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

[The Selkie]

Vershenov wasn't entirely sure what to say, other than it sounded like Gwen and Finn were doubting Putin's ability to help Golahman, as well as Golahman's ability to find people to help him.

"I can't tell the difference, though," Golahman said. "I've used both heart and brain before."

Gwen nodded. "I know, what you mean. Yet, love is not a matter concerning the brain."
She softly reached into her bathrobe, placing her hand over her heart.
"Your beating heart is what you need to listen to. What you need to feel beating.", she explained, smiling. "That's what my mother recommended to me."
Both of them doubted, that Putin would be able to help Golahman - but they were quite sure, that he would find someone to help him. Before she could continue, though, a grey-black creature, furred, padded into the room, followed by another young woman, this one black haired and with blue eyes.
"Morning, Gwenny.", the Lady of the House greeted.
The young woman nodded. "Morning, Auntie, Uncle Finn. Morning, Mister Golahman and Commander Vershenov."

[Krugeristan]

Vershenov wasn't entirely sure what to say, other than it sounded like Gwen and Finn were doubting Putin's ability to help Golahman, as well as Golahman's ability to find people to help him.

"I can't tell the difference, though," Golahman said. "I've used both heart and brain before."

Gwen nodded. "I know, what you mean. Yet, love is not a matter concerning the brain."
She softly reached into her bathrobe, placing her hand over her heart.
"Your beating heart is what you need to listen to. What you need to feel beating.", she explained, smiling. "That's what my mother recommended to me."
Both of them doubted, that Putin would be able to help Golahman - but they were quite sure, that he would find someone to help him. Before she could continue, though, a grey-black creature, furred, padded into the room, followed by another young woman, this one black haired and with blue eyes.
"Morning, Gwenny.", the Lady of the House greeted.
The young woman nodded. "Morning, Auntie, Uncle Finn. Morning, Mister Golahman and Commander Vershenov."

Vershenov was going to say something fully rude, considering the conversation he had with the younger Gwen last night, but decided against it, choosing to grunt instead.

"Good . . . morning," Golahman said, shyly, before looking at the Grey Wolf. "Good morning to you, too." He held out his arms, wanting something soft to hang on to.

[The Selkie]

Vershenov was going to say something fully rude, considering the conversation he had with the younger Gwen last night, but decided against it, choosing to grunt instead.

"Good . . . morning," Golahman said, shyly, before looking at the Grey Wolf. "Good morning to you, too." He held out his arms, wanting something soft to hang on to.

The younger Gwen was well aware, that Vershenov was not a big fan of hers, which was returned with fondness, but Srol liked Golahman, so he happily padded over, offering his head for petting.
If one looked at her, though, one could see, that the bathrobe was bound tightly around her body, pronouncing her forme.
"So, Auntie...", the younger Gwen asked, taking her own cup of tea, "...where can I help?"
"Ask Finn.", the older of the two replied and shrugged, "For now, though, we are helping Karak with his love life - you know Fiona better then... well, almost everyone." She looked at the two guests, especially Golahman. "Interested?"

[Krugeristan]

Vershenov was going to say something fully rude, considering the conversation he had with the younger Gwen last night, but decided against it, choosing to grunt instead.

"Good . . . morning," Golahman said, shyly, before looking at the Grey Wolf. "Good morning to you, too." He held out his arms, wanting something soft to hang on to.

The younger Gwen was well aware, that Vershenov was not a big fan of hers, which was returned with fondness, but Srol liked Golahman, so he happily padded over, offering his head for petting.
If one looked at her, though, one could see, that the bathrobe was bound tightly around her body, pronouncing her forme.
"So, Auntie...", the younger Gwen asked, taking her own cup of tea, "...where can I help?"
"Ask Finn.", the older of the two replied and shrugged, "For now, though, we are helping Karak with his love life - you know Fiona better then... well, almost everyone." She looked at the two guests, especially Golahman. "Interested?"

Golahman weakly nodded. "I guess . . ." He looked back at Srol, stroking the Grey Wolf happily. "Hi."

