As summer was beginning, plenty of people were heading for the coast for vacation. Miss Juliet's class had already taken the initiative on that idea with their stay at the de Vasconcellos villa. While it wasn't really a tropical climate, winters were rarely harsh on this part of the Mediterranean Coast. It was pleasantly balmy, though not too warm where it would be inhospitable to those with fur. Miss Juliet's students and staff were certainly enjoying themselves on this trip.
While Miss Juliet was inclined to join them, she did have a bit of business to conduct. First, she had to keep in touch with the contractors back on her estate to make sure they weren't adding anything she didn't want. Then there was her business with her hostess, the Countess de Vasconcellos. Juliet felt like she was starting to become real friends with Irena. The two of them were both aristocrats who were wanting to do more with their second chance of life and want to expand their families' estates to accompany more Animalians and yet did not want to turn away too much from the past. As such, Irena valued Juliet's judgement on the upcoming plans for the Spanish colony.
"I understand there's still some quarreling between the planners and Lopez," said Juliet.
"He really doesn't want the grounds torn up, even if it means less work for him," said Irena, "After all, he's been tending to them most of his life. He might be becoming Count after our marriage, but he's still acting like a..."
"Stubborn old goat?" asked Juliet a little playfully.
"Not so much 'old' anymore," said Irena.
"Still, the colony can't really expand if Lopez doesn't let them work on the land," said Juliet, "You can't house everyone in your home."
"I know that," said Irena, "I've talked with the government about possibly buying up the...lower end areas in town."
"I've known plenty of companies and government agencies who want to 'gentrify' slums," said Juliet a bit tersely, "Usually with little regards for those who call them home."
"Oh, I am not heartless," said Irena, "I'm not going to evict those poor souls. I am simply offering them the chance to live in better houses, possibly better lives as Animalians."
"How generous," said Juliet, sounding mollified, "But some people will be harder to convince."
"I'm hoping that better health and a fresh start will be more persuasive," said Irena, "I don't think it's a universal solution for the homeless, but I'm hoping it can at least work here."
"And the city is fine with you expanding your influence into it?" asked Juliet.
"I've been expanding my influence for quiet some time," said Irena, "They may have to build additional wings for the museum, if not brand new museums."
"And where exactly is the 'lower end'?" asked Juliet.
"Mainly near the port," said Irena, "I believe the planners want to refurbish it to look like something from the Age of Exploration."
"Sounds interesting," said Juliet.
"They're also planning on building some beach houses near here," said Irena.
"Hmm... on the Mediterranean Coast?" asked Juliet.
"You think global warming might make the sea rise too much?" asked Irena.
"Actually, I'd be more concerned about the Mediterranean being closed up and drying," said Juliet.
Irena laughed and said, "That's not likely to have within several lifetimes."
"So, you might have your own private beach," said Juliet.
"I don't think it will be too exclusive," said Irena.
"Not as private as some of the places on Mieni Atoll?" asked Juliet.
"If you're suggesting I'd allow a nude beach near here, I hope you mean it as a joke," said Irena.
"As if I would consider it funny," said Juliet, "Besides, you should hear how the Americans talk about French topless beaches."
"Are there such a thing?" asked Irena.
"If there are, I will not comment on them," said Juliet, "At least they're not wanting to build a casino and strip club here."
"Lopez would butt them off the cliff if they tried," said Irena, "Though I hear they're going to have a cruise ship that will essentially be a floating casino. It'll mostly sail between here and the Greek colony. What is it called?"
"Aeaea," said Juliet, "I probably butchered the pronunciation."
"No more than I would," said Irena.
"There's still a lot of sea between here and Greece," said Juliet, "Not to mention Italy and the larger islands and the colony being on the eastern side of Greece."
"I never said it was an express route," said Irena, "Cruise ships take their time going from port to port. Animalia has been wanting to launch their cruise ship, though the pandemic kept that from happening."
"I would think they would want to cruise the Caribbean," said Juliet.
"And compete with the dozens of other cruise lines in that area?" asked Irena.
"Fair point," said Juliet.
"Anyways, the cruise ship probably won't be launching until this colony and Aeaea are ready. Or until tensions have eased," said Irena.
"This may not be the summer for a European Animalian tour, but perhaps next year," said Juliet hopefully.
"Si, next year," agreed Irena.