Brianna's Interview and Jayla's Exam

Perspective: Shinnai

Shinnai (#1357)
A slender woman of medium height and skin the color of tanned cherry wood looks
furtively from side to side. Her features, while not really pretty, are
distinct - high cheekbones, a straight nose between deepset almond-shaped eyes
of an aqua so deep as to appear nearly black. Her face is shadowed by
escaping wisps of dark brown hair, its length wound into a woven bun at the
nape of her neck.
Her figure is draped in light but voluminous robes, typical of those who dwell
in the Igen deserts. Off-white cotton makes up the inner layer, covered with
a robe of indigo and sashed, in the only ornamentation, with a broad,
embroidered silk cloth of harper blue. Across her back is slung a gitar case,
well-cared-for and yet well-beaten-up, in its time.
A complex shoulder knot of blue and white signifies a Harper Master, a thin,
triple-strand of blue, white and yellow denoting her allegiance to Pern rather
than any single Hold.
She is awake and looks alert.
You notice Shinnai looking at you.
Shinnai is 31 Turns, 6 months, and 16 days old.

Harper Office (#2732)
The office is cheerful, the light reflecting off of whitewashed walls and
ceiling. A pattern mimicking musical notation in colors runs along the tops
of the walls, shelf upon shelf rising from the floor to meet it. Desks,
cabinets and filing drawers are arranged about the room, workplaces for those
whose job it is to keep the harpers and hall in order.
The air is fresh, tangy with sea and hides and well-seasoned woods.
The window looks out over Main Beach.
Through the open window, you notice that It is a fall sunset.
Watching from a high shelf are Tylnar, YumYum, and Jester.
You see Sign-up Sheet for B'var's Orchestra and Staff Tackboard here.
Caramak, Brianna, and Kestria are here.
Obvious exits:
Ballroom
Brianna says, "I knew that the day I returned."
Shinnai smiles, and quietly goes to a desk, opening a drawer and on the whole,
attempting to be inconspicous.
Kestria smiles up at the Master silently, engrossed in Brianna's tale.
Caramak glances at Shinnai with a smile of greeting, but stays focused on
Brianna's story.
Brianna smiles "I've been to heaven and to hell and back, I have the scrs to
prove it...there is no place like the solace I find here..."
Brianna smiles and she ends her story ...you get a sense that she has reached a
certain inner peace.
Kestria has connected.
Kestria wakes up.
In the distance, the drums announce the arrival of Sr. Apprentice Kestria.
Brianna (#6416)
She smiles warmly back at you as she tosses a lock of deep auburn hair away
from her dark, chocolate brown eyes. Her thin features and light complection
make her look far younger than her actual age.
She is awake and looks alert.
Brianna is 21 Turns, 6 months, and 27 days old.
Kestria falls asleep.
In the distance, the drums announce the departure of Sr. Apprentice Kestria.
Kestria has disconnected.
Kestria has connected.
Kestria wakes up.
In the distance, the drums announce the arrival of Sr. Apprentice Kestria.
You notice Brianna looking at you.
Brianna smiles to Shinnai.
Shinnai looks up, and smiles to Brianna. "Don't mind me," she says. "Don't mean
to interrupt."
Brianna shakes her head "No intteruption..."
You say, "I don't believe I know you," she observes, and proceeds to introduce
herself. "Shinnai. You're applying for the craft?""
Caramak chuckles, and amends, "Re-applying. She's used to be an Apprentice,
back in days of yore, when I was an Apprentice..."
Brianna stands to greet "I'm Brianna...I'm...reapplying.."
Kestria smothers a smile, picturing 'Mak as one of the lowly apps like her.
Shinnai raises her eyebrows in pleased surprised. "Brianna. Glad to meet you. I
take it you know each other, then, from those 'days of yore'?" She nods to
indicate Caramak, the ever-guilty-party.
Brianna giggles "Yes...he's not changed..."
YumYum snorts in her sleep.
Shinnai chuckles lightly. "Somehow, I thought not. Not to make you go through
your spiel again, but what brings you to Ista? In a nutshell will do for me."
