Broad double doors to the east lead off from the garden half of the dome into a long hall, where more tables have been set out, and similarly sporting the bounty of the harvest, as well as treats brought from afar. The walls are decorated with cornucopias of dried vegetables, alongside friendly-looking scarecreens and old farming implements. Cauldrons of soup have been hefted in from the kitchen, though there are also platters bearing roasted boars – Now that the animals of the woods are no longer monsters, and that they don't disappear in puffs of smoke when you kill them, hunting has been greatly improved.

It looks like the whole village has turned out to help prepare (and eat!) the food. Farmer Poe loudly brags about his harvest this year, while Gunter and Horus haul in the last cauldron of soup. Sheriff Darken pours drinks.

A foppish fox provides musical entertainment on an enchanted lyre – At the request of Duchess Eve (currently squealing happily about all the desserts lined up), he doesn't add any lyrics to his songs, instead letting the enchanted statues of the Mewses provide the vocals (though it's questionable if anyone here understands Olympian to know what they're saying).

Gnarr and his family provide last-minute tenderizing to Titanian zaki meat, ("The more Gnarr hit it, the better it taste!") giving the Mewses' performance some unusual percussive accompaniment.

There are more than a few Savanites here as well, of course keeping quite the whole time. Sunny and Last-Daughter follow Eve around like shadows. Count Vlad had to respectfully decline Duchess Eve's invitation to the party, but some grateful citizens of Tempest County arrived to add to the bounty regardless – the least they could do in exchange for having their land saved from a Gallisian invasion, after all. There's also a young man (of the human sort) in noble-looking attire who has a bit of a retinue, and brought some fairly expensive wine, cheese, and several game hens from Justininople.

The activity seems to be calming down now, as people start to take their places at the tables in the Garden and Banquet Halls. A couple of latecomers are escorted out of the central tower on the gallery level. "Velcome to Sylvania," caws a young Korv with puffy-looking feathers. "Zhu are from Rephidim, ya? Kaw! Just in time!"

"Yes, I am from Rephidim. Lady Elise Antoine de Bellefeuille, officer cadet of Rephidim, and head of the de Bellefeuille house hold," answers a poodle woman in mostly black Temple armor.

Just behind the cadet, a winged Exile dressed in a gold zolk gown bows to the Korv. "And I am Envoy Lothrhyn, of the Collegia Esoterica. A friend of the Duchess."

The Korv bobs his head, looking impressed at Elise's title. "Ah … gut zhing I don't have to announce zhu!" He waddles past some marble statues of noble-looking felines, and points down the stairs, glancing to Envoy. "Ah. Ya, ze Duchess ist down zhere." The white kitten in the frilly pink dress can be easily picked out, finding her seat at the head of the table. "Lord Kurai ist not here today, zhorry. He wast feelink sick."

Smiling, Envoy makes her way carefully through the crowded garden towards the table.

Elise turns her gaze towards the hostess and tilts her head ever so slightly to study her before walking her way. "So, this is the much talked about Eve Kurai. She is as… distinctive… in person as her deeds are in rumor."

A few of the villagers look up at the approaching guests. The splendor of Envoy's gown and the fine cut of Elise's uniform stand out against the relatively modest garb of the townsfolk's "holiday best" apparel.

Eve turns around, and claps her hands together delightedly upon seeing the new arrivals. "Hello!" she mews, waving one paw. "Welcome to my big brother's castle! He's feeling a little ill, but maybe he'll join us in a bit. We're about to eat soon, so hurry on down and find a seat!"

Envoy grins and quickens her pace. Her dress isn't made for taking long strides. "It's good to see you again, Eve. This is quite a place Jynx has."

The poodle gives the occasional villager a polite smile as she walks up to Eve. When the girl addresses the Gallee, she gives her a more genuine smile and inclines her head in greeting. "Duchess Kurai. I thank you for the invitation. And what a … splendid castle you have here. I look forward to the festivities." Having thanked the hostess, the cadet gives her one more smile before turning and walking off towards the tables, looking for her seat.

A big horse pulls out a chair for Elise at one of the table settings.

Eve mews, "There's a spot right over there, Envoy, so you'll be close enough that you don't have to shout!" She points to another open chair just a few spots down.

Farmer Poe, a black-feathered Korv, hops over to do the gentlekorvly thing, and pulls the chair back for Envoy. It happens to be the type of chair with a space to make room for the wings. "*Kaw!* So, you're the famed Envoy of Lothrhyn, eh? Been saving this chair for you."

Elise glances up, all the way up to the horse's face and gives him another of those polite smiles. "Thank you," she says before sitting down.

The Aeolun takes the indicated seat, making sure her wings won't interfere with her neighbors. "Why thank you, Sir. I didn't realize I was known in Sylvania."

Muffled footfalls come from the direction of the stairs, and soon a black Khatta comes into view. He wears what appears to be some sort of ceremonial suit, if uncomfortably, and is clutching his stomach as if it were aching. "Oh my stomach… That's the last time I let those two get me in a taste test fest," he says under his breath. He pads the rest of the way into the Garden Hall, and straightens up as he walks over to Eve. "Well, is everyone here?"

Eve mews, "Yes, Lord Kurai!" She curtseys. "Everyone that sent back the RSVP, that is. Now hurry and sit down, or you'll miss the food!"

The foppish fox sniffs at the smells of the food, his stomach growling loudly, but he keeps playing his lute nonetheless, turning to smile at one of the singing Mewse statues.

Jynx frowns at the mention of food, but just shrugs. He walks over to his usual seat at the banquet table, and sits down. "How do we turn those statues off, anyways?"

