"Almost time!" Conor Lynch exclaimed, loudly enough to be heard over the computer's audio countdown, his mother's constant chattering from the kitchen and the band, Thin As Lizzy, who were setting up their instruments and engaging in some last minute sound checks and tuning.

He was having an out of body experience. It was finally time to open up Peig's and to expose himself and all of his efforts to the world of Kerelia. And not just Kerelia, but his friends from the station, too. He had sent invitations to everyone he knew, with the instruction for them to pass it along. Everyone was welcome.

Everyone except the two lovely individuals framed and hung behind the bar, that is. He winked first at the one with the pale face, then the blue. What people thought of him mattered most of the time, but the older he got, the more he realised that not all people mattered.

"Don't just stand there, ye useless liúdramán[fn]Eejit.[/fn], help me with the pot!"

Peggy stood in the archway between bar and kitchen, and small as the woman herself was, she looked gigantic. Hands on hips and unimpressed expression - her armour of choice. But Conor knew his ma, and he knew that she was proud that he'd finally found something to apply himself to. Decades of aimless wandering, flitting from one job to another and never quite finding something that fit, had left his mother despairing for her son. She may not have wanted to see him working in a bar, but owning his own, and being so close to her own business on the Front Ear's Promenade was something she could work with. And for the grand opening she had even provided her talents.

Nothing could get Conor Lynch down, and so he cheerfully approached, spring in his step and grin on his face. Without much effort, he gripped the sides of the large stewing pot and hefted it to the waiting wire stand next to the catering tables. This wasn't quite going to be Peig's usual spread, but he'd decided to push the boat out for the first night.

The tables were laden with all manner of treats, buffet style. Fresh summer salads, pots of aromatic, wine-braised beef with local mushrooms and sautéed onion, finger foods like the classic pigs in blankets, spicy wings and mini-quiches, and then of course there was Peggy's latest local recipe in her stewing pot; the Peppered Chomp[fn]A local fish, first caught and named by a 7 year old colonist[/fn]. It had been slowly simmering for 12 hours in a stock base of tomato, a red pepper local varietal and wine, and she promised that it would melt in his patrons' mouths.

She returned to the kitchen to finish her work on her specialty - the potatoes. "Tellin' yis now, if tha' Mark Watney chap can grow spuds on Mars, then mark my words, I'll grow 'em on Kerelia."[fn]Yes I crossed the streams, leave me alone.[/fn] She began applying the butter glaze to her thrice-roasted tubers.

Lynch rolled his eyes toward his fellow bartender, a Katarian lady named Tana, who had agreed to help out during the adjustment period. She gave him a knowing glance in return, seeming completely unphased by the chaotic Lynches. The first few actual strains of real music began coming from the artist area as Lizzy began a jovial rendition of Jenny's Wedding.[fn]Listen here for an idea of the present ambiance![/fn] They were traditionally an Irish rock cover band, but like all good musicians, they had mastered more than one genre and in the case of two of the band members, more than one instrument. They were in high demand on the Irish pub circuit, and Lynch had pulled in a couple of favours to get them to stay for more than a week.

"5... 4..."

Droned the Computer, her monotone delivery not in the slightest bit matching the turmoil of emotions within Lynch. He reached under the gleaming, brand new bar counter, and tapped the release for the windows.

"3... 2..."

The natural, powerful light of Kerelia spread out over his new home, inch by quick inch, bathing it colour. He had not wanted the traditional, dark and gloomy lighting of the typical Irish pub. He wanted something that offered an experience within, but fit seamlessly with everything outside. And then, after the sun set, the lighting would be soft, with with a golden glow. He wanted warmth and he wanted a hundred thousand welcomes.[fn]More on the layout and design of Peig's here.[/fn]

"...1."

He sucked in a deep breath, vaulted the bar and then pulled open the large wooden doors.

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Open.