A Beach Feast (IC)

[Greater Orcadia]

Celina Reathaí of the Tribe of Westmeath.
It was before I could give that shallop a testy reply, that Liam and Gwen returned with our drinks. I got my lemonade, thanking Liam with a grin as he sat down and nodded to Louise and Ryan.
“Evening.”, he greeted, then turned to me. “What did we miss?”
“The weather forecast. It'll rain tonight.”, I said with a small smile, “That's what Nolly-Siana-Darufa-Macha reported.”
Liam nodded. “Yes, it feels like that, too. Well, it's not storm season, so Gavin and his people should be alright.”, he said and took a swig, then looked to the foreigners. “What about you two? First time in the Archipelago?”
So he had seen us converse.

Louise smiled, as Ryan arrived back with their drinks, "aye, its our first time here, we're getting a bit of a holiday in as I am due to spend six weeks at sea rather than the normal two on, two off, two on as the captain who takes over me when I have my two weeks off, his wife has given birth to twins so I have opted to do a six week stint so Ryan and I are getting time together before hand" she replies, taking the drink off Ryan "...and I have to admit its a nice little place, we may well be back here in the future"

Ryan, placing his arm around Louise, "yeah but Lou, think of the money, doing that intermediate shift means that its double time, and if I am right I will probably able to get to see you if there containers going to Europe through Esbjerg, if thats the case I get two benefits, one - free passage as I work for Meridian, and I also get to sleep in staff quarters rather than a cabin with three other randoms"

[Western Fardelshufflestein]

Somewhere on the Beach.

"I...." Startled, Alastair blinked. Not that anyone could see this due to the fact he was still wearing sunglasses. "Where is...the clinic?"

Talking was agony; his face felt like it was splitting open, his skin tearing apart. Why was he such an imbecile? Typical me, falling asleep on the beach and getting completely fried. Now I can't even enjoy myself. "And the bar," he added, hoping the curfew for minors would arrive before he was finished at the clinic.

Khana Amina bint-Karim.
I shook my head.
“Forget about heading to the hospital yourself.”, I said, knowing, that there was a small hospital on this island – they did have to deal with the odd sunburn-case and injuries, I would bet. I unlocked my phone and started dailing. “We're getting you an emergency doctor. Marla, something to drink.”
“On it, Mam!”, she replied and was off.
I, meanwhile, offered my short jacket, the rash guard, to Alastair. “Avoid further exposure if possible.”, I recommended and then, the other end of the line picked up.

Gingerly, Alastair draped the rash guard around the front of his shoulders. "Danke," he whimpered, shuddering slightly. The jacket did not come anywhere close to covering his 97-kg frame, but it was better than nothing, though it chafed against his wounds.

Though he had not had a drop of alcohol today, he had a throbbing headache and was considerably dizzy. His rotund form was drenched with sweat.

"I think I need...to sit down," he murmured, swaying back and forth on his feet unsteadily. "And a drink. Something strong...please."

[Hanoverian Great Britain]

For Alexandra, the unexpected "no" blatantly came as a big, decisive blow as prior to this, she had found herself, for a short while more closer than she ever thought. Regardless, whether she liked it or not, the sense of mutual love between them is far from reality.

Taking in Mhairi's explanation, Alexandra's emotions instantly mirrored that of when she had lost her grandmother five years ago, in which it subsequently led to a temporary period of isolation from anyone she had knew, with the exception of her own mother. But now, neither her grandmother nor her mother is there to comfort a now 23-year old Alexandra. As her eyes struggled to maintain eye-to-eye level, one of her hands began to reach out for the extended suitcase handle, albeit in a much robotic manner.

"I, I understand..., it is alright, Mhairi..", while her stuttered words came about, her mind then switched to a race in recovering the memories of their somewhat short, but meaningful moment. Truthfully told, while she herself had found it hard to admit, her initial intention for their so-called "relationship " was to only see on how well she is acquainted with this newfound attraction of hers in women, and from the looks of it, she has seem to achieved her objective, albeit through the hard way.

After a few seconds of awkward silence, Alexandra began to spoke again, in a similarly awkward tone, but the words however turned out remarkably optimistic in a sense. "Well, I guess that in a sense, I could say that my first female partner had been, rather fun to be with", remarked her simply. Soon however, arose one fundamental dilemma. Was she to simply proceed with the suggested romp and a breakfast the next day, or was she to respectfully part ways with Mhairi in order to preserve their friendship. "So, how are we going to continue for the night? Genuinely speaking, I do not want you to be hurt in any form". Rather unexpectedly, Alexandra "striked" her with a filial-like embrace, her eyes closed for the effect.

[Polish Prussian Commonwealth]

Yven Barriall of the Tribe of Monaghan.
I smiled slightly.
“I am sure, that something can be arranged.”, I said and had no idea, whether or not they went well with pomegranates. “Every store has them... and if that fails, I send you a package.”
The last was accompanied by a mischievous wink. If she asked me, I would, but mostly, this was a joke.

Caoimhe Barriall of the Tribe of Monaghan.
I smiled as she approached me – her smile told me enough to guess, that her business had been concluded successfully. I rose from my own spot and extended my arms for a friendly hug.
Thing was, however, that the young woman, who I had conversed with rose, too.
She was a blonde, blue eyed and tanned beauty, who wore a colourful bikini. She had a soft smile and her eyes sparkled like the blue sea. She was a few years older then I was, too.
After the hug was done, I smiled and introduced: “Marie, this is Filly, a friend of Yven and mine.”
Filly smiled as well, offered a small bow. “Nice to meet you, Marie. Cao told me, that she was waiting on someone.”, she said and rose.

Marie Ernst Gluck
"Cao!" I cried, with a smile, hugging her. " 'tis done, and I have the whole day free now."
A casual observer might have thought that we had last met each other a year ago. Really, it was maybe 10 minutes, but now that my buisness here was done and over with, it felt different. I felt...relieved? Relaxed? Not sure how to describe it, but no matter. That slimy bastard was out of my hair, and I could catch up with Cao.
After letting going of Cao, I turned to Filly. "Good to meet you too, Filly. Last name and tribe?"

Adelheid
"That would be great, actually." I mused, as I sipped the lemonade. "We don't get this stuff at Łask. It's...I'm not sure what they put in our drinks, but at least it tastes something like fruit juice. That's the only good thing I can say about it, though. Still better than the slop they feed the Infantry, though. I tried one of the MREs my brother sent me while he was in the sandbox. It was...disgusting. To say the least. It was, if I recall correctly, Combat Ration Type S, Menu 3, Breakfast. Beef Sausages and vegetable omelet."
I gagged a little at the memory. "Tasted like...I don't even know how to describe it. Beef and rubber?"

[Mediama]

Somewhere on the Beach.

Marion looked towards the ruins of the tower, picturing in her head how it would’ve looked like. Given what Nia said, it being about three centuries ago, she’d assume that the tower would’ve been active at the very earliest, the 18th century if she wasn’t mistaken.

Being a seamstress, her math was seldom off, god forbid if it was.

She imagined the tower in its full glory, surrounded by men and women dressed for the high seas for some piracy. Wooden ships, with masts as tall as the trees they were made out of, creating a forest of white canvas, armed to the brim with cannon, enough to sink merchantmen, but not enough to stop a man-of-war.

She imagined the same beach at night, brimming with activities such as gambling drinking, and such other activities that were too intimate for a polite woman to say aloud in public.

She imagined Nia in the thick of it all. Would she be wearing clothing of the times, or would she be depressed more... unconventionally? Regardless, Marion looked back to Nia with widened eyes as she noted that perhaps, she may still have a bounty on her head.

“What did you do to earn such attention my dear Nia?” She said. She then smiled mischievously and asked another question a beat after the first, “And how much would I be awarded if I turned you in?” Hopefully the latter question would be construed as a joke, and not as a threat to her safety.

Nia Sneachtúil, of Cefnffordd Descent.
I smiled at the question as to why I earned such attention – and how much I had on my head. I saw, that it was a joke by Marion... at least until she heard the why and the how much...
“When Kian-Sultan lifted the bounty in 1936, I think it was, it was a ten thousand Gil, so 150,000 NSD in today's money. I know a few, who had higher bounties.”, I said with a smile, which was not nice, “As to why... let's just say, that the law did not like to meet me, because it usually left the enforcers of said law bleeding out. That, and I did my fair share of plundering, pillaging, pirating and a few other words, which start with P in English.”
A breeze blew and seemed to take the smile with it.
“In any case, it was an interesting time. I saw a lot of the world.”, I said and then thought for a moment, “I don't know, if I was ever to Mediama, though...”

Marion did a few quick calculations in her head: She remembered that the value of the NSD was tied to American currency, so with the conversion rate in mind to Mediaman Pounds, she estimated that the bounty on Nia's head was over £200,000, she was estimating of course. The amount still shocked her. As to the amount of crimes she committed that started with the letter 'p', she was at a loss of any other additional crimes with that criteria, Perhaps polygamy? She wondered.

The silence weighed heavily after that, it wasn't everyday one would talk about one's unsavory past, one that apparently was pardoned in the 1930's, as old as her nan.

"I can't imagine how many places you would've seen." Marion said, she paused, pursing her lips in thought, recalling some of the history books she read regarding Mediaman history, and looking out at the seaside as she did so, "As to whether or not you would've been able to see Mediama around that time, it might be likely, it might not be, there wasn't much on the continent up until the 1600's aside from the natives, and even after that, there were only French trappers and the odd French fort here and there."

Another beat of pause, "I know after the Seven Years War the British kept a firm hold on the eastern seaboard, particularly around the trade cities, even up to the American War of Independence and the War of 1812." She turned to look back at Nia, "Still, it might be plausible, especially if you laid low and the like." She said with a small smile. "And if not, I'd be happy to show you around New London and the like. People keep comparing it to New York in terms of its decadence, and its variety and culture."

[Ezhara]

Nolwenn Gluaisrothar of the Tribe of Wexford.
I looked to Eithne, who smiled comfortingly...

Eiko sat there, and as Nolwenn spoke, his frown subsided and his hands wandered to his head, massaging his temples as he grimaced. The haunting murmur within him shifted, stealing away his breath. Look what you've done, you've ruined everything for her. | She'll be furious with you. | What if she tells your parents? | Eiko, you couldn't control yourself here of all places? | There's hardly anything here to possibly threaten you. Stop being so ridiculous. His hands fluttered back in front of him, and he stared into his empty lacquerwood cup. He raised it to his mouth, trying to drink from it as though he had not had water in days. Voices yelled to run; others demanded he continue to drinking.
"No need to apologize to me, miss." Park sighed and looked back to Eiko. "Well, if he wants to g—" The cup shut downwards as the raging battle suddenly came to a ceasefire. The boy was smiling, as though he had not just broken down in front of them moments before, and his grin looked neither too bright nor too wide, not sad nor hidden. If anything, he looked earnestly happy, but he was an actor after all, one exceptional enough to have been offered a position as a Talent back home in Ezhara.

And it had been a prestigious title that he had refused.

"Don't worry for me, Miss Park," he said, slow and deliberate. "I think I should be fine finding my way back to the hotel." He sounded as though he had become another character, and even his gestures and body embraced a different person, someone whose battered mind did not ravage them nearly as much. Those voices were still speaking, murmuring, but less so now, and Eiko was determined to make the best use of the temporary bliss. Keep it up, Eiko, his mother's voice encouraged.
"Eiko," Park said, "I think I sho—"
"I don't think I'd find a tea ceremony that I'd like more, though," he said. "I mean, no offense to them, but... I grew up with the Suzuraigan tradition since I was a kid. I don't think I would want to replace it. It means a lot to me." Distantly, the aroma of agarwood came to him, laden with the heavy memories of his father's interrogation of truth and lies, of family and hatred. Eiko's head twitched. "Sorry, it's... a bit chilly."

"Are—"
"Ms. Park, we should head back." She remained there, still baffled at Eiko's sudden shift. "I mean— well, I can head back by myself. You shou—"
"No, no, don't worry, Eiko. Besides, Marco said that Kaz has been up to something for the past while. I think it'd be better if I stayed." She looked at where the other Ezharans had headed off, quiet, then turned back to the others. "Well, it was nice meeting you all, but—"
"Ms. Park, you really should—" She sternly glared at him, and he shuffled his feet. "I mean, it's just Kaz, right?"
"You know how he is."
"Well, if I just duct tape the doors—"

"You brought duct... er, don't duct tape hotel doors, please. It's not going to help." Park stared at him. Was he joking and trying to distract her, or did he genuinely think that would help? If his earlier breakdowns were any clue, something like that wouldn't be any help if Eiko wasn't in the right mind and if Kaz was on the other side of the door, using his usual, whispering voice, a timbre that always unnerved Park. By itself, it wasn't bad, but hearing it come out of that fourteen-year-old with his sly expression of a womanizer years older, she couldn't help but be worried for what he could do and what he had probably already done.
"Of course I brought duct tape. I thought I'd need it in case something broke." He glanced behind himself, then turned back to the bonfire, standing up. "Maybe I should use it on myself, something like that, ahah."

