An Enlightening Inspection

Writers: Chelle, Jelena
Date Posted: 16th September 2016

Characters: Relik, Naton
Description: Naton goes to the seacraft hall to check on his lights.
Location: Seacraft Hall
Date: month 7, day 27 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: Kaphrad, Endarin

Naton sent off his ride with a big wave as the pair took off to
return to the Weyr. He wasn't sure how long his visit would last
exactly and he didn't want to keep a rider and dragon waiting if it
wasn't necessary. He'd find a way to reach out again when he needed
to return. These were the occasions where he seriously considered
getting himself a firelizard.

When their escort blinked between, Naton made way for the Hall, hoping
to find the Hallmaster either out at the docks or in his office.

With most of the reconstruction completed except for small projects,
there was only one big one left-the shipyard. The activity there was
noticeable, though. Known for being right in the middle of the work
if he could be, Relik was actually behind his desk right then. It
was time to go over the supplies needs from the Headwoman and others
and to figure out how he was going to get them and what he had to
get them with. They weren't back on their feet proper to say the
least though they could make do. He believed in the resiliency of
seafolk and didn't take it for granted. This was not his favorite chore,
though it was necessary.

When a journeyman came inside and notified him that Master Naton from
the dolphin hall had come, he was glad to shove the hides aside and
stood up. "Well let him in!" The voice could be heard where Naton was
waiting, though the journeyman turned around and let the Master know
he could go on in anyway before going back to his post at the desk
near the hall's entrance.

Naton stepped into the office and immediately moved to offer the
Master his hand in greeting. "Hallmaster Relik, how good to see you
again," he said with a nod. "I hope I'm not intruding? I had promised
to come check in on the progress you're making with my lights."

"Not intruding at all. I trust Endarin is well?" He had meant to send
a letter to the dolphinhall Master but with everything else, he was
behind on that particular task. Naton's surprise presence, though,
gave him an easy solution. "As you know, we've been building for the
most part the past several months. However, now that we're able to
sail again and serve as port, we've had some call for them. Come
down to the docks and see." He made to lead the younger man out of
the Hall.

"He is. We've all been busy, of course, but in the end nothing we
couldn't handle," Naton replied, before following Relik outside. He
was eager to see how his lights were being used, he had a definite
sense of pride over them and was glad he'd been given the
opportunity for a follow-up. He looked around appreciatively as they
walked. "You really have been keeping yourself busy," he said
conversationally. "This all looks pretty great."

"Well the second time around, you learn a few things," he quipped
ruefully. "My Second, Kaphrad, is pretty great at engineering and
designing things. Most of this is his doing. By the way, we've brought
back our coal steamer. Plan is to start making Crossings with it for
mail, small cargo, and passengers. I know you all have crafters
coming from the north regularly." Heading down the docks, they
finally arrived at a small building near the Dockmaster's office.
Relik opened the door and gestured for Naton to go inside first.

"Like myself," Naton replied easily. It seemed like a lifetime ago
when he himself had set sail for the South. There was nothing that
could ever make him go back now. When he stepped through the door
and looked around, the dolphineer let out an appreciative whistle.
"Shards, you've got things well organized in here!" He stepped
forward to open one of the now empty lockers, before moving past the
wetsuits and to a cabinet where he could see his lights were stored.
"Everything a dolphineer needs, eh?"

"Well, it's easier to keep it all in one place. Plus they all know
where their equipment is and handle it themselves. I just get the
message when something needs to be replaced. That way too, we know
where to go to find them if something happens." Relik didn't mention
shipwrecks and rescues, but it was easy to infer. Seacrafters were
very careful about mentioning those sorts of things out loud.

"Well, it's good to have everything so readily at hand, for sure,"
Naton nodded, taking out one of the lights from the cabinet, checking
if it still worked properly as he continued to speak. "You said
you're starting to have use for these? Did any troubles come up so far?"

"With the storm and all...we had to send people out after to see about
salvage and rescue." He didn't mention the bodies they had pulled
out of the water that had been washed out to sea. There hadn't been
any notable large wrecks but there had been some small craft that
had needed rescuing. "We've worked together on other salvage and
rescue operations as needed since they were sent over too."

"And any troubles in using the lights?" Naton asked as he started to
check all the lights to see if they were still working properly.

"No, though I was wondering if you had a more accurate figuring now
of how long it is before you have to switch out the glows?" Relik
knew it depended upon how much regular use they were getting but if
the dolphineer had a better idea, it would help. They always carried
along extras just in case, but if they needed to get more depending
on how long the operation took, he could get the headwoman's staff
to gather more.

"Yes, we've been keeping track of how long they're lasting in various
circumstances. I brought the charts and I can explain them to the
dolphineers stationed here. A lot of it depends on water temperature,
we've learned." Naton replied as he continued his quick check-up.

"Water temperature is highly dependent upon depth and currents for
the most part when you're talking about the ocean." A majority of
their heavy craft were all deep-water vessels so that meant colder
water. "So the colder the quicker to be changed or the opposite?"
Relik had never really paid attention to that sort of thing.

"Well, the colder the water-the quicker they die out, but hotter
temperatures also have a negative effect on their duration," Naton
replied. "So it works both ways and depends much on the waters they
are being used in."

"Hmm..." Thinking about that, Relik waited to see if Naton was
finished with his inspection. "Well, if you want to go have some
lunch, you can speak with some of the dolphineers here. I think
they're gone right now on a day trip with The Belior."

Naton put down the last of the lights, satisfied with his inspection.
"These all seem to be in working order. I'll talk some more with the
dolphineers when they get back and see how they feel about the
devices. But lunch first sounds like a wonderful idea indeed. Thank
you for the offer."

Last updated on the November 10th 2016

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An Enlightening Inspection