Just a Quick Chat

Writers: Eimi, Emma
Date Posted: 25th July 2007

Characters: Almonteo, Thanja
Description: The Hallmaster and his Second are still digging out the Harper Hall after the water receeds
Location: Harper Hall
Date: month 4, day 1 of Turn 4

Almonteo

The Hallmaster set down his brush and braced his back with both hands as he stood back up to his full height. "Oh my, I'm getting too old for this," he sighed. His back cracked audibly. "That's a little better."

"You do want a clean office though?" joked Thanja. The best way to set an example to the rest of the Hall was to show them, and that meant some scrubbing themselves.

"After scrubbing out those practice rooms this morning, I'm half thinking that I'd rather a diry office than a broken back," Almonteo said with a snort. Well, there was no escaping the passage of time.

"Look at it this way, the practice rooms are huge compared to this, and once the floor is done...."

"We can start in on the walls?" The Hallmaster stretched his hands high above his head. That felt really good! "I say we call a ten minute break."

"Now I'll be for that if it includes some klah and a snack." Thanja got to her feet. "Want me to see if I can round some up?"

"No need, Master Thanja. That's what we have apprentices for," the Hallmaster grinned. "Tafuly, would you be a good lad and tell the kitchen staff to bring up some juice and snacks for everyone? With perhaps klah for Master Thanja and myself."

"Yes, sir!" the apprentices smiled, throwing his rag into the nearest bucket and darting for the door.

The Hallmaster turned back to his Second. "Rank has its privelages, does it not."

"Indeed it does, as long as they are used properly."

Almonteo threw his head back and laughed. "Oh, you know me, never missing a chance to abuse my subordinates."

"Which I'm sure you'd never do."

"You seem to have a lot of faith in the power a Hallmaster can wield, Thanja. I swear sometimes I feel more like a servant than a master."

"And that no doubt is before you get to dealing with the apprentices,"
she joked.

"I must admit, there are times I miss just composing and teaching." And that was the honset truth. He loved being the Hallmaster, but he has had to give up much for the honor. Not to mention the sacrifices his Carmora had made...

"Perhaps we can look at rejigging your timetable to let you do some of the things you love."

"Yes, it seems events of late have conspired against me. Perhaps if we can stop the weather and the passage of time," he sighed, waving a hand at his ruined office, "I could find just enough space on my schedule.
And what of you? How are your hobbies faring?"

"Apart from caring for this little one?" She pointed to the blue flit that had claimed her as his own. "And my boys?"

"Yes, apart from that." As important as loved ones were, everyone still needed some sort of hobby.

"I still get to draw, but not as much as I'd like. Maybe I should take my own advice."

"Oh, most definitely! I had always wished I had a talent for drawing.
But alas, it is not one of my talents." He was, in fact, quite hopeless in his own opinion.

"I'm sure you have other things though that could occupy your time."

"Well, I have been writing a new little dance tune. I think that has occupied my spare moments." Though when he would have time to finish it, he was not sure.

"You need to find a few quiet candlemarks."

The Hallmaster nodded. "That's the trick, isn't it. Do you miss practicing the craft? Or are you pretty happy being an administrator now?"

"Sometimes I do miss the days when I just had Journeyrank knots."

"Oh, I don't miss those days," Almonteo sighed. "I spent all of my journeyman days worrying about my Master's knots." There were many days when he wondered if it all was really worth the time it took away from his wife and children.

"I didn't, but I had small children to keep me busy."

"I had small children myself. But I'm afraid they kept Carmora far busier than I." It was no wonder her life still revolved around her children.

"Kanydrin always told me I'd get my knots, and so did my parents."

Almonteo wasn't sure he'd have been so supportive of one of his daughters earning their knots. It was not that he did not believe at the time that women could make good crafters. He was old enough to remember the time when they were common place. But societal pressures to conform had been strong, and it would have been a hard life for a woman to take on, no matter how willingly. "It must have been hard to be a successful in a craft when so few would acknowledge your rank."

"Northern born and bred, remember," she said with a laugh. "It was only coming south that made it hard to try. Some of the attitudes people show here..."

"Yes, of course. The North. It must have been quite a switch."

"Just a bit, but worth it, the children are thriving here, and none of us miss the winters."

Almonteo realized there was still so little he knew about his Hallsecond. "Why _did_ you come South?"

"Kanydrin was offered his Mastery at last. It was too good a chance for him to pass up," she said simply.

"He couldn't get it in the North?"

"I'm sure he would have done, but the chance to see some more of Pern as well, that swung it."

"And lucky for us he made that choice," Almonteo smiled as he saw the apprentice enter with the pot of klah. "Ah. Refreshments."

"At last." She turned to the apprentice. "Thank you for bringing this, it's appreciated."

The apprentice gave her a wide grin before running off to his mates and their own pile of sweets. Almonteo took the pitcher and poured a mug for both of them. "Well, let's make this cup last, shall we?"

"Now that sounds like a really good idea."

Last updated on the July 29th 2007

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