Late Meals

Writers: Ainsley1, Jane
Date Posted: 14th July 2007

Characters: Swift, Yara
Description: Swift teaches Yara how to feed a firelizard and makes sure his granddaughter is well enough fed, too.
Location: Dolphin Hall
Date: month 5, day 1 of Turn 4

It was past the evening meal when Yara peeked her head into kitchen to see if her Grandfather was finished or soon to be. The journeywoman was always amazed that though the activity level in the kitchens ebbed and flowed, it never seemed to halt. Scanning the area, her brow furrowed when she didn't see Swift at all.

"He's out the back, journeywoman," one of the cooks said, inclining his head toward the rear door of the kitchen, "with that firelizard of his.
Just go through."

Yara offered the man a smile, "Thanks," she replied following his instruction. Sure enough as she exited the kitchen she spied Swift with his dainty blue friend. "What are the two of you up to?" she asked with a smile.

"Well, I'm feeding him and he's eating as if he's never seen food before." Swift smiled at his granddaughter. "I think he's trying to be the biggest blue firerlizard on Pern."

With a chuckle Yara watched the two fondly, "Well, he would have a ways to go. It's amazing to me that he doesn't choke when he he eats like that."

"Me too. He has, once or twice, but apparently coughing and flinging his muzzle around at the end of his neck clears it. He behaves better for a day or two afterwards. Would you like to feed him?"

"Yes!" Yara readily agreed moving forward. "Do I just hold up a piece of meat to him? Can he tell the difference between the meat and my fingers?"

"He can, now." Swift nodded his head toward the low bowl on the shelf.
"Just pick up some of the meat and hold it out when I feed him my last piece. He'll turn around to get it."

Following her grandfather's instructions, Yara was pleased when the little blue greedily took the piece she offered him without hesitation.
She had another piece ready as Red finished the first piece she had given him. "How much has he had already and how much will he eat at one time?"

"He has a handful morning and night, though apparently that will slow down as he reached full growth. He's supposed to develop hunting instincts at some stage but I don't know ... Why would he?" The kitchen hand moved the bowl closer to his granddaughter. "I only bring one feed out at a time so I can't be tempted to overfeed him. How about you, though? Did you get something to eat? I can rustle something up if you were late."

"I'm fine, Boppa," she said with a fond smile for his thoughtfulness, "But thank you. I managed to get a piece of cheese and a redfruit and that will hold me until the morning meal."

"That's not enough for a busy journeywoman," Swift protested. "You work hard, you should be eating more than that."

Shaking her head she gave a little laugh, "I don't want you going to any trouble, you've had a busy day of work yourself."

"Finding you something to eat isn't any trouble. As soon as he's finished we'll go back and get you fed but I'm meeting Kateena later, so I can't be too long unless I let her know."

Grinning at the mention of the journeyman Yara asked, "Da hasn't met Kateena yet has he?"

"No. He seems very busy for a man just down here to settle his daughter into a new Hall - and Kateena's busy, too. Is he done now?" the kitchen hand finished, nodding at the blue firelizard who had been slowing down at his snatching of the meat.

Yara gave the little blue a quizzical look and waggled the piece of meat she was holding. He looked rather like he couldn't decide between the meat and a nap. "I think he's finished," she finally surmised with a nod. "I'm sure I already mentioned it, but I really like Kateena, Boppa.
I'm glad that you," here she faltered, somewhat unsure how to express what she was thinking, "Well, that you have each other."

"I'm glad we do, too. And I know it means a lot to Kateena that my family like her, so thank you for that, too." He tucked Red into the crook of his arm where the little blue could sleep off his meal and reached out with the other hand for the bowl. "Come on. Now I have one of you fed, I'd better start work on the other."

"Well, if you are going to insist, I suppose I really could eat some more," Yara capitulated, as she reflected how good it was to spend time with Swift after all these turns.

"It's not eating more, Yara, it's eating the right amount. With all that swimming you do ... " He grinned. "You didn't move here to have me take the place of your mother, did you?"

A rather girlish giggle escaped as she followed him back into the kitchens, "Well, not exactly, but actually it is rather nice to have someone around who cares if I eat more than a bubbly pie for breakfast."

Last updated on the July 14th 2007

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Late Meals