After breakfast, Layth learns that Tasha has gone to report to the Temple of Abaddon. The Karnors are scheduled for a full day of rituals, and Aaron has already volunteered for translation duty (among other things, like writing down Doctor Zerachiel's ramblings). This leaves the buck and his charges free to do what they please, for the most part.

Chloe lets him know that Calligenia is nearly finished assembling her new trading supplies, and has been working to the brink of exhaustion to do so. The time for leaving Dianus may be soon, it seems.

"Does she need assistance, then? It does her no good if she works herself to collapse," Layth comments to Chloe from where he's massaging her shoulders. Even though she's supposed to be serving him, Layth can't help but occasionally look after the small doe.

"We've barely even seen her," Aisha comments. "She'll come in late at night and just collapse into the bed at times."

Layth rolls his jaw in thought. "And it is not as if she would ask for help," he comments, releasing Chloe's shoulders. "Do you know where she is? Her pride may not allow her to ask for help, but I am equally stubborn in giving it anyway. Both you you know that by now." That is followed by a lopsided grin to the two does.

"She could be back at the villa today," Chloe suggests. "I'd heard that she was on an over-night trip yesterday."

""Would both of you with to go check on her with me? It would be ill manners for me to leave you two without your servant," Layth comments to the two, then pushes his lop-ears back. "Perhaps I could convince all of you to allow me to pamper you appropriately at a spa or similar so that she relaxes too."

"Well… I didn't bring a change of clothes with me when we came to Kerebos," Aisha notes. "So going back to the Villa is a good idea in any case."

"You would not require clothing at a spa in any case," Layth comments to Aisha with his usual deadpan expression. Hard to tell if he's trying to make her blush, or is being serious about it.

Aisha blushes and folds her ears back. "You enjoy making me blush far too much, Layth!" she complains, while Chloe just looks confused at the statement.

"Lady Aisha, you wound me," Layth notes and puts his hand over his heart. "Would I ever intentionally try to embarrass you? What purpose would it serve?"

"I can never tell with you," Aisha mutters. "You always look innocent."

That earns a long lick along Aisha's ear from the buck. "Appearance is important in all matters," he says enigmatically, then picks Aisha up and sets her on her feet. "Come, let us check on our mutual friend and make her ac cept help. Of course, it may require that you two duel her … but I am certain your combined efforts would lead to victory… "

---

Sleeping Chamber in Villa Circerae
Tyche's daughters share a large single bedroom within the villa, with one wall made up of archways that open onto the central garden of the U-shaped building. Heavy curtains can be pulled to close off the opening, which are patterned to match the various tapestries depicting Amazonian life that cover the marble walls. There are benches, wardrobes, desks and various other bits of furniture pushed against the walls as well, and thick fur rugs mostly cover the tiled floor. The bed takes up the center of the chamber, a support pillar at each corner rising to the ceiling. The massive mattress is covered in a blanket of woven Lapi fur, as are the various cushions and blankets that pile atop it.

The three Lapis arrive to find Calligenia face down atop the bed, still wearing her traveling clothes. Her feet and lower legs are dirty, hinting that she was probably outside of the city itself. She certainly smells of the farm, and probably just returned a little while before.

Calligenia's condition elicits a frowm from the buck. Walking away from Chloe and Aisha, he goes to the collapsed doe and hefts her up into his arms, then rolls her so that she's facing upward. "Lady Aisha, Lady Chloe, would you honor me by fetching some new clothing for her, some grooming brushes, and a few towels. We will be taking her to the baths immediately," he says.

"Hrrr… " is all Calligenia can say, still seemingly half (or three-quarters) asleep.

"No arguing, Lady Circere," Layth tells the worn out doe in his arms, "You will be tended to."

Calligenia just curls up in Layth's arms as much as she can and dozes.

"She must be really tired," Aisha comments.

"Or she knows better than to try and out stubborn me," Layth notes to Aisha with a bit of a grin. "You and Lady Chloe will also be bathing."

Since the Villa also houses the Gladiator barracks it has several internal baths. These are small affairs, suitable for perhaps a half-dozen bathers at most, but do come equipped with the padded benches used for the traditional muscle-massaging given to Warriors. It isn't difficult to find one unoccupied this early in the day, and Chloe knows how to operate the heating system as well.

Aisha sits on one of the benches, wrapped in a towel as she usually prefers. "It will be some time before the water is ready," Chloe reports.

"It will give me time to comb some mud from her fur, then," Layth says as he lays Calligenia on one of the padded benches, then carefully goes about trying to remove the chocolate doe's clothing. "Do either of you wish to assist, or would you prefer to just relax and allow me to attend to you as well?"

