The formal elegance of the Imperial Palace rapidly falls away as Xander, Lilac, and Umeko journey out into the scaled wilds that is Nagai. All around them huge tiered buildings dwarf the streets. Not that the trio get a chance to see many of them right now. Wherever they try to go, they are mobbed by a menagerie of Jingai and Nagai, all wanting to meet the conquerors of Viper's Hold. Even Xander is getting his fair share of attention … a few of the reptilian women even invited him home for dinner. Of course, it was probably for the best he declined (at the insistence of both Umeko and Lilac).

To escape the crowds, Umeko slips into a clothier's shop recommended by their escort; one that claims to work in both Imperial and other styles, such as Jadaian formal dress. Inside various reptiles slink about, looking through racks of robes made to fit the slender bodies of Nagai, or robes built to fit the multi-limped Jingai. While the street noise still reaches them in here … it is much more muted.

Once inside, Xander takes a moment to catch his breath. "I could barely breath out there," he notes.

"That is because you keep holding your breath with the citizens lean into look at you," Umeko points out to Xander. The Kiriga walks a bit further into the ship as she looks about for an attendant.

"I've never seen so many reptile-people," Lilac admits, looking at the door she just skipped through. "They all smell so musty! And cold, like … a leather shoe." She scratches at her nose a moment, then adds, "Not that I don't like them! I do. Or, maybe I like them because they like me? I so like having a whole city that likes me!"

"That's because you're a bard," Xander notes.

"Greetingsss ssssmall mammal," comes a hiss from behind Lilac. A shadow arches over the human, then a broad-snouted head of a Naga curls down to peer into her face upside-down. A forked tongue tickles her nose as he (she? Hard to tell from this angle) speaks, "The merchandissse is the other way. Isss there sssomething in particular you are looking for?"

Umeko motions for Xander to come to her side. "A moment of your time, Mage Lightfoot," she says. A bit formal … unusual for her when she's talking to Xander.

"Yes, Umeko?" Xander whispers as he scoots over close to the Kiriga.

"Wow," Lilac says, bending backward until she can meet the Naga's eyes – if in an upside-down sort of way. She may not show it often, what with being so awkward and goofy, but Lilac really seems to be flexible. "I wish I could do that." She then sticks her own tongue out, wiggles it, and says, "I'm here with my friends to buy things! Souvenirs and … Oh! Those wooden wiggily Naga-toys! And flutes! Clothes! Food!"

Umeko's eyes flick to the Lapi at her side. "I have a question for you," she says, "Now that we are away from so many ears. The Emperor has granted me my own title and a small estate to go with it in Viper's Hold. That much you know. What I wanted to ask of you is, well … would you wish to be in my employment? I have taken you all over the world and in truth, you have little to show for it. With this granting … it would afford me a chance to pay you something."

"Err, well, I did have a bill for the Empire," Xander notes. "But if you want to offer me an actual position… I'd need to learn to speak Nagai, wouldn't I?"

The head draws back and the large python (perhaps only a bit smaller than Beshret was, if Lilac's memory serves her) slides around and coils down. "Well, we do not carry food here. Thisss isss primarily a clothing sssshop. But we may have a few ssssouvenirssss here and there people have used for trade"

"Would that be a problem for you? I'm asking for a selfish reason too," Umeko notes as he looks back into the room. "I wish for my friends to stay with me."

"Goodie!" Lilac's tail wags so much it begins to provide a gentle breeze for Umeko and Xander. "Please, show me the way! You have no idea how long I've wanted to go shopping without being glared at or attacked or cursed or what-have-you! I have been all over, and this is the first real relaxation I've had in ages!"

"I could… learn," Xander notes, smiling. "I mean, you could teach me! And of course I'll be sticking with you until this whole saving-the-world business is over. Are there any special requirements you need from me?"

"Yesss, well, do mind the tail. If you damage the fabrics, you purchassse the fabricsss," the Naga warns as he pulls back and glides through the rows of clothing. "Thissss way."

"A few," Umeko admits. "First, we need to get you attire appropriate for Nagai court. While your robes are decent, they lack … elegance. The second thing I would ask of you, is, well, for Anisa."

