Just vibing (Closed)

[The Selkie]

"That sounds like a story and a half, though, as you said, one that goes best with whiskey." Dana responded. "Don't know how you can get more undressed than swimwear, though. And...well, about that guy; what was it that they said? Forbidden fruit looks the sweetest."

Viola Dreach of the Tribe of Dundalk.
I sighed.
"I know, I know...", I told her, sadness in my voice, then sighed again. My troubles with the other gender were not for Dana, with all the respect. Instead, I changed the topic: "Though, there is one very simple option and a half. If you ever do business with the Kyrenaians or anyone from their cultural sphere, heed my advice, as counter-intuitive as it might seem - they do not like to do business on conference tables if it can be avoided. If your business partner invites you into one of their steam baths, accept, because that is, where they do business and talk honestly."

[Polish Prussian Commonwealth]

"That sounds like a story and a half, though, as you said, one that goes best with whiskey." Dana responded. "Don't know how you can get more undressed than swimwear, though. And...well, about that guy; what was it that they said? Forbidden fruit looks the sweetest."

Viola Dreach of the Tribe of Dundalk.
I sighed.
"I know, I know...", I told her, sadness in my voice, then sighed again. My troubles with the other gender were not for Dana, with all the respect. Instead, I changed the topic: "Though, there is one very simple option and a half. If you ever do business with the Kyrenaians or anyone from their cultural sphere, heed my advice, as counter-intuitive as it might seem - they do not like to do business on conference tables if it can be avoided. If your business partner invites you into one of their steam baths, accept, because that is, where they do business and talk honestly."

Dana noted Viola's voice turn sad, and decided not to press that topic further. Thankfully, Viola changed the subject herself, turning instead to Kyrenaia's preference for dealing with business in steam baths. "Ah, no. That actually makes sense." Dana leaned forward, and finished off the last of her food. "It's sort of like the folks at home, you know. It's suprising how many deals get cut over campfires or at shooting ranges."

She paused. "Tell you what, once the weather warms, you'd be welcome to call on me at any time. I know a place in the Carpathians. Wonderful scenery, good hiking trails, a small plunge pool nearby..."

[The Selkie]

Viola Dreach of the Tribe of Dundalk.
I sighed.
"I know, I know...", I told her, sadness in my voice, then sighed again. My troubles with the other gender were not for Dana, with all the respect. Instead, I changed the topic: "Though, there is one very simple option and a half. If you ever do business with the Kyrenaians or anyone from their cultural sphere, heed my advice, as counter-intuitive as it might seem - they do not like to do business on conference tables if it can be avoided. If your business partner invites you into one of their steam baths, accept, because that is, where they do business and talk honestly."

Dana noted Viola's voice turn sad, and decided not to press that topic further. Thankfully, Viola changed the subject herself, turning instead to Kyrenaia's preference for dealing with business in steam baths. "Ah, no. That actually makes sense." Dana leaned forward, and finished off the last of her food. "It's sort of like the folks at home, you know. It's suprising how many deals get cut over campfires or at shooting ranges."

She paused. "Tell you what, once the weather warms, you'd be welcome to call on me at any time. I know a place in the Carpathians. Wonderful scenery, good hiking trails, a small plunge pool nearby..."

Viola Dreach of the Tribe of Dundalk.
I could very well imagine, that many deals were hashed out in the relaxed atmosphere, which a shooting range or a campfire offered to the Prusso-Poles - it was, after all, a similar principle to the Hammam of the Kyrenaians or to the cup of Coffee, preferably in a Kaffeehaus, of the Teressians.
Relaxed atmosphere allowing people to speak openly.
I finished my helping around the same time as Dana, and smiled as she offered me a tour to the Carpathians - the plunge pool was the icing on the cake.
"That does sound lovely.", I replied with a grin, "If you ever manage to come to the Free Lands, the doors of Drúthalann-House will be opened to you. I know a lovely pub in Creetown, too, with self-brewed beer. Sadly, they don't sell it for taking it along, not even to the daughter of the house-owner..."
I shrugged with a lopsided grin.

[Polish Prussian Commonwealth]

Viola Dreach of the Tribe of Dundalk.
I could very well imagine, that many deals were hashed out in the relaxed atmosphere, which a shooting range or a campfire offered to the Prusso-Poles - it was, after all, a similar principle to the Hammam of the Kyrenaians or to the cup of Coffee, preferably in a Kaffeehaus, of the Teressians.
Relaxed atmosphere allowing people to speak openly.
I finished my helping around the same time as Dana, and smiled as she offered me a tour to the Carpathians - the plunge pool was the icing on the cake.
"That does sound lovely.", I replied with a grin, "If you ever manage to come to the Free Lands, the doors of Drúthalann-House will be opened to you. I know a lovely pub in Creetown, too, with self-brewed beer. Sadly, they don't sell it for taking it along, not even to the daughter of the house-owner..."
I shrugged with a lopsided grin.

