(OOC) Fri Mar 13 1998 02:42 PM by "Malachi" at "Holodeck -->

Amazingly, things went almost according to plan. Well, except for the Blood Flies that swarmed the boat because of the sandwich that Jynx had forgotten he'd left in his knapsack, and they all had to dive into the water to escape them and spend the night shivering on the bank, and then there was the piranataur that they disturbed and … well … it was an eventful trip, but they made it back to the City alive and unmaimed.

Back in the City of Hands, Jynx has returned, and his escorts have quickly dispersed. It's as if they think he's some sort of … of … JYNX or something, and want to get away from him as soon as possible. Who would have thought such a thing?

Life seems to be pretty normal so far back in the City. Two Savanite girls are down doing wash by the river, like so many others – these being Setting-Sun and First-Dawn. Some Savanite workers are building more permanent structures for the increased population of the city. Jynx gets a few strange looks, but he's allowed to pass without question.

Itching from bites and gazing around nervously at the stares he gets, Jynx slowly makes his way towards Third-Eye's place. He has quite a bit to tell her, and he hopes that the news of Zoltan's being in Safar might cheer her up a bit.

Third-Eye still has the same stone manor as the one she had during Jynx's first visit to the City of Hands. From the outside, it's a fairly plain affair, so far as the stone goes … but there's a certain beauty to the way the flowered vines creep across the weathered surfaces, broken statuary poking up from the remnants of the jungle that have not yet been – and might never be – cleared away entirely.

There are no guards at the door, no servants to take Jynx's coat (if he had one), or any such pretense.

The Khatta looks at the manor strangely. He's never even been near it before, and he would have guessed that someone with Third-Eye's level of importance would at least have a guard or two outside. Quickly he walks up to the door and peers in nervously, "H-Hello?"

Inside the open doorway, Jynx can see only pitch blackness. Even the ambient light from outside comes to an abrupt halt a few inches inside the walls.

Jynx grimaces; this is worse than the store room in the back of the pottery shop! Carefully, and on tiptoes, the young cat walks inside, hoping his eyes will adjust to the room's interior, "H-Hello? Miss Third-Eye? Anyone home?"

His vision doesn't adjust. He's lost in utter blackness. Utter blackness … save for a single point of light that he can dimly see, several feet away.

( Great, I've gone blind! Wait, what's that? ) The Khatta makes his way towards the small light, paws held out in front, feeling around like a drunk Kavi, "I-I'm back! Hello?"

At last, the darkness recedes, and Jynx finds himself standing on a stone catwalk – without rails – in a large stone chamber lit by a crystalline window set in the ceiling. The walls are hidden in shadow … as is the floor that disappears far below. The catwalk leads to a pillar that rises from the blackness, upon which is supported a platform that contains Jezebel – Third-Eye – who reclines amidst a pile of cushions, with books, short tables and knickknacks arranged about the platform … not out of place, but just arranged upon stands in a fashion that SUGGESTS randomness, even if carefully placed with all deliberation.

Jezebel looks up from one of the tomes she studies, her third eye unconcealed, and glowing faintly. She nods at Jynx, and motions for him to approach.

"Hi- ACK!" The Khatta stands stock still as his sight returns and the 'height' of his situation is revealed. Slowly and carefully (and a bit goofily), the Khatta walks forward to the pillar, looking as though he were on a balance beam. Finally, he reaches the pillar and heaves a large sigh of relief. "I-I'm back from Safar, and I have a few things to tell you."

Jezebel nods, and gestures to some soft-looking cushions presumably to sit upon.

Gladly, Jynx makes his way over and plops down on the cushions. With a glance around, he looks back to Jezebel, and makes an attempt at breaking the tension (or at least his tension). "Uh, nice place you have here, very… dark."

Jezebel smiles politely. Her ears don't move.

Jynx gulps, was that a favorable reaction, or is she just humoring him? "A-Anyways, I suppose you'd like to hear what I learned." The Khatta gets comfortable on the cushions, wrapping his tail around his feet. "To be honest, I only learned a little, but I did run into a few people you might be familiar with." The Khatta looks at the Cheetah hesitantly.

Jezebel gives Jynx a 'go on' nod.

