The Festival of Holy Light II (IC Thread)

[Danceria]

"Spicy." Fumio responded simply for herself.

"Savory." Kaori insisted for herself.

"It should be a lovely evening together. Thank you, for your hospitality."


Meanwhile for Aceus it would be quite a trek to Tsubaki if he kept on foot but fortunate for him a military jeep passing by offered him a lift to wherever he was going. Pretty apparent he was a traveler and it wasn't unusual for sailors to land on all sides of the coastlines of the island. "Hop in we'll give you a lift!"

The drive shaved off more time from what would probably be a day or two to just a couple of hours. The bustling port was busy as it was in the morning when the Kyrenaian women arrived "Plenty of places to stay if you need one."

“Right...now to find the ingredients…” Sabin smiled. “I think we’ll be dining...hellenic tonight, considering no doubt you’ll have oodles of fish ‘round here.”

Pondering for a moment, Sabin recalled the ingredients, and fumbled out a small notepad. “Let’s see…we’re gonna need plenty of tomatoes. Preferably fresh ones..and maybe some grape leaves..”

There were a variety of dishes present, most of them devoid of fish. The simplest was Strapatsada, though the possibility of other meals were not out of the question. Meals that consisted of variety of meatballs, Sofrito, Moussaka and pastitsio served with a side of stuffed grapes...all of the options caused the large man’s stomach to noticeably growl. Good food was often the counter to an otherwise dreary day.
“I’ll foot the bill as far as ingredients go, I just don’t know if there’s good feta on the Islands.” Sabin would conclude, embarrassed at his stomach’s demand to be filled..

---

The wanderer would happily take the jeep, and indeed shaved off the few hours of driving. Already it had begun to transition into the later afternoon, and he already knew where to check in for a moment. “Actually I kind of know where I’d like to stay.” the pilgrim would ask. “Where’s the temple?”

[Cartoonia]

"You're welcome, sir. If you need anything please ask. Until then, have a pleasant evening." she left him.

With that, Sho goes to sleep for the night. He plans to go around town tomorrow morning as he drifts off into sleep, free from any obligations.

[AHSCA]

"Yes please." she answered, about to get up when she was halted.

"Hey you're leaving already? Take a couple minutes then leave. You're not gonna leave me alone for prayer are you?" Jose questioned, taking a sip from his wine glass.

Lourdes thought about it for a second and sighed "Ok, I'll hold it." she answered, then turned to Shono "Maybe come back in ten minutes?"

After they were left alone, Jose led the prayer with a sign of the cross. Though unnecessary, out of habit, Lourdes pulled out her mantilla and wore it. Jose looked on for a moment then continued "Lord thank you for this food we are about to receive, and we thank the hands that have made it. We ask you to bless us during this vacation, that it may be safe and profit us spiritually. Amen." as he finished, they did the sign of the cross, then raised their glasses, "Salud." they toasted quickly.

Several minutes went by as they ate, "How's the food?" Jose asked.

"Pretty good. Yours?"

"Not bad." he said, sipping his glass.

"You know, I didn't actually have to go. I was just mad. But I'm ok now."

"I know Lourdes, that's why I had you stay. You left and your food would've gone cold, I was gonna eat whether you stayed or left." looking down at his plate scratching his head "If you want....we can talk about it later."

Her eyes glowed and a smile beamed on her face "Really?"

"Eh, AFTER we're done here and make it back to the inn. Let's just enjoy this right now. Ok?"

"Ok." a wide smile was practically stuck on Lourdes' face.

"Certainly." She nodded and left them making a note to return in roughly 10-minutes time. Putting her next set of orders in at the kitchen some of her co-workers were chatting up. "Got a fussy bunch, Shino?"

"Not the worst I've dealt with but seems a little high maintenance." She took a fresh order pad and pen.

"I walked by your table, that guy seems familiar, feel like he was here last year." A girl said

"Well maybe, many tourists come and go. Some repeat." Shino acknowledged. "Anyway, don't think to hard about it. Keep your focus on work."

Shino returned to the table as instructed about 10 minutes later, first the standard "How is your meal, everything good?"

Saida Adib.
Tsubaki, Animalpolis.
"Indeed.", Fara said with a nod, glad, that Noir was back. "We were at Coral Reefs."
She smiled slightly.
"My personal favourite is the Amu Reef near Kyrkraut. That's a nation very much like the UIS, small and beautiful, but that's not the point. The point is a memory I made there: How Dad taught me how to swim.", I said with a smile, "We were out on our boat and I looked deep into the water, fascinated by what I saw, the many different fishies and colours and everything, but I was not a good swimmer back then - I was six, so..." She shrugged. "Anyway, Dad asked me, if I would like to meet them, I of course said yes. He knelt down, grabbed me by the hips and threw me overboard." By then I was giggling and Fara was holding back laughter, too. "Flight of my life, lemme tell ya!"

Ava Shabh.
Kitan.
I smiled - unaware of her thoughts. Although, if I would have, I would have agreed. I had a date with her, Ren, and was not interrogating her.
Still, I got out a small album, which I carried with me, a lot of photographs in there, one of them being of two young women. Both were... well equipped in the chest area, if you catch my drift, both wore school uniforms, a black sailor-style uniform with white markings and a white coat of arms on the chest, both had black lacquerware tubes in their hands.
One was the more confident one, a black-haired woman with warm, brown eyes, which had a certain bit of amusement written in them. The other looked just like her, same brown eyes and same black hair, but where her sister had her hair open, she had hers bound back. She was beautiful, too, but a serious beauty.
"Those are Elin and Branwen Blaidd.", I told Ren, "That's on their graduation day a few weeks back. Due to their father, they are my... grandcousins, I think. Cute girls - not as cute as you, though."
I threw Ren a wink.

Princess Aurelia bint-Damir.
Port Aurora, cabin of the Harira.
I smiled as Aldhiyb seemed to be in the Zen Place of deepest of pleasures, which could be attained by a Sand Wolf. Marcella's practice with Gisella's hair proved to be on-point.
I could get jealous, but the moments with Marcella were too precious for that...
At some point, I was approaching his hinds, I took a moment to look at her - Gods, she was beautiful, both on the outside and on the inside... I would be content, if the two of us could just spent the rest of the day snuggled up to each other.
Well, maybe three of us, depending on a certain someone...

"Ahaha," Noir laughed "well I guess as they say, you want to learn to swim you jump into the water. My first experience of swimming as a bit more harrowing for me but I picked it up quickly. What about you Milli?"

"Oh, the Priestesses taught me to swim when I was very little."

Kitan

"Oh they are cute. But heheee" She smiled again "Glad to know I'm cuter. Petty as that sounds!" She chuckled a little, mostly joking she wasn't super vein. "Don't think of me as vein, I just take pride in my appearance, even when I'm working here, I like to look cute. I read a lot of beauty magazines left behind from tourists. I feel like, I can look as pretty as any of those ladies there! So I do my best."

Aboard the Harira

"And stroke and stroke and...I think his eyes are growing heavy. Seems he's ready to sleep. He's so cute." she gave Aurelia a look of her own, a look to convey "But not as cute as you..."

ANIMALPOLIS

In the quietness of the night, under the stars, hands start to wander on two female bodies, things are said, kisses are exchanged,.... and we fade to black to give the two Imperial Guards some intimacy, which they did not have in a long time.
In any case, Gopnik will stay on watch, warning them of anyone who would be wandering in this area.

AURORA
"Thank you very much Miss, replies Henry with a smile, before the young boy sits with his parents, all three of them excited about seeing the show.

Animalpolis

The two lovers would get plenty of their special time together, they had the open air spring to themselves. But it was still pretty secluded in of itself, given it was facing off the path, honestly it would be unlikely they'd be seen by anyone so plenty of quality private time. Attendants took care earlier to put up PRIVATE and RESERVED signs. The indoors would be fine for the gneral public.

Auora

From the curtain emerged an adult woman "Good evening folks, on this rainy Auroran night!" She grinned "My family and I are the Royal Troupe! We present the history of our land as through the eyes of Tamura The Great! The Greatest Duchess to ever have lived! However you regard this woman though, we ask only for your understanding of who she was! A mighty warrior who took the lands we know today as the UIS. She sewed the seeds centuries ago and now we show you that. As we are limited on time, we present a small snippet of our play this night. We ask you may one day see it start to finish but for now, enjoy the select scenes we put together for the festival! What better night than a night like this to start with the beginning. The year 1856 and change is upon us this stormy night"

She retreated to the side of the stage into the shadows as the curtain opened to reveal a simple set. A much younger girl, the daughter of the woman who opened the show put on the act while it was narrated. "At tender age of 13, the cusp of adulthood in these islands, a night much like this, a young Tamura stood over her ailing mother, stricken with The Fever."

"Oh mama, what shall I do with out your guidance?"

"My dear, Tamura, I have taught you all I can. You must become Duchess for Aurora and continue our legacy."

"I shall."

The play continued on jumping at different points in time, now the narration had shifted to another woman's voice. The one who opened the show was now playing the adult Tamura. "1889, Duchess Tamura lands on Corona with the intent to take it as her own. But her fight against the Chief proves to be fruitless. In a great act of mercy, her life is spared."

Now the last act, "Truly the most controversial aspect, the first Christians arrive on Aurora."

"These foreigners with their book!" Tamura tossed the book to the ground "Bring misfortune and the wrath of the Black Goddess upon us! I decree that any who spread this word shall face terrible consequences!"

"The many who dared defy the Duchess found themselves imprisoned and killed." The narration continued "Duchess Tamura is a woman of greatness, wickedness, kindness and tenacity. This night, a festival of light and dark, a religoin of light and dark, we the Royal Troupe feel that no Duchess best represented the Light and Dark quite like Duchess Tamura. Her family line continues today as Duchess Marcella, her great-great-granddaughter, leads no longer an Empire but a Monarchy of these states united. States brought together through blood and conquest of Tamura the great."

