The Selkie wrote:The waitress noted everything down and nodded.
"Alright, tea will be there in a minute - the food might take a few more!", she announced and smiled, "Be right back!"
Indeed, a minute afterwards, the waitress returned with two cups of steaming hot black tea in large mugs, plus a carafe for refilling, two spoons, and a small carafe for milk - Selkie usually did not drink tea with sugar.
She smiled. "As said, food will take a few minutes - until then, enjoy!", she said and was off again.
A minute or so, the two of them were alone, until the man, who had watched their arrival, rose from his seat and stepped up to them, motioning to one of the chairs. He was a redhead, his hair long and bound back into a long, slim braid, his red-brown eyes sparkled. He looked rather sportly, well-trained, and around eighteen.
"Ma'am, Miss, would you allow me to join you?", he asked politely, then bowed his head politely, "My, where are my manners? I am Leonard, Leonard Rualacha of the Tribe of Wicklow."
"Thank you very much." Haru thanked as she and Hina took the first sips of their tea. "Mmm it's good." Hina praised.
Haru added a little milk to it and stirred just a bit as they were soon approached by a man asking to take a seat with them. "Oh by all means," Haru nodded "We'd enjoy the company. Leonard, pleasure to meet you. I'm Haru, this is my daughter, Hina."
"Nice to meet you." Hina bowed her head politely to greet the man. "Oh that's right, Selkie people are part of tribes. Once upon a time I belonged to the Takaya Tribe, but that was when AHSCA was a different place. Well so different in fact it wasn't even AHSCA then."
"Well as mama just let out," Hina added "We're from AHSCA. "
"Mhm, just my girl and I, a little mother-daughter-time. Because a week from now is a special occasion as my Hina turns 14."
"Aww mama, I really said not to make a big deal out of it....."
"Oh baby, you know as old tradition has it, you'll be a woman in the eyes of the law." She turned her gaze back to Leonard again "Well that's only if her papa and I declare it so, times again have changed since I was a girl."
The Selkie wrote:Branwen soaked every word up like a dry sponge drew up water and giggled at the fact, that her hometown, her little Cuan, had inspired the Great Shizuka Gozen!
Gods, this was a wonderful day!
She turned a bit sheepish at the question, though.
"For a few years, now, I've been writing, mostly science fiction.", she retold, excitedly, "So far, I have one published - Gwarcheidwad: Hunter and Prey. Big Sis was my proofreader and she loved it!"
"Indeed, it's a nice book.", the older one said with a smile. "Maybe you can swap signed copies?"
Branwen's eyes lit up. "That is a great idea!", she said and turned back to Shizuka, "What do you think, Miss Gozen?"
"Aw how wonderful! Your big sis was your proofer. For me that was my best friend at the ripe age of 13. So science-fiction huh? Aah yeah the fiction of speculation! I must admit, I'm pretty illiterate when it comes to technology, I still hammer away on an old typewriter I charmed off a vendor when I wrote Voyage on the Blue Bird, but that said, I'd very much love to read your book! And I'd be more than happy to sign anything you like!"