Observatory
Spherical, predictable, much a reflection of the heavens beyond is the temple of this observatory dedicated to the continued survey of the skies. Constructed sturdily and lined with shelves and cabinets necessary for equipment storage, nearly every available space on the smooth plastered walls is hidden by the arrangement of charts, maps and diagrams. An high ceiling arches above, contrived to be fitted with the portals necessary for viewing and carefully fabricated sliding shutters to protect the delicate sky-ward pointed lenses when not in use.
It is a summer sunset. The fading light gives the land a dusky appearance. The breeze still flows in from off the ocean. Puffs of clouds turn pastel hues in the sunset.
You see Sandtable, Observatory DistanceViewer, Pieces to a Viewer, Riina's Viewer, Merci, Delphiscus' DistanceViewer, and Imaria here.
Obvious exits:
Main Hall Balcony
Gildal walks in from the Main Hall Balcony.
Tamira walks, hair bouncing on her shoulders in from the Main Hall Balcony.
Venusnv winks in from ::between::! Cheep?
Nyx walks in from the Main Hall Balcony.
Observatory DistanceViewer
This Distanceviewer is a tube of polished brass, with a clear glass lens at either end. The larger end has a cap attatched to it, and a short string to keep it from getting lost. The other end has no cap, but the lens at that end is small enough to make a cap unnecessary. The tube is collapsable. able to be stored in 1/2 it's length, although unusable in that state. There is a small brass tube on the top of the Viewer to help in aiming it, and the smaller lens is mounted in such a way that by turning it's fixture, focus can be attained at various distances.
Imaria glances up from her little chair. She doesn't live in the observatory. Really, she doesn't... Seeing all the people suddenly converging here, she can't help but smile widely. "My, my. Is it just me, or is there a reason everyone's here?" she querries, with a small chuckle.
Imaria
An older woman, of plump build, though her hair seems to tell different. Despite her growing age, her face stays framed by curly, red hair, not a gray strand in sight. Just above her rosy cheeks and round nose, brown eyes peer out, slight wrinkles of age showing at the corners. She is rather short, though that may be in part to the fact than she stands with a slump of her shoulders.
Imaria wears a long, billowy dress with bright, colorful flowers all over it. On her shoulder is the knot of a Starcraft Master.
Imaria is 55 Turns old.
Keris is percing on the edge of a chair, trying to sort through his papers. As Imaria speaks he looks up, blinking as he didn't even notice all the people there. "Well, I was just.. working," he says, looking at Tamira and Nyx. "But maybe, since we're all here, can I teach a class?" He turns to Imaria. "With you as my supervisor, Master Imaria?"
Imaria ohhs softly at Keris, and hmms, her brows furrowing in a thoughtful frown. "Well... seeing as how you've had all of the classes anyway... and you are a Sr. Apprentice?" she eyes him closely, near saying yes, but not just yet.
Keris nods, eyes flickering to his knot. Yup, wasn't changed overnight. "I am, Master."
Tamira was daydreaming, off in a daze after walking in. At voices, she jumps and blinks slowly, trying to sooth the young gold who's tail had suddenly tightened about her neck, "Gym... Calm /down/... No choking me."
Nyx was being Quiet during all of this, but she hoped that her classes wouldn't be limited to the Vintiner ones...
Keris sends Tamira a grin. "Jumpy, aren't they?" he comments, quickly looking at Nyx, deciding that she probably should be here too.
Gildal trundles in, haunched over and carrying the weight of years on his back. He glances up as he hears voices and pauses in his step, which is almost like tripping for him. This old Senior Journeyman smiles his old smile and walks on toward the observatory's viewer.
Nyx has already decided as much. About being here, that is. After all, by being quiet, she nearly got free taste testing...
Tamira nods at Keris, slightly, wrinkling her nose, "So many have told me it's nice having a gold. Gym is just ugly, and mean."
Keris chuckles at Tamira. "Ugly and mean, what a lizard," he smirks, peering around for his own nuisances. They're not here.. probably better that way.
Tamira sighs faintly and nods, "I know... I was at Ista, an' she had hatched on the docks... I guess she was offended by my calling her ugly, but she is..." At the tightening of a tail around her neck, the girl meeps, loudly, "Can't say she is anymore, or else I'll be choked."
Keris grins, eyes darting back and forth between the Master and the others.
Nyx quickly finds a nice corner where she can watch the assorted people do their thing, but be unnoticed (hopefully) if she's not supposed to be here...
Imaria nearly forgets about Keris' suggestion as she pleasantly watches the exchange between the apprentices. But, quickly blinking, she giggles softly at Keris. "Oh, I suppose... Of course. What class you planning on teaching?"
