A party is being thrown at the Kromo Estate. It is not nearly so impressive as, say, that thrown by Lord Titus haut Mikide, let alone that of the higher echelons of the Temple, and one does not see the clusters of Temple dignitaries that would mark such events.

After all, the peacock-humanoid who owns this estate is a member of the lesser nobility, his family being raised to that status in (as these things are measured) fairly recent history.

One prime example of this would be that the peacock himself is there at the door to meet his guests as they come. "Good evening, Master Kurai," he twitters cheerily to a gray-furred Khatta accompanied by his calico-marked wife. "So glad you could come! Oh! Lady Arcadia. That dress is simply … fabulous!"

Just inside, some of the guests can be seen standing about or sitting, glasses in hand, chatting amiably, occasionally pausing to sample the hors d'eovrestaken by on trays borne by the mansion's modest number of Savanite slaves.

Arcadia smiles softly to Avi Kromo and curtsies. "Thank you very much, and I am glad I could come. This all looks simply wonderful."

The peacock twitters, looking properly embarrassed at the compliment, then says, "Please, do come in, and help yourself to something to drink, or a bite to nibble."

"Or both!" the peacock adds with a cheery chirp.

Arcadia nods with a smile and with a gentle breath she steps inside, ready for the numerous gasps to come at her presence. She enters.

The guests do not seem one to disappoint the dragoness. "Gasp!" "Oh my!" *tinkle-crash* "Oh dear!"

The peacock winces at the sound of breaking glass, but then hides a smile of amusement at the reactions, and twitter-giggles when he thinks no one is looking.

A bat in a shimmering black dress with blue trim walks up to the front door, and smiles at the distracted peacock. "Good evening, Master Kromo," says Vielanika.

Arcadia arches her eyebrows in slight amusement and smiles warmly to the myriad of gazes. She nods a general greeting and makes her way through the crowd.

Envoy keeps behind the Eeee Bard.

As Arcadia gets a chance to survey the crowd … she sees a few samples of odd hat-wear. Apparently this is a house where wearing one's hat inside IS acceptable. And, those hats happen to have the likenesses of … Creens on them. Some look very, VERY familiar to the glass-worker, as they catch the light from the chandelier.

The peacock jolts to attention, then turns the corners of his beak into a smile. "Ah! Lady Vielanika Nightsong … and the Lady Envoy Lothrhyn as well! Welcome!"

Arcadia smiles happily… Goodness – no wonder Fenter wanted so many! Her ears flick up as she glances about some more, looking for more things and persons of interest.

The bat looks into the room, and then says, "I do hope we're not late. So many are here… ?"

Envoy smiles to the peacock, dressed in her golden gown. She tries not to seem rude as she studies the avian.

The peacock shakes his head. "Not at all! Not everyone believes in being fashionably late, after all. And, please, don't feel rushed to share your musical talents right away. Be sure to help yourself to the modest offerings first. I know how you musicians are – ever starving on account of your art, yes?"

Vielanika glances to Envoy, then nods. "Well, I think I'll do just that. I'll be back in a bit, once you're free?" She smiles, then walks on and into the main room.

Envoy blinks three times … and thinks that maybe Rawrii acts starved a lot.

Arcadia flicks her tail and searches the tables… Nibble on, eh? Perhaps she'll find some chocolate…

Envoy smiles to her host, "You have very nice plumage. I've never seen it on a real peacock before."

The peacock cocks his head a bit, regarding Envoy regarding himself. "Hmmm. Oh yes. You are the curious one, aren't you?"

Envoy says, "Yes, I'm always curious."

The bird puffs his chest a bit, proudly. His tail-feathers flop a bit. "Well. Thank you kindly for your compliment, madame."

Envoy smiles, "You are most welcome, sir."

A whiff of chocolate reaches the dragoness' nose. It appears to originate from a tray that a Savanite servant is slowly bringing by.

Envoy says, "I understand you are a patron of the arts?"

Arcadia oooos softly, and slowly takes a step towards the servant. "Hello there. May I have one?" she asks.

"Ah yes," answers the peacock, after checking to make sure that no one is being held up in line. (No one stands behind Envoy.) "Well, you see, I'm very fond of art. But … I haven't a skilled bone in my body. So, my participation extends only to encouraging the efforts of others to create works of beauty."

A couple of hands snatch at the contents of the plate as it makes its way toward Arcadia. When it reaches her, there is only a single chocolate left on the tray.

Envoy says, "I suppose one doesn't need artistic talent when one is so splendidly plumed by nature."

Out of the corner of Arcadia's eye, there is a flash of gold, and a gloved hand reaches toward the tray.

Arcadia's ears droop a bit. Ah well. She looks at it and makes a move to take it carefully.

The peacock demurely covers his beak, and twitters embarrassedly. "You are too kind!"

Envoy blinks… "I apologize then. I'm still learning."

The two hands intercept each other at the tray. "Hey!" cries out the owner of the other hand.

Arcadia stops her reach … and smiles at the owner of the hand … and retreats her hand to her hip.

Arcadia says, "Most sorry."

"Oh!" The peacock blinks a few times, looking at Envoy. "Ohhh. I'm sorry. I forgot about that part. Nonono, you need not apologize. Ah … Hmm. Dear me. How do I explain?"

The noble twitters, "I was only indicating that you were saying something terribly flattering, and that I … ah … was at a loss of how to politely respond to such a compliment."

Envoy ohs. "I had not meant my observation to be flattering."

"Hmph," says the golden vixen beside Arcadia. In a blur, the chocolate disappears from the tray, and the vixen is now chewing on it.

The Savanite carrying the tray looks to both the vixen and the dragoness, bows his head apologetically … and turns around, back toward the kitchen.

Arcadia *sighs* and looks about, and then smiles warmly to the Savanite.

The peacock twitters cheerily. "Oh dear! Well, I assure you, I take it only in the most positive spirit."

Envoy smiles, "Thank you. It just seems to me that your natural attributes would either detract from any art you produced, or else the art would detract from your appearance… which could have an adverse affect on your mating success."

The peacock does nothing but blink several times at this. "I … I … " He clamps his beak shut, and wipes at the flop of "hair" on the top of his head, taken aback by this.

Arcadia mmms softly, and decides to wander to find something else to tune her attentions to. She heads towards the peacock. Perhaps he'll introduce her to a few new faces.

While Arcadia was distracted, it seems the golden vixen must have slipped off to somewhere else in the group of guests. Considering that there isn't that large of a crowd here to disappear into, she must have slipped out of the room entirely.

Envoy hmms, and comes up with an analogy she hopes is easier on the ego. "A rose does not need to plant a garden."

"Oh… " twitters the peacock, trying to regain his composure. "Yes, yes, quite well said. AH … " He fumbles about, trying for a change of topic. "Speaking of ROSES … Ah … Oh dear. Where did she get off to?"

Envoy looks over the crowd, searching for familiar faces – preferably of people that don't want her dead, deported, or dissected.

Arcadia slips through the thin crowd, looking around for Avi or at least some one, too, familiar.

Envoy smiles and waves to the dragoness. Not a wild wave, as she might normally use, but a simple one.

Most of the faces in the crowd are indeed unfamiliar … or else not all that distinct such as to make it hard to tell whether they SHOULD be familiar. She does notice a few musicians, though – not bards, per se, though some of them have scraped together enough to buy honorary Guild membership to add to their resumes.

The peacock lets out a sigh of relief as Envoy moves along. "Oh, hello … oh … oh my!"

Arcadia smiles at the wave and tiptoes over to Envoy. "Hi there!" she coos.

Envoy smiles, "Are you enjoying this event so far? I have seen many Creen hats that would seem to be your handiwork."

Arcadia chuckles. "Ahh yes. Well, I was just helping out Fenter … and the Creens. And, yes, I am very much so. It's splendid."

An elderly lady poodle walks over toward Arcadia and Envoy. Perched on her head is a wide-brimmed, flowered hat with two blue-green glass Creens affixed to the top. "Oh yes! Yes, and I have one of them. Thank you EVER so much, Lady Arcadia? Yes, that Fenter fellow is positively GIFTED, but I have to thank you as well."

Arcadia nods to the poodle. "I am very glad you like it."

Envoy says, "Larger ones would make elegant decanters, I think."

Arcadia grins. "Perhaps."

The poodle smiles. "Well, I'm not completely blind just YET, so I can certainly appreciate it. Now, if you should ever be in a need for flowers, you be certain to visit me some time, hmm? That's my specialty, you know. I can make just about anything grow – and not with one INKLING of that pesky little unreliable MAGIC bother."

Arcadia arches an eyebrow, her ears flicking up. "Oh? I really like daffodils… Would you have any of those?"

