Celebrating a good Harvest (IC, OPEN)

[The Selkie]

Filleadh House
So all of the presents have some problem with their parents. Most importantly Cel that it looked like her father was against her relation with Chris. He telling us that we all were with the dumb thoughts,which I agree with him. I guess Purgatio changed my mind an lot Lise thought to herself as she grabbed her case and stroked it an little. Still what made me go to MNT,the adreladin,the idea of places worst than PIA. Seriously I can make an book of those two places and my expiriences there"
She then joined the group to tell her expirience and of course that she was kinda in that dumb thought too.

"We are four or five that we were with those dumb thoughts,I'll include myself too. I have those thoughts too with Purgatio in where I thought that it would be very interesting to know and so their model and if it was an good example that facism might work... Like most of us I was wrong with that" She said letting an sigh out of her mouth.
"I mean yeah I learned my lesson there that I wouldn't trust what an facist dictatorship tell us. But now this made me think why I accepted to go to Main Nation Ministry later. Guess that last one placed me out of that dumb time in the bubble and showed me somethings more about the world" Lise ended her opinion with that,she was now more catious with what she signed or where she went. If she could say what was her lesson,it could be that it made her more catious.

"Anyways does someone could tell me what hour it is??"

Filleadh House.
Chris had shrugged when Cel had mentioned her parents' opinion on their relationship. Of course, her father cared a lot for his daughter's well-being - less about the daughter sitting here with a fox in her lap than rather about that daughter called Treoraí Optics.
They would see what would come up to the surface as soon as streams of whiskey would be flowing ...
He took his phone out to check what time it was, to answer Lise's question - but the battery was empty. He would have to recharge it inside ... or just use his portable recharger. Which was inside, too. Damn.
He said, "Well, my family doesn't have any issues with what I'm doing. My parents have actually never given a lot about what I'm doing, as long as I'm getting along somehow." He shrugged again. "Not the best role model, either, but still better than trying to mess stuff up."

Main Street.
Of course, the Leverdals were missing the information that, in this case, Lodan Lir was a ship - but still, both had brought Mona here. Their thoughts were not entirely wrong, just missing the context.
Hilda now smiled and said to the goat-rider, "Listen carefully, that's important for the future! Girls aren't like items in a shop you just pick, and they - mostly - don't love being viewed upon as such."
"That's true" - Fred said. "For most shop items, there's a guarantee period." He grinned.
Hilda turned to her brother. "Yes, spoil him even more! Good job!" - she said, laughing. Then, she turned back to the goat-rider. "Don't listen to them. They are the sort of boys who don't grow up, but just get bigger. You can do better."

Filleadh House.
I smiled at my boyfriend, knowing, what he was thinking.
I still maintain, that there was a heart somewhere in my father, not only for his company, but also for his children, myself included. But that was another story.
With a nod to Lise, I pulled out my pocket watch out of my utility belt, answering her: "It's shortly before ten, the festival will begin in a few minutes, hopefully after Cao comes back, and the whiskey will come out in three hours."
I shrugged.
"Sorry, people, but the traditions need to be observed.", I said, "Besides, it would be rude to break into the bar before everyone is here..."
I was not only talking about Cao.

Main Street.
The Goat-Rider gave a salute.
"Will try tae, Miss Leverdahl!", he replied and grinned, "Of course, girls aren't shop items, guarantee or not, but boys aren't either! To conquer a heart is a difficult thing tae do for anyone and if yae do it with honesty in your heart, yae not shall need a guarantee... and yae shall grow."
He let a beat pass, looking a bit sheepish, with Marla, Leonard and Eoin looking at him with surprise.
"That's what mah Mam always says.", he added.

Asteria gave Jamie a smile, that basically asked her, if they would try to ship them - but her husband nodded. "I'd love to show her to you! Sure, the Ceinteár isn't exactly a luxury yacht like the Aurelia, but she is a fine little boat.", he said with a grin, ruffling his son's hair, "We had quite a few adventures with her!"
"Yep!", Kenny agreed, nodding heartily, "From storms to ships a few thousand tons larger then our boat, we experienced quite a few things. I could tell you stories!"

"No need for luxury as long as it's yours" Jamie agreed nodding, the same could be said about their own little farm house they called home, not a luxury mansion but their home.

Billie took Kenny by the hand "I wanna hear all your stories! I got a few too but you're on the high seas so I reckon they're gonna be lots more neater than mine but I'll tell some if you wanna hear. Ya know I sailed here on a big big ship all the way from Kuronami. It's my first time ever on a big ship at all. 'Sides little old fishin' boats on lakes or streams and that. Bet you got lots of things you can tell me bout being on the seas! 'Specially about storms or pirates even!"

Kenny smiled slightly.
"I'll try my best to tell you the best of the stories...", he told Billie with a small, shaky smile, "But I think, yours will be thrilling, too. I mean, I have a few storms under my belt and we even encountered pirates, once..." His father nodded at that with a grin, it was a fun story, mainly because those pirates weren't exactly the typical run-of-the-mill swashbucklers. "...but I am sure, that you have a lot of cool stories, too!"

[Kuronami]

Kenny smiled slightly.
"I'll try my best to tell you the best of the stories...", he told Billie with a small, shaky smile, "But I think, yours will be thrilling, too. I mean, I have a few storms under my belt and we even encountered pirates, once..." His father nodded at that with a grin, it was a fun story, mainly because those pirates weren't exactly the typical run-of-the-mill swashbucklers. "...but I am sure, that you have a lot of cool stories, too!"

"How bout that," Charlie said amused "Our two little ones have already taken a shine to each other."

"Well great!" Still holding onto his hand Billie natrually began to walk and talk with him. "I reckon' I can tell you somethin' first. Like what brings us all the way here! Cause ya know farmers really don't get to travel much except to take livestock some place or another but it all started a little while ago ya know, a few months ago at the end of the season for us" And just as she had with Waari she told every single detail of the sudden hail storm, finishing up "Ya so that's really it. We always gotta worry 'bout sudden changes in weather like that. All it takes is Mama Nature to just be real ornery like that and a whole seasons of work can be gone. But at least this time it wasn't as bad as sometimes it has been before. Just part of what being a farmer is all about. Once I'm all grown up and got my own farm I'll be doin' the same."

Billie smiled eagerly awaited to see how Kenny would react or reply even sympathy for the hard work and sacrifice her family did was appreciated.

Charlie was blushing a little just how cute her little girl was with the little boy. Far from home but Billie was right at home with her new found friend.

[Mervay]

Filleadh House.
Chris had shrugged when Cel had mentioned her parents' opinion on their relationship. Of course, her father cared a lot for his daughter's well-being - less about the daughter sitting here with a fox in her lap than rather about that daughter called Treoraí Optics.
They would see what would come up to the surface as soon as streams of whiskey would be flowing ...
He took his phone out to check what time it was, to answer Lise's question - but the battery was empty. He would have to recharge it inside ... or just use his portable recharger. Which was inside, too. Damn.
He said, "Well, my family doesn't have any issues with what I'm doing. My parents have actually never given a lot about what I'm doing, as long as I'm getting along somehow." He shrugged again. "Not the best role model, either, but still better than trying to mess stuff up."

