My Friends Call Me Key (2 of 2)

Writers: Anika, Paula
Date Posted: 25th November 2014

Characters: Keayd, Gautrek, Geirlene, Geirolf, Geiran
Description: Keayd joins Gautrek and the family for dinner.
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 10, day 10 of Turn 7
Notes: Notes: Part 2 of 2

Gautrek

Geirlene emerged from the bedroom, having gone to change and freshen
up before their visitor arrived. Her parents had often entertained
guests of her father, but this was her first time to act as hostess
and she nervously smoothed her hands over her green dress which she
had chosen especially to go with her eyes. Like so many females her
age, she was anxious to come across as a young lady rather than a mere
girl so she had pinned back her golden curls, hoping for a more mature
hairstyle, though several wisps were left to frame her heart shaped
face. Remembering how lovely and gracious her own mother had been,
she just wanted to honor her memory and make Uncle Gautrek proud.

"Come my dear and meet Journeyman Keayd. This is my niece, Geirlene
and my partner in culinary experimentation."

Trying desperately to appear calm and mature, Geirlene offered a
little smile. "Very nice to meet you, Journeyman Keayd, I'm so glad
you could come."

She was lovely and Key found his heart beating little faster. "It's my
pleasure to meet you, Geirlene," Keayd replied with a half-bow. He
sternly reminded himself not to get his hopes up. Women generally
didn't give him a second look.

Geirlene flushed and her smile widened at his courtesy, just as if she
really were the lady of the house. When her uncle said they'd be
entertaining one of his associates, she'd expected someone her uncle's
age. To find herself facing a young man with a handsome face was a
pleasant surprise to say the least. He stood somewhat lopsided she
noticed but this was in no way off putting.

"Look Geirlene!" Geirlan grabbed her hand pulling her away. "He
brought his canine."

"Oh!" Geirlene exclaimed and all her concerns of appearing mature and
sophisticated flew away as if on dragon wings. She bent down to offer
Vena a warm pat, with only slightly less zeal than her brothers had
shown. "She's simply adorable!"

"You got to be careful," Gieran warned importantly, "Cause her balance
ain't good cause she was born with only three legs, but really the
other's there it's just a small stump. Her name is Vena."

Geirlene scratched behind the canine's ears and looked at Keayd, her
smoky green eyes shining with admiration. Most people would have
destroyed such an animal. That he had taken Vena in and raised her
said something about his character. "I've a nice large bovine bone in
the kitchen. Would she enjoy that while we sit down to dinner?"

"Yes, she would. She's also horribly begger," Key replied and gave his
canine a fond grin. "No feeding her from the table or she'll have to
roll home," he admonished the children.

"Let me go get that bone from the kitchen," Geirlene said, chuckling
at Keayd's words as she came to her feet. "I'll bring the first
course as well. Uncle Gautrek, you'll pour the wine and see
everyones's seated won't you?"

"Certainly, my dear."

"You two need to wash up before we eat," Geirlene insisted, turning to
her siblings before heading to the kitchen.

Gautrek chuckled at his nieces directive manner. "Come have a seat
Keayd and let me pour you some wine."

"Thank you," Keayd replied and did was he was told. When walking, he
did his best to hide the limp.

Vena wasn't sure what she should do, follow the nice boys or her master?

Smiling at the canine's quandary, noting how her eyes seemed to go
from her master to the boys, he spoke directly to the canine, "Not to
worry, they'll be right back, Vena." The vintner poured the wine and
set a glass in front of his colleague, poured a half glass for his
niece, what amounted to a taste for Geirolf, and a glass for himself.
"I'm hoping after our meal, you might look over my notes, see if you
think the theory is sound, perhaps while enjoying a nice after dinner
brandy?"

"That sounds great," Key said with some enthusiasm. He took a seat
with little sigh, it was always relief to get the weight off his bad
foot.

The boys tumbled back into the room, laughing and pushing at one
another, but settled down to take their seats. Geirlene arrived at
the table carrying one platter of wherry stuffed edible fungi and
another dish with a large canine bone. Setting the platter on the
table in front of their guest so that he could be the first to serve
himself, her cheeks turned pink. 'I hope you like them, it's a new
recipe," she said before busying herself with getting Vena settled
with her bone in order to hide her embarrassment.

Vena settled happily to gnaw the bone, while Key inspected the food.
"It looks and smells delicious."

"We added some of this white wine we are serving to the sauce,"
Gautrek explained.

"Do I _have_ to have one of those?" Geirlan demanded wrinkling his nose.

"I would like you to try one," Gautrek replied equitably. "If you
don't care for it, there is plenty other food this evening."

"But it has white bulb in it. I don't like white bulb."

"Geirlan," Gautrek's tone dropped an octave and though the single word
had been spoken quietly, the lad was quite aware that he had crossed
the line. Not wanting to be sent from the table in disgrace, he bowed
his head and apologized. Thinking that the youngest just might have
been cossetted too much, particularly following the death of his
parents, Guatrek set the incident aside and picked up his wine. "So,
Keayd, what can you tell me of happenings here at the Hall?"

"Well, things been rather quiet during the winter, except for the new
hallmaster. Of course, journeyman Cheilis and his wife are expecting
another baby, their sixth, I think ..." Key started before launching
to fill him in with the latest gossip and newest apprentice pranks.

Listening with interest, Gautrek interjected now again, asking
questions and getting caught up on all the news. Geirlene served the
soup and rolls, then the main course, and finally the dessert,
becoming more relaxed and comfortable as the evening progressed. She
was as interested as her uncle to hear all about the people and
activities of the Hall while her brothers grew restless and were
pleased when the dessert was served so that they could be excused to
go play with Vena once again.

"Very nicely done, Geirlene," Guatrek complimented his niece, though
they had actually prepared much of the meal together. Not only did he
feel her tireless work deserved the credit, but he knew how nervous
she had been to fill the role of hostess. He took a sip of his port
relishing the finish. "I am so lucky that you can prepare meals that
compliment my wines so well and I can honestly say your pastries are
some of the best I've ever eaten."

Though used to her uncle's compliments, the girl beamed nonetheless,
pleased that she had done him proud. She looked shyly toward their
guest, wondering how the journeyman had found the meal. It was unique
to be sure as Gautrek was fond of experimenting with different
flavors. Some people were more inclined to enjoy a basic meal of meat
and tubers.

"It was indeed delicious meal," Key said, so full he could barely
manage the port. "So delicious that I ate too much," he smiled.

A brilliant smile lit Geirlene's face at Keayd's words. Despite her
nerves she'd enjoyed herself and found that she liked this journeyman
very much. The evening had been a success and she had fulfilled her
role suitably which gave her an incredible feeling of accomplishment.

"Well, Keayd, shall we roll ourselves to the sitting room so that you
can give me your opinion of my new process while Geirlene clears this
away?" He turned to his niece. "I'll send the boys in to help."

"Of course," Key replied, getting up reluctantly. Not only had he
enjoyed the meal but company too. "And friends usually call me Key."

"Key it is then," Gautrek replied with a smile.

Last updated on the November 28th 2014

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My Friends Call Me Key (2 of 2)