The poodle giggles. "Yes, certainly! And plenty to spare. And you can just call me Florence." She giggles again. "Not that I was born with that name. But my dear old Frederick left me enough that I could afford to have any name I please, hmm?" She dabs at one eye with a handkerchief. "Oh, dear old Frederick. Ah. But I shouldn't go on about that, and trouble you, child."

Envoy bites down on her tongue, as she was just about to ask the poodle to please go on about that.

Arcadia mmms, blinking. "Oh well – it is a lovely name at that."

Several gasps ripple through the small crowd, near the entrance to the main room. The lady poodle, not minding it a bit, chatters amiably, complimenting Envoy on her positively gorgeous dress, complimenting Arcadia on her lovely shade of purple, and so on and so forth.

Envoy smiles, and asks, "Do you do much work with fruiting plants?" She cocks one ear back towards the entrance.

Arcadia smiles, nodding happily as she listens … her eyes glancing towards the entrance.

The poodle pauses at this, then shakes her head. "Oh, I don't really get into that. I'm more interested in flowers, after all… "

Envoy says, "Really? Have you tried creating your own strain?"

Back toward the entrance, the peacock is keeping his distance as a new "guest" arrives … a cheetah … a cheetah wearing fancy attire that looks like it was salvaged from a drunken noble who fell asleep in the street, supplemented with a … straitjacket.

Arcadia blinks?! "Oh my," she says as she sees the cheetah.

Envoy glances at the cheetah along with the others, and wonders how he is expected to talk while having his hands bound like that?

The cheetah doesn't seem to be doing any "talking" at all. He is simply walking along, bowing to everyone and smiling … then dipping his head down to snatch up a morsel of cheese from a passing tray, and munching on it as he bows again.

The hat falls off of the straitjacketed cheetah's head as he executes too sharp of a bow, landing at his feet.

Arcadia mrrrs? and quietly mumbles, "Poor thing. Why is he wearing that jacket?"

Envoy says, "Perhaps he has broken arms?"

Envoy signs a 'Hello' to the cheetah.

Arcadia shakes her head. "No. I don't think so. Those are usually used to… well … contain someone."

The lady poodle follows Arcadia's gaze, and spends a long time squinting, before saying, "Oh! Kame Ikata. What a pleasant surprise! How nice of the people at the Moz Ezley Home for the Disturbed in Spirit to bring him to the party. He used to be a very gifted painter, you know. I still buy his paintings on occasion, since his master is such a NICE young fellow."

Envoy smiles, and asks, "How does he hold the brush?"

The poodle adds in a hushed whisper, "You'll have to be careful, though. He's a bit strange in the head. You know – Those silent types."

Arcadia smirks. "I see… "

Arcadia sighs and wishes the poor lad wasn't all tied up … but perhaps there's reason.

Envoy goes to introduce herself to the Savanite … using sign language, of course.

Arcadia watches.

The cheetah pauses, taking a keen interest in Envoy … and then scoops his foot underneath the brim of his fallen hat, and kicks upward, causing the hat to flip in the air. He ducks his head under it, catching it … except that it is now backwards, the brim covering his eyes, and the feather tickling his nose.

Envoy reaches up to fix Ikata's hat, and also peeks behind him to see if his hands are exposed at all.

The cheetah's arms are securely bound, by all appearances, by the stained and paint-splotched straitjacket.

Arcadia nibbles on her lip. Her tail curls about to scratch her ankle. She smiles at the cheetah and watches Envoy.

Envoy hmms, and asks, "Do you have some other way of talking with your hands bound like this?"

The cheetah just smiles at Envoy.

Envoy wonders if it is some sort of game. She tries to press her palm against one of the cheetah's elbows, where she thinks his opposite hand must be.

Arcadia looks around for Avi. Surely he'd know why the cheetah is bound and if he can be released.

The peacock is presently speaking in hushed tones with some of the guests, giving worried glances in the direction of the bound cheetah.

The peacock stops, though, upon seeing that a new guest is in the doorway. "Oh! Good evening, sir! I am so glad you could make it!"

The peacock bows to the Naga. "Please, do come in."

Arcadia mmms. "Oh my," she says to herself.

Arcadia decides to walk over to Avi and ask.

Envoy continues to feel around the heavy cloth for the outline of the cheetah's hand.

The cheetah's hand wiggles a bit under the thick cloth. His ears wiggle, too.

Bassai bows to the peacock. "Good evening, I am pleased to attend. I hope you do not mind that I brought my slave Tekki along. I felt he would be useful for some savage insight into some of the works on display."

Envoy ahs, and holds her hand against the wiggling spot. She holds her other hand up where the cheetah can see it. "Try signing with your hand, and I'll echo what I'm feeling. Maybe I can translate for you then."

Bassai slides across the floor with a gentle scraping of his coils.

"Oh, of course," nods the peacock. "You are MOST welcome to peruse my gallery. It is in the adjoining chamber." The peacock points to an archway across the room.

Arcadia smiles as she wanders over to the peacock. "Sir? Might I have a moment with you?"

A white Cervani doe strolls through the room, proudly displaying her own Creen hat. She glances at envoy, wrinkles her nose, and goes to join a group of chatting poodles.

The peacock turns to Arcadia. "Yes? I hope that everything is to your satisfaction?"

Arcadia nods, smiling as she whispers to him, "Of course … but I have a question. Why is that cheetah in that jacket?"

The cheetah wiggles his fingers around, but if he's signing anything … it's utter nonsense. Something about eyes and burning and flame and light and darkness and earth and … well, it's terribly fast and jumbled.

Envoy tries to keep up, watching Ikata's face to see if her own signs are matching correctly.

The peacock twitters, "Ah … well … you see … he's not all … TOGETHER in his head. In fact, he – ah – should be in the safety of the Asylum right now, I'm afraid. He does escape on occasion, as you see."

Arcadia chuckles. "Oh … an escape artist, is he?"

Bassai surveys the room, "Thank you, yes, I believe I will." He starts to slither towards the gallery, "Tekki, fetch me a drink." As he turns away, his fingers casually sign, "listen," and his tail-tip flicks in the other cheetah's direction.

The peacock sighs. "I bought several of his paintings before his … unfortunate incident. I think he likes to make sure I haven't taken any of them down… " He blinks at Arcadia's comment. "Oh! A joke!" He giggles nervously.

The doe breaks away from her group and meanders to the punch bowl.

Tekki goes to fetch a drink, though keeping a watchful gaze on his master.

Arcadia smiles. "Well, he seems nice enough. I'll keep an eye on him for you." She purrs and glances back towards the cheetah.

"Well, DO be careful," the peacock twitters.

Arcadia smiles. "Always am." She wanders back over to the cheetah.

Kame has stopped signing, and now is just bouncing up and down on his feet, causing his hat to hop on his head. This prompts further alarm in the guests nearby.

Bassai slides to the gallery, to view some of Kame Ikata's works.

Envoy hmms, and tries to ask Ikata about what she felt. "What sort of pupil did the eye have, round like mine?"

The paintings in the gallery – some of which can be seen from the main room – are truly works of a master. How they could possibly be created by a dimwitted brute such as a Savanite is surely one of the great wonders of Sinai. Most of them are landscapes, though there are a few portraits – including one of the host of the household, Avi Kromo.

Arcadia looks to Envoy. "Have you been able to talk to him at all?"

The white doe sidles up to Bassai, sipping daintily at a glass of punch. "Amazing how an insane slave could be capable of such imagination, isn't it?"

Kame gives Envoy no answer save for a rapid wiggling of his ears and a wild grin.

Envoy nods to Arcadia, but adds, "I'm not sure about the details of what he was signing, though; it was very fast and awkward for me to make out by touch."

Envoy says, "He's just laughing now though, it seems."

Arcadia tilts her head. "Perhaps he's not at all… " She looks curious. "It's nice that they let him paint, though. Art is a wonderful thing."

The cheetah drops down to the floor, and starts writhing about violently, his hat crushed in the process.

Arcadia mrpps and takes a step back.

Envoy drops down next to Ikata and tries to hold him still. "Is there a doctor in the house?"

There's a *pop*, causing one of the poodle ladies to faint … and then some more struggling … and Kame struggles free from Envoy … and from his jacket as well, it turns out!

Envoy blinks, then smiles. "Oh, it should much easier to understand him now."

Arcadia oh my mys.

The wild-looking cheetah grabs himself in the shoulder, winces a bit, then smiles again, and executes several bows. One of the guests even applauds him … then stops, when he sees he hasn't much company.

Arcadia grins. "Quite a trick."

Envoy holds out the battered hat to the Savanite. "You dislocated your shoulder, didn't you?"

The doe, whom Envoy recognizes as the life mage she hired to heal Abana, JUMPS in surprise, dropping her punch cup and ducking behind Bassai.

