The Festival of Holy Light II (IC Thread)

[The Scarlet Eagle]

AUORA

"Very good, I'm glad you're enjoying it. I'll let the Chef know of your compliments too, she'll be delighted to hear it. Anything more I can get for you?"

ANIMALPOLIS

"Ah wise words! For sure. Then I'll get these wrapped up for you and please take some more time to look around." She pulled out another case of the knives she hand on hand of all varieities she listed off earlier. "Let me know if you like anything."

AURORA
"Yes, two coffees and the bill please, asks Patricia with a smile.

ANIMALPOLIS
After a few more minutes, the two Scarlet American Women have taken to buy around 60 game knives, and as much as defense knives, and nearly all the stock of wooden dolls and stone works.
"For the knives, dolls and stones, that will be all, replies Catherine. Sorry if we nearly empty your stock, but since we have a lot of friends and family back home, we can't forget any of them, can we? says the blonde woman with a smile. Now, do you have any other paintings in stock?
-On the plus side, says Patricia with a smirk to the shopkeeper, your products will end up in the hands of our monarchs, you can be proud of that!"

[Cartoonia]

"Oh Sho." Tatsuya nodded with a smile given the name had the same origin as their own. "It's nice to meet you! I'm Tatsuya. This is my little sister, Sakura."

"Hello." Sakura responded as well taking her brother's hand so they could walk back.


Nadie smiled tossing a rag over her shoulder "Glad you folks are enjoying it and glad you came to pay our humble islands a visit. If you plan on traversing, try to go to Corona. That's where I'm from originally, small but beautiful."

“Tatsuya. Sakura” Sho repeated. “Nice to meet you”. They continue on through the trail, and Sho sensed that they would be back to the village soon. “I’m guessing you live around these islands right?”

---

“Corona huh? You know, we should” Randy says. “We could go see more islands here. Wouldn’t you agree Homer?”

“That sounds great!” Homer says before continuing to chow down. “If it’s good enough for a beer name, it’s good for us too” He adds with a muffled voice, chewing on food, probably more than normal people can handle.

[Kyrenaia]

[...]
The shop door continued opening and closing between people coming and going. One included Mamiko who looked a bit more disheveled compared to when Aurelia saw her outside the shop. A bit out of breath from the quick run to her home and back "Miss Aurelia!" She was glad to see she was still here not knowing if she was. "uuuh, well..." She had a blush on her cheeks, maybe from running but maybe just a bit bashful of talking to such a pretty Princess.

"Glad you're still here because I wanted to give you something. Because you know, you're so in love with our Duchess, it really reminds me of my mama. And you shopping here really helps my mama a lot because it gives us business. And well...." Reaching into her kimono she unfolded a large piece of paper a drawing of her mother and mother's own girlfriend. "You being in love with our Duchess is a lot like how my mama is in love with someone." She smiled ear to ear presenting her little gift to the Princess.

Kitan

"Oh hehehe thanks..." she smiled blushing a little while Amika wrapped her arms around her and rested her head on her shoulder "Filipinia is super pretty and cute and lovable! You'd have to be blind to not see it."

"Oh really, Amika a blind pun?" Filipina shook her head

"Hehe sorry, no offense."

Tsubaki

"Wow thank you again so much. Ohh uniforms huh? No, nothing special to wear you can wear whatever you pretty much like. Or nothing at all!" She laughed "Well kidding on that end but...Well just wear what you please and you'll do great. I'll let Shinji know then I'll take a few hours to go be with our son." She stood up to walk to the kitchen. "Shinji. Meet our two servers for a while."

"Really?" He asked surprised

"Yes indeed. These lovely ladies have offered their services for a while free in charge so I can take some time to rest and relax. Love you all right now work hard and I'll see you this afternoon."

She kissed her husband. "Ladies, thank you again. Good luck." she nodded parting their company.

Shinji turned back to the ladies "I share my wife's thanks. You're really helping us out here."

Princess Aurelia bint-Damir.
Port Aurora.
When Mamiko rushed in, I thought, that something had happened and was concerned - both because of her and her friend and, of course, Aldhiyb. But apparently, she had just gone and fetched something from home.
Something, as it turned out, for me.
Her blush was just the cutest, as she approached me nervously, me kneeling down on one knee in front of her, so that we were more level.
She gifted me a drawing of her own mother and her girlfriend, a really pretty one, and even told me her reasoning: Her mother, too, was in love with a woman and as much as I was in love with Marcella, Mamiko felt reminded of that. It was cute and the drawing was pretty.
I smiled, looked at the couple in the image, a bit of wistfulness in my eyes. One day, Marcella and I would look just like that and just as happy.
I looked at Mamiko, leaned forward and kissed her onto the forehead. "Thank you, Mamiko.", I said from the bottom of my heart, "I'll treasure it!" I did not feel, that I needed many more words to express my gratitude, except... "It's a pretty drawing. You have talent!"

Ava Shabh.
Kitan.
I smiled.
"And it seems, that you are already someone's beloved.", I said and nodded, letting a beat pass. "Then my offer is to both of you. I am really good with massages!"
It was true. I did have the experience!

Saida Adib.
Tsubaki, Animalpolis.
When we were introduced to Shinji as the new waitresses, Fara gave a small wave and we both smiled.
A short moment later, we were alone with him and he echoed his wife's gratitude. Fara smiled at that. "Think nothing of it, Boss. It's our pleasure.", she said and took in air. "Now... your wife said, that we are rather free to choose our uniform, including nothing at all..." She even blushed lightly at that. "...so what would you prefer? We can bring in a bit of Kyrenaian Flair as we have the costumes of Handmaidens on our boat. Would just need a few minutes to go and change and come back." She let a beat pass. "If you would like that, of course!"

[AHSCA]

AURORA
"Yes, two coffees and the bill please, asks Patricia with a smile.

ANIMALPOLIS
After a few more minutes, the two Scarlet American Women have taken to buy around 60 game knives, and as much as defense knives, and nearly all the stock of wooden dolls and stone works.
"For the knives, dolls and stones, that will be all, replies Catherine. Sorry if we nearly empty your stock, but since we have a lot of friends and family back home, we can't forget any of them, can we? says the blonde woman with a smile. Now, do you have any other paintings in stock?
-On the plus side, says Patricia with a smirk to the shopkeeper, your products will end up in the hands of our monarchs, you can be proud of that!"

AURORA

"Coming right up." She went to get their coffee and returned along with their bill. All in all it was about 1802 Island Credits for everything. "Here you are, two coffees and your bills. Please pay on your way out and thank you for your buisness." She bowed and left them to enjoy their coffee.


ANIMALPOLIS

"Oh please no apologies needed, I'm in business after all to make some money and I'm glad these appeal to you! Let's see some more paintings, I think I have a few more." She dug around pulling out a few smaller paintings. This one of the island at sunset the other of a large four-masted-sailing ship and one of the Goddesses they worshiped. "What do you think?"

“Tatsuya. Sakura” Sho repeated. “Nice to meet you”. They continue on through the trail, and Sho sensed that they would be back to the village soon. “I’m guessing you live around these islands right?”



“Corona huh? You know, we should” Randy says. “We could go see more islands here. Wouldn’t you agree Homer?”

“That sounds great!” Homer says before continuing to chow down. “If it’s good enough for a beer name, it’s good for us too” He adds with a muffled voice, chewing on food, probably more than normal people can handle.

Sho nodded "Yes sir. Well we're from Animalpolis but our family is visiting Aurora for the festival."

Sakura looked up when she felt a raindrop on her head "Big brother, I think it might rain soon."

"Yeah..." He looked at an inky black sky "Well don't worry. I can see the village lights already we must be getting closer. Thanks again Mister Sho."

"Yeah thank you very much."


"Haha yeah guess it kind of does sound like some kind of drink." Nadie chuckled "But it's so beautiful there and wild and natural. I mean I think all the islands are but Corona still has a strong oldness to it if you get what I'm saying. Thinkin' I need to get back myself already been a few years since I came to Aurora."

Princess Aurelia bint-Damir.
Port Aurora.
When Mamiko rushed in, I thought, that something had happened and was concerned - both because of her and her friend and, of course, Aldhiyb. But apparently, she had just gone and fetched something from home.
Something, as it turned out, for me.
Her blush was just the cutest, as she approached me nervously, me kneeling down on one knee in front of her, so that we were more level.
She gifted me a drawing of her own mother and her girlfriend, a really pretty one, and even told me her reasoning: Her mother, too, was in love with a woman and as much as I was in love with Marcella, Mamiko felt reminded of that. It was cute and the drawing was pretty.
I smiled, looked at the couple in the image, a bit of wistfulness in my eyes. One day, Marcella and I would look just like that and just as happy.
I looked at Mamiko, leaned forward and kissed her onto the forehead. "Thank you, Mamiko.", I said from the bottom of my heart, "I'll treasure it!" I did not feel, that I needed many more words to express my gratitude, except... "It's a pretty drawing. You have talent!"

Ava Shabh.
Kitan.
I smiled.
"And it seems, that you are already someone's beloved.", I said and nodded, letting a beat pass. "Then my offer is to both of you. I am really good with massages!"
It was true. I did have the experience!

Saida Adib.
Tsubaki, Animalpolis.
When we were introduced to Shinji as the new waitresses, Fara gave a small wave and we both smiled.
A short moment later, we were alone with him and he echoed his wife's gratitude. Fara smiled at that. "Think nothing of it, Boss. It's our pleasure.", she said and took in air. "Now... your wife said, that we are rather free to choose our uniform, including nothing at all..." She even blushed lightly at that. "...so what would you prefer? We can bring in a bit of Kyrenaian Flair as we have the costumes of Handmaidens on our boat. Would just need a few minutes to go and change and come back." She let a beat pass. "If you would like that, of course!"

Mamiko smiled getting the kiss from the Princess really made her feel happy. "Thank you very much!" She lisped out with her smile. "I drew it just for fun. When I saw you just felt like I should give it to you. The Festival is a time for giving thanks and this is my thanks to you and to the Goddess by giving someone nice something pretty."

