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

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!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.

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"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."

Roger listened to Parker's speech with his permanent smile in place. "In my world, the two countries that are currently in the greatest economical and political disarray are the ones who have women as their leaders and have women warrios. If a girl wished to fight, she could join the Shang. Many of them do. Many of our women are talented Sorceror's." His smile grew. "The second most powerful sorceror right now is a woman. It's just that the life of a Knight, a life in the military, is no place for a young woman. Only a noble can be a Knight, I'm not sure how clear you are on that. And I do agree with you on the proper places, but there are so many of them that any girl can find herself something proper that she would like." The smile froze at Parker's final words. "And Alan is that. Talented, but shallow and never quite realizing just how much power he holds."

"I guess my society doesn't value propriety over effectiveness. But then again, whatever your world can endure; I suppose it gets the military it deserves." She cocked her head, and lowered her eyelashes as Roger stated his opinion on the neighboring countries, then sweetly said, "So it's *only* that there are women in charge of those domains? No other reason? No outside forces, internal strife, resource difficulties. Gosh. Would that we could find the source of our political troubles so easily."

"I understand that the nobility become knights because they must provide their own arms, and be ready to swear fealty and be able to read. I also find *that* a failing of your system, since many of our greatest generals and warriors were able to 'mustang' their way up through the ranks on their own power. But I suppose Tortall's stability is too entrenched in old ways of thinking to allow the possibility as yet." Parker cocked her head.

"Alan's young. That's why he's at school, isn't it? And you haven't seen him for a while." Her smile widened wickedly. "He might surprise you, the next time you encounter him."

"An important lesson for any politician is to know when it is best to end a discussion by simply agreeing to disagree on favorable terms. We live in very different worlds Lady Parker, they both need very different things." Roger's smile might be a bit freaky by this point. "And I shall see him soon. He's 18 now, isn't he? He'll be trying for his shield this December. Pass on my wishes for luck to him, by the way, since it doesn't appear I'll be seeing him today."

"And I shall see you there! If I'm fortunate enough to be able to attend. I'm certain Alan will extend an invitation to me, if I ask." She batted her eyelashes at him. "And for the record: it's Miss. Parker. I'm not nobility. Just aspiring to the concepts of honor it should hold. It's been ever-so-lovely chatting with you, Lord Conte. Have a wonderful trip home."

Parker spun on her heel, and departed as quickly as she could.

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

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