Take A Walk

Writers: Dana, Joy
Date Posted: 12th October 2005

Characters: Keles, Ulte
Description: Keles discuss stress management and the benefits of exercise.
Location: Smith Hall (NPC)
Date: month 8, day 11 of Turn 3

"Move over, silly thing." Ulte shooed his little green firelizard out of the way so he could finish cleaning off the table he'd been working on.
The evening meal was going to start in a little while and he had to finish setting up his section of the dining hall so he could get a jump on the lines. It was one of the perks of drawing this job for his evening chores.

Relieved from watching over her son for the next candlemark or so, Keles made her way down the corridor to the dining hall, green Blade perched on her shoulder. She wondered briefly is Dawyn would be there, then sighed.
Probably not. Just as well - she didn't want to see him.

When she arrived, there was hardly anyone in the hall. Grabbing a plate of food, the young woman headed for a table, and saw a familiar face. "Hello, Ulte," she smiled, taking a seat on the bench.

He'd just set the last shaker of salt in place and was about to go wash up when Keles sat down at the table he'd just finished. He smiled at her, feeling his cheeks warm slightly.

Ulte'd had a crush on Keles almost since she'd arrived, even though she was married and had a young son. "Hello Keles," he answered, trying to sound calm and collected.

"How're you this evening?"

"Well, good. I mean fine. I'm doing fine." He sat down abruptly on the bench across from Keles and wondered if he really sounded as stupid as he thought he did. Shene bobbed her upper body up and down a few times, as if answering his question. He glared at her and she chittered at him.

"How about you?" he asked.

A half-smile curved her lips as she looked at him. "I'm a little tired.
But I'm thinking that some food will help with that." She picked up half of the bread roll and took a bite, then fed a little piece to Blade. "Ny told me that you helped him with his studies yesterday."

"I just lent him my notes." Ulte shrugged and grinned. "He did the rest."

"It was sure nice of you though, Ulte."

Ulte found himself blushing again and focused his eyes on the table top.
"Well, thanks. I try to be nice at least once a day." It was easier to be glib when he didn't try looking at her, he decided. "I just hope it really helped. We'll be having a test before long."

"I don't envy you men on that score. All those notes, tests, and projects you have to do _every_ sevenday... It must add so much stress..."

"It can," he agreed, glancing up at her now that the conversation had gotten rolling. "But only if you let it. I imagine any situation can become too stressful if you let it."

A shadow passed over her eyes as she thought of Dawyn. "Sometimes you can't escape it though," Keles said quietly, more to herself than to him.
Then she looked up, meeting his eyes. "Even if you want to...sometimes you just can't."

Ulte sensed they weren't talking about assignments or tasks anymore. He thought for a moment before replying, "Then you find ways to lessen the stress. A way to let it go for a little while. Too much stress can hurt a person in many different ways." He mightn't have decided to become a healer, but that didn't mean he hadn't picked up a few things growing up amongst them. He spoke the last part with absolute conviction.

"How do you let the stress go, Ulte?" she asked softly.

"Find something that takes your mind off it completely," he suggested.
"Something completely removed. A lot of healers suggest physical activity. Going for long walks for instance when things get to be too much."

He had a feeling he knew what she was referring to. The discord between Keles and her husband was rather well known in the Hall. He wished he could offer more substantial advice, but his relationship experience was rather limited.

She stirred some sweetener in her klah, and was silent for a moment as she thought about his words. Maybe it would do her some good to get out of the Hall for a bit every day. And it would to Kelwyn some good too... "I think I'll do that, Ulte." Keles glanced up at him and smiled.
"Especially with the weather being as nice as it is right now..."

He smiled brightly, happy to have his suggestion so well received. "A little fresh air is good for anyone, though you might want to bundle up a bit... It's still winter after all." He blushed then, berating himself for telling her something she already knew and making himself look foolish.

"I'll remember, Ulte," she smiled, noticing his blush.

For just a moment, he entertained the idea of offering himself as a walking companion. A pleasant fantasy to be sure, but quite impossible.
Though she was only a turn older than him, she was married and had a child. He could imagine all he wanted, but that was as far as it could ever go. "Good. I'd hate to find out you'd gotten frostbite on my advice,"
he grinned.

That made her laugh. It felt good to laugh. "I'll wear my gloves," she promised.

Shene chose that moment to break into their conversation with a series of irritated sounding chirps and chitterings. She flashed Ulte the image of a large plate of food and broadcast her own hunger his way, reminding him that he still hadn't gotten his own dinner yet. He glanced around and noticed that the dining hall was filling up while they were talking.

Keles was smiling at him. "She sure sounds irritated doesn't she? Why don't you go get your food? I'll save you your seat."

Ulte nodded with a grin. "She's not shy about sharing."

"Alright silly, I'm going, I'm going," he told the scolding firelizard who gave him a satisfied cheep in return and flew up to land on his shoulder.
He smiled at Keles as he stood and joined the meal line.

Last updated on the October 13th 2005

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Take A Walk