Kanae goes to College

by keithallen

3rd Highland Diclonius story : Little Kanae is grown up and goes to America for college. She is after a good education, also since all the boys in town are afraid of her due to her famous mother Kaede, she's looking for a boyfriend as well. As far as Genra, you pick.

11. Chapter 11

CH 11

From their hard work, the house was looking nice. Nancy had nailed it on the colors of the rooms, Bill had broken or questionable things fixed and was in the process of making the basement over with a concrete floor so they could put a rooms down there.

This time it was Duncan and Amanda who came to bring Kanae and Randy back to Scotland. They came in the morning, the day after the last day of classes.

In the house, there wasn't any formality. Kanae and Tracy were in pants and shirts making a late breakfast, Bill and Randy were down in the basement spreading the last of the gravel for the base of the new floor. Nancy had stayed over and was coming out of her room in her nightgown when the front door opened and a strong male voice called out, "Kanae ya here?"

Kanae called from the kitchen. "Here, Grandpa! Come on in, we're making breakfast!"

Nancy stopped in the hallway and gaped. He was here. Right here in front of her. Frozen in place and gripping the handrail, she weakly asked, "Duncan McLeod?"

He came in with a dark haired woman. With a winning smile he waved to her. "Hi. Yes I'm Duncan, this is Amanda."

The man was a god! Weak at the knees, Nancy gazed at her fantasy romantic hero standing before her, and passed out.

Seeing the woman drop to the floor, Duncan called, "Kanae! One of your housemates just passed out!"

Kanae ran out and lifted Nancy up to take her back into the guest bedroom and lay her back in bed. She then explained to Duncan that Nancy loved that book, 'The blade of the McLeods' and believed it all really happened.

Duncan grumbled, Amanda had a good chuckle over it. Grinning broadly at Duncan, she said, "You're her hero."

"She never should have wrote that book," Duncan grumbled.

Kanae giggled. "She did. Nancy has gathered a tour group to come see the legendary Glen Finnen and their heart throb, Duncan McLeod. So, Mr. Heart throb, ya hungry?"

Duncan face planted. "We're good. Think I'll take a trip very soon."

Amanda laughed. In a sexy tone, she said, "Awww Duncan, you should be happy so many women want you."

Kanae winced. "Ahh, Amanda? I doan wanna hear that bout my Grandpa."

Tracy laughed. "I'll go call the boys up for breakfast."

Halfway through breakfast, Nancy came stumbling out and plopped down in the vacant end seat, looking at nothing. Tracy put a plate of sausage and eggs in front of her and a glass of orange juice.

"Good morning," Tracy beamed at her. "See you made it out."

Focusing on Tracy, Nancy said, "I had the wildest dream! I dreamed I got up and Duncan McLeod himself was standing right here in the house! It seemed so real!"

The table erupted in laughter. Chuckling, Tracy told her, "No dream. You saw him and passed out."

"A bit overwhelmed," Kanae added.

"No it …" Nancy was going to say it couldn't have happened. Looking at Kanae, she then saw Duncan sitting on her other side. Her jaw dropped.

"Doan faint again!" Kanae said firmly. "This is me Grandpa, the real man, not a book character."

Amanda grinned. "Yeah, you don't want to end up face down in your breakfast." That caused more giggles.

Nancy blushed so hard her ears turned red.

Duncan offered, "There's nothing special about me, Marsh made all that up." he said firmly. Indicting Amanda, he said, "This is my friend, Amanda. We came to get Kanae and Randy back home."

Nancy stared at him. Nothing special? He was a grandfather that looked very young for being so. Right beside him was Amanda, the beautiful thief from that book who had lived through the black plague in Europe. He HAD to be covering up who he truly was. "OK," she said weakly.

Bill offered, 'Kanae, by the time you get back, the basement should be done. It's large enough, I was thinking two bedrooms, move the laundry down there, and making a utility room for games or a place for building projects."

Kanae nodded. "That sounds good. We'll have more room. Thank you for doing all that."

"The house will be worth more too," Amanda added. "You only planned to have it for five, six years, right?"

