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

[Krugeristan]

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."

Golahman bit his lip. "I . . . I don't want to leave Vershenov alone here again . . . I know he's a guard, but he's . . . more than that to me. I'm not supposed to treat him like he's expendable."

[The Selkie]

Golahman bit his lip. "I . . . I don't want to leave Vershenov alone here again . . . I know he's a guard, but he's . . . more than that to me. I'm not supposed to treat him like he's expendable."

Fiona nodded. "I see.", she said with a small smile, "That's very thoughtful of you... Commander, you may get your coat and your camera, Traverse is quite a sight to see!"
"But before that...", Fiona's mother said from the entrance to the kitchen. "Breakfast. And after that, I need to speak to Karak."

[Krugeristan]

Golahman bit his lip. "I . . . I don't want to leave Vershenov alone here again . . . I know he's a guard, but he's . . . more than that to me. I'm not supposed to treat him like he's expendable."

Fiona nodded. "I see.", she said with a small smile, "That's very thoughtful of you... Commander, you may get your coat and your camera, Traverse is quite a sight to see!"
"But before that...", Fiona's mother said from the entrance to the kitchen. "Breakfast. And after that, I need to speak to Karak."

"I don't have a camera," Vershenov said, slinging his rifle over his shoulder. When the older Gwen entered, he placed his weapon against the chair. But, first, Golahman has to be embarrassed by this Council of some sorts.

"Did I do something wrong, again?" Golahman asked.

[The Selkie]

"I don't have a camera," Vershenov said, slinging his rifle over his shoulder. When the older Gwen entered, he placed his weapon against the chair. But, first, Golahman has to be embarrassed by this Council of some sorts.

"Did I do something wrong, again?" Golahman asked.

Gwen waved her hand. "No, that one's my fault. So to speak.", she explained with a smile, "Long story short, the Elders invited you to a visit to Fortham, I quote, 'at your earliest convinience.' Our ruse blew into our faces and they are upset at me - and only me, I made sure of that - and invite you at another time to get the diplomatic proceedings up and running. That has a lot of time, though."
Fiona nodded. "'At your earliest convinience' means 'Whenever you want to' for us."

[Krugeristan]

"I don't have a camera," Vershenov said, slinging his rifle over his shoulder. When the older Gwen entered, he placed his weapon against the chair. But, first, Golahman has to be embarrassed by this Council of some sorts.

"Did I do something wrong, again?" Golahman asked.

Gwen waved her hand. "No, that one's my fault. So to speak.", she explained with a smile, "Long story short, the Elders invited you to a visit to Fortham, I quote, 'at your earliest convinience.' Our ruse blew into our faces and they are upset at me - and only me, I made sure of that - and invite you at another time to get the diplomatic proceedings up and running. That has a lot of time, though."
Fiona nodded. "'At your earliest convinience' means 'Whenever you want to' for us."

Vershenov wanted to laugh. "I highly doubt your Council is that nice. No ruling body is."

Golahman shrugged. ". . . He's right . . . We should go now."

[The Selkie]

Vershenov wanted to laugh. "I highly doubt your Council is that nice. No ruling body is."

Golahman shrugged. ". . . He's right . . . We should go now."

Gwen snorted in amusement. "They are.", she told them with a small smile. "They are basically a bunch of old people selected by the Fifteen Tribes to lead them and to sit in a circle, in the widest sense of the word ruling us. The youngest turned 65 springs half a year ago."
"And it's basically an exchange of pleasantries what they want. The Foreign Office handles the rest and most of the paperwork.", Fiona threw in with a smile, squeezing Golahman's shoulder. "You'll like them."
"As it is...", her mother interjected. "If you insist, we can go today. I have to make a few calls beforehand and you need breakfast. I would advise against it, though."

[Krugeristan]

Vershenov wanted to laugh. "I highly doubt your Council is that nice. No ruling body is."

Golahman shrugged. ". . . He's right . . . We should go now."

Gwen snorted in amusement. "They are.", she told them with a small smile. "They are basically a bunch of old people selected by the Fifteen Tribes to lead them and to sit in a circle, in the widest sense of the word ruling us. The youngest turned 65 springs half a year ago."
"And it's basically an exchange of pleasantries what they want. The Foreign Office handles the rest and most of the paperwork.", Fiona threw in with a smile, squeezing Golahman's shoulder. "You'll like them."
"As it is...", her mother interjected. "If you insist, we can go today. I have to make a few calls beforehand and you need breakfast. I would advise against it, though."

