A Day for News (1)

Writers: Kaysea, Jane
Date Posted: 1st June 2007

Characters: Swift, Kateena
Description: Kateena and Swift exchange news and make some decisions about their future.
Location: Dolphin Hall
Date: month 4, day 2 of Turn 4

"Glad I caught you," Swift said finding the journeywoman in the corridor
outside her room. "Red -" he nodded at the tiny firelizard in the crook
of his arm, "- and I are going out for a walk along the beach and we'd
like you to come along."

A warm smile cross Kateena's face at Swift's words. "I'd love to. I
have to go down and see if Civi is around, too. Do you mind? Only I'll
be returning to work with him this coming sevenday, I've finally been
given the all clear."

"That's news you've been waiting to hear. Congratulations." He leaned
forward and kissed her cheek. "Come on, then, let's go and tell Civi
the news."

She slipped her arm around Swift's waist and they walked companionably
towards the beach. "You've got some rest time? I did wonder if I would
see you today, I need to discuss something with you."

"And I have news for you. But yes, I've done my shift for the day so
the evenings all our own." He put an arm around her shoulders and
hitched his other arm to make sure that the tiny firelizard was still
settled there.

"You have news as well?" she turned her head and looked up at him.
"Seems to be a day for news, I just hope yours is good."

"It's very good. What's yours?" He felt like a young man, laughing and
teasing with a young woman; cuddling up with her. It was like his long
ago courtship of Belevi, but with the appreciation that age gave him of
how special such times really were in life.

"I don't know if you'll think this good news or not..." she looked
unsure, and dropped his gaze. "I've heard from the Northern Hall."

Swift supposed he looked a little surprised, since his news came from
that direction too. "Oh?"

"You'll be getting rid of me soon." her voice was small, "I'll be
leaving at the end of the month." She tried to stop the warmth from
flooding her eyes, could feel her heart in her throat. She had become
too attached to this man beside her; too attached too quickly, and there
was nothing she could do about it.

"No, no. That's not right." The kitchen hand stopped and turned to
face her, drawing her close with one arm and checking only briefly that
Red wasn't getting squashed between them. "Can you - would you - ask
for a transfer?" What if Yara's transfer cost Kateena a place at the
Hall?

"I wanted to talk to you about it. I was going to request a transfer
straight away, but Swift, I needed to know you wanted me to stay,
first." her eyes, this time, did fill with unshed tears as she met his
look. "I don't want to leave, the idea leaves me feeling bereft, but.."

"Kateena, I _want_ you to stay. I want -" He hesitated, gathering his
thoughts because he hadn't expected this, having been more concerned
with his own news. "I want the chance for us to be sure - about - To
see if you would like to marry me." It was halting and not the polished
speech she probably deserved but then he was probably less than she
deserved, anyway. So much older; no craft status. "If you would
consider that."

His words took her by surprise - she hadn't expected them; had hoped to
hear them at some stage, but hadn't expected them so quickly. "I...oh,
yes Swift, I would. But - please, don't feel you have to make ... I
just wanted to make sure I wasn't assuming anything." Her eyes locked
with his, searching for his true feelings. "I'll request the transfer,
but - I may have to return North, even if just for a short time. Until
the request has been given consideration."

"Seems a waste of time to go north again," he grumbled, though the
tightening of his arm around her gave a better indication of his
pleasure and relief. "Though it would be sensible to make sure ...
Tidy things up and get you settled down here and then we could be sure."
He grinned. "Come on, let's walk. I'm sounding like a tongue-tied boy."

"Swift, wait." she tugged on his arm, holding fast. "I know _I_ am sure
about my feelings; I don't have to wait to be _sure_. I am giving you
the chance to consider everything, through. The short time I will be
away will give _you_ breathing space. Okay?"

"I don't want to rush," he said, "Either of us," he said firmly. "I
just want to know where we're going, if everything goes well. And now
we do."

"Yes..." she breathed a small sigh of relief, "we do."

"So, walk. And I'll tell you my news."

"I'm all ears, now." she smiled, and hugged his arm to her side as they
walked along. "Tell!"

His already wide smile grew as he delivered his news. "My
granddaughter's being transferred in."

Last updated on the June 29th 2007

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A Day for News (1)