Do you really think they'll fall for any of this? His father's voice yelled next to him, but Eiko knew that it was all an act, the way he was behaving now. It wasn't easy to ignore the growing murmur, but he could do it for at least a little while, until he got back to somewhere more private, somewhere where he could let his mind wander everywhere. He could feel himself clinging onto the little fragments of it that were still around, slowly losing his grasp over them like his real mother, who had drifted softly into the night so that she might die alone without the shame of watching her child call for her.
"Oh, Eiko, I forgot to tell you," Park said. "Marco's changing the rooms because Kaz... well, you know what's with him. You won't be sharing your room with him anymore." The boy's smile remained, but the rest of his face was visibly lost in thought.

"Well, I'll be fine as long as I'm alo—"
Park shook her head. "Eiko, I can't leave you alo—"
"Of course you could. You can trust me." He nodded, and his smile returned even as he clenched his lacquerwood cup, his hand shuddering. If he had to share with either Park or Marco— what if they noticed him acting up? Well, he never knew what was wrong with him, not that there was. Perhaps it was everyone else's fault? His parents had always said not to tell anyone else about the things he saw or heard if the others couldn't see or hear them. They said that telling others would worry them, and he didn't want to worry anyone else, did he? Besides, maybe they'd take him away, and that'd just break their poor old hearts to hear their little Eiko got abducted. And medicine? Well, he could have it if he needed it for his career, oh, that was fine.

"Eiko," Park said, "I have to make sure—"
"I-I think we should just go, Ms. Park."
She turned to the other Selkie by the bonfire, brushing at her bangs. "Right... sorry about everything. If you're ever in Jae-Syu over in Ezharq, I'm sure you'd see me. Suzurai, that'd be Eiko." There seemed to be more she could've said, but she cut herself off then and there, turning to leave. Assuming the Selkie group had nothing else to say, the two of them begin heading off. Perhaps they did, though?

Amy Laoch of the Tribe of Dundalk.
I had just gotten myself a good helping of salad, thanks to Captain Stiúrthóir...

"If it's such a hassle to 'babysit' me, you can always just..." He leaned forward. "Go, Mr. Gari—" Amy had suddenly interrupted, and Kaz stopped himself, turning to the girl who had just spoken and quickly examining her. As his eyes came back to her face, he leaned forward on his seat, his head balanced in his hand, and he smirked, hiding the lower half of his toned torso. All this talk and focus on Eiko and Marco had really started to wear him down, and he needed someone that would be easier to talk to, someone that he might be able to cozy up to. It was no fun constantly trying to duel with others, after all. Sometimes, he just wanted to relax a little.
Besides, he had never gotten to know a Selkie. This was his first foray beyond Etharia, and it was clear that the Eyjanics had competition.
"It would be my pleasure for you to join me." His voice, as always, was a low whisper that tickled one's hearing, drew one in close with promises of someone who promised to make one feel like they meant the world for a brief vignette, one that would be encapsulated within one's memory as a dear fondness perhaps never to return.

His voice promised an experience like none other. It was one that threw Ezharan teenagers into frenzies imagining Kaz next to him, whispering and promising that, no matter how brief the idol's adoration might be, just knowing him as a friend or perhaps something more would be a privilege that many others would not experience.
"So," he said, "I'm Kaz. And you?" He straightened out his back, setting his light hoodie on the table as he did so. With a smile, he stretched his arms behind his head, then let them drift down to his neck as his head tilted, a hint of joy as his eyes looked back at Amy, gauging her interest in aspects other than his voice. His only wish was that the water wasn't so far away — he always preferred talking when he was glistening and when his hair was wet, when he had just tired himself out so that he might delight in a gentle repose with another. But that would have to wait, seeing as the lass before him had a meal ready, but some time to digest would do him well. Maybe he'd offer it later. Surely a swim with a local would give him quite a sight to see somewhere, some reef or another that he wouldn't have noticed otherwise. Of course, he'd have to pay her back somehow. Perhaps a song later in the night would do.

Meanwhile, Marco remained silent. He had noticed Amy approaching, but gave her no heed, not even a judgmental glance, until he returned to his meal, where he thought as he stared at his plate. Maybe Kaz was right and he was a bit too prudish for his own good: teens would be teens, after all, unaccustomed to the new weight of love. Besides, some places had different cultures, that he knew from encounters in Sessenan, and Kaz had, after all, some Sessenian descent in him that left him, well... His personality would have no shot at being encouraged in Marco's conservative home of Canzurbina, which had raised another lad, a cohort of Kaz's, who was more dapper, more refined, which appealed to Canzurbinan tastes much more. Whether Kaz's vanity and allure would make him more popular among the Selkie would be another matter, but considering this girl's attire and personality, Marco wouldn't be surprised if Kaz got invited by virtue of his charms.

Not that the man opposed; it'd probably keep him from harassing Marco and keep Eiko safer, since the only thing that Kaz ever wanted was attention. Of course, the Canzurbinan didn't expect something like that, unless the Selkie had a tradition of lodging strangers.
He paused briefly. This was Kaz he was talking about. He had his ways to turn strangers to fans in a flash; there was no denying that Kaz had a marvelous voice, one that he used to its maximum potential.
Marco glanced up, and saw Isla at the counter. Kaz did remember that he had another person to keep track of, right?
Meh. It wouldn't be his problem if the idol got mauled by women by the end of the night.

[The Selkie]

Somewhere on the Beach.

Macha Taise, of Cork Descent.
I smiled at Malik's enthusiasm and pride at his accomplishment – yet so young and already a king of such a magnificent castle? Impressive.
“It sounds like a wonderful place.”, I said and let a beat pass. “I'd love to see it one day in the flesh... I've seen many lands, yet not many kings so cute.” I threw Malik a small wink to show him, that I was teasing him a bit. I also reached out and softly rubbed him behind one ear. Him occupied, and hopefully enjoying it (I knew, that I enjoyed scratching behind my ear), I turned to Aither. “Those things were set up, when one expected a siege. The most common defense I remember, though, are small pits, a stake pointing upwards set into the ground, hidden under a bit of grass. You stepped on it, unsuspecting, and you have a spike in your foot. Horrid things.”
I shook my head.
“Please, a happier topic.”, I asked of both men, “Alegeharia – is it a warm place?”

Malik:

Malik churrs, in happiness, leaning into the surprised head rubs, blushing at the compliment. “Hehe yeah it’s a lovely kingdom! I worked hard to get it like this. It took a few years to get built up to this size, the actual kingdom I mean.” He wagged idly and scooted back some as the build was complete. “Visitors are always welcome, though we rarely get them.”

---

Aither:

Aither nodded at Maliks response, “Indeed, we rarely get visitors but those that come tend to enjoy it, Alegeharia is warm for those with thick fur I suppose.” He thought about it, chewing a bit more on the bamboo chute. “It is a cooler climate than most places but it is not unwelcoming or uncomfortable.

Macha Taise, of Cork Descent.
I smiled as Malik told me of how visitors were welcome, always, although not often someone came - I would see, if I couldn't drum together some friends and then pay them a visit.
My rubbing was well-received, though.
"So I'll pack warm.", I said with a smile, "I know just the company I'll contact for a new coat." I threw Aither a wink. Considering, that I was part of BI, the hosts of this beach party, one might need not to think too hard. Then again, I did not tell them that, so... "When I come, would you like me to cook for both of you?"

Gingerly, Alastair draped the rash guard around the front of his shoulders. "Danke," he whimpered, shuddering slightly. The jacket did not come anywhere close to covering his 97-kg frame, but it was better than nothing, though it chafed against his wounds.

Though he had not had a drop of alcohol today, he had a throbbing headache and was considerably dizzy. His rotund form was drenched with sweat.

"I think I need...to sit down," he murmured, swaying back and forth on his feet unsteadily. "And a drink. Something strong...please."

Khana Amina bint-Karim.
I nodded. Sunburn, dehydration.
Were we in Oea, I'd say something along the lines of "Typical tourist...", but this was not my Khanate. On the contrary, I was abroad.
I was well over two meters tall, though, so the jacket worked better then I would have initially thought. That was not the point, though.
I helped him sit down on a nearby lounge chair, when Marla came running back with a bottle of water, someone else in tow. I nodded to her in thanks.
"Drink this first, it's water.", I said and unscrewed the cap, "Then we'll see about something alcoholic."
The woman, who had accompanied Marla, was a short blonde in a nurse uniform. "Good evening.", she greeted, "I am Nurse Milleg, from the nearby medical station." She knelt down next to Alastair. "What's your name?"
Basic check. She was seeing, that Alastair had a sunburn, but the question now was, how serious was it?

For Alexandra, the unexpected "no" blatantly came as a big, decisive blow as prior to this, she had found herself, for a short while more closer than she ever thought. Regardless, whether she liked it or not, the sense of mutual love between them is far from reality.

Taking in Mhairi's explanation, Alexandra's emotions instantly mirrored that of when she had lost her grandmother five years ago, in which it subsequently led to a temporary period of isolation from anyone she had knew, with the exception of her own mother. But now, neither her grandmother nor her mother is there to comfort a now 23-year old Alexandra. As her eyes struggled to maintain eye-to-eye level, one of her hands began to reach out for the extended suitcase handle, albeit in a much robotic manner.

"I, I understand..., it is alright, Mhairi..", while her stuttered words came about, her mind then switched to a race in recovering the memories of their somewhat short, but meaningful moment. Truthfully told, while she herself had found it hard to admit, her initial intention for their so-called "relationship " was to only see on how well she is acquainted with this newfound attraction of hers in women, and from the looks of it, she has seem to achieved her objective, albeit through the hard way.

After a few seconds of awkward silence, Alexandra began to spoke again, in a similarly awkward tone, but the words however turned out remarkably optimistic in a sense. "Well, I guess that in a sense, I could say that my first female partner had been, rather fun to be with", remarked her simply. Soon however, arose one fundamental dilemma. Was she to simply proceed with the suggested romp and a breakfast the next day, or was she to respectfully part ways with Mhairi in order to preserve their friendship. "So, how are we going to continue for the night? Genuinely speaking, I do not want you to be hurt in any form". Rather unexpectedly, Alexandra "striked" her with a filial-like embrace, her eyes closed for the effect.

Mhairi Uasal of the Tribe of Fermanagh.
Well, that went better then I had hoped.
She was not slapping me, no hitting - but she did look devastated. Defeated, maybe, even.
I could relate.
Her embrace was a bit of a surprise, including how she remarked, that she didn't want me hurt. Softly, I began to stroke the back of her head, humming in thought. She'd be able to feel that rumbling in my chest.
"We could have a few drinks, a few dances...", I suggested, smiling, "Getting to know each other. I know a nice, little bar by my hotel, which might have exactly what we need."
Cane Whiskey, namely.

Marion did a few quick calculations in her head: She remembered that the value of the NSD was tied to American currency, so with the conversion rate in mind to Mediaman Pounds, she estimated that the bounty on Nia's head was over £200,000, she was estimating of course. The amount still shocked her. As to the amount of crimes she committed that started with the letter 'p', she was at a loss of any other additional crimes with that criteria, Perhaps polygamy? She wondered.

The silence weighed heavily after that, it wasn't everyday one would talk about one's unsavory past, one that apparently was pardoned in the 1930's, as old as her nan.

"I can't imagine how many places you would've seen." Marion said, she paused, pursing her lips in thought, recalling some of the history books she read regarding Mediaman history, and looking out at the seaside as she did so, "As to whether or not you would've been able to see Mediama around that time, it might be likely, it might not be, there wasn't much on the continent up until the 1600's aside from the natives, and even after that, there were only French trappers and the odd French fort here and there."

Another beat of pause, "I know after the Seven Years War the British kept a firm hold on the eastern seaboard, particularly around the trade cities, even up to the American War of Independence and the War of 1812." She turned to look back at Nia, "Still, it might be plausible, especially if you laid low and the like." She said with a small smile. "And if not, I'd be happy to show you around New London and the like. People keep comparing it to New York in terms of its decadence, and its variety and culture."

Nia Sneachtúil, of Cefnffordd Descent.
I knew the heavy silence following well enough - it was the silence of someone thinking about who they knew, who was from that time. Grandparents were for this time the usual response, though Tea and Meava would nowadays say Great-Grandparents or, if they were trying to be clever, would say an Elder.
Regardless, I waited until Marion explained, that it would not have been difficult to find the land, but that it would have been difficult to survive there due to the authorities.
"I'd love to see New London.", I said with a smile, then winked: "And get a guided tour from a local." I let a beat pass. "In return, I can show you around Lake Mór and the surrounding lands - provided you can ride a horse."
The last was accompanied by a small wink.

By the Bar.

Gerald Vicente
At the Bar

"Christmas, but that's on the 25th," Gerald replied. "Commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ, and thus a particularly important event for virtually all of Christendom," he added. "The day itself is considered a Federal Holiday, so most people aren't in the office...especially since they're with their families and/or friends." And back home, those private sector workers that did work on Christmas would see no less than twice their daily rate...
"Besides, there's no need to apologize; your romanticism isn't just lovely, it's absolutely admirable." Shortly after, Gerald was humming the tune to It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas.

Amy Ramallae of the Tribe of Monaghan.
I smiled, blushing lightly as he praised my romanticism. He really seemed like a nice man.
I listened to his humming for a bit, then asked: "What's the name of that song?"
Honestly, I had no idea. He would know, that the chances of me being anything but a Selkie-Pagan were about as slim as Cealg's chances of survival in the wild, so I was positive, that he was fine with my question.
It sounded like a nice song.
Cealg, meanwhile, sat down under the bench.

