Celebrating a good Harvest (IC, OPEN)

[Kuronami]

"We are actually not operating from a large harbour, but from a very small one. Only a few ships present there, the Flying Merchantman comes around once every week.", Kenny told Billie with a smile, "So we don't see many sailors from outside, but if a large vessel docks or just passes on the horizon, it's awesome!"
"So, a calf had been born.", Áed said smiling, "That is wonderful to hear - life always continues, even after the most fearsome storms."
They came closer and closer to the harbour.

Billie nodded understanding he wasn't quite the busy large harbor hub but still it was quaint here so how could she complain. "Oooh I see. Kind a like where I'm from, pretty small not lots of folks from outside. Yup it was somethin' to brighten all our spirits. Oooh is that the harbor just ahead?" She pointed out with her free hand.

[Solisian Union]

The young man smiled a bit sheepish.
"I wouldn't go that far, Ma'am.", he said, blushing, "I'm a hobby-photographer and occassionally write for my student newspaper... providing the images myself. I write travel reports as I travel around a lot..."
He smiled.
"So, I take, that you are a professional journalist, Ma'am?", he asked.

She smiled well and told the young man as she studied him like a hawk "Yes I am! It's interesting to see a young man like you take up the profession for your school. From what university are you if I may ask? Perhaps I could give you a recommendation if I am able to find your work and study it myself~?" She then chuckled as she played with the boy's feelings, winking as she leaned closer to him

[Lillorainen]

"Yes please for the lemonade my friend." Bedivere replied to the offer as he followed Cel into the group. "It has a been a great while since I have seen any of you and I am glad to see that you are more or less fine by my casual observations." He rambled a bit before he turned to Chris to address him "Indeed it has been a long time. I am..." Bedivere thought about what exactly he was feeling "Different... different but fine." He was not exaggerating either he definitely felt different due to what had happened when he was off viking.

It seemed that a good part of the Purgatio group had decided to take up the invitation as well. Bedivere smiled at Lisolette when she approached and bowed his head slightly to address her "Of course I remember you. It is a pleasure to be acquainted with you once more Miss Devienne." Turning to the Prussian Polish trio he spoke to them as well, a little surprised to be so engaged so quickly. "Ah yes well I am not on duty at the moment so civilians were recommended, nothing all that special to be honest." Which was mostly true, he probably should be wearing his spurs, white sash, and golden chain but he did not wish to come off as pompous and prideful of his new station in life.

"Ah yes I remember that. A pleasure to be acquainted with you once more." Bedivere said addressing Ana and with that everyone was spoken to and he started to think of what to say next. "So what were you doing before I arrived?" He asked to get the attention off of himself.

Filleadh House.
I was glad, that everything was going so well with all of us and with the others arriving.
It was good to see everyone again, I thought as I fetched a bottle of cooled lemonade and a garden chair, putting it into our circle and handing the bottle to the young man.
"Have a seat and be careful - that one is a teeth-destroyer!", I warned him with a grin before I returned to Chris' side, "As for what we had been doing, mostly chatting and waiting for the Festival to begin. And we watched young love bloom..."
The last part was added into the direction of Marie, who's other half was still hugging the living daylights out of his sister.

Main Street.
With the boy departing, head held high and with pride on goat-back, Fred commented something to his sister - Leonard, without sharp ears missed it, but Marla did not.
The bluenette leaned over and spoke in a low voice: "She already has, actually.", she said with a grin, "Ever since you won that one time, some people and the Magazine have been following your exploits. Not as regularly as mine or Leonard's, but they do report from time to time."
[/quote]

Filleadh House
Bedivere answered Chris' question, searching for a word to describe how he was doing and choosing different. Chris nodded.
Cel handed a bottle of lemonade to Bedivere (not without speaking the ultimate this-is-the-easiest-way-to-ruin-your-teeth warning out, of course!) after placing another garden chair into the round and took her seat again.
Chris laughed. "Indeed, apart from the blooming love, you haven't missed a lot. You're not too late."

Main Street
Hilda heard Marla's answer slightly blushed. She would have expected her said experienced competitors (Svanstrup, Abdaliha, van Cleef ... you name it) to already have settled in here, but this really went quick.
Fred had to grin. "We should tell that to our parents" - he said, keeping his voice low, although the goat-rider was out of earshot. "They will stare like broken cars when they hear how famous Hilda has gotten in here!"
Hilda, rather speechless for the moment, nodded slowly. When she had recovered from hearing that her brother's joke had been quite true, she said, "It's still hard to believe for me, but I'll need to get used to it, eh?"

[Mediama]

Liv smiled as she took Katherine's hand and motioned her to follow her.
"Come, I'll introduce you to a few mates of mine!", she said and pulled her along, toward three other girls, all three in the same school uniforms as Liv. One was a blonde, taller then Liv, but less well-endowed, her blue eyes of an icy blue, shining at the world. The next was a redhead, who was quite well-muscled, with the sort of loud and booming laugh, that made people think of acoustic weaponry, when she laughed. The last was a bit of a mousy girl, cute-looking with her glasses and the long, black hair, blue eyes shining behind her glasses.
Liv called: "Asteria, Lesley, Meave!" All three looked up, towards them, especially at Katherine, then back to Liv. "Thought I lost ya lot! Oh, this is Katy."

Flustered, Katherine quickly followed Liv as she pulled her to introduce her to her friends. As Liv called out to them, Katherine couldn't help but feel her heartbeat quicken from nerves, that by the time the friends came over to look, she managed to shakily (to her, she was certain from the look on their faces that they didn't notice) say "Pleased to meet you." Katherine stepped closer to Liv, mostly not to stand out too much almost as if she was nuzzling up to Liv, or, to her own self-punishing denial-ridden mind, hiding. She was amazed at how tall the blonde friend was compared to Liv, but was equally unnerved by the red-haired girl's laugh. She had to admit though, the mousy girl at the end seemed cute in her own way. Still, it didn't compare to Liv. And so Katherine wiated for a response, half wanting to die, half excited.