The curtain closed the family of two wives and their two daughter stood forward to have their curtain call to applause from the crowds.

“Right...now to find the ingredients…” Sabin smiled. “I think we’ll be dining...hellenic tonight, considering no doubt you’ll have oodles of fish ‘round here.”

Pondering for a moment, Sabin recalled the ingredients, and fumbled out a small notepad. “Let’s see…we’re gonna need plenty of tomatoes. Preferably fresh ones..and maybe some grape leaves..”

There were a variety of dishes present, most of them devoid of fish. The simplest was Strapatsada, though the possibility of other meals were not out of the question. Meals that consisted of variety of meatballs, Sofrito, Moussaka and pastitsio served with a side of stuffed grapes...all of the options caused the large man’s stomach to noticeably growl. Good food was often the counter to an otherwise dreary day.
“I’ll foot the bill as far as ingredients go, I just don’t know if there’s good feta on the Islands.” Sabin would conclude, embarrassed at his stomach’s demand to be filled..


The wanderer would happily take the jeep, and indeed shaved off the few hours of driving. Already it had begun to transition into the later afternoon, and he already knew where to check in for a moment. “Actually I kind of know where I’d like to stay.” the pilgrim would ask. “Where’s the temple?”

Aurora

"Well lucky the farmers have brought their harvests in, as have the fisherman. We'll have plenty places to gather but we should get going now before the rains begin."

"Before the rains." Kaori replied with a nod taking her mother's hand.

"But I can't possibly let you foot everything, it wouldn't be proper. What do you say, you pay the fish, I pay for the greens. We call it even there." she offered



"Ah, the temple. If you walk along this road here through the village and take a left at the third junction then walk all the way until you come upon what almost looks like a dead end, you'll see it. It's actually carved into the stone caves so might look unusual compared to those that are free standing but trust us it's there."

"Good luck, enjoy the festival."

[Kyrenaia]

"Ahaha," Noir laughed "well I guess as they say, you want to learn to swim you jump into the water. My first experience of swimming as a bit more harrowing for me but I picked it up quickly. What about you Milli?"

"Oh, the Priestesses taught me to swim when I was very little."

Kitan

"Oh they are cute. But heheee" She smiled again "Glad to know I'm cuter. Petty as that sounds!" She chuckled a little, mostly joking she wasn't super vein. "Don't think of me as vein, I just take pride in my appearance, even when I'm working here, I like to look cute. I read a lot of beauty magazines left behind from tourists. I feel like, I can look as pretty as any of those ladies there! So I do my best."

Aboard the Harira

"And stroke and stroke and...I think his eyes are growing heavy. Seems he's ready to sleep. He's so cute." she gave Aurelia a look of her own, a look to convey "But not as cute as you..."

Saida Adib.
Tsubaki, Animalpolis.
We nodded at the individual stories of how they learned to swim, but none were so distinctive as Fara's.
"Father always had a direct approach.", she stated, "And it worked time and time again. If you ever meet him, ask him how he and Mother got together!" I nodded. It was indeed a story worth hearing. "Anyway... after I came back aboard, now a swimmer, and happily so, the Lasite Blood in my veins called for revenge. But I couldn't do it on my lonesome, I knew, so I had to plot and convince someone to help me. I found aid in my mother, who proposed to answer it the same way. So, after dinner, she lured Father out into the open, close to the railings and suddenly, I shot forth, into Dad's side, and managed to push him off into the water."
She grinned.
"Unfortunately, momentum was a thing, that existed and he grabbed Mother's hand, so we all three flew into the water!", she said and I was, by now, barely containing my laughter, "No one was mad, though."

Ava Shabh.
Kitan.
I reached up and put a hand onto her head, softly scratching her behind her additional ears, hoping, that I didn't break a local taboo.
"I can see that you take care and I don't think it as vanity. I like to look pretty, too.", I said and smiled softly, "But I know a few of the women in these magazines and lemme tell ya, none of them look as beautiful in their off-time as they appear on the pages. Even in the shootings themselves, they aren't as pretty. Nowadays, its mostly makeup and image-editing." I smiled. "I know, it sounds like a cliche, but real beauty comes from within. Take those two."
I indicated to the image if the Blaidd-Sisters.
"They have knockers the size of your head, skin smooth as the silk, Elin is a playfully teasing big-sis type of person, while Branwen is a thinker and writer, yet that is not, what makes them beautiful in my eyes." I zoomed in on their faces. "Look into their eyes. See the light shining in them."
I let a beat pass.
"Especially in Branwen's. She's a writer.", I added, then came back to the point: "And when I look at you... you are cute, Ren, that is not the question. But what makes you beautiful are not the tips by some over-styled dollies in some magazines. What makes you beautiful is your heart and your head, your very soul, that shines behind your eyes..."
Gods, we weren't even through the main course and I was getting mushy already...

Princess Aurelia bint-Damir.
Port Aurora, cabin of the Harira.
I knew, what Marcella told me with that glance and I nodded - Right back at you!
"Indeed, he's a little sleepyhead.", I said and Aldhiyb indeed yawned. "It was a long and hard trip for him and the day was just too exciting." I smiled. "When he was a little puppy, he loved to sleep on my stomach. So, every time I had something to read, I would lie down on my bed, read and have him nap on my stomach. Of course, he doesn't really anymore, but... he's still the same lazy sod he always was!"
I finished on my side.

[Nu Alaska]

An Attending Priestess took notice of the party wishing them a good day "Pretty isn't it? Did I hear right you come from the frozen north?"

Sakura chuckled a bit. "Well, it's not always frozen where we live, though we have lived where it is."

"Yeah!" Kiri said. "We live in Alaska!"

Ren couldn't answer very well because her mouth was full of fruit, but she said something along the lines of "It is very pretty."

[The Scarlet Eagle]

Animalpolis

The two lovers would get plenty of their special time together, they had the open air spring to themselves. But it was still pretty secluded in of itself, given it was facing off the path, honestly it would be unlikely they'd be seen by anyone so plenty of quality private time. Attendants took care earlier to put up PRIVATE and RESERVED signs. The indoors would be fine for the gneral public.

Auora

From the curtain emerged an adult woman "Good evening folks, on this rainy Auroran night!" She grinned "My family and I are the Royal Troupe! We present the history of our land as through the eyes of Tamura The Great! The Greatest Duchess to ever have lived! However you regard this woman though, we ask only for your understanding of who she was! A mighty warrior who took the lands we know today as the UIS. She sewed the seeds centuries ago and now we show you that. As we are limited on time, we present a small snippet of our play this night. We ask you may one day see it start to finish but for now, enjoy the select scenes we put together for the festival! What better night than a night like this to start with the beginning. The year 1856 and change is upon us this stormy night"

She retreated to the side of the stage into the shadows as the curtain opened to reveal a simple set. A much younger girl, the daughter of the woman who opened the show put on the act while it was narrated. "At tender age of 13, the cusp of adulthood in these islands, a night much like this, a young Tamura stood over her ailing mother, stricken with The Fever."

"Oh mama, what shall I do with out your guidance?"

"My dear, Tamura, I have taught you all I can. You must become Duchess for Aurora and continue our legacy."

"I shall."

The play continued on jumping at different points in time, now the narration had shifted to another woman's voice. The one who opened the show was now playing the adult Tamura. "1889, Duchess Tamura lands on Corona with the intent to take it as her own. But her fight against the Chief proves to be fruitless. In a great act of mercy, her life is spared."

Now the last act, "Truly the most controversial aspect, the first Christians arrive on Aurora."

"These foreigners with their book!" Tamura tossed the book to the ground "Bring misfortune and the wrath of the Black Goddess upon us! I decree that any who spread this word shall face terrible consequences!"

"The many who dared defy the Duchess found themselves imprisoned and killed." The narration continued "Duchess Tamura is a woman of greatness, wickedness, kindness and tenacity. This night, a festival of light and dark, a religoin of light and dark, we the Royal Troupe feel that no Duchess best represented the Light and Dark quite like Duchess Tamura. Her family line continues today as Duchess Marcella, her great-great-granddaughter, leads no longer an Empire but a Monarchy of these states united. States brought together through blood and conquest of Tamura the great."

The curtain closed the family of two wives and their two daughter stood forward to have their curtain call to applause from the crowds.

Animalpolis

As expected, both women enjoy some personal time together, and once they have satisfied their hunger for each other, they enjoy some snuggling, looking to the stars with smiles on their faces.


Aurora
Daniel, Patricia and Henry enjoy the play with the rest of the crowds, the Ambassador taking mental notes of the history of the Duchess Tamura to send later to the Emperor and Empress.
Once the play is finished, and the applause has died down, the three of them approach the comedians.
"Good evening ladies, says Daniel with a smile. Congratulations, it was a great play! I can't wait to see the rest. If I may ask, how long ago was created this Royal Troupe?"

[AHSCA]

Saida Adib.
Tsubaki, Animalpolis.
We nodded at the individual stories of how they learned to swim, but none were so distinctive as Fara's.
"Father always had a direct approach.", she stated, "And it worked time and time again. If you ever meet him, ask him how he and Mother got together!" I nodded. It was indeed a story worth hearing. "Anyway... after I came back aboard, now a swimmer, and happily so, the Lasite Blood in my veins called for revenge. But I couldn't do it on my lonesome, I knew, so I had to plot and convince someone to help me. I found aid in my mother, who proposed to answer it the same way. So, after dinner, she lured Father out into the open, close to the railings and suddenly, I shot forth, into Dad's side, and managed to push him off into the water."
She grinned.
"Unfortunately, momentum was a thing, that existed and he grabbed Mother's hand, so we all three flew into the water!", she said and I was, by now, barely containing my laughter, "No one was mad, though."

