The Festival of the Holy Light (IC)

[Mervay]

Satou couldn't beleive it that Tess felt the same about her but she was so happy and the fact they shared a kiss their first kiss as a couple made her heart race with happiness. "I'm so glad you feel the same, Tess! And we shared a kiss too! It's wonderful" she laughed and could almost shout in glee! "I told your parents too. I hope you don't mind...they asked me directly and I just can't lie. No, granny raised me to never lie and always tell the truth."

"I don't mind about that my parents know about it,they saw that by just seeing my state and my face anytime,I was close with you so,I don't mind that Sweetie" She said with an teasing grin when she said the part of sweetie.

"You know what made me fall in love with you??. Here is the answer your kindess,your smile that beautiful smile of you,those eyes of you,your sense of truth that makes you always be honest,when you always help me in try to get to know better your life here,etc. That's what made me fall in love with you Fujumiya Satou,I love you and,I will protect that love that we both have" She say leaning for another kiss,but this time she wanted it to last an little longer.

[Lux Pulchrae]

"Oh sure." She was a bit surprised and bewildered by that statement but she went with it until they could pay their bill. Kujo chuckled a bit nervous and dabbed his brow. The humidity in here was appalling how did people wear these fancy "robes" was beyond him.

At the temple when they were asking for Gisella a few pointed her out. "Yeah she's over there." she was busy scrubbing out a few wash tubs the guests had in their rooms. Seeing the few men approach on her "Oh, morning. What can I do for you?"

"Hey ragazza, remember me from yesterday. I was looking for a man last night. I'm looking for him again. Could you have possibly seen him around? He apparently likes this place."

[Danceria]

Tuesday, August 28, 2018 - Second Day
Aceus Elurion, King of Danceria

Port Aurora Village Square, En Route to the Kitan Spas
Shortly after noon

---

In spite of the oncoming storm, the debacle of last night, Aceus walked with a beaming grin on his face. Giving a hearty good day to passerbys and even strumming a few tunes on his guitar, wondering if he should conduct an impromptu performance at the Temple later this evening. But he had to focus, he needed to head to the Kitan, and possibly the boutique to gain and clean his wardrobe. A quick shower, washing clothes-did they even wash clothes? Or if not, just to gain more information on Duchess Marcella's usual haunts.

His stomach growling, he decided a quick visit before sampling some of the local cuisine. A way of giving back to the community that had graciously hosted and answered his questions. To be honest, he hadn't felt this good in a long while, and hummed a merry tune as he entered the spa.

Annabell had sent another message to home sending her love and well regards. She did mornings work in the Temple for her Room and Board and asked if she could now enjoy some leisure time which was fine, she need not ask she was just a guest after all but she wanted to be friendly. It wasn't bad, a farm girl like her was used to hard labor and work. Now she got to enjoy the fine pleasures of AHSCA, the public baths and hot springs. "Oh hello, might I join you?" Granted she was already nude and ready to enter the water so a bit late to ask that now.

Aceus had settled into the hot spring. While nice, he was just thinking about how much better this would feel if he had actually worked hard and wasn't lazing about. Still, it was the stereotype that princes were pampered so he decided to enjoy it. He was fortunately facing away from the door where the newcomer had entered and in his relaxed haze waved her in. "Yeah, sure. Pool's big enough for both of us." The man looked at her with lazy green eyes before registering what was going on. This was a mixed bathing area.

This was a mixed bathing area?!

While not inexperienced in such a manner, he didn't think anyone would, well enter. A small blush appeared as he faced away from her politely. Aschans really were too lax in some ways the Dancerian prince would think.

[Die Rittern der Weissen Konigin]

The young knight laughed.

"Lol, it's only an idiomatic expression. What I mean is establishing a branch of the Marmoreal Order here, that's what I mean by setting up shop. And of course, you were right I must need your permission.

