One thing is that it seems almost more like Lalasa's a pet - she's treated in much the same way that the cutesy animals are, like some stray thrown in to show how awesome and patient Kel is. For all the comments on how Tobe's a stray Kel picked up, Lalasa is written more like one.

Though what really bugs me is the undercurrent of nasty rape "advice" and the issues of what I see, frankly, as Kel abusing her power over Lalasa. We already knew Pierce has trouble writing convincing Tortallan characters. :P