Pain has been less than effective at teaching Envoy… But starvation and the promise of treats and hearing the alien words sung like music work well enough to please Kalamazak. It has been a week since she woke up as part of a menagerie, much of that time spent in the confines of an airship with a crew that seems bizarre even by the standards Envoy is used to. Much of that week has been spent attempting to discover *some* trick that Envoy will be able to perform, which will please the mass…

Which explains why, outside Envoy's cage, there is a sign reading 'The next performance will be at one hour after noon'. A sand-glass slowly trickles grains into the bottom to show perhaps fifteen minutes left; passerbies glance toward the clock, if not the sign (for few of them can read very well) and move on to the next exhibit, a wild catarago from southern Khamaz that belches intemperately.

Some urchins – a hedgehog which in fact bears a great resemblance to a sea urchin, and her half-wolf half-fox brother – stop by the cage to point at Envoy. They chatter between themselves. "She looks just like an Aeonian! And a Solu! But mixed up together… " "Aw! Aeonians and Solus are just stories!"

Envoy shows little animation, but her eyes do focus on the pair, memorizing their words and gestures as she continues to puzzle out the language… now that she realizes it IS a language.

"It's so quiet," the hedgehog murmurs. "Do you think it's dead?"

The wolf-fox shakes his head. "Saw it move! Let me get a stick, I'll get it to move for you." He grins evilly.

Envoy goes back to contemplating her condition. She's almost gotten used to having her 'awareness' exist as a point behind her eyes, instead of residing in each cell of her body.

A moment later, Envoy feels something poking at her belly.

"Hey! Don't do that! You'll get us whipped," the hedgehog says as she pulls on her brother, who is wielding a long leafy sort of stick.

Envoy looks down at the stick. "Why are you giving me a stick?" she asks the canid.

Esther walks through the busy crowd toward the traveling circus, avoiding bumping into others as she goes. It's a day off for her, and with the Temple being an absolute madhouse after the death of the Captain-Astromancer, it's a relief to get out in civilian clothing.

Envoy grabs at the end of the stick, revealing her small golden claws.

A gloved hand rests on the shoulder of the wolf-fox boy. "Come now," the owner of the hand says in a lilting voice, "a good child would never poke at anyone – even an animal – with a stick. Haven't you been taught better manners?"

"Ticket! Buy a ticket to the evening performance! Jugglers, fire-eaters, see our animals perform!" a barker (a pekingese to tell the truth) yells to Esther across the crowd.

Esther stands to look at a fire-breather briefly, distracted by the hawker.

The wolf-fox crows. "See! It moved, it's not dead!" Then twists away from the hand, trying to pull the stick back from Envoy as well. "I wasn't doing anything, I just wanted to show m'sis dat thing's not dead!"

Esther considers buying a ticket, turns around and… hello.

Envoy lets the stick go, and goes back to ignoring the children.

A brown lady bat in a black and midnight blue travelling outfit looks down at the brother and sister, then at the occupant of the cage. "Anyone can see it's not dead, child."

The wolf-fox pouts at the bat. "NOW you can see." He peers at the cage again and then looks disappointed. "What's wrong with it? Is it sick or something?"

The bat peers curiously into the cage, reaching up with a gloved hand to brush aside her wavy black bangs for a better look. "Well," the bat offers, "perhaps too many little boys have been poking at it with sticks. How would /you/ feel if you had been poked with sticks all day, kept in a cage?"

The wolf-fox bares his teeth. "I wouldn't let anyone keep me in a cage! And if they tried, I'd beat them with the sticks!"

Esther makes a beeline for the cage where Envoy is kept. .oO (Another Exile!)

The bat laughs lightly, and pats the wolf-fox boy. "Oh, I'm sure you would! I can tell – You're a /fierce/ little one, aren't you?"

Just at that moment however, a dilidipated looking sparrow comes trotting along holding a lute. "Ladies and gentlemen," he calls to the crowd. "For your pleasure, this rare Aeolun creature, never before seen in civilized land, will perform for the very first time in Rephidim! Step right up, and perk those ears!" He glances at the kids. "Away from the cage, please. This creature is dangerous! It was found bloody and unconscious next to some very dangerous cave-lizards that were all dead. We presume it to have poison in those very pretty claws."

A big brown-shelled Vykarin – a semi-biped who looks like a cross between a wolf, a horse, and perhaps an armadillo – trots up, standing behind the bat, carrying a pair of drums slung from his shoulders on leather straps. He makes a "Rrrr?" sound as he regards the caged creature, then turns toward the bat, uttering a series of clicking and popping noises accompanied by words in a foreign tongue.

Esther stands silently off to one side, noting the bat-woman and the Vykarin and the children conversing.

Envoy feels hungry. She knows it means she'll have to perform soon, and not that there is something wrong with her physically. She looks more alert as she hears the barker's familiar voice.

The lady bat shushes her Vykarin companion, focusing her large ears on the barker and then on the cage, her eyes full of curiosity as to just how this creature might 'perform'.

