Today is Landing Day, a day when it is rumored that the First Ones will, some year, return to Sinai. So far there has been no sign of them, but an event almost as monumentous is taking place. After two long years, Rephidim has a Captain-Astromancer again, and today marks his first public apperance.

A multi-tiered stage has been set up on the Temple grounds. Each tier represents some branch or faction of the Temple, from the Temple Scouts on the bottom all the way up to the highest ranking officers of the Bridge placed just below the topmost level. The top of the platform is currently unoccupied.

Galand meanders along the road past the Temple, pausing to observe the gathering crowd. He steps closer to the gathering, spotting someone in the assembly who looks like he might know what's going on, and respectfully asks, "Pardon me, sir, but I couldn't help but notice all these fine people standing here on a perfectly good day for a stroll, watching an assembly of Templars and their professional kin. Perhaps I've had my head in a hole, but would you happen to know what might be going on?"

"Degarde? De – Oh, there you are." Brishen grins as she finally works her way betwixt a knot of onlookers to abruptly come face-to-face with her aide. "It looks like we've lost Sunrise and Snow-Ivy, though. I bet they stopped for food somewhere."

While a line of Zelaks keep the crowd back, and no one seems too eager to challenge the giant insects' orders to make sure no one gets dangerously close, far more friendly Jupanis usher the audience into the wide street to make sure that people avoid getting trampled under the crowd. "Happy Landing Day," a grizzled red-black wolf tells Galand. "What, you haven't heard? Word is they're going to inaugurate a new High'n'Mighty!" He motions Galand toward where a new layer of people seem to be forming on the crowd.

The spotted Khatta raises an eyebrow, and hmms thoughtfully. "A new Captain-Astromancer? Interesting… interesting, indeed. Thank you, my good fellow. Think I'll stick around and watch the festivities." With that, Ash Galand moves into the new portion of the audience, craning his neck to have a look.

A single note sings out from a trumpet, heralding the start of the ceremony. People in the crowds start to rush to find good viewing places while up on the platforms the officers look to be preparing to make their speeches.

The Jupani temple guards – not the far more dangerous and prideful Templars – each carry staves painted gold on one half and white on the other, making them easy to pick out. Another guard – similar to the first one which Galand spotted – motions him onward to a spot next to several bats. "Move along, no pushing please," he says in a slightly bored tone of voice.

Galand smiles amiably at the Jupani and moves to the indicated spot, nodding politely to his neighbors and settling his cloak over his shoulders with only a very slightly dramatic flip of the fabric and a toss of his hair.

Each branch of the Temple is allowed to speak their peace. From the bottom upwards, everyone is allowed to speak on the great event.

A rat in far too fancy silks for his apparent station, his left hand tucked perpetually into his shirt, sidles up by Galand, but appears slightly frustrated as his shortness makes it difficult for him to see the gathering. He peers left, then right, muttering, "Dagh, what a crowd."

Members of the Temple Scouts comment on how they'd like to be Astromancers when they grow up, while representatives of the Technopriesthood speak on the order that the Captain-Astromancer brings to the Temple and his part in its grand design.

A mousey bat aide to Ambassador Brishen whispers to her, "Ah! Ambassador Kara … You look stunning! You'll make quite a hit at the party afterwards. Oh yes … and I stumbled across some reading material while doing research for you. It isn't of any practical use, I'm afraid, but you may find it amusing … and perhaps a little bit of an ego-boost." Degarde smiles.

Galand's left ear twitches, and he looks at the rat and chuckles, smiling. "Indeed it is. Quite a turnout, in fact. I wonder what the new fellow in office is going to say, and if it'll be any different from what others before him have said in the past."

The rat mutters back to Galand, "Who knows? Astromancers live long time. I was born in reign of Cerbancos, he dead now. New Astromancer, who is to say? Could be very different. Could be same old." He rubs his left hand, which is gloved and appears strangely stiff. "Hope business for antiques stays good."

Brishen twirls about in a neat circle, quite a feat given how little room there is to move around. "You probably won't say that when you see the bill from the clothier. I had it imported from home." She smiles sweetly, then brushes a lock of hair from her eyes. "Anything that makes me laugh, Degarde, will be worth its weight in shekels."

A saluki, a slender-sort of muzzle with long floppy ears that bely the hard as flint look of his eyes, declares, "Under the reign of the new Captain-Astromancer, I fully expect that the Inquisition of the Temple will live up to his every expectations. We will not shirk our duties. We owe no less to him, and to the great city of Rephidim that we protect. As part of our affirmation, I am pleased to announce to you all that the Bridge Officer Nimiss, who has personally taken time from his numerous duties to assist us in our year of crisis, has important news for you all… " He steps aside for one of the top level officials to step forward to the podium. An example of Temple magic, it takes whatever the speaker says and amplifies it so that everyone can hear clearly… A remarkable feat without even an Air Mage obviously present.

The cat's nose and whiskers twitch distinctly at the word 'business,' and he says in an intrigued purr to the rat, "Business, you say? How good a business, might I ask?"

A completely black bat steps forward, his characteristically black attire adorned with a sash of white and gold in honor of the occasion. "Fellow citizens of Rephidim, I am Bridge Officer Nimiss of the Audit. As you all know, Rephidim was plunged into political chaos with the death of the Captain-Astromancer Cerbancos the Third, who was foully murdered in his sleep by the notorious Shadowspite. This was a matter that concerned not only the Inquisition but the entire Temple, and so I took charge of the investigation to ensure that answers would be found. And I am grateful that, on this day when a new Captain-Astromancer takes his office, we are now able to close the book on the story of his predecessor." A murmur spreads through the crowd. Most knew of the assassination in only vague terms.

The rat shrugs. "Is so-so. Business never good, you know," he says in a low tone of voice, his eyes glinting. "Could always use more… Sources. You don't look like customer of relics. Maybe type to supply them?"

"The name of the murderer, the person who paid for the death of the Captain-Astromancer… That name is Inquisitor Caesar Moffat. He has paid the price for his sins, while attempting to escape justice."

Someone taps Brishen on the left shoulder. It turns out to be a green shiga in a plain traveller's robe. He might look not totally unlike the Wooden Shekel, if it weren't for the forest of spines sticking out from the back of his head, like a long cut, spikey hairstyle, and a ridge of shorter spines cresting his snout and the underside of his jaw. Little chitin charms, nutshells, and the like dangle from some of them. "Ahem."

Nimiss continues, "We have learned that the Arch Inquisitor Caesar Moffat was involved in many crimes and schemes against the Temple and against Rephidim whose people we are all charged to serve. We are prosecuting these crimes to the best of our abilities, and we are cleansing the Temple of his taint. Rest assured, citizens, that our new leader, the Captain Astromancer, will come into possession of a Temple freshly sharpened and ready for his orders. We will be vigilant." The crowd has broken into a hub-bub between each other, talking about the implications of his words. "And we will build Rephidim ever greater! Thank you, ladies and gentlemen." Scattered cheers. Bridge Officer Nimiss, looking unreadable as he takes his bow, returns to his seat.

Brishen blinks, her attention caught for a moment by the revelation. Wires. Now that, I imagine would be an interesting story to know more than the first and last pages about. I wonder if – She turns to look at the shiga, narrowing her eyes slightly. "Yes?"

