Apr. 13. Haji explores his new place of "employment".
(Haji) (Rephidim) (Underside)
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Consciousness slowly returns to a Savanite, along with a major hurt of a headache. Someone must have slipped him something … except that he hasn't had a drink in a long time, to his recollection. Not that his recollection is very clear, after that auction. And, speaking of, he probably COULD use something to drink, as his tongue is dry and pasty.

Scents come to the cheetah's nose … of … the jungle?

Haji opens his eyes and looks around. o O{ Now how did I get here? I can't remember a thing. } He stretches his tired arms and tries to sit up, but his head spins.

Suddenly, a bucketful of ice-cold water splashes on Haji's head from behind, drenching him and his coarse tunic and trousers.

A voice from behind mumbles, "Hmph. I see you were getting up already, but I had to walk far enough for the water. Shame to waste it."

Haji tries to think through the haziness in his head. o O { Last thing I can think of I was walking outside that tent after the auction – *GAH!* } He sits up with a start, soaked and dripping, ears angling this way and that since he still has a little trouble seeing straight. His eyes start to clear and he turns to face the party with the bucket.

Haji's head rapidly begins to clear and his eyes shift back together again for a clear picture. { What happened, where am I?! }

The "party" holding the bucket is a very short wolf, and an old one, by the look, probably with less than pure Jupani blood in him, as indicated by a big black spot in his fur around his right eye. "Welcome to the Jade Palace," the wolf gruffs. "We needed to get a new gardener, after the last one tripped and fell into the mulcher."

Haji keeps his ears from wiggling and gets to his feet. He bows humbly, { I abase myself for sleeping so long, master. I assure you, my feet are very steady. }

The surroundings are, at first glance, jungle … but not the gigantic trees of the Savan, by any means. The ceiling above is just that – a ceiling very high above – not a canopy of leaves.

Haji nearly falls over as a wave of vertigo hits him, nearly doubling him over. o O { I hate waking up to cold water. At least I'm in some jungle again. }

"Ah, good, a polite one," the wolf growls. "Now then, let's get you acquainted with your surroundings – and your duties. If you have any questions … well, too bad."

The wolf grumps, "Follow me." With that, he turns around and treads along the trail. He really IS a short one, not much more than four feet tall. However, he's pretty stocky for that size, and looks as if he's been through quite a few scrapes.

Haji stands up straight, clearing his mind despite the dizziness and follows his new master. Walking is a little easier bent over, he can keep his balance better and keep sight of his master easily as well.

Haji thinks. o O{ Groveling will not be as effective with this one, methinks. He's obviously not daft. I had better be careful. }

The trees thin out as they come to an abrupt drop-off, beyond which is a scenic view of … whatever this place is. It takes a few moments to take it all in, but basically this whole environment is contained within a sphere of almost metropolitan proportions, constructed of solid, sturdy stonework.

Haji looks around, { This seems incredibly familiar. }

This "jungle" Haji and the wolf stand on is located on one of many terraced ledges along the "walls" of the sphere, which step down toward a running river in a gorge below, fed by a waterfall that bounces down a rocky, mossy face.

Toward Haji's right – Let's call it "west", just for argument's sake, for the time being – much of the outer shell is comprised of a web-like framework and panels of either glass or some other transparent material that lets in some sunlight, and a view of clouds beyond … and below.

The river heads toward this collection of "windows" … and then reaches several collections of pipes and tubes that must take the water back up along the walls, as they become the ceiling again, and toward unknown destinations.

Haji decides to fit his mold properly. A good impression is needed on a new master, after all, cruel or benevolent. { Master, may I be permitted to ask a question? }

The wolf grumbles, "Lot of plants here. Your job is to keep them nice and green. Or whatever color they're apt to be, so long as they're not dead. Don't mess with the glowing flowers, though. They handle themselves just fine, so long as you don't mess with them." As the wolf mentions this, one can't help but notice a few points of light running about the ceiling and partway down as they become walls – glowing buds on creeping vines that supplement the light that comes in through the windows.

"And don't pass out. You're not in charge of the whole weed collection. Your home is this terrace right here. Nice and simple. Though if an extra hand is needed, you may get moved around a bit," the short wolf gruffs, looking to Haji. He doesn't appear to be paying attention to Haji's hand-signs.

"And stop that finger-wiggling thing. It bugs me," the wolf growls, batting at Haji's hands.

Haji looks around at all the greenery. o O { Lots of work . . .but oh so much to mold! I could do alot with this, even if it is one terrace. Those flowers are rather curious, though. I wonder how they work… }

Haji bows gracefully, hands outward in the slave's stance for acceptance.