The sparrow flutters its wings a little. "For your enjoyment, ladies and gentlemen… The remarkable singing Aeolun!" He starts strumming his lute, and then begins singing a riding song with a predictable melody. Despite his avian nature, his voice is undistinguished. The bat's trained ears can tell this fellow has never had Guild training.

Envoy stands up in her cage, and spreads her wings as much as she can. She goes into a series of simple dance exercises, very amateur ones, and starts to sing a Nenain lullaby, using both a soprano and a contralto voice simultaneously.

The sparrow beams and continues to play the lute. More customers gather around to witness the novelty of a singing creature… One that can sing in two voices at once!

Esther, oblivious to the crowd around her, nevertheless is shoved forward by it. She almost trips, and finds her nose mere inches from the cage!

Envoy looks through the crowd, much bigger than any she's seen before, and searches for familiar faces or forms as she sings.

The Vykarin's ears flick. "Rrrr?" He looks around, trying to see where the other Aeolun is who's singing along. He lets out a faint whine of confusion, turning back toward the bat as if expecting her to explain.

The lady bat is entranced by the alien melody – and the alien tongue – as a smile plays on her lips.

Envoy looks closely at the female wolf, but the features don't match those of Wyn, so she moves on to the bat.

The sparrow watches the smaller sandglass as he plays. The Aeolun won't sing too long, he knows that, and it's not good for business to have a key performer start snapping and growling at the bars…

Envoy thinks, . o O { Much too fat to be a Skrii. }

Envoy makes sure she's seen everyone, making a complete circuit of her cage, before finishing the song.

Esther spends a moment in quiet reverie, gazing at the magnificent creature… then, she snaps out of it. Esther steps back from the cage, brow furrowed.

The Vykarin whines at the bat again, trying vainly to get her attention. Seeing the attempt pointless, he sighs, and turns back toward watching the strange creature in the cage.

Envoy goes quiet and still as if shut off with a switch, and waits for her treat.

The sparrow bows. "Thank you, thank you. Contributions are welcome. Please be generous! It's rare that such a wonder shall pass by Rephidim, let alone be seen in its own distant homeland. The Aeolun! Brought to you by Kalamazak's Travelling Circus for your pleasure, ladies and gentlemen." He sets out a hat for contributions, and then starts transferring fruits and seeds into an eating trough for Envoy.

Esther feels around in her pocket for her Temple signet… no, wait. They're outside the city gates…

The dark-garbed and dark-tressed bat claps her hands together, smiling.

Envoy sits down next to her trough and eats mechanically, eyes unfocused again.

At last, the bat wanders over toward the sparrow, the Vykarin following her close behind like a lost puppy. "Tell me, sir – How much for the 'Aeolun'?"

"How much? Anything you can spare, we're a very poor circus, and it costs a great deal to travel about and recruit such amazing acts for your pleasure," the sparrow says with some confusion.

Envoy cocks one ear towards the Vykarin, who's language was different than the usual one she's heard.

Esther's ear perks up at the sound of the words 'how much'. She sees the bat and the sparrow talking. Hmm.

Esther steps nonchalantly back toward the cage, keeping an eye on the two bargainers.

The bat gives a short laugh, then continues, "Pardon me. I meant to ask – how much in order to /purchase/ the Aeolun? I found it rather amusing, and perhaps with some potential, given some professional training."

The sparrow blinks. "Ah… You would have to speak to Meh Kalamazak. I'm only one of the musicians." He flaps his wings a bit, and then as the rain of coins slow to a trickle and then stops, picks up the hat of half- and quarter-shekels.

Envoy glances at the bat now. She has learned to recognize the word 'training', and associates it with negative reinforcement more than not.

Esther, now fairly close to the cage, peers about looking for the latch.

It's locked. The mechanism is made of the usual hard wood that distinguishes shackles and manacles meant to hold people and resist punishment, and perhaps a foot across. The key must be quite large as well. If Esther were a thief, she could pick the lock in a few moments… If no one were looking.

The bat sighs, disappointedly. This one looked to be a fairly easy fellow to bargain with. "Meh Kalamazak, then? Where might I find this one? And how might I recognize him or her? My interest is genuine, I assure you – as are my coins."

Envoy finishes her meal and washes her face and hands from the water dish. { There must be millions of microorganisms inhaled with every breath, but I can't analyze any of them now. } O o . she thinks.

"Right behind you," a voice says behind the bat with some amusement.

The Vykarin turns around, letting out a curious, "Rrrr?"

Behind them is a lion, dressed in desert travellers' robes with a white linen cloth wrapped about his head. "I am the humble Meh Kalamazak, procurer of amusements from across bountiful Sinai for your pleasure, my lady. I hope that you have enjoyed our simple entertainments? In particular, our newest acquisition?"

Envoy sits against the back of her cage and watches the Vykarin. It looks like something Lothrhyn would have made, and therefore it's presence comforts her a bit.

The bat pauses a moment, then turns around with a smile. "A pleasure to meet you. Vielanika Nightsong, at your service." She makes a precise and graceful bow. "Yes, indeed, I have found this most enjoyable."

The Vykarin looks at the lion, then past to the cage and the wolf there. He trots on over while the bat chats.

