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

[Krugeristan]

"No, nothing's wrong, it's just that my country is forming relations with Jordan, and King Abdullah is very sweet man, good leader, so, it would be a rather sore shame to say something bad about Jordan's system of government behind their backs," Vershenov said.

"Yes . . ." Golahman said, "Assad wants it just for holiday purposes, and he mentioned he'd prefer a female Steward."

The young woman nodded - there had been rumours about that for a while now, but now, they had the confirmation.
"That is a prudent course of action.", the old man said, "We are more or less official people, after all. And while my companion's general attitude towards monarchies surely has its charms, it is mostly formed by bad experiences in the past and our history. There are good monarchs in the world, King Abdullah not being a bad one."

Feic nodded, slowly.
"I see. There is someone, who would be appropriate and maybe interested." Her hand went into one of the pouches of the Geansai, pulling out a small notepad, scribbling something down in clean handwriting before handing it Golahman. "That's her address. Either you can contact her, Mister Assad does or I do, but I would need the address of one of the two of you for that."

"That is true," Vershenov responded, "but, still, when our allies and those we hope will be our allies have done nothing wrong to us, we try not to talk bad about them unless something of the sort comes up, and that's all I will attempt to say about this particular topic."

Golahman eagerly wrote down his address, and Assad's, before handing them to Feic on a sheet of notepaper--blue notepaper with kitten cartoons on it. "Assad also mentioned that he'd go to any meeting arranged about this, because . . . he mentioned unpredictability."

[The Selkie]

"That is true," Vershenov responded, "but, still, when our allies and those we hope will be our allies have done nothing wrong to us, we try not to talk bad about them unless something of the sort comes up, and that's all I will attempt to say about this particular topic."

Golahman eagerly wrote down his address, and Assad's, before handing them to Feic on a sheet of notepaper--blue notepaper with kitten cartoons on it. "Assad also mentioned that he'd go to any meeting arranged about this, because . . . he mentioned unpredictability."

The older man nodded. "That sounds like a very prudent course of action.", he said with a small smile, "Luckily enough for us two, our foreign politics are only by extension interested in Jordan and Syria - I believe, that we all know, how that extension is called. Other then that, we have... more pressing concerns in the Foreign Office."

Feic took the paper and raised an eyebrow at the kittens - that was indeed a new one for her as most of her customers preferred mono-colured paper. She somehow found herself liking that, a small smile cracking her lips upwards.
"I see.", she said, decyphering the handwriting. "I'll hand it to her. MGoL recently acquired a few aircraft, so sending her on her way is little to no problem."

[Krugeristan]

"That is true," Vershenov responded, "but, still, when our allies and those we hope will be our allies have done nothing wrong to us, we try not to talk bad about them unless something of the sort comes up, and that's all I will attempt to say about this particular topic."

Golahman eagerly wrote down his address, and Assad's, before handing them to Feic on a sheet of notepaper--blue notepaper with kitten cartoons on it. "Assad also mentioned that he'd go to any meeting arranged about this, because . . . he mentioned unpredictability."

The older man nodded. "That sounds like a very prudent course of action.", he said with a small smile, "Luckily enough for us two, our foreign politics are only by extension interested in Jordan and Syria - I believe, that we all know, how that extension is called. Other then that, we have... more pressing concerns in the Foreign Office."

Feic took the paper and raised an eyebrow at the kittens - that was indeed a new one for her as most of her customers preferred mono-colured paper. She somehow found herself liking that, a small smile cracking her lips upwards.
"I see.", she said, decyphering the handwriting. "I'll hand it to her. MGoL recently acquired a few aircraft, so sending her on her way is little to no problem."

Vershenov was only slightly interested in what those matters were, but when faced with the big picture, he wasn't caring in the least. He was also wondering how Golahman was doing at this point. "Does the Council take this long with people?"

"Alright, that's good," Golahman said, smiling nervously. ". . . I . . . There's really nothing else . . . I know I mentioned weapons for Syria . . . but I really don't want to force you into anything."