[Polish Prussian Commonwealth]

Retag

[The Selkie]

"We are actually not operating from a large harbour, but from a very small one. Only a few ships present there, the Flying Merchantman comes around once every week.", Kenny told Billie with a smile, "So we don't see many sailors from outside, but if a large vessel docks or just passes on the horizon, it's awesome!"
"So, a calf had been born.", Áed said smiling, "That is wonderful to hear - life always continues, even after the most fearsome storms."
They came closer and closer to the harbour.

Billie nodded understanding he wasn't quite the busy large harbor hub but still it was quaint here so how could she complain. "Oooh I see. Kind a like where I'm from, pretty small not lots of folks from outside. Yup it was somethin' to brighten all our spirits. Oooh is that the harbor just ahead?" She pointed out with her free hand.

"Yep, that it is!", Kenny agreed, looking forward with a grin, to the large number of steel hulls and wooden vessels, which crowded Shella's natural harbour. The wharfs were full of people, the water filled with boats ferrying people from the larger ships to shore and back again.
There were small cruise liners, large yachts, a fisheries research vessel, the replica of a 16th century Selkie-Vessel, fisher boats, a few freighters, a patrol vessel of the Water Polices, a good five dozen vessels, most of them flying the flag of the Free Lands, the Bratach. The Kyrenaian silver crescent moon was visible a few times as well. A few other, foreign flags fluttered in the breeze as well.
And then, there were the flying boats and amphibians, which had their own section cordoned off by buoys. Participants of the airshow later were already on the 'runway', but as they watched, a large amphibian rose into the air, trailing droplets of water behind itself, then banked towards the south, an airliner.
There was not one military vessel present.
Kenny grinned.
"So, Billie... ready to see a lot of sea-vessels, some of which can even fly?", Kenny asked.

The young man smiled a bit sheepish.
"I wouldn't go that far, Ma'am.", he said, blushing, "I'm a hobby-photographer and occassionally write for my student newspaper... providing the images myself. I write travel reports as I travel around a lot..."
He smiled.
"So, I take, that you are a professional journalist, Ma'am?", he asked.

She smiled well and told the young man as she studied him like a hawk "Yes I am! It's interesting to see a young man like you take up the profession for your school. From what university are you if I may ask? Perhaps I could give you a recommendation if I am able to find your work and study it myself~?" She then chuckled as she played with the boy's feelings, winking as she leaned closer to him

The lad blushed quite heavily at the teasing, reacting completely and falling for her playing with him, hook, line, sinker and fishing rod. He didn't even realize, that he was the mouse in front of the cat.
It was almost cute.
"Ah-I wouldn't go as far as making it my profession...", he stuttered out, "...maybe I will. I don't know yet. I know, that my schoolmates love to read my travelling reports..." He blushed further. "I'm from the Iris High School in Fortham, Ma'am. A good school..."

Filleadh House
Bedivere answered Chris' question, searching for a word to describe how he was doing and choosing different. Chris nodded.
Cel handed a bottle of lemonade to Bedivere (not without speaking the ultimate this-is-the-easiest-way-to-ruin-your-teeth warning out, of course!) after placing another garden chair into the round and took her seat again.
Chris laughed. "Indeed, apart from the blooming love, you haven't missed a lot. You're not too late."

Main Street
Hilda heard Marla's answer slightly blushed. She would have expected her said experienced competitors (Svanstrup, Abdaliha, van Cleef ... you name it) to already have settled in here, but this really went quick.
Fred had to grin. "We should tell that to our parents" - he said, keeping his voice low, although the goat-rider was out of earshot. "They will stare like broken cars when they hear how famous Hilda has gotten in here!"
Hilda, rather speechless for the moment, nodded slowly. When she had recovered from hearing that her brother's joke had been quite true, she said, "It's still hard to believe for me, but I'll need to get used to it, eh?"

Filleadh House.
Yven was luckily not present, but he would blush and be under a barrage of questions from his delighted sister. I didn't know, how Marie would react.
Anyway...
"Not to mention the already existing one.", I added with a grin, before I leaned over to Chris and kissed him onto the lips. No tongue was involved, but all the more love. When we broke apart, I smiled, looking into his eyes, this was never going to get old, then turned back to Bediviere. "Chris and I met a few months ago on the Archipelago and found out, that we liked each other very much... we've been together ever since."

Main Street.
"Indeed.", Marla agreed, grinning, "Don't worry, though, most people won't ask for an autograph or a selfie!" She grinned at that and repositioned herself on her horse with a smile. "Worst that could happen is the challenge to a race, but since you are riding a lent horse, you would be free to decline without anyone holding it against you."
Leonard, from behind them, added: "Best would happen is people inviting you to drinks. Hearing a person we admire talk with us is more important to us then any selfie or handshake."

Flustered, Katherine quickly followed Liv as she pulled her to introduce her to her friends. As Liv called out to them, Katherine couldn't help but feel her heartbeat quicken from nerves, that by the time the friends came over to look, she managed to shakily (to her, she was certain from the look on their faces that they didn't notice) say "Pleased to meet you." Katherine stepped closer to Liv, mostly not to stand out too much almost as if she was nuzzling up to Liv, or, to her own self-punishing denial-ridden mind, hiding. She was amazed at how tall the blonde friend was compared to Liv, but was equally unnerved by the red-haired girl's laugh. She had to admit though, the mousy girl at the end seemed cute in her own way. Still, it didn't compare to Liv. And so Katherine wiated for a response, half wanting to die, half excited.

"Oh, come on, lassie!", the redhead called with a grin, slipping into a broad country accent, "We don't bite! Do we, Livvie?"
"Nah, ya don't.", Liv replied and led Katherine closer. "Girls, this is Katherine, student from abroad. Katy, these are Asteria..."
The blonde nodded.
"...Lesley..."
"Charmed!", the redhead said with a wide grin.
"...and Meave, our Little Black Vixen.", Liv finished with a grin.
The mousy one gave a small smile, in which the mischief spoke, almost yelled.

[Polish Prussian Commonwealth]

Filleadh House
Marie looked on as Yven was buried under the avalanche of questions by his sister. She went up to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Yven, you never told me your sister was in town. You both spent the summer trampling cow manure, correct?"




