Dragon's Masquerade(MT|IC)

[Krugeristan]

"Well, just don't kill each other over it. If Assad is happy with someone's products, then let it be," Golahman replied. "Hell . . . I don't want to talk business tonight. I want to talk about something a little more . . . mentally stimulating." He weakly smiled. "I want to talk about the future of us, as if we were writing a book."

"We won't.", Fiona assured with a smile, "And if somebody's going to die, then it's them, not us. We are a bit too powerful for them to handle..."
Her smile turned thoughtful.
"As it is, though...", she began, thinking a thought, that may or may not break his heart into a thousand pieces. She debated whether to tell him that or not, but... "...Mom is hosting a Spring Festival in Cuan this March. Sadly, the accompanying competition will not be open to foreigners, but the festival sure is. I see us walking over it, hand in hand... if you want, that is."

"I could certainly do that, depending on what Krugeristan's demands at the time will be," Golahman said. "Just . . . there won't be people taking pictures, will there? I know there'll probably be a lot of people . . . maybe Assad could come . . . no, he couldn't. I remember what your mother said about people wanting to kill him and all the extra security would make everything miserable, especially for him, poor man . . . Even if Vershenov came, we'd need extra security for Assad? You know how Vershenov is."

[The Selkie]

"I could certainly do that, depending on what Krugeristan's demands at the time will be," Golahman said. "Just . . . there won't be people taking pictures, will there? I know there'll probably be a lot of people . . . maybe Assad could come . . . no, he couldn't. I remember what your mother said about people wanting to kill him and all the extra security would make everything miserable, especially for him, poor man . . . Even if Vershenov came, we'd need extra security for Assad? You know how Vershenov is."

Fiona nodded. "Sadly, I think, that we will need additional security for him, even if it is only an escort of the Great Woods Rangers or something." She shrugged. "I am no expert on that front, though, so..."
She took a breath.
"Sadly, there will be people taking pictures, but if we make it right, we can make them not see you - or think, that you are a Selkie.", she said to him with a small smile, "I know a good blacksmith, he can fix you with a set of armour in no time and the good Commander as well!"

[Criska]

Main Foyer

Lukas sighed. “I mean no offense to them when I say this, but they really just walked into a den of wolves that will only be kept in check by their alpha.” He shook his head somberly, then nodded, addressing something that had almost left his mind. He smiled when looked back at Gwen. “I am welcome to a change in subject.” He turned his head every so slightly towards the ceiling. “How have the skies been back home?” he had two meanings to the word home. One of them was literally, Gwen’s actual home was within the Free Lands, the other one was something only those that knew him well would have caught onto. He saw the Free Lands as his real home now, and that where his literal, owned, living space was, was simply a house in a place he had never been completely comfortable in.

His hand moved to the side of his mask as looked up. How he wanted to just rip it off.



“Not a bad trade at all,” Zarrek took a sip from his drink as he glanced towards the door, as it opened slightly and allowed in two adolescents. Neither one of them was beyond seventeen, and they both had the same black hair that their mother had had, and the blue eyes of their father, and both were nearly the same height; the difference being in facial structure and gender. His daughter looked remarkably like his wife had, and his son had the same structure of Zarrek. Both of their masks were form fitting to a degree few could match, and both were a white that was the color of bone.

The daughter was wearing a dark green, almost emerald dress that seemed to give the air of sorceress, or some fae enchantress. The son was wearing, doing his best to match his sister, a slightly lighter green, and black dress pants and shoes. Both of them were smiling as they came, at a fast paced walk towards their father.

He smiled warmly before looking back at Celina. “You work in the shipping industries of the Free Lands if what I took is correct... Profitable at the best and worst of times.” He added as an afterthought. Distantly, deeper in the Keep them most unfamiliar people would try and go, the sounds of an acoustic guitar echoed. Zarrek waited for his twins to get nearer before he rose and hugged both of them. He got them both a soft drink akin to Dr. Pepper and sat back down at his previous seat, the tension he carried with him bleeding off of him like an opened artery.



Serik nodded and gave a warm smile in return as Luna came and stood behind him, like she was guarding him for some unspoken purpose, that even the two of them didn’t really know. Like a child defending their parent on instinct. “Practices can be hard to describe at the best of times,” he replied. “Been awhile since I been able to relax during festivities. It sounds like an enjoyable experience, Waari, like a sort of Christmas combined with the thrills of a good tournament.” He shook his head slightly, as if trying to come up with a better way comparison but failing to do so.



Conversation slowly returned to normal, as the Crisk, somewhat grudgingly for some of them, got used to the Pacificoran delegation’s presence. In an even more muted tone, word was slowly spreading the coronation would begin within fifteen minutes, and the doors of the Dragon’s Keep were left, allowing a growing amount of wind to enter the palace, as well as those of the Throne Room, causing the motionless banners to move, slowly, as if they were people stretching muscles after years of disuse.

Several news stations brought camera into the Throne Room as Aria took her place on the right side of the Throne, Maxim the left, and a warrior-priest of the Ascended standing with a book open, preparing to recite the vows that the new Empress was about to make, a gold formfitting mask hanging from his belt..

The formality was soon to be over, with much time for business afterward.

[The Selkie]

Main Foyer

Lukas sighed. “I mean no offense to them when I say this, but they really just walked into a den of wolves that will only be kept in check by their alpha.” He shook his head somberly, then nodded, addressing something that had almost left his mind. He smiled when looked back at Gwen. “I am welcome to a change in subject.” He turned his head every so slightly towards the ceiling. “How have the skies been back home?” he had two meanings to the word home. One of them was literally, Gwen’s actual home was within the Free Lands, the other one was something only those that knew him well would have caught onto. He saw the Free Lands as his real home now, and that where his literal, owned, living space was, was simply a house in a place he had never been completely comfortable in.

His hand moved to the side of his mask as looked up. How he wanted to just rip it off.



