Something is different is happening today, what exactly no one is quite sure. A large, and very cheap tent has been erected in one of the open squares of the Bazaar. So large it almost blocks the streets that enter the square; While the typical bazaarite would be just as likely to slice a hole in a cloth barrier, as walk around, the presence of four very mean looking Rhians at each corner keep everyone outside. Inside, preparations that have been going on all morning are nearing completion.

The flap of the tent parts, and a pink equine nose sticks out. The Countess Ophelia examines the crowd through the slit in the cloth, watching for her partner (and the focus of today's activities) to arrive…

The star of the day, unbeknown to every is being escorted to the tent by two Rhians. Their entire conversation, combined, could be counted on the Kitsune's tails, and leave one brush left over.

The mare spies her servants looming over the crowd as they make their way toward the tent. A little closer, and the crowd has parted sufficiently before them to reveal the Kitsune safely ensconced between them. She claps her hands, and positively beams with pleasure. "I knew he'd come… "

Francisco is not coming without making a fuss, however. On seeing the countess, he frowns at her. "I thought I said I would think about this?" he protests.

The two Rhians bring the Kitsune over to the Aeonian, stopping at the edge of the tent with a sharp stomp of their hoofs and a salute.

Ophelia dismisses his protests with a wave of her hand. "And you've been such a good sport about it, too. Come along inside, dear – the mage is already here, doing her magery… " She deftly extracts the Kitsune from the Rhians (a practiced-looking move) and leads him in through the flap.

Underneath the cheap tent, a structure has been erected at the centre; it's aplatform that resembles several stacked boxes labeled explosive. It fact, its remarkably similar to a Guy Fox day float. Some aspect however, suggests it isn't a simple mockup. Everything looks quite real. Elsewhere, a few tall poles have been driven into the ground, pushed between the cobblestones and topped with mysterious bundles.

The Kitsune hmphs at the Rhians, and brushes down his shirt.

In front of the structure, a mage works through a ritual. She would be considered scandalously dressed, if she was in high society, and if she didn't have her fur styled up in an outrageous manner that made her look like a Jupani. The poodle is however, adequately clothed for the bazaar, wearing a short red slip, but little else. She pants from the long exertion of her ritual, managing to get a small sip of water in between her chants, gestures, and motions. She incants in just her ritual circle, but there are magical markings all over the platform, poles, and the inside of the tent that hint at her previous efforts.

Francisco eyes the mage, and silently 'uh-ohs'. "Um, I really still don't think this is a great idea."

The only other occupant of the tent is a slave, sitting off to one side next to what looks like a portable wardrobe.

Ophelia leads her charge over to a small table prepared to one side of the structure. "I'm certain she knows what she's doing, dear. She certainly charges as though she does… " She indicates the table, "Will you have some tea?"

There's a loud 'YELP' from the crowd as a blacked-cloaked figure and an entourage of Zelak guards bully their way through the gathering.

The Kitsune still frowns. "That's not quite what I meant… and no thanks. No tea."

Ophelia flicks her ears at the disturbance that seems to be occurring outside of her tent… "I do hope there's not a fight breaking out – I'd hate for someone to be hurt… "

A group of Eeee children perch on the top of a nearby tent, much to the chagrin of the tent's owner.

Kelsey looks up from her ritual long enough to call out to Ophelia and Francisco. "Actually, we're just about ready to go." She pauses, to make a few more gestures, and flick some oil, "I am just finishing up, and can work the instructions… " more gestures, "… in between the last of this."

The fox continues to look uncomfortable, his tails absently twitching. "Look, um, Countess. Do we really have to do this?"

Ophelia smiles warmly. "Oh, excellent! Francisco, prepare yourself!" She brushes some lint off the Kitsune's shirt, and bustles about in cheerful, if useless, activity.

The Jupani-esque poodle continues her ritual motions as she moves around her circle. Some words are said quietly, and the louder ones must be directed at the mundane presences in the tent. "I will say first, that I am a professional, and despite that stunt you pulled on my boyfriend… … and I, You will not get hurt if you follow my instructions exactly… "

The multi-tailed fox slumps a little, audibly sighing in relief.

Ophelia flicks her ears uncertainly, made somewhat uncomfortable by the Poodle's manner. "Ah – have the two of you met, then?"

Francisco says nothing, but nods just a little.

"… One the platform, you will see a circle. Stay inside the circle… " Kelsey's chants interrupt her briefly. One of her ears has a strange flick-twitch, close observation shows a glowing ball of fire hovering beside it. It looks almost like a rose tucked there, the motion of her ear seems to 'stir' the fire up every few minutes. "… You will be safe as long as you do not leave the circle… … I am maintaining the ritual spell, and a few cantrips, and this is… … very difficult. It requires a lot of concentration, and I cannot be distracted… "

"… is this clear so far?" Kelsey asks, then spends some more time working her spells.

