Comin' together to Celebrate (IC)

[Mervay]

Outside the Shop.
The old man nodded.
"Logan sounds like a good name.", he thought for a moment, hummed in thought, "If I were you, however, I would name him Dílleachta. Foundling, in English."
"Or Dilly for short.", Finnegan added from the side, the green-haired young man smiling. He watched her petting the little fox gently and how he seemed to react positively to her, snuggled into her. "He likes you very much. A blind man can see that from miles away!"

Stoc Inn.
Aurora cooed in delight at the story and the plans.
"That's so sweet!", she said and resisted the urge to hug Trinity, all mischief forgotten. "And you certainly have taste..." She grinned and sighed with a bit of wistfulness. "Oh, such love at such an age..."
"You're a lucky girl, Miss Trinity.", Silvio said with a smile from the side, "He does sound like a good man. If I may ask, what are you two studying?"

En route from Inside to Outside of the Shop.
Enya interrupted Cel, to announce, that she would handle the stuff to do for now on her own, so the two of them could go out - and passed a 'message', for a given definition of the term, for Finnegan on to Cel, in form of a kiss. Not only Cel had to hide a laugh.
Instead of Chris, Cel now took the box.
"See ya in a few!" - Chris replied to Enya, then went to the shop's door to open it, so Lise, who, unbeknownst to him, had just been talking to Mr. Folaíochta about a possible name for her new pet, could receive her starter kit.

Shop, inside or outside or somewhere inbetween.
Chris opened the door for me with a grin at the message I was to take to Finnegan, which I would do dutifully. Chris seemed to be okay with it. In any case, the conversation outside had progressed and I smiled as I spotted my boss and Lise in conversation.
Finnegan was closeby.
In any case, I put the box down next to my boss, then rose and spread my arms. "Lise!", I greeted the girl with a wide grin, "Come here and lemme hug you! It's so good to see you again!"

Now definitely more Outside of the Shop.
Of course, Chris was entirely fine with the message supposed to be passed on to Enya's boyfriend - duty was duty, after all, hence why he was completely free from any remote trace of jealousy.
As he had already said hello to their friend from the infamous Purgatio-Trip, whom they had met again around six thousand kilometers south of here, he left catching up with this to his girlfriend.
Instead, he nodded to Finnegan and Mr. Folaíochta, motioning to the box and saying in a low tone, "We got the starter kit here already!"

Outside the Shop
Dilly... That was an good name for the Vulpine and much better than an western name like Logan, clearly perfect and great for him and so Lise smiled with the proposal and nodded.

"Now we are talking, that is the perfect name for such cutie and shows his Selkie heritage" Lise told at man as she looked down at her mascot and smiled. "Looks like we got an name for you. Dilly" Lise smiled at Dilly.

Then after waiting, Chris came out with Cel and with the kit she needed with them. Finally and after an long time, Lise could met once again with her friend and now in her hometown after an long year wait.
She extended her arms and so she smiled at her waiting for the Red-eyered girl to hug her.

Lise looked at Dilly and smiled at him before handing him over for an minute to Finnegan to then leave her package close to Chris before hug her.

"Celina Treoraí... It's good to see you again" Lise hugged her completely melting her arms on her old friend. She was really glad to see her friends once again and someone like Cel was an great friend. "Tell me how have been things ever since Shella, have you and Chris thought of Marriage as of now??" she said with an teasing grin on the last part.

Stoc Inn
Aurora hold herself her urge to hug Litton and as she looked the picture and with the story she grinned and sighed with some little wistfulness on it.

"Yeah. Love at such young age" she said grinning at her as Silvio told her that she was lucky with Ethan. "Ohh about what we study, well he study Economy and Finance, and Engineering meanwhile I study Medicine and Law, we both want to have two degrees at least since we want to be prepared for the future and since the system in home encourages students to study two fields" she told them.

"Currently I'm on an small vacation here since I plan to stay here until tomorrow and then leave back to home for take the remaining finals for then begin an peaceful spring vacation with my boyfriend in Trieste" as soon as she said that Trinity begun to look where the waitress was. "Also you all know where the waitress is?? It seems she takes her time with that guy"

[Mediama]

"That's the spirit, searrach!", the mother said with a smile, grinning, squeezing Miranda's shoulder slightly, "It never hurts to try and to do, because when you do, you will not regret not doing it."

Meanwhile, one of the militiawomen looked over to where the mother and Miranda were sitting, showed a friend of hers the image and motioned to the two of them. Their group turned, compared to the image they had... and came to the conclusion, that their Sergeant should take care of that.
The most mature looking of the bunch rose, handed her crossbow to one of her girls and moved to the small pair, while another one was writing a message: Possible match. Stand By. Enya.

The young woman in the half-cuirass had her own smart phone out and stopped at an appropriate distance. "Excuse me, Ma'am, Miss, but short question, lassie.", she began and focused on Miranda, showing her the image, which Kathleen had sent. "But by any chance, is that you? We got an alert, that you are missing and... well, people are worried about you."

Before Ciaran could reply in the affirmative, his smart phone gave a ding-sound.
He smiled sheepishly. "One moment, please.", he said and pulled his smart phone out, looking at the screen. He suddenly grinned. "They got a possible match. A patrol of the Crossbow Gals spotted her and their Sergeant is currently approaches her."
Fiona breathed a sigh of relief, letting out "Thank the Gods..." in Selkie.
Ciaran raised a hand. "Possible match.", he reemphasized. Still, Fiona put her arms around him and hugged him, which made him blush.

Kathleen just stood there as she watched Fiona hug Ciaran in relief. Internally she wanted to sigh as well.

The only difference being that unlike Fiona, she was a little more hesitant to call out the victory early. She felt touched that Fiona cared to the point that she had the sort of reaction she did though. And she smiled and chuckled as her heart internally melted.

“Aye sure, let’s not celebrate too soon. We might not be out of the woods yet. We’ll just have to wait for a confirmation or somethin’. It better damn well be her though.” She crossed her arms as she leaned back against a wall.

---

Miranda couldn’t help but blush, though she her Selkie was nearly abysmal, her Gaelic was a little better, and so she at least had her own idea on what the mother had said.

That she was her foal.

And she was touched by it all the same, even if she was a complete stranger. But before she was able to utter out a reply, the voice of a militiawomen broke through the moment. Startled, she helped and looked towards her seeing a familiar picture of her and Kathleen being a little too friendly on the polo field.

She looked up at the woman and nodded shyly. “A-Aye, that would be me. I-I was hopin’ they’d find me somehow, even if I did get myself lost.”

She turned back to the mother, “It looks like I will be going soon, with everything you gave me, I never asked for you name, who were you?”

---

The woman giggled.
"One could put it that way, yes.", she said and bowed her head lightly, "I am the High Priestess of Lodan Lir." Liv rose and smiled a bit nervously, but seemed a slight bot more at ease. "I heard your girlfriend recounting an old legend and couldn't help but listen in... please forgive me that, Miss Kat."
She motioned to the mural.
"And indeed, it was this one. One of my favourites, I must admit.", she said and smiled, "Please pretend for a moment, that you would look at this mural without any prior knowledge. What would be your interpretation, Miss Kat?"

“That’s alright, miss.” She was stunned that the high priestess wanted her to give her own interpretation of the mural, purged of all the context she knew.

Well, it was at least some attempt at practice for archeology.

She nodded and stuttered, “U-Um, I’ll try my best.” She turned back to the mural, and looked closely at the details. She traced the palm of her hand over some of the lines, and knelt over as she looked from panel to panel, starting from where they came in, and then ending at where one would usually enter.

She would try to recount any details that were significant as she passed through panel by panel.

[The Selkie]

She remembered it quickly, and with the usual Solisian spirit for crushes, she told them, "I remember that he's a Finnegan from a good high school in Fortham. I am not sure about his tribe. I probably didn't ask him for it, or I forgot about it. But I do know his school....." She then snapped her fingers, looked at them with bright eyes, and told them, "I know! I must go there very soon, today!"

The old man smiled - she was quite fired up!
"Try it after the 27th of March, so in a week.", he advised, "School will begin then and you'll have an easier time to find him there. As for which school..." He shrugged. "I have, quite honestly, no idea. There are four High Schools in Fortham, one of them a Boarding School, and all four are considered good."
"Grandpa, I remember Ida mentioning, that they are in Cuan today. Enya is still a High Schooler, after all. Maybe she knows him?", Asteria suggested.
The old man nodded. "That sounds like a plan. Send her a message, please."
Asteria nodded and took her smart phone out, while the old man smiled at the Solisian in a grandfatherly way.

Leonard smiled.
"Oh, I will.", he said and made the mental note, "Though... you see, in the region I come from, Scrín in the Oileánra-Archipelago, it is customary to give boys and girls, who become adults, a dagger made from the Quartzite." For emphasis, he drew the small blade, which looked primitive, basically being a stone shard, which's handle was wrapped in fibres from a tree, held together by what basically was tree sap. All in all, it was not even fifteen centimetres long. "Be careful, it's very sharp. In any case, would that be an appropriate gift?"

She took a bit of time to admire the blade he drew "That is a very lovely looking knife. I'd say it'd be a wonderful gift for her and very useful for her as well. Thank you again."

Elin and Branwen looked at each other in a bit of a surprise, then back at Shizuka.
They figured that she, as a government official, would have a mobile phone, but...
"Oh, well, that can't be helped!", Elin said and thought for a moment.
Branwen preempted her. "Well, then, how about this? We call the inn, ask them, and then tell you. If they have a room free, we'll go there together. If not... well.", she suggested.
Elin nodded. That sounded sensible enough.

"Hehe don't worry much if nothing is free, I'll figure out what to do! I'm grateful for all the help you can offer me, Branwen!" she smiled at her.

Leonard smiled as he put the little dagger away again.
"Wait until I manage to get my hands on one.", he said, "And send it over. The Master making them insists on the one ordering the blade searching for an appropriate stone and other materials him- or herself." He let a beat pass. "Amongst us two, though, it will be useful for a long, long time, both as a tool and for self-defense. Mostly as a tool, though."
He grinned.
"When I was at the Archipelago-Shooting, I had it with me and we had quite a good time using it to gut fish we caught.", he recounted, "Lugh and I became quite good at it."

Branwen smiled. "If you'd excuse me then, for a moment?", she requested and stood up, leaving Elin and Shizuka.
The older sister smiled at the writer, which was adored by her little sister.
"Branwen would never tell you, but it was your novels, which got her into writing herself.", she told Shizuka. "Please don't tell her, that I told you."

Marcach Camp.
As they stopped at the horse-area, which, in this moment, had way more space than needed (which, of course, didn't mean it was always as empty as it was now), all three Lillos immediately had to grin - Leonard's girlfriend was a bluenette, and the mare approaching him had a mane colored in blue. They did recognize certain patterns.
They were led to the three Officers, equine ones, of course, who got introduced to them.
Hilda said to the three brown horses, grinning, in her father's tone, "Good morning, Officers! I hope everyone slept well? Wonderful! Now, by eleven o'clock, I expect the accident report of yesterday night! And a full protocol of the traffic control at Kilometer Seven! Everybody knows what to do? Terrific! Now go on, the day's yet young!"
Sophus and Mia laughed. "They really talk like that!" - Sophus explained to Alaina. "At least at the highway patrol."

