Roho, well-known and well-traveled Zerda healer, is an honored guest of the High Prince, having been brought here after his work in Aelfhem. There were many injured to treat, but – amazingly – there were no fatalities among the Aelfin as a result of the pirate attack.

(No fatalities, that is, unless one counts the Guardian of Seasons – the three-headed dragon slain by a human boy accompanying the Eeee corsairs. Although the Aelfin wouldn't go so far as to ascribe sapience to this beast, it seems that they still consider its death as an act of murder.)

With the capture of the pirates, the trial of the human boy Baddock, the miraculous restoration of many of the sugarfir trees in the Sacred Orchard … and the curious emergence of white "fur trees" in the wake of the path that the giant "Scarlet ball" cut on its rampage toward the village … the Aelfin community calmed down quite a bit, and Roho's work there was done.

Now, he has been treated like visiting royalty in the city-state of Babel, under new leadership since his last visit. The Sabaoth, after all, is long gone, and in his place, the High Prince Boghaz … who hasn't forgotten the little blind fennec who stuck out his neck for the sake of the son of the Sabaoth and his love, Saraizadze.

Roho has been seated at a table with perhaps twenty others, the vast majority of them being bat-like Eeee. (Roho's keen nose can pick up the scents of Savanite servants carrying trays here and there, and there was a mage introduced to him earlier – the Arch-Mentalist Balthazar – who is most assuredly a Naga.)

This is an informal event, so it's largely a matter of guests grabbing from trays as they go past, and eating as they please. Fortunately, there are also quite a few bowls and trays of food set out on the table as well, so that Roho doesn't have to target moving trays of food with his nose and ears.

His nose reports a true feast set out before him … boiled horrib tail (minus the stinger, of course), with butter sauce, for the truly adventurous … and horrib legs for those who are less brave, but patient enough to make use of the cracker tools required to quickly get to the meat … fat grubs gorged from feeding upon yams … a bowl of a candied concoction of bananas and strawberries … pitchers of fruit juice … buckets of ice, chilling small casks of wine … honey-fried locusts … medium-rare Rughrat shish-kabobs … xocholatl-dipped ants … For the truly decadent, one can choose to have dessert first, if one wishes, after all.

There are two male bats reclining on cushions to either side of Roho. By the faint scents of herbs, chalk, oils and wax, they are quite probably mages. The arcane jargon that litters their banter with nearby guests suggests this as well. Through snippets of conversation rather than direct introduction, Roho picks up that the mage to his left is "Arch-Spiritualist Baal-Zimon". The one to his right is "Arch-Healer Baal-Yudaz". Although their fields are apparently not the same, their references to each other suggest that Baal-Zimon is in some way higher ranking than Baal-Yudaz.

Directly across from Roho is seated presumably another bat. This one wears perfume that bears a hint of the scent of sugarfir, and her speech hints at an Aelfin accent – not that Roho has heard very many instances of an Aelfin accent on the language of the Eeee to judge by.

The head of the table – where High Prince Boghaz and his wife Saraizadze sit – is just a couple of places to Roho's left. That would put this Baal-Zimon in a most prestigious location indeed (and Roho in not too bad of a spot, either). Across from Baal-Zimon is seated Grand Vizier Thath – who once served under the Sabaoth, but spoke openly against the raid on Rephidim. Now, he serves the High Prince in his old station.

A Savanite servant refills Roho's cup, while another waves gusts on air on him with a large feather fan.

Roho chews thoughtfully on a de-winged beetle, as he listens to all of the banter around him. It's been a long time since he's been in the bustle of a palace, and it's clear he's both enjoying himself and feeling slightly out of place. He sips from his glass, ears raising in approval at the flavor of the juice.

"… and so, the ancient Ritual of Transference has finally been put to good use, by giving the Water Mage Scarlet a new chance at life," says Baal-Zimon, and it's not clear just with whom he is speaking.

Across the table, the female bat giggles.

Roho's ears swivel towards Baal-Zimon, and he swallows his food. "Lady Scarlet? So, she survived, then?"

This prompts Baal-Zimon to, of all things, laugh heartily.

The female bat giggles as well. "Why, good healer Roho! Yes, I'm quite very much alive, thanks to my savior, the most wonderful Arch-Spiritualist Baal-Zimon … and Arch-Healer Baal-Yudaz."

