Of Cats and Foxes in the Land of Horses (Closed)

[The Selkie]

Naturally, Vershenov placed several worst-case scenarios through his head as he stood up, putting his hands behind his back in a military manner while he followed them out the door.

Mona was in the lead, by bidding of the Lady of the House, who fell back to walk alongside Vershenov.
"Don't worry, Commander.", she whispered to him, "Just because you will be in a room with four female Selkie in nothing but their bathing robes, I doubt, that anything will happen, which would compromise anyone's honour, at all."
She grinned.
"And if there is an unwanted, real pass at someone, I will make it very clear, that such things don't happen in my salon or my house." She had a vicious glint in her eyes. "You can be assured of that."

[Krugeristan]

Naturally, Vershenov placed several worst-case scenarios through his head as he stood up, putting his hands behind his back in a military manner while he followed them out the door.

Mona was in the lead, by bidding of the Lady of the House, who fell back to walk alongside Vershenov.
"Don't worry, Commander.", she whispered to him, "Just because you will be in a room with four female Selkie in nothing but their bathing robes, I doubt, that anything will happen, which would compromise anyone's honour, at all."
She grinned.
"And if there is an unwanted, real pass at someone, I will make it very clear, that such things don't happen in my salon or my house." She had a vicious glint in her eyes. "You can be assured of that."

"Wonderful," Vershenov said. "Now, please, tell me what exactly is going on? This isn't a petty problem about hair or something like that, is it?"

[The Selkie]

"Wonderful," Vershenov said. "Now, please, tell me what exactly is going on? This isn't a petty problem about hair or something like that, is it?"

Gwen smiled sadly, looking forward as Mona turned to the stairs down, a small smile on the girl's lips.
"If I would have to guess, then it's about matters of the heart.", Gwen whispered with a smile, "Mona's... don't let her smile fool you. Her heart was wounded gravely today and by one of my sons nonetheless..."
She looked at Vershenov and then nodded towards a door on the other end of the hallway, where the toilet was.
"If you don't want to go, no one would hold it against you, if you were to answer nature's call.", she offered him in a whisper.

[Krugeristan]

"Wonderful," Vershenov said. "Now, please, tell me what exactly is going on? This isn't a petty problem about hair or something like that, is it?"

Gwen smiled sadly, looking forward as Mona turned to the stairs down, a small smile on the girl's lips.
"If I would have to guess, then it's about matters of the heart.", Gwen whispered with a smile, "Mona's... don't let her smile fool you. Her heart was wounded gravely today and by one of my sons nonetheless..."
She looked at Vershenov and then nodded towards a door on the other end of the hallway, where the toilet was.
"If you don't want to go, no one would hold it against you, if you were to answer nature's call.", she offered him in a whisper.

Vershenov wasn't sure how to respond to that, but decided to stay and listen. He didn't know Mona that well at all, but now had the basic knowledge that someone hurt her, and he was torn over whether or not to care. "Well . . . I'll stay and listen, then."

[The Selkie]

Vershenov wasn't sure how to respond to that, but decided to stay and listen. He didn't know Mona that well at all, but now had the basic knowledge that someone hurt her, and he was torn over whether or not to care. "Well . . . I'll stay and listen, then."

Gwen took in air to reply, but it was not her, who replied.
"Thank you, Commander.", Mona said without turning, her eyes focussed on the stairs, as she walked them down. "I hope, that I won't end as the laughing stock of Krugeristan, then... Envoy of the Gods and can't even get a guy to like her."
Gwen smiled and looked over to Vershenov, remembering, that Selkie of that age usually had very good ears, when it came to things, which they were not supposed to hear.

[Krugeristan]

Vershenov wasn't sure how to respond to that, but decided to stay and listen. He didn't know Mona that well at all, but now had the basic knowledge that someone hurt her, and he was torn over whether or not to care. "Well . . . I'll stay and listen, then."

Gwen took in air to reply, but it was not her, who replied.
"Thank you, Commander.", Mona said without turning, her eyes focussed on the stairs, as she walked them down. "I hope, that I won't end as the laughing stock of Krugeristan, then... Envoy of the Gods and can't even get a guy to like her."
Gwen smiled and looked over to Vershenov, remembering, that Selkie of that age usually had very good ears, when it came to things, which they were not supposed to hear.

