Morning in the Bard's guild, and not much is going on… for most of the bards tend to work evenings. A few of the earlier risers pass back and forth in the hallways, and the practice hall, as always, has at least one musician there.

Envoy closes the door to her tiny apartment behind her, and walks along the hallway. Maybe the Guild Library will have that play that Zoltan mentioned…

As Envoy walks down the hall towards the library, she passes near the guild's officers room, the door slightly ajar today. Voices can be heard arguing noisiliy inside… rather unusually. The Guild officers never seem to really argue… or do much but collect rent and expenses.

The Exile pauses in her journey. As much as she's trying to learn not to be too nosy, her preprogrammed instincts are hard to overcome.

The voices become clearer. "But that'll be-" "No new recruits would-" "-of the franchise, Juriah, for years!" "But it'd be months!"

Envoy lingers near the door and eavesdrops. She doesn't know what's being discussed… or argued about… but knows how much the other Bards like gossip.

A growling male voice, with a canine accent, says "Listen! It's just too late to argue about it now. The contract's been signed, and we have to supply the musicians for the air cruise."

Envoy takes a risk, and peeks into the room.

A soft, lilting voice replies, "You signed the contract? By the Star, where will we find three musicians willing to break their regular appointments for travel on an airship cruise? Even with the pay as good as you claim… " As the door opens more, Envoy can see this voice belongs to a Rath'ani of surprisingly trim build.

The Aeolun clears her throat, and says, "Pardon my interruption, Officers… but is there anything I can do to help you?"

The Rath'ani, a Gallee of Collie stock, and a Naga all turn and glare at the Aeolun. "Do you mind!" the collie growls. "This is a private discussion."

Envoy blinks three times, "My apologies, then. But how can you have a private conversation with more than two people and an open door?"

The Naga hisses, "The door wass… Lindesssa! You did not shut it once more."

The Rath'ani blushes. "Oh, my… I aplogize. Uhm. Yes, Bardess Envoy. This is private. Please do leave, and close the door… "

Envoy nods and retreats, closing the door.

The argument continues… with Envoy's name mentioned a few times now, but little else discernable.

Envoy hmms to herself, and continues on towards the Library. Three musicians…

The music Library is a small, dimly-lit room… with sheafs of papeer in stacks on narrow wooden shelves. As much of the music of Sinai is never written down, and that which is is poorly notated, the libary is not used too often.

Envoy begins to look through the meager collection of Nordikan songs, hoping to find an excerpt from the opera that played at the Auction House a few months ago.

a half-hour later, the search of Nordikan music reveals nothing. Though the filing system in the library, known to junior bards as 'The Stack', is notoriously unorganized.

Envoy carefully replaces the papers back where she found them. She wonders if the opera house might still have a copy of the script somewhere?

After she's finished tidying up the Library, Envoy heads back out into the main hallway.

As Envoy passes by the Office door this time, she sees the door fully open… and only the Rath'ani from before sitting inside, glumly scribbling on a piece of paper.

Envoy pauses at the door again, and knocks quietly on the frame.

The Rath'ani looks up, startled slighty. "Yes? Who… oh, hello again, Bardess Envoy." Her voice is a delicate mezzo-soprano, full of great youth.

Envoy says, "Pardon my intrusion again, Officer Lindessa. But I was wondering if your meeting ended well?"

"Oh, it's quite all right. I should have closed the door anyway… " Lindessa says quietly. "It's been hard filling Papa's shoes. The meeting… sigh Well, Juriah left quite a mess to deal with, but we'll find a way."

Envoy blinks in confusion. "I'm afraid I don't understand the inner workings of the Guild. Is there some sort of problem?"

Lindessa nods. "Juriah signed an advance contract with a cruising airship, to provide three musicians for 'round-the-clock' entertainment, beginning in just five days' time. He's supposed to clear this with the other leaders but… " She throws up her hands in frustration. "He never does. It's too good a contract to break, though. So now three musicians have to be found, and quickly so."

"Entertaining on an airship," Envoy muses. "Where is it going? Is the contract for the return trip as well? How much does it pay? What other talents are they looking for?"

