You sit down at Masters' Table.

Jorai walks in from the kitchen and storage area.

Opa looks up from where she's doing some scribbling on wherhide. She smiles 
and waves.

Jorai waves cheerfully
Jorai blushes slightly,"Evening ma'am."

Opa nods. "Good evening." She indicates the kitchen with her writing 
implement. "They're almost ready to serve dinner, from the sounds of things in 
there, but I just thought I'd get some extra work done before mealtime."

Jorai wrinkles her nose, "Don't get much time to rest?"

Opa looks surprised. "Me? Shells, no. I may not have lessons to run to 
anymore, but somehow I'm twice as busy."

Jorai covers a giggle with her hand.
Opa grins, nodding. "So cherish what little you have to do now...how are you 
enjoying your lessons, anyway...Jorai, isn't it?"

Jorai sits down, trying to catch a glimpse of the hides. "Very much so, ma'am. 
Yes, I'm Jorai."

Opa pulls some of the hides marginally closer to herself...oooh, these nosy 
apprentices. ;) She nods. "I thought I recognized you, yes. So...what sorts of 
things are you covering in your classes these days?"

Jorai smiles brightly, "Varina took me to High Reaches for the Llama Festival, 
she showed me some felting and spinning." She makes a face, "Some dying, too, 
you know some of those smell worse than numbweed..."

Opa looks impressed. "Oh, yes, it's always valuable to learn new techniques 
like that. Especially the Reaches, they're really skilled with doing all sorts 
of things with thick wool." She chuckles then. "Don't I know it...I whipped up 
a whole new supply of dyes before I left Benden."

Jorai blushes, "She tried to show me how to knit the High Reaches cable 
pattern, but I'm afraid my knitting is still very basic. It just ended up 
looking like a mass of knots." She sighs.
Jorai blinks, "I'm sorry ma'am...am I keeping you from your work?"

Opa starts collecting all the message hides together in a neat pile, and 
shakes her head with understanding. "Some of those stitches are not easy to 
do...it takes lots of practice to get the hang of getting everything just 
right."
Opa smiles. "Oh, no...it's nice to have an excuse not to do it. I just thought 
I'd get in an extra bit of writing time before the meal was served."

Jorai smiles shyly, not sure she should confide in a Master in such a way, "I 
like embroidery so much better. Just the one needle to contend with."

Opa speaks encouragingly. "It's good to know what you prefer...although that 
won't stop us from making you learn all the basics." She grins.

Jorai's eyes widen, "Oh, no ma'am, I like learning, truly. And I can knit 
some." She pulls a small bundle from her pocket hesitantly, "I..I knit these 
for my little sister when she was born, would you like to see?"
Jorai blushes again, "They're just terribly plain. Nothing like what I've seen 
Master Varina do..."

Opa holds out her hand for a closer look. "I would like to see how you're 
coming along, indeed. What are, they, booties?" She squints.

Jorai smiles brightly, nodding.
Jorai lays the booties down gently.

This is a tiny pair of baby booties, obviously made for a newborn. They are 
crafted of the softest wool, died a pale, sea-foam green. The knit is tight 
and even, so little toes can't poke through. They are a bit nappy, as they are 
well-worn, but the loving care taken to produce them is obvious.

Opa takes up the soft little things, laying them one on top of each other in 
her hand, feeling the work with her finger, looking them over with appraising 
scrutiny.

Lenore walks through the doors from the Inner Courtyard to the south.

Opa looks up, booties still in hand. She smiles.

Jorai offers nervously, "I did the dye for those myself, as well. My mother 
helped, tho."

Opa ahs, nodding. "I was about to ask...they're a lovely colour, very suitable 
for a baby...although she's been wearing them, hasn't she?" She smiles, 
pointing to the faintly worn heels.

Lenore smiles back and waves with one hand. She wheezes as she ponderously 
makes her way over to the Masters table.

