Unsure Future

Writers: Chelle, Suzee
Date Posted: 12th April 2012

Characters: Asley, Kwiksol
Description: Kwiksol stops by the Weyr and catches one of the few printers at work
Location: Harper Hall
Date: month 7, day 20 of Turn 6
Notes: Mentioned: Almonteo, Thanja

She was in the workshop, working on setting the type for a collection
of songs and ballads that would go in the archives. It was laborious
work, but Asley didn't mind. She loved the smells of ink and paper.
The apprentice was at the point where she was usually trusted to work
on her own when it came to routine tasks. It probably wouldn't be too
much longer before she would be eligible for her journeyman knots
anyhow as things went.

Her blonde hair was coaxed into a bun, and her smock covered her
clothing. It was hot, but she would rather not ruin all of her tunics.
Fingers moved over the lines, picking up the letters she needed. Her
movements were sure, deft, and quick.

Kwiksol had been back and forth between the temporary Hall at Dolphin
Cove and the new building at Emerald Falls. Luckily he'd made friends
with several dragonriders while the Hall had been housed at the Weyr.
Several of them had been willing to help get his shop transferred.
One more trip and all of his instrument shop would be moved. He
whistled as he walked down the hall and came to the door of the
print shop. He stuck his head in. "Asley," he called to the sole occupant.

She turned, fingers moving away from the apparatus. Her brown eyes
sought the person calling her name and when they rested on Kwiksol,
she relaxed a bit. The journeyman harper was known to her, though she
wouldn't call him a particular friend. Soon enough, when she herself went
to Emerald Falls, she would be an oddity-a female crafter outside of the
Weyr. "Well met. Did you need help?" She was sure he had been one of
the ones who had already left.

"Not at all," he smiled. "Was just saying hello. I've almost finished
the transfer of my shop." He leaned against the door frame. "How are
you doing?"

"Well, trying to get ready to walk the tables, if it ever comes," she replied
with a shrug. It would come. She just thought if she got her knots, she could
have more of a choice as to where she might go. "How are things at the Hold?
Are they still trying to burn up women with knots?"

"It will come I'm sure," smiled Kwiksol. "I really haven't had much
contact with them yet. We're still getting all set up. Ya hungry? I
could use some food." Truthfully it was afternoon and he could
remember only some fruit for breakfast. His stomach was beginning to
think his throat had been cut.

"I...I'd have to clean up here first." She turned and looked at her
half finished job. Frowning, Asley started to put away the blocks of
type. She'd also have to clean the press.

"I can help," he smiled and came further into the room. "Or we can eat
and come back."

"Just give me a little bit..." She had completed the routine so many times, it
didn't take her long. She wasn't as painstaking about the process as some.
Still, Asley wouldn't leave it less than what she'd found it. After
finishing, the
printer removed her smock, hung it on a hook, and washed up. Turning,
she faced Kwiksol. "Ready."

He watched her for the few minutes it took. Then pushed off the
doorframe when she was ready. "After you," he smiled.

The way to the Dining Cavern wasn't long. When they arrived, she got through the
mass of people and began to select the food she wanted. Asley picked out a table
and set her plate down, looking behind her for the journeyman.

He slid his tray onto the table after her and then his backside into
the chair. He pulled his bowl of hearty stew and thick hunk of bread
from the tray before picking up his spoon. "So do you know when
they're going to start moving the presses?"

"I don't know. The hallsecond hasn't told us yet. Of course, I'm
hoping it won't be for a time. It'll be a pain to dismantle them,
we'll be out of work as they move them, and then we have to put them
together again. Besides that, I'm unsure about how things will be at
Emerald Falls after what happened before." She hated to question the
hallmaster's judgment, but what if the girls would be in danger?

Kwiksol was pretty sure plans for the move were already in place. The
Masters tended to have everything all set out well in advance. They
probably hadn't seen fit to inform the apprentices yet. "I'm sure
they'll let you know soon enough so you can get everything ready." He
smiled and added. "I've seen the new shop and it's easily twice the
size of your current one." The poor printers had been cramped where
they were currently housed.

"I haven't seen any evidence of it," he answered. "I don't think many
of our female apprentices have arrived at the hold yet."

That didn't do much to help her worries. Eating slowly, Asley thought
about the changes she'd gone through so far in her life. There would be
more, she knew. How would this one go? "Right."

"Besides," he continued. "I'm sure the Masters have a plan in place
to make sure our people are safe." He nodded for emphasis, "All of
our people."

"Like what? Are we going to have Hall guards? A watchwher?" In her mind,
she thought it was absurd. Either way, she didn't see anything stopping angry
holders.

He chuckled. "How do I know?" He realized she was worried but there
were quite a few female crafters now. If they were going to be an
issue they would have talked to them. "Why don't you ask your Master?"

"Master Thanja is busy with the moving and all. No, this is my issue and I
will deal with it when it comes. For now, I'll do what I need to. Perhaps I
can make journeyman and leave the Hall before we move." She was clinging
to that hope just a bit.

"Do you think they'd send you back to the Weyr?" He was just kind of
curious about her plans.

"I could go to any of the Weyrs or maybe the dolphin hall. They could perhaps
use a printer." She knew there were many female dolphineers and that hall was
still near the Weyr so it would be the same.

"Very true," he said. Personally he doubted the Master would send her
or any other female Journeyman anywhere they'd be in danger. At least
not knowingly.

"You should see the new quarters over at the hall. They're very nice
and there's electricity, heating, and plumbing throughout the place."
It really was a step up from Dolphin Cove.

That did catch her attention. River Bluff had those things but was warmer
than Emerald Falls. Asley had been researching her options, keeping it in the
back of her mind as things loomed closer. If she didn't get her
journeyman knots, though, she would have to go to Emerald Falls.
"It'll be awhile before they get the whole place finished though I
guess."

"Actually, much of it is pretty far along. I bet we could move most
of the Hall there while the rest is finished." He was really enjoying
his new space and knew she would too once she got there. "My whole shop
is over there now. I just have to come back here to teach one day a
sevenday."

She had no control over any of that, so she wasn't concerned. Asley would
move when they told her to. "Don't you miss the beach and the weather?"

"Sure," he shrugged with a smile. "But I'm back here often enough with
all the moving that I can visit it."

She would miss it. She'd grown up around the sea-first at South Boll, then at
Topaz before coming to Dolphin Cove. Asley loved the water. It soothed her.
Finishing her meal, she leaned back in her chair and considered the journeyman
and what the future might hold for her.

He grinned at her. "Wanna go to the beach?"

"Sure," she agreed readily, though she would need to change first.

Last updated on the April 30th 2012

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Unsure Future