Were someone only casually familiar with Anisa's personality to come in off the street, they would in no way realize that the place they now stood was her room. Indeed, they would most likely take it for the domain of an eight year old girl as opposed to that of a brawling barmaid. The color pink is the dominant feature of the room, with both the walls and the ruffled bed sharing the hue with the curtains over the window. A desk sits just to the right of the room's front door, piled high old romance novels and yellowing, long forgotten textbooks. To the left of the room sits a white dresser and a set of shelves recessed into the wall, piled high with old stuffed animals, dolls, and the occasional Templar action figure. Past the shelves is an open closet, which usually has various items of clothing spilling out of like a waterfall. This room is definitely lived in.

It's been a busy morning for Lilac. While Kin has gone out to locate the residence of one Aaron Lightfoot on the pretense of preparations for the upcoming journey, Lilac has been working at Snowshoe's tavern. When she isn't playing ot telling stories, she's also been waiting tables. If her feet could complain, they certainly would be by now. Still, it's just after lunch now and Lilac is recovering in Anisa's room. Anisa is off at the gym today as they're still short staffed. There's no sign of the Kiriga yet, either.

Dressed in a borrowed waitress's uniform, Lilac lays on the floor with her head resting on a stuffed Jupani toy. On the floor beside her is some parchment and a quill, which the bardess had been using to jot down notes on the adventure so far. As it is, she only got a few lines down before she just decided to curl up and take a nap. Snoozing Lilac lays half curled on the floor, tail tucked, ears flat.

There's a loud rapping on the door. "Lilac, are you in there?" comes the distinctive voice of her Kiriga 'employer'. "I have returned to see if you wished to come with me this afternoon? I know you are wishing to find taverns to work at and I will be going to the Heat Bar this afternoon."

Lilac's ears shoot up. "Mrrraa – wah?" She rolls over and stretches, yawning widely before blinking blearily. "Kin? Is that you? I don't have to wait tables, do I?"

"Of course not. I am going to have some scale work done before our trip. Master Lightfoot will be going with me as he is curious about the procedure. I thought you may wish to go to expand business contacts or research stories," Kin says as she opens the door and steps in. The moment she's inside and the door closed, the Kiriga starts changing clothing into a more mundane robe.

"Oh, good. As much as I like Snowshoe's, I don't think I want to make a career of waiting tables," Lilac insists. She rubs her eyes, then looks down at herself. Her tail pokes out of the hole normally reserved for Lapi tails, and the uniform is a bit short on her. "I'd better change, too. I mean, this is very cute in a common sort of way, but … " She shrugs, then begins changing, as well.

"Dress lightly, it is … warm in there. It may be uncomfortable," Kin advises as she pulls on a cloth purple and black kimono, finishing it with a white satin-like obi. "You will also meet a new friend of mine, Xander Lightfoot, a fire mage. He may be going with us to Sylvania. I decided a mage may be useful where we are going. Magic versus magic."

"Xander Lightfoot? I heard of a Lightfoot Apothecary in town," Lilac remarks. She hangs up her uniform, then choses boots, a short medium skirt, and a light blouse to wear under her usual colorful (if worn) hooded cloak. "I didn't know you knew any mages, Kinny. They're an odd lot, and exclusive."

"I met him at the gym. He is the cousin of the apothecary owner and occasionally works at the gym on their heat system. He seems a nice, if a bit unusual, Lapi. We had breakfast together and talked this morning," Kin explains. "He should be waiting downstairs."

"I guess it's no surprise that Lapi stick together – they do in Sylvania, too." Lilac shrugs on her cloak, then grabs her flute pouch before securing it at her waist. "I just which Gibson would be around, more."

"He is trying to locate the book Anisa spoke of. He is simply busy; I am sure he will be back soon," Kin notes with a smile. "Are you ready? I will go introduce you to him."

Lilac nods, smiling back. "I'm ready." The woman takes a few steps, then tucks her right leg back and rubs it a moment. "You know, you'd think being a … lycanthrope … would give me tougher feet, especially after all the walking I do."

"Wood and stone floors are more wearing that soft earth and brush," Kin notes as she slips back outside of the room and makes her way back to the main potion of the tavern. Craning her head a bit, she tries to locate the Lapi she came in with. "Xander?" she calls out.

Lilac follows along, tail swishing slowly. "That's a good point. You're a smart one, Kinny," she says.

A brown Lapi in red robes is sitting at the fireplace, entertaining the younger Snowshoe children by making the flames twist and dance while shifting colors. When he turns at Kin's call, a little blue flame can be seen hovering between his ears. "Oops, gotta go kids. Say hi to your auntie for me when she gets home."

Kin smiles as she spots Xander and makes her way over to him. "Xander Lightfoot, this is my friend Lilac, the … flower of Sylvania. She is a bard," the Kiriga explains in a tone that implies her name needed to be explained. "She will join us this afternoon. I hope you do not mind?"

"Why would I mind?" Xander asks, smiling and then bowing slightly to Lilac. "Especially when the company is so pretty," he adds, eying Lilac's ears.

Lilac smiles at Xander, bowing in a slight curtsy and folding her hands in front of her. "He's definitely a Lapi," she tells Kin, before glancing up at her ears and rubbing one self-consciously.

"May I?" Xander asks as he reaches for one of Lilac's ears.

"Is it because he seems to like your ears?" Kin asks without even whispering. "I told her you may accompany us to Sylvania," she tells the Lapi.

"Oh, why not? They're real, as odd as that may be," Lilac replies. She leans forward so Xander can touch her ear.

Lacking pads on their fingers, Lapis have a naturally soft touch. Xander strokes one finger around the edge of Lilac's ear, then trails for a short way down along the back of her jaw-line. "Smooth as zolk," he says. "I don't know why humans aren't constantly caressing themselves."

Kin's brow arches a bit at the commentary. "If you two would like to remain and talk while I attend to some things, I am certain you would be welcome to stay here?" the Kiriga offers.

"Erm, well, most humans don't, um … have ears like I do." Lilac laughs nervously, then gently swats Xander's hand away. "Aren't we going somewhere?"

"Hmm?" Xander says, and looks to Kin. "We can always talk while you're getting polished," he notes with a grin, and rubs his hand after the light swat.