Arcadia ooos. "I do hope he hasn't."

Bassai nods to the doe, "Yes, very impressive, but you would be surprised what they can be trained to do."

Kame Ikata flings the straitjacket over his shoulder, sending it arcing through the air. He takes the crushed hat, then pounds his fist into it, to pop it back into shape. The hat, however, is not so sturdy, and he also ends up with his hand going THROUGH the crown of the hat. He puts it on his head regardless.

Bassai examines the first picture with some interest.

Tekki ducks the flying straitjacket, and then walks over to Bassai, holding the drink for whenever his master has a mind to drink from it.

Arcadia blinks? and hides her smile … oh, what a rogue!

Bassai looks at the doe, "Are you alright, madame?"

Envoy smiles at the Savanite. She's never met one that seems to enjoy himself so much.

The peacock twitters in a disturbed manner, looking to make sure that no one has been knocked unconscious by the flying straitjacket. He motions for a servant to carry the stained jacket away.

Latania points to Kame with a shaking hand. "The slave … he's free. I do hope he doesn't bite anyone."

Envoy signs, "Were you talking about an eye before? I wasn't certain."

Bassai takes the cup from Tekki, offering it to the doe, "You seem to have spilt your drink, perhaps you would like another."

Tekki nods his head, and slips off to fetch another drink for his master as quickly as he can manage.

Bassai looks at Kame, "They are easily restrained; I don't think he will be much problem."

Latania accepts the cup. "Your slave has not drunken from this, has he?"

Kame Ikata strolls along, holding himself in bearing as if he were a member of the nobility as well, and not some slave. As he passes by a servant holding a tray with some stalks of celery, he grabs one and nods to the slave … and then walks right over to another tray and scoops the stalk into the yellow creamy center of a deviled egg, getting quite a glob on the "stick". He leaves the emptied boiled white sitting on the tray, and walks along.

Bassai looks shocked, "I would hardly offer it to you if he had. Tekki is not such an ill-mannered beast to do such a thing. I'm surprised you doubt my ability to control him."

Bassai watches Kame Ikata, "… though I start to see why you might."

Arcadia smirks and covers her mouth, and continues to keep an eye on Kame.

Envoy trails along after the Savanite, in case he says anything.

The white doe nods and sips at her cup. "It seems as though everyone has trouble controlling their wretched slaves these past few weeks. I'm quite glad that the college employs so very few of them."

Kame Ikata makes a beeline for the adjoining gallery chamber, and begins looking at all of the paintings along the wall, holding the stalk of celery in one hand in the same manner as one might hold a glass of wine.

Envoy stands next to the artist and looks at the paintings as well – glances at them, anyway. She can always review the images later.

Bassai watches Kame Ikata, especially his hands, for any random signs that might slip out. He also observes which pieces the artist focuses on.

Arcadia lets her ears droop as she follows Kame into the gallery to have a look about as well … and to hopefully stop him from having any sudden inspiration on any paintings.

Envoy watches the cheetah, and wonders if she can get him to talk by playing on his flamboyance.

Bassai nods to the doe, "I have not had any trouble with mine, but then Tekki has always been excellent in his duties, and my own supervision beyond compare."

Kame Ikata walks up to a painting of a very desolate landscape under a starry sky, dominated by the Procession, though here (with artistic license) given unusual clarity. The landscape below, by comparison, seems so much more plain than the stars – cold and dead, while the stars seem positively alive.

"GOODNESS! Letting insane people run about freely at a party… and a SLAVE no less." Latania snorts. "This shall be the last time I attend a party of the Kujaku."

Arcadia says to Envoy and Kame, "You like that one?"

Envoy blinks at the word 'Kujaku', but is distracted by Arcadia. "Like it? Is it a real scene, or an imaginary one?"

Arcadia smiles. "Perhaps a bit of both. All artists put a bit of themselves into our works."

Bassai eyes the Savanite's celery stick, "Perhaps if we replace that with a paintbrussh we will be able to observe the artist at work."

The doe blinks in surprise. "What on Sinai could he paint on?"

Envoy looks to Latania. "Well, your fur is very canvas-like… "

Bassai says, "His straight jacket? It has a poetic nature to it."

A servant walks in from the garden, bearing an empty tray. Just as he walks by … Kame snatches it, and holds it in his other hand, like a palette. The servant, bewildered, hurries along, rather than retrieving the tray.

Down the other end of the gallery from the conversing party-goers, an orange-and-black Khatta, Demes Oresta, chats with a Vartan-Rhian half-breed. "So, having come into some money recently, I've decided to try and expand our operations – but to do that, we need to open new markets. Once the way is cleared, as it were, I can hire independent airship owners to run regular trade routes for me. So you see, this is truly an excellent time to join the Oresta trading firm… "

Arcadia mmmmms. "I think he does wish to paint… "

Bassai says, "I believe with some pigments and brush, he will treat us to a display of his mastery."

The peacock pokes his head into the room, and sees how Kame is eyeing that painting … with the celery-and-egg-yolk in one hand, and the tray in another. "Oh dear! No, please! Don't touch anything!"

Bassai looks around for Tekki.

Latania glances at Envoy, "You again? Hmmph. It doesn't surprise me, considering your interest in sick slaves."

Tekki returns in timely fashion, with a glass in one hand, and walks up to his master.

Arcadia coos at Kame, "Do you want to paint? If so, we can surely get you something better to paint with."

Envoy tries to distract Kame with a flurry of signs, "I can give you a voice if you want to ask for supplies."

Bassai says, "Very good, Tekki. Be on your best behavior so you are remembered more favorably than this artist."

The cheetah painter smiles at the dragoness.

Tekki bows his head to his master.

Bassai's coils swish on the floor.

Gwyneth is dressed much nicer for this party than when she was in the Bazaar. Still, she is not used to the finer life, and tries her best to keep up with the finery. "I think there are a lot of opportunities and potential for me in a firm like yours, Mr. Oresta."

"Why not offer him one of your feathers if he's so anxious to paint with something?" the doe grumbles at Envoy, swallowing her punch in one gulp.

Bassai notices someone from that incident last night.

Envoy looks at her feathers, "Can a feather be used for a brush?"

"Indeed," Demes says with a smile. He clasps Gwyneth's hand and bows over it, demonstrating Trader Lesson Number One: make your client feel like the most important person around. "I shall be honored to have you for an apprentice." He twitches his ear and looks down the gallery to see the others. "Ah! Let us go and listen, milady. We may learn something new and interesting."

Arcadia mmmms. "I do not see why not … but I'd suggest getting him some paper first."

Gwyneth smiles, "Please lead on." She motions for Demes to go ahead so she can follow. He is, after all, her boss.

Kame resumes staring intently at his painting of some desolate landscape.

Latania tromps back to the punch-bowl, angrily. "Loonies running free… bah. I'd been told that artists were strange, but it is no excuse for good manners."

Arcadia smiles. "Perhaps … he's not done with this painting."

Kame glances toward Latania, and starts scrutinizing her. He smiles wistfully.

Tekki looks to his master, and tenses up slightly.

Bassai looks at Tekki.

Envoy proffers a wing-tip to the artist, "Do you need a feather to paint with sir?"

Demes whispers to Gwyneth, "Now, if we had an interest in a paper mill, we might offer to sell some parchment here… Or, we might even give some, and then claim that our product was chosen by the famed author Kame Ikata." He laughs softly. "But, we have no pressing business here, so it is best to listen."

Bassai signs, "Be patient, be aware."

Kame looks to Envoy … then reaches out and plucks a feather.

Arcadia sighs and sits back on her haunches. She knows well the intensity of art and inspiration, and so she humors the poor Savanite.

Gwyneth flicks her ears forward. She nods to Demes, wincing slightly as Kame plucks one of Envoy's feathers.

Envoy refolds her wing.

The doe glares back at Kame. "Don't you even think of it … or I'll give you such a case of spotted pox, you'll be bedridden for two months."

Kame smiles and ear-wiggles at Latania as if she'd just told a joke.

Envoy hmms, and begins to wonder if Kame Ikata might have been one of Latania's former patients.

Arcadia arches an eyebrow.

Kame looks about the room … then suddenly dashes out of the gallery! He prompts several gasps and exclamations, as he darts about, dipping that celery stick into pastes and sauces of various colors, and dabbing them onto his tray-turned-palette.

Demes catches sight of a pretty raven-haired Kattha in a rust-red dress and whispers to Gwyneth, "Ah! I see someone I must speak with. Will you be all right by yourself for a while?" He winks.

"I wouldn't be surprised if he's faking this all," Latania grumbles to a nearby poodle. "It seems that he can get away with acting disrespectful by pretending to be mad. Did you see the way he just LEERED at me?"

Bassai says, "It seems we shall either have him make a masterpiece or a dessert."

