Comin' together to Celebrate (IC)

[Kuronami]

Pina giggled.
"Then there's no need delay any further!", she said, still grinning, motioned for them to follow her. "Let's go!"
When they began walking, Pina took position with the parents, while Lorgaire kept close to the kids. He was a bit of a protector, especially of young, were it his or not - or were they of his species or not.
It also had the advantage of the large canine being rather distinctive, given a bit of a berth, so that if one of the kids got lost, it would easily be able to find him - not to mention, that he was walking on a leash.
"So...", Pina asked, "What sorts of animals do you have?"

"Yay!" the two young girls cheered. Joey and Billie took each other by the hand and began walking with their parents in trail. "Oh lots of animals!" Billie replied

"Cows, pigs, chickens" Joey added

"Sheep, horses, rabbits." Billie responded

"Roosters, mice, owls!" Joey exclaimed with excitement.

"Ahaha" Charlie laughed at her silly little daughter, how adorable she was "They're right between us both, that is Joey's family and ourselves, we have quite a bit of animals to take care of."

Rona nodded with a huge grin.
"Yes, it's huge fun!", she said and threw her arms out to emphasize the huge-part, "Mom looked so pretty last night, when she introduced the new Arrowmaidens, tall and proud and so awesome!" She grinned. "Mam and I got a special spot as family and I even got to see Mona again!"
Mavie smiled softly, stroking Rona's head in a calming gesture.
"And at the Spring Sacrifice, we got nice spots, too - they all looked so pretty!", she continued, not calmed in the slightest, but not more hyper then she already was. "And now, we're watching the jamming before the dancing begins and then, Mom will come and dance with Mam and hopefully, Ciaran will come to to ask me for a dance, too..."
She blushed heavily at the last part.
Mavie smiled and mouthed A boy she likes. to the two Kuronamis.

"Oooh" Mei and Tsukasa cooed at the sound that Rona had a boy she liked. Each could probably recall their first crushes before being drawn to each other "How adorable." Mei whispered "What a lucky girl" Tsukasa chimed.

Mei nelt down to Rona' eye level. "Just remember this, Rona, sometimes the ones we like can be a little slow to realize it. So if you want this Ciaran to come dance with you, the patient route is good but don't be afraid to ask yourself" She gave a smile and wink.

[The Selkie]

Jan with Gwen - Ropaire Inn

The sniffing out process felt as if it endured for ages. It was a tense moment indeed. Jan has underwent this process a thousand times before in his lifetime, and have gained the trust of some scary beasts before.

Back when Jan was a serving military officer, he lead the project to open a wardog center for the Port Ember Special Forces, which was a raging success. And there they bred and trained beasts who were meant to kill. Yet none of those beasts were actual wolves.

When Srol accepted Jan as a non-threat, Jan was thrilled to say the least. The feeling of winning the basic trust of a wolf was bordering on euphoria. And furthermore he knew if he were to plan any sort of future with his Gwen, having the trust from the wolf was absolutely mandatory. And here he was - off to a good start.

Jan knew that this gesture was only the start, Srol did not trust Jan yet completely, Jan would still need to gain that down the line. Atleast Srol has decided not to maul him to death. Yet.

Jan smiled and changed his tone of voice down a small bit, to a slightly more friendly and almost childlike manner when he started petting the massive head of the gorgeous beast. He scratched Srol behind the ears, which Srol visibly enjoyed. Jan continued to mutter simple compliments to the wolf whilst the petting session continued.

Jan looked over to Gwen with a glint in his eyes, his happiness and excitement impossible to physically hide and said "He is truly marvelous. Absolutely majestic."

---

Gwen smiled with a lot of pride, and a bit bemusement as Srol almost preened under the compliments, despite him being scratched behind his ears.
"I have him since I was a little girl. Shortly after...", she said and swallowed, "...shortly after my Dad died, in 1996." She sat down on the bed, next to Srol, motioning for Jan to sit down as well, on the bed, either with Srol between them or him directly next to her. The Grey Wolf put his head into her lap, with a bit of reluctance, but with duty in mind as Gwen began to stroke it. "Fynn Caillte of the Tribe of Cork... and engineer. He died in an accident... Hardhat-Finn, as everyone called him. His hardhat didn't help him."
She showed a small smile.
"How could he, if 40,000 tons of foreign warship fell onto his head?", she asked.

Leonard fought his blush down.
"Oh, please, just Leonard is fine.", he said and then smiled, "My Sis' name is Darufa, she's turning twelve today, a few years younger then me. She's also actually my half-sister - born to my Mam and her second husband." He shrugged. "I still love her as if she was my sis."
He cut his own food.
"Very good stuff...", he commented, then turned back to the conversation, smiling at Hina. "She's going to be one of the toughest lassies the world has ever known!"

"Aww that's so nice" Hina praised. "Well I know she doesn't know me but please give her my best! Well if she were an islander chances are I would help her as her upperclassman. We're often called to help younger students."

"And Hina is quite good at it too. Still seems like yesterday she was nervous about her first day." Haru added

"Well, she's not wrong...." Hina was a bit embarrassed "But to give you context, I was actually home schooled up until I was 12 because of how far our village was from any school. But then a small school opened up and I wanted to go with the others. And I still go! I really like it!"

"Hm...", Elin made with a small smile, tapping her finger against her mouth, thinking. "Something off the beaten paths..."
Branwen's face lit up more then it already had, as she had an idea: "How about we go to the Scodalaigh?", she proposed, "The Stilted Quarter - not famous, but very interesting, part of Cuan's history as a river-harbour and place for building the river ships."
Elin nodded. "Sounds nice. What to you think, Miss Gozen?", she asked Shizuka.

"Sounds like a perfect place!" Shizuka agreed with a smile "and hey, just call me Shizuka." She winked. Once they set out to arrive at their next destination, Shizuka prodded some more "Branwen, how long have you been writing for? I mean all the time? We don't all start off published of course~" Another playful wink "according to my mama and my sister, I've been telling stories since I could talk. From meeting Mermaids in the harbor to riding on backs of sea monsters, I spun my share of yarns! Of course once I got older and interested in relationships, I became interested in love and relationships so I started out with romance."

Leonard nodded.
"Darufa was in school ever since her sixth Spring. She was a good cub and when she got older, she was the..." He thought for a moment. "...I think, the most appropriate term is 'sempai', anyway, she was the older and more mature upperclassman for the fresh students and still is."
He smiled.
"Although 'mature' is a matter to be discussed...", he added with a grin.

Branwen nodded and smiled, while Elin gave a short bow.
"Thank you, Shizuka.", Branwen said, "For us, Branwen and Elin is fine." She followed her elder sister, who led the way, walking next to Shizuka. "I've told stories for a while, too, but really going into it and writing them down was a fling in the beginning... in 2013, 2014, something like that." She let a beat pass. "My interest in Science Fiction came in 2017. We were in the Archipelago, when SDY made the first test launches with their Cosmos-class Launch Commander and Odyssey-class Launch Platform. It never was the same after that."
Branwen smiled.
"Gods, those things were loud...", she added.

En route to the Marcach Camp.
All three Lillos nodded, getting serious again, too.
Sophus said, "Winters are very likely to get extremely ugly in these parts, right? We, luckily, only have that once every couple of years, and not everywhere. Lysköping is mostly lucky, and so is Preetz, my original home city - there, I used to know snow only from vacation to the Mountains. Yet, as soon as one goes north a bit, it looks different."
"Especially in the northernmost parts" - Hilda added. "This winter was hardly expected to come at all, but suddenly, it did hit Visholm again. It wasn't as horrible as two years ago - there are some excellent live documentations on-line -, but this time, they at least hit the four-meters mark again; I think there were six dead or missed people in Longenager, another two in Saskilde, and I think, yet another two or three in Sagaminde." She sighed. "Thank the Gods, that we live in a more moderate climate."
"Funny enough" - Mia began, "the Elverholm North Shore recorded some peaks last month. I think, the record was eighteen degrees measured in Lirscheid near Nienhagen. In February! Even though it's a rather warm region given its latitude, it's crazy sometimes ..."

Láir Square.
Chris had nodded - the Steady Rhythm played an essential part in the Selkie's way of life, and nothing could keep them from living by it, and only by it - machines were nothing that could dictate their lives. And Chris had spent enough time in the Free Lands to know that, and he wasn't the first Lillo who had enjoyed their happy-go-lucky life attitude, and wouldn't be the last one.
In fact, driving his car over a Lillorainian Federal Highway for the first time in months had been plain horrifying. After such a long time primarily moving forward on horses and horse carts, a harmless 80 km/h, minimum speed on highways, had felt like Warp 10. It had taken him the entire A53 to get used to this again, and the construction lot at the new-built Eschenbroich Intersection projected to open this year, as well as the recently-opened last missing section before Kerkenich, which had spared him from having to go by the Pontrath Orbital (which he still had needed to take when going to the Ferryport in July), had reminded him of the most obvious difference between Selkie and Lillöer-Islanders: nothing could change their ways of life, as soon as there were yet crops to harvest in one place, and yet roads to build in the other.
Et is wie et is, et kütt wie et kütt, as a famous Rhenish-German proverb went - It is as it is, it comes as it comes.
What now came was a friendly hug in the manner Finnegan had before, by an indeed cute lassie whom Chris wouldn't have dared touching, either, which was commonly known - thus, with the words, "Feel free to, Daughter of Oilean na mBeo!", he hugged her back.

En route to the Marcach Camp.
"We're close to the arctic circle.", Leonard explained, "For us, harsh winters are usual. But 'harsh' for us means occasionally two, three metres in some remote villages - not seven on the shores of Lake Mór. Heavens, we in Scilly usually have thirty, forty centimetres... this time, two metres. There's still piles of snow melting off."
He sighed.
"Well, the Spiorad say, that the world is changing.", he added, "If someone knows that, then its them."

Láir Square.
Although rather unaware of the speed-problems my boyfriend had, I could imagine, that he had quite a bit of a getting-used-to-time, from our slow speeds and way of life to his own homeland's.
We usually were quite good at 'assimilating' people into our way of life.
We are the Borg.
In any case, we all grinned when Chris hugged Enya back with the words of "Feel free to, Daughter of Oilean na mBeo!"
Enya did so with gusto, looking to me and telling me in Selkie: "You have taste. He's very hugable."
I grinned. "He's good for other things, too... besides, you have your own hug-provider!"
Finnegan grinned at that and put an arm around Enya when she came back to him, kissing her onto the cheek.
"Look who learned a bit of Selkie.", I said to Chris, after that, then reached up to kiss him onto the cheek. "Love it! And... Is breá liom tú."

Macha indeed didn't know, that Ren was usually a shy and quiet one, but she had a feeling, based on what she knew of her from social media - in any case, she liked this Ren. She had a cute giggle.
"Then come!", the Spiorad said with a grin, motioning for them to follow her - towards the Ceol Inn, one of the most esteemed houses in the Free Lands. And currently booked to capacity. It was a splendid house, half-timbered like the Selkie did, the ground floor being built of stone and the levels above that, three in total, which extended out, even had a small corner tower.
As the Ceol was reserved for VIPs, there was a guard at the entrance, who let Macha and company pass with a nod. She grinned over her shoulder, winking at the girls.
Then, once inside, she turned to the stairs, led them to the right, into the restaurant, where they were already expected.
The woman did not look much older then Ren, white hair and red-brown eyes, on her head, a pair of fox ears. She had pointy ears, which stood a bit off, but the most... captivating thing were her eyes, deep and strong and full of wisdom... and of mischief.
Macha went down onto both knees, lowered her head, as the woman rose and looked at Ren, Z and Kiri.
"So...", she began, "...you three are the girls I was told about. Ren, Kiri and someone going by the name of Z." She looked from one to the other. "Two of you look like Spiorad... and I can not smell the third..."
She smiled.
"This world still has a few surprises, even after all these Springs...", she said and motioned to the table, "Please, you three, have seats. There is much curiosity to sate - not to mention stomachs!"
Macha rose as well and sat next to Ren.

The three were happy to be getting something to eat, and just as happy to be meeting a potential new friend. Z was excited in particular, but she was also very glad to be able to sit down. Despite her adventurous attitude, she seemed to be getting fatigued from all the walking she'd done today, much more so than you'd expect from someone so youthful. Perhaps it was fatigue from the long boat ride, or the weight of her backpack.

Ren briefly studied the new woman that received them. She looked at least a little older than her, but for all she knew she could have been a century her senior; it was harder tell than with shorter-lived humans. Her eyes were especially beautiful and intriguing. Ren could see strength, knowledge... michevousness? Kiri saw some of this too. Their mother had showed them that you can learn a lot from someone's eyes. The clear wisdom led Ren to believe that this lady was indeed much older and wiser than her.

The two sisters were briefly perplexed by Macha kneeling down, but quickly surmised that it must be some way of showing respect. Operating on this assumption, Ren was about to kneel as well when they were suddenly spoken to by the mysterious lady.

Z smiled. "Ren is definitely a Spiorad, or at least related to them. I'm not sure what I am, but from what little I know I'm definitely not one."