"I thought you had offered to assist with that?" Kin says, "But if you prefer to do something else, that is fine. We are going to Setzka's Heat Bar. I hope it will be not too unpleasant for you." The Kiriga then makes her way to the main door and slips outside.

Xander follows along, saying, "Oh, I'm prepared for the heat."

Lilac reaches up and rubs her ear again, blushing afte the two walk off. "I guess they're not so bad," she admits quietly to herself, before following.

---

Inside Setzka's Bar
A large, circular room spreads out with some hubs for private rooms. The center is dominated by a large dome-shaped oven in a deep pit with a large chimney snaking up from it to the ceiling, keeping smoke to a minimum. Servants with wheelbarrows move rocks down to someplace out of sight, and come back up with ones that nearly shake the air with their heat. The smooth stones are deposited in bowl-shaped indentations, and many of these are occupied by Naga either casually chatting or just enjoying the warmth in the dim light. The only smoke in the air is aromatic, coming from hookahs. The far walls are ringed with drink bars, but things move slowly enough in here that only one extremely long Naga staffs it: the python Setzka. She takes drink orders and makes a circuit around the room, finishing drinks and setting them on her back for her patrons to pick up when she passes again.

The walk over to the Imperial section where the heat bar exists is quick and brisk. The Kiriga slips throughout the street crowds with usual reptilian grace. So, in short order the group makes it to the entrance. Kin holds back the blanket covering the entrance and ushers the two inside. The blast of heat is very noticeable to the two mammals; it's likely at least one-hundred-ten degrees inside. Kin follows behind, then says, "I hope you will not find this place too unusual. I am certain no-one here will try and eat you."

Once he steps in under the blanket, Xander mutters something and the little blue flame over his head thins out and covers his body, until he's limned in a faint blue fire-glow.

"GODS," Lilac comments as she steps inside, "it's like … the Savan in here, only more humid!" She begins fanning herself with a hand as she looks around.

Within a few moments in the heat, Kin actually looks more energetic. "Isn't it delightful?" Kin asks with a wistful sigh and cranes her neck. "Do you two wish to find a table while I visit the groomer? I believe the groomer sets up in the back, but I will need to check with Setzka.

"I wonder how they heat the area without open flames," Xander ponders while scratching his chin, apparently unaffected by the temperature at least.

Lilac eventually gives in, shrugging off her cloak and hugging it to her chest. "I have no idea, but I've played in worse," she says, panting.

"We should probably stay close to you, Kin," Xander suggests. "If you're going to talk to the hostess anyway, we can find out about Lilac playing here."

"And, we should get some drinks," Lilac insists.

"Very well, then you shall come with me," Kin says and actually takes Xander's hand and Lilac's arm. She leads the two through the tables, making her way towards the python. Maybe Kin is a little concerned with how the two would be treated in here, after all.

"I never did play for any of the Imperial bars," Lilac remarks as she follows along. "I guess, I completely missed this experience." By her tone, the woman sounds indecisive as to if she regrets that or not.

Setzka they python collects an empty glass from a torpid-looking Shiga, and replaces it with a freshly filled one from her tray. Her tongue flicks in greeting when she sees Kin. "Becoming a regular cussstomer now?" she asks, and spares a quick glance at the two mammals accompanying the Kiriga.

Kin bows her head slightly in agreement. "I wish to see the groomer that you mentioned stops by," she says, "And these are my friends. Lilac is a bard and wishes to talk with you about performing. Master Lightfoot is a Mage of Fire and was curious about the bar and how scales are polished. I hope it is not an offense to have brought them?"

The pythoness flicks her tongue at Lilac and Xander, and says, "I don't think we have had warm bloods here in quite some time. The groomer is ssset up in that alcove there." Setzka points to a curtained off area near the top of the bowl. "We have never had a bard before. Can ssshe play languidly?"

Lilac lifts her free hand and wiggles her fingers at Setzka. "Hello," she breathes. "I know several songs from Jadai, as well as some from Imperial Lands, and a few from Babel, if that interests you, mistress." Her tail wags, although that may just be for the cooling action. Tilting her head, she adds, "Oh, in this heat, languid would be my specialty."

"Exxxxxcellent," Setzka hisses. "We have a sssoothing ambiance to maintain, after all. Standard guild rates apply, yesss?"

Kin reaches inside her robe and places a small collection of shekels on the bar top. "Allow me to cover a couple drinks for each of them, should they wish it," she offers and tilts her head to look over the others lounging in the bar. "And if I may be allowed to ask, have there been any more disturbing rumors from the Imperial lands and Jadai?"

"Ohhh, we can work out price without bringing guilds in to it," Lilac insists. "I've always worked freelance. Travel really expands a bard's knowledge, I like to think!" She wags, hopefully, and lights up when Kin offers to buy them drinks.

Setzka hmmms, and says, "None with any new information yet." The python eyes the Sylvanian at the mention of 'freelance', but eventually nods her head. "Very well then, would you like sssomething to drink?"

"If you have any fruit juice, that will be fine for me," Xander says.

Lilac bobs her head. "I would!" She glances at the bottles lining the bar, twisting her lips as she thinks. "Kinny," she glances at the Kiriga, "What do you recommend, for, a, um, mammal like me?"

"I do not need anything at this time, I will be occupied," Kin says as she slips her hands into her sleeves. "May Lilac perform near the alcove?" At the question from Lilac, she blinks and pauses to consider the question, "Perhaps a sweet fruit wine if you wish something alcoholic. Otherwise, fruit juice would be a safe choice. Stronger drinks would not do be advised for mammals in this heat."

"Water might be best for her," Xander notes. "Especially if she's playing a flute."

"I'd feel odd ordering water in a bar," Lilac says. "The fruit juice sounds good, though – I don't usually drink much when I'm going to be playing. You have to focus, after all, and too much drinking leads to … odd songs."

"And naked dancing on tables?" Kin asks Lilac. "I have heard stories about musicians… "

Setzka nods, "Near the alcove isss fine." She then prepares Xander and Lilac's drinks. They aren't exactly cool, of course, but they are wet.

"I don't know that anyone here would really notice if Lilac was naked," Xander says, taking his drink.

"Let'snot talk about me doing anything naked," Lilac insists quickly. She could be blushing, but given she's already a bit red, it's hard to tell.

"You would," Kin points out to Xander.

