[Medical Library] Inking The Future

[Kail D'Rea]

It wasn’t what she had hoped for or expected, but really there appeared to be no choice, Kail couldn’t tell her to leave, so she was just going to have to put up with the girl. She had always been good at focusing on her own world in spite of what was going on around her. She could walk down the street reading a book or, much to her mother’s annoyance, invoke her own selective hearing that left certain things like her mother’s voice out of her mind completely. Still, this was going to be hard. The work was difficult and she had hoped for peace and quiet. She sighed internally, smiled briefly at Orona and started her work again.

She was taking longer practicing the handwriting than was strictly necessary, but she was also working on narrowing her focus to include only her work. She wasn’t going to pay attention to any little noises or distractions, but it was going to take time to focus like that, time she felt she didn’t have. She didn’t want the librarians to think she was slow, or worse, that she couldn’t do it if she couldn’t finish soon. Still, she would save her annoyance at the delay and the need for extra care and focus for later and right now just pay attention to the work.

She soon had the lilt and the curves of the writing down and starting making her good copy on a fresh sheet of paper. She worked slowly, but still fast enough to keep hesitations out of the writing. If she could make it through this easy part without being distracted, she would trust herself to start on the complicated parts.

[Alice]

Still unperturbed by the obvious signs of disappointment Kail was expressing, Orona shifted to get a better look at the work. Surprisingly, however, she refrained from any further comments and merely watched the quill’s movements. She couldn’t help but admit that it was fascinating – how the other Konti’s hand produced elegant ink lines, curves and loops. Orona whose handwriting could be called legible at best, had never had the chance or the will to observe true craftsmanship. She was intrigued and felt that it was a pleasant distraction from her own task.

There wasn’t much of a distraction for Kail as she started going systematically through the piece she was about to master. As soon as she could block out the occasional rustling of fabric, chirping of birds and other distant noises of her surroundings, the familiar feeling of slipping into a different world, a different personality, enthralled her. For the handwriting, she learned to understand how the hand of the author had moved like, what she had thought and felt while writing the piece Kail was now about to copy. Handwriting revealed much about a person. As she worked, forgotten details came to her mind and, together with the feelings the movements contained, created a harmonic picture of the author.

She had been a Konti and lived during the third century AV. While other sentient races at the mainland still struggled to rebuild small encampments and trade towns, the Konti started establishing themselves on their unique island. This particular Konti, Lean’a, was the daughter of a farmer off the shore of Silver Lake. In these times Mura existed as a small settlement and gathering place for artists and craftswomen and Lean’a, who didn’t have the same passion for farming and plants as her mother, traveled there as soon as she was old enough. During her life she tried out countless artforms and learned the basics about many different trades. Painting, carpentry, sculpting, even a bit of glassblowing and silversmithing she was rumored to know. However, one day a human bard and songwriter landed at White Harbor and met Lean’a in the library of the Opal Temple. Soon they started to share pieces of art and commenting on each other’s works. This friend encouraged Lean’a, who had been leading a diary for several decades, to start writing on a professional basis. Since then she was busy with recording the unique culture and religion of her people. Fiercely devoted to Avalis, Lean’a was known to be the first who wrote down tales and mythology that had only been passed on orally before. A very talented painter and her best friend took interest in the project and helped with creating the tiny illustrations. Together they had used all their writing, calligraphy and painting skills to create the original and unique work of art that was Kail’s test.

The handwriting spoke of a gentle and soft-spoken woman, but still certain edges at “t”s, “f”s and “p”s showed that she had been self-confident and passionate about what she did. Lean’a had been a true artist who loved creating and touching others with her works. If she was lucky, Kail would find herself heading down the same path in a foreseeable amount of time. However, strong dedication and hard work would be necessary to reach the same level of mastery and establish the same lasting memory Lean’a had carved out for herself.

