Comin' together to Celebrate (IC)

by **Mediama** » Fri Apr 05, 2019 12:26 am

Fiona nodded, letting Miranda and Katherine have a few words amongst themselves.
Over the hubbub of the bakery and the little demonstration of the two lads were enough to drown out all of their conversation, plus Fiona turned away from them to give them privacy. Donny and Conny were really good at their sport, sword dancing, and although it looked daring and dangerous, it was not a fight, but a well thought out choreography following a melody only they could hear.
“Kathleen’s going ta keep a watch on the militia boys. She says it to keep them from hurtin’ themselves, I believe her.” Miranda's words shook Fiona out of her thoughts, making her smile. “Shall we cease, at once, with our dallying, and go to break our fast my dear?”
“Don't worry about those two dorks!”, Fiona said with a grin, taking her hand, “They can look after them and their sporks. But should our fast be broken, it better be not only spoken – delicious treat await, though without any parfait!”
Fiona grinned, waved her other hand.
“Sorry, an old habit!”, she said with a grin, “My first English Teacher used to make us make small rhymes up on a dime, said it made our minds react quicker and sharper.”
With that, they entered the bakery and a whole wide world of delicious treats on display, from simple breadrolls, both prepared and unprepared, to loafs of bread, sandwiches and cake to confections and sweet stuff – called Milseán in Selkie. Maith, old bread boiling in water with sugar and spices was happily cooking away, chips, Scipeál, the most popular pastry in the history of ever, it was all there and more, even some foreign stuff.
“Ah, Fiona!”, the elderly man, who was just cleaning the glass of the display case, said and rose up, smiling kindly and wrapping his arms around her. A short conversation followed, at which's end Fiona nodded to Miranda. “Oh, yes, of course, I heard of the exchange! You hear a lot around these parts!” His English had a heavy accent, dropped vowels and rolling Rs, but it was grammatically mostly correct. “Please, don't be shy! Friends of Fiona are always welcome here! Especially after last Summer Festival...”
Fiona giggled and blushed.

Miranda felt a jolt of electricity run from her hand and up her arm, creating light flutters in her stomach. She felt warmer again, and could feel the heat of a light flush on her cheeks, even more so when Fiona replied to her in kind with rhyme.

And so, the thought of confronting Fiona with the kissing was put in the back burner of her mind.

The little poem made her giggle as they went into the bakery. “Not to worry, I always have things pop into my head everyday, it’s a matter of quickly getting them down on paper first. And the feelings are always intense in my attempts to get them on paper.”

Not to dissimilar to the feeling she was having right now with Fiona, a sense of thrill. In a word, she was beginning to feel something, yet she couldn’t quite put it on the tip of her tongue.

As soon as the two school girls walked into the bakery, Miranda simply stood where she was, frozen in place as she took in the multitude of colors and shapes that stood out before her. So many different types of bread, pastries, chips, snacks, and foods galore.

There simply couldn’t have been enough time to try them all.

There was little time for her to think of the choices before Miranda was noticed. Surprised, she scrambled for her phrasebook,flipped through a few pages, briefly memorized it, and looked back toward the baker.“A-A pleasure to meet you, sir.”

Results were quite mixed. On one hand, she had knowledge of Gaelic from her parents, and someone on Prismnet said that Selkie was similar-ish to Gaelic.

On the other hand, she was rusty as hell.

She looked through the phrasebook again, but given they were on a limited time frame, decided to quickly close it and look back up, she took a chance on her crash course in learning Selkie the week beforehand and said, “What happened during the summer festival?”

She hoped to god that she was able to nail it with the time she had and her pervious level of knowledge in Gaelic a second generation Irish expat would know.

Kat smiled, and whispered back in a way that may send shivers down one’s spine, “Sounds like a plan my little shieldmaiden.”

She looked towards Finnegan, “My best wishes on Mona’s matrimony then. May her night be as eventful as mine with Liv’s!” She jokingly replied back in reference to Finnegan’s dry response, and probably killing Liv in red embarrassment and flirtation. Though she considered it a plus if she did end up laying with Liv in a new, more intimate sense, she was okay with taking it slow and winging it if need be.

Though that was a bridge to cross over later in the day.

She then frowned in seriousness as she made a straight face, “In fairness though, wish her luck for me, being a leader of anything’s got to be stressful and nerve wracking, but there’s always benefits in the end.”

She then returned to finishing up her breakfast before she placed all the cutlery neatly on the plate, and wiped her mouth with a napkin, and then neatly placed it on the plate. She glanced over to see whether or not everyone else was wrapping up with breakfast.

Finished with her own meal, she looked up and said, “I can’t help but say thank you, Mister Finnegan, to you and your staff for providing me good hospitality, and a warm meal as well as good company to a completely new stranger.”

by **New Visayan Islands** » Fri Apr 05, 2019 4:30 am

Domingo Hasegawa
The Stoc Inn

It was a seemingly mind-blowing experience, but Domingo managed to make it to the Stoc Inn. As soon as he walked into the door, he recognized the atmosphere; he was no stranger to the vibrant, as the news articles back home were quick to attest to.

Domingo looked for a seat for himself; after all the footslogging he did, he needed a refreshing drink.

by **Kuronami** » Fri Apr 05, 2019 10:40 am

The Selkie wrote:Pina shook her head.
“Oh, no, Donny's still a student.”, she said, “Here in Cuan, actually. He graduates this year. And after that, he wants to start an apprenticeship as a motorcycle mechanic. Motorcycles are the new best thing around these parts, you see?”
She shrugged.
“Whatever the future brings, I hope, that we can stay together.”, she said with a smile.

"You never know what the future brings for you." Charlie added. "Jamie and me grew up in two different towns and met through military service and next thing we knew, we're married with this little chickadee to call our own" She placed a firm hand onto her daughter's head to affectionately mess up her hair

The Selkie wrote:It took a moment until the woman replied, was able to turn away from her wife, then looked at Mei and Tsukasa with a small smile, bowing her head.
“Thank you – she indeed is!”, the woman said and petted her daughter's head, who grinned before rushing in for a hug. The woman went so far as to lift the little girl onto her arm, where she clung to and snuggled into the small of the neck. “I am Marla. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mei and Tsukasa... and thank you for keeping the two of them out of trouble!”
“Hey!”, Rona protested, “We are not that bad!”
Marla laughed.

"Ohoho" Mei chuckled "They've been wonderful. We kind of just bumped into them and struck up a conversation. Actually as I was just inviting the two to a little performance by me, later. I'm a Erhu player, you see! I brought me with me along for the trip as I have a recitial as soon as I'm home. Good to keep some practice in. And we'd love it, you'd join us too."

by **The Selkie** » Fri Apr 05, 2019 2:30 pm

Lillorainen wrote:En route to the Marcach Camp.
Hilda had to grin again.
"The Silverport Alley, just like the other highways, is generally open for everyone - granted they take it using any sort of motorized vehicles which are able and allowed to go eighty-one or faster. And my Dad - a highway cop, as you may remember - does pay attention to that. But of course, one can get to the Presidential Office or the Lillatorn without one, for public transport is well-built and nicely cheap in our parts."
The 'Lillatorn' was a giant tower building at the western edge of the capital city of Lillamala; already back in the days when Lysköping had been the federal capital, it had hosted most Members of the Meritocratic Council as well as the Chamber of States, just like the heads of the National Bank, not to mention the executives of other companies owned by the federal government. It still was the place where Lillorainen's elite lived and loved, had meetings - both official and more private ones -, all with the appropriate level of security provided, but could also be visited by ambassadors and, unlike the Presidential Office, even by average people, granted, that the visits were signed up for beforehand.
But Leonard would most certainly know about all this.
"Besides, it takes me like twenty minutes to get there from my home, so, should you be around and not be too awfully busy, feel free to inform us!" - she concluded.
"As for cheese, there are like hundreds of sorts of cheese in the Islands" - Mia got to Leonard's final question. "Most of them are quite good." She thought about that for a second. "Hm ... do you prefer cow milk or goat cheese? Or anything entirely different?"

In tactically sound advance towards the rear.
As Chris and Cel slowed down, she explained to him what she was sorry about - but Chris made a dismissive hand gesture.
"Mah, don't worry" - he replied, still in German, of course, "It was to expect - after all, it's your hometown, just like it's his one, and I came here to see it. I've been aware of that from the beginning, so I've already calculated the risk."
He grinned.
"And of course I do want to see where you work outside school - last time I checked, it was one of the reasons why I came here!"

En route to the Marcach Camp.
Leonard of course knew about her Highway Cop Father (although he did not yet make the acquaintance) and he knew about Lillatorn and how everyone remotely important lived there - it was a bit as if one put the Elders, every important Family and a few not-so-important ones into the same place.
A recipe for one heck of a sitcom.
And he knew about her living close to it...
In any case, he grinned and wanted to reply to her about the cheese as a new voice spoke up, one, which Hilda should recognize: "Oh, he will eat any cheese. Cow, goat, sheep, horse, yak, buffalo, reindeer - whatever's milk contains enough Casein, he eats the cheese!"
Sitting on her trusty steed, almost having sneaked up on them, was Marla Cróimiam of the Tribe of Cork, the bluenette Swordrider and Ambassador, who was not the errand girl of the Foreign Office. She looked the same as in Shella, her voice sounded the same as in Shella... but her eyes were different.
Not empty or harsher, but certainly harder. It were eyes of a person, who had seen some shit.
Leonard grinned anyways.

In tactically sound advance towards the rear.
I snoted in amusement - Chris was right, but I still felt a bit guilty.
Calculated risk or not, this was my city... and Dad...
As we walked further down the alleyway, under the windows with the potted plants, I could not help but to feel tranquil. Me and him, us together, us here. Gods, this was the life!
Wordlessly, I put my head onto his shoulder and smiled.

AHSCA wrote:
The Selkie wrote:Leonard wanted to confirm that Haru, as there was no dress code, she could come naked, if she wanted (and would be not only the object of much male attention and the object of the challenge of having the eyes stay on the face, as it was polite) used the chance to look at her.
Really look at her.
She was beautiful, if one asked Leonard. Her dark hair, her blue eyes, which shone like deep sapphires, her small mouth, which drew attention whenever she opened it to speak... Hina's father certainly had taste!
Alas, however, as she was married, she was off limits, no matter how beautiful she was.
With a light blush on his cheeks, he nodded. “Sure, let's get going!”, he said and rose, “Paying for your meal was my pleasure, though. Any good man should find pleasure in inviting two ladies for breakfast!, as my Dad says”
He grinned and motioned for them to follow him.

"Ah your father is a man of class and values, then it's no wonder." She and Hina stood up to follow along. "Actually, now that I think about it, just how do the Selkie people feel about public nudity? Honestly it's pretty common back home I sometimes don't think about it from other places."

The Selkie wrote:Branwen nodded with enthusiasm.
“Yes, indeed there is! Hunter and Prey certainly isn't the only story the brave, little Gwarcheidwad has to tell!”, she grinned at that, “You see, the Gwarcheidwad is a spaceship, a cruiser of the Trossach Republic, and she experiences a lot of adventures up there, exploring the own being and strange, alien worlds in the name of the Republic. Her first... I don't want to spoiler too much, but it saw her in a cat and mouse game with a dangerous opponent, sometimes it not being clear, who the mouse is and who the cat is. The next one...” Branwen considered for a moment. “The next one will see her in less mortal peril, but more of a 'Standard Week in the Fleet' sort of thing, of course with quite a bit of action thrown in.”

"Even more, I'm intrigued....Well just tell me this one more thing before I read it, is the story from the ship's perspective? You make it sound as it might be, which is a very creative approach I must say but either way, looking forward to reading it!"

Leonard grinned - he didn't blush at the topic or something, mainly because...
"There are actually two rules: Not in a religious building, like a temple, and not in an official building, like a school.", he said and shrugged, "Other then that, everything is fair game. You wouldn't want to believe how often I went skinny-dipping!"
He grinned at that.
"Though, if you go out naked when it is cold and you catch a cold, it's your fault.", he added with a shrug, "But today..." He thought for a moment. "...yes, if your immune system is up for the task, it should not be much of a problem."

Branwen nodded, slowly.
"In part, and in a way, yes.", she said, "Some scenes are written from the perspective of the vessel's Artificial Intelligence. I thought, that this perspective would be fun to write and... well..."
"'Oh, they were exchanging bodily fluids!'", Elin quoted with a huge grin.
Branwen blushed, but chuckled.

Gwen chuckled, smiling at Jan's words - he would learn Selkie soon enough, at least some basic words. And some bad ones.
"And....", Gwen began, sitting up herself, grinning, "...we should avoid meeting Mother. We had a bit of an argument after we realized, that I was carrying a child and who's child it was." She sighed, her grin still in place. "It's a long story. In any case... you will love the Petting Zoo!"
And with that, she got up.

