A little into the early afternoon, a crisp, cool breeze finds its way along the faces of the roof, stirring small pockets of dust and leaves, whistling slightly around corners and turrets. Not too cold… just the sort of breeze that feels refreshing blowing through one's fur. And under one of those same turrets, one seemingly housing some arcane mystery of the Technopriests, a ledge extends a short distance above and to one side of an all but abandoned flyer entrance. Not a particularly large ledge, not viewable from anywhere but below, but fully exposed to the sun. And on the ceramic surface of that outcrop, someone basks in the warm rays of the sun, sound asleep. A purely white-furred form with large ears and a bushy tail, curled as if to rest its muzzle on its own tailtip.

Though Rephidim's weather varies with the climate of the land over which it travels, at the moment, at present the sun's light is filtered through white mists which cloud the sky and give the island the appearance of travelling through a fleecy void that is the same in any direction one would care to look. The wind rustles through the white Keiltyn's fur teasingly, stirring bits of jasmine memory.

Bright and sunny days are far preferable to rainy, cloudy ones for performing maintenance on the Temple's exterior lights. And so Technopriestess Buran has been assigned to repair a mysterious malfunction in one of the ancient lights. She sorts parts and tools as she walks, unaware (as yet) of the white-furred sleeper.

In fact, she is so busy checking a replacement component to ensure that it isn't broken, that she trips over the obstruction that shouldn't be there.

Kani, sleeping hard after 'being up late' all morning, not to mention being drowsy from warm sunlight, hadn't heard Buran's approach. He yelps! loudly and scrabbles, rolling a bit to the side to distance himself… and seeing a small moving object out of the corner of his eye, raises his paws to grab and hold it before it hits him in the chest.

Kani backs further into a crouch, transferring the object to one paw and holding it at the ready. He has no idea what it is, but anything's a weapon in a crunch. And anyone who surprises him might be an enemy. He's against the turret wall before he looks clearly at his 'attacker', his eyes narrowing to vertical black slits in amber in the bright sunlight. "Technopriest robe… Who are you?"

Kani, having been basking in the sun in only his naturally modest white fur, is without his robes and their identifying insignia. Those rest folded neatly nearby on the ledge. But at the moment, he's just a white fox.

The Technopriestess, clad as usual in her blue-and-gray robes, watches in amazement. She'd thought that the valuable component would be broken… and she had not been looking forward to asking for a replacement. But something's wrong… "Who are you?" A wary expression comes into her eyes. "Why are you here?"

Kani, not seeing an immediate threat, stands up from his crouch and lowers the component. "Kani Agochara. I serve the Temple. And I might ask the same question of you. Why are you here?" He examines the small object. "And what is this? What is it for?"

Kani examines the part closely. "Runes on the side. Metal?! Is this magic?" He holds a ceramic end of the general Y-shape, and points the object's two metal tips off into the sky… then reads aloud the inscription on its side. "100Z C5-9." He looks puzzled. "Not an enchanted weapon, then. This is part of the Inner Mysteries, perhaps? Are you supposed to have it here?"

Buran glances at the object – a Y-shaped box with shiny metal studs on the ends – and extends a paw towards it. "It's a Spiritual Multiplier," she says simply without going into detail. "I am here to repair that." She indicates a nearby turret. The question is not what she expected. "Are you supposed to be here? If you cannot offer proof, I will call the guards." The Sphynx seems certain of this.

Nothing amazing happens as Kani recites the magical runes. Perhaps there's some kind of secret to activating the device.

{Perhaps I should call them anyway,} comes into Buran's mind. {If only for his own good, whoever he is.}

Kani looks amused for a second for some reason. "Call the guards? Ah, right. Very well, proof. I'm just… going to get my robe here, no sudden moves, please." He lowers into a crouch again, reaching out for his folded robe, then rising again to hold it up… showing the Star and Anchor insignias and colors. "Is this proof enough? And… a spiritual multiplier, you say. You were sent up here to perform repairs? Very well. I don't pretend to understand the Inner Mysteries, I'm just a bit wary of strangers falling over me as I'm sleeping."

Kani, as he moves, watches the Sphynx's eyes and body language carefully. There are cues, visible if one knows what to look for, that will hint at such things as deceit, nervousness, or preparation for attack. He neither sees nor smells any he knows of.