The Rath'ani beams. "Oh, would you do it?" She pulls out a sheaf of papers. "The contract is for the entire tour- a two month's journey, with first right of renewal to future voyages. The pay will be quite good… " She names a figure a good higher by a half than Envoy's current average. "And of course that includes a room and meals."

Envoy says, "Would I be sharing quarters with the other Bards? Where does the cruise go?"

Lindessa hmmms. "I think there'll be one room for all bards… though one will always be working, so it'll be roomier of course. You don't mind sharing a room, do you? I know that Kavi fellow used to… " she trails off slightly, blushing. "Though that's none of my business, of course."

Envoy says, "Oh, I just want to make sure there's enough room. Some Bards have lots of clothing, and some are just really big."

"Well, some of the details I just don't know yet, but I'm sure the ship will accommodate you properly.", Lindessa says. "As for where, I believe stops include Abu Dhabi, the Naga capital… oh, Juriah still has all the information. But would you be interested?"

Envoy considers. Two months can be a long time, and she doesn't want to miss the Coronation at the City of Hands, should it occur. But on the other hand, she doesn't have the means to get there in the first place. It would be good to visit more foreign lands though, too. "I am interested, but I can't fully commit just yet. I need to know more about the itinerary."

Lindessa pauses. "You'll have to talk with Juriah… oh! there's a stop somewhere in the Safar, as I recall." She hums for a moment, simple and melodic. "But I can't remember any more."

Envoy blinks, "Safar? The Naga city in the northern Savan?" That changes things… "I'm very interested then. Do I need to recruit the other two Bards, or will you be making a public announcement?"

"If you could find others, that would be wonderful!", the guild officer says. "We'll be searching for other candidates, of course, but this is on such short notice, even with the pay… "

Envoy says, "I suppose you'll want a good mix of nocturnal and diurnal types then."

Lindessa considers this a moment, humming again. "Yes, I do suppose we will. Are you more a day sort or a night sort, Bardess?"

Envoy says, "I can go either way. I don't sleep much."

Envoy says, "Will the passengers be mostly nobles, or is this a diplomatic cruise?"

"Ah good! A flexible schedule will help." The rathani brushes a few strands of hair back from her face. "It's a passenger cruise, with the usual mix, I might imagine."

Envoy nods. She'll need to bring her gold dress then probably. Maybe she should ask Vielanika and Natilie what sort of schedules they have?

Lindessa dips her pen back in the inkwell, and says "So you agree to the contract, Envoy?"

Envoy steps over to the table. "May I read it?"

The Guild Officer nods, sliding over the papers It seems to be a standard contract… working for an average of eight hours a day, more if another bard is unable to fulfill his or her duties, but not more than… tedious reading. The payment is what Lindessa mentioned, and there's several clauses which mention 'suitable recompense' to the ship's owners if the contract is not lived up to.

It's a binding contract, but seems fair. The schedule includes a day off at city landings.

Envoy doesn't see anything about vivisection, cannibalism, or dark rituals. Despite that, however, she decides it's good enough. "I agree."

Lindessa nods, signing down at the bottom of the contract as witness, then handing Envoy the quill. "And if you could sign here?"

Envoy signs her name as simply 'Envoy Lothrhyn' at the indicated line.

Lindessa tucks the contract away in a drawer. "Thank you for taking the contract on short notice, Envoy. I hope you'll enjoy this voyage highly."

Envoy smiles, "Thank you for the opportunity. I'll try not to make any of the passengers nervous."

"Oh, I'm sure you won't," the Rath'ani says with a smile. "These passengers are travelling for excitement, andventure, and romance… Someone of your uniqueness will be appreciated, I'm sure." The Rath'ani turns back to the sheet of paper she was writing on before, crossing something quickly out, then aimlessly scribbling…

"Well, I'll make my preparations then," Envoy says, "and leave you to your… work."

Lindessa nods politely. "Five days' time, Bardess Envoy."

Envoy leaves the office, and wonders to herself what to pack. And who to get to babysit Bem…