Where Rivers meet, People meet (Spring Festival, IC)

[Aurora Confederacy]

The boy grinned, tipping his hat at the generous tip he received. "Thanks a bunch, Sir!", he said and grinned, before helping the two tourists unload.
Silverport Main was an odd building, by Selkie-Standards, an over-glorified freight terminal supplying the famous shipyards with materials and a representative building of brick, steel, mortar and glass for the passengers, almost added as an after-thought. It was a beautiful building, maintained with love and care, kept clean by a staff of cleaners. Benches were positioned nearly everywhere, but most of them were taken already.
This was the second rush, the station not exactly empty, but not full either. Many uniforms, most of them school uniforms, were seen, but also a few SDF-uniforms and of other uniformed elements in the Free Lands. The train would be the same - it was likely, that the Auroran tourists would have to travel with other people in their compartment.
The train was already waiting, but currently being refuelled. It indeed was a steam locomotive, looking ancient in design, but as if she left the factory yesterday. The black and red paintjob was polished carefully, to shine, but that didn't stop the coalers to shovel their working material into the coal wagon, while water was supplied to the steam engine. In a few minutes, they would be ready and one would be able to board the train.

The receptionist on the horn in the Ceol Inn heard the strange caller yell into the horn to lay a work on someone and raised an eyebrow.
"Ma'am, I must ask you to be a bit more specific... and to introduce yourself.", he said and got a little piece of paper slid over to him, one asking if he knew where the large sum of money, which had just registered, came from. He shrugged, but then raised a hand to bid his colleague a moment to wait for his strange caller to reply.

On the phone, Nikki, Martyne's mother went on to explain the fact that her daughter will be staying with her husband, having just got married, and so would like them to give them the full on newly wed work, as well as a room upgrade to the best room in the Inn, finishing off with "you can't miss them, both have matching face tattoos"

meanwhile - the railway station
Ryan and Martyne grab an unused baggage cart and load their luggage onto it before pushing it down the station to their carriage in first class, (oh the joys of being the daughter of a business owner), Martyne looks at the cart, "d'ya think i can skateboard this?" she joked to Ryan.

Ryan laughed, "probably but I dont think you'll be able to tray flip it, and it has absolutely no sense of direction", he then takes a look at his ticket, [coach 2]. "Marty, we're up behind the locomotive I think, second car". Once at the coach he stops pushing the cart and begins to put the baggage into the coach before he and Martyne entered the coach and began to push their luggage down the narrow corridor to their compartment. Ryan slides the door to the compartment then gestures to Martyne before pushing their bags inside and offering help to anyone who needs it. yes despite face tattoos and some alternative styles, Ryan is atleast polite, having had a well to do upbringing

[The Selkie]

While on the Ceol Square, the party was going down as Ard brought rocking honour to its name, people not only listening, but, as it was usual for Selkie, also dancing to it, Nora led Turyannah to the backstage area.
The guard, a man in full armour of a Selkie-horseman, lance presented, raised an eyebrow under his helmet, only for Nora to shake her head. No interference was needed, the foreigner was good (she hoped, but he didn't need to know that). She was tiring a bit, but that was nothing, that couldn't be helped with sitting down a bit.
The backstage area was a zone of controlled calamity and chaos, but everything seemed to be in order. Nora led her guest past the worst of it, edging along the side, past a horse pen, the Grey Wolf keeping on her heels and shooting nasty glares every which way, which were met with understanding smiles - after all, Grey Wolves in domestic backgrounds were known to protect pregnant females, be they other Grey Wolves, humans or others, escorting them whereever they went, if there was a close relation to them.
The Wolf indeed seemed to be quite close to the person on who's heels he kept himself.
At last, they passed the worst and came to a row of tents with band names attached to it, but that was not something the artists and musicians kept themselves to, sitting together and standing around, chatting amicably, despite actually being competitors. A pair of musicians from different bands even went as far as to dance to the music floating through a radio.
Nora smiled at seeing the two men dancing together without a care in the world.

The deeper they went into the backstage, Turyannah seemed to gather her confidence back. She now had her chest out, her tummy in and she now was able to march on as any good police officer of the Azen state would and could.

She felt comfortable. And with the music, she attempted to walk by the beat. And she failed, laughing at herself and then smiling, blushing and putting a hand to her mouth. Afterwards, she returned to walking normally and kept on looking around, her eyes casually investigating things.

And in her own mind, she remembered again what her mother told her. Her mother said "Turyannah, I'm sorry that I have to send you to the Free Lands to be the one to befriend my own. But I am confident that you would be able to do so. And that maybe you will find your own and I will be able to come on my own and see her too.

What I want you to do is this. Tell her that I've sent you. Tell her who you are, who I am and that I still remember her. The other gifts that I have given you, I want you to give to her. They are for her and her alone. Tell her that.

Now...that's about it. I'll take care of things for you here. I'm sorry but you can still trust me as I have trusted you. I am not old yet."

Nora smiled at the antics of the person walking behind her, then focussed forward again, as they entered a part of the tent more akin to a warehouse without the house, but with more then enough wares in provisional tents or out in the open. Most of those catered to the merchandise stores at every major entrance and exit of the square or the food stalls belonging to it, but that was no issue.
A couple of carts with horses stood there as well, as well as two individual horses, decked out in saddles with quivers and round shields attached, guarded by a brunette woman with green eyes, a mature woman in the half-cuirass preferred by the Selkie, waving at Nora and raising an eyebrow at her attachment.
Nora nodded.
With care, the Gwen's mother approached a tent by the side, a sign declaring in six languages, Selkie and English amongst them, that disturbing without a very good reason would be met with a sword to the head.
The brunette, meanwhile, moved forward a bit herself, getting the Grey Wolf to lock his eyes onto her, his features softening with recognition and joy.

The boy grinned, tipping his hat at the generous tip he received. "Thanks a bunch, Sir!", he said and grinned, before helping the two tourists unload.
Silverport Main was an odd building, by Selkie-Standards, an over-glorified freight terminal supplying the famous shipyards with materials and a representative building of brick, steel, mortar and glass for the passengers, almost added as an after-thought. It was a beautiful building, maintained with love and care, kept clean by a staff of cleaners. Benches were positioned nearly everywhere, but most of them were taken already.
This was the second rush, the station not exactly empty, but not full either. Many uniforms, most of them school uniforms, were seen, but also a few SDF-uniforms and of other uniformed elements in the Free Lands. The train would be the same - it was likely, that the Auroran tourists would have to travel with other people in their compartment.
The train was already waiting, but currently being refuelled. It indeed was a steam locomotive, looking ancient in design, but as if she left the factory yesterday. The black and red paintjob was polished carefully, to shine, but that didn't stop the coalers to shovel their working material into the coal wagon, while water was supplied to the steam engine. In a few minutes, they would be ready and one would be able to board the train.

The receptionist on the horn in the Ceol Inn heard the strange caller yell into the horn to lay a work on someone and raised an eyebrow.
"Ma'am, I must ask you to be a bit more specific... and to introduce yourself.", he said and got a little piece of paper slid over to him, one asking if he knew where the large sum of money, which had just registered, came from. He shrugged, but then raised a hand to bid his colleague a moment to wait for his strange caller to reply.

