Celebrating a good Harvest (IC, OPEN)

[Prussian Polish Commonwealth]

snip

Irene was silent for a few moments.
"Very well, then, Yven."
She smiled for the first time since the start of the meeting.
"If you two get married and need someone to look after the kids, ring me up."

[Camelone]

"Don't know any numbers for you to call sir. I'll take my leave and try to find my way elsewhere so I bid you a good day." Bedivere said as he slung the bag back over his shoulder and walked out of the inn once more now trying to think of what to do. As he walked he couldn't help but to let out a sigh of frustration as he did not necessarily know where to go except for probably going to Filleadh House directly and finding an inn afterwards. Now the only thing left to do was to find that house which should be oh so much fun in this town. Well time to get going and Bedivere began walking in the general direction he believed it to be in. looking at the map when he needed and saying where he needed to go if anyone inquired where he had to go due to his rather lost looking demeanor.

"Have a nice day as well, lad.", the receptionist said to the nice young man, "And good luck!"
Wandering around, he would very soon learn, that Selkie were helpful people, even if their English oftentimes left room for improvement, much room for improvement. With the directions given, he would then wander around until he lost his way again, looking lost, which prompted more then the odd helpful Selkie to offer him guidance.
Funnily enough, most of those were girls with sometimes rather odd red tinges on their cheeks...
However, the last one, which he got asked by, if he needed any help, was a young woman, around his age, leading a pinto colt with heavy bags on its back. She had long, dark-brown hair, wore a white blouse and jeans short-shorts. The ears on her head perked in delight as she heard, where he was going.
"That's awesome!", she said with a grin, "I'm going there myself, so I would be glad, if you could come along! I'm Cao, by the way - and you are?"

"Bedivere Callaghan and it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance." Bedivere responded with a smile as he bowed his head slightly. "It is good fortune to run into someone who is going to the same place as me, otherwise I would keep getting lost. Shall we?" He asked gesturing with his shillelagh in one direction with the smile still firmly planted on his lips. "If that is the right direction that is."

[Lillorainen]

Uachtair Inn.
Leonard and Marla, unaware of the praises, left the horses in the care of the third member of their group, who began to bribe them by carrot, which they gladly accepted.
The two armed people, however, entered the Inn and, as clanking sounded, disarmed themselves of their visible weaponry while chatting friendly with the receptionist in Selkie. It seemed, as if all three were old acquaintances, which was, in part, true.
The next one would see from the Mini-Waitress was her standing at the portal to the entrance hall, half out of view, and watching the two Marcach with awe, but also nervousness. One of the older waitresses nudged her to go to them, which she did, re-emerging around a minute later, sitting on the shoulders of the redhead, grinning widely, while the bluenette chuckled.
More then a few chuckles were had at the sight, the rider having turned into the mount.
The Mini-Waitress motioned to the Leverdals, said something in Selkie, to which Leonard nodded, someone already getting up to speak with him, a fellow competitor, as the leather armour told.
Marla, meanwhile, approached the table: "Hilda Leverdal, right?", she asked and extended her by now ungloved hand, smiling, "Marla Cróimiam of the Tribe of Cork. It's a great pleasure to meet such an accomplished horsewoman as yourself, Miss Leverdal."

[spoiler=Mervay and Lillorainen-Quotes]

"In other words in Lillorainen,things could be difficult for the program considering such system" Lise says sighging,it looked like that only the ones that were having influence could push for an student exchange programs in their nations,which taking by the counts of The Selkie and Mervay,Cel and her friends could try with their connections and so Lise with her father and mother and the rest of the goverment.

"If it takes too long then better be worthy that wait,the other option is that well the ones that has some kind of influence in their goverments push the idea,I mean Cel and her friends could try that here in their tribe and,I could try that in Mervay. After all most of us are from powerful families" she says,hopefully that can help for either one or other nation have their program.

I smiled as I listened to Lise's and Chris' conversation, but I raised an eyebrow.
"I might not have the amount of influence you think I have, but I did hear a few interesting rumours concerning that.", she said and smiled, "First of all, the Free Lands always establish student exchange programms with new diplomatic partners, which are used more often then you'd think. An official Academy Programme for school-students and not university-students was envisaged for a time now, but it's still in the planning stages. Mainly the venue is still debated." I leaned over a bit. "They either tend to Leuda, Ironcastle, Fort Stone or Silverport, Cuan never appears on their lists..."
Leaning back, I added: "Such an academy would surely be fun. You'd have to know how to ride a horse, though!"

Filleadh House.
Chris grinned at Cel's last sentence. Knowing how to ride a horse was pretty much useful anywhere in the Free Lands.
He kept thinking about that for a second. Then he said, "Yeah, rumors are going on a lot ... I could even imagine that such a planning list does exist, but people tell a lot when the day is long. If it does, I might need to ask some people to urge them to promote Nienhagen. I mean, it's an old city with a rich history, it's big but still chill, it already has a university, it has excellent public transport foreigners can get through easily, it has a ferryport with many international connections, there is an express train to and from the next international airport, we have nice beaches and bars, and we have absolutely the best fried fish in the Islands - everyone who tells you something else is either clueless, or a liar." He grinned again.

Uachtair Inn.
The Mini-Waitress stood at the portal to the entrance hall welcoming Leonard and Marla, along with an older colleague who would go out of sight for a minute just to re-emerge then, sitting on Leonard's shoulder - both had already gotten rid of their visible arms, as it was usual in here. The Mini-Waitress motioned to Fred and Hilda, saying something they wouldn't even understand if they were standing right next to them.
Marla approached the Leverdal siblings' table. Hilda tried not to look to nervous.
The swordswoman extended her hand to Hilda, introducing herself. Hilda shook hands with her and smiled. "Indeed, Hilda Leverdal. The pleasure is entirely mine, Miss Cróimiam! I rarely see people swinging the sword the way to manage to." Did that even make sense? Well, if you're a bit nervous ... and the message did arrive. She motioned to Fred. "My brother, Frederik" - she introduced.
Fred slightly bowed. "Nice to meet you, Miss Cróimiam" - he said.

[Mervay]

I smiled as I listened to Lise's and Chris' conversation, but I raised an eyebrow.
"I might not have the amount of influence you think I have, but I did hear a few interesting rumours concerning that.", she said and smiled, "First of all, the Free Lands always establish student exchange programms with new diplomatic partners, which are used more often then you'd think. An official Academy Programme for school-students and not university-students was envisaged for a time now, but it's still in the planning stages. Mainly the venue is still debated." I leaned over a bit. "They either tend to Leuda, Ironcastle, Fort Stone or Silverport, Cuan never appears on their lists..."
Leaning back, I added: "Such an academy would surely be fun. You'd have to know how to ride a horse, though!"

Lise was surprised that Cel wasn't that influential as she thought,she considered that with an powerful economic group they could move some strings for let happen the program,still the idea of an school program in the Free Lands was an good idea and more if it was an little away of the important cities that tourists see everyday.

"I would paid for go to an Program in Cuan,I read an little about it and from there,I can see that is beautiful so we surely need to see if someone can convince your goverment for place it there. Now an program there would be fun. And yeah just in case,I will better improve myself with horses,I'm still an rookie" She says laughing an little about it,she wasn't good with horses so lots of hour in practice would be needed.

Filleadh House.
Chris grinned at Cel's last sentence. Knowing how to ride a horse was pretty much useful anywhere in the Free Lands.
He kept thinking about that for a second. Then he said, "Yeah, rumors are going on a lot ... I could even imagine that such a planning list does exist, but people tell a lot when the day is long. If it does, I might need to ask some people to urge them to promote Nienhagen. I mean, it's an old city with a rich history, it's big but still chill, it already has a university, it has excellent public transport foreigners can get through easily, it has a ferryport with many international connections, there is an express train to and from the next international airport, we have nice beaches and bars, and we have absolutely the best fried fish in the Islands - everyone who tells you something else is either clueless, or a liar." He grinned again.

The Chris proposed another city called Nienhagem,Lise never heard of it,but with what the guy was saying she loved the idea of an program there too. She wanted that it could be an place very great.

"I'm for that idea too,as long it is an great city with lots of history and no your everyday choose for an program,I'm in" she said loving the ideas of them. She took another slip of her lemonade before she asked about who more was invited from the PIA.

"Anyways changing of topic for an little,did you invited all the guys of the PIA or the most closest friends to you???"

[The Selkie]

snip

Irene was silent for a few moments.
"Very well, then, Yven."
She smiled for the first time since the start of the meeting.
"If you two get married and need someone to look after the kids, ring me up."

