All references to worlds and characters based on Anne McCaffrey's fiction are copyright © Anne McCaffrey 1967,2000, all rights reserved, and used by permission of the author. The Dragonriders of Pern(r) is registered U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, by Anne McCaffrey, used here with permission. Use or reproduction without a license is strictly prohibited. For more information, visit the Worlds of Anne McCaffrey.

02-02-01: Turnday
Pushing the door aside, you pass into redolent chaos. Allegria is sitting at the Masters' table, absently humming out the...

Pushing the door aside, you pass into redolent chaos.

Allegria is sitting at the Masters' table, absently humming out the melody line to whatever piece is written on the sheets in her hands.

Brigid looks plum tuckered out as she glides into the dining hall. Klah is immediately sought after and she gently plunks her little apprentice bottom into a seat.

Skipping would seem to be the order the day: Hanneke performs this bubbly movement with a carefree bubble of laughter at nothing in particular, while tripping tidily over a chair that just seems to be in her way. (poor, skinned) knees are rubbed as she straightens, forgoing klah to settle herself in at a table.

Look. Apprentices. And...lo, there's the one Allegria wanted to talk to. "Brigid?" Fear the voice from the Masters' table. "Can you come here for a bit, please?"

Belanna enters the Dining Hall slowly. Taking her seat at the Apprentices' table and sipping her klah while it is still hot. She closes her eyes and treasures the moment and looks around.

Brigid frowns softly at Hanneke's bubbly entrance and subsequent tripping. Her expression lifts quite a bit when her name is called by that Master Harper. She stands and promptly approaches the woman, "Yes? You needed me to do something?" Something in her expression appears as though she's really hoping it's nothing too strenuous.

Hanneke fears--and most certainly without good reason. The almost turnday girl--she who still wears brilliant ribbons in her hair, as if attempting to display this fact, sits up straighter, eyes passing towards Brigid. "Ooh," says she, "I bet you're in trouble! Either that--or you're going to be promoted. Like me, an' Julen! How exciting that would be."

Allegria chuckles absently at the beribboned one, while rummaging around in her beltpouch. "Forgot to give this to you the other day. Sorry it took me so long. Here." Look at that. It's an apprentice's knot. "We haven't decided where to put you yet. Do you mind too much?"

Brigid's eyes widen. That's much better than another task! She takes the knot with a wide shiny smile, "Oh, thank you!" She blinks, as if registering the rest of Allegria's words and then blushes, "No, no, it's fine, I'm not sure where I'd like to be placed yet so I suppose it works out." She glances over to Hanneke holding up the knot proudly, "Well, I'm glad you weren't right on the first guess!"

"I knew it!" this comment is regailed upon the other apprentices at Hanneke's table, while she moves about in her seat, beaming every which way. "Isn't that wonderful? I just knew that it would happen!!" The overuse of punctuation is obvious--forgive the enthusiasm. "Of course I wasn't, Brigid. I knew better than that."

Allegria produces another one of those tolerant, slightly weary-sounding chuckles. Ah, the excesses of youth. "Careful. I could decide to take you myself like I did Julen." So that's what befell the poor lad. "Although I think Byre could use a couple of apprentices..."

Belanna looks over to the Master Harper and nods a respectful greeting, not knowing whether she would catch it or not. She looks over and smiles as Brigid obtains her Apprentice's Knot. Belanna wears her own proudly along with the kerchief of the Enlander Clan.

Brigid nods, "I'm not sure I've the energy at this very moment to join Julen but I'm sure where ever I end up I'll enjoy myself." Although at the mention of the craftsecond, her brow does lift with a touch of interest. Silent interest, but interest none the less. She removes her old badge and deftly pins the new knot onto her shoulder with a smile.

Hanneke stage whispers, an act that she does with alarming skill: "Byre let me hug him! He's horribly soft, and cuddly." She beams, eyelashes fluttering--although whether by intention or not it's hard to show.

Allegria tries very, very hard not to splutter too much at that particular description of Byre. Don't anyone tell Sass. "If you're interested I'll drop him a note," she informs Brigid, before nodding at Belanna.

Brigid can't help but laugh a bit at that imput from Hanneke, "I just thought it was nice how he remembered my name, is all. I certainly won't mind working with him if he's got some openings."

Hanneke fails to notice reactions--it's not one of her gifts, and simply sits back within her seat, crossing her arms, and giggling rather madly.

Allegria grins. "Byre's got an incredible memory," she supplies. "I'll tell him you're interested, though. Have you given thought to what you want to study?"

Brigid frowns slightly, "I've been trying to decide on one specific thing, it's just hard for me. I like everything." A yawn pulls itself up from inside the new apprentice, "But at this point I don't hthink I've the energy to do everything."

Hanneke reclines further within her seat, tossing her beribboned hair about her face: "Theory. I absolutely adore theory. You should do it, too, Brigid!" Her enthusiasm is genuine. Then again, her enthusiasm for everything seems to be.