Shella
Klaus finished up breakfast and went back up to his room. He lay back down on his bed and sighed.
Let's see...
19 years, 59 days since Karl's birth.
3 years, 5 days, since Karl was in that gang...
2 years, 1 day, since I threw him out of the house...

He stood up, pulled on his boots, and donned his battered coat and hat, and slowly went downstairs.
He went up to the receptionist. "Could you tell me how to get to Filleadh House?"

[Lillorainen]

Filleadh House.
Yven was luckily not present, but he would blush and be under a barrage of questions from his delighted sister. I didn't know, how Marie would react.
Anyway...
"Not to mention the already existing one.", I added with a grin, before I leaned over to Chris and kissed him onto the lips. No tongue was involved, but all the more love. When we broke apart, I smiled, looking into his eyes, this was never going to get old, then turned back to Bediviere. "Chris and I met a few months ago on the Archipelago and found out, that we liked each other very much... we've been together ever since."

Main Street.
"Indeed.", Marla agreed, grinning, "Don't worry, though, most people won't ask for an autograph or a selfie!" She grinned at that and repositioned herself on her horse with a smile. "Worst that could happen is the challenge to a race, but since you are riding a lent horse, you would be free to decline without anyone holding it against you."
Leonard, from behind them, added: "Best would happen is people inviting you to drinks. Hearing a person we admire talk with us is more important to us then any selfie or handshake."

Filleadh House
After the kiss, Chris looked in Cel's eyes, too, until she explained to Bedivere what he had missed about them. Indeed, this would not get old that fast, which, already a lot of people down there in Dumhach had noticed.
Chris remembered how Cao had looked at them like a broken car, and she would probably stare at her brother the same way yet today. Yeah, finding one's love in the somewhat-similar-to-tropical climate of the Oileánra-Archipelago was easy - Chris hadn't been the only Lillo who had done so, although it had all gone differently from what he had originally planned for Dragan and Janina ...
He nodded and grinned. "You should have seen how surprised Cao was."

Main Street
Hilda nodded. "Sounds like a good philosophy!"
"Especially the part with the drinks, eh?" - Fred said, grinning. He turned to Leonard and Marla. "You have to know that it's usual in our parts to have a drink, or two, after a race, even with your competitors, as a sign to say it was a good race, even if you've lost. A sign of comradeship amongst competitors."
"One of the best drinks I've ever had."
"Hasn't Caro van Cleef even tried to drink you under the table with 'Vodka Wick-Blau'?"
Hilda shrugged. "Planned to, but we agreed on a tie after the first three sips of that stuff."

[Kuronami]

"Yep, that it is!", Kenny agreed, looking forward with a grin, to the large number of steel hulls and wooden vessels, which crowded Shella's natural harbour. The wharfs were full of people, the water filled with boats ferrying people from the larger ships to shore and back again.
There were small cruise liners, large yachts, a fisheries research vessel, the replica of a 16th century Selkie-Vessel, fisher boats, a few freighters, a patrol vessel of the Water Polices, a good five dozen vessels, most of them flying the flag of the Free Lands, the Bratach. The Kyrenaian silver crescent moon was visible a few times as well. A few other, foreign flags fluttered in the breeze as well.
And then, there were the flying boats and amphibians, which had their own section cordoned off by buoys. Participants of the airshow later were already on the 'runway', but as they watched, a large amphibian rose into the air, trailing droplets of water behind itself, then banked towards the south, an airliner.
There was not one military vessel present.
Kenny grinned.
"So, Billie... ready to see a lot of sea-vessels, some of which can even fly?", Kenny asked.

Billie went pretty wide eyed seeing all the ships of all sizes in the harbor "Wow there's so many!" She faced Kenny. "It's so amazing how many ships there are. I can't wait to see some of them. F-fly? Now you're pullin' my leg!" She almost wouldn't believe it but he seemed sincere, she couldn't wait.

[The Selkie]

Filleadh House
Marie looked on as Yven was buried under the avalanche of questions by his sister. She went up to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Yven, you never told me your sister was in town. You both spent the summer trampling cow manure, correct?"




Shella
Klaus finished up breakfast and went back up to his room. He lay back down on his bed and sighed.
Let's see...
19 years, 59 days since Karl's birth.
3 years, 5 days, since Karl was in that gang...
2 years, 1 day, since I threw him out of the house...

He stood up, pulled on his boots, and donned his battered coat and hat, and slowly went downstairs.
He went up to the receptionist. "Could you tell me how to get to Filleadh House?"

Filleadh House
After the kiss, Chris looked in Cel's eyes, too, until she explained to Bedivere what he had missed about them. Indeed, this would not get old that fast, which, already a lot of people down there in Dumhach had noticed.
Chris remembered how Cao had looked at them like a broken car, and she would probably stare at her brother the same way yet today. Yeah, finding one's love in the somewhat-similar-to-tropical climate of the Oileánra-Archipelago was easy - Chris hadn't been the only Lillo who had done so, although it had all gone differently from what he had originally planned for Dragan and Janina ...
He nodded and grinned. "You should have seen how surprised Cao was."

Main Street
Hilda nodded. "Sounds like a good philosophy!"
"Especially the part with the drinks, eh?" - Fred said, grinning. He turned to Leonard and Marla. "You have to know that it's usual in our parts to have a drink, or two, after a race, even with your competitors, as a sign to say it was a good race, even if you've lost. A sign of comradeship amongst competitors."
"One of the best drinks I've ever had."
"Hasn't Caro van Cleef even tried to drink you under the table with 'Vodka Wick-Blau'?"
Hilda shrugged. "Planned to, but we agreed on a tie after the first three sips of that stuff."

