Azure whistles softly as he ropes off the Tavern upstairs as the sun sets outside the thick-glassed windows; his evening customers haven't arrived yet.

A few of the usual strays come in, acknowledging the barkeep with a nod. They tend to come, order drinks, and play cards til after curfew.

Arkold can be heard outside talking to someone, "Now come on Eve, you do want something to eat yes?"

A little girl's voice replies, "YES!"

One of the card players, a Kavi by the name of Erik, tugs on the Aeonian's sleeve. "Hey, bluey, I gots a special friend coming by tonight. You be sure and lets him know I'm here, 'kay?"

Azure swivels one ear one way, and one down at the Kavi. "Just take your usual table, and if I see someone who's looking like they're looking for someone, I'll let you know."

Arkold chuckles for a moment, then apears at the door with a little girl holding his paw. They walk twords a table and take a seat.

The little white Khatta kitten sits in the chair, her legs dangling and swinging back and forth. She yawns widely, then mews, "Maybe we should let my Mama and Papa know where I am."

Azure pauses, turning after watching the Kavi disappear all the way into the back room. "Good evening, sir and madam. What can I get for you this eve? I've a fine set of Jupani pot pies in the oven. Should be finished about now."

The kitten grins and licks her lips. "Sounds yummy!" She looks to Arkold. "Can I have one?"

Arkold hmms and nods, smiling, "Oh they already know, don't worry hon… " he looks at Azure, then Eve, "I don't see why not… get me one too." he replies.

Azure nods, and bustles around behind the bar. "As for drinks, we have fresh water, a selection of beer and ale, and some fine wine, or tea if you take that.

Eve mews to Azure, "Do I get a bib?"

Azure says, "Certainly. You look fine enough that you don't need one if you don't want one, though, miss." He smiles. Azure's a sucker for kids.

Azure stacks something on a tray behind the bar, and then looks to Arkold expectantly.

Eve smiles proudly. "Oh … I guess I don't need one, then!" Her eyes twinkle.

Arkold chuckles at Eve's comment, he would find this situation quite funny if he was'nt worried about what that strange thief wants with her. He hmms, "I'll have some wine, red if you have it… what do you want, Eve?"

Eve mews, "Just water. And I didn't get to say goodbye to Jynx. Did you say goodbye for me? I'm worried about him, especially with the ekersister after him."

Arkold tilts his head, "Yes I said good bye… ekersister hon?" he asks.

Azure nods, quietly filling glasses. "Jynx, did you say? Isn't he off adventuring someplace?"

Eve looks to Azure. "You know my big brother?" She smiles widely. "He's a big black Khatta. He's real big and strong! And his real name's Feli, but I call him Jynx, because he's a jynx." She giggles.

A rather large and disheveled looking Kavi wanders in, dragging a heavy sack behind him almost as large as himself. He belches loudly. "Hey."

Arkold chuckles, though this barkeep seems to know her big brother Jynx… this could be a problem.

Eve looks at the Kavi with an expression of disapproval. "You're supposed to say 'SCUSE ME' when you do that!" she mews.

Arkold ears tilt, he umms, "Now Eve… it is impolite to correct someone on their ways."

Eve frowns and says, "Oh… " She looks down. But then she looks back up at Arkold. "But you just corrected ME!" she protests.

Arkold grins and chuckles, "You're right! But then you just corrected me, then I you… " he says, "You're apretty smart kid, you know that?"

Eve smiles proudly. "That's what my Papa says!"

Eve adds, "And I'm lucky, too! Papa wishes I could give some of my luck to Jynx so things wouldn't go wrong every time he's around."

Arkold smiles and nods, "He's right you know." he says, though he can't help but wonder what anyone would want with her, perhaps Jynx is the key… what did he do?

Arkold tilts his head, "Who were these people you said were after your brother hon?"

Eve nods, but then adds, "But I think he's losing some of his bad luck. He fell off a ship, you know, but then he got better." She pauses, then blinks at Arkold. "People?"

Azure looks sourly at the Kavi, who ignores Eve completely. "If you're looking for Erik, he's in the back room."

Arkold nods, "You said something about the ekersister?" he says.

Arkold pays no mind to the rude newcomer, focusing on Eve. He hopes she can give some insight into why he was told to kidnap her.