[The Selkie]

Vershenov was only slightly interested in what those matters were, but when faced with the big picture, he wasn't caring in the least. He was also wondering how Golahman was doing at this point. "Does the Council take this long with people?"

"Alright, that's good," Golahman said, smiling nervously. ". . . I . . . There's really nothing else . . . I know I mentioned weapons for Syria . . . but I really don't want to force you into anything."

"Let's put it this way.", the old man said with a small smile, understanding, that Vershenov had little interest in Selkie Foreign Politics. "It's a good sign, that they do. And that no one flew out of a window by now."
The young woman nodded.

Feic nodded. "That you did. The Council will debate, if they provide him with arms, equipment and supplies officially, the Merchant Guild will debate, if we sell them to him, in a lend and lease scheme, if necessary, but I can not say, what either's decision will be. If you want, though, you can ask your beloved's mother, if she would be willing to - she is the boss of Gabha Blacksmiths after all. Other then that, as you made the pleasureable acquaintance of both Miss Cathlong and Mistress Cathlong, you can ask them, too, although they are more for naval equipment and vessels." She smiled, a small one, as if her face muscles needed to relearn that. "If you want Selkie-arms for him, you'll have quite a lot of work to do and hope to have."

[Krugeristan]

Vershenov was only slightly interested in what those matters were, but when faced with the big picture, he wasn't caring in the least. He was also wondering how Golahman was doing at this point. "Does the Council take this long with people?"

"Alright, that's good," Golahman said, smiling nervously. ". . . I . . . There's really nothing else . . . I know I mentioned weapons for Syria . . . but I really don't want to force you into anything."

"Let's put it this way.", the old man said with a small smile, understanding, that Vershenov had little interest in Selkie Foreign Politics. "It's a good sign, that they do. And that no one flew out of a window by now."
The young woman nodded.

Feic nodded. "That you did. The Council will debate, if they provide him with arms, equipment and supplies officially, the Merchant Guild will debate, if we sell them to him, in a lend and lease scheme, if necessary, but I can not say, what either's decision will be. If you want, though, you can ask your beloved's mother, if she would be willing to - she is the boss of Gabha Blacksmiths after all. Other then that, as you made the pleasureable acquaintance of both Miss Cathlong and Mistress Cathlong, you can ask them, too, although they are more for naval equipment and vessels." She smiled, a small one, as if her face muscles needed to relearn that. "If you want Selkie-arms for him, you'll have quite a lot of work to do and hope to have."

Vershenov looked at the old man. "Your Council gets violent, too? Our Senate's fights are legendary."

". . . Now this sounds like I'm in a relationship just to get Assad weapons. I want to help him as much as I can, but, I don't want to look like a con for it," Golahman sobbed.

[The Selkie]

Vershenov looked at the old man. "Your Council gets violent, too? Our Senate's fights are legendary."

". . . Now this sounds like I'm in a relationship just to get Assad weapons. I want to help him as much as I can, but, I don't want to look like a con for it," Golahman sobbed.

The old man smiled. "The Council itself? No. They are old people, wisdom has replaced the rashness of youth and so on." His smile widened into a grin. "The Attendants of the Council, though? Oh, yes!"
"There is an old joke, that one of the job requirements for becoming an Attendant is to be able to throw a fifty kilograms sack out of a window without much problems and to hold their own in a fight with bare hands.", the young woman explained with a smile, "Which is obviously wrong - it's a 75kg sack and unarmed close combat training with the Great Woods Rangers."
"The discussions of the Council itself amongst each other are rather civilized though.", the old man added with a smile, "The occassional shouting match notwithstanding."

Feic shrugged. "What your aim and what you do to get it done is your question to ask yourself and yours alone. If you allow me, though, to quote the Founder of the Merchant Guild: In peace, seek profit. In war, seek profit. Inbetween, seek profit. But never allow profit to stand in the way of your conscience. Profit without conscience is a silver cage of Gils falling onto your head."
She made a small pause.
"Old Shane, who wrote these words into his Guildbook, did not ask for us to carry these words in our hearts, but we do so anyway. If you conscience does not allow you to use your relations to get it done, then don't use them - simple as that." She leaned forward, as if to tell him a secret. "And many of us would respect you, if you would not use your relations and friendship to that end."

