The grand interior of this elegant place for the well-to-do has seen busier days. While there is little change to the exemplary shopping experience the establishment offers, there is an almost tangible air of boredom across the faces of the well dressed sales staff. The late hour does not help this, and quite a few of employees have left early in what promised to be a uneventful night – gone much too early to encounter the entrance of a Naga woman and the collared Lacinus that follows her through the door near the closing hours.

Lakshmi looks around thoughtfully… then nods and slithers in. She slides over to examine the chocolates.

Trailing behind the Naga is the collared Lacinus. The canine does not quite appear to be an adult yet, for her small stature and facial features are still soft by the last remains of her childhood. In a building such as this, the ragged girl seems out of place. And she would be, if she were not easily identified as a slave.

As the two make their way towards the section labeled "Fine Candies," two rather bored looking sales clerks watch on as they whisper amongst themselves. The more senior of the two makes a foppish shooing gesture to the Khatta beside him as he quietly directs the younger associate to attend to the Naga and her slave Lacinus.

Smoothing out her clothes, and stifling a yawn, the subordinate sales clerk – seemingly a young calico Khatta female – puts on a large forced smile and makes her way to the pair. "Good afternoon! Can I – er, May I help you?" She gives a quick glance back to her senior.

Mandara takes a step backwards as the sales clerk approaches, avoiding being the one closest to the assistant. She lowers her head slightly and glances towards Lakshmi with questioning eyes. She waits for the woman to answer.

Looking over her shoulder, Lakshmi hisses softly, "Mandy, would you check the list for Harbinder? If I recall correctly, he likes chocolates, yes?" She glances back at the approach of the sales Khatta and nods courteously. "I would like to look at that nice chocolate shaped like a yiffle, please."

The young Khatta swishes her tail lazily, indicated by the rustling of her sales dress. "That? Oh, er, that! Right this way!" She walks over to one of the heavily decorated display tables, and gestures at the chocolate animal. "It's very, um, nice. Of course, it's just half ranged chocolate you know, in quality I mean."

Responding but moments after she is asked, Mandara reaches into a small purse brought along simply to carry Lakshmi's lists. After a moment the correct list – or what the slave seems to believe is the correct list – is removed and flipped through as she taps a nail on her hip.

Lakshmi slides silently over to the display case behind the sales clerk, studying the chocolates thoughtfully. At the Khatta's words, she looks up, raising an interrogative eyebrow, "Perhaps you should explain your chocolate quality levels to me… And 'half-ranged' means… ?"

The door opens, and a milky-eyed Naga with faded scales slithers in with the aid of a staff. His arms are thin and wrinkled, and he sort of drags himself along with the stick, as if he were poling a boat down a stream of thick mud. His dress is far more impressive than his physique… a richly embroidered robe, with beaded hems. Every so often, the elderly Naga flicks his tongue, as if getting a sense for direction.

"Well," responds the feline, "it's good, but it's not as good as say… oh… that thing over there." She points to what looks like a very large, overly decorated chocolate soufflé, with icing and candy bits all over it. Interestingly, it's also almost twice the price. "Those are simply to die for! The very highest quality xocholatl all the way from Abu Dhabi! Why, just the other day I- er… " The calico seems to trail off a bit as she eyes the Lacinus almost uneasily. Chances are she's never seen one before. "Er, a-anyways, it's very good. Better than the yiffle for sure."

Meanwhile the list-bearing slave continues to flip through pages until at last she is… distracted by some nearby perfume. At first it is but a mere glance, but soon the girl leans over slightly to sniff at what has caught her senses. The notepad is carried along, forgotten in favor of this new scent.

The slightly doubtful eyebrow remains raised, and a small smile slides across Lakshmi's lips as she watches the young Khatta. Experimentally, she points to an even more expensive chocolate, "But surely something like this would be more suitable for a thank you gift for a dear friend, no?" She's watching the sales clerk, and thus misses Mandara's actions.

The young calico blinks, then takes a few seconds to examine the item – and its price tag of course. "Oh! Yes! That would be a perfect gift! I mean, what's a few shekels more between old friends?" The Khatta's perkiness seems almost over the top; she must be new at this.

Lakshmi looks like she's trying politely not to grin as she nods, then softly hisses, "Indubitably so. And what does half-range mean, please?" She's eyeing the chocolates, her tongue occasionally flickering out to test the chocolate-y scent of the air as she examines them. She appears to be studying the rather less expensive chocolates.

The old, well-dressed Naga, who's laboriously slithered closer in the meantime, hisses, "Pah. You kids these days, with your flashy truffles with their through-the-roof prices. You don't appreciate what you've got; it's got to be bigger and sweeter and nuttier and swirlier."

