Sinope Harbour Festival (IC, MT)

[Mervay]

Mahmut nodded, took out his own ballpen and added a few words, mainly Edward's name and a few small details.
"Thank you, Sir, we will do it like that.", he said and handed it to a passing assistant, ordering him in a few Kyrenaian words. Turning back to Edward, he smiled slightly, spotting his colleague and Edward's wife walking towards the materials. "Allow me to assure you, that the dresses will be of the best materials and from the best seamstresses and seamsters we have. In the meantime, how about we join the ladies in picking the materials?"

The saleswoman nodded.
"That would, of course be possible.", she said and led her deeper into the shop, to the stations with fabrics, where one could pick which one would be preferred. Taking out a small notebook herself, she looked at her customer. "Now, how we begin with picking the materials for you, Ma'am? Anything in particular, which you want or want to avoid? Allergies or a certain degree of transparence, which you would like to have... or rather not have?"

"I don't see any problems on that" Edward said grinning as he went with Mahmut to the deeper of the store.

He was relieved that everything would be going fine with the orders and that they won't suffer any problems, now his question was if his stay tomorrow here could affect his schedule with his wife... But that won't be possible since it is the perfect excuse for stay another day on town.
When he found the girls deep onto the store, Jessica was thinking on the materials for the dress; something she got on her mind thankfully and that it just needed to see if it was posible.

"Well I want it to not be too transparent, but not conservative so something in the middle; some slight gold decorations but that are very well hidden or discreet" Jessica said as she thought about it on her mind. "Now the materials itself, I would want an mix between polyester and silk if it is not too much to ask" she explained as her husband grabbed her from behind, making her jump scared an little.

"I'm surprised you still fall from that thing even now" he said giggling as he kissed her cheek before let her go.

"Don't remind me of it" she said blushing and looking away embarassed before look him back. "650 NSD are for all" she said as he nodded.

"Seems good, I tell you that we need to wait until tomorrow for our dresses to be ready in case you wonder" he told her as she nodded and begun to take out her wallet and so her husband with each of them grabbing 325 NSD from them.

"650 NSD for everything right??" the man asked to make sure they grabbed the right amount.

[Lillorainen]

"Sky trains?" asks Micky having never heard the term, "as in some kind of overhead railway or is it like somekind of suspended cable car?"

"well a few of the roads back home have no speed limit, though those roads you can't exactly call roads, they're more of gravel tracks so going fast is kinda fun, into you end up facing where you came, so the general rule we abide by is a safe and prudent speed, which also means that if you're doing forty kays on the Terra-Link and everything else is doing sixty or eighty, you can get busted just as easy, its a bit Bavarian in that respect" points out Zoe,

And with the comment off Ratko about leaving for the town, Zoe nodded before getting up, "yup, sounds a good idea" she says, picking up her phone with one hand and Jax with the other. "Ingmar, before we go, I just have to just get the cat leash so he can be walked safely" Now to some a walk with a dog is normal, less so a cat, however its common with cats as well as dogs to have their owners walk them on leads although some cats take it better than others. "i shall be back in a moment" and sure enough Zoe stepped onto the deck and made her way down the gang plank to the pontoon jetty before making her way over onto the Luna. Micky is also quite admiring of the Milenka, she also thinks that Zoe Mariner would actually do well at the helm.

"It's more like a suspended cable car" - Ratko replied, "or Schwebebahn, as we call it in German. There are quite famous examples for it. They are built were the ground quality doesn't allow an underground railway, and where there is no space for trams. Then again, we only build them in cities that are far away from the coast, for there is no saltwater attacking the materials. This is why it's one of the rather uncommon ways to get around in our cities. As far as I know, only Saskilde, Freudenberg, and Brunweiler have such a system."
Merle said, "As for our road system - our highway system covers up most of the country nowadays. They are mutiple-carriageway roads by definition, and as I said, there are no speed limits. These only exist within built-up areas and on one-laned country roads. The 'reasonable and prudent' rule is part of our Road Rules Act. For our Federal Highways, there is even a simple numbering system - those with even numbers go east-west; those with uneven numbers go north-south. Orbital bypasses have a number divisible by ten. Single-digit highways are of national meaning, two-digit highways are of regional meaning, three-digit highways are mostly feeder roads. Although the system looks confusing at a first glance due to the extreme density especially in metropolitan areas, it will appear easy to you once you've gotten into the system."
"Of course it's a bit different with the systems of Federal Routes and State Roads" - Ratko added. "Those can be built up like an Autobahn, too, but don't have to. Yet, this shouldn't scare you - there are motorcyclists coming from the Free Lands who aren't used to these road types at all, and they find into it, too. The only thing you might have trouble with in the beginning is that Lillorainen drives on the right."
Ingmar nodded in approval when Zoe announced to get the cat leash for Jax - although he was indeed surprised that Jax was one of the few cats who could be walked just like dogs. He nodded, and there Zoe was off.

[The Chuck]

As Alexander continued to walk down the wharf he saw a sign pointing towards a local merchant guild/hall. Walking towards the guild building he continued to puff away on his pipe while the children continued to listen while he sang "Blow the Man Down". Upon reaching the entrance he stopped and turned around to face the children. Reaching into his coat pocket he pulled out a couple gold sovereigns and handed one to each of the children.

"Hold on to these well children, they're a special token of the sailors of old."

While many of the children thanked him for his generosity, Alexander tipped his cap and walked into the building. Thinking to himself he hoped he would find someone inside who would be willing to sell him some supplies. They wouldn't load up until after the festival was over but it never hurt to take care of business before it was time to depart.

[Kyrenaia]

"My dear, replies Peter, who do you take me for? Of course I have heard of the Great Charles, as the French called him. I even learned from him, he was a mentor of sorts when I was still a young Emperor. I watched at his side when he reconciliated with Adenauer, and helped pave the way for a better, brighter Europe, after all the deaths the little mustache had caused. It's a shame my brother Henry couldn't learn to truly see him for what he was.
However, with all the respect we had, and still have for the man, we won't toast. Because for as much as he was great, with the French Free Forces, the Harkis fate will still clung to his image. And no one can deny that.
- The Harkis, starts explaining Frank, were Algerian suppletives of the French Army when they fought from 1954 to 1962 to keep control of Algeria, but ultimately failed. De Gaulle promised that when the French would leave, everyone, included the Harkis, would not be left behind. But for some reason, he backpedaled, and left more than ten thousands of soldiers, as well as their families, in the hands of the now independent Algerians. And what do you think they did to the Harkis? Eh?
- They gutted them like pigs, spits Peter with an angry tone. Just because a fucking General couldn't keep a DAMN PROMISE!"
As the former Emperor has stood up and grabbed the railing, looking to the sea, Thomas continues:
"But as you know, in the 1980s, when Algeria was fighting with terrorists rebel groups on its own territory, we helped them. But when this war ended, we managed to force them to accept that we establish a protectorate on them. That's why it's now called Scarlet North Africa.
-And one key point we made them recognize was that what they did to the Harkis was unforgiveable, even if they had fought against them, finishes Peter as he turns back to the group, calmed.

"That, Marla...", Amina said after she had toasted, "...should serve you as a good lesson..."
Whatever the lesson was was lost to posterity as Amina looked at her ward. Marla had her brow furrowed in thought, looking at Thomas in thought.
"Something's on your mind.", Amina said with a small smile.
"Perhaps.", the little girl said and bowed her head lightly, but respectfully to Thomas, "Please forgive me, Your Excellency, if I am overstepping my bounds by asking, for there are still many things, which I need to learn." She made clear, that her question might raise some hackles. "I require more information to make have an informed opinion about the... colonization of North Africa by the Empire, and what the difference between that process and the colonization of places like the Khanate of Jazirat Alshahwa is - or if there is a difference at all."
"What makes you ask that?", Amina asked, quite intrigued in the line of thought.
"His Excellency mentioned, that Algeria, after the war of independence, became an independent nation and that the new government killed all collaborators, now-foreign nationals and now-foreign soldiers, a process, which we saw in 1929 in the now-independent Va'a Mamao.", she said and so far, the Kyrenaians could follow, "In the 1980s, the Empire then assisted the Government of Algeria in combating terrorists, after which they forced Algeria into dependency on the Empire, making them a Protectorate, a Colony by a fancier term. Last year, Kyrenaian troops landed in Va'a Mamao to protect the local population and foreign nationals, including Kyrenaians, from being in the country, when it falls off the ledge and into the deep pit that is a Civil War, re-establishing the Khanate as well."
Marla made a pause and Amina nodded - there were differences, certainly, but also similarities.
She looked to the Imperials. "Well, the young lady requires an answer, which I am not able to give her.", she admitted, basically playing the ball into their court, "Would you please sate both her and my own curiosity?"

"Aha, you're very welcome" Yuki responded. "Fret not, really it is good." She sipped down the remaining tea in her cup setting it aside. It really did the trick in settling her churning stomach and she could feel her apatite returning. Also maybe it was just timing but she also felt her sense of balance returning rather than feeling like she was on a rocking boat.

"Feeling better now?", Ilia asked with a small smile as the Handmaiden moved forward to refill his own empty cup and Yuki's. "Don't worry, there's enough tea left."
Mahmut nodded, regaining his equilibrium.
"And I heard something about cookies as well?", the Crown Prince asked the Handmaiden hopefully, who smiled, as if to say Only for good little Princes!

