Deerham Holds The Key To Thy Heart [Mad Cap] [Concluded]

[Ashti Sandburst]

Smiling to the mare wearing the headgear, Arabesque was not really surprised by the colours chosen. Most of the turbans are white or black or dark blue for cultural and practical reasons. However turbans of unusual colours were still proposed : for eccentric people or tourists/strangers or even if Deerhaim like "unity" in colours (not too multi-coloured), somedeer chose their turbans' colours regarding to their outfit, to make them fit, or for colours preference.

To be honest the merchant was quite happy by the mare's choice, because this headgear doesn't interest other customers. Taking some gold piece, Shakhdar (Deerean money), from her saddlebag Arabesque paid the merchant which thanked the two mares.

Your turban fit really well with your outfit, Anisa Cap ^^

Then, leaving Mad Cap, Arabesque looked to the horizon, looking for something and smiled.
Minute later, the two mares were standing in a kind of train station, waiting. If Deerham don't have train or taxi, there is something used in this way : caravan. Open-air car draw by antelopes, as Equestrian taxi are draw by stallions.

The antelopes are faster than camels, able to run the desert without problems and draw travellers towards a destination. Actually the caravan that the mares will take is a Camel Mushait-Shams'áyyil only, and for now the antelopes took a break. One of them, a nice and good-looking male antelope, takes a seat near of the mare. To chat a bit… for now they were their only customers.

So, as the travel will last a couple of hours to reach Deerham, therefore, might as well make acquaintance.
To be honest, the antelope was intrigued to see two mares… it was rather rare to meet ponies. He has been surprised to know that Mad Cap was from Equestria, however as he was unable to understand and speak Equestrian, it was Arabesque which translated.
They chatted during a dozens of minutes until the stag proposed them to climb on the care whilst he took the reins around his chest and the eights antelopes leaded the cars thought the sandscape.

Hours passed in a quiet atmosphere, Arabesque took this opportunity to finish Mad Cap's formation about Deerean etiquettes, and explained her how today will be, what they will or could down. And the first thing will be to join her villa and offer her a meal, a typical Deerean lunch.

Finally the caravan arrived at the destination. Arabesque and Mad Cap left the caravan, whose the antelopes gone take another break. Camel Mushait… Camel Mushait is a district of Deerham, a city where most of the citizens live. If Deerham is mostly the seat of power and government city, a royal town where most of the elite live, Camel Mushait was the artistic and economic site of the nation – and Shams'áyyil the cultural - . Although vassal and under the command of Deerham, and the Reis, Camel Mushait is ruled by a "Jageerdar", a governor which had the role of mayor.

Even if less wealthy than Deerham and Shams'ayyil, Camel Mushait was not a poor's town. Four times the size of Ponyville, the city was clean full of houses and shop, with well-mannered inhabitant –notably camels and deers/oryx-.

Leaded by Arabesque and the smell of spice and other exotic meal, thought the market place (bazaar), Mad Cap could see several building like school, and library, museum, and a place where Arabesque stopped herself with a melancholic glance: The Guild of Bard and Minstrel, a kind of advanced school where she have learned music, but also a place famous for their skilled poets and musicians. And then, they resumed their walk, leaving the city to finally reach Deerham's ramparts.

The city's architecture in the style, www.servimg.com/u/f15/11/24/19/89/2873210.jpg , mad of sandstones and painted. Really looked like what we could expect from oriental civilisation and even if nor so big, the city seemed to come from One Thousand and One Nights.

Little amusing detail : every habitants wore traditional cloths. Turban, tunic, headscarf, coats and shirt : unlike ponies, no one was naked, even if they didn't needed it. It was just by tradition; one of them was to wear folkloric outfit and attire. And we can said was that they wore expensive and nice fabrics with sandlandic patterns (for the deer), and Arabian cloth for the Camel. Of course, it was only for the inhabitant of Deerham, for the outsiders, cloths was not obligatory.

Welcome in my homeland ^^

At the see of the two mare, notably Mad Cap, the citizen looked curiously to the harlequin, questioning and whispering. Deerham didn't had a lot of pony, so they of course react when they saw a stranger pony... Arabesque tried to reassure Mad Cap at the strange behaviour of the inhabitant. They were intrigued by mad Cap not mostly because they has been informed of her arrival.

Arabesque took a paper on the ground and showed it to Mad Cap : it was a flyer in Deerhan, representing Mad Cap and Quip in deerean style. The Archivist smiled to to her friend, translating the paper.

It is said that tomorrow in the palace's courtyard, a show will be performed by you and Sayyid Crack. And that calves and does are invited to come and see the show. ^^

As there were flyers everywhere, it was really probable that the citizen has been aware of it since days now. Dozens of minute later, after having walked thought the city and reached the upper-part of Deerham, they were standing at a huge sandlandic villa which looked like a manor ,

Inside was a luxurious hall, ostensibly decorated but remaining classy in its style, very sandlandic but not in a too much way. All these gilts, patterns and engraved wood pieces gave a feeling of wealth but also good-tasting which made imagine how other rooms could look like.

At this hour my father is still working, hey boy!

And coming from one of the corridor, a adult fennec came forth, smiling the air at his master's scant and come closer, licker the archivist face before coming towards Mad Cap for some patting.

Nadir, our pet fox. ^^ Please, come here Anisa Cap.

Arabesque leaded the mare towards a wealth living room with tapestries, carpet, expensive furnitures and also nice looking silk cushions on the floor. Inviting the mare to take a seat whilst apologising, Arabesque gone in a corridor, in her bedroom, to put down her things and came back to the mare with a smiling face.

Anisa Cap... can I invite you to a meal? and there is thing, like spice, you do not like?

The mare not really a chef or a cordon bleu. But she was good enough to follow recipes, and her meals were always very good. But before she preferred to wait the mare's reply

[CableZ]

Mad Cap gave Arabesque a big cheesey grin at her compliment about how her turban matched her outfit, she would have to change out of the harlequin outfit soon however, it was made of latex to allow the most freedom of movement, but in the desert, you didn't want to be wearing something like that. She was already feeling the feel, she knew that the costume would be a pain to get off with the humidity. Still there was no time for that now, so she just put on a brave face and ignored the heat for now.

