Bashshar could barely believe his eyes. The group that just walked into the shop was led by two of the most stunning Lapi does the young Khatta had ever seen – and he'd been to the underground 'harem clubs', so had a good idea of what 'stunning' should look like. Behind them were two bucks, one of them standing as tall as the lanky feline himself. But what caused Bashshar to choke on his flowery, standard welcome was the creature that came in last. Tall, red, winged and with lots of teeth and very little in the way of clothing, the sight of the Vartan hybrid nearly made his brain blow a fuse. The only thing that brought him back to his senses was when the woman carelessly clipped a clay pot with one of her hooves.

"We are here to speak with Sylvester," said the doe the color of warm Xocholatl, in Standard.

Layth's nose twitches nervously and he glances about, looking and listening to everything. Instead of standing behind Aisha now, he moves to be at more of a diagonal, ready to move in front should the situation warrant it. "Please stay near me, Lady Aisha," he whispers.

"Fine, but I don't want to miss any of this," Aisha replies in a Lapi-whisper.

Tasha's grin turns predatory as the feline goggles at her. She places a hand on her hip, lifts a brow, and watches him as if daring him to make a comment.

"Ten thousand pardons, oh honorable lady," the Khatta boy finally manages, bowing low. "But, Master Al-Hasbeen is indisposed at the moment, even though I am sure he would rather be in your illustrious presence. If you would care to make an appointment, only tell me your names and I will arrange everything."

"He will see me now or he will be very disposed of," Calligenia answers, and draws her dagger to show the boy the symbol on the guard. "Do you see this mark?"

Layth turns away from the Khatta and listens closely to the sounds of the room. Experience in both travel and having worked in the trading industry with his master long ago taught him that in potentially shady shops, if someone suggests an appointment, an escape out the back may be going on for said owner. Still, with Calli's comment on disposing of someone, he can't help but move closer to Aisha.

"I, uh… " Bashshar stammers uncertainly, until Aisha speaks up, and says, "I have seen crates bearing that same symbol being carried into this shop."

The hybrid cocks her head back and sniffs thrice. "Oi, Calli: I smell a few more of 'em in the back," she announces confidently. "I could sen' your regards, friendly an' dip-lo-matically-like?"

Aaron whispers to Tasha, "Play along," then goes up and whispers directly into the Khatta's ear. The boy's eyes widen, and he says, "Ah, perhaps there is an opening to see you now, yes? I will take you to Master Al-Hasbeen."

The boy goes to the warehouse door, and makes a grand 'come along' gesture by sweeping his hands and bowing. Calli twitches her nose and whiskers, but goes on through, with Aisha practically dragging Layth along by the hand.

Tasha gives Aaron a quizzical look, apparently not catching his drift. Later, when her companions step forward she follows along. She does pause briefly as she passes the Khatta, licking her teeth as she whispers to him, then goosing him.

"This is dangerous, Lady Aisha," Layth whispers to her. His grip on her hand grows solid, but not to the point of being painful or crushing. "It is not wise to walk into a den… "

The Khatta jumps but has a big smile on his face, and quickly scoots past to take up the lead. "Heh," Aaron whispers to Tasha. "I told him you'd do a striptease if he took us to his boss. Guess he's expecting more now?"

"Men'r always expectin' more – an' sometimes they get it, they do," Tasha tells Aaron, grinning more. She pats Aaron's head, or tush, whichever she can reach easier. "An' sometimes they don'."

Bashshar leads the group between stacks and shelves of material, which occasionally dead-end and require them to double back, the boy apologizing profusely each time. As Calli's patience begins to wear thin, they are finally led to where Sylvester Al-Hasbeen is, looking over a piece of parchment.

"Master, forgive this inter-" the boy begins, only to be cut off mid-sentence by Sylvester, and older black and white Khatta with a decidedly un-Abu Dhabian air about him. "Nevermind, Bash, I've pulled off the biggest deal yet!" Al-Hasbeen declares, with a Rephidim accent. He turns around and shakes the parchment over his head triumphantly. "And to think, that horse-faced Captain sold me the lot for… uh… who are you?" he asks as he notices the group behind his servant.