On the phone, Nikki, Martyne's mother went on to explain the fact that her daughter will be staying with her husband, having just got married, and so would like them to give them the full on newly wed work, as well as a room upgrade to the best room in the Inn, finishing off with "you can't miss them, both have matching face tattoos"

meanwhile - the railway station
Ryan and Martyne grab an unused baggage cart and load their luggage onto it before pushing it down the station to their carriage in first class, (oh the joys of being the daughter of a business owner), Martyne looks at the cart, "d'ya think i can skateboard this?" she joked to Ryan.

Ryan laughed, "probably but I dont think you'll be able to tray flip it, and it has absolutely no sense of direction", he then takes a look at his ticket, [coach 2]. "Marty, we're up behind the locomotive I think, second car". Once at the coach he stops pushing the cart and begins to put the baggage into the coach before he and Martyne entered the coach and began to push their luggage down the narrow corridor to their compartment. Ryan slides the door to the compartment then gestures to Martyne before pushing their bags inside and offering help to anyone who needs it. yes despite face tattoos and some alternative styles, Ryan is atleast polite, having had a well to do upbringing

The receptionist frowned. Great. Tatoo crowd., he didn't like such people on a personal level, which meant, that he would be as professional as he could be.
One didn't get to be receptionist in one of the oldest and most prestigious inns of the Free Lands just because one was a nice chap. He was professional and up to the task, including this one, no matter how much he wanted to throw them out on sight.
"I see. That clears up a few things.", he said and sounded cold, but professional, "Unfortunately, our best rooms are already taken, but I believe some of the good rooms are still available." He snapped his finger to the other receptionist, getting the book. One quick glance reveiled... "...yes, they're available."

At Silverport Main, the other passengers on their coach did not need the help of the strange foreigner with the tatoo, but still thanked for the offer. Even an old lady, by all means ancient, carried a small bag herself and already had a nice young man in Geansai carry her bigger bags.
Slowly, the boarding madness diminished as people got settled in and the last people rushed in for their train, including late comers. It would be a ride of a few hours to Cuan Main, if nothing delayed them, but that was unlikely.
One of the latecomers, however, was a pair of people also boarding first class, both with grey-white hair, but youth in their green eyes - and their heights, as one of them was maybe ten or twelve, the other seventeen or maybe eighteen Springs and appropriately sized. In the latter case, that drew quite a bit of attention as that size was very good looking, especially as she, much like her little sister, wore Geansai in Monaghan's proud colours.
There was a Grey Wolf with bright eyes following the two of them, a bit on the smaller side as he was not an adult, yet, but he was getting there. Their luggage was light, too, a backpack for each and that was it, but that was more then enough for them.
As all other compartments were already taken, the older of the two knocked onto the compartment of the Aurorans, looking a bit annoyed by something, but still trying to smile. "Sorry, Ma'am, Sir, is there a spot free for the three of us?", she asked politely, indicating to her little sis, who eyed them with big, curious eyes and the Grey Wolf.

[Aurora Confederacy]

The receptionist frowned. Great. Tatoo crowd., he didn't like such people on a personal level, which meant, that he would be as professional as he could be.
One didn't get to be receptionist in one of the oldest and most prestigious inns of the Free Lands just because one was a nice chap. He was professional and up to the task, including this one, no matter how much he wanted to throw them out on sight.
"I see. That clears up a few things.", he said and sounded cold, but professional, "Unfortunately, our best rooms are already taken, but I believe some of the good rooms are still available." He snapped his finger to the other receptionist, getting the book. One quick glance reveiled... "...yes, they're available."

At Silverport Main, the other passengers on their coach did not need the help of the strange foreigner with the tatoo, but still thanked for the offer. Even an old lady, by all means ancient, carried a small bag herself and already had a nice young man in Geansai carry her bigger bags.
Slowly, the boarding madness diminished as people got settled in and the last people rushed in for their train, including late comers. It would be a ride of a few hours to Cuan Main, if nothing delayed them, but that was unlikely.
One of the latecomers, however, was a pair of people also boarding first class, both with grey-white hair, but youth in their green eyes - and their heights, as one of them was maybe ten or twelve, the other seventeen or maybe eighteen Springs and appropriately sized. In the latter case, that drew quite a bit of attention as that size was very good looking, especially as she, much like her little sister, wore Geansai in Monaghan's proud colours.
There was a Grey Wolf with bright eyes following the two of them, a bit on the smaller side as he was not an adult, yet, but he was getting there. Their luggage was light, too, a backpack for each and that was it, but that was more then enough for them.
As all other compartments were already taken, the older of the two knocked onto the compartment of the Aurorans, looking a bit annoyed by something, but still trying to smile. "Sorry, Ma'am, Sir, is there a spot free for the three of us?", she asked politely, indicating to her little sis, who eyed them with big, curious eyes and the Grey Wolf.

Martyne looked up and gave a friendly smile then scanned the free seats and her eyes counted the number of passengers, "yes, there's plenty of room for y'all", Ryan eyes turned on the wolf, "Husky cross?" he asks, reaching into his bag for a pork rind. As the train began to move, Martyne took her camera out, pointing it out of the window and pressing the shutter several times in rapid succession. *click**click**click**click**click*, she then changes a setting before pointing the camera out of the window again, this time she presses the shutter for a long press, again the camera clicks off a few frames with its typical synthesized *click**click**click**click**click**click* sound. "Gotcha" she says, before pointing the camera's display at Ryan, He smiles.

[Azenyanistan]

The attachment being Turyannah, she recognized the brunette and gave her the Azen nod. She then made sure to offer the brunette another ring and a scarf of innocent white. She whispered "May you please accept the gifts of my mother." Then she said "I am the daughter of Turyah, your friend. My name is Turyannah. Your mother, I believe, guided me to where you were. I was sent to see you because my mother wished me to. She could not come because she wished to take care of things while I am away and she was ashamed and she simply wanted me to see for myself what the Free Lands were and who the people were."

[The Selkie]

The attachment being Turyannah, she recognized the brunette and gave her the Azen nod. She then made sure to offer the brunette another ring and a scarf of innocent white. She whispered "May you please accept the gifts of my mother." Then she said "I am the daughter of Turyah, your friend. My name is Turyannah. Your mother, I believe, guided me to where you were. I was sent to see you because my mother wished me to. She could not come because she wished to take care of things while I am away and she was ashamed and she simply wanted me to see for myself what the Free Lands were and who the people were."

The brunette was, for a moment, very much confused, looked to Nora, then to Turyannah.
"I know, that look young, but seriously?!", she asked with well-humoured surprise, as Nora bit back laughter herself. No one would hold it against Turyannah, but she would be teased without end about this. "Lassie, nice to meet you, first of all... second." At that, the brunette extended her hand. "Gwen Banphrionsa of the Tribe of Cavan, CEO of Gabha Blacksmiths Limited and one of the founders of the Cabhair Group - and her..." She indicated to Nora. "...best friend."
"Not my daughter.", Nora clarified again, smiling. "A Gwen, but not the Gwen you are looking for. I'll be with you in a moment, Gwenny."
"No problem. I hope to have a fine gentleman to keep me company?", she said and looked at the Grey Wolf, who's eyes shot to Nora as her tongue clicked. Nora motioned to the brunette. The Grey Wolf understood and trotted over to the woman, who grinned. "There we go! Take your time, Nora!"
Nora nodded and motioned Turyannah to follow her.

