[Viper Manor, Alternate World]

"Yeah, it's shining beautifully, but I wonder what it does." Leena replied ritualistically.

[S.S. Zelbess, Home World]

Zappa frowned slightly. *You Porre are always up to something*, he replied gruffly in the same code, *but I'll let you handle it this time. Mind you, this won't be a habit. Now--how in the blazes will we know where to look after all this is through?

[S.S. Zelbess, Home World]

Miki simply nodded to Norris and followed. She'd trust him with the issues behind what they were doing - but all she wanted was to get out.

[S.S. Zelbess, Home World]

"Do you really think that poorly of us, Sir Zappa?" Norris asked as the trio followed the bunny-girl past the guard and nearing the arena. The roaring and yowling of caged monsters from across El Nido echoed through the planked hallway as they decended down the latter into what would normally be the brig, or cargo space. But it seemed to convert nicely into an adequate arena.

Norris paused as he noticed a middleaged man with ears similar to their hostess Janice's. Pulling Miki and Zappa into a huddle he spoke quietly, "Are either of you any good with training animals? If so, perhaps one of you should take command of the creatures they give us. If not however, Miki, I'd like you to see if you can speak with that man over there...with the broom. I imagine he's an elder, possibly a cohort of this Sage's. Tell him we're here to help." He nodded to her, hoping they would work with him on beginning their search. "Sir Zappa, if you would, I want you to forge a duplicate of this key just as a plan B should things go too sour. I'll try to make a good show while you're busy."

With that he walked over towards the pens, where he met Janice's assistant. "Let me see what beasts you have in stock..."

[S.S. Zelbess, Home World]

Miki frowned. She wasn't especially good with animals, so she went over to the man with the broom and managed to get his attention. "Excuse me," she began, "but are you connected in any way, shape or form with the Sage of Marbule?" Without giving him a chance to back out, she continued. "We're involved with the plan, and are here to help. Will you please tell us where to find the Sage?"

[S.S. Zelbess, Home World]

"Ye have no idea," muttered Zappa. He accepted the key and squinted at it with his one eye. "As fer th' animals, it'd depend on th' type. Mind ye, one o' them has me eye, if he hasna turned it into paste by now." He covered the key with his hand. "Yeh'd better make it a good diversion, Sir Norris. Smithy isna th' quietest of trades, ye ken."

[S.S. Zelbess, Home World]

The man cleaned the floor in silence for a moment, either pretending not to hear the woman or trying to think up an acceptable answer. After a delay he spoke, "I do not know this Sage you speak of." He answered flatly. "I'm afraid you've got the wrong person."

Janice glances over to see the human speaking with him. "Hey you!? What do you think you're doing?" she asks, hopping over hurriedly. "Your business is with your friend over there, not the crew." she reminds her as she ushers the demi-human man with the mop into the hallway and away from Miki. She whispers something in his ear very briefly and re-enters the GrandSlam, closing the door behind her and hoping not to have aroused too much suspicion from the human visitors.

"Heh." she begins, running one of her large paws on the back of her neck. "Now where were we?"

She looks to Norris then nods for her assistant to show them the creatures which "challengers" are permitted to use in battle. The cages include Komodo Pups, Dodo birds, the occassional Snib Goblin, and other seemingly low level creatures. Janice grins, making sure that the creatures she will be using remain unseen by the human competitors.

[S.S. Zelbess, Home World]

Miki frowned at Janice's interruption, wondering if there was anything wrong. Ignoring the thought, she walked back to Norris - then suddenly realized that strangely, that particular demi-human had said that he wasn't allowed to talk...

[Viper Manor, Alternate World]

Serge blinked at the small little girl who just stood there. Deciding she wasn't going to do anything soon, he reached over and smacked her on the head. He...what is this? Serge giggled! "I'm in a better mood now, hee hee..." It was obvious Serge had lost it, again, like the time he tried to keep Riddel, but who could tell with the blue haired wonder?

[Viper Manor, Alternate World]

Harle scowled and turned on her heel when Ozzie and Magus weren't speaking. She tossed her head, then walked off to find something to do.