"Ah! And a bard, I suspect. Your voice quality is exceedingly fine. But I fear that the pay I could offer would be well below your station – something that I muchly regret," Kalamazak says with a bow to the lady bat.

Vielanika raises an eyebrow. "That is all fine and well, honorable Meh Kalamazak, but the matter I am interested in is the purchase of the strange creature called the 'Aeolun'. For what price would you part with the novelty?"

Esther notes the Vykarin approaching. She looks at Envoy again, smiles broadly, and begins to allow her eyes to be distracted by the other sights.

Envoy smiles to the large Vykarin, and repeats some its click-pop sounds.

"Price? Do you think me some sort of wild game hunter?" Kalamazak says with surprise. "Dear Lady, it is hardly my custom to wander about buying and selling creatures as if they were some sort of commodity. Why, I nearly regard them as family! Such dear, sweet things they are… " The catarago chooses this moment to roar loudly, startling passerbies.

The brown-shelled wolf-horse-armadillo-thing's ears flick at the mimickry of its speech. Once again, this prompts an "Rrrr?" from the Vykarin. He sniff-sniffs at the cage, then utters some more odd words, punctuated and accented by pops and clicks.

Kalamazak adds as an afterthought, "Besides, I couldn't begin to think of how much I had already paid just to capture and train these marvelous beasts. But they perform so well, don't you think? Just listen to that Aeolun. Ah, you have already." He laughs softly.

Envoy echoes the words back, including the 'Rrrr'.

"I'll make it worth your while, I assure you," the bat smiles winningly. "How much have you invested in the creature? And how much trouble has this exotic creature caused you so far?"

Meh Kalamazak sizes up the bat.

The Vykarin's mouth gapes open, tongue lolling. He sucks his tongue back in, then utters off another stream of phrases, this time faster, pausing to listen to see if the Aeolun can keep up with him. His thick banded tail wag-wags slowly.

Esther turns back to Envoy. "Hello," she says.

Envoy wonders if the large creature's language is telegraphic or not. She repeats the latest phrase to the Vykarin and also echos the wolf's 'Hello' in a seperate voice.

"Truly, I assure you, Lady Vielanika, it would be like giving up my daughter. How could I be assured that she would go to a good home? No, only the best of care would be good enough for her… Someone well able to afford the high quality of food that this Aeolun requires, to pet and groom her, to offer her the songs that she so loves." Kalamazak waxes poetical for a while. "Why, such a person would not even begin to think of offering anything less than gold for such a rare creature!"

Esther waits until Envoy is looking at her, and then points to herself broadly and says, "Esther."

Envoy points to the wolf and says, "Esther" with a smile.

Esther points to Envoy… and waits expectantly?

Envoy says, "Envoy of Lothrhyn."

The Vykarin whines, looking jealous of the distraction. He pops and clicks, trying to get Envoy's attention, wag-wagging his tail again.

"Do you see? She is very bright, with nearly the learning capability of a Pharang mockinglizard," Kalamazak says with a smile. "She repeats words and names very well, and even says the odd thing that we have not been able to figure out. Truly remarkable."

Envoy clicks and pops back to the Vykarin, saying the last phrase in reverse order to see what happens.

Esther points to herself broadly, then to the city behind her. She then makes a 'come here' motion with her arms.

The bat's smile does not leave for a moment. "Gold … of course. Uhm … just what sort of odd things? I am a traveller, and know many tongues and of many cultures."

Envoy gets up and moves towards the wolf's side of the cage, keeping the Vykarin's bulk between her and the lion.

Esther points at the city. "Rephidim."

The Vykarin rrrrs? He grutters, "Ranroy r Rorryn?"

"Ah, she frequently says such things like 'Enzhoi a Lozhraheen'," the wolf says by way of example. "And 'Zhenezis'. Perhaps these are phrases that she learned from some past owner, who must have failed to take proper care of her. Such a condition she was in! We had to spend a week nursing her back to health." He considers the bat, and then suggests, "I couldn't think of anything less than sixteen gold… "

Envoy looks out over the city, her old curiousity beginning to stir. She turns slightly to point at the Vykarin, repeating, "Ranroy?"

Esther thinks for a moment… then she points at Envoy's food trough, and then again at the city, and then at herself.

The bat turns abruptly, faking a sneeze, covering her face … hiding the look of shock at the mention of … sixteen gold! She turns back, regaining her composure. "Pardon me. Oh my. My allergies must be acting up again."

The Vykarin's tongue lolls again. He has Envoy's attention for now! He thumps himself on the chest with a stubby paw-hand. "Rawrii!"

Esther points at the lion, and makes a pushing-away motion.

"That's very tragic," Meh Kalamazak says patting the bat on her back. "Perhaps you'll allow my doctor, Sikan, to prescribe something for your ailments."

Meh Kalamazak adds, "His medicines are of course, very reasonably priced."

Envoy realizes the Vykarin was trying to repeat her name, and decides the wolf wants to take her to the city. She smiles at the Vykarin and repeats, "Rawrii" as she reaches up for the latch on her cage.

The lock doesn't even pretend to have any way to open it from the inside.