Ren just smiled and nodded in greeting; she couldn't open up to everyone so quickly. She was glad when Macha sat next to her, though; she seemed like she knew a lot of interesting things. The building was beautiful, too; she appreciated it the most of the three as she looked around. So did Kiri; Z probably did as well, but with her scatterbrained personality it was hard to tell.

Kiri grinned. Mostly she was glad no one had been scared of her thus far. "Heh... well, I can't really eat anymore, so I guess I'm here for conversation. Thanks though."

She fiddled with a small red ribbon that was loosely wrapped around her arm. She hadn't been able to interact with anything else so far, so there was probably something special about this little trinket she carried with her.

"So... what's your name, ma'am, if it's polite to ask? What did Macha tell you about us?" Kiri was curious. It looked like either Macha or Z had planned something without telling her.

The woman noted, how tired, but enthusiastic Z seemed, an adventurer, who needed food and drink and merriment - she knew the type. Her words of herself not being a Spiorad, but something else, and Ren maybe being one or at least related intrigued the woman, who was indeed, many, many centuries older then Ren.
Both her and Macha noted the little red ribbon, the only corporeal thing on her. Whatever its story was, they assumed, that it was important to Kiri... and that she knew its story.
The woman smiled.
"It is polite, young lady.", she said and gave a short bow, "Actually, it was impolite of me not to introduce myself sooner... I am Branwen Chwilfrydig. Some also call me Branwen the Wise or, which I personally prefer, simply Branwen." She smiled. "I am... 'leader' might be a bit of a strong term, but I am that for the Spiorad Ainmhithe. That's what people like me or Macha call ourselves." The blonde waved slightly as Branwen turned to Ren. "And what you might be - or related to us. We'll have to see... so much to talk about, yet so little time!"
She giggled into her hand, then looked at all four.
"I took the liberty of asking for five Full Course Breakfasts already, they should be here in a bit.", she explained, then continued, "As for what Macha told already... not much, to be honest. She just told me, that she knows three people, who I would love to meet." Branwen shrugged. "So far, she was right."

When he opened his door and descended the stairs, he would see, that the scuffle was resolving itself, so the way was open to breakfast.
Right opposite of the stairs was the entrance to the restaurant, on the other side of the lobby.
It had the typical, rustic charme of Selkie-architecture, of wood used in abundance, but also of light falling in through high windows and illuminating the chairs and tables of dark wood and the dozens of people sitting at them, as well as the waiters and waitresses flittering around to serve food and drink.
There were a few tables free, though, plus a few chairs by other groups.
Once he sat down, a waitress would throw him a "One moment, be there in a sec!" before she fluttered away for something else. A bit more then a second, but not half a minute later, she stood in front of the young man.
She was a good-looking young woman, dressed in Geansai with an apron in front of her body, which served little in distracting from the fact, that she quite curvy.
"Sorry for the delay, Sir.", she said and bowed her head lightly. "Good morning. What can I get you?"

"Matcha or Chai, to start off." he smiled, "I'm torn between Maith, Scipeáil, or the traditional breakfast...What would you recommend for a first timer?" Oddly enough, the young man would not be perturbed or swayed by the woman's attractiveness. It seemed many in the Selkie-lands were blessed with good looks, even in their old age. Besides, he knew better than to judge a person by their appearance, and the waitress proved herself to be rather charming. "Didn't think the petting zoo let out animals this early." he would slyly comment.

The waitress sighed.
"That one's an intruder.", she said as she noted down the order for a tea, a Matcha - she knew, that they didn't have Chai. "I don't think, that he belongs to anyone... except for that girl now. May the Vixen bless her heart!"
She really meant it, then looked at the young man.
"Now, as for a recommendation, I would start with Maith.", she said, "And Scipeáil in a pack, so that you have a few bites on you in case you get hungry over the next decade or so." She shrugged. "It holds a while."

Marie nodded and smiled slightly. "Thank you...that would be wonderful..." She started to move towards a seat, but abruptly stopped halfway through. She then took out a small pouch. "Erm...how much would that be? And on that note, how exactly are you making it?"

The old man raised a hand.
"You are a friend of Kiah, so you are my friend.", he said and grinned, "It would be rather rude to make you pay!" He then motioned for them to follow him. "As for how I make it, leave an old man a few secrets!"
They arrived in a back-room with an excellent look over the Imeall and the parts of the city on the other side of the mighty river, by far not so large then Cuan itself. The room itself was dominated by a shin-high table, quite a large one, with seating cushions around it and enough larger ones to recline in them quite easily.
It was a comfortable room.
"Have seats, girls.", the old man instructed, "I'll be back in a moment with the tea."
Kiah sat down with ease and exhaled in comfort.

Miranda smiled sheepishly and said, “She should be there soon. If she’s still got a knack for finding her way and doesn’t get lost.”

The answer didn’t make her feel any particularly better. She was left to her own imagination, both a blessing and a curse at times. At best, it can be harnessed to write some pretty descriptive and surreal poetry and prose.

At worst, she can easily think up of the worst case scenarios.

And so, she could imagine what would happen if the more strict classmates from here school had ever saw her with a local, being so close to her, or worse, one of her teachers. As for Fiona’s teachers and classmates, she was just as worried about meeting them, for there was a chance that they would spread it down the grapevine to her classmates and teachers, which was just as bad.

And so, she couldn’t help but cautiously look around and behind her to make sure none of her classmates saw her.

Though she was slightly on edge, she was relaxed enough to sink into Fiona and take in the sights and sounds around them as they walked towards the bakery. She had to admit, even with the seemingly hectic and chaotic scenery, everyone seemed friendly. The odd child might run and bump right past them, but she knew she still had her purse.

All of this was accented with the local architecture, providing a rustic and a charming feel to what was supposed to be a bustling city. If she had known any better, it had given off the same aura that she felt when she visited family in Boston, a mix of the old and the new.

And so, with an unsettled peace, she settled into Fiona with a sigh.

---

“O-oh, w-well, forgive me for saying, but from the names of the locations, I’m assuming Luteii is off the coast of Italy?” Katherine took a closer look at the woman’s toga, “The clothing appears to match with Roman-era or Hellenistic style of clothing, clearly taking great inspiration from-”

Katherine stopped herself and blushed deeply, shaking her head. “Sorry, just my inner historian coming on out. I have to say though, you do have a handsome young lad right there.” She nodded towards the babe.

She tried to hide herself behind her hair to save her dignity as she instinctively leaned into Liv. “But yeah... eternal peace sounds good. I mean, if Liv and I can be together, even if we’re from totally different cultures, then old grudges can be buried for the better of the future.”

---

Somewhere back in the Mediaman Ministry of Defense in Illustrantia, a general felt an unknown tremor of uncertainty, as of something completely optimistic and dangerous to national security was uttered somewhere in the world. Nevertheless, he shook his head and disregarded it.

---

And so, probably ending on a mediocre note, Kat waited for some sort of response. She knew she was probably the newest, most foreign person in the room, and she hoped she wasn’t stepping on anyone’s toes, both literally and metaphorically. They were all religious biggies, compared to her developing atheism from her life experiences. But she still wanted to be polite, get to know everyone, and not create an international incident, maybe not accidentally flare up a new war between Luteii and Selkie or something.

And so she felt a little tense. Mind, she was a little calm as well from being next to Liv, but by god she hoped there wouldn’t be an abrupt disaster to disrupt the breakfast like a fox or random rabid tine attack.

Miranda smiled at Fiona and put an arm around her.
It was a gesture, which could pass of as between friends... or more. Maybe it was too soon for that one, maybe it was not, but in any case - Fiona felt, that Miranda needed that bit of reassurance.
She seemed to like her hometown, which was always nice.
For Fiona... Cuan had a special place. Home always had.
As they approached the bakery, someone spoke from behind them: "Hi, Fiona!", the male voice said, belonging to a kid of maybe ten Springs and he looked so adorable on the back of his little colt, a lad in the green tunic of Cuan's Younger Militia, a sword and shield on his saddle. He was a messenger. And he was also blushing as Fiona smiled at him (it was quite obvious, that he was crushing on her). "Where are you two headed?"
"To the bakery.", Fiona said and smiled, "You should head out as well, Leonard, or your Cap will get angry!"
"Ah, it's not urgent.", the boy said and trotted up to their side, noticing Miranda. "Hello, Miss! Enjoyin' merry ol' Cuan?"

Chiara smiled.
"Indeed, they can and they should...", she said and looked at the handsome lad - who had no idea, that he had been called such, but who still enjoyed it. "...but forgetting they existed, that the shared history, with all the good times and bad times, is remembered, never happened, would be wrong."
"I feel, that this was a jab in our direction.", Finnegan said with a grin.
"It was the weird sort of jab, that went around, from me to you only to hit me as well.", Chiara admitted, "We are not innocent, when it comes to forgetting the past." Finnegan nodded, basically admitting, that the Selkie were sometimes not that much better. "You don't have to be so tense, Miss Shelby. Your girlfriend is pretty, you'll have an awesome breakfast and none of us will bite." She let a beat pass. "Except maybe Luigi, but he has a good excuse."
There was a round of laughs on the table at that.

Pina giggled.
"Then there's no need delay any further!", she said, still grinning, motioned for them to follow her. "Let's go!"
When they began walking, Pina took position with the parents, while Lorgaire kept close to the kids. He was a bit of a protector, especially of young, were it his or not - or were they of his species or not.
It also had the advantage of the large canine being rather distinctive, given a bit of a berth, so that if one of the kids got lost, it would easily be able to find him - not to mention, that he was walking on a leash.
"So...", Pina asked, "What sorts of animals do you have?"

"Yay!" the two young girls cheered. Joey and Billie took each other by the hand and began walking with their parents in trail. "Oh lots of animals!" Billie replied

"Cows, pigs, chickens" Joey added

"Sheep, horses, rabbits." Billie responded

"Roosters, mice, owls!" Joey exclaimed with excitement.

"Ahaha" Charlie laughed at her silly little daughter, how adorable she was "They're right between us both, that is Joey's family and ourselves, we have quite a bit of animals to take care of."

Rona nodded with a huge grin.
"Yes, it's huge fun!", she said and threw her arms out to emphasize the huge-part, "Mom looked so pretty last night, when she introduced the new Arrowmaidens, tall and proud and so awesome!" She grinned. "Mam and I got a special spot as family and I even got to see Mona again!"
Mavie smiled softly, stroking Rona's head in a calming gesture.
"And at the Spring Sacrifice, we got nice spots, too - they all looked so pretty!", she continued, not calmed in the slightest, but not more hyper then she already was. "And now, we're watching the jamming before the dancing begins and then, Mom will come and dance with Mam and hopefully, Ciaran will come to to ask me for a dance, too..."
She blushed heavily at the last part.
Mavie smiled and mouthed A boy she likes. to the two Kuronamis.

"Oooh" Mei and Tsukasa cooed at the sound that Rona had a boy she liked. Each could probably recall their first crushes before being drawn to each other "How adorable." Mei whispered "What a lucky girl" Tsukasa chimed.

Mei nelt down to Rona' eye level. "Just remember this, Rona, sometimes the ones we like can be a little slow to realize it. So if you want this Ciaran to come dance with you, the patient route is good but don't be afraid to ask yourself" She gave a smile and wink.

Pina laughed with Charlie, almost adoring both girls already.
"That sounds like quite a lot of work... Donny and I sometimes have our hands full with Lorgaire, so I could not imagine taking care of so many different animals.", she admitted, a bit sheepish, "It does sound fun, though."

Rona nodded at Mei's words.
"Boys are dense idiots, so hammer it into them.", she said with an adorable conviction as if she just discovered the grandest and most important truth of the universe. She nodded. "Understood, Miss Mei!"
Mavie laughed out at that, ruffled her daughter's hair with a grin.
"He'll be the lucky lad!", she said and smiled full of pride, Rona blushed.

[Port Ember]

Gwen smiled with a lot of pride, and a bit bemusement as Srol almost preened under the compliments, despite him being scratched behind his ears.
"I have him since I was a little girl. Shortly after...", she said and swallowed, "...shortly after my Dad died, in 1996." She sat down on the bed, next to Srol, motioning for Jan to sit down as well, on the bed, either with Srol between them or him directly next to her. The Grey Wolf put his head into her lap, with a bit of reluctance, but with duty in mind as Gwen began to stroke it. "Fynn Caillte of the Tribe of Cork... and engineer. He died in an accident... Hardhat-Finn, as everyone called him. His hardhat didn't help him."
She showed a small smile.
"How could he, if 40,000 tons of foreign warship fell onto his head?", she asked.

Jan with Gwen - Ropaire Inn

Jan took a seat directly next to Gwen, as not to disturb the giant canine's peacefull lay.

Jan symphasised with Gwen as he listened to her story. He knew very well the great pain the loss of a loved one could bring. This pain was no stranger to Jan, as he lost his mother at a young age to cancer, followed with the loss of his father and only uncle very soon after that in military action. And then not to even mention the massive loss of his own daughter, whose blood and pieces of flesh he had to literally scrape of his uniform. He decided not to mention these incidents yet, as not to even further darken the mood.

Jan finally spoke in a calm soft voice, filled with sympathy "Aye, I have heard of this.. incident. Darkest day in the history of your company..