Now definitely more Outside of the Shop.
Of course, Chris was entirely fine with the message supposed to be passed on to Enya's boyfriend - duty was duty, after all, hence why he was completely free from any remote trace of jealousy.
As he had already said hello to their friend from the infamous Purgatio-Trip, whom they had met again around six thousand kilometers south of here, he left catching up with this to his girlfriend.
Instead, he nodded to Finnegan and Mr. Folaíochta, motioning to the box and saying in a low tone, "We got the starter kit here already!"

Outside the Shop
Dilly... That was an good name for the Vulpine and much better than an western name like Logan, clearly perfect and great for him and so Lise smiled with the proposal and nodded.

"Now we are talking, that is the perfect name for such cutie and shows his Selkie heritage" Lise told at man as she looked down at her mascot and smiled. "Looks like we got an name for you. Dilly" Lise smiled at Dilly.

Then after waiting, Chris came out with Cel and with the kit she needed with them. Finally and after an long time, Lise could met once again with her friend and now in her hometown after an long year wait.
She extended her arms and so she smiled at her waiting for the Red-eyered girl to hug her.

Lise looked at Dilly and smiled at him before handing him over for an minute to Finnegan to then leave her package close to Chris before hug her.

"Celina Treoraí... It's good to see you again" Lise hugged her completely melting her arms on her old friend. She was really glad to see her friends once again and someone like Cel was an great friend. "Tell me how have been things ever since Shella, have you and Chris thought of Marriage as of now??" she said with an teasing grin on the last part.

Stoc Inn
Aurora hold herself her urge to hug Litton and as she looked the picture and with the story she grinned and sighed with some little wistfulness on it.

"Yeah. Love at such young age" she said grinning at her as Silvio told her that she was lucky with Ethan. "Ohh about what we study, well he study Economy and Finance, and Engineering meanwhile I study Medicine and Law, we both want to have two degrees at least since we want to be prepared for the future and since the system in home encourages students to study two fields" she told them.

"Currently I'm on an small vacation here since I plan to stay here until tomorrow and then leave back to home for take the remaining finals for then begin an peaceful spring vacation with my boyfriend in Trieste" as soon as she said that Trinity begun to look where the waitress was. "Also you all know where the waitress is?? It seems she takes her time with that guy"

Outside of the Shop.
While Chris was placing the Starter Kit next to my Boss, who grinned and gave him a thankful nod, and Finnegan held the fox, I was in Lise's tight hug and enjoyed it. Gods, I liked Lise, she was a very good friend and her melting into my hug only confirmed to me, that she saw it similarly.
I blushed at her question about marriage, but I replied: "Well, we did have that conversation already and while I would love to marry him, we both agreed, that we should finish schools and studies before that..." I smiled at Lise, teasing in my eyes. "What about you, Lise? Found a cute boyfriend?"
I still had my arms wrapped around her.

Stoc Inn.
Silvio nodded at Trinity with a respectful nod.
"Medicine and Law, not bad. Two very challenging studies on their lonesome, if combined...", he said and nodded again, "Good luck for your finals."
Aurora nodded in agreement.
"As for the waitress...", she said and looked around, spotting only one, waved to her. The waitress nodded, she would be there in a moment. "Well, it is a busy day."

Marcach Camp.
Alaina watched with confusion at first, then said confusion mixing with bemusement.
One of the horses neighed at the end of the speech.
Sophus' explanation made Alaina smile. "Believe it or not, the Scilly Town Guard sounds similarly.", she said, "So... who picks whom?"

"As with all those with achievements," replied Marie, "I remember my parents squealin' with an awfy lot of joy when I got accepted at DIPS."

"Same here," nodded Gordon, "My parents were well filled with happiness when they heard I got in. Compensates for the times I tried out in swimmin' competitions," he then chuckled, "So, have you entered or will enter into other competitions in the future?"

Meanwhile, after clearing her mouth, Fiona let herself be surprised at Enya's question, as if to break the addiction from the pastry.

"Oh," she then said with her mouth clear, "the sweets back home are soor plooms, shortbread, black buns, Dundee cakes, and the bonnie sweetest of them all, tablets. Tablets are fudge baked with a lot of sugar, along with milk and butter. Makes you feel like you can run up and down the house without ever havin' to feel concerned of fallin' down without ever havin' to run at all."

Fiona then shrugs.

"I could imagine the times of being wee child when my parents kept the plate full of them. And I would scream for it, before they would threaten to spank my ass on the spot repeatedly if I didn't stop," she then chuckled.

Kiah nodded.
"Of course!", she said, "I'll be swimming in the competitions of the Five Universities, I'm at a few swimming meets, I'll be part of our own try-outs... much to do, aside from my studies. And Pfote wants to be cuddled, too."
Ida smiled as she heard the last thing.

Enya chuckled with them.
"Me Dad used to make Scipeáil himself, which was always in short supply. So, once he was finished, Ida and Kiah and I went and distributed it amongst us, Ida and Kiah always giving me more then they took themselves and I usually shared it with them. It was super-fun, especially when Dad and Mam ate, too." She let a beat pass. "Nowadays, Dad rarely has time to bake and I sometimes do that and share it with everyone."

Kathleen just stood there as she watched Fiona hug Ciaran in relief. Internally she wanted to sigh as well.

The only difference being that unlike Fiona, she was a little more hesitant to call out the victory early. She felt touched that Fiona cared to the point that she had the sort of reaction she did though. And she smiled and chuckled as her heart internally melted.

“Aye sure, let’s not celebrate too soon. We might not be out of the woods yet. We’ll just have to wait for a confirmation or somethin’. It better damn well be her though.” She crossed her arms as she leaned back against a wall.

---

Miranda couldn’t help but blush, though she her Selkie was nearly abysmal, her Gaelic was a little better, and so she at least had her own idea on what the mother had said.

That she was her foal.

And she was touched by it all the same, even if she was a complete stranger. But before she was able to utter out a reply, the voice of a militiawomen broke through the moment. Startled, she helped and looked towards her seeing a familiar picture of her and Kathleen being a little too friendly on the polo field.

She looked up at the woman and nodded shyly. “A-Aye, that would be me. I-I was hopin’ they’d find me somehow, even if I did get myself lost.”

She turned back to the mother, “It looks like I will be going soon, with everything you gave me, I never asked for you name, who were you?”

---

“That’s alright, miss.” She was stunned that the high priestess wanted her to give her own interpretation of the mural, purged of all the context she knew.

Well, it was at least some attempt at practice for archeology.

She nodded and stuttered, “U-Um, I’ll try my best.” She turned back to the mural, and looked closely at the details. She traced the palm of her hand over some of the lines, and knelt over as she looked from panel to panel, starting from where they came in, and then ending at where one would usually enter.

She would try to recount any details that were significant as she passed through panel by panel.

The Sergeant nodded and called something over to her girls, which began to set themselves into motion, putting out the fire and mounting the horses, the Sergeant putting the smartphone away. It would be apparent, that they would indeed depart soon.
The mother smiled softly. "I'm Meave.", she said, "Meave Blaidd, of Tralee Descent. But Meave is fine." A beat passed. "And who are you, searrach?"
The Sergeant made a step away and gave them a bit of privacy.

Just as Fiona was letting go of Ciaran, his smartphone vibrated.
He smiled after a short glance on the screen: "It's her."
Fiona was silent for a moment, then cheered loudly, threwing one arm around the lad and one around Kathleen, hugging them both at the same time, the owner of the bakery grinning.
"I'll put the kettle on.", he said with a small nod and began to move into the back of the room.

The High Priestess watched and listened, smiled softly.
She nodded to Liv - Kat was a good girl, it said, you two look cute together.
The High Priestess nodded in the end.
"Now you told me, what you see - what is your interpretation of what you see?", she asked of Kat, "Also, seeing it from the end to the beginning and not from the beginning to the end, would you say, that the story remains intact or would you tell a different story? Or maybe even no story at all?"

[Minroz]

The old man smiled, fired an arrow directly into the centre of his target. He turned to Tieguang.
"Of course we do, though mostly in the winter... and then, all the more!", he said and sighed slightly, "Last winter, it was especially rough... up to seven metres around Riverwood. In any case, yes, we have snow."
One of the other archers pointed in one direction, roundabout north.
"The Polar Circle is a... call it 1,500 kilometres, roundabout, in that direction.", he said, "And that doesn't touch on the Northern Islands, which are North of that!"
"And Conall Curach.", another archers noted.

“Haha, it’s very annoying having snow all-around. The city me and my wife live in has snow too.” Tieguang said. “But it’s not the worse. It was snowing lightly. But of you go far north towards the artic pole, it’s chillingly cold that you can feel your bones freeze to the core. If you’re not careful, you’ll die of frozebite in the instant.”

Tieguang fired another arrow. He finally hit it in the centre of the target.

“I may be a warrior but I don’t want to live over there. Only the strongest survives. However, there’re aboriginal tribes who dwelt there for Gods knew how long they’ve been living in the freezing hell for perhaps thousands of years. They are very tough bunch but they’re also friendly folks. I had pleasure of meeting some of them.”

The brunette prepares his last arrow. He continues speaking, “My home army has tendencies to recruit tribal people with strong martial traditions into service. That way, we can easily gained good soldiers out of them. The Eight-Banner Army is no exception to that rule. Putting aside my fellow Yuan, the Eight-Banners is full of races with history of being great warriors in the past. Believe it or not, the Eight-Banners were originally a group of small hunting parties of dozen men related by blood, clan or even place of residence. Over time, it eventually grew into a professional force today.”

[Lillorainen]

Outside the Shop
Dilly... That was an good name for the Vulpine and much better than an western name like Logan, clearly perfect and great for him and so Lise smiled with the proposal and nodded.

"Now we are talking, that is the perfect name for such cutie and shows his Selkie heritage" Lise told at man as she looked down at her mascot and smiled. "Looks like we got an name for you. Dilly" Lise smiled at Dilly.

Then after waiting, Chris came out with Cel and with the kit she needed with them. Finally and after an long time, Lise could met once again with her friend and now in her hometown after an long year wait.
She extended her arms and so she smiled at her waiting for the Red-eyered girl to hug her.

Lise looked at Dilly and smiled at him before handing him over for an minute to Finnegan to then leave her package close to Chris before hug her.

"Celina Treoraí... It's good to see you again" Lise hugged her completely melting her arms on her old friend. She was really glad to see her friends once again and someone like Cel was an great friend. "Tell me how have been things ever since Shella, have you and Chris thought of Marriage as of now??" she said with an teasing grin on the last part.

Outside of the Shop.
While Chris was placing the Starter Kit next to my Boss, who grinned and gave him a thankful nod, and Finnegan held the fox, I was in Lise's tight hug and enjoyed it. Gods, I liked Lise, she was a very good friend and her melting into my hug only confirmed to me, that she saw it similarly.
I blushed at her question about marriage, but I replied: "Well, we did have that conversation already and while I would love to marry him, we both agreed, that we should finish schools and studies before that..." I smiled at Lise, teasing in my eyes. "What about you, Lise? Found a cute boyfriend?"
I still had my arms wrapped around her.