"Of course," the lady bat smiles. "If you'll pardon me, I must fetch my Vykarin, before he causes any trouble… "

Esther half-sees the bat begin to come nearer… she immediately turns her back to the scene.

Meh Kalamazak nods to the bat. "Please come again, Lady Vielanika." He pauses a moment, gesturing to her. "Perhaps you would enjoy seeing our show this evening? For you and your little friend." He hands two pasteboard tickets to the bat.

The Vykarin glances at Esther suspiciously. "rrrr."

Meh Kalamazak beams proprietarily… But with a warning look toward Esther, who seems entirely too interested in the creature, and without the redeeming urge to pay for the Aeolun.

Envoy watches the wolf turn away, a bit confused. She returns to the center of her cage and sits down cross-legged, wrapping her wings around her like a cloak.

The bat smiles and makes a lady-like gasp. "Oh my! That is exceedingly generous. And – afterward, would you perchance have some time to talk more about the Aeolun? That is, if your duties do not keep you busy… " She tucks away the tickets for safekeeping.

Esther pretends to rummage through her money-pouch. She looks sidelong at Envoy again.

"Of course," Meh Kalamazak says. "What honorable being does not enjoy talking about his… or her family?" He bows to the bat with gracious courtesy.

The Vykarin lolls triumphantly. The wolf got bored! He turns back toward Envoy. "Ranroy!" He points at her. "Rawrii!" He thumps himself on the chest. He wag-wags his tail, thinking himself incredibly clever.

Envoy smiles back at the large creature, "Rawrii."

Esther says loud and clear, still facing the other direction, "Envoy of Lothrhyn."

Vielanika returns the bow. "I look forward to it, kind sir."

Envoy turns toward's the wolf's back at the sound of her name. "Esther?"

The Vykarin whimpers. No fair. Maybe if he bit the wolf when nobody was looking… He glances both ways, and notices the bat approaching. Uh oh! His ears and tail droop.

Esther turns her head toward Envoy, a sad look in her eyes. "Rephidim. Esther."

Envoy points to the tantalizing city, "Rephidim."

"Rawrii!" the lady bat scolds. "Are you bothering the – Oh my! She can say 'Rephidim'! How clever."

Esther furrows her brow, thinking furiously… then she turns.

Envoy suddenly asks, in the one language she knows how to speak, "What are the space-time coordinates of this planet?"

Meh Kalamazak walks toward Esther. "Ah, does our Aeolun fascinate you? She is indeed a lovely creature, with many gifts. You must have heard her stunning performance earlier – I promise you that such is but a minor note compared to her performance tonight." The lion beams, though the smile doesn't touch his eyes. "Perhaps you would care to purchase a ticket for the evening performance?"

Esther appears to see the bat and the Vykarin for the first time. She smiles, "Hello. I couldn't help overhearing your professional appreciation… "

Envoy scowls at the lion, and mimics his voice: "If she won't perform, maybe we can sell her hide."

The lady bat turns to look Envoy in the eye. Whatever she's thinking, she does not say. Instead, she pats the Vykarin on the back. "Now now, Rawrii. Come along. You've been behaving yourself very well today, so let's go get you a treat, yes? Aha! Yes, you'd like that wouldn't you?" She ruffles the Vykarin's fluffy ears as if he were nothing more than an oversized dog. Judging from the ferocity of his wagging tail, he doesn't seem to mind in the least.

The bat gasps, and turns toward the lion, then back to Envoy. Then back again.

Esther sees the lion, then hears Envoy's interesting commentary.

The Vykarin gives a low growl, turning toward the lion, pushing the bat out of the way.

Kalamazak frowns. "She is a remarkable mimic, but her past owner – he must have mistreated her badly!" He shakes his head sadly. "Of course I would never sell the hide of one of my dear creatures. But for some reason she seems to have this… fixation upon mimicing all sorts of interesting phrases."

Esther looks at that lock again and curses quietly for not having more thief friends…

Kalamazak whispers as an aside to the bat, "I am afraid that not all of these phrases are suitable for the ears of such lovely ladies as yourself. And the fevers that she ran through! My doctor was afraid that she would not live through the convulsions." He looks quite paternal and concerned.

"A treat!" the bat cries out, struggling with the growling Vykarin. "Let's go get a treat, Rawrii. Now, don't be a bad Vykarin. Not now – Let's go, hmm? The nice man gave us tickets, so you can see your new friend /later/." She at last bats the Vykarin on the nose, prompting a yelp and a whine.

Envoy gives Kalamazak a look she learned from Daydream, when she would encounter a particularly foul imp.

"Indeed, later," Kalamazak says with a smile, then turns to Esther. "Perhaps you too would like a complimentary ticket?" He offers her a pasteboard rectangle.

The big wolf-horse-armadillo gives the lion an abbreviated "Rrr," then a whine and a glance to Envoy, before trotting along with the bat, away from the scene and into the crowd.

Esther gazes at Kalamazak, for a moment with disgust, then with measured diplomatic grace. "Why, thank you, sir. I will be sure to attend."