Filleadh House.
I smiled at my boyfriend, knowing, what he was thinking.
I still maintain, that there was a heart somewhere in my father, not only for his company, but also for his children, myself included. But that was another story.
With a nod to Lise, I pulled out my pocket watch out of my utility belt, answering her: "It's shortly before ten, the festival will begin in a few minutes, hopefully after Cao comes back, and the whiskey will come out in three hours."
I shrugged.
"Sorry, people, but the traditions need to be observed.", I said, "Besides, it would be rude to break into the bar before everyone is here..."
I was not only talking about Cao.

Devienne noted that Chris was about to answer the question and just to find out that his phone was out of battery. Great.
She just sighed about that very discrete and then she continued hearing the stories of the rest,which in this time was Chris parent's. He said that they didn't cared of what he was doing as long as he was on the good route,that made her think that it looked like she was having parents that truly loved her and were worried about her more than nothing else. But she prefered to keep that for herself.

After that Cel answered the question and she said that it was almost ten and that the festival would begin in minutes. Which was something to be grateful since it would be good to see the begining of it,at least from here.
Then she said that the alcohol would be out in three hours and that they needed to wait for open the bar until everyone was on the house.

"Why I have the feeling that everyone of us will be drunk once we open it" she laughed about it with her mind imagine the moment that the Whiskey is on the table and that the bar is open.

[Lillorainen]

Filleadh House.
I smiled at my boyfriend, knowing, what he was thinking.
I still maintain, that there was a heart somewhere in my father, not only for his company, but also for his children, myself included. But that was another story.
With a nod to Lise, I pulled out my pocket watch out of my utility belt, answering her: "It's shortly before ten, the festival will begin in a few minutes, hopefully after Cao comes back, and the whiskey will come out in three hours."
I shrugged.
"Sorry, people, but the traditions need to be observed.", I said, "Besides, it would be rude to break into the bar before everyone is here..."
I was not only talking about Cao.

Main Street.
The Goat-Rider gave a salute.
"Will try tae, Miss Leverdahl!", he replied and grinned, "Of course, girls aren't shop items, guarantee or not, but boys aren't either! To conquer a heart is a difficult thing tae do for anyone and if yae do it with honesty in your heart, yae not shall need a guarantee... and yae shall grow."
He let a beat pass, looking a bit sheepish, with Marla, Leonard and Eoin looking at him with surprise.
"That's what mah Mam always says.", he added.

Devienne noted that Chris was about to answer the question and just to find out that his phone was out of battery. Great.
She just sighed about that very discrete and then she continued hearing the stories of the rest,which in this time was Chris parent's. He said that they didn't cared of what he was doing as long as he was on the good route,that made her think that it looked like she was having parents that truly loved her and were worried about her more than nothing else. But she prefered to keep that for herself.

After that Cel answered the question and she said that it was almost ten and that the festival would begin in minutes. Which was something to be grateful since it would be good to see the begining of it,at least from here.
Then she said that the alcohol would be out in three hours and that they needed to wait for open the bar until everyone was on the house.

"Why I have the feeling that everyone of us will be drunk once we open it" she laughed about it with her mind imagine the moment that the Whiskey is on the table and that the bar is open.

Filleadh House.
There probably indeed was some heart somewhere in Cel's father for his non-corporate children, too - but digging for it included as much effort as digging for gold ores and missing silver coins, that was for sure ...
She now said that it was a few minutes before ten, and about three hours before the first whiskey would be opened.
Lise was sure everyone would go drunk in that very moment.
Chris nodded, grinning. "And why do I have the feeling that not everyone will be able to stay awake the whole day ... given that we start at one o'clock. Which, contrary to popular belief, is still considered quite an early time of the day in Lillorainen! We don't have alcohol for breakfast ... well, most of us don't, at least." He shrugged, laughing.

Main Street.
Both Fred and Hilda were surprised, too. Such wise words came definitely unexpected ... even if they weren't his own.
Hilda said, "And she's totally right! But I'm sure you're gonna figure that out yourself soon enough. You just need to be patient, wait for the right moment - and of course, wait for the right one."
"Or to be the right one for someone else" - Fred added. "Whatever comes first."
Hilda nodded - 'Miss Leverdal' with an awfully long 'ah' was still a bit surprised how that boy seemed to fully know what he was talking about - not only repeating what he had heard. "Oh, and no need, for anyone here, to call me Miss Leverdal, I'm not applying for a manager job or something. I'm Hilda."
"I'm Fred, for you" - Fred said. "Actually Frederik, but Fred is fine."

[Solisian Union]

Alicia smiled at the polite reception and thanked both the man behind the desk and the young man who would help her. She signed the papers that she was given with the ballpen and returned both of them to the man before handing the young man one of her heavy bags. After that, she received her keys and started to go in the direction that the man behind the desk told her to follow so she could find her room and rest there for a while before moving on to the main event:

The Festival!

[Mervay]

Filleadh House.
There probably indeed was some heart somewhere in Cel's father for his non-corporate children, too - but digging for it included as much effort as digging for gold ores and missing silver coins, that was for sure ...
She now said that it was a few minutes before ten, and about three hours before the first whiskey would be opened.
Lise was sure everyone would go drunk in that very moment.
Chris nodded, grinning. "And why do I have the feeling that not everyone will be able to stay awake the whole day ... given that we start at one o'clock. Which, contrary to popular belief, is still considered quite an early time of the day in Lillorainen! We don't have alcohol for breakfast ... well, most of us don't, at least." He shrugged, laughing.

Chris told her that they wouldn't even be capable of stay awake for the whole day and that in his home 1:00PM was early for them... And that some people drinked some kind of alcohol for breakfast,which made her laugh too.
This meeting with the rest of the guys and come to Shella for see them was the best decision for Lisolette,since it was always good to see old friends and have fun after those tough times in other places around the world.

"I guess that we always find some kind of fun thing for trivia of our homes. And that of an little group of people drinks during breakfast is an fun one" she said still laughing an little until she was tired of it and returned to her normal expression. "Anyways does someone will not take alcohol excepting me,so we can have more people that evades that the group of drunks ends up doing embarassing things. I bet 40 NSD that it will happen"

[San Prospero]

*RETCONNED*

[Camelone]

Bedivere did not exactly know what to say after that, he was not the wisest of men but he is smart enough "I think that is wise and I wish you the most luck in the world." That was all he could think to say in this regard as he himself did not have much, if any, experience with romantic relationships.

Cao smiled slightly, the ears on her head twitching.
"Thank you, Bedivere.", she said and looked over her shoulder to her colt, who was still trotting with them and bearing all of the bags, "He was actually not the first boy to gift me a flower, but he looked so cute. As said..." The ears on her head folded. "...he'll make a girl very happy one day."
She let a beat pass.
"We're nearly there.", she added.

"You are most welcome." Bedivere replied attempting to discern what to do next as he sensed some sadness coming from her but as he did not know all the information he did what he normally did, put it in the back of his mind until more information can be discerned. Though he had the feeling that something must have happened between the two of them for melancholy to take hold of Cao and for he to state that he will make a girl happy one day. Perhaps it would be best to let this drop at the moment and he smiled at the declaration that they are nearing their destination. "Most excellent! I do think we made excellent time due to you."

[The Selkie]

Cao smiled slightly, the ears on her head twitching.
"Thank you, Bedivere.", she said and looked over her shoulder to her colt, who was still trotting with them and bearing all of the bags, "He was actually not the first boy to gift me a flower, but he looked so cute. As said..." The ears on her head folded. "...he'll make a girl very happy one day."
She let a beat pass.
"We're nearly there.", she added.