Ava Shabh.
Kitan.
I reached up and put a hand onto her head, softly scratching her behind her additional ears, hoping, that I didn't break a local taboo.
"I can see that you take care and I don't think it as vanity. I like to look pretty, too.", I said and smiled softly, "But I know a few of the women in these magazines and lemme tell ya, none of them look as beautiful in their off-time as they appear on the pages. Even in the shootings themselves, they aren't as pretty. Nowadays, its mostly makeup and image-editing." I smiled. "I know, it sounds like a cliche, but real beauty comes from within. Take those two."
I indicated to the image if the Blaidd-Sisters.
"They have knockers the size of your head, skin smooth as the silk, Elin is a playfully teasing big-sis type of person, while Branwen is a thinker and writer, yet that is not, what makes them beautiful in my eyes." I zoomed in on their faces. "Look into their eyes. See the light shining in them."
I let a beat pass.
"Especially in Branwen's. She's a writer.", I added, then came back to the point: "And when I look at you... you are cute, Ren, that is not the question. But what makes you beautiful are not the tips by some over-styled dollies in some magazines. What makes you beautiful is your heart and your head, your very soul, that shines behind your eyes..."
Gods, we weren't even through the main course and I was getting mushy already...

Princess Aurelia bint-Damir.
Port Aurora, cabin of the Harira.
I knew, what Marcella told me with that glance and I nodded - Right back at you!
"Indeed, he's a little sleepyhead.", I said and Aldhiyb indeed yawned. "It was a long and hard trip for him and the day was just too exciting." I smiled. "When he was a little puppy, he loved to sleep on my stomach. So, every time I had something to read, I would lie down on my bed, read and have him nap on my stomach. Of course, he doesn't really anymore, but... he's still the same lazy sod he always was!"
I finished on my side.

"Oh my my!" Noir chuckled some more "Quite a story and a taste of revenge. Sounds like a real funny occasion, I'd be hard press to imagine anyone truly being upset so I can see how no anger was around after that."


"Yeah sounds lucky!"

---

She chuckled a little "Hehe sounds like something my mother says all the time but I guess you're right. Beauty is within." She looked when she talked about the sisters. Ava mentioned their generous proportions but then talked about Ren's own features and her words carried meaning, maybe more than she realized. She did make her feel special and desired. Her heart accelerated and her face flushed red, boy Ava was beautiful and kind and sweet. She never thought of herself as anything really pretty, just ordinary but now a pretty woman was calling her pretty!? She didn't know what to do. "I...." She didn't have words other than a simple kind of quiet "thank you...."

---

Marcella cooed "That's so cute! He really has been your loyal companion for so long, since a little pup. He's a good one too, a good solid companion who no doubt has kept you going through tough times"

Sakura chuckled a bit. "Well, it's not always frozen where we live, though we have lived where it is."

"Yeah!" Kiri said. "We live in Alaska!"

Ren couldn't answer very well because her mouth was full of fruit, but she said something along the lines of "It is very pretty."

"Aaah very nice. It's been some time since I've made it up that far myself, but I'm glad you have come all this way to see our wonderful islands."

Animalpolis

As expected, both women enjoy some personal time together, and once they have satisfied their hunger for each other, they enjoy some snuggling, looking to the stars with smiles on their faces.


Aurora
Daniel, Patricia and Henry enjoy the play with the rest of the crowds, the Ambassador taking mental notes of the history of the Duchess Tamura to send later to the Emperor and Empress.
Once the play is finished, and the applause has died down, the three of them approach the comedians.
"Good evening ladies, says Daniel with a smile. Congratulations, it was a great play! I can't wait to see the rest. If I may ask, how long ago was created this Royal Troupe?"

"Oh fine evening to you. Thank you, we're glad you enjoyed it. Boy it's been what, about 3 years, Kaja?"

"Yes that's right since we started out performance. I'm an on-and-off theater performer myself, I never would have thought my wifey here would be so into it, she's very practical." Kaja chuckled

"Come now, I have my creative side. Hopefully some time you'll get to see the full performance. It's just something the four of us do. Oh..." she waved over her two daughters

"Our girls you saw them. Ohana here plays young Tamura, I play the older. My wife Kaja plays sometimes trades off with me. Our youngest Kohana here, she plays Akira, which in our abridged version you don't get to see her."

"So I get to be moral support and enjoy the festival." She added

"Well Kaja's not terribly wrong. I'm not much of an actor, I'm just physically strong to wiled heavy swords. Everything you see is authentic and real, no cheap props from us."

[Kyrenaia]

"Oh my my!" Noir chuckled some more "Quite a story and a taste of revenge. Sounds like a real funny occasion, I'd be hard press to imagine anyone truly being upset so I can see how no anger was around after that."


"Yeah sounds lucky!"

---

She chuckled a little "Hehe sounds like something my mother says all the time but I guess you're right. Beauty is within." She looked when she talked about the sisters. Ava mentioned their generous proportions but then talked about Ren's own features and her words carried meaning, maybe more than she realized. She did make her feel special and desired. Her heart accelerated and her face flushed red, boy Ava was beautiful and kind and sweet. She never thought of herself as anything really pretty, just ordinary but now a pretty woman was calling her pretty!? She didn't know what to do. "I...." She didn't have words other than a simple kind of quiet "thank you...."

---

Marcella cooed "That's so cute! He really has been your loyal companion for so long, since a little pup. He's a good one too, a good solid companion who no doubt has kept you going through tough times"

Saida Adib.
Tsubaki, Animalpolis.
Fara smiled.
"Yeah, we were all happy as clams once we came out of the water.", she told, "When my little sister wanted to learn how to swim, she of course came to me in the evening before she wanted me to teach her and I went to Father." She smiled a brilliant smile. "'Remember how I taught you!', he told me and come next morning, I threw my little sister into the sea, jumping right after her."
She shrugged.
"She learned to swim", she said with finality.

Ava Shabh.
Kitan.
I smiled slightly.
Ren needed to work on her self confidence and I would help her.
My hand returned.
"Tell me about you, Ren.", I asked of her, smiling, "And please, don't say, that there's nothing to tell, because there is a lot to tell."

Princess Aurelia bint-Damir.
Port Aurora, cabin of the Harira.
Oh, Marcella... if you knew, how much he kept me going through tough times...
"If it weren't for him, I would not be here.", I whispered, smiling, "Dad gifted him to me, back in the day. He should be there for me, when he couldn't. He still is."
I scratched him behind his ears.
"Marcella...", I began, "...I... he... you..." I took a deep breath. "Please keep this under wraps, but... Dad's going to marry next year."
Well, one of the big secrets was out.

[Lux Pulchrae]

"Certainly." She nodded and left them making a note to return in roughly 10-minutes time. Putting her next set of orders in at the kitchen some of her co-workers were chatting up. "Got a fussy bunch, Shino?"

"Not the worst I've dealt with but seems a little high maintenance." She took a fresh order pad and pen.

"I walked by your table, that guy seems familiar, feel like he was here last year." A girl said

"Well maybe, many tourists come and go. Some repeat." Shino acknowledged. "Anyway, don't think to hard about it. Keep your focus on work."

Shino returned to the table as instructed about 10 minutes later, first the standard "How is your meal, everything good?"

“Yes,” Jose responded “Everything is going well.” They were about nine-tenths done with their meal, and both fish were gone. Looking up to Lourdes, he asked “Desert?”

After mulling it over for a moment, “What do they have?”

“What do you people have for desert here?”

“Ooh, for to go please. We can eat it at the inn.” she added in. “Well, IF we get dessert that is. I’d like chocolate cake or something.”

“Do you have anything like chocolate cake?”

[The Scarlet Eagle]

"Oh fine evening to you. Thank you, we're glad you enjoyed it. Boy it's been what, about 3 years, Kaja?"

"Yes that's right since we started out performance. I'm an on-and-off theater performer myself, I never would have thought my wifey here would be so into it, she's very practical." Kaja chuckled

"Come now, I have my creative side. Hopefully some time you'll get to see the full performance. It's just something the four of us do. Oh..." she waved over her two daughters

"Our girls you saw them. Ohana here plays young Tamura, I play the older. My wife Kaja plays sometimes trades off with me. Our youngest Kohana here, she plays Akira, which in our abridged version you don't get to see her."

"So I get to be moral support and enjoy the festival." She added

"Well Kaja's not terribly wrong. I'm not much of an actor, I'm just physically strong to wiled heavy swords. Everything you see is authentic and real, no cheap props from us."

Aurora
"I don't doubt that everything you do and use, is authentic, replies Patricia, the Ambassador's wife. And I think this is what makes your work truly beautiful. If I've learned one thing tonight, it's that she would be ready to everything to achieve her goals. Whether it is right or wrong is of course debatable.
So, since you're the Royal Troupe, does that means your funding comes primarly from the Duchess?"

Animalpolis
Aftr having enjoyed some time together in the bath, and having washed themselves, Catherine Smetov and Patricia Petrenko, along wit Gopnik, are now back out in the street, with clean clothes on them.
"So, what now? asks the brown haired woman to her blonde friend.
-Well, I don't know about you sweetie, but I'm a bit hungry, replies Catherine. Let's try to find something to eat before we go to the brothel."
And so, after a few minutes, they find a small stand in the street that appears to sell local food.
"Good evening, says Catherine with a smile to the attendant. Are you still opened?"

[AHSCA]

Saida Adib.
Tsubaki, Animalpolis.
Fara smiled.
"Yeah, we were all happy as clams once we came out of the water.", she told, "When my little sister wanted to learn how to swim, she of course came to me in the evening before she wanted me to teach her and I went to Father." She smiled a brilliant smile. "'Remember how I taught you!', he told me and come next morning, I threw my little sister into the sea, jumping right after her."
She shrugged.
"She learned to swim", she said with finality.

Ava Shabh.
Kitan.
I smiled slightly.
Ren needed to work on her self confidence and I would help her.
My hand returned.
"Tell me about you, Ren.", I asked of her, smiling, "And please, don't say, that there's nothing to tell, because there is a lot to tell."

