Rented Cabin – Kitchen
The kitchen of one of the small cabins in town that is often rented to visitors is cozy. There is the typical Kadie stove in one corner and a worn but usable table and chairs in the other. The walls are lined with shelves that bear chipped and worn plates for the visitors to use.

"Now, one of my escorts tells me that you returned with my daughter a little bit ago, Miss Blacktail," Inaya says and folds her hands on the table. "I do hope she was not a bother to you. She has been most antsy these past few days. Travel is never easy on the young."

Glad for the change in topic, Amy perks up and says, "Well, she… was a bit cranky. I think if she had a local to show her around and play with her she'd be less trouble."

The Khatta looks unconvinced by this. "Ah, a thousand apologies, Miss Blacktail, but, I am not sure I want my daughter … spending time with the locals here. I fear she may pick up bad habits. Things are … rougher here than back home. Not very … civilized."

"Forgive me ma'am, but she's a little girl," Amy notes. "Are there any trees she can climb back home, or animals to play with, or… uhm… witches to show her how to make potions?"

The feline's ear splay out. "My daughter should not be associating with witches," she states firmly. "But … I understand your point on trees and animals. Surely my guards are enough to protect her, though. Why would we need to bother one of the locals?"

"Well… your guards couldn't keep an eye on her before, and really don't know what's safe and dangerous out here," Amelia says. "There are children her own age, like our Gallisian lord's little sister, who are more civilized, and your daughter seems to think the guards scare people off."

"Mmm," Inaya says as she leans back in the chair, which creaks ominously. "I must confess you have a point, Miss Blacktail. We had a hard enough time getting lodging as no one would come near us. Given that you are one who helped defeat the one who murdered my sister I … I will trust you in this. Do you wish to look after her? It would be good practice for one your age, to prepare for having your own children." She then smiles towards Zahnrad, who has been sitting rather quietly through all this. "And I am certain you and her will have beautiful children."

Zahnrad blinks and coughs, as that apparently got his attention. "Ah, no, we're not planning that, er, ah," he babbles.

Amy giggles, and says, "Well, I was thinking of someone a little closer to her own age, and maybe a little more cautious, like one of our Lapis. They have lots of experience with children, and are pretty smart and level-headed. And… they have bunnies."

Inaya smiles and claps her hands together. "Ah, yes, Lapi. We have Lapi back home and they make the most wonderful servants," she says, "Very cautious and docile creatures."

Amelia just grins wider, and doesn't comment. Docile… yeah. "The Chalk family is very good at 'public relations' and are very friendly. I'm sure one of the bunny-ranchers would be happy to show your girl around and have some safe fun. My friend Olivia can even make some play clothes for her to wear."

"Ah, even better. It would be difficult to replace the clothing she wears while we are traveling," Inaya says, then claps her hands twice. "Abdul-Azar, fetch my daughter, please." The large tiger bows to the small feline and says, "As you command, Mistress of the flowing sands." He squeezes himself through the doorway, presumably to get the girl.

"So, does sand really get into everything like I've heard?" Amy asks, trying to make small talk.

"It does," Inaya admits. "But, you do get used to it." Through he doorway bounds the little girl, Kalila. She curtsies to her mother and asks, "You summoned me, honored mother?"

"Yes. Miss Blacktail has asked me to release you into the custody of a local Lapi, so you can see the, ah, sights. Yes, sights. I expect you to obey Miss Blacktail completely, and that of whom she asks to look after you," the older feline says and motions her hand to Zahnrad. "And, of course, her friend as Miss Blacktail must honor his wishes, since she is his female."

Zahnrad rubs the bridge of his nose and winces slightly. He really hopes Amelia doesn't whack him when they leave just to prove she doesn't have to listen to him.

Amelia blinks at the last bit, and looks to Zahn. "Do you wish for anything?" she asks him.

"Ah, no, nothing now," Zahnrad says quickly and waves his hands. Inaya watches the Kadie curiously and notes, "He's the nervous one."

Kalila watches Zahnrad for a bit, then giggles. The little feline then simply puts her hands behind her back and swings one foot playfully. "Of course, honored mother," she says, "I'll be as well behaved for them as I am for you."

"Well, I suppose we should take her to Olivia for her clothes, but Olivia was supposed to be coming here after running an errand," Amy notes. "I guess we could take her to bunny ranch first."

Inaya bows her head politely. "As you wish. Please just have her back before nightfall. And … please gather all the people who were involved in the battle with the necromancer over the next few days? I would like to speak to all of you as a group," the Khatta says.

