Where Rivers meet, People meet (Spring Festival, IC)

[Krugeristan]

Evanu shrugged. "I'm comfortable with the majority of pets, but, yes, I might take in a retired German shepherd when I decide to leave the military and take on a civilian job."

Golahman froze a little. "Ah . . . well . . . Fiona and Assad . . . Fiona formed a bit of a mild grudge when it came to Assad, and, yes, I will admit, Assad can a bit overbearing and butts himself into situations where he doesn't need to be in, but, I don't want them fighting. It was over the Tine that Finn gave me. I let Assad hold Luminous and Luminous opened his eyes in Assad's arms, and that set Fiona off, plus he was holding that toy over the little guy's head when I got a chance to hold him. So . . . yeah, I'm hoping they can improve their relationship, because I refuse to have them hate each other when I love them both and feel they're the most important people in my life."

Celina nodded with a grin. "German shepherds... wonderful dogs, if you ask me, and well trained a joy to see - I still would prefer a Grey Wolf, they are far more to snuggle and have that wild note inside of them, which many trained dogs lack." She smiled at Evanu. "At least of those that I've seen."

Glynn nodded.
"I can see, why she wasn't too thrilled with that.", he said and was silent for a moment. "I take, that she explained the difference between ainmnithe and... sorry, named animals and unnamed animals, right? And how much his mother means to Dad?" He smiled at Golahman, putting a friendly hand on his shoulder. "But don't worry. Word is, that the little laddie is quite comfortable where he is, so no problems there. I'd actually like to thank you."

"It would all depend," Evanu replied, "Especially if I take in a dog Vershenov had a hand in training."

"He is pretty comfortable where he is--and everywhere in between," Golahman said. "I just want to get rid of any grudge Fiona might be harboring against Assad."

[Ru-]

The Sergeant smiled, being truthful. "Nothing interesting, only individual life stories and a bit about apple juice.", she said with a look towards Larra, hoping, that he shared her assessment, before mirth entered her eyes, giving the man a short wink so that he knew to play along, "Then we began to gossip about you and Mistress Banphrionsa and her matchmaking like there was no tomorrow..."

The knight did share her view on the conversation and didn't make a move to correct her, he merely smiled slightly as she decided to have a bit of fun with the boy.

Yoshio's eyes widened a bit and he sat up "Huh? you were talking about me? Just what were you saying??" He also picked up on the mention of Gwen and pointed a finger at the Sergeant. "And what do you mean by matching making? Huh? Just what is she up to?"

[The Selkie]

"It would all depend," Evanu replied, "Especially if I take in a dog Vershenov had a hand in training."

"He is pretty comfortable where he is--and everywhere in between," Golahman said. "I just want to get rid of any grudge Fiona might be harboring against Assad."

"Yeah...", Celina said with a frown, "That person, from what I've heard, I must admit, I never met him, trains for savagery. Wouldn't surprise me much, if his guard dogs had foam in front of their muzzles or something." She shook her head. "With some luck, though, you will meet a Grey Wolf or two today, who have, what I mean. That spark of the wild in their eyes, when they feel... Sról, Miss Cathlong's Grey Wolf, would be a good example, but he is guarding Mistress Cathlong with all of his heart."

Glynn supressed a sigh.
"The problems my sister has with your best friend... they are complicated.", he said, "I don't know the details, but I know as much. For today, though, concentrate on getting him a pet and having fun. You want to have lots of stories to tell, when you see him next, right?"

The Sergeant smiled, being truthful. "Nothing interesting, only individual life stories and a bit about apple juice.", she said with a look towards Larra, hoping, that he shared her assessment, before mirth entered her eyes, giving the man a short wink so that he knew to play along, "Then we began to gossip about you and Mistress Banphrionsa and her matchmaking like there was no tomorrow..."

The knight did share her view on the conversation and didn't make a move to correct her, he merely smiled slightly as she decided to have a bit of fun with the boy.

Yoshio's eyes widened a bit and he sat up "Huh? you were talking about me? Just what were you saying??" He also picked up on the mention of Gwen and pointed a finger at the Sergeant. "And what do you mean by matching making? Huh? Just what is she up to?"

Hook, line and sinker..., the Sergeant thought gave a smile, "I believe, that we ought to let a Lady have her secrets, especially if the Lady in question is usually referred to as a Grande Dame abroad... and that she is usually right in her matchmaking." She smiled a bit mirthful. "I believe, that you are in to meet a few very good friends today, Yoshio, maybe even the first girl your heart bleeds for..."
She smiled.
"...oh, a young boy's love... what kind of innocence and wonder there is to it!", she said in a bit of a dramatic tone.

[Krugeristan]

"It would all depend," Evanu replied, "Especially if I take in a dog Vershenov had a hand in training."

"He is pretty comfortable where he is--and everywhere in between," Golahman said. "I just want to get rid of any grudge Fiona might be harboring against Assad."

"Yeah...", Celina said with a frown, "That person, from what I've heard, I must admit, I never met him, trains for savagery. Wouldn't surprise me much, if his guard dogs had foam in front of their muzzles or something." She shook her head. "With some luck, though, you will meet a Grey Wolf or two today, who have, what I mean. That spark of the wild in their eyes, when they feel... Sról, Miss Cathlong's Grey Wolf, would be a good example, but he is guarding Mistress Cathlong with all of his heart."