[Krugeristan]

Vershenov looked at the old man. "Your Council gets violent, too? Our Senate's fights are legendary."

". . . Now this sounds like I'm in a relationship just to get Assad weapons. I want to help him as much as I can, but, I don't want to look like a con for it," Golahman sobbed.

The old man smiled. "The Council itself? No. They are old people, wisdom has replaced the rashness of youth and so on." His smile widened into a grin. "The Attendants of the Council, though? Oh, yes!"
"There is an old joke, that one of the job requirements for becoming an Attendant is to be able to throw a fifty kilograms sack out of a window without much problems and to hold their own in a fight with bare hands.", the young woman explained with a smile, "Which is obviously wrong - it's a 75kg sack and unarmed close combat training with the Great Woods Rangers."
"The discussions of the Council itself amongst each other are rather civilized though.", the old man added with a smile, "The occassional shouting match notwithstanding."

Feic shrugged. "What your aim and what you do to get it done is your question to ask yourself and yours alone. If you allow me, though, to quote the Founder of the Merchant Guild: In peace, seek profit. In war, seek profit. Inbetween, seek profit. But never allow profit to stand in the way of your conscience. Profit without conscience is a silver cage of Gils falling onto your head."
She made a small pause.
"Old Shane, who wrote these words into his Guildbook, did not ask for us to carry these words in our hearts, but we do so anyway. If you conscience does not allow you to use your relations to get it done, then don't use them - simple as that." She leaned forward, as if to tell him a secret. "And many of us would respect you, if you would not use your relations and friendship to that end."

"Considering all of our senators have some years of military service, they're all capable of doing such," Vershenov said, "However, most of them are younger than me and can't beat me in a fistfight, and I'm almost sixty."

Golahman rubbed his face, and nuzzled the cat. "Then I can't ask you to help Assad. I should leave that up to you and your governments. I'd feel guilty and I'd feel like I'm just using people to Assad's gain--even though I enjoy having him as a friend. It's . . . It's a very odd choice to make. Assad is legitimately a friend, as well as a diplomatic partner. As friends, we should have each other's backs, but in the world of politics, it looks like we're just out to line our own pockets, and I don't know what to do."

[The Selkie]

The old man smiled. "The Council itself? No. They are old people, wisdom has replaced the rashness of youth and so on." His smile widened into a grin. "The Attendants of the Council, though? Oh, yes!"
"There is an old joke, that one of the job requirements for becoming an Attendant is to be able to throw a fifty kilograms sack out of a window without much problems and to hold their own in a fight with bare hands.", the young woman explained with a smile, "Which is obviously wrong - it's a 75kg sack and unarmed close combat training with the Great Woods Rangers."
"The discussions of the Council itself amongst each other are rather civilized though.", the old man added with a smile, "The occassional shouting match notwithstanding."

Feic shrugged. "What your aim and what you do to get it done is your question to ask yourself and yours alone. If you allow me, though, to quote the Founder of the Merchant Guild: In peace, seek profit. In war, seek profit. Inbetween, seek profit. But never allow profit to stand in the way of your conscience. Profit without conscience is a silver cage of Gils falling onto your head."
She made a small pause.
"Old Shane, who wrote these words into his Guildbook, did not ask for us to carry these words in our hearts, but we do so anyway. If you conscience does not allow you to use your relations to get it done, then don't use them - simple as that." She leaned forward, as if to tell him a secret. "And many of us would respect you, if you would not use your relations and friendship to that end."

"Considering all of our senators have some years of military service, they're all capable of doing such," Vershenov said, "However, most of them are younger than me and can't beat me in a fistfight, and I'm almost sixty."

