Aaron sits at one of the window tables, where the sunlight is best, and pages through the latest compendium of Alchemical Herbs, making tiny notes on a slate as he goes.

The afternoon sun streams into the Apothecary. Except for Aaron, the only other person present is a customer going through the postings on the job board. Aaron's assistant Jasmine is somewhere in the back, and her children absent. There is little sound except for the scratching on the slate, and the Jobsearcher turning over notices.

Haji wanders into the shop, jingling the door's chimes while straightening his cloak. He glances around and stops near a table before looking at his weekly item list for the Boss.

The list is very short, with one obscure item: Waashu stinger extract. So far several shops have been unable to provide this, and the Savanite is running out of stores to try.

Aaron looks up from his book, then does a double-take and jumps upright, getting the legs of his chair tangled in his feet. "What do you want?!" he cries as he backs up against the wall.

The ringing of a little glass chime again, after the cheetah's entrance, announces the entrance of another customer – this one a white-furred Eeee with platinum-grey hair and deep blue eyes, dressed in robes and trousers in sky-blue with patches that are lighter, suggesting clouds. The hems are of a much darker blue, highlighted with runes in a metallic-looking fabric. She proudly wears a large Guild ring that announces to anyone in the know her status as a Alumnus of the College Esoterica … and the stylized lightning bolt indicates her role in the Sphere of Air (if the cloud patterns weren't enough).

Wynona blinks, thinking herself the center of attention. "I'm looking for employment," she says in a matter-of-fact tone, as if she's expecting she should get it by the time she leaves this shop.

Aaron spots the pretty Eeee, and manages to stand straighter and seem less cringing.

Haji jumps back, suprised at the shop keeper, and drops his note. {What, what?! I didn't do it, I was only looking!}

Wynona sniffs a bit at the jumpy cheetah. She's met too many Savanites who have given her the creeps. "Let's see… " Her gaze drifts over to the jobseeker. "That must be the post board?"

"Umm… yes, of course! Is this your first time here, Miss … ?" The Lapi's eyes dart back and forth between Wynona and Haji, and then his black left ear flops over and covers half his vision.

"Windcaller," Wynona answers, lifting her chin a couple of degrees more. "Wynona Windcaller of the Sphere of Air … Alumnus of the College Esoterica." Not that any truly self-respecting mage would go around reminding everyone that she's an alumnus.

Haji lays his ears back in relief, glad he actually wasn't doing anything wrong, and picks up his list from the floor.

Wynona waves her hand. "You needn't be so AFRAID. I'm not one of those types who summons up lightning storms at a whim." She sniffles a bit, and pauses to pull out a handkerchief. She pauses, then puts it back, conquering the urge to sneeze, for now.

Aaron blinks, and edges over to the cabinet without turning his back on the Savanite, and pulls out a form and a quill from a drawer. "You'll need to fill this out, Mage Windcaller… And as a first time customer, you are entitled to a ten-percent discount on any ritual or incense candles… " He offers the form to the Eeee.

Wynona's eyes light up. "Really!" Then she pats her coinpurse, which is befitting in girth to one still seeking employment, and her smile fades. "Very generous of you."

Aaron glances over Wynona again, and adds, "Yes… a fifteen percent discount." He smiles a little, but doesn't let Haji out of his sight.

Haji steps behind the Eeee, waiting his turn to ask a question. His ears stay flat against his head, relieving tension.

The bat walks over to the form. "All right … " She reaches for the quill, and sets into 'form-filling' mode – a common one for any College Esoterica student, past or present.

Aaron's eyes go wide as the cheetah approaches Wynona, but he manages to swallow his heart and meet the feline's eyes. "And ah… what can I do for you?"

Haji signs, { Kind sir, I am in need of Waashu stinger extract for my master. It is urgent I procure some, I have looked in most shops already . . .and it seems hard to find. }

Aaron watches Haji's hands closely. Or at least, he watches the claws. "I don't understand hand-speak," he says as he takes another step back, just be out of slashing distance.

Haji flops an ear forward, hopeful.

Aaron blinks, and reaches up to brush his own lop-ear out of his face, and almost asks if the Savanite is mocking him… but is afraid of the answer, even though he wouldn't understand it.

The bat mage finishes filling out the form. "There you go. Now then, have you any specials? Anything of interest for the Sphere of Air? I'm a specialist in that field, you know."

Aaron nearly jumps at Wynona's voice, and has to brush his ear back again, "Oh… umm… " he points to a section of the Jobs Board that seems to deal with Air Mages.

Wynona smiles. "Thank you kindly! Oh! I'm sorry. Did you give me your name yet?"

Aaron straightens up, trying to match the Eeee's posture, "I am Aaron Lightfoot. I own this shop now."

Haji lays the list in front of the shopkeeper and points to it.

Aaron manages not to flinch in front of the pretty Eeee, and picks up the Savanite's list.

"Pleased to meet you! Now that I'm a College Alumnus, I expect to be paying many more visits here. After all, my powers will be greatly in demand, so I'll need lots of components," Wynona adds with a self-confident smile. "Now then… " She wanders over to the job board.