[Viper Manor, Alternate World]

Kid runs up and grabs Serge from behind, pulling him back as best she can. "What exactly are ya ON mate? That ain't nice! Don't ya know yer not supposed to DO stuff like that to her..." she exclaims seriously, thwaping him on the top of the head. "....I am!" she continues with a grin, proceeding to mimic the series of events on Marcy that Serge had previously displayed. She then darts back to a safe distance and prepares for the inevitable fight ahead.

[S.S. Zelbess, Home World]

Norris nodded, "It will be..." then looked amongst his choices of monsters, "People pay you to use animals many consider so placid that they could be pets...? This is undoubtedly the saddest sight I've ever seen."

Turning to Janice, "You want a battle royale and THIS is the best you have to offer? Or is it that you greedily horde all the truely aggressive monsters for yourself...?" He jumped onto the solid steel cage roof next to Janice's assistant. Posed as if to challenge Janice's honor as a monster trainer. Other than Norris' higher level study in Biological sciences, and his feild knowledge of the pride of other monster trainers...he hoped to make a truely large scale spectacle. he awaited her response before continuing his barage.

[S.S. Zelbess, Home World]

Janice fumes at the barage of comments coming from Norris' mouth and loses control briefly. She quickly and easily hops onto the top of the metal cage. "Oooooooo! Why you!? No one ever says something like that to me. I should wipe the the floor with you myself for that!" she growls at Norris, one eye twitching uncontrolably. She is royally miffed by this particular human's attack on her character, obviously.

She pauses, taking a deep breath and regaining her wounded composure. "Hmph." Even tho his assumptions are absolutley correct, there is no way she will openly let the cat of the bag... just yet.

She forms a most uncharacteristic grin which is rather eerie, "So, you wanna see just how 'placid' one of my Dodo birds can be? Perhaps I should let you PET one of them and see what happens!" she beams, holding one of her carrots up to the temple of her cheeck and regaining a normal smile.

[S.S. Zelbess, Home World]

Zappa took the opportunity to slink away as well as a man his size and shape could slink. He pocketed the key and squinted at his surroundings. A ship like this had to have some kind of weapon shop, and therefore a very, very, very hot fire. He managed to squeeze his way past the fellow at the door with the excuse that he had to relieve himself--the classic excuse that anyone else would see through. His hearing was damaged by years of pounding metal with metal, but he could still pick up the noise of a hammer hitting metal, clinking against an anvil, then hitting metal again.

It took him a few tries, but he managed to find the place. His mind raced through possible diversions. He stepped through the door of the shop and walked directly up to the busy smith. One of his thick, callused fingers raised and pointed. "Hey you," he grunted. "They need yeh out in th' Grand Slam. Some problem wit' th' beastkeeper, or summat."

The smith paused, raised his eyes, and squinted at Zappa. "Don't remember you," he said haughtily. "Whatcha up to?"

Zappa rolled his eye. "Will ye go or no? Fer yer information, I be new here. Lost a bet wit' th' captain." Not true yet, but probably would be soon enough.

The smith broke into a smile. "Learned your lesson, huh? Well, errand-man, could ya do me a favor? Watch the shop while I'm gone." He lay down his hammer and wiped his blackened face with an apron. "Could ya do that?"

Zappa resisted the urge to grin. "Aye, I could." "Just don't take anything," warned the smith, who took his apron off and threw it on the counter before limping out of the shop. The Zenan smith finally allowed himself to chuckle as he picked up the hammer and thrust a piece of iron into the forge. This was too easy.

[Viper Manor, Alternate World]

"Listen, whoever this Lynx is." Leena whispered in hushed tones. "I don't think he should have this Dragon Tear. Who knows what it could do. Worse yet, who knows what HE would do with it. I think we should take it with us."

[S.S. Zelbess, Home World]

Norris smiled lightly, he knew well, verbally speaking out at the fraud would asuredly draw quite a stir, bringing on, even the attention of the Captain. "Yes, I'm certain one of YOURS is quite vicous...in comparison to the poor beast it beats on." He crossed his arms, "I doubt you'd know a real fight. You seem to hide quite well behind stronger creatures and fight only weaker competitors." He feigned a haughty laugh, "You're no real trainer...not even an honerable competitor." He raised his hand once more, readying a defense with the other knowing the next few statements might cause him to get hit, "You're a poor entertainer, and little more than a bully, using thugish monsters against these lesser beasts. Pretty pathetic, if you ask ME... If you want a REAL battle, then you'll face me on equal terms. We both use your stock, or the challenger's." He waited her response.

