Binter's shack is quieter than normal. The fad of vermites has slowly died down and now the little food shack is once again reduced to its normal more regular clientele. To help with business they're offering a few sales and have added some nice fancy banners to the shack. The planks holding the wooden structure look like they've recently been broken and mended back together again.

Gwyneth has just come in and looks around. It is fortunately not as crowded as she expected it. Looking around, she hopes she will find the shipmate with whom she's to have lunch with. At least, there aren't any Vartan bartenders!

A Skreek at one of the tables motions to Gwyneth as she enters. She's been shoved off to one of the seats in the back, not unusual treatment for a rat.

Wyn enters, lured by the smell of food. She looks at the signs and reads them slowly to herself.

Gwyneth clops over to the Skreek, and looks her over quickly. "Chiri?" she asks the Skreek, just to make sure this is who's she's supposed to meet.

A kavi waiter bounds up to the wolf's side and hastily offers her a table. "One can get run over by the crowd out here. Come on inside and look over the menu, we'll fetch you some water meanwhile."

Wyn pats herself down. "Oops, no pockets," she says to herself. "Thank you. Water would be great," she says, louder.

Chiri grins and rests her chin on her folded hands. "Gwyneth is it? I've wanted to meet you for awhile… nice to see that for once I won't be the only lady working on the ship for once." She gestures for the halfbreed to take a seat.

The kavi plops a yellowed piece of thick parchment in front of Wyn as well as a glass of lukewarm water. "Just call me when you're ready to order." He says and then rushes back into the kitchen.

Wyn gives the menu a cursory look as she eavesdrops on conversations around her, listening for gossip and local use of language.

Gwyneth takes the seat and sits down, draping her wings over the back of the chair. "Thanks for inviting me for lunch. I'm brand new to the company, and don't have too many friends yet. And I know exactly what you mean. I've been on one too many ships filled with male Eeee." She smiles at the Skreek, and scoots in her chair a bit.

Bassai's presence fills the entrance, along with a frustrated hissing, "The Nerve of them! Well, perhaps this establisshment knows the meaning of the word cuisine."

Wyn's fur stands on end at the sound of the serpentine voice. She turns her head just enough to identify the speaker.

Bassai surveys the room, searching for a free table, a menu, or perhaps some other thing.

The Skreek glances at her own menu, idly twirling a strand of bright red hair that pokes out from under the bandanna that covers most of her head. "Bah… what kind of menu advertises vermites… they even call them 'rats'. Like I'm a relative to one of those filthy… " she pauses and looks up at Gwyneth again, her scowl quickly fades into a smile. "It's quite alright. ANYTHING to get away from the usual airship crew types. Bah… Sooo, what brings you to our merry little crew? I hear you rescued that slave I patched up."

Envoy pokes her head into the shack, and tries to see around Bassai's bulk. Where could Fenter be?

Bassai says, "oh, pardon me madam"

A Jupani waitress nervously walks up to Bassai. "W-Welcome to Binter's, sir. Have a seat and we'll be right with you." She gestures to Naga to a table uncomfortably close to Wyn's own, offers him a menu and a similar glass of lukewarm water and rushes off to meet Envoy.

Bassai slides out of the doorway, "Tekki! Come in, stop standing in the entrance."

Wyn thinks . o O { Take a deep breath. The snake's not done anything. Take two deep breaths. )

Tekki jerks nervously at his master's words and quickly follows the Naga, his eyes downcast.

Bassai slithers over to the table, pushing the chair aside with a practiced ease, and sits instead on his coils.

Wyn waves to Envoy, smiling.

Bassai says, "Sit Tekki, see if the menu is worth conssidering."

The halfbreed idly picks up the menu, leafing through it quickly. She peers over it at the Skreek. "Well, I think rescued would be exagerrating things a little. After all, I think he was taking care of himself quite well." Her eyes catch on a salad offering in the menu, but notices the vermite food. Ugh. But not half as nasty as some of the things her father had eaten when she knew him.

"Bah." Chiri squeaks. "Nothing wonderful, but filling. You're one of those vegetable eater types, right?"

Bassai's gaze focuses for a moment on the Skreek. He flicks out his tongue.

The Savanite obediently sits and regards his menu. His tailtip twitches occasionally.

Bassai looks elsewhere, searching for the Jupani server.

Envoy comes over to Wyn's table, "Hello Wyn! You didn't happen to see a raccoon in a housedress earlier, did you?"

The waitress quickly rushes over to the Naga's table. "Yes? We have fresh yiffles today, as well as a nice bromthen piglet garnished in sugarfur leaves."

A glass and a menu appear in front of Envoy almost an instant after she sits down. The service is quick.

Wyn takes advantage of Envoy's arrival to move to the other side of the table, where she can sit facing the Naga and his Savanite. "No… ," she wufs softly as she sits. "Stay for a few minutes?"

Gwyneth lifts an eyebrow at Chiri. "Don't eat nothing else. I guess someone told you my diet takes after my mother's."

Envoy smiles, "Certainly Wyn. What have you been up to?"

Wyn looks in the Naga's direction, and back at Envoy. She whispers to Envoy, "They friendly?"

Bassai says, "There you are. Now waitress, I presume you have food worthy of a Savanite available today?"

