The Lapis made it back to the townhouse not long after Tasha and the Karnors returned from their own night out. Luckily, the rabbits didn't wake anyone. Layth had to carry Calligenia up to the bedroom though, since she was starting to get a bit wobbly, while Aisha was just fine. Spring Meadow and Aaron stayed in the living room to 'talk' in front of the fireplace for a bit – but they never did make it to bed during the night. Calli was a bit grabby while Layth prepared her for bed, but passed out soon enough into snoring oblivion. At least, until just before dawn, when the Amazonian doe had to make a sudden run to the bathroom and woke up Layth.

Tasha's eyes slowly open, revealing the sea of black and gray fur her nose is currently buried in. "Mmph," she mumbles, blinking slowly, sorely. A hangover rings in her head, but unlike the does, she's an old hat at dealing with 'morning after' situations. Her hand reaches up to rest over Gabriel's chest, feeling for his beating heart, and breathing.

Layth sits up and rubs his eyelids slowly. "And thus the vengeance of the Old God of Hangovers has struck Calligenia," he mutters when the sounds of heaving echo down the hallway. "She'll probably ask me who defeated her in combat… "

The buck slides out of his bed and goes about the task of dressing. Thankfully, he's usually one for simple clothing, so it goes fast. He then gathers up Calligenia's clothing as well and heads down the hallway towards the bathroom.

Akkers is breathing just fine, clearly deep asleep still. The sun hasn't risen yet, from the look of the window-light, but there's a bit of pre-dawn glow.

"I have been poisoned," Calligenia laments in Olympian from where she kneels over the porcelain altar.

Tasha slides her head to look up at the sleeping man, patting him gently before she pulls herself to a kneeling position. "Rrrf." A hand goes to her head as she tries to stop the pounding. When she decides it isn't going anywhere soon, she carefully climbs out of bed, and slides herself in to a robe, before stepping out to see what the noise is all about. "Tha' you, Layth?"

"You have not. You merely drunk too much," Layth comments in a really quiet voice as he kneels beside the doe. There he rubs her back, starting from the bottom and working his way upward. "When you are up for dressing, I will help. I also know of a way to help temper the demons in your skull." The buck then looks backward towards Tasha. "Calligenia and Spring-Meadow drunk a bit too much last night. She is now suffering the results. Nothing to worry about," he explains.

After the dry heaves pass, Calli rubs her eyes to try and clear them. "I can taste my intestines," she mutters.

Tasha's muzzle splits in a grin. "Welcome to my worl'," she says, a hint of a laugh in her voice. "You'll be fine. I've 'ad more 'angovers then I wan' to coun' with my 'ead bangin' like this, bu' they all go away." She then glances back towards the door she stepped out of, and closes it so Akkers can sleep soundly.

"As long as you don't see them, you are fine," Layth explains to Calligenia. The buck then eases her back when it seems she won't vomit any further and starts pulling her clothing lightly over her head to dress her.

"Why are the gods punishing me?" Calligenia asks Tasha, since she's the one with experience. She tries not to get tangled up in her own clothing.

Tasha looks back, and seems to consider this. She then holds up a finger, in that Amazonian scholar manner, and declares, "She who fights a battle unprepared mus' suffer the agony of loss." Lowering her finger, she adds, "Alcohol is nothin' to triffle with. This is wha' 'appens if you drink too much, an' aren't prepared for the consequences."

After a bit of work, Layth seems to have Calligenia mostly dressed. "Put your arms around my neck, please," the buck asks.

Calli does as told, practically hanging from the buck's neck.

"Sure tha's wise? Migh' end up with a Calli dinner 'elmet," Tasha warns Layth.

"I've had worse happen to me," Layth admits, then lifts the doe up from the floor and cradles her in his arms. "Shall we head down and see what trouble Aaron and Spring-Meadow got into? Both were acting a bit odd last night," he says to Tasha.