Filleadh House.
Cao stopped hugging her brother to look at the girl, then at her brother.
"Yven...", she said with a sweet, sweet smile.
The young man blushed sheepishly, looking to Marie, still an arm around the girl with the very much moving animal ears on her head.
"Marie, my sister, Caoimhe.", he introduced, gently nudging the young woman he had an arm around, reminding her of proper manners.
She sighed lightly, then smiled. "Sorry about that... everyone calls me Cao. Pleasure to meet you, Marie.", she said and bowed her head lightly, "And yes, we bettered up our pocket money in Súdaire. Though, the one trampling was him, I was running from place to place with the delivery wagons, noting down, who got how much and when. Smelled like crazy..."
"Especially after you slipped..."
"What happens in Súdaire stays in Súdaire.", Cao made clear.

I smiled at the memory. Cao had almost popped her eyes out!
I guessed, that she would react a bit differently today, as it was her brother we are talking about, but still... I hated missing that magic moment, when she found out, that her brother had a boyfriend.
I took a quick glance at the next clock, seeing, that we still had time until the official start, call it twenty minutes...
"Be right back.", I whispered to Chris, smiling, then rose and moved to Lise and Ana. I moved behind them, grinning by then. "Girls, I need yer help, for a little prank..."
My words were accompanied by a mischievous glint in my eyes.
The Big Black Vixen was my Goddess and I Her Servant, after all.

Main Street.
"I can imagine!", Marla said with a grin. She was, from an errand she ran a bit ago, familiar with Lillorainen's drinking culture and the stuff known as Vodka Wick-Blau. She even tried it... let's just leave it at her not liking it. "But in all seriousness, we, too, practice camraderie, not only by drinking, but also by training and sometimes hanging out together. Leonard and I, for example, clash swords often for training."
"And fun.", Leonard added, "I might be more of a mounted archer, but I can hold my own with a sword... and thanks to her training, even more so!"
Marla blushed, but there was pride in her eyes.

Uachtair Inn.
The receptionist nodded.
"Filleadh House, eh?", he said and nodded. He thought, that his house's guest might have business with the Barrialls, but Cao had said, that they were having guests, when she got the breadrolls and other stuff... at the end of the day, it was not his concern, so he would not ask further. Instead, he waved one of his waitresses over, the Mini-Maid in her blue-and-white frilled dress, with gloves and choker, a little ribbon and a cute tie. She looked adorable with her white-blonde hair in a braid, held together by a blue ribbon at the end. "Rona, the Gentleman wants to Filleadh House. Mind showing him the way?"
The girl, maybe twelve, thirteen, smiled at Klaus.
"It would be mah pleasure, Sir!", she said with enthusiasm. "Follow me!"
It would not take too long for them, maybe fifteen minutes.

Billie went pretty wide eyed seeing all the ships of all sizes in the harbor "Wow there's so many!" She faced Kenny. "It's so amazing how many ships there are. I can't wait to see some of them. F-fly? Now you're pullin' my leg!" She almost wouldn't believe it but he seemed sincere, she couldn't wait.

Kenny grinned at Billie, pointing towards the seaplane harbour.
"Some of those are flyin' boats - so, boats, which fly!", he said and grinned, "I show you a few later. I know one of the pilots in the airshow later!"
Áed nodded - they all, indeed, knew someone. They had connections, even if only by coincidence.
They officially arrived in the harbour area as they moved past a few warehouses, large structures, which were busy despite the festival - or maybe because.
"But fer now...", Kenny said and motioned to a small vessel, maybe ten, twelve metres from one end to the other, not counting the bowsprit, a mast without sail standing tall, a small boat, which might as well had been a sailing yacht. The Bratach was on its main mast, she was moored to the same quay as a medium-sized yacht, who's guards were keeping an eye on the little boat as well. "...that one's ours!"
"The smaller one.", Áed clarified with a smile, just so that there were no misunderstandings.

[Mervay]

Filleadh House.
Cao stopped hugging her brother to look at the girl, then at her brother.
"Yven...", she said with a sweet, sweet smile.
The young man blushed sheepishly, looking to Marie, still an arm around the girl with the very much moving animal ears on her head.
"Marie, my sister, Caoimhe.", he introduced, gently nudging the young woman he had an arm around, reminding her of proper manners.
She sighed lightly, then smiled. "Sorry about that... everyone calls me Cao. Pleasure to meet you, Marie.", she said and bowed her head lightly, "And yes, we bettered up our pocket money in Súdaire. Though, the one trampling was him, I was running from place to place with the delivery wagons, noting down, who got how much and when. Smelled like crazy..."
"Especially after you slipped..."
"What happens in Súdaire stays in Súdaire.", Cao made clear.

I smiled at the memory. Cao had almost popped her eyes out!
I guessed, that she would react a bit differently today, as it was her brother we are talking about, but still... I hated missing that magic moment, when she found out, that her brother had a boyfriend.
I took a quick glance at the next clock, seeing, that we still had time until the official start, call it twenty minutes...
"Be right back.", I whispered to Chris, smiling, then rose and moved to Lise and Ana. I moved behind them, grinning by then. "Girls, I need yer help, for a little prank..."
My words were accompanied by a mischievous glint in my eyes.
The Big Black Vixen was my Goddess and I Her Servant, after all.

Lise was surprised when Cel appeared behind her and she just grinned and proposed with an mischievous look, an prank.
This made Devienne go full for the idea and the same mischievous look appeared.

"I'm all ears" she said nodding and preparing to listen Celina's proposal for the prank.

[San Prospero]

*RETCONNED*

[Camelone]

"I will most definitely take that into consideration." Bedivere said with a chuckle as he grabbed the lemonade and took his seat in the tiny circle that was formed. He raised an eyebrow at the mention of love blooming already, especially among the foreigners like himself, he guessed it was his own sensibilities. "I must say that trying to shake formalities is hard for a Camelonean but I shall try to humor you." He said with a smirk towards Lise. He also began to think about how he could contribute to the festivities in the realm of music, he was still a rather good fiddler and singer in his opinion.

"It is excellent that I have not missed much, I was a little afraid that I had. Now where do you think they have run off to?" Bedivere asked Chris gesturing to the retreating forms of Cel and Lise with his lemonade.