“Not a bad trade at all,” Zarrek took a sip from his drink as he glanced towards the door, as it opened slightly and allowed in two adolescents. Neither one of them was beyond seventeen, and they both had the same black hair that their mother had had, and the blue eyes of their father, and both were nearly the same height; the difference being in facial structure and gender. His daughter looked remarkably like his wife had, and his son had the same structure of Zarrek. Both of their masks were form fitting to a degree few could match, and both were a white that was the color of bone.

The daughter was wearing a dark green, almost emerald dress that seemed to give the air of sorceress, or some fae enchantress. The son was wearing, doing his best to match his sister, a slightly lighter green, and black dress pants and shoes. Both of them were smiling as they came, at a fast paced walk towards their father.

He smiled warmly before looking back at Celina. “You work in the shipping industries of the Free Lands if what I took is correct... Profitable at the best and worst of times.” He added as an afterthought. Distantly, deeper in the Keep them most unfamiliar people would try and go, the sounds of an acoustic guitar echoed. Zarrek waited for his twins to get nearer before he rose and hugged both of them. He got them both a soft drink akin to Dr. Pepper and sat back down at his previous seat, the tension he carried with him bleeding off of him like an opened artery.



Serik nodded and gave a warm smile in return as Luna came and stood behind him, like she was guarding him for some unspoken purpose, that even the two of them didn’t really know. Like a child defending their parent on instinct. “Practices can be hard to describe at the best of times,” he replied. “Been awhile since I been able to relax during festivities. It sounds like an enjoyable experience, Waari, like a sort of Christmas combined with the thrills of a good tournament.” He shook his head slightly, as if trying to come up with a better way comparison but failing to do so.



Conversation slowly returned to normal, as the Crisk, somewhat grudgingly for some of them, got used to the Pacificoran delegation’s presence. In an even more muted tone, word was slowly spreading the coronation would begin within fifteen minutes, and the doors of the Dragon’s Keep were left, allowing a growing amount of wind to enter the palace, as well as those of the Throne Room, causing the motionless banners to move, slowly, as if they were people stretching muscles after years of disuse.

Several news stations brought camera into the Throne Room as Aria took her place on the right side of the Throne, Maxim the left, and a warrior-priest of the Ascended standing with a book open, preparing to recite the vows that the new Empress was about to make, a gold formfitting mask hanging from his belt..

The formality was soon to be over, with much time for business afterward.

Gwen smiled, catching his meaning and his gesture of the mask.
She was familiar with his real face, his features, more then with his mask, so it was a bit weird for her from the start of the conversation, but she respected his wish to honour his own culture at home - she was no different, after all.
"The skies and clear and free, the occassional winter storm, but nothing that we couldn't sit out.", she said, "Silverport was buried under a thick layer of clouds for two weeks and just on the day we left, the sun came out, burning through the grey like she wanted to see us off." She made a small pause. "Mom has a little present for you ready."

Celina nodded, not daring to interrupt the heartfelt reunion.
She did not have children of her own, she was a bit too young for that, but she had a little sister, parents and two Guarding Foxes, who saw her as their young. She understood the need of a family to have a few moments to themselves, to reunite and to greet, before one went back into the fray.
That being said, Zarrek's son looked like a nice boy toy, if his mask was indeed what he looked like or at least close to it.
While they celebrated their reunion, Celina nursed her apple juice and as Zarrek returned, she still looked into that glass, a bit in thought. "It is very profitable and a good life.", she whispered more to herself.

Mairin out her head from one side to the other in a bit of indecision. "I'm not sure, if one can describe Spring Festivals as a sort-of Christmas with a Tournament...", she said hesitantly, "It's nothing personal, I'm just not familiar enough with Christmas to make a qualified statement on that..."
She smiled.
"Though, I must say, that there is a bit of a misunderstanding at hand.", she said, "I'm Mairin. Waari is the lassie over..." She pointed at a lonesome Selkie at the bar, who watched the proceedings with a smile, "...there. Easily recognizeable when you give us a fiddle each as she is far better with it then I am."

[Criska]

Main Foyer

Serik gave a bowed apology. "I am sorry my lady Mairin. Names are not my strong suit, let alone whenthe person it belongs to captures my minds attention." He tried being courteious, but their was an expect of flirtatiousness that earned him a lighthearted slap on the back of head from Luna that made him jump.

"You remembered my name well enough Serik," Luna teased.

"I remembered it because you gave more then one bloody nose from your bouts in the arena."

"Not my fault you decided to come up close an personal with a Dancer," She said it with a mocking pout, and a bad attempt at feeling bad for breaking Serik's nose multiple times. Serik rolled his eyes, as if he was used to it, and looked back at Mairin.

"Anyway," He grinned more to himself then anyone else, "I didn't know what else to compare your festivals to. We don't have many festivals, or even holidays within Edemre, so most of experience has come while on the job, and if nothing else," he gave a wink towards the bar on the far side, "the Crisk know how to celebrate even if their creepy nine time of ten."



Zarrek glanced at Celina as drank the majority of his own cider, before looking at her sidelong. "It occurs tome, miss, that I have not introduced myself." He turned towards her fully. "I am Lord Zarrek Andrastia, but I would prefer if you left Lord out, and just called me Zarrek. He gestured to his son and daughter respectively, "and my children Aric and Aloine." Aric nodded in Celina's direction before staring at Luna who was on the far side of the room, and Aloine rose and gave a small curtsy and smiled warmly. Some of the younger Edem and Crisk were stealing more then a few glances in her direction, but she either enjoyed it, or didn't mind; which one was hard to tell.



Lukas cocked his head to the side slightly. "What can Nora offer that she hasn't given me already," He replied, a slight grin on his face. "It is good to hear that the weather is improving, here it is beginning to fall into the spring storm season. Beautiful from the ground, but awful for shippers and fisherman, and even worse for the birds." He smiled again, as more people continued to flow in and out of the Dragon's Keep, and two Royal Guards in ceremonial armor took their place on either side of the door, zwiehanders in their hands, their tips, badly for the blade, on the floor. "I think it will start soon, then my obligations will be over, and with Maxim's leave I can return with you to the Free Lands. Been too long here."