Ophelia stands watching, visibly excited by the preparations. She nods along with the Poodle's instructions…

"We've met." The Fire-Mage doesn't go into details. "This is what will happen, fire here, fire there, some… … flashes. Ignore them. Fox, you are to watch the circle… … when you see a ring of fire appear on it, that is your… "

The kitsune perks an ear. "My… ?"

Kelsey finishes up whatever she was doing, and steps from her ritual circle. She holds one hand out, and is bouncing a small flame back and forth on her fingers. Her ear keeps flicking the ball of fire that floats beside it. Her expression seems dazed, as if she is focusing on something at a distance. "… cue. The explosion will occur 3 seconds later. You must drop down the hole, and pull the string as you fall."

The sounds of food hawkers can be heard in the growing crowd, apparently someone else wants to make some money off of this little gathering.

"String?" Francisco asks. "Hole?"

"That will make the sewer cover fall closed above you, the explosion will go off, and all the boxes and platform will be destroyed." The poodle stops about ten feet from the structure. "It wouldn't be safe to be standing closer than here. The spell will explode upwards, but it there is no reason to take unnecessary chances."

"Yes, you are going into the sewers briefly." Kelsey turns and walks towards the slave.

Francisco sighs… Just what is their fascination with sewers here? he wonders.

Ophelia steps forward. She seems unusually chipper and bright-eyed. "Your preparations are finished, then, Madame Mage?"

"Get the dress out." The Fire Mage orders the Savanite, who quickly complies and opens the wardrobe. Inside is a fiery red dress that seems to be made of several entwined strips. "In the sewers, you will land on a catwalk. I have left you a sign. Run in the direction it points. It will take you to another access one block over. You pop out, come back here, and amaze the crowd with your ability to survive."

Francisco uh-huhs, and looks to the dress. "What's the for?" he asks.

"Yes countess." Kelsey replies, still doing her small fire juggling act with her hand. The slave helps her put on her clothes. "Me. Do you think I'm going to perform in my underwear for this?"

The kitsune sighs in relief again. For a nasty moment, he thought they were going to make him put on some dumb costume. "Um, no. Sure. Of course," he replies out loud.

Ophelia hovers nearby, inspecting the arcane construction without actually touching anything. Once the mage is properly dressed and seems prepared, she strides over to the tent flap and speaks briefly to the Rhian who stands outside. She turns once more to her companions in the tent. "I do believe we've quite an audience, if we're ready?… "

The slave makes a few final adjustments, and mage is ready. She is wearing a bold zolk design, with fiery colours that highlight into a very reflective sheen. The strips spiral around her waist and spill outward. It produces an effect that suggests, in abstract, a raging fire, with leaping flames that all serve to point upward at her face. The ribbon adorned headdress that she adds hightens this theme. In a final gesture of overkill, the poodle blinks and releases one of her cantrips; actual flames now leap from the ends of the strips, reflecting in the material, and making it seem as if Kelsey is standing in the middle of a bonfire.

Kelsey smiles, "I'm ready."

Francisco perks an ear at the get-up. He has to admit to himself, it's not bad at all.

The Fire mage clenches her fist around the flame she was bobbling, and it grows, rippling up her arm. She makes a wide gesture, spinning in a circle and pointing at the edge of the tent. Something catches, and the cheap canvas burns up in racing streaks to the centrepoint. Whatever ropes were giving it shape, seem to have been consumed as well.

After gulping again, Francisco says, "Uh, I guess I'm ready too."

In less than two seconds the tent that was blocking the square vanishes in a brief flash of flame, leaving a startled crowd, and some confused Rhians.

Ophelia gasps, momentarily alarmed, but recovers her composure before (she thinks) anyone has noticed.

Ophelia grimaces quietly, wondering what the tent rental place is going to charge her…

The fire mage stands in front of the structure, and shouts loudly out to the crowd. "I am Kelsey Van Kabril, and this is Francisco the Guy Fox. Today, he will explode, and you will all be witnesses."

"oooooOOOOOOOOooooo… " comes the combined reaction from the crowd. All except for one rather short figure cloaked in black.

Francisco shuffles into position, making sure he's fully in the circle.

The countess stands quietly to one side, just inside the clear circle formed by the contingent of Rhians. She's obviously enjoying the show just as much as anyone.

Kelsey is in her element, and the flames rising around her drive her to new heights of flamboyance. "Show yourself for the crowd Francisco, wave those tails. He's not a model."

At the word 'model', the slave tosses a kitsune doll into the air from the side of the crowd. Kelsey flicks her hand at it, and the toy explodes.

