(OOC) Thu Mar 12 -->

As it usually is around holiday times, the Bazaar is extra busy today. The holiday in particular is Candlemass, a time when young girls give the best flowers money can buy (or that they themselves can afford) to their suitors or boyfriends.

This year's Candlemass has a problem however: a shortage of flowers due to the war, and not helped by the previous day's dock fire caused by some Eeee raiders and some highly flammable Guy Fox dolls. As a result, many 'flower substitutes' are for sale, made of cloth, zolk, and if you're really in an expensive mood, chitin and ceramic.

The Guy Fox Booth awaits for the return of its five-tailed proprietor. A lady Zerda is currently manning the booth, smiling cheerily and waving at passersby, but apparently not selling all that many Guy Foxes.

A raccoon in a gaudy robe slowly walks through the square. One hand clutches a paper wrapped sandwich, while the other is held upraised in front of him, palm out, at chest level. He seems intent at staring at whatever it is that rests in his palm and ignores all the other passersby around him.

The Kitsune shortly appears on the scene from around a corner, and glancing over at his stall, pauses. He could have sworn that he left the foppish fox looking after the stall earlier, but who is she? Frowning slightly, he makes his way quickly over.

The Zerda notices Francisco's approach, and smiles and waves at him. It's Rache, the daughter of Avram the Zolk-Merchant. "Hello, Francisco! I have been doing my best to keep up the booth in your absence." She frowns. "But Guy Foxes are not selling all that well today, no?"

The slight reddish areas of Francisco's muzzle seem a little redder for a brief moment as recognition sets in. On reaching the stall, he nods to her. "Sales have been slipping ever since a couple of other traders around here tried for competetion," he says. "I didn't expect to see you here, though."

Fenter pauses in his slow trod to take a bite from his sandwich and mumble a few words to the thing in his palm. It's hard to make out what he's saying considering he's speaking with his mouth full.

"It's the least I could do, Francisco." The lady Zerda smiles at him, but her smile fades a bit as she hands a piece of paper to you. "Here. A note for you."

Taking the paper, Francisco unfolds it and starts to read.

The note reads, in a scribbly script, "Dearest Sir Francisco Asinsan: Thank you very very much for the money! I will use it wisely. Signed," and then there's an unintelligible scrawl. "P.S. I QUIT!"

"It's from your fancy-dressed friend," Rache explains. "He was leaving the booth, and was going to leave it untended. I decided to take it over until you returned, so it would not be molested. I hope you are not displeased? I have kept track of all sales. I know much of these things from my father's store."

All around the Guy Fox booth, it seems that various merchants are jumping on the faux flower bandwagon. A few booths down, and old wolf donning an eyepatch howls about the best flora deals in town, although his appearance drives most of the maidens away. Even establishments not known for selling such items get into the act, as in the case of Kurai's pottery shop down the street, which has a large sign advertising 20% off all flower holders and ceramic flower imitations.

Francisco blinks at the note, and looks up at the Zerda. "When was this? How long ago?" he asks.

Heading quickly behind the booth, Francisco goes to see the state of the cash box.

Rache follows Francisco's movement, as she says, "Just this morning. I saw him opening the store, when a messenger came and gave the frilly one a pouch full of many coins. The frilly one, he was overjoyed and thanked the messenger profusely. It was thereupon that he bragged to me of his fortune, and his intent to leave and find a partner more appreciative of his talents."

The moneybox, thank goodness, does not look as if it has been ransacked. It will take some comparison with the papers to see how many sales have been accounted for, but at first glance, all appears to be in order at the Guy Fox Booth.

Fenter pauses to scrutinize some of the flowers. "This might worth looking into later… Junior could use a little friend, and I wouldn't have to water it."

Rache says, "Well, I should leave now. My father needs my help. Take care, Francisco!"

"Hang one a moment please, Rache," the Kitsune says quickly. "What do you know of that messenger that was by? Who was he looking for? That good-for-nothing bard?"

Rache explains, "The messenger said that he was bringing payment from a … Countess Ophelia… " She squints, as if trying hard to remember details, "… and the money was to be given to the Fox that works at the Guy Fox Booth."

"Ahh yes, your son will love these flowers!" the booth owner, a rather plump Khatta replies to the Rath'ani, "Children simply love plants!"