Glynn supressed a sigh.
"The problems my sister has with your best friend... they are complicated.", he said, "I don't know the details, but I know as much. For today, though, concentrate on getting him a pet and having fun. You want to have lots of stories to tell, when you see him next, right?"

"Our dogs don't have foam around their muzzles," Evanu said, "and they wouldn't be guarding someone like Ms. Cathlong." He turned to Celina, a sad look on his face. "They'd be hunting her. And Lukas."

Golahman nodded. "True . . . but, I don't want to be worried about this."

[New Visayan Islands]

Samuel Cui
Teach Ósta

Looking at the options, Samuel took a moment before taking his pick.

"A Full Course definitely sounds perfect with battered sausages," he said, figuring he could indulge. "I don't suppose you take credit cards? The cash I have is in my home country's currency." He lowers his voice a notch before continuing, "While legally defined by its weight in gold, I'd rather not assume."

[Ru-]

Hook, line and sinker..., the Sergeant thought gave a smile, "I believe, that we ought to let a Lady have her secrets, especially if the Lady in question is usually referred to as a Grande Dame abroad... and that she is usually right in her matchmaking." She smiled a bit mirthful. "I believe, that you are in to meet a few very good friends today, Yoshio, maybe even the first girl your heart bleeds for..."
She smiled.
"...oh, a young boy's love... what kind of innocence and wonder there is to it!", she said in a bit of a dramatic tone.

Yoshio blushed in response, his normally already red cheeks could make it hard to tell, though they did get a little pinker and he twisted in his seat awkwardly. "W-what? "H-hey!" he sputtered out. The little king fidgeted, it wasn't that he didn't expect these kind of arrangements to be made for him eventually, he was the king after all, but wasn't this a little bit soon for him to start worrying about having to charm girls? He pulled himself together and folded his arms in a huff. "Hmph! Whatever, let her have her fun then. Doesn't matter to me." He shifted his eyes to the side and tried to look like he didn't really care about the idea, rather then being all flustered over it.

[The Selkie]

"Our dogs don't have foam around their muzzles," Evanu said, "and they wouldn't be guarding someone like Ms. Cathlong." He turned to Celina, a sad look on his face. "They'd be hunting her. And Lukas."

Golahman nodded. "True . . . but, I don't want to be worried about this."

Celina nodded. "I figured - and I know why.", she said and frowned, "Though I must admit, that I don't understand why... don't Christian weddings include the phrase 'Till death does you part' or something like that?"
She shook her head.
"Anyway, that can be discussed later.", she said and smiled, looking forward along the cobbled street to a building, which was, even in the narrow side street they were using, rather hidden, a simple house wedged between two larger ones (the back of an inn and a tinkerer's shop, respectively), build of timber and wood in the style typical for the Selkie. It had a homely atmosphere to it and the old man, who was sitting in front of it by his lonesome with his eyes closed certainly added to it, as he enjoyed the rays of sunshine falling into his alley with a small smile. "For now...", Celina began with a flourish, "...we're here!"
"That you are.", the old man voiced in a calm manner, not opening his eyes, not even turning his head, "The question is, guests from near and far, is that where you want to go?"

Samuel Cui
Teach Ósta

Looking at the options, Samuel took a moment before taking his pick.

"A Full Course definitely sounds perfect with battered sausages," he said, figuring he could indulge. "I don't suppose you take credit cards? The cash I have is in my home country's currency." He lowers his voice a notch before continuing, "While legally defined by its weight in gold, I'd rather not assume."

The waitress smiled a bit apologetically. "I'm sorry, but no, we don't take foreign currency, but we do take credit cards." She smiled and noted the order down. "So, a full course for the gentleman, what can we bring for the young lady?"
Kiah giggled at the expression and the slight, humourous bow the waitress was giving her. "I'll take a full course, too, with a Wake-Up Tea, please. And I'll pay.", she said and gave Cui a look, which booked no argument, "You accompanied me for the train ride, this is the least I can do."
The waitress nodded and smiled. "Coming right up.", the waitress said and was on her merry way to deliver the order.
Kiah turned back to Cui. "So, Mister Cui, tell me... your son, what's he like?"

Hook, line and sinker..., the Sergeant thought gave a smile, "I believe, that we ought to let a Lady have her secrets, especially if the Lady in question is usually referred to as a Grande Dame abroad... and that she is usually right in her matchmaking." She smiled a bit mirthful. "I believe, that you are in to meet a few very good friends today, Yoshio, maybe even the first girl your heart bleeds for..."
She smiled.
"...oh, a young boy's love... what kind of innocence and wonder there is to it!", she said in a bit of a dramatic tone.

Yoshio blushed in response, his normally already red cheeks could make it hard to tell, though they did get a little pinker and he twisted in his seat awkwardly. "W-what? "H-hey!" he sputtered out. The little king fidgeted, it wasn't that he didn't expect these kind of arrangements to be made for him eventually, he was the king after all, but wasn't this a little bit soon for him to start worrying about having to charm girls? He pulled himself together and folded his arms in a huff. "Hmph! Whatever, let her have her fun then. Doesn't matter to me." He shifted his eyes to the side and tried to look like he didn't really care about the idea, rather then being all flustered over it.

