A lunchtime date (EA closed Qasims home)

[Raya]

"Kezia yes. Not real sister but closest to sister, we share everything. No secrets!" Raya laughed "she is like older bad influence sister, but is always looking out for Raya like Raya is looking out for Kezia."

Raya pulled her foot back and sat down at the waters edge. Tracing a finger along the waters edge.

"Is first time I've been so far from her in many years. I miss her."

[Qasim al-Basiri]

"That would be nice, I spoke with her a few times when your caravan was in town. She is a good woman, nice. Good to talk with." He said walking up and sitting next to her in the sand

"Is it hard? Being away from your family for so long?" He asked looking over at her

[Raya]

Raya nodded, bringing her knees up and resting her head on them.

"I was not thinking it was be as painful as it is, but I miss them all. The Caravan of Memory, she is lovely, but she is not the same as those I have grown up with. Laughed with, cried with, danced with, sung with. Shared stories, got into trouble, snuck around hiding from elders. It is not the same, it is like distant relatives you not see for long time."

[Qasim al-Basiri]

"Ah yes, that makes a lot of sense. It can be hard to be away from all of those that you know and love. The way my home is here and the city, yours is with your caravan. Do you know how long until they will return?"

[Raya]

There was a shake of the head.

"Not know schedule. Could be weeks, months, years. It is depending where they travel now."

[Qasim al-Basiri]

Qasim reached out and gently placed a hand on her shoulder giving her a reassuring smile "Well until then we'll make the Jewel your home. It won't be the same, you'll still miss them sometimes, but you've got people here that care about you too. Maybe not quite family but at least friends."

[Raya]

Raya looked at Qasim and gave him a small smile.

"Thank you. Means much to me, you are good man. Am not sure I could actually live in the jewel though, nor sure where I would even live. I am thinking I will just stay with my caravan and just meeting with each caravan already coming. Unless I am moving my caravan onto your home and make your guards very upset" there was a laugh "I will find a way, but it will be very strange staying somewhere for longer than a week. It is already being a month in on place and I am feeling strange."

[Qasim al-Basiri]

Qasim chuckled "Raya you have at least two people you know that are connected to the richest houses in the city. If you did want to live in the city, I'm certain that would be no problem Soraya and I could easily find a place for you. Though with a little time a room could be made up for you here, Shilah knows I have the space." He laughed

"But even if you stay with the caravan the offer can stand in case maybe there are gaps where one has left and another is on its way I would not want you to get lonely by yourself out there. New things will always be strange but strange doesn't have to be bad. You might find, given enough time, that it is not so bad to be in one place. You say you are still writing your story, well Medit al salam is the city of a thousand stories. I'm sure there will be plenty to add to yours." There was a pause and a grin "and something tells me you might add a few stories to the city as well if you stick around." He joked giving her shoulder a slight squeeze.

[Raya]

There was a look of surprise - she clearly hadn't considered that!

"I could not be asking for you or Sayyeda Soraya to do that. I have my own caravan, well not my caravan but the caravan from the Caravan of Entertainment that I am still living in. Also I am thinking that people will be angry that you or Sayyeda Soraya are spending money on a Ra'shari living in the city."

She did look thoughtful though.

"You are meaning...stay forever? Be no longer travelling? I am not sure I could do that, it is part of me. I am Ra'shari, we travel. Staying here forever? What would I even be doing?"

[Qasim al-Basiri]

Qasim chuckled "Raya if you think I got where I am by giving two shits about what others think you'd be wrong. What's the point of all the business, all the coin if I can't use it to help my friends when they need it?"

"Like I said if you're more comfortable with the Ra'Shari stay with them but if there are gaps we can find a small place in the city or you can stay here."

"As for how long you stay." Shrug "That would be up to you, but staying here doesn't mean you have to never travel. I live here but travel all the time, it's not all or nothing. As for what you would do, well I'm sure many places would benefit from having an entertainer work for them cafes, other places. A good performer can make a decent living in this city."

"There was a Ra'Shari saying I heard once 'Go where life takes you' It would seem life has brought you here for now."