Annual Christmas Party in Krugeristan (IC/MT/Ended)

[The Selkie]

Fiona blew her nose in dry amusement at the man's words.
"I did not flip you off, Mister Assad.", Fiona cleared up in a cheerful and nice tone, still smiling, which did not reach her eyes, sounding more like she was explaining quantum theory to a rather dense child, "I told you the answers for what you came here for. I do not intent for you to, as you put it, 'piss off' - these are your words and your words alone."

Assad didn't say another word, and went back to Golahman, who was letting the Tine grab his nose. "I don't know what I've done, but . . . I think Fiona's not happy with me," Assad said.

Golahman gently cradled Little Karak. "Did you say anything?"

"No, but, I just feel like I did something wrong."

"Where is she?"

"She's with Abdullah, sitting by the stage."

Golahman patted Assad's arm, and walked out to where the Jordanian king and the Selkie were sitting. Nervously, Golahman stroked the Tine's head before peering at them. "Fiona?" he said, his voice shaking. "Why are you upset with Assad?" He didn't say it like he was mad at her, and tried to convey that he was curious as to what the atmosphere was between his friend and his girlfriend.

Fiona could not be angry with that man asking her in the shyest of voices, why she was angry with his friend.
She could not bring herself to it... but she could not bring herself to tell him that either. Not now.
The Selkie smiled a small smile, just for him, one, which conveyed, that she was fine, that she liked him and that she would indeed tell him later, when they were amongst themselves. Maybe with Little Karak, but that was another question.
"It does not matter now.", she told him softly, "Get yourself a piece of cake and join us, Karak."

[Krugeristan]

Assad didn't say another word, and went back to Golahman, who was letting the Tine grab his nose. "I don't know what I've done, but . . . I think Fiona's not happy with me," Assad said.

Golahman gently cradled Little Karak. "Did you say anything?"

"No, but, I just feel like I did something wrong."

"Where is she?"

"She's with Abdullah, sitting by the stage."

Golahman patted Assad's arm, and walked out to where the Jordanian king and the Selkie were sitting. Nervously, Golahman stroked the Tine's head before peering at them. "Fiona?" he said, his voice shaking. "Why are you upset with Assad?" He didn't say it like he was mad at her, and tried to convey that he was curious as to what the atmosphere was between his friend and his girlfriend.

Fiona could not be angry with that man asking her in the shyest of voices, why she was angry with his friend.
She could not bring herself to it... but she could not bring herself to tell him that either. Not now.
The Selkie smiled a small smile, just for him, one, which conveyed, that she was fine, that she liked him and that she would indeed tell him later, when they were amongst themselves. Maybe with Little Karak, but that was another question.
"It does not matter now.", she told him softly, "Get yourself a piece of cake and join us, Karak."

Being a near-expert in faking smiles and thoughts, Golahman didn't believe that this didn't matter. He didn't get a piece of cake, and he didn't sit with them; he stood there, gradually getting more concerned. "I can't help anyone if they won't tell me the truth."

Abdullah felt like this was a good "I-told-you-so" moment, but decided against that.

Assad, on the other hand, figured leaving the area would allow Fiona to speak freely to Golahman, which pissed him off greatly.

[The Selkie]

Fiona could not be angry with that man asking her in the shyest of voices, why she was angry with his friend.
She could not bring herself to it... but she could not bring herself to tell him that either. Not now.
The Selkie smiled a small smile, just for him, one, which conveyed, that she was fine, that she liked him and that she would indeed tell him later, when they were amongst themselves. Maybe with Little Karak, but that was another question.
"It does not matter now.", she told him softly, "Get yourself a piece of cake and join us, Karak."

Being a near-expert in faking smiles and thoughts, Golahman didn't believe that this didn't matter. He didn't get a piece of cake, and he didn't sit with them; he stood there, gradually getting more concerned. "I can't help anyone if they won't tell me the truth."