"Well… yeah, I would, but… the place in general probably wouldn't," the Lapi rationalizes. "Besides, I think I should cast a resistance spell for Lilac as well, if she doesn't mind sitting in my lap for a quarter hour or so to share mine while I work."

"He's definitely a Lapi," Lilac sighs, sounding mildly amused. "I think I'll survive."

"Wait… survive without the spell or survive sitting in my lap?" Xander asks.

Again Kin's brow goes up. "Well, then we should walk to the alcove. Lilac can set up and I can check on how long it will be before I may see the groomer," she says. The Kiriga then heads towards the alcove, assuming the two will follow if they wish.

Xander doesn't linger, and follows on the Kiriga's tail.

Lilac just sighs again, shaking her head and grinning as she follows after Kin with her juice in hand.

When Kin reaches the alcove, Xander finds a nearby chair to work on the resistance spell. There are several other chairs as well and all offer a decent view of the bar and should serve well for Lilac. The Kiriga sticks her head past the curtain and can be heard discussing something. It's all in Imperial, so whatever is spoken about is not clear to Lilac. "It will be a few minutes," Kin explains when she pulls her head back. Since she has time, Kin settles herself down in a chair as well and reclines slightly against the wall.

Lilac takes a seat near Xander, although she politely declines sitting in his lap before tugging his ear. Once seated, she withdraws her flute and begins to examine the rustic looking instrument to ensure it's in proper order. "Okay, Kinny," she calls back towards back behind the curtain. "Do you have any advice, as to what I should play?"

Kin thinks on the question for a moment. "How low of a tone can you produce with your flute? Perhaps some of the gentle and deep tone songs from Jadai would be appropriate for this place. High tones may be too stimulating," the Kiriga suggests. "Focus on drawn out notes and perhaps a melancholy feel."

"Low tones, and a drawn out feel … Hmm, that actually sounds like it'll call for a Sylvanian tune. I know a sombre piece, which, despite the lyrics, is actually about the war. Since I won't be singing it, the tune itself should be just what you're suggesting," Lilac says. She puts her flute to her lips, blowing to test its lowest register. "Some races even play beyond my hearing, did you know that?"

"The Eeee do, I imagine. Perhaps some Lapi tunes as well?" Kin inquires as Lilac tests out the notes. "And may I ask you a question?"

Lilac tests another low note, ears perking as she savors it. "Hmm?" she asks, looking back. "What is it? Oh, and no, I don't hear any better than any other human, I don't think – so I can't play those songs."

"Why have you been worried about Gibson lately?" Kin asks.

"Well, we've been in a dangerous spot since … " Lilac blinks, realizing all of it has been one long stream of dangerous spots," … forever, it feels like. Gibson's in that too, and I worry about him. Also," and Lilac leans back to whisper now, "I like him – but don't tell him! I don't know what to do about it, now, and it'll just complicate what we have to do."

"You … like him? I like him too, unless you mean something different? Perhaps you mean you are drawn towards him through the threads of your soul and wish to embrace him?" Kin asks as she sits back up and curls her tail over her foot talons.

"That's very poetic – sometimes I forget you're from a poetic nation," the human tells Kin. "Yes, I like him. I mean, I never really considered Lapi before, but, he's a very nice man. And, you know, I'm not exactly normal. It's nice to have someone that appreciates who I am, and who treats me right. Plus, Gibson's heroic. He may not admit it, but he is." Lilac blows another long note, frowning in thought before nodding.

"Then I envy you," Kin says, "Relationships are not as simple in my lands; not for those in my position. It is about position, honor, wealth, and power. A coupling based on love is … like a single grain obsidian resting upon a field of quartz. Because of that … we are not good at expressing ourselves. It must be frustrating for you in dealing with me. You show such emotion, yet we … we do not. It is not that we do not feel, but tradition does not allow us to express it."

"Oh, it's not so bad," Lilac admits. "I'll admit you can be hard to read, but, I'm used to meeting a lot of new people. I've gotten used to trying to figure out what people of other countries and cultures want and need. Now," she licks her lips, blows a note, then resumes inspecting her instrument, " … Have you ever thought of expressing yourself, more? If you want to, I mean. You're not in Jadai anymore, after all, unless your … honor? … won't allow you to? Oh," Lilac leans a little closer, "I don't know about love, either. It's too early to tell, and we … well I, have problems."

"One cannot change a lifetime of habits in a day," Kin answers and in the briefest moment, voice tinged with sadness. "Emotions in court or a house of nobility can be used as a weapon against you. Trying to not think of that, even subconsciously, is hard. It's as if you want to walk forward but there is a wall of glass stretching out before you; blocking your path. You can see what is beyond, long for it, but never touch it. It is frustrating. This city … I feel incredibly alone. So, I have been trying to reach out, to meet people. I … just don't know if I am doing well at it."

Lilac lays her ears back at Kin's story, then reaches back to squeeze the woman's arm. "Well, I'm here for you, Kinny! If you ever want to talk, or need help, just ask. I know all about being alone, after all. I was alone, until I met you and the others. Sometimes, even being expressive doesn't mean you're not alone. Expression and emotion aren't guarantees to feeling comfortable with others." Lilac leans back, and smiles. "Maybe, you're trying too hard? You're trying to fit in to our world, but of course it's new to you. Have you ever thought of finding someone more like yourself, perhaps?"

"I have not met any here like me," Kin says with a small shrug. "Do you know what honor dictates I should do for failing my family obligations, Lilac?" she asks.

Lilac shifts nervously, as if having an idea but being unwilling to speak it. She merely shrugs a little, looking down at her flute.

Xander's soft chanting comes to a stop, and Lilac can feel the heat of the room retreating, until she's a comfortable temperature once more. And also glowing with violet flames, but that's just a side effect. "Never considered Lapis before," the mage mutters.

"To prevent family disgrace I should end my own life," Kin says simply. "But I cannot choose that path as too much of the world is at stake."

"Errr, what was that?" Xander asks, turning to Kin.

The human winces. "I couldn't let you d-" She blinks when Xander interrupts, then rounds on him and glares, "Hey! You were listening!"

Through the curtains, a thin, scaled hand reaches out and taps the Kiriga on the shoulder. "It isssss time," comes a hissing voice. To Lilac, Kin says, "A proper Jadaian friend would offer to assist, you realize." Then with a forced smile to Xander, she adds, "Nothing for you to concern yourself with, Master Lightfoot. Now, if you two will excuse me, I need to see the groomer."