The other person looking at the job postings turns to regard Wynona. She is tall enough to just look down her nose at the mage, which she does with practised skill. Her species isn't immediately obvious, but her attitude gives it away. This other Mage is a poodle with a very unusual style of dress and fur, that almost makes her resemble a Jupani. She smiles and taps a note on the board, "You might be interested in this one." Her gesture catches the sunlight on her guild ring, lighting up the ruby.

Aaron mutters, "Waashu stinger extract? What does a Savanite want with something so dangerous?" Then he looks up as Wynona mentions that she'll be around often. That's a pleasant prospect!

Aaron eyes the Savanite even more suspiciously than before, if that's possible, then gestures for the slave to go to the counter.

The white bat moves up to the board, looking at the indicated note. "Thank you. Uhm … Have we met before?"

Haji swivels his ears out wide in frustration at not being able to barter for something so important to the Boss. Obeying the shop keeper, he pads over to the counter and looks around the shop for anything else that the Boss might want.

The note in question advertises a job of unspecified, but short duration for a Mage of the Air Sphere in a rich section of Rephidim. The very rich section of Rephidim in fact, with an address that could only belong to a Noble. There are no further details except that any applicants will be paid for the effort of responding.

Aaron steps behind the counter, and immediately feels safer. "Umm… what you want is a… controlled substance. Guild Regulations require that I record the name of your… master," the Lapi lies nervously.

Wynona raises an eyebrow quizically at the terribly vague note. "Hmm. Well, it certainly seems worth investigating, yes."

Haji's eyes widen for a moment, before he motions for something to write with.

Aaron pushes a piece of scrap paper across the countertop, and a blunt black crayon.

"Its free money, makes me wish I knew the Sphere of the Air… " the poodle says, her voice dragging out the last word in a vaguely high pitched, insulting way. "It's possible we've met. I'm sure I've seen you around the Campus. My name is Kelsey Van Kabril."

Haji picks up the crayon and writes 'Bambridge'. He passes the note back, ears twitching nervously.

Wynona mouths an "Oh" in response to the name. "Ah. Yes. I'm certain I've heard your name, though, of course, being in different spheres, we've never had any chance to mingle. A pity, yes?"

Aaron hmms at the name, and puts the paper back under the counter before heading back into the rows of shelves. He soon returns with a tiny cloth-wrapped cylinder sealed with wax and festooned with ominous looking symbols. "That'll be… um… " He turns back into the shelves to consult with Jasmine, who knows the price of everything in stock…

"Oh yes, quite a pity, though I have heard of you, Wynona," Kelsey smiles, "I'm not sure you'd enjoy mingling with my friends. Different spheres, you understand."

Wynona nods soberly. "Oh. Of course. I understand. Perfectly understandable. Yes."

Haji watches the shop keeper disappear among the shelves before tailswishing { YESSS! }

Haji looks down at the money bag the Boss gave him and crosses his tail he has enough shekels.

The air mage turns her attention back to the note, pulling out a scrap of parchment and a charcoal pencil to scribble down the address, and also a few others while she's at it. After all, one must cast one's balloons upon the winds…

"Well, I must leave now, but do think of me if you ever need someone skilled in the Sphere of Fire. There seems to be so few opportunities for us." Kelsey sighs, with the overdramatic heaviness only a poodle can supply. "I will certainly be thinking of you every time I consider the Sphere of Air."

Wynona smiles. "Why, thank you! I appreciate the thought. I'll certainly mention your name if I hear of any requests for fire mages."

Aaron returns to the counter and practically whispers the price, not wanting to frighten any of the other customers by speaking it out loud, "125 shekels."

Haji lays his bag of shekels on the counter and writes out '120' for the shop keeper. He keeps his tail crossed.

Kelsey nods to Wynona, "Till our next encounter then," and gives a short bow before walking away. Her motions are also very wolflike, and even her tail has been brushed out, to de-emphasize her poodleness. The doorchime rings as she leaves the store.

Aaron stares at the number for a moment, trying to decide if the Savanite would become violent if he doesn't get the poison. "Ah," he chews on his lip and lets his ear flop over. "If your master comes in, I might be able to extend some credit… " He looks up to see the Savanite's reaction.

Haji creases his brow and repeats the number, { 120 }

Wynona instinctively curtseys, even though her robes aren't suited to the task, as the fire mage departs. She then finishes writing down her notes, and decides to browse the store itself for a time.

Aaron goes from chewing on his lip to chewing on the tip of his flopped over ear. After a moment, he pushes the vial across the counter. "120 then."

Haji tailsigns { YESSS! } without thinking and lays his ears flat in relief again.

Aaron jerks back at the Savanite's reaction, and spits out his ear when he realizes he was sucking on it. Only infants do that!

Haji takes the vial and gives the shop keeper a rather overdone bow. He twirls his cloak excitedly and heads for the door, wondering if Lapi always suck their ears like that.

Outside it is getting darker, which is unusual for this time in the afternoon, as dusk isn't for another few hours.

Aaron whisks the shekels out of sight behind the counter, and makes a quick note of the transaction in the inventory log. Jasmine will balance it into the books later…

Wynona shakes her head. "What uncivilized creatures!" She sighs at the departure of the Savanite.

