You're Never Too Old!

Writers: Jane, Kaysea
Date Posted: 7th April 2007

Characters: Swift, Kateena
Description: Swift and Kateena's friendship takes an interesting turn.
Location: Dolphin Hall
Date: month 3, day 17 of Turn 4

"Still too rough for you out there?" Swift asked when he caught sight of Kateena in the dining hall. He was on his way to start a late shift but early, so he had time to stop and talk with the visiting journeywoman.

"A little," Kateena's smile went a bit awry as she agreed with Swift.
"but whether it is or not, I have to go out later today with Civi, we have to make sure nothing else along the coast is at risk, and what better view than from the sea itself?" She indicated the seat next to her, "You have time for a cup of klah, before work?"

"I do. Would you like me to get us a fresh pitcher?"

"That's be nice." Kateena picked up the pitcher and passed it to him.
"How about I come with you and I'll collect some bread and preserves for us to have? I haven't eaten yet."

"I can bring everything," he assured her with a smile. "It's what I do."

"Okay then, I'll just sit here and admire the view." she gave a short throaty chuckle, her eyes meeting his for an instant, before she dropped her gaze to the table. Had she been too forward? It was hard to tell with Swift, he was friendly enough, but was there anything more to it?
She'd had an almost instant attraction to him, but over the past couple of sevendays, she had become more curious about taking it further during the time she had left at the Hall.

The kitchen hand walked off to collect klah and food, his thoughts completely on other things. On Kateena. Friendly, attractive, Kateena.

Very young Kateena.

He gathered together what he needed and absently returned the greetings of the staff, assuring them he wasn't starting work. Not yet. Enduring their teasing about going back out to eat with the journeywoman.

Not _really_ young Kateena, he supposed. Only from his perspective.
Thirty Turns younger than he was? Or more? Old enough to be attracted
- as he was. Open enough to not keep that a secret.

"Klah, breads, preserves," he said, setting everything out on the table before her and then sitting in the chair opposite. "When do you leave?"
he asked abruptly wondering why he had never asked before. He knew her duty at the Hall was only temporary.

"Oh.." her eyes widened in surprise at the question, was his mind running along the same thoughts as her own? "..umm, I'm not sure, but I think I still have a month or so here." She reached across and took the pot of klah, set out the two mugs, tipped the pot and watched the dark liquid flow. Her mind really wasn't on what she was doing, and her eyes weren't focused, but she managed to fill both without spilling a drop.

"Why?" she blurted, and then burst into light laughter. "I'm sorry,"
she covered her mouth, and tried to stifle her mirth, "I didn't mean to sound so blunt."

"It was a pretty blunt question." Now he was being asked to explain himself he knew he was going to struggle. "I'm enjoying our friendship," he said finally, pausing to take a sip of the hot klah.
"But your time here is limited. I need to keep that in mind."

She could feel a blush creeping up her face, but her smile negated any embarrassment she was feeling at Swift's words. "Thank you Swift - I, I feel the same way; but you're right, we need to keep in mind that this _isn't_ a permanent thing for me, and that I will be leaving, but..."
she dropped her gaze for a moment, and took a deep breath, "but, for now
- can we just live in the moment?"

He grinned. "As long as living in the moment takes into account I'm working lates today." He was sure he had to do better than make a joke.
Rushing seemed ... desperate. Dawdling seemed foolish. Starting something that has to be ended in a month or so seemed - He had no idea what it seemed. Starting something at his age - with somebody her age -
"Shall we talk some more tonight? Will you be awake when I get off just before midnight? Would you want to come for a walk on the beach?
This just isn't a breakfast sort of conversation for me."

She looked to the ceiling for a moment, thinking hard,"Okay." pause, "Yes. Yes." pause,"Yes and - I agree, it's not ideal breakfast talk."
she chuckled looking across at him. "I'm sorry Swift," she said, smiling softly at him. "but, I couldn't resist." Her hand reached across the table for his and she took it gently in her own, "You're right, this is neither the time, nor the place for discussing such matters, but I will make time, _whenever_ you're available."

Swift felt laughter welling up within him, with every other sort of emotion. "I am far, far too old to be feeling like this," he told her, though his laughing tone was clear of any sort of complaint. He got to his feet and rounded the table to kiss her cheek. "And I _have_ to get to work." He picked up the roll he hadn't finished and the half-full mug of klah intending to finish his breakfast as he worked. "I'll see you tonight."

"You will." she nodded, "Indeed you will see me tonight." She watched as he wended his way through the table back to the kitchens, admiring the view once again. *You're _never_ too old.* The thought tracked through her mind as he disappeared through the doorway, *and one way or another I'll prove it to you.* With that she picked up a piece of redfruit and bit satisfyingly into it.

Last updated on the April 8th 2007

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You're Never Too Old!