Meh Kalamazak gives Esther an 'I'll be watching you' look in turn. "Kalamazak's Travelling Circus will be greatly honored by your presence, milady," he says with impeccable courtesy. "I shall look forward to seeing you there."

"Musical instruments crafted of finest ivory from the distant Savan!" a one-eyed, grizzled white wolf barks. "Each one a hand-crafted work of art!"

A brown lady Eeee – an anthropomorphic bat – is in the midst of a performance, playing a haunting melody on a dual-flute-like instrument. Much like the voice of the Aeolun, somehow she is playing two 'voices' on the instrument at once, while a big brown-shelled Vykarin keeps rhythm, thumping on a couple of colorfully-decorated leather-and-shell drums.

Esther stands nearby, just off the beaten path. A Rephidim guardswolf stands nearby. "There they are," she says. "Don't interfere; just watch my back."

Mindali leans forward to call out to Esther, "Scarves! Fine scarves, fit for a lady's neck! Only five coppers the piece!" A mink that believes in practicing what she preaches, she wears seven of the light and airy cloths around her neck and arms.

Garrel – a reddish-brown Jupani guard – nods to Esther. "As you command, Inquisitrix."

Esther waits silently for the mink to get the hint that she's not interested.

Mindali jumps back, her ears catching the name. An Inquisitrix! She whispers to Honest Makah, then her other booth mates, and some people begin hiding away the less than completely legal merchandise.

Vielanika step-dances in a small space as she plays a breathy, exotic melody to the Vykarin's accompaniment.

Esther notes the frantic activity among the merchants with some amusement. She smirks, then mills into the crowd, moving toward the musicians.

The grizzled white wolf gulps, but he apparently has nothing to hide away. Nonetheless, he waves a gesture to his two male Savanite assistants to keep a watch. Lately, Temple presence has tended to mean /Trouble/ with a capital "T".

People in the crowd watch the dance and melody with swishing tails, happily entertained.

*chime chime* The bat's colorful jewelry swings and rings in time. A few more steps, then she stops in place, playing a long trailing note. She lowers the flute-like instrument, opening her eyes to regard her audience, then executes a precise bow. "Vielanika Nightsong thanks you – it is an honor to perform for you today!"

Esther applauds along with the crowd, pushing her way to the front.

Some begin tossing shekels and half-shekels in appreciation; others call out, "Hai, Nightsong!"

The big Vykarin's tongue lolls happily. He knows half the applause is for him, too! His tail wag-wags slowly.

"Rawrii!" the brown-shelled Vykarin barks. He sets to collecting the offerings, sparing his partner from the indignity of having to stoop over for such things.

Esther waits for the crowd to begin to break up a little. She goes forward, a modest number of shekels in hand.

A finely-dressed lady – graying around the muzzle – walks up to the bat. "That was beautiful, young lady. You really deserve better than to perform here… " She reaches over to her escort, who digs into a bag. He hands her a couple coins. She glances at him. He gives her another. She glances again. At last, she just reaches in for herself, and places the coins in the bat's hand. "I loved it very much," the lady smiles.

As the Bazaar's patrons begin to break up, Esther tosses a few more shekels in front of Rawrri. "Fine music!" she says gaily.

Vielanika smiles and beams back, and bows her head. "Thank you very much, your ladyship. I am especially pleased to have entertained you." She waits until the noble has passed before looking at her hand.

The lady bat's eyes go WIDE.

Rawrri smiles. More shekels! He scoops them up, tail wag-wagging more.

Esther goes up to the Vykarin. "Going to see Envoy tonight, my friend?" She sees the noble lady out of the corner of her eye as she finishes her sentence.

The Vykarin looks up, finally recognizing Esther. He lets out a short whine. This is the one who kept trying to steal the Aeolun's attention from him! She must be here to make fun of him. (whine)

Esther sees the noble lady walk away, then sees the look on Vielanika's face. Huh?

Vielanika looks both ways, then tucks the handful of silver shekels safely away, her eyes still wide with surprise.

Esther turns back to the Vykarin as though she had seen nothing, and extends a hand to him, in friendship.

The lady bat, forgetting all decorum – and the Inquisitrix – throws her arms around the Vykarin. "Rawrii! Rawrii, I LOVE you to BITS! You did absolutely WONDERFUL today!" She plants a smooch on his nose.

Rawrii's ears perk. "Rrr?" His tail wag-wags again. He sniffs at Esther's hand.

Esther takes a step back when Vielanika dives in. "Oh! Excuse me."

Vielanika stands up again, straightening her hair a bit, and picking up her wide black hat now that the coins have been collected from it. "Oh. Ahem. Pardon me. Ah. We meet again, hmm? Vielanika Nightsong, traveller and musician. And this is my companion, Rawrii of the Vykarin."

The Vykarin sniffs at Esther's hand again … then licks it. *SLURP!*

Esther adopts a somewhat nervous posture. "Miss Nightsong, a pleasure to meet you. I-I'm Esther. I am a scientist by trade." She gets a lick from Rawrii. "Ah! Yes, good to meet you too."