Tasha's head cocks to the side. "Really?" She looks thoughtful, mouth pursing. "Oi, let's 'ope they 'ad some restraint." She then begins walking towards the stairs, waving Layth to follow along. "I s'pose you all wen' out, too? Did you 'appen to see one 'o me Karnor come in late?"

"One can hope. Aaron was a bit twitchy after the twin-lapi dance of the veils he experienced," Layth notes as he heads towards the stairs as well.

"As for your friend, no, we saw no one return. I had thought they were all here," Layth adds.

At the bottom of the stairs, it is clear that someone is moving about in the kitchen, while the couch and the rug in front of the fireplace are empty – but rumpled.

"Remy go' picked up by a Jupani woman. I 'ope it wen' well, 'e needs somethin' to calm 'im down an' ;elp 'im adjust," Tasha explains. She frowns a little, shaking her head. "I'm sure 'e's fine. If 'e doesn' come back by mid-day I'll go look for 'im."

"Are there survivors down here?" Layth calls out, though rather quietly. "And I do hope that no one did anything they regret."

"Hussssh," hisses a voice from the kitchen, and a very rumpled looking Spring Meadow leans out to glare at everyone with bloodshot eyes. "I'm… I'm trying to make some Mateh, but… I don't think Aaron keeps any… "

"That is the worst thing you could drink with a hangover," Layth chides as he carries Calligenia to the sofa and sets her down upon it. "Why don't you sit down and I'll prepare something better."

With a sigh, the Mage heads for the couch. A look at Tasha and she asks, "You too?"

"I'll 'elp," Tasha offers. "I 'ave some experience with this sort o' thing." She pats Calligenia's head as she walks by, heading for the kitchen.

Following Tasha, Layth says, "See if you can find any fresh Eep eggs. We also need some chalk, a bit of starch, and some vegetable oil," he notes. Looking backward, he asks Meadow, "What did you and Aaron do after we retired?"

Pausing, Tasha grins at the Mage. "Oi, me? I'm s'prized anyone is s'prized! 'Course I am, bu' I 'andle me drink better than mos' o' this lot. Gabriel, meself, and the other wolves all 'eaded out for some pack time at Bromten 'Eaven. Was 'eavenly." She winks, then keeps walking.

Leaning against Calli a bit, the gray doe clears her throat. "Oh, we… talked and… stuff. Why?" she asks.

"What sort of stuff?" Layth inquires next, brow arched a bit. He waits for an answer before entering the kitchen. "I ask because you were … rather drunk last night. If it was anything intimate, you had best make sure that no accidents occurred."

In the kitchen, Tasha begins digging around, looking a bit odd in her too-small robe. "Mum used to add blood to vegetables an' some fruits, wit' a bit o' Mateh for 'andgovers. People used to say it was so awful, you couldn' notice 'avin' a 'angover at all!" She laughs.

"Aaron wasn't drunk, so he took care of… uh… I mean, nothing happened that would lead to accidents," the Mage says, in a quiet voice.

"I am glad you had a good time with him, then," Layth says with a knowing nod. He then enters the kitchen. "Blood is bad for Lapis generally. Eep eggs have similar benefits, but are less aggravating to the stomach," the buck explains.

It takes a bit of searching, since none of the quested for ingredients are kept where the actual food is. Starch is found near a box of laundry soap flakes in a cupboard. Chalk is next to a rescued message slate that had seen better days. Powdered Eep Eggs are in the wet bar, with the herbal tea packets.

"Oh I know i', you think I got out of bun-land withou' knowin' Lapi can' stand blood or meat? I'm no' tha' dense," insists the Vartan. She bends over and scoops up a few eggs, putting them near Layth, then looks around. "Oi, chalk? Would tha' even be in a kitchen?"

"I should have had Aaron whip up something before he went for his jog," Meadow laments. "But I didn't want him to know I was hungover."

"Chalk settles the stomach. It also acts as a food filler that doesn't make you gain weight," Layth explains. He finds a large bowl and drops the powdered eggs in. That is followed by some water … and even some vegetable oil.

