Reclining somewhere OTHER than the comfortable-looking bed is a large black Vartan who looks suspiciously like the painting that adorns one wall. The ship only bobs ever so slightly, as it has been securely moored and pulled down to the ground level of the sky island on which it is "docked", so that it can't be battered about by the odd winds.

And, while Vartans sleep, they sometimes have strange dreams…

Zoltan stands on the deck of Shokar's Silver Bell. Vartans dressed in ancient air-sailor attire (or, that is, what he expects it should probably look like) go about doing air-sailor things.

The airship sails across mountains and fields. Every time a cloud passes by to obscure the scenery … when it passes, the scenery is completely changed. All the lands of Sinai pass below.

Zoltan looks about himself curiously. The sailors, the strange scenery… how odd.

The Vartan finds himself dressed up in the finery of … an airship captain. A Vartan airship captain. And, considering that there is only one known-of Vartan airship captain to serve as a reference, his attire looks an awful lot like that in the painting hanging on his cabin wall below-decks.

Zoltan seems dumbstruck for a moment, he stares at his clothing. ( Shokar? A-… am- I Shokar? Why in Dagh's name am I dressed like him? )

There is no sun visible in the sky, though it's plainly daylight. Shadows are of random lengths and directions. One of the shadows – for a moment passing for Zoltan's own – stirs and rises from the deck. It's not a shadow after all, but a female cheetah in a tattered black dress and cloak, with three eyes. The third eye looks like a perfectly normal eye (that is, as normal as a third eye could be), unlike the pupil-less orb he spied briefly before. She smiles at Zoltan and glides (literally) across the deck to him.

"Jezebel!" Zoltan scrawks happily. Then falling back to Savanite sign, " You've been healed… but… but… what's going on? "

Jezebel smiles, throwing aside a scarf, to reveal … several violin strings reaching up from her dress, to her chin.

A bow appears from off to the side of Zoltan's vision, which Jezebel takes, and starts playing across the strings, creating a voice that is not truly a voice. "Master! Look! I can speak now!"

The Vartan crew, meanwhile, just goes about, doing normal things, as if there was nothing at all odd about this apparition.

Zoltan squawks, "I'm not your master, Jezebel… merely a friend. But… how… how did this happen? WHAT has happened?"

Jezebel smiles. "Yes, you are my best friend in the WHOLE WORLD! But they all hate us. See? They make slaves of us." She holds up her arm. The spots have rearranged, looking like a mirror of the squiggles on Zoltan's forearms.

The cheetah reaches to one of the spots further along her arm … and pulls it off. She holds the little black disc in her hand, which now looks like a shiny obsidian bauble.

Zoltan tries to keep from wrenching his eyes away from the strings growing from the Savanite's flesh. At the sight of the markings, the Vartan's legs start to weaken.

As the bow, of its own accord, suspended by unseen hands, plays across the "violin" which is her neck, the cheetah laughs in a voice that sounds like a stringed quartet. She flings the spot off the railing. It flies through the clouds.

Somehow – perhaps because of Zoltan's amazing Vartan eyesight – he can see the tiny spot travel all the way down to the surface. Or perhaps it is getting larger as it falls.

Zoltan squawks, "Jezebel… what are you doing? What is all this?"

The ship shakes a bit, as there is a blinding flash below. A cloud mushrooms up from where the spot hit.

Zoltan watches the strange black orb… he nervously steps back, feeling something in the pit of his stomach twist as the cloud rises up.

The mushroom cloud clears, revealing … a hole in the earth where Babel used to be. Stars can be seen through the hole, which must have blown clear through Sinai … as if Sinai were just a flat disc floating in space. Jezebel laughs, and plucks another spot from her fur, flinging it out, letting it fall. It explodes again. And another. Pieces of Sinai get obliterated, as the airship sails along, until there is little of Sinai below, but a sea of stars, floating chunks of earth, and a continuation of the ring of the Procession, while it is still daylight above.

Jezebel sings with the voice of a violin, "All our enemies are gone! Now we can rule together in Paradys, and you can have your ship. I did it all for you!" As she "speaks", the clouds part, allowing Rephidim to slide into view below.

Zoltan rushes to the deck of the ship, sinking down as he sees the destruction. "Jezebel… please stop this! If you are my friend, please."

Jezebel smiles, as she sees the island. "Only one thing remains." She looks at her fur, but there are no spots left. She smiles to Zoltan, then sings, "Goodbye." With that, she leaps over the railing.

Zoltan squawks, "I had no enemies in Babel… nor in any of the other places… WAIT!!"

Zoltan quickly leaps off the deck, hoping to catch the Savanite before she hits the ground.

