A Farewell for Race

Writers: Vix, Kaysea, Jane
Date Posted: 16th August 2007

Characters: Kateena, Swift, Race
Description: Race has his farewell meal at the Dolphin Hall with his father and Kateena.
Location: Dolphin Hall
Date: month 5, day 17 of Turn 4

It went without saying that the rosters had been shuffled until Swift had this evening off and it also went without saying that the very best of everything in the kitchens was appearing at the table where the kitchen hand sat with two journey-ranked dolphineers. His son and his future wife. Apart from the absence of his granddaughter who hoped to join them after her duties were done, Swift couldn't be happier.

"I'll admit," Race was saying as he swirled his glass of wine, "that I feel much better about leaving her here after the time I've spent at this Hall. She seems to have fit in quite well and to be happy in her work."

"I think she's settled in well. She puts everyone she talks to at ease. Me included." she smiled from Race to Swift.

"She's always had that ability," was Race's proud reply. "I could always count on her to be friendly and to help new apprentices fit in. I should have realized that as the new one that same talent would help her."

"It has so far. And of course she has her grandfather here for her, and me, if she'll let me."

The other journeyman smiled at this offer. "She'll probably take you up on that offer. She likes you and wholeheartedly approves of your relationship with her grandfather."

Swift eyed his son, hoping for more.

"And you?" Kateena asked, still unsure of Race's opinion of her and Swift as a couple.

The older man reached out to take Kateena's hand, wanting to reassure her.

Now Race's expression became serious. "I like you, Kateena, and I know that the two of you are happy together." As he said this he included his father in his glance. "But I still need to time to adjust to this. After all, you're not much older than some of my daughters."

"Thank you," Swift said, more than happy with that. He had had his own concerns about the age difference between him and Kateena, and the status difference between a kitchen hand and a journeywoman in the same Hall.

Race grinned at his father. "I wish that I could spend longer getting to know the two of you as a couple, but I miss my wife and want to get back to her. Perhaps some day both of us will come back for a visit."

Swift nodded. "It's a long way to come but with Yara here too ... Plenty of reason to take it."

"Did you not tell him?" Kateena looked to Swift, a smile playing about her lips.

"I don't think you parents can be expected to ferry my family around," Swift protested.

Race regarded the couple in confusion.

"I'm sure mother would be fine, the last couple of turns she has offered to take me to see my father, and even my foster father if I wanted to see him. I don't see a problem." she looked from one man to the other, "Oh sorry Race, I thought Swift may have told you - my family are Weyrfolk - dragonriders to be more precise."

The Northern dolphineer stared at her for a long moment before he put together what she was suggesting. "Oh, you mean ... No, my father's right - we can't expect them to ferry us around."

"Ferry, no." Kateena agreed, "But the occasional visit to the North wouldn't be out of the question." she smiled at both men. "And I would still like you to meet my father." she looked back at Swift, "and mother is the only one who can organise that."

"My father rarely leaves the Weyr these days," she explained to Race, "he was heavily scored and only feels comfortable in the Weyr these days. He thinks, mistakenly, that he is a child's worst nightmare to look at, so only associates with Weyrfolk."

"Dragons," Swift murmured with a happy sigh.

His father's reaction brought a chuckle from Race. "You must really enjoy it here - dragons _and_ dolphins." He glanced toward the woman. "And Kateena, of course." He leaned forward as he turned the conversation back to that more solemn topic. "You still accept your mother's offers to see your father regularly, don't you?"

"There speaks a father who's about to have one of his daughters settle far, far away from him," the kitchen hand said with a kindly smile for his son.

"I have, but not since I arrived down here." She shook her head, "With the hurricane and then organising my transfer I haven't seen either of them for a while, but mother does know about Swift," she smiled and reached out to cover Swift's hand with her own, giving it a slight squeeze, "and I'm expecting a visit any time soon," she finished, looking back at Race.

Race nodded to that. "I hope that she does visit you. Family is important, even when far apart, and family members should stay in touch as much as they can."

"We will." Swift knew it was as much a promise from him to his son as one on behalf of him and Kateena both. With a new relationship Race might well think that his father's old family, a family he had been living apart from for sixteen Turns, could well be forgotten, but they wouldn't be. Race would always be his son; the only thing left to Swift from his marriage to Belevi. "I couldn't have moved South without knowing we would keep in touch through letters with you - and later Yara."

"And you should have no fear of Yara keeping in touch." Kateena smiled, "Between the three of us, you will always be kept up to date. And - if mother is amenable - may be the odd trip north for a day or so, every now and then."

"I'd appreciate that." Race smiled at both of them. "It was difficult enough being separated so many turns ago, but I've adjusted to that. The thought of leaving Yara brings it back and makes me realize how much I'll miss both of you." He glanced toward Kateena. "And you, too. Staying in touch really helps."

The older man nodded. "I might be able to train Red up soon. When he's a little older."

"That would aid in quicker contact," agreed his son. "And hopefully when he's old enough to train he'll still remember me."

"It's been good to have you here, Race, just at a time when there was somebody for you to meet."

This brought a smile from the younger man. "And when I can count on not one, but two people to look after my little girl."

"I doubt she'll need our help much, she's settling in fine on her own, but rest assured, we'll _both_ be here for her if needed." Kateena said earnestly.

"That's all I ask," replied Race, a broad smile for both of them. "I leave her in your hands."

Last updated on the October 6th 2008

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A Farewell for Race