Hmm. It's obviously not an Aelfin speaking. But the accent is there.

Roho takes a careful sip from his glass. He turns it in his paws, turning towards Scarlet. "Lady Scarlet… I didn't recognize you. Are you well?"

"Oh, yes. They did a wonderful job, don't you think? I mean, given what they had to work with," Scarlet tells Roho. "They gave me a new body. I think it's very pretty. Although I haven't gotten the use back of my magic yet… "

Baal-Yudaz cuts in, "There is a period of readjustment to the new body. It may be a little while before she can use all of her former powers."

Roho lifts his glass for a refill from a passing Savanite. He turns to Scarlet. "What, er, happened to your old body? Did they use it to make your new form?"

Mage Scarlet is quiet for a moment – probably indicating a head shake or a wave of the hand or some other futile gesture. "No. It is a great tragedy, but my old form could not be saved. It was taken back to my homeland to be burned as is according to the traditions of my people," she tells Roho. "The ashes were scattered over the crater, where my son-in-law died bravely defending Aelfhem against the pirates."

"Your son-in-law?" echoes the High Prince. "I had no idea that you lost family in the battle. I offer my condolences."

"Thank you, High Prince Boghaz. You are most gracious. I am grateful that my daughter survived," the Water Mage tells the High Prince.

Roho's glass, meanwhile, is now quite full.

Roho looks a little taken aback. Then whose body did she get? He decides not to ruin the pleasant dinner by asking, as he does have a decent guess as to where they might get one. He sips from his glass. "I'm glad to see you in a better state. I have your staff, if you would like it back; High Prince Boghaz generously found me a new one."

"Oh! Thank you, good sir Roho. I had almost forgotten about that … not needing one myself in the state I was in for a while, you see," the Water Mage tells Roho. "Oh yes. I need to find my magic wand, too, and my potions. Duke Kurai gave me many powerful magical potions, and a magical Wand of 'F', if you remember."

Roho sips again. "I recall the wand. I don't recall where it last was." He adds, "I'll bring you the staff after the banquet; it's in my room."

"Thank you so much, good sir Roho," the Water Mage tells the fennec.

"So," asks Baal-Zimon, seated to Roho's left, "how long have you been acquainted with the good Water Mage, Scarlet?"

Roho answers, "Not for too long. I was taken on just for the recent mission, as the healer. I met her at the start, and again just before the… sphere incident."

"Ah, I see," replies Baal-Zimon. There's a touch of emotion to his voice. Relief?

"So, Mage Scarlet," starts the High Prince, "I understand that you will be taking part in yet another noteworthy ritual soon. After your powers return, of course."

Roho listens to the conversation, taking a few more of the hors d'eouvres bugs.

Baal-Zimon slams a fist against the table. It's not the most impressive gesture, really, seeing that he's only a bat, but it's sudden nonetheless. "Those meddling Rephidimites! That is Ashdod territory, and yet they insist upon taking it upon themselves to repair the damage that … that imbecile Wynona did to the seer's pool! It should be up to us to put things together right!"

Roho sprays a mouthful of the juice, falling backwards off of his cushion as the bat explodes right in his ear. His ears immediately turn a most remarkable shade of red. "Oh! Oh, excuse me!" He sits back down, picking up his napkin to mop it at the table.

A couple of Savanites almost push Roho out of the way, as they rush up to clean at the mess, and a third dabs at a few spatters on Roho.

Water Mage Scarlet exclaims, "Oh my! I … I think I am shocked at this outburst. If you will please excuse me, High Prince Boghaz?"

The High Prince, sounding a bit taken aback himself, says, "At your leisure, Mage Scarlet. Arch-Spiritualist Baal-Zimon, while I appreciate concerns about the sovereignty of Ashdod, I do not think that this is meant as a hostile gesture. The Collegia Esoterica of Rephidim, after all, is politically neutral."

Baal-Zimon is silent at this, though a deferring bow of his head is the likely response at this time.

Roho regains his composure… as he feels the situation defusing. He ventures, "Wynona? I've met her… What happened?"

