"Thank you for rescuing me," Calligenia comments to Layth, once they've left the grounds of the Al-Firaih household. The Amazonian doe is barely recognizable after Aisha's fashion makeover: gone are the practical Rephidim-style clothing (and underlying armor) that Calli usual wears, replaced by a layered wraparound skirt made of gauzy white cotton. A teal Ha'clohi covers the doe's arms and torso, and since her lop-ears are not suitable for the traditional ear-clips she instead wears a sequined head scarf that covers her scalp and wraps around her throat. She's even wearing sandals, and is (apparently) unarmed.

"Rescue you? You do not look like you have endured anything horrible," Layth points out with a mild smile, "You look like a respectable and demure doe. Do you not like your clothing?"

"I feel very… vulnerable," Calligenia admits, keeping close to Layth. "Defenseless."

"No one will harm you here," Layth notes and briefly puts his arm around Calligenia. "If I offered to allow you to select attire for me that you would like, would you feel better?"

"Your attire is already suited to this land," Calligenia points out. "It does not matter to me what you wear."

"I thought you would be more comfortable if I dressed more familiar," Layth points out in return and withdraws his arm now. As they walk he looks about and the myriad of buildings and their colors. "What do you think of these lands?"

"They are very different," the chocolate doe says quietly. "On Rephidim, there was not a problem with me being a doe. But here it is all… what does Tasha say? Anchor over Star. Females have an unusual status here."

"Well, I will still defer to your superiority, even if others here will not," Layth offers the doe. "Nor will I allow anyone here attempt to take advantage of you. I know you can fight with weapons very well … but if you wish, I can teach you how to fight without them. I know you see it as barbaric, but you would feel less defenseless."

"But you explained last night that defending myself would put me into more danger," Calli notes, and takes Layth's arm. "I have to be protected. It is so confusing. It is like having to remain a child, because being seen as an adult is more dangerous."

"If I cannot protect you for some reason. I do not wish you to feel defenseless, only that you do not appear aggressive," Layth tries to explain and places his hand lightly atop hers on his arm, "But yes, you are correct in that generally it would be looked upon poorly if you asserted yourself here. In truth, I prefer it when you are not having to pretend so much. And I must also admit I never thought … well, I would consider you a friend."

"You have always been friendly towards me though," Calli says. "Did you not expect me to be friendly back to you?"

"My memory of Amazonian women was not pleasant," Layth explains, "In truth, I was wary of you."

"Surely I did not remind you of the women in your clan?" the doe asks, looking surprised. After all, she's no bigger than a 'normal' Lapi doe, as opposed to the Valkyrian giants of Layth's clan.

"It is not size, but attitude," Layth explains, "But now I know better and no longer worry about what you might do. In fact, visiting your clan changed my views on many things. I am glad I went."

"Well, I do belong to the best clan in Amazonia," Calli replies with a nod and not a trace of sarcasm. "Where are we going, by the way? I was eager to leave before Aisha started fitting me for frilly undergarments."

"Good. I can fit you for frilly undergarments, then," Layth deadpans as they walk. "We are going to meet Zarif. My former … master and more like my adopted father. He spends time at a bar just ahead."

"You were a proper slave then?" Calli asks. "Not one of these 'property' type ones they have outside Amazonia?"

"I was the latter at first, but became more family than real property quickly," Layth tries to explain. "It was not a bad life. I enjoyed helping him."

"He has hopes of you starting a family?" the doe asks. "What will he think of me?"

"I believe he does. That is why he asked Al-Firaih to take me into his home to serve them when he could no longer trade and had to retire. He wanted me to have a better life," Layth answers. The second question, though, gives Layth a pause and he looks to the doe. "Why do you worry what he would think of you? Are you concerned he might think you are … a potential wife?"

"What if he does not like me? He is a Khatta, after all, and I am Amazonian," Calli points out.

"So am I and he likes me," Layth points out. "And you do not even look Amazonian. I do."

"But you were not raised Amazonian," the doe points out.

Layth pauses in walking. "You are really worried he will not like you, aren't you?" he asks.

The buildings are beginning to become denser in this part of town, and the streets narrower. This far from the harbor the desert winds tend to bring in more dust and sand as well. "If he does not like me, then he will disapprove of our association," Calli points out.

"And you do wish to keep our association," Layth adds as he resumes walking and begins actively looking for the bar now. "I am … rather fond of you too, Lady Circerae."

"I am just Calligenia," the doe says. A walled courtyard with an arched entry appears at the address Aisha's father gate to Layth. The milk bar has no name, but does bear the marking over the archway indicating it is a traditional (that is, men only) establishment.

Layth looks up at the sign and frowns. "Men only," he explains to Calligenia, "But … let us see if we can break the rules." He walks closer to the bar and tries to peer inside.

The courtyard is filled with older Khatta men, usually two or three to each small round table. Each patron has a bowl or cup or glass of milk, cream or yoghurt. It takes some time, but Layth finally spots Zarif in a far corner, dozing at his table beneath a shade palm.

Layth raps lightly on the entryway, hoping to summon over one of the servers. He does not feel comfortable leaving Calligenia outside.

Eventually an older kitten hurries over, and seems a bit confused to see a big Lapi. "Are… you here to deliver something, honored sir?" the boy finally manages to ask.

"I am here to find the Honored Zarif who sleeps in the corner," Layth explains, then motions to Calligenia near him, "But I cannot leave her alone out here, such would not be proper. She is, after all, a lady of refinement. Would you be so kind as to allow these two unworthy souls inside to visit the Honored Zarif? Or, if not, would you be so kind as to tell him he has guests outside?"