It didn't surprise Iska a lot, that the visitors, all of them, understood what was meant, but leaving a little 'Editor's Note' surely couldn't harm.
The Medic-Teen apparently neither seemed to mind this fact, nor the, probably not that obvious fact, that Layla was already 24, thus quite a couple of years older than him. But he asked politely, and was obviously nervous. Perhaps, he and his mates weren't that ... well, hormon-controlled.
At least less than Yusuf.
She smiled. "I have nothing against it!" - she said. And why would she even? It was about a drink, not more, not less. "And while we're at it, feel free to leave the 'Miss' out and call me Layla. How may I address you?"
Maryam grinned when following both, considering having a certain song played for a moment. Another special surprise for Yusuf back in the Albustan House. But of course, the visitors would rather hear some nice, traditional background soundtrack, as Iska had proposed the night before yesterday. Unless the visitors wished a different style, that is.
Iska had noticed that, too, but spent less thoughts on it. After all, it was her job to make the drinks part happen, as that wouldn't magically do itself, and even though she was experienced at it, it was still a bit of work.
Faster than anyone could look, she was in the deckhouse and at her territory. It was very obvious that the SFSS Malika Aljazirat was not a cargo ship anymore; where in the olden days, large storage rooms had taken most of the deckhouse's space, a large, modern room now served its purpose as a party location, with leather couches and glass tables, but also a wooden set. The lights could be changed, easily turning the room into the disco dancefloor - but that wasn't necessary right now. Next to the room with the bunks, another room had the letters 'WC' on the door, in case someone needed to fill the container the youngest one in here had previously wished to know about.
Iska's territory, the bar, looked just as cozy as the rest of the room, with cupboards full of various bottles of drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Another one contained glasses, but Iska had already taken them out and placed them on the counter, just like a stack of ashtrays, another stack of beer mats, and a locked box of darts (the length whichof, 25 centimeters, was standard in Shamsiyya, but also responsible for the fact that the Federal Republic was rarely invited to international tournaments - especially for security reasons). The dartboard was in one of the corners of the room without furniture.
The price list was in English, showing the prices in both Dollars and Barqas (they didn't really expect anyone in here to pay with Shamsiyyan Guineas), placed above the counter.
Iska was ready.

The Medic-Teen was well aware of Layla being way older then him.
After his last experiences with love, he hoped for someone more mature this time around - and Layla seemed to fit the bill in his eyes. She was good-looking, mature, and she seemed to be cool.
"I'm Atif.", he said and bowed his head, "It is a great pleasure, Layla... any my apologies for forgetting my manners."
Leading her into the deckhouse, to the bar, he gave Maryam a firm nod - so far, so good... his nervousness was not subsiding. "One water for me, please, and for Layla..." He looked to her, smiling slightly, but nervously. "Do you have apple juice?"
His order for her was a guess - the sweetness of the juice would complement her well.
If she wanted to drink something else, he would pay for that, too - judging by the prices, he could easily afford that.
His friends had commandeered the darts, looking at them closely. They were more into archery (they were especially smitten by the HGA's Horsearchery Team for some reason), but they would not say no to a round of Kyrenaian Darts with Shamsiyyan darts.

The girls watched the, one could not phrase it differently, spectacle...

Spiciness was equally silent while the twin moved to pick up the fish, & he eventually moved to pick up the boxing gloves that Seafood had dropped. "Funny enough, a lot of people consider my home to be pretty weird!" he began with a smile, connecting his gloves to a red string at his neck & letting them hang loosely below his hands, "Guess he just got unlucky on the way here. It's a long, fantastical story, you four wouldn't want to hear it." He pouted in an endearing way, making it clear that whatever the story was, it would be embarrassing for him, & that perhaps they shouldn't ask him.
But it seemed equally likely that Seafood would love to tell the story, just to throw a wrench in his friend's flirtatious ways.

"Anyway, how about we get a move on? Don't worry too much, the two of us are good enough friends that he'll be able to find me," he continued before suddenly turning around & coming face to face with Seafood, who somehow got back in an oddly short amount of time, "Oh, that was fast! Did you get all your fish out?"
"Ah, jeez, don't just say that!" he said, giving his friend a playful shove, his right hand getting a bit uncomfortably close to Spiciness's chest, practically gripping the side of it, though neither mentioned his action, "You're gonna embarrass me!"
"You don't like that?" Spiciness teased with a smirk, "Ah, whatever! I think we should go get going with wherever the girls plan to take us, maybe that Hammam place, whatever that is..."

"A Hammam is a Public Steam Bath.", one of the twins explained with a small frown, "We wanted to go to see the Harbour Runner Race, though..."
Looking at her watch, the Redhead bit back a curse. "Yeah, we promised you that...", she said, then looked at the group, "Tell you what, lads, lassies, we are going to watch the race, yell our throats dry for Tariqa's and Razia's Dad and his boat and then, when all is said and done, we pick him and some of his lads and lassies up and let them pay for the Bath?"
Her proposal found three Kyrenaian girls agreeing, all of them looking to Seafood and Spiciness.
"And on the way to the harbour, you could tell us a bit about your homecountry.", the redhead finished.

Mahmut nodded, took out his own ballpen and added a few words, mainly Edward's name and a few small details.
"Thank you, Sir, we will do it like that.", he said and handed it to a passing assistant, ordering him in a few Kyrenaian words. Turning back to Edward, he smiled slightly, spotting his colleague and Edward's wife walking towards the materials. "Allow me to assure you, that the dresses will be of the best materials and from the best seamstresses and seamsters we have. In the meantime, how about we join the ladies in picking the materials?"

The saleswoman nodded.
"That would, of course be possible.", she said and led her deeper into the shop, to the stations with fabrics, where one could pick which one would be preferred. Taking out a small notebook herself, she looked at her customer. "Now, how we begin with picking the materials for you, Ma'am? Anything in particular, which you want or want to avoid? Allergies or a certain degree of transparence, which you would like to have... or rather not have?"

"I don't see any problems on that" Edward said grinning as he went with Mahmut to the deeper of the store.

He was relieved that everything would be going fine with the orders and that they won't suffer any problems, now his question was if his stay tomorrow here could affect his schedule with his wife... But that won't be possible since it is the perfect excuse for stay another day on town.
When he found the girls deep onto the store, Jessica was thinking on the materials for the dress; something she got on her mind thankfully and that it just needed to see if it was posible.

"Well I want it to not be too transparent, but not conservative so something in the middle; some slight gold decorations but that are very well hidden or discreet" Jessica said as she thought about it on her mind. "Now the materials itself, I would want an mix between polyester and silk if it is not too much to ask" she explained as her husband grabbed her from behind, making her jump scared an little.

"I'm surprised you still fall from that thing even now" he said giggling as he kissed her cheek before let her go.

"Don't remind me of it" she said blushing and looking away embarassed before look him back. "650 NSD are for all" she said as he nodded.

"Seems good, I tell you that we need to wait until tomorrow for our dresses to be ready in case you wonder" he told her as she nodded and begun to take out her wallet and so her husband with each of them grabbing 325 NSD from them.

"650 NSD for everything right??" the man asked to make sure they grabbed the right amount.

The saleswoman nodded to Mahmut, exchanging a few whispered words with him in Kyrenaian, but when the two customers got out their wallets, she made a declining hand gesture.
"We do final tallying at the checkout.", she told them, which was true, "Now, Madame, you wanted something with a silk-polyester mixture, not too translucent, but not too revealing, and with a golden thread..." She smiled. "I think, that I have something in mind for you. One moment, please."
Mahmut stayed with them. "The 'conservative' option, by the way...", he explained, "...actually is completely opaque, less out of choice and more out of limitation in production. Developments in Silk Manufacturing in the recent two centuries actually enabled us to mass-produce silks, which are translucent to varying degrees and not to rely on very special materials like Selkie-Silk." He let a small beat pass. "When the new technology emerged, the immediate trend went to more and more translucent, to the point of basically not being able to differ between dress and nakedness, that was in the 50s. By now, the pendulum has swung quite a bit, mostly to what you wish for."
"Here we go.", the saleswoman said as she reappeared with a width of silk. It was dark, a bit opaque, but one could see the saleswoman's hand through it as she demonstrated the fabric. And there was a golden thread, a singular strand, running along the sides. "That would make a very good veil."

As Alexander continued to walk down the wharf he saw a sign pointing towards a local merchant guild/hall. Walking towards the guild building he continued to puff away on his pipe while the children continued to listen while he sang "Blow the Man Down". Upon reaching the entrance he stopped and turned around to face the children. Reaching into his coat pocket he pulled out a couple gold sovereigns and handed one to each of the children.

"Hold on to these well children, they're a special token of the sailors of old."

While many of the children thanked him for his generosity, Alexander tipped his cap and walked into the building. Thinking to himself he hoped he would find someone inside who would be willing to sell him some supplies. They wouldn't load up until after the festival was over but it never hurt to take care of business before it was time to depart.

The children rushed off, leaving Alexander with his sovereigns.
Like every good child, they were not taking any gifts from strangers, no matter what songs they sang or how much they looked like steam ships. Even the mother with her child refused, bowed her head politely and walked off, whispering something to her child on her arm.
None of them cared, if they were special tokens of sailors of olden times where he came from, for they were most certainly not tokens of Kyrenaians sailors, past or present.
What Alexander might identify as a Guild Shop was the Supply Store of a Mister Yatabarae, who sold supplies to recreational vessels of smaller size - the larger ones bought their supplies with the wholesalers. But Mister Yatabarae could, with some pride, claim, that no less then eight Princes and Princesses of the current generation of Kyrenaian Royalty and an Ilkhan bought in his shop, he even had the photographs as proof.
He had almost everything, though, from rations to hardtack, from maps to navigational tools of older make and newer, from sails to common spare parts for engines. There was quite a selection available.
He also had two cute assistants, both around nineteen, one of which was at the register and working on a small group of travelers, the other of which was leading a young man towards the engine spare parts department.

Asuna took a moment to admire his figure how tall and muscular he is, a handsome man. "Please go ahead." She let him go to work with his hands giving her a real deep down massage. The first feeling strong was good though. "My first impressions are already positive I'd like you to know." She did know her stuff given how often her mother rubbed down her sore muscles in her first few weeks of military training.

---

Embracing her dear Aurelia back and safe in her great arms and grip now feeling better. She endured a long journey and the perils of the sea to see her again and to that she could only respond very simply "I love you too." She wanted to say more but she was a bit all spoken out for having to really make her case but no doubt in her mind, those four words would be plenty for aurelia to hear. she gently pushed back just a little to gaze up into her lover's eyes and give her a gentle kiss to her lips to properly conclude her message.

