A rainbow-colored Creen flits from booth to booth, occasionally helping itself to some grain or some fruit, until chased away by angry vendors. Then, it spies something that glitters in the mid-day light … something beautiful and shiny at Arcadia's booth. It swoops in for a closer look.

Arcadia smiles as she artistically arranges her wares today, as she always does. The color today is blue … and green – many vases and bowls with wave-like designs. She's even got a few display trees laden with necklaces of colored beads.

The Creen settles down … right next to a display tree. For those without that keen of vision, it might even blend in, if only it would stand still. Its feet move about, its head hovering in place, then jerking to a new position much as a bird might, as it sizes up the necklaces and beads.

Arcadia cooos at the Creen, "Oh, hello there, you lovely thing. Be careful now that you don't trip or spill my glasses." She smiles.

The Creen looks back up at Arcadia with sparkling eyes, its tongue flitting about. It then spreads its wings in a colorful display and begins trilling a song.

Arcadia awwws and offers her hand for it to perch on … still paranoid about her bowls – and beads.

"Lovely! Positively delightful!" twitters a peacock-humanoid who strolls up to the wagon – a Kujaku, and, by the attire, a member of the lesser nobility. The bird-humanoid has a pair of blue-green wings sprouting from his back, and he walks with a wooden cane held in one turquoise-fuzz-covered hand, a long train of feathers trailing behind him. A couple of Savanite servants make sure nobody steps on his tail.

The Creen leaps to Arcadia's hand, and continues singing to her.

Arcadia looks ready to melt at the pretty song. She is barely able to pull her attention away to smile at the Kujaku. She nods. "Hallo, good sir."

The Kujaku smiles at Arcadia, then at all the glass in such shades of blue and green. Since those also seem to be his dominant colors, it is probably no wonder that he's interested.

"You are … Arcadia?" he twitters cheerily.

Arcadia smiles. "Yes, sir, that I am. May I help you?" She keeps one ear tuned to the Creen, the other to the Kujaku.

The peacock says, "Well, I have heard many wondrous things about you. Hmm." He picks up a glass orb. "How about if I offered you a gold coin, if you'd take this glass orb and smash it against the ground for me, and let me have the broken pieces?"

He's deliberately picked a piece that looks like it took a great deal of effort and care in its making.

Arcadia grrrs softly. "Ahhh… no… I cannot … do that, sir."

The peacock twitter-laughs, then says, "Very well then! How much would it cost for it in one piece?"

Arcadia says, "I work very hard on every pi – " She blinks and sighs, hoping that it was indeed a joke he was making. She smiles uneasily.

Arcadia says, "I'll happily take 45 for that piece. I really do think it's rather nice."

The Kujaku clicks his beak, shaking his head. "45! Be REASONABLE, my lady!"

The peacock twitters, "Will you accept fifty?"

Arcadia purrrs, "My good man, it's… " She stops. " – sold to you."

Arcadia smiles. "You are very kind. And of course I shall." She puts the Creen on her tail to perch there instead for a bit.

The peacock grins, and, without looking back, holds the piece aside, for one of his Savanite attendants to pick up and put into a wicker basket filled with cloths. "It's a pleasure doing business with you, m'lady."

The Creen chirees and chirrups merrily from its new perch.

Arcadia smiles. "And with you, sir. You have a wonderful day."

The peacock twitters, "Now, now, what sort of a businesswoman are you, that you send off a customer so quickly? There may yet be more business to conduct." His beak clicks again, the edges turning up into a grin. He turns his head sideways, a blue-green tuft of feathery hair on top of his head flopping to one side.

Arcadia chuckles. "Oh, me. How true. I guess I'm just so flattered you don't want to crush my vases."

The peacock twitter-giggles at this. "How easily flattered! I assure you, I prefer your pieces in something other than fragmented condition, unlike those with certain … shall we say … eccentric tastes."

Arcadia chuckles. "I am very glad that most do not. Is there anything particular you'd like? I have a few pieces in the wagon as well."

"Oh, my dear," twitters the peacock. "It is YOU that intrigues me. Ah ah! Please, don't be alarmed. I merely wish to request your presence at an upcoming social event – as I believe that your presence would add much to the enjoyment of the guests. After all, you are an artist of demonstrated talents. I am sure there will be plenty who would be more than eager to talk to you about your trade. Plus… " The peacock looks to the trilling Creen, "you are, after all, a rather exotic person."

Arcadia blushes a light magenta. "You are truly too kind. I think I would like to go if it would please you. A little socializing is good for many things."

Arcadia says, "When and where is it, my good sir?"

The peacock leans over the counter, producing an embossed card. He snaps his fingers, and holds out his hand … into which is placed a pen by one of his attendants. Since he begins writing with the pen immediately (It has a blue-green quill?) it must have been already dipped as well. He blows on the ink, gives the pen back to his servant, and then hands the card to Arcadia.

"Here you go," twitters the Kujaku. "Your invitation, with all you should need to know. Now … hmm … there IS a matter of attire… "

Arcadia smiles, arching a slim eye brow. "Mmm… What would you advise?"