The bobtailed boy seems uncertain, and then says, "I will try to rouse him. If you can come around to the back alley, you can meet with him in shelter."

"Thank you. You are most kind," Layth tells the boy. Taking Calligenia's arm again, he leads her around the building. "I could not leave you outside," he explains, "It would have been wrong."

"Thank you," Calligenia says, adding, "I would not have been comfortable around so many felines."

"If I may ask … did your mother say much to you about me?" Layth inquires as they approach the alley.

The back of the building, surprisingly, has a second yard with a porch and awning, along with pens for Rughrats. Calli blinks at the question, and says, "When we were leaving, she told me you were a very skilled lover, but I already knew that."

Layth's ears almost turn red. "I … well, I should not be surprised you discuss such freely," the buck admits.

A moment later, the kitten appears and waves the Lapis over. There's a bench under the awning, and the boy says, "Master Zarif will be here shortly."

Layth guides Calligenia over to the bench. Once there he lightly 'helps' Calligenia settle onto it before he sits as well. "Thank you once again. May you always find beauty and peace in your life in payment for your kindness," he tells the boy.

"I'm too young for that," the boy notes. "But… I like candy!" Then he's vanished back into the building.

Calligenia fidgets nervously with her skirts, until an older Khatta is led out to join them. "Ah, praise the Gods of Fortune! It is you, Son of my Heart!" Zarif says, smiling broadly.

Layth spreads his arms, standing and taking a moment to hug the older Khatta. "Honored Zarif, the gods have blessed me with a chance to see you once more. I hope they have also gifted you with a lovely retirement," the buck says, then abruptly shakes his head. "And where are my manners. May I present a new friend, Lady Calligenia Circerae. She is a dear friend and business partner of Lady Aisha Al-Firiah," the buck says as he stands aside and presents the chocolate doe.

Calli stands nervously, and bows as she was shown, with her hands clasped together before her chest. "I am honored to meet the man who raised such a fine son," she manages to say in passable Khattan.

Zarif pulls back slowly from the hug, and looks Layth up and down. "I see no scars, that is good! When I learned you returning to the land of your birth, I did not know what to think! But I see you are fine and healthy, and have met a beautiful woman!" he says, raising an eyebrow in a questioning gesture at the mention of Calligenia.

"I have weathered well, though we endured much," Layth says truthfully, "And in part because she helped look after us." He once again indicates the chocolate doe near him. "But we are merely two boring Lapis, nothing compared to the honored Zarif. What has happened to you while I was gone? What is this I hear about your sister in law and nieces stressing you?"

"My honored brother, may the winds always favor him, is away for long periods as an airship pilot," Zarif explains. "He hoped I would look after his family, and of course I do! His eldest son reminds me of you in many ways, Layth; a fine young man. But his wife demands my opinion on everything, especially when trying to discipline her daughter who is at that rebellious age. But surely you have had a great adventure! Tell this old traveler of the forbidden land of Amazonia, where no Khatta dares tread."

"I found my mother," Layth says in a suddenly somber tone. He settles back down on the bench and proceeds to describe the events of traveling to Amazonia, of meeting Calligenia's mother, and of the quest to the mountains and what happened along the way. "It is hard to understand. I always thought I would be angry if I saw her once more … and yet, I was not. All I felt was loss," the buck admits and hangs his head when he reaches the part of how she died.

Zarif sits next to Layth and pulls the Lapi's head to his chest. "I had hoped you would never feel such loss, my son," the old man says, while Calligenia appears to be stunned speechless. Apparently nobody told her about that part of the expedition to the mountains.

"It was good to say goodbye, as well as to close old wounds," Layth admits. "I would not wish to have been spared it, for I would have lost the friends I gained in Amazonia as well."

"It is a blessing that you forgave her," Zarif says, letting Layth go.

"In truth, how could I not? Ultimately I had a better life because of her choice. I would be dead by now has she not sacrificed me," Layth also admits. "By the wild's hands or even perhaps by Lady Circerae's. It is likely we would have been enemies."

"What? I would not… " Calligenia begins to say, and then goes quiet. "This one… this is Aisha's Amazonian Princess?" Zarif asks in surprise, looking at Calli.

"She is. It would be dishonorable to say otherwise," Layth says as he lightly puts his hand on Calligenia's arm for reassurance. "She is no monster like stories would have you believe and she is doing much to respect the cultures of the lands she visits."

"She is just a girl," Zarif says, and reaches over to brush the doe's cheek. "To be sent out into this world at such a young age… You are protecting her, Layth?"

"Of course, Honored Zarif," Layth answers. "She is my duty, as is Aisha."

"Ah, the Heavens have blessed them both then, for there is no better guardian to be had," Zarif says, smiling again. "And perhaps you will marry them both some day, my son!"

Layth chuckles at that and waves his hand. "Ah, but I do not believe they feel such for me. I am a friend, nothing more," the buck claims.

"He will be a fine husband, when he is ready," Calligenia offers.

Layth looks … well,at a loss for words. He looks to Calligenia, wide-eyed and a bit surprised.

"Is something wrong?" the doe asks.

"No, no, forgive this unworthy soul. I am must assuredly not understanding properly," Layth says in a quick apology. Smiling, he turns his attention back to Zarif. "Now that you know some of what happened in Amazonia … it is just a small part of the greater trip we took. Please, relax, Honored Zarif and I will tell you of all the lands we visited… "