Abdullah felt like this was a good "I-told-you-so" moment, but decided against that.

Assad, on the other hand, figured leaving the area would allow Fiona to speak freely to Golahman, which pissed him off greatly.

Fiona nodded sadly.
"Okay...", she said and looked to Abdullah, not missing the "I told you so" he bit back (and being thankful for him holding it back). "Your Highness, if you would please excuse me and Karak for a moment?"
Without waiting for a reply, but with a sad smile, she went over to Golahman, motioning for him to follow her backstage. Sio was at her side, ready to provide his Mistress with every cuddle she needed... or to defend her honour, if need should arise.
Once there, her shoulders slumped, though.
"You want the truth. You are a big boy, so you get the truth.", Fiona said and turned to Golahman, "Truth is, there are many things... that start with Little Karak and end with us two... where do you want to begin?"

[Krugeristan]

Being a near-expert in faking smiles and thoughts, Golahman didn't believe that this didn't matter. He didn't get a piece of cake, and he didn't sit with them; he stood there, gradually getting more concerned. "I can't help anyone if they won't tell me the truth."

Abdullah felt like this was a good "I-told-you-so" moment, but decided against that.

Assad, on the other hand, figured leaving the area would allow Fiona to speak freely to Golahman, which pissed him off greatly.

Fiona nodded sadly.
"Okay...", she said and looked to Abdullah, not missing the "I told you so" he bit back (and being thankful for him holding it back). "Your Highness, if you would please excuse me and Karak for a moment?"
Without waiting for a reply, but with a sad smile, she went over to Golahman, motioning for him to follow her backstage. Sio was at her side, ready to provide his Mistress with every cuddle she needed... or to defend her honour, if need should arise.
Once there, her shoulders slumped, though.
"You want the truth. You are a big boy, so you get the truth.", Fiona said and turned to Golahman, "Truth is, there are many things... that start with Little Karak and end with us two... where do you want to begin?"

"Let's start with Little Karak, because you and Assad appeared to be fighting over him for no reason," Golahman said. "I don't know why . . . there wasn't any reason for you to be upset with Assad holding Little Karak. I didn't see any reason, but . . . I don't know."

[The Selkie]

"Let's start with Little Karak, because you and Assad appeared to be fighting over him for no reason," Golahman said. "I don't know why . . . there wasn't any reason for you to be upset with Assad holding Little Karak. I didn't see any reason, but . . . I don't know."

"It's... complicated. A cultural thing.", Fiona began her reply, slowly, not out of disrespect for Karak, but because she needed to formulate her response - she couldn't give him the response she had given to Abdullah. "You see, Little Karak is what we Selkie call ainmnithe. Literally, it means named."
She made a small pause.
"My Dad breeds Tines, as you surely found out, some of them for the petting zoo, those get a name, and the vast majority for other purposes. Those are not named.", she continued, "Little Karak is also the child of one of his favourites, this beautiful female with soft fur and ruby-red eyes, a real sweetheart. When we gave him to you, he was to be adopted into your family, not left to his own devices so much, that he has to climb into random laps to get attention. He's not a kitten and you are the closest thing to a mother he will ever have. And yes, mother. And now, I would like for you to think this one step further." She smiled sadly. "Why I was so much against Assad holding him, after Little Karak opened his eyes is less something against Mister Assad, but more another cultural thing. When looking into the eyes of young, so we believe, the young can see into your very soul and clean it, making it fresh and a new start, but only with those, who they see as their parent..."
And then, there was another thing on her heart, making her eyes well up.
"And...", Fiona admitted, this not coming easily over her lips, "...I was kind of jealous... not kind of, I was jealous of Mister Assad, because... I'm your girlfriend... and..."
She trailed off, looking and sounded more vulnerable then she had ever.

[Krugeristan]

"Let's start with Little Karak, because you and Assad appeared to be fighting over him for no reason," Golahman said. "I don't know why . . . there wasn't any reason for you to be upset with Assad holding Little Karak. I didn't see any reason, but . . . I don't know."

