Its approaching Landing Day, and in preparation for that, Rephidim Temple is ridding itself of unwanted ballast; this is in the form of its annual sale. Granted, this procedure hasn't been necessary for a long time, and may simply be a convenient excuse for cleaning out junk in a few storage areas, but it is tradition. Alysin's Establishment is once again serving as an Auction house, with the bulk of the goods stored behind the stage, and brought into sight as they are being sold. The sale has been going since sun-up, but there are still plenty of bargains.

Envoy tries to work her way through the crowd for a better view of the stage. There's no telling what the Temple may consider junk that could still be very interesting…

Skrill walks along the display tables, looking at different things. Rubbing his chin to avoid displaying a yawn. With a shrug he tries to get all the sounds of the auction out of his ears. With a tired sigh he continues his search.

Brishen darts over the crowd, her shadow flowing over Envoy as she flutters overhead to spiral up and around the auction hall before landing somewhere in the crowd, and not far from the stage.

"Sold!" Caveat bangs his gavel on the podium. The Rath'ani has plenty of energy, and that seems to help with the sales. "One poison ring, at two coppers to the lovely Jupan… Poodle Mage. Be careful with that now, you don't want an accident before you get it out of the house."

"Just pay at the end of the stage, and collect it from the Savanite." The raccoon gestures to the stairs on the side opposite from him. "Next item, also from the Moffat collection, a series of unusual hats. Fine for every social occasion."

A pair of dark eartips poke up, followed by the rest of the bat as Brishen perches atop a chair, hopping a little as she tries to look around a rather tall tiger Kattha. Maybe I can get a chest, or even a wardrobe. I seem to be gathering a lot of clothes, lately…

Envoy ignores the hats, having been assured before by Veilanika that she has the only one she'll ever need already. The Exile decides to watch the crowd instead, until something more interesting comes up for bid.

A Savanite makes his way up to the stage, and places a large black hat atop his head. He turns around a few times to show it from different poses, then takes it off carefully and places it back on the table.

A poodle, who has carefully styled her hair to make her resemble a Jupani, and also wears robes of the Collegia Esoterica, makes her way to the side of the stage. She pays for her item, then works on getting to the back of the auction house; showing off her new ring helps tremendously in this.

Caveat looks at the cheetah on the stage, "Very good, slave Six, bring out the other hats now." He turns knowingly to the crowd, "These Savanites, no wonder they're going cheap, but that's at our next auction. Right now, what do I hear for these wonderful hats?"

The Savanite looks to the stand for another hat to wear, taking a fuzzy green one from the stack. He again places it atop his head, turning around a few times to show it off.

A young noble poodle in appropriately expensive finery stands up on his tip-toes, grumbling as he fusses with a spy-scope, trying to see over the Jupani blocking his view of the hats. His spy-scope catches sight of the poodle mage, and he smiles … then suddenly frowns as he spots a poodle Inquisitrix making her way through the crowd. He puts away his scope … and shrinks down, using the Jupani for cover.

The slave lowers his head, but continues to model the array of hats.

Brishen wrinkles her nose slightly. {I'd use a different word to describe them, I think.}

Envoy peers after the Savanite to see if any of the new hats still have heads in them…

Near Envoy, a matronly Kujaku shudders delicately. "Oh! Oh my. To own a bit of an Arch-Inquisitor's wardrobe! And after he disappeared so strangely, too!" She fluffs her tail feathers out and raises a handkerchief. "Dearie me! I'll bid fifty shekels for them."

Her husband rolls his eyes. "Now now, Naima. Whatever would you do with them?"

The previously cowing poodle noble perks up his ears, and steps up on his tip-toes to peer over the Jupani, waving a hand. "Here! That's a pittance! I'll bid seventy-five for such fine headwear!"

Envoy blinks over at the colorful avian, wondering if she will be allowed to keep the hats should Moffat ever return.

Brishen stands on her tip-toes, shading her eyes as she looks about to see if there's any furniture being sold in this lot. {I hope Jell was right about this. Hate to've wasted my time… }

The Savanite bends down to pick up another hat off of the stack. It is a light brown, and very loose, flopping down over his ears. He attempts to keep it from falling into his eyes, or worse, falling off of his head. He turns around carefully a few times, attempting to show it off.

Naima looks shocked at the impertinence of being outbid, then bats at Envoy's wings. "Do move out of the way, you strange creature. One hundred shekels!" she shrieks.

Skrill turns around and has started to take an interest in the hat business. Something about the poodle seems familiar to him. Again he rubs his chin, but this time his ears twitch to better pick up what is said over there.