Gwyneth brushes some of her stray hair away from her eyes, its ebony strands falling past her shoulders.

Envoy looks over her shoulder at Bassai. "He's a bit gruff, actually. But I don't think the Naga is dangerous."

Chiri smiles as she regards her menu a bit more closely. "I'd heard it mentioned. It's my business to know what makes the crewmen sick, afterall." she points an item out to the varhian. "They make a fairly nice salad here, I'm led to believe."

Wyn grins a little. "I have no job but to wait for the Temple's pleasure in deciding my fate. Until then, I spend my days reading and spying on people."

Envoy smiles again, "What have you been reading? Have you seen anything interesting?"

The waitress glances at the Savanite, who simply sits with his eyes downcast. "We might have a few vermites left if you're interested in feeding your slave."

Bassai says, "My apologies, you are indeed well supplied, I hadn't anticipated you having anything worthy of me, let alone my slave, based on what I had seen at other establishments. "

Gwyneth cocks her head a little bit. "Sure it doesn't have any meat in it? You have to be careful sometimes." She lays her menu down, satisfied that she'll order one of the salads. "So I heard you're going to be our translator."

Wyn shakes her head. "Nothing I think is interesting. They'll let me into just one room of the Library. It's full of conflicting religious texts and encyclopedias. I don't have a head for those. I'm trying to get access to the navigational charts. The guards there are adamant, but I'm wearing them down."

Bassai says, "I'm afraid I was going to be rather brusk with you, and so hadn't listened to what you had to offer. I would love to have a bromthen piglet, and hmm… let me see… "

Bassai looks at the menu

Bassai picks something that looks reasonable for the average person, "Give him this."

The Jupani licks the tip of her pencil and begins to scribble upon her notepad. "Piglet… would you like anything to drink? We have a very fine mint tea."

Wyn softly wufs, "You look like you're doing OK for yourself, Envoy."

Bassai says, "That sounds satisfactory, yes"

Wyn's ears flit forward involuntarily at the mention of tea.

Envoy says, "Nobody has tried to kill me in awhile, but my status at the Temple is undefined right now."

Chiri says, "I can translate a bit, zelak is slightly tricky. But I hope I can manage. I just wish there was some way of telling the boy zelaks from the girl zelaks."

Envoy says, "I'm going to be going on a trading expedition to see Zelaks though! That winged horse over there is one of the crew."

Wyn looks.

Bassai looks around, his gaze resting on Envoy and Gwyneth. (I seem to keep encountering familiar faces)

Wyn eyes Envoy. "There aren't enough bugs in the City for you?"

The waitress spins on her heel and heads back into the kitchen, while her kavi companion bounces on his heels waiting for a word from one of the other tables.

Wyn says, "Are you going hunting, Envoy?"

Envoy says, "I suppose you could say I'm hunting for knowledge. I want to meet other kinds of Zelaks."

The Skreek runs her finger down the menu. "I think I'm just going to have a roast Rughrat sandwich. Might as well get as much real meat in me as I can before we leave port."

Wyn says, "Ick."

Wyn says, "Whatever for, Envoy?"

Gwyneth's back is to Envoy and Bassai, but their voices are being picked up. "How can you make all those clicks they make?" she asks Chiri. Gwyneth turns around, spying Envoy. "Oh, look, there's Envoy. I met her at the party the other night, just before everything turned chaotic."

Tekki simply looks at the interesting scratches and stains on the table.

Envoy blinks three times at Wyn. "Because I haven't met any before."

Envoy catches Gwyneth looking her way, and waves!

Wyn says, "Ah. Well… I suppose I shall be interested to hear about the different kinds there are when you get back. I hope you'll watch to see which are fast, and which slow, and how they hunt?"

Chiri looks at Envoy. "Is she a relative of yours? You two look a bit alike… Oh, she's waving."

Bassai taps on the table idly.

Envoy says, "I don't know if Zelaks hunt at all. Most colonial superorganisms use agriculture of some form."

Bassai is watching Gwyneth and Envoy very intently now, except for his fingers, the rest of him is in a focused stillness.

The Skreek smiles. "And to answer your question… " She suddenly emits a series of shrill clicking and buzzing noises.

Gwyneth looks back at Chiri, "Do you want to meet her? I heard she's going to be joining us on our trip. And," she laughs merrily, "No, no relation at all. At least, I don't think so." She smiles.

Wyn blinks. "I have no idea what you just said. I know they can hunt. They've hunted me before. I would like to know how they do that."

Chiri clears her throat. "Murder on one's vocals. Sure… perhaps we could join them? More the merrier."

Envoy gets momentarily distracted by the string of clicks, but turns back to Wyn and says, "The Zelaks you see here don't do anything unless they've been told to do it. Someone must have told them to find you."

Gwyneth lays her ears back at the clicking. "Worse than Vartan!" She giggles. "Come on, let's go talk to them." She gets up.

Bassai slides around the table, sensing an interruption and an opening, and hisses, "Excuse me, I heard you mention the temple… " to both Envoy and Wyn.

Wyn nods. "I want to know if they track by scent or by sound or by taste. I want to learn how to be invisible to them, Envoy. It'd be worth a lot to me to find out how to do that."

Envoy blinks as Bassai and Gwyneth and Chiri all approach at once… "Hello… this is my friend Wyn."

