fandomhigh | Careers Fair, Fandom High Front Lawn, Friday Afternoon, 07/21/06

Entry tags:

!event: friday events

Careers Fair, Fandom High Front Lawn, Friday Afternoon, 07/21/06

By lunch time, the booths were set up, the guests had arrived and there was quaint music playing from somewhere undetermined. Hawkeye is walking around with one of those portable microphone/speaker set-ups, roaming from booth to booth announcing the various guests that have come to Fandom to talk about their professions.

And despite what the mainland weather forecast said, it was definitely a nice, fine day.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Alanna spotted Roger almost instantly and with a muffled squeak ducked into a random booth and tried not to hyperventilate.

"Alanna?" Parker cocked an eyebrow at her as she walked by the booth. "Are you okay?"

Alanna flapped at Miss Parker and ducked into Aly's booth. So not her day.

"My Lady?" Roger called out to Miss Parker. "Would you perhaps be intrested in hearing a bit about my work?" He spotted the flash of red out of a corner of his eye, but it was gone too quickly.

Parker blinked after Alanna, then shrugged. "Why not? We have something similar here, I think." She raised her eyebrows, and offered one hand. "I'm Parker."

Roger bowed and brough Miss Parker's hand up for a quick kiss. "A pleasure Lady Parker. I'm Duke Roger of Conte, advisor to the King of Tortall. And what is such a lovely lady as yourself doing here?"

Parker's smile widened. "Being flattered, it seems. And preparing to go to college, then work in my father's company." She folded her arms, studying Roger. "On what subjects do you advise your king? Economics, the military, trade...?" She paused. "And why 'lackey'?"

"After the epidemic a few years ago, I have worked mostly on raising the magical defenses of the kingdom. In addition I am his military advisor and was in charge of the troops during the war with Tusaine." Roger may have been exaggerating a little. "And the lackey is there because one of my fellow advisors has a very...strange sense of humor. And doesn't like me much."

"So you have a military rank in Tortall?" Parker wondered why that sent Alanna scurrying for cover, then mentally shrugged and said, "What kind of magical defenses? They may not work where I'm from, but I'd still love to hear about them." She cocked her head and smoothed her hair back. Hey, she can do the flattery thing too. "I'm sorry one of your fellow advisors decided to make your trip more difficult. Court politics really are a headache, aren't they?"

Roger chuckled. "That they are. I am a Knight of the Kingdom and I am General in time of war. Because there is belief that the plauge was magical in nature I've been working on spells that will notify us when spells of great power are being cast." He smiled charmingly. "Sadly, it keeps noticing that it's a great spell and keeps shutting itself down. Also, I train the young Page's and Squire's who are Gifted. Speaking of, one of my pupils should be here. Squire Alan of Trebond?" Something flickered behind Roger's blue eyes, but his smile never twitched.

"That's... inconvenient." Parker doesn't say stupid, because the equivalent of a burglar alarm that keeps noticing it's alarmed, and shutting off? Not good. But not exactly tactful to say so. "Oh, you know Alan?" She smiled brightly. "Such a sweetheart. He's teaching me how to fence. I don't think I've seen him around today, though."

"I'm sure I'll find a way to make it work. You mentioned college. Do you have an area of interest picked out for yourself yet?" Roger's smile didn't flicker a iota. "A sweetheart?" His eyebrows shot up at the word choice. "Did he finally get himself a girl?"

Parker's smile widened a tiny bit more. Anyone who knew her would know this wasn't a nice smile. "Oh, Alan's had a few dates. Nothing very serious. He's more interested in his studies, I think. As for college-- either law or business. My father owns what would probably be the equivalent of a merchant empire in your world."

"Hm. And you will be helping your brother run the company? A noble pursuit." Something was stirring behind Roger's eyes, but his smile never twitched.

Parker's eyes narrowed. "I don't have a brother." Any more. "I intend to run it myself. I'm the best qualified, and the most determined. It's going to be mine by the time I'm... your age." She smiled sweetly. "But for now, I'm just studying languages, tactics, economics, and martial arts. Thus, fencing. Which is more of an art than an actual defense, here."