Envoy blinks and moves another pace from the bird.

"One hundred … and TEN," the upstart poodle noble responds, his nose inclining a couple more degrees upward. He smiles faintly, enjoying this.

Brishen squeaks to herself. It's not like she doesn't have half a dozen deliveries to do before she can even think of having dinner with Reico. {And those hats just went out of my price range.}

"I hear one hundred and ten shekels," Caveat calls out, "Do I hear one fifty? These hats are being sold as a group, we have many items to move today. Each one alone probably cost twenty shekels. I'm sure you lovely ladies can easily go higher."

Placing the sagging hat to the side of the table, the Savanite rummages through the remaining hats. He picks one up which seems to be the least ugly of the ones left. It's a plain black woven cap, with small blue tassels hanging off of the side. He struggles slightly to place it upon his head- it appears to be a tight fit.

The poodle Inquisitrix smirks, casting a sidelong glance at the young poodle noble. Pulling back her hood, she calls out, "One hundred and twenty five!" Despite her furred face, she has a great deal of makeup, with absurdly large eyelashes on eyes that are just a bit too far apart, and lips painted in black lipstick.

The Kujaku, Naima stands up into the space that Envoy just vacated, while her husband starts to look concerned. "One hundred and fifty!"

Kelsey van Kabril has made it to the back of the auction house, and doesn't seem to be paying much attention to the wares; instead the fire-mage is working her way along the back row, searching for something.

The Inquisitrix blows on her black-enameled claws, and says, almost boredly, "One hundred seventy-five… "

"One fifty! one seventy five! Do I hear more?" Caveat calls out with much enthusiasm, "Going once at one seventy five."

The servant picks up a hat which looks more like a headband dotted with wild-colored feathers jutting out at all angles. He slips it on. It almost falls to his neck, but he catches it with a hand and lets his posture lean slightly to the side to keep it on.

Naima's husband whispers to her, "Dearest, it's only a bunch of hats. You'll make a scene… "

Envoy furrows her brow, and studies the hats harder in an attempt to fathom their value.

The young poodle noble that bid earlier just shakes his head and sighs, dropping back behind the Jupani again, apparently losing his interest.

Brishen drops out of sight as she works her way towards the back of the crowd. After a few moments, and a flutter of wings, she's standing face-to-face with Envoy. "Eeeep! Oh, sorry." She furls her wings, then looks around towards the stage again.

Naima hmfs! at her husband. "Two hundred, and not a bit more. And that is my final offer." She glares at the Inquisitrix.

The Inquisitrix glares right back at Naima … then goes to blowing on her nails again. It would seem she has lost interest.

"two hundred! Going once, going twice, do I hear more?" The raccoon looks in the direction of the Inquisitrix, hesitating, then banging his gavel. "Sold, to the lovely lady Kujaku, for two hundred. You can collect them at the side of the stage."

Envoy blinks at the small Eeee, "Oh, I forgive you."

Naima fluffs her feathers, then collars her husband and pushes through the crowd to the stage to pick up the hats and make the payment.

Envoy hmms, noting the reaction of the Inquisitrix to being outbid. It's not the one she expected.

The modeller on stage seems to look slightly relieved- nothing too obvious. He slips off the plumed hat and carries it over to the buyer, following with the other hats.

Rubbing his eyebrows Skrill realizes this was probably just a game for the high nobles. He really should need some sleep, his judgment is suffering.

The Inquisitrix, now that the bidding is over, starts working her way through the crowd, in the general direction of the poodle who was standing behind the tall Jupani. She makes good time, as many people voluntarily get out of her way.

Brishen brushes a lock of hair from her eyes, grinning cheerily at the Aeolun. "Thanks, I guess. I can't believe that person just spent two-hundred shekels on ugly hats."

Envoy says, "Perhaps paying so much makes them valuable?"

Skrill notices the two poodles advancing on each others, and decides there is perhaps a little more to this than meets the eye. He moves closer as well, trying to listen in on the ensuing conversation.

Brishen grins impishly. "Only if you sew the shekels onto the hats."

Envoy ponders that for a moment. "If you sew them in, then you can't spend them. Therefore they would be less valuable, wouldn't they?"

On the other side of the hall, another poodle is also trying to work through the crowd, her progress is slower. However, her orders of, "Move you big oaf, I AM a Fire-Mage," do seem to be getting results.

Brishen shakes her head, eyes twinkling. "Well, of course not! You take them out and spend them when you need them."

