Dragon's Masquerade(MT|IC)

[The Selkie]

"Well, I have a lot of nuts at home," Golahman replied. "Some have the shells still on, if those are better for him." He bit his lip, looking around in a nervous fashion. "I litter-trained him. I don't know if that's good or bad. I honestly don't have time to take him outside if that's supposed to be done."

Fiona nodded. "Litter training or not matters little, to my knowledge, at least for his development. Tines usually don't leave their stuff in their nests as well, so... yeah." There was a short lull in the conversation. "Many nuts are good. Some of them, a slowly increasing amount, the longer he has claws, should have their shells on, it will make them more durable."

[Krugeristan]

"Well, I have a lot of nuts at home," Golahman replied. "Some have the shells still on, if those are better for him." He bit his lip, looking around in a nervous fashion. "I litter-trained him. I don't know if that's good or bad. I honestly don't have time to take him outside if that's supposed to be done."

Fiona nodded. "Litter training or not matters little, to my knowledge, at least for his development. Tines usually don't leave their stuff in their nests as well, so... yeah." There was a short lull in the conversation. "Many nuts are good. Some of them, a slowly increasing amount, the longer he has claws, should have their shells on, it will make them more durable."

"Makes sense. Alright," Golahman said, his mind wandering again. He glanced around, before muttering, "You think one of these doors leads to the gardens?"

[The Selkie]

"Makes sense. Alright," Golahman said, his mind wandering again. He glanced around, before muttering, "You think one of these doors leads to the gardens?"

Fiona looked at the doors as well. "Not directly, most likely.", she said with a thoughtful expression, "Maybe a few hallways and then the gardens?"
She honestly did not know, as palace architecture wasn't her strong point, but she was relatively confident, that they would find their way to the gardens. If not... that did actually not occur to her.
They would.

[Krugeristan]

"Makes sense. Alright," Golahman said, his mind wandering again. He glanced around, before muttering, "You think one of these doors leads to the gardens?"

Fiona looked at the doors as well. "Not directly, most likely.", she said with a thoughtful expression, "Maybe a few hallways and then the gardens?"
She honestly did not know, as palace architecture wasn't her strong point, but she was relatively confident, that they would find their way to the gardens. If not... that did actually not occur to her.
They would.

Golahman nodded. "It's alright, I guess." He glanced behind him. "Hopefully, no one needs us right now, Vershenov's alright, so, yeah . . . we can continue on." He was quiet for a moment. "Have you ever done something like this before? Just wander around with another person?"

[Criska]

Main Foyer--Nearing Throne Room

Aric replied first, a small smile on his face. "International History is my planned major, with a minor in Physics, Mathematics, or Computer Science. Your classic nerd." He added to the light laugh of his sister. Alione moved hair away from her masked face before she spoke herself.

"I am going to graphic design, and other arts." Was all she said, her tone making it nearly obvious that she has deep in thought.

Zarrek was slightly confused as to why Celina was continuing. He wasn't used to this, used to the Crisk style where conversations could be paused mid-sentence, then resumed at a later time. In the mind of Lord Andrastia, this was out of the norm for him. He had expected a pause until formalities ended, but he did his best to not let his thoughts show, even if it was difficult.



Lukas did his best to look up at his daughter as they entered the throne room, did his best to smile, and look like he thought a father should, but it was difficult in more way then one. Maxim and the late Derrick had raised Aria, along with his one-lover the fallen Tyrea. "Will do what I can." He muttered under his breathe, anxiety oozing from his being. "If people think dog-fighting is hard, try standing at a child who doesn't know who you are's coronation." He cursed vividly in Crisk under his breath, grinning slightly as he did his best to relax himself.

Depp breathes...deep breathes...

[The Selkie]

Golahman nodded. "It's alright, I guess." He glanced behind him. "Hopefully, no one needs us right now, Vershenov's alright, so, yeah . . . we can continue on." He was quiet for a moment. "Have you ever done something like this before? Just wander around with another person?"

