Someone You Can Talk To

Writers: AL, Jane
Date Posted: 20th August 2008

Characters: Leisenn, Alydelle
Description: Leisenn puts a stop to some bullying of Alydelle
Location: Dolphin Hall
Date: month 11, day 25 of Turn 4

Though the teacher was late, the scene that greeted Leisenn as she entered the classroom was not really one of chaos. Most of the students were in their seats, though quite a few were chatting. A few were sitting quietly, reading, writing, or perhaps just staring off into space. Two young men and a young woman, however, had congregated around the seat of another apprentice. From the way she stared down at her desk and the redness of her cheeks as well as the furrow of her brow, it was obvious that she was not really enjoying the conversation.

"Alydelle? Teacher's pet? A boyfriend?" One of the young men jeered. "You have got to be kidding me."

"No, I saw her walking around with this fellow, a smith." The girl chimed in.

"What?" The second boy looked shock. "Someone likes Alydelle? He must be slow. Maybe his Master hit him in the head too many times with his hammer.

"Or maybe threw too many runner shoes at him." The first boy offered.
"He's gotta be crazy."

"As fascinating as this discussion is," Leisenn said in a voice that could carry when she wanted it to, and at that moment betrayed her displeasure, "I would have expected apprentices of your seniority to be able to work unsupervised."

For a split second, no one did anything but stare at the Hallmaster.
Then, as if someone had turned on a switch, the students not in their seats scrambled for them. The relief upon Alydelle's face was more than apparent and she offered a wavering smile to the Hallmaster.

"I'm Master Leisenn, for those who haven't met me before, but let's have _your_ names. You three first," she said, indicating the three who had been teasing their classmate.

Pink danced over the cheeks of the three cohorts and Alydelle couldn't hide the pleased expression upon her face. "Ursa." The girl muttered followed by a "Palin," and "Kokindal". Those behind them said their names as well and when it came Aly's turn, she smiled warmly at the master and said her name clear enough to be heard, which was louder than most of the students had ever heard her speak before.

"All right. I expect I'll muddle a few of those, but please correct me right away. Some I won't forget, though," she added, fixing the three who had been taunting the other apprentice with her gaze for a moment before settling herself behind the desk at one end of the classroom.
"Now, let's hear what you've been studying recently for this class.
"You, at the back."

* * *

The clocks in the hallway started chiming and if Leisenn hadn't already known how long the class ran the sudden restlessness among the apprentices would have alerted her. "All right. I may be taking this class again tomorrow, but even if I am not I'll be reading over the work I've set you for this evening. You're all free to go but for ... you Ursa. And Palin, Kokindal, and Alydelle. I'd like you four to stay behind for a moment."

Alydelle froze, her eyes widening. Why did she have to stay? She hadn't done anything wrong. They had started it all! She flushed brightly face red and gaze dropping to the floor. What had she done?
The girl gathered her things and shuffled up to the Master, though she stayed well behind the other three apprentices.

Leisenn waited until the rest of the apprentices left the room - some with apparent reluctance - before the she addressed the ones who were left. "Alydelle, would you wait outside for a moment, and come back in when these three leave."

The girl nodded and hurried out of the room. She was glad she didn't have to be witness to the scene she was sure that would follow. She closed the door behind her then huddled next to it. She wasn't looking forward to going back in there.

"Now, I'm not even going to hear your excuses or reasons or explanations. I heard enough to be comfortably sure of what's going on, so I'll just tell you this. In this Hall, under my command, teasing or bullying or picking on others is a warning sign. It's a warning sign that the person behaving that way will most likely not work well with dolphins when the time comes." She eyed the three senior apprentices for a long moment. "If you want your apprenticeship to continue at this Hall then you need to behave yourselves. If you don't know what is acceptable behaviour, come to me and I'll organise somebody who can guide you. Do you understand what I've said?"

All three apprentices looked down and muttered a 'Yes ma'am'. They shifted, uncomfortable and embarrassed. They weren't embarrassed for picking on the girl, but simply embarrassed that they got caught doing it.

"All right. This is your first warning and there's not and endless supply of them. You can go now."

The three of them would bear watching, especially until they understood that she meant what she said.

After the bullies left, there was a moment or two before Alydelle slowly appeared in the doorway. She clutched her things to her chest, her expression fearful as she regarded the Master with quick, furtive glances. She shuffled forward and finally came to a stop just a couple of feet away. "Y...you wanted to see me, Master Leisenn?"

"Mmm. I've spoken to the three of them and warned them I won't tolerate harassment of any member of the Hall, but I can't make that stick if people keep secrets. If they do that sort of thing again - teasing and taunting, especially in a group - I want you to come and speak to me about it. Right away. Is there anybody else around the Hall that you could speak to if you had to? Somebody you trust?"

Alydelle shifted from foot to foot. Trust...well, it wasn't that she didn't trust people, she just had a hard time talking to others. It was better with her teachers, but worst with her own peers. "I guess."
Maybe Master Mahantan. But really, Alydelle didn't like to bother her superiors with problems like hers. Mainly, she was afraid the others would only make things worse than they already were.

"Who? I want to know that if you can't get to see me for any reason that there is somebody else you can talk to. Perhaps one of the journeywomen? The headwoman?" Actually, the Hall didn't seem to have
one of those, which was a situation Leisenn would have to rectify.

"Kateena." The journeywoman was her favourite of her teachers, though Aly still wasn't really comfortable with talking about private matters.

Leisenn thought that was the pregnant journeywoman, but perhaps that was all to the good. How intimidating could a pregnant woman be? "So, if you need to tell me something and couldn't get to see me for some reason, you would go to her?"

"Yes ma'am." Alydelle continued to squirm under the watchful eye of the Master. Really, she preferred to keep to herself. Less chance of being made fun of or being thought of stupid that way.

"All right. Away you go. If you're late for anything let the person in charge know that I kept you back."

"Yes ma'am!" Alydelle turned and hurried away without a look back. She was grateful she hadn't gotten into trouble with the master - but she was afraid what sort of trouble she had gotten into with the other apprentices!

Last updated on the August 20th 2008

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Someone You Can Talk To