Yes, Umeko is still gone. Every time Xander peeks past the door to see if she somehow snuck by him and into the room, he gets that answer. She vanished without a word yesterday evening as well as Lilac and neither have been seen since. Evening is once again approaching and still the Kiriga is nowhere to be seen. To make matters worse, the buck is starting his third our of pacing outside her door which isn't sitting well with the servants that pass by. At first they just gave him odd looks … now they outright scowl when they pass by.

"Don't they know about carpets in Nagai," the Lapi mutters. His feet are getting sore from the stone floor, since Lapis don't have pads on their feet. "I shouldn't be pacing. I shouldn't be… where is she?"

Clicking of toe claws on stone echo behind Xander as someone approaches. It isn't likely a servant, since all the ones he has seen have been Naga. Who it is becomes clear enough when he hears Umeko's voice ask, "Is something wrong, Xander? You seem agitated."

The buck nearly jumps. "Oh, there you are Umeko!" Xander says, and rushes up to the Kiriga (nearly tripping along the way). "Where've you been? Lilac's gone missing too! I've been pulling my ears all day in worry."

"Oh. We were meeting with Anisa on a matter regarding the orb and on Lilac's condition. Anisa arrived last night and we figured you had enough worry with presenting your bill to the Empire to be concerned with a smaller matter," Umeko claims as she shifts a bundle that rests across her shoulders. "This morning my father wished an audience and I spoke with him," she adds, tone and expression neutral.

"Wait… what?" Xander asks. "Anisa finally arrived and you saw your father? Are you okay? Is she okay?" the Lapi asks.

Umeko turns the knob of her door and opens it. She gestures for Xander to follow as she explains, "Anisa is fine. In fact, she seems better than when we last saw her; the break has done well for her." She lifts the bundle from her neck and very gently sets it down on one of the small tables in her quarters. "As for my father," the Kiriga begins, "he took the Autumn Harvest from me."

It takes the Lapi a moment to realize what Umeko is saying. "Your swords?" he asks. "I… thought they were yours?"

"I stole them from the family," Umeko admits and hangs her head. "It was … necessary. He said no warrior should carry stolen weapons."

"Oh… then… " Xander starts to ask, then looks at the bundle. "You don't seem upset," he notes instead.

Umeko's shoulders roll in a small shrug. "He was right. I cannot be upset with that," she comments, "Nor for what he gave me. Of all the things I imagined, some good, some bad, I never expected this." The carefully unrolls the bundle, first freeing a long sword. At first glance, it appears nearly black, but when the light hits it just right, silvery metal reflects along the black scabbard, outlining intricately painted scales. The scaling fades into rolling clouds and stylized depictions of rain. Through breaks in the clouds a painting of sunlight shines down. She holds the weapon lightly in both hands and offers it to Xander. "This is 'Sunlight Through Storm'," she explains as her thumbs trace lightly over the lacquered metal scabbard. It was my father's personal sword. Made for him long ago when he became Lord of our family. He said it was the fate of these swords to go where they are needed most and with Jadai at peace, they are no longer needed there."

"That… those… ," Xander stutters, struck a bit in awe at the ornate blades. "They… suit you, Umeko," he finally says. "The black goes well with your golden scales."

Umeko grips the hilt and presses against the tsuba. There's a soft clicking sound as the blade releases from the scabbard and she draws it free and holds it out for Xander to see. The blade is metal; polished to a mirror shine. All along the edge is a rolling cloudy line of darker metal with intricate lines and swirls throughout. Even at a close look of the mirror polished part betrays the same sort of curling light lines, as if the blade was made more from a rolling river than from just simple metal. "Do you understand what they mean, Xander? Beyond being beautiful weapons, do you understand the significance of his gift?" she asks quietly.

"You say there were his swords?" Xander asks. "Does that mean he's passing on … uh… the family warrior legacy?" The Lapi seems a bit out of his depth when dealing with Jadaian culture.