Eve mews, "Oh, just have the bard quit playing that magical instrument. But I like their singing."

Envoy turns her attention to one of statues in question. Figuring it would be impolite to try a cantrip at the dinner table, she quietly asks, "Is it animated by Earth Magic?"

Eve says, "Now then … quiet everyone! Pleeeeease?" The bard finally stops playing, and the Mewses quiet down for now. The chatter slowly dies down.

The black Khatta turns to face his sister, perking his ears to listen.

The poodle spots Lord Kurai sit down and moves to say something to him, but stops once Eve makes her request. Quietly she turns to face the hostess and waits for what she has to say.

Eve smiles at Envoy and winks, mouthing, "Just a moment," then she turns back to the assembled group. "I'd like to thank you all for coming here to my big brother's castle, and especially for all the help in preparing this feast. But now we're going to give some thanks for the bounty we all share together. Lord Kurai, could you give a real quick blessing?"

"Blessing?" Jynx blinks a few times in surprise, then startles, "Oh, oh … blessing. Um, okay… " He bows his head slowly, and is silent for a few seconds, tail twitching as he tries to think of the words. "Oh Great Star, please shine favorably upon us this evening as we partake in our meal of thanks, as we thank you for all the great things you have given us. Uh… amen?" He looks up experimentally.

Eve opens her eyes and smiles. "Very good! Now then … it's official! You can dig in now!"

Villagers let out hearty hurrahs – though the Savanites are, of course, far more subdued in their expressions of enthusiasm.

Plates heaped with peas, smashed potatoes, and various other vegetables are passed up and down, along with several types of gravy and countless casserole dishes. The meat platters are the most popular, naturally, and are already quickly diminishing in size as they pass the plats of the carnivores. (Fortunately, the biggest eaters – the Rhians – are vegetarians.)

The black armored poodle frowns a little at the blessing. She, while others begin digging in, makes the sign of the Star and Anchor across her chest before proceeding to turn towards the table and inspect the items there. "Hmm."

Some baked bread makes its way down past Elise. Farmer Poe, meanwhile, loads his plate up with a heap of corn.

Eve turns to Envoy, and mews, "Oh. Earth Magic? You might want to ask Lord Kurai about that, but, you see, Duke Phelix Kurai the First happened to be an accomplished Earth Mage. I don't know if he made the statues … but he made the castle!"

Envoy pauses in her selection of food (a little bit of everything, as usual) and smiles to Eve. "Really? I'm studying Earth Magic now myself."

The black cat still frowns a bit at all the food, but nevertheless puts a generous helping of meatstuffs onto his plate. "Where did Setting-Sun and First-Dawn go? Huh? Earth Magic?" Jynx turns to the Aeolun. "Oh! Hello, Envoy. Long time no see! You're a mage now?"

After some consideration of the meal before her, Elise opts for a piece of what just happens to be the most expensive steak, some potatoes, and glass of wine. She does not however eat right away. Instead she glances at the people next to her, looking to see just who might be around.

Eve mews, "Really? That's wonderful!"

Right next to Elise is a young human who is dressed in finery comparable to Elise's for quality, with a cut that seems to suggest a uniform, though looking somehow less formal. The large and elder Rhian next to him is most certainly dressed in some sort of military uniform.

Envoy smiles to Jynx. "Oh no, just starting as an Apprentice is all."

Of the two seated beside her, Elise takes interest in the human. She turns slightly towards him and checks to see if he is busy at the moment.

"Well, still a mage. Not to be mean or anything, but I never imagined you as a spellcaster." Jynx grins, and nibbles a bit on one of the sausages on his plate. "How's things in Rephidim? I only got to make a brief stop my last time there."

The human appears to be mostly busy with pushing food around on his plate. He doesn't seem to be terribly hungry. He notices Elise's look, and returns it. "Oh. Greetings."

"Political," Envoy says, as she samples some of the vegetables. "Do you remember Wynona? A bunch of mages convinced the Temple to hold her in custody as a possible saboteur, of all things."

Eve puts her paws to her mouth. "Oh dear!"

The black Khatta furrows his brows at Envoy as he chews on the food, then swallows. "Sabotage? For what?" He cuts a piece of Bromthen hog ham, and tosses it into his mouth. "I didn't know her all that well, but she doesn't seem like that sort to me."

Having gotten the attention of the man beside her, Elise turns to face him more fully and smiles, a quite genuine smile at that. "Hello. I could not help but notice you. You are very well dressed. Might I the honor knowing your name, m'lord?"

The human smiles. "Ah. If I might have the honor of knowing yours, it would be a fair trade. My name is Justinian."

Nibbling on a carrot, the Exile explains, "Back on Ring Day a large group of Mages from Rephidim set about to repair the famous scrying pool near Babel, which Wynona had accidentally disrupted a few years ago. Midway through their ritual though, an Eeee that was supposed to be the new body of Scarlet conjured up an ice golem that ruined everything."

"The new body of Scarlet? Scarlet the Aelfin?" Jynx looks confused. "Did something happen to her?"

Up at the top of the stairs, a foppish-looking poodle exchanges words with the Korv greeter. The Korv seems a bit worked up about something, but the poodle just waves it off, looking amused, and taking off his cloak and handing it to the black bird. He then strides down the staircase, one ring-bedecked hand resting upon the head of an enameled walking stick.

Eve blinks several times, at a loss of words for one of those rare moments in her life, as she looks at Envoy.

The black cat blinks as he notices this newcomer. Keeping his ears tuned into Envoy, he glances over at the canine.

"And I am Elise. Elise Antoine de Bellefeuille." Elise tilts her head slightly, looking at the human for a moment before asking, "You would not happen to be the Czar Justinian?"

