Once again, the gray-haired Savanite woman called Minori leads Layth to a quiet blue-tiled room within the Al-Firaih villa after separating him from Aisha, Spring Meadow and the unusually-docile Calligenia. This was not difficult, as Aisha quickly dragged Calli off for a 'proper' Abu Dhabi makeover, and Meadow followed along. The same low tea-table and cushions are present; although the room is empty of people save for Layth and the servant as yet, although Spring Meadow had agreed to be interviewed later.

"Forgive the question, but why is Spring Meadow to be interviewed?" Layth asks as he pads slowly towards the collection of cushions. After circling the table once, the buck finally selects a cushion and settles down upon it.

The elder Savanite signs, "She and the brown one have worked with Prosperity on the Sky Island." The sign for 'prosperity' is much easier than having to spell out Aisha's name, since they both translate the same.

"Only indirectly, I thought, but then what am I but an unworthy soul with a meager memory," Layth comments as he tries to sit still. Even after all this time he feels strange not being the servant. "And do please forgive my asking … but has much been said before our arrival?"

The woman blinks, and signs, "The master has been worried about his daughter while she was away. He did not express this so much in words, however, as in behavior."

"How so?" Layth inquires in sign. His head tilts and his lop ears fall over his left shoulder.

"He sometimes stares off in thought, or stops work suddenly to go play with his youngest daughter Sabriyya," the woman signs. "There are little signs that one not very familiar with him would overlook. I have had the honor of changing his diapers as a babe, and have been with him his entire life."

Layth mmms and closes his eyes for a short time, then nods at that and reopens them. "I understand. Thank you honored Minori, it has once again been a pleasure to see you and speak with you. You are a queen amongst us all," the Lapi says in sign, then bows his head.

The Savanite returns the bow, just before Jumah Al-Firaih, father of Aisha, enters the room though a different curtained doorway and seems to take up more space than the larger Amazonian Lapi by dint of sheer enthusiasm (and a prosperous belly). "Welcome home, Layth! I am overjoyed to have my dear Aisha returned safe and sound, and to see that you too are whole and hearty from your adventure!" the man says, the words flowing out as if water from a fountain.

Layth chuckles lightly and smiles to the older male. Again he bows his head, only with this to also roll his hand lightly and present it palm up as well. As he draws it back to his lap, he says, "Honored Al-Firaih, the heavens must bless you more every day. You gleam of health and happiness. The journey, while not without trials, was most charming and enjoyable. I do believe your daughter enjoyed herself and learned much."

"Such words soothe my old heart, young Layth," the man says, and joins Layth at the table. "Minori -" he begins to say, but the Savanite has already left. "Ah, she is probably fetching someone to bring us tea. I would be lost without her, I fear. But tell me Layth, what do you feel my daughter has learned – and what impact it has had upon her?"

"Such of what I could say would be merely my best attempt at understanding a complex woman, but if the Gods grant me clarity, perhaps I will be able to articulate the truth of the matter," Layth begins slowly as he thinks over just what to say. "Your daughter is strong willed and does her best to never show fear. This is a good trait for anyone who travels the world. But, I think she has also begun to learn that no one can face everything and there are times she must rely on others to help her. I hope that in some meager way my tending to her has taught her it is okay to ask another for help." The buck pauses there to take a breath, then smiles, "Forgive me for saying this, but she has been most trying at times, and yet I have enjoyed being with her and helping her. You have a wonderful and complex daughter, Honored Al-Firaih."

"She is my greatest pride, more so than any building or road I have built," Jumah says, holding a hand to his heart. "And it gladdens me to hear that Aisha's own pride is becoming more realistic. Has she, perhaps, accepted your advice – or even, may the Gods grant one such as I a ray of splendor, asked for your help or wisdom?"

"Never directly, but there are subtle hints that she does wish for help at times. A shift of stance, a twitch of her ears, to even simply looking away," Layth answers, still smiling. "She still finds it hard to ask for help … but she has become less resistant to it when offered. With time and experience, I think that too will fade and she will ask without fear and directly. May the Gods strike my ears away, bit I believe she is just not yet sure who she may trust completely. I know, though I am sure she would never say such, that she ultimately wants you to be proud of her. She wants to help your family shine … she just wishes to do it in her way. She wants to be strong, like you."