"You are most welcome." Bedivere replied attempting to discern what to do next as he sensed some sadness coming from her but as he did not know all the information he did what he normally did, put it in the back of his mind until more information can be discerned. Though he had the feeling that something must have happened between the two of them for melancholy to take hold of Cao and for he to state that he will make a girl happy one day. Perhaps it would be best to let this drop at the moment and he smiled at the declaration that they are nearing their destination. "Most excellent! I do think we made excellent time due to you."

Filleadh House.
There probably indeed was some heart somewhere in Cel's father for his non-corporate children, too - but digging for it included as much effort as digging for gold ores and missing silver coins, that was for sure ...
She now said that it was a few minutes before ten, and about three hours before the first whiskey would be opened.
Lise was sure everyone would go drunk in that very moment.
Chris nodded, grinning. "And why do I have the feeling that not everyone will be able to stay awake the whole day ... given that we start at one o'clock. Which, contrary to popular belief, is still considered quite an early time of the day in Lillorainen! We don't have alcohol for breakfast ... well, most of us don't, at least." He shrugged, laughing.

Chris told her that they wouldn't even be capable of stay awake for the whole day and that in his home 1:00PM was early for them... And that some people drinked some kind of alcohol for breakfast,which made her laugh too.
This meeting with the rest of the guys and come to Shella for see them was the best decision for Lisolette,since it was always good to see old friends and have fun after those tough times in other places around the world.

"I guess that we always find some kind of fun thing for trivia of our homes. And that of an little group of people drinks during breakfast is an fun one" she said still laughing an little until she was tired of it and returned to her normal expression. "Anyways does someone will not take alcohol excepting me,so we can have more people that evades that the group of drunks ends up doing embarassing things. I bet 40 NSD that it will happen"

"I think I'll pass on the alcohol too," said Ana. "I'm not sure I can handle a single drop, because I've never had a drink in my life. Will there be juice or something else that doesn't contain alcohol?"

Filleadh House.
Yven and I laughed with the others, Yven beginning to say, that they had non-alcoholic drinks, too, a wide variety of them in fact, as a girl's voice sounded from the porch, speaking in Selkie.
One word, which they would all understand, I knew, was Bedivere, the name of one of our comrades from Purgatio.
Yven heaved a sigh of relief, then got up. "Ladies, gentlemen, if you would please excuse me, I need to go and hug my sis.", he said and dashed off.
A moment passed.
"He loves her dearly.", I told the remaining assembly, grinning, "And she is really likable, you'll meet her in a moment... anyway, Lise, I don't take fools' bets. It is clear, that those, who will drink, will do embarrassing stuff. That's part of the fun!"

A minute before, Cao and Bedivere had approached the house, the young woman smiling.
"Thank you.", she said, "We've been vacationing here since my brother and I were little kids, so I know a few paths not many people know." Then, Filleadh House came into view, the two storey building with an excellent view over Shella. "And here we are... if you'd excuse me for a moment?"
And with that, she raised her voice, calling in Selkie, a language, that sounded a lot like song when spoken normally, called a bit like belting out a song, but pleasant nonetheless.
She spoke of bearing freight for a safe port and bringing a friend along, Bedivere of Camelone's Shores, as she called him.
A moment passed, Cao switching back to English: "You can go around the back, the party's there. As for me..."
That moment, she was nearly bowled over by a young man, who shared some facial features with her, being hugged hard enough to sputter, petting the young man's back.
She threw Bedivere a look, that basically finished her sentence with a hearty: ...well, that.

Main Street.
The Goat-Rider smiled.
"Alright, Miss Hildah, Freddie.", he said and gave both a respectful nod of his head. "Mah Mam will boggle, when she hears, that I met the two of you. She's a horsebreeder herself, as well as a goatbreeder. Not much of a market here on Shella Island, so she mostly sells her colts and fillies to the Archipelago, where the Shella-Ponies are much more in demand."
"Sturdy, hardy little ponies...", Marla said with a nod, "...your Mam breeds them, lad?"
"Aye.", he said with a proud nod.

Alicia smiled at the polite reception and thanked both the man behind the desk and the young man who would help her. She signed the papers that she was given with the ballpen and returned both of them to the man before handing the young man one of her heavy bags. After that, she received her keys and started to go in the direction that the man behind the desk told her to follow so she could find her room and rest there for a while before moving on to the main event:

The Festival!

As the opening of the festival was right around the corner, the last, hectic preparations were made and the Main Square was where most of the people were going to.
Only few people were going into the other direction, the crowd soon becoming a hustle one got sucked in and was never let out again until the crowd dispersed.
But that was unimportant as everyone was left with more then enough room to breathe, people bumping into each other apologizing with short words and sometimes even short bows, fathers lifting kids onto their shoulders so that they could see better.
The Main Square was the place to be.

Kenny smiled slightly.
"I'll try my best to tell you the best of the stories...", he told Billie with a small, shaky smile, "But I think, yours will be thrilling, too. I mean, I have a few storms under my belt and we even encountered pirates, once..." His father nodded at that with a grin, it was a fun story, mainly because those pirates weren't exactly the typical run-of-the-mill swashbucklers. "...but I am sure, that you have a lot of cool stories, too!"

"How bout that," Charlie said amused "Our two little ones have already taken a shine to each other."

"Well great!" Still holding onto his hand Billie natrually began to walk and talk with him. "I reckon' I can tell you somethin' first. Like what brings us all the way here! Cause ya know farmers really don't get to travel much except to take livestock some place or another but it all started a little while ago ya know, a few months ago at the end of the season for us" And just as she had with Waari she told every single detail of the sudden hail storm, finishing up "Ya so that's really it. We always gotta worry 'bout sudden changes in weather like that. All it takes is Mama Nature to just be real ornery like that and a whole seasons of work can be gone. But at least this time it wasn't as bad as sometimes it has been before. Just part of what being a farmer is all about. Once I'm all grown up and got my own farm I'll be doin' the same."

Billie smiled eagerly awaited to see how Kenny would react or reply even sympathy for the hard work and sacrifice her family did was appreciated.

Charlie was blushing a little just how cute her little girl was with the little boy. Far from home but Billie was right at home with her new found friend.

Kenny automatically led them towards the harbour, away from the Main Square, listening to every word with wide-eyed fascination.
"That must have been terrifying.", Kenny said and and shuddered, "Last Hailstorm Dad and I endured was sat out under deck, where we sat and chatted, but it was hardly that scary... or destructive." Said father nodded. "But I'm glad, that you made it out well. Sounds like you need a different kind of bravery then we do, but a lot of it as well!"
His mother looked to Charlie, grinning.

[Kuronami]

Kenny automatically led them towards the harbour, away from the Main Square, listening to every word with wide-eyed fascination.
"That must have been terrifying.", Kenny said and and shuddered, "Last Hailstorm Dad and I endured was sat out under deck, where we sat and chatted, but it was hardly that scary... or destructive." Said father nodded. "But I'm glad, that you made it out well. Sounds like you need a different kind of bravery then we do, but a lot of it as well!"
His mother looked to Charlie, grinning.

