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

[The Selkie]

Vershenov was starting to wish he brought the stuffed cat Mona gave them yesterday, but Golahman had left it in his room back at Leas House. There wasn't much he could do, but said to Marla, "It'd be a good idea if we get him to sit down quickly."

Marla looked to the blonde, who nodded. "Sure, Sir.", she said and motioned for them to enter, "Right this way. The usual room, Miss?"
Marla nodded and replied out loud a moment later. "Yes, the usual room, please."
The blonde nodded. "Follow me."
First Marla, then Crionna and Golahman, Vershenov and Felicia, Cara, who was well received by the blonde, and Ava, who staid behind for a moment, putting her sword against the wall next to the door, giving a sheepish smile. The blonde led them past a hallway with closed doors, past storerooms and the kitchens, up a staircase into a hallway, where they heard sounds from the restaurant area. The hallways was long and in periodic intervals, there were doors with small sideboards between them - private eating rooms. Only one of the doors was closed and that was at the other end of the hallway.
The blonde opened the door to the nearest room and motioned them to enter the cozy little room, dominated by a dark, massive, wooden table, with comfortable chairs around it. Sofas of a dark green colour were lined up below the windows, which let light stream into the room, but also invited to look out onto the street, one of Fortham's main streets.
The room was decorated with a few flowers and two paintings hanging on the wall. One of them showed a landscape with a few people sitting there in peace, one of them leaned against the side of a horse, eyes closed, some in Geansai, some in armour, some in other dresses, but they weren't the main point of the picture. They were more akin to decoration as the main object was the landscape, a small hill with the ruins of a tower on it and a field of flowers around it, a small creek running by the side, a dark forest in the background, the treetops in stark contrast with the clear blue skies.
The other one was a painting of a Sickle Cat like Cara, snuggled up to a ball on a carpet, sitting in front of a fireplace, where a happy fire merrily burned. There was also someone else in the picture, a young woman, who looked an awful lot like Felicia, in who's lap the Sickle Cat's head rested, while she calmly stroked the ruff around the neck, a small smile on her lips.
"I'll get you the menus in a few minutes. Anything I can get you until then?", the blonde asked as Crionna took one of the sofas with a heave.

[Krugeristan]

Vershenov was starting to wish he brought the stuffed cat Mona gave them yesterday, but Golahman had left it in his room back at Leas House. There wasn't much he could do, but said to Marla, "It'd be a good idea if we get him to sit down quickly."

Marla looked to the blonde, who nodded. "Sure, Sir.", she said and motioned for them to enter, "Right this way. The usual room, Miss?"
Marla nodded and replied out loud a moment later. "Yes, the usual room, please."
The blonde nodded. "Follow me."
First Marla, then Crionna and Golahman, Vershenov and Felicia, Cara, who was well received by the blonde, and Ava, who staid behind for a moment, putting her sword against the wall next to the door, giving a sheepish smile. The blonde led them past a hallway with closed doors, past storerooms and the kitchens, up a staircase into a hallway, where they heard sounds from the restaurant area. The hallways was long and in periodic intervals, there were doors with small sideboards between them - private eating rooms. Only one of the doors was closed and that was at the other end of the hallway.
The blonde opened the door to the nearest room and motioned them to enter the cozy little room, dominated by a dark, massive, wooden table, with comfortable chairs around it. Sofas of a dark green colour were lined up below the windows, which let light stream into the room, but also invited to look out onto the street, one of Fortham's main streets.
The room was decorated with a few flowers and two paintings hanging on the wall. One of them showed a landscape with a few people sitting there in peace, one of them leaned against the side of a horse, eyes closed, some in Geansai, some in armour, some in other dresses, but they weren't the main point of the picture. They were more akin to decoration as the main object was the landscape, a small hill with the ruins of a tower on it and a field of flowers around it, a small creek running by the side, a dark forest in the background, the treetops in stark contrast with the clear blue skies.
The other one was a painting of a Sickle Cat like Cara, snuggled up to a ball on a carpet, sitting in front of a fireplace, where a happy fire merrily burned. There was also someone else in the picture, a young woman, who looked an awful lot like Felicia, in who's lap the Sickle Cat's head rested, while she calmly stroked the ruff around the neck, a small smile on her lips.
"I'll get you the menus in a few minutes. Anything I can get you until then?", the blonde asked as Crionna took one of the sofas with a heave.

"I'll have a glass of peppermint hot chocolate," Vershenov said, helping Golahman sit down. "He'll have a glass of water."