Amir smiled.
"Thank you, Asuna.", he told her, "My are, too... if I may say so, you have beautiful skin."
He indeed felt so, as he softly ran his hands along her shoulders - soft enough to be counted as soft, but strong enough to feel knotted muscles beneath them.
"You might call this a reconnaissance run.", he explained what he was doing. "The first lesson I was taught: Don't massage away, but first see, where you need to work."

Aurelia took the kiss and smiled as she looked into Marcella's eyes.
She knew, that Marcella loved her as much as she loved her, but looking deep into her eyes, she got a feeling of how much they loved each other. And it almost made Aurelia, again, give her all for Marcella and the love they shared.
Aldhiyb joined their side.
"I would love to stay with you like this forever.", she told Marcella, then pecked her onto the tip of her nose, "Gazing into your eyes, where I see the Sea, in all of its beauty." She almost sighed. "But sadly, we can't..."
She let go of their embrace and placed a hand on her Sandwolf's head.
"Do you want to give him the happy message?", she asked with a smile.

[Shamsiyya]

The Medic-Teen was well aware of Layla being way older then him.
After his last experiences with love, he hoped for someone more mature this time around - and Layla seemed to fit the bill in his eyes. She was good-looking, mature, and she seemed to be cool.
"I'm Atif.", he said and bowed his head, "It is a great pleasure, Layla... any my apologies for forgetting my manners."
Leading her into the deckhouse, to the bar, he gave Maryam a firm nod - so far, so good... his nervousness was not subsiding. "One water for me, please, and for Layla..." He looked to her, smiling slightly, but nervously. "Do you have apple juice?"
His order for her was a guess - the sweetness of the juice would complement her well.
If she wanted to drink something else, he would pay for that, too - judging by the prices, he could easily afford that.
His friends had commandeered the darts, looking at them closely. They were more into archery (they were especially smitten by the HGA's Horsearchery Team for some reason), but they would not say no to a round of Kyrenaian Darts with Shamsiyyan darts.

"The pleasure is mine, Atif." Layla bowed her head back. Her pronunciation of his name would reveal her as a Shamsiyyan again, precisely, as one from Sahaouine, for those who were familiar with Shamsiyyan dialects, which could vary even from village to village.
The apologies Atif asked for eliminated Layla's last doubts on him, when it came to manners; she also remembered, again, that he was Kyrenaian - which, if one guessed from what Shamsiyyans generally thought about them, was for politeness and good manners. Again, she remembered her thoughts about clichés and prejudices, which she had expressed in a conversation on Piffle with her Kyrenaian namesake (at least within the numerous Shamsiyyan writing systems, none of which would make any difference between Laila and Layla), who surely wasn't far away from here. It also showed that she had walked into her own trap.
A loud ka-ching! interrupted her thoughts. Iska had opened the cash register.
Layla nodded, confirming that she was totally fine with a glass of apple juice.
"Coming!" - Iska announced and quickly filled a glass with water and one with apple juice. Then, she announced the, indeed, low price.
Layla noticed that Iska just did her job, without leaving any comment, or even just showing any reaction, about Atif inviting Layla - after all, Iska wasn't only professional as a bar lady, but also when it came to taking nervousness and insecurity from someone. And the best way to achieve this was to keep straightfaced. Not to mention how long she had known Layla, including the bad luck she used to have when it came to love.
"And it's no problem at all - everyone in here may lose their manners in some situations, none of us being an exception" - she reassured him.
Both received their drinks.
With a vague hand gesture, Layla pointed onto the seats. "Please, pick a seat?" - she asked Atif.
Meanwhile, Iska unlocked the box with the darts, so the other teens could have their round.

[The Chuck]

Chuckling as the children scampered off Alexander pocketed his sovereigns and headed inside the store. Walking inside he was greeted by a man who greeted him as a 'Mister Yatabarae'. After introducing himself Alexander inquired with Mister Yatabarae about supplies.

"Mister Yatabarae, I was wondering if you would be able to supply a merchant clipper ship with basic goods. I'm looking for rations for a 20 man crew for a journey that will last about eight weeks. I'm planning on after the festival running some cargo from the oriental east to my home nation and it will need to be a nonstop journey. I am also looking for some pipe tobacco if you have any."

As Alexander spoke, he looked around and noticed Mister Yatabarae's two assistants who were busy helping other customers. As he spoke he suddenly leaned in and dropped the volume of his voice.

"Also, I know this nation isn't to fond of weapons but do you possibly have any 5.56mm ammunition? We were harassed by pirates recently and I would prefer being prepared for any chance encounters."

[AHSCA]

Amir smiled.
"Thank you, Asuna.", he told her, "My are, too... if I may say so, you have beautiful skin."
He indeed felt so, as he softly ran his hands along her shoulders - soft enough to be counted as soft, but strong enough to feel knotted muscles beneath them.
"You might call this a reconnaissance run.", he explained what he was doing. "The first lesson I was taught: Don't massage away, but first see, where you need to work."

"Oh well thank you. I do my best to keep my skin healthy and soft and lovely." She blushed a little. "You've learned well." She added. "That's what I was told too. Well I almost did follow my mother into her line of work but found something else I wanted to do instead."

Aurelia took the kiss and smiled as she looked into Marcella's eyes.
She knew, that Marcella loved her as much as she loved her, but looking deep into her eyes, she got a feeling of how much they loved each other. And it almost made Aurelia, again, give her all for Marcella and the love they shared.
Aldhiyb joined their side.
"I would love to stay with you like this forever.", she told Marcella, then pecked her onto the tip of her nose, "Gazing into your eyes, where I see the Sea, in all of its beauty." She almost sighed. "But sadly, we can't..."
She let go of their embrace and placed a hand on her Sandwolf's head.
"Do you want to give him the happy message?", she asked with a smile.

"Ah yes of course, we are still our noble selves and have to go about our business as such. So with you" She took Aurelia's hand so she could pull her along. "Let's go, then. If you'll kindly lead on."

[Shwe Tu Colony]

"A Hammam is a Public Steam Bath..."

"Steamy, huh? Sounds interesting..." Spiciness said at the definition of the Hammam, "Oh, a race? Yeah, I think I'd love to see it."
"I think I kept a fish or two, I bet I could steam it at that bath..." his friend muttered out, his mouth subtly salivating at the thought of preparing a delectable steamed fish meal for everyone despite how weird it would be in a public bath. So distracted was he in his thoughts that he turned aside & walked a short distance off as he thought aloud, before getting reeled back into the conversation by the other gripping his shoulder & pulling him in.
"But I think there'll be a different kind of yelling later," Spiciness continued with a flirty smirk, & beginning to walk in a random direction with Seafood, turning around after a few steps, "Er... which way is the harbor anyway?"
"Dang, you're that desperate to race your ship into a harbor, huh? But I don't know... maybe you want another kinda thing to eat up?" the other replied with his own smirk as he wrapped his arms around his friend, his fingers again wandering over his chest in the manner that indicated the two were awfully close friends. Or maybe they were just playing.

"Aw, man! Dana really must've hit you hard, do you even hear yourself right now? What you're doin'?" his friend jokingly replied as he shook him off, only for Seafood to pull a little at the strap of Spiciness's outfit, exposing a little more of him & causing him to blush, "Oi! Don't strip me down now." He pulled it back up & walked back to the group of girls, Seafood trailing behind him with a smile, & it was clear that both were done with their antics & ready to get going. "Now, I could tell you about my home country, home world, whatever, but I'll have to warn you that a lot of the things that happen there are pretty... unbelievable," Spiciness told them once they began walking.
"Nah, he's joking, he's probably just lying to impress you girls!" Seafood countered, "Before we got here—"
"The accident before we got here was mostly his fault, anyway!" Spiciness blurted out with a nervous smile as he put his hand over his friend's mouth & the other arm just above his waist, barely able to not only contain him but walk as the other boy struggled in his grasp, "So how about we keep going?"

[Danceria]

Aynur smiled, first at her husband, then at Aceus, rising to stand behind him.
She put both her hands onto his shoulders and spoke: "He shows interest in her. More then some of the others."
Dardan nodded. "Indeed he does. Imagine, there were men standing where you are standing now, who couldn't even tell me the colour of her eyes.", he chuckled, then shook his head, "No, Young King, while it warms my heart to hear these replies, my mind is made up. I will not allow you to court my daughter."
"Sadly, I must agree with him on that.", Aynur said and petted Aceus on the shoulder comfortingly, "However, we will leave it up to Fara and to you to decide, if you two stay friends or not."

Finding a shop, which sold the dresses in question could easily be found at the Bazar al'Asmak, also known as the Bazaar of Fishes. There was a tailor shop, which sold suits, ties, dresses and traditional dresses, both for dancers and for social butterflies.
They even sold the famous Fistan Alshams, the Sun Dress, and the Altanafus min la Shay, the Breath of Nothing, the dress of the Handmaidens, and of course the Fustan Raqis Alsyf, the Sworddancer's Dress.
If they wanted, the shop was open and not over-worked.

Aceus would re is his eyebrow while an unusually bemused smirk would play across his face. "...I was not aware that Fara had a preference for blind men at one point." he would teasingly admit, for her eye color was indeed obvious, much of her wardrobe accentuated more than just her curves! But also ill-sighted of them to not see the contents and character behind those eyes.
Their loss... the young king thought, before he continued. "While Princess Dschamilla may be the Flower of Fenchu, Megeddo is blessed to have Twin Ruby Princesses." he then paused and bowed. "Now with your permission.. may I speak as a man who is interested in Fara, and not as a King?" the question was an odd one, but Aceus alas found that what he wanted to say was different from what he is supposed to say. "As it was not her titulature that intrigues me-with no disrespect to your Royal Stature-I also wish to communicate in a more...honest manner." he would look aware in the shimmering eyes of the Kyrenaians who were hosting him. "For I wish anything done here to be not as an agreement between Ilkhan and king...but as words between a man, regarding a wondrous woman, and that wondrous woman's parents."

"What say you Sabin?" Edgar would beam slapping him on the shoulder. "Feel like grabbing some souvenirs before we head back?" Sabin shook his head. "We should probably figure out where and how the festival is going to be presented."

"Like a schedule?" Edgar sighed and shook his head in kind. "I swear you have more in common with Ace than you do with your own brother! But I suppose since he doesn't trust me to arrive on time..."