"I insist now," Golahman said. "I can't . . . I can't stand people waiting." He stood up, searching for his jacket, Vershenov following him.

[The Selkie]

"I insist now," Golahman said. "I can't . . . I can't stand people waiting." He stood up, searching for his jacket, Vershenov following him.

"And I insist, that you at least get breakfast.", Gwen said, never heard sternness in her tone, "I have to make a few calls so that you don't stand at Fortham-AAF and nobody's there - or at Traverse International and no plane in sight. And it will be a long day for you both."
"None of the Elders are at the Castle before nine o'clock anyway.", Fiona said, "You have that much time. Eat. Get dressed properly. Please."

[Krugeristan]

"I insist now," Golahman said. "I can't . . . I can't stand people waiting." He stood up, searching for his jacket, Vershenov following him.

"And I insist, that you at least get breakfast.", Gwen said, never heard sternness in her tone, "I have to make a few calls so that you don't stand at Fortham-AAF and nobody's there - or at Traverse International and no plane in sight. And it will be a long day for you both."
"None of the Elders are at the Castle before nine o'clock anyway.", Fiona said, "You have that much time. Eat. Get dressed properly. Please."

"Alright, alright." Golahman held up his hands. "I'll . . . eat and get dressed . . . even if I'm not worthy of your food."

Vershenov didn't say anything, simply sitting down and looking at his president.

[The Selkie]

"Alright, alright." Golahman held up his hands. "I'll . . . eat and get dressed . . . even if I'm not worthy of your food."

Vershenov didn't say anything, simply sitting down and looking at his president.

"I am the Lady of this House, Karak.", Gwen said with a small smile, "I decide, who is worthy of my House's food and who is not. You are and that's the end of that." She looked at Vershenov. "You are, too."
"Besides, you are our guest.", Fiona added, "What kind of host would we be, if we didn't feed you?"

[Krugeristan]

"Alright, alright." Golahman held up his hands. "I'll . . . eat and get dressed . . . even if I'm not worthy of your food."

Vershenov didn't say anything, simply sitting down and looking at his president.

"I am the Lady of this House, Karak.", Gwen said with a small smile, "I decide, who is worthy of my House's food and who is not. You are and that's the end of that." She looked at Vershenov. "You are, too."
"Besides, you are our guest.", Fiona added, "What kind of host would we be, if we didn't feed you?"

Golahman shrugged. "I don't know, to be honest. If it makes you feel better, I'll eat. The guards are usually served first, though, and politicians are almost never served at all."

[The Selkie]

Golahman shrugged. "I don't know, to be honest. If it makes you feel better, I'll eat. The guards are usually served first, though, and politicians are almost never served at all."

"We'll serve you at the same time.", Gwen said with a smile, "Together with everyone else at my table. That's my sacred duty as your host."
"We do things a little bit differently.", Fiona added with a nod. "Around these parts, at least."

[Krugeristan]

Golahman shrugged. "I don't know, to be honest. If it makes you feel better, I'll eat. The guards are usually served first, though, and politicians are almost never served at all."

"We'll serve you at the same time.", Gwen said with a smile, "Together with everyone else at my table. That's my sacred duty as your host."
"We do things a little bit differently.", Fiona added with a nod. "Around these parts, at least."

"Well, alright, then," Golahman whispered. "I'll . . . I'll . . . I'll go with it."

[The Selkie]

"Well, alright, then," Golahman whispered. "I'll . . . I'll . . . I'll go with it."