There's a shrill *SQUEAL* from the kitchen, and the waitress re-emerges with a trussed up bromthen piglet on a platter. She gently sets in Bassai's place, and then places a bowl of chili in front of the Savanite.

Wyn swishes her tail amiably.

Bassai focuses on Wyn, "My pleasure." He bows.

Gwyneth ughs. Meat-eaters.

Envoy introduces herself to Chiri.

Wyn forces a smile and nods.

"Chiri, this is Envoy," Gwyneth says politely.

Bassai says, "I am sorry for the interruption, I am attempting to locate a temple guard, could you tell me where their barracks are?""

Envoy says, "Inside the Temple. There are usually guards at the doors though… "

Chiri sidles up beside Gwyneth. "Pleasure meeting ya'll… er." She casts a nervous glance at the snake, then looks back up to Envoy and smiles.

Envoy compliments Chiri on her ability to sound like a Zelak.

Wyn thinks . o O { I wonder why I'm reacting this way to the snake. It's probably just emotional baggage from before I came to this floating rock, but I'll talk to someone about it later. Just in case. }

Tekki wrinkles his nose at the chili just a bit.

Chiri takes a seat next to Wyn. "Well, are you going on the trip as well to the hive?" She asks the wolf.

Bassai stops staring at Wyn, his gaze instead resting on Chiri, then Envoy, "Thank you, so obviouss. One moment please, my meal may escape."

Wyn says, "No. I've business here in the City that won't stand my absence."

Envoy smiles at that thought. "Would the Temple let you go, Wyn?"

Wyn shakes her head.

Gwyneth looks over at Bassai, "Bassai, isn't it? Thank you for helping us with that wolf the other night."

The piglet squeals as Bassai comes closer. "ReeeREEEEReeeee!"

Wyn whispers to Envoy, "You'll have more fun without me. I'd want to gish them all."

Gwyneth glances over at Chiri, "He's really a very friendly snake," she whispers. "But then again, I don't know him all that well."

Envoy nods back to Wyn, and whispers, "I think the Zelaks have very acute senses of smell."

Wyn nods.

Wyn thinks . o O { That doesn't surprise me. Drat. It's hard to fool a scent tracker. }

Chiri leans over to Gwyneth and whispers, "Then you don't know Nagas very well. Conceited lot every blasted one of them, especially the males."

Bassai turns back to his table, silencing his meal by swiftly swallowing it.

Envoy watches Bassai eat with rapt attention.

"REEEEreeeeeREEE – "

Bassai turns back, the bulge disappearing down his throat, and he smiles at Gwyneth, "Of course, think nothing of it."

Gwyneth leans back to Chiri. "Like I said, I don't know him very well." She looks at Bassai for about a second before she has to turn away. Her stomach gurgles. Ugh. Maybe she won't eat anything.

Bassai looks at Chiri, and finishes swallowing.

The Naga's servant, seeing that his master has started his meal begins to slowly eat his own. He swallows a spoonful, then his eyes begin to water. Unfortunately he doesn't have anything to drink.

Bassai gazes once more at Gwyneth, "You wouldn't perhaps remember the guard who assissted us that evening, with the lantern?"

Chiri looks back at her menu. "Well, let's see what kind of slop my moneypouch can handle today." She says, just a little too loudly.

Envoy says, "Have you ordered yet, Wyn?"

Gwyneth scoots in her chair a little bit, having sat down earlier. She looks over at the snake. "The Champion of Roses? I saw her at a party another night."

Bassai says, "That is the one I am specifically trying to find"

The kavi waiter's ears perk at Chiri's words.

Wyn holds up her half-empty mug of water. "This is all I can afford. Don't please say that too loudly. I don't want them to kick me out before I'm finished."

Wyn swishes her tail.

Bassai nods, "Champion of Rosess, yes."

Tekki quietly fans his tongue off, glancing longingly at Wyn's watermug.

Wyn eyes the waiter.

Envoy says, "Oh… I can treat you to lunch then, Wyn. I don't have many expenses."

Bassai looks around for his tea, and sees Tekki fanning his tongue. "Tekki, behave yourself! Waitress, Waitresss

Bassai says, "There are several people in need of water here"

Wyn says, "That would be most welcome, Envoy. Thank you."

Envoy looks at the panting cheetah, and asks, "Cyootcumber chili?"

Gwyneth looks over at Wyn, scrunching her eyes in concentration. "Have we met? Forgive me if I can't remember your name?"

Bassai says, "I believe that was what it was, a bad selection?"

The Savanite stops abruptly and sits on his hands, His jaw twitches just a bit. The waitress rushes up to Bassai and sets another mug of water in his place.

Envoy says, "This is Arwyn Starwolf, Gwyneth."

Bassai pushes the mug to Tekki, then asks the waitress, "Please provide him with some bread, he seems to be having some difficulty with my choice of meals."

Envoy says, "It seems overly spicy to most mammals, Bassai."

Wyn says, "It's just 'Wyn,' Gwyneth. Really, Envoy."

"Yessir." The Jupani yips and ducks back into the kitchen. Reappearing with a basket of bread.

Bassai says, "Most unfortunate, I shall have to remember in the future.""

