Spring Is In the Air

Writers: Anika, Paula
Date Posted: 10th February 2015

Characters: Keayd, Geirlene
Description: Geirlene runs into Keayd while he walks his canine, much blushing ensues.
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 11, day 3 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Gautrek

Geirlene strolled along the path enjoying the afternoon sun. It was
still brisk but spring was definitely in the air and she was thankful
for that. She wondered if she might be able to plant a small garden
here. Time had really flown by since their arrival at the Hall and she
could scarcely believe she'd soon be sixteen.

A yip caught her attention and she smiled broadly when she saw Vena
approaching quickly, seemingly unencumbered by her lack of a leg.
Dropping down to greet the canine, Geirlene rubbed affectionately
behind her ears as she looked around for Vena's master.

Key whistled, calling after his canine. She was sometimes just too
fast for him to keep up. He heard her bark and headed up to that
direction.

Geirlene looked up a bit shyly as Keayd approached but smiled brightly
nonetheless. "Good afternoon, Journeyman."

"Good afternoon Geirlene," Keayd smiled back. "Looks like Vena found you."

"Indeed she did. I think she's enjoying this spring weather as much
as I am. It's still just a bit cool, but the sun certainly is nice.
Uncle Gautrek says the buds have broken through on the vines and
there's new growth. I'm looking forward to seeing the vineyards all
lush and green."

"Yes, this is a lovely time of the Turn," Keayd agreed somberly. The
somberness was caused by sudden shyness. He wanted to tell her that
she was like a spring flower, beautiful and fresh and found out that
now he had a chance...he couldn't get the words out of his mouth.

"And how are your brandy's coming along?" she asked, referring to his
special interest that would undoubtedly get him promoted to senior
journeyman soon. She'd listened attentively to Key's discussion with
her uncle when he'd come for supper and was so impressed with how
knowledgeable he was for such a young man. Uncle Gautrek said that
Key was one of the brightest young journeyman that the Hall had and
she supposed that must be why he seemed so very serious.

"Quite well actually. I'm preparing a presentation for the board of
master. If they accept it...I could be promoted to senior journeyman
at the Turn Over Feast," Key replied with excitement and passion.

"Oh Key, that's wonderful!" Geirlene exclaimed her voice full of
honest enthusiasm. She was one of those people that truly enjoyed
news of other people's accomplishments or happiness and she really
liked Key. He might be quiet and somewhat serious but she'd seen his
passion for his craft and how kind he was in taking care of Vena. "I
know how hard you've worked and I'm sure it will be accepted.
Wouldn't it be simply marvelous if you and Uncle Gautrek both get
promoted at the Turn Over Feast?" She clapped her hands in a very
girlish way, too excited with the idea to worry about if she looked
silly to the journeyman. "We could have a special celebration of our
own after the big feast. I could bake a cake and Uncle Gautrek could
open a special bottle of wine, maybe some of the bubbly wine."

"It would be indeed an honour to be promoted at the same time as so
esteemed crafter like your uncle," Keayd replied with genuine smile.
Her enuthiasm was contagious.

Geirlene beamed at Key's words, and his smile. Oh, he really was quite
handsome when he smiled which made the young woman wonder if she could
get him to smile more often. Embarrassed by her thoughts Geirlene
looked down and realized she was still sitting on the ground. What
must he think of her? Giving Vena one last pat, the she hurried to
get up, but stepped on a stick and quite nearly lost her footing.
"Oh!" she exclaimed, surprised when the stick rolled out from under her foot.

"Carefully!" Keayd exclaimed and reached out to support him. His own
balance wasn't always the best, so he had to brace himself and took
step forward so she wouldn't pull him down too. Somehow he ended up
embracing her, his arms wrapped around her middle.

"Oh!" she gasped again, though far more quietly this time as her
naturally rosy cheeks turned a brilliant shade of red. His touch sent
shivers all the way down her spine and she was certain her stomach
turned over just then. "I - I'm sorry. H-How clumsy of me," she
sputtered, not quite certain why she was feeling so odd. "Thank you,"
she raised her eyes to his dark brown ones and felt a flutter in her
chest.

Keayd found himself blushing too. "Oh, I am begging your pardon..this
is terribly improper," he took a step back and reluctantly pulled his
arms away from her. Reluctantly, because he liked the way she felt
against him, liked the way she smell. Except for his deformed
clubfoot, he was otherwise healthy young man and she was pretty young
woman. A part of him just wanted to hold her forever. Unfortunately,
Key was raised to be a proper young man.

"No, no, there's nothing for _you_ to be sorry for. You were just
helping me. I'm the clumsy one," she answered finding her balance as
he released her. My but his arms had felt nice about her, but she
mustn't think like that. Key was right, it wasn't proper. She
prattled on to cover her embarrassment, "How silly of me. One would
think I'd learn how to walk after nearly sixteen turns of life. That
would have been just my luck to have fallen and broken something and
spent a sevenday in bed. Why I could have spent my birthingday with a
broken ankle. That would have been just dreadful for Uncle Gautrek
and who would have cared for the boys? I really aught to be more
careful. I do have responsibilities," she berated herself as she
brushed at her dress and tried to settle her nerves.

"Anybody can trip, don't blame yourself," Keayd said. He was trying to
recover his own composure.

"You're very kind," she answered still unsettled. "I, um, I suppose I
should get back to the cot. Geiran will be returning from Harper's
classes soon and will want a snack."

"Erhm, right, yes, duties," Key cursed his tongue that had suddenly
turned so clumsy. He wished he could figure out something smart and
funny to say. Instead he stumbled over the words like some blundering
teenager.

"I hope to see you again soon, Key." And she really did. Perhaps her
uncle would invite the Journeyman to supper again soon. "Best of luck
with your presentation."

"Thank you, Geirlene. I hope too that we will meet again," Keayd
replied and kept blushing.

Reluctantly, Geirlene turned and headed for the cot, wishing she could
find a reason to stay and talk longer with the journeyman and
remembering how his arms had felt about her.

"Oh, Vena, I am so pathetic when it comes to talking to women," Keayd
sighed and sratched his canine. "Come, girl, time to go home and feed
you."

Last updated on the February 10th 2015

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Spring Is In the Air