Posted by Civilian Seamus McKenzie (Future Citizen) in Laying Cornerstones

Posted by Civilian Ragna Idun McKenzie (Future Citizen) in Laying Cornerstones

Posted by Civilian Seamus McKenzie (Future Citizen) in Laying Cornerstones
Posted by… suppressed (57) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Ragna sat in front of the computer, compiling and sorting all the journaling Runa had sent from the colony ship. It at least was giving Ragna something to do. She couldn’t go out and set up for the meadery yet. It wasn’t built, though the construction crew and the city planners had gotten the permits and started. She wanted to go out, but she also knew she would hover. On top of that she was irritable so that would make her rude and show her temper. That wasn’t a good combination.

The hotel gym wasn’t nearly a release enough. She was bored and feeling rather useless. She was supposed to be helping get power and water established on the land Mike and Revna bought, but Mike was being closed mouthed and having her wait. She sat in the penthouse being useless. She rubbed her temples as they began to pound. She stood up from the desk and paced like a caged tiger in front of the too large windows that only looked out at buildings and hover cars and sliders. In a fit of temper she picked up a pillow and threw it across the room. She would have rather thrown the lamp, but that wasn’t easy to clean up. She started cussing in Norwegian, cursing Revna and Runa, Mike and her parents, and Oddvar and anyone else she could think of. She insulted and cursed the colony and lack of anything familiar. She let her temper lose in the confines of her gigantic private non-home. Tossing pillows and anything that wasn’t likely to break.

She threw a tantrum until she could have sworn she heard thunder rumble hard enough to shake the building that sent stabs of pain through her skull. She stumbled into the bedroom looking for wherever they had left the tincture for her migraines. She managed to turn off all the lights and blackout the windows before collapsing on the bed and a haze of pain.

Ragna McKenzie

It was however long later when the curtains were yanked open and Seamus stood over her. “Uh-uh. Nae, lass… we are nae doing tha’ anymore. Ya got nary a reason for a migraine. None. No weather. No pressure systems. No allergens. If’n ya feel like ya wanna hide yer hed and be pissy, go right on. I, on tha other hand, am going ta check out the Farmer’s Market and see how the foundation for the Meadery came out. Ya can join me or ya can cower like a English lass whose afraid a’ gettin’ her hair wet in the rain.” and he stomped out of the room, down the stairs, and began picking up after Hurricane Ragna. “At least she only threw tha’ soft stuff this time…” he mumbled to himself.

Seamus McKenzie

Ragna almost threw a pillow at him. It would have landed accurately too, right between his shoulder blades. She had sworn to Frigga and Idun she would not take her temper out on Seamus. No matter how irritated, mad, crabby, passed, or angry she got, even if it was at him, she would not let it lose on him.

Did he say a farmer’s market and the meadery? This place had a farmer’s market? Ragna glared at the too bright windows and got up. She righted her self, straightened her hair, and slipped into her shoes. She picked up the shawl she had worked so meticulously to make of the new Clan tartan material Seamus had given her. She fingered the charm of Idun she wore around her neck. She has to do better for him. Even if he wasn’t here to to see it, he knew. She said she would try, and all she had been doing was trying to hide how unhappy she was. She was failing miserably.

She wrapped the shawl around her shoulders and pulled her long white-blonde hair loose as she made her way down the stairs. She didn’t say a word as she started picking up the mess she made. She didn’t know how to say what should be said. Or may even she did and her pride was just in the way.

Ragna

The pillow hit her square on top of the head as she bent down to pick up, and it was followed by a deep chuckle. “Ah, I see fair maid has been gifted with a relief a’ what ailed her. Praise the gods and sing the song of celebration!” he said and began singing under his breath some old Scottish song about a man in a kilt who got too drunk to walk and fell asleep in the bushes by the side of the road. The song continued with two women discovering him… and so on a so forth.

Seamus

Ragna gritted her teeth and counted to 10 in 3 languages. It was his singing that really did more to douse her temper. She still threw a pillow square at his backside. Soon she was smirking. The song was outrageous and bawdy. “I’d gave ya more than a blue ribbon.”