Tekki drinks half the contents of the mug in one gulp, then goes back to his meal quietly. Nibbling at the bread after every spoonful.

Chiri says, "So what will you be doing on our little trip, Envoy? You don't look like much of a shiphand."

Gwyneth looks back and forth between Wyn and Envoy, and nods, "Wyn, then, nice to meet you." she smiles. "Waitress, can I have this salad, right here?" she points to the item on the menu.

Wyn watches Tekki curiously.

Envoy says, "I will be assisting Aski."

Bassai says, "So, Gwyneth, Envoy. Would either of you know where I could find thiss Champion of Roses?"

The waitress peers at the menu and nods. "One greenflower salad. Would you prefer the red or the purple dressing with that? Oh… silly me, I'm sorry, we're out of the red… it's that darn spice shortage."

Envoy says, "I believe they have their compound at the foot of Mount Golgotha, Bassai. But I suppose you could just leave her a message at the Temple."

Wyn thinks . o O { How can you be servant to this one? Are you enslaved, Tekki? What makes you stay, I wonder. You wear no bonds. }

"And a roast Rughrat steak sandwich for me." Chiri adds. "Plus a refill on the water."

Gwyneth flicks her ears forward. "I'll have to take the purple then." She hands the menu to the waitress. "The champion, Bassai? I suppose you could ask at the temple. That's afterall where she works. I guess you could ask Arkold, too. That's the wolf you rescued. I think he follows her around, too."

Wyn's ears swivel front.

Envoy says, "What would you like to have, Wyn?"

Tekki simply sits, eyes downcast, as he continues to quietly eat his meal. His overall posture isn't one of torment or pain… just mild discomfort… and resigned acceptance.

Bassai says, "Ah yess, I seem to have lost track of Arkold, would you know his location?"

Wyn says, "Vermite is great by me. Not having to catch it myself is a welcome treat."

Wyn listens closely.

The waitress quickly scribbles on her notepad and looks eagerly to Wyn and Envoy. "Vermite… hmmm. Would you like the real vermite or one of our specialty designs. There's the quaint little merchant out in the market that sells little sausages in the shape of vermites."

Wyn thinks . o O { Arkold's found himself another wuf. That shouldn't bother me. It's a good thing. }

Wyn says, "The real thing, please."

Gwyneth says, "I haven't seen him since the party a few nights ago. I don't get much chance to mingle with high-society."

"You got it." The waitress barks. "One fried rat."

Envoy says, "I'd like some vegetable juice if you have any."

Chiri scowls at the waitress.

Gwyneth waits impatiently for her salad. Service here is a bit on the lousy side.

Wyn smiles at Chiri. "I'm sure they don't mean anything by that," she says.

Bassai says, "Or perhaps they do"

"We have a nice tomato and green pepper juice. Although it's a trifle strong" The waitress answers.

Envoy says, "That will be fine please, with some bread."

Bassai says, "Yes, quite an interesting party. Tell me did anything of note happen after I left?"

Envoy says, "Arkold's girlfriend arrived, and two children where reunited with their parents… "

The Jupani nods and sucks back into the kitchen. Moments later a kavi pops out and places a heaping bowl of salad in front of Gwyneth. "The rest will be ready in just a few minutes."

Envoy says, "And I never did find Latania, to see if she cast magic at me to make me hiccup."

Bassai says, "Excellent"

Bassai says, "You seem to have recovered well in any case."

Chiri shoots a glare as the waitress as she leaves.

Gwyneth takes a bite of her salad, "Complete chaos broke loose when Jynx and Eve – that's those two Khatta who helped us, Bassai – got reunited with their parents. Everyone seemed to be unable to stand anymore!"

The salad is meatless… but it's SOLID lettuce, nothing else. Except for the slightly spicy dressing that's lightly sprinkled upon it.

Bassai says, "That is most fortunate for them, hopefully they will benefit from parental guidance from now on."

Bassai says, "I am glad to hear things worked out so well for them"

Bassai says, "Envoy, you seemed interested in the Savanite artist. Tell me, can you understand them?"

A kavi laden with dishes pops out of the kitchen, he places a glass of juice and a basket of bread in front of Envoy, a large sandwich in front of the Skreek, and a plate of… something in front of Wyn. It's hard to make out what as the thing's been batter dipped and fried.

Gwyneth finds her salad, no – her lettuce, to be somewhat unvaried. Well, at least its edible, and the dressing seems to be tasty. Her tastebuds, at least, take after her father, even if her diet doesn't.

Wyn looks at the thing on the plate curiously.

Bassai looks at Wyn, "Would you like me to shake your plate so it looks alive?"

Chiri says, "FINALLY! Yeesh, you'd think they had to go to the temple to make something so simple."

Wyn lays her ears back.

Wyn says, "No, thank you."

Envoy sips her juice, and nibbles on a piece of bread.

Bassai says, "My pardons, it is a joke we use with young Nagai when they stare at their food"

Chiri tears into her meal. Oddly, her expression is fairly mechanical as she eats.

Chiri glances at Wyn's plate. "Batter fried vermite. I wonder if that's the special for the day or if the poor thing just fell into the pan accidentally."

Gwyneth munches a little bit, before reaching for her mug of water. At least water isn't rationed like when she's on ships.

Envoy says, "If it's not what you wanted, you can send it back Wyn."