"I haven't damaged a priceless anything with it yet! All the priceless antiques I broke, I broke on purpose," Lilac insists to the Naga shopkeeper. She follows along, watching the Naga move with interest. "Do you get many, um, small mammal customers?"

"Errr, you want me to pick out clothes for her?" Xander whispers, wondering if the Nagai have lingerie…

"Usually only for lunch," the Naga comments, its lips drawing back into a mimic of a grin. In the back there are a few crates marked 'sale'. In them are piled an odd collection of trinkets and toys. The python picks up one what looks like a small plush snake. He squeezes it and a little tongue sicks out of its mouth and vibrates with a 'squee!' like sound. "Some tourists find these … cute," the Nagai notes.

"No, I need you to model for clothing made to Lapi proportions," Umeko admits, "Along with modeling for your own, of course. I was thinking you would look good in a tailored black and red kimono. The symbol of your sphere of magic upon its back and the crest of my family on its chest, just left of your heart."

Lilac eyes the grin with a raised brow, then her ears flatten and she shakes a finger. "You can't scare me with those eat mammal jokes. I've eaten mammals too, and I bit Beshret the Razor! He tastes awful." Her attention turns when the plushy is shown, and her ears suddenly shoot up. "Oooo," she squees, herself. "I'll take that! Is there more?"

"Oh, that sounds ni-… wait, you need me to model for Anisa?" Xander whispers, his ears folding back. "I'm… not really built the same. Or the same size even… "

"I will ask the tailor to fit you with appropriate padding to get the proportions right. After that, he can hopefully scale the material down appropriately," Umeko explains. "Any good tailor should be able to. Will you do it?"

The Lapi twitches. But… it's not like anyone would see that would actually care. The Nagai wouldn't, anyway. Lilac might tease him though… and Anisa certainly would if she learned. "Alright," he finally squeaks.

"Oh, then you have one of the mercenary toysssss already?" the Naga asks Lilac. "Very popular right now, of courssse." He lifts out another plush toy, this one of a large cobra. Apparently he at least knew of Beshret and assumes that Lilac 'bit' a toy of him, for surely a human wouldn't dare bite the real thing. "Boys often appreciate this one. It even hasss molting action… " The Naga demonstrates by pulling off the outer layer of 'skin' on the toy.

"And I have another favor to ask of you," Umeko tells the Lapi as she signals for one of the tailors to come to her.

"Ummm, okay?" Xander asks, figuring it can't be worse than modeling for women's clothes.

"What?" Lilac blinks at the question, then frowns a moment as she puzzles it over. "Oh, wait, no. I bit the real Beshret! Lilac, the Flower of Sylvania, that's me! We were on the Equalizer, we're the Emperor's guests! I fought him beside Lady Umeko and others, it was epic." She then leans over and picks up the mercenary toy, and giggles at it. A gesture that probably doesn't help her claim to having helped slay a famous warlord. "I bet Anisa would like this!"

"I need clothing that is more fitting to the lands outside of the Empire. Can you help me order some? I am not certain what is fitting for women to wear, other than what I have seen Anisa in," Umeko says. A slender serpent is now winding its way towards the pair.

"Oh, for Syl-… for Nordika," Xander says, and looks around the shop. "Warm clothing. I'd suggest layers, but that could impede your fighting moves… "

"Well, I will trust your opinions on that," Umeko says. When the serpent reaches them, she (it looks vaguely feminine), bows low. "Welcome to the Jewel of the Empire, specializing in the finest and most exotic clothes of the land," she says as she draws back up. "How may we serve you? You are already dressed in the most finest attire, Lady of Jadai. Surely … " The serpent stops, then leans into peer closely at the Kiriga. "Sssurely you are not… "

"Visitors," Umeko offers and holds up her hand, trying to keep the tailor quiet for a moment. "And it is not for me, it is for my friend," she explains, motioning towards Xander.

"Ah, of courssse. Isss this one of your conquests from the Viper's Hold? Perhaps one of those who sought to take our lands?" the Naga asks as it looks Xander over. "He looks to be a reasssonable pet, yesss."

Xander wilts slightly under the big serpent's gaze… and opinion.