The next hours passed in a blur.
Breakfast was a silent and fast affair, Mona offering a short prayer to Lodan Lir and thanks to Rhiannon, the Christians at the table did a short one for their own God, during which the Selkie were silent as respect commanded them.
There were fried eggs, cheese, ham, bread and butter and apple juice – and all was fresh from the market or from the craftsmen. For foreigners, it was a feast, for Selkie the normal start of the day.
Halfway through it, Gwen came back from downstairs, dressed in a simple shirt and sturdy pants, her hair in a simple braid, making her daughter go up. She had made her calls.
At the end, as there had been a signal, someone honked a horn.
“Our ride.”, Gwen said and motioned her daughter to follow her as she led them outside, shoes being put on and a driver in front of the door – his car, a large SUV, accompanied by two others, stood at the food of the hill Leas House sat on. They were company cars of Gabha Blacksmiths.
As Gwen had things to do in Fortham anyway, they could kill two birds with one stone.
The ride to the airport passed in silence – except, that they didn't go to Traverse International, but rather the Traverse Seaplane Port, where they boarded a private amphibian, which took off a few minutes later.
As soon as they were at the appropriate altitude, their honour guard flanked them: Two Stuamas, highly modern multirole-fighters, took position on either side, the pilot of the right one waving at them.
Fiona waved back.
The flight passed in silence, as Fiona had a few company files with her to read, Gwen caught up on some sleep and their two guests were watching the sea pass beneath them.
Then, they passed over the City in the Sea, Teanga, and the rolling hills of the Trossach, passing fields and villages, the odd small town and many farmsteads, roads and train tracks passing through it like lifelines and blood vessels.
The Mór-Land soon came underneath them – no one could tell them, where one started and the other ended, so it was a bit confusing even to a Selkie to say, when which one was there.
A signal for the approach to the airfield was given.
Fortham Army Air Field, the former centre of the SDF-Army Air Service and the Naval Aviation Command, was their destination and they were nearly there. The escort broke off as they nearly touched down, circling for their own landing before going back with new fuel aboard.
The aircraft, as an amphibian also capable of landing on dry shore, soon came to a stop and began to taxi with running turboprops as belongings were collected and positions were taken. Golahman in front, Vershenov behind him, Gwen and Fiona standing back.
Apparently, they were already expected, as there was no red-carpet, but a honour guard at the place where they came to a stop. A section of riflemen in the Blue Dress of the SDF-Army, CAM 2008s at the ready, as well as two women in civilian clothes standing at the end with a neutral expression.
One of them a young woman with long blue hair bound into a simple ponytail and blue eyes of cold steel, dressed in a relatively airy, flashy leather armour, stomach-free and with bare shoulders, but also with a high collar. Bronze ornaments and black gloves gave the impression of a showperson, the sword at her side, relatively broad and with a blue band affixed to the pommel, and a pair of earrings only emphasizing that.
The other wore a pair of short white pants held with a broad leather belt, grey stockings emphasizing her legs, a black shirt with cleavage bound nearly closed by a thread, and a white jacket with a ruff of fur lining the collar. Her hair was white with a few black strands coloured into it, a few white ones groomed to hide her other eye, the right one a red-brown one with a certain spark in it. She held herself with a grace and purpose of a large, feline predator, one of which was with her.
Her hand was softly stroking the head of a Sickle Cat, who looked nervously at the large aircraft, worry in his sparkling red eyes, his white fur well-groomed and he himself looking like the awesome predator he was.
As soon as the engines shut down, the look vanished from his eyes, but the petting did not subside.
The stairway of the entrance of the aircraft lowered itself down to the runway, the formation of SDF-soldiers snapping to attention, presenting arms in unison.
“After you.”, Gwen told Golahman with a reassuring smile, “Good luck and rock their world!”
Fiona nodded and blew him a kiss.
The two Krugeristanis walked down the ramp onto the tarmac, the commanding officer of the section, not a Sergeant, but a Colonel, blonde and blue-eyed herself, with a frown etched onto her face as she looked at them, following their every move.
So did her soldiers.
Insignia told, that they were of the 11th Dragan-Regiment, one of the most known regiments of the SDF.
The two guests inspected the honour guard and approached the two women while doing it.
As soon as they were within comfortable talking distance, the white-haired woman stepped forward herself, extending her hand. “President Karak Golahman of Krugeristan? I'm Felicia Sciotóg of the Tribe of Monaghan, Deputy-Head of the Foreign Office. Mister Crionna sends his best regards and apologies for not welcoming you in person, but he isn't feeling too well today.” She motioned to her blue-haired companion. “My partner, and Ambassador of the Selkie, Ava Coileán of the Tribe of Westmeath.” The young woman bowed her head, hand over her heart, a gesture reserved for greeting an Elder of her own people. Felicia motioned to the Sickle Cat. “My other partner, Cara.”
The Sickle Cat looked Golahman in the eyes, his red eyes looking deeply into his soul.

