Date: Sat, 21 Mar 2015 07:09:03 +0000 (UTC)
From: Andrew Bailey <feare909@yahoo.com>
Subject: Aquata Cove - Chapter 44

Aquata Cove
Chapter 44: Colorful


"Mmm, I'm gonna miss you guys," Adam said as he hugged his grandmother and
grandfather at the airport. It's 5 in the morning, and their vacation in
Hawaii has ran out, and despite having only half a week to see their
grandson, thanks to the Agency, it's time to go back to Germany.

"Oh, can't believe it was so short, son," Grandpa said.

"I'm sorry, again..." Adam said, "I hate it too."

"You sure you're going to be alright, love?" Grandma said, "We can stay a
little longer-"

"Speak for yourself, woman!" Grandpa said, "I need to get back to the shop
yesterday!"

"Hahah, yes, I'll be fine, Gramma." Adam said, "I promise, next time you
come over, I won't be gone as long. OW!" Grandma slapped him on the ear.

"That ain't funny, boyo!" She said, "You behave now."

"He'll be alright, Agnes," Grandpa said, "Come on, we'll miss the plane!"

"Shut up, ya bastard!" Grandma stubbornly growled as she hugged Adam one
last time. "You keep yourself out of trouble, now." She said.

"I will, Gramma," Adam said, "Bye Grampa" He said as he hugged him.

"Treat that fish right now," Grandpa said, "You're a good boy."

"Thanks, Grampa." Adam said with a smile, "I'll miss you!" He said as they
turned, and approached the Security Check. He huffed a sigh, and turned to
see Jamal, having waiting patiently, and had volunteered to be their ride
to the airport right after he had just gotten off of work at the club.

"Thanks again for doing this, Jamal," Adam said as they turned to leave the
front doors.