Garrel, Esther's escort, tries to stand at an inconspicuous – but not remote – distance, keeping an eye on the Inquisitrix and the street musicians.

Esther comes a little closer to Vielanika, as though she were telling her a secret. "I couldn't help but notice that performing creature in the circus today. I see that you noticed her too. Maybe I can be of some assistance to you."

"Assistance?" the bat raises an eyebrow. "Well now, you have my attention – and my curiosity. What exactly do you mean?"

"Well," Esther sighs, as though she were about to begin a lecture, "as I said, I am a scientist. As you know, Rephidim's scientists are always looking for Exiles – for such that beautiful creature surely is – in order to help them integrate into our society, and to find out more about what things are like outside our world."

"Scientists, eh?" the bat looks Esther up and down … then notices the Jupani guard across the street. "And Exiles? Now, everyone knows, Exiles are to be delivered to the Temple. It's law. If that were an Exile, it wouldn't be permitted for it to be kept in a cage as a circus animal."

Esther says, "If it's your intention to rescue it from slavery and put it to work achieving its true potential, surely you will need a little assistance getting it through the Temple processing without incident."

The bat looks slightly nervous. "And … just how might you be in a position to have anything to do with … Temple processing?"

"Oh come now, Miss Nightsong, surely you can't imagine that the entire world operates within the benevolent laws of the Temple." She chuckles. "But there's no way to do anything about that outside the walls, now is there?"

"Of course not," the bat smiles weakly. "As a loyal citizen, I would certainly wish to see to it that Exiles are processed properly… "

Esther spreads her arms, palms open. "But of course you would! Surely the Bard's Guild would be willing to cooperate with the Temple on this matter. We seem to have the same purpose in mind, wouldn't you agree?"

The bat nods. "Most certainly. But … ah … what exactly have you in mind to suggest as to how I might be cooperative in this matter?"

Rawrii looks up, ears flicking at the conversation. Click click pop? (whine)

Esther says, "Interviewing Exiles is a simple matter, and with the proper help from the inside, it can be done quickly and efficiently. After that, for a small fee, the Guild could take the creature into custody. All we need is gold… unless you've got something else up your sleeve."

The Vykarin gets up off his haunches, walking around the space, checking again for any unnoticed shekels…

"The important thing," Esther stresses, "is to see to it that the Exile comes under Rephidim city jurisdiction."

The bat looks thoughtful. "The Aeolun would get taught the language, wouldn't it?"

Esther smiles. "Years of education in minutes, through the wonders of science."

The bat ponders some more. "Hmm. What sort of … small fee? Are you talking something above and beyond the 'processing fee'?"

Esther says, "Perhaps. But that can be discussed more thoroughly after we have the luxury so to do."

The bat frowns. "Of course." She sighs. This is sounding very, very expensive…

Esther smiles disarmingly. "The Aeolun… yes, that's what Kalamazak called it?… it told me its name was Envoy." She sighs. "Beautiful music."

"What do you need from me, then? To … ah … see to it that the /Envoy/ is presented to a representative of the Temple within Rephidim city limits?" the bat asks. "And who might I refer to when I am asked whom I spoke to concerning this matter?"

"Rnroy!" the Vykarin barks. His tail wag-wags.

Esther says. "My name is Esther." She shifts positions. "And I *am* going to the circus show tonight, so you won't have to look far."

"Oh yes," the bat nods. "The tickets. We can't very well waste them, hmm? Not after being so graciously offered them by that /ever-so-pleasant/ Kalamazak." She says this dripping with distaste.

Esther says, "Frankly, I do not like to think of Exiles mistreated. I know that many citizens of Sinai, let alone Rephidim, do not share that opinion."

Esther says, "So rest assured that I have Envoy's best interests at heart."

The bat smiles. "Of course. Very well then, I suppose that it shall be a matter of meeting you tonight at the performance. I shall make arrangements and procure the Envoy, and present her to you within Rephidim city limits, yes? To a representative of the Temple. /In uniform/."

Esther says, "I wouldn't do it any other way, Miss Nightsong. You have no idea how much this means to me personally, as well as to the Temple."

Esther bows slightly to the bat, and reaches out to pat the Vykarin. "Tonight, then." And with that, she is off into the crowd.

That night, Kalamazak's Circus's performance is throughly ordinary, with the usual complement of bouncing acrobats, conjuring 'magicians', and performing creatures with their riders showing off their skimpy costumes… Until the Aeolun is brought in. Esther and Vielanika in the audience can tell that she seems more glazed about the eye than the previous afternoon, her body almost singing with a music kept deep inside. She has been robed with something of sky blue, the weave shimmering with silver to accent her natural colors. Kalamazak announces from the center ring, "And now, deep from the south, a wonder that all of Rephidim has never seen before! The amazing Aeolun! A creature of fantasy and wonder, and of divine voice!"

It takes a careful eye to see the white-painted shackles that keep her from simply flying away. And from, perhaps, assaulting the lion.

The musicians strike up a whirling music. Suitably airy in nature, perhaps, to encourage Envoy's voice to fly where her wings cannot…

Envoy's eyes are dilated and her nostrils flared as she begins her song-and-dance. Her movements are restricted to some suggestive swayings, and her voices have a throatier edge as she croons an alien ballad.

