Food and Company

Writers: Ames, Eimi
Date Posted: 13th September 2010

Characters: Almonteo, Maemira
Description: The Hall's Headwoman brings Almonteo a little food and company
Location: Harper Hall
Date: month 11, day 2 of Turn 5

Almonteo

Maemira knocked on Almonteo's door. He'd been hard at work for quite
some time and Carmora was occupied. She'd managed to catch Maemira
earlier in the day and had asked her to make sure Almonteo didn't forget
to eat and take care of himself.

Holding the tray of food from the kitchens in her hand, she waited for
the Master Harper to answer.

He opened the door, slightly confused by the sight of the Headwoman
carrying a tray of food. His eyebrows lifted in surprise. "Is my wife
ordering _you_ around too now?"

Maemira laughed. She entered the room and glanced around. "Where would
you like me to put the tray Master Almonteo?" She asked. "Your wife was
simply concerned," Maemira winked in his direction. "I knew she would be
at
peace if she knew someone was looking after you in her absence."

"My wife? At peace? Hardly," he chuckled, though he made a space on
his desk.

Maemira chuckled again. "Well, you know your wife," she quipped a bit.
"Now lunch is served. I think it would appease us all to know you had
taken the time to enjoy it. So, where would you like it?" Maemira
pressed. She
had not intention of giving up until he accepted the tray.

"Right here," he said pointing the spot he had just cleared. "Are you
going to watch me eat too?"

"No, of course not," she said lightly, placing the tray on the table.
"Though I must admit, I'm always curious what things are being developed
by our harpers, and especially by you Master Almonteo," she grinned at
him.
"I can return later for the tray if you'd like?"

"Save yourself a trip. Have a seat," he said, indicating the chair
across from him. "Would you like some water?" Almonteo always had
something to drink on hand, especially in this warm climate.

"Thank you, Master," Maemira replied. "A drink would be nice. Thank you
again." Maemira settled into one of the seats. "You seem to be working
hard on something."

"I'm always working hard on _something_," he shrugged, picking up his
fork. "That's why I'm the Hallmaster."

"Of course," she smiled. "How are the plans for the new Hall going, if I
may ask?" Maemira was curious as it would be a major move, and she would
be
a large part of helping to keep that move running smoothly.

"Well. Construction is well under way. I've checked on the progress
and all seems to be going according to schedule." He began picking at
his salad. "Luckily the climate is very similar to here."

"I am glad to hear it Master. I know I've only been here a few short
months, but I, too, am anxious for the new Hall. We will once again have
our own
kitchens," Maemira said. **And I will finally be able to run them the
way _I_ want!** She added silently. Not that she did not approve of the
Weyr's kitchens, but Maemira liked the authority that came with the job,
perhaps a bit too much at times.

"And they will be beautiful and brand new," Almonteo agreed with a grin.
He was dying to see how people liked their new home. The Hallmaster
had worked closely with Corowal and the architect and had the rare
opportunity to see it laid out just the way _he_ wanted! "Have you ever
been to Emerald Falls?"

"I passed through there once, but it was many turns ago. I didn't have
much time to explore. It seems we'll have plenty of time in the future
though. Have you spent much time there Master?"

"Not so much," he admitted. "I never lived there. I came after the
fire and helped move the Hall here right away. But recently I have been
spending more time there."

"I guess we will all learn our way around there soon enough. But for
now, there's always more work to be done here," Maemira said, knowing
Almonteo was always busy working and even though she did not have
kitchens to
run, Maemira found herself still very busy from sunup to sundown each
day.

"But do you even feel you've had enough time to settle in here yet?" he
asked, knowing she had not joined their Hall all that long before.

"Ah, yes, you are right Master Almonteo. I hardly have found my way
around, but," Maemira paused and leaned in a bit conspiratorially, "I
must admit
that I am used to running my own kitchen. Though not running one does
provide for more time to enjoy the views, that's for sure." Maemira
smiled as she sat back.

"And there are plenty of those in Dolphin Cove," Almonteo smiled,
wishing he had more of a chance to do so himself. "I will miss that
when we leave here."

"There are fabulous views, you are right." Maemira replied. "I'm sure
the new Hall will have views of its own to tempt us all away from our
work."

"The waterfall is quite lovely," the Hallmaster smiled, though he knew
he was just trying to make her feel better. Really, where could that go
that would have views that could compare to Dolphin Cove?

Maemira could tell from his tone that he, like so many, would miss this
place. "It will be hard to leave here, but having a true Hall again
will, I'm sure, be wonderful. Our home is where we all are."

Last updated on the September 25th 2010

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Food and Company