"Mourning shawls! Don't let the Captain-Astromancer pass by without showing due respect! Get your mourning shawls!" an entrepreneur barks out.

At one side of the street, one "booth" is really more of a grandstand, rising a bit off of the street, and housing a number of nobles who watch with scope and spyglasses for a sign of the procession.

Jynx walks along the streets, extra nervous today. With all these nobles out, there's got to be a Templar or two, and one of them may be… her. Jynx shudders at the thought.

Several booths sell trinkets and medallions emblazoned with a symbol that, in another world, would strongly resemble the "Eye of Horus". Here, its meaning is obscure, although it is weighted heavily with tradition.

*clackclackclackclack* Somewhere down the street, a steady staccato echoes off of the buildings, signifying something noisy that is slowly approaching.

Envoy sits perched in one of the windows of an abandoned building, watching the crowds. She's wearing a trenchcoat and hat that hide her features from any of the wandering circus people.

Lovelace blinks in the bright sunshine as he steps out into the street, followed closely by Ignaaz, the family butler. Ignaaz carries a small vial and several handkerchiefs with a great deal of care as though Lovelace's mother has entrusted the butler with something precious.

Jynx decides to stop and rest for a bit, and watches the procession.

Lovelace moans lightly and puts his hands against his ears. "It's so noisy," he says in an undertone. Ignaaz solicitously offers the bottle of medicine. "You've been very sick, sir," he says soothingly. "Perhaps if you sat down for a bit, sir, you might feel better?"

Slowly, a large, wheeled monstrosity rolls into view, bearing a large gong on its face, emblazoned with the Eye. A raccoon in grease-stained robes stands next to it, wielding a ridiculously large wrench. All about him, technopriests mill about the wheeled contraption, constantly fiddling with it, dodging about. The device is being pulled by several Dromodons in colorful caparisons.

Jynx wrinkles his nose. He always hated the smell of oil.

Arkold watches from the stands with his own eyeglass, though the procession is not all he is looking for. Perhaps some rich noble will leave the stands, he hopes.

The raccoon smashes the huge metal (!) disc with the wrench, resulting in a resounding gong that reverberates through the street. A vulpine merchant shrieks as a stack of glasses begins to vibrate and then shatters.

Lovelace looks at the wheeled monstrosity, hoping that it's a hallucination of some sort. A glance at Ignaaz's face tells him that it's unfortunately real. He points to a nearby inn courtyard. "Maybe they have a nice deep cellar I can hide in till the noise goes away." He totters toward the darkness that beckons with soft arms.

Envoy blinks at the Eye symbol.

Jynx clasps his paws to his ears. o O(Ack, that's loud!) He moves on down the street, to get away from the parade and to look for some interesting stuff to buy. Maybe as a peace offering to Dad.

Lovelace totters into the inn. "Sparkling mineral water," he gasps with a last feeble effort as he collapses on a stool. "Parry-air, if you have it."

As the wheeled contraption rolls along, it clatters. Those with proper education might recognize steam engines on it … but evidently they are not quite in working order to the point of this contraption being able to move under its own power. (Hence the Dromodons… ) Maybe THAT'S why Keeper of the Secrets Nuttenboltschen – the technopriest raccoon – looks so annoyed, and grumbles constantly.

Lovelace says, "Or a muffler… or a Jar of Silence… or maybe just a deep well."

"WAX! GET YOUR WAX! SAVE YOUR EARDRUMS!" shrieks an Eeee vendor, as the tumult approaches.

Lovelace says, "AAAAAA!"

Jynx eeps! That's quite enough of this; he decides to look for the first inside type place he can find, and fast.

The gong-wagon and its team of Dromodons clatters by, every window (that is, every unbroken glass one, in this part of town) rattling violently. Fortunately, none of them break, and they settle down again as the wagon rolls on past. Yes, that should serve nicely to let everyone know the funeral procession is on its way.

Lovelace waves feebly for Ignaaz. "Please. Buy me enough wax to … cover my head. I think that will do," he moans and flips a coin to the butler. Ignaaz starts to bite it and freezes as the bloodshot eye of his master falls on him. "Very good sir," he mutters and scoots, leaving Lovelace with his head in his hands, wondering if he should pray for death.

Arkold nearly drops his eyeglass at the terrible noise, even up in the stands where he is it is still really loud. He lowers his ears in discomfort and hopes this was worth the noise.

Jynx spies an inn just down the way. He runs over to it, weaving through the crowd as fast as he can to escape the noise, then darts inside.

Lovelace waves feebly at a passing barmaid. "I don't suppose you have any arsenic or hemlock in stock?"

Lovelace says, "Strychnine would do. Or whatever it is that smells like bitter almonds."

The wagon rolls away, leaving many ringing ears, and a few bits of broken glass in its wake.

Finally, it stopped! Jynx heaves a sigh and takes a look around the inn. Not a bad place, might as well get something to drink while he's here.

Arkold rubs his ears and mutters something about the noise to the noble next to him.

A procession of Temple guards follows next, though at a good distance behind the gong wagon. A respectful distance, of course.

Lovelace leans on the bar. The world is a terribly unsympathetic place to poodles in need of a friendly inhumation. He sighs as someone brings him a glass of plain water.

The noble next to Arkold doesn't seem to hear him. He's still in a state of shock.

Jynx gets a glass of water, and pads to the door to watch the rest of the parade. Oh no, look what's next…

Lovelace burbles into his water.

Jynx quickly eyes all hiding places, after all, the Templars haven't exactly been the highest people on his list lately.

Arkold decides he needs something to eat, or drink… just something that could get rid of his headache. He makes his way out of the booth.

A barmaid says loudly to Lovelace, "You said you want a WHAAAAT?"

After the guards comes … Oh! Look! The Knights Templar! One doesn't see quite so many of them in any one place at a time.

Lovelace flinches. "Ummm Perry-air."

Lovelace says, "And a nice muffler for the gentlemen in armor."

The barmaid says, "Don't have any of that. Will grog do?"

Jynx shudders, he doesn't want to see so many at one time. He ducks back into the bar.