Princess Aurelia bint-Damir.
Port Aurora, cabin of the Harira.
Oh, Marcella... if you knew, how much he kept me going through tough times...
"If it weren't for him, I would not be here.", I whispered, smiling, "Dad gifted him to me, back in the day. He should be there for me, when he couldn't. He still is."
I scratched him behind his ears.
"Marcella...", I began, "...I... he... you..." I took a deep breath. "Please keep this under wraps, but... Dad's going to marry next year."
Well, one of the big secrets was out.

"That's wonderful! Glad you were able to take a big sister by teaching your little sister the same way you learned. And also jumping in with her probably made her feel better in the end."

---

"Hehe well okay, if you say so. Let me see...Well I was acutally born on Animalpolis. Lived there but we came here when I was about 5 or 6....Well anyway since then I lived in a smaller village, not far from here and not totally backwater but not as bustling as here in Port Aurora. But quaint and homey for sure. I'm a big sister like I mentioned, a little brother and little sister and I see them every week now. I came to Port to work at The Kitan, knowing it's a good place for young ladies like me to work at. Good pay, good time, kind manager. Before that I tried my hand at joining the family business, working with my papa on his fishing boat but I couldn't take to that. So now, The Kitan is what I do. I do like reading, not just the beauty magazines I mentioned, but books. Many kinds of books I like."

---

Marcella's heart skipped a beat, my goodness what a major bombshell this was. "Wow, he is?!" She felt happy for him but she also had to consider how did Aurelia feel about that? Marcella as blessed and fortunate enough to have both her parents her entire life but Aurelia had only had her papa forever. "I mean...It sounds lovely but how are you feeling? I mean, it's been just the two of you for so many years, am I right?"

“Yes,” Jose responded “Everything is going well.” They were about nine-tenths done with their meal, and both fish were gone. Looking up to Lourdes, he asked “Desert?”

After mulling it over for a moment, “What do they have?”

“What do you people have for desert here?”

“Ooh, for to go please. We can eat it at the inn.” she added in. “Well, IF we get dessert that is. I’d like chocolate cake or something.”

“Do you have anything like chocolate cake?”

"Yes, we do. We have many kinds of cakes, pies, pastries and ice cream. If you like I'll have some wrapped up for you for when you're ready to leave."

Aurora
"I don't doubt that everything you do and use, is authentic, replies Patricia, the Ambassador's wife. And I think this is what makes your work truly beautiful. If I've learned one thing tonight, it's that she would be ready to everything to achieve her goals. Whether it is right or wrong is of course debatable.
So, since you're the Royal Troupe, does that means your funding comes primarly from the Duchess?"

Animalpolis
Aftr having enjoyed some time together in the bath, and having washed themselves, Catherine Smetov and Patricia Petrenko, along wit Gopnik, are now back out in the street, with clean clothes on them.
"So, what now? asks the brown haired woman to her blonde friend.
-Well, I don't know about you sweetie, but I'm a bit hungry, replies Catherine. Let's try to find something to eat before we go to the brothel."
And so, after a few minutes, they find a small stand in the street that appears to sell local food.
"Good evening, says Catherine with a smile to the attendant. Are you still opened?"

"Well put, that's how we hope people will feel when they look back at our Duchess of Old, a determined woman with great strength! Aha how we would love that if we got Crown funding. No we're working for our money between our day jobs and our small collection for our shows here. That said the theaters and arts do get some funding from the Crown so I guess in some ways we do. But we went with that name because our act is all about the history of the Duchess. Believe it or not, I'm a distant blood relative of the Duchesses. Well it's because Duchess Tamura was known to have several lovers, as was her daughter so good chances of many small splinters of royal blood. That said I'm not looking to get into the world of politics and royalty, my family is all I need."

"Tsubasa is brash but she has a kind heart and is a great mother. I never knew she was somewhat related to the royal line until she suggested we become an act."

---

"We sure are, ladies! Welcome to our little pop up stand, got lots of great things, noodle dishes and fish! How about a spicy pork noodle bowl to start ya off, our specialty!"

[Kyrenaia]

"That's wonderful! Glad you were able to take a big sister by teaching your little sister the same way you learned. And also jumping in with her probably made her feel better in the end."

---

"Hehe well okay, if you say so. Let me see...Well I was acutally born on Animalpolis. Lived there but we came here when I was about 5 or 6....Well anyway since then I lived in a smaller village, not far from here and not totally backwater but not as bustling as here in Port Aurora. But quaint and homey for sure. I'm a big sister like I mentioned, a little brother and little sister and I see them every week now. I came to Port to work at The Kitan, knowing it's a good place for young ladies like me to work at. Good pay, good time, kind manager. Before that I tried my hand at joining the family business, working with my papa on his fishing boat but I couldn't take to that. So now, The Kitan is what I do. I do like reading, not just the beauty magazines I mentioned, but books. Many kinds of books I like."

---

Marcella's heart skipped a beat, my goodness what a major bombshell this was. "Wow, he is?!" She felt happy for him but she also had to consider how did Aurelia feel about that? Marcella as blessed and fortunate enough to have both her parents her entire life but Aurelia had only had her papa forever. "I mean...It sounds lovely but how are you feeling? I mean, it's been just the two of you for so many years, am I right?"

Saida Adib.
Tsubaki, Animalpolis.
Fara shrugged. "Probably.", she said, "But in the end, she's not a swimmer like me, but a horsewoman and falconer, much like our father." She shrugged. "Still, she loves it and that's the important part. Plus, she looks awesome!"
I nodded.
Princess Fadia really did look awesome in full equipment, with Junah on her arm, like an Ilkhana from a long bygone era having come back to life.
"Mounted Falconry is the name of her game.", she added.

Ava Shabh.
Kitan.
I nodded.
"A fellow wanderer, I see?", I said with a nod, "I feel you. My reason for going to Kyrenaia all this time ago was the same: I wasn't good in the family business, going to Kyrenaia as a mercenary offered good silver and, to be honest, excitement." I shrugged. "So I fought for whoever wanted to buy my services. And when I was out of work... well, I was always good as a singer."

Princess Aurelia bint-Damir.
Port Aurora, cabin of the Harira.
I was silent for a bit.
"I don't know.", I said, "Yasmin is a good woman and Dad is happy with her. She... Dad and I had been a duo since I was 13, Marcella, since Mam... well..." I swallowed. Even after all these years, I couldn't say it out loud. "I like her, really, she's good and she does Dad good, but... I feel, as if I am being replaced."
I let a beat pass.
"I know, that this is not, what he thinks, but... it feels like that to me...", I whispered.

[The Scarlet Eagle]

Aurora
"Well put, that's how we hope people will feel when they look back at our Duchess of Old, a determined woman with great strength! Aha how we would love that if we got Crown funding. No we're working for our money between our day jobs and our small collection for our shows here. That said the theaters and arts do get some funding from the Crown so I guess in some ways we do. But we went with that name because our act is all about the history of the Duchess. Believe it or not, I'm a distant blood relative of the Duchesses. Well it's because Duchess Tamura was known to have several lovers, as was her daughter so good chances of many small splinters of royal blood. That said I'm not looking to get into the world of politics and royalty, my family is all I need."

"Tsubasa is brash but she has a kind heart and is a great mother. I never knew she was somewhat related to the royal line until she suggested we become an act."

Animalpolis

"We sure are, ladies! Welcome to our little pop up stand, got lots of great things, noodle dishes and fish! How about a spicy pork noodle bowl to start ya off, our specialty!"

Aurora
"Oh that's too bad you don't get a bit of funding from the Duchess, replies the Ambassador with a sad smile. But hey, at least it's good to know you're related, even from a distance, to the Duchess! he continues with more enthusiasm in his voice. If I may ask, do you ever plan in the future to hold a play on the Embassy Isle? I know that my staff would gladly watch this piece, finishes Daniel with a warm smile.

Animalpolis
"Then two pork noodles it will be! replies Patricia with the same enthusiastic tone as the vendor. And also a piece of meat and some rice for my dog please," adds the brown haired woman as she points to her canine companion, who is starting to salivate since he has understood it was time to eat.

[Cartoonia]

Aurora Village, Aurora, AHSCA. September 8, 2019. 8:00 AM

“Hey Homer! Wake up!”. A new morning dawns on AHSCA as Randy and Homer wake up. Homer was feeling a hangover as that drinking yesterday made him feel horrible.

“Uuuuuuuugh” Homer groans. “What happened?”

“You got drunk” Randy says, slapping Homer to get him sobered up. “Now come on, we got to be at the harbor , we are meeting Nadie to get to Corona Island”. Homer eventually gets up while Randy collects the envelope that sat on the table. It was filled with money for exchanging. The Squirdoneon Bank knows their job. Homer looks through his pockets to find his wallet. Wait. Where is it?

“Oh” Homer groans, where is my wallet?”

“You must have put it in your suitcase. Come on let’s go” Randy said grabbing Homer’s hand. Homer sobered up and they eventually get their money exchanged, well Randy’s, for Homer blew his, and off to the harbor they went.

[Lux Pulchrae]

"Yes, we do. We have many kinds of cakes, pies, pastries and ice cream. If you like I'll have some wrapped up for you for when you're ready to leave."

“Sure. We’ll get a chocolate cake to go. Whatever size is for two people. And the check of course.” He requested.

As Jose tried to calculate the cost, because he forgot to exchange currencies and does not believe in a credit card though he has one, Lourdes stood up “I would actually like to go to the bathroom now please. If you can show me.” she addressed the waitress. If she can soundly make it, they had just killed a bottle of wine.

[AHSCA]

Saida Adib.
Tsubaki, Animalpolis.
Fara shrugged. "Probably.", she said, "But in the end, she's not a swimmer like me, but a horsewoman and falconer, much like our father." She shrugged. "Still, she loves it and that's the important part. Plus, she looks awesome!"
I nodded.
Princess Fadia really did look awesome in full equipment, with Junah on her arm, like an Ilkhana from a long bygone era having come back to life.
"Mounted Falconry is the name of her game.", she added.