[The Selkie]

Golahman weakly nodded. "I guess . . ." He looked back at Srol, stroking the Grey Wolf happily. "Hi."

The Gwen's nodded at each other as Srol replied to the happiness with a wolfish grin.
"Very well.", the younger of the two said and took a sip, using the time to think for a moment, "Fiona... she's not out for a quick fuck." She made a small pause, wincing. "Sorry for putting it this way. Anyway, she's not out for that. She's also not out for someone, who sees her as a trophy, showing her off to friends and others. And she is not a laying battery." She paused, looking into her tea, debating something with herself. "I hope, that this helped you a bit."

[Krugeristan]

Golahman weakly nodded. "I guess . . ." He looked back at Srol, stroking the Grey Wolf happily. "Hi."

The Gwen's nodded at each other as Srol replied to the happiness with a wolfish grin.
"Very well.", the younger of the two said and took a sip, using the time to think for a moment, "Fiona... she's not out for a quick fuck." She made a small pause, wincing. "Sorry for putting it this way. Anyway, she's not out for that. She's also not out for someone, who sees her as a trophy, showing her off to friends and others. And she is not a laying battery." She paused, looking into her tea, debating something with herself. "I hope, that this helped you a bit."

"I already knew that," Golahman said.

"We shoot people who do that with their partners," Vershenov interjected, taking a sip of his tea. "Typically in the nuts first, then we let them hang there and--"

"Vershenov, please, not now."

"My 'apologies', sir."

[The Selkie]

"I already knew that," Golahman said.

"We shoot people who do that with their partners," Vershenov interjected, taking a sip of his tea. "Typically in the nuts first, then we let them hang there and--"

"Vershenov, please, not now."

"My 'apologies', sir."

Made sure of her best friend was not mistreated, the younger Gwen nodded.
"That's a good start, I guess.", she said, ignoring Vershenov, looking straight at Golahman, "Fiona is... not someone, who easily tells her secrets or shows you all her cards. She's not a lassie for romantic candlelight dinners, but for something to do and active. Going dancing, riding and so on.
And much like your cats are your comfort, Sio is hers and more."

[Krugeristan]

"I already knew that," Golahman said.

"We shoot people who do that with their partners," Vershenov interjected, taking a sip of his tea. "Typically in the nuts first, then we let them hang there and--"

"Vershenov, please, not now."

"My 'apologies', sir."

Made sure of her best friend was not mistreated, the younger Gwen nodded.
"That's a good start, I guess.", she said, ignoring Vershenov, looking straight at Golahman, "Fiona is... not someone, who easily tells her secrets or shows you all her cards. She's not a lassie for romantic candlelight dinners, but for something to do and active. Going dancing, riding and so on.
And much like your cats are your comfort, Sio is hers and more."

"I don't go dancing. Never. No." Golahman hunched in himself. "Never. Not in public. Not one for riding, either. And I don't want to be pressured into it."

[The Selkie]

"I don't go dancing. Never. No." Golahman hunched in himself. "Never. Not in public. Not one for riding, either. And I don't want to be pressured into it."

The Gwens exchanged glances, the older one hiding behind her cup - hiding a wide smile.
She had danced with him - a tender one, without many people watching them, but she did at the Halloween Party. The younger one knew that, so her raised eyebrow was met with that gesture.
Riding was another question as well.
"You won't be pressured, not by her.", the younger one said, a small smile on her lips. "At least not for dancing or riding."

[Krugeristan]

"I don't go dancing. Never. No." Golahman hunched in himself. "Never. Not in public. Not one for riding, either. And I don't want to be pressured into it."

The Gwens exchanged glances, the older one hiding behind her cup - hiding a wide smile.
She had danced with him - a tender one, without many people watching them, but she did at the Halloween Party. The younger one knew that, so her raised eyebrow was met with that gesture.
Riding was another question as well.
"You won't be pressured, not by her.", the younger one said, a small smile on her lips. "At least not for dancing or riding."

There were so many smartass remarks Vershenov wanted to say, but chose not to. After all, this was Golahman's issue, not his.