Jorai stands quickly and drops a curtsie, "Master Lenore, I didn't see you 
come in."

Opa frowns faintly, pulling out the chair next to her, an inquiring look on 
her face.

Lenore plonks down heavily into the proffered chair.

Jorai winces at the CraftMaster's breathing, "May I get you something to 
drink? Some tea?"

Lenore nods slowly to Jorai.

Jorai fairly runs for the kitchen.
Jorai pushes the door open and walks into the kitchen.

Opa makes sure the Masterweaver is comfortable, then leans over. She mutters 
to Lenore, "Are... quite well,..." 
Lenore senses "Opa makes sure the Masterweaver is comfortable, then leans 
over. "Are you feeling quite well, Lenore?""

Lenore shrugs slightly. She mutters to Opa, "As... as..." 
You sense Lenore shrugs slightly. "As well as can be expected."

Jorai walks in from the kitchen and storage area.
Jorai comes rushing back in, panting, "I'm sorry Master Opa, I forgot to 
ask..I brought you a cup too."
Jorai tries to set them down carefully, her cheeks flushed.

Opa smiles. "Oh, that's alright...I wouldn't mind a cup, now that you mention 
it."

Lenore smiles faintly at Jorai and slowly takes a cup of tea.

Opa shoots Lenore another look, making surreptitiously sure once more that she 
seems comfortable, then looks back over her shoulder towards the kitchen, 
noting that the hustling and bustling sounds seem to have increased.

Jorai sits back down, chewing her lip nervously.

Bess scrambles in, skidding to a halt as she enters the great hall.

Opa puts the pile of message hides she was working on under her chair as the 
smells from the kitchen get stronger.
Opa smiles to Bess as she enters.

Lenore nods to Bess, then takes a small sip of her tea.

Bess flashes a crooked grin as she glances around. "So I'm not late or 
anything? It took me forever to find the watchrider, and convince her.. Well, 
nevermind that. At least I'm here.."

Opa looks amused, muttering something about the convenience of having 
weyrlings always about at one's post before bending to blow a cool breath on 
her tea.

Bess chuckles softly as she pushes into a seat at an apprentice table, joining 
in the inaudible wispers.

Several kitchenfolk enter the great hall, laden with trays heaped with 
steaming food. They set the trays on the various tables, leaving the crafters 
to serve themselves with the juicy herdbeast slices, tubers, and water grains.

Jorai smiles over to Bess, relieved to have another Apprentice about.
Jorai blushes again, realizing she left the booties with the Masters. She
sneaks back over, whispering apologies before scurrying back to her seat.

Opa takes the tray for her table, wincing and adjusting her grip only slightly 
as the heat of the metal meets with her fingertips. She offers first choice to 
Lenore.

Baby Booties has left.

Bess smiles cheerfully at Jorai. "Hi.. I'm Bess, Sr. Apprentice at High 
Reaches Hold."

Cleona walks through the doors from the Inner Courtyard to the south.

Jorai grins, "I think Master Varina mentioned you at the Festival."

Opa looks up and smiles at Cleona, unable to wave as she's still holding the 
plate of food for Master Lenore.

Bess looks curious. "She did? What did she say? I /hope/ it was good.."

Cleona wanders in, her hair a wild tangle. "Oh..hello everyone. Sorry...I just 
got back from my kidnapping."

Lenore smiles absently at Opa and accepts the plate from her.

Bess's eyebrows shoot up. "Hmm?"

Opa raises her eyebrows, too surprised even to offer an 'oh no, I can hold 
that for you' as Lenore takes the tray from her grasp. "Kidnapping?"

Jorai nibbles on a roll, shrugging, with a mischievous twinkle in her eye, "I 
think it was something about you supposing to be there for her demonstra..." 
she blinks over at Cleona.

Cleona chuckles, dumping her big workbag on a bench out of the way. "Yes..that 
nice Kheveth's rider came over and abducted me, all the way to Ista."