Rache frowns. "You do not look happy, Francisco. I am sorry. I shall leave you at once and bother you no more!" She bows several times. "My humblest apologies that you are displeased!"

The raccoon pauses at a booth to closer examine some of the flowers, and then realizes that his hands are full. With skill that would make any college student proud, he manages to swallow the remaining bits of it in one mighty bite. "Mf uhd," he replies, and then pats at his pocket. His expression quickly changes.

"Oh drat. I left my coinpouch at home. Would you be interested in a trade instead?" Fenter asks, his tail flicking back and forth.

Francisco leans against the side of his booth, closes his eyes and sighs. (First I get almost ruined by raiders, now this.)

"Even if his name is as silly as 'Mufud', he'll like them just the same-" The Khatta pauses, "A trade?"

Rache makes a quiet noise that sounds like a whimper, putting her hand over her muzzle … and then, with a swish of her tail, she turns away and quickly takes off, disappearing into the midst of the passing Bazaar-goers.

Overhead, Buran the Sphynx makes a low pass over the Bazaar. After a narrow miss with a troupe of scampering Kavis, she settles to the ground in a less-than-perfect landing (in fact, it's more like a controlled crash). Her first act after this is to seek out the nearest drink vendor. She looks rather out of breath.

Fenter harrumphs. "His name is Junior… what else would you name a color changing plant?" He holds out his hand, indicating the thing resting in his palm. "It's a held spell… interested?"

Several Bazaar-goers watch the Khatta coast – or rather drop – in, and wince as she lands hard. The nearest eat-and-drink establishment is across from the Guy Fox booth, specializing in exotic foods from Safar and the Khattan lands.

The Khatta merchant's expression changes to one of annoyance. "Sorry, but the flowers are for paying customers only, and sane ones at that!" He turns his back to the Rath'ani, muttering something about asylum escapees naming inanimate objects.

"Harumph! Your flowers probably were no good anyway, they don't even look real!" The raccoon spins on his heel and looks around for another likely focus for his trade. His eyes fall upon… the Guy Fox booth.

The Sphynx brushes some matted headfur out of her face and heads toward the food seller, passing the Guy Fox Booth on the way. Her wingfeathers look disarrayed and become a little more so as she orders a drink and gets out the appropriate shekels.

Francisco either remains oblivious to Buran's landing, or just doesn't care. He's still content with leaning against his stall for the moment with his ponderings.

The cafe vendor eagerly takes the money, and heads back to a covered area in back of the booth. Seconds later he returns with a cup of some strange dark liquid, and sets it down in front of the Sphinx.

Fenter casually wanders over to the booth, and the thing held in his hand looks a bit more visible now. It's a small glowing shape. Swirls of color dance across its trancluscent surface as the 'shape' twists and dances. "Hello there, Mister Guy Fox. What do you have in the way of things to sell, if I might ask?"

The Kitsune 'huhs?' and stirs himself from his reverie. "Sell?" he asks. "Oh! Sell. Right, yeah. Dolls. Some that explode, some that don't."

The raccoon's eyes change color from violet to bright green as they scan over the supply of dolls. "Would you be interested in a trade?"

It doesn't take Buran long to drink the contents of the large cup, and she busily scans the cafe's food menu.

Down the drink goes… a very warm drink… as a matter of fact, it's downright hot…

"Trade?" asks Francisco. Well, he's done a trade before. "What do you have to trade? And would this be for an exploding or non-exploding doll?"

The shape in the raccoon's hand pulsates a bit more, briefly forming into the shape of one of the Guy Fox dolls, and then into a flower, and then back into a blob. "Oh… whatever you feel is a appropriate." He sweeps his hat off, "Allow me to introduce myself… I am Fenter Nuttzenboltzen, Great chaos mage." He holds out his hand. "And THIS is what I would be willing to trade. It's a held ritual."

Francisco's ears prick up a notch or two. "Mage? Hmm, well – what exactly is a held ritual?"

"Um… well… " Fenter rubs his nose, his eyes shift from green to bight yellow and his robes turn blye and yellow as a cloud obscures the sun for a moment. "It's a spell that you hold in your hand. Like I am now… very portable."

