Due Late
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 19th October 2009
Characters: Eilomar, Almonteo
Description: Eilomar and Almonteo discuss some of their apprentices.
Location: Harper Hall
Date: month 5, day 18 of Turn 5
"Hallmaster, " Eilomar greeted. "I now have the reports on apprentices you asked for." The reports were actually two days late.
"I see," the Hallmaster said with a disapproving glance. "Have a seat, Master Eilomar."
"I know it's bit late," he said and dropped the pile on the desk before sitting down. Hidework never been his best field.
"It is," the Hallmaster nodded. "That isn't like you, Eilomar."
"Well, I have some difficulties with some of the evaluations," Eilomar admitted. "But I am recommending three apprentices for promotions. Two to senior apprenticehood and one to walk tables."
"That's very generous of you," the Hallmaster commented as he reached for the first folder on the pile.
"I had to thought of it long and hard. They have deserved it," Eilomar said, implying that that was the reason for his lateness, instead of just ...well.. not getting around to do it.
"That is high praise indeed." And Almonteo meant it. Praise was rarely bestowed by the chorus master, even to those deserving of it. "Who would you recommend?"
"Dagnia and Arlos for senior apprentice. Enilda to walk the tables. I know she hasn't been apprentice that long, but she was unofficial student before and she grew up in a Harper family, so she already had the knowledge-base of senior apprentice, when she became apprentice," Eilomar replied. He was bit worried that someone might see it as favouritism, since Enilda's father was master Harper and one of Eilomar's favourite composers.
"Yes," the Hallmaster nodded. "It does seem a waste of time to keep her with the apprentices when she could practically teach some of those classes herself at this point."
"She is truly talented, both as singer and composer. Got it from her father, s'pose. It's shame that none of Endras' sons didn't inherit it."
"I had only one child entire the Harper Hall, and he is a drummer with no patience for composing." Almonteo's other son had distinguished himself on his own path. He was just happy his children were happy and healthy.
"Sometimes they just go on their own way, no matter what we plan for them," Eilomar said and shrugged a bit.
"Indeed. Now," the Hallmaster set that file aside and picked up another. "I see your recommendation is that Apprentice Besly should be held back and not advance to Senior Apprentice. What is your reason for that? His other Masters speak highly of him."
"He is not ready yet. He is arrogant and cheeky, he skips choir practices and spends way too much time dragon gazing," Eilomar said and frowned. "He has a good voice, but he is not interested in developing it any way."
"That is a surprise," Almonteo said with a shake of his head. "No one else mentioned such misbehavior. Why was this not brought to my attention sooner?"
Eilomar just shrugged. Perhaps he was the only master who had problems with him. He could have also pointed out that he had complained. But majority of his complains fell into a deaf ears.
"I shall look into this matter," the Hallmaster promised. "I will not have an apprentice shirking their duties in _any_ of their classes."
"Good," Eilomar grunted and nodded.
"Well, it seems you were thorough." Almonteo appreciated that. "I will certainly take all your recommendations into consideration. Anything else you think needs special attention?"
"No..." he started but as an after thought added: "Well, some of the lads were giving hard time for one of the girls in my choir, but Thanja is already dealing with that."
"Faranth help us. Still?" The Hallmaster had hoped the days of picking on the female apprentices was over. Hopefully it was just an adolescent phase and not a real issue. "Was it because she was female, or just because they were getting satisfaction from bullying?"
"I don't know. Bit of both probably. She is a timid person, easy to pick on," Eilomar said, naturally born bully himself.
"That certainly doesn't make it right," Almonteo sighed, knowing he had been bullied once or twice himself. "Thank you for bringing it to my attention. I shall have to make sure she is getting the positive reinforcement she needs to build up her self-confidence."
Eilomar just nodded.
"I am sure I can count on you to bestow extra praise on the young woman, and make sure to be extraordinarily patient with her," the Hallmaster said with a sweet smile, though he had a feeling Eilomar had not been much help to the girl's self-esteem up until now. Hopefully that could change.
"I'll try," Eilomar's reply didn't sound very happy or optimistic. He had always been better at abuse than praise.
Last updated on the November 3rd 2009