"No problem." He said as they went to his car.


~~~


Several hours later, Merrick murrs as he stirs in the warm bed. His eyes
peered open to see Adam pulling up a pair of pink briefs up over his manly
ass. He propped on his elbows as Adam got up, and nodded to him. "Morning,
babe."

"Morning, Adam~" Merrick answered. He stretched on the bed as Adam went
around, and kissed him on the bed. "Hmhmhm~" Merrick kissed back, and
rolled his tongue on his lips.

"Hold up, babe," Adam said as stood back up, "We over slept, we gotta get
going."

"Going? Going where?" Merrick pouted, "Can't we stay home?"

"Naw, babe, I been planning this for months." Adam said as he yanked the
blanket off the bed. He grins as Merrick lays naked as usual as he put his
hands behind his blonde head, and sprawled his legs casually.

"Pleeeaase?" Merrick said. Adam smirked, and reached down to trace and
quickly rub his fingertips down Merrick's inner thigh. He immediately
cringed and jumbled as he giggled harshly.

"C'mon, get up, babe." Adam said, "We don't have much time." Merrick
groaned as he pulled himself out of bed, which Adam proceeded to make nice
and neat. Merrick leered with a grin at Adam's rear, clad in those bright
pink undies.

"What's this then?" He asked as he reached down to fondle Adam's left
cheek. Adam smiled as he turned around, and rocked his hips, "Some new
underpants. I got one for you too~" Adam turned and went to the night
stand, and picked up an identical pink tighty-whitie. "Put it on." He said
as he tossed it over to Merrick.

Shrugging, Merrick took the underwear, and bent over. He put his feet
through the legholes, and pulled them up between his thighs. Adam grinned
as he came up, and kissed him and groped his bulge.

"What's it for?" He asked.

"Me, you, and Jamal are going to the LGBT Pride Parade over by the
pier. After that, we'll be going on that cruise I've been saving up for."

"I still don't understand, Adam." Merrick said as he shook his head. "What
does it all mean?"

"Well..." Adam scratched the back of his head, "You know how you're
attracted to males?"

"Yes. You said humans call it Homosexual, or gay for short."

"Yeah. See, humans..." He sighed and shook his head, "Humans tend to put a
lot of hurt on those of us who are different. Over the years, in a lot of
lands, humans in power tended to loathe and discriminate men and women who
happen to be gay. Over time, people have learned to be more tolerant of the
LGBT, and even give us the right to marry and freely and openly be with the
ones we love."

"What's GBLT?" Merrick asked

"They're letters for parts of the cause. G stands for Gay -- that's us,
you/me, men who are attracted to men. L is for Lesbian -- those are females
attracted to other females. B stands for Bisexual -- people like Jamal, who
are attracted to both male AND female genders. And T is for Transgender --
people who identify themselves as the opposite gender instead of how
they're born."

"It seems... Kinda confusing." Merrick said, "And... What does this..."

"The LGBT Pride Parade is something that happens every year -- humans make
floats and large decorations, and they dance and party down the streets."

"Why?"

"People of the LGBT... Have been through so much through the ages..." Adam
shook his head, "A lot of human religion and spirituality has outlawed
people who are gay and transgender, even torture, kill, reeducate and
alienate them."

"But..." Merrick shook his head, "Why? Why cause each other so much pain?"

"Their excuse is that it's against God." Adam said, "They say that
homosexuality is evil because a two man romance is an affront to the Powers
That Be."

"I remember having this sort of conversation with a gay guard in the
Agency," Merrick asked, "With merfolk, it's also forbidden to mate with the
same gender, but it has nothing to do with the Sea Mother's sanctity --
it's just a law that was established centuries ago, after the fall of the
three Kingdoms. But from what I'm hearing, mating with the same gender
human has EVERYTHING to do with the human god's will."

"That's what a lot of religious people believe." Adam explained, "For some
reason, a lot of religious people think it's their duty to interfere with
our lives, hurting us, telling us that a man can't love another man, or two
women shouldn't marry each other, all because of what some Zealots wrote in
a rewritten, paraphrased book that was inspired by God long ago."

"So... What's this LGBT thing about anyway?"

"It's been long and painful, and we still have a long ways to go before
LGBT people are treated equally. But at the same time, we have made a LOT
of progress -- we still face a lot of turmoil in terms of society, but
we're at a very good point now. The Pride Parade is a party to celebrate
all the progress we made in equalizing the LGBT citizens."

Merrick smiled and nuzzled Adam, "The guard I mentioned..." He looked at
Adam, "He said his own mother and father disowned him when he realized he
was... Homosexual? Gay?" He said, "Is that normal for humans?" Adam sighed
and nodded.

"Yeah... It happens a lot..." Adam rubbed his hand on Merrick's cheek as he
looked into his eyes.


-KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK-


They looked to see Jamal opening the door, "You guys ready?" He asked.

"Yeah, just about." Adam answered.

"Aight, we need to get goin."

"Ok," Adam turned, and picked up a couple of small suitcases. As they
exited the room, and made for the door, Merrick noticed that all three of
them are... Not wearing much. He and Adam are wearing matching pink undies,
and Jamal is sporting a purple speedo, and both of them are wearing
sandals.

"Wait." He said, "We're going somewhere, right?" Merrick asked.

"Yeah, the Pride Parade." Adam said as he loaded the car up with the
luggage.

"Well..." Merrick looked genuinely confused, "Aren't we supposed to get
dressed first?" Adam grinned as Jamal put a large duffle in the trunk.

"Funny thing about the Pride Parade," He said, "Some people go to it just
like this." He indicated himself. Merrick giggled at that.

"Really? That sounds kinda... Contradictory~" He said, "I thought humans
always needed to cover themselves."

"This is a special occasion." Adam replied, "Pride Day means to not be
afraid to show yourself. A lot of people like to get weird with their
appearance on a Pride Day."

"I don't get it," Merrick said with a smile, "But it still sounds fun~"

"It is, Merrick," Jamal said, "It's awesome! Some chicks are like all
topless, with pieces of tape to cover their nipples, some are all in fairy
costumes -- OOH! There was this one time where a buncha guys with boners
dance around a float, and catch beads with their dicks-"

"Lets just get there already!" Adam said as he smiled, "I've been looking
forward to this!"

Jamal moved himself to the driver's seat, while Adam got on the passenger's
seat, and Merrick sat behind him. Once buckled in, he moved forward, and
put his arms around Adam.


~~~


"Cool, here we are!" Jamal said he pulled his car into a parking
lot. Merrick smiled happily as he saw a woman couple wearing matching
rainbow shirts as they walked hand-in-hand, just for the occasion. Adam
looked about eagerly, seeing various people waving their pride flags. There
are arches of different colored balloons in the rainbow pattern, along with
pink banners draped along the metal bar fence. There are tons of other
people around, cheering, getting excited as multicolored confetti blasted
and fluttered in the air.