The human smiles politely. "Ah, yes. Yes, that would be me. Though I am new to the position, I must confess."

The seated armored poodle glances up at the new arrival for a moment before looking back to the human. "Although it is not nearly the change you must face, I am certain, I happen to be rather new at being a cadet. But I would not believe you would wish to hear about that, although I would be rather interested in hearing about yourself, and Sylvania."

"Oh, no, really," says the human, "I would find that fascinating. You're from Rephidim, I assume. You don't sound Gallisian." As he says this, his eyes wander from Elise, glancing at the newcomer coming down the stairway.

The newcomer poodle fop reaches the bottom of the stairs. "Oh! Greetings, Duchess Kurai! And Lord Kurai as well! It is so good to see you! Such a lovely castle you have here. It's a wonder what you've done with a fortress submerged in a swamp of all places. How do you keep it dry?"

As Jynx gets a better look at the arriving poodle, his fur begins to bristle visibly, and his ears start to set back. "It's a Gallee," he whispers to Eve. The black feline stands up in the middle of his conversation, and nods to the poodle. "Hello, sir. May I ask who you might be?"

Elise follows the human's gaze back to the poodle and watches the newcomer as she speaks to the Czar. "Oh would you? Very well, though I must admit it is not a terribly interesting story. You see, in that dreadful Battle of the Plaguebringers, my dear father and mother lost their lives. It was a tragic event for our family, and one that prompted me to enter the military academy so that I may take the place of my father, who had served in the Guard as an officer until he fell."

Eve looks as if she's about to give Jynx some sort of "I know that," but the foppish poodle cuts in first. "Ah, Lord Kurai," says the poodle with a bow. "I am Master Menteur, servant of the Marquis. I congratulate you on your good fortune."

Czar Justinian seems a bit distracted, casting a glance over to Master Menteur, but looks back to Elise again, frowning. "I'm terribly sorry to hear that. My own father passed away recently as well, so I can sympathize … but he did not die in battle, and I must confess that it was no surprise, for he was advanced in years. I cannot pretend to have suffered as great a loss as you have. I sincerely hope that he will be honored by your achievements in this academy. I have heard many a good thing about the training in Rephidim."

The black Khatta looks as though he's about to reply, but blinks at his sister's expression. "Are you telling me you invited that walking puff ball?" he whispers aside to the white kitten.

Eve gives Jynx a hurt look, and mouths a "no" to her big brother.

Menteur just grins with a sustained smile. "Well… quite a crowd we have here." He scans the table, pausing a moment as he notices the curious Exile … and again when he notices Justinian … and his gaze lingers appreciatively on Elise for a couple more moments before turning away at the sight of the "rabble" of the villagers and Savanites.

Furrowing his brow, Jynx looks back up at the poodle. "Yes, quite a large crowd indeed, and they were all invited." The Khatta crosses his arms, tail twitching. "May I see your invitation?"

Again the seated poodle drops her gaze to the human, only to turn and frown at Jynx for a moment before once again looking to the human. "It is … comforting in a manner to meet one who has suffered such as I have. Although had I a choice in the matter, I would much prefer there was no one I could share such a tragedy with. And yes, I will do all that I can to see that my father shines proudly down on me from beyond the Procession." She smiles to the human again before leaning in bit and turning her gaze towards the other poodle. "A Gallisian," she whispers, "I had heard of their defeat. Whatever is he doing here?"

Menteur says, "Oh! Merci! You are not about to toss me out on my ear, are you, monsieur? No, I am not here to take even a crumb from your table, honored Lord Kurai. I am here, rather, to present an offer from my master, the Marquis of Fauxpas. I think it is one which would benefit you greatly, and give you the honor you so richly deserve."

"I don't know," says Justinian, lowering his voice, "but I am certain that I and he are here at cross purposes. I had thought business could wait until after the meal… "

"An offer?" Jynx's tail stops in its twitching. "Just what kind of offer do you mean?" He keeps a stern, unblinking gaze on the canine.

Menteur casts about, drumming his frilly-gloved fingers on his chin. "Well … I suppose it's odd to bring this up in the middle of your meal … but such an offer as this shouldn't wait. Lord Kurai, I have heard of your plight … Here you are, a land-owner, charged with caring for a decaying county, a mere fragment of faded glory of a once-great nation."

"Here you are," continues Menteur, "expected to care for and to lead these people … but you have not even a title for your trouble? I would like to suggest – "

Envoy leans in closer to Eve and Jynx, and whispers, "I'm afraid that Scarlet is dead. She had an accident in Aelfhem, when she went to deal with some invading pirates. There were complications because of her magic wand, though, so she wasn't quite dead, and the Babelites did this ritual to transfer her into a new body, but it was all a sham to provide them with an agent to disrupt the ritual… "

At this, Justinian stands up. "I must correct you, good sir." He has an odd accent on "good". "I apologize for not tending to this sooner, but part of my reason for coming here was to inform Lord Kurai of my decision to rectify that particular situation, since he is obviously the leader in charge of Blackshire County."

Eve's attention seems quite taxed, as she looks from Jynx to Justinian to the Gallisian, to Envoy.

The poodle woman does not smile at the other poodle, but neither does she show any sign of objecting to his presence. She continues to watch the poodle with curious attention as her food cools on the plate.

Jynx misses Envoy's comment, all his attention focused on the poodle. Just as he is about to reply, he is cut off by the human. The Khatta turns to look at the Czar, blinking in confusion. "Rectify the situation?" He gives all his attention to the young man.