Fiona was quite sure, that the good Commander would manage - if not, as Krugeristan and the Free Lands were something akin to friends (the Foreign Office actually had no bloody clue about how to classify that relationship), Mairin would help him along a bit.
Or at least keep him company.
"Yes, I did.", Fiona said with a smile, remembering quite a few occassions, "Mostly with friends and a few times with reps from other companies or customers, usually showing the latter around. I often did that with Gwenny... this is the first time with my boyfriend, though."

Main Foyer--Nearing Throne Room

Aric replied first, a small smile on his face. "International History is my planned major, with a minor in Physics, Mathematics, or Computer Science. Your classic nerd." He added to the light laugh of his sister. Alione moved hair away from her masked face before she spoke herself.

"I am going to graphic design, and other arts." Was all she said, her tone making it nearly obvious that she has deep in thought.

Zarrek was slightly confused as to why Celina was continuing. He wasn't used to this, used to the Crisk style where conversations could be paused mid-sentence, then resumed at a later time. In the mind of Lord Andrastia, this was out of the norm for him. He had expected a pause until formalities ended, but he did his best to not let his thoughts show, even if it was difficult.



Lukas did his best to look up at his daughter as they entered the throne room, did his best to smile, and look like he thought a father should, but it was difficult in more way then one. Maxim and the late Derrick had raised Aria, along with his one-lover the fallen Tyrea. "Will do what I can." He muttered under his breathe, anxiety oozing from his being. "If people think dog-fighting is hard, try standing at a child who doesn't know who you are's coronation." He cursed vividly in Crisk under his breath, grinning slightly as he did his best to relax himself.

Depp breathes...deep breathes...

Celina smiled and nodded. "That sounds very interesting, both of it... though I must admit, that I am not too good with Physics. Can't wrap my head around it..."
She let Alione to herself for the moment, looking at Aric with a small smile.
"I believe they are starting the ceremony soon.", she said with a nod into the direction of the throne room, "If you are up for it, we can continue this conversation later, maybe with a dance?"

Gwen did not know the language of the Criskans, but she recognized curses, when she heard them.
She heard them faintly from Lukas, who tried to keep calm.
I can't imagine, what to say to that..., she thought, a slight bit lost. She didn't have children, much less children, who were in such a situation and if she was honest, she didn't even want to imagine being in such a situation.
So, she did what she promised her mother to do in her stead: She kept Lukas company, trying his best to keep him calm and collected and to support him.

[Krugeristan]

Golahman nodded. "It's alright, I guess." He glanced behind him. "Hopefully, no one needs us right now, Vershenov's alright, so, yeah . . . we can continue on." He was quiet for a moment. "Have you ever done something like this before? Just wander around with another person?"

Fiona was quite sure, that the good Commander would manage - if not, as Krugeristan and the Free Lands were something akin to friends (the Foreign Office actually had no bloody clue about how to classify that relationship), Mairin would help him along a bit.
Or at least keep him company.
"Yes, I did.", Fiona said with a smile, remembering quite a few occassions, "Mostly with friends and a few times with reps from other companies or customers, usually showing the latter around. I often did that with Gwenny... this is the first time with my boyfriend, though."

"Ah," Golahman said. His mind was still off in another direction. Her father told me she dated before . . . never went into detail . . . she wouldn't tell me why she panicked after Abdullah passed out . . . I guess she never had conversations like this with any other past acquaintances. He didn't want to ask any hurtful questions, but, at the same time, he didn't like having things hid from him by someone he had grown to trust--no Krugeristani did--as it made him feel like he wasn't able to be trusted.

[The Selkie]

"Ah," Golahman said. His mind was still off in another direction. Her father told me she dated before . . . never went into detail . . . she wouldn't tell me why she panicked after Abdullah passed out . . . I guess she never had conversations like this with any other past acquaintances. He didn't want to ask any hurtful questions, but, at the same time, he didn't like having things hid from him by someone he had grown to trust--no Krugeristani did--as it made him feel like he wasn't able to be trusted.