Silver flashes from the topmost platform, and then another note rings out on the trumpets. The final portion of the ceremony has begun.

The silk-clad rat looks skyward. "Everyone knew Moffat was corrupt," he mutters to the snow leopard. "Rotten to the core. Old news."

Elite Guardsmen in silver and icy-blue armor take their places upon the platform, serving as the traditional protectors for the Captain Astromancer. Soon, others come into view as well. A person from each tier takes their place on the top platform.

"I bear news, Ambassador," hisses the oddly decorated reptile. "You are to speak at this ceremony today, yes? An aquaintance of yours will be here for it, and I'm sure she'll bring that grin you love so much with her."

Finally, three figures step out, two short and one tall. The two shorter figures appear to be human, one being flanked by the other two.

The lizard glances at the stage as Nimiss steps down, and a slight smirk briefly crosses his face.

The central figure slowly rises up to address the crowd. His robes are pearly white and seem spectral in their own way. Gold thread traces glowing symbols across the fabric and then forms a bright image of the Star and Anchor across his chest. His shoulders bear golden pauldrons with strange spikes that rise up higher than his head, making the boy seem much taller than he truly is. A cloak, bright red in color swirls across his back in the wind.

Galand hmms, and lowers his voice as well, and murmurs, "Maybe … maybe not. I typically handle the, ah, monetary aspects of things, book-keeping, transactions, a bit of short-term risk investment if you take my meaning."

The tall figure is a Savanite slave following behind the Captain-Astromancer. She wears a long silken dress that reaches to her ankles, decorated with a subdued lace trim along the hem and neckline. Her slave collar carries Tahir's colours along with some small shiny stones which help make it look almost like jewelry. The hair of the Savanite even matches the human's, being a wild bright red that cascades about her shoulders. The ensemble is completed with shoulder length gloves and a mandolin case discreetly slung to her back.

Brishen runs a hand through her long, curly hair, in part to hide a smile that has grown quite frigid. "I shall keep that in mind. But, I do not think I'll have to speak, here, on Babel's behalf." Her voice is barely above a whisper.

"Very well," hisses the shiga. "When you have time, you might wish to seek me out again. My agents and I have uncovered some very interesting facts about your toothsome friend."

To the right is the other human wearing silver robes that mark him as a representitive of the Priesthood. His clothing is finer than that of the slave, but pales in comparison to the Astromancer's.

"Ah! A gambler," the rat whispers to the snow leopard. "Always a safe business. Maybe I should set up a game in my shop. Good for business. You interested?"

The Captain-Astromancer stretches his gauntleted hands out towards the crowd. "People of Rephidim… " His voice removes all traces of doubts that he's just a boy, although there's something about his tone that makes him seen older, despite his years.

Galand purrrrs softly to the rat, "I might be interested in enabling the good people of Rephidim to allow their money to flow freely to its rightful place … it would a most fair operation, of course… "

The Astromancer places his hands on the podium and leans heavily on them, as if he were bearing some great weight on his shoulders. "We have fought with Babel, we have witnessed the destruction of Himar, we have seen conflict build in the Savan and the Nagai Empire as well. And during this time crime and corruption ran freely through our own nation of Rephidim. These things have weakened us, they have tried us, and they have threatened to tear us apart."

The suave snow leopard looks up at the stage, and frowns slightly, his mind not quite matching the voice with the size of the body it's coming from.

The younger human in priestly robes glances sidelong at the Savanite and scratches at his chest.

The rat chuckles. "You come by sometimes. We talk more. Achimed's Pawn Shop, in Scholar's Quarter, on Street of Five Red Drokkars. Just rebuilt, after fire." His face clouds a bit as he recalls the events leading up to that fire, but he continues in a quiet tone of voice, "Hm. New high'n'mighty sounds like a tough case. Wonder who writes his lines?"

"It is the duty of the Captain Astromancer to predict the path of this island." The human looks skywards and waves a hand up towards the procession. "But it is the responsibility of the Astromancer to serve as a symbol of unity, and to guide Rephidim's people towards that goal."

The red-maned slave gives a slight nod to the other human, keeping her eyes lowered.

"I don't know, but he talks almost as smooth as I do," replies the spotted Khatta softly. "At the very least, he sounds sincere, which is more than I can say for most. As for your shop, kind sir, I'd be honored to drop by sometime when I'm in that area… " He offers a paw in greeting. "The name's Ashur Galand. Call me Ash."

Brishen clasps her hands together, neatly, and fixes her large brown eyes upon the shiga and his peculiar adorn. "I would like to learn these very interesting facts. Perhaps we could meet again. I know of a wonderful place – " Then, she smiles, her voice still quiet but considerably more cheerful, "Oh! I hadn't recognized you." She takes a small pouch from a pocket and hands it to the shiga. "I suppose I should expect to meet everyone here eventually. I believe this will cover the commission we'd arranged. I'll be delighted to see your next piece of work. The bracelets were beautiful."

The Captain-Astromancer looks at the less decorated human at his right, and then at the Savanite slave to his left. "We must not forget the very thing that makes Rephidim unique, the very thing that makes us the power and the beacon for all of Sinai." His eyes fall on the crowds once more. "That thing is that Rephidim welcomes all into her folds. Some of you are Nagai or Shigai, Jupani, Titanian, Vartan, Eee… from the highest Aeonian to the lowliest Kavi, you are all of Rephidim. Our hopes mingle with one another's, our dreams meld together. It is that thing that makes Sinai look up to Rephidim."

The cheetah keeps hands clasped in front of her and her head bowed as she listens to her Master's speach. The occasional flick of her ears and twitch of her tail is the only sign of the restrained nervousness the cheetah must feel from being so close to the centre of attention.

"Very well, Ash," Achimed says. "You see relics you like, maybe I give you discount on them for being good customer, eh?" The rat chuckles.

The red-haired human's eyes fall. "But not all look up. Some view us as a nation of mongrels; they see our Temple not as a force of guidance and dreams, but as an engine of corruption and evil. The assassination of Cerbancos, the burning of Darkside, and the explosion of crime has hurt Rephidim." The Astromancer takes another step forward on his podium… his bright red hair swirls around his young face in the breeze. "Those days are over. Cerbancos' death heralded a two year era of darkness. It is my hope that I shall bring in a new era of light. I give you my own dreams, to mingle with yours to help reform Rephidim into the beacon that it was destined to be."

The lizard accepts the pouch, bowing several times in rapid succession. "Ahh! Thank you, Missus Bat, I'm glad you liked the workmanship! If you have any more orders, you know who to come to, ah? Farewell, enjoy the ceremony." He bows again, his spines rattling against one another, and he shuffles away.

Brishen turns back towards the Captain-Astromancer, though she does spare Degarde an apologetic glance. "They were beautiful bracelets."

"Ah, a pleasure to meet an honest businessman, once in awhile." He chuckles softly, and says quietly, "You know, somehow I find it at once very comforting and very ironically appropriate that all of Sinai looks up Lady Rephidim … oh, excuse me … looks up to Lady Rephidim… for she is truly a generous city, for those who know her well… " He hmms and adds to Achimed, "Next we know, he'll say that he's going to ban gambling, drinking, and other activities that make this place such a rich city to live in."