"I just heard that last bit after the spell was finished," the Lapi says in defense, then looks to Kin. "Oh… uh… did you want me with you for this, Kin? In case you need it done while traveling?"

"I am a very improper Jadai friend," Lilac insists, laying her ears back. She reaches over and pats Kin's arm as she stands, then returns her attention to Xander. "Thank you for the … " she lifts a hand, examining the Lilac flames, " … Wow, I wish I could bring you with me. This would be a great crowd pleaser."

"That's a seventy-shekel spell if you want it part of your performance," the Fire Mage notes with a grin.

"If you wish to come in, I do not mind," Kin tells Xander and offers her hand to him. "Company would be appreciated."

"Certainly!" Xander replies, and takes the offered hand. "It's important to know what temperature is ideal for this sort of thing as well."

"Gak," Lilac remarks at the cost. "I'll have to pass on that – I don't wear tattered cloaks for effect, after all." She gives Xander a little wave, then puts her flute to her mouth.

"Temperature is actually not as much of an issue for me. My family line can reguate our own body temperatures if it is required. But, it is easier to absorb from the environment, of course," Kin says and slides back the alcove curtain. "Good luck, Lilac."

Inside the alcove waits an imposing jet black Naga that is resting on his coils near an intricate table that looks half like something you might find in a torturers chamber and half what would be found in a doctor's office. On a good note, there are no retraints on the table at least. "Pleassssse, remove your robe so I may exxxxxamine you," the groomer rasps.

Lilac tilts her head in acknowledgment of the reptile's well-wishing, and then she starts her tune. The notes come slowly, drawn out, with a slow build that wavers. It might even pass for the beginning of a dirge, filled with melancholy.

The Lapi is at first fascinated by the table itself, figuring that it has to be malleable enough to meet the needs of a wide variety of reptilian forms. That fascination lasts just as long as it takes for Kin to remove her robe.

Kin slides her hand from Xander's and without hesitation undoes her obi. Gently, she folds it and sets it on a nearby chair. The Kiriga then lowers her arms to her side. A ripple rolls through her body and the cloth kimono slips from her shoulders and slides down her back, where she catches it in her hands. That too is folded and placed in the nearby chair. As she walks past Xander and eases her form up onto the table, she tells the Naga, "Master Lightfoot wishes to learn and assist. I do not mind."

The Naga flicks his tongue at the Lapi and looks at him through baleful eyes. "Indeed? Then assssist he shall," rasps the snake. Once Kin as laid down, the Naga moves to life with slow and twisting movement and glides around the table. He leans in close, tracing thin fingers over dull gold scales as the inspection begins,. "Your father or mother issss of red or copper color, are they not?" he asks.

"How long did you have to practice that?" Xander wonders out loud, then blinks and starts paying attention to the black Naga's inspection commentary.

"My father bears the mark of fire," Kin answers in her way of saying 'yes, my father is red'. She lets her eyes droop closed as the Naga works.

"In time, your color may alsssssso be red," the grommer rasps, "Or perhapssss copper. It is hard to predict how the tones will ssshift as you age. Now, you wish to return to a metallic ssssheen. We will need to usssse a fine rouge, then." To Xander he says, "Lapi, bring me the jar of red powder and the dish of water, pleasssse."

"Is that important?" Xander asks the Naga.

"Isss which important?" the Naga asks.

"The color of her parent's scales?" the Lapi asks, in a somewhat more timid voice. "Does it determine which rouge to use or something?"

"To ssssome degree. It tellssss me how much I will have to polish down to reach the lighter ssshade. Since it has only dulled, I can use a fine polish. If she had faded to a reddish hue, it would require a much rougher polissssh and be … painful.," the groomer answers. "How much do you know of her kind? Look at her and tell me what you can deduce," the Naga instructs next. "If you are to care for her, you musst learn a few things."

"Well," Xander says, looking Kin up and down. And then back again. "She's got nice legs. Umm. She moves slinkily, so… probably needs to keep her scales… soft? So they don't scrape. Maybe uses a special soap… " The Lapi begins to flounder a bit.

The Naga slides over and bends his neck down until he's looking into Xander's eyes. "Some of that is correct, yessss," he says, "Do her handssss tell you anything? Or why ssssuch effort has been made to keep her sssscales at a ssssheen and ssssoft?"

Kin's head lifts off the table and twists back so she can look at the Naga. "None of that is important," she says with a polite, but final, tone.

Lilac's song has steadily grown in volume, if not in tone. She plays a variant of one of the many sombre tunes created in the time during and after the Necromancer Wars, only she's reduced the pace of the already slow tune even further. The slow playing server to blunt the sad edge, making the music soothing in a darkening way. A bit as the slow sunset is soothing.

"Umm," Xander says, and picks up one of Kin's hands to look at. "She has sharp claws. And she's a fighting artist. Soft scales would… take blows better?" he guesses.

"That issss a bit of a puzzle, because thissss one is of noble birth; you can telll in the handssss you ssssee. And you ssssay thisss one fightssss? Mossst unusual. But, it issss not my place to pry. If you are wissshing to manage her care, jussst be aware she is no commoner," the groomer says before being cut off by Kin.

"Please, tend to my scales. My pedigree isn't important. and I am sure Master Lightfoot does not care," Kin says.

"You can tell that from her hands?" Xander asks, looking confused. Then shrugs and sets the hand back down on the table.

"Assss you wissssh, Lady of Jadai," the Naga says with a bob of his black head. He goes and selects a container of a very fine red powder, a bowl of water, and some light washcloths. The Naga dips the cloth into the basin of water and then into the powder. "Now, watch closssely. I will be having you asssist. Do you wish to practice on her back or front?" he asks Xander.

"Best start on a part that isn't shown much," Xander says nervously.

Kin reaches back and feels for Xander's hand. She squeezes it firmly when she finds it, saying, "You will do fine."

"Maybe the shoulders then?" the Lapi suggests.

"Then I will have you work on her lower back, now watch," the groomer says. He brings the cloth down and starts to work on her upper back, working from mane outward. "Lightly go in circlessss as you go outward. Do not press too hard you you may pull a scale up and that hurtsss. The first pass issss to remove the oxidation. When you complete the first passss, you follow the growth of the scales and go down their length… " The Naga then proceeds to demonstrate this procedure.

