A Lesson to All

Writers: Allison, Vix
Date Posted: 1st July 2007

Characters: Mahantan, Laram
Description: Mahantan finds the apprentices' diving equipment in a mess and recruits Laram to help him do something about it.
Location: Dolphin Hall
Date: month 4, day 24 of Turn 4

Mahantan frowned as he looked over the equipment on the shelves of the Dolphin Hall. Flippers and weights, masks and reed snorkels, equipment that dolphineers used on some of their dives. Much of what was included had been deposited haphazardly and bore the signs of wear from being in salt water and allowing the salt to remain to dry. "We definitely need to brush up on equipment care," he muttered as he picked up one mask, the treated leather around the glass showing minute cracks.

He turned slightly as an apprentice entered the room, watching the young man.

Laram knew he'd left the notes he'd taken in today's class somewhere, but the where part was the unknown. He was retracing his steps, trying to remember everywhere he'd been that day. He started poking around in the room and was on the floor looking under a shelf when he realized that the Master of Apprentices was standing there looking at him. "Oh! Master Mahantan!" he exclaimed and jumped up. "I'm sorry to disturb you, I was looking for my notes from today. I need to study them but cannot remember where I left them."

The Master Dolphineer nodded thoughtfully. "I haven't seen any notes in here, but under that mess, who could tell?"

Laram smiled. "Well, that's true. I'm surprised some people treat their equipment like that. It looks like they were in a hurry to get out of here." Laram made sure to always care for his equipment. He may be the last out of the room, but he didn't have to replace equipment as quickly as some of the others did.

"You're right about that - too much of a hurry." Mahantan turned to study him more closely. "Laram, isn't it?"

"Yes sir, Laram, Sr. Apprentice, at your service," he said and smiled. Laram had always looked up to this man simply because he was a good dolphineer and would always answer Laram's questions about anything. "I can organize it for you if you like."

"No, let's not do that." The Master Dolphineer regarded the mass of equipment. "I think instead we should remove it. When next the owners need to dive, they'll have a problem to deal with and I'd like to see how they do so."

Laram laughed. "I will definitely help you carry that out. Although, I must say, it'd be funny to see their faces when them come in looking for their equipment." Laram usually never got to participate in the practical jokes the others would play on each other. He was so shy that he usually kept to his studies and spending time with Numbweed, his brown flit.

"If you don't mind, we'll carry everything to my office," planned Mahantan. "I definitely want to see their faces - and I want to watch them squirm when they must explain why they don't have equipment to dive." He stepped closer to the shelves and started to gather fins and goggles, protective suits and snorkels.

Laram stepped up and also started gathering equipment. When it looked like there was nothing left to carry, Laram turned to Mahantan and shifted his load. "Well, if you lead the way I think I can make it without dropping everything. Luckily my stuff is on my cot in the barracks. I was going to go and clean and oil my equipment and study my notes at the same time, but this is definitely more productive."

"Oh, it will definitely be productive, though those who are caught in it will find that they have little free time for the next few sevendays." The Master led the way, kicking open his office door and striding to a cupboard in the corner. "I've not really had time to fill this with anything since arriving here, so we can put it all in here until it's needed."

Laram followed, juggling the equipment around as he went. He deposited everything carefully in the cupboard and stood up, dusting off. "When will you be calling everyone out on it?"

Mahantan nodded. "I think that it should serve as a lesson to all of the apprentices." He closed the cupboard door and moved toward his desk. "I thank you for your help, though I'm sorry that you didn't find your notes."

"That's alright. I'm going to go store my equipment in the barracks and then I'm going to continue retracing my steps and hopefully I'll find them. I'm glad I could help you out though," Laram replied as he readjusted his shirt that had become bunched up on one side.

"Good luck with that," was the Master's reply. "And not a word about this to anyone."

"About what sir?" Laram said and grinned. "Don't worry, I was never here."

Last updated on the July 1st 2007

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A Lesson to All