Umeko return the blade reverently to its scabbard. "Something simpler," she says, "It means he accepts me. It means he is proud of me, even though I disobeyed him. It meant after everything, after running away, after disobeying his orders, after … it means he loves me in spite of it. For the first time I can remember, we talked, we shared feelings, and both of us listened. He wishes me to walk my path and be strong … but also that I return home from time to time to visit. I think we finally understand each other."

Xander blinks at this. "Why wouldn't he love you still?" he finally asks. "I mean… well, okay, maybe I don't understand," he admits, rubbing the top of his head. "I thought you expected him to be angry or something."

"I did," Umeko admits as she returns the sword to the table, then faces Xander. "Jadaian families are … complicated. We are not like Lapi families. Outward expressions of affection are rare. Children are expected to obey their parents without question and women are expected to serve the men. I rebelled against all that. From Jadaian tradition perspective, I was a horrible and shameful child. I always thought he hated me; he was always so angry with me."

"Is that why he tried to marry you off to Hakuu?" Xander asks. "I guess you're on better terms now though, right?"

"Hakuu was a political marriage as much as anything. He was from a more prominent family and the union would have raised our family's status," Umeko explains, "And yes, we are on 'better terms'. We … hugged."

"Err, and you never had before?" Xander asks, just to be clear.

"Not since I was very young," Umeko says.

Xander seems to relax a bit after that admission. "Ah, so he doesn't think you're being corrupted by us mammals then, right?"

"He did not express such an opinion," Umeko notes, brow arched. "Were all you concerned about was if he would be angry with you?"

"No, I was afraid he would drag you back home or something," Xander admits. "But making you stop associating with us was a close second."

"Are you saying you would miss me?" Umeko inquires as she moves closer to the Lapi. Her head curls down so she's now peering up at him.

"Of course I'd miss you," Xander says, smiling. "I nearly went crazy when you vanished without a word yesterday."

"Well, you have said a few times that I tend to drive you crazy. Perhaps if I were gone things would be easier?" the Kiriga offers. "Or at least involve less of being pulled around and asked to wear funny things."

"Easier isn't better," Xander notes. "Women drive me crazy no matter what, so I'd rather it be done by someone I really like. I thought for awhile that you'd all gone ahead to Sylvania and left me behind."

"I wouldn't leave you behind," Umeko notes as she reaches over and lightly brushes the backs of her claws against Xander's cheek. "You have always been there for me when I needed someone to listen. Or when I needed someone to make me listen."

"Well… you need to have some male influence," Xander notes, smiling now that he knows he won't be left behind. "Did you bring Anisa her new clothes?"

"No, not yet. I was waiting for them to finish something I asked them to make for you in addition to the more formal robes," Umeko explains, "Which should be done now."

"Oh, what is it?" Xander asks, curious. "Is it a hat?" he asks, brushing back his ears.

"Do you remember the the talk about collars?" Umeko asks. The leans forward and taps the buck's nosetip, adding, "And what you agreed to?"

"I… uh… " Xander stammers. "You're getting me a collar?" he asks. With all the tress of that day, he can't recall what he may or may not have agreed to… but doesn't want to admit that to Umeko.

"Maybe," Umeko says and smiles that irritatingly sweet and predatory smile of hers. "Do you want to find out?"

"Well… of course I do!" Xander says. "You have me all curious now."

"Have you ever been told that you are far too eager to feed yourself to monsters?" Umeko has to ask.

The Lapi's ears droop, and he says, "I don't remember any mention of monsters!"

"I'm not a monster?" Umeko asks.

"Since when are you a monster?" Xander asks, and reaches down to actually pinch Umeko's cheeks. "You're too cute!"

"You truly need lessons in romance," Umeko notes after she rubs her cheeks. "Shall we go, then? The shop should still be open. We can pick up Anisa's clothing and have yours fitted again to make sure it is correct."

"Oh… I suppose they should still be open," Xander says. "Err… I've actually lost track of time… "

"What have you been doing with your time? Did you find a beautiful Naga lady to keep you company?" Umeko teases as she offers her hand to the buck.

"I got a lot of dirty looks from some," Xander admits, and takes the hand. "After I dealt with the Guild stuff, I tried to find you and found out you and Lilac had vanished. So… I've been waiting outside off and on since then."