"Takin' it slow 'ere!", he said, but grinned himself, "We aren't even formally datin' yet!"
He rose with a grin back.
"Now, we should probably go back, before they start to think about what exactly we're doin' here...", he said and motioned for Irene to follow him. At the exit, he threw a short glance at his smartphone - still no message from Cao.
He was getting worried.

"Bedivere Callaghan and it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance." Bedivere responded with a smile as he bowed his head slightly. "It is good fortune to run into someone who is going to the same place as me, otherwise I would keep getting lost. Shall we?" He asked gesturing with his shillelagh in one direction with the smile still firmly planted on his lips. "If that is the right direction that is."

"The pleasure is mine, Mister Callaghan.", Cao said with a smile and motioned into the other direction, "All ways may lead to the House, but this is the quickest, which a horse can take."
The little colt let out a neigh of approval, causing Cao to pet his muzzle.
"So, Mister Callaghan.", she said as she began to move, "You're a friend of Cel, right? Met her in Purgatio?"

I smiled as I listened to Lise's and Chris' conversation, but I raised an eyebrow.
"I might not have the amount of influence you think I have, but I did hear a few interesting rumours concerning that.", she said and smiled, "First of all, the Free Lands always establish student exchange programms with new diplomatic partners, which are used more often then you'd think. An official Academy Programme for school-students and not university-students was envisaged for a time now, but it's still in the planning stages. Mainly the venue is still debated." I leaned over a bit. "They either tend to Leuda, Ironcastle, Fort Stone or Silverport, Cuan never appears on their lists..."
Leaning back, I added: "Such an academy would surely be fun. You'd have to know how to ride a horse, though!"

Lise was surprised that Cel wasn't that influential as she thought,she considered that with an powerful economic group they could move some strings for let happen the program,still the idea of an school program in the Free Lands was an good idea and more if it was an little away of the important cities that tourists see everyday.

"I would paid for go to an Program in Cuan,I read an little about it and from there,I can see that is beautiful so we surely need to see if someone can convince your goverment for place it there. Now an program there would be fun. And yeah just in case,I will better improve myself with horses,I'm still an rookie" She says laughing an little about it,she wasn't good with horses so lots of hour in practice would be needed.

Filleadh House.
Chris grinned at Cel's last sentence. Knowing how to ride a horse was pretty much useful anywhere in the Free Lands.
He kept thinking about that for a second. Then he said, "Yeah, rumors are going on a lot ... I could even imagine that such a planning list does exist, but people tell a lot when the day is long. If it does, I might need to ask some people to urge them to promote Nienhagen. I mean, it's an old city with a rich history, it's big but still chill, it already has a university, it has excellent public transport foreigners can get through easily, it has a ferryport with many international connections, there is an express train to and from the next international airport, we have nice beaches and bars, and we have absolutely the best fried fish in the Islands - everyone who tells you something else is either clueless, or a liar." He grinned again.

The Chris proposed another city called Nienhagem,Lise never heard of it,but with what the guy was saying she loved the idea of an program there too. She wanted that it could be an place very great.

"I'm for that idea too,as long it is an great city with lots of history and no your everyday choose for an program,I'm in" she said loving the ideas of them. She took another slip of her lemonade before she asked about who more was invited from the PIA.

"Anyways changing of topic for an little,did you invited all the guys of the PIA or the most closest friends to you???"

I smiled at Lise.
"I sent the invitation to everyone I had the contact information of, which was, admittedly, not everyone by far. For example, the wheelchair guy, what was his name...", I said and was a bit ashamed to admit, that I had forgotten his name, "Anyway, I got further confirmations from Beddy and Aida, they should be coming sooner, rather then later... I hope. Otherwise, they're lost somewhere within Shella."
I shrugged.
"There are worse places to get lost in, but still not pleasant.", I said. "Idiot, which I am, of course only wrote, that it is in the Upper Town."

Uachtair Inn.
The Mini-Waitress stood at the portal to the entrance hall welcoming Leonard and Marla, along with an older colleague who would go out of sight for a minute just to re-emerge then, sitting on Leonard's shoulder - both had already gotten rid of their visible arms, as it was usual in here. The Mini-Waitress motioned to Fred and Hilda, saying something they wouldn't even understand if they were standing right next to them.
Marla approached the Leverdal siblings' table. Hilda tried not to look to nervous.
The swordswoman extended her hand to Hilda, introducing herself. Hilda shook hands with her and smiled. "Indeed, Hilda Leverdal. The pleasure is entirely mine, Miss Cróimiam! I rarely see people swinging the sword the way to manage to." Did that even make sense? Well, if you're a bit nervous ... and the message did arrive. She motioned to Fred. "My brother, Frederik" - she introduced.
Fred slightly bowed. "Nice to meet you, Miss Cróimiam" - he said.

Marla smiled.
"Oh, please, just Marla.", she said, blushing lightly at the compliments, and pulled herself a chair up, "I hope you don't mind me joining you... anyway, 'Miss Cróimiam' makes it sounds as if I am running around for the Foreign Office..." A look of sadness passed over her face. "Which is not going to happen anytime soon, but here we are." She let a beat pass. "The pleasure is entirely mine, Frederik. I take, that you are a good horseman as well?"
She smiled openly, friendly.

[Lillorainen]

Lise was surprised that Cel wasn't that influential as she thought,she considered that with an powerful economic group they could move some strings for let happen the program,still the idea of an school program in the Free Lands was an good idea and more if it was an little away of the important cities that tourists see everyday.

"I would paid for go to an Program in Cuan,I read an little about it and from there,I can see that is beautiful so we surely need to see if someone can convince your goverment for place it there. Now an program there would be fun. And yeah just in case,I will better improve myself with horses,I'm still an rookie" She says laughing an little about it,she wasn't good with horses so lots of hour in practice would be needed.

The Chris proposed another city called Nienhagem,Lise never heard of it,but with what the guy was saying she loved the idea of an program there too. She wanted that it could be an place very great.

"I'm for that idea too,as long it is an great city with lots of history and no your everyday choose for an program,I'm in" she said loving the ideas of them. She took another slip of her lemonade before she asked about who more was invited from the PIA.

"Anyways changing of topic for an little,did you invited all the guys of the PIA or the most closest friends to you???"

I smiled at Lise.
"I sent the invitation to everyone I had the contact information of, which was, admittedly, not everyone by far. For example, the wheelchair guy, what was his name...", I said and was a bit ashamed to admit, that I had forgotten his name, "Anyway, I got further confirmations from Beddy and Aida, they should be coming sooner, rather then later... I hope. Otherwise, they're lost somewhere within Shella."
I shrugged.
"There are worse places to get lost in, but still not pleasant.", I said. "Idiot, which I am, of course only wrote, that it is in the Upper Town."

Marla smiled.
"Oh, please, just Marla.", she said, blushing lightly at the compliments, and pulled herself a chair up, "I hope you don't mind me joining you... anyway, 'Miss Cróimiam' makes it sounds as if I am running around for the Foreign Office..." A look of sadness passed over her face. "Which is not going to happen anytime soon, but here we are." She let a beat pass. "The pleasure is entirely mine, Frederik. I take, that you are a good horseman as well?"
She smiled openly, friendly.

Filleadh House.
Chris nodded when Lise mentioned that she wanted it to be a special, great place. He was grinning a bit.
She changed the topic a bit, to ask who of the PIA exchange had received an invitation, which Cel answered. Indeed, they hadn't managed to contact everyone, but almost, at least. They hoped that Aida and Bedivere would find their way.
"Going lost is a good keyword regarding a possible exchange" - Chris said. "Of course I might be a bit biased regarding the choice of a destination, since Nienhagen is my home city. But it is great, and the advantage is that I know every mole's first name in there, so I can pick anyone up, in case someone's lost. Same would be with Cel in Cuan."

Uachtair Inn.
Hilda couldn't help it, but had to giggle about Marla's question to Fred. "Sorry, but that one's good! He's glad that he doesn't confuse a horse for a field mouse! One horse power isn't sufficient for him. He comes after Dad at that point."
Fred sighed and rolled his eyes, but still smiled. "Already tried a few times, so it's not that bad, but I'm not anywhere close to being good. I've only fallen off once, at my first attempt - but that was thanks to the pony they gave me."
Hilda grinned, trying to look innocent. "You said you've never ridden a horse before, so they gave you a horse that hasn't been ever ridden before. I couldn't know they weren't joking."
Fred sighed again. "Now, as for your other question, Marla, feel free to join us!"