Getting something to eat sounded like a good idea to the three Selkie, so they approached that shop and even got in quickly, somehow catching a lull... and they had just restocked the shelves and display cases. It was a wonderful scene, breadrolls of dozens of different variations, of different flours and baking methods, from simple breadrolls, prepared and unprepared, to loafs flat and wide to those high and slim and anything inbetween. There were also sweets, from the ever-present Scipeal to a pot of Maith boiling in a corner, the old bread being cooked with fresh milk and spices, to other sweet stuff.
The staff-people mostly stayed with their work as they entered, but one of them, the main-cashierer, as it seemed, smiled at them. She assumed them all to be tourists, which was half-right, even completely right, considering, that Ida, Kiah and Enya were from Fortham and not Cuan.
In any case, she spoke: "Morning, people. What can we help you with?"

Neither the old man nor the young woman had anything evil in mind, but if she wanted to photograph them, they would not say no. It might lead to a surprise for the young woman...
In any case, the old man smiled: "I am Raidri, this is my granddaughter Asteria. We are actually from near a town called Wadebridge.", he explained as he sat down, sighing in relief, "We are here on invitation of a of a friend of mine, who will meet us in the afternoon. Until then, we enjoy the festival." He smiled out at the river. "Tell me, Miss Alicia... your friend, what is his name?"

Foxfound wrote:
The Selkie wrote:Macha smiled.
"Oh, you will love riding, then!", she said and leaned over, "It's the major way of getting around these parts, letting a trusty equine do the walking for you... and carrying loads, for that matter." She let a beat pass. "When you go out to one of these locales, what do you search for?"

Macha laughed.
"Oh, my dear, that was a long, long time ago - when the mountains were still young and the breeze itself was freshly in love with the sea!", she said and grinned, "I lost count about how many centuries it were, I'm very sorry about that. It were quite a few, that's for sure."
She leaned back.
"As for the songs and dances, they are old traditions of the Spiorad, songs to tell stories of great heroes and our history, which is lost in the mists of time, and dances, to honour our Gods. If the stars were right, I would show you my favourite."

Z chuckled. "Yeah... a horse might help with this backpack. We plan to camp out instead of paying for an inn, so I had to bring a tent and most of my other usual expedition supplies."

She grinned at the question. "Lots of things! A lot of our early history isn't very clear, and our island was definitely inhabited before the kitsune got there. There's plenty of artifacts waiting to be found to shed some light on these things. Plenty of things left behind by explorers from other lands, too.
But the best part is the ruins in the southeast, buried in the ice and permafrost. They seem to go really deep underground, and not a lot of people have explored very far.
The truth though... is that I'm not a very good explorer. I haven't found anything really awesome yet. And this is the first time I've been anywhere off the island."

She thought a moment.

"Well, I guess I did find something awesome once. I did meet Kiri as a result of one of my expeditions. A new friend is an awesome find in my book." Her and Kiri both smiled at this.

"It would have to be quite a few for you to forget..." Ren said. "Our leader's kept track of the years really meticulously, but then again, she's also really meticulous about everything else, so I guess she's just that kind of person. It's probably part of why she's in charge.
Someday I want to learn to dance... I'd probably be too nervous to sing, though."

Macha smiled at the tale of how the two met.
"Indeed, I could not imagine anything more worthwile then a new friend.", she agreed, "I treasure every acquaintance I have made over the years, even the small, fleeting ones, and friends, those are just awesome!" She grinned, leaned forward. Would they be boys, she might be worried about them having a good view, but as they were all girls... she didn't care. "Though, can you tell me, how exactly you met?"

Branwen chuckled.
"We were never good at record keeping, no matter if leader or not.", she admitted, still smiling, "Both in making the records and actually keeping them. But then again, for us... time is even less material then for the Selkie and they resisted the need for speed quite well!"
She smiled.
"As for dancing... meet a charming lad and you'll know how to dance soon enough!", she said, "And if I look at how cute you are, I doubt, that he or she will take long to dance to your fiddle!"

The maiden nodded, some of the other archers looked from the side, with the corners of their eyes, shooting arrows every once in a while pro forma.
"Alright, then let's see, if we can't rustle some old memories!", the maiden said with a grin, "Now..."
And from there, she started into an explanation about what the bow was, what safety precautions to take and, of course, which thing was which: The bow, the arrows, including arrowheads (she showed them not only the training heads they had, but also armour piercers, barbed arrows, rope-cutters, boom-arrows, flaming arrows and sounding arrows), the vambrace and the thumb ring. She even showed them, what a useful piece of archer-jewelry a thumb-ring truly was, firing an arrow herself and almost hitting the centre of the last target, a hundred metres downrange.
"So, Sir, Ma'am...", she said and grinned, "...let's see your forms and stances! Though, I would recommend the ten metre target for a start."

Shwe Tu Colony wrote:
The Selkie wrote:Inside, while the Lady of the Shop shook her head with something...

Quon & Sherry
"I think that'll be close enough," Quon said, running his hand halfway through his hair, "But um... it's a long story. Lemme get out my phone first, I think it might be easier to believe if I can get the whole story... prepare for some weird stuff, though. That's... kind of how our new home works, apparently." As he spoke, he took out his phone, searched something on it, & showed Ida the first page of results, filled with "DARIUS BASHO FOUND DEAD" & derivatives thereof. Then, he tapped on one, with the first image on the page consisting of the boy, still deathly pale, but with his sclera a natural white, his right hand holding the same long paintbrush, & a small Daruma doll under his shoulder with only one eye painted. By some coincidence, the black of its eye was exactly like Darius's. "That's him," Quon explained, leaving his finger at the bottom of the screen to hide something, "Anastasia said that she saw him die in front of her, that she heard him struggle one last time to breathe & then suddenly stop, but I have no clue what he's doing here..."
"Maybe he's like us?" Sherry suggested.

"I guess that's possible, but at the same time," Quon lifted his finger off of his phone screen to free up his hand for gestures, "I don't think he'd want to run away from death, but he never told us what the conditions were." It was clear Quon was implying some other fellow, but if Ida's eyes drifted downward, onto what Quon had been blocking...
DEATH COUNT OF THE EZHARAN CIVIL WAR
We here at Perkin News send our thoughts and prayers out to the thousands of Ezharans that lost their lives in this civil war, but most of all we mourn the losses of the gifted future generation, whose deaths have left a void that will be near impossible to fill again. For the group responsible for the destruction of our nation, I wish not death, but regret, a regret you'll carry for the rest of your jealous lives:
QUON FEI "The Voice of the Lion," suicide.
SHERRY HU "The Cherry Blossoms' Blooming," pyroclastic flow.
DARIUS BASHO "The Burning Doll," blood condition.
AL D'OLEA "Sacrosanct Prince," disappearance.

Each was accompanied by a small picture, & it was clear that Ida was talking to Quon & Sherry, but before she would be able to read more of the death count, Quon snatched his phone back. "Well I, uh... guess we can't really hide the truth any longer, huh?" he laughed nervously, looking away from Ida, "Um, anyway, I was thinking that... well, more like wondering. What if I brought Darius to the hospital & he got a blood transfusion? I don't know if this has any chance of saving him, or if I can even get him there in time, but I think it's worth a shot..."
"But if it works, then what?" Sherry asked, "Do you even think he'd be willing to do it? If he thinks he's dead or dying, you know he's going to accept it!"
"He's... still denying it, right now, isn't it? Maybe we do have a chance... & maybe he can tell the others back home?"
"Yeah, but..." Sherry began, "I feel like something's going to stop us. "
"W-wait, where'd he go!" Quon sprang out of his seat, "[DATA DELETED], this is bad..." Before Ida or Sherry could stop him, he rushed outside in pursuit of Darius.

At the Same Time, Nera, Darius, & Leo
"Nera!" Darius began, making small jumps while in a crouching position, his brush-umbrella shielding his back from the sun, "Nera! Nera, Nera, Nera! Neerrraaaa!" The girl ignored him & simply looked at her guardian in dread, her birds gazing back at Darius in suspicion. "Come on, Nera! Really, I'm not dead!" he pleaded, his smile turning into a frown, "Y-you're just overreacting, huh?"
"Pl-please, stop t-talking to me!" she begged, feeling trapped in some sort of nightmare that she desperately wanted to wake from.
"Nera, please!" he continued, getting up & dashing towards her, grabbing her hand, "C-come on, even if I was dead, shouldn't you be happy that I'm back?"
"A-ah! Y-your hand's s-so cold...!" she recoiled from his grasp, which fell limply to his side, as her canaries flew off of her, squawking at the supposed dead child, "L-Leo, let's just... leave. I... I don't feel safe here anymore."
"Neither do I, for that matter." he agreed, & the two got up from their seat, leaving Darius, who stood there with his pale red hair concealing his face, "Something... something is wrong for this to happen. Maybe it's only some dopplegangers, but still I feel a shiver down my spine."

Darius stood there, beginning to crush his brush as tears streamed down his face. "Why...? I'm-I'm not dead," he muttered to himself, "I'm really not! I swear, I'm not!" His breathing grew more & more labored as he felt himself being consumed by his rage, & suddenly he began running towards where he saw Nera leave, weaving his way between others like his paintbrush on his canvases, elegant & accurate, not missing one motion & not hitting one prior stroke as animals fled his presence, terrified of his deathly state. Barely after he started, though, he felt his body begin to give out, & so he exited the crowd, sitting down at a bench with one hand on his head, hyperventilating as though he had almost suffocated in his desperate sprint. "Hah... Nera..." he said, watching as his vision began to blur & a familiar shadow appeared above him, "Mista... Mista Death?"
"D-Darius! Are you okay?" Quon asked, trying to shake him back into consciousness.
"M-Mista Death... why is everyone afraid of me?" he asked, "I don't... I don't get it."
"Darius, this is for your own good!" his friend said as he hoisted him onto his shoulders, "Ho, thank God you're tiny!"
"Woah... careful!" he said as Quon began to carry him to Cuan General if Ida had told him the location, or else back to the bakery, "Mista Death... I didn't know you gave people rides!"

Out of context, it was a bit of a humorous, if bizarre, sight.

Luca & Xoa'yi
The man wasn't quite what Luca was looking for, but perhaps he'd find out soon. "Yeah, they really are cute!" he said, holding his hand out to the Tine, "Didn't know you guys used them for weed killing, though. I always thought they'd be carnivorous!" Assuming that the Tine was relaxed & accepting of him, Luca would reach out & pet him, listening to it coo as he switched between petting & scratching its chin.
"Hmm, if I might ask," Xoa'yi began, three fingers on her chin as she looked upward, "where would I want to go for Tine fur? I might just want to try some for myself, but later, of course! I think Luca's trying to find a little something else that's cute, other than a Tine..."
"A-aunt Xoa'yi!" Luca yelled back, a radiant blush coming over his cheeks, but he returned to petting his Tine, trying to get his mind off of what she said.

Ida listened to the explanation with a raised eyebrow and wanted to stop Quon as he went after the boy with the doll.
At the end, she sank back into her chair and looked at Sherry.
A long moment of silence passed.
"Come on, searrach, be honest with me.", she asked of Sherry, "You're trying to shit me. I mean, the two of you are as alive as I am, as the baker is, as... as Erblin Piteog is! Neither of you are dead. Nice website you cobbled together there, but I know enough lads, who could do that in two hours." She shook her head. "Have to give you that, it's original! But do you make this stuff up on the fly or is this some sort of prank you play every place you visit to see, how gullible the locals are?"
She had not told Quon, where Cuan General was, so when he came back, she wanted to tell him, that the Gig was up - until she saw the boy from earlier carried on his shoulder.
"Oh, Gods!", she exclaimed, as did the Lady of the Bakery, only that she did that in Selkie. Ida immediately jumped up and used her First Aid Training, courtesy so long ago by the Younger Militia, during which one of the first things she noted was, how cold the kid was. Meanwhile, the Lady was calling for an ambulance.

At the Petting Zoo.
The man smiled as the Tine reacted positively, cooed, relaxed.
"Actually, they prefer nuts, but if they can't find any, they make do with what they can find.", he explained, then turned to Xoa'yi, still holding the Tine available for petting. "As for their fur... I usually sell to a furrier in Traverse, so I don't know about Cuan..." He looked to the side, at a lassie in her mid-twenties, with her long, black hair bound back into a single braid, her silver-blue eyes shining, and called her name: "Caja!"
The young woman came over, her hips in a light swing, which was still accentuated by the Geansai she wore, as was something else.
"What is it, Finnegan?", she asked with a grin, nodding to Luca and Xoa'yi, figuring, that they would appreciate her speaking English as it was most likely about them. Even amongst the Selkie, who's accent made them sound a bit as if they were singing, she had a particularly nice and beautiful voice, almost as if she sang an aria.
"The lady wants to see, if she can't acquire some fur. By any chance, do you know a furrier in Cuan?", he asked.
The woman exhaled through the corner of her mouth. "Well, I think, Mister Lomrach would be a good start... I think, that he is here today with those Fire Fenneks of his." She looked at Xoa'yi. "Want me to fetch him or to get him to you?"
Finnegan, meanwhile, grinned at Luca. "Don't worry, Fire Fenneks are mighty cute... and he has a cute assistant, too..."

