Getting the Word Out

"Did you hear?" Miranda came bounding into the main area of her adoptive parents' small beachside resort, sidling up to the counter that served as both a check in area, and a place to order food. Margaritaville was leaning against the counter, cleaning off some glasses, and Carlisle was punching some numbers into a calculator for the resort's budget. They both looked towards Miranda, she was always an excitable cat but they could tell she was excited about something special.

"Hear about what honey?" Margaritaville responded, grinning at his adoptive daughter. Ever since he had returned to the land of Falena after bring a stray mothcat living on a beach town his life had changed a lot. Though he missed the residents of the town that were kind to him, since he jumped onto Wilson and her friend's ship and come here he had met Carlisle, his wonderful sweetheart, and the two had taken in Miranda, a wild but wonderful kid who made their new family complete. Being around more mothcats and less humans was peaceful, and he was able to open up a little beachside resort with the help of Carlisle and all his other new friends. It was small, but it was theirs. 

“Honey? That’s exactly what I’m talking about!” Miranda responded, “It’s her birthday soon, Sage and Chive are planning a Parade and a party!” She hopped up on one of the chairs situated next to the counter. “Isn’t that awesome!!! We should help make sure people know, and that they know the resort will support and help host the celebration!”

“Your mind is always going Miranda…” Carlisle responded, putting down a pencil she was jotting down some figures on a sheet of paper with, “Honey’s birthday should be the priority, though if the resort did get some publicity, that certainly wouldn’t hurt.” She smiled over at Miranda, nodding a bit, “That sounds like a plan then, let’s get the word out that the resort will provide a place for the party!”

“Yay!!!! Thanks guys, you’re the best. I love a good party!” Miranda said, “I’ll go get some party decorations!” Without waiting for a response, she zoomed off, flying out of the open air building and off towards wherever she could get some supplies.

Margaritaville chuckled, “She’s always zooming about. Remember being that energetic Carlisle?” He put down the glass he was cleaning and walked around to the other side of the bar, watching as Miranda headed off into the distance. 

As Miranda zoomed off, another mothcat padded up to the front desk area. Birch laughed a bit at his friends question, “I feel like you don’t remember ever being so energetic as that girl of yours Marg….” he teased, giving Margaritaville a big hug, “You’ve always lived your life on island time.”

“Heya Birch,” Carlisle said, grinning, “Did Miranda catch you on the way out, excited about the parade and the party?”

“She sure did!” Birch replied, “It’s nice to have some excitement around here, huh?”

“You know me, too much excitement can be a little much to handle….” Margaritaville replied, shrugging, “But we were discussing that it will probably be good for the resort!”

“And it will be fun!” Birch replied cheerfully, “This is a good place to party! And I’m willing to help you guys out however I can.”

“Thanks Birch, you’re always willing to lend a hand. We should just have you on payroll around here.” Carlisle replied. 

“Ah, no need, no need. What’s a few favors here and there between friends? Anyway, you guys pay me well enough in food whenever I come on over.” Birch smiled. The friends had many a long night after doing some work on the small property, eating a nice meal together and having some wine on the beach under the stars. “Listen, I’ll go recruit some help for when Miranda comes back with some decorations.”

“Sounds good, see you soon!” Margaritaville said as he and Carlisle waved goodbye to Birch. “Looks like things are starting to come together…. We could probably use some more help getting the word out though.”

“Aren’t the pirates parked at our dock right now?” Carlisle said, looking down towards the beach, “If those noisy pirates can keep us up at night they can use that noise to tell everyone about the parade.”

Margaritaville laughed and kissed Carlisle on the cheek, “You know you like having them around, I seem to recall they order a lot of food and you occasionally are part of the noisy nighttime.”

“Yeah yeah, I know…” Carlisle said, “Now you go on, I’m gonna tidy up here so it’s all ready for decorating when Miranda and Birch come back.” Carlisle gave Margaritaville a quick hug, and then he started making his way down the beach.

The resort had a small dock on its property, which most frequently was occupied by Daysa’s Red Coursers. Margaritaville had known Wilson, a member of the crew, for a long long time, and it was thanks to the pirates that he was able to make his way to his new home in Falena, so he owed them. The dock was always free for their use, and the fact that the crew liked Carlisle’s cooking enough to patronize the resort restaurant frequently while they were docked.

As he had hoped, Wilson was sitting on the beach, looking out at the water. She waved as he approached. “Lots of activity around this sleepy seaside resort this morning, eh?” she said, smiling. “What’s your Miranda all excited about?” she tilted her head slightly.

“Sage and Chive are planning a parade in honor of Honey’s birthday.” Margaritaville replied as he took a seat beside Wilson. “We’re going to offer the resort area as a place for folks to gather as well. Good for business.”

“Oh, Honey’s such a nice girl. That’s lovely.” Wilson replied, “And you know how the pirates love a good party, we’ll be there with bells on.” Her gaze drifted slightly towards where the boat was parked, and she smiled to herself, thinking of how nice it would be a little party with the crew. Maybe she could talk Mitch into a dance…

“Sounds great! I think it would be helpful to get the word out about the parade and the party as well!” Margaritaville suggested, smiling over at her.

“Sounds like a good job for the Coursers!” Wilson replied, a determined look on her face. “By the time we’re done, there won’t be a mothcat who doesn’t know about the parade. We gotta bust out some sea shanties for that as well….” Wilson scratched her chin a bit, “Well, best get to work then! Thanks Marg. The crew will want some of Carlisle’s delicious cooking as a reward I suppose.”

“You got it!” Margaritaville responded. He and Wilson hugged before she departed off towards the boat. Margaritaville could hear her starting to rally the pirates as he walked off himself, ready to help Carlisle with preparations. This was gonna be exciting!