[Solisian Union]

The lad blushed quite heavily at the teasing, reacting completely and falling for her playing with him, hook, line, sinker and fishing rod. He didn't even realize, that he was the mouse in front of the cat.
It was almost cute.
"Ah-I wouldn't go as far as making it my profession...", he stuttered out, "...maybe I will. I don't know yet. I know, that my schoolmates love to read my travelling reports..." He blushed further. "I'm from the Iris High School in Fortham, Ma'am. A good school..."

The journalist could only giggle as she pulled away from him, doing her best to...ah, limit her teasing of him. What a nice young man. Back in the Union, she'd kill to have some more time with a man like this. Often, those like him tend to be too pure. For him, in this country, perhaps she could have a nice affair...or end up in jail for harassing a minor. She blushed heavily at the thought and then looked to him as she said

"Well, if your schoolmates love your reports, then I am sure a journalist like me could too." She then winked at him again as she presented to him a calling card and said "Call me if you wish to speak to me more. Or perhaps hold me here and we could talk. But then again, we both are out here for a story~ Do give me a call. I'll be disappointed if you don't try." Then she walked away and hurried to snatch her story.

[Lillorainen]

Filleadh House.
Cao stopped hugging her brother to look at the girl, then at her brother.
"Yven...", she said with a sweet, sweet smile.
The young man blushed sheepishly, looking to Marie, still an arm around the girl with the very much moving animal ears on her head.
"Marie, my sister, Caoimhe.", he introduced, gently nudging the young woman he had an arm around, reminding her of proper manners.
She sighed lightly, then smiled. "Sorry about that... everyone calls me Cao. Pleasure to meet you, Marie.", she said and bowed her head lightly, "And yes, we bettered up our pocket money in Súdaire. Though, the one trampling was him, I was running from place to place with the delivery wagons, noting down, who got how much and when. Smelled like crazy..."
"Especially after you slipped..."
"What happens in Súdaire stays in Súdaire.", Cao made clear.

I smiled at the memory. Cao had almost popped her eyes out!
I guessed, that she would react a bit differently today, as it was her brother we are talking about, but still... I hated missing that magic moment, when she found out, that her brother had a boyfriend.
I took a quick glance at the next clock, seeing, that we still had time until the official start, call it twenty minutes...
"Be right back.", I whispered to Chris, smiling, then rose and moved to Lise and Ana. I moved behind them, grinning by then. "Girls, I need yer help, for a little prank..."
My words were accompanied by a mischievous glint in my eyes.
The Big Black Vixen was my Goddess and I Her Servant, after all.

Main Street.
"I can imagine!", Marla said with a grin. She was, from an errand she ran a bit ago, familiar with Lillorainen's drinking culture and the stuff known as Vodka Wick-Blau. She even tried it... let's just leave it at her not liking it. "But in all seriousness, we, too, practice camraderie, not only by drinking, but also by training and sometimes hanging out together. Leonard and I, for example, clash swords often for training."
"And fun.", Leonard added, "I might be more of a mounted archer, but I can hold my own with a sword... and thanks to her training, even more so!"
Marla blushed, but there was pride in her eyes.

Lise was surprised when Cel appeared behind her and she just grinned and proposed with an mischievous look, an prank.
This made Devienne go full for the idea and the same mischievous look appeared.

"I'm all ears" she said nodding and preparing to listen Celina's proposal for the prank.

"A prank?" Ana had a slightly uneasy look on her face. "What kind of prank are you thinking of? I'll do it, but with two conditions. First, nothing illegal. I don't have the cash to pay a fine, or bribe my way out of jail. Second, nothing dangerous, either for me or others. Fair enough?"

"I will most definitely take that into consideration." Bedivere said with a chuckle as he grabbed the lemonade and took his seat in the tiny circle that was formed. He raised an eyebrow at the mention of love blooming already, especially among the foreigners like himself, he guessed it was his own sensibilities. "I must say that trying to shake formalities is hard for a Camelonean but I shall try to humor you." He said with a smirk towards Lise. He also began to think about how he could contribute to the festivities in the realm of music, he was still a rather good fiddler and singer in his opinion.

"It is excellent that I have not missed much, I was a little afraid that I had. Now where do you think they have run off to?" Bedivere asked Chris gesturing to the retreating forms of Cel and Lise with his lemonade.

Filleadh House.
Yven and Cao were coming back, the latter being introducing to everyone who didn't know her yet. Yven wanted to tell a certain story from Súdaire, but Cao did not let him.
Cel got up, telling Chris that she would be right back, then went behind Lise and Ana and told them that she would need their help for a prank - while Lise, at once, had the same mischievous look in her eyes as Cel did, Ana's way of looking was rather insecure, she asked to be reassured that whatever they'd be up to, it was neither illegal, nor dangerous.
Bedivere wondered what they were planning. On his question, Chris shrugged. "Honestly, I've got no idea what they are up to" - he said. "But we'll see soon enough."

Main Street.
Fred and Hilda grinned. Guessing from Marla's grin, she quite could imagine - although they could not know about Marla's errand in Lillamala; had they known, they would have warned her in advance.
She was quite proud of training Leonard's sword skills, and indeed could be.
"And this is what it ought to be like" - Hilda said with an agreeing nod. "People who aren't much into sports tend to believe that we must hate the living guts of each other, and they are often surprised that the opposite is the case."
"Maybe it's because it doesn't sell as nicely in the media" - Fred said.
"Maybe ..."

[Kuronami]

Kenny grinned at Billie, pointing towards the seaplane harbour.
"Some of those are flyin' boats - so, boats, which fly!", he said and grinned, "I show you a few later. I know one of the pilots in the airshow later!"
Áed nodded - they all, indeed, knew someone. They had connections, even if only by coincidence.
They officially arrived in the harbour area as they moved past a few warehouses, large structures, which were busy despite the festival - or maybe because.
"But fer now...", Kenny said and motioned to a small vessel, maybe ten, twelve metres from one end to the other, not counting the bowsprit, a mast without sail standing tall, a small boat, which might as well had been a sailing yacht. The Bratach was on its main mast, she was moored to the same quay as a medium-sized yacht, who's guards were keeping an eye on the little boat as well. "...that one's ours!"
"The smaller one.", Áed clarified with a smile, just so that there were no misunderstandings.