"Sorry. We should have left you a note," Umeko apologizes and leads the buck out of the room. "I will make it up to you."

"Make it up to me?" Xander asks. "It… wasn't anything serious. I know you and Lilac and the Snowshoes have secrets, after all."

"As you like. A pity, my bed is quite large, too," Umeko comments. She flashes the buck a smile, then off they go.

Aaarrgh is all Xander can think at the moment, as he follows along.

---

The walk into the city is more peaceful than the last now that the sun is falling below the horizon. Most of the reptiles have withdrawn to their homes to curl upon warning stones. But, a few shops have remained open, including the one that they visited a few days earlier.

"Ah, the mossst beautiful Lady of Jadai, you have returned," the tailor that molested Xander earlier with dozens of garters says in greeting to the pair as they enter. "You blessss my humble ssshop. I have finissshed the itemsss you requesssted for your friendsss and ssservantsss." With that, the Naga looks at Xander.

"Uh, hi again," Xander says, wiggling his fingers to the big serpent.

"Do you wisssh to fit him or ssshall I? the Naga tailor asks Umeko.

"Why does he make that sound ominous?" Xander whispers to Umeko.

"I wish you to, so that I may see how it is fitted. I do not wish to harm him, after all," Umeko explains as she slips her hand from Xander's. She finds a stool nearby and settles down on it, crossing her hands in her lap.

"Uhhh," Xander starts to say, one finger held up questioningly. "What do I have to do?"

"Strip," the Naga explains as he goes behind the counter and brings up a large wrapped bundle. "And stand on that pedestal," he adds with a wave of his hand to the one near the mirrors.

"What?" Xander asks, hugging himself. "I thought this was for a collar or something!"

"I have to fit your robessss," the Naga clarifies with an exasperated sigh. "I cannot fit them over your current clothesss!"

"Oh… so I just need to rake off my robes then!" Xander says in relief, and heads to the pedestal. "You made it sound like you wanted me down by fluff."

"I do," the Naga notes as he undoes the bundle and sets out several items. One looks like a set of robesgiven the amount of cloth, the other looks like some sort of undergarments.

Trying to make Xander more relaxed, Umeko turns away.

"Of course," Xander mutters, and starts disrobing. "I'm glad I didn't become a tailor like my older brother… "

The Naga slithers over and circles Xander. He pokes and prods as he checks a few more measurements. "Good, they were correct," he notes as he goes to fetch the first part of Xander's clothing. It's a thin robe that goes to mid-thigh. Soft and almost zolk-like in texture, it feels like he's barely wearing anything at all. The Naga goes about securing the side ties which hold it closed. One this is true, it is a perfect fit. All the lines are right where they should be.

"Wow," Xander has to admit. "It's like wearing… uh… I have no idea what it's like wearing."

The Naga shakes his head and mutters something in Imperial. Whatever it was, it didn't sound polite. The snake goes and gets the robes next. As he drapes them over Xander's shoulders, the Lapi can tell they fit and lay like a modified kimono. Less complicated than the clothing affairs Umeko normally has, but with much of the same style in the pattern. The pase later is a shimmering black; the color of coal. It flows and fades into a fiery brilliant red cutting across Xander's chest from his left shoulder to his right hip. The sigil of the sphere of fire is embroidered over his left pectoral muscle. And from the feel, the same sigil is probably embroidered on the back as well. In the mirror there is one small detail Xander also notices, the collar has a tiny version of the Tsuguri house embroidered on it. Enough to indicate he serves the house, but not part of it.

"This is amazing," he mutters. "I look… good." He puffs out his chest and tries to strike a heroic looking pose. Better enjoy this while I can, before Anisa sees it and finds a reason to laugh at me, he thinks.

Umeko turns around. "Yes, that looks very nice. It won't do for when we are traveling the lands, but it is adequate for court and Imperial matters," Umeko says approvingly. "Is the second part complete?" she now asks the tailor.

Xander silently wonders if it will be boots. He can't recall if the garters measured his feet though. Just thinking back to it makes his fur feel squirmy.