On the Dance Floor.

Louise smiled, as Ryan arrived back with their drinks, "aye, its our first time here, we're getting a bit of a holiday in as I am due to spend six weeks at sea rather than the normal two on, two off, two on as the captain who takes over me when I have my two weeks off, his wife has given birth to twins so I have opted to do a six week stint so Ryan and I are getting time together before hand" she replies, taking the drink off Ryan "...and I have to admit its a nice little place, we may well be back here in the future"

Ryan, placing his arm around Louise, "yeah but Lou, think of the money, doing that intermediate shift means that its double time, and if I am right I will probably able to get to see you if there containers going to Europe through Esbjerg, if thats the case I get two benefits, one - free passage as I work for Meridian, and I also get to sleep in staff quarters rather than a cabin with three other randoms"

Celina Reathaí of the Tribe of Westmeath.
We looked at each other via sidelong glances as Ryan rattled off his benefits.
So, the lass was a sailor, commercial shipping by the sounds of it.
"Please relay our congratulations to your colleague.", Liam said with a small smile. "And that he should not worry about his ship while it is in the Waters of the Free Lands. We will protect it, as long as they stick to all the rules and regulations."
We nodded, though Alaina was a bit more hesitant.
"So... you're a sailor.", said Captain said and leaned back with a challenging smile, "Military or a big, happy, fat merchantman?"
Gwen snorted in bemusement.

Marie Ernst Gluck
"Cao!" I cried, with a smile, hugging her. " 'tis done, and I have the whole day free now."
A casual observer might have thought that we had last met each other a year ago. Really, it was maybe 10 minutes, but now that my buisness here was done and over with, it felt different. I felt...relieved? Relaxed? Not sure how to describe it, but no matter. That slimy bastard was out of my hair, and I could catch up with Cao.
After letting going of Cao, I turned to Filly. "Good to meet you too, Filly. Last name and tribe?"

Adelheid
"That would be great, actually." I mused, as I sipped the lemonade. "We don't get this stuff at Łask. It's...I'm not sure what they put in our drinks, but at least it tastes something like fruit juice. That's the only good thing I can say about it, though. Still better than the slop they feed the Infantry, though. I tried one of the MREs my brother sent me while he was in the sandbox. It was...disgusting. To say the least. It was, if I recall correctly, Combat Ration Type S, Menu 3, Breakfast. Beef Sausages and vegetable omelet."
I gagged a little at the memory. "Tasted like...I don't even know how to describe it. Beef and rubber?"

Yven Barriall of the Tribe of Monaghan.
I shuddered.
"Sounds unpleasant.", I said and then added: "I can relate, though. I was on a riding trip with a couple of friends of mine from abroad and they had these instant meals with them... come evening of the first day, I was sharing my Buan with them." I took a sip, then explained: "That's a ration far-spread around these parts. Dark meat, dried at the open air, then ground into a powder. You put it in boiling water and a few minutes later, you have a nice... well, instant soup." I shrugged with a small grin. "Put a few spices into it or use it as a base and you can do wonders with it!"

Caoimhe Barriall of the Tribe of Monaghan.
Filly smiled, then introduced herself with a small bow of her head.
"Filicia Eitpheil of the Tribe of Cavan.", she said and her smile only grew, "But please, Filly is fine. Pleasure to meet you."
She was a small-time actress, but it was unlikely, that Marie would know her, as the majority of her movies were for a more avantgarde audience - she did have a few additional voice roles in some video games and animated shows from around these parts, minor things, though, and had been hostess of a small documentary about the Archipelago and its fish. Aside from that, she was a model for BI (of course) and a student of fisheries science.

Nolwenn Gluaisrothar of the Tribe of Wexford.
I looked to Eithne, who smiled comfortingly...

Eiko sat there, and as Nolwenn spoke, his frown subsided and his hands wandered to his head, massaging his temples as he grimaced. The haunting murmur within him shifted, stealing away his breath. Look what you've done, you've ruined everything for her. | She'll be furious with you. | What if she tells your parents? | Eiko, you couldn't control yourself here of all places? | There's hardly anything here to possibly threaten you. Stop being so ridiculous. His hands fluttered back in front of him, and he stared into his empty lacquerwood cup. He raised it to his mouth, trying to drink from it as though he had not had water in days. Voices yelled to run; others demanded he continue to drinking.
"No need to apologize to me, miss." Park sighed and looked back to Eiko. "Well, if he wants to g—" The cup shut downwards as the raging battle suddenly came to a ceasefire. The boy was smiling, as though he had not just broken down in front of them moments before, and his grin looked neither too bright nor too wide, not sad nor hidden. If anything, he looked earnestly happy, but he was an actor after all, one exceptional enough to have been offered a position as a Talent back home in Ezhara.

And it had been a prestigious title that he had refused.

"Don't worry for me, Miss Park," he said, slow and deliberate. "I think I should be fine finding my way back to the hotel." He sounded as though he had become another character, and even his gestures and body embraced a different person, someone whose battered mind did not ravage them nearly as much. Those voices were still speaking, murmuring, but less so now, and Eiko was determined to make the best use of the temporary bliss. Keep it up, Eiko, his mother's voice encouraged.
"Eiko," Park said, "I think I sho—"
"I don't think I'd find a tea ceremony that I'd like more, though," he said. "I mean, no offense to them, but... I grew up with the Suzuraigan tradition since I was a kid. I don't think I would want to replace it. It means a lot to me." Distantly, the aroma of agarwood came to him, laden with the heavy memories of his father's interrogation of truth and lies, of family and hatred. Eiko's head twitched. "Sorry, it's... a bit chilly."

"Are—"
"Ms. Park, we should head back." She remained there, still baffled at Eiko's sudden shift. "I mean— well, I can head back by myself. You shou—"
"No, no, don't worry, Eiko. Besides, Marco said that Kaz has been up to something for the past while. I think it'd be better if I stayed." She looked at where the other Ezharans had headed off, quiet, then turned back to the others. "Well, it was nice meeting you all, but—"
"Ms. Park, you really should—" She sternly glared at him, and he shuffled his feet. "I mean, it's just Kaz, right?"
"You know how he is."
"Well, if I just duct tape the doors—"

"You brought duct... er, don't duct tape hotel doors, please. It's not going to help." Park stared at him. Was he joking and trying to distract her, or did he genuinely think that would help? If his earlier breakdowns were any clue, something like that wouldn't be any help if Eiko wasn't in the right mind and if Kaz was on the other side of the door, using his usual, whispering voice, a timbre that always unnerved Park. By itself, it wasn't bad, but hearing it come out of that fourteen-year-old with his sly expression of a womanizer years older, she couldn't help but be worried for what he could do and what he had probably already done.
"Of course I brought duct tape. I thought I'd need it in case something broke." He glanced behind himself, then turned back to the bonfire, standing up. "Maybe I should use it on myself, something like that, ahah."

Do you really think they'll fall for any of this? His father's voice yelled next to him, but Eiko knew that it was all an act, the way he was behaving now. It wasn't easy to ignore the growing murmur, but he could do it for at least a little while, until he got back to somewhere more private, somewhere where he could let his mind wander everywhere. He could feel himself clinging onto the little fragments of it that were still around, slowly losing his grasp over them like his real mother, who had drifted softly into the night so that she might die alone without the shame of watching her child call for her.
"Oh, Eiko, I forgot to tell you," Park said. "Marco's changing the rooms because Kaz... well, you know what's with him. You won't be sharing your room with him anymore." The boy's smile remained, but the rest of his face was visibly lost in thought.

"Well, I'll be fine as long as I'm alo—"
Park shook her head. "Eiko, I can't leave you alo—"
"Of course you could. You can trust me." He nodded, and his smile returned even as he clenched his lacquerwood cup, his hand shuddering. If he had to share with either Park or Marco— what if they noticed him acting up? Well, he never knew what was wrong with him, not that there was. Perhaps it was everyone else's fault? His parents had always said not to tell anyone else about the things he saw or heard if the others couldn't see or hear them. They said that telling others would worry them, and he didn't want to worry anyone else, did he? Besides, maybe they'd take him away, and that'd just break their poor old hearts to hear their little Eiko got abducted. And medicine? Well, he could have it if he needed it for his career, oh, that was fine.

"Eiko," Park said, "I have to make sure—"
"I-I think we should just go, Ms. Park."
She turned to the other Selkie by the bonfire, brushing at her bangs. "Right... sorry about everything. If you're ever in Jae-Syu over in Ezharq, I'm sure you'd see me. Suzurai, that'd be Eiko." There seemed to be more she could've said, but she cut herself off then and there, turning to leave. Assuming the Selkie group had nothing else to say, the two of them begin heading off. Perhaps they did, though?

Amy Laoch of the Tribe of Dundalk.
I had just gotten myself a good helping of salad, thanks to Captain Stiúrthóir...

"If it's such a hassle to 'babysit' me, you can always just..." He leaned forward. "Go, Mr. Gari—" Amy had suddenly interrupted, and Kaz stopped himself, turning to the girl who had just spoken and quickly examining her. As his eyes came back to her face, he leaned forward on his seat, his head balanced in his hand, and he smirked, hiding the lower half of his toned torso. All this talk and focus on Eiko and Marco had really started to wear him down, and he needed someone that would be easier to talk to, someone that he might be able to cozy up to. It was no fun constantly trying to duel with others, after all. Sometimes, he just wanted to relax a little.
Besides, he had never gotten to know a Selkie. This was his first foray beyond Etharia, and it was clear that the Eyjanics had competition.
"It would be my pleasure for you to join me." His voice, as always, was a low whisper that tickled one's hearing, drew one in close with promises of someone who promised to make one feel like they meant the world for a brief vignette, one that would be encapsulated within one's memory as a dear fondness perhaps never to return.

His voice promised an experience like none other. It was one that threw Ezharan teenagers into frenzies imagining Kaz next to him, whispering and promising that, no matter how brief the idol's adoration might be, just knowing him as a friend or perhaps something more would be a privilege that many others would not experience.
"So," he said, "I'm Kaz. And you?" He straightened out his back, setting his light hoodie on the table as he did so. With a smile, he stretched his arms behind his head, then let them drift down to his neck as his head tilted, a hint of joy as his eyes looked back at Amy, gauging her interest in aspects other than his voice. His only wish was that the water wasn't so far away — he always preferred talking when he was glistening and when his hair was wet, when he had just tired himself out so that he might delight in a gentle repose with another. But that would have to wait, seeing as the lass before him had a meal ready, but some time to digest would do him well. Maybe he'd offer it later. Surely a swim with a local would give him quite a sight to see somewhere, some reef or another that he wouldn't have noticed otherwise. Of course, he'd have to pay her back somehow. Perhaps a song later in the night would do.

Meanwhile, Marco remained silent. He had noticed Amy approaching, but gave her no heed, not even a judgmental glance, until he returned to his meal, where he thought as he stared at his plate. Maybe Kaz was right and he was a bit too prudish for his own good: teens would be teens, after all, unaccustomed to the new weight of love. Besides, some places had different cultures, that he knew from encounters in Sessenan, and Kaz had, after all, some Sessenian descent in him that left him, well... His personality would have no shot at being encouraged in Marco's conservative home of Canzurbina, which had raised another lad, a cohort of Kaz's, who was more dapper, more refined, which appealed to Canzurbinan tastes much more. Whether Kaz's vanity and allure would make him more popular among the Selkie would be another matter, but considering this girl's attire and personality, Marco wouldn't be surprised if Kaz got invited by virtue of his charms.

Not that the man opposed; it'd probably keep him from harassing Marco and keep Eiko safer, since the only thing that Kaz ever wanted was attention. Of course, the Canzurbinan didn't expect something like that, unless the Selkie had a tradition of lodging strangers.
He paused briefly. This was Kaz he was talking about. He had his ways to turn strangers to fans in a flash; there was no denying that Kaz had a marvelous voice, one that he used to its maximum potential.
Marco glanced up, and saw Isla at the counter. Kaz did remember that he had another person to keep track of, right?
Meh. It wouldn't be his problem if the idol got mauled by women by the end of the night.

Nolwenn Gluaisrothar of the Tribe of Wexford.
We had little to say, Donny and Ceili being quite on guard - Donny trying to be the Man and one step in front of his girl, ready to intercept Eiko if he tried anything.
I was at a loss for words - this had gone terribly, terribly wrong and I had no fucking clue as to why. Eithne was as much lost as I was, Ceili looked concerned...
...and Ribín made a few quick steps, her face hardened.
I wanted to move to stop her, if she tried anything, but I was not quick enough.
It wasn't really necessary either. She raised her arms, but not to lash out, but to wrap them around Eiko, forcing him into a hug, resting his head on her collarbone. Ribín was still getting a hang of this whole puberty-thing, so she wasn't exactly a mature woman (in one place, that was something, that really bothered her, if she looked at Eithne and me), but she was a lithe and fit young woman, so he would have a hard time shoving her away or something.
Then she whispered into his ear, softly, tenderly: "You have some demons, kid. I see it in your eyes.", she whispered to him. I was barely able to make it out, but he would not only hear, but also be able to feel her warm breath on his ear. "Don't let them consume you. Fight them."
With that, she kissed him on the forehead, not far away from the place, where he hit his head on the tree. She kissed him so softly and tenderly, that I could not relate that image to the motorcycle-loving tomboy I knew Ribín to be.
Then she loosened her grip - if he wanted, he could run now.
Or he could stay, enjoying an embrace I could never give.