The Sergeant saw, that it indeed did matter for the young King and reached over, ruffling his hair a bit with a smile. "Don't be like that, searrach.", she said in a comforting tone, "Matchmakers like Mistress Banphrionsa take care, that your hearts agree with the other before she presses anything... her vulpine cleverness is legendary by now."
She smiled.
"Don't think of it as a fixed arrangement to love and marry someone, but of her introducing you to a new friend.", she said and shrugged, "Certainly helped me with my grandmother... anyway, you do want to find new friends, here, right?"

[New Visayan Islands]

Samuel Cui
Teach Ósta

"My thanks, Kiah," Samuel said after she offered to pay for his meal.

"Gabriel is a particularly smart man. He's 20, and an accountancy student in one of my home country's top universities," he added in reply to her question. "I'm pretty sure the two of you would really hit it off. Unfortunately, he still has classes, so I couldn't take him with me right now. Maybe in the future, I might be lucky."

[The Selkie]

Samuel Cui
Teach Ósta

"My thanks, Kiah," Samuel said after she offered to pay for his meal.

"Gabriel is a particularly smart man. He's 20, and an accountancy student in one of my home country's top universities," he added in reply to her question. "I'm pretty sure the two of you would really hit it off. Unfortunately, he still has classes, so I couldn't take him with me right now. Maybe in the future, I might be lucky."

Kiah smiled and nodded. "You're very welcome. And he sounds nice - and if he comes after you, he'll have the looks, too." She would not admit it, but there was a bit of a blush on her cheeks. "Accountancy, eh...? I must admit, that I plan to study, too, once I finish High School, but I personally plan on engineering, either Mechanical in Silverport or Traverse or Civil in Leuda. I'm entering my last year, you see."
She smiled.
"Hopefully I can indeed meet him when you come again some day.", she said with a nod, "I'd love to meet him."

[Krugeristan]

"Our dogs don't have foam around their muzzles," Evanu said, "and they wouldn't be guarding someone like Ms. Cathlong." He turned to Celina, a sad look on his face. "They'd be hunting her. And Lukas."

Golahman nodded. "True . . . but, I don't want to be worried about this."

Celina nodded. "I figured - and I know why.", she said and frowned, "Though I must admit, that I don't understand why... don't Christian weddings include the phrase 'Till death does you part' or something like that?"
She shook her head.
"Anyway, that can be discussed later.", she said and smiled, looking forward along the cobbled street to a building, which was, even in the narrow side street they were using, rather hidden, a simple house wedged between two larger ones (the back of an inn and a tinkerer's shop, respectively), build of timber and wood in the style typical for the Selkie. It had a homely atmosphere to it and the old man, who was sitting in front of it by his lonesome with his eyes closed certainly added to it, as he enjoyed the rays of sunshine falling into his alley with a small smile. "For now...", Celina began with a flourish, "...we're here!"
"That you are.", the old man voiced in a calm manner, not opening his eyes, not even turning his head, "The question is, guests from near and far, is that where you want to go?"

"That depends," Evanu said to the old man, "is this the Black Fox breeder?" He, for one, was glad he didn't have to explain Krugeristan's policies regarding marriage and the punishments for adultery and desecrating your deceased spouse. It was complex and something people pondered around the globe ever since the nation's founding.

[The Selkie]

"That depends," Evanu said to the old man, "is this the Black Fox breeder?" He, for one, was glad he didn't have to explain Krugeristan's policies regarding marriage and the punishments for adultery and desecrating your deceased spouse. It was complex and something people pondered around the globe ever since the nation's founding.

The old man laughed a small laugh in reply, still not opening his eyes. "A good answer, searrach.", he said with an approving nod, "But here is a better question: Why, travellers from distant shores, do you seek the services of a breeder, especially for such curious animals as the Black Fox?"
As if commanded, a small creature came out of the shadow, a small vulpine of slate-grey fur, a tuft of hair on his head with a red tip, greenish-blue eyes and red eyes and eyebrows. A short muzzle completed the face. There was a ruff of black fur around its neck, the other end of the body finishing with a short, bushy tail, while its legs, too, had red tips.
Without a care in the world, it stepped up to the old man and sat down at his side, resting his head on the front paws, closing his eyes.
"So, searrach, answer me... what do you seek from a Black Fox?", he asked.

[Krugeristan]

"That depends," Evanu said to the old man, "is this the Black Fox breeder?" He, for one, was glad he didn't have to explain Krugeristan's policies regarding marriage and the punishments for adultery and desecrating your deceased spouse. It was complex and something people pondered around the globe ever since the nation's founding.

The old man laughed a small laugh in reply, still not opening his eyes. "A good answer, searrach.", he said with an approving nod, "But here is a better question: Why, travellers from distant shores, do you seek the services of a breeder, especially for such curious animals as the Black Fox?"
As if commanded, a small creature came out of the shadow, a small vulpine of slate-grey fur, a tuft of hair on his head with a red tip, greenish-blue eyes and red eyes and eyebrows. A short muzzle completed the face. There was a ruff of black fur around its neck, the other end of the body finishing with a short, bushy tail, while its legs, too, had red tips.
Without a care in the world, it stepped up to the old man and sat down at his side, resting his head on the front paws, closing his eyes.
"So, searrach, answer me... what do you seek from a Black Fox?", he asked.