Looking really enthused, the kitsune does as the mage says, swishing his tails. {This is just so humiliating,} he muses.

"I am in control, and the fire loves me!" Kelsey gleams at the crowd. The flames, the reflections from her dress, dance shadows across her muzzle, and a more intimidating Jupani was never seen before.

The mare 'ahs' along with the crowd, clapping at the appropriate points.

With a simple flick of her wrist, the cloaked figure snaps back her hood – revealing herself to be a female poodle. Something glints in her eye, and a gleam of metal flashes from her neck as well. She carefully weaves her way to the front of the crowd, roughly elbowing anything smaller than her out of her way.

{Oh yes, very impressive}, thinks Francisco. {Apart from it takes you most of the day to do what I could have done in about five minutes back home.}

"See?" The fiery poodle waves. The poles behind her burst alight, and a large ring with very tiny flames springs up around the platform. On the platform, Francisco can see the circle he is supposed to stay in. It has a large hole filling the centre of it. No flames that he can detect.

"Do not approach any closer than the ring of warning flame," Kelsey orders the crowd, spinning around and fanning the fire of her dress some more, "but see, it is Francisco… and he is going to explode."

No flames form around the kitsune yet.

After bullying her way to the front of the crowd, the cloaked poodle gets as close to Kelsey as she can. "Is he your new little friend, Van Kabril?" she asks, white canines gleaming.

The crowd moves closer, in ones and twos, up to the edge of the warning ring. Three Kavis start shaking one of the fire poles, trying to loosen it. Everyone avoids getting close to Kelsey, and take another step back when she spins around at the sound of Vindicta's voice.

"You!" Growls the Jupani-esque poodle fire mage. She seems at a loss for further words.

"It never just rains… " Francisco says under his breath.

A Rhian quickly stomps over to the miscreant Kavis. As his shadow darkens them, they suddenly remember a pressing appointment elsewhere.

Vindicta just grins, "This is all very pretty… but we all know that when every fire has burned out, there's nothing but an ugly little husk left. Little ashen husks to be crushed underfoot." She clicks her tongue and leans one a spike-heeled boot.

The countess's attention, which had been fixed firmly on the Fox, is now drawn toward her rented Fire Mage. She frowns, not entirely certain what's afoot, but sure that this forms no part of the service she has purchased.

"And just what do you mean by that? Mistress of Pain," Kelsey yaps back, the fire gleaming in her eyes, and leaping all around her. "Don't you have to go arrest someone so you can have a date?"

"Oh wait, I forgot, you're sleeping your way up in the Temple." The fiery poodle continues, "Do you date Inquisitor Do Varr as well as his son? I figure you're more his age anyhow."

"At least I don't have to play with little child's toys to draw attention to myself, my dear little flickering husk." Vindicta snarls back, crushing the remnants of a little guy-fox doll under her foot.

Ophelia starts toward the growing fracas, albeit reluctantly. One of her Rhian guard wordlessly turns from his crowd control place to accompany her. The countess looks as much embarrassed as miffed.

The flames on Kelsey's dress shrink with Vindicta's comments. The Mage is still the centre of a bonfire, but one not quite as vigorous as it was a few moments ago. Her temper makes up for it though, "No, you just have to strap people down, and put their head in a vice to force them to look at you."

"Are you still trying to program people to say, 'I wuv you', with the exile helmets?" The Fire Mage Jabs.

"And you have to hide your face in flames." Vindicta retorts. "At least I can get the attention of powerful people… look at you." she waves a dismissive hand towards Francisco. "You have to corral pathetic exiles to get attention, and a fox at that! Does he fan your little fire with his tails?"

Ophelia stops a short distance from the bickering pair, and clears her throat. "I beg your pardon, Fire Mage, but is there a problem?"

"NO!" Kelsey shouts at Ophelia, in the middle of a venomous glare at Vindicta. "Sorry, I mean No… yes. Her."

The Fire mage finishes her glare at the Inquisitrix, "I was Hired to do this. I have nothing to do with HIM." She stabs with her hand in Francisco's direction.

Vindicta casts a bored looking glare at Ophelia. "Did you know that your little firebug has a criminal record with the Temple? She was arrested recently for trying to blow up the Rephidim docks." Her lips pull back in a snarling grin.

The countess speaks softly to Vindicta, her words given some extra emphasis by the Rhians who seem to be watching from all directions now. "I've hired this mage to stage a public performance on my behalf – it really doesn't help her concentration, I'm sure, to be accosted from the audience. It scarcely does you credit as well. Perhaps you might continue your discussion later?"

One side of the warning flame surrounding the platform flickers and goes out. A few braver members of the crowd interpret this as meaning it's safe to approach. Perhaps idiotic would describe them better.

