The light of dawn squirms through the various blinds and curtains of Aaron's townhouse to tickle the faces of the sleeping occupants. For Aaron and Aisha, this is a warm, gentle wake up from a good night's sleep in the master bedroom. For Tasha, it involves being climbed over by an instantly-awake Calligenia who is eager to start the day. And for Layth it is the end of what little sleep he was able to manage, especially with the way Spring Meadow kept her arms wrapped around his neck. At least she didn't snore though once she'd finally run out of energy the night before.

"I should learn to sleep more," Layth mutters as he begins the careful process of removing doe-arms from his neck.

"Oi, ow, watch me wings – an' me nose," Tasha complains as the doe steps on her. If she wasn't awake before, now she is wide awake. "I'm up, I'm up," she says as she sits up, then rolls off the bed to begin getting dressed.

Spring Meadow mutters in complaint, and seems to have drooled on Layth's chest during the night.

"I have much to do today," Calligenia tells Tasha, as she begins her morning workout.

Tasha eyes Calligenia, then carefully grabs a pillow from the bed and, when the doe turns her back, yells, "We're un'er attack!" Then, she tosses the pillow at the doe!

Layth ends up sitting up with Spring Meadow since she seems to want to keep holding onto him. "You had best wake up," he tells the sleeping doe, "Tasha is trying to start trouble." Or, if you don't I might… " he adds, then leans down and whispers something in her ear.

Calli turns and ducks, but not fast enough to get a face-full of pillow! After she bats it aside, she asks, "What was that for?"

Springer mutters something about rocks, squinches her eyes tight… and then finally yawns and starts to stir. "Is it morning already?" she complains.

"Mornin' workout," Tasha insists, innocently. "Testin' your reflexes." She then scoots behind a dressing curtain, and keeping her eye on Calligenia, begins getting dressed.

Layth leans down and kisses Spring Meadow mid-yawn. "Yes," he notes after he pulls back. "Morning breath is in full force. We both need mint."

"I dreamt that I had a harem of big men," Springer says as she stretches, finally letting Layth go free. "And they all… right, mint."

Having gotten up, and not needing to wake up bedmates or perform exercises, Aaron and Aisha head downstairs to start preparing breakfast. "That's the best night's sleep I've had in awhile," the buck admits to the golden doe.

"If I didn't know better, I would think you wished to include me in a harem," the buck teases as he finally slips out of his bed and starts getting dressed. "Sorry for keeping you up late. I hope you found the evening enjoyable."

"Mmm-hmmm," Springer says, and gives Layth a kiss before heading out. She keeps a stash of spare clothes in Aaron's big walk-in closet, conveniently.

"I'm glad we weren' married," Tasha remarks to Calligenia as she slips into a dress and adjusts how it hangs. "I'd 'ave never gotten a good nigh' sleep. You may be cute an' brown, bu' we'd 'ave never worked out."

"Pillows are hardly dangerous though," Calligenia points out. She finishes her stretches, and then leaves to find fresh clothing for the day - leaving yesterday's clothes on the floor. She isn't quite used to not having servants to deal with these things still.

Layth spends a few more minutes trying to make himself look presentable before he heads out of the bedroom and down the stairs. "I hope both of you behaved last night with no one to keep you out of trouble," he comments to Aisha and Aaron, then yawns.

"Slept like logs," Aaron claims, as he gets the kettle going and prepares a brew of mint tea.

Aisha is at the stove, looking a bit odd in her Zolk night robe while wearing a heavy cloth apron. She sets a skillet on the burners, and starts chopping some vegetables. "Good morning Layth. How was your night?" she asks.

Tasha steps out as well, then heads down stairs to help the cooking by readying the eggs. "We don' 'ave a lot o' time to eat, me Karnors are goin' to wan' to be ou' o' there as soon as they can be," she says over her shoulder as she rummages around.

"If the ritual has finished yet," Aaron notes, and shows Tasha where the eggs are kept in the ice-box. Not many Lapis eat eggs – but they do use them in baking.

