Office Mates

Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 28th February 2007

Characters: Keayd, Jio
Description: Jio does his best to brighten Key's day
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 2, day 13 of Turn 4

It was late afternoon. Keayd entered the office he shared with another journeyman, his limp more profound after a day on his feet. He greeted his canine, Vena, who slept in basket in a corner. He often left her to the office when he couldn't take her with him. He nodded at Jio and sat heavily, muttering: "sharding apprentices." He had a low footstool under his table and he lifted his clubfoot to it, to give it a rest.

Jio certainly had days like that. "What are they up to now?"

"Being annoyingly stupid," Key answered. Not to mention the few nasty remarks about his persona, which he wasn't going to tell Jio. He had hear such remarks whole of his life. There were people who thought he had no business in vintner hall (or any other crafthall) because of his handicap. His own father was one of those people. Keayd thought it was silly, but still, it always hurt. He could do everything everybody else could do, except win sprint races.

"Well, they're boys. They do grow up eventually." It was something Jio had to keep reminding himself - **It's just a phase...**

"I hope so. Maybe if I bounded them head with a bottle they would finally learn the differences between brandy and whiskey," Key answered with sarcastic tone.

"Perhaps they have to get their hands dirty." It was hard to think in the abstract sometimes. Jio had always learned better by doing than by memorizing.

"Well, these are junior apprentices, so making them drink them isn't acceptable," Key answered and laughed at the thought of class full of drunk 12 to 13 turns old boys. On second thought, the idea was actually quite frightening.

"I mean _making_ them, Key," Jio chuckled. "I certainly wouldn't wish a hangover on a junior apprentice, no matter how they might aggravate me at times."

"Hmm," Key nodded. "Maybe I should put them to work at the wineyards and then to barley fields. That should point out the difference of grape-based drinks to the barley brewed ones."

"Precicely," Jio nodded. "You don't have to taste them to understand the difference. Just walk them through it. They'll see. And they would love getting out of the classroom. It's spring. They're all a little itchy."

"Yeah, they are," Key agreed with a sigh.

"I don't blame them a bit. It will be so nice when we have our own vineyards planted again. But it will be a good learning experience for them. It's rare that a vintner can start their own vineyard from scratch." And though they would be using as many seedlings and vines from their original Hall, that was basically what they were going to be doing.

"Sinking your fingers into a dirt and then watching them grow is quite satisfying," Key remarked.

"Yes," Jio chuckled, "I always fingered a good vintner is always part farmer."

"Yes," Key said with laughter.

"And part baker with all of our recipes and ingredients." Especially in _his_ particular field.

"And chemist," Key added, thinking about his distillation-lessons. His apprentice days were still fresh on his memory.

"Well, if the harvest fails, at least we'll have something to fall back on."

"Yeah," Key laughed.

"Well, at least you seem to be in a better mood."

"So I am! Thanks for the cheer up," Key said.

Jio shrugged. "Any time. What are office mates for?"

Last updated on the February 28th 2007

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Office Mates