"This cannot be without the unity of the people. I ask all of you… ALL of you to put aside your selfish desires, your personal agendas and focus on the good of all Rephidim." Gloved hands fold across the gold embroidery of the Star and Anchor across his chest. "Do not forget what being of Rephidim means. As citizens of her soils you all take a part in her spirit of unity, her creativity, and her uniqueness. The more we close our eyes to what we are and instead choose the pursuit of selfish goals, the less Rephidim is what she is."

Achimed rubs his chin. "Shh," he whispers to Galand. "Now we find out what new Captain-Astromancer made from. Hope not for words 'crusade against crime'. Such harsh words for little under-the-counter dealing."

The red-maned Savanite makes an instinctive step to follow her master. Nervous eyes look down the height at the crowd, and she halts her progress. Eyes darting, the slave stays where she stands and fidgets her hands.

The Astromancer puts his hands down at his sides. "I am Tahir Archelaus the First. And today marks the first day in my reign as your Captain-Astromancer… but today means much more than that. Some day, all of Sinai shall look upon Landing Day, in the first year of the reign of Tahir Archelaus the First, as the start of the Golden Age of Rephidim." He makes the sign of the Star and Anchor to the crowd. "My blessings to all of you, the greatest people on all of Sinai who will herald in this new age. I thank you."

The other human smirks and tugs at the hem of his robe.

A calico Khatta in an all-color robe near Brishen watches the people on stage with interest as well. She raises a pair of opera glasses to her nose and peers up at the new Captain-Astromancer and his associates. "Fiery," she mutters.

The fire-haired slave gives a tiny clap at the end of her master's speach, her tailtip twitching.

"Big words," Achimed mutters to Ash companionably. "Little really said. I should know." He frowns, then looks relieved. He can deal with that.

Another note sings out, and the platform's inhabitants step down, quietly shuffling into the Temple. The ceremony appears to be ending, although there looks to be a gathering occuring inside the Temple itself. The Astromancer and his entourage vanish from the top platform as quickly as they arrived.

Degarde whispers to Brishen, "Ah … it looks as if we shall soon be departing for the party. I do hope I'm presentable." He dusts off his sleeves. "And I hope we don't need anything. I'm travelling light. Pickpockets, you know, in a crowd this size."

Achimed nods to Galand. "Must be getting back to shop. No place for me with higher-ups, eh?" He jerks his nose over toward the people going into the Temple.

Jupani guards start filtering the people outward. "No shoving," they chant. "Stay in line, you'll get out." One yells, "I don't care if you have to go, stay in line – oh Dagh. Make room please, people." He starts shepherding out a little Cervani boy who is jumping about from one foot to the other.

Brishen twines a lock of hair about a finger, for a moment lost in thought, then she smiles a bright and thoroughly wicked smile. "We should be fine, Degarde. Make sure Sunrise and Snow-Ivy don't get lost in the crowd, hm? I think I saw them talking to a cute young fellow a few rows back. We should rescue him." Exeunt. And now, for Act Two. It takes some time for the entourage from Babel to make it through the crowd to the party that awaits them.

At the Temple entry, slightly behind one of the Jupani guards, Envoy watches the flood of entering people and memorizes their faces, feeling a bit of pride at actually performing a function she's good at.

Galand joins the flow of people heading toward the festivities, smiling jauntily at a few people as he passes.

The Grand Ballroom of the Temple wasn't part of the original plans of the Temple, but it would be difficult to tell that from the amount of opulent magnificence that presently fills its high vaulted ceiling – from huge sheets of silk that drape from the cornices, to alcoves in the plastered walls that have been painted with realistic scenes of Temple history, looking ready to come alive, and even a curious mechanical chandelier hanging over the very center, every one of its thousand bulbs glowing in shades of gold and white. The floor is a grid of marble tiles polished so smooth as to reflect its guests walking across it. Shaped like the Star and Anchor that forms the Temple logo, it houses caterers and an enormous buffet in the crescent part, a dance through the main hall with the musicians at the intersection of arc and star, and side rooms for quieter conversation, with wine stewards on hand to provide for any of the eminent guests' needs.

The Astromancer is already there before most of the guests arrive. His robes have been greatly stripped down to more simpler dressings of white and gold. A violet cap rests on the back of his head. The other human is chatting with some Inquisitors near the punchbowl.

The spotted Khatta straightens his cape, picks imaginary lint off his shirt, smiles and visits the buffet, taking a glass of wine and a piece of meat and cheese on a cracker. He nods respectfully to the Temple officials, and glances around the room, seeing if he can recognize any faces…

The fire-haired Savanite stands close to the Astromancer, currently holding a glass of punch for him. The crowd is smaller and she is a little bolder, glancing around at the decorations and the finery of the guests.

Degarde fidgets with his uniform, doing his best to present the best face he can for an underling of Babel's Ambassador to Rephidim. A couple of lady Eeee hairdressers chitter and giggle as they hang on the arms of a handsome male bat.

Envoy slips in with the other guests, her gold gown helping her to mingle in. She keeps most of her attention focussed on who talks to the new Astromancer though, with an occasional sweep of the room for any other noteworthy meetings.

A brown-furred bat in black and blue attire makes her way through the crowd, followed by a large and friendly-looking brown-shelled Vykarin. Her eyes alight on Envoy, and for a moment her expression turns sad … but she quickly turns away, putting on a mask of a smile as she makes her way up to a brightly colored Kujaku, and compliments him on his latest outfit.

The Astromancer's second, a boy named Rhys, also manages to get a glass of wine. He nods to the Khatta, smirks a little and walks to the end of the table. He has an interesting gleam in his eye.

The Astromancer, Tahir, just quietly mingles. He seems to be slowly making his way towards Brishen, although it doesn't look as though he's doing so purposely.

A happy-looking Rath'ani mills about as well, sampling this and that from the trays of snacky things. Though of fine material, her dress has a simple cut to it, and an elegant copper hairpin holds her tresses in a slightly unruly bunch on the back of her head. She chats with anyone in range. "Ohh, aren't these exquisite? I'm sure my great-aunt would love them. Have you seen her anywhere? She's like me, only real old, and… eep! You won't tell her I said that, will you?"

A squint-eyed koala in priestly garb makes his way through the room, and smiles and waves as he sees Envoy. To a lady Aeonian and her Korv aide, he says, "Ah, there's that lovely child of Melchidezek, again. She's looking more and more like him every day!"

The Astromancer's Savanite follows, deftly staying with the human and managing to avoid being cut off by the crowd.

A black Aeonian with a red mane stays near the wall, quietly nodding as a couple of wolves talk more to him than with him. He doesn't seem to be working very hard to mingle.

Envoy shies away from the Technopriest. She's not really supposed to be noticed if she can help it. Nor does she want to draw attention to Melchizedek.

Rhys leans against the table near Galand. "I never did care for parties, but at least one eats well." he takes a sip from his glass. "Don't you think?"

Another young Rath'ani, dressed in Technopriest robes, grins back to the first one. "Don't worry, I won't tell 'ol Miriam anything. M'name's Quinn. Acolyte Quinn. I'm a Technopriest – well, I will be, someday!"

