Celebrating a good Harvest (IC, OPEN)

[Lillorainen]

[spoiler=Mervay and others-Quote]

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.

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.
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."

Filleadh House.
Yven mentioned the costs of the Stewards services of the MGoL, which were surely not low ...
Then, Cel answered Chris' question, which in this case really had been for a friend, but what was good to know for Lise might not be that bad to know for Chris, just in case.
Thirty Gil in Downtown-Cuan ... 450 NSD. A normal price in Nienhagen-Aldekant, too. His student's flat, three rooms, in Kerkenich-Spichelen, would be around fifteen Gil, in Selkie-Currency. He could even have gotten one for yet the half in Kerkenich-Jeggerath, but living right next to the international airport ... eh, no thanks. Five Gil for a two-room broom closet was a lot, though, at least for a Selkie - less for a Lillo.
He nodded. "Surely not that cheap, but could be worse."

Uachtair Inn.
Hilda had to grin - it was surely surprising for her to be said to ride like a Selkie. They must have paid quite some attention to the tournaments in Lillorainen the last years, especially her last surprising victory in August.
Fred nodded. "Equine-assisted therapy has become quite a thing in the last few years in Lillorainen, too. I've also heard that some parents go to the Free Lands with their children for it, to have a different, more calm environment in the time being."
"It's getting increasingly popular, the results speak for themselves" - Hilda added.

[Kuronami]

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.

"Well you sound close already. And she sounds like quite a pistol for you. Not unlike me." she giggled.

Billie turned to see her mother back "Hey mama's back!"

"Wasn't gone very long now was I?" she patted her little girl's head. "Look, I come bearing gifts." She gave each of them their hats and put one on her own. "Does this mean?"

"You got it baby girl, you're gonna get me on stage but don't blame me if the audience leaves!"

"Mmmem no way, mama, they's gonna love ya! Right papa?"

"You're right there, baby. Everyone is gonna love ya Charlie." he kissed his wife.

"Well fun filled day ahead of us." Charlie replied and kissed back.

[AHSCA]

"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.

"Thank you very much." They bowed and made their exit after paying the baker. Weaving through the crowds that were quickly gathering. "Ooh it's busy around here." Kirie said as she and her husband pushed their way out.

"Good turn out for them, that's always a good thing." He nodded to her. Now they were in a good spot out of the crowds they could dig into their food. "This is very good." Kirie said between bites.

"I like mine." Sora nodded. "Want a taste?"

"Sure!" She took a bite of his. "mmm very good. Now you get a taste of mine. Say aww" she extened her food for him

"Come on are we dating still?" Kirie just gave him a look of just do it. and he did. "Mmm that's good."

"Very good don't you think?"

"Very good. You made a great choice."

"And you did as well. Next time, we'll have to order each other's dishes to give them a try."

[Mervay]

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.

"Give me the adresses now please,I would love to begin that bureaucratic move soon so I can enjoy the rest of the festival" Lise said as she cheered up in victory in her head.
Now she could have an good house here in Shella if she convinced the Stewards for the protection of her new home here during summer,still she knew that it might be expensive but worth it. After all how much could cost an house here??.

[The Selkie]

"Give me the adresses now please,I would love to begin that bureaucratic move soon so I can enjoy the rest of the festival" Lise said as she cheered up in victory in her head.
Now she could have an good house here in Shella if she convinced the Stewards for the protection of her new home here during summer,still she knew that it might be expensive but worth it. After all how much could cost an house here??.

Filleadh House.
Yven mentioned the costs of the Stewards services of the MGoL, which were surely not low ...
Then, Cel answered Chris' question, which in this case really had been for a friend, but what was good to know for Lise might not be that bad to know for Chris, just in case.
Thirty Gil in Downtown-Cuan ... 450 NSD. A normal price in Nienhagen-Aldekant, too. His student's flat, three rooms, in Kerkenich-Spichelen, would be around fifteen Gil, in Selkie-Currency. He could even have gotten one for yet the half in Kerkenich-Jeggerath, but living right next to the international airport ... eh, no thanks. Five Gil for a two-room broom closet was a lot, though, at least for a Selkie - less for a Lillo.
He nodded. "Surely not that cheap, but could be worse."

Uachtair Inn.
Hilda had to grin - it was surely surprising for her to be said to ride like a Selkie. They must have paid quite some attention to the tournaments in Lillorainen the last years, especially her last surprising victory in August.
Fred nodded. "Equine-assisted therapy has become quite a thing in the last few years in Lillorainen, too. I've also heard that some parents go to the Free Lands with their children for it, to have a different, more calm environment in the time being."
"It's getting increasingly popular, the results speak for themselves" - Hilda added.

Filleadh House.
Yven nodded.
"If ya insist...", he said and looked to the conversation group, especially Irene: "My solution for your problem with that House of Soviets, turn it into a museum on the evils of Communism and practice to join SACTO. The Niffies always need cannon-fodder. If you would please excuse me for a moment?"
He left the group to think about his words for a minute, returning after that with a small sheet of paper, adresses and contact information written on it in a very fine and readable cursive, handing it to Lise.
"That's the local MGoL Trading Post, that's the Main Office in Leuda and that's one of the Stewards I spoke about. He may appear a bit gruff, but he's nice. I would start with the Main Office.", he grinned, patting Lise's shoulder. "Good luck."
And with that, he rejoined the conversation.

I had to snort at Yven's proposal.
That was actually a blast from the Free Lands' more recent past, when we had tried to move closer to the Santiago Anti-Communist Treaty Organization, SACTO for short, a but gave up after a while, bethinking ourselves on who and what we were - Selkie, not pawns of others.
That, many, my parents included, had feared, implored to the Elders, thought, discussed, protested. With the success of us being friends with old acquaintances, Lillorainen and Kyrenaia, not with SACTO's merry circus troupe of wannabe anti-communism fighters.
I looked to Chris. "Indeed, it could be worse... The University Towns are especially horrendous." A shudder went through me. "But we manage." I leaned over to him. "I plan to move out of my parent's home as soon as I can afford it and I even have my eyes on a flat already."

Uachtair Inn.
Marla nodded.
"Indeed.", she said with a small smile, "I think, I even had a child from Lillorainen once or twice on my colt's back. Wonderful kids and their parents were wonderful people, too. The results of... one might want to call it a little holiday, spoke for themselves."
She let a beat pass.
"So... you two finished?", Marla asked, "Because the two of us are actually here to fetch the two of you. You have a Marcach-Guild organized date with the Fletching Cup."

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.

"Well you sound close already. And she sounds like quite a pistol for you. Not unlike me." she giggled.

Billie turned to see her mother back "Hey mama's back!"

"Wasn't gone very long now was I?" she patted her little girl's head. "Look, I come bearing gifts." She gave each of them their hats and put one on her own. "Does this mean?"

"You got it baby girl, you're gonna get me on stage but don't blame me if the audience leaves!"

"Mmmem no way, mama, they's gonna love ya! Right papa?"

"You're right there, baby. Everyone is gonna love ya Charlie." he kissed his wife.

"Well fun filled day ahead of us." Charlie replied and kissed back.

Waari raised an eyebrow towards Ayden at the exchange, who gave a small shrug.
Then the woman turned back to the assembly with a grin of her own: "It would be my pleasure to have you onstage with me, Charlie.", she said and bowed her head lightly, "Regardless of the outcome. It'll be fun - and that's the important part!"
"Part of why none of us is on big stages abroad, is, that we would simply loose the fun in making music, if the audience would be drowned by thousands and thousands of faces. A few dozen, who's mood you can read, whether they would like to dance to a love-song, to something more swinging, to a merry little ditty or to drinking songs, that is always the best.", Ayden said with a small smile, "The musician having fun in practicing his or her art. And the audience having fun at witnessing that art."
Waari agreed with a nod.