Lovelace says, "Grog. Yes. Enough to make me groggy."

Envoy climbs down from her perch, and begins to make her way through the crowd towards the procession.

The barmaid smiles. "Will do!" She clacks a mug onto the table and pours some foul-looking liquid into it.

Jynx takes a seat next to a poodle and a wolf. Not that canids are his favorite type of people, but right now he's not one to be picky.

As the knights go past, one can't help but to notice the Lance with the Magenta cloaks. After all, that color DOES stand out rather brightly, and so does that shiny white armor.

Jynx, watching from deep inside the bar, can still pick out that now wretched color. He cringes a bit, trying to look inconspicuous.

Lovelace eyes the liquid, wondering if he should have asked for a cup of hensbane instead. The eye-blinding choice of colors on the marching troops does nothing for his head or stomach and he fantasizes for a moment somehow becoming head of the Temple and forcing them all to wear padded undies and learn to walk quietly.

After the Temple warriors have passed, next comes another gap, and then members of the Priesthood, waving censers about, from which billow clouds of incense.

Envoy tries to work closer to the noisy carriage, sparing a few glances at the Knights when she has a clear view.

Lovelace tries some of the grog. It tastes worse than it looks.

Lovelace holds a perfumed handkerchief in front of his nose. "What is that SMELL?"

Arkold stumbles out of the booth and through the crowd still holding one ear. After short walk through excited spectators he comes across an inn, not feeling picky and thinking it best to avoid the smoke from those censors, he steps inside.

Jynx whews, they're gone. This call for a drink! Jynx turns to the barkeep, and with a grin orders a beer (even though he is a bit young and not a drinker).

Oddly, nobody seems to be impeding Envoy's progress. Perhaps nobody is particularly worried about someone stealing the gong…

Jynx looks at the poodle. (Hmmm, what a priss, must smell himself.)

Lovelace has another drink. Maybe the vile stuff will put him out of his misery soon. It certainly is an improvement over the medicine that his mother and the doctors have been feeding him.

A hush falls over the crowd (or maybe they're all just still deaf) as a great gilded wagon rolls by. Through glass panels can be vaguely seen the form of the Captain-Astromancer … or at least, he's probably somewhere underneath all that gold-plated and bejeweled ornamentation.

Envoy looks over the carriage at closer range, confident that her clothing will not give her away to the technopriests.

Lovelace takes a long, slow drink of his glass. He eyes the carriage and then very quietly thumbs his nose at the passing figure of the Captain-Astromancer.

The gong-wagon appears to have some intent at mechanical function, though it is a particularly complex device with components which evidence a great deal of wear and corrosion, despite attempts to polish.

Arkold looks around for a moment while getting a whiff of those censors… ugh… noise and incense… He proceeds to the bar, perhaps some fine drink will make this slightly more bearable.

Lovelace says, "Good grog. Can I have shmore?"

Jynx watches the rest of the procession glide by. Looks like the big guy finally came out. Wonder why?

Not finding anything recognizable in the machinery, Envoy waits for the rest of the procession to pass.

As the smoke clears, there comes the sound of a mournful dirge being played by the Temple Chorus and Musicians.

Envoy blinks in surprise at the appearance of Temple Bards!

Jynx aughs, and claps his paws to his ears once again. That music is almost as bad as the gong! Worse even!

Lovelace mutters. "Oh lovely. The Extra-Long-Dirge-In-Almost-Unsignable-Key March. One of my favorites. What happened to the elephant horn solo, I wonder?"

Lovelace says, "And the tubular timpani, too."

Lovelace says, "I wonder where Ignaaz and the wax went."

Arkold watches the Captain Astromancer's carriage… all that gold…

Jynx nods absentmindedly with the mutter. Even if he is a poodle, he seems to know what's bad.

Lovelace says, "I say, bartender, do you have any spare towels or padding? I'd like to get my ears properly muffled before the bards start playing the bane-bagpipes."

Envoy thinks, . o { Maybe they aren't Bards. They're moving around and they don't have big hats. }

Jynx yawns, he's spent enough time in the bar. Time to go back out.

Arkold shakes his head, he can always catch up with the carriage latter… Right now he needs a drink. He reaches the bar and questions the bartender on their drink selection.

Envoy watches the funeral wagon with mild curiosity, wondering why a dead person would want to ride in such a thing.

The bartender answers, matter of factly, "Grog. And water. The grog is cleaner."

Lovelace mutters, "I'll drink to that," … and does.

Envoy purses her lips, and also decides not to ask the Templars about what they plan to do with the Captain-Astromancer's brain…

Arkold hufs, "Grog, is that it?" he seems rather annoyed.

Now that its safe to leave, since the knights are gone, Jynx walks and stands in front of the bar, trying to decide where to go next.

Following the procession are… Lots more carriages and well-dressed (and not so well dressed) people! These must be the mourners, who are making a public spectacle of their grief just so that everyone is well aware how sincere they are in their despair and agony; there are several humans wailing away like banshees (and splashing water on their face occasionally for that teary-faced look), and a poodle in an open Dromodon-carriage passes weeping openly, wailing, "Oh, alack, alas, whatever will we do without… LOVELACE!"

Yes, there's that very familiar voice. One that penetrates right through Lovelace's grog-sodden brain.

Jynx chuckles, what kind of name is 'Lovelace'?

Lovelace flinches.

Envoy turns to look at the mourner. She knows a Lovelace…

The street is much more calm now, that the musicians have passed. That leaves only the Savanite servants to clean up after the Dromodons. Still, the procession is moving along just down the street.

Lovelace slides off the barstool and slips behind the bar. He tries to imitate a very pallid plant.

Arkold hmms, Lovelace… doesn't ring a bell. Ugh, bells…

The poodle yells insistently at her servants to stop the carriage, while other mourners passing by start to pack behind her and try to dribble beside the carriage. A minor traffic jam is starting…

Lovelace looks around for an escape route. It's a pity he left his disguises in his other trousseau.

Jynx looks around, trying to ignore the annoying death parade, and sees a familiar face. o O(Envoy!)

