The trip from Underside to Topside and through the Bazaar, Merchants Quarter and on into the Scholars Quarter of Rephidim, while fascinating to the Karnors, is largely uneventful. Aaron always uses the same Kavi carter to move Calligenia's goods that he always does (since he doesn't seem to trust any others) and the group finally arrives at a corner townhouse overlooking a small park. The apothecary bounds up the steps to unlock the double doors and throw them open, calling in, "Xander! I'm back!"

"Is this Xander your butler?" Layth inquires as he tries to peer inside the doorway. The buck pushes his lop ears back.

"Good to be 'ome, aye?" Tasha follows Aaron up the steps, peering over his head inside.

"My cousin, he watches the place for me when he's in town," Aaron notes, and goes to look at he pile of mail on the dining room table. The front of the townhouse is split between a dining room on the right of the entry and a living room on the left, which includes a big fireplace.

"You have a beautiful place," Layth comments as he heads into the townhouse now, "Far beyond the home I grew up in." His nose twitches a bit, then adds, "And full of odd smells."

"He is silly," Aisha comments as she strides in, followed by Calligenia. Both women seem familiar with the place. The first thing the two doctors notice, however, is the study next to the living room with its shelves of books and odd artifacts, while Gabriel first notices the wet bar next to the kitchen. "I could use a drink," he comments. "All the smells of this place have been shorting out my nose."

"Oh, of course," Aaron notes. "I've got all sorts of herbal teas in the bar."

"Who is silly? This Xander? Or do you mean Master Lightfoot? We already knew he was silly," Layth notes as he goes to stand beside Aisha and Calli. "Do you wish me to tend to your luggage?" he asks them.

"Xander," Aisha clarifies. "And yes, we should get our luggage so Aaron and Calli can unload the trade goods."

"Master Lightfoot, where will Lady Aisha be staying? Or … does she have her own place to return to?" Layth inquires as he returns to the doorway to go get luggage.

"There are three bedrooms upstairs," Aaron notes as he starts up a kettle of hot water. "We'll probably need to double up here and there." Akkers watches the tea preparation with wilted ears. "A bar… full of tea? Do they not have alcohol on this flying island?"

"Beyon' my 'ome, too," Tasha remarks as she steps inside. "This is the sort o' place I wan' some day, somewhere beautiful an' away from drunk men an' dark alleys." She then turns to follow Gabriel to the wet bar, reaching up to try and rub his nose.

"Who wishes me to stay with them, then? I assume Lady Aisha and Calligenia will share a room?" Layth asks as he now steps outside and starts gathering bags. He returns carrying most of the bags, amusingly enough, having used the strap of one to cinch together the handles of several.

"Should 'ave stayed with at me mum's place, then we could' drink," Tasha tells the former captain. She then leans over to whisper to him, grinning a little.

"Mr. Lightfoot," Dr. Zerachiel's voice calls from the study. "What is the origin of this frightful tribal mask?" "Just a minute!" Aaron calls back, since Calligenia is already dragging him away down the hallway. "I have to open the carriage shed for Calli… "

"I see we will need to make a supply run," Akkers whispers back to Tasha, grinning.

Layth's brow arches a bit and he just stands there holding the assortment of bags. "Or … perhaps I will just pick, then. I know Tasha will want to stay with the Karnors," the buck comments and he makes his way up the staircase … though rather slowly to avoid tipping over from the weight.

"We can all fit in Aaron's bed if we must," Aisha notes. "The Lapis, that is. I think the other two beds will only hold two apiece of the Jupanis, including Tasha."

With the luggage offloaded, the wagon heads back around the corner to the carriage shed, where Aaron and Calli unload the rest of the goods.

"Did she jus' call me fat?" Tasha gives Aisha a dark look, murmuring her comment to Akkers. Then, after a shrug, she returns to grinning at the man. "We do at tha'. This quarter's got a lot o' the finer things, an' we 'ave the shekels to buy them this time. An', you can 'elp me find wha' smells nice."

Aisha takes the lead up to the rooms, and makes assignments as she goes. The room at the back of the house, right at the stair landing, she assigns to Zerachiel and Caravelli, figuring they will be keeping late hours and will be less of a disturbance if they are closest to the stairs. The room has a basic bed big enough for the two men, although the rest of the furniture is scaled for standard-sized Lapi use.

"Tasha and the Captain can use this room," Aisha says, opening the door to the bedroom over the living room. "I stay in this one usually, so I can assure you the bed is comfortable and can hold a tiger Khatta's weight."