Ragna

“That ya would, and that ya have love of mine.” he said with a glance and a smile in her direction. “Now then… since we seem to have corrected the spontaneous eruption of cushions and pillows that seems to have spontaneously materialized in our living room-” and he grinned at her, “- maybe now we can step outside and see what the fair city has ta offer us, eh? And yes… there really is a Farmer’s Market. Form what I hear, its a big ‘un, too. You ready?”

Seamus

Ragna stood up straight from replacing the last cushion and walked toward him. “Yes Seamus, I’m ready.” She had even grabbed a bag to carry anything they might buy. “Let’s go explore our new home.”

Ragna

Seamus led them downstairs and out of the building. “It’s nae far, let’s walk a bit.” and he offered her his arm.

Ragna slipped her hand into the crook of his elbow. It was familiar and comforting, and one of the few things Ragna didn’t insist on asserting her wild independence. She would never ever admit it out loud, but she liked being on Seamus’ arm.

They walked along the sidewalk. This part of the city was mostly residential high-rises and small shops and restaurants. As they walked, Seamus pointed out a few places and suggested some places they might want to try shopping or eating at. Soon they reached a block with many more pedestrians than elsewhere… the Sloan Square Farmer’s Market.

Ragna made the effort to remember the places that Seamus pointed out. She needed to make the effort to get out on her own. She just hated large crowds and dealing with people. It didn’t cause her anxiety or anything like that, but she was easily annoyed. That never ended well. She’d never been been to a city that was this packed. She’d been to Tokyo and Bejing and San Francisco, but none were this packed with people in such a specific amount of space. Yes the populations were large, even now, and lots of buildings and traffic, but as the world had healed people had spread out and started being more responsible. Oed was…well she knew it was because of the dome, that nothing could grow or live outside it until recently, but it was still overwhelming.

If it was a thousand years earlier- and they were on Earth- it would be the same kind of market and bazaar those societies had. Vendors hawked fresh produce, meats, textile goods, and other handcrafted items. People of a myriad of species and planetary origins bustled and bartered, haggled and harangued, bought and brokered everything from tea cozies to live chickens. Seamus looked down at Ragna and said “See? It’s like The Barras in Glasgow. Except much more diverse.” and he laughed. He knew how much she had enjoyed her forays into the market back home, even if she hated the number of people.

Seamus

Standing next to him, Seamus could feel the tension drain almost instantly out of her. Ragna knew how to fit in here. She knew how to haggle and barter. Though she had nothing to barter with yet. This was familiar. From the sights, the sounds, the smells it was familiar even though it was much more diverse. “Where does it all come from? I thought nothing could be grown on Oed? Not enough for all this,” she waved her hand to encompass the whole market.

Ragna

“They have nurseries, hot houses, greenhouses, and a lot of domed cultivation areas. A population this size could nae import everything, now could it?” Seamus replied with a grin. “And now, since the dome came down, everyone is expanding the green spaces and making an effort to start up farms and such. The soil is actually really fertile, surprisingly, as long as you can account for the base biomes and microbial life. Folks ‘ave been working on that for a while. And it’s getting decent results. I’m actually working some of what they’ve done inta the terraforming areas. We’ll have trees in the next two or three years, I think.”

Seamus

No, Ragna knew they couldn’t import it all. She supposed she hadn’t put much thought into it. She had read as much as she could get her hands on before they left, and apparently she wasn’t using the brains the gods graced her with. There had been two domes. One for the city and the second for farming to provide those necessities for the colony. She had seen a few parks dotting the city from their window, but that hadn’t screamed home and sustainability to her. She grin as Seamus talked and they walked through the first stalls. “You are really enjoying it aren’t you? Bringing life back to this planet.”

Ragna

He smiled. “I am. It’s amazing ta see it begin, Ra. And to know that our families, the Clan, are a part of bringing that life back is somethin’ I’ll never not be proud of.” They came to a stall and Seamus stopped. “Here. This is one’a the local beekeepers.” He waited until the few customers in front of them had left and he smiled and waved at the Tellarite. “Geg! This is my wife, Ragna. I told ya about her last week.” Geg offered up a porcine smile and said “Seamus! Good to see you!” His black eyes fell on Ragna and he said “He tells me you make a drink out of honey. Well, I have the finest bees and pollinators on Oed V. Seamus here is even using my babies in his terraforming. I also have the only colonies of native bees here.”