[Lillorainen]

Filleadh House.
Yven nodded.
"If ya insist...", he said and looked to the conversation group, especially Irene: "My solution for your problem with that House of Soviets, turn it into a museum on the evils of Communism and practice to join SACTO. The Niffies always need cannon-fodder. If you would please excuse me for a moment?"
He left the group to think about his words for a minute, returning after that with a small sheet of paper, adresses and contact information written on it in a very fine and readable cursive, handing it to Lise.
"That's the local MGoL Trading Post, that's the Main Office in Leuda and that's one of the Stewards I spoke about. He may appear a bit gruff, but he's nice. I would start with the Main Office.", he grinned, patting Lise's shoulder. "Good luck."
And with that, he rejoined the conversation.

I had to snort at Yven's proposal.
That was actually a blast from the Free Lands' more recent past, when we had tried to move closer to the Santiago Anti-Communist Treaty Organization, SACTO for short, a but gave up after a while, bethinking ourselves on who and what we were - Selkie, not pawns of others.
That, many, my parents included, had feared, implored to the Elders, thought, discussed, protested. With the success of us being friends with old acquaintances, Lillorainen and Kyrenaia, not with SACTO's merry circus troupe of wannabe anti-communism fighters.
I looked to Chris. "Indeed, it could be worse... The University Towns are especially horrendous." A shudder went through me. "But we manage." I leaned over to him. "I plan to move out of my parent's home as soon as I can afford it and I even have my eyes on a flat already."

Uachtair Inn.
Marla nodded.
"Indeed.", she said with a small smile, "I think, I even had a child from Lillorainen once or twice on my colt's back. Wonderful kids and their parents were wonderful people, too. The results of... one might want to call it a little holiday, spoke for themselves."
She let a beat pass.
"So... you two finished?", Marla asked, "Because the two of us are actually here to fetch the two of you. You have a Marcach-Guild organized date with the Fletching Cup."

Filleadh House.
Chris had to snort, too - although the proposal might have even made some sense for the Commonwealth. Whether or not to join once had been discussed in the Federation, too - with the result of the idea being dismissed by the Meritocratic Council just on the same day, with reference to the Neutrality Article of the constitution barring Lillorainen from becoming a part of any major international political bloc - with that said, the issue was off the table. In lieu of becoming a pawn of major powers, which would also have been very unpopular amongst the populace, the Federation had gotten closer to single nations they already knew historically - nations that were non-aligned, in principle, too, would keep out of Lillorainen's internal affairs (and vice versa), and disliked shoes on the sofa. A good decision.
Chris looked back to his girlfriend and nodded. "Surely everything else than a bad plan. What flat do you have your eyes on?"

Uachtair Inn.
Hilda nodded. It was quite likely that Marla had already dealt with Lillorainian families, considering how popular these 'little holidays' had become within the last couple of years.
Fred and Hilda took their last sips of tea.
"I think we can go on" - Fred said.
Hilda tried to hide how nervous and excited she was getting again now. The honor of getting fetched by Leonard and Marla was definitely nothing everyone would be accorded.

[Prussian Polish Commonwealth]

snip

Irene shrugged. "Word has it that they'll let it keep sinking into the ground."
At the mention of SACTO, she snorted. "Ha, ha, very funny. Bend over again for the West so that we don't get screwed by the East. Didn't work that well last time we tried it, only got us on the wrong side of the Iron Curtain and a funny little thing called the "Republic of Christendom."

[Camelone]

"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.

"Rather interesting if I must say so myself." Bedivere noted, though he did not know all most of what Cao was talking about it did sound like that she had some sort of importance or being of a higher class than one would think normally. "As for my self I am the first born of a family who are part of a clan of factory workers and fishermen hailing from the stormy shores of Niskusheim. It is not that large of a town and I was actually born a town over, Old Lanercoast, but all within the confines of the Grand Duchy of Thul. Took the place of a gallivanting royal prince for his military service and now I am an officer in his Majesty's Army and been knighted for gallant service, that is just a bit about myself and do not worry about the time of the walk. You are rather good company to chat with."

[The Selkie]

snip

Irene shrugged. "Word has it that they'll let it keep sinking into the ground."
At the mention of SACTO, she snorted. "Ha, ha, very funny. Bend over again for the West so that we don't get screwed by the East. Didn't work that well last time we tried it, only got us on the wrong side of the Iron Curtain and a funny little thing called the "Republic of Christendom."

Filleadh House.
Chris had to snort, too - although the proposal might have even made some sense for the Commonwealth. Whether or not to join once had been discussed in the Federation, too - with the result of the idea being dismissed by the Meritocratic Council just on the same day, with reference to the Neutrality Article of the constitution barring Lillorainen from becoming a part of any major international political bloc - with that said, the issue was off the table. In lieu of becoming a pawn of major powers, which would also have been very unpopular amongst the populace, the Federation had gotten closer to single nations they already knew historically - nations that were non-aligned, in principle, too, would keep out of Lillorainen's internal affairs (and vice versa), and disliked shoes on the sofa. A good decision.
Chris looked back to his girlfriend and nodded. "Surely everything else than a bad plan. What flat do you have your eyes on?"

Uachtair Inn.
Hilda nodded. It was quite likely that Marla had already dealt with Lillorainian families, considering how popular these 'little holidays' had become within the last couple of years.
Fred and Hilda took their last sips of tea.
"I think we can go on" - Fred said.
Hilda tried to hide how nervous and excited she was getting again now. The honor of getting fetched by Leonard and Marla was definitely nothing everyone would be accorded.

Filleadh House.
Yven grinned.
"Good. Then you already got the first important lesson in foreign politics.", he said with an expression, that led one to believe, that he was more knowledgeable in such matters as a sixteen year old usually had. "Stay the fuck away from the Niffies. And of their little club."
He let a beat pass, suddenly grinning again and switching back into his twang.
"Ah, let's not dwell tae long on such heavy topics!", he said and grinned, "Todey's a festival, for Rhiannon's Sake! Ind one tae celebrate a very good harvest, too!" He looked to Marie. "Say, do you people celebrate harvest time as well?"

"It's a small two-room flat in Dronuillinn.", I replied to Chris, smiling a bit, "It has its own kitchen and bathroom, a balcony and small garden parcel, isn't too far away from the Cluanaire Inn and Mister Folaíochta's shop, despite being outside of Cuan and has a beautiful view of the Imeall. It's not much, but it has the potential of becoming someting."
I let a beat pass.
"The neighbours are nice, too, an elderly couple, which enlisted my help when I was actually having a look at my flat and who rewarded me with cake. Especially the old man took a liking to Soiprigh." I ggigled at the memory. "The house is owned my an old friend of Mister Folaíochta, so I doubt, that the flat will be gone by the time I have the money together."

Uachtair Inn.
Marla nodded, rising.
"Then let's get going!", she declared, looking over her shoulder to her colleague, who still had the Mini-Waitress on his shoulders, "Leonard, we're leaving!"
The Mini-Waitress pouted, while Leonard nodded, looking very professional. The young man carefully lifted her down and kissed her onto the forehead, which made the Mini-Waitress blush fire-hydrant red, which caused the odd chuckle, then nodded to Marla. He was ready.
"So, off we go!", Marla said and motioned for the two of them to follow them.