Caveat looks down at his list, "Ah, our next item is identified simply as Journal, personal. Who knows what interesting secrets might be in this? If not, at least there may be some blank pages. Do I hear ten shekels?"

Envoy turns to watch the commotion caused by the poodle for a moment, then asks Brishen, "Wouldn't a purse be more practical though?"

The Kujaku, Naima, looks triumphant as she tries on the most obnoxious of the hats, one that has been made up to look like a bulbous sort of creature squatting on her head. She tosses a copper and a handful of ten-shekel pieces and smaller shekels onto the table for the clerk, and makes her beleaguered-looking husband carry the rest of the ugly hats, before returning to the depths of the crowd.

Envoy blinks. Journal? Those are usually interesting. "I bid ten shekels!" she sings out.

The young poodle noble casts a grin in the Inquisitrix's direction … but then his head jerks around in the direction of the voice of the fire-mage. His grin drops immediately, as does his muzzle by a few degrees. "Uhm … pardon me. Excuse me… " He starts to very urgently make his way through the crowd on a perpendicular course to that of the approaching female poodles.

With a slight grunt Skrill notices his attention will have to be split up. With a raised hand he says "ten … twelve shekels!"

The Inquisitrix's face takes on a surprised, then frustrated expression. "Eustace!" she growls, "Come BACK here! It's ME!"

Envoy hmms, and bids again, "twelve and one half shekels!"

The Savanite picks up the journal from the table. It is covered with a dark leather, with a small metal lock and key attached to it via a strap.

"Twelve shekels!" Caveat calls out, pointing in the direction of Skrill, "Do I hear more. Who knows what juicy details are locked inside on the pages. Whole shekels please, it does have a metal lock."

Skrill sighs to himself and shouts "fourteen shekels." Trying to keep edging closer to the triangle of Poodles.

Brishen glances at the Aeolon. "No one with hats like that can be accused of practicality." She squeaks, hopping up a bit. "Twenty shekels!"

The slave turns the leather-bound journal around a few times in his hand, holding it up for better view from the crowd.

A grumpy-looking gray bulldog next to Brishen, a Gallah, growls deeply, "Thirty shekels." His clothes have a certain rust-smelling reek about the simple cotton.

"fourteen… now twenty… wait a second." Caveat looks at the crowd, then points at Skrill, "Sir, would you stand still for the bidding, thank you. Twenty… no thirty shekels to the Gallah gentleman."

Envoy hmms. "thirty five shekels."

Skrill lowers his head with a frustrated squeak, he does not deserve this. Then cowers his face with both hands, hearing the bidding sliding out of his grasp. "fourty five shekels." he shouts, and then slams a hand over his mouth; he has surely done it this time.

The bulldog Gallah grumps. "Bah," he mutters. "Not worth that much in scrap metal." He makes no further bids.

Glancing over his shoulder Skrill tries to make out his outbidders, or at least hear if he can locate them.

Envoy thinks. Maybe she borrow the journal from whomever buys it. She just wants what's inside, not the book itself.

Brishen tilts her head a little, getting distracted by Envoy. She doesn't recall ever seeing anyone quite like her before.

Envoy calls out, "fifty shekels!" She can always sell the journal after reading it, she decides.

Skrill rifles though his money pouch. Then bites his finger for a while before he bids "fifty two shekel!" trying to locate Envoy.

The Raccoon watches, his eyes glittering in his mask. "Fifty Two Shekels! Do I hear higher. Who knows what is locked inside that journal, the knowledge can be had for a price."

Meanwhile, the young poodle noble, Eustace, has made his way at last to one of the exits. He pauses, glancing back to the crowd, his eyes setting upon one robed female poodle … and then another … and with a nervous expression, he slips through the door, disappearing from the room.

"Sixty shekels," Envoy calls.

As the noble leaves, another Eeee enters. This one wears a leather hat, with large goggles. He is distinctive because of a badly damaged wing.

Skrill turns around and is quite sure he know where his outbidder is positioned. Gritting his teeth he ceases the bidding, jamming his thumbs into his belt.

Brishen blinks a few times. "Hey… " She grins at Envoy, then starts working her way towards the begoggled Eeee.

"Sixty shekels, do I hear more?" Caveat looks at the waning interest of the other two bidders, "Sixty Shekels, going once. A small price to pay for possibly a wealth of great secrets, going twice… "

The crippled Eeee adjusts his goggles, hopping up to peer over the crowd at what's for sale. "Ah good, I haven't missed anything."

Brishen squeaks, grinning as she pushes her way between a pair of Lapi merchants. "Jeevan?" She squeaks, quietly. Well, quietly for an auction hall.

