<JETMODE> *Later that day, Kender has hit the markets to replenish his and Jarod's thinning food supply. He meets up with Cassie there, running errands for her parents, and they tour the area, chatting cheerfully.

<TIAMAT> *Cassie flicks her tail as she picks out some fresh fruit. "So where's Jarod today, off chasing Jukka again? *she grins mischeviously.

<JETMODE> <Kender> *snorts* Heck if I know. He might actually be in class today.

<TIAMAT> *Cassie giggles a little as she slides between the teaming crowds -- the market is quite very busy at this time. "Silly! He just doesn't get it, does he? And yet he's so obvious!"

<JETMODE> <Kender> Hope Jukka's patient. *grins* She seemed to have things well under control when I talked to her, though.

<TIAMAT> *Cassie's ears twitch curiously. "Oh, really? So it's not just Jarod being a big dummy? She really likes him! I knew it. *she grins broadly.

<TIAMAT> *Cassie continues yakking happily as she picks out more fruit and vegetables. No one really notices the three figures on the steps of a nearby shop, one of whom is setting up his painting equipment. It's not uncommon for artists to come down here for some practice.

<TIAMAT> *Sol smiles quietly a she folds her arms, watching the passing shoppers. "Well, Jimsey, would you like to pick out the subject?"

<JETMODE> <Jimsey> *looks thoughtful* Maybe that hot chick over there... nah, she's leavin' ... definitely not him, he's heinous. Wouldn't want him hangin' on my wall ...

<TIAMAT> *Sol snorts a little. "What do you think, Jansk, who would you like to paint?"

<JETMODE> *Jansk is watching the crowds boredly. He occasionally reaches up and scratches under his bandanna as if something bothers him. "I don't care. How come I hafta do this?"

<TIAMAT> *Sol, sternly: Because I said you must. You have to trust me, Jansk -- there's no need to ask questions. Just a quick painting, now, and you can go up to the roof.

<JETMODE> *Jansk sighs. "All right."

<TIAMAT> *Kender and Cassie, meanwhile, have just about finished up their shopping and have decided to take a quick break. They find an empty bench near the trio, settling down to share some fruit for lunch and continuing to discuss the Jarod/Jukka situation.

<TIAMAT> *Cassie: But what about Genoa? Did you hear? Her and Baron Teal! *she giggles a little shrilly.

<JETMODE> <Kender> *coughs, grinning a little* Yeah, I heard all about that from Whisper. *pauses* I thought nobody else knew.. *scratches head, looking puzzled*

<TIAMAT> *Cassie grins. "Ooh, you don't know? Mom told me she heard Clyde walked in on them kissing in the Baron's office the other day! I guess he was pretty upset .."

<JETMODE> <Kender> *astonished look* *coughs again* Clyde or the Baron?

<TIAMAT> *Cassie: Both!! *she giggles again.

<JETMODE> <Kender> I bet ... *shakes his head*

<TIAMAT> *Sol: Are you finished setting up, Jansk? The sooner we pick a subject, the sooner you can go play.

<JETMODE> *Jansk looks around the market again, pausing when he spots the ever-vivacious Cassie. After a moment, he points. "Her."

<TIAMAT> *Cassie doesn't notice in the slightest; she's still trilling over Genoa and Teal. Sol studies her for a moment, then nods. "Very well, then. You know what to do."

<JETMODE> *Jansk grunts a noncommittal response and settles in to work, sketching Cassie rapidly before he starts to paint.

<TIAMAT> *Sol leans over to Jimsey, a wicked smile playing on her lips. "Now you shall see."

<JETMODE> *Jimsey scratches his ear, then folds his arms. "Guess so ... how long's this gonna take?"

<TIAMAT> *Sol, a bit darkly: Patience, my dear Jimsey. You were the one who wanted to see this demonstration. Give him twenty minutes, at the most.

<JETMODE> *Jansk continues to work, ignoring them both completely. Once the sketchwork is done, he starts to paint, quick and accurate, almost as if he's possessed.

<JETMODE> <Jimsey> *spooked* He's like a machine, babe. Where the hell did you find him?

<TIAMAT> *Sol shrugs a bit. "It was more like he found me, really. He wandered into my studio, looking lost and half starved to death. *small snort* I still don't know why I took him in, but I suppose it's a blessing I did, now.

<TIAMAT> *Cassie, meanwhile, has now switched subjects over to some of the advanced magic her mom's been teaching her lately.

<JETMODE> *Kender doesn't know much about magic, so he just smiles and nods politely.

<TIAMAT> *Cassie, excitedly: And I think I'm finally starting to get the hang of Fire 2! It's really neat, I'll have to show you some time!

<JETMODE> *Jansk's portrait is coming out surprisingly well. The colors on the canvas are vibrant and real, and he seems to be going even faster now.

<JETMODE> <Kender> *weakly* Just so long as it's not in my room this time ...

<TIAMAT> *Cassie, rather sheepishly: Oh yeah...uh, I guess that wind spell did kind of get a little out of control last time, didn't it...

<JETMODE> <Kender> It's all right, Cass. You just gotta be careful.

<TIAMAT> *Cassie nods, grinning again. "Oh yeah, of course! Mom makes sure of that, too, she usually doesn't let me do magic at all outside the magic floor--

<JETMODE> *Jansk is now putting the finishing touches on his work. When he's done, he lowers the brush and stares over at Cassie for a moment. His eyes seem to go glassy and dim, then his body gives a faint jolt. "Done."

<JETMODE> *The painting, if it looked lively before, now looks almost real.

<TIAMAT> *Cassie stops in mid-sentence, her body suddenly going slightly rigid as her eyes glaze over. She gives a shuddering sigh as she relaxes again, though her eyes are still glossy.