"Rather interesting if I must say so myself." Bedivere noted, though he did not know all most of what Cao was talking about it did sound like that she had some sort of importance or being of a higher class than one would think normally. "As for my self I am the first born of a family who are part of a clan of factory workers and fishermen hailing from the stormy shores of Niskusheim. It is not that large of a town and I was actually born a town over, Old Lanercoast, but all within the confines of the Grand Duchy of Thul. Took the place of a gallivanting royal prince for his military service and now I am an officer in his Majesty's Army and been knighted for gallant service, that is just a bit about myself and do not worry about the time of the walk. You are rather good company to chat with."

Cao did not mention, that she almost forgot their time to the destination and was thus a bit sheepish, but that was another story.
She nodded, though.
"We neither have knights, not gallivanting Princes - well, Aurelia is a special case, she's a Kyrenaian - but we have a mandatory military service, the Younger Militias. Ancient law dictates, that..." She switched to the voice of an old man, which failed horribly, mainly because she couldn't sound deep to safe her life. "...every child learning the arts of numbers and signs must learn how to defend their town or village or city with pike, spear, bow or sword." She grinned. "As I attend school, I am part of the Younger Militia - Claí High School Swordgirls, Chosen Girl Cao reporting for duty!"
She let a beat pass.
"Anyway, nowadays, we are mostly reserves for natural disasters and snow shoveling, not there to fight.", she added, still grinning, "For fighting, we have the SDF and they do a wonderful job."

[Lillorainen]

Filleadh House.
Yven grinned.
"Good. Then you already got the first important lesson in foreign politics.", he said with an expression, that led one to believe, that he was more knowledgeable in such matters as a sixteen year old usually had. "Stay the fuck away from the Niffies. And of their little club."
He let a beat pass, suddenly grinning again and switching back into his twang.
"Ah, let's not dwell tae long on such heavy topics!", he said and grinned, "Todey's a festival, for Rhiannon's Sake! Ind one tae celebrate a very good harvest, too!" He looked to Marie. "Say, do you people celebrate harvest time as well?"

"It's a small two-room flat in Dronuillinn.", I replied to Chris, smiling a bit, "It has its own kitchen and bathroom, a balcony and small garden parcel, isn't too far away from the Cluanaire Inn and Mister Folaíochta's shop, despite being outside of Cuan and has a beautiful view of the Imeall. It's not much, but it has the potential of becoming someting."
I let a beat pass.
"The neighbours are nice, too, an elderly couple, which enlisted my help when I was actually having a look at my flat and who rewarded me with cake. Especially the old man took a liking to Soiprigh." I ggigled at the memory. "The house is owned my an old friend of Mister Folaíochta, so I doubt, that the flat will be gone by the time I have the money together."

Uachtair Inn.
Marla nodded, rising.
"Then let's get going!", she declared, looking over her shoulder to her colleague, who still had the Mini-Waitress on his shoulders, "Leonard, we're leaving!"
The Mini-Waitress pouted, while Leonard nodded, looking very professional. The young man carefully lifted her down and kissed her onto the forehead, which made the Mini-Waitress blush fire-hydrant red, which caused the odd chuckle, then nodded to Marla. He was ready.
"So, off we go!", Marla said and motioned for the two of them to follow them.

Filleadh House.
Chris nodded. That flat indeed didn't sound bad.
"If I ever have purely free choice, I also have a few objects in mind" - he said, "also outside the big cities, rather in the towns around my home city - preferably the coastal ones, of course. I'd even love to buy a house somewhere out there, but ..." He rubbed his thumb against his pointer multiple times, a gesture for money. "A house in, say, Hoevekant, Lirscheid, Weilerswerth, or Butendonk may cost as much as a whole village elsewhere. We might talk about that again in ten years."
Yven, meanwhile, had changed the topic from foreign politics to harvest fests - Lillorainen did have theirs on local levels, but less of a big ceremony than in here. Chris remembered to already have told about that.

Uachtair Inn.
The Leverdals stacked their dishes together, got up and followed Marla towards the entrance hall.
When the swordswoman announced that they were leaving, the Mini-Waitress, still sitting on Leonard's shoulders, pouted - the air up there must have been good. Leonard lifted her down and kissed her onto the forehead, which made her blush.
Fred and Hilda grinned.

[Mervay]

Filleadh House.
Yven nodded.
"If ya insist...", he said and looked to the conversation group, especially Irene: "My solution for your problem with that House of Soviets, turn it into a museum on the evils of Communism and practice to join SACTO. The Niffies always need cannon-fodder. If you would please excuse me for a moment?"
He left the group to think about his words for a minute, returning after that with a small sheet of paper, adresses and contact information written on it in a very fine and readable cursive, handing it to Lise.
"That's the local MGoL Trading Post, that's the Main Office in Leuda and that's one of the Stewards I spoke about. He may appear a bit gruff, but he's nice. I would start with the Main Office.", he grinned, patting Lise's shoulder. "Good luck."
And with that, he rejoined the conversation.

Filleadh House
"Thanks Yven" Said Lise now placing the paper in her wallet for use it later.
Devienne was sure that she would need to request directions of how to go to those places later in either the hotel or any other place of the town.

I guess that I could stay an little more and then go to the lower town,but still the party had just begun she says to herself thinking about it. She then went to wait for the rest as she sat in her seat with her violin case in hand and an lemonade too.

She saw her surrundings and everyone was having fun and so some were begining to fell in love,which meanted that things would be interesting by evening and that was something she couldn't wait.

[Kuronami]

Waari raised an eyebrow towards Ayden at the exchange, who gave a small shrug.
Then the woman turned back to the assembly with a grin of her own: "It would be my pleasure to have you onstage with me, Charlie.", she said and bowed her head lightly, "Regardless of the outcome. It'll be fun - and that's the important part!"
"Part of why none of us is on big stages abroad, is, that we would simply loose the fun in making music, if the audience would be drowned by thousands and thousands of faces. A few dozen, who's mood you can read, whether they would like to dance to a love-song, to something more swinging, to a merry little ditty or to drinking songs, that is always the best.", Ayden said with a small smile, "The musician having fun in practicing his or her art. And the audience having fun at witnessing that art."
Waari agreed with a nod.

"Oh sorry I rather did impose there suddenly didn't I? Well glad to be aboard. A little fun will always be enjoyable regardless of the outcome, that much is true."

"It's gonna be super fun!" Billie pumped up.

[Mediama]

Liv, someone, who was apart from a beloved as well, joined Katherine's side, softly taking her hand and squeezing it.
"I know, how you feel.", she said and gave her a small smile, "When I returned home from my first trip abroad with my class, in Rural School, the first thing I did was hugging my Mam for minutes on end, even crying a bit, I think. I was ten Springs and we'd been there for a week. She let me do." She smiled at the memory. "I remember, what she told me later: A bird doesn't fly, if it always stays in its nest, now does it, Livvie?"
A moment passed.
Then Liv leaned over, grinned and kissed Katherine onto the cheek: "Happy birthday!"

Katherine felt her cheeks flare up in heat, it was apparent to her that they might’ve had a twinge of pink on them. She turned her head toward Liv, looking downwards to avoid her gaze, “Th-Thank you...”