Lenore nods to Cleona. "And lovely children you have too, dear."

Cleona laughs, turning to hug Lenore. "They haven't been bothering you, have 
they?"

Lenore hugs Cleona back. "Oh, no, hardly see them really."

Opa looks thoroughly interested, absently serving herself some meat, grains 
and tubers. "The Weyrsecond, N'ren?"

Bess listens in on the conversation curiously, but remains her usually quiet 
self.

Cleona um hmms. "Yes..the poor man needs new clothes, but that wasn't why he 
came to get me. There was this girl there.." and then she falls quiet, helping 
herself to some food.

Opa starts in on her food, still listening, her eyes flickering over now and 
again to the apprentices' tables.

Jorai whispers softly to Bess, trying to keep her eyes on her dinner.

Cleona takes her seat, her smile full and warmth, eyes open and limpid, not 
hiding anything.

Bess shrugs to Jorai, idly fidgiting in her seat.

Opa chuckles. "I do know he enjoys finding good clothes for others. He 
practically dragged Benden's young queenrider, Asfala, into my office at one 
point."

Cleona chuckles, pausing with a fork in the air. "Well, Kh'gar's worse that 
way I think."

Opa chews thoughtfully, trying to place the name. "I don't know that rider."

Cleona smiles, "Greenrider at Ista. Older man. Very good 'eye' for design.

Jorai exchanges a glance with another Apprentice, muffling a giggle with her 
napkin.

Opa ahs, nodding. "Few riders who can do that, too. It's wonderful when they 
can pick out colours and fabrics for themselves, but some of the others you 
just have to completely take over all the decisions."

Bess has disconnected.

Lenore has disconnected.

Jorai plays with her food, pushing it about on her plate, making little 
designs.

Madelaine has arrived.
Madelaine says "Hello.."
Madelaine wavies.

Opa looks up from finishing her dinner to see the late arrival. :)

Madelaine stands shyly in the corner, observing.

Opa waves Madelaine in, there's still plenty of food left, even if it is cold. 
:)

Cleona smiles and murmurs a good evening.

Madelaine smiles a little and steps quietly in..

Jorai waves over to Madelaine, pointing to an empty chair.

Madelaine nods quietly and steps to the seat, sitting.

Opa looks with concern at the entrance to the great hall. "I think Master 
Lenore's ill health has taken over for the evening."

Cleona nods quietly, looking concerned. She folds her hands placidly in her 
lap.

Madelaine looks around curiously.

Opa tsks. "Well, in that case I think I should wrap up with some announcements 
quickly before I go up to check on her."
Opa stands and clears her throat quietly.

Jorai nods, pushing her plate of played-with food away from her and leaning 
her elbows on the table.

Madelaine folds her hands in her lap and looks at Opa attentively.

Opa smiles, looking around. "As many of you notice, we've taken on a number of 
new faces recently...something I've noticed since I arrived a few sevendays 
ago."
Opa er, have noticed. Hello, grammar...
Opa's eyes light on a number of apprentices' faces, some familiar, some not so
familiar. "Some of you new inductees to our Craft have taken up the challenge 
readily, showing a real commitment to the crafthall."

Jorai grins, toying idly with her necklace as she listens.

Opa seeks out one young woman. "Madelaine, even in the Reaches, word has 
reached me of folk who seem very pleased and impressed with the work you're 
doing there."

Madelaine blushes furiously, turning beet red as she tries to smile, "Thank 
you, Master.

Jorai eyes the other Apprentice curiously, still smiling.

Opa chuckles, rummaging in a pocket and pulling out a knot...still simple, but 
more so than the junior apprentice design. "In an effort to encourage such 
quality and enthusiasm, we're promoting you to full Apprentice."

Madelaine's mouth drops open as she stares, stunned.

Opa's mouth quirks amusedly and she shakes the knot invitingly.

Madelaine remembers herself and stands, walking silently to Master Opa.