Seamus

“It will be something for our tomes, certainly. You should be proud of it. The act of creation is always a marvel.” She gave him a curious look. “I thought you said there were no insects on Oed yet?” This was exciting for her. Local flowers and honey were something she wanted to try and work with. “A pleasure to meet you Geg. I do. It’s my family’s stock in trade. I am hoping to create a new brew or five out of native honey. I would love to sample what you have.” As far as Ragna was concerned, Seamus had brought Yule several months early.

Ragna

“No insects in the wild.” Seamus clarified. Geg turned and took a small cup and set it below a small spigot. Opening it, a surprisingly red and viscous liquid slowly ran into the cup. The closed the spigot and turned to Ragna. “Here. Native Oed V honey. Careful, it has a kick.”

Ragna took the cup and sniffed it several times and held it up to the light exami ing the color and consistency. Then she tasted it… letting go the flavors flow across her tongue.

The taste was nothing like she had ever had before. As sugary sweet as Earth honey was, this was herbal and floral with only hints of sweet. It had an almost menthol-like finish… and then it was spicy hot. But just for a moment. Enough to make most people eye’s water and illicit a cough or two before it dissapated leaving the trace herbal headdress from before.

Seamus

Her eyes went wide and she grinned. “Reminds me Paannaaq but sharper. What plants did the pollen come from? Are they also native to Oed?”

Ragna

Geg smiled. “They are. The pollen is from Oedian Night Ivy. It only flowers at night, and is a brilliant red color. Oedian bees are nocturnal as well, but only the particular species that pollinates the ivy. All others are crepuscular. Interesting note, though: Night Ivy is extremely toxic. But the process of making the honey removes the toxin. Makes the sting of the bee very painful, though.”

Seamus / Geg

“Interesting.” So not something they could mechanically harvest. All natural process. What Edman Meadery was known for. Ragna liked it. “This would make an excellent Methegen. How long would it take to sustainably harvest…say roughly 2 and a quarter kilograms?”

Ragna

“I do five kilos a day of just this honey.” Geg said with pride. “And I have sixteen other plant-specific honeys, as well as five non-specific. I harvest year round, so that amount is quite doable.”

Seamus / Geg

“I’ll take a pint of this one.” That would be enough to start with, see how it took to the process. The meadery wouldn’t be open any time soon. That didn’t mean Ragna couldn’t work on small amounts. That was how they would experiment and test out new brews anyway. “And then I would love ta come by and talk business with ya.” She could kiss Seamus right then. He’d found exactly what she was hoping for.

Ragna

“Anytime you like, Mrs. McKenzie. I’d be happy to give you the full tour.” Geg said with a smile. Seamus shook his hand and waited while Geg filled a container, and then another. “The second is the blend. On the house.”

Ragna took her shall and did a complicated little fold and knot tying and put the jars into her make-shift bag. “Thank you, Geg. I’ll be in touch.”

Seamus led her from the stall further into the market. “So what would you like to shop for? You ask, I’ll find it for ya.”

Seamus

“A decent bread.” At first Ragna thought it was just some weird exotic bread she should try and get used to. Then she was very specific when she ordered and it was still not good. She didn’t say anything, but when Seamus wouldn’t eat it either, at least she knew she wasn’t being stubbornly picky.

Ragna

“Gods above, yes please.” he agreed. He asked at a few stalls and everyone told him the same name: Hel’ll’s Bread. They wove through the market until they started smelling truly mouth-watering fresh baked bread. They soon found themselves in front of a packed stall. Inside was a stone wood-burning oven in front of which stood a large Klingon. He was busy taking orders and dropping large, round loaves of jet-black bread into brown bags. People simply held up fingers for how many rounds they wanted and the Klingon handed them out, took the credits, and moved on.