Aaron suddenly notices he's alone with the pretty Mage, and that it's getting dark. He fires a taper and begins lighting some of the candles scattered around the shop.

Aaron says, "Yess… they can be very dangerous."

Aaron whispers conspiratorily, "They aren't what they seem, you know. Not simple slaves like they want people to believe."

Wynona walks closer. "Oh … really? What do you mean?"

Aaron stands a bit taller as the Eeee approaches, and forces his ears to stay erect. "I've seen them in the wild. Very organized and… predatory. They tried to capture me, but I escaped… "

Wynona's eyebrows rise. "Really? You've been to the Savan? However did you escape?"

"I'm a good runner, and I threw them off my scent by fall… crossing a river. Even so, nothing is faster than a Savanite on the ground." The Lapi smiles proudly at his perceived accomplishment.

Wynona nods. "Well, wings are useful, of course … ah … to those who have them. I don't think I'd want to be forced to flee killer Savanites, in any case."

Aaron nods, "I won't be going that deep into the Savan again, that's for sure. No telling what the Savanites are hiding in there."

Wynona's ears flick. "I'm terribly sorry, but my ears are bothering me again. Have you heard anyone talking about the weather?"

Aaron says, "I think some customers were talking about it earlier today, over tea… "

Wynona squeaks, "Anyway, as far as Savanites go, I figure that what they're hiding would be themselves. I mean, the wild beasts are just not MEANT for civilization. I'd never think of owning one myself. You never know when it might slash your throat in the middle of the night. I've heard the most HORRIBLE tales."

Aaron gestures off in the direction of Golgotha. "Something about unusually heavy clouds around the mountain."

Aaron perks his ears at the mention of incidents involving Savanites. "Really? I'd like to hear them sometime if you care to share them… "

Wynona says, "Certainly. But first … Do you mind if I rattled off a quick little cantrip? I'd like to see what's up with the weather. It's my business, after all. If you'd prefer, I could step outside first… "

Aaron smiles, "Oh no, you can use the shoppe! Is there anything special you'll need?"

Wynona says, "Oh, no. I'm just doing a quick cantrip. Not a long-range forecast or anything. And, frankly, predicting weather is NEVER really all that accurate. It depends as much on the experience of the caster as on the – Well, that's not to suggest I'm INEXPERIENCED, of course, but … Oh, nevermind… " She walks over to the door.

Aaron follows along, curious to see the Mage in action… and for the oppourtunity to possibly flatter her a bit more.

Wynona pauses, then decides to go on outside. Easier, after all, to predict the weather when you're IN it. Just outside, she decides to go to the extra trouble of actually making a quick magic circle, even if it's only a cantrip, though without the bother of candles – just a few polished stones to form the points of transcribed geometric shapes. She begins chanting, seating herself in the center of the circle.

Aaron watches quietly. For all that he's spent most of his life procuring the elements Mages need, he's seen very little actual magic.

Business continues in the street, with the shoppers making careful detours around the mage. After all, it isn't wise to interupt them in the middle of something. The sky is partially overcast with some large clouds, but otherwise unremarkable.

Wynona frowns a bit, during her chanting, but keeps at it, determined to learn what little she can from a cantrip. After all, the time it would take to cast a full ritual would probably prove to be moot, as rain or hail or whatever could very well be drenching or pummelling her by then.

Two nearby young black-haired Kavis stop nearby to watch, one resting his hands on his knees, the other hanging upside down from another shop's fence. "Ooh! Magic," one says to the other. "Maybe she's gonna make the flop-ear's shop blow away!"

The other Kavi scoffs. "She couldn't blow over a twig, I bet."

The Kavis start arguing between themselves about the white bat's presumed abilities and intentions.

Wynona makes a forced smile of satisfaction, though her brow is still creased in worry, as she finishes her chanting. "Well! I do think something very curious is going on. SOMEONE is stirring up a storm. But I'd have to do some more work to figure out just what they're up to. And, with air magic, really, it could be an air mage just about in ANY old place. It certainly doesn't make me happy, in any case. A magical storm, and nobody invited me to the ritual!"

Aaron frowns at the gawkers, and makes shooing motions.

The Kavis snort at Aaron, and make it clear as the one on the signpost flips to the ground and the other one stands up, that they are only going because they've thought of something more interesting to do. "Race ya to the port," the first one says. "Last one there's a Zelak's cousin!"

An absent-minded collie merchant, evident by the carpet he carries on one shoulder with his wares rolled up inside, stops just before Wynona and Aaron and adjusts his spectacles. "Dearie me," he says looking up as he notices the darkening ground. "I do hope it won't rain."

Wynona sighs, and rearranges the stones around her. She pulls out a pouch filled with colored sands, and uses them for a more elaborate circle. "I think I'll try a bit more involved of a spell. Not a full ritual, mind you, because I think I'll get rained out before I get a chance. But I'll just see whatever I can discern. If this is an Air spell, after all, I hope I have a breath of a chance. Maybe if it's someone I know, I could notice her – or his – "thumbprint". Maybe. That's not really my specialty, though." Wynona chatters on a bit, then remembers herself, and gets to the serious business of chanting again.

Aaron watches closely again, sparing glances along the street to make sure nothing interrupts.