"About," Kanae agreed. "The real estate in this area does have a high turnover rate. I'm sure if I can't sell it, I can rent it out."

"Do a rent to own if you can't sell it right away," Duncan suggested.

"Haven't though about it, but that is an idea," Kanae agreed. "Then the renters will take care'o it knowing it'll be theirs."

They had a nice time while Nancy sat shell shocked, seeing her tragic, romantic hero right here at the table with her. She felt blessed, though a bit embarrassed that she was in her night gown.

After breakfast, Kanae and Randy loaded their luggage in the car Duncan brought. Nancy stayed to wave goodbye to them with Bill and Tracy, she then had to run back to the college to tell her literary group, with a wide open smile, that she had personally met and had breakfast with the REAL Duncan McLeod.

.

The flight back to Scotland was long, but uneventful. A gas stop in Iceland an another at Preswick airport to check into customs, and they flew to Glen Finnen.

Landing in Glen Finnen at 4AM, Duncan parked his plane . They got their luggage out, Duncan left a note they were back on the check in desk and they piled in the Range over.

Being early in the morning, the sun just peeking up on the horizon, Randy gazed at the size of the stone castle. "Wow," he said vacantly. "And you get to live here."

"We so, some come on," Kanae prodded.

Inari came out of the dinning room. "Welcome back" she said and beamed Randy a big smile. "So that's Randy!" She cried and hurried towards him.

Randy braced himself in time for her tight hug.

"Hey lad! Been waitin ta meet ya!" she said happily. "Breakfast will be a while yet, so Kanae show yer lad ta yer room."

"Hi Gramma, it's good ta be home," Kanae said, which earner her a hug too.

"Go take care'o yer stuff an doan ferget, nay babies fore ya graduate!"

Kanae rolled her eyes. "Aye, Gramma."

Inari then went over to put an arm around Duncan and led him back into the dinning room.

Randy had to chuckle under his breath. Inari was graying, but she was still lively. He then got a chance to eye the large foyer and the long stone stairway they went up to the second floor. The floor also was stone and the ceiling high above was supported by thick beams. "Not a place to fall down, huh?"

"Nay," Kanae agreed and led him up to her room as Randy took in the sight around him.

Like everything else here, Kanae didn't have a thin wooden door to her room, but a well made plank door that had to be a few inches thick. The latch also was heavy black iron that looked like it had been hammered into shape.

Going into her room, the large poster bed was the first to catch his attention. It looked fluffy and comfortable. The posts were not plain, either. They were spiraled and had designs running up the posts. With the thick light blue carpet on the floor and the tall free standing closet and a desk, along with a pair of stuffed chairs facing the fireplace, Randy said, "Wow, this looks like a room for a princess."

Kanae beamed him a smile. "Bet'er than the dorm rooms, fer sure."

"So you ARE a princess," Randy concluded.

Kanae grinned. "Nay, all the bedrooms'r like this. Gotta remember, ain't got nay central heat. In the winter, that fireplace keeps the room warm. Same with the carpeting. It's insulation."

It was then Randy noted the walls weren't painted, but had full length carpets on them as the floor did. He also noted a few pictures hung on the walls with pins. Some were people, one was the picture of castle ruins.

Kanae opened the standing closet. She motioned him over. "Should have plenty'o room for both our things."

Like the outside, the inside of the closet was polished. No pressboard or laminates here, that closet was thick, solid wood. Even the clothes hanger bar was a polished wooden rod. It may be old, but this place was nice.

After they got their clothes put away, Kanae took Randy on a tour of the castle. The second floor was mostly all bedrooms. There was wide a second floor balcony that had a great view.

Going up a tightly winding stone staircase to the third floor Kanae explained these rooms were rarely used. She showed him one full of toys and dolls. "This was me upstairs play room. I didn have'ta pick me toys up."

Randy scanned all the toys and dolls lying on the floor. "I can see that."

She took him up to show him the generator room in one tower, then back down to climb all the way up onto another tower. There was nothing on top of this tower except a wall around the outside.

"Ya kin see ferever up here," Kanae said.