"Aye, I'll keep that in mind." Dana replied. "I suspect we'll have to visit each other's countries soon enough in any case given what we spoke of earlier; might as well make that visit as enjoyable as can be, aye?"

She paused, and then, glancing at the empty plates, continued on. "In any case...you still hungry?"

[The Selkie]

"Aye, I'll keep that in mind." Dana replied. "I suspect we'll have to visit each other's countries soon enough in any case given what we spoke of earlier; might as well make that visit as enjoyable as can be, aye?"

She paused, and then, glancing at the empty plates, continued on. "In any case...you still hungry?"

Viola Dreach of the Tribe of Dundalk.
"Absolutely.", I said and then added: "Yeah, I could still take a bite."
I made to rise, looking at the bottles. "Another drink, too?"
After hearing and confirming her reply, I took both plates and went back to the grill, where there were still two pieces of fish and salad. I took care, that there were no squirts and splashes, especially not of hot oil, and that my bikini's sarong stayed as far away from the fire as humanly possible without me taking it off, and loaded our plates for a second round.
"Though, just so that we are along the same lines, if you come at the right time, I am going to drag you to a tournament and you will take a Champion.", I told Dana with a grin, "Don't worry, that means nothing indecent."

[Polish Prussian Commonwealth]

Viola Dreach of the Tribe of Dundalk.
"Absolutely.", I said and then added: "Yeah, I could still take a bite."
I made to rise, looking at the bottles. "Another drink, too?"
After hearing and confirming her reply, I took both plates and went back to the grill, where there were still two pieces of fish and salad. I took care, that there were no squirts and splashes, especially not of hot oil, and that my bikini's sarong stayed as far away from the fire as humanly possible without me taking it off, and loaded our plates for a second round.
"Though, just so that we are along the same lines, if you come at the right time, I am going to drag you to a tournament and you will take a Champion.", I told Dana with a grin, "Don't worry, that means nothing indecent."

"Another drink would be welcome." Dana confirmed.
When Viola returned with the food Dana took a few bites before replying. "Oh?" she asked. "Tell me more. Is this about how you all obsess over blades like we do with guns?"

[The Selkie]

"Another drink would be welcome." Dana confirmed.
When Viola returned with the food Dana took a few bites before replying. "Oh?" she asked. "Tell me more. Is this about how you all obsess over blades like we do with guns?"

Viola Dreach of the Tribe of Dundalk.
"A bit.", I replied with a smile, having brought more soda, "You see, a tournament is the contest of the Marcach, our mounted sportsmen and sportswomen - sword, lance and bow. These contests are usually held more or less regularly, fights happening regardless of gender. It stems from the old training regimens of Marcach, who were once soldiers and mercenaries, so... yeah. And Ladies of High Station, be it in politics or society or culture or economics, are allowed to ask one of the participants to fight in her name."
I let a beat pass.
"Originally, that was a way from such a lady to express affection or to mark a specific Marcach as someone, who she would hire or who was asked to fight in her name because she couldn't, usually because of pregnancies and such." I shrugged. "Nowadays, it leans more onto the affection side and for fun. There was a movement a few years ago, who made it more into a thing of betting, but that died out quickly. No, it's mostly for fun these days. I, for example, already have my Champion for the Cuan Spring Festival and I am certain, that he will win... the Cuan City Youth Trophy."

[Polish Prussian Commonwealth]

Viola Dreach of the Tribe of Dundalk.
"A bit.", I replied with a smile, having brought more soda, "You see, a tournament is the contest of the Marcach, our mounted sportsmen and sportswomen - sword, lance and bow. These contests are usually held more or less regularly, fights happening regardless of gender. It stems from the old training regimens of Marcach, who were once soldiers and mercenaries, so... yeah. And Ladies of High Station, be it in politics or society or culture or economics, are allowed to ask one of the participants to fight in her name."
I let a beat pass.
"Originally, that was a way from such a lady to express affection or to mark a specific Marcach as someone, who she would hire or who was asked to fight in her name because she couldn't, usually because of pregnancies and such." I shrugged. "Nowadays, it leans more onto the affection side and for fun. There was a movement a few years ago, who made it more into a thing of betting, but that died out quickly. No, it's mostly for fun these days. I, for example, already have my Champion for the Cuan Spring Festival and I am certain, that he will win... the Cuan City Youth Trophy."