Tekki nibbles on the last bit of his bread and quietly stacks his dishes along with those of his master.

Wyn says, "Ah. No, this is alright. I wasn't sure how to eat it."

Envoy sips more of her spiced drink.

"Hopefully they took the bones out before they cooked it." The Skreek says wryly.

Envoy says, "Bone marrow is good for you."

Wyn picks at the batter to be certain of what she's eating and then takes a big crunchy bite. "Nope," she wufs with her muzzle full.

Gwyneth says, "Ugh. Speak for yourself, Envoy.""

Chiri says, "So is the mush they serve at breakfast on the ship, supposedly. Doesn't mean I have to like it."

Envoy blinks, and looks from Gwyneth to Tekki. She certainly wasn't speaking for him, since he hasn't signed anything…

Envoy blinks at Chiri now. "Is it important to like what you're eating?"

The Savanite glances at Envoy from the corner of his eye, rubs his nose nervously, and then quickly glances back down at the table.

Wyn finishes the vermite quickly, leaving most of the batter on the plate.

Gwyneth watches Wyn wolf down her plate.

Bassai follows Envoy's gaze momentarily to Tekki, "Was that enough?"

Chiri shrugs. "I suppose not. Although I'd rather not eat something that looks like a Vartan regurgitated if I can help it."

Tekki nods.

Gwyneth takes another few bites of her salad. Hrm. Chiri's right though. The mush they serve on ships is worse.

Bassai says, "So that is how they prepare their meals"

The wait staff quickly clear away the empty dishes and refill the empty mugs. Envoy's glass is replaced with a full one.

Bassai's tongue flickers out.

Gwyneth turns to Chiri after swallowing a few bites. "Ever learn Vartan, Chiri?"

Envoy takes deeper sips of her drink, and bites of a chunk of bread.

Envoy says, "How many languages do you know, Chiri?"

Chiri smirks. "The only enjoyable airship meal is waashu, and that's just for winning bets."

Chiri says, "Vartan? I know a little bit, my voice cracks at the louder bits. As for how many, I'd have to sit and think about it."

Envoy says, "But you are sitting… "

The Skreek glances at her chair, then back up to Envoy. "Er… I mean that I don't know right off hand. Enough to get by on the trader circuit for the most part."

Envoy nods. "I only know Standard, Savanite, and Vykarin so far."

Bassai says, "Ah, so you can communicate with them Envoy."

The waitress returns. "So, would any of you care for dessert? We have a nice bromthen truffle pie, strawberry mouuse, and sugarsticks."

Bassai says, "I was curious if the insane artist from the other night had anything to say to you."

Tekki's ears flick at the mention of Savanite sign.

Wyn shakes her head no thank you to the waitress.

Bassai says, "I will try a sugarstick"

Envoy says, "Something about an eye and the world going crazy, I think. It was difficult to make out… "

Chiri looks to Gwyneth. "I'm not much of one for sweets." She pats a rather scrawny plantigrade leg, unusual for a Skreek on both counts. "But feel free to indulge yourself. It'll be the last bit of sweetness you'll taste until we come back home."

Envoy orders some mousse.

Gwyneth resists. She fails miserably. "I'll take one. A sugarstick that is."

Gwyneth never did get her sugarstick after that incident at the bazaar. Well, she got a job. That's better!

Envoy says, "Do you want some tea, Wyn?"

Wyn says, "Sure!"

Envoy adds mint tea to the dessert order.

Wyn grins. "Zephyr introduced me to it awhile ago. It's wonderful."

Bassai nods

With a flourish of her pencil, the waitress takes down the orders and vanishes into the kitchen. The kavi pops back out and places a small bowl of some thick pink goo in from of Envoy. He holds out several sticks of crystallized sugar to the Naga and varhian. "Pick your flavor, we have plain, strawberry, orange, mint, and… er… blue." He glances at Envoy. "A tea? Yesindeedy!"

Bassai says, "I will try the blue"

Chiri itches at the back of her head.

Tekki casts a glance at the desserts then back at his table. Ohh, look at this stain…

Envoy examines her mousse for any unknown macroscopic organisms, and looks mildly disappointed when she doesn't find any. That's one the main reasons she comes to this establishment…

The Naga is quickly handed a blue sugarstick wrapped in paper. They get messy afterall.

Bassai peels the paper back partway, and flicks his tongue over the stick

Gwyneth grabs the strawberry one, and licks at it.

Bassai hmmms, sucking on it with an unreadable expression.

The kavi barks something in the direction of the kitchen that causes Tekki to flinch, and the waitress reappears with a glass of hot tea for Wyn.

Envoy offers to share some of her mousse with Tekki.

Bassai says, "Tekki, perhaps you would like this. I find it too sweet for my tastes."

Chiri thinks, . o O ( I was expecting him to swallow the thing whole. )

Wyn blows on the tea, pleased at the steam wafting up into the air. She sips slowly with a look of far-off contentment in her eyes.

Bassai says, "It is not necessary for you to offer that to him Envoy, I provide him with decent care and food"

Gwyneth bites on the crystalline sugar candy, breaking off half of it.

Tekki shakes his head to Envoy and nods to his master, taking the stick and quietly sucking on it. He looks as though he's simply performing another chore for his master, but his ears flick back and forth happily.