"And, also, the Order, for your information, was registered as an autonomous organization sui juris of the Autocephalous Morrainean Church in Gotesbourg, our other primary headquarters asides Marmoria. One of the Order's high clergymen was appointed Archbishop of Europe."

"Oh here to establish a branch, are you here to preach? Sorry if I'm a bit slow on picking up things...don't often get to talk to foreigners. Sounds a bit elaborate and complicated." She pointed as the Great Temple came into sight.

"Preaching and teaching," replied the young knight. "That's what we're gonna do these times." The young knight wasn't hesitating so as to talk to her about the history of the order. "And the White Queen appeared to a young squire named Gilles in a vision in the forest, telling him many wondrous things, and it all continued to the time when she chose twelve young noble men for herself. Indeed, when I was a child, I dreamed was one of them. How about you, what of your religion's myths and history?"

Satou couldn't beleive it that Tess felt the same about her but she was so happy and the fact they shared a kiss their first kiss as a couple made her heart race with happiness. "I'm so glad you feel the same, Tess! And we shared a kiss too! It's wonderful" she laughed and could almost shout in glee! "I told your parents too. I hope you don't mind...they asked me directly and I just can't lie. No, granny raised me to never lie and always tell the truth."

"I don't mind about that my parents know about it,they saw that by just seeing my state and my face anytime,I was close with you so,I don't mind that Sweetie" She said with an teasing grin when she said the part of sweetie.

"You know what made me fall in love with you??. Here is the answer your kindess,your smile that beautiful smile of you,those eyes of you,your sense of truth that makes you always be honest,when you always help me in try to get to know better your life here,etc. That's what made me fall in love with you Fujumiya Satou,I love you and,I will protect that love that we both have" She say leaning for another kiss,but this time she wanted it to last an little longer.

"That's even sweeter than I thought!" exclaimed the young knight, who has been busy buying food from the market after a conversation with the priestess some time ago. He was singing a Lettermen song.

[AHSCA]

"I don't mind about that my parents know about it,they saw that by just seeing my state and my face anytime,I was close with you so,I don't mind that Sweetie" She said with an teasing grin when she said the part of sweetie.

"You know what made me fall in love with you??. Here is the answer your kindess,your smile that beautiful smile of you,those eyes of you,your sense of truth that makes you always be honest,when you always help me in try to get to know better your life here,etc. That's what made me fall in love with you Fujumiya Satou,I love you and,I will protect that love that we both have" She say leaning for another kiss,but this time she wanted it to last an little longer.

"Sweetie!" She giggled in glee and euphoria "I have a pet name now!" She was so in love with it and she kissed Tess back holding onto her kiss a little longer and getting to reply to Tess' expression. "I feel so much the same way, why I fell in love with you. Your honesty and sincererness to listen to even a simple island girl like me. " she kissed her again.

"Hey ragazza, remember me from yesterday. I was looking for a man last night. I'm looking for him again. Could you have possibly seen him around? He apparently likes this place."

"Oh hey, I do!" She nodded setting her brushes down. "Oh I think I saw him talking to the High Priestess earlier but I think he's left since. Not really sure where he went, sorry."

"Preaching and teaching," replied the young knight. "That's what we're gonna do these times." The young knight wasn't hesitating so as to talk to her about the history of the order. "And the White Queen appeared to a young squire named Gilles in a vision in the forest, telling him many wondrous things, and it all continued to the time when she chose twelve young noble men for herself. Indeed, when I was a child, I dreamed was one of them. How about you, what of your religion's myths and history?"

"Well there's a lot to our religion, but it's a lot so maybe I should get you and me to the Temple first to explain everything about it. It will take a bit of time and I do need to get these supplies there. So would you care to join me?"

[Kuronami]

Aceus had settled into the hot spring. While nice, he was just thinking about how much better this would feel if he had actually worked hard and wasn't lazing about. Still, it was the stereotype that princes were pampered so he decided to enjoy it. He was fortunately facing away from the door where the newcomer had entered and in his relaxed haze waved her in. "Yeah, sure. Pool's big enough for both of us." The man looked at her with lazy green eyes before registering what was going on. This was a mixed bathing area.