"The starch is to thicken it so it coats the stomach," Layth continues. "And the Eep eggs are a boost of protein."

The woman in the kitchen nods a little. "No' my firs' though' for a meal, bu' there's things ou' there tha' work beyon' my knowin'. 'Ell, mos' o' wha' we did this las' few turns o' Primus 'ave been beyon' my knowin'." To help, Tasha turns to begin gathering drink glasses, placing them beside Layth's brew bowl.

"I can hear your explanation, and it isn't helping to make me feel less queasy," Calligenia comments from the couch.

What starts taking shape in the bowl is a rather unappealing, almost slimy, goo. The buck tries to beat all the lumps into submission before pouring it into the glasses Tasha brings.

Tasha peers in to the bowl, and shakes her head. "This'll clean 'em out one way or another," she agrees.

"And you too. One of the glasses is for you," Layth points out, then slides said glass towards her. He picks up two of the others and heads back to the couch. "It is best to drink it all in one shot," he explains as he offers a glass to each doe.

"Can' be worse than me mum's," Tasha rationalizes, staring in to the offered cup. She shrugs a little, then throws back the drink, downing it in one.

Drinking it can be equated to swallowing a liquefied slug. On the plus side, there isn't a whole lot of taste to it … and it does seem to ease stomach rumblings.

"Eww, this looks like it's already been through a stomach," Meadow notes, looking even greener than before. Calligenia doesn't comment, and just slams back the goo in a single gulp.

Tasha smacks her lips, then frowns in to her cup. "It's like liquid squibbit," she decides. She puts the glass down, then returns to the front room. "I 'avn't seen this many sore buns since I left the gladiator arena," the woman remarks.

The Earth Mage gives in after Calligenia doesn't explode, and drinks the goo down with a horrified expression.

Layth slides behind Spring-Meadow and starts rubbing her shoulders to try and placate the disgusted doe.

Glancing at Layth, Tasha walks over and begins rubbing Calligenia's ears, to help her calm down as well. "'Andlin' alchohol can be importan', Calli. A business partner will be mroe open with a few drinks, an' so will you. If you drink too much, you can be taken advantage o', or the same aroun' back. Some people like to drink over deals."

"I have to drink in the meetings too?" Calli moans. "Can't I have someone else do the drinking, just like hiring the dancers?"

Spring Meadow tenses up at the touch on her shoulders at first, then begins to relax a bit.

"'Fraid no'," Tasha answers, patting Calligenia's head lightly. "Lucky for you, 'no' everyone drinks when they deal. Jus' some."

Very light footsteps herald Aisha's approach down the stairs. Unlike the other two does, she's wearing an elegant morning robe made of green zolk, and her fur is at least passably groomed. Her eyes are also clear and her ears erect. "The bed got cold," she says, before yawning cutely into the palm of her hand. "Why are you all up so early in the day?"

"I'm an' early riser," Tasha half-truths.

"I'm not going to hurt you," Layth comments to Spring-Meadow as his thumbs work lightly on the back of her neck. To Calligenia, he says, "Just be aware of your limits on what you can drink and you will be fine. A good rule to follow is if it burns when you swallow it, don't drink too much." He then looks up to Aisha and grins slightly, noting, "A couple of the does were having a bad morning. Too much drink."

"You do not look like you have slept at all," Aisha notes, looking into Tasha's reddish eyes.

"And if you want some of the hangover remedy, there is a bowl of it in the kitchen," Layth offers Aisha.

"I am not 'hung over'," the golden doe insists, with a little wrinkle of her nose. "I had a full glass of water when he returned to avoid any dehydration issues."

The Vartan merely shrugs a little, turning to glance at her left wing as she shakes it out. "I've woken up worse. Wha'ever 'appened to me, I'm still sailor born. A nigh' o' drinkin' isn' goin' to slow me down," she insists.

"Nor am I," Layth says with a small shrug. He pats Spring-Meadow's back, then goes to sit near the fireplace.

