The Pleasure is All Mine

Writers: Paula, Anika
Date Posted: 11th April 2015

Characters: Keayd, Gautrek
Description: Gautrek asks Keayd for a favor while they observe the apprentices in the vineyard.
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 12, day 6 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Geirlene, Clovente, Symion

Notes: Precedes "Let the Tasting Begin"

Gautrek

Spring was an exciting time of the turn for vintners. There was rapid
growth of leaves, shoots, and branches and the grapes were forming on
the vines. It was also imperative to protect from late frosts. Soil
needed to be tilled, weeds removed, and fertilizer spread.
Junior apprentices were tasked with weeding but required supervision
while senior apprentices were trained in many of the other tasks. So
it was that Gautrek found Keayd overseeing some apprentices out in the
vineyards on this sunny if cool day.

"Beautiful day, but it was cool last night. This can be such a
delicate stage for our lovely vines," Gautrek commented to the younger
journeyman.

"Journeyman Gautrek," Keayd nodded his head in greeting. "Yes, it is,"
he replied, keeping a sharp eye on the apprentices.

"How is this group doing?" he asked indicating the apprentices. "Are
they showing the appropriate respect and caution around the vines?"

"They better be," Keayd said with ominous tone and glared at the apprentices.

Gautrek chuckled. Keayd was very good at keeping the apprentices in
line. For a young man, his glare could be quite intimidating.
"You've had word that we'll be tasting some of your brandies at the
upcoming wine tasting?"

"Yes, I was asked to choose which ones were suitable to be introduced
to larger audience," Key replied. The though filled him with nervous
excitement. If people liked his products, he would be so much closer
to become a senior journeyman.

"I'm confidant that they will be well received," Gautrek assured the
other vintner. "I, ah, actually had a favor to ask of you," the older
man said a bit uncomfortably, not exactly certain how to broach the
subject and deciding the direct route was the best.

"Let me hear it," Keayd said. He was certainly interested. And
ambitious enough to recognize the value of making favours to his
seniors.

"Well, ah, it's kind of a personal matter so please don't feel
obligated," the vintner said, not at all his normally well spoken
self. "I know you'll be busy yourself at the wine tasting what with
your brandies being premiered and all, but you see Master Clovente was
over to dinner the other day and we were talking about the wine
tasting. Geirlene expressed an interest in attending and of course
she is certainly of an appropriate age to attend. Though I'm sure
there would be many young men willing to escort her, we haven't been
here long and quite frankly, I'm not terribly comfortable with the
idea. I don't think she needs an escort really, I mean she can attend
with me after all, but right there at the start I'll probably be
occupied. She knows you and the two of you seem to get on well, and I
was wondering if you wouldn't mind standing in for me as her escort,
just right at the beginning of the event while I offer a formal
welcome."

"I'll be happy to be her escort, she's a lovely young woman," Key
replied quickly. He felt a blush creep to his face. "I'll be a perfect
gentleman," he also hurried to assure Gautrek.

"Yes, I'm confidant in that, which is why I asked," the older
journeyman replied with a smile. "Thank you for agreeing. It will
really put my mind at ease. Geirlene _is_ a lovely girl and quite
kind and sweet, but a little naive and I'm afraid - well, I'd hate for some
young man to try to take advantage while my back was turned." Gautrek
was surprised how protective he'd grown in such a short period of
time, but he truly cared for his brother's children. He chuckled at
himself. "I never thought I'd grow to be the overprotective paternal
type, but I find myself worrying like an old auntie at times."

"Well, you are their father now, I think it's natural," Keayd replied,
relieved that the discussion moved away from her. He would never take
advantage her...court her, yes, and probably rather clumsily.

"I suppose it is, but where we've had less than a turn together," he
shook his head. "Well, I suppose a bit of concern now and again is to
be expected." Gautrek took a moment and watched the apprentices at
work. Nodding to a red haired lad he commented, "Verob has shown some
promise in class. How has he been doing for you?"

"He's doing well, smart and quick thinking, doesn't cause trouble and
he's show genuine interest in the craft," Keayd replied.

"I agree. Nirbolt, on the other hand, has potential but is rarely
paying attention. Does he do better with these outside tasks?"

"Not really. Maybe little bit better but not much. I don't know if
he's being lazy or he doesn't just have interest in the craft. I know
his father and I know he expects his sons to follow into his craft.
Journeyman Boltwin was my distillation-teacher." Keayd glanced the
apprentice in question. Boltwin was also a strict and demanding
teacher and probably wasn't much different as a father.

"Well, he'll bear watching," Gutrek said thoughtfully. "Anyone else
stand out, one way or another?" With turnover coming soon the masters
would be asking for input for promotions.

"Young Ruseilis. If you can get him shut his mouth long enough for him
to attend to his studies. When he puts mind into it, he's smart and
skilled," Keayd replied.

"I'll have to watch him more closely. I've noticed the chatting but
not the underlying sharpness. How about the older apprentices. Do
you think we've some ready to walk the tables to journeyman?"

"He needs to mature," Keayd remarked. "Oh, there are some," he replied
to the question.

"Ruseilis isn't the only one who needs to mature. There are several
older apprentices I'm not sure have the responsibility for journeyman
just yet. I have Symion in class and he seems to do quite well."
Gautrek didn't want to mention his own personal reservations about the
apprentice as these were quite likely biased. Symion had after all
asked to take Geirlene out on a picnic, which the journeyman had found
a bit presumptuous for an apprentice, though he supposed one could
also seen it as dauntless and self-assured.

Keayd snorted when he heard the name. "Boot licking sycophant," he
muttered quietly with dark tone.

"Not your favorite, eh? I've had my own reservations, but I honestly
can't fault the work he's done for me in class nor his overall
behavior. It could very well be the over protective parent coming out
once again. He's expressed an interest in Geirlene you see." Gautrek
shook his head as he considered the situation. He prided himself on
being fair minded but Key's words made him wonder even more about the
apprentice in question.

"It's personal," Key admitted. His back stiffened when he heard Symion
had interest in Geirlene. The thought was distressing. What chances
cripple like Key had against someone as smooth, good looking and
eloquent as Symion. "He's only two turns younger than I am and still
apprentice...it should ring few warning bells. Although he has
improved and been diligent with his studies during the past month. I
suppose he's determined to walk the tables this time," Keayd had to
admit Symion had worked hard lately.

"I will admit to having some concerns. I told him that an apprentice
should focus on his studies and that as an apprentice he still had
limited prospects and I therefore would not consent to his courting
Geirlene at this time. To my relief, Geirlene did not seem
particularly interested when I spoke with her."

Keayd nodded with agreement. He wondered if he should mention his
interest towards Geirlene to him but decided it was still too early.
He had only met the girl two times.

"Well, I guess time will tell for _all_ of our apprentices. I'll
leave you to your supervision. Thank you again for agreeing to help."

"Pleasure is all mine," Key answered with a smile. Yes, escorting Geirlene
would be a pleasure indeed.

Last updated on the April 11th 2015

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The Pleasure is All Mine