Bassai gives Tekki the sugarstick, as if to demonstrate.

Envoy blinks at Bassai. "I just thought he might like some, forgive me."

Bassai says, "I understand your concern, some people do not take adequate care of them"

Chiri sighs to herself as she watches the others enjoy their desserts.

Wyn thinks . o O { Tekki is not treated meanly, though he is not entirely pleased with his life, I bet. Perhaps he is servant by arrangement. I guess I can live with that. I hope he's paid well. }

Envoy says, "Are you sure you don't want any sweets, Chiri?"

Gwyneth nods at Envoy and Chiri, feeling a little guilty for enjoying herself while Chiri goes without.

Bassai sips some of his tea

Chiri's ears perk. "No. Er… I wouldn't enjoy them anyhow." she smiles a bit. "I had a little accident on a ship I worked on, bashed my head pretty good. Since then everything tastes like wood to me."

Gwyneth says, "That's terrible!"

Gwyneth sympathizes. "But I suppose it makes eating the garbage they serve on board better."

Envoy blinks and asks, "What kind of wood?"

The Skreek shrugs. "I've gotten used to it." she smirks a bit at Gwyneth. "Only if they could make it LOOK better… "

Chiri scratches her cheek as she looks at envoy. "Er… the tasteless kind."

Gwyneth bites the other half of her sugarstick. "I think only a mage could do that, seriously."

Envoy says, "Have you had a life mage treat you, Chiri? Or perhaps the Zelaks have methods we aren't aware of yet."

Chiri says, "Life mage? Bah, they wouldn't bother with a rat… and I couldn't afford it even if they could."

The Skreek casts a sidelong glance at Bassai.

Gwyneth says, "Illusionist, I was thinking."

Envoy blinks again, and thinks of Latania. "Maybe I can have a healer friend of mine see you if he's here when we return. He went off to help find Paradys."

Tekki finishes the sugarstick and resumes sitting quietly.

Bassai looks at the Skreek

Chiri quickly glances back to Envoy. "Anyhow. I've had ship doctors look at me, it would take a life mage to do the healing… but the whole thing would run me a gold easily. That's more money than I usually see in a year."

Gwyneth nods, wincing. "Those mages are bloodsuckers."

Envoy says, "Why did you join an airship crew, if I may ask?"

Bassai nods, "Most unfortunate."

Chiri shrugs. "Better'n hanging around Rephidim. I like the open air."

Envoy says, "Do you get to meet lots of interesting people in exotic lands?"

Bassai says, "In the Nagai empire we have mages who are obliged to donate some of their time and skills to those unfortunates who cannot afford their normal fees"

Bassai says, "There is of course, a waiting period. However it does somewhat prevent the situation you are in Chiri"

Envoy hmms, noticing for the first time that there never seem to be life mages doing volunteer work at the Lighthouse Mission… at least not when she's there.

Bassai says, "Perhaps our custom will spread here at some point in time."

Chiri says, "I get to meet lots of boring people in even more boring lands… or people who want to kill me." she glances at Bassai. "But I suppose I'd have to be a Naga to apply… ""

Bassai says, "So few Skreek come to the Nagai empire I can honesty say I don't know how you would be received"

Gwyneth takes a drink of water from her mug.

Bassai says, "Hopefully, well… " and swallows a sip of tea.

Envoy hmms. "All the people that try to kill me seem interesting. But then, I suppose everyone is interesting to me."

Chiri leans back in her chair. "I'd probably get shoved in the background like everyone else does. I'm just a stinking rat afterall."

Bassai says, "Such self esteem, if you do not respect yourself, who else will?"

Envoy blinks, "You don't smell offensive, Chiri."

Gwyneth says, "I think that as a translator, you're going to be shoved in the foreground!"

Chiri says, "Figure of speech, Envoy. I mean that I'm just a nobody. I'll probably be an airship grunt until a pirate squewers me or somesuch. That's just the way things go."

Envoy blinks three times. "Then why do you continue as crew, instead of raising a family or pursuing a more fulfilling occupation?"

Chiri looks at Gwyneth. "Ask our esteemed captain to stick me in the foreground when we reach the zelak hive and see what happens. It's like asking a Savanite to captain an airship, or a kavi to become the next captain astromancer.

Envoy says, "I've seen a Savanite command an airship."

Gwyneth says, "If they only speak Zelak, he might have to."

Chiri blinks at Envoy. "What happened, was every other member of the crew dead?"

Bassai says, "Such assumptions"

Envoy blinks. "No, she took control of the crew and stole the ship. It caused Lord Titus to lose some status."

Tekki's ears twist in Envoy's direction.

Bassai says, "Properly trained over an extensive period, I see no reason why a Savanite would not be capable of such things"

Bassai says, "Oh yes, that one… "

Bassai says, "Perhaps he should have supervised her better"

Chiri says, "You mean Titus' witch? Bah… I hear the spirits took over her mind."

Envoy says, "No, she took over Titus' and several others' minds."

Gwyneth shivers.

Bassai has all of his attention focused on Envoy, "Really? For that offense I can see why many wish her dead. How could she accomplish such things?"

Envoy opens and then closes her mouth. Eventually, she says, "You would not believe me."