The seconds of silence wore on as Katherine processed what just happen, she was flabbergasted until she decided to talk to the railing, "We're just here to look at the sights and sounds, and maybe learn some things as well." She turned back towards Liv, "Are you guys here to learn anything specific?" she implored. She scuffled her shoe while she listened to Liv's reply, and then asked, "So, where are guys going after this? We'll be stopping in town for lunch, then we'll be walking around the places until we have to go to... umm" Katherine pulled out the schedule she had written down in a planner, opened it, and flipped a few pages around until she got to the entry she needed to look at. "The Temple Inn?" Katherine clapped the planner closed and looked back up at Liv, "After that, we have free time to go wherever in the town to celebrate the festival."

Katherine mentally crossed her fingers in hopes that maybe, just maybe they're both going to another same location.

[Camelone]

"Rather interesting if I must say so myself." Bedivere noted, though he did not know all most of what Cao was talking about it did sound like that she had some sort of importance or being of a higher class than one would think normally. "As for my self I am the first born of a family who are part of a clan of factory workers and fishermen hailing from the stormy shores of Niskusheim. It is not that large of a town and I was actually born a town over, Old Lanercoast, but all within the confines of the Grand Duchy of Thul. Took the place of a gallivanting royal prince for his military service and now I am an officer in his Majesty's Army and been knighted for gallant service, that is just a bit about myself and do not worry about the time of the walk. You are rather good company to chat with."

Cao did not mention, that she almost forgot their time to the destination and was thus a bit sheepish, but that was another story.
She nodded, though.
"We neither have knights, not gallivanting Princes - well, Aurelia is a special case, she's a Kyrenaian - but we have a mandatory military service, the Younger Militias. Ancient law dictates, that..." She switched to the voice of an old man, which failed horribly, mainly because she couldn't sound deep to safe her life. "...every child learning the arts of numbers and signs must learn how to defend their town or village or city with pike, spear, bow or sword." She grinned. "As I attend school, I am part of the Younger Militia - Claí High School Swordgirls, Chosen Girl Cao reporting for duty!"
She let a beat pass.
"Anyway, nowadays, we are mostly reserves for natural disasters and snow shoveling, not there to fight.", she added, still grinning, "For fighting, we have the SDF and they do a wonderful job."

"I had a feeling that was the case from the little information that I was able to read about the Free Lands before I got here. There isn't much written in Camelonean and I still struggle with the Latin alphabet despite my grasp of English." Bedivere remarked as he grinned at her imitation of an old man. He could definitely get into a conversation about the different types of military their respective countries have and the historical context of them but he had a feeling this would be a bit odd but a thought popped into his head. "Say Cao what do you know of Camelone?"

[The Selkie]

Filleadh House.
Chris nodded. That flat indeed didn't sound bad.
"If I ever have purely free choice, I also have a few objects in mind" - he said, "also outside the big cities, rather in the towns around my home city - preferably the coastal ones, of course. I'd even love to buy a house somewhere out there, but ..." He rubbed his thumb against his pointer multiple times, a gesture for money. "A house in, say, Hoevekant, Lirscheid, Weilerswerth, or Butendonk may cost as much as a whole village elsewhere. We might talk about that again in ten years."
Yven, meanwhile, had changed the topic from foreign politics to harvest fests - Lillorainen did have theirs on local levels, but less of a big ceremony than in here. Chris remembered to already have told about that.

Uachtair Inn.
The Leverdals stacked their dishes together, got up and followed Marla towards the entrance hall.
When the swordswoman announced that they were leaving, the Mini-Waitress, still sitting on Leonard's shoulders, pouted - the air up there must have been good. Leonard lifted her down and kissed her onto the forehead, which made her blush.
Fred and Hilda grinned.

Filleadh House.
Yven nodded.
"If ya insist...", he said and looked to the conversation group, especially Irene: "My solution for your problem with that House of Soviets, turn it into a museum on the evils of Communism and practice to join SACTO. The Niffies always need cannon-fodder. If you would please excuse me for a moment?"
He left the group to think about his words for a minute, returning after that with a small sheet of paper, adresses and contact information written on it in a very fine and readable cursive, handing it to Lise.
"That's the local MGoL Trading Post, that's the Main Office in Leuda and that's one of the Stewards I spoke about. He may appear a bit gruff, but he's nice. I would start with the Main Office.", he grinned, patting Lise's shoulder. "Good luck."
And with that, he rejoined the conversation.

Filleadh House
"Thanks Yven" Said Lise now placing the paper in her wallet for use it later.
Devienne was sure that she would need to request directions of how to go to those places later in either the hotel or any other place of the town.

I guess that I could stay an little more and then go to the lower town,but still the party had just begun she says to herself thinking about it. She then went to wait for the rest as she sat in her seat with her violin case in hand and an lemonade too.

She saw her surrundings and everyone was having fun and so some were begining to fell in love,which meanted that things would be interesting by evening and that was something she couldn't wait.

"I had a feeling that was the case from the little information that I was able to read about the Free Lands before I got here. There isn't much written in Camelonean and I still struggle with the Latin alphabet despite my grasp of English." Bedivere remarked as he grinned at her imitation of an old man. He could definitely get into a conversation about the different types of military their respective countries have and the historical context of them but he had a feeling this would be a bit odd but a thought popped into his head. "Say Cao what do you know of Camelone?"

I smiled at Chris, leaning over to kiss him onto the cheek.
"That would be wonderful, to have free pick, I'd go somewhere entirely else... near Cuan, for I love that city too much, but still." There was a bit of longing in my eyes, longing for freedom, for having my foxes run around freely through the countryside, not through the narrow confines of a city, where they were mostly seen as pests in the best of cases. My hand softly stroked the fox in my lap. I was actually a bit surprised, that my friends were not making a greater fuss about them, in any direction. "Dronuillinn is for my limited budget's confines."
My addition was acompanied by a yipp from my lap.

Yven grinned at Lise's thanks. "Ah, think nothin' of it, Miss Lise!", he said in his twang, before he motioned to her lemonade, "Need a refill? We still have much to drink and it'll only get more by the time the tabs are free!" He leaned over to her, whispering: "Though amongst us, can I count on you later, to play a few more dances? You're really good on your violin and both Cao and Cel are amazing singers, so you wouldn't be alone up there."

Cao smiled a bit sheepish.
"You're from Camelone.", she answered to Bediviere's inquiry, "It has a royalty, there are clans, how the relations between one and the other are is unknown to me, it is a country with coasts, which sometimes can get rough, industrialized, the people love to understate things, some have a habit for philosophy and they are pious." She let a beat pass, thinking to herself, that she basically repeated what he had told her, which was... "Sorry, but I don't know that much about Camelone. Definately less then you know about the Free Lands."
She smiled a bit sheepish.
"Sorry.", she said as they began to ascent towards the Upper Town.

Uachtair Inn.
The little heart broken, Leonard and Marla left the Inn, waved to the receptionist and joined their friend outside, who handed Leonard the reins of both spare horses.
"These are Scanraigh and Scraith, two venerable ladies of the Shella Police Department, who were put at our disposal for today.", he introduced the two mares, who calmly looked at the world and the Leverdals. In fact, one made a step forward and reached out to sniff Frederik. "Scraith seems to like you, lad."
"After that breakfast, no wonder.", Marla added from the side, taking the reins of the other horse and leading it to Hilda. Horse, though, might have been too much, it was basically an over-glorified pony, but a large and gentle creature nonetheless. "She's a good one, though, so don't worry."

"Oh sorry I rather did impose there suddenly didn't I? Well glad to be aboard. A little fun will always be enjoyable regardless of the outcome, that much is true."