The wolf waggles a finger at Haji. "Now, the Master has lots of guests here, see? Lots of flappy types, mostly, since it's nice and convenient for them. Or those puffy poodles who like this place because it's 'exclusive'. Well, when there's anybody tramping by who doesn't look like he's working here, you SCAT, understand? I'll show you plenty of places where you can make yourself scarce. It's only the pretty spotties that they care to see, if any."

Haji bows his head slightly. o O { This place is manna from the One Fanged One. Even hiding places! }

"Now then," the wolf says, "let's go visit one of those Places That Isn't Really There. Or Aren't. Whatever." He marches back along the trail again, though making a turn off the path and between a couple of trees, one of which has a broken lower branch that serves as a "landmark" nicely.

Haji pads up behind the wolf, paying close attention. o O { Odd little branch. Easy to remember. }

The wolf continues along, until the trees give way to moss-covered rocks (there are some trickles of water running down here and there). He reaches under a rocky outcropping, and then there's a scraping sound, as one of the boulders conveniently rolls away, revealing a passageway behind … just tall enough for the wolf to walk into without stooping, though not quite as convenient for Haji.

The passageway itself is dark, but it's short, and there's steady light at the other side.

The wolf stops about midway down the passage, waiting for Haji to catch up.

Haji continues to follow the short wolf's shoulders as he scrunches down and runs after him.

Once Haji is inside, the wolf reaches to a rocky protrusion within the tunnel and moves it. The boulder rolls back into place, closing off the entrance. He walks on, then out the other side of the passage … into a chamber that is evidently outside the main sphere, though also fashioned out of rock.

Haji follows the wolf outside and stands beside him. o O { This took much effort to make. }

"This is one of the little greenhouses," the wolf growls. To Haji's "left" (to the "west" again) are several thick, clear glassy panels, but they seem a bit dimmed, and give the room a faintly off-white cast. Within this chamber are several lines of troughs and platforms, with line after line of plants growing here, watered by a built-in system.

"Don't let anybody in here, 'cept those who have a business to, and you'll learn their faces soon enough," the wolf warns. "As for these plants … they're meant for … medicinal purposes."

Haji looks back at the passage. o O { If I didn't know any better, there are traces of permanent magic there. It must have been worked with picks, as well, but there seems to be a taint of magic, right on the tops of the grains. Interesting. }

Haji quirks an ear as he looks at the plants, { These also seem familiar. The smell is so pungent. Master Black Ear used these in his incantations, if I remember. }

The windows give another view of clouds passing beyond – and below – as well as a gleaming, panelled dome which bulges out to the left of this vista. By all that can be told, this place is simply floating in mid-air! But it's certainly no airship.

"Anyway, I'm told you're supposed to have a real green thumb. That's good. Keep the plants happy, and you'll be happy," the wolf grumps. "Understand?"

Haji looks out at the view, then back to the wolf, { The whole terrace? }

The wolf says, "Understand? If you do, shake your head up and down."

Haji nods pertly.

Haji. o O { I somehow think if I keep this room up better than the terrace, I will be made happy indeed. But that scent! If I make it any more pungent any moron could smell it on me. I'd better experiment on a leaf or too. }

"Good," the wolf grunts. "Your 'home' will be here, in that 'office' down there." He points at a cut stone doorway that has a wooden door in the frame that could probably use a bit of work. "Down there, there's a cot. They've got one dandy 'dumb waiter' system in here. You'll find your meals popping up over there all convenient-like. As far as I'm concerned, I don't care if you sneak off some of the fruits or veggies outside, as long as you don't leave any cores on the path. But not one of these leaves in here is to disappear, unaccounted for."

"Your tools are back there, too, and you'll get new supplies the same way you get your food. All nice and neat-like," the wolf grumps. "If things go well, I might not even see you again for a long time. But then, same thing if things DON'T go well, eh?"

Haji nods affirmative. o O { I'll have to clip back a stem or too and leave those upper leaves untouched. Workable, but it'll take longer to experiment with. }

"Good," the wolf grumps. And without another word, he strides past the cheetah, into the short passage. There is another rumble and grind … a pause … then another … and Haji is alone in the "greenhouse".

Haji looks around . . . .then does a little jig as he runs down to his 'office', the ground rippling under his feet with each step. (The plants nearest him seem to perk up, as well). o O { Now where are those tools? }

The wooden door slides open to reveal a chamber wide enough to house a cot on one side, and several shelves of supplies and tools on the other. There's a faint whiff of fertilizer, but thankfully the bags are stored out in the greenhouse area. Directly in front of the door, across the way, is an open alcove with a wooden lid that's partially ajar, revealing an empty space behind, and a glimpse of some heavy ropes.

