The Eagle and the Vixen (Closed)

[The Selkie]

"It is quite nice" - Dragan said. "Though, his grandchildren live on another island and don't have the time to care for it. Why they haven't just taken and sold it again, however, is totally beyond me. They might have so much money that they don't know where to spend it any more - that may be another reason for that. They have a lot of relatives to inherit stuff from."
Amy rested her head on his shoulder, which didn't bother him, either.

"Oh yes, never touch the sacred drinks!" - Chris said, grinning.
"Then rather the sacred clothes" - Janina agreed. "Though, I might have to disappoint those who hope that I know nothing."
"Oh, there is a risk of some quite embarrassing situations for some lads ..."

"What a waste!", Amy complained with a smile, "But their loss will be another person's win one day."
Still with her head on his shoulder, she sighed.
"I think, letting an old house fall into disrepair is shows deep disrespect to the house and the memories residing in it, especially if you knew the ones, who lived there before.", she added and looked out towards the sea with a small, thankful smile.

"Oh, if you don't know the answer, don't lift your hand to answer, simple as that!", I recommended.
"Until Teach calls you out, that is.", Raidri added with a grin, to which the Professor nodded with a small smile of her own, "She needs her grades."
"Grades make the Professor happy.", the Professor said with a grin, "And a happy Professor gives less homework!"

[Lillorainen]

"What a waste!", Amy complained with a smile, "But their loss will be another person's win one day."
Still with her head on his shoulder, she sighed.
"I think, letting an old house fall into disrepair is shows deep disrespect to the house and the memories residing in it, especially if you knew the ones, who lived there before.", she added and looked out towards the sea with a small, thankful smile.

"Oh, if you don't know the answer, don't lift your hand to answer, simple as that!", I recommended.
"Until Teach calls you out, that is.", Raidri added with a grin, to which the Professor nodded with a small smile of her own, "She needs her grades."
"Grades make the Professor happy.", the Professor said with a grin, "And a happy Professor gives less homework!"

Dragan nodded, agreeing. "Absolutely. Well, law says that estates dismissed by the heirs and any alternative relatives who can be found are administered by the government of the particular constituent republic, so in this case, the winner is the State of Vedjading. I assume they've already passed it on to some estate office. Might not be very personal, but still better than letting it fall into disrepair. I agree, though, it's disrespectful, and as I said, totally beyond me. If I had the money, I'd just directly have bought it, and if it's only to keep the memories up."

"Grades make me happy, too - given they're good grades, that is" - Janina said, grinning.
"Less homework makes us even happier!" - Chris added. "So, at the end of the day, happy professors result in happy students."
Janina laughed. "So you're gonna make me do all the work making the Professor happy so you can profit yourself from her happiness? I got it, good plan."
"What? I want my own good grades, of course."
"Then I hope you're prepared."

[The Selkie]

Dragan nodded, agreeing. "Absolutely. Well, law says that estates dismissed by the heirs and any alternative relatives who can be found are administered by the government of the particular constituent republic, so in this case, the winner is the State of Vedjading. I assume they've already passed it on to some estate office. Might not be very personal, but still better than letting it fall into disrepair. I agree, though, it's disrespectful, and as I said, totally beyond me. If I had the money, I'd just directly have bought it, and if it's only to keep the memories up."

"Grades make me happy, too - given they're good grades, that is" - Janina said, grinning.
"Less homework makes us even happier!" - Chris added. "So, at the end of the day, happy professors result in happy students."
Janina laughed. "So you're gonna make me do all the work making the Professor happy so you can profit yourself from her happiness? I got it, good plan."
"What? I want my own good grades, of course."
"Then I hope you're prepared."

The Professor wanted to reply something, as a deep sound went through the bones: A horn.
A deep sound.
And before the sound had stopped, Mistress Mamaí on the carriage was already barking orders. It was not an alert horn and more a 'Hi, I'm here!' horn. Our reply was appropriate: Instead of reaching for swords and bows, we made way for a caravan very much like ours, a few horsemen, Selkie, by the looks of it, and a pair of carts, covered with tarp.
We exchanged waves and hands clapping with each other.
The carts looked a bit run-down, but the people were friendly and their horses looked healthy.
One of the horsemen separated from the group, rode up to Mistress Mamaí and exchanged a few words with her, the two a bit too far away for me to understand, who I was exchanging fist bumps with a horseman as if we were old friends - we hadn't met any time before.
Mamaí nodded, then spoke something in Selkie, the message being handed down by us as the horseman departed us.
As the other caravan had passed us, I repeated for Janina and Chris: "The road is a bit precarious a few kilometres down the road. Nothing that should concern us, as we'll be at our destination in a bit, but we'll still be careful."

When the caravan passed, Amy had turned in her seat and waved, especially at the cute boy, who had sat next to what had looked like his mother on the block. The boy had blushed and shily waved back.
As the caravan had passed she sat back and grinned at Dragan: "Tramps and hawkers. Meeting them on the street is always a sign of good luck!"

[Lillorainen]

The Professor wanted to reply something, as a deep sound went through the bones: A horn.
A deep sound.
And before the sound had stopped, Mistress Mamaí on the carriage was already barking orders. It was not an alert horn and more a 'Hi, I'm here!' horn. Our reply was appropriate: Instead of reaching for swords and bows, we made way for a caravan very much like ours, a few horsemen, Selkie, by the looks of it, and a pair of carts, covered with tarp.
We exchanged waves and hands clapping with each other.
The carts looked a bit run-down, but the people were friendly and their horses looked healthy.
One of the horsemen separated from the group, rode up to Mistress Mamaí and exchanged a few words with her, the two a bit too far away for me to understand, who I was exchanging fist bumps with a horseman as if we were old friends - we hadn't met any time before.
Mamaí nodded, then spoke something in Selkie, the message being handed down by us as the horseman departed us.
As the other caravan had passed us, I repeated for Janina and Chris: "The road is a bit precarious a few kilometres down the road. Nothing that should concern us, as we'll be at our destination in a bit, but we'll still be careful."

When the caravan passed, Amy had turned in her seat and waved, especially at the cute boy, who had sat next to what had looked like his mother on the block. The boy had blushed and shily waved back.
As the caravan had passed she sat back and grinned at Dragan: "Tramps and hawkers. Meeting them on the street is always a sign of good luck!"