Brishen casts a warm grin to Sunrise, Snow-Ivy and their hapless victim, then looks about at the grand and oddly-shaped ballroom. It could be said, perhaps, that she has been overwhelmed by the grandeur, but it does provide the Astromancer a chance to speak to her, if he so desires.

Several Savanites carry trays around the room, taking up empty plates and glasses and replacing them with full ones. Some of them nod to the Astromancer's slave as they walk by.

A large lupine guard scans the crowd. As he sees the fiery-maned Savanite next to the Captain-Astromancer, he starts to grin and wave – but quickly stops himself and looks away, adopting a stern expression at no one in particular.

Galand chuckles and nods to Rhys. "This is true… though I always looked upon a good party of any type as a way to relax, a place to maybe make a new business contact or renew an old acquaintance… " His eyes stray to a pair of apparently unattached ladies who walk past, and he flashes a smile at them, purring, "Perhaps make a new friend or two. A way to keep my finger on the pulse of the people, I guess you could say."

By random chance, it happens to be a short foppish fox who is directly in line of sight of the large wolf's stern gaze. He lets out a quiet "meep!" that is muffled by the many munchies crammed into his mouth. He tries to appear smaller.

"Oh, hi! It's nice to meet you, Quinn!" The Rath'ani girl extends her paw to shake, then realizes there's a cracker in it and pops the cracker into her mouth. " Youf m'meknopeeft? I mean, you're going to be a technopriest? Wow, that must be great! Seeing the inner mysteries and all that. I'm Naomi Flangenchette, a heal-… um… musician! I guess you already know my aunt."

The Astromancer's slave catches the brief wave of the Jupani as she is nodding to one of the other Savanites. Seeing the fox's predicament, her ears start to wiggle wildly. She catches herself almost as quickly as the large wolf did, and stops her motions.

"So what brings you to this rabble… mister… uh… " Rhys asks the snow-leopard. His finter traces across the top of his glass.

"Yeah, friend pointed you out to me," Acolyte Quinn says to Naomi with a grin. He winks. "Dared me to go talk to you in fact! Oh, here, I got this for you. We're not supposed to drink but I got this out of the bottle when they weren't looking." He offers the other Rath'ani a suspiciously pinkish liqueur in a fluted glass.

The spotted cat replies, smiling, "Galand … Ash Galand. Oh, I was in the neighborhood, wandered into the presentation out there, and decided I'd come along to the party, see what I can see. I try to keep myself up on information as much as I can … It's almost as valuable as steel, some days."

Galand asks the lad, "And you are… ?"

Tahir lightly brushes against the back of Brishen's wings and then spins around. "Oh, I'm sorry. I wasn't looking where I was going."

The boy Galand is speaking to looks to be about eight years old at the oldest, his hair is cropped short as though he were in military service. "Rhys Iaokihm, Assistant-General to the Captain Astromancer." He sips from his glass. "And no, it's not as glamorous as it sounds."

Envoy decides to move a little deeper into the crowd, so she can keep the Astromancer in sight. She wonders if she should be keeping an eye on the other human as well, who looks related.

Melchizedek. Well, perhaps I shall have a chance to speak to him before the night is out. Now, how to talk to him without looking like I'm talking to him. If Envoy is right, his position in the Temple is uncertain. Perhaps I should faint, and fall into his arms. Hm. No, I imagine that would make the grapevine burst into flames. Brishen twirls a lock of hair about a finger, absently, then squeaks, drawing her wings up against her back as she turns to look at Tahir. "Oh!" She bows, slightly, smiling. "I think I shall survive the collision. It's good to meet you, Captain-Astromancer Tahir."

The beaming Rath'ani 'musician' smiles brightly. "Why, thank you! How gentlemanly! Those crackers were making me thirsty. I hope your friend takes an example from your manners." Naomi doesn't even really pay attention to what's in the glass before putting it to her lips. With a tilt of her head, down it goes.

The Astromancer taps his forhead in thought. "Oh yes! You're the Babelite ambassador. I've heard your name quite a bit as of late. Brishen Kara I believe?"

Galand chuckles softly, absently tugging his extra-long tail out of the path of a waiter's foot. "What line of employment ever is?"

Brishen nods. "That would be me." She tilts her head slightly, her voice warm and quiet. "I would hope that most of what you have heard has been favorable."

Acolyte Quinn gives his 'friend' a look – a Skeek also in Technopriest robes – and beams. "Wanna dance, Naomi? I learned a few steps recently." He tugs her by the hand toward the dance hall down the center of the Grand Ballroom, which would seem to be a course intersecting the Astromancer and Brishen and Envoy.

Rhys points to the golden robed figure who looks like an exact duplicate of himself, except his hair is long and tied neatly back behind his shoulders. "I wouldn't mind the prestige of his job. I almost had it as well. But the coin did not flip in my favor."

Galand hmms softly. "Lady Luck is fickle that way sometimes. I should know, She's an old friend of mine." He looks at Rhys curiously. "Pardon if I seem rude, but I must say I've never seen anything like you or the good Captain-Astromancer before."

Tahir's eyes narrow. "Um. Well, I believe that you were instrumental in the overthrow of the old Sabaoth. The rest of what I've heard consists of stories about gravestones and foxes."

As she moves closer to Brishen and the Astromancer, Envoy spares a quick glance towards Melchizedek. She wonders if the Inquisitor recognizes Tahir's tall slave from the line up of princesses at the Priest-Queen's coronation. She also wonders if it's anything she should be wondering about in the first place.

The Astromancer's slave slips in quietly behind him.

Naomi coughs a few times, and taps her sternum. "That's… (cough) kind of a strange (cough) experience. Must be imported." She blinks slowly a few times. "Uh… sure! I'm not very good at it, though."

"Never seen anything like me in what way, Mister Galand?" Rhys asks. "A human? We're rare on Sinai but there are a few of us around."

The Khatta nods, sipping his glass a bit before replying, "A human, yes… I'd heard of humans, but I'd never actually SEEN a human before." He smiles amiably. "Quite remarkable, actually … and in fact, I know how you feel. Khattae of my, ah, color and markings are somewhat rare as well, and sometimes subject to certain prejudices. In fact the only other ones I know of on Rephidim are this charming but somewhat eccentric lady Technopriest, and my own family."

Quinn grins. "Oh, it's easy! I'll show you." The effusive Acolyte pulls Naomi over by the Exile, murmuring, "'scuse me," as he tries to squeeze between her and a pair of rather plump-looking Gallee nobles. Poodles to be specific.

Brishen smiles, "I was involved in the revolt that overthrew the Sabaoth, yes, though I cannot say I was instrumental in his defeat. There were many who did far more than I. As for gravestones and foxes – " She sighs, inclining her head slightly. "An error that I hope will not harm relations between Babel and Rephidim." Her bright brown eyes do not waver from the Astromancer.

"I suppose you should be grateful that you're gray and not yellow. You wouldn't want to be mistaken for a slave, after all." The human's bright blue eyes dart over to his 'brother' and his Savanite servant. "People might ask you to spend all your time fetching water or babysitting like all of the other slaves I'm familiar with."

