An Inkling of Adventure
Anything you want can be found on Dream Street for a price. Some visitors seek out pleasures of the flesh and senses; others seek out the pleasures of decoration and exploration of self. This small parlor caters to both types, those who enjoy the pain of a needle and those who enjoy finding new ways to adorn their body and express themselves. The lighting in here is surprisingly bright and the room cleaner than most shops on Dream Street. The walls and carpeting are adorned in colorful swirling murals, all bright, happy, and cheerful. There are several plush benches and over sized pillows surrounding a hookah; likely a place for guests to wait their turn. Only a few feet away is an unusual 'adjustable' chair next to a small table. Atop the table is a collection of very /sharp/ looking needles, jars of ink, and even a few small brushes.

“I promise it will not hurt,” says a stark white and gold buck as he enters the parlor. Behind him trails three does. The first two are in remarkable shape … and trailing behind them is one dressed in hiding robes walking in a few feet behind the first two. “It is not as if you will undergo needlework here. Though honestly, even that isn’t very painful.”

"I do not worry about pain," Calligenia notes, and of course Aisha winces at the comment. "You can go first then," the golden doe tells the chocolate one.

"What sort of designs are available?" Spring Meadow asks in her quiet voice.

"Does that mean you wish for the needle?" Layth asks Calligenia. He's about to answer Spring Meadow next when very colorful Khatta (his ears are bright purple!) walks in from behind a curtain.

"Welcome, welcome, most honorable guests to my most unworthy and pathetic establishment," the Khatta purrs as e dips into a low bow. "What new forms of expression can I bring you to … " He stops mid-sentence as he looks between Layth and the trio of does.

"Do you do flowery designs?" Meadow asks the tattooist.

The other two does wait for Layth to respond, since Aisha's been drilling it into Calli all afternoon about Abu Dhabian social etiquette (when in the company of a male escort).

The Khatta blinks a few times. "Pardon, Miss. I could have sworn that one of my guests was ol' Layth himself; but he never seemed interested in having a harem," the Khatta comments and gives Layth such a look. "But no matter! Of course we do floral designs, from creeping roses and ivy, to star burst flowers of all colors."

"But not the permanent kind, right?" the Earth Mage asks for clarity. "And yes, this is Layth. Do you know one another?"

"Hello Rainbow," Layth remarks to the Khatta as a gentle, yet amused, smile creeps across his lips. "They're not a harem; I would not be worthy of such. They are just friends."

"Rainbow?" Aisha whispers to Layth. Calligenia is busy looking the Khatta over… either for weapons or just because she looks at all Khattas as if seeking out vulnerable spots.

"Ah, well, the not permanent kind have limited color ranges based on the dyes that work on skin and fur, but they can be done," 'Rainbow' explains to Meadow. "Ah, and you are a trained mage! I can tell by the robes … earth, I would guess; based on color and your interests! Of course, I hope you forgive this fool if he is incorrect in his assumptions."

"He likes bright colors and constantly changes which he wears," Layth explains and nods towards the Khatta's ears. "So … everyone calls him Rainbow. I heard rumor his real name is Bernard and he's not from these lands, but, well, I have not seen proof of that."

"Oh no, I wouldn't want to be mistaken for something else after all," Meadow says with a wave of her hand. For some reason, this irritates Aisha, although she remains quiet about it.

"Khattas are like Creens then?" Calli asks.

"So, you wish something floral, then? Where does the lovely mage wish the work? Ears? Back? Bottom? Some place more intimate?" Rainbow asks. With a glance towards Layth, he adds, "And will this be done as per tradition, oh Lion of the Sands?"

"They are not a harem," Layth replies gently, "I do not request the right to be the one who wields the implements of marking. Only if they request it of me."

"And no, they are not like Creens. Rainbow is … well, he is a little unusual," Layth tries to explain to Calli.

"If you could do that, why bring us all the way here?" Aisha asks Layth.

"No tools and you're not my harem," Layth answers.

"Ears I suppose," Meadow says, brushing at her long gray appendages. "I mean, they're the most visible part of me! No sense getting decorated where nobody will ever see it."

"We aren't?" Calli asks Layth.

"No one? Dear me, then the Lion has been negligent in his duties," Rainbow teases, "But then he has never been the type to respond much to advances, alas."

"Do you know what a harem is?" Layth asks Calli.

"Is it not a familial term?" Calli asks.

"Traditionally is it a collection of women that serve a single male completely, from bathing him, to caring for him, to sex on demand," Layth explains quietly to the chocolate doe.

"Oh," the doe says. "You haven't asked us to do any of that yet."

Aisha's nose actually stops twitching for a moment.

"You sound disappointed," Layth comments.

"I wouldn't mind having a harem then," Meadow says. "Except for the all women part."

"Ah, a charming lady after my own heart," Rainbow claims as he pats the chair. "Come, come, have a seat."