Xander pays close attention, and asks, "How do you handle scars?"

"Follow the length of the sssscar until it issss flussssh with the sssscale," the groomer instructs, "But if it is a deep ssscar, there may not be much you can do." The Naga continues to demonstrate until he has covered, then cleaned, Kin's upper back and arms. The groomer then offers him the cloth, stating, "Your turn."

Tongue sticking out of the side of his mouth in concentration, Xander does his best to match the groomer's work as he swirls and strokes towards the base of Kin's tail. "Am I pressing the right amount?" he asks the Kiriga.

"You are doing fine," Kin replies. "If you press too hard, you will feel the cloth tug as it starts to catch on the edges of my scales. If you feel that, simply ease off. I imagine you never expected to be doing something like this, have you, Mage of the Fire?"

"He isss adequate," the Naga comments as he watches the Lapi work, tongue flicking. "But if he wissshes to be a true masster, it will take yearssss of study and practice."

"I'm used to mixing very temperamental components," Xander admits. "But they didn't breath."

"Temperamental?" Kin says as her head comes up and twists around to look at the Lapi. With a mock huff, she says, "Just for that, you're doing my tail." And to make a point, she actually pokes him with it.

Lilac's song comes to a close as slowly as it began. A period of silence follows, then the bard starts on a haunting tune with long, low notes that remind one of the wind on a breezing, quiet evening.

"How cruel!" Xander says in mock anguish. Looking to the Naga, he says, "I see what you mean about her being nobility now… "

The Naga shakes his head, muttering, "Mammalssss."

And so the procedure goes. The Naga takes back over the work for the most part, only allowing Xander to work in spall spots and bursts. The large areas are the easiest, but when Kin turns over and the Naga works around her facial scales, Xander can see where practice comes in; you have to be very careful with the small scales that surround her eyes, nostrils, and along her lips. All in all, the procedure takes about forty-five minutes to complete. At a guess, it would take twice as long for the Lapi to try to do it on his own;, even if he could. But at long last Kin is sitting upright on the table and paying the groomer out of her 'allowance' from the Museum. With the Kiriga sitting upright, Xander gets greeted with what a marked difference ithe work made, too. Her scales now make her look like her body is covered in a shimmering, golden, metallic skin crisscrossed with delicate lines at the places the scales meet and overlap.

The Mage holds up a hand and mutters a cantrip. Thirty seconds later a little bright flame appears in his palm that he uses to illuminate Kin with. "Wow, that's… it's like you're wearing a skin-tight leotard covered in sequins… " he whispers.

During the polishing, Lilac went through about seven different songs, all relatively similar and low-key. It's a testament to the land she comes from that all the songs are from her homeland. Sylvania certainly doesn't lack in sad, melancholy, or sombre songs.

Kin slips off the table. But before going over to her clothes, she lifts her arms a bit and asks, "Would you like to examine close now that I am off the table?"

"Eep?" the Lapi squeaks. Now that Kin is moving around and obviously a 'person' again, his ears blush and he steps backwards, nearly tripping on his robe. "No-that's-alright!" he bleats.

Kin looks completely confused for a moment. "Ah, of course. I do look like a monster in your eyes. I am sorry," she says quietly, then proceeds to get dressed. She's quick and quiet about it, her obi being tied closed within a minute.

"Err, no you look… errr," the Lapi says in frustration, holding his hands out and waving them – which makes the firelight bob like mad.

The Naga is now busily cleaning up the area and wiping up any spilled rouge. "I am a discrete groomer, Lady of Jadai," he says simply, "I will not ssssspeak of you to otherssss. Your businesss isss your own."

Kin pulls back the curtain. "Lilac? Are you okay? I am sorry for taking so long. You play beautifully; it made the time pass quickly for me," she says.

Lilac appears to be taking a break and sipping at her juice. She turns and smiles when she hears Kin. "Oh, it's no matter, Kinny! I mean, this is why I left home, to be a bard. This is what I do – well, what I want to do," she answers. Then, leaning forward, she peers at Kin. "WOW," she remarks after a moment of inspection, "The way your scales glow, and the dim light, it's like you're made of jewels."

Xander extinguishes his palm light, and then remembers to recharge the resistance spells on himself and Lilac – having them suddenly fail would feel like being blasted by a furnace.

"It can be a tedious procedure, but … the results are pleasing, yes," Kin agrees with Lilac and smiles. "Xander did quite well, too. He has a most gentle and delightful touch. I shall have to return the favor for him some day." The Kiriga then leans in and whispers to Lilac, "But I will need your advice on that. I am not sure what proper thanks would be." It's likely Xander would probably hear her, even with her whispering, given his ears.

The Lapi's ears blush once more and then fold back out of sight.

The human blinks at that then smiles more and pats Kin's hand. "Don't worry, I'll help you." She returns her flute to its holder, securing it carefully, then stands up with her juice in hand. "Speaking of which, I think I'd be glad to come back here and play. It's nice to have a variety of audiences, otherwise you get stuck in a rut. It's just, next time I'm dressing lighter."

"I did warn you to dress lighter," Kin points out. The Kiriga goes over to Xander, then slips her arm around his and leads him back into the main room. "So, shall we go by the gym and check on Anisa? Perhaps she will have word on the ship."

"The gym… oh, sure!" Xander says, nodding. "I should surprise Anisa if I can."

"I mean much lighter. I'll just throw my cloak over it if I get cold outside," Lilac insists. She follows after Kin.

---

As the trio reach the gate of the Gymnasium grounds, the brown Lapi suddenly dashes ahead and turn on Kin and Lilac, putting a finger to his lips in a 'keep quiet' gesture.

"What's he all about," Lilac asks Kin as the Lapi motions them to stop.

That lost expression returns on Kin's face. She looks to Lilac and whispers, "I do not know. What is wrong? Are we under attack? I am unarmed … I may require your flute as a weapon… "

Xander adds a second finger to emphasize the need for silence, then makes a 'stay here' pushing motion with his hands and starts to tip-toe off towards the right, into part of the garden, until he's out of sight.

Kin … shakes her head. Mammals are odd.

About a minute passes, and then there is the report of a small explosion; much like a Jadaian holiday firecracker would produce. A high-pitched scream follows, and a red blur flashes past heading stage left. An angry gray Lapi doe dressed in gardening gear runs as far the main path, and holds a pair of garden shears menacingly. Snapping the blades open and closed, she calls out, "Just ONE snip, Xander! One snip and you'll have a whole new outlook on life!"