It was interesting to see so many dears and camels, Mad Cap had met some before, but she was used to seeing ponies everywhere, so she was naturally a little shocked. She was pretty impressed at seeing how the antelopes moved through the desert, it was like the sand was solid ground to them, it was pretty cool. The breeze that was created from the speed in which they traveled was just heavenly, it cooled Mad Cap down enough that she didn't notice how bad it got with her costume. Now, Mad Cap had very limited interaction with Antelopes up until now, but she knew that she wasn't attracted to them, it was not that they were a different species, she'd met horses who she thought were quite handsome, it was just something about Antelopes that did nothing for her. Still the stag was friendly enough, even if she couldn't understand what he was saying, it made her very thankful to have a friend like Arabesque with her.

The trip was very nice, the beautiful scenery, cooling breeze and her friend, it was like the perfect trip! As she learned the final parts of etiquette she would need to not offend anyone or make a fool of herself at tomorrow's event. However one point of worry was Quip, he was never rude at these sort of things but he could always be considered...Un-proper. He just didn't like sitting still chatting quietly with the high class ponies, he was not such a pony. She just hoped he would recognize that this was a different land and respect it enough to be quiet, but she really was worrying for nothing. Quip had visited different countries and continents before, he knew when to be respectful.

As they began to slow down and they pulled into their destination, Mad Cap looked around, taking in all the sites she could. She was still finding it a little hard to believe that she was really there, it looked like she had imagined, it was incredible. Mad Cap took in the sight of the city as a whole, breathing in the smells, and hearing the sound. She liked to absorb herself in somewhere new, just take it all in at once, then explore the little things. There was so much in this place however, it was all so different that she doubt she could see it all even if she spent the rest of her life there.

As the two friends walked together, Mad Cap looked around, with a happy inquisitive smile on her face, intrigued at the similarities and differences between this place and Equestria. The smell was the most intriguing thing, Equestria was surely a place of many many different cultures, but unless you went somewhere that specifically dealt with that culture, you'd miss it. Here was the source of a culture, it WAS the culture, and she had never experienced it before. It made her want to visit more Deerham restaurants back in Equestria, but now was a time to enjoy the culture first hand.

Mad Cap had always been a pony to wear clothes, she didn't know why she just did, she preferred having some form of clothing on, if not a few. She was rarely without her harlequin outfit, and that set her apart from most ponies. Here she noticed that everyone was wearing clothes, it made her feel like she fit in a bit more, of course what she was wearing made her feel less like that.

Another little detail that made her feel like she stood out was that everyone was looking at her as she passed. She was slightly confused about this at first, was she really that weird here? She felt a little better when Arabesque explained that she and Quip were being advertised here, she didn't think they would make such a big fuss. Mad Cap was fairly famous in Equestria, a lot of fillies knew her and looked up to her, but she'd never really experience this, sure ponies looked at her a lot but for different reasons. It was nice to be appreciated, albeit a bit unnerving the be stared at.

Welcome in my homeland ^^

"Its so beautiful Arabesque"[/color] She said in awe at the entire place.

As Arabesque translated the flier, Mad Cap reached down and picked it up with her hoof, looking at the parchment for a moment. It was hoof drawn, and then printed, it showed Mad Cap and Quip but drawn in a sandlandic style. It was really cool to see herself drawn like this, she placed the flier in her saddle bag and looked at Arabesque.

"This will be a great souvenir" She laughed

It was nice that they had invited the kids of the area, Mad Cap loved seeing their amazed faces as much as Quip, despite her background, she was a performer, much like Quip. She was still pretty surprised at just how many fliers there were, no wonder everyone was staring at her, she'd stare too if she saw somepony this much!

As they came to the richer part of town, Mad Cap was simply amazed, she'd seen the residence of wealth before but they did it with such style here! At sight of Arabesque's home, Mad Cap could do nothing but make a little 'woah' sound.

The interior was more impressive than the exterior, if that were possible. She span in a little circle slowly as she took it all in, the decoration, the furniture, it was all so incredible and her eye was drawn from one thing to the next. She could have done this all day, but stopped when she heard Arabesque mention something about a pet fox. She looked at the pet and immediately let out a big 'Awwwwwwww'. Mad Cap loved foxes, she thought they were adorable. She let out a little sequel of excitement as the animal stepped toward her to get a stroke. She gave it a loving series of stokes, still just as mesmerized by its cuteness. She had to pull herself from stroking the animal to answer Arabesque question concerning her dietary preferences. She'd had some food of this nation before, and knew they were fond of spice and curry.

"Well I'm not the biggest fan of yoghurt, but other than that I like pretty much everything...except pickles" [/color]she then made a yuck sound for a bit of comic effect. She gave her friend a smile "But what ever's good for you. I'm not fussy" she smiled once more

[Ashti Sandburst]

Arabesque gave a amused smile to the mare and bowed slightly the head in nodding.
She didn't do the grocery shopping -as she just came back in Deerham- but hopefully her father did : there was enough to do a good meal, but now... what to do?

Looking to the cook guide she analyzed her ingredients, then the book and smiled. She just found the perfect meal. Minute passed, but as the kitchen was open on Mad Cap's room, they could chat.

I will try to prepare you something not too caloric, yet which could empty your stomach. If it remains some, we could pack it for Sayyid Crack ^^.

And she continued to prepare the meal, letting the ingredient, notably rise, to cook.
She took a glass and putted a mint and some rose's petal in the bottom, with a bit of sugar and rosemary cordial and poured water, added a couple of star-shaped ice cubes inside and let brew during two minutes before bring the glass to the mare.

Here, I did it for you. It's really refreshing drink, like concentrated mint syrup drink, but naturally brew.

The drink was similar to a ice tea, the colors was a kind of light purple water but clear enough to see the mint leave. It mostly tasted like mint tea, or mint-flavored water with rosemary and rose. Not too sweet yet tasty enough to feel all the flavour, and quite thirst-quenching. More it was cool, more it was good.

