It is a fair trek up the coast from the harbor, but the Lapis, Tasha and Sylvester the Khatta arrive at the home of Aaron's brother by early evening. A coney met near the gate runs to the main house to inform the family of the arriving guests.

"Brother!" booms the voice of Alexander as he greets Aaron in the courtyard. Even taller than Layth, and pitch black save for a white patch on his throat, the elder Lightfoot picks up his brother and gives him an warm embrace, and even a kiss. "It has been too long! And you've brought guests, including our dear cousin Aisha and a demon!"

Layth is briefly taken aback by meeting a Lapi taller than himself; a rarity in these lands. As he usually does, he sort of steps back, allowing the others to initiate greetings and pleasantries. Speak when spoken to, he was taught.

Tasha snorts at being called a demon again. "Oi, no' a demon you," she insists loudly, hand on her hip and ears erect.

"I believe Lady Tasha is likely a Vartan-Jupani hybrid," Layth offers quietly. "I've seen such strange creatures before in other lands."

The tall Lapi lets Aaron go (who promptly falls on his tail) and bows to Tasha. "A thousand pardons, milady," he says in his deep voice. "Please forgive me for succumbing to your exotic visage, which clouded my reasoning."

"Err, yeah," Aaron says as he gets back up and dusts off his pants. "Allow me to introduce Calligenia Circerae of Dianus, Sylvester Al-Hasbeen the merchant, Tasha… Tasha the sailor, and Aisha's attendant Layth."

"Well, I … s'pose s'all right," Tasha relents, nodding appreciatively. She tilts her head as she inspects the bowing man. "You're a righ' looker yourself, you are. Don' see where lil' Lightfoot connects."

Alexander scoops up Aisha next, giving her a kiss on the forehead, then gives Layth a big hug as well. "Such an interesting group you have brought to dinner!" the big buck says, and then kisses the back of Tasha's hand. "Please, come in and be welcome!"

Layth, rather shocked by getting picked up and hugged, let's out a surprised squeak. He recovers and straightens his vest, saying, "It is an honor to meet you, sir. And thank you for the invitation into your home and meal."

"Everyone, this is my older brother, Alexander," Aaron says in a much quieter voice.

Sylvester shakes Alexander's hand, although it is a two-handed clasp. "Thank you for your generous hospitality, Master Lightfoot," the Khatta says.

Tasha watches the man kiss her hand with a raised brow suspicious look, apparently never having had anyone do that to her before. "'Es a right fine one, an' dinner too! Won' the crew be jealous o' me." When Alexander releases her hand Tasha rubs it, as if still not quite sure what to make of the gesture.

"Just follow me!" Alexander says, and leads the way into the house through one of the many open archways. The interior is incredibly chaotic - tapestries of all sizes, shapes and subjects hang from the walls or are used as curtains, while a cacophony of colorful (and expensive) rugs cover the floor. Sitting cushions are scattered around or piled into nests and forts, and a large central table is already being filled with platters of food. The source of all the chaos is fairly obvious as well, as at least a dozen coneys sit and fidget around the table.

Aisha takes Layth by the upper arm, and whispers to him, "Don't be afraid to push a few coneys aside to make room. Meals here are like small battles."

Layth looks around the room in apparent awe. "Ah, thank you, Lady Aisha," he says, momentarily sounding a bit distant. "I've just … never been in such a place before. I feel … very out of place here; I don't belong."

The five wives of Alexander finish setting out the food, and cluster around him near the head of the table. Aaron is pulled down to sit amidst them as well. "Everyone, sit and eat before it is all gone!" Alexander urges. The coneys are already grabbing up most of the fruit.

Layth motions to one of the sitting cushions and says, "After you, Lady Aisha. You should sit before I do."

Aisha nods to Layth, and takes her seat, batting at a paw reaching for the nearby plate of figs. Calligenia finds a seat near one of the wives, and is smiling happily at the sight of all the children. Sylvester finds a spot midway along the length of the table, between two does that seem unable to stop giggling.

The hybrid hardly needs an invitation to start eating. When your meals are sometimes dry as a bootstrap, and cheap bar room fare can be considered a luxury, truly good cooking is a treasure you can't pass up. "Ou' of me way, ye' vermites," she says as she nudges children to give her room. Her expansive wings and odd appearance seem to do more to clear her a space than her urging.