"Going three times… Sold! For sixty shekels, to the lovely… person. Pay at the corner and collect your purchase from the Savanite." Caveat smiles at Envoy, and indicates down the stage.

The Savanite carefully lowers his arm, holding the journal in both hands. He makes his way over to the corner designated, with eyes lowered slightly.

"Oh… Hello!" Jeeven smiles at Brishen, "It's so good to see you again. You never came by so I could say thanks. What are you here for, anything interesting?"

Envoy grins back, and makes her way to the counter at the corner, where she dumps out the entire contents of her coin pouch. Sixty shekels, exactly… all in half- or one-shekel denominations. "Here you go, Mister Six."

Skrill excuses the ones standing around him, and leaps into the air. Looking for somewhere to land not far from Envoy.

Number Six hands the leather-bound journal carefully to Envoy.

"Thank you," the Exile says to the slave, and examines the lock on the journal before trying to insert the key into it.

Brishen tilts her head slightly, smiling. "I've been kind of busy lately." She scoots alongside the older Eeee, grinning conspiratorially. "I'm mostly looking for furniture, or maybe a jewelry box."

"Our next item is… " Caveat looks at his list, then checks it again. He turns and looks off stage, and after a brief conversation shrugs his shoulders and reads the description. "Our next item is a Zelak warrior! Its says here that it has served valiantly in the field, and also has been used for a variety of internal clerical functions. Quite adaptable for a Zelak if you ask me. Minimum bid is five shekels."

Brishen's voice lowers to a whisper, "Have you rebuilt the airship?" She grins, "I'd really like to see it again."

The Savanite takes the money carefully in his hands, paying Envoy a submissive smile, and makes his way back over to the auction stand.

Touching ground at the somewhat less crowded area closer to the stalls, Skrill walks over to his outbidder, trying not to look as irritated as he is.

Envoy pauses at the mention of a Zelak for sale, and just tucks the key away in her pocket for now.

"Oh yes, very nearly." Jeevan says, nodding to the courier, "I'm just here to see if I can pick up a few parts that could be modified, instead of building them from scratch. I'm waiting to see what the Technopriests sell."

The auctioneer waves at slave Six to go backstage.

Brishen squeaks, "Well, you just missed the sale of an extraordinary collection of hats."

The Savanite looks up at the auctioneer, then shuffles his way backstage obediently.

Envoy tries to get another good view of the stage, even though she's out of shekels.

Skrill walks up behind Envoy, bows slightly and says "Pardon me madam." with a slight koff.

The alien turns around to face the Eeee. "Oh, hello. What do I need to pardon you for, sir?"

Three slaves, easily identified by their collar numbers, Six, Four and Three, carry the next item onto the stage. It is a Zelak warrior, but a badly damaged one. Its legs are missing, as well as one of the manipulators. There are a few deep scratches on its chitin hide which are visible from the audience. It also has some 'pockets' attached, that look like they could contain pencils, forms, or other secretarial materials. It clacks and waves it's mandibles at the slaves carrying it.

Skrill smiles, looking a little strained as he continues "I believe I have a proposition for you. Of mutual interest."

Caveat coughs, looking at the insect. "Well… ah, as you can see, its still very useful. Do I hear five shekels, anyone?"

Brishen's jaw drops as she glances back at the stage. "I can't believe it."

Envoy looks into the Eeee's face, "Do you need a Bard?"

"What?" Jeevan asks, trying to look down at the stage. "Oh, I see… is that… ?" He leaves the question unfinished.

Brishen brushes a lock of hair from her eyes, "The First Ones HAVE to be playing a joke on me." She nods, "It is."

The Eeee's smile goes a little crookedly, but he rallies magnificent. Skrill continues "Well, it is not such abilities I really came looking for. Rather an object you, quite skillfully I must say… " he pauses as he is about to say stole and changes it to "Wrestled out of my grasp."

The Savanite with the Six on his collar seems to strain against the heavy weight of the Zelak, but manages to carry it to the center stage with help from the other two.

A shuffling occurs at the edge of the crowd. A few people frown as a small figure tries to push past them. Unsuccessfully.

Envoy blinks in confusion at Skrill. "I've never wrestled with you," she says.

There is a little scream as someone is kicked rather sharply in the shins from in the back…

Cowering his nose with one hand Skrill says "Pardon me." and he shakes his head. "I will better be straight then. I too have an interest in that journal, as you might have noticed. Perhaps we can work out this little difference, somehow."

