Chloe leads Aisha, Layth, Tasha and Roland to one of the many changing areas, which are just some standing wooden cubbies for storing clothes and some benches to sit on. Most of the surrounding statuary depicts the Amazonian version of the goddess Ashtoreth, shown as a Lapi. The changing areas are hardly private, with all ages and genders mixing freely.

Layth pushes his lop ears over his shoulders and glances around. Noting the changing area, he turns to Aisha and asks her with a smile, "Do you wish a bath and would you like me to assist you in undressing, Lady Aisha?"

Aisha squeaks, both at the question and because Chloe and Roland don't hesitate to start undressing. "Umm… do you think they would take offense is I wore a towel?" she whispers to Layth instead of answering his question.

"Hmm, probably not, as we are guests here," Layth notes after considering the question. "Would it bother you if I did not?"

Tasha stands around near one of the changing booths, taking in the culture shock. "Oi," she remarks, surprise, "'e wasn' kidding when 'e said they jus' strip li' tha'." She then shrugs, reaching up to undo her ponytail.

"Well, you're fluffy like they are, so I suppose it's alright for you," Aisha tells Layth.

Layth dips his head politely to Aisha, then proceeds to undress completely. "You never answered if you wished me to help you undress, Lady Aisha," he notes as he removes and folds up his clothes neatly.

With her ears down, it's still not hard to detect a blush beneath the golden doe's fur. "That… that won't be necessary, Layth," she finally says. "I'll just… go around this corner… " she adds, and slips around to the opposite side of the standing cubbies.

After undoing her ponytail and tossing the binds to the floor, Tasha begins working at the straps that keep her top on. "I won'er if I'll scare 'em," she says after tossing that garment to the floor, as well. After stripping the rest of the way, she twirls her gauzy pants on a finger and wonders aloud, "Or I won'er if they'll shoot me."

"As you like, Lady Aisha," Layth says to her with a smile. Then with a glance to Tasha, the now unclothed buck says, "I doubt they'll pay that much attention, really. Remember, nakedness is not uncommon here."

"You should put your clothes into one of the cubbies," Roland explains to Tasha, and squats down to pick up the discarded top.

Tasha kneels down to grab the hair binder, then looks up at Layth and says, "Nakedness ain't exactly uncommon where I come from, either, aye?" She winks, then tosses the hair tie into a nearby cubby.

"Or uncommon in your favorite hobbies," Layth notes with a small grin, then ruffles Tasha's hair up a bit. "I do recommend you be … discreet in your admiration of people here, though."

With their clothing tucked away, Chloe leads them into the baths once Aisha rejoins them, wrapped in a somewhat oversized (for her) towel. There are numerous pools in the baths, fed by underground hot springs according to their guide. Some pools are crowded, while others are nearly empty save for people seated on benches. One pool is commandeered by a group of Vykarins, with coney attendants polishing their shells. "Many important decisions and deals are made in the baths," Chloe explains, while Roland whispers, "Because you can't hide any weapons on you."

"Out in the rougher areas, we made use of natural hot springs instead of these cut marble baths. It seems so … pristine here," Layth notes quietly to no one in particular. He then looks to Aisha and asks, "You're not too uncomfortable, are you, Lady Aisha?"

"I once knew a man who could 'ide a weapon anywhere," Tasha says as the group walks along. "'Course, someone punched 'im in the gut an' 'e ended up stabbin' 'imself." The woman looks around as she walks and talks. She must have been listening, because she doesn't let her gaze linger too long. "An' i' is pris- … pretty in 'ere, ain't it? Li' one big noble's garden, wi' water."

"It isn't so bad," Aisha says. "I just think of my brothers – although we were much younger when we bathed together."

"Well, and I am here to keep you safe, anyway," Layth reminds Aisha. He then can't but help ask Tasha, "Were you the one who punched him?"

"I wasn't," Tasha answers as she looks back at Layth, "i' was one of me crew. 'Course, I di' laugh a ol' lot." Her tail wags, and she's back to looking around again.