"Aiee, she is strong, I know," Jumah says proudly, before noting, "but she does not yet understand that some strengths are not universal. Women have certain strengths which only they can rightly possess, and men have their own which women are not able to emulate. Aisha believes she can – and indeed must – master these masculine strengths in order to be seen as equal. It is my wish that by your association with her, she will begin to trust in you to provide such strengths so that she may focus on those that are more naturally her own. She is the brightest girl I know, but at the same time… Ah, youth makes us all fools, while age makes us regret."

"Forgive me, but I believe the only way for her to learn that is time. Hers is of a will that must learn who it will trust and lean on in times she needs help. All I can do is be there when she needs me. If I forced it, I fear it would only drive her away from me instead of confiding in me," Layth says as he idly brushes over his lop-ears. His brow and shoulders sink noticeably at the suggestion she may push him away. "In truth, I believe she may think you sent me with her as … her potential husband. And that is something she does not desire yet."

"As I said, she is bright," Jumah notes. "And I would not be fully honest if I did not tell you that that was part of the reason I chose you, Layth. But that is for the fates to worry about, not you and I!" At this point, a Savanite serving girl enters carrying a tray with the tea service on it, and quietly begins to serve the men.

"Honored Al-Firaih, ultimately I wish her to see me as a friend, not as an escort to be endured as she first did. May the Gods strike me down, but I believe that if she will ever rely on me for things, she must in her heart trust and believe in me. She has to want me to be around," Layth explains, then takes a moment to smile to the Savanite. "Which … if I may be bold and suggest a way to test if she … likes having me around?"

"A test? Well, you have survived traveling with her, and have not demanded to be freed from your obligation as her last bodyguard did," the older Lapi says with a chuckle. "What is this test that you propose?"

Layth smiles almost impishly. "Suggest to her that you will be replacing me with another. Perhaps that I was not good enough for your daughter," he suggests. "Her reaction may tell you, and I, much of what she thinks of having an unworthy soul such as I around her. If she defends me, well, then we will both know if she is slowly coming to trust me."

"That… seems a bit harsh," Jumah admits. "I fear that I could not manage such a deception, my lad, without being seen through. Nor would I wish to cause her distress with such a thing. Indeed, it is too early to worry about her feelings for you. Although I am to understand she wishes to follow her friend – whom I fear she idolizes – to Abaddon now? If exposure to a culture even more alien than that of Amazonia does not bring her to trust in the familiar, then perhaps something more drastic could be attempted."

"Ah, yes, Abbadon. That is a journey to establish trade. I do not believe that should pose much real danger, but it should be quite … different for all of us," Layth agrees and finally lifts the teacup poured by the Savanite, then draws a small sip.

The girl watches Layth's face to see if he approves of the tea. While Jumah reaches over to stroke her ears. "You may go and play now, kitten," he says by way of dismissal.

Layth answers the curious look from the Savanite by smiling to her and nodding in approval. "If I may be so bold in asking, Honored Al-Firaih, how has my father fared since we left? I have thought of him every day since we parted," the buck asks.

After the girl skips out of the room, Jumah smiles and rests his hands on his belly. "Master Zarif has been well, if I am any judge. On the occasions I have seen him at his favorite milk bar, he is surrounded by peers and friends who come to share his wit and wisdom. It is close to his honored brother's household, and so he visits it almost every night - although sometimes I think he may do so merely to escape his sister-in-law and his nieces, who 'demand so much attention' from him, as he says."

"They demand attention from him?" Layth asks as his brow goes up slightly, "Of course I shall not inquire in what. If he wishes me to know, he will, of course, say." Smiling, he takes another sip from his cup before asking, "Honored Al-Firaih, I know that I am merely an unworthy soul in your magnificent household, but if you will be so gracious and forgive the question, I hope I have not caused you any problems? If I have, please tell me and I will do all I can to correct them."

"Problems?" the man laughs. "Unworthy? Nonsense, my boy! I am a man of humble beginnings, who would not have made it to where I am without the support of Minori, who was my only inheritance. I understand the relationship between you and your father only too well, and it is why I chose to bring you into my home."

Layth dares a laugh. "Please forgive me for saying so, but Minori cares for you as much as a mother would, more so than a servant," the buck says. "She is a true gem and I believe would do anything for you."

"Indeed, and I for her," the man says, smiling. "When my father passed away, I was still an apprentice stone mason. I could not afford to feed both myself and a servant – but Minori hired herself out to cover our expenses and allow me to start saving money. She worked for scholars, mostly, who are often too absent-minded to take care of themselves, it seems. But she learned from them; things I could not teach her! When I became a credentialed master, she introduced me to architects and others whom she worked for. And with my first profitable contract, I used the money to purchase the man she loved so they could be together. My goodness, that was expensive! But worth every shekel for the smiles it brought."