Brianna returns to her seat and looks to Caramak a little nervous, but not
overly so "Home" she says to Shinnai.
Shinnai smiles. "Ah, yes. That, I'm familiar with." She glances around. "It
keeps drawing me back, as well."
Brianna chuckles softly.
Shinnai finally pulls a guitar peg from the drawer. "Eureka," she smiles. "This
time, you see, I ran out of pegs. Came all the way back from Benden for this,"
she jokes.
Brianna smiles widely.
Caramak chuckles at Shinnai...then considers what question to ask of Brianna
next, but all the ones he thinks off sort of fall flat. Need a new repetoire
of questions for people re-applying, he thinks. "Er. Well, you've already
covered a few of my standard interview questions...But here's one. What is it
you find most interesting about being a Harper?"
Kestria smiles softly at the others, silently pulling a foot up under her and
wrapping her hands around her other bent knee, foot on the seat as she rests
her chin on the knee, watching and listening with amber eyes, a soft chuckle
for Shinnai before she turns her attention back to the interview.
Shinnai unslings the guitar case from her back, quietly placing it on the desk
before her and opening it, her attention appearing to be on the guitar. Of
course, with harpers, one never knows. ;)
Brianna smiles "As a friend once said to me...Healers heal the body, Harpers
havew the oppurtunity to heal the soul...
Shinnai smiles softly as she carefully unwinds a string.
Caramak hehs. "Well. I can't really ask you any of my standard questions
about Harpers...I mean, you've /been/ one..." OOC So now, I ask the OOC ones.
;)
Brianna smiles "I do know the in s and the outs, for the most part..."
Kestria lights an OOC lamp :)
Harper Office (#2732)
The office is cheerful, the light reflecting off of whitewashed walls and
ceiling. A pattern mimicking musical notation in colors runs along the tops
of the walls, shelf upon shelf rising from the floor to meet it. Desks,
cabinets and filing drawers are arranged about the room, workplaces for those
whose job it is to keep the harpers and hall in order.
The air is fresh, tangy with sea and hides and well-seasoned woods.
An OOC lamp shines brightly, illuminating all conversation.
The window looks out over Main Beach.
Through the open window, you notice that It is a fall evening.
Watching from a high shelf are Tylnar, YumYum, and Jester.
You see Sign-up Sheet for B'var's Orchestra and Staff Tackboard here.
Caramak, Brianna, and Kestria are here.

Caramak says, "Ok. Which books are your favorites? and while we're at it,
which characters? :)"
OOC: Caramak chuckles, "Yeah, that's what I meant, sorry." :)
OOC: Brianna smiles "Lemme see if i can remember the titles...irl, I've been
traveling around the counrty for the las year or so :]
OOC: Brianna says "I think it was Dragonriders of Pern...the story of Lessa and
Fax.."
Caramak nods, "Fave chars...?" :)
Brianna smiles "Lessa is a real butt-kicker."
Shinnai grins.
Caramak chuckles, "I like that description..."
Brianna says, "I also read some layer books about the journet to Pern with
Emily and crew..."
Shinnai nods. "First Fall and Dragonsdawn are pretty cool."
Brianna says, "Emily, I do think was her name...the geneticist.""
You say, "Kitty Ping. Emily Boll is one of the colony leaders. :)"
Shinnai sorries... read 'em too many times. :P
Brianna nods "Yes. Both of those. I especially enjoyed the stories about the
firs dragon rides and the journey :betewwn:
Caramak nods. "Cool. next q...Any RL music experience?" :)
Brianna says, "I had them in hardbound but gave then toa good friend who
collects."
Brianna says, "Trumpet, Flute, Guitar, Recorder, Drums (until my mom caught up
with me)...""
Caramak chuckles. "Ever plan to apply for Search?"
Brianna grins "I think I'm a little old..."
Caramak hehs, "Point. Anyway. Think it's time to go back IC..." :)
IC: Caramak smiles, and reaches into a pocket to pull out a knot. He always
carries one around these days. He offers it to Brianna, "Welcome back."
Shinnai smiles. "And welcome back to Ista."