Jamal locked the car, and tucked in a magenta, purple, and blue flag into
the side of his speedo. Adam took Merrick's hand with glee as they strolled
over the crosswalks together. On their way, we met with several shop carts
with LGBT merchandise. Adam bought a string of rainbow-braided beads and a
strand of rainbow round, disco orb beads to put over Merrick's head.

"Wow!" The merman looked in awe of the shiny orbs he wore. He looked, and
giggled as Jamal bought a lot more beads than that, "Why are you buying so
much, Jamal?"

"There might a float that has honeys that show their boobs for beads!"
Jamal responded, "Or maybe that hard-on float!"

"Jamal, I keep telling you," Adam said, "They canceled that kind of
stuff. There are KIDS here, this isn't Marti Gras."

"I'm still lookin for'em!" Jamal said as he put the clusters of beads over
his head, in anticipation.

"I'll flash you for a strand of those~" Came a familiar voice. Jamal turned
and smiled as Nick looked up at him. Merrick blushed as he looked at that
Latino pretty boy with his tribal tattoos on his thigh and arm, along with
the rose flower on his lower back, and wearing a bulging banana hammock.  â

"Hey, baby!" Jamal said as he lowered his head, and kissed him.


~~~


A few minutes later, Merrick is sitting on a stool, trying not to snicker
as an artist painted on his smooth back. He saw some of the neat designs
other people have painted on them, and so had this artist paint a
symbolized wing-design on his back. He got up, and checked himself out on
the mirror.

"That's badass, man," Jamal said.

"Just don't lean on anything until it dries up," Said the artist.

They watched as they saw a small fleet of males in make-up and dresses with
large, flamboyant, fluffy, vivid feathers walked down the street, saluting
the faction for drag queens.

"Wow, certainly a lot of strange humans here." Merrick said as a truck with
several masculine females with boyish clothing, most of having styled their
hair in Mohawks, shortly trimmed, and spiky, waving at the crowd as they
passed. "Are those... Females?"

"Yeah. Those are Lesbians who like to be Tomboys." Adam said.


~~~

"Oh my God!" Adam said, "There's Lady Gaga!" He said as he pointed.

"Ho shit, man!" Nick said as they saw a flamboyant car drove by, playing
the hit song, Born This Way on loud speakers, and there's Stefani
Germanotta, wearing a rainbow-colored wingspan, her face painted with
glitter designs, also sporting rainbow feather bikinis, waving at the
cheering crowd.

"Who's that?" Merrick asked.

"That's Lady Gaga," Adam replied, "She's a famous singer. She's notorious
for dressing up in crazy outfits! That get-up she's wearing right now?"
Adam said, "All that, that's NORMAL for her!"

"Hahaha, wow!" Merrick said.

"She's a HUGE supporter of the LGBT cause, and she comes up with awesome
music."

"She aight." Nick said, looking indifferent.

"What I miss?" Jamal said, coming in with some ice cream cones.

"Lady Gaga just rolled by." Adam said, looking very stoked.