Arkold decides no headache is worth drinking grog and walks out of the bar and down the street hoping the procession hasn't gone to far that he can't catch up.

Lovelace spots Arkold leaving and crouches behind him, trying to keep Arkold's bulk between his own slender body and the beady eyes of Dearest Mama.

Envoy watches the traffic jam, trying to figure out the significance of the supposed ritual. Her hat brim is tilted far enough back to show her face.

The poodle matron, dressed all in white and wearing numerous golden necklaces about her neck, including one bearing the ominous staring Eye, steps out with two fox guards and stalks to the tavern. "LOVELACE!" she shouts in just that right tone of voice to set the shards of glass that used to be cups to trembling. Her beady black eyes move slowly around the tavern…

Jynx tries to find a way to get to the aeolun, the first friendly face he's seen in a long time.

Lovelace tiptoes around to the back of Dear Mama's carriage. If she'll just keep staring in the tavern for a few seconds longer, he can lose himself in the crowd.

Envoy begins to follow the matronly poodle.

Arkold peers behind him… he could have sworn someone was following him.

Lovelace mutters, "Oh gods. She's got a bottle of Medicine in her hands!"

Unfortunately… The back of Dear Mama's carriage is currently very packed with several noble hounds and Jupani insisting that they have the right of way. "Ah! But my family was raised to the nobility two generations before yours – what are you doing here, you upstart? Have some respect for your betters," a haughty-looking Scottish terrier snaps as the poodle tries to edge through.

Jynx hmmms – Who's that Envoy's tailing? He shrugs, no matter.

Some Dromodons whinny as one thumps against the other's side, trying to push past into the procession. Drivers yell, "Move that thing!"

Envoy pauses near the abandoned carriage, now that she sees the poodle is only heading towards a tavern.

"Move it where?" Envoy asks the driver.

Lovelace looks around and spots the wolf. He hurries after Arkold, pulling the gold cloak-hood over his head. Maybe he can look like someone else.

Arkold continues walks having no idea this Lovelace that woman keeps calling after is right behind him.

Envoy blinks at the scurrying figure, and waves her hat, "Hey, Lovelace!"

Jynx finally sneaks up behind the aeolun, and taps her on the shoulder. "Hiya!"

The driver explains to Envoy (and not very politely) that the lady's carriage presents an obstruction to efficient traffic and threatens to hold up the mourners for miles, and that if it is not removed from the road quickly, he just might order his Dromodons to trample it under. Lovelace's mother's driver, meanwhile, calls back that he had better not, or he'll see how his look improves when he's eating his hat.

Lovelace's mother, the poodle matron, snaps her head around at the call. "Looovelace?" she yells at the crowd, trying to locate who was calling to whom.

Envoy says, "Hello Feli! Isn't this all interesting?"

Lovelace skitters a bit faster, fear making his head feel a lot better for the moment. He trails along after the wolf, trying to look like a servitor of some sort.

Jynx puts a finger in his ear to get it to work better. "Well, that's one word you could use, I guess."

More nobles brush by Arkold, and… oh no! There's Suzette, that pug-nosed sharpei who keeps trying to get Arkold to notice her! She wears mourning whites and is presently sobbing into a handkerchief, which she occasionally dips into a pail carried by a servant to keep it properly damp.

Envoy watches Lovelace follow Arkold, and wonders why he's got his cloak over his head like that.

Arkold stops head in his tracks as the calls for this Lovelace seem to be directed at him, he turns just enough to run right into the figure behind him.

Jynx follows Envoy's gaze. "Who you looking for?"

Lovelace says, "Whuf!"

Lovelace rebounds from the wolf. "Uhmm… sorry sir. Didn't see where I was going."

Arkold oofs staggering back, he says dazed, "Umm… I don't suppose you know why people are calling the name Lovelace to me?"

The poodle mother bellows, "Loooovelace! If you don't get down here right this minute, I'm going to marry you to that girl Callie in Elamoore, see if I don't!" She stalks in that direction, brushing aside lesser nobles and servants. Right toward… Envoy and Jynx and Arkold and that cloaked figure attempting to hide.

There's an insistent tug on Jynx's tail. And another. In quick succession. Hmm. Isn't that familiar?

Lovelace says, "No. Absolutely not. Never heard of a Lovelace in my entire life. Mistaken identity. Accidental doppleganger. I think I need to see a collie about a flea collar."

Envoy watches Lovelace's tail. It's definitely the tail she remembers, so this MUST be Lovelace…

Lovelace scurries around the corner. Maybe he can pretend like he was at home all the time and languishing in the attic with his brother.

Jynx yipes atta sudden pain. He knows that tug.

Arkold notices Suzette and acks, "Oh no… first noise, then censers… now HER!" he sees the figure that was following him dart of and decides that may be a good idea, and follows him.

Jynx turns around, face already prepared in anger for… Eve. "What are you doing here? You might get hurt!"

Suzette, in a dress of platinum-white zolk and wearing a black eye on a necklace, looks up in surprise at the commotion. "Arkie!" she exclaims happily, then claps her hand over her mouth, realizing that happy tones aren't appropriate to a mourning procession. "Why aren't you dressed for the funeral? And where have you been all day? I've been – " She looks around for Arkold through the crowd.

A little white kitten smiles up at Jynx. "Not with my big BROTHER around to protect me!" She holds her arms out as if expecting Jynx to pick her up. Of course, she knows quite well she's far too big for that. But she generally acts younger than she is. After all, she looks cute, she knows it, and she monopolizes on it at very chance. What fun!

" – looking for you!" Lovelace's mother finishes as she stalks after Lovelace, as implacable as a Zelak on the hunt. "I know you're trying to hide from me, and it won't work this time, you can't fool your mother!" Meanwhile, the traffic jam of people gets ever more thicker and crowded…

The sounds of "ARKIE!" being belted out in a glass-splintering soprano behind him do not reassure Lovelace. It's not a term of endearment he's familiar with… or wishes to become familiar with. He sprints toward another alley, one that looks peaceful and dark and that heads (more or less) back towards home.

Envoy notices Eve now, and overhears the big brother comment. "Is this your sister, Feli?"