"<<Excuse me, Miss?>>" Sabin would begin in understandable, but clearly foreign accented Kyrenaian "<<Is there a schedule for the events, specifically rendzevous with the Honoured Nobility such as the Sultana?>>"

[The Scarlet Eagle]

"That, Marla...", Amina said after she had toasted, "...should serve you as a good lesson..."
Whatever the lesson was was lost to posterity as Amina looked at her ward. Marla had her brow furrowed in thought, looking at Thomas in thought.
"Something's on your mind.", Amina said with a small smile.
"Perhaps.", the little girl said and bowed her head lightly, but respectfully to Thomas, "Please forgive me, Your Excellency, if I am overstepping my bounds by asking, for there are still many things, which I need to learn." She made clear, that her question might raise some hackles. "I require more information to make have an informed opinion about the... colonization of North Africa by the Empire, and what the difference between that process and the colonization of places like the Khanate of Jazirat Alshahwa is - or if there is a difference at all."
"What makes you ask that?", Amina asked, quite intrigued in the line of thought.
"His Excellency mentioned, that Algeria, after the war of independence, became an independent nation and that the new government killed all collaborators, now-foreign nationals and now-foreign soldiers, a process, which we saw in 1929 in the now-independent Va'a Mamao.", she said and so far, the Kyrenaians could follow, "In the 1980s, the Empire then assisted the Government of Algeria in combating terrorists, after which they forced Algeria into dependency on the Empire, making them a Protectorate, a Colony by a fancier term. Last year, Kyrenaian troops landed in Va'a Mamao to protect the local population and foreign nationals, including Kyrenaians, from being in the country, when it falls off the ledge and into the deep pit that is a Civil War, re-establishing the Khanate as well."
Marla made a pause and Amina nodded - there were differences, certainly, but also similarities.
She looked to the Imperials. "Well, the young lady requires an answer, which I am not able to give her.", she admitted, basically playing the ball into their court, "Would you please sate both her and my own curiosity?"

"You are forgiven, Princess, replies Thomas with a smile. I'll be more than happy to explain you, but don't expect me to sugarcoat it.
Anyway, to start, I have to correct you on the definitions of Protectorate and Colony. A proteectorate is a country who retains all of his interior functioning and administration, while the protecting country takes care of external matters, whereas a colony isa complete takeover of the country. What we're doing in Algeria, and what Khan Samir announced in last August, is a protectorate. We leave the administration in the hands of the locals, and we only act as mediators.
-It's true that in the first times, we have them heavily depend on us, continues Peter. After all, they needed to reconstruct a lot of infrastructure, etc. Although as most people know it by now, it was at first a plan of Vice Emperor Benarfa, who was at the time UnderMinister to the Algerian Foreign Affairs Minister. He was seeing his country getting torn apart, and the little to no power it had to resolve the situation. So he proposed us this plan, and we accepted it
As of now, we only use the country as a base for our troops, to deploy faster in Africa and the Meditteranenan, while the country is entirely self sufficient, now that we put them back on their feet. We just keep an eye out to ensure the errors of the past are not repeated. And yes, we also take a small percentage of the resources, continues the former Emperor as he makes air quotation marks.
-So, does that answer your question, Marla? asks Frank, not mentioning the fact that in his mind, another main difference was that the Americans had not used 30mm cannons to shoot on a crowd, on the contrary of Va'a Mamao, but since this story had been cleared nearly a year ago, there was no need to raise it back.

[Aurora Confederacy]

"It's more like a suspended cable car" - Ratko replied, "or Schwebebahn, as we call it in German. There are quite famous examples for it. They are built were the ground quality doesn't allow an underground railway, and where there is no space for trams. Then again, we only build them in cities that are far away from the coast, for there is no saltwater attacking the materials. This is why it's one of the rather uncommon ways to get around in our cities. As far as I know, only Saskilde, Freudenberg, and Brunweiler have such a system."
Merle said, "As for our road system - our highway system covers up most of the country nowadays. They are mutiple-carriageway roads by definition, and as I said, there are no speed limits. These only exist within built-up areas and on one-laned country roads. The 'reasonable and prudent' rule is part of our Road Rules Act. For our Federal Highways, there is even a simple numbering system - those with even numbers go east-west; those with uneven numbers go north-south. Orbital bypasses have a number divisible by ten. Single-digit highways are of national meaning, two-digit highways are of regional meaning, three-digit highways are mostly feeder roads. Although the system looks confusing at a first glance due to the extreme density especially in metropolitan areas, it will appear easy to you once you've gotten into the system."
"Of course it's a bit different with the systems of Federal Routes and State Roads" - Ratko added. "Those can be built up like an Autobahn, too, but don't have to. Yet, this shouldn't scare you - there are motorcyclists coming from the Free Lands who aren't used to these road types at all, and they find into it, too. The only thing you might have trouble with in the beginning is that Lillorainen drives on the right."
Ingmar nodded in approval when Zoe announced to get the cat leash for Jax - although he was indeed surprised that Jax was one of the few cats who could be walked just like dogs. He nodded, and there Zoe was off.

"I see" answered Micky as Zoe exited the cabin to make her way over to the Luna in order to get a few items. "and as for driving on the right, thats the same as back home but we have driven in left handed traffic flow nations too so its not too bad, it gets interesting when you're in somewhere like South Sands or Barentsburg where the metro tram system which is a street level railway takes full size freight trains, for South Sands its new and spent nuclear fuel for the power plant and containers to and from the container port, and Barentsburg its nuclear fuel trains taking fresh fuel to the new power station and bringing old fuel and waste out of the old power plant which shut down last year, Also South Sands orbis station requires street running too. Locals have learned not to jump stop lights and for tourists seeing a train stop at a stop sign is a sight to see", Micky pulls out a smart phone and pulls up a video to explain quite what she meant "this is Rai'Lal, it has an Americana feel to it too" she added. "If you ever decide to use the tramway in Barentsburg it is actually free to ride, Hai'lu'kai's halo isn't however, but its not expensive either. about a hundred Dinars will get you a ticket on the Orbis to go from Hai'lu'kai over to Rai'lal and up to Barentsburg and Valeria beyond, or you could drive there and take several days"

[Kyrenaia]

"The pleasure is mine, Atif." Layla bowed her head back. Her pronunciation of his name would reveal her as a Shamsiyyan again, precisely, as one from Sahaouine, for those who were familiar with Shamsiyyan dialects, which could vary even from village to village.
The apologies Atif asked for eliminated Layla's last doubts on him, when it came to manners; she also remembered, again, that he was Kyrenaian - which, if one guessed from what Shamsiyyans generally thought about them, was for politeness and good manners. Again, she remembered her thoughts about clichés and prejudices, which she had expressed in a conversation on Piffle with her Kyrenaian namesake (at least within the numerous Shamsiyyan writing systems, none of which would make any difference between Laila and Layla), who surely wasn't far away from here. It also showed that she had walked into her own trap.
A loud ka-ching! interrupted her thoughts. Iska had opened the cash register.
Layla nodded, confirming that she was totally fine with a glass of apple juice.
"Coming!" - Iska announced and quickly filled a glass with water and one with apple juice. Then, she announced the, indeed, low price.
Layla noticed that Iska just did her job, without leaving any comment, or even just showing any reaction, about Atif inviting Layla - after all, Iska wasn't only professional as a bar lady, but also when it came to taking nervousness and insecurity from someone. And the best way to achieve this was to keep straightfaced. Not to mention how long she had known Layla, including the bad luck she used to have when it came to love.
"And it's no problem at all - everyone in here may lose their manners in some situations, none of us being an exception" - she reassured him.
Both received their drinks.
With a vague hand gesture, Layla pointed onto the seats. "Please, pick a seat?" - she asked Atif.
Meanwhile, Iska unlocked the box with the darts, so the other teens could have their round.

Atif smiled slightly, took a sip of his water and then had an idea as to how to start the conversation.
"So... do you come here often?", he asked with a joking smile as they sat down at the bar.
His bet about her drink was right and he really appreciated Layla's friend not making any sort of weird comment. Now, he hoped, that his joke would be seen in a good light.
The other teens inspected the darts, one even made a test-throw at the target, nodding. They would have their fun with them, that was for sure.

Chuckling as the children scampered off Alexander pocketed his sovereigns and headed inside the store. Walking inside he was greeted by a man who greeted him as a 'Mister Yatabarae'. After introducing himself Alexander inquired with Mister Yatabarae about supplies.

"Mister Yatabarae, I was wondering if you would be able to supply a merchant clipper ship with basic goods. I'm looking for rations for a 20 man crew for a journey that will last about eight weeks. I'm planning on after the festival running some cargo from the oriental east to my home nation and it will need to be a nonstop journey. I am also looking for some pipe tobacco if you have any."

As Alexander spoke, he looked around and noticed Mister Yatabarae's two assistants who were busy helping other customers. As he spoke he suddenly leaned in and dropped the volume of his voice.

"Also, I know this nation isn't to fond of weapons but do you possibly have any 5.56mm ammunition? We were harassed by pirates recently and I would prefer being prepared for any chance encounters."

"I can't help you with the ammunition. You will not find a legal shop selling ammunition in Kyrenaia.", the owner of the shop said, quite a bit sternly, "And no, I can not point you towards illegal shops either."
He let a beat pass, his smile returning as if he flipped a coin.
"In any case, pipe tobacco is at the registers, just speak to Alya and she'll open the box.", he said and then thought for a moment, "11-20 rations each for breakfast, lunch and dinner, so a total of 33-60... I have that much in stock, even more then that. Any preferences as to what kind of rations? Or health issues of the sailors in question?"

"A Hammam is a Public Steam Bath..."