Randy noted they were way up in the air. "Yeah, It's like being on top of the world," he agreed.

"Aye, and Gramma did that song standin up here on the rim wall." Kanae said, then jumped up on the wall to turn and smile at him.

Randy's heart went up into his thoat. "Kanae! You could fall!" he cried and reached for her.

Kanae giggled and jumped down into his arms. "Nay worries lad, useta jump off fer fun wit Nana. But doan ya do it, ya got no way at stop yerself fore ya hit the ground."

Randy chuckled. "only you," he said with a smile.

"Naw, caught Mom and Gramma doing it a couple times too. It's a real rush. Ya git moving fast."

"I bet. I also think this would be a great place to make out." Randy said with a grin.

Kanae pointed to the other tower that didn't have a big windmill on it. "Gramma said I was conceived over on that tower."

Randy laughed. "Things you don't want to know?"

"Aye, a bit embarrassin." Kanae admitted sheepishly.

Going back down the stairs, Randy hear a bell ring. "Where's that coming from?"

"Kitchen, breakfast is ready."

It took them a few minutes to get all the way back down to the first floor. Going into the dinning room, Randy saw an armchair made from a solid piece of stone. It looked heavy. Carved in the Backrest was : McLeod.

Seeing him looking at it, Kanae said, "Mom made that years ago fore I was born. We've made lots of our own things."

Seeing how smooth the stone was, Randy said, "She did a great job on it."

"Thank ya lad, now come sit!" Kaede called from the long table.

Like everything else here, the table that had to be thirty feet long was polished plank. Again, there was a fireplace at each end of the room. Two empty spots were at this end where the family was gathered together.

Everyone knew Kanae was bringing her boyfriend home, so this end of the table was full. No one wore hats, so the women with horns were showing. He got introduced to everyone. Randy sat by Kanae with Nana on his other side.

"Randy, you gonna marry Kanae?" Nana asked eagerly.

"We haven't talked abut that yet. We're still in college," he told her.

Nana eyed him. "So? Aint got another lass, do ya?"

"No, just Kanae."

"Did ya want another lass?"

"No, I don't."

"Then why not git married?" Nana asked, looking confused.

"Cold feet, Randy?" Richie asked from farther down.

"What's yer excuse? Ya been wit Roberta how many years now?" Kaede asked Richie.

"Yeah, what's your excuse?" the Latino woman, Roberta, beside him asked.

That brought some chuckles.

Duncan grinned and said, "Careful the stones ya throw doan come back at ya, Richie."

"Really how many years ya been livin tagether? For I was born, right?" Uzuki asked

"Maybe we should git Roberta a pizza necklace." Mayu said.

That brought a round of laughter what made Richie squirm a bit. "We just haven't had the time," he said.

"The Father or the Priest would gladly come up ta have a ceremony right up here," Inari told him. "Want me ta ask'im?"

Kanae giggled. "Should I git ya a shovel, Uncle Richie? Looks like yer diggin yerself a hole."

Everyone laughed again.

With a sigh, Richie said, "I'll shut up now." Which caused more mirth.

Kanae asked, "Who's going down ta the Inn taday?"

"I am with Uzuki," Nana said.

"Cross country?" Kanae asked.

"Aye! You an Randy coming too?"

Kana looked at Randy, "Might take a bit longer, I'm gonna show'im some sights along the way."

"Awww, nay race?" Nana asked with a frown.

"Nay taday. Well, maybe later," Kanae replied.

"Footrace?" Randy asked.

Nana giggled, "Nay, flyin race!"

Kaede let out a snort of a chuckle. "Ya got a few things ta learn, Randy."

Beside him Kanae giggled.

Randy had to wonder what this 'flying race' was.

Looking at him, Uzuki laughed. "Is he gonna be surprised!"

Kanae patted his arm. "Just hold on tight, dear."

"Kanae, doan terrorize yer lad," Inari said with a grin.

"Least, nay yet …wait til yer married," Duncan added.

More chuckles went around the table.

