Moira, I'm tryin' t' fill yer 7-league boots here wi' these Gaians, but I'm challenged, lass. It's hard t' fit in wi' a bunch o' hard-drinkin' reprobates when ye can't join em in a drop o' the devil, eh?
I'll see as to which o' em I can get sobered up long enough t' fly down and resume drinkin' on yer tab, eh?
Ahh.. I see we will indeed have guests. Moira will be delighted! She spent more time choosing drapes than I did building the Veranda the first time! I suppose a woman's touch is.. worth the wait, eh?
To our TAZ and Zoner friends: Always a pleasure! We have new TAZ members who need to get acquainted with our ZA allies. Thanks for replying Annette and Cadmus. Eric, welcome as well.
Doc, our "ladies" are not to do any work during the Fest. Their only duties will be to sit on the porch and greet our guests. We have house staff for the heavy lifting, eh? Mal, you are forbidden from preaching, altho you can bless the hors' d'oeuvres if you so desire. And no wasting bandwith discussing Hermeticism with your mysterious Gallian friend!
Ahh, Shamus! The TAZ misses you, boyo! But, you've always been a rover. London Drugs, 1st Flax, almost a year with Dis and the Gammu big brain. I'm sure you're a valued addition to the [NLH], Shamus. Sober them up, and shoo them along! Perhaps we can get away for a short jaunt over to Lanzarote.. pay our respects to your "earthly remains" orbiting the planet, eh?
Captain of the Lucrative, I didn't catch the name, sir; but nontheless we'll be looking for you.
Ze'ev, damn it, I don't know what to tell you, sir. Perhaps a discreet inbound shuttle without the Phant.. *cough* .. "regular" IFF? Life was much easier when you were merely an angry Farmer, old friend.
At any rate, Moira and I look forward to "seeing" you all, and showing you around the Plantation, "Ranchita", and surrounding points of interest.
No worries, old friend. I'll leave my Robes at home. I should still have that theadbare mauve lounging jacket down there...
...Wait.. it would have been incinerated along with the "old" Veranda.
I'll just borrow a wrinkled plaid shirt and baggy chinos from my "couch" guest.
Oh, and as to giving Cagliostro access to FnordNet, I'll make sure there's a panic button and a timer. Besides, what can he learn that we haven't both known for 23 thousand years or so, eh?
Blue sapphire and tonic, remember. I'll be down late tonight or early tomorrow. Smooch to Moira.
Been awhile, Reggie! Whatcha been up to? We'll hafta trade stories over somma that Kallisti Gold, there...I know Dhalia's looking forward to it - already has her pastel sundress picked out. Mathias is stoked I told him he gets to be our "honor guard". And Graham, smart fella he is, just wants some KG. Say, does catnip grow on GC? And...all food provided, or shall I bring some good 'ole fashioned barbecue? My catmometer tells me when it's done just right.
Anyhoo, lookin' forward to seein' you again, and your new wife. Groncats!
*Sigh* "Moira, we may not be seeing many fly-in's this evening. The Net is reporting massive ion storms throughout Sirius. Nav systems will be shot to Thud for several hours at least. I'm sorry, my dear."
"Now Reggie, cheer up, me luv. FnordNet can still handle comms, and we'll conduct a wee holo tour of the Plantation and our new lovely home in the meantime. And the heartier souls can park their own bloody tubs t' get here. Gizza peck!"
//Lesson: Events during peak server loads are futile. M & R
In orbit now Mister and Misses Waverly me and my wife Mellissa will be there shortly. Taking care of some last minute business here on the Goldsteen Express.
Incoming Transmission: Unsecured Frequency
Transmission Source: Planet Gran Canaria
Greetings Waverly's,
Sorry to hear about the ion storms and heavy traffic. We were already docked here, but was late on getting off of the pad ourselves. We did see Mr. Goldsteen in orbit and he told us of the unfortunate events.
Maybe we'll catch you later, and once again congratulations.
Mr and Mrs Waverly, I do apologize for my late response, seems I missed this transmission. I'll be leaving for Canaria shortly, the company yacht is being prepared for the trip. I hope we don't miss all of the fun and I look forward to meeting both of you.
The Main Atrium of the Veranda began to slowly come alive, as the crews of the Lucrative and the Goldsteen's Yacht began to mingle. They had approached each other cautiously at first, but soon began to swap tales of past flights and explorations. Mrs. Goldsteen was regaling Moira and a small audience about their recent encounter with pirates in Baffin, of all places.
Just then, Malaclypse entered the Atrium, a rather sad look on his weathered but handsome face.
"Bloody Thud, Reggie, those poor dolphins over at Crater Lake have become morose! They swim up to the glass, but they don't chirp and do somersaults like they used to. I think that a year without Alan around has "de-socialized" the poor creatures."
"Probably true, my old friend." agreed Reggie. "Neither Moira nor I have had the time lately to go visit them, except briefly. I'll suggest to our staff that they spend some of their off-time over there. We are after all Alan's custodians, and we should look after more than just their basic needs."
Mal leaned closer to Reggie and spoke softly. "Invite a few of these freeloaders to visit the bar over there, Reg. The selection is just as good; and I'll wager damn few of them have ever heard of dolphins, let alone seen one."
Reggie smiled and nodded, and the two turned to join Moira, Mrs. Goldsteen, and their rapt audience