Mediama wrote:Miranda felt a jolt of electricity run from her hand and up her arm, creating light flutters in her stomach. She felt warmer again, and could feel the heat of a light flush on her cheeks, even more so when Fiona replied to her in kind with rhyme.

And so, the thought of confronting Fiona with the kissing was put in the back burner of her mind.

The little poem made her giggle as they went into the bakery. “Not to worry, I always have things pop into my head everyday, it’s a matter of quickly getting them down on paper first. And the feelings are always intense in my attempts to get them on paper.”

Not to dissimilar to the feeling she was having right now with Fiona, a sense of thrill. In a word, she was beginning to feel something, yet she couldn’t quite put it on the tip of her tongue.

As soon as the two school girls walked into the bakery, Miranda simply stood where she was, frozen in place as she took in the multitude of colors and shapes that stood out before her. So many different types of bread, pastries, chips, snacks, and foods galore.

There simply couldn’t have been enough time to try them all.

There was little time for her to think of the choices before Miranda was noticed. Surprised, she scrambled for her phrasebook,flipped through a few pages, briefly memorized it, and looked back toward the baker.“A-A pleasure to meet you, sir.”

Results were quite mixed. On one hand, she had knowledge of Gaelic from her parents, and someone on Prismnet said that Selkie was similar-ish to Gaelic.

On the other hand, she was rusty as hell.

She looked through the phrasebook again, but given they were on a limited time frame, decided to quickly close it and look back up, she took a chance on her crash course in learning Selkie the week beforehand and said, “What happened during the summer festival?”

She hoped to god that she was able to nail it with the time she had and her pervious level of knowledge in Gaelic a second generation Irish expat would know.

Kat smiled, and whispered back in a way that may send shivers down one’s spine, “Sounds like a plan my little shieldmaiden.”

She looked towards Finnegan, “My best wishes on Mona’s matrimony then. May her night be as eventful as mine with Liv’s!” She jokingly replied back in reference to Finnegan’s dry response, and probably killing Liv in red embarrassment and flirtation. Though she considered it a plus if she did end up laying with Liv in a new, more intimate sense, she was okay with taking it slow and winging it if need be.

Though that was a bridge to cross over later in the day.

She then frowned in seriousness as she made a straight face, “In fairness though, wish her luck for me, being a leader of anything’s got to be stressful and nerve wracking, but there’s always benefits in the end.”

She then returned to finishing up her breakfast before she placed all the cutlery neatly on the plate, and wiped her mouth with a napkin, and then neatly placed it on the plate. She glanced over to see whether or not everyone else was wrapping up with breakfast.

Finished with her own meal, she looked up and said, “I can’t help but say thank you, Mister Finnegan, to you and your staff for providing me good hospitality, and a warm meal as well as good company to a completely new stranger.”

The old man smiled at the pronounciation of the greeting in Selkie - she would have to work on it to achieve fluidity, but it was already quite good.
Fiona smiled as well, but her smile had a different note... a more personal one.
"The pleasure is mine, Young Lady.", he replied in Selkie with a light bow, speaking clear and mostly without his Cuan-Accent. He switched back to English: "As for what happened during the Summer Festival, ask Fiona!"
He grinned as Fiona began.
"You know, my school has a custom. We always pair a boy of our school, of the next graduation year, up with a girl from the Mionbhuidéal Elementary School here in Cuan, of their last year, so around ten Springs. And we do the same vice versa, a boy of their with a girl of ours... all for the Summer Festival's Grand Dance. It is to symbolize the bond between our schools, as - long story. Last year was my turn and we had more girls then they had boys.", she retold, "So, we drew lots and I drew 'not participating'. A girl of my class drew his son..." She motioned to the baker. "...and he's actually the little horseman we met earlier."
The Baker smiled with pride.
"Anyway...", Fiona continued, "...it's usual, that the older ones have one dance with the kids and then bugger off to drink the Festival away. But, unexpectedly, the girl Ciaran had drawn broke a bone and could not, so, instead of heaping him onto the shame-pedestal of not having a dance-partner, he asked around our year for any free girls and... well, you can imagine the responses." Fiona shook her head. "No one wanted, but Ciaran tried with the same energy and guts with every one of our free girls, asking me last."
Fiona shrugged.
"One has to say, the boy had guts, energy and, to be honest, he was cute as he approached every one of our girls, which were all way out of his league.", Fiona finished, "And I agreed. I also didn't bugger off after the first dance, but had a few more with that lad. Whichever girl conquers his heart in earnest, not a child's little crush, well... she will have one heck of a lad!"
The old Baker smiled with pride, brighter then the sun itself.

Liv indeed blushed, almost chocked on her last bites, but managed to push through.
Finnegan nodded at the earnest wish of good luck for Mona, nodding in earnest as well - he would relay her best wishes, even if Mona might be puzzled at who was sending them. But all at the table, except maybe Luigi, knew, that she would appreciate it and send a prayer to her Godly Husband for Kat's safety and security.
In the end, her smiled again, waving a hand.
"Don't mention it.", he said, "You are a friend of Liv, a close friend, one might say, so you are not a complete stranger. A friend of hers is always welcome at my table. Besides, she mentioned you... a few times." He chuckled as Liv turned even redder. "May Ladra guide you safely, soundly and easily, with clear sight and clear mind."
The blessings were echoed around the table, Miss Sacerdotessa adding something in Lutetian. Luigi squeaked from his spot in delight, completing the round.
"Now, then... a short grace.", Finnegan added, lowered his head, as did everyone around the table. He spoke something in Selkie, a short prayer thanking Rhiannon and Ladra and Lodan Lir for the bountiful breakfast, for the health of all of them, for their friendship... and he added a P.S. for Searc, the Goddess of Love, asking her to favour the relation between Kat and Liv.
Liv blushed bright red.

Even in the busy halls of the Stoc Inn, Domingo would have easily found a place to sit, a waitress motioning to him, that she would be there in a moment.
It took around fifteen seconds until she was there, dressed in Geansai, with an apron around her waist, her long, fire-red hair open and freckles in her face. She grinned. "Good morning, Sir. What can I bring you?", she asked, drawing her notepad and a pencil.
A menu was already on the table, the pages about the drinks specifying a number of teas, a variety of fruit juices (apple being the most popular by far), of course water (carbonated and not), plus lemonade, but the teeth-nuking variation of the Selkie in red, brown and yellow.
Certainly a good selection... although alcoholic drinks were suspiciously absent.

Pina nodded.
"Never say never, I know.", she said, "I, too, would not have believed, that I would be into tank sport of all things at the end of that demonstration match that Amy dragged me and a few friends to. It was fun and while my friends were mostly out for the cute lads, I... somehow fell in love with the vehicles. Which actually netted me dancing with one of the tank sportsmen during the after-show-party, but that's another story."
She grinned.
"No, one indeed never knows, what the future brings, but one can hope.", she finished.

Mara smiled.
"I would be happy to attend.", she said with a small bow, which made Rona cheer - until Mara stopped her by raising her hand, "But I first must attend to my duties as Captain of the Arrowmaidens. As must my girls." She smiled slightly, but sadly, as did Mavie. They all knew, how much she loved her wife and daughter, but her duties came first. "Who knows, maybe I can get a few of the girls to attend as well?"

by **Port Ember** » Fri Apr 05, 2019 2:47 pm

Jan with Gwen

Jan chuckled in a soft and polite manner before replying. "Oh yes, lock up your daughters since Jan is in town! You best arrange a dinner with her before I leave again. I am not a man who cowers from responsibility. 'Do whatever you want, as long as you take the consequences like a lion'" he recited what his father used to tell him as a young boy. He smiled softly once more.

"But aye, avoidance is the the key game for now! First some quality time with you and some furry creatures wishing to devour my face!" Jan smiled broadly, ready for a new adventure in this strange new land, following the lead of Gwen, standing up and ensuring he has with him all that he needs for the trip.

by **AHSCA** » Fri Apr 05, 2019 3:40 pm

The Selkie wrote:Leonard grinned - he didn't blush at the topic or something, mainly because...
"There are actually two rules: Not in a religious building, like a temple, and not in an official building, like a school.", he said and shrugged, "Other then that, everything is fair game. You wouldn't want to believe how often I went skinny-dipping!"
He grinned at that.
"Though, if you go out naked when it is cold and you catch a cold, it's your fault.", he added with a shrug, "But today..." He thought for a moment. "...yes, if your immune system is up for the task, it should not be much of a problem."

"Ah I see." She nodded understanding the rules. "Well, I wouldn't worry about me. I'm a tougher woman than I might look."

"Well, she's gotta be, she is a really good sailor." Hina responded to praise her mom. "Even ferrying can be tricky."

"Well it's not quite the perils of wide open water but it can be a challenge for sure. But I love doing it!"

The Selkie wrote:Branwen nodded, slowly.
"In part, and in a way, yes.", she said, "Some scenes are written from the perspective of the vessel's Artificial Intelligence. I thought, that this perspective would be fun to write and... well..."
"'Oh, they were exchanging bodily fluids!'", Elin quoted with a huge grin.
Branwen blushed, but chuckled.

She laughed a little "Aha, I see. Should be a good read." she winked.

by **Shwe Tu Colony** » Sat Apr 06, 2019 12:27 am

The Selkie wrote:Ida listened to the explanation with a raised eyebrow and wanted to stop Quon...

The Ezharans
"I... I wouldn't believe it either, honestly," Sherry shrugged, "But um, we were trying to have a normal time here. Honestly, I'm glad you don't believe us... it's less trouble that way." She sighed, looking away with an exhausted expression. "Part of the contract we have in our new lives is that we can't go back anyway," she continued, giving no defense to the strange story she & Quon had crafted, "I thought he would be more careful in trying to keep it normal & whatnot but now... I'd say there's no going back, but if you don't believe us, then that just makes it easier for us to return home. I don't know what would happen, but I still feel that if we go back... it'll just be worse for everyone. Ezhara's always been a bit of an odd place, & I don't think they'd treat us well if we did come back."

Soon enough, Quon sped past the bakery, setting Darius on a chair just outside & rushing inside. "Sherry...!" he hissed at her, nearly out of breath himself, "Darius... he's...!" By that point, Ida would have gone outside to use her First Aid Training, but Darius seemed uncooperative. "Hey... lady! Just lem... lemme go to sleep!" he said, throwing his arm at her & turning around on the bench to avoid her, "I'm... I'm just a bit... sleepy." Though he was not as cold as a dead fellow, he was at least a perceptible amount below a normal threshold.
But most notable were his rapid heart rate & labored breathing, as though he was internally suffocating.
"He's, um, anemic," Quon explained, rushing to Ida's side, "A-and some other blood condition I can't remember."
"He told me it was alpha thalassemia major," Sherry said, walking outside while using her phone, "I'm guessing that's what killed him before. Anyway, I'm... gonna call Aunt Xoa'yi."
"Hmm, yeah... that," Darius mumbled out, continuing to resist until Quon moved towards him to restrain him, pushing him gently & flat onto the bench & forcing his hands behind him, "A-ah! Qu-Quonny!"

"Sorry, it's for your own good! You need to stop moving!"
"F-fine... fine," he sighed, lying still so that Ida could help him while Quon stepped aside to give Ida room. Slowly, Darius's eyes would flutter close, & Ida would likely be able to feel his body begin to shut down, but it seemed certain that her first aid techniques would keep him alive long enough for the ambulance to get there. "Quon, Aunt Xoa'yi said she'll pay for the costs, & that she'll be here soon" Sherry said as she put away her phone, watching Ida work.
"Wait, what about Luca?"
"He'll be fine," she sighed, her fingers pinching her nose in annoyance, "God dang it... I just wanted a normal vacation. Guess I can't even escape from weirdness even when I'm away, huh?" Just before she turned away, Darius's eyes opened & he flashed her a satisfied smile with a slight exhaustion to it, but she shook her head, annoyed with the day's shenanigans. "Well... if you're gonna die again, I guess I should keep you happy this time, huh?" she said, kneeling down to be level with him, "Quon, cover your ears..."