"Oh, for the love of fuck, you're twelve, right? You should be focusing on school, not love," Vershenov snapped. "I said the same thing to my daughter when she was your age, and at least she listened." He didn't mean to snap at Mona at all, as he was tired and wasn't thrilled about listening to love problems.

[The Selkie]

"Oh, for the love of fuck, you're twelve, right? You should be focusing on school, not love," Vershenov snapped. "I said the same thing to my daughter when she was your age, and at least she listened." He didn't mean to snap at Mona at all, as he was tired and wasn't thrilled about listening to love problems.

The snapping of the Krugeristani was met with nothing more then a smile.
"I understand, where you are coming from, Commander.", she said with a smile, turning, her eyes growing older then her twelve years, far older, betraying her small frame, which was shrouded by the bathrobe. "I have to inform you, that I have a few larger problems then school or love, school actually being the smallest of them all. No offense to you, Commander, you can't know about that all."
With that, the little girl turned and resumed her way.

[Krugeristan]

"Oh, for the love of fuck, you're twelve, right? You should be focusing on school, not love," Vershenov snapped. "I said the same thing to my daughter when she was your age, and at least she listened." He didn't mean to snap at Mona at all, as he was tired and wasn't thrilled about listening to love problems.

The snapping of the Krugeristani was met with nothing more then a smile.
"I understand, where you are coming from, Commander.", she said with a smile, turning, her eyes growing older then her twelve years, far older, betraying her small frame, which was shrouded by the bathrobe. "I have to inform you, that I have a few larger problems then school or love, school actually being the smallest of them all. No offense to you, Commander, you can't know about that all."
With that, the little girl turned and resumed her way.

No respect for elders. None. I honestly don't care, but smiling at me is worse than passing gas at a military parade. "No, I can't, and I'm even more incapable of caring anyway," Vershenov said.

[The Selkie]

No respect for elders. None. I honestly don't care, but smiling at me is worse than passing gas at a military parade. "No, I can't, and I'm even more incapable of caring anyway," Vershenov said.

"Then why are you here?", Mona asked, not turning as she reached the ground floor. "Seriously, why are you here, then? Following me and Auntie Gwen? If you don't care, then I seriously doubt, that I can make you care - you had the chance to sit on the White Throne and you did not take it." She looked at him over her shoulder, her smile gone. "Your boss was at least honest enough to tell me, that he did not understand and that he had no idea about how to help me."

[Krugeristan]

No respect for elders. None. I honestly don't care, but smiling at me is worse than passing gas at a military parade. "No, I can't, and I'm even more incapable of caring anyway," Vershenov said.

"Then why are you here?", Mona asked, not turning as she reached the ground floor. "Seriously, why are you here, then? Following me and Auntie Gwen? If you don't care, then I seriously doubt, that I can make you care - you had the chance to sit on the White Throne and you did not take it." She looked at him over her shoulder, her smile gone. "Your boss was at least honest enough to tell me, that he did not understand and that he had no idea about how to help me."

"Well, I'm not my boss, now, am I?" Vershenov shouted. "And considering you don't want me here, which is fine by me, I'll go!" He turned, storming back up the stairs to his room, throwing off his jacket before getting in bed, laying his rifle on the jacket before turning out the lights.

[The Selkie]

"Well, I'm not my boss, now, am I?" Vershenov shouted. "And considering you don't want me here, which is fine by me, I'll go!" He turned, storming back up the stairs to his room, throwing off his jacket before getting in bed, laying his rifle on the jacket before turning out the lights.

"We seriously need to work on your diplomatic skills, Mona.", Gwen said after the man had shouted at them, almost deadpanning. "That went over horribly."
The girl looked at her. "He just isn't used to get objections.", she said with a frown.
Gwen snorted in amusement. "Nah, we still need to work on your diplomatic skills. Sometimes, it's better to just say yes and nod with a smile then to object, believe me. Just apologize to him tomorrow morning after his first tea." She nodded. "Now let's get going."
It's startling to see, how much of an uninterested man he is..., the older of the two thought.

[Krugeristan]

"Well, I'm not my boss, now, am I?" Vershenov shouted. "And considering you don't want me here, which is fine by me, I'll go!" He turned, storming back up the stairs to his room, throwing off his jacket before getting in bed, laying his rifle on the jacket before turning out the lights.

