What is Meant to Be Will Happen

Writers: AL, Ames
Date Posted: 24th July 2013

Characters: Famell, Irabel
Description: Irabel and Famell talk about life and love
Location: Dolphin Hall
Date: month 1, day 28 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Shilara

"Hello there Irabel, how are you doing this fine day?" Famell asked as
he approached the journeyman dolphineer on the sands. He was out and
about today, trying to be more hands on. He'd had so much paperwork to
deal with since his return, he had missed spending time with everyone
and working among the dolphins.

"I'm doing well Hallmaster." Irabel smiled and patted the sand behind
her as an invitation. "And how does this rest day find you?"

Famell settled into the sand beside her with just the slightest
effort. He was in excellent shape for his age, better than most could
say who weren't dolphineers.

"I'm well. Enjoying a bit of sun and time to relax. It's been a busy
time since my return. Lots to catch up on then the hurricane and all
the aftermath of that. The Hall is really a growing and bustling place
once again. I missed being here while I was away," he turned and
looked to the Hall sitting high on the cliff, a smile on his face. He
loved it here and it showed.

"Well, the Hall is certainly glad to have you back." And, Irabel
thought to herself, so were certain young women. The Hallmaster was a
looker and she'd seen quite a few glances thrown at him. She wouldn't
be surprised if he left a string of broken hearts behind him - without
even meaning to!

He smiled. His smile lit up his face. "It feels good, actually.
Dealing with the pod matters at the outlying areas was important, but
I missed the interactions here."

"Well, when it becomes your home and the people your family..."
Irabel trailed off, but she knew exactly how Famell felt. She didn't
have to leave to go on long trips often, and for that she was glad.
She loved her home. "I guess you're settling back in all right?"

"Oh yes. Right back into paperwork and duties and more. We've also had
a slew of returning dolphineers who've come back to the Hall after
working in outlying areas." He paused, "I guess my visits inspired
some of them. And a few new arrivals from the North. Have you met any
of them? I think you would like Shilara. She specializes in search and
rescue also."

"You can be very inspirational." But Irabel couldn't help but wonder
why he mentioned that particularly dolphineer. Amusement tugged at
her mouth. "Shilara? I have not met her. I wonder though, does the
_Hallmaster_ like Shilara?"

He gave her a look at her words and then chuckled, "Of course, I like
all the dolphineers," he replied, but the corner of his lips seemed to
be tugging upward and a slight twinkle appeared in his eye. "She_is_
very friendly," he added and then shrugged. He hadn't really thought
much about his feelings for Shilara, but Irabel's comment made him
wonder a bit.

"I'm sure there would be quite a few dolphineers who would be very
friendly if you let them." Irabel pointed out. She had names of
three others at the very least.

He chuckled. "You seem to know more than I do." He lifted his hands up
though and added, "but I don't think I_want_ to know. I think I'd

rather continue living in darkness over such things." He shifted so he
was looking more towards her. "What about you Irabel? I'm sure there
are many clamoring for your attentions?"

"Ah yes, and another heart breaks." Irabel shakes her head. "And a
poor soul goes unnoticed." At his question, she shook her head.
"Alas, I have no one except my dolphin partner, but that's all right,
I'm happy for now. I've not really looked for any other sort of
relationship - and if anyone has any sort of interest in me, he's
keeping it a well guarded secret."

He reached over to pat her hand. "You'd make a good life partner for
someone, Irabel, if that's what you wanted." Not all the crafters
seemed called to a life of marriage. He had been, once, but the
thought of losing his wife had kept his heart at bay for so many
Turns. He'd feared giving his heart to another only to lose her once
again.

"You're sweet, and if I ever meet the right guy, definitely.
But...well, just isn't life right now. Maybe never." Irabel
shrugged. She had to admit there were times she wished she had
someone, envied those she saw wrapped in each other's embrace, but she
generally tried to keep busy and not think too much about that sort of
thing.

"If it's meant to be, it will happen," Famell replied, giving her an
understanding smile. "Thankfully we have our dolphin partners to keep
us company no matter what. How is Kerchek these days?"

"He's doing grand. He's enjoying the latest little ones, playing as
if he's less than half his age." Babies were always cute, whether
they were human, dragon, or dolphin. "He certainly keeps me on my
toes."

He grinned, "Don't they always! Tafa is always clamoring for my
attentions. Sometimes I feel badly that I have so many other duties
that I don't get to spend as much time with her as I would have
before. Enjoy your time with Kerchek. Time is one of those things that
we can't control and you never know when fate will change things."

"Yeah, I know." Irabel knew how that worked. She drew her knees up
and wrapped her arms around them. "Funny how things work. I always
knew I'd be a dolphineer, but sometimes people's lives move in
directions they don't expect. For instance, I'd never thought I'd be
in the South when I first apprenticed."

"Aye," Famell replied, "I know how you feel. Life changes in the blink
of an eye. It's amazing to think back and realize you never intended
to be standing where you are, but you wouldn't trade it for anything."
He paused then added, "well, the heartaches perhaps I could have done
without." He thought to Tanisee again. She was always in the back of
his mind. He wished she could have lived to see how things had turned
out.

"What's it like?" Irabel asked. "To love someone? I don't know,
I've never...well, never really had someone interested in me and I
guess I never thought about getting interested in someone else. Seems
like it would be nice to have that experience. Even with the
heartaches."

He gave her a gentle and wistful smile. "It's the best feeling in the
world. You find you want to do nothing but _be_ with that person, but
there is so much more to it than that. You want to make them happy.
You do things specifically to bring joy to them. It's truly an
experience like no other, Irabel. And to have a child together, to
have that means of sharing with the world what your love has created."
He actually sighed happily. "It's a truly amazing experience."

Irabel watched the Hallmaster's face. She'd never seen him like this.
Suddenly, she wanted it. She wanted to feel that radiance that she
saw reflected in his visage. She wanted to understand that sort of
passion. She was passionate about her craft, but this...it was a
different sort. "I see." The problem was, no one was interested, and
who would court her? She turned her gaze back to the horizon, her
brow furrowed as the man's words tumbled through her mind and she
pondered what she was missing.

He saw her visage change. Reaching a hand out to pat her hand, he said
gently. "It will happen Irabel, when you least expect it. You will
see."

"Maybe." Irabel smiled but offered no other response. Instead, she
drew silent, enjoying the company of her Master and of the scene of
the sky as the sunset spread its colourful cloak across the sky.

Last updated on the July 24th 2013

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What is Meant to Be Will Happen