The professor just wanted to reply - then, all of a sudden, a horn was to hear.
A deep and loud sound, reminding Chris and Janina of a lorry honking.
Startled a bit, the Lillos noticed the caravan that was going to pass by; when they did so, waves and hands clapping were exchanged, as if they had known each other for a long time. One of the riders talked to Mhairin. Cel translated the message for Chris and Janina.
Chris was a bit amused. "I'm imagining how we start honking the horn back home every time someone passes by."
"Only at shitty roads, of course" - Janina said. "Imagine that on a highway! That's gonna get loud."

The one boy waved back shily, to answer Amy's waving - for Dragan's slight, hidden amusement.
Tramps and hawkers ... this was something Dragan quite did know from back home. These seemed to be the Selkie equivalent of those lads and lassies in the caravans regularly blocking the middle lane of the A3. Aside from that, they were quite nice, too.
He grinned back. "Where I'm from, it's usually a sign that you're gonna buy a new carpet in a few moments!"

[The Selkie]

The professor just wanted to reply - then, all of a sudden, a horn was to hear.
A deep and loud sound, reminding Chris and Janina of a lorry honking.
Startled a bit, the Lillos noticed the caravan that was going to pass by; when they did so, waves and hands clapping were exchanged, as if they had known each other for a long time. One of the riders talked to Mhairin. Cel translated the message for Chris and Janina.
Chris was a bit amused. "I'm imagining how we start honking the horn back home every time someone passes by."
"Only at shitty roads, of course" - Janina said. "Imagine that on a highway! That's gonna get loud."

The one boy waved back shily, to answer Amy's waving - for Dragan's slight, hidden amusement.
Tramps and hawkers ... this was something Dragan quite did know from back home. These seemed to be the Selkie equivalent of those lads and lassies in the caravans regularly blocking the middle lane of the A3. Aside from that, they were quite nice, too.
He grinned back. "Where I'm from, it's usually a sign that you're gonna buy a new carpet in a few moments!"

There was a round of laughter at that image.
It also told me, that I wouldn't want for my poor Cammy to endure that. Bad roads were bad for horses, worse, actually, then no road at all.
"Not on shitty roads, on narrow ones.", I added, "Which fits the bill perfectly for quite a few, actually. It's more a sign of 'Hey, we're here, so watch out!'"
"Still, it can end in much noise.", Raidri added. "Especially when the SDF is joining in. Ever met a regiment on the march to an exercise? Well, that's a concert!"

Amy grinned.
"Usually, they don't sell carpets around these parts, but frippery and kitsch.", she explained, "Toys for kids and last-minute souvenirs for tourists, such stuff. Not garbage, but sometimes really cool stuff, usually handmade. I had a whole set of carved animals as a kid, good oak, too. Awesome to play with!"

[Lillorainen]

There was a round of laughter at that image.
It also told me, that I wouldn't want for my poor Cammy to endure that. Bad roads were bad for horses, worse, actually, then no road at all.
"Not on shitty roads, on narrow ones.", I added, "Which fits the bill perfectly for quite a few, actually. It's more a sign of 'Hey, we're here, so watch out!'"
"Still, it can end in much noise.", Raidri added. "Especially when the SDF is joining in. Ever met a regiment on the march to an exercise? Well, that's a concert!"

Amy grinned.
"Usually, they don't sell carpets around these parts, but frippery and kitsch.", she explained, "Toys for kids and last-minute souvenirs for tourists, such stuff. Not garbage, but sometimes really cool stuff, usually handmade. I had a whole set of carved animals as a kid, good oak, too. Awesome to play with!"

"Even on narrow roads, they usually don't honk around in our parts" - Chris said. "Imagine everyone did so on every narrow road in a village." He laughed again. "If you move there, say goodbye to sleep!"
"Though, I know concerts like these - not from the SDF, but from our own troops" - Janina added, replying to Raidri's question. "You know, there was that victory march by the resistance fighters from the military airport to the other side of the lake back then, at the end of the Civil War. The only time back then when anything happened in my hometown during that war. And for some reason, the regiments nowadays think they need to resemble that march again and again, and every time a bit louder than before!" She laughed, too.

"Carpets were more of an example now" - Dragan said. "They also have lots of kitsch in there. They do have their reason why they always pull half their living rooms behind them when on the road!"
He snorted.
"The advantage is that I didn't have to rent a lorry or a trailer when moving. They just brought the interieur, as they were around, anyways!"

[The Selkie]

"Even on narrow roads, they usually don't honk around in our parts" - Chris said. "Imagine everyone did so on every narrow road in a village." He laughed again. "If you move there, say goodbye to sleep!"
"Though, I know concerts like these - not from the SDF, but from our own troops" - Janina added, replying to Raidri's question. "You know, there was that victory march by the resistance fighters from the military airport to the other side of the lake back then, at the end of the Civil War. The only time back then when anything happened in my hometown during that war. And for some reason, the regiments nowadays think they need to resemble that march again and again, and every time a bit louder than before!" She laughed, too.

"Carpets were more of an example now" - Dragan said. "They also have lots of kitsch in there. They do have their reason why they always pull half their living rooms behind them when on the road!"
He snorted.
"The advantage is that I didn't have to rent a lorry or a trailer when moving. They just brought the interieur, as they were around, anyways!"

There was laughter at that declaration, only broken by an excited yell.
"Ah, we're there!", I translated from Selkie to English for the benefit of my and Raidri's passenger - I leaned my head back and pecked Chris onto his cheek. "Now, the party part of the evening begins!"
And indeed, in front of our little convoy, a small bay appeared, a house by one side, overhanging the beach around three metres below us. The house was a simple affair with one storey, of the same solid half-timbered style as many houses in the Free Lands were, red roof tiles glistering in the evening us. Below, the beach was white, sandy and the water azure blue within the small bay.
Opposite to the little house, a cliff gave us a good vantage point and even had the ruin of a small watchtower on it. For a moment, I believed, that I indeed saw a guardpost up there, a pair of poor sods, who would keep an eye out for any uninvited guests... especially little yachts with observers, for we were quite open on one side.
The beach, however, was beautiful, wide and flat, a pair of large fireplaces already erected and one being lighted as we approached. Around two dozen people were already there, greeting us with waves and grins as we approached and replied in kind.
It would be a fun evening, it promised.