The collie watches with great curiosity.

Wynona continues to make intricate gestures with her hands, as if weaving the air in front of her. Her wings make subtle gestures as well, though they may not be involved in the actuall spellcasting as much as just making sympathetic echoes of her hand movements while she chants.

Aaron rocks back and forth on his heels in time to the chanting.

Wynona's frown deepens, but she continues in her ritual, still chanting apparently meaningless phrases in her squeaky voice.

Aaron thinks of Jasmine's youngest daughter, who has a voice just like that…

Wynona's chants get quieter, her motions slower, and then she makes a circular sweep with one hand, and abruptly stops her chant, finishing it off. "I think someone's messing with the weather. I haven't time to find out just what they're up to, but I don't like it."

The other passers-by and merchants ignore the Mage's efforts as they go about their business. The sky continues to darken as her ritual finishes, and the clouds almost seem to be gathering above the bat. Likely it is just an illusion as they slowly sink and move across the sky.

Wynona scoops up a bit of the colored chalks, saving what little she can, and puts away the polished stones. "I guess you might as well get inside. It's going to rain. I've no idea how HARD it's going to rain, or why someone would go to this much trouble, but I haven't time to do anything about it."

Aaron frowns, "So the culprit is diliberately hiding their identity from you?" Must be part of a Secret Plan then! He holds the door open for Wynona.

The collie merchant looks alarmed. "I say, do you really think so? I'd best head home quickly then." He hurries down the street.

Wynona shrugs. "I doubt it. Nobody bothered writing a name in the clouds for me. In any case, I sensed other magic, too, so it must be more than one mage having a party, and I wasn't invited. I'm TERRIBLY miffed."

Aaron mutters, "A conspiracy! Of course… "

"In any case, it's certainly going to rain. No telling what else it's going to do. Yes, getting inside sounds like a very good idea," Wynona adds, and heads in the door. "I suppose I could browse around while I wait out the storm… "

Aaron nods, cheered by the thought of more company. "Would you care for some tea? We also have some sweet rolls. Jasmine is a very good baker."

Wynona smiles. "Why, certainly! Quite kind of you."

Aaron smiles and hops (not literally, but nearly so) over to the beaker of tea and prepares a cup.

Wynona casts a worried glance out the window while the tea is being prepared, and gives a helpless sigh.

Aaron brings the Mage a small cup of strong tea, and a roll on a cloth napkin.

Wynona says, "You didn't by any chance hear any mages talking about some sort of big ritual today, did you? I mean, maybe with your store and all, you overhear things like that? I suppose I'm just not in the right social circles. Why, not too long ago, there was a big party, and I only learned from an inept deliveryman that I wasn't invited. Hmph! The nerve of him to bruise my pride so thoughtlessly… "

Despite the Air Mage's predictions, it actually seems to be getting brighter outside again, the sky clearing again as the clouds move on.

Wynona blinks. "What? Why, of all the … HMPH!" She sinks down a bit.

Aaron hmms, "Well, there are all manner of secret goings on in Rephidim. You may want to consider yourself lucky for not being involved… "

Wynona looks shocked at Aaron. "Now, whyever would you say a thing like that? Why, NOT being involved would be positively … boring! Not to mention unprofitable."

Aaron says, "Well… there was a good deal of ritual supplies purchased recently, but I didn't overhear anything. And surely you wouldn't want to be involved in anything… well… nefarious. Would you?"

"Well, no, not NEFARIOUS. In any case, what sort of ritual supplies?" Wynona asks.

Aaron says, "Welll… "

Wynona asks, "Did anybody I know do the purchasing?"

Aaron sits down at one of the tables. "There were a lot of unfamiliar Eees buying ritual supplies, but not together. At least, Jasmine didn't recognize them. And there was that suspicious poodle you met. She might have been looking for some sort of coded message on the board, she certainly didn't look like she needed a job…

Aaron says, "As for the purchases… mostly just candles and incense and paper. I didn't see them myself though, I just got back from a trip recently and found I owned this place."

Wynona blinks. "You just FOUND that you owned this place? Now, just how do you come about at that?"

Aaron blinks, "Well, my Uncle Wolfram owned the shop, and I was out collecting things for him. When I got back to Rephidim he'd disappeared after filing the papers that transferred ownership to me. I can get you a list of what was purchased though, if you're really curious… "

Wynona shrugs. "I've plenty of time, if it's no trouble for you."

Aaron perks up, "Oh, no trouble at all!" He vanishes behind the counter to go through the receipts…

Wynona finds a place to sit down, and sips at her tea, taking only a polite nibble at the roll for now, since she's not feeling very hungry. Failing so MISERABLY at a weather prediction, while not terribly uncommon, is still a major blow to the ego.

There is a small peal of thunder in the distance.

Aaron shuffles papers, and organizes them by date. "Hmm. A few oddities. Bones, Gooshurm oil, a hallucinagenic herb, some healing herbs… Let's see, this one has powdered magnesium listed. That burns really bright… rare and expensive. Also some mirrors and a vial of pure vegetable oil with it. Distilled water, Eep blood… and some wax-sealed phosphorus matches for that poodle."

Wynona's ears flick. "VINDICATION!" she exclaims loudly, then covers her mouth. "Oops!"