The receptionist frowned. Great. Tatoo crowd., he didn't like such people on a personal level, which meant, that he would be as professional as he could be.
One didn't get to be receptionist in one of the oldest and most prestigious inns of the Free Lands just because one was a nice chap. He was professional and up to the task, including this one, no matter how much he wanted to throw them out on sight.
"I see. That clears up a few things.", he said and sounded cold, but professional, "Unfortunately, our best rooms are already taken, but I believe some of the good rooms are still available." He snapped his finger to the other receptionist, getting the book. One quick glance reveiled... "...yes, they're available."

At Silverport Main, the other passengers on their coach did not need the help of the strange foreigner with the tatoo, but still thanked for the offer. Even an old lady, by all means ancient, carried a small bag herself and already had a nice young man in Geansai carry her bigger bags.
Slowly, the boarding madness diminished as people got settled in and the last people rushed in for their train, including late comers. It would be a ride of a few hours to Cuan Main, if nothing delayed them, but that was unlikely.
One of the latecomers, however, was a pair of people also boarding first class, both with grey-white hair, but youth in their green eyes - and their heights, as one of them was maybe ten or twelve, the other seventeen or maybe eighteen Springs and appropriately sized. In the latter case, that drew quite a bit of attention as that size was very good looking, especially as she, much like her little sister, wore Geansai in Monaghan's proud colours.
There was a Grey Wolf with bright eyes following the two of them, a bit on the smaller side as he was not an adult, yet, but he was getting there. Their luggage was light, too, a backpack for each and that was it, but that was more then enough for them.
As all other compartments were already taken, the older of the two knocked onto the compartment of the Aurorans, looking a bit annoyed by something, but still trying to smile. "Sorry, Ma'am, Sir, is there a spot free for the three of us?", she asked politely, indicating to her little sis, who eyed them with big, curious eyes and the Grey Wolf.

Martyne looked up and gave a friendly smile then scanned the free seats and her eyes counted the number of passengers, "yes, there's plenty of room for y'all", Ryan eyes turned on the wolf, "Husky cross?" he asks, reaching into his bag for a pork rind. As the train began to move, Martyne took her camera out, pointing it out of the window and pressing the shutter several times in rapid succession. *click**click**click**click**click*, she then changes a setting before pointing the camera out of the window again, this time she presses the shutter for a long press, again the camera clicks off a few frames with its typical synthesized *click**click**click**click**click**click* sound. "Gotcha" she says, before pointing the camera's display at Ryan, He smiles.

The young woman herded her little sis, by their similarity, it would be difficult to imagine them as anything else then siblings, into the compartment and let the little girl sit by the window, while she chose the spot close to the door, the Grey Wolf jumping between them, taking the best seat by putting his head into the older one's lap and looking up adorably.
He didn't even look at the pork rind.
"Trossach Grey Wolf.", she replied to Ryan's question, with a small smile as she began to pet him, "You see that by the colour of his eyes... a Great Wood Grey Wolf eyes' have scleras bordering onto mustard-yellow, while Trossach breeds come closer to golden." The animal did a favour by raising his head a little and looking to the two Aurorans, his red eyes with golden sclerae shining, before he resettled his head. "He was trained to not take food from strangers, though. Sorry."
There was indeed an apologetic note in her eyes.
"By the way...", her little sister suddenly said and grinned a toothy grin, "...I'm Fiona!"
"Oh...", her older sibling made, her cheeks reddening, "...where are my manners? That's my sis, Fiona, he's Scamall." The Grey Wolf raised his head again and yawned before settling back onto the upper legs of his mistress, who smiled. "You lazy sod... anyway, I'm Ava. Pleasure to meet you two."

[Aurora Confederacy]

The young woman herded her little sis, by their similarity, it would be difficult to imagine them as anything else then siblings, into the compartment and let the little girl sit by the window, while she chose the spot close to the door, the Grey Wolf jumping between them, taking the best seat by putting his head into the older one's lap and looking up adorably.
He didn't even look at the pork rind.
"Trossach Grey Wolf.", she replied to Ryan's question, with a small smile as she began to pet him, "You see that by the colour of his eyes... a Great Wood Grey Wolf eyes' have scleras bordering onto mustard-yellow, while Trossach breeds come closer to golden." The animal did a favour by raising his head a little and looking to the two Aurorans, his red eyes with golden sclerae shining, before he resettled his head. "He was trained to not take food from strangers, though. Sorry."
There was indeed an apologetic note in her eyes.
"By the way...", her little sister suddenly said and grinned a toothy grin, "...I'm Fiona!"
"Oh...", her older sibling made, her cheeks reddening, "...where are my manners? That's my sis, Fiona, he's Scamall." The Grey Wolf raised his head again and yawned before settling back onto the upper legs of his mistress, who smiled. "You lazy sod... anyway, I'm Ava. Pleasure to meet you two."

"aaah, we have sled dogs back home similar sized to him bred from Siberian Huskys, the one my dad had would beg you all day for a pork rind" replies Ryan, offering a rind snack to martyne. As the older sibling joked about her manners, Ryan smiled, "dont worry about it, I',m Ryan, and the woman besides me is Martyne, my wife now of six days, we're off on a honeymoon so thought it nice to get to somewhere interesting. Martyne's seen most of the mainland of her homeland and most of mine too", Martyne smiles and gives a gentle wave, which is at odds with her looks, shaved head, facial tattoo and piercings pretty much everywhere. "just like Mom's cat, always has a way of finding the best seat" jokes Martyne about Scamall's taking of the seat, she looks at Scamall's eyes, "he has gorgeous eyes!"

[Ru-]

Mona shook her head. "No, I'm from Traverse, that's... thousand sixhundred kilometres into..." She looked up to the sun and then pointed into the distance over her shoulder. "...that direction." A beat passed. "I think."
"Don't worry, Mona, no one will be able to check.", Lyra said with a smile, ruffling her hair, "Besides, I'm no good at geography anyway!"
"Me neither.", the little girl said honestly and shrugged, then turned back to Yoshio. "You're right, though, Cuan's lovely. I like it here... it's a good place." One could now easily identify those, who were native to Cuan, as those were beaming with a lot of pride. "The rivers meeting, the people meeting... I come here with fondness in my heart, feeling welcome."

Yoshio was a bit taken aback by the heartfelt response, it was clear that this city meant alot to her, despite it not being her home. He wasn't quite sure what to offer in response. He tapped his fingers against the table a bit as he tried to think of where he should steer the conversation. He suspected from the reactions of those around them when she asked to be seated next to him that the two of them meeting like this probably was probably more then just a chance thing, there was some purpose that he wasn't yet aware of, and he wasn't sure what was expected of him.

He smiled a bit and said. "Ah, well yeah, it's quite a special place isn't it? It reminds me of the city of Pargo in Ru a little. It's also right near the water and has alot of the history from our past everywhere you look just like Cuan. Ancient ruins, temples, Colosseum, one of the Great Pyramids is there too. But Cuan feels alot cozier, and the people here have been treating me like just a normal kid. I think that's kinda nice, actually. I sure don't get that anywhere i visit in my own country, or really anywhere else i've been. It's like yeah, even though I'm 8 I'm still the father of the realm you know?

