My Door Is Always Open

Writers: Ames, Paula
Date Posted: 17th June 2011

Characters: Milga, Famell
Description: Famell visits the apprentice class and has a little talk with Milga
Location: Dolphin Hall
Date: month 2, day 18 of Turn 6

Famell entered one of the training areas to see how the current
classes were going. He'd spent more time since being named Hallmaster
checking up on the apprentices and the journeyman than he had ever had
to do before. Thankfully Tafa was spending alot of time with her pod
as she knew how important this was to her swimming partner.

His eyes scanned the group who were currently working on their gear.
These were the apprentices and from the looks of things their current
teacher was making sure they knew all the proper techniques to keep
their gear in tip-top shape. While it was true that the dolphineers
often had to replace equipment and supplies, they were always trying
to make sure they got the most out of things by taking good care of
them.

Famell walked over to one young lady with dark hair. "Tell me what
you've been covering in your classes today," he asked, "Milga,
correct?" He knew most all the dolphineers, though with so many faces
it was hard sometimes to keep all the apprentices straight.

"Yes, sir. We are doing equipment's basic maintanence and repairs,"
she replied. She felt bit nervous talking to the Hallmaster.

Famell nodded his approval. "Excellent," he commented, "And how have
you been doing with your training Milga?"

"Just fine," she answered swallowing nervously. Truth was, while she
shone on water and exelled all things practical, she was struggling
with the theory. After her arrival she had learned that her basic
knowledge had large gaps. The small seahold she had grown up didn't
have harper of their one and the visits from travelling harpers been
irregular, not even once in a Turn. One of her teachers had said her
that she wrote like 8 turns old and it was hard to read texts when she
didn't understand what all the words meant.

Famell, of course knew only what he'd learned from the journeyman and
others in charge of classes and nothing of the inner turmoil that
Milga was facing. He had heard that she needed some additional work on
her basic skills, but she was not the only one of the apprentices that
seemed to need extra help. If they'd had a good, solid headwoman he
might have seen if she could help those who needed it, but seeing as
that wasn't possible right now he'd work on other ways to help catch
up some of the apprentices.

"You really seem to have a knack for working with the equipment,"
Famell praised the girl as he watched her nimble fingers work. With a
nod of his head he moved toward the front of the room and spoke with
the instructor. Then, once the instructor had stepped aside, Famell
addressed the class.

"I wanted to take a few moments to offer my praise to all of you on
your hard work and studies. No matter what, you must always remember
to keep working hard. As I've only been the formal Hallmaster a short
seven-day, I've been stopping by each class to talk and to let you all
know that my door is always open to you. In fact, I would love it if
each of you came to talk with me sometime in the next few sevendays.
As Hallmaster I really want to know you all and for you all to know me
as well." With his little speech finished, Famell inclinded his head
to the instructor and stepped back among the apprentices.

"Thank you," Milga murmured at the praise. Working with the equipment
was easy. She could see how it worked, how all the pieces worked. She
listened the hallmaster's little speech. Like she would just walk into
Hallmaster's office for chat!

He popped back over to her side as he made his way out of the room.
"Stop by Milga when you have a free moment. I'd like to chat with you
a bit more just the two of us." Famell had been reading the
recommendations and knew he needed to find a way to help the girl
master the basics for she clearly showed promise as a dolphineer.

"Yes, sir," Milga replied, cursing mentally, now she would be worried
and nervous for rest of the classes. Didn't all these hallmaster and
other important people realize how they intimidated young girls like
Milga?

A short while later, Famell was in his office when he heard a knock on
the door. "Come in," he called out, looking up to greet whomever
needed his attention at the moment. Since he'd visited the classes,
many of the journeymen and some of the apprentices had stopped by to
talk with him. He also often had visits about hall business as well.

"You wanted to see me, sir?" Milga's voice trembled a bit when she
stepped hesitantly inside.

"Ah, yes, Milga," Famell smiled, trying to make her feel more at ease,
"Come in, have a seat. Would you care for some refreshment?" He
indicated a pitcher of water on the side counter while he waited for
her to take a seat. "I'm glad you were able to join me. I've really
been wanting to get to know all the apprentices better. Tell me what
you are enjoying the most about your training so far?"

Milga shook her head for the offer for refreshments. She took a seat
and crossed her fingers, resting her hands in her lap.
"I love the dolphins and I love all the diving and swimming lessons,"
Milga replied with silent voice.

"Well, that's wonderful news," Famell replied, trying to make the girl
feel at ease, if that was possible. "For all that is the center of
what we do." He took a drink from his own glass before he continued.
"There, is, however more to your studies that just the dolphins. I've
heard you have an excellent way with them and with all the hands-on
lessons. I'm very pleased to hear that as I think you have a lot of
promise to become a great dolphineer one day." He paused, giving her
time to process his words before he out out his next suggestion.

"Thank you," Milga said. She could hear the but in his voice.

He cleared his throat for a moment and then looked the young girl in
the eye. "I hear you are having some trouble with your basic skills. I
must say some of my journeymen seem to think you might not be capable
of learning them." Famell quickly added, "I do not agree with them,
but I also cannot have them spending valuable class time teaching you
the basics you lack. I would like to propose that we have you do some
extra work outside of class hours to get you caught up to speed. Are
you willing to do that Milga? Work extra hard to learn the things you
need?" Famell had contemplated who could handle the job.

"I'm aware of it," Milga said. "Of course I'm willing to work hard and
do extra to succeed," she assured him.
She had to fight to keep tears at bay. "The hold I grew up didn't have
a harper," she tried to explain," and it is so distant that travelling
journeyman visited it rarely. Sometimes we had as long as two or three
turns between harper's visits."
"Alright, then it's settled. We'll set you up with some extra lessons
and let's say," Famell glanced down at a chart on his desk, "we meet
again in two sevendays and see how you are progressing. Now, I expect
you to work very, very hard. You have the talent to be a dolphineer,
but you won't make it very far without the skills you need. I believe
that you can do it," He looked to the young girl, giving her an
encouraging smile.

"Yes, sir," Milga said with respectful nodd. But inside she groaned.
She already worked like a draft beast, how much more she could do?

Last updated on the June 19th 2011

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My Door Is Always Open