"Well, we're searching for a companion for the president of Syria, Bashar al-Assad," Golahman replied. "It was suggested to me by my girlfriend that Assad own a Black Fox instead of a Tine because of the climate he's in." He opened his wallet, taking out a photograph of himself and the Syrian president, staring up at nothing in the skies of Doenya.

[The Selkie]

"Well, we're searching for a companion for the president of Syria, Bashar al-Assad," Golahman replied. "It was suggested to me by my girlfriend that Assad own a Black Fox instead of a Tine because of the climate he's in." He opened his wallet, taking out a photograph of himself and the Syrian president, staring up at nothing in the skies of Doenya.

"Hm...", the old man said, not turning or looking at the photo, not moving in the slightest, "...and what do you think, searrach?", he asked Evanu. "Do you share his opinion, without even knowing the Black Fox, both the Little and the Big?"
He gave a small laugh.
"Come on, Mister Folaíochta...", Celina said from her vantage, leaning against the wall.
The old man finally turned his head, opening blue eyes of mirth and mischief to look at Celina. "Rob all the fun from an old man, now will you?!", he asked with playful indignation, "Youngsters these days... Celina, welcome back!" There was now an open smile on his lips as he rose up to meet the youngster in question, hugging her in a familiar manner, like an uncle would hug his niece, which she returned with a smile. "I was serious, though, searraigh - why do you seek the Black Fox without knowing him? Only based on recommendation?"

[AHSCA]

"Hm...", Liam made with a smile, "Kumiko... a beautiful name. What leads you from distant shores to the Pearl of Lodan Lir, especially with your daughter, Miss Oumae?"
It was not hard to see how much the two of them were related - especially since the girl had called the older woman her mother repeatedly. In Liam's mind, that did not make the woman behind him any less beautiful, but quite on the contrary. It also showed the strength the woman behind him had.

She blushed a bit being told she had a beautiful name, even her ex-husband was never that kind when they were first dating. "Oh, a bit of pleasure and a bit of business. I'm a shop keeper back home and was hoping to bring back some Selkie goods to sell because people are just loving them right now. And the pleasure is being able to spend time with my little girl."

[Krugeristan]

"Well, we're searching for a companion for the president of Syria, Bashar al-Assad," Golahman replied. "It was suggested to me by my girlfriend that Assad own a Black Fox instead of a Tine because of the climate he's in." He opened his wallet, taking out a photograph of himself and the Syrian president, staring up at nothing in the skies of Doenya.

"Hm...", the old man said, not turning or looking at the photo, not moving in the slightest, "...and what do you think, searrach?", he asked Evanu. "Do you share his opinion, without even knowing the Black Fox, both the Little and the Big?"
He gave a small laugh.
"Come on, Mister Folaíochta...", Celina said from her vantage, leaning against the wall.
The old man finally turned his head, opening blue eyes of mirth and mischief to look at Celina. "Rob all the fun from an old man, now will you?!", he asked with playful indignation, "Youngsters these days... Celina, welcome back!" There was now an open smile on his lips as he rose up to meet the youngster in question, hugging her in a familiar manner, like an uncle would hug his niece, which she returned with a smile. "I was serious, though, searraigh - why do you seek the Black Fox without knowing him? Only based on recommendation?"

"Fiona's my girlfriend, and I want to trust her," Golahman said, a particularly sad note in his voice, wondering why he was being asked questions he didn't know the answer to. "Plus, Assad's my friend, and . . . I want to make him happy."

[Aurora Confederacy]

One of the women by the donation boxes grinned as the coin sailed by and bowed her head in gratitude, before she turned to the next person to talk to - her nametag identified her as belonging to SDY's Registered Office, so she was quite good at her job.
The two women were able to make their way to the Ceol Square, where there was music - and currently preparations for the soundcheck of Damhsa, people forming pairs of dancers, by their request, not only men and women, but also pairs of the same gender and the odd pet with owner, including the gecko-like things from before and the tanned beauty, having relocated themselves. Just as the two Aurorans put their feet onto the square, the band started.
A Selkie-Waltz was an isometric affair, 16 measures a step, 8 for the left foot, 8 for the right. Easily, one could dance to the call of the instruments, to the call of the fiddle, the highest there was for a real Selkie. Waltzes usually had no lyrics and this one was no exception, so as the instruments slowly came into the audience and the music slowly urged into dancing, the tempo became apparent, which international musical scientists would describe as Allegretto con spirito, relatively fast and with spirit.
Ideal for warming up.

If there is one thing that Zoe and Michaela "Micky" Mariner are good at, its ball room dancing especially as Zoe's family are from a well to do background with her sister in law involved in shipping and Zoe previously used to work a container ship, and before the container ship she worked on a ferry that sailed between South Sands and Nikolia every 6 days, and so would often be able to be in the dance hall and "ball room" of the ferry.

Zoe, and Micky gripped hands, and took up the stance then started to dance, following the basic lead of the other Selkie as they danced a somewhat unfamiliar routine at first but soon they were in the swing of it. Meanwhile, it was here that Gina Fittipaldi had alsoo managed to make her way, but she was without a partner but that didn't seem to bother her that much, she couldn't dance anyway so quietly but not in an unsocial manner leant on the fence and began to watch the dancing, tapping her good foot to the rhythm of the music and occasionally she would take her smart phone out and snap a few pictures before uploading them instantly onto a social media website. Yes My Face, which caused Robbie's phone to vibrate, much to the annoyance of Robbie as she was unable to check it as she was busy dealing with customers at the trailer.