The large Naga merely pats Lilac atop her head as if she were a small child. "Of courssse," he says. "Now, what elssse might amussse you," he comments as he looks a bit further. Several more goofy plush toys are moved aside (even a few with large, googly, eyes!). He draws out an oddly shaped musical instrument. "This is a Nagakazoo," he explains, "A cute toy for children. It makesss … well… " So, he demonstrates. It makes a rather peculiar hissing harmonic tone when blown through.

"Hmmmm," Lilac says, considering the instrument. "I think I'll take that too, and I definitely want to visit some of Nagai's concert halls. Maybe look into a instrument shop. Hmm. And an opera house, I heard Naga like opera." She rubs at her ear now, evidently lost in thought.

"No, this is Mage Lightfoot, a fire mage in my employ," Umeko corrects the tailor a bit brusquely. "He needs attire appropriate for his service as my primary adviser on the arcane."

"Ah, then forgive me. It is an honor to meet Mammal Mage Lightfoot," the tailor hisses and bows her head to Xander. "Remove all your clothesss and ssstand upon that box," she then instructs Xander and points to a crate surrounded by mirrors.

"Errr," Xander goes, looking around the shop. "That's… pretty exposed… isn't it?"

"Isss that a problem?" the tailor asks, looking for all the world confused.

The serpent tending to Lilac continues to look through boxes of 'sale' merchandise. The next thing the python shows her is an odd set of attached drums. Each one makes a different tone, though all are low tones. "Popular with Jingai of the four limbs," the Nagai offers.

"Wellll," Xander starts to say, then takes a deep breath. He goes over to the crate, and starts disrobing. It's not like Umeko has anything to compare me too… unless something happened with Long Shadow he rationalizes.

Umeko actually watches for a little bit. Right when he gets to his underwear, though, she abruptly turns away, offering him some privacy. The tailor gives Umeko a quizzical look, then returns her attentions to the Lapi. She raises her hands and claps them three times, hissing out something in Imperial.

Xander nearly jumps at the sudden clap.

There's a chorus on hisses in reply and nearly a dozen garters come slithering over to Xander. Without even a 'by your leave', the serpents crawl up the nude Lapi, curling around his arms, legs, and even neck. Some even stretch themselves out along his inseam…

A low whimper comes from the Lapi as he tries not to panic. "You guys should warm up before doing this," he mutters.

Every now and then Xander gets a tickle from a Nagai tongue in places he would probably prefer to not be tickled. As the measuring garters work, Umeko is now motioning towards Xander and speaking to the tailor in Imperial. Presumably, she's explaining what she wants.

The mage closes his eyes, and hopes they get done measuring soon. He's starting to enjoy it.

The Naga release their grip just before it would get really embarrassing for the Lapi and slip from him. "We have the initial measurements for a Jadaian style kimono appropriate for your station. Now, she tells me you are to also act as a general model for a smaller Lapi woman, is this true?" the tailor asks as she comes over to Xander.

"I'll take those too," Lilac says, pointing at the drums. "Do you think Naga like howling?"

Xander immediately holds his hands over his privates, before answering, "Yes. A smaller Lapi though."

"Howling … like the Jupani do? The last singers were met with indifference when they performed. Most Naga prefer lower tones; the ones that make our scales shiver with their sweet vibrations," the python answers. He then drops a hat on Lilac's head. The hat is … well, it's made to look roughly like the shape of a Naga's head. It even has a tongue dangling from the brim.

"How different is she proportionally to you? Roughly," the Naga inquires of Xander.

Xander has to use his hands. He indicates Anisa's relative height, the difference in the width of their hips and cups his hands against his chest for that difference as well.

Lilac's eyes dart up, and she studies the hat a moment. "Lower tones, of course. I'll have to work on that. I don't really deal much with lower tones. I hope I can visit the opera house, to get some insight as to what people like here. I may return." She adjusts the hat a bit, then glances back at Umeko and Xander. "Hey Ummy? Why is Xander naked?"

"Mmm," the tailor notes, then hisses something in Imperial to the garter.

"And making booby shapes," the bardess adds to her inquiry.

Umeko's brow goes up at the whisper. To Lilac, she says, "He is being fitted for my service, of course." Of course, the comment about breast shape can't help but make the Kiriga look back at Xander.

"Don't forget the collar, then," Lilac yells back, then returns to adjusting her goofy hat.