"The thing is . . . we don't have any places for dancing in Krugeristan. The only places are weddings and the gatherings I hold at my estate, and even then . . . not much dancing is done," Golahman said, still biting his lip.

Vershenov set his cup down. "I hope Fiona also understands that there isn't a damn drop of alcohol in Krugeristan, either. Now, riding . . . as in horse-riding, is something that we can certainly arrange."

"Yes. I mentioned Screaming Glacier to Fiona on our ride last night." Golahman shrugged. "Riding there might provide a bit of an experience for us."

[The Selkie]

The Gwens exchanged glances, the older one hiding behind her cup - hiding a wide smile.
She had danced with him - a tender one, without many people watching them, but she did at the Halloween Party. The younger one knew that, so her raised eyebrow was met with that gesture.
Riding was another question as well.
"You won't be pressured, not by her.", the younger one said, a small smile on her lips. "At least not for dancing or riding."

There were so many smartass remarks Vershenov wanted to say, but chose not to. After all, this was Golahman's issue, not his.

"The thing is . . . we don't have any places for dancing in Krugeristan. The only places are weddings and the gatherings I hold at my estate, and even then . . . not much dancing is done," Golahman said, still biting his lip.

Vershenov set his cup down. "I hope Fiona also understands that there isn't a damn drop of alcohol in Krugeristan, either. Now, riding . . . as in horse-riding, is something that we can certainly arrange."

"Yes. I mentioned Screaming Glacier to Fiona on our ride last night." Golahman shrugged. "Riding there might provide a bit of an experience for us."

Both Gwens nodded.
"That sounds like a good plan.", the younger one said before focussing on Vershenov, "As for alcohol, that won't be a problem. It's not like either of us or Fiona is a drunkard or something. Quite on the contrary."
"Very much on the contrary.", the older one said, "A glass every once in a while on a special occassion can not hurt (unless the lassie in question is pregnant, but that's another question), but Fiona can do without that as well. She is not a fan of stupidly getting drunk. Many Selkie aren't."

[Krugeristan]

There were so many smartass remarks Vershenov wanted to say, but chose not to. After all, this was Golahman's issue, not his.

"The thing is . . . we don't have any places for dancing in Krugeristan. The only places are weddings and the gatherings I hold at my estate, and even then . . . not much dancing is done," Golahman said, still biting his lip.

Vershenov set his cup down. "I hope Fiona also understands that there isn't a damn drop of alcohol in Krugeristan, either. Now, riding . . . as in horse-riding, is something that we can certainly arrange."

"Yes. I mentioned Screaming Glacier to Fiona on our ride last night." Golahman shrugged. "Riding there might provide a bit of an experience for us."

Both Gwens nodded.
"That sounds like a good plan.", the younger one said before focussing on Vershenov, "As for alcohol, that won't be a problem. It's not like either of us or Fiona is a drunkard or something. Quite on the contrary."
"Very much on the contrary.", the older one said, "A glass every once in a while on a special occassion can not hurt (unless the lassie in question is pregnant, but that's another question), but Fiona can do without that as well. She is not a fan of stupidly getting drunk. Many Selkie aren't."

"I honestly don't care," Vershenov said, "we're not changing our laws for you."

Golahman held up his hand. "Please, Commander. We'll discuss laws and regulations if Fiona ends up living with me. Then you may bitch and rant about everything."

At this point, Vershenov wanted to blurt out that Golahman was going to be rudely visited by the Selkie Elder Council, but remained silent.

[The Selkie]

Both Gwens nodded.
"That sounds like a good plan.", the younger one said before focussing on Vershenov, "As for alcohol, that won't be a problem. It's not like either of us or Fiona is a drunkard or something. Quite on the contrary."
"Very much on the contrary.", the older one said, "A glass every once in a while on a special occassion can not hurt (unless the lassie in question is pregnant, but that's another question), but Fiona can do without that as well. She is not a fan of stupidly getting drunk. Many Selkie aren't."