Haji ponders how to run an experiment on those blasted plants as he looks at the ropes. o O { Now why do I get the feeling I could get in a lot of trouble if I climb those? Still, it may be worth a try to find out everything I can about this place. What to do? }

The room has no available light source evident, aside from propping the wooden door open and letting sunlight in … that is, provided sunlight is available. However, maybe there's a lamp buried in all this stuff. It's not especially well-organized.

Haji glances at the shaft, then rummages about the place, looking for a tinderbox or lamp, candle, anything. . .

As for the ropes, opening the wooden lid reveals a shaft that runs up and down quite some distance. There's really not anything that can be seen, especially since the light is bad enough in here already and the shaft isn't any better when it comes to lighting. But it IS wide enough that the cheetah could possibly do some exploring, at some risk.

After a while, the search at last does produce a holder with a candlestick that is almost at its end, a lamp that has only a meager supply of oil, and a tinderbox which by contrast seems fairly new.

Haji sets to trying to light the candle with the tinderbox. After a minute or two of failed attempts, the wick burns brightly enough.

Haji leans out into the shaft, looking up and down without trying to light the rope with the candle. o O { Let me guess. This is the mulcher. }

The light illuminates the flat stone surfaces of the shaft, but only goes so far up or down. There's no end in sight.

Haji looks up the shaft, { I think I'll have more success going up. The wisest thing to do is wait for that dumb-waiting thing to come up, or down, or what ever it does, and time it. Then again, I could just try to climb this thing. [sigh] I hate mulchers. }

Haji sets the lamp on the ledge and braces himself. He grabs one of the ropes and pulls down hard…

The rope pulls down … and one of the other ropes goes up an equal amount. The center rope doesn't move.

Haji frowns at the center rope. o O { Odd. } He reaches out and pulls down on the centerline rope hard…

The rope seems rather sturdy. It doesn't budge, though it has enough slack down this shaft to swing side to side a bit.

Haji thinks to himself, { As a kavi I once knew said, 'Now we're in business.' }

Haji looks around and finds an old but sturdy tool belt among his tool. He grabs a small hand spade and some other tools and grabs the lamp. He looks up the shaft, forms a small protection ritual for luck, and grabs the center rope with his right paw. He clips the lamp to his belt, pointed away from his body. o O { Jury-rigged, but I hope it holds. }

So far, nothing untoward happens.

Haji smiles to himself . o O { This is going to be an interesting day, indeed. } He quickly flies up the rope, still being mindful of his lamp. Working in a garden has made his arms strong enough for the likes of rope climbing . o O { I've got to hurry, I have no idea when that thing might come up . . .or down. }

At first, Haji starts working up the rope … but working in Lord Titus' garden doesn't usually involve shimmying up ropes. He starts slipping.

For a moment, there's a point of light somewhere down the shaft, along one of the sides, but it disappears after a short bit.

Haji grimaces with frustration . o O { They didn't teach me how to climb oiled ropes! Roiling mountains! I've got to get back to that ledge! }

The cheetah is now sliding down the rope at a goodly rate. WHOOPS! That must have been the ledge that just flew past.

Haji slides down the rope, but slower than he climbed up. He has to keep that lamp lit enough to see, and not burn his hands and feet off with friction.

Haji focuses on trying to keep his pace slowed down to a controlled fall. o O { I hope whoever's pulling that thing is strong enough to pull me up! }

Speed is relative. Actually, this center rope must be moving down after all. The other two ropes might be in motion, but it's kind of hard to tell while sliding down.

That point where the light showed up earlier is nearing. Possibly an opening like the wooden lid in Haji's "office", except that it's evidently not open now.

Haji looks at both ropes and makes a splitsecond decision. He grabs for the rope at his left, hoping it's one that'll slow his descent.

Uh oh. It's not the one.

The cheetah plummets on downward, pulled by the rope. Below, he can hear a faint, rumbling sound, like something moving on rollers.

Haji braces to hit something, grabbing on the rope hard, but his fingers are tired and can't seem to hang on any better. . .

As Haji flails about in the shaft, he hits the side, and there's a thump of wood instead of stone. It's a split-second option – Keep going down, or try to grab onto whatever it is he's hit? Decisions, decisions.

Haji grabs out at the wood-whatever-it-is. o O { If I hit that thing, they'll know something's going on. I'd prefer they not know it was me. }

The stop is a bit bumpy, but Haji is now dangling from a stone ledge, apparently right below that wooden panel. He can just see a thin line of light coming through a crack above the ledge.

The rumbling is getting louder and closer, along with some squeaking noises.