Golahman rubbed his face, and nuzzled the cat. "Then I can't ask you to help Assad. I should leave that up to you and your governments. I'd feel guilty and I'd feel like I'm just using people to Assad's gain--even though I enjoy having him as a friend. It's . . . It's a very odd choice to make. Assad is legitimately a friend, as well as a diplomatic partner. As friends, we should have each other's backs, but in the world of politics, it looks like we're just out to line our own pockets, and I don't know what to do."

"If I may say so...", the young woman said, looking Vershenov up and down, "...you don't look like sixty, Commander. I'm sorry, if I overstepped some line with that comment.", she added, a bit hastily, but with an apologetic bow of her head.

"Allow me to give you an advice, if you would like to help your friends and not misuse your relations: If Karak Golahman would make such a request, it would not be well received.", Feic said and extended her hand to scratch the, quite comfortable, cat under her chin, much to her delight when coupled with Golahman's petting, "If, however, the President of Krugeristan or maybe the Government of Krugeristan would make such a request, the thing would look completely different."
She made a small pause.
"At least to us.", she said.

[Krugeristan]

"Considering all of our senators have some years of military service, they're all capable of doing such," Vershenov said, "However, most of them are younger than me and can't beat me in a fistfight, and I'm almost sixty."

Golahman rubbed his face, and nuzzled the cat. "Then I can't ask you to help Assad. I should leave that up to you and your governments. I'd feel guilty and I'd feel like I'm just using people to Assad's gain--even though I enjoy having him as a friend. It's . . . It's a very odd choice to make. Assad is legitimately a friend, as well as a diplomatic partner. As friends, we should have each other's backs, but in the world of politics, it looks like we're just out to line our own pockets, and I don't know what to do."

"If I may say so...", the young woman said, looking Vershenov up and down, "...you don't look like sixty, Commander. I'm sorry, if I overstepped some line with that comment.", she added, a bit hastily, but with an apologetic bow of her head.

"Allow me to give you an advice, if you would like to help your friends and not misuse your relations: If Karak Golahman would make such a request, it would not be well received.", Feic said and extended her hand to scratch the, quite comfortable, cat under her chin, much to her delight when coupled with Golahman's petting, "If, however, the President of Krugeristan or maybe the Government of Krugeristan would make such a request, the thing would look completely different."
She made a small pause.
"At least to us.", she said.

"No, no boundaries overstepped there, but, yes, I'm fifty-seven, going on fifty-eight in February," Vershenov said.

"The national budget is up for discussion soon," Golahman muttered, "I can place this before the Senate, then."

[The Selkie]

"No, no boundaries overstepped there, but, yes, I'm fifty-seven, going on fifty-eight in February," Vershenov said.

"The national budget is up for discussion soon," Golahman muttered, "I can place this before the Senate, then."

The young woman gave a small smile. "Well, you held yourself better then Daideo."
"I am only in my 70th Spring, Marla.", the old man countered with a bit of humour in his eyes, not hurt in the slightest, "But you are correct, I can not beat up men younger then me, military training or not. Well, I can get some with my cane, but that's not a good solution to any given problem..."
Marla smiled.

Feic nodded. "See - there we go."

[Krugeristan]

"No, no boundaries overstepped there, but, yes, I'm fifty-seven, going on fifty-eight in February," Vershenov said.

"The national budget is up for discussion soon," Golahman muttered, "I can place this before the Senate, then."

The young woman gave a small smile. "Well, you held yourself better then Daideo."
"I am only in my 70th Spring, Marla.", the old man countered with a bit of humour in his eyes, not hurt in the slightest, "But you are correct, I can not beat up men younger then me, military training or not. Well, I can get some with my cane, but that's not a good solution to any given problem..."
Marla smiled.

Feic nodded. "See - there we go."

"Yes it is, what are you talking about?" Vershenov said, frowning, as well as giving an impression that he didn't want to discuss this.

Golahman nodded, looking down at the cat. ". . . Now what?"

[The Selkie]

"Yes it is, what are you talking about?" Vershenov said, frowning, as well as giving an impression that he didn't want to discuss this.

Golahman nodded, looking down at the cat. ". . . Now what?"