Amy Laoch of the Tribe of Dundalk.
Oh, he was good.
Singer or actor, I'd guess, despite his youth. I'd guess him to be a few years younger then I was, but not much. His voice especially would turn some heads and to be honest, it did turn mine...
...it had a certain allure. To compare it to someone I knew, Kean had a deep, rumbling voice like a thunderstorm and him speaking softly was not something, that happened unless you were his horse. Then again, he was substantially taller then my table-mate and over a decade older then I was. And a forester.
Kaz, as his name turned out to be, shifted in his posture, slightly, while his guardian (I assumed, that the man opposite to him was his guardian) remained silent.
Indeed, Kaz was good.
Not that I was bad, though... I shifted slightly as well, turning to him, but managing to lean forward slightly, hinting at my argumentation amplifiers, but not putting them on display.
"I'm Amy.", I said with a smile, used my fork and knife to cut a small piece of steak. My voice was not an alluring whisper, but a nice voice, accented with the typical dropped vowels, melodic cadence and rolling Rs from around here. "You don't sound like you are from around these parts, Kaz. Where are you from?"
The piece of meat vanished behind my red lips.

[New Visayan Islands]

Gerald Vicente
At the Bar

"It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas. One of many popular songs sung during the Christmas season; in fact, the song is so popular that plenty of artists have made recordings of it, which when you consider how old the song is--from what I recall, the song dates back some time in the 1950's, back when the Philippines was still one country--really makes each time you listen to it pretty refreshing," Gerald replied with a smile. "Now, if you're looking for a Christmas song that focuses more on the Christ instead of the cheer, I personally recommend For unto us a Child is born from Handel's Messiah," he added; he had a copy of the Cebu Philharmonic performance in his office, and that copy was one of several music pieces that would be played to test each yacht's sound systems.

[Greater Orcadia]

Celina Reathaí of the Tribe of Westmeath.
We looked at each other via sidelong glances as Ryan rattled off his benefits.
So, the lass was a sailor, commercial shipping by the sounds of it.
"Please relay our congratulations to your colleague.", Liam said with a small smile. "And that he should not worry about his ship while it is in the Waters of the Free Lands. We will protect it, as long as they stick to all the rules and regulations."
We nodded, though Alaina was a bit more hesitant.
"So... you're a sailor.", said Captain said and leaned back with a challenging smile, "Military or a big, happy, fat merchantman?"
Gwen snorted in bemusement.

"Aye I have a job at sea keeping a crew under control, the ship is currently running across the North Sea and we're on holiday using a small sailboat to get around the islands with, as for my ship its a car ferry called the Meridian Atlantic, I probably wouldnt make it in the military as i left half of my leg in the United States, howeverit is a happy ship", Louise replied as she took her phone out of her pocket and tapping the screen a few times to reveal a picture of Louise's place of work, the MV Meridian Atlantic which sails between Aberdeen abd Bergen "Its a nice route and always busy with freight and tourists" she says with a smile

"No bow doors on her, so she's better and safer in rough water. After the Estonia went down in the Baltic in a storm, Meridian welded the bow doors shut on all of its fleet and welded up the inner bow doors and converted them to stern door only vessels and Meridian have an excellent record when it comes to safety, so, what about you guys?" asks Louise as she swipes a few pictures to show Ryan's pirate themed Volvo container truck in the car deck strapped to the deck by a web of heavy duty chains, in the background a small car is also lashed to the deck, "and yes we strap every vehicle down on all long crossings, and when we return back to Orcadia we have a long flight again"

[Western Fardelshufflestein]

Somewhere on the Beach.

Khana Amina bint-Karim.
I nodded. Sunburn, dehydration.
Were we in Oea, I'd say something along the lines of "Typical tourist...", but this was not my Khanate. On the contrary, I was abroad.
I was well over two meters tall, though, so the jacket worked better then I would have initially thought. That was not the point, though.
I helped him sit down on a nearby lounge chair, when Marla came running back with a bottle of water, someone else in tow. I nodded to her in thanks.
"Drink this first, it's water.", I said and unscrewed the cap, "Then we'll see about something alcoholic."
The woman, who had accompanied Marla, was a short blonde in a nurse uniform. "Good evening.", she greeted, "I am Nurse Milleg, from the nearby medical station." She knelt down next to Alastair. "What's your name?"
Basic check. She was seeing, that Alastair had a sunburn, but the question now was, how serious was it?

Alastair's eyes fluttered. He stared at the bottle in his hands before raising it to his lips, his burned hands trembling with fatigue and pain. Even the slightest movement made him want to pass out from from agony.

He took a tentative sip of water, finding no relief from the frigid liquid, and whimpered softly. His entire body was quivering with pain and exhaustion. The world was moving in and out of focus, the chilled bottle his sole anchor. He took another, larger sip just to keep himself awake and licked his chapped lips.

Through his fog, he noticed a blond woman crouching before him--a nurse, he guessed. She was speaking to him in a pleasant tone. "Good evening. I am Nurse Milleg, from the nearby medical station." Alastair continued to stare vacuously into space. "What's your name?"

It took him a few seconds to realize the question was directed at him. "Alastair," he mumbled. He shivered, and some water from the bottle splashed onto the Selkie woman's rash guard.

Water...yes, he needed water, he very much needed water. But he was also craving a glass of bourbon, or maybe gin.

His fingers tightened round the bottle as he struggled to stay awake.

[Hanoverian Great Britain]

Upon hearing Mhairi's suggestion, Alexandra's subtle feelings of distress lessened. As electrifyingly positive as it might sounds, Alexandra could never afford to go overboard in pursuing its benefits. Upon slowly loosening her embrace, her eyes directly meet that of Mhairi's, added with a touch of her oddly distanced, yet captivating eyes. Admittedly, it is that pair of eyes are what her mother loved the most about her eldest child and daughter; the unusual beauty. "Drinks and dances sounds good but just a reminder, I'm not a drinker myself. Plus, it would ruin my dance number..", as Alexandra briefly explained her involvement in the arts of dancing, she further explained that she is an expert in several dancing styles. "Oh and there is this one dancing style my mummy used to teach me, its called a halling! Do you want to give it a try? I will teach you, no worries".

[Alegeharia]

Somewhere on the Beach.
Macha Taise, of Cork Descent.
I smiled as Malik told me of how visitors were welcome, always, although not often someone came - I would see, if I couldn't drum together some friends and then pay them a visit.
My rubbing was well-received, though.
"So I'll pack warm.", I said with a smile, "I know just the company I'll contact for a new coat." I threw Aither a wink. Considering, that I was part of BI, the hosts of this beach party, one might need not to think too hard. Then again, I did not tell them that, so... "When I come, would you like me to cook for both of you?"

Malik:

Malik continued to churr practically leaning into the pets then snapped back into focus. “Food! Yes, food, hungry yeahs, where is food?” He got up quickly and looked around tilting his head curiously spying a commotion off in the distance pointing over to it. “Is there food over there? I would, love to try some of the local cuisine!” Malik wags excitedly and keeps trying to look at what is going on.

---

Aither:

Aither huffed. “So much for a map” he thought as he looked in the direction Malik was pointing. It seemed it something was indeed going on, he sat up and stretched getting back onto his paws picking up Malik before slinging him on his back smiling at the pups giggles. “Would you like to join us miss? If you do come visit, feel free to cook, I would not request it, but if you felt inclined to it would be most appreciative.

[Ezhara]

We had little to say, Donny and Ceili being quite on guard...

Eiko hardly noticed Ribín until she was just next to him. "What are yo—" He suddenly became silent as he felt her collarbone, not knowing what to think, not knowing what to say, not knowing what to do, entirely powerless. Memories fading stayed; memories returning paused. The time in his mind halted, and the murmur in his head had stopped itself, unsure of how to react. Even his own thoughts, his own defensive habits, were uncertain. It was not that his head had become totally empty — rather, no part of him could surface for thinking, as though the bubbling thoughts and delusions had burst, leaving just the dream that had replayed in his head time and time again. He could remember the muffled song of the monk next door, the little matcha mochi that she had left, the way he had tripped on the second of the five steps of weathered teak, how she had picked him up, carrying him on her shoulder as she set him down in that little room, his sleepy gaze looking at her as she tucked him in a soft, silken bed. He had risen, wanting her to stay amidst the aroma of matcha and mournful melody, but he was only met with a mournful smile.
Did she know what awaited her that night?

Pressed in that hug, Eiko held his breath as he waited for the distant shores to stretch forward and take him back, only to find nothing. Near him, Park watched with her hand covering her mouth perpendicular to it, her face glowing with shame as the seconds ticked steadily onward, her other hand typing out a message on her phone to someone else. Eiko himself could hardly hear what she said with the roar of emptiness in his head, but he could hear it faintly enough.
And the voices in his head were furious. The memory burned away as the cacophony returned. Run away, she knows, you can't stay here. | What if she tells someone else? Do you want everything to fall apart, Eiko? | What does she know about you? | She doesn't know you like your parents. | Yell at her, do something. | What are you waiting for? Run, already. As much as the company protested, his body couldn't follow, and he was left paralyzed in her embrace.
Eiko... his mother's voice said, her gentle voice permeating through it all, a voice whose timbre he reached out to and clung to, holding onto it with all his strength as a hopeless prayer for a life that he never had, a life that he had lost to misfortune. Then, everything became silent as his head was kissed, and he looked up with a childlike fear, of someone who did not wish to be abandoned after having already been lost that night so long ago.

As she loosened her grip, Eiko stumbled backwards, out of her grasp, staring at her as paranoia spread across his face. Don't show your fear, Eiko. | Run, so you can stop humiliating yourself and Ms. Park. | Is it really that hard to obey? | How stupid can you be? | Aren't you worried for your parents? How do you think they'll react? | She's lying. You know your parents love you. If you had problems, they'd have told you. Above it all, his father's voice whipped through them all. Would you really rather lose the comfort of this world you've made for yourself? Would you really want to abandon your sister? Don't you remember why you vowed to protect Ayame? You'd have to be as selfish as her to run away from this. You'd be just like her. Running away from your responsibilities, your problems. Just like her. He stared down at the lacquerwood cup that had once held his sacred matcha.
He had ruined his hair earlier, hadn't he? He raised the cup and slammed it against his head.
Crack.
"Eiko!" Park dashed forward, grabbing his arm before he could smash it against his bleeding head again.

He stared at her like a lost child. In his head, the voices rose to a crescendo all-around him — he wanted to hide, to run, but his father was right, wasn't he? That'd make him just like her, she who left her family, left her child all alone. He couldn't leave Ayame alone, could he? He had promised to her that he would do anything to ensure her happiness. No matter how much he wanted to run, no matter how those parts of him demanded it, he couldn't run, he couldn't abandon her.
What demons did this strange woman want him to fight? Why? How? He was so used to his life that he couldn't imagine that anyone in his life could be his "demon." He knew that he was fine; that was what his parents told him time and time again, but some part of him protested this. And if he won... what could there be after? His parents always told him that he couldn't tell anyone else about his strange voices, for fear that they might react, but now, it seemed he had lost anyway. He couldn't care anymore. There wasn't anything left for him.
"Mom..." He turned his head down, towards his damaged cup, at the reflection of the shattered child within. His hand shuddered.

He inhaled, then crumbled to his knees, sobbing as the decorated cup dropped into the sand, muttering "mom," over and over again, begging her memory, the last remnant of her, not to leave, as everything in his head fell silent. There were no words left to be said to him, no sympathy, no anger. Only exasperation, silent, silent exasperation. No voices to scream at him, no characters to re-imagine himself as, no tea ceremony to pretend with, no hair, sister, or fashion to fawn over. Nothing more than the little boy who had been left behind, and who, for one night, had nothing.
Park strode forward and hugged him, letting him cry on her shoulder as he turned his head skyward, looking through his tears towards the constellations that his mother had taught him, hand pointing upward, as though trying to pluck her back from the stars. Park wasn't used to something like this before — she had been raised in the ideal childhood conditions of Jae-Syu, where fireflies lit the beaches, where the children chased them amidst the fireworks of a delightful summer. All the while, the moon rose steadily skyward, its reflection gazing into the sea, and as it came to its crest, most would leave for their homes. Then, the moon would drift back down into the highrises of the downtown, calling for a new dawn to begin lit by golden ray and firefly alike.
And looking at Eiko, she knew that he had never experienced something like that, that from day one, he had never had a chance to enjoy his childhood; perhaps that was the reason behind his enigmatic maturity, that he had to grow up immediately and become his own adult, his own dream, for him to survive. Yet, as embarrassed as Park was to so openly demonstrate this drama, she knew that there was no way she could wait.

Oh, he was good...