Once more, Calligenia holds up her dagger, showing the seven-headed monster symbol of Clan Hydron. The same symbol drawn onto several of the crates stacked around this part of the warehouse, including the one Al-Hasbeen was just sitting on.

Layth, meanwhile, is again watching the surroundings. Namely, he's looking for potentially hidden guards.

The bodyguard doesn't have to look hard, as two large tiger-Khattas enter from the opposite side of the warehouse, both of them armed with scimitars – although they aren't drawn yet. They look at the drawn dagger, then back to their boss.

Layth shakes his head at the tigers as if to indicate that it would not be wise to interfere. It's at this point he releases Aisha's hand and whispers to her, "If anything starts, hide behind a crate, Lady Aisha. I will deal with them… "

Tasha makes herself useful by putting a hand on the boy's shoulder, so that she can grin toothily over him at his boss. "Is 'is the guy? Don' sound like no Abu Dhabi ca', he don'," she remarks, interestedly. "O'. an' look, 'es got some beef with 'im!" She waves her hand at the two men with her free hand.

"I… uh… that's… who?" Sylvester stammers, clutching the parchment to his chest like a shield.

"I am the rightful owner of the Angor wool that is in those crates," Calligenia states, still holding forth the dagger by the blade. "You will return them all to me immediately."

"I'd do it if I were you," Aaron suggests from Tasha's side.

"Please," adds in Layth. "Bloodshed is not desired from any of us."

"Blood-," the black Khatta starts, then sinks to his knees with his face one of utter despair. "I'm dead. Dead! This can't be happening!" he wails, which makes his own bodyguards draw their weapons.

"Don' care either way – 'll be 'appy to fight or no – 'pends how much you like pain," Tasha remarks in a merry, if growly, voice.

Turning to Aisha, Calli asks, "Why is he babbling?" The golden doe shrugs in reply, and asks Layth, "Could you bring that piece of paper he's holding?"

Layth steps forward and in front of Aisha moments after the weapons are out. "Put those away, sirs, and let the light of wisdom into your minds. Violence begets violence," he adds, then nods slightly to Aisha. And with that, a completely calm Layth walks forwards towards the Has-Been and reaches for the paper.

One of the tigers steps towards the tall Lapi, only to drop his weapon and grab at his neck. Then his eyes roll up and he falls back into the arms of his partner, fast asleep. Tasha catches some movement out of the corner of her eye, as Aaron hides something inside his vest.

Al-Hasbeen looks out of it, and doesn't resist a bit as Layth draws the paper up out of his hands.

Tasha glances at Aaron, brow raised, her grin lost in surprise. "Haw, you're a right trick, Lorefoot," she says after a moment.

The buck folds the parchment in half, pausing to glance at the downed tiger. His gaze then glances back towards the others, brow arched slightly. And then with a shrug, he walks back to Aisha and offers her the paper.

Aaron sniffs, and when Bashshar looks at him questioningly, he says, "Spontaneous narcolepsy. It's going around, I hear."

Aisha accepts the paper and says thank-you, then quietly reads it for a few moments. "This is bad," she reports.

Aaron's response just makes Tasha laugh, and she pats the Khatta boy's shoulder as if sharing a joke with him.

Layth returns to his position between Aisha and the still-standing guard. "What is it, Lady Aisha?" he inquires.

"Oi, don' like the soun' of that," Tasha remarks as she snaps out of her laughter.

"A bill of sale," Aisha says. "Al-Hasbeen here has sold your wool to the Emir, Calli. I'm sorry." Calligenia looks confused at this, and points to the crates. "It is right there. Who is this Emir?"

"The Emir, may his whiskers forever twitch in pleasure, is the ruler of these lands. The best you may recover at this point, is what Al-Hasbeen sold it for, I imagine. Taking it now would be most unwise. Or, perhaps you could present your case to him and make a claim for it, and perhaps he would simply extract his payment from the Khatta here, may he not suffer too highly for it," Layth tries to explain to Calli.

"Layth is right," Aaron adds. "If we take it, we'll be criminals. Nobody will dare buy the stuff." This makes Calligenia frown, and on her it isn't pretty. "How much did he sell it for?" she asks Aisha.

Layth smiles towards Aaron and nods his head out of gratitude for backing up his explanation.