Buran coughs a bit, and fans her tongue frantically with the menu. At least she isn't downright thirsty anymore… but to burn your tongue in the process! "Ach! By the Inner Lights … " A few more muttered curses can be heard, all of which refer to rather complicated-sounding (and confusing) things.

"Well, of course," replies the Kitsune. "But is it any spell in particular?"

The raccoon stares at the shape for a moment. "Um… what kind of spell would help you out right now?"

The menu proves to hold a wide variety of foodstuffs from all over. Scones from Safar, candied pastries from the Khattan lands, even a few indeterminable dishes from the Nagai empire. Not surprisingly, the section for food from Babel is crossed out.

"The sphere of Chaos," Fenter explains, "focuses on probability. I could bring you good luck in your sales… or bad luck to your competitors. Things like that."

Francisco considers for a moment. Money, he thinks, would be too corny a thing to ask for. Besides, if this mage had a spell that could make money, why would he be offering a trade? "Maybe something to increase sales?" he suggests after a moment.

The raccoon's eyes turn bright glowing red. "Wonderful! Would you be willing to trade then?" he holds out his hand.

Buran asks at the counter for a large glass of cold water, the coldest the booth has, and expresses interest in the Khattan candied pastries. She's still breathing fast and fanning her tongue as unobtrusively as possible.

(If it works, it should pay for itself,) thinks Francisco. "Alright. It's a deal."

Fenter points to one of the larger dolls. "I'll take that one. Now be careful holding the ritual… it takes a special touch."

The Naga running the cafe gives a nod to the Snowleopard, and quickly slithers back to the rear of the booth to get her order.

Francisco holds out his palm to take the ritual. "Oh, certainly. I'm certainly not unfamiliar with magic and magical object'das, you know," he says.

Carefully, the raccoon tilts his hand and allows the little glowing shape to tumble down into Francisco's palm.

Francisco cups his palm a little, so it doesn't roll off.

Buran pants just a little while waiting for her order. She's finally starting to cool down after a long flight. Her gaze drifts to the Guy Fox Booth, and she finds herself wondering why Francisco's hand seems to be glowing.

Soon, the Naga returns with Buran's order, "Here you are, a niccce helping of Nagai slime worms, and one lavawater."

The orb shimmers in the kitsune's hand for a moment… and then suddenly vanishes with a soundless *pop*!

"Excuse me, sir?" Buran tilts the menu toward the Naga. "There must have been a mistake." She points out her original order on the menu, then at the food.

The kitsune tilts his head to one side, and asks the raccoon: "Is it done then?"

The Naga looks puzzled, "I could have sssworn that was what you asked for… but no matter." The Naga picks the order back up, and slithers off.

"Oh dear… it went off you must not have held it properly… " The raccoon coughs and then smooths out his robes. "Ahem… I mean… OF COURSE it's done. Now let me just pick my doll out."

The Naga soon returns with another dish, looking still different from the Snowleopard's order. "Here we ar- OOPS!" The Naga does something very un-Nagaish, and trips, sending the contents of his platter sailing into Buran's face.

Francisco frowns a little, as his ears are sharp enough to pick out what the raccoon said first. "Just a moment," he says. "This spell should be in effect now, then?"

A raving poodle dashes up to the booth. "I've … I've … I've GOTTA HAVE A GUY FOX!" he shrieks, a bit of spittle at the edge of his mouth, his clothes marked with soot and signs of a recent run-in with something very hot.

"Yes… yes it is." Fenter answers, yanking down a doll and stuffing it into a pocket of his robe. "You'll have wonderful sales now… make millions of shekels. I really have to go now."

"NO! It's MINE!" shrieks a cross-eyed Khatta who bounces along, his arms held back in a very uncomfortable-looking white jacket.

Is it Creen season? It must be, because several of the flying lizards seem to land on the kistune's booth. More than several, it must be a whole flock!

The jacketed Khatta starts head-butting the soot-covered poodle. "Ow! Ow!"

Blinking, the Kitsune notes that indeed it does appear to be working. Maybe not quite the desired clientele, but customers nonetheless.

Fenter looks around, and then dives under Francisco's booth. "The sky is falling!"

The Naga waiter quickly gets back up, and just stares accross the street. "Mussssst… have… doll!" Completely ignoring his food covered customer, he slithers as fast as the wind around his booth and hightails for the Guy Fox toys.