"No one uses my flute as a weap-" Lilac's jaw drops where she hears the explosion, ears shooting up. "Oh, as if we didn't have enough trouble with people, now we have a crazy joking mage!" She gives a sigh, shakes her head, then explains to Kin, "He's teasing her. I'd tell you this is normal for, um, us mammals … But, I think he's a bit odd."

Figuring Xander must be under attack, Kin moves in intercept the doe. "Halt, brigand of the shears; you shall not harm him!" she calls out. She then pauses in mid-fight stance, looking between Lilac and the doe, "Teasing? There is no battle?"

"You know Hotfoot?" the gray doe demands, turning on Kin and Lilac. She does not wield the shears as a weapon though, letting them dangle at her side in one hand.

"We do. Master Lightfoot has been assisting us," Kin answers as she watches toe doe warily. She doesn't drop her fight stance quite yet.

"Yes, he's very male Lapi, isn't he?" Lilac answers, giving the gardener a knowing look.

"Assisting you in what way?" the doe asks suspiciously, especially as she looks over Lilac – but relaxes a bit at the woman's comment. "Yes, I'd say he's nearly three male Lapis in some aspects, with only one brain between them. I'm Spring Meadow by the way, a fellow Mage of his. Did he bring you here to show you the big bath or something?"

"He was assisting polishing my scales not more than an hour ago," Kin answers as she finally drops her guard and relaxes to some degree. "We were coming to ask Anisa about the airship arrangements. As for a bath, I have already seen the one here. That is how I met Master Lightfoot."

"Polishing you? No wonder he's worked up," the doe mutters. "And Anisa isn't here at the moments… what's this about an airship?"

"A bath? I didn't know the Gym had a giant bath," Lilac remarks, sounding surprised. The woman glances between Kin and the mage, then asks, "Why did you look at me funny, anyway? Is it the tail?"

"I wasn't sure if you were someone's graduate project or not," Spring Meadow admits. "And you remind a little of my old roommate."

"We are traveling to Sylvania to deal with some issues," Kin answers and she looks around for the wayward, pranking, mage. "I wanted to know when we would be leaving. I also wanted to make sure that she was okay that Master Lightfoot may go."

"You had an old roommate like me?" inquires the bardess.

"To Sylvania? Hotfoot?" the doe asks, and nearly bursts out laughing. "He must have the hots for one of you then… or maybe both. Oh, it was just the odd mix of features and confused look, Miss … ?"

"Miss Lilac – The Flower of Sylvania. I'm a bard, as I'm sure you can see." Lilac gestures to her colorful, if ragged, cloak.

"Have the hots for one of us?" Kin asks slowly, not understanding just what that means. "He has been a perfect gentleman around me and very polite. We had tea and apples this morning by firelight. I … do not understand. He is good at making things hot, if that is what you mean."

"My ex-roomie was a bard at one point too," the doe notes. To Kin, she notes, "All Lapi bucks are very charming and polite at first, but eventually the blood drains out of their brains."

"That is terrible. They must have a horrible wound for it to flow out like that. I hope it can be repaired," Kin says as if she understands (obviously not).

Lilac turns around to peer at Kin for a long moment, then she simply tells Meadow, "Kin isn't from around here."

"I gathered that," Spring Meadow notes, and starts to take off her gardening gloves. "Might as well go inside. Hotfoot will get bored when I don't chase him and come in soon enough."

"I am sorry if he damaged something you were working on. Please, lead on," Kin offers, then bows slightly to the doe. To Lilac, she whispers a question, "Is this behavior some sort of courtship between Lapis? Is that what is occurring?"

"May as well," Lilac agrees. She glances towards the direction Hotfoot vanished off to, then shrugs. Following along, she whispers back, "It might be! You see, the Lapi are a particularly amorous sort – especially the males. If you didn't notice, Hotfoot was flirting with both of us tonight."

"No, he always tries to get the pop right under my tail, but I've gotten desensitized to it a bit," Meadow says, heading for the gym entrance. "Just because I tangled him in vines and roots when he fell asleep outside after drinking too much one night… "

Kin blinks. "He was flirting with me?" she whispers to Lilac, honestly sounding surprised. The Kiriga then heads after Meadow.

Inside the main room of the gym, where the various exercise machines and the boxing ring are arranged, Xander sits on a weight bench waiting for the women. He waves and smiles as if innocent of any possible mischief.

"I'm pretty sure he was," Lilac insists. "But, like I said, I've never really considered Lapis before recently, so, I'm not sure, exactly. I have met many while traveling, though, and they're usually flirts."

"In Jadai, you just write a poem and ask," Kin tells Lilac quietly. When she spots Xander, she just shakes her head. "And you were worried that Sylvania would be dangerous?" she asks him.

"Really? I expected, I don't know, a long formal courtship followed by astrological readings, or some-such. That's rather straightforward," Lilac tells Kin in whisper. After spotting Xander, she shakes her head and her finger. "You are a troublemaker!"

"Monsters like the taste of Lapi," Xander points out. "And Springer wouldn't hurt me much!"

"That occurs for arranged marriages. If it is true romance … it is poems shared between the pair." Kin notes to Lilac. To Xander, and in complete deadpan, she asks, "And who says we will not hurt you much for this … outburst?"

"It's part of his charm," Spring Meadow says drolly. "He even flirts with Anisa. He has no fear."

"Hurt me for doing what, exactly?" Xander asks. "I made sure you weren't involved."

"For almost attacking this woman in your defense," Kin replies in deadpan.

Xander actually opens his mouth in surprise, and asks, "Why would you do something like that? She wasn't attacking me!"

"You forget, Xander, Kinny isn't from here. She may not know what you're doing," Lilac explains.

"Someone charging with blades looks like an attack," Kin points out, looking frustrated. "But never mind, it was my error." To Meadow, she bows and says, "I am sorry."

"B-but… look at her!" Xander says, waving to Spring Meadow. "She can't possibly be considered dangerous!" The gray doe just glares at Xander after that comment.

"Just apologize and take your beating," the doe says to Xander.

Lilac tilts her head, then smiles a little sadly. "You'd be surprised what can be dangerous, in this world. Kinny and I have been through a lot."