Brianna grins widely as she takes the knowt "Thank you"
Caramak chuckles, and then suddenly thinks oh ya, "Feel like playing
something...? Probably been a while since you played, or feel up to it?" :)
Brianna grins "I'm pretty rusty...I sung a lot on the road, but not much
else..."
Shinnai, meanwhile, has finished restringing. Giving the new peg a few quick
turns, she seems basically satisfied. "What instrument do you prefer?"
Brianna smiles at Caramak "May I be excused...? I'm huingry..."
Caramak chuckles. "For once I'm not...Yeah, sure, go ahead...Grab a cot in the
Dorms from the Headwoman, when you get a chance..." OOC up twice from the
main room.
Shinnai seems taken-aback. "You haven't eaten? Caramak, what kind of a harper
are you?"
Shinnai scolds. "Making her come for an interview before eating?"
Brianna grins to Shinnai "I am /always/ hungry"
Caramak shrugs sheepishly, "I didn't know..."
Shinnai chuckles. "Well, go ahead, please. I might even join you soon in the
dining hall, if this string will stay in tune."
Brianna curtsies to the Master Harpers and smiles widely to Kestria as she
leaves the room.
Kestria chuckles at 'Mak, finally finding her voice, "You didn't know? I would
have thought your /own/ stomach would have announced that it was time for
dinner."
Brianna walks out into the ballroom.
Shinnai grins. "Eh, she has you there." She bends over her guitar, tuning the
string up.
Caramak hehs, "Yeah, I just ate an hour ago, though."
Kestria pfffs air through her lips, "Bet you could eat again." she murmurs
having seen him eat.
Cashar dazed and confused walks in from the ballroom.
Caramak chuckles, "I can't wait for normal meal times, or I won't make it...I
/could/ eat," he admits, "but I can't spend my entire life eating, tempting as
it is..."
Shinnai's shoulders shake in silent laughter, but she says nothing. Instead,
she finally gets her guitar in tune, and looks up, running a chord.
"Greetings, Cashar."
Cashar smiles broadly as he woders threw the Door "Master Caramak, Master
Shinnai, Evening" he smiles and turns his head "Kes!"
Kestria smiles and waggles her fingers at Cashar.
You say, "What are you up to tonight, Cashar?"
Cashar smiles "Well This that and some other things!" he then address both
Caramak and Shinnai. Cashar smiles "Anyone for a little jabber at the Mug?"
[...]
Cashar dazed and confused walks out into the ballroom.
Shinnai smiles. "I didn't even notice the time. Figures, now _I_ won't get
dinner."
Shinnai notices a scroll on her desk, and raises an eyebrow. "Tonight?" she
looks back at Caramak. "She's ready?"
Caramak chuckles and nods..."I think so." He turns to Kestria..."Hate to ask,
but I think I'm going to have to ask if you can leave..."
Kestria nods and grabs Jester who squawks loudly and goes home
Kestria goes home.
Shinnai nods. "Actually, you can do us a favor, if you can find Jayla and tell
her she's finished studying."
Jester suddenly disappears ::between::!
Jayla walks in from the ballroom.
Shinnai grins. "Jayla. Nice job on the play last week," she comments.
Jayla walks in and looks at Caramak. "Oh, I delivered those messages you sent
me off with." She nods at Shinnai. "Good evening, Shinnai."
Jayla blushes slightly. "Thank you...I'm glad you got the chance to attend.
Shinnai nods. "Me too. And it seems like I'll get another chance to see your
work, unless you've got something better to do tonight than take an exam."
Jayla's eyes become as large as saucers. "Um..exam?" She looks at Caramak and
then back at Shinnai. "Well....yes, if you two think I'm ready for it!"
Shinnai shrugs. "Well, don't ask me, he said so," she grins slightly. "But
after seeing the performance, I wouldn't doubt it."
Jayla nods nervously and sits down on the edge of a chair. She takes a deep
breath and looks toward Caramak.
Shinnai sits back in the chair, removing the guitar case from the desk so that
she can have the surface free. "Well, I suppose we might as well start. We
know who you are, so there's no need for name, rank, or serial number."