Eve mouths an "Oh", and then nods. "See, Jynx's luck is getting less bad. He's got a GIRLFRIEND now! Except he keeps running away from her, so she's mad, and so she is calling an ekersister, because she thinks he's a ghost."

The Kavi looks at Eve and Arkold briefly, dragging his bag along behind; it looks to be full of rocks.

Eve's attention is caught by the Kavi. She looks at him. "Hey, mister! What's in that big bag?"

Azure comes by with a tray laden with the drinks and two earthenware dishes, as well as serving utensils and cloth napkins. "Here you go."

Eve looks back to Arkold, reaching for a dish, as she remarks, "Isn't that a really big bag? I mean, that's a BIG bag. I'd hate to carry a bag that big."

Arkold nods, and knows the horrors of being chased by someone. He looks Azure and nods, then turning his attention back to Eve he says, "Yes, I bet you could'nt run very far with something like that hmm hon?"

The Kavi grins toothlessly. "I could show ya, but I don't think you'd want any. Yer friend now… "

Eve shrinks at the Kavi's grin. She seems to be less inclined to pipe off anything at or about the Kavi now. She fumblingly tucks her napkin into her collar, using it much like the bib she says she doesn't need.

The other Kavi pokes his head out from the back room. "Jaiz! I thought I smelled you. Is that the stuff?"

Arkold peers at the Kavi, what could he have in that bag that he'd want? He looks to Eve, "Don't mind him, just eat your dinner and if you want any more, just ask ok?"

Jaiz nods. "Yeah. If ya don't mind, I'll just drag it – oof – over to the table here instead of trying t'fit it through the door."

Azure wanders back by the tableau and drops another napkin in front of Eve. "In case you need another for your hands."

Eve nods quietly, and then closes her eyes and leans over her food putting her forepaws together and mumbling quietly. "… and please help my big brother kiss and make up with his girlfriend, and, oh yes, please bless this nice wuffie who's showing me around the city, and please don't let Mama or Papa get worried about me, and please … " This takes a while. She finally finishes up, smiles at Arkold … then daintily starts on the pot pie.

Arkold unfolds his napkin and places it in his lap carefully, he takes the utensils in his paw and begins to eat.

Eve belatedly notices the napkin, blinks, then seeks out the unicorn. "Oh! Thank you!" she mews, smiling.

Arkold thinks to himself while eating. o O (She's such a sweet kid… I wonder what was going through my mind when I kidnapped her… perhaps it is for the best, now I can watch her.)

Eve nibbles some more at the pie, swinging her legs back and forth, sneaking peeks at the unicorn and the blue markings on his face every once in a while.

Azure smiles. "Welcome." Jaiz has been watching the pair. "'Ey wolfie. You look like an interrepeneur sort… "

Eve beams. "I know that word! My Papa's one! He's filthy rich!" Her attire, however, lends no credence to this claim. She wears a plain dress with lots of patches on it. Well, maybe the "filthy" part, at least.

Jaiz's eyes gleam. As do Erik's. "Well, maybe your daddy might be interested in what we have to offer… "

Arkold eats his food in the dainty manner of his noble upbringing, he turns his head to the Kavi while whiping his muzzle daintily, "Whats it to you, sir?"

Azure eyes the Kavis. "Mister… ", he says, addressing Arkold, "… if you aren't interested, I can have them take it in the back room."

Eve looks as if she's about to say something, but she gives confused looks to everyone, sensing that something's not quite right.

Arkold hmms, looking at Azure, "Perhaps that would be best." he ansers.

The Kavis smile. "Well, well, okay, you're the owner of this place… but… " Jaiz reaches into the bag and pulls out… a rock with gold flecks all through it.

Arkold is indeed curious as to what these two have, but he has Eve with him and watching her must come before riches. Somehow, he never thought he'd think that.

Eve looks nervous. "Mister … I'm all done eating. Can we go now?" She fidgets.

Arkold nods, not liking the look of the 'tender's face as he sees the rocks. "All right. Let's go, Eve." The wolf settles up with the Aeonian; Azure barely seems to notice as he's busy watching Erik study the rock.

Jaiz eyes the wolf. "Aw, c'mon, guvn'nor. There's enough for all here."

