A Successful Job Search

Writers: Ainsley1, Paula
Date Posted: 28th May 2007

Characters: Evaleine, Zelanka
Description: Evaleine goes to Zelanka seeking a position in the Hold
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 4, day 8 of Turn 4

Having settled in nicely to her new quarters, Evaleine
was ready to find a more productive use for her time.
Though going for walks and familiarizing herself with
the Hold was all good and well, she was feeling a bit
restless and idle. It was for this reason that she
found herself outside of the Headwoman's office late
in the afternoon. Hoping to catch Zelanka in, she
gave a swift knock on the door.

"Enter," Zelanka called. She was trying to rub a ink
stain from her hand. She had spent the afternoon with
the accounts and records.

Evaleine did so. "Good afternoon, Zelanka, I was
hoping I might have just a moment of your time?"

"Afternoon, Evaleine, I have plenty of time just now.
You were lucky to find me between tasks," The
headwoman greeted with smile. She put the
account-books aside.

"Now that I've settled in, and the living arrangement
is working out very nicely by the way, I find that I
have quite a bit of spare time on my hands. My late
husband was a Holder and I've at least a little
experience with most tasks involved in the domestic
side of running a Hold. I was hoping you might have a
position for me to fill."

"There's always positions open in a hold of this size.
Do you have any special talents or fields of
interest?" the headwoman replied and asked. She pulled
out a list of vacant jobs.

"I do very well in the kitchen, both in cooking and
organizing meals. I always liked to keep things
organized back at our little Hold and was good at
maintaining the inventory and keeping things stocked,
so much so that I even handled this side of things for
my late husband. For seed and such, you understand? I
adore children and helped to manage several when I was
younger, before I married," Evaleine offered.

"Yes, let's see," Zelanka considered the options
available. The kitchen needed more staff as well as
laundry. She thought about what she knew of Evaleine.
Wasn't she Blood or married to Blood at least?
Couldn't give a drudge work to woman with her
standing. Then it struck her. It was perfect.
"You know, I need someone to take a charge of the
fosterlings of this hold. Those young women who come
here to learn the needed manners and skills before
marriage. Usually they are Lady Holder's duty, but His
lordship doesn't have a wife, so I've been doing it as
much I can from my other duties. But those girls need
someone to teach them domestic skills and to keep them
away from trouble. Especially from young men-kind of
troubles."

"Marvelous! I should very much like to help them
along. There is a great deal these young ladies need
to know, much of which they probably don't
particularly care to know," Evaleine responded rubbing
her hands together. "Still they will be better off
for it, and you are so right. The number one trouble
for these young girls is men. "How many female
fosterlings are currently here at Amber Hills?"

"Only three. Mimoona from Canyon River Hold, Eijira
from Onyx Hills and the new one, what was her name
again? Oh, Raila."

"Do they currently have a schedule of which I should
be aware? Oh, and where in the Hold are they staying?"

"No, they don't have set schedule. They all share a
room at the Family Wing. At this time of the day they
should be at the Ladies Solar, sewing," Zelanka
replied.

"Oh, that does remind me of something. Can you
recommend someone in the Hold to consult about having
some adjustments done on one of my gowns? I am afraid
I am dismal with a needle! This might also give me
someone to go to if the girls need help with
needlework."

"My daughter-in-law Romella is pretty handy with a
needle and a woman named Youka is earning her living
with sewing-works. Then there are the weaver's of
course," Zelanka replied.

"Excellent. Thankyou, Zelanka. I must say I am
excited about meeting the girls. Is there anything
particular I should know about any of them?"

"Keep an eye on Mimoona, she's difficult. Spoiled and
selfish," Zelanka warned.

Evaleine nodded, "There was bound to be at least one.
Do any of them have any male interests that are
concerning you right now?"

"I'm not sure, but Eijira has spent quite a lot of
time in presence of certain young vintner," Zelanka
said with faint smile.

Evaleine chuckled at the response, "That is always
good to take note of just in case. Well, when would
be the best time to meet these young ladies?" Evaleine
asked, anxious to get started with her new
responsibility.

"I can introduce them to you right away," Zelanka
replied.

"I should very much like that. Thank you Zelanka."
Whether the other woman knew it or not, Evaleine was
thanking her more for giving her the opportunity to
feel useful again than anything else.

Last updated on the May 29th 2007

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

A Successful Job Search