Baal-Zimon, sounding much more calm now, replies, "Wynona 'Wrong-Way' Windrider used a spell to disturb a magical pool used for gazing into the future and past. Word has it she did it to … " He chokes something back, then continues, "… to fetch a toy out of the water. Her spell disrupted the magically placid waters, making them useless for prognostication."

"Windcaller," butts in Baal-Yudaz. "That's Windcaller."

Roho blinks, "I believe I was there for that incident. Master Za… Zahirinee? Was it his?"

Baal-Zimon nods. "Yes. In any case, Wynona is … that is, her behavior was … most unfortunate."

Water Mage Scarlet can be heard getting up and shuffling away, quietly excusing herself.

Roho takes a sip from his re-filled glass. "I guess the change was very hard for her. She certainly doesn't seem the same as before."

"It will take some time to adjust," says Baal-Zimon. "She has much to adapt to. Two ears instead of four … larger size … lighter bones … wings … an omnivore rather than vegetarian diet … and so many other things less obvious. It will take time. And, really, with such a dramatic change … who is to say that she won't come out different than before, as a natural course of things?"

Roho nods. "There are many things that can permanently change a person. I've never met someone who had their full body changed, but I would imagine that could be the worst of all." He chews slowly on a horrib tail.

"Yes, there are many things that can change a person," agrees the High Prince, "but it's good to see that you are quite the same, Healer Roho. I've long looked forward to your return. It seems entirely appropriate that you'd be coming back on another mercy mission. I do hope that things have gone well in Aelfhem since your return?"

Roho smiles, and bows his head at the Prince Bat. "Thank you, High Prince Boghaz. It is a pleasure to be back in Babel and to see you again. Aelfhem seems to be well. During my time there, I was very impressed with the healer monks they had. I believe we kept anyone from dying." He sips again. "The assistance you have given to the hospital has been most generous; many lives have been saved. How have you fared here?"

The High Prince is quiet for a brief moment, then he says, in a measured voice, "It is difficult to replace my predecessor. Babel is a divided city, as it has always been. Some expect me to be weak, and it is hard to prove them wrong without resorting to the sorts of measures my father would have taken … and which would make me just as bad as he was. But I have one thing he does not … " There is another pause. "I have Saraizadze. And as long as I have her, I will always have hope in a better tomorrow. That will be enough to keep me going."

Roho smiles at Saraizadze. "Indeed. Lady Saraizadze could give hope even to those with none." He tilts his head. "I am sorry to hear there is strife. But I guess that is to be expected after any long rule… People don't like change, even when it is inevitable. They will come to love and trust you as their leader."

"I'll settle for trust," replies the High Prince. Saraizadze is most certainly blushing by now. "As for love … Well, that may be long in coming."

The High Prince changes course. "So, Healer Roho … what plans have you for the future? Are things going well for your clinic in Rephidim?"

Roho smiles and nods. "Very well. I have an assistant, Naomi… She is becoming quite competent. I'm thinking soon, we may be able to branch out a little. It fills a very vital niche in the city."

"Well," continues the High Prince, "what about that … ah … " He snaps his fingers, trying to remember. "That golden vixen friend of yours? Sorry, but I forget the name."

Roho laughs, raising his glass. "Maza! I haven't seen much of her since I was… um… since I left Babel the first time. She journeyed back to Rephidim with me, and that was the last I heard. I've heard rumors of her from time to time, though. She certainly is a one-of-a-kind sort."

High Prince Boghaz sighs. "Ah. A pity. I thought I caught her making eyes at you. But perhaps it was just my imagination. In any case, I hope that your clinic can continue to expand. Now … your help to the Aelfin is most admired in these quarters. You see, it is in the interest of Babel to show that we harbor no ill will toward the Aelfin. There are some who have dared spread rumors that Babel was behind that pirate attack."

Roho chuckles and shakes his head, smiling. "You flatter, High Prince. I am a little old to be catching the eyes of the young vixens, though I appreciate the thought." He swirls his cup, the drink inside whirlpooling. "I am glad to help either of you… If my services help both, then so much the better. I haven't heard these rumors; I only heard that it was pirates."

"Well, the pirates are being dealt with … severely," replies High Prince Boghaz. "In the interests of making it clear that we were involving the Aelfin in the punitive process, we allowed Mage Scarlet to pass sentence upon two of those who had accosted her on the way to a sacred shrine. In her wisdom, she sentenced one to the traditional punishment, while the other was sentenced to five years of slavery."