As Zoltan plummets over the edge … he shrinks in size … until he's little more than a fledgling. Thankfully, although he seems to be rapidly losing his years, he hasn't regressed to an age before flight. As he reaches Jezebel, he finds a similar transformation has overcome her. The violin strings are gone, but the third eye is still conspicuously present. And, wouldn't you know? All her spots are back. They seem to be staying in place this time.

Zoltan clutches the Savanite kit… Hoping his wings are still strong enough to carry him back to the ship, he swoops upwards.

The ship … fades into just a cloud, which shifts shapes and passes away. The Savanite kit reaches for Zoltan's beak and purrs (aloud, and not with the sound of a violin), "Why?"

Zoltan hugs the kit tightly. "Because I do not wish to part with you… my dearest friend. And it has always been my desire to protect you. I'll die first before I see you go." The Vartan fights back tears.

The kit smiles with a fanged grin. "You shouldn't say that. I'm a monster, you know." Her eyes glow redly, and the whole world around them darkens, until all Zoltan can see are three red, glowing points, forming a triangle … and then they fade into darkness as well.

Zoltan screams! "No! Jezebel!!!"

Zoltan is, for all he can feel, back to normal size. He can hear the creaking of wood. It feels like he's in his cabin. But it's awfully dark in here. Must be night-time. Except that he can't see the glow of the Procession through the window. He can't see the window at all.

Zoltan tries to get to his feet, he starts rubbing his eyes, looking around, rubbing his eyes some more, and looking around again. "Jezebel? Hello? Anyone here?"

The Vartan feels a bit numb, as his head swims. It's a bit stuffy and warm in here. And something feels funny about when he tries to rub his eyes. A hand touches his shoulder.

The reason for the "funny" feeling becomes slowly evident. He has a cloth wrapped around his head, serving as a blindfold?

Zoltan tries to grab at the hand, "Who there? What goings on? This some kind of joke?"

The hand reaches to lift the blindfold off Zoltan's eyes … revealing a bright light that blasts through the window. It takes a bit for the shadows to rearrange themselves into a view of the interior of the cabin, and a cheetah – who is now wearing a headband again, to cover that deformity.

Zoltan quickly releases Jezebel's hand and shrinks back a little, remembering the dream. His heart still pounds in his chest. "What… what happen? Why you put blindfold on Zoltan's head?"

Jezebel signs, "My apologies, Master. I did not wish to alarm you. You were sleeping, and the sun was going to shine right in your eyes. And… " She looks down, then signs, "You needed your sleep."

Zoltan hugs himself, "Wish you let me wake up… I had horrible dream."

Jezebel glowers. "Fine. Ingrate. How was I supposed to know you were having a bad dream?" Her tail twitches angrily. "Is there anything I can do to make myself more useful, MASTER?"

The cheetah looks like an unhappy kitty right now. And, of course, her manners are ENTIRELY unbecoming of a Savanite slave.

Zoltan hugs himself tighter and shrinks down. "I sorry… just… just had abouts twenty years of growth scare out of me." He suddenly blinks and straightens up. "You eyes… is better?"

The cheetah nods. "But I still can't see … " The word she uses for 'see' is an obscure sign that isn't used too often, and probably means something slightly different than the way Zoltan has picked it up to mean. Probably one of those poetic synonyms.

But then, there are many signs for "eye" and "see" and such things in Savanite, to the point of redundancy, though they tend to carry certain connotations depending upon context. But picking up those little nuances takes time.

The Vartan for once, doesn't correct Jezebel for calling him 'master'. The visions of the dream still ring through his head.

Zoltan shakily pulls himself up. "How you mean 'see'?" He imitates the sign. "You no see colors?"

Jezebel sighs, then points to her headband. "I … 'see' things." She pauses, then looks a bit flabbergasted, and signs, "The bat mage can't cast spells. And I figure if I tried, I couldn't, either."

Jezebel signs, "The bat mage can see again, too. I think they are buying the theory that whatever it is just doesn't like females. Thank you for that … theory."

Zoltan signs, "Was best I could come up with on spur of moment. Janus no seem to like you… he probably cause trouble if he finds out."

Jezebel shrugs, then signs, "He has no reason to like me. I sold him into slavery, after all."

"What he do? Throw knife at one of you friends like he do back in jungle?" The Vartan signs.

Jezebel signs, "No. But he was a threat. He's also an idiot. The dye is growing out, and he doesn't even care."

Jezebel explains, "You can already see a hint of what he really looks like. He is a spotted cat, though not a Savanite. Give him tearmarks, and he'd pass for one of my kind … except that he can speak. Among my people, he could pass for one of the Marked. That is why he is called 'Speaker'."

Zoltan signs, "I dye my fur too if I were him." He nods to himself. Whether he's nodding at something Jezebel said or some inner thing isn't too clear.

Jezebel signs, "I sent him away, for I had dreams that spoke of the future. I misinterpreted the signs, however. Part of the prophesy was fulfilled by his attacking of my sister."