Creens, for the uninitiated, look like cute little lizards with feathered wings, and two little claws, adorned in all sorts of fanciful colors, and sometimes with feathered tails as well. Despite their beauty, many consider them as pests.

A startled yelp escapes Buran as the food gets itself thoroughly entangled into her fur. A bit of it drips from her nose. The Templar in blue sighs. "That's it. I've had enough. The Temple is going to hear of this, I promise!" A few more parting insults are aimed at the retreating Naga before Buran wipes off as much of the food as possible and storms off, presumably in the direction of the nearest Temple patrol.

Francisco eeps! as the raccoon brushes him aside heading for the underside of the booth. The thought of charging him for hiding space does cross his mind.

The Creens amass around the booth, and it seems as though the whole island's population of them is represented. Then, as one mighty birdlizard, they dart straight for the dolls, a few grabbing them and alighting away!

*bonk* A pendant lands on Francisco's head, and bounces off, landing at his feet. It looks like an enameled wooden rose pendant on a string. Very shiny, but also fairly chipped and dirty.

"Hey!" exclaims the five-tailed fox as he notices yet more dolls disappear without being paid for. "What exactly did you do-ow!"

A ringed 'coon tail pokes out from under the stall.

Francisco rubs his head with a paw, and looks to the pendant on the floor. Kneeling down, he swipes it up quickly.

The Naga joins the fray with the poodle and Khatta, but freezes as he watches the Technopriest walk off.

A bar of soap shoots across the street, chased by a skittering vermite. It is promptly stomped, however, by a rampaging Dromodon that is running loose through the streets, prompting several people to dive out of the way. It is fortunately headed out of the area, but runs into a ladder as it does so. The ladder, in turn, is supporting a Kavi who is in the process of hanging a banner that proclaims, "Happy Candlemass!" With a yelp, the Kavi slides off the ladder, hanging onto the cloth banner. There is a tearing sound.

Fenter looks around for a convenient sewer to duck into. "Oh dear… oh dear oh dear. Maybe I should have just donated my organs to science like Grampy suggested… "

A large portion of Francisco's dolls have been carried off by the Creens, but it seems they were nice enough to leave little stones and twigs in payment. Several *BOOMS!* can be heard overhead, followed by a shower of muticolored feathers floating to the ground.

The slick bar of soap, meanwhile, continues skidding across the street, leaving a white streak in its wake.

The Naga waiter, now with a few bruises and clawmarks, slithers back to his booth. "I need to find a better way to avoid cussstomers… " he mutters to himself.

The raccoon chooses to brave the crowd outside… crawling. He slowly crawls down the square, hoping to make a subtle escape.

*rrrriiiiip* "Spoiled creeeeeeeeeaaaaaaam!" shrieks the Kavi, as the banner tears, sending him downward and then arcing sideways, swinging headlong into Francisco's Guy Fox Booth!

Francisco tries to make a grab for the raccoon before he gets away. At least he's got a chance of catching someone responsible for making him lose yet more of his profits now.

Just as Francisco tries to grab the 'coon … "Gangwayyyyyyyy!" cries the swinging Kavi … who collides with the five-tailed vulpine, sending them both sprawling!

To make matters worse, it seems that the whole fray has spooked a pack of exotic midget Dromodons, and they are headed straight for the booth, the fox, and all!

With another *RIP* the banner, still held by the tumbling Kavi, pulls down, wrapping around himself and the vulpine as they tumble.

From within the tangle of the banner, the Kavi says, "Hey! You're that Guy Fox fellow, huh? Some day, I'll have to buy one of those… "

Fenter goes crawling at full speed now, pausing to pick up a mangled paper flower. "IT WASN'T MY FAULT!!!"

Another voice inside the banner replies, "I'm seriously considering mail-order from now on."

The diminutive pack animals plow through the fighting poodle and Khatta first. Tails are crushed – curses are yelled. Still the explosion show continues overhead, with Creens going out in a blaze of glory all over the city.

( I wonder if I could market exploding Creen dolls… ) Fenter muses to himself.

The Kavi says, "I do say, it's a bit SNUG here. I know it's terribly rude of me to drop in like this and leave so soon, but I hope you would kindly excuse me?"