That request gives Amy a pause. "That could take some doing, there were quite a few," she notes, wondering what the Khatta woman will think of Gunther and Axel…

"Right, we can do that," Zahnrad interjects now. "Where would you like to meet?" Inaya considers the question, then replies, "I would like to meet at the place he was defeated." The Kadie then twitches. A stranger on clan land.

"That would be the dam," Amy points out. "I think some of it is still being repaired."

"It is. Deirdre is working on it right now, in fact," Zahnrad says … then groans and puts his hands over his face. "You have a dam?" the Khatta inquires, sounding as if she doesn't quite believe that.

"Of course we have a dam," Amelia says, oblivious to Zahn's reaction. "It powers the flour and paper mill, and… well, it's very important."

"Deirdre wanted to speak to you … alone," Zahnrad whispers to the other Kadie, then smiles to the Khatta. "Yes, it is. Quite complex, too. It powers a lot of things. My clan has managed it for generations."

Amelia grins, and figures haughty Deirdre finally wants to thank her for protecting Zahn.

"Ah … how, impressive. My apologies, then, I did not expect anyone in these lands would have any education," Inaya says and tries to smile sincerely.

"I don't think anyone told the Wingnuts how to build a dam, did they?" Amy asks Zahn. "I always figured they just invented it all from scratch."

"No, we designed it," Zahnrad agrees with Amy. "But, we have learned things from travelers that have enabled us to improve aspects."

Azar's head peers through the doorway. "A thousand pardons for me interrupting you, Mistress beyond beauty and honored guests, but, we have another visitor. A miss Olivia Weaver and … some odd-looking fellow named Djivan. Shall I show them in?" he asks.

Inaya smiles and claps her hands together again. "Of course, of course. I know of her. Please, Azar, show them in," the Khatta insists.

The first in is Djivan. He bows deeply to the feline and smiles toothily at her. "It be a pleasure to meet you, madame," the rat says, "t'ank vou for allowing us into vour lavish home."

Inaya blinks at the odd greeting and peers around the room. "Ah, well, you must be Mister Djivan? Charmed, ah, to meet you," she says, looking as if she might be a little ill … or at least a little uncomfortable.

Olivia now steps into the room, peering about with great curiosity at the newcomers. However, she also glances from time to time at the Skreek, just to make sure that he doesn't sidle off with anything he's not supposed to have. Then she removes her flower-hat and smiles at the older Khatta. "And I am Olivia Weaver, ma'am," she says, by way of simple introduction.

Amy's tail twitches as she waits for the introductions to end, so that she can ask Olivia how her 'errand' went.

Inaya stands and curtsies to Olivia. The Khatta looks much like an older Kalila, really, a gray-furred and blue-eyed feline. She's dressed in extremely expensive zolk clothing and wears many different colorful sparkly and even metallic jewelry. "It is an honor to meet you, Miss Weaver," she says, a voice which sounds so eerily familiar to the Skeek. "Do, please, sit," she says and motions to the chair she was just occupying.

"Lady Inaya had just expressed her desire to meet all of the people involved in the demise of the necromancer," Amelia tells Olivia, using her most ostentatious vocabulary.

Olivia looks somewhat taken aback by this gesture on the Khatta's part. "Errr, thank you very much, ma'am," she says at last, then goes over to the chair and hesitantly sits. She's never had a Lady give up her seat to her before, so she is unsure of the protocol. Then she eyes Amy with interest. "Oh, yes?" she asks, trying to sound nonchalant. "How far along in that story did you get?"

"I haven't told her anything yet really," Amy comments in Skeek. "She seemed to know what she does from the report you handed over in Justininople."

The older Khatta moves around the table so she can face Olivia and Amelia. Zahnrad and Djivan sort of glance at each other and shrug simultaneously. The movements of the Khatta are very fluid and graceful and she watches the Skeek with great interest. From where Olivia sits, she can definitely see shades of resemblance between Natasha and this lighter colored, younger, feline. Perhaps if Natasha had not lived a hard life these past many years they would look even more similar.
Olivia nods in response to Amy's clarification, inwardly relieved and somewhat disturbed all at once by this information. Then she turns to Lady Inaya and says very politely, "Forgive me if I am overly-inquisitive, ma'am, but why would an important lady such as yourself wish to know about our small town's troubles? You seem to have traveled a very long way just to hear about a necromancer roaming loose in the wilds of Sylvania."

"Did you bring your measuring cloth?" Amy asks Olivia.

