Ayshela Posted February 12, 2005 Report Posted February 12, 2005 A weary Ayshela made her way to the Courtyard once more, finding Dain hard at work closing down the festival and all its attendant booths. She noticed an oddity, this time, and stopped to ask Dain about it. "Isn't this a bit unusual?" she asked, looking a bit puzzled. "Not only have you stayed much longer than you normally do, but everyone's moving so slowly this time." Ayshela and Dain looked about, seeing languidly moving people folding down tents and loading the wagons, talking with various Pen members the entire time. "Aye, it is," Dain answered. "Usually we'd'a come to the end 'a the run and packed and moved on, but this's kinda like a working vacation for us. We don't have ta be anywhere til' next week, and we've all had so much fun here that no one really wants ta leave yet. I'm not rushin' them. They'll be happier leavin' when they've had time to talk all they want, and the kids're havin fun too." Ayshela and Dain smiled as they sidestepped a small pack of shrieking, giggling children, led by Kaitlyn, all still shedding snow from their snowball fight by the maze. "I'm very glad you came back to us, and twice as glad you've enjoyed yourselves as much as we have. Will you be back this summer?" Ayshela asked. "Course we will," Dain assured her. "We'll be here as long as ya want us to, and we'd prob'ly stop by to visit even if ya din't run a carnival. You got good people here, an it's a nice place ta be." Ayshela smiled broadly, and thanked Dain for his help AND the kind words. As they watched, the last of the wagons was finally loaded and goodbyes and good wishes exchanged all around. Ayshela hugged Dain tightly and watched, waving, as the caravan pulled out of the Courtyard and went upon its way. "Be safe." she murmured, as with one final wave she turned back toward the Keep and began counting the days until the summer carnival.
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