Aaron looks up, startled more by Wynona's outburst than by the thunder. "Was that thunder or… an explosion?"

Wynona frowns. "My. I'm afraid I just don't know enough about the other spheres to put any sense to that list. Thunder? I'm quite sure it was thunder. Yes. I'm certain."

Aaron says, "Are there many like you in the College? Eees, I mean… I'm sure there aren't many as skilled or lovely… "

Wynona giggles. "Oh! You flatterer! But, yes, there are several Eeees. Not that they're necessarily LIKE ME, that is."

Aaron says, "Well, perhaps you could ask them about this? If they don't know anything, then… then maybe these were foreign mages! Babelites bent on sabotage perhaps!"

Aaron's eyes glaze momentarily as he fantasizes about uncovering such a conspiracy…

Aaron blinks, and looks over the various components again. "Or maybe the rain will contaminate the drinking water with a drug that will make us more easy to control by the Mind Mages. They surely have a hand in anything big and magical… "

Wynona sighs. "Mind you, I am not big on Babelite conspiracy theories. I do hope you'll understand."

Aaron seems lost in thought, then nods, "Yes… I don't see why the Nagas would cooperate with them."

Aaron hmms. "The Knights Templar are out at the mountain too. Maybe it's a Temple Plot against them… I've heard rumors about a split between the Temple and Lancers… nothing official, you understand… "

Wynona sighs, reluctantly slipping into this game. "Perhaps, perhaps. But neither of them have ever been terribly big on using magic. I mean, certainly, I've gotten a few jobs pushing airships around, but that's about it."

Aaron returns to the table, "Maybe it's just a distraction? A ruse to cover up something really dangerous… "

Aaron says, "Airships could hide in clouds… or… or DRAGONS!"

Wynona furrows her brow. "Personally, I think a dragon would be a rather bizarre place to hide an airship. That would make the threat all the more evident, I should think."

The door chimes as another customer enters, Kelsey Van Kabril, again. "Misplaced my pen. It was a gift from a suitor, unfortunately it lasted longer than he did." She walks over to the notice board, and picks something up. "Ah, here it is. I'm surprised to see you here still Wynona, I thought you would be out admiring your handiwork."

Wynona blinks. "Handiwork? What do you mean?"

Aaron blinks?

"Oh yes," Kelsey smiles with a wink, "You might not want to admit to being responsible for a storm covering Little Babel and the Docks. Still, it is a very impressive storm, and its placement… made me think of you."

Aaron blinks again, "Little Babel?"

Aaron asks, "And you were just there?"

Wynona frowns. "I don't think I like your implications, unless you're trying to flatter me by suggesting that I could conjure up a storm in the amount of time any mage could only manage a few cantrips."

Aaron hmms, wondering how the poodle's waterproof matches fit into the puzzle…

"I wish I'd thought of something that impressive to celebrate my graduation. All I did was set Daddy's rosebushes on fire. Oh, it takes that long to summon a storm? You must feel terribly cheated; still, I'm sure everyone will be impressed," Kelsey replies.

Aaron says, "Who else thinks Wy… Mage Windcaller is responsible for this? She was in here browsing when the clouds began to form."

Kelsey turns to Aaron, "Oh, she was? My mistake then. I'm ever so sorry, Mage Windcaller. I wasn't in Little Babel, but you can see where the storm is centred from further up the street, where it opens out and begins to rise."

Wynona says, "Well, for your information, as much as I'd like to claim the credit for a feat like that, the storm isn't mine. Personally, I'd prefer something with a bit more flash and dazzle. Rain doesn't excite me. It just gets me wet."

Aaron makes a mental note to watch for rare Air spell ingredients for Wynona.

Wynona sniffles a bit. "As for Little Babel … Well, I don't see what the point would be in raining on them. Perhaps some air mage got short-changed at one of the booths."

"Yes, it must be awful getting wet, it would absolutely ruin my hair." The poodle tosses her head back dramatically, "Not to mention my clothes. Actually, as it is still your Sphere, could you do something so it wasn't raining on me? I do have to go that way."

Aaron almost offers to sell one of his rain ponchos… but decides to wait and see what Wynona does.

"Why … Really, maybe I should go there right now and put a stop to it. Really, it's very inconsiderate to go raining on the Bazaar," Wynona snorts.

"I'm sure that would help your reputation." Kelsey agrees.

Wynona's nostrils flare. "My REPUTATION? And just WHAT are you implying?"

Aaron perks his ears, curious. He'd like to know more about Wynona, naturally…

"In any case, the least I can do is a 'poncho' cantrip," Wynona mutters. "Here, let me find a clear spot. I shouldn't need to chalk up anything for this… "

"Why, your reputation as a skilled graduate of the College Esoterica. A powerful Mage of the Air Sphere. What else could I have possibly meant? Did you think I was implying that your spells somehow come out the wrong way?" Kelsey smiles sweetly. "Just tell me where to stand."

Aaron hmms. His impression of the poodle does not improve…

Kelsey saunters closer to Wynona, "I'm sure you'd have no problem at all dispersing that storm. I'd like to watch even, I know so little about your Sphere."

