Aisha could barely believe her ears.  Did Layla just refuse to allow herself to be taken by Tarkus?  Had she really just begged the Prince to stop? She looked at the voluptuous woman through still moist eyes, seeing her now in a completely different light.  Perhaps there was more to her than Aisha had given her credit for.  Perhaps she wasn't here to steal away her Princes' love afterall.  And maybe, just maybe, Aisha could find it in her heart to accept the new concubine, and treat her not as an enemy, but as a friend.<br/><br/>Listening to Layla's story, the dark haired beauty sent up a silent prayer of thanks to the gods that she herself had been spared such a life.  Aisha had been trained from a young age, her whole existance devoted to becoming exactly what her Prince needed in a companion.  She was friend and confidant, as well as lover, and as such had been brought up with only the best of everything at her disposal.  By the time she was presented to Prince Tarkus, she was, for all intents and purposes, perfect for him.  But Layla...Aisha shook her head as she thought about what the poor woman had been through.  And yet, the newcomer had it in her to consider the feelings of someone else, despite the fact that this could spell the end of her proposed life of luxury, even before it had begun.<br/><br/>Not willing to interject at this point, Aisha sat quietly on the step, looking from Layla to Tarkus.  Although she knew her Prince better than anyone, nothing had prepared her for this eventuality, and she had no idea how he would react.  Aisha held her breath and waited.