Balancing Figures
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: Emma, Rochelle
Date Posted: 28th April 2007
Characters: Tatitem, Teseada
Description: Tatitem looks over some of Teseada's work, and answers her question.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 3, day 2 of Turn 4
Tatitem looked over the hides Teseada had just handed her, doing some mental math to make sure the figures were correct. She nodded to herself as the last number turned out correctly, a slight twist to her mouth as she read. At least Teseada had made sure to write clearly. So many of the records she received were indecipherable scrawls.
She finished with an approving nod, and handed the hide back to the junior goldrider. "Well done, Teseada. You're getting better at this."
"Thank you Ma'am," she said. "I tried harder to get the figures on the tithes to add up." The first time she'd added when she should have taken away, and got into all sorts of messes.
"It shows." She said simply. "Did you have any questions this time?"
"Yes ma'am. Can you tell me why these figures are here?" She pointed to the hide. "I can understand why we compare to last time, but the last four times?"
"Hmm? Ah. Yes." Tatitem blinked at the hide, gesturing to the indicated columns. "We compare to those for several reasons. One, to get an idea of how much is delivered, and whether someone is shirking. Two, so we can have an idea of what is in stores, and what we are going to run low on soon. Three, it makes it easier to do a Turn by Turn comparison later, and it also helps show when certain things are likely to be in or out of season, so we can stock up if necessary."
"Ahhh," comprehension flashed across the youngster's features. "That makes a lot more sense now Ma'am. It means we can look at what's happened in the past, and try to predict what we should get in the future?"
"Precisely." Tati said crisply. There were days it was hard to believe that the little girl who'd tumbled with Susha in the kitchens had Impressed gold. But Onnyth seemed to be good for her, and she was gradually becoming easier to work with. "It also allows us to plan for unexpected circumstances. We know to order more numbweed before the winter, so we'll have enough on hand if a disaster happens before we can brew more."
"I see, so we can work out if we're expecting more sometimes because of the time of the turn?"
"Among other things." She agreed, reminding herself that figures were not everyone's thing. She wasn't thrilled with them either, she just happened to be good at them. "But there is a balance that needs to be made. We know that a major disaster," she pointed to the column showing the first turn of the Pass's use of numbweed and other medical supplies as an example, "takes roughly this much supplies. We need to have at least that much on hand until we can get more. But if we have too much, it will waste space in a good turn and spoil."
"Which in turn would be bad, because we'd either run short, or need to get more at short notice, possibly offending the holders."
"Exactly." She said approvingly, a smile tugging at her lips. Yes, Onnyth did seem to be good for the girl. "And we want to avoid antagonizing them if at all possible. We're already 'kidnapping their children into depravity on Search' and 'lazy bullies stealing the honest fruits of their labors.' No need to add more fuel to the fire." She quoted one of the upset letters she'd received recently from a man whose daughter had escaped to the weyr.
"And we don't want them to think badly of us, not when we risk our lives to protect them."
"They will think whatever they want." Tatitem admitted with an irritated sigh, remembering too many arguments with upset parents at hatchings. "But as long as they feel that our protection is worth the annoyance, they'll continue to give us what we need."
"Hopefully we can find a way to make it easier for them to accept. I don't know what that will be though."
"If you find out, don't keep it a secret." Tati said dryly., then briskly moved on. "Is there anything else you'd like to ask about?"
"No ma'am. Is there anything else you need from me?"
The Headwoman thought for a moment, then shook her head. "No. That's all for now. I'll send the next batch of hidework to your weyr later. Be sure to talk to your mother before you go. She'd like to see you. It's been a while since you stopped by."
"I'll do that."
Last updated on the April 30th 2007