Wynona frowns. "Dispelling a storm is a risky endeavor, particularly if the mage who created it doesn't WANT it dispelled. The safest thing I could hope for would just be to make a larger version of my 'poncho' for part of the area affected, and hope the other mage doesn't take it personally and start a magical duel. Now then … I'll start."

Wynona finds a clear spot and sets out her polished stones again, but this time doesn't get out her colored sands. She sets out more stones this time, more plainly spelling out a circle and a few lines going from rim to rim, forming simple geometric shapes connecting the stones. She begins chanting, once again weaving the air in front of her into an invisible pattern.

Aaron's ears shoot up straight at the mention of a duel!

The poodle watches, nodding her head at Wynona's preparations and even humming along a little during the chants. It doesn't really help the ritual, though the humming is just loud enough to be a little distracting. It shouldn't cause problems for Wynona.

Wynona gives an annoyed frown at the humming, but sticks to her chant, hopefully being beyond such little inconveniences. (After all, an air mage has to be able to cast a spell while being blasted by winds on the deck of an airship.)

Kelsey stops humming abruptly as a small cloud appears over her head. Her expression is a little less self-assured. The cloud floats innocently. "Thank you, Wynona… it seems… lovely." She keeps glancing suspiciously upwards.

Wynona keeps chanting for a while longer, to "hem" the spell a bit (as one needn't have it prematurely fizzling … or going out of control), and then at last opens her eyes as she finishes, and immediately starts picking up her stones once more.

Aaron smiles, clearly impressed by the results of the spell. Maybe a lightning bolt will strike the poodle.

The poodle weighs the advantages of touching this cloud with the possible disasters. She also keeps an eye on it, with an obvious worry that if she looks away rain might come down. "Well, that didn't take long. It's avery nice cloud, everyone will envy me for being dry. I'll be sure to let them know just where I got it."

Wynona says, "Oh, no worry. Now then, I suppose I should do the same for the Bazaar. If you'll please excuse me? Hmph. Well, I think I'll take the time to take a bit of precaution myself… " She gets her stones back out again, to do the same trick for herself.

Aaron's ears droop slightly. He had hoped to offer Wynona his own poncho, after all.

"Well, I'll let them know you're coming. Bye now." Kelsey waves, with an extra grin at Aaron. Her first few steps are hesitant as she waits to see if the cloud will follow, when it does her confident sway returns. She leaves the shop with a little chime, and a loud bang as the door closes behind her.

Aaron hmphs after the poodle.

Once Wynona finishes up, she checks the cloud, then sighs. "Well! I think I'll go down there and see what I can do. I'd invite you along, if you'd care to watch, but I imagine you must be terribly busy here in your store."

Aaron knows that Jasmine can run the shop without him… "Is there anything special you'll need for the spell? I'm sure Mage Van Kabril would be happy to have any supplies added to her account… "

Wynona giggles at the suggestion, then shakes her head. "That sounds like a lovely idea, but, no. Air spells may not be terribly potent, as many people gauge them, but at least the basics to cast them – unless I want to do something really flashy – aren't prohibitively expensive. I should be able to get by with what I have, thank you."

Aaron nods, and excuses himself. After a moment, he returns wearing the rain poncho he uses in jungles.

Aaron holds the door open for Wynona, "After you, Milady." The Lapi sketches a quick bow and sweep of his arm… which causes his ear to flop forward despite the hood of the poncho.

Wynona smiles and walks on through, nodding to the gentlemanly rabbit, stepping out to the street.

It is only a few blocks from Apothecary's section of the Bazaar to the part where the Eee merchants are concentrated, in Little Babel. The streets are not heavily crowded and the two travel the distance quickly. The change across those few blocks are quite dramatic, within the distance of a single house, the sky goes from clear to heavily overcast. The rain is also a little heavy for this kind of 'sunshower'. Still, business goes on in the market, just under more shelter. Kelsey was wrong in one regard about the storm, it isn't centred over Little Babel.

Wynona turns aside to Aaron, saying, "I hope you may pardon me for just a bit. I'm going to take a quick hop up to see just where the heart of this storm is. My job might be easier, if it's not centered here, but my curiosity is simply killing me."

Rain spatters off Aaron's poncho. Wynona's more magical raincover gives her better protection. Eees, and other customers, stay under the awnings of shops, or dash quickly from place to place.

Aaron nods and waits.

Wynona leaps into the air, flap-flap-flapping upward to get a better look at just what is going on with this storm.

Aaron covers his eyes with a hand as her cranes his neck to follow Wynona's flight.

The storm cloud is still moving, but at a much slower, lower pace than it was when it originally passed over Aaron's shop. It's centre covers the Rephidim docks, with only the parts spilling over onto the edges of the bazzar, the crafter's quarter, darkside, and the side of Rephidim itself. The rain at the edges of the cloud seems light in comparison to the downpour that is drenching the military and civilian docks at the middle of it.

The little rain-shield cloud diligently spreads out to cover Wynona's wings as she flies under the storm.

Wynona hmphs. She swoops back down to the rabbit. "I really think something fishy is going on. I think I shall just have to throw a monkeywrench into this, and see who comes to pull it back out!"

Aaron nods, "I'd like to know who is behind this as well."

