Msaka quickly reached the inn and entered, closing the door quietly behind him. Glancing around, he noted that the interior seemed somewhat different from the others he'd been in. It wasn't anything overt, as the well made furnishings and graceful architecture were similar to that of the inn in Shapier. There was, however, some subtle difference that Msaka couldn't quite detect that made it feel more welcoming. The feeling seemed to affect everyone in the place as well, as the patrons seemed to share a universally light mood. Msaka allowed himself to relax a little bit, finding the atmosphere affecting his own mood as much as everyone else's.

He sensed movement to his right and, turning around, found himself facing a katta, who had just stood from the pillow he had been resting on. Msaka studied the katta for a moment, not really having had the time to look at the ones in the plaza carefully. He noted the creature's features, which were quite different from those of his own people's leopard forms. In contrast, the kattas had a far greater feline aspect to their build.

"Welcome," the katta said in a polite yet friendly voice, executing a low bow. "We are honored by your presence."

Msaka paused for a moment, then replied. "You are the owner of this inn, it seems. How much do you charge for a day?"

"It is but one dinar and fifty centimes for a day's rest in the softest of beds and three meals cooked by Sheema," the katta smiled.

Msaka nodded and handed over six dinars, figuring that he'd need a few days to finish his task. "I would like to eat now if that is possible," he stated. "Caravan food is not very appetizing."

The katta bowed again. "Be seated, and Sheema will bring a meal to you," he said, smiling.

Msaka nodded again and headed towards the tables, choosing one that had only one other person sitting at it. He sat down heavily, feeling tired. The other occupant of the table, a thin, bespectacled man with thinning white hair and a small but neatly combed beard, turned slightly and gave him a casual wave, then went back to staring at various things in the room. Msaka made no reply, both because of his weariness and the fact that the man looked rather preoccupied.

A few moments later, he spied a female katta crossing the room, bearing a platter of steaming-hot food. He frowned as his stomach growled loudly, hoping no one else had noticed the noise. When no one reacted, he breathed a small, silent sigh of relief. The katta quickly padded up to the table and set the platter down, giving Msaka a somewhat shy smile. "May you enjoy your meal," she said. She took a step back, bowing as she did, and started back towards the kitchen.

Msaka looked over the food. It was similar to what he'd been served in Shapier's, but as with the rest of this inn, there was something subtly different about it that made it seem more appetizing. He began to eat, savoring the flavor, which lived up to its appearance.

The other occupant of the table turned his head for a few moments while Msaka ate, staring at him and the food, then turned away again, muttering something quietly. Msaka paused for a moment, wondering what had caught the man's interest, then shrugged and went back to eating.

After finishing, he sat back a bit, gazing around the room himself. "At the very least," he thought, "This place is more quiet than Shapier's inn was, so getting a good night's rest shouldn't be too difficult to do."

His thoughts were interrupted by the man at his table, who suddenly turned his attention back to Msaka. "They're everywhere, you know," the man said in low, cultured tones.

Msaka blinked, looking at him. "What?" he asked, unsure as to what was being referred to.

The man gestured around the room. "They are. They're everywhere. You can't get away from them, no matter where you go."

Msaka frowned. "What are? I don't know what you're talking about."

The man chuckled mirthfully. "I'm sorry, I was being cryptic again, wasn't I? Look around you. Everything in here you look at, you'll see. Everything in here has an adjective."

Msaka now looked confused. "I... what? I still don't know what you're talking about." he muttered, wondering what an adjective was.

The man stared at him for a moment, then grinned. "I really am obfuscating my speech tonight, my apologies. Perhaps you haven't studied linguistics as I have. It's actually my specialty. An adjective is a word that describes a thing. As something of a project, I've been visiting various places around the city, and noting every adjective I could find for everything I've seen."

"Why would you want to do something like that?" Msaka asked, puzzled.

"It's an exercise for the mind, primarily. It pays to enrich one's word power, as the saying goes. Readers, especially, must digest that fact if they are to get anywhere in their studies. Now, what was I saying. Oh yes. It's an exercise for the mind. Besides which, I'm sometimes called upon to help people describing things. Even the Famous Adventurer has been known to call upon my help in writing his books. Sometimes he just needs that perfect alliteration, and I'm the one he asks."

Msaka closed his eyes and shook his head, suddenly reminded of his experience in Tarna's apothecary. "Just as long as you aren't going to start spouting them at me..." he grumbled.

The man laughed. "No, not at all. I've no association with Project Alliteracy, you needn't worry. Though I suppose that since they too have asked my assistance at times, that's not entirely true."

Msaka nodded, but wasn't entirely convinced his nerves were safe. "I think I need to go rest," he sighed. "I've just finished a caravan trip from Shapier, and am rather tired. Perhaps we'll speak later." Inwardly, he hoped that the latter wouldn't be true, as he had found the man's behavior confusing enough as it was.

"Have a good night then, as you sleep soundly in the soft beds of this fine inn," the man nodded. "And pardon my annoying adjectives," he added with a wink.

Msaka stood and walked towards the sleeping quarters of the inn, trying his best to keep his irritation under control.