[Prussian Polish Commonwealth]

snip

Irene stood up and smoothed out the creases in her uniform. She chuckled a little. "Go get 'er, tiger."

[Camelone]

"Bedivere Callaghan and it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance." Bedivere responded with a smile as he bowed his head slightly. "It is good fortune to run into someone who is going to the same place as me, otherwise I would keep getting lost. Shall we?" He asked gesturing with his shillelagh in one direction with the smile still firmly planted on his lips. "If that is the right direction that is."

"The pleasure is mine, Mister Callaghan.", Cao said with a smile and motioned into the other direction, "All ways may lead to the House, but this is the quickest, which a horse can take."
The little colt let out a neigh of approval, causing Cao to pet his muzzle.
"So, Mister Callaghan.", she said as she began to move, "You're a friend of Cel, right? Met her in Purgatio?"

"The logic fits." Bedivere said as he walked beside Cao "Yes you have guessed correctly. I did meet Cel in that rather gloomy country, not necessarily the best country to find oneself in but we survived it and learned some rather interesting things about the fallen nature of mankind, mostly in regards to the policies we witnessed. Though funny enough I had not really interacted all that much with the others in the program, kind of kept to myself and was rather surprised to receive an invitation, pleasantly mind you but still surprised. Oh you may call me Bedivere by the way." He said as he walked and talked trying to pass the time and fill Cao in on his situation. It was a rather nice walk.

[AHSCA]

"Hm...", the baker made, looking at her showcase for a bit, "Well, if you need a breakfast, one of the prepared breadrolls might be a good idea. Ever tasted Shella Goat Cheese? Tangy in flavour and a smooth-creamy texture." She motioned to the part of the showcase with the prepared breadrolls. "If you need something meatier, then we can of course help you as well. Other then that, for a first timer to Selkie-Cuisine, I would recommend Scipeáil. If one dish says 'I am Selkie!' it's either Stobhach of Scipeáil!"

Both gave it a moment of thought taking a look over displays and the menu before deicding "Well if you say it's good for a first timer" Sora replied, "Then I think we'll both take one of each. I'll have the Stobhach"

Kirie nodded and replied, "And I'll have the Scipeáil." That way they both could get the best of what each had to offer.

[Kuronami]

Ayden raised an eyebrow bemusedly.
"Waari?", he asked, "No, she and I are colleagues and friends and... no. I would not dare to for a variety of reasons." He let a beat pass. "That being said, there is someone, who I have my eye on. She is a colleague, too. A wonderful woman... strong, kind, beautiful as the dawn after long night..." He smiled a bit sheepish. "My apologies, I sometimes rave a bit."

She looked on with her doe like eyes in adornment of how sweet he sounded describing the woman he was in love with. "No need to apologize to me, hun, believe you me if you asked me to describe my husband I could go off an a thousand ways to explain what I love about him. You'd think six weeks in a little cabin on the high seas we'd get to each other a lot but nope. You feel the same way about your special little lady I don't doubt it and I pray for the best for you two."

[Mervay]

I smiled at Lise.
"I sent the invitation to everyone I had the contact information of, which was, admittedly, not everyone by far. For example, the wheelchair guy, what was his name...", I said and was a bit ashamed to admit, that I had forgotten his name, "Anyway, I got further confirmations from Beddy and Aida, they should be coming sooner, rather then later... I hope. Otherwise, they're lost somewhere within Shella."
I shrugged.
"There are worse places to get lost in, but still not pleasant.", I said. "Idiot, which I am, of course only wrote, that it is in the Upper Town.".

"Don't worry,I forgot about the guy too. Many were with their group and didn't cared for the rest" Lise said comforting her about that she forgot about the boy name too. True most of them have not talked with each other for an long time and she wasn't an exception,with only talking with Celina before she came to the festival.

"I hope that those two knows very well where we are with just that,I believe that if not. Well they are for good tourism" she says laughing an little.

Filleadh House.
Chris nodded when Lise mentioned that she wanted it to be a special, great place. He was grinning a bit.
She changed the topic a bit, to ask who of the PIA exchange had received an invitation, which Cel answered. Indeed, they hadn't managed to contact everyone, but almost, at least. They hoped that Aida and Bedivere would find their way.
"Going lost is a good keyword regarding a possible exchange" - Chris said. "Of course I might be a bit biased regarding the choice of a destination, since Nienhagen is my home city. But it is great, and the advantage is that I know every mole's first name in there, so I can pick anyone up, in case someone's lost. Same would be with Cel in Cuan."

Chris then joined with that getting lost was an good thing for an exchange and he was right.

"Indeed it depends of the place too in where you get lost,but in the end you know more of the city that you are visiting and it's and advantage that more with friends that knows or lives there"

[The Selkie]

[...]
Uachtair Inn.
Hilda couldn't help it, but had to giggle about Marla's question to Fred. "Sorry, but that one's good! He's glad that he doesn't confuse a horse for a field mouse! One horse power isn't sufficient for him. He comes after Dad at that point."
Fred sighed and rolled his eyes, but still smiled. "Already tried a few times, so it's not that bad, but I'm not anywhere close to being good. I've only fallen off once, at my first attempt - but that was thanks to the pony they gave me."
Hilda grinned, trying to look innocent. "You said you've never ridden a horse before, so they gave you a horse that hasn't been ever ridden before. I couldn't know they weren't joking."
Fred sighed again. "Now, as for your other question, Marla, feel free to join us!"

Uachtair Inn.
Marla saw, that Hilda was not as innocent in her brother's mounted mishaps as she tried to let on, but she kept her trap shut. Instead, she grinned as she settled down.
"Thanks. Anyway...", she said, looking at Frederik with a smile, "...if everything else fails, you can ride with me, Cleite should easily be able to carry the two of us. But that should not be necessary. The ponies we have for you are calm, old police ponies, which we lend from the station in town." She let a beat pass. "But before we take off, finish your breakfast in peace, we have the time."

snip

Irene stood up and smoothed out the creases in her uniform. She chuckled a little. "Go get 'er, tiger."

I smiled at Lise.
"I sent the invitation to everyone I had the contact information of, which was, admittedly, not everyone by far. For example, the wheelchair guy, what was his name...", I said and was a bit ashamed to admit, that I had forgotten his name, "Anyway, I got further confirmations from Beddy and Aida, they should be coming sooner, rather then later... I hope. Otherwise, they're lost somewhere within Shella."
I shrugged.
"There are worse places to get lost in, but still not pleasant.", I said. "Idiot, which I am, of course only wrote, that it is in the Upper Town.".

"Don't worry,I forgot about the guy too. Many were with their group and didn't cared for the rest" Lise said comforting her about that she forgot about the boy name too. True most of them have not talked with each other for an long time and she wasn't an exception,with only talking with Celina before she came to the festival.

"I hope that those two knows very well where we are with just that,I believe that if not. Well they are for good tourism" she says laughing an little.

Filleadh House.
Chris nodded when Lise mentioned that she wanted it to be a special, great place. He was grinning a bit.
She changed the topic a bit, to ask who of the PIA exchange had received an invitation, which Cel answered. Indeed, they hadn't managed to contact everyone, but almost, at least. They hoped that Aida and Bedivere would find their way.
"Going lost is a good keyword regarding a possible exchange" - Chris said. "Of course I might be a bit biased regarding the choice of a destination, since Nienhagen is my home city. But it is great, and the advantage is that I know every mole's first name in there, so I can pick anyone up, in case someone's lost. Same would be with Cel in Cuan."

Chris then joined with that getting lost was an good thing for an exchange and he was right.

"Indeed it depends of the place too in where you get lost,but in the end you know more of the city that you are visiting and it's and advantage that more with friends that knows or lives there"

Filleadh House.
I smiled at Lise's reply to me - indeed, he had been one of the less memorable people with us, to be honest, but that should not serve as an excuse. Our little groups in the PIA-Gang consisted, if I remember correctly, of one main group and a number of satelites, that guy being one of them, Bedivere being another, but I would like to think, that we included him more often then not...
...or at least tried to.
I nodded at Chris' point.
"Indeed, if it comes to Cuan, leave it to me!", I said and picked the little Black Fox to my side up, settling him in my lap. "Thanks to these lads and lassies here. They love to roam all over the city and getting into troubles. I have to bail them out more often then not..." I smiled and nuzzled the fox. "But I love them nonetheless."
"That doesn't surprise anyone here.", Yven said, returning with Irene and a look of worry, before he smiled at Marie. "Sorry, took a bit more then a moment.", he said to her and settled down on the chair next to her. "What did we miss?"