Marcach Camp.
Alaina watched with confusion at first, then said confusion mixing with bemusement.
One of the horses neighed at the end of the speech.
Sophus' explanation made Alaina smile. "Believe it or not, the Scilly Town Guard sounds similarly.", she said, "So... who picks whom?"

Outside of the Shop.
While Cel and Lise still had their arms wrapped around each other, Chris had taken his previous seat again. He had a look at Dilly, as the new name seemed to be, Finnegan holding him safely.
He had to grin himself, when Lise asked her final question in a notably direct manner - he was hardly surprised about her still being straightforward, making it all quick and easy. He nodded at Cel's answer - education came first, wedding plannings wouldn't run away.
In the same straightforward manner, Cel asked her, if she had found a cute boyfriend, whereupon Chris had to grin again. Instead of commenting on the directness, though, he waited for her to answer.

Marcach Camp.
It hardly surprised Hilda to hear, that the general tone was quite similar at the Scilly Town Guard - despite Police Officers all were just humans (or horses, for that matter), there were very certain returning patterns amongst all of them, be their area of jurisdiction the streets of Scilly, or the infamous Lysköping Ringroad A10 with all its feeders, or another place.
Hilda was the first one who extended her hand to one of the horses, namely, to the one that had neighed at the end of her speech. "We might let the Officers decide, I'd suggest!"
Sophus and Mia nodded and did the same with the other two, letting them smell their hands.

[Mervay]

Outside of the Shop.
While Chris was placing the Starter Kit next to my Boss, who grinned and gave him a thankful nod, and Finnegan held the fox, I was in Lise's tight hug and enjoyed it. Gods, I liked Lise, she was a very good friend and her melting into my hug only confirmed to me, that she saw it similarly.
I blushed at her question about marriage, but I replied: "Well, we did have that conversation already and while I would love to marry him, we both agreed, that we should finish schools and studies before that..." I smiled at Lise, teasing in my eyes. "What about you, Lise? Found a cute boyfriend?"
I still had my arms wrapped around her.

Stoc Inn.
Silvio nodded at Trinity with a respectful nod.
"Medicine and Law, not bad. Two very challenging studies on their lonesome, if combined...", he said and nodded again, "Good luck for your finals."
Aurora nodded in agreement.
"As for the waitress...", she said and looked around, spotting only one, waved to her. The waitress nodded, she would be there in a moment. "Well, it is a busy day."

Outside of the Shop.
While Cel and Lise still had their arms wrapped around each other, Chris had taken his previous seat again. He had a look at Dilly, as the new name seemed to be, Finnegan holding him safely.
He had to grin himself, when Lise asked her final question in a notably direct manner - he was hardly surprised about her still being straightforward, making it all quick and easy. He nodded at Cel's answer - education came first, wedding plannings wouldn't run away.
In the same straightforward manner, Cel asked her, if she had found a cute boyfriend, whereupon Chris had to grin again. Instead of commenting on the directness, though, he waited for her to answer.

An tight, friendly and careful hug between friends what could you ask more??? Cel was an great friend and someone who always is at your side even so distance separates them and always will be your friend.
It seemed the little teasing worked and Treoraí told her that they would marry each other but both Chris and her agreed to once they end school and their studies first, nothing out of normal to be honest since it was pretty common.
Now it was her turn to tease her and asked if she found an cute boyfriend and of course, Lisolette blushed madly.

"W-well..." she said blushing and getting off from her hug and looked at Chris too which seemed to wait and see if she found someone, she then begun to laugh at them for being same as curious as always as she was of being straightfoward. "You two really want to know huh?? Fine you guys won I show you an... Secret" she said taking her phone off and showing an very shocking picture which might make those two have the wrong yet funny thoughts.

It was an picture of an fake wedding made for the Valentine festival at the Academy and the guy besides Lise with the tuxedo was her romantic interest as so he was in love with her... Which made clear why they were chosen for such act.

"His name is Lucas, and let's just say that he is my boyfriend or soon to be mine" Lise was smiling and blushing as she explained them that and surely that picture didn't helped since it was at least an image of her dream of marry him.

Stoc Inn
"Thanks I will need it" Litton told to Silvio bowing at him for his good wishes at her with her studies. Meanwhile Aurora found one waitress which was busy but would come in an moment.
Strange that the other one and Duncan were missed, maybe it was something important and related with what happened that made them be busy.

"Well that's an relief. Although I wonder where is that waitress that was with the guy attacked by now my friend mascot I'm sure that their talk couldn't be that long right??"

[Wolfenium]

Alaina smiled, the silver-haired woman motioned to the third chair.
"It would be our pleasure.", she said with a bit of a Selkie-accent, soft vowels and rolling Rs. "I'm Alaina, this is Layla."
Layla was a young woman with orange-blonde hair, green eyes looking at the world with an emerald hue. Her long hair was open over the back, while Alaina had her silver hair bound back in a braid.
"Hope you like Mint Tea.", Layla said with a small, nervous smile - one could interpret that as maybe Layla being behind the cuppa. "I personally like it, because it is enlivening. Better then any cuppa coffee!"
Alaina smiled slightly, swiped a loose strand of hair behind her ear. They, too, were waiting for their food, cuppas in front of them.

"I'm not much of a tea person," went Hilda, with her trademark, beaming smile, "but no harm trying. Hilda Odegaard's the name. I'm here for the concert. Everything else... hmm... maybe I'll take a look, but I'm mainly here for the concert. You... wouldn't have heard of me, somewhere, would you? Or was it because I was acting shifty just now? Strangers don't normally treat suspicious-looking characters tea."

[AHSCA]

Leonard smiled as he put the little dagger away again.
"Wait until I manage to get my hands on one.", he said, "And send it over. The Master making them insists on the one ordering the blade searching for an appropriate stone and other materials him- or herself." He let a beat pass. "Amongst us two, though, it will be useful for a long, long time, both as a tool and for self-defense. Mostly as a tool, though."
He grinned.
"When I was at the Archipelago-Shooting, I had it with me and we had quite a good time using it to gut fish we caught.", he recounted, "Lugh and I became quite good at it."

"That sounds perfect!" She smiled knowing her daughter would walk away with two great gifts for her most important birthday. "Ah nothing like being able to catch a good fish yourself, right? So satisfying! Already sounds like you'd do well in the islands."

Branwen smiled. "If you'd excuse me then, for a moment?", she requested and stood up, leaving Elin and Shizuka.
The older sister smiled at the writer, which was adored by her little sister.
"Branwen would never tell you, but it was your novels, which got her into writing herself.", she told Shizuka. "Please don't tell her, that I told you."

"Go right ahead." shizuka nodded as Branwen took a moment to part company with them. Shizuka then blushed at being told Branwen was directly inspired by her. "M-me, inspiring, really?" How flattered she was, Branwen was a cute girl, full of energy and spirit, she sensed a strong kinship with the girl beyond simply being admired. "I-I'm so glad I have a fan! Though any reason she wouldn't want to tell me?"

[Kuronami]

Pina smiled and motioned for them to follow her.
"Then come, it's not far any more!", she said and led them further down the street - it indeed wasn't far anymore, maybe a minute or two, and the Militia-Lads, their pikes shouldered, marching in the opposite direction, looked dashing.
Lorgaire stayed with the girls, Pina with their parents.
She smiled. "I look forward to the tour of Kuronami already. It sounds lively and lovely!", she said.

"Easy does it, Billie, Joey, don't run to far too fast!" Charlie called when the two girls ran. She chuckled a little. "Oh you will love it! It's so big and vast, and in some places you'll feel like you've stepped into an old painting! I couldn't see myself anywhere else raising my family. Well maybe here if it came to it."

Having enjoyed the dance of three, the small family smiled as Tsu and Mei as they returned.
Mei seemed to have handled everything very well!
Rona smiled at both of them, as did her parents, but it was the girl, who spoke: "Sure we do!", she said happily, "Mister Leathán's Bakery is awesome and makes good stuff! It's..."
Her stomach growled.
"Well, when the mere thought of it can lead to that, it is a good endorsement.", Mara said and kissed her daughter onto the cheek. "I would be onboard for a breadroll or two as well... what do you think, Mavie?" The other woman nodded. "So... would you mind us tagging along?"
The last was directed at Tsu and Mei.

"Some breadrolls sounds delightful!" Mei excitedly replied. "And sounds like Rona's own stomach is calling her to feed her!" She giggled.

Tsukasa nodded with a smile "We'd be delighted to have you join us!"

[Port Ember]

Both Gwens giggled at that.
"Cara and Ayden are, to my knowledge, some of the only examples of their kind in human domestication... although that term can only be loosely applied to either of them.", Jan's Gwen explained to him, "Ayden and Cara are too well fed to jump any children, though, in addition to them not being the usual prey. Besides, Cara only accepts food from Felicia."
She motioned for him to watch as the little girl tried to feed the feline, but the large feline turned his head away as Felicia explained something to the girl.

Jan Breytenbach with Gwen

Jan smiled knowingly. When he and his friend established the wardog branch back home, they followed the same principle, where the animal only accepted food from their handler. It served a duel purpose of building a stronger bond between handler and beast, and offcourse kept the animal safe from suffering a posion attack hiden in food.

Jan replied shortly yet still in a friendly tone "yup.. smart move. Then again one needs to be smart when domesticating monsters.." Jan said smiling broadly, mightlily impressed with the various dangerous beasts kept as pets, companions and gaurdians.

Jan's stomach also growled loudly, informing its owner that it was posotively empty.

[The Selkie]

The old man smiled, fired an arrow directly into the centre of his target. He turned to Tieguang.
"Of course we do, though mostly in the winter... and then, all the more!", he said and sighed slightly, "Last winter, it was especially rough... up to seven metres around Riverwood. In any case, yes, we have snow."
One of the other archers pointed in one direction, roundabout north.
"The Polar Circle is a... call it 1,500 kilometres, roundabout, in that direction.", he said, "And that doesn't touch on the Northern Islands, which are North of that!"
"And Conall Curach.", another archers noted.

“Haha, it’s very annoying having snow all-around. The city me and my wife live in has snow too.” Tieguang said. “But it’s not the worse. It was snowing lightly. But of you go far north towards the artic pole, it’s chillingly cold that you can feel your bones freeze to the core. If you’re not careful, you’ll die of frozebite in the instant.”

Tieguang fired another arrow. He finally hit it in the centre of the target.

“I may be a warrior but I don’t want to live over there. Only the strongest survives. However, there’re aboriginal tribes who dwelt there for Gods knew how long they’ve been living in the freezing hell for perhaps thousands of years. They are very tough bunch but they’re also friendly folks. I had pleasure of meeting some of them.”