Arcadia mmmms and sighs… She looks about… table cloth instead, perhaps.

Envoy smiles, "Very resourceful, since our host is not likely to have painting supplies."

Gwyneth whispers back to Demes, "I'll be fine, thank you." She watches Demes walk off to socialize.

Bassai nods in Latania's direction, "Savanites do catch on very quickly."

Kame strides back into the gallery, looking quite pleased with himself, if a bit out of breath. His tray has a veritable rainbow of colors on it, courtesy of various stuffings, puddings, pastes, sauces and other less identifiable but presumably edible materials.

Demes smiles and bows. "I'll be curious to hear your thoughts on Kujaku's party afterward, milady." He walks after the Kattha and begins to strike up a low but pleasant-sounding conversation.

Arcadia thinks about saying something wicked to the doe … but decides it'd only cause trouble and so doesn't.

The Cervani curiously peeks down the gallery, waiting to see what the Savanite had planned.

Gwyneth looks over at Kame's tray, seemingly surprised by what she has found. "Oh, you paint with food? How clever!" Actually, she doesn't think it's clever at all. She thinks it's slightly daft. But what does she know of art?

Arcadia smiles. "Edible art … My my … wish I had thought of that."

Kame bows to Gwyneth and nibbles on the end of his brush … or celery stick, that is.

Bassai says, "It is one of the old styles back at home in the Empire."

Gwyneth smiles, "That'll give people who say art is useless an argument they can't match – If they don't like it, they can eat it!"

Arcadia smiles at Bassai. "Edible art?"

The cheetah strides around the room, as if searching for something.

Bassai nods to Arcadia, "Yes, I understand that the transitory nature of the medium iss a comment on the changing nature, or impermanence of the subject usually portrayed."

Bassai says, "Myself, I feel it is a waste of sauce."

Arcadia chuckles. "Perhaps."

Envoy follows Kame around, still wondering why he doesn't just ask for what he needs.

Kame Ikata lets out a loud sigh. Perhaps what he was looking for, he did not find.

Latania just growls. "So much for a dignified party. I was hoping for a touch of enjoyment before journeying to Himar with the brats… "

Bassai says, "Think of how well behaved your brats will seem in comparison to that artist slave."

Arcadia sighs … glancing at the whining doe.

The peacock comes back into the gallery, this time from the back – through the way that comes from the garden. He looks worriedly at the Savanite, then heads back out. His twittering voice can be heard, as he talks to someone just outside.

Envoy asks Latania as she passes, "Did Fenter find you a suitable replacement chamberpot yet?"

Bassai looks at Kame Ikata, very intently.

Kame is now making strange gestures. He's pointing his celery stick at each person in the room in turn, making a steady staccato with a click of his tongue, then repeating the cycle.

Arcadia mmms. "I wonder what else he needs… I've never been very good at painting, but he seems to have what's required … well, besides water and real paint."

Latania GLARES at Envoy. "Oh … why don't you go back to tending ill Savanites?!" she snaps.

Gwyneth thinks he needs something else. Something in the head, maybe. But she lets that go unsaid.

Envoy watches the odd ritual the artist is performing, and replies, "Oh, I take it he hasn't then. That would explain much," to the doe.

Arcadia frowns and says just loud enough to be heard by those near by, "Temper Temper… "

The peacock strides fully into the gallery now, followed by an armored Templar with a magenta cape.

Gwyneth turns her head slightly to watch befeathered pride stride in. Always a show.

Latania fumes even more. She's angry beyond words, so she does the only thing left. She flings the contents of her glass of punch in Envoy's face.

*click* *click* Kame stops, his celery stick pointing at … Tekki. The artist cheetah smiles enigmatically.

Bassai slides forward towards Kame, swiftly snapping the celery stick out of his paw, "I will not have you continue to make rude gestures at the people present, or my possessions."

Tekki lets out a long breath, as the artist's approach is halted by his master.

Bassai continues to say to Kame, "Be still, and observe the manners of your betters," then turns to see what is happening with the glass of punch…

Envoy blinks at Latania, but doesn't say anything.

Kame Ikata observes the manners, and nods. Yes, he learns quickly. He looks for a passing tray laden with drinks, and snatches one.

Gwyneth flicks her ears up in surprise and interest at Latania's gesture.

Arcadia frowns. "Miss! There was NO cause for that!" A thin wisp of smoke curls from her nostril.

Bassai takes the drink, "Thank you, you are too kind," from Kame

Kame looks a bit disappointed, but he shrugs, and wiggles his ears.

Latania tromps away from Envoy. "Go soak your head," she snaps to the dragon. "I've seen ten year old chaos mage students with better manners than her."

The peacock twitters an "Oh dear!" at the display. The knight beside him, however, marches straight forward, toward the small group gathered before the paintings.

Up on the balcony, Demes Oresta chats amiably with the black-haired Kattha. He commiserates, "Yes, it's so rare to find a true sense of elegance and appropriacy in others these days. I knew right away that you had both." She swats at him amusedly and appears more interested in the impending quarrel downstairs, to Demes's dismay.

Arcadia frowns. "And I've seen two year olds with better manners than you. She's just new and doesn't understand. You are unwise showing that you are not aware enough to see that simple fact."

The Champion of Roses walks right up to Kame Ikata … and grabs his arm roughly, beginning to forcibly drag him out of the chamber, back toward the entrance of the manor.

Bassai sits back on his coil, sipping the drink so conveniently supplied by Kame. He considers the stick of celery, but it really isn't to his taste. Just holding it then, he watches.

The artist cheetah drops his tray of "paints" to the floor with a clatter, then waves vigorously at everyone as he is towed away.

Arcadia manages a quick tail wave to the poor cheetah.

Latania glares at Arcadia. "What would a lizard who doesn't have the sense to keep her nose out of other people's business know of manners?" She storms off farther away to a more secluded corner and just stands there … mumbling to herself.

Envoy wipes her face dry with a napkin, not understanding exactly what happened. "Wait, where are they taking Kame Ikata??"

Gwyneth takes a step back and lets the Champion through. Hmm. She's seen her before. This knight seems to be everywhere.

Arkold who has been chatting amongst the nobles for most of the night pauses to look at the knight. He mutters, "Isn't that… oh dear… " to the noble he was talking to.

The peacock walks up, twittering nervously, "Oh dear. I'm so glad I invited her to come. You never know when it's handy to have someone to … ah … ENCOURAGE disruptive persons to leave. After all, he certainly was NOT invited, talented as he may have once been."

Arcadia sighs and shakes her head, watching the scene. She calls to Envoy, "Shhh, Envoy, it's all right. They are likely taking him back home."

Bassai watches the artist as he is dragged away.

Arcadia smiles too, then, to the peacock. "Well, it certainly will be something to remember."

Arkold watches the knight whom he remembers as being the Champion of Roses… she is a hard figure to forget, after all.

Arcadia considers doing a glass sculpture based on the knight.

Arcadia mmmms softly.

The knight pauses as she retrieves a straitjacket handed to her by one of the servants, then exits out the front door, the cheetah waving happily and blowing kisses the whole way.

Envoy says, "I suppose I can visit him at the Moz Ezley Home then."

Gwyneth recognizes Arkold, walking up behind him. "Oh, hello there! Remember me? Are you feeling better since last night?" She smiles. He seemed distant before.

Arkold wonders if the Champion of Roses had the rose he gave her. He comments to the noble next to him about her wonderful flower garden.

Envoy finally checks to see if the drink has stained her dress.

Arcadia nods. "If you like."

Arcadia looks about and hands a napkin to Envoy.

Arcadia says, "That rude one. I hope she hasn't ruined your dress."

Zolk is a marvelous material, and some varieties are known for being especially sturdy. This is one such variety. It should clean out.

Envoy thanks Arcadia, and disposes of her previously used napkin as she starts to use the fresh one.

Bassai slides over to his slave, "Tekki, I will have a busy day for you tomorrow; you had best retire to our rooms. I will be here a little longer socializing." He pets the Savanite on the back, turning him towards the door.

Arkold jumps, startled, then turns around. "Oh… why… Gwyneth is it?" he asks.

Envoy turns her attention to the large Naga, "We have not been formally introduced. I am Envoy Lothrhyn, Exile and Bard."

Bassai signs very quickly and closely to Tekki's chest, where hopefully only the slave will see it, "See where they go, do not endanger yourself, then return to our room."

Tekki nods to his master, and heads the way indicated.

Gwyneth nods to Arkold, "Yes it is. Fancy us meeting again! Such a big city but a small world."

Bassai turns the end of the sign into a brush of Tekki's chest fur, then bows to Envoy, "Greetings, Lady. I am Bassai, of the Nagai empire, an archaeologist and a scholar."