After the fun breakfast, Kanae and Randy followed Nana and Uzuki out the back of the castle holding hands. Going outside, he expected to see ultra lights, gliders or some kind of flying craft. There was nothing out here.

He then saw Uziki climb up on Nana, her arms over Nana's shoulders, her legs around her.

"Randy, up on me, like Uzuki is on Nana." Kaede said and got in front of him.

"Climb on you?"

"Aye, doan worry, it'll be fine."

Randy put his arms over her shoulders in a lose hug. She pulled his arms down and planted his hands on her breasts. "Hold on tight," she said. "Legs too."

He was wondering if that was a good idea, then saw Nana jump high in the air. She kept going a long way.

Kanae picked his legs up. "Hold on," she said and jumped up.

It was like they'd been shot out of a catapult. He did hold on tight as they flew through the air. He got worried when they came to a long down slope and kept falling. Then another hard thrust shot them over the valley.

Holy Shit! Kanae was flying! They went over the next hill and part way down, then Kanae was falling towards the ground. She slowed in the air and landed.

"Gotta show ya this." she said.

Randy got down, still breathing in pants from the fright of sailing uncontrolled through the air.

"Ya all right, Lad?" Kanae asked.

He nodded. "You … you can fly!"

"Aye lad. Come on, the valley's a short walk from here."

Still in a bit of shock from this new travel method, Randy held her hand as they came to a steep sided valley.

Pointing down at the deep valley, Kanae asked "Ain't this pretty?"

Randy looked down on the valley. A wide, shallow looking stream ran down through it. "Yeah. It's pristine. Not a single hint of civilization anywhere. I didn't think there was anyplace on Earth left like this. Look, there's deer in the stream. Animals everywhere."

"Couple kilometers up that stream is the Pagan ritual valley," Kanae explained. "They use that valley just for the reason no one ever comes out here, it's too hard for most folks ta get to. They worship nature, and here it's still in all it's glory. Ye'll never see a more pristine place than this."

"I think you're right," Randy agreed. "How'd you find it?"

"Nana found it. She brought me here ta see it. An ya never wanna go down there lest yer a pagan. This is like holy ground ta'em. Even if ya chopped a tree down, or collected firewood it'd raise their ire. Gotta respect'em."

"Yeah," Randy breathed. "I take it they don't mind you flying through?"

"Nay, we doan touch nothin, they know we'll respect their place."

"This is a special place," Randy said.

"Come on, back up an on, we gotta git movin."

.

With his ride on 'air Kanae', Randy saw some of the most pristine land he'd ever laid eyes on. No roads, houses or even camps. When they did come to a road, Kanae dropped down between the trees before they got to the road, and walked the last couple hundred yards.

On the road, they walked a short way to see a big lake that stretched off into the distance. Kanae pointed and said, "See that tower by the water with a statue of a man on it? That's the Highlander. It's a tribute to the men who went and fought wit Bonnie Prince Charlie. The Inn's back up the road, this way."

Walking up the road that didn't have any lines on it, Randy noticed how clean it was here. This was a pretty land. "I can see why you like living here," he said. "Its very nice, and quiet."

"Aye, tis a great land. Everything good I know, is here now," she said and offered him a smile.

"Thank you for bringing me," Randy said sincerely. He then winced. "Shoulda brought my camera."

"We'll come back round this way." Kanae assured him.

Getting up to the Lenui Inn, Randy opened the doors for Kanae. The only people he saw inside was a gray haired woman on this side of the bar, talking to Nana behind the bar. Nana looked around her and said, "What took ya so long? Ya stop an make out some on the way?"

"No! I was showing Randy around," Kanae called back.

The older woman turned around to look at them. "Well, if it ain't little Kanae! Git over here! Ya got yer own lad?"

Kanae pulled Randy over to them. "Hi Rachel, this is me lad, Randy. We're in college tagether." she beamed.

"Aren't you all grown up," Rachel said visually inspecting Kanae. "I kin remember ya in the hospital when ya were first born." She waved Kanae closer and hugged her. "So, how ya been doin Lass?"