[The Selkie]

Main Foyer

Serik gave a bowed apology. "I am sorry my lady Mairin. Names are not my strong suit, let alone whenthe person it belongs to captures my minds attention." He tried being courteious, but their was an expect of flirtatiousness that earned him a lighthearted slap on the back of head from Luna that made him jump.

"You remembered my name well enough Serik," Luna teased.

"I remembered it because you gave more then one bloody nose from your bouts in the arena."

"Not my fault you decided to come up close an personal with a Dancer," She said it with a mocking pout, and a bad attempt at feeling bad for breaking Serik's nose multiple times. Serik rolled his eyes, as if he was used to it, and looked back at Mairin.

"Anyway," He grinned more to himself then anyone else, "I didn't know what else to compare your festivals to. We don't have many festivals, or even holidays within Edemre, so most of experience has come while on the job, and if nothing else," he gave a wink towards the bar on the far side, "the Crisk know how to celebrate even if their creepy nine time of ten."



Zarrek glanced at Celina as drank the majority of his own cider, before looking at her sidelong. "It occurs tome, miss, that I have not introduced myself." He turned towards her fully. "I am Lord Zarrek Andrastia, but I would prefer if you left Lord out, and just called me Zarrek. He gestured to his son and daughter respectively, "and my children Aric and Aloine." Aric nodded in Celina's direction before staring at Luna who was on the far side of the room, and Aloine rose and gave a small curtsy and smiled warmly. Some of the younger Edem and Crisk were stealing more then a few glances in her direction, but she either enjoyed it, or didn't mind; which one was hard to tell.



Lukas cocked his head to the side slightly. "What can Nora offer that she hasn't given me already," He replied, a slight grin on his face. "It is good to hear that the weather is improving, here it is beginning to fall into the spring storm season. Beautiful from the ground, but awful for shippers and fisherman, and even worse for the birds." He smiled again, as more people continued to flow in and out of the Dragon's Keep, and two Royal Guards in ceremonial armor took their place on either side of the door, zwiehanders in their hands, their tips, badly for the blade, on the floor. "I think it will start soon, then my obligations will be over, and with Maxim's leave I can return with you to the Free Lands. Been too long here."

The diplomat giggled.
"Just call me Mairin, please.", she said with a smile, "And yes, the Criskans do have a good idea about celebrating and are good people while doing that. Steadfast." She nodded. "And they are decent while celebrating. Can't honestly say that about all foreign cultures I worked with... or my colleagues."
She noted armed guardsmen with rather large swords appearing by the doors, resting the tips of their weapons on the ground.
"Hm...", she made, "I think, that they'll be starting, soon."

"It is my pleasure.", Celina said, bowing her head in respect for the family and their lordship, moving so that Zarrek's son had a good view of her curves and his father sure had a bit of a view as well, making it look purely coincidental. "I'm Celina Cumann of the Tribe of Waterford, I represent the Merchant Guild of Leuda on this wonderful evening. Please, call me Celina."
She was a small bit, that Aric seemed to be more interested in this armed woman with Mairin, but there was nothing she couldn't do.
"If you two want...", she offered them, "...you can join us. Mistress Cathlong told me about you, Lord Zarrek, and that she offered you to send you two to a... 'study trip' to the Free Lands."

Gwen took his hand and gave it a squeeze.
"It would be my pleasure to welcome you on the Cineál.", she told him, a smile one would normally give to a family memeber on her lips. He was, although she was quite sure, that it wasn't in the role of her father. "It will be a bit of a cruise, but you can look forward to a bit of a reward at the end of it."
There was a glint in her eyes. She knew exactly, what her mother planned for that man of the sky.
She looked to the guards. "Impressive swords, but I have to say, that I'll prefer my short swords every day of the week.", she said. "So... what exactly will happen during the ceremony? And what do we have to do? I don't want to blunder, you know..."

[Pacificora]

Crisk Royal Palace • Ciradon • Crisk Capital District • Realm of Criska

The doors creaked with a familiar screech as the Pacifican delegation entered the entrance hall of the Crisk Royal Palace. The delegation could see the opening to the main hall, with the vast majority of the other foreign delegations. Only a few guards and Crisk officials remained in the entrance hall where they were still in.

The last time the delegation had entered, they wore a mix of blue, cyan, and white robes, clothes that in Pacificora, represented a sort of happiness and casualness, but there was a massive difference now. The robes they wore were a deep navy, threaded with thick black silk making lines, curves, and ornate patterns. The robes also bore Pacifican hoods, very common during the winter seasons in the north, but outside of the north, it was a symbol of isolationism, and aloneness. The hoods bore the same kind of patterns as the rest of the robes, but the further up the head you go, to more thin the thread they used until it simply faded into the navy, like roots fade into the earth. This wasn't a meeting of fun or improved relations like the last one had been, it was a meeting of deep seriousness, of strictly formality only, like all Crisk-Pacifican relations had been since the war.

Xari could see Lord Vyrin out the corner of his eye. While he wore a mask like all Crisk, he wore another mask over his face, a figurative one. His mouth showed a false kindness, a false cordial link, but his eyes showed his true feelings, with slightly squinted vision and a more intense star then would be generally associated with any kind of niceness. But Xari wasn't what he used to be, Xari was a 'warrior of the way', or so the Pacificans called it. He wasn't the boy who had attended before, he was a man that could stand up for himself, and predict the next step of an opponent once their motives were understood. Instead of squirming or looking away, Xari looked straight back, with the same kind of intensity and ferocity, but more importantly, there was something else that lay beneath that look, a deep feeling of pain.

Xari could never truly emotionally recover from what this war has done to his mind, to his soul, he had been different ever since. But, while he may not be able to ever fully recover, he can heal, and he can still fight back.

With their robes billowing behind them, the Pacifican delegation entered the main hall, and the masquerade of strategy and wit began.