"That's not true," The Jupani-esque poodle retorts. Ophelia's statement however, drags her back to just what her task is, and the sorry state of her spells. She starts gesturing and quietly chanting.

Vindicta smiles and gives Ophelia a curt little nod. "Very well. We shall continue our discussion later. Meanwhile I think I shall go back to my estate… my boyfriend is waiting for me there, I'm sure." She spins on her heel and starts to make her way back through the crowd. There's the YELP of people getting kicked out of the way and toes getting crushed as she exits.

The warning flame around the platform re-ignites, prompting further mewls and cries of pain as a couple Khattas and other members of the crowd get caught across the edge.

Ophelia 'oh dears' to herself. Her special occasion seems to be rapidly losing its luster… She puts on a cheerful face for the benefit of her lessers, and motions her guards back to their duties.

Kelsey's dress roars back to its original flaming brilliance. The poles flare brighter, and several spots around the square flash unexpectedly as secret packets of powder ignite. The poodle turns and calls loudly to the Kitsune. "Are you ready Francisco! Say your farewells to the crowd, and everyone step back!"

Francisco was wondering when they would get back to him. He swallows and waves meekly to the gathering of people.

A nagging suspicion crosses the Kitsune's mind; how much can he trust the Fire Mage. She claims to be a professional, but she is also a poodle, and they have been the chief source of woe for the five-tailed fox since his arrival. Eustace certainly seemed honest enough the first time, and after the 'accident' a few days ago Kelsey has even more reason to want to get even with someone in her power. With a sinking feeling the realization arrives that he hasn't even checked to see if the sewer grate is open beneath the platform.

Kelsey raises her arms, flames curling up above her. She shouts, "Louder Francisco, these people will be telling their grandchildren how Kelsey Van Kabril exploded the Guy Fox! Leave them with some memorable words!"

However, as much as these thoughts bother Francisco, he does doubt that the Countess Ophelia would go to this much trouble just to lose what he think is her main purpose for entering into this business venture.

Murmurs of anticipation spread through the crowd at Kelsey's proclamation. A few step closer, several more step back; Voices call out as the anticipation builds.

"What do you say Francisco!" The Fire Mage shouts, waving her hands and causing the torchpoles to flare up into pillars of fire. "WHAT DO YOU SAY?"

Semi-reassured by this, the kitsune raises a hand and does a mock-salute to the crowd, and calls out, "Farewell!". {Okay, it's not that memorable,}, he thinks after saying that. {But then, I still really don't see the point behind all of this.}

"Toast the fox!" "What's all this about?" "Is she really going to do this?"

A kitten in the crowd holds up a small gray many-tailed stuffed toy (with a garish shirt) to its mother. "Mama, dat's a big one like dis! Why dey gonna bwo him up, huh?"

"THEN BEHOLD!" The Jupani-esque poodle yaps as loudly as she can, the flames of her dress starting to swirl around her, "THE WRATH OF KELSEY VAN KABRIL!"

{Uh-oh} Francisco thinks. {That doesn't sound good}

Unseen by the crowd, visible only to Francisco, a small ring of flame erupts on the edge of his safety circle and starts to burn outwards.

The fire ring expands, three seconds was what Kelsey said.
One second.

One of the spectators looks aghast, "Hey, I didn't mean toast him literally!"

The five-tailed fox looks down, watching the flame flow away from him over the platform, momentarily transfixed by it. He shakes his head a little. Now is not the time to get distracted.

Other murmurs run through the crowd, one half-deaf Rath'ani muttering loudly. "I say it's a waste to blow up a fox, just get rid of prisoners like they used to. In my day, we… " Someone shushes the speaker.

The Poodle mage howls in her high pitched voice, sweeping her arms through the flames that surround her, scooping them into a ball that she flings at the base of the platform. It boils the air as it rushes towards the Kitsune, a churning mass of flickering fire.
Two seconds.

A minor scuffle ensues near one edge of the crowd. "Quit pushing! I don't care if you can't see, you don't have thick fur that'll catch on fire! Back up!"

A collection of startled yelps, yips, barks, chirps, and every other possible sound rises from the assembled species as the Mage throws the fireball, the entire mass of bodies pushing back and away a bit.

The mother Khatta covers the kitten's eyes with her paws, the kitten dropping its stuffed Francisco toy as she does. "Back up, it's gonna blow!", someone yells.

Ophelia watches, her eyes bright. Her expression is one that would not be out of place at a performance of a stage magician, or a fireworks show.

Francisco stares at the fireball on course for him, and steps backwards a couple of steps, back to where the hole is waiting. He takes one more step, and practically slips off the platform down the hole.

The burning sphere streaks towards the base of the structure. The Kitsune falls…
Three Seconds.

Everything…

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