The kitsune's booth is almost completely bare of dolls now, in their place lies a multitude of stones, leaves, twigs, and other little nicknacks left by the Creens. This doesn't mean much however, since the booth is soon bowled over and demolished by the runaway Dromodons, which continue on even after the booth is no more. Running behind them is a small, foreign looking Skreek with a whip, screeching obscenities at his pack.

Francisco's replies to the Kavi, "Not at all."

The Kavi says, "Ah. MOST considerate of you, sir." He wriggles and wriggles, then finally POPS out of the tangle of the banner … and runs like crazy! "WILD DROMODONS! YAAAAAIIIIIIEEEEEEE!"

The Khatta looks at a midget Dromodon running by. "Aha! BEHOLD! I have a new name! I am … GARGANTON! Cower before me, puny mortals! Or I'll stomp on you!" He hops up and down.

The kitsune, now with room to maneuver, struggles out of the banner as well. "Wild what?" he asks, not looking in the direction of the oncoming hoard of beasts.

Buran's efforts do not yet yield a Guard patrol – how unlucky! – but she runs into someone perhaps just as good for the task – a big ursine in a kilt!

The small Dromodons continue to plow throughout the area. An occasional bazaar goer is trampled, but luckily for them no permanent damage is done. Unfortunately, the same can't be said for Francisco's booth, now just a few broken boards and detatched foxdoll heads.

Jonas wanders the Bazaar, looking very much like the country furre in for holiday in town. He has, in his last few months, learned a few things about Rephidim, including the language. As he steps out around a street corner, curious about the noise, he sees a stampede of small Dromodons hurry past, and views the scene with an expression of bafflement. "What in the name o' Bruin's strong right arm?"

Francisco finally notices the approaching Dromodons, and manages to rid himself of the banner, jumping out the way for cover.

The animal heard eventually disappears around the bends and curves of the street, their handlers in hot pursuit.

Buran murmurs an apology, steps out of the way, and tries to brush a bit more of the food out of her fur. (I think I'll just complain about that idiot Naga when I get back to the Temple. I'm sure they'll do something about him.)

Jonas watches the beasts tear by. Seeing the handlers in close chase, he leaves the stampede to the professionals. Against critters of that size, he'd be of little help. Instead, he spies a familiar spotted gray form in Templar robes. He smiles, and steps close behind her. "Is there anything that the Mistress of Grace and Beauty might require from her humble servant?" he asks quietly, a ironic smile on his face.

The Naga waiter appears from behind his booth, serving yet another customer, "Ahhh, here we go, slimey worms and lavawater- what? This wasn't what you ordered? I, uh-" the Naga looks around wildly, "I must have flowers, so long!" With that he darts off down the street.

Near the horizon of the island, several screams can be heard, the kind usually reserved when someone watchessomething fall over the side of the island… not to mention that the screams sound like angry animal handlers…

Buran's ear perks, rotating toward Jonas before she turns to face hin, a horribly embarrassed look on her face. Whether it's from the remnants of lunch matted in her fur or a response to Jonas' greeting isn't obvious. She does seem surprised to see him again. "Hello! … I'm sorry about the confusion, and this, er, mess." She glares pointedly in the Naga's direction. "Lunch. So I thought."

The scene quiets down, and the chaos subsides. A few last pops are heard overhead, followed by a few feathers. Finally, it seems as though the temple has responded to the calls for help, and several Jupani guards make their way towards Francisco's booth.

Jonas smiles, understanding. "Doon't worry yerself aboout it, Priestess Buran. It was my mistake to make, all those months ago. I believed I was still at home, ye see. I have learned diffently, and I have dealt with my beliefs in my own way." He follows her glare towards the Naga, and visibly stifles a flinch. "Most of them, that is," he adds.

The wolves halt right in front of the multi-tailed fox, and stare down at him, "Are you the owner of that booth over there?" The head guard points to the remains of the stall.

The kitsune pokes his head up from behind a conveient barrel he found to hide behind. "Booth?" he asks. "Oh, my booth!"

Francisco notices what's left of his booth. "MY BOOTH!!!"

A curious old tortoiseshell Khatta woman in long purple robes pokes at the debris with a strange device that looks like it has numerous propellor blades upon it, each spinning at a different rate. "Oh goodness gracious," she says. "Was this your booth?"