As the waltz came to an end, Micky ended up being bent backwards, held up by Zoe Mariner who leant forwards onto Micky to plant her a not so subtle kiss! "you've not lost your stride yet sweetie" she said to Micky with a smile.

[Ru-]

The Sergeant saw, that it indeed did matter for the young King and reached over, ruffling his hair a bit with a smile. "Don't be like that, searrach.", she said in a comforting tone, "Matchmakers like Mistress Banphrionsa take care, that your hearts agree with the other before she presses anything... her vulpine cleverness is legendary by now."
She smiled.
"Don't think of it as a fixed arrangement to love and marry someone, but of her introducing you to a new friend.", she said and shrugged, "Certainly helped me with my grandmother... anyway, you do want to find new friends, here, right?"

Yoshio squirmed under the hair ruffling but he listened to what the sergeant had to say. His mind was put at ease a little bit, though he was still rather flustered. However the question that she posed to him really only had one answer. "Yes, yeah I guess I do...oh alright then, I guess you're right." he smiled a little.

Sir Larra smirked that she already maanged to see this side of the little king. The boy put on a good show for the public, he was far better at wearing a pleasent public face and welcomed the spotlight more then his father did, for sure. However, in private Yoshio could actually be a rather moody child. Larra often got to sit in on him complaining and moaning about any number of things. She did a good job of soothing his uneasiness and turning his grumpy attitude around on him.

He chuckled over at Yoshio and added reassuringly "From what I've met of her, the lady seems to be very good at reading people, I am sure she will find someone who you will not have to try hard to charm, majesty. So I wouldn't worry."

[The Selkie]

She blushed a bit being told she had a beautiful name, even her ex-husband was never that kind when they were first dating. "Oh, a bit of pleasure and a bit of business. I'm a shop keeper back home and was hoping to bring back some Selkie goods to sell because people are just loving them right now. And the pleasure is being able to spend time with my little girl."

Liam smiled over his shoulder, then looked to the little girl, still sitting in front of the blonde, before looking back to her mother with a certain glint in his eyes. "I can imagine that.", he told her, "It must be the most beautiful shop in the world then. And certainly the most lively one!"
By now, some Selkie and quite a few tourists had spotted the rather interesting quartett, making the odd photo, but in good spirits. The petting zoo came closer.

"Fiona's my girlfriend, and I want to trust her," Golahman said, a particularly sad note in his voice, wondering why he was being asked questions he didn't know the answer to. "Plus, Assad's my friend, and . . . I want to make him happy."

The old man nodded. "Valid reasons...", he said and gave Golahman a small smile as he disengaged from Celina, "...but without the need to be sad, searrach." He put a hand on the far younger man's shoulder, squeezing it, "Think about it as a... how do foreigners call it...? A psychological evaluation?" He smiled. "Come on inside, there I can introduce you to a few. Celina, the little ones need to be fed."
The young bluenette nodded. "On my way."
Indeed she was, entering the shop before them, as the old men led Golahman and Evanu inside, the girl disappearing in a back room just as they entered the dimly lit shop. There were two baskets of wicker standing by the counter, around half a dozen of young Black Foxes having space in there, but none being present at the moment, but quite a few older ones, one lounging on a shelf, another one on a beam high above their heads, sapphire-blue eyes watching them with curiosity, another one napped in the shop window, a fourth one having a drink from a bowl of milk.
The one, which had left the shop to sit by the old man in the sun stayed by his heels, an older one then the others in the shop, before he jumped onto the counter. The shelves of the shop were concentrated on the right wall, filled to the brim with toys, supplies and other goods to take care of a Black Fox, as well as a bt of accessoires, including a few boxes of beautiful little glass pearls, which could be placed in the ruff or on the tail.
The left wall was dominated by photoes and other memorablia, showing the old man age, the foxes always by his side, in a show for them, one of the foxes sitting in a lap of different sometimes rather surprised people, one of them someone, who looked a bit like a younger Gwen... and then there was a picture of Celina, taken without her knowledge, holding a young Black Fox close to her, the little one sucking on one of her fingers, a serene and beautiful smile on the lips of the girl, which was maybe a year or two younger then now.
The old man smiled. "Welcome to my shop, searraigh.", he said and bowed his head. "May you find, what you search for!"

One of the women by the donation boxes grinned as the coin sailed by and bowed her head in gratitude, before she turned to the next person to talk to - her nametag identified her as belonging to SDY's Registered Office, so she was quite good at her job.
The two women were able to make their way to the Ceol Square, where there was music - and currently preparations for the soundcheck of Damhsa, people forming pairs of dancers, by their request, not only men and women, but also pairs of the same gender and the odd pet with owner, including the gecko-like things from before and the tanned beauty, having relocated themselves. Just as the two Aurorans put their feet onto the square, the band started.
A Selkie-Waltz was an isometric affair, 16 measures a step, 8 for the left foot, 8 for the right. Easily, one could dance to the call of the instruments, to the call of the fiddle, the highest there was for a real Selkie. Waltzes usually had no lyrics and this one was no exception, so as the instruments slowly came into the audience and the music slowly urged into dancing, the tempo became apparent, which international musical scientists would describe as Allegretto con spirito, relatively fast and with spirit.
Ideal for warming up.