Roho nods, absently fingering the healing wound in his side from the poison dart. "Yes, I remember. I'm sure Lady Scarlet was fair." He sips, then puts his glass down. "It certainly is good to see her up and moving; we had our doubts for a while. After the dragon stampeded her, she was as bad as I've seen it."

The High Prince nods. "I'm a bit confused as to that part of the story. I understand that somehow she was turned into a spherical being as a result of that incident."

Baal-Zimon sounds like he's about to say something, but then hushes himself.

Roho chuckles softly. "I'm not certain what happened. But I was with the swordskorv, Kensington, and the only thing that was going to keep her from dying right there was a wand she had been carrying. It saved her, but left her in that rather odd form."

The High Prince says, "Ah. This sounds like a most curious device. I heard a little about it. … I'm not sure if I would want such an item in Babel, to be perfectly honest."

Roho chuckles. "Having actually used it, I can only say that it would be best kept out of the hands of anyone. I don't know what happened to it after Scarlet, er, landed."

High Prince Boghaz says, "Aha. I shall be most curious to find out more about this wand, once it is located. Now then, back to the matter at hand… We very much wish to maintain good relations with Aelfhem. To show our gratitude for your help there, as a mere token of our appreciation, perhaps we could grant you some sort of boon to assist you in the running of your clinic. Can you think of anything that might help you in this regard?"

Roho thinks for a moment. "Well, I can't think of anything the clinic needs at the moment. It is amply supplied, and we've hired some new staff." He raises his muzzle. "Perhaps, though, you might put the boon towards the monks in Aelfhem? They were most skillful, but had lost much in the dragon's attack."

"You are ever mindful of others, Healer Roho," replies the High Prince. "It shall be as you request. Now then … " He claps his hands. "Bring on the musicians and the dancers!"

Roho smiles, a slight flush touching his ears. He leans back, sipping at the drink, waiting for the music requested… The music in a Babel celebration is not to be missed!

Of course, the visual aspect is lost upon the fennec, but not the sound. Even though his hearing may not be exactly the same as that of an Eeee, there is still a certain focus one gains from being deprived of other senses, such as sight … and a Zerda's ears are pretty impressive regardless.

The soft shuss of ring anklets worn by the dancers makes a steady rhythm, as they move out to the center stage. The central dancer, though, betrays no sound of steps, but rather of sliding – a Naga dancer. Delilah, no doubt, a well-renowned dancer who was favored in the time of the Sabaoth, and no less under the current reign.

Floral perfumes drift through the air, and, with the shaking of tambourines and rattles, and the light beat of drums providing accompaniment, the sitar players begin their song.

Roho relaxes, enjoying the show, feeling pleasantly full. He accepts a glass of wine from one of the servants.

The chimes of the anklets and coil-bracers move about … and soon it's evident that the dancers are not restricting themselves to a stage to one side, but are rather moving in lines around the table. They rush past like playful Creens, and Roho can feel the sensation of a zolken scarf whisking over his head.

Roho's ears flick, and he smiles merrily at the festivities. He sips at his wine, listening to the casual conversation, listening to the sounds of the dancers and the music, smelling the perfumes and delectable foods…

The scarf seems to hover over Roho for a moment, then swishes back … Two delicate hands rub the scarf up over the fennec's ears.

Roho yikes softly as he gets personal attention! His large ears seem to stick to the scarf a little, from static, and he smiles over at the dancer behind him.

The dancer retreats in a titter, and a swish of coils. "Ah," remarks the previously quiet Grand Vizier Thath. "Doctor Roho, you continue to impress me. You seem to attract so many beautiful ladies – even the fair Delilah."

Roho laughs quietly. "Oh, they're just after me for my ears. They always are… " He smiles at Delilah. "You dance beautifully; I've always admired the Nagai dancers."

"If you'll excuse me," says Baal-Zimon, "I must be checking on Mage Scarlet. There are many continued treatments to see to." There is a silence – probably a nod from the High Prince – and then the Arch-Spiritualist departs. The Arch-Healer does likewise. That leaves cushions vacant to either side of Roho.

Not for long, though. A bat sits down. "It puzzles me," comments Grand Vizier Thath, taking the seat, "that you mix so readily with the powerful, yet you seem to crave no power for yourself."