A young poodle noble struts along, with several other rich poodles as hangers-on … but he gulps upon seeing a female poodle Inquisitrix, and hastily moves to interpose a tall Rhian between himself and her gaze.

Envoy tries to keep between the dancers and the Ambassador's conversation. I wonder if Naomi is pursuing her musical interests still, she thinks to herself.

Naomi stumbles along behind Quinn in a somewhat uncoordinated manner. Her dodge isn't quite as graceful as the acolytes, and her hip bounces off a rotund poodle. With a squeak and a flail of arms, she's deflected at the winged aeolun!

The ears of the Astromancer's cheetah perk as she hears Rhys' comment about fetching water. It looks as if she would like that task, or some other one to do. Unused, she stands quietly amid the party attendants, watching but not interacting.

Galand mms softly and nods. "I cannot say I'm unhappy about it … but at the same time, I do have to wonder what the purpose is in keeping slaves … I mean, it's not like it's necessary. There's plenty of capable workers in Rephidim alone who are more than able to perform the same tasks, likely in a better fashion, since so many Savanites seem to be deliberately un-educated by their owners … it would help the economy as well. The more money moves, the better it is for commerce, as my dear father would say." The snow leopard goes quiet for a moment, and takes another hit from his wineglass, murmuring, "Dear old Dad kept a few Savanites around. Personally, I don't see how he could stomach the irony."

Quinn yelps! as he gets pulled around the other way, into the female poodle of the pair. "'Scuse me 'scuse me 'scuse me!" he cries, trying to keep his balance. The lady's hors d'ouevres go flying!

Unfortunately, Envoy was distracted by Eustace's entrance, and so is ill prepared when Naomi stumbles into her!

Brishen blinks, eyes widening as she turns towards the commotion. Envoy! Hors d'ouevres! Eep!

Envoy's wings fan out for balance, since her gown is a bit restrictive when it comes to rapid leg movements. It does allow her to fall on her tail though, which she does.

Tahir jumps slightly and bumps into Brishen again at the commotion. He dusts himself off and flashes a quick handsign to his slave.

The glass Naomi was holding glitters as it flies out of her grasp, the Rath'ani whumping into a heap with Envoy. "Oof!"

Galand blinks at the commotion, looking to make sure nothing's flying at him.

Rhys takes another sip from his glass. "Now now. One can't condemn slavery too much. After all, our own CAPTAIN-ASTROMANCER is a slave owner, so it must be all right." The human suddenly throws up his free arm as several gobbets of food go flying in his direction.

Brishen draws a hand up to her mouth. "Oh dear." She winces as Envoy tumbles to the floor.

The slave nods, returning a gesture then straightening the shoulders of the Astromancer's gown.

*Zing!* A particularly gaudy-looking canape goes flying through the air on a high arching course that looks like it might hit either Galand or Rhys. Oh no! A potential diplomatic faux pas of the worst sort!

White and gold wings wrap around the Rath'ani in Envoy's lap, then slowly unfurl.

Galand's paw strikes out into the air, to catch the canape … Can the Khatta avert catastrophe by catching the canape? Can he cool the calamity and calm the crowd?

Quinn goes, "I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry!" very quickly as he tries to help Naomi up.

The female poodle noble looks aghast as she watches the canape go flying. "Oh… no!"

Brishen smooths a few wrinkles from her dress and nudges a lock of hair back into place. She takes a deep breath, unfurling her wings slightly. She raises a brow and casts a sidelong glance at the Captain-Astromancer. "Foxes. Foxes and graveyards. We must stop bumping into each other." The hint of a smile traces across her muzzle.

Tahir frowns a bit as Rhys' words reach his ears, he focuses on the bat. "Yes. I truly hope that some of the gravestones are still intact. For all I know some of my friends inhabited the graveyard, or at least they were my friends before they came to inhabit it."

Envoy waits for Naomi to regain her feet, and wonders if she's been taking dancing lessons. Then she wonders how she'll get back to HER feet afterwards.

"Mmf… zzzz… " Naomi seems to be very peacefully dozing. If she were awake, she'd probably have asked, "What the heck was that stuff?!"

The Aeolun tries whispering into Naomi's ear, "Naomi? Naomi! This isn't the best time for a nap."

Quinn looks terribly apologetic to Naomi and Envoy. "Gee! I'm really sorry about that, Naomi… Naomi? Naomi?" He pulls on her hand a bit more, then leans in to wave a hand in front of her face.

Galand's hand moves in a blur of motion, intercepting the canape as the spotted Khatta twirls on one foot in a circle twice, and comes out of the spin in a half-kneeling position, the canape balanced and still spinning on the claw of his forefinger as he offers it to the original owner. "I think this one's trying to get away from you, ma'am.

The female poodle noble blushes. "Oh my!" She accepts the confection while her husband, who seemed ready to berate the Temple for hiring incompetents, coughs and ahems. "Thank you so much, my dear man," she says.

Naomi's nose and whiskers twitch. "Mmnum… zzz… no more for me, please… zzz… "

The fire-haired slave relaxes as she sees Galand snatch the errant snack from the air. She brushed back her mane, adjusts her collar, and lets her hands drop down to her sides in a way that lets her check on the position of her mandolin. Satisfied that she is not about to cause a similar accident with her instrument, Leeta goes back to looking aimlessly about the room, and listening to Tahir and Brishen converse.

Rhys breathes out a sigh of relief. "I owe you my dignity, Ashur Galand, Thank you."

Envoy looks up at Quinn, and suggests, "Perhaps if we get her onto her feet, she'll rouse."

Galand smiles and finishes the bow to the poodles with a flourish of his cape, then does a similar bow to Rhys. "My pleasure, Assistant-General. Always fills my heart with joy to serve the public good."

Quinn looks nervous. "Um, lifting things is not in my contract – oh, all right," he says. "You get her left arm and I'll get her right?"

Tahir looks back at Leeta. "Perhaps you could provide us with some music? It might calm the mood a bit."

Envoy blinks, "I can't get up with her on top of me I'm afraid. There's a Vykarin around here that could help… "

The aforementioned Vykarin looks quite happy, his face smeared with the remnants of several snacks of the creamy and messy variety.

The Technopriest acolyte gulps. "Well, can't you at least squirm out a bit? Maybe you could pick her up on one side then." He looks around self-consciously at the crowd, most of whom have gone back to their conversations but some of which are watching with a certain morbid fascination.

Envoy tries to roll Naomi and herself to the side.

Rhys runs a hand through his short hair. "Perhaps I can return the favor someday, reccomend you to some important position in the Temple or somesuch. What type of work do you do, Mister Galand?"

Brishen watches the Captain-Astromancer intently. "Perhaps it would be in the best interest of both the Temple and the Embassy, to insure that a measure of safety returns to the Old City. It is due to my concern for the safety of my staff and for guests of the Embassy, that the land was cleared." Her voice is quiet, focused, though with the slightest sharp edge.

The Savanite nods, bringing her case around and slipping out her mandolin. The case is returned to her back in the same practiced motion that places her hands on the strings. Her fingers caress a quick scale of notes, all perfectly in tune. Leeta pauses a moment, then starts with a happy jaunt of chords that mimic the present commotion, then she slows her pace down.