The brunette prepares his last arrow. He continues speaking, “My home army has tendencies to recruit tribal people with strong martial traditions into service. That way, we can easily gained good soldiers out of them. The Eight-Banner Army is no exception to that rule. Putting aside my fellow Yuan, the Eight-Banners is full of races with history of being great warriors in the past. Believe it or not, the Eight-Banners were originally a group of small hunting parties of dozen men related by blood, clan or even place of residence. Over time, it eventually grew into a professional force today.”

"Believe it or not, laddie...", the old man said with a smile, "...but we are not people of war, despite our past as mercenaries for everyone being able to pay. We are People of Song and Dance and believe me, the longer you stay here, the more music you will here and the more often your legs will swing, your wife in your arms."
He shook his head.
"It makes sense, though. Recruiting people with warrior-traditions, I mean.", he said, "The more identity as warriors they already have, the less time is needed to construct one." His arrow whizzed off and hit the centre of the target. "Say... do you have children, laddie?"

Outside of the Shop.
While Chris was placing the Starter Kit next to my Boss, who grinned and gave him a thankful nod, and Finnegan held the fox, I was in Lise's tight hug and enjoyed it. Gods, I liked Lise, she was a very good friend and her melting into my hug only confirmed to me, that she saw it similarly.
I blushed at her question about marriage, but I replied: "Well, we did have that conversation already and while I would love to marry him, we both agreed, that we should finish schools and studies before that..." I smiled at Lise, teasing in my eyes. "What about you, Lise? Found a cute boyfriend?"
I still had my arms wrapped around her.

Stoc Inn.
Silvio nodded at Trinity with a respectful nod.
"Medicine and Law, not bad. Two very challenging studies on their lonesome, if combined...", he said and nodded again, "Good luck for your finals."
Aurora nodded in agreement.
"As for the waitress...", she said and looked around, spotting only one, waved to her. The waitress nodded, she would be there in a moment. "Well, it is a busy day."

Outside of the Shop.
While Cel and Lise still had their arms wrapped around each other, Chris had taken his previous seat again. He had a look at Dilly, as the new name seemed to be, Finnegan holding him safely.
He had to grin himself, when Lise asked her final question in a notably direct manner - he was hardly surprised about her still being straightforward, making it all quick and easy. He nodded at Cel's answer - education came first, wedding plannings wouldn't run away.
In the same straightforward manner, Cel asked her, if she had found a cute boyfriend, whereupon Chris had to grin again. Instead of commenting on the directness, though, he waited for her to answer.

An tight, friendly and careful hug between friends what could you ask more??? Cel was an great friend and someone who always is at your side even so distance separates them and always will be your friend.
It seemed the little teasing worked and Treoraí told her that they would marry each other but both Chris and her agreed to once they end school and their studies first, nothing out of normal to be honest since it was pretty common.
Now it was her turn to tease her and asked if she found an cute boyfriend and of course, Lisolette blushed madly.

"W-well..." she said blushing and getting off from her hug and looked at Chris too which seemed to wait and see if she found someone, she then begun to laugh at them for being same as curious as always as she was of being straightfoward. "You two really want to know huh?? Fine you guys won I show you an... Secret" she said taking her phone off and showing an very shocking picture which might make those two have the wrong yet funny thoughts.



It was an picture of an fake wedding made for the Valentine festival at the Academy and the guy besides Lise with the tuxedo was her romantic interest as so he was in love with her... Which made clear why they were chosen for such act.

"His name is Lucas, and let's just say that he is my boyfriend or soon to be mine" Lise was smiling and blushing as she explained them that and surely that picture didn't helped since it was at least an image of her dream of marry him.

Stoc Inn
"Thanks I will need it" Litton told to Silvio bowing at him for his good wishes at her with her studies. Meanwhile Aurora found one waitress which was busy but would come in an moment.
Strange that the other one and Duncan were missed, maybe it was something important and related with what happened that made them be busy.

"Well that's an relief. Although I wonder where is that waitress that was with the guy attacked by now my friend mascot I'm sure that their talk couldn't be that long right??"

Note: Quote modified by removal of spoiler-tags.

Marcach Camp.
Cufa, Íonaíochas and Bleán sniffed the hands of the three Lillos, while their Selkie-Riders were watching, ready to interfere if the horses found the smell of the offered hands revolting.
Hilda and Cufa were an almost instant match, the horse sniffing her hand and then moving its head forward to nuzzle the Lillo a slight bit. It seemed, really, that Hilda had a talent for horses.
Sophus had picked Íonaíochas, who thought for a long time, but remained calm. Bleán, who smelled Mia's hand, neighed and turned away, but did not touch her as he ran to Alaina. The bluenette had little problems in calming the equine down, before she turned to Mia: "By any chance, did you have had anything to do with gunpowder, almonds or similar things?", she asked with a small bit of worry.

Outside of the shop.
While Chris waited, as did my boss and Finnegan, I squealed in delight - Lise was crushing on someone!
And they had even done a wedding-run already and they looked so cute together! (Yes, even I recognized a wedding in Christian Tradition.)
Oh, Gods, this was beautiful!
I hugged Lise again, feeling the heat in her cheeks.
"Oh, the two of you look so cute together!", I told her with a grin from ear to ear, then kissed her onto her forehead, "I'm so happy for you, that you found someone after that horrid place..." I smiled, feeling a bit like a big sis, who saw her little sis growing wings. "And amongst us, he is a cute one. He's a good lad?"

Stoc Inn.
Aurora and Silvio both shrugged. After all, they had no clue, what she talked about.
Any inquiry into that was put on halt, though, as the waitress came. "Sorry for the delay, Sir, Ma'ams.", she apologized with a small bow, "We are... a tad busy. What can I get you all?"
This was followed by her offering them menus, the English version, which specified a number of teas and lemonades and other beverages (including fruit and berry juices) available, as well as breakfast options of a large, traditional Selkie-Breakfast, followed by Maith, freshly boiled, the cheese and ham platter with butter and breadrolls, and a marmalade platter.
It was a feast in the making.
Aurora smiled at the waitress after a moment. "A mint tea and a traditional breakfast for me, please!", she said.
Silvio, meanwhile, looked to Trinity. "By the way, it's my treat.", he said - and used a tone, which booked no argument.

Alaina smiled, the silver-haired woman motioned to the third chair.
"It would be our pleasure.", she said with a bit of a Selkie-accent, soft vowels and rolling Rs. "I'm Alaina, this is Layla."
Layla was a young woman with orange-blonde hair, green eyes looking at the world with an emerald hue. Her long hair was open over the back, while Alaina had her silver hair bound back in a braid.
"Hope you like Mint Tea.", Layla said with a small, nervous smile - one could interpret that as maybe Layla being behind the cuppa. "I personally like it, because it is enlivening. Better then any cuppa coffee!"
Alaina smiled slightly, swiped a loose strand of hair behind her ear. They, too, were waiting for their food, cuppas in front of them.

"I'm not much of a tea person," went Hilda, with her trademark, beaming smile, "but no harm trying. Hilda Odegaard's the name. I'm here for the concert. Everything else... hmm... maybe I'll take a look, but I'm mainly here for the concert. You... wouldn't have heard of me, somewhere, would you? Or was it because I was acting shifty just now? Strangers don't normally treat suspicious-looking characters tea."

Alaina shrugged.
"Yes and no.", she said, "No, on the day of the Spring Festival, it is not unusual to invite complete strangers for a cuppa. The Winter's over and what better way to celebrate life and Spring then by meeting people?" She let a beat pass. "But yes, we know you. Layla here is ev-..."
"Oh what lovely weather we have!", Layla interrupted loudly, Alaina giggling. Layla, by now deep-red in her face. "Don't you think so, too?!"
"She's a fan.", Alaina said with a smile, Layla's head about to explode in emberessement "Though, that begs the question, Miss Odegaard, which concert do you mean? One of the many on the Main Music Stage?"

Leonard smiled as he put the little dagger away again.
"Wait until I manage to get my hands on one.", he said, "And send it over. The Master making them insists on the one ordering the blade searching for an appropriate stone and other materials him- or herself." He let a beat pass. "Amongst us two, though, it will be useful for a long, long time, both as a tool and for self-defense. Mostly as a tool, though."
He grinned.
"When I was at the Archipelago-Shooting, I had it with me and we had quite a good time using it to gut fish we caught.", he recounted, "Lugh and I became quite good at it."

"That sounds perfect!" She smiled knowing her daughter would walk away with two great gifts for her most important birthday. "Ah nothing like being able to catch a good fish yourself, right? So satisfying! Already sounds like you'd do well in the islands."

Branwen smiled. "If you'd excuse me then, for a moment?", she requested and stood up, leaving Elin and Shizuka.
The older sister smiled at the writer, which was adored by her little sister.
"Branwen would never tell you, but it was your novels, which got her into writing herself.", she told Shizuka. "Please don't tell her, that I told you."

"Go right ahead." shizuka nodded as Branwen took a moment to part company with them. Shizuka then blushed at being told Branwen was directly inspired by her. "M-me, inspiring, really?" How flattered she was, Branwen was a cute girl, full of energy and spirit, she sensed a strong kinship with the girl beyond simply being admired. "I-I'm so glad I have a fan! Though any reason she wouldn't want to tell me?"

Leonard grinned.
"Really?", he said, "Then it must be a lovely place. Much like Scrín... I would love to show you the azure coves and the warm, shallow waters... the little houses and soft beaches, the breeze, gently blowing, but also capable of strength and force." He smiled. "Maybe one day, right?"
A sigh escaped his lips.
"I miss the Archipelago.", he said.

"Pride, I would say.", Elin said with a smile, "I am quite similar. Proud and, to some extend, stubborn." She giggled. "That was, what made her not only start writing her book, but also finishing it: Her stubbornness to not let those, who would tell her she would not finish her novel, be in the right." She giggled. "Something admirable, in a way."

Pina smiled and motioned for them to follow her.
"Then come, it's not far any more!", she said and led them further down the street - it indeed wasn't far anymore, maybe a minute or two, and the Militia-Lads, their pikes shouldered, marching in the opposite direction, looked dashing.
Lorgaire stayed with the girls, Pina with their parents.
She smiled. "I look forward to the tour of Kuronami already. It sounds lively and lovely!", she said.

"Easy does it, Billie, Joey, don't run to far too fast!" Charlie called when the two girls ran. She chuckled a little. "Oh you will love it! It's so big and vast, and in some places you'll feel like you've stepped into an old painting! I couldn't see myself anywhere else raising my family. Well maybe here if it came to it."

Having enjoyed the dance of three, the small family smiled as Tsu and Mei as they returned.
Mei seemed to have handled everything very well!
Rona smiled at both of them, as did her parents, but it was the girl, who spoke: "Sure we do!", she said happily, "Mister Leathán's Bakery is awesome and makes good stuff! It's..."
Her stomach growled.
"Well, when the mere thought of it can lead to that, it is a good endorsement.", Mara said and kissed her daughter onto the cheek. "I would be onboard for a breadroll or two as well... what do you think, Mavie?" The other woman nodded. "So... would you mind us tagging along?"
The last was directed at Tsu and Mei.