"Yeah it was so super scary! We sure do require some good amounts of courage." She nodded in response "Just like y'all when you set out to sea like ya do, we got courage like ya said, even if it's just in our yard. Just as much to worry 'bout at times." she laughed a bit bashful still thinking herself as any braver than Kenny, Kenny who probably went vast distances over big oceans. Billie was sometimes she was all bark and little bite. "Still, I can't lie, I do get plenty scared at times when we get some big angry storms 'round our little farm. But long as I got my mama and my papa with me, I'm always okay!"


Charlie chuckled just a little turning along to Asteria, "Frankly that's not the worst we've ever faced but Billie always gets excited any big event that happens to us not to mention it's not often we get to see many people outside our little town where folks have to put up with the same challenges we do. Still she's her father's daughter through and through."

"Aha yup that's my little girl for you, born to be a farmer just like her pa. Charlie rather married into it when she chose me."

"Well I don't regret a single day of it, Jamie." She kissed his cheek while holding tight to his hand. "I agree too, I think Billie will be a great farmer herself. And I reckon' your Kenny will be a great fisherman. He's learning from his pa."

[Mediama]

"It's not a game.", Liv corrected, gently, "It's a tournament of swordsmen, of skill and strength and, quite honestly, luck. Of course, they fight with blunted swords, but it's still interesting to watch."
She let a small beat pass, noting how tired Katherine looked... and how embarrassed as well. She also noted, how she closed her legs... but didn't think about it further.
"In any case, I'm free to hang out a bit, though the other girls might join as well.", Liv said with a small smile.

Katherine blushed in embarrassment, “Oh, so it’s like a fencing tournament? Sorry, I’m just not kinda familiar with all of this.” When she heard Live mention about some of the other girls possibly joining in as well she smiled and said, “That’s alright, unless you’re afraid it might get in the way of anything, I’m sure some of my classmates are just as interested in your class as they are.” She smiled and leaned in closer “Some more than others.”

[Lillorainen]

Filleadh House.
Yven and I laughed with the others, Yven beginning to say, that they had non-alcoholic drinks, too, a wide variety of them in fact, as a girl's voice sounded from the porch, speaking in Selkie.
One word, which they would all understand, I knew, was Bedivere, the name of one of our comrades from Purgatio.
Yven heaved a sigh of relief, then got up. "Ladies, gentlemen, if you would please excuse me, I need to go and hug my sis.", he said and dashed off.
A moment passed.
"He loves her dearly.", I told the remaining assembly, grinning, "And she is really likable, you'll meet her in a moment... anyway, Lise, I don't take fools' bets. It is clear, that those, who will drink, will do embarrassing stuff. That's part of the fun!"

A minute before, Cao and Bedivere had approached the house, the young woman smiling.
"Thank you.", she said, "We've been vacationing here since my brother and I were little kids, so I know a few paths not many people know." Then, Filleadh House came into view, the two storey building with an excellent view over Shella. "And here we are... if you'd excuse me for a moment?"
And with that, she raised her voice, calling in Selkie, a language, that sounded a lot like song when spoken normally, called a bit like belting out a song, but pleasant nonetheless.
She spoke of bearing freight for a safe port and bringing a friend along, Bedivere of Camelone's Shores, as she called him.
A moment passed, Cao switching back to English: "You can go around the back, the party's there. As for me..."
That moment, she was nearly bowled over by a young man, who shared some facial features with her, being hugged hard enough to sputter, petting the young man's back.
She threw Bedivere a look, that basically finished her sentence with a hearty: ...well, that.

Main Street.
The Goat-Rider smiled.
"Alright, Miss Hildah, Freddie.", he said and gave both a respectful nod of his head. "Mah Mam will boggle, when she hears, that I met the two of you. She's a horsebreeder herself, as well as a goatbreeder. Not much of a market here on Shella Island, so she mostly sells her colts and fillies to the Archipelago, where the Shella-Ponies are much more in demand."
"Sturdy, hardy little ponies...", Marla said with a nod, "...your Mam breeds them, lad?"
"Aye.", he said with a proud nod.

Filleadh House.
Chris would definitely have some whiskey later on, that was for sure. He preferred not to accept the bet, either - embarrassing stuff always happens whenever alcohol is involved.
From the front of the house, a female voice, which Chris instantly identified as Cao's, announced, in Selkie-language, that Bedivere was here, as Chris figured from the Camelonean lad's name being mentioned, as well as from the words he understood from the language - which, indeed, wasn't as foreign to him anymore as months ago. In fact, he mostly got the essentials of what someone said in Selkie, while he still needed to work at his own speaking, given how complicated it was - but the same went for Low German, which to learn was hard even for speakers of Standard German, and Lillos were extremely proud speakers of their Platt variants ...
Yven got up, announcing that he had to hug someone.
Chris now said, "And those who prefer to stay sober won't die of thirst, either, no worries!"

Main Street.
Hilda grinned.
"We have quite a couple of special breedings back home, too" - she said. "Some of them are even capable of the Tölt, a gait of short, fast steps, which, contrary to popular belief, is not only inherent to Icelanders after it got bred away with most continental races - a few breedings from the Lillöer-Archipelago still have that, too, especially in Lillöer-State, which doesn't have much tradition of equestrian warfare, compared with the Elverholm-States in the West. The Lillöer-Equestrian Association, or LEA for short, regularly holds breeders' public congresses open for anyone interested - I bet yor Mam would quite have fun attending one."
Fred grinned. "Which, of course, has totally no influence on the choice for our family vacations."
"Not as much as mountain lakes and apple wine" - Hilda said.

[Camelone]

"You are most welcome." Bedivere replied attempting to discern what to do next as he sensed some sadness coming from her but as he did not know all the information he did what he normally did, put it in the back of his mind until more information can be discerned. Though he had the feeling that something must have happened between the two of them for melancholy to take hold of Cao and for he to state that he will make a girl happy one day. Perhaps it would be best to let this drop at the moment and he smiled at the declaration that they are nearing their destination. "Most excellent! I do think we made excellent time due to you."

Filleadh House.
Yven and I laughed with the others, Yven beginning to say, that they had non-alcoholic drinks, too, a wide variety of them in fact, as a girl's voice sounded from the porch, speaking in Selkie.
One word, which they would all understand, I knew, was Bedivere, the name of one of our comrades from Purgatio.
Yven heaved a sigh of relief, then got up. "Ladies, gentlemen, if you would please excuse me, I need to go and hug my sis.", he said and dashed off.
A moment passed.
"He loves her dearly.", I told the remaining assembly, grinning, "And she is really likable, you'll meet her in a moment... anyway, Lise, I don't take fools' bets. It is clear, that those, who will drink, will do embarrassing stuff. That's part of the fun!"

A minute before, Cao and Bedivere had approached the house, the young woman smiling.
"Thank you.", she said, "We've been vacationing here since my brother and I were little kids, so I know a few paths not many people know." Then, Filleadh House came into view, the two storey building with an excellent view over Shella. "And here we are... if you'd excuse me for a moment?"
And with that, she raised her voice, calling in Selkie, a language, that sounded a lot like song when spoken normally, called a bit like belting out a song, but pleasant nonetheless.
She spoke of bearing freight for a safe port and bringing a friend along, Bedivere of Camelone's Shores, as she called him.
A moment passed, Cao switching back to English: "You can go around the back, the party's there. As for me..."
That moment, she was nearly bowled over by a young man, who shared some facial features with her, being hugged hard enough to sputter, petting the young man's back.
She threw Bedivere a look, that basically finished her sentence with a hearty: ...well, that.