"Ah, ok." Jamal replied, looking as neutral as Nick does.


~~~


"GAY IS NOT THE WAY! GAY IS NOT THE WAY!"

"What the-" Adam turned, and rolled his eyes, "Oh good fucking grief."

"Really?" Jamal said in aggravation, "They REALLY gonna do this now?"

"What's going on?" Merrick said as another group approached the crowd. This
crowd is dressed in formal black pants, white long-sleeve polyester shirts,
ties, and holding large crosses and picket signs. Merrick squinted as he
could barely make out what the words on the signs mean.

"... Re... Re-Pent?" His eyes looked over another sign, "Jesus... Can...
Save Thee?" Merrick feels genuinely confused, "What does that mean? Who's
Jesus?" He said as he looked at another sign that says, [Gay Sex Is Sin]

"They's just a buncha whack jobs who don't know when ta shuddup." Jamal
said bitterly.

"You know that talk we had this morning, Merrick?" Adam said, "Religious
people interfering with gay business?"

"Is that them?"

"Yeah."

"PFFFF!" Nick scoffed as he pointed, "That one's kinda funny." One of the
signs read, [Silly Faggot, Dicks Are For Chicks]

"Come'on," Jamal patted at Nick, "Lets give'em sumthin to bitch about."
Nick snickered as they went off, and neared the group. Merrick laughed as
Jamal and Nick then started making out. The religious protesters chanted
louder at Jamal and Nick, before a few more couples followed their example,
and blocked the zealots' path.

Merrick watched as one of the protesters, holding a large wooden cross
tried to get Jamal and Nick to step aside. Jamal simply flipped him off.

"Sir," He said, "God created Adam and EVE, not Adam and STEVE!" The
protestor said irritably.

"Yeah, I know!" Jamal said, "That's why I did'em both!"

"Step aside, please!" A woman with a megaphone called out to the few
couples that are blocking them. Refusing to move, one of the protestors.

"Just get out of here!" Adam said, "Don't you have better things to do??"

"WE are trying to help you!" Another protestor said, "Repent for your sins,
and God will forgive you!"

"What business is it of yours??" Merrick said, "This festival is
celebrating all the pain people like us have suffered because of people
like you!"

"Step off!" Said another protestor, "This parade decorates and glorifies
your filth!"

"Then go away!" Merrick said, "If you hate us so much, then just stay
away!"

"This is OUR society too!" Said another zealot, "We have every right to be
here!"

A particular young and impudent protestor thrust his sign at a couple,
trying to push them away. "HEY!" One swipe, at the sign broke in half! The
lesbian couple, and the hostile protestor looked dumb-founded as Merrick
leered at them, his fist having smashed away the sign into pieces.

"Alright, clear out." A few police officers came in, and started warding
off the protesters, "You're disturbing the peace, lets clear out now."

The protestors were reluctantly escorted away from the parade, and everyone
returned to the party.


~~~


"Hey, man!" Harold said.

"OH! Hey, Harold!" Adam said.

"Ah..." Merrick's shoulders slumped as he saw Belinda too -- he doesn't
hate her, and he's very grateful for taking part in his rescue, but he
still has a nagging distaste for her as a Latolcus. It's just one of those
things.

"Good to see you!" Adam said.

"Same here! Nice..." He glanced down, and snirked awkwardly, "Pants
there..." Adam felt a little embarrassed, a coworker seeing him in a snug
pair of pink underwear.

"So what brings you here?"

"I loves teh colors and museec!" Belinda said, "Ees so beautiful and
exciting!"

"And to do this," Harold reached over, and smacked the side of Adam's head.

"Ow! What was THAT for??" He said, slapping Harold's hand away

"Well, for one, keeping us all worried out you." He said, "And then Belinda
had to go and save your ass. Considering... You know..."

"Uh... What?" Adam said.

"You know Belinda shouldn't be pulling those stunts. Not in her condition."

"I ees fine, Harold!" Belinda said.

"What are you talking about?"

"... Wait, we haven't told you?" Harold said, as he turned, "We told him,
didn't we?"

"I's don't remembrr..." Belinda said shaking her head.

"Tell us me what?" Adam said, "What's up?"

"Well..." Harold smiled, "Not sure how to say this but..." His arm
lowering, and placing a hand on Belinda's abdomen.

"... Wait... You're not," Adam started to grin

"Yeah." Harold said, nodding.

"Oh my God, no way!"

"Yes way!"

"What'yall talkin bout?"

Harold grinned, "We're gonna have a baby!"

"Oh my gosh!" Adam exclaimed.

"Oh, by the depths." Merrick looked up, rolling his eyes.

"Oh my God, man, that's awesome!" Jamal said.

"Congrats, dude!" Said Nick.

"Yeah," Merrick conceded, "That's wonderful", `I guess.' He thought to
himself.

While watching the parade, Jamal said, "Hey, why come people always rub a
pregnant lady's belly, and congratulate her, but no one pats the guy's
balls and say, `Good Job'?"

Adam laughed, "I don't know Jamal, why don't you find out?" Jamal snickered
harshly.