Chiri looks at Bassai. "There… you hear that? Not only does she claim that a slave is capable of captaining a ship… but now she claims a slave is capable of magic. What's next… we're going to find out that they can really talk and they're just fooling us all."

Tekki's tail twitches nervously.

Bassai nods to Chiri, "Yes… preposterous claim."

Envoy suppresses a sudden impulse to project her voice, so that it would appear that Tekki was talking. Where did that come from?

Gwyneth says, "And here I thought you had to speak to do the rituals."

Gwyneth shrugs, "Who knows what mages do behind closed doors."

Bassai o O { If only I had not heard she was a witch from other sources… }

Envoy says, "That is how the newer magic is performed."

Bassai says, "And how is the old magic performed"

Gwyneth says, "Silently, apparently."

Envoy says, "Through dancing."

Bassai says, "I would guess, dancing about in trances"

The Naga's slave begins looking more and more nervous, he shoots a frightened glance at Envoy.

Bassai says, "That is entertainment Envoy, you are perhaps confused"

Envoy blinks at Tekki, and says, "But then, I'm an Exile. I don't understand magic."

Chiri claws loose a sliver of wood from the table and picks at her teeth. "Exile… that explains it. I hear they do things to exiles in the temple that mess them up."

Bassai says, "We have used such things for things in the Nagai heritage festivals, it is all lights and smoke, to remind us our primitive beginnings"

Tekki quickly looks back down at the table in front of him. His ears flick nervously and his tail lashes from side to side.

Envoy wonders just how 'accurate' Bassai's history is…

Gwyneth adjusts her black and white wings over her chair, "Really Envoy? Did they do strange things to you in the temple when you arrived?"

Bassai glances at Tekki, wondering why Envoy keeps looking at him

Tekki glares intently at the table. He's obviously nervous.

Envoy says, "I woke up in a circus cage here. An Inquisitor and a Bard rescued me and took me to the Temple, where I learned the language."

Bassai o O { It must have been that chili}

Bassai says, "are you ill Tekki?"

Chiri says, "Heh… first time I've heard of an inquisitor rescuing anyone."

Tekki flinches at the sound of his master's voice, inhales sharply, and shakes his head.

Envoy says, "Most of those in the Temple think I am either crazy or the illegitimate offspring of an Aeonian and a Solus."

Gwyneth says, "I take it you're neither?"

Gwyneth doesn't have anything against halfbreeds. Honest! :)

Envoy says, "I am an artificial lifeform, so did not have 'parents' as you do here."

Chiri says, "Artificial… just like the food on the ship!"

Chiri elbows Gwyneth and chuckles at the joke.

Gwyneth blinks and nods slowly, "Artif… " she starts, but is nudged by Chiri. Her laughter makes her laugh as well.

( I wonder whyyyyyyyy they think she's crazy… ) The Skreek thinks to herself.

Gwyneth thinks to herself that she's met Vartans that are completely crazy, but at least they don't say they're… well, fake.

Bassai keeps staring at Tekki, puzzled by his curious nervousness.

The Savanite glances at Envoy one more time and then tries to relax himself. His ears slowly twist forward and his tailtip flicks just a little bit.

Envoy blinks at the various reactions. Maybe the Zelaks will understand her better.

Bassai looks back to Envoy, "Do all Savanites behave strangely in your presence?

Chiri sips at her mug of water. "Maybe it's the sugar."

Envoy says, "No, they do not."

Bassai says, "Tekki seems upset by you, Kame Ikata seemed drawn to that party the other evening, and you were present"

Gwyneth nudges Chiri, causing her to spill a little water. "Hey, I had some sugar too, you know."

Bassai says, "and you describe another taking over an airship."

Bassai nods, "Yes… that is a more reasonable explanation, the sugar."

Envoy hmms, "I am sympathetic to the Savanites, and have spent time with them in the jungle and ruins of the City of Hands."

Bassai says, "I should not feed him so well, hungry is healthy, after all."

Chiri says, "OOP! Hey… well, you're bigger than he is. You're probably more used to sweets than spotty is as well.""

Chiri itches at her head a bit more.

Envoy says, "Yes, a reduced caloric intake can extend the life of the body's cells by preventing excess oxidation from chemical interactions."

Gwyneth blinks at Chiri, "Did you understand that? I think it was another language."

Bassai says, "That must have been a very primitive existence in the jungle then"

Chiri blinks. "Sounds like something an aeonan said once… I think."

Envoy notes, "Yes, unfortunately your languages do not possess the referents needed by advanced sciences."

Gwyneth looks over at Chiri, a somewhat blank look on her face.

Envoy frowns, and just shrugs. "Nevermind."

Envoy says, "Eventually, there will be a Sphere of Biochemistry, and appropriate terms will be available to me then."

Chiri takes another sip from her mug. "I have the feeling that this is going to be a loooong trip coming up." She says, looking sidelong at Gwyneth.

Envoy smiles, "I'm also a Bard, so I can provide some entertainment during the voyage if you like."

Bassai says absently, to continue conversation, "Where are you headed?"

Gwyneth flicks an ear at Envoy. "I heard you play music at the party! You are talented."

"Bugland!" Chiri says with a grin.

Envoy says, "Thank you, Gwyneth. I learn quickly, and have an extensive databa… I know lots of songs from other worlds."