"Some breadrolls sounds delightful!" Mei excitedly replied. "And sounds like Rona's own stomach is calling her to feed her!" She giggled.

Tsukasa nodded with a smile "We'd be delighted to have you join us!"

Pina giggled.
"It sounds a lot like the Free Lands.", she said, smiling at the compliment as well, "Though, for us, it's not an old painting, but the Middle Ages." As if for emphasis, a horse-drawn carriage passed them a few metres away, the crowd giving it a wide berth. "That's what tourists say, at least."
She smiled, especially as now, the gates to the Petting Zoo came into view. And, in front of them, the group of kiddos had finished their game of catch with Ayden the Star Lynx, the large feline sitting next to his 'Mom' and handler, a beautiful woman with fire-red hair and blue eyes, who was talking with two mothers about something in Selkie.
The feline looked up and over, to Billy and her friend and Lorgaire, who stopped, lowering his head.
"Shall I introduce you?", Pina offered with a smile.

The two women nodded, lowered Rona to the ground and took her hands, motioning for Mei and Tsukasa to join them. "Come!", Mara said, "Mister Leathán's Bakery is awesome, even back when I was in school!"
"It's still awesome.", Rona insisted, "Gwenny makes the best Scipeal aside from Mam's!"
Mavie giggled.
"So, Mei, Tsukasa...", she asked, "...what do people eat for breakfast, where you come from?"

Jan Breytenbach with Gwen

Jan smiled knowingly. When he and his friend established the wardog branch back home, they followed the same principle, where the animal only accepted food from their handler. It served a duel purpose of building a stronger bond between handler and beast, and offcourse kept the animal safe from suffering a posion attack hiden in food.

Jan replied shortly yet still in a friendly tone "yup.. smart move. Then again one needs to be smart when domesticating monsters.." Jan said smiling broadly, mightlily impressed with the various dangerous beasts kept as pets, companions and gaurdians.

Jan's stomach also growled loudly, informing its owner that it was posotively empty.

"Either smart or loving and caring... preferably both.", the older Gwen said, smiling as the stomach growled, "Did you two have any breakfast?"
"Well, I did...", Jan's Gwen admitted sheepishly, "Mam and I had one by sunrise and it was quite filling." Srol stood up and came over, sitting down between the two Gwen, his mistress' hand on his head soon enough. "And he had one, too." A beat passed. "Though, I could still use a bite..."
"Hm... then come with me, both of you!", the older Gwen invited, "We should have a few breadrolls left!"

[Port Ember]

"Either smart or loving and caring... preferably both.", the older Gwen said, smiling as the stomach growled, "Did you two have any breakfast?"
"Well, I did...", Jan's Gwen admitted sheepishly, "Mam and I had one by sunrise and it was quite filling." Srol stood up and came over, sitting down between the two Gwen, his mistress' hand on his head soon enough. "And he had one, too." A beat passed. "Though, I could still use a bite..."
"Hm... then come with me, both of you!", the older Gwen invited, "We should have a few breadrolls left!"

Jan Breytenbach with Gwen

Jan was not going to argue against the invitation to food, as he was positevely starving. He quickly reached out to stroke Srol slightly as he returned to touching range, before he took hold of his Gwen's hand, making it clear that he was ready to move.

[Mediama]

The Sergeant nodded and called something over to her girls, which began to set themselves into motion, putting out the fire and mounting the horses, the Sergeant putting the smartphone away. It would be apparent, that they would indeed depart soon.
The mother smiled softly. "I'm Meave.", she said, "Meave Blaidd, of Tralee Descent. But Meave is fine." A beat passed. "And who are you, searrach?"
The Sergeant made a step away and gave them a bit of privacy.

Just as Fiona was letting go of Ciaran, his smartphone vibrated.
He smiled after a short glance on the screen: "It's her."
Fiona was silent for a moment, then cheered loudly, threwing one arm around the lad and one around Kathleen, hugging them both at the same time, the owner of the bakery grinning.
"I'll put the kettle on.", he said with a small nod and began to move into the back of the room.

Kathleen flushed lightly, but smiled all the same, wrapping an arm around Fiona as well. “Good on ya you lucky lass, looks like Saint Patrick’s smiling down to ya!” She said as she clapped her hand on Fiona’s back, “Now we just have to wait for her to come back home.”

She sighed though and looked back at Fiona, “Ya know this also means ya have to deal with tha elephant in the room head on, right? Think it might be high time that you tell her how ya really feel. I won’t pressure ya or anything though, we might still have plenty of time.”

She left the rest of the sentence unsaid, assuming Fiona understood what she was implying.

---

“I’m Miranda, Miranda Mulligan. I’m from Mediama.” Realizing she probably might not have much time left with Meave, she opened up her notebook, took out a pen, and scribbled some numbers down before she ripped it out of the book and handed it to Meave.

“I-It’s my number, so we can keep in touch. I really hope you can find your place with your family, as you have done to help me find mine. And I can’t help but say thank you, my máthair.”

She wasn’t sure if the translation carried through to Selkie, but if it did, then she truly meant it. She felt like she was the mother she never had, and for that, the aspiring writer was thankful.

---

The High Priestess watched and listened, smiled softly.
She nodded to Liv - Kat was a good girl, it said, you two look cute together.
The High Priestess nodded in the end.
"Now you told me, what you see - what is your interpretation of what you see?", she asked of Kat, "Also, seeing it from the end to the beginning and not from the beginning to the end, would you say, that the story remains intact or would you tell a different story? Or maybe even no story at all?"

"Well." Katherine started. "It might be about two different stories. And both depend on how you see stories."

"The first story would be a story of both Loadan Lir and Ladra getting into a bet to see which animal would survive the longest out of their element, the Mudskipper or the Sea Weasel. Though they both initially worked together to support themselves. But soon both gods tried to undermine each other to try to win the bet, by making rules not allowing them to work together.

Soon both the mudskipper and the sea weasel struggled to find food and went hungry. And though both survived long enough for the bet to end and for each of them to go home, the undermining first disturbed Abhcan who also witnessed Loadan Lir and Ladra nearly coming to blows from the results of their bet. Then Rhiannon and Carman Fea both heard of what happened, and called out Loadan Lir and Ladra for what they did. This led to an argument to see who to put the blame on for who started the undermining.”

Kat smiled briefly, the second interpretation was a little more risky, since she understood that this was someone's religion, and that she might offend someone, but she decided to take a chance.

“The second interpretation would be if you saw life like a VHS recording, in that case, the same things that Liv said, only everything is happening in reverse, and everyone is speaking in reverse, which also uncovers satanic messages.” Kat then mimicked the joke from ‘Good Morning Vietnam’ and said something in reverse, finishing with “Freddy is a devil.” She chuckled, and kinda hoped that her gamble payed off.

[Solisian Union]

The old man smiled - she was quite fired up!
"Try it after the 27th of March, so in a week.", he advised, "School will begin then and you'll have an easier time to find him there. As for which school..." He shrugged. "I have, quite honestly, no idea. There are four High Schools in Fortham, one of them a Boarding School, and all four are considered good."
"Grandpa, I remember Ida mentioning, that they are in Cuan today. Enya is still a High Schooler, after all. Maybe she knows him?", Asteria suggested.
The old man nodded. "That sounds like a plan. Send her a message, please."
Asteria nodded and took her smart phone out, while the old man smiled at the Solisian in a grandfatherly way.

---

The Solisian woman was pleased; although it disappointed her that she never asked the boy what school was he from exactly, she was at least pleased with their initiative. Her only worry now was that the boy might lose interest in her, look for another girl — like a local — and forget about her. She heard a sad story about an Azen who was forgotten by her friend. She hoped that Azen was all right.

[Minroz]

"Believe it or not, laddie...", the old man said with a smile, "...but we are not people of war, despite our past as mercenaries for everyone being able to pay. We are People of Song and Dance and believe me, the longer you stay here, the more music you will here and the more often your legs will swing, your wife in your arms."
He shook his head.
"It makes sense, though. Recruiting people with warrior-traditions, I mean.", he said, "The more identity as warriors they already have, the less time is needed to construct one." His arrow whizzed off and hit the centre of the target. "Say... do you have children, laddie?"

“Eh!?” Tieguang spluttered in surprise and fired his arrow. He didn’t hit in the centre of his target, more like further than usual.

“Sorry elder, you surprised me.” The brunette admitted. “Well…” He looked at his wife who hit her target in the centre, giving off his wistful, loving smile. “Yes, I have children with my wife. Two. One girl and one boy. Good kids. They’re under care with my in-laws while we’re here on vacation. They’re doing well back home, I’ve heard they’re doing great at school. I am so proud of them.”

[Kjalaara]

The smell of fresh hay, and Fiona, would lead him to a section, where indeed, a wagon laden with hay bales was standing, the horses, who had driven it, enjoying a water trough for themselves.
The hay bales were rectangular, three stringed, massive objects, which weighted around forty kilograms, and there were at least twenty of them, more in the ballpark of twenty five.
Two men were already unloading, putting the bales on smaller wheelbarrows, where they would be taken care of by others. One of them motioned to Njall.
"Morning, lad. Name's Raidri.", he introduced himself, "Simple thing, if you are here to help: Load the bale onto the barrows and get the next one. As soon as we are finished, we will help with the distribution. Questions?"

"Aye Raidri!" Njall nodded. "No. No Questions. Easy enough." He rolled up his sleeves and dropped his bag on the floor, kicking it out of the way with the side of his foot, taking care not to get into the way of the fox. He tried to work in the same pace as his two new friends. The unloading was easy enough but the distribution was a bit more difficult. Njall was sweaty and thirsty when he was done.

[Lillorainen]

An tight, friendly and careful hug between friends what could you ask more??? Cel was an great friend and someone who always is at your side even so distance separates them and always will be your friend.
It seemed the little teasing worked and Treoraí told her that they would marry each other but both Chris and her agreed to once they end school and their studies first, nothing out of normal to be honest since it was pretty common.
Now it was her turn to tease her and asked if she found an cute boyfriend and of course, Lisolette blushed madly.

"W-well..." she said blushing and getting off from her hug and looked at Chris too which seemed to wait and see if she found someone, she then begun to laugh at them for being same as curious as always as she was of being straightfoward. "You two really want to know huh?? Fine you guys won I show you an... Secret" she said taking her phone off and showing an very shocking picture which might make those two have the wrong yet funny thoughts.

(Image)

It was an picture of an fake wedding made for the Valentine festival at the Academy and the guy besides Lise with the tuxedo was her romantic interest as so he was in love with her... Which made clear why they were chosen for such act.

"His name is Lucas, and let's just say that he is my boyfriend or soon to be mine" Lise was smiling and blushing as she explained them that and surely that picture didn't helped since it was at least an image of her dream of marry him.

Marcach Camp.
Cufa, Íonaíochas and Bleán sniffed the hands of the three Lillos, while their Selkie-Riders were watching, ready to interfere if the horses found the smell of the offered hands revolting.
Hilda and Cufa were an almost instant match, the horse sniffing her hand and then moving its head forward to nuzzle the Lillo a slight bit. It seemed, really, that Hilda had a talent for horses.
Sophus had picked Íonaíochas, who thought for a long time, but remained calm. Bleán, who smelled Mia's hand, neighed and turned away, but did not touch her as he ran to Alaina. The bluenette had little problems in calming the equine down, before she turned to Mia: "By any chance, did you have had anything to do with gunpowder, almonds or similar things?", she asked with a small bit of worry.

