Apprentice Mascot

Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 1st December 2010

Characters: Almonteo, Enilda
Description: Almonteo helps a damsel in distress
Location: Harper Hall
Date: month 12, day 3 of Turn 5

Almonteo

Enilda was struggling. She had her guitar, pile of hides and since
Snowball had decided to follow her, a playful feline tucking at her
heels. "Stop that Snowball," she scolded the small, furry feline. She
let out few
less ladylike words when the hides started to slip and fell across the
floor.

The leading edge of the avalanche fell right at the Hallmaster's feet.
He bent down to help her gather them up. "Having a little trouble with
your pet there?"

"Yes, I have. He's not even supposed to be here," she scowled at the
little beast who was now batting the hides with his pawn.

"Well, yes, felines might not want to be roaming the corridors,"
Almonteo agreed with a smile. "Shall I carry all this for you so you
can catch him?"

"Yes, thank you, sir. If he wanders to a wrong place he might end up
some dragon's snack," Enilda gave him a grateful smile.

"Dragons don't eat felines. Their bones get stuck in their teeth," he
said with a wink as he reached for her gitar.

"You tell that to them," Enilda murmured and let him take her guitar.
She picked up her feline instead.

"Right, where to then?" the now ladden harper asked.

"Back to the apprentice dorm. I need to take Snowball there first,"
Enilda replied.

"Ah, an apprentice dorm mascot, is he?" They'd had one of those when
Almonteo lived in the dorms himself.

"He is, and he is not allowed to leave the dorm. Some masters don't
like pets running around," Enilda replied. She was walking with brisk
pace.

"I'm pretty sure if he wondered into choir practice Master Eilomar would
have a lot to say about it. And none too nicely." If he didn't try to
step on it, that was.

"Aye," Enilda rolled her eyes and shuddered by mere thought of it.

"How did you sneak her past the Master of Apprentices?" To tell the
truth, the Hallmaster didn't mind so long as the pet didn't cause
problems for any other students. But allergies were always a concern in
a Harper Hall with all the vocalists around.

"Now, you don't really expect me to reveal that, do you? Let's just say
there are ways," Enilda said, looking very innocent.

"I'm the Hallmaster. I expect you to answer my question." It wasn't
that he really was that interested. Her reply was very friendly and
full of humor. But for all that he was hauling her papers and gitar for
her, he wanted to remind her that his rank must be respected. He didn't
want her to get the wrong idea. They were not friends.

"It took three people. Two to distract him and one to snuggle him in in
a basket," Enilda told him.

"Ah yes. Simple but effective," Almonteo nodded with a chuckle.

"Why make it more complicated than nessessary?" Enilda was pragmatic.

The Hallmaster was of like mind. "Oh, I agree. Good thinking on your
part."

"Thank you," Enilda tried not to sound smug. A girl didn't get
compliments from the Hallmaster everyday.

"Do you need me to go first and look for the Master of Apprentices?"
They were nearing the barracks now.

Enilda shook her copper red head. "I just lock him in."

"The feline or the Master of Apprentices?" the Hallmaster asked,
honestly not putting anything past this one.

Enilda giggled. "The feline, of course," she replied.

"Good." Almonteo could not condone the locking up of his Masters.
"Shall I guard the door and make sure he doesn't slip out?"

"Yes, if you don't mind, thank you," Enilda replied.

It wasn't hard with his hands so full. He pretty much blocked the door
as it was!

"You stay here," she admonished her pet. "You have everything you need
here. Food, water, sand box, warm basket," she lowered the feline to the
basket and made a quick survey that his bowls were indeed filled and
box clean. "Everything..." **Except companionship.** At this time of the
day, the dorm was deserted. And Snowball probably missed her brother's
firelizard, someone to play with. She was suddenly hit with a wave of
loneliness.
She did miss her brothers. They had all scattered to the all four
corners of the
Pern. She was only one left in the Hall. She pushed it a side,
struggling to maintain the cheery outlook. "He'll be fine here, Thank
you for your
help, Hallmaster," the young woman said.

"My pleasure. And if the Master of Apprentices ever does find him and
decides he can't stay, just let me know. I would find him a good home
in the Hall where you could visit him any time you like." Almonteo
would not embarrass the Master by overriding him, but he also knew it
was not kind to separate a girl from her pet.

Enilda just nodded. She knew they were on borrowed time. One complain
and she had to give up Snowball. She didn't want to think about it, it
was too sad.

"Well, now, if you would," he said with a nod towards the gitar and
papers still filling his hands. "I really should be going."

"So do I," Enilda took back her things. "Or I'm late from the class.
Thank you for your help, sir."

"Glad to be of service," he nodded, and with a smile, turned back to
return to his work.

Enilda nodded and then broke into running. She was really going to be
late.

Last updated on the January 21st 2011

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Apprentice Mascot