Lovelace forces his way through a knot of nobles.

Jynx grabs his little sister in the usual ear grab. "No, I'm NOT going to hold you, you're ten years old for crying out loud! Now get off the street, follow Envoy and me."

Eve yowls, arms flailing about. She doesn't have her "dolly" with her today. Maybe the Jupani DID eat it…

Jynx nods to Envoy. "Unfortunately yes." He glares at his little sister.

Arkold looks back, then to the figure running off… he decides he can catch up with the procession later, or never just as long as he doesn't have to talk to HER. He runs off after the figure hoping he is going to hide as well.

"Hey! Look where you're going – aha! Lovelace, you young rapscallion," the Scottish terrier yelps. "I thought I knew that face with the perpetual 'I'm being hounded' look about the eyes. Now where are you going in such a hurry, eh? Don't you know it's an obligation of your family to be in the procession?" This unfortunately draws Lovelace's mother's attention…

Envoy says, "The traffic may soon realize they can go through the crowd to avoid the stalled coach… "

Jynx nods. "Which is why we need to get off the street."

Lovelace does a quick right turn into a rather trash-filled alley. It's not his usual choice of afternoon garden paths. He can hear footsteps pounding behind him. The thought of his mother's medicine makes him run harder. It's another 2 blocks to the garden hedge!

Eve notices Envoy's attention and smiles brightly to her, suddenly oblivious to her ear being yanked. "Hello! I'm Eve! And this is my big brother. He's mean to me, but I love him anyway!"

Jynx's ears go red.

Jynx gets a sudden thought, and ducks "Mom and Dad aren't with you, are they?"

Envoy smiles to the girl, "That's nice."

Just at that moment, however, the driver behind Lovelace's mother's carriage gets impatient and orders his Dromodons to continue moving, right into the carriage. As Lovelace's mother turns about, she screams, "Ahhh! My expensive new carriage! You vermites, what are you doing," and then calls back, "I'll deal with you later, Lovelace. This is a complete disgrace to us all!" She hurries back to scream loudly at the driver crunching the pile of wood scraps beneath his Dromodon's feet.

Eve says, "They were, but I saw you, and wanted to see how you were! You're still not dead, right?"

Jynx sighs. "No, but I might be if Dad catches me! C'mon, let's get out of here." He motions for Envoy to follow him to the sidewalk.

Lovelace reaches the alley's mouth and makes a quick left. The footsteps are still behind him as he bolts for the second alley.

Envoy follows along, watching the siblings interact.

"Arkiieeeee!" sounds from behind the escaping wolf and poodle…

Jynx scowls at Eve. "You could have got run over! How many times do I have to tell you to quit acting like a blockhead?"

Eve obediently follows along. But then, the way she is, she'd probably follow along, obedient or not.

Arkold slows down to see if Suzette is still following him… and she is. He keeps running, following the figure as best he can.

Eve giggles and bounces along with Jynx. "You've only told me eighty-two times!"

Lovelace dodges into the second alley, wheezing like a rusty set of bellows. If he can just keep ahead of whoever's following him until he gets to the garden, he can lose his pursuer in the maze. Ahead of him, at the end of the alley, greenery beckons.

Jynx sighs. Little sisters: the bane of big brothers.

*Gong!* sounds from ahead of Lovelace and Arkold. And again. And again. The sounds grow closer from this direction, as the calls of 'Arkie!' begin to quiet in the distance.

Jynx, with Eve and Envoy in tow, finally reaches the side of the street. "Now where are Mom and Dad? I'm not ready to see them yet."

Lovelace's ears flatten. No telling what's ahead, but maybe he can dodge it and reach the garden hedge gate in safety. He puts on a last, desperate burst of speed, reaching for the sturdy gate just ahead.

Eve shrugs. "I dunno! But I'll find them back at the store."

The garden maze ahead seems to adjourn a wide grassy area where the procession is arriving – presumably the alleys short-cut through Darkside to this spacious area, the only one big enough and near the gates of Rephidim to hold all the priests, the mourners, and their hangers-on. The giant metal gong rings again brazenly. *GOOOONNNNG!*

Arkold smiles to himself as he hears the calls for him fade and slows to a walk. He hears the gongs and hmms, what could they be… Looks like he will have to find out least he return and have Suzette find him. *ugh*

"NO! Don't go get them!" Jynx sighs. "Oh, by the way, this is Envoy. Envoy, this is my little sister Eve."

Jynx acks! That gong again!

Envoy says, "Hello Eve. How old are you?"

Lovelace screeches to a fast halt as he realizes he'll have to run in front of the procession … and then realizes his mother is to the rear of the Astromancer-Captain's funeral carriage. He grabs the cloak in his paws and dashes for the gate, shoving at the handle.

Eve says, "Ten! Almost twenty!"

Envoy smiles, "I'm almost two."

Eve blinks incredulously at Envoy, then giggles. "Fib!"

Jynx nods with a grimace "Yes, ten, going on six it seems."

Arkold walks behind the figure off into the distance and reaches the street and realizes he is just in front of the procession.

Envoy blinks three times at Eve, wondering what 'Fib' means…

Lovelace staggers into the hedge maze, safe in the arms of the confusing pathways of greenery. he leans against something shrub-like and wheezes.

As the traffic jam unclogs, over the shattered heap of Lovelace's mother's carriage, nobles and their servants press Jynx and his friend and sister along. "Move! move! We'll be late for the ceremony if we don't get there in minutes!" excited poodles yelp and yap. There is a great danger of being run over if they do not move… And the only real way to move is forward.

Eve squeals, as she's borne along. "JYYYYYYYYYNX!"

Jynx acks! "Eve!" He grabs her tail just before she's out of reach.

Envoy eeps and tries to keep track of Jynx in the rush…

Not that Jynx is in any better position, as he too is borne along.

Several Zelak heads bob over the garden walls as they are presumably clearing the maze of overgrown and scraggly scrubs to be sure that there are no… assassins… hiding in the undergrowth.

Arkold decides to stay just in front of the Zelaks, actually, he doesn't have a choice.