Arkold nods to the noble he was talking to, and he walks off. Again he turns his attentions to Gwyneth. "Yes, quite small. I did not think I would see the Champion of Roses again after visiting her."

Off to the side, Latania continues mumbling angrily to herself.

Arcadia's attention span is shortening and she's still hungry … all this food talk. She begins to head towards a table that hopefully has something left to nibble.

One thing can be said for Avi Kromo's parties – there is no shortage in the way of things to nibble on, even though there may occasionally be fights over chocolate.

Envoy says, "An Archaeologist? Have you studied many ancient sites?"

Bassai smiles, nodding and hissing, "Yess, I have an inkling of knowledge in many ancient areas."

Gwyneth nods down to Arkold. "She gets around, I think. Did you see how she disgraced that other knight, whatever her name was? Amazing!" Gwyneth walks with Arkold, glad of a familiar face other than Bassai's, and of course, the nice Envoy who gave her some juice.

Arcadia passes the doe, her tail swinging along as she does so… accidentally knocking over a cup badly placed on the edge of a table located next to the doe.

Demes leads the black-haired Kattha out back to 'watch the Procession'. "Yes, I have quite an appreciation for the, ah, natural arts as well as the created ones… " Their voices trail off.

The Cervani doe sets her cup down and walks away from the party and into the garden. "There are too many loonies here… "

Envoy tells Bassai, "I have only explored the City of Hands so far myself."

Bassai flicks out his tongue, "Oh yess? I am impressed. What can you tell me of this site?"

Envoy pauses to consider. "I don't know. What are you capable of handling?"

Arkold walks with Gwyneth, nodding and commenting, "That was quite a show. Indeed her garden is one of the finest sites I have ever seen! She's not one for chatter though. I wonder what she looks like under all that armor… Very curious, no?"

Arcadia wanders into the party and mingles …

Bassai says, "Such a strange question"

Envoy blinks, "Strange?"

Bassai says, "I desire to know all there is about it. That is, after all, my profession and my passion in life – "

Bassai says, " – to uncover the past ancient glories of the Nagai civilizations."

Envoy blinks again, "What does that have to do with the City of Hands?"

Gwyneth wanders with Arkold past Bassai and the others. "I haven't seen her garden. Does it go along with her office as Champion? Sort of with the swords and armor?" She reaches out and nabs a small hors d'oevre, lightly nibbling on the fruity treat.

Bassai says, "Why, everything of course. It is another of the ancient glorious Nagai cities."

Arkold nods and smiles, "A garden of every type of rose one might imagine, with stained glass windows. One could spend hours there… For such a place of combat and warriors, it is very peaceful."

Envoy says, "I did not think anyone inhabited the City after it was first abandoned."

Bassai says, "Of course, once the climate changed, we would not return once we abandoned it. Barren wastes do not sit well with our state of comfort."

Envoy blinks again, and hiccups. And hiccups again…

Envoy says, "Excuse me… but I think someone is affecting me with *HIC* magic… "

Bassai says, "Are you choking, madam?"

Bassai glances around sharply.

Gwyneth takes a small ceramic cup filled with an alcoholic beverage from a passing Khatta with a tray. She sips lightly at it, "Even warriors need some place where they can rest and meditate and be at peace. I wouldn't mind visiting the garden one day; it sounds lovely."

Envoy frowns and stops breathing. It takes care of the noise, but not the muscle spasms behind them.

Envoy signs, "I think Mage Latania is still upset with me."

The peacock looks at Envoy curiously … and walks on by.

Bassai says, "I fear I have no skills to cure you of this."

Arkold tilts his head and hmms, "I wonder if she enjoys visitors? It's so hard to tell her emotions, what with that armor covering her face and the fact I've never heard her say anything. You know I got her a gift? Did you see her wearing a metal copper rose?" he says.

Envoy signs, "I can probably hold my breath longer than she can chant, if this is her doing."

*SQUAWWWWK*!

The peacock lets out a LOUD squawk right behind Envoy!

Envoy blinks and turns to look at her host in puzzlement.

Arkold jumps the second time during the night, "What is it now?" He looks around.

Gwyneth glances over at Arkold, "Why, no I… " and turns to the loud squawking noise.

The peacock fusses with his head-fluff, then twitters, "Did that help?"

Envoy takes a breath, to ask, "Isn't it the wrong time of day to be *HIC* crowing?"

The peacock shakes his head. "Hmm. I suppose that means 'no'."

Bassai says, "Most perplexing."

Arkold looks up at Gwyneth. "What has happened?" he asks.

Gwyneth brushes a lock of hair out of her eyes. "Um, that was interesting."

Envoy excuses herself, and holds her breath again while heading for the garden.

Gwyneth turns back to Arkold, "I think he was trying to scare her."

Out in the main room, Vielanika plays upon a flute for a few guests who are seated around her.

Arkold ahhs, "How… odd." he tilts his head again, "So you did not see the rose?"

The garden out back isn't as large as that of the Quartermaster Supreme, but it's a veritable maze of bushes and flower-beds, and presently without lighting, save for a lantern near the entrance back to the manor proper.

Envoy looks about for the doe.

There's a shadow just down the way, past a couple of bushes, which looks like a crouched figure.

The front door to the manor opens, and in comes a harried-looking cheetah servant who seeks out Bassai quickly.

Envoy heads for the dimly outlined figure.

Bassai looks at the servant.

It takes a while to get around the hedges. Approaching the figure … It's … just a statue.

Tekki makes some rapid signs to his master.

Gwyneth returns to conversing with Arkold, "I didn't get a very good look at her at all. You gave it to her? A metal rose? You are very generous."

Envoy frowns. Where could the life mage be?

Bassai nods to Tekki, then turns to the peacock, "Thank you for a most entertaining evening. Unfortunately I have just been informed of some pressing business I musst attend to."

Arkold nods slowly and sighs, "Alas, I probably will never know if she liked the gift… "

Bassai bows to the peacock, "I must take my leave; thank you once again."

Envoy begins exploring the various parts of the garden.

The peacock nods. "Good of you to visit, Master Bassai!"

Gwyneth tilts her head a little bit as her wings ruffle slightly. "Well, she accepted and is wearing it, right? Sounds like she liked it to me."

Bassai slides towards the doorway, and out into the streets, talking at Tekki quietly as he does.

Arkold shakes his head. "I do not know if she was wearing it. I could not see it on her… but I was across the room," he comments.

Envoy returns to the main room, and starts breathing again now that the spasms have faded to a manageable level.

Gwyneth nods quietly to Arkold, "I'm afraid I didn't notice it either. But with all that shining armor and decorations, I could have missed it. Why did you give her such a nice gift?"

A *splash!* sounds from the gardens and then a soaked-looking orange-and- white Khatta steps back into the party. "Ah – do you have some place I could change to some dry clothes?" Demes asks of Kujaku, looking quite nonchalant as a mischievous-looking black-haired Kattha gives him a 'That will teach you' look.

"Oh!" twitters the peacock. "Certainly, certainly." He claps his hands together, drawing the attention of a servant. "Please lead this gentleman to a place where he can change. And see if you can fetch something for him while his clothes are being dried… " He continues to instruct the servant, before sending him off.

Arkold flicks his ears, "I … I just thought she deserved it. I don't know… Do you figure those Templars get many gifts?"

Demes bows. "Thank you from the bottom of my heart, my dear noble host." He gives Gwyneth a 'Better luck on your conversation' look as he goes upstairs with the servant.

Envoy has a seat near Vielanika.

Vielanika finishes up her melody, to the light applause of her small audience, then looks to Envoy. "I hope you have been – oh dear. It seems someone spilled something on you. Well, I'll have to get that cleaned… "

Gwyneth giggles at Demes as he walks away upstairs. Poor Kattha! "I imagine the Templars are probably given many gifts," she says to Arkold, "although most, I'm sure, do not have as noble an intent as yours."

Envoy smiles to Vielanika, and asks, "Have you seen a white Cervani doe about? I need to find out if she cast a spell on me."

Vielanika looks about, then says, "Uhm … No, I can't say as I have."

Arkold nods. "Probably not. When I saw it in the window I just knew I had to get it for her. Poor Kattha indeed," he chuckles.

Envoy frowns. "I have just experienced a series of muscle spasms in my diaphragm. If they were not magically induced, then I fear my body may be failing."

Vielanika blinks. "But … if I follow you correctly … that sounds like you merely got a case of the hiccups?"

Envoy nods, "Yes, hiccups. I should not get them."

Vielanika hmphs. "Well, some people are just special, I suppose."

Envoy blinks in confusion at Vielanika's response. "I am artificial, not special."

Gwyneth finds herself in a slightly open space, so she lets her wings unfold just a little bit to relax them. "What do you think is going to happen to that other knight, the one the Champion stripped of rank?" She sips at her drink a little bit, letting it last.