His answer to that is to walk over, hug Aisha from behind, then kiss the side of her neck. "It was relaxing and enjoyable," the buck adds as he lets go. "The Snowshoes were very kind, even if the elder woman did try to adopt me several times before we finally left. And Spring Meadow is also quite charming when she finally lowers the walls she puts around herself."

Aisha smiles back to Layth. "You are sweet. Would you like an omelet with eggs, or one with batter?"

"Me'thinks Layth is becomin' more the Lapi an' less the kitty everyday, aye," Tasha whispers aside to Aaron, not really making any effort to really try and hide it. She takes the eggs over to the stove, then picks up a pan and begins breaking eggs into it. "Me mum once broke a man's skull with one o' these," she remarks to no one in particular.

Calligenia and Spring Meadow arrive next. "It must have been a 'Roc' egg," Springer jokes. Seeing the crowd in the kitchen, Calligenia starts setting the table instead of help with the cooking.

"Surprise me," Layth tells Aisha as he goes to help Calligenia set the table. With a sidelong glance to Aaron as he goes, he notes, "We also discussed you and you cousin a bit."

"Roc egg, haw." Tasha stops at three eggs, and asks, "Anyone wan' an omlet? Goin' to make me one then pass the pan to you bunny-types, never much cooked for Lapi."

"He's more of a rabbit than all of us put together," Aaron whispers back to Tasha, and starts slicing bread. "There might be some leftover slices of Bromthen hog in the ice box, Tasha." Looking to Layth, he puts on an expression of innocence. "What could have talked about then? There's not much to me."

Aisha holds her hand out for Tasha's eggs, saying, "I will prepare the omelets, Abu Dhabi style, Tasha. You sit down."

Spring Meadow sneaks in a pat on Layth's rear as she passes him to get the teacups.

Tasha raises an eyebrow, but hands over the pan. "As you like, princess," she says, then walks over and sits down, yawning hugely.

"I do not often get to cook," Aisha notes. "And while I do not know many dishes, this is one I have had much practice with."

"That you do not defend yourself enough and let people take advantage of you," Layth explains, "And your cousin is worse; he runs off with strange women." Spring Meadow finds her own backside patted in retaliation as she passes by Layth. To Tasha, he asks, "Do you think they allowed your harem to sleep any last night?" The buck grins.

"I dunno, bu' I hope so. An' wha's this abou' men bein' bad for runnin' off with strange women?" The Vartan grins at Layth, gesturing around at the collection of strange women Layth and Aaron happen to have ended up with.

"He ran off with a reptile," Layth points out to Tasha. "Cold hearted, they are."

"I don't think I'm taken advantage of," Aaron notes, as he pours everyone some mint tea. "It's important for me to be approachable in my business, after all." He then blinks, and says, "And giving some discounts to pretty girls is just good business. It keeps them coming back, after all."

"Reptile? I 'eard it was with a 'uman too – mus' 'ave a thing for the smooth-sided sorts," says Tasha to Layth. She shrugs a little. "Never 'ad much o' a run with the lizard-types, don' come 'ere 'as often wha' with the War."

"The seem no different than other people to me," Aisha comments from the kitchen, where she's now mixing something in a bowl. Springer seems to agree with Layth though. "They seem creepy. The ones that become mages, I mean. Always going into the Ethereal Spheres… never blinking… "

"Nothing wrong with smooth skin… or scales… " Aaron notes, and returns to the kitchen to prepare toast.

"And provides pretty things to look at during the day?" Layth teases. "Is that why you have Spring Meadow keep clothing here?" He then shrugs and resumes helping set the table, adding, "I only know them from trades. They are not to be trusted."

Grinning, Springer whispers to Layth and Tasha, "I've seen Aaron bring little gifts to the new Dean of Life on Caroban. She's a human."

"Mus' run in the family," Tasha whispers to Layth, nodding at Aaron.

"She keeps clothes here because she's always getting dirty in the garden," Aaron notes. "And probably just so she can use the bath at that!"

"And not because you find her beautiful? Tsk. You should have your vision checked," Layth chides. At Springer's comment about the human and gifts, his brow goes up. "I will remember that to tease him later with… "

The sounds of sizzling come from the stove now, as Aisha prepares the omelets. Aaron brings out some bowls of butter and honey for the bread, and finally sits down as well. "I imagine you'll want to head for Gateway now, right Tasha?" he asks. He blinks at Layth, and says, with a finger pointed upwards for emphasis, "I find all women beautiful, Layth, just as all flowers are beautiful in their own way."