<TIAMAT> *Sol watches, that wicked smile on her lips broadening. "Very good, Jansk."

<JETMODE> <Jansk> ... *puts his brushes away* Can I go to the roof now?

<JETMODE> *Kender gives Cassie a concerned look. "You all right, Cassie?"

<TIAMAT> *Sol: Bring your supplies back to the studio. You're free for the rest of the day -- make sure you're home before dark. *pause* I'll take the painting for you.

<JETMODE> <Jansk> All right. *takes his things and leaves*

<JETMODE> <Jimsey> .. Creepy kid.

<TIAMAT> *Cassie blinks at Kender, though her gaze is unfocused. "Oh yes, Kender. I'm fine.

<JETMODE> <Kender> *arches an eyebrow* You're sure? ... Maybe we should head on back now ...

<TIAMAT> *Sol: Creepy, perhaps, but talented. *she picks up the portrait, studying it, then shows it to Jimsey. "Convinced now?

<TIAMAT> *Cassie: All right. *she stands and starts walking rather mechanically toward the nearest stair case.

<JETMODE> *Kender trots after her, looking concerned.

<JETMODE> <Jimsey> Looks just like her all right. *pokes at the painting*

<TIAMAT> *Sol, sharply: Don't touch it! They are ... rather fragile. *she smiles again, sighing a bit* She'll be trapped inside this painting for as long as we want her to be. Which will be quite a long time, I daresay. Shall we? *she starts slithering in the opposite direction as Kender and Cassie.

<TIAMAT> *Cassie doesn't look at or talk to Kender the entire time -- in fact, she's pretty much ignoring him, except if he asks her a question.

<TIAMAT> *Just as Kender and Cassie reach the top of the steps, Jarod comes around the corner of a connecting hallway. He gives a wave when he sees the two. "Hey Kender, Cassie!" *and he trots up to meet them.

<JETMODE> <Kender> Hey Jarod. *he shoots Cassie an uncertain look*

<TIAMAT> *Cassie pauses and glances over at him. "Hello, Jarod. *she doesn't wait for a response as she starts down the steps.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod glances at her curiously, then turns back to Kender. "What's up?

<JETMODE> <Kender> I.. dunno. She just suddenly started acting funny.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod: Really? 's weird, what happened?

<JETMODE> <Kender> That's just it, nothing happened. She just went funny all of the sudden.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod gives him a strange look. "... Really weird. Is she feeling okay? *he doesn't wait for Kender to respond as he jogs down the steps, calling for Cassie. "Hey Cassie! Cassie! Wait up!

<JETMODE> *Kender sighs and follows him.

<TIAMAT> *Cassie pauses at the bottom of the steps, half-turning as the two join her. Jarod smiles a bit at her. "Hey, Cass, what's up? You feeling okay?

<TIAMAT> *Cassie: Yes, Jarod, I'm fine. Everything's fine. *she blinks at them.

<TIAMAT> *Her voice is really ... rather expressionless, too. Not like Cassie at all, who's usually animated and vibrant.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod glances at Kender, looking worried.

<JETMODE> <Kender> *scratches head* We'd.. better go find Clarra.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod: ... Yeah. Okay.

<TIAMAT> *Cassie smiles very faintly and turns, starting back down the hall.

<TIAMAT> *When they reach the magic floor, Clarra is just finishing up a lesson; Kender might recognize one of her students as the one who soaked him when he came down to ask Clarra about Farrar's ankh. "Don't forget, the rest of chapter 26 by tomorrow! *she waves a paw with a smile* Class dismissed.

<TIAMAT> *There's a scraping of chairs and rustling of paper as her students get up and gather their materials together, exiting as Cassie et al enter. Some of them wave and say hi to Cassie, who responds with an automatic greeting to each of them before approaching her mother and handing her the basket of produce from the market.

<JETMODE> *Kender stands carefully to one side as the class files out, waiting until they're gone to walk up to Clarra.

<TIAMAT> *Clarra smiles as the trio approach. "Ah, Kender, Jarod, what a nice surprise. And very good timing, might I add. Did you get everything, Cassie? *she takes the basket from her.

<TIAMAT> *Cassie simply nods.

<JETMODE> <Kender> *hesitates* Hey, Cassie? Why don't you head back to your room for a bit?

<TIAMAT> *Cassie blinks at Kender. "All right. *she exits silently behind Clarra's classroom and into the living quarters.

<TIAMAT> *Clarra watches her, then turns back to Kender, looking a little worried. "Is everything all right?

<JETMODE> <Kender> *scratches head* I'm not sure, ma'am, not really. We were just sittin' in a cafe eating lunch, and she suddenly goes funny on me. Hasn't said two words to me unless I ask her something.

<TIAMAT> *Clarra: Call me Clarra, Kender, you know that. And ... *she frowns* Did something happen to her? She didn't hurt herself or anything, or try casting a spell? Sometimes they have funny after effects...

<TIAMAT> *Jarod shifts a little uncomfortably.

<JETMODE> <Kender> No ... we were just eating. She was talking like usual, and then she just stopped.

<TIAMAT> *Clarra: How very strange. *she laughs a little, though* I'm sure she's fine. Cassie's at that age, you know -- my little girl is growing up on us. Thank you for coming down, though. I'll have a talk with her.

<JETMODE> <Kender> *a little doubtful* Er.. okay. Probably better put the food up anyway.

<TIAMAT> *Clarra: Ah yes, of course. Thank you again, boys. *she swishes her tail* I'll go see how she's doing now -- why don't you stop back in tomorrow? She'll be right as rain by then, and probably feeling bad for worrying you.

<JETMODE> <Kender> *grins* All right. Thank you, ma-- er, Clarra. *waves and turns to go*

<TIAMAT> *Clarra smiles fondly and waves back, ears twitching. "Take care, boys!"