Bedivere could not help but smile at the display of sibling love and bowed his head in both thanks and respect before walking around back to see everyone he had not seen since that little adventure in Purgatio. He wondered what the rest had been up to since they last saw each other and if they changed at all like he had. It really will be good to see everyone once again and to catch up with others, perhaps this time around he will actually form some bonds as when he had left them he felt like he never really did anything memorable with the rest. Stepping foot in the back Bedivere smiled and gave a sheepish wave of his shillelagh as he gently set down his bag a little off to the side.

"Good day to you all." Was all he said as he looked around to gauge the reaction. He actually was wondering how they would react that he was not in his uniform for once, probably would just remark on it in joke if at all.

[Solisian Union]

As the opening of the festival was right around the corner, the last, hectic preparations were made and the Main Square was where most of the people were going to.
Only few people were going into the other direction, the crowd soon becoming a hustle one got sucked in and was never let out again until the crowd dispersed.
But that was unimportant as everyone was left with more then enough room to breathe, people bumping into each other apologizing with short words and sometimes even short bows, fathers lifting kids onto their shoulders so that they could see better.
The Main Square was the place to be.

Out there, Alicia thrived. She didn't care if there was a crowd like this but she was amazed at how polite people were. She was happy to be out finally after a bit of rest and preparation. Out there, she started to look for her story, with the help of her camera and the rest of her equipment. She was happy too that she was alone. She didn't want a whole crew out with her and for once, this was hers not anyone else's.

On the other hand, she hoped that if she met someone nice or interesting or BOTH...then she could get a local friend who'd help her around this place!

[The Selkie]

Kenny automatically led them towards the harbour, away from the Main Square, listening to every word with wide-eyed fascination.
"That must have been terrifying.", Kenny said and and shuddered, "Last Hailstorm Dad and I endured was sat out under deck, where we sat and chatted, but it was hardly that scary... or destructive." Said father nodded. "But I'm glad, that you made it out well. Sounds like you need a different kind of bravery then we do, but a lot of it as well!"
His mother looked to Charlie, grinning.

"Yeah it was so super scary! We sure do require some good amounts of courage." She nodded in response "Just like y'all when you set out to sea like ya do, we got courage like ya said, even if it's just in our yard. Just as much to worry 'bout at times." she laughed a bit bashful still thinking herself as any braver than Kenny, Kenny who probably went vast distances over big oceans. Billie was sometimes she was all bark and little bite. "Still, I can't lie, I do get plenty scared at times when we get some big angry storms 'round our little farm. But long as I got my mama and my papa with me, I'm always okay!"


Charlie chuckled just a little turning along to Asteria, "Frankly that's not the worst we've ever faced but Billie always gets excited any big event that happens to us not to mention it's not often we get to see many people outside our little town where folks have to put up with the same challenges we do. Still she's her father's daughter through and through."

"Aha yup that's my little girl for you, born to be a farmer just like her pa. Charlie rather married into it when she chose me."

"Well I don't regret a single day of it, Jamie." She kissed his cheek while holding tight to his hand. "I agree too, I think Billie will be a great farmer herself. And I reckon' your Kenny will be a great fisherman. He's learning from his pa."

"That he does... though your story sounds awfully familiar, though.", Áed said with a grin, turning to his wife.
"Indeed.", she said and smiled slightly, "I got to know this dork inas a Priestess, as I was a Priestess of Lodan Lir, before I married and got a wonderful boy." Kenny almost preened at that. "Now I serve Him as a Prioress. And I don't regret anything of it either."
The squeeze she got on both hands told her, that her family saw it similarly.
"I do know two lads, though, who always get excited, when they see big vessels at sea.", Asteria continued, grinning, which made her husband and her son laugh sheepishly. "Especially in our remote corner of the Archipelago... I would lie, though, if I said, that I didn't get excited as well. I do get excited, especially, when we see familiar hulls."
"We even got invited onto some of these ships already!", Kenny said with pride, "Mom and I spent an afternoon aboard the Trosc!"
"That one was a lot of fun. I even got to introduce the lads aboard to a bit of Archipelago Home Cooking.", Asteria said.

Katherine blushed in embarrassment, “Oh, so it’s like a fencing tournament? Sorry, I’m just not kinda familiar with all of this.” When she heard Live mention about some of the other girls possibly joining in as well she smiled and said, “That’s alright, unless you’re afraid it might get in the way of anything, I’m sure some of my classmates are just as interested in your class as they are.” She smiled and leaned in closer “Some more than others.”

Liv grinned and nodded.
"Sure, let's all hang out a bit before your tour continues!", she said and thought to herself, that Katherine could be unfamiliar with tournaments as much as she wanted, the important part was, that she seemed willing to learn. And that appeared to be the case. "The wonderful thing about exchanges and trips is, that we get to learn and to see other places... and to meet other people."

As the opening of the festival was right around the corner, the last, hectic preparations were made and the Main Square was where most of the people were going to.
Only few people were going into the other direction, the crowd soon becoming a hustle one got sucked in and was never let out again until the crowd dispersed.
But that was unimportant as everyone was left with more then enough room to breathe, people bumping into each other apologizing with short words and sometimes even short bows, fathers lifting kids onto their shoulders so that they could see better.
The Main Square was the place to be.

Out there, Alicia thrived. She didn't care if there was a crowd like this but she was amazed at how polite people were. She was happy to be out finally after a bit of rest and preparation. Out there, she started to look for her story, with the help of her camera and the rest of her equipment. She was happy too that she was alone. She didn't want a whole crew out with her and for once, this was hers not anyone else's.

On the other hand, she hoped that if she met someone nice or interesting or BOTH...then she could get a local friend who'd help her around this place!

Someone bumped into Alicia from behind, immediately followed by a string of words: "Oh, I'm sorry, Miss, everything alright? Here, lemme help you!"
That someone turned out to be a young man, almost still a boy, in fact, with a large camera on the strap around his neck. A mop of brown-blonde hair crowned his head, green eyes sparkled.
One could believe, that he was not a Selkie, for he didn't wear Geansai, but instead a green jacket and jeans, but he indeed was a Selkie as his accent revealed. Dropped vowels and rolling Rs, as typical for the Mainland.
He offered a hand to Alicia to help her up.

Main Street.
Hilda grinned.
"We have quite a couple of special breedings back home, too" - she said. "Some of them are even capable of the Tölt, a gait of short, fast steps, which, contrary to popular belief, is not only inherent to Icelanders after it got bred away with most continental races - a few breedings from the Lillöer-Archipelago still have that, too, especially in Lillöer-State, which doesn't have much tradition of equestrian warfare, compared with the Elverholm-States in the West. The Lillöer-Equestrian Association, or LEA for short, regularly holds breeders' public congresses open for anyone interested - I bet yor Mam would quite have fun attending one."
Fred grinned. "Which, of course, has totally no influence on the choice for our family vacations."
"Not as much as mountain lakes and apple wine" - Hilda said.

