The walls of the house need a fresh coating of stucco, but it is otherwise clean enough to be presentable - although prodigal son Xander seems apologetic about it. Ever since leaving the Matilda at Levitha's Pearl, the Lapi has seemed more on edge than usual as he and Umeko got closer to Abu Dhabi. "Are you sure you wouldn't rather get a nice hotel room instead?" he asks her. "Someplace.. ah.. nearer to the shops?"
"We spent many days in a storm-ravaged desert and then many more in a swamp," Umeko points out as she stands tall, spine straight and head held high (with just enough tilt to her chin to keep her mane hanging 'just right'). "This place is quite lovely in comparison. It is a place of honesty and work. Both are honorable things."
A voice calls out in Khattan from within the domicile, and is soon followed by a brown-and-white older Lapi woman, who really really should not be dressed as a belly dancer, given how much she overflows the costume. "Xander!" she cries, and soon Umeko's companion is struggling to escape from some sort of maternal wrestling grip of affection.
Umeko's reaction is that her brow ridge lifts slightly over her right eye as she watches her friend be 'devoured' by a hug. "Lady Lightfoot, I presume?" Umeko asks in her lilting way, though accented standard way. Perhaps in hope that it will distract the other woman before Xander suffocates.
"Oh!" the Lapi woman says in surprise, as if just noticing Umeko. She releases Xander and chides him, "Xander, why have you not introduced your elegant companion?" From behind the plump Lapi, a younger face peers out from the doorway. The coney has black ears, hands and feet but is otherwise brown, and presumably a doe based on the belly-dancer's costume it wears as well - but otherwise has fewer curves and than Umeko and is nearly as lean.
Xander sighs, then straightens up and says, "Mother, this is Lady Umeko Tsuguri of Jadai, my generous and gracious employer." Turning to Umeko, he bows, and says, "Lady Tsuguri, may I present my blessed mother, the kind and nurturing Sabah Lightfoot." The older woman actually curtsies at the introduction, which is an impressive feat.
"Oh, and that thing behind her is my little sister Nawar," Xander adds with a mutter.
Nawar does not curtsy, but does stick her tongue out at Xander.
"An honor to meet you," Umeko says. Her hands fold together in front of her waist and she bows low, making her back nearly parallel with the ground. The kiriga then draws herself back upright and her hands remain folded in front of her. "And your son fails to mention that I am more than just him employer; we are good friends and have endured much hardship in our travels."
"Such an honor!" Sabah says. "Please, come in out of the harsh heat!" she invites, backing into the house and gesturing for Umeko to follow.
"The heat is harsh?" Umeko actually asks and looks about for a moment. Still, the kiriga eventually follows the gestures. She even dips her head politely to Nawar (and thankfully does not smile toothily to the little doe).
Inside it is marginally cooler but a good deal mustier from the abundance of rugs. "We had so hoped that Xander would one day return to us as a successful man," Sabah says, dusting off a chair-height stack of rugs for Umeko. "And fortune shines upon us, for he has come just as his father and brothers are returned from the caravans!" Nawar retreats to a curtained archway, where she can stare at Umeko with big black eyes. The constant jingling of her bangles makes it a less than effective attempt at escaping notice, however. "You must be a woman of great patience and deep insight to have pierced our son's outward... awkwardness... to find him worthy inside."
"I am ... persistent perhaps," Umeko offers, "And trials tend to break down barriers that people erect in their lives. Barriers become replaced by trust over time and the will to speak honestly. Indeed, Xander has been wise consul on many occasions," the kiriga remarks as she sits down gently on the stack of rugs. Her back continues to remain straight as she settles; her tufted tail snakes lazily around her left ankle and coils there. Umeko's head then tilts a bit as she considers something. Her right hand finally raises out of her lap and fingers uncurl in the direction of Nawar. Her forefinger then then curls fluidly in a 'come here' way...
The girl squeaks and vanishes with a tinkling of bangles. "Ah, that girl; so shy!" Sabah laments, throwing her hands up. "When I was her age, I had already begun dancing! But she picks at her food! Just like Xander did as a child. But.. consul? Really?" she asks, and then - without even looking - reaches over to tug on Xander's ear until he's sitting up straight beside Umeko.
"Do not be so hard on her, Lady Lightfoot. I understand that my kind can appear quite ... scary to others," Umeko says, "So it is I who should apologize for frightening her. And yes, consul. There was one time when he willingly and directly told me I was being a fool. Something that is generally unwise to say to someone trained in the ancient arts. But he did so because he was honestly concerned and could not, in his heart, allow my direction to continue. That is the mark of a true friend, someone who will stand against you when it is necessary."
