walks to the door (in two steps), opening it. "Can you return safely to your dwelling, at this late of night?"

Envoy nods, "I can fly, and most people think I'm too crazy to approach safely."

Chiaroscuro chuckles softly. "Much as the weaverbird, Darzee. Good night then, Lady Envoy."

Envoy steps out of the apartment, and quickly disappears.

Chiaroscuro closes the door, then lies down on the bed, pondering. .oO(A Mage of Chaos, she said… ) Tapping his Rikkorel once on the right rear paw, he whispers, "Run and find out… " before slumbering.