Olivia gives Amy a smile and produces a small linen-wrapped bundle from the pocket on the inside of her flower-hat. "And all of my best needles and scissors, too. I thought I might need my quality equipment for a job such as this! That's why I left you for a little while – I had to retrieve them first."

"Oh, it is of no bother, Miss Weaver. As I was telling your friend here, the necromancer was not any random one, not to me. That creature killed my older sister a long, long, time ago. Our family has been trying to find details of him ever since. When word reached me that a report was made of his demise, I had to come," Inaya says with a smile and a small bow of her head. "For the sake of my sister's memory I wished to meet those who finally brought the man to proper justice. All unauthorized users of magic should meet the same fate as he; they are all evil and live only to cause suffering."

Amy bites her lip at the tirade against 'unauthorized' magic users, but keeps quiet.

Olivia's mind wanders to Morgan and Isolde as she thinks, Well, not ALL of them, my Lady. Aloud, she replies, "Ah, I see. That sounds reasonable enough to me, Lady Inaya." She turns and gestures to Amelia, now saying, "Then I think you have Amelia to thank the most for the necromancer's demise – she was the one who delivered the killing blow, after all!"

"You provided the most information on his movements though, Olivia," Amy counters.

"Heck, he wouldn't have even come here if it wasn't for the gypsies," Zahnrad offers and glances at Djivan.

Amy twitches at Zahn's comment.

"Don' look at me, I jus' wit' her," Djivan says and points at Olivia.

"Really? Why was he here because of the gypsies?" Inaya inquires and looks at Djivan expectantly. "Were some his servants?"

"Err, not exactly," Amy pipes up. "He was using one of them to enact elements of his master ritual, with the gypsies then becoming convenient scapegoats."

Olivia looks down into the hands folded in her lap as Amelia mentions all of the information she gathered on the ancient Skreek. "Well, it's not my fault the necromancer decided to take a rather… inappropriate interest in me. That's how I was able to find out anything about him at all," she explains to Inaya. Then she, too, winces at Zahn's comment, only inwardly, so as not to arouse any suspicion. "No, ma'am, the gypsies did not serve him. Amelia has the way of it," she adds, giving her friend a thankful look.

"Ah. That poor soul. Who was it, if I may ask? I would like to speak to them," Inaya says with a smile. "Even a gypsy does not deserve that fate."

"Gee, thanks," Djivan grumbles quietly.

"He's a very shy and reclusive man, ma'am," Amy says. "I don't think the other gypsies know that he was being used as the villain's puppet, and it probably would be better if they did not."

Olivia now quirks an eyebrow at Amelia, wondering who she might be referring to – but still grateful for the save!

Zahnrad looks at Amy oddly. "I thought it was OW!" Zahnrad yelps and turns around to see what just pulled his tail. Behind him Kalila is smiling sweetly and innocently.

"Zahn, you were delirious through the whole thing," Amelia reminds the other Kadie. "Don't try to force your memories."

Olivia gives the older Khatta what she hopes is an apologetic look. "Yes, we are both very sorry for not being able to tell you more about this person, but we believe it is for the best. I hope that our testimony will provide you with the answers you seek, instead."

Inaya bows her head. "It is fine. I would not wish to bring up old memories for another," she agrees, then remembers something, "Were you not going to seek out someone to look after my daughter? I think she is getting … impatient. I am sorry for your tail, young man. And before you go, I wish to show you something, excuse me a moment." The Khatta then walks out of the room.

"I owe you one," Amy tells the little girl.

"Me, too," Olivia mutters under her breath.

"For what?" Kalila asks and smiles as if she's done nothing at all.

"Just for being you, apparently," Amy says, and also grins at Zahn.

Zahnrad grumbles.

"How fast can you make up some play-clothes for Kalila?" Amy asks the Skeek. "I was thinking of bringing her to Miranda Chalk, the bunny-wrangler. She's a few years older, and is pretty responsible."

"Wait, isn't she a bit hyper?" Zahnrad asks and looks at Amelia.

"Well, she has to be able to outrun a kitten at least," Amy notes.

Olivia grins at this. "Just a half-a-day longer than the few minutes it will take to convince my aunt to let me out of my chores long enough to make clothes for an important client!"

"Good point," Zahnrad admits.