[The Selkie]

Crisk Royal Palace • Ciradon • Crisk Capital District • Realm of Criska

The doors creaked with a familiar screech as the Pacifican delegation entered the entrance hall of the Crisk Royal Palace. The delegation could see the opening to the main hall, with the vast majority of the other foreign delegations. Only a few guards and Crisk officials remained in the entrance hall where they were still in.

The last time the delegation had entered, they wore a mix of blue, cyan, and white robes, clothes that in Pacificora, represented a sort of happiness and casualness, but there was a massive difference now. The robes they wore were a deep navy, threaded with thick black silk making lines, curves, and ornate patterns. The robes also bore Pacifican hoods, very common during the winter seasons in the north, but outside of the north, it was a symbol of isolationism, and aloneness. The hoods bore the same kind of patterns as the rest of the robes, but the further up the head you go, to more thin the thread they used until it simply faded into the navy, like roots fade into the earth. This wasn't a meeting of fun or improved relations like the last one had been, it was a meeting of deep seriousness, of strictly formality only, like all Crisk-Pacifican relations had been since the war.

Xari could see Lord Vyrin out the corner of his eye. While he wore a mask like all Crisk, he wore another mask over his face, a figurative one. His mouth showed a false kindness, a false cordial link, but his eyes showed his true feelings, with slightly squinted vision and a more intense star then would be generally associated with any kind of niceness. But Xari wasn't what he used to be, Xari was a 'warrior of the way', or so the Pacificans called it. He wasn't the boy who had attended before, he was a man that could stand up for himself, and predict the next step of an opponent once their motives were understood. Instead of squirming or looking away, Xari looked straight back, with the same kind of intensity and ferocity, but more importantly, there was something else that lay beneath that look, a deep feeling of pain.

Xari could never truly emotionally recover from what this war has done to his mind, to his soul, he had been different ever since. But, while he may not be able to ever fully recover, he can heal, and he can still fight back.

With their robes billowing behind them, the Pacifican delegation entered the main hall, and the masquerade of strategy and wit began.

From her spot at the bar, a brunette with deep, blue eyes and delicate fingers, clad in Tribal Garnments of the Selkie in Kildare's Green and Orange, which, in the former case, complemented her eyes beautifully, while the orange was bold, the garnment emphasizing her curves as well, watched the Pacificorans enter.
She had informed herself about the meannings of Pacificoran formal clothing a long time ago... yet, she couldn't remember all of it. She also remembered the night a lot of time ago, a Banquet of Masks.
She had been there, too, crossing her fingers for the two star-crossed lovers...
It wasn't meant to be.
The fiddler, though, noticed, that Xari, a mere boy back then, was now closer to a man - not a man in the Selkie-sense of the word, that entailed a bit of a few different things, but closer to it. And most likely one by their sense of the word.
She toasted towards them with a small smile. It would be interesting.

[Krugeristan]

"I could certainly do that, depending on what Krugeristan's demands at the time will be," Golahman said. "Just . . . there won't be people taking pictures, will there? I know there'll probably be a lot of people . . . maybe Assad could come . . . no, he couldn't. I remember what your mother said about people wanting to kill him and all the extra security would make everything miserable, especially for him, poor man . . . Even if Vershenov came, we'd need extra security for Assad? You know how Vershenov is."

Fiona nodded. "Sadly, I think, that we will need additional security for him, even if it is only an escort of the Great Woods Rangers or something." She shrugged. "I am no expert on that front, though, so..."
She took a breath.
"Sadly, there will be people taking pictures, but if we make it right, we can make them not see you - or think, that you are a Selkie.", she said to him with a small smile, "I know a good blacksmith, he can fix you with a set of armour in no time and the good Commander as well!"

Golahman nervously shook his head. "I couldn't wear armor. I'm too small and I'd probably collapse or break something," he said. "I . . . I don't know. It'd be wrong to be something I'm not, because then I feel like I'm lying or hiding something, and I just can't do that."

[Criska]

Main Foyer

Serik nodded. Almost somberly. “Within ten minutes most likely,” He looked back towards the door as Luna was turned around to face where most people were coming in. “I guess that is my signal to get a move on.” He almost made a move to offer his hand, but decided against it, instead he gave another nod, although this one signified something different, a greeting or leaving. “Until next time, Mairin.” He began to walk away from her as he called out one of the names of his men. “Gaerik!”

Instantly a man holding a cushioned black leather case began moving towards, the case was easily three feet long, but it was latched shut with a pair of copper locks and three iron latches; as symbolic as it was protective. “Thank you, Gaerik.” His man simply nodded and handed him the case, as Serik and Luna started heading towards the throne room.



Both Aric and Alione turned towards Celina at the mention of a ‘field trip.’ Aric also, then, noticed her more, and took a greater interest in her then Luna, at least for now; being slightly aided that she had lost sight of the Edemre woman. Zarrek smiled lightly, trying to hide his slight blush, even if he was slightly disappointed at having Lord put in front of his name.

“Could we really?” Alione asked, her excitement hard not to notice, glancing back and forth between her father and the Selkie, not knowing which one she was supposed to be asking. Zarrek grinned, and Aric seemed keen on the idea.

“I wish I had gotten the chance to ask Miss Cathlong myself, but I got engrossed with,” He threw his arms up in a manner the showed expansiveness and that fact that he didn’t really feel like explaining it. He looked at his twins as he regained most of his composure. “If Miss Cumann says it is alright, you have my permission. You both graduated, and I don’t care if you take a semester off from classes.” he said with his smile present in his voice.



Lukas nodded, having decided that he could word it as a creative way of arriving to the Selkie for what the military called a tour of duty, and Maxim knew was a place he preferred, if he was questioned on his way of leaving. Maxim had been generous to him in more ways than he could have asked for. “The ceremony is more of a formality, an oath will be taken by Aria, and those who know her well may present gifts, but in most people’s eyes she is either already Empress, or will continue to be Princess until she reaches 25. We won’t have to do much other then watch. After that both celebration and business begins, similar to what happened last time.” He grinned slightly. “Will be my first time actually attending one of these, was busy being detained during the last one.” He added with a bit of intended humor in his voice as his grin turned into a smile.