"Uh, no!" Harold said, "Thanks, but I'm good."

~~~


"WOOOOOOOO!" Jamal cheered as a float of women flashed their breast for
him, and a few other girls and guys, while Adam, Merrick, and Nick looked
away.

"Me no gusta." Nick said as he as his peripheral vision can still see a
half naked woman bouncing their boobs for beads.

"To be fair, he didn't buy all those beads for nothing."

After that, another group of rows walked along, males and females alike,
holding up a sign with the pink, blue, and white male/female symbol on it.

"Who..." Merrick tilted his head, looking at them. Feminine-looking humans
are wearing male clothing, and vice versa for the females wearing masculine
clothing, "Who are they?"

"Those are the Transgender people." Adam said, "They're the ones who
identify themselves as the opposite gender instead of what they're born
as."

"I... Don't understand."

"See, take a boy, for example," Adam said, "He was born a male, but he
feels more like a female. So when they can, they dress up as the opposite
gender -- it makes them feel more like themselves."

"How, and why? I don't get it."

"It's... Complicated..." Adam said, "To put it one way... To a Transgender,
it's like being alive in someone else's body." Merrick gasped a little,
"They struggle with their sense of identity, and have more trouble finding
acceptance in most cases. Eventually, a Transgender can take steps,
medications, and operations to change their gender."

"That sounds..." Merrick said as he looked upon the people of the Pink,
White, and Blue, "Painful..."

"Yeah..." Adam put his arms around his lover, "In some ways, they have a
harder struggle than homosexuals..." He said as he nuzzled that blonde
hair.



In a distance, Captain watches the Transgender line. He sighed as he looked
at some of the guys, wearing women's clothing and make-up. He looked down
at an old photograph of him and his son...

"I still don't git it..." He grumbled lowly, "But I till miss ya,
Tyler... Girl or boy, whatever... I miss ya..." Captain stifled a tear, "I
wish you gave this old bastard another chance..."


~~~


"Whoa," Merrick looked as a few thick men walked by in the parade -- some
of them chubby and hairy, wearing leather gear, "Who are they?"

"Those are Bears" Adam said as some of them flew the Brown, Tan, Yellow,
Black, and White flag with a paw print, "They're gay men who are more on
the heavy side -- both in muscle and chub."

"Mm, muy caliente~" Nick said, nodding and biting his lip.