This was a mixed bathing area?!

While not inexperienced in such a manner, he didn't think anyone would, well enter. A small blush appeared as he faced away from her politely. Aschans really were too lax in some ways the Dancerian prince would think.

"Thanks" She entered the water sinking up to her chest. Now she wanted to strike some conversation, "The water is nice. It's perfectly hot. I think I saw you at the Temple earlier. I've been staying there and working a little in exchange."

[Die Rittern der Weissen Konigin]

"Preaching and teaching," replied the young knight. "That's what we're gonna do these times." The young knight wasn't hesitating so as to talk to her about the history of the order. "And the White Queen appeared to a young squire named Gilles in a vision in the forest, telling him many wondrous things, and it all continued to the time when she chose twelve young noble men for herself. Indeed, when I was a child, I dreamed was one of them. How about you, what of your religion's myths and history?"

"Well there's a lot to our religion, but it's a lot so maybe I should get you and me to the Temple first to explain everything about it. It will take a bit of time and I do need to get these supplies there. So would you care to join me?"

"Sure. No problem," was his reply.

[AHSCA]

"Sure. No problem," was his reply.

"All right, come with me." She lead him along into the temple, parking her motor scooter on the side grabbing the boxes she placed them at the kitchen door giving it a knock another Priestess took the boxes. "Rin, you're late" An elder Priestess told her.

"I'm sorry, I met someone along the way, a traveler." she showed him

"All right but just remember that Yuu had to take your cleaning duties so you best thank her."

"I will be sure to. Thanks. Now if you want to learn come with me." she took him to the statues of their two Goddesses. And she gave the whole story of their religion.

[Mervay]

"Sweetie!" She giggled in glee and euphoria "I have a pet name now!" She was so in love with it and she kissed Tess back holding onto her kiss a little longer and getting to reply to Tess' expression. "I feel so much the same way, why I fell in love with you. Your honesty and sincererness to listen to even a simple island girl like me. " she kissed her again.

She wanted it to non-stop,the feeling of it was completely happy,in an state of euphoria,wharever you want to call it. But the girls were having an pure true love for them that even if they went far away for each other,they would wait for their return or their visit to one or either's nation. Tess was reciving and embraced that kiss that her girlfriend gave her and she just parted her lips of it for say something or take air.

"You can call me by an nickname too,if you want. And your not an simple island girl,for me you are special,you are that other part of the red thread of destiny and this travel was to find you,find the person that was meant to see,we are united by that red thread of destiny" Tess said looking to those dark blue eyes that she fell in love.

"We are for each other,even if we come for different places,classes and life's. We are made for each other"

[Lux Pulchrae]

"Oh hey, I do!" She nodded setting her brushes down. "Oh I think I saw him talking to the High Priestess earlier but I think he's left since. Not really sure where he went, sorry."

"Dio mio, I just love this kid. Anything I ask she tells me. Like an information desk this one is." he took out another 1500 Lira and handed it to her "Here you go kid, go exchange it somewhere and don't spend it in one place, or whatever you people do here. Is the priestess nearby?"

[Die Rittern der Weissen Konigin]

"Sure. No problem," was his reply.

"All right, come with me." She lead him along into the temple, parking her motor scooter on the side grabbing the boxes she placed them at the kitchen door giving it a knock another Priestess took the boxes. "Rin, you're late" An elder Priestess told her.

"I'm sorry, I met someone along the way, a traveler." she showed him

"All right but just remember that Yuu had to take your cleaning duties so you best thank her."

"I will be sure to. Thanks. Now if you want to learn come with me." she took him to the statues of their two Goddesses. And she gave the whole story of their religion.