The writing part of the page almost whispered to the young scribe and told her all this, but “loveliest are the things that sure must end”, as an old Konti proverb said. She had lost no time with copying the writing, but the most difficult part was only about to begin. What would the stunning paintings tell her about the relationship between Lean’a and her visual artist friend? A part of Kail – that had lingered in the shadows until then – was looking forward to the new experiences. Memories preserved through lines, curves and color. In fact, it was the first time the calligraphy spoke so clearly and unequivocally to her. Since she had decided to concentrate on passing the test, however, Kail didn’t have the time to have second thoughts. The work continued, as did Syna at the other side of the windows.

Credits... of the Konti proverb belong to Kamalia Timandre.

[Kail D'Rea]

Finally Kail was satisfied that that the writing she had copied was perfect. She took a moment to re-scan the work to enjoy the satisfaction of a cleanly copied sheet, then started to work on the pictures. She closely examined the intricate works first. The illustrations were truly stunning. The artists had obviously worked not only with patience, but also with love of the work. Some of the lines and details were clearly made with a single brush hair. This was particularly true of the details of the goddess. Avalis was the main subject of this page. Laviku was pictured too, but his picture was higher on the page and smaller and less detailed then that of the mother goddess. His eyes were staring out of the page and Kail guessed it was a smaller version of a larger picture that appeared earlier in the book.

Avalis herself was reclining on a chaise lounge, clothed in a dark blue flowing gown that was so detailed Kail could make out small white star-shapes embroidered around the neck, sleeves and hem. Her blond hair cascading down the far side of her face, which was tipped down and looking at her lap. There was a small bundle in her lap, the first baby Konti. The scene matched the written description of the origins of the Konti race. Avalis’s face was enchanting. The artist managed to make her eyes look soft and loving in a gentle face with full lips and smooth white skin. Kail wondered if the artist actually knew the goddess.

The difficulty of catching the essence of such a complete work with ink and pen was indeed great. Kail had left the required spaces in between the letters and now she started filling them in with the edges of the main picture. She looked at this kind of work like etching and imagined how think or thin a line would need to be if she were creating a plate of the page for printing. The strands of hair had been painted separately and that is how Kail now drew them. She used only the very edge of the pointed nub to make them fine enough and left enough space in between to give texture and realism. She had to work quickly to keep the lines smooth and flowing and soon she was moving on to the face of her mother goddess. She wanted to start with the hardest parts in case of a mistake, but everything was going very well. She was able to create the smallest of dots in the eyes that helped them look real and while shading in the dark dress, left small points of light page where the embroidery was painted on.

Soon she had a good monochromatic copy of the colorful painting. She looked at it, searching for imperfections or omissions and after a few minor touch ups, she was satisfied. She was glad to have such a familiar and much-loved subject. It helped her relax just to think about the peaceful ways of the Konti race that started at this one moment of love.

Her focused state of mind soon brought her hand back to the page. Being very careful not to smudge the ink already laid down, she got to work on the second picture on the page, the father god. With fewer details, this was easier and soon done, but she still spent time checking the width of her strokes and the negative space left to lighten and texture the face and background. Last she filled in the embellishments of the fantastic page, creating swirls and circles in the exact places they appeared on the original.

Only when all of this was done did she indulge herself by laying her hand carefully and gently on the original work. Her gift from the goddess allowed her to feel the intentions of the author and while for this work, the main intent was to educate and preserve, as expected, there was more. She could feel the intent to please the mother goddess, to please the co-worker of this piece. She could feel the intent to satisfy the artists need to create lovely things and her intention to see this work and these stories preserved forever. Kail basked in the good feelings from this long-gone master of the Konti people. She let her hand linger another moment and remembered why she loved this type of work. Then she looked up allowed her mind to exist in the world outside of the work.

Time had passed and she felt it was time to submit her work. She stood up, but left the sheet on the table in case the ink hadn’t dried. She wanted to give it as long as possible while she found the librarian she hoped would soon be her boss. On the other hand, the room wasn’t empty and perhaps the sheet would be safest with her. So deciding, she began to carefully lift it as she prepared to go back into the main library.