Several of the garters dart off only to return a moment later with … padding. The tailor picks it up and starts wrapping it about Xander. "Now hold still while we fix your proportions so we can take good body measurements," the Naga notes to Xander. To make matters worse, an odd 'scaly' bodysuit is stretched over the padded areas to help form shape. In a few minutes Xander finds himself looking at a reflection of a chocolate colored Lapi mage with scaly 'hips' and 'breasts'.

A few seconds later, Lilac adds to her previous addition, "Wait, no, he hasn't earned one yet, and I don't want to share!" A pause, and Lilac asks the Naga, "Do you think I should add jewelry to my collar?"

"Lilac, if you mention any of this to Anisa… " Xander warns.

"Mmm, perhaps," the Naga says as he appraises the old iron-dragon collar.

"I'm saving this," Lilac insists. "Maybe for a ballad, maybe for blackmail! Who knows!" her tail then wags a little, and she cocks her head to the other side, eying the hat.

One again Xander finds himself covered in squirming garters as they take new measurements. Well, at least the padding helps deaden the sensations.

The tongue on the hat swings back and forth in front of Lilac's eyes.

"Umeko, make her promise," Xander pleads.

"I wonder if this is what Ummy had in mind when she said she wanted me to look dignified," considers the bard as she tilts her head back and forth, making the tongue sway.

"You are to be measured next," Umeko notes to Lilac. "And Xander gets to watch. Equal blackmail," she adds with a wry grin.

"That sounds fair to me," the young woman agrees. "I'm used to standing around naked." She then blinks at her own words, and asks the Naga, "Did that sound odd to you?"

"For a Naga, no, for a human, yesss. But then I do underssstand that human bardsss are often entertainersss in a variety of waysss," the python comments and rolls his shoulders a bit. "But that isss not my concern. Are you content with your ssselectionsss? Is there more you wisssh?"

"I think this is a good start," Lilac tells the shopkeeper. She picks up the two dolls, stacks them on her shoulder, and walks back with the instruments tucked under her arm. "Boy, it must be kind of cold, isn't it Xander?" She grins at the man widely, then honks the snake toy at him. squonk!

"Ack!" Xander replies to the squonk! "Don't do that, Lilac! I didn't tease you."

"Pleassse, Lady of Jadai, will you asssk your petsss to behave," the tailor complains as Xander's jerking about at Lilac's squonking has the effect of messing up the measurements that were underway.

Umeko rubs the bridge of her snout for a moment. Briefly, she licks over one of her fangs, then says, "Now Lilac, don't tease Xander or I will have your tail dyed pink," she threatens.

"Bad enough I have to wear falsies… " the Lapi mutters.

"Hey, I'm not your pet," Lilac insists indignantly. "And, Xander asked for it! You know how he is." She sticks her tongue out at the buck, then turns to walk away and examine some fabrics.

"She's the pet," Xander confides to the tailor. "She's even got a collar… "

"I will turn into a dog and bite you," Lilac calls over her shoulder to Xander. "Then we'll see who's the pet!"

At least they're high-quality ones and feel relatively real when touched. The swarm of garters continue to measure the Lapi, taking into account now what the proportions would be were it a girl. The tailor rubs his chin in thought, then taps a claw to his lip. "I could find you a nice collar assss well," the tailor offers the buck.

"What?" Xander says, looking up from feeling one of the strap-on breasts.

Umeko draws up behind Xander. She reaches around and traces her claws along his neck, teasing, "He is offering to find you a collar… "

The fabrics Lilac is looking at go from basic and rather rough (not surprising given scales aren't as sensitive), to some very fine and smooth material. Almost zolk-like in texture.

"A… like Lilac's, or… decorative?" Xander squeaks, dropping his hand guiltily when Umeko touches him.

"The collar better not be nicer than mine, I have seniority," Lilac adds. She leans over and runs her finger across a fabric, ears perking. "Hey, is this zolk? Ooooo, I've never seen zolk before. It's so soft. I heard some zolk even repels daggers!"

"Which would you prefer?" Umeko continues teasing, practically whispering in Xander's ear.

"It issss not zolk, but it issss similar," the Python that was tending to Lilac now tells her. "Much cheaper, yessss."

"Ummm… uh… " Xander waffles. "Do you really want me to have one, Umeko?" he finally asks.