Once Tasha is settled in though, the children's curiosity kicks in, and the Vartan is subjected to tugs on her feathers and clothes, and also the indignity of being petted.

Carefully, Layth nudges one of the coneys aside and sits down beside Aisha, then tells the child, "A thousand pardons, but I must sit." He politely gathers a few figs and other vegetarian items for himself and comments to Aisha, "You have quite the extended family." He also can't help but smile to the nearby children.

"That is my cousin Barika," Aisha replies, nodding toward the youngest looking of Alexander's wives. She pours herself and Layth some plum wine from a nearby carafe.

"Ah. Is she recently married to him?" Layth asks, then looks at the cup handed to him in a rather peculiar and confused manner.

As part of a large family herself, Calligenia seems the most at home amidst the crowd, and even shares her food with a coney that looks barely old enough to walk that has taken up residence in her lap.

When it comes to eating or dealing with harassment, Tasha seems to chose eating. As the only female on a ship full of males, harassment is constant for Tasha. Good food, however, is much more rare. She does growl, which with her eating and getting petted makes her resemble an angry, hungry – and busty – dog.

"They were married a bit over a two years ago," Aisha says. "It was then that I met Aaron and learned that women can own businesses on Rephidim."

"Which your father doesn't approve of," Layth says, sounding apologetic. He finally takes a small drink from the cup and says, "I feel I should have poured the wine for you … not the other way around. I … heh, I apologize, Lady Aisha. I'm just used to serving."

"I don't need to be pampered and fussed over," Aisha says to Layth. At the end of the table, Aaron is being pampered and fussed over by the wives, and looks incredibly embarrassed about it.

"No one needs it; it's a way of showing honor and respect for someone," Layth notes quietly, then takes a bite from a fig.

The children around Tasha aren't the only ones interested in her, as something bites down on the end of her tail.

Tasha's ears shoot up when she's bit! She whips around – possibly knocking several people over with her wings, and exclaims, "Oi, whut!?" while reaching for her whip.

Sylvester makes the best of the vegetarian fare, nibbling on a vegetable kabob and having commandeered a bowl of some sort of cream-based dip.

At the sudden movement of Tasha, Layth tenses up, gripping the glass in his hand a bit too tightly … which promptly breaks into many pieces and spills plum wine over his plate!

Tasha's attacker gets whipped around at the end of her tail, causing even the bowled over children to laugh. By all appearances, the Vartan is being accosted by a toy. Several multi-colored balls are linked together into a vaguely serpentine body, ending in a head with a trumpet-shaped snout, into which the tip of Tasha's tail vanishes.

Tasha stares at her attacker, teeth grating, eyes narrowed. After a few seconds of this she blinks, wings sagging. "Whut's this?" She reaches with her non-weapon hand to poke at the "toy" curiously.

"Layth!" Aisha says, and pulls open the buck's hand to see if he hurt himself.

Beady recessed eyes look at Tasha from the 'skull' of the snake, and a few of the coneys converge on the creature… and begin to take it apart! The head finally lets go of Tasha's tail, letting out a mournful honk as it's carried off.

"Are you sure it's safe for them to be playing with an Arcadian Hooka?" Aaron asks his brother. "Of course!" is the reply, followed by a laugh. "They love Honk, and he's a very good babysitter."

Layth's hand is a bit of a challenge to pry open. He blinks, as his attention returns to Aisha and the dinner at hand. "Ah, I, I'm so sorry, Lady Aisha! Did I get any on you?" he inquires as his hand finally relaxes and opens. Thankfully a rather callused palm and fingers have spared him from any serious injury; just a few minor nicks which only show a small bit of blood.

"You need to relax more," Aisha chides Layth. "Nothing is going to hurt us here."

"Hookas make fine pets," Calligenia says, "so long as you do not expect too much from them."

Tasha mouths something, apparently unable to quite describe how she feels about being bitten by a creature that can be taken apart, then she simply shrugs. With that, she's back to gnawing on whatever she can capture for her plate.

"I, merp, guh," Layth says, actually stammering at this point. "I … never, this setting isn't what I am used to. I am sorry. Shall I wait outside?"

"Don't be silly," Aisha says, and tugs on Layth to get him to sit back down. "We'll get your clothes washed after dinner," she notes, since there are a few purple stains on Layth's pants from the wine.

