The sun is shining, and the weather isn't bad at all. It's a pretty good day for making deliveries. In this case, the deliverer is a certain Eeee named Brishen, who has been given a long box to deliver to another Eeee by the name of Ambergris. It has taken some flying about and asking around to track down this elusive bat, but it appears that, coincidentally enough, Ambergris might be making a stop by a certain apothecary and tea house to do some shopping…

Near the 'Jobs Board', Aaron is setting out a new batch of information forms and updating a list of filled positions.

Bells chime at the door as Brishen pokes her head in and calls out. "Hello!" She wraps her wings around herself as she steps inside, grinning cheerfully, and stops for a moment to let her eyes adjust. "Aaron?"

A bone thin Eee with pure white fur examines rune necklaces for the various spheres. She brushes a lock of jet black hair from her face and holds a life symbol up, then flips it upside-down and scrutinizes it more closely.

Aaron looks up from his task and waves to Brishen! "Hello Bree!"

Brishen grins, brushing a curly lock of hair from her eyes. "I've got a package – But it's not for you." She tilts her head a little, shrugging, "Some weird Eeee wanted me to deliver it to someone named Ambergris."

The colorfully-clad bat bounces up and down on the balls of her feet, a vaguely smug look plastered across her face, " – Who's supposed to be shopping here. I've been all over Rephidim today."

The Lapi sets aside the forms and looks mildly disappointed at the announcement, but covers it with a smile and produces a bowl of candied bugs that was sitting next to the pastry basket. "Well, I don't recognize that name I'm afraid, but my other customer might be who you're looking for." He proffers the bowl of bugs to the bat.

The white bat turns around to look at Brishen, she takes a deep puff on the stick of… whatever it is she's smoking, and goes back to examining the runes.

"Ooo!" Brishen grins as she selects a few grasshoppers and a beetle. "Thanks!" She grins at the lop-eared Lapi then hops up on a tall stool, sitting cross-legged. "Whew! It's been a really busy day."

Aaron sits down as well, "Lots of deliveries, or just having a hard time finding this Ambersneeze person?"

The white Eeee moves farther down the counters – this time she takes an interest in the herbs and sniffs at some of the more vile looking ones.

The door chime rings, as a short vulpine in foppish attire timidly pokes his nose in, looks both ways, then slips quickly inside. He bumps into some shelves, letting out a loud "YELP!", then hurriedly catches a few items knocked free … and puts them back, whistling innocently as if nothing has happened.

A hand darts up as Brishen brushes a few locks of hair out of her eyes. "Bit of both. I've been getting a bunch of calls from people who saw my card on the mage's board." She smiles, then blinks as she turns to look at the fox, " – It was a really great idea."

The fox slips up to the counter, and whispers loudly to the Lapi, "I need … a lucky charm!"

The Lapi smiles proudly at having helped Brishen, and then excuses himself to see to the fox. "And what sort of lucky charm where you looking for, sir?"

The Fox fidgets, then says, "Anything that will help me stop having bad luck? Affordably, of course."

Aaron brushes his ear back, and says, "Well… there are several types of luck you see. A general charm might not be as effective as one or more charms that focus on the areas you're having the most bad luck in… " And I can sell a lot more to you that way, too.

Brishen glances at the other Eeee, and hms. "You wouldn't be Ambergris, would you?" I really wish that guy had told me more about who I was supposed to be looking for. He seemed awfully familiar though – Mutht be that lithp.

The Fox ponders, then says, "Well, the bad luck I seem to be having focuses mostly on lots of horrible disasters happening, all of it happening to me, and then somehow I get blamed for it. Do you have any charms against that kind of bad luck?"

"You found me, goody for you." Ambergris says with a thick raspy voice, apparently her smoking habit has taken its toll.

Aaron hmms as he ponders the Fox's request. "What sorts of disasters?"

The white bat takes another drag and stares boredly at nothing in particular. She shuffles one of her feet, which are clad in oversized looking leather Templar boots.

"Guess so." Brishen grins at the much taller Eeee, then pokes around in her satchel. "Hm. I could have – Oh!" She reaches over to the counter next to her, and picks up a long box which she hands to Ambergris. "This is for you, then."