Aisha tries not to watch the stripping of the doe, while Chloe immediately comes over to help – she has plenty of experience doing just this, after all. "I can help," she offers. "It will go faster with the two of us."

And quickly the doe is stripped, indeed. Layth then starts carefully examining her for any visible wounds and feels for any muscle knots. To Chloe, he instructs, "Find a wide-prong brush for breaking up mud." To Aisha, he asks, "Are you okay, Lady Aisha? Or are you upset with me for attending to your friend instead of you right now?"

"It's just that she's… asleep!" Aisha says. "It feels awkward. How can she sleep through this?"

"I have dressed you while you slept before," Layth comments. Whether that's actually true or not…

A quick examination reveals a lot of tension in the doe's legs, and some wear on her heels (since Lapis don't have the 'pads' that other races do) from extensive walking. Some of the tension extends up her back as well, so she may have been carrying things.

Aisha blushes again, and mutters, "It's different, I'm used to being 'helpless'. I've never seen Calli so vulnerable before, even when she was afraid during airship flights."

"And besides, I doubt she will remember, either," Layth adds as he starts stretching out Calli's legs and rubbing along the muscles to try and get them to relax. "Everyone is vulnerable, Lady Aisha. It is not a weakness when it is seen only among friends. My trip to the mountains showed me someone I never imagined vulnerable, either, but … " At that, the buck then suddenly frowns and drops that topic.

"Euphrosyne?" Chloe asks, with her ears slightly perked as she brings over the requested combs and brushes. Even asleep, Calli's muscles twitch reflexively – they were probably on the verge of cramping.

When a muscle twitches, Layth tries to massage it and stop the tensing. "No, someone I had not seen for a long time," the buck notes quietly. "Lady Aisha, would you help Lady Chloe with the mud? I need to tend to these muscles so she is not in pain."

Aisha frowns a bit at the request, but does come over. After all, she's going to bathe afterwards, so a little mud won't hurt. Chloe also brings a wash-bucket filled with water, so that the dried patches can be softened up first.

"Did you two enjoy your time without my presence?" Layth asks the two does as he continues is work to straighten and loosen Calli's muscles. He even tries to break up chunks of mud with his hands now and then to help the two out.

"I learned a bit of sewing and dressmaking," Aisha says. "Even a little cooking."

"I am surprised you didn't learn some fighting skills," Layth says as he works quickly. "You have never seemed the type who wanted to sew or cook."

Calligenia Lapi-mutters in her near-sleep. Probably hallucinating or dreaming.

"Those skill are more useful towards being independent than self-defense," Aisha comments.

"You do know I am supposed to tend to those duties for you," Layth comments to Aisha and even grins a bit. When the muscles seem at least a little less twitchy, he starts helping comb out the mud chunks.

With Layth helping with the combing now, Chloe breaks to check on the bathwater. "Almost ready," she reports. The room does feel warmer, and a few wisps of steam are starting to appear.

"Ah, good," Layth says. He takes a momentary break from combing out mud to strip away his own clothing. The buck stretches and the muscles beneath his thick fur cause it to ripple in a wave. Back to combing he goes, making sure all the large chunks are out and it's mainly small bits and dust left.

"Did you strain yourself on your journey?" Chloe asks, watching for telltale signs of strain. Aisha just focuses on Calli's feet more intently.

"Nothing significant," Layth answers as he rolls his shoulders a bit to work them out. "The most strain was just from carrying things a long distance to make it easier for the Vykarins to carry the Karnors." And true enough,t here is a bit of fur-wear on his shoulders from the straps rubbing. With a glance to Aisha, Layth also notes to Chloe as explanation for Aisha, "Lady Aisha finds my body distressing."

"Distracting!" Aisha counters. Chloe looks Layth up and down, and then just shrugs. "He seems normal enough, Lady Aisha," the doe comments. "The water should be warm enough for comfort now."

Layth slips his arms under the sleeping doe and hefts her up. In to the water he goes with the doe, careful to keep her head above water. Of course, being wet … it tends to show off the buck's build even more. "Please, join us," he says to the other two with a smile.

Chloe gathers some more grooming supplies before getting into the water, and Aisha follows afterwards with her towel. Being dipped seems to rouse Calligenia more, and the doe blinks and yawns but doesn't try to stretch. "Am I dreaming?" she asks Layth.