Vielanika sighs at Envoy's reply, and just giggles and shrugs to the others apologetically … and then starts playing another song.

Arkold hmms. His ears flick again. "I have heard, from the Exile named Envoy … that she is off doing something for Bridge Officer Nimiss," he says the quietly, so only Gwyneth may hear. This type of gossip talk is not uncommon amongst nobles.

Envoy remains quiet. How can she sing if she might break out in hiccups at any moment?

Gwyneth ohs, and speaks softly back to Arkold, although she doesn't understand the reason for the secrecy. "Really? Um, well, who is Bridge Officer Nimiss?"

There's a discordant sound from Vielanika's flute, and she abruptly stops playing. "Oh! I'm terribly sorry. Ahem." She looks a little disturbed.

Arkold flicks his ear and speaks quietly, "I'm not too sure. Envoy did not say exactly… though I remember his name being mentioned elsewhere. I do know he works for the Temple."

Envoy blinks at Vielanika. She's never heard the bat flub a note before.

A Savanite walks up to the peacock, and hands him a note. The peacock reads it, raises his eyebrows, then excuses himself and disappears into the gallery.

Vielanika just sits there, looking as if she's resting a bit, regaining her breath … or listening intently for something.

Gwyneth hrrms quietly to herself, "The Temple, oh?" she thinks. "Well, that would fit – She's a Templar after all. She's bound to have many friends inside."

Arkold nods slowly, "Though I cannot see what the Temple would want with a dishonored Templar like here… "

Gwyneth shrugs lightly as she takes another light sip of her drink, her wings quivering slightly in merriment. She whispers, "Well, I suppose she can't be that dangerous, since you got one of her swords." She smiles lightly.

Envoy whispers, "Are you alright?" to Vielanika.

There's a rustling from the bushes, and a small figure emerges from the garden. It's a very young peacock, with an amazingly huge lollipop wedged into his beak.

Arkold shakes his head, "She can always get more … though I doubt one as fine as the one I took and returned to the Champion of Roses."

Vielanika looks a bit distracted, then says to Envoy, "Just … just fine." She whispers, "I … just thought I heard something."

The peacock chick wanders up to the two bards, contentedly licking at his lollipop and staring at them in the unashamed way that young children do.

Envoy smiles to the young peacock, "Hello, I'm Envoy."

Vielanika's wings shudder, and she brushes her hair with one hand. "Ah well. I think I shall start again." With that, she presses her flute to her lips and resumes playing a quiet melody in the background of all the chatter of the guests.

Gwyneth takes a light step to turn around, watching this young peacock chick. She continues her conversation with Arkold, "You gave it back? Probably wise, since I hear it's, well, unhealthy to have one of those for long."

Arkold nods. "Quite so, I would not want to have to go against someone like the Champion of Roses!" he replies.

The chick blinks at Envoy and balances the stick of his lollipop on his head, imitating her horn.

Envoy smiles. She also wonders how this race came to be called 'Kujakus', and decides to ask later. "What's your name?"

"Kamori," the chick replies nervously, hiding his face behind his bit of candy.

A gray tabby Khatta, accompanied by a slim calico, walks up to the two bards and the chick, and sit down nearby, enjoying the music.

Arkold looks over at the child, then back to Gwyneth.

Gwyneth changes the subject, motioning over to the two bards. "Do you like their music?" she asks Arkold.

Envoy says, "That's a nice name. Do you live here, with Avi Kromo?"

Arkold smiles and nods, turnin to look at them while commenting to Gwyneth, "Oh I do, the music at these parties is always quite nice."

Kamori takes a nervous lick from his lollipop. "I live over there." He points with his free hand towards … well, it's dark out there. One really can't see anything.

The calico leans over to whisper to the gray tabby, "I really think it wasn't such a good idea – " She is cut off by a shush from the male Khatta. "Dear, you can't just shut yourself up inside. We HAVE to get out and try to get our mind on other things … if only for an evening." He doesn't look like he has much faith in his own words, however.

Envoy smiles to the chick still, "Do you like songs, Kamori?"

Demes seems to have turned up again, looking as dapper as before, though his cloak has been changed for a multicolored one – perhaps befitting the type of clothes that a Kujaku is likely to have around. "Ah! Milady," he says to Gwyneth, approaching. "Have you been enjoying yourself – ah! Pardon me, there's someone else I should speak to." He looks slightly apologetic to his apprentice, before rushing off to speak to some portly looking Eeee. (A fat bat? Well, as bats go, this one has a distinctive bulge about the abdominal region)

Gwyneth smiles at Demes before he rushes off to go talk to the bat. She turns over to Arkold. "Did you know, I've joined the Oresta trading company?"

The peacock chick fans his tail nervously. "Do you know the song about putting a Vykarin inna box?"

Envoy blinks, "No, I haven't learned that one yet. I know a song about a magical blue bird though." She invites the chick to sit on her lap.

Vielanika glances curiously to the side, at Envoy and the peacock.

Arkold tilts his head and turns to Gwyneth, "Really? That's interesting… Do you play an instrument?" he asks.

Kamori nervously climbs up in Envoy's lap. He looks up at her eagerly. "What kinda bird?"

Gwyneth shakes her head at Arkold. She sighs, "I'm afraid not. I've spent most of my life busy doing … other things."

Gwyneth smiles lightly at Arkold, "Do you?"

Envoy says, "A canary."

The calico Khatta looks at the little peacock, then starts dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief. "Oh," moans the male, "please don't start that again… "

Arkold chuckles, "Oh no… I tried the flute once… someone said it sounded like a dying Creen."

Gwyneth folds her wings tightly behind her back. "Could be worse. Could sound like a dying eep."

The chick clutches his lollipop. "What's a canary?"

There's a loud CRASH as two trays fall to the floor. Two slaves hurriedly try to clean up the mess, their heads bowed apologetically.

Envoy sings in an oddly lilting monotone, quiet enough so that only Kamori and people nearby (Eeee excepted) can hear, "I'm your only friend / I'm not your only friend / But I'm a little glowing friend… " Most of the lyrics are nonsensical, and references to lighthouses and argonauts and light sockets don't help. But it's a catchy, silly song anyway.

Past the slaves walk in a couple of very young guests – a black Khatta, perhaps sixteen years of age, and a small white Khatta girl in a frilly dress who looks much younger.

The older black Khatta looks down at the white kitten, "Are you sure this is the right place?" he says through gritted teeth.

Arkold smiles and nods, "Quite so, quite so… After that comment though, I have never lifted an instrument again."

Eve says, "Of COURSE! My good luck is better than your BAD luck."

Jynx just sighs angrily, and tries to be unnoticeable.

Gwyneth nudges Arkold lightly with her shoulder, "Look Arkold, there are your friends!" She motions over to Jynx and Eve, newly arrived. "Small world, isn't it?"

The gray tabby Khatta's ears jerk at the sound of the crash. Then … "No … it couldn't be … "

Kamori bounces up and down on Envoy's knee as she sings.

Jynx looks around, "I don't see Mom or Dad anywhere!"

Eve tugs Jynx along. "That's because you're not LOOKING hard enough, Jynxie!"

"Well, do YOU see them?" the older Khatta says angrily.

Eve stops, then pouts. "Nooooooo." She looks around.

"But I know one way to find them, if they ARE here," she mews.

Jynx peers around some more, and spies Arkold, "Well, there's SOMEBODY."

Arkold looks over at Jynx and his sister, his ear flicks and his smile widens, "My my, it is isn't it? I'm glad to see they are both okay," he says to Gwyneth.

Eve whispers to herself, "… just let Jynxie walk around until something HAPPENS… "

Jynx scowls down at Eve, "I heard that."

Envoy grins and keeps on singing nonsense, moving from the song about some sort of guardian bird spirit to one about rocks and strings and prosthetic foreheads … no doubt inspired by Kamori's having stuck the lollipop on his head.

Eve smiles, blinking her eyes exaggeratedly and doing her best to look KYOOT and innocent.

The little peacock spies someone near his own age at the party and squiggles off of the Aeolun's knee. "Thankee for the song, lady!" he trills as he scampers off to meet the white Khatta.

Jynx grabs Eve by the paw, and walks over to Gwyneth and Arkold. "Hello, fancy seeing you two here."

Envoy waves to Kamori, and also to Jynx!

Eve pulls free from Jynx, then curtseys. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance!" She still looks a bit uneasily at Arkold, though.

Gwyneth smiles happily, "Feli! Nice to see you again!" she exclaims. She over does the happiness of the greeting, but most of it is in fact genuine.

Jynx blinks. There are a lot of familiar faces here tonight, but none of them are the two he wants to see the most.