Justinian clears his throat. "Feli Kurai, you have proven yourself a hero to all of Sylvania. I wish to give you a title that you rightly deserve – that is, that you be known as the Count of Blackshire."

Menteur rolls his eyes. "Oh … oh, bravo, bravo! A count, he says! I tell you, young Kurai, you can do better than that! And I come here to tell you how."

The ebony Khatta blinks at the Czar, his eyes fully wide. "Th-thank you, sir! It's an hon-" He is cut off by the poodle, and sighs as he turns back to him. "How?"

Elise leans in closer to the horse beside her and whispers to him, since the Czar seems to have his hands full, "Quite a spectacle. Does this occur very often in Sylvania?"

Menteur smiles smugly. "Count … of what? Sylvania is no nation. It is a wilderness, with a few settlements of dedicated people struggling to eke out a living."

The Rhian shakes his head, whinnying to Elise, "Let us hope not, for all our sakes."

Menteur continues, "It is a place without order. Without stability. Gallis, however, offers that stability."

Menteur makes a sweeping gesture with his free hand, continuing with, "Yes, I realize we have had our differences before … but so far, as we have pressed into the wilderness, we have encountered only desperate people in need of our help. We were surprised when we reached the forces of Count Vlad."

Menteur forces a frown. "Count Vlad, it seems, was very resistant to our offers of help. Indeed … we were shocked when we learned that he was a creature of darkness, holding the people in his sway. Perhaps you were misled by him. It happens to the best of us."

Elise nods slightly to the Rhian as she watches the others. "I have heard Sylvania has been having considerable trouble for many generations. Although I would never wish to be involved in your politics, I do hope things calm down for the sake of your people."

Envoy whispers to the Korv next to her, "But doesn't Fleaufille have statues of beheaded leaders? That doesn't seem very stable."

Farmer Poe snorts, spitting out a couple of pieces of corn, then covers his smirking beak with a wing-claw.

Jynx just keeps his arms crossed, tail twitching as he glares at the poodle wordlessly. Giving a yawn, he turns back to his chair, and sits down, munching on one of the pork chops on his plate, not even bothering to look at the poodle.

Menteur gives a few annoyed glances, then continues, "Now … my proposal is simple. Sylvania needs order. But it does not need conflict. You are obviously a very moral, conscientious man, Lord Kurai. The Marquis of Fauxpas respects that."

The Exile offers Poe a napkin.

Poe takes the napkin and wipes his beak. "Ah, thank you, missus."

Still, the black feline doesn't reply, just taking a few sips from his glass as he downs another bite, tail still twitching.

"The Marquis of Fauxpas would like to welcome you to our family … a community, working together. If you would join us, you would be made the Marquis of Blackshire … or, if you should prefer a more scenic location, we would be glad to give you a better place to govern. We do not wish to waste your obvious talents. All we ask is that you join us, and be on our side."

Jynx downs yet another bite, then silently turns to look at the canine, his eyelids half closed in an "are you quite finished?" type of expression.

"And pay Gallis taxes, as well, I wager," Envoy whispers to Poe.

Poe smirks again, and covers his beak with a napkin.

The Gallisian poodle frowns. "You would be greatly valued as an ally, Lord Kurai. It would be a shame to consider you … an enemy."

Eve frowns severely at the Gallisian. "My big brother is a hero! He'd never join up with you … you … you meanies!"

Jynx turns back to the table and pushes his plate aside. He follows with a large, dramatic stretch, then rises from his chair, facing the young human. "Czar Justinian," he says with a bow, "I would be honored to accept the title of Count from you and your people."

Justinian lets out a sigh of relief, and his tense expression quickly fades into a smile. "Splendid, Count Kurai."

Elise cannot help but smirk at Eve's comment. "Duchess Kurai does seem to have a… way… with words," she says the Rhian.

Menteur's polite smile transmogrifies quickly into a disdainful grimace. "Very well then," he says, with a voice dripping venom. "Good day, monsieur." With that, the Gallisian turns and heads back up the steps, yanking his cloak back away from the Korv in the gallery.

The black Khatta gives an over-exaggerated bow and "tip of the hat" gesture to the poodle as he leaves, grinning hugely as he watches him go. He then turns back to the crowd. "Well? Come on, people! This is supposed to be a feast. Dig in!"

"As you command, Count Kurai!" Envoy says, and goes back to eating.

The villagers let loose with another loud "hurrah!" and the foppish fox starts playing the magical lyre once more. The Mewses resume their singing, though it's all but lost in the enthusiastic chatter of the many guests.

Justinian nods, still smiling, and sits back down again. He dabs at his brow with a handkerchief. "I had hoped to do that with a little more decorum … but I suppose that will suffice, ey, General?"

The uniformed Rhian next to the human nods solemnly.

Eve claps her hands gleefully, then throws her arms around Jynx in a hug. "That's telling that meanie, big brother! You're the greatest!"

Two little Savanite girls – Last-Daughter and Sunny – smile up at Jynx appreciatively as well.

"Oof!" The Khatta looks a bit surprised at his sister's sudden hug, but returns it with a chuckle. "Not so tight, Eve! I'm still a bit… overstuffed!" He smiles at the two cubs, and stifles a rising burp. Seems he still has a way to go to seem noble.

After watching the performance of the other poodle, Elise stares thoughtfully at the table before her. Once the Czar sits however, she turns to face him. "It has been some time since I last saw a Gallisian Gallee poodle. I can now see more clearly why my ancestors left Gallis so long ago."

"I hope you don't mind my asking," Envoy says to the table at large, "But just why is it that Gallis keeps invading Sylvania?"

"It's a flaw in their system," says Justinian. "They need land. The Chevaliers serve in return for lands granted by the Marquis. But Gallis has run short of frontier many years ago."