I know that no words could ever lessen the pain younwill forever carry with you, as the sting of loss will forever be your companion. Just know - that I know of you pain and that my deepest condolences are with you always my dear."

Jan put his muscular arm around Gwen's shoulder, pulling her against his strong chest gently, followed with a soft kiss on her cheek.

---

[Lillorainen]

En route to the Marcach Camp.
"We're close to the arctic circle.", Leonard explained, "For us, harsh winters are usual. But 'harsh' for us means occasionally two, three metres in some remote villages - not seven on the shores of Lake Mór. Heavens, we in Scilly usually have thirty, forty centimetres... this time, two metres. There's still piles of snow melting off."
He sighed.
"Well, the Spiorad say, that the world is changing.", he added, "If someone knows that, then its them."

Láir Square.
Although rather unaware of the speed-problems my boyfriend had, I could imagine, that he had quite a bit of a getting-used-to-time, from our slow speeds and way of life to his own homeland's.
We usually were quite good at 'assimilating' people into our way of life.
We are the Borg.
In any case, we all grinned when Chris hugged Enya back with the words of "Feel free to, Daughter of Oilean na mBeo!"
Enya did so with gusto, looking to me and telling me in Selkie: "You have taste. He's very hugable."
I grinned. "He's good for other things, too... besides, you have your own hug-provider!"
Finnegan grinned at that and put an arm around Enya when she came back to him, kissing her onto the cheek.
"Look who learned a bit of Selkie.", I said to Chris, after that, then reached up to kiss him onto the cheek. "Love it! And... Is breá liom tú."

En route to the Marcach Camp.
Sophus nodded again - of course, most of the Mainland of the Free Lands was more north than the Lillöer-Archipelago - the latter was located roughly on a latitude running between Robálai Island and Mount Kilanda, at least their home city. Visholm, as the northernmost state of Lillorainen, however, already shared the Mainland's inconvenience when it came to climate, despite both being influenced by different ocean streams.
And of course, if anybody knew, that the world was changing, then the Spiorad, with their ability to get incredibly old.
"Many parts of the world will have to expect more extreme weather ..." - he said. "We've had some heavy storms when we departed - not that horrible, that airplanes couldn't start, but horrible enough to warn about going somewhere by ship. From what I know, it's calm and sunny again now, but this won't last forever. All we can do is prepare for the next one."
"Which we quite do" - Hilda added, "but meteorologists aren't clairvoyants, either."

Láir Square.
The self-nominated Borg grinned and exchanged a few words in Selkie-Language, and although Chris still wasn't fluent at it, he, at least, got the idea of what they were talking - nothing he hadn't heard ever before.
Finnegan kissed his one-and-only on the cheek, and after receiving another kiss on his own cheek by his own one-and-only, Chris kissed Cel back - with the words, "Is breá liom tú freisin, searrach."
While he wasn't entirely sure, whether his pronunciation was still good, for the last time he had spoken this very hard language dated back some time, it surely was still better than in the beginning, where he had still needed to practice even the pronunciation of Cel's fully name.

[Kuronami]

Pina laughed with Charlie, almost adoring both girls already.
"That sounds like quite a lot of work... Donny and I sometimes have our hands full with Lorgaire, so I could not imagine taking care of so many different animals.", she admitted, a bit sheepish, "It does sound fun, though."

"Well takes a whole lot to commit to animal rearin' and that's on top of raising crops to harvest as well." Charlie replied. "For some folks a pet is all they need and that's plenty fine. But it can be fun too. Aint that true, Billie girl?"

"It sure is, mama!"

Rona nodded at Mei's words.
"Boys are dense idiots, so hammer it into them.", she said with an adorable conviction as if she just discovered the grandest and most important truth of the universe. She nodded. "Understood, Miss Mei!"
Mavie laughed out at that, ruffled her daughter's hair with a grin.
"He'll be the lucky lad!", she said and smiled full of pride, Rona blushed.

"Hehhe well I guess you're right." Mei nodded giving a gentle pat to Rona's head. "You know, I play music myself, probably not quite like the bands here but nice. Do you know what an erhu is?"

"Mei is amazing at it!" Tsukasa added "She really is the best player ever!"

"Tsu-chan really, I'm probably nothing compared to the seasoned pros but I do hold my own well!"

[Polish Prussian Commonwealth]

The old man raised a hand.
"You are a friend of Kiah, so you are my friend.", he said and grinned, "It would be rather rude to make you pay!" He then motioned for them to follow him. "As for how I make it, leave an old man a few secrets!"
They arrived in a back-room with an excellent look over the Imeall and the parts of the city on the other side of the mighty river, by far not so large then Cuan itself. The room itself was dominated by a shin-high table, quite a large one, with seating cushions around it and enough larger ones to recline in them quite easily.
It was a comfortable room.
"Have seats, girls.", the old man instructed, "I'll be back in a moment with the tea."
Kiah sat down with ease and exhaled

Marie was just as glad as Kiah to sit down, and sighed with exhaustion. After much awkward silence, she spoke. "So...Kiah...I noticed your dress. How did you get involved with Cult of Lodan Lir? Were you born on the coast, or did you just like Mudkippers?" She cracked a smile. "Or is it because you just liked the color blue?"

[Shwe Tu Colony]

The young woman saw the glance and understood - or at least thought she did...

Quon & Sherry
"Breadrolls?" Quon said, smirking & inching closer to Sherry, "Well, I already have a great one right here..."
"Quon!" Sherry laughed, blushing madly, throwing him a number of playful punches that knocked him forward, nearly causing him to fall, "Be glad I didn't bring my daggers with me."
"H-hey! Whoa, whoa!" he said, smiling as well, "No need to be so violent about it... oh right, I'm Quon. Quon Fei."
"I'm Sherry Hu, it's nice to meet you!" she said, glancing back at Quon with a peculiar worried expression, "I, uh, I don't suppose you've heard of Ezhara, have you? That's where we're from." With that, the two of them began to walk with her to the bakery.

Luca and Xoa'yi
"I don't know too much about wood," Luca said, his right foot fidgeting & his hands behind his back, "But I think my halberd back home was ironwood or something... I think I should be able to carry it so long as it's not too big."
"Oh, I'm sure you can, Luca dear!" Xoa'yi said, giving him a dismissive wave of her hand, "Your normal one seems like a mighty heavy thing, anyway."
"Not really, but maybe it's because I've used it a ton," he replied, & then turned to the shopkeepers, "I mean, I don't really need anything super heavy, but mostly just something to hold onto. I think a carved one would look best, though!"
"Ah, normally he holds his halberd, but last time we came to a spring festival, it just wasn't too well-received..." she said, glancing to the side & unaware of Luca's disapproving glance — he found her comment less than necessary, "Hmm, but I don't know a whole lot about wood. I'm a fashion designer more than a woodworker, anyway... I think I usually used bamboo from the Totemic lands when I had walking sticks. Always so naturally vibrant!"

[Mediama]

Miranda smiled at Fiona and put an arm around her.
It was a gesture, which could pass of as between friends... or more. Maybe it was too soon for that one, maybe it was not, but in any case - Fiona felt, that Miranda needed that bit of reassurance.
She seemed to like her hometown, which was always nice.
For Fiona... Cuan had a special place. Home always had.
As they approached the bakery, someone spoke from behind them: "Hi, Fiona!", the male voice said, belonging to a kid of maybe ten Springs and he looked so adorable on the back of his little colt, a lad in the green tunic of Cuan's Younger Militia, a sword and shield on his saddle. He was a messenger. And he was also blushing as Fiona smiled at him (it was quite obvious, that he was crushing on her). "Where are you two headed?"
"To the bakery.", Fiona said and smiled, "You should head out as well, Leonard, or your Cap will get angry!"
"Ah, it's not urgent.", the boy said and trotted up to their side, noticing Miranda. "Hello, Miss! Enjoyin' merry ol' Cuan?"

Miranda snuggled in closer as she felt Fiona wrap her arm around her. She knew it was something friends did, but this felt different somehow. This felt more... intimate.

Miranda turned to look toward the young militia boy. From what she could tell with her acute sense of detail (she had to to write prose well.) she could tell he was smitten with her.

And yet she couldn’t help but feel an ebbing of the good ‘ol green monster, even if she was older than himby 6 years. Somehow good old jealousy appeared even though Fiona was a friend... she was her fried, right?

She didn’t have time to ponder that for militia messenger had asked her a question. She shook her head out of her contemplations as she looked towards him, her back straightened out and her neck held higher. “U-Um, well, yes. So far I have seen a rustic town full of nice people and, if I can tell from the smells coming from the bakery, some delicious food.”

She gave a simple smile, “My pardon, but the only sense of disturbance I had was during the ceremonies, but I am quite well now that I’ve had some air mister...” she dragged briefly, eating for the young boy to introduce himself.

---

Chiara smiled.
"Indeed, they can and they should...", she said and looked at the handsome lad - who had no idea, that he had been called such, but who still enjoyed it. "...but forgetting they existed, that the shared history, with all the good times and bad times, is remembered, never happened, would be wrong."
"I feel, that this was a jab in our direction.", Finnegan said with a grin.
"It was the weird sort of jab, that went around, from me to you only to hit me as well.", Chiara admitted, "We are not innocent, when it comes to forgetting the past." Finnegan nodded, basically admitting, that the Selkie were sometimes not that much better. "You don't have to be so tense, Miss Shelby. Your girlfriend is pretty, you'll have an awesome breakfast and none of us will bite." She let a beat pass. "Except maybe Luigi, but he has a good excuse."
There was a round of laughs on the table at that.

Kat let out a slight chuckle. “Believe me Missus Sacerdotessa, had we all decided to forget our pasts, I’d be out of a job the moment I get my masters and bachelors.” Katherine again chuckled, this time at her own attempt at humor.

After Finnegan reassured her that no one would bite her, she sighed in relief and said, “Well, aside from Luigi, perhaps either vampires and sirens as well.” Katherine joked.

She gave her breakfast a few more bites. “You’re right though, this was much better than what they were offering at the Stoc in.”

Realizing what she said, she raised her hands and said, “D-Don’t get me wrong, the food there Isn’t bad, but it isn’t the best either... kind of like Hilton food, or slightly better Hilton food?” She was digging a hole for herself with the local hotel industry. Before she dug herself six feet under she said, “What I’m trying to say is, give my complements to the chef.” Kat awkwardly chuckled.

She looked back towards Liv with a smile, “And you’re right, I do have someone, someone who’s beautiful not only on the outside, but in the inside as well.”

Kat mentally pat herself on the back for that part.

She looked back to Finnegan and sighed as she relaxed into both her seat, and into Liv, “You’re right, I have a lot to be thankful for. As I assume everyone else does. No need to be overly tense or anything. Thank you mister Finnegan.”

[AHSCA]

Leonard nodded.
"Darufa was in school ever since her sixth Spring. She was a good cub and when she got older, she was the..." He thought for a moment. "...I think, the most appropriate term is 'sempai', anyway, she was the older and more mature upperclassman for the fresh students and still is."
He smiled.
"Although 'mature' is a matter to be discussed...", he added with a grin.

"Oooh I've heard that term before! It's not common on Hoshino but I think many parts of Aurora do." She giggled at his last remark that maybe she was a bit immature, well she didn't have siblings but she imagined older brothers would tease their younger sisters. "She sounds great! Mama and I do have a few days here before we head home, I don't know maybe I could meet her?"

"Well before that," Haru interrupted, "Leonard, would you know a place my daughter can get her glasses fixed? Well she has a pretty nasty crack in her left lens."

"H-hopefully one not very expensive?"

"Don't worry about the cost, whatever it is, it is. We'll be fine."

Branwen nodded and smiled, while Elin gave a short bow.
"Thank you, Shizuka.", Branwen said, "For us, Branwen and Elin is fine." She followed her elder sister, who led the way, walking next to Shizuka. "I've told stories for a while, too, but really going into it and writing them down was a fling in the beginning... in 2013, 2014, something like that." She let a beat pass. "My interest in Science Fiction came in 2017. We were in the Archipelago, when SDY made the first test launches with their Cosmos-class Launch Commander and Odyssey-class Launch Platform. It never was the same after that."
Branwen smiled.
"Gods, those things were loud...", she added.

"Aaah you know it down to the exact detail and time! You are a writer, all right, it's those attention to little details is what makes us who we are! And with sci-fi being your specialty, bet you could even teach me a thing or two!"

[Greater Orcadia]

The receptionist smiled.
"Good morning, Misses.", he said.
His eyes met the little dog for a moment - if on the arm or not, that might cause a few problems. They had six canines in the house already and while Bricliath was their undisputed alpha, General Niochan's Grey Wolf was a beast of a canine, the second spot was already contested enough. And he would not make it any less complicated.
"I take, that you have reservations?", he asked.
They were not alone in the lobby, besides the obligatory waitress running around behind them, there were three gentlemen sitting all over the room - two of them were so obviously SDF-Army, that they might as well have worn Blue Dress, but were actually dressed in civilian uniform. The third... the receptionist had no idea, who or what the third was.

"Thanks, Yes we do have a reservation, here it is...." Isis reaches hands over the reservation papers "....and on the subject of dogs, i think we have met the general's wolf, we were here a couple of years ago, however Bobster won't be off the leash" replies Isis, stroking Bobby's neck and ears.