Golahman had taken his hands from his face, and was staring into space for a minute before looking at the blond woman and asking, "Can I have a bowl of walnuts?"

[The Selkie]

"I'll have a glass of peppermint hot chocolate," Vershenov said, helping Golahman sit down. "He'll have a glass of water."

Golahman had taken his hands from his face, and was staring into space for a minute before looking at the blond woman and asking, "Can I have a bowl of walnuts?"

The blonde nodded at all three things, looking to Marla. "A water for Daideo and another one for Cara.", she said with a nod.
"Two glasses and a bowl of water, a bowl of walnuts and menus - coming in a bit!", the blonde said, nodded and was off, closing the door behind her silently.
As soon as that was done, the Selkie visibly relaxed, Marla heaving a sigh of relief as she sat down on the armrest of the sofa Crionna was occupying, the old man placing a hand on her upper leg, a hand which she grabbed and squeezed.
Ava, meanwhile, sat down at the table, leaning back as Felicia sat at her side and called Cara to her, taking out a small brush to go over his mane and the ruff, passing time.

[Krugeristan]

"I'll have a glass of peppermint hot chocolate," Vershenov said, helping Golahman sit down. "He'll have a glass of water."

Golahman had taken his hands from his face, and was staring into space for a minute before looking at the blond woman and asking, "Can I have a bowl of walnuts?"

The blonde nodded at all three things, looking to Marla. "A water for Daideo and another one for Cara.", she said with a nod.
"Two glasses and a bowl of water, a bowl of walnuts and menus - coming in a bit!", the blonde said, nodded and was off, closing the door behind her silently.
As soon as that was done, the Selkie visibly relaxed, Marla heaving a sigh of relief as she sat down on the armrest of the sofa Crionna was occupying, the old man placing a hand on her upper leg, a hand which she grabbed and squeezed.
Ava, meanwhile, sat down at the table, leaning back as Felicia sat at her side and called Cara to her, taking out a small brush to go over his mane and the ruff, passing time.

Vershenov folded his hands, looking at nothing in particular, and wishing he had a newspaper, while Golahman wondered if this restaurant had any animals. After sitting in silence for a while, Golahman whispered to Vershenov, "I want to call---"

"You called him two hours ago," Vershenov said.

"But--"

"Give the poor man a break."

[The Selkie]

Vershenov folded his hands, looking at nothing in particular, and wishing he had a newspaper, while Golahman wondered if this restaurant had any animals. After sitting in silence for a while, Golahman whispered to Vershenov, "I want to call---"

"You called him two hours ago," Vershenov said.

"But--"

"Give the poor man a break."

"He's right, you know.", Crionna said, turning his hand to hold Marla's hand, who squeezed his with a small smile, "Not because of bothering him, but because of the time. We are far enough away from Syria for there to be night by now. The poor sod needs sleep, from all the diplomatic grapevine has."
Ava, meanwhile, stood up and went to the painting of the Sickle Cat, looking at it throughly, inspecting it and comparing the two subjects of the painting with Felicia and Cara.

[Krugeristan]

Vershenov folded his hands, looking at nothing in particular, and wishing he had a newspaper, while Golahman wondered if this restaurant had any animals. After sitting in silence for a while, Golahman whispered to Vershenov, "I want to call---"

"You called him two hours ago," Vershenov said.

"But--"

"Give the poor man a break."

"He's right, you know.", Crionna said, turning his hand to hold Marla's hand, who squeezed his with a small smile, "Not because of bothering him, but because of the time. We are far enough away from Syria for there to be night by now. The poor sod needs sleep, from all the diplomatic grapevine has."
Ava, meanwhile, stood up and went to the painting of the Sickle Cat, looking at it throughly, inspecting it and comparing the two subjects of the painting with Felicia and Cara.

"Aye . . . you could be right . . . I don't think Assad's gotten a proper night's sleep in years . . ." Golahman muttered.

"And, yes, it will make a difference if you interrupt him now," Vershenov said. "Just because he's joked to you about not needing sleep doesn't mean you take it seriously. And, you need to talk with other people, son."

"Right." Golahman adjusted his gloves. "How's pumpkin season here?"

[The Selkie]

"Aye . . . you could be right . . . I don't think Assad's gotten a proper night's sleep in years . . ." Golahman muttered.

"And, yes, it will make a difference if you interrupt him now," Vershenov said. "Just because he's joked to you about not needing sleep doesn't mean you take it seriously. And, you need to talk with other people, son."