Arkold smiles and turns to Jynx and his sister. "Greetings, I'm very happy to see you two again," he says brightly.

"Dear?" whispers the calico Khatta. "I thought … Oh, it must have just been my imagination."

The peacock pokes Jynx's leg. "'Scuse me?"

Jynx turns back to Gwyneth and Arkold, he smiles tiredly, "Nice to see you too. If you don't mind my asking… " He looks around a bit more.

Gwyneth smiles brightly at Eve, "And nice to see you too, Eve!" She bends down slightly, so she is not so big compared to Eve.

Jynx jumps a bit, then looks down at the little Kujaku. "Oh, uh, hi. Can I help you?"

Eve wiggles her nose. "I'm gettin' that funny feeling again, Jynxie!"

Arkold just stands there smiling, happy to see everything seemed to work out so well.

The peacock motions for Jynx to come down closer. He is rather small after all.

Jynx kneels to both the peacock and to Eve. It's easier to talk to them both from this vantage point. "One at a time! First, what is it Eve?"

Eve shrugs and points at the peacock. "I think he wants your attention."

Jynx rolls his eyes, then turns to the peacock, "Yes?"

The peacock nervously takes a couple more licks from his lollipop.

Gwyneth looks over at Arkold, sparing a glance. Feli was going to ask something – but … she waits patiently for Feli to finish with the children.

Arkold glances back at Gwyneth, and waits patiently.

Eve mews to Gwyneth, "We're looking for Mama and Papa. I'd probably find them if I went looking on my own, really."

Jynx gives the little Kujaku a standard apathetic cat face. "Well, I'm down here."

Pointing with the arm holding the lollipop, the peacock points to Eve. "Kin your friend play with me?" he asks. Unfortunately his hand that's holding the lollipop ands up right below Jynx's cheek… which means that the lollipop is now stuck to the Khatta's face.

Eve mews, "He's not my FRIEND … he's my BROTHER!"

Jynx icks! and peels the sucker off his face. "Well, I guess. As long as you don't get lost again Eve! And behave too!"

Eve looks at the hairy lollipop. "Ewwwww!"

Arkold smirks at the sucker, and somehow expected that.

"And keep a lookout for Mom or Dad too," Jynx says, peeling what's left of the lollipop off his face before he stands.

Gwyneth ews inwardly as well.

Kamori looks at his now fuzzy lollipop. He bleahs and sticks it back to Jynx's fur. "It's all hairy now … I don' want it anymore."

Jynx acks! and sighs, glaring at the Kujaku angrily.

Eve covers her mouth … then squeals and giggles uncontrollably.

Jynx . o O(This hasn't been my day, or week, or month, or life for that matter.)

A poodle lady nearby turns her head at Eve's squeal, then looks disapprovingly at the Khattas. "Children! Land's sakes. You should be off to your rooms. Why, if you were MY children… " She continues ranting, nodding her head as she does, an unseemly hat (topped with glass Creens) bobbing on top.

A shar-pei says to Demes as they walk out of the gallery, "And I heard that the amazing Kame Ikata almost made an art piece out of someone! He was standing right here, with his tray piled high with all manners of sauce and condiments… " Unfortunately, her gesture of tray-holding causes a nearby servant's actual tray to topple over and spill directly toward Arkold. "Oh no! Please forgive me – ARKIE!" Suzette.

Arkold tries his best not to laugh… until… SHE shows up.

The Savanite staggers, trying to recover the tray … but … no luck! *CRASH* *SPLAT*

Jynx peels the lollipop off (once again), and turns to Arkold and Gwyneth, only to see Arkold accosted by the shar-pei.

Envoy blinks at the commotion, but doesn't see anyone get hurt.

Suzette looks absolutely mortified as the orange-and-white Khatta looks bemused.

Gwyneth takes a step back as Arkold staggers into her, due to an unfortunate tray accident.

The cheetah then trips right into Jynx … in turn knocking Jynx into the disapproving poodle.

The peacock smiles at Eve. "Wanna play pig-pile? Or hide 'n go squeak?"

Arkold ergs and stumbles, falling on Jynx with a thud.

The poodle shrieks! "Oh dearrrrr!" Her hat falls off, the glass Creens tinkling against each other as it falls.

Jynx falls, arms waving wildly and claws flayed in a desperate attempt at balance.

Eve just watches with wide-eyed fascination.

*CRASH* *TINKLE* The glass Creens shatter against the floor, sending fragments scattering.

Across the room, a gray tabby Khatta stands up. "What is going ON here?" he demands, looking about.

Jynx urgs, and grimaces. "Oh, uh, sorry miss."

Envoy gets up and heads towards the commotion. Broken glass isn't good for people to fall on.

Gwyneth sucks in her breath, everything happening so suddenly – It seems over before it happened.

"MISS?!? MISS?!? Why, of all the impertinent… (GASP!)" The poodle swats at Jynx with a fan.

Demes observes the domino effect. "Fascinating," he murmurs.

Arkold pulls his hat over his head, mumbling, "Let me guess… Suzette?"

Jynx acks, and jumps back from the poodle, "Sorry, sorry! I – " He freezes at the familiar voice…

Suzette looks absolutely stricken at the complete chaos. She begins to sniffle. "Oh no, Arkie! I didn't mean to – I'm so ashamed of myself!"

As Jynx jumps back … he slips in a puddle of the something which was being carried by the Savanite in that tray. Uh oh!

Kamori's tail fans out in surprise!

Envoy ignores the various whines and yells, and just tries to sweep the glass out of the way with a wing.

A golden vixen turns just in time to see a black Khatta tumbling into her. "EEEEEEEEEE!" *crash* *BING!*

Jynx once again tries to regain a sliver of balance, but falls, bellowing out loudly, "DAD?"

The gray tabby halts, his eyes going wide. "It can't be! He … my son? Oh no! She was right … a GHOST?!"

Arkold mumbles up to Suzette, not bothering to get up lest he have something else spilled on him. He mutters to Suzette, "Oh don't cry, this always happens."

Gwyneth quickly checks her own dress to make sure nothing was spilled on it. Only a little gunk. Could be worse with all this chaos! "Whatever happened?"

Envoy glances at Jynx. He seems quite solid to her senses.

Eve decides that there's enough chaos that she won't get in trouble, so she starts howling, "MAMAAAAAAAAAAA!"

Jynx, strewn across the vixen, looks up, "Uh, hi Dad. No, I'm not a ghost yet."

"Well, not always," Suzette says distractedly, while hurrying to Arkold's side to dab at him with a handkerchief. "There was the time I went to Abu Dhabi, and nothing broke all trip… "

The calico Khatta clutches her husband fiercely as she stands. "Dominic! I heard her! Eve! … Over there where everything is falling apart!"

Suzette bursts into tears again. "Oh please, Arkold, tell me you're all right? You aren't broken, are you – er, hurt?"

Envoy sweeps the bits of glass Creens toward the wall.

"Mom?" Jynx yells loudly, hearing his mother's voice.

Dominic rubs at his eyes. "Jynx?" He gingerly steps amongst the puddles and broken glass, reaching for the black Khatta, his hands shaking.

He corrects himself, "Er … FELI!"

The calico gives her husband a stern look.

Jynx looks back to his father, and grins sheepishly, "Hi, Pop." He reaches out to take the offered paw.

Arkold shakes his head and sits up, muttering, "I'm just FINE Suzette… don't cry… "

"MAMA!!!!" The white Khatta kitten dashes through the mess, and clings onto the skirts of the calico. "Mama, we're back!"

Gwyneth takes a few careful steps. Most of the glass is at least swept some – although her hooves would mostly protect her. She looks astonished. "Everyone knows each other."

The gray tabby Khatta pulls his son up from the fallen vixen … and squeezes his hand hard.

Suzette tries to give Arkold a brave smile. "I'll try… " She dabs at his shirt, trying to sponge away the worst of the spill.

Envoy looks up to Gwyneth, "Well, I haven't met Feli's parents yet."

Jynx smiles, with a heavy sigh. "Well, I'm home."

Envoy smiles to Arkold and Suzette. What a cute couple.

The golden vixen gets up now, looking quite angry. She checks herself to make sure she hasn't any stains on her clothes. She does. She simmers.

The calico is weeping openly now, holding Eve … then reaches out for Jynx. "Feli! You're ALIVE!"

Demes whispers to Gwyneth, "No, this doesn't happen often. I wonder if someone has gotten a magician angry at him… or her? Their tempers are quite notorious." He smiles wryly.

Gwyneth looks down toward Envoy, "Hi there, nice to meet you again. Don't feel too bad, I haven't met them either."

Jynx turns and hugs the calico, "Mama!"

Arkold rubs his head and stands up. "I'll have to change… " he says to Suzette, almost absently.