Esther leans over and whispers to Vielanika. "Well?"

Vielanika wrinkles her nose distastefully at the crude edge to the dance. "I think she has a lot more potential," the bat whispers.

Some Kavis hold up pink-colored panes of paper before otherwise harsh-glaring lamps, creating rose spotlights that illuminate Envoy's dance favorably. Kalamazak, enjoying a ringmaster's invisibility when a star act is on the stage, leans over to talk to an apparently brass draconoid in a luxury guest box.

"No, no," Esther whispers. "I refer to your side of our bargain."

Envoy ups the emotional content of the song, tears running down her cheeks now.

The bat gasps, looking offended. "Really. I assure you, I am in no mind to cross the T – … to be anything less than a loyal and faithful citizen of Rephidim."

Esther raises an eyebrow. "Too much can go wrong tonight," she mutters Vielanika's way.

The bat sighs. "And if anything does, you are hardly the one to suffer for it."

The musicians play fervently with their eyes and ears focused on Envoy. They emphasize a sensuous beat and sway to the melody.

Envoy gestures with her wings as she sings and sways to the music.

Envoy sings out a final note that hangs and pulses for almost a minute, sustained by two sets of vocal chords…

Envoy crouches down and seems to disappear beneath her wings as the lights fade.

The crowd breaks into loud applause and Kalamazak walks away from the guest box to introduce the next act…

"Pardon me," the bat says quietly, as she excuses herself.

Esther stands up also, and heads for the exit, trying to be graceful in squeezing past people's knees.

A moment in a fun-packed evening: Vielanika covering Rawrii's muzzle with her hands as two thug-like Jupanis bring Envoy back to her cage. The cage door clicks open and then they lay the peacefully sleeping creature upon the floor. "Sweet looking, ain't she?" one comments. "Like to get my arms around her… " "Don't think about it. You didn't see those cave-lizards around her. Bloated like sea-carcass."

Another moment: Vielanika fiddling with tongue out one side of her bat muzzle as she inserts a series of fine wires into the wooden lock to manipulate the tumblers. Rawrii whines at the dead-seeming Envoy, whose breathing is quite shallow.

A third moment. Rawrii shouldering Envoy as Vielanika spreads her wings to cover the motion. Guards shout. A brass dragon watches from the distance near a furious Kalamazak, seeming amused…

And then in a tumble of slow-motion moments, a Vykarin stumbles from a maze of alleys with a half-Aeonian half-Solu creature over his back toward the City Gates, with Vielanika throwing spoiled fruits at the pursuers. "Stop! Bring back Kalamazak's creature," some of them yell. "Thieves! Kidnappers!"

Esther peers into the darkness and hears the commotion. "Here they come, gentlemen. Ready as ordered."

Namo wagwags. "I can hit them this time, right?" He admires the hard chitin knuckles on his black wolf-hand, then looks calculatingly into the distance. "Which one d'you wanna me to hit, huh? Huh?"

Esther says, "Namo, you can hit anyone except the Vykarin, the Eeee, or the Exile… in fact, the more hitting you do, the better."

Esther smirks, and pats Namo on the shoulder.

Namo perks up. "Thank you, Inquisitrix!" He motions to the other guards. "C'mon, guys, we're gonna have fun tonight, huh?"

Esther, dressed now in full uniform, draws a chitin dagger. No telling just how much trouble is about to come around the corner.

"Keep running!" Vielanika urges, as she pauses to hurl another spoilied fruit after their pursuers. Apparently she is not trained in this particular method of combat, as most of her attacks fly far off the mark.

The Vykarin trots along at a fast clip on his long hooved legs, his 'passenger' bounce-bouncing over his back.

Envoy is jarred partially conscious, and mutters, "Rawrii?"

Esther says, "Are they in sight yet, Remuel?"

Rawrii's tongue lolls. "Rnroy!" he barks back. His tail wag-wags a bit, as he charges around the corner, bounding up to the gates.

The pursuers chase after Vielanika, dodging the fruit, but draw up in surprise at seeing the uniformed guards. "Dagh! They've got guards! We're not being paid to risk our LIVES," he mutters.

Namo charges blissfully to the attack, hounding the pursuers as they become the pursued. "AROOOOOOooOOOOO!"

The lady bat sees the guards, and smiles. She snaps out her wings and leaps into the air, to get out from between the pursuers and the waiting guards.

"AHA! YES!" cries Esther in a moment of triumph. "Rawrii! This way!" She points down a side street, inside the comfort of the city walls, with her dagger.

The wolf guards go yelping after Kalamazak's hired thugs, and out of sight… Which leaves Esther to deal with Vielanika and Rawrii and of course, her new prize: Envoy.

Envoy blinks blearily at the rapidly passing scenery.

Vielanika glides down to a soft landing, on the "safe" side of the gates. "Whew! Made it!"

Esther tucks the dagger into her belt, and regains her composure, though still smiling broadly. "Very well done! Very well done indeed!"