He shrugged and chuckled a bit

[The Selkie]

The young woman herded her little sis, by their similarity, it would be difficult to imagine them as anything else then siblings, into the compartment and let the little girl sit by the window, while she chose the spot close to the door, the Grey Wolf jumping between them, taking the best seat by putting his head into the older one's lap and looking up adorably.
He didn't even look at the pork rind.
"Trossach Grey Wolf.", she replied to Ryan's question, with a small smile as she began to pet him, "You see that by the colour of his eyes... a Great Wood Grey Wolf eyes' have scleras bordering onto mustard-yellow, while Trossach breeds come closer to golden." The animal did a favour by raising his head a little and looking to the two Aurorans, his red eyes with golden sclerae shining, before he resettled his head. "He was trained to not take food from strangers, though. Sorry."
There was indeed an apologetic note in her eyes.
"By the way...", her little sister suddenly said and grinned a toothy grin, "...I'm Fiona!"
"Oh...", her older sibling made, her cheeks reddening, "...where are my manners? That's my sis, Fiona, he's Scamall." The Grey Wolf raised his head again and yawned before settling back onto the upper legs of his mistress, who smiled. "You lazy sod... anyway, I'm Ava. Pleasure to meet you two."

"aaah, we have sled dogs back home similar sized to him bred from Siberian Huskys, the one my dad had would beg you all day for a pork rind" replies Ryan, offering a rind snack to martyne. As the older sibling joked about her manners, Ryan smiled, "dont worry about it, I',m Ryan, and the woman besides me is Martyne, my wife now of six days, we're off on a honeymoon so thought it nice to get to somewhere interesting. Martyne's seen most of the mainland of her homeland and most of mine too", Martyne smiles and gives a gentle wave, which is at odds with her looks, shaved head, facial tattoo and piercings pretty much everywhere. "just like Mom's cat, always has a way of finding the best seat" jokes Martyne about Scamall's taking of the seat, she looks at Scamall's eyes, "he has gorgeous eyes!"

Ava smiled like a thousand suns as she bowed down to kiss Scamall between his ears. "That he has.", she agreed with a enthusiam without limit, "I raised him since he was a little puppy, you know? Barely fitting into the crook of my arm, when I found him."
There passed a moment of tender silence, as Ava resumed petting him.
"He's a Street Wolf.", Fiona explained, if the context was unclear, "Some... not-nice-person..." The glare she received from her older sister and the way she said that suggested, that her original choice of words had been far more livid. "...abandoned him and his litter on the street. Sis picked him up and gave him a home as he came wondering into her workshop."
"I'm an apprentice-blacksmith.", she explained with a smile. "My Master let's him stay with me in the shop and in my room above." She let a beat pass. "But if you need an interesting place to be, you came to the right corner of the world!"
Fiona nodded with energy.

Mona shook her head. "No, I'm from Traverse, that's... thousand sixhundred kilometres into..." She looked up to the sun and then pointed into the distance over her shoulder. "...that direction." A beat passed. "I think."
"Don't worry, Mona, no one will be able to check.", Lyra said with a smile, ruffling her hair, "Besides, I'm no good at geography anyway!"
"Me neither.", the little girl said honestly and shrugged, then turned back to Yoshio. "You're right, though, Cuan's lovely. I like it here... it's a good place." One could now easily identify those, who were native to Cuan, as those were beaming with a lot of pride. "The rivers meeting, the people meeting... I come here with fondness in my heart, feeling welcome."

Yoshio was a bit taken aback by the heartfelt response, it was clear that this city meant alot to her, despite it not being her home. He wasn't quite sure what to offer in response. He tapped his fingers against the table a bit as he tried to think of where he should steer the conversation. He suspected from the reactions of those around them when she asked to be seated next to him that the two of them meeting like this probably was probably more then just a chance thing, there was some purpose that he wasn't yet aware of, and he wasn't sure what was expected of him.

He smiled a bit and said. "Ah, well yeah, it's quite a special place isn't it? It reminds me of the city of Pargo in Ru a little. It's also right near the water and has alot of the history from our past everywhere you look just like Cuan. Ancient ruins, temples, Colosseum, one of the Great Pyramids is there too. But Cuan feels alot cozier, and the people here have been treating me like just a normal kid. I think that's kinda nice, actually. I sure don't get that anywhere i visit in my own country, or really anywhere else i've been. It's like yeah, even though I'm 8 I'm still the father of the realm you know?

He shrugged and chuckled a bit

Mona listened with intered and chuckled at the father-thing as well.
"A bit young to be a Dad, eh?", she asked with a grin, before her smile lost a bit of it's shine, "Then again, who am I to talk? Thirteen Springs on this day and Spiritual Leader of one of the six Main Cults of the Selkie."
Before anyone could question that of their foreign acquaintances, Kiah nodded. "That she is, indeed. The Envoy of Lodan Lir.", she explained and nodded. "And you're home."
Mona nodded, a shadow of something passing before her eyes, a shadow, which made people want to reach over and ruffle her orange-blonde head in the least, but before someone could put any accompanying move into it, it was gone.
She looked to Yoshio, instead. "Sorry for not mentioning that, Yoshio-Rí.", she said and bowed her head slightly, hand over her heart. At that point, she looked absolutely miserable.

[Azenyanistan]

The brunette was, for a moment, very much confused, looked to Nora, then to Turyannah.
"I know, that look young, but seriously?!", she asked with well-humoured surprise, as Nora bit back laughter herself. No one would hold it against Turyannah, but she would be teased without end about this. "Lassie, nice to meet you, first of all... second." At that, the brunette extended her hand. "Gwen Banphrionsa of the Tribe of Cavan, CEO of Gabha Blacksmiths Limited and one of the founders of the Cabhair Group - and her..." She indicated to Nora. "...best friend."
"Not my daughter.", Nora clarified again, smiling. "A Gwen, but not the Gwen you are looking for. I'll be with you in a moment, Gwenny."
"No problem. I hope to have a fine gentleman to keep me company?", she said and looked at the Grey Wolf, who's eyes shot to Nora as her tongue clicked. Nora motioned to the brunette. The Grey Wolf understood and trotted over to the woman, who grinned. "There we go! Take your time, Nora!"
Nora nodded and motioned Turyannah to follow her.

Turyannah blinked thrice before she realized her mistake and blushed so badly and stuttered "O-O-O-oh....oh crap, fuck me. Damn." She then straightened and put the gifts back and said "Sorry, excuse me, I'm really sorry." And inside her own mind, she was slapping her forehead harshly. Stupid, stupid, stupid! And so she then made a soft grunt and turned to follow Nora, so embarassed that she looked at the ground as she walked on.

Fuck me! She thought. That was such a big, big mistake. Then she shook her head and put her hands to her head, saying to herself "Get over this." And she nodded to herself and continued to walk after Nora.

[Aurora Confederacy]

Ava smiled like a thousand suns as she bowed down to kiss Scamall between his ears. "That he has.", she agreed with a enthusiam without limit, "I raised him since he was a little puppy, you know? Barely fitting into the crook of my arm, when I found him."
There passed a moment of tender silence, as Ava resumed petting him.
"He's a Street Wolf.", Fiona explained, if the context was unclear, "Some... not-nice-person..." The glare she received from her older sister and the way she said that suggested, that her original choice of words had been far more livid. "...abandoned him and his litter on the street. Sis picked him up and gave him a home as he came wondering into her workshop."
"I'm an apprentice-blacksmith.", she explained with a smile. "My Master let's him stay with me in the shop and in my room above." She let a beat pass. "But if you need an interesting place to be, you came to the right corner of the world!"
Fiona nodded with energy.

