R2: Lesson 4

[Ruby]

It was Rotation Two's final lesson, and Kemma's second batch of graduates! Well... batch was an overstatement. The Candidatemaster had to supress a smile- everyone from Rotation Two had impressed out, with the exception of Cloar. No doubt that would be hard on the boy, but at least he will have graduated now, and have something to be proud of.

Kemma winced in her chair- she was free of the Infirmary now, but certainly not free of that stupid fall. She still couldn't believe that she'd let her straps get so bad... she could have sworn she'd checked them just days before, they should have been just fine. Well, that was what she got for should haves. Shards, she couldn't believe she hadn't been fired from this job, and demoted down to Weyrling status or something- although no doubt S'rei wished for exactly that. She should be, as far as she was concerned, but she had no assistants, and no one else wanted the job. So here she was, all the desks still in place, sitting at her own when she would much rather have Mellith behind her as she had last week. Ah well- not a good idea to stand on her foot to long, she needed the chair. And Mellith could live with perching outside for a bit.

Down to one. Kemma eyed the door, a rolled-up piece of paper in her hand. Well, at least this would go quickly- and hopefully Cloar wouldn't be too upset about his lack of Impression. He certainly had more years in which to stand, at least four by Kemma's estimation. He would have a chance, still. She'd done everything she could, now it was up to the dragonets.

[dragon]

Cloar arrived on time for his lesson. Again, he had made a pointed effort to be there when he should be. Having missed his very first lesson had been more than a tad embarrassing for the lad, and he did not aim to repeat the transgression in anyway in any time.

He arrived in the classroom, and plopped down in a chair comfily, though the posture looked anything but. It rather looked like it ought to put his back out, if anything, but he seemed content to sit that way, more on his spine than on his rump. His broad shoulders slumped slightly as he totally relaxed into the seat, hands resting on his long thighs.

"Ma'am." he greeted as usual, seeming not at all perturbed at not having impressed. In fact, he seemed quite the same as before, as if it mattered little to him one way or the other.

[Ruby]

Well good, this one seemed to have a solid head on his shoulders. No moping or loss of self-confidence- Kemma was reminded a little of herself after her first few hatchings, where Impression had not come. Well, this would be quick then. "Come on up here, Candidate Cloar, I've got a certificate for you. The Weyrleaders of Selenitas have given me the authority to grant it to you- it details what you've learned in these lessons, and will get you out of any of them in the future, in case there is a change of Candidatemasters as there has been in the past. You will never have to attend Candidate lessons at Selenitas again. You are, of course, welcome to stop by anytime if you feel like you need a refresher."

Shuffling the piece of paper out of her pile, Kemma smiled as she handed it over. "Congratulations, and good luck with your candidacy. Now that your lessons are over, your life as a Candidate has changed slightly. Instead of Lessons, you will now attend Electives- training similar to that you would receive at a Crafthall, but not nearly so in-depth. You will be paired with a Crafter in the field, who will train you on the basics. Available electives are: Dragonhealing, Weyrharper, Archivist, Tanning, Construction, and Water Energy. Eventually I may begin recommending people for Rider's Apprentice, but since you are one of the few unimpressed graduates to be entering this system, I'm having you go into an elective first.

"So... if you could let me know three things? If you have any prior craft training, how long you have been a Candidate, and which electives are your top two choices. Keep an eye on the announcement board in the main room- that will have your elective assignments posted in a week or two. After that... well, you're done!" she finished, smiling at the boy. Another graduated Candidate, and another person who would hopefully serve the Weyr well in the future.

[dragon]

Cloar just stared at her blankly for a moment, not comprehending what was going on. When it dawned on him that he was graduating, a grin split his face from ear to ear. He moved up to her desk like she instructed, and accepted that funny little peice of paper. "Thank you, Ma'am." He said, graciously.

Electives? Now that sounded interesting to him. And when she asked for some information, he gave it to her readily enough: "Ma'am. I was about to become a journeyman smith, before I was searched. Smithing is the only craft I have partaken of, however. I have been here for almost six months ((Assuming that one RL month equals two IC?))." He paused, there, to think.

Which two electives were his top choices? Well, that was a little hard to say, considering he knew nothing about any of them. But he was always willing to learn. "Tanning and construction, I think." He said, finally. He wasn't interested in spending more time in the archives than he had to, and he knew fairly well that he would not make even a half decent harper. That left four, and he had randomly chosen two. Maybe later on he would get to piddle about in the other two, too?