The calico's perky smile momentarily fades at the Naga's reaction. "Well, i-it's just not as good, you know? I mean, it's made in the Empire and all, and not by master chocolate maker-type, er, people… " She gives a bit of a start as the other Naga suddenly butts into the conversation, and stammers, "I-I assure you, sir, it's worth the price!"

The sniffing nose of the collared girl eventually leads her not to the exotic scent of the wafting perfume, but more blindly into the path of the approaching Naga. Thankfully for the slave, her reflexes are quite better than her ability to concentrate on a task. She lifts her head only high enough to see who stands before her before she steps to the side and kneels out of the man's path. "Do pardon my clumsy intrusion into your space, m'lord. It will not happen again," she tells him quietly as not to let Lakshmi hear of it.

Lakshmi glances around curiously, then nods politely at sight of the old Naga, "I would agree, honored sir." She turns back to the young Khatta and smiles. "I am sure chocolate made in the Empire is of finest quality, and I would give nothing less to a friend. May I see the chocolate yiffle please? And… hm… that one also." She points to another animal-shaped chocolate… then blinks as if something has just occurred to her. She glances over her shoulder in puzzlement. "Mandy? What are you doing? Did you check the list?"

The old Naga, either too nearsighted or too absorbed in the conversation at hand, ignores the slave and points one gnarled finger, snorting. "Just like the fine young lady here said. You sayin' Imperial sweetmeats aren't good enough, little girl? That they don't stack up to your high-falutin' Abu Dhabi Khattan 'zo-ko-la-tattle'?"

The feline opens her mouth as if to make a reply, but then shuts it quickly as she thinks. Biting her lip, she silently retrieves the yiffle and the other item, giving a nervous glimpse at her manager. The patchwork tail seems to be trashing rather quickly under her dress.

Standing after the Naga passes, the slave girl holds up the list and nods across the room to Lakshmi. "Yes Master, he like… " She glances towards the list for a moment before looking back quickly. "He like chocolate."

Lakshmi nods calmly, "Excellent. Thank you, Mandy." She turns and gives the poor sales Khatta a small, reassuring smile, "These are quite lovely, I think… Thank you." She examines them carefully, scenting the air with her tongue as she considers each of them, careful not to touch. She hesitates, seeming to debate with herself… then finally picks the larger of the two. "This one, I think… He does have quite the sweet tooth, after all." Then she nods again to the elder Naga, "I don't believe I've had the pleasure, sir."

Mandara smiles to her master as she seems pleased. Once the older woman has turned away, Mandara eyes the list, then the perfume she was so interested in again, and then the list. Her ears wiggle slightly and looks over to Lakshmi. "Master? I do believe he like perfume as well. This one," she says before pointing to the perfume.

The female feline seems to perk up a bit, and her tail's thrashing slows. "Y-yes ma'am! Would you like that wrapped for only an extra shekel?" She looks hopeful, trying to not pay any attention to the older male Naga.

"Hrmph. Back in my day, we had pebbles rolled in powdered sugar, and by the Great Serpent's gargantuan gullet, we liked it just fine that way… " mutters the elder. Satisfied, he waves one bony hand at the clerk dismissively, and tries to focus on Lakshmi. "I've seen a lot of people, young lady, so I can never be sure. But just in case… Advisor Ignash'ss Kermujun, Court Sage to the Ziggurat."

The calico's ears muscles tense, almost as though she were trying to keep her ears from setting back…

Lakshmi bows gracefully to the Naga, "I would assuredly recall your eminence had I had the honor of meeting you before today. I am Master Lakshmi of the School of Behavioral Modification, and it is a pleasure to meet you, sir." She quickly nods over her shoulder to the Khatta. "Yes, please. And a small card as well, if you would." To Mandy she just holds up one finger in a 'moment' pose… off to the side, so only Mandy can see it.

"Yes ma'am!" The young feline clumsily grabs the candy delicacy, and carries it back behind the counter, disappearing into a back room used for preparation.

Lakshmi hisses clearly after the young Khatta, "Carefully, please!" when she notes the clumsy grab.

Mandara lowers her head in response to her mistress's command, showing both her understanding and avoiding any sort of eye contact. However, the girl only remains in such a pose for but a moment before she spots what can only be some form of high class well bred yiffle. Once again distracted, she wanders over to peer into the yiffle cage and sniff at it.

Ignash'ss inclines his head instead of bowing… He looks pretty stooped as it is. "Charmed to meet such a mannerly Naga, Master Lakshmi." He wheezes for a few moments, then taps his chest as if he were getting something dislodged.

Lakshmi smiles politely to the old Naga as he wheezes. "Will you excuse me, please?" She slithers quietly over next to Mandy and hisses softly, "Mandy, what did you mean by perfume, please? I don't recall Harbinder mentioning a liking for perfume at all?" She's watching Mandy quietly, as if she's not sure whether it's Mandy attracted to the perfume, or to whatever new input crosses her senses.