"Are you a Nohbakim?" asks one of the older coneys next to Tasha. It's not clear whether the child is a boy or a girl though, despite being topless.

Layth starts carefully picking out the glass fragments from his plate to salvage the remaining food. "I never had much of a family life, not like this. Being here is an odd mix of feelings for me. Such joy and love at this table," he says in almost a whisper.

"My own family is much smaller, since my father only has one wife," Aisha tells Layth. "But sometimes it is nice to be in a big group of related people. It feels good."

"No' wha-hrum," Tasha responds, her words made unintelligible by both her accent and the way she won't stop chewing when she's talking.

To the larger conversation, Tasha adds, "Dro nn 'out 'arge family."

"My parents weren't like that, or this," Layth notes, finally satisfied that he's removed the bits of glass and resumes eating, albeit rather carefully.

"In Tizhar?" Aisha asks.

"No, I was born near the V … " Layth starts to say, then immediately stops. He smiles at her and adds, "But it's rather unimportant and I don't wish to bore you. The past is gone, cannot be changed, and need not bind a soul in the present, no?" He takes another bite from a fig, then follows it with a few select fruits.

It isn't long before the platters begin to empty, with so many hungry mouths. What little remains has a tendency to go airborne as bored children begin to throw things at each other. Alexander claps his hands to get their attention, and announces that the adults will retire to the parlor for dessert and to talk business.

After ravaging one last piece of bread and pouring down a glass of wine, Tasha wipes her mouth with the back of her hand before leaning back. "No-bake-em? 'owed you warm the bread then," she asks of the child that questioned her earlier.

"You'd kneed it?" the child guesses, then hops up and runs off with most of the other children, in order to avoid being on cleanup duty.

"Odd lil blighter, 'e is," Tasha remarks. Once she sees there's no more food to eat, she stands to join the others in the parlor. "Was a wunnerful meal, don' ge' tha' too often, I don't."

Layth arranges his plate so cleanup will be easy. He looks briefly distressed he's not going to help with cleanup, but stands and offers his non-cut hand to Aisha.

"But you seem so well-fed," Alexander says, looping his arm through Tasha's, with Layla, his second wife, on his other side. Aisha takes Layth's hand, and Aaron escorts Calli while Sylvester is brought along by Yasmin, wife number one. The parlor turns out to be a separate building, with open walls draped in gauze and loosely woven Zolk to keep out the bugs. There are small tables, cushions to sit on, a few water pipes and a large central pool to keep things cool (or perhaps to take a bath in if needed).

"Me mum owns a tavern, she does, an' she's always feedin' me when I'm in the Undersi'." the hybrid woman explains as she stands with Alexander. "The res' is muscle!"

"Shall we sit anywhere we choose, sir?" Layth inquires of Alexander as he looks over the various pillows and other assorted fineries.

Yasmin sets about lighting candles (some of which float on the water), while Alexander sits at one of the tables, and motions people to find seats. "Those who need to speak of business matters, sit with me. Those who seek to relax… well, do so as you see fit!" Sylvester and Calligenia sit next to Alexander and Layla, while Aaron picks a table that's close but not in the immediate conversation circle. Aisha seems undecided.

Layth seems to decide for Aisha, then, and guides her to a spot near Aaron; in the vicinity of the business conversation, but not directly part as of yet. "Please, Lady Aisha, sit," he says and motions to the cushion before her.

"Thank you, Layth," Aisha says, taking the offered seat. Aaron looks at the large buck from across the enameled table, as if sizing him up.

Tasha takes up a similar position to Aaron, though in her case she seems to do it just because it's a short step from where she left Alexander at the table. Once she plops herself down on an oversized cushion she sprawls backwards and lets her wings stretch. "A girl coul' ge' use to this!"

Aaron grins at Tasha, then leans back onto her chest. "Ah, nothing like a pair of warm, soft pillows after a long day. Don't you agree, Layth?"

Layth settles down into a kneeling position behind Aisha. "I am going to place my hands on your shoulders," he tells, her, then places them there. "All I ask of you, milady, is to relax," he says quietly, and then carefully starts to work his thumbs into the muscles lining the side of her neck. A firm touch, but mot a painful one. "I must admit, Master Lightfoot, all of this is a new experience for me. I am used to much more … simple," he says, not looking up to even notice where Aaron has decided to lean at the moment, and doesn't get the meaning.

