Quite a Change

Writers: Francesca, Jane
Date Posted: 31st August 2009

Characters: Taraglan, Lahnen
Description: Taraglan and Lahnen chat about their positions and their respective moves to the Hall.
Location: Dolphin Hall
Date: month 4, day 5 of Turn 5

"Lahnen," Taraglan said with a smile as the Journeyman entered his office. "It's good to see you." They were little more than acquaintances but it was nice to already know someone at this new Hall.

"Master Taraglan," Lahnen said, extending his hand to the other man. "Congratulations on your appointment." Though promotion or notable appointments of any kind were of no interest at all to the journeyman, he could appreciate that others enjoyed that sort of thing.

"Thank you. It's quite a change." So far he was enjoying it though. Speaking to Journeymen rather than apprentices he could have a relaxed conversation. With apprentices he felt he needed to be a father figure. With Journeymen, it was more like being older brother. "How was the transition to this Hall for you?"

Lahnen laughed. "We came down with my father; me and my sister and my two children. Nobody takes any notice of me when my father's around," the journeyman said, well pleased that it was so.

"Hmm," Taraglan said noncommittally. He had spent enough time with Lahnen at the Northern Hall to know that he was quite content to remain a Senior Journeyman. Obviously not everyone could become a Master, but it was a bit difficult for him to understand the persuasion, so different from his own. "And, teaching has been going well?"

"It's not too bad. I prefer working, of course, but they've got me teaching the very youngest apprentices here, when I have to teach, and that seems to work well." Lahnen shrugged. "I'm not the disciplinarian my father is so it suits me to get them before they think they know it all."

He enjoyed the work of a dolphineer and knew his craft as well as any working journeyman - perhaps better than some. But there was a stage in the progression of many apprentices when they seemed to lose respect for people without ambition, despite the fact that the majority of them would remain journeymen for life like he would.

"The youngest are the most impressionable," Taraglan agreed. He was afraid Rodachan was getting to the 'know-it-all' stage. It didn't help that they were now in the South and the Northern-raised boy thought that made him better than the rest. "I heard there are quite a mix of apprentices, including some from the Weyr." He had only met a handful himself, but he would eventually get to know them all, at least by sight.

"Yes, they seem fairly reasonable youngsters for the most part. Nothing as exotic about them as I was expecting."

"That's probably a good thing." 'Exotic' often meant challenging. "Well, anything else on your mind?" Lahnen was a very capable Journeyman and needed little to no supervision.

"Not really. I just do my job - and if I'm not doing it right people usually tell me fairly quickly," he said with a smile. "It's a nice life down here, despite the Craft Ban that seemed so much of an issue when we were up North. We're pretty isolated from it as dolphineers and that suits me fine."

"It seems to be a very favorable situation, a Weyr and another Hall within walking distance, good weather." So far, he did not regret moving at all.

"The weather can throw up some surprises in the hurricane season, but otherwise it is lovely." Like many dolphineers he was comfortable in the heat of the area that some found oppressive. "How are your family settling in?"

"So far, so good. I haven't seen much of the boys," he admitted. "I think they're trying to distance themselves from me a bit, make some friends." He was sure they would fit in without much trouble, even if it wasn't easy with their father in such a prominent position at the Hall. "We've visited the Weyr once and plan to attend the next Hatching, whenever it is. Leiana is getting to work organizing the archives and Kaimi has already met some of the younger kids. I have to confess, the transition has been a lot smoother than expected."

"My two disappeared into the crowd - Seriand here and Grehga at the Weyr
- almost as soon as we arrived," Lahnen admitted, "so I think that must be the norm for children moved to a new Hall."

"That's probably a good thing." At least, Rodachan and Selet would think so. Taraglan saw someone, undoubtedly his next appointment, arrive and take a seat in the hallway. "Lahnen, I have another meeting now, but feel free to drop by at any time if something comes up. And, if you get a chance, you can visit Leiana in the archives. I'm sure she would love to see you."

"I will call in and say hello. It's been nice meeting you again, Taraglan," Lahnen said, getting to his feet. "I hope you enjoy it here."

"Thank you," the Hallsecond said with a smile. "I hope so too."

Last updated on the September 1st 2009

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Quite a Change