The Fox shrinks down a bit. "Well, things blowing up, people getting mad at me for no apparent reason, losing things, things falling apart … You know … the usual. Bad luck."

"… and Flushing," the Fox adds. "I'd REALLY like a charm against that."

The Lapi studies the Fox for a moment longer, then asks, "So, a charm against Chaos, more or less?"

"YES!" chirps the Fox, then he clamps his muzzle and shrinks down another inch. "That would be perfect, yes."

Her face still looking supremely bored, Ambergris takes up the box and examines it. "There's probably a bomb inside of it, or something dead," she rasps. "Everyone gives me dead things."

Aaron rubs his chin. "Well… Chaos is pretty tricky. I've got several charms that have been certified by Chaos Mages. How much do you have to spend?"

The box is wrapped in a black cloth wrap with a faintly silken texture – though it's certainly not silk. It has a black ribbon done up in a sloppy attempt at a bow attached on the middle of the front of it.

The Fox ponders, "Well … will it REALLY work? Honest and truly?" He digs around in a pouch and puts a handful of porcelain shekels up on the counter.

Ambergris yawns (somehow managing to do this and still keep the cigarette in her mouth), and begins to untie the bow. She idly chunks the ribbon over her back and works on the wrappings. "It doesn't smell dead, that's a shame."

"Well, that's certainly very cheerful." Brishen smiles, glancing at the package. Her heels tap against the legs of her stool as she brushes a lock of hair from her eyes, every inch the flighty teenager.

Aaron looks over the amount. "Not enough for a Haskalah Charm, I'm afraid, but I should be able to find you a satisfactory one. " Good thing too, since Haskalah doesn't certify charms… "You have been tested for Chaos Magic of course, haven't you?" the rabbit asks as he rummages through a drawer behind the counter.

"Uhm… " the Fox looks uncertain, "Does getting tested for Chaos Magic HURT?"

The wrappings peel away to reveal a flimsy box (that somehow survived transport – a credit to Brishen, to be sure), that opens to reveal … thirteen long-stemmed black roses, also known as "Death Blossoms", complete with wickedly curved thorns. A vermite lets out a panicked screech and skitters out of the box, dropping to the floor, knocking free a scrap of parchment with some writing on it, which flutters to the floor as well.

The Lapi looks over the counter, and perks his left ear while letting his right droop. "I don't actually know… I shouldn't think so though." He produces a shekel-sized ceramic charm with runes engraved into both sides, then almost drops it at the sight of the vermite!!

Brishen ews! "I carried that! That's gross!" She leans over, peering at the flowers. "Who's it from?"

Aaron turns to shout into the back of the store, "Woody!! Come here quickly please!"

The vermite – one of Sinai's more common types of vermin which looks like a cross between a rat and some sort of bug – skitters across the floor, to and fro. It runs between the legs of the foppish Fox … then bounds up, disappearing into the fur of his tail.

The Fox says, "Ooo! That looks nic – URK!" He begins jerking back and forth. Hey, he's a pretty good dancer!

Ambergris doesn't even bother to look at the Vermite. "Maybe it's from the audit." she grates out and looks at the piece of parchment.

A hand reaches up as Bree tries to stifle a giggle. "I see what he meant by bad luck."

A bright green shiga, somewhat portly and in a simple clerk's tunic and trousers rounds the corner, holding a book with one paw, and munching on a tea-cake with the other. "Yes, Mr. Lightfoot? Something I can get for you?"

Aaron eeps as the vermite attacks a customer! "A vermite is attacking this Fox!! Can't you… do something about it??" A few gesticulations of exasperation punctuate the words.

The note reads, in a spidery, scratchy hand that hints at training in calligraphy, but somehow lacks the appropriate elegance, "With love and adoration, and admiration from afar … to Ambergris, a beauty, a jewel beyond compar … " The poem continues in a similar vein, with really strained rhymes.

"It's just another example of how life is nothing but pain and suffering." Ambergris rasps, glancing at the Fox. "I wouldn't worry about it."

Brishen glances at the shiga, tilting her head slightly, then shrugs and looks back at the note. "Wow, that's really stunning."

The Fox continues to jerk and jolt around. "Urk! Ick! Ack! Eek!"