Aisha blinks in slight surprise, but tenses up only for a moment before relaxing and muttering, in much the way a Khatta might purr.

"I see bodyguard isn't your only skill, Layth?" Aaron notes. "What else can you do?"

The hybrid woman looks down at Aaron, raises a brow, and then reaches an arm around his neck to trap him. Then she uses her free hand to muss up his hair and play with his ears. "I see wife connection now, I do," she remarks. "Takin' liberties."

Aaron acks and struggles just a bit, claiming, "It doesn't count if you're dressed." He gives up and scritches the Vartan's forearms instead, paying attention to Layth and Aisha.

"I'm a musician," the buck replies as his attention is mostly on Aisha's neck and shoulders now. "And until recently, I took care of my master's residence and personal appearance as needed."

"A personal groom and an entertainer?" Aaron asks, ears perking up. "What instrument do you play?"

"Where 'ave I 'eard tha' line before," Tasha remarks with a bit of a laughter. Unwilling to ruin her comfort by moving, she leaves Aaron where he is and lets him scritch her. "I be' 'e plays the wine glass, haw!"

"A lyre, sir," Layth replies, then huffs slightly as if remembering something. "Ah, yes, I also speak several languages. A necessity given my master was a trader. Khattan, Standard, Skeek and silent sign are all well known to me. If needed, I can even understand a bit of … " and he stops there, then adds quickly, "but that isn't important, as I know so little. I apologize for even mentioning it, sir." And at hearing Tasha's remark, the buck just shakes his head, looking a bit embarrassed.

"I'd like to hear you play sometime," Aisha remarks. While the other group continues to talk in hushed tones, Yasmin has managed to leave and return unnoticed. She bears a platter back to the parlor, and begins handing out mugs of hot xocholatl spiced with some sort of fruit brandy. "Dessert will be brought around soon," she reports, and shakes her head ruefully at the sight of Aaron being held like a stuffed toy.

"Most certainly, Lady Aisha," Layth notes as he runs his thumb down the back of her neck slowly, then back up and along the base of her ears.

While Aisha begins to melt, the other three wives of Alexander appear, bearing various bowls and pots. Aaron introduces them as Barika, Faizah and Hana, as they set out fondue pots, utensils, and bowls of whipped cream and chilled fruit.

In response to Yasmin's rueful expression, Tasha musses Aaron up a bit more. "'E, Lightfo-," Tasha glances at the many Lightfoots, frowns, then corrects, "-Arrow, you never tol' me you 'ad a rich older brother! An' look, Lacquer there's go' some talen', 'e does. You Lapi ain' so ba' as I once though'." Then, Tasha reaches out and dips randomly grabbed item A in to random sauce B, eating it with a bit of a wince.

"What about you, Master Lightfoot?" Layth inquires and pats Aisha's neck to try and alert her to the arriving food, then removes his hands. And now seeing Aaron's current predicament, he comments, "And a thousand pardons, but it seems the most powerful skill you have is to be accosted by large women… "

Sitting up, Aaron rubs his throat for a moment, then picks a strawberry to roll through a bowl of cream. "Oh, the small ones get their digs in too. As for what I do, I am an apothecary on Rephidim. I mix up medicines, herbs, and supply mages with what they need for their rituals." He eyes the strawberry, then offers it to Tasha.

"Well, you handle it with grace, but not so much dignity, sir," Layth observes. "But, at least you know when to bribe."

"Well, I can be charming if I want to be," Aaron asserts, dangling the berry over Tasha's nose.

Tasha eyes the strawberry, then leans forward to snap it up, grinning. "I'm partial to bribes meself," the woman says as she sits up afterwards.

Layth looks as it he wants to say something to that. But instead, he simply takes one of the fondue forks and impales some of the chilled berries. He dips them into a nearby fondue pot, then offers it to Aisha.

"So, you are originally from Abu Dhabi, then, Master Lightfoot?" Layth asks Aaron.

While Aisha nibbles on the offered berries, Aaron explains, "Not quite. My parents traveled extensively. Alexander was born in Abu Dhabi, but I was born in Olympia."

"Ah, that explains the differences, then," Layth notes and nods to Aaron. "Did you grow up there?"

"Olympia, I 'eard of tha'. S'very cul-tur-al, it is, wit them statues an' all those funny gods," says Tasha, before she reaches over and helps herself to some more strawberries.