"And yet you let the one you desire most escape your garden," Layth points out and taps the buck's nose.

"'E's very diplomatic," Tasha remarks at Aaron's declaration, then she nods to him. "Best we be off as soon as we can be. We've made more o' a mark 'ere than I wan'ed, an' as nice as the people who 'ave 'elped us are, I'm no' goin' to risk trus'in' them more than we 'ave to. Bes' we be off an' through Gateway before anyone knows we're gone."

"I would not have stopped her even if I could have," Aaron notes, a bit more quietly, and spreads some honey on a piece of toast. "She has to be who she is."

"I did not say you should try to stop her, just that you do not express yourself enough," Layth notes as he gets a piece of toast now. "Who here is remaining behind and who is coming to the gateway?" he now asks.

Aisha comes out with several dishes, serving Tasha and the bucks first; egg omelets (although they could nearly be souffles) with potatoes, onions and peppers mixed in, and wrapped around a center of kyootcumber salsa to make it extra spicy.

"Since you must go to Abu Dhabi first, I will at least be going with you to that point," Aisha comments. "I certainly can't go to another world without my father's approval first."

Tasha eyes the meal, then waggles her fork at Aisha. "This isn' bad at all, I think I misjudged ya," she admits, before digging in.

"Well, I'll have to go of course," Aaron says. Calligenia nods as well.

Aisha smiles at Tasha's compliment, and returns to the kitchen to work on the next batch.

"I'd love to go," Spring Meadow says, "but I have too much work here that I can't just abandon… and I admit to being a bit afraid of going to world where my magic wouldn't work at all."

"I imagine your father would approve you going as long as I attended you," Layth comments as Aisha leaves. He also now tries a bit of the omelet, then has to admit, "I haven't eaten as good as I have in this city … ever."

"With so many people from all over the world, Rephidim tends to have the best restaurants," Aaron notes. "So long as you avoid the food carts in the Bazaar."

"I'll pro'ly be stayin' on Abaddon a while, so I may no' be comin' back with any o' you. You'll wan' to think on 'ow long you wan' to stay, an' for wha', an' 'ow you migh' get back. I'll 'elp you 'owever I can, bu' I think me destiny lies with the Expedition," says Tasha, who has finished half her omlet in a remarkable amount of time.

Aisha is back soon enough with the dishes for the does, which are the same save for replacing the eggs with crepes.

"Have you spoken to your Mother and Captain about that, Tasha?" Calligenia asks.

"Would you at least be interested in seeing Abu Dhabi?" Layth asks Spring Meadow. "You should visit the hanging gardens there; they are a sight I believe you would appreciate."

"Aye," Tasha answers. "Me mum was worried, said I'd gotten me 'ead full o' magic an' religion, messin' aroun' with First Ones an' such, but she came aroun' when I explained it a bi'. Captain Eyeshine wen' along with me mum – 'e doesn' stan' a chance if she's already decided on somethin'. I said I'd come back sooner or later, bu' i' migh' be a few years."

"I've seen them!" Meadow enthuses. "I'd love to go again, but even for that I'd need to get someone to cover for me here. I'll have to look into it when I return to the College this morning."

"I understand," Layth notes as he resumes eating, "And if you will not be going, well … perhaps we can at least arrange something to be sent back as a souvenir." The buck twirls his fork, then adds, "I have to go to Abaddon at least to make sure Tasha doesn't kill herself along the way by accidentally insulting someone… "

"And to watch after me?" Calligenia asks. "I know that my mother asked you to."

"Oi, 'e acts like I'm no' the careful one now. 'E's the mad 'are tha' wan'ed to touch the artifacts," says the Vartan in a amused tone. "'Sides, I'll 'ave the Karnors with me. You keep your eyes on the buns – I know you like to anyway!"

"Of course I have to watch after you. I just do not mention it for fear it may anger you," Layth notes to Calligenia with a grin.