No bids seem to be forthcoming on the Zelak. Caveat clears his throat, and tries to raise some interest. "Five shekels, for a Zelak warrior. Sure it's a little damaged, but still quite useful. It could… it could… be a warning system, block a door shut. Give pens… a hundred uses if there's one. Do I hear five shekels? Remember a mint condition one would easily cost a gold, this is a bargain in comparison."

The raccoon looks sharply at the source of the scream, "Was that a bid madam? Oh, I see. Please, no shoving in the crowd. Five shekels anyone?"

Envoy blinks again. "If we're both interested in it, then how can there be a difference?"

Envoy tries to get a look at the Zelak being auctioned without turning away from Skrill.

Skrill hisses for breath, then closes his eyes, rubbing one hand to his eyebrows saying "You are correct. What I ask of you, humbly, is to be allowed to copy some pages of that journal, that is all."

A few people part, and you see a small person in a beige dress selling refreshments unobtrusively, if one doesn't count the scream and a few pinched toes.

The Zelak on display waves its antennae, and clacks a few more times. The Savanites holding it up struggle with its weight, as the bug waves an arm around.

Envoy smiles, "Oh, why didn't you say so? Do you have any paper with you? I can sell you the whole thing after I've read it if you like… "

Brishen glances at Jeevan. "You wouldn't have any use for a Zelak, would you?" She looks up at the older Eeee with big, brown innocent eyes.

Patting his pockets Skrill finally succeeds in producing a small bunch of notes, and a stub of a pen. With a smile he says "Yes, thank you very much madam." nodding slightly, looking quite relived.

A little voice from the… Kavi, it appears, and a white one at that, calls out 'Drink! Drink and Bun is! Only ch'ecklebeing for three is!'

"I say, I don't know." Jeevan answers, adjusting his goggles, "I suppose I could use it to hand me tools or something, and it isn't too expensive… Five shekels!"

A large pair of tan ears are seen maneuvering through the crowd, in Envoy's direction.

The courier's wings flutter a little as she nods. "I don't know what I'd do with one, otherwise I'd buy it. But it'd probably be really bored just sitting in my apartment."

Envoy fishes the key out of her pocket and unlocks the journal. "Do you know of anyone who would like to buy this from me after I've read it? I really don't have any use for a journal," she asks the Eeee.

Caveat was in the process of turning to the Savanites, and instructing them to dispose of the bug when he hears the bid, "Five shekels! I hear a bid. Going once, Going twice? Anyone else interested in a Zelak Warrior?"

Brishen squeaks, turning towards the stage. "Seven shekels!"

Skrill considers it for a while and tells Envoy "I can pay you for it. It is only fair to me."

Brishen giggles, glancing at Jeevan. "Oops."

The Kavi muscles her way through the crowd, picking up a little business from people who have been standing for a while. She seems to have a very… assertive selling technique, mostly from getting into the way of people trying to talk to one another.

There are mumblings in the crowd, especially as Brishen makes her bid. "Seven shekels! There we go, do I hear more?" Caveat calls out.

Envoy smiles to the Eeee, "Can you give me Sixty shekels for it?" She opens the journal.

Roho reaches Envoy, "I thought I heard you bidding! Hello! Keeping busy, I see?"

Envoy smiles, "Hello Roho! I bought a book. I'm going to sell to this Eeee though after I read it. Are you here to bid on things?"

Skrill inhales sharply through his nose, then says "For you madam, yes." glancing to his money pouch.

Jeevan smiles helplessly at Brishen, shaking his head, "Only wanted it if I did, ah silly girl, you can have it."

Envoy begins flipping through the pages of Moffat's scrawling handwriting. She can always decipher it later.

Brishen's ears pale a little. "Oh, no, it was my mistake. You'd provide a much better home for it."

The Kavi manages to wiggle into a group of Jupani, who pay her to get her flipping muzzle out of their faces.

"Seven Shekels, going once, going twice, Sir?" Caveat looks across the crowded room at the crippled Eeee, who is nodding to Brishen. Jeevan shouts, "Ten shekels."

Roho smiles and shrugs a bit, "I thought I might, but I haven't heard much of anything yet that interests me." He chuckles, "Course, that's not surprising, at this auction, I don't have a place to put most of these things in."

Brishen slumps a little, wings rustling. "Whew." She perks up just as quickly, "I'll help you take it home!"

Envoy looks away from the journal to glance at the stage. "Maybe that Zelak could help you navigate, if you carried it on your back." Then she goes back to memorizing the pages.

"Don't worry about the price, I can easily afford it. Maybe it will appreciate going for higher than minimum." The inventor tells Brishen, "thank you, I could use the help."

