Balancing Act

Writers: AL, Cali
Date Posted: 26th November 2008

Characters: F'gol, Jestyn
Description: The boys talk about rehearsals, candidate classes, and other boy stuff.
Location: Harper Hall
Date: month 12, day 26 of Turn 4

"You missed rehearsal today." Figol said as Jestyn joined him and a few other boys at one of the apprentice tables.

"Yeah." Jestyn slid across the table from Figol and took up his roll. "I was at a candidate class. Of course, I've already been through everything, but I guess you have to do it again even if you've already done it once before."

Figol snorted, "Probably because it takes twice before it'll sink in."

"I have a feeling if I stood ten times I'd still have to go through it ten times." Jestyn sighed dramatically. "To be honest, I would have rather gone to rehearsal."

"It wasn't very good," Figol replied with a shrug, "Gellip's voice broke finally. Pelthric's in a tizzy now because Heleran promised to work exclusively with Master Tomiq for his Turn's End solos and can't take Gellip's place. Pelthric was riding Undar all through the rest of the rehearsal; I don't think he'll last as a soloist either."

"Who do you think they'll ask?" Jestyn queried, giving his friend a sidelong glance. "You don't think they'll choose Barrin, do you?"

He shrugged, as long as they didn't steal _his_ soloist, he didn't care who they chose. "If Undar breaks then maybe. But who knows, they may just switch some parts around before they go that low."

"I hope so. I'd rather see that happen than Barrin to get it. I don't know what it is, but there's something about him that grates on me." Jestyn tore at a piece of his steak and bit into it.

"You're just sore that he beat you for that trio." Figol said with a grin. "I _told_ you to prepare more for it, but you were so distracted with that _last_ hatching."

"No, it's not that." Jestyn shook his head as he took another bite of his food. Once swallowed, he continued, "He just gets on my nerves, especially when he acts all buddy buddy with me, like we're best friends or something."

Figol raised an eyebrow, "Maybe he _wants_ to be friends."

"You would think that but then he starts making these snide comments and you're not sure if he's joking or if there's seriousness behind his words." Jestyn much preferred that people just came out and said what they meant instead of trying to use subtle hints

The senior apprentice lowered his voice so that the others at the table couldn't hear his tease, "Maybe he's flirting with you, you're going to impress _green_ after all."

"No, I'm _not_." Jestyn shook his head, then rolled his eyes. "I don't know. I wouldn't mind being friends if he just wasn't so irritating to be around, you know?"

Figol sat back and shrugged, "Maybe it's _you_ that's the irritating one. I don't have a problem with Barrin... but then again, I don't have a problem with you. So I think flirting is an option you should seriously consider."

"Okay..." Jestyn nodded slowly. He supposed it made sense. "So how do I tell him I'm not interested besides trying to avoid him, which isn't working by the way."

He kept a straight face... for all of two seconds before bursting into a fit of laughter. "Oh, shards, Jestyn. I'm sorry, I just can't believe I got you to believe he was after you! Oh you _have_ been spending too much time with those candidates!"

Jestyn rolled his eyes. "Well, if he is or if he isn't, I'd rather he just leave me alone until he can say what he means without trying to make it into a joke or judgment."

"I think you just need to lighten up." Figol said once he'd wiped the tears out of his eyes. "I still say it's because he beat you out of the trio. You're just jealous is all."

"Actually, I'm not." Jestyn insisted, pointing his fork at his friend. "I only auditioned because I was asked to. I was much happier playing my violin."

Figol conceded, the boy did love his violin. "At least you know you're better at that. I can't even do simple songs with that thing."

"Well, you'd better get used to the idea that they're going to make you be at least passable on it." Jestyn raised his eyebrows and wiggled them. "From what I understand, composers have to take lessons in lots more instruments than those of us who plan to into performing."

He shrugged, before he'd won that apprentice composition contest he'd have never thought that his lame attempts would ever amount to anything. He'd been happy knowing that his gitar skills would give him a very promising future. Now though, he'd been given a taste of something more. To be a storyteller, not just someone who performs others stories, would be something worth working for. "Come on, we'd better go to chores, I've had enough of being yelled at for today."

Last updated on the November 26th 2008

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Balancing Act