"We will all be going into unknown territory," Aaron notes, skewering a chunk of potato. "We had best be sure to bring along anything we think we can't live without. There are no Lapis on Abaddon, after all."

"With a few more bucks and does … in a couple years that could be corrected," Layth quips. "Though, in a more serious note … there is little I need to survive. I am used to living on the road with little in the way of supplies."

"Food may be a pro'lem. Accordin' to the Karnors, there are 'umans, Karnors, Vartans, the bird-types like Korvs, Naga, spotties, an' um, righ', Eeee an' Vykarins. No' much for the non-meat eatin' sorts there, migh' make gettin' a round meal a trick for you all," Tasha warns.

"That's just it… there is no 'road' there, as far as I know," Aaron says. "The wild flora and fauna of that world are inimical to us. The Expedition city should have food, of course."

"I did not expect we would be going beyond the boundary of the city. What purpose would that serve?" Layth asks.

"Well, the Karnors want to report to their base… on one of the moons!" Aaron says. "I don't know how you'd get to one of them."

"Expedition City is said to be apart from the Gateway, connected by some sort o' machine travel. They pro'ly 'ave airships too, so tha's a rout. As for goin' away from cities, we don' know wha' the future 'olds, an' we still 'ave to find a way to reach Sheol," explains Tasha.

"Then we should pack dried foods that will survive a long time. I recommend we obtain those in Abu Dhabi. We should not purchase any goods until the last minute so they last longer on Abaddon," Layth suggests.

"The Fenris got 'ere from Sheol some'ow, an' Sinai's the worse o' the bunch o' planets as far as I know. Migh' be we can find another Fenris on Abaddon an' use tha', or even a Titan. The Themis Skoll was able to go beyon' the clouds, even damaged as i' was, so tha' migh' be enough," Tasha suggests. Her meal now done, she wipes her muzzle and stands up. "We'd bes' be off soon, at any rate. Ready, aye?"

"I suppose we should check on them. Aaron had best bring another gift in case the mage is in a mood again," Layth suggests as he stands now. "Or perhaps we could just offer them Tasha in trade… Pet demon."

"Oi, she 'ad 'er way wit' me already," Tasha groans.

"I always wondered about Latania… " Springer mutters.

"Now I feel left out," Layth mock-complains. "I suppose I must settle with being examined by an earth mage… "

---

Examination Room
While the School of Life at the old College Esoterica campus on Rephidim is not a full-fledged hospital, it does often serve as one. Still, the primary function of the compound is teaching and research, and the examination rooms reflect that. The examination bed itself is mounted in the center of the room and can be adjusted to deal with various body shapes and sizes. This includes the restraints. The floor of the room has a drain set it in, and the walls are lined with cabinets and boxes and carts and ominous-looking collections of tools. There are no windows, and sterile white light is produced by square patches in the ceiling. Mobile, presumably magic-powered lamps are also scattered about, so that light can be brought to bear wherever it might be needed.

Once again, Tasha and most of the Lapis return to the College Esoterica grounds (Calligenia being absent, due to her need to finish some other business). Spring Meadow has separated from them to visit the Guild Offices, leaving Aisha, Aaron and Layth to accompany the half-Vartan. They are led to the same room where Tasha and the Karnors were examined before, where Dr. Caravelli waits. "You came back!" he barks when Tasha arrives.

"Wha', did you think I'd leave you 'ere?" Tasha wags at the doctor, then steps forward to offer him a hug. "'Ow are you an' the others?"

"Yes, she wasn't pleased with the price they offered for you and came to renegotiate," Layth explains in deadpan. "She feels they over-paid… "

At this, Tasha tries to kick Layth, but is too busy hugging the sore doctor.

"I feel horrible," Remiel complains. "But the deer gave me a clean bill of health… wait, are you serious?" he then asks after Layth's little joke.

"No, I am teasing Tasha," Layth explains.

"No," Tasha insists, looking between Layth and Remiel. "Layth's jus' foun' 'is sense o' humor an' is showin' i' to everyone like a cub with a new toy. Don' you mind 'im. I'd never leave any o' you – you're me unofficial pack."

