Give It A Try
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Danielle, Eimi
Date Posted: 12th August 2006
Characters: Almonteo, Alais
Description: Almonteo gives Alais and her father a tour of the Hall
Location: Harper Hall
Date: month 13, day 2 of Turn 3
"And this is where our chorus practices," Almonteo said as he opened the door to the room. "The walls were all stone and echoed badly when we first arrived, but we were able to add wooden inner walls covered in fabric to absorb the sound. It now works quite nicely for our purposes."
Alais gravely tried to remember all of this. Not only the tour, but the descriptions that Almonteo gave, even the timbre of the Master's voice. She could feel her father's hand on her shoulder, both supportive and encouraging. She would remember that too, when he departed for home and left her to this strange new world of music and learning...not entirely new, though- only her place within that world had changed.
"Would you like to give it a try, Alais?" Almonteo remembered how her former teachers praised the young woman's fine voice. The Hallmaster had to admit, he was curious.
"What shall I sing?" She had been waiting for this. She was, after all, going to be apprenticing here. She felt the familiar increase in the rhythm of her heart- the only sign of the nervousness she ever got.
"That, I will leave totally up to you," the Hallmaster said with a nod.
"Just... Show me what you can do."
Alais nodded, thinking quickly through all the songs she knew- then decided on one. With a glance back at her father and the Hallmaster, she moved to stand where the choir would have been positioned. She closed her eyes a moment, waiting for her pulse to still, as it always did before she sang.
What she gave them was one of the older songs from the North, written by one of the female Harpers there, a song for Turn's end- which was quickly approaching. It seemed an appropriate choice, and one that she felt suited her voice well enough.
The Hallmaster listened with a critical ear. He could hear a few places where her breath support failed her, where her enunciation could have been cleaner, the notes that bordered the break in her voice stood out a bit, but all in all a very well sung song. Almonteo gave her father an approving smile. He doubted the holder could pick out her mistakes as easily as he could. She had been well trained, and had considerable natural ability. As she brought the song to a close the Hallmaster clapped sincerely. "Very good, Alais. You have a lovely voice and you will be right at home here. I dare say, I haven't heard that song in more turns that I care to admit. Very well done indeed."
Her father had tears in his eyes- he usually did when she sang. She didn't even need to look for them anymore. She bowed to the Hallmaster. "Thank you, sir." She knew she had much to work on- that was why she was _here_ after all. Much to learn as well.
"Shall we continue our tour then?" the Hallmaster asked with a rather pleased smile. He very much liked the young woman's humbleness as well as her singing. Yes, she would make a fine addition to their growing list of female apprentices.
Last updated on the August 14th 2006