Ava Shabh.
Kitan.
I nodded.
"A fellow wanderer, I see?", I said with a nod, "I feel you. My reason for going to Kyrenaia all this time ago was the same: I wasn't good in the family business, going to Kyrenaia as a mercenary offered good silver and, to be honest, excitement." I shrugged. "So I fought for whoever wanted to buy my services. And when I was out of work... well, I was always good as a singer."

Princess Aurelia bint-Damir.
Port Aurora, cabin of the Harira.
I was silent for a bit.
"I don't know.", I said, "Yasmin is a good woman and Dad is happy with her. She... Dad and I had been a duo since I was 13, Marcella, since Mam... well..." I swallowed. Even after all these years, I couldn't say it out loud. "I like her, really, she's good and she does Dad good, but... I feel, as if I am being replaced."
I let a beat pass.
"I know, that this is not, what he thinks, but... it feels like that to me...", I whispered.

"Nevertheless, the important thing is you as a big sister were there to help her learn a skill. Even if she didn't take to it like you did, she learned it with your help. That you should be proud of as her elder sister. That is the most invaluable thing, dear ladies. That I know much so."

"Noir does know her stuff."

---

"I guess you could call me a bit of a wanderer! So does that mean you were something of a mercenary? Or was it...." she blushed "those services...." No judgmenet if it was, Ava was an interesting woman and when you've been around as long as she has no doubt you've done many trades and tricks.



Marcella bit her lip sterning her voice a little bit but still keeping her gentle tone "Now come on, that's simply not true! Aurelia, you are precious and valuable to him always. But also think about it form this, you are a beautiful woman now grown and a free bird! You and I could very well be married ourselves one day. He's watching the little one he's raised up from a tiny bundle of nothing to a strong and proud independent woman. A woman who is now fighting for everyone in her homeland to enjoy as many rights as they wish! Now he has Yasmin at his side as his girl goes off to the winds. You're not being replaced, Yasmin is a new addition to your family. It's the same thing when Gisella was born. I was the center of my parents attention now here was a new baby. But I wasn't replaced. I was now a big sister also helping out and a new friend of mine. Your papa, he has someone new he can count on when you're not there." She had no idea if that made any sense or not but it was the best she could muster up. Where was this newfound confidence for Marcella? She had no idea but here it was.

Aurora
"Oh that's too bad you don't get a bit of funding from the Duchess, replies the Ambassador with a sad smile. But hey, at least it's good to know you're related, even from a distance, to the Duchess! he continues with more enthusiasm in his voice. If I may ask, do you ever plan in the future to hold a play on the Embassy Isle? I know that my staff would gladly watch this piece, finishes Daniel with a warm smile.

Animalpolis
"Then two pork noodles it will be! replies Patricia with the same enthusiastic tone as the vendor. And also a piece of meat and some rice for my dog please," adds the brown haired woman as she points to her canine companion, who is starting to salivate since he has understood it was time to eat.

"Aah that's okay. We get by plenty well on our own with our own work and nothing wrong with that!"

"Yeah nothing wrong with it at all."

"The Embassy huh? To be honest I don't think we ever thought about that. Frankly it's a place of business more than a place for folks like us to just go wandering up to whenever we feel like it. I can't imagine how we ever could get such a gig there."

"Probably not going to happen but there's always little theater houses round all the islands so not as though people can't come to us."

"Honestly there's really only military and diplomats there. Don't think the foreigners would want to see a four-woman show about the history of our nation's monarchs."

---

"you got it, ladies, coming right up!" the vendor got to cooking, serving it up for the two ladies plus the extra for pooch at their side. "Here ya go, enjoy folks!"

Aurora Village, Aurora, AHSCA. September 8, 2019. 8:00 AM

“Hey Homer! Wake up!”. A new morning dawns on AHSCA as Randy and Homer wake up. Homer was feeling a hangover as that drinking yesterday made him feel horrible.

“Uuuuuuuugh” Homer groans. “What happened?”

“You got drunk” Randy says, slapping Homer to get him sobered up. “Now come on, we got to be at the harbor , we are meeting Nadie to get to Corona Island”. Homer eventually gets up while Randy collects the envelope that sat on the table. It was filled with money for exchanging. The Squirdoneon Bank knows their job. Homer looks through his pockets to find his wallet. Wait. Where is it?

“Oh” Homer groans, where is my wallet?”

“You must have put it in your suitcase. Come on let’s go” Randy said grabbing Homer’s hand. Homer sobered up and they eventually get their money exchanged, well Randy’s, for Homer blew his, and off to the harbor they went.

At the harbor on a beautiful Aurora morning a small wooden sail boat awaited them. Prepping for their trip over the seas, Nadie was prepping her ship rigging up a sail and tossing ropes around. "Heya! Welcome to my little vessel, you two ready to ship out?"

“Sure. We’ll get a chocolate cake to go. Whatever size is for two people. And the check of course.” He requested.

As Jose tried to calculate the cost, because he forgot to exchange currencies and does not believe in a credit card though he has one, Lourdes stood up “I would actually like to go to the bathroom now please. If you can show me.” she addressed the waitress. If she can soundly make it, they had just killed a bottle of wine.

"All right cake for two to go and your bill." She tore off their cost all in all 1100 Island Credits, really a few dollars. "All right ma'am come on with me." she lead her back through the kitchen to a small restroom. A bit nice than their small rooms at their inn. "Here ya go. Pull the chain to flush, press down on the peddle there to run the sink water. Soap is right there." She closed the door to leave the lady to do her thing.

[The Scarlet Eagle]

"Aah that's okay. We get by plenty well on our own with our own work and nothing wrong with that!"

"Yeah nothing wrong with it at all."

"The Embassy huh? To be honest I don't think we ever thought about that. Frankly it's a place of business more than a place for folks like us to just go wandering up to whenever we feel like it. I can't imagine how we ever could get such a gig there."

"Probably not going to happen but there's always little theater houses round all the islands so not as though people can't come to us."

"Honestly there's really only military and diplomats there. Don't think the foreigners would want to see a four-woman show about the history of our nation's monarchs."



"you got it, ladies, coming right up!" the vendor got to cooking, serving it up for the two ladies plus the extra for pooch at their side. "Here ya go, enjoy folks!"

Aurora
"Indeed, but that's just it, military and diplomats, replies Daniel. And on the long term, it's get a bit boring. And although it's true our staff and us Ambassadors could go to those little theater houses you mentioned, we'll still have to take nearly a day off, if we just consider the time it takes for the ferries to join the Islands.
So having a little entertainment come to us sometimes could do wonders to morale, believe me. And don't underestimate yourselves Ladies, what you do is great, and I think most of us foreign diplomats would be more than willing to see and appreciate your show.
So at least, please give it a thought?" finishes the Ambassador with a smile.

Animalpolis
Both women enjoy their pork noodles, while Gopnik downs his food in very little time.
"Ah, that's better when your stomach is filled, says Catherine as she wipes her mouth with a tissue, just like Patricia. Thank you Miss, she says to the attendant, it was delicious. Hhow much would that be?"

[Kyrenaia]

"Nevertheless, the important thing is you as a big sister were there to help her learn a skill. Even if she didn't take to it like you did, she learned it with your help. That you should be proud of as her elder sister. That is the most invaluable thing, dear ladies. That I know much so."

"Noir does know her stuff."

---

"I guess you could call me a bit of a wanderer! So does that mean you were something of a mercenary? Or was it...." she blushed "those services...." No judgmenet if it was, Ava was an interesting woman and when you've been around as long as she has no doubt you've done many trades and tricks.



Marcella bit her lip sterning her voice a little bit but still keeping her gentle tone "Now come on, that's simply not true! Aurelia, you are precious and valuable to him always. But also think about it form this, you are a beautiful woman now grown and a free bird! You and I could very well be married ourselves one day. He's watching the little one he's raised up from a tiny bundle of nothing to a strong and proud independent woman. A woman who is now fighting for everyone in her homeland to enjoy as many rights as they wish! Now he has Yasmin at his side as his girl goes off to the winds. You're not being replaced, Yasmin is a new addition to your family. It's the same thing when Gisella was born. I was the center of my parents attention now here was a new baby. But I wasn't replaced. I was now a big sister also helping out and a new friend of mine. Your papa, he has someone new he can count on when you're not there." She had no idea if that made any sense or not but it was the best she could muster up. Where was this newfound confidence for Marcella? She had no idea but here it was.

Saida Adib.
Tsubaki, Animalpolis.
"Yeah.", Fara conceded with a small smile, "That's true."
The small smile said everything, that needed to be said, her love and pride in the young woman that was Fadia nowadays, but despite her being hurt, she would get up again.
She knew it, I knew it, everyone knew it.
It would take time, though.
She let a beat pass, then looked at Noir: "Do you have siblings?"

Ava Shabh.
Kitan.
"Both.", I replied, deciding to be honest, "I have been a mercenary for a long time, as a horsewoman and sometimes as a camelrider..." I frowned at one particular memory from those times. "...but sometimes, I also had to resort to selling my body." I was silent for a bit. "It was not a happy time. What they nowadays call the Great Famine of 1590, I mean. It lasted for eight years..."
I took a deep breath.
"While I was working as a mercenary, I rode camels sometimes.", I said, trying to distract myself, "Now, camels smell terribly, that's one of the reasons why horses don't like them, but for a Wolf-Girl like me, that was... not completely a problem, but we did smell it. The camels felt, however, that a predator was nearby, so we had to mask our scent somehow." I giggled at the memory. "How to do that? Well, by overdosing my smell with a smell, that would not startle the camel." I grinned. "One of my friends, a Spiorad like me, tried it by rolling in a pile of camel dung. The camel threw him off in an instant!"