Wynona shoots off into the sky again, chanting some fairly "basic" cantrips involving the creation of breezes and "dustdevils".

Aaron begins to watch the crowd now, looking to see who might be watching Wynona.

The energies gather from Wynona's chanting quite quickly. It seems in a way as if her cantrips are actually redirecting some of the energy that is still being focused in this bigger ritual she is trying to disrupt. The first cantrip goes off, with no visible effect, but it is still the first one, and a rather big cloud.

The white bat flies up as close to the clouds as she dares, chanting what would normally be petty cantrips … but her gambit is that casting her cantrips so close to the heart of someone else's so delicately-crafted storm might stir things up a bit … MAYBE just enough so that if someone meant to do more than just rain on everybody, more complicated plans might be set awry … and someone might be forced to show their hand in order to fix the problem. A lot of theory and chance, but it just seems the thing to try.

Closer to the cloud Wynona can almost hear the magical energy swirling around her. The Eee can certaily feel it in her back and wings. As she completes each cantrip, their effect starts to accumulate. A swirl of the cloud here, a sudden halting of rain there. Overall the storm is still continuing, and the rain is taxing her quick shelter cantrip as well.

Aside from the brief interest at an apparently suicidal Eee flying directly into the storm, Aaron hasn't been able to see anyone paying an unusual ammount of attention to Wynona, and her efforts.

Aaron turns his attention back to Wynona, hoping she's alright that close to the storm.

Wynona shivers, and doesn't relish the idea of getting soaking wet … but it's a bit too far to turn back now. One way or another, she's going to get drenched, or worse. She bites her lip in between cantrips, mustering her courage, then starts again, with another cantrip, this time trying a few "vacuum ball" cantrips, creating pops and claps as the air pushes out, then slaps back in again with each casting.

The edges of the cloud start to twirl and dissipate. Tendrils swirling away from the mass. Directly around Wynona there is deeper disruptions and fluctuations, her cantrips exploding pockets out of dark mass. The Mage's rain-shield cloud disappates, immediately preceeding a failure of one of her vaccuum ball chants. Someone is now interfering with her efforts.

Aaron takes the disappearance of the Mage's protective cloud as a bad sign…

Wynona squeaks in alarm at the disruption, then changes her tactic. This time, she's chanting cantrips of divination, trying to figure out – through the disruptions of her spells – just where the trouble might be coming from.

After all, she has to work fast. Flapping about in a rainstorm AND casting spells, without cover, is terribly taxing, and Eeee are not the most durable of creatures.

Aaron licks at a drop of rain that hits his nose, and then spits it out. "Fuel oil?! Oh no… Van Kabril's matches!"

Aaron starts jumping up and down and yelling, trying to get Wynona's attention!

Each cantrip can take up to five minutes with the difficulties of casting in flight during a rainstorm. The Eee mage has already set off several, and has been up in the air a long time. Her attempts at finding a concentration of the energies has failed, as each part of the cloud seems to have the same level of magic power. Her divination works a little better, and confirms a suspicion, this is being done at range. Whoever is casting it isn't under the raincloud.

Aaron keeps running around under Wynona and yelling. Maybe without her 'poncho', she'll be able to get a taste of the rain herself.

Aaron starts running towards the docks, where the downpour is strongest. He needs to confirm that first taste!

The source is somewhere on Rephidim Mountain, a place that could be located with greater ease if Wynona was closer.

Wynona gasps, and tries to muster what strength she has to fly toward the mountain. If she's to accomplish anything at all, perhaps it's there. She closes her eyes against the rain for most of the flight, relying on her sense of direction – and what good her sonar may do her – to keep her from colliding with any mid-air obstacles.

Aaron, meanwhile, races towards the center of the storm area, occasionally sticking his tongue out to taste the rain.

The rain lets up quickly as soon as Wynona passes out from under the cloud, but it is still quite a tiring flight. The city passes from under her, then the countryside as she closes on the mountain.

Wynona pant-gasps, "Flap … flap … flap … not much further … flap … flap … flap… "

Back at the Docks, the rabbit is starting to notice a disturbing sight. A shiny film covering some of the puddles. He hasn't managed to find another raindrop with a strange taste yet, but the evidence of them is starting to mount. Airship crews and dockworkers seem unaware of this, waiting out the rain, or working reluctantly in it where necessary.

As Wynona nears the side of the mountain she can hear chants in the distance, more than one voice, from higher up the face.

Aaron pauses at one of the puddles, and sniffs at it.

Wynona continues toward the mountain, and as she gets out of the raincloud, tries to get a view of who might be responsible for the chanting, if her ears don't give her enough clues first.

Near where the vegetation starts to thin halfway up the slope Wynona can see five small figures involved in a ritual. At this distance she can't make out their circles, but they are supporting each other. Nearby sit some very tired looking attendants, and the movements of the Mages suggest they are even more exhausted than Wynona is.

As she flies closer she can make out details, the group is entirely composed of Eees.

As Aaron puts his nose closer to the puddle, his fears are confirmed. The strange sheen is fuel oil, floating on top of the water.

Aaron's eyes go wide, and runs up to the nearest dockworkers, babbling, "The rain is a trick! You have to clear the docks and put out any flames!!"