Arcadia takes the card with a nod of "thank-you".

"Well," the peacock hmms, putting a blue-green hand to his beak. "I think I should be curious to see what YOU would come up with, provided you were not bounded by the concerns that a businesswoman would normally have to deal with. Within certain reason, of course." The Kujaku twitter-giggles. "I happen to know of a very good clothier. I will inform them to be expecting you – I am quite certain they will recognize you on sight."

Arcadia mmms and smiles. "Ah… All right – why not?"

Arcadia grins, her ears flicking up happily. "And they are located at … ?"

The peacock retrieves the pen from his servant again, and scribbles on a piece of parchment, sketching out a map and directions. "Here. I don't know if you go to this part of town very often, so … " He twitters out directions to the dragoness.

Arcadia purrrrs softlym glancing over at the map, craning her neck to see … not that it's that difficult to.

The peacock twitters, "In any case, this should give you JUST enough time, I think, to make sure you are properly prepared. I shall, of course, pick up the tab. Now, don't you disappoint me! I shall be bragging about you, after all."

Arcadia chuckles and smiles. "I will do my best, sir. You are most generous." She looks over the man and card … taking note of when it is again.

The peacock twitters merrily, and bows. "A good day to you, m'lady!" With that, he turns on his heel and continues along, his servants following behind.

The Creen hops up and nibbles on the edge of the invitation card.

Arcadia waves. "And to you – and many thanks!" She meeps and tugs the invitation card away, and puts it in a glass box. "No, no, my little one. Here – nibble on this, instead." She offers it a bit of cracker.

The Creen flits its tongue … then devours the cracker in a spray of crumbs!

Arcadia chuckles as she gets covered in cracker crumbs.

The Creen then flutters over to a glass surface and starts strutting in front of the reflection.

Arcadia covers her smirk … and gets out a muffin. She whistles to the Creen and tosses it a piece. She closes the small box she keeps goodies in. =)

According to the directions the peacock left, the route should take the dragoness to a place known as "Zeiman Market" … an exclusive establishment indeed!

Arcadia smiles and begins to put stuff up, reading to head down to the market. =)

Arcadia continues putting up her glass wares, while the Creen eats the muffin.

Some time later, after closing off shop and securing the wagon, the dragoness finds her way across town, arriving at the Zeiman Market. Despite how the word "Market" would often be appended to, say, a name for a fruit stand or the like, this is evidently a very posh establishment. It's hard to categorize – It is a clothiers' store … but has plenty of barely related items as well.

Some mannekins stand in the window, looking unbelievably real, wearing the latest in fashions.

Arcadia looks closely at the mannekins … ooooo.

One of the mannekins – a golden vixen – suddenly moves, shifting into a new pose!

At the movement, a light "bing" can be heard, caused by some of the bell bangles on the fluffy golden tail.

A pointed mage's cap can be seen walking back and forth across the aisles. A little grumbly voice says, "Chamber pots … You'd think such a useful item would be easy to find."

Arcadia blinks! at the mannekin … and she grins. "Nice… " She looks about for the door and ducks inside.

Envoy hears some familiar grumbling, which draws her attention away from the perfume counter, much to the relief of the salescritters manning it.

Fenter continues rooting down the aisle. He keeps his gaze focused downwards … figuring that's where the chamberpots are kept.

The interior of the store is a mixture of store and garden. The twittering of a Creen can be heard, accompanied by the light melody of a harpsicord. Racks of clothes stand, as well as tables with swaths of sample fabric. Some of the counters feature jewelry, others perfume … and another has chocolates!

Fenter sneezes loudly. "Dratted hay fever… "

There's a *thump* noise, followed by a shriek from the front window, where the "mannekins" are poised.

Arcadia smiles at the sound of the Creen and happily gazes at everything. Carefully she makes her way through the aisles.

*thump* *thump*

Arcadia mrps? and looks behind herself, at the "mannekins".

Envoy finally spots Fenter's hat weaving above the racks like the fin of some absurd sea creature. The alien plots an intercept course through the maze.

There is what appears to be a Creen flapping against the window … or is it a flying hat?

Fenter thumps as well, right smack into Arcadia. "Aouuuf!"

Arcadia rrraos! stumbling backwards a bit. "Ey!… Oh it's you." She turns her frown to a smile.

Fenter says, "Watch where you're going, you big… " The raccoon pales as he sees who it is. "I mean … what a pleasure seeing you again, Madame Arcadia."

A golden vixen gasps at the sight of the flying hat thumping against the window, then does her best to regain her composure, and adopts a new pose … one which has her looking at an aloof angle AWAY from the window.

Fenter peeks over the dragon's shoulder. "My hat! It's come back to me! Ohhh … I knew it loved me."

Arcadia blinks? "Hat? … you seem to loose your hats often, Fenter… How do you manage to do that?"

Fenter says, "It flew away, of course!"

Envoy stops a bit short, looking over the dragon. She's never seen one with fur before … or that particular color, either.