Then, she fell under the trance of her song, her frown turning into a deeply unsettling grin. Her normally serene voice became simultaneously motherly & childishly innocent, oblivious to the situation, as though her lullaby-like song was just that rather than a dirge for a dying child. Even Quon seemed terrified by her song despite obeying her directions, looking visibly nervous as Sherry continued to sing just for Darius, whose smile became devious as though finally being released from something.
If he was not dying, it seemed, he would've been roaring with laughter.
Thankfully, Sherry was far quieter this time, & most passersby would hear little more than odd, melodious whispers that, for a moment, might give them pause with how... innocent the sound was. At a cursory listen, the initial chorus sounded like an adorable little ditty taught to young children, singing of one's parents, yet something felt off. It was just too pure, too oblivious, too fantastical in what it was trying to sing, though most would not understand it, for it was an Ezharan language. Still, a translation was unnecessary, & one could feel the pervasive tone, in all its ethereal infamy, begin to creep into their mind.

The lullaby, if it could even be called that, was celebrating death in perfect innocence. Not that folks deserved it, but that it was so inexorable that there was no need to panic over it, & Darius's beaming grin seemed to indicate it was his belief as well. Death, to him, was little more than a bit of embarrassment when he'd realize it & have to watch his beloved needlessly cry over it, for he had lived teetering on its nondescript precipice for his entire life. Especially with this song comforting him & with his friends surrounding him, he seemed happy in dying, & it seemed that he wished that the others would simply smile as well. Why cry when the deceased was smiling — the person with the greatest loss, the loss of their life, was suffering the least, what a peculiar sight!
For a few seconds, the song drifted into a chaotic morass of onomatopoeia that sounded look a cartoonish crash, & Quon's expression turned grimmer still when it eventually returned to the chorus & its defined words, words that he would've understood, having grown up speaking that language alongside Sherry & Darius. "J-Jesus..." he muttered out, unable to remove himself from the accursed binding that his friend cast upon him, "God dang it, Sherry!" She didn't even look back at him as he fled the scene, hands off of his ears but still unable to escape the song, though his expression at least looked normal enough.

Then, the second verse of onomatopoeia, again sounding like some sort of crash or perhaps a collapsing machine. Her voice became what would best be described as hollow & distant as Darius closed his eyes with a smile. Then, it suddenly intensified like the second one realized they were slipping, slipping off of that precipice of life into the cold waves of the deathly sea below, unable to stop their dive towards their demise like Darius, who was hanging on by his fingers onto that sheer cliff face, still smiling & still unaware of how close he was to being taken by the Mista Death he so oft mentioned. It seemed that he would not be letting go soon, only out of embarrassment of dying, but if he could...
Finally, one last chorus, & as she began to finish her song, the sirens (if there were any on Selkie ambulances) began to drown her out. When she at last finished entirely, she blinked & sighed. "Darius... please don't have me do that again," she pleaded, her voice quivering in fear as Quon returned to her side, taking her hand in his.

Though by now a fair distance from the scene, Nera's canaries suddenly squawked & began fluttering a short distance about her, agitated by something & closely followed by Leo's dove. "A-ah! Not again, not again!" she hissed out, whistling for her canaries to return to her, but again they disobeyed, "Ah, Gods... why am I so unlucky today!" She rubbed her face as she continued walking, & her birds returned to her to comfort their master, roosting on her head & shoulders, but Leo's dove remained in the air above his when it suddenly snatched his hat & flew just out of his reach. "Wh-hey!" he called out, jumping up to try to catch it, only for his less-than-athletic body to betray him, barely even able to jump a short distance; it was enough to get Nera to laugh a bit, "C-come back... N-Nera, d-don't laugh at me like th-that!"
"Guess she knew we needed something to take the pressure off, huh?" she joked as they walked back into their inn, one that evidently allowed birds.

Luca & Xoa'yi
As Caja approached, Xoa'yi examined her up & down, her mysterious smile concealing her keen fashionista eye that analyzed the other woman, examining the quality of the clothes with her usual absentminded delight. "Ah, I think I'll vis... " she began as she moved her hand to conceal her devious smirk, half-pretending to think, "Hmm, actually... why not bring him here? I know—"
"Aunt Xoa'yi!" came yet another of Luca's adorable shrieks, which only served to widen Xoa'yi's smirk & elicit a slight chuckle from her.
"Oh!" she said as something in her pocket began to ring, "Hmm, just give me one moment, my adoptive niece is calling..." She reached inside & took out a peculiar triangular prism phone that she folded into a more normal rectangle, followed by her putting it close to her ear. "Yes, darling?" she began, her condescending tone grating to one's ears, "Someone's in a bad state, you said? Would you like me to come there? You'll be fine? You're sure? Hmm, all right then... yeah, if there's a medical bill, I've got the money to cover it, so long as it's sane! If you need me, just call again!" She put her phone away & turned back to Caja if she hadn't left yet. "As I said, I'd love to meet him, preferably here!" she would then repeat.

by **Mediama** » Sat Apr 06, 2019 1:47 am

The old man smiled at the pronounciation of the greeting in Selkie - she would have to work on it to achieve fluidity, but it was already quite good.
Fiona smiled as well, but her smile had a different note... a more personal one.
"The pleasure is mine, Young Lady.", he replied in Selkie with a light bow, speaking clear and mostly without his Cuan-Accent. He switched back to English: "As for what happened during the Summer Festival, ask Fiona!"
He grinned as Fiona began.
"You know, my school has a custom. We always pair a boy of our school, of the next graduation year, up with a girl from the Mionbhuidéal Elementary School here in Cuan, of their last year, so around ten Springs. And we do the same vice versa, a boy of their with a girl of ours... all for the Summer Festival's Grand Dance. It is to symbolize the bond between our schools, as - long story. Last year was my turn and we had more girls then they had boys.", she retold, "So, we drew lots and I drew 'not participating'. A girl of my class drew his son..." She motioned to the baker. "...and he's actually the little horseman we met earlier."
The Baker smiled with pride.
"Anyway...", Fiona continued, "...it's usual, that the older ones have one dance with the kids and then bugger off to drink the Festival away. But, unexpectedly, the girl Ciaran had drawn broke a bone and could not, so, instead of heaping him onto the shame-pedestal of not having a dance-partner, he asked around our year for any free girls and... well, you can imagine the responses." Fiona shook her head. "No one wanted, but Ciaran tried with the same energy and guts with every one of our free girls, asking me last."
Fiona shrugged.
"One has to say, the boy had guts, energy and, to be honest, he was cute as he approached every one of our girls, which were all way out of his league.", Fiona finished, "And I agreed. I also didn't bugger off after the first dance, but had a few more with that lad. Whichever girl conquers his heart in earnest, not a child's little crush, well... she will have one heck of a lad!"
The old Baker smiled with pride, brighter then the sun itself.

“I understand. Usually at the end of the year, my school organizes a dance for the seniors with St. George’s Junior Officer’s Academy. Each of the seniors gets paired off with a cadet.

We also vote for a Lord and Lady of the dance, since the title of queen goes to Queen Victoria, our school’s namesake.”

Miranda stroked the back of Fiona’s hand, “It was noble for you to accept his proposal and then stay with him for the dance though, even if it didn’t grow out to anything...”

Miranda turned her gaze toward the baker, “I agree though, he’ll be a good and chivalrous lad when he grows up, that’s for sure.”

She couldn’t explain it, but she felt the sudden urge to stroke Fiona’s cheek. She rose her hand, but immediately put it down. she kissed you, remember? Miranda thought. This is only going to encourage it.

But still, memories from seeing Cassandra and Valerie sneaking embraces and kisses ran through her mind. They seemed happy. She remembered the flutter in her heart as she held hands with Fiona and was in her arm.

After a few minutes, she decided to cup Fiona’s cheek, and stroke it. “Just as whoever gets you will have a charming, loyal, beautiful lass.”

Miranda was telling the truth, but in turn she had unknowingly, indirectly flirted with the young Selkie.

And they still hadn’t ordered anything yet.

“Did she now?” Katherine asked, she turned to look at Liv with an intense and seductive stare for a few minutes before she turned and nodded at the blessings.

And so, out of formal respect and in anattempt not to create an international incident, Kat clasped her hands together in prayer as they said their finishing grace.

As they wrapped up in the graces, she said her share of an “Amen.” As Finnegan added the bitnon furthering she and Liv’s relationship, she couldn’t help but turn and smile at a blushing Liv while she gently clasped and squeezed their hands under the table.

As everyone began to get up and go about their business, Kat leaned in and kissed Liv for a minute or two (not that she was counting), before she backed off for air.

“Now then, where to my shieldmaiden? Do we need to worry about getting your things first, or should we get going?”

Frankly, Kat was concerned that the amount of attention Liv received, combined with the heavy blush she saw, were signs that she and the other breakfast patrons had mentally broke here to the point where Liv.exe stopped working.

by **Lillorainen** » Sat Apr 06, 2019 5:39 am

En route to the Marcach Camp.
Indeed, the Lillatorn was anything else but a bad setting for a sitcom, and some satirical news magazines had already shot live interviews there - which proved, that most lads and lassies quite did have a great sense of humor.
Not to mention what happened there, when, luckily, nobody was filming there ...
And if Leonard indeed did find the time for a less official part of a visit, he could certainly also make Mr. Leverdal's acquaintance, whose attitude was quite undergoing some changes, given that Hilda had told a lot from the Free Lands after Shella. Besides, Rikard and Olav, Fred's and Hilda's two older brothers, had spent a few years working abroad, the latter had also introduced his new girlfriend to the family, a Shamsiyyan belly-dancer - who had gotten approved of by the head of the family soon after losing his initial skepticism.
Mia's question about Leonard's cheese preference got answered by a bluenette young woman, who had approached them on a horse - of course, Hilda recognized her immediately, and smiled.
"Marla! Nice to see you again!" - she said.
She did notice, that her eyes had changed a bit ... still friendly, but harder.

In tactically sound advance towards the rear.
While Chris hoped that Cel would feel a tad-bit less guilty, for it wasn't her fault, that Mr. Treoraí was here and not somewhere else, he looked at the buildings in half-timber style - as properly as someone was able to while sneaking around making sure that nobody followed, although they had friends who took care of that.
As Cel rested her head on his shoulder, Chris put his arm around her.
So they walked on and on. No words needed.
Indeed - this was the life.

by **Minroz** » Sat Apr 06, 2019 8:05 am

The Minrozians listened attentively to the maiden’s explanation in regards to archery and watching her demonstration. The couple were studious students in their school days. They were just feeling nostalgic about their younger days despite being technically over hundred years old.

“Alright!” Tieguang beamed.

“Okay.” Lianhua nodded as she heeded the maiden’s instructions.

“Oh, before we go, can you teach me something more about archery? I would love to hear it more from a beautiful lady like you~.” The brunette joked in flirty manner with the Selkie maiden. However, his wife didn’t seemed to appreciate the joke because she’s being little jealous. To demonstrate her displeasure with him, she nudges her husband in the ribs.

“Ack!” Tieguang cries.

“Hmph!” Lianhua pouted. [“Darling, would you kindly not flirt with other women. I don’t like it.”] She spoke in Mandarin. Lady Sun Lianhua wasn’t suggesting, more like she’s ordering him because of her feelings of pangs of jealousy. Not to mentioned, she’s his superior officer.

“Ahaha~.” The man chuckles nervously for understandable reasons. “Lady’s first~.”

Smiling, Lianhua is the first to go, ten metres from the target as suggested by the helpful Selkie maiden. She raised the bow, pulled the string and then fired an arrow herself, hitting squarely at the centre of the target.

“Hmm, not bad.” She hummed, smiling with satisfaction. She finally felt the thrills of accomplishment with her archery skill for the first time in hundred years.

“Well-done, my love!” Tieguang cheered for his wife.

by **Mervay** » Sat Apr 06, 2019 10:39 am

The Selkie wrote:Stoc Inn.
The waitress, who was fighting back the blush, gave Duncan a warning glare.
He raised his hands in the international gesture of surrender.
Thus satisfied, the waitress turned to Lise.
"The person you should be looking for, if you seek knowledge about the Blackies is a certain Gawain Folaíochta, of Wicklow's Tribe.", she said, "He breeds domesticated Blackies generally sells things if you have a vulpine pet. He is also, as rumour has it, the employer of Celina Treorai..." She sighed. "...who also sings at the only Inn in town, that will surely accept you and the little lad, if they have a room free. The Cluanaire Inn, owned by a Finnegan Úinéir of the Tribe of Louth."
She let a beat pass.
"Duncan, can you...?", she asked of the waiter, who handed her a tourist map of Cuan. Unfolding it, the waitress marked both locations with a ballpen, as well as the Stoc Inn. The routes seemed simple enough, but led through some side-alleys and off the beaten paths.
Meanwhile, the Blackie was almost docile and calm in Lise's arms, even going so far as to snuggle a bit into her.