"We seriously need to work on your diplomatic skills, Mona.", Gwen said after the man had shouted at them, almost deadpanning. "That went over horribly."
The girl looked at her. "He just isn't used to get objections.", she said with a frown.
Gwen snorted in amusement. "Nah, we still need to work on your diplomatic skills. Sometimes, it's better to just say yes and nod with a smile then to object, believe me. Just apologize to him tomorrow morning after his first tea." She nodded. "Now let's get going."
It's startling to see, how much of an uninterested man he is..., the older of the two thought.

Golahman had slept peacefully the first few hours, until the deepest sleep arrived, and he began having nightmares, which were typical and not uncommon for him, especially after enduring long periods of social interaction. He dreamed of losing Fiona for the silliest reasons, as well as dreaming of losing her for the most tragic reasons.

Vershenov, meanwhile, wasn't sleeping, instead laying in his bed thinking about the overall rudeness of humanity.

[The Selkie]

Golahman had slept peacefully the first few hours, until the deepest sleep arrived, and he began having nightmares, which were typical and not uncommon for him, especially after enduring long periods of social interaction. He dreamed of losing Fiona for the silliest reasons, as well as dreaming of losing her for the most tragic reasons.

Vershenov, meanwhile, wasn't sleeping, instead laying in his bed thinking about the overall rudeness of humanity.

After sitting together for three hours, the woman, the two younger women and the girl (which could be the title for one of those weird coffee table books) decided, that enough Council had been held, especially since Mona was basically falling asleep in Fiona's lap.
So, a strange caravan departed the salon, placing a series of cups and small bags with a tea mixture onto the dining table together with a kettle. Fiona's mother wrote a short note with it: Morning, all early risers, this is Morning Tea - better then any coffee! Feel free to make you a cup, kettle is there, just use water from the tap!
This was less directed at her own household and more at her guests, but it was important in any case.
After this, they went to sleep as well, the older Gwen with her husband, who continued to saw logs through the entire commotion, so she just snuggled up to him and let it be, a small and happy smile on her lips. The younger Gwen, Fiona and Mona all decided to share a bed, sleeping with two males in the same bed as well, as they were quite sure, that the guests of the household would not like - then again, the males in question were a Curly and a Grey Wolf, so it might even out.
Fiona was in the centre, her best friend snuggling up to her, using her shoulder as a pillow, while Mona was not as close, but still had an arm around her shoulder, urging her to move closer, if she so required, Srol at the girl's back, while Sio chose his spot to be his Mistress' stomach.
Their dreams were... difficult, to say the least. Mona had a bad dream, remembering her rejection, while Gwen was in a relatively good dream, something she would not remember. Fiona... she had a veritable nightmare, about Karak, about the Tine, about quite a few things, but she, too, would not be able to pinpoint it in the morning.
Come the next morning, the day began before the sun was really up for the locals, mainly Fiona's father and Mona, who met in the Entrance Hall, the former preparing to make Morning Tea and the latter coming down the stairs with sleep in her eyes, the former deciding to make tea for the girl as well, expecting some of their guests maybe as well.

[Krugeristan]

Golahman had slept peacefully the first few hours, until the deepest sleep arrived, and he began having nightmares, which were typical and not uncommon for him, especially after enduring long periods of social interaction. He dreamed of losing Fiona for the silliest reasons, as well as dreaming of losing her for the most tragic reasons.

Vershenov, meanwhile, wasn't sleeping, instead laying in his bed thinking about the overall rudeness of humanity.

After sitting together for three hours, the woman, the two younger women and the girl (which could be the title for one of those weird coffee table books) decided, that enough Council had been held, especially since Mona was basically falling asleep in Fiona's lap.
So, a strange caravan departed the salon, placing a series of cups and small bags with a tea mixture onto the dining table together with a kettle. Fiona's mother wrote a short note with it: Morning, all early risers, this is Morning Tea - better then any coffee! Feel free to make you a cup, kettle is there, just use water from the tap!
This was less directed at her own household and more at her guests, but it was important in any case.
After this, they went to sleep as well, the older Gwen with her husband, who continued to saw logs through the entire commotion, so she just snuggled up to him and let it be, a small and happy smile on her lips. The younger Gwen, Fiona and Mona all decided to share a bed, sleeping with two males in the same bed as well, as they were quite sure, that the guests of the household would not like - then again, the males in question were a Curly and a Grey Wolf, so it might even out.
Fiona was in the centre, her best friend snuggling up to her, using her shoulder as a pillow, while Mona was not as close, but still had an arm around her shoulder, urging her to move closer, if she so required, Srol at the girl's back, while Sio chose his spot to be his Mistress' stomach.
Their dreams were... difficult, to say the least. Mona had a bad dream, remembering her rejection, while Gwen was in a relatively good dream, something she would not remember. Fiona... she had a veritable nightmare, about Karak, about the Tine, about quite a few things, but she, too, would not be able to pinpoint it in the morning.
Come the next morning, the day began before the sun was really up for the locals, mainly Fiona's father and Mona, who met in the Entrance Hall, the former preparing to make Morning Tea and the latter coming down the stairs with sleep in her eyes, the former deciding to make tea for the girl as well, expecting some of their guests maybe as well.