Justinian adds, "Many of the Chevaliers are fighting for lands in Sylvania that have already been promised them by the Marquis."

Jynx nods. "They're a bunch of land-hungry mutts, and don't care who they have to take it from to get it."

Elise turns her gaze between the speakers as she listens, flicking an ear at the insult.

"Ah," Envoy says. "So in order to gain a title, they must hold land?"

Justinian shakes his head, casting a curious glance toward Jynx and then to Elise and her reaction, before looking back to Envoy. "No … it's just that the payment for their service is land … land that they will hold and which their progeny will inherit. Over time, as the generations pass, more land is in the hands of descendants of Chevaliers … whether or not those descendants take their place in the army of the Marquis."

Justinian holds up his hands. "It sounds flimsy, I know … but, believe me, it's enough to motivate them. The desire to hold land and to secure a future for your descendants is a strong incentive – especially since Sylvania seems ripe for the taking."

"And the Marquis can't just buy the land back from them to grant to the new Chevaliers?" Envoy asks.

"Once they have it, they won't just give it up for sale," replies Jynx. "It's anobility thing, I guess."

The poodle woman speaks up for the first time, "If I may, it is certainly an incentive. By experience I have learned many will fight for the nobility land grants, especially in Gallis where status is very important."

Justinian nods. "For many, land is power. It's a piece of the world you can call your own. And it can yield the means of your livelihood, so that you needn't rely on a stipend from someone lording over you. Fields to yield crops. Trees to yield wood." He smiles as he looks to Envoy. "Earth is power. I heard you say you were becoming an Earth Mage? Surely you can understand that notion."

"I suppose my understanding of power is a bit less materialistic," Envoy says, smiling. "However, I can see the attraction of nobility, since it will carry one's name into the future."

Justinian nods. "Ah. Well, there are many sorts of power, of course." He sighs, shifting the food around on his plate some more, then darting his fork to his mouth to sample some of the mixed greens he's been playing with. He raises his eyebrows. "Fresh. Very good."

Jynx munches on the last morsel of a pork chop, and nods to the human. "They just picked it today! Of course, I'm not much of a vegetarian myself."

"One must also understand the nature of Gallis, and its class system. The nobility have all the power, and the poor can and have been cut down in the streets for amusement." The poodle glances to the Czar and follows his example by dropping the subject in favor of food.

Jynx grimaces at Elise, and nods the affirmative.

Elise picks up a knife and fork and cuts a square of meat from the steak she chose and proceeds to eat the morsel and savor the flavor in a way that would likely cause eating her meal to take quite a long time.

For her part, Envoy continues to try a small portion of everything, which still results in a meal larger than she's used to.

Much later, the food has been pretty efficiently tucked away, and most of the dishes have been picked up and taken to the kitchen. Stomachs are overly full, and most of the villagers have waddled off, after paying their respects to the new Count and his sister, the Duchess. Most of the new Savanite immigrants head out as well, though a number seem intent on staying around and helping with the cleaning – either out of gratitude, or else maybe they just can't shake themselves of the habit.

Czar Justinian has already made his exit, along with the General. That leaves just a few guests lounging about the Garden Hall, while the foppish fox continues to play light melodies on the magical lyre, accompanied by the soft voices of the animated Mewse statues.

Rather lazily, Jynx also helps with the cleaning, gathering up various plates and dishes and carrying them off to the kitchen after everyone is done talking with him.

Eve, now wearing a pink and frilly apron, takes some of the dishes from Jynx. "Here! I'll get these. Gnarr can help with the drying. You just rest yourself now, Count Kurai! You've had a busy day!" She giggles, and gives her big brother a peck on the cheek, as she hustles back off to the kitchen.

Envoy smiles towards the fox bard, and comments, "I think he's improved a little." To Jynx, she asks, "So, what will your responsibilities be as a Count, Feli?"

The meal done, the young cadet has stepped out of the way of those either cleaning or departing and now stands quietly by a wall. Despite being so silent, her armor tends to give her presence away to all who look in her direction, the symbol of the Star and Anchor being hard to miss.

The black Khatta blinks, and frowns as his sister runs off with the dishes. Feeling rather useless, he just stands about in the Garden Hall, turning to Envoy as she speaks. "Yeah, I guess the little orange terror is getting better." He shrugs. "I'm not sure, really. I mean, my ancestors were nobility, but no one's ever shown me what I'm supposed to do. Eve's having a ball with it, but it's all new to me."

From the kitchen, a loud lupine voice bellows, "UH-OH!" Immediately, a very short Titanian pads into the kitchen. "COMING, PAPA!" he barks.

Having overheard the conversation between Jynx and Envoy, the poodle leaves her spot and begins walking over towards them. Her armor makes a quiet clank as chitin thumps against chitin. "I do not suppose I could offer you a solution to your problem, Count Kurai?" she offers.

"Have the trees produce pollen that makes Gallees sneeze all the time?" Envoy asks.

Jynx turns to look at the poodle and blinks a few times. "A solution? In what way?" He gives Envoy a strange look at her suggestion.

Eve mews, "I don't think Lady Bellefeuille would like to visit very often, then."

The poodle woman smirks at Envoy's comment. "I would certainly hope not. I have testing soon, and I cannot be held up with such things as allergies," she tells Envoy before turning to the Count. "If you wish to become a proper noble, which may become rather expected of you, perhaps you should seek a private tutor? One who is willing to accompany you and point out what mistakes you may make before you make them."

Eve mews, "Oh! You know … I could do that! Or … or maybe Count Vlad could! He's got a lot of experience being a Count, you know."