Outside of the shop.
While Chris waited, as did my boss and Finnegan, I squealed in delight - Lise was crushing on someone!
And they had even done a wedding-run already and they looked so cute together! (Yes, even I recognized a wedding in Christian Tradition.)
Oh, Gods, this was beautiful!
I hugged Lise again, feeling the heat in her cheeks.
"Oh, the two of you look so cute together!", I told her with a grin from ear to ear, then kissed her onto her forehead, "I'm so happy for you, that you found someone after that horrid place..." I smiled, feeling a bit like a big sis, who saw her little sis growing wings. "And amongst us, he is a cute one. He's a good lad?"

Outside of the Shop.
Chris nodded in approval, as the wedding test run (as he interpreted it) and the photo thereof was really cute. And indeed - it was genuinely good to see how she had finally found a guy to call hers, after all that rather unhappy time.
Honestly, she definitely deserved the luck she had well.
"If he's not only good-looking, but also has a good heart, you'll have gotten the jackpot!" - he said. "My congratulations!"

Marcach Camp.
Indeed, Hilda knew how to deal with horses - it was hardly surprising, that Cufa approved of her instantly.
Sophus needed a bit more of a time, but Íonaíochas stayed as calm as Sophus was by nature - no surprise, either.
What did surprise everyone, was that Mia was almost as instantly rejected as Hilda was approved of - this was unusual, or even unique, as it was probably the first time in her life.
As Alaina asked for possible substances Bleán might have reacted to like this, Mia had to think for a moment. "Gunpowder ... Hm, could it be from cleaning that MJR rifle ...? No, that was two weeks before we departed ... almonds ..."
"You love eating these" - Sophus said.
"Last time I had some was during the Julfest" - she said. She turned to Alaina. "Honestly, I have no idea. This has never happened to me."

[Foxfound]

The three nodded solemnly.

"I see what you mean..." said Kiri, before smiling a bit. "But with any luck, she'll have some new friends in the three of us."

Z grinned in agreement. Her map was partially covered in sauce from being used as a napkin, and likewise Z's face had ink here and there. "I think that'll work out great! With Ren and Kiri she won't have to worry about... well, that. Hopefully not with me either. I dunno. I wonder where she'll take us first."

Z definitely wasn't as composured as before the meal, but even if she was somewhat bipolar she always seemed to stay positive.

Macha smiled, her tail wagging back and forth with excitement, while Branwen smiled.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!", Macha said with excitement, throwing her arms first around Ren and kissing her onto the cheek in celebratory thankfulness. She was really happy about them agreeing to do this, for Nia...
...stood in the entranceway of the restaurant.
She looked like a young woman, 1.72 metres tall, white-silver hair and yellow eyes, the ears of a wolf on her head. She wore a sailor-style school uniform, black with white trimmings, as well as a red tie. Those, who knew their school uniforms of the Free Lands recognized it as the school uniform of the prestigious Doire Girls' High School of Riverwood. On a sword belt, she carried a Kyrenaian Type 3B Sabre, strapped so that it was behind her back, but still in a good position to be drawn quickly.
She smiled slightly.
"Good morning.", she said and bowed her head to Branwen, then looked at Kiri, Ren and Z, "You are the three? I am Nia. Nia Sneachtúil, of Cefnffordd Descent. Pleasure to meet you!"

"Nice to meetcha! I'm Z, and this is Kiri and Ren, though I guess they might have told you our names already. Where are we going first? I know there's foxes and horses and probably a bunch of interesting places under all the stains on this map and - "
This went on rather longer than would be considered appropriate.

Kiri just grinned happily. It was always great to make new friends, especially ones that would probably be around as long as she would.

"Hello," said Ren, then more quietly adding "Sorry about Z. She's sort of... unpredictable, but she'll stay out of trouble as long as she has something to do or somewhere to explore."
She glanced at the now mostly-useless map.
"Really, she was supposed to be keeping track of us."

[Mervay]

Outside of the shop.
While Chris waited, as did my boss and Finnegan, I squealed in delight - Lise was crushing on someone!
And they had even done a wedding-run already and they looked so cute together! (Yes, even I recognized a wedding in Christian Tradition.)
Oh, Gods, this was beautiful!
I hugged Lise again, feeling the heat in her cheeks.
"Oh, the two of you look so cute together!", I told her with a grin from ear to ear, then kissed her onto her forehead, "I'm so happy for you, that you found someone after that horrid place..." I smiled, feeling a bit like a big sis, who saw her little sis growing wings. "And amongst us, he is a cute one. He's a good lad?"

Stoc Inn.
Aurora and Silvio both shrugged. After all, they had no clue, what she talked about.
Any inquiry into that was put on halt, though, as the waitress came. "Sorry for the delay, Sir, Ma'ams.", she apologized with a small bow, "We are... a tad busy. What can I get you all?"
This was followed by her offering them menus, the English version, which specified a number of teas and lemonades and other beverages (including fruit and berry juices) available, as well as breakfast options of a large, traditional Selkie-Breakfast, followed by Maith, freshly boiled, the cheese and ham platter with butter and breadrolls, and a marmalade platter.
It was a feast in the making.
Aurora smiled at the waitress after a moment. "A mint tea and a traditional breakfast for me, please!", she said.
Silvio, meanwhile, looked to Trinity. "By the way, it's my treat.", he said - and used a tone, which booked no argument.

Outside of the Shop.
Chris nodded in approval, as the wedding test run (as he interpreted it) and the photo thereof was really cute. And indeed - it was genuinely good to see how she had finally found a guy to call hers, after all that rather unhappy time.
Honestly, she definitely deserved the luck she had well.
"If he's not only good-looking, but also has a good heart, you'll have gotten the jackpot!" - he said. "My congratulations!"

Cel hugged her again and treated Lise like if she was her younger sister meanwhile Treoraí was her older one -although Lise was the older one between the two. But either way that made Devienne blush madly as she tried to keep her composture and calm as much as she could.
But like Cel said, she has to be happy that she found someone after the entire fiasco of last year back at the PIA.

It wasn't only her saying her good luck but Chris as well which nodded and smiled at the news.

"Thanks guys I really appreciate your good wishes, is happy to hear you two supporting me on this" she said at them smiling before turning back to Cel. "And about your question Cel, let's just say that he is the sweetest person in the world I can know, he is perfect!!!"

Stoc Inn
Soon the waitress came for take their orders after an long wait for everyone in where she apologized for the wait. Then she looked at the menu given by the waitress, tea's, lemonades, other beverages, traditional Selkie-Breakfast, etc, etc.
Trinity was searching what to chose meanwhile Aurora ordered and Silvio told her that it will be his treat and period, considering how it was his tone.

"Thanks Silvio but you don't have to, although I appreciate it" she told her smiling at him before she looked at the waitress once again. "I would like the traditional breakfast please"

[AHSCA]

Leonard grinned.
"Really?", he said, "Then it must be a lovely place. Much like Scrín... I would love to show you the azure coves and the warm, shallow waters... the little houses and soft beaches, the breeze, gently blowing, but also capable of strength and force." He smiled. "Maybe one day, right?"
A sigh escaped his lips.
"I miss the Archipelago.", he said.

"That sounds just as lovely as where I'm from. I'd like to see it too. Sounds like you and I are much alike in that sense. Just children of our humble little homes."

"Pride, I would say.", Elin said with a smile, "I am quite similar. Proud and, to some extend, stubborn." She giggled. "That was, what made her not only start writing her book, but also finishing it: Her stubbornness to not let those, who would tell her she would not finish her novel, be in the right." She giggled. "Something admirable, in a way."

"Ah I see. I understand that well. Well not to worry, secret is safe with me!" She winked "Sounds like she had some doubters, well I did too so I can relate well."

[Kuronami]

Pina giggled.
"It sounds a lot like the Free Lands.", she said, smiling at the compliment as well, "Though, for us, it's not an old painting, but the Middle Ages." As if for emphasis, a horse-drawn carriage passed them a few metres away, the crowd giving it a wide berth. "That's what tourists say, at least."
She smiled, especially as now, the gates to the Petting Zoo came into view. And, in front of them, the group of kiddos had finished their game of catch with Ayden the Star Lynx, the large feline sitting next to his 'Mom' and handler, a beautiful woman with fire-red hair and blue eyes, who was talking with two mothers about something in Selkie.
The feline looked up and over, to Billy and her friend and Lorgaire, who stopped, lowering his head.
"Shall I introduce you?", Pina offered with a smile.

"Well I for one find it really quaint." Charlie nodded.

"Wow, what is that, it's so cute!" the little girls exlaimed at seeing the Star Lynx

The two women nodded, lowered Rona to the ground and took her hands, motioning for Mei and Tsukasa to join them. "Come!", Mara said, "Mister Leathán's Bakery is awesome, even back when I was in school!"
"It's still awesome.", Rona insisted, "Gwenny makes the best Scipeal aside from Mam's!"
Mavie giggled.
"So, Mei, Tsukasa...", she asked, "...what do people eat for breakfast, where you come from?"

"Oh well that's going to depend a lot on the region you live in and I guess how traditional you are. From us in Amaterasu anything from simple toast with jam or butter is just as common as a small dish of white rice. Eggs and miso soups are common too. Tsu-chan often has a bad habit of skipping breakfast."

"W-well if I'm not working, I'm usually sleeping in and racing off to school."

[The Selkie]

Jan Breytenbach with Gwen

Jan was not going to argue against the invitation to food, as he was positevely starving. He quickly reached out to stroke Srol slightly as he returned to touching range, before he took hold of his Gwen's hand, making it clear that he was ready to move.

"Aye Raidri!" Njall nodded. "No. No Questions. Easy enough." He rolled up his sleeves and dropped his bag on the floor, kicking it out of the way with the side of his foot, taking care not to get into the way of the fox. He tried to work in the same pace as his two new friends. The unloading was easy enough but the distribution was a bit more difficult. Njall was sweaty and thirsty when he was done.

The older Gwen nodded, put the Tine back and rose, motioning for them to follow her.
She led them into the backstage area, to a few tents, where people were around doing backstage things, but at the corner of it, one found an oasis of peace and calm, where people were having breaks, a huge basket of breadrolls standing in the middle of a large table, which was decked with large plates of cheese and ham, although neither was full anymore. Bottles of lemonade and cans of tea were around as well, including smaller bottles for individual consumption in a cooler.
They were not the only ones there, a group of three men was already there and having a break after hard work.
"Oh, morning, Raidri!", the older Gwen said with a huge smile in Selkie to one of the men, all of them sweaty and thirsty and enjoying a drink after hard work. Judging by the odd strand of hay, which was around, they had just finished distributing the hay. "Who's your new friend?"
"That's Njall.", Raidri replied in English, putting a hand on the man's shoulder. "He was hired by Fi and he did well with the hay. Njall, that's Fi's Mam, Gwen, her sort-of niece, Gwenny, and..." He looked at Jan. "...and I have no clue as to who you are, lad."