Springer hops into the seat, her feet dangling a bit above the floor. "Will this tickle on the inside of my ear?" she asks. "I have ticklish ears."

"Brushwork will, yes," Rainbow admits as he takes one of Meadow's ears and examines it. "And are you sure you do not wish him to do it? I will observe and advise, of course."

"I don't mind if Layth does it," Meadow notes. "Even if I have to give him a bath afterwards."

Calligenia gives Aisha a questioning look, to which the Abu Dhabian simply replies, "She gets away with it because she is a mage," in a quiet - if tense- voice.

"Ah, wonderful!" Rainbow says and waves Layth to come over. "Come, come!" he says.

Layth gives Rainbow a sidelong glance after he comes to stand next to the chair. "Dear Rainbow, as I am wholly unworthy, you will keep your hands off by rump while I work," the buck comments as he now peers at Meadow's ears.

This elicits another questioning look from Calli, and Aisha shakes her head to the Amazonian.

"He likes men," Layth explains to Calli. Now focusing on Meadow, the buck asks, "So … ah, what kind of flowers?"

"What kind do you think look best on me?" Springer asks.

Layth rubs his chin, thinking. "Mmm, roses are commonplace in style, how about a purple lotus amid long grass? Gentle flowing green with a single burst of color," the buck offers as he reaches out and lightly caresses Meadow's cheek and jaw.

"I've never been able to get a lotus to grow," Meadow notes. "So if you can give me one, I'll be really pleased! Just be aware that my ears twitch a lot if you don't hold them."

"I shall do my best," Layth answers. Rainbow actually comes around and takes a hold of one of Meadow's ears. "Now, you should start with the flower part first," he instructs and nods towards the brushes and then to the paste-like colors. The next thirty minutes are taken by Layth very carefully applying the purple paste in layers, shaping out the flower head on the inside of Meadow's ear. "The paste will stain the fur and skin," Rainbow explains to the doe in-between his instruction to Layth.

"Mmm-hmm," Meadow replies, between bouts of giggling and squirming as just about every non-ear part of her moves about.

"I do not want to giggle like that," Calligenia notes.

From the observers view, it looks like there is a lot of flirting going on between the two Lapis as Layth works. Now that the flower is formed, the second part goes faster, a series of emerald green strokes, forming the shape of grass. It's no more than ten minutes before the last blade is traced in place. "There, that is enough. The paste must now set for an hour to dye properly," Rainbow declares, "Who will be the second inducted into the Lion's harem?"

Layth huffs and wipes a long streak of green paste down the bridge of Rainbow's muzzle and down the center of the Khatta's nose tip. "Please behave," the buck notes.

"Those long strokes made me shiver," Springer says, as she gets up and tries to get a look at her ears.

The most noticeable part has to be the deep purple lotus flowers, one off-center in each ear. They stand in a field of grass and Meadow quickly discovers that when her ears twitch, it looks like flowers flowing in a breeze.

"Aisha, will you go next so that I can observe how to properly behave during such a procedure?" Calligenia asks the golden doe (although there is a hint of a smirk to her muzzle as she does so). Aisha's eyes go wide as she's cornered by flattery. "Of… of course," she says, and steps up to the chair. Her chin, held high at first, dips down noticeably by the time she reaches it though.

"Now I really need to learn how to grow these," the Earth Mage says in a pleased tone.

"Ah, now you must come from a great family," Rainbow observes and smiles as he's wiping off the green paste from his nose. "What mark do you wish the male you are pledged to, to grace on your gentle ears as claim?"

Layth … looks towards the ceiling and sighs. "They're not my harem," the buck comments quietly.

"I… don't know," Aisha admits in a suddenly shy voice. "Something… that won't clash with my ear clips… "

"Mmm, then how about something subtle? Darker lines of gold, creating texture and flow in your ears?" Rainbow suggests.

"Subtle is good," Aisha agrees, perking up a little. "I'm a very subtle person, after all." She says that with a totally straight face, too.

"Indeed, then I apologize that the Lion must straddle you to get the flow and curve right. It is harder to create subtle, clean, lines unless they are directly in front of you," Rainbow says with a straight face.

"But… he's heavy," Aisha notes with a bit of concern.

Layth shakes his head as he collects a new brush and selects a dye that is gold in tone, only a few shades darker than Aisha's own coloration. "The chair can support me," the buck explains … and then demonstrates by climbing up onto the doe and kneeling with his legs spread around Aisha's hips. He settles down lightly so that his rump is just touching her lap and lower stomach. "Comfortable, Lady Aisha?" he asks.

"Yes," Aisha squeaks, seeming to shrink a bit. "There is something… about this position that makes me feel funny though."