Fenter squeezes past the dragon and heads for the door to the shop, intending to let the Creen/hat inside.

Arcadia blinks with an arched eyebrow. "Flew? … your hat?" she says bluntly.

*thump* *flapflapflap* *thump*

Arcadia sighs, looking behind her to where Fenter goes. "Curious thing he is." She scritches her head fan.

Fenter creaks upen the door. "Come to papa, my dear little hat! That bat has no idea what he was missing… "

A brown Cervani doe walks up to Arcadia, looking a bit intimidated. "Oh … Uhm … pardon me, but might you be … Lady Arcadia?" She fidgets a bit.

Arcadia turns back around the other way – careful of her tail swinging as she does so. "Aye … that's me."

As the door is opened, with a shrill "CREEEE!" the hat – and its feathered crown – flutters into the store. The golden vixen yipes loudly!

The hat buzzes over the head of an alarmed-looking poodle … then circles … and zeroes in on Fenter. "CREEEEEEE!" The Creen sounds very … angry.

Fenter scowls at the vixen. "Careful! Hats are very excitable you know!" He holds out his arms to the Creen preparing to divebomb him. "That's it! Coooome to Daddy!" He seems quite oblivious to the fact that the hat is out to get him.

Envoy blinks, and wonders why the Creen is angry at Fenter. But then, most animals seem to be angry at the raccoon.

The Creen-hat zooms in on the raccoon … then starts battering him with its wings, and clawing with its little feet, thrashing at him with its tail, and nipping at any protrusion which presents itself.

Several patrons "eep" or "oh my" or "oh dear" or emit other exclamations of alarm.

Arcadia erps! looking again back, to see the Creen-hat. "Ohmeohmy."

Envoy uh-ohs, and rushes over to Fenter. She begins trilling and cooing at the irate Creen, trying to get it to calm down.

Fenter YEEEKS! "Mad hat! Mad hat!" He lunges for something to hide under… which happens to be the golden vixen's tail. *BING*!

The vixen SHRIEKS loudly, and starts slapping at the raccoon!

Fenter YEEEKS again! "Mad vixen! Mad vixen!"

Arcadia shakes her head. "Chaos must be that 'coons middle name." She sighs with mild amusement.

The Creen-hat, alarmed by the swats and slaps of the vixen, flutters away … then notices Envoy's noise-making. The Creen looks curiously at the alien … then flutters in for a closer look. "Chirree!"

Fenter says, "Ow! Stoppit! You're supposed to be a mannequin! OW! You're not supposed to *OOCH* move!"

Envoy holds her arm out to the hat, and chirrups.

The vixen doesn't seem impressed by Fenter's arguments. *BING* (slap) *BING* (swat) *BING*

The Creen tries flying to Envoy's hand … but it has trouble getting a perch, what with that hat it's attached to … so instead … it lands right on Envoy's head, and begins trilling.

Envoy feels about her head for the strap that ties the Creen to the hat… which is covering her face now.

Arcadia chuckles at the Creen on Envoy's head … and with everything seemingly okay, she looks back to the doe.

Fenter decides to crawl away as fast and as heroically as he can. Perhaps he'll be able to find the chamberpots better down at this level. "*OW* Madame… you're the WORST mannequin I've ever seen… "

The vixen hmphs, as Fenter gets out of the display area. Then, she adopts a pose … even though her hair is now ridiculously out of place, and her attire could use a bit of attention, too.

An elderly poodle walks into the store, accompanied by a single spotted servant. "Oh my!" she exclaims, upon seeing Envoy. She walks up closer. "What a LOVELY hat!"

One of the vixen's tail-bells has become attached to Fenter's hat. He continues crawling down the aisle back towards Arcadia. *bing* *bing* *bing*

Envoy gives up trying to find the strap in order to lift the edge of the hat so she can see.

Envoy says, "It's one of Fenter's hats, Ma'am."

The poodle lady fusses over Envoy, taking a good look at her. "Why, that's a DELIGHTFUL hat. I simply MUST have one like that for the party. Fenter? I don't believe I've been to that store."

Fenter thinks, ( Hmm… bells. It doesn't seem like it's that late. )

The doe snaps out of her distraction. "Oh! I'm terribly sorry. It's just … the hat, you see. Uhm … How may I be of assistance, m'lady?"

Fenter bumps into Arcadia again. *BING*

Arcadia smiles. "But of course. Ooof!" She stumbles forwrd towards the doe after being hit by Fenter – again.

Envoy points towards the floor, "That's Fenter. He's a Rath'ani, not a store."

The doe eeps and staggers back, bumping into the counter, and knocking over a small rack of beaded necklaces. "Oh dear!" At least it's only a small catastrophe.

Fenter says, "EEP! Sorry ma'am … but the hat and the vixen and… oh… forget it."

The poodle says, "Ohhh. A Rath'ani? Well, I must meet him! I simply MUST have a hat like that. And it looks so LIFELIKE!"

"Do tell me, will you be at Avi Kromo's party, my dear?" asks the elderly poodle.