The white Eeee tosses the note over her shoulder to join the wrappings and the ribbon, she looks almost ready to toss the box itself but pauses. "These'll die soon, I might as well keep them."

The Fox continues to "dance". "Ook! Uhk! Ayk! Erk!"

"Certainly, Mr. Lightfoot." Without moving from where he is, the shiga wings his heavy tome at the vulpine, striking a moving lump under the fox's shirt. Whoomp!

*GISH*

The door chime sounds as the door swings open to admit a nondescript brown Khatta wearing some kind of uniform. She stops just across the threshold and stares at the fox. As if for effect, the door swings shut behind her and bangs softly. After a shake of the head, the Khatta walks off toward the bulletin board on a side wall.

The Fox is knocked back by the modest blow, and stumbles into some shelves. Fortunately, they're in need of restocking, and currently hold nothing, but the shelves themselves are knocked free and fall, one after another, on top of the Fox. "AIEEEEEEE!"

*clunk* "Ooo!" *clunk* "Eee!" *clunk* "Ooo!"*clunk* "Ah!" *clunk* "Ah!"

"And thusly, another life is snuffed out of existence. Yay," Ambergris rasps, tucking the box under her arm and going back to examining the herbs.

From underneath the pile of shelves, the Fox's muffled voice whines, "I am NOT snuffed!"

Brishen squeaks, piping up helpfully, "He's not dead yet!"

Woody takes another bite of tea-cake, and waddles to retrieve his book. He grunts as he stoops to pick it up. "Well, the vermite shouldn't trouble our patrons anymore. Goodness, I'd best clean up these shelves."

The white Eeee sniffs at a twisted piece of greenish root. "He'll die eventually, sad and alone. Such is our fate."

The Fox whines, "Pardon me, but the vermite IS bothering me, greatly! I think it is staining my shirt!" He sobs pitifully.

The Khatta stops riffling through the notes tacked to the board and gives the pile of shelving a long, hard look. She harrumphs, but makes her way to the pile and attempts to lift some of the shelving off the poor fox.

Blink, blink. Blink. Brishen stares at the bone-white Eeee and starts to laugh, wrapping her arms around herself as she rocks back and forth, giggling wildly.

Aaron covers his eyes and moans at the mess…

The Fox whines, "Oh woe is me, that I should be in this wretched world, robbed of my miraculous, marvelous super powers! Why, where I came from, I could balance a spoon on my nose WITHOUT using my hands! But here … *sob*!"

The Fox takes a break from his self-pitying long enough to say to the Khatta, "Oh, thank you kindly, ma'am."

Aaron sighs, and comes around the counter to help the Fox up. "My pardon, sir. Allow me to make up for this unfortunate happenstance by offering you a generous discount on that charm… "

The Fox brightens. "A DISCOUNT? Oh joy! I … I feel lucky already! Gimmegimmegimme!"

"You'll find out eventually that life is nothing but pain." Ambergris says as she moves to the other side of Brishen to study some Necromancer supplies. "Then you'll be able to shrug off the lie of the world and be at peace… well, as at peace as you can be with things involving pain and suffering I mean."

Aaron holds out the charm to the Fox, "I'll discount this to only five shekels, since you obviously need it desperately… "

The Fox gladly hands over the shekels, and grasps the charm as if it were a priceless treasure. "Oh joy, oh rapture! I think … I think I shall burst into spontaneous song and music!"

Woody checks to be sure the spine on his book is undamaged, then moves to assist Mira in moving the shelving. "Thank you kindly, madam," he hisses. "Please don't inconvenience yourself, I'll take it from here. Would you care to peruse our line of charms? If they'll work for this fellow, they'll work for anyone."

With that, the Fox swings a lute around from his back, which has somehow – miraculously? – survived the disaster, and he begins strumming on it rapidly.

Mira tries to make some semblance of order of the shelving. She eyes the fastenings on the wall, wondering if it is possible to replace the shelves where they were.

My uncle always warned me about people wearing strange hats, the Lapi thinks as he watches the Fox prepare to… perform.

Brishen blinks at Ambergris, bursting into fresh peals of laughter. Tears stream from her big brown eyes as she tries to stop. This only brings more giggles. It's just too much!