"The pleasure is mine, Mister Callaghan.", Cao said with a smile and motioned into the other direction, "All ways may lead to the House, but this is the quickest, which a horse can take."
The little colt let out a neigh of approval, causing Cao to pet his muzzle.
"So, Mister Callaghan.", she said as she began to move, "You're a friend of Cel, right? Met her in Purgatio?"

"The logic fits." Bedivere said as he walked beside Cao "Yes you have guessed correctly. I did meet Cel in that rather gloomy country, not necessarily the best country to find oneself in but we survived it and learned some rather interesting things about the fallen nature of mankind, mostly in regards to the policies we witnessed. Though funny enough I had not really interacted all that much with the others in the program, kind of kept to myself and was rather surprised to receive an invitation, pleasantly mind you but still surprised. Oh you may call me Bedivere by the way." He said as he walked and talked trying to pass the time and fill Cao in on his situation. It was a rather nice walk.

Cao smiled.
"Wonderful, then Bedivere it is!", she said and led him along, towards one of the larger sets of stairs to the Upper Town, "I have heard about what you all went through in Purgatio and while a lot of that has been Cel's view of it... 'fallen nature of mankind' is putting it lightly, if you ask me. All of those, who spent a night in the same room as her know, that she still has some nightmares unless her foxes or Chris are snuggled to her."
Cao let a beat pass, her dark expression clearing.
"Oh, and if you want to entrust your lugguage to this fine lad...", she added, petting the colt's muzzle, "...then feel free to. Just be careful with the bags, they have a tendency to fall off."

Ayden raised an eyebrow bemusedly.
"Waari?", he asked, "No, she and I are colleagues and friends and... no. I would not dare to for a variety of reasons." He let a beat pass. "That being said, there is someone, who I have my eye on. She is a colleague, too. A wonderful woman... strong, kind, beautiful as the dawn after long night..." He smiled a bit sheepish. "My apologies, I sometimes rave a bit."

She looked on with her doe like eyes in adornment of how sweet he sounded describing the woman he was in love with. "No need to apologize to me, hun, believe you me if you asked me to describe my husband I could go off an a thousand ways to explain what I love about him. You'd think six weeks in a little cabin on the high seas we'd get to each other a lot but nope. You feel the same way about your special little lady I don't doubt it and I pray for the best for you two."

Ayden smiled.
"Thank you.", he said, being earnest, "I haven't spent six weeks with her in a cabin, that might be true, but I did train her in the arts of diplomacy. She's actually a Sworddancer and one of the best, if you ask me."
Waari and Billie and the rest came into view, making Ayden's smile diminish slightly, into a more professional expression.
"And she can hold her own in any swordfight, too.", he said with a firm nod.

"Hm...", the baker made, looking at her showcase for a bit, "Well, if you need a breakfast, one of the prepared breadrolls might be a good idea. Ever tasted Shella Goat Cheese? Tangy in flavour and a smooth-creamy texture." She motioned to the part of the showcase with the prepared breadrolls. "If you need something meatier, then we can of course help you as well. Other then that, for a first timer to Selkie-Cuisine, I would recommend Scipeáil. If one dish says 'I am Selkie!' it's either Stobhach of Scipeáil!"

Both gave it a moment of thought taking a look over displays and the menu before deicding "Well if you say it's good for a first timer" Sora replied, "Then I think we'll both take one of each. I'll have the Stobhach"

Kirie nodded and replied, "And I'll have the Scipeáil." That way they both could get the best of what each had to offer.

The baker smiled, letting her prongs click.
"Coming right up!", she said with a cheer and placed two cardboard-plates onto her counter, as well as two bags.
Scipeáil was part of Milseán, the Sweet Stuff, some also said the Good Stuff, a pastry made from two small layers of pastry, between them a thick filling of breadcrumbs, dried fruit and sweetener, cheap, enduring for a long time and easy in making made it an ideal dish for the Selkie.
Stobhach, on the other hand, was quite hard to find in a bakery until a bit of time ago, mainly because it was actually a stew, or rather the Stew. That was the time, when Selkie-Bakers began to experiment with their neighbours' Cuisines, especially Lillo-Cuisine, with whom they had a long tradition of trade contact... not always defined by what was washed ashore.
Anyway, one of the culinary things, which the Selkie learned from the Lillos was called Maultasche, which they turned into the Mála, which literally meant something along the lines of bag or container. As such, it could contain a number of things, in this case... not Stobhach in the strict sense. Putting a stew into a bag of noodle dough was a bit more complicated for a bakery, especially when it was about keeping it warm.
No, the Mála contained a bit of lamb-meat, carrot, onion, parsley and the 'water' of the Stobhach, all made into a sort-of paste, cooked in the noodle dough bags and then offered.
It was actually quite delicious, if one asked the Selkie, and it could be served even when cold.
These were still warm, though, as the baker put two onto the one plate, packed both into paper bags, carefully, and then handed them over the counter.
"That makes a total of six Umha or six NSD.", she said and smiled slightly.

[Lillorainen]

Uachtair Inn.
Marla saw, that Hilda was not as innocent in her brother's mounted mishaps as she tried to let on, but she kept her trap shut. Instead, she grinned as she settled down.
"Thanks. Anyway...", she said, looking at Frederik with a smile, "...if everything else fails, you can ride with me, Cleite should easily be able to carry the two of us. But that should not be necessary. The ponies we have for you are calm, old police ponies, which we lend from the station in town." She let a beat pass. "But before we take off, finish your breakfast in peace, we have the time."

"Don't worry,I forgot about the guy too. Many were with their group and didn't cared for the rest" Lise said comforting her about that she forgot about the boy name too. True most of them have not talked with each other for an long time and she wasn't an exception,with only talking with Celina before she came to the festival.

"I hope that those two knows very well where we are with just that,I believe that if not. Well they are for good tourism" she says laughing an little.

Chris then joined with that getting lost was an good thing for an exchange and he was right.

"Indeed it depends of the place too in where you get lost,but in the end you know more of the city that you are visiting and it's and advantage that more with friends that knows or lives there"

I smiled at Lise's reply to me - indeed, he had been one of the less memorable people with us, to be honest, but that should not serve as an excuse. Our little groups in the PIA-Gang consisted, if I remember correctly, of one main group and a number of satelites, that guy being one of them, Bedivere being another, but I would like to think, that we included him more often then not...
...or at least tried to.
I nodded at Chris' point.
"Indeed, if it comes to Cuan, leave it to me!", I said and picked the little Black Fox to my side up, settling him in my lap. "Thanks to these lads and lassies here. They love to roam all over the city and getting into troubles. I have to bail them out more often then not..." I smiled and nuzzled the fox. "But I love them nonetheless."
"That doesn't surprise anyone here.", Yven said, returning with Irene and a look of worry, before he smiled at Marie. "Sorry, took a bit more then a moment.", he said to her and settled down on the chair next to her. "What did we miss?"

Filleadh House.
Chris nodded to Lise's statement - he tried to remember the guy's name, too, but he couldn't. Indeed, those who were here had more or less formed one middle-sized Inner Circle that had been staying together all the time, only including the others every now and then. Bedivere had been with them quite a few times, especially when it came to music, but other than that, he had mostly stayed in the background.
Chris noticed that more and more - especially when he compared it to Cel's and his stay in Dumhach, with all the parties and whatnot, where they had been way more open inclusive ... not only because most where Cel's friends; Dragan and Janina, two other tourists from Lillorainen, had managed to sneak into their Not-So-Inner Circle immediately.
But maybe it just was the difference in the particular atmosphere of both places. Ravaliér and Dumhach. Hard to believe that these two places were actually located on the same planet ...
Torn out of his thoughts, he heard Yven and Irene coming back.
"Madness as usual" - he responded, grinning. "We were just taking over homecountries' job to think of locations for a possible exchange - this time a less horrifying one."

Uachtair Inn.
Actually, not much of Fred's mishap could have been blamed on Hilda, aside from laughing too hard when it had happened - she really couldn't have known about the trick played by the others. Also, they all had been quite a few years younger. But this wasn't supposed to be an issue to discuss right now.
Fred nodded and swallowed his last bite down. "Old police ponies sound good! I once had a test ride with one from our mounted police back home - and it turned out way less complicated to handle even for a beginner. A pity Dad can't be here."
"Our Dad, actually, is a cop" - Hilda added. "But at the Highway Patrol, so he doesn't have a lot to do with horses. He does have good colleagues in the mounted unit, though."