"It's gonna be super fun!" Billie pumped up.

Waari waved her off. "Don't worry, you're not imposing on anything. The more the merrier!"
"Indeed.", Ayden agreed, a small smile worming its way onto his face, "It's going to be, to quote you, Billie, 'Super-Fun'. But first, we got work to do, I'm afraid."
Waari sighed and nodded. "Yes, that's true.", she said and gave a sad smile, before lifting Billie off of her shoulders, setting her onto the ground carefully. "Duty calls, I'm afraid. And when duty calls, who am I to deny it?" She kissed Billie onto the forehead. "See you later?"

Katherine felt her cheeks flare up in heat, it was apparent to her that they might’ve had a twinge of pink on them. She turned her head toward Liv, looking downwards to avoid her gaze, “Th-Thank you...”

The seconds of silence wore on as Katherine processed what just happen, she was flabbergasted until she decided to talk to the railing, "We're just here to look at the sights and sounds, and maybe learn some things as well." She turned back towards Liv, "Are you guys here to learn anything specific?" she implored. She scuffled her shoe while she listened to Liv's reply, and then asked, "So, where are guys going after this? We'll be stopping in town for lunch, then we'll be walking around the places until we have to go to... umm" Katherine pulled out the schedule she had written down in a planner, opened it, and flipped a few pages around until she got to the entry she needed to look at. "The Temple Inn?" Katherine clapped the planner closed and looked back up at Liv, "After that, we have free time to go wherever in the town to celebrate the festival."

Katherine mentally crossed her fingers in hopes that maybe, just maybe they're both going to another same location.

"Well, my class and I are wandering around a bit, too, going to see two of my mates compete at the Guard Cup, both of them being Shieldmaidens, most likely see them loose in the first rounds..."
Liv was interrupted by one of her classmates calling over: "Hey, Livvie, don't be too optimistic!"
Liv stuck her tongue out at that, mirth dancing in her eyes, then turned back to Katherine, continuing: "...anyway, we're having lunch as a group, then, after that we are free to explore." She grinned. "We're staying at the Temple Inn, too, and my double room has a bed free, so if you want to join me, I'd be happy to have you bunk with me?"
There was a bit of hope in her expression.

[Kuronami]

Waari waved her off. "Don't worry, you're not imposing on anything. The more the merrier!"
"Indeed.", Ayden agreed, a small smile worming its way onto his face, "It's going to be, to quote you, Billie, 'Super-Fun'. But first, we got work to do, I'm afraid."
Waari sighed and nodded. "Yes, that's true.", she said and gave a sad smile, before lifting Billie off of her shoulders, setting her onto the ground carefully. "Duty calls, I'm afraid. And when duty calls, who am I to deny it?" She kissed Billie onto the forehead. "See you later?"

"Yeah I understand" Billie replied a little sullen but understanding "As papa always says to me, gotta do yer chores before ya play. Bye bye Waari! See ya!"

"Bye Waari, thank you." Charlie and Jamie both thanked her.

"That hat looks good on ya but still think yer hair is the prettiest part of ya" Jamie complimented Charlie

"Aww thanks babe but the sun really is getting on me it's nice to have a little shade for a change." she kissed him and took his hands. "Mmm now I wished I went with the denim sundress if I'm gonna be performing, rather look a little cuter and less ready for work."

"Ya look fine you can always wear it tomorrow, seems like it's very nice here. Not different from Thunder Creek."

"Like Thunder Creek minus the thunder part, right papa?" Billie interjected

"Aha right babe." he hoisted her up onto his shoulders so again she could see everything what a sight of the town square with so many face gathered. "Still papa, we's gonna meet any fellow farmers here? I sure hope there some who might be like me and Joey back home! Then maybe we can be pen pals!"

"I'm sure we'll meet some babe." Jamie responded.

"You know Mister Ayden told me lots of folks here a fishermen and headers." Charlie added remembering what he told her.

"oh neat!" Billie didn't think two ways about it she still hoped to meet lots of other kids here and like her parents just other rural folks in general would make her happy.

[Mervay]

Yven grinned at Lise's thanks. "Ah, think nothin' of it, Miss Lise!", he said in his twang, before he motioned to her lemonade, "Need a refill? We still have much to drink and it'll only get more by the time the tabs are free!" He leaned over to her, whispering: "Though amongst us, can I count on you later, to play a few more dances? You're really good on your violin and both Cao and Cel are amazing singers, so you wouldn't be alone up there."

"Yes please I'm very thirsty for it" she says grinning about it,if there was something she loved was an good drink of lemonade.
Yven leaned to her and placed his mouth over her left ear whispering the request of her being capable of play an little more of her violin and with the help of Cao and Celina as the vocals,she was up to the idea and she just told him:

"Of course I would love to play an little more for all of you and more if either Cel or Cao goes and help me with them singing. And besides I would love to help you to win the heart of that Polish-Prussian girl that has catched an eye on you" she whispered to him and then she pulled off with an teasing smile,in the name of love she would be glad to help an couple to be together.

"Just advice me when I can play the songs with them,please??"

[Lillorainen]

Filleadh House
"Thanks Yven" Said Lise now placing the paper in her wallet for use it later.
Devienne was sure that she would need to request directions of how to go to those places later in either the hotel or any other place of the town.

I guess that I could stay an little more and then go to the lower town,but still the party had just begun she says to herself thinking about it. She then went to wait for the rest as she sat in her seat with her violin case in hand and an lemonade too.

She saw her surrundings and everyone was having fun and so some were begining to fell in love,which meanted that things would be interesting by evening and that was something she couldn't wait.

I smiled at Chris, leaning over to kiss him onto the cheek.
"That would be wonderful, to have free pick, I'd go somewhere entirely else... near Cuan, for I love that city too much, but still." There was a bit of longing in my eyes, longing for freedom, for having my foxes run around freely through the countryside, not through the narrow confines of a city, where they were mostly seen as pests in the best of cases. My hand softly stroked the fox in my lap. I was actually a bit surprised, that my friends were not making a greater fuss about them, in any direction. "Dronuillinn is for my limited budget's confines."
My addition was acompanied by a yipp from my lap.

Yven grinned at Lise's thanks. "Ah, think nothin' of it, Miss Lise!", he said in his twang, before he motioned to her lemonade, "Need a refill? We still have much to drink and it'll only get more by the time the tabs are free!" He leaned over to her, whispering: "Though amongst us, can I count on you later, to play a few more dances? You're really good on your violin and both Cao and Cel are amazing singers, so you wouldn't be alone up there."

Uachtair Inn.
The little heart broken, Leonard and Marla left the Inn, waved to the receptionist and joined their friend outside, who handed Leonard the reins of both spare horses.
"These are Scanraigh and Scraith, two venerable ladies of the Shella Police Department, who were put at our disposal for today.", he introduced the two mares, who calmly looked at the world and the Leverdals. In fact, one made a step forward and reached out to sniff Frederik. "Scraith seems to like you, lad."
"After that breakfast, no wonder.", Marla added from the side, taking the reins of the other horse and leading it to Hilda. Horse, though, might have been too much, it was basically an over-glorified pony, but a large and gentle creature nonetheless. "She's a good one, though, so don't worry."