"It's... complicated. A cultural thing.", Fiona began her reply, slowly, not out of disrespect for Karak, but because she needed to formulate her response - she couldn't give him the response she had given to Abdullah. "You see, Little Karak is what we Selkie call ainmnithe. Literally, it means named."
She made a small pause.
"My Dad breeds Tines, as you surely found out, some of them for the petting zoo, those get a name, and the vast majority for other purposes. Those are not named.", she continued, "Little Karak is also the child of one of his favourites, this beautiful female with soft fur and ruby-red eyes, a real sweetheart. When we gave him to you, he was to be adopted into your family, not left to his own devices so much, that he has to climb into random laps to get attention. He's not a kitten and you are the closest thing to a mother he will ever have. And yes, mother. And now, I would like for you to think this one step further." She smiled sadly. "Why I was so much against Assad holding him, after Little Karak opened his eyes is less something against Mister Assad, but more another cultural thing. When looking into the eyes of young, so we believe, the young can see into your very soul and clean it, making it fresh and a new start, but only with those, who they see as their parent..."
And then, there was another thing on her heart, making her eyes well up.
"And...", Fiona admitted, this not coming easily over her lips, "...I was kind of jealous... not kind of, I was jealous of Mister Assad, because... I'm your girlfriend... and..."
She trailed off, looking and sounded more vulnerable then she had ever.

Golahman kissed the Tine's forehead before setting him down and hugging Fiona. "Hey . . . there's . . . no need to be jealous. You both inhabit a special place in my heart. Assad's been a friend of mine for a while, and probably always will be. You get a different kind of love . . . the love that . . . I may want to share with you the rest of our lives. I don't value one over the other. I . . . I was hoping you two would get along. I didn't know that Little Karak was that special--heck, I treat all my animals as special." He rested his forehead on Fiona's. "What does it mean . . . since Little Karak opened his eyes for Assad and not me?"

[The Selkie]

"It's... complicated. A cultural thing.", Fiona began her reply, slowly, not out of disrespect for Karak, but because she needed to formulate her response - she couldn't give him the response she had given to Abdullah. "You see, Little Karak is what we Selkie call ainmnithe. Literally, it means named."
She made a small pause.
"My Dad breeds Tines, as you surely found out, some of them for the petting zoo, those get a name, and the vast majority for other purposes. Those are not named.", she continued, "Little Karak is also the child of one of his favourites, this beautiful female with soft fur and ruby-red eyes, a real sweetheart. When we gave him to you, he was to be adopted into your family, not left to his own devices so much, that he has to climb into random laps to get attention. He's not a kitten and you are the closest thing to a mother he will ever have. And yes, mother. And now, I would like for you to think this one step further." She smiled sadly. "Why I was so much against Assad holding him, after Little Karak opened his eyes is less something against Mister Assad, but more another cultural thing. When looking into the eyes of young, so we believe, the young can see into your very soul and clean it, making it fresh and a new start, but only with those, who they see as their parent..."
And then, there was another thing on her heart, making her eyes well up.
"And...", Fiona admitted, this not coming easily over her lips, "...I was kind of jealous... not kind of, I was jealous of Mister Assad, because... I'm your girlfriend... and..."
She trailed off, looking and sounded more vulnerable then she had ever.

Golahman kissed the Tine's forehead before setting him down and hugging Fiona. "Hey . . . there's . . . no need to be jealous. You both inhabit a special place in my heart. Assad's been a friend of mine for a while, and probably always will be. You get a different kind of love . . . the love that . . . I may want to share with you the rest of our lives. I don't value one over the other. I . . . I was hoping you two would get along. I didn't know that Little Karak was that special--heck, I treat all my animals as special." He rested his forehead on Fiona's. "What does it mean . . . since Little Karak opened his eyes for Assad and not me?"

