In one corner of the maze of hallways that make up the interior of the College Esoterica, Envoy waits outside of a door for her friend.

Chiaroscuro comes out of the door, smiling… "I still cannot thank you enough, Lady Haskalah. May Rik'Tik'Tav' run before you, Reyna behind, and all the saints around you." He makes a hand-sign, and shuts the door.

Envoy smiles to Chia. "How is your treatment going?"

Chiaroscuro says, "Completed!", almost bouncing up from the floor. "She gave me this device, which I am to keep near me… " The mongoose holds up a number of small strings of varying length, held in a small, flat case with a lid… like a piano, but the size of a harmonica.

Envoy blinks? "What do you do with it?"

Chiaroscuro says, "Once a day or so, I pluck the strings, making them vibrate in a… 'chromatic chord', Haskalah called it." He runs a clawtip carefully over the strings, creating a very soft *vhhhhmmm* sound from the strings.

Chiaroscuro closes the lid carefully, and places it in a pocket in his clothes. "And the vibrations stop the buzzing."

Envoy smiles, "That's handy! Are you going to try and catch up with Piti Tavernum's show now?"

Chiaroscuro starts walking slowly along the corridors with Envoy, shaking his head. "I would like nothing better, but I doubt I will be able to."

Envoy swishes her tail, "You don't know which city they're in?"

Chiaroscuro says, "Oh, I do… I am just unable to afford the transportation. My temporary work at the inn has become more permanent, and is covering food, drink, and room… but with very little left over."

Envoy says, "Perhaps you could do some performing there as well."

Chiaroscuro shakes his head. "Not there, I have spoken with the owners about it, and they said no. But there are some in the bazaar seeking to do an act like my former one… though without Piti it would be hard, he knew how to manage things and draw the audience." He heads upwards along a staircase towards the exit, taking the steps two at a time… and backwards.

Envoy hurries up the steps to keep up.

Envoy says, "Is this part of your treatment, or are you just keeping in practice?"

Chiaroscuro smiles. "Practice. The river can carry you away at any time, so best not forget how to swim."

Envoy says, "Really? Which river?"

Envoy says, "I got carried off by a river once, but Zoltan helped me out before I could go over the waterfall."

Chiaroscuro makes a small sigh… "I am using a parable, Envoy. I do not refer to an actual river."

Envoy reaches the top of the stairs. "Oh, I see. Does this mean you don't really know how to swim?"

Chiaroscuro chuckles, and speaks in his usual 'explain the metaphor to Envoy' voice, clear and slightly instructorial. "In fact, I do swim, Lady Envoy. But,as swimming is needed for surviving in a river, so will keeping fit in my movements be needed for surviving here."

Envoy nods. "Yes. You never know when a pig pile will fall on you."

Chiaroscuro laughs. "Precisely, Lady Envoy."

Envoy grins, glad that she understood something correctly.

Chiaroscuro smiles. "And what of you, Lady Envoy? Have you been doing well at the bard's guild?"

Envoy says, "I guess so. Although… I have an interview this afternoon with the Temple Audit. I think working in the Temple will increase my opportunities for accessing otherwise restricted information."

Chiaroscuro raises his eyebrows in a bit of surprise. "Restricted information? For what reasons, may I ask?"

Envoy blinks. "Collecting information is what I was made to do."

Envoy smiles to Chia, "What were you made to do?"

Chiaroscuro smiles. "Well, if you were to believe my parents, to enter the clergy. But that did not turn out to be my path. If you were to believe my teacher in retcotheric magic, to follow in his footsteps and train others… but that did not turn out to be my path. And I myself do not know what I was made to do. I simply trust in the words once spoke by Rik'Tik'Tav…

Envoy leans in closer to listen.

Chiaroscuro's voice takes on a holy tone, as he quotes: "And Rik'Tik'Tav said: I will set your paths before you, that you may run them. Some will know their path early, and other will know it late. Run swift, run true, run with bravery and courage." He begins touching different points on his Rikkorel with each phrase. "Protect others on the path. Take what you need to travel. Listen to the sounds, sniff the smells, see the sights. Run and find out, and at the end of the path, you will find The Garden of Delights."

Envoy smiles, "That sounds very inspirational. I don't understand it."

Chiaroscuro smiles, and opens the door for Envoy that leads outside of the College Esoterica. "I will be glad to help explain it to you, as best I can. Many of my people debate over the true 'understanding' of it, so I cannot promise to give you understanding… only to tell my understanding."

Envoy steps outside, and asks, "Why can't you grow your own garden?"

Chiaroscuro heads through the door, and smiles. "Those who eat of earthly gardens will grown hungry again, but those who eat of The Garden of Delights will be filled forever."

Envoy blinks. "Doesn't that cause digestive problems?"

Chiaroscuro shakes his head. "I speak of matters spiritual Envoy, not of matters physical."

Envoy blinks three times. "I don't understand. Do spirits need to eat? Is this a metaphor again?"

