Conversation and Klah

Writers: Danielle, Eimi
Date Posted: 19th October 2005

Characters: Daigoro, Catriana
Description: Diagoro and Catriana meet in the Kitchens
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 8, day 12 of Turn 3

The Hallsecond found he had a little time on his hands that afternoon, and when he had time on his hands there was one place he found himself increasingly drawn to - the kitchen, and a certain cook who ruled over it. Daigoro scanned the room for Cinale, but there was no sign of her.
In fact the only person there seemed to be a young dark haired girl he didn't recognize. He sighed a bit as he gave her a friendly smile. It would be too embarrassing to admit that he had come to the kitchen for something other than sustenance and so he asked, "So, young lass, is there any klah handy for a poor tired brewer?"

Still learning her way around, Catriana had been drawn to the kitchens almost as soon as she'd arrived. It reminded her of home- although much busier and considerably more crowded. She turned as the Hallsecond hailed her, and dropped into a small curtsy, "Of course, sir. I just finished making a fresh pot." She smiled, then went to fetch a cup. It took her a moment to remember just where the cups were, but at least she knew where the klah was! A moment or two later, she brought the steaming mug over. "Can I get you anything else, sir?
I think there are some fresh sweetrolls..." Somewhere. Now where did she see those?

"Yes, I believe they are over here," he said with a patient smile as he grabbed up one of the pastries. Daigoro sat his large frame down at the table and watched her pour the klah. "You are new here, I think."

Catriana set the mug down on the table before him, and tried to hide the blush that crept over her cheeks. Luckily, her curls tended to oblige by being unruly and falling into her face, even though she'd managed to trap some of them under a scarf. "Yes, sir. I only just arrived with my brother, Darrin, a few days ago."

"Is he an apprentice?" he asked as he sipped at the hot drink.

"Yes, sir. He's a senior apprentice. Our father sent him here to learn under the best of the craft. Not that our cothold doesn't produce fine wines, but there is much more diversity here."

The Hallsecond's eyes raised in pleasant surprise. "You come to us from a family of vintners, then? So then you know a little of what to expect around a Hall full of vintners."

"Yes, sir. Yet is absolutely fascinating to see the same operations we use on a grander scale. We, our vineyards that is, specializes in Reds only, since land for the vines is limited." Cat smiled, picturing the vines in her mind. She used to be able to see them from her window at home.

"Do you miss home?"

"Hmm. Yes and no." She frowned a bit, choosing her words with care.
"Everything was familiar there, with the same routine. Here, you have to learn to adapt and find a place for yourself. But here new things are happening every day. It's something to look forward to."

Daigoro nodded his understanding. There was a time... long ago... when he was new there too. "I think it must be nice having some family here, though."

"Indeed, it is. I don't see him as much as I did back home, but that just makes the time more valuable."

"Yes, I think so. I've seen my own sister no more than two or three times in the last ten turns or so. It makes the time when I see her very precious indeed."

Catriana smiled. "Just so. More klah, sir?" She lifted the klah pot, which was still steaming.

Daigoro considered it a moment. After all, his whole reason for coming to the kitchens was nowhere to be seen. But maybe after another cup...
"Please."

Dutifully she refilled his cup, wondering why he had lingered so long.
Surely, it wasn't just to talk to her.... Oh! She smiled slowly. "Can I get you anything else, sir? Or was there someone you wanted to see?"

"No, that's it. Just a cup of klah, a snack, and some company to distract me from my hide work." It wasn't a lie, after all. Catriana just wasn't quite the company he had hoped for, but she was nice to talk to.

"You are more than kind, sir."

"_I'm_ kind?" the Hallsecond chuckled. "You're the one who poured the klah."

"Aye. And we could likely debate this for a good long time. But that wouldn't be very productive. Maybe we should leave it that we're both kind, in our own way." Catriana winked and set the klah back on the counter.

"I think debate can be very healthy, young lady," Daigoro said with a friendly wink in return. "It keeps old men like me on our toes!"

"Oh, certainly. But in this particular case, I think we can call a truce. Besides, I think it would be unhealthy for _me_ to get into a heated debate with the Hallsecond during my first sevenday at his Hall." There was a glitter of mischief in her eyes. "Even though his kindness far surpasses that shown by anyone else in the Hall, at least judging by my own limited experience."

"You certainly do have a limited experience," Daigoro smiled before taking a sip of his klah. "Are you sure your father didn't send you to the Hall to find yourself a husband?"

At that Catriana laughed. "Oh dear, he didn't send letters ahead of us did he?"

"I don't know. I'll have to check my stack." A stack which seemed to be just growing. The suddenly popular Hallsecond was finding he was spending just as much time answering letters to fathers of single young women as he did doing his hidework!

"Well, even if he has I wouldn't give _that_ high priority, Sir. I'm sure you have much better things to do than play match-maker."

He shook his head. "Never fear. I'm having enough troubles finding a match for myself."

At that she laughed good-naturedly. "Well, I'd be happy to keep an eye out for you, good Sir."

He winked as he stood up from the table. "Don't let your search effect your duties. The cook will never forgive me."

"It won't. Besides, I'll have to get to know the people I'm working with, won't I? The new girl asking questions wouldn't seem so out of place."

"Well, let me know what you find. And don't forget to find someone for yourself." He deposited his mug in the sink and snatched another sweetroll. "It was nice meeting you, Catriana."

"And you, Sir." She smiled and dropped into a curtsy, then rose and went to resume her duties.

Last updated on the October 19th 2005

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