[Krugeristan]

"Well, alright, then," Golahman whispered. "I'll . . . I'll . . . I'll go with it."

The next hours passed in a blur.
Breakfast was a silent and fast affair, Mona offering a short prayer to Lodan Lir and thanks to Rhiannon, the Christians at the table did a short one for their own God, during which the Selkie were silent as respect commanded them.
There were fried eggs, cheese, ham, bread and butter and apple juice – and all was fresh from the market or from the craftsmen. For foreigners, it was a feast, for Selkie the normal start of the day.
Halfway through it, Gwen came back from downstairs, dressed in a simple shirt and sturdy pants, her hair in a simple braid, making her daughter go up. She had made her calls.
At the end, as there had been a signal, someone honked a horn.
“Our ride.”, Gwen said and motioned her daughter to follow her as she led them outside, shoes being put on and a driver in front of the door – his car, a large SUV, accompanied by two others, stood at the food of the hill Leas House sat on. They were company cars of Gabha Blacksmiths.
As Gwen had things to do in Fortham anyway, they could kill two birds with one stone.
The ride to the airport passed in silence – except, that they didn't go to Traverse International, but rather the Traverse Seaplane Port, where they boarded a private amphibian, which took off a few minutes later.
As soon as they were at the appropriate altitude, their honour guard flanked them: Two Stuamas, highly modern multirole-fighters, took position on either side, the pilot of the right one waving at them.
Fiona waved back.
The flight passed in silence, as Fiona had a few company files with her to read, Gwen caught up on some sleep and their two guests were watching the sea pass beneath them.
Then, they passed over the City in the Sea, Teanga, and the rolling hills of the Trossach, passing fields and villages, the odd small town and many farmsteads, roads and train tracks passing through it like lifelines and blood vessels.
The Mór-Land soon came underneath them – no one could tell them, where one started and the other ended, so it was a bit confusing even to a Selkie to say, when which one was there.
A signal for the approach to the airfield was given.
Fortham Army Air Field, the former centre of the SDF-Army Air Service and the Naval Aviation Command, was their destination and they were nearly there. The escort broke off as they nearly touched down, circling for their own landing before going back with new fuel aboard.
The aircraft, as an amphibian also capable of landing on dry shore, soon came to a stop and began to taxi with running turboprops as belongings were collected and positions were taken. Golahman in front, Vershenov behind him, Gwen and Fiona standing back.
Apparently, they were already expected, as there was no red-carpet, but a honour guard at the place where they came to a stop. A section of riflemen in the Blue Dress of the SDF-Army, CAM 2008s at the ready, as well as two women in civilian clothes standing at the end with a neutral expression.
One of them a young woman with long blue hair bound into a simple ponytail and blue eyes of cold steel, dressed in a relatively airy, flashy leather armour, stomach-free and with bare shoulders, but also with a high collar. Bronze ornaments and black gloves gave the impression of a showperson, the sword at her side, relatively broad and with a blue band affixed to the pommel, and a pair of earrings only emphasizing that.
The other wore a pair of short white pants held with a broad leather belt, grey stockings emphasizing her legs, a black shirt with cleavage bound nearly closed by a thread, and a white jacket with a ruff of fur lining the collar. Her hair was white with a few black strands coloured into it, a few white ones groomed to hide her other eye, the right one a red-brown one with a certain spark in it. She held herself with a grace and purpose of a large, feline predator, one of which was with her.
Her hand was softly stroking the head of a Sickle Cat, who looked nervously at the large aircraft, worry in his sparkling red eyes, his white fur well-groomed and he himself looking like the awesome predator he was.
As soon as the engines shut down, the look vanished from his eyes, but the petting did not subside.
The stairway of the entrance of the aircraft lowered itself down to the runway, the formation of SDF-soldiers snapping to attention, presenting arms in unison.
“After you.”, Gwen told Golahman with a reassuring smile, “Good luck and rock their world!”
Fiona nodded and blew him a kiss.
The two Krugeristanis walked down the ramp onto the tarmac, the commanding officer of the section, not a Sergeant, but a Colonel, blonde and blue-eyed herself, with a frown etched onto her face as she looked at them, following their every move.
So did her soldiers.
Insignia told, that they were of the 11th Dragan-Regiment, one of the most known regiments of the SDF.
The two guests inspected the honour guard and approached the two women while doing it.
As soon as they were within comfortable talking distance, the white-haired woman stepped forward herself, extending her hand. “President Karak Golahman of Krugeristan? I'm Felicia Sciotóg of the Tribe of Monaghan, Deputy-Head of the Foreign Office. Mister Crionna sends his best regards and apologies for not welcoming you in person, but he isn't feeling too well today.” She motioned to her blue-haired companion. “My partner, and Ambassador of the Selkie, Ava Coileán of the Tribe of Westmeath.” The young woman bowed her head, hand over her heart, a gesture reserved for greeting an Elder of her own people. Felicia motioned to the Sickle Cat. “My other partner, Cara.”
The Sickle Cat looked Golahman in the eyes, his red eyes looking deeply into his soul.