Fiona looked at Golahman from the side, thinking...
"Is something up?", she asked him with a bit of worry in her voice, "You seem a bit distracted all of a sudden."
She wasn't someone, who easily trusted people, but this was her boyfriend... she would tell him, if he didn't ask for state or company secrets. He enjoyed a trust not many people could compare to, the first foreigner to do so.
It would be alright.

[Krugeristan]

"Ah," Golahman said. His mind was still off in another direction. Her father told me she dated before . . . never went into detail . . . she wouldn't tell me why she panicked after Abdullah passed out . . . I guess she never had conversations like this with any other past acquaintances. He didn't want to ask any hurtful questions, but, at the same time, he didn't like having things hid from him by someone he had grown to trust--no Krugeristani did--as it made him feel like he wasn't able to be trusted.

Fiona looked at Golahman from the side, thinking...
"Is something up?", she asked him with a bit of worry in her voice, "You seem a bit distracted all of a sudden."
She wasn't someone, who easily trusted people, but this was her boyfriend... she would tell him, if he didn't ask for state or company secrets. He enjoyed a trust not many people could compare to, the first foreigner to do so.
It would be alright.

"I was just thinking about . . . what your father said about how you dated people before . . . because . . . I don't know . . . I . . . still have my fears about running into people you knew . . ." Golahman looked down at his boots.

[Criska]

Aric couldn't stop looking back at her and smiling at her now. "I would love to continue this with a dance," He replied, doing his best to not show his interest in her, but likely failing at the same time. He didn't know how much he would actually be able to pay attention to the coronation. The Alione smiled at him in a both light, and slightly mocking way that said maybe your making process, but it was not certain.

As they entered the throne room, everything went silent. Aria stood as the warrior-priest approached her. It was beginning.

[The Selkie]

"I was just thinking about . . . what your father said about how you dated people before . . . because . . . I don't know . . . I . . . still have my fears about running into people you knew . . ." Golahman looked down at his boots.

Fiona smiled.
If that is everything..., she thought, before she remembered something: ...then again, I am his first, so would be a very real concern to him... just like for me, back when I had my first boyfriend...
"Relax.", she told him, "Here in Criska, the chances are really, really slim. Not completely out of question, as bad coincidences can happen, but nearly there. And if we meet one of my former boyfriends, I wouldn't worry, too."

Aric couldn't stop looking back at her and smiling at her now. "I would love to continue this with a dance," He replied, doing his best to not show his interest in her, but likely failing at the same time. He didn't know how much he would actually be able to pay attention to the coronation. The Alione smiled at him in a both light, and slightly mocking way that said maybe your making process, but it was not certain.

As they entered the throne room, everything went silent. Aria stood as the warrior-priest approached her. It was beginning.

Celina smiled and nodded, as she, too turned to Aria, standing there with a priest approaching her.
She looked impressive, like a warrior-queen of old. If they were ever going to make a movie about Fiona the High Queen and her deeds as a young woman, Celina thought, they would have to at least offer it to Aria - they couldn't get more then a rejection and she indeed looked, like she could pull it off.
For now, however, both her and Mairin, who was on the other end of the throne room, were to watch.

[Krugeristan]

"I was just thinking about . . . what your father said about how you dated people before . . . because . . . I don't know . . . I . . . still have my fears about running into people you knew . . ." Golahman looked down at his boots.

Fiona smiled.
If that is everything..., she thought, before she remembered something: ...then again, I am his first, so would be a very real concern to him... just like for me, back when I had my first boyfriend...
"Relax.", she told him, "Here in Criska, the chances are really, really slim. Not completely out of question, as bad coincidences can happen, but nearly there. And if we meet one of my former boyfriends, I wouldn't worry, too."

Golahman nodded, though he still felt sick. "Well . . . if you say so . . ." He started holding his scarf, looking frantically around for an animal of some sort. "Just . . . also worried about . . . what if someone here . . . tries to take you away . . . like what they did to Nora . . . ?"

[The Selkie]

Golahman nodded, though he still felt sick. "Well . . . if you say so . . ." He started holding his scarf, looking frantically around for an animal of some sort. "Just . . . also worried about . . . what if someone here . . . tries to take you away . . . like what they did to Nora . . . ?"