The ermine coloured Kavi checks her coinbag and frowns, suspecting that the Jupani pack shortchanged her. She was never good at math, and gives it up as a loss.

Roho blinks, "Carried it on – " He shrugs, "Nevermind, forget I said anything." He grins at Envoy, "You found anything good?" His ears flick in the direction of the kavi-induced commotion.

"Ten shekels, going once… going twice… sold to the Eeee gentleman in the goggles for ten shekels. Pick it up at the side sir, the Savanites will bring it to you." Caveat waves his gavel around, signaling Jeevan and the slaves.

Skrill follows Roho and Envoy, as he does not wish to loose to journal now, when he is so close. He stays at a slight distance, as not to disturb the two.

Envoy finishes scanning the journal, then closes and latches it. "I don't know yet. It's the journal of Arch Inquisitor Moffat, but it will take me awhile to decipher his writing." She hands the journal and the key over to Skrill.

The Kavi bustles towards the next clump of talkers. The Kavi presses suddenly in between Roho and Envoy, looking at the latter. "Drinks, yes?"

Six, Four and Three struggle with the bug over to the corner of the stage, waiting for the Eeees to make their way through the crowd. They set the Zelak down, and step back as it waves its arms.

Envoy looks down at the Kavi and her wares. "Yes, those are drinks!" she smiles.

Roho fishes in his pouch, "I'll have a drink." He pulls out a shekel, grinning, "Don't mind my comrade, she's quite literal."

Brishen bounces up to the Zelak, wings a-flutter. "Hello! Remember me?" She peers down at it curiously.

Jeevan, having to walk because of his cripple wing, takes a while longer to get through the crowd.

Quicksilver frowns. Has she said something improperly? "No, is drinks BEING, yes, is drinks WANTING doing, eh?" She turns to the Fennec, satisfied he grasped her meaning. "Dok-tor!"

Skrill puts the journal under one arm and walks up to Envoy, it seems like he wonders about something. But he starts dutifully to count up sixty shekels.

Envoy smiles wider. It was a good idea to come to the auction. She glances at the Zelak waiting at the pickup-counter.

Quicksilver smiles! She hugs Roho suddenly! The nice dok-tor who helped get her a job and make her better!

Roho smiles, "Oh, it is you! I thought I recognized your scent!" He hands the Kavi a few shekels, "Good to see you're keeping busy… two drinks please!"

The Zelak turns its head and faces Brishen. She can see herself reflected a thousand times in the surface of its compound eyes. It waves its antennae at her, almost touching them rasps a reply, "You are recognized by this unit."

Roho stumbles a bit, "Whoah, hey! It's nice to see you again too!" He gives the Kavi a hug, then asks, "I hope you've been eating better, haven't you?"

Quicksilver frowns, and tries to figure out the change. She hands him two drinks and two buns.

With an embarrassed cough Skrill says "I am sorry, I fear I only have fifty shekels on me. I am terribly sorry." to Envoy, not looking into her eyes.

Quicksilver nods, and smiles at the Fennec. She doesn't remember he cannot see.

Roho pushes Quicksilver's paw away as she tries to give him change, "Don't worry about it… " He hands a drink and a bun to Envoy, "Been feeling better, Quicksilver?"

Quicksilver starts to nod again. She remembers herself. "Yes, very, thanking Doktor."

"fifty should be enough," Envoy says. "I'm sure the contents will be worth ten shekels once I decipher them."

Brishen nods cheerily, brushing a lock of hair from her eyes. "I didn't know you could write." She glances at the pouches, then looks the rest of the Zelak over.

Roho takes a careful sip of the drink, then smiles at the Kavi.

Envoy tries to hold the bun and cup in one hand while holding her other out for the money from Skrill.

The Kavi looks over the Fennec. It's so nice for her to find a friendly face. She almost feels like hugging him again. "So… being well doktor is?"

Skrill nods and gives Envoy the fifty shekels saying "It is a pleasure doing business with you miss… " pausing, waiting for a name.

Jeevan arrives while Brishen is going through the pouches. They are made of chitin, and glued onto the Zelak but could probably be removed without too much trouble. One pouch is labeled In, another Out, a third seems designed to hold writing instruments, and an ink reservoir. In the Out pouch, is a sheet of paper with the label, "Care of a Zelak."

Envoy says, "Envoy," to Skrill, then turns back to Roho and whispers, "I'll be right back, I want to see that Zelak… "

Skrill nods and says "Well, I better departure. Thank you very much," backing away.