"Ah, I had hopped the mages would grind that out of him," Sabah laments, raising her hands again. "He was such a defiant and disrespectful child, always at odds with his father.." It's as if she just can't hear the positive part of Umeko's story.
"That is not what I said," Umeko says and clicks her finger-talons noticeably.
There is a laugh from outside, followed by the arrival of three bucks. The oldest is pure black, while the next two are differing patterns of black and white. Their fur is glistening as if oiled, and they smell freshly bathed as well. "I am home!" the black one announces, surprisingly loud for a Lapi. Sabah rushes up and bows to him, before Lapi-whispering in high-speed Skeek to him.
Standing up, Xander says, "Lady Tsuguri, these are my father Adham, my eldest brother Heydar and older brother Zeke." The two brothers both bow to Umeko and seem to have sparkles in their eyes.
Again Umeko's brow-ridge arches as she watches the three arriving bucks. She manages to rise to her feet without making any real noise and bows deep while her tail unfurls from her foot to balance her. "An honor to meet all of you," she says in accented standard. "I am Lady Umeko Tsuguri of Jadai."
Adham steps forward and kisses Umeko once on each cheek while taking her hands. "Ah, such an honor to have a high-born lady in my humble home! All that I have is yours, Lady Tsuguri!" he says, sounding genuinely happy about it.
"Hello, father," Xander says, with a bit of a bow. Adham nods his head in return, rather than try to smother him like Sabah did.
The kiriga blinks at this. "Oh, that is not necessary," Umeko says, perhaps believing he really was offering her everything. "I do not wish to be a burden to your family; I merely wished to meet the family who sired the honorable and kind-hearted Xander."
The brothers blink at this description, but say nothing. Heydar does give Xander a hug, although it looked like he was going for a headlock before changing his mind.
"Ah, you are too kind, Lady Tsuguri," Adham says, gesturing for Umeko to sit again. "And your heart is as large as you are lovely to allow our son to visit home during your business here in our humble city."
"Ah, but the business was the visit," Umeko points out as she settles back down onto the pile of carpets. "I wished to meet his family."
This causes the Lightfoots' expressions to go blank for a moment, as they take their own seats. "Ah!" Adham says with a big smile. "The ways of exotic Jadai are mysterious to us humble folk, I must admit. But we are open to selling Xander to you if that is what you wish!"
Xander coughs.
Umeko's ears twitch at this. "That is not what I wish," the kiriga replies as she folds her hands back into her lap. "He already belongs to me, in a sense. But that is also not the point of this visit. I wished to meet you. Your son's bravery in the face of certain death was impressive, I wished to meet the line that sired him."
The three men puff up a bit. "Well, we are a brave line! There are few Lapis who would dare the Tizhar and Olympian caravan routes, but it is a matter of pride for my family to do so. Why, Zeke himself fired his crossbow at a possible raider not a fortnight ago!" Zeke puffs up even more at the mention.
"If I may ask, did any of you hear the news about the great battle in the territory of the Viper's Hold?" Umeko asks.
The three bucks look from one to the other somewhat blankly. "Ah, we do not hear much news while on caravan, I fear, good Lady," Adham says, bowing in apology.
"Ah, a pity. It was a tremendous battle against the forces that sew chaos and death. Xander and I rode into that battle and defeated a great evil there," Umeko notes and bobs her head. "Perhaps you will learn more of it now that you have returned. It was quite a moment of pride for the Nagai Empire. All of us, Xander included, were rewarded by the Emperor Potentate himself."
This gets ever ear raised, and turned on Xander, who seems to shrink a bit. "Reward?" Heydar asks, to which Xander notes, "I'm still paying off the Collegia, if that's what you're thinking."
"This is worthy of celebration!" Adham announces. "Nawar!" he calls, looking around. "Where is my lovely flower? Nawar, bring the good wine!"
"Such noisy men," Sabah says quietly. "At least Xander is properly humble," she notes, and then smiles to Umeko. "Please explain, my lady, for we are a bit unwordly... in what way do you lay claim to our son, as you mention?"
Umeko reaches up and pats Xander's shoulder lightly to reassure him. "I am afraid I may have scared the child when I arrived. I understand that my kind can be terrifying to others since we ... " She lightly rolls her taloned fingers and then shrugs a bit, "Are, ah, equipped with pointy and dangerous ... bits?"