The lead Jupani pulls a pad out of his belt, "Uh-huh… " He writes something down, then stares back at the kitsune. "Are you aware that you have just destroyed a sizable portion of Rephidim's Creen population?"

Jonas looks at Buran's somewhat-disheveled appearance. "Yer not injured or anythin', I hope? I saw a rather impressive spat o' lizard tear off, with their drovers in chase. Did ye get run over, by any chance? Do ye need a chiurgeon? I understand there's a fellow around, called Rollo or somethin'. Blind physician."

"Destroyed? eh? Who?" The five-tailed fox looks confused.

Jonas twitches an ear at the fox's shout. He glances over at the guards and the fox, and then squints at Francisco. It's too crowded over there to really tell, but does that furre have five tails?

Francisco looks over at the Khatta by the remains of his stall, and sighs, "It was."

The Khatta picks up some of the scraps of Guy Fox dolls and sniffs at them curiously. "Yes, there's no doubt about it," she mutters. "I'll have to have a word with… " Her voice trails off into a muttering inaudible to Francisco where he stands near the guards.

The wolf scribbles down a few more marks on the pad, rips off a piece of paper, and thrusts it into Francisco's paws, "Good work! The Creens were badly overpopulated in this area, and you have been awarded an exterminator's sum of one shekel per Creen. Present this to your local tax official, good day citizen." The Jupani and his troop do an about face, and head off back towards their temple.

The Sphynx picks some more of the now-dried-out food from her fur and sighs when some of it refuses to be loosened. "Ah … no. That blasted snake tripped over his coils, Dagh knows how, and, well… " She indicates the food. "Ah. The Guard is here… " Buran attempts to flag down the Guardsmen.

The ancient-looking purple-robed Khatta pokes around the shredded banner. "Oh my! This is truly phenomenal. Eh? What's that, laddy?" she says, looking up at the kitsune. "Speak up if you want me to hear you."

Francisco watches the guards go, with a flabberghasted look as he holds the piece of paper.

And with the huge amout of feathers laying about, it seems the kitsune may be in for good time.

Jonas picks a piece of what he thinks is fruit rind from Buran's hair. "Aye. Lucky ye are, then. Food washes out; wounds don't." He smiles.

The Guards halt as they notice Buran, and make their way over, "How may we be of assistance, Technopreistess?"

"Huh? Yes, it was my booth," the kitsune replies to the Khatta, a lot clearer this time.

The purple-robed Khatta scratches behind one ear, then puts her strange device away, tucking it into a rather large beadwork purse. "Ah! Well, did you perchance buy a spell from a rather unkempt sort of Rath'ani, this high, dressed in quite peculiar robes?" she inquires sharply, walking closer to Francisco.

Buran swiftly launches into a tirade about the Naga, his consistent mixing-up of orders, and especially his clumsiness at tripping over his own coils, along with the spilled food.

"Maybe," replies Francisco warily. "Why?"

Buran finishes, "He's not fit to serve a vermite! His shop is an embarrassment to this Bazaar!"

"Ai-yah, the boy is talented, but his control still leaves something to be desired. I've told him a thousand times, always bound the Eyes of Vengali, don't leave them open!" the purple-robed Khatta says with a sigh. "Any road, my name's Haskalah. I'm a professor of chaos magic at the Collegia Esoterica. Dear Fenter is, or was, one of my assistants, so I feel a tiny little bit responsible for the mayhem he seems to have brought upon you."

Jonas looks over the heads of the Guard at Francisco, squinting in scrutinization. A Child o' Vulpes with five tails? he thinks. Fer some reason, that reminds me o' somethin'. But what?

Once again the the Jupani guard scribbles down on his notepad, "Sounds like the work of Boltin' Bilforous, the notorious scam artist. We thought he had left… " He goes over to one of the dishes still at the booth, takes a pawfull of one of the plates, and downs it. "Mmm, he does make a nice slimey worm though… "

The Technopriestess hides a smirk. "He went that way." And she points in the direction the Naga went.

Jonas interjects, "Aye! He should be exorcised right proper!" Then he remembers where he is, and that Naga are not, in fact, Demons. "Er, never mind. Old habits and all that." He grins a bit sheepishly.