"Boats that can fly!" She said still with some disbelief but now more awe and wonder. Really she was anxiously awaiting to see it for herself. Then seeing the nice little boat they called their own filled her heart with joy. "Wow it's so cute!" It was as they described and knowing it was theirs made her happy. It'd be like if she was showing where she lived she'd show it with all the pride in her heart and soul. "And it's what carries y'all 'cross the vast seas and oceans and helps ya haul in many yummy fishes."

[Polish Prussian Commonwealth]

Irene leaned in at the mention of a prank.? "Oh? A prank? Count me intrested."

snip

Irene sighed. "Ana, this isn't Portugal. Noone's going to shoot you for a practical joke."
She smiled. "Besides, you're a Prussian-Polish citizen with a goddamn ceremonial officer's commission to boot. If something happened to you Kaiser would be raising all kinds of hell."

Filleadh House.
Cao stopped hugging her brother to look at the girl, then at her brother.
"Yven...", she said with a sweet, sweet smile.
The young man blushed sheepishly, looking to Marie, still an arm around the girl with the very much moving animal ears on her head.
"Marie, my sister, Caoimhe.", he introduced, gently nudging the young woman he had an arm around, reminding her of proper manners.
She sighed lightly, then smiled. "Sorry about that... everyone calls me Cao. Pleasure to meet you, Marie.", she said and bowed her head lightly, "And yes, we bettered up our pocket money in Súdaire. Though, the one trampling was him, I was running from place to place with the delivery wagons, noting down, who got how much and when. Smelled like crazy..."
"Especially after you slipped..."
"What happens in Súdaire stays in Súdaire.", Cao made clear.

The receptionist nodded.
"Filleadh House, eh?", he said and nodded. He thought, that his house's guest might have business with the Barrialls, but Cao had said, that they were having guests, when she got the breadrolls and other stuff... at the end of the day, it was not his concern, so he would not ask further. Instead, he waved one of his waitresses over, the Mini-Maid in her blue-and-white frilled dress, with gloves and choker, a little ribbon and a cute tie. She looked adorable with her white-blonde hair in a braid, held together by a blue ribbon at the end. "Rona, the Gentleman wants to Filleadh House. Mind showing him the way?"
The girl, maybe twelve, thirteen, smiled at Klaus.
"It would be mah pleasure, Sir!", she said with enthusiasm. "Follow me!"
It would not take too long for them, maybe fifteen minutes.

Marie smiled. "It's nice to meet you, Cao."
Karl hobbled up to the trio, leaning on his crutch. "So, Yven, this is your sister?"

Uachtair Inn.
Klaus walked briskly behind...Rona. After a few seconds of silence, he spoke. "...You look rather young to be working. Aren't there child labor laws here or something?"

[The Selkie]

Lise was surprised when Cel appeared behind her and she just grinned and proposed with an mischievous look, an prank.
This made Devienne go full for the idea and the same mischievous look appeared.

"I'm all ears" she said nodding and preparing to listen Celina's proposal for the prank.

"A prank?" Ana had a slightly uneasy look on her face. "What kind of prank are you thinking of? I'll do it, but with two conditions. First, nothing illegal. I don't have the cash to pay a fine, or bribe my way out of jail. Second, nothing dangerous, either for me or others. Fair enough?"

Irene leaned in at the mention of a prank.? "Oh? A prank? Count me intrested."

snip

Irene sighed. "Ana, this isn't Portugal. Noone's going to shoot you for a practical joke."
She smiled. "Besides, you're a Prussian-Polish citizen with a goddamn ceremonial officer's commission to boot. If something happened to you Kaiser would be raising all kinds of hell."

Marie smiled. "It's nice to meet you, Cao."
Karl hobbled up to the trio, leaning on his crutch. "So, Yven, this is your sister?"

Uachtair Inn.
Klaus walked briskly behind...Rona. After a few seconds of silence, he spoke. "...You look rather young to be working. Aren't there child labor laws here or something?"

Filleadh House.
Knowing, that we were attracting a bit of attention, I first looked to Ana, smiling.
"Irene has one point, I have another: It will neither be dangerous, nor illegal.", I told her, looking at my co-conspirators, "And if someone complains, then they'll have to answer to me and they will not like that. Shouldn't happen, though. Now..."
I let a beat pass, everyone hopefully reassured.
"...my plan is this.", I began, "We'll be making a bit of music. I'll sing, the three of you will be playing your instruments. We'll be making said music, when Yven and Marie return. And we'll be performing the myshiest and soppiest love song we all know." I grinned, before I amended: "That of course depends on which said song is... I nominate My heart will go on."

Rona and Klaus.
The girl nodded as she led him along the streets.
"Indeed there are, Sir.", Rona said, "Minimum working age for Light Occupations, like waiter, log-dragger and so on, is eleven. That work is only allowed if mah teachers say, that it doesn't impede my school performance. If they do, I am to leave my work." She grinned. "I am good in school and it betters up my pocket money, so I don't complain!"

The journalist could only giggle as she pulled away from him, doing her best to...ah, limit her teasing of him. What a nice young man. Back in the Union, she'd kill to have some more time with a man like this. Often, those like him tend to be too pure. For him, in this country, perhaps she could have a nice affair...or end up in jail for harassing a minor. She blushed heavily at the thought and then looked to him as she said

"Well, if your schoolmates love your reports, then I am sure a journalist like me could too." She then winked at him again as she presented to him a calling card and said "Call me if you wish to speak to me more. Or perhaps hold me here and we could talk. But then again, we both are out here for a story~ Do give me a call. I'll be disappointed if you don't try." Then she walked away and hurried to snatch her story.

The lad smiled, nodding as he was red, putting the card into his pocket.
Then, he gathered up all of his courage. There was a girl he liked back home, a pretty lass, but he never had the bravery and guts to tell her, that he liked her, freezing up, never telling her... neither by deed, nor by word.
But that lass and his home were hundreds of kilometres away, so...
"Wait a moment, Alicia!", he called after the woman, Alicia according to the card, running after her and stopping next to her. He took a breath, then spoke: "I'm Finnegan. If you want, we can look around a bit together... I mean, I am sure, that I could learn a lot from you."
He was proud of himself for not freezing up, but his nervousness was all too obvious.