Arabesque then returned to the kitchen, clearing the work surface and prepared the meals, then the sauces, putted butter in the rice, added soft spices and after 30 minutes of cooking she finally finished.

However she left the lunch on the kitchen and took two ceramic plates, Deerean porcelain, and utensils that she putted on the table, leaving the place in the middle for the main meals. Meal that she finally took and putted on the table as well ; it was a platter with a large boil of rice covered by a brown aromatic sauce, spice and vegetables as hay, piece of onions and carrot. in the side of the plate there were acrepes looking vegan breads made with a little of laurel and to conclude 3 little boil fulfilled with a yellow, an orange, and a fuchsia sauces.
4.bp.blogspot.com/_UIXOn06Pz70/R-A_Cl7fDsI/AAAAAAAACQ8/ptKQvKBO4Oo/s800/Katsu+Kare+%28Japanese+Pork+Cutlet+with+Curry+Sauce%29.jpg
The Archivist positioned herself in the front of the Performer and looked to the place... she maybe did a bit too much. Bah, she will let a part for her father. And despite it, she was quite proud of her work.

So, here is the "al-Ebashîn Kâsrat". Basmati rice with ginger, cardamom and desert saffron with cooked carrots and fried onions, "Bhoora Chatni", a broth-like sauce, and Cervida hay. There is also Bolani, the bread to accompany the sauce, which is mostly composed of laurel and sesame. This sauce is curry one, this one is paprika and the other is rose petal sauce. ^^

Then she purred some water inside of her glass, and added :

The sauces are a mix of milk, oil and spice. It can maybe look like yoğhurt but I reassure you : the texture is lighter, more like... hm, huh... mayonnaise? in less thick. Well, you'll see ^^ anyway, I hope you will like it. Maze karein (good appetite).

[CableZ]

During the time that Arabesque was preparing the meal, MAd Cap stayed within the main entrance hall of the building, as she felt that wandering about was rude, since she had not been invited to. But she didn't entirely mind, she still could talk with Arabesque while she cooked, so she stood at the doorway to the kitchen chatting with her friend. There was one slight distraction however, Arabesque's pet fox Nadir was acting similarly to a cat, walking between her legs and trying to get some more attention. Mad Cap was more than happy to oblige the animal, stroking it with a lot of love and care, she thought it was adorable. This time she tried to keep talking to Arabesque while stroking the fox.

"Don't go to too much trouble on my account Arabesque, it's enough that i'm even here" She giggled, feeling the foxes fur tickle her hoof slightly. She said this just as Arabesque brought her the drink, which she accepted with a little bow and a 'thank you'. The drink was something she had never tried before, it was interesting, and quite tasty. "Thanks Abby, I needed that"[/color] She smiled, giving her friend a new nickname on the spot (because i am tired of typing out arabesque constantly and it didn't feel natural XD)

She watched as Abby went about cooking their food, she was impressed at how well her friend could manage all the separate things that needed doing. Soon the smells of deliciousness filled the air, and Mad Cap's stomach began grumbling and she laughed with her friend about it. When it was finally done and the two were sat down at the kitchen table together, she looked at the food in awe.

"Wow Abby, you should be a chef!"[/color] She laughed, although she did admit that her friend was very good at cooking.

As Arabesque explained the meals and what they were, Mad Cap looked at each dish with a growing excitement, it was all stuff she'd be meaning to try back in Equestria, or at least some of the ingrediants were, she made a little self note that she needed to try more food when she got back home, before
picking up some cutlery and picking a meal to start digging in to.

(After the meal)

Mad Cap sat back in her seat, with a satisfied grin on her face, sighing slightly. She laughed slightly and looked to her friend.

"Wowee Abby, you REALLY should be a chef, that was delicious" He giggled, but then she sat forward and looked at the table, which seemed like it still had a lot of food on it. "Well I guess Quip is gonna have a lot to eat when he gets here." she laughed once again. She stretched out a bit and let out a little yawn "So whats next for today Abby?" She asked softly

[Ashti Sandburst]

"Abby" ^^ ?...

The mare didn't really know how to react, or said. It was the first time that someone used a "nickname". In Deerham's culture, nickname are used, of course… but as there is a respect of the individual, it's seen has impolite to nickname someone without the authorisation of the said pony. Because the name of an individual, it's its identity and a kind of pride, nicknaming someone and therefore altering its name is a lack of respect towards the name's bearer and those which have chosen it.

If Arabesque use "Salâh" or "Sala'" instead of "Salamalekh", it's not because the name bothered her and had difficulty to pronounce it, but because she had the authorisation of Ashti to short it. She don't use "Ashti" either because it's a nickname that he use for the strangers, even if sometime she referred her husband as "Ashti" but only to those which know him only by this nickname, like Mad Cap.

However Ashti don't really used nickname, and always called people by their titles or names, as he do for Arabesque. Before they get married, Ashti addressed to Arabesque in a formal way, using "Khushke Arabesque" which is translated as "Miss Arabesque". Like a knight towards his princess.

Anyway, Arabesque finally didn't minded at the nickname gave by Mad Cap : It was from her culture, and it was not used in a rude way. She bowed the head in thank when Mad Cap complimented her cooking.

Well, sukriya. Out father have taught us how to cook… but as Sala' was not really good at, it was me, or my father, which prepared the meal. Yet, it always makes me happy me to cook for "Ashti", seeing how pleased he was, the pleasure he took to eat my meals, was my rewards. ^^

Then the minutes passed, eating and chatting, until they finished. Arabesque bowed the head another time in greeting when the mare complimented her cook. As it was one of national recipe, most of the Deeraim know how to cook it. This, and other meals that Arabesque knew as well. Ashti too, he was able to cook a couple of sandlandic recipe, but simple ones. It's said that Ambroisia, Ashti's mother, was also a bad chef, even if she tried hard the legend said that she had the power to turn vegetables into inedible unidentified… things. Unlike her husband, Sarid, which was very good with cooking.