Chloe brings them to a modestly sized pool that is set a little ways apart from the others, amidst an artificial grove of bamboo-like trees. The woman brings them to a stop next to a row of padded benches, while behind her the figures of Aaron and Calligenia can be made out on the other side of the pool. Or at least, Aaron and several versions of Calligenia, some in the water and some on benches: including one in a fancy lounge seat.

"Please be seated," Chloe says, and sits on one of the benches. "Roland, Layth and Aldara Tasha must be anointed before entering the bath."

"Ah, there is your wayward cousin," Layth notes to Roland and nods his head towards Aaron. The buck then bows politely to Chloe and says, "As you like." He settles down onto the bench as well.

Aisha sits down next to Chloe, not following the entire Olympian conversation, and Roland takes a spot next to Layth, then pats the next space over while looking at Tasha.

"We have to be anointed, as Chloe put it," Layth says to Aisha in standard, noticing how lost she looks. "Please, do remind me to translate for you as you need it."

"I'm not sure what that means," Aisha admits, as several coneys appear bearing bottles and brushes.

"You will find out in a moment," Layth says and smiles to Aisha. "Do try and relax. It is safe here."

Tasha walks over to the chair Roland pats, before sitting down – sort of, anyway. She has to lift her wings to avoid whapping half the people on the bench, sitting a bit askew. Once seated, she asks Roland, "Oi, who's Aldara?"

"You are," the big mostly-black buck explains. "It means 'winged gift'. Your own name is a bit too harsh sounding by itself."

The coneys step up behind the three chosen ones, and begin to oil and comb their fur.

"I like it, makes me sound classy-like, it does," the Vartan tells Roland. "Never 'ad me a-" she pauses long enough to glance back at the working coneys," … second name. No' sure why you think i' sounds 'arsh. Tasha, 'tha is."

An older Lapi woman appears, and just stands by. She's dressed in the robes of a Priestess of Ashtoreth, and has the same chocolate-and-cream coloration as Calligenia and her siblings, although with a bit of gray creeping in.

Layth looks positively confused for a moment. He's used to taking care of others, not having someone comb him. He can't help but glance over his shoulders to look at the coneys. The buck then looks over to the priestess with mild curiosity. He does keep quiet for the moment, though.

The white coney that had just taken up the space behind Tasha goes to work quickly and quietly, preening the other's fur, but seems to have a bit of difficulty when she tries to work on the woman's wings.

Chloe explains to Aisha, "This bath is consecrated to Ashtoreth, and warriors must be cleansed before entering. Although if you wish, I can have someone come to anoint you as well."

After losing a feather to tugging, Tasha looks over her shoulder again and reaches to take the coney's hand. "'Ere, li' this," she says, taking a tab of oil and smoothing the feather out so that it produces a neat, slick, alignment. "It's all in keeping the feathers oiled and correctly straight," she adds, in Olympian.

"I think I will pass, thank you," Aisha tells Chloe, using one of the first full Olympian phrases she was taught.

Looking unsure about what to do, the eyes of Tasha's attendant blink and widen slightly as her hand is taken, but soon after the coney nods, dipping her head politely and replying in Olympian, "Thank you for your direction, I will be more careful… " and goes back to work, oiling and smoothing out the other woman's wings.

"I can groom you later, if you like, Lady Aisha," Layth tells her while the coney behind him continues to work on his fur. "I will warn you now I may look less … fluffy once oiled and later wet. A thousand pardons if that bothers you."

"I can always look the other way," Aisha replies in Standard, which prompts Roland to check out Layth before asking the doe, "Why would you want to do that?"

"You do tha'," Tasha says, not unkindly. She pats the coney on the head, then turns around to check Layth out, too. "Aye, why would you wan' to do tha'? An 'ey, who's the bun in the robe?"

Aisha can't help but glance… then look away. "It… just isn't done where I come from," she claims. When Tasha asks about the robed priestess, Roland tells her, "A servant of Ashtoreth, to bless us."

