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Lin	It's not hard to find Lin's workshop, what with the wind-catching mechanisms on the roof and the smoke coming from its chimneys. The building is easily the tallest in the streets leading towards the parade grounds. The owner is apparently not concerned at all about standing out a little... Lin herself is hard at work assembling what appears to a large... gear, maybe? It's a spoked wooden wheel twice her height, which she is currently affixing curved metal plating with the gear-teeth onto the rim...
Serene Herald	The door opens and the bell lets out a chime, and in walks someone who looks fairly ordinary. Dressed finely, and with a scabbard at his back and hilt over his left shoulder where he is certainly armed, a longer sword than most, but thin. Following him, just to his left and behind, is a spider the size of a small dog with iridescent hairs and glittering eyes. "I am being of begging your pardon, but I am looking for Lin?" The tenor voice has a Flametounge accent to it, but other than that the Riverspeak is quite clear and legible.
Lin	Lin hears the chime and knows exactly what it means, of course. She sets her work aside and turns about to face the counter... then quickly - but carefully - hurries over to the counter, arriving in a few seconds. As she nears, it's revealed that she's not alone... a little mouse has hurried up onto her right shoulder, peeking out through her blue hair. "Well, if she's the one you're looking for, look no further. Welcome to my workshop. How can I help you?" After that little greeting she takes a moment to sweep her gaze over the visitor - customer? - and his companion. "A spider...?" A thumping BIG spider. Her eyes go wide with obvious curiosity... it's not every day one encounters a creature like this one after all. But she politely tears her eyes away from it and works to keep them focused on the man. Her face while doing so is kind, but there's an intensity in her gaze, the kind usually found only on talented engineers deep in thought...
Serene Herald	"Ah! Do not worry. The spider is with me, and well-behaved it is." The spider chitters slightly and scuttles across the floor to probe at some of the goods with forelegs and pedipalps both. "It is not of biting anyone unless I am of being attacked." His eyes linger just a bit at the mouse on her shoulder, before speaking again. "Please be calling me Perfect Question. Scholar-Philosopher most recently from Chiarascuro. I am of looking to aquire a orrery, but one of exceeding quality. I have been hearing you are of making marvelous items and devices!"
Lin	It doesn't seem to matter how well-behaved the spider is... Lin's having a hard time tearing her eyes away from it. If smoke could pour from her ears as she tries to identify it, well... it would be. And she's very bad at hiding the fact that she's reaching some very strange conclusion, as her face briefly screws up and she forces herself to look away from it. "A very unusual spider." Her tone's gone a little reserved. Just a little, as she sweeps her gaze over the man once more. And finally processes his request. "An orrery!" She claps her hands together in delight. "Now that's a unique request. Haven't had anyone ask about those before. Is there anything in particular it should be focusing on, or are you looking for the usuals?" She's then heard murmuring, "Going to need to run the math on this one, good thing I read that book a week ago..."
Serene Herald	"Is anything touched by Essence simply being of 'usual'?" Perfect Question asks. "But yes! An orrerry. Astrologer I am, and none more skilled you can find. Even the Varang are not more skilled! But have they better equipment. Hence, I am of seeking something worthy of being used. To have the Sun, Moon, the Constellations, and the Wandering Stars all. The gears and calendar to be seetting dates and times to find the configurations. If possible, a decent map of Creation on it, to be measuring lines and angles to place as well to be getting the most accurate readings, yes?"
Lin	"Um, well... that's... I've reason to think it's a VERY special kind of spider. But there's just no way... where did I encounter that scroll again. Was it the House of Learning?" There she goes with the mumbling again, as well as scratching her cheek perplexed... but once again she has to set it aside and listen to the instructions. She listens thoroughly and attentively, but in the end, has to quip, "Goodness, that's... that's getting to the scale where it might be better housed in a building... well, then it wouldn't be an orrery, would it? Still... even a small one is going to be... well, it won't fit in a backpack... nothing I can't handle, though, in either case." Another murmur follows... "Wait, what if I make it able to fold up somehow... or..." She falls silent, awkwardly, for a few moments, then her eyes go wide. "I don't suppose you're capable of using magical items? I've got a few great ideas on making the best portable orrery ever. For best results, I'd need some Moonsilver and maybe a little Starmetal... but fat choice of finding either of those without breaking the bank. No way of getting the latter without the Guild, and even then... it's far too rare."
Serene Herald	"The trade in Moonsilver is highly restricted. And Starmetal?" He laughs. "It is hideously expensive compared to Moonsilver. Moonsilver might be prohibited, but you can find it at least. Starmetal?" His eyes are bright as he smiles. "Still, I should be able to find some. To be honest, I thought the perfection of Orichalcum might be of use in it as well, but I am not a craftsman," he admits. A sigh, "And yes, it might work best in a room. But I don't have a house--only a scholar's rooms. Drat and blast. My desires are of outreaching my home and hearth."