Fiona stopped in her tracks, looking at Golahman sternly.
She knew very well, what her boyfriend thought about her aunt and she knew, what connotations that had in his culture. She knew, that he was worried about her running off with some other man and getting herself knocked up.
She felt, as if he not only was afraid of the possibility, that she might be unfaithful to her boyfriend, but outright accused her of it.
"I'm sorry, but could you repeat that, please?", she asked in a neutral tone, her lips a tight line.

[Krugeristan]

Golahman nodded, though he still felt sick. "Well . . . if you say so . . ." He started holding his scarf, looking frantically around for an animal of some sort. "Just . . . also worried about . . . what if someone here . . . tries to take you away . . . like what they did to Nora . . . ?"

Fiona stopped in her tracks, looking at Golahman sternly.
She knew very well, what her boyfriend thought about her aunt and she knew, what connotations that had in his culture. She knew, that he was worried about her running off with some other man and getting herself knocked up.
She felt, as if he not only was afraid of the possibility, that she might be unfaithful to her boyfriend, but outright accused her of it.
"I'm sorry, but could you repeat that, please?", she asked in a neutral tone, her lips a tight line.

"I'm afraid of people taking the people I love away," Golahman said, "It was done to a friend I managed to make in the military. I still have nightmares of complete strangers walking up to us in an empty street, and taking you away. I feel inadequate all the time, but when I met you, when I met your mother, I started feeling normal. I started feeling like I was capable of being able to forge relationships with people, but, I still don't know what I'm doing, and I always fear what might happen if someone more socially adept came up to us. I'm trying to learn how to stop being so fearful, but it's hard." Golahman swallowed, tears welling up. "There's nothing wrong with you."

[The Selkie]

Fiona stopped in her tracks, looking at Golahman sternly.
She knew very well, what her boyfriend thought about her aunt and she knew, what connotations that had in his culture. She knew, that he was worried about her running off with some other man and getting herself knocked up.
She felt, as if he not only was afraid of the possibility, that she might be unfaithful to her boyfriend, but outright accused her of it.
"I'm sorry, but could you repeat that, please?", she asked in a neutral tone, her lips a tight line.

"I'm afraid of people taking the people I love away," Golahman said, "It was done to a friend I managed to make in the military. I still have nightmares of complete strangers walking up to us in an empty street, and taking you away. I feel inadequate all the time, but when I met you, when I met your mother, I started feeling normal. I started feeling like I was capable of being able to forge relationships with people, but, I still don't know what I'm doing, and I always fear what might happen if someone more socially adept came up to us. I'm trying to learn how to stop being so fearful, but it's hard." Golahman swallowed, tears welling up. "There's nothing wrong with you."

That sounds better., Fiona thought with a bitter smile.
Such accusations hurt her deeply, as she was a person, who valued both loyalty and fidelity, from a culture, which valued the very same and the weight of the spoken word.
"I feel, that you were accusing me of that, though.", she said lowly, "I know, that you don't mean it, but it feels like that. I feel, as if you were accusing me of running off with the first stranger, who is more charming then you..." She gave a bitter, short snort. "I won't."
She looked at Golahman sternly.
"Have faith, Karak.", she said, her eyes watering a bit. "That'd be a good start."

[Krugeristan]

"I'm afraid of people taking the people I love away," Golahman said, "It was done to a friend I managed to make in the military. I still have nightmares of complete strangers walking up to us in an empty street, and taking you away. I feel inadequate all the time, but when I met you, when I met your mother, I started feeling normal. I started feeling like I was capable of being able to forge relationships with people, but, I still don't know what I'm doing, and I always fear what might happen if someone more socially adept came up to us. I'm trying to learn how to stop being so fearful, but it's hard." Golahman swallowed, tears welling up. "There's nothing wrong with you."

That sounds better., Fiona thought with a bitter smile.
Such accusations hurt her deeply, as she was a person, who valued both loyalty and fidelity, from a culture, which valued the very same and the weight of the spoken word.
"I feel, that you were accusing me of that, though.", she said lowly, "I know, that you don't mean it, but it feels like that. I feel, as if you were accusing me of running off with the first stranger, who is more charming then you..." She gave a bitter, short snort. "I won't."
She looked at Golahman sternly.
"Have faith, Karak.", she said, her eyes watering a bit. "That'd be a good start."