If there is one thing that Zoe and Michaela "Micky" Mariner are good at, its ball room dancing especially as Zoe's family are from a well to do background with her sister in law involved in shipping and Zoe previously used to work a container ship, and before the container ship she worked on a ferry that sailed between South Sands and Nikolia every 6 days, and so would often be able to be in the dance hall and "ball room" of the ferry.

Zoe, and Micky gripped hands, and took up the stance then started to dance, following the basic lead of the other Selkie as they danced a somewhat unfamiliar routine at first but soon they were in the swing of it. Meanwhile, it was here that Gina Fittipaldi had alsoo managed to make her way, but she was without a partner but that didn't seem to bother her that much, she couldn't dance anyway so quietly but not in an unsocial manner leant on the fence and began to watch the dancing, tapping her good foot to the rhythm of the music and occasionally she would take her smart phone out and snap a few pictures before uploading them instantly onto a social media website. Yes My Face, which caused Robbie's phone to vibrate, much to the annoyance of Robbie as she was unable to check it as she was busy dealing with customers at the trailer.

As the waltz came to an end, Micky ended up being bent backwards, held up by Zoe Mariner who leant forwards onto Micky to plant her a not so subtle kiss! "you've not lost your stride yet sweetie" she said to Micky with a smile.

Quite a few Selkie around Zoe and Mickey watched the two dance, getting into the swing of things rather easily, which made them applaud, seeing them turn their music and the own dances into something new. Someone, a young lad with brown hair, even filmed them with excitement and a digital camcorder.
As the two came to a stop, there was applause around them, not only for the band, but also for the two dancers, who had been watched.
As the technicians and the band discussed something, most pairs went apart again, waiting for the next dance or band, some pairs rearranging themselves. The brown haired young man with the camcorder, meanwhile, approached the two Auroran dancers with a charming smile, as it was nothing unusual for a Selkie to see two people of the same gender dance together and no indication for their orientation. "Good morning, Ladies.", he said with a respectful bow and a charming smile, after all, he wanted to ask something of them, "I couldn't help myself and filmed you two dance, would you terribly mind, if I were to upload it to a video hosting site?"

Meanwhile, Gina was joined in her tapping of the foot by a young woman, a redhead with sparkling blue eyes, in dark green pants, military boots, and a dark red shirt, which accentuated her voluptuously curved body quite nicely and brought her eyes out, a dark green jacked with black collar and black cuffs bound around her waist. Watching her move, one saw, that something was not right with her right leg, while her right arm was missing from a little bit beneath the shoulder downwards. Still, she carried herself with pride and was met with respect, but unable to dance, she joined another person, who did not.
"So...", she said with a smile, "Quite a soundcheck, eh?"

The Sergeant saw, that it indeed did matter for the young King and reached over, ruffling his hair a bit with a smile. "Don't be like that, searrach.", she said in a comforting tone, "Matchmakers like Mistress Banphrionsa take care, that your hearts agree with the other before she presses anything... her vulpine cleverness is legendary by now."
She smiled.
"Don't think of it as a fixed arrangement to love and marry someone, but of her introducing you to a new friend.", she said and shrugged, "Certainly helped me with my grandmother... anyway, you do want to find new friends, here, right?"

Yoshio squirmed under the hair ruffling but he listened to what the sergeant had to say. His mind was put at ease a little bit, though he was still rather flustered. However the question that she posed to him really only had one answer. "Yes, yeah I guess I do...oh alright then, I guess you're right." he smiled a little.

Sir Larra smirked that she already maanged to see this side of the little king. The boy put on a good show for the public, he was far better at wearing a pleasent public face and welcomed the spotlight more then his father did, for sure. However, in private Yoshio could actually be a rather moody child. Larra often got to sit in on him complaining and moaning about any number of things. She did a good job of soothing his uneasiness and turning his grumpy attitude around on him.

He chuckled over at Yoshio and added reassuringly "From what I've met of her, the lady seems to be very good at reading people, I am sure she will find someone who you will not have to try hard to charm, majesty. So I wouldn't worry."

The Sergeant smiled at the boy's cute reaction to her ruffling of his hair, somehow knowing, that she was seeing a side of the young king, that not many people saw - and that he indeed was, what Selkie lovingly referred to as a foal.
She nodded at Larra's assessment. "He's right, you know? That woman has an uncanny sense of matching people up, bringing people together, who would usually not even spare a glance at each other and making them friends or even more. She never presses anything, though, so you can be assured, that she won't pester you with anything!"

[Krugeristan]

"Fiona's my girlfriend, and I want to trust her," Golahman said, a particularly sad note in his voice, wondering why he was being asked questions he didn't know the answer to. "Plus, Assad's my friend, and . . . I want to make him happy."