Layth suddenly feels like he's on display. "The lands from which Lady Aisha comes have different customs. It is … unusual to see those of the opposite sex naked. For some, it makes them uncomfortable," Layth tries to explain politely. "I do not with to cause her any undue distress."

The coney behind her works quietly away at Tasha's feathers and fur, the process a bit more labor-intensive for her than the others because of the woman's wings.

"I saw a few statues of Ashtoreth before we go 'ere, an' … " the Vartan glances back when the coney becomes a little too vigorous, then resumes talking as she faces forward again, " … mostly cats. Never been blessed before, come to think o' i'. Been cursed a lo', ha."

"I know I've wanted to curse you a few times," Layth teases Tasha and winks at her.

"I'll ge' you later," Tasha informs Layth, before winking back.

The priestess begins her own preparations, praying over a bowl of liquid being held by another coney.

"So, does Master Lightfoot … Xavier, get anointed when he returns here?" Layth asks Roland. "And if it is not too much to ask, did he grow up here?"

Roland turns to Layth, and says, "Xavier spent his early childhood here, before his parents moved on. He is not a warrior or guardian, however, and I doubt he would put up with the blessing without a good drink of the Tears of Morpheus beforehand."

Layth raises his eyebrows at that. "Why does he go by Lightfoot elsewhere … but his real name is Xavier Athenae? Though, I suppose it would be odd for me to ask that, as Layth was not my original given name," the buck notes with a small shrug.

"Lightfoot is his father's name," Roland explains. "And I hear that in the outer countries, that is the name one uses."

"Ah," Layth says and nods, "That explains that."

"When 'e sticks aroun'," Tasha remarks quietly as she looks off at nothing in particular.

Once their heads have been oiled enough, the priestess decides the bucks are ready to be blessed – while Tasha still has a little more oil to go, since her wings counted as part of her shoulders to her attendant. She steps in front of Roland, and gestures for him to rise up.

The coney behind Tasha does not completely oil her wings, but mostly just works on the feathers on the level of her shoulders and above. She tries to gently smooth them out as she goes, finishing up by working on the fur covering the winged woman's head and shoulders, combing it carefully.

The big buck winks at Layth, then stands up. The priestess mutters a sort of sing-song blessing about siring strong children, while dipping her hand into the bowl of milky liquid and anointing Roland on his forehead, over his heart, and on his genitals before giving him a kiss on the cheek.

Aisha stares transfixed by this ritual as the priestess next approaches Layth and gestures for him to stand up.

"I feel a bi' worked over," complains Tasha in an amused voice. "'Course, I'm also shiny. I guess I win ou' then." She turns back to grin a bit at Layth, watching his anointing with interest.

Layth suppresses a laugh by just grinning slightly. He now understands just why Aaron wouldn't make it through the whole experience. The buck then stands and looks straight ahead, keeping his thoughts to the concerns of the day and the danger of the area. "It's no worse than working in the clubs," he thinks to himself.

The priestess repeats the ritual with Layth, anointing him with the Milk of Ashtoreth and wishing him strong children before kissing him and moving on to Tasha.

Layth lets out a breath as the priestess moves on, thankful it was at least quick. He casts a glance to Aisha, wondering just what the doe thinks of the ritual.

Tasha's brow raises when the priestess reaches her, and she says "Well this'll be new," before standing. "I 'ope I don' burs' into flames or somethin'."

Aisha quickly avoids Layth's gaze, and looks at Tasha. The priestess says a slightly different blessing for the half-Vartan, mentioning ease of childbirth and the virility of her suitors. There are a few extra spots that get anointed as well, but the kiss is the same.

Tasha flashes the priestess a smile before retaking her seat. Once down, she leans over and asks Roland, "Wha' was tha' she said? Couldn' qui' make it ou' wha' wit' the singin'."

Layth offers the priestess a polite bow and a thank you. "Do … do I make you uncomfortable?" Layth asks Aisha quietly as he finally sits back down.

