The Kitten Fiasco (1/4): Keeping the Hallmaster Happy
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Bree, Eimi
Date Posted: 10th August 2005
Characters: Fielton, Daigoro
Description: Fielton enlists Daigoro's aid to help him find a pet for his wife, which is not something the Hallsecond thinks is part of his job description.
Location: Amber Hills Hold, Vintner Hall
Date: month 7, day 4 of Turn 3
"Good morning, Fielton," Daigoro smiled as he walked towards the Hallmaster's desk. He gently placed a folder full of papers on it before taking a seat across from him. "These are the apprentice evaluations you asked for."
Fielton pulled the folder across the desk and flipped it open. "Excellent... and sooner than I expected them, too."
"I think you will find there are some fine prospects for advancement." The hallsecond said proudly. He always was pleased when the apprentices did well.
"That's good," Fielton replied vaguely, glancing over the sheet. Then, to Daigoro's surprise, he flipped it closed. "I need to make a trip to the Hold, and I need your assistance. Are you free for the next candlemark or two?"
"Of course, sir. I am at your disposal." The Hallsecond was intrigued. It sounded like a matter of some importance.
While it was a matter of great importance to Fielton himself, he was well aware that Daigoro might not consider finding a kitten for Badia to be a matter of urgency for the Hall as a whole. Due to this realization, Fielton let them get a good five minutes towards the Hold before he admitted the reason behind their excursion. "I need to find someone who has kittens."
"Oh, I'm sure someone in the Hold, or at least some cothold somewhere have kittens, Fielton." Daigoro said helpfully, not at all grasping that _that_ was their intended mission for the day.
Fielton frowned thoughtfully. "But the problem is figuring out who, isn't it?"
"Should be too much of a problem, Fielton." Daigoro reassured him. "Just inquire at the kitchens. They should know who requests food for a feline.
I'm sure our business here would still leave you with time to do that much at least."
"That _is_ our business here," Fielton replied, knowing exactly how silly _that_ sounded.
If it had been any other man, Daigoro would have laughed, given him a friendly clout on the shoulder and laughed at the joke. But Fielton was not that kind of man. But did the Hallmaster pull him away from his hidework, away from his students, out into the winter weather, to find a pretty little _feline_ for his pretty little wife? What could he say to that!? "I see."
Fielton immieditly became defensive--a clear sign he knew that he was on the edge of total lunacy. "I know this is highly irregular, Daigoro... but I'm out of my depth. Wines I know. Everything else is..." he trailed off, obviously uncomfortable with the fact that he didn't have the faintest idea where to start.
"Understand, sir. It can be a most frustrating situation." Too keep a Hall running, one must keep the Hallmaster happy. That much stood to reason.
And to keep _this_ Hallmaster happy, one must keep his pretty new child-bride happy. Daigoro tried to give him his most cheerful smile.
"Well then, we will see what we can find then."
The afternoon played out as an absurd comedy of errors. Their first lead directed them to someone who directed them to someone who had a liter of puppies, one of which peed on Daigoro's shoe. The owner of the canines sent them to his friend, who had recently sent a pregnant feline to another friend.
The kittens were long gone, but the formerly pregnant feline climbed Fielton's leg and left a few scratches and a tattered pants leg that was going to be a pain to fix. Horrified that his feline had ripped up the Hallmaster of the Vintner Hall, the owner offered him ownership of the feline. Fielton politely declined.
Instead they were directed to yet another friend, who had more puppies--one of whom bit Daigoro's finger when the Hallsecond reached down to pet him.
That visit ended rather abruptly, and Fielton declared defeat and directed them back to the Hall, wondering how far Daigoro would make it before saying something highly unpleasant.
But the Hallmaster Second refused to say a word. In this case, silence might just say more than words.
Fielton finally sighed. "I'm sorry." It was probably the first time he'd said those particular words to anyone in recent memory.
"No need to apologize," the Hallsecond lied. "But may I recommend a flit as a pet, next time?" At least an _egg_ would not bite or scratch or pee on your new boots...
"Oh, I'm giving her one of those as well," Fielton replied without realizing how it sounded. "But she wanted a kitten."
"Ah, I see." Daigoro said with a nod. "Well, then, a kitten she shall have."
"I suppose she will," Fielton replied, nodding his head. But next time, he was going to enlist someone else to help... someone who perhaps had a little more knowledge of this sort of thing.
Now all he could do was hope that everyone in the Hall hadn't heard the story of his adventure by the end of the sevenday.
Last updated on the August 12th 2005