The black Khatta grimaces. "I'm not so sure about that. Any way you slice it, I doubt I'd act like a normal noble, and I really don't have any wish to." He shrugs. "I think I'll take my chances. I've done all right so far."

Gnarr barks, "DUCHESS! GNARR NEED HELP WITH DISHES! PUHLEEZE!" There's a crashing sound.

Envoy giggles. "Besides, Jynx never listens when someone tells him how to behave."

Eve yeeps! "I'll be right back. Coming, Gnarr!" She rushes off to the kitchen.

Elise tilts her head to the side slightly, raising her eyebrows at Jynx's words in a look of mild surprise. "You may not wish to, but you cannot deny you now have responsibility. Proper nobility is not always held simply for the benefit of the noble themselves, but for the people they serve. If not for yourself, you may wish to learn for your people."

"She has a point," Envoy says. "You are their representative to the larger world now."

Jynx smirks at Envoy, giving a mock stern look. "Anyroad, I don't have much time for nobility type things nowadays, and the townspeople here are pretty good at taking care of normal day to day things without my help. I've got to help Eve with that… what was it called… railroad thing of hers, plus with all the Savanites moving in, I'll probably pattern my customs more to their ways."

Elise adds, "And a larger world may not take you seriously if you do not follow their rules."

The black Khatta shrugs. "I'm not here to please the rest of the world, just my own people."

The poodle flicks her ear again at the mention of Jynx patterning his ways after Savanites and his words. "Very well. I am most certainly not here to give more than advice. It is, of course, your land. I simply saw that you had a problem."

"Well then," the Aeolun grins, "Whenever you're unsure of how to act, just ask your subjects what they expect of you."

"Well, it's not that big a problem at the moment, and I'm sure I'll learn with time." The Khatta grins. "And if all else fails, I'm sure Eve'll keep me in line."

"Your sister seems much more inclined towards such teachings. Has she ever mentioned an interest in perhaps attending a charm school? If you are not interested in acting the part, perhaps your sister would rather like it. I can certainly tell you that my sister has filled the role for me enough while I have been training," says Elise.

Envoy scratches her cheek and wonders, "Even I've learned how to be polite, Jynx. I don't want to be thrown out of the Collegia before I even get started."

Eve pads out of the kitchen, folding up her apron and hanging it on a hook just inside the kitchen doorway. "Well! That's that for now. What's this about being thrown out?"

"Charm school?" Jynx grimaces, "I'm not so sure about that. She might like it, knowing her, but she has all her lands and property to look over, plus her railroad project. Mom and Dad would still have a say in it too-" He stops and turns to Eve. "Just talking about nobility things."

Eve mews, "Oh yes! I've had to learn a lot about etiquette. Did you realize that Titanians actually have a very complex understanding of manners? They're not really barbaric at all … or, I mean, if you look at it from a certain point of view."

The black armored poodle turns towards Eve and smiles at her again. "Oh, Duchess, there you are. We were just speaking of you, and how if your brother is unwilling to learn to be a noble that perhaps you might like to attend charm school."

Envoy blinks, "Titanians are considered barbaric? I've never once seen one that's gone to a barber though."

Eve claps her hands together. "And … oh yes! My railroad! I bought into partnership for this lovely plan to build a railroad across Sylvania. And … this is amazing! Little did I realize that when I signed on, the fellow who was selling me the shares so cheaply apparently thought that the railroad was going to go through a swamp."

Elise reaches a hand over to her muzzle and attempts to cover her snicker.

Jynx arches a brow at the poodle. "I never said I was unwilling to learn noble ways, just that I haven't the time to be tutored in them. Besides, I wouldn't exactly want to run this place the same way the nobility of Rephidim does. No offense." He frowns.

Eve mews, "Well, you see … the swamp dried up! Apparently this happened after my big brother defeated a bunch of monsters and made the land happy again. I guess he cleared up some swamps, too. Well, it turns out that my shares weren't worthless after all! In fact, I got all the rest of them fairly cheaply … so now I own the whole company myself!" She bounces happily, then looks at Jynx. "Oh? Were you saying something? Sorry!"

The black Khatta grimaces, and just shakes his head. "Nothing, never mind."

Eve nods. "Oh. That reminds me. Big brother, is it all right if I build a railroad station on your land? Just off near where the old cemetery used to be."

The poodle drops her hand back to her side. If she happened to have been smiling behind it she certainly isn't now. "I see," she tells Jynx.

"You're going to run carriages over rails?" Envoy asks Eve. "Is it so people can pass through more quickly, or for some other reason?"

Eve looks off dreamily, gushing, "I'm going to build a railroad across all Sylvania, connecting it to Chronotopia! And I'll make sure all the trains are pretty – not ugly and clunky!" She looks to Envoy. "Oh, they're steam-powered carriages. This way, people will be able to move things back and forth quickly, like they do in Chronotopia! When the engines don't blow up, that is."

Jynx looks to the poodle for a few seconds more, then down to Eve. "Sure, squirt. No one's used that land for anything in a long time, and it'd be nice to see it put to some use, even if it is weird."

Eve bounces. "Oh, thankyouthankyou!" She gives Jynx another big hug. "I'll make it really pretty, you'll see! And I'll take you on a ride on my railroad any time you like!"

Jynx oofs! as he's yanked down by yet another kitten hug. "Ack! If you keep doing that, you're gonna give me whiplash!" the Khatta exclaims as he tickles his sister with his tail.

Eve ponders. "The hard part will be getting the railroad all the way to Titania. I'm not sure if the Chronotopians would care for that – " She giggles. "Stoppat!"