"Depends, really.", the man called Daideo said, getting, that Vershenov wasn't willing to discuss this further, "Anyway... what I would like to know from you, is... if there was a Selkie-Delegation wishing to head to Krugeristan, who would we have to contact beforehand?"

Feic bowed forward, gently kissing the cat between the ears. "Now, it again depends on you. There are many people you could talk to, like Mairin, from the Foreign Office, or one of the officers, for the SDF, or the representatives of the Archipelago and the Northern Islands - or you ask someone, most likely either me or Felicia or Ava, to take you back out." She made a step back to a more decent distance. "It depends on you, really."

[Krugeristan]

"Yes it is, what are you talking about?" Vershenov said, frowning, as well as giving an impression that he didn't want to discuss this.

Golahman nodded, looking down at the cat. ". . . Now what?"

"Depends, really.", the man called Daideo said, getting, that Vershenov wasn't willing to discuss this further, "Anyway... what I would like to know from you, is... if there was a Selkie-Delegation wishing to head to Krugeristan, who would we have to contact beforehand?"

Feic bowed forward, gently kissing the cat between the ears. "Now, it again depends on you. There are many people you could talk to, like Mairin, from the Foreign Office, or one of the officers, for the SDF, or the representatives of the Archipelago and the Northern Islands - or you ask someone, most likely either me or Felicia or Ava, to take you back out." She made a step back to a more decent distance. "It depends on you, really."

"Probably myself, Golahman, or the Krugeristani Foreign Minister, Ivan Harenl," Vershenov replied. "Assad can come and go as he pleases, but others have to go through processing."

"I'd . . . like to go back to Leas House . . . if that's alright," Golahman said, softly.

[The Selkie]

"Probably myself, Golahman, or the Krugeristani Foreign Minister, Ivan Harenl," Vershenov replied. "Assad can come and go as he pleases, but others have to go through processing."

"I'd . . . like to go back to Leas House . . . if that's alright," Golahman said, softly.

The old man smiled an odd smile.
"I understand completely. Please make note, that a delegation of the Free Lands would like to come at your earliest convinience.", he told Vershenov with a small smile, "Both a diplomatic delegation and a business delegation, if the will for it exists."

Feic nodded and waved Ava and Felicia over.
"Then I won't stop you, Mister Golahman.", she said as the two diplomats came over, "I wish you a good day, steady winds and Searc's Blessings for you love." She offered her hand for a shake. "I hope to hear from you and Krugeristan rather sooner then later - and from Mister Assad."

[Krugeristan]

"Probably myself, Golahman, or the Krugeristani Foreign Minister, Ivan Harenl," Vershenov replied. "Assad can come and go as he pleases, but others have to go through processing."

"I'd . . . like to go back to Leas House . . . if that's alright," Golahman said, softly.

The old man smiled an odd smile.
"I understand completely. Please make note, that a delegation of the Free Lands would like to come at your earliest convinience.", he told Vershenov with a small smile, "Both a diplomatic delegation and a business delegation, if the will for it exists."

Feic nodded and waved Ava and Felicia over.
"Then I won't stop you, Mister Golahman.", she said as the two diplomats came over, "I wish you a good day, steady winds and Searc's Blessings for you love." She offered her hand for a shake. "I hope to hear from you and Krugeristan rather sooner then later - and from Mister Assad."

"I'll mention that to Golahman," Vershenov said.

Golahman shyly nodded again before backing toward the diplomats slowly. It took some effort, but he put the cat down. "Sorry I have to leave you. If I was a bad man, I'd take you with me."

[The Selkie]

"I'll mention that to Golahman," Vershenov said.

Golahman shyly nodded again before backing toward the diplomats slowly. It took some effort, but he put the cat down. "Sorry I have to leave you. If I was a bad man, I'd take you with me."

"Excellent!", the old man said with a smile, "It will be very good, to send a return-delegation, speaking about diplomacy, relations, each other's worries, as long as they can be handled, and so on..."
He leaned back and took a deep breath, looking at Vershenov.
"Give me a number between one and six, please, Commander."
The young woman's smile widened.