"Been good. Studyin hard. We're in the Medical field. Got some tough classes, but we're doing good. Top'o the class, both of us. Got a house in town so we kin study in peace too."

"Good fer you!" Rachel then frowned and asked, "Ain't takin after yer mom too much, are ya?"

Shrugging a shoulder, Kanae meekly said, "Nay much. Been working at the local hospitals, saving a few unsavables."

"Ya keep doin that. I love yer mom dearly, but she kin be more than a bit on the violent side. Doan ya git roped inta that." Rachel said firmly.

"K, Rachel. I'll try me best."

Rachel then turned on Randy. "So what's yer story, lad?"

"I just came for vacation with Kanae. She's talked about this place so much, I had to see it. She's right, this is a wonderful place. Kinda wish I grew up here too."

Rachel chuckled. "Bet Kanae will have ya in a kilt and practicin bagpipes fore ya leave."

Randy and Kanae laughed.

Kanae asked, "How's yer Lad, Tom?"

Rachel sighed. We're gittin old, Kanae. He ain't doin the best but hangin in there. We already talked about it. We both decided when it's our time, it's our time. We've lived good lives. Nay nursing homes er long hospital stays fer us. If we can't live like we want, then it's over."

Kanae frowned. "Ya know we'll really miss ya."

"I'm sure ya will, but it ain't happenin yet, so doan git all weepy. An so ya know, when we finally do kick, yer Mom's gettin the Inn. Least I kin do fer all she's done fer me." Rachel then nodded to Nana. "Sides, Nana all but runs this place herself now. I know she'll keep it up. So, how long ya stayin?"

"Four weeks, the whole summer break. We're gonna take a ride on the Sea Witch next week, just a run down an see Paris. Got some others comin on a tour as well in a couple days. Gonna show'em round a bit for they move on," Kanae explained.

"Kanae, ya or Randy thirsty?" Nana asked.

"Wee bit. Nay ale, how bout wine coolers?" Kanae asked.

Nana nodded. "What flavor?"

Kanae looked over at the glass fronted cooler. "Say a strawberry fer me?" They looked at Randy. He shrugged. "Grape?"

Nana retrieved them, popped the caps and handed them over.

"Nana, I gotta be going, see ya later." Rachel said with a wave.

"Take care Rachel," Nana said, which was echoed by Kanae and Randy. Randy went over and held the door for her.

"Thank ya lad," Rachel told him and left.

Nana let out a sigh. "Ya know Kanae, Nana thinks that's gonna start botherin Mom a lot."

Kanae perked up. "What's that?"

"Seein people she loves dyin, and she ain't never gonna. I know it bothers Grandpa." Nana said sadly.

"Yeah," Kanae agreed weakly. "Some think livin ferever would be great. Gotta wonder bout that."

Nana then looked at Randy. "Um, does Randy know?"

Kanae chuckled. "He does now. Doan worry, Mom already had that talk wit'im."

Nana gave Kanae a light poke in the shoulder. "Really Kanae, when ya gittin married? Mom wouldn't'a said nothin if she wasn't sure ya were."

Seeing Nana was eyeing him, Randy said, "Most likely after college. It takes all our time studying now and we want to be good at what we do."

"Aye," Kanae agreed.

"Nana, you like running the Inn here?" Randy asked.

"Nana does!" she beamed. "Gotta wear me hat all day, but that ain't a big thing. Mayu and Uzuki help a lot. Uzuki is upstairs now, cleaning the guest rooms. We doan have many customers till lunch time. A couple local lasses also come in on different days. Oh, Kanae, Gretchen's been workin here too on the weekends. She bring in the fish and cook's en up right here. Gives us enough fer the whole week. It's cheaper and fresher than going to the grocery. Sometimes her son comes in with her."

"Good deal."

Nana giggle, "Gretchen will be happy ya finally got a lad. Fer a while we was worried ya'd never find one."

"Ya shouldn't worry bout that," Kanae told her.

To Randy, Nana said, "Everyone knows bout Mom, so most lads were afraid ta even talk ta Kanae."

"I don't get that," Randy said. "I met Kaede, and yeah, she's powerful, but she's a decent lady."