Degarde sputters as Brishen answers, and interjects to Tahir, "Now, I'm terribly sorry about that … ah … cemetary incident. You see, it was all MY fault. I misread the documents, and … It was all a TERRIBLE mistake. I accept full responsibility myself." He runs a finger through his collar, looking quite hot in the ears all of a sudden.

The unconscious Rath'ani flops limply onto her back, one paw resting on her stomach as if she were simply snoozing on a couch. "Zzz… another encore? Hee, hee, if'm you insissst… zzz… "

Quinn looks embarrassed and rubs the back of his head, trying to figure out how to handle this.

Galand hmms. "It's not really categorized very easily, Assistant-General … I do a bit of trading here and there, some short-term investments." He chuckles softly. "To be very blunt, I'm a gambler, a part-time merchant, and regarded in some parts of town as a scoundrel … but a rich scoundrel, nonetheless. I've made my own fortune, and done it my way, and not many can say that."

Freed of the unconscious raccoon, Envoy is able to get to her knees, and then to her feet with a little extra help from her wings. It's a good thing she doesn't have to dress like this every day.

Galand adds, "Those parts of town are usually the ones controlled by my father and his close friends… I'm afraid I don't get along well with the old boy these days."

The Aeolun frowns a bit at Quinn. "What did you give her to drink, Acolyte?"

Brishen's voice remains even, barely, as she looks from Degarde to Tahir. "I believe that the fault ultimately lies on my shoulders for actions taken by the Embassy. I am, after all, its ambassador." Then, to the Astromancer, "I have no desire to repeat past mistakes. But, my concern still remains."

Quinn sticks by Naomi's side. "It was some kind of fancy bottle," he says, almost wailing a bit. "Vin du Aelfin, I think. Or something like that."

Rhys claps hands with Galand. "Ah. I wish I had the chance to be a scoundrel. Unfortunately I have a hard enough time convincing people that I don't wish to play with toys… "

The Captain-Astromancer quirks up an eyebrow. "Every city has its slums, Madame Kara. Even in the great tower of Babel, you cannot keep the bottom safe from vagrants. Babel was only very hesitantly granted its stake on Rephidim to begin with, and the fact that the land it was given was defaced makes it extremely doubtful that it will be granted another."

Plucking the strings while sliding her hand along the neck, Leeta coaxes a light background of tones from the mandolin. A hint of the Babelite royal chamber music slips in long enough for the slave to nod towards the ambassador. Tail twitching, the Savanite plays on, keeping her tune cheery and spry.

Envoy decides not to tell Brishen about the supposed ghost of Kame Ikata and the woe due to befall the Embassy. At least, not until later. "You gave her wine from Aelfhem, much too strong for a young girl like Naomi." She scans the privacy alcoves along the walls. Maybe Naomi can recover in one.

"It is? How am I supposed to know that?" Quinn protests.

Envoy blinks at the Acolyte. "Bottled beverages that you can't identify are usually ones you shouldn't drink."

Quinn points out, "Well, everyone else who poured something from the bottle seemed to be just fine! Maybe a little bit woozy, but… " He shrugs, then starts trying to get his shoulders under Naomi's right arm. "Are you going to help me or not?"

Galand shakes Rhys' hand in a firm grip, chuckling. "Although your stature is what it is, I've developed a sort of sense about people. I had you pegged as someone to avoid annoying from the start. There are times I wish I'd had a chance to play with toys… Unfortunately, my dear father tried to groom me for his position and station in life almost from the time I was still under my mother's heart. But, one must do what one can to survive in life, and make the best of a given situation. It's what I've lived by and it's served me well enough."

Galand hmms. "Though there was that nasty business at Lucky's Tavern that one night. I wonder if the poor chap was ever able to sit down again."

Envoy leans down to get an arm under Naomi's other shoulder. "Let's take her to one of the alcoves."

Brishen shakes her head, slightly. "All of this I very much understand. Under the circumstances of the war, it was very generous of the Temple to grant to Babel the land it did. It is very unfortunate – " And with this she glances at Degarde, " – that mistakes were made. That they will not be made again does not change the fact that for actions there are consequences."

Degarde reaches out for a passing tray with cups of water on it, and grabs one. He splashes it on his own face. "Ah! Refreshing! Getting a bit warm in here… Not that I'm complaining!"

"I wish we had more people like you in the Temple." Rhys mutters to Galand, draining his glass and snatching up a new one. "Perhaps I could arrange for you to come here on occasion. Tell me about your parent's work."

Tahir glances back at Leeta. "I simply hope it does not happen again. What is destroyed can rarely be rebuilt." He winces a bit at the soggy bat.

Naomi makes no protest. While not particularly heavy, she's somewhat hard to get a hold of, as anyone who's ever picked up a sleeping cat can understand. Still, with some effort, it looks possible to get her off the floor.

Leeta's music falters a little as Tahir glances at her. She covers it expertly though, and slides into slower chords that fade well and provide less distraction to the conversation.

Quinn ooofs as he tries to bear his part of the weight. "Maybe I should work out more," he says to the Exile. "This isn't in my job description!"

Envoy has an easier time moving Naomi now that she's upright. "What is your job description then?"

Degarde gulps and subtly taps Brishen on the shoulder. "I think I see a friend over there. Should I dist – " But it's too late.

"DARLING!" says Bryanna, as she walks over toward Brishen. "You look simply FABULOUS! And however DID you manage to afford such finery on that paltry sum they pay you for your selfless work at the Embassy?"

Brishen nods, her voice very quiet. "I know." She blinks as she looks over to Degarde.

Galand raises an eyebrow. "Well, he's a merchant baron … deals in commercial goods mostly, some foodstuffs. Strictly on the up-and-up, last I knew of. Last I'd heard, he had depots here, in Chronotopia, and in Himar, before it fell."

The Rath'ani Acolyte looks proud of himself. "I'm a Technopriest! I help keep the Temple going. They're teaching me all the rites and things that need to be done, and if I'm good, maybe they'll let me start doing work in the Inner Sanctum next year!"

Brishen says quietly to the Astromancer, before turning to her voluminous cousin, "And I have no interest in repeating the same mistakes. I would like to speak with you again, at your convenience, Captain-Astromancer Tahir." She nods, politely, before her attention is entirely diverted and it is too late to say any more.

Envoy nearly drops her end of Naomi, and looks at Quinn closely. "You aren't related to Verdigris Nuttenboltschen, are you?" she asks.

The Savanite's music jangles again, almost matching the screeching voice of Bryanna.

The Astromancer tips his glass to the Ambassador. "I will see that you have an appointment scheduled to visit me."

Brishen attempts to intercept her cousin before she reaches the Captain-Astromancer. "Why, Secretary of State Kara. It's good to see you." She almost smiles.

Leeta seems too embarrassed with her performance for it to be an attempt at flattery. Tail twitching, the Savanite concentrates on her chords and sends her song into a relaxed Temple march.

Two Temple scouts skip past Leeta as she plays. They're both Khatthas with slightly yellowish fur. They wave to the Savanite, giggle to themselves and then scamper off to the buffet table.