"Right." Golahman adjusted his gloves. "How's pumpkin season here?"

"Relatively non-existing, I'm afraid.", Crionna said with a smile, "But Harvest Season is right around the corner. Farmers bringing in their harvests, fishermen making their boats ready for winter... and when all is said and done, the Festivals."
Marla nodded. "Thanking the Gods for a good harvest and all the other blessings of the year... besides for the Foreign Office, it'll be high season for me as well. I still drag logs on the side and those things are needed as well. Nothing burns better in the fireplace then firewood."

[Krugeristan]

"Aye . . . you could be right . . . I don't think Assad's gotten a proper night's sleep in years . . ." Golahman muttered.

"And, yes, it will make a difference if you interrupt him now," Vershenov said. "Just because he's joked to you about not needing sleep doesn't mean you take it seriously. And, you need to talk with other people, son."

"Right." Golahman adjusted his gloves. "How's pumpkin season here?"

"Relatively non-existing, I'm afraid.", Crionna said with a smile, "But Harvest Season is right around the corner. Farmers bringing in their harvests, fishermen making their boats ready for winter... and when all is said and done, the Festivals."
Marla nodded. "Thanking the Gods for a good harvest and all the other blessings of the year... besides for the Foreign Office, it'll be high season for me as well. I still drag logs on the side and those things are needed as well. Nothing burns better in the fireplace then firewood."

A "no shit" ran through the minds of Golahman and Vershenov, but they both refrained from language here. "Well . . . our agriculture is relatively crappy as well. We primarily rely on Russia, but, we try to grow food in the southern parts of the country," Golahman said. "We could trade pumpkins, I guess. Maybe. I don't know."

[The Selkie]

A "no shit" ran through the minds of Golahman and Vershenov, but they both refrained from language here. "Well . . . our agriculture is relatively crappy as well. We primarily rely on Russia, but, we try to grow food in the southern parts of the country," Golahman said. "We could trade pumpkins, I guess. Maybe. I don't know."

'As well'?, four Selkie thought relatively hurt. Sure, the Selkie did not use tractors and stuff on principle, but that did not mean, that their agriculture was crappy. They would even go as far as to say, that it was quite on the contrary.
However, they would not say that outright.
"Pumpkins, eh...?", Crionna mumbled, thinking, "If you want, I can tell a few people I know from the Merchant Guild and they can see, if something can be arranged?"

[Krugeristan]

A "no shit" ran through the minds of Golahman and Vershenov, but they both refrained from language here. "Well . . . our agriculture is relatively crappy as well. We primarily rely on Russia, but, we try to grow food in the southern parts of the country," Golahman said. "We could trade pumpkins, I guess. Maybe. I don't know."

'As well'?, four Selkie thought relatively hurt. Sure, the Selkie did not use tractors and stuff on principle, but that did not mean, that their agriculture was crappy. They would even go as far as to say, that it was quite on the contrary.
However, they would not say that outright.
"Pumpkins, eh...?", Crionna mumbled, thinking, "If you want, I can tell a few people I know from the Merchant Guild and they can see, if something can be arranged?"

"Go ahead. I'll let my agricultural minister know." Golahman was quiet again. "So . . . can I call--"

"No," Vershenov said.

[The Selkie]

"Go ahead. I'll let my agricultural minister know." Golahman was quiet again. "So . . . can I call--"

"No," Vershenov said.

Silently, the door opened again the blonde carefully came in with a tray, glasses of water, carafes of water and a bowl of walnuts, as well as a bowl of water on it, while having three menus tuckered under her arm.
She smiled, as she distributed everything, getting a lick on the cheek from Cara in return and thanks for the water. As she rose up, she told the people: "Once you are ready to order, knock on the door - I'll be waiting outside."
With that, she left them with the menu - and what a menu it was!
Of course, the main section of it was Selkie Cuisine, described in detail and with the ingredients for tourists, including six variations of Stobhach, but there was also the international section with a variety of foodstuffs from all over the world. There were a few seafood dishes of Nifonese origin, a special kind of roast from the mountains of Herodas, something from Russia as well, Rassolnik and Pelmeni, and many more dishes from around the world to be selected, together with prices.
Drinks were also noted, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, the former for which Crionna asked for forgiveness - this was the normal menu handed to every customer after all. Non-alcoholic stuff included several variations of Herbal Teas, fruit juices and apple juice, as well as lemonade, which was accompanied by a warning, that no liability was given for any dental damages after consumption.
"Don't worry about the costs, lassies and laddies.", Crionna said with a smile, "It's on the Foreign Office."

