<JETMODE> *If a trainee or apprentice happens to find him or herself lost, chances are it was down this hallway at least once. It's a little dim, though not as dark as the undead halls, and a little musty, but definitely not smelly. There's an almost constant tink and whirr of machinery, and sawdust drifts through the air.

<JETMODE> *There are one or two arched doorways, but they lead into empty rooms -- the only one that appears to lead to anything is all the way at the end, where most of the noise is coming from.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod was running an errand for one of his professors and somehow ended up in said hallway. He wasn't exactly sure who he was supposed to be delivering said errand to in the first place, but he's fairly sure this wasn't the place. However, the unusual noises intrigue him, so he creeps forward curiously.

<JETMODE> *Get close enough to the door, and you can see a small, spare man bent over a table, tinkering away at what appears to be a doll. Cloth outsides and clockwork insides, in the shape of a cat.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod has probably heard of the doll mages but has never seen one or the dolls that they use. He stands in the doorway for a while, watching with interest.

<JETMODE> *Surprise, the man is so absorbed in his work that he doesn't even notice Jarod! He puts what appears to be a finishing touch on the cat doll, then reaches over to the far side of his worktable and picks up what appears to be a glowing ball.

<JETMODE> *He sets it inside the doll, humming to himself. What appears to be a long, prehensile tail lashes behind him in satisfaction.

<TIAMAT> *I don't know that Jarod can see that the tail is actually attatched to our buddy -- he might think it's another invention of some sort. Remembering his errand he clears his through slightly. "I don't suppose you happen to be Kletian.

<JETMODE> *The man looks up, evidently startled, and peers at Jarod through a monocle-thing for a moment. "No, I'm afraid not. He's on the next floor."

<TIAMAT> *Jarod sighs. "Right, I knew that. Sorry to interrupt you. *but he doesn't actually leave. He's eyeing the cat curiously.

<JETMODE> *The man follows his gaze, then smiles. "Would you like to see me activate him?"

<TIAMAT> *Jarod blinks and looks back up at Buriki, even if he doesn't know that's his name. "Er, yeah, sure, if it's no problem.

<JETMODE> <Buriki> Of course.

<JETMODE> <Buriki> Please, take a seat.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod: Thanks. *he settles down on the opposite side of Buriki's workbench, dumping his books on a nearby chair. "So you must be one of those, ah, doll masters, right?

<JETMODE> <Buriki> *pulls out a needle and a spool of shining thread* I suppose I am, yes. I spend most of my time making them now, though.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod watches, fairly fascinated. "Is it hard to control them?

<JETMODE> <Buriki> For some.. *he starts sewing the cat up again, glowing crystal inside* For some it comes naturally. Children, in particular.

<TIAMAT> <Jarod> *smiles faintly in amusement* Children, that makes sense.

<JETMODE> <Buriki> But children wouldn't think of using them as weapons, you know?

<TIAMAT> <Jarod> Well, no, I suppose not. How much damage can a doll do, after all. *He's not really asking the question, just stating what he thinks is actually true. ^_^

<JETMODE> *Buriki glances up at him and smiles. "You would be surprised."

<JETMODE> *He finishes the stitching rapidly, then pulls the thread taut, knots it, and bites it clean.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod gives him a curious look at his last comment, but doesn't reply; while Buriki finishes up, he glances around the studio, studying some of the other dolls and whatever else is in there.

<JETMODE> *There are a few frames on shelves and materials piled neatly here and there. A couple of mostly finished dolls sit nearby, one of a knight and one of a girl in a dress.

<JETMODE> *He sets the doll down gently, then leans his head down, as if listening for a heartbeat. Then he smiles. "Looks like we're just about ready."

<TIAMAT> *Jarod scoots his chair a little closer to the table and leans forward a bit.

<JETMODE> *Well, to make a long story short, Buriki presses his fingers down on the doll's chest, where the core would be, then draws his hand up smartly. The doll comes to its feet with a marionette's fluid awkwardness.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod blinks and grins. "That's pretty neat! No strings at all?

<JETMODE> <Buriki> Hmm.. this one will be tempermental.. but he will suit his owner. *drops his hand*

<JETMODE> *The doll spins to face Jarod, waving its paws.

<JETMODE> <Buriki> No strings.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod stares at the doll as it waves, reaching toward it as if to poke it, but stops short and looks up at Buriki. "Can they...talk or anything?

<JETMODE> *Buriki shakes his head kindly, and the doll catches hold of Jarod's hand, biting down. But it doesn't have proper teeth, so it wouldn't hurt.

<JETMODE> <Buriki> But they do have ways of making their feelings known.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod jerks his hand back slightly in surprise, but not necessarily out of the cat's grasp. He grins again, looking amused. "I guess! But you can control them, right?

<JETMODE> *The cat chews a little, then pulls away and ambles to the edge of the table.

<JETMODE> <Buriki> He isn't mine, though I do have certain privileges as his creator. Depending on the bond between doll and master, they may or may not obey all the time.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod pulls his hand back when the cat lets go, rubbing it with his other hand. "Hmm, okay. But what if a doll gets a new master?

<JETMODE> *Buriki rescues the cat from the edge of the table. "Typically, we don't sell dolls secondhand. Usually it's the master who gets a new doll.. not the other way around."

<TIAMAT> *Jarod: So what happens to them once their masters get a replacement?

<JETMODE> <Buriki> *wan smile* Usually.. the master gets a replacement when the doll is destroyed.

<JETMODE> *The cat is now amusing itself by pawing at Buriki.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod: ... Oh. *slightly awkward pause as he watches the cat, then hears the chime of a clock from somewhere and looks up at one in the room, assuming there is one* Aw, man, I'm gonna be late! *he grabs his books and jumps up. "Thanks for the demonstration. I don't mean to run off, but I really have to go.

<JETMODE> <Buriki> *laughs* Good luck. I enjoyed your company.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod: Yeah, it was fun. *he turns and starts out hurriedly, but comes to a quick stop at the door and turns back. "Er...gee, I didn't even introduce myself, did I? Sorry. I'm Jarod Delos.

<JETMODE> <Buriki> A pleasure. Ryl Cavanaugh -- more often known as Buriki, I admit.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod: Nice to meet you, Mr. Cavanaugh! *he waves and rushes out.

<JETMODE> <Buriki> *to the doll, which is pawing at the table now* Interesting, don't you think?