Gawain Folaíochta he is the one who to search for with this special case with Vulpines and have everything what Lise would need for her new friend and as rumours goes by around here for what it seems he is the employeer of Cel and this girl sings in the only Inn of the town which would let her stay with the new mascot... If they have an free room too so better pray for it too, The Cluanaire Inn.
Meanwhile the black Vulpine was docile and calm in Devienne arms and he snuggled an little into her, she smiled at the sight of her new mascot enjoying her arms as it was calm and didn't made problems.

Meanwhile Duncan brought an map for her, marked with the places she needed to go and how to with the Stoc Inn included.
By that time, Trinity brought all the baggage that Lise has here, she leaved close to her and she sighed that her friend decided to do this, seriously there wouldn't be an problem for her that she let the creature be on her own... But who knows what was the idea of the aristocrat.

"Merci beaucoup je vous remercie beaucoup" she told to the guys bowing as she grabbed all her package. She looked at Trinity and smiled at her. "Be sure to enjoy my friend, Cuan has lots of things to offer" then she just leaved the Inn without nothing more to say.

She decided to follow the map and rather than establish herself on the Inn she would go to Gawain's store so she can have everything for her new pet... Which reminds her to put her an name according to either if she is female or male, but that could be left for later on.

"I should put you an name by now but I don't know if you are girl or boy so as soon as we are in Gawain's store and I know your sex then I call you either with an female or male name, sounds fair??"

Stoc Inn

"I won't never understand Lise to be honest. Maybe that is the reason Tess is more close to her and why they are best friends" she said sighing as she looked at Duncan and the waitress. "Can you guys serve me some coffee??"

by **Polish Prussian Commonwealth** » Sat Apr 06, 2019 12:28 pm

Marie nodded. "Ah...I see..."
She rubbed her eyes a bit and chuckled. "Funny you should mention about 'boy trouble'...that's part of why I'm visiting the Free Lands for the week..."

by **The Selkie** » Sat Apr 06, 2019 4:02 pm

Gwen nodded.
"I actually sounded the drums already. We will have dinner on Friday, if you want, with my Mother, with Mona Beag in attendance as well, in the Lodan Lir Cult's Administrative Building. It'll be on neutral ground and soil.", she explained as she put on the sandals, which went with the Geansai, "Mom is... quite pissed might be an understatement."
She snapped her fingers and Srol was by her side in an instant.
"Shall we?", she asked.

Leonard nodded with a grin as they left the Cluanaire.
"Oh, I would have never doubted it!", he said, speaking to Hina about Haru, "Your Mam looks like a mighty fine sailor and is a beautiful woman - in my experience, those are the toughest women around!"
He grinned and threw a wink at Haru.
He was really starting to like her... especially since he liked tough women.

Branwen nodded. "I hope, that you will. It was a lot of work, but it paid off in the end.", she said, "The sense of accomplishment at the end of the last sentence written and the story being complete... for me, that last sentence was actually somewhere in the middle, piecing together two threads of the story."
She smiled slightly at the memory.

Mediama wrote:
The old man smiled at the pronounciation of the greeting in Selkie - she would have to work on it to achieve fluidity, but it was already quite good.
Fiona smiled as well, but her smile had a different note... a more personal one.
"The pleasure is mine, Young Lady.", he replied in Selkie with a light bow, speaking clear and mostly without his Cuan-Accent. He switched back to English: "As for what happened during the Summer Festival, ask Fiona!"
He grinned as Fiona began.
"You know, my school has a custom. We always pair a boy of our school, of the next graduation year, up with a girl from the Mionbhuidéal Elementary School here in Cuan, of their last year, so around ten Springs. And we do the same vice versa, a boy of their with a girl of ours... all for the Summer Festival's Grand Dance. It is to symbolize the bond between our schools, as - long story. Last year was my turn and we had more girls then they had boys.", she retold, "So, we drew lots and I drew 'not participating'. A girl of my class drew his son..." She motioned to the baker. "...and he's actually the little horseman we met earlier."
The Baker smiled with pride.
"Anyway...", Fiona continued, "...it's usual, that the older ones have one dance with the kids and then bugger off to drink the Festival away. But, unexpectedly, the girl Ciaran had drawn broke a bone and could not, so, instead of heaping him onto the shame-pedestal of not having a dance-partner, he asked around our year for any free girls and... well, you can imagine the responses." Fiona shook her head. "No one wanted, but Ciaran tried with the same energy and guts with every one of our free girls, asking me last."
Fiona shrugged.
"One has to say, the boy had guts, energy and, to be honest, he was cute as he approached every one of our girls, which were all way out of his league.", Fiona finished, "And I agreed. I also didn't bugger off after the first dance, but had a few more with that lad. Whichever girl conquers his heart in earnest, not a child's little crush, well... she will have one heck of a lad!"
The old Baker smiled with pride, brighter then the sun itself.

“I understand. Usually at the end of the year, my school organizes a dance for the seniors with St. George’s Junior Officer’s Academy. Each of the seniors gets paired off with a cadet.

We also vote for a Lord and Lady of the dance, since the title of queen goes to Queen Victoria, our school’s namesake.”

Miranda stroked the back of Fiona’s hand, “It was noble for you to accept his proposal and then stay with him for the dance though, even if it didn’t grow out to anything...”

Miranda turned her gaze toward the baker, “I agree though, he’ll be a good and chivalrous lad when he grows up, that’s for sure.”

She couldn’t explain it, but she felt the sudden urge to stroke Fiona’s cheek. She rose her hand, but immediately put it down. she kissed you, remember? Miranda thought. This is only going to encourage it.

But still, memories from seeing Cassandra and Valerie sneaking embraces and kisses ran through her mind. They seemed happy. She remembered the flutter in her heart as she held hands with Fiona and was in her arm.

After a few minutes, she decided to cup Fiona’s cheek, and stroke it. “Just as whoever gets you will have a charming, loyal, beautiful lass.”

Miranda was telling the truth, but in turn she had unknowingly, indirectly flirted with the young Selkie.

And they still hadn’t ordered anything yet.

Liv indeed blushed, almost chocked on her last bites, but managed to push through.
Finnegan nodded at the earnest wish of good luck for Mona, nodding in earnest as well - he would relay her best wishes, even if Mona might be puzzled at who was sending them. But all at the table, except maybe Luigi, knew, that she would appreciate it and send a prayer to her Godly Husband for Kat's safety and security.
In the end, her smiled again, waving a hand.
"Don't mention it.", he said, "You are a friend of Liv, a close friend, one might say, so you are not a complete stranger. A friend of hers is always welcome at my table. Besides, she mentioned you... a few times." He chuckled as Liv turned even redder. "May Ladra guide you safely, soundly and easily, with clear sight and clear mind."
The blessings were echoed around the table, Miss Sacerdotessa adding something in Lutetian. Luigi squeaked from his spot in delight, completing the round.
"Now, then... a short grace.", Finnegan added, lowered his head, as did everyone around the table. He spoke something in Selkie, a short prayer thanking Rhiannon and Ladra and Lodan Lir for the bountiful breakfast, for the health of all of them, for their friendship... and he added a P.S. for Searc, the Goddess of Love, asking her to favour the relation between Kat and Liv.
Liv blushed bright red.

“Did she now?” Katherine asked, she turned to look at Liv with an intense and seductive stare for a few minutes before she turned and nodded at the blessings.

And so, out of formal respect and in anattempt not to create an international incident, Kat clasped her hands together in prayer as they said their finishing grace.

As they wrapped up in the graces, she said her share of an “Amen.” As Finnegan added the bitnon furthering she and Liv’s relationship, she couldn’t help but turn and smile at a blushing Liv while she gently clasped and squeezed their hands under the table.

As everyone began to get up and go about their business, Kat leaned in and kissed Liv for a minute or two (not that she was counting), before she backed off for air.

“Now then, where to my shieldmaiden? Do we need to worry about getting your things first, or should we get going?”

Frankly, Kat was concerned that the amount of attention Liv received, combined with the heavy blush she saw, were signs that she and the other breakfast patrons had mentally broke here to the point where Liv.exe stopped working.

Fiona received the petting of her cheek and the compliment, as well as the acceptance of her actions, with a small blush, even leaning into the petting lightly.
"Hm...", Fiona made, "And whoever will be your match, Miranda, will get a creative and wonderful young woman, who can write the world with beauty and passion... and who is quite the looker, too!" She smiled, softly. "And someone, who I call my friend...?"
The sentence trailed off into a question, prompting Miranda to say, that she called Fiona her friend, too... or not.
The baker smiled at the scene. There was something between them.
He didn't mind, that they didn't order anything yet. The lads of the Younger Militia and their show had all potential customers occupied elsewhere anyway.

Liv.exe indeed had stopped working for a bit, having snogged with Kat had made every other process turn off for a while.
But Kat's voice made Liv.exe work again - the metaphorical boot to the equally metaphorical computer. She, however, needed a moment as the rather eloquent reply to Kat showed: She stared at her for a moment, then made "Huh?"
A moment passed, then she cleared her throat.
"Oh, yes, uh...", she began, blushing a bit, "Right, uh... we can get going right now, a little tour of the Main Temple of Cuan. We can move my bag after the Bainis." She leaned over and pecked Kat onto her cheek, followed by whispering into her ear: "But when we have moved my bag, I would love to maybe take a little nap..."
Her tone and her breath stroking Kat's ear would make it clear, that sleep was the last think on her mind during that nap... at least Liv hoped.

En route to the Marcach Camp.
"Hello, Hilda.", Macha said and swung down from her horse, handling the reins to Leonard. With a small smile, she threw her arms around the other woman, hugging her tightly. "Hello, Hilda.", she repeated.
Leonard motioned to both men to leave the two of them a moment or two, not to interfere.

In tactically sound advance towards the rear.
We walked the lonely street, one of Cuan's many streets, one, which I knew quite well - Soiprigh was on our heels, Enya and Finnegan were keeping away pursuers, I was in Chris' arm...
All things considered, this felt good. On a basic level, sure, but good nonetheless.
I softly led him along, my lifelong knowledge guiding me towards a place, which he only had heard off, which he had said he wanted to see, which Soiprigh was well-acquainted with, to the point of knowing it by hard.
And what a place it was, a second home to me, which Chris knew.
Gawain Folaíochta's little shop, the magical little world, where I got introduced to the Little Black Fox.

The other archers present applauded as well, ceasing their shooting.
The maid went to the target, pulled the arrow out and wrapped a red-white silken band around the shaft. She had not missed, that the man had tried to flirt with her, but for one thing, he was married, and for the other, his pick-up line was... lacking, to say the least.
Maybe he had tried to tease her, though, but that had also failed quite a bit.
While the maiden did that, the Selkie Archers waited, lowered their heads as she spoke something in the language of theirs.
A prayer.
That done, she handed the arrow to Lianhua bowed her head.
"Your first arrow.", she said, "Carman Fea be with you and guide your arrows... much like she guides the arrows of these blokes."
She indicated to the other archers with her head, who voiced their protests with varying degrees of seriousness, making her grin - especially one protesting, that he was not a bloke. He was eccentric, there was a difference.

Mervay wrote:
The Selkie wrote:Stoc Inn.
The waitress, who was fighting back the blush, gave Duncan a warning glare.
He raised his hands in the international gesture of surrender.
Thus satisfied, the waitress turned to Lise.
"The person you should be looking for, if you seek knowledge about the Blackies is a certain Gawain Folaíochta, of Wicklow's Tribe.", she said, "He breeds domesticated Blackies generally sells things if you have a vulpine pet. He is also, as rumour has it, the employer of Celina Treorai..." She sighed. "...who also sings at the only Inn in town, that will surely accept you and the little lad, if they have a room free. The Cluanaire Inn, owned by a Finnegan Úinéir of the Tribe of Louth."
She let a beat pass.
"Duncan, can you...?", she asked of the waiter, who handed her a tourist map of Cuan. Unfolding it, the waitress marked both locations with a ballpen, as well as the Stoc Inn. The routes seemed simple enough, but led through some side-alleys and off the beaten paths.
Meanwhile, the Blackie was almost docile and calm in Lise's arms, even going so far as to snuggle a bit into her.

Gawain Folaíochta he is the one who to search for with this special case with Vulpines and have everything what Lise would need for her new friend and as rumours goes by around here for what it seems he is the employeer of Cel and this girl sings in the only Inn of the town which would let her stay with the new mascot... If they have an free room too so better pray for it too, The Cluanaire Inn.
Meanwhile the black Vulpine was docile and calm in Devienne arms and he snuggled an little into her, she smiled at the sight of her new mascot enjoying her arms as it was calm and didn't made problems.

Meanwhile Duncan brought an map for her, marked with the places she needed to go and how to with the Stoc Inn included.
By that time, Trinity brought all the baggage that Lise has here, she leaved close to her and she sighed that her friend decided to do this, seriously there wouldn't be an problem for her that she let the creature be on her own... But who knows what was the idea of the aristocrat.