Jezebel glowers, "… but my loss of my station occurred nonetheless." She looks at the floor.

Zoltan scratches at a spot below his eye. "That what you mean by 'see'? You see things that happen in future?" The Vartan pauses and fidgets nervously, "You see anything about Zoltan?"

Jezebel sits down, curling her tail around her. "It's not terribly useful. Perhaps if I had become a Seer, I could make some sense of it. I would have, had my grandmother… " Her tailtip twitches.

There's a light rap on the door.

The cheetah jumps at the knock, and almost leaps to her feet. She looks to Zoltan, then gets up the rest of the way, and walks to the door.

Roho stands in the doorway, looking a little apologetic, "May I come in?"

Jezebel puts her hands together and bows to Roho. Not that he can see, but sometimes he DOES seem so perceptive. Maybe he can hear the rustle of her clothes or somesuch.

The cheetah strides over to a heated kettle, and goes through the routine of "Prepare tea for guests."

Zoltan blinks and turns around, he stares dumbly at the door for a moment.

Roho doesn't seem to notice the sounds of her bowing, but he does take the silence as a non-exclusion. He walks in, "Jezebel, I heard you were injured as well. I'm sorry I couldn't come earlier… " He looks really unsure of how to deal with someone who can't tell him what's wrong.

The hippogryph shakeshakes his head. "Hrr… Roho… is good to see you. You finds any nice plants outside yet?"

Jezebel brings a tray over to a short table, bearing a durable and venerable tea service.

Roho smiles, "Hello, Zoltan. Yes, I've found some… strange plants. Don't know quite what to make of them yet."

Zoltan looks to Jezebel; he'll reply whatever she wishes him to. Well… almost.

Roho rasps, "Zoltan, can you translate? I need to know if Jezebel's having any problems. The bats have given me reports running from 'She's fine' to 'She's dying'. And rather a lot in between."

Jezebel goes through the familiar motions of setting out some tea for Zoltan and his guest. She looks to Roho, and then to Zoltan. Once her hands are free, she signs, "I am perfectly fine. There is nothing wrong."

Zoltan nods to the Savanite. "Jezebel is fine now. No problem anymores."

Zoltan just stares at his teacup, watching the shapes in the wisps of steam rising from it.

Roho nods, "Okay… I thought she might be, Wynona wasn't too badly off. Though she's rather upset." He sniffs at the tea.

Jezebel pours some tea for herself. It is, as per usual, heavily watered down and heavily sweetened. She evidently drinks it out of some sense of duty rather than pleasure, judging by her expression.

Zoltan squawks, "Is hear bat got zapped as well. Why she upset?"

Roho rasps, "Well, she was very frightened, naturally. Temporary blindness. And now she seems to be having problems in her particular talent."

Zoltan squawks, "Hrr… bet her sneezes is still there. Guess that mean that if we want to escape here… we going to have to do it without magic."

Zoltan turns to Jezebel, he casts a nervous glance at Roho and signs, "I just remember… how is Twilight-Wing?"

Jezebel doesn't seem to notice Zoltan's sign, as she focuses on the tea.

Roho nods, "Wynona is… well, say that if her magic is gone, she's still making good wind. Her sneezing is worse than ever."

Zoltan tries to chuckle at the joke; it sounds a bit forced. "There been any other injuries since we land?"

Roho rasps, "Other than the usual, no. A couple bruises from working the rigging, and a bunch more from the original crash."

Roho sips at his tea, after surreptitiously dropping a couple of leaves into it.

The Vartan look at the faded portrait of Shokar for a moment. "Hrr… I hope there a way to get off this island… and I hope that this really Paradys. If is… sure no looks like what Shokar describe."

Jezebel frowns, looking out the window at all the greenery … and the conspicuous absence of trees of gold and things of that nature.

Roho rasps, "It… well, it wasn't lived in by a whole crew, I'm sure of that much."

Roho rasps, "People have lived here. But not many."

Zoltan frowns, "That no assure me. Weaker fliers probably die in crash. Hrr… how you know not many live here?"

Roho rasps, "Just a feeling… I haven't studied sky-islands as much as the lands below, but I know a few things. If any large number of people had lived here for any length of time, the flora would be much different. Less entrenched, say."

Zoltan drums his talons on the table near his cooling cup of tea. "I hope they escape… guess stories of Paradys and Shokar had to come from somewheres… but if there way out… why not all leave? Hrr… think I need to explore island more."

Zoltan chuckles, "Guess Master Nicodemus will have to find some other place to build shiny shop… " The words are spoken aloud, but are said in a tone that suggests he was thinking to himself more than anything else.

Roho nods, "Would you mind if I came along on your explorations? Some of the terrain I found was a little rough for someone without eyes."