Caramak chuckles slightly, as he thumps into a chair with his usual lack of
regard for the strength of the furnature.
Jayla grins and nods her head. She sits back in her chair trying to relax.
Shinnai winces as the old chair creaks. Luckily, it's strong enough to even
hold Jeranium, so it shouldn't be bothered too much by Caramak's weight.
Shinnai takes the scroll in hand, glancing at it. "First category - Archives."
She glances to Caramak.
Jayla toys nervously with her necklace and waits quietly.
You say, "You've certainly had to deal with the archives quite a bit, I'm sure,
and will have to deal with recording in the future. As you do so, you'll have
to decide _how_ to record events and information."
Shinnai queries, "First, how will you sort out fact from fiction? On what does
it depend?"
Jayla thinks a minute and then looks up. "Well, I would consider the source it
comes from. How reliable is the person or the record that the information
comes from?"
Shinnai nods. "Say you've got a number of accounts, all different? Um,
Caramak, you have a thought?" She asks warily.
Jayla says, "I would consider something told to me by the Lady Holder a lot
more reliable than something repeated to me by one of the drudges in the bar,
for example."
Caramak hms, nodding, then suddenly grins, struck by a flash of inspiration.
"Let's use an example...Imagine you were asked to chronical my, er, fashion
exploits..."
Jayla smiles and shakes her head. "Well, considering the fact that I've been
at your so-called fashion exploits, I would use my own recollections to record
them..."
Shinnai raises an eyebrow, looking slightly confused, then she suddenly recalls
the rumors, and chuckles softly. "Indeed. I've only heard second-hand."
Caramak nods, "However, you don't know how they started...Why B'ran dressed as
he did, or why, originally, I did. You'd have to look to other sources..."
Jayla says, "But if I had not been there and had only heard 'second-hand'
rumors, I would consider the reliability of the people relaying the
information.....like I said earlier, someone with a position of responsibility
would be more reliable than a drudge or someone who isn't considered
responsible."
Shinnai nods. "And say you've gathered all the information you can. Do you just
put it in the archives as it is?"
Jayla shakes her head no. "No, not everything is meant to be preserved, in my
opinion. Only things that are essential to the history of the Hold, Hall, or
Weyr...that might have an impact of future generations.
Shinnai ahas. "And how do you determine what is worthy?"
Jayla chuckles softly. "Yes, that can be a problem...A lot depends on the
information and how many people it affects at the time." She grins at
Caramak. "Although an amusing story, I don't think someone 50 Turns from now
are going to be interested in what color Caramak's dress was the day of the
Gather."
Caramak chuckles, "I should hope not...I'm not sure I want my memory to endure
that long, if that's how it'll endure..."
Shinnai laughs lightly. "And yet, the story should be preserved merely for its
entertainment value, no?"
Jayla grins at Caramak. "Yes, as an amusing story, perhaps....maybe even
'light' history....but not as something to include in the more serious
chronicles of Ista Hold."
Shinnai rests her chin on folded fingers, leaning her elbows comfortably on the
desk. "So you don't think that such stories have a place in Ista's history,"
she observes equably.
Jayla shrugs. "Perhaps if recorded in a light vein..." She smiles slightly.
"We're not all work and no play around here....an amusing story from time to
time can really cheer up a place...."
Shinnai nods, and glances at Caramak. "Anything else on archives, or shall we
move on?"
You say, "Law, perhaps?"
Caramak frowns, considering, then his face clears and he nods. "Yeah. I don't
have anything else on Archives, I think..."
Jayla sits back a little more relaxed now that the inital nervousness has
passed.
You say, "Well then, something every harper should know: her duty. Where does
a Harper's duty lie, and how do you choose between if the occasion arises?"
Jayla thinks a minute. "My duty as a Harper lies to the good of Pern. And by
relying on the training I've received here in the Hall and my own common sense
and judgement I should be able to ascertain just what that duty is in any
given situation."
Shinnai grins. "A flexible answer."
Caramak nods slowly. "Hard to argue with that..."
Jayla chuckles softly.
Shinnai turns the floor over to Caramak for the next question.