"Steamy, huh? Sounds interesting..." Spiciness said at the definition of the Hammam, "Oh, a race? Yeah, I think I'd love to see it."
"I think I kept a fish or two, I bet I could steam it at that bath..." his friend muttered out, his mouth subtly salivating at the thought of preparing a delectable steamed fish meal for everyone despite how weird it would be in a public bath. So distracted was he in his thoughts that he turned aside & walked a short distance off as he thought aloud, before getting reeled back into the conversation by the other gripping his shoulder & pulling him in.
"But I think there'll be a different kind of yelling later," Spiciness continued with a flirty smirk, & beginning to walk in a random direction with Seafood, turning around after a few steps, "Er... which way is the harbor anyway?"
"Dang, you're that desperate to race your ship into a harbor, huh? But I don't know... maybe you want another kinda thing to eat up?" the other replied with his own smirk as he wrapped his arms around his friend, his fingers again wandering over his chest in the manner that indicated the two were awfully close friends. Or maybe they were just playing.

"Aw, man! Dana really must've hit you hard, do you even hear yourself right now? What you're doin'?" his friend jokingly replied as he shook him off, only for Seafood to pull a little at the strap of Spiciness's outfit, exposing a little more of him & causing him to blush, "Oi! Don't strip me down now." He pulled it back up & walked back to the group of girls, Seafood trailing behind him with a smile, & it was clear that both were done with their antics & ready to get going. "Now, I could tell you about my home country, home world, whatever, but I'll have to warn you that a lot of the things that happen there are pretty... unbelievable," Spiciness told them once they began walking.
"Nah, he's joking, he's probably just lying to impress you girls!" Seafood countered, "Before we got here—"
"The accident before we got here was mostly his fault, anyway!" Spiciness blurted out with a nervous smile as he put his hand over his friend's mouth & the other arm just above his waist, barely able to not only contain him but walk as the other boy struggled in his grasp, "So how about we keep going?"

"This way.", the redhead said - by now utterly convinced, that the two of them were homosexual and an item. And she wasn't the only one. The twins were convinced, the black haired one was eying them suspiciously.
Kyrenaia's dislike for homosexuals was well known and no matter what laws the Sultana passed, acceptance in society was another story.
However, they had promised to watch the race with them and to see them to a Hammam and that was, what they would do. Maybe without flirting too much... but the crew of the vessel they cheered for had quite a few nice lads...
The redhead led them through the streets, weaving in and out and around of the crowds with ease and a dancer's expertise, the other girls following easily, though not as gracefully, giving an apology or two as they walked.
The smell of salt water became stronger the further they progressed.

Aceus would re is his eyebrow while an unusually bemused smirk would play across his face. "...I was not aware that Fara had a preference for blind men at one point." he would teasingly admit, for her eye color was indeed obvious, much of her wardrobe accentuated more than just her curves! But also ill-sighted of them to not see the contents and character behind those eyes.
Their loss... the young king thought, before he continued. "While Princess Dschamilla may be the Flower of Fenchu, Megeddo is blessed to have Twin Ruby Princesses." he then paused and bowed. "Now with your permission.. may I speak as a man who is interested in Fara, and not as a King?" the question was an odd one, but Aceus alas found that what he wanted to say was different from what he is supposed to say. "As it was not her titulature that intrigues me-with no disrespect to your Royal Stature-I also wish to communicate in a more...honest manner." he would look aware in the shimmering eyes of the Kyrenaians who were hosting him. "For I wish anything done here to be not as an agreement between Ilkhan and king...but as words between a man, regarding a wondrous woman, and that wondrous woman's parents."

"What say you Sabin?" Edgar would beam slapping him on the shoulder. "Feel like grabbing some souvenirs before we head back?" Sabin shook his head. "We should probably figure out where and how the festival is going to be presented."

"Like a schedule?" Edgar sighed and shook his head in kind. "I swear you have more in common with Ace than you do with your own brother! But I suppose since he doesn't trust me to arrive on time..."

"<<Excuse me, Miss?>>" Sabin would begin in understandable, but clearly foreign accented Kyrenaian "<<Is there a schedule for the events, specifically rendzevous with the Honoured Nobility such as the Sultana?>>"

The Ilkhan and his wife exchanged glances.
"Go ahead, Young King.", the Ilkhan said and leaned back, "But be aware, that it will not change my resolution on that matter. So get off your chest, what you need to get off your chest."
Aynur nodded as she moved to sit herself.
She agreed with her husband on that, although their reasons differed.
They still had not allowed their guest to sit.

The woman raised an eyebrow, sunglasses disguising her eye colour, her short, blonde hair not very styled, but still well-cared for. She was quite well-curved as well, although her clothes, a shirt and a pair of jeans, plus a summer jacket over it, did not emphasize that. She spoke in Kyrenaian, slowly and clearly for the foreigner to understand her.
"There are no public audiences planned today.", she said simply, "If you want to speak with any one of the Nobility, you should have made arrangements for that, for example by getting an appointment."
Edgar might recognize her voice from somewhere...

"You are forgiven, Princess, replies Thomas with a smile. I'll be more than happy to explain you, but don't expect me to sugarcoat it.
Anyway, to start, I have to correct you on the definitions of Protectorate and Colony. A proteectorate is a country who retains all of his interior functioning and administration, while the protecting country takes care of external matters, whereas a colony isa complete takeover of the country. What we're doing in Algeria, and what Khan Samir announced in last August, is a protectorate. We leave the administration in the hands of the locals, and we only act as mediators.
-It's true that in the first times, we have them heavily depend on us, continues Peter. After all, they needed to reconstruct a lot of infrastructure, etc. Although as most people know it by now, it was at first a plan of Vice Emperor Benarfa, who was at the time UnderMinister to the Algerian Foreign Affairs Minister. He was seeing his country getting torn apart, and the little to no power it had to resolve the situation. So he proposed us this plan, and we accepted it
As of now, we only use the country as a base for our troops, to deploy faster in Africa and the Meditteranenan, while the country is entirely self sufficient, now that we put them back on their feet. We just keep an eye out to ensure the errors of the past are not repeated. And yes, we also take a small percentage of the resources, continues the former Emperor as he makes air quotation marks.
-So, does that answer your question, Marla? asks Frank, not mentioning the fact that in his mind, another main difference was that the Americans had not used 30mm cannons to shoot on a crowd, on the contrary of Va'a Mamao, but since this story had been cleared nearly a year ago, there was no need to raise it back.

Amir smiled.
"Thank you, Asuna.", he told her, "My are, too... if I may say so, you have beautiful skin."
He indeed felt so, as he softly ran his hands along her shoulders - soft enough to be counted as soft, but strong enough to feel knotted muscles beneath them.
"You might call this a reconnaissance run.", he explained what he was doing. "The first lesson I was taught: Don't massage away, but first see, where you need to work."

"Oh well thank you. I do my best to keep my skin healthy and soft and lovely." She blushed a little. "You've learned well." She added. "That's what I was told too. Well I almost did follow my mother into her line of work but found something else I wanted to do instead."

Aurelia took the kiss and smiled as she looked into Marcella's eyes.
She knew, that Marcella loved her as much as she loved her, but looking deep into her eyes, she got a feeling of how much they loved each other. And it almost made Aurelia, again, give her all for Marcella and the love they shared.
Aldhiyb joined their side.
"I would love to stay with you like this forever.", she told Marcella, then pecked her onto the tip of her nose, "Gazing into your eyes, where I see the Sea, in all of its beauty." She almost sighed. "But sadly, we can't..."
She let go of their embrace and placed a hand on her Sandwolf's head.
"Do you want to give him the happy message?", she asked with a smile.

"Ah yes of course, we are still our noble selves and have to go about our business as such. So with you" She took Aurelia's hand so she could pull her along. "Let's go, then. If you'll kindly lead on."

Aurelia smiled slightly - she would tell Aldhiyb later, he would surely be overjoyed.
"Of course.", she said and took Marcella's hand, walking down the Hallway with her, towards the stairs leading upwards. They passed a piece of artwork, which Marcella might remember, as it was The Alrunjat Nuris on a cruise, a painting, which previously adorned the antechamber of the office of Aurelia's father.
Aurelia smiled slightly, but led her past, up into the sun.
It took a moment to adjust her eyes to the new light conditions, but a Handmaiden was already there, offering them glasses of water, while another Handmaiden put a bowl of water out for Aldhiyb, who ran off to it.
Aurelia took a moment to admire the panorama, a breeze picking up and playing with her hair... she turned to Marcella, smiling at her.
"You look beautiful.", she whispered.

"To us, the terms of Protectorate and Colony are the same.", Marla said, "And by your words, I do not see a difference either. You call it a Protectorate, but you still take ressources, the country is depending on you for its defense and foreign affairs, not answering to the Government in your Grandson's Capitol, but being ruled locally by a Vice-Roy. Jazirat is ruled locally as well, but I must admit, that I do not know, what sorts of resources we take... except for taxes, of course." She let a beat pass. "So, is your basic difference, that the formerly independent government of Algeria invited you? Or at least one Under-Minister did?"
That was the time, when Aurelia, Marcella and Aldhiyb arrived on the Sun Deck, a Handmaiden rushing over to offer the two humans glasses of water.

Meanwhile, in the Hammam, Amir smiled.
His reconnaissance run was finished, now was time to begin working on the knots and tensions.
"If I may ask, what are you working as?", he asked as he began to run his hands along the base of her neck in light, long strokes, gently - and once he had zeroed in on the tension knots, he firmly applied pressure, focussed on the task of the massage, not that he was massaging a beautiful woman.

[The Scarlet Eagle]

"To us, the terms of Protectorate and Colony are the same.", Marla said, "And by your words, I do not see a difference either. You call it a Protectorate, but you still take ressources, the country is depending on you for its defense and foreign affairs, not answering to the Government in your Grandson's Capitol, but being ruled locally by a Vice-Roy. Jazirat is ruled locally as well, but I must admit, that I do not know, what sorts of resources we take... except for taxes, of course." She let a beat pass. "So, is your basic difference, that the formerly independent government of Algeria invited you? Or at least one Under-Minister did?"
That was the time, when Aurelia, Marcella and Aldhiyb arrived on the Sun Deck, a Handmaiden rushing over to offer the two humans glasses of water.