Filleadh House
While Yven and Lise were whispering, Chris got a kiss on his cheek - Cel explained that she'd have loved to go near Cuan, if she had the silver necessary for it, so her choice, Dronuillin (it already sounded small ...) was the best opportunity within her budget. A yipp from the direction of her lap seemed to confirm that, as if the fox knew himself what the living space situation in and around Lodan Lir's Pearl looked like.
Chris considered consulting a fox for some advice regarding a flat in his own pearl, where the Rathe river split up into its branch streams, forming its delta.
He was just as surprised that no one bothered their vulpine company.
He grinned. "Anf that fails too, you can still move into a treehouse in the Great Woods. Rent is low there, I've heard."

Uachtair Inn.
Fred and Hilda followed Marla and Leonard outside, not without waving the receptionist, too.
Their friend, who had waited for them, handed two horses' reins to them - two mares named Scanraigh and Scraith, of the Shella Police Department.
Fred snorted at Marla's comment on Scraith's sniffling and a possible reason for it. "I'll smell like breadrolls, eh?" - he said, more to Scraith.
Hilda was rather busy admiring the over-glorified pony named Scanraigh. She did not worry at all.
"And so does she" - Fred told Hilda's horse, motioning to his sister.

[The Selkie]

Waari waved her off. "Don't worry, you're not imposing on anything. The more the merrier!"
"Indeed.", Ayden agreed, a small smile worming its way onto his face, "It's going to be, to quote you, Billie, 'Super-Fun'. But first, we got work to do, I'm afraid."
Waari sighed and nodded. "Yes, that's true.", she said and gave a sad smile, before lifting Billie off of her shoulders, setting her onto the ground carefully. "Duty calls, I'm afraid. And when duty calls, who am I to deny it?" She kissed Billie onto the forehead. "See you later?"

"Yeah I understand" Billie replied a little sullen but understanding "As papa always says to me, gotta do yer chores before ya play. Bye bye Waari! See ya!"

"Bye Waari, thank you." Charlie and Jamie both thanked her.

"That hat looks good on ya but still think yer hair is the prettiest part of ya" Jamie complimented Charlie

"Aww thanks babe but the sun really is getting on me it's nice to have a little shade for a change." she kissed him and took his hands. "Mmm now I wished I went with the denim sundress if I'm gonna be performing, rather look a little cuter and less ready for work."

"Ya look fine you can always wear it tomorrow, seems like it's very nice here. Not different from Thunder Creek."

"Like Thunder Creek minus the thunder part, right papa?" Billie interjected

"Aha right babe." he hoisted her up onto his shoulders so again she could see everything what a sight of the town square with so many face gathered. "Still papa, we's gonna meet any fellow farmers here? I sure hope there some who might be like me and Joey back home! Then maybe we can be pen pals!"

"I'm sure we'll meet some babe." Jamie responded.

"You know Mister Ayden told me lots of folks here a fishermen and headers." Charlie added remembering what he told her.

"oh neat!" Billie didn't think two ways about it she still hoped to meet lots of other kids here and like her parents just other rural folks in general would make her happy.

With Waari and Ayden gone, the three Kuronamis were a bit alone, using the time to converse, which many people on the Main Town Square did. While the technicians were still running around, of course.
It was busy and it wouldn't get much less busy.
One began to see many Geansais as well, many of them Long, signifying, that the wearers were not yet adults by the traditions of the Selkie, meaning, that there were many kids. Many of them were around Billie's age as well. Many others were Short, signifying, that their wearers were adults.
Quite a few were also made of fish leather, meaning, that their wearers were of the three Lost Sea Tribes, Conn, Wexford or Navan, with especially Conn emphasizing their geographic origins: Conns were mostly found in the Archipelago, with the men bare-chested and the women wearing a bikini-like top of fish leather. Both wore skirts, however, wearing the ensemble with pride.
One couple of very proud people, sun-kissed and with her hair open, him with a kid on his shoulders much like Billie rode her father, stood not too far away from the three from Kuronami, speaking in a Selkie-Accent even native Selkie had trouble with, seeming friendly and approachable.
The boy was watching Billie with wide-eyed fascination.

Yven grinned at Lise's thanks. "Ah, think nothin' of it, Miss Lise!", he said in his twang, before he motioned to her lemonade, "Need a refill? We still have much to drink and it'll only get more by the time the tabs are free!" He leaned over to her, whispering: "Though amongst us, can I count on you later, to play a few more dances? You're really good on your violin and both Cao and Cel are amazing singers, so you wouldn't be alone up there."

"Yes please I'm very thirsty for it" she says grinning about it,if there was something she loved was an good drink of lemonade.
Yven leaned to her and placed his mouth over her left ear whispering the request of her being capable of play an little more of her violin and with the help of Cao and Celina as the vocals,she was up to the idea and she just told him:

"Of course I would love to play an little more for all of you and more if either Cel or Cao goes and help me with them singing. And besides I would love to help you to win the heart of that Polish-Prussian girl that has catched an eye on you" she whispered to him and then she pulled off with an teasing smile,in the name of love she would be glad to help an couple to be together.

"Just advice me when I can play the songs with them,please??"

Filleadh House
While Yven and Lise were whispering, Chris got a kiss on his cheek - Cel explained that she'd have loved to go near Cuan, if she had the silver necessary for it, so her choice, Dronuillin (it already sounded small ...) was the best opportunity within her budget. A yipp from the direction of her lap seemed to confirm that, as if the fox knew himself what the living space situation in and around Lodan Lir's Pearl looked like.
Chris considered consulting a fox for some advice regarding a flat in his own pearl, where the Rathe river split up into its branch streams, forming its delta.
He was just as surprised that no one bothered their vulpine company.
He grinned. "Anf that fails too, you can still move into a treehouse in the Great Woods. Rent is low there, I've heard."

Uachtair Inn.
Fred and Hilda followed Marla and Leonard outside, not without waving the receptionist, too.
Their friend, who had waited for them, handed two horses' reins to them - two mares named Scanraigh and Scraith, of the Shella Police Department.
Fred snorted at Marla's comment on Scraith's sniffling and a possible reason for it. "I'll smell like breadrolls, eh?" - he said, more to Scraith.
Hilda was rather busy admiring the over-glorified pony named Scanraigh. She did not worry at all.
"And so does she" - Fred told Hilda's horse, motioning to his sister.

Filleadh House.
Yven grinned, blushing a little at the mention of Marie.
He was interested in her, but how deep that interest would turn out... and how deep that interest she had for him would turn out... he was not sure, but he had promised to treat her like the gentleman he was raised to be.
"Will do, Lise.", he said and grinned, "It's going to be awesome... but be aware, that you might learn the odd Selkie-Song along the way!"

I smiled at Chris.
"The Childred and the Spiorad are good neighbours, sure, but the fauna might not be too keen on new neighbours.", I told him with a smile, "I imagine, that a scaled bear looming over your bed is a scary sight to wake up to..."
I let a beat pass.
"Maybe I should ask Macha, if she doesn't have a spot for me and my foxes at Bambú House..."

Uachtair Inn.
"Most likely.", Leonard said and moved to mount his own magnificent pony, adjusting the way both sword, bow and quiver sat and got comfortable, then leaned forward to pet the side of his own horse. He spoke softly in Selkie to it.
Marla, on the other hand, got approached by her own horse, which nuzzled her. She brought her forehead to his, adding to Leonard's words: "Somehow, many of the horses in the Free Lands love a piece of bread every now and again. It helps them on short term, but it's not ideal for them long term. I stick with hay for you, Cleite, okay?"
The horse softly neighed.