"Do I look dangerous?" Kin asks. "Appearance means little. A true master hides their skill and appears weak to lure those around them into feeling safe before striking."

Lilac tilts her head the other way, at Kin's remark. Then she grins slightly and laughs.

With a sigh, Xander throws himself (literally) at Kin and Lilac's feet. "Please forgive me for being a jerk and not warning you about how I traditionally greet my friend Spring Meadow!" he says, nose to the floor.

"And I thought I was dramatic," Lilac remarks to Kin. She then kneels down lays back her ears, and wags her tail. "Oh, get up, you! I don't mind, anyway. It's nice to be around so many people having a good time, it's like being back home," she tells him. Then, she tugs at his ears.

Xander looks up and smiles to Lilac. "See, bards know how to appreciate a rogue," he tells Spring Meadow, who just snorts and says, "You're no more of a 'rogue' than I am a princess."

Kin actually looks upset. "It was just … foolish. I have killed and maimed before defending someone I thought was in danger. I've nearly died protecting someone before. I consider you a friend, if you were in true danger I would have stood between you and it to my death; it is the way of honor. It is all I have left. And … you mock that," the Kiriga manages out. "I … am sorry. I don't know your culture, I don't know anything here. You … are forgiven. Now, excuse me." The reptile turn turns away and promptly goes towards a heavy bag.

Xander's ears droop and and hurries after Kin. "Don't be upset! I'm not mocking… I don't know about your culture!"

"This ought to be good," Spring Meadow whispers to Lilac.

"Maybe I shouldn't have said she was foreign so much," Lilac whispers back, ears flattening and tail tucking.

Running ahead and holding the bag (and perhaps half hiding behind it), Xander asks, "Please Kin, tell me how to make it up to you!" He droops his ears back and makes his eyes as big as he can.

"No, you don't," Kin admits. She stops in front of the heavy bag and draws in several deep breaths. And then without warning the Kiriga hooks around a leg and kicks the heavy bag … hard.

"She feels alone; she doesn't understand us very well, and as tough she she acts, it gets to her. I'm going to go keep her company," Lilac tells Meadow. The woman hurries over to Kin but, instead of saying anything, just takes a seat nearby and watches.

"Gloorf!" Xander wheezes as the impact is transmitted through the bag. Then he just slowly slides down onto the floor.

"And I can't blame you for that. I should not be mad at you for that," Kin says and bows her head. "I am … transferring, as Master Tooth would say." To Lilac, she asks, "What do you think he is doing, Lilac? To my family? To those we couldn't rescue? To my home?"

"Great… legs… " Xander wheezes as he curls up on the floor. Eventually Meadow goes over and prods him with her toe.

Lilac's ears flatten against her head. "You know as well as I do, Kinny. I'm not going to lie, and say everything is okay, because, well … " The human shrugs a little and pulls her knees up to hug them. "It's not, Kinny. It's not."

"You girls both sound like you need a drink or five," Spring Meadow points out. "Shake off those storm clouds over your heads and get on with doing whatever it is you're supposed to be doing next."

"We just left a bar," Lilac says with a sigh.

"I feel helpless, Lilac, Kin admits, "There's a monster controlling my life and I can't touch him.". The Kiriga then walks around the bag. She drops down into a kneel beside the curled up buck. She reaches down to stroke Xander's cheek lightly, "And here I am, lashing out against someone who has been kind to me. I'm … scared. I'm afraid I won't be strong enough to protect you, or my home, or anyone. I don't want to lose anymore. I … " She pauses, taking a breath, "I should be the one asking what I can do for forgiveness, not you, Xander."

"That's okay," the Lapi whispers. "Can't carry the weight of the world on your shoulders, you know. Bad things come to those who try."

"That's right – that's why you have all of us with you. You're not alone, Kinny," Lilac insists.

"Yeah," Meadow chips in, having no idea what the two other women are talking about. "Can't be afraid to ask for help. That's what friends are for."

Kin is quiet for a bit. "I feel sorry for that Jupani back home. He didn't have a bag between him and my foot. Even with the bag I dropped Xander. The Jupani … probably had to have his underclothes extracted through his nostrils after I kicked him. Granted, he deserved it, but," she says and tries to lift Xander back upright.

Lilac grimaces at that. "I think I … hurt some of them, as well … " she admits, hanging her head.

"Ummm, I'm sure he deserved it!" Xander agrees readily. Then asks, "Just for future reference, what did he do exactly?"

"You did," Kin tells Lilac, "But if you hadn't, I would be dead now." To Xander she tells him, "He and his friends tried to beat and rape a young Kiriga."

"They hang people for that here on Rephidim," Xander notes. "If someone tried that on Caroban… uh… you don't want to know."

"Instead, they beat me when I intervened. Six of them, two of us. We won. I was hurt pretty bad, but we won," Kin appends.

"If it was a noble or someone under a noble's protection, would they hang him, though?" Kin asks. "The law of many lands will bend for those or appropriate … position."

"I think they would have hanged, Ha- … he would have never let them do it. His ego is too big," Lilac suggests.

"Nobles may get away with it in public," Spring Meadow says, "but they also have their own forms of 'private' justice and politics."

"Even the Astromancer was assassinated," Xander notes, and shudders a bit. "Nobody is untouchable."

"He wouldn't have cared. Remember his collection," Kin points out to Lilac as she actually pulls Xander into her lap and starts petting his head. To Meadow, she asks, "Have you ever heard of a Cervani called Vandringar?"

"The name doesn't sound familiar," Meadow admits, while Xander just sits there and tries to wag his puffball tail. "Is he a noble? I don't know if there are any Cervani nobles on Rephidim or not… "

"Maybe he's on Aaron's list," Xander suggests. "Wasn't it a Cervani who stabbed him in the leg that time in the Old Cemetery?"

"You would remember him if you had heard of him," Kin says, "So I will not burden you with more information. You already have one problem." The Kiriga pointedly taps Xander's nose. "Who isn't getting out of taking me ballroom dancing sometime. Or to see the city."

"I think he would, because if you died, Kinny, it'd be an affront to his … style. His gains. I don't think he would be happy with that. His ego is huge," Lilac explains. She grins when she sees the Kiriga pat the Lapi's head, then whispers to Meadow, "She usually does that to me."

"Ah, I had thought you were referring to his hired guards raping the girl. Yes, killing his future w… me would have been another matter entirely," Kin agrees.