Jayla crosses her legs and rests her hands in her lap. She watches Caramak
quietly.
Caramak continues to nod, "Ok...Then, what is your duty, as a Harper, to the
Hold you're stationed to? Or Weyr? And what's your duty to the Hall?"
Jayla nods slowly as she formulates her answer....
Caramak gives a bit of a wry grin, "Rather tricky distinction to make, I
think..."
Jayla says, "Well, my duty to the Hold or the Weyr is to record events that
happen there and to act as an advisor or interpreter of the law. My duty to
the HarperHall is to keep them informed of happenings and situations that I've
observed around Pern....especially ones that might have some impact on the
political structure of Pern."
Jayla says, "Also, it is the duty of the Harpers to teach the children of the
Holds and Weyrs as well."
Shinnai catches Caramak's eye, then asks Jayla - "So which comes first,
advising the Lord Holder or holding a class?"
Jayla raises an eyebrow and then nods. "Considering that whatever the Lord
Holder would seek advice on could possibly damage the entire political
structure of Pern, in the most extreme of examples, of course,...I think
advising the Lord Holder would probably come first....However, educating the
children would certainly never be overlooked...."
The corner of Shinnai's mouth curves a bit in the imitation of a smile.
Jayla looks back and forth between the two Masters and waits quietly.
Caramak pauses a moment, then, well, plunge onward..."On to performance?" he
asks Shinnai.
Shinnai smiles. "Certainly. I believe you have a monologue prepared, Jayla?"
Jayla nods at Shinnai. "Yes, it was something I was working on to include in
the next play I was writing....."
Shinnai nods, pleased. "Proceed as you will, then." She sits back to watch.
Jayla takes a deep breath and then stands...."This was something I was thinking
about including in the next play I was going to write.....basically, it's a
scene where a young girl has just learned that the man she loves has died
suddenly....."
Shinnai nods, pushing a strand of hair away from her nose and replacing it
behind her ear.
Caramak nods quietly, the silence of the two indicating that she should
proceed. :)
Jayla walks over to the window and looks out at the Main Beach. When she turns
back to the two, her eyes are filled with tears. "You know, don't you....that
I didn't get a chance to even say goodbye?"
Indicating the beach, she continues. "We walked there every day...hand in
hand....nothing but the sand and the sea....nothing but each other and our
love."
Jayla shakes her head and a tear rolls down her cheek. She whispers softly,
"And now, he's gone....and with him, my love...." She looks up suddenly.
"But I'll never forget...no matter how many Turns pass, he'll always have a
place.." She places her hand on her chest. "in my heart...."
Jayla looks back towards the window. "Goodbye, my love......"
Shinnai watches impassively.
Jayla shakes her head a bit and then grins broadly. "Um.....I hope that was
okay?" She walks back over and sits down.
Caramak watches with an unreadable face. Not precisely impassive, there are
emotions there, but a broad spectrum...As she finishes, he shakes his head, as
if to clear it and nods, with a glance at Shinnai.
Shinnai smiles to Jayla. "Thank you. Now, as you've shown, you can perform
either in alone or in a group. Can you tell us some of the differences?
Difficulties, advantages to either?"
Jayla nods her head. "Yes, to me it is much easier to perform in a
group...I've always been one who reacts to the emotions and actions of others.
Even in this monologue I did, there was still another character, although
dead, that I was reacting to in a sense."
Shinnai nods. "How about working with other actors, in rehearsal and in the
planning stages?"
Jayla tilts her head to one side. "Oh, definitely....a play in the written
form is nothing more than a blueprint to start from....so many times the final
product doesn't even resemble what you've started with and most of this comes
from knowing the actors and the talent with which you have to work."
Jayla says, "And information like this can only be gleaned through the various
rehearsals and auditions along the way."
Shinnai taps her fingers against the armrest of the chair, and nods abruptly.
"So."
Shinnai lights the OOC lamp. :) MOO-specific stuff now. :)
Jayla nods.
You say, "As a journeyperson, you're responsible for newbie-helping. Not like
you don't already, but what are the first things you tell a person when they
first join us?"