"He is my source for all things arcane," Umeko explains to Sabah, "And at other times been a sort of comfort and affection. We have shared much."
Xander's brothers stare at him now, but are distracted when Nawar finally appears carrying a large stoppered jug, which Sabah takes from her before she can collapse from it. The coney smiles nervously, then kicks Xander in the shin before hiding behind her mother.
"Why does your sister kick you?" Umeko asks the now be-stared Xander. "Her style is poor. Perhaps I should teach her the proper way to kick..."
"No, she... she kicks just fine," Xander notes, and whispers, "She has not forgiven me for leaving to become a Mage, even though she was very young when I left."
"Then you need to make it up to her," Umeko notes. "Buy her a flower, or more jewelry, perhaps?"
"Ah.. she is more upset that I did not take her with me," Xander further explains.
"That does not mean you should not make it up to her," Umeko notes, "Perhaps give her something obtained from the foreign lands?"
A squat table is brought out, and wine glasses set atop it while Adham himself pours. "To think that Xander has finally become a man," the black Lapi chortles.
"But he was always a man," Umeko points out, looking confused. "His friend Anisa yelled at him often for acting like such a buck."
"What? A doe?" Sabah asks first, causing Xander to pulls his ears down a bit.
"Xander talks to does now?" Zeke asks, looking surprised.
"Several. One of his best friends is a doe named Spring Meadow," Umeko explains as she reaches over and takes one of the poured glasses. She swirls it lightly between her fingers, then sniffs the glass.
The wine is likely made from plums.. or possibly dates.. from the aroma. There are a few gasps from the Lightfoots, and Sabah asks, "Have you been a good boy, Xander? Are you still... properly saved for your future bride - once I have chose one? I have given up on your brothers, who frolic with whomever catches their eye.."
Xander gulps down his wine before answering, "It.. I'm a mage, mother. I am too busy and my profession is far too dangerous for marriage to be likely, no matter which of your friends' daughters are starting to get desperate."
Umeko takes a small sip from her glass. "What do you mean by properly saved?" she asks Sabah.
"A proper buck remains chaste until marriage," Sabah says. "Just like my Adham was when we were engaged." The brothers turn their attention on their father now, who is smacking his lips and being very involved with his glass of wine.
"Does being chaste only require that the other is not of the same species?" Umeko asks before she takes another sip.
"Oh no, it is all or nothing," Sabah claims, then looks nostalgic, as she says, "I know my Adham was so when we first met. As he looked upon me dancing on stage, it was clear he had never seen a real woman before.."
"Then I owe you an apology," Umeko admits, "I had no idea such was a requirement." She bows her head deeply to Sabah.
"It really does not matter," Xander claims again. "I've traveled extensively and been in situations where.. ah.." he says, beginning to falter a bit. Then he mutters into his cup, "I've traveled with cousin Aaron before.."
"Oh, him," Heydar notes with a bit of a snicker.
"Mm?" Umeko inquires. "Who is this?"
"Show respect for my brother's side of the family," Adham tells his eldest son. "Alexander purchases most of our wares, remember."
"Aaron is nearly thirty and still unmarried," Sabah tsks, as if this were a great scandal.
Very quietly, Nawar slides in next to Xander and sits on the floor, peeking at Umeko every so often.
Seemingly deciding to change the topic a little, Umeko says as if it were of little matter, "I killed the Kiriga I was betrothed to wed. He betrayed Jadai and the Empire."
"I.. what?" Sabah asks, completely derailed. "He must have been a cad," Adham claims. "Or a womanizer," Zeke tosses in. "A fool at the very least to risk displeasing such a beautiful bride," Heydar adds smoothly.
"Did you get to keep his estate?" Sabah asks curiously.
"No, but then such is not needed. My family has a sizable estate on Jadai and due to my actions are looked upon with favor by the empire. I also have a land grant that I intend to cultivate soon near Viper's Hold," Umeko explains, "As an extension of my family."
Nawar whispers, "How did you kill him?" Her standard is not as polished as that of the others, making her sound younger than she must be.
"Would you like to purchase one of my other sons then, since Xander is working out so well for you?" Adham asks, with a big grin.
Umeko gives the other two an appraising look. "Only if they could defeat me in combat," she claims. Her gaze shifts to Nawar next as she considers her answer. "In our final battle I ... bit him," she explains to the little doe.
The young doe clacks her teeth as she makes biting motions, while Heydar asks seriously, "What form of combat?"