Naomi mumbles, "Doctor, you just put your sandwich napkin in the canister marked 'sterile gauze'… zzzz…

"Who, me? No, not me," Quinn says to Envoy. "Hey! Pick up your side! How do you know 'ol Steel-and-Fire anyway?"

"Sweetheart! I do so hope you've been making a GOOD impression on our darling new Captain-Astromancer, haven't you? You know that this is such a special occasion for him. I would hate if anything were to spoil the night for him, don't you think? He's such an ADORABLE looking young lad!" Bryanna's nose makes a slight whistle as she breathes in through it, her smile showing almost as much gums as teeth. "Oh, and so good to see YOU, Darling! Though, so sad to say, I won't be seeing much MORE of you for quite a while. You DID hear the news, didn't you?" Bryanna pets a fluffy fuff'nar she has in her arms. It is muzzled, as would be a requirement in such a situation as this, but it seems to have been well fed, and is snoozing quietly.

Tahir steps back, shaking his head slightly. He moves to stand next to the Savanite and resumes quietly observing.

Envoy changes her grip on Naomi, and looks straight ahead. "From his sputtering, mostly."

Brishen tilts her head slightly. "News? Please, tell me."

"Really? You must have been visiting him on a good day," Acolyte Quinn assures Envoy.

The astromancer's Savanite smiles after the scampering scouts. Next, she shudders as Bryanna comes closer. Her music remains even as she edges a little in front of Tahir, just in case the gaudy bat tries to hug her master.

Envoy has no response to the Acolyte's comment. Besides, one of the alcoves is finally near.

"Well," explains Bryanna, "since things have gone so swimmingly well, I think my job is quite done here. I'm heading back to Babel, and leaving the care of this jewel of the sky in your tender loving care! And I trust I won't hear about any more little … misunderstandings." She strokes the fur of the fuff'nar, which lazily stirs into a half-awake state, and stares at Brishen.

Tahir taps Leeta's shoulder. "I think we should mingle a bit more. Do you feel like having a bite?"

Quinn huffs and puffs as they reach the alcove. "Okay, let's sit her down here," he says. "Mind the murals; they hate it if you scratch them. So what's your name? I'm Acolyte Quinn, and I owe you one for not taking my head off when we bumped into ya!"

The fire-haired Savanite nods, turning to follow the astromancer. She quickly finishes her tune and slides her mandolin back into its case.

Brishen nods slowly, then takes a deep breath. "Well, I'm certain you shall be missed. I have grown quite used to your voice, after all." Oddly enough, she seems to be watching the fuff'nar more than her erstwhile cousin.

Envoy checks Naomi's breathing first, then answers, "I'm Envoy. Don't tell anyone in the Inner Mysteries that you know me though. I wish we had some smelling salts… "

"Zzzz… Is he supposed to turn that colour? Hey, where's the thermometer? Zzzz… " Naomi's breathing is slow and steady, when she's not muttering.

"Oh, she's fine, I, uh, felt her breathing," Quinn says with a blush. "Why, what did you do? They let you go in there? You didn't, um, do something horrible in the Inner Mysteries, did you?"

The fuff'nar watches Brishen intently as Bryanna pets it. It moves its mouth as if trying to say something, but the muzzle constrains it. "Oh! Look! Darling Bree is trying to say something to you! Oh! You haven't been introduced to Bree yet, have you? I named her after you, of course. She reminds me of when you were a young, pretty, brash, disagreeable little thing."

Brishen crosses her arms, smirking faintly. "You've almost complimented me, cousin. You're slipping."

"You really don't want to know," Envoy says. "For that matter, don't mention me to any Inquisitors you meet either. Or Auditors, just to be safe."

Rhys shakes his head and refocuses his attention on Galand. "Chronotopia, eh? Well… the Technopriests are always looking for spare parts."

Brishen glances at the fuff'nar again. No, incidentally. But play your cards wrong and you will be.

Quinn looks at Envoy really curiously. "Why don't I want to know? This sounds like a pretty good story. Did you crash one of the Holy Spirits?"

Tahir flashes another handsign to the Savanite and the two slowly creep towards the back of the room … vanishing into the kitchen.

Bryanna gasps. "I, slipping? Dear, it's the job of an ambassador to get along with people. It's my job to get things done. Speaking of which, do you happen to have an explanation as to why you weren't at the negotiations? I distinctly remember sending you an invitation… "

Envoy shakes her head, despite not knowing what a Holy Spirit is. Probably some sort of vehicle. "No, I'm an Exile and didn't know not to relay certain things aloud to the venerable Technopriest we had mentioned earlier."

Quinn grins. "Okay, okay. What do I have to do to get you to tell me the whole story?"

Brishen casts a surprised glance towards her cousin. "Why, it never arrived. The lack of diplomatic mail from your office has been quite a concern."

Envoy blinks three times. "It's forbidden knowledge. I was nearly diagnosticized for it."

Galand hms and nods to Rhys. "Yes. It's one of his bigger contracts, I'm afraid." He takes another long pull off his wineglass… Is that his second or third?? "He sneers at me, for not thinking of the 'big picture.' Personally, I think he's forgotten his family's roots. We started out, doing what I'm doing."

The Acolyte looks stricken. "And I missed it? Well, maybe it was before I got here. I've never seen 'ol Steel 'n Fire diagnosticize anyone!"

"Never arrived? Really?" replies Bryanna. "Perhaps you should have a word with your couriers. I'm advised that you don't seem to trust the diplomatic pouch. Are you hiring disreputable sorts now to save a few shekels?"

The remaining human swirls the liquid in his glass around. "Just never lose your ambition, and never panic. I think that panicking is what cost me the Astromancer seat."

Envoy frowns, "It's not very pleasant. Will you be able to watch over Naomi while I try to find someone who will take her home?"

"All right," Acolyte Quinn says. He feels Naomi's nose with a fingertip to be sure it's still healthy.

Galand hms. "Panic is unavoidable sometimes. The key lies in learning to think around it when it's yours, and to capitalize on it or calm it when it's another's."

"Mzzrgle… pala bon-bons? For me? You shouldn't … have? Zznort!" Naomi's nose twitches again, and her eyes slowly open. "Wh-… wha?"

Brishen clasps her hands in front of her, neatly. "I have had few problems with mail sent to and from other offices. Nor have I had problems with mail sent via diplomatic pouch to and from Babel itself."

Envoy steps back into the melee of the party, and tries to locate Rawrii again.

"Lessons learned too late, my dear Ashur." Rhys shakes his head. "Unless something happens to Tahir, and may the Great Star and Anchor protect us from that ever happening." He keeps his voice soft, but his tone is very acidic.

Bryanna eyes Brishen as if judging her, or perhaps calculatingly, then says, "So, you maintain that you never got the invitation? Well! You poor dear! You might check to see if one of your staff happens to be … light-fingered. I have noticed some rather odd expenses appearing on your embassy's budget."

Quinn phews! "You fell asleep on some Exile named Envoy," he tells Naomi, then casts about trying to locate her. "She was right here a minute ago!"

Brishen fixes her bright brown eyes on her cousin. "My staff and my expenses are well-accounted for. And that you are aware of my budget implies, at the very least, that mail in transit from the Embassy to your office arrives as it should. The same cannot be said for mail sent from your office to mine."