"I honestly don't care," Vershenov said, "we're not changing our laws for you."

Golahman held up his hand. "Please, Commander. We'll discuss laws and regulations if Fiona ends up living with me. Then you may bitch and rant about everything."

At this point, Vershenov wanted to blurt out that Golahman was going to be rudely visited by the Selkie Elder Council, but remained silent.

"I won't ask you to change your laws for me or to turn a blind eye, Commander.", a new voice announced, one very familiar to everyone of them: Fiona stood in the door, looking amused. "Morning, everyone."
Sio stood at her heel, smiling a vulpine smile as Fiona's mother kissed her daughter on the cheek and handed her a cup of tea. "Morning, Fiona. Slept well?"
"Yep, very.", the young woman replied, "It was comfortable."
The younger Gwen grinned and put her cup into the sink. "I'll see after the horses.", she announced and winked at Golahman. Now, was her message, was his chance.
"I'll help Finn.", the older Gwen announced and smiled softly as she, too, left. "Please don't forget, Karak, I need to talk to you about something important later."
Leaving her daughter and the two guests.
"So...", Fiona said and looked at either, "Slept well?"

[Krugeristan]

"I honestly don't care," Vershenov said, "we're not changing our laws for you."

Golahman held up his hand. "Please, Commander. We'll discuss laws and regulations if Fiona ends up living with me. Then you may bitch and rant about everything."

At this point, Vershenov wanted to blurt out that Golahman was going to be rudely visited by the Selkie Elder Council, but remained silent.

"I won't ask you to change your laws for me or to turn a blind eye, Commander.", a new voice announced, one very familiar to everyone of them: Fiona stood in the door, looking amused. "Morning, everyone."
Sio stood at her heel, smiling a vulpine smile as Fiona's mother kissed her daughter on the cheek and handed her a cup of tea. "Morning, Fiona. Slept well?"
"Yep, very.", the young woman replied, "It was comfortable."
The younger Gwen grinned and put her cup into the sink. "I'll see after the horses.", she announced and winked at Golahman. Now, was her message, was his chance.
"I'll help Finn.", the older Gwen announced and smiled softly as she, too, left. "Please don't forget, Karak, I need to talk to you about something important later."
Leaving her daughter and the two guests.
"So...", Fiona said and looked at either, "Slept well?"

Vershenov took a breath, simply watching Golahman and Fiona.

"No. I didn't . . . sleep well . . . at all, honestly. I . . . I had a lot of strange . . . bad dreams." Golahman swallowed hard. "Just . . . a lot of strange and bad dreams." He bit his lip. "Very bad. Very strange, honestly."

[The Selkie]

Vershenov took a breath, simply watching Golahman and Fiona.

"No. I didn't . . . sleep well . . . at all, honestly. I . . . I had a lot of strange . . . bad dreams." Golahman swallowed hard. "Just . . . a lot of strange and bad dreams." He bit his lip. "Very bad. Very strange, honestly."

Fiona frowned.
"That's not good.", she said and put her cup away to bend down and stroke Sio, "Very bad and very strange dreams... I'll not ask you to tell me about them, though." Judging by the tone he used, by the swallowing, it was not the pleasant kind of strange dreams, which would be bad in his society as she knew by now. "Much rather... Srol, bog ar aghaidh!"
Her command was met by an immediate response by the Grey Wolf, who indeed did advance - his front paws onto Golahman's upper legs, lifting himself up to his eye level, placing his head onto his shoulder in an attempt to comfort him.
It was no cat, that was true, but the Grey Wolf was still someone worth the snuggles.

[Krugeristan]

Vershenov took a breath, simply watching Golahman and Fiona.

"No. I didn't . . . sleep well . . . at all, honestly. I . . . I had a lot of strange . . . bad dreams." Golahman swallowed hard. "Just . . . a lot of strange and bad dreams." He bit his lip. "Very bad. Very strange, honestly."