Buran's eyes drift to the robe, then to the Keitlyn, and then to the Spiritual Multiplier. It was, after all, put into her care. "All right," she answers carefully. "I will not call them. But why are you on the edge of the roof? It's hardly safe."

Kani blinks. "Safe? Quite safe, I thought. This is where I sleep every day, in the sun and breeze. It's too dark inside and that tends to keep me awake." He tilts his head, then holds the object in one paw, considering. "What did you say your name was?"

Faint clinks carry on the wind as tools are set into their pouch. The winged Khatta's eyes survey Kani's little "abode," as it were. "Buran," she says a bit distractedly. Her ear perks forward as she asks, "Too dark? Have the illuminators in the halls failed? I should report that."

Kani pauses for a moment. "Buran. Right. I have heard your name in connection with Technopriests. Very well… I apologize, Buran. One can't be too careful, there's always chances of dangerous Exiles and such about." He holds out the 'spiritual multiplier' to Buran, then chuckles. "And no, there's nothing wrong the… illuminators? The tubes of light and such that are about? No… My species is active at night, warm sunlight provides for the best, healthiest sleep. Which is why I'm here."

Buran's paw reaches for the Multiplier, brushing briefly against Kani's as her fingers close around it. "I apologize for disturbing you, then. And for being a bit curious." She inspects the object to ensure that it hasn't been damaged. "I've never seen anyone like you in the Temple or in Rephidim."

Kani, his paws free, now quietly dons his robes, looking a bit more 'proper' for the Temple. "Quite alright. And yes… I am a bit unique." He smiles, then flicks an ear and looks over Buran's form curiously. "As are you? I don't think I'm familiar with your species? Khatta? But with wings, vaguely… hm… I'd say almost Vartan-looking?"

Buran sorts through her tools, removing one and moving toward the turret indicated earlier. A quiet laugh greets Kani's question. "You must be curious, too. That's all right. I'm not sure about that," the Technopriestess explains. "I never knew my parents. But 'Vartan' is as good a guess as any."

Buran sorts her tools for the work at hand. Kani's mention of Vartans, however, reminds her of Aski Medes' unfortunate – and recent – collapse in the Bazaar. She lapses into silence as she says a soft prayer to the First Ones for his quick recovery.

Kani's ears swivel a bit. "I don't entirely remember my education in the area of the study of life… But I do remember reading of a number of disparate crossbreeds having minor to serious health problems… deficiencies of life elements, easily injured or the like. I would hope you're not afflicted with such?" He seems to be watching Buran go about her work curiously as he smoothes out his robes and fur. Napping always musses his tail. "Pardon me if I seem a bit too curious, I've just not seen your like before, is all. I like to think that I keep up on the ways of the world." He smiles.

Buran shakes herself out of her reverie. "Hmmmm? Oh! I have some … problems. I suppose my uniqueness is the cause. But I have always been proud of what I am." Her trained eye surveys the subject of her errand in preparation for her assigned task. "Don't you?"

Kani pads over to one side and leans against the turret wall to yawn, briefly showing his sharp white teeth. "Of course I am. Though I don't seem to have any problems, I'm just an odd color… nothing more." He tilts his head. "Do you mind if I watch? I won't be able to sleep until you're done, and I'm always curious. Also, the Temple might well be able to provide for any problems you have… they're quite good about that to all loyal servants, and have some miraculous abilities and secrets. Have you asked them?"

The Technopriestess ponders the fox's words. She understands his curiousity – sharing that trait herself – but she was sworn to protect the Mysteries. She doesn't know who this stranger is, and eventually caution wins out – barely. "Could you stand over there somewhere?" She indicates an area that's nearby, but not too close; her tone is not unkind but firm. "And I don't believe I caught your name." Her hands automatically choose the right tools to begin the repair work.

Kani ahs, and backs up a few paces. "Not a problem. And my name is Kani. Kani Agochara." He leans back against the wall and yawns again. "So you're… a technopriestess, then? You repair the Mysteries? Interesting magic, that… you enjoy your work?"