Princess Aurelia bint-Damir.
Port Aurora, cabin of the Harira.
Well... this was a side of Marcella I hadn't seen before!
Not that I minded, but... I never doubted, that she could be fierce, but seeing it... for a moment, I imagined Marcella in front of a blackboard. Maybe a pair of glasses?
Right, back to the topic. I blushed, when she said, that we might be married ourselves one day - we might one day be married to each other!
But still... I loved her compliments.
At the end, I was silent for a while.
"Maybe you're right. Maybe she's an addition.", I said, "Maybe I'm not getting replaced. Maybe all will be alright." I let a beat pass. "Maybe it won't. I know Yasmin. She's a good woman." I swallowed. "When they broke the news to me, Yasmin told me, that she would like for me to think of her not as my mother or my stepmother, she knows, that she can't replace Mam, but more as a sort-of crazy aunt or big sis or something." I was silent. "I don't know how to deal with this."
I looked into Marcella's eyes, tears welling up in my own.
"Please Marcella...", I whispered, "...help me..."

[AHSCA]

Aurora
"Indeed, but that's just it, military and diplomats, replies Daniel. And on the long term, it's get a bit boring. And although it's true our staff and us Ambassadors could go to those little theater houses you mentioned, we'll still have to take nearly a day off, if we just consider the time it takes for the ferries to join the Islands.
So having a little entertainment come to us sometimes could do wonders to morale, believe me. And don't underestimate yourselves Ladies, what you do is great, and I think most of us foreign diplomats would be more than willing to see and appreciate your show.
So at least, please give it a thought?" finishes the Ambassador with a smile.

Animalpolis
Both women enjoy their pork noodles, while Gopnik downs his food in very little time.
"Ah, that's better when your stomach is filled, says Catherine as she wipes her mouth with a tissue, just like Patricia. Thank you Miss, she says to the attendant, it was delicious. Hhow much would that be?"

The two women looked at each other with a nod "Well, when you do put it like that, I suppose yeah, we'd be willing to consider it. Guessing just a matter of how to work out the details of how to get there. Well I mean we know where it's situated but like we said, not a place where you can just roll up out of the blue. So yeah, give us some time, think we can figure out how we might be welcomed guests and put on a good show for everyone there!"

"oh so exciting to expand our art to a whole new audience of high class people like ambassadors and staff. I can't wait."

"Well temper yourself a bit, Kaja, we aint there yet but yeah we can always strive to it."

"Sure sure. Thanks for the words of encouragement. Don't know if you folks can put in a good word for us to help us along, we'd really appreciate it!"

---

"Two bowls of our spicy pork bowls festival special that'll come to 4 Credits, ladies! Glad ya enjoyed the meal!" She took their payment "Thank you, enjoy the festival now!"

Saida Adib.
Tsubaki, Animalpolis.
"Yeah.", Fara conceded with a small smile, "That's true."
The small smile said everything, that needed to be said, her love and pride in the young woman that was Fadia nowadays, but despite her being hurt, she would get up again.
She knew it, I knew it, everyone knew it.
It would take time, though.
She let a beat pass, then looked at Noir: "Do you have siblings?"

Ava Shabh.
Kitan.
"Both.", I replied, deciding to be honest, "I have been a mercenary for a long time, as a horsewoman and sometimes as a camelrider..." I frowned at one particular memory from those times. "...but sometimes, I also had to resort to selling my body." I was silent for a bit. "It was not a happy time. What they nowadays call the Great Famine of 1590, I mean. It lasted for eight years..."
I took a deep breath.
"While I was working as a mercenary, I rode camels sometimes.", I said, trying to distract myself, "Now, camels smell terribly, that's one of the reasons why horses don't like them, but for a Wolf-Girl like me, that was... not completely a problem, but we did smell it. The camels felt, however, that a predator was nearby, so we had to mask our scent somehow." I giggled at the memory. "How to do that? Well, by overdosing my smell with a smell, that would not startle the camel." I grinned. "One of my friends, a Spiorad like me, tried it by rolling in a pile of camel dung. The camel threw him off in an instant!"

Princess Aurelia bint-Damir.
Port Aurora, cabin of the Harira.
Well... this was a side of Marcella I hadn't seen before!
Not that I minded, but... I never doubted, that she could be fierce, but seeing it... for a moment, I imagined Marcella in front of a blackboard. Maybe a pair of glasses?
Right, back to the topic. I blushed, when she said, that we might be married ourselves one day - we might one day be married to each other!
But still... I loved her compliments.
At the end, I was silent for a while.
"Maybe you're right. Maybe she's an addition.", I said, "Maybe I'm not getting replaced. Maybe all will be alright." I let a beat pass. "Maybe it won't. I know Yasmin. She's a good woman." I swallowed. "When they broke the news to me, Yasmin told me, that she would like for me to think of her not as my mother or my stepmother, she knows, that she can't replace Mam, but more as a sort-of crazy aunt or big sis or something." I was silent. "I don't know how to deal with this."
I looked into Marcella's eyes, tears welling up in my own.
"Please Marcella...", I whispered, "...help me..."

Noir nodded "I do. A little brother named Aoi. He lives with my ma and pop in the village of Hashibira. He's a good cute little boy."

"Aoi is a adorable. Actually I think he has a bit of a crush on me, but alas i'm taken!"

"Only in your fantasies, Millihi."

"Aww a girl can dream!~"



"Oh dear, a famine! Closest thing to that was the great deluges in 1999, 2004. AHSCA is pretty well known for having kind of extreme weather but we have just as much plentiful sunshine and ample amounts of rain. Sometimes though our rainy seasons like our hurricane seasons decide to be more aggressive and angry than normal. Well I've gone through some big hurricanes in my lifteimte but that's not important t can't imagine an eight year famine! Ooh I pray such an event does not occur here. Oooh yikes that does not sound pleasant at all...Especially if it didn't work to keep the camel any calmer."



Marcella nodded and stood up. She rather abruptly undressed herself. "Strip." She ordered Aurelia. She wasn't preparing for love, well maybe later, she was going to do an old ritual with her. If both women were as naked as the day they emerged Marcella took Aurelia a little forcefully but gently out to the deck of the ship. A raging storm around them they'd be crazy to do this. "Aurelia, I want you to scream into the wind! The Black Goddesses hears all when she brings her storms on these islands, scream all your darkest thoughts out now! SCREAM THEM!"

[Kyrenaia]

Noir nodded "I do. A little brother named Aoi. He lives with my ma and pop in the village of Hashibira. He's a good cute little boy."

"Aoi is a adorable. Actually I think he has a bit of a crush on me, but alas i'm taken!"

"Only in your fantasies, Millihi."

"Aww a girl can dream!~"



"Oh dear, a famine! Closest thing to that was the great deluges in 1999, 2004. AHSCA is pretty well known for having kind of extreme weather but we have just as much plentiful sunshine and ample amounts of rain. Sometimes though our rainy seasons like our hurricane seasons decide to be more aggressive and angry than normal. Well I've gone through some big hurricanes in my lifteimte but that's not important t can't imagine an eight year famine! Ooh I pray such an event does not occur here. Oooh yikes that does not sound pleasant at all...Especially if it didn't work to keep the camel any calmer."



Marcella nodded and stood up. She rather abruptly undressed herself. "Strip." She ordered Aurelia. She wasn't preparing for love, well maybe later, she was going to do an old ritual with her. If both women were as naked as the day they emerged Marcella took Aurelia a little forcefully but gently out to the deck of the ship. A raging storm around them they'd be crazy to do this. "Aurelia, I want you to scream into the wind! The Black Goddesses hears all when she brings her storms on these islands, scream all your darkest thoughts out now! SCREAM THEM!"

Saida Adib.
Tsubaki, Animalpolis.
"Aoi, huh...", Fara said with a smile, "Can't blame him, to be honest. You do make a rather big sisterly impression... boys always like big sisterly types." She let a beat pass. "Believe me, when I say, that I speak from experience..."
And what experience it was!
The number of broken hearts left in the wake of Princess Fara bint-Dardan was almost legendary.

Ava Shabh.
Kitan.
"We ate him during the famine.", I said, "The camel, I mean. Kyrenaia, in its long history, endured many disasters, this was but one of many. Yet, it nearly contributed to the downfall of the Sultanate, as it was but the prelude to the Third Civil War, raging from 1594 to 1632."
I snorted bitterly.
"And suddenly, mercenaries were in high demand again.", I added, "With or without mounts."

Princess Aurelia bint-Damir.
Port Aurora, cabin of the Harira.
Okay, this was... I liked the way this went, but I was not sure, what this was to accomplish. I still followed my orders, rose myself and undressed, my olive skin for the world to see, my... okay, ya know what? Let's keep this PG-13, okay?
Good.
As I was bare as on the day I was born, Marcella led me out onto the deck, into the raging storm - I was glad, that everything was secured, put away, everything neat and tidy. I was wet from the rain pelting me in an instant.
How pathetic I must have looked... yet, it was only the prelude for what was to come.
Marcella demanded of me, to scream my darkest thoughts into the winds, the Black Goddesses, who rode this storm, would hear them - and hopefully, they would take them away.
I was hesitant at first.
Then, it was, as if the floodgates were opened. Torrents of dark thoughts and wishes broke out of me, screamed until my throat was sore and then some.
I screamed onto the winds only the truth - dark or not, Goddesses deserved to hear the truth... about how I had seduced my father as a fourteen year old girl, starting an affair, that would last for two years, about how I wanted Fiafia to die miserably in a bloody hole, about my anger, my hate, my insecurities at being left behind, discarded... the list went on for a while.
Somewhere along the line, tears began to run down my cheeks, mixing with the rain or carried away by the winds.
And when I had screamed out everything, I was sure, that Marcella wanted nothing to do with me anymore... I fell to my knees, rolled up and simply cried.
And the most ironic part was, that I hadn't felt so... free, so unburdened in a long, long time.
And something in the back of my head hoped, that Marcella had heard every single word.

[Danceria]

Aurora

"Well lucky the farmers have brought their harvests in, as have the fisherman. We'll have plenty places to gather but we should get going now before the rains begin."