"It is. I believe you wished the subject blindfolded so it will be a surprise?" the Naga inquires as he retrieves a swatch of cloth.

"A surprise?" Xander asks, and looks to Umeko. "Blindfold?"

"Blindfold," Umeko says with a nod. She just sits there impassively, neither smiling nor frowning … not giving a clue of any kind.

"Hold still," the Naga says and brings the strip of cloth up…

"There's something about a giant serpent saying 'hold still' that is so not conducive to relaxation," Xander mutters – and holds still.

Nor is it relaxing to be blindfolded by the Naga. As long as he doesn't ask Xander to hold an apple in his mouth, there is probably no intention to eat him. The world is now dark and Xander can ear the Naga gliding all around … he can even hear when the Naga's tongue flicks…

"This… isn't going to be underwear is it?" Xander asks nervously.

Xander feels something with a bit of weight drape onto his shoulders. The next thing Xander feels is the Naga feeling his head. He tilts it this way and that…

"The ears don't come off!" Xander yelps, and tries not to grab at the (cold cold cold) scaly hands holding his head.

Funny Xander should mention ears. The Naga takes a hold of the buck's left ear. It's tugged down and Xander can feel something cool slipping around the outer edge of it.

He's not licking it, I hope! Xander mentally pleas. No… it must be an earring of some sort. Yeah… something fancy and shiny… or else it's being shaved. He isn't sure Umeko would do that though…

The first bit Xander feels squeeze down firmly, but not in any way painfully; it seems to fit the contour of his ear. There's a pause, then Xander can feel another something slip around his ear, just above the first and be gently clamped down.

"Do the Nagai have ear clips?" he mumbles. Most Nagai don't even have ears, he knows…

Xander gets no reply to his mumble. Time ticks away slowly as several more bits are clamped lightly onto his ear, slowly growing upwards to the tip. But eventually, the procedure finishes and the weight on his shoulders is lifted away.

"An interesting effect," Umeko is heard to comment, "And he has full mobility?"

"Can I take off the blindfold now?" he asks.

"He ssshould, yesss," the Naga replies, "The segments articulate."

"I suppose," Umeko admits, "I decided against the dye… "

The Lapi tears off the blindfold as quickly as he can to see what's been put onto his ear.

It takes a few blinks for Xander's eyes to refocus and adjust to light again, but once he does he can see exactly what has been put on his ear. It looks like a series of ear clips climbing the outer edge of his ear … but each has been crafted to interlink with the one above and below it in a shimmery golden lacquer. The effect makes the outer ridge of his ear look scaled and somehow manage to 'naturally' blend into his usual fur. As he turns it this way and that, he can just make out a twisting stylized Jadian dragon. It's remarkably similar to the one that coils around the collar Lilac wears.

"This is so much nicer than a gold tooth," the mage mutters. "Umeko… this is… " he says, turning to the Kiriga… and then he just hops over and gives her a big kiss!

"I can boils some water if you need to disinfect yourself, Lady Tsuguri," the Naga tailor offers.

Umeko just … blinks a few times at the kiss, then feels her lips. "I will take that to mean you like it?" she finally asks after a moment of looking completely lost. "It is something you can wear other than the robes should you need to act on my authority," she explains, "And a little less … I believe the word is humiliating, than a collar might appear? And, it is supposed to move freely with your ear." She waves the tailor off and says, "No, it is okay."

Xander waggles his ear around to test it. "Heee! Anisa will have kittens when she sees this, you realize," he notes. "She'll be jealous! Ha! What a bonus!"

"I could ask for another to be made if she will be angry… ?" Umeko offers.

"Nonono!" Xander pleads. "She doesn't work for you, after all, and you know she loves to brush her ears and something like this would just get in the way of that."

"I think you just wish to taunt Anisa," Umeko observes, now looking a bit amused as her lips draw back, giving Xander another look at those grooved fangs. "Is that not a sign of a … crush?"

"She always gets to taunt me," Xander notes. "And I could never have crush on Anisa, she's like my… older brother… or something. Just shorter, and with girly bits."

"I see," Umeko observes. "Have you ever had a crush on someone?"