"Oh," the Karnor says, relaxing a bit. "I need some coffee. I mean… Mateh. But the nurse said I can't have any for another day. I've never felt so… flushed out and empty. And the others are still in there being worked on too."

"What exactly did they do?" Layth asks as he finds a chair and settles down for a moment.

"Don' worry, I'll fill you all up again with somethin' meat-like," the Vartan insists to the doctor, patting him on the shoulder. She takes a moment to inspect him, too, making sure he really is okay.

"I was knocked out for most of it, thankfully," Remiel relates. "But for some they woke me up and had me do various exercises and… odder stuff. It was like being given a field sobriety test almost. Oh God, what did you have for breakfast Tasha? Your breath is making my stomach growl."

"She ate Calligenia. It was terrible," Layth offers.

"She was too spicy," Tasha agrees.

"Really?" Caravelli asks. "I'd have gone for the little plump gray one… "

"Oi, she's next," Tasha agrees to that, too. Then she grins a bit and explains, "Aisha made us some omelets, turns ou' she 'as some sort o' princess-y cookin' skills."

"I already ate her," Layth notes with a small shrug, then grins.

Aaron has remained quiet so far, leafing through some papers given to him by the attendant that led them here.

"Wait… princess?" Remiel asks. "I thought the scary one was the princess?"

"What is that?" Layth inquires of Aaron and leans over, trying to see the papers.

"I am not a princess," Aisha notes.

"I need to teach you 'ow to take a joke, Remy. They mus' no' 'ave 'ad 'umor where you come from," Tasha says with a amused sigh.

"But she enjoys being served." Layth adds.

"Hmm… Health report," Aaron notes to Layth. "Caravelli was the youngest, so had the least problems… but he's still physically aged a few years more than he should be. The other two have bigger problems." He points to a few words in the report, and says, "Little cancers all over the place. Bone problems. Nothing that can't be fixed though."

"I have a fine sense of humor," Caravelli claims. "I went right along with the bunny-eating joke, didn't I?"

"Are they going to fix it?" Layth asks, "And … for how much?"

"Oi, tha' you did," Tasha agrees, patting Remiel and then tossing an arm around his neck as she turns to face Aaron. "So, wha' cancer? Bone pro'lems? You said it can be fixed, righ'?"

"They're still in there, and Latania said they'd take care of anything they came across," Aaron points out. "Best not to put a price on it right now."

"The cost isn't just yours to bear, Master Lightfoot," Layth points out, "I will not have you suffering expenses that are not your duty."

"It is a condition where groups of cells in the body begin reproducing like mad, depriving healthy tissues of nutrients," Caravelli explains. "It's like having a piece of your body become a little monster that's trying to eat you from the inside out."

"What?" Aaron asks. "I'm not paying for any of this; Calli is. I couldn't afford this stuff if I sold everything I owned."

"Is Calligenia paying for it out of duties to Gods?" Layth inquires next.

Tasha rubs at her head with a free hand. "Sounds li' a drink I tried in Un'erside once," she says, grimmacing. Glancing to Aaron, she asks, "Can Calli really afford all this?"

Aaron shrugs. "You can ask her. But I figured she was just doing it for Tasha and for the promise of new trading opportunities."

"I feel bad I 'it 'er with a pillow this mornin', now," says Tasha quietly, sounding guilty.

"Ah, then she will just kill Tasha should the trade fall through," Layth says solemnly. "You had best make sure her trade arrangements succeed."

"Well, she's not paying the full rate, since this ritual officially never happened, and the Karnors officially never came here," Aaron notes. "She'll have to cover the material costs though, which are considerable. I should know; I supply this stuff. Just be thankful that they're getting care usually reserved for heads of state at a bargain."

Tasha's ears wilt at that. "She jus' migh', you know 'ow Amazonians can be. Bu' if we mus', we 'ave means to repay 'er. 'Opefully our contact with the Expedition is 'as positive 'as I'm 'opin', an' they're also open to 'avin' a shrine."

"And really, I guess the Karnors are paying for it too," Aaron points out. "The bulk of the money came from the sale of some of the Fenris artifacts to certain collectors. All in all, it's about enough to have purchased a brand new airship, I imagine."