"well he seems to have settled in well with you, how old is he?" asks Ryan, taking out a pad and a pencil from his bag. he takes a look at the large wolf and begins to put pencil to paper, every now and then he glances up at the wolf then back down to the paper and continues to sketch away, his sapphire blue eyes showing signs of deep concentration as Ryan gently works the paper, keeping the face of the paper away from Ava and Fiona and their canine friend. Martyne glances over Ryan's shoulder to see what he is doing. It takes around 15 mins to half an hour to do what he has to do, so when the ticket clerk comes to collect the tickets its Martyne who hands the tickets over to be inspected with a gentle smile across her blue lips.

Afterwards, Ryan gently peels the paper from the pad and hands the image across to Ava and Fiona,
"There you go" he says, handing the drawing over.

[The Selkie]

Ava smiled like a thousand suns as she bowed down to kiss Scamall between his ears. "That he has.", she agreed with a enthusiam without limit, "I raised him since he was a little puppy, you know? Barely fitting into the crook of my arm, when I found him."
There passed a moment of tender silence, as Ava resumed petting him.
"He's a Street Wolf.", Fiona explained, if the context was unclear, "Some... not-nice-person..." The glare she received from her older sister and the way she said that suggested, that her original choice of words had been far more livid. "...abandoned him and his litter on the street. Sis picked him up and gave him a home as he came wondering into her workshop."
"I'm an apprentice-blacksmith.", she explained with a smile. "My Master let's him stay with me in the shop and in my room above." She let a beat pass. "But if you need an interesting place to be, you came to the right corner of the world!"
Fiona nodded with energy.

"well he seems to have settled in well with you, how old is he?" asks Ryan, taking out a pad and a pencil from his bag. he takes a look at the large wolf and begins to put pencil to paper, every now and then he glances up at the wolf then back down to the paper and continues to sketch away, his sapphire blue eyes showing signs of deep concentration as Ryan gently works the paper, keeping the face of the paper away from Ava and Fiona and their canine friend. Martyne glances over Ryan's shoulder to see what he is doing. It takes around 15 mins to half an hour to do what he has to do, so when the ticket clerk comes to collect the tickets its Martyne who hands the tickets over to be inspected with a gentle smile across her blue lips.

(Image)

Afterwards, Ryan gently peels the paper from the pad and hands the image across to Ava and Fiona,
"There you go" he says, handing the drawing over.

Fiona squealed in delight, as she saw the picture, but took a moment to calm herself before she took the drawing as if she was taking a relic of times distant and far away. She marvelled at the details, as did her older sister, who looked over her shoulder.
"Beautiful.", Ava said with a smile, nodding as well. "Thank you, Sir. If I'd be as good with the pencil, many of worries would be gone..." Fiona giggled, but her sister declined to comment. "I'm good with my tools, though."
Ava's addition with confidence basically waited to be met with the question of just how good she was.
She then added with a quick look to Ryan: "He's been with me for two years now. As said, since he was a little puppy."

The brunette was, for a moment, very much confused, looked to Nora, then to Turyannah.
"I know, that look young, but seriously?!", she asked with well-humoured surprise, as Nora bit back laughter herself. No one would hold it against Turyannah, but she would be teased without end about this. "Lassie, nice to meet you, first of all... second." At that, the brunette extended her hand. "Gwen Banphrionsa of the Tribe of Cavan, CEO of Gabha Blacksmiths Limited and one of the founders of the Cabhair Group - and her..." She indicated to Nora. "...best friend."
"Not my daughter.", Nora clarified again, smiling. "A Gwen, but not the Gwen you are looking for. I'll be with you in a moment, Gwenny."
"No problem. I hope to have a fine gentleman to keep me company?", she said and looked at the Grey Wolf, who's eyes shot to Nora as her tongue clicked. Nora motioned to the brunette. The Grey Wolf understood and trotted over to the woman, who grinned. "There we go! Take your time, Nora!"
Nora nodded and motioned Turyannah to follow her.

Turyannah blinked thrice before she realized her mistake and blushed so badly and stuttered "O-O-O-oh....oh crap, fuck me. Damn." She then straightened and put the gifts back and said "Sorry, excuse me, I'm really sorry." And inside her own mind, she was slapping her forehead harshly. Stupid, stupid, stupid! And so she then made a soft grunt and turned to follow Nora, so embarassed that she looked at the ground as she walked on.

Fuck me! She thought. That was such a big, big mistake. Then she shook her head and put her hands to her head, saying to herself "Get over this." And she nodded to herself and continued to walk after Nora.

Gwen Banphrionsa smiled a bit, as she replied. "Thank you, but I'm married. And it's no problem lassie... I actually feel a bit pleased by you thinking me to be that young!"
"Don't let it get over your head!", Nora shot in from the side, grinning herself as her friend waved her off.
Standing in front of a tent, now, Nora let her hand slip inside and knock on a hard surface inside the little non-permanent structure. "You can come in, Mom.", a female voice said from inside.
"I have someone with me, though.", she said, "Says she wants to speak with you... thought Gwenny was your sis."
That made the woman inside laugh loud. "Come in, both of you!", she said between bouts of laughter.
And that they did. Despite Gwen, Nora's daughter Gwen, being in there, it was still a storage tent for empty boxes, one of which had served Nora well while knocking. They were stacked high inside the tent, but that didn't seem to bother the sole occupant of it.
Quite on the contrary, having already shedded most of the half-cuirass typical for Selkie and wearing both a Gambesson and pants, Gwen Cathlong of the Tribe of Cork had turned to them, pausing in her changing. She had short, black hair and blue eyes, a sharp face... and even when designed for utility, the gambesson did little in hiding the curves on her.
On a box near her, a Geansai rested, ready to be worn.
Nora smiled. "Gwenny... Miss Turyannah - and vice versa.", she introduced, "She said, that she comes on behalf of her mother, a Turyah. Rings a bell?"
Slowly, Gwen nodded, a bit of uncertainty in her eyes.

[Aurora Confederacy]

Fiona squealed in delight, as she saw the picture, but took a moment to calm herself before she took the drawing as if she was taking a relic of times distant and far away. She marvelled at the details, as did her older sister, who looked over her shoulder.
"Beautiful.", Ava said with a smile, nodding as well. "Thank you, Sir. If I'd be as good with the pencil, many of worries would be gone..." Fiona giggled, but her sister declined to comment. "I'm good with my tools, though."
Ava's addition with confidence basically waited to be met with the question of just how good she was.
She then added with a quick look to Ryan: "He's been with me for two years now. As said, since he was a little puppy."

As Ava took the sketch, Ryan smiled, "no problem, Id also consider you roll it up, don't fold it" he says.

Martyne looked across at the two girls, "what ya mean 'your worries would be gone'?" she asks, her arm around Ryan.