Francisco sighs, and nods. "Well, thank you. But be that as it may be, he's practically ruined my business now. Even with this reward being a 'creen-cleaner', I doubt I can finance to rebuild the stall and stock."

The Guard merely raises a brow at the bear, "Quite… Well," He tucks the pad back into his belt, "We'll keep an eye out for him. We would go look for him now, but we have a report that a heard of Dromodon have fell off the side of the docks, and their handlers aren't too happy." He gives the duo a nod, "Good day citizens." With that, he heads off.

Haskalah pats Francisco's hand. "There, there. Why don't you come see me at the Collegia Esoterica and perhaps I can find you some work?" She glances over at the wreckage, and then adds dryly, "I'm not sure even Fenter could have done all this without a little help… You might have some potential yourself."

The ancient Khatta starts rummaging around her purse, looking for something.

"Esoterica?" echoes Francisco. "Why, sure. I would be happy too. Especially as I was trying to save up some of my earnings from the stall to just apply there."

"Ah-hah! Out of the ears of Bromthen sows," Haskalah exclaims as she pulls out a small piece of paper, then hands it to the kitsune. "There, show that to the receptionist. They'll give you directions to my office. Be sure you follow them exactly now. It's very easy to get lost in the Chaos Department. Our architect was insane, you know." She winks. "Well, you see? Fenter's brought you some good luck after all. I know his style of spell-casting anywhere and I was just looking in to see what fool had bought a ritual from him."

Cackling, Haskalah starts to walk down the road. She calls back, "I'll expect to see you in office hours, mind you! I have to sleep and eat some times, you know. First Ones only know when you lit'uns find time to do it but it can't be normal."

Francisco blinks a little at being called a fool, but then nods. "Certainly. Well, thank you once again."

Jonas watches the Guard wander off. He grunts, shaking his head. "'S been a long while since I was a civvie. Feels verra fey, not to have 'em recognize the tartan." He fingers his Black Watch sash. He turns back to Buran. "So, aside from wearin' yer lunch, I take it ye're well?"

Buran sighs. "Well. He can't hide forever and, by the First Ones, if I see him he'll regret not having left Rephidim!" She waves a hand vaguely in the direction of the Temple. "This is embarrassing enough as it is. I'd best get back." She pauses, though that note of annoyance (so evident when she addressed the Guardsmen) hasn't quite left her voice. "It's been interesting. But I'm still alive, am I not?"

The purple-robed Khatta passes by Buran and Jonas, muttering something about "Why couldn't the young idiot have taken up a nice trade in some quiet part of the country… "

Over from the remains of Francisco's booth, the kitsune notices a few twinkling lights, what could those be?

Jonas says, "Aye. That ye are."

Walking over to the booth, Francisco goes to find out.

Jonas looks about at the destruction. "But what happened here? It looks like ol' Bruin went on one o' his drinkin' sprees in yer marketplace."

It seems that the now deceased Creens were just concerened with the dolls, and because of that, a certain open box containing cash lies on the ground untouched. The cash box! Also, here and there are a few ceramic coins left by the Creens, at least they paid.

Buran starts to walk toward the Temple, inviting Jonas to follow. "Ah, somebody let his Dromodons run through, and the Creens got into the Guy Fox dolls and, well, it was spectacular… " As she walks, Buran points out scattered feathers, all of bright colors, and various things trampled by the Dromodons.

The kitsune crouches down, leaning on one knee, and collects up the coins. He still doesn't think there's enough to put the business back. (However) he wonders, (I might not need to with this)

"Interestin'," comments Jonas, bending over to pick up a brilliant green feather. "Sounds like it must have been. If'n ye weren't in the thick o' it, I imagine it would've been fun."

Francisco smiles to himself. At least he got something out of today – the invitation of the Collegia, and this odd wood rose pendant that was dropped. He puts both in his pockets for now and will worry about it in the morning.

Jonas tucks the feather in his sporran and walks with Buran towards the Temple, chatting about the events of the past few months.

As everyone departs from the scene, life returns to normal. Over at Bilforous's cafe still sits the last customer, a bored looking Kavi who looks at his wrist-sundial. With one last look around, he yells back to the rear of the cafe, "Does this mean I don't get my food?"