"That was a truly beautiful thing you did for them. May the Gods grant me the chance to perform such miracles for someone, someday. There is little I would not do for my father. In truth, I always felt I have never done enough," Layth says. the buck shakes his head, then smiles again, adding, "But then I would have never guessed the fates would lead me to helping a shining star such as your daughter. Even her friend, Calligenia, whom is … different from many, has become my friend as well. Which, in truth, I would never have thought possible."

"She seemed much less… bold… than I had expected from my daughter's stories," Jumah notes. "She seemed a bit shy, in all honesty. But then, she was not trying to negotiate with me for something she wanted, I suppose!"

"To know Calligenia you would need to meet her mother. She is an impressive woman. Calm and intelligent," Layth explains. "And that is something Calligenia aspires to also be. She is, in her own way, very much like your daughter. Wishing to prove herself but often uncertain as to how and striving as best she can. It is no wonder they are friends."

"Ah, but she admits to uncertainty?" Jumah asks. "If only Aisha were so brave. But perhaps then she will learn to be such from this barbarian princess."

Layth raises a finger. "Forgive the correction, Honored Al-Firaih, she admitted it to me," the buck explains, "It is not common knowledge. Calligenia … has begun to confide in me more. Perhaps that is a sign that so will your most beauteous daughter."

"Ah!" the older Lapi says, his eyes bright with realization. "And if I may ask, young man; did you confide a fear to her first? Sometimes that step is necessary with women, before they will begin to trust."

Layth has to think about that for a moment. "I … believe I did, though I knew it not at the time. I told her that I felt I had failed them both and apologized for it," the buck admits.

"I know little of the Amazonian culture," Jumah admits, "but it seems women there still dislike hurting a man's pride. How did my daughter react to this?"

"She was not there," Layth answers and looks down at his cup. "It was late and Calligenia had wished to speak with me on a matter. In truth I was very tired and my manners were stolen by the demons of exhaustion. I was … bluntly honest with her."

"Ah, it is true that at times bluntness is needed to break through a woman's shell," the man notes, nodding. "I have used it seldom, and only when not in full control of my faculties, admittedly. Our women are so used to a polite, non-confrontational face that it shocks them into dropping their defenses."

"Calligenia is used to blunt … except from me. I think that must be what surprised her," Layth explains. The buck now takes some time to finish his tea. "Forgive me for forgetting, Honored Al-Firaih, but you have had many wives, yes?"

"Only one, though I am blessed beyond my worth with her," Jumah says, looking content. "She has given me almost thirty years of bliss, and five beautiful daughters. In my youth, I sought after many women – such is the curse of our race, I suppose – but when I found my flower… well, Minori told me to marry her or else regret it forever, to be truthful."

At that, Layth chuckles. "Once again, Minori saved you, Honored one. We all owe her much," the buck says, smiling. "If I may now ask, will you permit your daughter to go with Calligenia?"

"Well, that is up to you, really," Jumah notes. "Will you be willing to escort her, or do you feel this journey would tax her – or your – ability to cope?"

"I will escort her if she wishes me to," Layth answers, "Travel does not bother me; the road taught me calm in that respect. In truth, I would follow your daughter wherever she asked me to, as long as she asked me to.

Jumah smiles. "Well then, perhaps that will be a kinder test of your appeal to her," he says. "I will tell her that it is up to her to invite you or not."

Layth nods to that. "Your wisdom is far greater than mine, Honored Al-Firaih," the buck says. "I will leave such to you."

"Now, how do you wish to spend the rest of the day, while my daughter plays dress-up with her friends?" Jumah asks.

"I have not fully decided. I know I wish to visit my father for a bit, of course, but outside that I am open. Is there anything you can suggest, Honored one?" Layth asks with a smile.

"Well, I do not think you had a proper tour of the villa last time," Jumah says. "I would be most pleased to offer you that, if you like."

At that, Layth smiles. "I would be honored, Master Al-Firaih," the buck ways with sincerity deep in his voice.

Layth eases back from the table and rises to his feet. The buck walks around the table and with a low bow to Al-Firaih, he says, "Shall we walk and discuss more, most glorious of Lapis? Once again I must thank you for your faith in this most unworthy buck. I owe you a debt I can never repay."