The advisor nods back genially, taking the opportunity to regard the sales counter, and snap at anyone he thinks is huddled in the stock room. "Someone shake one of your nigh-useless legs in there, and get me the menthe vapor drops you should have known I was going to ask for! Now, before this shop becomes my tomb, and I haunt it! I'm not getting any younger!"

The girl turns to face her mistress with quite a start, nearly smacking her muzzle against the yiffle cage in the process. She lowers her head as is usual when speaking to those of higher caste and folds her paws behind her back. "Maybe I not read so clearly. Maybe it was, other entry?" She responds.

A loud crash, like a plate breaking, emanates from the back room, followed by a frustrated female groan.

Lakshmi glances at the door to the back room, covering a sympathetic grin with one dark ivory hand, then sets her face back to a calmer look as she glances back at the Lacinus. "Why don't you show it to me then, Mandy? What made this one stand out for you?" She watches Mandy's reactions with careful curiosity.

Moments later, the calico re-emerges from the stock room, hastily making her way to the Nagas with an oversized box. The box is red, tied shut with a white zolken-lace bow, and a small signing card attached on top. "Here you are, ma'am! Is this all right?" She again glances back at her supervisor.

The female Naga would turn to find the Lacinus girl biting her lip with her eyes shut tight for a moment, apparently expecting to be struck, and struck quite hard for that matter. Soon though, an eye opens followed by the other and the girl simply stares at Lakshmi expectantly for a moment seeming to be unsure of just what to do at this point. A shaky paw rises and points to a row of bottles nearby.

Lakshmi takes the box gently in both hands… Her tongue flicks out thoughtfully as she gently tilts the box, checking to be sure there are no sliding sounds, and that the contents have been properly padded.

The contents of the box shift slightly, but not so much as to cause any harm to the confection. The calico girl – courtesy grin still plastered to her face, and hands clasped behind her demurely – waits expectantly.

Lakshmi nods, "Excellent, thank you. I believe I shall browse a bit more… Why don't you check back with me once you've assisted the Kermujun." She calmly holds out the box to Mandy, as if she'd not noticed Mandy's look whatsoever. "Mandy, would you carry this please? Come… I believe I'd like to check the perfumes."

The Khatta's smile falters a bit, but with some more effort, she maintains it. "Yes ma'am, you may check out at any time." She turns to the other Naga, and swallows a bit. "H-how may I help you, sir?"

Only now does Mandara drop her pointing hand, for it has been hovering unsteadily pointing at the perfumes since Lakshmi asked about them. Both hands now reach over to take the box in hand as if it were the most delicate crystal shape. A brief sigh of relief escapes the slave as she realizes she likely isn't going to be beaten while holding something as breakable as chocolate. Now, ears lowered, she begins walking slowly towards the perfume display rack.

The grumbling elder taps the counter pointedly with a fingertip. "Didn't those ridiculously large ears of yours catch what I asked for? Yes, I wanted those menthe drops yesterday. If I didn't know better, I'd say you were trying to do an impression of your own molasses syrup, you're moving so slowly. Hop to it!"

The young cat's ears droop, and she looks as though she is fighting hard to keep tears from her eyes. "Y-yessir, I'll get them right away." She quickly disappears behind the same door, followed by a loud sniffling.

Lakshmi takes her time inspecting the perfumes. "Which one did you notice, Mandy?" She carefully wafts a stopper or two, her tongue flickering as she compares scents, trying to find the one that makes Mandy's whiskers perk up despite herself.

Mandara watches carefully as Lakshmi looks through the various bottles filled with interesting scents – scents so interesting she has a hard time looking attentive and neutral in regards to them. One in particular catches her attention and this one seems to be a flower extract from the Savan titled 'Desert Rose'. Despite her nose wiggling towards the bottle, the girl still attempts to look uninterested, even going so far as it look off towards other parts of the room.

The same small, gently amused smile crosses Lakshmi's lips as Mandy assiduously looks away… Lakshmi checks the scent of 'Desert Rose' again, then hisses softly, "Very nice. I think… yes, I think definitely 'Desert Rose'. Come, Mandy, let's purchase this one, and then our shopping will be done for the day." She slithers quietly over towards the front counter with one pretty glass bottle in hand.

The slave girl simply watches Lakshmi with a tilted head as she walks off towards the bottle. For a moment the girl simply looks lost in disbelief as the Naga woman moves towards the counter. However, she cannot remain frozen forever and before her mistress reaches the counter, she quickly frees a hand to make a sign across her heart before she hurries along. "Yes, I am coming, master."