The insect rasps to Brishen, "Writing is not within this warrior's capabilities."

Brishen tugs the sheet of paper from its pouch, peering at it curiously. "What were you doing, then?" She smiles at Jeevan as he arrives, "I think it's doing a lot better than it was the last time I saw it."

Roho smiles and nods at Envoy, "I'll wait here." He turns to Quicksilver, "Can't complain, really… had a bit of an exciting trip, but the pay was good, and the work was honest."

Envoy waves to the Eeee, then heads over towards the Zelak and the other two Eeees. "Excuse me, but could I talk to your Zelak for a moment?" she asks Brishen.

Brishen blinks a few times, then shrugs. "Sure." She tilts her head a little, "Do you recognize it?"

"Our next item, is a couch that turns into a bed," Caveat tells the crowd, "also from the Moffat collection. If cushions could talk eh? Well, bidding starts at one copper shekel."

The Zelak turns and waves its antennae at Envoy, "This warrior recognizes a scout of the Shkarkin Hive."

"There you go, ten shekels," Jeevan counts them out, paying the accountant as the Savanite slaves bring out the next item on the block: Moffat's Love Couch.

Envoy shakes her head to Brishen, "No, not yet." Then she goes into a raspy-clacky conversation with the Zelak, asking it which Hive it belongs to, how it lost its legs, and what its function was.

The Zelak answers Envoy's question, in incomprehensible clacks.

Quicksilver takes a bun off her tray and chews it thoughtfully.

Brishen furrows her brow slightly. "Um." She brushes a lock of hair from her eyes, staring at Envoy baffledly. She certainly doesn't look like a bug.

Envoy turns back to the Eeees, and asks, "I don't suppose you'd let me know where you're going to take this Zelak? I have a friend who studies Zelak culture, and I also have a certain duty to see that it is taken care of properly."

Roho takes a bite of the bun he bought, and munches contentedly.

"Er. Jeevan?" Brishen glances back at the other Eeee, then at Envoy again. "Um. Who are you?" She giggles faintly, "You certainly don't look like a Zelak, but this one said you were from a Hive."

The Kavi looks at her Fennec companion. "Dragon thing well going did?" she chirrups.

"Oh… " Jeevan says, looking at Envoy. A frown crosses his face, and there is the slightest flick of his crippled wing as he looks on the Aeolun's. "It's coming back to my workshop. I believe there is an instruction sheet with it. Your friend is welcome to come and see it, I have no plans for the Zelak at the moment."

Envoy smiles to Jeevan, "Thank you. And yes, I am officially a scout for Shkarkin Hive, although I am not a Zelak. May I have your names?"

Roho looks confused, "Dragon?" His voice drops down to a lower level, "I thought you were the dragon slayer here!" He smiles, "I just went on an expedition to an abandoned station… "

"This warrior has been released from service to the Rephidim Temple." The Zelak clacks, with its antennae twitching. After a moment more of silence it adds, "This warrior wants to return to Shkarkin Hive."

Quicksilver erfs. "No, meaning talking police with doing. " She ohs, and looks the doctor over closely. "THAT well going did, dok-tor?" she asks with formal politeness…

Brishen clasps her hands together demurely, and squeaks, "I'm Bree – " She stares at the Zelak.

The auction continues around the conversation, with interested parties bidding on the love seat, and Caveat trying to encourage the price higher. Finally the couch is sold. As the raccoon directs the Poodle noble towards the corner of the stage he adds to the group collected there, "If you are done with your purchases, please let the other buyers through."

Brishen eeps, spreading her wings a little. "We should probably move."

The crippled Eeee nods to Envoy, "My name is Jeevan, and yes, I think we should… we may need some help with the Zelak." He looks at the Aeolun.

Roho ohs, "The police… that was fortunately pretty brief. They asked me some questions, then decided I was harmless and wasn't hiding huge secrets, and let me go." He takes another sip and smiles, "The trip was… exciting." He absently touches a healing scar on the side of his face, "How have you been faring?"

Envoy tells the warrior, "I will do my best to include you in my arrangements to return to the Hive, Warrior. These people will care for you until then." To Brishen and Jeevan, she introduces herself, "I am Envoy of Lothryn and Shkarkin. I'll go ask my Zelak Bem to help you move this one, if you like."

Brishen grins cheerily, her wings rustling as she hops over to the Zelak. "I think that would be wonderful." She crouches down to look at the Zelak, "This time, I won't have to drag you around."