[The Selkie]

Filleadh House.
Chris nodded to Lise's statement - he tried to remember the guy's name, too, but he couldn't. Indeed, those who were here had more or less formed one middle-sized Inner Circle that had been staying together all the time, only including the others every now and then. Bedivere had been with them quite a few times, especially when it came to music, but other than that, he had mostly stayed in the background.
Chris noticed that more and more - especially when he compared it to Cel's and his stay in Dumhach, with all the parties and whatnot, where they had been way more open inclusive ... not only because most where Cel's friends; Dragan and Janina, two other tourists from Lillorainen, had managed to sneak into their Not-So-Inner Circle immediately.
But maybe it just was the difference in the particular atmosphere of both places. Ravaliér and Dumhach. Hard to believe that these two places were actually located on the same planet ...
Torn out of his thoughts, he heard Yven and Irene coming back.
"Madness as usual" - he responded, grinning. "We were just taking over homecountries' job to think of locations for a possible exchange - this time a less horrifying one."

Uachtair Inn.
Actually, not much of Fred's mishap could have been blamed on Hilda, aside from laughing too hard when it had happened - she really couldn't have known about the trick played by the others. Also, they all had been quite a few years younger. But this wasn't supposed to be an issue to discuss right now.
Fred nodded and swallowed his last bite down. "Old police ponies sound good! I once had a test ride with one from our mounted police back home - and it turned out way less complicated to handle even for a beginner. A pity Dad can't be here."
"Our Dad, actually, is a cop" - Hilda added. "But at the Highway Patrol, so he doesn't have a lot to do with horses. He does have good colleagues in the mounted unit, though."

Filleadh House.
Yven grinned. "Well, ah can't tell ya about where they should make such a thang, but ah can tell ya, about where they shouldn't...", he said and shuddered. "Town of Súdaire, at the Icy Shore, the Town of Tanners. Cao and I spent quite a bit of time there to work in the tanneries, bettering up the pocket money. And lemme tell ya, it's not the chemical tanning, that is done there."
I made a face at the thought, uncomfortably well-acquainted with Súdaire.
"Someone has the right idea.", Yven agreed.

Uachtair Inn.
Marla raised an eyebrow.
"I always thought, that the Lillo Highway Patrol's main job is to keep confused Selkie Tourists off of the highways...", she said, a glint of mischief in her eyes. "Anyway, my Father is a swordman as well, while my Mam was a lumberjack, so I can't really compare... my sis is an actress, maybe you've seen her in one of her movies."
Marla shrugged.
"But yes, you can't really do much wrong with old police ponies.", she said with a small smile, "When they are unfit for service, many of them are sold off to farmers or cart-drivers or even some exported, where they are a bit of a smash hit with local horsemen and junior-horsemen. Calm and gentle creatures, these horses are."

[Lillorainen]

Filleadh House.
Yven grinned. "Well, ah can't tell ya about where they should make such a thang, but ah can tell ya, about where they shouldn't...", he said and shuddered. "Town of Súdaire, at the Icy Shore, the Town of Tanners. Cao and I spent quite a bit of time there to work in the tanneries, bettering up the pocket money. And lemme tell ya, it's not the chemical tanning, that is done there."
I made a face at the thought, uncomfortably well-acquainted with Súdaire.
"Someone has the right idea.", Yven agreed.

Uachtair Inn.
Marla raised an eyebrow.
"I always thought, that the Lillo Highway Patrol's main job is to keep confused Selkie Tourists off of the highways...", she said, a glint of mischief in her eyes. "Anyway, my Father is a swordman as well, while my Mam was a lumberjack, so I can't really compare... my sis is an actress, maybe you've seen her in one of her movies."
Marla shrugged.
"But yes, you can't really do much wrong with old police ponies.", she said with a small smile, "When they are unfit for service, many of them are sold off to farmers or cart-drivers or even some exported, where they are a bit of a smash hit with local horsemen and junior-horsemen. Calm and gentle creatures, these horses are."

Filleadh House.
Chris, who already know the details, had to laugh.
He said, "Well, then let's just hope that Súdaire doesn't suddenly appear on the list!"
Another sip of lemonade followed; Chris took the risk it might suddenly taste like the imagination he had from Súdaire - but, luckily, he had the well-known ability to first drink, then think.
He continued, "At least it would be an option for exchange students from foreign tanneries."

Uachtair Inn.
Both Fred and Hilda had to grin about Marla's first thought. Also, it wasn't unlikely that they had seen her sister in some movie.
"Well, yes, Dad's primary job is to explain foreign tourists that horses and carriages don't belong onto any roads with green signs" - Fred said. "Yet, sometimes, he meets colleagues from other units such as the mounted police, some of which he's also friends with. And once we used the chance to see how well their ponies do their job."
"And with those that aren't fit anymore for service, it's mostly similar with us" - Hilda added. "They are sold off to riding facilities or farmers - there's always a demand for experienced horses somewhere."
"Or to other mounted units from states with more lax standards, where they can serve longer. Lillöer-State tends to replace their police horses quite often, to maintain a certain standard."

[Mervay]

Filleadh House.
Yven grinned. "Well, ah can't tell ya about where they should make such a thang, but ah can tell ya, about where they shouldn't...", he said and shuddered. "Town of Súdaire, at the Icy Shore, the Town of Tanners. Cao and I spent quite a bit of time there to work in the tanneries, bettering up the pocket money. And lemme tell ya, it's not the chemical tanning, that is done there."
I made a face at the thought, uncomfortably well-acquainted with Súdaire.
"Someone has the right idea.", Yven agreed.

"So there are places in the Free Lands that we better leave them alone. Interesting,but still considering that is close to the icy shore it was obvious. But yeah in agree with chris the place could serve for just an certain group of people" Lise said joining that conversation. She never thought that there were gonna be places like that here in The Selkie.
Now that Yven was now here and he was talking with them,Devienne decided to ask him again about an house in sell around the upper town.

"One question Yven,I would like to buy an house here in the upper town of Shella,do you know an pretty good house like yours that is in sell??" she asked very nervious and expecting once again that her question doesn't goes to the ears of the boy.

[Prussian Polish Commonwealth]

"Madness as usual" - he responded, grinning. "We were just taking over homecountries' job to think of locations for a possible exchange - this time a less horrifying one."

Irene perked up. "I hear that the University of Konigsberg might start offering an exchange program soon. It's open for unusually high-performing high school students too."
She sat down again. "That said, Konigsberg isn't exactly a pleasant place to live-too many military installations, and don't even get me started on that disgusting pile of birdshit of an office building that the Kaiser hasn't bothered to tear down yet."

[The Selkie]

Filleadh House.
Chris, who already know the details, had to laugh.
He said, "Well, then let's just hope that Súdaire doesn't suddenly appear on the list!"
Another sip of lemonade followed; Chris took the risk it might suddenly taste like the imagination he had from Súdaire - but, luckily, he had the well-known ability to first drink, then think.
He continued, "At least it would be an option for exchange students from foreign tanneries."

Uachtair Inn.
Both Fred and Hilda had to grin about Marla's first thought. Also, it wasn't unlikely that they had seen her sister in some movie.
"Well, yes, Dad's primary job is to explain foreign tourists that horses and carriages don't belong onto any roads with green signs" - Fred said. "Yet, sometimes, he meets colleagues from other units such as the mounted police, some of which he's also friends with. And once we used the chance to see how well their ponies do their job."
"And with those that aren't fit anymore for service, it's mostly similar with us" - Hilda added. "They are sold off to riding facilities or farmers - there's always a demand for experienced horses somewhere."
"Or to other mounted units from states with more lax standards, where they can serve longer. Lillöer-State tends to replace their police horses quite often, to maintain a certain standard."

Filleadh House.
Yven grinned. "Well, ah can't tell ya about where they should make such a thang, but ah can tell ya, about where they shouldn't...", he said and shuddered. "Town of Súdaire, at the Icy Shore, the Town of Tanners. Cao and I spent quite a bit of time there to work in the tanneries, bettering up the pocket money. And lemme tell ya, it's not the chemical tanning, that is done there."
I made a face at the thought, uncomfortably well-acquainted with Súdaire.
"Someone has the right idea.", Yven agreed.

"So there are places in the Free Lands that we better leave them alone. Interesting,but still considering that is close to the icy shore it was obvious. But yeah in agree with chris the place could serve for just an certain group of people" Lise said joining that conversation. She never thought that there were gonna be places like that here in The Selkie.
Now that Yven was now here and he was talking with them,Devienne decided to ask him again about an house in sell around the upper town.