Kumiko emerged from the backroom a moment "Oh, Mamiko, I didn't know you had come in."

"Oh hi, mama! Mama you know that pretty picture I made of you and Miss Reina? I decided I'd give it to Miss Aurelia for being here. Because ya know she's a lot like you."

"Oh..." She approached her daughter and gave a gentle stroke to her hair "That was very kind of you, my dear. Oh and Miss...Aurelia..." She had to remember the name a second also unsure if she should be formal with her by calling her Princess given it was her rightful title. "Thank you for coming in today. I imagine you recently got into port? I hoped you had a good journey over the seas."

"me too. I sail around lots with mama I know how big and scary the sea gets sometimes when there's a big storm!" Mamiko replied with urgency.

Kitan with Ava

Filipina giggled. "Hehe yeah, I am. Amika here..." She Amika's hand that rested on her shoulder "Actually that sounds really lovely. I wouldn't mind one either, woudl you?"

"No, it sounds fun really! Thank you ma'am!"

Tsubaki

Shinji nearly agreed to them being all natural but he shook that off, it was natural of a guy he supposed at first he was willing to let them work as they were but when they mentioned handmaiden outfits it sparked an idea in him "Actually, yeah. That sounds like it would be a real attraction for customers and something really interesting to see. So if you'd like I'd welcome that you wear handmaiden outfits. Celebrate our good friendship between us two countries!"

[Alenberg]

The young lady who had been stopped was happy to help the tourists along. "Mmm discrete huh? Just looking for some more peace outside the village? Perhaps maybe the Great Temple would suit you best then? Or maybe something further off the beaten path?" She thought a moment "There is a Catholic Mission nearby. They're usually pretty quiet especially around festival time but they welcome visitors. Much like the Temple as far as I know they don't charge for room or board but ask for a little service in return. Did that help?"

Trias bobbed his head. "That'll do, Ma'am. Could you tell me how to get there?"

[Mervay]

Twin Palms

Kumiko thought a moment. "Mmmm....I think I might have something. To be honest I was going to offload it when I went abroad again." She rummaged through things pulling out a ring with a noticeable sapphire. "To be honest, my dear, I can't vouch for how authentic this is. It was given to me on my last voyage. Something for nothing usually isn't a thing in the business world. But the sapphire looks real as does the metal band which I think is silver. But that's only my opinion. I think the sapphire matches her eyes very well. She'll love it real or not. I was hoping to get it professionally evaluated but based on my experience I think I can let it go for 10,000 Credits. A ring like this would usually be more like 100,000 but as I said I can't verify the authenticity."

Kitan

"Agustinas. My my what a lovely name that is. And I'm glad our reputation proceeds us from the year prior. When I first set up the Kitan, it was on Animalpolis, my home island. Really it was a place to help young ladies after The War. Many widowed, orphaned. People needed something to get back to a sense of normalcy so I set up a very inexpensive little pub and inn. After things recovered and as AHSCA became less isolated I came here to set up a more high end resort to cater to tourists and of course help the local young women here. But of course that's without ignoring the local population which is why our baths are very inexpensive."

Twin Palms Shop

Tess looked at the ring Kumiko took. Stunning to say at least, beautiful and surely expensive, the latter won't be an issue knowing the wealth of Tess family. Sapphire, one of the most beautiful ever known stones on the world, a beauty and one that could match Satou's dark blue eyes in this case. She was all in to buy it, until... Kumiko told her she couldn't verify if it was authentic.
So. This was tied, on one hand she wanted to buy it, but on the other, she knew it could be fake, no one gives you such thing without something in exchange or with a twist.

"I know the dangers of this being so cheap and that it could be fake, trust me, my family knows about it. And such, if it was any other person which was selling me the ring, I would have asked to buy it by just 5000 Credits or not buy it..." She spoke, letting a beat pass... "But... Since you are known for having the best quality and that I trust on you entirely Kumiko, I will buy it at the price you set." Tess smiled warmly at Kumiko as she knew that what she was buying could be or not real, but she was willing to buy it if Satou would be happy.

"I will verify the ring when I have the chance, if it is real I'll pay you the 90.000 remaining credits. Sounds fair right??"

Kitan Resort

Now that was an interesting story, so Tsubasa opened the Kitan as a shelter for help young ladies after The War in her home island, Animalpolis. Things were grim after it and for everything to go back to normal would take time, it seems she helped with her grain of sand when she created the Kitan as that cheap little pub and Inn.
Then. Things normalized and AHSCA was opening to the world, she moved to Aurora and moved The Kitan with her too, making it this five star and top resort for tourists as she helped the girls of Aurora too, not forgetting of your normal citzen too, reason the baths are very cheap.

Agustinas was impressed, an local entrepeneur and philantropist, successful and having one of the number one destinies for tourists coming to the island. Now that's impressive and great to hear.

"Well. I have to congratulate you then, I really have, not many people could do what you did after a war to be honest. I'm impressed with what you did to be honest, Ma'am Tsubasa I take my hat off in respect for you."

[AHSCA]

Trias bobbed his head. "That'll do, Ma'am. Could you tell me how to get there?"

"Tell ya what...I'll take you there myself if you give me a few minutes to change and grab some transport. My little place isn't far from here so it won't take long. It'll be dark soon enough and hate to see you folks get lost. Not to mention I think rain is due this evening so I'll take you there free of charge."

Twin Palms Shop

Tess looked at the ring Kumiko took. Stunning to say at least, beautiful and surely expensive, the latter won't be an issue knowing the wealth of Tess family. Sapphire, one of the most beautiful ever known stones on the world, a beauty and one that could match Satou's dark blue eyes in this case. She was all in to buy it, until... Kumiko told her she couldn't verify if it was authentic.
So. This was tied, on one hand she wanted to buy it, but on the other, she knew it could be fake, no one gives you such thing without something in exchange or with a twist.

"I know the dangers of this being so cheap and that it could be fake, trust me, my family knows about it. And such, if it was any other person which was selling me the ring, I would have asked to buy it by just 5000 Credits or not buy it..." She spoke, letting a beat pass... "But... Since you are known for having the best quality and that I trust on you entirely Kumiko, I will buy it at the price you set." Tess smiled warmly at Kumiko as she knew that what she was buying could be or not real, but she was willing to buy it if Satou would be happy.

"I will verify the ring when I have the chance, if it is real I'll pay you the 90.000 remaining credits. Sounds fair right??"

Kitan Resort

Now that was an interesting story, so Tsubasa opened the Kitan as a shelter for help young ladies after The War in her home island, Animalpolis. Things were grim after it and for everything to go back to normal would take time, it seems she helped with her grain of sand when she created the Kitan as that cheap little pub and Inn.
Then. Things normalized and AHSCA was opening to the world, she moved to Aurora and moved The Kitan with her too, making it this five star and top resort for tourists as she helped the girls of Aurora too, not forgetting of your normal citzen too, reason the baths are very cheap.

Agustinas was impressed, an local entrepeneur and philantropist, successful and having one of the number one destinies for tourists coming to the island. Now that's impressive and great to hear.

"Well. I have to congratulate you then, I really have, not many people could do what you did after a war to be honest. I'm impressed with what you did to be honest, Ma'am Tsubasa I take my hat off in respect for you."

Twin Palms Shop

Kumiko blushed a little just taken aback by how generous Tess was. Such a kind girl she was, and Satou was a lucky young lady to have her in her life. "Oh Miss Tess...You are so generous and it's just always so wonderful to hear. It sounds like a pretty good deal to me and I accept your offer! Now then, if you have accepted I can wrap it for you. Is there anything more I can show you today or will that be all?"

The Kitan

"Oh thank you Milady you are so kind. To have people like you and any person be here as needed just warms me up. I've been around a very long time and have seen lots of good and bad. But I always like seeing the good in the world and you are a good lovely Queen." she set her empty dish aside. "Now then..." She stood up offering her hand to the Queen "Shall we go enjoy a bath together and continue chatting?"

[The Scarlet Eagle]

AURORA

"Coming right up." She went to get their coffee and returned along with their bill. All in all it was about 1802 Island Credits for everything. "Here you are, two coffees and your bills. Please pay on your way out and thank you for your buisness." She bowed and left them to enjoy their coffee.


ANIMALPOLIS

"Oh please no apologies needed, I'm in business after all to make some money and I'm glad these appeal to you! Let's see some more paintings, I think I have a few more." She dug around pulling out a few smaller paintings. This one of the island at sunset the other of a large four-masted-sailing ship and one of the Goddesses they worshiped. "What do you think?"

AURORA
"Thank you very much, replies the Ambassador with a smile, before him and his wife start to sip on their coffee, while their son Henry drinks the last drops of the tea.
"So, what do you want to do now? asks Patricia to her husband and son.
-Can we go see the Main Temple Mom? asks Henry with a smile. And then maybe we can go shopping.
-That sounds like a great idea son, let's do that." reply both of his parents.
After a few more minutes, the family has finished their drinks, and is back at the restaurant entrance to pay their bill.
"Here, keep the cash, he says as he hands the waitress 2000 Island Credits. And thanks again for this meal and your kindness." says Daniel with a smile.

ANIMALPOLIS
"Well, replies Catherine as her lover and her examine the paintings, I think this one would be good in Anax's and Anna's chambers, she says as she points to the sunset one. What do you think Patricia?
-I totally agree with you, answers the brown-haired woman, and I know Yuri will love this one, she adds as she shows the sailing ship one. And I bet this would look good in Phillip's and yours office, she finishes, as she shows the Madokami one.
-Yup, you know me like not many else, replies the blonde woman with a tender smile.
Anyway, she says as she turns back to the shopkeeper, I think that will be all. So we have 60 various game knives, as many defense knives, nearly every doll and woodwork on display, and those 5 paintings. So how much would that cost?" asks the female Lieutenant Colonel.

