I'll Make Do

Writers: AL, Jane
Date Posted: 19th October 2008

Characters: Leisenn, Tandor
Description: Leisenn goes over the Turns Beginning arrangements with journeyman Tandor.
Location: Dolphin Hall
Date: month 12, day 13 of Turn 4

"Journeyman!"

Leisenn had set up the little storage room off her office as a small, subsidiary office, barely big enough for a desk and a chair and certainly not big enough for the giant of a journeyman she had 'borrowed' from his regular duties to help her with her paperwork. Every couple of days she grabbed a new one finding it a useful way to get to know them all as more than names and faces, and telling herself it was good to see how they managed administration duties. And how they managed under pressure.

"Yes Hallmaster!" The voice was surprisingly soft considering the size of the fellow who towered above the Dolphin Hallmaster. His eyes seemed a bit too small for his face, but his wide mouth was curled up into a friendly smile beneath a rather beak-like nose. He hunched down a bit, as if trying to minimize his height and girth to make those who around him a little more at ease. He wasn't fat by any stretch of imagination, but he was big boned and as solid as a rock.

The older dolphineer had to work hard and avoiding a smile every time she thought of this man in that tiny office. She doubted he even fitted on the chair, let along could get his legs under the desk. And if he couldn't then the back of his chair was probably jammed up against the wall which would make getting in and out of the chair an exercise in agility.

"I need you to take some notes about how we'll celebrate the Turn Over days here, and then make a tidy draft we can go over for obvious flaws." She indicated the large workbench that ran across the end of her spacious office. It was at a good working height for her (since she had borrowed a saw and chopped a couple of handswidths off its legs) but for him - "Pull up a chair, if you like." At least the chairs in her office were larger. He might even be able to get comfortable for a change.

"Yes ma'am." The man turned and moved over to the bench as indicated, heaving down into a chair and then taking up a pen as well as a bit of parchment. Then he turned his expectant gaze toward the Hallmaster, ready, willing, and waiting to write every word she said.

"We'll start with the basics. The main celebration will be on the morning of Turns Beginning. At dawn. All dolphineers are required to report for a gathering in the bay with the pod and our partners to welcome the New Turn." She paused and peered at the young man. "Got that?"

"If you'll give me just a moment, please ma'am." The Dolphineer's hand scratched almost lazily over the surface of the parchment, but his writing was neat and easily read. Once he finished, he nodded to her.
"Yes ma'am."

"And a large - you can emphasise the it will be _large_ - breakfast will be served on the beach afterwards." Leisenn paused, shuffling a few of the papers on her workbench and then commenting with a smile: "I suppose you take a lot of feeding, don't you?"

"I suppose I do, ma'am." The journeyman responded with a smile as he penned the Hallmaster's latest words. "Should I use the word 'large' or perhaps something a bit more formal?"

"You use whatever you think will appeal the most," the master dolphineer said. "And add that the Hall residents are all invited too. Both support crafters, staff, and families. On the water and to the breakfast. The _large_ breakfast."

The man chuckled at her reiteration and let his hand glide over the parchment. When had had put down all the information, he paused once more. "Anything else, ma'am?"

"Perhaps a reminder that, although not an official event, the dining room will be open until late Turns End, or, rather, early Turns Beginning, but that since everybody will be reporting at dawn people should probably avoid overindulgence in alcohol."

The journeyman nodded as if agreeing with such sage advice and once again his hand moved over the parchment, putting her words into script once more. "Is there more that should be added, ma'am?"

"No. I think that's all." She eyed the journeyman. "Unless you can think of something else that should be stated?"

"I don't think so, ma'am." The journeyman shook his head. "Except for maybe something along the lines of 'We hope this will be a time of enjoyment for everyone and look forward to celebrating the New Turn.'.
Er...or something to that effect."

"Sounds good to me. Just let me look over the final draft before you get it copied, will you?"

"Certainly." The journeyman nodded. "I can take this elsewhere and draft up a nicer copy to get out of your way. I'll bring it back to you before I show anyone else."

"If you're finding that little office a bit too cramped ...?" Leisenn commented, waiting to hear what he whether he would agree or not.

"Ah, well, it is a rather tight fit." The journeyman admitted with a broad smile squeezing his cheeks. "But I'll make do."

At least he had a sense of humour. Leisenn nodded. "I may be out this afternoon, but just leave the final copy for checking on my desk if I'm not here. And after you've done that you can have the afternoon off.
Off from here. I'm sure you've got other demands on your time."

"Ah, thank you Master." The young man bowed slightly from the waist. "I appreciate it."

"You're welcome," Leisenn replied as she retreated behind her own desk and enjoyed the feeling of being considerably taller once there was some distance between her and the large journeyman.

Last updated on the October 20th 2008

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I'll Make Do