Vyrin returned the stare with all the tender kindness of a two automated defenses getting a mutual lock on eachother. His eyes bore a mixture of hatred, anger, and vindication that few could match. It took all his willpower to not dash forward and try to draw his rapier, but he knew it wouldn’t get far.

Valynia was a well trained Long Fang with a cleverly concealed pistol and dagger with her. He didn’t want to admit why he knew that, but he knew both would be drawn and he would be on the ground, likely dead, before he got near Xari, or any of the Pacifican delegation.

Instead, like many of the Crisk and the off-duty Edem, headed into the throne room as the wind continued to blow outside, and a distant roll of thunder peeled, complemented by the soft acoustic guitar music that had been ended. It was a somber tune to be played at a coronation, but it fit the general mood of many of the Crisk there, even if it would end in a celebration.

[The Selkie]

Golahman nervously shook his head. "I couldn't wear armor. I'm too small and I'd probably collapse or break something," he said. "I . . . I don't know. It'd be wrong to be something I'm not, because then I feel like I'm lying or hiding something, and I just can't do that."

"I see, what you mean...", Fiona said, before she suggested: "See it as dressup - like for the Halloween Party Mom visited you for. Would that work?"
On her inside, she knew the answer, that it wouldn't but if she was honest, if he was going to be her One and Only, she would have to introduce him to the way the Selkie did certain things. She smiled, still.

Main Foyer

Serik nodded. Almost somberly. “Within ten minutes most likely,” He looked back towards the door as Luna was turned around to face where most people were coming in. “I guess that is my signal to get a move on.” He almost made a move to offer his hand, but decided against it, instead he gave another nod, although this one signified something different, a greeting or leaving. “Until next time, Mairin.” He began to walk away from her as he called out one of the names of his men. “Gaerik!”

Instantly a man holding a cushioned black leather case began moving towards, the case was easily three feet long, but it was latched shut with a pair of copper locks and three iron latches; as symbolic as it was protective. “Thank you, Gaerik.” His man simply nodded and handed him the case, as Serik and Luna started heading towards the throne room.



Both Aric and Alione turned towards Celina at the mention of a ‘field trip.’ Aric also, then, noticed her more, and took a greater interest in her then Luna, at least for now; being slightly aided that she had lost sight of the Edemre woman. Zarrek smiled lightly, trying to hide his slight blush, even if he was slightly disappointed at having Lord put in front of his name.

“Could we really?” Alione asked, her excitement hard not to notice, glancing back and forth between her father and the Selkie, not knowing which one she was supposed to be asking. Zarrek grinned, and Aric seemed keen on the idea.

“I wish I had gotten the chance to ask Miss Cathlong myself, but I got engrossed with,” He threw his arms up in a manner the showed expansiveness and that fact that he didn’t really feel like explaining it. He looked at his twins as he regained most of his composure. “If Miss Cumann says it is alright, you have my permission. You both graduated, and I don’t care if you take a semester off from classes.” he said with his smile present in his voice.



Lukas nodded, having decided that he could word it as a creative way of arriving to the Selkie for what the military called a tour of duty, and Maxim knew was a place he preferred, if he was questioned on his way of leaving. Maxim had been generous to him in more ways than he could have asked for. “The ceremony is more of a formality, an oath will be taken by Aria, and those who know her well may present gifts, but in most people’s eyes she is either already Empress, or will continue to be Princess until she reaches 25. We won’t have to do much other then watch. After that both celebration and business begins, similar to what happened last time.” He grinned slightly. “Will be my first time actually attending one of these, was busy being detained during the last one.” He added with a bit of intended humor in his voice as his grin turned into a smile.



Vyrin returned the stare with all the tender kindness of a two automated defenses getting a mutual lock on eachother. His eyes bore a mixture of hatred, anger, and vindication that few could match. It took all his willpower to not dash forward and try to draw his rapier, but he knew it wouldn’t get far.

Valynia was a well trained Long Fang with a cleverly concealed pistol and dagger with her. He didn’t want to admit why he knew that, but he knew both would be drawn and he would be on the ground, likely dead, before he got near Xari, or any of the Pacifican delegation.

Instead, like many of the Crisk and the off-duty Edem, headed into the throne room as the wind continued to blow outside, and a distant roll of thunder peeled, complemented by the soft acoustic guitar music that had been ended. It was a somber tune to be played at a coronation, but it fit the general mood of many of the Crisk there, even if it would end in a celebration.

Mairin nodded. "Have fun. And I hope, that I can rob you for a dance, when the party begins!", she said with a wide smile, before she let the man go with his companions.
She took a breath.
That went well so far. She had a prospective business partner in the works and a friend, or at least an acquaintance, made and she had the feeling, that the impression given was relatively good.
She steeled her nerves, looked for her companions, accounted for all of them, and made her way over to the throne room, joining the masses.

"From my side, it is very much alright.", Celina said with a nod, smiling at the excitement of the two, "I would love to have you two stay over... and Mistress Cathlong is not the type of person to go back on her permission once given, even when pregnant."
She was happy, that the two of them seemed to be very much interested in coming to the Free Lands, they certainly needed more people in the world, who wanted to see it with all their heart - not only in Criska or in the Free Lands, but everywhere.
"If you want, I can ask at the UoL if you can make it a foreign semester.", she offered, smiling, "That way, you would also advance in your studies."

Gwen smiled at the humour, knowing, what this was about.
"I see. Thank you.", she said, reaching up and kissing him on the cheek, before turning and offered her arm for him to hook into so that they could enter and watch the ceremony. "For the explanation, that is. It reminds me a bit of the Oath-Ceremonies of the Elders, by the sounds of it. It'll be interesting to watch."
She knew, that Mairin had a small present for the Empress, who would then be Ard-Banríon for the Selkie, High Queen, their closest equivalent to the term of Empress. That, as it was, was for the Selkie not bound to the age, but to the wisdom of the owner.
They all just hoped, that Aria wouldn't mind the presumption...