Fiona frowned.
"That's not good.", she said and put her cup away to bend down and stroke Sio, "Very bad and very strange dreams... I'll not ask you to tell me about them, though." Judging by the tone he used, by the swallowing, it was not the pleasant kind of strange dreams, which would be bad in his society as she knew by now. "Much rather... Srol, bog ar aghaidh!"
Her command was met by an immediate response by the Grey Wolf, who indeed did advance - his front paws onto Golahman's upper legs, lifting himself up to his eye level, placing his head onto his shoulder in an attempt to comfort him.
It was no cat, that was true, but the Grey Wolf was still someone worth the snuggles.

Golahman gave Srol a hug as he continued talking. "It was just . . . I dreamt that . . . you and I were walking down a street--there were two dreams--and in both . . . you walked away with someone. In the first, it was a strange man that you knew from your past, and in the second, it was a female that neither of us knew, and you walked away with both like they were better than me."

Vershenov rubbed his face in an annoyed fashion.

[The Selkie]

Golahman gave Srol a hug as he continued talking. "It was just . . . I dreamt that . . . you and I were walking down a street--there were two dreams--and in both . . . you walked away with someone. In the first, it was a strange man that you knew from your past, and in the second, it was a female that neither of us knew, and you walked away with both like they were better than me."

Vershenov rubbed his face in an annoyed fashion.

Fiona was glad, that her measure to take command of Srol was more or less successful, but she ignored Vershenov's annoyance. If he was annoyed, there were enough things to do when setting up breakfast.
To Golahman, she replied by approaching him, getting down to both knees and hugging him lightly, placing her head on the other side of his head, away from Srol, who made room to accomodate her. She whispered into his ear: "I'll not simply walk away from you, Karak."

[Krugeristan]

Golahman gave Srol a hug as he continued talking. "It was just . . . I dreamt that . . . you and I were walking down a street--there were two dreams--and in both . . . you walked away with someone. In the first, it was a strange man that you knew from your past, and in the second, it was a female that neither of us knew, and you walked away with both like they were better than me."

Vershenov rubbed his face in an annoyed fashion.

Fiona was glad, that her measure to take command of Srol was more or less successful, but she ignored Vershenov's annoyance. If he was annoyed, there were enough things to do when setting up breakfast.
To Golahman, she replied by approaching him, getting down to both knees and hugging him lightly, placing her head on the other side of his head, away from Srol, who made room to accomodate her. She whispered into his ear: "I'll not simply walk away from you, Karak."

"That's reassuring . . . I think . . . I can't predict the future . . ." Golahman looked at Srol. ". . . I still think I'm going to grow old with a bunch of pets and an Assad for friends . . . Yes . . . I feel that inadequate."

[The Selkie]

"That's reassuring . . . I think . . . I can't predict the future . . ." Golahman looked at Srol. ". . . I still think I'm going to grow old with a bunch of pets and an Assad for friends . . . Yes . . . I feel that inadequate."

I would slap you by now..., Fiona thought, hugging the man closer.
"Neither can I predict the future - so what?", she asked and shook her head, "No, no one can. Live in the now for a bit. Enjoy, where you are, enjoy the tea, enjoy my company, enjoy Srol's company... but don't dwell on the future for long. It comes soon enough."

[Krugeristan]

"That's reassuring . . . I think . . . I can't predict the future . . ." Golahman looked at Srol. ". . . I still think I'm going to grow old with a bunch of pets and an Assad for friends . . . Yes . . . I feel that inadequate."

I would slap you by now..., Fiona thought, hugging the man closer.
"Neither can I predict the future - so what?", she asked and shook her head, "No, no one can. Live in the now for a bit. Enjoy, where you are, enjoy the tea, enjoy my company, enjoy Srol's company... but don't dwell on the future for long. It comes soon enough."

"I'll try, I guess . . . I'll try," Golahman said.

"Just think," Vershenov cut in, setting his cup down, "that the fact you and Gwen met in what was probably one of the darkest moments of your life. Now, I say that it may have been Divine Intervention."

[The Selkie]

"I'll try, I guess . . . I'll try," Golahman said.

