Envoy and Chipper's Room
At six by ten feet, this small dorm at the Bards Guild is fairly cramped. Beneath the single high window is a small writing desk and some indoor plants on a shelf. More shelves over the cot-like bed hold various books and trinkets belonging to Chiaroscuro, while the opposite wall serves as a hanging wardrobe for the various costumes and outfits used by the two performers. Envoy's sleeping mat takes up the corner nearest to the door, while the far one is occupied by a small cabinet that serves as both pantry and sink, having a jug of fresh water and a washbasin on top.

Early in the morning, Chiaroscuro has risen and dressed for the day, and is just beginning to turn on the lights in the room. After last night's occurrence, he's tiptoeing quietly, attempting not to wake Envoy…

Envoy does wake up though, after sleeping almost three times longer than she usually does. She opens her eyes and then quickly squinches them shut again.

Chiaroscuro keeps walking on tiptoe, not noticing Envoy's wakefulness yet. His feet seem to be quite comfortable in this position, though he usually walks fully plantigrade.

Envoy manages to get one eye half-open, and watches the mongoose sneak about. She doesn't try to move her head to follow him better though.

Chiaroscuro folds the sheets neatly on the bed, and then sits down… legs crossed. He begins a chanting of sorts, trying to keep it just at a whisper's noise… tapping parts of his Rikkorel as he sing-speaks.

Envoy gets her other eye open, and risks moving her head a little. She's usually up and away by this time, so hasn't seen Chipper's ritual before.

Chiaroscuro continues, his chanting still quiet- and entirely in the foreign tongue of Kittelian. 'Rik' and 'Reyna' are heard distinctly several times, and 'Nakh' half-spit out once. The rest is unknown to Envoy.

Envoy runs her tongue across her teeth while she listens. There doesn't seem to be any mold growing in her mouth, so she discards that obvious cause of the odd taste.

After a few minutes, the mongoose finishes, and stretches both arms fully out horizontal, then raises them above his head, then together behind his back, tail folding over them. Again, he mutter-chants in Kitellian, but a short phrase this time…

Envoy watches the yoga with interest. Maybe she should try that. Someday when her limbs aren't made of lead.

Chiaroscuro stretches a bit more, then turns… noticing Envoy's open eyes, and blushing a bit. "I didn't realize you were awake, Envoy.", he says in a normal tone.

Envoy tries to nod. "I'm pretty sure I am. Was I in another coma? If not, I apologize for my behavior last night."

Chiaroscuro shakes his head… "No, no coma… you just had a bit much to drink, I believe. And there is nothing you need apologize for." he says with a smile. "Though you did startle me by coming in while I was… dressed for the wild," he euphemizes.

Envoy blinks slowly. "I don't remember you being dressed for anything at all."

Chiaroscuro coughs politely. "A phrase among my people, Envoy. Meaning 'nude'." He stretches a little more. "Are your memories of last night clearer now?"

Envoy nods. "My memories are always clear, it's my cognition that is sometimes faulty."

"I see.", the mongoose says with a nod, and then grins widely. "In that case, do you still wish to go shopping for a towel and a navel?"

Envoy's ears flop down and she blushes. "No, that won't be necessary."

Chiaroscuro chuckles, walking over closer to Envoy. "It is all right… as a youth, I would have nights where I would be much more drunk, and say or do some rather outrageous things." He stretches. "But part of clerical training was abstaining from drink, and I lost the taste for it after then."

Envoy rubs her tongue. "What taste?"

Chiaroscuro says, "The taste for it… the… " he fumbles for a better phrase. "The enjoyment of the taste of most alcohol, and the subsequent… fuzziness." He tilts his head at Envoy. "Is this the first time you have had strong drink?""

Envoy says, "Apparently so."

Chiaroscuro mmms, and nods… "Well, I hope you did not have anything planned this morning… you slept until nearly mid day."

Envoy rubs her forehead, "No, I hadn't planned anything."

Envoy says, "Does this sticky fuzzy foggy feeling go away, or do I need to see a healer?"

Chiaroscuro chuffles softly. "It goes away in a short while… especially if you have a good breakfast. I'll get some ready… " He digs into the room's small pantry and starts preparing breakfast. Actually, lunch by this time of day.