[AHSCA]

AURORA
"Thank you very much, replies the Ambassador with a smile, before him and his wife start to sip on their coffee, while their son Henry drinks the last drops of the tea.
"So, what do you want to do now? asks Patricia to her husband and son.
-Can we go see the Main Temple Mom? asks Henry with a smile. And then maybe we can go shopping.
-That sounds like a great idea son, let's do that." reply both of his parents.
After a few more minutes, the family has finished their drinks, and is back at the restaurant entrance to pay their bill.
"Here, keep the cash, he says as he hands the waitress 2000 Island Credits. And thanks again for this meal and your kindness." says Daniel with a smile.

ANIMALPOLIS
"Well, replies Catherine as her lover and her examine the paintings, I think this one would be good in Anax's and Anna's chambers, she says as she points to the sunset one. What do you think Patricia?
-I totally agree with you, answers the brown-haired woman, and I know Yuri will love this one, she adds as she shows the sailing ship one. And I bet this would look good in Phillip's and yours office, she finishes, as she shows the Madokami one.
-Yup, you know me like not many else, replies the blonde woman with a tender smile.
Anyway, she says as she turns back to the shopkeeper, I think that will be all. So we have 60 various game knives, as many defense knives, nearly every doll and woodwork on display, and those 5 paintings. So how much would that cost?" asks the female Lieutenant Colonel.

AURORA

"Oh thank you very much." The waitress accepted with a bow "And have a nice day and please dine with us again."


The family wanted to go to the great temple they need only walk up the village center a while longer to arrive at it at the end of the road nestled in a batch of trees and foliage as it always was but easy to see given it was filled with locals and tourists alike. Priestesses greeted who they could and some played music or sang. If they wanted to go inside the doors were wide open. The interior was a large stone room with a large statue of the two Goddesses of the religion of Madokami. Priestesses were running about to do various official duties or of course greet guests and tourists. "Welcome." Many of them would have spoken "Feel free to look around or ask any questions."


ANIMALPOLIS

"All right give me a moment to tally it all up." She quickly wrote and added all the numbers of everything she almost grew faint with how much it ended up being "All right. Your final total is 4 Million Island Credits. Will that be okay?"

[Kyrenaia]

Mamiko smiled getting the kiss from the Princess really made her feel happy. "Thank you very much!" She lisped out with her smile. "I drew it just for fun. When I saw you just felt like I should give it to you. The Festival is a time for giving thanks and this is my thanks to you and to the Goddess by giving someone nice something pretty."

Kumiko emerged from the backroom a moment "Oh, Mamiko, I didn't know you had come in."

"Oh hi, mama! Mama you know that pretty picture I made of you and Miss Reina? I decided I'd give it to Miss Aurelia for being here. Because ya know she's a lot like you."

"Oh..." She approached her daughter and gave a gentle stroke to her hair "That was very kind of you, my dear. Oh and Miss...Aurelia..." She had to remember the name a second also unsure if she should be formal with her by calling her Princess given it was her rightful title. "Thank you for coming in today. I imagine you recently got into port? I hoped you had a good journey over the seas."

"me too. I sail around lots with mama I know how big and scary the sea gets sometimes when there's a big storm!" Mamiko replied with urgency.

Kitan with Ava

Filipina giggled. "Hehe yeah, I am. Amika here..." She Amika's hand that rested on her shoulder "Actually that sounds really lovely. I wouldn't mind one either, woudl you?"

"No, it sounds fun really! Thank you ma'am!"

Tsubaki

Shinji nearly agreed to them being all natural but he shook that off, it was natural of a guy he supposed at first he was willing to let them work as they were but when they mentioned handmaiden outfits it sparked an idea in him "Actually, yeah. That sounds like it would be a real attraction for customers and something really interesting to see. So if you'd like I'd welcome that you wear handmaiden outfits. Celebrate our good friendship between us two countries!"

Princess Aurelia bint-Damir.
Port Aurora.
When Mamiko called me 'Miss Aurelia', too, I had to smile. It sounded wonderful, yet quite odd... that was quickly disbanded, though.
"Indeed, I arrived yesterday rather late.", I said and rose again, still smiling, "The trip was nice, just me, my first officer and my little Harira." I smiled. "That's my little boat, a mighty fine little vessel! We had our little share of nice encounters again, though."
Better not mention the submarine waiting outside of the EEZ...

Ava Shabh.
Kitan.
"Oh, just Ava, please.", I said with a smile, "And it would be my pleasure. Though first... let's relax a little bit."
I leaned back slightly.
"Amika, Filipina, please tell me a bit about yourselves.", I asked of the two, "How is living here like?"

Saida Adib.
Tsubaki, Animalpolis.
We both saw, that Shinji was not entirely opposed to the idea of the two of us being in our birthday suits, but he dismissed it.
He did agree to the Handmaiden's Dress, though, the iconic Altanafus min la Shay, the Breath of Nothing.
"Well, Boss - that's your decision, then!", I said and nodded, "We'll be back in a few minutes!"
And that we were, ten minutes later, changed.
I wore my usual dress, which I wore for work at the Palace or as Fara's Handmaiden, consisting of a white, silken band running from the left side of the neck down to the right breast, around my back to the left breast and then up again to the right side of the neck. The silken band was adorned with red threads running through it, showing my allegiance to the Palace of the Ruby Hall to those, who knew our iconography. A short skirt of white silk completed the outfit.
Fara wore something similar, although her skirt was a slight bit longer and her silken breast band folded a slight bit less wide, showing more breast. It served well in distracting from the vicious scar on her abdomen, which was now plainly visible.
We had the veils with us, but had them folded away.
Standing in front of Shinji again, we bowed our heads.
"What is thy bidding, Milord?", I asked of the cook in the formal way, which Handmaidens adopted, taking the lead.

[AHSCA]

Princess Aurelia bint-Damir.
Port Aurora.
When Mamiko called me 'Miss Aurelia', too, I had to smile. It sounded wonderful, yet quite odd... that was quickly disbanded, though.
"Indeed, I arrived yesterday rather late.", I said and rose again, still smiling, "The trip was nice, just me, my first officer and my little Harira." I smiled. "That's my little boat, a mighty fine little vessel! We had our little share of nice encounters again, though."
Better not mention the submarine waiting outside of the EEZ...

Ava Shabh.
Kitan.
"Oh, just Ava, please.", I said with a smile, "And it would be my pleasure. Though first... let's relax a little bit."
I leaned back slightly.
"Amika, Filipina, please tell me a bit about yourselves.", I asked of the two, "How is living here like?"

Saida Adib.
Tsubaki, Animalpolis.
We both saw, that Shinji was not entirely opposed to the idea of the two of us being in our birthday suits, but he dismissed it.
He did agree to the Handmaiden's Dress, though, the iconic Altanafus min la Shay, the Breath of Nothing.
"Well, Boss - that's your decision, then!", I said and nodded, "We'll be back in a few minutes!"
And that we were, ten minutes later, changed.
I wore my usual dress, which I wore for work at the Palace or as Fara's Handmaiden, consisting of a white, silken band running from the left side of the neck down to the right breast, around my back to the left breast and then up again to the right side of the neck. The silken band was adorned with red threads running through it, showing my allegiance to the Palace of the Ruby Hall to those, who knew our iconography. A short skirt of white silk completed the outfit.
Fara wore something similar, although her skirt was a slight bit longer and her silken breast band folded a slight bit less wide, showing more breast. It served well in distracting from the vicious scar on her abdomen, which was now plainly visible.
We had the veils with us, but had them folded away.
Standing in front of Shinji again, we bowed our heads.
"What is thy bidding, Milord?", I asked of the cook in the formal way, which Handmaidens adopted, taking the lead.

AURORA

"Sounds like you had quite the adventure then." Kumiko smiled as bright as her little one. I can see why the Duchess is so fond of you with a shared love of sailing. To be able to do it on your own -- well mostly on your own I should say -- it's very impressive."

"mhm I think so too." Mamiko agreed. "I hope you have a nice time here too. One day I bet we'll be on a ship together when you just feel like traveling ya know!" Mamiko thought not sure if that would be true but good thought that maybe on a trip with her mother overseas somewhere she'd see Aurelia aboard too just traveling like any ordinary citizen.

"Anyway I know Azusa has been helping you in shopping, anything else maybe I can help you with or shall we let you get back to looking around for a whille?"


Kitan

"All right, Ava it is then!" Amika agreed

"You got it." Filipina agreed as well. "Of course best to take time to just enjoy the hot water and soak. Oh living here huh? Well I guess we both love it enough but not sure either of us have much to compare against. I think we mentioned we're both from Corona Island and are visiting Aurora so we're on a trip but haven't been overseas."

"Yeah I think it's great. So about us, let's see...Both in our teens but already considered come-of-age by island standards....Not married....well yet..."

"I'd like to have some more school before that." Filipinia said "I wasn't able to go earlier because I'm blind and my village school didn't have materials. But a foreign teacher helped me out with that. But I imagine Amika and I will settle together."

"Sure sure. And I think we'd like to take a trip overseas sometime. Ideally somewhere warm I don't think either of us could do cold weather."

"I don't think so either. So maybe where your from the hot deserts. Maybe up to Kuronami which is closer. We'll see, we're saving a little money."

"Fili here she may be blind but she can sew a net like nobody's business."

"Well skills I learned from my mama. She sews and makes nets for fisherman and for fashion too. Not much money in it but she likes it."

Tsubaki

"thanks again." He continued cooking and taking any remaining orders until they arrived. Sights of beauty to behold in those outfits of theirs. Now he'd love to see his wife in one sometime well maybe he could ask them for an outfit for her as a favor maybe but for now he decided to give them their first duties. "All right. Ladies first thing first we have a batch of new customers in. Take their orders and report them to me. Take any empty dishes here to be cleaned."

[Mervay]

Twin Palms Shop

Kumiko blushed a little just taken aback by how generous Tess was. Such a kind girl she was, and Satou was a lucky young lady to have her in her life. "Oh Miss Tess...You are so generous and it's just always so wonderful to hear. It sounds like a pretty good deal to me and I accept your offer! Now then, if you have accepted I can wrap it for you. Is there anything more I can show you today or will that be all?"