"Well, to us, they're not, replies Thomas. And there's a clear difference between Va'a Mamao and Algeria. We only take ressources, not taxes. The country is not depending on us for its defense, they have their own army, our troops are just stationed there, and we are allied. It's the same in Japan, the JSDF is tied by a defense pact with us. And we pay for the maintenance for our bases.
-As for the government, continues Joe, Vice-Emperor Benarfa is merely an intermediate between us and the local government. And no, he wasn't alone in inviting us. Some other members shared the same opinion as him, and they helped us deliver the message to the remaining members once the war was finishes and we were asking for payment.
So now, we only take a small bit of ressources, but during a long time, since we invested much after the war to put them back to the same level as they were when the French were there.
-Yeah, says Peter, it's sad to recognize it, but Africa was way richer when it was colonized than now. There had been of course countless human sacrifices, and the colonizers took all of the resources, but they were way richer. To just say it, Algeria was a major agricultural power before the french leaved.
We'll be happy to continue this conversation later, Princess, continues the former Emperor, but I'm afraid someone we have yet to meet has arrived, says Anax's grandfather as he turns his head to the staircase, where Aurelia and Marcella have appeared.

[Polish Prussian Commonwealth]

Erika could not remain quiet for any longer.
"Sabin, Ed-" she hissed. "What in God's name are you two planning-and before you ask, if it involves me putting on a glorified maid costume, I'm already out."

[AHSCA]

"To us, the terms of Protectorate and Colony are the same.", Marla said, "And by your words, I do not see a difference either. You call it a Protectorate, but you still take ressources, the country is depending on you for its defense and foreign affairs, not answering to the Government in your Grandson's Capitol, but being ruled locally by a Vice-Roy. Jazirat is ruled locally as well, but I must admit, that I do not know, what sorts of resources we take... except for taxes, of course." She let a beat pass. "So, is your basic difference, that the formerly independent government of Algeria invited you? Or at least one Under-Minister did?"
That was the time, when Aurelia, Marcella and Aldhiyb arrived on the Sun Deck, a Handmaiden rushing over to offer the two humans glasses of water.

Yeah, says Peter, it's sad to recognize it, but Africa was way richer when it was colonized than now. There had been of course countless human sacrifices, and the colonizers took all of the resources, but they were way richer. To just say it, Algeria was a major agricultural power before the french leaved.
We'll be happy to continue this conversation later, Princess, continues the former Emperor, but I'm afraid someone we have yet to meet has arrived, says Anax's grandfather as he turns his head to the staircase, where Aurelia and Marcella have appeared.

Walking along with Aurelia's guidance up to the sundeck, it sounded like some kind of heated argument was occurring with some other visiting dignitaries. Not wanting to interrupt she kept quite until they did turn their attention to them. "Oh, good day to you." Marcella greeted them.

[Kyrenaia]

"Well, to us, they're not, replies Thomas. And there's a clear difference between Va'a Mamao and Algeria. We only take ressources, not taxes. The country is not depending on us for its defense, they have their own army, our troops are just stationed there, and we are allied. It's the same in Japan, the JSDF is tied by a defense pact with us. And we pay for the maintenance for our bases.
-As for the government, continues Joe, Vice-Emperor Benarfa is merely an intermediate between us and the local government. And no, he wasn't alone in inviting us. Some other members shared the same opinion as him, and they helped us deliver the message to the remaining members once the war was finishes and we were asking for payment.
So now, we only take a small bit of ressources, but during a long time, since we invested much after the war to put them back to the same level as they were when the French were there.
-Yeah, says Peter, it's sad to recognize it, but Africa was way richer when it was colonized than now. There had been of course countless human sacrifices, and the colonizers took all of the resources, but they were way richer. To just say it, Algeria was a major agricultural power before the french leaved.
We'll be happy to continue this conversation later, Princess, continues the former Emperor, but I'm afraid someone we have yet to meet has arrived, says Anax's grandfather as he turns his head to the staircase, where Aurelia and Marcella have appeared.

Walking along with Aurelia's guidance up to the sundeck, it sounded like some kind of heated argument was occurring with some other visiting dignitaries. Not wanting to interrupt she kept quite until they did turn their attention to them. "Oh, good day to you." Marcella greeted them.

It were Marcella's words, which made Aurelia aware of there being someone approaching them - and her expression brightened considerably.
"Peter!", she greeted with a huge grin, bowing her head lightly, then stopping herself from wrapping the taller man into an embrace. "It's nice to see you all woke up!" Then she blushed. "Where are my manners today...?"
She cleared her throat.
"Marcella-Khana...", she spoke with the gravitas of an official function, but with the glint in her eyes, that should tell everyone knowing her, that she was joking, "...if I may introduce? His Imperial Majesty, Peter H. Blachkov of the Empire of the Scarlet Eagle, the retired General Frank Melnik, His Excellency Thomas Morozov and Mister Joe Dipaloski." She let a beat pass. "Your Imperial Highness, Your Excellencies, Sir, Duchess Marcella Villa of the United Island States of AHSCA..."
She suddenly grinned.
"And my girlfriend.", she added.

"That's cool," Cormag chuckled.

"Oh, look. There's our food now," Alexander addressed, "and my god, does it look awfy delicious."

"Holy shit," Cormag hollered, "I can feel my tongue perspirin' like mysel on a hot day."

After the food was placed on their table, they said their grace and stood there, staring at it. Alexander gives the suggestion to record, to which Cormag responded with utmost confidence and awareness. As Cormag grabs his camera, he stops himself and turns to the waitress.

"What kind of drinks do you have here," he asked, oblivious to his surroundings.

The new waitress, bound by Kyrenaian Customs as she wore the veil, took the menu and opened the last double page, showing it to the two young men.
There was a long list of drinks. Water was for free, herbal teas were on offer, there were a variety of freshly made lemonades available, too, plus a number of fruit juices and milk from goats and sheep.
Leaving the two young men to their selection, she got out a small notepad and a ballpen, smiling.

[AHSCA]

It were Marcella's words, which made Aurelia aware of there being someone approaching them - and her expression brightened considerably.
"Peter!", she greeted with a huge grin, bowing her head lightly, then stopping herself from wrapping the taller man into an embrace. "It's nice to see you all woke up!" Then she blushed. "Where are my manners today...?"
She cleared her throat.
"Marcella-Khana...", she spoke with the gravitas of an official function, but with the glint in her eyes, that should tell everyone knowing her, that she was joking, "...if I may introduce? His Imperial Majesty, Peter H. Blachkov of the Empire of the Scarlet Eagle, the retired General Frank Melnik, His Excellency Thomas Morozov and Mister Joe Dipaloski." She let a beat pass. "Your Imperial Highness, Your Excellencies, Sir, Duchess Marcella Villa of the United Island States of AHSCA..."
She suddenly grinned.
"And my girlfriend.", she added.

Being introduced as Aurelia's girlfriend had a nice if not a little funny ring to it. She had to hold back a giggle just for being introduced so formally with the added school girl style my girlfriend added on top. Oh Aurelia was so very cute and endearing for Marcella. Holding herself and maintaining her composure she gave a slight bow "It's a pleasure to meet you, Your Excellencies. As Dear Princess has said she and I are in a relationship together."

Meanwhile, in the Hammam, Amir smiled.
His reconnaissance run was finished, now was time to begin working on the knots and tensions.
"If I may ask, what are you working as?", he asked as he began to run his hands along the base of her neck in light, long strokes, gently - and once he had zeroed in on the tension knots, he firmly applied pressure, focussed on the task of the massage, not that he was massaging a beautiful woman.

She was nearly putty in his hands at this point he was very good, asking what she did she almost blurted out without thinking. "I'm Her Majesty's B-" catching herself just in time she quickly changed course "--In Her Majesty's Armed Forces. UISDF Ground, Rank of Captain now!" She felt a little bad about lying to him, he seemed very nice but hard to say what unscrupulous types might want to use her to get to Marcella. "I believe you said you were a professional massage artist? Or am I mistaking? Either way, you are very good at it."

[Shamsiyya]

Atif smiled slightly, took a sip of his water and then had an idea as to how to start the conversation.
"So... do you come here often?", he asked with a joking smile as they sat down at the bar.
His bet about her drink was right and he really appreciated Layla's friend not making any sort of weird comment. Now, he hoped, that his joke would be seen in a good light.
The other teens inspected the darts, one even made a test-throw at the target, nodding. They would have their fun with them, that was for sure.

Layla took her own seat at the bar and smiled back. "I'd surely come here more often - but everytime I want to, this location has moved somewhere else." She had a sip of her apple juice.
Iska couledn't help it but had to grin. She kept her trap shut and continued preparing drinks, but her own answer probably have been something like, 'The Here usually comes to me!' She was a tad bit more used to conversations like these.
Maryam took one of the darts out of the box, inspected them herself just to make sure that they were still alright, then had a test-throw herself. It hit the target right next to the other dart thrown by one of the boys. While wondering, if there may have been a lot of differences between Kyrenaian and Shamsiyyan Darts, she nodded in approval. They were fine.
Süleyman received a glass of water from Iska, handed a few Dirham coins over to her, thanked her and had a seat at one of the glass tables, keeping silent and just watching what happened.

[Lillorainen]

"I see" answered Micky as Zoe exited the cabin to make her way over to the Luna in order to get a few items. "and as for driving on the right, thats the same as back home but we have driven in left handed traffic flow nations too so its not too bad, it gets interesting when you're in somewhere like South Sands or Barentsburg where the metro tram system which is a street level railway takes full size freight trains, for South Sands its new and spent nuclear fuel for the power plant and containers to and from the container port, and Barentsburg its nuclear fuel trains taking fresh fuel to the new power station and bringing old fuel and waste out of the old power plant which shut down last year, Also South Sands orbis station requires street running too. Locals have learned not to jump stop lights and for tourists seeing a train stop at a stop sign is a sight to see", Micky pulls out a smart phone and pulls up a video to explain quite what she meant "this is Rai'Lal, it has an Americana feel to it too" she added. "If you ever decide to use the tramway in Barentsburg it is actually free to ride, Hai'lu'kai's halo isn't however, but its not expensive either. about a hundred Dinars will get you a ticket on the Orbis to go from Hai'lu'kai over to Rai'lal and up to Barentsburg and Valeria beyond, or you could drive there and take several days"

The three Lillos nodded. They had not been entirely sure which side of the road the Aurora Confederacy drove on - and leaving that little note whenever talking to foreigners would never kill anyone, considering how many countries drove on the left.
They watched the video on Micky's phone; Ingmar whistled through his teeth. "Not bad!" - he said, truly impressed. "Surely something you're unlikely to see where we're from. Small, light waggons, yes, quite often ... but this one ... Gods, I couldn't imagine this going well in our cities."
"Probably something one may just need to adopt to" - said Ratko. "In any case, it isn't exactly the trend public transport in Lillorainen goes to. The goal all traffic planners nowadays have is keeping road and rail as separate as possible - same-level crossings are often replaced by bridges and subways, and new railways are mostly built without any crossings to start with. Tram lines are also replaced by underground sections as much as possible, since they appear to be safer."
"Some cities have free transport, too" - Merle added, "but they mostly aren't that costly anyways." She was not sure how much a Dinar was in Marks, but going this distance for a hundred of these sounded fair. "More and more cities are trying that, though, so it may be universal someday."

