Thanks to Anisa's regular workouts, she wasn't too sore after that 'battle of endurance' she had with Klaus. The next day is fairly uneventful; just more numbers and books in the morning, and her self-defense classes in the afternoon. The gym has only been open a short while, but it has attracted a small group of 'regulars' already … admittedly mostly women. It seems most men just can't accept being trained physically by a woman. The day is slowly coming to a close and the last few guests are shuffling out.

Going to-and-fro around the main gym floor, Anisa picks up discarded equipment, putting the various pieces back in their proper places. She takes a pause to wipe some sweat from her ears, and takes a swig of water from a ceramic bottle sitting to the side. "Whew, good workout today."

Jasmine is slithering around the main area, doing a check that all the equipment is still here and hasn't wandered off due to sticky fingers. "I don't know how you get used to it … how you ooze water when you exert yourself, that is," the Naga comments idly as she goes. "Plus … the smell can be a bit much for the tongue. Phew."

The rabbit grins to her assistant. "Well, for me it only comes out of my nose and ears. And don't knock it! It keeps you cool. Besides," she takes a seat on the edge of the sparring ring, "you should see those humans – they do it all over."

"I don't need to see them. I can smell them from inside the office," Jasmine complains. She taps on her clipboard, then adds, "And good news, no equipment has gone missing … yet. And the income of shekels looks like it should break even with the bills. Have you been thinking of ways to get past the break-even point? I know it's early … but once the grand opening surge dies down, there will need to be enough regulars to be profitable."

Naomi enters from the aid station, already slipping into her coat. "Do you need anything else from me tonight, Anisa? I have a … thing … to go to."

Anisa readjusts herself to sit Indian-style, and places her chin in her paws, elbows on knees. "I guess we'll just have to get out there and pound the pavement more. I hear the Women's Entrepreneurial League has some kind of advertising circle, we may need to look into that. Of course, I could always just lower expenses by cutting staff." She winks to the Naga, "Just kidding." Perking an ear to Naomi, she turns to look at the raccoon. "If you've got all your closing duties finished, you can take off if you want. Kinda early for you though – what kinda 'thing' is it?" She smiles to the nurse.

"Does that mean Miss Nuts… Naomi has a date?" Jasmine asks as she peeks up from her clipboard. The Naga even grins a bit.

The Rath'ani blushes a bit and hikes up her coat collar. "It's not a real date, just… a social meeting sort of thing."

"Oh, is this one of those speed dating clubs I've heard about? Where you switch who you're seeing every ten minutes or so?" the Naga asks next. "I hear those are quite popular in some social circles."

Anisa grins at the nurse. "A date, eh?" She jumps down from the ring, and pads teasingly over to Naomi, hands folded behind her back. "So what's his name? Is he cute?"

Naomi's eyebrows go up, making her mask more pronounced. "Um, not like that… My mother is introducing me to a friend's son is all. Ingram something," she admits. "If we like each other, then maybe we'll have a date… "

"Ahh, so it's a hookup. I know all about those." Anisa smoothes back her ears. "My mother used to do that to me all the time when I was younger, but she gave up after a while. So, what do you know about the guy?"

"Hm, that is a warning sign. If your mother is introducing you … then there must be something wrong with him," Jasmine comments and slides over towards Naomi. "My mother tried that once. She said he was a very nice Naga with a great personality. She didn't mention his molting problem, though. Dry scales … everywhere. Ick."

"It is not a hookup," Naomi declares, then icks at Jasmine's story. "I just know that he's started studying here at the Collegia Naturalis as… maybe a doctor or something like that."

Anisa glances to Jasmine conspiratorially, then nods. "It's a hookup. Still, you never know! Especially if he's gonna be a doctor – loads of cash there." The rabbit grins. "So, where are you two love-creens meeting at?"

"It's just dinner at my home," Naomi notes. "Two families getting together. Nothing suspicious about that. I mean, you've had guys over to your place that you weren't dating, haven't you?"

"Ooo, with that kind of money, I just bet they're meeting at an upscale cafe, the kind with the secluded tables dimly lit by candlelight. Why, I can just hear the murmuring of sweet nothings now," Jasmine teases as she slides around behind Naomi. "I bet she's making up the family bit… "

"Really, it's just two families getting together," Naomi says, her natural shyness returning as she tries to hide in her coat.

"Had guys over that I wasn't dating? Yeah – relatives!" Anisa grins, then pats the Rath'ani on the shoulder. "We're just pulling your tail, you know. It sounds like it'll be fun. Just be wary of people you meet through your mother – that's always tricky."