Roho nods at the Grand Vizier. "I did. I had a rather headstrong youth." He shrugs. "I guess I kind of lost the desire somewhere along the way. It came to seem so unimportant."

"Really?" inquires the Vizier. "And how did that come to happen, do you think?"

Roho smiles and shrugs. "Well, at least for me, power came with politics. There was someone always waiting to take what I might lose." He smiles and holds out his empty hands. "If I have nothing to lose, there is nobody waiting to take."

"Ah," says the Vizier, "but is power only for the holding and taking? Power is meant to be used. Surely you are not so without ambition that power would not still hold at least some appeal to you. Power might be found in more humble things, after all. For instance, you are a healer, and a good one by all reports. But how much better might you serve your patients if you had eyes that could see? Surely such things must occur to you."

Roho chuckles. "Well, you are right. Having some power does allow for one to accomplish more." He sips his wine. "I do have some power. Enough. I have a hospital in Rephidim, which I managed to acquire through my position. But I don't strive for power beyond that which I can use." He smiles. "As for my eyes, I don't know that there's any way that can be helped. I make do."

A series of chimes work from Roho's left to right, as one dancer makes a sweeping gesture, causing bells on her outfit to tinkle, then the next one does likewise, making a wave of motion and sound that sweeps down the line as the earliest rings fade away in its wake.

"An admirable outlook," comments the Vizier.

Roho shakes his head, "Not really… merely a pragmatic one." He smiles. "I just can't handle power as well as others do. So I stick with what I can."

Thath drums his fingers on his chin. "I confess to being curious about what motivates a one such as yourself. You seem so far to be mostly the reactionary … responding to tragedies by providing aid where needed. It is admirable, indeed … but what do you do, when events do not dictate your fate for you? Where does your own will lead you? What challenges interest you? Perhaps medical challenges … things that other doctors have proven unable to handle? Or perhaps which other doctors, being politically aligned, might be unlikely to provide unbiased diagnoses for?"

Roho nods. "I do find myself wishing I could do more than react at times. That was part of the reasoning behind the creation of the hospital. Give people a place to go, as opposed to waiting for me or someone else to find them. As for research… well, it's very difficult to do alone, and none of the colleges on Rephidim would accept one without sight."

Thath is silent for a bit. There's a faint sound in his throat, a faint 'hmmm' of mulling over something thoughtfully.

Roho takes another sip of his wine, listening to the swoosh and jingle of the dancers. A Savanite comes by with a tray full of grub-filled pastries that the fennec detects by smell, and he snags a couple.

Thath offers, "In light of your many services to Babel – and most notably for the High Prince himself – perhaps it would be reasonable for the Babel college of magicians to give you some special consideration. Surely giving you access to their facilities, and expansive resources would not be too much to offer, considering the many benefits that may be yielded by having a benevolent person such as yourself making use of them. And, I might add – without all the tedious holding out of hands for fees that Rephidim's Collegia Esoterica has… "

Roho's eyes widen. "Well. That's a most generous offer. I… I'm not sure what to say just yet." He takes a nervous sip of his wine, thinking about this. Access to research facilities!

"You see," continues Thath, "of all the doctors I have met, you are the one who strikes me as the most trustworthy."

Roho tilts his head. "That's indeed an honorable description. I try to be… I won't lie to a patient in order to get their money, as some do." He looks curious. "Is there anything in particular you had in mind for me to investigate?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact," answers Thath, "though it is a somewhat delicate matter. It would be best discussed in a more private setting. But does the possibility interest you?"

Roho nods. "Yes. It does. It's at least definitely worth discussing further."

"Good," answers Thath. He gets up to leave. "We'll talk about this more, at a better time. Until then … please, enjoy the hospitality of the High Prince, as an honored guest."

Roho smiles, and raises his glass to both Thath and Boghaz. "I shall… Your hospitality is most generous!" He grins, and adds, "And I find few people but you who appreciate the taste of insects as much as I do."

Thath says, "Until later," and then slips off, leaving Roho to enjoy the remainder of the performance.

Roho relaxes into the cushions. Great food. Great drink. Great company. And now a job offer? I really ought to spend more time here. He smiles as a dancer drifts by, and pops a pastry into his mouth.