Jezebel signs, "The island is large. Larger than many sky islands. Perhaps there is more to be found. Surely it is not all explored yet. But I have seen no golden trees, no."

Zoltan squawks, "I see something shiny when I fly down… almost blinded me. Would like to find it again. I be happy for you help… although if glowing shock orb come back we may be in trouble."

Jezebel's hackles rise. "I don't … want to find that thing again." She shudders. "Not unless I can destroy it."

Zoltan signs to the Savanite, "Jezebel… " He glances at Roho again. "Twilight-Wing… is he… alright?"

Jezebel looks to Roho, then back to Zoltan. She signs, "He is as 'all right' as I am." She glances at Roho again, as if not so trusting as to be for SURE the fennec can't somehow 'listen in'.

Roho sips at his tea, aware of the conversation, but not interrupting.

Zoltan nods, understanding… and confirming what he thought earlier. The orbs do indeed prey on mage's powers. Hmph… no wonder some of the Vartans stayed.

Jezebel frowns, looking down. She looks back to Zoltan. "I know you hate … my … 'gift'. … but I can't stay like this. I … I can't live without the Dance."

( I fear your gift, ) the Vartan thinks to himself, but also must acknowledge one thing. "Only person that can maybe get us out of here is air mage… and even though I no like saying so, we going to have to figure out how to restore that if we want to ever leave here.

Jezebel nods. "We must find that … thing. I have no notion what we can do with it, but surely our path starts there."

Zoltan glances at the fennec, "But what we do if we find? If it can blind with just a touch… "

Zoltan squawks, "Roho… you ever deal with anything like what happen to Wynona before? With lightning touch and such?"

Jezebel frowns and shakes her head. "I do not know. But that is just it. We know nothing. How else can we learn about this danger, but to seek it out?"

Roho shakes his head, "No, never. I don't even know if what I did helped her, or if it went away naturally."

Zoltan looks nervous, " Perhaps… perhaps you should stay here? Ball might attack you again if you come near… "

Jezebel signs, "What's the worst that can happen?" She blinks, evidently thinking of something, then shakes her head. "Maybe it is best, yes, for me to remain here."

( For some reason, knowing that she'll be here alone doesn't appeal to me either… although without her magic, she's much less harmful. Dagh… I wish I could get that DREAM out of my mind. ) The Vartan sighs. "I remember spot where I first see orb… We trying to get better look at strange tower in middle of island. Maybe that good place to start?"

Jezebel nods. "I cannot think of any better approach."

Zoltan starts to dig around in his supplies, hoping to find smething that might be used to cut away the vegitation. "Jezebel… you ever hear of anything like this happening before?"

Jezebel shakes her head. "I know of nothing like this."

The supplies are well-stocked for dealing with the jungle. After all, one of the stops was in the Savan. There are some chitin machetes to be found, though a bit chipped and cracked.

Jezebel signs, "Will you be going alone?"

Zoltan carefully wraps up the machetes and places them in his pack along with his other camping and survival supplies. "I think the fennec is coming along," he signs. "Roho… you goings to join me? You probably be no good at hacking vines… but you can probably let me know if there danger before I sees it."

Roho nods, "If you don't mind… I don't want to slow you down, but I'm very curious about the island."

Jezebel goes over to her "corner" of the cabin, and comes back with a couple of little satchels hanging on strings. She moves as if to place the cord over the Vartan's head.

Zoltan grins, "It going to be slow going anyhow through jungle." He blinks at the satchel and doesn't move his head.

Jezebel adjusts the "talisman", and then signs, by way of explanation. "Do not worry. It is not magic. I know much of herbs – though not more than the doctor, I am sure. This should help keep the bugs away from you." She hands the other small pouch and cord to the fennec.

Roho sniffs curiously at the pouch, then slings it over his shoulder, so its straps cross with his own pouch.

Zoltan translates for the fennec. "She say it keep bugs off." Then he tries to smile as warmly to Jezebel as he can manage, "Thank you. Hopefully it mean doctor no have to treat us for anemia when bugs try and suck us dry now."

Roho nods and smiles at Jezebel, "Thank you… "

Jezebel looks to Zoltan. Her tail twitches. She signs, "Be careful." She frowns a bit, then signs, with a wicked grin. "After all, it wouldn't do for me to be sold off to a bat, if you're eaten by a giant Creen."

Zoltan smiles, a genuine smile this time. "I do my best to avoid any giant Creens then… Bat might make you cook bugs for him all day." He hefts his pack onto his back and heads out the door.

Roho finishes off his tea, and walks out the door after Zoltan.

After the door closes, the cheetah watches it, tail twitching, for several moments, before she gets up and begins to put away the tea service. She looks out the window at the jungle, and a faint smile plays briefly on her lips. But whatever she's thinking, she keeps it to herself, as she tidies up the cabin chamber.