[Krugeristan]

Golahman nervously shook his head. "I couldn't wear armor. I'm too small and I'd probably collapse or break something," he said. "I . . . I don't know. It'd be wrong to be something I'm not, because then I feel like I'm lying or hiding something, and I just can't do that."

"I see, what you mean...", Fiona said, before she suggested: "See it as dressup - like for the Halloween Party Mom visited you for. Would that work?"
On her inside, she knew the answer, that it wouldn't but if she was honest, if he was going to be her One and Only, she would have to introduce him to the way the Selkie did certain things. She smiled, still.

Golahman nodded a little. "I do see. Um . . . yes. It would work, I guess . . . yeah." He felt cold, yet he was blushing from feeling like he was embarrassing himself. He wanted another hug--just hugging, that was all--yet, he wanted to give Fiona another kiss, and talk about things that had a little more depth.

[The Selkie]

Golahman nodded a little. "I do see. Um . . . yes. It would work, I guess . . . yeah." He felt cold, yet he was blushing from feeling like he was embarrassing himself. He wanted another hug--just hugging, that was all--yet, he wanted to give Fiona another kiss, and talk about things that had a little more depth.

Fiona was a bit surprised, that he still agreed, so a wide grin nearly split her face in half, as she rushed forward and hugged Golahman in joy, tight and with a wide grin. "Thank you, Karak.", she told him, softening her hold a bit, "It'll be fun, I promise!"
She took him at arm-length and looked at his face, smiling.

[Criska]

Main Foyer

Both Aric and Alione started shaking their heads rapidly at the idea of having to to do their studies while on a vacation. Zarrek's grin grew to nearly being a smile. "No thank you Ms. Cumann, I think we would both prefer to just be a vacation..." Aric said with surprising politeness. Why do you always want to get on the good side of woman that are significantly older you... Zarrek continued to grin.

"We can work out the details after the ceremony I think, might be better to move in now, before the place fills with more of the nobility." He suggested, smiling. He did his best to encourage his twins to start moving towards the throne room, but they didn't seem eager to move. He gave a halfhearted sigh then began to move towards the room of the coronation, his children close behind.



"You are most welcome, always willing to share my 'vast knowledge' of things with those around me." He said with a grin, as he hooked arms with her. Lukas had nothing for Aria, and he felt bad for it, but for all he knew Aria hardly knew of Lukas's existence, let alone the connection they had. Both of them had made a point of only really talking to each other when needed, but that was the most that could be said.

He unconsciously moved his free hand into his pocket, a slight bit of nervousness and apprehension, his smile again disappearing as he stared at the floor.

[Krugeristan]

Golahman nodded a little. "I do see. Um . . . yes. It would work, I guess . . . yeah." He felt cold, yet he was blushing from feeling like he was embarrassing himself. He wanted another hug--just hugging, that was all--yet, he wanted to give Fiona another kiss, and talk about things that had a little more depth.

Fiona was a bit surprised, that he still agreed, so a wide grin nearly split her face in half, as she rushed forward and hugged Golahman in joy, tight and with a wide grin. "Thank you, Karak.", she told him, softening her hold a bit, "It'll be fun, I promise!"
She took him at arm-length and looked at his face, smiling.

Golahman wasn't sure he even wanted to talk. Talking wasn't his strong point; he was more of a writer. He always wrote his National Address by hand, never used a teleprompter, but when it came to impromptu meetings and interviews, he struggled with speaking. He looked forward to long periods of time alone with Fiona, where they wouldn't be bothered or interrupted by anything--cats and Assad included. The m-word--marriage--was something he didn't feel like was something that should be discussed now, though he wanted to talk about it in a theoretical way, the ifs, ands, and buts, so to speak.

He felt like he had been quiet for too long, but he couldn't find anything to discuss that he felt was reasonable. There were too many people here.

[The Selkie]

Main Foyer

Both Aric and Alione started shaking their heads rapidly at the idea of having to to do their studies while on a vacation. Zarrek's grin grew to nearly being a smile. "No thank you Ms. Cumann, I think we would both prefer to just be a vacation..." Aric said with surprising politeness. Why do you always want to get on the good side of woman that are significantly older you... Zarrek continued to grin.

"We can work out the details after the ceremony I think, might be better to move in now, before the place fills with more of the nobility." He suggested, smiling. He did his best to encourage his twins to start moving towards the throne room, but they didn't seem eager to move. He gave a halfhearted sigh then began to move towards the room of the coronation, his children close behind.



"You are most welcome, always willing to share my 'vast knowledge' of things with those around me." He said with a grin, as he hooked arms with her. Lukas had nothing for Aria, and he felt bad for it, but for all he knew Aria hardly knew of Lukas's existence, let alone the connection they had. Both of them had made a point of only really talking to each other when needed, but that was the most that could be said.

He unconsciously moved his free hand into his pocket, a slight bit of nervousness and apprehension, his smile again disappearing as he stared at the floor.

Celina smiled and nodded.
"Agreed, Lord Zarrek.", she said and rose herself, downing the last of her apple juice. "Let's go."
Her eyes found Mairin's, who moved in herself, so she nodded.
Celina was a bit impressed by how courteous Aric was to her, boys his age usually had quite a few other things in mind when talking to her. It spoke volumes about the character and education he had. She liked that.
Speaking of which... "If I may ask you two, what do you study?", she asked as she caught up to the two youngsters, hoping, that no one would mind her continuing the conversation and joining Zarrek and his family.
Her question was mostly directed at Aric.