Haji pulls himself up on the ledge. He looks at the crack . o O { Is that a door? }

It would appear Haji is on a ledge just like the one where he started this little adventure, and before him is a mostly-closed wooden lid that should – if it is like the one in his "office" – slide up.

Haji quickly lifts the door open a smidge. He risks a peek under it. . .

*rumble rumble* *squeak squeak*

The peek reveals a little chamber with a cot to one side and some shelves of neatly-arranged tools on the others. What with the neatness, it's definitely not his space.

Haji can see the rollers on the dumbwaiter and throws the door open. He slips inside just as the rollers begin to pass by his ledge.

As Haji slides into the room, he catches in the corner of his eye an outline of a humanoid form standing on the cot, just in the corner, out of his previous range of vision. And something moving, being held by the figure, swung … toward his head.

*KLANG!*

Look at all the pretty stars!

Haji falls to the floor . o O { And I was already dizzy to start with today . . .(*) }

Haji is now laying on the floor, staring up at the ceiling, lit by flickering lamp light.

Haji whinces at a pain on the back of his head. o O { I liked being splashed with water better. }

"Above" Haji's range of vision, he can partially glimpse, from an upside-down perspective, an angry-looking spotted feline brandishing a shovel menacingly.

Haji signs, { I'm only a gardener, don't hit me, please! }

The other cheetah waves the shovel a bit, but still maintains a defensive posture with the makeshift weapon.

Haji rolls over, keeping his face near the ground, mostly because he can't sit up yet. He holds the back of his head with one hand, while signing with the other, { I'm just a harmless slave, okay? Ow, my head. . . }

The other cheetah is a bit easier to make out now that Haji's perspective is righted, and his senses are starting to return. She's dressed in a simple, coarse tunic and trousers like himself, though with the addition of a woven leather headband that holds her hair back.

Haji opens both eyes through the pain slowly. He sits up and holds his head with both hands, then signs, { I'm sorry, I must appear to be a thief or something to you. I'm Haji, I work a terrace or two above here, I think. Who are you? }

Behind Haji, the "dumb waiter" has come to a stop at this particular ledge. Inside are some bags of fertilizer. The other cheetah looks past Haji at this, then reluctantly sets down the shovel and signs, "Luna. If you're a gardener, then make yourself useful and help me with one of those bags, before it moves up to the next level."

Haji tries to keep his face from being a ridiculous rictus of pain into something more friendly. He rubs his head then stumbles over to the waiter and grabs two bags, one in each arm. He set it down, almost nearly setting himself on the bags from exhaustion and pain.

Haji signs, { Is that going to go up or back down? }

Luna hmphs at the show of bravado. She signs, "If you're from the terrace above, you'd better hop back in and ride it on up so you won't miss your bags. And I only get one." She stoops over to lift one back up with a grunt, staggering back over to the "dumb waiter" with it.

Haji rubs his head sheepishly and gets into the waiter, { Sorry about that, Luna. I'm new here. }

Luna smirks and slams the wooden lid shut, leaving Haji alone in the dumb waiter and darkness, with the remaining two bags of fertilizer. In a few moments, there's a rumble and more squeaks, as the wooden box begins moving upward again.

Haji thinks to himself . o O { Well . . .that was interesting. Ow, my head is still killing me. }

The box stops again.

*KLANG*!

There's a loud noise. So. THAT'S where that sound came from. Wherever "that" is.

The wooden lid slides open, revealing another cheetah. He has a rather surprised look on his face as he peers into the wooden box.

Haji opens the door and quickly hops out, a fertilizer bag under his arm.

The other cheetah staggers back, falling onto his cot, in an attempt to get out of the way!

The cheetah on the cot signs, "Who are you? What are you doing here?"

Haji hands the bag to the cheetah, { Um, New delivery service! We're trying to speed things up. Uh, here. Take this. Gotta go! bye! }

Haji dumps the bag on the cheetah and jumps back in the waiter.

In a bit, the dumb waiter starts rolling up again, leaving a very confused-looking cheetah behind.

A bit more and … *KLANG*! The dumb waiter stops again.

There's just one bag of fertilizer left in the box with Haji.

Haji opens the door, again, and quickly hops out, with his bag of fertilizer. o O { Well, I think I need to learn rope climbing 'fore I try THAT again. }

This time, there are no strange cheetahs – other than Haji, of course. It's his "office" again, and he's the only one in it. The wooden door is still open, letting in the sunlight, though it's waning now.

Haji looks back at the shaft, shutting the elevator door. He goes out to look at the garden and store his bag. o O { I just realized. I need to get rid of this stuff somehow. }

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GMed by Greywolf

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Today is 14 days after Candlemass, Year 29 of the Reign of Archelaus the First (6128)