The first thing Golahman saw was the Sickle Cat, and he smiled upon seeing the animal was looking at him. Vershenov wasn't too impressed, but remaining respectful was his first line of duty; he could scream into a pillow later.

"Oh." Golahman first took Felicia's hand, nervously, his own hand shaking badly. He wanted to greet the cat first, and couldn't. "Yes, I'm . . . president of Krugeristan, and . . . this is my guard . . . Sergei Vershenov."

[The Selkie]

The first thing Golahman saw was the Sickle Cat, and he smiled upon seeing the animal was looking at him. Vershenov wasn't too impressed, but remaining respectful was his first line of duty; he could scream into a pillow later.

"Oh." Golahman first took Felicia's hand, nervously, his own hand shaking badly. He wanted to greet the cat first, and couldn't. "Yes, I'm . . . president of Krugeristan, and . . . this is my guard . . . Sergei Vershenov."

"We know.", Felicia replied in a professional tone, before she nodded to the guard. "Commander. Your reputation proceeds you. Mostly by the ways of Miss Beag and the Banphrionsa-Family, who both have a high opinion of you, but it does."
Meanwhile, Ava made a step forward and extended her own hand, a bit awkwardly as she was not used to that gesture, but with an honest and welcoming smile. "Welcome to Fortham, Mister President." She noted, how much he shook and so did Cara, the Sickle Cat stepping forward with the grace of a large feline predator. Ava, although not his mistress, placed the other hand onto his head and ruffled his head-fur. "He's a bit over-protective of Felicia, Mister President. Please don't worry - offer him your hand to smell, if you want."

[Krugeristan]

The first thing Golahman saw was the Sickle Cat, and he smiled upon seeing the animal was looking at him. Vershenov wasn't too impressed, but remaining respectful was his first line of duty; he could scream into a pillow later.

"Oh." Golahman first took Felicia's hand, nervously, his own hand shaking badly. He wanted to greet the cat first, and couldn't. "Yes, I'm . . . president of Krugeristan, and . . . this is my guard . . . Sergei Vershenov."

"We know.", Felicia replied in a professional tone, before she nodded to the guard. "Commander. Your reputation proceeds you. Mostly by the ways of Miss Beag and the Banphrionsa-Family, who both have a high opinion of you, but it does."
Meanwhile, Ava made a step forward and extended her own hand, a bit awkwardly as she was not used to that gesture, but with an honest and welcoming smile. "Welcome to Fortham, Mister President." She noted, how much he shook and so did Cara, the Sickle Cat stepping forward with the grace of a large feline predator. Ava, although not his mistress, placed the other hand onto his head and ruffled his head-fur. "He's a bit over-protective of Felicia, Mister President. Please don't worry - offer him your hand to smell, if you want."

"In this part of the world, I guess," Vershenov said. "My reputation is quiet negative in the majority of the Western hemisphere."

Golahman weakly took Ana's hand as well, before offering it to Cara. "Forgive my awkwardness," he said out loud, to both the women and the cat.

[The Selkie]

"In this part of the world, I guess," Vershenov said. "My reputation is quiet negative in the majority of the Western hemisphere."

Golahman weakly took Ana's hand as well, before offering it to Cara. "Forgive my awkwardness," he said out loud, to both the women and the cat.