However if my brother is not really good with cooking, his teas are very good ^^.
"Well I guess Quip is gonna have a lot to eat when he gets here."
Oh ? Well, it remains enough. But Sayyid Crack better have to come today, for this meal is kept only one day.

On her words, Arabesque rose up and started to clear the table, taking the utensils and plates in the kitchen. Next she brought some plates, cellophane tape, and prepared the portions for her father and Quip, even if she was sure that Quip will reside in the hotel. She had nothing against Quip, yet this house was granted to her father, and it was a national and historic mansion, not a inn as Salim would probably said.

However if Quip don't come, Arabesque could still ask her father to house Mad Cap in. But for now, there were other things to see.

"So whats next for today Abby?"

Arabesque smiled to the mare, she wanted to propose tea, to digest, or to rest a bit in the biblio-living room. Or they can walk a bit, visiting Deerham.

Well. As you show is tomorrow in the evening, you will able to take audience with the Our Majesty, to introduce yourself and Sayyid Crack tomorrow. I will ask my father to do me a special favour to accompany you during the audience.

Finishing putting away the meal, she glanced to Mad Cap, smiling to her.

I suppose I can make you visit the city. I have to go in the library to announce my return anyway. And after it, we could go in the hammâm, a kind of spa, or the observatory : We have a museum about astronomy and astrology, stars and all. It is… how Equestrian say? "Up to you"?

[CableZ]

Mad Cap enjoyed hearing more about her friends past, little stories like why she was good at cooking were always interesting, Mad Cap always thought that those sort of stories were what made ponies, just little things that shaped their life. She had written a paper on the snowball effect of emotions and situations when she was a psychologist that had garnered a lot of attention, and was widely regarded as a great look into the pony mind. Anyway, the little insights on her friend were what she felt brought them closer, it made her giggle slightly.

"I was never good at cooking, when you're at university at the age of 11, you don't have time to learn this stuff" [/color]She laughed.

The two shared a little laugh, mainly at the surreal nature of the reason as to why Mad Cap couldn't cook, it wasn't a normal reason after all. She followed Arabesque into the kitchen, helping her friend tidy up, it was the polite thing to do after all. She listened to the various things that they could do through the rest of the day, and she payed special attention to what would be happening tomorrow. She gulped slightly, the idea of meeting a king was a bit daunting, she really hoped she wouldn't make a bad impression, she didn't want to be accidentally rude or insulting.

At mention of her Jester crush, Mad Cap sighed wishfully, she missed Quip. The trip had been the most fun she had had in a long time, but still she missed the love of her life. She wondered if he missed her, it was a hopeful thought. Arabesque would be able to tell when her friend was thinking about Quip, she always had that little sigh, and her eyes got a little shine in them.

She snapped herself out of her little day dream, smiling sheepishly at her friend.

"Sorry...um, let's go to the library, I'd love to see where you work!"[/color] She suggested excitedly.

[Ashti Sandburst]

"I was never good at cooking, when you're at university at the age of 11, you don't have time to learn this stuff"

The mare gave a pleased smile to Mad Cap, then, this one spoke about why she didn't cook. It was not in the Deerean mentality that mares have to cook, even if a female in kitchen was a kind of tradition with many historic and cultural reasons. It was misogyny; in fact it was because females always been more skilled than males, so in was a sign of confidence in females' experience and skill, that the males let females take care of their meals. In this society, females are more important than males, because they are not only able to give birth (and thus bring the future generations), but they are also able to fulfil some task –and job- more efficiency.
What really amazed the sandlandic mare was that she has been in university, so young.

You are amazing, Anisa Cap- ^^ You, know… neither Ashti and me have been in university or similar places… but my father yes. Lost Pegasus University, graduated in the economics and entrepreneurship branches, and also the Cloudstales private college of business… if I remember right.

Then, they tidied up the table and Arabesque thanked her. However when Arabesque spoke to the other mare, she didn't immediately notice that this one was… contemplative, and she was not even sure if Mad Cap have listen her. Arabesque was unable to tell, or at least was unsure, of what she was thinking, and Arabesque was ready to iterate her question… when Mad Cap replied.


"Sorry...um, let's go to the library, I'd love to see where you work!"
Oh… … ok. ^^ *Híya var sun'nêja, akhir ?* (she have listened, after-all?)

Anyway, Arabesque moved the head in agreement and just say to her friend to wait are a couple of minutes, time for the Archivist to take something and come back, apologising before leaving the villa.

The air was dry and dusty, and the heat really palpable. Surely the heat with higher than this morning, yet Mad Cap's turban was efficient enough to keep her head cool. As these turbans, like the one she wore, was for tourists, they were a bit different: on the bottom, a little bag containing a kind of oil which chemically reacted to the air and water, like sweat, and immediately cool down and this freshen the head up but not in a freezing way… it remained quite likeable.

So, then downed the stairs, during several minutes, until they reached the lower part, and immediately on their left a building, looking like a basilica or a mosque, a mix of this and this and using this kind of pattern.

A little like other Deerean buildings, which gave to the city a homogenous look. Walking towards the doors, these ones were closed, to avoid sand to come in. In a natural way, Arabesque opened the door, entering inside the public library. Mostly do with sculpted stone, and golden stuffs, this place was size and spacious, not quit high, mostly 10 meters without the dome. There were no books in this hall, only some tables, benches, and a large front desk where the receptionist was standing.

The inside was like this with this decoration

Actually, this place, this hall, looked more like a forum room, a place to debate. And it was the case. The night, the library became a forum. Immediately when the mares entered a doe came to her, and bowed the head to the Archivist in greeting, a smile in face.

Oh, soma hona Bargaštja? Khuśh de soma sirf phir, Kulasri Arabesque. ^^
(Oh, you have returned? Nice to see you again, Lady Arabesque. ^^)
Namasteh, Srimati Êm'elyn. Sukriya ^^
(Greetings, Mrs.Emeline. Thank you ^^)

Then the doe looked to Mad Cap, questioning… she was sure to have seen her somewhere. However Arabesque presented Mad Cap to the receptionist, and she immediacy remembered it.