Sio went over to Little Karak, snuggling up to the highly curious little Tine, who inspected him.
Fiona, meanwhile, smiled, her head still laying forehead to forehead with his. There was a bit of sadness in her expression. He does not understand., she thought, saddened by it. So I'll have to make him understand.
But one thing after the other.
"It means, that if we aren't careful, he might not see you as his parent.", she explained, "That, and that his soul, too, is clean now, fresh. It's not a one time thing."

[Krugeristan]

Golahman kissed the Tine's forehead before setting him down and hugging Fiona. "Hey . . . there's . . . no need to be jealous. You both inhabit a special place in my heart. Assad's been a friend of mine for a while, and probably always will be. You get a different kind of love . . . the love that . . . I may want to share with you the rest of our lives. I don't value one over the other. I . . . I was hoping you two would get along. I didn't know that Little Karak was that special--heck, I treat all my animals as special." He rested his forehead on Fiona's. "What does it mean . . . since Little Karak opened his eyes for Assad and not me?"

Sio went over to Little Karak, snuggling up to the highly curious little Tine, who inspected him.
Fiona, meanwhile, smiled, her head still laying forehead to forehead with his. There was a bit of sadness in her expression. He does not understand., she thought, saddened by it. So I'll have to make him understand.
But one thing after the other.
"It means, that if we aren't careful, he might not see you as his parent.", she explained, "That, and that his soul, too, is clean now, fresh. It's not a one time thing."

Golahman frowned. "How should I go about getting Little Karak to see me as his parent? Surely . . . I'm the one who feeds him and has a warm place for him . . . it shouldn't be that hard."

[The Selkie]

Golahman frowned. "How should I go about getting Little Karak to see me as his parent? Surely . . . I'm the one who feeds him and has a warm place for him . . . it shouldn't be that hard."

Fiona smiled fondly. "I can only talk about Sio.", she replied, "And that took a measure both dictated by coincidence and devotion to make him see me as his parent. A measure, which is not possible for you, I'm afraid."
She looked at her Curly, a fond smile on her lips.

[Krugeristan]

Golahman frowned. "How should I go about getting Little Karak to see me as his parent? Surely . . . I'm the one who feeds him and has a warm place for him . . . it shouldn't be that hard."

Fiona smiled fondly. "I can only talk about Sio.", she replied, "And that took a measure both dictated by coincidence and devotion to make him see me as his parent. A measure, which is not possible for you, I'm afraid."
She looked at her Curly, a fond smile on her lips.

"What should I do, then?" Golahman asked, on the verge of tears. "I didn't know in the beginning! I didn't know it'd be bad for Assad to hold Little Karak! I didn't know anything!"

[The Selkie]

"What should I do, then?" Golahman asked, on the verge of tears. "I didn't know in the beginning! I didn't know it'd be bad for Assad to hold Little Karak! I didn't know anything!"

Fiona placed both hands onto his shoulders looking at him sternly, but also kindly.
"Two things: One, it was not bad per say.", she made it clear, "Two, keep him around you. Have his basket in your workroom, close to your desk, when you are there, take him with you on visits to friendly nations, where you don't expect anything dangerous to be, such things." She smiled. "Tines are a bit different to cats, they need a bit of attention. We should have warned you, I know."

[Krugeristan]

"What should I do, then?" Golahman asked, on the verge of tears. "I didn't know in the beginning! I didn't know it'd be bad for Assad to hold Little Karak! I didn't know anything!"

Fiona placed both hands onto his shoulders looking at him sternly, but also kindly.
"Two things: One, it was not bad per say.", she made it clear, "Two, keep him around you. Have his basket in your workroom, close to your desk, when you are there, take him with you on visits to friendly nations, where you don't expect anything dangerous to be, such things." She smiled. "Tines are a bit different to cats, they need a bit of attention. We should have warned you, I know."