"Merci beaucoup je vous remercie beaucoup" she told to the guys bowing as she grabbed all her package. She looked at Trinity and smiled at her. "Be sure to enjoy my friend, Cuan has lots of things to offer" then she just leaved the Inn without nothing more to say.

She decided to follow the map and rather than establish herself on the Inn she would go to Gawain's store so she can have everything for her new pet... Which reminds her to put her an name according to either if she is female or male, but that could be left for later on.

"I should put you an name by now but I don't know if you are girl or boy so as soon as we are in Gawain's store and I know your sex then I call you either with an female or male name, sounds fair??"

Stoc Inn

"I won't never understand Lise to be honest. Maybe that is the reason Tess is more close to her and why they are best friends" she said sighing as she looked at Duncan and the waitress. "Can you guys serve me some coffee??"

The little black fox yipped in approval of that plan, grinning as he walked by Lise's heels, staying by it and following her diligently as she followed the map.
He weaved through the crowds of the main streets behind her, trying to stay unnoticed.
He stayed by her heel, when the way led them off the main streets into Cuan's alleyways, along cobbled streets and past half-timbered buildings towards their destination. Smells and sights along the way were...
Suddenly, the hackles of the little vulpine rose, he almost panicked, stood stock still, his eyes wide.
Lise might not be able to smell it, but a natural enemy of the Blackies was closeby. A Grey Wolf.
Only one thing was there for it: He ran past Lise, turned on the spot a bit in front of her and ran at the young woman, jumping into her arms... at least he hoped to land there. If he would, she would be immediately be alerted to the fact, that he was shaking like a leaf.

At the Stoc, the waitress nodded.
"Go to the restaurant, pick a table, I'll be with you in a minute.", she said and smiled at Duncan, dangerously. "First I need to have a few words with my colleague here..."
Not many tables had free spots anymore, in fact, there were only a few empty chairs at already occupied tables. Some of them were with families, some of them with lovers, some of them with friends...
...and one was with an odd couple. He was a man in his mid-forties, very long black hair and violet eyes, a cigarette in his hand, well dressed in a black suit and tie, with a red scarf over his shoulders. Although he gave off an aura of a man tired by the world, he still had energy, life in his eyes and, most importantly, will.
She was not even twenty, blonde, long blonde hair (although only going down to her waist, not almost floor length like with the man) and green-blue eyes. Her smile was wide and lively, her eyes full of fire and energy.
The man listened to her telling him something in a language, that was definately not Selkie - and indeed, they were not Selkie. In fact, the Selkie gave them a bit of a berth...

Polish Prussian Commonwealth wrote:Marie nodded. "Ah...I see..."
She rubbed her eyes a bit and chuckled. "Funny you should mention about 'boy trouble'...that's part of why I'm visiting the Free Lands for the week..."

"Ah...", Kiah made and smiled softly, the Servant in her coming to her easily, "Know, that I have two open ears, if you wish to speak about it." But also know, that I will not force you., she added in her mind, Marie hopefully understanding that without it being said. "And amongst us, from what I know, men from everywhere can be arseholes."

Shwe Tu Colony wrote:
The Selkie wrote:Ida listened to the explanation with a raised eyebrow and wanted to stop Quon...

The Ezharans
"I... I wouldn't believe it either, honestly," Sherry shrugged, "But um, we were trying to have a normal time here. Honestly, I'm glad you don't believe us... it's less trouble that way." She sighed, looking away with an exhausted expression. "Part of the contract we have in our new lives is that we can't go back anyway," she continued, giving no defense to the strange story she & Quon had crafted, "I thought he would be more careful in trying to keep it normal & whatnot but now... I'd say there's no going back, but if you don't believe us, then that just makes it easier for us to return home. I don't know what would happen, but I still feel that if we go back... it'll just be worse for everyone. Ezhara's always been a bit of an odd place, & I don't think they'd treat us well if we did come back."

Soon enough, Quon sped past the bakery, setting Darius on a chair just outside & rushing inside. "Sherry...!" he hissed at her, nearly out of breath himself, "Darius... he's...!" By that point, Ida would have gone outside to use her First Aid Training, but Darius seemed uncooperative. "Hey... lady! Just lem... lemme go to sleep!" he said, throwing his arm at her & turning around on the bench to avoid her, "I'm... I'm just a bit... sleepy." Though he was not as cold as a dead fellow, he was at least a perceptible amount below a normal threshold.
But most notable were his rapid heart rate & labored breathing, as though he was internally suffocating.
"He's, um, anemic," Quon explained, rushing to Ida's side, "A-and some other blood condition I can't remember."
"He told me it was alpha thalassemia major," Sherry said, walking outside while using her phone, "I'm guessing that's what killed him before. Anyway, I'm... gonna call Aunt Xoa'yi."
"Hmm, yeah... that," Darius mumbled out, continuing to resist until Quon moved towards him to restrain him, pushing him gently & flat onto the bench & forcing his hands behind him, "A-ah! Qu-Quonny!"

"Sorry, it's for your own good! You need to stop moving!"
"F-fine... fine," he sighed, lying still so that Ida could help him while Quon stepped aside to give Ida room. Slowly, Darius's eyes would flutter close, & Ida would likely be able to feel his body begin to shut down, but it seemed certain that her first aid techniques would keep him alive long enough for the ambulance to get there. "Quon, Aunt Xoa'yi said she'll pay for the costs, & that she'll be here soon" Sherry said as she put away her phone, watching Ida work.
"Wait, what about Luca?"
"He'll be fine," she sighed, her fingers pinching her nose in annoyance, "God dang it... I just wanted a normal vacation. Guess I can't even escape from weirdness even when I'm away, huh?" Just before she turned away, Darius's eyes opened & he flashed her a satisfied smile with a slight exhaustion to it, but she shook her head, annoyed with the day's shenanigans. "Well... if you're gonna die again, I guess I should keep you happy this time, huh?" she said, kneeling down to be level with him, "Quon, cover your ears..."

Then, she fell under the trance of her song, her frown turning into a deeply unsettling grin. Her normally serene voice became simultaneously motherly & childishly innocent, oblivious to the situation, as though her lullaby-like song was just that rather than a dirge for a dying child. Even Quon seemed terrified by her song despite obeying her directions, looking visibly nervous as Sherry continued to sing just for Darius, whose smile became devious as though finally being released from something.
If he was not dying, it seemed, he would've been roaring with laughter.
Thankfully, Sherry was far quieter this time, & most passersby would hear little more than odd, melodious whispers that, for a moment, might give them pause with how... innocent the sound was. At a cursory listen, the initial chorus sounded like an adorable little ditty taught to young children, singing of one's parents, yet something felt off. It was just too pure, too oblivious, too fantastical in what it was trying to sing, though most would not understand it, for it was an Ezharan language. Still, a translation was unnecessary, & one could feel the pervasive tone, in all its ethereal infamy, begin to creep into their mind.

The lullaby, if it could even be called that, was celebrating death in perfect innocence. Not that folks deserved it, but that it was so inexorable that there was no need to panic over it, & Darius's beaming grin seemed to indicate it was his belief as well. Death, to him, was little more than a bit of embarrassment when he'd realize it & have to watch his beloved needlessly cry over it, for he had lived teetering on its nondescript precipice for his entire life. Especially with this song comforting him & with his friends surrounding him, he seemed happy in dying, & it seemed that he wished that the others would simply smile as well. Why cry when the deceased was smiling — the person with the greatest loss, the loss of their life, was suffering the least, what a peculiar sight!
For a few seconds, the song drifted into a chaotic morass of onomatopoeia that sounded look a cartoonish crash, & Quon's expression turned grimmer still when it eventually returned to the chorus & its defined words, words that he would've understood, having grown up speaking that language alongside Sherry & Darius. "J-Jesus..." he muttered out, unable to remove himself from the accursed binding that his friend cast upon him, "God dang it, Sherry!" She didn't even look back at him as he fled the scene, hands off of his ears but still unable to escape the song, though his expression at least looked normal enough.

Then, the second verse of onomatopoeia, again sounding like some sort of crash or perhaps a collapsing machine. Her voice became what would best be described as hollow & distant as Darius closed his eyes with a smile. Then, it suddenly intensified like the second one realized they were slipping, slipping off of that precipice of life into the cold waves of the deathly sea below, unable to stop their dive towards their demise like Darius, who was hanging on by his fingers onto that sheer cliff face, still smiling & still unaware of how close he was to being taken by the Mista Death he so oft mentioned. It seemed that he would not be letting go soon, only out of embarrassment of dying, but if he could...
Finally, one last chorus, & as she began to finish her song, the sirens (if there were any on Selkie ambulances) began to drown her out. When she at last finished entirely, she blinked & sighed. "Darius... please don't have me do that again," she pleaded, her voice quivering in fear as Quon returned to her side, taking her hand in his.

Though by now a fair distance from the scene, Nera's canaries suddenly squawked & began fluttering a short distance about her, agitated by something & closely followed by Leo's dove. "A-ah! Not again, not again!" she hissed out, whistling for her canaries to return to her, but again they disobeyed, "Ah, Gods... why am I so unlucky today!" She rubbed her face as she continued walking, & her birds returned to her to comfort their master, roosting on her head & shoulders, but Leo's dove remained in the air above his when it suddenly snatched his hat & flew just out of his reach. "Wh-hey!" he called out, jumping up to try to catch it, only for his less-than-athletic body to betray him, barely even able to jump a short distance; it was enough to get Nera to laugh a bit, "C-come back... N-Nera, d-don't laugh at me like th-that!"
"Guess she knew we needed something to take the pressure off, huh?" she joked as they walked back into their inn, one that evidently allowed birds.

Luca & Xoa'yi
As Caja approached, Xoa'yi examined her up & down, her mysterious smile concealing her keen fashionista eye that analyzed the other woman, examining the quality of the clothes with her usual absentminded delight. "Ah, I think I'll vis... " she began as she moved her hand to conceal her devious smirk, half-pretending to think, "Hmm, actually... why not bring him here? I know—"
"Aunt Xoa'yi!" came yet another of Luca's adorable shrieks, which only served to widen Xoa'yi's smirk & elicit a slight chuckle from her.
"Oh!" she said as something in her pocket began to ring, "Hmm, just give me one moment, my adoptive niece is calling..." She reached inside & took out a peculiar triangular prism phone that she folded into a more normal rectangle, followed by her putting it close to her ear. "Yes, darling?" she began, her condescending tone grating to one's ears, "Someone's in a bad state, you said? Would you like me to come there? You'll be fine? You're sure? Hmm, all right then... yeah, if there's a medical bill, I've got the money to cover it, so long as it's sane! If you need me, just call again!" She put her phone away & turned back to Caja if she hadn't left yet. "As I said, I'd love to meet him, preferably here!" she would then repeat.

Caja wore very good clothing, a Geansai of high-quality fur in Green and White - Abhcan's Colours, which meant, that she was at least a laywoman of that Cult.
She wanted to reply as the woman was drawn into a conversation on her mobile phone, but as that has passed, she answered with a grin: "Don't worry about the bill, for there will be none. Free Healthcare for everyone." She let a beat pass. "Now, as for getting Mister Lomrach here... that might be a bit problematic, but let's see, what I can do. Can happen, that I'll only get his cute assistant, though!"
The man, who had approached Luca, nodded. "Sounds like a plan. Off you go!"
Caja nodded and was off, the man turned to the two visitors and shrugged. "The perk of being the organizer, I guess.", he said with a small smile.

by **Mediama** » Sun Apr 07, 2019 1:17 am

A blush deepened and crept down Miranda’s neck as she was being flattered by the Selkie. Though she did bite her lip. One part of her brain Friend is an understatement. the other part of the brain argued, See? That kiss was just platonic.

“But what if it wasn’t?” Miranda muttered to herself.

She looked back up to find that Fiona leaned into her petting, making her feel more hotter than the presumptuous high temperatures in the bakery. She had caught the last of Fiona’s sentence, and again, was still confused.

Her immediate action was to hug Fiona close and say, “Of course you are my friend, you’ve been nothing but a kind host to Kathleen and I while we were here.” Miranda smiled, albeit perhaps a bit too widely.

Because deep down inside, she felt like that was wrong. She felt a cold emptiness in her heart, and her stomach plummeted at how Fiona only saw them as mere friends.

And so, while things presumably went back to normal, Miranda had a feeling that she wanted more, much to the protest of her more sensible side in her head.

Katherine blushed and felt hot and tingly at Liv’s implications. She shivered at the prospects of what was to come later that night.

“W-Well, of course. It’s going to be a long day.” Kat leaned in close to Liv’s ear and whispered, “And long night as well my dearie.”

As much as Kat wanted to keep fantasizing about the future, for now she had things in the present to do.

Kat stood up from her chair, and offered her hand out to Liv after she had shoved her own chair back in. Since all she had with her was her purse and her analog camera with some spare film, she was sure she had everything with her.