Arcadia sighs and smiles, helping to right the rack. She also glances at the card and tells the doe who sent her and why.

The doe nods. "Of course. We've been told to expect you, madame." She doesn't seem quite so panicked, now that she has a chance to talk to this … big … dragon. But she's still on guard.

Envoy says, "Avi Kromo? I don't know."

Fenter nervously pulls himself up – It's unbecoming of a fine upstanding almost chaos mage like himself to be seen crawling around, anyhow. And, the hat seems to have calmed down.

The old poodle grins. "Oh, but surely you are. Well, in any case, could you tell me how I could find this Fenter? Amazingly talented, to make a hat such as this! I've never seen one like it!"

Envoy says, "Fenter, can you unstrap the Creen from this hat?"

Arcadia smiles at the doe. "Well, I've not done this much, so just let me knwo what to do and I guess I'll do it."

Fenter spins around at the mention of his name. "Envoy! What bring you here?" He glances at the hat nervously. "Unstrap… of course. Er… I thinks I'll need to be wearing gloves for this."

Arcadia coos, "Something simple would be nice."

The doe fidgets, then says, "Well, you see, we're going to make sure you have a fine dress for the party … so … if you'd like to see some samples, we can take a look at the rack … and you have your choice in fabrics and colors… " She guides the dragoness.

Arcadia follows the doe.

The Creen stops trilling … and gives Fenter an angry glare. Its wings flap out wide, to make itself look bigger and more intimidating.

Fenter EEKS and jumps back. "H-h-he h-h-hasn't been fed yet y-y-y-you s-s-see."

The Creen hisses at Fenter.

The poodle says, "Oh dear! That IS terribly realistic."

"Oh! Fenter, you say?" The old poodle looks over toward the raccoon with the noisy hat. "So … YOU created this masterpiece?"

Envoy blinks at the poodle, and starts feeling around for the strap again. She doesn't want to lose sight of the dragon.

Arcadia's ears twitch back at the sound of the poor Creen's distress.

Outside, the sound of a carriage stoping can be heard, along with the sounds of someone stepping out of it.

Fenter pulls a pair of scissors from a shelf and starts to nonchalantly creep towards the hat. "Masterpiece? Uh… yes. Yes I did."

The Creen stops hissing, at Envoy's prodding … and bends its head down to flick its tongue, licking at Envoy's hand.

"Oh! Splendid! I would like one as well, in time for Avi Kromo's party. How much would it cost?" the elderly poodle asks Fenter.

Arcadia tells the doe what she'd like and the colors that will work.

The doe nods and smiles, complimenting Arcadia on her choices, and how the colors should work well with her natural hue, and so forth…

Fenter leans over towards the other side. He pauses and blinks at the poodle. "You WANT one of these? Er… "

Envoy tries to work past the Creen's tongue, feeling along the body towards the legs.

The poodle giggles. "Oh, but of course! I simply MUST have one. So, out with it! Don't be shy! I know how you artist types are. How much for a hat like this one?"

A male voice can be heard outside, then the sound of the carriage pulling away.

The Creen's head goes up, and it flicks its tongue out. Its beady little eyes focus on … the chocolates at one of the counters.

Fenter gently reaches out and – *snip* – the strap holding the Creen is free. He quickly drops the scissors and shields his face.

*CHIREE!*

The Creen flutters and flies free … making a beeline for the chocolates!

"Oh dear!" exclaims the poodle.

Envoy hands the hat back to Fenter. "I think she wants this hat."

Arcadia looks up at the Creen. "Ut oh," she smirks.

A couple of workers squeal at the Creen as it starts helping itself to the confections. Their shy attempts to shoo it are to no avail.

Fenter clears his throat. "Don't mind that, madame. That hat was just a preliminary model. I can make one bigger and better for you … with TWO Creens!"

A Jupani nobleman enters through the front door, just in time to watch the Creen dart for the chocolates. "Oh my," he mutters.

Arcadia mrps! "Fenter," she says.

The elderly poodle smiles and claps her hands together quickly. "Yes, yes, I simply MUST have one. Two Creens! That would be LOVELY."

Arcadia politely pardons herself from the doe and makes a beeline towards Fenter.

A Creen head pokes up from beind the counter, its mouth stained black-brown with chocolate. "Chireeeee!"

Envoy idly wonders if Fenter will try to magick the Creens into stillness … or if he's just bluffing to get rid of the poodle.

Fenter peers at the hat. He already has the first piece. Perhaps he could find some fat and lazy Creens in the park … They should be fairly easy to catch. Hmm … Perhaps he could give them a little special drink to keep them docile…

Arcadia says, "Fenter!"

The Jupani just stands in the doorway, muttering, "Perhaps this is not the best of time to get a hat."

A male Cervani walks up to the Rath'ani. With a restrained "ahem", he taps Fenter on the shoulder … holding a sick-looking and overstuffed, chocolate-stained Creen in the other hand.