"At home, Aye," Nana agreed. "Never heard'o the Tidal bay Massacre? Or the Paris slaughter, or Mom wiping out the aliens?"

"Tidal bay Massacre?" Randy asked.

"Long while back, these men after Grandpa beat me an Dad, and kidnapped Mayu. They took'er to the ruins on the Tidal bay. Mom went ta go get'im and found they was raping Mayu. She went crazy and tore'em all up so bad the cops had a hard time figurin out how many there'd been."

"Damn," Randy said blankly.

"Aye, Mom get's a mean-on, and folks better scatter fer their lives."

"Mom's not that bad now," Kanae stated. She then thought about that convention center. They had both been killing machines during that. Nay mercy, just kill as fast as you can.

"Ya just doan see it, Kanae. An I hope ya doan have ta," Nana said firmly.

"Mom does what she has to do," Kanae said firmly.

Nana shifted her gaze out the window. Hearing a motor noise, Kanae and Randy looked too. A short tour bus was pulling into the parking lot.

"Can't be, they're here already?" Kanae asked.

"Customers, this early?' Nana asked.

Sure enough, they saw a gaggle coming around to the entrance, then Nancy walked in with a big smile on her face, raised her camera and got a picture of Kanae, Randy and Nana. "This is perfect! Hi Kanae, Randy!" She ran over and hugged them.

Kanae offered, "This is me older sister, Nana." To Nana she said, This is Nancy and a group from our college."

Nana beamed, "Welcome Nancy! Ya come fer some sight sein?"

"We have! Instead of starting in Inverness, we came straight here to get started!"

"Glad ta have ya! Cop a squat an I'll get yer orders," Nana beamed.

Nancy looked at Kanae. "What did she say?"

Kanae smirked. "Grab yer seats, Nana, I'll help get the orders."

"Thank ya." Nana replied and reached down to get Kanae an ordering pad and pencil.

Seeing everyone looking around, Kanae announced, "Everyone grab a seat, We'll take yer orders."

"Kanae, you're working? I thought you were on vacation?" Nancy asked.

"Just helping Nana. What would ya like?" She then realized something. "Shit, Nana, we're gonna need menus!"

"Menus?" Nana asked. "I'll go look fer'em."

"You don't have menus?" a teacher asked.

Kanae shrugged. "Usually, only locals come here. Everyone knows what we got." She paused and raised a finger, "I know! How bout a Scottish favorite, fish an chips with salt and vinegar and a pint'o ale? Only three pounds."

The swim coach that had come nodded. "That's equivalent to about six dollars, right?"

"Aye Lass."

"I'll take that. It's cheaper than any restaurant meal at home." There were a bunch of nods of agreement.

Uzuki came down from upstairs. She looked round and asked, "Kanae, ya brought a gaggle wit ya?"

Kanae pointed to her. "This is me sister, Uzuki. Uzuki, hon, kin ya start cookin?"

"What's the order?"

Nana ran in from the back room. "I found the menus!" she said, holding a stack of folders. "Come git'em!"

Kanae called out, "Raise yer hand fer fish an chips wit salt and vinegar an a pint'o ale."

Hands shot up. Uzuki counted them. Everyone had a hand up, she got the count then said, "I'll git started," and ran into the back room.

"I'll git pourin," Kanae said and went behind the bar.

Nancy noticed the sword hanging on a post. "Oh, WOW! Kanae, is that your grandfather's sword?"

"It's the Clan Cheiftan's sword," Kanae said. "Aye, it belongs ta Grandpa."

"It's the sword Mom was Knighted with by Queen Elizabeth, right here in the Inn!" Nana added. "The whole town turned out ta see it."

"The sword Duncan McLeod used that killed Kanwolf the Demon!" Nancy said in awe.

Walking over by the sword. Nancy petted it. She explained to all the people watching her, "Legend has it that there was a Demon called Kanwolf. He was slaying many people, but Duncan McLeod killed him with this sword. Years later, Kanwolf came back here to Glen Finnen. Again, Duncan McLeod returned to slay him again, with this very sword."

