Harper Doorstop

Writers: Chelle, Jane
Date Posted: 15th July 2016

Characters: Veerona, R'haran
Description: The Weyrharper visits the dolphin hall and is confronted with child logic.
Location: Dolphin Hall
Date: month 6, day 10 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: Jylanya

The Weyrharper, somewhat out of place in the Dolphin Hall, opened the door to
leave and hesitated. It wasn't the rain that made him stop - rain wouldn't do
him any lasting harm in the tropical heat - but the clear edge of the rain
cloud. His cool blue eyes checked the boats within the cove to check that
the wind hadn't changed since he had walked down from the Weyr and then he
stepped back and shut the door. The shower, heavy as it was, would pass over soon
enough, and then he would head home.

Veerona had been ready to follow the harper out the door and when he'd shut it
and backed up instead, she'd ended up running right smack into his back. Making
an audible "Oof!" she almost fell onto the floor, but caught herself.
Momentarily still, she then hurried to smooth her rumpled tunic.

"Oh dear," R'haran said, putting out a hand to steady the girl. "I do
apologize. Are you all right?" She hadn't fallen and she was fussing with
her clothes which he took to be a sign that he hadn't inflicted any damage on
her with his sudden change of plan.

"I guess so." She looked up at him and momentarily wondered about who he
was, though she saw the harper knots. "I'm Veerona. Who are you?"

"It's a pleasure to meet you Veerona," the Weyrharper said. "I'm R'haran,
rider of green Evielenth."

"Oh. Hi. My father is supposed to be a rider. I never met him though. I forgot
what they told me his name was." It came out as an offhanded remark, in the
way that children often did to downplay the importance.

"Oh?" If she wanted to pursue it he had no doubt she would raise the
subject again but in case she didn't he continued: "Do you live with your mother
here at the Hall, then?"

"No, she's dead. I have a fostermother, Lany. She's the headwoman. Do you
know her?" Most people did which made it easy for Veerona when she introduced
her. She was trying to be polite since she had been practicing her manners in
hopes she might get to go to the Weyr for the next Hatching.

"I have. Is it nice to be the headwoman's fosterling?" he asked, knowing
that at the Weyr it was often considered a mixed blessing.

"Sometimes. Everyone knows me. And we get bigger quarters than some. Still,
it's easier to end up with chore duty if I mess up." Jylanya was also busy
and wasn't able to spend as much time as some of the crafters' wives could. Vee
wouldn't have it any other way though.

"Sounds much like it is at the Weyr, then. Do you like it here? At the
Hall, with the dolphins?"

"It's okay. I mean...it's all I know so it's home." To her the dolphins were
normal, so she didn't appreciate them like some did. They had always been
there with their funny speech and slimy heads.

"The Weyr children feel that way too. Do you ever get down to the Weyr?"

"Sometimes. Lany takes me for Hatchings and stuff. There was one time when
there was a hurricane and some dragon came to get me and took me there. It
wasn't very fun and all I wanted was to come home." She had been very scared
then, but she didn't want to admit it. She had vowed then she didn't like
the Weyr.

"That was a very bad time for everybody," he agreed, hearing the reluctance
in her tone. "But if you do come and visit again I'd be happy to show you
around. I know lots of good places to visit - my children showed them to me. Just
ask for the Weyrharper."

"What's a Weyrharper?" she asked, not understanding. She knew what harpers
were. They were the ones who did her lessons. Veerona wondered how a Weyrharper
could be different.

"He's the harper in charge of all harper things at the Weyr. Helping when
people are not getting along, and with the records, and teaching the children,
organizing the entertainment. Lots of things. And I'm a Weyrharper for
Dolphin Cove."

"So like the Harper Hallmaster, but just at the Weyr?" She was trying to
make it make sense in her head. If he was in charge of the all the harpers at the
Weyr, then maybe he was good at what he did. "Do you sing?"

"I can sing," he admitted. "And play many instruments. But mainly my work
is with people. Mediation - do you know what that is?"

"No. What is it?" She could sing somewhat, but she had no desire to learn an
instrument. Sometimes the harper made her beat sticks in lessons.

"It's helping people settle arguments or quarrels, or helping them decide on
what's fair. Do you sometimes squabble with the other children in the
Hall?"

"No not really." Most of the time they were easy to convince. It was the
adults who vexed her to no end. She wished she could mediate them.

"Well then, you won't need me or somebody like me," R'haran assured her with
a smile.

"Hmmm well okay then. I suppose I'll go find someone else I could need."
Besides, it was near snack time and she was hungry.

Last updated on the July 18th 2016

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Harper Doorstop