The young Khatta, after a little time, comes back from the stock room, her eyes red and nose sniffling. "He-here you are, s-sir. Your m-methane drops." She glances over at Lakshmi, seeing that she is ready to leave.

The elder immediately smacks three tenners down on the counter, and thrusts his nose into the bag. Half a second later, he reels back from it. "What in the Great Serpent's innermost intestines is this?!" he howls. "Methane drops?! Even for sub-Jingai, you are incompetent! I should see this place quarantined for vermite infestation… but vermites would probably provide better service! Why, in all my years, I've never seen such… " He rambles on.

Lakshmi glances over at the senior sales clerk and makes a slightly impatient gesture with one finger, as if to indicate he should assist with the elderly Naga perhaps?

The calico's sniffles increase at the words of the irate Naga, and soon she breaks down into total sobbing. Hiding her eyes, she backs several paces away from him. "I-I'm sorry!" She breaks down again, and sprints into the back room, crying and sniffling noises intensifying.

Mandara stands beside and slightly behind the Naga woman after placing the box on the counter. For the time being, she fidgets with her collar, idly moving it around her neck as she waits.

Lakshmi is distracted from the fascinating tableau before her by Mandara's fidgeting with the collar. She watches Mandy for a moment, then slides a slender finger between the collar and Mandy's neck, hissing softly, "Does it chafe, Mandy? Is it not fitting properly and comfortably?"

Advisor Kermujun frowns deeply, crossing his arms as best he can manage while supporting his upper half on his staff. "Pathetic mammalian blubbering is going to make this take even longer. We didn't have any of that quivering lip in my day, no sir. You told a Savanite to jump, and he'd say, "How high?" Well, he wouldn't say it, he'd just jump, 'cause they didn't have voices, you understand. They still don't, in fact, but you know, I've read books saying… " And on and on.

Again Mandara looks quite ready to receive nothing short of a swift blow to the head. She scrunches up her eyes and clenches her teeth as the finger touches her neck. "P-please d-do not… It fit, fit… very well." She pleads still looking away.

Lakshmi looks faintly surprised at Mandara's wincing, but simply nods and removes her finger from Mandy, merely crossing her hands gracefully in front of her as she waits. "Very well then." Her apparent gaze returns to the counter… although she can't resist surreptitiously and curiously observing Mandara from the corner of one eye.

The sobbing sounds continue to echo forth from the stock room, but no signs on budging just yet.

From the back room enters the manger, announcing his presence with a bored yawn. The wiry male Naga slithers over to the counter where Lakshmi stands and speaks with a voice that could put a Kavi to sleep. "I doooooo hope my ssssaaaaaalees assistant did not offffend you, honored cussstomer. How may I asssist yoooou?"

Lakshmi raises an eyebrow at the indifferent manager, and hisses a bit sharply, "You can serve the honored Kermujun, who was before me in line. Then you can serve me, and give me the name of your manager… and then perhaps you might consider giving your poor sales clerk adequate training!"

"Oh I am sssure he will be fiiiiiine, besssides, I need not handle two by themsssselves," the manager tells Lakshmi. Showing he can in fact handle two customers, the Naga lifts a bag of the proper drops with his tail from under the counter and sets them before the elder Naga, without even turning to look at him. The manager now folds his hands and lays his elbows on the counter as he leans forward to talk with Lakshmi further. "Are you … finessshed? That would be … sssssplendid."

Lakshmi gets a grimly amused look. "Yes, I think I am quite done here. This, and the boxed chocolate." She gestures to the delicate little glass bottle of perfume, then lays down the appropriate amount of shekels.

"About ding-danged time," wheezes Ignash'ss, taking the bag off the counter with one shaky hand. He breathes deeply of it before nodding once, and with his payment left behind, begins dragging himself toward the door. "If you know what's good for you, shopkeeper, you'll be stern enough to drill some sense into that girl. Methane drops indeed." He turns his head to nod slightly at Lakshmi. "A fine day to you, Madame."

One of those 'oversized ears', followed by half a feline face, peers outside the stock room, watching the elder Naga leave.

Lakshmi gracefully nods to the departing Naga. "And to you, sir." She shakes her head amusedly at the shopkeeper after the elderly Kermujun has left, and mutters something about 'amateur trainer wanna-be's' under her breath as she gathers together her purchases to hand to Mandy. She glances at the Khatta and hisses firmly, "Girl, find yourself a new employer. Come, Mandy… we shall depart for more mannered realms." She slithers firmly out, head high, ignoring the rude Naga shopkeeper.

Mandara walks off after Lakshmi, carrying the box and peering at her master as if she were the oddest Exile on this side of Sinai. Soon she too vanishes out the door and off into the crowded city streets.