"My head's all muzzy," slurs Naomi, peering at Qionn and frowning. "Whuj happen?"

Envoy tries her luck near the dessert trays, looking for something sugary to help bring Naomi back up to speed.

"Um, you drank something called 'Vin du Aelfin' and you fell over," Quinn says. He looks nervous.

Rhys glances back at the Exile. "Sweet tooth?"

"25 shekels the hour for a mage? What kind of mage works for those rates? Why, you'd pay an apprentice for that… or perhaps it's a cover for some embezzling, hmm?" Bryanna sighs. "You seem quite unaware of the chain of command, dear cousin. You work for me. I don't work for you. I work for High Prince Boghaz. If you have a problem with me, get over it. That's what you're paid to do. And, on that cheery note, I think I shall take my leave, and start packing for Babel. Ta ta!"

Envoy pauses and looks up at the human, "Oh … not really. I'm looking for something to help a young friend wake up."

Naomi's brow scrunches slightly under the whisps of hair that've escaped from her pin. "'Vin du Aelfin'? But I didn't have anything to drink before… "

"I think they have some Mateh around here." The human glances around the table. "Although it is most likely lukewarm by now."

Brishen smiles. "Very well. Goodbye, Secretary of State Kara."

Quinn blinks, "Before what?"

"Is that a stimulant?" Envoy asks the human. She realizes he's different enough to not just be a spare for the Astromancer, as she first assumed.

Bryanna pets her fuff'nar again, then smiles toothily as she says, "And farewell to Babel's Ambassador to Rephidim." She makes her exit, leaving Brishen with a befuddled (and now pretty much dry) Degarde.

Naomi shoots Quinn an accusatory glare. "Before that glass of pink stuff you gave me!"

Degarde says, "I … I'll look into the expenses immediately. I was curious as to why the mage was charging so little. I figured he was a friend of yours, and … I'll take care of it right away! And if you would like me to turn in my resignation, I can have it written up by the morrow. I'm terribly sorry for all of this… "

Rhys shrugs, "It wakes me up in the morning." He glances at his own half empty wineglass and sets it down. "I shall probably be needing it tomorow… "

"I didn't think it'd affect you like that," Quinn says apologetically. He gives Naomi a hangdog look. "The poodle nobles who were passing it around were acting like they were having a really good time, and when they weren't looking I poured you a bit because I thought you'd like it, and … " He scuffs his foot on the floor.

Brishen narrows her eyes. Arms are crossed. "You are not resigning. Mage Francisco, I imagine, charged little for his services because the weight of his title rests uncomfortably on him. Perhaps it has been recently-granted. I certainly know what it is like to go from having nothing, to having quite a bit more than nothing. There are expectations one develops that aren't always easy to change."

Envoy decides the young man's weight is a good enough indicator of the effectiveness of the drink. "Thank you, sir. I'll bring her some of this Mateh."

The healer raccoon starts to say something heated, then clutches her head. "Mmmf! Well… it was new to me, at least… "

The human nods to the exile and resume chatting with Galand.

"Thank you, Madame Ambassador," Degarde says with a bow. "You are most gracious. In the days of the Sabaoth, I … " He gulps. "Well, thank you, Ambassador. I won't let you regret it."

Finding some of the still-warm beverage, Envoy brings a cup back to the cubby where she left Naomi and Quinn.

"Here she is," Quinn says with great relief to Naomi as Envoy appears. "She says she was diagnosticized by 'ol Steel 'n Fire himself! I didn't think anyone could do that and live."

Naomi looks up as well, and smiles warmly when she sees Envoy. "Bard Envoy! It's so good to see you again!"

Galand hms, sipping his wine quietly, thinking his own thoughts.

Envoy blinks in surprise to see Naomi awake, and also begins to understand the looks people sometimes give her as she hears Quinn tell about her run-in with the Technopriests before. "How do you feel, Naomi? I've brought you something that should help you wake up. I'm afraid I'm no longer a bard though, officially."

Brishen steps a few paces closer to Degarde, her voice a whisper. "When we first came here, I asked you to trust me. I still do. I also ask you to tell me when you think something is wrong, to help me when I require it. I suspect that there is much we're to suffer before we see light again. That's fine. We'll prosper through it as long as we work together, like wings."

"You aren't? Ohh, that's too bad. Your voice is so … " Naomi notices the cup of mateh. "How'd you know I was woozy? I guess you were talking to Quinn about Dagh-nasty-skating?"

Envoy smiles, "You woozed out on top of me."

Degarde straightens his collar, takes a few deep breaths, and nods. "Exactly. I'll try to retain my composure a bit better."

Rhys munches on a piece of bread. "So, Ashur … do you happen to have any kind of playing deck on you? I have little to wager … but I wouldn't mind playing a few hands."

Naomi's ears turn much pinker than Vin du Aelfin. "I … I did? What else did I do?" Her voice still sounds slow and halting, but she seems to be in possession of her wits now.

Galand hmms and smiles. "I always come prepared. I even have IOU vouchers."

Brishen smiles, spreading her wings slightly. "Like these. He's not quite right you now. What was destroyed can be restored. Sometimes, it just takes a lot of work and a little magic." And then she laughs, quietly. "I imagine we made quite an impression on the Captain-Astromancer. But I do admit, you played your part very well. I couldn't have asked you to do better."

Quinn looks innocent. "Nothing, really, Naomi. You just, er, fell on Envoy here and, what's the word? Swooned?"

"Not much," Envoy assures the Rath'ani. "You mumbled a few things, but you didn't snore."

"Ah … thank you, Ambassador," Degarde replies.

Naomi presses her paw to her forehead. "I flopped on you and fell asleep in the middle of the Captain-Astromancer's inaugeral party?! I don't believe it! Quinn!!"

Brishen links arms with her hapless aide, grinning. "There's a lot we need to talk about. I imagine the Embassy is the place for it. Perhaps along the way we can pry Sunrise and Snow-Ivy away from their, er, recent object of attention."

"It could have been worse," Quinn says defensively.

The human claps a hand on the snow leopard's arm (his shoulder is too high for him to reach) and directs him to a less occupied corner of the room.

Galand follows along amiably, his tail only minorly kinked by all the wine he's had.

"Yeah, I could have thrown… hulp… " Naomi claps her paw to her muzzle, looking distressed.

Envoy says, "I don't suppose you came here with your mother, Naomi? You should probably go home and get to bed."

Quinn nods. "I'll help her find her mom," he says to Envoy with a grateful look. "Thanks for your help!"

Naomi nods glumly at Envoy. "I think that's a good idea… I … hrk … don't feel so good. Thank you for taking care of me. I also want to thank dear Quinn for this new experience."

Galand and Rhys play a few hands, have a few laughs, and eventually say their good byes. Ash clasps hands with Rhys and hands him a piece of parchment with a name and address on it. "If you need to find me, I'm usually either at this location, or you can ask the innkeeper, and he'll know where I"ve gone."

Envoy nods, "Be careful what you drink from now on too, Naomi." She guides the two out through the thinning crowd.

Naomi disappears along with Envoy. Her retreating voice in the hall can be heard to say, "Thank you, Quinn." … *SMACK!*