Kaz smiled, first looking with a sort of respect at Amy as she shifted, then letting his eyes flutter lazily as he listened to her voice, honey-laid with that charming accent, as though he were listening to her every word. "Amy? Well, I'll be sure to remember it by the end of this night. As for where I'm from..." He chuckled, his head leaning closer and his whisper growing ever lower. "Would 'from your dreams' be a good answer? Though, I'm sure I'd leave a much more... lasting memory." He smiled, letting her respond. "Ah, I'm just kidding... I'm from Harikuni, Ezhara." Near him, Marco looked down at his phone, frowned, and looked towards Kaz.
"Stay here," the man ordered as he got up.
"Is something—" His guardian glared back at him, and Kaz clenched his hands at his waist as he looked back at Marco, yet the idol's expression had only a twinge of annoyance at most. Or, perhaps that was a sort of regret painted on his expression; whatever it was, it soon changed to one of practiced unreadability as his left hand unclenched and moved to support his head. His confident demeanor had been extinguished, but whose could survive against the smoldering rage within Marco?

His hand at his waist clenched and unclenched, and when his guardian had left, he turned back to Amy. "I'll have to be honest," he said, brushing his sandy hair and letting his hand brush against his smooth cheek, "it's... kind of my fault. There's another boy that came with me that, well... things happen. I may be confident, but I'm not perfect." He unbent his back, sitting up straight as his eyebrows bent in worry, his face turned towards Marco, who had begun sprinting towards Park and Eiko. "But, well, that's life. I'd like to... reconcile, at some point, though I must admit that this really isn't the time for that." Shifting again, he leaned his elbow and head on the table, gazing out at the ocean. "I don't suppose we might have time to swim later?" he said. "I wouldn't want myself getting lost in the waves or missing some beautiful sight under the ocean, now."

[AHSCA]

“Me, too.”, I said, as we walked along, “It was a bit as if I was walking on clouds.”
I led her towards our little blanket, my Father and Isa suspiciously absent, but that was fine by me. The cooler was still full and there was a bottle for later tonight in it as well. The label said, that it was of the Cnocogir Distillery, the northernmost distillery of the Free Lands and their oak whiskeys were a joy to drink.
Of course, I would not offer Ayla one now, the kids were still out and about and it would only invite disaster.
“In the UIS, are you on the beach often?”, I asked with interest.

"Oh my, practically every day I'm on the beach!" She giggled a bit, shifting her position to be a bit more at ease "My home island is pretty small as far as our neighbors go, so easy to traverse the island in a day or two. But besides that my home is in the port itself. It's lovely there so how can I not enjoy the sight of the ocean day in and day out."

[Mervay]

Gawain Folaíochta, of Wicklow's Tribe.
Dilly and his kinsfolk were certainly having fun, chasing each other, roughhousing a bit, generally having a good time.
I nodded. "Indeed, Cel has much experience in being an instructor, being the instructed... and in being a mother, too.", I said, then smiled apologetically. "My apologies. It is not my place to tell you about that part, which she took on. What I can tell you about is my ally..."
I leaned forward.
"A fierce woman of the City Guard, a terror with her lance, studious and likes to read... and likes to turn unsuspecting men's heads around, if we are honest..." I paused for a moment, looked behind me. "Puh, she's not standing next to me."
I grinned at the old joke.

Leonard Rualacha of the Tribe of Wicklow.
I was a bit surprised, that Athena seemed to not only understand Selkie, but to speak it herself - sure, she had an accent, but that was not the point.
Enya enjoyed the hug, smiled, still shy, but considerably warmed up to Athena as I balanced her on my arm.
Athena turned to Mhairin. "You have a nice daughter Ma'am Mhairin, I hope we see you later on."
The other woman nodded. "Indeed I do... my little filly.", she said with love, held her arms out to me. It took a moment, then Enya was back in her Mother's arms, not exactly happy to have left the higher vantage, which I offered. I kissed the girl on the forehead to mollify her a bit. Mhairin looked at us: "We see each other later?"
"Hopefully.", I expressed as a similar sentiment, then kissed Mama Mhairin on her cheek like a son would with his mother. "Until then..."
I offered my arm to link with Athena, smiling at her.
Enya waved at us as Mhairin and she departed, after Athena had said her goodbye.

Lisolette Devienne and Lucas Walker
That was true for what they knew, she was expert in being the instructor, the student and like, Gawain added, being a mother. Certainly she was like a mother for those foxes if logic and all they knew about Cel. After that he told the couple about his ally in the city guard, someone that was a great lancer and very studious and loved to read; but she was also someone dangerous that loved to turn heads around, albeit the last one was a joke, one that made them laugh a bit before replying.

"Seems like a good woman." Lise chuckled while thinking about her, it was an interesting lady for sure.

Meanwhile Lucas, was busy looking at Dilly having fun with her kinsfolk, he seemed to be enjoying it entirely. Perhaps they should let him stay here for a little while to have fun with those of his same species. His eyes focused on Lise and spoke in their native French regarding Dilly, perhaps they could stay a bit longer and let him have fun with the rest of the black vulpines. It made her smile at the sight of her friend having fun, finally after a long time he's able to see his kind once again.

"Guess the blackies are having fun." She giggled while looking at them, her gaze changing just when her boyfriend speaks.

"Indeed. Glad to see our friend having fun with them, it has been a while since he saw a vulpine like him." He smiled back while looking into it too. "So... How's life regarding love??"

Athena Freezis
Well, she had to learn it if that meant to make business with the industries and companies of The Free Lands, and she had to learn even more languages from abroad out of those she know, which quite the number to say at least. It was great to see Enya being more warmed up to Athena, thanks to both Mhairin and Leo of course.
After all related to the little girl and her mother passed, her friend had a little talk with Mhairin before she left with her daughter while she linked herself once again to Leo's arms with an smile on her face.

"See ya later miss!" She said smiling happily at her while they left. Then her eyes were focused on her friend, to not say romantic interest of course.

"So. Surprised to hear me speak Selkie right??"

[Middle Barael]

Chloë smiled, looking out at the beautiful ocean landscape as they sailed in their small electric yacht towards the beach where the festival would commence. None of the Baraelim who were arriving at the party knew much about Selkie customs or their country, though they were aware that a couple Selkies were among those invited to an upcoming wine-and-dine party in Rivienland, whose invitation they had received the previous week, despite the party itself being in August of 2020.

However, the three Baraelan guests on the vessel were all quite excited, though of course in their different ways. Chloë was a kind, smart, and thoughtful person, though at times a bit too proper or apologetic, often having to chide her colleague and friend Marc Nuya, who happened to be the Prime Minister of Middle Barael, and with it the head of government. She was very professional, and took her work as head of the Green Party very seriously, though she was still a kind person who loved hanging out with friends, and many friends she had. Marc was very generous yet also less left-leaning politically than either of his compatriots here, though he got along with them very well, having been working with them for awhile. He was a very good debater, and very proud of his three daughters. He often would make small jokes, and was sometimes helped by Solomon, though they were always good-natured jokes, more cheeky than rude or silly. Finally, Solomon was kind, smart, and all around a great guy; he was very good at bridging the gap between Marc’s more capitalist, liberal politics and joking, cheeky personality, with Chloë’s more left-leaning, environmentalist views and smarter, more serious outlook on life. He too liked to crack joke,so but unlike Marc he didn’t do it excessively, and was a great judge of emotions. This is why Solomon was elected King, which contrary to its name was a democratically elected position, equivalent to a President or Head of State. Solomon also was one of the leaders of the Union of Social Democrats, though he was not its official Leader. Despite their ideological differences, the 3 were the best of friends, both due to their long-lasting political alliance and their complementary personalities.

Anyways, as their yacht approached the pier, they docked and got out. Seeing the abundance of Selkie security forces, they decided to leave their 3 security guards by the ship, two on the yacht itself and one standing outside, guarding the entrance. The three walked gingerly to the bonfire with the food table, as they knew virtually no one at the party (although they all knew of King Alastair and his antics, despite never having met him, and for good reason!). Chloë of course researched the hosts of the party after having thoroughly read the invite, and so she thought she recognized Finnegan whatever-his-name-was, the host of the party and a leader of Bicini Industries. Chloë was always timid and apologetic whenever meeting new important people, especially foreign leaders and tycoons, and so she chose not to approach Finnigan just yet, so she instead told Solomon and Marc, knowing that due to their diplomatic experience and assertive personality, respectively, they’d lead the way and introduce themselves, so she would not have to make the first move.

“Excuse me, are you Finnigan, the host of this party? My friend and colleague here, Chloë, says she recognizes you, and that she did a deep-dive on you on the internet,”, said PM Nuya.

Great. Not only did Marc just shift the attention to Chloë, but he also made her sound like a stalker. Chloë glared at Marc for a tenuous moment, before responding, “Not to sound like I’m a stalker, I just... er... I wanted to know who to.. uh.. speak with first. But are you actually him? Or her or them or anything else, of course, I wouldn’t want to assume.” Chloë grimaced. Despite being top of her class, an excellent debater, and a splendid speaker and politician, she was not as light-hearted as Marc or Solomon, and so whenever she misstepped in a conversation, she would get a bit frazzled and continue to stumble around her words. Oh well, what’s done is done, so she decided to listen to this man’s answer.

[Mediama]

Marion did a few quick calculations in her head: She remembered that the value of the NSD was tied to American currency, so with the conversion rate in mind to Mediaman Pounds, she estimated that the bounty on Nia's head was over £200,000, she was estimating of course. The amount still shocked her. As to the amount of crimes she committed that started with the letter 'p', she was at a loss of any other additional crimes with that criteria, Perhaps polygamy? She wondered.

The silence weighed heavily after that, it wasn't everyday one would talk about one's unsavory past, one that apparently was pardoned in the 1930's, as old as her nan.

"I can't imagine how many places you would've seen." Marion said, she paused, pursing her lips in thought, recalling some of the history books she read regarding Mediaman history, and looking out at the seaside as she did so, "As to whether or not you would've been able to see Mediama around that time, it might be likely, it might not be, there wasn't much on the continent up until the 1600's aside from the natives, and even after that, there were only French trappers and the odd French fort here and there."

Another beat of pause, "I know after the Seven Years War the British kept a firm hold on the eastern seaboard, particularly around the trade cities, even up to the American War of Independence and the War of 1812." She turned to look back at Nia, "Still, it might be plausible, especially if you laid low and the like." She said with a small smile. "And if not, I'd be happy to show you around New London and the like. People keep comparing it to New York in terms of its decadence, and its variety and culture."

Nia Sneachtúil, of Cefnffordd Descent.
I knew the heavy silence following well enough - it was the silence of someone thinking about who they knew, who was from that time. Grandparents were for this time the usual response, though Tea and Meava would nowadays say Great-Grandparents or, if they were trying to be clever, would say an Elder.
Regardless, I waited until Marion explained, that it would not have been difficult to find the land, but that it would have been difficult to survive there due to the authorities.
"I'd love to see New London.", I said with a smile, then winked: "And get a guided tour from a local." I let a beat pass. "In return, I can show you around Lake Mór and the surrounding lands - provided you can ride a horse."
The last was accompanied by a small wink.

“I’d be honored and delighted to do so.” Marion said Nia mentioned the possibility of giving a bit of a tour around New London, “There are a lot of historical sites that I’m aware off, as well as shopping districts for fabrics and the like.” She thought for a moment or two on the prospect of Nia giving her own tour as well, on horseback no less.

“It’s been a while, but I think one simply does not forget to ride a horse that easily, I’d love to go tour Lake Mór.” Her face brightened in delight as she realized something, “In fact, I’ve just realized I had recently finished sewing some 19th century equestrian wear from some patterns I’ve found in a fashion magazine from the 1880’s, I can check to see if that’s among one of the samples I’ve brought with me. It would be a great opportunity for me to try it out in a practical manner, all the while it would be interesting to try to ride side saddle in that manner.”

[The Selkie]

Somewhere on the Beach.

“I’d be honored and delighted to do so.” Marion said Nia mentioned the possibility of giving a bit of a tour around New London, “There are a lot of historical sites that I’m aware off, as well as shopping districts for fabrics and the like.” She thought for a moment or two on the prospect of Nia giving her own tour as well, on horseback no less.

“It’s been a while, but I think one simply does not forget to ride a horse that easily, I’d love to go tour Lake Mór.” Her face brightened in delight as she realized something, “In fact, I’ve just realized I had recently finished sewing some 19th century equestrian wear from some patterns I’ve found in a fashion magazine from the 1880’s, I can check to see if that’s among one of the samples I’ve brought with me. It would be a great opportunity for me to try it out in a practical manner, all the while it would be interesting to try to ride side saddle in that manner.”

Nia Sneachtúil, of Cefnffordd Descent.
I nodded, smiling.
"That sounds like a wonderful idea.", I said with a smile, "Though, I would not recommend it right now. Winter there is harsh, especially at the Northern Shore. They have five meters snow in Riverwood right now, I think. Let's do it during the summer?"
That would also give her or me or anyone time to organize a horse trained to be ridden in side saddle, as Selkie-Horses usually weren't. But we'd manage, I was sure of it.

Somewhere on the Beach.

Khana Amina bint-Karim.
I nodded. Sunburn, dehydration.
Were we in Oea, I'd say something along the lines of "Typical tourist...", but this was not my Khanate. On the contrary, I was abroad.
I was well over two meters tall, though, so the jacket worked better then I would have initially thought. That was not the point, though.
I helped him sit down on a nearby lounge chair, when Marla came running back with a bottle of water, someone else in tow. I nodded to her in thanks.
"Drink this first, it's water.", I said and unscrewed the cap, "Then we'll see about something alcoholic."
The woman, who had accompanied Marla, was a short blonde in a nurse uniform. "Good evening.", she greeted, "I am Nurse Milleg, from the nearby medical station." She knelt down next to Alastair. "What's your name?"
Basic check. She was seeing, that Alastair had a sunburn, but the question now was, how serious was it?