"I'll keep that in mind," Naomi says, then starts shuffling towards the door. "And you shouldn't tease people about dating, either."

"Why not? I haven't had a date in ages! I'm jealous!" Jasmine comments and then resumes checking inventory.

"Me too," adds Anisa. "You're the fortunate one here!" She giggles, and then waves to the raccoon. "Go and have fun, we'll be expecting details later! And be safe going home!"

Naomi seems about to ask Jasmine about that, but decides she really doesn't want to know about Naga dating. "Well… I'd better get going! See you tomorrow," she says instead, and scuttles towards the door.

"For someone who gets to poke and prod people, she's rather shy," Jasmine comments to Anisa. Then after a pause, she asks, "You haven't had a date in an age, either? I was surprised for a moment, but then … running this place must take all your time. It takes most of mine and I'm just staff."

"Well, Aaron and I did quite a bit together," Anisa says, "but we never really had a proper 'date'. Dagh, it's been forever since I've been out." She walks back over to the ring, and takes a seat on its edge. "Back when I used to work at my dad's Tavern, I'd go out every night, date or no. Mostly dancing. But you're right, this place takes up all of my time now." She sighs, then smiles, "still, I guess it's better than just running around all the time… having fun… "

"Now you sound like you're trying to convince yourself this is more fun," Jasmine points out. She sets her clipboard aside for the moment. "So, tell me about this Aaron? Was he cute? Why did you quit seeing him? Or, um, sorry for asking, did he quit seeing you?"

Anisa shrugs with a smirk. "He was cute, but I guess we were a bit too different. We weren't ever really 'official', I guess you could say – more like close friends. So really there wasn't a breakup, per se." The rabbit folds her legs underneath her. "He had business with Calli, so that had to take priority. You should have seen the guys in Half-Valley, though." Her smirk turns into a grin. "Now there were some hotties."

"I doubt we share the same definition of hot," the Naga points out with a snaky grin. She looks like she's about to say something else … but is interrupted by a rather loud voice shouting, "Ladies!"

Anisa's ears swivel to the source of the voice, followed by the rest of her head, a surprised look on her face.

A large shaggy Gallah dressed in what looks like a three-piece suit (albeit a rather cheap one), is marching towards the pair. "An, the sacred Amazonian warrior and her faithful servant, at home in her oasis away from her homeland!" the Gallah declares.

Jasmine flicks her tongue, then can't help but whisper to Anisa, "Do all of these people have to yell?"

Speechless and perplexed, the doe glances to the Naga, then back to the Gallah. "Uh, can I help you?"

"Today it's how I can help you, o' jewel of the wild," the Gallah declares and does a sweeping bow before the doe. When he comes up, his hand flicks out and he offers her a business card. "'Honest' Stan Growfwick, importer of rare goods and specialist in all dietary needs. You can put your trust in me, honest!"

Anisa just blinks at the canine, then takes the card with a tentative paw. "Okay… so how exactly would I go about putting my trust in you?" She then wiggles her nose curiously. "And what's with the 'jewel of the wild' stuff?"

The Gallah puts an arm around Anisa's shoulders and pulls her close to his side. With his free hand, he sweeps it around, saying, "You have a beautiful place, it must be a true reproduction of your homeland. You are from Amazonia, are you not? I distinctly remember hearing rumors that a gym was started with the help of an Amazonian. Of course, I understand that must all be kept secret, of course. Strictly hush-hush and all that." He then releases the Lapi and stands back, grinning.

Anisa glares at the dog's advances, and takes a few steps away from him, ears back. "I'm Rephidim born and raised, pal! And careful where you put those paws." She looks sideways at the trader, saying "One of my partners is an Amazonian, yes. What's it to you?"

"Oh, nothing more then a curiosity to me, I assure you! I deal in trading of the exotic and was hoping that I could establish some new trading partners … but never you mind that! That was only a secondary interest of mine. My primary one is to present to you a business offer any owner of a gym dedicated to physical excellence could not pass up!" Stan says and points upward in emphasis. He then turns and yells towards the entrance, "Alex, get your slow butt in here!"

Anisa follows Stan's finger to the ceiling at first, then out the door. She peers over his shoulder in curiosity, nose wiggling rapidly.

A lanky black and gray buck appears in the doorway wearing ragtag clothing. His ears are hanging limply and his breathing is rather labored … and it doesn't take long to understand why. He's dragging a huge trunk along behind him. step drag step drag "Coming boss," Alex gasps, "This thing isn't light, you know!".

Looking shocked, Anisa glares at the canine, then walks over to the buck and helps him pull the trunk along. "What the heck, are you trying to kill the guy? Dagh, what's in here, anyway?"