Gwen smiled up to the man, who linked arms with her.
For some foreign cultures, this was a very big deal - for the Selkie, not so much. Still... it felt nice. It wasn't the first time, that she walked arm in arm with Lukas or any man for that matter, but it had something comforting.
She also noticed, that his smile disappeared as he looked at the floor.
She had a rough idea why that was... "Keep smiling, if only just for her.", she whispered to him, her voice filled with a pain, few could match as she spoke from own experiences, "Even if she doesn't know, who you are..."

Golahman wasn't sure he even wanted to talk. Talking wasn't his strong point; he was more of a writer. He always wrote his National Address by hand, never used a teleprompter, but when it came to impromptu meetings and interviews, he struggled with speaking. He looked forward to long periods of time alone with Fiona, where they wouldn't be bothered or interrupted by anything--cats and Assad included. The m-word--marriage--was something he didn't feel like was something that should be discussed now, though he wanted to talk about it in a theoretical way, the ifs, ands, and buts, so to speak.

He felt like he had been quiet for too long, but he couldn't find anything to discuss that he felt was reasonable. There were too many people here.

Fiona smiled at him, taking in his features, before she moved closer to him, to whisper to him.
"How about the two of us use the chance and pay the palace gardens a visit?", she asked with a small, mischievous smile.
There was so much, they could, should, maybe even had to talk about and while some of these things could wait, others would need to be addressed... while others might never be talked about. But most of all, she wanted to spend some time with him, alone from everything, just the two of them.
It sounded like a good idea to her.
If they could find the palace gardens, that was...

[Krugeristan]

Golahman wasn't sure he even wanted to talk. Talking wasn't his strong point; he was more of a writer. He always wrote his National Address by hand, never used a teleprompter, but when it came to impromptu meetings and interviews, he struggled with speaking. He looked forward to long periods of time alone with Fiona, where they wouldn't be bothered or interrupted by anything--cats and Assad included. The m-word--marriage--was something he didn't feel like was something that should be discussed now, though he wanted to talk about it in a theoretical way, the ifs, ands, and buts, so to speak.

He felt like he had been quiet for too long, but he couldn't find anything to discuss that he felt was reasonable. There were too many people here.

Fiona smiled at him, taking in his features, before she moved closer to him, to whisper to him.
"How about the two of us use the chance and pay the palace gardens a visit?", she asked with a small, mischievous smile.
There was so much, they could, should, maybe even had to talk about and while some of these things could wait, others would need to be addressed... while others might never be talked about. But most of all, she wanted to spend some time with him, alone from everything, just the two of them.
It sounded like a good idea to her.
If they could find the palace gardens, that was...

Giving a shy nod, Golahman first looked at Vershenov, who was standing in the center of the hall, looking bored. Feeling that his guard was alright where he was, Golahman looked back at Fiona. "Of course. Um . . . we can go and look for them, I guess. I'm not sure. We . . . could . . . just . . . ask someone? Or look for them ourselves?" He'd prefer that they looked for the gardens on their own; he was much too frightened of what any of the strangers here could do to them--particularly in field of making his nightmares come true. I'm not inadequate. I'm not inadequate. I'm not inadequate . . .

[The Selkie]

Giving a shy nod, Golahman first looked at Vershenov, who was standing in the center of the hall, looking bored. Feeling that his guard was alright where he was, Golahman looked back at Fiona. "Of course. Um . . . we can go and look for them, I guess. I'm not sure. We . . . could . . . just . . . ask someone? Or look for them ourselves?" He'd prefer that they looked for the gardens on their own; he was much too frightened of what any of the strangers here could do to them--particularly in field of making his nightmares come true. I'm not inadequate. I'm not inadequate. I'm not inadequate . . .

Fiona smiled, nodding.
"Let's look for them ourselves - and when we are hopelessly lost, we ask someone." She was excited, one could see that, but restrained herself as she took his hand and began to drift towards one of the doors deeper into the palace. "Auntie Nora told me a bit about the old Keep, it was a confusing place, she said. If I am correctly informed, this place isn't much better... but if we keep steadfast and true, we will find our way."
She looked at Golahman with a glint in her eyes.
"A little bit of help from the Gods may help, too, though.", she added.

[Krugeristan]

Giving a shy nod, Golahman first looked at Vershenov, who was standing in the center of the hall, looking bored. Feeling that his guard was alright where he was, Golahman looked back at Fiona. "Of course. Um . . . we can go and look for them, I guess. I'm not sure. We . . . could . . . just . . . ask someone? Or look for them ourselves?" He'd prefer that they looked for the gardens on their own; he was much too frightened of what any of the strangers here could do to them--particularly in field of making his nightmares come true. I'm not inadequate. I'm not inadequate. I'm not inadequate . . .

Fiona smiled, nodding.
"Let's look for them ourselves - and when we are hopelessly lost, we ask someone." She was excited, one could see that, but restrained herself as she took his hand and began to drift towards one of the doors deeper into the palace. "Auntie Nora told me a bit about the old Keep, it was a confusing place, she said. If I am correctly informed, this place isn't much better... but if we keep steadfast and true, we will find our way."
She looked at Golahman with a glint in her eyes.
"A little bit of help from the Gods may help, too, though.", she added.

Golahman remembered Nora; she sort of walked away from him when he was in a very emotional state after he and the older Gwen had a misunderstanding, and then (as he had heard from Vershenov) desecrated her deceased husband by having "anatomical shenanigans" with Lukas. In other words, she and Lukas committed a crime, and would not be allowed to enter Krugeristani airspace under any circumstances, but, Krugeristan's laws weren't something Golahman was going to discuss right now, and neither was his faith. He simply nodded. Being polite was easy for him, but Vershenov being polite was like trying to herd cats; it's nearly impossible.

Gently massaging Fiona's hand, Golahman looked at her with a weak smile. "Remember the young Tine your father gave me? I managed to find a better name than 'Little Karak' for him. I named him Luminous, because of how bright his eyes are."