Envoy blinks a few times. "How do you carry enough fuel and water to travel that far? Doesn't the exhaust from the rocket scald people?"

Eve looks to Envoy. "I've no idea, really! But I know it will work out. Things always work out for me! That's because I'm lucky!"

Eyebrows arched, Envoy asks, "Really? Have you been tested by a Chaos Mage to see how lucky you are?"

"I don't want to be tested! Tests are icky!" Eve sticks out her tongue.

Elise glances off towards the exit. "Perhaps I should be going. I certainly would not wish to stay longer than would be … comfortable."

"Chaos Mages? What do they have to do with luck?" Jynx palms the chaos pendant in his pocket, turning to Elise. "If you wish."

"Luck represents a bias in the probability field," Envoy says, "and that's what Chaos Magic deals with. Just like iron bends some kinds of magic, Eve bends probability in her favor."

Elise turns back towards the others and nods slightly. "I believe I will be going then. I do hope I did not upset you with any of my advice. I can be so terribly wordy sometimes. It was indeed a pleasure meeting you both, as well as the Czar. Quite interesting, he."

"Good evening, Elise," Envoy smiles to the Cadet. "Good luck with your training."

Jynx turns to the poodle and nods. "I'm sorry if we got off on the wrong paw. It was a… tense evening. We will welcome you if you ever wish to travel in our lands again."

The poodle woman turns towards Envoy and offers her a hand. "I have been unfair to you. I am … uncomfortable around ones such as you. But you may be pleased to know you have certainly improved my opinion of your kind."

Envoy blinks and shakes the poodle's hand. "I'm a one of a kind, actually… "

Eve smiles brightly. "Thank you so much for coming! Perhaps I can have you over for tea back at my townhouse in Rephidim?"

Elise smirks faintly and shakes her head. "Oh, I was speaking vaguely. I was referring to Exiles," she tells the Exile with a smile before addressing Jynx. "I did not expect such a problem to arise at such a supposedly happy time as this. I do not envy you and your problems here, and any offense is forgotten. I wish you luck here, and in all things. And perhaps next time we meet, you could not refer to my kind as 'puff balls', yes?" She tries to grin a bit.

Jynx grins with a shrug. "I'll be sure to do that, and thanks."

The cadet gives Jynx a smile too, before moving on to Eve. She lowers herself to one knee so that she can look Eve more or less in the eye. "Tea would be delightful, and perhaps you would be inclined to do the same at my manor in Noble Quarter. I am certain you would have much in common with my sister."

Eve smiles. "That'd be wonderful! I'll be sure to contact you when I get back to Rephidim."

Digging in his pocket, Jynx pulls out the pendant that Third-Vision gave him so long ago. "What do you make of this? It was given to me by the Priest-Queen, but she never told me what it was for."

Envoy looks at the pendant in Jynx's paws, trying to see if she can sense any active magic from it.

Elise inclines her head to Eve and stands up again. "I look forward to it." She gives Eve a smile too before looking the group over once more before stepping back. "May the First Ones watch over you," she says, and then turns to walk out.

"And the Star over you," replies Jynx with a nod. He then watches Envoy view the pendant.

The clacking sound of Elise's armor slowly fades into nothing as the poodle reaches the exit and moves out of sight.

"I can't tell you much, I'm afraid," Envoy says to Jynx. "It's definitely got the symbol for the Sphere of Chaos on it, but that may or may not be the same symbol that Savanite Mages would use for it. I could test it for enchantments from the Sphere of Earth, but I doubt it would turn up anything. It is probably a good-luck charm."

"Ah well, it doesn't matter." The black Khatta replaces the pendant into his pockets. "It was a gift, and I was always curious what it was for."

Eve mews, "He doesn't need a good luck charm, when he has me around!" She giggles. "But, of course, he's off by himself in this castle now, so I suppose he can use all the help he can get, what with all the monsters and Gallisians and others trying to make life difficult for him all the time!"

"Have you been to the City of Hands recently?" Envoy asks, curious. "I've been wondering how it's changed since the coronation. And I thought you'd taken care of all of the local monsters?"

Jynx nods, "We just came back from there, actually. They're moving along nicely. I hardly recognized the place, and the population's getting way too big. That's why a lot of them have moved out here, kind of an alternate home for some of them."

Eve mews, "Oh yes, he took care of all the monsters. But Big Brother has a way of finding more adventures!"

"Or else they find him," Envoy giggles. "I hope the Savanites can adapt to the colder weather this far north."

Eve mews, "Oh, don't worry! There are humans living here, and they don't even have fur."

"They seem to be all right so far," replies Jynx, "but we'll have to wait until winter to know for sure. I'm sure they'll be fine. They're sturdy people."

Envoy nods. "I'd like to visit the City again, while some of the original Twelve-Times-Twelve are still alive. I never really got a chance to ask them about the past."

Eve mews, "Well, they're awfully serious and I don't think they ever smile."

Jynx smoothes out a patch of fur on his arm, unbuttoning the collar of his suit as he nods to Eve. "They're difficult to approach, and many of them don't trust non-Savanites. I don't know how much they'd tell you even if you could ask."

"They probably don't have much to smile about yet," Envoy says. "They went from maintaining an Empire to clearing away the rubble overnight, from their perspective."

Eve frowns. "I hadn't thought of it that way."

The black Khatta nods. "That's true too. If you wanted to learn about the old days, you'd probably have to ask the Priest-Queen. If you want to go even further back, you could talk to Last-Daughter, but I don't think she's too keen on talking about the past either."

Eve shakes her head. "She doesn't like to sign about it."