"Strange. I've never heard of these statues before, they're like, as if they were about to come to life again when thunder strikes and disasters befell these islands. Possibly your religion was as polytheistic as Hinduism, right?

"Also, you were mostly sun-worshipers, too! It's a Neolithic trend, long ago, when the farmers, who, giving up a life of hunting and herding at the time of the Paleolithic and Mesolithic ages they turned to farming and depended on the sun's energy for the growth of their wheat fields."

[Danceria]

Aceus had settled into the hot spring. While nice, he was just thinking about how much better this would feel if he had actually worked hard and wasn't lazing about. Still, it was the stereotype that princes were pampered so he decided to enjoy it. He was fortunately facing away from the door where the newcomer had entered and in his relaxed haze waved her in. "Yeah, sure. Pool's big enough for both of us." The man looked at her with lazy green eyes before registering what was going on. This was a mixed bathing area.

This was a mixed bathing area?!

While not inexperienced in such a manner, he didn't think anyone would, well enter. A small blush appeared as he faced away from her politely. Aschans really were too lax in some ways the Dancerian prince would think.

"Thanks" She entered the water sinking up to her chest. Now she wanted to strike some conversation, "The water is nice. It's perfectly hot. I think I saw you at the Temple earlier. I've been staying there and working a little in exchange."

"Uh yeah. The water is...rather great." Aceus coughed and gathered enough courage to speak with her in his peripheral. "I've been playing a few songs at the temple, and staying at there as well. Are you one of the priestesses, or just staying there for the festivities?" It was a good thing he wore his trunks, or else the conversation would even be more awkward. He really should've reserved a more private bath next time, but at least he's gotten another wonderful view. Then he thought about his adventure last night, and whether or not to bring it up with the Duchess.

[AHSCA]

She wanted it to non-stop,the feeling of it was completely happy,in an state of euphoria,wharever you want to call it. But the girls were having an pure true love for them that even if they went far away for each other,they would wait for their return or their visit to one or either's nation. Tess was reciving and embraced that kiss that her girlfriend gave her and she just parted her lips of it for say something or take air.

"You can call me by an nickname too,if you want. And your not an simple island girl,for me you are special,you are that other part of the red thread of destiny and this travel was to find you,find the person that was meant to see,we are united by that red thread of destiny" Tess said looking to those dark blue eyes that she fell in love.

"We are for each other,even if we come for different places,classes and life's. We are made for each other"

The wind breeze pushed their hair and swirled some pedals of tropical flowers and blew the flame on the lantern to make it dance just making the moment more special for the two of them "It's okay I don't mind being a simple island girl, I'm rather proud of it but you will have to help me learn what life in a modern world is like." She giggled a little "Mmm Tessy? Tess-chan? Well either way you're my Tess."

"Dio mio, I just love this kid. Anything I ask she tells me. Like an information desk this one is." he took out another 1500 Lira and handed it to her "Here you go kid, go exchange it somewhere and don't spend it in one place, or whatever you people do here. Is the priestess nearby?"

"Oh wow, thank you" She bowed in gratitude she would just give it back to the Church mostly and maybe send a small gift to Mahmut. "The High Priestess. I think she's out in the Gardens, just through that door."

"Strange. I've never heard of these statues before, they're like, as if they were about to come to life again when thunder strikes and disasters befell these islands. Possibly your religion was as polytheistic as Hinduism, right?

"Also, you were mostly sun-worshipers, too! It's a Neolithic trend, long ago, when the farmers, who, giving up a life of hunting and herding at the time of the Paleolithic and Mesolithic ages they turned to farming and depended on the sun's energy for the growth of their wheat fields."

"I see. That makes sense given our islands we get socked into long periods of heavy rains for a few months so naturally we depend greatly on the sun too."

[Die Rittern der Weissen Konigin]

"Strange. I've never heard of these statues before, they're like, as if they were about to come to life again when thunder strikes and disasters befell these islands. Possibly your religion was as polytheistic as Hinduism, right?