"Just relax," Layth says as he leans forward to work. Aisha finds herself staring right into Layth's chest. It's a good thing he's 'fluffy'. And there he begins his work. Aisha's ears go faster in that there is less detail to make it look like a real object, instead the trailing and tracing is used to mimic the look as if Aisha wore delicate gold-leaf jewelry that fit snugly to her ears thanks to Raiinbow's guidance. Unfortunately for the doe, Layth does have to shift around some … which tends to cause some rubbing in areas she would probably prefer to not be rubbed in.

The doe does not squirm, but does bite her lip often and curl her toes.

And soon enough the torture is done. Layth slides down a bit so that he's face to face with Aisha. "Are you all right?" he asks.

"Yes!" Aisha squeaks, before getting control of her volume and breathing again. "How… how do they look?"

"Like jewelry embedded in your ears," Layth admits as he slides off the table. Rainbow is grinning as he leans down to Aisha and whispers in her ear, "If it pleases the most beautiful doe, there is a hotel up the street, the Purple Rose … they offer reasonable rate for rooms, down to an hour. I am sure that the Lion can calm you if you and he spent some time there… "

The doe's eyes go wide at the suggestion. "That won't be necessary," she finally replies to the Khatta. "We are guests at the Lightfoot Estate, and they have quite amenable accommodations."

Meadow hides a snicker behind a sleeve of her robe.

"Ah, of course. I am certain he can adequately relieve your tensions there. Repeatedly," Rainbow says with a sagely nod, "I envy you in that." The Khatta then steps back. "One more doe to claim."

Calligenia steps up and takes the chair, and then frowns. "My ears do not stand up," she notes.

"There are other ways to do patterns than ears," Rainbow explains, "Such as a flowing pattern around one eye, or along your forearms," Rainbow explains. "Lop ears do not show off work, it is true. The Lion has lovely work in his ears no one ever sees. It is a pity."

"Perhaps on my scalp then?" Calli asks, looking to Layth. "Something to make me less… intimidating… at times?"

Layth comes over and takes Cailli's head in his hands and he looks at it from various angles. "Hmm," the buck goes, "Perhaps a pattern reminiscent of one of the prestress. What faith flows most strongly in your clan?"

"Ashtoreth," the doe replies. "My mother and older sister were priestesses."

"Hm, I think I can work with that," Layth says then takes Rainbow aside to discuss designs for a bit. This leaves the does to talk amongst themselves for a moment.

"Your clips will go well with that design," Meadow says to Aisha. The chocolate doe smiles, and compliments Aisha on her lotus blossoms. "Anisa told me you wore a dress of flowers for your graduation."

The two does fall into Lapi-whispers, and at some point Aisha's ears shoot up and looks back at Layth after something Meadow says.

The conference continues for a couple minutes before Layth and Rainbow return. Like Aisha, Layth has to climb up on the table and straddle the doe, with his rump positioned similarly; lightly touching her lower stomach and lap. "I am going to attempt to use flow of blue and green to make it look as if you wore a simple priestess headdress. It should work with the way your ears lay," he explains.

"That sounds good," Calli agrees, and doesn't seem uncomfortable at all with Layth being on top of her.

"Now hold still," Layth whispers as he leans down. Out of all the does, Calligenia takes the longest. The strokes of the brush create the illusion of a gauzy headdress that rests atop her head and flows down the sides of her face, framing it, and down the the back of her scalp and neck. The illusion ends at her shoulders, where subtle color changes make it appear as if cloth was bunched up there. Like Aisha, Callie is unfortunately subjected to unintentional caressing by the larger buck. Though in the end, if she had to describe it, the sensations are more like she was being delicately groomed.

The Amazonian doe actually mutters happily during the dye work. Of the three does, she's probably the most used to being groomed on a regular basis.

Layth finally slides off Calligenia and he even lightly kisses her cheek as he does so. "There," Layth says as he sets aside the last brush, "We are done." Again he leaves the does to talk with Rainbow, presumably to handle payment for the time.

It takes awhile for Calli to get out of 'grooming daze' enough to stand up. "We shall have to bath him, you realize," she tells the others.

"That… " Aisha starts to say, and then just shrugs. "He bathed us in Amazonia. I suppose it is only fair."

"You got bathed by him?" Meadow asks, looking shocked. "I hate you."

"Well, did you not lay with him?" Calligenia asks Meadow, to which the gray doe just goes quiet and blushes.

"There, we have remunerated Rainbow for his time. We should leave," Layth says quickly as he returns. "Before he gets any other strange ideas."

"Did you kiss him?" Calligenia asks. "It is not uncommon for Guardians to do so. And I have seem men kiss each other's cheeks in this land."

"It would only encourage him," Layth comments quietly. Speaking of Rainbow, he is leaning on the far wall as he admires the view from behind Layth.

"Right," Aisha says, back to her usual assertive self. "Now it is time for clothes!"

"Come back anytime," Rainbow calls out and waves, "And linger."

Layth's brow twitches at that. "Clothing doom is a more honorable way to die," the buck decides as he takes the does in his arms and leads them out quickly.