Back to Work

Writers: Eimi, Elaine
Date Posted: 4th December 2005

Characters: Almonteo, Kwiksol
Description: The Hallmaster makes a visit to the instrument workshop
Location: Harper Hall
Date: month 8, day 22 of Turn 3

Almonteo

Almonteo walked into the new instrument workshop. He smiled as he could once again smell the freshly cut wood. With all the instruments that had been lost in the fire - he didn't even want to _think_ of all the lost candlemarks they had put in to making them all - to finally have the harpers settled and plying their craft again, it made him feel as if the Hall were coming to life again.

The Hallmaster watched as a journeyman tied off a drumhead, another was sandng the neck of a guitar, another was polishing a brass instrument, and another was boring holes to make a pipe. He would have to write a song about the feeling of relief and pleasure he felt at seeing the Hall's instrument shop revived. The sounds were already blending rhythmically in his mind.

He walked up to the nearest journeyman, and peering over his shoulder he asked, "What is it you're working on there?"

Kwiksol looked up from the pipe he was working on. He started a bit, realizing it was the new Hallmaster hovering over him. "Oh, working on a recorder," he replied brandishing the instrument as if to play it, fingers hovering over the holes. "Positions look right," he added, more to himself.

Kwiksol looked up from the trumpet he was working on. He started a bit, realizing it was the new Hallmaster hovering over him. "Oh, just putting some shine on this sir," he replied brandishing the instrument as if to play it, clicking the valves.

"Is this one of the ones we brought with us? Or was this one crafted here?" The hallmaster asked as he leaned forward to inspect it.

"Oh yes, this was brought with us sir. It actually survived in pretty good shape, but needed a bit of a brush up apperance wise." He began taking out the valves and peering inside. "I think I got all the ash out."

Almonteo nodded, glad to know many of the brass instruments had survived the fire. They were the hardest to replace. "What is your name, journeyman?"

"Kwiksol," he said, "Senior Journeymen," he added as an afterthought.

"Nice to meet you, Kwiksol." The Hallmaster was well aware that he needed no introduction. Seemed everyone now knew who _he_ was. "You are doing a fine job. You all have a hard task ahead of you. Are you up for the challenge?"

"Of course!" Kwiksol replied, quite excited. "I'd like to see it instead, as an opportunity. Good time to fix and replace some of the older equiptment."

Almonteo smiled. "I like to see your positive attitude. It's important in these times. Yes, it is a chance at a new begining," he nodded approvingly. "And our new home? What do you think of it?"

"Thrilling," Kwiksol responded. He held his finger up, indicating he needed a moment before he blew a few notes. "Yes, no more ash." He did take up a nearby oil container and tried to grease up the clicky valves a bit. "Thank you, yes Thrilling. I've heard stories since I was a child. See I never remembered, but when I was very young I was with my father at Thayan Peak, before he returned to the Hall. Its unbelievable to be here... after not having been searched."

Well it was a relief to hear at least _someone_ was excited about the move to the Weyr! "So you were born here then?"

"Well, not _physically_ here. But Thayan Peak became dolphin Cove, so, in a sense?" He responded, rambling a bit, absentmindedly clacking the valves.

The Hallmaster nodded. "Well, perhaps you can help your fellow journeyman and the apprentices by offering them a bit of advice on how to adjust to life in the Weyr. I know some are not having as easy a time of it as you seem to be having."

"I'm not exactly sure how to do that," Kwiksol replied, ducking his head. "But I'll give it a try. Maybe just a good chat." He raised a brow, and paused, wondering if he should ask. "What do you think it is more, the sexuality or empowered females?"

Almonteo was a little taken aback by the question. "Well, I suppose it is the sexuality."

Kwiksol chuckled. "Yes, yes that would be the better way of it."
Almoneteo's expression told Kwiksol he should have asked that question. **Oh well** he thought. "I'll see what I can do, you can count on me sir." He answered with a bit of a salut.

"I believe I can. Thank you journeyman."

"No problem sir. Now, if you don't mind," Kwiksol said, putting down the trumpet and looking about. "I should be getting back to work.
Lots to do sir."

"Of course." Almonteo tried not to laugh as his journeyman dismissed him.

Last updated on the December 4th 2005

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Back to Work