"I do apologize if I sounded like I accused you of anything," Golahman said, "That's another issue I have. I can write a well-articulated paragraph, but . . . speaking . . . often comes out wrong. I fear myself more than I do others . . . though people close to me might say otherwise. It's something I don't say to many people. Even Assad doesn't know, and I tell him everything. Saying 'I love you' still feels foreign, probably because I've only said it three times . . . to you only. I say 'I love you' to my animals, but, it's not the same as saying 'I love you' to you. It holds a different meaning, a stronger meaning that no philosopher could ever interpret." He weakly smiled through his own tears. "It's like being trusted with a Tine."

[The Selkie]

That sounds better., Fiona thought with a bitter smile.
Such accusations hurt her deeply, as she was a person, who valued both loyalty and fidelity, from a culture, which valued the very same and the weight of the spoken word.
"I feel, that you were accusing me of that, though.", she said lowly, "I know, that you don't mean it, but it feels like that. I feel, as if you were accusing me of running off with the first stranger, who is more charming then you..." She gave a bitter, short snort. "I won't."
She looked at Golahman sternly.
"Have faith, Karak.", she said, her eyes watering a bit. "That'd be a good start."

"I do apologize if I sounded like I accused you of anything," Golahman said, "That's another issue I have. I can write a well-articulated paragraph, but . . . speaking . . . often comes out wrong. I fear myself more than I do others . . . though people close to me might say otherwise. It's something I don't say to many people. Even Assad doesn't know, and I tell him everything. Saying 'I love you' still feels foreign, probably because I've only said it three times . . . to you only. I say 'I love you' to my animals, but, it's not the same as saying 'I love you' to you. It holds a different meaning, a stronger meaning that no philosopher could ever interpret." He weakly smiled through his own tears. "It's like being trusted with a Tine."

Fiona snorted in amusement, trying to blink away a few tears, but failing.
She could not reply, as words failed her - she could easily sell tons and tons of military equipment, handing a pack of matches to a maniac with an oil canister, but she could not talk about her love, what she felt when she saw Golahman. It was, in a way, familiar, but also so different from what she knew before.
But she could act on it.
She pulled Golahman close to her.
Hardness as the armour of the tanks sold by her, that was, what they said she was - problem was, she had a softer core then many of those people could imagine. A tender, vulnerable core, one, which had been hurt on quite a few occassions in the past.

[Krugeristan]

"I do apologize if I sounded like I accused you of anything," Golahman said, "That's another issue I have. I can write a well-articulated paragraph, but . . . speaking . . . often comes out wrong. I fear myself more than I do others . . . though people close to me might say otherwise. It's something I don't say to many people. Even Assad doesn't know, and I tell him everything. Saying 'I love you' still feels foreign, probably because I've only said it three times . . . to you only. I say 'I love you' to my animals, but, it's not the same as saying 'I love you' to you. It holds a different meaning, a stronger meaning that no philosopher could ever interpret." He weakly smiled through his own tears. "It's like being trusted with a Tine."

Fiona snorted in amusement, trying to blink away a few tears, but failing.
She could not reply, as words failed her - she could easily sell tons and tons of military equipment, handing a pack of matches to a maniac with an oil canister, but she could not talk about her love, what she felt when she saw Golahman. It was, in a way, familiar, but also so different from what she knew before.
But she could act on it.
She pulled Golahman close to her.
Hardness as the armour of the tanks sold by her, that was, what they said she was - problem was, she had a softer core then many of those people could imagine. A tender, vulnerable core, one, which had been hurt on quite a few occassions in the past.

Golahman was more forgiving than the majority of Krugeristanis. He leaned down a little to nuzzle Fiona's forehead gently. "As much as I wish 'I love you' was easier for me to say . . . I don't think it should be overused to the point where it means nothing anymore. I want it to have meaning, for myself and for you."