"Oh, well, that's nice too I suppose." Lilac picks up a swatch, then rubs it between her fingers before pressing it to a cheek. "So comfortable. I could curl up in a ball on this and sleep for ages."

"You might look cute," Umeko teases as she steps away. The tailor just shakes his head, muttering something unintelligible.

"It issss only two-hundred ssshekelsss per yard," the Python tells Lilac, "For the raw fabric."

"Well… " Xander says. "If you want to get me one, Umeko, for wearing to… court… occasions… then that's fine," the Lapi agrees.

"Oh, um, well, er … ," Lilac stammers, then immediately puts the swatch down. "I guess I'll settle with my usual, um, fur rug." She grins a little, and steps back from the fabrics. "Hey Ummy, do I need my collar polished? Won't your dad wonder about it?"

"It is blackened iron, Lilac. Polishing it would only cause it to rust," Umeko notes. "And yes, he might ask about it. Of course, now that I have been landed … I could have new ones fashioned with a crest of my own design."

Umeko pats Xander's cheek. "I am teasing, Xander. I would not ask you to do anything you did not wish to," she tells him. The tailor then nudges Umeko to move further away. He takes a few measurements himself, then asks the buck, "How much sssmaller is the woman the robesss are for?

"Well, I like mine being unique. It's not the same if Xander gets one too. He hasn't been around as long as I have," the bardess insists.

"Ah, yes, fursss. We have many fursss," the Python tells Lilac. He then leans in and whispers in her ear (and tickles it with his tongue tip, "And ssssome exotic ones too. Rare findssss, taken from before the Empire changed… "

"Well," Xander says, and gestures with hands again to indicate Anisa's height and various widths relative to what he's now wearing.

"Ah, a ssshort one, easily swallowed," the tailor comments as he makes notes.

Lilac's ear perks and rotates to listen to the Naga. "Rare furs?" she asks, sounding curious. "I have wondered if I should go for more of a fur heavy style, in keeping with my, um, theme."

"Thissss way," the Python gestures, leading the woman to a back room.

"I'll… remember to mention that to her," Xander tells the tailor.

"Is ssshe a follower of the Joyoussss Wiggler?" the tailor asks with a completely straight face.

"And oh, you can dressss yourssself," the tailor adds with a dismissive wave of his hand.

"Err, more the Joy of Kickboxing really," Xander admits. "She knocked out a Naga bigger than you in a boxing match once. Well, they knocked each other out really… but it was still a sight!"

"Mussst be durable," the tailor makes a note.

"Do you require help dressing?" Umeko asks Xander.

"Help? Umm," Xander says, and looks down at his augmented proportions. "Yes, very likely."

Umeko selects a robe to act as the base of the order and goes over to drape it on the Lapi. She reaches around him and pulls it closed, then adjusts it here and there. At one point, she even has to adjust his 'falsies'. "Yes, this will do," she notes.

"I don't have to move do I?" Xander asks. "I don't think I can move like Anisa."

"No, I am just checking how it fits and lays. "Since my kind lack certain attributes, it is best to make sure that it is still visually acceptable," Umeko says. After another couple minutes of fussing, she speaks to the tailor for a few minutes in Imperial. A deal apparently made, she pulls the base-robe off Xander, now saying, "You can remove that silly stuff and put your other robe back on."

"Err, can I check a mirror first?" the Lapi asks. "I mean, if something is off and Anisa starts spilling out, she'll blame it all on me I'm sure!"

"Go ahead," Umeko offers, "I must make payment arrangements."

Lilac follows the Naga, telling Umeko, "I'm going to look at some furs," as she walks past the two. She also adds, "Have fun with your boobies, Xander! before disappearing into the back room.

Xander still seems afraid to move, but does manage to check out the garment to make sure nothing is showing, and that it won't look weird with Anisa's undergarments. Now at least he can claim that seeing Anisa in them actually had a positive outcome!

The back room is dark and a bit musty, so there must not be a huge demand for furs in the Empire right now. Many look to be basic furs that could be bought anywhere … but some are little more … eerie. One looks like a Jupani pelt, but the shape and proportions are much more monstrous. A werewolf pelt, perhaps? Another is of an absolutely huge Lapi, easily seven foot tall. The worst, though, is that there is a small collection of pelts made from spotted fur. Thankfully, they look really old.