[Alice]

Orona kept her promise and didn’t interrupt Kail’s workflow, although she couldn’t help but utter low noises of surprise and admiration while watching the older Konti carry out her task. As a healer, she had never seen anything else but fellow healers working. Until that moment she hadn’t been interested in scribes and copyists in the least, but something about Kail fascinated her. There was a special grace in her movements and peace in the slow progress her work showed. When Kail was finished, Orona gave an encouraging smile. “I’m sure you’ll get the job. Your skill is amazing.” Surprisingly, she then rose from the chair and returned to finishing her own work. A break was just what she had needed.

Kail found Javas behind the counter in the main room, thumbing through some documents she was about to categorize regarding importance and topic. When hearing footsteps she looked up. A curious expression lit her features and her eyes in grassy green bordering to turquoise. “Finished? You’re not the fastest, my girl, but we can work on that. Now let’s see what you’ve done.” Upon receiving the sheet from Kail she looked over the work carefully, noticing every detail as well as the overall impression. A storm of subdued colors rushed through her eyes, too quick and too blurred to interpret. Apparently she was sincerely interested in the young scribe’s potential – else she wouldn’t get so obviously emotional over it. After a while her gaze examined Kail. “Look, here, you’ve overseen that little smudge …” She turned the sheet so that Kail could see what she meant. “These lines are too thick and sometimes unsteady over there. Of course, it’s difficult to work with only a single writing tool. But apart from a few mistakes that are easily missed, you did well, especially with transforming the coloring. What you did is an interesting idea.”

Radiating deep blue satisfaction Javas smiled at Kail. “I believe this is enough to qualify you for the job of a copyist and scribe for the library. Welcome aboard”, she beamed and extended her hands in an inviting gesture. “You will get 4 gold mizas a day, starting tomorrow. You can take several days off per season, but not more than 10 at least. The decision how much and which days is left to you. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask now. Tomorrow you’ll be required to come here at the second bell after sunrise. The girl over there, Melre, is your colleague and will show you around. I trust you to take work seriously and not be late.” The Konti Javas had pointed out was the one who had brought Kail writing supplies earlier. The Vantha woman now patted her shoulder and waited for Kail to ask any questions she might have.

As soon as any issues had been cleared, Javas went back to her documents.

OOCOne more post from you, a xp award from me and we're finished. Congratulations!

[Kail D'Rea]

Kail quickly took in all the information Javas gave her and closely observed Melre so she would remember her name and find her easily tomorrow. That last piece of work done, she allowed herself to feel the joy she felt at getting the job. She couldn't even care that her emotions were undoubtably written all over her face. "Thank you Javas! I'm so happy to be working here and I will certainly be on time," Kail gushed. "I will take it seriously and I will do better. I'll practice at home, too. I love this kind of work." Surprised at how many words had come so quickly and easily, Kail firmly closed her mouth, then allowed it to form into the smile she felt all the way to her toes. She bowed her head and attempted to add an air of solemnity she new befitted their setting to her, "Good day Javas." Then she left the woman to her work.

She glanced again toward the Konti woman Javas indicated. She thought the name, Melre, and observed where she was working. Then turned to leave the building. She had to fight not to skip. She thought to herself "that was almost too easy. My first real job!" Now that her nerves were starting to settle down and the reality of the situation taking hold, she wanted to run and shout for joy. She managed to maintain her dignity, however, as she quickly walked home, the only sign of her triumph a broad smile beeming forth from her delicate little face.

[Cachet]

Kail SKILLS Calligraphy: 3 Copying: 5 LORE Copying Under Pressure Copying while being watched...closely Calligraphy with inefficient tools Misc Notes: This thread establishes your job at 4gm a day. Well done Also I liked how you interacted with the NPC's. Also how you played how nervous you were. It was almost comical when combined with your characters internal dialogue. Overall a well written thread that I was more than happy to peruse over and award credit to. Anything seem out of place? Any questions please feel free to contact me ASAP.