None of the other Eees are recognizable to Wynona. Now that she's even closer she can see how the ritual is progressing. Two mages are entirely exhausted, barely sustaining their chants, one is invovled in something complex, and the remaining two are almost relaxed. One going through preparation motions, the other just sustaining his part of the spell.

Two Rhians stare dumbly at Aaron, and go back to moving their box.

Wynona rises upward, then begins a diving descent toward the group. She bites back her fear, and chants off a cantrip – one meant to push air out of an area, and then let it collapse back in again. A great way to wake up sleepy students in a classroom, or put out a candle.

Aaron throws his hands in the air! Where's a Jupani when you need one… Oh! Over at the Naval Docks of course!! He runs towards them…

The oil sheens are starting to get visible on all surfaces, and Aaron tastes another drop of it on his nose as halfway across the island Wynona dives out of the sky working her cantrip. The mages focused on their ritual, and the docks in the distance, fail to notice her, their attendants however do. There is a sudden chorus of squeaks as the guards alarm each other at her approach.

There is a loud pop in centre of the ritual as Wynona flys by and releases her cantrip. The effect is instaneous, two of the other Eee mages flap at the disturbance, and their chanting is disrupted. The finicky energies they have spent hours controlling and directing take on a wild life of their own. To a mundane observer nothing visible has happened, but the intricate ritual has been broken.

Two bored looking Jupani guards look up from under an awning as Aaron runs towards them.

Wynona struggles to control her flight, having gone all-out in that attack – and splitting her attention on the cantrip – trying not to slam into the slope … or be TOO easy of a target for those attendants! "AIEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"

Aaron waves his arms at the guards, "It's an attack!! Smell the water, it's oil!"

"What are you doing? NOOO!" one of the Eee mages cries, trying to keep the spell under control. The other exhausted one collapses, and the remaining three try to stop the energy redirecting back at themselves. The attendant guards flap into the air after Wynona, with instructions to "Come back!", "Catch her!", "Kill Her!" and "Help me!"

Wynona pants. She hasn't a chance of a prolonged chase. She dives for the base of the mountain. Better to be arrested by the Templars for trespassing than to get caught by attendants ordered to (gulp!) KILL her!

"Oil?" one of the Jupani asks, holding his hand out and sniffing it, then crouching down to the ground. He stands up again, looking at the drenched lepine, "Attack? It's being washed away by the rain."

Aaron shakes his head, "No no, it's coming DOWN with the rain!! It's an Eee attack, and there's a Fire Mage that's going to set it all off! You have to get a Water Mage, or evacuate, or launch the airships, or SOMETHING!"

Golgotha looms beneath Wynona, and fortunately, falling doesn't take much energy. Two of the other Eee's pursue her, while three turn back to help the Mages. It looks like Wynona can pick any sanctuary she desires to crash into, with only a minimum of effort.

"HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELP!" shrieks Wynona at anyone who might hear her, as she tries to sight the biggest, toughest-looking Templars to introduce herself to on short notice.

One of the Jupani guards just stares incredulously at Aaron, but the other says, "You did say it was a strange storm, Geoff. Okay, come on." He grabs Aaron by the arm and takes off into the rain, towards a watchtower and shouting about an attack. Geoff follows him.

Aaron takes the oppourtunity to catch his breath, and hopes Wynona is having luck breaking up the storm. But Van Kabril was also there in the Bazaar…

Wynona dives screaming into one of the eyes of the skull, the main building of the Templars. The stained glass windows of the various lances shine impassively as she flaps into the centre of the room. One of the Eees follows her, the other, taking the building's appearance as a good warning, pulls up and flaps off for the countryside. Inside the skull, Wynona's entrance draws a lot of attention, which draws a lot of blades as she lands beside a glowing pit.

Wynona squeaks, "Please arrest me! Pleasepleasepleaseplease! Don't let them kill me, please!"

A nearby lancer fulfills Wynona's request, grabbing her hands and pulling her to her knees. One of the other occupants of the room, the Champion of Sound, focuses his weapon-instrument at her pursuer and rakes his hand across the strings. The hellish noise is painful on Wynona's ears, and she is not in the direct path of it – The Eee who IS passes out with a squeak.

Wynona moans. "OwwWWwwww!"

A reply to the Champion's musical burst comes from the Rephidim docks, in the cacophony of bells ringing an attack warning. Airship crews start scrambling to launch, and workers run for cover while guards run for their stations.

"WHAT'S GOING ON?" the Champion of Sound shouts, caught up in the volume of his music. Templars crowd around Wynona, as the only conscious Eee present, while a few pick up the other one.

Aaron actually relaxes as the alarms go off, and tries to describe the poodle Fire Mage and Wynona to the Guard captain.

The two original Jupani, and several new ones, listen to the explanation about Van Kabril, Wynona, and a Babelite conspiracy as the rain continues to pour down and wash away the fuel oil. They are attentive, but rather skeptical, and Goeff takes notes.

At Golgotha, the Champion of Sound, and various other Lancers listen to a similar, but better constructed explanation from Wynona. A Diamond Lancer flies off to investigate while the rest remain to hear the details of the strange event.