"She was wishing you lovers with good stamina and virility, among other things," Roland replies. Chloe stands up then, and says, "We may proceed to the bath now," before Aisha can respond to her question. The golden doe makes due with a quick shake of her head.

Layth returns to his feet. "As you like," he says. After a quick translation to Aisha, he waits until Chloe and Roland make their move to head towards the bath, then starts heading that way as well.

"I thin' she's a bi' late, I already met Zig," Tasha informs before following the others' lead and standing. As she heads for the pool, she takes a moment to look over all the Calligenias milling about.

The coney attendants follow along as the group enters the hot water. At the opposite end, it appears that Calligenia is kneeling down before the older identical doe on the lounge, which is getting a backrub from a servant. Three more chocolate bunnies, each slightly older than Calligenia, are in the bath itself – two of them washing each other and the third one working on a somewhat stiff and glazed-looked Aaron.

Layth glances to Roland and Chloe, hoping they intend to introduce them. "I hope she is not in trouble," Layth whispers to Tasha and motions towards the kneeling Calli. "Master Lightfoot looks like he wants to pass out."

Chloe and the other attendants fetch lumps of soap, while the two sisters that were washing each other rinse off and approach the group. The seemingly older one of the pair says, "Welcome, Roland of Kerebos and guests."

"Aye. If Calli's in trouble we're in trouble," Tasha whispers back to Layth. She grins a bit when she takes a moment to look at Aaron, though. "I won'er if 'es fightin' 'is excitement or jus' outmatched, I do." As the does approach, Tasha quiets and grins at them, her tail wagging.

Layth dips his head politely to the approaching pair. "Thank you. We are honored to be here. May the fortunes continue to smile upon you," he says with a smile.

Roland dips his head, and answers with, "I am humbled by the hospitality of your Clan, as always, Celosia." He then turns to the others and begins to introduce them. "This is Layth and Aisha of the desert, and Aldara Tasha of the sky. Aisha is family to Xavier."

The doe bows in turn to each of the visitors, and introduces her younger counterpart. "This is my younger sister, Basilia, and her twin attending to Xavier is Agalaia."

Tasha offers a friendly, "'Ello," in Standard, followed by a "Greetings," in Olympian.

The sound of spoken Standard seems to break Aaron out of his trance, and he waves to the others, saying, "Thank goodness, you've come to rescue me!" in Standard.

"Rescue? Master Lightfoot, you need no rescue. You are in the care of very charming and kind ladies," Layth says in Standard with a smile. "I am terribly sorry that we interrupted you."

Aaron twitches. "Yes, yes I am… without any Tears to help me deal with it. I've been reciting recipes for cold medicines to myself for the past hour… "

Tasha grins widely at the naked buck, then waves to him. "An' here I though' you'd be happy, I did."

"Oh come now, you must exaggerate. It is not that bad," Layth adds, still smiling. "Why don't you go take over his care, Tasha?"

"Hah, you never change, Xavier," Roland says, and goes over to whisper into Agalaia's ear. The doe shrugs, and starts to soap up Roland instead. Basilia even goes over to help out, since Roland is a bit larger than Aaron is.

Layth watches Roland for a moment, then can't help but glance towards the kneeling Calli and the older Lapi lounging and being massaged by a servant. "That must be her mother, the one Master Lightfoot fears," he thinks.

"'E'd li' tha' too much, an' the man's barely keepin' i' together as i' is. 'Sides, I'm no washgirl. I 'ave business 'ere." Tasha does walk over to Aaron, but it's to tug at his ears before sitting down next to him. Like she says, she doesn't soap him.

"Would you wish me to help soap you?" Layth asks Aisha absently.

Chloe and other attendants stand ready, should anyone ask for them, while Aisha just keeps close to Layth. The doe looks to the attendants, then to Layth, and nods to him.

"So Tasha, have you had your fill of bunnies yet?" Aaron teases the Vartan.

Layth motions to Chloe, then asks, "Would you please fetch me some soap. Lady Aisha wishes me to help her. I would ask that perhaps one of you can soap my back and ears for me while I attend to her?"