[S.S. Zelbess, Home World]

Fargo stepped down the ladder giving a silent stare at the old man with the rabbit ears. Then walking up to the cage wall, grinning at the spectacle he saw before him, watching closely how Janice handled herself. She'd practically grown up on the ship. Knowing him most of her life, he'd taught her every dirty trick he knew. Walking to the back of her cage he looked up, waiting to hear her response before intervening.

The Smith approached Fargo, "Captain, what'd you want?" he asked glancing at what was going on in the arena from time to time.

Fargo looked to the man, eyeing him as he brought his left hand to his chin, "Argh, I have an idea...how about helpin' show up that lubber with me." leaning foreward speaking in a lower voice, "How good are ya at acting like a Cassowary. An awry grin taking hold on his face, knowing well that with Janice's ears she could hear them speaking.

[Viper Manor, Alternate World]

Scooping the dragon's tear under his arm, speaking very softly to the two, "Alright...let's go." As soon as they exited the door Norris spoke a bit more to Luccia, "Do you think you can duplicate this in your lab? Or at least a reasonable facsimile?" He hoped she could. Perhaps it could buy them some time. With a double, Lynx would have to postpone his actions, therein giving Norris the time he needed to finish his work.

[Viper Manor, Alternate World]

"Perhaps," she replied softly, "But I vill have to look at it furder. If I kan replicate de dragon's teer I have a feeling it vill take a good amount of time. You vill have to keep odders avay for at least a fev hours."

[Viper Manor, Alternate World]

Norris gave a nod as the elevator decended, "Understood..." turning to Leena he spoke once more, "I suppose that's where we'll come in." He gave a slight smile, "It will give me some time to teach you some tricks. And perhapse to take in that uniform a bit. Don't worry, the Porre republic is well known for maintaining equality." He distant look took his face as they walked down the steps, "One of my greatest comrades was a young woman about like you." The distant look seemed to hang on his face as they escorted Luccia back to her lab, the thoughts of Ari and their nightmarish last mission returning to him.

[Viper Manor, Alternate World]

Luccia listened absently to Norris lamenting to the young lady accompanying them. She let out a small sigh as the elevator came to rest at ground level, and stepped off. She waved to her companions, leading them back towards her lab.

There was always plenty to think about, and Norris' memories triggered some of her own. She shoved these aside, however, as the door to her lab opened.

"I vill need the Dragon Tear, please." She turned to face Norris, holding out a delicate hand.

[Viper Manor, Alternate World]

Norris nodded to Luccia gently handing her the large teardrop-shaped, blue, crystaline orb. "Here it is..." he spoke candidly as he leaned lightly against the wall, crossing his arms wondering to himself what Lynx's mind was conspiring.

[S.S. Zelbess, Home World]

Janice begins to twitch again. "OOOOOH!!! Why YOU little..." she begins with a growl, FURIOUS that this human actually has the guts to confront her ill deeds so publicly. She raises her paw, carrot in hand...then, noticing Fargo out of the corner of her eye, she lowers her paw. "You're one lucky human." she growls to Norris in a very VERY low tone.

Her scowl fades to an immediate grin as she picks up on Fargo's conversation with the blacksmith with her extremely large ears. "Heh. Deal, blondie." she relays to Norris, giggling slightly at Fargo's latest idea. She hops down and lands next to Fargo and the smith. "And I thought MY schemes were original..." she whispers.

[S.S. Zelbess, Home World]

Zappa sprinted into the Grand Slam, two keys enclosed in one large, callused hand. He briefly wiped his sooty face with a sleeve, then turned his eye this way and that. Upon spotting Norris, he paused, his stance strangely like that of a cat, despite his size. It didn't seem to be a good idea to interrupt such a heated exchange. When he got the chance, he shuffled up to the blonde-haired man and wordlessly slipped both keys into his hand.

[S.S. Zelbess, Home World]

Fargo boastfully chuckled at Janice's comment, "Well, as long as you still have those costumes you made for last year's party it SHOULD work. Let'im choose from your stock, and you pick US...now what was I, at that party? Do you remember, Janice?" Hoping she had the costumes, because he had truely forgotten what they dressed him as. "And take Polly as your third." He grinned widely waiting for her to give him his costume.