Progress Report

Writers: Francesca, Vix
Date Posted: 5th April 2008

Characters: Chalzie, Mahantan
Description: Chalzie goes to Mahantan's office to check on her progress at the Hall.
Location: Dolphin Hall
Date: month 9, day 2 of Turn 4

Here she was again, standing in front of the Master of Apprentices' door.
In some ways, it was as if her first meeting with him, on her arrival to the Dolphin Hall several months ago, had just occurred. In other ways, going over everything she had learned and the people she had met, it seemed like Turns had passed. However, on this meeting, Chalzie knew more of what to expect, and this gave her some confidence. She knocked on the door and entered at his invitation.

"Master Mahantan. You wanted to see me?"

"Yes, yes. . ." The Master dolphineer paged through some sheets of paper, frowning. "Just a routine. . . Here it is!" He smiled as he pulled on of the pages toward him.

Chalzie took a seat, watching as the Master of Apprentices read the page and wondering what exactly was written on it.

He nodded as he scanned the page. "You seem to be progressing quite well."

She smiled at his comment. "I still haven't caught up to the other apprentices, but I really have been trying, and getting tips from the Journeymen."

Mahantan nodded as he continued to study the words in the file. "Taking initiative - that's probably the best way to proceed." He glanced up from the page. "And what do you see as your strength?"

"I think I'm good at studying and memorizing information," Chalzie replied carefully. "I like to read and take notes and learn." She hoped that whatever was written in her file agreed with what she said.

"The journeymen report well of your performance in classes, at least on land." Mahantan set aside the paper to address her. "However, in the water you seem to need improvement."

The apprentice refrained from cringing at that statement. "Yes," she replied. "I've been practicing, and I've started running and rowing to improve, but I'm still behind everyone else."

"Then we'll have to help you catch up." His hand slapped the table definitively. "I'll see to it that you're excused from morning chores for a while so that you can have an extra swim session."

"Really? Oh!" **Fewer chores,** was the first thought that crossed Chalzie's mind. While she logically knew that swimming would be more tiring than most of the chores, she couldn't help but be excited. "That would be great," she told the Master of Apprentices.

"Of course, this is short-term," he went on. "We'll re-evaluate in two sevendays and see if this new approach is helping."

"Right." Chalzie tempered her enthusiasm. "I think that will be enough to get me caught up." **I hope.**

"It should," he agreed, setting aside her file. "And as long as you continue with the same pace in other areas, you should do just fine."

The apprentice nodded. "Do you have any advice on specific exercises I could do to improve my endurance?"

To this he shook his head. "Simply set a goal - a realistic one – and meet it in your first swim. During your next session, go further. The dolphins will stay with you so that there's no chance of overtaxing yourself."

"That's good," she murmured, half to herself, wondering why she hadn't asked the Journeymen and Masters for advice her first sevenday at the Hall.

"Keep at it," he urged her. "It's imperative that you improve in this area. While your other studies have gone quite well thus far, without the strength to swim for longer, you'll soon lag behind."

"I know." She had a hard few sevendays ahead of her. She hoped she would start seeing results quickly. "Thank you for the advice. I'll see you in two sevendays then?"

"Two sevendays it'll be," he agreed. "I look forward to seeing your improvement."

Last updated on the April 5th 2008

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Progress Report