Ah, yesh… Híya hast al-soytari Ikē'stryânn, hásanan ? Taman hast uçanim herjahāṅ!
(Ah, yes… she is the Equestrian jester, right? There are flyers everywhere!)
Yaqeh'nan. Anisa Cap honaji enjâm fardâdin
(Indeed. Anisa Cap will be performing tomorrow.)
Ah… accha, eth raghib ni. Ana hu háqqan mushtaq masin eth.
(Ah… well, it interests me. I am really curious about it.)
^^… mashhoor ni. Hast, al-Malika Ket'abdêri ere?
(^^… tell me. Is, the Librarian in Chief here?)
Yes. Híya hast fi`lan ind al-kamrah de kitaabim.
(Yes. She is actually in the books gallery.)
Sukriya. (Thank you.)

The two females bowed the head politely, yet the doe looked to Mad Cap and spoke to her.

Hona qismaten ke somara hofá'râḍ ^^
(Good luck for your show ^^)

Before going back to her office. Arabesque her, makes sign to Mad Cap to follow her, smiling.

She wished you "good luck" for your performance. ^^

If the hall was lacking of book, and don't really looked like a library but more as a bank, when the two mares went in the bottom of the room, towards a wall that Arabesque opened the door, and lead them into a big room full wall shelves fulfilled with books. A mix of wood and marble, with tapestries, furniture, large church like windows whose the sunshine lighted up the room and the main alley. A bit like this.

Above them, a series of sandlandic chandeliers, and on the length of the alley some statues and columns. And, in the bottom, a doe and a young gazelle were standing. The doe was wearing a classy sandlandic outfit, standing behind the desk fulfilled with some books, looking to the gazelle's work as a teacher towards its student. Chatting with him whilst the gazelle was writing on a open book, archiving.

[CableZ]

"You are amazing, Anisa Cap- ^^ You, know… neither Ashti and me have been in university or similar places… but my father yes. Lost Pegasus University, graduated in the economics and entrepreneurship branches, and also the Cloudstales private college of business… if I remember right."

Mad Cap giggled, shaking her head at the notion.

"I'm far from amazing Abby, how much of my medical degree or PHD do you think I use doing what I do? It was mostly just a wasted childhood"[/color] She once again laughed slightly.

She also found it interesting that neither her nor Ashti had gone to university, while in Equestria to become any sort of politician you pretty much HAD to have some form of higher education, she liked the idea that ponies were chosen for their character, rather than their education. Once again her thoughts were drawn to Quip, he had grown up on the streets, having little to no other education other than what he taught himself. What mostly astounded her was how smart Quip could be, when he was actually focusing on something, he could walk circles around somepony. Quip's real intelligence came into his ability to assess situations and act accordingly however, there was very little hesitation in what Quip did. Most thought that he simply made it up as he went along...which he did, but every single action was perfectly calculated at the time.

Mad Cap had changed out of her harlequin costume before they had left, it had taken awhile, longer than is usually did, but once she was out of it, she breathed a sigh of relief. She could handle the heat a lot better now, with her turban she felt very cool and pleasant, now she could finally appreciate the climate of this land. When the two finally arrived at their destination, Mad Cap looked at the building with awe.

"Wowee Abby, you work here?!"[/color] She asked excitedly, the building was so impressive, it showed how much effort the people of this land put into something such as a library, in Equestria their was a different ideal. It was hard to explain, but suffice to say that this land was so much different compared to Equestria.

As they entered the building, Mad Cap's eyes immediately faced up. She was simply amazed by the decoration of this room, she'd never seen anything quite like it. Her eyes darted from feature to feature, slowly moving in a circle so she could follow the curve of the domes above. She was so fixated on the ceiling, that it took her awhile to notice the distinct lack of books in this library. When she was finally able to pull her eyes from the ceiling, she looked around for a moment and raised an eyebrow. Mad Cap was no stranger to libraries, in fact she had spent a lot of her foalhood their, studying, so she was familiar with some of the stranger layouts. She presumed that this library separated itself out, keeping the books in various sections for filing purposes, or maybe it was an archive. She'd been in this sort of library once before, when she went on an exchange program to the griffon kingdoms, which was a rare privilege considering the select nature of that particular program. As such, she didn't need to ask Arabesque why there were no books in the main room of the library.

When the doe approached the two, Mad Cap stayed silent, she couldn't contribute to the conversation in anyway, so she felt it pointless to bother trying. She tried picking up on some parts of the language, she had been able to learn some Prench by the same method, however this language was a completely different dialect, so there was very slim chance of her being able to pick much up. She listened to the conversation, feeling slightly uncomfortable when the doe looked her up and down, Mad Cap never enjoyed being examined. Still the conversation was soon over and Arabesque and Mad Cap were walking away, but as Arabesque translated the final sentence that the doe had said to Mad Cap herself, Mad Cap turned around and called out to the doe.

"Sukriya!!" She managed to get the pronunciation spot on. Giggling at her friend, they continued walking toward...wait where were they even going?

As they entered the room, Mad Cap once again took in her surroundings, she couldn't get enough of the decoration and style, she loved it. But as before she had to draw her eyes from the surroundings to focus on whatever was going on, and frankly she didn't really know what was going on. She figured that the pony behind the desk was Arabesque's boss, but she could not be sure, all she knew was that she stuck out like a sore hoof.

[Ashti Sandburst]

The doe didn't notice the arrival of the mares; she was still speaking, walking around the boy, pacing up and down but quietly. Arabesque doesn't really want to bother them now, and preferred wait that they finish. So, during this time she downed the head towards Mad Cap, speaking with a low voice.

The doe you see is the head of the library, my boss. Ṣạbreen min Rakṣaka el-Chârsm. Archiving, restoration, negotiation, this is some of the field that the Hask-Ket'abdêri, the librarian in chief, have to master. However as she have also some side works, like the management of the public and royal libraries, she is quite busy. And her knowledges about books is in great demand, notably for ancient works.