Amy waved as well as the carriage approached the house - there were stables, and a small pasture, as well as a stairway leading down. Mistress Mamaí smiled slightly as she saw the house and Little Enya spoke with excitement.
Amy turned to Dragan, summarizing a bit: "It's her Granny's Holiday Home. They got permission to use it for the week, which is why it'll also serve as the Young Ones' Quarters for the night - I was in there a few times. It's neat!" A beat passed. "We'll unload after everyone disembarked. You ready?!"

[Lillorainen]

There was laughter at that declaration, only broken by an excited yell.
"Ah, we're there!", I translated from Selkie to English for the benefit of my and Raidri's passenger - I leaned my head back and pecked Chris onto his cheek. "Now, the party part of the evening begins!"
And indeed, in front of our little convoy, a small bay appeared, a house by one side, overhanging the beach around three metres below us. The house was a simple affair with one storey, of the same solid half-timbered style as many houses in the Free Lands were, red roof tiles glistering in the evening us. Below, the beach was white, sandy and the water azure blue within the small bay.
Opposite to the little house, a cliff gave us a good vantage point and even had the ruin of a small watchtower on it. For a moment, I believed, that I indeed saw a guardpost up there, a pair of poor sods, who would keep an eye out for any uninvited guests... especially little yachts with observers, for we were quite open on one side.
The beach, however, was beautiful, wide and flat, a pair of large fireplaces already erected and one being lighted as we approached. Around two dozen people were already there, greeting us with waves and grins as we approached and replied in kind.
It would be a fun evening, it promised.

Amy waved as well as the carriage approached the house - there were stables, and a small pasture, as well as a stairway leading down. Mistress Mamaí smiled slightly as she saw the house and Little Enya spoke with excitement.
Amy turned to Dragan, summarizing a bit: "It's her Granny's Holiday Home. They got permission to use it for the week, which is why it'll also serve as the Young Ones' Quarters for the night - I was in there a few times. It's neat!" A beat passed. "We'll unload after everyone disembarked. You ready?!"

A yell interrupted the laughter that had followed Janina's short summary about the Infanterieregiment 33 Lechelen and the noise level these lads usually caused during their marches. Cel's translation followed.
They were there.
While receiving his obligatory cheek peck, Chris looked around, at that one-storey house and the bay behind it, the white beach with the fireplaces, the azure-blue water of the ocean, the rock and the watchtower - or what was left of it.
So did Janina. "This is why we're here!" - she said, grinning.
"Not the only reason, but a good one!" - Chris said and leaned forward to give Cel a kiss on her cheek. "That's gonna be fun!"

Little Enya seemed to be very excited about the place she saw.
A moment later, Dragan knew why.
"It already looks neat from outside!" - he said. "Haven't seen it from inside, of course, but judging from outside, I could easily imagine living there for some time."
He already got up and took their cooling boxes off the place he had found for them. "I'm ready! When I got these somewhere, I'm gonna get your stuff from here."

[The Selkie]

A yell interrupted the laughter that had followed Janina's short summary about the Infanterieregiment 33 Lechelen and the noise level these lads usually caused during their marches. Cel's translation followed.
They were there.
While receiving his obligatory cheek peck, Chris looked around, at that one-storey house and the bay behind it, the white beach with the fireplaces, the azure-blue water of the ocean, the rock and the watchtower - or what was left of it.
So did Janina. "This is why we're here!" - she said, grinning.
"Not the only reason, but a good one!" - Chris said and leaned forward to give Cel a kiss on her cheek. "That's gonna be fun!"

Little Enya seemed to be very excited about the place she saw.
A moment later, Dragan knew why.
"It already looks neat from outside!" - he said. "Haven't seen it from inside, of course, but judging from outside, I could easily imagine living there for some time."
He already got up and took their cooling boxes off the place he had found for them. "I'm ready! When I got these somewhere, I'm gonna get your stuff from here."

I enjoyed the kiss with a grin before I dismounted.
"Indeed it will be.", I said, grinning, as soon as I had solid ground beneath my feet again, holding out my unoccupied hand (one was on Cammy's reins, holding him still) to Chris to help him. From the corner of my eye, I saw Raidri dismounting and then simply lifting Janina out of the saddly onto solid ground.
He bowed his head: "My fair maiden, it was a pleasure to share the saddle with you!", he said, not in the same bombastic tone as before, but reminiscent of it.
A few of the people from the beach came up to help us with the cargo and to greet friends.
It soon devolved into wonderful chaos!

"Sounds like a plan!", Amy said and jumped down, helping the kids down - those, who wanted, anyway. Finnegan Forc, for example, simply jumped over the side, grinning up.
Amy grinned.
Before the drinks were unloaded, though, the bows and quivers were handed down. They would be deposited somewhere safe, where they would remained, hopefully neither being needed nor necessary. A few arrows nearly spilled out of one quiver, revealing the tips being very, very real and sharp.
Amy took half a dozen quivery, Big Enya did the same, Little Enya struggling with one, before she was picked up by a tall young man, who grinned down at her - the little girl blushed scarlet, especially as the young man took a dozen bow cases.
Big Enya gave a command, which could freely be translated to "Let's go!" and Amy motioned for Dragan to follow her.

[Lillorainen]

I enjoyed the kiss with a grin before I dismounted.
"Indeed it will be.", I said, grinning, as soon as I had solid ground beneath my feet again, holding out my unoccupied hand (one was on Cammy's reins, holding him still) to Chris to help him. From the corner of my eye, I saw Raidri dismounting and then simply lifting Janina out of the saddly onto solid ground.
He bowed his head: "My fair maiden, it was a pleasure to share the saddle with you!", he said, not in the same bombastic tone as before, but reminiscent of it.
A few of the people from the beach came up to help us with the cargo and to greet friends.
It soon devolved into wonderful chaos!

"Sounds like a plan!", Amy said and jumped down, helping the kids down - those, who wanted, anyway. Finnegan Forc, for example, simply jumped over the side, grinning up.
Amy grinned.
Before the drinks were unloaded, though, the bows and quivers were handed down. They would be deposited somewhere safe, where they would remained, hopefully neither being needed nor necessary. A few arrows nearly spilled out of one quiver, revealing the tips being very, very real and sharp.
Amy took half a dozen quivery, Big Enya did the same, Little Enya struggling with one, before she was picked up by a tall young man, who grinned down at her - the little girl blushed scarlet, especially as the young man took a dozen bow cases.
Big Enya gave a command, which could freely be translated to "Let's go!" and Amy motioned for Dragan to follow her.