Inaya returns carrying a small portrait of some sort. She sets it down gently on the table and tells the group, "I keep talking about my sister, so I wish to give a face to the name. She is the older one, I am the younger." Upon the table sits a very detailed painting of two felines. One looks about twenty, is solid black, and dressed in elaborate and beautiful white robes. The woman is definitely Natasha, though younger, thinner and more 'proper' looking than she looks now. In front of her stands a younger, gray-furred, Khatta, probably ten years old. Both are smiling and looking as if everything is right with the world. Djivan leans over to peer at the painting and the Skreek's eyes go WIDE.

"She looks very dignified," Amy comments.

At this very moment, Olivia takes the opportunity to slip her scissors out of the linen-wrapped bundle and discreetly drop them, point-first, onto Djivan's foot!

Djivan lets out a loud yelp and starts hopping around the room holding his foot! "Ow, ow, ow!" he complains.

Olivia immediately gets up and leads the pained Skreek back to his chair, picking up her scissors as she goes. "I am so sorry, Djivan!" she gushes. "How careless! And pardon the interruption, Lady Inaya!"

"That isn't just one of his folk dances?" Amy asks.

"Oh, it's no bother. I just wanted to show you this before you left. Please, let me keep you no longer," the Khatta apologizes.

If looks could kill, Amelia would have exploded and her skull landed in the next county with the sort of look Djivan is giving the Kadie. "Dat no' funny," he complains.

Olivia takes another look at the portrait of the younger versions of Natasha and Inaya and then smiles sadly at the other woman. "She looks as if she was a very strong and capable woman." Thank the gods, she still is, she thinks.

"Better to look foolish than suspicious," Amy says to Djivan in high-speed Skeek.

"She was the jewel of the family," Inaya says quietly and turns the picture over. "Please, let this silly Khatta keep you no longer. I appreciate the offer to help entertain my daughter. When you are able to get everyone together who was part of the defeat, please, let me know. I cannot leave until I meet them all," she says.

Olivia exchanges glances with Amelia at this information, but merely nods to Inaya. "As you wish."

Taking Zahn's elbow, Amy starts towards the door. "The light outside will be better for taking Kalila's measurements I imagine."

Zahnrad goes along with Amelia, looking rather confused really. "But, but," he stammers, then just gives up and says, "Never mind, I give up. You're all crazy."

"We're just trying to keep some things secret for now, Zahn," Amy tells him, switching to Skeek again.

Olivia gets to her feet again and says, "Of course. By your leave, Lady Inaya?" With a final parting smile to the Khatta, the Skeek follows along behind Amelia, supporting Djivan as he hobbles along beside her.

"You're getting as paranoid as my brother," Zahnrad remarks to Amelia in Skeek as they exit. Kalila tags along with the two Kadies, watching them with wide eyes. "You all talk funny," she says.

Inaya curtsies to Olivia. "Of course, Miss Weaver. Go and may the fates always smile upon you," she says as the two exit.

"Not paranoid," Amy notes. "You probably hadn't noticed, having only met her briefly at the dam, but Dame Natasha is Inaya's 'dead' sister."

Zahnrad blinks at this. "Uh, if that's true … why aren't you telling her?" he asks.

"And yeah, vhat is dis? Natasha com' from a vealthy family? Vhat goin' on here?" Djivan demands.

Olivia looks down at the ground as they walk along. "I have told her. I wouldn't run all the way back to the gypsy's camp for something I had all along," she says in Skeek, nodding at her little linen bundle.

"Because Natasha is in hiding," Amelia points out. "It's up to her if she wants her little sister to find out. It's why Inaya can't meet Bravil either – she's too similar, and it'll confuse him. And… I'm sure you know everything Natasha thinks you need to know about her, Djivan."

The little feline obviously can't understand a word the group is saying, so she just follows along, peering at all the stuff as they pass it slowly.

"But, ve a family. She can trust us vit' anyt'ing and she know dat," Djivan insists. "An, vhy if she com' from such a family is she stayin' vit' us? Why she no go home? T'is life is hard. She coul' have better, Vhy she no take it?"

"What would happen to your troupe if she left, Djivan?" Amy asks the Skreek pointedly.

"Ve … " the Skreek starts to say, then admits, "Ve vould probablt disban'. But, I jus'… She has a chance at a better lif', and she choose to stay here. I didn' know how much ve vere costing her. Ve don' have dat right."

Olivia glances at the Skreek and shakes her head sadly. "Because she's a College mage who's sided with witches – those unauthorized users of magic you just heard the Lady talking about. If she lets her sister know she's alive, all of that will come out. And it would spell great trouble for her, and for the rest of her family, I'd bet. It seems the politics of dishonor and petty revenge go a long way where Natasha comes from."