Eve tugs on Arkold's sleeve. "I wanna go." The wolf shakes his head at the Kavis, 'Some other time.', and bustles his charge quickly out the door, nearly running over a raccoon in the process.

Erik looks at the sour expression on Azure's muzzle. "It's legit. Jaiz- my partner here – he's been down on the ground below Sinai an' dug these pretties up."

Fenter stumbles out of the way of the charging wolf. "Ahwoooomph! I wouldn't think this place would be so busy at this time of night." The Rath'ani pauses to dust himself off.

Azure itches an ear. "And I expect you believe that I'll believe he dragged all those rocks up here by his lonesome?"

The raccoon's eyes catch a fleck of gold. He sidles up closer to the bar and tries to peer closer."

Azure turns his head at the voice. "Evening, Fenter. Business is picking up, at least on the nightly visitors. I've had to shut the Tavern upstairs at sundown lately 'cause I can't handle both floors at once."

Fenter peeks at the floor. "No vermites." He mumbles in responce, adjusting his pointed hat as it almost tumbles from his head.

Jaiz hefts a nice chunk of corrundum-laced-with gold, and holds it up. "There's a friend of mine who's got an airship, you see, and he's getting twenny percent of the take on every load. That's how I got them here."

Fenter BLINKS! "I-i-is that REAL?" He asks, eyeing one of the stones.

Azure nods, half-turning and backing away. "Uhm-hm." He assays a smile for one of his regulars. "Nope, Iaskafa's cat keeps them away. Your usual, or you up to the red tonight?"

Jaiz's eyes light up as he finds a bite. "Indeedy so. The map and the equipment cost a pretty penny, and I've got some 'friends' who want to see a return on their investment."

Fenter's feet bob back and forth as he sits on his stool. "I've just gotten myself out of the 'guest suite' at the temple, it's been a bit since I've had something good. And I've recently made a pretty shekel from my Creen hats. Oh… go ahead and bring on the red."

Azure shuffles back around behind the smaller bar (the larger one being upstairs) and disappears underneath for a moment. "You actually get folks who -buy- those hats?", his voice comes back from below.

Fenter looks around and flashes a copper shekel. "The poodles eat them up. Mind you I had to stop using LIVE Creens on account of the dragon… but the glass ones serve nicely, and they don't bite as much." He looks back over to the gold weilding kavis.

Azure pops up from behind the bar, bearing a bottle of the fine red wine, the bottle still frosted over. "Dragon, you say?"

Fenter quickly pockets his coin. "Yes… a big purple one. She works in the bazzar as a glassblower. Appropriate trade for a fire breather."

Jaiz slides into the stool next to Fenter, not unlike a snake sidling up next to its prey. "Erik here is my partner, but he's got 'friends' who he owes money as well. We'd be willing to cut you in as a partner… "

Azure nods. "It's always amazed me on how one can have such fine control over one's breath, yes." He pulls out one of the thin ceramic fluted glasses from under the bar, and pours a liberal amount from the bottle into it. "And by the by, I wouldn't buy from these two until you see a prospector's license."

"Part-ner?" The raccoon mumbles, peering at the rocks again. "Er… what do you need a partner for. I mean, you have all your shiny little rocks… you don't expect me to dig them out of the ground for you, do you?"

Fenter looks at Azure, then back to the kavi, then to the bag of rocks, then back to Azure. He scoops up his glass and takes a long hard swig.

Jaiz sets the rock on the bar, and walks back over to the bag, rummaging for another. "Oh, no. I do my own digging; hiring extra diggers costs money." He looks over his shoulder. "Besides. You don't look like much of a digger."

Azure winces at the swig. . o O { 3… 2… 1… }

The raccoon starts coughing madly. "Wah-wah-wah… " He chokes to Azure, pounding his hand on the bar.

Erik looks displeased. "I've got a prospector's license, I have you know… "

Azure stifles a chuckle and brings up an already poured and covered flagon of water.

Azure shakes his head . o O { He -never- learns. You don't drink wine like beer. }

Jaiz sticks his head inside the bag, seemingly looking for something.

Fenter begins chugging the contents of the flagon. After a few moments he sighs in relief and turns his attention back to Jaiz. "So… *cough* what exactly would you want from me?"