Seamus

Ragna inhaled the aroma. There was nothing like the smell of fresh baked bread. As soon as they had their own kitchen she was going to bake and cook until they had nowhere to store it all. She looked at the sign for the prices, “How often is the market open? If it’s even half as good as it smells we should get enough to last till we come back.” The sight of the big burly Klingon baking bread was probably odd, but Ragna liked it. Even other warriors had to eat.

Ragna

“Every week’s end.” Seamus said. His stomach growled at the smell and he chuckled. “We should get enough to last till next week and one to eat while we shop.”

Seamus

Ragna laughed as his stomach growled. “I’m failing in my wifely duties. You’re always hungry.” She eyed the size of the loaves and held up both hands for 6 loaves and then changed her mind to 7. If they had extra that was okay. She was sure it wouldn’t go to waste. She passed the credits over as the bags where handed over. She slipped them in with the honey and took a loaf out, tore off a piece of the still warm round and passed the rest to Seamus. “Hmmmm that’s divine.”

Ragna

Seamus took a bite and nodded slowly. “Gods above… that’s better than your mother’s, but don’t tell her I said that.” he said with a wink. They continued to walk through the market, stopping here and there, until they happened upon a small and out of the way stall that seemed to belong to a local brewery. Seamus looked down at Ragna and said “Well? Wanna check out the competition?”

Seamus

“I think you have just been deprived of quality cooking.” Ragna reached over and tore another bite from the loaf. “It can be better than my mother’s. I won’t tell.” The bread was light in texture but had a hearty grain flavor that would pair well with anything. “As long as you don’t claim tis better than mine.”

Ragna was relieved to find some familiar produce, and even a few alien ones she wanted to try. She eyed the stall Seamus pointed out and nodded. “Yes. Maybe even find something for Mike. Revna said he might open a bar here. And it will give me an idea of what people like around here.” They waited as people moved in and out of the booth to make purchases and then stepped under the canopy themselves.

Ragna

The tent housed a long table and, behind it, three very large copper barrels. A human woman, ebony-skinned with bright hazel eyes, smiled at them and said “Well hello! Welcome to the Terran Tap House. We are brewers of traditional Terran-based beverages including beers, sodas, root beer, and seltzers. We also make bitters and a few other drink enhancers. My name is Gretchen. How can I help you today?”

Seamus

It never did to tell someone that you were their competition. From the sounds of it, Ragna wouldn’t be making anything that was a direct competition with any of their products. Beer and mead were as similar as whisky and wine. “We just moved here from Earth and were looking for a little taste of home. What beers do you have today?”

Ragna

Gretchen smiled and said “Well, first off, welcome to Oed V! And as you are new…” and she held up a finger and turned and went to a small canister on a back table and drew two small glasses of a deep amber liquid. Turning back, she held out one to both Ragna and Seamus. “A little ‘welcome home’ toast!” She picked up a third glass and held it up to them. “This is a sample of our Bayside Butter Rum Shanty. It’s what we use at the brewery to celebrate special occasions. So… here is to a warm welcome and a wonderful time on Oed!”

Seamus tipped his glass to Gretchen and then to Ragna and took a drink. It was chilled slightly, and had the heady forefront of the rum which lingered only a moment before subsiding into a smooth and clean, yet slightly spiced, beer flavor. “Oh… now that is tasty.” he said with a smile and looked at Ragna.

Seamus / Gretchen

Ragna raised her glass to the woman and then to Seamus with a grin on her face. She held the sip on her tongue letting the flavors slide and swirl and coalesce on her taste buds and then enjoyed the smooth feel as it went down. The energizing spice after was a pleasant surprise. “That is quite good. I’ve tasted others that attempted to do something like this, but never quite pulled it off. Do you sell this?”

Ragna

Gretchen shook her head. “Nope. Like I said, special occasions. Completing a particularly hard run. Weddings. Coming of age celebrations. Momentous personal achievements or big holidays are the standard. We do like to welcome new residents with a bit, though. I can give you a small growler.” Seamus nodded emphatically. “Yes please!” and then finished his drink. “What do you have on tap today?”