"One question Yven,I would like to buy an house here in the upper town of Shella,do you know an pretty good house like yours that is in sell??" she asked very nervious and expecting once again that her question doesn't goes to the ears of the boy.

"Madness as usual" - he responded, grinning. "We were just taking over homecountries' job to think of locations for a possible exchange - this time a less horrifying one."

Irene perked up. "I hear that the University of Konigsberg might start offering an exchange program soon. It's open for unusually high-performing high school students too."
She sat down again. "That said, Konigsberg isn't exactly a pleasant place to live-too many military installations, and don't even get me started on that disgusting pile of birdshit of an office building that the Kaiser hasn't bothered to tear down yet."

Filleadh House.
Yven squirmed a bit at the question.
"That's actually a bit of a problem.", he said and rubbed the back of his head, switching from his twang to a more standard English, "To my knowledge, by law, those posessing House and Land in the Free Lands must be Born Selkie. For foreigners, there would be the option of hiring a steward, basically a proxy, or to rent, but both aren't exactly cheap." He scratched the back of his head further. "I also don't know, if anyone is selling. This isn't my hometown, you know? We're just here for holidays."

I somehow pitied the lad: Sure, Lise was a nice girl, but she would not like the answer, besides, Súdaire wasn't a bad place... only had a bit of a problem with the smell from all the tanners.
I turned back to Irene.
"Cuan has a garrison as well, I. Squadron, 5th Dragan-Regiment, they even have their own usual haunt in town, but if even you say, that it's too many military installations, they might consider toning it down a bit...", I said with a teasing smile, before I went a bit more serious, "But what office building? Modern Art met the Beautiful Queen?"

Uachtair Inn.
"A good City Guard Cavalry is the boon to any city, as they say.", Marla agreed with Lillöer-State's policies in that regard, grinning at her joke not being too flat. She sometimes had problems with her brand of humour. "I can understand, why horses are always in high demand, especially in rural regions... and the Free Lands, obviously. They are a steadfast and secure way of getting around and upkeep is rather little, too. And it makes it a lot more fun for the tourists."
She winked at the last part, grinning.

[Prussian Polish Commonwealth]

.

Irene growled. "Three fucking words-House. Of. Soviets."

[Camelone]

"The logic fits." Bedivere said as he walked beside Cao "Yes you have guessed correctly. I did meet Cel in that rather gloomy country, not necessarily the best country to find oneself in but we survived it and learned some rather interesting things about the fallen nature of mankind, mostly in regards to the policies we witnessed. Though funny enough I had not really interacted all that much with the others in the program, kind of kept to myself and was rather surprised to receive an invitation, pleasantly mind you but still surprised. Oh you may call me Bedivere by the way." He said as he walked and talked trying to pass the time and fill Cao in on his situation. It was a rather nice walk.

Cao smiled.
"Wonderful, then Bedivere it is!", she said and led him along, towards one of the larger sets of stairs to the Upper Town, "I have heard about what you all went through in Purgatio and while a lot of that has been Cel's view of it... 'fallen nature of mankind' is putting it lightly, if you ask me. All of those, who spent a night in the same room as her know, that she still has some nightmares unless her foxes or Chris are snuggled to her."
Cao let a beat pass, her dark expression clearing.
"Oh, and if you want to entrust your lugguage to this fine lad...", she added, petting the colt's muzzle, "...then feel free to. Just be careful with the bags, they have a tendency to fall off."

"We Cameloneans tend to have the habit of understating things, guess it comes from the ideal of staring down any problem with a grin and a mirthful laugh. When I was viking the local military we were attached to found it strange how we would jest and smile while being under fire or pinned down. Just a part of who we are I guess." Bedivere explained before he moved onto the case of his luggage "I thank you very much for the offer but I think I'll continue carrying it myself,don't want it to take any chances that it will fall. By the way may I inquire both how far is the House from here and may I learn some more about you? I will of course return any information with equal information from myself." He asked quite interested in knowing more about his impromptu guide.

[Lillorainen]

"So there are places in the Free Lands that we better leave them alone. Interesting,but still considering that is close to the icy shore it was obvious. But yeah in agree with chris the place could serve for just an certain group of people" Lise said joining that conversation. She never thought that there were gonna be places like that here in The Selkie.
Now that Yven was now here and he was talking with them,Devienne decided to ask him again about an house in sell around the upper town.

"One question Yven,I would like to buy an house here in the upper town of Shella,do you know an pretty good house like yours that is in sell??" she asked very nervious and expecting once again that her question doesn't goes to the ears of the boy.

Irene perked up. "I hear that the University of Konigsberg might start offering an exchange program soon. It's open for unusually high-performing high school students too."
She sat down again. "That said, Konigsberg isn't exactly a pleasant place to live-too many military installations, and don't even get me started on that disgusting pile of birdshit of an office building that the Kaiser hasn't bothered to tear down yet."

Filleadh House.
Yven squirmed a bit at the question.
"That's actually a bit of a problem.", he said and rubbed the back of his head, switching from his twang to a more standard English, "To my knowledge, by law, those posessing House and Land in the Free Lands must be Born Selkie. For foreigners, there would be the option of hiring a steward, basically a proxy, or to rent, but both aren't exactly cheap." He scratched the back of his head further. "I also don't know, if anyone is selling. This isn't my hometown, you know? We're just here for holidays."

I somehow pitied the lad: Sure, Lise was a nice girl, but she would not like the answer, besides, Súdaire wasn't a bad place... only had a bit of a problem with the smell from all the tanners.
I turned back to Irene.
"Cuan has a garrison as well, I. Squadron, 5th Dragan-Regiment, they even have their own usual haunt in town, but if even you say, that it's too many military installations, they might consider toning it down a bit...", I said with a teasing smile, before I went a bit more serious, "But what office building? Modern Art met the Beautiful Queen?"

Uachtair Inn.
"A good City Guard Cavalry is the boon to any city, as they say.", Marla agreed with Lillöer-State's policies in that regard, grinning at her joke not being too flat. She sometimes had problems with her brand of humour. "I can understand, why horses are always in high demand, especially in rural regions... and the Free Lands, obviously. They are a steadfast and secure way of getting around and upkeep is rather little, too. And it makes it a lot more fun for the tourists."
She winked at the last part, grinning.

Filleadh House.
Irene named the University of Königsberg as a facility offering an exchange program - however, she also added that the city wasn't exactly the best place to live in, full of military institutions, and - after Cel's question -, the House of Soviets. Complaints about a too high military presence from her was also nothing Chris would have expected.
Nienhagen had a Naval Base, that was it - the next major Army Regiment as well as the Airbase were both far enough away so no one would notice their presence.
Lise asked again for a house she could buy, and received Yven's disappointing response - Chris now also remembered to have heard that foreigners were barred from owning land or running a business in the Free Lands. Aside from that, he noted that he wasn't from here, so even without the legal barrier, he wouldn't be able to tell.
"How much could the rent be for some time?" - Chris asked Cel. "For a basic one." He had never gotten to the idea to ask that in all the time ... or he had, and couldn't remember.

Uachtair Inn.
Fred and Hilda snorted about her joke, maybe a lightly flat one, but they could deal with it - plus, it came in approval of their home state regarding their relatively strict policy, which also brought additional money from the sales for the unit, a practical synergy effect even saving Tax Marks for the maintenance of their standards.
Especially Hilda grinned at her last wink.
Fred nodded. "The demand might be remarkably higher in the Free Lands than in Lillorainen, but this is what makes coming here very special for us, coming from a country with only few areas left where horses still play a vital role in transport. On a different note, it's often considered more of a status symbol than an expensive car. You can find a carport anywhere, but have fun trying to find a place for a horse in a concrete-bunker district like Lysköping-Hetager."
Hilda nodded. "An expensive horse is for the status, while a car is for the identity. One can decide which one's more practical for the terrain they plan to go into. This way, we make both concepts coexist without necessarily one trying to replace the other."
This was starting a bit philosophical and theoretical for this time of day, but why not ...

[Mervay]

Filleadh House.
Yven squirmed a bit at the question.
"That's actually a bit of a problem.", he said and rubbed the back of his head, switching from his twang to a more standard English, "To my knowledge, by law, those posessing House and Land in the Free Lands must be Born Selkie. For foreigners, there would be the option of hiring a steward, basically a proxy, or to rent, but both aren't exactly cheap." He scratched the back of his head further. "I also don't know, if anyone is selling. This isn't my hometown, you know? We're just here for holidays."