Quicksilver gasps, seeing the scar, and her stomach wretches. She reaches out without thinking, then draws back. "Fine, fine is," she says brusquely, and she stares at the injury, hardly believing that anyone would… ATTACK a blind doctor (now, a temple kid is another story, but we'll leave moral debates aside).

Envoy glances over to see that Roho is still with his Kavi friend, then heads outside to talk with Bem… still carrying the bun and drink that Roho handed her.

Roho starts to say something, but it's quickly drowned out by a nearby commotion. He flicks his ears in annoyance, then starts talking louder, "Would you like to talk someplace a little less noisy sometime?"

"Yes, good idea being is," she notes, and scribbles down something, slowly, on a scrap. Quicksilver then laughs. "Was about address giving on paper doing!"

Bem appears, after being instructed by the Aeolun, and progresses through the crowd. People part before him, and he has no problem reaching the stage. They close quickly behind, making the path for Envoy much more awkward. Once it reaches the damaged bug, the two Zelaks clack back and forth at each other.

Roho chuckles, "Well, I don't have one as of right now, I'm staying at that inn I took you to for dinner that first time. Can you give me yours? I can ask someone to read it off to me… "

Brishen watches, fascinated.

Quicksilver nods. "That was giving going to." she says. She was about to give him her apartment, but gives him the inn address instead.

Envoy turns towards Roho, and says, "I'm going with these two for awhile, and will try to find you again later." Despite the Fennec being some distance away, she speaks as if he were standing right next to her.

Beside the courier, the inventor Eeee nods, "Yes, very. They're quite strange, may I see the instruction sheet?"

Roho nods in Envoy's direction, calling back a little louder, "I'm sure I will run into you soon! Take care of yourself!"

Envoy says, "I will!"

Brishen blinks, shaking her head a few times, then hands the sheet to Jeevan. She smiles, "I like the part about polishing."

Bem picks up the damaged Zelak, and starts through the crowd. Jeevan takes the sheet, and is quick enough to follow, holding the paper in front of him and trying to read it as he does. "Yes… very interesting."

Envoy follows alongside Brishen.

Brishen glances at Envoy now and then as she follows Jeevan. "How'd you become a member of a Hive? I thought you – um – Had to be a Zelak."

Envoy smiles, "I was adopted by Queen Shkarkin. She bit my neck and injected me with pheromones."

Envoy taps the spot where she used to have a scar.

Brishen smiles weakly. {I'm sorry I asked.}

The two Zelaks, and everyone following them make it to the exit and outside into the street.

Roho smiles at Quicksilver, "Could you go for a lunch now? I'm pretty hungry… my treat… "

Quicksilver blinks with incomprehension. "Lunch?" she asks, looking puzzled. "Treat??"

The Kavi's sole acquaintance with the opposite sex involves generally avoiding them.

The auction continues around the Fennec and Kavi, the crowd ignoring them and concentrating on items.

Roho tilts his head, unsure of what the Kavi's asking, "Can I buy you lunch, so we can talk someplace quiet?"

Quicksilver sputters. "Nice being… yes," she says. She shuffles her feet.

The small Fennec and Kavi start weaving their way through the packed auction house. At some point, Quicksilver reaches back to offer Roho a guiding paw, which he accepts. Paw-in-paw, they disappear through the crowd.

The two Eeees, two Zelaks, and the exile are gathered outside the auction house, standing just beside the entrance doors.

Envoy asks Brishen, while gesturing towards Jeevan, "Is he your father or husband?"

"Father? Oh no, we're acquaintances. She rescued me from a fire. That Zelak too actually." Jeevan answers quickly.

Brishen tries to stifle a giggle. "Um. Neither – He's a friend."

"Yes, friend. That's a better word for someone that pulls you out of a blaze." Jeevan smiles.

Envoy ohs. "Did you damage your wing in the fire?"

Brishen grins at Jeevan, then blinks. She seems to be doing that a lot today. She turns to look at Envoy. "Are you always so blunt?"

Envoy smiles to Brishen, "Oh no, there were two weeks when I was in a coma and didn't make any observations at all."

"No." Jeevan answers, rather abruptly, as he signals for a cab. "It was a congenital defect, and has been that way since birth. I would rather not talk about it as it is a very boring and repetitive subject for me."

Envoy says no more about the wing.

"Good, there's a cab, it's notvery long to my workshop." Jeevan announces, as one pulls over, "Let me just give the cabby instructions while the Zelaks get aboard, and then we can be off."

Brishen looks at the carriage as it pulls up, like it was some sort of strange alien craft. "I've never been in one of these before… " She grins at Jeevan, "There's a first time for everything, I guess."