Cineál, Cineál-class Yacht, off Silverport.
Sun Deck.
The sea was calm tonight.
After the Storm Season this year, this was a nice change, but usually around this time of the year, the beginning of Decembre, that was rarely the case. And the wind was not as icy as usually, even allowing for a whopping four degrees Celsius, granted that the sun was just setting - someone might call it cold, but for Nora Cathlong of the Tribe of Cork, who looked over the railing out to port, it was a usual winter... besides, she had a hot chocolate.
A wonderful drink and something she indulged in on cold nights.
The Cineál, SDY's representation and demonstration vessel, would be host to important guests tonight, the delegation from Shackley. The Royal Navy was looking to expand and to acquire vessels, amongst them Guided Missile Cruisers, a contest, which SDY had entered with their Maighdean-class, offering to host a delegation of the Royal Navy for inspection of the Maighdean-class and of other vessels SDY had on offer.
There had been complications, but now, they could finally come to something she always looked forward to: The Business Dinner.
Of course not on the bloody cold Sun Deck, but in the Grand Dining Room, which was not as grand as the name led to believe. Her red-brown eyes sparkled as she thought back to one occasion, where their guests insisted on having drinks in the cold, only to freeze their butts off.
Her long hair was bound back, into a neat braid, emphasizing, that she was in her mid-fifties, but looked a lot younger, swinging across her back. She was well-trained for a woman of her standing, and well endowed, which was emphasized a bit by her Geansai, the Tribal Garnments of the Selkie, in her case in the natural colours of the fur, as she was an Arcane Servant to Gavida, God of Arts and Crafts.
She drank away the last of her drink and left her post, turning to descent upon the Lower Main Deck, where the Grand Dining Room was established. And, for tonight, had been slightly refitted. She passed the Upper Main Deck, nodding to the Captain of the yacht, and then entered the Lower Main Deck, where she was already expected.
"Hi, Mam.", her daughter Gwen greeted her. When looking at her, one immediately knew, that the 29 Springs old woman was Nora's daughter, as they shared many facial features and were of a similar built, except for one major thing: Gwen had shining blue sapphires as eyes, which sparkled as she, clad in Geansai herself (wearing Ladra's Colours), hugged her mother. "Everything ready?"
"Wanted to ask you that, actually.", Nora replied, received a small shrug.
"They finished moving the table in and have set up everything. It looks almost stately!", Gwen said with a grin.
Nora threw a peak into the Grand Dining Room: Dark, wooden floor, a chandelier overhead, which reflected the light across the room via embers, the Solas Style, as this style was called. A large window opposite of the door allowed to look outside, similar to the view she enjoyed a minute ago, across the portside of the vessel, crossing over the promenade, which was empty. Sideboards lined the walls, filled with things one needed in a Grand Dining Room.
Dominated was the room, however, by a large table, which stood in the center, with enough space for ten people, but set for three plus the delegation from Shackley. It was a massive thing of dark wood, which looked heavy.
A little across the hallway, there was the Grand Salon, where they would retreat to after dinner, but all in good time.
As she nodded in approval, she saw someone else approach from the side with a hard, brooding face, his black hair a bit longer then regulations actually allowed, plus dark brown eyes and the dark blue Mess Dress Uniform of an officer of the SDF-Navy - Captain Galen Trodaí of the Tribe of Westmeath, commander of the vessel SDFS Maighdean, the first vessel of the Maighdean-class.
The Mess Dress alone, a dark blue, high-collared and double-breasted jacket, the high collar decorated with silver markings undecipherable for the un-initiated, a broad dark leather belt with the sheathe of a sword (which was safely back in the officer's quarters, this was another person's home and wearing a weapon openly here would be a grave insult), plus dark blue pants ending in high, black boots, was a sight to behold, especially with the dark leather gloves and the billowing cloak (the latter of which was still in the quarters of the Captain as well).
Nora had admitted to her daughter and Vice Admiral Curadh, that, if she would be twenty again, she would have fallen for the looks alone, but she wasn't, so she admired the tall man in the dashing uniform for a moment, then nodded. "Good evening, Captain."
"Mistress Cathlong, Miss Cathlong.", the man almost grumbled with respect in his voice, bowed his head lightly, "Thank you for inviting me."
"Pure self-interest, Captain. There is only one person in the world, who knows the Maighdean-class better then you and she's standing right next to me.", Nora said with a respectful bow of her own, "So thank you for coming."
The man snorted in amusement, then adjusted the seat of his collar.
"Well... when are the other guests arriving?", he asked.
"Any minute now, by helicopter.", Gwen replied and looked to her mother, "Do you or shall I...?"
"I'll go.", Nora said with a smile, "You entertain the Captain."
Gwen nodded with a grin, before she let the Captain lead her into the Grand Dining Room.
Nora smiled and turned towards the aft, where the Helicopter Pad was. "Well, let's get going...", she whispered and began to move towards it, the faint noise of a SDY-Greadtóir 19 Cuaifeach Mark I Shipborne Civilian Helicopter already audible.
It would be an interesting evening, that was for sure!