Meanwhile, over at the back of the petting zoo
With the little tine in the safe hands of its owners, Zoe bid the old man farewell and made her way over to Micky, giving the little tine a quick tickle under his throat, when she gets to where Micky is, "whats up babe?" she asks, in a casual manner,
"not a lot, just wanted you to take a few pics for me, its a bit hard to get the foal here and myself in shot, keeping steady whilst he licks my ears"
"thats true, oh and the we'll take a mosie on inside to see whats on offer, that lil tine was cute but don't think he'd like being couped up in a truck cab or aboard the Luna whilst we sail back to Rai'lal" replies Zoe, taking her camera out, "and besides Micky, they probably dont make good swimmers". Zoe shoots off a few frames with a destinctive *click**click**click**click* coming from the camera.

"you smell that?" says Micky
"fish?" replies Zoe,
"Thought so, and its coming from the petting zoo" says Micky.

The smell of the cooking fish is infact coming from a stall just across from the petting zoo, being carried gently by the wind.

[AHSCA]

Finn blushed heavily as he whispered to her: "Not even half as beautiful as you are, though..."
Slowly, they left the main festival area, the crowd getting a bit thinner as Finn rode to one of the city gates, passing a few shops, which were mostly closed for the day. A few stood out, amongst them a blacksmith happily hammering away on glowing iron, a few inns with outdoor restaurants, a tailor's shop, where a hand was currently fixing something on their display, a beautiful Geansai in the natural fur colours, and a shop selling accessoires for pets and a few pets, the shop next door proudly declaring itself to be a breeder's shop for all kinds of canines.
Finn smiled, reins safely in hand.

"aaaah" Mamiko's face lit up like a Christmas tree itself or maybe in more islander-terms, a lightning filled sky. All the stories she read as a little girl now were all coming true. "Th-thank you, Finn."

[The Selkie]

Fiona squealed in delight, as she saw the picture, but took a moment to calm herself before she took the drawing as if she was taking a relic of times distant and far away. She marvelled at the details, as did her older sister, who looked over her shoulder.
"Beautiful.", Ava said with a smile, nodding as well. "Thank you, Sir. If I'd be as good with the pencil, many of worries would be gone..." Fiona giggled, but her sister declined to comment. "I'm good with my tools, though."
Ava's addition with confidence basically waited to be met with the question of just how good she was.
She then added with a quick look to Ryan: "He's been with me for two years now. As said, since he was a little puppy."

As Ava took the sketch, Ryan smiled, "no problem, Id also consider you roll it up, don't fold it" he says.

Martyne looked across at the two girls, "what ya mean 'your worries would be gone'?" she asks, her arm around Ryan.

Meanwhile, over at the back of the petting zoo
With the little tine in the safe hands of its owners, Zoe bid the old man farewell and made her way over to Micky, giving the little tine a quick tickle under his throat, when she gets to where Micky is, "whats up babe?" she asks, in a casual manner,
"not a lot, just wanted you to take a few pics for me, its a bit hard to get the foal here and myself in shot, keeping steady whilst he licks my ears"
"thats true, oh and the we'll take a mosie on inside to see whats on offer, that lil tine was cute but don't think he'd like being couped up in a truck cab or aboard the Luna whilst we sail back to Rai'lal" replies Zoe, taking her camera out, "and besides Micky, they probably dont make good swimmers". Zoe shoots off a few frames with a destinctive *click**click**click**click* coming from the camera.

"you smell that?" says Micky
"fish?" replies Zoe,
"Thought so, and its coming from the petting zoo" says Micky.

The smell of the cooking fish is infact coming from a stall just across from the petting zoo, being carried gently by the wind.

"Well...", Ava said and a small frown crossed her face, only to go as her Grey Wolf nudged her face, making her resume petting. With a smile, she explained. "You see, I am a Blacksmith's Apprentice, but for my work, I need to draw an idea about what I want to make, from a horseshoes to jewelry... and since I can't use a pencil to safe my life..." She shrugged. "What I lack with the pencil, though, I can do with my other tools."
Her hand inched to her belt and one of the pouches, which had her smartphone in it.
"Wanna see a few examples?", she asked, her smile slowly widening.

You could have asked one of us to make a few snapshots., the Priestess of Rhiannon thought as she stepped aside and out of the picture.
"If you want to that truck with the fish, you can go along that way...", she pointed between two tents and then to the right. "...and then head right. You should see a guardsman in the distance, but if you tell him, that Finny send you along, he'll let you through. Then you'll see that truck. They have very good fish!" She grinned and nodded towards the old man, the girl and the Tine. "Some of the animals can attest to that. We had delivery problems in the morning and solved them by buying from their stock... and we had breakfast there, too."
There was nodding approval from the other priestesses.

"aaaah" Mamiko's face lit up like a Christmas tree itself or maybe in more islander-terms, a lightning filled sky. All the stories she read as a little girl now were all coming true. "Th-thank you, Finn."

"No need to thank for the truth, rogha.", he whispered to her and rode out of the city, past the gate guard. He smiled at the lone militiaman, who kept ceremonial watch, the man smiled back, then Finn's attention was back to holding Mamiko and steering Gual.
The weather outside was just as beautiful as it was in the city, but in front of them, a few small houses and then the wide expanse of the countryside outside of Cuan stretched, a few paths and streets snaking through it. There were grassy fields in front of them and in the distance, far to the left, one could see the Iron River running down. There was also a small forest a bit to the side, and an apple orchard not too far away.
Finn smiled. "I know this area very good. Every year, come summer, I help my family drive the cattle up towards Cuan and we always take the route, that leads us along here.", he told Mamiko.

[Azenyanistan]

Turyannah stepped forward. And she gave her the Azen nod and saluted her as any good Azen officer of the ACP would. She then presented the same gifts, said the same words and then added after a brief pause to let the words sink in "I am very honored to meet the friend of my mother. I really hope I didn't make things so awkward. And I hope that my mother is still in your good favor, Miss Gwen. Please..." In two minutes, she loosened the holster holding her pistol and put the weapon down and kicked it away from her. Then she faced Gwen with more effect, nodded again and said "I request that you would receive me kindly as you received my mother before me." She would have genuflected but with her racing heart and her legs becoming rocky, she had to remain standing.

Oh shit, I hope I'm not being so fucking.....aaaaaaaaa, what the hell, this is hopeless. But I hope I would make my mother proud by meeting her friend for her. She thought.

[Aurora Confederacy]

"Well...", Ava said and a small frown crossed her face, only to go as her Grey Wolf nudged her face, making her resume petting. With a smile, she explained. "You see, I am a Blacksmith's Apprentice, but for my work, I need to draw an idea about what I want to make, from a horseshoes to jewelry... and since I can't use a pencil to safe my life..." She shrugged. "What I lack with the pencil, though, I can do with my other tools."
Her hand inched to her belt and one of the pouches, which had her smartphone in it.
"Wanna see a few examples?", she asked, her smile slowly widening.

You could have asked one of us to make a few snapshots., the Priestess of Rhiannon thought as she stepped aside and out of the picture.
"If you want to that truck with the fish, you can go along that way...", she pointed between two tents and then to the right. "...and then head right. You should see a guardsman in the distance, but if you tell him, that Finny send you along, he'll let you through. Then you'll see that truck. They have very good fish!" She grinned and nodded towards the old man, the girl and the Tine. "Some of the animals can attest to that. We had delivery problems in the morning and solved them by buying from their stock... and we had breakfast there, too."
There was nodding approval from the other priestesses.