[Krugeristan]

"Go ahead. I'll let my agricultural minister know." Golahman was quiet again. "So . . . can I call--"

"No," Vershenov said.

Silently, the door opened again the blonde carefully came in with a tray, glasses of water, carafes of water and a bowl of walnuts, as well as a bowl of water on it, while having three menus tuckered under her arm.
She smiled, as she distributed everything, getting a lick on the cheek from Cara in return and thanks for the water. As she rose up, she told the people: "Once you are ready to order, knock on the door - I'll be waiting outside."
With that, she left them with the menu - and what a menu it was!
Of course, the main section of it was Selkie Cuisine, described in detail and with the ingredients for tourists, including six variations of Stobhach, but there was also the international section with a variety of foodstuffs from all over the world. There were a few seafood dishes of Nifonese origin, a special kind of roast from the mountains of Herodas, something from Russia as well, Rassolnik and Pelmeni, and many more dishes from around the world to be selected, together with prices.
Drinks were also noted, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, the former for which Crionna asked for forgiveness - this was the normal menu handed to every customer after all. Non-alcoholic stuff included several variations of Herbal Teas, fruit juices and apple juice, as well as lemonade, which was accompanied by a warning, that no liability was given for any dental damages after consumption.
"Don't worry about the costs, lassies and laddies.", Crionna said with a smile, "It's on the Foreign Office."

"Please, I insist we pay," Golahman said. "I'd feel better . . . if we did . . ."

Vershenov looked at the others, figuring they were used to Golahman's pleas by now. He wondered if letting him call you-know-who would get him to just settle down and relax, but making a phone call at a lunch was beyond rude.

[The Selkie]

"Please, I insist we pay," Golahman said. "I'd feel better . . . if we did . . ."

Vershenov looked at the others, figuring they were used to Golahman's pleas by now. He wondered if letting him call you-know-who would get him to just settle down and relax, but making a phone call at a lunch was beyond rude.

The Selkie in attendance turned to Crionna.
He looked at Golahman, a neutral expression on his face as his thumb softly stroked the upper leg it sat on, Marla waiting for his decision. He took his time.
"Diplomatic courtesy...", Crionna said, "...would dictate, that we invite you and pay for you as well. It would be rude not to do so. However... if you really insist, we can do that. It might not be that kindest of things, on both sides, but we can look over that. Cultural differences and such."
He glanced at Vershenov and especially his rifle at that before returning to Golahman.
"One has to accept that.", he finished.

[Krugeristan]

"Please, I insist we pay," Golahman said. "I'd feel better . . . if we did . . ."

Vershenov looked at the others, figuring they were used to Golahman's pleas by now. He wondered if letting him call you-know-who would get him to just settle down and relax, but making a phone call at a lunch was beyond rude.

The Selkie in attendance turned to Crionna.
He looked at Golahman, a neutral expression on his face as his thumb softly stroked the upper leg it sat on, Marla waiting for his decision. He took his time.
"Diplomatic courtesy...", Crionna said, "...would dictate, that we invite you and pay for you as well. It would be rude not to do so. However... if you really insist, we can do that. It might not be that kindest of things, on both sides, but we can look over that. Cultural differences and such."
He glanced at Vershenov and especially his rifle at that before returning to Golahman.
"One has to accept that.", he finished.

"Well . . . if you don't want to pay, then I will. I'd feel bad if you did, because then I'd be in debt, and when I'm in debt, I feel guilty for doing anything," Golahman said.

[The Selkie]

"Well . . . if you don't want to pay, then I will. I'd feel bad if you did, because then I'd be in debt, and when I'm in debt, I feel guilty for doing anything," Golahman said.

Crionna gave a small laugh. "Problem is, laddie, I want to pay, as part of the diplomatic courtesy and because I somehow like you." He leaned back.
"If you want, we can make a small deal.", Felicia said, looking up from Cara, "We treat to one of the best restaurants in the Free Lands and you treat our delegation to one of the best restaurants in Krugeristan. Would be a deal, not a debt."
Crionna nodded at that. "From my side, that seems acceptable.", he said.

[Krugeristan]

"Well . . . if you don't want to pay, then I will. I'd feel bad if you did, because then I'd be in debt, and when I'm in debt, I feel guilty for doing anything," Golahman said.