"Could'n' we jus' take now, an' le' 'im," Tasha wiggles the fingers on the boy's shoulder at the merchant, "deal w'it it?" Remarkably, she whispers this. Then she hears the arguments of the others, frowns, and adds, "Don' like sayin' it, bu ol' Eyeshine won' like the Emir after 'is ship."

"Four-hundred thousand," Aisha says, and Calligenia's frown turns into a snarl. She kicks the kneeling Khatta, and says, "That is not even half of what those on Rephidim offered!"

"If we took it and just let him deal with it, Lady Tasha … he would simply explain he was robbed, and by who. It would be a minor matter for him to then track down the ship, and the connection to Lady Aisha's family," Layth explains to her. "I would not allow such a disgrace to be levied on her family."

"Please, don't kill me!" Al-Hasbeen says, suddenly snapping out of his trance and clutching at Calli's skirts. "You can have it all! You can have everything I own! I'll even throw in the boy!" he pleads.

"Excuse me?" squeaks Bashshar, his voice quavering.

Tasha's lip twitches in an almost snarl, showing her vexation. "I know tha' now, an' … " She blinks at Al-Hasbeen's surrender, apparently not expecting it. Instead of continuing with what she was saying she peers at the cowering man, her expression a twisted-lip look of disgust, then says, "Oi, the 'ole thin'? We coul' – you coul', Calli – sell it all, an' use 'is contract as some sor' o' connection to Emir, you coul!" Despite all her experience with moving goods, Tasha has never made a goods sale in her life.

Layth holds up his hands placatingly. "Please, ladies, may I make a suggestion here?" he asks.

"It isn't that simple," Aisha says, looking over the contract again. "Dealings with the Emir aren't like those between merchants. The payment isn't coming all at once, or all in cash. There are promises of future trades, a bunch of other stuff… this sale will take a Sphere to complete, minimum."

Calli looks to Layth, and nods. "Yes?"

"Lemme see tha'," Tasha insists as she leans forward, using the boy to keep her balance. "Says 'ere i' … could' … an' this part 'ere … " She suddenly regains that near-snarl of annoyance, then leans back. "Don' think I don' know wha' it means. I can rea' it, I can! It's jus' the angle, 'ere."

"As Lady Aisha just explained, this isn't simple. So, I would advise this: take this Khatta with you to the Emir's palace and try to explain the situation, and that he traded goods which he had no legal ownership of. Offer the Emir, may his fur always be fluffy, a chance to negotiate a trade agreement with the rightful owner. The Emir is financing many great projects here, and a long-term agreement with him may be of great reward to your family. Or, even if you cannot get the amount you hoped, and were offered, in Rephidim, do not anger. Showing this honesty to the Emir may again help you establish a long-term trade agreement and earn you vastly more over time," Layth explains quietly and calmly, looking to the kneeling Khatta, and then to his guards.

Layth smiles and adds, "My master was a trader. I have some experience from watching him. Making the best of a bad situation, I believe he would have called this."

"Remember what I taught you, Calli," Aaron adds. "The only successful business deal is one where everyone wins."

"You'd need to be sponsored by a merchant that is already trusted by the Emir for that, Calli," Aisha adds. "He won't see just anyone… "

"Don' look a' me, Eyeshine does our tradin," Tasha says with a shrug.

"Why not your father, Lady Aisha? He has a contract with the Emir, does he not?" Layth asks.

The Amazonian doe sheaths her dagger, and rubs her forehead with her fingers. She seems as taut as a wire, ready to snap. Finally she says, "Everyone leave while I negotiate with Al-Hasbeen, please."

"My father isn't a merchant," Aisha explains. "He has done some contract work for the Emirate, but that isn't the same as having dealt with the Emir directly." She blinks at Calli's request, and asks, "Are you sure you want us all to go?"

"Righ'-o, come on then." Tasha uses the hand on the Khatta boy's arm to turn him around and guide him out. Before leaving she pauses, then waves for the still conscious guard to follow her. "You too, beef."

"I … I am sorry. I cannot leave. What occurs here may greatly affect Lady Aisha's family. It is my duty to protect her, and them," Layth says, sounding really apologetic about the situation. "I cannot leave unless I am certain she will not be harmed."