Alastair's eyes fluttered. He stared at the bottle in his hands before raising it to his lips, his burned hands trembling with fatigue and pain. Even the slightest movement made him want to pass out from from agony.

He took a tentative sip of water, finding no relief from the frigid liquid, and whimpered softly. His entire body was quivering with pain and exhaustion. The world was moving in and out of focus, the chilled bottle his sole anchor. He took another, larger sip just to keep himself awake and licked his chapped lips.

Through his fog, he noticed a blond woman crouching before him--a nurse, he guessed. She was speaking to him in a pleasant tone. "Good evening. I am Nurse Milleg, from the nearby medical station." Alastair continued to stare vacuously into space. "What's your name?"

It took him a few seconds to realize the question was directed at him. "Alastair," he mumbled. He shivered, and some water from the bottle splashed onto the Selkie woman's rash guard.

Water...yes, he needed water, he very much needed water. But he was also craving a glass of bourbon, or maybe gin.

His fingers tightened round the bottle as he struggled to stay awake.

Khana Amina bint-Karim.
"Nice to meet you, Alastair.", the nurse said, smiling - her eyes were worried, though. It was no problem, that a bit of water splashed onto the rash guard, that was part of its job, but the quivering and the length of time passing between the nurse's question and the reply, as well as how obviously he struggled to stay awake, made me look at Marla. I raised my hand with two fingers extended, more water was underway a moment later. The nurse seemed worried, too. "Alright, Alastair, you look to me as if you have a severe sunburn. I'll call an ambulance, it should be here in a few minutes, so hang tight. Meanwhile, drink."
She petted his knee softly, then rose, turning to me: "Make sure, that he drinks that bottle and the second one. And that he stays awake."
I nodded. The nurse called an ambulance from a few meters away with a radio.
I, meanwhile, smiled at Alastair: "You're going to be alright, mate. You got family here with you?"

Upon hearing Mhairi's suggestion, Alexandra's subtle feelings of distress lessened. As electrifyingly positive as it might sounds, Alexandra could never afford to go overboard in pursuing its benefits. Upon slowly loosening her embrace, her eyes directly meet that of Mhairi's, added with a touch of her oddly distanced, yet captivating eyes. Admittedly, it is that pair of eyes are what her mother loved the most about her eldest child and daughter; the unusual beauty. "Drinks and dances sounds good but just a reminder, I'm not a drinker myself. Plus, it would ruin my dance number..", as Alexandra briefly explained her involvement in the arts of dancing, she further explained that she is an expert in several dancing styles. "Oh and there is this one dancing style my mummy used to teach me, its called a halling! Do you want to give it a try? I will teach you, no worries".

Mhairi Uasal of the Tribe of Fermanagh.
I smiled, glad, that Alex's good cheer was back - or at least seemed to be back.
"That'd be fun.", I agreed when she offered me a lesson in... "Halling... never heard of it. Sounds interesting, though." I smiled and leaned forward, to whisper into her ear: "If we have the chance, I'll show you, how we dance around these parts, too."
And with that, I loosened the embrace and offered her my hand to take, so that we could get underway again.
"I won't get you into combat-drinking, though.", I added with a grin.

Somewhere on the Beach.
Macha Taise, of Cork Descent.
I smiled as Malik told me of how visitors were welcome, always, although not often someone came - I would see, if I couldn't drum together some friends and then pay them a visit.
My rubbing was well-received, though.
"So I'll pack warm.", I said with a smile, "I know just the company I'll contact for a new coat." I threw Aither a wink. Considering, that I was part of BI, the hosts of this beach party, one might need not to think too hard. Then again, I did not tell them that, so... "When I come, would you like me to cook for both of you?"

Malik:

Malik continued to churr practically leaning into the pets then snapped back into focus. “Food! Yes, food, hungry yeahs, where is food?” He got up quickly and looked around tilting his head curiously spying a commotion off in the distance pointing over to it. “Is there food over there? I would, love to try some of the local cuisine!” Malik wags excitedly and keeps trying to look at what is going on.

---

Aither:

Aither huffed. “So much for a map” he thought as he looked in the direction Malik was pointing. It seemed it something was indeed going on, he sat up and stretched getting back onto his paws picking up Malik before slinging him on his back smiling at the pups giggles. “Would you like to join us miss? If you do come visit, feel free to cook, I would not request it, but if you felt inclined to it would be most appreciative.

Macha Taise, of Cork Descent.
I giggled at Malik's reaction to the prospect of food - kids were the same no matter where!
I pointed towards where the large bonfire was happily burning under supervision and used for grilling, where many people were around, having a blast. And there was the dancefloor not too far away.
"That's where the food is at.", I said with a smile, "Grilled Bull Boar and a few other really nice things, salads, and so on... it's delicious!" I rose and offered my arm to Aither to link, if he wanted, grinning at him and Malik, the latter happily on the former's back. "I would be delighted, if I could join you for dinner. And to cook for you, if I would come for a visit."

We had little to say, Donny and Ceili being quite on guard...

Eiko hardly noticed Ribín until she was just next to him. "What are yo—" He suddenly became silent as he felt her collarbone, not knowing what to think, not knowing what to say, not knowing what to do, entirely powerless. Memories fading stayed; memories returning paused. The time in his mind halted, and the murmur in his head had stopped itself, unsure of how to react. Even his own thoughts, his own defensive habits, were uncertain. It was not that his head had become totally empty — rather, no part of him could surface for thinking, as though the bubbling thoughts and delusions had burst, leaving just the dream that had replayed in his head time and time again. He could remember the muffled song of the monk next door, the little matcha mochi that she had left, the way he had tripped on the second of the five steps of weathered teak, how she had picked him up, carrying him on her shoulder as she set him down in that little room, his sleepy gaze looking at her as she tucked him in a soft, silken bed. He had risen, wanting her to stay amidst the aroma of matcha and mournful melody, but he was only met with a mournful smile.
Did she know what awaited her that night?

Pressed in that hug, Eiko held his breath as he waited for the distant shores to stretch forward and take him back, only to find nothing. Near him, Park watched with her hand covering her mouth perpendicular to it, her face glowing with shame as the seconds ticked steadily onward, her other hand typing out a message on her phone to someone else. Eiko himself could hardly hear what she said with the roar of emptiness in his head, but he could hear it faintly enough.
And the voices in his head were furious. The memory burned away as the cacophony returned. Run away, she knows, you can't stay here. | What if she tells someone else? Do you want everything to fall apart, Eiko? | What does she know about you? | She doesn't know you like your parents. | Yell at her, do something. | What are you waiting for? Run, already. As much as the company protested, his body couldn't follow, and he was left paralyzed in her embrace.
Eiko... his mother's voice said, her gentle voice permeating through it all, a voice whose timbre he reached out to and clung to, holding onto it with all his strength as a hopeless prayer for a life that he never had, a life that he had lost to misfortune. Then, everything became silent as his head was kissed, and he looked up with a childlike fear, of someone who did not wish to be abandoned after having already been lost that night so long ago.

As she loosened her grip, Eiko stumbled backwards, out of her grasp, staring at her as paranoia spread across his face. Don't show your fear, Eiko. | Run, so you can stop humiliating yourself and Ms. Park. | Is it really that hard to obey? | How stupid can you be? | Aren't you worried for your parents? How do you think they'll react? | She's lying. You know your parents love you. If you had problems, they'd have told you. Above it all, his father's voice whipped through them all. Would you really rather lose the comfort of this world you've made for yourself? Would you really want to abandon your sister? Don't you remember why you vowed to protect Ayame? You'd have to be as selfish as her to run away from this. You'd be just like her. Running away from your responsibilities, your problems. Just like her. He stared down at the lacquerwood cup that had once held his sacred matcha.
He had ruined his hair earlier, hadn't he? He raised the cup and slammed it against his head.
Crack.
"Eiko!" Park dashed forward, grabbing his arm before he could smash it against his bleeding head again.

He stared at her like a lost child. In his head, the voices rose to a crescendo all-around him — he wanted to hide, to run, but his father was right, wasn't he? That'd make him just like her, she who left her family, left her child all alone. He couldn't leave Ayame alone, could he? He had promised to her that he would do anything to ensure her happiness. No matter how much he wanted to run, no matter how those parts of him demanded it, he couldn't run, he couldn't abandon her.
What demons did this strange woman want him to fight? Why? How? He was so used to his life that he couldn't imagine that anyone in his life could be his "demon." He knew that he was fine; that was what his parents told him time and time again, but some part of him protested this. And if he won... what could there be after? His parents always told him that he couldn't tell anyone else about his strange voices, for fear that they might react, but now, it seemed he had lost anyway. He couldn't care anymore. There wasn't anything left for him.
"Mom..." He turned his head down, towards his damaged cup, at the reflection of the shattered child within. His hand shuddered.

He inhaled, then crumbled to his knees, sobbing as the decorated cup dropped into the sand, muttering "mom," over and over again, begging her memory, the last remnant of her, not to leave, as everything in his head fell silent. There were no words left to be said to him, no sympathy, no anger. Only exasperation, silent, silent exasperation. No voices to scream at him, no characters to re-imagine himself as, no tea ceremony to pretend with, no hair, sister, or fashion to fawn over. Nothing more than the little boy who had been left behind, and who, for one night, had nothing.
Park strode forward and hugged him, letting him cry on her shoulder as he turned his head skyward, looking through his tears towards the constellations that his mother had taught him, hand pointing upward, as though trying to pluck her back from the stars. Park wasn't used to something like this before — she had been raised in the ideal childhood conditions of Jae-Syu, where fireflies lit the beaches, where the children chased them amidst the fireworks of a delightful summer. All the while, the moon rose steadily skyward, its reflection gazing into the sea, and as it came to its crest, most would leave for their homes. Then, the moon would drift back down into the highrises of the downtown, calling for a new dawn to begin lit by golden ray and firefly alike.
And looking at Eiko, she knew that he had never experienced something like that, that from day one, he had never had a chance to enjoy his childhood; perhaps that was the reason behind his enigmatic maturity, that he had to grow up immediately and become his own adult, his own dream, for him to survive. Yet, as embarrassed as Park was to so openly demonstrate this drama, she knew that there was no way she could wait.

Oh, he was good...

Kaz smiled, first looking with a sort of respect at Amy as she shifted, then letting his eyes flutter lazily as he listened to her voice, honey-laid with that charming accent, as though he were listening to her every word. "Amy? Well, I'll be sure to remember it by the end of this night. As for where I'm from..." He chuckled, his head leaning closer and his whisper growing ever lower. "Would 'from your dreams' be a good answer? Though, I'm sure I'd leave a much more... lasting memory." He smiled, letting her respond. "Ah, I'm just kidding... I'm from Harikuni, Ezhara." Near him, Marco looked down at his phone, frowned, and looked towards Kaz.
"Stay here," the man ordered as he got up.
"Is something—" His guardian glared back at him, and Kaz clenched his hands at his waist as he looked back at Marco, yet the idol's expression had only a twinge of annoyance at most. Or, perhaps that was a sort of regret painted on his expression; whatever it was, it soon changed to one of practiced unreadability as his left hand unclenched and moved to support his head. His confident demeanor had been extinguished, but whose could survive against the smoldering rage within Marco?

His hand at his waist clenched and unclenched, and when his guardian had left, he turned back to Amy. "I'll have to be honest," he said, brushing his sandy hair and letting his hand brush against his smooth cheek, "it's... kind of my fault. There's another boy that came with me that, well... things happen. I may be confident, but I'm not perfect." He unbent his back, sitting up straight as his eyebrows bent in worry, his face turned towards Marco, who had begun sprinting towards Park and Eiko. "But, well, that's life. I'd like to... reconcile, at some point, though I must admit that this really isn't the time for that." Shifting again, he leaned his elbow and head on the table, gazing out at the ocean. "I don't suppose we might have time to swim later?" he said. "I wouldn't want myself getting lost in the waves or missing some beautiful sight under the ocean, now."

Nolwenn Gluaisrothar of the Tribe of Wexford.
Ribin seemed to have the right idea... for a moment.
Then Eiko bashed his cup against his head.
Shit was hitting the fan and Ribin already made a sidestep towards him by the time Miss Park had reached the boy. Donny stood in front of Ceili, shielding her, although that seemed to be unnecessary. Eithne was lunging for her own little bag and the mobile phone in it, ready to call a nurse or an ambulance or a medevac or whatever seemed necessary.
And I? I stood there, dumfolded.
I had no idea about how to deal with this situation and it showed.
Miss Park hugged Eiko and it seemed as if it gave him some comfort, some sort of respite and as the drama was unfolding, Eithne and I were looking at each other. I jerked my head in the general direction of where Donny was relaxing from his position ready to take on the world for Ceili while Eithne looked to Ribin.
I nodded.
A moment later, I caught her mobile phone, the black-haired woman turning with a nod. It didn't take much convincing to make Donny and Ceili leave the scene with Eithne, giving them a bit of privacy.
I knew, that Ribin would stay, both out of a sense of duty and because she knew, that she might had screwed up big time... and I stayed because I knew, that I had screwed up.
"If there is something we can do to help...", I weakly offered.