Holly pulled a pouch out of the backpack, "how many gills is the room?" she asks

[The Selkie]

Jan with Gwen - Ropaire Inn

Jan took a seat directly next to Gwen, as not to disturb the giant canine's peacefull lay.

Jan symphasised with Gwen as he listened to her story. He knew very well the great pain the loss of a loved one could bring. This pain was no stranger to Jan, as he lost his mother at a young age to cancer, followed with the loss of his father and only uncle very soon after that in military action. And then not to even mention the massive loss of his own daughter, whose blood and pieces of flesh he had to literally scrape of his uniform. He decided not to mention these incidents yet, as not to even further darken the mood.

Jan finally spoke in a calm soft voice, filled with sympathy "Aye, I have heard of this.. incident. Darkest day in the history of your company..

I know that no words could ever lessen the pain younwill forever carry with you, as the sting of loss will forever be your companion. Just know - that I know of you pain and that my deepest condolences are with you always my dear."

Jan put his muscular arm around Gwen's shoulder, pulling her against his strong chest gently, followed with a soft kiss on her cheek.

---

Gwen, pulled against his chest smiled slightly.
"I know.", she said, looking up, "Your daughter. I know of her... what happened to her... SDY has means to find things about people..." She swallowed. "I know, where you were, when it happened, too."
She snuggled deeper into his chest.
"Thank you. For giving life another chance.", she said.

"Thanks, Yes we do have a reservation, here it is...." Isis reaches hands over the reservation papers "....and on the subject of dogs, i think we have met the general's wolf, we were here a couple of years ago, however Bobster won't be off the leash" replies Isis, stroking Bobby's neck and ears.

Holly pulled a pouch out of the backpack, "how many gills is the room?" she asks

"Good to know.", the receptionist said about the dog, thinking to himself, that they would have a fun ride... as he took the reservation papers, he nodded.
"Room 23, up the stairs, second floor, right down to the end of the hallway. It's the... second to last on the right. Be careful, though, the other door there leads to the cleaners supply depot." He shrugged. "Of course, it's the other one. It would make two Gil per night, breakfast included."
When they departed for their room, they would notice, that the others in the lobby stayed behind.
Their room was small, but not too small. A double bed, two dressers, two vanities, a small bathroom with a shower, a toilet and a sink. A table stood under the window, with a flower in a vase on it.
No TV there, but a dog bed in the corner.
It was not the President's Suite, but it was nice.

En route to the Marcach Camp.
Sophus nodded again - of course, most of the Mainland of the Free Lands was more north than the Lillöer-Archipelago - the latter was located roughly on a latitude running between Robálai Island and Mount Kilanda, at least their home city. Visholm, as the northernmost state of Lillorainen, however, already shared the Mainland's inconvenience when it came to climate, despite both being influenced by different ocean streams.
And of course, if anybody knew, that the world was changing, then the Spiorad, with their ability to get incredibly old.
"Many parts of the world will have to expect more extreme weather ..." - he said. "We've had some heavy storms when we departed - not that horrible, that airplanes couldn't start, but horrible enough to warn about going somewhere by ship. From what I know, it's calm and sunny again now, but this won't last forever. All we can do is prepare for the next one."
"Which we quite do" - Hilda added, "but meteorologists aren't clairvoyants, either."

Láir Square.
The self-nominated Borg grinned and exchanged a few words in Selkie-Language, and although Chris still wasn't fluent at it, he, at least, got the idea of what they were talking - nothing he hadn't heard ever before.
Finnegan kissed his one-and-only on the cheek, and after receiving another kiss on his own cheek by his own one-and-only, Chris kissed Cel back - with the words, "Is breá liom tú freisin, searrach."
While he wasn't entirely sure, whether his pronunciation was still good, for the last time he had spoken this very hard language dated back some time, it surely was still better than in the beginning, where he had still needed to practice even the pronunciation of Cel's fully name.

En route to the Marcach Camp.
Leonard nodded and, after a moment, made a face.
"Dang, my job as Ambassador is getting to me...", he groaned, "You see, we hurried from one crisis to the other last year, especially with Marla and Daideo and... well, I am sure, that you heard about Operation Spartacus?" He shook his head. "Hopefully, this year will be a lot better!"
He grinned.
"While we are at it, a little change of topic!", he said and smiled, "What do you all plan for next year?!"

Láir Square.
As I smiled at Chris' declaration of love and my heart made jumps and leaps in my chest at it, I was sure of one thing: The Collective would be a far more fun place with us around.
As for Chris... well, his pronounciation was not perfect, but that was not the point. Rhinnon, my pronounciation was not perfect, if one trusted the school books, but the important part was, that the message came across.
It had come across.
I hugged Chris, pressed my head in his chest.
This was a very good moment.

Pina laughed with Charlie, almost adoring both girls already.
"That sounds like quite a lot of work... Donny and I sometimes have our hands full with Lorgaire, so I could not imagine taking care of so many different animals.", she admitted, a bit sheepish, "It does sound fun, though."

"Well takes a whole lot to commit to animal rearin' and that's on top of raising crops to harvest as well." Charlie replied. "For some folks a pet is all they need and that's plenty fine. But it can be fun too. Aint that true, Billie girl?"

"It sure is, mama!"

Rona nodded at Mei's words.
"Boys are dense idiots, so hammer it into them.", she said with an adorable conviction as if she just discovered the grandest and most important truth of the universe. She nodded. "Understood, Miss Mei!"
Mavie laughed out at that, ruffled her daughter's hair with a grin.
"He'll be the lucky lad!", she said and smiled full of pride, Rona blushed.

"Hehhe well I guess you're right." Mei nodded giving a gentle pat to Rona's head. "You know, I play music myself, probably not quite like the bands here but nice. Do you know what an erhu is?"

"Mei is amazing at it!" Tsukasa added "She really is the best player ever!"

"Tsu-chan really, I'm probably nothing compared to the seasoned pros but I do hold my own well!"

Pina nodded with respect shining in her eyes.
"I am, quite honestly, impressed.", she said and looked at the two adults and the two children, "Farming and herding... and quite successfully at that!" She grinned. "I can't keep a flower alive for a week, to be honest... my skills lie more with the mechanical side of things."

Rona's eyes shone with curiosity and Mavie, too, could not help but be interested.
"No, I haven't heard of an ehu.", Rona admitted, then put her head to the side, a bit like a confused puppy. "What sort of sound does it make?"
"Hang on!", Mavie cautioned, "Before you play, Miss Mei, I would love a demonstration as well, but please - we should try and not disturb the other festival goers." She let a beat pass. "I know a nice little square a minute or two away."

Marie was just as glad as Kiah to sit down, and sighed with exhaustion. After much awkward silence, she spoke. "So...Kiah...I noticed your dress. How did you get involved with Cult of Lodan Lir? Were you born on the coast, or did you just like Mudkippers?" She cracked a smile. "Or is it because you just liked the color blue?"

"I was born in Cuan.", Kiah said with a small smile, "But my parents sent me to a Boarding School in Béal quite early. It's just downriver for a few hundred kilometres." She smiled. "And there, I got to know the local Priest of Lodan Lir, an old man, who I helped out, when I was not busy with school. He reminded me of my Grand, so..."
She shrugged.
"And he awakened my spirituality.", she finished the story, just as the Guarding Fox was nudging the door open. Kiah smiled as he came inside and plopped down in her lap, demanding petting. She supplied with a smile. "A few years down the line, I signed up for training to be a Servant."

The young woman saw the glance and understood - or at least thought she did...

Quon & Sherry
"Breadrolls?" Quon said, smirking & inching closer to Sherry, "Well, I already have a great one right here..."
"Quon!" Sherry laughed, blushing madly, throwing him a number of playful punches that knocked him forward, nearly causing him to fall, "Be glad I didn't bring my daggers with me."
"H-hey! Whoa, whoa!" he said, smiling as well, "No need to be so violent about it... oh right, I'm Quon. Quon Fei."
"I'm Sherry Hu, it's nice to meet you!" she said, glancing back at Quon with a peculiar worried expression, "I, uh, I don't suppose you've heard of Ezhara, have you? That's where we're from." With that, the two of them began to walk with her to the bakery.

Luca and Xoa'yi
"I don't know too much about wood," Luca said, his right foot fidgeting & his hands behind his back, "But I think my halberd back home was ironwood or something... I think I should be able to carry it so long as it's not too big."
"Oh, I'm sure you can, Luca dear!" Xoa'yi said, giving him a dismissive wave of her hand, "Your normal one seems like a mighty heavy thing, anyway."
"Not really, but maybe it's because I've used it a ton," he replied, & then turned to the shopkeepers, "I mean, I don't really need anything super heavy, but mostly just something to hold onto. I think a carved one would look best, though!"
"Ah, normally he holds his halberd, but last time we came to a spring festival, it just wasn't too well-received..." she said, glancing to the side & unaware of Luca's disapproving glance — he found her comment less than necessary, "Hmm, but I don't know a whole lot about wood. I'm a fashion designer more than a woodworker, anyway... I think I usually used bamboo from the Totemic lands when I had walking sticks. Always so naturally vibrant!"

"Pleasure, you two!", Ida said with a grin, "Ezhara... it rings a bell somewhere, but I have no idea."
She smiled, offering her hands for the kids to take so that no one would get lost. They would feel the softness from them and how much strength lied in them as well.
Ida navigated them onto the street and from there, towards the right.
"So, tell me about that place!", she asked from the two of them.

The vendor smiled, thinking to himself, that Luca looked a bit too young for the Pikes, but to each their own.
"I can't offer you bamboo, but I have blackthorn.", he said, indicating to a dark wooden hiking stick with carvings, especially at the head, where the carving of a young Tine was looking at the landscape. "A relatively rare wood, but a very good one, too! This one was carved by my son, too. A young Tine, known for his curiosity."

Miranda smiled at Fiona and put an arm around her.
It was a gesture, which could pass of as between friends... or more. Maybe it was too soon for that one, maybe it was not, but in any case - Fiona felt, that Miranda needed that bit of reassurance.
She seemed to like her hometown, which was always nice.
For Fiona... Cuan had a special place. Home always had.
As they approached the bakery, someone spoke from behind them: "Hi, Fiona!", the male voice said, belonging to a kid of maybe ten Springs and he looked so adorable on the back of his little colt, a lad in the green tunic of Cuan's Younger Militia, a sword and shield on his saddle. He was a messenger. And he was also blushing as Fiona smiled at him (it was quite obvious, that he was crushing on her). "Where are you two headed?"
"To the bakery.", Fiona said and smiled, "You should head out as well, Leonard, or your Cap will get angry!"
"Ah, it's not urgent.", the boy said and trotted up to their side, noticing Miranda. "Hello, Miss! Enjoyin' merry ol' Cuan?"

Miranda snuggled in closer as she felt Fiona wrap her arm around her. She knew it was something friends did, but this felt different somehow. This felt more... intimate.

Miranda turned to look toward the young militia boy. From what she could tell with her acute sense of detail (she had to to write prose well.) she could tell he was smitten with her.

And yet she couldn’t help but feel an ebbing of the good ‘ol green monster, even if she was older than himby 6 years. Somehow good old jealousy appeared even though Fiona was a friend... she was her fried, right?

She didn’t have time to ponder that for militia messenger had asked her a question. She shook her head out of her contemplations as she looked towards him, her back straightened out and her neck held higher. “U-Um, well, yes. So far I have seen a rustic town full of nice people and, if I can tell from the smells coming from the bakery, some delicious food.”

She gave a simple smile, “My pardon, but the only sense of disturbance I had was during the ceremonies, but I am quite well now that I’ve had some air mister...” she dragged briefly, eating for the young boy to introduce himself.

---

Chiara smiled.
"Indeed, they can and they should...", she said and looked at the handsome lad - who had no idea, that he had been called such, but who still enjoyed it. "...but forgetting they existed, that the shared history, with all the good times and bad times, is remembered, never happened, would be wrong."
"I feel, that this was a jab in our direction.", Finnegan said with a grin.
"It was the weird sort of jab, that went around, from me to you only to hit me as well.", Chiara admitted, "We are not innocent, when it comes to forgetting the past." Finnegan nodded, basically admitting, that the Selkie were sometimes not that much better. "You don't have to be so tense, Miss Shelby. Your girlfriend is pretty, you'll have an awesome breakfast and none of us will bite." She let a beat pass. "Except maybe Luigi, but he has a good excuse."
There was a round of laughs on the table at that.

Kat let out a slight chuckle. “Believe me Missus Sacerdotessa, had we all decided to forget our pasts, I’d be out of a job the moment I get my masters and bachelors.” Katherine again chuckled, this time at her own attempt at humor.

After Finnegan reassured her that no one would bite her, she sighed in relief and said, “Well, aside from Luigi, perhaps either vampires and sirens as well.” Katherine joked.

She gave her breakfast a few more bites. “You’re right though, this was much better than what they were offering at the Stoc in.”

Realizing what she said, she raised her hands and said, “D-Don’t get me wrong, the food there Isn’t bad, but it isn’t the best either... kind of like Hilton food, or slightly better Hilton food?” She was digging a hole for herself with the local hotel industry. Before she dug herself six feet under she said, “What I’m trying to say is, give my complements to the chef.” Kat awkwardly chuckled.