"One of the people I met was Bassai, the Naga director of Savanite Affairs," Jynx's eyes get wide, "Did you know that they've freed all the slaves in the Empire? It seems to have caused quite a bit of uproar, and isn't too popular. Most of the slavers are selling them off in Rephidim as fast as they can, so they can still keep a profit. Also," the Khatta winces a bit at the next part, "he was looking for the Shadow's Hand, he wants to question those aboard. He might have suspected that I was on it."

Jezebel frowns and nods. "I have heard of the changes in the Empire. It is not quite as you have said. I shall try to explain, to the best of my knowledge… "

Jynx blinks, he must have listened wrong, but then again he was so mad at the time.

"They have declared that all Savanites born from the time of the declaration in the Nagai Empire will be considered to have rights equivalent to the Jingai. They have also determined that owners may voluntarily free their slaves if they choose," Jezebel signs. "Furthermore, all 'wild' Savanites may be considered free in the Nagai Empire, again, with rights equivalent to the Jingai. It is momentous, indeed. But 'free' Savanites must be registered, and must bear a tattoo or identifying jewelry."

The Khatta frowns, "I still didn't trust that snake, he used to have slaves of his own. And I have the feeling that he's getting something out of this for his own gain. He was also pushy about the Shadow's Hand, but I kept my mouth shut."

Jezebel nods. "It is good you told him nothing. I do not know his motives. I suspect he may know something of the City of Hands, and wishes to be in a good position when we announce our presence to the world."

"Saving his own tail," mutters Jynx. The Khatta shakes his head, and his expression brightens slightly, "There were two others I met there too, and I'm sure you'll be glad to hear about them."

Jezebel signs, "Please tell?"

The Khatta grins, "Zoltan Cambio was there too! I talked to him, and he really misses you. He's been through a lot. He had this Savanite with him, I think her name was 'Star'… "

Jezebel smiles. "They were in good health?"

"They seemed fine, but Zoltan seemed tired," The Khatta frowns, "He said something about the Eeee having a super weapon, and that Himar was completely destroyed, I wasn't sure what he meant, but he had this white crystal-like stripe down his chest." Jynx traces a line down his body indicating where the stripe was. "I tried to get him to come back with me and see you, but he wouldn't. He seemed extremely shocked when I told him about Jade-Eyes, and starting going on about how he would sacrifice himself to the People to make them learn." The cat shrugs.

Jezebel's smile quickly fades. She shakes her head and signs, "A super weapon? The Himar destroyed? I must see the Twelve-times-Twelve about this… but … he shouldn't talk about sacrificing himself. This is my problem. The people are divided. It is my duty to unify them. If I cannot weather this first test, then I am unfit to lead."

Jezebel pauses, then adds, "Was 'Star' all right? Her true name is Moon-Brow, though it is good not to sign her name to anyone outside ourselves. She is my sister. Yes, another one."

Jynx blinks, "I thought you were done with tests? Moon-Brow? She seemed alright to me, except she ran off when we had to leave. Zoltan said he'd look for her." He looks worriedly at the Cheetah, "I-I haven't caused you any pain, have I? I-I didn't mean to… "

Jezebel shakes her head. "No. You have done well. You have shown yet again that you can be trusted. For your sake, and that of those you care about, this is good. I have changed much since… " She uses a sign in the phonetic, which Jynx hasn't yet had time to fully master yet. "… began his travels with me. I wanted vengeance against all Sinai."

The Khatta winces slightly at this. "Zoltan said he is going back to Rephidim, since the Babelites are pushing their way there. He said that they have other weapons too, something called 'Plaguebringers'."

"I do not know of what he speaks," Jezebel signs in response. "As for the matter of trust, there is division among the people. Some yearn for vengeance. Many expect the return of the old Empire. This could not happen without displacing the nations of the present. In short, we would be at war with all of Sinai. Even if I had the power, I could not justify that. Not now that I know better."

Jynx sets his ears back, "That would leave me in a tricky situation too." The Khatta remembers his family back on Rephidim, "It seems most of the People here don't like me anymore, now that they know I'm not one of them." The Khatta sighs.

Jezebel shakes her head. "It is not that simple. People do not like surprises."

"Then I must have been quite a surprise" Jynx signs. "I've also seen more here than I probably should have, if I go back to Rephidim, they might arrest me, or something like that." The Khatta looks at Jezebel, "What are you going to do? Especially now that Jade-Eyes has shown up?"