The Kitan

"Oh thank you Milady you are so kind. To have people like you and any person be here as needed just warms me up. I've been around a very long time and have seen lots of good and bad. But I always like seeing the good in the world and you are a good lovely Queen." she set her empty dish aside. "Now then..." She stood up offering her hand to the Queen "Shall we go enjoy a bath together and continue chatting?"

Twin Palms Shop

"No. Nothing more at all Kumiko, I think that is all." Tess smiled as she took out her wallet from her purse. Clearly always willing to pay the price of what she bought and a bit more with a good tip.

"Also, how are things going?? Have you found that someone special??" She asked curiously as she took the amount she needed to pay, plus 3000 more credits.

The Kitan

She was surprised to hear such kind words from Tsubasa as they spoke, clearly she blushed at the comments that her new friend said.

"Thank you. Thank you for such comments, I'm flattered, really. Those are some of the nicest comments, you don't know how nice and happy make me." Agus spoke with an warm smile on her face, meanwhile she noticed her setting her empty dish aside. Agus grinned at it as she nodded and accepted Tsubasa hand.

"I would love to Tsubasa, sounds nice. Still. What do we say to your waitress, she might be coming with our order isn't she??"

[AHSCA]

Twin Palms Shop

"No. Nothing more at all Kumiko, I think that is all." Tess smiled as she took out her wallet from her purse. Clearly always willing to pay the price of what she bought and a bit more with a good tip.

"Also, how are things going?? Have you found that someone special??" She asked curiously as she took the amount she needed to pay, plus 3000 more credits.

The Kitan

She was surprised to hear such kind words from Tsubasa as they spoke, clearly she blushed at the comments that her new friend said.

"Thank you. Thank you for such comments, I'm flattered, really. Those are some of the nicest comments, you don't know how nice and happy make me." Agus spoke with an warm smile on her face, meanwhile she noticed her setting her empty dish aside. Agus grinned at it as she nodded and accepted Tsubasa hand.

"I would love to Tsubasa, sounds nice. Still. What do we say to your waitress, she might be coming with our order isn't she??"

Twin Palms

Kumiko graciously accepted the money with a bow of thanks and put it in the safe box where they stored all the funds of the shop. It seemed Tess still wanted to chat casually with her, and she wouldn't mind some good conversation either. "As as matter of fact, I have. Her name is Reina. She's a sailor I met aboard a ship bound to Kuronami." Tess seemed intrigued to learn more by Kumiko's judgement. Honestly she probably wasn't much older than Tess was right now, she could see them being friends if they had known each other growing up even with an age difference. "Well ya see, Tess. I travel a lot and to offset costs I do work crew a lot. So I met Reina while working as crew aboard a small schooner as I mentioned that was going up to Kuronami. So we worked together aboard the ship and well..." she blushed a little more "Well along the way we ran into a terrible storm. Of course it was a long cold night of seas pounding on us and once we could be relived to rest we just had grown closer and so we found ourselves in our little cabin together...." she whispered the rest to the ear of Tess about a very long night of the two women sharing a bit more than just talk. Then again back to her normal voice, "The weather, Tess. Islanders here we live by it and well it's what often brings us together. Our two Goddesses represent that. I'm glad you and I can talk like this. It's enjoyable to be see you more than a customer but as a friend."

The Kitan

She smiled and nodded "You're welcome, Dear Agus. Oh yes she is indeed and I'll have her put it on hold. I figure I don't want to hold up the rooms too long. So let's go on ahead and we can eat a little later. I sense a storm is coming that means the tourists and locals out enjoying the nightlife will soon be coming in. Also don't fear, I know you've probably heard how wild our weather can be at times but this year we've been assured hurricanes will stay away. Just thunderstorms are always common in a tropical climate like our own."

[Cartoonia]

Sho nodded "Yes sir. Well we're from Animalpolis but our family is visiting Aurora for the festival."

Sakura looked up when she felt a raindrop on her head "Big brother, I think it might rain soon."

"Yeah..." He looked at an inky black sky "Well don't worry. I can see the village lights already we must be getting closer. Thanks again Mister Sho."

"Yeah thank you very much."

"Haha yeah guess it kind of does sound like some kind of drink." Nadie chuckled "But it's so beautiful there and wild and natural. I mean I think all the islands are but Corona still has a strong oldness to it if you get what I'm saying. Thinkin' I need to get back myself already been a few years since I came to Aurora."

“No problem” he responds. Feeling a little drop of rain on his shoulders. He hoped he brought an umbrella. Eventually, they made their way out of the forest and back to the village, the town filled with light once the night sky kicked in.

“Well, we’re here. Do you know where your parents are staying, or doing right now?”

---

“That seems fun” Homer says. “We should do-*HIC*”. Homer hiccups, the first sign of getting drunk. They may have strong alcohol tolerance levels, but there is still a fine line. He shakes his head, knowing he is not starting to get drunk. Absolutely not.

“I’m fine, don’t worry” He says.

“I don’t know man, sounds like your feeling buzzed” Randy replies.

“I said I’m fine”

“Well, anyway we should go to Corona soon while we’re here”.

[AHSCA]

“No problem” he responds. Feeling a little drop of rain on his shoulders. He hoped he brought an umbrella. Eventually, they made their way out of the forest and back to the village, the town filled with light once the night sky kicked in.

“Well, we’re here. Do you know where your parents are staying, or doing right now?”



“That seems fun” Homer says. “We should do-*HIC*”. Homer hiccups, the first sign of getting drunk. They may have strong alcohol tolerance levels, but there is still a fine line. He shakes his head, knowing he is not starting to get drunk. Absolutely not.

“I’m fine, don’t worry” He says.

“I don’t know man, sounds like your feeling buzzed” Randy replies.

“I said I’m fine”

“Well, anyway we should go to Corona soon while we’re here”.

At long last they made it to the village. The rain was still slowly coming on with a few sporadic drops falling before long it was starting up a slow drizzle. Thunder was also starting up too. "Oh they said they'd meet us at the great temple by nightfall. So that's where we'll head next."

"Thank you again, Mister Sho." Sakura responded


Nadie had to agree with Randy "Yeah think I agree with your friend here. Well anyway if you two are looking to go to Corona today best get out to the harbor while you can then. Plenty of island hopping ships for low fares going around. I know quite a few of the guys and gals there, so they're all good folks. although if you folks have a room already I'd suggest going out tomorrow given how busy things are."

[Shwe Tu Colony]

The Island of Aurora, Docks
"We told the others not to follow, right, Mary?" Eglantyne Baestia joked as she gazed out into the docks from her spot on the vessel, taking a bite out of her ice cream sundae. She rested her head in the elbow that held her dessert towards the sky & yawned, stretching her arms. "Mary, wake up."
"Hmm? Oh, yes... no, no I didn't." The Domeses of Faith gave an apologetic smile as she clutched the glowing pearl in her hands, her vibe still a saintly one. "I am certain that they will not bother us. Nobody would dare to anger you, Eglantyne."
"Oh come on, I'm the nicest woman in Psytronius. I wouldn't hurt anyone, unless they hurt a child." Anyone nearby could feel that sort of aura from Eglantyne — one of protection towards the youthful, one utterly terrifying to those who had done wrong to them. As Domeses of The Youth, The Hearth, & The Heart, she served the unmentioned side of Psytronius, that of morals & emotions. As it turned out, their standards of research came with horrid qualms, especially as advanced became elementary & as the bizarre began to bleed into their world, eventually creating the mad reverie most knew as their world. The sanctity of life meant less & less, & Eglantyne was the guardian of that old sacred rule.
"That is exactly their fright. Your vengeance is unparalleled in all of Psytronius. It is perhaps a little unfair," Mary joked as she half-lied on the boat's railing & snuck her head between Eglantyne's arms, caressing the other's cheek.

"Woah! Slow down there, Mary." Eglantyne chuckled. "This definitely isn't kid friendly. & plus, we're right next to the docks now. We better head off." Mary nodded & straightened herself out on the deck with her pearl still tight in her arms, & the two women watched as the boat connected to their dock. As Eglantyne shook her head to feel the cool ocean wind blow her light blue hair, Mary began a slow, saintly walk forward, her dark robes shortened for the journey so that they would not trail behind her & be tarnished. Soon enough, the two were on dry land, & they took in the sights of the island, Eglantyne watching as the younger islanders played & Mary looking at the ceremonies & temples, assuming there was any such things near the docks. "Do you feel that, Eglantyne?" Mary asked as she took a deliberate step forward. "Something divine & precious?"
"Well, this is a religious ceremony, Mary." The other Domeses sauntered up to her, one hand still holding her chilled sundae. "That's no surprise."
"It makes me smile."
"This seems like a time where there is a whole lot to smile about, Mary." Eglantyne took a few steps forward, & sniffed the fresh sea air. "Come on, let's get going. Einuis mentioned some hotel named... the kitten or something like that. Whatever it is, we'll find it." She gestured for Mary to follow, & the two wandered off into the city.

"Maybe we're a bit lost, Mary."
"Very lost. Look, your ice cream is all melted now — we've taken far too long here. Why don't we go ask that fellow over there?" Mary leaned onto Eglantyne's shoulder, peering into her glowing pearl for a moment. When the other began walking with a flip of her hair, she got off of her shoulder & followed.
"Good morning, sir! I'm Eglantyne Baestia of..." she trailed off. "Anyway! She's Mary Çori, & we're a little lost. You wouldn't happen to know where the, uh, kitten, Is, would you? I don't know its actual name, but its something like that, as far as I know. Some inn on this island that a friend of mine stayed at once. Oh, & you wouldn't happen to know a place that sells good ice cream too, would you?"

[Kyrenaia]

AURORA

"Sounds like you had quite the adventure then." Kumiko smiled as bright as her little one. I can see why the Duchess is so fond of you with a shared love of sailing. To be able to do it on your own -- well mostly on your own I should say -- it's very impressive."