Layth dutifully follows Aisha and drops off the bags as instructed … though he does take a moment to look around each room. "I could sleep in the carriage house," he offers to Aisha when they enter the room over the living room. "It seems we have more people than beds and I wouldn't want to make Master Lightfoot, you, or Lady Circere uncomfortable."

"I've gotten used to how you normally smell," Gabriel whispers to Tasha, with a grin. "This is a pretty nice room," he comments aloud. "Good view of the park."

"Did you 'ere tha'? A tiger Khatta," Tasha tells Akkers as she looks in to the room. Then, she asks, "Wouldn' mind me wearin' perfume then? An' I think our 'ouse ought an' 'ave a flight balcony."

"Stop being silly, Layth," Aisha says, and opens the door to the master bedroom and looks around. "No sign of Xander. You can put our bags next to the bed." The bed itself dominates the room, being of Olympian design with an Amazonian touch. And big enough for several Lapi.

"I am not being silly," Layth claims as he carries the remaining bags in that room and sets them down carefully near the large bed. The buck then actually climbs into the bed and tests the softness of it by flopping on his back and spreading out.

The big buck sinks a bit into the over-stuffed mattress, and also gets a good look at the Amazonian tapestry that serves as the bed canopy.

Tasha laughs lightly. "Layth'd sleep on the roof if you asked, an' 'e'd be 'appy to do it. 'E lives to be 'elpful," she remarks to Aisha.

"Our house?" Akkers asks, with just a slight edge of panic in his voice.

Aisha joins Layth on the bed, and flops back across him. "See? We can all fit, with you on the bottom to keep us warm," she says.

"Comfortable," Layth comments, "This is a far cry from sleeping in the sands when with a caravan." When Aisha flops on him, though, he oofs, then warms his arms around the doe firmly. "Of course, this also puts you in range to be pampered, caressed, and pleased," the buck warns in deadpan.

"Somethin' to think on, don' you worry abou' it," the Vartan tells Akkers, smiling at him.

"Well, that too," Aisha says. Calli arrives then, looking in on both rooms. "Xavier has been sent to arrange for food. We are to expect a delivery from some place called 'Bromthen Heaven' for the Jupani."

Tasha's mouth unhinges, her eyes wide. "Bromthen 'Eaven!" She nudges Akkers, grinning even more widely. "I always wan'ed to 'ave their food! This is goin' to be a good night."

"My time with Queen Tyche taught me some interesting techniques for making a doe happy," Layth teases Aisha and then sits upright, taking the small doe with him. There he pulls her into his lap and starts grooming one of ears by licking it.

"The kitchen is woefully understocked, as usual," Calligenia notes. "Xavier's bachelor existence is horrifying. And I have found no signs of Xander, either. I can tell that he has not been here recently, because the bathroom is not filled with puddles and dirty towels."

Pausing mid-groom, Layth comments, "That is good. It means I am not on cleaning duty for a couple days. But … what happened to this Xander, then? Does he normally just vanish?"

Aisha doesn't complain about the grooming. She hasn't objected much at all to Layth's attentions since that time in the Hydron private bath, actually.

"He is a Fire Mage," Calligenia notes. "Like a priest of Abbadon, only… not. He may have been called to work somewhere else. It is likely that Spring Meadow has been looking after the house."

Since Aisha isn't objecting, Layth's hands proceed to massage the does stomach idly as he looks over to Calli. "Who is Spring Meadow? A Savanite? The name reminds me of many they carry," he asks.

"Ouch," Aisha says, and pulls something from under her skirts. It looks at first like a small gold coin, but is too thin. "A Naga-scale? Xander must have been bringing girls here," she surmises.

"Another mage, this one devoted to growing things," Calli explains, sitting on the edge of the bed. "She tends a garden behind the house, and works on several others around the island I believe. She is gray in color, with a few patches of white. She is a typical Rephidim doe, I believe. Very… docile."

Layth rests his chin on her shoulder and peers at the scale. "That isn't Naga. Nagas shed their skin all at once, normally," the buck notes. "Most likely one of the lizard types. Though … gold color is extremely rare."

"Fire Mages are popular with reptiles," Aisha notes.

"Does she stay here, then? Will I need to be concerned with her while we are here?" Layth asks and looks between Calli and Aisha.

"Your Xander's in to lizards, is 'e? Sounds like 'e isn' as timid as mos' Rephidimite Lapi are s'posed to be." Glancing at Akkers, Tasha then explains, "The lizards are Naga, of'en from Nagai, which is where you-know-wha' number two is. Celestial stuff, bit 'o a mess after the war."

"It sounds as if they have tinkered with their forms again then," Gabriel comments.

