Can't You Do Better Than That?

Writers: Dawn, Paula
Date Posted: 24th May 2010

Characters: Eilomar, Fellana, Enilda
Description: Master Eliomar substitues for the regular Composition instructor.
Location: Harper Hall
Date: month 9, day 5 of Turn 5

"Good morning class," Eilomar greeted when entered the class room.
"Your regular teacher is unavailable today, so I will temporary
replace him for this composing-class," he informed and took the
teacher's place at the end of the class room. He was greeted with
round of groans from the apprentices.

Fellana stiffled a sigh and began to organize her materials on the
desktop again. She loved being a harper and loved her classes, but
this one in particular frustrated her. And now, on top of it, the
regular teacher was out. Marshalling her thoughts, she turned her
attention to the front of the room.

"I believe you were due to present your own composition?" Eilomar
referred a note from the journeyman. Eilomar was no composer himself,
but he recognized good music when he saw one.

Fellana wanted to groan. When Eilomar had told them he was taking the
class for the day, she'd hoped that their composition instructor had
wanted them to wait until they were back. Not that it mattered, her
composition wouldn't be any better for waiting a day. Brushing her
hair back over her shoulder, she forced herself to nod. "Yes sir."
Maybe one of the others in the class would offer to go first.

"Enilda, you first," Eilomar's chubby finger pointed one of the other
female apprentices. The coppar-haired girl got up, flicked her braid
off from her shoulder and walked to him full of confidence. "Sing it
to us," Eilomar asked.

She took a guitar and started. After she was done, she gave her notes
to Eilomar.

"Well, the tune was beautiful. Was it really yours, or did you copy
some of your father's works?"

"It was all mine, it's not even close to my father's style," Enilda
replied indignantly.

"The lyrics were terrible though," Eilomar continued, ignoring her. "I
mean really, what on Pern made you think that pillow and willow are
good rhyme? That certainly needs to more work."

She blushed and returned to her seat next to Fellana. "What a gal to
claim I plagiarized my father. It's nothing like my fathers, my father
writes big, orchestral things to full choir, just the kind of pompous
stuff master fat-arse likes to sing. Like he could put two words
together," she fumed.

Fellana gave her a small smile. "It was very good," she whispered
before returning her attention back to the instuctor. She worried at
her bottom lip as three more of her classmates went. All too soon, it
was her turn.

Walking to the front of the class, she nodded her head at Master
Eilomar and brought out her guitar. She began playing and singing the
song she had composed about a gold flight. The song wasn't nearly as
complex as it should be at this stage in her training. As she finished
the last cord and the sound died away, she swallowed softly, cringing
inside, not wanting the whole class to hear Master Eilomar tell her
how bad it was.

"Words weren't that bad, but the tune..." Eilomar shook his head. "As
someone nearly ready to walk tables, you should be able to do more
than simple ditty." (Nevermind that _he_ never even arcded that on his
own apprentice days).

"Perhaps you and Enilda should combine your efforts, since she can't
write lyrics and you can't compose. Together you might get something
passable done," Eilomar continued, his tone dismissive and scornful.

"Thank you, sir," she said quietly, handing him her papers and
retaking her own seat. Maybe he had a point though. She could see
herself working with someone as she really didn't have a problem with
lyrics.

Leaning towards Enilda, she addressed the other girl quietly. "Do you
think you _could_ help me out?"

"Only if you help me too," Enilda grinned.

"Absolutely," Fellana grinned back, "we can talk about it over lunch today?"

"It's a deal," Enilda smiled.

"Girls! Stop chattering and pay attention!" Eilomar snapped at them.

Fellana snapped her mouth shut and her eyes to the front of the
classroom. She would talk to Enilda later, at lunch.

"Women, can't keep their mouths shut anywhere," Eilomar snorted with
quiet voice.

Fellana bit the inside of her lip to keep from replying and proving
his words true.

Last updated on the May 28th 2010

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Can't You Do Better Than That?