"I imagine their lives were worth more than the old parts," Layth has to concede. "I cannot imagine being so intimately examined, though."

"We'll, I'll get meself one some day," Tasha insists, trying to sound positive. "'Sides, no' like we can take it through the Gateway. Migh' be there'll be a chance for one on te other side, or better."

"After so long, I don't know how much of our original equipment and technology would have survived," Caravelli says. "But then, the Fenris should not have lasted as long as it did either. These worlds are strange."

Aisha whispers to Aaron, who gives her brief, quiet reply. The golden doe's ears go pale and her eyes go wide, before she goes to the bench to sit down.

"Aye, tha' they are, an' I grew up 'ere. I'll be glad to see wha' Abaddon looks like – migh' be the big man 'imself will say 'ello," says the ex-Herald. "I've 'eard they 'ave technology tha's even better than Chronotopia's, which is somethin', since they make some o' the bes' non-drawn airships in the world."

"As if talking to magic bunnies didn't convince you of that already," Layth has to point out.

"Are you okay?" the Karnor asks Aisha, and presses some fingers to her forehead. "I'm fine!" Aisha snaps, coming back to her senses. "I was just… taken aback… by… math."

"Oi, I'm often taken down by math too," Tasha sympathizes.

"Money is the only thing that will silence her," Layth offers.

"Luckily Calligenia's funds are not easily traceable, due to the nature of some of her clients," Aaron notes. "And it would be impossible to actually carry that much cash anyway."

Glancing at Remiel, Tasha asks, "'Ow long will the others be, did she say?"

"The deer? She just had me taken out so they wouldn't be distracted by me," Caravelli admits.

"What were you doing to them?" Layth asks.

"Let's see… given the number of mages working on it… " Aaron mutters. "Another four hours at least, at this altitude," he speculates.

"Pro'ly scholarin' them up," Tasha tells Layth. She then glances at the Karnor again, and asks, "I 'ave a reques' for you: do you think you coul' teach me abou' Expedition bits? Educate me, 'as we travel?"

"I wasn't doing anything beyond trying to keep the back of my hospital gown closed," Caravelli admits. "And… maybe asking about food and water… "

The Biophysicist eyes Tasha and runs his fingers through his hair. "Well… I don't know where to start. I mean, you don't need to actually understand how things work, right?"

"Can you eat or drink anything, or are you supposed to fast?" Layth inquires next, "Because if it will be another four hours, we should get you lunch."

"I' migh' 'elp, bu' if you think I shouldn' know, then I can live with no' knowin' for now," the woman answers. She shrugs a little, and smiles, "I'll figure it ou' sooner or later, I will."

"They told me I couldn't have solid food for another day – or anything spicy. Or stimulating. Or salty. Or sweet!" the man says, sounding more despondent with each recited restriction. "The nurse was going to get me some sort of gruel… "

"Ah, then we will have to wait. Sorry," Layth apologizes. "And I should learn as we travel too, in order to be more useful. My medical skills could use improvement."

"Hmm, if they're going to be on special recovery diets, we'll need to plan for that," Aaron notes. "I'll go look for that nurse," he says, and exits the room.

"Layth's the 'eal with laughter' sort o' doctor. You get 'urt, an' 'e laughs at you," Tasha confides to Remiel.

"I only laugh at you, Tasha," Layth claims.

Aisha pats the Karnor on the shoulder. "Do not worry, Doctor," she says. "You have that pretty Jupani woman to spoon feed you until you get your strength back." This does cause the man's tail to wag a little.

"Lies, you laugh at Aaron too," Tasha insists.

"I laugh with Master Lightfoot," Layth claims.

Tasha just shakes her head, then grins at Remiel. "I 'ad no idea you were so good with women, Remy, 'specially younger women. Why, you coul' be 'er ancient ancestor – you're robbin' from the future cradle, you are." She then pulls him into a shoulder hug.

"I hope I can get drunk after this too," Remiel comments. "To celebrate. Or just to forget the feeling of… invisible things touching me inside… " The Karnor shudders at the memory. "The half-naked priestesses made it much more comfortable."

"We all miss the 'alf-naked priestesses," agrees Tasha, smiling.

"I never saw them," Layth complains.