The door latch rattles slightly, and then Aaron enters through the front door, dressed in a thin shirt and running shorts and carrying a cloth-wrapped bundle. "Oh, you're all awake?" he asks, looking surprised. There's a strong odor of fresh baked goods accompanying him.

"A minor bought of vomiting from Calligenia woke people," Layth explains. "You look well and happy. I take it you enjoyed last night?"

"It was… very refreshing and invigorating," Aaron says, careful not to look at Spring Meadow. He holds up the bundle and says, "I picked up some breakfast, assuming everyone likes fruit-filled pastries?"

"And safe," Layth comments with a knowing look to Aaron. "I like them."

"Anythin' would taste good after Layth's cookin'," Tasha replies. She steps forward and offers to take the package. "I'll set 'em on a plate an' pass 'em aroun'. Wan' to get one up to Gabriel an' Eli, too."

"Gimme!" Meadow says, holding out a hand… but the bundle is already given to Tasha. "What about Remiel?" Aaron asks Tasha.

"Just because it tastes bad doesn't mean it was bad for you," Layth points out.

"This isn't the Guild cafeteria, Springer," Aaron says with a chuckle. "I brought enough, so you won't have to fight for it."

"He apparently went off with a woman last night," Layth comments. "Tasha can tell you more."

"S'bad for my tongue. Migh' jus' leave me mouth an' 'op on the firs' airship out o' 'ere," Tasha tells Layth, sticking her tongue out at him. She then begins heading for the kicthen as she answers Aaron, "Remy's got a date. She said she'll 'ave 'im back today, bu' if e's no' 'ere by mid-dayk I'm goin' to go find 'im."

"A woman?" Aaron asks, looking to Tasha. "Someone from the Temple, or a civilian?"

Aisha precedes Tasha into the kitchen, and finds the kettle to start heating some water.

In the kitchen Tasha begins finding plates and distributing pastries. "Looked like a woman form the Guard. I know wha' you're goin' to say," and here she holds up a hand to forestall Aaron, "bu' I think 'e needs a woman an' it's worth the risk. Won' 'elp 'is safety if 'e 'ates 'is life." More pastries are assembles, with three put aside, presumably for Gabriel, Eli, and herself.

Layth rubs his temples. "Little good may come of that. If he was drunk and rambled, then who he is will be known … as well where the others are," he comments. So, the buck gets up and heads towards the door. "I think I should scout the neighborhood to make sure we are not being surrounded."

Tasha just shakes her head. "Men say a lot o' things to drunk women in bars," she insists. "Do you really think they're goin' to believe 'im? I 'ad a man once tell me 'e was an Abu Dabi prince – 'spite 'im bein' a Skreek."

"That depends on if he starts talking technically," Layth points out, then opens the door and peers out into the morning.

"Maybe they'll think 'im a Technopriest, or somethin'," Tasha offers sounding less sure. She finishes splitting up the pastries and sighs. "Now you've got me worried. We'll go look for 'im after we get some food in our bellies." She then starts carrying plates out, adding. "'Elp me pass these out Layth."

The sun is finally starting to show up, according to the shadows, and there is some activity across the park at the small schoolhouse as well. A few carts delivering milk and other morning items are making their rounds as well.

"Nothing yet," Layth notes as he closes the door and heads back to collect some of the plates. He hands them out.

"If he talks like that… well, I think he's smart enough to know when not to spoil the mood," Aaron says. "Besides, Guards are used to people babbling at them about weird stuff. They're trained to ignore it, I think. They always seemed to ignore me when I talked to them… "

Spring Meadow eagerly sinks her teeth into a berry-filled pastry, looking as if she's starved – though clearly she eats well, or at least often. Calligenia nibbles experimentally on one, and Aisha manages to eat hers without creating crumbs.

Layth, for his part, eats one while still walking. Periodically, he goes to one of the windows and looks out.