Allegria eyes Hanneke, a smile that could almost be described as wicked curving her lips. "Note to self: send Hanneke to Gaelin," she pronounces, before grinning. "Theory it is." And Gaelin's gonna kill her.

That could be interesting. Hanneke, just for the record, is positively thrilled: "Master Gaelin! Oh--how -wonderful-! Thank you, thank you, Craftmaster!" Er--okay.

Brigid creases that delicate brow of hers, "Okay, so maybe I don't like everything. Theory is only -okay-. Sorry, Hanneke, looks like we'll be separated for the remainder of our Apprentice classes."

Allegria chuckles again. "Not all. There's still basic classes everyone needs to take," she corrects. "So, you don't want to do theory. How about voice? Performance on an instrument? Crafting?"

Hanneke's disappointment, such as it is, lasts only moments. Her attention span isn't as long as all that, obviously. "Aw! Well--yes, we do still get to do basic classes! So that's just -wonderful- and fun. You should do composition, Brigid! You're good at that!" She bobs her head rapidly in agreement--whether or not the statement is correct or not.

Brigid lifts her hand to her head, trying to filter out her thoughts, "Well, Voice Performance would be good. As well as Performance on an instrument. And composition. Can't I do them all?"

Allegria just -beams-. "Certainly. If you want to do voice, though, you study with me." Fear that. Fear it a lot.

Breas emerges from the main hall.

Breas comes in and goes straight for the klah. She's humming what might have been a song before she got a hold of it.

Hanneke, luckily, will be spared that particular horror. Beaming: "Ooh--I wish I could do voice, Craftmaster. But--people say that I can't sing. I don't know why, but they keep on saying it! What I'd really like to do more of is -dancing-." She glances back towards Brigid, bobbing her head brightly: "You can be an all rounder! How fun!"

Breas takes a gulp of klah and refills the large mug to the top. At least the horrible humming has stoped.

Brigid is always made nervous by large beaming smiles from craft masters. She musters up a smile of her own, "Well, I do like you, Master Allegria, and I would like to study voice along with everything else." Glup, "I'm sure that will work out fine."

Allegria chuckles. "Well, I'll not assign you just yet. Crafting, well, that's Byre, so we'll talk it over and see where you'd fit in best. It's a matter of good matches. And Hanneke, you'll -learn- to sing." Or else.

Breas smiles as she sips at her klah and moves towards the group.

Hanneke actually notices Breas--and brilliantly smiles in the direction of that particular person. Allegria's comment draws an equally brilliant, although ultimately fairly normal for Hanneke, smile: "Oh, -wonderful-! I just know that I can sing, really." The 'else' might come to fruition. She's not bad--she's dying cat bad.

Breas smiles at Hanneke. "You could always defect and come take classes from me." She winks and sips at her klah.

Allegria knows all about dying-cat-bad apprentices. "We'll make sure Gaelin attends to that part of your musical education as well, Hanneke." Oh, Alli will be in so much trouble when all is said and done.

Hanneke sniffs delicately in the direction of Breas: "What do you teach?" she asks, gaily, bouncing within her seat. "Oh, good. Thank you, Craftmaster! I'm sure Master Gaelin will do -very- well for me."

Brigid leans down to ask Allegria, in a low voice, "Are you sure that Master Gaelin won't put an end to her completely?" While it is clear she is joking, there seems to be a touch of genuine concern in her voice.

Allegria gives Brigid a reassuring grin, before chuckling at Hanneke. "Indeed," is her response to the bubbly one, before turning to Brigid. "She'll be fine. It'll be good for Gaelin, too."

Breas grins at Hanneke. "Mostly Midwifery with some other classes thrown in as well." She sips at her klah.

Hanneke looks, if it's possibly. aghast. "Ew!" Perhaps a movement into healing is not ideal, after all. "I think I'm going to stick to theory."

Brigid lifts her brows in something akin to horror, "You'd let her near pregnant women and babies?" She buttons her lip as she catches herself and then adds, "Not that she wouldn't love it but I thought you had to be older for that sort of thing..." And Hanneke's protest brings a return to her ease.

Allegria chortles outright. "Indeed. We do prefer our midwives...older." Not that Allegria will be needing one of those any time soon or anything.

"I bet I'd be -good- with babies, and stuff! You just don't have faith in me, do you?" There's no change from a happy-smiley face, but Hanneke sits up straighter, disgruntled. "Bet I could do it well! It's just--ew."

In the distance, the drums announce the departure of Fort Dragonrider D'ron.

Breas smiles at Brigid. "Not alone I wouldn't. And not until she'd learned about it."

Brigid grins at Hanneke, "I trust you, Hanneke," and yes, she even sounds convincing until she adds, "Just remind me not to have any babies while you're in the viscinity."