Jezebel signs, "I see no reason why you would be arrested, unless you go about proclaiming all you have seen in the City. Indeed … you had no chance to say good-bye. Have you any friends or family who might worry about you?" She seems to be evading the question about just what she plans to do.

"My parents and my sister," the Khatta sighs, "If they even noticed I was gone that is. Dominic has probably sold off all of my clothes by now." He looks back up, "Even if I don't get arrested, chances are Rephidim will be attacked, and I worry about them sometimes."

Jezebel frowns and nods. "Do you wish to return? It would not be easy, but I am sure we can arrange something. You are welcome to stay – you have earned your place here – but this is a time of trouble."

"I-I don't know… I worry about my family, but I enjoy being here," Jynx grimaces, "or at least I did… but still, it seems like a time of trouble no matter where I go, with the war and all. I suppose I could do more here than I could back home, all I ever did there was end up in the sewer."

Jezebel raises an eyebrow. "The sewer?"

Jynx shakes his head, "It's along story, one that's probably better left alone." The cat cracks a small smile. "It is how I first met Moon-Brow though, even though I didn't know at the time."

The Khatta looks curious, "Why can't you speak her name around here? Did she do something?"

Jezebel squints her eyes, then nods. "She was on the underside of the sky island for a while. With your reputation, I think I can see where this is going." This time, her ears actually wiggle … briefly … but stop at Jynx's next question.

Jynx's ears blush at the 'reputation' remark.

"I think you misunderstand me," Jezebel signs. "I just mean that her name should not be signed amongst those who consider her a slave. Her name, after all, speaks of her mark … just as 'Third-Eye' speaks of mine."

"There are certain of the outsiders who know enough about Marks to consider them reason enough to slay a slave. As you have observed, Savanites can use magic – but through dance, not word. However, it is signed that of Savanites, only those who bear a Mark can use magic. Only those born on the surface are ever Marked." She points at her blind third eye. "This is a Mark. A deformity, truth be told."

"It is not inclusive. Just because one has a Mark does not mean one can use magic. But in countless tribes, having a Mark is cause enough to make one a Shaman," Jezebel adds. Her sign for 'Savanite' used here is not the phonetic, but a sign that appears to apply to the Savanites, while not the same as for 'People'.

The Khatta shudders at the mention of the strange eye, he was never sure if it was real or just for effect. "We never owned slaves, so I wouldn't have known that. Is that one shaman I met by the river able to use magic, or is he just a fake?"

"Creen-Blood? He is no fake. He has primitive schooling, a great deal of his rituals being his own invention, but his powers are real. It is because of disturbing his ritual of scrying – and scrying for what, I do not know – that your 'disguise' wavered so that your true form could be seen," Jezebel explains.

Jezebel adds, "Most supposed it was just a strange magical effect, though, and did not realize that you were a black Khatta."

"Well, that explains my quick change then." Jynx looks a bit nervous at his next question, "What are the People saying about me now that they know what I am? Some of my friends won't talk to me now, that's one reason I agreed to go on the trip to Safar."

Jezebel signs, "You will have to see for yourself. You are an enigma. Many are not sure what to think of you. Some distrust you, but there are many who nonetheless admire you." She then unexpectedly reaches forward and ruffles Jynx's headfur, messing it all up! She leans back, signing, "I find you amusing … and kind of cute." She winks.

The Khatta smiles with a cringe as his hair is playfully attacked, and his ears go bright red. "Th-Thank you… " he says embarrassedly. The question still on his mind is what Jezebel intends to do about all the chaos going on, and his face shows it, but he refrains from asking. "Well, if you don't need me anymore, then I guess… "

Jezebel signs, "I haven't forgotten my end of the bargain. Enjoy your dinner." She smiles.

Jynx brightens up, "Oh yeah! I had forgotten about that! Where do I go?" He looks around, almost expecting it to be in this room.

Jezebel points back to the catwalk, then signs, "Right where you usually get your dinner."

"Oh! Well, yeah, that would make sense… " The cat jumps up from his seat, and his stomach grumbles as if one cue. "Bye! If you need my help again, you know where to find me!" The Khatta runs off the pillar, then slows down as he gets back on the catwalk. Just before he goes off into the darkness, he gives one final wave, then plunges in.