Aaron slips over and smiles at Mira, and starts to ask what he can do for her when Brishen's laughter makes his ears curl…

The Fox begins singing …

"When things look really bad,"

"When all fate brings is harm,"

"Don't despair or get mad,"

"All you need is a little charm!"

(musical interlude)

"Liiiiiightfoot, Liiiightfoot,"

"Hero and a friend,"

"He'll fix you up a little dweomer,"

"He'll fill your cup; some tea is warmer-"

"-than any ill Fate can send!"

The Fox happily strums his lute.

Aaron's mouth drops open at the vulpine's singing.

Ambergris looks down at Brishen. "See, he's obviously dying as we speak. His voice sounds like it went ages ago."

Brishen wraps her wings around herself, giggling muffledly.

Mira picks up a piece of shelving, examining the hooks for it on the wall. Apparently, she's used to working with her hands, for the shelf is soon back where it belongs, good as new.

The Fox sings another verse:

"Are you down and out of luck?"

"Are things just not your way?"

"Slings and arrows you must duck?"

"Well listen to what I say!"

(musical interlude)

"Liiiiightfoot, Liiiightfoot!"

"Hero and a friend!"

"He'll fix you up a little dweomer,"

"He'll fill your cup; some tea is warmer,"

"Than any ill Fate can send!"

The Fox smiles and finishes up his melody after a few more chords and rapidly plucked notes.

The chubby clerk shakes his head, muttering something to himself about the singing as he collects some of the boards from the shelf, nodding at Mira. "Thank you, madam."

Aaron rushes over to the Fox with a cup of tea. "You must be parched after such an… exuberant song." Hopefully the Exile can't drink and sing at the same time.

The foppish Fox bows several times, making sweeping flourishes with his battered, feathered hat. "Thank you! Thank you one and all! You are too kind! *MWAH!* You're a LOVELY audience! Oh, I feel so LUCKY!"

"Oh, you are TOO kind, good sir!" the Fox bubbles, waving a hand. "But I must be on my way! Life awaits! I must find my destiny! No more will ill befall me, or the fates beguile me, or other really bad things ruin my day!"

Mira's only response to the Fox is a twitch of the whiskers and a raised eyebrow as she picks up another shelf and examines it.

Ambergris exhales a puff of violet smoke on the Fox's direction and then goes back to the supplies. She holds a chitin necromancer symbol up to her chest.

The Fox makes another flourish, opens the door with a clatter of chimes … then literally bounds out the door, skipping as he goes, singing, "It's … a … beautiful day in the nei – AIEEEE!" Just as the door closes, sounds can be heard outside of bellowing Dromodons, shouts, screams, crashing noises, and other sounds of unpleasantry.

Brishen peeks out from between her wings, her muzzle stained with gleeful tears. "It looks very good on you. Shows off the tormented chasm where your heart used to be." Her ears twitch at the sounds outside, and she starts giggling again, pausing only to brush a lock of hair from her eyes. "Darn."

The symbol Ambergris picks up, the rune of "The Skull", looks like a vertical bar crossed by two horizontal, shorter bars, of different lengths.

Aaron winces, and goes back to help Woody replace the items fallen from the shelves, and asks Mira, "Ah, sorry of the disturbance there Milady. What can I do you for you today?"

The Khatta soon has the second piece of shelf remounted as well. "Ah, yes… " she says, inspecting her work. "I don't have much hope, but it can't hurt to ask anyhow. You see, my ship – " Mira indicates an airship insignia pinned to her clothing – "is in need of an air mage. Ye don't know of any who'd work for a decent pay, no?"

"Thanks," Ambergris rasps to Brishen. Obviously she takes that as a compliment.

Brishen bites her lower lip, trying not to laugh again.

The Eeee looks down at Brishen. "I don't have to tip you, do I?"

Aaron smiles to the Khatta, "Oh, come right this way!" He motions towards the large board on the opposite wall. "You can fill it out one of these Mage Wanted forms, or look through our listing of available Air Mages… "

Brishen shakes her head, giggling.

The listings show a number of available air mages, but the asking wages are a bit steep – at the very least a hundred shekels per day (plus room and board), up to two hundred or three hundred per day (plus assorted benefits) for those with more impressive credentials.