The old man nodded. "Valid reasons...", he said and gave Golahman a small smile as he disengaged from Celina, "...but without the need to be sad, searrach." He put a hand on the far younger man's shoulder, squeezing it, "Think about it as a... how do foreigners call it...? A psychological evaluation?" He smiled. "Come on inside, there I can introduce you to a few. Celina, the little ones need to be fed."
The young bluenette nodded. "On my way."
Indeed she was, entering the shop before them, as the old men led Golahman and Evanu inside, the girl disappearing in a back room just as they entered the dimly lit shop. There were two baskets of wicker standing by the counter, around half a dozen of young Black Foxes having space in there, but none being present at the moment, but quite a few older ones, one lounging on a shelf, another one on a beam high above their heads, sapphire-blue eyes watching them with curiosity, another one napped in the shop window, a fourth one having a drink from a bowl of milk.
The one, which had left the shop to sit by the old man in the sun stayed by his heels, an older one then the others in the shop, before he jumped onto the counter. The shelves of the shop were concentrated on the right wall, filled to the brim with toys, supplies and other goods to take care of a Black Fox, as well as a bt of accessoires, including a few boxes of beautiful little glass pearls, which could be placed in the ruff or on the tail.
The left wall was dominated by photoes and other memorablia, showing the old man age, the foxes always by his side, in a show for them, one of the foxes sitting in a lap of different sometimes rather surprised people, one of them someone, who looked a bit like a younger Gwen... and then there was a picture of Celina, taken without her knowledge, holding a young Black Fox close to her, the little one sucking on one of her fingers, a serene and beautiful smile on the lips of the girl, which was maybe a year or two younger then now.
The old man smiled. "Welcome to my shop, searraigh.", he said and bowed his head. "May you find, what you search for!"

Evanu looked at Golahman with a smile. "You see? Those questions were with good intentions."

Golahman gave a nod, unable to argue. "Maybe I should show them Assad's medical papers?"

"Sir, this man's not a doctor." Evanu looked around, impressed with the level of dedication the old man had for his foxes. "All we'd need to do is find one that would go along with Assad's personality."

"Yes . . . a little eccentric, a little awkward, but still fun to be around, right?" Golahman said.

"Preferably one who might listen to your conversations by the bathroom door."

[The Selkie]

Evanu looked at Golahman with a smile. "You see? Those questions were with good intentions."

Golahman gave a nod, unable to argue. "Maybe I should show them Assad's medical papers?"

"Sir, this man's not a doctor." Evanu looked around, impressed with the level of dedication the old man had for his foxes. "All we'd need to do is find one that would go along with Assad's personality."

"Yes . . . a little eccentric, a little awkward, but still fun to be around, right?" Golahman said.

"Preferably one who might listen to your conversations by the bathroom door."

"I sense, that there is a story behind that.", the old man said with a smile, before he raised a hand, "One you can share later, if you want. For now..." He moved to the counter and turned to the two men. "...I will trust my judgement and entrust you, searrach..." He looked at Golahman with a kind smile. "...with taking care of one of my laddies or lassies, depending on which your friend might like. It's a great responsibility I entrust you with, especially for someone, who owns a young Tine."
He made a small pause.
"Don't worry, Black Foxes and Tines go along with each other relatively well, most of the time.", he told him and nodded seriously, "What they don't get along with are Wolves. The mere smell of one makes them afraid." He shook his head, before the smile reappeared as if it was never gone. "Anyway... extend your hand, searrach." He looked at Evanu with a kind smile as he awaited the hand. "This will take a while, so if you want, look around. Celina's in the back room, if you have questions."

[Krugeristan]

Evanu looked at Golahman with a smile. "You see? Those questions were with good intentions."

Golahman gave a nod, unable to argue. "Maybe I should show them Assad's medical papers?"

"Sir, this man's not a doctor." Evanu looked around, impressed with the level of dedication the old man had for his foxes. "All we'd need to do is find one that would go along with Assad's personality."

"Yes . . . a little eccentric, a little awkward, but still fun to be around, right?" Golahman said.

"Preferably one who might listen to your conversations by the bathroom door."

"I sense, that there is a story behind that.", the old man said with a smile, before he raised a hand, "One you can share later, if you want. For now..." He moved to the counter and turned to the two men. "...I will trust my judgement and entrust you, searrach..." He looked at Golahman with a kind smile. "...with taking care of one of my laddies or lassies, depending on which your friend might like. It's a great responsibility I entrust you with, especially for someone, who owns a young Tine."
He made a small pause.
"Don't worry, Black Foxes and Tines go along with each other relatively well, most of the time.", he told him and nodded seriously, "What they don't get along with are Wolves. The mere smell of one makes them afraid." He shook his head, before the smile reappeared as if it was never gone. "Anyway... extend your hand, searrach." He looked at Evanu with a kind smile as he awaited the hand. "This will take a while, so if you want, look around. Celina's in the back room, if you have questions."

Tilting his head a little, Evanu held out his hand while Golahman wandered around, kneeling in front of the first Black Fox he saw, just out of curiosity.

"Is there a purpose to this?" Evanu asked.

[New Visayan Islands]

Samuel Cui
Teach Ósta

"With a place like this, you might just get your wish," Samuel replied. He then asked one of the waitresses for two glasses of water while waiting for breakfast.

"Can't wait for good food while parched, can you?" he said, offering the other glass.

[Military Democracy of Birtonia]

Mr & Mrs. Dawnshir, SAA Victor
Silverport Rail Station

---

Mr. Dawnshir simply relaxed next to his wife as the two conversed, mirroring Veronica in the notations of luxurious garb. Fitted three piece suit in all black accented with a dark red tie and pocket square, a small Imperial Eagle pinned upon his lapel. He leaned back and awaited the train to take them all towards the Festival. Meanwhile Veronica postured her body towards Mona, signalling her full attention was focused on the girls answers. She nodded along as the girl explained her countries background, which she simply found fascinating, a completely different style of living and culture than that compared to The Imperium. She laughed politely as the girl mentioned how her tribe was traditionally fishermen but she hated seafood.