Tasha's brow goes up, and she tugs Aaron's ear again before answering. "I 'avn't! Met your Zig-Zig back a' the room, I did. If there are more like 'im, I migh' think to stay 'ere." In a lower voice, leaning over, she asks Aaron, "I 'ave some business I wan' an' talk over wit' you."

Chloe hands over a lump of scented soap to Layth, and takes up a position behind him so she can wash his back.

"Business?" Aaron asks, sounding suspicious. "If you're thinking of trying to sell me to one of Tyche's daughters… "

Layth smiles and tells Chloe, "Thank you." He takes the soap, then gently turns Aisha so she faces away from him. "Just relax," he tells her and dips the soap into the water. The buck then proceeds to work slowly along Aisha's shoulders and neck. He treats it as a massage as much as a simple cleaning … fingertips pressing in and following the flow of her muscles.

Aisha seems to relax from the massage, and lets her towel droop to expose more of her back. Chloe looks around Layth's shoulder, and tries to mimic the technique on his own shoulders.

"Nothin' li' tha' – more fun to keep you to meself," Tasha teases Aaron. Scootching closer, she explains, "I wanted your opinion on an' idea I 'ave. See, Calli's goin' abou', 'ere an' there, an' she's always hirin' these people she can' trus'. Jus' look at what 'appened in Rephidim! Now, I'm thinkin', Calli can' trus' me, an' who got 'er 'ere? I did! Who 'as airship experience? I do! If I could get 'em to agree, I'd 'ave me a ship, an' Calli would 'ave 'ere trade vessel."

Layth continues his work slowly down Aisha's back, pausing now and then to alternate and work on her ears. In Olympian, he tells Chloe, "You do very well. The key is to always follow the directions of the muscles. Never go against them. If you feel any hard spots … a knot, always focus on those and try to relax them. It may cause some initial discomfort, but it does help."

Aaron has to lean back a bit to avoid being bumped by bits of Tasha's anatomy, which distracts him for a moment. Once he gets his wits back, he asks, "You want her to buy you an airship?"

The other attendants have crowded in behind Chloe to watch now, and even Celosia comes closer. With her eyes closed, Aisha doesn't realize there is audience, which is probably for the best.

"Tha's exactly wha' I wan'," Tasha says with a nod. "Mi' be a bi' pricey a' first, bu' it's better than the risk Calli 'as of bein' foun' out, or snookered again, or jus' killed for 'er armor. We coul' arrange our own crew, an' setup our own routes outside Amazonia."

"If you look, the muscles follow along these lines," Layth explains as he works the soap through Aisha's fur, tracing along her shoulders and outward from her spine. "Also, if you rub most species at the base of their neck … it tends to relax them to the point of them usually falling sleep."

Aaron's nose twitches, and he closes his eyes to focus his thoughts. He finally asks Tasha, "You realize that direct trade with Amazonia is pretty much illegal, right?"

Chloe follows along with the explanation and Celosia starts practicing on Chloe as well.

For her part, Aisha really does seem to be half-asleep already, and lets the towel slip out of her grip.

"Oi, oh no! Associatin' with Amazonians is illegal, li'!" Tasha makes an expansive gesture around her, indicating the large mass of Amazonian bunnies she just happens to be associating with. Unfortunately, she's also a bit loud about it – or a bit Tasha about it, depending on your point of view. "I'm already aidin' trade with Amazonia," she insists, poking Aaron in the belly. "Rephidim won' care a shekel if we don' tell 'em. I'd be surprised if a single sailor believed I was even 'ere. Don' know abou' the res', bu' I'm willin' to give i' a go."

"Be careful around the spine. If you push too hard, it can be quite painful," Layth continues with the explanation, somewhat oblivious to all the observers. The buck then moves to her arms and lifts one up, holding it with one hand while working down it with the other. "Arms are easy, the muscles all go one way, generally," he explains. If the buck has noticed the towel fall, he does not show any sign of it.