Suzette reaches the gates of the garden maze and looks around querulously. "ARkiieee?" she whines. "It's so lonely here, and I never was any good with mazes. You aren't going to leave me here, are you?"

Lovelace groans as he sees the Zelak bush-beaters. This means he'll have to move toward the house. He levers himself up, still panting, and stumbles along the twisting path.

Dromodons gallop along with the rest, and there is one anguished 'AIEE!' as a Kavi slips and tries to avoid getting trampled by their huge feet. Several servants nearby get death-grips on Envoy and Jynx, wanting some mutual support to keep from being trounced likewise. "Run! Run!"

Jynx reels his sister in, using her tail as the line.

Envoy tries to run, but gets poor traction with several people hanging onto her.

Jynx ughs! Now carrying Eve and trying to stay with Envoy, he attempts to push through the crowd.

In the garden, the gong continues to beat its doleful song as the Zelaks move quietly through the maze. The funeral procession of white-robed people, echoing the Procession overhead in the sky, begins to fill the wide grassy park. Thoughtful nobles have of course, had chairs brought along for their delicate derrieres.

Envoy could fly over the crowd, of course, but that would mean taking off her coat and leaving Jynx and Eve behind.

A whimpering shar-pei crosses the garden maze, just a wall away from Lovelace. "Arkie? You are in here, aren't you?" she whispers. "Where are you? Don't leave me alone in here!"

Arkold looks behind him just as he heres HER calling him. He notices the Zelaks closing and continues down the maze hoping he doesn't run into a dead end.

Lovelace freezes. WHAT is THAT doing in his mother's garden maze? They'll have to spray for Chihuahuas next.

Eve clings to Jynx, mewing quietly.

Suzette breaks down into sobbing – it sounds like she's decided to plunk herself onto one of the stone benches that sit in the small clearings scattered through the maze. A Zelak approaches Arkold from the other direction… Arkold not being familiar with the maze, had managed to misjudge which way the path led. "Halt, citizen," it rasps. "What are you doing here?"

Jynx just goes with the flow, wanting to mew himself in all this mess, since he has no idea where he's going.

The procession, ahead of Envoy and Jynx and Eve, appears to be imitating a fountain, except that it is entirely on the ground (save for Eeee and Vartan mourners) – The mourners flood out of the narrow street and into a huge expanse of parkland, near the noble estate that belongs to Lovelace's family. The gong rings again. *GOOONNNNG*

Arkold turns to the Zelak and answers, "I… I was walking to my chair to see the procession and thought I'd take a short cut… but you see… I am quite lost!"

Jynx cringes, not towards that thing again.

Lovelace cocks an ear. Dear heavens, there's something other than shar-peis in his mother's hedge maze. Probably have to get the place sprayed for commoners, also. He flinches as the gong tones again. Maybe he can reach a nice quiet cellar before the blat-pipes start up.

Envoy tries to get some control over her direction as the crowd spreads out.

"Follow me, citizen," the Zelak responds. "State your name and I will take you to your designated seating area."

And with one last *GONNNG*, an elderly raccoon on the gong's wagon leaves off. He puts his bludgeon away and looks satisfied.

Jynx makes his way towards the open area, just glad to get out of this crowd finally.

Arkold nods and walks to the Zelak, hoping his family has decided to come he answers. "Arkold," he says.

An assistant trots up next to him and whispers into his ear… He looks quizzically at the Zerda and yells something back. The Zerda rubs his ear and looks back up at Verdigris as if to say 'What?'

"State your family name," the Zelak says.

Envoy blinks at those approaching the park. She's lost her hat, and Verdigris might recognize her now…

Arkold nods and tries to act annoyed that the Zelak did not know him by name, "Volkenheld."

Now that the majority of the procession has filtered into the huge seating area, things have begun to quiet down… Lovelace's mother sits next to an empty seat and appears quite irritated.

The Zelak nods. "Very well. Follow me, citizen." It turns about and begins to retrace its course through the maze to the entrance that opens onto the seating area.

Jynx breaks out into the open area. Whew, fresh air again! He lets down Eve and looks back for Envoy.

Lovelace takes a right at the Imminum Dasium-Profilli, and a left at the Lesser-Striped-Grasping-Pea and dodges between a set of Prickly Oversights.

Envoy looks around for seats. "Should we just sit on the grass, Feli?"

Eve just plops down.

Jynx nods "Sounds good to me." He sits down tiredly.

Envoy sits down next to the two young felines.

Nearby Jynx and Envoy, an enterprising Kavi attempts to huckster the last of the memorabilia. "Buy your genuine Temple toy sextant here, buy your – Gurk!" Two Jupani guards seize the overly commercial merchant and separate him from his merchandise before escorting him to the gates to be ejected.

Arkold follows the Zelak, hoping Suzette *ugh* doesn't show up.

Eve says, "Wow. Oh well. I didn't have any money anyway."

Jynx hmms. "You better not buy any. Those Kavis might give you a disease or something."

Somewhere in the quiet confines of the maze, a shar-pei wails, "Someone? Anyone? Help me, I'm lost in here!" The voice is just not loud enough to be heard over the garden walls.

Eve suddenly claps her hands together! "Oh! Look! Someone dropped a nice shiny coin on the ground! How lucky of me!" She squeals, and grabs the coin.

The Zelak stops at the exit of the garden maze, near Arkold. "The Volkenheld seats are there," it rasps, gesturing toward one of the aisles. "You should hurry. They will begin soon. I have my duty to complete."

Jynx acks, the coin was right in front of him too! Hmph, she gets all the luck.

Envoy blinks at the two different reactions to the coin. Interesting.

Lovelace sighs. Oh dear. It *will* be Chihuahuas next. He turns back toward the maze. "Hello?" he calls. "Who's in there?"

"Is that you, Arkie?" The shy voice sniffles, and then says, "I'm Suzette. Suzette Farfenhaufer. I was looking for Arkie in here and I got lost… "

Eve looks and points at a spot of magenta. "Oooo! Look! Look, Jynxie! Your GIRRRRRRLFRIEND!"

Arkold nods and walks off to his seating area. He looks around, no Suzette *ugh*, he smiles.