I somehow pitied the lad: Sure, Lise was a nice girl, but she would not like the answer, besides, Súdaire wasn't a bad place... only had a bit of a problem with the smell from all the tanners.
I turned back to Irene.
"Cuan has a garrison as well, I. Squadron, 5th Dragan-Regiment, they even have their own usual haunt in town, but if even you say, that it's too many military installations, they might consider toning it down a bit...", I said with a teasing smile, before I went a bit more serious, "But what office building? Modern Art met the Beautiful Queen?"

Filleadh House.
Irene named the University of Königsberg as a facility offering an exchange program - however, she also added that the city wasn't exactly the best place to live in, full of military institutions, and - after Cel's question -, the House of Soviets. Complaints about a too high military presence from her was also nothing Chris would have expected.
Nienhagen had a Naval Base, that was it - the next major Army Regiment as well as the Airbase were both far enough away so no one would notice their presence.
Lise asked again for a house she could buy, and received Yven's disappointing response - Chris now also remembered to have heard that foreigners were barred from owning land or running a business in the Free Lands. Aside from that, he noted that he wasn't from here, so even without the legal barrier, he wouldn't be able to tell.
"How much could the rent be for some time?" - Chris asked Cel. "For a basic one." He had never gotten to the idea to ask that in all the time ... or he had, and couldn't remember.

Irene perked up. "I hear that the University of Konigsberg might start offering an exchange program soon. It's open for unusually high-performing high school students too."
She sat down again. "That said, Konigsberg isn't exactly a pleasant place to live-too many military installations, and don't even get me started on that disgusting pile of birdshit of an office building that the Kaiser hasn't bothered to tear down yet."

Irene growled. "Three fucking words-House. Of. Soviets."

The talk of an Program in Polish-Prussia was an interesting but still,Irene mentioned some problems with it.
Those were military bases,the House of Soviets created when surely the territory was under USSR control and many more. The guys didn't minded the entire military presence and so her,considering that living in the kingdom's capital was normal. Asteria was having the Asteria Naval Base of the First Fleet,the GHQ of the Navy,The MRAF Asteria Air Base and GHQ of the Air Force too,the GHQ of the Army,and the list goes on.

"If you see how many military presence is in Asteria,that small presence would be normal" she says laughing,but thinking about it.

Then Yven gave his answer to Lise and it wasn't the best one for Devienne since she loved the idea of have an house around here,buy one was going to be difficult with all bureaucracy and with those laws,it was an dissapointment for her the answer of Yven.
But her eyes were full of hope when the idea of hire an proxy or rent one came by the boy's mouth.

"How much would cost for hire an proxy or rent an house here???,and yeah I don't care the costs,as long it's worthy" she says asking that now that the idea was on the table.

[AHSCA]

The baker smiled, letting her prongs click.
"Coming right up!", she said with a cheer and placed two cardboard-plates onto her counter, as well as two bags.
Scipeáil was part of Milseán, the Sweet Stuff, some also said the Good Stuff, a pastry made from two small layers of pastry, between them a thick filling of breadcrumbs, dried fruit and sweetener, cheap, enduring for a long time and easy in making made it an ideal dish for the Selkie.
Stobhach, on the other hand, was quite hard to find in a bakery until a bit of time ago, mainly because it was actually a stew, or rather the Stew. That was the time, when Selkie-Bakers began to experiment with their neighbours' Cuisines, especially Lillo-Cuisine, with whom they had a long tradition of trade contact... not always defined by what was washed ashore.
Anyway, one of the culinary things, which the Selkie learned from the Lillos was called Maultasche, which they turned into the Mála, which literally meant something along the lines of bag or container. As such, it could contain a number of things, in this case... not Stobhach in the strict sense. Putting a stew into a bag of noodle dough was a bit more complicated for a bakery, especially when it was about keeping it warm.
No, the Mála contained a bit of lamb-meat, carrot, onion, parsley and the 'water' of the Stobhach, all made into a sort-of paste, cooked in the noodle dough bags and then offered.
It was actually quite delicious, if one asked the Selkie, and it could be served even when cold.
These were still warm, though, as the baker put two onto the one plate, packed both into paper bags, carefully, and then handed them over the counter.
"That makes a total of six Umha or six NSD.", she said and smiled slightly.

Both could hardly contain themselves as the succulent delight were grabbed out and wrapped up for them. Looked good and both were very hungry that's for sure. Once told the tally Kirie reached into her little bag to pull out some cash they had. "Wow exactly six for six? That's easy enough." She pulled out six NSD. "Here you are. Thank you very much."

[Ezhara]

The register-guy only got more nervous at a pretty lady smiling adorably at him...

Main Town Square
"Hmm? Oh," Elliot muttered out as he extracted the fifty NSD from his pocket, placing them into the peddler's hands (or on the table, if they were not open), "Thanks." From there, the boy would slowly take the box off of the table, but not look at it, as though thinking that there was something wrong. At the same time, his eyes & movements had an absentminded air to them, so it seemed to be more so that he was concentrating on something else. Or maybe he was outright not thinking much. Regardless, Irene would soon enter the area, smiling at the vendor, & poke her brother on the shoulder, who stopped moving & blinked twice. "Do you need something?" he asked his sister.
"Just making sure you were awake," she said, "You're done here, right?"
"Yeah," he said, fully removing the box from the table, "I think we should get going..." With that, the two of them left.

---

Dramhaíl House Souvenir Shop
The two sisters followed the register guy's requests, remaining mostly silent as they had nothing more to really talk about, although they did notice the lack of bar codes on the tea bags. Huh, Victoria thought, her eyes slightly narrowing in confusion, Wonder why they wouldn't have anything. Isn't that kind of impractical? Still, she did not voice this question, & once everything was scanned & added up, she paid thirty NSD for the products & realized that she didn't have more money on her. "Oh... uh, sis, you-you got fifteen more?" Victoria stammered out, gesturing towards the register.
"Yeah, of course," Carrie replied, rummaging through her purse & extracting twenty NSD, "Oh hold on." She put back five of the NSD & gave the rest to the register guy.

Once the two sisters received their goods, they would then exit the store.

[The Selkie]

Filleadh House.
Yven squirmed a bit at the question.
"That's actually a bit of a problem.", he said and rubbed the back of his head, switching from his twang to a more standard English, "To my knowledge, by law, those posessing House and Land in the Free Lands must be Born Selkie. For foreigners, there would be the option of hiring a steward, basically a proxy, or to rent, but both aren't exactly cheap." He scratched the back of his head further. "I also don't know, if anyone is selling. This isn't my hometown, you know? We're just here for holidays."

I somehow pitied the lad: Sure, Lise was a nice girl, but she would not like the answer, besides, Súdaire wasn't a bad place... only had a bit of a problem with the smell from all the tanners.
I turned back to Irene.
"Cuan has a garrison as well, I. Squadron, 5th Dragan-Regiment, they even have their own usual haunt in town, but if even you say, that it's too many military installations, they might consider toning it down a bit...", I said with a teasing smile, before I went a bit more serious, "But what office building? Modern Art met the Beautiful Queen?"

Filleadh House.
Irene named the University of Königsberg as a facility offering an exchange program - however, she also added that the city wasn't exactly the best place to live in, full of military institutions, and - after Cel's question -, the House of Soviets. Complaints about a too high military presence from her was also nothing Chris would have expected.
Nienhagen had a Naval Base, that was it - the next major Army Regiment as well as the Airbase were both far enough away so no one would notice their presence.
Lise asked again for a house she could buy, and received Yven's disappointing response - Chris now also remembered to have heard that foreigners were barred from owning land or running a business in the Free Lands. Aside from that, he noted that he wasn't from here, so even without the legal barrier, he wouldn't be able to tell.
"How much could the rent be for some time?" - Chris asked Cel. "For a basic one." He had never gotten to the idea to ask that in all the time ... or he had, and couldn't remember.

Irene perked up. "I hear that the University of Konigsberg might start offering an exchange program soon. It's open for unusually high-performing high school students too."
She sat down again. "That said, Konigsberg isn't exactly a pleasant place to live-too many military installations, and don't even get me started on that disgusting pile of birdshit of an office building that the Kaiser hasn't bothered to tear down yet."

Irene growled. "Three fucking words-House. Of. Soviets."