"No, you are being cared for. You have worked yourself far too hard, Lady Circere. Now, please relax and allow me to look after you," Layth tells the chocolate doe. He finds a seat to rest her on, propping her head up on the marble rim. To Aisha, he says, "You may want to remove your towel in here. How else can I clean your fur once I finish with Lady Calligenia's?"

Aisha waits until she's chin deep to remove her towel. Chloe takes it and sets it atop the rim. "Ah, then I am dreaming," Calli comments, blinking more sleep from her eyes. "I have collapsed in a field somewhere."

"Why do you think that?" Layth asks as he takes some of the soap Chloe brought and starts to work it into the doe's fur gently, starting at her face and ears.

"Because I cannot recall the last time this happened," Calli notes, closing her eyes to avoid getting soap into them.

"That does not mean this is a dream. Your well-being is important to me, to all of us," Layth tells her as he rinses her ears and face. Lower his hands go, and apparently when bathing someone, the buck isn't terribly shy about where they massage the soap in. Apparently in Abu Dhabi, he has had practice bathing people enough to certainly not be shy about it.

Calli seems to tense and relax alternatively. "Can I keep you?" she asks. Aisha actually gives out a little bark of laughter at the request.

"And they say Amazonians have no sense of humor," Layth comments with a wry grin. He glances to Aisha, brow arched, then asks, "You find it funny that someone would wish to keep me?" Again with that deadpan expression. And somehow he actually manages to keep working on Calli while looking at Aisha.

"Only that she'd ask first," Aisha says with a grin.

"Well, I doubt she wishes to duel you for me," Layth comments back, grinning as well. "Her mother, Queen Tyche, did suggest at one time that I may be worthy for her daughter to take."

Aisha blinks at this little reminder. "Would you marry her?" she asks. Chloe also perks at this, looking to Layth.

"Possibly, but Lady Calligenia deserves better than me," the buck comments. He's now careful to lift up the chocolate doe's legs and starts on her feet, mindful of the worn heels.

Calli grabs the sides of the bath to keep from sliding. "Do you know someone then, Layth?" she asks. "Well, I'd have your children," Chloe comments.

"I thought you wished to marry for love, though?" Layth asks Chloe. To Calli, he admits, "No, I do not. I just, well." The buck actually looks at a loss for words.

"I didn't mention marriage," Chloe points out. "After all, you are a traveler."

"Ah, you wish to attend me in a bower?" Layth clarifies.

Aisha's ears go up so fast that they spray water around. "I think you'd be a good sire, yes," Chloe admits. "Breeding and marriage are not the same thing."

"I will attend you as well, if you wish, Lady Aisha," Layth offers the Abu-Dhabian doe with a smile.

"His docile nature is learned though, Chloe," Calligenia notes.

"Attend?" Aisha asks, eyes wide as she thinks Layth is talking about breeding now. "What… you mean my fur, yes?"

Chloe seems slightly disappointed at hearing Calli's comment. "Oh. Then he'd need to be around to train any sons," she says in realization.

"Of course, Lady Aisha. But if you would prefer more intimate attendance, I can also provide that," the buck notes. Attention then shifts back to Calligenia, he asks her, "What would you wish in your husband?" To Chloe, he points out, "That would be possible if a clan laid claim to me as one of their slaves."

"Nobody is going to enslave you, Layth," Calli assures. "And I would require a husband who had business and travel experience. And a good reputation, contacts and adequate resources of course."

"Well, I do like to believe I have those qualities," Layth admits, "But in any event, I am misbehaving and embarrassing Lady Aisha. Please forgive me." As an aside to Chloe, he notes, "You could also travel with us, of course."

The servant doe goes wide-eyed at the suggestion. "I don't know that I could handle dealing with so many monsters," she says. "The ancients you brought back from the mountains seem frightening enough."

"I did," Layth points out to the doe. "You get used to it."

Layth resumes his gentle work on Calli. "Are you feeling better, Lady Calligenia?" he asks her. "Is there anything further I can help you with?"

"Many of our people are expected to be 'shy' in the outer world, Chloe," Calligenia says with a sigh. "You would have an easier time than I. I still sometimes go for my dagger when I should not."

The chocolate doe seems to melt a bit under Layth's fingers. "I should get some sleep while I can," she admits. "I still have much work to do to fill my orders."

"Then why don't you rest for a bit while I tend to the other two? We can speak after you have rested and see if there is anything I can do to assist you. I also … have a favor to ask of you," Layth admits, "Could you ask your mother for an audience for me? There are a few things I wish to talk to her about."

"Certainly, Layth," Calli says, and repositions herself so that she can doze a bit without falling face-first into the water. "I'll speak to her this afternoon."