Envoy grimaces at the thought of food.

Envoy says, "Do we have any fresh vegetables left? Or fruit?"

Envoy thinks about soap as well. Maybe that could get rid of this horrible taste in her mouth.

Chiaroscuro nods. "Three kyootcumbers and some berry juice. And I'll have sweetbread ready in a moment… "

Envoy stands up carefully, and doesn't seem to have any trouble with her balance. She sniffs her shirtsleeve, then her wings, and then decides it's her sense of smell itself that is slightly off.

Chiaroscuro walks back over to Envoy with a plate of breakfast: bread lightly toasted over a candle, with sugar and a little spice added; mashed kyootcumber, and a glass of berry juice.

Envoy thanks Chia with a smile, and eats standing up.

Envoy says, "What were you doing when I woke up?"

Chiaroscuro munches on a plate of his own meal, and says, "mrrrnmm phhrss."

Envoy swallows before asking, "Morning or mourning? Did someone die?"

Chiaroscuro swallows his own mouthful of food, and says, "Morning of the day, Envoy. They are called 'Tana'Rik'. Asking Rik'Tik'Tav and Reyna to watch over me through the day, guide my path as is willed, and return me safely to my home after the day is ended."

Envoy hmms, and asks, "How do you know if it works?"

Chiaroscuro blinks? "Works?"

Envoy blinks three times. Then a fourth. "Yes… how do you know when you are being guided?"

Chiaroscuro rubs his chin. "It is a matter of faith, Envoy. There have been times when Rik'Tik'Tav's guidance is directly known to me… when the course of action he wishes is very clear, and I can even seem to hear his voice. Other times, it can be hard to diacern, and I may not even feel a guidance… Rik'Tik'Tav desires us all to Run And Find Out, so there are times he will watch more and guide less, letting his children find paths themselves."

Envoy nods, "So you are like me, only you get more guidance."

Envoy says, "Do you have a receiver in your head, or is it genetic?"

Chiaroscuro shakes his head at Envoy's words. "Neither, Envoy. It is… treeechin'aahee. A soul-feeling. All can feel the guidance of Rik'Tik'Tav, if they choose to listen."

Envoy just stares at Chipper now. "How?"

Chiaroscuro smiles gently, and pats Envoy's arm. "Simply faith in Rik' to guide you, a knowledge of his teachings to know when he does guide you, and a willingness to let yourself be guided." He pauses a moment, and speaks slowly. "I believe Rik' has already guided you invisibly, causing you to meet me, and letting our friendship grow."

Envoy blinks.

Envoy says, "You mean he can do this and I won't even know about it?"

Chiaroscuro nods. "Many times, I have seen Rik's will expressed, without those affected realizing they have been guided. And similarly… Nakh tries to guide, but his guidance is false, leading down wrong paths, towards evil, deception, corruption. It is only by… attuning your soul to Rik' that his guidance can be discerned, and the correct paths followed in one's life."

Envoy hmms. "It sounds very confusing."

Chiaroscuro nods. "It can be, even for me. But confusion leads to a yearning for clarity, which leads to curiosity, which leads to learning. I would be glad to teach you what I know of Rik'Tik'Tav, if you wish to learn more." His eyes look into Envoy's, clear and bright.

Envoy smiles, eyes still a bit blurry. "Sure."

Chiaroscuro pats Envoy's shoulder. "But I can see you are still a bit woozy from last night… and it will be best that I teach you when your mind is clear. I have to go to today's work soon, as well… "

Envoy says, "Can I come and watch? I don't think I should try performing today."

Chiaroscuro smiles widely. "Of course. I will wait out in the hall while you prepare yourself." He gathers up a few small items for his street performance, then opens the door… turning around just before heading Envoy. "Last night, Envoy… do you recall *everything* that happened clearly?"

Envoy nods to Chiaroscuro. "Yes, everything."

Chiaroscuro's muzzle smiles just a bit, and he nods. "Just- curious about that." He steps out to the hallway, shutting the door closed behind him.

Envoy goes to the basin to brush her teeth.

Envoy rinses and spits, then washes her face. When the water in the basin settles, she checks her reflection and puckers her lips a few times before shaking her head and giggling.