Kyna nods gracefully at Wizzlewicks question, and slows her longer strides to better allow for communication. Looking down at the mousefolk, Kyna speaks as the two of them wend their way through the lower city. "Pardon my abruptness, Master Wizzlewick, but might I ask your parentage? Is your current appearance the result of some magical mishap?"

The little mousekin stuttered in his pace for a moment, but quickly caught back up to Kyna's pace. "Quite the personal question, Miss Kyna." A paw came up to pull his hood a little further forward over his sensitive eyes. "But one I will answer as best I can. No one is certain." A soft squeaky laugh escaped him.

"I am, or was a librarian at the Aethercroft College of Enchanted Arts, and we... The mousefolk I mean, have pursued such endeavors for as long as we have been." He paused a moment to inspect a cart and its wares, composing his thoughts before continuing. "There have always been mice in the Aethercroft, and no one is quite certain how they achieved sapience. Whether it is extended exposure to thaumaturgic energies, some experiment long hidden, a mishap, or any of several other theories."

"Regardless, we have achieved such, and as it is the only place we have done so, we consider it our home and do what we can to see it prosper."

"What of you Miss Irongrace? I could not help but notice that your selection of effects has a certain.... Theme to it. What sort of career do you pursue?"

"OOO! A bookstore! We should visit it!" Wizzlewick's voice was eager, clearly a little distracted, but his attention was still on Kyna.

"Quite extraordinary! Please accept my apologies for my rude behavior. Curiosity gets the better of me sometimes. But I have never heard of such a thing as thaumaturgic radiation producing such a change. And you say you represent an entire race such as yourself. I shall be published for certain just for the conversation we have had."

Kyna blanches at the mention of her effect book. "Ah, you noticed that tendency. Yes, well, I am sure it will out sooner or later. We, my crew I mean, are a merchant and cargo vessel, but the political climate of Veridonia is such that smuggling can be very lucrative for us. In addition, sometimes venturing into forgotten places to claim lost valuables can bring rewards both monetary and in terms of expanded knowledge. We are not licensed Adventurers, mind you, so we work hard to avoid detection, hence the direction I have taken in my acquisition of new effects."

If the mousekin had taken any offense at the personal nature of Kyna's question, he showed none of it in his bright smile and twitching whiskers. "Pish posh, not to worry. In our field of interest, curiosity is both a requirement and a regrettable hazard, is it not? I mean who else seeks to understand the very foundations of the universe, and not all of those explorations are precisely safe!"

He grinned even wider at the mention of being published. "And see, there it is. Your true nature brought to the fore, merely for being exposed to something entirely foreign to your experience." His voice fell a little. "The truth of the matter is, I am working with Greb on something that I quite likely will be published for as well. He is a most remarkable fellow... Very curious linkages to the aetheric."

Wizzlewick looked around for a moment, making certain there were no interested ears aimed in their direction. "I... Well, I have never worked outside the bounds of authority before Miss Irongrace. This adventure is my first trip outside the Aethercroft on anything but college business. I was quite surprised the Council even licensed me as an adventurer." He looked at the ground for a moment. "And I am not so certain they chose well. A librarian hardly seems the type to go on grand adventures, so I think I can understand taking up a career that isn't exactly mainstream."

"I'd like to know more about the climate of Veridonia though, the politics that led you to that place in your life. I suspect we may, in the days to come, be experiencing them firsthand, and I would like to be forewarned. Perhaps over dinner? We could compare notes, politics, discuss the nature of men and mana..." He trailed off, as if he suddenly realized what he was asking. Fortunately the hood covered the brilliant scarlet flush of his ears. "N... N.. Not that I meant to imply you wanted to have dinner with me, or..." The little arcanist fell silent, ignoring even the bookstand they were walking past.

Kyna looks down at the diminutive mousekin, and looks as though she is about to speak, but before she does, she stops her forward progress and kneels down, bringing her eyes closer to Wizzlewicks level. "I would gladly take my dinner with you, and look forward to a lively discussion. Don't lose confidence in yourself because of your beginnings. My parents were fishers, pulling food out of the bay on my home island. I started learning to be a user to escape that life, because my heart drew me to the horizon. Now I stand as one of the few people to have passed within the Tempesta and lived to tell the tale. You would not have applied to be an Adventurer if you did not also have that yearning in your heart as well. Trust it to carry you forward, and know that you are here because you are needed. Anyone can change history, be them the daughter of a fisherman, or a sheltered librarian. Now, I see a promising shop up ahead. Shall we inspect their wares?"

The muttered answer came out so quickly it was obvious he'd had it at the ready. "No, no, I completely understand. A woman of your grace shouldn't be seen with..." Wizzlewick started, then paused, then looked at Kyna, then blinked several times, confusion writ clearly across his face. "You would?" He blinked several more times, the scarlet of his ears not fading even a bit. "I. I mean, yes! That sounds delightful!"