The cat gave a purr, nuzzling against his leg - he really enjoyed their time together.
Felicia and Ava nodded to Feic, who nodded back and went away with a small smile on her lips - once around a corner, she got out her mobile phone. There were a few calls she had to make.
With Felicia and Ava, however, the former kneeling and offering her hand herself to pet the cat, Ava took over the conversation: "And? Had fun?", she asked with a smile.

[Krugeristan]

"I'll mention that to Golahman," Vershenov said.

Golahman shyly nodded again before backing toward the diplomats slowly. It took some effort, but he put the cat down. "Sorry I have to leave you. If I was a bad man, I'd take you with me."

"Excellent!", the old man said with a smile, "It will be very good, to send a return-delegation, speaking about diplomacy, relations, each other's worries, as long as they can be handled, and so on..."
He leaned back and took a deep breath, looking at Vershenov.
"Give me a number between one and six, please, Commander."
The young woman's smile widened.

The cat gave a purr, nuzzling against his leg - he really enjoyed their time together.
Felicia and Ava nodded to Feic, who nodded back and went away with a small smile on her lips - once around a corner, she got out her mobile phone. There were a few calls she had to make.
With Felicia and Ava, however, the former kneeling and offering her hand herself to pet the cat, Ava took over the conversation: "And? Had fun?", she asked with a smile.

Vershenov frowned. "Three?"

"I guess so," Golahman muttered. "I . . . well . . . it wasn't unpleasant. At least I cleared things up for Assad. Can't wait for him to tell me about whatever Steward you give him."

[The Selkie]

Vershenov frowned. "Three?"

"I guess so," Golahman muttered. "I . . . well . . . it wasn't unpleasant. At least I cleared things up for Assad. Can't wait for him to tell me about whatever Steward you give him."

"Ah.", the old man said with a smile, "Ayden and Aingeal, then. One with a voice sweet as honey, one with the build of a wardrobe."
Marla nodded. "In case you were wondering, Commander, you just chose the Ambassador Group, which will form the diplomatic delegation of the Free Lands to Krugeristan, when the time comes. In this case, AG 3, Caja Glór of the Tribe of Laois, we call her Aingeal, and Ayden Tine of the Tribe of Wicklow.", she explained with a small smile.

"You'll meet him or her in due time.", Ava said with a smile, as Felicia, having successfully petted the cat, which soon made his way back into the depths of Elder Castle, "Now then... if I know Daideo correctly, he'll be organizing the return visit as we speak, so... anything else you think you need to take care of? Diplomacy, personal things, biological things?"
"Ava..."
"What? It will be a bit more sedate back to Fortham AAF!", Ava replied with a smile, which cause Felicia to shake her head with a small smile of her own.

[Krugeristan]

Vershenov frowned. "Three?"

"I guess so," Golahman muttered. "I . . . well . . . it wasn't unpleasant. At least I cleared things up for Assad. Can't wait for him to tell me about whatever Steward you give him."

"Ah.", the old man said with a smile, "Ayden and Aingeal, then. One with a voice sweet as honey, one with the build of a wardrobe."
Marla nodded. "In case you were wondering, Commander, you just chose the Ambassador Group, which will form the diplomatic delegation of the Free Lands to Krugeristan, when the time comes. In this case, AG 3, Caja Glór of the Tribe of Laois, we call her Aingeal, and Ayden Tine of the Tribe of Wicklow.", she explained with a small smile.

"You'll meet him or her in due time.", Ava said with a smile, as Felicia, having successfully petted the cat, which soon made his way back into the depths of Elder Castle, "Now then... if I know Daideo correctly, he'll be organizing the return visit as we speak, so... anything else you think you need to take care of? Diplomacy, personal things, biological things?"
"Ava..."
"What? It will be a bit more sedate back to Fortham AAF!", Ava replied with a smile, which cause Felicia to shake her head with a small smile of her own.

"In all honesty, I wish you had described to me the groups before making me choose a number," Vershenov muttered.

"Well . . . I want Vershenov back . . ." Golahman said. "Hope he hasn't, you know, shot anyone, or lectured people on torture."