Elegantly dressed, early 40 yo, wearing glasses, and still a beautiful mature doe, The Grand-Librarian Sabreen was a bibliosoph knew not only for her passion of book, but also her duties, and her grandly professional behaviour. She could look a bit firm, but she is somedeer quite flexible which love well-done work. Thus, she asks for her students to be disciplined and respectful of their jobs. Yet she was a quite gentle deer which liked her pupils as she has raised them. Despite it, damaging a book was the good way to make her upset… and when she is upset; you better to show repentance immediately.

She could be a bit scary. Yet, she deliberately amplifies her upset look, to scar her students. Why? Because as they don't want to upset Sabreen, they are more disciplined and careful of the book. Yeah, the Librarian in Chief was a bit manipulative; however she was reasonable enough to be kind or cheerful with her apprentices.

The stag, gazelle, near of Sabreen was another archivist… or rather assistant archivist. Unlike Arabesque and the other archivists –five, with Ashti- the assistant archivist was mostly learning, or give help to the archivists when needed: like bring them a specific book, or do researches for them. But his work was limited.

The first assistant, him, was younger than Arabesque, a teenage in the late ten

Hona mutfakiry, Aadesh… tirşekim ar šekanande.
(Be careful, Aadesh. … Parchments are fragile )
… ?
"Tum zare kya zanîn mish saeeja ?". Ana kahnāja tu : tum ar iste'mālse bahut siyahi par al-qirtaas… hast sun'nê tu ?)
("Thou just don't know what went wrong ?". I said to thee : thou are using too much ink on the sheet… Do thou even listen?)
… !
Áywā̃h, áywā̃h… jisqadar. Tum ar lâl, mish aptal aur behrâ…
(Yeah, yeah… whatever. Thou are mute, not derp or deaf …)

Then she raised the head towards the two mares, and glanced to her with a smile, and glanced another time to the stag. Patting his shoulder..

Accha, eme hast behtar. Tum sirf, tum sakna yok eth. Jari mithl eth ^^. Başka, andaza allatí ast bargaštja ?
(Here, it is better. Thou see, thou can do it. Continue like this ^^. On another note, guess who Is back ?)

She stag raised the head at his turn and saw Arabesque, Immediately he had a smile and glanced to the doe, asking permission to left the desk, and she nodded. Without waiting, he went towards the mare and hugged her.

Ana hu khuśh de tu sirf bhi, Wahel-dastyâr Aadesh ^^
(I am happy to see you too, first assistant Aadesh. ^^)

Aadesh then left Arabesque and glanced to the other one, bowing the head in greeting. Sabreen at her turn walked towards the mares, a smile in face.

Minutes passed, and after presentation and all. Sabreen brought tea or coffey for everyone, inviting Aadesh, as Arabesque and Mad Cap to a break. Arabesque explained to the mare, that Sabreen don't speak Equestrian, however she understood it. Yet she used Arabesque as a translator. If she Mad Cap had question about the library or Deerham.

[CableZ]

Mad Cap looked at the doe for a moment, and her expression, stance, pose, how she moved, everything. She could immediately tell that she was not as angry as she was putting on, classic teaching tactic, they learn through fear of disappointment. It could leave some people scared, but only at a young age, most adolescents just take it as a challenge, which sometimes can be the wrong attitude but that's besides the point. It was almost impossible to intimidate Mad Cap by simply acting tough or mean, because she could see through such a posture and know what emotions fueled it, however it was fairly easy to physically intimidate her, but she was no coward.

Mad Cap listened to Arabesque as she spoke about her boss, it was hard to imagine someone telling Arabesque what to do, she seemed so...quietly in charge of a lot of things, but maybe that was just Mad Cap seeing more than there was. Anyway, Mad Cap had known such ponies as this Ṣạbreen before, Master archivists and scholars that dedicate themselves to restoration and study of books, but she'd never known such a person to also handle running a public library, it was quite commendable. Mad Cap watched the interaction between the doe and her student, studying the interaction between the two. She hadn't really analyzed ponies in a long time, but being away from Quip allowed her academic scholar side to bloom and she decided to simply roll with it.

Mad Cap smirked when the stag hugged Arabesque, she couldn't help but act a little childish with such things, and despite her martial status Mad Cap couldn't help for...forget it. Giving a little wave to the stag as he looked at her, she gave her one of adorable little smiles that usually melted the heart of any that look on it. She gave a little nod to Ṣạbreen as well, with another smile.

Mad Cap was looking out of the window when the coffee as brought to the group, she wasn't the biggest fan of warm drinks, but she didn't want to be rude, so she took a cup with a thankful smile, before looking back out toward the window, she thought she saw something in the distance, but she couldn't make it out due to the heat. She turned back to face her hosts, thinking about any sort of questions she might have to ask. Turning back to face the window, she knew she saw something..there was something kicking up a trail of dust on the horizon, and she knew what it was.

She looked back to the group on last time, a very nervous smile on her face.

"Um...what are the rules concerning clowns in the library?" She asked with a nervous chuckle

[Ashti Sandburst]

When the doe brought back drinks, Arabesque immediately took a coffee cup, It makes a while since her last one. Due to landscape of Sandlands, the coffee was slightly different than the other nations' notably Equestrian ones. Even if originally of Camelu, the coffee was a kind of national drink for the desert dwellers however it was Camelu and Zebrica which exported the most.

Deerham didn't have coffee bush, the coffee beans are imported... however they have their own recipes, own way to treat them. And it was this gave to the coffee a less bite and more sweet drink. Cream or milk was normally used. Even if Deerean teas were quite popular.

However Sabreen noticed the behaviour of the mare, and felt that Mad Cap have a kind of problem with the drinks. did she not liked tea? or maybe she was thirsty. Unlike Equestrian politeness, it was not rude for the sandlander if someone refused a drink... as along as it was not an offensive refusal. A "No thank you, It's fine." "I appreciate it, however I am not thirsty" were fine and acceptable. But what was really rude, instead, is to refuse a drink after having asking for it.