"Also, you were mostly sun-worshipers, too! It's a Neolithic trend, long ago, when the farmers, who, giving up a life of hunting and herding at the time of the Paleolithic and Mesolithic ages they turned to farming and depended on the sun's energy for the growth of their wheat fields."

"I see. That makes sense given our islands we get socked into long periods of heavy rains for a few months so naturally we depend greatly on the sun too."

To us it has been said that we came from the sun. Rather it's just a poetical figure of saying that we are down-to-earth. The sun rises from the east, so that is why the Salian Empire had countless churches and temples facing east, towards the rising sun, and rituals face the sun."

[Lux Pulchrae]

"Oh wow, thank you" She bowed in gratitude she would just give it back to the Church mostly and maybe send a small gift to Mahmut. "The High Priestess. I think she's out in the Gardens, just through that door."

"Thanks. Do what you want with just don't buy drugs, or I'll kill you." with a smile him and the rest nearly bolted to the gardens to meet with the high priestess.

Searching for any semblance of authority they looked for whoever looked like a priestess until they found her with Giuseppe again leading the dialogue "Good morning madame, we're looking for a friend of ours, very important that we find him. He has all of our travel documents with him." Giuseppe then proceeded to describe the man in hopes that it would be led to his location.

[Mervay]

The wind breeze pushed their hair and swirled some pedals of tropical flowers and blew the flame on the lantern to make it dance just making the moment more special for the two of them "It's okay I don't mind being a simple island girl, I'm rather proud of it but you will have to help me learn what life in a modern world is like." She giggled a little "Mmm Tessy? Tess-chan? Well either way you're my Tess."

Tess giggled at that part,she knew that both of them were going to learn an lot for both places. She knows well that things look positive for them in the future. But still the atmosphere was helping that romantic mood

"We are gonna learn an lot for both places and we will need time for adapt ourselves for both styles of life" she said thinking about it.

"Ahh our life's together are gonna be great and an adventure to say at least. Tessy sounds good for me sweetie but if you want to call me by my name fine for me" she said approaching an little to Satou so both of them could be cuddled together.

"I wish that this moment never ends,you know so we have it as an good memory of us and an good first date,an true date as couple"

[Kuronami]

"Uh yeah. The water is...rather great." Aceus coughed and gathered enough courage to speak with her in his peripheral. "I've been playing a few songs at the temple, and staying at there as well. Are you one of the priestesses, or just staying there for the festivities?" It was a good thing he wore his trunks, or else the conversation would even be more awkward. He really should've reserved a more private bath next time, but at least he's gotten another wonderful view. Then he thought about his adventure last night, and whether or not to bring it up with the Duchess.

"I'm there for the festivities but I'm here in the islands bit longer. I'm here for a my Civil Service requirements back home. Well I thought this would be a great place to come and with the festival, I thought I'd get an early start here to really get assimilated to the local culture." She got a sense he was a bit uneasy with her in the bath with him it did strike her suddenly too she was also in a mixed bathing. "Aha, look I'm sorry if I kind of intruded. I have two sisters at home so I guess I'm just more used to not worrying about it as much. "I'm Annabell by the way."

[Danceria]

"Uh yeah. The water is...rather great." Aceus coughed and gathered enough courage to speak with her in his peripheral. "I've been playing a few songs at the temple, and staying at there as well. Are you one of the priestesses, or just staying there for the festivities?" It was a good thing he wore his trunks, or else the conversation would even be more awkward. He really should've reserved a more private bath next time, but at least he's gotten another wonderful view. Then he thought about his adventure last night, and whether or not to bring it up with the Duchess.

"I'm there for the festivities but I'm here in the islands bit longer. I'm here for a my Civil Service requirements back home. Well I thought this would be a great place to come and with the festival, I thought I'd get an early start here to really get assimilated to the local culture." She got a sense he was a bit uneasy with her in the bath with him it did strike her suddenly too she was also in a mixed bathing. "Aha, look I'm sorry if I kind of intruded. I have two sisters at home so I guess I'm just more used to not worrying about it as much. "I'm Annabell by the way."