Fenter peers up at the dragon. "Yes?" He fidgets with the hat in hand, while calculating how many shekels he can squeeze out of the poodle.

Envoy watches the purplish dragon.

The old poodle says, "So! How much for the hat?" She looks terribly eager.

Arcadia smiles sharply at Fenter. "Let's go talk outside, eh? – Now." It doesn't quite sound like a request.

Fenter says, "Oh dear. That must not be very good for its teeth."

"Excuse me," interrupts the male Cervani, "but I believe that there is the matter of several delicacies devoured by your pet, sir… "

Fenter looks to the dragon, then to the Cervani, then to the poodle. "Oh dear… "

The Creen opens its mouth and makes a rude noise. It looks somewhat more content now, flitting its tongue about.

The Jupani at the door finally steps inside, though still staying out of the way from the chaos.

A vixen assistant walks up, holding a piece of parchment. It appears to be a hand-written bill. She hands it to Fenter.

Arcadia asks, "How much is it for?" She looks to Fenter.

Fenter looks at the poodle again, then back to the stag. "Er… HOW several delicasies?" He feels a slight pain … right in his coin purse.

The stag points at the bill. It's not polite to mention such expenses out loud, after all. For, this is a store without price tags.

Envoy waits patiently. Maybe Fenter will eventually introduce her to the dragoness, once he takes care of his current distractions.

Arcadia tries to sneak a peek.

The Jupani gets a look at the Creen, then the group, then what seems to be a bill. He can't help but laugh softly.

Fenter gently takes the Creen in one arm. He motions to the poodle. "If you'll pardon me for JUST a moment, I must have a talk with my … friend here."

The poodle nods and smiles amiably. She turns to the Cervani and says, "Don't worry. He'll be right back!"

The Cervani looks very reluctant to believe this, but apparently the poodle's word is enough for him at this point. He nods his racked head and goes back to his office.

A golden vixen steps down from the window, walking back to the dressing rooms. *bing bing bing bing* A very short red fox wearing garish attire, a floppy feathered hat, and a thick cape takes her place, showing off the latest in menswear … at least, menswear for short foppish foxes.

The elderly poodle says, "I do think I shall have a little look-see around." And then she starts doing just that, walking along, her servant following behind.

Envoy isn't sure if she should follow Fenter and the dragon … so she just waits by the doorway.

Arcadia looks at Fenter and whispers to him, "You aren't seriously considering putting more Creens on a hat, are you?" Her ears are down and back.

the Jupani walks farther into the store now that things seem to have calmed down. He watches the fox… hmm, that hat's not bad, he thinks.

In the back of the shop, Fenter and the poodle converse quietly.

Arcadia stands where she is, arms folded and her tail tip twitching. She occasionally glances about the room.

The Jupani hmms at the fox; maybe he should have a cape… All the impresive types have a cape.

The strains of the harpsicord have resumed drifting across the store, along with the cheerful creeing of a Creen (not the one that is currently chocolate-filled), now that the … disruption … has ended.

Envoy steps up to the dragon, and asks, "Excuse me, but are you an Exile?" in a quiet voice.

Arcadia blinks, looking over at Envoy. She smiles a bit. "Ah … actually, yes. But, I've lived here for some time now… "

Arcadia mms, "Well, the world … not here, specifically."

Envoy smiles, "I'm an Exile too. I've never seen a dragon like you before. I was made by dragons."

The Jupani turns his attentions to look at the hats and capes; he does need a new hat.

Envoy introduces herself, "I am Envoy, currently of the Bards' Guild."

Arcadia purrs softly, arching an eyebrow. "Made? But … Magic?" she guesses.

The foppish fox in the window shifts to a new, heroic pose.

The door to the store opens, letting in a raven-haired bat dressed in dark to darker blues, with a wide-brimmed hat. Just outside, there is a big brown Vykarin who makes marks on the window by pressing his nose up against it.

Arcadia smiles in return. "I am most pleased. I'm Arcadia … currently and hopefully ever so, a travelling artisan."

Envoy says, "I knew a dragoness artisan before … Oh, Vielanika!"

Fenter lightly raps on the Cervani manager's door.

Vielanika looks around, then waves to Envoy. "Hello! I'm terribly sorry I'm late. I … I … " She pauses, her jaw dropping at the sight of the … big … purple … dragon. "I … uh … "

Arcadia cooos, "How ni- … who?" She looks over to what has distracted Envoy.

The Jupani picks out a feathered hat and looks about for a salesman.

Vielanika forces a smile and wiggles her fingers in a weak wave to Arcadia. She squeaks, "Hi?"

Arcadia chuckles softly, "Hallo."

A red-furred vixen scoots up to the Jupani, smiling brightly at him.

Arcadia says, "Please do not fret – I'm very friendly."

Envoy says, "Vielanika, this is Arcadia. Arcadia, this is Vielanika, a very good Bard."

The office door opens up, revealing a Cervani male who … looks a bit annoyed at Fenter's presence. "Yes?"

Vielanika curtseys. "A … pleasure."

