Days pass as travel preparations are made. For the most part the Lapis, Tasha, and the Karnors are left to do whatever they wish to pass the time. For Tasha, this means getting to explore more of the town and show it to Gabriel. For Layth it means spending more time with his former 'owner' and mostly father. All in all it is a relaxing time for everyone which of course means that Calligencia is probably getting antsy.

Aisha speaks first, asking, "What did you want to see us for, Layth?" She looks a bit nervous at the buck's grin, while Calligenia seems completely oblivious to any sense of danger.

"These past few days have gifted me the time to consider your fates," Layth says as he pats the pillows nearby as a gesture to sit beside him. "I have decided what will become of both of you."

The two does share confused glances, and then proceed to sit on the pillows. "I do not understand," Calligenia announces. "Have you been to a seer?"

"It means he's going to choose which one of us he wants," Aisha stage-whispers to the brown doe.

"No, I have decided to be a little more active in guiding you," Layth remarks as he folds his hands together. "Lady Aisha, I have decided you need to become stronger."

"What… physically?" Aisha squeaks in alarm.

"And in the tradition of opposites, Lady Calligenia needs to become softer," Layth adds.

To Aisha Layth shakes his head, then sets the pouch he was holding in her lap. "No. Mentally. Able to bear the harsher aspects of life without faltering."

"I'm already… " Aisha begins to protest, and then just gives up. "Okay, I suppose you're right. But that's hardly something that can be taught, right?" she asks, eying the pouch as if something poisonous is about to jump out at her.

"Softer?" Calligenia asks, and strokes the exposed fur of her forearm. "I'm not already soft?"

"You learn it by doing. I have a task for you this morning. I am fairly certain you will not like it," Layth says simply, then turns his back to her. "Feel through my back fur," he instructs.

"Not softer physically," Layth tells Calligenia, "Emotionally."

"What… uh… am I feeling for?" Aisha asks quietly as she brushes her short claws through Layth's fur.

"I cried!" Calligenia protests. "You saw me!"

Aisha's fingers find thin ridges under the fur of Layth's back and along those ridges she can feel intervals of what almost feels like thicker fur. Its very stiff. "Inside the pouch you hold are some sharp and narrow scissors. What you feel are stitched up wounds. They have healed to the point the stitches need to be removed. You are going to remove them," Layth instructs her as he looks over his shoulder. "Lady Calligenia can advise how if you need help; she did some of the stitching."

The golden doe pulls her fingers away in alarm. "But… won't that hurt?" she asks.

"Yes," Layth answers simply, "But far less than when they were closed."

Calligenia takes the pouch and looks through it for tools. "It is not hard, but you must be thorough," she remarks.

"I've never hurt anything before," Aisha whimpers. "Do I have to shave your fur too?"

Layth's attention returns to Calligenia next. "A moment of tears is a start, but you have far to go. In this Lady Aisha can help you. We are going to go shopping later for more lady appropriate clothing," he notes, "And perhaps a … makeover, I believe it is called."

"But I am already beautiful," Calligenia notes, without a hint of humility. "It is my very name, Born of Beauty." She finds a cutting tool and tweezer-like calipers. "Ah, good news, Aisha; you will not need to pull with your teeth!"

"Shaving is sometimes necessary when closing, not when removing stitches," Layth notes to Aisha. "The reason is that fur in the wound often causes infection. Knowing how to deal with wounds is a useful skill for anyone to know and this is a start. What I ask of you is easy; you do not have to deal with blood or puss."

"Oh… uh… thank you?" Aisha replies to Layth's explanation. "Will I be made to dress down while Calligenia is made more… dignified?"

"Beauty varies by land, Lady Calligenia," Layth points out, "There is advantage in knowing which is appropriate in the land you are in. It can aid in negotiations, in fact. As sad as it is, attractive people often get better deals than those who look and dress plain."

"As for dressing down, no. You are fine as you are now. I want you to help dress her," Layth explains to Aisha. "I shall also agree to allow you to dress me if it would help motivate you."

"Oh really?" Aisha says, perking up. Her smile lasts until Calli shows her how to cut the threads on one of Layth's stitches.

"My mother conducts most of her business unclothed," Calligenia points out. "You have already explained how this will not work for me in your world. Will I need to dress differently for every function?"

"If a little skin comes out with the thread, or a drop of blood, that is okay," Layth comments as he sits still and lets Calligenia tug one free. He doesn't even wince.