Jayla says, "HT in general or the HarperHall?"
You say, "HT in general."
Jayla nods. "Okay, well I try to encourage them to look around and get to know
people before they decide they want to join a craft. Also, one of the first
things I do is encourage them to read all the on-line help files. Most of the
questions a newbie asks, can be answered there. It's where I learned most of
what I know...."
You say, "Say you stumble upon a newbie as you take a walk through the
birthplace. What are the first three things they need to do?"
Jayla says, "They need to set their age, their gender, and their desc."
Shinnai nods. "Good enough for me. :) Caramak, next question?"
Jayla nods and looks at Caramak.
Caramak nods. "This one shouldn't be a toughy... ;) What are some of the
important things to remember when scheduling on-MOO?"
Jayla frowns. "Scheduling on-MOO? You mean, different people in different
time zones? I'm not sure I understand the question."
Caramak chuckles, "Well, you picked up on one of 'em, just by asking for
clarification..."
Jayla says, "And..."
Jayla shakes her head slowly. "Sorry...I /really/ don't know what you're
asking....."
You say, "Yeah, like getting together a bunch of different people in different
places, and how to deal with RL in the process..."
You say, "And, while you're at it, what differences are there between RL and
MOO interaction?"
Jayla says, "Ah...okay, well it is important to realize that different people
are in different timezones...and that people have RL committments outside the
MOO and may not be able to make whatever it is you have planned. It is
important to find out these kind of things before hand when planning something
like the play I just did. I planned it mostly around Fenris, for example. He
had to schedule computer time just to make it. And the differences between
MOO and RL? I think it's /very/ important to keep IC and OOC separate...so
many times RL feelings are on the line and can be hurt very deeply by
overlapping."
Shinnai nods. "And oftentimes, feelings are more difficult to communicate
through text than face-to-face, or even voice."
Shinnai chuckles. "And the up-side to that is that it's easier to keep 'em
guessing..." ;)
Jayla nods. "One of the most useful lessons I've had has been the one Fletcher
taught on MOO dynamics...in fact, I had the chance to teach it to a couple of
appys yesterday who desperately needed it."
Shinnai smiles. "Good. That's a useful lesson."
IC: Shinnai nods. "Thank you, Jayla, I think that's all we'll require of you
this evening."
Jayla smiles at the two Masters and then stands to leave. "Good evening
then...."
Jayla walks out into the ballroom.
Caramak nods somberly, but can't resist a wink to her before she leaves.
OOC: Caramak says "Darn it! /before/ she leaves, /before/ she leaves... ;)"
Shinnai grins. "Too slow in your old age."
YumYum ooc chuckles softly.
Shinnai spares a glance at YumYum, then turns in her chair to face Caramak.
"So?"
Caramak smiles innocently at Shinnai. "Indeed, my age must be /huge/...How old
would /you/ be now...?"

YumYum (#2775)
A skeptical, cynical, splintered gaze contemplates death and destruction with
equanimity, her wide-eyed glance piercing and cold. Softly, slowly, this
diminuitive model of chill beauty stirs beneath deft wings of palest emerald
and steps gracefully forwards on deathly sharp talons. Ritual, ceremony,
/sacrifice/ -- she demands without asking and makes not a sound but for the
morbid tapping of her sinous tail.
YumYum is 19 days old.
YumYum is awake and seems alert.
Shinnai chuckles. "That's for me to know, and you to find out, my dear Master."
Caramak chuckles. "Well then. It's hardly fair, if I can't pester you about
/your/ age, for you to bother me about mine..." He winks. "But don't let it
stop you."
Shinnai shakes her head decisively. "Never fear. So, your protege there," she
nods in gesture to the young woman who exited so recently, "needs a little..."
She considers, as though searching for a word.
Shinnai drums on the desk with her fingertips.
Caramak blinks innocently at Shinnai. "A little what...? Or do you think a
little would be sufficient...?" He idly hopes he's on the same wavelength as
Shinnai. ;)
Shinnai waves a hand in the air. "You know, she has a rather severe deficiency
in ..."
Shinnai sighs. "Well, in rank. Which needs to be remedied immediately."