Gretchen likewise finished hers and said “We have a porter. An amber ale. An IPA.” and Seamus made a face and shook his head. “No, no cleaning agent in a bottle.” and Gretchen laughed. “Right?! I can’t stand the stuff, but we sell a lot of it. We also have a unfiltered wheat beer, two kinds of root beer- regular and cherry-, and a lemon seltzer. We also have all of our bitters available today as well.”

Seamus / Gretchen

“I’d like to try the unfiltered wheat please. What’s your most unique bitter? I’m always on the prowl for something for my brother-in-law. He’s a bit of a beer snob.” Ragna cast an amused glance at Seamus. Revna’s words, not hers.

Ragna

Gretchen smiled and shook her head. “No no, not the beer bitter… cocktail bitters. We distill neutral alcohol and infuse it with all sorts of stuff. Botanicals, minerals, other alcohols… lots and lots. We then bottle it in small batches and sell it mostly to bars and higher-end restaurants who want to create true craft cocktails. They add the bitters to their drinks to add complexity and unique flavor profiles. But, if you have a brother-in-law who really knows his beer, then try this.” She turned and went to one of the large barrels and drew a small glass. She brought it back and handed it to Ragna. “Careful, it’s really strong.” The liquid inside was a deep, rich, dark brown… almost black. But when the light hit it just so, it had a slight blue hue to it. “This is our Kasarak Porter. We age it Romulan ale barrels which gives it that color… and the kick.”

Seamus / Gretchen

Ragna made herself smile politely as she nodded. “I meant your cocktail bitters. I was just curious what your most unique one was.” She took the glass and examined it and took a drink. It was strong, but Ragna didn’t show it. Of course she had a lot of experience with varying types and strengths of brewed beverages. It took a lot to phase her. “Oh that’s…interesting.” She held the glass out to Seamus. “Not sure if he would drink it regularly, but I’m sure he would enjoy trying it.” She turned back to Gretchen, “Do you have anything that is not a Terran based brew?”

Ragna

Gretchen nodded apologetically. “Oh, sorry. We just get a lot of confusion around that. Um… most unique would probably be our honeysuckle, lavender, and black pepper. We have a lot of bartenders tell us that it’s the most challenging to work with, but the results are amazing.” As she spoke, Seamus tried the porter. It was good, but a far cry from his wife’s mead. “I like it. Mike probably would, too. He’d probably carry at one of his places, I bet.” He looked at Gretchen and said “My brother owns a bunch of bars all over. I’m sure he’d want to do business with local brewers if he sets up shop here. Can you do commercial supply as well?” Gretchen nodded emphatically. “Absolutely. We supply over ten local bars and restaurants with various brews.” Seamus nodded and then looked at Ragna. “What do ya think, wife? Take some home?”

Seamus / Gretchen

Ragna nodded. “A growler each of the Unfiktered and the Porter. We’ll send your information on to his brother. I’m sure he’ll be in touch.”

Ragna

Gretchen poured the growler, put them in a bag, and dropped a box inside with them. “A sample of the bitters. On the house. I’d love to hear your opinion of them, Mrs. …?”

Gretchen

“Thank you. I appreciate that. It’s McKenzie. Ragna McKenzie and this is Seamus.” It never failed that her voice carried an extreme amount of pride at having Seamus’ name, to be a part of his clan, and his wife. “I’ll be sure to come back next week and let you know. I’m sure we’ll enjoy them.”

Ragna

“Please do. I look forward to seeing you both again.” Gretchen said with a wave and went to wait on the next customers that had come in.

Seamus led Ragna out of the stall and he took a deep breath. Between the bread and the drink, he was feeling much better. “So? Where’ta now, my darlin’ bride?” he asked with a grin.

Seamus

Ragna looked around, the market was large and packed with booths close together and more and more people. “I don’ know. There’s a lot here.” She turned in a circle looking at all the different stalls and offerings, and then asked what she really wanted to know. “When do we get to move to the dome? It seems kind of pointless to buy much when we can’t really use it yet.”

Ragna

Seamus put an arm around her and said “Soon, but it will be long enough we will have to be in the apartment for a while. So get what you want. And if it doesn’t get used we will take it with us.”