[The Selkie]

"In all honesty, I wish you had described to me the groups before making me choose a number," Vershenov muttered.

"Well . . . I want Vershenov back . . ." Golahman said. "Hope he hasn't, you know, shot anyone, or lectured people on torture."

"Where would the fun be in that? The element of surprise? The mystery?", the old man asked in mock-hurt, before he turned serious, "In all honesty, though, my Ambassador Groups can all behave diplomatically. They are trained for this job, so it's basically a random pick - although they all have their own little quirks, which you should see before you believe them. Leonard, for example, one of the two of AG 2, is madly in love with every kind of cheese in this world."
He made a small pause.
"In all honesty, for Krugeristan, there was only the pick between AGs 1, 3 and 6. You know AG 6 already, Felicia and Ava, and you got to know AG 1 as well.", he explained with a small smirk.

Ava motioned for Golahman to follow her.
"I haven't heard gunshots, so it's a good sign.", she said over her shoulder, "Plus, Daideo is very good at setting people at ease, if he wants to. Torture is no problem, though, we might not practice it anymore, but our ancestors were very creative in that regard!"

[Krugeristan]

"In all honesty, I wish you had described to me the groups before making me choose a number," Vershenov muttered.

"Well . . . I want Vershenov back . . ." Golahman said. "Hope he hasn't, you know, shot anyone, or lectured people on torture."

"Where would the fun be in that? The element of surprise? The mystery?", the old man asked in mock-hurt, before he turned serious, "In all honesty, though, my Ambassador Groups can all behave diplomatically. They are trained for this job, so it's basically a random pick - although they all have their own little quirks, which you should see before you believe them. Leonard, for example, one of the two of AG 2, is madly in love with every kind of cheese in this world."
He made a small pause.
"In all honesty, for Krugeristan, there was only the pick between AGs 1, 3 and 6. You know AG 6 already, Felicia and Ava, and you got to know AG 1 as well.", he explained with a small smirk.

Ava motioned for Golahman to follow her.
"I haven't heard gunshots, so it's a good sign.", she said over her shoulder, "Plus, Daideo is very good at setting people at ease, if he wants to. Torture is no problem, though, we might not practice it anymore, but our ancestors were very creative in that regard!"

"Maybe you can send Leonard, then. We take pride in cheese in my country---just don't give too much to Assad. Golahman learned that the hard way," Vershenov snorted.

"That's good, then," Golahman stammered. "It's--It's been nice talking . . . I guess . . ."

[The Selkie]

"Maybe you can send Leonard, then. We take pride in cheese in my country---just don't give too much to Assad. Golahman learned that the hard way," Vershenov snorted.

"That's good, then," Golahman stammered. "It's--It's been nice talking . . . I guess . . ."

"I'm afraid to ask and assume lactose intolerance. And a good cheese is something everyone can enjoy. Well, everyone except those with lactose intolerance, but you get, what I mean, I hope.", the old man said, leaning back. "Besides, either the Gods - or God, if you are more so inclined - providence, fate or sheer chance made you pick Aingeal and Ayden. Who are we to trifle with these forces outside of our control?"

"I am sure, that the Elders think the same.", Felicia said with a small smile, "They are usually rather happy to greet foreign heads of state, who know, how to behave!"
Meanwhile, they were taking another route down to the bailey, where Vershenov and a few other people waited. This one was equally fast, but just as scenic. They even walked past some more antiques, sets of arms and armours with little plaques showing, who or what they were.
And the odd office, their inhabitants, if they saw the small group, smiling and nodding in greeting, before going back to work.

[Krugeristan]

"Maybe you can send Leonard, then. We take pride in cheese in my country---just don't give too much to Assad. Golahman learned that the hard way," Vershenov snorted.

"That's good, then," Golahman stammered. "It's--It's been nice talking . . . I guess . . ."