"Oh, sure… uh… " Xander says, then decides he probably shouldn't go any further than that. "Haven't you?"

"Yes," Umeko answers as she finally stands from her stool. "Is there anything I can do to help you with the woman you have a crush on?" she asks as she goes to the counter to negotiate price with the Naga.

"Other than put on that chain-mail lingerie?" Xander asks, then covers his mouth. That wasn't supposed to be out loud.

Fortunately for Xander, Umeko seems to be lost in negotiations with the Naga now as they converse in a series of loud hisses and growls of the Imperial tongue. She doesn't seem to have heard the comment.

The Lapi exhales finally. She bought me fancy clothes and jewelry, he thinks. She wants me to look good next to her in court! And… well, she was probably just kidding about the bed. Probably.

Umeko retrieves another bundle of clothing, presumably the set for Anisa. "Shall we go find Anisa, or would you prefer to do something else for the remainder of the evening?" the Kiriga now asks Xander as she picks up the package, apparently satisfied with the negotiated price.

"We should go find her first," Xander says. Then he remembers to grab his old clothes before the Naga tailor decides to burn them or something.

Xander gets to his clothing right as the Naga tailor was returning with a bucket and a bottle of lamp oil. He 'frowns' briefly as Xander reclaims his clothing, then comments, "At leasssst burn thossse undergarmentsss. Or wasssh them. Mammalsss."

"They're fireproof," Xander notes. "You know how hard it is to get fireproof boxer shorts?"

"I do not care," the Naga mutters.

Shaking her head, Umeko takes Xander's arm and tugs him out of the shop. "Come along," she tells him.

"For a moment, I was afraid you were going to put a leash on me or something," Xander admits, although he's grinning.

"I would never do that to you," Umeko comments, still looking amused, "And really, you should know me better by now. You looked terrified in there that I was going to do something horrible to you."

"Well, it was more that I was terrified by the tailor possibly doing something horrible to me," Xander notes. "What was the heavy thing he put around my neck, anyway?"

"Jeweler tools. He had to make the final adjustments on the spacing when it was on," Umeko explains, "What did you think it was?"

"I was afraid to imagine what it could have been," Xander admits.

"No one is going to harm you, Xander," Umeko explains in deadpan, "I have the right to do that first."

"That… is actually comforting!" Xander says, smiling and standing a bit straighter.

That comment gets Xander a really strange look from Umeko. "You are a strange man, Xander," she admits. "But I'm glad you are here. You always made me feel accepted when I was lost in Rephidim … here I make you feel accepted, I hope?"

"Well, accepted by you, yes," Xander says. "That's enough for me, really."

"And by Anisa, Lilac, Gibson, and even Pyrelighter," Umeko points out. "You do not give yourself enough credit."

"Well… them accepting me isn't as important," Xander claims. "I'm not alien at all to them. Pyrelighter is a fellow mage after all, so we have a lot in common through that."

"Plus they would not look as good in the 'chain mail lingerie'?" the Kiriga inquires, brow ridge raised a bit. Okay, so maybe she did hear the earlier comment.

"Oh, I don't even want to picture Pyre- Auugh!" Xander moans and grabs the sides of his head.

"Do not worry, you will have other things to occupy your mind later," Umeko notes as she walks along. As her arm slips lightly around the small of his back, she tells him, "Thank you for always being there for me, Xander. And for forgetting something… "

Smiling, Xander lets go of his head, and then has to ask, "What did I forget?"

Umeko's answer to that is to hold up his bottle of 'Cold Shower' and dangle it between two claws. "You forgot to check your robe. I picked it up while you were occupied," she explains.

Xander eeps! "Oh… uh… " he says, and pats his new, fancy duds. "These new robes don't have hidden pockets on the inside, do they?"

"Yes, they do, but you do not need this tonight," Umeko explains, then offers the bottle to him by reaching inside the upper part of his robe and slipping it into a pocket. "Unless you really want it? It would make the chain mail less interesting, would it not?"

The buck's ears blush to match the red of his clothing. "Well… " he says, finally. "I wouldn't want to make anything less interesting!"