Golahman didn't even bother to get dressed when he opened the bedroom door, his blond hair messy and sticking in every direction. He looked around the hallway, reminding himself of where he was. "Vershenov?" he whispered.

The door across the hall opened. Vershenov was fully dressed in his uniform and holding his rifle. "Sir," he replied.

Both of them were accustomed to waking up early, Vershenov more so than Golahman, but they were both up at the same time for different reasons.

"I don't think I slept at all," Golahman said. "Tossed and turned, having strange dreams and whatnot."

Vershenov shrugged. "That's normal in a place you've never been before. I'm up because this is usually the time I go wake up the little scraps in the guard hall."

They both heard people moving and working downstairs, and decided to walk down to see.

[The Selkie]

After sitting together for three hours, the woman, the two younger women and the girl (which could be the title for one of those weird coffee table books) decided, that enough Council had been held, especially since Mona was basically falling asleep in Fiona's lap.
So, a strange caravan departed the salon, placing a series of cups and small bags with a tea mixture onto the dining table together with a kettle. Fiona's mother wrote a short note with it: Morning, all early risers, this is Morning Tea - better then any coffee! Feel free to make you a cup, kettle is there, just use water from the tap!
This was less directed at her own household and more at her guests, but it was important in any case.
After this, they went to sleep as well, the older Gwen with her husband, who continued to saw logs through the entire commotion, so she just snuggled up to him and let it be, a small and happy smile on her lips. The younger Gwen, Fiona and Mona all decided to share a bed, sleeping with two males in the same bed as well, as they were quite sure, that the guests of the household would not like - then again, the males in question were a Curly and a Grey Wolf, so it might even out.
Fiona was in the centre, her best friend snuggling up to her, using her shoulder as a pillow, while Mona was not as close, but still had an arm around her shoulder, urging her to move closer, if she so required, Srol at the girl's back, while Sio chose his spot to be his Mistress' stomach.
Their dreams were... difficult, to say the least. Mona had a bad dream, remembering her rejection, while Gwen was in a relatively good dream, something she would not remember. Fiona... she had a veritable nightmare, about Karak, about the Tine, about quite a few things, but she, too, would not be able to pinpoint it in the morning.
Come the next morning, the day began before the sun was really up for the locals, mainly Fiona's father and Mona, who met in the Entrance Hall, the former preparing to make Morning Tea and the latter coming down the stairs with sleep in her eyes, the former deciding to make tea for the girl as well, expecting some of their guests maybe as well.

Golahman didn't even bother to get dressed when he opened the bedroom door, his blond hair messy and sticking in every direction. He looked around the hallway, reminding himself of where he was. "Vershenov?" he whispered.

The door across the hall opened. Vershenov was fully dressed in his uniform and holding his rifle. "Sir," he replied.

Both of them were accustomed to waking up early, Vershenov more so than Golahman, but they were both up at the same time for different reasons.

"I don't think I slept at all," Golahman said. "Tossed and turned, having strange dreams and whatnot."

Vershenov shrugged. "That's normal in a place you've never been before. I'm up because this is usually the time I go wake up the little scraps in the guard hall."

They both heard people moving and working downstairs, and decided to walk down to see.

When the two came down, they could hear a child's giggle and a man's giggle, both giggling at something unheard by them, from the kitchen.
Being there, Mona in a bathrobe, sitting on one of the counters with a smile, and the Master of the House, Finn, leaning against the wall in another bathrobe, grinning as well. The kettle was beginning to boil water, but it would take a while, until it was finished and until they had good tea - enough for four cups.
At first, neither of them gave much attention to those coming down the stairs. If they wanted to join them or not was their decision, but it would be fun (hopefully).