The Lapi also takes the opportunity to strike flirty poses that Anisa wouldn't do in a million years.

"Are you done playing with yourself?" Umeko calls over to Xander when she spots him being silly.

"Um, wow," Lilac says as she looks around, a bit taken aback. "I've seen these before," she points at some of the more common pelts, "in Sylvania, but I've never seen that one," she points at the Jupani-like pelt, "or that," she points at the giant rabbit hide, "or … Wait, maybe I have seen them! Are these, um, … Is that … that one … you know … ?" She makes hand gestures at the Naga, mimicking a Savanite's sign language.

"Eeep!" Xander squeaks, and hustles back to where his own clothes are. "Yes, ma'am… ack! I mean, yes Umeko!"

"Indeed. You have a keen eye," the Python tells Lilac, "The perssson who sssold them to usss had documents sssaying they were taken from the City of Handssss itsssself."

"Forgive my silly friends," Umeko tells the tailor as Xander hustles and falsies fly.

"I expect no less from mammalsss. At least you have houssse trained them," the tailor compliments Umeko. "Sssooo, the deal is ssstruck. I will have the robesss ready before you leave."

"Oh," Lilac says, ears twitching. "Well. That's … That's certainly something." Not about to say what that something is, not in a creepy closet full of skinned people that reminds her a little too much of Hakku's mansion, Lilac forces her gaze to the Jupani fur. "And that's … ?"

"Hey, who stole my underpants?" Xander complains.

"SsSylvanian werewolf, or ssso the trader claimed," the Python explains. "A few weeksss ago we had what was ssssupposed to be an authentic vampire ssskin. Made from the wingsss of some SsSylvanian vampire monster. That wasss bought to be some trophy by a visssiting Gallee family."

"What are you talking about, Xander? Why would someone steal your underpants," Umeko asks.

"Probably for some weird culinary reason," the Lapi guesses.

Lilac takes a step forward, leaning into examine the fur closely. "It can't be from a real werewolf, can it? Are you sure this isn't a Titanian skin," she inquires. It then strikes her she's arguing over what could have been the skin of a living, thinking creature, and shudders. I sure have gotten dark. And weird.

Well, the pelt lacks the telltale fetlocks of the Titanians … but they could have just been cut off.

"The booksss say it is a werewolf pelt. Sssso, that is what we sssell it as. Do you think your Missstresss would like one of the spotted peltssss?" the Python asks Lilac. "They were once popular with many noblessss."

"Do you really need underwear?" Umeko asks Xander.

"Ummm," Xander says, thinking about that. "Well… it's just sometimes a big spell causes me to get very hot, and I can't wear my robes… "

"Can you find something here to replace them?" Umeko asks next. "And speaking of undergarments, I need to ask your assistance there. I should get some appropriate for me, since we will be traveling to many new exotic places … I may find need of such. You have experience with woman's undergarments, yes?"

"I think, um, if you show those to her you'll lose her business very quickly, if not your head," Lilac informs the Naga cautiously, glancing towards the door. "Lady Umeko has used Savanite assistance to good effect in her travels, and would not appreciate this … This sort of thing." The bardess gestures at the Savanite pelts, not looking at them again, then leans forward to sniff at the werewolf pelt.

"Mmm, no sssell of thosse, then. The market for them issss terrible," the Python comments glumly.

"Experience?" Xander asks, blinking at the Kiriga. "Errr… what sort of experience with women's… dainties… did you need?"

The scent of the pelt is … strange. It's musty, for certain … but there is an off undercurrent of scent. A slow decay. For a moment, Lilac could swear she's scented it before … but for the life of her cannot place where.

"Things that look good?" Umeko offers. "Things that are attractive and perhaps captivating … should I need to distract a foe."

Lilac quickly covers her nose before the dust makes her sneeze, coughing into her hand. "It's to be expected, no one wants to carry around the skins of freed peoples, plus it's not politically useful. Wouldn't it suggest opposition to the Emperor's edicts and opposition to Savanites? You should just destroy them," the actual werewolf suggests. "Maybe burn them, to show your dedication? If you destroyed them for Lady Umeko, she'd appreciate that."

