Making Plans

Writers: Jane, Kaysea
Date Posted: 2nd August 2008

Characters: Kateena, Swift
Description: Kateena discusses the new Hallmaster with Swift.
Location: Dolphin Hall
Date: month 11, day 8 of Turn 4

Swift arrived at the suite of rooms he and Kateena shared bearing gifts of food. These days they always seemed welcome, even later in the evening when he finished his shift in the kitchens.

"Tiny meat rolls, little caramel tarts. Fruit."

"I'm going to end up bigger than Civi the way you're keeping me in treats." Kateena laughed softly.

"Civi is a very attractive dolphin," Swift pointed out, placing the plate on the table beside the bed and bent to kiss his wife before settling on the edge of the bed. "How was your day?"

"Not bad, at least I had no fainting spells today." she grimaced. "And the day sped past really. That's one thing when keeping busy with the apprentices."

"Any reaction among them to the news?"

"About the new Hallmaster?" she asked, then shook her head, "None that they were willing to show. Though whenever I came close to a group who were talking, they quietened immediately."

"Nothing worse than when people won't ask questions," Swift pointed out.
"Especially those apprentices who can make up the most exaggerated rumours ... And believe them!"

"Well I suppose we'll have more than enough between now and when she arrives, sometimes the news is filtered through so many people, the apprentices just don't know what to expect."

"What do _you_ expect," Swift asked curiously. "Are you worried about the change?"

"Me? Not really. I'll judge it for myself. It's not as if we've had a male as Hallmaster recently. And I've served in a few halls with female Hallmasters, so it won't mean much of a change, to me." she shrugged.
"Besides, once the little one is born I plan on taking a few months off to be with him or her, and I can sit back and watch what happens around here."

"Nice to have options. Perhaps I should mind the babe and you can work on?" he suggested. "Oh, when he's weaned."

"I'd still like to be with him - _or her_ - for a little while." Kat said, "But as soon as I return to the sea, they shall be all yours."

"They?" He looked cautiously at her pregnancy bulge. "He or she, you mean?"

"Yes. I meant they as in he or _she_." she laughed. "Oh Swift! You didn't think I meant twins, did you?" she shook her head in amusement, "There's no need to panic - Civi assures me there is only one healthy 'baybeee' inside."

"Well, I can trust him to know what he's talking about." He was silent for a moment then said, "I meant what I said about minding the babe when he's - or she's weaned. And perhaps that would be best with the new Hallmaster. Making it clear you're going back to craft duties."

"I will," she nodded. "I enjoy my work too much to leave it for too long, much as I'm looking forward to this little one's arrival."

"Well, then. The sooner we get to sleep the sooner tomorrow will be here. Then the next day, then the next ... Until he's here. Have you finished your snack now?"

"Yes dear, I have," she smiled across at him. "You take such good care of me, I couldn't have any worries about you looking after the babe, even if I returned to my work straight away."

Swift was warmed by his wife's trust. "Hopefully there won't be any rush for that." He picked up the plates and stacked them on the table beside the bed. "So we can leave making plans until he's actually here."

"Ohhh..." she paused, "I suppose so." she finally nodded. "If we really must," she said, flashing a smile.

"We really must ..." he assured her. "At least for tonight."

Last updated on the August 3rd 2008

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