Cel helped Chris dismounting, with her one free hand, the other hand still on Cammy's reigns.
Raidri lifted Janina onto solid ground and told her in a tone reminicent of the one he had used in the beginning, that it had been a pleasure - the 'fair maiden' bowed, too, smiled and said, "The pleasure is entirely mine, sire!"
A few people came up from the beach to help.

The quivers and bows came first, along with the children - those who saw themselves in a need for help, at least.
Dragan got off the carriage with his cooling boxes. He did not understand Big Enya's command, but Amy's motion.
He followed her.

[The Selkie]

Cel helped Chris dismounting, with her one free hand, the other hand still on Cammy's reigns.
Raidri lifted Janina onto solid ground and told her in a tone reminicent of the one he had used in the beginning, that it had been a pleasure - the 'fair maiden' bowed, too, smiled and said, "The pleasure is entirely mine, sire!"
A few people came up from the beach to help.

The quivers and bows came first, along with the children - those who saw themselves in a need for help, at least.
Dragan got off the carriage with his cooling boxes. He did not understand Big Enya's command, but Amy's motion.
He followed her.

I grinned at Raidri's antics and took the package, handing it to Chris.
"Yven?", I asked a young man, around my age, with short brown hair and brown eyes, he himself being handed several boxes from one of the pack horses. He turned to me, nodding. "Can you show Chris and Janina down?"
He looked at Chris for a moment, then nodded. "Sure thang, Celly. Evening, Chris, Evening Janina!", he confirmed and nodded to Chris. "Can't bow right now, freight's more important!"
Indeed, several boxes with meaty supplies for grilling were an important thing. I pecked Chris on the cheek and got the reins of Raidri's horse, who pecked Janina onto the cheek and disappeared towards the carriage to help there. No one saw the slight blush on his cheeks.
"I'll take care of the horses. Be back in a moment!", I told Chris with a smile.

Amy followed Big Enya, who in turn led them towards a small slope, which one could either easily jump down, as Finnegan Forc demonstrated once again, or which one could easily step up and down, if one was tall enough. As Little Enya was not capable of the first, nor tall enough for the second, the young man carrying her and her quiver carried her down as well, putting her down as soon as they were on the ground.
Soon, a busy atmosphere was breaking out as supplies were unloaded and brought to the beach, the quivers and bows packed away. Meat and other things to eat and drink were transported down soon after.
Amy, of course helped, Dragan was free to give the coolers into the line for transport.

[Lillorainen]

I grinned at Raidri's antics and took the package, handing it to Chris.
"Yven?", I asked a young man, around my age, with short brown hair and brown eyes, he himself being handed several boxes from one of the pack horses. He turned to me, nodding. "Can you show Chris and Janina down?"
He looked at Chris for a moment, then nodded. "Sure thang, Celly. Evening, Chris, Evening Janina!", he confirmed and nodded to Chris. "Can't bow right now, freight's more important!"
Indeed, several boxes with meaty supplies for grilling were an important thing. I pecked Chris on the cheek and got the reins of Raidri's horse, who pecked Janina onto the cheek and disappeared towards the carriage to help there. No one saw the slight blush on his cheeks.
"I'll take care of the horses. Be back in a moment!", I told Chris with a smile.

Amy followed Big Enya, who in turn led them towards a small slope, which one could either easily jump down, as Finnegan Forc demonstrated once again, or which one could easily step up and down, if one was tall enough. As Little Enya was not capable of the first, nor tall enough for the second, the young man carrying her and her quiver carried her down as well, putting her down as soon as they were on the ground.
Soon, a busy atmosphere was breaking out as supplies were unloaded and brought to the beach, the quivers and bows packed away. Meat and other things to eat and drink were transported down soon after.
Amy, of course helped, Dragan was free to give the coolers into the line for transport.

Chris took the package Cel handed to him. Then she asked a guy at her age, called Yven, to show Chris and Janina down, which he agreed to. He greeted them without bowing - Chris and Janina nodded back, to greet as well as to show they agreed that the freight was more imporant right now.
Chris received his peck from Cel; Janina got hers from her noble knight - who went off towards the carriage instantly after that, maybe to prevent anyone from seeing his blushing.
Cel took the reins, declaring that she was going to take care of the horses.
Janina took a few packs, too - while they were at it.

Big Enya led them to a small slope, which was small enough for tall people to step down and for small people to jump down (except for Little Enya, who got carried).
Virtually, a transport chain formed, as people got stuff down to the beach.
Amy helped. Dragan let the coolers go on.
"Then I'm gonna interrupt the production lane again" - he said grinning. "Be right back!"
Dragan turned around and went to the carriage. He looked for the spot he had sat down during the ride and quickly found Amy's crates of Leuda Dark Ale. He took them and carried them back to the slope. As he was tall enough, he easily stepped down.

[The Selkie]

Chris took the package Cel handed to him. Then she asked a guy at her age, called Yven, to show Chris and Janina down, which he agreed to. He greeted them without bowing - Chris and Janina nodded back, to greet as well as to show they agreed that the freight was more imporant right now.
Chris received his peck from Cel; Janina got hers from her noble knight - who went off towards the carriage instantly after that, maybe to prevent anyone from seeing his blushing.
Cel took the reins, declaring that she was going to take care of the horses.
Janina took a few packs, too - while they were at it.

Big Enya led them to a small slope, which was small enough for tall people to step down and for small people to jump down (except for Little Enya, who got carried).
Virtually, a transport chain formed, as people got stuff down to the beach.
Amy helped. Dragan let the coolers go on.
"Then I'm gonna interrupt the production lane again" - he said grinning. "Be right back!"
Dragan turned around and went to the carriage. He looked for the spot he had sat down during the ride and quickly found Amy's crates of Leuda Dark Ale. He took them and carried them back to the slope. As he was tall enough, he easily stepped down.