"mhm I think so too." Mamiko agreed. "I hope you have a nice time here too. One day I bet we'll be on a ship together when you just feel like traveling ya know!" Mamiko thought not sure if that would be true but good thought that maybe on a trip with her mother overseas somewhere she'd see Aurelia aboard too just traveling like any ordinary citizen.

"Anyway I know Azusa has been helping you in shopping, anything else maybe I can help you with or shall we let you get back to looking around for a whille?"


Kitan

"All right, Ava it is then!" Amika agreed

"You got it." Filipina agreed as well. "Of course best to take time to just enjoy the hot water and soak. Oh living here huh? Well I guess we both love it enough but not sure either of us have much to compare against. I think we mentioned we're both from Corona Island and are visiting Aurora so we're on a trip but haven't been overseas."

"Yeah I think it's great. So about us, let's see...Both in our teens but already considered come-of-age by island standards....Not married....well yet..."

"I'd like to have some more school before that." Filipinia said "I wasn't able to go earlier because I'm blind and my village school didn't have materials. But a foreign teacher helped me out with that. But I imagine Amika and I will settle together."

"Sure sure. And I think we'd like to take a trip overseas sometime. Ideally somewhere warm I don't think either of us could do cold weather."

"I don't think so either. So maybe where your from the hot deserts. Maybe up to Kuronami which is closer. We'll see, we're saving a little money."

"Fili here she may be blind but she can sew a net like nobody's business."

"Well skills I learned from my mama. She sews and makes nets for fisherman and for fashion too. Not much money in it but she likes it."

Tsubaki

"thanks again." He continued cooking and taking any remaining orders until they arrived. Sights of beauty to behold in those outfits of theirs. Now he'd love to see his wife in one sometime well maybe he could ask them for an outfit for her as a favor maybe but for now he decided to give them their first duties. "All right. Ladies first thing first we have a batch of new customers in. Take their orders and report them to me. Take any empty dishes here to be cleaned."

Princess Aurelia bint-Damir.
Port Aurora.
I smiled at Mamiko. "It would be my pleasure to take you around the block one day, but until then, I'm going to need a bigger boat...", I told her, smiling, "The Harira is a bit small, after all."
Well, the Aurelia might be a bit too big, to be honest... we will see, what will happen in the future.
I turned to her mother. "Miss Azusa has been helping me, yes, but I am looking around for now. I am searching mostly for souvenirs, right now.", I said with a grin, before I thought of something: "Say, if I wanted to get traditional bows and arrows, where would I go?"

Ava Shabh.
Kitan.
"Try the Oileánra-Archipelago.", I said with a smile, "The Sultanate might be a bit too hot and dry. The Archipelago is sub-tropical, has beautiful beaches, is teeming with wildlife and has nice people living there. I recommend trying to get a spot in an inn in Dumhach. A wonderful little city!"
I leaned over.
"And, to be honest, they also make very good spirits...", I added with an audible grin.

Saida Adib.
Tsubaki, Animalpolis.
We both nodded and went to work.
It took a moment for both of us to get used to being waitresses, essentially, but we got the hang of it rather quickly. It was also good that we left the veils off - with them on, we would have to remain silent, but like this, we could talk, ask for clarifications.
Fara mostly collected dishes, I took orders. Deliveries were done by whoever was there first. The new group of arrivals took their orders quickly and I returned to Shinji with the notepad's paper torn off for him to work with.
"Here ya go.", I said and grinned.
This was actually fun!

[The Scarlet Eagle]

AURORA

"Oh thank you very much." The waitress accepted with a bow "And have a nice day and please dine with us again."


The family wanted to go to the great temple they need only walk up the village center a while longer to arrive at it at the end of the road nestled in a batch of trees and foliage as it always was but easy to see given it was filled with locals and tourists alike. Priestesses greeted who they could and some played music or sang. If they wanted to go inside the doors were wide open. The interior was a large stone room with a large statue of the two Goddesses of the religion of Madokami. Priestesses were running about to do various official duties or of course greet guests and tourists. "Welcome." Many of them would have spoken "Feel free to look around or ask any questions."


ANIMALPOLIS

"All right give me a moment to tally it all up." She quickly wrote and added all the numbers of everything she almost grew faint with how much it ended up being "All right. Your final total is 4 Million Island Credits. Will that be okay?"

AURORA
"Greetings, says Daniel and Patricia to the Priestesses as they enter the Main Temple. We would like to know if you can show us around a bit, and tell us more about this temple and the Godesses please." asks the Imperial Ambassador with a smile.

ANIMALPOLIS.
"Of course it will be okay," replies Patricia with a dismissive hand gesture, as if she had been told this was the price of a simple slice of bread.
The truth was, that both women had, for this trip, packed enough money to buy all of the island, if they wanted.
"However, continues the brown-haired woman, we don't have enough on us right now, the rest is at the end. Catherine? she asks as she turns to her friend, only to see an empty space, and a shadow exiting the store. That's why I love her, you don't need to talk to much to achieve things wit her," she adds to the shopkeeper with a smile.

A few minutes later, the blonde woman comes back, with a bagpack full of money.
"Here is it, she says as she puts the bag on the counter. Can you please keep all of this for a few moments? We are going to send a team from the ship that brought us here to retrieve all of those."

[AHSCA]

The Island of Aurora, Docks
"We told the others not to follow, right, Mary?" Eglantyne Baestia joked as she gazed out into the docks from her spot on the vessel, taking a bite out of her ice cream sundae. She rested her head in the elbow that held her dessert towards the sky & yawned, stretching her arms. "Mary, wake up."
"Hmm? Oh, yes... no, no I didn't." The Domeses of Faith gave an apologetic smile as she clutched the glowing pearl in her hands, her vibe still a saintly one. "I am certain that they will not bother us. Nobody would dare to anger you, Eglantyne."
"Oh come on, I'm the nicest woman in Psytronius. I wouldn't hurt anyone, unless they hurt a child." Anyone nearby could feel that sort of aura from Eglantyne — one of protection towards the youthful, one utterly terrifying to those who had done wrong to them. As Domeses of The Youth, The Hearth, & The Heart, she served the unmentioned side of Psytronius, that of morals & emotions. As it turned out, their standards of research came with horrid qualms, especially as advanced became elementary & as the bizarre began to bleed into their world, eventually creating the mad reverie most knew as their world. The sanctity of life meant less & less, & Eglantyne was the guardian of that old sacred rule.
"That is exactly their fright. Your vengeance is unparalleled in all of Psytronius. It is perhaps a little unfair," Mary joked as she half-lied on the boat's railing & snuck her head between Eglantyne's arms, caressing the other's cheek.

"Woah! Slow down there, Mary." Eglantyne chuckled. "This definitely isn't kid friendly. & plus, we're right next to the docks now. We better head off." Mary nodded & straightened herself out on the deck with her pearl still tight in her arms, & the two women watched as the boat connected to their dock. As Eglantyne shook her head to feel the cool ocean wind blow her light blue hair, Mary began a slow, saintly walk forward, her dark robes shortened for the journey so that they would not trail behind her & be tarnished. Soon enough, the two were on dry land, & they took in the sights of the island, Eglantyne watching as the younger islanders played & Mary looking at the ceremonies & temples, assuming there was any such things near the docks. "Do you feel that, Eglantyne?" Mary asked as she took a deliberate step forward. "Something divine & precious?"
"Well, this is a religious ceremony, Mary." The other Domeses sauntered up to her, one hand still holding her chilled sundae. "That's no surprise."
"It makes me smile."
"This seems like a time where there is a whole lot to smile about, Mary." Eglantyne took a few steps forward, & sniffed the fresh sea air. "Come on, let's get going. Einuis mentioned some hotel named... the kitten or something like that. Whatever it is, we'll find it." She gestured for Mary to follow, & the two wandered off into the city.

"Maybe we're a bit lost, Mary."
"Very lost. Look, your ice cream is all melted now — we've taken far too long here. Why don't we go ask that fellow over there?" Mary leaned onto Eglantyne's shoulder, peering into her glowing pearl for a moment. When the other began walking with a flip of her hair, she got off of her shoulder & followed.
"Good morning, sir! I'm Eglantyne Baestia of..." she trailed off. "Anyway! She's Mary Çori, & we're a little lost. You wouldn't happen to know where the, uh, kitten, Is, would you? I don't know its actual name, but its something like that, as far as I know. Some inn on this island that a friend of mine stayed at once. Oh, & you wouldn't happen to know a place that sells good ice cream too, would you?"

The much older gentlemen who was out enjoying the festivities was one of any number of citizens that day when approached by a group of no doubt travelers. Plenty of them around right now, how much AHSCA was changing was a sight to see. "Oh a good day to you folks! So a little lost huh?" She explained they were looking for a place called the Kitten? Strange no place like that hear maybe on Animalpolis such a establishment there was but it occured to him maybe they meant "Oh you must mean the Kitan, the Hot Spring Inn, am I right? Well you're not far off from it. If you go down this row and get back to the village square it's the tallest building there, besides the Ducal Palace that is you can't miss it. Though I hope you fine folks have reservations because rooms there go fast given it's the most upscale resort on the island." he chuckled. "Oh ice cream huh? Well again The kitan is a good place to go. They have an adjoined restaurant that serves ice cream there. No reservations need to eat there at least. There's also shaved ice stands littered around here, easy to find them."

Princess Aurelia bint-Damir.
Port Aurora.
I smiled at Mamiko. "It would be my pleasure to take you around the block one day, but until then, I'm going to need a bigger boat...", I told her, smiling, "The Harira is a bit small, after all."
Well, the Aurelia might be a bit too big, to be honest... we will see, what will happen in the future.
I turned to her mother. "Miss Azusa has been helping me, yes, but I am looking around for now. I am searching mostly for souvenirs, right now.", I said with a grin, before I thought of something: "Say, if I wanted to get traditional bows and arrows, where would I go?"

