A Bonfire and Return of the Hallmaster

Writers: Chelle, Miriah, Paula, Suzee
Date Posted: 19th June 2013

Characters: Aslvor, Veerona, Jylanya, Kirten, Milga, Irabel, Famell, Derthan
Description: The dolphin hall gathers for a little bonfire celebration and Hallmaster Famell returns from his journeys.
Location: Dolphin Hall
Date: month 1, day 5 of Turn 7

Jylanya

Aslvor was excited. She loved when the Hall decided to take a day and
just enjoy the beauty around them. With blanket over her shoulder and
basket in hand, she hummed to herself as she walked towards the beach
area.

Hurrying along with her pigtails flying, the young girl did not want to
miss
this! She had a pail in one hand, carrying shovels and all sorts of
things.
She didn't have to have her water wings since she was a real swimmer!
"Lany! Come on!" she urged through the holes in her teeth.

A slim, quiet boy approached, his hair half covering his face as he
settled on the coarse sands of the beach and then thrust his feet into
the sands. Hazel eyes darted over those around him, but Derthan didn't
greet or say anything to them. Instead, he turned, thrust his feet
deeper and and rested his arms on his knees. It was bright, it was
sunny and he really wished his foster mother hadn't insisted he take
part. But the sun felt good and the breeze off of the water did as
well. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad.

Aslvor arrived to the gathering spot and immediately was greeted by
some of her fellow dolphineers. She eyed the group around her and set
up her own blanket beside Derthan, he was in the perfect spot. She
knew the boy, but only slightly, as he seldom interacted with her. He
was quiet most of the time she'd been around him.

"Hello Derthan," she greeted him, looking up when she heard a voice
call out. She noted Veroona running toward them as well. Aslvor
smiled. The little girl was always full of energy.

Jylanya laughed and followed along behind Veerona, with such a big
group and the recent training she found she wasn't as fearful of the
little girl's safety around the water any more. Her hands were both
encumbered by baskets of food and others were also bringing some as
well.

Kirten dashed past the slower adults and jumped across to where
Derthan sat and plopped down next to him.

Derthan suppressed a groan and grunted a soft reply to the greetings. What
was it about this particular spot that made everyone want to congregate
around him? The fifteen year old boy hunched his shoulders a bit. He
really
didn't have much in common with anyone there. He had tried to bond with a
dolphin, but it hadn't happened. He couldn't even Impress a firelizard;
they all ended up going to someone else. He glanced at Kirten through
his
mop of dark hair and then stared resolutely forward.

Milga followed the Headwoman, carrying skins filled with drinking water
and
juice. She grinned at Veerona's enthusiasm.

Irabel tagged along toward the end of those who were arriving. Her
eyes darted about, noting who had come and who hadn't. She had no
reason to in particularly, she simply was observing. A smile
immediately sprang to her lips when she noted a certain little one who
was among them, and she greeted those she passed by as she moved among
the people.

"Bel!" Vee ran up to the dolphineer who subconsciously reminded her of
her mother and gave her a little hug before she went towards the water
again. Plopping down into the sand, she waved to Milga before she went
to work, dirtying up her play clothes.
"This one's pretty...and this one... Not this one."

Famell, who had planned to arrive near the end of the gathering,
walked across the sands, admiring his people. Yes, they were all _his_
people, and he couldn't have been more proud. He'd been off and away
on various journeys these past few months, and finally all things
seemed settled. He hadn't even told anyone he was returning from his
latest trip today. His arrival would be a bit of a surprise.

In his arms he carried bundles of sweet treats he'd brought back from
the Hold he'd been at. They were special treats that were not often
made at the Hall as they were unique to the area he'd visited.

As he approached, some people noticed him and a few even rose to greet
him. It wasn't long before most people knew their Hallmaster had
returned at last.

"It appears I've returned in perfect time for a little bonfire!" He
called out happily, "And I bring special pastries and treats made by
the women of the Two Tones Mountain Hold."

"Sounds delicious," Milga said with a grin. She had unloaded the
drinks she had brought. She was also happy to see the Hallmaster back.

"Hallmaster Famell!" Irabel's face lit up with a smile. She hadn't
realised that Famell was to be returning that evening. "Welcome
back!"

Famell greeted those he passed and turned at the exclamation. "Ah,
Irabel," he smiled softly. He had a fondness for the journeyman
dolphineer. They often talked and swam together. She was easy-going
and made him feel more youthful than his Turns actually were.