Bassai o O { She is surely mad. Songs from other worlds, unheard of! We would have them if it was possible }

Gwyneth flicks her tail absentmindedly. "I was never able to learn how to play anything. Too much work to do, you know."

Chiri arches an eyebrow. "Do zelaks like music?"

Bassai says, "Where is that Chiri"

Envoy says, "I don't know. The mercenary ones don't seem to react to it."

Bassai says, "Perhaps they are tone deaf from all the blows to the head they've received"

Chiri says, "Some zelak hive. Hopefully we won't have to play with their little grubs or somesuch. I prefer someone I can have a conversation with."

Envoy says, "They may prefer pheromone poetry."

Gwyneth says, "Oh, ug. I've never met their little grubs."

"I hear they're all green and slimy… " The Skreek gives Gwyneth another elbowing. The kind that says, 'I'm just pulling your hoof.'

Bassai shares a this person is crazy look with Chiri.

Tekki watches a Creen fly out of the kitchen with a breadstick in its mouth.

Envoy counts out the shekels needed to cover her and Wyn's tab, and whispers to the wolf a bit.

Bassai rises back, "Well, I do have business to attend to, but it has been a wonderful lunchtime conversation."

Envoy says, "Wyn is going to help me search for Fenter, before it gets too late. I look forward to seeing you all again on the ship."

Gwyneth reaches into her moneybag, paying for the salad and throwing in a little extra for her part of the tip.

Envoy says, "And whatever you may have heard… I do not eat people's brains."

Bassai says, "Good to see you again Gwyneth, nice to meet the rest of you.""

Chiri rises from her seat. "An interesting conversation to say the least. I should get going as well, I need to see how that slave is doing." She snatches back Gwyneth's money and hands it to her. "I'm treating you… remember?"

Bassai says, "Ah yes, of course Envoy… ""

Envoy and Wyn slip out of the shack…

Gwyneth gets up as well, "No, really, are you sure? Its really not necessary." she says to the generous Skreek.

Bassai pays for his meal and Tekki's on his table, no tip.

Chiri just stares at Envoy as she places a ten shekel on the table. She quickly shakes out it as the aeolun leaves. "Er… no. It's alright. I got a chance to have some goof off time with you before we got too busy. You can treat me when we get back in port." she winks.

Tekki rises from the table and takes his place behind his master. He glances in the direction Envoy left.

Bassai hands Tekki a few more shekels, "Go pay the server for your meal."

The Savanite nods and goes to give the money to the waitress.

Gwyneth nods to Chiri, "Alright, if you're sure." she puts her money back. "Envoy is a little strange. I think the trip is either going to be very interesting, or very, very long. Great to meet you though!"

Bassai says, "I wish her other ideas were not so fantastic, it degrades the worth of the one good one she does have"

Chiri says, "I think it's going to be quite long." She glances at the snake. "One good one?"

Gwyneth says, "She had a good idea, Bassai?"

Tekki returns and hands his master the change.

Chiri brushes herself off and pays the waitress.

Bassai says, "Yes, of course, that Savanites are capable."

Gwyneth says, "Of what, of magic?"

Tekki's tail flicks nervously again.

Bassai takes the change, and puts it down on the table, "Thank you Tekki"

Bassai says, "Oh no, just in normal matters. Tekki here is a perfect example, I couldn't ask for a better Archeological assistant"

Gwyneth stretches her wings out. Uh. Its good to stand up again.

Chiri returns, "If they were capable, they wouldn't be slaves." she mumbles, plopping a couple of shekels down on the table.

Bassai says, "He required extensive training, but I am excellent in that regard, and he has turned out wonderfully. I fully trust his skills."

Gwyneth says, "Then again, Chiri, if they weren't capable, they wouldn't even be that."

Bassai looks at Chiri, "They need positive examples, they're not as well developed as other cultures, but can be brought along with proper tutoring."

Gwyneth says, "Although I think we shouldn't overestimate them."

Bassai says, "Well, Tekki is of course, very intelligent."

"I suppose. But magic, and stealing an airship. Bah." She looks off in the direction of the docks. "Speaking of which, I think I'll go check on the slave that got kicked in the gut by a Rhian. Er… nice meeting you, Bassai. See you later, Gwyn."

Bassai says, "We Nagas try to spread the benefits of our culture and wisdom to other races, with Savanites, they just require more effort."

Gwyneth brushes off a couple of stray bits that have found their way onto her clothing. "I can't argue with that!" she says to Bassai, more as a matter of politeness. Of course, she has no idea how smart Tekki is. "See you on the ship, Chiri!"

Bassai says, "Yes, well, that is part of the ideas she has which are insane"

Gwyneth says, "I'd better go too, Bassai. I have lots of work to do to still prepare for the trip."

Tekki just stands there, eyes downcast and tailtip flicking.

Bassai nods, "Farewell."

Gwyneth says, "Hey Chiri, wait up for me. I'll walk with you to the docks.""

Gwyneth clipclops after Chiri, chatting with her as they walk out the door.

Bassai looks at Envoy's vacated seat, This City of Hands, everyone who has spent time there seems insane, the mention of it is causing Tekki to act oddly. I do hope his mind is stronger than the others I've met so far , then he slides towards the door