"I… grew up in lots of places," Aaron says, and sniffs his mug of xocholatl before drinking any, as if he expected it to be drugged or something. "When I turned fourteen I was apprenticed to my uncle on Rephidim. That's how I became an apothecary, although most of the time I was off in some jungle or swamp."

"I've traveled a lot of places as well," Layth notes as he gathers more berries for Aisha. "But, for the most part of the past fifteen years or so, Abu Dhabi has been my home."

"Ship, sailor, travel – s'my life," adds Tasha. Spying Aaron's drink she looks around for her own.

"Is it a good life, Lady Tasha?" Layth inquires.

There is an extra-large mug set nearby for Tasha, it seems.

"You should see all of Aaron's scars," Aisha comments between bites. "He's got this cute one right on his butt… or so I've been told."

Aaron nearly chokes on his drink.

"Bit of a fighter, are you, Master Lightfoot?" Layth asks.

"Wha? Oh, no, it's not like that at all," the Lapi says once he has his breath back. "They're from… uh… accidents and animal attacks, mostly. And encounters with unfriendly natives."

Tasha snatches up her mug and takes a deep draw before answering. "It's a life, it is. Travel 'ere, travel there, Eyeshine says do this, an' do tha', an in between i's a bi' o' fun. Drive the pteras, I do – don' jus' carry this big whip aroun' for me 'ealth." As she speaks her eyes travel down Aaron's frame until she spots his rear, then she grins amusedly.

"I don't particularly enjoy fighting either," Layth says to Aaron, then nods to Tasha. "Ah, I was wondering about that whip, Lady Tasha. A thousand pardons, but I thought it was for pretending to be a succubus demon."

A figure breaks away from the business group, and comes over, placing a few fingers on Aisha's shoulder. "I have to send out some messages, Aisha," Layla says. "Do you want me to let your father know you will be staying the night?"

"A wu'," Tasha asks curiously as she glances at her whip.

"A demon who seeks out and seduces men to steal their power, Lady Tasha. Did you not know you look just like the Abu Dhabian version?" Layth inquires. "I thought you were trying to pretend to be that to influence people… "

While Aisha whispers to Layla, Aaron tries to scoot a little further away from Tasha, unsure how she'll take the news.

Tasha frowns at this revelation, at first. Considering how poorly she takes to being called a demon her reaction may not be a surprise. She makes a long, low, "hmm," fingers drumming along her whip handle.

"I will relay that, Aisha," Layla says, pulling away from her whispered conversation with the young doe and heading for a far corner of the parlor, where she begins clearing a space on the floor.

"I meant no offense, Lady Tasha. I am merely telling you the truth. I have seen an exact likeness of you printed many times and in many ways. Being owned by a trader … we've transported many exotic items," Lath says quickly. He then looks to Aisha and asks, "What did you tell her?"

"She will let my father know that I will be staying here tonight, and leaving in the morning," Aisha says, seeming to consider her words carefully.

After a moment, Tasha says, "I don' know abou' any power. They're atra'tive demons, these suc-u-bi?" Still frowning, she glances at Aaron and pulls him right back to her. "You knew all 'bout this, didn' you," she asks the buck.

"Leaving? Leaving to go home, or… ?" Layth inquires next, eyeing the doe nervously.

"Well, actually, it hadn't occurred to me until we'd already arrived in Abu Dhabi," Aaron says.

"Home, of course," Aisha promises, and pats Layth on the cheek while smiling.

Off in her corner, Layla begins to chalk out a ritual circle, and place one of the parlor candles in the center of it while chanting in that oh-so-hard-to-hear Lapi way of whispering.

"Uhh-huh," Tasha murmurs in response to Aaron. "I wan' see one o' these suc-u-bi," she then tells Layth, looking up. "Y'go' me all curious now. 'Course, I don' li' bein' call' a demon, makes me thin' people are makin' fun of me heritage – I'm jus' curious, s'all."

"I really don't know where one would find that sort of artwork," Aaron says.

"Really, there's a whole street devoted to that sort of thing," Aisha chimes in, shaking her head.

"Lady Aisha," Layth says, sounding rather unconvinced. "I have to go wherever you go; I am to protect you. That can mean I have to carry you there. Since you have now said you wish to go home, so be it. I will take it that is where you want to go, and I will be certain to get you there." He then glances at Tasha and smiles apologetically. "I cannot help you there anymore. Seek out a tavern in the more dangerous parts of town, perhaps?"