Ava Shabh.
Kitan.
"Try the Oileánra-Archipelago.", I said with a smile, "The Sultanate might be a bit too hot and dry. The Archipelago is sub-tropical, has beautiful beaches, is teeming with wildlife and has nice people living there. I recommend trying to get a spot in an inn in Dumhach. A wonderful little city!"
I leaned over.
"And, to be honest, they also make very good spirits...", I added with an audible grin.

Saida Adib.
Tsubaki, Animalpolis.
We both nodded and went to work.
It took a moment for both of us to get used to being waitresses, essentially, but we got the hang of it rather quickly. It was also good that we left the veils off - with them on, we would have to remain silent, but like this, we could talk, ask for clarifications.
Fara mostly collected dishes, I took orders. Deliveries were done by whoever was there first. The new group of arrivals took their orders quickly and I returned to Shinji with the notepad's paper torn off for him to work with.
"Here ya go.", I said and grinned.
This was actually fun!

Port Aurora

Kumiko giggled a bit "Well a voyage with you would sound fun but I think my little one is more thinking any commercial ship we take. But that said I do work crew a lot on ships so maybe I could be of some help if you ever feel the need. Maybe one time I'll bum a ride in exchange for a visit to Kyrenaia. Anyway glad you're looking to take some gifts home with you as a reminder of the trip and for those back home can get a little taste of island life. Oh archery gear huh? Well I think the best place to go would be the Priestesses. Rather those who work at the nearby shrine. The Great Temple will be pretty busy but The Shrine Maidens know their ways around bows and arrows well. It's actually just beyond the Temple a little bit."

The Kitan

The girls mused that for a second and smiled "Yeah that sounds like a great idea! What do you say, Filipinia?"

"Yeah, you and I could go on a trip there some time. Maybe even when the monsoons set in so we don't have to sit and watch the water rise. Or rather you watch and I listen."

"yeah and travel fares are usually way more inexpensive at that time. Kind of ironic really ya think they'd go up because conditions get dicey but I guess not many want to go to sea when the sea doesn't want them already."

"Thanks for the advice. I think we just made travel plans!"

Tsubaki

Many of the customers admired the beauty of the women especially in their maiden garb. Some of the well traveled folks who had been to Kyrenaia and learned about it did ask about the veils "Ah makes perfect sense." They understood when they were told the veils were a sign of their silence. "You lovely ladies do good work."

Some who maybe had a bit too much to drink, "Saaays what about ya ladies do a dance for me! AWOOOO"

A woman sitting with him whacked him with her fan "Don't spook the help! Please excuse the perverted old man. Thank you for the food it was great we'll just take some tea and be on our way."

A few more guests before the last one left with a hearty thank you. Shinji closed up shop so he too could go enjoy the festivities with his family. "Ladies, you two were wonderful today! Got my wife to relax and keep off her feet a while and helped me with the rush. I really don't know how I could begin to thank you two. I'm sure you didn't travel all this way to wait tables. Actually though I do have one last favor to ask of you both. Your handmaiden outfits, they're really beautiful and I think my wife would look beautiful in one. So unless it's inappropriate perhaps you could give one to her? Not the ones off your backs of course, simply one you can have sent to her."

AURORA
"Greetings, says Daniel and Patricia to the Priestesses as they enter the Main Temple. We would like to know if you can show us around a bit, and tell us more about this temple and the Godesses please." asks the Imperial Ambassador with a smile.

ANIMALPOLIS.
"Of course it will be okay," replies Patricia with a dismissive hand gesture, as if she had been told this was the price of a simple slice of bread.
The truth was, that both women had, for this trip, packed enough money to buy all of the island, if they wanted.
"However, continues the brown-haired woman, we don't have enough on us right now, the rest is at the end. Catherine? she asks as she turns to her friend, only to see an empty space, and a shadow exiting the store. That's why I love her, you don't need to talk to much to achieve things wit her," she adds to the shopkeeper with a smile.

A few minutes later, the blonde woman comes back, with a bagpack full of money.
"Here is it, she says as she puts the bag on the counter. Can you please keep all of this for a few moments? We are going to send a team from the ship that brought us here to retrieve all of those."

AURORA

She bowed "I'd be glad too, please come on in and with me." She lead them over "This temple was first built in the 19th Century by Duchess Nanao, that'd be the great-great-grandmother of our current Duchess. She was fiercely dedicated to the faith and felt this should be constructed to feel suit. During the war in 1996 it was burned by invading forces but much of the stone work remained intact so rebuilding was simple. She's stood the forces of many a hurricane and always proves to be a vital refuge. Now onto our Goddesses themselves, are you familiar with the story of creation? How much do you know about our religion, or shall start with the full rundown of details?"

ANIMALPOLIS

She smiled with a glow on her cheeks "Splendid." That much money was a lot for islanders but maybe not as much for foreign tourists but a small outpost shop like this didn't usually bring in the high wealthy types like the port of Tsubaki did. "That will perfectly fine I'll get everything wrapped up for you and it will be ready for when they're needed to pickup."

[The Scarlet Eagle]

AURORA

She bowed "I'd be glad too, please come on in and with me." She lead them over "This temple was first built in the 19th Century by Duchess Nanao, that'd be the great-great-grandmother of our current Duchess. She was fiercely dedicated to the faith and felt this should be constructed to feel suit. During the war in 1996 it was burned by invading forces but much of the stone work remained intact so rebuilding was simple. She's stood the forces of many a hurricane and always proves to be a vital refuge. Now onto our Goddesses themselves, are you familiar with the story of creation? How much do you know about our religion, or shall start with the full rundown of details?"

ANIMALPOLIS

She smiled with a glow on her cheeks "Splendid." That much money was a lot for islanders but maybe not as much for foreign tourists but a small outpost shop like this didn't usually bring in the high wealthy types like the port of Tsubaki did. "That will perfectly fine I'll get everything wrapped up for you and it will be ready for when they're needed to pickup."

AURORA
"Very interesting story, says Henry with a smile, as Patricia nods in thanks and approval.
-Concerning the Madokanism story of creation, continues Daniel, I remember reading it when I was assigned here a year ago, but I forgot many parts. So could you please retell it from the startplease ? asks the Ambassador with a smile.

ANIMALPOLIS
"Okay then, thank you very much, replies Catherine with a smile and a grateful nod. Have a very nice Festival Miss. Although if you are free later in the day, my friend and I would like to invite you for a drink or two. Just go to the Pub and ask for Mrs Smetov and Petrenko. What do you think Patricia?
-I would gladly enjoy it, replies the brown-haired Lieutenant Colonel with a smile, before speaking into her throat microphone. Iwo Jima, this is Alpha 2-1, requesting a pickup team for souvenirs we bought, there is quite a few of them. Send them to our designated pickup location in two hours, and then to the shop of the village of Misakichi. Alpha 2-1 out."

[Cartoonia]

At long last they made it to the village. The rain was still slowly coming on with a few sporadic drops falling before long it was starting up a slow drizzle. Thunder was also starting up too. "Oh they said they'd meet us at the great temple by nightfall. So that's where we'll head next."

"Thank you again, Mister Sho." Sakura responded


Nadie had to agree with Randy "Yeah think I agree with your friend here. Well anyway if you two are looking to go to Corona today best get out to the harbor while you can then. Plenty of island hopping ships for low fares going around. I know quite a few of the guys and gals there, so they're all good folks. although if you folks have a room already I'd suggest going out tomorrow given how busy things are."

“I was actually thinking about staying at the great temple for tonight. So I’m going to follow you two there if that’s alright”.

---

“We just settled in an inn close by. We should probably go tomorrow. And we should start heading out” Randy says.

“That’s fine. Just one more drink then we should go on the town” Homer said, feeling a little more buzzed.

[AHSCA]

AURORA
"Very interesting story, says Henry with a smile, as Patricia nods in thanks and approval.
-Concerning the Madokanism story of creation, continues Daniel, I remember reading it when I was assigned here a year ago, but I forgot many parts. So could you please retell it from the startplease ? asks the Ambassador with a smile.

ANIMALPOLIS
"Okay then, thank you very much, replies Catherine with a smile and a grateful nod. Have a very nice Festival Miss. Although if you are free later in the day, my friend and I would like to invite you for a drink or two. Just go to the Pub and ask for Mrs Smetov and Petrenko. What do you think Patricia?
-I would gladly enjoy it, replies the brown-haired Lieutenant Colonel with a smile, before speaking into her throat microphone. Iwo Jima, this is Alpha 2-1, requesting a pickup team for souvenirs we bought, there is quite a few of them. Send them to our designated pickup location in two hours, and then to the shop of the village of Misakichi. Alpha 2-1 out."

She smiled and adjusted her glasses "Yes, certainly, that'd be great for me to do. Please then come with me, we'll go somewhere quiet we can talk." she lead the group out of the main hall where all the people were gathered to a small room out of the way. It was a reflecting room a place with a small pool of water a few barren bookshelves and a lone lantern for light when lit. She pulled out a few cushions they could sit on so they could be spared a hard stone floor which she took in their place. Being a Priestess sometimes meant suffering for the Faith, even if it was more annoyance than suffering. Of the shelves of the mostly barren shelves she pulled out a rather large scroll and opened it. The paper was old for certain, but on it was illustrated figures with no details, shadowed out like puppets on a wall but they had the basic details, long hair, flowing outfit.



"this is our illustrated story. beginnings of mankind there were three sprites born, the Sun had a daughter, Madoka, the Moon had a son, Yue and the stars also a daughter, Homura. The three children. They were sent to Earth to live with other celestial beings known as sprites. Soon the daughter and son fell in love but this enraged the second daughter of the stars who grew jealous and filled up with darkness. And as her overwhelming jealousy shadowed the earth so to did the sun grow dark. Her anger and hatred of the moon lead her to slay him to only keep Madoka. With the moon gone so did the shape of the planet change as tides and waves ravaged the lands altering everything. In the darkness Madoka glowed a bright white and rose to the heavens shooting her arrow piercing away the mighty darkness. To maintain the life of the planet Madoka ascended to the heavens to become the permanent light but was unable to truly save the Moon as a sprite but his spirit was able to be placed into the sky to be a mediator of all things.