Chiaroscuro nods to Envoy. "A metaphor, but not wholly so. You see… " And Chiaroscuro begins explaining to Envoy his religious beliefs, answering her questions as best he can, as they walk towards the bazaar…

Envoy walks along with Chia, a bit subdued as she tries to process all he's told her.

Chiaroscuro smiles gently at Envoy. She's asked questions others have never asked, and he's been hard-pressed to answer some… but he's glad to have someone curious about the history and teachings of Rik'.

Envoy says, "I think I understand now. You are a reversed version of myself."

Jynx wanders about the Bazaar, taking an interest in this and that, and occasionally tripping or bumping into other furs.

Chiaroscuro says, "How do you mean, Lady Envoy?"

Envoy says, "I was created for a specific purpose, and I knew my creator before I was set on it. However, you seek out the purpose that will lead you back to your creator instead."

Wyn walks with a group of people through the bazaar, making her dinner from a bowl full of spicy stew from one of the vendors. Her ears perk up at the sound of a familiar voice and she stops to look around.

The small black Khatta notices Envoy and Chiaroscuro, and makes his way over to them, smiling widely.

Chiaroscuro hmmms, pondering. "Perhaps… or maybe you have a new purpose as wel- Feli! Hello."

Envoy looks up from her musings and notices Jynx. "Oh, hello! Have you gone home to your father yet, Feli?"

Jynx smiles "Hiya Chia! Hello Miss Envoy, what brings you out today?"

Envoy says, "My legs."

Wyn walks over and swishes her tail for Envoy.

Jynx looks puzzled at the reply, but not displeased. "No, I haven't gone back yet. I'm staying at an inn for the time being."

Jynx sighs.

Envoy smiles wider, "Hello Wyn! I'd like you to meet my friends Feli and Chipper."

Wyn says, "Hiyas."

Jynx smiles at the wolf "Hello, uh, miss."

Chiaroscuro bows. "Hello, Lady Wyn."

Wyn smiles. "It's just 'Wyn'. Hello, everyfur."

Envoy smiles to Jynx, "Wyn is an orphan, Feli, and an Exile like Chipper and myself."

Wyn fliks her ears.

Jynx nods "You guys seem to be on the rise lately."

Jynx says, "An orphan?"

Envoy blinks, "We're standing on the same ground level as you are, Feli."

Wyn says, "We're friendly. Don't believe the rumors."

Wyn thinks . o O { An orphan? }

Jynx looks puzzledly at the Aeolun. o O ( She never fails to confuse me… )

Wyn looks at Jynx and shrugs cluelessly.

Envoy nods. "I guess she doesn't remember that part yet."

Chiaroscuro shrugs… "Haskalah mentioned something about 'convergence', but I do not think anyone knows why we were brought here."

Jynx says, "Doesn't remember? Did she lose her mind or something?"

Wyn flikfliks her ears and smiles a little.

Envoy says, "Yup, she did!"

Jynx scratches his head "Convergance?"

Envoy says, "Or misplaced it, anyway. Wyn is a very complex person."

Jynx says, "I knew an old Kavi once who lost his mind. He always wet himself and babbled on. He was kind of scary."

Chiaroscuro hmmms… "Did you lose any memories, Envoy, when you came here? I have lost none yet."

Envoy blinks at Chia now. "How would I know if I'd lost any memories?"

Wyn says, "Perhaps people would insist they remembered you as someone you'd swear you'd never met before."

Chiaroscuro considers this a moment, then laughs. "I suppose you would not, Envoy."

Envoy says, "No, I do not think I have lost any memories. That would require an event that I certainly would not have survived."

Jynx hmmms, getting lost in all the talk. o O ( I wonder if all exiles are this weird? )

Wyn looks sideways at the Khatta and swishes her tail amiably.

Envoy says to Wyn and Chia, "I only mentioned that Wyn is an orphan because Feli is having difficulties with his father."

Jynx, always somewhat nervous around canine types, returns the gaze, but quickly looks away. "Well, its kind of the same, and kind of not."

Wyn's fur goes up on the back of her neck.

Wyn says, "What kind of… ah, never mind. I ought not to ask that."

Jynx blinks "Kind of… what?"

Wyn says, "I hope you kin find some wise counsel in your friends."

Chiaroscuro stays kind of quiet, not having much to put in to the conversation at the moment.

Jynx hmms, "Well, I met up with an old friend earlier, but he wasn't much help. I hope he doesn't go blabbing to dad."

Wyn looks at Envoy and Chiaroscuro.

Envoy smiles, "His father doesn't want him around, because he breaks things, you see."

Jynx sighs and nods.

Jynx says, "Dad sent me on a trip, he didn't expect me back this soon."

Jynx says, "So I'm putting off going home, at least for a while."

Envoy hmms. "Have you tried taking dancing lessons, Jynx?"

Jynx looks to Envoy puzzledly, "Dancing lessons? Wh-why?"