[The Scarlet Eagle]

Walking along with Aurelia's guidance up to the sundeck, it sounded like some kind of heated argument was occurring with some other visiting dignitaries. Not wanting to interrupt she kept quite until they did turn their attention to them. "Oh, good day to you." Marcella greeted them.


Being introduced as Aurelia's girlfriend had a nice if not a little funny ring to it. She had to hold back a giggle just for being introduced so formally with the added school girl style my girlfriend added on top. Oh Aurelia was so very cute and endearing for Marcella. Holding herself and maintaining her composure she gave a slight bow "It's a pleasure to meet you, Your Excellencies. As Dear Princess has said she and I are in a relationship together."



It were Marcella's words, which made Aurelia aware of there being someone approaching them - and her expression brightened considerably.
"Peter!", she greeted with a huge grin, bowing her head lightly, then stopping herself from wrapping the taller man into an embrace. "It's nice to see you all woke up!" Then she blushed. "Where are my manners today...?"
She cleared her throat.
"Marcella-Khana...", she spoke with the gravitas of an official function, but with the glint in her eyes, that should tell everyone knowing her, that she was joking, "...if I may introduce? His Imperial Majesty, Peter H. Blachkov of the Empire of the Scarlet Eagle, the retired General Frank Melnik, His Excellency Thomas Morozov and Mister Joe Dipaloski." She let a beat pass. "Your Imperial Highness, Your Excellencies, Sir, Duchess Marcella Villa of the United Island States of AHSCA..."
She suddenly grinned.
"And my girlfriend.", she added.

"If I may say, replies the former Emperor with a playful grin to Aurelia, watch your reactions Princess. You don't want to give your girlfriend wrong thoughts about our relationship, do you? By the way, was any one of you aware before that she was her girlfriend before? he asks to his wingmates. Joe?
-Not at all, replies the former mechanic of the Blazing Angels. I was not even aware that the massage tricks Princess Aurelia is going to practice with her beloved have been proof tested on my grandaughter before, he adds with a wink to Aurelia.
-All right, enough joking, interrupts Peter. Your Highness, it is a great honor and pleasure to finally meet you in person, continues the former squadron leader as he puts his fist to his heart and bows his head lightly, along with his friends. In the name of the Scarlet Eagle Spirits, may they bring their calming breeze to the Islands.
-Now that the pesky formalities are out of the way, continues Frank, allow us to transmit to you our warmest salutations from our grandchildren, Emperor Anaximander Blachkov (Peter's grandson), Empress Anna Blachkov (my grandaughter), Colonel Pavel Morozov (Thomas's grandson), and Colonel Alicia Morozov (Joe's grandaughter). They were supposed to be here in our place to meet you, but tragic problems kept them at home. Anyway, they still asked us to give this to you."
With that said, the former General takes a photo from his vest's interior pocket, and hands it to Marcella. On it, a group of 4 person can be seen.

From left to right:
- Emperor Anaximander "The Scarlet" Blachkov: age 28, 2,05m tall, dark brown hair and steel blue eyes. Has a vertical scar over his right eye, and another one on his left cheek.
Clad in black tactical gear, with a T-shirt of the same color. On his head, a black beret with the Scarlet Rangers symbol, a Scarlet Eagle with a silver skull in its center. In his hand, a SCAR-H Assault Rifle with a M320 Grenade launcher attached and a special Colt M1911 pistol in a thigh holster.
-Empress Anna "The Scarlet" Blachkov (née Melnik): age 28, 1,92m tall, shoulder lentgh black hair and green eyes. Has a small scar over her left cheek.
The same attire as her husband, only with a M110 Sniper rifle at her feet, and the same pistol as her husband in the same kind of holster.
- Colonel Pavel Morozov, leader of Anax's Alpha Squadron of his Personal Guard: age 28, 2,04m tall, short blonde hair and grey eyes Has an old scar on the riht side of his head, underneath his hair.
Same attire as above, with a Mk 48 LMG at his feet, and a black M1911 in a chest holster
-Colonel Alicia Morozov (née Dipaloski), leader of Anna's Alpha Squadron of her Personal Guard: age 28, 1,91m tall, shoulder length blonde hair and green eyes.
Same attire as above.
At her feet, a SCAR-H, with some explosives and a laptop, and the same pistol as her husband in a thigh holster.
Also, The men have this tribal tatoo on the right forearm, and they all carry their Data Gloved Paired on their left forearm.

On the back of the photo, a few words are written:
Greetings Marcella, we would have loved to finally meet you, but unfortunately we're taken by a big problem back home. Our grandfathers can tell you more if you wish.
We wish you the best with Aurelia. You are very lucky, take good care of our friend, and we would welcome you with great pleasure if you ever wish to visit our humble nation.
Anaximander and Anna
Greetings Duchess, I'm sorry to have said some things about your body when we came to Kyrenaia. Take care of Aurelia, and may you too shine bright like the sun.
Pavel
Hello Duchess, I don't have luch to say that hasn't been said, but I too wish you the best with Aurelia. Just try to not be too loud for our grandfather's sake Otherwise, if you ever have the chance to spend some time under youre girlfriend magical hands, know that she tested her techniques with me, and I approve at 100%
With love, Alicia

[Bruke]

Captain Sliospholl nodded.
"Thank you. But above all, let's have fun!", he replied and after he had escorted Joaquin to the gangplank, he nodded to one of his crewmen - the small pipe of the boatswain sounded, calling the sailors of the Ríméad to attention as they received his tipping of his hat.
As he reached the foot of the plank, he would see an official of the Festival, who nodded and then went aboard. A similar official was at the foot of the gangplank of the Debarwa.
"Captain Efrem?", he asked, extending his hand, confusing the two men, "I am from the Festival's Staff... the Race of the Harbour Runners will begin in half an hour. Please proceed with your vessel to the starting zone."
The coordinates were known to all participants.

Joaquin quickly hopped aboard the Debarwa and called out to the captain to go to the coordinates listed on the map. This was done, and soon they were in position.

The crew had fully prepared the vessel for the race: provisions and equipment were fully stocked, the sails were new, and the bottom side of the vessel was covered in a protective paint.

They were ready. The race was anyone’s to win.

[Kyrenaia]

It were Marcella's words, which made Aurelia aware of there being someone approaching them - and her expression brightened considerably.
"Peter!", she greeted with a huge grin, bowing her head lightly, then stopping herself from wrapping the taller man into an embrace. "It's nice to see you all woke up!" Then she blushed. "Where are my manners today...?"
She cleared her throat.
"Marcella-Khana...", she spoke with the gravitas of an official function, but with the glint in her eyes, that should tell everyone knowing her, that she was joking, "...if I may introduce? His Imperial Majesty, Peter H. Blachkov of the Empire of the Scarlet Eagle, the retired General Frank Melnik, His Excellency Thomas Morozov and Mister Joe Dipaloski." She let a beat pass. "Your Imperial Highness, Your Excellencies, Sir, Duchess Marcella Villa of the United Island States of AHSCA..."
She suddenly grinned.
"And my girlfriend.", she added.

Being introduced as Aurelia's girlfriend had a nice if not a little funny ring to it. She had to hold back a giggle just for being introduced so formally with the added school girl style my girlfriend added on top. Oh Aurelia was so very cute and endearing for Marcella. Holding herself and maintaining her composure she gave a slight bow "It's a pleasure to meet you, Your Excellencies. As Dear Princess has said she and I are in a relationship together."

Meanwhile, in the Hammam, Amir smiled.
His reconnaissance run was finished, now was time to begin working on the knots and tensions.
"If I may ask, what are you working as?", he asked as he began to run his hands along the base of her neck in light, long strokes, gently - and once he had zeroed in on the tension knots, he firmly applied pressure, focussed on the task of the massage, not that he was massaging a beautiful woman.

She was nearly putty in his hands at this point he was very good, asking what she did she almost blurted out without thinking. "I'm Her Majesty's B-" catching herself just in time she quickly changed course "--In Her Majesty's Armed Forces. UISDF Ground, Rank of Captain now!" She felt a little bad about lying to him, he seemed very nice but hard to say what unscrupulous types might want to use her to get to Marcella. "I believe you said you were a professional massage artist? Or am I mistaking? Either way, you are very good at it."

