A Whirlwind Departure

Writers: Jane, Ainsley1
Date Posted: 4th June 2007

Characters: Swift, Yara
Description: Yara finds her life changing far faster than expected and writes to share the news with Swift.
Location: Dolphin Hall
Date: month 4, day 4 of Turn 4

Yara sat comfortably curled on the deck wearing a
heavy knit sweater to guard against the chill wind.
The swell of the waves as they carried the ship was
soothing after the whirlwind of the past few days. The
dolphineer could not believe she was actually on her
way South and only two short days after requesting a
transfer. She shook her head in
disbelief, and then offered a smile and a wave to her
father, who was speaking with the first mate. Though
she was utterly excited for this change, Yara had to
admit she was extremely pleased Race had insisted
on accompanying her.

After carefully securing her ink where it would not
easily topple, she prepared to write her letter to
Boppa. One of the sailors had offered to send his
firelizard ahead to the Dolphin Hall with a note since
he had family there, and the little brown was
apparently accustomed to delivering messages.

"Dear Boppa,

My, but you will never believe it! Da and I are on a
ship headed toward the Southern Continent this very
moment! They estimate that we should arrive around
the 19th of this month. It all happened so quickly,
my head is still spinning.

The very day after I put in my application, our
Hallsecond approached me and said that the Southern
Hall was eager to build their numbers and would very
much welcome my transfer. Because a ship laden with
equipment for the Southern Hall was leaving the
following day, it was decided to accelerate what might
normally be a much slower process. So now I am
writing to you from the deck the Dawn's Crest.

I must say, Mum was not very happy, but she
understands that I need to seek my own life, in
whichever direction that may lead. Da was actually,
well, I won't say exactly pleased, but I think he is
glad that you and I will both be at the Hall. He is
very supportive and enthusiastic about this move for
me. He did insist on escorting me down and I know he
is anxious to see you again.

I shall look forward to meeting your friends and
seeing all that you have told me about when I arrive.

The winds are picking up so I think I will end this
now and seek out the sailor who offerred to send it on
for me.

Love Always,

Yara"

~ ~ ~

"This one came by firelizard," one of the kitchen
workers said as she appeared in the doorway between
the kitchens and the dining hall. "Swift? Are you
listening?"

She walked over to where the kitchen hand was
preparing vegetables for the evening meal. "When's
your little creature going to be useful like that?"
the woman asked, reaching up to give the young blue
firelizard a scracth on the headknob.

"Perhaps when he's older. Is that really for me?" he
asked, pulling his hands out of the water and drying
them on his apron.

"Oh, yes. From the Dawn's Crest apparently."

"It could be -" Swift took the letter, and opened it.
"My granddaughter's on her way al-"

"All?"

"... Already." Swift's ordinary features were alight
with smiles when he looked up from the letter. "And
my son's escorting her down here."

Later in the evening he sought out the man to whom the
Dawn's Crest's firelizard reported and handed over a
reply. The man promised to send it back when the
firelizard next visited and put the small note in his
pocket unread.

If he had, he would have read:

"Dear Yara and Race,

"What an incredible surprise! Not only that your
application was approved so quickly, that the ship was
about to depart, and that you, Race, are coming to
visit."

"I'm looking forward to your arrival on day 19 and
I'll pester the Headwoman about your rooms, Yara, to
make sure you get some of the best."

If he had to work on them himself, Swift was
determined make sure his favourite granddaughter had
rooms she could love.

"Race, it's wonderful that you'll be here soon, able
to be able to see how settled we are in this new place
- and that your old father is still just the same.
Kitchen work hardly changes and the only differences
in my life are personal but I'll tell you more in my
next letter.

"Your father and grandfather,

"Swift"

Last updated on the June 29th 2007

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A Whirlwind Departure