The gray tabby embraces the black Khatta, the white Khatta and the motherly calico in a strong embrace. "First Ones be praised!"

Envoy hmms, and whispers to Gwyneth, "I don't understand why Feli was so reluctant to let his parents know he was alive before."

Suzette says, "Of course, Arkie! I'll take you upstairs and – um, I'd better call a servant to fetch you some dry clothes." She blushes almost cutely, though her wrinkled fur makes it hard to tell.

Jynx just hugs his family, too overjoyed for words.

Eve wriggles free just enough to wipe at her eyes, then start rattling on about EVERYTHING that transpired. "… and then Jynxie rescued me from that nasty Blossom, even though he had lots of broken bits in his heinie from the eeps, and ran all the way … "

Kamori seems to have found a strange perch to watch everything. He sits happily upon the head of a poodle, who is wearing one of those Creen hats, minus the Creens. Apparently the little peacock chick is substituting for the Creens. His tail makes a fancy decoration though.

Gwyneth turns over to Envoy, and speaks in a low tone, "I haven't an idea. I only met Feli last night, and he wasn't too talkative."

Envoy says, "He seems to get into the most remarkable circumstances."

Gwyneth says, "I can see that!"

Envoy smiles to Suzette, and introduces herself as one of Arkold's friends.

Jynx lets his sister get out the tale, then backs up as well. "I cleaned up," he looks to the food and lollipop splattered on him, "but I guess it didn't help much."

Eve, just about out of breath, continues, "And then we went home, but I remembered how to sneak inside, and found the invitation card and … (gasp) Here we are!"

Eve mews happily, "Aren't we all LUCKY?"

*clang* *clatter*

Jynx just laughs, teary eyed. "Couldn't have said it better myself."

Arkold nods to Suzette, "This is Envoy, a dear Exile friend of mine."

The gray tabby lets out a long sigh, as if remembering something, then smiles. "I'm just so glad to see you're both all right."

Suzette takes Envoy's hand, clasping it in her white-gloved hands. "Oh my! Well, any friend of Arkie is a friend of mine," she says with a shar-pei smile. "Arkie meets such an interesting assortment of people."

Even in all the chaos, there's no sign of the peacock host showing up to investigate.

Jynx hugs his parents both again, "So am I, Dad."

Envoy smiles and nods, "Doesn't he though?"

The Khatta father looks around … and at the signs of disturbance. "I think … we had best be heading home. We have much to talk about, I'm sure. I didn't catch half of what Eve said." He leads his family over toward the door.

Arkold looks about, "I think I will go change… You and Envoy should chat. She's… very interesting." And with that he walks off to find some clothes.

Demes whispers to Gwyneth, "Have you heard anyone talking about the state of things with Babel yet?" He twitches his ears, looking around.

Gwyneth flicks an ear, and finishes what was left of her drink. "Bye Arkold!" as he starts walking off.

Jynx leans on his mother, looking very tired and worn. "Can I have my room back?" he asks wearily.

"Ah … As I said, son, we have some things to talk about… " the gray tabby says as he leads his family out the door.

Gwyneth turns over to Demes. "Nobody has said a word. I don't think they want to discuss unpleasantries. I suppose some Eeees would be best informed."

Suzette beams to Arkold. "Of course, Arkie! I'm Suzette. Suzette of House Trafalgar," she introduces herself to Envoy. "And you? With such a lovely dress and elegant bearing, I'm sure you must be a perfect lady!"

Arkold is met by a Savanite who leads him up stairs.

Demes nods to Gwyneth. "Keep your ears up. That's when things are really dangerous… When no one wants to talk about it." He grins, "But don't worry, we aren't out to solve all Rephidim's problems." He wanders off to buttonhole another expensive-looking noble.

Envoy introduces herself, "I am Envoy Lothrhyn, and I am built to very precise parameters, but I'm not perfect."

Suzette looks perplexed. "Built?" Then laughs, hiding her face momentarily behind a gauzy lace fan. "Oh! Your parents must be quite the architects! Perhaps they're the sort that like to plan out every detail of your life, and then they're so disappointed when you don't live up to their expectations… " She natters on, building up a picture of straight-laced and disapproving parents that perhaps says more about her own home situation than about Envoy's.

Gwyneth hmms as Demes walks off. At least he doesn't have unrealistic expectations.

Gwyneth strolls by a couple of Eeee. Oh, to have those ears, so she wouldn't have to get so close to listen to other conversations!

Envoy nods, letting the shar-pei chatter on. She's fascinated by Suzette's life story.

Suzette clasps Envoy's hands again. "Oh, I've only known you for five minutes, and I feel like I've known you forever! We have so many things in common," she exclaims brightly.

Envoy actually seems surprised. "We do?"

"Well of course," Suzette says with a smile. "Don't you feel that your parents try to control your life too much?"

Envoy blinks, then says, "Actually, I miss my … parent's … control. Living on my own is very confusing at times."

Suzette ohs. "Well… " She casts about for another conversational topic, looking up at the room where 'her Arkie' went in. "How long have you known Arkie now?"

Envoy says, "24 days, 19 hours, and 14 minutes."

The shar-pei blinkblinkblinks. "That's… a good amount of time. Isn't he such a caring person, do you think?" Her glances to the door of Arkie's 'changing room' get more frequent.

Envoy blinks. "I suppose so." He certainly takes care of himself, after all.

Envoy says, "He is very polite."

Suzette chatters a bit more, this time about Arkold who, if her tales are to be believed, has served long lonely hours in the Mission in Darkside, tending to the poor, sick and hungry of the Old City area, and though he is unable to admit it publicly for fear of bringing unwanted attention on his family, secretly champions the weak and defenseless. Quite an imagination.

Arkold appears wearing something that looks a bit too small for him, an outfit with puffy sleeves, a large feather hat, and a cape.

Suzette looks up. "Arkie!" She waves up at him happily.

Envoy smiles to Arkold. Not knowing what he does during the day, she has no reason to doubt Suzette's claims.

Arkold walks down the stairs, thinking this outfit is much like the one he saw in the store on that fox. He hears Suzette's voice and groans.

Envoy hmms at the groan. "Maybe he was injured after all," she suggests to Suzette.

Arkold walks up to the two. "No… this… umm… outfit is too small," he grumbles.

Suzette's face crinkles up. (an appalling sight) "Oh! Are you all right?" she says, hurrying to Arkold's side again. She snatches a drink off a tray and proffers it.

The peacock host stumbles into the main room again, wiping at his beak, looking a bit ruffled. He has a couple of lipstick smears on the other side of the beak, which he hasn't gotten to yet. He also looks a bit tipsy.

A couple of poodles whisper "Oh dears" amongst themselves at the sight of the drunken peacock. They start excusing themselves.

Suzette smiles. "Oh! Well, that does happen. Maybe one of the servants can loosen them a little."

Gwyneth makes her way around to where Envoy, Suzette, and Arkold are, "Please excuse me, I have to rest now for an early morning tomorrow. It was a pleasure meeting all of you." She smiles graciously. She'll be glad to leave; all this politeness and insufferable gentility can wear thin after a while.

Vielanika walks up as well. "Yes, and I think it's a bit late … even for me… " She looks meaningfully at Envoy.

Arkold nods to Suzette, trying not to look directly at her, then turns to Gwyneth. "Likewise… we really should chat some other time," he says.

The peacock brushes at his jacket, rubbing off some white fuzz.

Gwyneth grins, "In this small world? I'm sure it'll be soon. Good night!"

Envoy blinks brightly at Vielanika before the implication sinks in, "Oh, I suppose we should be on our way back to the Bards' Guild then… right, Vielanika?"

Demes Oresta bows to the host. "Thank you for a most delightful party. It was quite eventful," he says with a smile. "Perhaps the noted artist Kame Ikata will actually be able to favor us with a masterpiece the next time." He winks. He extends a hand to Gwyneth, offering her an arm. "Ready to go?"

Suzette beams. "We will have to talk more later," she says to Envoy brightly. Her glance toward Arkold reveals what her favorite subject is likely to be.

Vielanika nods to Envoy. "Of course. Ta ta!" She waves to the peacock, and heads out the door. It's almost a domino effect, how others start noticing the time and making their farewells…

Gwyneth smiles, "Yes, I am," and takes Demes arm. "Thank you." She lets him escort her out.

Envoy waves goodnight to Arkold and Suzette as she rushes to keep up with the bat. "Let's get together some time!"

Arkold looks to Suzette, "I must be going too, Suzette… I will see you another time." He waits only a second for a reply.

Suzette nods brightly. "Yes, let's! You can both visit me at my family's manor… "

Envoy whispers to Vielanika on the way out, "This was much more interesting than the last party."

The peacock sees everyone filing out so quickly, and pauses to sniff under his wings. He then covers his beak as he hiccups.