Envoy says, "And that's Rawrii outside. He plays the drums."

The Jupani smiles back at the vixen, "How much is this, miss?"

Arcadia purrrs "Wonderful … Are you all going to be playing here some time soon? I wish I could play music… I love it so."

The Vykarin is now licking several spots on the window, and sniffing it intently, making quite a mess. The foppish fox is making "shoo" motions in vain.

Fenter, looking as sad and repentant as he possibly can, holds out his hand to the stag. There's the slightest glint of copper.

Vielanika says, "Well, you see, we occasionally play at parties, and it's always good to make sure one has something to wear that is in vogue, to make a proper impression at such functions."

The Cervani's expression changes, and he takes the copper, and marks off the bill.

Envoy smiles proudly to the Eeee, "I'm on much better terms with Bridge Officer Nimiss now, Vielanika. When are you going to see him again?"

Vielanika blinks exaggeratedly at Envoy. "You … are? Well … ah … I'm not quite sure, really."

Arcadia nods. "Oooh." She asks if the party they are to play at is hosted by a certain peacock.

Fenter smiles, makes a little bow, and slips back to join the assembled group. He manages to bump into the doe waiting for Arcadia on his way back.

"Well, actually," answers the bat, "we'll be playing at several parties. I'm reasonably sure one of them is probably hosted by a Kujaku."

Envoy blinks. "Kujaku?"

The doe yipes and stumbles against a rack of clothing. *crash* It's just not her day.

Arcadia cooos, "Oh good … I'll be looking for you all, then!"

Vielanika nods. "Yes. Oh! I suppose you've not met one yet. Well, we'll take care of that."

Arcadia glances up, looking towards Fenter.

The Jupani looks at the fallen doe, and shakes his head. "Are you alright?" he says, still waiting for the price of the hat.

Fenter tiptoes away. Oh dear… oh dear dear dear… and… er… deer.

Arcadia smiles at Envoy and Vielanika. "Please excuse me for a moment." She purrs, "Fenter, do you have a moment?"

The doe gets up, smiling. "Oh! Just fine … just … fine." She looks as if she's about to cry, as she sets the rack back up and rearranges the clothing.

The Jupani tiltshis head, "You do not look fine; surely tripping over a rack is not quite that bad?"

The doe wears a plastic grin, even though her eyes are threatening to water. "Just fine!" she says through her teeth, then giggles nervously.

Fenter blinks at the dragoness. "Er … your doe friend just had an accident."

Envoy seems to be a little stunned by the mention of the peacock, and finally notices Arkold. "Hello there, Arkold. Are you recovered from last night?"

Arcadia sighs… and looks over at the doe… and sees that the Jupani seems to be taking care of her for the moment. "Yes … but she'll be okay, I am sure. I'd really like to talk to you."

Fenter frowns. He's been in school long enough to know when there's a lecture coming his way. "Yes, yes… I'm listening… "

Arkold can't help but feel sorry for this doe. "I'm sure everything will be just fine dear, no need to be so upset." He blinks, "Who?" He turns around, "Envoy?? Is that you… how… how do you know about last night?"

The doe finishes rearranging the rack, then heads off with some fabrics selected by Arcadia, and some notes of measurements, to the cutting room.

Envoy blinks, "I was sitting in the corner, in disguise. I'm getting better at disguising myself."

Arkold turns to Envoy, "Disguise? But… Oh, nevermind… I suppose you saw that little scuff between the Knights Templar?"

Arcadia moves over to Fenter and sits back on her haunches, still quite towering. She wraps her tail about her feet. She whispers to him, "Please, You're not really going to do that Creen hat, are you?" she asks concernedly … but not at all condemningly.

Fenter looks up, and up, and up at Arcadia. "Er… well, sort of… "

Envoy nods to Arkold, "I escorted Blossom out afterwards."

Arkold tilts his head, "You … escorted her? Where?" he asks, quite confused.

Arcadia looks very very saddened by that. She whispers, "Oh Fenter, surely you can find another way? I mean that other Creen was quite unhappy. How do you think two would feel? They are living creatures, not baubles to be worn."

Envoy says, "To the Temple, of course."

Fenter thinks, ( Oh dear… not the sad drippy eyes. I'm such a sucker for that… )

Arkold was hoping that maybe Blossom would just disappear; the news that she was taken anywhere bothers him. "To do what?" he asks.

Arcadia purrs, "Here, I've an idea… I can make you some smaller glass Creens just as pretty and I'll sell them to you at base cost, ey? And then you can sell them on your hats or whatever you like. That way, everyone is happy, no?"

Envoy says, "Well … she couldn't go back to the Magenta Lance here. It was arranged for her to find a new post elsewhere."

Fenter studies the hem of his robe intently, "Well, I've not much of a choice now. I've been paid already and I've already spent half the money to refund what the Creen ate… " He suddenly looks up at Arcadia as she mentions her idea.

Fenter says, "Base price? what would that be?"

Arcadia says, "Oh… 4 or 5 shekels."