"Distract a foe?" Xander squeaks. "Umm… uh… well," he says, rubbing his ears. "Black. Something black, probably, to go with the gold… and… you know: lacy… "

"They do wassste ssspace, ssso perhaps that is bessst, yesss," the Python reluctantly agrees.

"Find me something, then," Umeko tells Xander. To the tailor, she says in Imperial, "It keeps him out of trouble… "

The tailor nods sagely.

In a daze, Xander looks around for the lingerie section. He isn't even sure Naga would know what it was though…

"Good! Good," Lilac agrees, casting the spotty furs one last glance. "Now, as for this, I don't know. I'm from Sylvania, and I am a werewol- … Werewolf expert! So, I can't rightly accept this without real proof, not to mention it used to be a person, perhaps. Not that I wouldn't mind a fur, I'm getting very used to fur."

Well, the shop does also cater to tourists, so they have imported a variety of different undergarments, from basic sleep wear, to things a bit more 'bisque'. The signs next to those are all in Imperial, though. There is also a section that looks like it's made for the structure of a reptile's body … but instead of lacy cloth, the garments are made from carefully shaped small chitin links in a variety of colors. Shaking it makes it jingle and sway lightly. There are caps for horns, facial drapes made to fit the contours of a reptile's maw, and many other things.

"Sssso, are you saying you want to buy it, or not?" the Python asks and motions to the 'werewolf' pelt.

"By the First Ones… chain-mail dainties," Xander whispers as he tries to figure out some of the more unusual pieces.

"I don't think I can justify it, I mean it's bad enough I kill people now, wearing the skins of people would just be too much. And, well, it's a werewolf. That can't be good for me to even be looking at." She leans back and shakes her head, then sighs and adds, "But I probably shouldn't just leave it here, it might be useful for my, um, research. It's probably better off with me than here." She shrugs, then asks, "How much is it?"

Well, they certainly won't stop any weapons, but that is a fair description of what it looks like. It takes a bit of examining, but it finally comes apparent that they are designed to accentuate and make tails prominent. The facial drapes are cut so the hang only helps make the wearer look even more serpentine. And the creepiest one of all … a facial drape that looks far too familiar to Xander … with the flares and hang, it would make the wearer's face look very close to what Anisa made Umeko into for a brief time; a draconic Naga.

"Ah, how much is anything in thisss world? Much can be called pricelesssss, of coursssse," the Python begins, spreading his arms wide. "But for a werewolf expert, a ssspecial deal. One-hundred sssshekelssss and we will even have it cleaned."

Carefully setting aside the facial elements (aside from some chain-linked ear clips), Xander assembles a collection of items that remind him of harem-club dancers – with the main difference being the bosomy bits replaced by taily bits. He takes these over to Umeko, and finally blushes when he realizes what he's doing.

"Oh I've heard that line before," Lilac says, rolling her eyes. "I think I've been to Abu Dabi, and I've definitely been to a lot of other countries, and merchants are all the same. Twenty-five shekels."

"Errr, you might… find these useful, Umeko," Xander mutters, and holds out his finds to the Kiriga.

"Ah, you wissssh to ssstarve our children!" the Python laments, "How can fifty mouths be fed on a mere twenty-five sssshekelssss? Sssseventy-five!"

Umeko takes the offered bits and gently looks through them. "A moment," she tells the Lapi and steps away. The tailor motions to a back curtain for the Kiriga (Hey, why didn't he offer Xander that earlier when he had to strip?), and off she goes behind it.

Lilac laughs a little, tail wagging. "Oh, that story? This is fun! Okay, okay, let me think." She tilts her head, then rubs her chin thoughtfully. "Lady Umeko told me Naga don't even have families like Jadians do, and certainly not like Sylvanians do. But, I might be wrong about that – though I doubt it! So, let me ask you this:" Lilac's brows raise, and she leans forward to ask, "How much money is Lady Umeko spending here, do you think? How much is the patronage of someone favored by the Emperor worth?"

Xander nearly asks the tailor about the curtain, but pauses. He probably shouldn't talk to the man without Umeko present, to be safe.

The tailor watches Xander with a rather bored (or is it hungry?) expression.

"Umm, do you normally review lingerie selections?" he asks the Naga. Maybe I'm in the wrong field of work, he wonders.

