Graduation Day: He Had Promised (1)

Writers: Eimi, Suzee
Date Posted: 11th December 2017
Series: It takes Time to Love

Characters: Kaiafel, Tavia
Description: Kaiafel graduates from his Harper classes.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 1, day 14 of Turn 9
Notes: Mentions: U'kaiah
Story 1 of a storyline

Tavia

Kaiafel looked down at his boots with satisfaction. He had spent a
great deal of time the night before polishing them up, just like his
Da had shown him. Now they shone just like the belt buckle his mother
had given him as a present to mark the end of his Harper classes.
Noticing movement out of the corner of his eye he stood up as straight
and tall as he could and gave the greenrider a pleased grin. "Good
afternoon, Tavia. Thank you for coming today."

"Wow," she smiled. "You're nearly as tall as me," she chuckled and put
her hands on his shoulders. "You look like a man."

If it was possible, Kaiafel stood even taller at the compliment. "Is
Da here yet?" he asked, impatient to see the look in his father's eye.
Wouldn't he be proud of his son today!

"Not yet," she said. "But Sawauth will tell me when Kalamath arrives."
She turned to the table and picked up a package. "Here," she smiled.
"This is from me."

Kaiafel took the package with a quick word of thanks. He did
try not to display too much childish eagerness as he tore into the paper, but
he was just so excited! His eyes grew wide as he looked down at the
silver handled belt knife inside the box. "Wow! For me?" He picked
it up gently, smiling as he saw how the cool metal glinted and shone.
It was the most adult thing he had ever been given! "Do you think
they'd let me wear it in the ceremony?"

"I imagine they will," she smiled to see his happiness. "And here,"
she poked under the cloth for the dagger's leather scabbard. "Put this
on your belt to hold it."

Kaiafel took off his belt and refastened it with the small knife
looped around the leather. Looking down to admire it, he asked, "How
does it look?"

"Very grown up," she smiled. She was so proud and happy of him on this
day. "But we have to go, we only have a few minutes to get you in
place. Your mother is waiting." She stepped back so he could go and
take his mother's arm while she carried Kaiavin. "We'll be right
behind you."

Kaiafel nodded, happy that all of his family would be there to watch
his big day. He was certain that his father would be waiting for them
to arrive. After all, his Da had promised. Offering his mother his
arm, he straightened his back and squared his shoulders. But as he
took his place on the stage, it was evident that his father was not in
the assembled crowd of family and guests. Kaiafel checked every face
to be sure. **He'll be here. He's just a little late,** he told
himself as his teacher stood up to give a welcoming speech.

Tavia kept looking around the room even though Sawauth assured her
Kalamath was far away. As time went on and the teachers did their
speeches she could see it as Kaiafel deflated. Maybe that was one of
the reasons she clapped so loud and cheered with they called his name.

**No! Not yet!** his mind screamed as Kaiafel hesitated noticeably.
His eyes scanned the room once more. Maybe if he could just take a
moment longer his father would come running in and be in time to see
him! But his name was called, and he had to go. He stood and
plastered a smile on his face, knowing everyone was looking at him
expectantly. Kaiafel took long slow strides, hoping to buy his father
those last precious second he would need to get there on time! But as
he reached out for his scroll, it was obvious his Da was not there to
see it. His smile was a bit more forced as he took his place beside
the boy who had been called before him.

"I'm so sorry Kaiafel," she said under her breath and began to fume.
Her foot tapped and her arms crossed. She was thankful that all the
rest of his family was here to cheer and make a big fuss over him.

Even as the ceremony continued, Kaiafel's eyes scanned the room,
hoping that he had just missed him, or maybe that he had just missed
it but came in after. But as time passed, his eyes fixed more and
more on the boards of the stage. **He didn't come...**

It was almost a surprise to him when all his fellow graduates stood in
unison and started marching off the stage to their waiting families.
He quickly recovered and fell in line with only a hair breath's
hesitation. Kaiafel hugged his mother tight for only a moment, afraid
that he would bury his head on her shoulder and cry. That was no way
for a young man just graduated to behave! Turning to Tavia, he gave
her the bravest smile he could muster. "Well, I did it!"

"You did," she said proudly and wrapped him in a warm hug. "Listen,"
she smiled as she held him at arms length for a moment. "I'm gonna go
for a bit but I'll be back to have some of that cake. Alright?"

"Yeah, we're not having cake right away anyway." And he was grateful
for that. He just really needed to get away and be alone before
everyone could see just how gutted he felt. "Where are you going?"

She tilted her head and said very sweetly. "To rip your dad's lips
off." Then she spun on her heel and stalked out of the room.

Last updated on the December 21st 2017

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Graduation Day: He Had Promised (1)