Chiaroscuro says, "Well, it gets harder to break things if you can move around them."

Wyn thinks . o O { I have no idea what to say. I must have forgotten my family along with everything else. Oh, well. At least I can't miss them. }

Jynx hmmms, "Well, I never thought of that." He shrugs, "But I wouldn't know where to begin."

Chiaroscuro hmms at Jynx… "I think I might be a good tutor for you, if you'd like one."

Envoy says, "I'm sure your mother would be happy to see that you are safe and sound though, Feli. Wouldn't you feel that way, Wyn?"

Wyn says, "I don't know. I don't have any cubs, do I? "

Jynx nods, "I'd like to see mom and Eden again too, but I just can't face dad yet, not ready." He looks to Chia, "You know how to dance?"

Envoy says, "None that I know of, Wyn. But when I knew you before, you didn't really know much about your past."

Wyn looks at Jynx. "If I had cubs, I think I'd like to know where they were."

Chiaroscuro crouches a bit, and jumps in the air, doing two complete backflips before landing on his feet.

Jynx nods to Wyn, then jumps back at Chia's sudden acrobatics. "Wow!"

Wyn claps. "Neat!"

Envoy whispers to Jynx, "He can walk up stairs backwards, too."

Chiaroscuro grins widely. "And other things.

Jynx says, "W-well, I guess if you'd like to teach… "

Jynx looks at Chiaroscuro as if for the first time, "Hey wait a minute… did you used to do something else?"

Chiaroscuro says, "Just an acrobatics show… "

Wyn skritches her cheekruf. "Why not just take over the headship of your pack, Jynx? Take your father's role?"

Jynx brightens up "You're the amazing Chipper! I thought I'd seen you before!" Then he comes back to earth with the strange question, "Uhh, pack?"

Chiaroscuro bows a little. "'tis me."

Envoy blinks at Wyn. "He's not wearing a pack, Wyn."

Wyn says, "Your family. I meant your family."

Jynx blinks "Take over? Wha-… what do you mean by that?"

The poor Khatta is even more confused than ever.

Wyn takes a half-step back.

Chiaroscuro looks from Wyn to Feli, without understanding.

Wyn says, "What's wrong? You're big enough I guess. If you're not, you could win by a deception, or some kind of trickery."

Jynx gives Envoy a 'what in the heck is she talking about' look.

Envoy blinks. "Oh. I think Wyn is suggesting that you challenge your father for leadership of the family."

Jynx shakes his head and takes a step back. "Challenge dad?!"

Wyn says, "Don't you take the position you want, when the opportunity arises? If you're not seeing the opportunities, you could plot some for yourself."

Jynx says, "Plot? Opportunities? Why would I want to do all that?"

Wyn says, "Why, so you can control everything your father has built, of course."

Jynx rubs his temple. "All I want is my room back… "

Chiaroscuro quirks up the side of his mouth at that statement.

Envoy hmms. "Just where have you been staying the past few days, Jynx?"

Wyn thinks . o O { I'm going to have to talk to Arkold. I bet the Jupani know what dominance rituals are. }

Jynx says, "Here and there, I got thrown out of a few places. But last night I got a room at the Vile Phial, and that seems to be where I'll stay for awhile."

Wyn finishes her stew and leaves the carved bowl on the ground.

Envoy scratches the side of her head. "Well, I suppose that's a safe place for you to stay."

Jynx nods "I met a friend of mine there. I just hope he doesn't go and tell on me."

Envoy says, "If you have to find another place, you can use my room at the Bard's Guild. I don't sleep on the bed."

Jynx blinks "You don't sleep on a bed? How do you sleep then?"

Wyn smiles.

Wyn thinks . o O { Curled up on the floor? }

Envoy says, "Standing up. Or sitting on the floor. It varies… I don't really sleep for very long."

Jynx. o O ( Standing up? ) Being around Envoy never fails to make Jynx's head hurt.

Jynx shrugs "Well, to each his own I guess… "

Chiaroscuro hmmms at Envoy… but not surprisedly.

Envoy says, "To each his own what?"

Jynx shakes his head "Nevermind. Thanks for the offer though."

Envoy blinks. "You're welcome. Have either you or Chia had lunch yet?"

Jynx's stomach rumbles as if on cue, "I haven't yet."

Wyn glances at the bowl on the ground. "I could do with some water."

Wyn thinks . o O { I hope we don't go back to that stew booth. I'm sure that ol' fox will recognize me. }

Chiaroscuro brightens at 'lunch'… now that he has another job tutoring Feli, he can afford bazaar food. "Lunch sounds good… and I know this place that makes crispy meat and egg… "

Jynx's mouth waters "Sounds good to me! Let's go."

Envoy says, "I haven't tried that yet."

Wyn follows along.

Chiaroscuro leads the crew off, mumbling, "Now where was Y's Den… ah yes, two blocks east and then… "