Beginning of Enmity

Writers: Paula, Tyr
Date Posted: 14th November 2014

Characters: Symion, Keayd
Description: Symion realizes that his charm does not work on everyone.
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 10, day 4 of Turn 7

"Journeyman?" Symion approached the other man with an affable smile.
Though he had been able to charm many an apprentice and even some
Journeyman, Keayd had always seemed a tough nut to crack. The senior
apprentice was getting a little anxious about walking the tables,
though, and was hoping to find some coattails to ride on to get there.

"Yes, apprentice, how can I help you?" Key asked, his voice neutral
and polite. Symion never been his favourite...at his age, if you were
still apprentice, you were doing something wrong, or you just weren't
truly interested in being vintner. In Symion's age, Keayd had already
started his project for senior journeyman's knots.

"I was hoping you might have a word of advice. I really want to pass
the tests and show I am prepared for Journeyman next time around and,
well, I really struggle when it comes to tests. I do okay on the day
to day homework and projects," Symion said, looking down with a
dramatic sigh. Of course he didn't mention that much of this type of
work he could copy or otherwise get help from other apprentices on.
"I just always freeze up when it comes to tests."

"The only way to prepare for the tests is to study, and study some
more. Until you know it all by heart and are confident that you know
it. That way you don't freeze. It's the only advice I can give," Keayd
replied.

Symion nodded. He wasn't stupid or anything, but he definitely
preferred leisure to hard work. Keayd seemed to be saying that there
were no shortcuts and that wasn't exactly what he wanted to hear.
"But, I mean, isn't there a way to focus your study or something? I
mean it just seems so big. It's everything we've learned. I thought
I should organize it you know? Maybe study the most important stuff
first and then move on to the details."

"You're supposed to know basics of _every_ facet of vintner craft to
be qualified for journeyman's knots. Specializing comes after that,"
Key replied. Symion's question were making him feel superior to the
younger man and it crept to the tone of his voice. He didn't often had
chances to feel like that, being physically deformed.

Yep, definitely a tough nut to crack, and now he was going to get all
high and mighty. Symion had long since learned the importance of
holding his temper, so he completely hid his irritation at the
other man's patronizing tone. Keayd was only a couple turns his
senior after all. Even If he _was_ a journeyman. Symion drew himself
up to his full height and squared his shoulders. He comforted himself
with the knowledge that he was a handsome man, fit and attractive
unlike Keayd with his malformation and resulting mishappen stance.

"Yes, I know," he answered in an affected deferential tone. "I just
thought you might have some pointers for an apprentice trying to
improve himself."

"Stop lazing around and start studying, that's my pointer. Anyone with
normal intelligence will learn it if they just bother to try.. If you
can't learn it, maybe you should be scrubbing floors with drudges
then." There was something in Symion that just irritated Key. People
like him had been bullying him since earliest childhood.

It took every ounce of Symion's self restraint not to respond in kind,
but the journeyman held rank and he did not. To say what he'd like
would only bring trouble upon himself, but he would remember this day
and by the first egg Keayd would regret his words! No matter if they
were true or not, he'd not be treated this way by a mere cripple. He
did not respond until he knew he could do so calmly.

"I suppose nothing has ever come difficultly to you, Journeyman,"
Symion stated crisply as he looked knowingly at Keayd, for certainly
many things were difficult for the other man, though perhaps nothing
craft related. "Despite your observations, I do not lack
intelligence. I will find my way to success."

For briefest of moments, Key's face distorted, then he got himself
back under control. "You know nothing about difficulties, apprentice,"
he said with cold voice. "Good luck with that," he sneered. If there
was a way to shot down Symion's chances to walk the tables, he was
going to find it.

"Good day, Journeyman," Symion snapped back coldly, just barely
keeping the disrespect from his tone.

Last updated on the November 16th 2014

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Beginning of Enmity