Jynx JUMPS! "Where? WHERE?!" He looks about wildly, and dives behind Envoy.

Lovelace takes a left at the first dead-end. "No, I'm not Arkie. Keep talking so I can find you." He takes a right at the lob-lilly.

Envoy turns to Jynx, and asks, "Jynxie?"

Jynx rrrs, head covered, "Don't call me that!"

Just as Jynx moves, he manages to bump into a vulpine dressed in foppish attire, with an oversized hat on his head, sporting an even more oversized plume. "AIEEEE!" He topples backward, landing with a loud *SPRANG!*

Suzette continues talking. "I've always liked Arkie since the first time I saw him. He seemed so *different* from the other boys. He was always talking about how he liked to watch the airships… " Her nattering reveals to Lovelace, though the poodle has absolutely no idea who this 'Arkie' is, that she has paid a great deal more attention to him than Arkie to her.

The vulpine, in turn, capsizes a couple more persons … and … well … It's all just terribly unlucky.

Jynx acks! He uncovers his head and looks up "Oh, uh, sorry sir. Didn't see you there."

The fox whines!

Jynx cringes. It starts anew.

Heads start to turn this way, at the commotion. A few armored heads, too.

Envoy's eyes go wide at the domino effect. "I thought your name was Feli?"

Envoy smiles and waves to all the staring people.

Jynx smacks his head, and looks for a place to run "It is… "

Arkold takes his seat after a walk through the crowd. He looks for the Captain Astromancer's carriage and wonder if theres any way he might get close enough to it… just a piece of the thing could fun an airship.

One of the armored heads notices the strange alien waving vigorously … then the white kitten next to her … then the black Khatta…

At the front of the huge area, on a large stage built up of several layers of wood until it seems to be a veritable ziggurat, a white-clad poodle priest ascends the steps, swinging a censer, followed by a small procession of others bearing different gifts. The wagon with the Astromancer's body seems to have wound up on top, guarded by numerous Temple guards.

Eve eeps! "I think she saw us, Jynx!" She looks at her brother. "It's your bad luck thing again, isn't it?"

Lovelace peers around another lob-lilly. Aha. It *is* a shar-pei. Mother would frown on this. "There you are," he announces as he steps out from behind the bush, straightening his tunic.

Arkold looks at all the guards guarding the carriage and hufs, this isn't going to be easy.

Jynx sees the red cape, and hears the confirmation from Eve. "I know, I know!" he moans, and grabbing Eve and Envoy by the paws, tries to run. "Come on!!"

Suzette brightens up and stands. "Oh! You're handsome," she says. Though she has the face of a squashed kyootcumber, when she's not screaming madly after Arkold, her voice is actually quite pleasant. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to talk about Arkold so much. You must get the impression I'm an obsessed little girl with nothing better to think about… " She scruffs her foot into the ground.

Envoy blinks and gets dragged along. "But what about the funeral?"

Eve yipes and gets dragged along by Jynx. "We're gonna get in TROUUUUUUBLE! And I'm gonna tell Mama!"

Envoy blinks, "Trouble??"

Lovelace offers Suzette his arm. "Come. I'll escort you. Mother will be very angry if you stay in here much longer. She's very particular about who comes into the maze."

"I'll be having a funeral soon if we don't get out of here! And Eve, DON'T START!" Jynx insistently tugs on the two, beginning to get that sinking feeling.

"oh! I'm sorry," Suzette says. She takes Lovelace's arm and trots along obediently. "I hope you won't get in trouble… "

Envoy blinks again. She's never been in trouble because of somebody ELSE before…

The priest begins to give one of those long sermons – a discourse about how we are all here to mourn the passing of one of the great stars of Sinai, etc. etc. Meanwhile, the Rephidim temple musicians fiddle with their instruments in preparation to playing a dirge.

Lovelace bows. "No, no trouble. I'll explain it to Mother." He pauses. "Uhmm… you DID bring some wax for your ears, didn't you?"

Arkold looks about at the different people around the carriage and wonders if perhaps he could some way take one of their places…

Jynx looks back at the knights, wanting to hopefully see the masked faces looking in another direction.

Luck and unluck works in strange ways. Right now, it works like this: Jynx and his companions … collide with Lovelace and his companion, just as the black Khatta turns to look back.

"Of course," Suzette says as she holds up a little reticule of crushed velvet. She opens it to pull out a block of wax that must surely be larger than that tiny bag. "Mother always told me to be prepared." She tries to smile winsomely. It doesn't work, as… the block of ear-protecting wax flies.

Jynx oofs! And falls, spilling his sister and Envoy along with him.

Envoy pulls herself up… "Oh, hello Lovelace! That woman over there was looking for you.

Lovelace's mother's ears go up. *boing!*

Jynx shakes his head and looks up at the living obstacle. That prissy poodle again!

Arkold hmms and gets up proceeding out of his seating area as quietly as he can, trying not to be noticed.

Lovelace bows smoothly. "Lady Envoy," he says as he swoops down to retrieve the block of wax. He hands it to Suzette. "I suggest you put some of this in your ears before the blat-pipes tune up again."

Envoy looks at the wax, "I won't be able to hear properly if I stick wax in my ears."

Jynx gets to his feet, and helps Eve back up as well. (Great, I wonder if they noticed that too?) He looks back to make sure.

Envoy says, "Or is it part of the ceremony?"

The priest concludes his sermon and launches immediately into another sermon on the blessings to be rained down upon those who pay attention to those more spiritually advanced and do not go running about in the middle of a ceremony. "Woe to those who disrespect the spirit of the ceremony in which we are all participants, to those who would soil the memory of the great Captain-Astromancer because they have to GO TO THE BATHROOM! WOE, woe betide you… " A murmur starts up near Arkold.

Jynx can't quite see the Knights from here, unfortunately. Or maybe it's fortunate.

Eve tugs at Jynx's tail. "Uhm … I get this funny feeling we ought to sit down… "

Suzette eeps and tries to recover herself as nicely as Lovelace, failing miserably. "Oh! I'm sorry. Are you all right?" she says to Jynx and Envoy.