"Oh!" Dana smiled. "It's a bit more like our football matches then, without the after-game riots involving automatic weapons and homemade mortars. Well, with regards to the idea of sports. There's nothing like that sort of system. There are duels too, sure, but they're impromptu things. Cadet from Warsaw Artillery insults one from Gdansk Naval, next thing you know it's a bayonet on cutlass duel or backsword on cutlass or just plain old fists." She have a derisive snort. "And the schools encourage it too; think one requirement to graduate, at least at Warsaw Artillery, is fighting a duel while at school. Least they bother to put putty on the ends so fewer get hurt, but still. Every now and then you get this promising young kid on death's door or dead on arrival because they're giving hormonal teens swords and telling them explicitly to poke each other with them...anyway." She sighed, and leaned back a little. "Sorry for the tangent. Anyway; I'd love to. I assume you already know someone who you'd suggest I pick?"

[The Selkie]

"Oh!" Dana smiled. "It's a bit more like our football matches then, without the after-game riots involving automatic weapons and homemade mortars. Well, with regards to the idea of sports. There's nothing like that sort of system. There are duels too, sure, but they're impromptu things. Cadet from Warsaw Artillery insults one from Gdansk Naval, next thing you know it's a bayonet on cutlass duel or backsword on cutlass or just plain old fists." She have a derisive snort. "And the schools encourage it too; think one requirement to graduate, at least at Warsaw Artillery, is fighting a duel while at school. Least they bother to put putty on the ends so fewer get hurt, but still. Every now and then you get this promising young kid on death's door or dead on arrival because they're giving hormonal teens swords and telling them explicitly to poke each other with them...anyway." She sighed, and leaned back a little. "Sorry for the tangent. Anyway; I'd love to. I assume you already know someone who you'd suggest I pick?"

Viola Dreach of the Tribe of Dundalk.
I blanched at what Dana told me - sure, kids started as Marcach with the Youth League age ten and kids usually got their first daggers with four or five Springs, but they were also taught, what those were: Weapons. They were made to hurt people.
Sure, that did not prevent kids from doing stupid things and accidents happened, but we tried our best to prevent them - on the field, blades were wrapped in cloth and arrows usually were blunt. Granted, with an arrow coming in at 200 km/h and more, a blunt tip did not really help... unless you wear body armour and the arrowhead is not an armour-piercer.
Still, accidents happened. We were far from perfect.
At least there were no riots, though. Usually.
Back to her question: "Depending on which competition and who participates, I would have a few recommendations ready, yes. For example, if you manage to come to the Cuan Spring Festival and go for the River's Crossing Trophy, a swordfighting competition, factoring in the usual pairs and who I know from the participants off the top of my head, I would either ask one of the Blaidd sisters, Duncan Fiacais or Liam Cúlhiacal." I let a beat pass. "Or Duncan's sister Quinn. She's quite good, too."

[Polish Prussian Commonwealth]

Depending on which competition and who participates, I would have a few recommendations ready, yes. For example, if you manage to come to the Cuan Spring Festival and go for the River's Crossing Trophy, a swordfighting competition, factoring in the usual pairs and who I know from the participants off the top of my head, I would either ask one of the Blaidd sisters, Duncan Fiacais or Liam Cúlhiacal." I let a beat pass. "Or Duncan's sister Quinn. She's quite good, too."

"I'll keep those names in mind." Dana replied. "If I swing by then, I'll definitely keep an eye out for them. But for now..."

She leaned back and sighed. "...Time passes quickly here, doesn't it? Days meld into each other in a place like this, I'm guessing." She took a sip of her drink, before continuing. "Which makes me wonder. Is it better to remember it all clearly, both the good and bad, or for the whole thing to be a vague, warm, fuzzy thing?"

[The Selkie]

"I'll keep those names in mind." Dana replied. "If I swing by then, I'll definitely keep an eye out for them. But for now..."

She leaned back and sighed. "...Time passes quickly here, doesn't it? Days meld into each other in a place like this, I'm guessing." She took a sip of her drink, before continuing. "Which makes me wonder. Is it better to remember it all clearly, both the good and bad, or for the whole thing to be a vague, warm, fuzzy thing?"

Viola Dreach of the Tribe of Dundalk.
I had to think about that for a moment, leaning back.
"A mix of both.", I said, "At least that is my personal preference. I prefer it, when there is the fuzzy feeling of a nice, good vacation or other occassion I attend, with... well, you might want to call them highlights sprinkled in." I let a beat pass, made a gesture to encompass the entire place. "For instance, this trip here will leave me with a fuzzy feeling and a lot more relaxed, but it will also leave me with the distinctive memory of sitting here with you and talking. One, which I would not want to miss."
I added a smile for good measure.