“Off we go, to a world of god knows what. But I’m sure we’ll be fine, let’s go and see what this temple holds for us!” She smiled a toothy grin.

by **Minroz** » Sun Apr 07, 2019 4:20 am

Returning the bow, Sun Lianhua chuckled in good-natured way.

“Ah, thank you, thank you everyone. No need to clap, it’s nothing.” Lianhua blushed at the praises by the locals as she kept bowing in reciprocation. Despite her noble heritage, she’s quite a humble person. This doesn’t mean she didn’t appreciate the applause from time to time.

“Welp, it’s my turn.” Tieguang grinned, stepping up to exchange places with Lianhua. The couple then give each other a quick kiss in their lips and the brunette prepared himself to fire his bow.

“Watch and see, my friends! For I shall hit the centre of the target~!” He boasted as he aimed his arrow at the target. Tieguang fired; confident he’ll get the bullseye like his wife earlier. However, his arrow has narrowly missed the target.

Silence reigns in the air, the Minrozians were shocked as their eyes widened in realization.

“Ah…” It’s the only sound Tieguang could make out in shock, jaw-dropping. It is clear he didn’t anticipated missing the target. As of result, bits of his pride lost.

[“There, there. It’s only one shot miss, husband.”] Lianhua comforted her husband as she rubbed her hands gently on Tieguang’s back.

“Aiya…” The Minrozian man moaned.

by **Kjalaara** » Sun Apr 07, 2019 6:19 am

"Hi!" The tall man nodded, smiling politely. "I am looking for work. I don't have any papers besides my passport and visa but I think it is a work-visa. I'm good with most things, small and large. Goats have a tendency of disliking me but I think I can handle that. I can clean. I can cook. If you have a vacancy I am sure I can fill it. Also I can't cook. That was a lie."

by **Lillorainen** » Sun Apr 07, 2019 6:35 am

En route to the Marcach Camp.
Marla swung off her horse and handed the reins to Leonard, who, then, motioned to the guy and the lassie accompanying their friend to leave Marla and Hilda a moment for themselves, which Sophus and Mia gladly did.
Hilda, meanwhile, threw her own arms around Marla.
"How are you doing?" - she asked.

In tactically sound advance towards the rear.
Indeed, it felt good - probably not as good as it would have without having to escape from Cel's father, but still good.
Cel led Chris along, through the streets of the place that was as familiar to her as Nienhagen-Aldekant was to him, to a place run and inhabited by lads and lassies, human and vulpine, whom he had gotten as familiar with as with the Riescheid Clan.
Gawain Folaíochta's little shop.
Chris was indeed excited a bit, for he now got to the magical world which he knew too well - despite being here for the first time.

by **Port Ember** » Sun Apr 07, 2019 6:40 am

Jan with Gwen

Jan laughed softly after hearing what Gwen said. He smiled softly before replying "Friday sounds good. Im up for a dinner.. and dont fear my love - I have dealt with one or two dragons before in my lifetime.." Jan winked at Gwen, signalling that his reference towards her mother as a dragon is meant as a joke to her anger, and no personal disrespect. He actually liked and respected the ol' lady quite a bit.

Jan was impressed once again with Srol, his immediate obediance and reaction speed a testiment to the bond he shared with his master. Extremely effective for a wild animal so to speak. Jan stroked Srol's head softly in passing before walking in next to Gwen, replying again "Indeed we shall darling" and offered his arm for her to hook in. He looked at the picture presented to him, and here in this strange land, in this room, he saw.. a family. His future. His smile was unhideable.

by **Kuronami** » Sun Apr 07, 2019 9:32 am

The Selkie wrote:Pina nodded.
"Never say never, I know.", she said, "I, too, would not have believed, that I would be into tank sport of all things at the end of that demonstration match that Amy dragged me and a few friends to. It was fun and while my friends were mostly out for the cute lads, I... somehow fell in love with the vehicles. Which actually netted me dancing with one of the tank sportsmen during the after-show-party, but that's another story."
She grinned.
"No, one indeed never knows, what the future brings, but one can hope.", she finished.

"And we hope you two will be together forever!" Billie enthusiastically added

"Mhm we do" Joey said.

"I don't know much, I'll admit" Charlie responded "But I have a good feeling about you two."

The Selkie wrote:Mara smiled.
"I would be happy to attend.", she said with a small bow, which made Rona cheer - until Mara stopped her by raising her hand, "But I first must attend to my duties as Captain of the Arrowmaidens. As must my girls." She smiled slightly, but sadly, as did Mavie. They all knew, how much she loved her wife and daughter, but her duties came first. "Who knows, maybe I can get a few of the girls to attend as well?"

"Of course, responsibilities come first!" Mei replied. "So by this evening we hope to see you all and I'll put on a little show!"

"Hehe now you have Mei-chan all excited." Tsukasa cheerfully responded.

by **AHSCA** » Sun Apr 07, 2019 1:58 pm

The Selkie wrote:Leonard nodded with a grin as they left the Cluanaire.
"Oh, I would have never doubted it!", he said, speaking to Hina about Haru, "Your Mam looks like a mighty fine sailor and is a beautiful woman - in my experience, those are the toughest women around!"
He grinned and threw a wink at Haru.
He was really starting to like her... especially since he liked tough women.

Haru blushed with a smile. What was it about Leonard she found so appealing beyond just being a nice man helping a mother with her daughter in a foreign land. Maybe he had many of the same attractive qualities as her husband back home did, maybe it was just the exotic appeal of him. "Well mighty fine is true if I might toot my own horn. Getting her wasn't an easy trip but I managed it."

"Even when you try to boast, you still come off humble." Hina held back some giggling "Being just the two of us on a little old boat it took a lot to really get us here. Actually this crack in my lens you see was because I couldn't keep my balance during a storm."

"And by the grace of the Goddesses, that's all you cracked!" Haru planted a firm hand onto her daughter's shoulder. "Hina will surely make a fine farmer if she picks that in her future but sailing is not one I see."

The Selkie wrote:Branwen nodded. "I hope, that you will. It was a lot of work, but it paid off in the end.", she said, "The sense of accomplishment at the end of the last sentence written and the story being complete... for me, that last sentence was actually somewhere in the middle, piecing together two threads of the story."
She smiled slightly at the memory.

She nodded "Truly that sense of accomplishment by getting the last word and punctuation can't be rivaled for us writers! Branwen you and I are kindred spirits already!" she took Branwen by the hand as if ready to shout it to the whole world. "I'm so lucky to have bumped into you! By the graces of your Gods and my Goddesses the two of us have met!"

by **Polish Prussian Commonwealth** » Sun Apr 07, 2019 3:48 pm

Marie laughed. "Don't get me started. Back home..." She shook her head while chuckling. "They do some stupid things sometimes. Even the most intelligent of them. I actually heard that 2 of my classmates actually dueled each other, but since both of their sabres were out for reforging thanks to a previous duel, they decided to duel each other by eating sausages. One of them was infected with a ringworm-Trichinella, to be exact. But I digress..."
She paused for a bit. "The story isn't exactly horrifying or a bad memory by any means, but it's long. You sure you want to hear it?"

by **Danceria** » Sun Apr 07, 2019 6:00 pm

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

Regardless, the young man waited patiently, and flipped through a sketch-pad filled with photos, and half completed drawings. If one was particularily alert, they would realize while the man was adept at drawing, he had gotten the camera-and into photography recently.

by **New Visayan Islands** » Sun Apr 07, 2019 10:49 pm

Domingo Hasegawa
The Stoc Inn

"Some apple juice would be nice, thanks." Domingo looked at the menu and noticed a lack of alcohol...but then again, it was a little too early for booze, even by the standards of a party animal like himself.

He also didn't notice any food options on the menu; out of curiosity, he asked the waitress.

"What's your specialty?"

by **Austria-Bohemia-Hungary** » Mon Apr 08, 2019 7:36 am

20^th of March, Forenoon - Cuan

Madelene Seehofer and Heinrike Himmel, two university students from the faraway lands (not to be confused with the Commonwealth of Canada, sometimes known as Farawayland) of Bregenz, Ostmark found themselves in the unlikeliest of places to find subjects of the Monarchy. They were thousands of miles from the familiar shores of Lake Constance, guesting a restaurant in a country they were visiting for the very first time. How this came to be began really a year prior in the middle of their last terms of bachelor studies. Seehofer and Himmel, known even then in their circle of friends as a pair of inseparable lovebirds had decided to take a gap year and spend a private holiday somewhere nice once they've graduated from their bachelor programme. Their choice had eventually ended up being the Free Lands out of a week of deliberations, reason mostly being that it wasn't somewhere most Ostmarkians would ordinarily choose for a spring holiday trip. With visas applied for, flights and inns booked the rest of the year flew past almost too rapidly. And so twelve months after applying for a visa, Madelene and Heinrike found themselves in a sunny, rustic and hospitable little town somewhere really faraway from home.

They had woken up early this morning in Gléas Inn, remainder of a jet-lag gone, and gone through their breakfast in a hurry, excited for the day as they were. Like everybody else today their day started at Láir Square for the first official event of what was looking to be a pretty fully packed schedule.
As the opening ceremony of the Spring Festival - that of a sacrifice to beseech the Deities of Their continued favour during the coming year - solemnly concluded, Magdalene and Heinrike slowly ambulated back to their inn for some light eating before the next events. It felt rather weird being two unbelievers of any deity in a country that was deeply devote, although to Gods they have not heard of yet, and they had never seen a live sacrifice before. But it was not their station to question the religious customs of another culture altogether. That was up to the social sciences and theologians, and not up to two BSc's in biochemistry.

Arriving back at Gléas Inn they found to their disappointment that it was absolutely packed with tourists and had no tables available, a shame really because they had really enjoyed the food there so far. But the current situation afforded the two little choice other than to go find another eating establishment. Fortunately another one was but a few minutes walk away and this one seemed generally less crowded. Lann Tavern was the name, and the two students from Ostmark really liked how it looked. So without further ado, Madelene gently opened the door and entered with an accented and melodic "Hello? Do You have a table for two for brunch?"

by **The Selkie** » Mon Apr 08, 2019 12:12 pm

Mediama wrote:
Fiona received the petting of her cheek and the compliment, as well as the acceptance of her actions, with a small blush, even leaning into the petting lightly.
"Hm...", Fiona made, "And whoever will be your match, Miranda, will get a creative and wonderful young woman, who can write the world with beauty and passion... and who is quite the looker, too!" She smiled, softly. "And someone, who I call my friend...?"
The sentence trailed off into a question, prompting Miranda to say, that she called Fiona her friend, too... or not.
The baker smiled at the scene. There was something between them.
He didn't mind, that they didn't order anything yet. The lads of the Younger Militia and their show had all potential customers occupied elsewhere anyway.

A blush deepened and crept down Miranda’s neck as she was being flattered by the Selkie. Though she did bite her lip. One part of her brain Friend is an understatement. the other part of the brain argued, See? That kiss was just platonic.

“But what if it wasn’t?” Miranda muttered to herself.

She looked back up to find that Fiona leaned into her petting, making her feel more hotter than the presumptuous high temperatures in the bakery. She had caught the last of Fiona’s sentence, and again, was still confused.

Her immediate action was to hug Fiona close and say, “Of course you are my friend, you’ve been nothing but a kind host to Kathleen and I while we were here.” Miranda smiled, albeit perhaps a bit too widely.

Because deep down inside, she felt like that was wrong. She felt a cold emptiness in her heart, and her stomach plummeted at how Fiona only saw them as mere friends.

And so, while things presumably went back to normal, Miranda had a feeling that she wanted more, much to the protest of her more sensible side in her head.

Liv.exe indeed had stopped working for a bit, having snogged with Kat had made every other process turn off for a while.
But Kat's voice made Liv.exe work again - the metaphorical boot to the equally metaphorical computer. She, however, needed a moment as the rather eloquent reply to Kat showed: She stared at her for a moment, then made "Huh?"
A moment passed, then she cleared her throat.
"Oh, yes, uh...", she began, blushing a bit, "Right, uh... we can get going right now, a little tour of the Main Temple of Cuan. We can move my bag after the Bainis." She leaned over and pecked Kat onto her cheek, followed by whispering into her ear: "But when we have moved my bag, I would love to maybe take a little nap..."
Her tone and her breath stroking Kat's ear would make it clear, that sleep was the last think on her mind during that nap... at least Liv hoped.

Katherine blushed and felt hot and tingly at Liv’s implications. She shivered at the prospects of what was to come later that night.

“W-Well, of course. It’s going to be a long day.” Kat leaned in close to Liv’s ear and whispered, “And long night as well my dearie.”

As much as Kat wanted to keep fantasizing about the future, for now she had things in the present to do.

Kat stood up from her chair, and offered her hand out to Liv after she had shoved her own chair back in. Since all she had with her was her purse and her analog camera with some spare film, she was sure she had everything with her.