Wincing at the poke, Aaron says, "Try to keep your voice down, please. You can try to explain it to Calli yourself later. Just don't suggest that an airship actually fly into Amazonia."

"Oh, righ', the voice. I'm havin' a time gettin' used to 'ow well everyone can 'ear – 'cept me, o'course." Tasha smiles – briefly, as she covers her teeth quickly – at Aaron, then slings an arm around his shoulders. "I'll talk at 'er, bu' I already 'eard abou' wha' 'appens to airships tha' fly in 'ere. Somethin' about the Light 'o Primo an' Somethin'-o-somthin'-else."

With Roland being claimed by her two sisters, and Chloe busy with Layth, Celosia approaches Aaron and Tasha, only to be a bit put off by their foreign conversation.

Aaron gulps from the hug, and twitches some more. "M-maybe I should go rescue Calli," he says quietly.

Layth proceeds to rinse off Aisha's shoulders and upper back, as well as her arms now. "I would continue with demonstrations on her legs, buttocks, and stomach … but I do not think Aisha would appreciate me doing that," he tells the others quietly. He looks around for the wayward towel, hoping to get it back on the doe before she notices its absence.

Tasha removes her arm and thumps Aaron on the back. "Rescue, is i'? Alrigh'. I'll keep, rrr, … this one 'ere busy." The Vartan grins up at Celosia, then waves.

The soaked towel has sunk to coil around Aisha's feet. Aaron slinks away from Tasha, and heads for the far end of the pool where Tyche and Calligenia are. Celosia bows to Tasha, and holds up some soap.

Layth kneels down, trying to retrieve the now wet towel. He can't help but glance towards Calli and Tyche, having noticed Aaron slinking towards them.

Tilting her head, Tasha eyes the soap, then nods. "I wouldn't mind a washing," she tries to tell Celosia in Olympian.

Aisha leans back slightly, bumping into Layth and snapping awake again. She tries to turn and gets her feet tangled in the towel, causing her lose her balance further and grab onto Layth.

The Amazonian doe comes up to Tasha and begins to lather up her shoulders and chest.

Layth erks and steadies himself quickly. He quickly tries to catch the doe as she grabs onto him. "Careful, Lady Aisha," he says calmly.

"Sorry," Aisha apologizes automatically, then kicks the towel away from her feet. "I think the heat was getting to me… "

"I'm certain that is all it was," Layth says, nodding in agreement. "No need to apologize. I should have made sure you weren't tipping. Would you like me to get you another towel?"

Tasha stretches her wings to either side of the doe, and folds her hands in her lap. "I'm Tasha," the Vartan tells the doe, speaking back over her red shoulder. "You are Calligenia's sister?"

"Is she alright?" Chloe asks from behind Layth. "Does she need something to drink?"

"I am her eldest sister," Celosia replies. "I am a shrine-maiden of Ashtoreth."

"She is fine," Layth says over his shoulder in Olympian. "I think I relaxed her too much and she was falling asleep is all. She may want a new towel, though."

One of the coneys leaves the bath to fetch a batch of fresh towels.

Tasha needs a moment to process the unfamiliar words, but after a moment she seems to get it. "I have no sister. I am a driver of beasts. Tell me of Ashtoreth?" Unlike the doe's speech, Tasha's comes off as highly accented, slow, and when using unfamiliar words, simplistic.

"Would you like me to massage you later, Chloe?" Layth inquires of the doe behind him. "Or, any of you, really," he adds, addressing any others that are still around, watching.

Celosia pauses at the Vartan's question. "Everyone knows of Ashtoreth, the Goddess of Love and Fertility. How can you not?" she replies.

"Having some trouble?" Roland asks Layth as he comes over, the other two does in tow. "Xavier and Tyche just ran off into the bushes." Indeed, the lounge is empty, the attendant sitting on the edge with nothing to do while Calli is stepping down into the water.

Tasha has to think about that question, too. In the end, she considers it a toss up between "I'm a dumb foreigner," a phrase Aaron taught her, or "I live in the sky," she thinks is better, because it's not "I'm a dumb foreigner." "I live in the sky. I have seen statues and know little," she replies.