"Alright. All that . . . I can do." Golahman wiped his face. "I'm . . . I'm so sorry. I probably should've asked before I left with him!"

[The Selkie]

"Alright. All that . . . I can do." Golahman wiped his face. "I'm . . . I'm so sorry. I probably should've asked before I left with him!"

Fiona shrugged. "Let's not play the blame game, okay?", she asked, a bit rough, rougher then intended, which made her clear her throat to continue in a kinder tone, "As it is, you now know, what you two need to do and if you want, you can call Dad or me whenever you want or need to."

[Krugeristan]

"Alright. All that . . . I can do." Golahman wiped his face. "I'm . . . I'm so sorry. I probably should've asked before I left with him!"

Fiona shrugged. "Let's not play the blame game, okay?", she asked, a bit rough, rougher then intended, which made her clear her throat to continue in a kinder tone, "As it is, you now know, what you two need to do and if you want, you can call Dad or me whenever you want or need to."

Golahman nodded. "OK. I'll . . . I'll remember that." He sighed, rubbing his face again. "Shouldn't you say something to Assad, then?"

[The Selkie]

Golahman nodded. "OK. I'll . . . I'll remember that." He sighed, rubbing his face again. "Shouldn't you say something to Assad, then?"

Fiona looked at him dubiously. "I am not quite sure, that I know, what you mean.", she said with hesitation, "Me not being a fangirl of his has nothing to do with Little Karak."
Sio, meanwhile, looked up.

[Krugeristan]

Golahman nodded. "OK. I'll . . . I'll remember that." He sighed, rubbing his face again. "Shouldn't you say something to Assad, then?"

Fiona looked at him dubiously. "I am not quite sure, that I know, what you mean.", she said with hesitation, "Me not being a fangirl of his has nothing to do with Little Karak."
Sio, meanwhile, looked up.

"Just tell him what you told me," Golahman said. "Please? It'd make me feel better, and I don't want you two fighting. Even if you're not a 'fan' of his, I just . . ." Golahman choked a little, "I don't want you holding grudges against each other every time you both are here."

[The Selkie]

"Just tell him what you told me," Golahman said. "Please? It'd make me feel better, and I don't want you two fighting. Even if you're not a 'fan' of his, I just . . ." Golahman choked a little, "I don't want you holding grudges against each other every time you both are here."

Fiona thought for a moment.
She did not want to upset Golahman, but she did not fight Assad or held a grudge against him. She just didn't like him. That was all.
But there was one argument, that sold it to her and she knew, that it was the wrong one to be sold on from bitter experience: It would make her boyfriend feel better.
She nodded. "Then let's see, if he is around here somewhere."

[Krugeristan]

"Just tell him what you told me," Golahman said. "Please? It'd make me feel better, and I don't want you two fighting. Even if you're not a 'fan' of his, I just . . ." Golahman choked a little, "I don't want you holding grudges against each other every time you both are here."

Fiona thought for a moment.
She did not want to upset Golahman, but she did not fight Assad or held a grudge against him. She just didn't like him. That was all.
But there was one argument, that sold it to her and she knew, that it was the wrong one to be sold on from bitter experience: It would make her boyfriend feel better.
She nodded. "Then let's see, if he is around here somewhere."

Golahman smiled a little. "OK." His smile disappeared, only because he didn't feel capable of holding one for more than a few seconds, and he led Fiona back to where the Christmas tree was, finding Vershenov. "Hey . . . where's Assad?"

"In the library. Or the cat room. I'm not sure. All I know is he went in that direction." Vershenov jerked his thumb toward the West Wing of the estate, where Golahman's personal rooms and bathroom were.

"Thanks." Golahman paused upon hearing something following him, and turned to see the Tine padding slowly toward them. Unable to resist the company of an animal, Golahman picked up Little Karak before walking toward the cat room.