The paunchy lizard sniffs as his task with the shelves is finally done. "Madam, I rather doubt any sort of air mage both powerful enough and insane enough to work on an airship exists," he hisses. "They command bloated enough prices on solid ground."

Mira looks over the listings, tsking. "That's what I was afraid of. Well, there was no harm in taking a look. Those prices are a wee bit beyond what I can afford, but thank you."

Aaron says, "You might want to put up a posting anyway. Some mages may be willing to work one-way for a reduced fee and free passage."

The captain thinks it over. "No harm in trying that," she pronounces.

Aaron smiles and hands the Khatta a form to fill out.

Ambergris begins digging around in one pocket, she produces a few rumpled pieces of black paper that have writing on them in red paint.

The courier snuffles a bit as she rubs at her muzzle, giggling quietly, then coughs.

Aaron turns towards the two Eeee, "Ah, I see you've found… um… Ambergrizzle, was it?"

Mira picks up a quill pen from the counter, dips it in ink, and writes a request on the board in easily-legible lettering, then signs her name beneath. The paper is then offered to Aaron.

Aaron places Mira's notice in the appropriate spot on the Jobs Board.

The White Eeee wanders over to the bulletin board and stabs a couple of messages into it, the papers have ugly, almost jagged writing on them and various Necromancer symbols scribbled in the corners, all of this in blood red ink. The bat pauses to look at her handiwork and then walks back to the counter, placing the 'skull' rune down with the intention of purchasing it.

A lock of hair tickles her muzzle as Brishen nods. Maybe if she doesn't talk, she won't start laughing again. I didn't think people like Ambergris really existed. Wait 'til I tell Reico! Hee!

Mira looks oddly at the new notices for a few seconds, then wanders the shop, looking at the wares on display.

Aaron hurries behind the counter, and both of his ears shoot up straight when he sees which rune Ambergris wants to buy. "Ah… a wonderful choice. That will be 10 shekels please… and if you'd like to be informed about any new related items that come in, you can leave your name and address as well." The rabbit smiles at the weird Eeee and tries to get Woody's attention with one ear.

Woody looks up from a rack of shrunken skulls he's dusting to notice Aaron's gesture. He begins dusting his way closer to the counter.

Ambergris exhales another plume of purplish smoke through her nose before snuffing her cigarette on the counter. "I'll just come back later, junk mail is one of the few pains in life that I'd rather not suffer through." She places a tenner on the counter.

Aaron nods, "Ah, certainly Madam. Enjoy your purchase… "

Big brown eyes glance at Woody's hands as he draws closer, her movements masked by a giggly fit of coughing. Her wings bump against the counter.

The white Eeee takes up her purchase and exits out the door. The pierced rings on her ears and wings clatter together as her heavy boots thump against the wooden floor. She pushes the door open and steps out.

A battered-looking Fox stumbles back into the shop, before the door can close again. He shakes a bit, grinning. "T-th-the charm WORKS!" He holds it in a wavering hand.

Woody wipes the counter with his dusting rag, nodding at Aaron. "That one look… suspicious?" he murmurs to the shopkeeper.

Aaron motions to Woody openly now, and hisses, "That might have been one of them, right here in the shop!!" The Lapi stops abruptly as the Fox returns.

Aaron says, "Ah, of course it works, sir! This isn't the Bazaar, after all."

The Fox wavers on his feet. "Oh, it was a horrible accident! But the most BEAUTIFUL lady Zerda asked me if I was HURT! Oh! It's love at first sight! Oh, thank you, THANK you ever so much! I do think she wanted to kiss me on the nose! I could SEE it in her eyes! My fortunes have CHANGED!"

Brishen stops, staring at the fox. Her eyes get a little wider as she tries to fight off another wave of laughter. "Ow." She clutches her sides, giggling weakly.

"She had the trappings of a spirit m-… " The lizard turns his head to regard the fox, sighing inwardly. "Yes, all of Mr. Lightfoot's stock is of the highest quality. Tell your friends to shop Aaron's Apothecary, won't you?"

The Fox wavers again, then says, "I think I shall swoon now." He falls heavily to the floor. His tail flops up into the air, then settles down again.

Aaron blinks. Not again!!