After several minutes, Umeko slips back out from the curtain, clad in the shimmering and jingling chitin-chain. It drapes and sways from her body, as she moves. With every roll of her step, a rustle fills the air. She extends her hands and does a small twirl for Xander so he can see the entire outfit. She stops and glances over her shoulder at him (and giving him a rather good view of her back and tail … and all its sinewy curves. "How foes it look?" she asks, eyelids batting a few times for effect.

"Not often," the tailor notes.

The Lapi squeaks. "It… It looks very… effective," he finally manages to say. He's certainly glad to have his own robes back on.

"Oh, well, for favored of the Emperor, we offer a sssspecial price, may he rule from hisssss ziggurat forever," the Python decrees, bobbing that large head of his. Low lowering it till he's nosetip to Lilac, he says, "fifty ssshekelsss, final offer."

"You should have seen me in spots," Umeko tells Xander before she slides back behind that curtain.

"I think she is toying with her prey," the tailor mutters to himself.

Lilac presses her nose to the Naga's cold scales, eyes widening even as her tail begins to wag. "OH, you're trying to scare me with being a big snake! You could eat me in one swallow, I bet! Ooooo! She lifts her hands and wiggles her fingers in a 'spooky' motion. "Well, you listen to me, Mr. Snake. I have fought Beshret the Razer, I have seen things that would curl your tail, and I could eat you. Don't you try and intimidate me! Don't you dare! Not with what I've been through!" She waggles a finger at the python, then leans back. "25 shekels and I don't tell Lady Umeko you have Savanite furs."

"I… should have!" Xander agrees.

Lilac finds her entire head inside the mouth of a Python for a few seconds. Instead of warm and wet, it's cool and wet. But, the large mouth is drawn back quickly enough, and the Python is wearing a huge grin. "You are a tough bargainer," he says, very amused and head bobbing. "You have provided me enough entertainment to make that an agreeable price."

Umeko returns clad in her usual robes and walks back over to now wait for Lilac. As the tailor glides off to attend to another customer, Umeko notes to Xander, "I looked beautiful as a Savanite for that night. I also … understand mammals a little better from it."

"Understand… " Xander starts to ask, then just blushes. "Err… should I ask how you better understand mammals now?"

"Oh, ew," Lilac says, flailing after she gets her head out of the snake. She smooths out her hair quickly, then peeks up through the matted locks to eye the snake. "I didn't think you'd actually bite my head, but thanks, I think. You're not so bad for a big snake, either, you know?" She tilts her head, and asks, "Was I really that entertaining? I was trying for tough, but I'm always glad to be entertaining. And I wasn't lying, you know! I have bitten people."

"Sssso have I," the Python notes as his large coils drape around Lilac. He peers upside-down into her face now. "And yesss, you were. Not many bargain with sssuch enthusiasssm," he continues, "What are you doing later?"

Umeko glances at Xander, her brow ridge arching slightly. Then with a small smile, she shrugs a bit.

"Oh, um, not much. I think some dinner plans, or meeting so-and-so noble or some-such," the bardess answers, cocking her head to the side so far that the Naga's head is now horizontal. "Are you asking me out on a date?"

"Is it getting warmer in here?" Xander asks nervously. "Where's Lilac gotten off to?"

That head twists until he's now looking right side up in Lilac's face. "What if I wasss?" the snake inquires.

"It's the same temperature as when we walked in. Are you sure you are well, Xander?" Umeko asks, reaching over to feel his face.

Lilac blinks, then suddenly giggles! "I don't know," she admits, "I've never had a Naga flirt with me! Or, um, never knew it anyway. Did you just smooch my whole head?" This makes Lilac giggle even more, then she just grins and wags her tail. "Well, why not? It could be fun, and a friend of mine seemed to learn a lot about other species by, um, well spending time with them. So, sure!"

"I guess it was just… the outfit… " Xander admits.

"You can show me some of your bartering prowesssss and tell me all about your experiences with werewolves," the Python offers, "I promissse I won't devour you."

"I'll hold you to that. You can tell me about Nagai City, and such. I'm always willing to hear new stories," the bardess replies. "Come, let's go back front and work out all the purchases. Lady Umeko will be wondering where I've gotten to, and she's lost without me."