Amy Laoch of the Tribe of Dundalk.
I smiled at the 'from your dreams'-line - it was quite evident, that he knew, what he was doing. Confidence, coupled with skill... Dragan had been a bit more down-to-earth, while other people, who had flirted with me, had not been this... interesting.
Except for Kean, but I'll be honest, he was a log disguised as a man (and had a log down there, too).
Then Kaz's guardian rose, even I, who didn't know him, saw his fury.
Something had gone wrong.
He shifted, told me, that there had been an issue with another lad, then gazed out at the ocean.
I was unsure for a moment, but as soon as his guardian returned, I was sure, that we could get going - either that, or we would get going regardless, leave a message with someone here.
I took a moment to swallow, then told him: "If you want, we can go for a swim. I know a nice, little spot not too far from here and depending on how long you can keep your breath, you might be in for a surprise!"

Lisolette Devienne and Lucas Walker
That was true for what they knew, she was expert in being the instructor, the student and like, Gawain added, being a mother. Certainly she was like a mother for those foxes if logic and all they knew about Cel. After that he told the couple about his ally in the city guard, someone that was a great lancer and very studious and loved to read; but she was also someone dangerous that loved to turn heads around, albeit the last one was a joke, one that made them laugh a bit before replying.

"Seems like a good woman." Lise chuckled while thinking about her, it was an interesting lady for sure.

Meanwhile Lucas, was busy looking at Dilly having fun with her kinsfolk, he seemed to be enjoying it entirely. Perhaps they should let him stay here for a little while to have fun with those of his same species. His eyes focused on Lise and spoke in their native French regarding Dilly, perhaps they could stay a bit longer and let him have fun with the rest of the black vulpines. It made her smile at the sight of her friend having fun, finally after a long time he's able to see his kind once again.

"Guess the blackies are having fun." She giggled while looking at them, her gaze changing just when her boyfriend speaks.

"Indeed. Glad to see our friend having fun with them, it has been a while since he saw a vulpine like him." He smiled back while looking into it too. "So... How's life regarding love??"

Athena Freezis
Well, she had to learn it if that meant to make business with the industries and companies of The Free Lands, and she had to learn even more languages from abroad out of those she know, which quite the number to say at least. It was great to see Enya being more warmed up to Athena, thanks to both Mhairin and Leo of course.
After all related to the little girl and her mother passed, her friend had a little talk with Mhairin before she left with her daughter while she linked herself once again to Leo's arms with an smile on her face.

"See ya later miss!" She said smiling happily at her while they left. Then her eyes were focused on her friend, to not say romantic interest of course.

"So. Surprised to hear me speak Selkie right??"

Gawain Folaíochta, of Wicklow's Tribe.
When Lucas watched the little foxes play, I couldn't help but smile myself, watching them - they all seemed so happy, cheerful and carefree as they rolled around, chased after each other and generally had a fun time. Brushing them later would be fun!
Then Lucas asked for my love life.
"Oh, that is... complicated, might be word.", I said and the wolf ears on my head drooped a bit. "I am currently single and have been for... three centuries, now, I think, short flings not counted. I won't bore you with the details, but let's just leave it at that."
I smiled at the two of them.
"Watching you two warms my heart.", I found myself saying.

Leonard Rualacha of the Tribe of Wicklow.
I smiled and nodded.
"Actually, yes.", I admitted, "Not many foreigners know our tongue, and even fewer to that level of skill. And..." I looked at her and spoke, trying to omit my own accent so that she could understand more easily: "...you sound beautiful."
I let that sink in as we continued down the road to the hotel, where in a small side street, there was a bar - and a chance to know each other more closely.

By the Bar.

Gerald Vicente
At the Bar

"It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas. One of many popular songs sung during the Christmas season; in fact, the song is so popular that plenty of artists have made recordings of it, which when you consider how old the song is--from what I recall, the song dates back some time in the 1950's, back when the Philippines was still one country--really makes each time you listen to it pretty refreshing," Gerald replied with a smile. "Now, if you're looking for a Christmas song that focuses more on the Christ instead of the cheer, I personally recommend For unto us a Child is born from Handel's Messiah," he added; he had a copy of the Cebu Philharmonic performance in his office, and that copy was one of several music pieces that would be played to test each yacht's sound systems.

Amy Ramallae of the Tribe of Monaghan.
I smiled and nodded.
"I'll look into it.", I said with a bit of cheer. And I would look into the mythos, too, if I had the time. "It's quite interesting, that Christmas and Cailleach's Feast are so close in the calendar. We basically celebrate, that it is winter and that now, that She had Her fill at our tables, She can bugger off." I smiled. "Thing is, though, She usually leaves a parting gift: Snow, ice and winter in general."
I wouldn't need to tell him, how strict winters were around our parts, I presumed.

On the Dance Floor.

"Aye I have a job at sea keeping a crew under control, the ship is currently running across the North Sea and we're on holiday using a small sailboat to get around the islands with, as for my ship its a car ferry called the Meridian Atlantic, I probably wouldnt make it in the military as i left half of my leg in the United States, howeverit is a happy ship", Louise replied as she took her phone out of her pocket and tapping the screen a few times to reveal a picture of Louise's place of work, the MV Meridian Atlantic which sails between Aberdeen abd Bergen "Its a nice route and always busy with freight and tourists" she says with a smile

(Image)

"No bow doors on her, so she's better and safer in rough water. After the Estonia went down in the Baltic in a storm, Meridian welded the bow doors shut on all of its fleet and welded up the inner bow doors and converted them to stern door only vessels and Meridian have an excellent record when it comes to safety, so, what about you guys?" asks Louise as she swipes a few pictures to show Ryan's pirate themed Volvo container truck in the car deck strapped to the deck by a web of heavy duty chains, in the background a small car is also lashed to the deck, "and yes we strap every vehicle down on all long crossings, and when we return back to Orcadia we have a long flight again"

Celina Reathaí of the Tribe of Westmeath.
We looked at the image and heard the explanation, then Alaina said: "So a big, fat, happy merchantman.", she said and grinned.
Liam agreed with a nod. "Then you should pray to your Gods for her...", he began and motioned to Alaina, "...to either be far away or on your side. Preferably both. Alaina here commands SDFS F-16 Siorc, a diesel-electric attack submarine."
"Your boat is like breakfast.", Alaina claimed with a grin.
"Luckily for you, however...", I said, "...this is where we come in. Liam, Gwen and I command three of the Rhiannon-II-class FFGs of the SDF-Navy. We eat sharks for breakfast."
"Oho!", Alaina made, leaning forward, which I matched soon enough, "Is that a challenge, Flaggy?"
I grinned. "If it isn't, what would you do? Fire your eels and be off?"
Alaina licked her lips and grinned. "You asked for it, lass. Dance floor, now."
"Liam, Gwen, you are our judges.", I said and rose.
Gwen smiled and Liam nodded. "Alright.", he said and turned to the Orcadians as Alaina and I were rising from the bench. "You'll now see a duel between two Selkie, a duel fought with the utmost skill and fortitude on a worthy battlefield, on the dance floor, as tradition demands. Don't worry, except for the pride, no one will be hurt!"
Alaina and I meanwhile went to the band, waiting for them to finish their current song, and then asked them whether or not they were interested in playing for a duel.
Of course, the three lassies jumped at the opportunity once we told them, that they'd be paid in the way of a dance with one of us four Captains.

“Me, too.”, I said, as we walked along, “It was a bit as if I was walking on clouds.”
I led her towards our little blanket, my Father and Isa suspiciously absent, but that was fine by me. The cooler was still full and there was a bottle for later tonight in it as well. The label said, that it was of the Cnocogir Distillery, the northernmost distillery of the Free Lands and their oak whiskeys were a joy to drink.
Of course, I would not offer Ayla one now, the kids were still out and about and it would only invite disaster.
“In the UIS, are you on the beach often?”, I asked with interest.

"Oh my, practically every day I'm on the beach!" She giggled a bit, shifting her position to be a bit more at ease "My home island is pretty small as far as our neighbors go, so easy to traverse the island in a day or two. But besides that my home is in the port itself. It's lovely there so how can I not enjoy the sight of the ocean day in and day out."

Aonas Folracht of the Tribe of Wicklow.
I smiled and nodded.
"Sounds like I know a destination for my travels for next year, then.", I found myself saying, then undisclosed to her: "I am a Marcach, graduating High School next year. I plan to make a round-the-world trip with Asalcloig and the money I saved up, seeing the world a bit until I have settled for where I will end up. Dad already agreed, so I only need to graduate and off I go."
We reached the blanket and I offered Alya a hand to help, if she wanted to sit down.
"Seeing your little island would be icing on the proverbial cake. You mentioned a Festival - would you be able and willing to entertain a tourist during it?", I asked with a grin.

Chloë smiled, looking out at the beautiful ocean landscape as they sailed in their small electric yacht towards the beach where the festival would commence. None of the Baraelim who were arriving at the party knew much about Selkie customs or their country, though they were aware that a couple Selkies were among those invited to an upcoming wine-and-dine party in Rivienland, whose invitation they had received the previous week, despite the party itself being in August of 2020.

However, the three Baraelan guests on the vessel were all quite excited, though of course in their different ways. Chloë was a kind, smart, and thoughtful person, though at times a bit too proper or apologetic, often having to chide her colleague and friend Marc Nuya, who happened to be the Prime Minister of Middle Barael, and with it the head of government. She was very professional, and took her work as head of the Green Party very seriously, though she was still a kind person who loved hanging out with friends, and many friends she had. Marc was very generous yet also less left-leaning politically than either of his compatriots here, though he got along with them very well, having been working with them for awhile. He was a very good debater, and very proud of his three daughters. He often would make small jokes, and was sometimes helped by Solomon, though they were always good-natured jokes, more cheeky than rude or silly. Finally, Solomon was kind, smart, and all around a great guy; he was very good at bridging the gap between Marc’s more capitalist, liberal politics and joking, cheeky personality, with Chloë’s more left-leaning, environmentalist views and smarter, more serious outlook on life. He too liked to crack joke,so but unlike Marc he didn’t do it excessively, and was a great judge of emotions. This is why Solomon was elected King, which contrary to its name was a democratically elected position, equivalent to a President or Head of State. Solomon also was one of the leaders of the Union of Social Democrats, though he was not its official Leader. Despite their ideological differences, the 3 were the best of friends, both due to their long-lasting political alliance and their complementary personalities.

Anyways, as their yacht approached the pier, they docked and got out. Seeing the abundance of Selkie security forces, they decided to leave their 3 security guards by the ship, two on the yacht itself and one standing outside, guarding the entrance. The three walked gingerly to the bonfire with the food table, as they knew virtually no one at the party (although they all knew of King Alastair and his antics, despite never having met him, and for good reason!). Chloë of course researched the hosts of the party after having thoroughly read the invite, and so she thought she recognized Finnegan whatever-his-name-was, the host of the party and a leader of Bicini Industries. Chloë was always timid and apologetic whenever meeting new important people, especially foreign leaders and tycoons, and so she chose not to approach Finnigan just yet, so she instead told Solomon and Marc, knowing that due to their diplomatic experience and assertive personality, respectively, they’d lead the way and introduce themselves, so she would not have to make the first move.

“Excuse me, are you Finnigan, the host of this party? My friend and colleague here, Chloë, says she recognizes you, and that she did a deep-dive on you on the internet,”, said PM Nuya.

Great. Not only did Marc just shift the attention to Chloë, but he also made her sound like a stalker. Chloë glared at Marc for a tenuous moment, before responding, “Not to sound like I’m a stalker, I just... er... I wanted to know who to.. uh.. speak with first. But are you actually him? Or her or them or anything else, of course, I wouldn’t want to assume.” Chloë grimaced. Despite being top of her class, an excellent debater, and a splendid speaker and politician, she was not as light-hearted as Marc or Solomon, and so whenever she misstepped in a conversation, she would get a bit frazzled and continue to stumble around her words. Oh well, what’s done is done, so she decided to listen to this man’s answer.

Finnegan Drisiúr of the Tribe of Cork.
I watched the proceedings near the bonfire and the bar, watching my lads and lassies having a good time while nursing a drink. We did this every year after the Archipelago Shooting, the grand photoshoot here in the Oileánra-Archipelago, but as we had decided to open this event to the public this year, we had a lot of guests from the outside.
Eithne had a blast a bit away, greeting and meeting people with our adopted son Ilia, while I was available for talking. Tea and Meava, two of our youngest, had been with me not too long ago and now, sitting not too far away, was Prince Elian, who looked exhausted.
No wonder - almost every lass on the beach had wanted a dance with the Kyrenaian Prince, simply due to him being that: A Kyrenaian Prince. Who could claim to have danced with one in their circles of friends outside of BI?
I did not envy him and he knew it, which was why he was sitting nearby.
When the new arrivals approached me, I put on a welcoming smile, as opposed to my smile of almost fatherly pride, and listened to them.
"Indeed, I am Finnegan Drisiúr of the Tribe of Cork, the CEO of Bicíní Industries and host of this party. Welcome to Pléaráca Beach.", I said and bowed my head lightly as it was custom around these parts, then extended my hand for a shake, as it was more international custom. "Who do I have the pleasure with?"