[Krugeristan]

Golahman didn't even bother to get dressed when he opened the bedroom door, his blond hair messy and sticking in every direction. He looked around the hallway, reminding himself of where he was. "Vershenov?" he whispered.

The door across the hall opened. Vershenov was fully dressed in his uniform and holding his rifle. "Sir," he replied.

Both of them were accustomed to waking up early, Vershenov more so than Golahman, but they were both up at the same time for different reasons.

"I don't think I slept at all," Golahman said. "Tossed and turned, having strange dreams and whatnot."

Vershenov shrugged. "That's normal in a place you've never been before. I'm up because this is usually the time I go wake up the little scraps in the guard hall."

They both heard people moving and working downstairs, and decided to walk down to see.

When the two came down, they could hear a child's giggle and a man's giggle, both giggling at something unheard by them, from the kitchen.
Being there, Mona in a bathrobe, sitting on one of the counters with a smile, and the Master of the House, Finn, leaning against the wall in another bathrobe, grinning as well. The kettle was beginning to boil water, but it would take a while, until it was finished and until they had good tea - enough for four cups.
At first, neither of them gave much attention to those coming down the stairs. If they wanted to join them or not was their decision, but it would be fun (hopefully).

Vershenov remembered what Gwen said about "not bringing bad news before the first tea", and decided to respect that for now, even if the fact that Golahman was going to be questioned by a foreign government seemed to be number one on his list of things needed to be talked about. He followed Golahman, who was either looking for an animal, Fiona, or food, as they quietly approached the kitchen.

[The Selkie]

Vershenov remembered what Gwen said about "not bringing bad news before the first tea", and decided to respect that for now, even if the fact that Golahman was going to be questioned by a foreign government seemed to be number one on his list of things needed to be talked about. He followed Golahman, who was either looking for an animal, Fiona, or food, as they quietly approached the kitchen.

Mona told an anecdote about her regiment, a.k.a. the Regiment of SDF-Navy Troopers, who adopted her as their mascot, which made Finn chuckle as he saw something from the corner of his eye, two men approaching.
For a moment, he did not recognize them, his hand twitching, until he saw, that they were just their guests. He grinned: "Come on in, laddies!", he told them and waved, "We have food, we have drink, in a minute including tea and breakfast is around the corner as well!"
Mona's grin did not vanish, but it got a dent, as she saw Vershenov. There was something she had to talk with him about, after breakfast.

[Krugeristan]

Vershenov remembered what Gwen said about "not bringing bad news before the first tea", and decided to respect that for now, even if the fact that Golahman was going to be questioned by a foreign government seemed to be number one on his list of things needed to be talked about. He followed Golahman, who was either looking for an animal, Fiona, or food, as they quietly approached the kitchen.

Mona told an anecdote about her regiment, a.k.a. the Regiment of SDF-Navy Troopers, who adopted her as their mascot, which made Finn chuckle as he saw something from the corner of his eye, two men approaching.
For a moment, he did not recognize them, his hand twitching, until he saw, that they were just their guests. He grinned: "Come on in, laddies!", he told them and waved, "We have food, we have drink, in a minute including tea and breakfast is around the corner as well!"
Mona's grin did not vanish, but it got a dent, as she saw Vershenov. There was something she had to talk with him about, after breakfast.

The two Krugeristanis dipped their heads slightly as they entered the kitchen, knowing better than to sit. Their hosts--or an offer from the hosts--would have to sit before they did, and they wouldn't touch food or drink until their hosts permitted it.

Golahman turned red in the face, grinning a little. "Well . . . this is . . . different. When . . . when Assad visited my estate last year, we . . . we just went very informal . . . with breakfast . . . Hell, we had cereal."

Vershenov sighed. "I remember that. I also remember the conversations that went along with cereal."

[The Selkie]

Mona told an anecdote about her regiment, a.k.a. the Regiment of SDF-Navy Troopers, who adopted her as their mascot, which made Finn chuckle as he saw something from the corner of his eye, two men approaching.
For a moment, he did not recognize them, his hand twitching, until he saw, that they were just their guests. He grinned: "Come on in, laddies!", he told them and waved, "We have food, we have drink, in a minute including tea and breakfast is around the corner as well!"
Mona's grin did not vanish, but it got a dent, as she saw Vershenov. There was something she had to talk with him about, after breakfast.