The cat room is exactly what its name suggests--a room for cats. Fiona's mother had seen it before, and Golahman hoped that Fiona would appreciate it. Sure enough, Assad was in there, lying on the floor with a number of cats on him or just sniffing him. He smiled at the couple.

[The Selkie]

Fiona thought for a moment.
She did not want to upset Golahman, but she did not fight Assad or held a grudge against him. She just didn't like him. That was all.
But there was one argument, that sold it to her and she knew, that it was the wrong one to be sold on from bitter experience: It would make her boyfriend feel better.
She nodded. "Then let's see, if he is around here somewhere."

Golahman smiled a little. "OK." His smile disappeared, only because he didn't feel capable of holding one for more than a few seconds, and he led Fiona back to where the Christmas tree was, finding Vershenov. "Hey . . . where's Assad?"

"In the library. Or the cat room. I'm not sure. All I know is he went in that direction." Vershenov jerked his thumb toward the West Wing of the estate, where Golahman's personal rooms and bathroom were.

"Thanks." Golahman paused upon hearing something following him, and turned to see the Tine padding slowly toward them. Unable to resist the company of an animal, Golahman picked up Little Karak before walking toward the cat room.

The cat room is exactly what its name suggests--a room for cats. Fiona's mother had seen it before, and Golahman hoped that Fiona would appreciate it. Sure enough, Assad was in there, lying on the floor with a number of cats on him or just sniffing him. He smiled at the couple.

Not only Little Karak followed them to the Cat Room, but Sio did, too.
He stayed outside, though, not comfortable with that many cats around. Fiona would have to make sure, that he got a reward for not mauling every feline in sight later.
Now, however, she had something else to do, looking down at Assad.
"Good evening, again.", she said and inclined her head a little. "I believe, there is a bit of a misunderstanding going on here, between us four." She included Little Karak on purpose. "So... wanna clear that one up?"

[Krugeristan]

Golahman smiled a little. "OK." His smile disappeared, only because he didn't feel capable of holding one for more than a few seconds, and he led Fiona back to where the Christmas tree was, finding Vershenov. "Hey . . . where's Assad?"

"In the library. Or the cat room. I'm not sure. All I know is he went in that direction." Vershenov jerked his thumb toward the West Wing of the estate, where Golahman's personal rooms and bathroom were.

"Thanks." Golahman paused upon hearing something following him, and turned to see the Tine padding slowly toward them. Unable to resist the company of an animal, Golahman picked up Little Karak before walking toward the cat room.

The cat room is exactly what its name suggests--a room for cats. Fiona's mother had seen it before, and Golahman hoped that Fiona would appreciate it. Sure enough, Assad was in there, lying on the floor with a number of cats on him or just sniffing him. He smiled at the couple.

Not only Little Karak followed them to the Cat Room, but Sio did, too.
He stayed outside, though, not comfortable with that many cats around. Fiona would have to make sure, that he got a reward for not mauling every feline in sight later.
Now, however, she had something else to do, looking down at Assad.
"Good evening, again.", she said and inclined her head a little. "I believe, there is a bit of a misunderstanding going on here, between us four." She included Little Karak on purpose. "So... wanna clear that one up?"

Assad shrugged. "Yes. I do. I'm not sure what happened, but . . . I want things cleared up as much as you do." He sat up, crossing his legs, not acknowledging the fact that there was cat hair of every color on his back. A few of the cats were taking curious sniffs around Little Karak.

[The Selkie]

Assad shrugged. "Yes. I do. I'm not sure what happened, but . . . I want things cleared up as much as you do." He sat up, crossing his legs, not acknowledging the fact that there was cat hair of every color on his back. A few of the cats were taking curious sniffs around Little Karak.

Fiona nodded and sat down as well, crossing her legs, patting the space besides her while looking at Karak with a grin. Sio still remained outside.
Once that was done, she took a deep breath and explained the cultural reasoning - and her personal reasoning - about her reaction to Assad holding Little Karak. It was a bit abridged, but the most important bits were there.
And she avoided to mention, that she had been jealous of him like pestilence.
She put on her business face, a professionally steeled mask betraying little to no emotion as she explained. And it remained there as she was finished.
"Well, that'd be it.", she said, "Questions?"

