A Bit of Gossip

Writers: Ames, Eimi
Date Posted: 8th November 2010

Characters: Almonteo, Maemira
Description: Almonteo discusses a new arrival and some other gossip with his Headwoman
Location: Harper Hall
Date: month 11, day 10 of Turn 5

Almonteo

"Maemira, may I have a word with you?" the Hallmaster asked as he poked
his head into the Headwoman's office door.

"Master Almonteo, do come in. You're always welcome here." Maemira
gestured for him to enter and join her. Her office was fairly small, but
it held a few chairs, a small table and a desk which was currently
filled with
scrolls of all sorts.

"Well, that's good news," he grinned sliding the rest of the way into
the room. "I wanted to inform you that we'll be getting a new student
soon. As headwoman, she'll ultimately be your responsibility while she
is at the Hall."

"Ah, wonderful news! I'll be pleased to help her in any way I can. What
can you tell me about her?" Maemira gestured to the small table with
chairs as she herself moved in that direction. "Would you care for some
tea?"
She asked, "It's still warm."

"Ah, yes, please," Almonteo smiled, taking a seat. "Well, her name is
Iloha. Her father is a Minor Holder who seems to think he's a major
deal, and his daughter, I get the feeling, has a bit of a wandering eye.
Why he would send a girl like that to a _Weyr_ is beyond me, but I'm
happy for the business."

Pouring them both a glass, Maemira settled into the sea opposite him.
"Sounds like we have our work cut out for us. I assure you, Master
Almonteo that I can handle just about any young lady, no matter what she
thinks she's entitled to," Maemira actually grinned. She would relish
this
opportunity to prove herself to the Hall, and Almonteo. Since her
arrival not much had happened and her day-to-day duties were not as
complex as they would be
if they were not in residence at the Weyr.

"When does she arrive?" Maemira asked, sipping her tea.

"In about a sevenday. I had offered to arrange a dragon to pick her up,
but I think her father already worries about how much contact she'll
have with the Weyr. The fact that the Hall will be moving back to
Emerald Fall next Turn is probably the only reason he's letting her go
now." Some people's fears seemed ridiculous to the Almonteo, but he
supposed there would be a lot at stake should she find herself in
trouble and unsuitable for marrying well.

"I'll keep a right watchful eye on lloha. That's a promise. Even if it
means stealing any would-be suitors away right under her nose." Maemira
chuckled. "I'm not bound by those same rules anymore," she stated with
a hint of laughter. "But no, honestly, we can train her up to be a right
good wife
to any man, and that man would be lucky to have a wife who studied under
your tutelage." She said the last with a firm nod of her head.

He chuckled slightly, figuring she must have meant that as a joke. Like
he had time for students! He barely had time for _Masters_. And what
time he did have it seemed everyone wanted a piece of. "I'll leave the
training up to you, if you don't mind."

"Of course, Master Almonteo. She'll be in good hands, I promise."
Maemira grinned at her little comment. She had seen that the master
hardly had time to eat and sleep without reminders let alone handle all
the tasks
that cropped up around the Hall. That was her job.

"I've noticed you've been working extra hard lately. Are you working on
anything in particular or perhaps it's a secret?" Maemira, though well
beyond her youth had a bit of a youthful joy to her face when discussing
such matters. The thought of secrets always held made something seem all
that much more intriguing.

"No secrets yet, I'm afraid," the Hallmaster said with a sigh. "It's
just the season. Have to to start preparing for Turns End, you know.
It may seem early, but these kinds of things take a lot of planning."

Maemira liked a secret, but of course, the Hallmaster was just working
on his regular duties. Though everything he came up with was regaled
amongst all those on Pern. His skill was renowned, so even if _he_
considered a task just regular duties, Maemira knew better.

"I am looking forward to sharing Turns End here with the Harper Hall. It
will be my first big celebration since I've arrived here. What do I have
to look forward to, Master?"

"Oh, not much," he said with a modest shrug. "Just the finest showcase
of talent on the Southern Continent. Oh, and Master Eilomar's wedding."
The Hallmaster smiled, knowing everyone wanted to see _that_ blessed
event! Everyone was making bets as far as if that young bride of his
will soften his demeanor towards the apprentices. Almonteo, for his
part, had every confidence that a woman could change a man.

"Ah, yes. I've spoken to Master Eilomar. He seems a bit...overwhelmed by
the planning of such a large event." Maemira looked at Almonteo and with
a wink added, "I've already been working on some plans in the background
to help make the planning run smoother for both himself and his new
bride." Maemira thought back to her own wedding. It had been a glorious
event
and those feelings of joy and happiness had lasted for many Turns. Would
she ever marry again? Likely not, but one never knew what life would
throw in her
path.

"I'm sure his bride could use all the help she could get," the
Hallmaster chuckled with a shake of his head. He meant that in every
way possible. The poor girl probably didn't know what she was getting
herself in for!

Maemira chuckled a bit at that. "I haven't met Merlish yet, but Master
Eilomar has set up a meeting so I can assist them with the plans. It
will be interesting to meet her. I don't know much about them and I
doubt Master Eilomar will share much with me. Perhaps you're up for a
bit of gossip?"
Maemira smiled at Almonteo, her eyes alight with the idea of sharing
some gossip. "How long have they been together? How did they meet?" She
wondered if Almonteo would appease her curiosity or if she would have to
seek out others who could fill her in.

Like many Harpers, the Hallmaster loved to listen to gossip, but liked
to keep a tight lip. In this case, however, he could answer honestly.
"I really don't know much about them. I think they were introduced by
her uncle Tantril, and things progressed from there. I have yet to meet
the lucky young lady myself, though I would be curious to know your
impression of the match once you do."

"Oh, so she's a bit of a mystery then!" Maemira's eyes were alight with
the intrigue. "I _cannot_ wait to meet the young woman who has stolen
Master Eilomar's heart! I promise that I will share some of my insights
with you once I meet her, Master Almonteo."

"Do you really think she has stolen his heart?" Almonteo asked
curiously. "You know, many an apprentice would not believe that were
possible."

Maemira gave a little happy sigh, "I guess I'm just a hopeless romantic,
even after all these years and all the things life throws our way." She
shrugged a bit, but her face showed that she didn't mind being such a
romantic after all. "Many enter marriage for far less than love, but it
is nice to think that love can be at the heart of many relationships.
I'm sure you understand," Maemira looked to Almonteo, thinking about his
wife and the relationship she assumed they must share together.

"Well, I certainly hope that's true in this case," the Hallmaster
smiled. At least he wished that for the lady's sake. "Well, keep me up
to date, will you?"

"Of course I will, Master Almonteo," Maemira said with a friendly smile.

Last updated on the November 20th 2010

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A Bit of Gossip