[Criska]

Throne Room

The Crisk and Edem were utterly silent as the priest walked slightly to the side of Aria, his book open. Aria put a fist over her heart and had her head slightly bowed, as if to be in deference to the priest. “Do you, Aria Elwin Oktarian, agree to do your best to defend the lands of the Realm, and her colonies?” His voice echoed through the room as the ceremonial guards stood motionless as the near identical statues in the halls.

There was a moment of silence. “I do.” Aria’s voice was a mixture of utter determination, but those who knew her could catch the faint glimpses of despair hidden beneath.

“Do you, also, take it upon yourself to ensure the safety of those within her lands?”

“I do.”

“Will you make it your duty to oversee the wellbeing of all who reside within your lands peacefully?”

“I will.”

“Will you take it upon yourself to seek the strength of the Ascended and bring her graces upon her peoples?”

“I will.”

“Then I name thee, Empress Aria Elwin Oktarian. No longer princess,” As he spoke he slowly removed the mask of Aria revealing her young, soft features, unscarred, but seeming worn as of late, as if the muscles hadn’t shaped into anything besides a frown or scowl in some time, “You are not the head of the House Oktarian, and head of the Realm of Criska,” Just as soon as her face was available to see, silent tears began to fall from Lukas’s face, and a mask of gold was placed over her features.

The priest turned towards the crowd as Aria took her place at the Throne, Maxim standing on her right hand. “I present to you, Empress Aria, the new crown of Criska.” There were cheers brought up the Crisk, but as soon as they began, the fell silent as Serik and Luna made their way towards the front with their black case.

The marched forward with a certain, unmistakable pride as the knelt before her, Luna offering a key to Aria. Valynia watched silently, keeping a slight eye on Vyrin as she did so. Aria knelt down and took the key and unlocked the case. As she opened it there was a sudden rush of happiness that had not been present before, as she withdrew an ornate white and blue scabbard and a Nikan blade, its hilt a pale silver, and the at the hilt a dragon’s claws wrapped around a blue gem.

It was as deadly as it was beautiful. She removed the rapier from her belt and replaced it with the classic Edem blade. The silence continued...

[The Selkie]

Golahman was more forgiving than the majority of Krugeristanis. He leaned down a little to nuzzle Fiona's forehead gently. "As much as I wish 'I love you' was easier for me to say . . . I don't think it should be overused to the point where it means nothing anymore. I want it to have meaning, for myself and for you."

Fiona nodded. "Sounds like a plan.", she whispered to him, snuggling into him. "And I know, what you mean..."
Waari, who could see the two of them from her vantage point, smiled and turned back to the ceremony, leaving the two of them to it. They were lovely to look at, if one asked her, but no one did. Instead, she smiled into her apple juice and left them to each other, deciding to watch someone else - the Pacificorans, for example, who were still not exactly warmly welcomed.
In her head, she remembered something she had been told recently: For his parties, Golahman needed a band... maybe she could offer her services?

Throne Room

The Crisk and Edem were utterly silent as the priest walked slightly to the side of Aria, his book open. Aria put a fist over her heart and had her head slightly bowed, as if to be in deference to the priest. “Do you, Aria Elwin Oktarian, agree to do your best to defend the lands of the Realm, and her colonies?” His voice echoed through the room as the ceremonial guards stood motionless as the near identical statues in the halls.

There was a moment of silence. “I do.” Aria’s voice was a mixture of utter determination, but those who knew her could catch the faint glimpses of despair hidden beneath.

“Do you, also, take it upon yourself to ensure the safety of those within her lands?”

“I do.”

“Will you make it your duty to oversee the wellbeing of all who reside within your lands peacefully?”

“I will.”

“Will you take it upon yourself to seek the strength of the Ascended and bring her graces upon her peoples?”

“I will.”

“Then I name thee, Empress Aria Elwin Oktarian. No longer princess,” As he spoke he slowly removed the mask of Aria revealing her young, soft features, unscarred, but seeming worn as of late, as if the muscles hadn’t shaped into anything besides a frown or scowl in some time, “You are not the head of the House Oktarian, and head of the Realm of Criska,” Just as soon as her face was available to see, silent tears began to fall from Lukas’s face, and a mask of gold was placed over her features.