"Aisha will be leaving with you," Calli says, before the golden doe can protest.

"Let's wait out in the shop," Aaron suggests quietly. "We'll only distract her if we stay."

"But, her family is now connected to this, because of your friendship with her. Her presence may leave, her honor does not," Layth explains calmly and quietly. "Please, do not think I am saying you would ever do anything to harm her. But … this situation is not simple. I do not know you. I … " He sighs softly.

"I trust her, Layth," Aisha says, and that seems to be enough. Bashshar leads them back to the front shop, and has the tiger guard close the front door and put up the 'closed' sign, before nervously asking people, "Would you like some hot xocholatl or mateh?"

"Gods, I hate mateh," Aaron says. "Make mine extra strong, please." The tiger guard seems to regard Tasha with a look of confusion or disbelief, and even reaches out to poke her shoulder to see if she's real.

"You go' any liquor?" Tasha asks. The hybrid stands with her head on the boy's shoulder, hands folded under it, partially leaning on him.

Tasha's tail wags when she's poked, then she grins widely and reaches over to poke the man back.

Layth sighs softly again and looks to Calli. "Then I must leave it to you and have faith in her trust in you," he says to her, then heads out to join the others as well. He doesn't say much of anything when he returns. He simply stands with his head tilted, listening.

Bashshar has a difficult time preparing the drinks with Tasha leaning on him, but does manage to fix up some mugs of warm, mildly alcoholic xocholatl drinks and some mateh. He holds his own mug shakily.

"Don't worry, she won't kill him," Aaron assures Layth. Aisha gives him an odd look, and says, "Again with the killing joke. Calligenia surely would not harm a vermite."

Layth considers something, then goes and puts a firm hand on Bashshar's wrist, probably a bit too tightly as well. "There are no other guards, are there?" he asks, looking directly into the Khatta's eyes.

"Guards?" the boy asks, looking trapped. "I don't… I mean, we don't have any really. They're just for heavy lifting, and carry the scimitars… just in case."

After taking her cup, Tasha sips – probably because she can't guzzle leaning like that. Then, she offers the boy some of the alcoholic beverage from her own cup.

"How many?" Layth asks, grip tightening.

"Ouch!" the Khatta says, and has a swig of Tasha's drink before responding with, "I think, five… maybe." He looks to the tiger pleadingly.

"Nawaf and Qadir are picking up a shipment from the docks," the tiger says. "Omran is making a delivery. And Nasser is asleep."

Layth releases his grip and turns and looks directly at Aaron. "Two were seen, three were missing. Do you understand my concern, sir?" he asks. And then he says to Aisha, "Your friend, Lady Aisha, is an Amazonian warrior. Please forgive my bluntness, but they are known for being killers and can be ruthless."

"Calli, a warrior?" Aisha says, and smirks at the thought. Although the smirk fades as she searches the faces of the others and doesn't see anyone else treating it like a joke.

"Oi, an' I'm as gentle as can be, I am," Tasha adds to Layth's statement. She takes another sip, then grins knowingly at the tiger.

"I'm sure Calli and Sylvester are having a nice civilized discussion of how to fix all of this," Aaron says, lounging on a trunk and rocking one of his legs. "This is the most horrible mateh I've every had. Is there any more?"

Layth returns to his position near the back and listens intently, trying to make out anything that may be going on.

The tiger refills Aaron's mug, then pours himself some. "Master Al-Hasbeen has it blended special to achieve this state of wonderful bitterness," he says.

Even to Layth's exceptional hearing, the maze of the warehouse tends to mangle sound. He can make out a hushed conversation taking place, but no ominous moaning, pleading or other sounds of torture. And Tasha would probably smell it if blood were spilled.

"Are you really a succubus conjured up by the dark doe," Bashshar finally asks Tasha.

"So," Tasha begins, sounding at once lighthearted and dangerous as she talks in her jovial, low growl of a voice, "wut do … you … wut?" Her question derailed like a Chronotopian train accidentally routing into Bosch, she peers down at the boy bemusedly. "Suc-u … oi, a bit 'head o' yourself, ain't you? An' wut's this 'bout dar' does?"