"Aren't you a priestess of sorts now, Tasha?" Aisha asks pointedly. Or perhaps to focus attention away from the idea of half-naked Lapi women.

"Well I've been 'alf naked, too," Tasha replies to Aisha. Then the Vartans ears go askew, and her brows raise. "Oh, oi, you mean in general-like? Aye, I s'pose I am, o' a sort. I'm no' sure they still think o' me as a 'Erald, bu' the High Priestess was a bi' vague abou' tha'. Either way, I'm takin' Abaddon's will to, well, Abaddon, so I s'pose I'm also a pilgrim or a, wha's the word, religion-bringer."

"No excitement," Remiel says. "I'm not to get excited or agitated." Just then, Aaron returns with an attendant rolling a service cart – a cute Rath'ani girl.

"Missionary," Aisha offers to Tasha.

"Tha's righ', I'm a missionary. 'Sides, learnin' wha' I 'ave, 'specially abou' the machines, is very much Abaddon's works," Tasha agrees.

"So, you have accepted a missionary position," Layth observes and rubs his chin. "Fitting, yes."

At that, Tasha just rolls her eyes. "'E's really a bunny af'er all," she sighs.

"What?" Layth asks, "It is a fitting position for a herald."

"Uh-huh," is all Tasha has to say to that statement.

"If you are seeing more in that statement, then perhaps you need to be cleansed," Layth points out, "I am sure the life mage would do so for a fee."

"Well, what would you like, sir," the raccoon nurse says to Dr. Caravelli, and raises the lids of varies items on the tray. "We've got warm pink stuff. Hot green stuff. Or this cold wobbly gelatin stuff with… uh… chunks in it. Also, you get a choice of a spoon or a straw!"

"I'm jus' goin' to no' 'ear you for righ' now," Tasha tells Layth, before promptly walking with Remiel to the cart and peering at the food with a grimace.

"That looks like food you use to torture someone," Layth has to admit and wince.

The Karnor doesn't even try to smell it. "Ah… hospital food is truly universal I see," the man laments. The nurse is already pouring a large glass of water, and comments, "You need to drink this all down, and then fill this specimen cup. It's special water, so it should go right through you!"

"I'd try the green stuff," Aaron offers. "Anything that green probably has an enchantment on it of some sort."

"What if it turns him green?" Layth asks. "Just looking at it is making my ears green… "

"I' sort o' looks like some o' the fluid from The Fenris," Tasha admits, frowning at the stuff.

"Fine, I'll have the hot slime," Remiel says. The overly happy Rath'ani ladles some into a bowl and hands it over, along with a wooden spoon. "Be sure to finish it all!" she says perkily.

"It might finish him," Layth whispers to Aisha.

Tasha lest Remiel go, as much to give him room to eat as to evade the hot goo. "So, we're all set with transport. The Rake is standin' by for us, an' we should begin loadin' it in the next few days."

The nurse's striped tail waves as she pushes the cart out and leaves the group. Caravelli scoops up some of the stuff with his spoon, and gives everyone a pleading look before sticking it in his mouth. His face goes through several expressions: first disgust, to be replaced by confusion and then surprise.

"Calli may have some things left to trade in Abu Dhabi also," Aaron notes, not paying attention to the Karnor and his meal.

"Are you … goin' to need to see the 'ead now … ?" Tasha akss the doctor cautiously.

"I will have to stick close to her if she does. I must make sure she does not lose her temper," Layth tells Aaron. "One of my assigned duties from Tyche."

The spoon pops out of Remiel's mouth, and then dives back into the bowl. The wolf gulps the stuff down as fast as he can scoop it now.

"Well, I guess he was hungry enough that even green goo is appealing," Layth suggests.

Caravelli ends by licking the bowl clean. "That was… it was… " he tries to say, and then looks confused again. "It was good, but for the life of me I can't remember what it tasted like."

"Soun's li' magic to me," remarks Tasha as she peers at the bowl suspiciously.

Remiel is busy gulping down the water now.

"That really hit the spot," Caravelli finally says after he's gulped the last drop. "I wish… urp!" Then he's up on his feet, specimen bottle in hand, and running for the door…