"Trouble? No. Aisha just slipped," Layth tells Roland, then peers curiously towards the bushes. "Why would they run off into the bushes?"

"She is the most important Goddess," Celosia finally says.

"Xavier does not have the control of a properly trained buck," Roland says, shaking his head. "While his motive was likely to grant Calligenia a reprieve, he is no doubt enjoying himself."

Tasha simply nods. "It has been said that I love love and fertility, but others have said it is Abaddon I must watch for," she tells the doe.

"Xavier and Tyche engage … heh. And here he was telling me how afraid of Tyche he was," Layth comments to Roland and shrugs slightly. "I was offering those here a massage now, or later if they wish. I should make myself useful while here."

Aisha peeks back towards the bushes as well now.

Calligenia comes over and joins the others, nodding to Roland. "I could certainly use a massage at this point," the doe says, sounding a bit exhausted. "I will owe Xavier for his sacrifice."

Layth pats Aisha's shoulder, then motions for Calli to come over to him. "Things did not go well?" he asks her.

"All warriors pray to Abaddon," Celosia notes. "And you bear her colors."

Calli comes over to Layth and Aisha, and says, "All is not lost, but my mother has expressed her disappointment at my failure."

"Isn't Abaddon a gu-" The Vartan pauses, perhaps thinking better of contradicting local culture in a potentially fatal fashion, and grins winningly. After a moment to collect herself, she goes right on talking. "Red's a good color. So is gold, for the shiny. I like your colors, too." Her ears perk and swivel in Calli's direction as the doe returns.

Layth slips around so he is behind Calli and slides his hands lightly along her shoulders. "I should remind you that it was not a complete failure. Would it help if I talked to her about the customs of Abu Dhabi and trade there?" he asks the doe, then settles his hands at the base of her neck. He presses his thumbs firmly into the muscles there and starts working on them.

"It is an honor for me to serve Ashtoreth, as have generations of my family before me," Celosia says, and tries the massage technique she learned from watching Layth on Tasha's neck.

Calli tips her head forward, so that her ears dangle in the water. "I appreciate the offer, but it would be unseemly for a stranger to defend me," she says. "It will be better in the morning, after you have slept with us again," Basilia tells the younger doe, while Agalaia nods and says, "We have missed you."

"I serve the … master of … the … sky … " Tasha's words trail off as the massage kicks in, and she sinks back against the chocolate bunny. "Ahh."

Roland notices Tasha again, and goes over to tell her, "You should wash the Milk off, or they'll get tender."

"As you wish. I know we have had differences of opinions on some matters, but I do consider you a friend and wish to help you if I can," Layth tells her, alternating work on her neck to work on her shoulders and upper arms. Hearing the two does talk about their family sleeping all together does cause a wistful smile on the buck momentarily.

The comment also prompts Aisha to ask, "Where will we be sleeping?"

Tasha blinks at Roland, squints, then goes wide-eyed. "Oi, tender, aye." She cups some water in her hands, then washes her chest off before asking Roland, "Is Calli busy? I don' quite 'ear as well as your sort, an' I'm only pickin' up this an' tha'."

"You are Calligenia's guests," Basilia says. "You will be sleeping with us of course."

That causes Layth to blink. "We will?" he asks, sounding a bit surprised.

"She is relaxing, and has weathered her mother's scolding," Roland tells Tasha.

Calli nods. "It would be best. Celosia sleeps at the Temple now, so it's just a few of us."

"Ah, as you like," Layth says, looking a bit nervous at the thought. "I should ask for your forgiveness now for any movements while I sleep. I … well, I am used to sleeping alone."

"I better let 'er rest, then. I don' wan' me idea shot down 'cause Calli needs a breather. 'Sides, I'm enjoyin' meself. Wan' to 'elp massage my back?" Tasha winks at Roland, patting the seat beside her.

"We will put you in the middle then," Agalaia tells Layth. "You poor man."

