Amazing!

Writers: Avery, Eimi
Date Posted: 19th June 2006

Characters: L'pin, Almonteo, R'min
Description: Ruumin and L'pin discuss Ruumin's apprenticing with Hallmaster Almonteo.
Location: Harper Hall
Date: month 12, day 3 of Turn 3

Almonteo

"Come in Weyrlingmaster Second," the Hallmaster smiled. "And Ruumin, is it?"

"Yes, sir!" the lanky boy replied. "It's good to meet you, Hallmaster."

L'pin entered as well, nodding in greeting. "How are you doing today, Hallmaster?"

"Oh, just fine, thank you." Almonteo indicated to seats for them and walked round the desk to his own. "Now, I hear that Ruumin is a Harper Apprentice here at the Weyr."

Ruumin nodded. "Yes, sir!" he replied. "Learned from the Weyrharper at our old weyr, and then apprenticed to the one here when we arrived, but... sir, I've heard all those who were Hall-trained speak about how well it is and I'd like a chance to learn directly from masters myself, not from dragonriders who don't always have time for constant lessons."

"Have you decided to forgo your right to Stand then?" the Hallmaster asked curiously.

"Not so much forgo it as...I go to each Hatching, lest a dragonet die who I could save. I wouldn't reject Impression if it occurred. But, on the other hand- music is my passion. I love it. I couldn't imagine not being able to sing or play, and now that I have a chance to really learn from people who teach full-time, how can I not take it?" the boy asked.
It was clear he meant every word.

"Well, I want you to understand what you will be giving up by becoming a Harper Hall apprentice. First of all, you will need to move into one of our barracks with the other apprentices."

L'pin was silent, wanting to see how Ruumin handled himself. He couldn't handle dealings with him for forever. He just hoped he'd not be started too far behind the other apprentices- at his age, it would be horribly embarrassing.

Ruumin had never lived in a barracks before, just in a weyr or in a fosterling's room, and wondered how that would be. "It would be new to me, but I could do it, sir." he said.

"It will also mean that the time you will be able to spend with your Weyr friends and family will be more restricted than it is now because you will have chores, duties, studying and classes here in the Hall.
Our rules are strict and apply to _all_ apprentices. And if the Hall eventually finds a Hold to be contracted to, we will leave the Weyr. Do you understand that?"

Ruumin nodded. Chores and studying...he had that at the Weyr, but, of course, at a Hall such things would be so different! And to leave a weyr...the freedoms there, that he'd gotten used to- why, he'd explored his sexuality with a few women, and wasn't sure how he felt about males yet... but he wanted to be a Harper, more than anything, and if it meant sacrificing, he would sacrifice. "I understand." he replied calmly. "And I am willing to give those things up in order to practice." If he was good enough...

"All right. As long as you understand what you are getting yourself into, I am happy that you will be joining us in the Hall. There are a few things that I will need to discuss with your father later about the business side of the matter, but for now I would like to know how much training and what subjects you have studied so far."

Ruumin took a moment to organize his thoughts. "I'm fairly well grounded in musical theory, I'd say." he answered. "I know all of the notes and rests, the treble and bass clefs, and I learned the beginnings of composition, though I'd afraid I don't have much of an aptitude for it.
I learned to make some instruments- I've made several guitars and pipes, but drums are hard. I can play the flute well, pipes and gitar not as well. My voice is a tenor that ranges from the upper register into a bit of baritone, and I've sung both solo and instrumental." He paused. "I also learned copying Records and archiving from my father, but I'm afraid I don't do the best in those areas."

Almonteo nodded. "It sounds as though you have learned a lot of the basics. I think we will need to test you to see where you would best fit. You may not join regular classes right away until we are sure that you know everything that has been learned up to now. We wouldn't want you to be completely lost in class. Also, once you do join them it is entirely possible that you will already know some of the things being covered."

"So I might have to take some basic classes if I'm not good at things, and more advanced courses in others?" Ruumin asked. "I don't mind at what level I'm placed, because I don't want to struggle." Even if he got placed in a lower class...

"We'll try to find the right classes for your needs," the Hallmaster assured him. "But first we will need to make a schedule of when you can take your assessments. I will send you both a message later in the seven-day about when we can fit you in."

Ruumin nodded. "Thank you, sir." he said, breaking into a smile. It was really going to happen! Amazing!

L'pin smiled proudly and put a hand on his son's shoulder.
"Congratulations, Ruumin." he said warmly.

The Hallmaster smiled. It had been a proud day when his sons had been excepted to Halls too. "So, I will see you both soon then?"

Ruumin nodded. "yes, sir!" he replied.

"If there's anything I can do at all, please let me know." L'pin said.

"I'll be in touch," the Hallmaster nodded.

Last updated on the June 19th 2006

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