Main Street.
The three Selkie laughed heartily at the dry comment.
When the boy had finished, he added with a grin: "I'll tell me Mam, Miss Hildah!", he said, then, his grin diminished slightly. "I have tae go now, Mam needs me before the Festival starts!" He let a beat pass. "Have fun, everyone!"
"You as well, lad.", Leonard replied and reached over to ruffle the lad's hair, "And practice with that bow of yours!"
"Will do!", the boy replied with a grin.

Filleadh House.
Chris would definitely have some whiskey later on, that was for sure. He preferred not to accept the bet, either - embarrassing stuff always happens whenever alcohol is involved.
From the front of the house, a female voice, which Chris instantly identified as Cao's, announced, in Selkie-language, that Bedivere was here, as Chris figured from the Camelonean lad's name being mentioned, as well as from the words he understood from the language - which, indeed, wasn't as foreign to him anymore as months ago. In fact, he mostly got the essentials of what someone said in Selkie, while he still needed to work at his own speaking, given how complicated it was - but the same went for Low German, which to learn was hard even for speakers of Standard German, and Lillos were extremely proud speakers of their Platt variants ...
Yven got up, announcing that he had to hug someone.
Chris now said, "And those who prefer to stay sober won't die of thirst, either, no worries!"

Bedivere could not help but smile at the display of sibling love and bowed his head in both thanks and respect before walking around back to see everyone he had not seen since that little adventure in Purgatio. He wondered what the rest had been up to since they last saw each other and if they changed at all like he had. It really will be good to see everyone once again and to catch up with others, perhaps this time around he will actually form some bonds as when he had left them he felt like he never really did anything memorable with the rest. Stepping foot in the back Bedivere smiled and gave a sheepish wave of his shillelagh as he gently set down his bag a little off to the side.

"Good day to you all." Was all he said as he looked around to gauge the reaction. He actually was wondering how they would react that he was not in his uniform for once, probably would just remark on it in joke if at all.

Filleadh House.
I smiled at Chris, nodding at his words - he was right, no one here would die of thirst and although we could not meet all particular drink wishes, we had enough non-alcoholic stuff on hand to satisfy most, if not all needs in that regard.
Who did and who didn't want to drink was fine by me, I knew, that not everyone was allowed or willing to, but better say beforehand, before there were misunderstandings. Plus, they missed out on a perfectly good alibi.
As Bedivere came around the corner, I grinned and rose.
I did note, that he was not wearing that uniform of his, but also carrying a walking stick and what I assumed were his bags. He looked sheepish.
"Good day to you all.", he greeted.
I replied: "And a better one tae ye, Bedivere!", I said and nodded to Chris, excusing me for a moment as I stepped to him and gave him a friendly hug - friendly, as in between friends, comrades, who had not seen each other for quite a while, nothing more. "It's good to see you, pal! Come, join us, we have much of the old crew together!"
I let him go and stepped back, motioning for him to follow me into the circle of the Purgatio-Group.
"Wanna have a lemonade?", I asked, "Alcohol is open after midday, so that still takes a while!"

[Kuronami]

"That he does... though your story sounds awfully familiar, though.", Áed said with a grin, turning to his wife.
"Indeed.", she said and smiled slightly, "I got to know this dork inas a Priestess, as I was a Priestess of Lodan Lir, before I married and got a wonderful boy." Kenny almost preened at that. "Now I serve Him as a Prioress. And I don't regret anything of it either."
The squeeze she got on both hands told her, that her family saw it similarly.
"I do know two lads, though, who always get excited, when they see big vessels at sea.", Asteria continued, grinning, which made her husband and her son laugh sheepishly. "Especially in our remote corner of the Archipelago... I would lie, though, if I said, that I didn't get excited as well. I do get excited, especially, when we see familiar hulls."
"We even got invited onto some of these ships already!", Kenny said with pride, "Mom and I spent an afternoon aboard the Trosc!"
"That one was a lot of fun. I even got to introduce the lads aboard to a bit of Archipelago Home Cooking.", Asteria said.

"That's very sweet." Charlie held her cheeks warm "We met in the military. Though he was actually my CO. But I told him if we start dating you better not take it easy on me! I don't come from a farming family like Jamie but I'm no stranger to working hard. I told him to be tougher on me even. No favoritism in our regiment."

"Charlie was tough as nails then as she is now. If I ever felt bad about making sure I was tougher on her she'd threaten to break up with me. Once our service was finished we married and well now we have our little Billie girl there."

"Must be somethin' worth getting excited over." Billie smiled at Kenny "Just like seeing a cow getting a young little calf. Oooh I can't believe I nearly forgot 'bout that! It was a few weeks after the storm our cow gave birth to a calf! So somethin' really to lift our spirits after taking a set back like that! Right papa?"

"That's right my little piglet."

She giggle "Oh papa! He always has silly names for me. You must see lots of folks from all over huh? Lots of sailors coming in and out?"

[Lillorainen]

Main Street.
The three Selkie laughed heartily at the dry comment.
When the boy had finished, he added with a grin: "I'll tell me Mam, Miss Hildah!", he said, then, his grin diminished slightly. "I have tae go now, Mam needs me before the Festival starts!" He let a beat pass. "Have fun, everyone!"
"You as well, lad.", Leonard replied and reached over to ruffle the lad's hair, "And practice with that bow of yours!"
"Will do!", the boy replied with a grin.

Bedivere could not help but smile at the display of sibling love and bowed his head in both thanks and respect before walking around back to see everyone he had not seen since that little adventure in Purgatio. He wondered what the rest had been up to since they last saw each other and if they changed at all like he had. It really will be good to see everyone once again and to catch up with others, perhaps this time around he will actually form some bonds as when he had left them he felt like he never really did anything memorable with the rest. Stepping foot in the back Bedivere smiled and gave a sheepish wave of his shillelagh as he gently set down his bag a little off to the side.

"Good day to you all." Was all he said as he looked around to gauge the reaction. He actually was wondering how they would react that he was not in his uniform for once, probably would just remark on it in joke if at all.

Filleadh House.
I smiled at Chris, nodding at his words - he was right, no one here would die of thirst and although we could not meet all particular drink wishes, we had enough non-alcoholic stuff on hand to satisfy most, if not all needs in that regard.
Who did and who didn't want to drink was fine by me, I knew, that not everyone was allowed or willing to, but better say beforehand, before there were misunderstandings. Plus, they missed out on a perfectly good alibi.
As Bedivere came around the corner, I grinned and rose.
I did note, that he was not wearing that uniform of his, but also carrying a walking stick and what I assumed were his bags. He looked sheepish.
"Good day to you all.", he greeted.
I replied: "And a better one tae ye, Bedivere!", I said and nodded to Chris, excusing me for a moment as I stepped to him and gave him a friendly hug - friendly, as in between friends, comrades, who had not seen each other for quite a while, nothing more. "It's good to see you, pal! Come, join us, we have much of the old crew together!"
I let him go and stepped back, motioning for him to follow me into the circle of the Purgatio-Group.
"Wanna have a lemonade?", I asked, "Alcohol is open after midday, so that still takes a while!"

Filleadh House
When Bedivere came around the corner, Chris was surprised - he did not wear his uniform.
He greeted, a bit sheepishly, making Cel rise to go over, hugging him.
"Hello! Long time no see!" - Chris greeted back. "How're you doing?"
Cel stepped back again, motioning him to follow her into the group of PIA-veterans, asking him whether he wanted a lemonade.
Chris was still - positively - surprised that Bedivere Callaghan indeed had shown up, considering how little he had been around within their group back then in Purgatio. But maybe, next to his general attitude, it had also been that awkward atmosphere in the academy. Chris remembered that he had been a bit more hesitant in the beginning, too.