Aaron looks at everyone, and then says, "I suppose there's going to be a line for the shower this morning."

"I can go last, if at all," Layth offers absently.

"Guards is jus' guards, too. They're no' Technopriests or Mages. A lot 'o 'em don' live much better than I did. No schoolin' or wha'not. An' even after I've been with 'im, I still 'ave no idea what Reny is talkin' abou'. It's puttin' me tail in a kink, it is. Some day, I'm goin' to know wha' 'e's talkin' abou'," Tasha insists. After passing out her share of pastries, she gathers two more and stops at the base of the stairs, looking up.

"We can share," Aisha notes.

"You wish me to shower with you?" Layth inquires and glances back to the doe. His brow goes up.

Dr. Zerachiel is already coming down, dressed and only slightly rumpled looking – but then he always looks slightly rumpled. "Oh, good morning," he comments. "Ah, do they have coffee here?"

"We've been bathing together often enough," Aisha notes, and nods towards Calligenia as well. "Standing up, we might all fit."

Layth smirks a bit, then comments, "Ah, now I understand. You wish a repeat of how I bathed you in Dianus. Well, perhaps Spring-Meadow would like to join us too, then? She seemed curious about it when we were talking last night."

The gray doe blushes again, more pink than green now, and looks a bit silly with her cheeks puffed out and mouth full.

"Coffee?" Tasha's ears quirk in confusion. "We 'ave tea. Glad to see you're doin' well, Eli." She gives him his pastry plate, as well as a smile.

"May as well go to the Gym and use the big baths then," Aaron notes. "I've got a key, after all."

"I take that as a yes," Layth says with a nod. He pops his fingers.

The Karnor sniffs the pastry and raises his eyebrows before trying a bite. "My, quite tasty!" he says approvingly.

"Treat the good doctor well, I've got to see the cap'n," Tasha tells the assembled. She grins, then heads up stairs, tail swishing behind her.

"I don't know about sharing a bath with a bunch of smelly dogs," Gabriel comments as he starts down the stairs next, wearing just some shorts. "And what's this about no coffee?"

Going over to Calligenia, Layth kneels before her. "Are you feeling any better?" he asks.

Since Layth is not looking outside for the moment, there comes a slightly timid knock at the door, which Aaron answers. Dr. Caravelli is there, looking apologetic, then turns to call over his shoulder, "I'll see you later then, Lydia?"

"Yes," Calligenia says. "My stomach is not moving about or trying to escape anymore."

Layth pats her foot. "Good," he says, "Aside from the head pain, are you glad we went out last night?"

After blowing a kiss to his lady-friend, Remiel comes in, tail wagging. "I hope I didn't cause any worry," he says to the others, although he looks pretty darn cheerful.

"It was a learning experience," Calligenia claims. "I am here to learn."

"Yes, but did you enjoy it?" Layth presses.

"Yes," the doe finally admits.

Tasha almost runs in to Akkers on the way up, stumbling a step back. "Oi, you s'prised me!" She then pushes the plate towards the older Karnor, grinning. She looks about to say something else when Remiel arrives, so she shifts to lean against Akkers and gives Remiel a wave. "'Course we worried, bu' I see it was all for the best, aye?"

"Good, then I can continue finding ways to make you enjoy things," Layth comments, "Not all of living must be so serious. Even your mother knows that." Now he stands back up and stretches.

"Is that… ham… I smell on your breath, Remiel?" Zerachiel asks his co-doctor. Remy just grins, and says, "She made me ham and eggs for breakfast, and something called Mateh that's like espresso and coffee and… some sort of tar I'd guess."

"He seems to be adjustin' well," Tasha whispers to Gabriel. "Seems like you all are. Makes me a good den mum, doesn' it?" She wags at the man, then takes a bit of her own pastry, beaming at him as she chews.

Coming down now, Gabriel clears his throat, and says, "Ah, so there is coffee, of a sort. Good! We'll have to go and find some. I bet there'll be a cafe serving fifty different blends manned by those Cervani fellows."