[Lillorainen]

Filleadh House.
Yven grinned, blushing a little at the mention of Marie.
He was interested in her, but how deep that interest would turn out... and how deep that interest she had for him would turn out... he was not sure, but he had promised to treat her like the gentleman he was raised to be.
"Will do, Lise.", he said and grinned, "It's going to be awesome... but be aware, that you might learn the odd Selkie-Song along the way!"

I smiled at Chris.
"The Childred and the Spiorad are good neighbours, sure, but the fauna might not be too keen on new neighbours.", I told him with a smile, "I imagine, that a scaled bear looming over your bed is a scary sight to wake up to..."
I let a beat pass.
"Maybe I should ask Macha, if she doesn't have a spot for me and my foxes at Bambú House..."

Uachtair Inn.
"Most likely.", Leonard said and moved to mount his own magnificent pony, adjusting the way both sword, bow and quiver sat and got comfortable, then leaned forward to pet the side of his own horse. He spoke softly in Selkie to it.
Marla, on the other hand, got approached by her own horse, which nuzzled her. She brought her forehead to his, adding to Leonard's words: "Somehow, many of the horses in the Free Lands love a piece of bread every now and again. It helps them on short term, but it's not ideal for them long term. I stick with hay for you, Cleite, okay?"
The horse softly neighed.

Filleadh House.
Chris raised his eyebrows. He had gotten quite familiar with the local fauna in the Oileánra-Archipelago, but waking up with scaled bears was nothing that had happened to him. And it was indeed a sight he could forgo.
Bambú House sounded much better.
He kept thinking for a moment.
"Where would I go with an entire fox family in my homeland ..." - he wondered. "Finding a place with enough space that is affordable would become a challenge, too. Towns like Weilerswerth have space, but are expensive. Districts like Nienhagen-Maschenich are cheap, but have no space. Hmst ..."

Uachtair Inn.
"That explains a lot" - Fred said, nodding, then turned to the mare again. "A pity we've already finished our breakfast, eh?"
Hilda, in the meantime, had already mounted, as quickly and professional as one would expect a horsewoman collecting awards to do so. "I'd be ready" - she said, leaning forward to pet Scanraigh. "Oh, hang on." She took out her mobile phone, tapped a bit, then quickly took a snapshot of Scraith sniffling Fred. She grinned. "For Rik and Olav, so they got something to laugh."
Rikard and Olav Leverdal were their older brothers, who, after a couple of years working abroad, had returned into the Islands a few months ago. They knew about Fred's last trip to foreign lands, as well as his and Hilda's stay in here. They, as well as their youngest brother Bjarne, would definitely celebrate their pictures from there - granted that the latter would pause his PC games for a second, that is.
"And Dad will wonder what he's done wrong in raising us, eh?"
Hilda shrugged. "He already knows, so he probably won't bother."

[Kuronami]

With Waari and Ayden gone, the three Kuronamis were a bit alone, using the time to converse, which many people on the Main Town Square did. While the technicians were still running around, of course.
It was busy and it wouldn't get much less busy.
One began to see many Geansais as well, many of them Long, signifying, that the wearers were not yet adults by the traditions of the Selkie, meaning, that there were many kids. Many of them were around Billie's age as well. Many others were Short, signifying, that their wearers were adults.
Quite a few were also made of fish leather, meaning, that their wearers were of the three Lost Sea Tribes, Conn, Wexford or Navan, with especially Conn emphasizing their geographic origins: Conns were mostly found in the Archipelago, with the men bare-chested and the women wearing a bikini-like top of fish leather. Both wore skirts, however, wearing the ensemble with pride.
One couple of very proud people, sun-kissed and with her hair open, him with a kid on his shoulders much like Billie rode her father, stood not too far away from the three from Kuronami, speaking in a Selkie-Accent even native Selkie had trouble with, seeming friendly and approachable.
The boy was watching Billie with wide-eyed fascination.

Getting a look around they noticed the really unique outfits the people wore. Rather admiring them and talking among each other. "Could have just worn my overalls by the looks of it." Jamie remarked to Charlie while Billie took notice someone was looking at her. "Papa, can I get down a moment?"

"Oh sure." He went ahead and took her down and she made the dash over "Billie wait a sec" Her mother called over but it didn't seem to far they'd loose her. "Howdy!" She greeted "Name's Billie, who might you be?" She introduced herself. "couldn't help but see you was lookin' at me. I know they say not nice to stare and all but considering we're from far far away eh no surprise folks be wantin' to stare just a little!"

[Mervay]

Filleadh House.
Yven grinned, blushing a little at the mention of Marie.
He was interested in her, but how deep that interest would turn out... and how deep that interest she had for him would turn out... he was not sure, but he had promised to treat her like the gentleman he was raised to be.
"Will do, Lise.", he said and grinned, "It's going to be awesome... but be aware, that you might learn the odd Selkie-Song along the way!"

"Don't worry it's always good to know new things everyday and more if it's an Selkie-Song" Lise says taking her lemonade. Well things should be interesting with the new couple and by later who knows what will happen.

"Well better with your crush and enjoy the day together,after all today is an day of party and fun. So go and get her" she then said grinning and pushing him to have an talk with Marie. "If you need me for help I will be in my seat taking an lemonade"

[Camelone]

"I had a feeling that was the case from the little information that I was able to read about the Free Lands before I got here. There isn't much written in Camelonean and I still struggle with the Latin alphabet despite my grasp of English." Bedivere remarked as he grinned at her imitation of an old man. He could definitely get into a conversation about the different types of military their respective countries have and the historical context of them but he had a feeling this would be a bit odd but a thought popped into his head. "Say Cao what do you know of Camelone?"

Cao smiled a bit sheepish.
"You're from Camelone.", she answered to Bediviere's inquiry, "It has a royalty, there are clans, how the relations between one and the other are is unknown to me, it is a country with coasts, which sometimes can get rough, industrialized, the people love to understate things, some have a habit for philosophy and they are pious." She let a beat pass, thinking to herself, that she basically repeated what he had told her, which was... "Sorry, but I don't know that much about Camelone. Definately less then you know about the Free Lands."
She smiled a bit sheepish.
"Sorry.", she said as they began to ascent towards the Upper Town.

"Oh that is perfectly fine, it is about as much as I expected of a teasa. Rarely anyone knows of the minute details or some of the generalities unless they choose to study our country in more depth, and there is no logical reason for you to do so to my knowledge. I had to do my homework before coming here, mostly so I could justify the trip to my superiors because technically I'm not supposed to be off duty but... Never mind." Bedivere said realizing he was both rambling and dancing to closely to what is technically confidential material but really it just hasn't been released yet. "So what I am trying to say is think nothing of it as it is all good. Is there anything you wish to know about myself in particular as I think we have awhile to walk still and you still know little of myself so I will be more than happy to relieve you of any curiosity that inhabits your mind."

[The Selkie]

Filleadh House.
Yven grinned, blushing a little at the mention of Marie.
He was interested in her, but how deep that interest would turn out... and how deep that interest she had for him would turn out... he was not sure, but he had promised to treat her like the gentleman he was raised to be.
"Will do, Lise.", he said and grinned, "It's going to be awesome... but be aware, that you might learn the odd Selkie-Song along the way!"

"Don't worry it's always good to know new things everyday and more if it's an Selkie-Song" Lise says taking her lemonade. Well things should be interesting with the new couple and by later who knows what will happen.