[Krugeristan]

Assad shrugged. "Yes. I do. I'm not sure what happened, but . . . I want things cleared up as much as you do." He sat up, crossing his legs, not acknowledging the fact that there was cat hair of every color on his back. A few of the cats were taking curious sniffs around Little Karak.

Fiona nodded and sat down as well, crossing her legs, patting the space besides her while looking at Karak with a grin. Sio still remained outside.
Once that was done, she took a deep breath and explained the cultural reasoning - and her personal reasoning - about her reaction to Assad holding Little Karak. It was a bit abridged, but the most important bits were there.
And she avoided to mention, that she had been jealous of him like pestilence.
She put on her business face, a professionally steeled mask betraying little to no emotion as she explained. And it remained there as she was finished.
"Well, that'd be it.", she said, "Questions?"

Assad drew his knees up, resting his head on them as he looked at Fiona as she spoke, sort of coming to an understanding. "So . . . my soul was basically cleaned when the Tine opened his eyes? And . . . Golahman's supposed to be the parent because you and your family said so? Now you're afraid that because Little Karak opened his eyes for me, that, he's not gonna see Golahman as his parent?"

[The Selkie]

Assad drew his knees up, resting his head on them as he looked at Fiona as she spoke, sort of coming to an understanding. "So . . . my soul was basically cleaned when the Tine opened his eyes? And . . . Golahman's supposed to be the parent because you and your family said so? Now you're afraid that because Little Karak opened his eyes for me, that, he's not gonna see Golahman as his parent?"

Fiona thought for a moment.
"Not precisely, but the general gist, yes.", she said with a firm nod. "Dad wanted Karak to adopt the little one as a member of his family, judging by Mom's tales about his cats, that they indeed were his family in the sense we Selkie understand an animal to be part of our families. It's not because we said so, but because my parents hoped so... and yes, Little Karak should see Big Karak as his parent or mother, however you want to call it."

[Krugeristan]

Assad drew his knees up, resting his head on them as he looked at Fiona as she spoke, sort of coming to an understanding. "So . . . my soul was basically cleaned when the Tine opened his eyes? And . . . Golahman's supposed to be the parent because you and your family said so? Now you're afraid that because Little Karak opened his eyes for me, that, he's not gonna see Golahman as his parent?"

Fiona thought for a moment.
"Not precisely, but the general gist, yes.", she said with a firm nod. "Dad wanted Karak to adopt the little one as a member of his family, judging by Mom's tales about his cats, that they indeed were his family in the sense we Selkie understand an animal to be part of our families. It's not because we said so, but because my parents hoped so... and yes, Little Karak should see Big Karak as his parent or mother, however you want to call it."

"Ohhh, I think I . . . see it. So . . . alright," Assad replied.

"I feel like I adopted Little Karak--and I really should change his name because this is starting to get weird--and . . . neither of us . . . knew about the whole cultural thing," Golahman said.

"Yeah. Besides, I'll take Fiona up on the offer of other pets, if that's OK."

[The Selkie]

"Ohhh, I think I . . . see it. So . . . alright," Assad replied.

"I feel like I adopted Little Karak--and I really should change his name because this is starting to get weird--and . . . neither of us . . . knew about the whole cultural thing," Golahman said.

"Yeah. Besides, I'll take Fiona up on the offer of other pets, if that's OK."

Fiona nodded thankfully to Big Karak and smiled, a bit relieved.
To Assad, she said with a smile: "I'll get you in touch with a few people I know, breeders mostly. As mentioned, Tines are not fans of hot and dry climates, but other animals of my homecountry are far more comfortable there... and I still think, that a Little Black Fox would suit you best!"