Yven led them forward, carrying heavily, having his cargo join the main freight transport line, which Dragan's Coolers and Amy's Ale and many other, good things went along down to the beach, the young man taking the direct way down the slope as well, grinning up to Chris and Janina at that.
In the distance, I shook my head... Yven was like that, far too much energy in a far too little body.
The line had formed and would work without them joining.
"It's simple!", he told them with a drawl, that was typical for more rural regions of the Free Lands, especially close to the Silver Mountains, "Just jump - try not to land face-first!"

Amy's crates in Dragan's hands were passed along quickly, being transported safely, and causing a few grins as they passed people - first and foremost, of course, Amy.
Mistress Mamaí soon joined Dragan with a proud smile on her lips. "The kids are doing good, aren't they?"

[Lillorainen]

Yven led them forward, carrying heavily, having his cargo join the main freight transport line, which Dragan's Coolers and Amy's Ale and many other, good things went along down to the beach, the young man taking the direct way down the slope as well, grinning up to Chris and Janina at that.
In the distance, I shook my head... Yven was like that, far too much energy in a far too little body.
The line had formed and would work without them joining.
"It's simple!", he told them with a drawl, that was typical for more rural regions of the Free Lands, especially close to the Silver Mountains, "Just jump - try not to land face-first!"

Amy's crates in Dragan's hands were passed along quickly, being transported safely, and causing a few grins as they passed people - first and foremost, of course, Amy.
Mistress Mamaí soon joined Dragan with a proud smile on her lips. "The kids are doing good, aren't they?"

Chris and Janina followed Yven to the slope, where the carriage-part of their caravan, along with those coming from the beach, had already formed a - nicely efficient - transport line.
Yven took the direct way down the slope - both Lillos looked back to Cel, who was shaking her head. They knew what she was thinking, and she was right. The textbook definition of a young, overconfident whippersnapper, who would, once upon a given Tuesday night in the future, land face-first right after recommending others not to.
But his accent sounded funny. Even when speaking English, Selkie seemed to have their very special regional variants.
Chris just stepped down. Janina took the risk and jumped, but everything was fine.

Amy had the brightest of all grins when her ale got passed on.
Mhairin joined Dragan, smiling proudly. She noted that the kids were doing well.
Dragan agreed. "They are! They even got the ale there safely. We could have needed them back then, in the warehouse. If I just remember what these guys over there have been like ... unable to walk straight! Genuine incompetents!" He laughed.

[The Selkie]

Chris and Janina followed Yven to the slope, where the carriage-part of their caravan, along with those coming from the beach, had already formed a - nicely efficient - transport line.
Yven took the direct way down the slope - both Lillos looked back to Cel, who was shaking her head. They knew what she was thinking, and she was right. The textbook definition of a young, overconfident whippersnapper, who would, once upon a given Tuesday night in the future, land face-first right after recommending others not to.
But his accent sounded funny. Even when speaking English, Selkie seemed to have their very special regional variants.
Chris just stepped down. Janina took the risk and jumped, but everything was fine.

Amy had the brightest of all grins when her ale got passed on.
Mhairin joined Dragan, smiling proudly. She noted that the kids were doing well.
Dragan agreed. "They are! They even got the ale there safely. We could have needed them back then, in the warehouse. If I just remember what these guys over there have been like ... unable to walk straight! Genuine incompetents!" He laughed.

Yven grinned.
"See? Not that hard, innit?", he asked... before he was almost bowled over by a young womanhugging him from behind happily, letting out an excited squeal. She looked a lot like him, same hair, same eyes, only the nose differed a bit and she was a girl, of course, wearing a black-white frilled bikini, which emphasized her built and generous curves quite well, as well as a pair of cat-ears on her head, which made her look cute. Yven grinned, kissed the girl onto the cheek as he regained his footing: "Might I introduce? My sis, Caoimhe."
"Hello!", the girl said in perfect Oxford English. "I'm this lad's younger sister by twelve minutes... friends call me Cao. You two must be some of the foreign guests, right?"

Mamaí grinned.
"Amy works in a warehouse, but much of their skill and experience with this comes from the Younger Militia.", she told him with a grin, "In times of disaster, it's not crates of bottles of ale they pass around, but sand bags. For example. Valuable experience." She showed a smile. "You should see them hammering together positions for Tollpholl-Guns!"

[Lillorainen]

Yven grinned.
"See? Not that hard, innit?", he asked... before he was almost bowled over by a young womanhugging him from behind happily, letting out an excited squeal. She looked a lot like him, same hair, same eyes, only the nose differed a bit and she was a girl, of course, wearing a black-white frilled bikini, which emphasized her built and generous curves quite well, as well as a pair of cat-ears on her head, which made her look cute. Yven grinned, kissed the girl onto the cheek as he regained his footing: "Might I introduce? My sis, Caoimhe."
"Hello!", the girl said in perfect Oxford English. "I'm this lad's younger sister by twelve minutes... friends call me Cao. You two must be some of the foreign guests, right?"

Mamaí grinned.
"Amy works in a warehouse, but much of their skill and experience with this comes from the Younger Militia.", she told him with a grin, "In times of disaster, it's not crates of bottles of ale they pass around, but sand bags. For example. Valuable experience." She showed a smile. "You should see them hammering together positions for Tollpholl-Guns!"

Chris just wanted to answer, then Yven suddenly got hugged by a girl of his age who also looked a lot similar to him. She, indeed, looked cute with their cat-ears ... Janina had worn these thingies herself when she had been younger, so she also had looked somewhat similar to Cao, apart from the eye-color.
One could guess from Yven's and Cao's outward appearance that they were siblings - however, their accents sounded as if they weren't even from the same country ... Yven's rural drawl and Cao's Oxford English (not the posh accent they had imitated during dinner, but normal UK variant) didn't want to fit together.
"Indeed, we're two out of the three guests in here coming from Lillorainen" - Janina said, in the English she was used to. She indicated a bow. "Janina Bonrath. Nice to meet you."
Chris followed. "Christopher Riescheid. Friends call me Chris - retarded friends call me Chrisso." He laughed. "Pleasure to meet you guys."

Dragan nodded. "Same with me. I've worked in a warehouse back then, as I said, but I've also done my basic military service, as it's mandatory for males in my homecountry. And there, we've also carried sand bags, as an exercise for the Federal Army in case of a flood disaster."
He let a beat pass.
"After long days of passing around sand bags, no one complains about having to carry crates of beer anymore, at least." He grinned.