"It's her choice, and it always has been," Amy points out. "Natasha just knows what is really important in life, and it isn't having it easy."

"It … no vonder she keep t' herself," Djivan admits and glances in the direction the camp is. "I don' know if I coul' do dat, go into self exile. I … I feel like suc' a heel. Ve put so much on her an … never thanked her. No' in a vay dat is vorthy of vhat she lost."

"The necromancer is gone, things have changed," Amy says, shrugging. "Who knows what she'll decide to do now. All we can do is back her up."

Olivia nudges the Skreek fondly. "Sorry about your foot, by the way," she says, trying to lighten the subject a bit. "I had to do something or else you would have blurted her name right out! I'll make it up to you, I promise."

"Just don't do it in front of the little girl, please," Amy quips, grinning wickedly.

Olivia, turning to Amy now, says, "Well, her reaction to the news that her sister was in town was to tell me that she can't see her, for the reasons I mentioned. And I wouldn't do that – I'm not an exhibitionist like Lili!"

"Where did she go, anyway?" Zahnrad asks and looks around quickly. He spots her near a barrel next to a building. His brow furrows, then growls and stomps towards the barrel. Kalila moves out of the way and scoots back towards the others. Zahn brings his hand down onto the top with a loud thump. "Enough with the disguises and spying, already," he yells!

"Dangit!" comes a yell from inside the barrel.

Olivia whirls around and smacks her forehead with one hand. "Gunther!" she groans.

Amy blinks at the rather mundane hiding place Gunther has chosen this time. So unlike him!

And then a rather unusual thing happens. The barrel starts coming apart in sections. In a matter of moments Gunther is in view, with sections of fake barrel strapped all over his body. "You gave me away," he accuses Zahn. "I helped you build that," Zahnrad reminds him, "I can spot it easily."

While all this is going on, Olivia leans in and whispers to Amy, still in Skeek, "By the way, I mentioned Kalila to Bravil. He'll be on the lookout for her, if she gets near the gypsy camp, just poking around. Can't have her poking in certain places, now can we?"

"Hey, it's the bush guy," Kalila declares!

Amy nods to Olivia, and replies, "We'll need to brief Gunther on what not to talk about as well, when it's his turn to meet Inaya."

Olivia hmmms. "True enough. Glad you thought of it!"

Zahnrad rubs the bridge of his nose and looks back at the others. "I'm going to escort Mister Sneaky here home. Go ahead without me. I think it's time we had a little chat, board to bother … I mean brother to brother," he says.

"He's just playing hide-and-seek," Amy explains to Kalila. "Now let's go see some bunnies!"

---

Skirting past the Gypsy camp across the bridge, the group heads up into the Chalk pastures, past the occasional grazing Rughrat. Before long, they reach a fenced in area, although the fence is open enough to see several rows of large wooden hutches within. Once there, Amelia knocks on the fence gate. "Are you in there, Miranda?"

"Jutht a minute!" comes a voice from inside which is soon followed by the form of a young gray rabbit with curly black head-fur walking up to the gate with a Sylvanian bunny of similar gray coloration held in the crook of one arm. "Hullo there, thomething I kin help you wiff?"

"Hi there, Miranda," Amelia says, smiling to the younger girl. "How is your Standard? We've got a little guest that needs someone to show her around."

Kalila looks over from where she's busily trying to untie Djivan's belt sash while he's not looking. The Skreek is peering at all the cages curiously (and a bit distractedly). "So, vhat did dey do? Seem like awful mean prison, no?" he asks Olivia.

Olivia peers into some of the cages with the gypsy. "You should probably ask Miranda about that. I never was very clear on the whole task of 'bunny wrangling'… always too busy with my sewing to find out!"

Miranda bobs her head politely to Amelia before replying slowly, "My thtandarrd ith good… iff yu kin get patht the lithp. Oh? Yu need a tour guide then? I kin do that. Who needth ta be thown about?"

"Her? She talk like de odd guy at de castle. De one who has it in for me," Djivan notes to Olivia. It's at that time he notices Kalila trying to swipe his belt so he begins a tug of war with her.

"The little girl there trying to steal Djivan's pants," Amy says, pointing out the kitten.

Olivia rubs the bridge of her nose and clears her throat a little nervously at that. "Yes, well… I think he's a bit jealous of you. Amelia told me once that she thinks Igor likes me, and I'd have to agree. Just be careful as you can around him, I guess."