"Yeah, they good on occasion~" Jamal said, grinding himself against Nick's
backside.


~~~

At the end of the end of the parade, some Asexuals had a few hand-made
Daleks zoom around. Merrick tilted his head as they're at the docks now --
a lot of the LGBT people from the crowds are boarding a very large
establishment. The sun is getting ready to set soon, and a lot of the
people have cleared out.

"Oh hey!" Adam said, "OVER HEEERE!!" He waved out to a pair of familiar
faces. He snickered as he saw Yuri walking over, along with Ryojin. Jamal
and Nick could barely stop grinning and laughing as Yuri rubbed her brows,
as if looking overwhelmed with a confusing issue.

"Am I... MISSING something here???" She said, fully clothed, compared with
Adam, Merrick, Jamal, and Nick, who are wearing only some scant bottom
pieces, beads, and sandals, "Is everyone SUPPOSED to be running around
naked??" Ryojin feels embarrassed and laughing at the same time at the
sheer moment of it.

"Aw come on, Yuri!" Adam said, "Get into the spirit!"

"My spirit's just fine CLOTHED, thank you!" Yuri said, "Seriously- Am I the
ONLY one here who thinks all the nudity is unnecessary?!"

"Whaaat?" Jamal said shrugging, "We keeping decent."

"Good lord." Yuri crossed her arms as she shook her head, "Do you have the
keys to your car -- and PLEASE don't tell me they're in your underpants."
Jamal laughed out loud as he held out his keys for Yuri -- a while ago, he
and Nick went to repark the car to get their luggage -- which took longer
than they said, so Adam guesses maybe they had a little... Quick fun before
coming back.

"Wait," Merrick said, "Aren't we going home?"

"No, Merrick, remember?" Adam said, "We're going on the LGBT Cruise."

"What's a cruise??" Merrick said.

"We're basically going to spend a week on a large boat. It's a very
extravagant vacation, but I've been saving up to go on it."

"Yeah, me an' Nick too." Jamal said.

"Wait... We're going on a..." Merrick look bewildered, "No! We're not going
on a human ship!"

"Babe, what's the matter?" Adam said.

"We can't! Ships are homes to pirates!" He said, "They're evil humans who
live on the sea!" Adam laughed as he went to Merrick, "Adam! I'm serious!
We can't-"

"Sweetie, relax, this isn't THAT kind of ship," He said, "This is a gay
cruise -- it's just gonna be full of LGBT people eating, partying, dancing,
having a good time, that's all."

"Yeah, so in a way, there's lottsa pirates on there, ya?" Nick grinned.  â

"What?!"

"Shut up, Nick!" Adam said as they laughed.

"You'll be fine, Merrick," Yuri said, "It's not THAT kind of ship, really."

"Ok..." He said.


"That is a very nice design." Came a woman's voice. Merrick turned to see
that lady from before -- the one with the rainbow angel custom, only her
wings are fold down to take up less room.

"Oh, hello..." Merrick said, looking over his shoulder at the paint design
on his back, "Thanks, I had it um... Painted? I'm not sure what it's
called."

"Well, it's very nice." She said. Adam gapped at the woman as she smiled.

"Oh my God!" He said, "You're Lady Gaga!"

"Hahaha, yes I am." She said, "Last time I checked, anyway."

"Oh my God, I love your music!" Adam said, "PLEASE say you're coming to the
gay crusie!" Gaga smiled and chuckled.

"I really wish I can, but my schedule is all booked up."

"But, come on! You're Gaga!" Yuri said, "I don't know, can't you fly??"
Lady Gaga laughed at that.

"Only when the mood calls for it, darling." She replied. She took not of
Adam's and Merrick's matching undies, "I take it you two are boyfriends?"

"Yeah!" He said, "I'm Adam, and this is Merrick!" He said as he put his
hands on the blonde.

"It's very nice to meet you..." Lady Gaga said as she shook hands, "Before
you go, can I interest you in a CD? I'm doing an signing in an little
while."

"YES YOU BLOODY CAN!" Adam said.


A while later, Lady Gaga gave Adam an autographed a Heart of Arts edition
-- it's a CD bundle of several of her best albums -- free of charge. On the
outfit gallery booklet included in the case, she wrote in silver sharpie,

{Rejoice And Be Yourself Today, Because Baby, You Were Born This Way.
~Lady Gaga}

She even posed for a picture with Adam and Merrick in her rainbow angel
costume, before she had to leave to start the signing.

"Pssh, man," Jamal said as they walked, "You sure do like Gaga, don't you?"

"She's an awesome celebrity," Adam said, "Lemme alone."

"She does seem very glamorous." Merrick said as he flipped through the
booklet of outrageous costumes Lady Gaga has come up with over the years,
"Wow, this is what she wears on a regular basis? She must be a fun human to
live with."

"Eh, she aight," Jamal said, "Bit much though."

"Jamal, you work at a bar that has her taste of dancers performing" Yuri
said.

"Hey, I work there for the drinks and booty. So sue me."


~~~


For the next couple of weeks, the cruise is sailing the sea, to a camping
trip on an island, and then coming back. Adam, Merrick, Jamal, and Nick get
ready to board onto the gay cruise. They're holding their luggage and
saying their goodbyes to Yuri, Ryojin, Belinda, and Harold.

"Hey, Adam," Merrick said, "Doesn't this mean you had to ask for more days
from your Captain?"

"Yeah." Adam said, "He just growled, and told me he saw that one coming,
and he gave me the time off." Merrick giggled as the ship started
moving. He looked over the railing, and on to the sunset.

"Wow..." He said, still glad in pink underpants, "This feels so weird."

"Yeah..." They walked hand in hand along the deck, with various people
hanging out, "I can't tell you how long I've wanted this..." Adam said.

"Wanted... What?" Merrick asked.

"Ever since we became boyfriends, I've always wanted to go to a Pride Day
with you."

"You said it happens every year, right?" Merrick said, "What stopped us
from doing it sooner?"

"Work, mostly." He answered, "I kept forgetting which day the fest was
going to be on."

"..." Merrick looked timidly around, "Are you sure there aren't any pirates
around here?" Adam snickered at that, "What? I'm serious! You keep saying
there aren't, and Nick keeps saying there are."

"That's the joke," Adam explained, "Some people refer gay men as
Butt-Pirates."

"... What?"

"It's another stupid stereotype joke. Since pirates are mostly men, and
they stay at sea for most of the time, people joke that they probably have
sex with each other."

"... That does sound stupid." Merrick said as he rolled his eyes.

"Eh, it's all well in fun." Adam said as they walked down, hearing the
chatter among the guests and couples.