Erik answers for his partner. "Simply, a loan of a few hundred shekels, to show our commitment to our investors. Once we get the full load up, we can pay you back tenfold."

Azure hands Fenter a cloth napkin. "License?", is all he responds drily.

Erik pats down his pockets. "Got it here somewhere… " He pulls out a folded piece of paper, unfolds it and scrutinizes it.

Fenter wipes his face off. "A few hun-… do I look like a poodle to you?"

The Kavi looks up from his paper. "Or anything at least over fifty. We've got the rocks, but we need some faith money… "

Erik looks down again, brow furrowing. He pauses with a disgusted look on his face and kicks his partner in the tail. "Hey! Jaiz! Get out of that bag an' read this for me?"

Azure snorts and nods at Fenton, with a skeptical look.

Azure says, "… why not ask your gambling partners, Erik?""

Fenter looks sidelong at Azure. "Um… what's your opinion of all of this?"

Erik shrugs. "They don't have any real money. And the puddles won't see us."

Azure cocks his head to one side. "Well, I'm not inclined to think anything of it until they produce that license. If they don't have one, they've got no legal claim to the stake. But you might want to look that one over." He points at the rock on the counter.

Jaiz finally surfaces, and snatches the paper. "It says, 'Beer, Kavli crackers, pound of sausage links, bread, beer. Thassa grocery list, dimwit!"

Fenter gently reaches over and pulls the rock closer to him. He peers at it, pokes at it, aniffs it…

The rock is fairly heavy, heavier than a rock of that type might normally weigh. The veins that populate it in myriad striations are shot through liberally, and are the familiar buttery yellow of gold.

Fenter glances nervously at the two kavi, then scratches at one of the veins with a blunted clawtip.

/screek/ Azure's ears go flat back at the high-pitched sound.

Erik chuckles at the 'tender's discomfort, and pats his other pocket. "I think it's in m'other pair of trousers. Be right back."

"Eeegk!" Fenter exclaims, jumping back. He pauses to examine his clawtip.

The Kavi takes off into the back room. Azure chuckles. 'Loses his trousers every night, I swear."

Fenter nervously sticks his finger in his mouth and continues examinining the rock. "Is doesn't look like paint… " He says.

Jaiz resurfaces from the bag. "Paint? Hah. No, what you're lookin' at is gold in its natural habi-tat."

Azure leans in close to Fenter. "Anyone at the Mage's guild an alchemist?"

Erik returns, holding a rumpled piece of paper. "Here it is… I think."

Fenter takes another nervous sip of his glass. "I think the chef is one… although he doesn't care for me very much."

Azure nods, and holds out his hand for the paper. "No accounting for character. You're good folk, Fenter, and it's not his fault he can't see that, yah?"

Erik passes Azure the document. "Got from the Rephidim County Assayer's office m'self. Cost seven silver shekels, too.~

Fenter hops up on his barstool to get a look at the paper.

Azure leans over and holds out the paper so Fenter can see as well, fishing a pair of reading spectacles out of his smoking jacket pocket.

Jaiz comes up with a rock nearly the size of his head, struggling with it a bit as it hooks on the bag. "Here." -oof- "… get a load of this… "

Fenter looks back at the rock. "It looks real… even though the license doesn't… "

Erik blinks. "Whadda you mean the license doesn't look real? It's got the official seal an' everything!"

Azure peers at it. "Looks official enough."

Fenter opens his mouth to say something, then promptly shuts it again.

Jaiz lugs the second rock up to the bar, and makes as if to heft it up. 'Scratch the bar and you pay for the damage.', Azure admonishes.

Fenter says, "Would you mind breaking one open for me? I'd like to see how deep the veins run in the rocks. I might be able to spare half a copper… "

Jaiz nods. "Sure can." He shoves the rock up onto the counter. "Got a broken one in the bag."

Azure looks nervously at the rock, also well-shot through with veins, as it teeters on a point on the countertop.

Fenter shakes his head. "I want to see you break one open right here… "

Erik crosses in front of the rock. "Can I have the license back? We need it to prospect, after all." He gives Azure a dirty look.

