Preparations

Writers: Chelle, Leigh M-F.
Date Posted: 28th August 2015

Characters: A'kua, Nokala
Description: Progress and upcoming entertainment are discussed.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 1, day 16 of Turn 8

The Candidate finished the gitar piece with a rill and flourish, then
turned his attention to Nokala and rattled off every technical term of each
technique he had used. There were still a few giving him trouble when it
came to completely understanding them and how they related to what he was
doing, but he had improved drastically lately. When he finished, Aluka
lifted his eyebrows expectantly at his teacher, hoping for good feedback.

"You remembered well. And I think that deserves a break." She reached for a
waterskin and handed it over to him. Taking one for herself, she was quiet.
Today had been a good day and she could see the improvement in her student.
He should be where he needed to be in just a few months or so, if things
continued apace without him Impressing. "So, Lissath has laid eggs."

Aluka nodded. "I want to discuss that with you, actually. Have we been
invited to perform at the Hatching Feast again? Because if I don't Impress
-or even if I do, possibly-, I want to try something new for the
entertainment."

"It's up to the Weyrharper, but if you want to play, I'm sure he wouldn't
mind. What's your idea?" Her eyes focused on him as she assessed his
demeanor, curious as to where he was going to go with this. She was
stretched out on the chair, comfortable as she held her note hides in her
lap.

Her student hesitated, but only for a moment. "I want a chance at a solo to
play one of my own compositions."

Now that was brave. And it also showed that there had been a very
significant shift in Aluka. Finding this pleasing, Nokala considered the
request. "As an apprentice, you'll have to audition for him. I can
recommend you but you'll still have to do that. Which composition were you
thinking of?"

Encouraged, Aluka straightened up a little more. If Nokala had his back,
then the audition would be hopeful. "Either one I wrote about making
yourself and your life better, or one about-" He paused and blushed a
little. "About falling in love for the first time."

"The second one sounds like it would better received by the crowd and would
be easier to dance to. Always important things when playing for a Hatching
feast." Something about the way he spoke made her think, but his life was
his business and she didn't ask. If he wanted to tell, then he would. Still
this was a different boy sitting in front of her than when they had first
met. Nokala didn't know if she had been the change to cause it or if he
would have found himself on his own. Either way, she was happy for him.

Aluka perked up even more and took Nokala's suggestion seriously. Even if
he got embarrassed by singing about it, if she thought it would be taken
better, he'd go with it. "When do you think we could schedule the audition?"

"I'll have to speak to the Weyrharper and see about the arrangements. We
have to work around your lessons and with a Hatching coming at some point,
those are going to increase in frequency." She scratched her head, trying
to think about when would be easier. "You may actually have to do it in
your freetime if it comes to that. I'll try to work something out with the
headwoman."

"I don't mind that at all," Aluka promised. "Any time it needs to happen,
I'll do it. Thank you so much, Nokala."

"My pleasure. I can send you a message once I figure it out. Now...do you
feel like continuing now? I think we only have a half candlemark more
before you have to go and report to the healers." Despite her best efforts,
the harper couldn't remember his schedule now that it had changed so much.
As long as he did, they were allright.

"Let's do this," Aluka said enthusiastically, set the waterskin aside after
a drink, and got back to work.

Last updated on the September 1st 2015

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Preparations