I Am Going to be a Dolphineer (1/2)

Writers: Cali, Rylie
Date Posted: 10th February 2006

Characters: Shauni, Mosler
Description: Shauni interviews with Hallmaster Mosler
Location: Dolphin Hall
Date: month 10, day 11 of Turn 3

Shauni sat on the edge of her chair and bit her inner lip. She had never been so nervous in all of her young life. Though her desire to apprentice to the dolphin hall had started out as a means to please her father, it had grown into a personal passion over the past few sevendays. The more she had considered the craft, the more she knew that she would love it. She couldn't wait to meet the dolphins, to swim with them, to partner with them. Indeed she had convinced herself that outside of dragonriders, dolphineers might be one of the most important crafts to Pern.

Yet, since arriving, she had begun to get nervous. What if the Hallmaster took one look at her and said she was too, small. What if he didn't believe she was up to the task? She had no doubt that she could do it, but what if HE did and she didn't have the chance to prove herself? Would she go home in disgrace? A quick peek at her father let her know that he was calm and composed as he always was. He was a large man and his mane of unruly blonde hair gave him a slightly wild look. He had a beard and mustache and though some found him daunting, to her he had only ever been her Da. Shauni started when the door opened both anticipating and dreading meeting the Dolphin Hall Hallmaster. "Sorry to keep you both waiting." Mosler said as he walked in. He placed his bag on his desk then walked over to give both the visitors a firm handshake. "I'm Hallmaster Mosler, and you must be Shauni." He said giving the small girl a smile. Shauni had stood quickly at the Hallmaster's entrance and returned his firm handshake with the strongest she could muster. "Yes sir," she answered. She stood straight and as tall as she could, but despite her nervousness a huge smile emerged on her impish face. "Peydregaun," was the Masterfisherman's response as he returned the handshake. He did like a good firm handshake, more often than not indicated a good strong character. "As we discussed in our letters, m'girl here fancies your craft. Now I know she looks a mite small, but I assure you she's a tough one. Can outswim most in 'er age group and can hold her breath longer than any of her brothers an' that's sayin' sum'n. Seen 'er pull in a fish nye as big as herself."

Shauni stood in wide-eyed amazement. He had actually noticed. She never would have believed it. "Well, size isn't really an issue for dolphineers, and you've got years of growing yet to do anyways." he replied with a smile as he sat down at his desk. "It's good that you're a capable swimmer though, it will make the interview with the dolphins easier."

"Interview with the dolphins?" the girl asked in amazement. "So I'll get to meet them right off?" She hadn't known that you had to interview with the dolphins. Mosler nodded, amused but not surprised by the girl's question. "The dolphins are our companions and our equals. They insist upon meeting and interviewing with all possible apprentices." He lifted up the stack of letters that he and Peydregaun had exchanged and continued. "This interview with me is more of a formality since I wouldn't have asked you both to make the trip here if I wasn't fairly certain I'd accept you. The recommendations by your harper and your healer brother are both glowing by the way my dear."

"Thank you, sir." Shauni grinned at the Hallmaster, almost squirming with pleasure to hear that she was all but accepted and that her performance in classes had been noted. She was equally as pleased that some of her less endearing antics had not made it into those reports. "Um, are there some questions that I, er, need to answer or someth'n, though?" she wondered thinking back to what had been required in harper classes. "The only question you need to answer from me," Mosler said seriously as he stood up and walked around the desk, "is Are you going to work hard and diligently and do your best while you're here at the Hall?" "Oh, absolutely!" the girl answered enthusiastically.

"An' none of yer shennanigans," Peydregaun added gruffly. "Apprentices need to work hard, no time for mischief," he warned his daughter. Turning his head to Mosler he added, giving the other craftsmaster a wink, "An' not the ye need it o'course as Hallmaster, but you've certainly my permission to thrash her if she steps outta line. She's tougher than she looks and can cert'nly take it." Though his voice was serious as ever his eyes sparkled merrily. "Good." Mosler replied to both comments. "Now Shauni, why don't you go out and meet up with Senior Journeywoman Trellyn, she's waiting down the corridor, and she'll take you to your interview with the dolphins. Your father and I have a few things to discuss and then we'll meet you down at the docks." "Yes, sir," she answered turning to obey immediately, just barely holding herself in check to keep from skipping out the door. **I'm going to be a dolphineer!** She thought to herself a thrill of excitement running through her like a current of cold water.

Last updated on the February 11th 2006

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I Am Going to be a Dolphineer (1/2)