"It's good to be back," Famell added, setting down the box of
pastries. He noted that many of the dolphineers came to sample the
doughy, nutty goods that he'd brought back. Famell knew little of
them, except that they took time to stuff and fill and cook to
perfection. Oh and that they were delicious.

"Who wants to swim with the dolphins?" He heard a voice call out.
Looking up he saw one of the younger journeyman, Aslvor calling others
out to the pod who had also gathered for the celebration. He smiled.
It was good to see his people gathered together.

Just then the actual bonfire flared up and a cheer resounded from the
crowd. Meat was brought out and set to roasting over the open fire.

Aslvor, who was eager to play with Cec and the other dolphins, had
called for the others to join her. She moved to the pier that was
close to the bonfire and sat with her feet dangling in the water. Cec
came up and bumped her nose against Aslvor's feet.

"Par-tee," the young, grey dolphin stated as she bobbed up and down in
the water.

"We have a bucket of treats for you as well," Aslvor replied, pulling
the bucket of fishes towards her. Some of the dolphineers had spent
the earlier part of the day gathering them. "Let's see first if any of
the young ones or others come to join us. Then they can take a turn
feeding you all." Cec and the group gathered with her gave a click of
agreement at that. Aslvor looked over to see if anyone was coming.

Derthan rose, but held back from approaching the water, his eyes
wistful. There was a reason he had never bonded with a dolphin; he
sank in water like a stone. He was terrified of it. Even getting on
the pier gave him cold sweats. Instead, he backed away and moved
towards the fire, picking up a glass of available juice and a small
meat roll. He plopped down on a log around the fire and simply watched
people.

Jylanya had known Famell was returning and kept her council at his
request. But she enjoyed the others reactions to the return of their
Hallmaster. Of course she was keeping her eye on Veerona but she also
watched for Naton. She'd thought he was right behind her with the big
basket of fruits.

Milga had removed her clothes, revealing a swim suit under then. She
jumped to the sea and dove under approacing wave. She rather spent
time with the dolphins than with people. Well, with few exceptions.

Unconcerned with the Hallmaster's grand return, Veerona had dilgently
created some sort of sand creation. Bored with that, she saw the dolphins
and everyone else. Instead of running after Milga, though, she walked up
to Jylanya. "Can we eat now?"

A few of the children had come to Aslvor's side. With her guidance
they were feeding Cec and the other dolphins some of their favorite
treats. Aslvor smiled as she watched Milga and a few of the others
dive into the water to play.

"Let's go for a swim," she told the one little boy near her. He
glanced back at his mother. At her nod, he moved forward. Aslvor,
always dressed for the water, slid right in off the pier and reached
up for the little boy. He jumped in and she caught him. His arms and
legs wrapped tightly around her.

"It's okay," she murmured. using her one free hand to steady herself
before he took them both under. "Just relax your legs a bit and then I
can swim for both of us." The boy followed her direction.

Cec swam up and bumped her nose against Aslvor's back which made the
boy squeal with delight.

Famell joined in the bonfire, getting himself a mug of fresh, warm klah.

"So, who has a good story to tell?" He asked, looking around at the
men and women who had gathered for the celebration.

Having finished her beach play, Veerona came to sit beside Irabel and
Jylanya. Her eyes searched for Milga but she didn't see her. "Is it time
for food now?"

"Did anybody think of bring in a ball?" Milga called from the sea.
Playing water ball with dolphins was always fun. It was amazing what
they could do with their tails. There was enough people present that
they might get a match going. If humans teamed against dolphins, it
was impossible to win, but human-dolphin mix teams were more equal and
either one could win.

"Over there," Jylanya pointed for Milga. Then she reached out to her
foster daughter with a laugh "Of course we can," she reached for a
meat roll and handed it to her. "This will hold you for a few." Then
she picked up her glass and toasted with the Hallmaster.

All in all the celebration was a huge success. Famell watched as his
people engaged, celebrated, laugh, swam and played. His heart swelled
with pride that this was _his_ hall and these were _his_ people.

He had drinks passed around to anyone in reach. Then getting the
groups attention, Famell raised his glass.

"I'd like to take a moment to raise my glass to all of you. You are
the best people around. I couldn't be more proud and pleased to call
you all my own. Here's to the Dolphin Hall!" He raised his glass to
the shouts of those gathered around him.

Last updated on the June 26th 2013

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A Bonfire and Return of the Hallmaster