The Head Archivist was ready to explain it to Mad Cap, but Arabesque speak before she could.

Ah, I have this for you, anisa el-Malika Ket'abdêri (Mrs. the Librarian in Chief).[/b]

She brought a book, an Equestrian one that she bought... or asked Servio to, in a auction sale. A rare and ancient room. Immediately the face of the doe lighted up and she thanked Arabesque for this gift : It would one of the masterpiece of the library. However she will have to ask some colleagues to help her to translate it.

"Um...what are the rules concerning clowns in the library?"

Everyone was drinking gently, yet they all had questioning glance. It was... a randsom question, actually. However the doe cocked an eyebrow.

Accha... Herkoi hast amdid... kol 'od Ishan ehtram al-jagah aur kitaabim.
(Well... everyone is welcome... as long as they respect the place and books.)

She was not sure of understand the reason of such question, however Sabreen had enough experience -and paranoia- to feel that something will come. The air have changed, and she then started to figure out that maybe it was the reason of Mad Cap's question and nervousness...

Sabreen, as a pragmatic librarian, had the task to preserve and protect this Deerean patrimony that he library is. So, she rose up and walked towards her desk, touching with her forehoove an rune engraved beneath the furniture. Immediately after, the entrance of the room they were standing, as the walls, tuned into a kind of force field.

She had consulted enough books to guess what could occur, her librarian sense was tingling.

It don't looked like, but it was an important place for Deerham's history, culture and society, and therefor had some system of protections. Now that the room was protected, the doe joined the group, to finish her coffee. Under the questioning glance of Aadesh and Arabesque.

At their questioning she simply replied with a smile. She was the Librarian in Chief, she don't have to explain herself XD:

(O-RP : About the way of acting with her students, when upset. You have to know that Sandlanders from Deerham have a different culture and way of thinking (like the cultural concept of "Sandlandic Faith"). As the respect is uber-important in their society, Sabreen's methods are quite efficient regarding in the Deerean context. It would not come in mind of sandlandic students to defy a teacher or try to annoy (s)he. Of course, it's would not succeed in Equestria, which have a different set of thinkings.)

[CableZ]

Mad Cap watched as Sabreen did her...thing, Mad Cap was more than a little confused, mainly as she wasn't sure of exactly WHAT she was doing. Mad Cap wasn't familar with magic, only the affects it had on the mind of a unicorn, which were interesting affects, but irrelevant at the time. She watched as the forcefield appeared around the room, watching with a little bit of awe. Mad Cap had always found magic to be impressive, she recalled seeing a unicorn magician once, which she thought sort of defeated the point but still she watched. Some of the tricks that the pony had performed amazed Mad Cap, and its wht inspired her to start doing a bit of magic as well, which Quip was helping her with. She hadn't learned many skills yet, but she was more than good at slight of hoof.

She then turned back to look out of the window, it seemed the dust cloud had made it into the city, as was racing toward then, although you could see it change direction to match the streets. Mad Cap watched, fearing what was going to happen, gritting her teeth slightly. The thing that was kicking up the dust got close and closer, and soon it finally came into view.

At the base of the large dust cloud was a strange multicolored cart, going at a blistering pace, being pulled by a team of stags. The stags were running at a blistering pace, pulling the cart (which had skis attached the wheels) With all their might. Atop the cart was a robed pony, with a multicolored patch work turban...and a metallic mask. Mad Cap just sighed, putting her face into her hoof. the pony atop the cart held a whip in his hoof, sitting in the drivers seat as he called out YA!

The pony atop the cart shouted something out at the top of his lungs, and all the stags dug their hooves into the sand as hard as they could, making a screeching sound, totally defying the physics that would dictate that it not do that. The cart slid along the ground as did The stags, going forward several meters along the street. When the stags finally came to a halt, the carts back end when up, and the pony on the cart was launched into the air. He did a series of forward flips as he shot toward the window, his robes rippling from the wind that he was shooting through. He leveled himself out, holding his hooves forward, reading to enter through the window. This plan didn't come to fruition however, as he slammed into the window, the forcefield preventing his entrace. The pony was splatted against the window, his hooves out to his sides as his face was mashed into the window. A slightly "Ow" could be heard groaning from the pony.

Mad Cap sighed, before turning to face the rest of the group..

"Um...Ladies and Gentlecolts...this..is *Borderlands moment!!* Quip Crack"[/b]

[Ashti Sandburst]

When Quip smashed himself against the window, Sabreen had a little jump, yet a tiny smile in face. A smile because she succeeded to protect her sanctuary.
Aadesh was surprised and even poured a bit of his coffee on his pelt, whilst Arabesque seemed taken aback, even a bit embarrassed… but less than Mad Cap.

For the Sandlanders, they don't know if it's Equestrian customs or something but, it was a very weird behaviour, even shocking. Now that she saw it, Sabreen was not sure about removing the force field after what she saw. She even thought to use spell to strengthen it, no matter if there is other peoples inside. As long as the books are safe…

Yeah, she is a creepy librarian. The books are her life, her children… a rumour said that once, she have hit somedeer which had damaged a book… with a treaty about state ownership damage and common sense. But she is not alone. It this said that a previous Librarian in Chief have restored the silence on the place in knocked out two brawlers with a voluminous encyclopaedia of philosophic treaties about non-violence.
A legend even said that one of the most imminent past Librarian have kicked a burglar so strongly that this one have been eject against the stained glass window, breaking it with the shock and fell loudly out of the bookhouse.

It this commonly attested that Librarian in Chiefs always been strict and overprotecting about the books, but as they are state's property and tools for the knowledge of future generations, their professionalism and interest always fulfilled their duty: protecting the books. For that every new Deeraim can have access to enough knowledge.

Sabreen looked to Mad Cap, then the window and go deactivate the force field; however she asked to everyone to left the room before following them and go out of the book rooms. Now in the hall, the Librarian was a bit reassured: if meeting there is, it would be on the hall… or outside.