Seamus

Ragna nodded. She felt so unsettled here. Their home wasn’t theirs and her work was stalled. But with the honey she’d gotten she could at least start experimenting. She leaned into his side for a moment. “I was more worried about it going bad. I hate wasting things.” She scanned the market again. “That looks like a spice stall and a dairy one just down from it. Let’s try there.”

Ragna

“I led us this far, lass. Lead on.” Seamus said and gestured ahead with a sweep of his arm.

Seamus

Ragna turned toward the spice stall. It was filled with containers and bowls of a rainbow of spices: whole, chopped, grated, powdered. There were ample samples too. Fruit, vegetables of all kinds, even some meats seasoned with them. Ragna spent some time picking a handful of things she had never tried before, and some she did. There was a white meat that looked and had the texture of rabbit, but a flavor she didn’t recognize. She picked up a second and offered it to Seamus.

Ragna

Bump

Seamus popped the sample in his mouth and chewed. He was thoughtful a moment and then looked at the merchant. “Tastes kind of like Terran halibut, but a bit more like beef. What is it?” The merchant, a Caitan woman, smiled and said “Oedian white fish. We have a fish farm where we managed to save some of the native species. Even bred them back up to commercially viable levels.... as long as the ‘commercial’ is limited to the market.” and she laughed dryly. Semaus nodded. “I’d like to see that place sometime.” he reached in a pocket and pulled out an antiquated item for all intents and purposes… a card of paper. On it was his name, his comm frequency, and his title: Director of Conservation, Oed V. The feline female looked at it and her eyebrows raised. “Really? Oh, of course we would love to show you what we’ve done! I’ll call your office next week and set up a tour!” Seamus nodded and then bought them some of the fish and fruits, loading it all in a bag. and he looked at Ragna. “All of these small bites have primed my pump. I’m starving. Want to drop off at the apartment and get some lunch?”

Seamus

While Seamus had been briefly discussing fish and making purchases, Ragna had a small horde of spices and herbs that almost over flowed her makeshift bag. Their kitchen was small, and not much of a kitchen really. The idea of taking everything they bought and making a meal of it herself brought a little more energy to her step. Of course it would probably be dinner before she did. If Seamus was ‘starving’ she doubted he’d want to wait while she experimented with everything and cooked. That was okay though, they still were supposed to go inspect the meadery and such today. “I am too, and we have enough to not need to order room service tonight.” Only Ragna would think that sounded devine - to not take advantage of such a luxury. She wove her way out of the crowds around the market and back towards their hotel.

Ragna

Bump

Seamus walked beside her and when they reached the building, he said “Wait here. I’ll run these things up. Think about what you want ta eat, lass. From what i get, this place has everything.” and he went inside.

Ragna nodded, but kissed him suddenly, just a quick peck, before he went inside. She waited outside the Seven Palms. She still thought it was overly extravagant, and was impatient to move into their home. Whatever that might look like. She had honey and spices to experiment with now, and that brightened her day.

A few minutes after he went in, Seamus came out. “So? Whaddya think?”

Seamus

“Ummm, well I saw this place when I went and had my dagger fixed when it chipped. The sign claims they have food from all over the quadrant. We could try something new?” She wasn’t so sure about whether she would like it or not, but the things at the market were very good. Plus she had given Seamus her word. She was going to do better about trying.

Ragna

“You lead, I’ll follow. ‘Sides… the view is better that way.” and he grinned at her before taking her hand in his and starting off. “Do we walk? Or take a slider?” he asked.

Seamus

She started walking. “Let’s walk. It’s not far.” Not for the two of them who were used to walking just about everywhere. She missed their long walks near their home. The city wasn’t the same, but they hadn’t done that since they got here. Ragna gave him a hot saucy look. “Do you remember that last long walk we took before we boarded the ship? The *view’ was so good we never made it ta the hot spring.”

Ragna

“Aye.” Seamus said with a grin. “Not that we needed tha spring. As I recall, things got plenty hot as it were.” and he laughed. He took her hand in his own and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I also seem ta recall a certain fox and ram interrupting things and us coolin’ off in the creek.”