Keris smiles at Imaria. "Well I thought the optics class would be appropriate in here?" he suggests, not knowing if he needs approval first.
Tamira pauses, listening, and trying to pry the gold's tail from her neck, quietly chiding the young 'lizard as she does so.
Nyx is still listening. Once again, she figures as long as she doesn't do anything to bring attention, everything will work out fine.
Eyes brighten when Optics is mentioned, that being the one and only love of Imaria's in the StarCraft. "Really? Well, that of all classes would be the best!" she informs, giving a wink.
Nyx finally speaks up at this point... "Erm, if you don't mind, would it be all right if I sat in on this class?"
Keris flashes Imaria a grin, being rather relieved. "Oh, great then," he says, then frowns at Tamira and Nyx. "Uhm, d'you have 'Viewers?" he inquires, nodding at Nyx. "Please do."
Nyx pauses for a moment, moves to a closer and more comfortable spot, and blinks at the last question.
Tamira blinks repeatedly at Keris, than shakes her head, "Nope."
Keris scratches his head, quickly looking around the room, then at Imaria. "Uhm, Master Imaria? Are there any 'Viewers in here I can give them?"
Imaria hmms, twisting in her chair so she can reach into a drawer. "Ahh... here we go," she says, pulling out two 'viewers and holding them out to Keris, not making an effort to get up and give them to him. "Yep, we do."
Nyx looks at the 'viewers. Looks at them... I mean, they're rather StarCrafty.
Keris takes the 'viewers, smiling in thanks to Imaria. "Ok, here you go," he says, handing one to Tamira and one to Nyx. "Err, have you ever seen a 'viewer before? Their full name is DistanceViewers."
Nyx nods at that. "I've seen other apprentices with them."
Tamira shakes her head slightly, as she takes her's carefully, "No, I haven't seen one before... Well, I've seen my brother's, but not up close and all."
Keris nods. "Ok, I'll explain shortly how they work then, but it's rather simple actually. You see there's a smaller and a bigger lense, right? Well, you look through the smaller one and get an enlarged image. Any questions to that?"
Nyx decides that while questions are good and all... aww, heck... "Aside from the obvious, what makes them work that way?"
Tamira blinks at her's, lifting it to look at the smaller end, "Ah..." Is all that is said, by her.
Nyx points to the two ends and the little barrel thingy. "... er... I mean... oh Shards. Maybe I should have considered Smithood."
Keris grins. "Good question. Well, I was just going to ask that actually... the 'viewer is also called a refracting telescope. You heard about that?"
Tamira * frowns... I'll brb
Nyx shakes her head 'no'.
Keris chuckles. "Well don't feel bad, neither had I when I joined... Well, there are two lenses in a refracting telescope. Light goes through the first lense and the image is flipped. Then the second one magnifies the image, so what you see when you look through it is actually a flipped image. But your eye works in the way so that you see it correctly. Now, the big 'viewer," and a nod is given towards it, "is a reflecting telescope. Don't suppose you heard 'bout that either?"
Nyx gives a look at Keris like 'What, are you kidding?' But Nyx goes for a humble, "Not really."
Keris smiles at Nyx. "First of all, reflecting telescopes are usually bigger than refracting. All the people in this Craft can't walk around with 'viewers this size," he states rather unnecessarily, placing a light hand on the big 'viewer, "so that's why you get those. Now, a reflecting telescope uses mirrors. Light travels through the open end to a concave mirror at the bottom. The mirror collects the light and sends it to a mirror in the middle of the telescope. From there the image is sent to an eyepiece where another lense fouces it for you to see." He pauses for a minute, making sure everyone's following. "I'll move onto lenses first... any of you know any forms of lenses?"
Nyx shrugs. "To be honest, the only classes I have really taken thus far are... ah... Vintiner classes, oddly enough."
Keris smirks. "Well Vintning is very important too," he comments, looking at Imaria. Wouldn't want to give any wrong impressions... "Basically, there are two kinds of lenses. Concave and convex. Don't suppose it rings any bells..?"
Imaria just offers Keris a jolly little smile, but other than that, she doesn't interrupt. This /is/, afterall, his class.
Nyx shrugs mildly, though bells happen to be rung. She makes vague gestures in the air, trying to convey the shape of concave and convex...
Tamira snaps from another daze, and tries to remember what Keris had said, looking over her 'viewer.
Keris chuckles, looking at Tamira. "Tamira, you know the difference between convex and concave?"
Tamira jumps slightly, "Uhm... I think I heard, once, that concave, means it like... caves in? Does that mean convex caves out?" She ducks her head, quickly, looking down.
