"Okay, can't be helped. Does it have coffee in it?" I ask, hopefully.

"I left the coffee outside, you can have it as soon as I haul you up."

I take off my shoes and socks to give myself traction for when Am-Chau is within grabbing distance. As I stare into the black pit, I feel a gentle pressure on my elbow. I leap several inches from the floor; difficult to do from a sitting position.

"Um. Am-Chau. Is there supposed to be a... a... an otherworldly creature thingy here? If not, what should I do?"

"Um..." What's she on about? Otherworldly creature indeed... oh! "Jossica, please leave Penny alone!"

The dragonabbit shows no sign of wanting to do anything other than sniff Penny, but this isn't helping me get out of the hole.

"Just shoo her away," I tell Penny. "She's not very... well, I don't think she's very dangerous. I'm still alive and we had breakfast together."

The dragonrabbit makes bambi eyes at me and licks my chin. I smell sulphur and lettuce on her breath. Am-Chau has found the cup and is hauling herself out of the hole.

"Give me a little space, um, Jossica, I need to help Am-Chau."

I peer over the edge. Jossica decides to "help" by planting her feet on my ass to keep me from falling in. How did this happen, anyway? Am-Chau is in view and nearly in reach. I grab the twine with one hand and reach down with another. Am-Chau grasps my hand and in a minute we are both sprawled on the floor. Jossica starts running in tiny circles punctuated by frequent leaps straight up. I had a dog that used to do that. Heh.

"Thanks, Penny," I say, once I've got my breath back. "It's lucky you came by. Did Edward find you?"

I decide to strategically ignore Jossica for the time being. What else can one do when mystcial beasts behave like pets?

One can drink more coffee, for starters.

Penny hasn't answered my question about Edward, but I keep talking anyway. "More importantly, where's the coffee?"

Am-Chau seems a bit overwrought, and one can hardly blame her. I leave her on the couch while I retrive the lattes. Am-Chau pours hers into the Edward Gorey mug which still has a bit of string on the handle. Taking the tactful route, I refrain from asking about the big hole in the floor. Instead, I hold up the flyer from the new Evil Emporium.

Am-Chau utters a phrase in a foreign tongue. I don't know what it means, but it causes Jossica to lower her ears.

I knew learning Ancient Sygaroin was a good idea. It's great for swearing in, as it consists entirely of four-letter words-- though I'm a little distrubed to note that Jossica seems to understand it.

When I've recovered from the shock, I sip coffee and then explain to Penny, "This is trouble. I have a very bad feeling about this. Very bad indeed."

From the look on her face, she didn't need the explanation.

"Anything named 'Aeshma's' is bound to be a bit apocalypsy," I sigh. "I had hoped to spend the summer gardening and now this comes up. Frellin' supervillains. By the way, did you get the tulips I sent?"

"Pretty and tasty!"

"Jesus Dog! She talks?"

Am-Chau nods wearily.

It's my considered opinion that a person can never do too much weary nodding. Especially when faced with *another* possible apocalypse.

"She talks," I tell Penny. "Oh, how she talks. I think she's a sign, or something. Like the Four Horsemen, only just one, and sort of less horsey."

Penny nods-- she knows the sort of thing.

"I'm thinking that some research is in order," I continue. "And for once, research and shopping may be the same trip."

"You're right, of course," I sigh dramatically. For me, sighing dramatically is what nodding wearily is to Am-Chau. "I suppose a little light recon is in order at first, which means leaving weapons behind. Of course, you and I both have weapons which can't be seen."

"Have you worked out the kinks in that cursing thing?"

"Um. Pretty much. Magic tip-top with you?" I can't help glancing at the big hole in the floor.

"Naturally"

"Okay, we're set. We should probably leave the pets - mystical beings - behind."