[New Visayan Islands]

Gerald Vicente
At the Bar

"I see what you mean," Gerald replied. "Traverse is, admittedly, a lot colder than what I'm accustomed to," he added, "what with my home country being a tropical country and all." That the climate was something not many Visayans would imagine themselves being comfortable in was not lost on the man; every employee of VSSB knew exactly what they signed up for when the opportunity to establish the branch presented itself.
"That being said, I agree that the celebrations being close to each other is quite interesting," Gerald then said. "Even if one did not consider the religious angle, there can be no denying the festive atmosphere."

[AHSCA]

Aonas Folracht of the Tribe of Wicklow.
I smiled and nodded.
"Sounds like I know a destination for my travels for next year, then.", I found myself saying, then undisclosed to her: "I am a Marcach, graduating High School next year. I plan to make a round-the-world trip with Asalcloig and the money I saved up, seeing the world a bit until I have settled for where I will end up. Dad already agreed, so I only need to graduate and off I go."
We reached the blanket and I offered Alya a hand to help, if she wanted to sit down.
"Seeing your little island would be icing on the proverbial cake. You mentioned a Festival - would you be able and willing to entertain a tourist during it?", I asked with a grin.

"Why...." She smiled wide and blushed a little "It'd be my great pleasure to be your host! And my many congratulations on your coming of age! Finishing your education and moving onto the next phase of your life, that's truly something to be very proud of! You on the path to becoming someone who will do great things. And to see the world too, an adventure you will surely tell your children and children's children someday. I hope my little island will be among the fond stories you speak of."

[Western Fardelshufflestein]

Somewhere on the Beach.

Alastair's eyes fluttered. He stared at the bottle in his hands before raising it to his lips, his burned hands trembling with fatigue and pain. Even the slightest movement made him want to pass out from from agony.

He took a tentative sip of water, finding no relief from the frigid liquid, and whimpered softly. His entire body was quivering with pain and exhaustion. The world was moving in and out of focus, the chilled bottle his sole anchor. He took another, larger sip just to keep himself awake and licked his chapped lips.

Through his fog, he noticed a blond woman crouching before him--a nurse, he guessed. She was speaking to him in a pleasant tone. "Good evening. I am Nurse Milleg, from the nearby medical station." Alastair continued to stare vacuously into space. "What's your name?"

It took him a few seconds to realize the question was directed at him. "Alastair," he mumbled. He shivered, and some water from the bottle splashed onto the Selkie woman's rash guard.

Water...yes, he needed water, he very much needed water. But he was also craving a glass of bourbon, or maybe gin.

His fingers tightened round the bottle as he struggled to stay awake.

Khana Amina bint-Karim.
"Nice to meet you, Alastair.", the nurse said, smiling - her eyes were worried, though. It was no problem, that a bit of water splashed onto the rash guard, that was part of its job, but the quivering and the length of time passing between the nurse's question and the reply, as well as how obviously he struggled to stay awake, made me look at Marla. I raised my hand with two fingers extended, more water was underway a moment later. The nurse seemed worried, too. "Alright, Alastair, you look to me as if you have a severe sunburn. I'll call an ambulance, it should be here in a few minutes, so hang tight. Meanwhile, drink."
She petted his knee softly, then rose, turning to me: "Make sure, that he drinks that bottle and the second one. And that he stays awake."
I nodded. The nurse called an ambulance from a few meters away with a radio.
I, meanwhile, smiled at Alastair: "You're going to be alright, mate. You got family here with you?"

Alastair stared blankly at the nurse, his mind awash with fatigue and pain. He was on the verge of passing out and letting the real world fade into oblivion. The water bottle shook in his hands, almost cold enough to shock him into wakefulness, but he couldn't seem to raise it to his mouth without great trouble....

He sipped from the water bottle, eyes on the figures surrounding him. The nurse and Selkie woman were indistinct in form, or perhaps that was just his fatigue that was making them blur and sway this way and that.

"Alright, Alastair, you look to me as if you have a severe sunburn. I'll call an ambulance, it should be here in a few minutes, so hang tight. Meanwhile, drink." It was the nurse who was speaking to him. She patted him on the knee, rose, said something to the woman he had stumbled into. What was her name...he had never caught her name. Not that he could very much recall what happened while he was wallowing in agony.

Drink...he could do that. Even with water. But he had to do it slowly lest his whole body be torn apart by fire.

"You're going to be alright, mate. You got family here with you?" Not the nurse this time, but the woman whose name he didn't know. Was the fog in his head getting progressively worse?

Instead of responding, he peered into the emptiness, wondering if it would entice him, envelop him. His pain was lessened if he gave in to the pull of his fatigue. The emotional demons faded, too, making him wonder if he was glimpsing at a tiny bit of Heaven.

But he had to respond, didn't he? He had to say something. "They're all...at home. They...told me...I needed...a vacation, so I...listened...to them and came...here. It seems...I am doing a poor job of...being...on vacation." His eyes, which were still hidden behind his sunglasses, flicked back and forth sluggishly as he spoke.

Alastair drank more water. The refreshing liquid did make him feel better, marginally. "I was...trying to relax. And I failed...even at that." Another sip. He didn't really want to stay awake, but the water was excellent. Sublime. It was almost what he needed, almost, for nothing took away physical discomfort like shots or a few glasses of wine.

He felt someone else's hands guide the water bottle to his lips. "Drink," came a soft voice, though he wasn't sure whose. Whether there were more words after that, he could not tell, for the emptiness was back. His face drooped as he let himself slip into it, fingers growing slack on the bottle, and he sagged into the Selkie woman's form. Yet all he felt was the sensation of tumbling forward, forward, and a wave of grayness that snuffed out any burgeoning thought. The pain remained immense, the rash guard continued to rub his burned skin, the heat of the sun and the coolness of the bottle remained discernible. He was struggling too hard to perpetuate his focus on these sensations, however, despite the gentle coaxing of the Selkie woman, for he wanted so badly to escape.

[Hanoverian Great Britain]

As Alexandra was already quite delighted by Mhairi's willingness, she herself in return was also willing to learn how the island's locals dance instead. For a dance that she is completely unknown to, it would quite serve the experience. "An excellent idea", simply replied Alexandra as she swiftly took Mhairi's hand again, resuming the walk to the hotel. After a few seconds of silence, to her amusement, Alexandra soon realized that she had been walking barefoot since the very moment that she had stepped foot on the island, with the notable exception of the airport. For whatever reasons, she chose not to undergo the mandatory process of cleaning her shoes from the dirt and sand had she chose to wear it for the entire time. "Just a question, the hotel staff would not mine someone walking in, barefoot, wouldn't they? I can't even quite explain why I am even barefoot for the last since I got here. My apologies if it is inconvenient here", inquired her in a much intrigued manner.

[Greater Orcadia]

Celina Reathaí of the Tribe of Westmeath.
We looked at the image and heard the explanation, then Alaina said: "So a big, fat, happy merchantman.", she said and grinned.
Liam agreed with a nod. "Then you should pray to your Gods for her...", he began and motioned to Alaina, "...to either be far away or on your side. Preferably both. Alaina here commands SDFS F-16 Siorc, a diesel-electric attack submarine."
"Your boat is like breakfast.", Alaina claimed with a grin.
"Luckily for you, however...", I said, "...this is where we come in. Liam, Gwen and I command three of the Rhiannon-II-class FFGs of the SDF-Navy. We eat sharks for breakfast."
"Oho!", Alaina made, leaning forward, which I matched soon enough, "Is that a challenge, Flaggy?"
I grinned. "If it isn't, what would you do? Fire your eels and be off?"
Alaina licked her lips and grinned. "You asked for it, lass. Dance floor, now."
"Liam, Gwen, you are our judges.", I said and rose.
Gwen smiled and Liam nodded. "Alright.", he said and turned to the Orcadians as Alaina and I were rising from the bench. "You'll now see a duel between two Selkie, a duel fought with the utmost skill and fortitude on a worthy battlefield, on the dance floor, as tradition demands. Don't worry, except for the pride, no one will be hurt!"
Alaina and I meanwhile went to the band, waiting for them to finish their current song, and then asked them whether or not they were interested in playing for a duel.
Of course, the three lassies jumped at the opportunity once we told them, that they'd be paid in the way of a dance with one of us four Captains.

"A duel on the dance floor, this could be interesting, however I dont dance very well given half of my natural leg is in the United States" says Louise, lifting up her trouser leg to reveal a prosthesis, "...however..." (turning to Ryan) "...this may be up your alley"

Ryan turned to Alaina "so not nuclear then?" he asks, casually

[Alegeharia]

Somewhere on the Beach.

Malik:
(Image)

Malik continued to churr practically leaning into the pets then snapped back into focus. “Food! Yes, food, hungry yeahs, where is food?” He got up quickly and looked around tilting his head curiously spying a commotion off in the distance pointing over to it. “Is there food over there? I would, love to try some of the local cuisine!” Malik wags excitedly and keeps trying to look at what is going on.

---

Aither:
(Image)

Aither huffed. “So much for a map” he thought as he looked in the direction Malik was pointing. It seemed it something was indeed going on, he sat up and stretched getting back onto his paws picking up Malik before slinging him on his back smiling at the pups giggles. “Would you like to join us miss? If you do come visit, feel free to cook, I would not request it, but if you felt inclined to it would be most appreciative.

Macha Taise, of Cork Descent.
I giggled at Malik's reaction to the prospect of food - kids were the same no matter where!
I pointed towards where the large bonfire was happily burning under supervision and used for grilling, where many people were around, having a blast. And there was the dancefloor not too far away.
"That's where the food is at.", I said with a smile, "Grilled Bull Boar and a few other really nice things, salads, and so on... it's delicious!" I rose and offered my arm to Aither to link, if he wanted, grinning at him and Malik, the latter happily on the former's back. "I would be delighted, if I could join you for dinner. And to cook for you, if I would come for a visit."

Malik:

Malik nodded, “that looks good, lets go to the bonfire!” Malik holds onto Aither wagging happily, he was sniffing away at the different scents as they approached closer. He was ready food and slightly drooled.

---

Aither:

Aither would have offered an arm but he was a bit busy holding onto a rambunctious pup. “Of course, that all sounds good. You are more than welcome to join us now if you wish. I am sure Malik would not mind the company. Perhaps you could help us find some local ‘tourist’ spots eh? Or perhaps a gun range…” Aither looked to the side wondering what sports they had. “Heck, I will take archery or fencing at this point.” He chuckled as he thought of the different events. “Oh, speaking of events, are there some championships or events going to be happening?”

[Mervay]

Gawain Folaíochta, of Wicklow's Tribe.
When Lucas watched the little foxes play, I couldn't help but smile myself, watching them - they all seemed so happy, cheerful and carefree as they rolled around, chased after each other and generally had a fun time. Brushing them later would be fun!
Then Lucas asked for my love life.
"Oh, that is... complicated, might be word.", I said and the wolf ears on my head drooped a bit. "I am currently single and have been for... three centuries, now, I think, short flings not counted. I won't bore you with the details, but let's just leave it at that."
I smiled at the two of them.
"Watching you two warms my heart.", I found myself saying.

Leonard Rualacha of the Tribe of Wicklow.
I smiled and nodded.
"Actually, yes.", I admitted, "Not many foreigners know our tongue, and even fewer to that level of skill. And..." I looked at her and spoke, trying to omit my own accent so that she could understand more easily: "...you sound beautiful."
I let that sink in as we continued down the road to the hotel, where in a small side street, there was a bar - and a chance to know each other more closely.

Lisolette Devienne and Lucas Walker
Ouch... Well guess that happens when you're single for three centuries. Which is a lot of time, to say at least of course. Both Lucas and Lise saw Gawain's ears loweing a bit from the question, it made them ask how is that he hasn't found that special other, perhaps it might be because the animal spirits are very limited regarding long term couples.

"You'll find someone soon my friend." Lise comforted him with a smile on her face as so her boyfriend.

"Yeah. Don't worry about it, everything in it's due time." He said at him smiling too.

Of course then he cheered up by how lovely those two were as a couple, perhaps they should tell him the news that could - or rather will - happen. Still, it made them blush to hear such words, with both of them having their cheeks like tomatos.

"Well, thank you for such words we appreciate them." Lisolette said, after a minute of trying to get her embarassment off a bit. Which considering what she's going to say; it might be possible that it will stay a bit longer. "Just before we saw you, Lucas proposed me marriage and well..." She couldn't bring herself to say that she did accepted it but with a condition so; Lucas decided to tell it.

"She accepted it, but with the condition that we date one year to make sure we know we aren't being too rushed on the decision." Compared to his girlfriend, he seemed much calm when saying it albeit if someone had the power to read the mind and emotions, they would notice he was as flustered as she was.

Athena Freezis
It was true that not many foreigners have a hand related to learning Selkie, it was difficult for sure and everyone around here spoke english with fluently as it was the international language around the world. Before Athena could speak tho; Leo spoke in Selkie, both of them had their face looking to the other and he, he decided to tease her a bit it seemed. Well, it had to be said that it worked since it made the violet eyed woman blush as she heard that. She couldn't think of nothing to strike back and just replied a bit embarassed.

"T-thank you." her eyes gazed away of him as she was flustered, however it wouldn't last long before she saw they were already close to the hotel and, just at a side street, the bar.

Before they got there however, there was something that Athena felt it should be asked.

"By the way Leo??" She switched back to english while her face was returning to normal. "Could I ask how old are you??"