"No no, it's fine, I just haven't quite acclimated to the local culture just yet." he shrugged. "M'name's Lindar, unofficial minstrel of the temple. Just a dude with a guitar going where he feels like going. So far, it's been doing me okay." Though right now, I may be in a pickle. Elbereth? Is this your way of saying "I'm about to die"? Sending a girl to chat with me before the capos put a cap in me? If so...mildly dick move. Aceus would think to himself.

[AHSCA]

To us it has been said that we came from the sun. Rather it's just a poetical figure of saying that we are down-to-earth. The sun rises from the east, so that is why the Salian Empire had countless churches and temples facing east, towards the rising sun, and rituals face the sun."

"Ah I see, that's interesting. We've never done that ourselves because we know the sun as omnipresent even when it's not around. Not many believe us islanders know things like that but we know a few things." she boasted with a bit of pride. "Anything else I can answer for you?"

Thanks. Do what you want with just don't buy drugs, or I'll kill you." with a smile him and the rest nearly bolted to the gardens to meet with the high priestess.

Searching for any semblance of authority they looked for whoever looked like a priestess until they found her with Giuseppe again leading the dialogue "Good morning madame, we're looking for a friend of ours, very important that we find him. He has all of our travel documents with him." Giuseppe then proceeded to describe the man in hopes that it would be led to his location.

Gisella missed a beat there "eh?" She muttered once they walked away. Weird he seemed nice but that joke was just a little too dark for her liking. Still she resumed her duties.

The high priestess had stared at the blooming flowers intently and forlorn until her zen was interrupted and she stood "Good day, Gentlemen." They asked about a man and described him. It sounded an awful lot like the man she just spoke to. Though they said he had some documents she wasn't ready to buy it. She wasn't going to feed him to the lions so easily. "Mmm I did see a man like that earlier. I spoke with him and he left the temple with his things. I imagine he's probably moved about the island by now, if not to another one. I'm afraid that's the best I can do for now. If I see him again I'll let him know you're looking for him."

Tess giggled at that part,she knew that both of them were going to learn an lot for both places. She knows well that things look positive for them in the future. But still the atmosphere was helping that romantic mood

"We are gonna learn an lot for both places and we will need time for adapt ourselves for both styles of life" she said thinking about it.

"Ahh our life's together are gonna be great and an adventure to say at least. Tessy sounds good for me sweetie but if you want to call me by my name fine for me" she said approaching an little to Satou so both of them could be cuddled together.

"I wish that this moment never ends,you know so we have it as an good memory of us and an good first date,an true date as couple"

Leaning closer together they were firmly and warmly in one's embrace. Satou had her arm around Tess and held her close to her own chest. She wished her mother was still around so she could tell her how she found the love of her life. Her grand would come around eventually. "I agree. I just want to sit here with you forever."

[Hathian Prime]

Markus Auron-Sirus was not one for travel. He was too busy planning out his next string of industrial and military moves to further his people. He had to be talked into going on a temporary vacation with his wife, Anja Calanthe, to get away from the stresses of working on his nation. After placing his most qualified and trusted adviser in charge, Markus and Anja set sail in the HWS Sparrow for the island of Aurora,UIS. The Supreme Leader of Hathian Priewas dressed in his normal formal attire, which was a black military uniform with numerous medals across his chest and light gold epaulettes on his shoulders. Anja was wearing a plain dark blue dress with a single golden button on the collar that displayed her rank of Travel Minister and First Lady of Hathian Prime. The pair held hands as they stood on the deck, looking out across the island. Markus leaned on his cane as he turned to order the captain of the Sparrow. "Slow down for the port authorities, and move the ship starboard to let others pass us."