The priest turned towards the crowd as Aria took her place at the Throne, Maxim standing on her right hand. “I present to you, Empress Aria, the new crown of Criska.” There were cheers brought up the Crisk, but as soon as they began, the fell silent as Serik and Luna made their way towards the front with their black case.

The marched forward with a certain, unmistakable pride as the knelt before her, Luna offering a key to Aria. Valynia watched silently, keeping a slight eye on Vyrin as she did so. Aria knelt down and took the key and unlocked the case. As she opened it there was a sudden rush of happiness that had not been present before, as she withdrew an ornate white and blue scabbard and a Nikan blade, its hilt a pale silver, and the at the hilt a dragon’s claws wrapped around a blue gem.

It was as deadly as it was beautiful. She removed the rapier from her belt and replaced it with the classic Edem blade. The silence continued...

From their observation points, the Selkie in the throne room, both Mairin, Celina and Gwen, watched the ceremony take place.
It was certain a lot simpler then other coronations, which they had been at, but that was one of the many points, which reminded them of the swearing-in of an Elder. When the Criskans cheered, the Selkie, too, applauded the new Empress, but hushed as soon as the people around them did - when in Rome, do as the Romans did, as some said.
Gwen squeezed Lukas' hand, showing him, that he wasn't alone and without company, that... she didn't really know, what, but that he wasn't alone was a good start in her opinion.
Silently, the Selkie watched on.

[Krugeristan]

Golahman was more forgiving than the majority of Krugeristanis. He leaned down a little to nuzzle Fiona's forehead gently. "As much as I wish 'I love you' was easier for me to say . . . I don't think it should be overused to the point where it means nothing anymore. I want it to have meaning, for myself and for you."

Fiona nodded. "Sounds like a plan.", she whispered to him, snuggling into him. "And I know, what you mean..."
Waari, who could see the two of them from her vantage point, smiled and turned back to the ceremony, leaving the two of them to it. They were lovely to look at, if one asked her, but no one did. Instead, she smiled into her apple juice and left them to each other, deciding to watch someone else - the Pacificorans, for example, who were still not exactly warmly welcomed.
In her head, she remembered something she had been told recently: For his parties, Golahman needed a band... maybe she could offer her services?

"It's something I want to be able to say in the morning when I wake up, when I leave for work, when I come home at night, and when I go back to bed," Golahman said. "And for the days I don't have to work, I want to be able to say it at lunchtime--and, yes, I could say 'I love you' to Sio, right?"

Vershenov didn't take much interest in the ceremony, and still remained in shock that the new Crisk empress was grateful for their actions. Considering that, it did mean that the two countries could start working together, and the primary thing was, of course, military aid to you-know-who. Vershenov wasn't going to ask for it right out. Introducing himself to an empress wasn't something he was familiar with--King Abdullah of Jordan was already known for being very down-to-Earth and human--Vershenov had no idea how in-the-clouds this new empress was.

But he wasn't going to assume anything, so he removed the bayonet from his rifle before lightly jabbing the center of his palm with the tip. As it began to bleed, he screwed the blade back on the rifle, and approached the new Crisk administration quietly. What will her reaction to blood be?

[The Selkie]

Fiona nodded. "Sounds like a plan.", she whispered to him, snuggling into him. "And I know, what you mean..."
Waari, who could see the two of them from her vantage point, smiled and turned back to the ceremony, leaving the two of them to it. They were lovely to look at, if one asked her, but no one did. Instead, she smiled into her apple juice and left them to each other, deciding to watch someone else - the Pacificorans, for example, who were still not exactly warmly welcomed.
In her head, she remembered something she had been told recently: For his parties, Golahman needed a band... maybe she could offer her services?

"It's something I want to be able to say in the morning when I wake up, when I leave for work, when I come home at night, and when I go back to bed," Golahman said. "And for the days I don't have to work, I want to be able to say it at lunchtime--and, yes, I could say 'I love you' to Sio, right?"