Alex gives Anisa grateful smile as she comes to help him drag the trunk along. Eventually, they get it over to the dog … though it certainly required effort. "Oh, pay no mind to Alex. He's grateful for work; got the boy out of the Darkside slums, I did," Stan says. Alex just nods at that. "Honest work is still better than Darkside," he mutters.

Patting off her paws, Anisa shakes her head, then offers the buck one of her water bottles. "Anyway, what's this all about? Usually, vendors let us know they're coming beforehand… "

Alex downs the water as Stan speaks, "I said I specialized in trading and dietary needs, right? What is your place missing? I see equipment, a nurse's office, administration, and so on. What I don't see are nutrition supplements, young lady! Why, how are all your hard-working customers supposed to replenish their body's nutrients after a long workout? Did you know Lapi sweat out almost a pound of essential vitamins from their nose and ears with just a few hours of heavy work?"

"He made me wear a towel wrapped around my head and drag weights around all day, then measured how much water he could squeeze from the towel afterward," Alex comments quietly when he's finished his bottle of water.

Anisa arches a brow at the duo. "I usually advise my clients to keep drinking water and to eat right, what more could they need?" She gestures to Naomi's station, "Besides, our nurse knows how to re-hydrate a person very well."

"Water isn't all you need, young lady! Why, I sell all sorts of dissolvable supplements you can mix into their water! Protein boost, replacement salt, all sorts of things. Open the trunk, Alex!" Stan says. With a shrug, Alex opens the trunk. Inside is bottle after bottle of various powders. "In fact, you look like you could use some right now! Would the lady like a free sample?"

The doe still looks dubious, with arms crossed, but her forward perked ears betray her. "Free sample, eh? It won't turn my fur purple or make my tail fall of or anything, will it?"

"The early versions would do that, but I think it's mostly fixed now. Now you just pee blue… " Alex says … right up to when Stan glares at him. "It's perfectly safe!" the Gallah tries to re-assure Anisa. "I bet you could use some protein, you look like you do weightlifting."

Anisa's ears shoot up at Alex's comment, but her train of thought is interrupted at Stan's comment. "Yeah, I do from time to time. How will your powder help me?"

"They help stimulate muscle growth and keep you from being so sore the next day, of course," Stan claims and reaches into the box. He puts his hand around one bottle and starts to draw it out. Alex stops him, though. "Not that one," he tells the Gallah.

Anisa peers into the box, watching the Gallah as he works.

"And why not?" Stan asks. "Because Lapi normally won't drink powdered meat and dried blood," Alex says flatly. The Lapi selects an alternate bottle and draws it out. He offers it to stand, adding, "Bean protein."

"Whoa whoa whoa- what?!" Anisa takes a few reflexive hops back. "Powdered meat and… dried blood? Just what are you trying to sell me?!"

"That's just one of the mixtures. Canines love it. We have others for the vegetarians," Stan assures the Lapi. Alex raises his hands in placation to Anisa and asks, "More water? He just forgets sometimes that not everyone loves meat."

Still looking dubious, Anisa walks over to the nurse station and grabs a pitcher of water and three glasses. She returns, and offers them to the Lapi. "Okay, I'll bite then. Show me what you got."

"Do you have any whole meat in there?" Jasmine asks, breaking her silence and curiously peers into the box.

"Uh, no," Alex says and shivers. The Lapi takes the glasses and pours equal amounts of a greenish powder into each glass, then follows it up with water from the pitcher. It takes him a minute or so to swirl each glass and get the mixture to dissolve. The end result is … a semi-thick green liquid that smells oddly like lettuce and bean sprouts.

Anisa stares at the concoction, an ear cocked sideways. "Well, it smells decent… is it any good?"

"Well, it's sort of like drinking baby food," Alex admits and even takes a drink to demonstrate it's safe. "Go ahead and try it. I have to admit, as much as Stan likes to bluster … this makes a better lunch if you're working hard. You're less likely to vomit it back up because you digest it quickly."

Taking one final sniff of safety, Anisa takes the glass from the other Lapi, and takes a quick swig.

"Alex! Remember my instructions. You never talk about vomit while trying to make a sell!" Stan grumbles at the Lapi.

It tastes like … well, like drinking a watered down salad. It has a moderately peculiar after taste, though.

The doe grimaces at the aftertaste, then wipes her mouth with her paw. "Hmmm, not bad. And you say this helps you regain your strength faster?"

"That it does!" Stan declares. Alex just shrugs.