Mira wanders past Woody as she selects a jar of ointment for chafed or cracked skin and another of a headache remedy. It can't do, after all, to get caught on a long voyage without some method of relief. A slight sigh is audible as she catches sight of the Fox.

The clerk puts a hand on one wide hip, and scratches the back of his head with the other. "Shall I seat our patron in the tea nook, Mr. Lightfoot?" he asks.

Aaron tugs his ears down, "Uhh… yes, yes Woody. That would be good I think." He lets his ears go and smiles to Mira. That's also when he notices the odd black messages stuck to the Jobs Board…

Grumbling, the reptile waddles around the counter to Aaron's fallen customer. He reachers under the vulpine's shoulders, and begins dragging him over to the tea tables, trying to prop him up in a chair in a way as to keep him from sliding off it.

Brishen squints at the flier, snuffling quietly. "What does it say? I really can't see the words very well." She leans forward a little, holding on to the edges of her stool.

The captain (so indicated by other insignia on her uniform) offers assistance to the clerk, who seems to be struggling.

The vulpine is fairly light, and presents no resistance. He flops about, but looks as if he has simply dozed off in the chair. Adding to the illusion, he snores loudly.

Aaron steps up to the Board and squints to read the notes. "Oh… oh dear… " he mutters. "Brishen, do you know of an abandoned Zolk factory anywhere?"

Brishen nods, brushing a lock of hair away from her muzzle. "Uh-huh."

"It seems like he's suddenly become boneless," mutters Woody, finally getting the fox stable. "But it looks like he'll stay put, madam. Thank you anyway."

Brishen hops off of her stool, wrapping her wings around herself as she walks over to the board. "So, it isn't just a piece of black paper after all. I thought she was trying to make some sort of statement."

Mira's ears flatten, and she groans. "Can't you snore more quietly?" she asks the fox. When no response is forthcoming, she puts her selections on the counter and idly watches the rabbit and bat.

Aaron blinks and hurries over to the Captain. "Ah, sorry for the delay there. Is there anything else you'd like?"

Mira shakes her head, digging in a pocket to find some shekels.

Aaron tallies up the purchase, and writes a receipt as well. Airships like records for everything, he knows…

"I'll be sure to mention your need for an Air Mage to those that check the board," the rabbit adds with a smile.

Woody steals a glance at the board as he returns to the counter. "I can't recall the factory mentioned on there," he whispers to Aaron. "But I'm sure it can be checked out. I'll look into it if I have time before my meeting."

In the background Bree twirls in a lazy circle, her eyes tightly closed. "Oh! I may swoon!"

Aaron nods to the shiga, and tries not to giggle at Brishen. Maybe he can sell the Fox a love charm later…

The captain thanks Aaron for the offer as she paying for the items.

Aaron says, "Clear skies, Captain."

Brishen twirls about, waiting for the Khatta to leave. Her voice, when she starts singing, is considerably more pleasant than the erstwhile vulpine bard's. She has potential. Hurry up. Hurrrrry up. Pay for the thing, already!

Mira heads back out into the mayhem outside. The door bangs shut softly behind her.

Aaron sighs, and casts a last glance at the sleeping Fox. Probably no threat there. "Okay then. Brishen, do you know which building is mentioned in that note, so Woody can find it?"

Brishen squeaks, cupping her wings a little as she hops over to smile at Aaron. "There's an abandoned zolk factory near Darkside." She brushes a lock of hair away from her muzzle, sniffing. "Lots of weird people are supposed to go there now and then."

Aaron's eyes widen… whether at the mention of 'weird people' or just at the smile is uncertain. "A lead! Can you show Woody how to get there? You two seem to be getting along better now."

The lizard nods. "We settled our differences," he hisses. "Yes, Brishen, tell me where this is, and I may have time to check it out." He pats his broad 'stomach', which sloshes. "I can't make sense of that book anyway. These hot water bottles are killing my back, and I'm sick of playing shopkeeper.

Aaron hmphs quietly. What's wrong with being a shopkeeper? Not that he actually cares for it himself…

The faintest hint of a strange smile crosses Brishen's muzzle, quickly replaced with something more cheerful before she looks back at Aaron. "It's not hard to find – "