Homura was consumed with grief and jealousy banished herself to return to the dark night of the sky but her negative energy remained on earth causing a never ending storm. Yue remained on the earth for the time to see the birth of mankind still hoping for his love, Madoka, to return to the Earth with him but with the torrential storm caused by Homura was making life near impossible for mortal man. The sorrow and despair of man's life on the dark planet was growing to harsh for Madoka and her rays of light began to fade and for a thousand more years no light shone on the planet and slowly the first traces of humans were dying off. The new evil known as witches preyed on humans negative emotions and consumed their life force until they became dust and bones. With this the elements balanced out, the Witches retreated to the dark corners of the planet and and Madoka's rays shown brightly. Still Homura's negative energy remained a presence.

As for Yue there's still debate among us sects about just what happened to him. Some say he was destined to roam the new Earth forever as an immortal man. Some still revere him as a Demigod, others feel his purpose was served and his energy was simply dispelled into the environment. We don't know lacking any true revelation, and the last known Revelation came to Duchess Nanao in 1888 when she was decreed a Holy Woman, divinely inspired to lead Aurora to greatness. Whether that was true or not also a matter of great debate. "

Animalpolis

"That sounds quite lovely. How about this evening when I close up I'd be glad to join you for a drink. I thank you for your business and wish you well. Thank you again. I'll make sure the goods will be handed over personally." She opened the door for them to let them leave for the day happy for their business.

“I was actually thinking about staying at the great temple for tonight. So I’m going to follow you two there if that’s alright”.



“We just settled in an inn close by. We should probably go tomorrow. And we should start heading out” Randy says.

“That’s fine. Just one more drink then we should go on the town” Homer said, feeling a little more buzzed.

Tatsuya nodded "Yeah, sure! Least we can do to thank you for helping us we can show you the way!"

"Uh-hu." Sakura nodded in agreement

"oooh one second." Tatsuya paused them to make a small dash just over to a vendor selling umbrellas. "Miss, how much?"

"One credit for an Umbrella, young man." She said

"Three please."

"Here you go. Stay dry and enjoy the festival."

"You too, ma'am."

Tatsuya returned giving one to his sister and one to Sho. "Here you are, Mister. One more token of our thanks or we'd be getting soaked out there right now." He grinned handing it over. Good timing too as the small drizzle gave way to a real downpour now.

"It rains here lots and lots." Sakura said "Especially at night. Our teacher says all the heat and water during the day makes the clouds big and heavy that they have to let all the rain out. And after the festival the winds change and they blow in more and more storms all day and all night."

---

"Yeah good plan. Well hey, tell ya what. Tomorrow morning, meat me at the harbor, I'll take ya both to Corona no charge. Might as well finally use this time as an excuse to get back home myself. My pops can run things here while I'm gone."

[Mervay]

Twin Palms

Kumiko graciously accepted the money with a bow of thanks and put it in the safe box where they stored all the funds of the shop. It seemed Tess still wanted to chat casually with her, and she wouldn't mind some good conversation either. "As as matter of fact, I have. Her name is Reina. She's a sailor I met aboard a ship bound to Kuronami." Tess seemed intrigued to learn more by Kumiko's judgement. Honestly she probably wasn't much older than Tess was right now, she could see them being friends if they had known each other growing up even with an age difference. "Well ya see, Tess. I travel a lot and to offset costs I do work crew a lot. So I met Reina while working as crew aboard a small schooner as I mentioned that was going up to Kuronami. So we worked together aboard the ship and well..." she blushed a little more "Well along the way we ran into a terrible storm. Of course it was a long cold night of seas pounding on us and once we could be relived to rest we just had grown closer and so we found ourselves in our little cabin together...." she whispered the rest to the ear of Tess about a very long night of the two women sharing a bit more than just talk. Then again back to her normal voice, "The weather, Tess. Islanders here we live by it and well it's what often brings us together. Our two Goddesses represent that. I'm glad you and I can talk like this. It's enjoyable to be see you more than a customer but as a friend."

The Kitan

She smiled and nodded "You're welcome, Dear Agus. Oh yes she is indeed and I'll have her put it on hold. I figure I don't want to hold up the rooms too long. So let's go on ahead and we can eat a little later. I sense a storm is coming that means the tourists and locals out enjoying the nightlife will soon be coming in. Also don't fear, I know you've probably heard how wild our weather can be at times but this year we've been assured hurricanes will stay away. Just thunderstorms are always common in a tropical climate like our own."

Twin Palms Shop

Tess noticed Kumiko put the money in a safe box where they stored the money or so it seems. Now, by this moment she would be grabbing what she bought and leave, but with Kumiko it wouldn't happen, since Tess considered a friend, she decided to stay and chat a bit, knowing she has time for Satou and that it would be interesting in know if love knocked at her door.
Gladly she has, a sailor known as Reina and for what it seems on a travel of a ship en route to Kuronami. Her interested raised more as she heard that and was intrigued by know more; they sure weren't much older than the other, they would have been great friends if they both knew the other much earlier even with an age difference, Tess was 19 years old as Kumiko might be 20-26 at max, so it wasn't that much difference.

"Glad to know that Kumiko. But how did you knew her if I may ask??" Tess asked both happy and curious to know about that. Gladly her friend answered her and told her how did she knew the love of her life.

It seems that as a way to cover costs in her travels, she works as part of ships crews and in one of those travels and during work in a schooner she met Reina in that ship which was en route to Kuronami and in which Kumiko's lover worked. She noticed her blush for something she needed to say and would give an insight, a very deep insight.

During the time they met, the ship was caught in an terrible storm which didn't let them rest a bit as the cold night and waters of the sea pounded against the ship for all that storm. When they were relived to rest, the two of them grew closer to each other and found themselves in their cabin together.
Then Kumiko whispered at the girl's ear and told her the rest, which it couldn't be said and won't be said. All it could be said is that made Tess cheeks go red as so her face, which was now flustered by those comments.

Clearly the storms bring destined souls together and so it was with Kumiko and Reina, so it was with Tess and Satou and so it will for many people, islander or not. It all made Tess have an wide warm smile on her face as she heard what Kumiko said, it brought her to such wide and warm smile, she was glad for her friend to have found her other half.

"Kumiko. I have to say that I'm very happy for you, to find the true love and in such way sounds so romantic, I'm so happy for you and I hope you and your girlfriend can enjoy their lives together." she couldn't hold herself and went to give her friend a hug of happiness for a minute, hugging her tightly and smiling to then get herself off.

"Maybe one day we could make a double date, what do you think?? You and your girlfriend and Satou and I, sounds good??"

The Kitan

What Tsubasa said sounded logic, clearly the baths were going to be needed later on with the amount of people coming in for them, still there were always the hot springs, and for what that friend said, they were always good and more on night when the storm was outside, which meant you and someone else could be there as long as you want.

"Sounds logic and good, we better enjoy now before people comes and wants to take a bath, I can be sure things will be crowded if we wait too long." she said smiling at Tsubasa as she grabbed her hand.

As soon as the issue of an storm came, clearly she was nervious about it, her friend told her of last year hurricane and she read the news about it too. But gladly Tsubasa told her that there won't an hurricane, just your typical tropical storm. That made The Queen sigh on relief.

"I see, that's a relief. Last thing I need was an hurricane, if it ever happened, I can be sure I will be exposed and won't be able to rest back at home. I was adviced by The Ambassador to better have someone at the isle, gladly she volunteered for that. I own her a big favor since she was going to come here with her husband, I think to Port Aya she was going to go with him..." She explained, better to make her time here well worth it to enjoy.

"Alright. We should go and talk with Stephy and then go to the baths. Sounds good??"

[Kyrenaia]

[...]

Port Aurora

Kumiko giggled a bit "Well a voyage with you would sound fun but I think my little one is more thinking any commercial ship we take. But that said I do work crew a lot on ships so maybe I could be of some help if you ever feel the need. Maybe one time I'll bum a ride in exchange for a visit to Kyrenaia. Anyway glad you're looking to take some gifts home with you as a reminder of the trip and for those back home can get a little taste of island life. Oh archery gear huh? Well I think the best place to go would be the Priestesses. Rather those who work at the nearby shrine. The Great Temple will be pretty busy but The Shrine Maidens know their ways around bows and arrows well. It's actually just beyond the Temple a little bit."

The Kitan

The girls mused that for a second and smiled "Yeah that sounds like a great idea! What do you say, Filipinia?"

"Yeah, you and I could go on a trip there some time. Maybe even when the monsoons set in so we don't have to sit and watch the water rise. Or rather you watch and I listen."

"yeah and travel fares are usually way more inexpensive at that time. Kind of ironic really ya think they'd go up because conditions get dicey but I guess not many want to go to sea when the sea doesn't want them already."

"Thanks for the advice. I think we just made travel plans!"

Tsubaki

Many of the customers admired the beauty of the women especially in their maiden garb. Some of the well traveled folks who had been to Kyrenaia and learned about it did ask about the veils "Ah makes perfect sense." They understood when they were told the veils were a sign of their silence. "You lovely ladies do good work."

Some who maybe had a bit too much to drink, "Saaays what about ya ladies do a dance for me! AWOOOO"

A woman sitting with him whacked him with her fan "Don't spook the help! Please excuse the perverted old man. Thank you for the food it was great we'll just take some tea and be on our way."

A few more guests before the last one left with a hearty thank you. Shinji closed up shop so he too could go enjoy the festivities with his family. "Ladies, you two were wonderful today! Got my wife to relax and keep off her feet a while and helped me with the rush. I really don't know how I could begin to thank you two. I'm sure you didn't travel all this way to wait tables. Actually though I do have one last favor to ask of you both. Your handmaiden outfits, they're really beautiful and I think my wife would look beautiful in one. So unless it's inappropriate perhaps you could give one to her? Not the ones off your backs of course, simply one you can have sent to her."

