Getting the Right Notes

Writers: Leigh M-F., Paula
Date Posted: 9th November 2016

Characters: Eilomar, Eionen
Description: Eilomar and Eionen commiserate over unruly apprentices.
Location: Harper Hall
Date: month 8, day 27 of Turn 8

Eionen counted the music sheets again, and shook his head in confusion. The archivist who had told him where to find this particular song had been positive there were eight copies, but Eionen was coming up two short. Perhaps another Journeyman or a student had borrowed the other copies and it slipped the archivist's mind. However, Eionen didn't have time to go looking for them. He only had about fifteen minutes until his next class. On the other hand, he did have someone in mind who might have additional copies, so not long after, he was knocking on the door of Eilomar's office. Because really, if the Mastersinger didn't have pages of songs, who else would?

Eilomar's deep bass was easily heard thru the door. "Just a minute!" he called and then continued berating an apprentice: "We do not harrass people based on their gender, physical properties, skin or hair color, perseived character flaw, level of skill or for any other reason. Actually, only person allowed to call you with names and present criticism is _me_. Is that understood? If I catch you mocking or bullying your fellow apprentices again, you will be dismissed from the Choir. Instead of picking the other choir members, you should be developing your own skills. You haven't done the breathing exercises given to you, have you? You still sound like my wheezing old auntie. Actually, my wheezing old auntie sung better than you."

The apprentices answer wasn't heard but Eilomar's loud bellow was: "They are not pointless exercises! How can you sang longer stanzas if you don't know how to breath correctly? Get out of my sight!"

A minute later, red faced apprentice slipped out of his office.
"Next!" Eilomar called.

Eionen entered, shaking his head. "That certainly brings back memories," he commented. "Only in my case, I was told I couldn't tweak the cutest girl's plaits." He had been a horrible flirt from the start, apparently. He brought out one of the sheets and held it for Eilomar to see. "I'm terribly sorry to bother you with something so trivial, Mastersinger, but I'm short two copies of this song. I'm also too short on time to look for them. Would you happen to have any extra sheets to spare?"

"Hello Eionen. There's always something going on with the apprentices," Eilomar greeted. "What song it is? As a choir master, I do keep multiple copies of the songs most commonly practised by the choir."

"Oh, wonderful," Eionen said, smiling in relief. He'd had the right idea after all. "It's 'Arryen's Lament'. The students of one of my intermediate classes are intrigued by its story and would like to try it." He'd won them over by actively encouraging their interest and saying they could devote this session to it. Another small victory.

"Ah, a good choise. Not too difficult but still enough challenge to test their skills," Eilomar got up from his custom-made, sturdy office chair and walked over to the book case. He perused the neat piles of song hides there untill he found the correct pile. He took two and handed them over to Eionen. "Here. Please, do return them to me when you don't need them anylonger," he asked.

"I will, don't worry," Eionen promised. "I'll even make a couple of copies so I won't have to bother you for these again. I could reuse the copies if the song proves popular enough to become part of my curriculum." Surely if students were interested now, some would be interested in the future. He hoped, anyway.

Eilomar nodded an agreement, "the choir performsm it regularily." He returned to his seat. "So, how have you settled down to teach apprentices after so long time travelling?" he asked.

The journeyman paused, tucking the copies into the folder. "It's strange to realize that the ceiling is familiar every time I wake up," he admitted. "But with how sporadic my teaching jobs were, I've almost forgotten how fulfilling it is. The beginners are so eager to learn, and I think they have the most fun," he said with a smile. "One of my beginners, Laiandra, has the sweetest soprano I've ever heard in a little girl. I asked her to think about asking to join the choir when she's old enough. The intermediates-" His smile faltered. "They're gifted, but not many are respectful. But I took some advice from a colleague I knew before I started wandering, and it's getting easier."

"Ah, yes, those," Eilomar snorted. "It's part of the teenager rebellion, they test you to see what they can get away with with you," Eilomar said. "Of course, I don't tolerate any foolishness and they quickly learn act respectful around me," he continued. When it came down to bullying, _he_ was the biggest bully of them all. He knew how the bullies and rebels thought and knew how to counter them.

"Maybe I ought to take a page from your book once in a while," Eionen said. The trick would be knowing when a harder approach was needed, though. He'd have to figure that out. "Speaking of apprentices, I had better get to mine. Thank you again for the music. When would be a good time to bring it back?" He didn't yet know just how often the Mastersinger was in his office, and he did have to make the copies first.

"Well, I'm usually here at this time of day as well two candemarks at the afternoon, just before mealtime. You can catch me from the class rooms too," Eilomar replied.

"Oh, that's perfect. Before mealtime it is," Eionen replied, smiling brightly. "Have a wonderful day, Mastersinger. Thank you again."

"You're welcome. I'm always happy to help a collegue," Eilomar replied pompously.

That was good to know. For whatever reason, Eionen felt he might need that help again soon.

Last updated on the December 17th 2016

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Getting the Right Notes