"Just think," Vershenov cut in, setting his cup down, "that the fact you and Gwen met in what was probably one of the darkest moments of your life. Now, I say that it may have been Divine Intervention."

Fiona giggled slightly. "The Lord of Rivers and Seas surely had his hands in that.", she agreed with a smile, "Although I doubt, that it's him you meant, Commander."
Others might call it luck, others in turn Devine intervention, others again destiny... in the end, it mattered little, what it indeed was - it happened and that was the important part.

[Krugeristan]

"I'll try, I guess . . . I'll try," Golahman said.

"Just think," Vershenov cut in, setting his cup down, "that the fact you and Gwen met in what was probably one of the darkest moments of your life. Now, I say that it may have been Divine Intervention."

Fiona giggled slightly. "The Lord of Rivers and Seas surely had his hands in that.", she agreed with a smile, "Although I doubt, that it's him you meant, Commander."
Others might call it luck, others in turn Devine intervention, others again destiny... in the end, it mattered little, what it indeed was - it happened and that was the important part.

"No, it's not," Vershenov said, calmly. The wedding is going to be mighty interesting. However . . . according to law, they get married according to the male's religion. He looked at Golahman, wondering if he was thinking the same thing.

[The Selkie]

"No, it's not," Vershenov said, calmly. The wedding is going to be mighty interesting. However . . . according to law, they get married according to the male's religion. He looked at Golahman, wondering if he was thinking the same thing.

Fiona nodded - the Freedom of Cult guaranteed, that anyone could live their faith as they saw fit, as long as it didn't harm others, like for example due to human sacrafices, and as long as their priests lived what they preached.
Although she excluded the option of human sacrafices, Christians weren't into that kind of thing as far as she knew. Religion was important to the Selkie, more then many foreigners tended to realize, and apparently, Krugeristanis weren't that far away from it either. Although the Selkie were Pagans, they tried to respect every religion - their followers was sometimes another question, but Christians generally weren't seen in a bad light.
Usually.
If it came to marriage, the Selkie let the couple decide which rite they should use: The groom's, the bride's, none, both, a totally different one, but if one asked Fiona, she would insist on both, if need should arise.
Of course, she did not say that. It was a bit too soon in their relationship to think about marriage.

[Krugeristan]

"No, it's not," Vershenov said, calmly. The wedding is going to be mighty interesting. However . . . according to law, they get married according to the male's religion. He looked at Golahman, wondering if he was thinking the same thing.

Fiona nodded - the Freedom of Cult guaranteed, that anyone could live their faith as they saw fit, as long as it didn't harm others, like for example due to human sacrafices, and as long as their priests lived what they preached.
Although she excluded the option of human sacrafices, Christians weren't into that kind of thing as far as she knew. Religion was important to the Selkie, more then many foreigners tended to realize, and apparently, Krugeristanis weren't that far away from it either. Although the Selkie were Pagans, they tried to respect every religion - their followers was sometimes another question, but Christians generally weren't seen in a bad light.
Usually.
If it came to marriage, the Selkie let the couple decide which rite they should use: The groom's, the bride's, none, both, a totally different one, but if one asked Fiona, she would insist on both, if need should arise.
Of course, she did not say that. It was a bit too soon in their relationship to think about marriage.

Golahman wasn't think the same as either of them. He was thinking about his cats back home. Sighing, he nuzzled Srol again before looking at Fiona. "So . . . what . . . should we . . . um . . . do today? The three of us." He gestured to Vershenov.

[The Selkie]

Golahman wasn't think the same as either of them. He was thinking about his cats back home. Sighing, he nuzzled Srol again before looking at Fiona. "So . . . what . . . should we . . . um . . . do today? The three of us." He gestured to Vershenov.

Fiona's face was crossed by a small fronw, only for just a moment.
"I actually hoped, that it could be the two of us...", Fiona said with a small, hopeful smile, "Three when counting in Sio. I would like to show you Traverse itself, going over the walls into the city. The market, the workshops and so on... if you want, I can even show you a temple from the inside!" She made a small pause. "But then again, Mom wanted to speak with you after breakfast."