Having tied up his dingy on the docks, Dabbles hopped onto the cobbled street and began his stroll.

"Hello, sir!" he called to a man playing panpipes, and tossed him a small copper coin from his purse. "Hello, madam!" he greeted a woman selling dried guava on the side of the street, passing a silver over the counter as the yellowed fruits disappeared into his hood. "Hello, child!" he said to a young Lifprasilian looking hungrily at the food on display, and shared copper with him, too.

Everywhere he went, Dabbles was quick to pass out a little silver and copper to whomever his keen gaze saw was in need of it. Lifprasil's commission had been more than generous, and Dabbles saw no reason not to make the world a brighter place for it. Soon enough he was on his way uphill on the city's outskirts, leaving a trail of coins and hellos in his wake.

All of a sudden, a rumbling began to shake its way down the street. Some citizens looked up, startled, and began to shuffle away, but Dabbles followed the sound, thrilled.

[i]"Hello, Tira!"[/i]

"Nyuuuum!" yelled Tira as she whizzed past, crouched on a plank of laminated balsa. She stood with a kick and flipped the plank onto its end, holding it by the front, bringing the wheels into view. "Iya, Dabbels!"

Dabbles admired his bronzework on the wheel bases, easily as impressive as the 'synthwork in the wheels themselves. They'd held up to Tira admirably, which was saying something. Lakshmi had said something about the dangers of literally rolling down a hill on wheels, and had probably meant that as a warning to stop, so Dabbles had fitted her with half a coconut for a helmet, plus some kneecaps and elbow pads. She looked a treat, if he did say so himself.

"Pray tell, where are you off to now?"

Tira clapped her hands and laughed mischievously, taking the moment pull a waterskin off her back and have a sip, then stowed it away along with her knife, cup, and other trinkets. Her burns shone vivid red in the sunlight.

"That so? Do enjoy it, dear. Make sure to get home before sundown!"

She rolled her eyes and stepped onto the plank. "Owt-iya, Dabbels!" she grinned, pushing off with one foot and zooming back down the street.

"Goodbye, Tira!" said Dabbles.

He was glad he hadn't given her any coins. Gods knew that girl could wreak enough havoc as it was. What a disaster it would be if she ever got her hands on anything of real value. 

Perish the thought.

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