Roland sits down, and nods to Celosia around one of Tasha's wings. "There hardly seems room," he comments.

The notion of Layth being pressed into immobility by the sisters causes Aisha to giggle briefly.

"I could stretch ou'," the Vartan offers. "Unlike Aisha, I don' mind attention."

"Ah, please, do not trouble yourself on my account. Such is just the way life flows, and I simply rode the current, as the saying goes," Layth replies with a smile. "I do not mind sleeping alone."

"That may be best," Roland says. "I can do your legs then. I have washed Vykarin before, so know how to handle the hooves."

The does practically crowd in around Layth now. "We won't hear of it," Basilia says, and looks to Aisha for support. The golden doe just grins and nods. "Layth is my attendant, and will sleep where I do… with Calligenia."

"I'd ask if you think I'm a Vykarin, but I know you know i' better," Tasha tells Roland, before she stretches her feet across him and leans back into the doe. "Zig-Zig called me a doe, the ship's crew called me a Vykarin, an' I 'ave no idea wha' people in 'ere think." She wiggles her hooves. "Jus' think, I could 'ave 'ad paws."

Layth returns to working on Calligenia's back. He's not as limiting with her as he was with Aisha and works along her back and sides now, even circling around her slightly to stretch and ease her stomach muscles. "I suppose this is your revenge for my nagging about safety?" he asks Aisha, one brow raised.

"They may think you half demon, or simply from an isolated tribe," Roland says, and starts cleaning Tasha's feet. "You are not a feline, and you travel with Lapi, so you must be a Lapi of some kind."

Aisha just smirks and crosses her arms in front of her chest. "I have slept with Calli before, and must admit it was very comfortable. And I trust you, Layth. Besides, you will be outnumbered."

"It's nice the people here think I'm one 'o them. No' so much different from the Vartans, 'o think the same way, they do." Tasha wiggles her hooves, then folds her hands behind her head. "An' you know, for all I've been called a demon, I've never me' one. An', oi, tha' Zig-Zig – an' 'es a looker – offered me tha' … service, o' his, for a child. Don' even know if 'e could do i'!"

Layth gives Aisha a quizzical look. "I wouldn't do anything, so being outnumbered is … " he stays to say, then just sighs and shakes his head. He simply returns to working on Calli for the time being.

Roland raises his eyebrows at this. "Zig-Zig sees the value of wings. May I make a counter-offer to his?"

"You sure can, bu' I'm still thinkin' i' all over," replies Tasha, grinning.

"I will consult with my clan," Roland promises. "And we have the finest Vykarin studs around as well, should you be more compatible with them. You resemble a messenger of their sky-gods, I think."

"A proper sacrifice to Ashtoreth can help assure a fruitful union," Celosia offers.

Tasha's ears splay, one cocked, one back. "I've never quite 'ad this sort of attention before. I'm no' quite sure wha' to think o' tha'." Her head tilts. "Fun's one thin', bu' this is somethin' else."

"I'm sure you've coupled with Xavier already, haven't you?" Roland asks Tasha.

Layth pauses in his work on Calli to comment, "I hope Master Lightfoot will not be too tired after his private conference with Lady Tyche and forget he was going to introduce me to a Snowshoe living in the city."

Tasha's ears splay the other way, reversing their positions. "Oi, no. I jus' tease 'im, an' I hinted once when he was wearin' those nice pants, bu' 'e jus' shivered li' 'e does an' 'e missed out," she answers.

"Oh my," Roland says. "In that case, it is best that I arrange for Lucia to meet with you, Layth. I do not think we should bother waiting for Xavier and Lady Tyche to return any time soon… "

"Oh, it is not a rush to meet with her. I am just curious to learn what has happened out in the mountains. It has been a long time since I lived there and my curiosity is nagging me. I would be most grateful if you did introduce me, but I can also wait for Master Lightfoot if it would be an inconvenience," Layth tells Roland. He then looks at the gathering of does around him and adds, "Plus, I fear I may be rather tired tomorrow if all these charming ladies wish a massage tonight."