Buran sets about her work, removing the cover from the Refiner of the Luminescence of the Momentary Star and peering into its inner workings. {Hmmmm. I hope replacing the Spiritual Multiplier will be enough. We shall see… } "Well met, Kani Agochara," is her polite reply. "I do enjoy my work. It gives me a joy to know that I have helped to keep the Temple alive."

A myriad of brightly colored lights flicker about the panel on the inside of the Refiner, though several sets of them are completely dark.

To the uninitiated, it might seem to be the glow of magic… For the Technopriest, these are the life signs of the Mystery, the telltales which assist her in the work of replacing the Spiritual Multiplier.

Kani's ears flick curiously as he watches. Magic. He smiles. "That would be my joy as well. In different ways." He continues watching, fascinated… "I'm surprised I've not seen you around, up here or otherwise… I see a lot of the Technopriests moving around in the corridors, and I've been back in the Temple almost all the time for the past month or so… Are you new, or had you been assigned somewhere else? You certainly seem to understand what you're doing there."

The light breeze carries the sound of what could almost be recited verses of some kind as the robed Khatta studies the lights. Perhaps they are Technopriest teaching songs, or perhaps just a favorite childhood song. Buran gently probes with a careful finger into the Refiner, seeking the dying Multiplier inside. "I was gone, yes," she replies. "To learn new arts, and to see something of Sinai itself. Always curious I am. I only returned this past week."

Kani smiles. "Curiousity is a good thing, usually." He keeps watching and listening, but also glances out over the city, and at the sky from time to time. "Learning new arts I do. But I don't seem to get much time to travel abroad. You're fortunate that your office provides for such things. Any exciting adventures?" He smiles ruefully. "Or just training?"

Buran apparently finds what she's looking for; she withdraws her finger and does something to one of the flashing telltales. There is a click; a few sparks fly. "Adventures? Oh, I could tell you about adventures. But I don't know that I should." {Brother Fustion did say things were 'sensitive' in Chronotopia… } … "But I did learn the art of healing. I believe in preparedness."

Kani settles back against the wall, brushing out his tail. He chuckles softly. "Buran, 'sensitive' things are my office. I doubt that there's much you could tell me about political situations… " He smiles. "… that I don't already know? It's just that I tend to get the boring details, I don't often hear of the interesting adventures."

As the telltales go dark, Buran gently disconnects the installed Multiplier from its bracket and sets it gently on the roof; it looks blackened and charred, as if burned somehow. She cleans its replacement with a small cloth. "Well," she says, "the School of Practical Mechanisms in Chronotopia is quite a sight."

Kani tilts his head. "Practical… Mechanisms? Your magic, right?" He pauses for a second, thinking, ears swiveling… Then looks up and perks his ears. "You just got back from Chronotopia, you said? Because… there's a rumor going around that someone in the Technopriesthood brought back an Exile with them… " He chuckles. "And that they're lucky because they're almost like a big, protective pet or something? At least that's what I heard… Of course, I also heard that the Exile was everything from a Jupani sort larger than a Titanian to a bear to a huge monster of some kind. Do you know anything about all that, or is it just someone's imagination?"

Buran nods, dabbing the cloth into the Refiner. "There was an Exile who came with me," she acknowledges. "He appeared somewhere in Bosch, they said. He met with some trouble, apparently. The Chronotopians sent him to Rephidim for processing." The Technopriestess gently lifts the replacement Multiplier, setting it in place. "The Anchor's Pride, fine ship that she is, ferried us both home. What happened to him then I was never told. Nor did I ask."

Kani sits up more. "You? You're the one?" He perks his ears to listen intently. "I'm always fascinated by Exiles… Well… at least by the ones that don't cause trouble. He came to you? For help, or… One of the primitive sorts, or advanced, as we are?" He thinks. "A good thing they sent him here for processing, though. Especially if he was getting into trouble. How bad?"

For a few moments, clicking sounds from within the turret are the only response. Then, as Buran makes some adjustments, the telltales begin blinking once more.

Buran pauses to admire her handiwork and to offer a brief prayer to the First Ones that the repair will hold. "The story is long, and my time is not so long. He is from a different world, I think, but he was willing to learn. The Chronotopians accepted him into their society until, well… " The Sphynx motions for a moment with her hands. "Until their viewpoints disagreed. I hope that Processing will help him to understand how Sinai works."