"If food is going to arrive, we should prepare the table," Calligenia notes. "Anysia showed me how. And Meadow stays in the College dormitories. She only comes here to work on her garden and use the shower."

"He has a shower? Master Lightfoot must be very wealthy, then," Layth notes as he lifts Aisha off his lap, then gets to his feet. The buck then offers to help Aisha and Calligenia up.

"He has led a frugal life and managed to get this home through his Guild contacts," Aisha notes, smoothing out her skirts once up.

Layth leads the doe does (one on each arm), back downstairs and towards the dining room. "Will you two be okay with dining with two carnivores?" he asks the two and he slips his arms from theirs.

Tasha blinks at Akkers, brows raising. "You'll 'ave to explain to me 'ow they do tha'. Come to think o' it, could you give me a 'istory an' culture lesson some time, Gabe?" Her tail wags a little, and she adds, "An' I'll return the favor, o'course. Cap'n Eyeshine always tells me knowin' a people is knowin' wha' they'll pay for."

"I could be wrong," Akkers notes. "It's possible that the Expedition created reptilian people that simply aligned themselves with the Celestials. Remiel could probably tell if he had one to study."

As luck would have it, the dining room table is just big enough to serve eight people. While Calligenia shows the other Lapi where the place settings are, the Karnors get the fire going in the hearth – without Tasha's help. They make it a contest to see who can figure out how to stack the kindling properly and get it lit using the flint on hand.

And then a knock comes at the door.

Remaining upstairs with Akkers, Tasha tilts her head towards their room, indicating the man she head that way. "There'll be some 'o those aroun' 'ere, bu' you can' jus' walk up to one an' take a look. They're a smart people, an' suspicious. No' as many o' them aroun' as there was before the war, either, bu' you see 'em." She heads for the room, then takes a seat on their borrowed bed, asking, "So, wha'd you think o' me mum? I grew up aroun' there."

Layth excuses himself from helping with the table and heads towards the door. Seeing as he's the only person who went to the door, the buck opens it. "Lightfoot residence," he says as the door opens. "How may I serve you?"

"She seemed formidable," Akkers notes, tugging at his shirt's collar a bit. "Nearly made me curl my tail under, to be honest."

Two Jupani women are outside, wearing what could only be described as 'wench' attire and carrying several large packages. "Bromthen Heaven! Please tell us this was not a prank order?" the younger one asks Layth, obviously not expecting to meet an herbivore.

"Ah. The food for the Karnors," Layth says and nods knowingly. "Please, follow me," he instructs and steps away from the door, then heads towards the dining room.

"Haw," Tasha laughs, putting a hand to her chest as she wheezes from it. "Tha's me mum. She was even scarier when she was young, age's made 'er mellow some. I've seen 'er throw two men out at once, both by the scruff o' their neck!" She laughs again, but sobers once she sees Akkers's nervousness. Instead, she pats the bed beside her. "Bu' more impoartan'ly, 'ow are you feelin', Gabriel?"

Remiel and Eli immediately jump to their feet and try to brush the soot from their hands at the appearance of the women… and the smells that accompany them. The two women set up quickly and professionally, producing a large roast and a small keg of beer as they commandeer the kitchen. "Please sit down and we will serve you," the dark-haired one insists.

"Err, hungry, actually," Akkers admits, as the smell of the roast hog hits his nose.

He being Layth.

"You're a good man," Tasha says with a hint of a amused sigh. She sits up, then pats Gabriel's belly with a hand as she walks past him and down the stairs. "I 'ope Remy an' Eli 'avn't set the place on fire."

Layth then does and leads Aisha from the dining room, noting, "You probably will not wish to watch this."

The two Karnors gladly give up their spaces before the fire to the Lapis, and are seated at the table and trying not to drool by the time Tasha and Akkers arrive. The serving girls came prepared: not just with meat and beer, but with various seasonings and gravies, breads, potatoes and even big leather drinking mugs, chitin steak knives and forks. They even have bibs with 'Bromthen Heaven' and a drawing of a tusky hog's head on them. "Now, how do you like your steaks?" the taller (older?) of the pair ask the carnivores.

Tasha seats herself beside Akkers, trying not to drool, herself. "Oi," is all she can say for a moment, staring and sniffing. Then she blinks, remembering the question, and answers, "Large."

The roast it fairly rare as they cut it into steaks and serve them to those at the table. One fills up the mugs with beer from the keg (holding it over her shoulder) while the other starts coming around with the sauces and extras. Dr. Caravelli looks like he's on the verge of crying. "Five years. It's been five years since we had real meat cooked by someone who knows what it should taste like," he mutters solemnly.