Akkers puts an arm around Tasha, and whispers, "If we get them all out of here, we can have the bathtub and shower to ourselves… "

Tasha's ears shoot up, then she gets a sly look. "Tha's true." She eyes the assembled persons.

The kettle whistles then, and Aaron rushes into the kitchen to take it off the burner. "Tea's nearly up!" he announces.

"Or you could ask us to leave so you can have intimate time," Layth calls out to Akkers. He then lifts up one of his lop-ears to indicate whispering doesn't work so well around Lapis.

"Well, Lydia did mention a 'Himaatian' Cafe that serves it with the native form of chocolate and whipped cream to cut the bitterness," Remiel says. "She's from a place called Himar, where the most amazing things have happened in recent years, it seems… "

"Right, we'll take Dr. Z with us to the Gym then," Aaron promises. "Just… don't make too big of a mess okay?" he whispers to Tasha in passing as he carries in the tea.

"Oi, Lapi ears," Tasha mutters darkly. She shakes her head again, then tells Remiel, "You mean the Boomer? Used to be a lot o' Jupani tha' way, before somethin' called a 'Boomer' blew it clear to Abaddon. Don' ask me 'ow it 'appened, I don' know, only tha' it seemed to 'ave 'appened to babel later, too."

"I suppose I could get some of that Mateh for the Captain then," Remiel notes. At the prospect of bathing with a bunch of bunny does, Dr. Zerachiel suddenly says, "I should go with you, Remiel, so you can tell me more of what you've learned from this Lydia woman."

"Aaron," Layth asks as he accepts a teacup from the other buck, "May I borrow your ear-clips again? I rather liked how they looked, even if they do not work as well for lop-ears. After the bath, we should also check on getting the life-mages to examine the Karnors."

"I've got to check back in at the campus anyway to see if one has replied," Spring Meadow notes. "I… I sent the request to Latania. She used to be the Dean of Life here on Rephidim. She's a bit… well, not-easy-going and rather stuck up, frankly, but she's probably the best Life Mage on Rephidim."

"Oh, her," Aaron mutters, and pours the tea.

"How difficult is she?" Layth inquires.

Tasha merely grins at Aaron, in response to his request. Otherwise, she seems content to lean against Akkers and munch on her pastry. Layth hasn't seen her look this content in a while, which considering her hangover, says a lot.

"Well… actually… " Aaron starts to say, then pauses. "You know, I think she won't be a problem with this group, so long as Tasha doesn't talk to her. The Karnors look snobby enough, and are educated, and Layth and Aisha have respectable manners… "

"When did I become respectable?" Layth wonders.

Tasha pauses mid-chew. "Wha's thwa so'posed to mewean," she inquires around a mouth full of pastry.

"You know how to flatter and humble yourself, Layth," Aaron explains. "She likes that. It's why I get along with her professionally. Calli, though… ah, has other things to deal with anyway."

"Am I no' respectable," the Vartan then asks Akkers, looking up at him. "I've been tryin'!"

"It means we're just commoners," Spring Meadow explains.

"Ah, then you mean I could charm her into tolerating us," Layth says, nodding with understanding. "Though, the irony is, I'm less than a commoner, officially."

"Well, I respect you," Akkers says. "But some types need to be made to feel important due to their position or breeding. I've dealt with plenty like that. It'll be just like talking to a human."

"It's going to be expensive, too," Aaron notes. "Can't try to call in favors with Latania."

"Well, you said it was life-or-death," Spring Meadow says apologetically.

"Were 'umans tha' bad, where you come from," Tasha asks Akkers, head tilting. "They always jus' seemed like everyobe else aroun' 'ere, 'cept less fur."

Layth unclips the metal arm-band he was given in Amazonia. "Will this cover the cost?" he asks Spring-Meadow and shows her the band.

Tasha glances at Aaron, as well. "Expensive, is it? Well, there goes all our 'ard earned shekels."