Jorai's smile broadens as she claps for Madelaine.

Madelaine says "Thank you, Master. Thank you, so so much.."

Cleona smiles, "Well done."

Opa reaches over and pins the new knot on the young woman's shoulder. "I hope 
you will continue to impress us." She smiles.

Madelaine flushes again, looking around shyly, "Thank you Master. I will do my 
best..

Jorai sneaks in a whistle when she's sure none of the Masters can see her.

Madelaine bows slight and steps backward, returning to her seat.

Opa nods approvingly. She looks up at the whistle, but darned if she can't 
pick out the culprit.

Jorai leans over to whisper congratulations, getting a better look at the knot.
ice tables..

Opa's eyes keep wandering, looking for another face among the apprentice 
tables...

Madelaine smiles shyly at Jorai and returns her attention to Master Opa.

Opa ahas, and focuses on another young woman. "Jorai," she says.

Jorai blushes and sits up straight, sure she's been figured out as the source 
of the whistle.

Opa smiles. "The Craft appreciates those who take their lessons to heart and 
improve their skills. Jorai, you too have definitely earned the rank of full 
apprentice."

Jorai blinks and looks up, not at all what she was expecting. Once it sinks in 
she jumps up, hurrying over before the Master can change her mind.

Opa barely suppresses a chuckle, and has the knot all ready to pin on the 
teenage girl. She leans over and smiles. "Well done, Jorai. I hope you 
continue to push yourself as you have been."

Jorai blushes, dropping a curtsie after she's sure she won't get poked. "Yes 
ma'am. Thank you ma'am."
Jorai finds her way to her seat in a daze, now trying to eye the knot on her 
own shoulder.

Opa smiles, grinning at Cleona over the apprentices' reactions.

Cleona chuckles, nodding to Opa in approval.

Opa now goes completely OOC, unless there's anything else folks want to bring 
up in an IC manner? :)

Cleona nopes.

Jorai shakes her head :)

Opa grins. Well then...unfortunately it looks like Lenore is out for the 
count. As y'all know from reading the bboard, tonight Lenore was going to 
retire and pass the craftmastership onto myself. Since she's not here to do 
that, we'll have to wait, but there are a few things about that that I want to 
say to this huge crowd here now. ;)
Opa er, actually just one. :)

Jorai giggles

You say "Which is that I spoke to Varina a few days ago and asked whether 
she'd like to be my Craftsecond, and she graciously agreed. So, this is by way 
of pre-announcing her promotion as well. :)"

Jorai yays :)

Madelaine grins.

You say "All the rest of the stuff I want to say is probably best left once 
the transition actually happens...I'll probably be calling another 
dinner/craft meeting to talk about 'em. And that is the end of what I have to 
say. Does anyone have any questions, or things they want to bring up as long 
as we're here now?"

Madelaine nopes.

Jorai suggests, "Can we have an exotic dancer to entertain us at the next one? 
;)

Opa ahems. Apprentices are not allowed to think about sex. Sorry. :)

Madelaine grins.

Jorai hees!

Madelaine says "better tell that to Arianwen. :)"

Jorai says "Damn..that Chesric was sorta cute, last I saw him.."

Opa . o O ( The masters, of course, hire an exotic dancer every sevenday for 
evening entertainment, isn't that right Cleona? ;)

Cleona ohs.."I've just gotten a page. Someone asked an apprentice to make a 
small firelizard costume. The apprentice hasn't been on again since then. 
Anyone interested?

Madelaine nods.
Madelaine says "I'll do it"

Cleona nods solemnly, "And K'len's rather good at that, but only for me.."

Opa nods sagely. "Exclusive engagement."

Jorai pouts, "How soon til I can make Master then? ;)

Madelaine grins.

You say "Not until you completely perfect that High Reaches cable stitching!"
Opa :)

Jorai eep!

Opa muahahaha.
Opa grins. Aneevayz, that's it. :)