Lin	"Only a scholar's rooms?" Lin frowns upon hearing this, sincerely disheartened. "If you're as skilled as you say... well, with a good tool like this orrery, that could quickly change. This city is full of..." She struggles briefly to come up with a word... and settles on, "...Hopeful sorts reaching for the stars, and dinars burning holes in their pockets. Though likely not as many as Varang." She has to sheepishly smile at the likely reality there... "And yes. Prohibitively expensive..." She frowns again, puzzled at his claim of being able to get a hold of it. "Orichalcum would be suitable." She adds. "It would depend more on engineering precision... I had some ideas about using a little bit of Starmetal and hoping I could work up a little error-correcting, but it's wishful thinking. ... Also, I've never even tried that, so I don't know if it would work..." Her shoulders sag as she admits that. "I do know the trick of working with such materials. Though very little experience. The materials are simply too expensive." She can only shrug hopelessly. "Well, if it's mounted on a table, then we shouldn't need anything fancy like that. Ordinary materials will just do fine." "I'm impressed you know that much about the Magical Materials though. Do you REALLY know where to rustle up something as rare as Starmetal?"
Serene Herald	Perfect Question ponders a bit, staring into space, ruminating on answers, thoughts, and considerations. "Maybe," he finally admits. "But if I am to be of trying to obtain it, then questions are of being asked. And not everyone is of wanting the questions." He looks at her, "And the questions are of more danger than answers are being, yes?"
Lin	Lin begins to stare at Perfect Question. She's not the greatest at social interaction. Really, she shows every sign of being the 'mad professor' sort of inventor - brilliant, but eccentric, and introverted, only capable of dealing with society through lots and lots of practice. And between the strange spider, and the man's strange words... a shiver runs through her. Anxiety builds and turns to suspicion. "Then please forget I ever asked about Starmetal." She declares in a kind, understanding tone that sincerely wishes no trouble upon him. "That mysterious air thing is really unnerving me." She comments a moment later, tone lightly asking for him to cut it out.
Serene Herald	"Ah, sorry. Apologies. Not meaning to cause trouble. I ask questions, and answer them. Have you questions of me instead? And if you truly want, I can try to obtain some of each material. Just in case. For sometimes it is worth the risk to see one's dreams to be taking shape. And to use all the skill you are of having,":
Lin	The mood lightening again - at least on Lin's side - in relief, she does nod. "I am rather curious just how you and that marvelous spider crossed paths, for one." The mouse on her shoulder rears up on his hind legs and begins to vehemently squeak as if in protest. Lin quickly adds, "No, Leo, I'm not jealous or thinking of making a trade." In a fluid motion of practiced grace she produces a small berry from a pocket and offers it to the critter as apology. It has no problem grasping it, holding it down against Lin's shoulder, and starting to nibble on it. "And if you're looking to set up shop somewhere in the city, I've been trying to lend everyone I can a hand with that. The more skilled people working their trade, the better it is for everyone."
Serene Herald	"Well, I consulted the stars, seeking the most auspicious time and place to bind a familiar. Apparently, the gods accepted my prayers and oblations, as this was the result." He pats the spider, who has climbed onto the wall, carefully avoiding the objects on display. "Now I do not consider myself a strong wonderworker, but he has proven useful time and again."
Lin	Lin stares at the man hard, pursing her lips thoughtfully. "Ah, hm..." She glances down to the little mouse as if hoping he might somehow have some insight to offer, but of course he doesn't and instead just nuzzles Lin's neck with his nose. "Well that's certainly an evasive answer... although..." She ponderously follows the spider skittering about adventurously, seemingly unconcerned with it. "I suppose you've every reason to not trust me with a full truth, if there is anything more than that..."
Serene Herald	"Would you be trusting me with the story of your mouse, when we are just having met?" Perfect Question asks in turn. "Perhaps later as a repository of trust is of being filled." He slips a bit of seedcake out, breaks it in half, giving some to the spider and offering some to the mouse. "Now, if you are asking me questions professionally, and are of paying my fees, then truth you will get."
Lin	"There's not a lot to tell. I was traveling between towns when I encountered an overturned cart on the roadside, the beast pulling it slain and no sign of the cart's driver. When I searched the wreckage for any good clues or anything useful I found this mouse in a frenzy, stuck in a well-made cage. He was VERY unhappy about this and, much to my surprise, had gnawed halfway through the cage's bars. These were rather thick bars, mind you, for a cage meant to hold a mouse. ... it wasn't hard to free him, but I didn't think he'd stick with me. He's practically family now." She offers quickly and sincerely, seemingly without thinking. "I do have to wonder just what sort of secrets you guard, when the truth has a price attached." She announces in rhetorical exasperation.
Serene Herald	"That is a wonderful story, and I am glad that you rescued him." Perfect question says and gives a nod. "As for secrets? Truth is how I make my living," he responds. "Would you be of giving all you had and made away to any who ask, merely for being of asking?" He shakes his head. "Truths I will give. Or say I guard for another. The bankers are of saying...'fiduciary relationship'? So then would I keep secrets you are of needing me to be keeping."