The two Krugeristanis dipped their heads slightly as they entered the kitchen, knowing better than to sit. Their hosts--or an offer from the hosts--would have to sit before they did, and they wouldn't touch food or drink until their hosts permitted it.

Golahman turned red in the face, grinning a little. "Well . . . this is . . . different. When . . . when Assad visited my estate last year, we . . . we just went very informal . . . with breakfast . . . Hell, we had cereal."

Vershenov sighed. "I remember that. I also remember the conversations that went along with cereal."

Mona giggled at the image - although she had no idea about how to imagine this Assad-character - while Finn laughed.
"Sounds like a good start of the day!", he said and motioned them in, "Have a seat, both of you - we make it informal until the other ladies wake up. And most likely after that, too. No need to..." The kettle whistled, making the man jump forward in a practiced motion, "Tea, anyone?"
Mona raised her hand with a smile.
"That's number two.", Finn replied with a smile, looking over the shoulder, "Morning Tea, laddies, ideal for waking up and going on and about!"

[Krugeristan]

The two Krugeristanis dipped their heads slightly as they entered the kitchen, knowing better than to sit. Their hosts--or an offer from the hosts--would have to sit before they did, and they wouldn't touch food or drink until their hosts permitted it.

Golahman turned red in the face, grinning a little. "Well . . . this is . . . different. When . . . when Assad visited my estate last year, we . . . we just went very informal . . . with breakfast . . . Hell, we had cereal."

Vershenov sighed. "I remember that. I also remember the conversations that went along with cereal."

Mona giggled at the image - although she had no idea about how to imagine this Assad-character - while Finn laughed.
"Sounds like a good start of the day!", he said and motioned them in, "Have a seat, both of you - we make it informal until the other ladies wake up. And most likely after that, too. No need to..." The kettle whistled, making the man jump forward in a practiced motion, "Tea, anyone?"
Mona raised her hand with a smile.
"That's number two.", Finn replied with a smile, looking over the shoulder, "Morning Tea, laddies, ideal for waking up and going on and about!"

The two men sat down, Golahman looking more relaxed than Vershenov, as Golahman wondered if Mona's giggling said it was OK for him to keep talking about the past meetings he had with other leaders. "It's almost like . . . like a sleepover, or whatever young girls do with each other, when I have friends, or even colleagues, over at my estate. Um . . . yes, so, it's . . . it's very informal when it comes to a select few people, mainly Assad. I had ordered Chinese food for dinner the night before, and we sat in the living room, watching TV, playing with cats, in our nightclothes."

[The Selkie]

Mona giggled at the image - although she had no idea about how to imagine this Assad-character - while Finn laughed.
"Sounds like a good start of the day!", he said and motioned them in, "Have a seat, both of you - we make it informal until the other ladies wake up. And most likely after that, too. No need to..." The kettle whistled, making the man jump forward in a practiced motion, "Tea, anyone?"
Mona raised her hand with a smile.
"That's number two.", Finn replied with a smile, looking over the shoulder, "Morning Tea, laddies, ideal for waking up and going on and about!"

The two men sat down, Golahman looking more relaxed than Vershenov, as Golahman wondered if Mona's giggling said it was OK for him to keep talking about the past meetings he had with other leaders. "It's almost like . . . like a sleepover, or whatever young girls do with each other, when I have friends, or even colleagues, over at my estate. Um . . . yes, so, it's . . . it's very informal when it comes to a select few people, mainly Assad. I had ordered Chinese food for dinner the night before, and we sat in the living room, watching TV, playing with cats, in our nightclothes."

Mona grinned and replied with a nod: "Sounds familiar - we had a sleepover, too, although our playmates were a Grey Wolf and a Curly Mountain Fox."
"Sio let you at his fur?", Finn asked with a smile.
Mona nodded. "Fiona dropped him in my lap and I was especially careful, so he was fine with everything." She let a beat pass. "Or nearly everything."
Finn passed out cups of steaming hot tea, tea eggs swimming in them, but also emitting an aroma of waking up. Not the kind of tea for rolling over in bed and letting the morning be morning, but of waking up and going on and about. Mona inhaled deeply and looked more awake and, despite its temperature, Finn took a hearty gulp as he retreated to his place at the wall.
"So, people...", the Master of the House asked, "What are your plans for the day?"