Main Street.
Fred and Hilda grinned. Guessing from Marla's grin, she quite could imagine - although they could not know about Marla's errand in Lillamala; had they known, they would have warned her in advance.
She was quite proud of training Leonard's sword skills, and indeed could be.
"And this is what it ought to be like" - Hilda said with an agreeing nod. "People who aren't much into sports tend to believe that we must hate the living guts of each other, and they are often surprised that the opposite is the case."
"Maybe it's because it doesn't sell as nicely in the media" - Fred said.
"Maybe ..."

Main Street.
"Indeed.", Marla said, remembering one memorable instance, "But really, this is how it is like with us Marcach: On the field, we are bitter opponents and rivals, but off of it..." She smiled at an old story. "After I was born, my Mam and I spent two weeks in the hospital to make sure, that everything was alright. On the second day, we already received visitors, a few friends of my Dad. Bitter competitors of his on the field, one of them a veritable tower of a man, who got to hold me." She grinned. "There's even a picture of this two metres tall person, with shoulders broad as a cupboard, carefully holding me, cradling me in his arms... nowadays he is my competitor as well and I still call him Uncle!"

"Boats that can fly!" She said still with some disbelief but now more awe and wonder. Really she was anxiously awaiting to see it for herself. Then seeing the nice little boat they called their own filled her heart with joy. "Wow it's so cute!" It was as they described and knowing it was theirs made her happy. It'd be like if she was showing where she lived she'd show it with all the pride in her heart and soul. "And it's what carries y'all 'cross the vast seas and oceans and helps ya haul in many yummy fishes."

Kenny grinned.
"Indeed, that's her. If I may introduce, the Iasc Eitilte, or Flying Fish.", he proudly told her with his twang, Áed and his wife staying back a bit to give the kids a bit of space, winking to Billie's parents so that they might do the same. Kenny led Billie down to the boat. He could now tell her all sorts of technical data and so on, but he decided to smile at her. "She carries us good and safe, mah Dad and I. And the fish are delicious!"
As they arrived at the side of the small vessel, he looked at Billie.
"Wanna come aboard?", he asked her with a grin.

[San Prospero]

*RETCONNED*

[Polish Prussian Commonwealth]

Irene grinned and pulled out her flute. "Count. Me. In!"
For emphasis she started playing the first few bars of Hohenfriedberger Marsch, before abruptly ceasing. "Wrong song, sorry. As for suggestions...I suppose "Lilli Marlene" could work, although not as well as "My heart will go on"."

Rosa and Klaus
Klaus smiled. "I see...you know, at your age I was already a powder monkey...essentially I helped load cannons for warships."

OOC: Selks, you forgot about Karl and Marie.

[The Selkie]

"Hey, I think I know that song!", said Ana. "It's from the movie Titanic, right? Sure, let's do that one. But is there a piano here? That's the only instrument I know how to play. Or I could sing along with you."

Ana was relieved, now that she knew the prank was harmless. Although the Free Lands were much more free than Portugal (then again, probably any place had better human rights than Salazar's Catholic State), she still had a deep-rooted mistrust of authorities and fear of doing anything illegal. But those fears were gone, once Cel told her the plan was to sing a romantic love song when Yven and Marie got back.

Irene grinned and pulled out her flute. "Count. Me. In!"
For emphasis she started playing the first few bars of Hohenfriedberger Marsch, before abruptly ceasing. "Wrong song, sorry. As for suggestions...I suppose "Lilli Marlene" could work, although not as well as "My heart will go on"."

Rosa and Klaus
Klaus smiled. "I see...you know, at your age I was already a powder monkey...essentially I helped load cannons for warships."

OOC: Selks, you forgot about Karl and Marie.

[...]
Marie smiled. "It's nice to meet you, Cao."
Karl hobbled up to the trio, leaning on his crutch. "So, Yven, this is your sister?"

OOC: Sorry...

I grinned at both of them.
"Then it's settled!", I said and petted them both on the shoulders, looking to Lise. Sure, we might wanted to organize something to the effect of a piano (I think, that I saw one in the salon), but that could be managed. "What about you? Any song suggestions from you?"
It would most likely end with My Heart will go on, if there were enough votes for it. Lookin' good so far!

A bit away from us, Cao smiled and nodded.
"That I am.", she said and kissed her brother on his cheek, the ears on her head twitching in excitement. "This lad is my brother, him being younger by twelve minutes."
"And you got us breadrolls, right?", Yven asked, his mouth watering at the mere thought.
"Indeed I did!", Cao answered with a grin, then turned to Marie and Karl, "So, Marie... I take, that he is your boyfriend?" She nodded to Karl, bowing her head lightly. "It's a pleasure, Mister...?"

Rona and Klaus.
The Mini-Maid smiled as she led the man along the streets.
"A powder monkey?", she said, happily, "That sounds fun! You must have come around a lot... my Dad owns a fishing boat and he comes around a lot, too. When he takes me with him, it's always fun!"

[Kuronami]

Kenny grinned.
"Indeed, that's her. If I may introduce, the Iasc Eitilte, or Flying Fish.", he proudly told her with his twang, Áed and his wife staying back a bit to give the kids a bit of space, winking to Billie's parents so that they might do the same. Kenny led Billie down to the boat. He could now tell her all sorts of technical data and so on, but he decided to smile at her. "She carries us good and safe, mah Dad and I. And the fish are delicious!"
As they arrived at the side of the small vessel, he looked at Billie.
"Wanna come aboard?", he asked her with a grin.

"Flyin' Fish huh? Well I reckon' she flies over the water and the waves mighty fine! You gotta tell me some times about what it's like sailin' aboard and all around! I just wanna know lots!" Growing ever more comfortable around him she smiled her big smile. Even his own little accent started coming out more, seemed he had a cute twang of his own. He offered her to come aboard and blushing and taking his hand she stammered out "W-why yes I do! I'd be most pleasured!"