"Most functions have varying dress codes, yes," Layth agrees, "Some are relaxed, others formal. I do not expect you to know them all, just begin learning them and understanding what cues to look for so that you know what is most appropriate."

The Amazonian doe supervises Aisha for the next few pulls, and then lets her go on by herself. "Formal? Will I be expected to wear clothes that I cannot wear my armor or weapons with?" she asks.

"Likely. Weapons are not common attire in formal situations in most lands," Layth agrees. He keeps his torso completely still as Aisha works … which is easy enough since he can feel it. The buck takes a moment to look over his shoulder to check Aisha's expression.

The doe's tongue is sticking out of the side of her mouth and her nose is twitching even faster than normal (although Aisha sometimes tries to keep her nose from twitching at all when non-Lapi are around).

Deciding to test something, Layth waits until Aisha finishes her next pull, then says, "Ow."

"How will I show that I am not to be trifled with then?" Calli asks Layth. "Are you suggesting I bring… a bodyguard?"

"Yeeth!" Aisha squeaks, having bitten her tongue slightly when Layth went 'ow', and immediately stops what she was doing. "I don't see any blood!" she declares, in her it's-not-my-fault tone of voice.

"It also did not hurt, but your reaction shows you are still too jumpy. Sometimes dealing with things will hurt no matter what you do. You need not apologies for that … or make excuses," Layth says firmly and gently.

Now looking back to Calligenia, Layth says, "Am I not your bodyguard?"

"I thought you were my … leash-holder," the chocolate doe admits, having not fount an appropriate term from memory. "Or… uh… chaperon, as Xavier was?"

"You called me your guardian once. Are you now stating it isn't so?" Layth asks.

"A Guardian does not protect a Warrior, he protects her household," Calli notes. "In this case, you were protecting my interests… I thought. I am not certain any more, about many things."

"She wants you to bed her," Aisha tells Layth while plucking the next thread. Whether she's serious or just trying to get back at him for the 'ow' incident is uncertain.

"Look around. Where is your household?" Layth asks Calligenia. "Are you not your household when in these lands?" The buck then quirks a smile and actually asks, "Is that true, Calligenia? Do you wish me to bed you? And if so, shall I bring Aisha along to share in the experience?"

"Of course," Calligenia says, without any surprise. "You are highly desirable and would sire fine strong babies, plus you have already made love to me with your hands." There's a twinge as Aisha really yanks on a thread after Layth's added question.

Layth lets out a huff of air and looks over his shoulder again. His brow raises slightly as he looks at the doe, practically asking her to justify her last action.

"Slipped?" Aisha suggests, trying to look innocent.

"Indeed. That means you will have to be second," Layth remarks in complete deadpan. Turning back to Calligenia, he says, "Ah, of course, your only interest is for the chance of strong children. Cultures view that differently as well; you should learn what the action means in a few."

"Well, to lay with you is to have your children," Calli notes. "It is a bonus."

"Your mother understands that it can be more than just for siring children," Layth points out. "But that isn't precisely what I wish you to learn from me. I want you to … how to say this … I want you to learn whimsy. Not everything need be so serious."

"That will be difficult," Aisha comments, moving to the next set of stitches.

"I do not understand 'whimsy'," Calli admits. "Is it a sport?"

"Perhaps. She seems to be well on her way … she learned to survive around you, Lady Aisha," the buck comments and rolls his head. The effect of that is his lop-ears playfully 'thwap' against her face.

"Hey!" Aisha complains. "I am very serious-minded for my age, you know. I am not… overly frivolous, like some does."

"Whimsy is finding the humor in life, Lady Calligenia. It is … looking at the clouds and finding a silly face. Hearing someone slip in the rain and land in a mud-puddle and being unable to not smile. And of course, the ability to make a bad joke," Layth explains.

"Oh… " Calligenia says, and then nods. "So it is like drinking too much wine?"

"Maybe you should let her spend time with Spring Meadow," Aisha suggests. "She is very… uh… whimsical, I guess."

"Not exactly. It is simply … not taking everything so seriously," Layth tries to explain. A glance over his shoulder and he comments to Aisha, "Spring Meadow is … she knows how to enjoy moments, shall we say. And yet she is learned and strong when she needs to be."

"I can enjoy moments," Aisha replies, almost in a pout. "I'm lots of fun at parties!"

"You make it sound like… remaining a coney!" Calli says in shock.

"Ah … but do help others have fun or is it about you having fun?" Layth asks Aisha, brow arched. To Calligenia, he says, "There is wisdom in children, Lady Calligenia. When your still see things with wonder, you see possibilities that others miss."