"That's a shame.", Felicia said with a nod, "Mona indeed spoke... well, wrote highly of you. Cleared her head, you did, as did your President. She sends her best regards, blessings and apologies as well."
"No problem.", Ava replied with a small smile, as Cara sniffed the hand and pondered over the smell before making a step forward, offering his head for petting. "I think, that he accepts you. Liking would be light biting, headbutting and dead prey at the foot of the bed - believe me, the former two hurt..."

[Krugeristan]

"In this part of the world, I guess," Vershenov said. "My reputation is quiet negative in the majority of the Western hemisphere."

Golahman weakly took Ana's hand as well, before offering it to Cara. "Forgive my awkwardness," he said out loud, to both the women and the cat.

"That's a shame.", Felicia said with a nod, "Mona indeed spoke... well, wrote highly of you. Cleared her head, you did, as did your President. She sends her best regards, blessings and apologies as well."
"No problem.", Ava replied with a small smile, as Cara sniffed the hand and pondered over the smell before making a step forward, offering his head for petting. "I think, that he accepts you. Liking would be light biting, headbutting and dead prey at the foot of the bed - believe me, the former two hurt..."

"Really?" Vershenov was genuinely curious, not flattered. "How'd I do that?"

Golahman smiled. "I've gotten all three from my cats. The kittens bite me, the adult cats headbutt me, and they all leave dead animals on the doorstep."

[The Selkie]

"Really?" Vershenov was genuinely curious, not flattered. "How'd I do that?"

Golahman smiled. "I've gotten all three from my cats. The kittens bite me, the adult cats headbutt me, and they all leave dead animals on the doorstep."

Felicia shrugged. "She didn't go into specifics.", she replied with an expression, which said, that she honestly did not care for the specifics, "Fact is, that you did and that's what matters. To us, at least. Anyway... short question: Is your President comfortable with riding a horse to Elder Castle or do you want us to take a carriage or a car?"

"Cara does all three and a bit more to anyone he likes.", Ava continued, "Headbutting might be too strong of a word, though, he is careful by now with anyone, who is not Felicia, but he still is an awesome and large predator. He likes to remind people of that." There was a small glint in the ruby-red eyes of the Sickle Cat as he looked at the two of them. "Give him a bit of time and he'll warm up to you."

[Krugeristan]

"Really?" Vershenov was genuinely curious, not flattered. "How'd I do that?"

Golahman smiled. "I've gotten all three from my cats. The kittens bite me, the adult cats headbutt me, and they all leave dead animals on the doorstep."

Felicia shrugged. "She didn't go into specifics.", she replied with an expression, which said, that she honestly did not care for the specifics, "Fact is, that you did and that's what matters. To us, at least. Anyway... short question: Is your President comfortable with riding a horse to Elder Castle or do you want us to take a carriage or a car?"

"Cara does all three and a bit more to anyone he likes.", Ava continued, "Headbutting might be too strong of a word, though, he is careful by now with anyone, who is not Felicia, but he still is an awesome and large predator. He likes to remind people of that." There was a small glint in the ruby-red eyes of the Sickle Cat as he looked at the two of them. "Give him a bit of time and he'll warm up to you."

"Odds are, Golahman will tell you that he will walk to Elder Castle," Vershenov said, thoroughly pissed off that this woman wasn't being specific about how he cleared Mona's head. "If anything, and if you pressure him into using a safer mode of transportation, he'll go with the horse. That's all I can say."

"Are Sickle Cats used to dry climates?" Golahman asked. "My best friend, President Assad of Syria, could probably use an animal like this."

[The Selkie]

Felicia shrugged. "She didn't go into specifics.", she replied with an expression, which said, that she honestly did not care for the specifics, "Fact is, that you did and that's what matters. To us, at least. Anyway... short question: Is your President comfortable with riding a horse to Elder Castle or do you want us to take a carriage or a car?"

"Cara does all three and a bit more to anyone he likes.", Ava continued, "Headbutting might be too strong of a word, though, he is careful by now with anyone, who is not Felicia, but he still is an awesome and large predator. He likes to remind people of that." There was a small glint in the ruby-red eyes of the Sickle Cat as he looked at the two of them. "Give him a bit of time and he'll warm up to you."

"Odds are, Golahman will tell you that he will walk to Elder Castle," Vershenov said, thoroughly pissed off that this woman wasn't being specific about how he cleared Mona's head. "If anything, and if you pressure him into using a safer mode of transportation, he'll go with the horse. That's all I can say."