"Ah, I can explain," Dr. Zerachiel says. "You see, humans created us, the Karnors. Well, not created from scratch, but… but anyway, the humans of our time had a very parental view of us."

"Eh, give your pets speech and thumbs and pants and it's still hard to let go of the 'they're our pets' mentality," Akkers adds.

"'Ow … odd," Tasha admits. "I jus' can' quite wrap me mind aroun' it. Bu', I guess I'll see when we reach the Expedition. An' besides, I like to think o' you Karnors as me pets, so maybe it's like tha'." The woman grins widely, elbowing Akkers.

"Well, you can't get them matching slave collars anymore, unless you know certain collectors," Aaron points out with a grin.

"I'd think you were all talking nonsense if I hadn't heard it before from my crazy friend," Spring Meadow notes. "Or seen those flying Drokars they made on Caroban… "

"With as large as the world is and the wonders in it, little really surprises me," Layth notes.

"I know the noble they gave those too," Aaron says, grinning. "Funny story there. I once thought she was a necromancer… "

"Oi, Gabe. Think I can learn abou' all this when we get to the Expedition," Tasha inquires, looking up at the man hopefully.

"Assuming they still have history books, yes," Akkers says.

"I should look her up again sometime, see how she's gotten along," Aaron mutters. "She's probably forgotten me by now though."

Layth rubs his chin, thinking. "Spring-Meadow," he says finally, "On your college campus, I assume there is a library?"

"I've been thinkin' o' gettin' me an education," Tasha informs Akkers. "I wan' to know all abou' your ship, an' all the res'. Maybe I'll even find another Titan."

"Well… there's a library, yes," Spring Meadow admits. "But it's only got a fraction of the selection it used to have. We don't train mages on Rephidim anymore, after all."

"Would it have research materials on crystals? We recovered some artifacts that we need to identify. given the long history of exploration, perhaps there would be useful information there. I do assume the mage will need time alone with the Karnors and I figure we should make productive use of it," Layth comments.

"Well, I'm sure there's… something," Meadow notes, rubbing at her left ear. "I remember some texts on growing crystals and stuff, but it really wasn't my focus in Earth Magic."

"I'm no' sure we should take those things in to the Collegia, Layth," Tasha warns. "Bu' I s'pose I'll trus' you judgemen' on this. Jus' be careful."

"I don't intend to take them there. I intend to make notes from the library materials," Layth points out.

Layth looks to Spring-Meadow, then asks, "If I show you something, can you swear to secrecy on it?"

To Akkers, Tasha asks, "Will you be ready to go, once we're sure you're right proper? I'd like to 'ead off as soon as we can." She then glances at Layth, frowning, but doesn't say anything. Instead, she tells Akkers, "Think we ought an' inspect our little relic?"

"Oh Dagh, please… no secrets!" Meadow says, tugging her ears down as if to block any from sneaking into her head. "I'm terrible with secrets. The girl I share my dorm room with now is a Mind Mage."

"Ah. Then I won't show you," Layth comments with a short nod.

"I think our schedule is a up to Calligenia," Akkers whispers to Tasha. "She's the one actually paying our way, isn't she?"

"Somewha'," Tasha answers Akkers. "Some o' it is bein' paid for by the res' of wha' we foun'. Bu' we're goin' to be pushin' tha' with your treatmen'. Once we get to Abaddon, wha' we 'ave lef' may no' even be valuable there."

Layth clips his arm-band back on, then decides he should do something useful. So, he starts cleaning up the breakfast plates.

"Our mission data is hopefully still valuable," Akkers mutters.

"I'm sorry I can' provide you more, Gabriel," Tasha offers the ex-captain, heartfelt. "I've never 'ad much. Bu' wha'ever I 'ave, it's yours. An' wha'ever 'elp I can give you, you got it. I'll follow you to Abaddon an' beyon'." She smiles up at him, then wags a little.

"Well, hopefully 'beyond' will be someplace nice then," Akkers says with a smile.