Kathleen flushed lightly, but smiled all the same, wrapping an arm around Fiona as well. “Good on ya you lucky lass, looks like Saint Patrick’s smiling down to ya!” She said as she clapped her hand on Fiona’s back, “Now we just have to wait for her to come back home.”

She sighed though and looked back at Fiona, “Ya know this also means ya have to deal with tha elephant in the room head on, right? Think it might be high time that you tell her how ya really feel. I won’t pressure ya or anything though, we might still have plenty of time.”

She left the rest of the sentence unsaid, assuming Fiona understood what she was implying.

---

“I’m Miranda, Miranda Mulligan. I’m from Mediama.” Realizing she probably might not have much time left with Meave, she opened up her notebook, took out a pen, and scribbled some numbers down before she ripped it out of the book and handed it to Meave.

“I-It’s my number, so we can keep in touch. I really hope you can find your place with your family, as you have done to help me find mine. And I can’t help but say thank you, my máthair.”

She wasn’t sure if the translation carried through to Selkie, but if it did, then she truly meant it. She felt like she was the mother she never had, and for that, the aspiring writer was thankful.

---

"Well." Katherine started. "It might be about two different stories. And both depend on how you see stories."

"The first story would be a story of both Loadan Lir and Ladra getting into a bet to see which animal would survive the longest out of their element, the Mudskipper or the Sea Weasel. Though they both initially worked together to support themselves. But soon both gods tried to undermine each other to try to win the bet, by making rules not allowing them to work together.

Soon both the mudskipper and the sea weasel struggled to find food and went hungry. And though both survived long enough for the bet to end and for each of them to go home, the undermining first disturbed Abhcan who also witnessed Loadan Lir and Ladra nearly coming to blows from the results of their bet. Then Rhiannon and Carman Fea both heard of what happened, and called out Loadan Lir and Ladra for what they did. This led to an argument to see who to put the blame on for who started the undermining.”

Kat smiled briefly, the second interpretation was a little more risky, since she understood that this was someone's religion, and that she might offend someone, but she decided to take a chance.

“The second interpretation would be if you saw life like a VHS recording, in that case, the same things that Liv said, only everything is happening in reverse, and everyone is speaking in reverse, which also uncovers satanic messages.” Kat then mimicked the joke from ‘Good Morning Vietnam’ and said something in reverse, finishing with “Freddy is a devil.” She chuckled, and kinda hoped that her gamble payed off.

Fiona had no idea as to who Saint Patrick was, but she knew, which elephant Kathleen meant.
And the thought wiped the joy from her face, replacing it with thoughtfulness.
"The problem is... I still don't know, how I feel...", she said, "I don't know, if I love her... I know, that I like her, but love?" She was silent for a bit. "I would like to find out, though."
Another beat.
"Yes.", she said, "I want to find out."

Máthair.
The use of the word made Meave smile, blush and almost brought tears to her eyes. Máthair was an older way for Selkie to refer to their Mother, nowadays mostly seen in poetry.
She folded the paper and put it into her pocket. "I would love to, searrach.", she said, "And thank you for your well wishes." The Militia-Girls made themselves ready to bring Miranda to the assembly point. "You know, one of my girls is a writer. She would find a more poetic way to say this, but... I pray to Searc, that your beloved will love you back."
Hooves clopped on the pavement as the small group, sans one, who kept watch over the little campfire, trotted over. "We'd be ready. Miss, you'll ride with us, behind one of our backs.", the Sergeant said.
"Well...", Meave said and reached over to give Miranda a hug. "See you around, Miranda."

Her gamble paid off as the second interpretation made Liv snort in amusement. The High Priestess his her own snort and smile behind her fist, coughing into it.
"Now, the second interpretation is an interesting one, but let's focus on the first one.", she said with a small smile still worming its way onto her face. "Who, do you think, would first undermine? And who would throw the first punch?" She let a beat pass. "Liv?"
She thought for a moment. "Both Ladra and Lodan Lir would start undermining their bet around the same time, for they can't see their companions suffer.", she replied, "As to who would throw the first blow... the Vixen, by bonking their heads together due to their stupidity."
Aife nodded. "Though, would the your version of the story still end in a feast, Kat?", she asked.

The Solisian woman was pleased; although it disappointed her that she never asked the boy what school was he from exactly, she was at least pleased with their initiative. Her only worry now was that the boy might lose interest in her, look for another girl — like a local — and forget about her. She heard a sad story about an Azen who was forgotten by her friend. She hoped that Azen was all right.

The next few minutes passed in relative silence, until Asteria's smartphone vibrated.
She looked at the screen. "Ida replied. Enya said, that she knows a dozen Finnegans, growling, that Finnegan isn't a rare name these days.", she relayed, "But she does know someone of that description. Shall I ask for his relationship status?"
The old man looked to the Solisian woman.

"Believe it or not, laddie...", the old man said with a smile, "...but we are not people of war, despite our past as mercenaries for everyone being able to pay. We are People of Song and Dance and believe me, the longer you stay here, the more music you will here and the more often your legs will swing, your wife in your arms."
He shook his head.
"It makes sense, though. Recruiting people with warrior-traditions, I mean.", he said, "The more identity as warriors they already have, the less time is needed to construct one." His arrow whizzed off and hit the centre of the target. "Say... do you have children, laddie?"

“Eh!?” Tieguang spluttered in surprise and fired his arrow. He didn’t hit in the centre of his target, more like further than usual.

“Sorry elder, you surprised me.” The brunette admitted. “Well…” He looked at his wife who hit her target in the centre, giving off his wistful, loving smile. “Yes, I have children with my wife. Two. One girl and one boy. Good kids. They’re under care with my in-laws while we’re here on vacation. They’re doing well back home, I’ve heard they’re doing great at school. I am so proud of them.”

"I bet they are.", the old man said with a smile, not mocking, but honestly believing it, "And I bet, that you are. A father is always proud of his children. A blessing, they are... and a reminder of our responsibility."
He let a beat pass.
"The responsibility to not only care for them, but also for our world, so that we may leave them a world, in which they can live in.", he continued, "Maybe a better place, then the place we found, but hopefully not a worse place." He was silent for what seemed like an eternity, until he grinned at Tieguang. "Would you believe me, if I were to tell you, that during the winter my first two Great-Grandchildren were born?"

Outside of the Shop.
Chris nodded in approval, as the wedding test run (as he interpreted it) and the photo thereof was really cute. And indeed - it was genuinely good to see how she had finally found a guy to call hers, after all that rather unhappy time.
Honestly, she definitely deserved the luck she had well.
"If he's not only good-looking, but also has a good heart, you'll have gotten the jackpot!" - he said. "My congratulations!"

Marcach Camp.
Indeed, Hilda knew how to deal with horses - it was hardly surprising, that Cufa approved of her instantly.
Sophus needed a bit more of a time, but Íonaíochas stayed as calm as Sophus was by nature - no surprise, either.
What did surprise everyone, was that Mia was almost as instantly rejected as Hilda was approved of - this was unusual, or even unique, as it was probably the first time in her life.
As Alaina asked for possible substances Bleán might have reacted to like this, Mia had to think for a moment. "Gunpowder ... Hm, could it be from cleaning that MJR rifle ...? No, that was two weeks before we departed ... almonds ..."
"You love eating these" - Sophus said.
"Last time I had some was during the Julfest" - she said. She turned to Alaina. "Honestly, I have no idea. This has never happened to me."

Cel hugged her again and treated Lise like if she was her younger sister meanwhile Treoraí was her older one -although Lise was the older one between the two. But either way that made Devienne blush madly as she tried to keep her composture and calm as much as she could.
But like Cel said, she has to be happy that she found someone after the entire fiasco of last year back at the PIA.

It wasn't only her saying her good luck but Chris as well which nodded and smiled at the news.

"Thanks guys I really appreciate your good wishes, is happy to hear you two supporting me on this" she said at them smiling before turning back to Cel. "And about your question Cel, let's just say that he is the sweetest person in the world I can know, he is perfect!!!"

Stoc Inn
Soon the waitress came for take their orders after an long wait for everyone in where she apologized for the wait. Then she looked at the menu given by the waitress, tea's, lemonades, other beverages, traditional Selkie-Breakfast, etc, etc.
Trinity was searching what to chose meanwhile Aurora ordered and Silvio told her that it will be his treat and period, considering how it was his tone.

"Thanks Silvio but you don't have to, although I appreciate it" she told her smiling at him before she looked at the waitress once again. "I would like the traditional breakfast please"

Outside of the shop.
Chris' approval echoed mine and I smiled, a bit of teasing entering at the end.
"Sorry, Lise, but I have to correct you.", I said teasingly, "The sweetest person in the world is him." I pointed to Chris, giving him a wink so that he knew, that I was teasing Lise a bit. "But I must say, that I am biased..."
A beat passed, before my teasing vanished and steel entered my eyes and voice.
"But just so that we are both along the same lines, modheirfiúr...", I said, calling Lise my sis, and in a way, she was. I certainly loved her more then my own siblings. "...I want to meet the lad before you marry him. I am sure, his heart is of the purest silver and as innocent as the freshly-fallen snow, but..." I let a beat pass, shrugged. "Before I met Chris, I met quite a few lads, even more often, who... I thought to have hearts of the purest silver and to be as innocent as the freshly-fallen snow."
Chris knew of some of my exes and he knew, that some of them were not happy stories.

Stoc Inn.
Silvio smiled as the waitress confirmed the order and went off to get everything.
"I believe it is, if I remember my student days.", he said as soon as she was gone. "A... benefactor financed my schooling, but not much more. I was lucky, that I found a job as a... Qualcuno che posa i mattoni?" His question was directed at Aurora.
She supplied: "Mason or bricklayer."
"Indeed, that's the one!", Silvio said with a wide smile, then turned back to Trinity, "Indeed, I financed everything else by working as a bricklayer. Hard, but rewarding work."

Marcach Camp.
"Hm...", Alaina made, thinking, before she had an idea, "Come, Mia. Let's have you meet Tréadaí!"
Tréadaí, as it turned out, loved Alaina, much like his rider did, for his rider was Leonard. The stallion nuzzled the young woman with a soft neigh, showing his approval and liking of her.
Leonard had nothing against the test, to find out, whether or not Bleán was the problem, or if Mia was it... and he held his reins in a firm grip, his expression serious, as the test began.
What it would bring...?

"Nice to meetcha! I'm Z, and this is Kiri and Ren, though I guess they might have told you our names already. Where are we going first? I know there's foxes and horses and probably a bunch of interesting places under all the stains on this map and - "
This went on rather longer than would be considered appropriate.

Kiri just grinned happily. It was always great to make new friends, especially ones that would probably be around as long as she would.

"Hello," said Ren, then more quietly adding "Sorry about Z. She's sort of... unpredictable, but she'll stay out of trouble as long as she has something to do or somewhere to explore."
She glanced at the now mostly-useless map.
"Really, she was supposed to be keeping track of us."