[The Selkie]

Chris just wanted to answer, then Yven suddenly got hugged by a girl of his age who also looked a lot similar to him. She, indeed, looked cute with their cat-ears ... Janina had worn these thingies herself when she had been younger, so she also had looked somewhat similar to Cao, apart from the eye-color.
One could guess from Yven's and Cao's outward appearance that they were siblings - however, their accents sounded as if they weren't even from the same country ... Yven's rural drawl and Cao's Oxford English (not the posh accent they had imitated during dinner, but normal UK variant) didn't want to fit together.
"Indeed, we're two out of the three guests in here coming from Lillorainen" - Janina said, in the English she was used to. She indicated a bow. "Janina Bonrath. Nice to meet you."
Chris followed. "Christopher Riescheid. Friends call me Chris - retarded friends call me Chrisso." He laughed. "Pleasure to meet you guys."

Dragan nodded. "Same with me. I've worked in a warehouse back then, as I said, but I've also done my basic military service, as it's mandatory for males in my homecountry. And there, we've also carried sand bags, as an exercise for the Federal Army in case of a flood disaster."
He let a beat pass.
"After long days of passing around sand bags, no one complains about having to carry crates of beer anymore, at least." He grinned.

"Alright, then, Janina, Chris, it's a pleasure to meet the two of you.", Cao said, responding to the bow in kind, "You already met Yven and..." She trailed off, looking at Janina. "You'd look cute with ears... what do you think?"
Her brother hummed before he spoke in his drawl: "Ah think, that she looks mighty cute already, but a pair of kittens might add to that. Or a puppy...?"
"Something dark, though.", Cao added, "To go with the hair. What do you think yourself, Janina?"

"It's similar with us.", Mhairin said, "Every school child learns to defend the town with spears, swords and shields, later pikes and crossbows, but that is mostly ceremonial nowadays. For Drill-Offs and State Receptions and such things. More important are the first aid courses, dyke building, carpentry, cooking and other, more practical life skills." She let a beat pass with a grin. "That does not mean, that the lads aren't happy about a crate of ale after marching up and down the school yard with their pikes while wearing chainmail. Especially if that ale is delivered by a pretty girl."

[Lillorainen]

"Alright, then, Janina, Chris, it's a pleasure to meet the two of you.", Cao said, responding to the bow in kind, "You already met Yven and..." She trailed off, looking at Janina. "You'd look cute with ears... what do you think?"
Her brother hummed before he spoke in his drawl: "Ah think, that she looks mighty cute already, but a pair of kittens might add to that. Or a puppy...?"
"Something dark, though.", Cao added, "To go with the hair. What do you think yourself, Janina?"

"It's similar with us.", Mhairin said, "Every school child learns to defend the town with spears, swords and shields, later pikes and crossbows, but that is mostly ceremonial nowadays. For Drill-Offs and State Receptions and such things. More important are the first aid courses, dyke building, carpentry, cooking and other, more practical life skills." She let a beat pass with a grin. "That does not mean, that the lads aren't happy about a crate of ale after marching up and down the school yard with their pikes while wearing chainmail. Especially if that ale is delivered by a pretty girl."

Janina grinned, only slightly blushing.
She said, "Well, actually I have worn those when I was a bit younger. It was quite fun watching boys and girls alike trying to look away but horribly failing at that. But then I thought I was growing out of that age, and I stopped wearing them - you know, this I'm-too-old-and-cool-for-that-now way of thinking, which, sadly" - she looked at Cao with a conspirative way of grinning, "is rather unheard of amongst most boys."
"You'll hear from my lawyer" - Chris said, laughing.
"Now I'm almost nineteen and I'd even wear them again" - Janina concluded. "Just for the joy of fun."

Dragan grinned.
"Back then, we had a running gag amongst us guys saying that the best decision the Federal Government has ever made was to allow women to serve in the military." He shrugged, still grinning. "But of course, they haven't only delivered the drinks - they've also drunk them with us. These campfire nights next to the barracks were always fun. And of course, you learn a lot of useful things there. I can only recommend everyone who wants to learn some survival tactics to go to the military for a couple of months."

[The Selkie]

Janina grinned, only slightly blushing.
She said, "Well, actually I have worn those when I was a bit younger. It was quite fun watching boys and girls alike trying to look away but horribly failing at that. But then I thought I was growing out of that age, and I stopped wearing them - you know, this I'm-too-old-and-cool-for-that-now way of thinking, which, sadly" - she looked at Cao with a conspirative way of grinning, "is rather unheard of amongst most boys."
"You'll hear from my lawyer" - Chris said, laughing.
"Now I'm almost nineteen and I'd even wear them again" - Janina concluded. "Just for the joy of fun."

Dragan grinned.
"Back then, we had a running gag amongst us guys saying that the best decision the Federal Government has ever made was to allow women to serve in the military." He shrugged, still grinning. "But of course, they haven't only delivered the drinks - they've also drunk them with us. These campfire nights next to the barracks were always fun. And of course, you learn a lot of useful things there. I can only recommend everyone who wants to learn some survival tactics to go to the military for a couple of months."

"For me...", Cao said with a grin, "...it's less about a fashion statement or fun."
Suddenly, the ears twitched, turned slightly towards her brother before she turned to Yven herself, in a way that seemed so natural, it might have been a cat doing so.
He spoke: "We can get ya a pair for fun, though. As said, they would look cute, no matter what some are sayin'." He grinned at Chris at that. "One is nevar tae old for anything, as our Mam says!"

"We have the Younger Militia run as part of the PE lessons.", Mhairin said with a small smile, "Regular PE, mind you. Four hours a week, two of which are militia and the corresponding skills, two of which are 'normal' PE. Many teachers block, so that you have this for one week, the other thing for the other week." She let a beat pass. "But when the ale came, everyone drank, including Teach. Not exactly a good role model, but a relateable one."

[Lillorainen]

"For me...", Cao said with a grin, "...it's less about a fashion statement or fun."
Suddenly, the ears twitched, turned slightly towards her brother before she turned to Yven herself, in a way that seemed so natural, it might have been a cat doing so.
He spoke: "We can get ya a pair for fun, though. As said, they would look cute, no matter what some are sayin'." He grinned at Chris at that. "One is nevar tae old for anything, as our Mam says!"