"I like being an adult though," Calligenia says, and then frowns as if rethinking that.

"It isn't easy to be playful when so much is expected of you," Aisha tosses in. "The opportunities are rare."

"That still isn't quite what I mean, but I cannot expect a mountain to move in a day," Layth laments and looks towards the ceiling. "As for not being easy, nothing in life worth having is. I have expected little of both of you in these days we have been together and I have yet once see either of you simply enjoy and play."

"Mountain?" Calli asks, and looks down. "Am I putting on weight?"

Layth actually feels over Callie's chest and stomach before answering. "No," he says with a straight face.

"You need to be comfortable to just… enjoy and play," Aisha notes, having missed the groping.

"Ah, and you are not comfortable around me," Layth says with a nod.

"Oh," Calli says. "Well, what do you do to simply enjoy and play, Layth?"

"I'm comfortable around you," Aisha claims. "It's the environment that tends to make me tense. Besides… when I'm tense, you give me massages."

"I relax in many ways, from doing small bits of art to dancing," Layth answers and shrugs.

"Ah, so it is a ploy then to get a male to feel you in intimate ways?" Layth asks Aisha next.

"Nooo," Aisha mumbles. "I like dancing," she says louder. "Lapi don't really run in Abu Dhabi, after all."

"It's a ploy to get me to caress you in intimate ways?" Layth clarifies, looking slightly amused.

Calli says, "I can dance! I know the Sword Dance, and the Knife Dance, and the Dance of Seduction."

"You started it," Aisha says defensively. "I blame you for trying to condition me."

"You make it sound as if it is a bad thing to wish my attention," Layth notes with a sigh. "Do you think of me as so far beneath you, then?"

Aisha tugs on a thread, and says, "Why do you always make it seem like I am rejecting you, Layth? It is very cruel to play on my confusion. I'm just a girl you know."

"Ah, but do you know any dances that do not have a defined, ritualistic, purpose?" Layth asks Calli.
"I don't understand the question?" Calli replies, looking confused. "Dancing is… not for such purposes?"

"Not all of them, no. Some are simply to flow with the music and inspire your soul," Layth explains.

"Like… battle?" Calli asks, sounding hopeful for something to relate to.

"I am showing you how you sound," Layth says pointedly to Aisha, "For every action you make you think someone might disapprove of, you always have an excuse."

To Calli, Layth says, "If you remove the death aspect of battle, perhaps."

"Well… do you mean I should say that I am wrong or… uncertain?" Aisha asks in shock. "I have to try very hard to promote a confident image. It was bad enough when Anisa brought her parents and all of those experts with her to review the property I had on Rephidim. I nearly cried."

"I am saying you should be honest, at least with your friends" Layth says, "Having an outlet helps in presenting a more confident image to strangers. Those wounds you are removing the stitches from was my outlet from frustrations of dealing with you two."

Both does go quiet at that. "You could just smack us," Calligenia notes, although Aisha gasps at the suggestion.

"No, I couldn't," Layth comments and shrugs, "So, it was easier to find someone whom I could … and deserved worse. But that is not either of your concerns; Lady Calligenia and I already had a long talk after I returned. She talked me out of accepting a new job and leaving."

"You were going to leave?" Aisha squeaks, and accidentally yanks a stitch too hard.

And Aisha quickly finds her fingertips tinted red as the spot is now bleeding a little. "Ow," Layth comments as he reaches around and rubs the now smarting spot. "And yes, I was. Even I have my limits of feeling unwelcome."

"But, but… " Aisha blathers, nearly crying now that she sees the blood.

Layth reaches over and calmly puts he tip of his finger on top of Aisha's nose and his thumb under her chin. The buck applies gentle pressure and closes her mouth to silence her for a moment. "I'm not leaving," he says, "So please calm yourself. As for the blood, pay it no mind. It is nothing. Lady Calligenia and I had a long talk and cleared up much."

Aisha still makes noises of complaint while her mouth is held closed, and makes doe-eyes (of course) at Layth.

"Do you promise not to cry?" Layth asks as he keeps his hand where it is for now.

The doe nods with her ears.

"The issue was resolved. Lady Calligenia explained that both of you didn't hate me," the buck says and slowly releases Aisha's mouth. "And that I wasn't useless. Even I have feelings, Aisha, and at the time, I did not feel that my presence was wanted. I thought you both wanted me gone. But such was the past and is no longer to worry over."

Aisha sniffs, and still looks upset. "But you didn't even tell me," she whispers. "I thought you liked me."

