Up In Smoke (1)

Writers: Heather, Jelena, Paula, Suzee
Date Posted: 11th January 2017

Characters: Endarin, Thayde, Irabel, Jylanya, Naton, Milga, F'dal, Kirten, Ievas
Description: The Table Walking Ceremony is cut short by a disaster at the Hall.
Location: Dolphin Hall
Date: month 9, day 12 of Turn 8

Thayde

Jylanya

Endarin eyed himself critically in the mirror as he adjusted the rank
knots on his shoulder that signified him as the Hallmaster. This would
be his first time leading a ceremony, and not merely watching from a
back table with a glass of wine. The first streaks of violet and
indigo ribboned across the sky, and already he had seen a few dragons
passing back and forth through the air as they delivered guests to the
Hall.

He had no doubt that the Hall looked spectacular and that everything
was prepped and ready. Naton's wife, and the Hall's Headwoman,
Jylanya, would have made sure that everything was immaculate, he was
sure.

Leaving his office, he strolled down the corridor to the main hall,
even before walking through the main doors he could ear the low buzz
of voices. Entering he allowed himself a small smile as he took in the
tables of guests near the back of the hall, and then the tables of
crafters toward the front.

Milga was terribly nervous and excited at the same time. This was it,
one step closer to her goals. She was wearing a same gather dress she
had on her cousins Hatching day. She looked lovely and more than one
young man was giving her a second look.

She glanced the audience, her family was there, thanks to cousin F'dal
and his friends. Her father looked so proud when he watched his first
born. She was no longer a child, Milsaki realized, but beautiful young
woman, much like her mother had been.

Kirten slipped in the back of the room, late as usual and as he went
past the refreshments at the back of the room he started to nab a
meatroll.

"Hey," Jylanya hissed and slapped his hand. "You go sit and come back
after the promotions"

"Sorry," he murmured. He knew he wasn't on the promotion list for
today. He'd just been promoted the last time and there was no way he'd
done enough work or learning for the next step. After all, though he'd
made some friends in the pod he'd no clear partner yet.

From where she sat perched on her chair, Irabel had a clear view of
the room. Her eyes sought out a particular form, but at the moment
she could not see him in the growing crowd. She also searched for
another, but thus far, she hadn't seen her mother either. If her
mother did attend, Irabel wasn't quite certain how she would feel.
Perhaps her mother would finally stop hounding her. Perhaps she would
be relieved. Maybe she wouldn't care. She certainly cared more about
Thayd's presence, and she knew he would be there. After a few
moments, she stopped and simply stared at her hands, waiting for
everything to officially start.

It was the first major event that Thayde had attended since he'd
returned to the Dolphin Hall. It was nice seeing the old Sea Hold
gussied up for a special event, and the extra guests made everything
seem exciting and festive. As he entered the Hall he glanced toward
the journeyman table where Irabel sat, knowing that soon she would be
walking the tables to earn her place as a Master. He still remembered
walking the tables himself to become a Master Dolphineer when Famell
had been Hallmaster.

Endarin took his place at the head of the room and gave a nod to the
harpers who signaled on the instruments that it was time for people to
find their final seats so the ceremony could begin.

As a hush fell across the room, Endarin felt an unexpected jolt of
nervousness coil in the pit of his stomach. He'd never addressed this
many people at once, and suddenly there seemed to be a million faces
turned in his direction.

"Thank you all for coming to our ceremony. The Dolphin Hall welcomes
you, please make yourself at home," although not _too_ at home, he
thought of some of the visitors who'd already started on another cup
of alcohol. "We'll begin with those who are being promoted from
Apprentice to Senior Apprentice." He motioned for the Master of
Apprentices to take over.