Jynx whews, yes the priest is annoying, but at least the knights can't see him. He plops back down. "Me too."

Eve also mutters, "But all of a sudden … I gotta go to the bathroom, too." She wrenches her mouth and whimpers faintly.

The white kitten sits down beside Jynx and looks very uncomfortable.

Arkold grumbles and decides to return to his seat.

A large percentage of the crowd suddenly looks as if they would much rather be somewhere else. Far behind, at the edge of the funeral, several Kavis start hammering together port-a-potties.

Pay port-a-potties, of course.

Envoy sits down as well, and looks at Eve. The kitten doesn't seem too dirty… Why does she need a bath now?

Lovelace bows to Suzette. "I'll leave you here with your friends. Mother is expecting me." He steps back and makes a very dignified advance toward his mother.

Jynx looks up at the… face (if you can call it that) "Uhh, yeah, we're fine." He then turns and glares at his sister, "Well just hold it! You should have done that before you left the shop!"

The priest beams and nods to the musicians, who begin playing a dirge. Aiee! The *noise!* The blat-pipes tweetle right through ordinary hands held over ears.

Envoy smiles to the pug-faced canine.

Envoy says, "I wonder how they make that sound?"

Jynx cringes at the pipes "Well, not very beautifully, I can tell you that."

Suzette graces Lovelace with a smile that is genuine, if marred by her pugface, and then curtseys to the others. "I must go to my place quickly," she whispers. "If any of you see Arkie… Please tell him he's been very much in my heart and mind today."

The kitten mews, "I DID do that before I left the shop!"

Jynx blinks, Arkie? *sigh*, canines. He turns yet again to the white kitten, "Well too bad. I don't want that living kitchen utensil seeing me. You can go in a minute."

There seems to be an empty seat… Right next to Arkold. And a pug-faced sharpei trying to get through the crowd to it.

Envoy looks over the crowd, seeing how they react to the music. She feels a bit thirsty. "Do you mean the Knights?"

Jynx nods to Envoy "Yeah, them. A living knightmare, if you ask me."

Lovelace sits himself next to his mother with a sigh that she can't hear over the noise. He's put some wax in his ears, and this muffles the blat-pipes to a nearly acceptable level. A more acceptable level would be achieved, he feels, if they could be put in a cellar somewhere on the other side of the planet. Failing that, ear-plugs will do.

Envoy says, "Oh, I'm sure they aren't allowed to leave their places during the ceremony. Probably."

One by one, Temple officials begin to file in front of the crowd and stand by the coffin as they give their eulogies. Bridge Officer Maleficos commends Cerbancos the Third for his fervent dedication to law and order in Rephidim. Bridge Officer Nimiss declares that no astromancer will be more missed by the Temple's records and procedures department…

Jynx hmms. "I hope so." He looks to Eve, who appears to be very uncomfortable at the moment.

Suzette whispers to various seated nobles, "Excuse me please," and begins to walk carefully down the aisle that leads to the empty seat… Right next to Arkold.

Envoy hmms at Nimiss's speech, trying to fit it into her earlier impressions of him.

Arkold sees Suzette approaching and nearly falls out of his seat, he looks for a way to quietly get away.

Lovelace's mother begins to berate Lovelace in heated whispers. Fortunately the whispers don't make it through the earwax. Ah! Blessed silence.

"All those windbags. I wonder which one of them had the old coot knocked off?" Jynx grimaces.

Lovelace thinks longingly of his unfinished grog. It would make the ceremony ever so much more amusing.

Envoy looks at Jynx. "That information would be very valuable, wouldn't it?"

Jynx nods "Maybe. If you actually cared that is." He looks to Eve, "You okay?"

Envoy returns to watching the officials speak, and decides not to wave to Nimiss.

The hammering stops at the rear of the funeral as the Kavis finish with the port-a-potties. They stand by the cubicles and collect quarter-shekels from some of the mourners who risk damnation by excusing themselves from the proceedings to attend to the calls of nature.

Eve just bites her lip and murphles something unintelligible.

Arkold decides a few evil eyes and remarks are better than having to sit next to Suzette, he gets up and begins walking away trying his best to avoid being seen.

Jynx cocks an ear at his little sister, "What? Didn't Mom tell you not to mumble? Speak up!"

Eve shouts, "I GOTTA GO!!!!"

The Keeper of the Inner Mysteries, Verdigris, stumps to the top of the zigurrat. He starts off with a statement about how Cerbancos the Third always praised the work of his brethren and respected them and how he hopes the future Captain- Astromancer will likewise cherish the Inner Mysteries… Then segues through rambling about the heretics that would seek to breach the Inner Mysteries, and ends up in a full-fledged rant, which he continues as several of the priests usher him quickly off the stage.

Everyone near Jynx and Eve and Envoy looks at them.

Eve sinks down again.

Jynx eeks, and flinches. He looks around embarassedly.

Envoy blinks. Do they know she's a 'heretic'?

Jynx, ears red in embarrassment, whispers to Eve. "Okay, you can go. Here's a shekel, go use one of those things in the back. But do it quietly! And try not to let Blossom see you!"

Just as Arkold thought, everyone near HIM gives him suspicious looks. Several comment to their neighbors, "Yep, that Vorkenheld scion. A real leaf on the family tree. One that's about to fall off."

Suzette bites her lips, and then sits next to the abandoned seat. Tears begin to glisten on her cheeks… Real ones.

Eve frowns. "I don't NEED a shekel. I already have one." She dashes off, toward the hastily-built structures.

Jynx sighs. He watches his sister run off, so as not to lose her.

Arkold grumbles and sees Suzette sit down and just adds this to his list of bad things that have happened today. He proceeds amongst the seats off toward the back, if he can't steal anything perhaps he can just go home and say he got sick.

Eve disappears amongst the wooden structures. Never fear. She has a way of turning up again.

Jynx knows that very well.

Jynx turns to Envoy. "So, why were you in that coat?" he whispers.

Envoy smiles to Jynx, "So the Keeper of the Inner Mysteries wouldn't recognize me."

Jynx ohs… not that he has any idea what she's talking about.

