Breakfast Meeting
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: Ames, Suzee
Date Posted: 13th August 2010
Characters: Cardella, D'ale
Description: Cardella and D'ale meet at breakfast. D'ale begins to feel old
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 10, day 14 of Turn 5
Humming a little tune to herself, Cardella pulled the fresh tray of bread from the oven. Breakfast would be starting soon, and she knew there would be many early risers. There always were. Sliding the loaf next to the two others she had already baked. Turning back to her counter, she began mixing a batch of sweet treats that had become very popular during the breakfast hour since her arrival.
She had just finished making the last of the sweet treats when she heard the sound of someone in the eating area. "Someone is even earlier than usual," she mumbled to herself. Knowing the others wouldn't arrive for at least another half a candlemark. Grabbing a pitcher and some cups, Cardella made her way out into the dining room.
His head was aching and he hadn't been able to sleep. He'd squinted as he made his was way down from the weyr to the eating area. "Too much wine" he mumbled. "I'm too old for this." He would have shaken his head but knew it would only hurt. He pulled out a chair and supported his head by resting it on his hand and leaning against the table.
Humming in the back stopped and he heard footfalls approaching. He just held out his hand. "Klah" was all he said.
"Of course," Cardella replied and setting down the cup she filled it to the brim with fresh, warm klah. "There is fresh bread as well, if you would like some. And the other foodstuffs will be ready shortly."
Cardella heard the sound of others in the kitchens and smiled. Yes, the rest of the meal would be prepared in short order from the sounds of things.
D'ale looked out between his fingers at the young woman. "Thank you" he said kindly and accepted the cup. "The klah is enough for now." He wasn't exactly certain he could keep anything else down at this point. He lifted the cup and took a gingerly sip of the hot liquid. "Mmmm... perfect." He said with a smile.
Cardella smiled. It was always a treat to know she had helped someone in anyway. She, herself was an early riser, brought about by her many turns spent working in the Bakercraft Hall. Bread and other doughs needed much time to rise, so it was that she learned to rouse herself early. She liked a cup of klah now and again herself, but not to the extent that the Weyr inhabitants enjoyed the stuff. So many of them were _not_ early risers.
"You are most welcome. If you don't need anything else at the moment, I'll just return to my duties," Cardella said, starting to turn away.
He took another sip of klah and since it seemed to be staying down he waived her back. "Maybe some bread until the other food is ready?" he asked.
"Alright. I'll be right back." Sitting the pitcher of klah down on the table so he could refill his drink if he desired, Cardella made her way into the kitchens. She greeted the others who had arrived and made her way to her table. Suddenly, she recalled the bread and sweet treats she had been preparing. Rushing over to the ovens, she pulled them out and was pleased to note that they had not overbaked.
Breathing a sigh of relief, she placed them onto the counter. Then, slicing up some of the bread, and adding a few of the sweet, warm pasties to a tray, she hurried back out to serve the rider.
"Here you go. Fresh bread, just baked this morning. And a few sweet pasties, hot out of the oven." Cardella beamed her pride at her work as she set the tray onto the table for him.
What she brought wasn't just simple bread but some of it was sprinkled with sugars and decorated. Butter dripped lusciously from one to another of the sweet offerings.
"My," he said "Thank you!" then he realized he didn't even know her name "I'm D'ale" he said by way of introduction. He looked up expectantly after selecting one sweet pastie that seemed to have some sort of fruity filling.
"I'm Cardella. It's nice to meet you D'ale." Cardella could not have been more pleased to see him enjoying the sweets she had prepared. It made her feel good to know that her talents were so thoroughly enjoyed here at the Weyr. "What brings you here so early? I've not seen you on my breakfast shift before." Cardella normally worked the early morning hours getting things ready and then once some of the others started to arrive, she was free from duties to attend her candidate classes and see to her own needs. The arrangement suited her, at least for now.
D'ale thought her smile was sweet and yet she was also very young and a candidate. Therefore, more or less off limits for the time being. Never failing to lay the foundations for his famous charm he flashed a brilliant smile in her direction. I've recently transferred back to Dragonsfall from Riverbluff. So, you'll see me here more often. I try to get going early."
Then he thought perhaps all the drinking at his welcome back party the night before hadn't been the great idea it seemed at the time as his stomach gave a lurch. "Nice to meet you Cardella" he added and the smile that had stolen many hearts never waivered.
"Oh, I've never been to Riverbluff. What was it like there? Why did you decide to transfer here?" Cardella hadn't meant to pelt the man with questions, but her curiosity had gotten the best of her. "I just arrived here myself not too long ago. A few sevendays. I like it here." Cardella smiled, recalling all the wonderful experiences she had had since her arrival just last month. She was even beginning to _feel_ like a different person. More confident. More adventuresome. More curious. Less afraid. She even stood a bit taller just thinking such thoughts.
"If you're here in the early morn, you'll likely see me quite a bit.
I'm normally one of the first ones to rise. Bread and dough take so long to prepare. I need the extra time in the wee hours of the morning."
He chuckled then took another swig of the hot klah, it was delicious and almost a tonic for his head. "A Weyr is a Weyr just different people." Then came the question about why he'd come back. "I used to be here and left for awhile, my son is a candidate now, so I came back." He started, Wow did that make him feel old.
He nodded "I like it too, I don't think you'll regret following your heart to the Weyr." Why did he suddenly feel fatherly to this young woman? "I'll be seeing you in the mornings then Cardella." He said and winked.
"Oh, your son is a candidate? What's his name? I wonder if I've met him already." Cardella looked closely at the man. He seemed about the same age as her own parents. "Can I get you anything else D'ale?"
Cardella asked.
He smiled definitely feeling old all of a sudden. "Kendale is his name, he's..." D'ale thought for a moment "about twenty turns" ok he was just going to get depressed if he went down this path any longer. It wasn't her fault she was young. "Maybe some eggs if you have any?" he needed some protein and a workout, then maybe a willing companion.
"I'll be right back with those eggs for you," Cardella replied. Moving quickly through the dining hall, which had begun to fill with other early morning patrons, Cardella entered the kitchens. "Do we have any eggs ready?" Just like that, one of the other women, slid some freshly cooked eggs onto a plate and handed them to Cardella with a smile.
"Thank you." Carrying the plate and a fresh pitcher, she stopped to fill up cups along the way. Many eager hands wanted that plate of eggs, but she patiently explained that more were on the way.
"Here you go," she slid the plate onto the table. "And I think I very nearly got eaten alive for those eggs," she joked, surprised by her own forthrightness.
Another rider had come in and sat down next to him and they'd began to chat. Soon Cardella was back with his food and the room was filling up. He looked up with appreciation for her attention "Thank you very much Cardella." He said with a smile. "Oooh is that fresh klah too?" He pushed the small plate of pasties toward the man next to him and held up his cup. **very nice but much too young and innocent for you** he thought to himself at this point he'd only hurt her and he didn't want that on his conscience. She was a sweet kid so he pretended to ignore her. Some other rider might take that innocence from her but it wouldn't be him. He'd opt for friend.
"Enjoy your meal," Cardella told the pair before turning to head back to her duties in the kitchen. She had a few more things to bake before her morning chores were over. She had enjoyed meeting D'ale. He reminded her a bit of her da and that brought a smile to her face.
Last updated on the September 6th 2010