"Which is why I thought if I left you would have been happier," Layth explains.

The golden doe just stares blankly at that, completely at a loss for words.

Layth tries to explain further, "More often than not you seemed to be annoyed by my presence. I was forced on you by your father, after all and I know that upset you. I didn't want you to continue to be upset, so leaving seemed at the time to be the best option."

"I'm sorry if I seemed annoyed with you," Aisha mumbles.

Layth gently cups his hand under Aisha's chin then draws her into a brief kiss. "Apology accepted," he says softly, "What was done is gone. Do not let it trouble you further."

The girl sniffs, and then wipes at her nose after the kiss, and asks, "Do you want me to keep pulling the stitches, or would you rather have Calli do it?"

"I would rather you finish it," Layth says, "You're doing fine and well on your way to earning the reward I have planned for both of you. A completely new experience, in fact."

"New?" Aisha asks, as she gets back to work. Calli, meanwhile, sits in from of Layth with her chin held out and looking expectant.

Layth's brow arches up slightly at Calligenia. "Your dutiful slave obeys," he actually teases her as he cups her chin this time, then kisses her the same way as he had Aisha … then adds in a playful and gentle nip of the chocolate doe's nose for good measure. "Yes, new. Do you want to know now?" he says.

"Is this something we need to prepare for?" Calli asks. "Will it involve grass?"

"No, and no," Layth answers.

"Are you sure there won't be grass?" Calli asks. "I'm still hungry from breakfast."

"I'm certain. After some shopping this afternoon for both of you I've made arrangements with an old friend," Layth says matter-of-factly and folds his hands back in his lap, "To have some tattoo work done on each of you."

Aisha does her best not to yank another stitch. "Excuse me?" she asks. Calli's ears perk a bit, and then she scratches at one of them. "I thought you wished for me to break away from ritualized activities?" the Amazonian notes.

Now that he's allowed the does to be shocked, the buck explains further, "The temporary kind. Simply a new experience in decoration for both of you. It will last less than a month. Less than a week if you really want it gone."

"Does it still use needles though?" Aisha asks nervously.

"I can see how Aisha would display one," Calli says. "But I am a lop-ear, like you Layth. It is hard to notice your tattoos unless your ears are pulled back."

"Not at all, it's done with a brush. Perfectly painless," Layth says, "Do you wish one done with needles?" He holds out his own ear, adding, "I survived needles… "

"I don't like needles!" Aisha claims, then immediately wishes she hadn't. "Please don't add that to the list of things I need to toughen-up over."

"Oh, do not worry, I wouldn't try to toughen you up on such a simple matter," Layth promises as he reaches over to lift one of Calligenia's ears. "And as for you, it's notall about show, but just trying something new. And sharing some of my experiences. For you they would be more of … a subtle secret. An indulgence to … whimsy."

"Alright," Calli agrees with a smile.

"Will I have to show my father though?" Aisha asks.

"Perhaps," Layth admits, "I haven't decided. And one more thing … depending on how brave either of you are feeling … I'm willing to do the work under the guidance of my friend."

"If it's done with a brush, can it not be done on fur?" Calli asks. She has short fur like a regular Lapi, instead of the thicker Valkyrian type common to Warrior and Guardian families.

"It can. I've heard the Eeee have popularized that form," Layth says, "What are you thinking?"

"Just that it would be much easier than the cosmetics that Aisha applies with pads and puffs," Calli notes.

Behind Layth, Aisha just grumbles a little.

"Has she attacked you with those puffs yet?" Layth asks in all seriousness.

"I don't see that I need them," Calligenia notes. "I do not have the variations in fur color that she needs to 'even out' as she puts it."

"Hey!" Aisha says. "It's just a few shiny patches! From my glands!"

"At least I'm not the color of dirt," the golden doe mutters.

"I have been fortunate that she has not tried to alter my appearance as well," Layth comments, "It would be a lost cause."

"You just said I could dress you," Aisha notes.

"Yes … but there is little I imagine that can be done with … this," Layth says as he gestures to himself.

"Shiny pants," Aisha says.

"We shall see," Layth remarks, "Now finish your work. Afterward I will prepare some lunch, tend to any needs either of you may have, them we will shop." Now looking at Calligenia, he says, "And remember when shopping to keep the negotiations … simple."

Aisha returns to working on the last stitches, while Calli puts on a look of exaggerated innocence. "I promise not to trade your services for shiny pants, Layth," the Amazonian promises.