Shinnai winks to Caramak.
Caramak chuckles. "Glad we see the problem the same..."
Shinnai nods, and smiles broadly. "Aye. So, where did she get off to?"
You say, "Or perhaps we'll just keep her in suspense until tomorrow?"
Caramak shrugs, "Can always send a flit to retrieve her...It'd probably be
truly sadistic to keep her in suspence any longer than necessary..."
Shinnai stifles a yawn. "Well, do as you will. I think I need some sleep."
Caramak chuckles, "Not going to go celebrate? Or are you going to leave that
to the young folk, like myself?"
Shinnai narrows her eyes, glancing at YumYum. "Besides, I think the news will
travel quickly enough."
Shinnai quirks an eyebrow. "Heck, I'm still recovering from the parties at
Benden!"
YumYum opens a sleepy eye wondering how they're talking about since she can't
understand their words.
Caramak chuckles. "Well, good night. But I /am/ going to send a little flit
off to tell her...I could use a good party..."
Shinnai grins. "I tell you, you haven't lived until you've seen a Benden
Hatching. _Nobody_ gets out of there on their own two feet for at least a
full day."
Jayla walks in from the ballroom.
Caramak laughs, "I'll have to go. Sounds like just the sort of thing I'd
enjoy..."
Shinnai nods. "Sorry I can't join you, but I've got to meet with a few people
early tomorrow... Oh! Jayla." She smiles.
Jayla says, "Oh, don't mind me...I just came back to get my flit out of your
way."
Jayla calls to YumYum, who flies over and lands on her shoulder.
Shinnai shakes her head. "No bother." She glances askance at Caramak, making
small gestures with her fingers.
Jayla cradles the little green flit in the crook of her arm and the turns to
go. "Well, goodnight again...."
Caramak quickly composes himself to seriousness again..."Jayla, hold on. We've
discussed your exam. And we've reached our conclusion." Oh, isn't he evil?
Jayla looks back between the two Masters and then bites her lip. "Oh? Was it
so bad that you could decide that quickly?"
Shinnai quirks an eyebrow, making her face crooked.
Caramak chuckles, unable to keep up the cruelty long. "Turn that around 180
degrees and you'll have the right answer..."
A large, dull-looking journeyman shuffles in from the other room, an armload of
scrolls teetering precariously in his grasp. Seeing Jayla, he harrumphs, nods
to the two masters, and leaves again.
Shinnai smiles to Jeranium despite the older man's sour countenance.
Jayla steps back a minute, a broad smile spreading across her face. "Really?
You mean I passed? You're not just joking with me are you Caramak?"
Shinnai chuckles lightly, her attention back to Jayla. "He's cruel, but not
_that_ cruel. Congratulations, Jayla.
Caramak shakes his head, "I wouldn't joke about that. That would be /far/ too
cruel for me...Happy Journeymanship, Jayla."
Jayla blushes slightly. She nods to the Masters. "Thank you...thank you
both...I just hope I don't let either one of you down...."
Shinnai shakes her head. "Never fear. Just use that common sense you so
blithely touted an hour ago and you'll do fine."
Caramak chuckles, "Thank yourself while you're at it, too. It's /your/ hard
work that got you to this point."
Shinnai reaches into another of those wonderful desk drawers, pulling out a
rank badge for the new Journeywoman. Standing, she walks over to hand it to
Jayla.
Jayla nods. "I'll do my best, Shinnai." She turns a special smile to Caramak.
"And it helped to have a good teacher such as you, Caramak." She smiles and
takes the badge from Shinnai.
Shinnai nods. "Well, with that, I'm for bed. As I was telling Caramak, the
parties at Benden are something your body doesn't easily forgive." She grins
wryly, and heads for the door.



Date: Thu Nov 14 23:21:11 1996 CST
From: Shinnai (#1357)
To: *Harper (#711)
Subject: Congratulations, Jayla!

After much hard work, a hugely successful play, and a long, drawn-out exam,
Jayla is now a Harper Journeywoman!

Everyone congratulate her, and bug her for lessons. ;)
--------------------------