[Ru-]

The Sergeant smiled at the boy's cute reaction to her ruffling of his hair, somehow knowing, that she was seeing a side of the young king, that not many people saw - and that he indeed was, what Selkie lovingly referred to as a foal.
She nodded at Larra's assessment. "He's right, you know? That woman has an uncanny sense of matching people up, bringing people together, who would usually not even spare a glance at each other and making them friends or even more. She never presses anything, though, so you can be assured, that she won't pester you with anything!"

The boy sighed with resignation "Yeah, yeah, you guys are right I suppose.." he smiled a little and drank up the last of his apple juice, seeming like he was finally able to relax about the whole thing. He looked up at the Sergeant and flashed a bit of a crooked smirk as he thought of another question to ask. "Hey, so if she's so good at this matchmaking thing, what kinda guy do you think she'd fix you up with? Hehehe!" The boy asked his question teasingly with childish amusement.

[The Selkie]

Tilting his head a little, Evanu held out his hand while Golahman wandered around, kneeling in front of the first Black Fox he saw, just out of curiosity.

"Is there a purpose to this?" Evanu asked.

The old man, with a smile and surprising hardness in his grip, took the young man's hand and turned it palm up.
"You see, while the eyes are the mirrows of the soul, the hands are the mirrows of the life one leads.", he said and looked closely at the hand, "What do we have here..."

The Little Black Fox, meanwhile, cracked an eye open and watched Golahman, unmoving for now. Then he jawned and stood up, approaching Golahman with careful curiosity. He smelled the Tine and the cats, but also something akin to him, a Curly... that person was interesting, to say the least.
And he also smelled a woman, but not Celina.
He heard everything said and knew, that he had a girlfriend, but there was proof, that she indeed was a Selkie in her smell.

Samuel Cui
Teach Ósta

"With a place like this, you might just get your wish," Samuel replied. He then asked one of the waitresses for two glasses of water while waiting for breakfast.

"Can't wait for good food while parched, can you?" he said, offering the other glass.

Kiah nodded. "And right you are, Mister Cui.", she said and raised her glass to a toast, "To sharing breakfast in interesting company."
After the clinking of glass and a small sip of clear and fresh water from the Cuas River, she placed an elbow onto the table and her head onto the corresponding hand, cocking her head a bit. "I'm curious, though... you have a son - do you have other family?", she asked with interest in her voice and eyes, before she added: "If you don't want to talk about them, that's fine, but as said... I'm curious."

Mr & Mrs. Dawnshir, SAA Victor
Silverport Rail Station

---

Mr. Dawnshir simply relaxed next to his wife as the two conversed, mirroring Veronica in the notations of luxurious garb. Fitted three piece suit in all black accented with a dark red tie and pocket square, a small Imperial Eagle pinned upon his lapel. He leaned back and awaited the train to take them all towards the Festival. Meanwhile Veronica postured her body towards Mona, signalling her full attention was focused on the girls answers. She nodded along as the girl explained her countries background, which she simply found fascinating, a completely different style of living and culture than that compared to The Imperium. She laughed politely as the girl mentioned how her tribe was traditionally fishermen but she hated seafood.

Mona recognized a well dressed man when she saw one and Mister Dawnshir definately was one, very much like his wife.
That being said, the girl giggled with his wife at her dislike of seafood, and took in air to continue the explanation, going into more detail, as Bhuf's ears picked up something. The large predator tensed up.
Mona, used to the little signals of her companion, looked at him. "Something wrong, leaid?"
He relaxed a few moments afterwards, but not settling back into her lap. A few dozen metres away from them, a train entered the station, a short one with around half a dozen passenger cars, a large steam locomotive and very little in the ways of passengers aboard.
Mona petted her companion's side and pointed at the train. "Well, that'd be ours. Departure is scheduled in..." She looked at her watch. "...five minutes, so if you need a snack or a trip to the bathroom, now's the last chance before we ride the iron horse!"
With that, she stood up and grabbed her own, rather small, bag, slung it over her shoulder and Bhuf jumped down to her side, at her heel, tail swishing a bit, Mona settling her hand on his lap for a quick ruffling.

The boy sighed with resignation "Yeah, yeah, you guys are right I suppose.." he smiled a little and drank up the last of his apple juice, seeming like he was finally able to relax about the whole thing. He looked up at the Sergeant and flashed a bit of a crooked smirk as he thought of another question to ask. "Hey, so if she's so good at this matchmaking thing, what kinda guy do you think she'd fix you up with? Hehehe!" The boy asked his question teasingly with childish amusement.

The Sergeant blushed heavily, redder then any tomato, stumbled over something or the other... and then her brain shut off for a bit. It rebooted a few minutes later, the more violent way, compareable to indeed booting her brain.
She, still blushing, lowered her head. "Not a guy...", she said a little bit small at first, before she repeated a bit louder, "...not a guy. I am sorry, searrach, if that is not exactly the answer you imagined, but I am, what foreigners would call a lesbian. We call it leannán, something roughly translating to 'somebody, who is in love'. Funnily enough, someone heterosexual is called leannán, too."
She waited for their reactions - and she knew, that homosexuality was not well received in some countries. She hoped, that Ru was one, where it was accepted, just like in the Free Lands.