Reading, Writing and Dolphins

Writers: Mirren, Paula
Date Posted: 1st January 2016

Characters: Sharev, Milga
Description: Sharev is curious about Milga's progress.
Location: Dolphin Hall
Date: month 3, day 11 of Turn 8

Milga had found a vacant table and was pouring over some books, scribling down notes now and then. It had taken Milga two Turns and extra studies to close the gaps she had in her education. The drawback of living on remote island Hold: no harper to teach the kids. Now, her literate skills were at the same level as rest of her age-group. But the others hadn't forgotten where she had started from.

"Hey Milga, need a hand spelling it out?" A mocking voice asked.

Milga just sighed, she did not give them the pleasure of reacting to their taunts. If she didn't react, they would get bored soon and find something else to do. Or someone else to bully.

"It's spelled: s-u-c-k u-p b-a-c-k-w-a-t-e-r f-i-s-h-s-h-a-g-g-e-r!" It was followed by raucous laughter. If Milga's pen froze for a second, it was only indication she even heard them. She bent deeper over her book.

"It could be spelled 'a month of latrine duty' if you prefer," Sharev said as he entered the room. It wasn't an idle threat; he didn't tolerate bullies. He remained in the doorway, frowning at the transgressors.

Milga stiffled a sighly malicious giggle whan the other apprentices started to squirm and make up excuses.

"I'm sure you all have work to do." The master dolphineer watched as they scurried off and gave a shake of his head. He glanced over at Milga. "How's the reading going?"

"It's going well, sir," Milga replied, straightening her back.

"Good." He nodded. "And the rest of your studies?"

"All's shipshape," Milga replied. At this rate, she was going to be ready when next round of promotions came. She just hoped it would come before her fifteenth birthing day.

He smiled at her seacraft reference. "Is there anything you're not sure about?" He knew some apprentices didn't like to ask for help, so it didn't hurt to offer help.

"No, I'm good," Milga replied. "Expect I still haven't clue which specialization to pick up." She had plenty of time to decide though.

"Oh?" He pulled out the chair opposite her and lowered himself into it. "What are your interests? What made you choose this craft to start with?"

"I love dolphins. I've from an island hold and I've been swimming with them since I was old enough to swim," Milga replied.

Sharev nodded. "They can be hard to resist. Apart from dolphins, what interests you?"

"Everything, and that's the problem. I like rescue and salvage, Healing and Cartography, Geology, and Meteorology," Milga replied.

He chuckled softly. "You don't have to worry about it too much now, but you'll spend time doing a bit of everything before you have to decide."

"I know. You don't really decide until you're a journeyman," Milga said with a little shrug of her shoulders.

He waved a hand. "I knew before that. I was drawn to rescue and salvage right from the start. I liked the action involved. It's always a challenge."

"It's interesting," Milga agreed. She had been in few rescue-operation.

"That's one word for it." He rested his elbows on the table. "Helping dolphins to rescue people is important work, and very satisfying."

"Yes, it is," Milga said. "So is rescuing dolphins."

"And warning ships of impending storms or earth shakes," he added.

Milga nodded. She remembered running to the Weyr to warn them about a hurricane. "I haven't actually done any salvage-work," she said thoughtfully.

"You haven't?" He looked thoughtful. "Maybe we can work something out for the next time I go." He looked forward to those journeys the most.

"No, just hasn't happened when I've been on duty. Of course, I've done the practices," Milga replied.

"Mmmhmm." He nodded. "I'll see who else needs to go out and I'll take a couple of you out next time. You should enjoy it, most do." Although they got the grunt work to do.

"If it involves swimming and diving, I'll love it," Milga said with matter-of-fact tone.

"That's the right attitude," he said approvingly. "It's hard not to like everything when it involves dolphins."

"Yeah," Milga agreed with a grin.

Last updated on the January 12th 2016

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Reading, Writing and Dolphins