Crionna gave a small laugh. "Problem is, laddie, I want to pay, as part of the diplomatic courtesy and because I somehow like you." He leaned back.
"If you want, we can make a small deal.", Felicia said, looking up from Cara, "We treat to one of the best restaurants in the Free Lands and you treat our delegation to one of the best restaurants in Krugeristan. Would be a deal, not a debt."
Crionna nodded at that. "From my side, that seems acceptable.", he said.

Golahman looked at Vershenov. "What do you think?"

"For God's sake, Golahman, it's a deal, and a reasonable one at that. We'll invite them to Doenya, and, you know, what? Go ahead and invite Assad or Putin. Or both. I don't care. Whatever makes you happy." Vershenov rubbed his face, taking a sip of his drink.

A big smile appeared on Golahman's face.

[The Selkie]

Golahman looked at Vershenov. "What do you think?"

"For God's sake, Golahman, it's a deal, and a reasonable one at that. We'll invite them to Doenya, and, you know, what? Go ahead and invite Assad or Putin. Or both. I don't care. Whatever makes you happy." Vershenov rubbed his face, taking a sip of his drink.

A big smile appeared on Golahman's face.

Crionna nodded in approval. "That indeed sounds like a prudent course of action.", he said with a small smile, "I can give our delegation a range of topics to talk about with both of them... friendly, of course. That being said, their main point would still be talking with you and your ministers."
There was a small pause.
"Don't worry.", Marla said, "It's not even half as serious as it sounds. Pretty boring, standard stuff, actually. Contact with politicians, with civilian organizations, the business as well - for example pumpkins - and a whole lot of representative work. It's not like an international conference on some new sea law or something."

[Krugeristan]

Golahman looked at Vershenov. "What do you think?"

"For God's sake, Golahman, it's a deal, and a reasonable one at that. We'll invite them to Doenya, and, you know, what? Go ahead and invite Assad or Putin. Or both. I don't care. Whatever makes you happy." Vershenov rubbed his face, taking a sip of his drink.

A big smile appeared on Golahman's face.

Crionna nodded in approval. "That indeed sounds like a prudent course of action.", he said with a small smile, "I can give our delegation a range of topics to talk about with both of them... friendly, of course. That being said, their main point would still be talking with you and your ministers."
There was a small pause.
"Don't worry.", Marla said, "It's not even half as serious as it sounds. Pretty boring, standard stuff, actually. Contact with politicians, with civilian organizations, the business as well - for example pumpkins - and a whole lot of representative work. It's not like an international conference on some new sea law or something."

"Of course," Golahman said. "I can arrange for the majority of that when the time comes, and I'm sure Assad and Putin will be alright with whatever you need to discuss with them."

[The Selkie]

"Of course," Golahman said. "I can arrange for the majority of that when the time comes, and I'm sure Assad and Putin will be alright with whatever you need to discuss with them."

Crionna nodded. "That's good to hear. There'll be a few things, which they might want to discuss on behalf of the Foreign Office. Now, then..." He looked at the assembled people, smiling, "With all that cleared, we shouldn't keep the nice lassie outside in suspense for too long. Let the menus go around!"
"You'll have your usual anyway, right, Daideo?", Marla said with a smile as Felicia handed hers to the next person from her, who needed one.
"Right you are, my dear lassie!", he said with a returning smile.

[Krugeristan]

"Of course," Golahman said. "I can arrange for the majority of that when the time comes, and I'm sure Assad and Putin will be alright with whatever you need to discuss with them."

Crionna nodded. "That's good to hear. There'll be a few things, which they might want to discuss on behalf of the Foreign Office. Now, then..." He looked at the assembled people, smiling, "With all that cleared, we shouldn't keep the nice lassie outside in suspense for too long. Let the menus go around!"
"You'll have your usual anyway, right, Daideo?", Marla said with a smile as Felicia handed hers to the next person from her, who needed one.
"Right you are, my dear lassie!", he said with a returning smile.

"I remember the night I let Assad try some of the more dairy-heavy side of our cuisine. It was--" Before Golahman could continue, he was sharply elbowed by Vershenov.

"People are trying to eat, here," Vershenov said, "Save that story for another day, please."

[The Selkie]

"I remember the night I let Assad try some of the more dairy-heavy side of our cuisine. It was--" Before Golahman could continue, he was sharply elbowed by Vershenov.

"People are trying to eat, here," Vershenov said, "Save that story for another day, please."