"So how much are you asking for this stuff?" The doe continues to sniff the semi-empty glass. "Some of my more trendy customers might like it, but I still dunno… "

"Glad you asked! I, uh, actually wanted to just rent some shop space here and sell it. Would you take twenty percent of the profits?" Stan asks and grins. "What better place to sell health food than a gym?"

"He's desperate to find a shop after I threatened to make him drag his own bloody box," Alex whispers to Anisa.

Anisa's expression changes at this – she had been expecting to have to buy some then do a mark up. "You mean just rent some shelf space? Well, I dunno… " She twirls an ear coyly. "Twenty percent is nice and all, but shelf space is at a premium… "

Stan puts a hand to his chest. "You're killing me! That Amazonian partner of yours has made you ruthless," he laments. "Twenty-five and not a percent more! I'm cutting my own throat. Why, without enough profits, I can't develop new supplements… "

Anisa grins. "Twenty five you say? I think we can swing that. What do you think, Jasmine?" She looks back to the Naga.

The Naga taps her chin. "Twenty-five … and you have to help close the gym three nights a week so Miss Snowshoe can have some nights off to go dancing," Jasmine offers.

"You are both cruel, cruel, women," Stan moans and holds his hands towards the ceiling. "Star save me from these pirates!"

Alex … just kicks Stan's shin. "What are you complaining about? I'll end up being the one handling the closing," the Lapi grumbles. "Just take the offer. I am not dragging this box out of here."

Anisa blinks at Jasmine, then gives her an appreciative smile. "Right… Just to be fair, we'll make it two nights a week. That'll guarantee you a corner space for a kiosk and some personnel if you need it, or you can have us handle the sales instead. So how does that sound? We're an up-and-coming business, you know – loads of trendy people are making their way here. We even have the renowned Klaus teaching a few times a week."

"One of us needs to have a life," Jasmine notes to Anisa with a shrug.

"Or both of us!" Anisa whispers back to the Naga.

Stan takes a moment to rub his well-kicked shin. "You drive a hard bargain," he insists, "But I suppose it is workable! We can handle the kiosk for a while and teach your regular staff about the goods, if you later want to take over, you could." He extends a huge, hairy paw to the Lapi. "Deal?"

"Deal!" The doe places her own smaller paw in the Gallah's much larger one – but makes certain to keep her grip firm. "Welcome aboard, Mister Stan! Sorry I had any doubts about you!"

Stan shakes the doe's hand, and whole arm, rather vigorously. "You won't regret it!" he says. Alex, meanwhile, goes about closing the box. "Can I push this somewhere out of the way?" the Lapi asks.

Steadying herself, Anisa makes certain to keep from being shook by the shake. She's strong, but still smaller than the Gallah. "Just put it over there in the corner.

Steadying herself, Anisa makes certain to keep from being shook by the shake. She's strong, but still smaller than the Gallah. "Just put it over there in the corner." She gestures to the spot with her ears, since her hand it currently occupied. "You can come back and set it up in the morning if you like, we were just about to close up."

Alex nods, "Sounds good to me. I don't think I could manage setting up tonight, anyway." His ears go limp again as he eyes the huge chest, then with a resigned sigh, he starts shoving the box towards the corner.

Eyeing Alex and Stan, Anisa gets another idea. "I tell you what, you guys look like you could use a good place to work out. In addition to the deal, you both get free memberships. We could use a few guys around here, and think about it – you'll be surrounded by women in great shape!"

"Uh, does your nurse keep a supply of Cold Shower on hand?" Alex has to ask after a bit of thought.

Anisa laughs, "Yes. Yes she does. Quite a bit, actually." She walks over to the chest, and pushes on it to help Alex along. "We don't have to use it much."

"Well, I'm sure you don't, no," the Lapi notes to Anisa as the pair manages to push the box to the spot indicated earlier. Stan, meanwhile, seems lost in thought with a goofy grin on his face … probably imagining being surrounded by women in great shape.

Wiping off her hands, Anisa walks back over to Stan, and pats him on the back. "Well Stan, it was nice doing business with you, but we've got to close shop now. I'll meet you both at daybreak tomorrow and help you get things set up. Hope you're an early riser!"

"Hey, uh, Miss Snowshoe, right? Want to get a drink sometime after work?" Alex asks Anisa as he sits down heavily on the trunk. He then quickly adds, "I'm not asking for a date! I'm just tired of having dinner with him. The kinds of things he eats … bleh."

Anisa blinks at the buck, then grins. "Maybe so. How do you feel about dancing?"

"Well, it's not so much how I feel about it … as to how your feet will feel about it after I step on them repeatedly," the buck admits with a sheepish grin.