She looked back towards Liv with a smile, “And you’re right, I do have someone, someone who’s beautiful not only on the outside, but in the inside as well.”

Kat mentally pat herself on the back for that part.

She looked back to Finnegan and sighed as she relaxed into both her seat, and into Liv, “You’re right, I have a lot to be thankful for. As I assume everyone else does. No need to be overly tense or anything. Thank you mister Finnegan.”

Fiona smiled at Miranda's words, as did the messenger.
"I'm Ciaran, Miss!", he said with pride, preening a bit, "Best message rider in all of Cuan! And if you need to know about the Woodworker Quarter, I am your lad, too!"
Fiona grinned. "Well, then, the best message rider might want to deliver his message, right?", she said and kissed the tip of her pointer before she reached up and pressed it onto the boy's cheek, which turned into a deep scarlet a moment later. "I'll see you later!"
"Yes, Ma'am!", Ciaran said, trying and utterly failing to play it cool, nodded, "Miss."
And with that, he spurred his horse slightly.
Fiona grinned and as he was out of earshot, she smiled at Miranda... and she did not know, what drove her, but at that moment, she leaned over and kissed Miranda onto her cheek.
It was not much, only a brush of her lips, but it was a kiss.

Finnegan grinned. "No issue, Miss Kat!", he said, digging in himself, "I get, what you mean, though! The stock is a good house, but their cook lacks... this little something, you know? We, here, meanwhile..."
He looked around, spotted the person, who had brought the food returning with more."
"...we have good, Selkie Household Food!"
"With a well-used hearth, too.", Liv added, still a bit red from the many praises she just received, letting her melt into her with a smile, receiving her with an open arm. "We all have things we should thank the Gods for... I, for example, have you, Kat."

Leonard nodded.
"Darufa was in school ever since her sixth Spring. She was a good cub and when she got older, she was the..." He thought for a moment. "...I think, the most appropriate term is 'sempai', anyway, she was the older and more mature upperclassman for the fresh students and still is."
He smiled.
"Although 'mature' is a matter to be discussed...", he added with a grin.

"Oooh I've heard that term before! It's not common on Hoshino but I think many parts of Aurora do." She giggled at his last remark that maybe she was a bit immature, well she didn't have siblings but she imagined older brothers would tease their younger sisters. "She sounds great! Mama and I do have a few days here before we head home, I don't know maybe I could meet her?"

"Well before that," Haru interrupted, "Leonard, would you know a place my daughter can get her glasses fixed? Well she has a pretty nasty crack in her left lens."

"H-hopefully one not very expensive?"

"Don't worry about the cost, whatever it is, it is. We'll be fine."

Branwen nodded and smiled, while Elin gave a short bow.
"Thank you, Shizuka.", Branwen said, "For us, Branwen and Elin is fine." She followed her elder sister, who led the way, walking next to Shizuka. "I've told stories for a while, too, but really going into it and writing them down was a fling in the beginning... in 2013, 2014, something like that." She let a beat pass. "My interest in Science Fiction came in 2017. We were in the Archipelago, when SDY made the first test launches with their Cosmos-class Launch Commander and Odyssey-class Launch Platform. It never was the same after that."
Branwen smiled.
"Gods, those things were loud...", she added.

"Aaah you know it down to the exact detail and time! You are a writer, all right, it's those attention to little details is what makes us who we are! And with sci-fi being your specialty, bet you could even teach me a thing or two!"

Leonard nodded.
"I know someone.", he said firmly, "And he should not be too expensive, too." He grinned. "At least not, when I bring you over. He is even in Cuan, so..."
He shrugged.
"But before we go, I have a question, Haru.", Leonard said, blushing himself lightly. He took in air, then spoke: "Tonight, at nine, two friends of mine will play music here. May I be so very bold and ask, if you would like to go with me...? As friends, of course, nothing more?"
He was nervous, very much so.

Branwen blushed lightly under the praise.
"I would love to give you a few pointers, Shiro.", she said, "But no one can 'teach' Sci Fi. Everyone has the own style and things, which he or she prefers. It's like with romantic novels: They can vastly differ, no one can teach how to write such a story, but at their core, they all share common themes."
Elin, meanwhile, smiled as she led them towards the Stilted Quarter.

[Kuronami]

Pina nodded with respect shining in her eyes.
"I am, quite honestly, impressed.", she said and looked at the two adults and the two children, "Farming and herding... and quite successfully at that!" She grinned. "I can't keep a flower alive for a week, to be honest... my skills lie more with the mechanical side of things."

"Oh thank you, thank you. We do work very hard to maintain our little plot of land and all the animals. But just the one girl in our case, Billie is our girl, while Joey is our neighbor and her best friend. But the two are so inseparable they might as well be sisters! Aww not quite the green thumb huh? No matter everyone has a special talent they're good at, if mechanics are yours that's good."

"Heeey!" Joey couldn't help but overhear. "That's really neat, if you know mechanical things! My big sister, Roxy, she's really good at fixing things. That's how we met my new mama actually! Sees my mama, my real mama, she died when I was just a little baby ya know. But many years later my papa met a new lady, her car broke down and my sister helped fix it up for her. Well now that lady is my new mama!"

"Aww I like that story!" Billie did always like to hear Joey tell about her parents met. A story that started sad but ended happy made everyone feel good.

Rona's eyes shone with curiosity and Mavie, too, could not help but be interested.
"No, I haven't heard of an ehu.", Rona admitted, then put her head to the side, a bit like a confused puppy. "What sort of sound does it make?"
"Hang on!", Mavie cautioned, "Before you play, Miss Mei, I would love a demonstration as well, but please - we should try and not disturb the other festival goers." She let a beat pass. "I know a nice little square a minute or two away."

"Oh it's very pretty sound, very pretty string instrument. I'd love to play it for you sometime." Mavie urged them to think and move away to not bother others which was understandable "Oh, no worries at all. I actually still have it at our Inn, I didn't want to carry it all around town with me if I didn't get to play it. But later if you'd like me to play you a tune, I'd be glad to, at the place you mentioned."

[Port Ember]

Gwen, pulled against his chest smiled slightly.
"I know.", she said, looking up, "Your daughter. I know of her... what happened to her... SDY has means to find things about people..." She swallowed. "I know, where you were, when it happened, too."
She snuggled deeper into his chest.
"Thank you. For giving life another chance.", she said.

Jan with Gwen - Ropaire Inn

Jan was struck silent, unguarded even. He did not expect Gwen to mention his daughter or even know about it. Although the event which caused his daughters death was quite well known around the world, his name was barely mentioned in the media circles as he tried to keep it so. It was however not impossible to discover the details with some digging. Which was obviously the case here. He wondered what else she has managed to uncover, as he was a man with a... complicated and dark past.

The mention of his daughter struck pain right through his soul, and he relived the event in his mind. He could see the grissly remains of his torn-apart child, the smell of her burned corpse. Tears started to slowly build in his eyes, he did manage to stop them in their tracks quickly.

He smiled at his lover "With you.." he placed his hand on Gwen's stomach "both of you.. life is more than worth than anything else on this planet."

[Danceria]

The waitress sighed.
"That one's an intruder.", she said as she noted down the order for a tea, a Matcha - she knew, that they didn't have Chai. "I don't think, that he belongs to anyone... except for that girl now. May the Vixen bless her heart!"
She really meant it, then looked at the young man.
"Now, as for a recommendation, I would start with Maith.", she said, "And Scipeáil in a pack, so that you have a few bites on you in case you get hungry over the next decade or so." She shrugged. "It holds a while."

"Then the Maith it is then." the man would chuckle. "The Scipeáil could be used as a snack for my journey to the Petting Zoo...maybe one of 'em will follow after me back here."

[AHSCA]

Leonard nodded.
"I know someone.", he said firmly, "And he should not be too expensive, too." He grinned. "At least not, when I bring you over. He is even in Cuan, so..."
He shrugged.
"But before we go, I have a question, Haru.", Leonard said, blushing himself lightly. He took in air, then spoke: "Tonight, at nine, two friends of mine will play music here. May I be so very bold and ask, if you would like to go with me...? As friends, of course, nothing more?"
He was nervous, very much so.

"Wonderful, thank you very much." Hina nodded finishing her plate and pushing it aside with her empty cup of tea, then a surprising question, she was being asked for a "date" of sorts, more like an evening with friends. Well Haru made it no secret she was married but the intent seemed innocent enough. "Leonard, I'd love to join you this evening." She smiled and nodded. Hina just looked a bit surprised and puzzled, but Haru knew what she was doing, regardless, it was something she'd have to discuss later with her daughter.

Branwen blushed lightly under the praise.
"I would love to give you a few pointers, Shizuka.", she said, "But no one can 'teach' Sci Fi. Everyone has the own style and things, which he or she prefers. It's like with romantic novels: They can vastly differ, no one can teach how to write such a story, but at their core, they all share common themes."
Elin, meanwhile, smiled as she led them towards the Stilted Quarter.

"Mmm? I always heard there were fundamentals to any story. Sci-fi is very outside my wheelhouse which is why I've often stuck to romance. Even if I haven't had many relationships I've been able to observe others. I was always told, write what you know. Buuuut, they do also say, art is a subjective thing, and who am I to say what is, what? I like you're boldness, Branwen!"

[Foxfound]

The three were happy to be getting something to eat, and just as happy to be meeting a potential new friend. Z was excited in particular, but she was also very glad to be able to sit down. Despite her adventurous attitude, she seemed to be getting fatigued from all the walking she'd done today, much more so than you'd expect from someone so youthful. Perhaps it was fatigue from the long boat ride, or the weight of her backpack.

Ren briefly studied the new woman that received them. She looked at least a little older than her, but for all she knew she could have been a century her senior; it was harder tell than with shorter-lived humans. Her eyes were especially beautiful and intriguing. Ren could see strength, knowledge... michevousness? Kiri saw some of this too. Their mother had showed them that you can learn a lot from someone's eyes. The clear wisdom led Ren to believe that this lady was indeed much older and wiser than her.

The two sisters were briefly perplexed by Macha kneeling down, but quickly surmised that it must be some way of showing respect. Operating on this assumption, Ren was about to kneel as well when they were suddenly spoken to by the mysterious lady.

Z smiled. "Ren is definitely a Spiorad, or at least related to them. I'm not sure what I am, but from what little I know I'm definitely not one."

Ren just smiled and nodded in greeting; she couldn't open up to everyone so quickly. She was glad when Macha sat next to her, though; she seemed like she knew a lot of interesting things. The building was beautiful, too; she appreciated it the most of the three as she looked around. So did Kiri; Z probably did as well, but with her scatterbrained personality it was hard to tell.

Kiri grinned. Mostly she was glad no one had been scared of her thus far. "Heh... well, I can't really eat anymore, so I guess I'm here for conversation. Thanks though."

She fiddled with a small red ribbon that was loosely wrapped around her arm. She hadn't been able to interact with anything else so far, so there was probably something special about this little trinket she carried with her.

"So... what's your name, ma'am, if it's polite to ask? What did Macha tell you about us?" Kiri was curious. It looked like either Macha or Z had planned something without telling her.

The woman noted, how tired, but enthusiastic Z seemed, an adventurer, who needed food and drink and merriment - she knew the type. Her words of herself not being a Spiorad, but something else, and Ren maybe being one or at least related intrigued the woman, who was indeed, many, many centuries older then Ren.
Both her and Macha noted the little red ribbon, the only corporeal thing on her. Whatever its story was, they assumed, that it was important to Kiri... and that she knew its story.
The woman smiled.
"It is polite, young lady.", she said and gave a short bow, "Actually, it was impolite of me not to introduce myself sooner... I am Branwen Chwilfrydig. Some also call me Branwen the Wise or, which I personally prefer, simply Branwen." She smiled. "I am... 'leader' might be a bit of a strong term, but I am that for the Spiorad Ainmhithe. That's what people like me or Macha call ourselves." The blonde waved slightly as Branwen turned to Ren. "And what you might be - or related to us. We'll have to see... so much to talk about, yet so little time!"
She giggled into her hand, then looked at all four.
"I took the liberty of asking for five Full Course Breakfasts already, they should be here in a bit.", she explained, then continued, "As for what Macha told already... not much, to be honest. She just told me, that she knows three people, who I would love to meet." Branwen shrugged. "So far, she was right."

"So much to talk about indeed!" replied Z. "I suppose I have a few questions, like what we should do today, but was there anything specific you wanted to discuss?"

With Z being so boisterous, Ren would let her take the lead in the conversation, but she was deeply curious about the Spiorad and their history, and that of the Free Lands in general. "So... what are you in charge of if you're only 'sort of' a leader? It reminds me of the kami my people worship; she doesn't really rule us so much as guide us."

Kiri was just glad to be making new friends. She loved making new friends! Especially friends that weren't scared of her. People back home usually were, because friendly spirits were pretty much unheard of there. "I know Z wanted to see some of those little black foxes you have here... but knowing her she probably hasn't made many other concrete plans."

She wasn't really sure what to talk about; kickstarting a conversation wasn't one of her strong suits. It was definitely one of Z's strong suits, but given her bipolar nature she was likely to go off on a tangent at any time without some sort of moderating influence.

