Magnesium or manganese?

Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 25th September 2009

Characters: Oresthon, Chardic
Description: Oresthon distract the master so his "friend" can borrow the master's notes.
Location: Smith Hall (NPC)
Date: month 4, day 8 of Turn 5
Notes: Follows "Spotted"

The Master Chemist looked up expectantly at the young man as he flipped
his notebook closed. "Can I help you, Oresthon?"

"Can I ask you a question?" Oresthon asked, eyes bright with
nervousness.

"Yes, of course." Chardic gave the young man his full attention.
Oresthon actully launched out string of several questions about the
chemicals they were learning about and their safe storing.

"Wait, wait," the master said, holding a hand out to stop the barrage of
questions. "Oresthon, do you think you might have put your supplies
back in the wrong containers? Is that why you're asking me these
questions?"

"Well, I'm not sure. Those jars all look same," Oresthon replied, his
foot tapping the floor nervously.

If the apprentice had indeed mixed up the chemicals, that could lead to
a very serious disaster! "All right, Oresthon, come with me. We'll
have to check them."

"Yes, sir," Oresthon just said.

"Now, which canisters exactly were you using today?" Chardic asked as he
walked back towards the chemical closet.

"I think it was those three," Oresthon pointed the shelves. He couldn't
resist to glance backwards. Hopefully Encour would be quick.

"All of these?" The Master pointed to the canisters he thought the
apprentice meant.

"No, that and that and that," Oresthon said. More it took time, the more
time Encour had to take a peek for the master's notes.

"The sulfur?" the master asked, cocking an eyebrow. There was certainly
no way even an apprentice could mistake _that_ one.

"Yeah, well, I did got that one right," Oresthon said. He rubbed his
sweaty palms against his trousers.

"Well, good. You almost had me worried," the Master said with a soft
chuckle. "So was it the Magnesium and Manganese?" He knew many
students had trouble with those two since the names were so similar.

"Yeah. How can you tell them apart?" Oresthon asked.

"Magnesium is white." Chardic opened the ceramic jar and looked inside.
"Look. This one is right. This is magnesium." He replaced the lid
and pulled out the one on which Oresthon had written 'Manganese'. "Now,
see, this one is more pink."

"So it is," Oresthon agreed.

"So see," Chardic smiled, giving the boy's shoulder a gentle slap, "you
did it right! Don't doubt yourself so much."

"Yes, sir, thank you sir," Oresthon replied and wondered if Encour had
had enough time and if he should do something more.

Chardic nodded. "Next time, if you're not sure, ask _during_ class.
Don't wait until after, all right?"

"Yes, sir," Oresthon said and glance bacwards again. He saw Encour at
the master's table. He quickly scrambled up something more to ask.

"There some many different chemicals. Why do you need them all?" he
could only hope he sounded like eager student.

"What do you mean?" the Master asked with a wry smile. "We need them
for you to practice with."

"Oh," Oresthon grinned. "To make big bangs?"

"No, not _just_ to make big bangs, though both of these can be used for
that," and admittedly, that was what most apprentices took out of
chemistry class. "We can do a great many other things with chemicals
too. We discover new uses for them every day."

"Really? Where do you get them?" He asked. "You can't buy sulphur from
the Traders," Oresthon asked.

"Well," Chardic chuckled as he pushed another canister back away from
the edge, "the Miner's are just next door, you know."

"I thought they just dug out metals," Oresthon shrugged.

"Elements can be found as gases or liquids, but many start out as
minerals found in the ground. Manganese and magnesium are among them."
The Master could hear the sound of students pulling back their chairs
and throwing things onto the desk. The next class must be starting
soon. "Right, well, don't you have metalwork coming up? You better
hurry over there."

"Yes I have. Thank's for you help," Oresthon said politely. If Encour
hadn't had enough time, it wasn't _his_ problem any longer, he had done his
best.

"All right. Just remember, next time, ask if you're not sure _before_
you put the chemicals back. On with you now." The senior apprentices
were nearly all seated and it was time for their lesson to begin.

Last updated on the September 27th 2009

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Magnesium or manganese?