“Off we go, to a world of god knows what. But I’m sure we’ll be fine, let’s go and see what this temple holds for us!” She smiled a toothy grin.

Fiona returned the hug.
She saw them as friends, so far - with potential for more. Her hug, how she held the other young woman close, arms not wrapped around her shoulders or neck, but hips, pressing the two of them together, reflected that.
And how she missed Miranda's smile maybe being a bit too wide.
"Glad to hear that.", she said and took a moment to inhale Miranda's scent.

Liv smiled as she got up, without Kat's hand - the gesture was appreciated, but Liv was a big girl.
She knew this temple and its history, not as good as the one in Leuda, but she knew it. And she knew exactly, where to start: Now taking Kat's hand, she smiled and led her off from the large table.
"Now, we'll start at the beginning, in the Entrance Hall.", she said and led Liv to a large door... which did not lead into a hall, but into a small garden with vegetables, herbs and a large apple tree, which would take a few months still to be in bloom, but which was green already. A small cobblestone path led through the garden, between the little patches and both to two other doors and a small tool shack.
Liv took a deep breath and smiled at Kat.
Then she kissed her, onto the mouth, her arms snaking around the other young woman's neck. Although their was no tongue involved, it took a moment until they separated.
Looking into Kat's eyes, she whispered: "Thank you."

From the perspective of the Selkie-Archers, who watched Tieguang's arrow fly, they expected a good hit, wished him luck and... remained in stunned silence as the arrow cluttered to the ground at the other end of the gallery, having missed the target entirely.
Silence.
"Ah...", that lonely sound of the archer broke the moment and loud laughter came up - it was not laughter with ill intent, but clearly amused.
The maiden saw that a bit differently as she snapped in Selkie for them to shut it. After all, they, too, had not hit their targets immediately.
That brought most of them to reason and they resumed their own shooting, the maid turning to the Minrozians. "Sorry 'bout that, Sir, Ma'am.", she said, "Sometimes, one can't help to think, if these blokes actually think..." She shook her head. "In any case, that first shot was promising. You didn't shoot your own foot. And before you ask, yes, we already had that. Now we just need to get you to aim properly."
She thought for a moment, then took out her own bow and an arrow.
"Let's pretend, that you were teaching me, Sir - show me, how you do it!", she said, ready to be guided through the steps by Tieguang.

Kjalaara wrote:"Hi!" The tall man nodded, smiling politely. "I am looking for work. I don't have any papers besides my passport and visa but I think it is a work-visa. I'm good with most things, small and large. Goats have a tendency of disliking me but I think I can handle that. I can clean. I can cook. If you have a vacancy I am sure I can fill it. Also I can't cook. That was a lie."

The woman giggled at the "That was a lie."-line.
"Don't worry, we have enough cooks.", she said and opened the gate, "Come in, we can always use a pair of hands! Payment is in cash, though, it's an informal arrangement, after all."
She pulled out a little card from one of her belt's pouches, handing it to him.
"This makes you one of our people - do not loose it! It's also your only ticket to getting paid.", she explained, "And getting fed yourself. By the way, what's your name anyway, lad?"

En route to the Marcach Camp.
Marla even went so far as to kiss Hilda onto both cheeks as they hugged, but at the question of how she was doing... she exhaled and seemed to deflate a bit.
"Busy.", she said, "Mostly work for the Foreign Office. I am the diplomat attached to the SDF-Army Force Grey Wolf, read running around like a madwoman to organize things with people and the Army... all of which are remarkably stubborn and who seem to like to compare cannon-shaped dicks... even the female officers!"
She shook her head.
"My first free week in months.", she added.

In tactically sound advance towards the rear.
It didn't take long and we had picked up a small escort. Not only Soiprigh was on our heels, but also other Little Black Foxes: In the rafters, on the roofs, in the dark side-alleys, almost everywhere, one could see the little vulpines, if one was careful, almost a dozen, as I counted.
Then another dozen.
My boss' shop was well-known amongst the little vulpines of Cuan, my smell well-known.
And of course, everyone wanted to have a look at my boyfriend. It made me grin, as some of them even dared to step out of the shadows to get a better view.
Finnegan and Enya came closer to us again, Finnegan grinning.
Their diversion had been successful.

Gwen, as they linked arms, hoped, that his previous experiences would help him against Nora Cathlong.
Linking arms with Jan, Gwen, her pregnancy now revealed, led him towards the stairs, Srol in tow. His smile was wide and clear, warmed her heart and soul. It was a new beginning for life for him... Spring, in other words.
As they reached the lobby, one of the hotel workers, a middle-aged woman, smiled at Gwen, then at her younger colleague. Said younger colleague handed the older one a Gil-coin with incoherent grumbling under her breath. Gwen knew, that the Gil would go to the next temple.

Pina grinned, nodded.
"I hope so, too.", she said and looked forward, suddenly her grin turning softer, lovingly. "Speaking of..."
The young man with the dark blonde hair and the shining blue eyes smiled softly as well. He wore the tunic of Cuan's Green, a sword over his back, a quiver with arrows on his hip, the bowcase on the other side. He wore chainmail underneath the shirt, a padded shirt underneath that, and heavy boots.
He was lightly armoured, armed and dangerous only to one thing: The innocence of this scene.
Pina wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him while Lorgaire ran in circles around them, barking happily as he had found his master. A few of the inevitable audience chuckled at that, especially amongst the young men with the seven metre long pikes over their shoulders, dressed similarly to the young man, who was currently snogging Pina, but with helmets.

"Very good!", Mara said with a nod, "Excitement is good!"
She nodded to Rona, who was looking from one to the other with her eyes shining happily.
On the stage, the two musicians from two bands jamming around, warming up, got company, the silver-haired Eileen Íseal of the Tribe of Conn was joining them with her bass-guitar and jamming away happily, much to the crowd's delight.
Some were dancing.
The melody was an old classic, a slow Jig for lover's, not at all their usual programme.
Someone cleared his throat, a young lad, around Mona's age, making her blush and almost hiding, but her mother's smile made her hold her position.
"What is it, Ciaran?", Mavie asked in Selkie with a smile.
The young redhead, who had approached them was red as his hair was, took a deep breath and then, in one long word, spluttered out: "Rona,mayIhaveadancewithyou?"
The little girl almost looked like she wanted to faint, but she took the offered hand, both of her mothers nodding in approval. He led her off to the impromptu dance floor in front of the stage with the jamming musicians.
Mavie's hand was finding Rona's. "Kids these days...", she said with a grin, watching the blonde and red heads.

Haru's humbleness made Leonard smile - it sounded like she was really a very good sailor, but then again, he was better in swimming then in sailing. She was right about Hina, though, it was luck, that she had only cracked the lens of her glasses.
He smiled.
"Indeed, farming might be more of your forte.", he teased Hina a bit, turning back to Haru, "So, about your boat... what sort of boat is it?"
He might be a better swimmer then sailor, but that did not mean, that he didn't know port from starboard.

Branwen blushed, squeezing Shizuka's hand... and then hugged her.
"I am glad, too!", she said, whispered into her ear, "I mean, one rarely enough meets a kindred spirit, but... I was your fan, Shizuka... please allow me to be your friend."
Elin had stopped a few metres away, looking away. This was their little moment, she would only intrude. Besides, Shizuka would know a side of her sister, that she would not know, not any time soon, maybe never... she envied her a bit, if she was honest.
But if it made her little sis happy, then who was she to object?

The waitress noted down the apple juice, then looked up from her notepad.
"Today's special is the Traditional Breakfast.", she explained, "Porridge, eggs roasted from both sides, battered fish, or sausage, if you want that, fat from the frying and bread to wipe it up. Ideal energy delivery for a long day!"
She let a beat pass.
"Alternatively, we just put on a new pot of Maith and we have the bread-plate, which means slices of bread, butter, ham, cheese and jam, as well as vegetables."

The tea took two minutes, then the waitress returned with a small tablet.
The cup was of good porcellain, a small can on the tablet as well, filled with Matcha for two refills. A small container of sugar and a smaller carafe of fresh milk were on the tablet as well.
As she set everything up, the waitress couldn't help but glance at the notebook and the sketches, but also the photographs.
"They're good.", she complimented, "Hobby of yours?"

Austria-Bohemia-Hungary wrote:
20^th of March, Forenoon - Cuan

Madelene Seehofer and Heinrike Himmel, two university students from the faraway lands (not to be confused with the Commonwealth of Canada, sometimes known as Farawayland) of Bregenz, Ostmark found themselves in the unlikeliest of places to find subjects of the Monarchy. They were thousands of miles from the familiar shores of Lake Constance, guesting a restaurant in a country they were visiting for the very first time. How this came to be began really a year prior in the middle of their last terms of bachelor studies. Seehofer and Himmel, known even then in their circle of friends as a pair of inseparable lovebirds had decided to take a gap year and spend a private holiday somewhere nice once they've graduated from their bachelor programme. Their choice had eventually ended up being the Free Lands out of a week of deliberations, reason mostly being that it wasn't somewhere most Ostmarkians would ordinarily choose for a spring holiday trip. With visas applied for, flights and inns booked the rest of the year flew past almost too rapidly. And so twelve months after applying for a visa, Madelene and Heinrike found themselves in a sunny, rustic and hospitable little town somewhere really faraway from home.

They had woken up early this morning in Gléas Inn, remainder of a jet-lag gone, and gone through their breakfast in a hurry, excited for the day as they were. Like everybody else today their day started at Láir Square for the first official event of what was looking to be a pretty fully packed schedule.
As the opening ceremony of the Spring Festival - that of a sacrifice to beseech the Deities of Their continued favour during the coming year - solemnly concluded, Magdalene and Heinrike slowly ambulated back to their inn for some light eating before the next events. It felt rather weird being two unbelievers of any deity in a country that was deeply devote, although to Gods they have not heard of yet, and they had never seen a live sacrifice before. But it was not their station to question the religious customs of another culture altogether. That was up to the social sciences and theologians, and not up to two BSc's in biochemistry.

Arriving back at Gléas Inn they found to their disappointment that it was absolutely packed with tourists and had no tables available, a shame really because they had really enjoyed the food there so far. But the current situation afforded the two little choice other than to go find another eating establishment. Fortunately another one was but a few minutes walk away and this one seemed generally less crowded. Lann Tavern was the name, and the two students from Ostmark really liked how it looked. So without further ado, Madelene gently opened the door and entered with an accented and melodic "Hello? Do You have a table for two for brunch?"

Madelene's question, directed at a waiter in the entrance area, caused him to grin.
"Yes, Miss, we do!", he said and motioned for her to follow him, "Follow me, please!"
And with that, he led them through the busy tavern, where people were eating and were merry, over the stone-floor and past the dark-wood furniture, past the bar, where nothing alcoholic was served until later tonight, and upwards a small staircase, onto a small balcony. A small table was free by the edge, overlooking the street below and past it, an offshoot of the Petting Zoo, the horse-section.
Colts and fillies, and their equally equine parents, were grazing under the watchful eyes of people in completely white Geansais (of the Cult of Rhiannon) and some kids, which were talking shop under the eyes of their parents and guardians.
A few Marcach in full armour were there as well.
He pulled out the chairs for both ladies, the menu on the table already, and smiled. "Anything I can bring you while you decide on food?"

Kiah smiled.
"If you want to tell me, then go ahead.", she said and leaned back slightly, "As said, I have open ears and I will not force you to anything."
It would be the first time in a lot of time, that such a story was not bad memories, but Kiah was prepared for the best and the worst.

Soon after her start of the conversation, Eithne and Jeremiah found themselves in a fun and engaging conversation while navigating the streets of Cuan to the Blacksmiths' Quarters, where their destination was. Their topics ranged from distribution channels for hand-made toys to indeed making them, be they of iron and steel or other materials.
Eithne told her about a number of Traveling People in the Free Lands, who carved wooden toys and used Áilleagán Limited, the toy company, for their distribution with great success, while Jeremiah knew the story of a fellow blacksmith, who got under contract in product development in a major toy-manufacturing company.
And soon, their conversation was accompanied by the clanging of hammers, shaping swords and armours to measure of their customers. In one case, they came past a young man being measured for his armour - he stood there like the Gods made him, unpertubed that there were tourists around him and his blacksmith, who made photographs.
A few minutes after that, a voice called out in Selkie: "Ah, Eithne, Ilia and of course Mona, the Girl of the Day!"
The young woman, who would be married off to a God today, blushed lightly, the man in front of the smithy being a veritable bear of a man, massive and tall and grinning widely as he hugged the two kids with ease - while they still sat on the back of a horse.
"Happy Festival to you!", he said, then looked at Jeremiah, both kids still in his arms. "And who might you be, Sir?", he asked, switching to accented English.

Comin' together to Celebrate (IC)

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