A Fellow Harper

Writers: Avery, Paula
Date Posted: 10th December 2017

Characters: L'pin, Dessa
Description: L'pin interviews Dessa
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 2, day 12 of Turn 9

The current weyrling class had just graduated at the beginning of the
month, and Panitath's clutch was now hardening on the sands. So L'pin
had time to have a personal interview with the Candidates, hoping that
talking to the Candidates would help build their trust in him as their
leader now, and would give him a better handle on what they'd be like
after they Impressed.

The goldriders had been focusing on the female Candidates for obvious
and valid reasons, but he had made sure to spend time with the male
ones so they didn't feel left out. He still wanted to talk to the
girls, though, so he kept inviting them to stop in when they had time.
He wanted to make it clear this was a casual interview,, so he made
sure there was a variety of snacks and drinks were sitting out on the
table. He also pulled his chair in front of the desk so he could sit
facing the Candidates without the desk in the way.

Dessa knocked before stepping in. "You wanted to see me, sir?" she asked.
She was pretty sure she hadn't done anything out of the ordinary
(unless Vatirel counted) and was not in trouble.

"Yes, please come in Dessa. Take a seat. I have cookies and juice or
klah," the Weyrlingmaster's Third suggested. He was on his third cup
of klah this morning.

"I just want to have a quick face-to-face chat with all of the
Candidates before the eggs crack. There's so many of you with the size
and importance of this clutch, and I'd hate to be meeting everyone for
the first time their first day of weyrling classes."

"Alright," Dessa replied and took a seat. She poured herself a glass
of juice. "What do you want know of me?"

"You've been in the area before when the main Hall was here, haven't
you? Has that made it easier to adjust to weyrlife at all?" he asked.

"Yes, I believe it did. I was already familiar with the place and the
way dragonrider's live," Dessa replied and sipped daintly her juice. "Of
course, I was much younger and didn't really associate with Weyrfolk
that much. I was far more interested in my craft-studies."

"We've had a few Harper Hall-Searched Candidates who had been here
before. Some were also classes oriented and some had sampled various
parts of Weyrlife. I also think being so familiar with songs and tales
means Harpers are well-prepared for learning duties. But I'm biased
since I'm a Harper myself."

"You're harper?" Dessa asked and smiled. She was always happy to meet a
fellow harper. "What's your specialty? Mine is music, mostly
instrumental, but I can sing and occasional dapple in composing."

"I was Hallbred. Impressed at an older age, and specialized in the
archives of the Weyrs. It was very useful work to have when Thread
returned and we were digging up everything we could," he said. "I still
play music. A few of us who are Harper trained will put together small
groups to practice and do events. I'd be happy to introduce you to those."

"I would be very interested in joining it," Dessa said. She had done her
best to keep practising between the candiate classes.

"I'll get you a list before the meeting is out. I find playing to be a
great outlet," he said.

"I was wondering if you had any questions about what you've been
learning in Candidate classes. Especially in some of the classes with
sensitive material some people don't feel comfortable asking them in
class in public."

"I think I got everything answered or otherwise explored," Dessa said dryly.

"That's good to know. We've had a few Candidates who haven't begun to
feel comfortable with weyrlife and have wound up in some unpleasant
situations." He was glad that Dessa seemed sensible about it.

"i tend to be practical about things," Dessa answered. "I don't really
need much to be content, just my music."

"That's a good trait to have. Some people get very heartbroken if they
don't Impress the first time they Stand. You'd have another Turn or two,
enough for at least three more clutches," he mused, assuming the golds
kept rising as frequently as they had been. "Would you stay here or
return to the Hall?"

"I would prefer to stay. My father has this itch to marry me off. I'm
sure the Weyr can use one more harper," Dessa replied.

"I can't blame you for wanting to stay rather than get married," L'pin
said. "You're welcome to stay here as Weyr folk now, whether you impress
or not."

"Thank you," "Dessa said.

Last updated on the December 23rd 2017

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

A Fellow Harper