Exciting News
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: Ainsley1, Jane
Date Posted: 16th May 2007
Characters: Yara, Swift
Description: Yara shares a bit of exciting news with her grandfather
Location: Dolphin Hall, Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 4, day 1 of Turn 4
With a thrill, Yara took out her pen and ink and sat at her little desk. She simply had to write to Boppa first thing! Wouldn't he be surprised? Or perhaps not. Though they really only knew each other through letters, her grandfather had always seemed quite perceptive, and she had shared her restlessness with him many times.
Yara took a moment and closed her eyes, remembering the man she had not seen since she was six-turns-old.
He was ever-so tall and he had the kindest light-grey eyes. She remembered thinking that outside of her father he was the most handsome man alive. She had always felt a special connection with the older man, and read and reread his letters about the Southern Dolphin Hall.
Collecting her thoughts, she started to write, watching her own hand pen the small neat letters and trying to picture the response of the man to whom she was writing.
Dearest Boppa, Yara paused, at twenty-two turns perhaps she should abandon the nickname, a carry-over from when her two-turn-old mouth couldn't form the word "Granda."
With a shrug, she decided against it. He would always be "Boppa" to her no matter how old she was.
We were so relieved to hear that you made it through the storm unscathed. I have not yet heard if many were lost and have been hoping for the best for all of your friends there at the Hall. I imagine the clean-
up efforts have been tremendous work for everyone.
This shall have to be a quick note as I really must seek my bed soon. However, I could not wait to write to you about the most monumental decision that I have made. Today I put in for a transfer to the Southern Dolphin Hall! If granted, I would be able to see you once again! Also, I would have that change I have been so desiring, but still be able to continue in my studies. Just maybe, I will even find a dolphin partner in your Southern Hall!
I shall write more when I'm able, but I wanted to share this with you right away.
All my love, Yara
********
"Letters, again, Swift," the cook said, nodding at the shelf beside the rear doors of the kitchen. "You have the letteriest family I know."
"Is that a word?" Swift asked, picking up the two letters with his name on them at the door. One from his son, Race, and one from granddaughter Yara.
"'Tis now. Are they from up North?"
"Yep." Swift folded the letters lengthways and pushed the down into his pocket. He would read them both after he finished his shift.
Before he sat down to eat a very late meal at nearly midnight he pulled the letters out of his pocket. While he ate he read his son's and then his granddaughter's.
Yara, here? He stopped eating to read the words again. Although he remembered the little girl from before he had moved to Topaz SeaHold he knew her best as a letter-writer. Through early childish notes to long, detailed descriptions of the ups and downs of her apprentice life, she had always written to him, and he had been delighted to write back. Although he had never had a daughter to raise, sometimes he felt as if he had almost done so with Yara - and all through letters.
He put the letter aside and went on with his meal. He would write back to her tonight and put the letter out for collection tomorrow while he slept late.
In his room he found a sheet of paper and started writing, remembering when the little girl had need to get her father to help her read his untidy scrawl.
"What wonderful news, Yara!
"I'm sure your application will be accepted and that you'll enjoy it down here. What do your parents think about it? You can tell your father that it's a good Hall with good leaders and despite being in the Southern Continent, we have a female Hallsecond and a number of journeywomen.
"My friend Kateena was slightly injured in the storm -
rather spectacular bruising everywhere but nothing serious, luckily. There were a few other injuries and a few deaths in the area. I made it through all right, except having to work extra hard to keep everybody distracted by being well-fed. A kitchen worker's lot is not an easy one!
"Let me know as soon as your application gets approved and then your sailing dates.
"I look forward to seeing you again after so long, "Love, Boppa."
He smiled at the nickname and folded the letter. She was twenty-two, this granddaughter of his; an adult. But still she used the toddler's nickname and he did too. He was 'Granda' to the rest of them, but Boppa to his little letter writer.
Not so little, these days, he supposed, as he walked down to the Hall's offices to leave the letter out for collection he wondered if he would ever recognise Yara when he saw her again. There was a world of difference between a six and twenty-two.
Last updated on the May 19th 2007