"If I may say, replies the former Emperor with a playful grin to Aurelia, watch your reactions Princess. You don't want to give your girlfriend wrong thoughts about our relationship, do you? By the way, was any one of you aware before that she was her girlfriend before? he asks to his wingmates. Joe?
-Not at all, replies the former mechanic of the Blazing Angels. I was not even aware that the massage tricks Princess Aurelia is going to practice with her beloved have been proof tested on my grandaughter before, he adds with a wink to Aurelia.
-All right, enough joking, interrupts Peter. Your Highness, it is a great honor and pleasure to finally meet you in person, continues the former squadron leader as he puts his fist to his heart and bows his head lightly, along with his friends. In the name of the Scarlet Eagle Spirits, may they bring their calming breeze to the Islands.
-Now that the pesky formalities are out of the way, continues Frank, allow us to transmit to you our warmest salutations from our grandchildren, Emperor Anaximander Blachkov (Peter's grandson), Empress Anna Blachkov (my grandaughter), Colonel Pavel Morozov (Thomas's grandson), and Colonel Alicia Morozov (Joe's grandaughter). They were supposed to be here in our place to meet you, but tragic problems kept them at home. Anyway, they still asked us to give this to you."
With that said, the former General takes a photo from his vest's interior pocket, and hands it to Marcella. On it, a group of 4 person can be seen.
Photo description
From left to right:
- Emperor Anaximander "The Scarlet" Blachkov: age 28, 2,05m tall, dark brown hair and steel blue eyes. Has a vertical scar over his right eye, and another one on his left cheek.
Clad in black tactical gear, with a T-shirt of the same color. On his head, a black beret with the Scarlet Rangers symbol, a Scarlet Eagle with a silver skull in its center. In his hand, a SCAR-H Assault Rifle with a M320 Grenade launcher attached and a special Colt M1911 pistol in a thigh holster.
-Empress Anna "The Scarlet" Blachkov (née Melnik): age 28, 1,92m tall, shoulder lentgh black hair and green eyes. Has a small scar over her left cheek.
The same attire as her husband, only with a M110 Sniper rifle at her feet, and the same pistol as her husband in the same kind of holster.
- Colonel Pavel Morozov, leader of Anax's Alpha Squadron of his Personal Guard: age 28, 2,04m tall, short blonde hair and grey eyes Has an old scar on the riht side of his head, underneath his hair.
Same attire as above, with a Mk 48 LMG at his feet, and a black M1911 in a chest holster
-Colonel Alicia Morozov (née Dipaloski), leader of Anna's Alpha Squadron of her Personal Guard: age 28, 1,91m tall, shoulder length blonde hair and green eyes.
Same attire as above.
At her feet, a SCAR-H, with some explosives and a laptop, and the same pistol as her husband in a thigh holster.
Also, The men have this tribal tatoo on the right forearm, and they all carry their Data Gloved Paired on their left forearm.

On the back of the photo, a few words are written:
Greetings Marcella, we would have loved to finally meet you, but unfortunately we're taken by a big problem back home. Our grandfathers can tell you more if you wish.
We wish you the best with Aurelia. You are very lucky, take good care of our friend, and we would welcome you with great pleasure if you ever wish to visit our humble nation.
Anaximander and Anna
Greetings Duchess, I'm sorry to have said some things about your body when we came to Kyrenaia. Take care of Aurelia, and may you too shine bright like the sun.
Pavel
Hello Duchess, I don't have luch to say that hasn't been said, but I too wish you the best with Aurelia. Just try to not be too loud for our grandfather's sake Otherwise, if you ever have the chance to spend some time under youre girlfriend magical hands, know that she tested her techniques with me, and I approve at 100%
With love, Alicia

Note: Quote modified by removal of Spoiler-tags.

Aurelia smiled, proud to be here with her girlfriend - sure, it sounded girlish and if she was honest... she introduce Marcella in exactly the same way.
Marcella sounded more official, though.
Aurelia could also rest easily: She had written Marcella about her meeting the former Emperor of the Empire of the Scarlet Eagle and about meeting his Grandson and about her having tested new massage techniques at said Grandson's wife's bodyguard.
The hug was intended as a friendly one anyway, like one greeted an old friend.
After what had happened during the Hunt, he had certainly earned the right to be called that.
She watched, as Marcella got her gift, grinning as she recognized the people on the photograph - and remembering, that they literally had taken their guns into the bath, so it was no wonder, that they carried a small armoury with them on the image.
Most likely taken during said problems...
She did not read the messages, though, instead of that turning to the Imperials: "How are you four? Managing well while... well..."

Amir shook his head as he worked on the neck.
"Actually, no.", he said, "I am still a student, in my last year at the Durra'ah Boys' Academy in Megido." He felt, that she was not telling the entire truth, but if she wasn't willing to tell the entire truth, then he would not bother her. "My father, though, is a tellak. Those are the professionals, who usually massage people... and he taught me a few tricks."

Layla took her own seat at the bar and smiled back. "I'd surely come here more often - but everytime I want to, this location has moved somewhere else." She had a sip of her apple juice.
Iska couledn't help it but had to grin. She kept her trap shut and continued preparing drinks, but her own answer probably have been something like, 'The Here usually comes to me!' She was a tad bit more used to conversations like these.
Maryam took one of the darts out of the box, inspected them herself just to make sure that they were still alright, then had a test-throw herself. It hit the target right next to the other dart thrown by one of the boys. While wondering, if there may have been a lot of differences between Kyrenaian and Shamsiyyan Darts, she nodded in approval. They were fine.
Süleyman received a glass of water from Iska, handed a few Dirham coins over to her, thanked her and had a seat at one of the glass tables, keeping silent and just watching what happened.

Atif nodded, grinning.
"It's like that with the best bars.", he said, drinking of his water, "You go out one evening, and the next, when you want to have a relaxing drink, it's gone and elsewhere. Hiking Party is what we call that and they are quite a lot of fun."
He looked around for a moment.
"Am I correct in observing, that this room also has a dance floor?", he asked.
His friends, meanwhile, grinned at the shot of Maryam, then the next teen took a dart and threw - hitting the outermost ring. There was a round of laughs.
Truth being told, the first shot had been a lucky coincidence...

Captain Sliospholl nodded.
"Thank you. But above all, let's have fun!", he replied and after he had escorted Joaquin to the gangplank, he nodded to one of his crewmen - the small pipe of the boatswain sounded, calling the sailors of the Ríméad to attention as they received his tipping of his hat.
As he reached the foot of the plank, he would see an official of the Festival, who nodded and then went aboard. A similar official was at the foot of the gangplank of the Debarwa.
"Captain Efrem?", he asked, extending his hand, confusing the two men, "I am from the Festival's Staff... the Race of the Harbour Runners will begin in half an hour. Please proceed with your vessel to the starting zone."
The coordinates were known to all participants.

Joaquin quickly hopped aboard the Debarwa and called out to the captain to go to the coordinates listed on the map. This was done, and soon they were in position.

The crew had fully prepared the vessel for the race: provisions and equipment were fully stocked, the sails were new, and the bottom side of the vessel was covered in a protective paint.

They were ready. The race was anyone’s to win.

Of the sixteen vessels participating, six were already there - together with the Debarwa and the Ríméad, which sailed behind her, that made eight, half of the field.
The crews of the many different vessels were highly concentrated, going about their work. While the race indeed was anyone's to win, they were working hard to be the one to do it.
Spectators, waving flags and banners, assembled at the quays, others on small boats lining the 'racetrack', which was marked by buoys - and there was even one banner cheering for the Debarwa, held by a trio of Kyrenaian High Schoolers.
The crowd was certainly getting into the competition!

[The Chuck]

Nodding in understanding Alexander spoke about his crew and the rations instead of the ammunition,

"I don't mind what type of rations we get so long as they are edible haha. The only health issue we have is that one of the fellows on my crew is mildly allergic to nuts. He is able to eat them but will get skin irritation from them. Other than that, I believe that will be good. If possible could I send some of my crew members to pick up the rations when the harbour festival is over? I'll pay a little extra too as a payment to lock my purchase. As for the tobacco, I was wondering if you happened to have any Virginia Gold tobacco in stock?

[Shamsiyya]

Atif nodded, grinning.
"It's like that with the best bars.", he said, drinking of his water, "You go out one evening, and the next, when you want to have a relaxing drink, it's gone and elsewhere. Hiking Party is what we call that and they are quite a lot of fun."
He looked around for a moment.
"Am I correct in observing, that this room also has a dance floor?", he asked.
His friends, meanwhile, grinned at the shot of Maryam, then the next teen took a dart and threw - hitting the outermost ring. There was a round of laughs.
Truth being told, the first shot had been a lucky coincidence...

Layla nodded, snorting. She said, "Still better than going out for a drink and waking up next morning in a bar that's entirely different from the bar one has gone to the night before. I definitely prefer the Hiking Party version. That's why ships like this one are rented for such occasions quite often - you still might end up in a different bar, but there's usually a more logical explanation for it."
She let a beat pass.
"And yes, the floor can be used as a dancefloor" - she continued. "It has been a long time ago since I used it as such, though ..."

Maryam had to laugh, too, when the boy didn't manage to repeat his lucky shot from the first time. She said to him, grinning, "At least you've hit the board, not the wall. There is a reason why it's the one that needs to be painted more frequently than the others."
She took the next dart and aimed.
"Remember, it's not only about precise aiming. It's also about the technique. The technique, Squidward!"
With that said, she smashed it right into the central point of the board.

[Folaisia]

The new waitress, bound by Kyrenaian Customs as she wore the veil, took the menu and opened the last double page, showing it to the two young men.
There was a long list of drinks. Water was for free, herbal teas were on offer, there were a variety of freshly made lemonades available, too, plus a number of fruit juices and milk from goats and sheep.
Leaving the two young men to their selection, she got out a small notepad and a ballpen, smiling.

Turning to themselves, they both discussed on what drinks they should have. Cormag desired for water, while Alexander wished for the goat milk. Nodding, Cormag turned to the new waitress.

"I'll have water, while he'll have the goat milk," he finally said.

Yvette laughed. "I was just pulling your leg. In truth, I just guard a consultate. Only excitement is when a drunk tourist tries to climb the fence or when we ship out for exercises; rest of the time I stand around looking pretty."
When her food arrived, she thanked the waitress and immediately attacking her food with a speed that would make a BT-7 blush.

After the waitress left for their drinks, Cormag recorded and commented on the food, while Alexander took his phone out and sent the photograph to his friends and family. As they ate, Cormag turned to Yvette, who was eating her food as if she were a piranha.

"Mate, check her out. She's eatin' like a fuckin' piranha," he exclaimed.

"Holy shit," Alexander said, astonished, "The lassie eats faster than I do."

"I swear, I'd wretch like fuck if I were tae try an' beat her."

"Would sprayin' coke on your food help you out?"

"And be like Agnes MacLachlan? That could work out."

"IF we can find a dealer."

Cormag and Alexander chuckle at each other before they ate again.