Well… Anisa Cap, let's join your boyfriend wannabe ^^.[/color]

And she proposed her to follow outside, where Quip crashed. At the sign of the Performer, she twalked towards Quip and bowed the head in greetings. A little amused smile in face.

Greeting sáyyid Crack, welcome in Deerham ^^[/color]

But despite her smile, Arabesque had to admit she doesn't really appreciated Quip Crack… notably is way of acting with Mad Cap's feelings. But, in a second thought, she remembered that she was in the same situation than Mad Cap before. And even if Arabesque has been lucky, her relationship with Ashti, her love, could have tragically ended a couple of time with either her death or Ashti's demise.

So, she feels sorry for a bit the mare… but wondered what if Mad Cap would reveal her love to the Performer? Maybe she would have her answer… but for now, it was maybe too soon. The most the Archivist could do is to cheer up Mad Cap.

[CableZ]

Quip watched the group leave the room, and wondered where they were going for a moment, before remembering how much pain he was in. He stayed stuck to the window, the force of his impact leaving him in a state of almost magnetic zen...along with a lot of broken bones also. As the group gathered outside to look up a the precious position of the jester, being 2 stories in the air, he felt the sticky like nature of his connection to the window slipping.

Quip had hit the window upside down, (probably should have mentioned that before) and so when he looked up, he was atually looking down. He felt his legs give way slightly, and gulped

"This is going to hurt"[/b]

His body bent slightly with a sickening series of cracks, before his spine gave out and he fell down the two story drop. Quip adjusted in mid air and landed perfectly on his legs...with a massive audible crack sound as he did so.

"ta...da"[/color] He croaked very quietly, before collapsing to the ground.

He layed flat on his stoamache, his chin resting on the hot sand below. He slowly raised a hoof up toward the group, as if to intivative a hoof shake, but his movements were sproadic, due to the severe amount of pain that game with moving so many broken limbs.

"nice...to meet..you"[/color] he managed to say before finally passing out.

Mad Cap immediately ran over to his side, a worried look in her eye. She crouched down by his side, looking him over, she almost looked like she had a tear in her eye. Looking back up at Arabesque, she looked at her friends with pleading eyes.

"We need to get him to a bed" she talked like this had happened before, well frankly it was kinda of expected, for this to have happened before.

[Ashti Sandburst]

When Quip fainted, Arabesque had a concerned look, notably for Mad Cap.
They were far from the villa, and the library don't have bed... however the national clinic is near, so Arabesque thought it would better than climb the stairs towards the villa.

At Mad Cap's request she nodded : knelt, she managed to put the stallion on her back, like she done for Ashti year ago. Feeling the weight of the performer the long of her spin was a bit difficult yet quip was fortunately not heavy.

Looking to Mad Cap, Arabesque then glanced straightforward, towards a building.

Anisa Cap, there is the clinic there. I will lead you.[/color]

And, walking, some minutes later they joined the said building whilst some curious citizens still looked to the mares, questioning.
From outside as inside the clinic don't seemed to be modern like Equestria's hospitals.

The reception even looked like the one of a hotel -a high standard one- : plants here and there, nice tapestries on the wall and finely engraved stuff. The colors were in the brown, orange tones, some sandlandic columns and patterns. However it was an airy and well lighted up hall, thanks to the big window.

In the center of the room a statue of a young gazelle doe and a male antelope both wearing medical belt.
It was Hardama el-Ke'ev and Keshet Pelandin ibn Tîmar. Medicinedeers which spend their entire lives to heal and save calves around these lands and further. They have built the clinic and it was their great-great-grandson which managed the place.

And it was this one which, glanced the newcomers from the atrium of the second stage. and behind her desk, the camel secretary smiled in the two mares, preparing document to fulfill before left her counter to see how grave is the patient.

She don't looked like, but she know the base of medicine, so she helped the doctor in doing pre-examination of the patient to determine what the patient have and even taking care of minor things. Her job was also to ease her boss' works.

The Camel then bowed the head in greeting. Although a bit surprised to see other ponies than Arabesque.

Khush amdid, Anisaim. Kya sakna ana intazar ke soma?
(Welcome, Madames. What can I do for you ?)
Suraj hifazat el-ya. Sakna soma xayâl'rakhn de Sáyyid ?
(May the sun keeps you. Can you take care of mister?)

Nodding, the camel examined the pony, in analyzing him and this without touch him. She was able to see immediately what he could have without that the mares could explain the situation. She don't needed the context, those kind of details were for the boss.

Boss which was downing the stair in the front of the newcomers. 44 year old, wearing a kind of tunic white with beige and golden trims. Slander male deer came, wearing a warm smile and greeted the mare before glancing to the camel.

Ham var zyada daalim tukrayja-mit, tabeeb.
(We have numerous broken-like limbs, doctor.)
Ana shaf. Sukriya.(I see. Thank you.)

Bowing the head, the camel went to her desk and started to fulfil the admission forms. The medicinedeer, him, took a kind of caster bed on which Quip was lying and make then sign to the mares to follow him in the corridor in their front.

Hidden by a curtain, this hall's corridor was kept by a guard which had the mission to prevent anyone to bother the patients. He was also having a night duty. This guard gave way to the group which continued their walk, whilst Arabesque explained the situation before reaching one of the rooms, a chamber. The ground-levels rooms were mostly chamber for patients that can't reach the upper levels, like handicapped ones. Putting Quip on the chamber's bed. The medecinedeer examined the pony.

The force field was like a wall, so in hitting it, Quip be subject of the same effect that be smashed against a stone wall. Fortunately the lesions where not deep, superficial cracking all over the bones, but the effect of broken limbs was mostly due to the force field's effect.

I will call the "eczaci", our pharmacist for he brings you a remedy to fix those crackling. It would take however hours to be fixed.

As having doing his studies in Cervida, this medecinedeer, Khafed Ilâj min Nézek, was able to speak Equestrian. He then left the mare alone on the room whilst he goes take order to the apothecary which shared a part of the clinic.

Arabesque looked to Mad Cap and patted her shoulder.

I am sorry.[/color]