[Krugeristan]

The two men sat down, Golahman looking more relaxed than Vershenov, as Golahman wondered if Mona's giggling said it was OK for him to keep talking about the past meetings he had with other leaders. "It's almost like . . . like a sleepover, or whatever young girls do with each other, when I have friends, or even colleagues, over at my estate. Um . . . yes, so, it's . . . it's very informal when it comes to a select few people, mainly Assad. I had ordered Chinese food for dinner the night before, and we sat in the living room, watching TV, playing with cats, in our nightclothes."

Mona grinned and replied with a nod: "Sounds familiar - we had a sleepover, too, although our playmates were a Grey Wolf and a Curly Mountain Fox."
"Sio let you at his fur?", Finn asked with a smile.
Mona nodded. "Fiona dropped him in my lap and I was especially careful, so he was fine with everything." She let a beat pass. "Or nearly everything."
Finn passed out cups of steaming hot tea, tea eggs swimming in them, but also emitting an aroma of waking up. Not the kind of tea for rolling over in bed and letting the morning be morning, but of waking up and going on and about. Mona inhaled deeply and looked more awake and, despite its temperature, Finn took a hearty gulp as he retreated to his place at the wall.
"So, people...", the Master of the House asked, "What are your plans for the day?"

Golahman shrugged. "I don't know, in all honesty."

You have no idea, Golahman, what's going on today, Vershenov thought, taking his tea and sniffing it cautiously. You're about to get a rude awakening from this nation's government. He didn't say what he thought out loud; first tea wasn't done yet.

[The Selkie]

Golahman shrugged. "I don't know, in all honesty."

You have no idea, Golahman, what's going on today, Vershenov thought, taking his tea and sniffing it cautiously. You're about to get a rude awakening from this nation's government. He didn't say what he thought out loud; first tea wasn't done yet.

Mona shrugged. "Most likely riding back home, getting an earful from Amy and doing homework. Or, if wanted, I can ride with you back to the airport, someone has to take care of the horses, after all."
"The ones escorted pick the escort.", Finn stated with a small smile. "If they know, who's on offer, that is. But... tea first." He took another gulp, looking at Vershenov. "But then again, the most unexpected things happen when plans are not made or set in stone."
Mona looked from one man to the other, before she decided, that tea was the better part of curiosity and took a sip.

[Krugeristan]

Golahman shrugged. "I don't know, in all honesty."

You have no idea, Golahman, what's going on today, Vershenov thought, taking his tea and sniffing it cautiously. You're about to get a rude awakening from this nation's government. He didn't say what he thought out loud; first tea wasn't done yet.

Mona shrugged. "Most likely riding back home, getting an earful from Amy and doing homework. Or, if wanted, I can ride with you back to the airport, someone has to take care of the horses, after all."
"The ones escorted pick the escort.", Finn stated with a small smile. "If they know, who's on offer, that is. But... tea first." He took another gulp, looking at Vershenov. "But then again, the most unexpected things happen when plans are not made or set in stone."
Mona looked from one man to the other, before she decided, that tea was the better part of curiosity and took a sip.

"Well, I . . . I don't know if I want to go home just yet. I mean, I miss my cats, but . . . I don't feel ready to leave," Golahman said.

Vershenov grinned. "You're probably going to flip between moods, sir. You'll probably want to go home one hour and want to stay here the next."

[The Selkie]

Mona shrugged. "Most likely riding back home, getting an earful from Amy and doing homework. Or, if wanted, I can ride with you back to the airport, someone has to take care of the horses, after all."
"The ones escorted pick the escort.", Finn stated with a small smile. "If they know, who's on offer, that is. But... tea first." He took another gulp, looking at Vershenov. "But then again, the most unexpected things happen when plans are not made or set in stone."
Mona looked from one man to the other, before she decided, that tea was the better part of curiosity and took a sip.

"Well, I . . . I don't know if I want to go home just yet. I mean, I miss my cats, but . . . I don't feel ready to leave," Golahman said.

Vershenov grinned. "You're probably going to flip between moods, sir. You'll probably want to go home one hour and want to stay here the next."

Finn nodded. "Whatever it will be, as long as Gwenny says, that you are welcome, you are welcome to stay as long as you want or need." He glanced at Mona. "Same goes for you, young lady."
The girl blushed (of course, it was because of the tea) at the genuine care offered by the older man, but did not reply. It was, for Selkie, a tremendous step to be invited like that, to be offered this - most foreigners did not realize, how much it meant for them, but that was another story.
Mona felt grateful.