Ego

Writers: Eimi, Shelly
Date Posted: 31st December 2005

Characters: Almonteo, Tarney
Description: Almonteo finds Tarney to encourage him in his writing
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 9, day 4 of Turn 3

Almonteo

Tarney paused in his guitar playing long enough to make a few notations on the hide in front of him then resumed playing. Although the music was not loud and he only sand along softly, he didn't hear the door open behind him.

"Ah, Journeyman Tarney. I thought I might find you here." Almonteo smiled as he walked up to stand behind the younger man. "Composing something new for us?"

Tarney just about jumped out of his skin. "Hallmaster!" He took a few deep breaths. "I was just playing around with a few lines that I've been ignoring during the move. Were you looking for me?"

"Yes," he said as he peeked over Tarney's shoulder. "I have just come to congratulate you on the success of your song at the Harper Welcome."

The journeyman glowed a little. "It did come off rather well, didn't it?" He realized exactly how vain that sounded and corrected himself. "I mean, thank you."

"Well, you're right, it did come off nicely," he smiled. "In fact, I'm thinking we should make a master copy and send it off to the main Harper Hall and see if they can't make copies to distribute."

"You're not serious?" Just when he though all that business was over; he had been nervous enough at the first performance and now to have it sent to Harper Hall, it felt like it was starting all over.

"Why, yes. I think it was quite stirring, journeyman," Almonteo smiled.
"Is this your first major piece?"

"Yes, sir. This has all been such an unexpected experience. When I became a harper I thought I'd just be teaching children at some far away sea hold, but it's been so much more."

"Well, we try to use you in the ways best suited to your talents. Never fear, my young journeyman," the Hallmaster smiled, "you probably will have your chance in the small seahold eventually too."

"The attention has been nice, though." He smiled at the Almonteo. "The women of Dolphin Cove have been _quite_ hospitible...."

Well, that was not quite the rewards Almonteo had been hoping his journeyman found in writing great music, but he smiled. "Yes, I'm sure you have stood out a bit since your piece was performed."

Tarney grinned even wider. "Imagine if Harper Hall decides that it's worthy of distribution..." Almonteo had to have been young once, too and used the craft for similar benefits.

"Yes, well, it may be the first of many." Though the Hallmaster was begining to wonder if it wasn't going to the young man's head a bit.

He sensed the Hallmaster's concern. "But for now I should just stick to the little stuff." He tapped the hide in front of him.

"Yes, start small and work your way up. You don't want to burn yourself out." Or all the ladies! Of course, Tarney had come from the Weyr.
Perhaps Almonteo shouldn't judge so easily.

"Thanks for the tip and thanks for coming down here. It means a lot, really."

The Hallmaster smiled and laid a hand on the young man's shoulder.
"Well, I want you to keep up the good work. There are the marks of true talent in your writing. You're not there yet, Tarney, but if you keep working at it..."

"That's enough ego stroking for one day, Almonteo" Tarney thought he'd test his limits and address the Hallmaster by his first name. "As you say, I'm not there yet."

"No, you're not. And I'm still _Master_ Almonteo." He liked Tarney, but he was not about to let him get too far ahead of himself. Pride had ruined many a harper...

Tarney flashed a lop-sided smile - nothing got by the Hallmaster. "Yes, Master."

Last updated on the December 31st 2005

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