"Are Sickle Cats used to dry climates?" Golahman asked. "My best friend, President Assad of Syria, could probably use an animal like this."

Felicia saw, that Vershenov was pissed at something and she had a rather solid guess as to what it was.
Relax..., she thought, A girl needs her secrets and one of her age does especially. Besides, she did not tell me so cry Mona a river, not me.
Of course, she did not say so.
Instead, she noted with a nod: "It's less about safety and more about speed, but I thank you for your advice. Horse or by foot..." She thought for a moment. "He's not into sightseeing, I take it?"

Ava made an uncomfortable face.
"They are native to the Northern Islands, bloody cold up there - hence the thick fur.", she said with an apologetic smile, "I don't think, that they'd like it in Syria, sorry. But a Larbha might... or a Creimire. I must admit, though, that I only know Mister Assad from the psychological profiles kept by the Foreign Office, so..." She shrugged. "I can only give wide suggestions."

[Krugeristan]

"Odds are, Golahman will tell you that he will walk to Elder Castle," Vershenov said, thoroughly pissed off that this woman wasn't being specific about how he cleared Mona's head. "If anything, and if you pressure him into using a safer mode of transportation, he'll go with the horse. That's all I can say."

"Are Sickle Cats used to dry climates?" Golahman asked. "My best friend, President Assad of Syria, could probably use an animal like this."

Felicia saw, that Vershenov was pissed at something and she had a rather solid guess as to what it was.
Relax..., she thought, A girl needs her secrets and one of her age does especially. Besides, she did not tell me so cry Mona a river, not me.
Of course, she did not say so.
Instead, she noted with a nod: "It's less about safety and more about speed, but I thank you for your advice. Horse or by foot..." She thought for a moment. "He's not into sightseeing, I take it?"

Ava made an uncomfortable face.
"They are native to the Northern Islands, bloody cold up there - hence the thick fur.", she said with an apologetic smile, "I don't think, that they'd like it in Syria, sorry. But a Larbha might... or a Creimire. I must admit, though, that I only know Mister Assad from the psychological profiles kept by the Foreign Office, so..." She shrugged. "I can only give wide suggestions."

"He does sightseeing, but only if he feels he has the time. Right now, he doesn't think there's time for anything, even food."

"True, I guess," Golahman muttered. "Assad's a sweet person, whenever you get the chance to meet him."

[The Selkie]

"He does sightseeing, but only if he feels he has the time. Right now, he doesn't think there's time for anything, even food."

"True, I guess," Golahman muttered. "Assad's a sweet person, whenever you get the chance to meet him."

Felicia nodded. "Then horses, it is.", she said with a another nod, "Right. Come, Commander, let's pick two from the Airfield's Staff - by the way, the rifle stays here, please."

Ava nodded - the psychological profiles said something else entirely. "I look forward to it.", she said and smiled, looking over to her companion. "We get going, Felicia?"
"Yep, horse-picking.", she said with a nod and motioned for them to follow her, "Unless of course you want to take a car, but horses will be faster. Cara..." She snapped her fingers and pointed at Golahman, "...by his heel."
The feline turned and took position at the guest's side, acting as a guard of sorts, flanking him and doing so quite effectively.

[Krugeristan]

"He does sightseeing, but only if he feels he has the time. Right now, he doesn't think there's time for anything, even food."

"True, I guess," Golahman muttered. "Assad's a sweet person, whenever you get the chance to meet him."

Felicia nodded. "Then horses, it is.", she said with a another nod, "Right. Come, Commander, let's pick two from the Airfield's Staff - by the way, the rifle stays here, please."

Ava nodded - the psychological profiles said something else entirely. "I look forward to it.", she said and smiled, looking over to her companion. "We get going, Felicia?"
"Yep, horse-picking.", she said with a nod and motioned for them to follow her, "Unless of course you want to take a car, but horses will be faster. Cara..." She snapped her fingers and pointed at Golahman, "...by his heel."
The feline turned and took position at the guest's side, acting as a guard of sorts, flanking him and doing so quite effectively.

Golahman felt like Ava was being sarcastic about meeting Assad, and he bit his lip when they turned the conversation to leaving. He attempted to drop the subject, and then noticed Cara beside him. He felt better, and resisted a smirk, not wanting to look overly happy.