[Shwe Tu Colony]

"Pleasure, you two!", Ida said with a grin...

Quon & Sherry
Only Sherry took her hand, letting herself be absorbed by the motherly texture, whereas Quon stayed close behind. "Well, I mean..." he began when she asked them about Ezhara, "Hmm, I guess it would make sense you don't know all too much. It's mostly the performers & artists that people know about... but a while back there was a..." He paused suddenly, glancing behind him while Sherry also looked at him, anxiously awaiting his reponse. "N-nevermind. I-it's really not a casual topic. I'd rather eat first, anyway!"

As Quon glanced into the bakery, he saw a pale boy with bright red hair holding onto a suspiciously long paint brush, who then turned towards him, smiling & waving in clear view of all three of them.
The whites of his eyes, though, were stained black.

Luca & Xoa'yi
"A Tine this early, huh? I think that's good luck for you, Luca dear! Maybe you'll find her, ah, descendant, or something!" Xoa'yi commented, patting his head as he hid his bright blush, only for her expression to snap to one of realization, "Er... friend! Yes, friend!"
"Aunt Xoa'yi!" he called out, his angered expression & voice crack more endearing than threatening. His guardian simply laughed at his reaction, & would ask for & pay the price for the walking stick. "Here you go, Luca!" she said, one hand on her chin as her head tilted left, "Don't you look adorable with it? Well, what am I saying, you always were!"

[Mediama]

Fiona smiled at Miranda's words, as did the messenger.
"I'm Ciaran, Miss!", he said with pride, preening a bit, "Best message rider in all of Cuan! And if you need to know about the Woodworker Quarter, I am your lad, too!"
Fiona grinned. "Well, then, the best message rider might want to deliver his message, right?", she said and kissed the tip of her pointer before she reached up and pressed it onto the boy's cheek, which turned into a deep scarlet a moment later. "I'll see you later!"
"Yes, Ma'am!", Ciaran said, trying and utterly failing to play it cool, nodded, "Miss."
And with that, he spurred his horse slightly.
Fiona grinned and as he was out of earshot, she smiled at Miranda... and she did not know, what drove her, but at that moment, she leaned over and kissed Miranda onto her cheek.
It was not much, only a brush of her lips, but it was a kiss.

Miranda tried to keep up a facade of intent politeness. But while it was (kinda) genuine and she didn’t hate Ciaran, her feelings of jealously just got worse. Miranda couldn’t explain it, but the green monster in her head was growing bigger by the minute. Why is it getting worse? She’s just a friend! Ciaran is only 6 years younger than her, so they’re friends as well... probably. the 16 year old reminded herself.

She was able to nod back at the militia boy’s declaration of departure, and soon, she was relatively alone with Fiona again. After a few minutes of mulling over her jealously, she did have to admit it was adorable how he looked up to her, like a kind of puppy of sorts. I... I’m just not sure what got over me? she thought to herself. Aside for Kathleen, she had never felt this protective over her friends. Nevertheless, she awkwardly smiled back at Fiona as she continued pondering.

She was suddenly brought out of her thoughts with Fiona’s brush of the lips to her cheek.

Her body went into overdrive, her face heated up, and she felt shivers down her spine. She froze up, face locked in wide eyed surprise. She tried to process what just happened. She knew some of the French Mediamen from Milieu offend greeted friends with the double cheeked kiss, she knew somehow this was different. It was something two children in their preteen years would do to their crushes or their nanas.

Like it or not, and even if it had sort of lost its meaning over the years, it was a definite sign of love.

Before she could think any further, she felt an abrupt and playful slap to the head, “Told ya I’d be able ta find my way here ya git!” Kathleen announced playfully. She looked towards the bakery and took a deep breath, “You weren’t kidding Fiona, I can smell the bread over here, and it’s only makin’ me stomach growl even more.” The Scott said.

“Y-Yeah, I guess we should get going.” Miranda said, still slightly dazed. Whether or not Kathleen or Fiona noticed was up in the air.

And so while they began to wrap up their trek to the bakery, Miranda habitually rubbed at the area Fiona kissed her, only to make the flush in her cheeks worse, as her head was still arguing with itself.

---

Finnegan grinned. "No issue, Miss Kat!", he said, digging in himself, "I get, what you mean, though! The stock is a good house, but their cook lacks... this little something, you know? We, here, meanwhile..."
He looked around, spotted the person, who had brought the food returning with more."
"...we have good, Selkie Household Food!"
"With a well-used hearth, too.", Liv added, still a bit red from the many praises she just received, letting her melt into her with a smile, receiving her with an open arm. "We all have things we should thank the Gods for... I, for example, have you, Kat."

“Aww, Liv, you stinker!” Kat said with a blush, turning to give Liv a flurry of kisses on her cheek. She smiled as she began to wrap up with her meal and took in the aura of the room.

Now that her heart wasn’t beating like a humming bird on caffeine pills, Kat took the time to look around at the internal design and decoration of the temple. Being it was what she theorized to be the main temple used for important ceremonies, versus the smaller, more practical main temple, she had a general idea that the interior, and the exterior would be spared no expense.

As she took in the architecture, she openly asked, “How old is this temple. I’ve got a general feeling that it’s older than the main temple, but still... This has to be centuries old at least.” All the while, Kat snuggled into Liv like a... well, like a cat. (Oh god, Selks, take my service revolver and shoot me for that dad joke!)

[Folaisia]

When Fiona basically agreed to Kiah's plan, the tower of a woman nodded and looked to Alpin, who looked confused and a bit embarrassed.
"Yeah, I can see, what you mean.", she said, "Still, best keep them apart!"
Ida looked a bit scandalized at her (technically younger) sister and then to Fiona. "Come on, you'll get him back in one piece!", she held against that plan.
"That's not the point.", her sister said and looked back to Fiona and Alpin, "In any case, how about we drastically change the subject?"
Her question was followed by a beat, Ida neither agreeing nor disagreeing to the proposal.

Enya nodded at the advice, her grin still in place - it was obvious, that she was the sort of person, who either did something with enthusiasm or didn't do something.
She smiled at Gordon.
"Well, when we went back to Dad's Homeland once, for a few months over winter, we got to work in the beer garden of my Uncle when Dad was occupied with his job, and it was a huge bit of fun!", she said with a grin, "It got me interested in Trade and Business. And beer... well, a beer garden is nice and dandy, but I want to make and create, not put the finished product onto the table."

When hearing of Ida, Fiona put on a discouraged look.

"I dinnon know if I should trust you about that," Fiona expressed, "I mean, you've hella confused the shit out of him and made him stare at you like a deer in headlights. I mean, look at the poor nerdy bastard."

Alpin, somewhat discombobulated, attempts to form his words quickly after acknowledging Kiah's proposition.

"Yeah. Why non," he replied, "You lassies play any video games?"

Meanwhile, Marie looked at Enya with a face putting on admiration for the young one, but her eyes tell a different thought, all of which made her look like a typical, loving mother.

"It's nice of you to be well enthusiastic about your creative skills like that," she said, staying silent for a while, "but," there are times when you have to finish your creation, whether sooner or later."

[Lillorainen]

Leonard nodded and, after a moment, made a face.
"Dang, my job as Ambassador is getting to me...", he groaned, "You see, we hurried from one crisis to the other last year, especially with Marla and Daideo and... well, I am sure, that you heard about Operation Spartacus?" He shook his head. "Hopefully, this year will be a lot better!"
He grinned.
"While we are at it, a little change of topic!", he said and smiled, "What do you all plan for next year?!"

Láir Square.
As I smiled at Chris' declaration of love and my heart made jumps and leaps in my chest at it, I was sure of one thing: The Collective would be a far more fun place with us around.
As for Chris... well, his pronounciation was not perfect, but that was not the point. Rhinnon, my pronounciation was not perfect, if one trusted the school books, but the important part was, that the message came across.
It had come across.
I hugged Chris, pressed my head in his chest.
This was a very good moment.

En route to the Marcach Camp.
Sophus had nodded again, for the crises mentioned by Leonard, as far as their details were known publically, were indeed, at least vaguely, known to him - including Operation Spartacus, the military operation in Berlin not exactly turning out with any major losses for the SDF and the Selkie in general, quite on the contrary.
While the previous year hadn't been remotely as horrible for the Federation, there had been a few minor scandals.
A little change of topic was fine now, though.
"For me, it'll be going on with studies - and see where it gets me" - he replied. "Hopefully into the world of digital media someday - including videogames."
"And to a better orientation, maybe" - Mia added, grinning.
"Hopefully - I'm glad I can find the most important cities of the world on a map, but I need to rely on a working GPS whenever I have to go to places - otherwise I'm doomed. It's beyond me how people can find our road numbering system logical - I just don't get through it."
"But no trouble finding the glass pyramid in Las Venturas on the GTA: San Andreas map at once eh?" As he shrugged sheepishly, Mia continued, "As for me, I'm going to finish my own soon, and if I'm lucky, I may be accepted into the State Bureau for Regional Planning & City Development someday. And if not ... well, we'll see."
Hilda said, "I'm going to finish school next year - and until then, there are a few tournaments left I might be participating in."

Láir Square.
If one trusted the school books, Chris' pronunciation of his own mother tongue wasn't anywhere near perfect, either - but then again, most Lillos' ones weren't, pretty much thanks to High German wasn't much used outside school lessons in Lillorainen. Not to mention the regional differences within the Federation, which were never to underestimate.
Whatever.
The message did come across, and that was all that mattered. Cel's heart-jumps could probably be heard on the entire square, and whenever the two of them hugged each other the way they did now, it usually got clear to everybody waiting for them, that they were most certainly supposed to wait a moment longer.
A good moment, indeed.

[The Selkie]

Pina nodded with respect shining in her eyes.
"I am, quite honestly, impressed.", she said and looked at the two adults and the two children, "Farming and herding... and quite successfully at that!" She grinned. "I can't keep a flower alive for a week, to be honest... my skills lie more with the mechanical side of things."

"Oh thank you, thank you. We do work very hard to maintain our little plot of land and all the animals. But just the one girl in our case, Billie is our girl, while Joey is our neighbor and her best friend. But the two are so inseparable they might as well be sisters! Aww not quite the green thumb huh? No matter everyone has a special talent they're good at, if mechanics are yours that's good."

"Heeey!" Joey couldn't help but overhear. "That's really neat, if you know mechanical things! My big sister, Roxy, she's really good at fixing things. That's how we met my new mama actually! Sees my mama, my real mama, she died when I was just a little baby ya know. But many years later my papa met a new lady, her car broke down and my sister helped fix it up for her. Well now that lady is my new mama!"

"Aww I like that story!" Billie did always like to hear Joey tell about her parents met. A story that started sad but ended happy made everyone feel good.

Rona's eyes shone with curiosity and Mavie, too, could not help but be interested.
"No, I haven't heard of an ehu.", Rona admitted, then put her head to the side, a bit like a confused puppy. "What sort of sound does it make?"
"Hang on!", Mavie cautioned, "Before you play, Miss Mei, I would love a demonstration as well, but please - we should try and not disturb the other festival goers." She let a beat pass. "I know a nice little square a minute or two away."

"Oh it's very pretty sound, very pretty string instrument. I'd love to play it for you sometime." Mavie urged them to think and move away to not bother others which was understandable "Oh, no worries at all. I actually still have it at our Inn, I didn't want to carry it all around town with me if I didn't get to play it. But later if you'd like me to play you a tune, I'd be glad to, at the place you mentioned."

Pina cooed - it was a sweet story, no question asked.
"That's a nice story with a good happy end.", she said and petted Joey's head, "So, your sis is a mechanic, too?" She grinned. "I'm quite sure, that I work with the heavier machines, though.", she boasted, "You see, I practice something called Dabbabat Alriyada or Tank Sport. It's basically laser-tag with specially built tanks, but an awful lot of fun! And not only that, but these tanks also need maintenance."
She smiled.
"It ultimately led to me meeting my boyfriend... with a few steps inbetween, but that's not the point.", she added.

"That'd be awesome!", Rona cheered, turning to her mother, asking her something in Selkie.
Mavie nodded, to which the girl cheered.
"So, just so you know...", she said to Mei and her friend, "...if you decide to play a tune later, you'll have at least two people listening. Three, if Mara can make it." She smiled. "I actually look forward to it. Wanna swap numbers so you can throw us an SMS if you decide to play?"
Rona nodded enthusiastically.

Jan with Gwen - Ropaire Inn

Jan was struck silent, unguarded even. He did not expect Gwen to mention his daughter or even know about it. Although the event which caused his daughters death was quite well known around the world, his name was barely mentioned in the media circles as he tried to keep it so. It was however not impossible to discover the details with some digging. Which was obviously the case here. He wondered what else she has managed to uncover, as he was a man with a... complicated and dark past.

The mention of his daughter struck pain right through his soul, and he relived the event in his mind. He could see the grissly remains of his torn-apart child, the smell of her burned corpse. Tears started to slowly build in his eyes, he did manage to stop them in their tracks quickly.

He smiled at his lover "With you.." he placed his hand on Gwen's stomach "both of you.. life is more than worth than anything else on this planet."

