Many Questions

Writers: Francesca, Paula
Date Posted: 1st September 2007

Characters: Chalzie, Ednan
Description: Chalzie and Ednan meet and she asks him questions about dolphineering and dolphineers.
Location: Dolphin Hall
Date: month 5, day 9 of Turn 4

It had occurred the day before, but Chalzie couldn't shake the memory of her meeting with the Master of Apprentices. First, there had been the introductory talk. He hadn't exactly been mean, but couldn't he have at least smiled a bit more? And then there had been the swimming test. It had been a fairly nerveracking experience, swimming and being judged by a Master. He seemed to be a very fair man, but she could not help but feel inadequate when with him.

She knew she couldn't base her impression of the Hall on one person, especially because everyone else so far had been very welcoming. But, she had a feeling she would need to interact with this man fairly often. Were all the Masters like this? Had Mahantan just been in a bad mood?

All these questions had been circling in her head since the previous day. As she entered the dining hall, her eyes scanned the room for someone who could give her some answers. As soon as she filled a bowl with soup and grabbed a piece of bread she headed towards the nearest table, where a young man was sitting. A quick check of his knots showed that he was an apprentice and she smiled, sliding into the seat across from him. "Do you mind?" she asked. He should be able to help her.

"Not at all, be welcomed", Ednan replied with little smile. He recognized her as a new arrival, although he wasn't sure of her name. "I'm Ednan."

"I'm Chalzie." It was a relief that he seemed perfectly nice. "I arrived yesterday." She leaned in closer to him, even though it didn't seem as if anyone was listening to their conversation. "Can you tell me anything about the Master of Apprentices? I mean, I met with him yesterday and....he didn't seem like the nicest person."

"Well, he is rather new in his position, so I can't say I know him that well. But he seems to be rather strict and demanding. He has children. I don't have any problems with him," Ednan replied with a shrug and apologetic smile.

"Hmmm...ok." Ednan comments made her feel a bit better, although she still could not say she was looking forward to her next meeting with the man. "Well, how about the other Masters? And the teachers? How are they?"

"Uh-huh," Ednan sighed. "The Hallmaster is a nice one. The 'Second, Kouna, I haven't dealt with her much and she seems bit distant to me. Not like the Hallmaster who just may come and swim with you. Most of the teachers are good chaps. There's few quirky ones that you need to watch out for."

"Quirky can be ok. Can make for an interesting class." Chalzie dipped some of her bread in the soup and then took a bite. She took a big breath and then let it out, relaxing. Mahantan really had not been that bad. She was just overreacting. "Thanks for being so helpful. I just wanted to make sure not everyone was like _him_."

"No, they are not," Ednan assured. "I think he's just trying to drive in the point," he continued, remembering the issues with sloppy equipment care.

She nodded. "He definitely did that. And really, he wasn't terrible at all, just a bit intimidating. I guess Masters are allowed to be a little scary sometimes. It comes with the territory."

"I think so too," Ednan agreed with her.

Finally, the strange mood that had gripped her was gone. Chalzie realized she really was glad the Master of Apprentices took his job seriously and wasn't afraid of warning newcomers what was in store for them. Looking decidedly more upbeat, she launched into a new topic. "So, what is there to do around here? Do you swim during all your free time?"

"Not at all. There's also sailing," Ednan grinned teasingly. "Some like to hang around weyr and if you like music, harper hall is a friendly place. There's been waterball games, oh and hurricanes. Those are pretty exciting."

"A little too exciting. Luckily, the dolphins and all of you were around to help out." Chalzie shivered for a moment at the memory of the hurricane. "But all the rest sounds fun. Is there a sailing class here? I've never been sailing."

"Yes, it's part of the apprentice training: learning to handle different kind of boats and small ships as well as basic navigation," Ednan told her. He could still remember coming back from his first sailing classes hand palms sore, when the ropes had rubbed them skinless. But since then, he had learned better. "Little tip from a senior apprentice: Use gloves during your first sailing classes, until your skin hardens and you get some callouses."

"Right. Gloves. I'll definitely keep that in mind." Chalzie finished up her soup, using her last piece of bread to wipe the sides of the bowl. "Ok, one more question. I promise. What's your favorite part about being a dolphineer?"

"The dolphins," Ednan replied bit sheepishly. "I just love working with them. I'm going to specialize in dolphin healing."

"I'm glad the excitement of being with them never seems to wear off. I mean, I'm so excited every time I see one, but I just got here yesterday." Chalzie picked up her bowl and spoon and stood up. "Well, I'm off to my room. I need to get ready for classes tomorrow. Ednan, thanks for all the advice. I think you'll be a great dolphin healer."

"Thank's Chalzie, you're welcome. Good luck with everything, " Ednan said with brotherly smile. Her enthusiasm reminded himself when he had just arrived to the hall six turns ago.

"See you around!"

Last updated on the September 2nd 2007

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Many Questions