"Eh, I kick his hump so hard it come out his feet," Djivan says in an attempt to reassure Olivia. He finally snatches his belt back and sticks his tongue out at the girl. She sticks hers out right back at him, then jumps up and grabs Djivan's tongue!

Blinking slowly Miranda tilts her head to have a look at the young kitten who suddenly jumps up, and shakes her head. "Now mith… if you keep that up I won't be able to thow you the rabbitth, and maybe let you have one… " she says in a calm voice, hoping it will get the girl's attention.

Olivia stifles a laugh as she taps the cat girl on the shoulder. "Could you please let go of that?" she asks politely. "I think he might have need of it later! You know, for talking and tasting things."

Amy chews on her lip at the display, but recalls that Miranda has actually babysat for the Oggtons. "Sooo… are you really busy now, or can we leave her with you? Her name is Kalila and… uh… she shouldn't get her clothes too dirty, if possible… "

Looking back at Amy, the lisping rabbit smiles briefly, showing off a small bit of her broken tooth. "Oh thure! I don't mind, I can thow her tha rabbitth a bit while I finith up and then maybe thow her around."

The girl stops and peers over at Miranda, one ear skewed to the side. Her hand is still stretched upward, holding firmly onto Djivan's tongue. The Skreek is still flailing. She finally lets go and walks over towards the Lapi, her zolk robes flowing along with her. "Bunny gives away bunnies?" she asks curiously in the melodic tone most Khatta have. "That's silly."

Djivan makes a face. "She got to be on de road for weeks… and she still taste like sand," he complains to Olivia.

Miranda smiles at the young Khatta before replying, "Ah… but theese are different from bunnieth like me, thee?" thinking that was what the girl meant, before holding the small rabbit still held in her arms out for the other girl to see.

"They're non-Lapi bunnies," Amy says, as if that might possibly make things any clearer, which it probably won't.

Kalila peers at the smaller rabbit and even sniffs it. "Oh, I see. She has smooth front teeth and you don't," the kitten notes.

Olivia reaches up to pat Djivan on the back in a comforting way. "You know, for someone who claims to be so slick and sneaky, you sure let that girl get the best of you," she teases.

"I'm a sucker for de ladies," Djivan says in his defense. "No' dat she a lady ye', but vou get de idea, no?"

Olivia nods, but does not look convinced. "Sucker for the ladies," she repeats. "Riiiight."

"In other words, he's willing to tolerate such from rich ladies," Amy whispers to Olivia.

Miranda blinks, her ears wilting back briefly at the Khatta's statement before perking forward again and murmuring, "Not quite. These bunnieth… " she pauses to think of how to phrase it… "They ar not intelligent like you an me… They are animalth, like Drokarth, or Rughratth… "

Olivia giggles and nudges her friend in a way that's meant to be reproving, but somehow it doesn't quite come across that way.

"But, I've been told that no one in this country is very intelligent," the kitten says in that blunt honest way kids often are. Djivan just rolls his eyes at that and does the nose in the air snooty bit.

"Oh, I don't know," Olivia says quietly to no one in particular. Then smiling a bit at Amy, she adds, "Zahn's pretty smart when he's not trying to blow himself up… "

"Well, there's smart, and there's intelligent, and then there's wise," Amy says, reciting an old witch saying. "If you can manage two out of the three, you should be okay."

Miranda ahs and scratches her cheek fur at Kalila's blunt observation before stating, "Well… yu thouldn't belief everything yu hear… Yu'd be thurprised"

The kitten just shrugs at that, her interest returning to the rabbit. "So, do you eat them?" she asks next. "We eat small animals back home."

Djivan peers at Amelia and Olivia. "Jus' what are vou two plottin', hmm?" he asks them after noticing their quiet conversation.

"To get you suspenders," Amy tells the Skreek.

"Oh, vell, vou two can get me out o' me pants anytime." Djivan says and playfully leers, "I seen vou naked, leetle squirrel girl."

Miranda says, "Yeth, theethe little guyth are sold for fur, meat, and as petth… Though motht people here would not eat them. And I would not, I am a vegetarian."

Amy just grins back, and says, "And I know where you live, housekeeping-challenged rat man."

Kalila makes a face. "You eat green stuff? Yuck," she says and sticks out her tongue.

Olivia heys! and punches Djivan lightly on the arm. "Watch what you say, gypsy… you know I don't share!" she growls, mock-threateningly.

"Fear de sock, baby," Djivan counters Amelia, still grinning. He then rubs his arm lightly and winks at Olivia.