[The Selkie]

Fiona smiled, nodding.
"Let's look for them ourselves - and when we are hopelessly lost, we ask someone." She was excited, one could see that, but restrained herself as she took his hand and began to drift towards one of the doors deeper into the palace. "Auntie Nora told me a bit about the old Keep, it was a confusing place, she said. If I am correctly informed, this place isn't much better... but if we keep steadfast and true, we will find our way."
She looked at Golahman with a glint in her eyes.
"A little bit of help from the Gods may help, too, though.", she added.

Golahman remembered Nora; she sort of walked away from him when he was in a very emotional state after he and the older Gwen had a misunderstanding, and then (as he had heard from Vershenov) desecrated her deceased husband by having "anatomical shenanigans" with Lukas. In other words, she and Lukas committed a crime, and would not be allowed to enter Krugeristani airspace under any circumstances, but, Krugeristan's laws weren't something Golahman was going to discuss right now, and neither was his faith. He simply nodded. Being polite was easy for him, but Vershenov being polite was like trying to herd cats; it's nearly impossible.

Gently massaging Fiona's hand, Golahman looked at her with a weak smile. "Remember the young Tine your father gave me? I managed to find a better name than 'Little Karak' for him. I named him Luminous, because of how bright his eyes are."

Fiona knew, what her boyfriend, his country's laws and his culture thought of her aunt and what she did last time she was in Criska and if she was honest, she found it interesting from an observational standpoint.
She was happy for her aunt, that she found someone, who filled her heart.
That she lived again.
That she still remembered Hardhat-Fynn, Uncle Fynn, but was not consumed and eaten up by the memories of him... and of seeing thrity thousand of foreign Dock Landing Ship landing on his head.
"Luminous...", Fiona let the little Tine's new name run over her tongue, repeated it, before nodding. "I like it! I'm quite sure, that Dad'll like it, too."

[Krugeristan]

Golahman remembered Nora; she sort of walked away from him when he was in a very emotional state after he and the older Gwen had a misunderstanding, and then (as he had heard from Vershenov) desecrated her deceased husband by having "anatomical shenanigans" with Lukas. In other words, she and Lukas committed a crime, and would not be allowed to enter Krugeristani airspace under any circumstances, but, Krugeristan's laws weren't something Golahman was going to discuss right now, and neither was his faith. He simply nodded. Being polite was easy for him, but Vershenov being polite was like trying to herd cats; it's nearly impossible.

Gently massaging Fiona's hand, Golahman looked at her with a weak smile. "Remember the young Tine your father gave me? I managed to find a better name than 'Little Karak' for him. I named him Luminous, because of how bright his eyes are."

Fiona knew, what her boyfriend, his country's laws and his culture thought of her aunt and what she did last time she was in Criska and if she was honest, she found it interesting from an observational standpoint.
She was happy for her aunt, that she found someone, who filled her heart.
That she lived again.
That she still remembered Hardhat-Fynn, Uncle Fynn, but was not consumed and eaten up by the memories of him... and of seeing thrity thousand of foreign Dock Landing Ship landing on his head.
"Luminous...", Fiona let the little Tine's new name run over her tongue, repeated it, before nodding. "I like it! I'm quite sure, that Dad'll like it, too."

"I hope he does," Golahman said. "Luminous is decently social, eats well, and likes to sleep near my neck for some reason. I did what you suggested and moved his basket to my office while I work . . . he doesn't sleep in it, though, he tries to get on my lap."

[The Selkie]

"I hope he does," Golahman said. "Luminous is decently social, eats well, and likes to sleep near my neck for some reason. I did what you suggested and moved his basket to my office while I work . . . he doesn't sleep in it, though, he tries to get on my lap."

Fiona thought for a moment. "Dad's the expert on Tines, but it is a good sign.", she told him with a soft smile, "Young Tines are snuggly little things, hence why they are popular with children of all sizes. When he tries to get into your lap, does he make any sounds?"

[Krugeristan]

"I hope he does," Golahman said. "Luminous is decently social, eats well, and likes to sleep near my neck for some reason. I did what you suggested and moved his basket to my office while I work . . . he doesn't sleep in it, though, he tries to get on my lap."

Fiona thought for a moment. "Dad's the expert on Tines, but it is a good sign.", she told him with a soft smile, "Young Tines are snuggly little things, hence why they are popular with children of all sizes. When he tries to get into your lap, does he make any sounds?"

"Yes. Lots of cooing," Golahman said. "I usually pick him up myself, but, sometimes I challenge him by getting him to jump up himself. I do the same with the kittens to help them learn to jump and build their hind legs."

[The Selkie]

"Yes. Lots of cooing," Golahman said. "I usually pick him up myself, but, sometimes I challenge him by getting him to jump up himself. I do the same with the kittens to help them learn to jump and build their hind legs."

Fiona nodded. "That sounds good so far. Tine-Mothers do something similar with their young, but they also lift them by the scruffs of their necks and lift them up, depositing them where they need to go. It's very cute to watch, but Dad's always adamant about not interfering, no matter how much it hurts your heart not to help."
There was a small pause, as she thought something over.
"In the next few weeks, his claws should start to come.", she told him, "Be prepared for scratches... a few nuts in his diet will be good to help him along, once the claws are around this length." With her hand, she showed him a small length of around half a centimetre. "For now, though, do not cut them."

[Krugeristan]

"Yes. Lots of cooing," Golahman said. "I usually pick him up myself, but, sometimes I challenge him by getting him to jump up himself. I do the same with the kittens to help them learn to jump and build their hind legs."

Fiona nodded. "That sounds good so far. Tine-Mothers do something similar with their young, but they also lift them by the scruffs of their necks and lift them up, depositing them where they need to go. It's very cute to watch, but Dad's always adamant about not interfering, no matter how much it hurts your heart not to help."
There was a small pause, as she thought something over.
"In the next few weeks, his claws should start to come.", she told him, "Be prepared for scratches... a few nuts in his diet will be good to help him along, once the claws are around this length." With her hand, she showed him a small length of around half a centimetre. "For now, though, do not cut them."

"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."