"We have the Younger Militia run as part of the PE lessons.", Mhairin said with a small smile, "Regular PE, mind you. Four hours a week, two of which are militia and the corresponding skills, two of which are 'normal' PE. Many teachers block, so that you have this for one week, the other thing for the other week." She let a beat pass. "But when the ale came, everyone drank, including Teach. Not exactly a good role model, but a relateable one."

Both Chris and Janina grinned when Cao's ears twitched - it really looked natural.
"Oh, it might not be only fun, but it's definitely fashionable!" - Janina said.
Chris added, pointing around with a vague gesture made with his flat hand, "See? You can't get too old for stuff! There you got it - even their Mam says so, and I'd doubt she's ever been a boy!"
"Back then in school, all the boys were into warfare - tanks and stuff" - Janina remembered. "And I thought, again for the joy of fun, I could mock them a bit by getting myself a frontlet with the war flag and using it for PE lessons." She let a beat pass. "Well, mocking them didn't really work. Getting them to always select me first at any team sports did." She grinned. "And I had quite a lot of phone numbers then. That's how easy it is to gain attention by boys who are in puberty."

Dragan nodded.
"That's quite a cool thing, too" - he said. "Sometimes our PE teachers brought a crate of beer, or even something else - granted it was the last lesson on the day, that is. There's nothing better than some drink right after doing sports! Indeed, a good role model looks different, but hey, for the Gods' sake - in our parts, that's what we call culture!"

[The Selkie]

Both Chris and Janina grinned when Cao's ears twitched - it really looked natural.
"Oh, it might not be only fun, but it's definitely fashionable!" - Janina said.
Chris added, poing around with a vague gesture made with his flat hand, "See? You can't get too old for stuff! There you got it - even their Mam says so, and I'd doubt she's ever been a boy!"
"Back then in school, all the boys were into warfare - tanks and stuff" - Janina remembered. "And I thought, again for the joy of fun, I could mock them a bit by getting myself a frontlet with the war flag and using it for PE lessons." She let a beat pass. "Well, mocking them didn't really work. Getting them to always select me first at any team sports did." She grinned. "And I had quite a lot of phone numbers then. That's how easy it is to gain attention by boys who are in puberty."

Dragan nodded.
"That's quite a cool thing, too" - he said. "Sometimes our PE teachers brought a crate of beer, or even something else - granted it was the last lesson on the day, that is. There's nothing better than some drink right after doing sports! Indeed, a good role model looks different, but hey, for the Gods' sake - in our parts, that's what we call culture!"

"It's even easier for us.", Cao said with a smile, "School Uniforms are practical tools to get a boy's eyes onto one and for having them wonder - and its even easier with the Geansai, if you know, what you are doing." She let a beat pass, her ears folding a bit. "Abhcan's Cadance is a powerful way to let a boy's follow you and to have him be a zombie directed by his joystick before he even knows, what is happening.
Boys.", she sighed dramatically and let a beat pass, before adding: "But where would be the fun in the world without them?"

Mhairin laughed, watching as the last pieces of equipment were brought down and storing away began.
Or at least putting things at the ready.
That meant also, that Amy was free, returning to Dragan and looking at Mhairin, who grinned, gave her a short hug and a kiss on the cheek, only for the mother to depart in search for her kiddos. She said goodbye to Dragan by the ways of a light kiss on the cheek, meaning almost nothing by it, and a "See you later!"
Amy grinned, her hands behind her back. "Thank you!", she said, a light blush covering her cheeks, "For helping with the ale, I mean..."

[Lillorainen]

"It's even easier for us.", Cao said with a smile, "School Uniforms are practical tools to get a boy's eyes onto one and for having them wonder - and its even easier with the Geansai, if you know, what you are doing." She let a beat pass, her ears folding a bit. "Abhcan's Cadance is a powerful way to let a boy's follow you and to have him be a zombie directed by his joystick before he even knows, what is happening.
Boys.", she sighed dramatically and let a beat pass, before adding: "But where would be the fun in the world without them?"

Mhairin laughed, watching as the last pieces of equipment were brought down and storing away began.
Or at least putting things at the ready.
That meant also, that Amy was free, returning to Dragan and looking at Mhairin, who grinned, gave her a short hug and a kiss on the cheek, only for the mother to depart in search for her kiddos. She said goodbye to Dragan by the ways of a light kiss on the cheek, meaning almost nothing by it, and a "See you later!"
Amy grinned, her hands behind her back. "Thank you!", she said, a light blush covering her cheeks, "For helping with the ale, I mean..."

Janina smiled back. "So, Abhcan has Her ways, and Freyja has Her own. The latter invented sports bras, close-cut tops, and skin-tight sports pants, only for the purpose of turning little, clueless, hormon-controlled boys into willingless slaves of their joysticks. But you're right, where would we be without our boys."
"Quite a poetic description" - Chris said. "You forgot to mention the frontlet with the war flag, though. Apart from that" - he changed the joystick topic, "mine had a Mjölnir, Thor's Hammer, on it. Well, my first one, at least - my second one had the Rhenish coat of arms on it, the white river on a green ground and the black eagle on the top, a very similar variant of which is also the coat of arms of the Riescheid family. Both were fun for others to watch."
"Not bad" - Janina said. "At least more fashionable and traditional than an apple wine pitcher." She shrugged. "We display the important things in life."

The last of the important things in life were ready. Amy came back.
That meant it was time for Mhairin to depart now. She and Amy kissed, then Dragan received a small goodbye kiss.
"See you later!" - he replied.
Amy turned to him, blushing when thanking him for his help.
He made a dismissive hand gesture and said, "Absolutely no problem!"

[The Selkie]

Janina smiled back. "So, Abhcan has Her ways, and Freya has Her own. The latter invented sports bras, close-cut tops, and skin-tight sports pants, only for the purpose of turning little, clueless, hormon-controlled boys into willingless slaves of their joysticks. But you're right, where would we be without our boys."
"Quite a poetic description" - Chris said. "You forgot to mention the frontlet with the war flag, though. Apart from that" - he changed the joystick topic, "mine had a Mjölnir, Thor's Hammer, on it. Well, my first one, at least - my second one had the Rhenish coat of arms on it, the white river on a green ground and the black eagle on the top, a very similar variant of which is also the coat of arms of the Riescheid family. Both were fun for others to watch."
"Not bad" - Janina said. "At least more fashionable and traditional than an apple wine pitcher." She shrugged. "We display the important things in life."