"Oi, I'd 'ave done tha' anyway if I had'n been wit' Calli. An' don' thin' I did'n' notice Aisha, either, min' you," Tasha explains before taking another sip and re-wrapping an arm around her "stuffed toy." "I ough' an' go see this stree' o' yours," she tells Aaron.

Aaron doesn't say anything, just looks a bit stunned. "Oh my, that's right… Layth, you'll have to sleep with Aisha and Calli tonight, and I'll take a room with Tasha. No way can she be left alone with those two."

Layth's head snaps to Aaron. "Sir I … a thousand pardons, but I would not be comfortable staying with Lady Circerae," he says quickly.

"Wa's tha' s'posed to mean," Tasha inquires suspiciously.

"But you're okay about being with me?" Aisha asks Layth.

"Of course, Lady Aisha. You are not an Amazonian," Layth tells her.

"The worse Calli will do is cuddle up and chew on your ear," Aaron says, as if it were nothing. "But if she does… do not try to wake her up. Nearly lost part of my ear when that happened… "

"What are you talking about?" Aisha demands of Layth. "I've shared a bed with Calli before. She doesn't turn into a monster at night."

Tasha suddenly grins at "I've shared a bed with Calli before," covering it with a sudden, deep drink.

"I am most sorry, and do hope you can forgive me, but I do not trust Amazonian women," Layth says, holding his hands up in placation.

"Although the bit about the ear chewing is good advice," the doe adds quietly.

"Well, I can't really disagree with Layth in general," Aaron admits. "You and I will have to share a room with Tasha then, with one of us sleeping next to the door."

Aisha just shakes her head, and says, "You are all crazy."

"S'not so bad," Tasha comments as she rolls the contents of her beverage around in her mug. She winks at Aisha.

"I can't leave Aisha's side, Master Lightfoot," Layth says and sighs. "I'll just stay awake tonight and watch over them, then."

"That's just silly, Layth," Aisha says. "You might as well sleep out in the hallway or something. We'll be perfectly safe on our own."

"Unless you try and sneak off in the morning to go to Amazonia, Lady Aisha," Layth points out. "I haven't forgotten the discussions we had coming over here… "

"I don't sneak," Aisha says, pouting. "I told you I will be going home from here in the morning."

"Oi, she's righ' Layth. Silly, it is." Tasha looks down. "Why, I ca' keep an eye on 'em both, an' anyone else. 'Course, better tell the cap'n I'm out 'ere."

"I think that's already being taken care of," Aaron says, and gestures towards Layla's corner. The doe is done with her spell, apparently, as three shadow-Korvs stand before her, one quite a lot bigger then the other, hand-sized ones. At a gesture from her, the three take flight, passing through the parlor curtains as if they didn't even exist (which, technically, the shadow-birds don't).

"And I have to make sure of that," Layth says and shakes his head. "Fine, I will stay with Lady Circerae and Lady Aisha."

Aaron looks to Tasha and smiles. "Uh, want me to do your hair tonight?" he asks the Vartan.

Tasha's ears flatten at the blatant display of magic, and a deep rumble emanates from her throat. She watches the shadowy Korvs depart warily and apparently missing Aaron's question altogether. Once the ghosts are gone she takes a long, hard, drink from her cup and makes the sign of the Star and Anchor across her chest.

Layth reaches over and takes Aisha's hand into his. "If we have a moment of privacy, Lady Aisha, I … I will explain my concerns to you fully. I have done a disservice and not been as forthright as perhaps I should have," he says quietly, casting a quick glance towards Calli.

Calligenia is standing up now, along with Alexander and Sylvester, and all of them are clasping hands and smiling, it looks like.

After taking a moment to recover, Tasha does answer Aaron. "I coul' use a walk after all tha' food, you wan' an' show me this street o' yours? The one wit' pictures o' me, it is – an' then we can talk 'bout doin' my hair."

"Me?" Aaron asks, only to have his brother walk up and slap him on the back. "Ah, show the lady around, Aaron. You can take the coach if you don't want her to fly you around," Alexander offers, grinning. "We were just going to have a little smoke and watch the girls dance, nothing you haven't done before."

"Of course, Layth," Aisha replies to her attendant, looking lost.