"Before the rains." Kaori replied with a nod taking her mother's hand.

"But I can't possibly let you foot everything, it wouldn't be proper. What do you say, you pay the fish, I pay for the greens. We call it even there." she offered



"Ah, the temple. If you walk along this road here through the village and take a left at the third junction then walk all the way until you come upon what almost looks like a dead end, you'll see it. It's actually carved into the stone caves so might look unusual compared to those that are free standing but trust us it's there."

"Good luck, enjoy the festival."

Sabin would concede, having come to rely on the woman’s guidance to find good places, and good bargains. As the storm came in, the room in the Kitan would burst into a cozy spectacle. Tea whistled against the steady pitter-patter of rain, and a delectable feast was assorted across the table. As soon as grace, or rather, the equivalents of were said, meals were had.
“I don’t think I even really got to know your names!” the Dancerian would chuckle, “I do apologize, where are my manners…”

---

The laws of spacetime are most fickle indeed on the Ahscan Isles...after navigating his way into the grotto-temple, he couldn’t help but be reminded of the secluded cloisters of his own homeland. While there was still daylight, and when the opportunity presented itself, Aceus would approach the Matron and explain his pilgrimage once more, intending to erect a shrine in Yue’s honor. While he would prefer to construct it as soon as possible, weather not being terrible of an inconvenience, but nevertheless petitioned the Matron for advice and possibly a priestress to ensure that the “Gods and spirits of this land be honored properly”.

[The Scarlet Eagle]

The two women looked at each other with a nod "Well, when you do put it like that, I suppose yeah, we'd be willing to consider it. Guessing just a matter of how to work out the details of how to get there. Well I mean we know where it's situated but like we said, not a place where you can just roll up out of the blue. So yeah, give us some time, think we can figure out how we might be welcomed guests and put on a good show for everyone there!"

"oh so exciting to expand our art to a whole new audience of high class people like ambassadors and staff. I can't wait."

"Well temper yourself a bit, Kaja, we aint there yet but yeah we can always strive to it."

"Sure sure. Thanks for the words of encouragement. Don't know if you folks can put in a good word for us to help us along, we'd really appreciate it!"



"Two bowls of our spicy pork bowls festival special that'll come to 4 Credits, ladies! Glad ya enjoyed the meal!" She took their payment "Thank you, enjoy the festival now!"

Aurora
"Oh, you know, replies Daniel with a small chuckle, since these Islands are calm and serene most of the year, our job allows us to be less high-class and more relaxed than we would have been in other countries. And also, remember that once the day ends, and we get back home, we're just normal people like you.
-Don't worry, of course we'll put a word of encouragement for you Ladies, continues Patricia with a smile. And if I may suggest, you can use the smal garden of our residence as the place to set up your stage."

Animalpolis
"Here you go, replies Patricia as she takes a bill of ten Credits and hands it to the vendor. Keep the check, you earned it. Like my friend said, it was delicious. Enjoy the festival too Miss, and have a nice evening," finishes the brown haired woman, before both Imperial women turn on their heels and go back to their ATVs, parked at the edge of the village.
"So, what now? asks Patricia as she straps Gopnik to her vehicle's saddle.
-To the brothel, replies Catherine with a smile. We still need to check the local night worker's health, remember? asks the blonde imperial Guard with a smirk before starting her ATV.
-Indeed, replies her friend, before starting her vehicle too. All right, let's go!"

And so, both women turn back on the dirt path they came from, and travel to the brothem they had asked the location earlier in the day, their ATV'S lights and engines piercing the quietness of the jungle surrounding them.
After about half an hour, they arrive at their destination.
"All right, time to work, says Catherine as she opens her vehicle's trunk, and gets out a bag full of sampling equipment. Meanwhile, Patricia opens the door quietly.
"Hello? Are you still opened?" She asks as she enters halfway into the building.

[Mervay]

"I can imagine! It's been a long wait but now it's going to happen. You and me, the love of my life. I can't wait. We got plenty of time so we can see the Priestesses to discuss our marriage together and of course get Granny's blessing on it too, and she will. She really warmed up to you when you visited last and she cares about you as much as I do. I think she's really starting to change her mind about things. Ooh, a double date!? What a great idea, Tessy! Ooh and speaking of Kumiko..." She pulled out a book of wedding dresses "I had her bring me this. Mervay girls, wear these amazing white gowns right? So we could look at these and decide which is best for our Mervay wedding! Or maybe I could wear a tuxedo. I always have been bit boyish!" She giggled


Kitan

"Well that sounds like a great idea, then! I'd love for you to show me somethings and then you can show me plenty when I visit. Aah, truly a good vacation, I could use one. My girls will be able to run this place well enough. And Mervay sounds plenty nice."

To hear such words it brought an warm and happy smile at Tess, the fact they are already preparing for the wedding and all they need is to talk with the Priestesses about it and, the easy part, get Sadoko's blessing.

"Glad to hear that Sweetie, I'm glad your grandmother has an special place in her heart to me too and that she has supported our relationship and changed her mind about all what has been changing." She said still smiling to then explain about the double date, luckily she accepted gladly the idea.

"Thanks, hope you don't mind. It is tomorrow at the evening in case you wanted to know." Tess explained quickly as she got surprised about what Satou has pulled out. A book of wedding dresses. Well seems she is getting ready for the wedding at home too.

She smiled at her fiancé preparations and looked foward to her life with her as her wife. What a beautiful couple.

That of Satou wearing a tuxedo made her laugh a bit too, she knew she was a bit boyish, but nothing to mind about and besides she can choose what to wear that day.

"Well it is a great idea for us to look the wedding dresses and prepare ourselves for our wedding at Mervay. Ohh and don't mind about being dressed with a tuxedo, you can be dressed like that if you want, wharever you want sounds good to me. Besides in both wedding dress or tuxedo you will look beautiful and pretty."

Kitan

Then it was defined, Her Majesty would be Tsubasa's guide on her future travel to Mervay. Would be nice and good to guide her friend around her home.

"Then sounds good. Guess I will be guiding you around home when you come so I hope you don't mind to stay at one of The Royal Family Palaces. I insist in invite you to stay there to show you my trust on you and so you can spend all that money used for a hotel on other much better things." Agustinas explained as she got even more relaxed, that bath was really doing it on her and that was what she needed after a long and stressful year.

"This is what I needed after a long year. Glad I could join you here and enjoy talking with someone I can now consider a friend. Thanks Tsubasa." She gave her friend a warm and wide smile at her as she kept relaxing, enjoying the bath. Clearly it was all worth the wait.

[AHSCA]

Saida Adib.
Tsubaki, Animalpolis.
"Aoi, huh...", Fara said with a smile, "Can't blame him, to be honest. You do make a rather big sisterly impression... boys always like big sisterly types." She let a beat pass. "Believe me, when I say, that I speak from experience..."
And what experience it was!
The number of broken hearts left in the wake of Princess Fara bint-Dardan was almost legendary.

Ava Shabh.
Kitan.
"We ate him during the famine.", I said, "The camel, I mean. Kyrenaia, in its long history, endured many disasters, this was but one of many. Yet, it nearly contributed to the downfall of the Sultanate, as it was but the prelude to the Third Civil War, raging from 1594 to 1632."
I snorted bitterly.
"And suddenly, mercenaries were in high demand again.", I added, "With or without mounts."

Princess Aurelia bint-Damir.
Port Aurora, cabin of the Harira.
Okay, this was... I liked the way this went, but I was not sure, what this was to accomplish. I still followed my orders, rose myself and undressed, my olive skin for the world to see, my... okay, ya know what? Let's keep this PG-13, okay?
Good.
As I was bare as on the day I was born, Marcella led me out onto the deck, into the raging storm - I was glad, that everything was secured, put away, everything neat and tidy. I was wet from the rain pelting me in an instant.
How pathetic I must have looked... yet, it was only the prelude for what was to come.
Marcella demanded of me, to scream my darkest thoughts into the winds, the Black Goddesses, who rode this storm, would hear them - and hopefully, they would take them away.
I was hesitant at first.
Then, it was, as if the floodgates were opened. Torrents of dark thoughts and wishes broke out of me, screamed until my throat was sore and then some.
I screamed onto the winds only the truth - dark or not, Goddesses deserved to hear the truth... about how I had seduced my father as a fourteen year old girl, starting an affair, that would last for two years, about how I wanted Fiafia to die miserably in a bloody hole, about my anger, my hate, my insecurities at being left behind, discarded... the list went on for a while.
Somewhere along the line, tears began to run down my cheeks, mixing with the rain or carried away by the winds.
And when I had screamed out everything, I was sure, that Marcella wanted nothing to do with me anymore... I fell to my knees, rolled up and simply cried.
And the most ironic part was, that I hadn't felt so... free, so unburdened in a long, long time.
And something in the back of my head hoped, that Marcella had heard every single word.

"A pretty lady like yourself, I can see that." Noir agreed.

"Well Cinque is the only one for me, much as I joke about other boys having crushes on me."

---

She nearly spit her tea "A civil war of nearly 40 years?! My goodness. Oh listen to me, how ignorant I must sound right about now. I know there's many conflicts and disputes in the world but I admit I just don't know as much."

---

Marcella stood firm at her side letting Aurelia scream at the top of her lungs. In tradition, the idea was those who harbored some really dark thoughts could shout them to the winds to allow the Black Goddesses Homura take them away and eventually the light would restore balance. Perfect balance was something hard to achieve even with this ritual. When it was done and Aurelia came down to her knees she simply followed suit and wrapped her arms around her. "There now. It's gonna be okay." She whispered into her ear.