Layth moves away from the door and goes to stand near Aisha again. "A thousand apologies, but I do recommend that you be careful about your choice of friends. You really should learn all you can about someone before you put all your trust in him or her… " he whispers to her.

Aisha frowns at Layth, but lowers her eyes. "She was very nice on Rephidim," she says.

"Well, the one you call Calli," Bashshar says. "Is she the one who summoned you?"

"I am not saying she is a bad person, please do not take it that way. You just need to be more careful, is all," Layth adds and pats her shoulder in an attempt to be comforting. He then looks to Aaron and says, "Thank you for backing me up back there, Master Lightfoot. I truly did not wish to see it come to blows."

"Calli isn't the type to stab first and negotiate later," Aaron says, reassuringly. "She's just a bit stressed about failing her business obligations on her first big deal."

"A failure is only when you give up all hope," Layth quips and goes to just lean on a post. "When life throws you a difficulty, all you should do is smile and move forward."

"Summoned? Don' know 'bout summoned – 'cept tha' one time in 'er room. Summoned me then, she did!" Tasha answers. After a moment, perhaps sensing she hadn't been clear enough, Tasha adds, "It's 'cause I'm dirty, it is. Part 'o me work."

"Part of your… " the boy begins to ask, but just then Sylvester and Calligenia walk into the shop, the Khatta having a bit of a dazed expression and clutching a sheaf of papers. "Bashshar, watch the shop. Rafiq, go tend to the warehouse until the others have returned," Al-Hasbeen orders.

"We have reached an agreement," Calli tells the others. "All that remains is for it to be looked at by an expert trader."

"That is most excellent, Lady Circerae," Layth says and smiles. "I presume you and Al-Hasbeen are off to see one, then?"

"We are all off to see one, and Xavier will lead us to him," the Amazonian says, looking at Aaron, who nearly does a spit-take with his mateh.

Tasha returns to sipping as she listens to Calli and Al-Hasbeen speak, then she smiles and lifts her cup to Calli. "Isn' the way I'd 'ave 'andled it, bu' if is goo' enough for you, is goo' enough fo' me, it is." She offers the boy another sip, then smirks at Aaron's reaction.

Aisha's ears perk up in understanding. "Oh, I'll get to see my cousin Barika then," she says, smiling.

"All of us? Surely I can take Lady Aisha home now … ah, I see not," Layth notes as he pushes one of his ears back.

"Oh well, it's been a while since I've seen my brother anyway," Aaron says, getting up off of the chest. "Will I at least have time to visit?" he asks Calligenia.

"That depends on how long it takes to settle this transaction," Calligenia says, heading for the door. "But we will soon have to fly to Olympia, and then go on to Amazonia."

"Wait. I presume you mean you three are going to Amazonia, yes? A thousand apologies, but you do not intend to take Lady Aisha as well, do you?" Layth inquires, his calm demeanor faltering slightly.

Aisha's eyes light up. "I'd love to come along!" she says. "It will give me a chance to get to know you better, Calli."

"That is most unwise, Lady Aisha. Most very unwise," Layth now says very quickly.

Calligenia pauses, looking from Layth to Aisha and back again. "Yes, you can come if you wish," she finally says. "Perhaps you will learn more about your bodyguard as well along the way."

Tasha pats the cheek of the boy she's leaning on, whispering, "Looks li' that's all, it is." Then, after spotting a drop of xocholatl on his cheek, she leans over and licks it off before standing straight. "Shame, too, ain't it beef," she says in a loud voice as she turns around, letting one of her hands brush against the tiger's chest before she walks over to stand by Calli.

Layth gives Calligenia a quizzical, as well as nervous, look. "She already knows all there is to know about me, Lady Circerae," he insists. "We would just be in the way."

"Master, is everything alright?" Bashshar whispers to Al-Hasbeen, who just smiles and answers, "Yes… yes indeed. Maybe even better, Bash. Maybe even better."

The polite argument between Layth on one side and the does on the other continues as the group leaves the shop, leaving Rafiq and Bashshar behind to ponder what it all means. Suddenly the boy blinks and moans. "What is it?" Rafiq asks in concern. "The demoness was going to do the dance of very-few-veils! How could I have forgotten that!" the boy wails.