"Is that what that collar is all about?" Meadow whispers back to Lilac. "I mean, is Xander really chasing the Snark with you two?"

"You want to go ballroom dancing?" Xander asks. "I suppose there must be someplace in the city for that. You live here, Meadow, where are the dance parlors?"

"Uh, dance parlors?" the Earth Mage replies, looking a bit embarrassed to admit, "I have no idea. Nobody ever asks me to go out dancing."

"Eventually, yes," Kin tells Xander. Looking worried, she then asks him, "Are you okay? Please tell me I didn't hurt you too much. And why haven't you asked her to go dancing?"

"Oh, the girl. I almost forgot about her! Gah," Lilac admits. She reaches up and rubs her forehead.

"Oh, I'm fine… and I just arrived on Rephidim the other day," Xander says. "This is the first chance I've had to meet up with Springer. And I did take her out last time."

"To the Wheelierama World of Fun?" Spring Meadow asks. "That wasn't a date. And you and that Chaos Mage ended up exploding one of the rides anyway!"

"Going dancing is considered a date?" Kin has to ask.

"Not if there isn't an explosion, no," Xander says.

"I'm confused," Kin admits, "But I won't ask further."

"In payment for taking me dancing some day," Kin says as she lifts Xander up into a sitting position, "I will work on making you stronger. You should be able to stand up to a kick to a heavy bag."

Lilac suddenly blinks, glancing at Meadow. "What's a Snark? And, you can see my collar?!" Lilac quickly reaches under her blouse and tries to push the collar down.

"Stronger? But… I'm a Mage!" Xander protests. "And a Lapi… I can just run away… "

"Being educated does not mean you are required to be weak. I was classically educated," Kin points out and actually grins at the Lapi. "If you were stronger, you could sweep someone off their feet instead of … setting their bottoms on fire."

"I dunno, Springer can be awfully heavy… " Xander starts to say, only to be interrupted by a "Hey!" from the doe in question.

Kin looks over to Meadow. "Would you like me to train this one? I am certain I can straighten him out, one way or another," she says, holding a completely solid expression. "He is a bit rough, but cute for a mammal."

"I think he's incorrigible, but if you can train him to work off of his excess stress the world will thank you," Meadow says to Kin.

Kin's head swings back around to consider Xander. "Hmmm," she says, "I shall strive to find him an outlet for his excess stress, then."

"This isn't going to be an excuse to beat me up all the time, is it?" Xander asks nervously. "I've seen how Anisa 'trains' Aaron."

"It will depend. I will have to try various things to determine which calms you down most effectively," Kin deadpans.

The Lapi immediately covers his head with his hands. Then thinking better of it, covers his groin.

Meadow whispers to Lilac, "Oh, you know, a Snark… an imaginary beast that fools try to catch. I mean, I've worked for poodles. I know a little of what they get up to in private, and that collar just seemed familiar."

"Not right now," Kin says, again holding a completely flat expression, "Perhaps after the dancing." What she might mean by that, well, she leaves Xander to wonder.

Lilac thumbs at her collar self-consciously. "It's, um … well … It's complicated," she admits. "BUT," she insists quickly, "it has NOTHING to do with Snarks OR poodles."

"Okay, just making sure," Meadow says to Lilac and pats her shoulder. "I mean, there were these girls back at school who… uh… well, you know… Chaos Mages are little confused about things at times… "

"Maybe we should find Anisa," Xander suggests, to forestall anything else embarrassing happening to him.

"There were these … " Lilac suddenly chokes, dropping her collar. "Kinny is not my girlfriend! I'm a were- er … I mean, I were … her servant. Were. Yep." The human coughs again, then glances off.

"Yeah, the poodles did the whole master and servant thing too," Meadow says with a nod.

"We should find Anisa, yes," Kin agrees as she gets to her feet. She offers a hand down to Xander to help him up. To Meadow, she says, "It was … " At Lilac's outburst, the reptile stands there, slack-jawed. She then starts making this really odd snorting hiss sound. "We have no such relationship," she eventually manages to say.

"It's … a mark of servitude, but not like that," Lilac insists, folding her arms.

"Did I miss something?" Xander asks once he's on his feet.

"Meadow thought Lilac was my lover, I believe," Kin explains, "If I understood correctly."

"Really? That'd be… " Xander starts to say, then shuts his mouth quickly before getting himself into trouble again.

"Weird," Lilac finishes.

"Indeed," Kin agrees. "I have never had a lover."

"I'm cuddlier anyway," Xander assures Kin, but then winks to Lilac and whispers, "Cuddlier to you too."

Lilac just shakes her head, then leans over to whisper, "I liked that ear thing you did," to Xander, in a low voice.

"I expect you to prove that," Kin tells Xander. Again, she may be joking, she may not. Hard to tell. Still, always the one to take charge, she walks over to Meadow. "Do you know when Anisa should be back?" she asks.

"Really?" Xander squeaks, his ears blushing again.

"Umm, I don't even know where she went," Meadow admits. "You mentioned an airship or something, right?"

Kin nods. "She said she was going to arrange a flight for us. We can wait here until she returns. We are not keeping you from you job here, are we?" she asks.

Lilac leans towards Xander, ear forward. She winks at Kin where Xander can't see.

"I don't actually get paid to look after the garden, so no," Meadow replies, with a grin. "Just not sure if Anisa has ever tried to book passage on an airship before."

"You are the gardener?" Kin says, webbed ears actually perking a bit. "I wish I could show you the gardens back home; they were beautiful."

"Well, I'm trying to spruce up the landscaping here, maybe you could have a look and make suggestions?" Meadow asks.

Lilac ducks away before Xander can touch her ear again, then declares, "I'm going out for a bite to eat, Kinny. I'll meet you later, at Snowshoe's."

"I'm going to run a few laps on the track then, if nobody needs me," Xander says. "I promise I won't explode anything."

"I could make many. Please, show me where you are working and I will tell you about things that are done in my homeland to make areas beautiful. It need not be complicated; there is elegance in simplicity," Kin answers with a small bow to Meadow. To Lilac she says, "If Anisa doesn't return by evening, I will return to Snowshoe's and wait for her there." Inwardly, she thinks, "Lapi are complicated and this place … is crazy. They are infecting me … because I am starting to understand. I must meditate and restore balance. Yes, meditation in a garden is what I need."