[Lux Pulchrae]

Gisella missed a beat there "eh?" She muttered once they walked away. Weird he seemed nice but that joke was just a little too dark for her liking. Still she resumed her duties.

The high priestess had stared at the blooming flowers intently and forlorn until her zen was interrupted and she stood "Good day, Gentlemen." They asked about a man and described him. It sounded an awful lot like the man she just spoke to. Though they said he had some documents she wasn't ready to buy it. She wasn't going to feed him to the lions so easily. "Mmm I did see a man like that earlier. I spoke with him and he left the temple with his things. I imagine he's probably moved about the island by now, if not to another one. I'm afraid that's the best I can do for now. If I see him again I'll let him know you're looking for him."

The two looked at each other with Jose letting out a deep frustrated sigh from his nostrils to which Giuseppe continued "Ask the little girl over there, I'm very generous to those who help me, very generous." he proceeded to take out 7500 Lira($500) from his wallet. "You're congregation might need this."

Meanwhile, Jose turned to Melo in a whisper "Hey Melo, this might go nowhere, so I'm going back to the restaurant, gonna stay there and scout in case he makes his way there, also I don't want my omelette to get cold." he was somewhat concerned of his food "It's just going to you and Giuseppe, and he's the only one with a gun. If you're in a situation where you're looking down the barrel of our 'friend', reach in like you have one, so he thinks he's going up against two guns." he patted the boy on the shoulder and then went off back to the restaurant. Finally arriving at the diner, he sat down and saw that his food was there, greeting Kujo in the process, "Thank's for waiting, what did you get?"

Back at the temple:
"I know you know something madame. It'd help us both if you told me where our friend went."

[Cartoonia]

“Wow” was all Fry could say. “Hey Rose” he continues, “do you want in on this?”

“Um.. ok sure” Rose responds.

She stroked Rose's palms carefully "You are a tough one to read but I sense you're thinking of going to bigger things but think smaller. You will achieve big with small in your own home village."

“Wow, you were meant for bigger things weren’t you Rose” Tamaki says as Rose blushes. He went to his wallet. “How much was this”. Tamaki asks.

[Kyrenaia]

Aurelia smiled at her girlfriend.
"I haven't, actually. Let's try them out!", she agreed. What was great for Marcella's skin definately wouldn't hurt hers. She did not think badly of her admitting to having soaked in milk to get moisture back into her skin, it was only natural - she had needed a few tricks as well back in the day, when she had come to Kyrenaia first. "It sounds wonderful."

"Splendid! Then we can enjoy a nice tea and breakfast together." Marcella hand in hand with Aurelia trekked down stairs to the baths finding an attendant. "Oh, Milady"

"Good morning, Natsume." Given Marcella did frequent this place she did know much of the staff "I know it's sudden but a milk bath for two, do you have one free?"

"Oh let me look, I know we have free baths but for two let me check." Searching through the log books "Just in time, we finished cleaning out and refilling one now. Follow me and I'll get you two settled in"

"Thanks."
Natsume lead them along down the hall, Marcella made a little casual small talk. "Rained really good last night huh?"

"Oh it sure did!" Natsume replied very casually. "Glad Manager didn't make us tend to the outdoor baths. There were a few in the sheltered ones on their own but ya know us native folk, we're more used to it."

"Yeah. Been busy by the looks of things"

"Much above average. Well so was my last voyage aboard The Yuzu. And well you know the rest of THAT story!" She chuckled a little

"Ah right. Well work hard do your best. Just bill me for the baths and room"

"You got it. Here you are, Enjoy!"

"Thank you." Natsume left the two women in the change room to undress and get set.

"Cheers to that." Giuseppe raised his cup "Your country is yours, don't let anyone disrespect it. We'd be strung up and shot. Our king is nearly untouchable, you only ever see him in the newspapers and other media."

