Surprise Guest

Writers: AL, Eimi
Date Posted: 9th May 2008

Characters: Kitali, Almonteo
Description: Kitali goes to Harper Hall to visit a friend and gets help from Master Almonteo.
Location: Harper Hall
Date: month 10, day 1 of Turn 4

Almonteo

Kitali raised a hand in thank you to the brownrider who had escorted her to the Harper Hall. She had settled on a time and place to meet him for the return back and had a nice chunk of time to visit Hesther and give her the birthingday present she had gotten her. She hadn't seen the composer in a long time and wondered if she had any new music that Kitali could perform. She had thrown herself into teaching so much lately that she hadn't really learned or performed any music in a while. She missed performing. Turning upon her heel, Kitali made her way to the Hall, striding purposely through the entrance. Once through, however, she hesitated. She had been to the hall only once since it had moved a turn prior, and while some things looked vaguely familiar, she wasn't familiar enough to find her way around. Hesther didn't know she was coming, not to mention Kitali had wanted to surprise her.

"Excuse me, you look a little lost," a man said from behind her. He had noticed the woman with journeyman knots walking through the dimly-lit corridors looking as though she were trying to find something.

"Just a little." Kitali turned around, her gaze falling upon the man's visage, then moving to his own knots and taking note of his rank. Ah, a Master. "I'm looking for Hesther and I'm afraid I haven't been here but once since the move, so I'm still unfamiliar with the layout."

"Master Hesther is in one of the cliff-face weyrs I believe, and up a level. I can show you the way if you like." It was a bit of out of his way, but climbing stair was good exercise, something his wife said he needed more of lately.

"That would be wonderful." And surely it would save her some time and effort. "I would appreciate that very much, though I certainly don't want to cause you any trouble." He waved it off. "Oh, it's no trouble. It's good to move after sitting at a desk all morning."

"I must say, I am fortunate not to have to stay at a desk too much." There was, of course, some in the way of paperwork and what not, keeping records, especially of the children she taught and of any performances she did. Fortunately, however, that part of her duties was minimal. "I really should come here more often and learn the layout."

"Are you thinking of transfering?" he asked curiously, wondering if maybe she had left the Hall when she was young so that she too might apprentice to the craft. A few of those lady journeymen had expressed a desire to return to the Hall of their birth. "Not at the moment." Kitali shook her head. The idea hadn't really occurred to her. However, if things stayed the same with M'van, maybe it would be better to transfer. It wouldn't be closer to her parents, but it wouldn't be so far away from him. Maybe it would give him an easier time seeing the children - not that travelling was really an issue for dragonriders. "But it would probably be nice to know the hall."

He nodded thoughtfully. "You said you had been to the Hall at Emerald Falls before. Were you born there?"

"Oh no." Kitali shook her head slowly. "I was born in the North and studied up there. I came south after my husband disappeared in a storm and took residence at River Bluff. I visited the Hall on occasion before the move, but I must say, I feel more comfortable doing so now that it has moved."

"You mean now that female crafters are more acceptable to the Hall?" he asked, pointing down another hallway and gesturing her to lead the way.

"Yes, exactly." Though Kitali wished that the original hall hadn't been burned down to the ground because of it. "Perhaps I shall come for the next performance."

"You would be most welcome, of course. Is that your specialization, then? Performing?"

"Yes, although I volunteered to teach the children when another harper was pregnant and having complications." Kitali admitted with a smile. That hadn't been something she had expected, but had found great enjoyment in it. "I've enjoyed that very much and have continued to teach. My favorite are the younger ages, which is what I have come to teach." That was rather impressive. Teaching was not for everyone. "Are you thinking of changing your specialization, then?"

"Perhaps. I don't know. I enjoy doing both, performing and teaching." Kitali had given it some thought. "I've not performed as of late for I tooke a leave of absence. I was hoping to do more in that vein soon."

"Surely River Bluff should have performances from time to time." He didn't know much about how harpering worked in a Weyr since Dolphin Cove had been his only example, but it seemed the people were in need of some sort of diversion.

"Oh yes." Kitali nodded. "In fact, there was one just last sevenday that I attended, though I did not partake. I should, but I have not been returned for very long."

"Well, I certainly hope that you will have a chance soon. And here we are." The master pointed at the door coming up on their left. "I believe this is Master Hesther's rooms."

"Thank you very much Master Almonteo." Kitali offered a smile to him as well as a polite not. "It was a pleasure to talk with you as well."

"The pleasure was all mine, Journeywoman..." he waited for her to supply her name for him.

"Ah, forgive me, Kitali." She couldn't believe she had forgotten to give her name. Kitali felt rather foolish.

The Hallmaster smiled reassuringly. "Journeywoman Kitali, then. I hope to see you again in my Hall. Have a pleasant visit."

"Thank you again." With another polite nod, Kitali watched as Almonteo disappeared down the hall, then turned and knocked upon the door.

Last updated on the May 18th 2008

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