Nyx looks back at Tamira, deciding to mooch off of her later for knowledge and bits of info.
Keris smiles. "You can say that, yes," he nods. "Concave lenses curve inwards on one or both sides, and convex lenses curve outwards on one or both sides. It's not more complicated than that. Now, I just have one more question. Ever heard of a catadioptric telescope?"
Nyx gives Keris Yet Another Look. "...no?"
Keris stifles a giggle at Nyx' expression, looking at Tamira to se if she has any clues.
Tamira pauses, blinking, "Huh?"
Nyx looks at Tamira. "Something about 'cadiopt--'... er... well, how did it go, again?"
Keris grins. "I'll take that as a no then," he smiles. "Well, it isn't as complicated as it sounds, really. A /catadioptric telescope/ is just a combination of a refracting and a reflecting telescope. It has two mirrors in which the light changes twice, and it also has lenses used to magnify the image."
Tamira pauses, listening, "And what does it do?"
Nyx is about to ask one of many dry and dull questions, but resists the urge.
Keris grins. "It magnifies," he answers simply, "they all do. Only difference is how they do it. Now, are there more questions?" He looks around, at Imaria too in case she wants to add anything.
Tamira sighs slightly, "Well, what is the difference? You didn't explain /that/."
Imaria stays quiet, still not interrupting Keris, only smiling encouragingly.
Keris smiles. "The size. The big 'viewer here, the reflecting, is used to watch areas much further away. The smaller ones, refracting, can't watch as far as the reflecting ones."
Nyx nods. Enlightment dawning, slightly.
Tamira thinks, "So, then that other 'viewer can do both?"
Nyx blinks at this question, again, and regards Tamira once more. Yes, definately someone to nag for help.
Nyx peers at that other 'viewer again. "It would... make sense..."
Keris frowns at Tamira. "Which other 'viewer do you mean?"
Tamira thinks a moment, biting her lip as she trys to remember the name, "The cata... dio... ptric one?"
Keris smiles lightly at Tamira and Nyx. "My speciality's Charting, so for more detailed questions I suggest you take the advanced optics class. I wouldn't want to give incorrect information, and this is only the basic class. But no, the catadioptric telescope can't do both. It's more like the refracting, only the mirrors and lenses are placed differently."
Keris looks around. "Now, anymore questions before I dismiss the class?"
Tamira shakes her head, "Nope."
Nyx sighs and shakes her head. The sigh at the Charting/no answers, and the shaking at the question... wait... "Whom would we talk to for advanced optics?"
Keris narrows his eyes at Nyx. "Hmm, Master Rosuma and Master Imaria are specialized in optics...?" he says, a little uncertain, looking at Imaria for confirmation.
Imaria grins over to Nyx. "Yes, m'dear. But possibly later?" she asks, tilting her head to the side. "I'd like to speak to Senior Apprentice Keris for a bit."
Keris blinks at Imaria. Uh oh, that did not sound too good. "Uhm, class dismissed then," he tells the two, smiling slightly. "And thanks for listening."
Nyx nods at this. "Just wondering... ah... Master Imaria."
Nyx walks to the Main Hall Balcony.
Imaria nods gently, making a gesture to the two apprentices that they may be on their way. Turning to Keris, she smiles. "That was a very good class, Keris. So you say you specialize in charting.. Mind telling me a bit about that?"
Keris smiles after the two girls, then turns to Imaria, nodding. "Yes, I do. Uhm, you mean tell you why I chose it or tell you technical information on it?"
Imaria chuckles and shrugs noncommitally. "Doesn't matter really. Maybe a little of both...?" she suggests, letting the apprentice take that as he will.
Keris smiles. "Alright. I chose it because I always liked drawing and the constellations have always been of great interest to me. And well, most of what I've been doing so far is draw charts and sort through the really old charts in the archives, and Journeyman Sabrina's personal collection."
Imaria nods, listening attentively. "I see... Very good..." she comments, seemingly not /completely/ paying attention as she struggles slightly to stand from her little chair. "Would you mind taking a walk with me while we talk? I need to be getting to the office, but I wouldn't mind learning about one of our promising apprentices, or so I've been told." Another wink and she's already making her way to the door. "So you're a Sr. Apprentice are you? Have you already done your project?"
Keris chuckles and follows after Imaria. "Not at all, Master Imaria. And yes, I wrote a scroll on Charting for the other Apprentices to read, or the Masters if they should need," he adds, grinning.
Imaria is walking out the door, but during the process ahhs slowly and asks, "Charting, eh? Mind telling me a bit about it?" But before Keris can even answer, she's out onto the balcony, awaiting the apprentice. In a rush, is she?