"Yes, that was in the book!" another girl agreed.

"And Queen Elizabeth the second used this very sword to honor Kaede Kikumura with Knighthood," Nancy said in awe. "This should be in a glass case!"

Nana laughed. "Nay, that would make it hard ta clean. Gotta clean it now an then an wipe it down good with olive oil. Keeps it in top shape."

The swim coach said, "That is a real battle sword. It looks old."

"Doan know how old i'tis, but aye, it's old," Nana said.

"It should be in a museum someplace," someone said.

"Nay, it belongs here, in Glen Finnen," Nana said firmly.

"Got ales!" Kanae announced. She picked up the 16 mugs packed side by side in a circle. She went to a table and four mugs drifted out of the bunch to set down in front of the people here. She went to the next table.

The teacher that came with them asked, "There's no tray. How are you doing that?"

"Magic." Kanae replied with a smirk. She the noticed Nancy was still standing by the sword. "Nancy, park it."

Nancy sat down, Kanae drifted an ale over and set it down in front of her.

"My God," the swim coach breathed. "Kanae, is that how you swim so fast?"

"Nay, the Selkies taught me ta swim. Gotta go see how Uzuki's doin." Kanae said. With the ales passed out, she went in the back room.

An older man wandered in. Looking around, he asked, "Tourists?"

Nana appeared. "Hey Fred, Cop a squat, Ale?"

"Aye lass," he agreed and found a place to sit. He settled down by the blonde Swim coach. "So where ya all from?"

The coach said, "Were from College in the US. We all came to see Kanae's home town."

He eyed her. "Kanae Kikumura? She's in college now? Years been flyin by."

"Here ya go, Fred!" Nana said from behind the bar. An ale floated through the air to set down in front of him.

"Thank ya lass!" He lifted his mug to her and took a drink.

"You live around here? I'm Denise Roberts." The coach said and offered her hand.

Fred shook it. "Fred McLeod. Live down the road, we got a ranch by the Loch. Been in the family fer many generations. Was on me way inta town, so I stopped by ta see Nana." He grinned and winked. "Nana's a great lass. Ain't many stacked like her."

Denise laughed. "You came to see her huge boobs?"

"Why not?" he asked with a shrug. "Wondrous things should be appreciated."

"Hey Fred!" Kanae called as she came out, carrying a stack of thickly wrapped newspaper. "How ya been?"

Fred smiled at her. "Kanae! Wow lass, ya sure grew up nice. Look just like yer Mom."

"Thanks. Ya want some fish an chips?"

"Nay, I gotta head inta town. So yer in college now?"

"Aye, medical studies." Kanae said and started passing the rolled up paper around. As she did, the top opened to show breaded fish on top of thick fries. She put Denise's down and the top unfolded.

"Yer gonna be a doctor?" Fred asked. "Seems fittin, Ya got the knack from yer mom, eh?"

"Aye, I wanna help people," Kanae said.

"Good fer ya, Lass!" Fred cheered with a raised mug. "Put that talent ta use."

Although Kanae hadn't planned on being a waitress today, she was having a good time. Once the serving was done, she sat at the bar with Randy to talk to Nana. Fred finished his ale and brought the mug and his money up to the bar by them. He thanked Nana again, then clapped Randy on the shoulder.

"Doan let'er git away," he said quietly, then bayed his goodbyes.

Much of the room called, "Bye, Fred!"

Nancy then came up beside Kanae with her mostly eaten Fish. "This tastes a bit strange, but I can get real used to this! You have something you want us to see?"

Kanae looked down at her shoes. "Lass, yer gonna need boots on. We ain't walking on nay roads or paths an it kin git muddy." She then decided she should tell everyone. Turning to face the crowd, she announced, "Everyone, listen up! If ya wanna go, I'll take ya ta see a real Pagan ritual ground, but it's a hike and ya gotta have boots on." Lifting her leg, she pointed to her hiking shoes. "Least as sturdy as these. And regular shoes er sneakers will be ruined."

"We have them on the bus," Denise said. "Everyone, after you're done eating, go out and get your boots on."