Envoy notes the look of confusion, and explains, "The old raccoon that got helped off of the stage. He wants to kill me, you see."

The eulogies go on through the hot day. A Kavi clad all in black leathers sidles up to Arkold. "Psst," he says, making one of the thief signs. "C'mere."

Jynx blinks. "Wants to kill you? Why? I didn't think being curious warranted a death sentence."

Arkold perks an ear, someone not whispering obscenities about him? He looks at the black clad figure and walks to him.

Envoy says, "Oh, I know all sorts of stuff that he doesn't want anyone outside his order to find out about."

Jynx nods. Seems about right.

"Good to see you scoping out the place," the Kavi whispers as he leads Arkold behind the cubicles at the back. "But you're supposed to be staying in touch with S'lezan before you check out these jobs. Anyway, since you ARE on the spot, he's got a job for you to do… He thinks you'll have the right touch for it, you've got a face people trust."

Jynx hmms, and looks back. He hopes Eve's okay, she has a tendency to get into mischief as well as to pop up out of nowhere.

Arkold looks around and nods, "Well I'm more here out of my own accord, but what does the boss need?" he asks.

Envoy says, "Why are you afraid of the Knight Templars?"

"There's this… " The Kavi whispers to Arkold.

Jynx turns back to Envoy. "Well, according to the stars and the wisdom of the ancients, one of them is apparently supposed to skewer me on her sword. And she seems to show up everywhere, even at my dad's shop."

Envoy says, "Which stars and ancients? You don't want to be skewered, right?"

Arkold perks an ear and listens?

Jynx blinks at Envoy. "Well, I hadn't planned on it, no. But her book says she's supposed to dispose of me or something. She tried to kill me in the Tunnel of Love, of all places, and even has the other knights on the lookout for me!"

"All right, got it?" The Kavi winks to Arkold. "There's a lot riding on this. Could be much as a silver apiece!"

Envoy says, "Which one is she? Maybe I can find out why she thinks you're the one she needs."

Arkold nods and walks around the cubical to the stalls, right up to Eve, he smiles at her, "Why hello."

Eve looks up at the wolf, and smiles back. "Hello! I'm Eve! What's your name?"

On the stage, it is now the turn of a poodle in bright yellow-green and magenta robes to take his place. His eyes seem to be stained. Maybe from tears? He dabs at them. He begins to speak at length about the great setback this has caused Rephidim … but how the Captain-Astromancer gave his people so many blessings in his time.

Arkold smiles, "I'm Arkold, would you like to come with me while I go to buy something? I'll get you something too… I really hate walking alone, don't you?"

Jynx says, "Well, to be honest, she's kind of hard to pick out. But all I know is she's shorter than most, about my height, and is a very happy sort. I've never seen her face."

The poodle on the stage goes on, "… and I speak not only on behalf of myself and my underlings, but my colleague, the former Arch Inquisitor Majoris Raphael Melchizedek, whom I know is well-loved by you all. It is a pity that he is unable to attend, being presently in the deepest and darkest parts of Ur at this very moment… "

The kitten beams. "Oooo! What sort of something?" She smiles up at the wolf.

Envoy frowns at Moffat's words.

Jynx looks back for a sign of Eve, she's got to be done by now.

Arkold holds out his paw, "Oh I don't know, what would you like?" he gestures her to follow.

Eve bounces and pads along. "CANDY!" she squeals.

Jynx perks an ear, he can hear Eve, but still can't see her. "I'm getting worried, Envoy. Eve should be back by now."

Arkold nods and smiles, "Alright then." He looks around as he leaves the park back for the Bazaar.

The wolf and the kitten disappear into the Bazaar … leaving no trace for Jynx to follow through the crowds beyond the park.

Jynx peers around nervously for his sister, but can't find a sign of her. He would shout, but he doesn't want to attract attention.

"Psst!" comes a voice from near Jynx.

Jynx jumps! He's getting surprised a lot lately, it would seem. He turns to the voice, "Uhh, yes?"

A Skreek in ill-fitting Temple Acolyte robes peers at Jynx, his pointed nose poking out from underneath a cowl. "Repent!" he hisses.

Jynx blinks "Excuse me?"

Arkold takes the girl back to the Bazaar to a candy stand, he waits patiently for her to pick anything she likes.

Envoy waves to the Acolyte. "Repent what?"

The rat looks askance to Envoy, then hisses to Jynx. "Conform to the will of the First Ones," he says in a voice that sounds as if he's trying very hard – too hard – to sound priestly. "Or else yer li'l sister takes yer place!" He's evidently given up.

Envoy blinks. "Is this about the skewering thing? Did the Knight send you?"

The rat blinks at Envoy … then turns tail and dashes off into a crowd of those hanging around the wooden structures, prompting several squeaks.

Jynx's jaw drops, he bolts up and looks around. "Eve? EVE?" Not caring about the knight anymore, he searches franticly.

Jynx turns back to the rat, shaking furiously. "What did you do with her you dirty rodent!"

No sign of the kitten. There are other kittens … but not Eve. And not the rat, either. He's long gone.

Arkold looks at the girl and hmms, what do they want with her? She can't know anything important… This worries him, he may be a thief… but this… kidnapping just doesn't feel right.

Jynx blinks, and looks to where the rat was. He shakes it off and runs around madly, looking for any evidence of his little sister. "Eve! Where are you?"

Jynx runs back to Envoy, tears starting to come to his eyes. He cries out for his sister one final time, but gets no response.

Arkold looks tilts his head, what if they want him to kill her? No… he won't do that… An airship isn't worth that. He vows that no matter what, he won't harm her or let S'lezan boss him into doing so, hes not a murderer!

Envoy removes her trenchcoat, and spreads her wings, "I'll look for her from the air, Feli."

Eve smiles up at the big friendly wolf, blinking impossibly large and expressive eyes, totally oblivious to any notion that this is anything other than just another instance of her usually good luck. The crowd closes in again. Somewhere distant, a rat in acolyte's robes whispers to a Khatta in white armor. She nods, and whispers, "The will of the First Ones is not to be thwarted," ushering the Skreek away.