"You are okay?" Layth inquires of Aisha as he watches from the vantage point in the living room. "Are you curious enough to try some of the roast?"

"I really must find out more about the animal this comes from," Dr. Zerachiel says, and takes one of the offered potatoes… which he smothers in gravy.

"I can smell it," Aisha notes, as if that were enough. "But if they have leftover bread or veggies, or some of that ale… "

Tasha shoots Dr. Caravelli a sympathetic look, reaching over to pat his shoulder. "Don' worry, this is jus' the beginnin'," she assures him. When her own plate is loaded, Tasha grins down and wiggles her fingers. "A good night," she repeats quietly, then grabs her mug and holds it aloft, "To better times!"

Layth gets up and walks into the kitchen. Looking to the serving women, he asks, "May I have a small bowl of the vegetables and a glass of the ale for my friend in the living room?" he asks with a small bow.

"Better times!" Akkers echoes, lofting his mug. The two doctors lift theirs as well, and mumble around full mouths.

"Certainly," the Jupani woman says, and chops up one of the potatoes into cubes, which she sprinkles with spices before putting into a bowl. The other returns with the ale, and asks, "Do you want to try some of the glazes or gravies? They aren't all meat-based. This one has honey and sugar and a sweet fruit in it."

Calligenia, despite having learned her table-manners on her previous visit, can't help but reach over Tasha's shoulder to dip her finger into some of the juice on the woman's plate for a taste.

Tasha, who's now happily chewing and wagging away, gives Layth a wave with a fork when he enters. "Hy Lyth!" She raises her mug to him, too.

"The one with honey would be grand," Layth says with a smile to the wolf as he also fetches some utensils to work with. He also takes one of the bibs.

Using some of Aaron's cups and bowls (and apparently already knowing where everything is located in the kitchen) the serving girls make some warm potato-stew with honey glaze and pour some of the ale for Layth. The front door opens, and Aaron staggers in carrying several boxes stacked on top of one another, and makes his way vaguely kitchenwards.

"Hello, Tasha. Are you and your harem enjoying the meal?" Layth teases her and the Jupani as he passes by them with a collection of food for Aisha. "If you wish, you may join Aisha and I in the living room," he tells her, then returns to the living room. Settling down beside the doe, he ties the bib on her. Yes, it actually looks like Layth intends to feed Aisha…

"I hardly need a bib," Aisha starts to complain, then looks over the couch and notes, "I think Aaron is about to fall over."

"You need one if I am going to feed you," Layth notes with a grin. Looking over at Aaron, he asks, "Do you need help, master Lightfoot?"

In response, Tasha leans over and tries to fork Layth in the tail puff, grinning at him with a mouth full of masticated meat. After he heads on, she glances among her fellows and asks, "'Ow's my 'arem doin'? You all fillin' up boys?"

"Yes mistress Tasha," Remiel says in jest, but certainly looks happy.

One of the Jupani girls intercepts Aaron, before he can spill anything, and she and her partner quickly relieve the dazed-looking Lapi of the food. Still looking blank, the buck just takes a seat at the table without a word.

"Are you all right?" Layth calls out after Aaron when he doesn't respond.

"Perhaps we should eat at the table," Aisha suggests. It would be inappropriate for Layth to hand-feed her there, however.

"Would you be comfortable being near them while they consume meat?" Layth asks the doe.

"I've eaten with carnivores before," Aisha says, tilting her chin up proudly. "Even served them, during some of daddy's meetings."

"They didn' try an' cook you up too, did they, Aaron," Tasha inquires, before stuffing her muzzle full again.

"But then I cannot feed you by hand," Layth points out. Still he gets their items back together in preparation for returning to the table.

Calli also sits down, not wanting to be left out of the meal. The Jupani servers sort out the food from the boxes, putting the fruit into the cold-box to chill while making sure the hot dishes are warm enough.

"We must all make sacrifices, Layth," Aisha notes. At the table, the vegetarian dishes are already being set out: platters of roasted and seasoned vegetables, pastry breads, bowls of spiced rice and several bowls of soup, along with some sort of souffle and a large vegetable pie. Aaron still doesn't seem quite aware of what's going on though.

Layth shrugs at that and returns to the table, carrying the food he had collected earlier. There he sets Aisha's place, then settles down beside Aaron. Politely, he nudges Aaron, asking, "Master Lightfoot?"

"The bean salad is chilling and will be ready in a moment," on the servers says cheerfully. Aaron blinks at Layth, and says, "She left. Her brother came and she left with him. Didn't leave a note or… anything."