Naton was at the edge of his seat as the ceremony took off. Especially
the Apprentice promotions were near and dear to his heart. He'd been
working with a lot of these young people lately and had greatly
enjoyed prepping them for this occasion, for the next step in their
career. He searched for Milga and smiled to himself at the picture she
presented. She'd grown up right under his eyes, hadn't she? He was
pretty sure it'd feel like just the blink of an eye before Veerona,
too, would grow up. And soon after that even his little Tonja. He didn't want to be thinking about that just yet, though. There was so much time to enjoy with his baby girl before that. And for now, he'd just enjoy this moment of festivity!

Milga was nearly biting her nails when the Master of apprentices stood up.

Endarin took his seat at the head table at the front of the room and
sipped from his glass of wine as Master Ievas stood and addressed the
crowd, starting first with the youngsters who were joining the Dolphin
Hall as apprentices for the first time, and then moving down the list
to the junior apprentices who were moving to senior apprentices.

"Milga," Master Ievas looked up and smiled as he read off the last
name on the list and held out the new rank knots for the girl.

Milga stood up so fast she stumbled. Red cheeked, she walked over to
receive her new knots. F'dal was cheering loudly, which made her blush
even more. She curties when the knots were attached to her shoulder.

Kirten couldn't help himself and leaped to his feet, pumping his fist
in the air and making as deep a "whoo whoo," sound as he could manage.
He grinned as he caught her eye.
Naton cheered on Milga loudly, joining in on the enthusiastic applause with fervor. There was a young lady that deserved a promotion!

Milga beamed, the excitement pushing aside her shyness. She gave a wave to familiar faces.

That only made Kirten's grin broader as he clapped. If anyone deserved this she did.

Once the promotions to Journeyman were complete, Master Endarin returned to the front of the room, this time with Master rank cords in his hands. "We would like to recognize our Senior Journeymen for excellence in the field and for the completion of their projects to become Masters.

First, Journeyman Ishran, for completing his Mastery in Dolphin Healing." There was a smattering of applause as the overly tan dolphineer received his new rank cords from Master Endarin and then went to sit at the Masters' table.

Endarin fingered the next set of cords thoughtfully, remembering how hesitant he had been to promote a woman to a Master... But this woman had earned it.

"Second, to Journeywoman Irabel, for completing her Mastery in Search and Rescue by recovering Master Thayde and Lord Zathris." This brought a larger round of applause as Irabel, whose cheeks reddened, came to the front.

"Congratulations." Endarin murmured to her as he handed her the cords.

Irabel ducked her head, "Thank you."

"Next," Endarin turned to give out the last of the rank cords that he had when the main doors to the hall burst open.

"Fire! There's a fire burning through the Hall!" The drudge had smudged cheeks and the hint of smoke rolled in behind her.

An uproar broke out in the hall, chairs scrapped against the stone as people stood and prepared to dart for the doors.

"HOLD!" Endarin bellowed from the front, and silence swept over the room as their eyes turned to the Hallmaster.

"Apprentices, escort our guests outside in an orderly manner. Journeymen grab buckets and prepare a water line. Masters, with me." When he stopped speaking the spell broke and people began scurrying about to do as the Hallmaster had bid.

Jylanya nodded at the Hallmaster and sprang into action directing the Hall staff, first to secure all the children from the creche and then to make sure all rooms they could reach were evacuated.

Naton's heart jumped at the call of fire, his mind instantly going to Veerona and little Tonja. Veerona was here somewhere, wasn't she? But where? Was the creche safe? His mind went a little frantic, but he knew he couldn't just dash off to make sure. His eyes searched for Jylanya's and when he heard her issuing commands regarding the creche he felt a little pang of relief. He'd get his orders from Endarin and then as soon as he was able, he'd reunite with his family to make sure everyone was alright.

Milga had been receiving congratulations from her friends and family and cheering on Irabel. She was instantly ready to help. F'dal wasn't far behind offering his help.

"I have this big bronze at my beck and call if you need assistance. I could take a word for the Weyr," he called.

"The Hall can see to this, but if you want to help, grab a bucket and join the brigade." Endarin told F'dal, before leading his Masters away to deal with the crisis.

Last updated on the February 1st 2017

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Up In Smoke (1)