Nia, as soon as she realized, who was who, smiled softly.
"Yes, she seems quite... exciteable.", she told Ren and nodded, "Unpredictable? Maybe, but we'll see about that." She did not mind the whole waterfall of words, which came from Z's mouth, but after a while, it had gotten... a bit too much, especially considering, that there was a question to answer. As soon as Z had to take in fresh air, Nia interrupted her: "One thing after the other, please. I plan to first show you a little secret spot, the Sacred Grove of the Swan. I also organized a boat for us closeby, which we might take to the old Toll-Fortress a bit upstream of the Mór. A ruin, which, as far as I know, might excite you quite a bit, Z."

Leonard grinned.
"Really?", he said, "Then it must be a lovely place. Much like Scrín... I would love to show you the azure coves and the warm, shallow waters... the little houses and soft beaches, the breeze, gently blowing, but also capable of strength and force." He smiled. "Maybe one day, right?"
A sigh escaped his lips.
"I miss the Archipelago.", he said.

"That sounds just as lovely as where I'm from. I'd like to see it too. Sounds like you and I are much alike in that sense. Just children of our humble little homes."

"Pride, I would say.", Elin said with a smile, "I am quite similar. Proud and, to some extend, stubborn." She giggled. "That was, what made her not only start writing her book, but also finishing it: Her stubbornness to not let those, who would tell her she would not finish her novel, be in the right." She giggled. "Something admirable, in a way."

"Ah I see. I understand that well. Well not to worry, secret is safe with me!" She winked "Sounds like she had some doubters, well I did too so I can relate well."

Leonard smiled.
"My home was small and large at the same time, though I would not call it 'humble'. Still, a beautiful place.", he said and let a beat pass, "Tell ya what, I'll be in the Archipelago during the winter, Bicini wants me for a shooting there again. If you want, you can visit us there... and bring Hina along."
He leaned over.
"Depending on how tonight goes, she might yearn for it!", he said with a grin, giving Haru a wink.

Elin smiled, bowing her head in thankfulness, at the news of Shizuka keeping the secret.
A reply about doubters, however, was never said as Branwen returned.
"Well, I spoke to the owner.", she said as she returned, sitting into her chair again, putting away her smartphone. "He has a few rooms free, in all price categories, and promised me to keep one free, under the condition, that I sign a copy of the novel for his grandson." Branwen shrugged. "I agreed and told him, that you might prefer one of the middle-price segment?"
The last thing was a hopeful question directed at Shizuka.

Pina giggled.
"It sounds a lot like the Free Lands.", she said, smiling at the compliment as well, "Though, for us, it's not an old painting, but the Middle Ages." As if for emphasis, a horse-drawn carriage passed them a few metres away, the crowd giving it a wide berth. "That's what tourists say, at least."
She smiled, especially as now, the gates to the Petting Zoo came into view. And, in front of them, the group of kiddos had finished their game of catch with Ayden the Star Lynx, the large feline sitting next to his 'Mom' and handler, a beautiful woman with fire-red hair and blue eyes, who was talking with two mothers about something in Selkie.
The feline looked up and over, to Billy and her friend and Lorgaire, who stopped, lowering his head.
"Shall I introduce you?", Pina offered with a smile.

"Well I for one find it really quaint." Charlie nodded.

"Wow, what is that, it's so cute!" the little girls exlaimed at seeing the Star Lynx

The two women nodded, lowered Rona to the ground and took her hands, motioning for Mei and Tsukasa to join them. "Come!", Mara said, "Mister Leathán's Bakery is awesome, even back when I was in school!"
"It's still awesome.", Rona insisted, "Gwenny makes the best Scipeal aside from Mam's!"
Mavie giggled.
"So, Mei, Tsukasa...", she asked, "...what do people eat for breakfast, where you come from?"

"Oh well that's going to depend a lot on the region you live in and I guess how traditional you are. From us in Amaterasu anything from simple toast with jam or butter is just as common as a small dish of white rice. Eggs and miso soups are common too. Tsu-chan often has a bad habit of skipping breakfast."

"W-well if I'm not working, I'm usually sleeping in and racing off to school."

The woman next to Ayden looked up as she heard the excitement and just as Pina wanted to reply, she spoke: "His name is Ayden.", she said with friendliness and calmness, putting a hand on the large feline's head, "And he is a Star Lynx. Realincse in Selkie."
A beat passed, the other parents and their kids watching with fascination as the woman looked to Pina.
"Indeed.", Pina said with a smile, "Hi, Darufa... how's Leonard?"
"With Alaina and Tréadaí, as usual.", she said and smiled, turning back to the girls, "That reminds me, I am Darufa. Just an ordinary human, I am afraid." She giggled at the last thing. "Who might you two be, searraigh?"

Mara waggled her finger strictly.
"That's not good, Miss Tsukasa.", she said, in parent-mode, "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, a good start into it is important, maybe more important then sleeping in!"
She wanted to continue, until Rona spoke: "But... doesn't Mam have to wake you up every morning with a pot and a wooden spoon?", she asked as innocently as only a young child could.
Meave giggled as Mara blushed. "Well, Rona, that's true.", Rona's Mam explained, "But she still has breakfast!"
Rona seemed confused, adorably so.

[Minroz]

"I bet they are.", the old man said with a smile, not mocking, but honestly believing it, "And I bet, that you are. A father is always proud of his children. A blessing, they are... and a reminder of our responsibility."
He let a beat pass.
"The responsibility to not only care for them, but also for our world, so that we may leave them a world, in which they can live in.", he continued, "Maybe a better place, then the place we found, but hopefully not a worse place." He was silent for what seemed like an eternity, until he grinned at Tieguang. "Would you believe me, if I were to tell you, that during the winter my first two Great-Grandchildren were born?"

“Certainly so…” Tieguang went silent as if he’s paused in thought. The Minrozian is certainly a proud father of his kids at the same time worried about their welfare. He has no doubt that his children will grew up into responsible adults who’ll contribute to the Middle Kingdom and the world. However, the last part said by the Selkie elder has caught him off-guard.

“Oh, you have great-grandchildren?” The brunette remarked. “Well, I wouldn’t believe it at first if I knew some old folks who have their great-grandchildren. By the Gods, congratulations, elder Conchobar.” He gave out a smile.

[Port Ember]

The older Gwen nodded, put the Tine back and rose, motioning for them to follow her.
She led them into the backstage area, to a few tents, where people were around doing backstage things, but at the corner of it, one found an oasis of peace and calm, where people were having breaks, a huge basket of breadrolls standing in the middle of a large table, which was decked with large plates of cheese and ham, although neither was full anymore. Bottles of lemonade and cans of tea were around as well, including smaller bottles for individual consumption in a cooler.
They were not the only ones there, a group of three men was already there and having a break after hard work.
"Oh, morning, Raidri!", the older Gwen said with a huge smile in Selkie to one of the men, all of them sweaty and thirsty and enjoying a drink after hard work. Judging by the odd strand of hay, which was around, they had just finished distributing the hay. "Who's your new friend?"
"That's Njall.", Raidri replied in English, putting a hand on the man's shoulder. "He was hired by Fi and he did well with the hay. Njall, that's Fi's Mam, Gwen, her sort-of niece, Gwenny, and..." He looked at Jan. "...and I have no clue as to who you are, lad."

Jan Breytenbach with Gwen

Jan eyed his surroundings closely, observing the people working. The backstage folk is who made the magic happen, no matter the occassion, in Jan's opinion.

He also noticed the delicious looking breadrolls, his stomach growling again in appreciation.

When Jan was introduced to the new gentleman, Jan laughed ever so softly - he has not been called a 'Lad' in many a year. Jan smiled broadly before replying "Just a friendly friend..lad".. and extended his hand for a greeting exchange.

[Lillorainen]

Cel hugged her again and treated Lise like if she was her younger sister meanwhile Treoraí was her older one -although Lise was the older one between the two. But either way that made Devienne blush madly as she tried to keep her composture and calm as much as she could.
But like Cel said, she has to be happy that she found someone after the entire fiasco of last year back at the PIA.

It wasn't only her saying her good luck but Chris as well which nodded and smiled at the news.

"Thanks guys I really appreciate your good wishes, is happy to hear you two supporting me on this" she said at them smiling before turning back to Cel. "And about your question Cel, let's just say that he is the sweetest person in the world I can know, he is perfect!!!"

Outside of the shop.
Chris' approval echoed mine and I smiled, a bit of teasing entering at the end.
"Sorry, Lise, but I have to correct you.", I said teasingly, "The sweetest person in the world is him." I pointed to Chris, giving him a wink so that he knew, that I was teasing Lise a bit. "But I must say, that I am biased..."
A beat passed, before my teasing vanished and steel entered my eyes and voice.
"But just so that we are both along the same lines, modheirfiúr...", I said, calling Lise my sis, and in a way, she was. I certainly loved her more then my own siblings. "...I want to meet the lad before you marry him. I am sure, his heart is of the purest silver and as innocent as the freshly-fallen snow, but..." I let a beat pass, shrugged. "Before I met Chris, I met quite a few lads, even more often, who... I thought to have hearts of the purest silver and to be as innocent as the freshly-fallen snow."
Chris knew of some of my exes and he knew, that some of them were not happy stories.

Marcach Camp.
"Hm...", Alaina made, thinking, before she had an idea, "Come, Mia. Let's have you meet Tréadaí!"
Tréadaí, as it turned out, loved Alaina, much like his rider did, for his rider was Leonard. The stallion nuzzled the young woman with a soft neigh, showing his approval and liking of her.
Leonard had nothing against the test, to find out, whether or not Bleán was the problem, or if Mia was it... and he held his reins in a firm grip, his expression serious, as the test began.
What it would bring...?

Outside of the Shop.
Of course, Chris knew, that Cel was just teasing Lise a bit - he grinned and threw a small wave into the round, then kept serious again, as she ended the teasing part and went over to a more serious one.
And of course, she was a bit biased. Who, could hold it against her? Surely nobody who knew Cel's exes, or at least some of them, and the, indeed, rather less happy stories behind them.
Meeting someone who had a heart of the purest silver and was as innocent as the freshly-fallen snow - that was more of a rarity than even the most naïve persons Chris had ever met would think.
He nodded. "That's true - some of her exes are real jerks at their finest!" - he said. "Not that my ex-girlfriends had been any better ... but that's not the point now. Getting to know him surely couldn't harm, just to be safe."

Marcach Camp.
Mia nodded, agreeing. Just trying another horse would possibly be fine. And since it was rather unlikely (yet not entirely excluded), that she herself was the problem, another shot was given to Tréadaí.
As turned out, he loved Alaina from the bottom of his heart - which was completely fine. But would he also get along with Mia?
If yes, all would be fine ... if not, there was an interesting fact to determine - horses in the Free Lands would, at least now, seem to be a tiny bit more selective than those in the Lillöer-Archipelago.
"Hello, Tréadaí!" - she said while extending her hand to him to let him smell. "Now, are you fine with me?"