"I'm afraid to ask and assume lactose intolerance. And a good cheese is something everyone can enjoy. Well, everyone except those with lactose intolerance, but you get, what I mean, I hope.", the old man said, leaning back. "Besides, either the Gods - or God, if you are more so inclined - providence, fate or sheer chance made you pick Aingeal and Ayden. Who are we to trifle with these forces outside of our control?"

"I am sure, that the Elders think the same.", Felicia said with a small smile, "They are usually rather happy to greet foreign heads of state, who know, how to behave!"
Meanwhile, they were taking another route down to the bailey, where Vershenov and a few other people waited. This one was equally fast, but just as scenic. They even walked past some more antiques, sets of arms and armours with little plaques showing, who or what they were.
And the odd office, their inhabitants, if they saw the small group, smiling and nodding in greeting, before going back to work.

"You'd assume correctly," Vershenov said, "but it's primarily related to stress. If you must know, Assad hasn't been in peak physical condition since the war started."

Golahman was clutching his scarf as they walked, his shoulders hunched as he walked. "Does . . . Gwen . . . know we're . . . done?"

[The Selkie]

"You'd assume correctly," Vershenov said, "but it's primarily related to stress. If you must know, Assad hasn't been in peak physical condition since the war started."

Golahman was clutching his scarf as they walked, his shoulders hunched as he walked. "Does . . . Gwen . . . know we're . . . done?"

"Oh, is that so?", the old man said with a small frown.
Truth was, that SDF-Navy Intelligence and the other intelligence had already assumed so, judging by recent pictures of the Syrian president - he was not important to Selkie Foreign Politics, or rather important by proxy, but it was useful to sometimes keep an eye on things.
"Please relay to him our best wishes for recovery.", Marla said with a small bow of her head, "Both for himself and his country."

Felicia pulled a pocket watch out of her jacket, letting the spring open the casing so that she could look at the time as they walked down the hallways. Then she estimated and replied: "Most likely by now. I would be very disappointed if not. That being said..."
Ava opened a door and suddenly, they were on the battlements of the inner wall, overlooking that part of Fortham and Lake Mór, a ceremonial guard looking over to them, nodding and turning back to his lookout. Ava led them further forwards, towards a set of stairs leading down into the bailey, behind the little building the old man, Marla and Vershenov were sitting in front of.
"That being said, your friend from just now is most likely speaking with her over the horn as we walk down.", Ava said from the front, grabbing the handrail in the wall, "Be careful, the steps are sometimes a bit slippery."

[Krugeristan]

"You'd assume correctly," Vershenov said, "but it's primarily related to stress. If you must know, Assad hasn't been in peak physical condition since the war started."

Golahman was clutching his scarf as they walked, his shoulders hunched as he walked. "Does . . . Gwen . . . know we're . . . done?"

"Oh, is that so?", the old man said with a small frown.
Truth was, that SDF-Navy Intelligence and the other intelligence had already assumed so, judging by recent pictures of the Syrian president - he was not important to Selkie Foreign Politics, or rather important by proxy, but it was useful to sometimes keep an eye on things.
"Please relay to him our best wishes for recovery.", Marla said with a small bow of her head, "Both for himself and his country."

Felicia pulled a pocket watch out of her jacket, letting the spring open the casing so that she could look at the time as they walked down the hallways. Then she estimated and replied: "Most likely by now. I would be very disappointed if not. That being said..."
Ava opened a door and suddenly, they were on the battlements of the inner wall, overlooking that part of Fortham and Lake Mór, a ceremonial guard looking over to them, nodding and turning back to his lookout. Ava led them further forwards, towards a set of stairs leading down into the bailey, behind the little building the old man, Marla and Vershenov were sitting in front of.
"That being said, your friend from just now is most likely speaking with her over the horn as we walk down.", Ava said from the front, grabbing the handrail in the wall, "Be careful, the steps are sometimes a bit slippery."

"Yes, it is so," Vershenov said. "If you can smell a man's fever, it is most certainly so. If you can see the throbbing of a man's headache, it is certainly so. If you can practically see the discomfort in his gut, it is most certainly so."

"Oh, that's alright. If I fall, no need to treat me. I'll be alright," Golahman replied.