Miranda tilts her head at the Khatta's face… replying quietly, "I could thay ta thame thing for you about eating meat… I can not physically eat anything but green thtuff…   to do tho would make me vewy thick."

"Thick? No. It keeps you nice and thin. Too much bread and you get thick," Kalila insists and crosses her arms.

"Liquid bread makes you even thicker, and I know carnivores like that," Amy points out. "It comes from green stuff, too."

"Nono… thick, thick… " Miranda repeats, emphasising the th and drawing it out before rubbing a free hand across her face and changing tactics, "Um… thick, you know? Unwell? Ill?"

"That sounds gross!" Kalila insists to Amelia. She then reaches over and pokes the non-lapi bunny's ear.

"Umm, live animals bite, Kalila," Amy points out, figuring the girl has had no exposure to them before.

Djivan tilts his head and peers at Miranda now. "I gots to know," he says, "Vhy vou talk like dat? Terrible snoggin' inciden? Jus' like to?"

"Bite? This bunny? It doesn't look dangerous," Kalila notes, her gray ears flicking. "It doesn't even have sharp teeth."

"Ummm," Amy says, "It has very sharp teeth, Kalila. Khattas eat soft meat… bunnies chew through wood."

Miranda holds the bunny a bit away from Kalila and nods, agreeing with Amy. "Yeth… you thould be careful not to thtartle them… their teeth are tharp enough to bite and hurt thou they are not carnivoreth," she explains before turning her attention to Djivan and giving him a wide smile, showing off the prominent broken gap in one of her front teeth. "No, twath a inthident with tha inventor."

"Really? Can they be trained to carve stuff?" Kalila asks next and starts looking around for something. Probably a stick to test this theory.

"Inventor?" Amy asks. "At least Lapi teeth grow fast."

Miranda taps the Khatta girl's shoulder and shakes her head, "No Kalila… remember I thaid that they weren't vewy thmart? They're not really trainable for thingth like that."

"That's no fun," Kalila says, her ears wilting and looking rather disappointed.

Djivan hmms. "Okay, so I bet it be dat Gunther. He nuts and dangerous," he remarks to Amelia. "Or, mebbe his bother, your main snog. I hear he blows stuff up."

The gray rabbit then looks over at Amy and Djivan, replying, "Oh, I mean your friend Thaan… thee mechanic-thlath-inventor."

"Zahn broke your tooth?!" Amy says, looking surprised. "What happened?"

"He no' my frien'. I don' think he like me too much. Prolly 'cause I make passes at 'er," Djivan explains and points a thumb at Amelia. "Jokin' of course, but he have no sense o' humor."

Smiling at Amy, Miranda says, "Oh it wath'nt anything terrible… I jutht uthed to be more interethted in tha thingth he wath inventing… I got a bit too cloeth to one an my lithp ith tha rethult."

Olivia raises her eyebrows at this and mutters, "Okay, the next time Zahn says he's working on something new… I'm out the door!"

Kalila makes a connection. "Oh, he's the brother of that one that keeps following me around in bushes, barrels and hay bales," she notes.

Miranda says, "Needleth to thay my interetht in mechanicth is gweatly diminithed."

Djivan shakes his head. "Don' see what squirrelly here sees in him," he admits, then nudges Olivia. "Say, don' vou have some clothin' vou need to make? Want to get dose measurements? Or did vou get em already? I don' remember."

Olivia ohs! and slaps her forehead lightly. "That's right! Kalila, if you want me to make you a set of play clothes you can get a little dirtier in, I'll have to measure you for them first." She turns to Miranda. "Is there somewhere private we can go to measure our guest here?"

Miranda scratches her cheek and looks between the Khatta girl and Olivia… thinking for a minute. "Well, there'th a thhed towardth the back of tha hutcheth you can uthe on thort notith." She pauses a moment to eye Djivan before continuing, "I'll watch tha door for you, 'kay?"

Djivan hmphs and crosses his arms over his chest. "Vou don' trust me, do vou?" he says, sounding nonplussed about it. "It no like I no see her before, ya?"

Olivia grins at the Skreek and jerks her thumb in Kalila's direction. "I think she means our guest – I won't be the one taking off my clothes to get measured." Then she smiles at the Khatta. "Ready to get this done?"

Kalila shrugs a bit at that. "Sure. I don't mind getting out of this floofy stuff for a bit. Mother insists I dress like a lady. Bleh," the kitten complains.