Kani nods softly. "I hope so as well. I hate seeing Exiles frustrated or worse, mistreated because of a misunderstanding." He looks at the Technopriestess' repair work. "Do those glowing gems mean it's been restored? And rf… How bad did he mess up?" He chuckles. "Didn't start a war or anything like that, I hope. I've heard of exiles coming close."

Buran shakes her head. "No, he didn't. In fact, he helped to avert one. As for this -" she indicates the telltales – "yes. It is functioning normally."

Kani's ears swivel confusedly. "If… he helped avert a war, then why were the Chronotopians disagreeing with him? I'd think they'd be grateful? I would be."

Buran lifts the cover for the turret's access port. "How much do you know of Chronotopia?"

Kani shakes his head. "Not all that much of their culture, unfortunately… It seems to involve much of the same magic you seem to use? I do know of their political situation, that they've just elected a new leader… Pitavl, sort of young, I'd heard. But… what would make them be angry at someone who's kept them out of a war?"

Soft squeaking sounds are heard as Buran replaces the cover. "Their interpretations of what had to be done were different."

Kani flicks his ears back. "Victim of bureaucracy? Or… " He looks as if he's listening intently, then chuckles. "I thought Technopriests were always comprehensive and clear in speaking… you're just making me more and more curious here! Sure I can't offer you a position in the Inquisition? We're expected to be vague." He winks, then grins and tilts his head. "Chronotopian politics are strange, I've heard. They wanted a war?"

Buran begins to gather up her tools. "There was talk of evil things from Bosch, that Chronotopia would be invaded and destroyed. If it weren't for that Exile, things would have been far worse. Bosch might have succeeded."

Kani growls softly. "There's always evil things from Bosch. And it sounds like Chronotopia owes this Exile, then… What could he possibly have done to make them ship him off, rather than honor him? Even for someone who doesn't understand a culture, there's not much you can to negate saving someone's entire region. It sounds as if he was misunderstood, badly… "

Buran stands, stretching. "Now that that's done," she says, "I can finally file the paperwork for finishing the job." She shakes her head, muttering. "Paperwork… I'm never done." Kani's question is quickly answered. "He felt it his duty to protect the future Kaizer. He refused to let anyone or anything prevent him from doing what he swore to. Apparently, he violated an order or two in the process… " The Khatta trails off, letting that speaks for itself.

Kani winces at the mention of 'paperwork'. "Mm. I think paperwork's just to make sure we don't get any extra time off to get into trouble." He perks his ears again at the answer. "He protected Pitavl? And Pitavl didn't pardon him for breaking a few little orders? That's ridiculous! If you achieve the goal rather than follow every order to the letter, and achieve it well… Why should you be faulted for that?" He sighs, then looks up. "Bureaucrats. Sounds like he'd be an excellent bodyguard to me. So he did protect you, then? You're lucky, then… he trusted you for some reason. Exiles are unpredictable."

"Unpredictable they are," Buran agrees. "But who am I to judge? I can't possibly understand the customs of another world, so I don't try."

Kani hms. "Why do you think he trusted you, though? Or at least listened to you, if you got him back here?"

The Sphynx replaces her tools in their bag. "Apparently he thought I was some kind of deity, though I'm not sure why." She doesn't elaborate further.

Kani sees that Buran is done with her Technopriest ritual on the Mysteries, and stands as well, chuckling. "A deity? He thought you were some sort of goddess? Maybe because of your magic, if he was a primitive?" He muses on that for a second. "Did you play along to keep him from attacking you? Would make sense to for a while, I think? Oh… and since I've been pesting you while you've been trying to work, I feel obligated to buy you a hot drink down below, if you'd like one?" He smiles and waves his tail slowly back and forth.

Buran stretches her wings to their full length for a few moments, shaking them out before returning them to their mostly-folded position. "I'm not sure." The spotted Khatta smiles at the invitation. "I'd love to! I've got some time yet before I'm to report in."

Kani finishes making sure that he's fully neat and groomed… presentable, of course, for the Temple, then smiles and perks his ears. "Good! I'm not expected in my office until… oh… this evening?" He grins and bows politely, indicating the way to the Temple entrance. "After you."