Imaria walks to the Main Hall Balcony.
You go to the Main Hall Balcony.
Main Hall Balcony
You stand upon the runnershoe balcony of the Main Hall, from which doorways open into the adjoining halls of the StarCraft living quarters. On the western wall stand the great doors of the observatory.
The window looks out over Gar Hold CourtYard.
Through the open window, you notice that It is a summer evening. Stars peek through the night sky, where they can be seen between the clouds. Puffs of cumulus clouds linger persistently, and the eastern breeze is constant.
On the perch are Blufia and Klumzee.
You see Chair, Amid, and Imaria here.
Obvious exits:
Kidlet Corner Guest Quarters Vault Observatory Journeymen and Masters' Lounge Staircase
Keris grins. "Well, it takes concentration to do," he tells, frowning. "But I guess it's easier when you find it interesting. Well basically, we try to put Pern down on Charts, using exact measurements so it's very easy to for instance compare two maps of the same area."
A nod, and suddenly Imma is on a completely different matter, at least in her mind. "How nice...." A tilt of her head and she peers at Keris. "What has being an apprentice taught you?" she asks out of the blue, stopping shortly in her journey.
Keris stops abruptly, trying not to bump into the Master. "Uuh," he mutters, brain trying to change onto another course. "Well it taught me a lot about the stars of course, but also a lot about people. I come from a small hold, haven't really been surrounded by people much. Until I came here. So I've basically learned to adjust to new situations and knowledge."
Imaria smiles brightly at that answer. "Ah, wonderful to hear. I take it you're glad you came here?" Of course she would assume, but that's just her. She hardly even realizes what she does.
Keris nods, at least he knows the answer to this one. "Yes, very! I've wanted to be a StarCrafter for.. well, as long as I can remember. My best decision so far," he adds, grinning. Not that he usually makes bad decisions mind you...
Imaria just can't stop grinning at this apprentice. He seems to have hit a soft spot.. And that said, she's off on another thing, somewhat. "What has being a StarCrafter meant to you, truly?" she pries, wanting to know all she can.
Keris chuckles lightly. "Well as I said before, it's taught me a lot of things I didn't know before on what kind of work we do in this Hall. But it also taught me to appreciate certain human values. I might have learned that in any Craft, but it just so happens I was fortunate enough to choose this," he smiles.
Imaria ohhs, impressed by this answer. "That's wonderful to hear," she says, trailing off as she finally starts up again and goes down the stair, if slowly.
Imaria walks to the Staircase.
You go to the StarCraft Main Hall.
StarCraft Main Hall
The vaulted Great Hall of StarCraft possesses a grandeur that belies its recent construction. Built to inspire the mind to look upward, smooth columns support the Gothic arches of the ceiling. The Hall runs on an East-West axis, with the heavy doors of the main office to the west. To the north and south other doors lead to various work areas. Staircases at the corners of the hall lead up to a balcony that wraps around the three sides of north, south, and west.
On the perch are Kataxia and Ray.
You see Sage, Swatfoot, Lara, and Imaria here.
Obvious exits:
Gar Workroom StarCraft Archives StarCraft Office Dark Passageway Staircase
Keris smiles, taking the few last steps of the stairs. "So-uhm, you want to know anything else on Charting, Master?"
Imaria shakes her head absently, though she most likely didn't hear what Keris said. "Well, as you did your project, we both know you're trying for journeyman," she states. "Want to tell me what it would mean for you to become one? A journeyman, that is." It's starting to seem more like an interview than merely getting to the apprentice, but perhaps that's how she gets to know people.
Keris grins. "Yeah I do. And well, to be honest it'd mean a lot to me. Some people thought that I'd never make it in life, being a StarCrafter, because they said it was useless. But by achieving a rank by working hard, I feel that I'm doing a difference. And besides, I'd have the authority to do more things by being a Journeyman, and if I become one, then it must be because I'm worthy to be one, and then I could really work on making a difference."
Imaria ahhs, offering Keris a gentle smile and already walking towards the office. "I see. Well, that's understandable." She hmms. "On your journey to advancement, I'm sure you've learned a lot. If you'll follow me into the office, perhaps you could tell me a bit about what you've learned..? That being the technical end, now."
Keris nods politely. "Of course, Master," he says, following her into the office.
Imaria walks to the StarCraft Office.
You go to the StarCraft Office.
StarCraft Office
The wood-panelled and carpeted confines of the StarCraft's main office convey an aura of calm, order, and peace. Still, there is constant motion in this room and the new Master has left her mark on it, in the form of scattered knicknacks, papers, charts hung askew on the walls, and empty klah mugs left abandoned on the desk.