Envoy smiles, "Anyway, it couldn't hurt to ask. I can always write to them, after all. Third-Vision isn't likely to even talk to me about the weather, much less things like what the ancients knew about the tenth planet and such."

"The tenth planet?" Jynx asks, "Why do you want to know about that?"

"Because it's an unknown," Envoy says, as if that were a silly question. "The only reference I've seen to it was in the Map Chamber at the City of Hands."

Jynx seems to be thinking something over, then says, "Have you tried the Tower yet?"

Envoy says, "I've seen it through the Gateway Tower, and looked on the eleventh world too, but it didn't tell me much. So far, though, the scholars liked the name I gave it. Ylem."

Eve seems to like the name so much that she repeats it several times. "Ylem, Ylem, Ylem Ylem… "

"There was no eleventh sphere in the Map Chamber though," Envoy points out. "I'd like to know if the ancients just didn't see it."

"Why didn't you try going there?" asks Jynx, "I used the tower once, and I know others have too."

Envoy shakes her head. "My expedition was going to Fortunatis. I didn't have a free rein to explore any world that caught my attention, otherwise I'd have dropped in on Morpheus as well."

The black Khatta nods. "That's where I ended up. Very strange place. At least I found Last-Daughter though, and got rid of a certain object." He shudders. "Why don't you make your way back there? Or is it controlled by the Temple now?"

"The Abaddonians control the Gateway," Envoy says. "I can still talk to Morpheus with the help of a Dream Mage though, so I probably don't need to go there physically. I learned a lot about why Morpheus can control things there while I was on Fortunatis."

Eve mews, "Oh? What did you learn?"

Jynx blinks, looking confused. "What – what did you say?" He peers at Envoy, "You've talked to Morpheus? How?" The cat's tail stands stalk still.

Envoy looks from one sibling to the next. "Well… the planet Morpheus – and maybe all of the worlds of Primus – has a network of Sifran crystal running below the surface. Morpheus fused with this network and was able to control it. And I met Morpheus when I was participating in a magically induced dream. He helped me get through some problems I was having, and being a fellow artifact we had a certain rapport."

"So you know what he once was, then?" asks Jynx, "Did he look… familiar? He seemed eager to learn, when he was… born."

Eve just blinks several times, looking between Envoy and Jynx.

Envoy grins. "He does take after you a bit, Jynx. And I wasn't so different when I was first coming into sentience. If Morpheus frightens you though, then the artifact I found on Fortunatis would probably make your fur turn white."

Eve mews, "Mine already is!"

"Oh, I don't think it would frighten you at all though, Eve," Envoy giggles.

Jynx shivers. "He doesn't frighten me anymore. I'm just not so sure I like him rooting around in people's dreams like that." He arches a brow at Envoy. "What did you find?"

"The engine that regulates reality for this system," Envoy says. "And I suspect it thought I was a Sifran, which gives me all sorts of theories about them and their relationship to the crystal structures."

"Engine that regulates… the what?" The black Khatta scratches his head. "What do you mean by that?"

Envoy waves her hands in a broad gesture. "Everything. I think the Sifras made it so that they only had to think about what they wanted, and it would make it real for them. It talked to me through my ansible," she says, tapping the crystalline horn growing from her forehead, "so that got me thinking that maybe they all had something similar installed, so that they could talk to the Wish Engine directly."

Eve mews, "Is this some sort of magic talk?"

Jynx's tail twitches in thought as he tries to follow Envoy's words. "I'm not sure, Eve, but it might as well be." He shrugs.

"Anyway, the system is broken in places," the Aeolun says. "That's what the Forbidden Zones represent, local breakdowns in the control of probability."

Eve mews, "Oh! Forbidden Zones are broken? That would explain Bosch."

Eve mews, sounding quite educated on the subject (or thinking herself so), "Bosch is a really crazy place to the east of here, where monsters prance around and do silly things, when they're not busy killing people and driving them insane. I learned that it wouldn't be a good idea to have my railway go through there. Lucky I found out first!"

The black Khatta nods. "That would explain a lot, and no, you don't want your railroad through there." Suddenly the feline's tail stretches, and he stifles a yawn. "Dagh, all that food's made me tired."

"I found it all very impressive," Envoy says. "I mean, my… aunts and uncles, I suppose… use ansibles that are a mile long in order to reshape space and time. Imagine what the Sifras could do with one the size of a whole planet!"

Eve frowns at Jynx's use of profanity, then blinks confusedly at Envoy. "I think I'm feeling tired, too. Maybe you're tired, too? Maybe we could fix up a guest room for Lady Envoy." She looks utterly lost with all the talk about ansibles and space and time.

Jynx looks completely lost as well. "Sure, we could put you in one of the rooms upstairs if you'd like? You might like to take a look at some of the old family things in there. I haven't got to look at them all yet."

Envoy sighs. "Sorry for talking gibberish. But at least I can tell you without having to worry about being hanged for treason or blasphemy or something." Perking up again, she says, "Oh, I'd love a room with old stuff to rummage through. I don't really sleep for very long, after all."

Eve giggles. "Then you'll love it here! And maybe Big Brother can show you the laboratory sometime. It used to have a lot of magic stuff in it, but Mage Scarlet took most of it."

"A laboratory?!" the Exile gasps, "How utterly cool! Is there a dungeon too?"

Jynx lights a candle and starts his way up the stairs, motioning for Envoy to follow. "Yeah, Phelix's old lab. You might find it interesting." He walks the rest of the way upstairs, and disappears behind the column as he makes his way to the bedroom.

Eve mews, "No dungeons. At least, not that we've found yet!"

Envoy follows along, her school-girl grin of excitement totally out of place with the exotic gown she wears.