Envoy looks over at Esther from Rawrii's back, "Esther?"

Esther goes over to Envoy. "Envoy." She smiles. "You are safe with me, friend."

Envoy smiles, but looks a bit green… too green!

Envoy urps, and vomits on the Inquisitrix's shiny boots.

Vielanika lets out a long breath. "Now then … doing my duty as a faithful and loyal citizen of Rephidim, I hereby present an Exile for Temple Processing… " She blinks. "Ewwww."

Rawrii sniff-sniffs. "Rrrr?"

Esther's smile loses a bit of its force. She sighs. "Ah… well. ahem."

Envoy passes out again.

Esther stands before Vielanika, who can now clearly see her in her Temple Inquisitrix uniform. "The service you have done today will not soon be forgotten. However, there is the small matter of the processing fee itself."

The bat crosses her arms. "And the processing hasn't been performed yet. I will be more than happy to cover it … once I see the Exile again /after/ the processing is completed."

"You will note the matter of Envoy's medical treatment, and the payment of the guards for their extra duty here tonight. There will be some initial costs.", Esther says.

"Would any of those costs, perchance… " the bat asks, "… be waived in light of services performed in order to bring the Exile for processing in the first place?"

Esther says, "I appreciate your situation, Miss Nightsong, but that cannot be entirely dispensed with. But there can be certain intangible rewards for working for the Temple… such as a very favorable recommend to your Guildmaster."

Esther squishes a bit as she shifts her weight in her soiled boots… yuck.

The bat twists her mouth. "Your costs will be covered at the appropriate time – When the Envoy has been processed and is free to go."

Esther says, "Where is my guarantee that the Bard's Guild will pay those costs?"

The bat points at Esther. "Where is my guarantee that the Envoy is going to come OUT of that Temple again? Do you think I'm going to risk life and limb just so I can make a little more work for you?"

"Besides," the bat says, "if you don't get your gold, you can always do it the old-fashioned way – sell her into slavery, hmm?" Vielanika gives the wolf a distasteful glower.

Esther says, "Gold talks, citizen. Particularly the gold that pays the processing fee. I can see to it that that gold coin makes it to the right hands. Any further donations will only achieve both our objectives more quickly."

Esther growls. "I don't want that Exile to be a slave. I'm trying to help. But despite what you may imagine, I do not have spare piles of gold coins."

The bat frowns. "And just who do /I/ look like? Let's see – If I don't have the gold, what happens? You will just shoo me and the Exile out and send us on our merry ways?"

"Aroooo!" sounds from far in the distance. Namo seems to be having fun tonight at any rate…

The bat sighs. "Let me try to paint a picture for you. I find a very talented individual locked up in a cage. I am quite capable of seeing to her freedom. However, it would be useful if I could /talk/ to her… "

"That might be considered a good deed, yes? But hardly a requirement for me. Now then, you come along, claim that you can /help/… " the bat continues.

Esther says, "I can help. But there are realities that neither of us can ignore."

"For what? You have ME go and risk my life and limb – and that of Rawrii. You ask ME to deliver the Exile. And then, on top of that, you want ME to pay out of MY meager stores for YOU to do your work!" the bat adds with a frown.

"Pardon me, but there's something /terribly/ amiss here," Vielanika observes.

Esther puts a hand to her temple, exasperated. "I don't have time for this. I will keep my end of the bargain as far as possible, for Envoy's sake."

Esther says, "But I warn you that unless some payment, or binding promise of payment, is made promptly, I cannot promise it will be returned to you. Do you hear me, Nightsong? I CANNOT."

"You'd better," the bat insists. Grumbling, she digs into her cloak. "Here." She fists over a coin. "Extortionist." She glances back at Envoy. "I wouldn't be so easily swindled if it weren't for how horribly /innocent/ she looks like that. Hmph."

Envoy burps in her sleep.

Esther says, "Since that slave-driver out there wanted sixteen for her, consider it a bargain."

The bat raises an eyebrow. "A bargain? I could have done the same for /free/."

Esther takes a moment to peer at the coin.

The coin is a gold shekel.

Esther says, "Yes… and you could have been breaking Rephidim Law. I'm sure I don't have to elaborate."

The Vykarin looks up from the sleeping Envoy. "Rrrr?"

The bat grins. "Ah, but that would have been outside city limits … and you would have had to /catch/ me." She winks.

"Come." Esther turns toward Envoy. "Right now, this one needs us. Let's get her to the Temple."

Envoy mumbles and curls up on the Vykarin's broad back.

Namo trots out of the darkness with a scrap of cloth hanging from his teeth. One of the pursuers' trouser seat, apparently. He wagwags his tail. "Chased them all the way back and around their camp three times," he wurfs as he spits the cloth out. "Did I do good? Huh, huh?"

With a resigned sigh, Vielanika nods to Rawrii, and follows the Inquisitrix. The Vykarin trots along behind.

Esther can't help but snicker at Namo. "Oh yes, Namo… you did well."

Esther starts off toward the Temple… the back way.

Namo's ears splay happily. "Thank you, milady." He pads off after the rest, joined by the other guards.

Envoy snores.