On the perch is Venusnv.
You see Starcraft Apprentice Progress Board, StarCraft Sr. Apprentice Progress Board, StarCraft Journeyman Progress Record, Teachers' Guide, StarCraft Reference Book, Daegi, Matias, Lodestar, Optics Book, Liassa, and Imaria here.
Obvious exits:
StarCraft Main Hall CraftMaster's Office
Keris stands in the middle of the office, waiting until he's asked to sit down. "What would you like to know, Master, more specifically?"
Imaria takes her time walking behind the desk and settling down in the big chair. A wave of her chair shows Keris can settle down too, if he likes. She frowns thoughtfully for a moment, as if pondering what to ask first. "So, Keris... since you just gave the optics class, mind showing me how to take apart a 'viewer while telling me a bit about optics?"
Keris perches on a chair opposite of Imaria, pulling out his 'viewer from his rucksack. "I'll try, though I admit that I haven't really done it in a long time.. uhm, you want to hear more about optics? Apart from what I just said?"
Keris' DistanceViewer
This Distanceviewer is a tube of polished brass, with a clear glass lens at either end. The larger end has a cap attatched to it, and a short string to keep it from getting lost. The other end has no cap, but the lens at that end is small enough to make a cap unnecessary. The tube is collapsable. able to be stored in 1/2 it's length, although unusable in that state. There is a small brass tube on the top of the Viewer to help in aiming it, and the smaller lens is mounted in such a way that by turning it's fixture, focus can be attained at various distances.
Imaria chuckles softly and shrugs. "Well... possibly tell me a bit about your 'viewer in particular? I know you taught it in the class, but I'd like to hear it again... as my memory doesn't seem to serve me as well as it used to."
Keris nods. "Alright," he grins, flipping off the small cap placed on the bigger lense on the 'viewer. "Well, hmm," he begins, pulling at the tube to extract it to full size, "you need to have it out like this, otherwise you can't use it. And the cap has to be off," he adds, stifling a grin as he remembers episodes where he forgot that small fact.
Imaria smiles, nodding as she watchs not only Keris, but the 'viewer, too. "I see," she replies, awaiting to see what he'll do next.
"And it'd probably be best to remove the big lense first," Keris mutters to himself, fingers working on the said object until it finally comes loose. "There." He places the lense carefully on the table. "It's very important to keep the lenses clean, otherwise the view may be blurry or come out of focus," he says next, index finger prodding gently at the smaller remaining lense. "I just have to get this one loose too..."
Imaria nods gently, watching Keris take apart the 'viewer with interest, along with listening. It seems she has a few more questions, but doesn't want to ask just yet.
Keris gets the smaller lens loose, placing it on the table along with the tube. "So, now it's separated. It's a good idea to do it once in a while and polish the lenses, dust off the tube and things like that."
Imaria smiles and nods approvingly. "Very good." And that's all she seems to say. Either she didn't pay attention to one word he said, has no comment, or... maybe her mind is on yet /another/ subject. "Can you tell me about the StarStones and how we predict Threadfall?" suddenly pops out. Well, how's /that/ for a change?
Keris blinks, then nods after casting a glance on his separated 'viewer. Oh, he'll just let it be then. "Uhm, sure. They consist of The Finger Rock, The Eye Rock, and the Star Stone. They were made so that on the Winter's Solstice, if the Red Star appeared bracketed by the Eye Rock and the Sun, Thread would fall in the first warm weather."
Imaria nearly ooo's with excitement that he can keep up with her, then hmms softly, staring at Keris for what seems to be forever. Suddenly, she dissappears behind the desk. Some shuffling can be heard, and when she finally comes back up, she has something hidden in her hand. "So, Senior Apprentice Keris, I've gotten to know a lot about you in one speaking. You seem to have a wonderful grasp on the StarCraft matters..." She pauses, then goes on. "Are you completely sure you'd like to become a journeyman and ready to take on all the responsibility that comes with it?"
Keris hesitates a second, again taken slightly aback by how quicly the subject is changed. "Uhm I'll do my best," he assures, "which is really everything I can do."
Imaria hmms softly. "Well, then... I see no other resort but to..." she trails off and slowly brings her hand to the top of the desk. My, if she isn't dragging this out... /Finally/ she opens her hand to reveal a knot, looped in red and silver with a single silver thread twined in. "....promote you. Journeyman Keris, I congratulate you," she says, smiling widely.
Keris has been promoted to Journeyman.
Keris stares at the knot. Well it was coming, wasn't it? "Uhm, thank you, Master," he finally manages to say, slowly reaching out a hand as if the knot'd break if he touched it...