Seamus

“I recall the creek turning inta another hot spring.” Ragna laughed. “Until Aurora chased a very upset Angus into the water with us. I miss them.” She sighed as she turned at an intersection. “They wouldn’t be happy in the hotel though. Runa said Angus is trying to order the horses around like he does his ladies.”

Ragna

“I’m gonna have’ta make sure that bloody sheep has extra space ta run about when we get the dome built. He’s nae gonna be fit ta live with for weeks after gettin’ off that damned ship.” Seamus said with a resigned laugh.

Seamus

Ragne laughed, “We are both going to be bruised for as many times as he will ram us over and hop around on those hooves in excitement. Aurora will probably dig holes everywhere.” Rafna sighed with a grin. “Angus will probably have a nervous break down trying to decide if he is following you or me around. The sheep will keep him busy, hopefully.” Ragna turned down another street which held several artesian workshops. Half a block down was The Harmonic Tree. “There it is.”

Ragna

Seamus looked and said “Interesting name for a restaurant.” he said as they approached. “Butbit smells good.”

Seamus

Ragna shrugged. Everything here was strange. Even stranger was the site that accompanied them when they entered. Soft harmonious music played, soft stained wood covered the floors, walls, ceiling. There was soft light and gentle aroma coming from diffusers the gurgling softly.

A woman wearing a long, soft, silk like robe came out from behind a patrician. “Welcome to The Harmonic Tree. I am Kaleesa. How may I serve you?”

Ragna looked up at Seamus and back to the woman. “I’m sorry. We thought this was a restaurant.”

“Oh, it is.” The woman’s smile was enigmatic. “The Harmonic Tree takes great pride in fulfilling all apatites. From nutritional to intellectual to the carnal. Come,” she waved them forward, “I will take you to a room. You will start with a selection of edible aphrodisiacs from across the quadrants while you peruse the menu.”

Ragna looked at Seamus again. Did that woman just say what she thought she said?

Ragna

Seamus tried. Oh how he tried. He loved his wife. Adored her, even. And he knew the prideful streak that ran through her was only slightly larger than her sense of tradition… comportment… and decorum. ESPECIALLY in public and around strangers. He knew she had no idea what the place was. And he knew that if this wasn’t handled in just the right way, Ragna’s embarrassment would be off the scale. And that embarrassment would enflame her rage… of which she had plenty. Yes, Seamus knew all of this. And he tried…

… and failed spectacularly.

The laughter that erupted from the massive Scot echoed through the establishment and he fell to one knee as the laughter refused to be abated. “You brought us to an all you can eat brothel for lunch?!?!?!” he said through hysterical laughs and gasps for air. “Gods in heaven I have to tell your sisters about this! They are gonna lose their minds!” and he laughed because he couldn’t stop himself.

Seamus (May He Rest In Peace)

Ragna had no idea that’s what this place was. The sign simply advertised culinary experiences from around the quadrant. Ragna, despite her responsibilities and the people she had met, was very sheltered and spoiled. Her face flamed bright enough to put the room in full light. This was the kind of place she could see Runa visiting, but not her.

Seamus began to laugh and the longer he laughed the louder he got, and the more embarrassed Ragna became. It churned her stomach, and her temper rose, making her feel even more flushed.

“Oh no, not a brothel. A pleasure house. You must provide your own partners.” Keelsa saw the other woman’s embarrassment and smiled gently. The man’s laughter wasn’t helping. “It’s alright. Everyone has a first time, and it is completely normal to be curious.”

Curious? Ragna was most certainly not curious. Well maybe from an anthropological stand point, but … not like that. And Seamus was going to tell her sisters. She began to curse him flawless Gaelic. Him, Mike and Revna for sending her there, Runa for whatever torture she would put Ragna through later, and Capall for getting to travel on the colony ship instead of Seamus.

The longer she went, the more her temper rose and the louder and more explicit she became in her anger and the more embarrassed she became. Not just the situation but her behavior, but she couldn’t seem to stop.

She stormed out of, whatever that place was, heading in a random direction, before she started crying in front of them. She hated Oed and she hated Revna for sending her there.

Ragna