Gwen's sniffers had found out quite a bit about Jan and his past, but that was not important right now.
She smiled back, took his hand with one and planted a soft kiss on it, using the other to order Srol to remove his head from her lap. He did that, making her free to move deeper onto the bed.
With her feet now on the bed as well, still sitting, she looked at Jan and motioned for him to come closer.
"I want you to do something, Jan.", she asked of him, "I want you to put your head here...", she patted her shoulder, "...and I want you to let everything you have bottled up out. All of it. I see, that it's gnawing on you, Jan, and I want you to be healthy... bottling everything is not going to help you."

"Then the Maith it is then." the man would chuckle. "The Scipeáil could be used as a snack for my journey to the Petting Zoo...maybe one of 'em will follow after me back here."

The waitress nodded.
"The Matcha will be here in a minute, the food will take a few moments.", she said and smiled, finishing her noting everything down. "See you soon!"
And with that, she was gone.
The busyness of the restaurant, however, did not leave the young man alone for long, as the free tables got even rarer then before and free spots doubly so.
Who knew, maybe someone would join him on his table?

Leonard nodded.
"I know someone.", he said firmly, "And he should not be too expensive, too." He grinned. "At least not, when I bring you over. He is even in Cuan, so..."
He shrugged.
"But before we go, I have a question, Haru.", Leonard said, blushing himself lightly. He took in air, then spoke: "Tonight, at nine, two friends of mine will play music here. May I be so very bold and ask, if you would like to go with me...? As friends, of course, nothing more?"
He was nervous, very much so.

"Wonderful, thank you very much." Hina nodded finishing her plate and pushing it aside with her empty cup of tea, then a surprising question, she was being asked for a "date" of sorts, more like an evening with friends. Well Haru made it no secret she was married but the intent seemed innocent enough. "Leonard, I'd love to join you this evening." She smiled and nodded. Hina just looked a bit surprised and puzzled, but Haru knew what she was doing, regardless, it was something she'd have to discuss later with her daughter.

Branwen blushed lightly under the praise.
"I would love to give you a few pointers, Shizuka.", she said, "But no one can 'teach' Sci Fi. Everyone has the own style and things, which he or she prefers. It's like with romantic novels: They can vastly differ, no one can teach how to write such a story, but at their core, they all share common themes."
Elin, meanwhile, smiled as she led them towards the Stilted Quarter.

"Mmm? I always heard there were fundamentals to any story. Sci-fi is very outside my wheelhouse which is why I've often stuck to romance. Even if I haven't had many relationships I've been able to observe others. I was always told, write what you know. Buuuut, they do also say, art is a subjective thing, and who am I to say what is, what? I like you're boldness, Branwen!"

Leonard grinned, having finished his breakfast.
"Oh, you will not regret it!", he said with a grin, then turned to Hina. "Don't worry, your Mam is in safe hands with me and the others! Her feet..." He shrugged. "...no promises."
He raised his hand to flag a waitress down.
"In any case, please allow me to invite you both.", he said, before he had an idea: "While we are at it, though, Hina... when is your bed time?"

Branwen blushed.
"Oh, we all love her boldness.", Elin said from the head of the little group, falling back slightly to take position at Shizuka's other side. "People usually think, that she is a little pup, bu~t..." She smiled proudly. "...to put it bluntly, she does not have the hot and fiery boldness of a Grey Wolf, but the calm and steady boldness of a Star Lynx."
Branwen was by now red like a tomato.
"Besides, let's be honest here for a moment...", Branwen asked, "...how many medieval fiction writers have actually ever sat on a horse?" She smiled. "While one certainly has another entry into a topic when one knows it personally, everyone with enough knowledge can write about anything, I think."

The woman noted, how tired, but enthusiastic Z seemed, an adventurer, who needed food and drink and merriment - she knew the type. Her words of herself not being a Spiorad, but something else, and Ren maybe being one or at least related intrigued the woman, who was indeed, many, many centuries older then Ren.
Both her and Macha noted the little red ribbon, the only corporeal thing on her. Whatever its story was, they assumed, that it was important to Kiri... and that she knew its story.
The woman smiled.
"It is polite, young lady.", she said and gave a short bow, "Actually, it was impolite of me not to introduce myself sooner... I am Branwen Chwilfrydig. Some also call me Branwen the Wise or, which I personally prefer, simply Branwen." She smiled. "I am... 'leader' might be a bit of a strong term, but I am that for the Spiorad Ainmhithe. That's what people like me or Macha call ourselves." The blonde waved slightly as Branwen turned to Ren. "And what you might be - or related to us. We'll have to see... so much to talk about, yet so little time!"
She giggled into her hand, then looked at all four.
"I took the liberty of asking for five Full Course Breakfasts already, they should be here in a bit.", she explained, then continued, "As for what Macha told already... not much, to be honest. She just told me, that she knows three people, who I would love to meet." Branwen shrugged. "So far, she was right."

"So much to talk about indeed!" replied Z. "I suppose I have a few questions, like what we should do today, but was there anything specific you wanted to discuss?"

With Z being so boisterous, Ren would let her take the lead in the conversation, but she was deeply curious about the Spiorad and their history, and that of the Free Lands in general. "So... what are you in charge of if you're only 'sort of' a leader? It reminds me of the kami my people worship; she doesn't really rule us so much as guide us."

Kiri was just glad to be making new friends. She loved making new friends! Especially friends that weren't scared of her. People back home usually were, because friendly spirits were pretty much unheard of there. "I know Z wanted to see some of those little black foxes you have here... but knowing her she probably hasn't made many other concrete plans."

She wasn't really sure what to talk about; kickstarting a conversation wasn't one of her strong suits. It was definitely one of Z's strong suits, but given her bipolar nature she was likely to go off on a tangent at any time without some sort of moderating influence.

It was Macha, who replied to Z and Kiri: "If you want to meet the Blackie, there are a number of options, but I would recommend a breeder by the name of Gawain Folaíochta. He's a Spiorad like us and if there is any person in the world, who knows more about Blackies then him, I have yet to meet him or her." She grinned. "I think, that I mentioned him to you already. Other then that..."
Macha shrugged.
"There's a lot to see and do.", she said, "Do you like horses?"

Branwen, meanwhile, thought for a moment about Ren's words.
"Indeed, I am more of a guide then a leader... though not a God.", she added with a bit of uncharacteristic fierceness. "In any case... I usually guide the Spiorad. And anyone else asking for my advice. I also play a bit of a role in raising young cubs. Back in the day, I taught Macha the old Songs and Dances, but that is... long ago."
She smiled.
Just then, a heavenly smell entered their noses as the tea was brought out: Mint Tea, which was all around good and known to wake people up. A waiter (a tall, broad shouldered young man with a nice smile) brought out the cup and a carafe, setting one cup in front of everyone and the carafe for refills into the center.
Branwen smiled, fighting down a light blush (broad shouldered men could be considered her one weakness), lifting her cup. "So, then, Ren... to curiosity. May it make life worth living eternally!"

"Pleasure, you two!", Ida said with a grin...

Quon & Sherry
Only Sherry took her hand, letting herself be absorbed by the motherly texture, whereas Quon stayed close behind. "Well, I mean..." he began when she asked them about Ezhara, "Hmm, I guess it would make sense you don't know all too much. It's mostly the performers & artists that people know about... but a while back there was a..." He paused suddenly, glancing behind him while Sherry also looked at him, anxiously awaiting his reponse. "N-nevermind. I-it's really not a casual topic. I'd rather eat first, anyway!"

As Quon glanced into the bakery, he saw a pale boy with bright red hair holding onto a suspiciously long paint brush, who then turned towards him, smiling & waving in clear view of all three of them.
The whites of his eyes, though, were stained black.

Luca & Xoa'yi
"A Tine this early, huh? I think that's good luck for you, Luca dear! Maybe you'll find her, ah, descendant, or something!" Xoa'yi commented, patting his head as he hid his bright blush, only for her expression to snap to one of realization, "Er... friend! Yes, friend!"
"Aunt Xoa'yi!" he called out, his angered expression & voice crack more endearing than threatening. His guardian simply laughed at his reaction, & would ask for & pay the price for the walking stick. "Here you go, Luca!" she said, one hand on her chin as her head tilted left, "Don't you look adorable with it? Well, what am I saying, you always were!"

Ida smiled and bowed her head lightly in the direction of the black-eyes kid.
The black sclarae were a slight bit unsettling, but she did not think too badly about it. After all, he seemed friendly enough.
In any case, Ida grinned.
"Then come, let's get our breadrolls!", she said and petted a small, leather pouch on her belt, which gave a small tinkle - of silver coins. "My treat. What would you like? Ham, cheese, sausage...? All of them, neither?"
She grinned.
"A good breadroll is a small piece of art!", Ida added.

The vendor grinned.
"Indeed, you look good with that one, laddie!", he said and took the money, not perturbed by the slip of Xoa's tongue. People, who had an extended life expectancy were unusual, but not unknown. He knew them as Spiorad, though, which they were evidentaly not. "To the petting zoo..." He motioned down his left. "Just this road, just straight. Give my best to Finn and the Brigadier!"

Miranda tried to keep up a facade of intent politeness. But while it was (kinda) genuine and she didn’t hate Ciaran, her feelings of jealously just got worse. Miranda couldn’t explain it, but the green monster in her head was growing bigger by the minute. Why is it getting worse? She’s just a friend! Ciaran is only 6 years younger than her, so they’re friends as well... probably. the 16 year old reminded herself.

She was able to nod back at the militia boy’s declaration of departure, and soon, she was relatively alone with Fiona again. After a few minutes of mulling over her jealously, she did have to admit it was adorable how he looked up to her, like a kind of puppy of sorts. I... I’m just not sure what got over me? she thought to herself. Aside for Kathleen, she had never felt this protective over her friends. Nevertheless, she awkwardly smiled back at Fiona as she continued pondering.

She was suddenly brought out of her thoughts with Fiona’s brush of the lips to her cheek.

Her body went into overdrive, her face heated up, and she felt shivers down her spine. She froze up, face locked in wide eyed surprise. She tried to process what just happened. She knew some of the French Mediamen from Milieu offend greeted friends with the double cheeked kiss, she knew somehow this was different. It was something two children in their preteen years would do to their crushes or their nanas.

Like it or not, and even if it had sort of lost its meaning over the years, it was a definite sign of love.

Before she could think any further, she felt an abrupt and playful slap to the head, “Told ya I’d be able ta find my way here ya git!” Kathleen announced playfully. She looked towards the bakery and took a deep breath, “You weren’t kidding Fiona, I can smell the bread over here, and it’s only makin’ me stomach growl even more.” The Scott said.

“Y-Yeah, I guess we should get going.” Miranda said, still slightly dazed. Whether or not Kathleen or Fiona noticed was up in the air.

And so while they began to wrap up their trek to the bakery, Miranda habitually rubbed at the area Fiona kissed her, only to make the flush in her cheeks worse, as her head was still arguing with itself.

---

“Aww, Liv, you stinker!” Kat said with a blush, turning to give Liv a flurry of kisses on her cheek. She smiled as she began to wrap up with her meal and took in the aura of the room.

Now that her heart wasn’t beating like a humming bird on caffeine pills, Kat took the time to look around at the internal design and decoration of the temple. Being it was what she theorized to be the main temple used for important ceremonies, versus the smaller, more practical main temple, she had a general idea that the interior, and the exterior would be spared no expense.

As she took in the architecture, she openly asked, “How old is this temple. I’ve got a general feeling that it’s older than the main temple, but still... This has to be centuries old at least.” All the while, Kat snuggled into Liv like a... well, like a cat. (Oh god, Selks, take my service revolver and shoot me for that dad joke!)

Fiona wrapped her other arm around Kathleen and smiled, especially as she got a moment to really appreciate the smell from the bakery: Fresh break, sweet pastries, many other delicious things.
"There you are!", Fiona said with a grin, "The three of us will go like this from now on, so that I don't loose you!" Her joke was accompanied by a small grin of hers as she made the last few steps towards the bakery. She saw, that Miranda was slightly dazed, but she blamed it on a lack of nutrition. "By the way, it'll be my treat! As an apology for loosing you, Kathleen, and because I want to."
She nodded firmly, grinning.
In front of the bakery, one could see a number of people lounging around, most of them standing around two young men in Cuan's Militia Green, much like the young Messenger from before. However, those two had their swords drawn, having a fight - that no blade touched the other and that there was a certain step in their every move, as well as there being a certain choreography revealed to the observer, that they were doing a Sword Dance.
With sharp swords.
Fiona sighed. "Boys... bet you Donny and Conny spotted a few cute girls, which they want to impress!", she said.

Finnegan grinned.
"This is part of the complex is older then the rest, but yes, it's several centuries old.", he explained while Liv was still recovering from the flurry of kissed. The walls around them were old, running the hand along would reveal, that the plaster barely hit the heavy stone underneath, the support beams being old. The age of it all would be all the clearer in the kitchen, when looking at the hearth, but here, one also got this venerable aura... as if, in this common eating room, many generations of priests and guests sat, drank, ate, were merry, spoke, taught, fought, rekindled friendships, even made love. "This building is the living building for the Priests, as long as they are unmarried and was dated back to the 12th century, in use since shortly before the Crusaders landed near Tipa. During the Siege of Fortham, the Older Main Temple burned down and was rebuilt afterwards, but it burned down again two centuries ago... the current one, over there..." He pointed to the left. "...is merely two centuries old."
"The Principal Temple, deeper in the city, is actually older.", Liv added, her face still red.