Wizzlewick's whiskers perked up, and his eyes came up to meet hers, if only for a moment as he shyly looked away, though his attention was on every word. "I... I love my books and my library, but yes, I have always longed to see the things written therein. Not just live them through other people's eyes." He straightened up a bit, a touch of steel in his spine at her encouragement. "And I am not going to get to do that huddling in my cloak am I?"

He smiled at the elf, studying her carefully as she rose. "That sounds like a capital idea Kyna. Is there anything in particular you are seeking, or just a general inquest into what Ralan Gul has to offer?"

Smiling warmly at the renewed Wizzlewick, she responds, "I confess, I would like to see how the difference in thaumaturgical teachings have changed the equipment used. For instance, do you create Conduit Batons here? Simple handheld lengths of a few different materials, containing the essence of an effect and a supply of energy to power multiple usages?"

The librarian puzzled over the words for a heartbeat before nodding. "They have not diverged that far, for science is science no matter the language. What you call Conduit Batons are most probably termed wands here in Ralan Gul. And yes we quite happily engage in their creation." His whiskers shivered a little and he held his staff out proudly. "The Staff of Morphostrum incorporates one as a matter of fact. With a simple focusing of intent I can summon a cube of wood approximately twice my height in dimension."

He followed the elf as she approached the shop, nimbly moving forward to open the door for her. "After you Miss Irongrace." A small smile flickered across his features, though he didn't sweep into any theatric bow or anything so silly. It was simply a matter of being a proper host was it not?

Stepping in behind her, he continued the conversation. "For myself, I inscribe formulae and a portion of the mana necessary into parchment, storing extra uses that way, though I admit a Conduit Baton of the right sort might be quite handy in the days ahead."

A finely crafted wooden sign, embellished with intricate gold leaf detailing, proudly proclaims the establishment's name - Enchantments Emporium - in flowing script.

Upon crossing the threshold, a gentle chime announces your arrival, and you find yourself ensconced in an enchanting atmosphere that tingles with mystical energy. Polished oak shelves line the walls, showcasing an array of crystal orbs, glowing potions, and shimmering trinkets that seem to whisper promises of otherworldly delights. A rich tapestry depicting scenes of legendary spells and mythical creatures graces the back wall, adding a touch of artistry to the ambiance.

The air is scented with a heady blend of rare herbs and arcane incense, creating an olfactory symphony that lingers as you explore. Gleaming glass cabinets house an assortment of spellbooks, each bound in ornate leather and adorned with silver filigree. The pages within seem to ripple with arcane energy, enticing wizards and sorcerers alike to delve into the mysteries they hold.

In one corner, a well-worn leather armchair invites patrons to peruse scrolls and maps, illuminated by the soft glow of floating globes that hover above. A knowledgeable shopkeeper, dressed in robes woven with constellations, moves gracefully between aisles, ready to assist and share tales of magical lore.

The centerpiece of Enchantments Emporium is a magnificent crystal display case, containing the shop's most prized possessions. Radiant wands carved from ancient woods, shimmering rings imbued with protective charms, and elegant staffs adorned with enchanted gemstones create a mesmerizing tableau that captures the essence of magic itself.

As you meander through the aisles, you'll discover potion ingredients meticulously arranged in apothecary jars, their colors and scents inviting curiosity. A small corner is dedicated to magical creatures—tiny phoenix hatchlings, miniature dragons, and elusive fairy companions—all carefully contained in gilded cages.

Kyna immediately begins to examine the scrolls along the wall. "We call these SUEP's, for Single Use Effect Pages. Incredible diversity here, I have only seen such variety in my school's supply storehouse."

Wizzlewick paused just inside the door, taking in the rich melange of aromas, sounds, and sights with a deep, only slightly homesick breath. Though it may not have been the proprietor's intent, it smelled enough like home that he for a moment, at least in his mind, was back in the Aethercroft.

The moment lasted not long enough, and far too long, as Kyna had already moved into the aisles, wandering at her leisure. The little mouse hurried to catch up with his graceful companion, pulling back his hood to look over the scroll racks with delighted interest of his own. "SUEP's?" A small smile at the explanation. "I approve I must say. So much more technically accurate than mere 'scrolls'. I shall have to endeavor to bring it to the common parlance."

He smiled as they moved along the wall, browsing for the SUEP of the day. "What was your school like Kyna? I know there are some rather... Unconventional academies on Ralan Gul, catering to specialist Users. Talisal Thaumaturgic, for example, specializes in effects that deceive the senses. The entrance exam is merely a matter of finding the main door behind the illusionary wards placed over it." He chuckled. "Not that they don't produce effective Users or their share of advancement of the science, but I prefer a little less... Transitory effects from my effects. Mana can change the world, so why content yourself with only ephemeral illusion?"

As they continued, they passed close to the glass cabinets housing the spellbooks, and Wizzlewick stopped for a moment, admiring the ornate constructions, a longing in his heart to know everything contained within. One small paw came up to rest on the glass lightly, his attention on a particular, white leather tome with a silver clasp. He recognized the work as one of Galinus's, and the transmuter was quite famous among specialists in the field. A small sigh escaped his lips as he looked longingly at the spellbook.