Amy eyes Djivan, and asks him, "If you've seen Olivia in the buff, does that mean she's seen you likewise?"

"Heck yeah, vhy?" Djivan asks Amelia.

"She has a stronger stomach than I do, then," the Kadie mutters.

Olivia's grin gets wider. "Well, you'll still look nice, but the cloth won't be so expensive that you can't get mud on it or something. Let's go!" She leads to way over to the shed that Miranda indicated.

"Vou really vant me to thump ya, doncha?" Djivan hisses at Amelia. "I kin always git Bravil to turn ya into a pretzel, vou know!"

"Hah, why would he do you any favors?" Amy asks, tail floofed out. "He likes me."

Miranda follows Olivia and Kalila over to the shed, setting herself up outside by the door.

"I be of de clan and vou aren't," Djivan remarks. "Family stick together!"

Faintly in the distance, Amelia and Djivan hear Olivia's voice call out to them. "You two behave! I want to see everyone with their limbs still attached when I get back!"

"Yeah, I'm sure he's felt really part of the family," Amy notes. "Besides, he wouldn't hurt a fly."

"Hah, I saw de remains of de zombies he squished," Djivan notes. He then gets an unsettling evil grin. "Or, I kin hit ya by no' hitting ya. Be a shame if vou boyfrien' stuff all break suddenly an he haf to fix it instead of spendin' time wit vou, no?"

Amelia frowns at this. "You know, I'm sure Igor can use more spare parts, and you're just about his size," she counter-threats.

"An dat jus migh' get Natasha involved. T'ink vou can go toe to toe wit her?" Djivan retorts and waggles his eyebrows.

"That depends on if she sticks around," Amelia says, a bit more seriously. "She may change her mind about meeting her sister."

Miranda for her part just waits by the shed door for Olivia and Kalila to finish, letting Amelia and Djivan rant at each other, not wanting to get herself in the middle at the moment.

"Vell, vhatever she decide we suppor' her on it. Ve owe her dat much," Djivan admits and sighs. "Chance at a nice lif out of de muck, rain, and monsters be temptin'."

"Eh, at most I think she'd agree to see what's left of her family, but she can't really go back," Amy says. "She's a rogue mage, they'd hang her or behead her or whatever it is they do to criminals in the desert."

"Eh, maybe. She coul' come up wit a reason for bein' gone so long, surely," Djivan remarks and looks over towards the guard-lapi. "Hmmm. Wonder if dey inherit by age. If so, she by all rights be vealthy, no? Money solve any problem wit de law."

"She was a high level mage, and had political enemies… so I'd guess she was already well off," Amelia notes. "And it's not the regular law, it's the Mage's Guild's own law. I hear they even have their own police force."

"Eh, in de end, it all be abou' money. But it all guesswork. She will do vhat she must," Djivan says and waves his hand dismissively. "If dere be anything vou need to do, I kin just wait here for Olivia."

Amelia hmms, and goes to talk to Miranda first. "Kalila is staying in one of the cottages behind the Frog & Peach – it'll be the one with a tiger outside. Will you be able to take the girl there later, or do you want one of us to come pick her up?"

Miranda nods at the Kadie and smiles before replying quietly in the affirmative, "I can drop her off there if you like, Amelia, it thould be fine. I dun think I could mith a tiger."

Smiling, Amy pats Miranda on the shoulder, and says, "I really owe you one, Miranda. Thanks for helping out on short notice."

"Make her pay vou back, an make it expensive!" Djivan calls from where he stands. "Make her muck de cages!"

Miranda chuckles softly, the air whistling through the gap in her teeth as she does, before replying humorously, "Oh, I would never athk you to help here, Amelia… but maybe you could give Clover a bop on tha nothe fo me next time thee maketh fun of me… " She laughs as she says it to show that it was just a suggestion in jest.

"Oh, that I can manage!" Amelia says, grinning in a nasty way.

Returning to Djivan, Amy says, "I'm going to the dam for a bit, then I'll drop in on Natasha. Let Olivia know, okay?"

Blinking slightly at the look on the Kadie's face Miranda quickly cautions, "Ey ey! Just don't get me in twouble ya hear? Ok, I'll let her know where you've gone to."

Djivan nods and salutes … with a loud smacking sound from he impact. "Aye aye, Sir! Ma'am, Ma'am-sir! Oh, wait, dat be Mogran," he says with a grin. "Git outta here."

Amelia deliberately tickles Djivan's nose with her tail as she leaves through the gate.

Djivan makes a futile grab for the tail and just grins.