When hearing of Ida, Fiona put on a discouraged look.

"I dinnon know if I should trust you about that," Fiona expressed, "I mean, you've hella confused the shit out of him and made him stare at you like a deer in headlights. I mean, look at the poor nerdy bastard."

Alpin, somewhat discombobulated, attempts to form his words quickly after acknowledging Kiah's proposition.

"Yeah. Why non," he replied, "You lassies play any video games?"

Meanwhile, Marie looked at Enya with a face putting on admiration for the young one, but her eyes tell a different thought, all of which made her look like a typical, loving mother.

"It's nice of you to be well enthusiastic about your creative skills like that," she said, staying silent for a while, "but," there are times when you have to finish your creation, whether sooner or later."

Kiah nodded with a grin.
"Indeed, we do!", she said, "Though I am mostly into racing games... motorcycle racing games, if possible. Or horror." She grinned. "Only the dark of night, illuminated by my screen, the dark corridors of Castle Wedefelt... the thumping of the own heart making the mouse shake, the fear of what may lie behind the next door..."

Enya nodded with enthusiasm.
"You are right about that one, Miss Marie!", she said and looked forward. "Oh, we are here!"
And, indeed, they had arrived not at the end of the world, as Enya's exclamation made it sound, but at the other side of the square. There were indeed shops, five in total.
One was a bakery, which sold delicious-smelling breadrolls.
One was a souvenir store, which sold everything, from herbal tea and post cards to swords and lances.
One was a small corner store, which was sadly closed, the owners not wanting to contest with the masses of people, which would be likely to storm their shop. In front of it, a peddler had set up shop, selling hand-crafted toys.
Next, and the largest part of that building, was taken up by what could be called a drug store, the old and rustic building being almost completely theirs: While their part of the ground floor was not that large, half of the second and the entire third floor were their, with the cellar being the storage of all the shops. They had almost everything Selkie needed in their lives, from sweets and provisions to tea and beauty products (strictly separating between factory-produced and hand-made) and had, in the third floor, a toy section, which also included video games. Magazines and newspapers, both local and from all over the world, were not missing either.
Lastly, there was a small pair of a cobbler shop and a tailor in one shop.
Enya grinned at Marie. "So... where to first?"

En route to the Marcach Camp.
Sophus had nodded again, for the crises mentioned by Leonard, as far as their details were known publically, were indeed, at least vaguely, known to him - including Operation Spartacus, the military operation in Berlin not exactly turning out with any major losses for the SDF and the Selkie in general, quite on the contrary.
While the previous year hadn't been remotely as horrible for the Federation, there had been a few minor scandals.
A little change of topic was fine now, though.
"For me, it'll be going on with studies - and see where it gets me" - he replied. "Hopefully into the world of digital media someday - including videogames."
"And to a better orientation, maybe" - Mia added, grinning.
"Hopefully - I'm glad I can find the most important cities of the world on a map, but I need to rely on a working GPS whenever I have to go to places - otherwise I'm doomed. It's beyond me how people can find our road numbering system logical - I just don't get through it."
"But no trouble finding the glass pyramid in Las Venturas on the GTA: San Andreas map at once eh?" As he shrugged sheepishly, Mia continued, "As for me, I'm going to finish my own soon, and if I'm lucky, I may be accepted into the State Planning Bureau for Regional Planning & City Development someday. And if not ... well, we'll see."
Hilda said, "I'm going to finish school next year - and until then, there are a few tournaments left I might be participating in."

Láir Square.
If one trusted the school books, Chris' pronunciation of his own mother tongue wasn't anywhere near perfect, either - but then again, most Lillos' ones weren't, pretty much thanks to High German wasn't much used outside school lessons in Lillorainen. Not to mention the regional differences within the Federation, which were never to underestimate.
Whatever.
The message did come across, and that was all that mattered. Cel's heart-jumps could probably be heard on the entire square, and whenever the two of them hugged each other the way they did now, it usually got clear to everybody waiting for them, that they were most certainly supposed to wait a moment longer.
A good moment, indeed.

En Route to the Marcach Camp.
Leonard nodded at everyone's future plans, couldn't help but grin at Sophus' mentioning of his sense of direction (he knew people, who were just the same), looked with respect at Mia as her studies sounded quite complicated and grinned challengingly at Hilda.
"Ah, Lillorainen's Blitz wants to run again?", he said with a grin, mentioning the nickname Hilda had received in Selkie-Press. "That sounds wonderful! Don't know for certain yet, but I know, that some of us wanted to try our hands at horse racing one of these days, so you might get a bit of competition from the Land of Horses!"
He grinned, but his eyes turned serious.
"But don't forget your school work! I know, that my Dad had to drag me off the saddle to do it, mainly because it was bloody boring, but it is important...", he said and actually blushed lightly.

Láir Square.
It was all perfect... until Finnegan and Enya moved, as if they wanted to block someone's view.
Enya smiled at us apologetically: "Sorry to interrupt, but we need to get moving. Code Red-Square on Three O'Clock."
I almost blanched.
Code Red-Square was one of the 'codes' of the code language of us Bicíní Industries Models. It meant the male parent, so that meant, that Enya and Finnegan had spotted my Father.
My Father, who was... let's just say, that he was not too happy about me choosing Chris as my love. To the point of him loosing his shit in a spectacular way.
I looked at Chris with wide eyes. "Let's go. I know a place, where he'll never go!"
"Oh, I like the sound of that!", Finnegan said with a grin, "Shall we distract?"
"If he follows us.", I asked of them, "Thank you."
I looked to Chris, motioned to a small side-street. "Let's go!"

[AHSCA]

Leonard grinned, having finished his breakfast.
"Oh, you will not regret it!", he said with a grin, then turned to Hina. "Don't worry, your Mam is in safe hands with me and the others! Her feet..." He shrugged. "...no promises."
He raised his hand to flag a waitress down.
"In any case, please allow me to invite you both.", he said, before he had an idea: "While we are at it, though, Hina... when is your bed time?"

"Of course, we'd love to both join you." Haru replied on behalf of both of them.

"Sure. Oh well...I usually just go to bed once I'm tired. Usually after a bath and eating dinner. Working all day or school usually is tiring enough for me."

"But now, we're on a trip together so stay up as long as you want and go to bed when you want." she patted her daughter's head.

"Sure, it sounds fun." Hina nodded finishing her plate and pushing it aside, while still nursing her cup of tea.

Branwen blushed.
"Oh, we all love her boldness.", Elin said from the head of the little group, falling back slightly to take position at Shizuka's other side. "People usually think, that she is a little pup, bu~t..." She smiled proudly. "...to put it bluntly, she does not have the hot and fiery boldness of a Grey Wolf, but the calm and steady boldness of a Star Lynx."
Branwen was by now red like a tomato.
"Besides, let's be honest here for a moment...", Branwen asked, "...how many medieval fiction writers have actually ever sat on a horse?" She smiled. "While one certainly has another entry into a topic when one knows it personally, everyone with enough knowledge can write about anything, I think."

"Mmmm" Shizuka thought about that rather good retort "Good point there, Branwen! I admit there are experiences I've never had yet I've written about them. Rice farmers from the island, fisherman on the high seas. I suppose anyone can write about anything if they really put their minds to it! See I told ya you could teach me a thing or two and you just did! Now I'm even more excited to read your work!"

[Polish Prussian Commonwealth]

Marie was just as glad as Kiah to sit down, and sighed with exhaustion. After much awkward silence, she spoke. "So...Kiah...I noticed your dress. How did you get involved with Cult of Lodan Lir? Were you born on the coast, or did you just like Mudkippers?" She cracked a smile. "Or is it because you just liked the color blue?"

"I was born in Cuan.", Kiah said with a small smile, "But my parents sent me to a Boarding School in Béal quite early. It's just downriver for a few hundred kilometres." She smiled. "And there, I got to know the local Priest of Lodan Lir, an old man, who I helped out, when I was not busy with school. He reminded me of my Grand, so..."
She shrugged.
"And he awakened my spirituality.", she finished the story, just as the Guarding Fox was nudging the door open. Kiah smiled as he came inside and plopped down in her lap, demanding petting. She supplied with a smile. "A few years down the line, I signed up for training to be a Servant."

Marie scratched the Fox's head between the ears absentmindedly. "I see...so you're essentially the equivalent of a novice right now, correct? And do Servants just help around with religious ceremonies and whatnot, or are they more...proactive than that?" She uncapped her canteen and took another sip of coffee. "For that matter, how does 'going up through the ranks' work in Selkie-Paganism? Is it closer to the standard experience/seniority
-based system, or does your equivalent of clergy get promoted through some other mechanism?"

[Foxfound]

"So much to talk about indeed!" replied Z. "I suppose I have a few questions, like what we should do today, but was there anything specific you wanted to discuss?"

With Z being so boisterous, Ren would let her take the lead in the conversation, but she was deeply curious about the Spiorad and their history, and that of the Free Lands in general. "So... what are you in charge of if you're only 'sort of' a leader? It reminds me of the kami my people worship; she doesn't really rule us so much as guide us."

Kiri was just glad to be making new friends. She loved making new friends! Especially friends that weren't scared of her. People back home usually were, because friendly spirits were pretty much unheard of there. "I know Z wanted to see some of those little black foxes you have here... but knowing her she probably hasn't made many other concrete plans."

She wasn't really sure what to talk about; kickstarting a conversation wasn't one of her strong suits. It was definitely one of Z's strong suits, but given her bipolar nature she was likely to go off on a tangent at any time without some sort of moderating influence.

It was Macha, who replied to Z and Kiri: "If you want to meet the Blackie, there are a number of options, but I would recommend a breeder by the name of Gawain Folaíochta. He's a Spiorad like us and if there is any person in the world, who knows more about Blackies then him, I have yet to meet him or her." She grinned. "I think, that I mentioned him to you already. Other then that..."
Macha shrugged.
"There's a lot to see and do.", she said, "Do you like horses?"

Branwen, meanwhile, thought for a moment about Ren's words.
"Indeed, I am more of a guide then a leader... though not a God.", she added with a bit of uncharacteristic fierceness. "In any case... I usually guide the Spiorad. And anyone else asking for my advice. I also play a bit of a role in raising young cubs. Back in the day, I taught Macha the old Songs and Dances, but that is... long ago."
She smiled.
Just then, a heavenly smell entered their noses as the tea was brought out: Mint Tea, which was all around good and known to wake people up. A waiter (a tall, broad shouldered young man with a nice smile) brought out the cup and a carafe, setting one cup in front of everyone and the carafe for refills into the center.
Branwen smiled, fighting down a light blush (broad shouldered men could be considered her one weakness), lifting her cup. "So, then, Ren... to curiosity. May it make life worth living eternally!"

"I'll definitely have to meet him then!" Z replied. "And I like horses, though I've never gotten a chance to ride one. I'm used to walking long distances when I study one of our island's more remote locales."

Ren cowered very slightly and briefly when Branwen became a bit ferocious. "I didn't mean to imply you were one... sorry..."

She calmed down as it became clear Branwen wasn't really mad at her. "To curiosity!" she declared, followed by Z and Kiri, though the latter couldn't really lift the cup. Well, technically she could, but she would have to possess it, and she didn't really want to freak out everyone in the dining area.

Ren continued "What are these songs and dances? It all sounds really interesting... and how long ago was that?"

[Port Ember]

Gwen's sniffers had found out quite a bit about Jan and his past, but that was not important right now.
She smiled back, took his hand with one and planted a soft kiss on it, using the other to order Srol to remove his head from her lap. He did that, making her free to move deeper onto the bed.
With her feet now on the bed as well, still sitting, she looked at Jan and motioned for him to come closer.
"I want you to do something, Jan.", she asked of him, "I want you to put your head here...", she patted her shoulder, "...and I want you to let everything you have bottled up out. All of it. I see, that it's gnawing on you, Jan, and I want you to be healthy... bottling everything is not going to help you."

Jan with Gwen - Ropaire Inn

Jan did what was requested of him physically, and moved up the bed, placing his head firmly om Gwen's shoulder, and snuggling up to her.

He appreciated her offer to share the burden of his past and his pain, it was just.. difficult to comply with. Jan was a very private person, always have been. Then to further complicate matters, he have been raised in a military household, and have been a military man himself since the day he left school. He was a man of action and not of words. The cherry on the proverbial cake however, was the fact that he was sworn to secrecy due to his work in Task Force 79 (Special Forces), which is where most of his nightmares originates from.

"My darlin, it seems that you know of my greatest pain already.. The death of my daughter has shattered my reality. And as you very well know - words will never take away that reality. Neither the pain of that reality.

If there is something to be said, is that you know that I am no saint. I have served my nation in the military for many a year, and I served in the capacity as a special forces operator - not a paper tiger. So it is imperative that you know that I have a... coloured past.

I believe the only thing that one can do, is to focus on our new life together. You, me and our unborn gift. ... as a family."