Arkold hmms, "But what position would take a disgraced knight?" He does not like the thought of Blossom out there somewhere, back in power.

Envoy shrugs. "I do not fully comprehend the politics involved."

Arkold hufs. "I do not like the thought of that lunatic back in power, none the less," he mutters to Envoy.

Fenter brightens. "Ohhh! That would be lovely!" He lowers his voice a bit. "And you never know, the nobles might start a trend with these new hats… You could start a new trend! You'd be rich! For a few days at least until the fad wears thin… "

Envoy blinks three times at Arkold. "I thought being a lunatic was a prerequisite for being in power?"

Vielanika hums to herself, as she peruses the store, and a selection of fabrics.

Envoy says, "Why would a sane person want it, after all?"

Fenter peers over at the glass window, trying to figure why it's fogging up.

Arcadia chuckles at Fenter. "Perhaps."

Arcadia says, "So do we have a deal? No snatching live Creens, eh?"

Arkold shakes his head. "Well you were there; you heard what she did. Doesn't that bother you?" He looks Envoy over – Exiles…

"Shoo! Shoo!" whispers the fox model in the window, otherwise trying to be very still and mannekin-like.

Fenter rocks back and forth on his heels. "We'll see. I'll present the glass Creen hat to the poodle, and if she likes it … then no more live Creens. They're much too… er… live for me anyhow." He gives his comatose Creen friend a gentle pat on the head.

Arcadia chuckles, "Good!"

Envoy tilts her head at Arkold, "Well … why did you work for her?"

Arkold says, "I do not work for her anymore, miss."

The stuffed Creen snoozes.

Fenter sidesteps towards the door. "Pardon me for just a moment, madame dragon." He walks up to the storefront door and pops his head out, making some strange clock/pop/growling noises at the Vykarin.

The Cervani doe comes back out, walking up to Arcadia. "Miss? I think we're ready for you. Could you come with me?"

The Vykarin click-pop-growls back something to Fenter, and makes a big sloppy grin.

Arcadia smiles. "Sure." She wanders off with the doe.

Envoy blinks in confusion.

The doe chatters as she leads the dragon back, "Now, we'll make you a positively LOVELY dress, you'll see! To start with… "

Arkold hmms. "No matter, this is a cause for concern… Where did you take Blossom again?" he asks, somewhat annoyed.

Fenter frowns. He makes a few more click/pop noises at the Vykarin.

The Vykarin snuffles at Fenter, then at his fluffy tail. He barks, "Rawrii!"

Fenter eeks and jumps back into the store.

The Vykarin's thick tail wags side to side, whacking against the front window. The glass holds for now.

Fenter peeks out again. "Oh… that was a friendly gesture type of thing… whew."

The Vykarin resumes making a foggy, slobbery mess of the window. The fox model is starting to look woozy. So is the mink behind the next pane.

Fenter wanders back in and rejoins Envoy. "Ah… Arkold is the name? We spoke on the docks, I believe… "

Arkold nods, seeming somewhat flustered. "Yes indeed we did… mm… Fenter?"

Vielanika sees the mess Rawrii is making of the window, let's out a light 'eep', and rushes outside. "Rawrii!"

Fenter's ringed tail flits back and forth. "Fenter, indeed. A pleasure seeing you again."

The bat drags the Vykarin away from the window, and leads him off, scolding him. If she had a rolled up newspaper, she'd probably give him a whap on the nose.

Arkold nods. "Likewise, sir. How is your work at the dock?" He looks at Envoy, then back to Fenter.

Envoy blinks at Arkold. "The Temple. She's been reassigned off of Rephidim."

Arkold hmms and looks back at Envoy. "Which part of the Temple?"

Fenter winces just a tad at the mention of the Temple. It's reflexive, nowadays.

Envoy hrrms. "I don't think I should tell you that, until I know more about your connection with the incident."

Arkold nods, "Well I did work for her; I would like to find out where she has gone… " He tilts his head, "This is important."

Fenter arches an eyebrow. "Incident? I hope no vampire bats were responsible… "

Envoy says, "I don't know where she has gone. Why would a noble work for a Knight?"

Arkold hmms, "Complex political things that I'd rather not discuss… Could you at least tell me who she saw? That could not be such a secret."

Envoy says, "Bridge Officer Nimiss."

Arkold blinks, then nods, "Humm… Thank you." He looks at his hat, "I should be paying for this. Again, thank you."

Envoy looks at the hat. A lot of stuff involving hats seems to be happening today.

Fenter pulls his own hat down a bit tighter.

Arkold walks off to a salesperson and chats with them, leaving Fenter and Envoy to talk amongst themselves.

Fenter's tail flicks a bit more out of nervousness. "Er… I hope my hat didn't bite you?"

Envoy looks to Fenter, "It didn't. Why was there a Creen stuck to your hat, and what does it have to do with vampires?"

Arkold reaches into his pouch and hands the salesperson some coins. He takes the hat and puts it on while walking back toward the others.