[Polish Prussian Commonwealth]

Karl and Marie looked at each other for a few seconds before breaking out into laughter. When it died down Karl shook his head. "Nah, nah, if anything her boyfriend's this lucky bastard." At this he slapped Yven's back playfully.
Marie nodded. "Karl's more of an...older brother, I suppose."
Karl smiled. "In any case, my name's Karl Störtebeker von Danzig."

Rona and Klaus
Klaus chuckled. "I see. I don't come around much, I went from powder monkey to a captain of a destroyer... Both are great jobs."
He sighed. "...until they aren't."

[The Selkie]

Kenny grinned.
"Indeed, that's her. If I may introduce, the Iasc Eitilte, or Flying Fish.", he proudly told her with his twang, Áed and his wife staying back a bit to give the kids a bit of space, winking to Billie's parents so that they might do the same. Kenny led Billie down to the boat. He could now tell her all sorts of technical data and so on, but he decided to smile at her. "She carries us good and safe, mah Dad and I. And the fish are delicious!"
As they arrived at the side of the small vessel, he looked at Billie.
"Wanna come aboard?", he asked her with a grin.

"Flyin' Fish huh? Well I reckon' she flies over the water and the waves mighty fine! You gotta tell me some times about what it's like sailin' aboard and all around! I just wanna know lots!" Growing ever more comfortable around him she smiled her big smile. Even his own little accent started coming out more, seemed he had a cute twang of his own. He offered her to come aboard and blushing and taking his hand she stammered out "W-why yes I do! I'd be most pleasured!"

Kenny's father smiled, as he saw his son help Billie onto the railing and a sense of pride and paternal achievement formed in his chest. He was so proud of his son!
He saw in his wife's eyes, that she felt similarly.
And then, he heard the yell.
His head snapped back, the last thing he saw being Billie's foot vanishing behind the railing.
The next thing he knew, was, that he looked at the pile of limbs that were his son and his girl, one foot on the railing himself.
No doubt, his boy had lost his balance and dragged her with him, her head now resting on his chest as he rubbed a spot on the back of his own head.
"Kenny!", his wife shouted, jumping over the railing, kneeling by her son, "Are you alright? Billie, what about you?"
"We're okay, Mam, only a slight bump on the back of my head. I protected Billie.", he said with a bit of pride at the end, before he looked to the girl, hugging her to his chest. His face beet-red, he asked: "I did, didn't I?"

Karl and Marie looked at each other for a few seconds before breaking out into laughter. When it died down Karl shook his head. "Nah, nah, if anything her boyfriend's this lucky bastard." At this he slapped Yven's back playfully.
Marie nodded. "Karl's more of an...older brother, I suppose."
Karl smiled. "In any case, my name's Karl Störtebeker von Danzig."

Rona and Klaus
Klaus chuckled. "I see. I don't come around much, I went from powder monkey to a captain of a destroyer... Both are great jobs."
He sighed. "...until they aren't."

Cao looked from Marie to her brother, then back to Marie.
The ears on her head twitched.
"Huh.", she made and, her eyes not straying from Marie, waved Karl to make a few steps back. Yven rushed forward to help him, for he knew, what was coming: Cao began, in slow, measured steps, to round Marie, looking at her from every angle, not speaking as she almost inspected her. She finally stopped after her third round. "Huh."
A pause.
"Cao?", Yven asked.
The young woman spoke something in Selkie, which made Yven blush, before the young woman turned back to Marie. "Alright... let's see, where this will go.", she said and smiled slightly.
Yven slung her arms around her from behind, smiling as he kissed Marie's crook of the neck.
Cao nodded and turned to Karl, leaving her brother and his girlfriend to their privacy.
"So...", she said and joined his side, "...lean onto me and we'll leave the lovebirds to their fun!"

Rona and Klaus.
The girl looked at him a bit oddly, then nodded.
She had quite a bit of experience in her job of waiting. It was not all smiles and sunshine, she knew that already. In any case, the bad days were few and very far inbetween.
"My Dad always says, that the Navy and the Water Polices are to thank for, that the Seas are safe and pirate-free. That was not always the case, he says, and fisherman once was a dangerous job not only due to storms.", she said and smiled at Klaus. "So, you and your fellow seamen keep the seas of your homeland safe and pirate-free. That is important!"
She nodded wisely.

[Kuronami]

Kenny's father smiled, as he saw his son help Billie onto the railing and a sense of pride and paternal achievement formed in his chest. He was so proud of his son!
He saw in his wife's eyes, that she felt similarly.
And then, he heard the yell.
His head snapped back, the last thing he saw being Billie's foot vanishing behind the railing.
The next thing he knew, was, that he looked at the pile of limbs that were his son and his girl, one foot on the railing himself.
No doubt, his boy had lost his balance and dragged her with him, her head now resting on his chest as he rubbed a spot on the back of his own head.
"Kenny!", his wife shouted, jumping over the railing, kneeling by her son, "Are you alright? Billie, what about you?"
"We're okay, Mam, only a slight bump on the back of my head. I protected Billie.", he said with a bit of pride at the end, before he looked to the girl, hugging her to his chest. His face beet-red, he asked: "I did, didn't I?"

Billie felt like she was gliding with Kenny leading her along because she was as the two took a tumble onto the boat deck. But Kenny in a snap instance was able to shield her form the brunt of the fall. Her Hero! At least they didn't plunge into the water. Sitting up her face just as red she nodded "Oh yeah! I'm okay!"

Billie's own parents ran up a bit amused at the sight but making sure she was okay too. "My my, you took a little spill but you're okay." Charlie patted her little one's head. "Glad Kenny was able to keep ya safe there."

"He did! Thanks Kenny!" she hugged him again in gratitude. She stood up again helping him to his feet as well, pushing her messy red hair from her eyes showing those cute baby blues of hers. "Ya know, I did tumble quite a lot on the trip over here! So, guess I'm kinda used to fallin' over my feet 'bout now!" She giggled