Vershenov didn't take much interest in the ceremony, and still remained in shock that the new Crisk empress was grateful for their actions. Considering that, it did mean that the two countries could start working together, and the primary thing was, of course, military aid to you-know-who. Vershenov wasn't going to ask for it right out. Introducing himself to an empress wasn't something he was familiar with--King Abdullah of Jordan was already known for being very down-to-Earth and human--Vershenov had no idea how in-the-clouds this new empress was.

But he wasn't going to assume anything, so he removed the bayonet from his rifle before lightly jabbing the center of his palm with the tip. As it began to bleed, he screwed the blade back on the rifle, and approached the new Crisk administration quietly. What will her reaction to blood be?

Fiona gave a chuckle, touched in her heart by his words - if he wanted, he really had a way with words.
"Yes, you could - but if he returns that feeling...?", she smiled at him, "I kid. He likes you, not as much as he likes me, but he likes you. And he has forgiven you the thing with his head when you two first met."

[Krugeristan]

"It's something I want to be able to say in the morning when I wake up, when I leave for work, when I come home at night, and when I go back to bed," Golahman said. "And for the days I don't have to work, I want to be able to say it at lunchtime--and, yes, I could say 'I love you' to Sio, right?"

Vershenov didn't take much interest in the ceremony, and still remained in shock that the new Crisk empress was grateful for their actions. Considering that, it did mean that the two countries could start working together, and the primary thing was, of course, military aid to you-know-who. Vershenov wasn't going to ask for it right out. Introducing himself to an empress wasn't something he was familiar with--King Abdullah of Jordan was already known for being very down-to-Earth and human--Vershenov had no idea how in-the-clouds this new empress was.

But he wasn't going to assume anything, so he removed the bayonet from his rifle before lightly jabbing the center of his palm with the tip. As it began to bleed, he screwed the blade back on the rifle, and approached the new Crisk administration quietly. What will her reaction to blood be?

Fiona gave a chuckle, touched in her heart by his words - if he wanted, he really had a way with words.
"Yes, you could - but if he returns that feeling...?", she smiled at him, "I kid. He likes you, not as much as he likes me, but he likes you. And he has forgiven you the thing with his head when you two first met."

"Well, I wasn't aware that his head was sensitive, but, I'm glad he's forgiven me," Golahman replied, smiling a little. "Speaking of animals, though, I remember you saying at the Christmas gathering that a Black Fox would make a good companion for Assad. Are there any breeders he can contact about that?"

[The Selkie]

"Well, I wasn't aware that his head was sensitive, but, I'm glad he's forgiven me," Golahman replied, smiling a little. "Speaking of animals, though, I remember you saying at the Christmas gathering that a Black Fox would make a good companion for Assad. Are there any breeders he can contact about that?"

That's the reason why he has forgiven you., Fiona thought, remembering the long hours she spent with Sio, talking to those brown, almond-shaped eyes and loosing herself in them as she told him about that.
"Yes, there are quite a few.", Fiona said with a small smile, "Not many, as the Little Black Fox has a small, but strong amount of followers, but there are a few. One of them lives near Traverse, he has a good reputation, although that is mostly because of his Guarding Foxes."

[Krugeristan]

"Well, I wasn't aware that his head was sensitive, but, I'm glad he's forgiven me," Golahman replied, smiling a little. "Speaking of animals, though, I remember you saying at the Christmas gathering that a Black Fox would make a good companion for Assad. Are there any breeders he can contact about that?"

That's the reason why he has forgiven you., Fiona thought, remembering the long hours she spent with Sio, talking to those brown, almond-shaped eyes and loosing herself in them as she told him about that.
"Yes, there are quite a few.", Fiona said with a small smile, "Not many, as the Little Black Fox has a small, but strong amount of followers, but there are a few. One of them lives near Traverse, he has a good reputation, although that is mostly because of his Guarding Foxes."

"Alright," Golahman said, glancing around the hall a little. "What all should Assad know before getting one? I can write this down and give it to him next time we meet, if that's OK. If not . . . I understand."