Tasha frown at Aaron, chewing and looking at him pensively. Almost as if guided by some strange power, her right hand snatches up a roll without her even looking at it.

"Your Anisa left?" Layth asks, looking a bit stunned, but more concerned. "Surely it must have been important for her to leave. What … will you do?" he asks.

The waitress pouring water for the Lapis comments, "I heard Anisa left after spending time with an exotic-looking Kiriga and a strange human who were at the Gym. And Mage Hotfoot went with them."

"Ah, that would explain the gold scale, then. It must have belonged to the Kiriga," Layth offers. "So it must have been important. I am also sure she will be back."

"Xander?" Aaron asks. "He must have left a note then. Springer must have it!" He almost jumps up out of his seat, but one of the Jupani women pushes him back down gently. "Then who is running the Gym?" Aisha asks, sounding worried about her investment. "It is still open, yes?"

"Is the mage went with 'em, then it was pro'ly somethin' abou' the Guild, or work," Tasha offers consolingly. She then ladels some gravy on to her captured roll, before munching on it.

"Oh, it's still open," the younger server says. "I go there every day! The assistant instructors are taking care of things."

"We will go see this Spring Meadow after dinner," Layth offers to Aaron, "If that is all right? The note will not go anywhere."

"Anysia can take care of herself, and Xander survived the Priestesses of Abaddon in Dianus," Calli notes, as she fills her plate.

"Right, right," Aaron says. "She was always wanting to travel off Rephidim. She probably just took a little surface trip is all."

"What do you know of this strange reptile they left with? Did she perhaps threaten them? I have heard their kind can be a bit blunt and cruel," Layth comments as he finally gets himself some food.

"She was pretty and slinky," the younger woman relates. "I saw her fight in the ring, and it was like nothing I've seen before. She and Anisa seemed to get along well. The human girl… well… she had wings and a tail. Never seen a human like that. They all left not long afterwards though, although I don't recall them all leaving together."

"Strange 'uman? 'Umans are right strange as it is, all furless an' smooth," Tasha remarks. She glances at Gabriel, and asks, "Tha' reminds me, there's a lot o' 'umans in the Temple, an' it's an interstin' place from wha' you tol' me. You wan' to visit, while we're 'ere?" She glances to the two doctors, as well, to see if they're interested.

"A visit might be enlightening," Gabriel says. "For us, that is. No need to enlighten them though, just yet."

"I would recommend staying away from anything related to the temple," Layth warns.

"It's a sacred pilgrimage all Jupani ought an' make, Layth, an' it may 'elp them make some sense o' their life. I though' abou' it, an' I think its worth a trip, if jus' a look from down the street," Tasha assures Layth.

"As you like," Layth replies and waves his hand slightly. He leans over and whispers something to Aaron.

"E's tellin' Aaron to keep an eye on us," Tasha whispers to Gabriel, with mock-seriousness.

"There are weekly public ceremonies in the Temple Cathedral," Aaron says. "Nobody who attends is given any real scrutiny. That would probably be the safest way to have a look and get a feel for what the Temple is about."

Layth, for his part, focuses on eating now. Whatever other thoughts he has, he's keeping to himself.

"Then we'll do tha'. We'll go together," Tasha insists. "It'll be safe tha' way." Then, she slices a hunk off her dwindling steak, and pops it in her mouth.

Aaron finally notices the food in front of him, and starts to eat. The serving girls start cleaning up in the kitchen, but apparently aren't going anywhere until the meal is done and they can take back the knives and mugs.

"Now this is 'as it should be; this is the good life," Tasha murmurs between bites. "We'll set our plans t'marra. I wan' you all to get a good night's sleep. Me, I'll be back before late nigh'. I 'ave somethin' to do back 'ome."

Back in caravan days, Layth is used to eating fast and then moving on to other duties. He does the same here. Now finished, the buck stands, then bows, noting, "Excuse me. I will go finish unpacking for Aisha and Calligenia. If you need me, or wish me to go with you to Aaron, let me know. Otherwise, I will just tend to things here," he says. And with that, the buck slips from the room and heads back up the staircase.

"Oh, Layth and Calli and I are sleeping in your bed, Aaron," Aisha informs their host. This eventually sinks in and Aaron has to ask, "Err, do I get to sleep in it too still?"

"Looks like you're stuck with us toothies," Tasha tells Aisha and Calligenia. She grins, then flops back in her chair and, after a sip of alcohol, sighs. "I may no' be able to fly af'er this, bu' it was worth it. S'all worth it. All o' you."