"If you're a peasant that is." Jose corrected with an exhale of his cigarette

"Oh forgive me friends, you must excuse me, I forgot we have our very own nobleman here. Rain never falls on him, and his shit don't stink, pardon my french." Giuseppe said mockingly, having a certain disdain for the certain level of snobbishness exerted from his society's nobility.

"It's true, Cleone d'Angeli is not that big a deal for us like he is to you. We see him on an almost regular basis. A man on a power trip I'd say, he wants to return to the good old days of his grandfather, days of discipline and order but the world isn't like that anymore. He is stuck behind in time, and if he's stuck, the country will be stuck and fall behind. Those who don't adapt, die. And he espouses his Italic pride but forgets he's half Hispanic too." Jose revealed his grievances about his own monarch.

"Hey watch it! That's my king you're talking about."

"It's true, his mother is Valenica de los Lagos, if that's not a Spanish name I don't know what is."

"Alright forget all this talk. Lets just see what the day has for us later." Giuseppe shifted the conversation "So you two," pointing to the others "what's the agenda looking like today? What time are we meeting our friends?"

"Well said" Melo agreed drinking his coffee once it cooled. Kujo looked at his pocket watch "Well they said they'd be here around noon. Arriving by a private bush plane. I told them I'd see them right on the pier at that bar you guys dragged me from last night."

Aurelia smiled as they were received by the staff - they really knew Marcella, more closely then just 'that woman on TV, who rules us', but as a real person.
A low snap of her fingers as they were in the lobby and pointing into a corner told Aldhiyb, that he should wait there, out of the way for everyone. As he heard the word 'baths' many times, he was glad - that meant, that he was out of danger!
She smiled along, before she stopped Natsume before she left them: "May I bother you with a little something as well? My Sand Wolf is waiting in the lobby, could you please put a bowl of water and a small snack in front of him? He'll not bite, I promise!", she requested politely, before moving a bit closer to the other girl's ear: "And if you want to pet him, just hold your hand out for him to sniff. As long as you don't reek of gunpowder, he should like you!"
With that, she let Natsume go, throwing her a wink as well, undressing with Marcella in the changing room.
"People here are very polite.", she said to her girlfriend, grinning.
She had no idea about what was heqading their way...

[Saarkrisken]

"I'm glad you find us that way! Things have changed over the last 20 years for the better. Having so many people here has been great for business but a little hard on us who are used to a smoother quieter life. Well give and take is the ways of nature always. I do, pretty much every day, usually with my little one but she's so excited about the festival she's eager to wander the village with her friends so I thought I'd take a bit of time for myself."

The Saarkriskian leaned against the side of the bath, in a seemingly comfortable position"Oh, you have a daughter" said Albert a bit surprised. He had no doubt seen the little girl at the shop, but had not paid too much attention. "If I sound surprised, it is because imagine mothers as a little bit older" he explained, hoping he hadn't made a faux pas. "How old is she? " he asked, knowing that mother's everywhere like to talk about their kids. As he listened to Kumiko, he also thought about the unusualness of the situation, from a Saarkriskian perspective. If he were to tell those back home, that he took a bath with a woman, they would imagine it differently than it was. The young man used his common sense to determine what the proper etiquette was and his self discipline to follow it, even if he wasn't able to keep his eyes from wandering the whole time.

[Mervay]

Leaning closer together they were firmly and warmly in one's embrace. Satou had her arm around Tess and held her close to her own chest. She wished her mother was still around so she could tell her how she found the love of her life. Her grand would come around eventually. "I agree. I just want to sit here with you forever."

"Yeah,I know" Tess said. Her face was now in Satou's shoulders and her hands played with her lover hair an little.

"I think that it might be fun to go to an place that you want to go,you know so you can show me more of AHSCA and your life. Or we could just stay here in the hot springs until lunch talking about our lifes and w-who knows our future as an couple" She continued with blush in her face. It was very obvious that Tess wanted this to be more than an summer relation. She wanted it for be an long and lasting relation and maybe an family.