"Oh?" Roger's eyebrows shot up. "Well, those are all very noble subjects to study and will come in handy for you in the future. Do you know any magic?"

Parker looked annoyed. "Enough not to mess with it. I have very little talent for it, but I've been studying its effects while I've been here. Curses, hexes, charms gone awry-- you can't miss any of it while you're here." She shrugged. "My world doesn't have any magic, so it's of less consequence, long-term. But I admire those who can manage there. Alan seems to do well."

Roger was still smilling. "Not everyone is so gifted in my world either. I do wish more of them had your opinion of it. I think you will go far. You are good friends with Alan?"

Yes, I had he-- him in several of my classes last term. Advanced Criminal Justice. Political Campaigning. A few others." She grinned. "He thinks our political system is a little insane. I suppose anyone from a monarchy would, really. What's your take on systems of government?"

"Well, I have only been here for a few hours and have not actually seen your government at work. But...everything that is different seems strange to us. I find that being accepting of all idea is always helpful while climbing any social ladder."

"How true." Parker smiled widely, eyes narrowing. "Do you mind if I ask you a question about your military system? I promise, it's very general. Alan has simply mentioned a few things that I don't quite understand."

"But of course!" Roger gestured with his hands to show that he was all ears. "I was in charge of the troops during the war with Tusaine."

"Why are women not allowed-- or in such short supply-- in your military? Alan said something about it being common a hundred or so years ago, but not in fashion right now." She raised her eyebrows. "He didn't get any more specific, and seemed uncomfortable when pressed. I was just rather surprised; it seems a tactical disadvantage."

"A disadvantage? I realize you come from a very different culture, m'lady but even you must realize that women are simply not made for the military. A girl can not fight as well as a boy nor does she have the emotional hardness that one needs for the life of a knight. And women in the military complicate things. Even when there were women knights, no woman became King's Champion." Roger sighed. "Not every girl is like you m'lady. And a hundred years ago, our world was under attack by immortals. You either fought or died. When the Immortals were imprisoned, women went back to their proper place. As for Alan," Roger chuckled. "He is very shy around women. Not that he doesn't have his admirors."

Parker's face turned glacial as Roger continued to talk, then she nodded, smiling with only her teeth. "I disagree vehemently on all points. And I wonder how you can be so blase', if you've never actually met a female warrior. I thought you were keeping your mind open to new ideas?" She paused just long enough to give him time to try to talk, then added, "Proper places are for those lacking imagination, in my opinion. Alan, for instance, seems to have found his place here; he serves on our Student Council, and does a very competent job. And what of his shyness? Better that than to be a shallow rake."

Careers Fair, Fandom High Front Lawn, Friday Afternoon, 07/21/06

Re: ROYAL COURTIER/LACKEY

Re: ROYAL COURTIER/LACKEY

Re: ROYAL COURTIER/LACKEY

Re: ROYAL COURTIER/LACKEY

Re: ROYAL COURTIER/LACKEY

Re: ROYAL COURTIER/LACKEY

Re: ROYAL COURTIER/LACKEY

Re: ROYAL COURTIER/LACKEY

Re: ROYAL COURTIER/LACKEY

Re: ROYAL COURTIER/LACKEY

Re: ROYAL COURTIER/LACKEY

Re: ROYAL COURTIER/LACKEY

Re: ROYAL COURTIER/LACKEY

Re: ROYAL COURTIER/LACKEY

Re: ROYAL COURTIER/LACKEY

Re: ROYAL COURTIER/LACKEY

Re: ROYAL COURTIER/LACKEY

Re: ROYAL COURTIER/LACKEY

Re: ROYAL COURTIER/LACKEY

Re: ROYAL COURTIER/LACKEY

Re: ROYAL COURTIER/LACKEY

Re: ROYAL COURTIER/LACKEY

Re: ROYAL COURTIER/LACKEY

Re: ROYAL COURTIER/LACKEY

Re: ROYAL COURTIER/LACKEY

Re: ROYAL COURTIER/LACKEY

Re: ROYAL COURTIER/LACKEY

Re: ROYAL COURTIER/LACKEY

Re: ROYAL COURTIER/LACKEY