Layth leans in and kisses Calli's cheek. "Thank you, Lady Circere," he tells her. Turning to the other does, he rubs his hands together. "Which of you wishes to be pampered first? I do have a wide range of experience and have even learned some of the tantric massage from the temple of Morpheus, should you wish it."

"I have never had my… tantric… massaged," Chloe notes. "Where is that?"

Layth looks to Aisha as if prompting her to explain…

Aisha looks equally confused. "I think it's from a book one of my brothers had," she admits. "It seemed to involve some sort of stretching exercises."

Layth almost laughs, then shakes his head. "I am just teasing," he says and glides towards Aisha. "Since you two have not chosen, then I will tend to my charge, Lady Aisha first. Now, just please relax and enjoy. Close your eyes if it would make you more comfortable."

The golden doe takes a deep breath first to relax, and then closes her eyes. Chloe moves closer to watch and learn, of course.

It's probably good that Aisha does have her eyes closed, because being bathed turns out to be a rather intimate experience. It involves gentle massaging in of soap along her entire body, all the while kneading her as well. Removing the soap is also somewhat elaborate, as Layth does it by carefully running his fingers through her fur to strain the soap out, as well, as offer some semblance of grooming, even in the water. At one point, Layth is even behind her, arms wrapped around her as he works. He does whisper 'relax' to her a few times, in hopes that it will help. To Chloe, he notes, "The key is to just be gentle and make it a massage as well as general cleaning. It is a great way to show affection for someone, as well as provide them a very relaxing bath."

Aisha has trouble relaxing at some points, never having been touched quite so much. She does remain calm though, even muttering a few times. She resolutely keeps her eyes closed, and probably even tunes out the commentary as well. Chloe seems to be mainly interested in how well it increases blood circulation. "If you did this in dry air, would the person loose body heat?" she asks.

"It's possible, yes, because you would be fluffing the fur and increasing airflow as well. Why do you ask?" Layth inquires. The buck then goes about grooming Aisha's ears … with his tongue.

"I was wondering if it would be safe to use as first-aid or sedation, where hot water was not available," Chloe responds. At the ear grooming, Aisha reverts to making coney-sounds.

"It would be as long as it is not extremely windy. It also helps in the short term to combat frost-bite," Layth notes. Sitting back, he pulls Aisha into his lap, back pressed to his chest as he continues work on her ears. "And you are soon to experience how it feels firsthand, unless you do not wish it?"

"Oh, I'm looking forward to it!" Chloe chimes. "And then I get to try it on you, yes?"

That gets a blink from the buck. "Ah, if you want to," he offers, "But … that would seem odd. No one has ever really … pampered me before."

"How else am I to properly learn the technique?" Chloe asks. Then she grins and says, "Besides, I have cleaned the ears of coneys plenty of times, and your markings should not poison me."

"Do you … find the markings ugly?" Layth actually asks, sounding amazingly honest about the question. He even pulls around one of his ears and looks at it.

"I've never seen anything like them before," Chloe notes. "They're pretty. Like jewelry."

"I could do some to your ears, if you wanted," Layth offers, perking up a bit. "It requires a neddle and a lot of poking, though."

That seems to change Chloe's mind quickly. "Needles?" she asks, clutching her ears protectively.

"Yes. Well, I was chained when these were done. It took over ten hours," Layth admits at a somewhat unpleasant memory. "But, it did help me learn to endure pain over a long period of time. After a while you can ignore it."

"Ten hours?" Chloe squeaks. "I… will stick to ribbons, I think."

"For complex ones. Small ones wouldn't take more than an hour," Layth notes, "I can demonstrate without ink so you can see how it feels, then decide?"

"And your clan wouldn't object if you had them done, correct?" Layth adds.

"Object?" Chloe asks, never having considered that. "I would have to ask."

"Well, if you are interested, I can show you how it would feel. Then you can decide if you want to ask from there. Is that fair?" Layth inquires. "I do promise I would be as gentle as possible."

Stroking her ears now, Chloe still seems a bit timid about it. "Well… just seeing how it would feel sounds safe enough."

Finishing up with Aisha, Layth heads to Chloe and slips behind her. "I will be gentle, I promise. I'll show you after the bathing. Now, just relax and enjoy as Aisha did," he whispers to the doe, then starts his work anew on her. As with Aisha, he's very through and gentle. Towards the end, Chloe's whole body feels very relaxed, loose, and oddly heavy. "Now, just let me get your ears and you can practice on me… "