Princess Aurelia bint-Damir.
Port Aurora.
I smiled at Kumiko, but thought, that this were not the Free Lands, where every village had a fletcher... well, no time like the present.
"Thank you for the info, Madame.", I said and bowed my head with a smile, "Then I'll go to the Great Temple later. Right now..." I smiled and raised my arms full of clothing in three sizes. "...I guess, that I'll have to finish with the most obvious choices." I had Okka and Kira already, now I only needed one thing from here, if they had it: "Got candy?"
Well, my Grandmother was the Old Dreadnought, that was true, but she had a sweet tooth.

Ava Shabh.
Kitan.
I smiled.
"As said, you'll love the Archipelago!", I said, "Though they have their own Storm Season, too, it starts on the 1st of June and goes to the 30th of September. Sometimes, it's vicious, but oftentimes, there are only strong winds and much rain and that's about it. Hardly storms by the measures of what I hear happens around here."
I shrugged.
"Still, the Navy-Boys don't like them. Sometimes, they're little scaredy cats!", I added.

Saida Adib.
Tsubaki, Animalpolis.
We did good work, and it was appreciated not only by Shinji, but also by the customers. In one case, which had looked a bit too deeply into the glass already, maybe a bit too much, but he was reigned in quite quickly. If he or anyone else would have gotten a bit touchy, we could have taken care of it.
Shinji especially seemed happy after the last guests had disappeared.
We smiled as he, again, expressed his gratitude. He complimented us, which honestly made us blush a litt,e and also asked for a favour...
Fara looked to me and I nodded. "I, too, think, that she would look beautiful in such a dress. As for getting her one, that's less inappropriate or something, but rather a bit complicated.", I said and thought for a moment: "Tell you what, if you have time today before the main festivities begin, come to our boat with her. It's the Nasim, she flies the Kyrenaian Flag. We need to take some measurements."
Fara, as owner of the boat, nodded.

[AHSCA]

Twin Palms Shop

Tess noticed Kumiko put the money in a safe box where they stored the money or so it seems. Now, by this moment she would be grabbing what she bought and leave, but with Kumiko it wouldn't happen, since Tess considered a friend, she decided to stay and chat a bit, knowing she has time for Satou and that it would be interesting in know if love knocked at her door.
Gladly she has, a sailor known as Reina and for what it seems on a travel of a ship en route to Kuronami. Her interested raised more as she heard that and was intrigued by know more; they sure weren't much older than the other, they would have been great friends if they both knew the other much earlier even with an age difference, Tess was 19 years old as Kumiko might be 20-26 at max, so it wasn't that much difference.

"Glad to know that Kumiko. But how did you knew her if I may ask??" Tess asked both happy and curious to know about that. Gladly her friend answered her and told her how did she knew the love of her life.

It seems that as a way to cover costs in her travels, she works as part of ships crews and in one of those travels and during work in a schooner she met Reina in that ship which was en route to Kuronami and in which Kumiko's lover worked. She noticed her blush for something she needed to say and would give an insight, a very deep insight.

During the time they met, the ship was caught in an terrible storm which didn't let them rest a bit as the cold night and waters of the sea pounded against the ship for all that storm. When they were relived to rest, the two of them grew closer to each other and found themselves in their cabin together.
Then Kumiko whispered at the girl's ear and told her the rest, which it couldn't be said and won't be said. All it could be said is that made Tess cheeks go red as so her face, which was now flustered by those comments.

Clearly the storms bring destined souls together and so it was with Kumiko and Reina, so it was with Tess and Satou and so it will for many people, islander or not. It all made Tess have an wide warm smile on her face as she heard what Kumiko said, it brought her to such wide and warm smile, she was glad for her friend to have found her other half.

"Kumiko. I have to say that I'm very happy for you, to find the true love and in such way sounds so romantic, I'm so happy for you and I hope you and your girlfriend can enjoy their lives together." she couldn't hold herself and went to give her friend a hug of happiness for a minute, hugging her tightly and smiling to then get herself off.

"Maybe one day we could make a double date, what do you think?? You and your girlfriend and Satou and I, sounds good??"

The Kitan

What Tsubasa said sounded logic, clearly the baths were going to be needed later on with the amount of people coming in for them, still there were always the hot springs, and for what that friend said, they were always good and more on night when the storm was outside, which meant you and someone else could be there as long as you want.

"Sounds logic and good, we better enjoy now before people comes and wants to take a bath, I can be sure things will be crowded if we wait too long." she said smiling at Tsubasa as she grabbed her hand.

As soon as the issue of an storm came, clearly she was nervious about it, her friend told her of last year hurricane and she read the news about it too. But gladly Tsubasa told her that there won't an hurricane, just your typical tropical storm. That made The Queen sigh on relief.

"I see, that's a relief. Last thing I need was an hurricane, if it ever happened, I can be sure I will be exposed and won't be able to rest back at home. I was adviced by The Ambassador to better have someone at the isle, gladly she volunteered for that. I own her a big favor since she was going to come here with her husband, I think to Port Aya she was going to go with him..." She explained, better to make her time here well worth it to enjoy.

"Alright. We should go and talk with Stephy and then go to the baths. Sounds good??"

Twin Palms Shop


Kumiko smiled wide at the sound of a double date she was ready to suggest this evening but given Tess had only just arrived maybe best to allow her and Satou an evening together. "Tess, that sounds so wonderful! How about tomorrow night? We'll be closing shop early anyway, my little one has a friend she can spend the night with so no concerns about her. I'd love to be able to have a double date with you and your lovely Satou. Reina would as well. It will be great, both of you should dress in yukata and we will as well and we'll have a nice night together. Tonight you should be with your beloved. Goodness speaking of it's getting into the evening and we've really been talking together...." She paused when thunder rumbled outside "And speaking of storms..Guess we're gonna get a soak tonight. Mmm I'm sure you packed one but do you have an umbrella or raincoat on you? If you don't I'll give you an extra free of charge. You'll want to be meeting Satou right? She'll be waiting to meet you and no better reunion than a rainy one. She'll actually be at the harbor right about now. She told me to send you there should you come shopping here. She's got a bit of a surprise for you herself but I'll let her explain that."

The Kitan

She chuckled a little herself, "Ah yes. Hurricanes do bring good crowds to stay here but I'll admit I don't ask for any money when that happens. Some will give me a single credit others none. Come then I'll let Stephy know." She lead the Queen along through the kitchen they found their maid "Oh Madam Manger, I am sorry we haven't gotten your food ready yet." She bowed

"That's quite all right, I can see it's quite busy right now. Please cook at your pace needed, there's a storm coming in I felt best take to the baths a bit earlier so we have enough rooms where when people need to come in. Just cook and put it to the side for us and we'll eat it."

"Yes ma'am."

Tsubasa continued leading the Queen along back through the halls they entered and to their room set aside. Starting in the change room, Tsubasa unraveled her Kimono and folded it nice and neat. Waiting patiently for the Queen to undress and join her in the hot water. The rooms all had the same design, a simple pool, small windows aligned the top row which on a night like this meant the lightning would shine through as well. Several lanterns aligned the walls bathing an orange and yellow glow with the hot water pouring out of spouts to keep it hot. "Hope it won't be too hot for you, Milady."

Tsubasa offered her hand out to help the Queen step in behind her.

---

Princess Aurelia bint-Damir.
Port Aurora.
I smiled at Kumiko, but thought, that this were not the Free Lands, where every village had a fletcher... well, no time like the present.
"Thank you for the info, Madame.", I said and bowed my head with a smile, "Then I'll go to the Great Temple later. Right now..." I smiled and raised my arms full of clothing in three sizes. "...I guess, that I'll have to finish with the most obvious choices." I had Okka and Kira already, now I only needed one thing from here, if they had it: "Got candy?"
Well, my Grandmother was the Old Dreadnought, that was true, but she had a sweet tooth.

Ava Shabh.
Kitan.
I smiled.
"As said, you'll love the Archipelago!", I said, "Though they have their own Storm Season, too, it starts on the 1st of June and goes to the 30th of September. Sometimes, it's vicious, but oftentimes, there are only strong winds and much rain and that's about it. Hardly storms by the measures of what I hear happens around here."
I shrugged.
"Still, the Navy-Boys don't like them. Sometimes, they're little scaredy cats!", I added.

Saida Adib.
Tsubaki, Animalpolis.
We did good work, and it was appreciated not only by Shinji, but also by the customers. In one case, which had looked a bit too deeply into the glass already, maybe a bit too much, but he was reigned in quite quickly. If he or anyone else would have gotten a bit touchy, we could have taken care of it.
Shinji especially seemed happy after the last guests had disappeared.
We smiled as he, again, expressed his gratitude. He complimented us, which honestly made us blush a litt,e and also asked for a favour...
Fara looked to me and I nodded. "I, too, think, that she would look beautiful in such a dress. As for getting her one, that's less inappropriate or something, but rather a bit complicated.", I said and thought for a moment: "Tell you what, if you have time today before the main festivities begin, come to our boat with her. It's the Nasim, she flies the Kyrenaian Flag. We need to take some measurements."
Fara, as owner of the boat, nodded

Twin Palms

"Candy yes, many imported kinds and some locally made mochi. Mochi will need to be eaten right away but the packaged kinds you can send back later as you need." she gestured to their stacks that were filled in baskets on the wall. "Take what you like."


Kitan

"Well I must admit..." Filipina said bashfully but still smiling "I don't much like storms either. But Amika by my side I'll be okay. But if they don't sound as wild as they are here, I'm sure we'll be fine regardless."

"Sure sure we can handle anything. Thanks for the heads up, we'll make sure we're prepared. Honestly sounds like our monsoons here most of the time so hey, we'll be right at home!"

"Hehe we sure will. Thank you, Ava, this will be fun!"

Animalpolis

"Well it's understandable if it's complicated but I'll be thankful for whatever you can do for us. I'll bring her by to your ship and we'll get that taken care of. In the meantime, consider all meals and drinks you have here, on the house for as long as you're here. Least I can do to thank you for the help today. And maybe when you come back again to the islands another time and my wife is no longer carrying we'll have drinks together."