Main Street
When everyone had finished laughing, the young lad announced that he had to leave now.
"Have you fun, too!" - Hilda said when he told them to have fun later on.
Leonard ruffled the boy's hair, telling him to practice with his bow, which he announced to do.
Fred had to grin. He said to Hilda, in a low voice so the boy wouldn't hear it any more, "I think you're gonna have a fan club in here soon."

[Mervay]

Filleadh House
Another person appeared and this time it was someone that Lise didn't expected to truly appear. Bedivere Callaghan and this time he wasn't wearing his military uniform, the Camelonean was sure an surprise to everyone.
Considering the fact that the hosts of the party never expected his come, well first things first for Devienne, she went and greeted him too.

"I never expected you to appear here Callaghan. It's nice to see you" Devienne says as she forgot to present herself just in case. "Hope you remember me. I'm Lisolette Devienne, you know the girl from Mervay and the one that always went with her violin on hand to every place during the program, hehe".

Truth to be told she expected him to don't remember her since like most of them they didn't talked so much and most of her time either Lise was with the group or with Svala or alone.

[Prussian Polish Commonwealth]

Irene waved cheerfully. "Morning, Bedivere!"
Marie simply waved shyly.
Karl leaned back. "Anything happen, and why are you not wearing your uniform?"
OOC: I know, too-short post. But I don't have much time or will to write a longer one.

[San Prospero]

*RETCONNED*

[Solisian Union]

Someone bumped into Alicia from behind, immediately followed by a string of words: "Oh, I'm sorry, Miss, everything alright? Here, lemme help you!"
That someone turned out to be a young man, almost still a boy, in fact, with a large camera on the strap around his neck. A mop of brown-blonde hair crowned his head, green eyes sparkled.
One could believe, that he was not a Selkie, for he didn't wear Geansai, but instead a green jacket and jeans, but he indeed was a Selkie as his accent revealed. Dropped vowels and rolling Rs, as typical for the Mainland.
He offered a hand to Alicia to help her up.

Alicia was at first surprised and turned around sharply. But she was calmed by the apology and when she saw him, the young man with a camera, good hair and green eyes...Alicia was captivated but not for long. She smiled politely and said "Ah, it's all right. I'm sorry about that. Are you a journalist too?"

She then waited for his answer as she looked at him and everything else that he might have. She was curious to see that he did not wear a Geansai but accepted him as he was. A Selkie.

[Mediama]

Liv grinned and nodded.
"Sure, let's all hang out a bit before your tour continues!", she said and thought to herself, that Katherine could be unfamiliar with tournaments as much as she wanted, the important part was, that she seemed willing to learn. And that appeared to be the case. "The wonderful thing about exchanges and trips is, that we get to learn and to see other places... and to meet other people."

Katherine smiled, and hesitantly offered her hand so that Liv could take her somewhere. Meanwhile, the two school groups had followed Katherine’s example and began to mingle with each other, with the occasional loner or couple standing off towards the balcony. Taking in the sights and taking pictures, some of them of sights, some of them of people, some of them of group photos with the view right behind them.

All in all, it seemed like everyone was getting along, all as Katherine had nervously offered her hand out to Liv, waiting for her to see whether or not she would accept it.

[Camelone]

"Yes please for the lemonade my friend." Bedivere replied to the offer as he followed Cel into the group. "It has a been a great while since I have seen any of you and I am glad to see that you are more or less fine by my casual observations." He rambled a bit before he turned to Chris to address him "Indeed it has been a long time. I am..." Bedivere thought about what exactly he was feeling "Different... different but fine." He was not exaggerating either he definitely felt different due to what had happened when he was off viking.

It seemed that a good part of the Purgatio group had decided to take up the invitation as well. Bedivere smiled at Lisolette when she approached and bowed his head slightly to address her "Of course I remember you. It is a pleasure to be acquainted with you once more Miss Devienne." Turning to the Prussian Polish trio he spoke to them as well, a little surprised to be so engaged so quickly. "Ah yes well I am not on duty at the moment so civilians were recommended, nothing all that special to be honest." Which was mostly true, he probably should be wearing his spurs, white sash, and golden chain but he did not wish to come off as pompous and prideful of his new station in life.

"Ah yes I remember that. A pleasure to be acquainted with you once more." Bedivere said addressing Ana and with that everyone was spoken to and he started to think of what to say next. "So what were you doing before I arrived?" He asked to get the attention off of himself.

[The Selkie]

"Yes please for the lemonade my friend." Bedivere replied to the offer as he followed Cel into the group. "It has a been a great while since I have seen any of you and I am glad to see that you are more or less fine by my casual observations." He rambled a bit before he turned to Chris to address him "Indeed it has been a long time. I am..." Bedivere thought about what exactly he was feeling "Different... different but fine." He was not exaggerating either he definitely felt different due to what had happened when he was off viking.

It seemed that a good part of the Purgatio group had decided to take up the invitation as well. Bedivere smiled at Lisolette when she approached and bowed his head slightly to address her "Of course I remember you. It is a pleasure to be acquainted with you once more Miss Devienne." Turning to the Prussian Polish trio he spoke to them as well, a little surprised to be so engaged so quickly. "Ah yes well I am not on duty at the moment so civilians were recommended, nothing all that special to be honest." Which was mostly true, he probably should be wearing his spurs, white sash, and golden chain but he did not wish to come off as pompous and prideful of his new station in life.

"Ah yes I remember that. A pleasure to be acquainted with you once more." Bedivere said addressing Ana and with that everyone was spoken to and he started to think of what to say next. "So what were you doing before I arrived?" He asked to get the attention off of himself.

Filleadh House.
I was glad, that everything was going so well with all of us and with the others arriving.
It was good to see everyone again, I thought as I fetched a bottle of cooled lemonade and a garden chair, putting it into our circle and handing the bottle to the young man.
"Have a seat and be careful - that one is a teeth-destroyer!", I warned him with a grin before I returned to Chris' side, "As for what we had been doing, mostly chatting and waiting for the Festival to begin. And we watched young love bloom..."
The last part was added into the direction of Marie, who's other half was still hugging the living daylights out of his sister.

[...]

Main Street
When everyone had finished laughing, the young lad announced that he had to leave now.
"Have you fun, too!" - Hilda said when he told them to have fun later on.
Leonard ruffled the boy's hair, telling him to practice with his bow, which he announced to do.
Fred had to grin. He said to Hilda, in a low voice so the boy wouldn't hear it any more, "I think you're gonna have a fan club in here soon."

Main Street.
With the boy departing, head held high and with pride on goat-back, Fred commented something to his sister - Leonard, without sharp ears missed it, but Marla did not.
The bluenette leaned over and spoke in a low voice: "She already has, actually.", she said with a grin, "Ever since you won that one time, some people and the Magazine have been following your exploits. Not as regularly as mine or Leonard's, but they do report from time to time."

