Settling into the Position

Writers: Kaysea, Vix
Date Posted: 9th August 2007

Characters: Kateena, Mahantan
Description: Kateena reports to Mahantan on how her classes are progressing
Location: Dolphin Hall
Date: month 5, day 15 of Turn 4

"Excuse me Sir, are you busy?" Kateena asked, poking her head around the partially opened doorway. "Only I did knock, but you appear to not have heard?" she asked, her eyebrows lifting a little in query.

The Master of Apprentices turned to look at her, his face reddening a bit as he reached for a shirt. "Sorry about that. Some of my swim clothing has been wearing, so I ordered new from stores and was trying them on. Either they make the shorts smaller here or I'm enjoying the cooking too much, because they seem a bit tighter."

With a grin, Kateena ducked back to the other side of the doorway. "Just let me know when you're ready." she said, containing the laughter she felt bubbling up from the surface. "The err, the food is quite good here, isn't it? And plentiful."

Mahantan hurriedly shed the too-tight shorts and changed into a pair of worn but comfortable trousers, leaving his shirt unbuttoned, as was normal for him. He opened the door as he replied to her question. "It truly is. Back at Topaz we had workers assigned to the kitchen but none who could produce the quality of food found here."

"It gets to all of us." she smiled, and followed him back into his office, and took the seat opposite him.

Now composed, the older dolphineer returned the smile. "So, Kateena - what can I do for you?"

"I just wanted to catch up with you and give you a run-down on the apprentices I have had out and about helping me with the latest changes." She drew out a sheaf of papers from the hide folder she had carried in with her. "There's some talent, and some, well..." she left the words hanging.

His expression turned to a grimace. "I expected that would be the case.
Suppose you give me the bad news first and let me know whether you think it's lack of proper instruction, not applying themselves, or simply someone who should never have come here."

"Oh no! Don't get me wrong, some of them, despite their lack of talent in my area, will still make decent crafters. But their talents in mathematics -
judging distances and area, or even in artistic talent - leave a lot to be desired." she smiled, and passed Mahantan the sheaf of paper. "These are some samples of the quality, or lack of it, of the work I've seen so far."

Mahantan took the papers and started to page through them, studying each carefully. "This is acceptable. This one as well, though the apprentice needs more work on perspective. This. . ." The Master Dolphineer winced as he looked at it. "This is appalling."

Kateena lifted slightly from her chair to see which page he was looking at, though she already had a fair idea. "Yes, that one isn't the best I've ever seen. But the apprentice shows an aptitude for the mathematical side of things - despite the appalling diagram."

"Not all are artistic, but this shows very little attention to detail or whether others could read it." He moved to the next one. "But this is much better."

"Ah yes, and he shows an interest other than just completing an assignment.
He's been quite curious as to the whole cartography area of dolphineering.
I've been encouraging him to work on developing his work whenever he has a free candlemark, if he really is interested." she agreed, "That's Lorn, he's a senior apprentice in his second turn. Soon to be considered for partnership - I think?"

"If a dolphin expresses an interest in him," agreed Mahantan. "I'll have Forrel ask around and see if any are leaning toward that pairing." He nodded once again before setting aside that work and looking at the next. "This one isn't quite as detailed, but still quite good."

"Yes, Gebra - but I'm afraid she really isn't interested. Look at the strokes - she really wasn't prepared to put in the effort; and the strokes as you can see where placed in a haphazard manner. She was getting stroppy with me, because I was telling her to try a little harder. I know she has it in her, but it's like pulling wherry teeth." Kateena shook her head, Gebra really wasn't a pleasant experience.

He nodded, forehead creasing in a frown. "I'll have to check with her other instructors and then speak to her. I wonder if it's just the subject matter -- which I'll expect her to learn whether she's keen on it or not --
or the apprenticeship as a whole." He glanced up at her. "Do any of the others give you problems?"

"No, nothing I can't handle." she grinned, "They do try it on at times, though. I guess it's having female instructors, when some of them come from very _traditional_ holds."

"That may be, but I want them to get rid of those prejudices now. I don't want to see any of these apprentices professing those types of attitudes getting through to journey rank where they could use it to chase females away."

"Its an on-going process, convincing them of a females right to craft.
Though they can't say too much with a female Hallsecond, our craft is more progressive than most." she gave a small shrug, "It takes a lot to change a whole life's ingrained belief; opinions they have been exposed to since they could talk."

"True, but any 'influence' I can use, I will. Looking at my daughters, I know that I want more for them than to have to rely on some man's whims and what he might expect of them."

"Not all see it that way." Kateena shook her head, "Though I must say the ideas they have seem so stunted to me; everything is so different here, different to what I was used to in the North. I am an oddity here." she shrugged her shoulders.

"Good," he replied. "We need more of your type of 'oddities' to show everyone the possibilities. Even if the only ones you influence are some of the more hard-headed apprentices, it will be worth the effort."

"I hope you're right." she smiled, "The more they get used to the female instructors, the easier it makes it for the female apprentices; though," she held up her hands, "I can't say that _I_, personally, have seen any problems between the boys and girls - so far."

"I'm glad to hear that, though I don't want them getting along too well at this point either. I'd prefer if the apprentices concentrate on their craft."

"Well yes, that too." she smiled, "If it's not one thing to worry about, its another."

He nodded thoughtfully. "So you feel more comfortable with the instruction that you're providing now? You're willing to keep on with it?"

"Oh, definitely." Kateena nodded her head, "I still enjoy being out there and working with just myself and Civi, but it's so rewarding showing the apprentices what that work entails."

Mahantan chuckled. "I find that when I'm working with apprentices, that time for just me and Forrel is even more important. It allows me to put it all into perspective."

"Yes," she considered his words, "I think you're right. It certainly makes me appreciate when Civi and I share some time together." She glanced around the room, "Well, I don't want to take up any more of your time, Sir. I really should go and spend some time with Civi before the weather turns again."

"You do that, Kateena, and thank you." He rose from his chair, clearing his throat. "I hate to ask it, but at your convenience, if you could send me a list of the apprentices you've worked with and what you see as their needs? I can then arrange for additional help for those who are struggling or who need more motivation."

"Yes Sir, consider it done. It won't take me long, and I've a fair idea of who will be on the list for extra help and who will be having my recommendations for craft specialization too, from the senior apprentices at least."

"That would be helpful as well. Though if any of those you recommend are uncertain, I may schedule an additional session with you to help them make up their minds."

"Thank you Sir." she stood and made her way to the door, "I'll have the lists for you within the sevenday."

"I trust that you will," he told her. "Thank you." He turned his attention back to the reports upon his desk.

Last updated on the August 11th 2007

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Settling into the Position