Ryan and Martyne lean forwards, "sure" is Ryan's reply. Martyne is also more interested in heavy metal engineering anyway being a qualified structural welder as well as a semi truck driver.

Over at the petting area
"Delivery problems?" asked Zoe as Micky poses for the photos with her shaved head right infront of the little foal at one point.

"and if, as it seems, a person of status, like the food then it must be good" replies Micky, taking note of the nod from the high priestess "and I think you may have just sealed the fate of our hunger" Zoe puts the picture she has just taken of Micky onto her social media, then a like comes in, followed by a tweet

over at the fish stall,
Robbie pulls her phone out and takes a look, "Bugger me!" she says
"huh?" asks Fitt, "whats up?"
"just had a tweet come in Fitt", replies Robbie with a pause "ya know those two who are on that sailing boat touring Astyrian waters?"

"oh yeah, those nutters from Meridian" jokes Fitt, who after loosing a leg in the middle of the ocean after a rogue state commited a hostile act does not like the idea of being in a boat that would fit on the deck of a typical flat bed truck, sailing in open water. A ferry is passable but a little yacht is a bit beyond her comfort zone.

"yeah, at Vee-eight babe seven thirty and Micky, well they're not a million miles away, tweet says - recomended to try fish from a truck by a member of the town elders", says Robbie, "I think we have royal approval"

Gina smiles. "told ya Hai'lu'kai fish was good"

[The Selkie]

Turyannah stepped forward. And she gave her the Azen nod and saluted her as any good Azen officer of the ACP would. She then presented the same gifts, said the same words and then added after a brief pause to let the words sink in "I am very honored to meet the friend of my mother. I really hope I didn't make things so awkward. And I hope that my mother is still in your good favor, Miss Gwen. Please..." In two minutes, she loosened the holster holding her pistol and put the weapon down and kicked it away from her. Then she faced Gwen with more effect, nodded again and said "I request that you would receive me kindly as you received my mother before me." She would have genuflected but with her racing heart and her legs becoming rocky, she had to remain standing.

Oh shit, I hope I'm not being so fucking.....aaaaaaaaa, what the hell, this is hopeless. But I hope I would make my mother proud by meeting her friend for her. She thought.

Gwen looked to her mother, who shrugged.
"Sit, lassie.", the younger of the two Selkie said, motioning to one of the crates, "You, too, Mom." As Nora took her own place, watching the two women, Gwen deliberately nestled with some line at the back of her neck, her Gambesson sagging a bit as it was loosened. "First of all... who in the blazes is your mother?!"
There was a short pause.
"I mean, sure, the name Turyah rings a bell, but nothing more then that.", she said and took off the protective garnment, revealing the shirt beneath that. "Sorry to be so direct with that, but I'm an engineer, not a diplomat."

"Well...", Ava said and a small frown crossed her face, only to go as her Grey Wolf nudged her face, making her resume petting. With a smile, she explained. "You see, I am a Blacksmith's Apprentice, but for my work, I need to draw an idea about what I want to make, from a horseshoes to jewelry... and since I can't use a pencil to safe my life..." She shrugged. "What I lack with the pencil, though, I can do with my other tools."
Her hand inched to her belt and one of the pouches, which had her smartphone in it.
"Wanna see a few examples?", she asked, her smile slowly widening.

You could have asked one of us to make a few snapshots., the Priestess of Rhiannon thought as she stepped aside and out of the picture.
"If you want to that truck with the fish, you can go along that way...", she pointed between two tents and then to the right. "...and then head right. You should see a guardsman in the distance, but if you tell him, that Finny send you along, he'll let you through. Then you'll see that truck. They have very good fish!" She grinned and nodded towards the old man, the girl and the Tine. "Some of the animals can attest to that. We had delivery problems in the morning and solved them by buying from their stock... and we had breakfast there, too."
There was nodding approval from the other priestesses.

Ryan and Martyne lean forwards, "sure" is Ryan's reply. Martyne is also more interested in heavy metal engineering anyway being a qualified structural welder as well as a semi truck driver.

Over at the petting area
"Delivery problems?" asked Zoe as Micky poses for the photos with her shaved head right infront of the little foal at one point.

"and if, as it seems, a person of status, like the food then it must be good" replies Micky, taking note of the nod from the high priestess "and I think you may have just sealed the fate of our hunger" Zoe puts the picture she has just taken of Micky onto her social media, then a like comes in, followed by a tweet

over at the fish stall,
Robbie pulls her phone out and takes a look, "Bugger me!" she says
"huh?" asks Fitt, "whats up?"
"just had a tweet come in Fitt", replies Robbie with a pause "ya know those two who are on that sailing boat touring Astyrian waters?"

"oh yeah, those nutters from Meridian" jokes Fitt, who after loosing a leg in the middle of the ocean after a rogue state commited a hostile act does not like the idea of being in a boat that would fit on the deck of a typical flat bed truck, sailing in open water. A ferry is passable but a little yacht is a bit beyond her comfort zone.

"yeah, at Vee-eight babe seven thirty and Micky, well they're not a million miles away, tweet says - recomended to try fish from a truck by a member of the town elders", says Robbie, "I think we have royal approval"

Gina smiles. "told ya Hai'lu'kai fish was good"

The Priestess smiled. "Glad to be of help to you two.", she said and bowed her head lightly, "I heard, that they were foreigners, too. Aurorans, I believe. Very good fish, though. The little ones loved it!"
The foal gave a nicker.
"You don't have any say in this, pal!", she joked, "You ate grass for breakfast!"

On the train, Ava drew her smartphone - what she did was not welding or metal engineering, but art and she would show them that. A few taps later and she turned the phone to a photograph of an absolutely gorgeous woman.
Dark skinned, blonde hair short, ruby-red eyes scanning the crowd. She was well trained, but also had curves to say the least, her dress only emhasizing them, burgundy in colour and with a deep, plunging neckline, which teased quite a lot from that angle, skirt of silken tulle, side-slids up to her thights. On her was only one piece of jewelry, a pendant of a rose with petals of ruby, drawing eyes downwards and bringing out her eyes.
At her side was a feline, a large one, but that got out of focus as Ava showed a detail of that picture, the pendant.
"That one is one of mine.", she said with a lot of pride in her voice, "Worn by Princess Fara bint-Damir of Megido in Kyrenaia during some ball or the other." She showed the next picture, of herself, a man with golden eyes and darker skin and a simply charming smirk, which radiated even through the picture, as well as the pendant again. "A friend of hers bought it as a present to her and from what I can tell, it was a success."

[AHSCA]

"No need to thank for the truth, rogha.", he whispered to her and rode out of the city, past the gate guard. He smiled at the lone militiaman, who kept ceremonial watch, the man smiled back, then Finn's attention was back to holding Mamiko and steering Gual.
The weather outside was just as beautiful as it was in the city, but in front of them, a few small houses and then the wide expanse of the countryside outside of Cuan stretched, a few paths and streets snaking through it. There were grassy fields in front of them and in the distance, far to the left, one could see the Iron River running down. There was also a small forest a bit to the side, and an apple orchard not too far away.
Finn smiled. "I know this area very good. Every year, come summer, I help my family drive the cattle up towards Cuan and we always take the route, that leads us along here.", he told Mamiko.