Allegria just smiles at that. It's the sort of smile that is trying not to make it blatantly obvious that she's trying not to laugh.

Hanneke sticks her nose into the air: "I believe you're all just trying to make a mo-moc--fool of me!" And it's just not fair, is it?

Brigid places a delicately innocent hand upon her brest, "Me? Make a mockery of you? My dear Hanneke, I would never, especially when you're dressed so nicely. Ribbons, lovely. Is there something special going on I should know about?"

Allegria chuckles idly, and stands up. "Well, girls, it's time for me to get back to work," she notes with a smile. "I'll talk to the other Masters and find somewhere for you both. Enjoy your evening." Breas gets a chuckle as she starts heading out.

Hanneke's disgust--such as it is, disappates into something less than nothing: "My turnday! It was a few days ago, and I got lots of lovely things!" Beaming, her head turns, and she adds: "Oh! Good evening, Craftmaster! Work well!"

Brigid smiles, offering Allegria a wave, "Thanks for the knot, Craftmaster." And she returns her attention to Hanneke, "Well, Happy Turn day. I'm glad to see that you enjoyed yourself. What else, besides ribbons, did you get?" She moves back to the apprentice table to rest her tired bottom.

Allegria waves once more and slips out.

Allegria heads out into the main hall.

Hanneke's enthusiasm belies her fifteen turns: "Mother sent me a note saying that she believes I am too old for toys, but since she knew I wanted it, she made sure I got another doll. I've got fifteen, now! One for every turn!" Erm.

Hanneke adds, "And some lovely clothes. Very gorgeous!"

Brigid finally returns to her klah and makes a face as she finds it rather cold. "Well, that's just lovely, Hanneke. I've only got one doll, myself. Had her since I was little. She's a bit tattered now but I love her all the same. But the clothes! What a lovely gift as well! Anything for concert or gather wear?"

Hanneke's cup nearly runneth over with her delight--not that that's unusual. "Oh, yes. I have a -lovely- purple dress for that kind of thing. And there's my old pink one, too. I just adore getting dressed up--don't you?"

Brigid laughs softly, "Oh yes, certainly. I love dresses, that's why I asked about yours. I'm hoping for a dress on my next turnday. I'm in need of a new gather dress. I've got a deep blue one for concerts but I really want something more fun for a gather."

Hanneke runs a hand along her pale blue tunic, murmuring, "I wish I could wear dresses all the time! But they said that it was practical to wear--this." Another motion towards her current clothes. "What sort of style do you want? I'd like something more adult--but mother thinks that I'm little more than a -baby-."

Brigid stops to think on this for a moment, "I'd love something in green. And I'd want it to be reminicent of leaves. When people look at me I want them to see leaves swaying in the wind. Maybe a warm dapple green with flickers of sky green to highlight it. And I want the fabric to flow and fan, just like the trees. Something that will look enchanting when I dance." She smiles, "But I think I'll have to get that one on my own. My Ma doesn't think I'm a baby but she also doesn't like it when I try to be grown-up either."

Hanneke's face droops into a wrinkle of her nose. "You talk so poetic! How come I can't do that? It sounds -lovely-, by the way. I wish mine was like that."

Brigid shrugs, "I just have an idea and I say it. I don't mean to make it poetic, I just wanted you to 'see' the dress that I had in mind." She grins, "Can you imagine how people would look at me if that's really how they saw my dress?"

Hanneke giggles. "Oh! That'd be -funny-! We should have a mas--mas--er, fancy dress party, and you should be a tree!" Yes, she has officially lost it. "I'd be a butterfly. All pretty colours."

Brigid chuckles. "Maybe you should ask for a butterfly dress. That could be very lovely." She closes her eyes, "I can picture you in it now! Made with chiffons that float out around you when you walk."

Hanneke sits up straighter, wrinkling her nose in thought, "Ooh, yes. That would be beautiful. I should ask for it--except, my turnday is over now. P'rhaps I can ask for it for turnover! You're good at this. You could have been a weaver!"

Brigid shakes her head, "Oh, I've got good ideas but when it comes to making them into real objects, I'm afraid I've no talent what so ever. I paint a pretty picture with words only."

Hanneke rests her hands upon the table, remarking, "Oh. I suppose words're better, anyway. They sound pretty."

Brigid finishes off that cold klah of hers and sets the mug gently aside, "Words are better in some ways, but the best is a weaver who -does- have the talent to make my words come to life."

Hanneke bobs her head in an enthusiastic nod: "Oh, indeed! It's best to have a combination, I suppose." She pauses, then covers a yawn with her hand: "I think it's bed time. Good night!"

Brigid grins at the abrupt announcement, "Good night, Hanneke. Sweet dreams."

Hanneke moves to her feet, agreeing: "Same to you, when you sleep, Brigid!" Then, she's gone. The room is suddenly a lot more quiet.

Drawing open the door, you pass into the yet more chaotic outer hall.