"Well better with your crush and enjoy the day together,after all today is an day of party and fun. So go and get her" she then said grinning and pushing him to have an talk with Marie. "If you need me for help I will be in my seat taking an lemonade"

Filleadh House.
Chris raised his eyebrows. He had gotten quite familiar with the local fauna in the Oileánra-Archipelago, but waking up with scaled bears was nothing that had happened to him. And it was indeed a sight he could forgo.
Bambú House sounded much better.
He kept thinking for a moment.
"Where would I go with an entire fox family in my homeland ..." - he wondered. "Finding a place with enough space that is affordable would become a challenge, too. Towns like Weilerswerth have space, but are expensive. Districts like Nienhagen-Maschenich are cheap, but have no space. Hmst ..."

Uachtair Inn.
"That explains a lot" - Fred said, nodding, then turned to the mare again. "A pity we've already finished our breakfast, eh?"
Hilda, in the meantime, had already mounted, as quickly and professional as one would expect a horsewoman collecting awards to do so. "I'd be ready" - she said, leaning forward to pet Scanraigh. "Oh, hang on." She took out her mobile phone, tapped a bit, then quickly took a snapshot of Scraith sniffling Fred. She grinned. "For Rik and Olav, so they got something to laugh."
Rikard and Olav Leverdal were their older brothers, who, after a couple of years working abroad, had returned into the Islands a few months ago. They knew about Fred's last trip to foreign lands, as well as his and Hilda's stay in here. They, as well as their youngest brother Bjarne, would definitely celebrate their pictures from there - granted that the latter would pause his PC games for a second, that is.
"And Dad will wonder what he's done wrong in raising us, eh?"
Hilda shrugged. "He already knows, so he probably won't bother."

Yven grinned, nodding.
"Thank you, Lise.", he said and squeezed her shoulder assuringly. If he knew one thing, then, that a few friends would come around later, some of them very musical chaps - maybe Lise would find someone as well? With that, he moved back to Marie and company, smiling a bit sheepish. "My apologies, I had to organize a little something. What did I miss?"

I smiled at Chris.
"Maybe begin something new? Maybe calling it Fuchshausen?", I asked and leaned over slightly, putting my head onto his shoulder, "That'd be nice. Expensive, most likely, but nice... somewhere in the countryside, of course, with a little forest and a creek nearby and a small garden. And an orchard, which would make the Cider Belt ideal." I let a beat pass. "But those are dreams for a future."

In front of the Uachtair Inn.
"Well, they seem to like you... or at least not dislike you, which is a good start!", Leonard said with a grin, "Mungail here..." He petted the side of his horse, lovingly. "First hated my living guts, I thought, because he munched on my hair - hence his name. Mungail means to munch." He grinned and ran his hand along the gentle horse's head. "But we came to like each other through a series of events and I became a better horseman because of that."
Marla smiled, knowing the stories. "Fill him with enough whiskey and he'll tell you!", she said, causing Leonard to protest, which made Marla grin and laugh, "But take good stuff, otherwise he'll not drink!" The protests subsided a bit. "The father of the two of you is a traffic cop, right? I think, you mentioned something like that..."

With Waari and Ayden gone, the three Kuronamis were a bit alone, using the time to converse, which many people on the Main Town Square did. While the technicians were still running around, of course.
It was busy and it wouldn't get much less busy.
One began to see many Geansais as well, many of them Long, signifying, that the wearers were not yet adults by the traditions of the Selkie, meaning, that there were many kids. Many of them were around Billie's age as well. Many others were Short, signifying, that their wearers were adults.
Quite a few were also made of fish leather, meaning, that their wearers were of the three Lost Sea Tribes, Conn, Wexford or Navan, with especially Conn emphasizing their geographic origins: Conns were mostly found in the Archipelago, with the men bare-chested and the women wearing a bikini-like top of fish leather. Both wore skirts, however, wearing the ensemble with pride.
One couple of very proud people, sun-kissed and with her hair open, him with a kid on his shoulders much like Billie rode her father, stood not too far away from the three from Kuronami, speaking in a Selkie-Accent even native Selkie had trouble with, seeming friendly and approachable.
The boy was watching Billie with wide-eyed fascination.

Getting a look around they noticed the really unique outfits the people wore. Rather admiring them and talking among each other. "Could have just worn my overalls by the looks of it." Jamie remarked to Charlie while Billie took notice someone was looking at her. "Papa, can I get down a moment?"

"Oh sure." He went ahead and took her down and she made the dash over "Billie wait a sec" Her mother called over but it didn't seem to far they'd loose her. "Howdy!" She greeted "Name's Billie, who might you be?" She introduced herself. "couldn't help but see you was lookin' at me. I know they say not nice to stare and all but considering we're from far far away eh no surprise folks be wantin' to stare just a little!"

The boy looked down to his father, who grinned.
"One moment, Miss Billie.", the man said and lifted his son off of his shoulders.
Said boy was not that taller or shorter then Billie, a brown-haired boy with rather well-developed muscles for a seven-year old boy, speaking of a hard worker aside from school, who politely bowed his head. He was also bronze-skinned, as usual for inhabitants of the Archipelago.
"My apologies for starin', Miss Billie.", he said and rose again, smiling slightly, blushing a bit heavier, "I just have never seen such a pretty girl..."
His father grinned, nodding to Billie's parents politely. If they wanted, they could come over.

Cao smiled a bit sheepish.
"You're from Camelone.", she answered to Bediviere's inquiry, "It has a royalty, there are clans, how the relations between one and the other are is unknown to me, it is a country with coasts, which sometimes can get rough, industrialized, the people love to understate things, some have a habit for philosophy and they are pious." She let a beat pass, thinking to herself, that she basically repeated what he had told her, which was... "Sorry, but I don't know that much about Camelone. Definately less then you know about the Free Lands."
She smiled a bit sheepish.
"Sorry.", she said as they began to ascent towards the Upper Town.

"Oh that is perfectly fine, it is about as much as I expected of a teasa. Rarely anyone knows of the minute details or some of the generalities unless they choose to study our country in more depth, and there is no logical reason for you to do so to my knowledge. I had to do my homework before coming here, mostly so I could justify the trip to my superiors because technically I'm not supposed to be off duty but... Never mind." Bedivere said realizing he was both rambling and dancing to closely to what is technically confidential material but really it just hasn't been released yet. "So what I am trying to say is think nothing of it as it is all good. Is there anything you wish to know about myself in particular as I think we have awhile to walk still and you still know little of myself so I will be more than happy to relieve you of any curiosity that inhabits your mind."

Cao gave a small smile.
"Oh, it won't be that far now.", she said as their ascend began to become less steep. "We used a few shortcuts, so we'll be fine... I've been to vacations in Shella since I was but a wee little girl! There's actually a picture of me riding one of Shella's famous goats... I couldn't anymore, mainly because I'm a bit too tall nowadays, but back in the day, it was great fun!"
She giggled at the memory, leading her colt and the young man with safe steps and secure hands.
After a few moments of silence, she asked, a small blush creeping onto her face: "Say, Bedivere... do you have a girlfriend?"

[Prussian Polish Commonwealth]

Yven grinned, nodding.
"Thank you, Lise.", he said and squeezed her shoulder assuringly. If he knew one thing, then, that a few friends would come around later, some of them very musical chaps - maybe Lise would find someone as well? With that, he moved back to Marie and company, smiling a bit sheepish. "My apologies, I had to organize a little something. What did I miss?"

Marie smiled a little. "Not much. Have a seat."
Karl leaned back a little. "So, you two, when's the wedding?"
Irene leaned against the wall and watched silently, one hand resting on her artillery sword, the other in her pocket.