"Wow, what is that like? is it really hard? is it fun?"

[New Visayan Islands]

Samuel Cui
Old Liam's Herb-Shop

All Samuel could think of was the flavor of Coinneal at the moment.

Eventually, a wry thought began to enter his head: if he could import Selkie herbs in the Confederation, it would go a really long way.

[The Selkie]

"Wow, what is that like? is it really hard? is it fun?"

Finn laughed. "Hard, but fun work.", he told Mamiko with a smile, "Sometimes, a few of them are stubborn as mules, but if one knows the ropes, they are easily convinced to come along." He gave Gual a soft kick, bidding her forwards, which she did at a slow, sedate pace. "Cuan is known for the pastures around it, as well for its river-fish and pears, but if one wants a spot for peace and quiet, I know a good one."
He let a beat pass.
"Wanna see it?", he asked her.

Samuel Cui
Old Liam's Herb-Shop

All Samuel could think of was the flavor of Coinneal at the moment.

Eventually, a wry thought began to enter his head: if he could import Selkie herbs in the Confederation, it would go a really long way.

Kiah smiled as Cui apparently had the relaxation he seemed to need. It was better then tobacco, if one asked her, as that one always scratched in her throat.
If one wanted to export it to foreign lands, though, there were certain merchants, who offered such a thing, but it had a bit of a price. Lower quality blends usually had plantation-grown herbs, but they didn't taste as good as wild-grown and collected herbs, if one asked her. As these were wild-grown and collected... one could imagine the price.
As her pet nudged her stomach, Kiah smiled and watched him move, uncovering a bit of her stomach as he began to lick her hip. She giggled at the sensation, petting his head.

[AHSCA]

Finn laughed. "Hard, but fun work.", he told Mamiko with a smile, "Sometimes, a few of them are stubborn as mules, but if one knows the ropes, they are easily convinced to come along." He gave Gual a soft kick, bidding her forwards, which she did at a slow, sedate pace. "Cuan is known for the pastures around it, as well for its river-fish and pears, but if one wants a spot for peace and quiet, I know a good one."
He let a beat pass.
"Wanna see it?", he asked her.

Again she blushed and smiled, no doubt this was a date, a first date! She had to play it cool for a bit "Ye-yeah, I'd love to!"

[Azenyanistan]

The Chief of Police held her ground but she could feel her body shudder at her yelling like that. She remembered how she was trained, being subject to the same brutal instructors from both the army and the force. Turyannah took a breath and said for herself "My apologies. My mother is Turyah. She told me about how she met you. She told me about how you let her into your home. About how you talked to her about many things. She told me about being in a festival with you before. And so much more."

She then, confused by this and trying to explain, said "My mother is the one who wore a scarf. The one that she didn't always wear. And at that time, she was a detective. And then she held the same position as I do now."

Turyannah then looked at all of them and just tried some more, saying with some exasperation "She knows you were an engineer. Of ships, she told me."

[The Selkie]

Again she blushed and smiled, no doubt this was a date, a first date! She had to play it cool for a bit "Ye-yeah, I'd love to!"

Finn smiled as he whispered in her ear: "As you wish... say, have you ever ridden a horse in more then canter?", he asked as innocently as he could, subconciously grabbing her closer, tighter so that she was safer on the street as they cantered down the road towards where he wanted them to go.
It would be a bit rougher, if she decided to get at a fuller tilt.

The Chief of Police held her ground but she could feel her body shudder at her yelling like that. She remembered how she was trained, being subject to the same brutal instructors from both the army and the force. Turyannah took a breath and said for herself "My apologies. My mother is Turyah. She told me about how she met you. She told me about how you let her into your home. About how you talked to her about many things. She told me about being in a festival with you before. And so much more."

She then, confused by this and trying to explain, said "My mother is the one who wore a scarf. The one that she didn't always wear. And at that time, she was a detective. And then she held the same position as I do now."

Turyannah then looked at all of them and just tried some more, saying with some exasperation "She knows you were an engineer. Of ships, she told me."

Gwen raised an eyebrow as she undid a few threads holding the undershirt together and stripped out of it. After all, she was changing and they were women, all three of them, so there shouldn't be a problem.
A light set of underwear, or rather a bikini, became visible underneath it, white and actually very decent, but still showing, that she was a matured woman and proud of it. As she took off the belt around her hips, she answered Turyannah.
"Yes, that can all be read on the internet.", she replied with a frown, "Especially the last two. I'm sorry, lassie, but I know, that I heard the name somewhere, but I can't for the life of me, remember where. Maybe the three of us and Auntie Gwenny can go out eating later and we can see, what else she told you?"
Nora nodded. "A good idea. I heard, that there was an Auroran Fish Truck at the Petting Zoo.", she said with a smile, looking up from petting her round stomach. "My treat."
"Mom..."
"No, I insist." Gwen let her shoulders hand. "You had much to do over the last years, so let me be a bit of a mother for once and treat you to lunch... and not your CEO."

[AHSCA]

Finn smiled as he whispered in her ear: "As you wish... say, have you ever ridden a horse in more then canter?", he asked as innocently as he could, subconciously grabbing her closer, tighter so that she was safer on the street as they cantered down the road towards where he wanted them to go.
It would be a bit rougher, if she decided to get at a fuller tilt.

She shook her head "No, this is the first time I've ever been on a horse."

[Aurora Confederacy]

The Priestess smiled. "Glad to be of help to you two.", she said and bowed her head lightly, "I heard, that they were foreigners, too. Aurorans, I believe. Very good fish, though. The little ones loved it!"
The foal gave a nicker.
"You don't have any say in this, pal!", she joked, "You ate grass for breakfast!"

On the train, Ava drew her smartphone - what she did was not welding or metal engineering, but art and she would show them that. A few taps later and she turned the phone to a photograph of an absolutely gorgeous woman.
Dark skinned, blonde hair short, ruby-red eyes scanning the crowd. She was well trained, but also had curves to say the least, her dress only emhasizing them, burgundy in colour and with a deep, plunging neckline, which teased quite a lot from that angle, skirt of silken tulle, side-slids up to her thights. On her was only one piece of jewelry, a pendant of a rose with petals of ruby, drawing eyes downwards and bringing out her eyes.
At her side was a feline, a large one, but that got out of focus as Ava showed a detail of that picture, the pendant.
"That one is one of mine.", she said with a lot of pride in her voice, "Worn by Princess Fara bint-Damir of Megido in Kyrenaia during some ball or the other." She showed the next picture, of herself, a man with golden eyes and darker skin and a simply charming smirk, which radiated even through the picture, as well as the pendant again. "A friend of hers bought it as a present to her and from what I can tell, it was a success."

As the train rattled its way along the track, Martyne and Ryan took interest in what Ava is showing her, "thats sweet, looks delicate too" she says, remarking to the pendant, "As for what I do, you'll probably find it relatively boring" laughs Martyne, taking out her phone and switching it to gallery mode, "this is my country in late spring, a friend filmed it, where I live, in the winter it doesn't even get light, in summer it doesn't even get dark"

Over by the petting zoo
Zoe and Micky smiled, "thank you ma'am" says Micky before Zoe points out "I think they may be who i think they are, girl in early twenties, one slightly older?" she asks,