Jaiz comes up, holding two halves of a busted rock. "Ah, I don't have my rock hammer here. It's back at my flat."

Just then, a heavy cart rumbles by outside; the rock on the counter teeters, and falls over the back of the bar. Reflexively, Azure reaches out to catch it…

Fenter takes another sip of his wine. He's not used to this, usually people wouldn't trust him with an- OOP!

Azure goes all white around the eyes as he tosses the rock away from him, slipping and nearly falling down the open trap door behind the bar. The rock bounces across the floor behind the bar and slides against the wall with a -THUNK.-

The rock cracks down the side, and a good slab chips off, showing more of the gold through it.

Fenter says, "Goodness! that was close, but why in Dag's name did you throw it away like that? Did it cut your hand?"

Azure gets to his feet. "Yah, 'kafa, I just dropped a rock.", he calls down the trap door. "Didn't want to fall down the hole.", he murmurs, looking at his hands critically. "I'm fine."

Jaiz pounces on the broken rock, picking up the lighter piece and trundling over to Fenter with it. "There, ya see? You'll be rich, and be able to live like a gentlefur of lesiure."

Fenter eyes the rock half. "Well, the gold does indeed seem to run clear through it… you should mind those sharp points on it though."

Jaiz shrugs and grins. "S'what you get for a second-rate iron rock hammer and pick."

Erik slides into the seat on Fenter's right, taking up the space Azure had earlier. "Sooo… you want in?"

Azure frowns. "May I see that piece?"

Fenter inhales, about to respond, but stops as Azure speaks.

Jaiz nods. "Certainly, guv." He casually tosses him the chunk.

Azure catches it, and holds it in one hand, pulling his left glove off with his teeth.

Azure narrows his eyes, and gingerly runs a fingernail over it. /skrik/

Fenter winces at the noise. "What's the matter, barkeep? You act as though you think it's poisonous or something."

Azure runs his fingertip over it, as if testing the texture. "It's pyrrhite."

Fenter blinks? "Is that a type of gold?"

Azure shoves the rock into Erik's chest. "Take your rocks, and your partner, and get out. I don't want to see you in here for at least a week, and him – don't bring him in here again… ", he nods at Jaiz, who just stands there openmouthed. "No. It's worthless, Fenter."

Jaiz looks at Fenter imploringly. "C'mon, you gonna believe a barkeep over a trained professional?"

Azure closes his eyes. "I'm going to count to seven, 'cause I'm feeling generous. When I'm done, I'm going to call the Watch."

Fenter blinks again. "Oh… er… " He looks back to Jaiz, then back over to Azure.

Fenter says, "Oh phoo. I'll give you a ten shekel for the bag."

Azure says, "Fenter, you're throwing your money away, unless you collect rocks… 'two… '"

Jaiz shakes his head. "It's worth far more than that… "

Erik tugs on Fenter's sleeve. "Why don't you come with us, eh? We can do business elsewhere, away from -meddling- horsies with funny hats…

Azure shrugs. "Fine, Erik. Don't ever come in my door again, then."

Azure says, "… three… four… ""

Fenter continues rocking back and forth on his stool nervously. "sorry." He finally says.

Jaiz tugs on the rocks. "C'mon, Erik, they ain't buyin it. Let's go… " Erik helps him up with the bag with a sigh. "Your beer stinks anyway."

Fenter sighs wistfully as the kavi leave.

Azure chuckles. "So do you.", he calls out.

Fenter eyes the aeonan. "Are you SURE that wasn't real gold?"

The voice of the Kavis fade away. "… the next place we should try? " 'Maybe … Thieves… '

Azure nods slightly. "Perfectly sure." He shrugs. "Gold has a particular feel to it."

Azure thinks . o O { … namely, a rather burning one. }

Azure eyes the inside of Fenter's glass. "Refill?"

Fenter holds up his glass. "Indeed. Hmm… I wonder if the Vartans will be interested in the rocks… "

Azure pours. "Perhaps. They're the ones who like shiny things, right?"

The raccoon bobs his head up and down. "Ah… just my luck if it turned out to be lucrative anyhow." He holds his glass up in a saluting gesture, takes another long swig and begins going into coughing fits again.

Azure chuckles. "Luck favors the foolish, and the innocent… "