"That he does... though your story sounds awfully familiar, though.", Áed said with a grin, turning to his wife.
"Indeed.", she said and smiled slightly, "I got to know this dork inas a Priestess, as I was a Priestess of Lodan Lir, before I married and got a wonderful boy." Kenny almost preened at that. "Now I serve Him as a Prioress. And I don't regret anything of it either."
The squeeze she got on both hands told her, that her family saw it similarly.
"I do know two lads, though, who always get excited, when they see big vessels at sea.", Asteria continued, grinning, which made her husband and her son laugh sheepishly. "Especially in our remote corner of the Archipelago... I would lie, though, if I said, that I didn't get excited as well. I do get excited, especially, when we see familiar hulls."
"We even got invited onto some of these ships already!", Kenny said with pride, "Mom and I spent an afternoon aboard the Trosc!"
"That one was a lot of fun. I even got to introduce the lads aboard to a bit of Archipelago Home Cooking.", Asteria said.

"That's very sweet." Charlie held her cheeks warm "We met in the military. Though he was actually my CO. But I told him if we start dating you better not take it easy on me! I don't come from a farming family like Jamie but I'm no stranger to working hard. I told him to be tougher on me even. No favoritism in our regiment."

"Charlie was tough as nails then as she is now. If I ever felt bad about making sure I was tougher on her she'd threaten to break up with me. Once our service was finished we married and well now we have our little Billie girl there."

"Must be somethin' worth getting excited over." Billie smiled at Kenny "Just like seeing a cow getting a young little calf. Oooh I can't believe I nearly forgot 'bout that! It was a few weeks after the storm our cow gave birth to a calf! So somethin' really to lift our spirits after taking a set back like that! Right papa?"

"That's right my little piglet."

She giggle "Oh papa! He always has silly names for me. You must see lots of folks from all over huh? Lots of sailors coming in and out?"

"We are actually not operating from a large harbour, but from a very small one. Only a few ships present there, the Flying Merchantman comes around once every week.", Kenny told Billie with a smile, "So we don't see many sailors from outside, but if a large vessel docks or just passes on the horizon, it's awesome!"
"So, a calf had been born.", Áed said smiling, "That is wonderful to hear - life always continues, even after the most fearsome storms."
They came closer and closer to the harbour.

Someone bumped into Alicia from behind, immediately followed by a string of words: "Oh, I'm sorry, Miss, everything alright? Here, lemme help you!"
That someone turned out to be a young man, almost still a boy, in fact, with a large camera on the strap around his neck. A mop of brown-blonde hair crowned his head, green eyes sparkled.
One could believe, that he was not a Selkie, for he didn't wear Geansai, but instead a green jacket and jeans, but he indeed was a Selkie as his accent revealed. Dropped vowels and rolling Rs, as typical for the Mainland.
He offered a hand to Alicia to help her up.

Alicia was at first surprised and turned around sharply. But she was calmed by the apology and when she saw him, the young man with a camera, good hair and green eyes...Alicia was captivated but not for long. She smiled politely and said "Ah, it's all right. I'm sorry about that. Are you a journalist too?"

She then waited for his answer as she looked at him and everything else that he might have. She was curious to see that he did not wear a Geansai but accepted him as he was. A Selkie.

The young man smiled a bit sheepish.
"I wouldn't go that far, Ma'am.", he said, blushing, "I'm a hobby-photographer and occassionally write for my student newspaper... providing the images myself. I write travel reports as I travel around a lot..."
He smiled.
"So, I take, that you are a professional journalist, Ma'am?", he asked.

Liv grinned and nodded.
"Sure, let's all hang out a bit before your tour continues!", she said and thought to herself, that Katherine could be unfamiliar with tournaments as much as she wanted, the important part was, that she seemed willing to learn. And that appeared to be the case. "The wonderful thing about exchanges and trips is, that we get to learn and to see other places... and to meet other people."

Katherine smiled, and hesitantly offered her hand so that Liv could take her somewhere. Meanwhile, the two school groups had followed Katherine’s example and began to mingle with each other, with the occasional loner or couple standing off towards the balcony. Taking in the sights and taking pictures, some of them of sights, some of them of people, some of them of group photos with the view right behind them.

All in all, it seemed like everyone was getting along, all as Katherine had nervously offered her hand out to Liv, waiting for her to see whether or not she would accept it.

Liv smiled as she took Katherine's hand and motioned her to follow her.
"Come, I'll introduce you to a few mates of mine!", she said and pulled her along, toward three other girls, all three in the same school uniforms as Liv. One was a blonde, taller then Liv, but less well-endowed, her blue eyes of an icy blue, shining at the world. The next was a redhead, who was quite well-muscled, with the sort of loud and booming laugh, that made people think of acoustic weaponry, when she laughed. The last was a bit of a mousy girl, cute-looking with her glasses and the long, black hair, blue eyes shining behind her glasses.
Liv called: "Asteria, Lesley, Meave!" All three looked up, towards them, especially at Katherine, then back to Liv. "Thought I lost ya lot! Oh, this is Katy."

[Mervay]

"Yes please for the lemonade my friend." Bedivere replied to the offer as he followed Cel into the group. "It has a been a great while since I have seen any of you and I am glad to see that you are more or less fine by my casual observations." He rambled a bit before he turned to Chris to address him "Indeed it has been a long time. I am..." Bedivere thought about what exactly he was feeling "Different... different but fine." He was not exaggerating either he definitely felt different due to what had happened when he was off viking.

It seemed that a good part of the Purgatio group had decided to take up the invitation as well. Bedivere smiled at Lisolette when she approached and bowed his head slightly to address her "Of course I remember you. It is a pleasure to be acquainted with you once more Miss Devienne." Turning to the Prussian Polish trio he spoke to them as well, a little surprised to be so engaged so quickly. "Ah yes well I am not on duty at the moment so civilians were recommended, nothing all that special to be honest." Which was mostly true, he probably should be wearing his spurs, white sash, and golden chain but he did not wish to come off as pompous and prideful of his new station in life.

"Ah yes I remember that. A pleasure to be acquainted with you once more." Bedivere said addressing Ana and with that everyone was spoken to and he started to think of what to say next. "So what were you doing before I arrived?" He asked to get the attention off of himself.

Filleadh House.
I was glad, that everything was going so well with all of us and with the others arriving.
It was good to see everyone again, I thought as I fetched a bottle of cooled lemonade and a garden chair, putting it into our circle and handing the bottle to the young man.
"Have a seat and be careful - that one is a teeth-destroyer!", I warned him with a grin before I returned to Chris' side, "As for what we had been doing, mostly chatting and waiting for the Festival to begin. And we watched young love bloom..."
The last part was added into the direction of Marie, who's other half was still hugging the living daylights out of his sister.

Bedivere bowed to Lise and told her that it was an pleasure to be with her again in an very formal manner, which made her laugh an little.

"Please just call me Lise, after all we are between friends here and so there is no need for formalities" Lise said as she turned to see him going to talk with the rest.
She bet that with him here and considering his looks, he would surely find someone who will be the one he loved. Of course that just Lise thoughts since it looked that this party would be like one in where couples will appear.

Meanwhile, Cel told him about the events that happened during the time and so those were the small talk about their expiriences after the PIA, Romance and the little dance made by Lise and with an great help from Ana singing.

"Don't forget Ana and I interpretating Por Una Cabeza and the small dance" Lise said poiting that little fact out, sure it could be annoying but better be more complete. "Anyways I believe that everyone is here, so Celina what do you say. Shall we begin our little festival here??