The last of the important things in life were ready. Amy came back.
That meant it was time for Mhairin to depart now. She and Amy kissed, then Dragan received a small goodbye kiss.
"See you later!" - he replied.
Amy turned to him, blushing when thanking him for his help.
He made a dismissive hand gesture and said, "Absolutely no problem!"

The two of them smiled slightly.
For Selkie, a Coat of Arms was something major, something denoting importance. Cities had a Coat of Arms, some regiments (The Owl of the 11th Dragan-Regiment being one example) had a coat of arms, the important Temples had Coat of Arms, Influential or Old Families had Coat of Arms.
Luckily for them, the Barriall-Family, to which they belonged, was both considered influential and old, so they had a Coat of Arms.
"A silver hammer, like cobblers use them, on a blue background.", Yven said with a small smile, "The Coat of Arms of the Barriall-Family, of our family. If yae buy a factory-made shoe, boot, sandal or anything else going onto the feet that isn't a sock, yae kin be assured, that it is a shoe made by Barriall Cobblers. We wouldn't print it onto a piece of clothing, though. The pennon of a lance is enough."
"You will quickly note, when looking at Selkie Coat of Arms, that many of them display tools or animals.", Cao added, nodding.

"Still... thank you.", Amy said with a grin, taking his hand into hers. "Wanna get changed into something more befitting the occassion?" She looked down at herself, her own dress. "Speaking of, I need to get changed, too... oh, well, not everyone is Raidri!"

[Lillorainen]

The two of them smiled slightly.
For Selkie, a Coat of Arms was something major, something denoting importance. Cities had a Coat of Arms, some regiments (The Owl of the 11th Dragan-Regiment being one example) had a coat of arms, the important Temples had Coat of Arms, Influential or Old Families had Coat of Arms.
Luckily for them, the Barriall-Family, to which they belonged, was both considered influential and old, so they had a Coat of Arms.
"A silver hammer, like cobblers use them, on a blue background.", Yven said with a small smile, "The Coat of Arms of the Barriall-Family, of our family. If yae buy a factory-made shoe, boot, sandal or anything else going onto the feet that isn't a sock, yae kin be assured, that it is a shoe made by Barriall Cobblers. We wouldn't print it onto a piece of clothing, though. The pennon of a lance is enough."
"You will quickly note, when looking at Selkie Coat of Arms, that many of them display tools or animals.", Cao added, nodding.

"Still... thank you.", Amy said with a grin, taking his hand into hers. "Wanna get changed into something more befitting the occassion?" She looked down at herself, her own dress. "Speaking of, I need to get changed, too... oh, well, not everyone is Raidri!"

It was pretty much the same in Lillorainen - cities, counties, temples, also a few states had a coat of arms. And important families - while Chris' family wasn't as much influential nowadays as in former centuries, the Riescheid family was still old.
So was Janina's clan - though, they were apparently less traditional and more practical with their choice.
"Well, tools and animals seem quite logical to me" - Chris said. "Most have that - though, ours doesn't. But, you find a sword, a cannon, a golden ring or a shipwreck with such a coat of arms at your beaches? Safe evidence that it used to belong to my ancestors."
"Ah, so it was your cannon galleon that destroyed the Rathe bridge during the Battle of Bersenich?" - Janina said, grinning. "It was a bit deadly for some men of the cavalry regiment led by Friedrich Ottokar Bonrath."
"Maybe for the purpose of cutting the enemies' supplies off, you genius?" Chris grinned back.
"Or just for fun, to confuse everyone. Typical Riescheid move."
"I don't know what you mean." He shrugged and tried to look innocent.

"Well, actually I've changed right before we went into the hotel bar" - Dragan said. "Might not be my best choice, but I think it's still sufficient."
He let a beat pass.
"If anyone bothers, they'll be given a whiskey, so their view will be more clear." He grinned.

[The Selkie]

It was pretty much the same in Lillorainen - cities, counties, temples, also a few states had a coat of arms. And important families - while Chris' family wasn't as much influential nowadays as in former centuries, the Riescheid family was still old.
So was Janina's clan - though, they were apparently less traditional and more practical with their choice.
"Well, tools and animals seem quite logical to me" - Chris said. "Most have that - though, ours doesn't. But, you find a sword, a cannon, a golden ring or a shipwreck with such a coat of arms at your beaches? Safe evidence that it used to belong to my ancestors."
"Ah, so it was your cannon galleon that destroyed the Rathe bridge during the Battle of Bersenich?" - Janina said, grinning. "It was a bit deadly for some men of the cavalry regiment led by Friedrich Ottokar Bonrath."
"Maybe for the purpose of cutting the enemies' supplies off, you genius?" Chris grinned back.
"Or just for fun, to confuse everyone. Typical Riescheid move."
"I don't know what you mean." He shrugged and tried to look innocent.

"Well, actually I've changed right before we went into the hotel bar" - Dragan said. "Might not be my best choice, but I think it's still sufficient."
He let a beat pass.
"If anyone bothers, they'll given a whiskey, so their view will be more clear." He grinned.

"Now that you mention it, I think, that I've seen some things with such a coat of arms in the Wembury Shipping Museum...", Cao said thoughtfully stroking her chin as her cat ears folded down. "Anyway, the Barriall-Family had their claims to military fame both directly and indirectly, by equipping Banners and leading them, too, as well as by providing marching shoes. Where we really came in handy, though, was when it came to leatherworking."
"Aye.", Yven said with a nod, "Leather is a very versatile material, which you find everywhere around you to this day - screw environmentalists, we know how to make our things effectively and without the bad chemicals... by using piss."
Cao nodded. "Good, old tanning... I would recommend to never get near to the Town of Súdaire.", she said.

Amy looked him up and down, then nodded.
"Well, it works for a beach party...", she said, then reached up to the straps holding her summer dress up. If she had dog ears, they would fold down as she blushed. "I chose something more beach-y."
A moment later, the dress pooled by her feet, revealing, that she wore a dark blue side-tie bikini, actually rather generous in the usage of fabric, underneath.
"I wanna go swimming later.", Amy declared and picked her dress up.