Sabin would concede, having come to rely on the woman’s guidance to find good places, and good bargains. As the storm came in, the room in the Kitan would burst into a cozy spectacle. Tea whistled against the steady pitter-patter of rain, and a delectable feast was assorted across the table. As soon as grace, or rather, the equivalents of were said, meals were had.
“I don’t think I even really got to know your names!” the Dancerian would chuckle, “I do apologize, where are my manners…”


The laws of spacetime are most fickle indeed on the Ahscan Isles...after navigating his way into the grotto-temple, he couldn’t help but be reminded of the secluded cloisters of his own homeland. While there was still daylight, and when the opportunity presented itself, Aceus would approach the Matron and explain his pilgrimage once more, intending to erect a shrine in Yue’s honor. While he would prefer to construct it as soon as possible, weather not being terrible of an inconvenience, but nevertheless petitioned the Matron for advice and possibly a priestress to ensure that the “Gods and spirits of this land be honored properly”.

A day on the market, even if from Hoshino, Fumio knew her way around the stands and how to bargain hunt for just the right ingredients and asorted items. A full basket meant a good feast for them all. The rain started up not too long after making them make a mad rush over to the Kitan. Fumio took of her hat she'd been wearing since arriving (Well minus the bath of course)

"Oh of course, forgive us for also forgetting our manners! I'm Fumio, and this little scamp at my side is my little one, Kaori."

"Kaaaoriiii." Kaori repeated stressing out the syllables to her name "I'm Kaori. She is mama." Kaori introduced herself and pointed to her mother

---

Aceus was welcomed to the temple by the Priestess at the doors whom promptly lead him to the Matron of the temple. "Lady Sora you have a guest here."

"Thank you, Ko. Please return to your duties."

"Yes ma'am." She bowed and left them alone.

"Welcome, sir." Sora a beautiful four tailed fox woman the 16th Matron of the Grand Temple for Animalpolis sat perched in her spot. Her room would be quite dark if not for the lone lantern providing a flame orange glow. "What is it that brings a visitor to my den to speak with me personally?" She asked and he answered, much the same as what he had told the fellow matron in Misakichi village. "interesting. An usual spiritual quest from a man who is not of the same creed or faith. Normally, I'd be quite suspicious even skeptical, but I sense your intent is sincere so therefore I grant you my blessing. Yue is a complicated subject among us, we can't see to really agree if he's still among us, another spirit somewhere or even in a whole other plane as another God. Perhaps the Heavens may grant us a sign then if we allow you to partake on this quest of yours." She puffed on her pipe a little thinking more.

"I myself, tend to believe the story as told. I understand it is mostly oral tradition and word of mouth does have its way. But as Matron and High Priestess of this Temple and of this island's people, it is my responsibility to be of clear mind to understand what the Goddesses so will in this universe. I think best way to start, is to start right here. I shall grant you space to do as you wish here, if you wish to establish a small shrine you may. In your travels around the island I shall inform my fellow Matrons and keepers of your presence."

Aurora
"Oh, you know, replies Daniel with a small chuckle, since these Islands are calm and serene most of the year, our job allows us to be less high-class and more relaxed than we would have been in other countries. And also, remember that once the day ends, and we get back home, we're just normal people like you.
-Don't worry, of course we'll put a word of encouragement for you Ladies, continues Patricia with a smile. And if I may suggest, you can use the smal garden of our residence as the place to set up your stage."

Animalpolis
"Here you go, replies Patricia as she takes a bill of ten Credits and hands it to the vendor. Keep the check, you earned it. Like my friend said, it was delicious. Enjoy the festival too Miss, and have a nice evening," finishes the brown haired woman, before both Imperial women turn on their heels and go back to their ATVs, parked at the edge of the village.
"So, what now? asks Patricia as she straps Gopnik to her vehicle's saddle.
-To the brothel, replies Catherine with a smile. We still need to check the local night worker's health, remember? asks the blonde imperial Guard with a smirk before starting her ATV.
-Indeed, replies her friend, before starting her vehicle too. All right, let's go!"

And so, both women turn back on the dirt path they came from, and travel to the brothem they had asked the location earlier in the day, their ATV'S lights and engines piercing the quietness of the jungle surrounding them.
After about half an hour, they arrive at their destination.
"All right, time to work, says Catherine as she opens her vehicle's trunk, and gets out a bag full of sampling equipment. Meanwhile, Patricia opens the door quietly.
"Hello? Are you still opened?" She asks as she enters halfway into the building.

"Well thank you, thank you very much! We appreciate it greatly. Now you have a lovely evening. Still many good shows by other troupes and performers to come if you want to stay around. Meantime I think the four of us will retire for the evening. We're glad you enjoyed the show."

---

Much like the one at Aurora, this too was denoted by Red Lantern lights, giving it a literal take on "red light district"

From behind the desk was the local owner and proprietor of this local brothel popped from behind the counter that separated the entrance from the back. "Oooh, customers! Welcome folks, we are ladies of the evening so indeed we are! Forgive any possible rush to judgement but I should state we only employ women here, of course we serve such clientele who share attraction of fellow women but I just want to make it clear as it's pretty apparent you are not from here. If you're still looking to buy an evening then I shall grant you."

To hear such words it brought an warm and happy smile at Tess, the fact they are already preparing for the wedding and all they need is to talk with the Priestesses about it and, the easy part, get Sadoko's blessing.

"Glad to hear that Sweetie, I'm glad your grandmother has an special place in her heart to me too and that she has supported our relationship and changed her mind about all what has been changing." She said still smiling to then explain about the double date, luckily she accepted gladly the idea.

"Thanks, hope you don't mind. It is tomorrow at the evening in case you wanted to know." Tess explained quickly as she got surprised about what Satou has pulled out. A book of wedding dresses. Well seems she is getting ready for the wedding at home too.

She smiled at her fiancé preparations and looked foward to her life with her as her wife. What a beautiful couple.

That of Satou wearing a tuxedo made her laugh a bit too, she knew she was a bit boyish, but nothing to mind about and besides she can choose what to wear that day.

"Well it is a great idea for us to look the wedding dresses and prepare ourselves for our wedding at Mervay. Ohh and don't mind about being dressed with a tuxedo, you can be dressed like that if you want, wharever you want sounds good to me. Besides in both wedding dress or tuxedo you will look beautiful and pretty."

Kitan

Then it was defined, Her Majesty would be Tsubasa's guide on her future travel to Mervay. Would be nice and good to guide her friend around her home.

"Then sounds good. Guess I will be guiding you around home when you come so I hope you don't mind to stay at one of The Royal Family Palaces. I insist in invite you to stay there to show you my trust on you and so you can spend all that money used for a hotel on other much better things." Agustinas explained as she got even more relaxed, that bath was really doing it on her and that was what she needed after a long and stressful year.

"This is what I needed after a long year. Glad I could join you here and enjoy talking with someone I can now consider a friend. Thanks Tsubasa." She gave her friend a warm and wide smile at her as she kept relaxing, enjoying the bath. Clearly it was all worth the wait.

"Good good, tomorrow will be perfect. Weather should be much better then I'm sure. Plus an evening like this, I bet her cute little girl wants to have her mama to cuddle up with." she flipped through a few pages of the book as Satou


"Hehe I suppose there's no rush is there!" Satou said "That will be on our return to Mervay for now we can concentrate on our islander wedding which I'm also excited for and I hope you are too. I know it's a bit strange but I firmly believe it's the ultimate test of love and passion. I mean of course I think the ways you do it are kind of strange but they're important too so I'm ready and willing to do what's needed!" she untied her long black hair closed up the book to put away for later and leaned against her beloved Tess. There was a moment of quiet between them when outside the storm just pounded at them with a moment of consistent machine-gun like thunder claps and lightning to go with it. Satou really glad to have Tess with her at this moment it was a little scary but they'd be okay.

---

Tsubasa smiled and nodded, "If I'm your guest, I'll stay anywhere you'll have me. Thank you very much, Agustinas. I'm looking forward to my visit with you. But if you'll have me as your guest I insist I pay my own way to arrive there. Fret not I have plenty of money to get there, I just like the nice steady pace of an AHSCAian ship over the rolling seas."

[Kyrenaia]

"A pretty lady like yourself, I can see that." Noir agreed.

"Well Cinque is the only one for me, much as I joke about other boys having crushes on me."

---

She nearly spit her tea "A civil war of nearly 40 years?! My goodness. Oh listen to me, how ignorant I must sound right about now. I know there's many conflicts and disputes in the world but I admit I just don't know as much."

---

Marcella stood firm at her side letting Aurelia scream at the top of her lungs. In tradition, the idea was those who harbored some really dark thoughts could shout them to the winds to allow the Black Goddesses Homura take them away and eventually the light would restore balance. Perfect balance was something hard to achieve even with this ritual. When it was done and Aurelia came down to her knees she simply followed suit and wrapped her arms around her. "There now. It's gonna be okay." She whispered into her ear.

Saida Adib.
Tsubaki, Animalpolis.
Fara smiled, bowed her head in gratitude at the compliment.
"Well, I usually don't joke about it.", she told Milli, "Because at the end of the day, the feelings of a person are being made fun of - would you like it, if someone made jokes about your love for... Cinque, was his name?" Fara looked to me, I nodded, she turned back. "Anyway, would you like that? Because... the place I live at receives bags of fan mail for me and my little sister and my older brother every day. Some is weird, some is cute, some is... questionable, but at the end of the day, a real person stands behind them. And I would not make fun of any of them, not even the most questionable ones!"

Ava Shabh.
Kitan.
I shrugged.
"It's centuries in the past.", I told her, "I would be more miffed if it were current, but maybe it's best, that it's relatively unknown abroad. It was not really our brightest hour..."

Princess Aurelia bint-Damir.
Port Aurora, deck of the Harira.
I had almost expected Marcella to go inside, grab her clothes and go without a word, but here she was, hugging me, holding me close, whispering reassurances, which I didn't understand between the storm and my own sobs.
I buried my head against her collarbone, bawled like I hadn't ever before in my life.
Not even when Mam passed, I had bawled like this. Maybe these were the tears, which I hadn't shed back then?
Wherever they came from, they went out and despite the storm, the winds and the rain pelting us, I felt warm in Marcella's embrace...
It took a while until I calmed down.