Crionna nodded. "Thank you. Besides, the good Commander already shared that little gem with us.", he said with a shudder, another one creeping down Marla's spine.
"Oh, really, did he?", Ava said from her position.
"Yes, that he did.", Marla said and, as Ava took in air, raised her hand. "After dinner. Let's just say, that even with a degree in horse medicine, you won't appreciate that one before dinner."
There was a small pause. "I see. Ouch."
"Yes.", Marla said and smiled, standing up and going to the door, "Now then, everyone ready to order?"

[Krugeristan]

"I remember the night I let Assad try some of the more dairy-heavy side of our cuisine. It was--" Before Golahman could continue, he was sharply elbowed by Vershenov.

"People are trying to eat, here," Vershenov said, "Save that story for another day, please."

Crionna nodded. "Thank you. Besides, the good Commander already shared that little gem with us.", he said with a shudder, another one creeping down Marla's spine.
"Oh, really, did he?", Ava said from her position.
"Yes, that he did.", Marla said and, as Ava took in air, raised her hand. "After dinner. Let's just say, that even with a degree in horse medicine, you won't appreciate that one before dinner."
There was a small pause. "I see. Ouch."
"Yes.", Marla said and smiled, standing up and going to the door, "Now then, everyone ready to order?"

"I'll . . . um . . ." Golahman glanced at the menu again. "I'll have fried fish, I guess, with a white hot chocolate."

Vershenov shrugged. "New England clam chowder," he said.

[The Selkie]

"I'll . . . um . . ." Golahman glanced at the menu again. "I'll have fried fish, I guess, with a white hot chocolate."

Vershenov shrugged. "New England clam chowder," he said.

Marla nodded, took Ava's and Felicia's orders and poked her head out to talk with the waitress, relaying their orders with a small smile.
Meanwhile, Crionna rose up from his sofa with considerable strain, walking over to the table and sitting down at it, smiling. He smiled at Golahman, with all the kindness of an old man, wisdom in his eyes, before he turned to Ava, who was on her feet to help him, but had been waved off.
Felicia looked up from brushing Cara, the Sickle Cat looking at him with its ruby-red eyes. The old man nodded, everything was alright.
"Okay.", Marla said, pulling her head back in, walking back over to Crionna, "Food'll be here in a few minutes."

[Krugeristan]

"I'll . . . um . . ." Golahman glanced at the menu again. "I'll have fried fish, I guess, with a white hot chocolate."

Vershenov shrugged. "New England clam chowder," he said.

Marla nodded, took Ava's and Felicia's orders and poked her head out to talk with the waitress, relaying their orders with a small smile.
Meanwhile, Crionna rose up from his sofa with considerable strain, walking over to the table and sitting down at it, smiling. He smiled at Golahman, with all the kindness of an old man, wisdom in his eyes, before he turned to Ava, who was on her feet to help him, but had been waved off.
Felicia looked up from brushing Cara, the Sickle Cat looking at him with its ruby-red eyes. The old man nodded, everything was alright.
"Okay.", Marla said, pulling her head back in, walking back over to Crionna, "Food'll be here in a few minutes."

Vershenov leaned in to whisper to Golahman. "He's got to be at least my age. I don't have struggles moving."

"You're a soldier who fled the Soviet Union. Naturally you're in better shape," Golahman whispered back.

"Must also be their need for alcohol," Vershenov muttered. "A glass of water never killed anyone."

"I don't think it's like that, Commander," Golahman said. "I know you had a bad encounter with the younger Gwen last night, but not all Selkie are like that. Fiona's not like that."

[The Selkie]

Vershenov leaned in to whisper to Golahman. "He's got to be at least my age. I don't have struggles moving."

"You're a soldier who fled the Soviet Union. Naturally you're in better shape," Golahman whispered back.

"Must also be their need for alcohol," Vershenov muttered. "A glass of water never killed anyone."

"I don't think it's like that, Commander," Golahman said. "I know you had a bad encounter with the younger Gwen last night, but not all Selkie are like that. Fiona's not like that."

Crionna heard every word, smiling to himself as he replied: "I'm of the vintage of 1946, Commander, turning 71 Springs next festival. My family always had back problems and I did not make it better by choosing a job, where I get little exercise. That, and unlike my Ambassadors and co-workers, I am not a sportsperson."
He gave an amused snort.
"Also, it's not a need for alcohol.", he said with a small smile, "Teetotallers often assume, that because a society allows alcohol, that there is a need for it, but that's wrong. Well, for the Selkie, at least.", he amended with a small smile.