It's Nice to Be Home Again

Writers: Ames, Jelena
Date Posted: 17th July 2013

Characters: Famell, Naton
Description: Famell greets Naton who has returned from various travels
Location: Dolphin Hall
Date: month 1, day 12 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Jylanya, Veerona

Famell knew Naton was due to return. He'd been waiting for word that
the ship had been spotted. He'd sent the Senior Journeyman to finish
many of the outlying visits he, himself, couldn't. He knew it had
taken Naton away from his Masters work, but he'd needed the help.
That, and he trusted Naton with such important tasks over many of the
other journeymen he could have chosen.

"Sir," a voice interrupted, "the ship is finally approaching." Famell
nodded to the younger man who'd delivered the message.

"Thank you," he replied. He wanted to greet Naton himself. He'd been
sending him out so much, he wanted him to know how much he valued his
help. With his own travels he'd had to do much of the communicating
via messengers, and hadn't even had much chance to speak directly with
Naton.

Making his way down to the docks, he saw the ship in the distance that
was making quick progress towards the shore. By the time he reached
the docks, the ship was already starting to pull up along the docks.

"Good day," he called out with a wave to the seacrafters onboard. He
didn't see Naton, but he knew he had to be on the ship. The message
said he'd be returning today.

"Good day to you!" came a sudden reply from inside, shortly followed
by Naton's grinning face as he came in sight. It was good to be home
and it showed on his glowing face as he surveyed the harbour before
turning to his Master in greeting. "Journeyman Naton reporting for
duty, Sir."

Being away so much had given him fresh perspective. At first he had
been frustrated at being forced to take time away from his project,
but now he just felt refreshed. It wasn't his mastery project he had
missed so much when he was away, it was Jylanya and little Veerona
that he had wanted to come back for. And there he was at last, back
home!

Famell smiled at his fellow dolphineer and raised his arms in
greeting. "It's good to have you back, Naton. Come walk with me. I
want to hear of your travels and personally thank you for doing this.
I know it wasn't what you'd had in mind, but I needed the assistance,
and well, you were the best man for the job." Famell meant every word
he said. He'd even been contemplating how best to help the journeyman
achieve his rank of Mastery. If anyone deserved it, Naton did.

"Did you fare well on the journeys I sent you on? Any problems with
the pods, dolphineers?" He hoped not, but he needed to know. On his
own ventures, there had been an illness that was affecting one of the
pods. It was one of the reasons he'd been delayed so long in returning
and had sent Naton on to the pods he hadn't been able to reach.

"Thank you, Sir," Naton said with a smile, falling into pace with
Famell. "And maybe it was good for me to take a step back from my
project for a moment, after all." And even if it hadn't been, it was
an honour that Famell trusted him to handle things in his place. "I
found no signs of the illness you spoke of at any of the other pods.
There was one pod that had a few injuries from a recent rescue
operation, other than that everything seemed to be pretty quiet. But
I'll give you my full report once my stuff has been unloaded. How have
things been here while I was away?"

"Good good," he replied clapping a hand on the younger man's back.
"I've just gotten the reports myself. They had a major rescue
operation, which went well. We just had a bonfire for the Hall, I'm
sorry you weren't back in time to be part of it. I barely made it back
myself." He led the way back up the steps into the main entrance of
the Hall.

"Care for some food? I made sure they left something warming in the
kitchens for you." Truthfully, there was _always_ food warming in the
kitchens at the Dolphin Hall. The dolphineers worked so hard and
burned so many calories, that they had to eat when they needed it.

"Yeah, I was here for the rescue op," Naton nodded, wondering if he
should mention the part his invention had played, but deciding that
Famell had or would read about that himself. "And I'm sure there will
be plenty of festivities to come." Naton perked up visibly at the
mention of food and nodded eagerly. "That would be great, I've missed
our good meals for sure." And it would save time to eat while being
debriefed, time he could then spend with Jylanya.

"Come then," Famell replied, "let's get some food." He walked with the
other man into the hall towards the dining caverns. With a snap of his
fingers, a few of the kitchen girls on duty nodded and hurried to
bring out food. They settled the plates at a table for Famell and
Naton to enjoy. "Go ahead, eat up."

"Mmm," Naton showed his approval by wolfing down the bites of his
meal. He had missed these meals, for sure! "How's everyone doing here
personally? Have you seen the lovely lady Jylanya recently?" Naton
asked, unable to resist. It had been hard for him to go away, but he
hoped his beloved Jylanya had found it just as hard to see him go.

"Everyone here is doing well. I just spoke with Jylanya not long ago
actually. She seems quite well." Famell had noted the extra interest
and smiled to himself. He had been so busy, and he hadn't noticed, but
it seemed as though there might be something going on there.

"I'm looking forward to having you back here once again. I know your
project has been going well. Once you get settled back in, I would
like it if you would show them to me personally. I'm afraid I haven't
yet had the chance to _really_ see how they work and get the full
details."

"That is wonderful news," Naton said, smiling to himself at the
thought of his surprise for Jylanya. "And of course I will give you
the full demonstration. Though it was good to take a break, I'm eager
to get them finished so they can be properly used by whoever sees use
for them."

"Wonderful. Why don't I let you finish getting settled in then. I'm
sure your eager to get back to your own work and your own quarters.
You know where to find me if you need me for anything." Famell smiled
kindly towards the journeyman. He was a good man. He'd make a good
leader someday if he wanted, but that was a thought for another time.

Last updated on the July 23rd 2013

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It's Nice to Be Home Again