The talk of an Program in Polish-Prussia was an interesting but still,Irene mentioned some problems with it.
Those were military bases,the House of Soviets created when surely the territory was under USSR control and many more. The guys didn't minded the entire military presence and so her,considering that living in the kingdom's capital was normal. Asteria was having the Asteria Naval Base of the First Fleet,the GHQ of the Navy,The MRAF Asteria Air Base and GHQ of the Air Force too,the GHQ of the Army,and the list goes on.

"If you see how many military presence is in Asteria,that small presence would be normal" she says laughing,but thinking about it.

Then Yven gave his answer to Lise and it wasn't the best one for Devienne since she loved the idea of have an house around here,buy one was going to be difficult with all bureaucracy and with those laws,it was an dissapointment for her the answer of Yven.
But her eyes were full of hope when the idea of hire an proxy or rent one came by the boy's mouth.

"How much would cost for hire an proxy or rent an house here???,and yeah I don't care the costs,as long it's worthy" she says asking that now that the idea was on the table.

Note: Quote modified by removal of Spoiler Tags.

Filleadh House.
Yven nodded. "If you're sure about it...", he said and thought for a moment, "I think, a few years back, the MGoL had a pair of Stewards here, who's services costed ten Ór per year base sum, plus additional fees for additional services, like for example taking care of livestock. Included into the base sum is taking care of house and garden, eventual repairs, insurance, such things." He let a beat pass. Ten Ór, or 1,000 Gil or 15,000 NSD, was a huge sum for a Selkie, even for one of a wealthy house like Yven was. "You'll have to talk with the MGoL in Leuda for the specifics. We have the adresses in the house, I can give them to you later."

I smiled at Chris, thinking about what he meant by that question, which he was of course asking for a friend, surely.
Irene and her barking about some house in some city I didn't care that much about were forgotten as I replied to my boyfriend: "Thirty Gil for a flat per month in Downtown-Cuan is normal, the outlying districts are cheaper, the closer you get to the River Harbours, the villages even cheaper then that. And I think, it's something like that in Dumhach as well. For Shella... I sadly have not the slightest clue."
"Five Gil for a two-room broom closet by the harbour!", Yven called over, "That was last year, though."
I nodded - for a Selkie, that was a bit of a hefty price.

[...]
Uachtair Inn.
Fred and Hilda snorted about her joke, maybe a lightly flat one, but they could deal with it - plus, it came in approval of their home state regarding their relatively strict policy, which also brought additional money from the sales for the unit, a practical synergy effect even saving Tax Marks for the maintenance of their standards.
Especially Hilda grinned at her last wink.
Fred nodded. "The demand might be remarkably higher in the Free Lands than in Lillorainen, but this is what makes coming here very special for us, coming from a country with only few areas left where horses still play a vital role in transport. On a different note, it's often considered more of a status symbol than an expensive car. You can find a carport anywhere, but have fun trying to find a place for a horse in a concrete-bunker district like Lysköping-Hetager."
Hilda nodded. "An expensive horse is for the status, while a car is for the identity. One can decide which one's more practical for the terrain they plan to go into. This way, we make both concepts coexist without necessarily one trying to replace the other."
This was starting a bit philosophical and theoretical for this time of day, but why not ...

Uachtair Inn.
Marla nodded in understanding.
"I wouldn't have expected any less from a young woman, who is said to be riding like a Selkie.", she said to Hilda, grinning, "We have horses for a huge number of reasons, from transport, to work, to sports..." She let a beat pass at that before she continued. "...to even medicine these days. Equine-assisted therapy."
Rightening herself, and adjusting one of her vambraces a little, she looked at the two Lillos.
"I sometimes aid in that, too, and Cleite does, too.", she said and a look of sadness passed over her eyes, "We're attracting people from abroad as well by now, and especially their kids."

Both could hardly contain themselves as the succulent delight were grabbed out and wrapped up for them. Looked good and both were very hungry that's for sure. Once told the tally Kirie reached into her little bag to pull out some cash they had. "Wow exactly six for six? That's easy enough." She pulled out six NSD. "Here you are. Thank you very much."

"The wonders of a fixed exchange rate between NSD and Gil. Anyway, it was my pleasure, you two.", the baker said with a click of her prongs, putting away the money, "Good appetite and have fun at the festival!"
With that, she looked to the next customer, smiling and speaking to him in Selkie and like they were old friends.
Outside of the bakery, the crowd got a bit bigger, but not substantially so, they were close to the Main Square, after all. The soft sounds of the fiddle had, by now, passed, this sound test apparently having gone well.

The register-guy only got more nervous at a pretty lady smiling adorably at him...

Main Town Square
"Hmm? Oh," Elliot muttered out as he extracted the fifty NSD from his pocket, placing them into the peddler's hands (or on the table, if they were not open), "Thanks." From there, the boy would slowly take the box off of the table, but not look at it, as though thinking that there was something wrong. At the same time, his eyes & movements had an absentminded air to them, so it seemed to be more so that he was concentrating on something else. Or maybe he was outright not thinking much. Regardless, Irene would soon enter the area, smiling at the vendor, & poke her brother on the shoulder, who stopped moving & blinked twice. "Do you need something?" he asked his sister.
"Just making sure you were awake," she said, "You're done here, right?"
"Yeah," he said, fully removing the box from the table, "I think we should get going..." With that, the two of them left.

---

Dramhaíl House Souvenir Shop
The two sisters followed the register guy's requests, remaining mostly silent as they had nothing more to really talk about, although they did notice the lack of bar codes on the tea bags. Huh, Victoria thought, her eyes slightly narrowing in confusion, Wonder why they wouldn't have anything. Isn't that kind of impractical? Still, she did not voice this question, & once everything was scanned & added up, she paid thirty NSD for the products & realized that she didn't have more money on her. "Oh... uh, sis, you-you got fifteen more?" Victoria stammered out, gesturing towards the register.
"Yeah, of course," Carrie replied, rummaging through her purse & extracting twenty NSD, "Oh hold on." She put back five of the NSD & gave the rest to the register guy.

Once the two sisters received their goods, they would then exit the store.

"Was a pleasure, lad!", the peddler called after the two of them, having smiled at the young woman, who had joined his customer.
The crowd by now had gotten a bit bigger, the Main Town Square filling for the beginning of the festivities. With the first sound check successfully done, the stage was vacated again, but technicians were running around in front of it, a camera team getting impressions from the Festival and the Festival Goers, with more then one horse on the square carrying children, who got a better look that way - of course keeping to the back.
The windows were filled to the brim with people watching the proceedings and waiting for the formal opening of the 2018 Shella Harvest Festival.

Dramhaíl House Souvenir Shop.
The register-guy nodded in thanks, putting everything into a cloth bag before handing it over.
"Have fun at the festival!", he wished the two of them as they departed, before he added with a wink, "We might meet later!"
Andwith that, the two shoppers departed the Dramhaíl House Souvenir Shop into the same growing crowd on the Main Square as man others were already in, peddlers packing up a bit so that no one destroyed their wares by accident - no one would do so on purpose, but accidents happened every now and again.
Better safe then sorry, as it was said.
In general, the mood was good in the crowd.

"We Cameloneans tend to have the habit of understating things, guess it comes from the ideal of staring down any problem with a grin and a mirthful laugh. When I was viking the local military we were attached to found it strange how we would jest and smile while being under fire or pinned down. Just a part of who we are I guess." Bedivere explained before he moved onto the case of his luggage "I thank you very much for the offer but I think I'll continue carrying it myself,don't want it to take any chances that it will fall. By the way may I inquire both how far is the House from here and may I learn some more about you? I will of course return any information with equal information from myself." He asked quite interested in knowing more about his impromptu guide.

Cao, a girl of Launceston's Younger Militia's Pikegirls, held back with a comment about joking and jesting on that particular job, but then again, the Younger Militia was, these days, not to hold off an enemy, but to provide manpower in case of disaster, ceremonial services and a few other things.
For example, thanks to her Militia Training, Cao was fully certified in First Aid.
But she much rather focussed on something else: "Oh, you want to know about me?", she asked with a smile, "Well, I'm Cao, with full name Caoimhe Barriall of the Tribe of Monaghan. And yes, Barriall as in Barriall Cobblers." She shrugged at that with a small smile. "I'm of the Spiorad Ainmhithe, have a fraternal twin brother named Yven, who's a dork. I am actually from Launceston at the Icy Shore, which is quite far to the North. And last summer, I modelled a bit for Bicíní Industries and their catalogue. That's how I got to know Cel, by the way."
She grinned at the last part.
"Oh, and it's... call it five to ten minutes to our destination.", she added with a bit of sheepishness.