Fenter blinks. "Vampires? Oh, that. Ahem, it was a gift for a friend of mine … for a ladyfriend he was hoping to impress. Since my funding is very limited I took it upon myself to make some items out of what I had available."

Envoy says, "Oh."

Fenter looks around. "That's why I'm here… I've been ordered to replace an item I borrowed."

Arkold walks up to the others, saying, "Nothing like a new hat to make one feel complete again."

Envoy says, "What sort of item, Fenter?"

Fenter says, "Um… a sort of pot. I really wish my allowance was bigger so I could afford things like this."

Envoy says, "A tea pot?"

Fenter says, "Um… no. Some people call them 'honey pots'… although what the contain is usually far from sweet. I just needed something to put a plant in, so I swiped that snobbish life mage's chamberpot."

Arkold tilts his head. "Not the … most pleasant thing to steal," he comments.

Fenter peers at Arkold's hat. "Gracious… I wonder what sort of bird donated the feather for that!"

Envoy says, "Oh. So you're looking for a chamber pot here?"

Arkold tilts his hat. "I have no idea, but it is nice, no?" he says.

Fenter says, "That's right, milady. Apparently Latania got a scrying mage to sniff me out… and now I have to pay for a new one."

The raccoon scratches at his own hat. "I'm a poor judge of headwear, sir."

Arkold chuckles, "Well I would imagine it would be immpossible to steal with so many such mages around… " He nods. "Headwear is so important, I think."

Envoy says, "Do people guard their chamberpots?"

Arkold laughs quite loudly at Envoy's comment.

"It's wonderful for sneaking things in!" Fenter agrees to Arkold.

Fenter grumbles. "Only Latania … and she's the only person I know of who had such a fancy one as well. But I guess that she can afford it… lucky doe."

Arkold laughs for some time before saying to Fenter, "I suppose it must be har to get away with anything in a magic school."

The raccoon's eyes twinkle mysteriously for just the briefest of moments. "You would be quite surprised, my dear Arkold."

Envoy looks mildly confused.

Arkold smiles at Fenter, "Well I'm afraid I would know little about such things beside what I have guessed, having only visited the mage's school a very few times."

Envoy says, "Do they even sell chamber pots here?"

Fenter looks back to Envoy, as if noticing her for the first time. "Envoy… would you mind if I asked you the teensiest of questions? There's just a little something I've been wondering about… "

Envoy smiles, "Yes?"

Arkold looks between the two?

Fenter says, "I was juuuuust wondering." His voice drops just a bit. "Who was it that told you of my relation to… er… my grandfather?"

Envoy smiles, "Why, Bridge Officer Nimiss of course."

Arkold hmms, that Nimiss person again?

Fenter says, "Uhm… never heard of the gentleman. But oh well." He clears his throat. "I'm not sure if they sell chamberpots here. They sell so many other fancy bits… "

Arkold hmms and turns to Envoy. "This Nimiss, he is quite involved, no?" he comments.

Envoy says, "Yes, he is."

Fenter files the name away in his little head.

Arkold asks, "How did you come to meet him?"

Fenter pulls out an ivory flowerpot and examines it. This would make a nice chamberpot… were it not for the hole on the bottem. Hmm… wonder if Latania would notice.

Envoy says, "At a party, and when I went to try and get work with the Temple Audit."

Arkold ahhhs, "So what do you do for him?"

Envoy says, "I don't do anything for him."

Arkold tilts his head. "Nothing at all? You do not work for him?" He seems puzzeled.

Fenter says something in reply, but it comes out all muffled as he speaks through the pot.

Envoy says, "I don't work for him."

Fenter pulls the pot from his head with a loud *pop*. "Ooomph. I mean, of course you don't… You're a bard. A very odd bard… but a bard nontheless."

Envoy smiles and nods.

Arkold ohs. "Hmm, well… " He seems confused by this. "I shall stop pestering you with questions then… Odd a bard should know such a person." He has the feeling something is not quite right with this Envoy, or this Nimiss.

Envoy says, "I am also an Exile, so I would have more ties to the Temple than a native."

Arkold nods to Envoys comment. "But of course."

Fenter says, "Yeeech. I'd rather be as untied from the Temple as possible. Filthy place."

Arkold nods to Fenter; he does not much like being near the Temple either.

Envoy says, "It's usually kept very clean."

Fenter idly polishes his guild ring as he looks about for a chamberpot. hmm… Maybe he could get a tea kettle instead…

"It's not the decor that I detest," Fenter mombles.

Arkold looks at the door, "I belive I should be going – Good day to you both."

Fenter says, "Goodbye, Arkold. Enjoy your new hat."

Envoy says, "Fare well, Arkold."

Envoy smiles to Fenter, "I should try to catch up to Vielanika."

Arkold smiles and bows, "I certainly shall, and thank you miss Envoy… " He adjusts his hat and walks out the door.

Fenter says, "Ah … of course, Milady. Well, perhaps we'll meet again sometime."

Envoy says, "I'm sure we will. We often do, after all."

Fenter departs to stroll down the teapot aisle, thinking little thoughts…