"Hand to hand, until one submits," Umeko answers.
The buck actually perks up at this. "Grappling?" he asks. Xander just shakes his head though, saying, "Martial arts."
"Is that not like dancing?" Sabah asks with a smile. "A form of.. ah.. ballet?"
"I've heard that only humans, Kiriga, Savanites and some Kujaku can truly master ballet," Zeke offers.
"It is understanding nature itself. The meaning of a rock, the wind, a tree, the dance of the seasons, the quickness of fire," Umeko explains and reaches in to her kimono and draws out one of her rarely used fans. A simple flick of her wrist spreads the tines, displaying the colorful motif of legends sewn into the fabric that stretches out. The fan twirls and rolls between her fingers as she continues, "The beauty of art." she curls the fan down and catches her now empty cup between the tines. A snap of her wrist sends the cup flying upward into the air. Umeko's hand rolls again and the tines spread as she neatly catches the falling up in the center of the fan and then lowers it back down to the table and lets it slide off without damage. "And of balance," she concludes.
The Lapi are left speechless, although Xander takes the opportunity to refill his glass with wine. "Can you teach me that?" Nawar asks. "I don't care for belly dance."
"Perhaps," Umeko says as she folds her fan back and tucks it away. "It is difficult to learn and will take much practice. It only seems easy for me since I began practicing when I was younger than you. Are you sure you would like it better than your traditional dances? And I would expect something in trade, of course..."
"Trade?" Nawar asks, chewing on the tip of one ear. "We have.. many fine rugs," Sabah offers.
"Oh, no, no trade such as that. I would wish for you to teach me your traditional dances," Umeko offers and resists smiling to avoid frightening the lapi. "It would make you more comfortable in making mistakes if you saw that I made similar trying to learn yours. It would ... lessen the nervousness."
"Oh, I think my old costume may fit you!" Sabah says, clapping her hands. Adham looks doubtful, however.. but doesn't seem inclined to say anything that might cost him a free dance show.
Umeko looks at Sabah, then at herself. "I lack padding in certain places," Umeko admits and then motions to her chest. "Will that affect the dance?"
"You have shoulders," Sabah points out. "And it's about the belly, not the boo- ah.. it's about the belly."
Umeko pulls open the waist of her kimono to reveal her smooth, wide-scaled, stomach, sans any sort of navel. "Is this satisfactory?" she asks.
"Can you move the muscles?" Sabah says, ignoring the stares of the men. "Like this," she says, and then demonstrates. Even though her belly is a bit more ample, it can still do quite a number of contortions and undulations. They just tend to cause ripples.
Umeko's brow furrows a bit as she watches, then looks down. The only thing she knows of that might come close is to roll the serpentine-evolved muscles down there that were once used to 'crawl' among the ground by moving and slipping the wide-scales. The effect is a rolling ripple. Not quite the same movement as what Sabah did.
"Ah, that is very close," Sabah says. "I will have to examine your muscles later," she says. This also gets a lot of attention from the males, except for Xander who looks a bit disturbed about it.
"Of course," Umeko agrees and bobs her head. She pulls her kimono closed and spends a bit making it look neat again. "Now, I was hoping that we would be allowed to stay here a few days so that Xander could reunite with his family for a bit, as well as I think he wished to visit the local Collegia. If this will be a burden to you, I can see to getting us rooms at a local hotel."
"Oh, we have kept Xander's room almost exactly as it was before!" Sabah claims, while Adham blinks at this and Nawar looks suddenly terrified. Even Xander looks a bit uncomfortable, asking, "My old room?"
"Is there a problem with his room?" Umeko asks as she looks around, confused.
"I thought Nawar was supposed to get it after I left?" Xander asks.
"Oh yes, but she hardly takes up any space," Sabah says confidently. "Most of your things are just as you left them!"
"Are you ashamed of your old room?" Umeko asks Xander directly.
"I.. was eleven years old when I left for the College," Xander notes. Zeke even snickers briefly.
"I do not understand what that means in this situation?" Umeko admits and her webbed ears skew. The kiriga then shrugs slightly, "But no matter, I believe we will stay here. That will offer your brothers time to challenge me, should they desire to do so." There's the briefest flicker of an almost evil smile at the corners of her lips.
Xander drinks the rest of his wine, and then pats Nawar on the shoulder. "Don't worry, neither of us snore," he assures her. Which only makes his mother ask, "Do you regularly share the same room with Lady Tsuguri, son?"