Regaining a Family

[keyholder21]

ooc: Similar to her Arches, I'm going to post in a few in order to break it up a little. If any Aes Sedai want to respond, especially Blue, then please do!

 

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A group of white clad girls stood in a courtyard in two lines: one line on one side of the large cobblestoned square, the second line on the far side. Each novice was assigned with a task – one partner to practice creating a wind, and the other to amplify her voice over the noise her partner’s wind created. After each partner achieved success, they switched weaves. Miahna walked amongst them, surveying their successes and failures. Every now and then she would attend to a novice who had started to give up, encouraging her onward until the girl was practicing once more. On almost every occasion the novice soon found her footing. This was an advanced class after all – each of these women had already been through several channeling classes already.

 

A bell rang inside and every head in the square swiveled to look at the Accepted. Smiling, Mimi nodded and waved her hand for them to scurry back into the tower, and scurry they did. The Arafellin chuckled softly as the novices practically ran over each other to get to wherever they needed to go next. Did I act that ridiculous? Recalling a few specific tasks stemming from her novice days, Mimi answered her own question with a resounding yes.

 

Reentering the Tower herself, the Accepted set off toward the Red quarters. She was assigned to attend one of the Sisters today. Though there was still a few minutes before her appointment, it almost always paid to be ahead of time. There were some Sisters that considered being on time late and in case Zarinen Sedai was one of those, Miahna certainly didn’t want to upset her. Perhaps I’ll have some extra time after to visit with Larindhra Sedai, the Arafellin considered, adding the honorific ‘Sedai’ even in her head. After the Red Sister had helped Mimi through her family’s massacre at the hand of her youngest sibling, the two had kept a tenuous friendship. Tenuous only because it toed the line of what was considered proper for an Accepted and an Aes Sedai – after all, one mustn’t show favoritism.

 

Singing a tune under her breath, Miahna floated up the staircase nearest the courtyard. Her time in the White Tower had taught her a great number of things, including how to glide like a lady rather than tromp like a commoner. It had been difficult in the beginning; she didn't think twice about it now. She could flip between the two ways of walking without batting an eyelash.

 

Reaching the top step, the Arafellin started at the sight of Valeri Sedai standing in the hallway, shawl draped around her shoulders. She must have business with one of the Sisters. It wasn't incredibly shocking that an Aes Sedai would need to converse with another, but it was rare to see the Mistress of Novices out of her office. And especially rare to see her with the Ajah shawl draped around her shoulders. Furrowing her brow, Mimi remained focused on that shawl as she made her way forward toward Zarinen's rooms; the very rooms that Valeri Sedai currently stood in front of. I thought they wore the shawls mainly for ceremonies...

 

"Miahna Telonne," the Mistress of Novices said quietly as she stepped in front of the Accepted, "you are summoned to be tested for the shawl of an Aes Sedai. The Light keep you whole and see you safe." She locked her eyes with Miahna's emerald pair before she turned and walked away. The Aes Sedai did not look back; the initiate was expected to follow.

 

Hesitating outside the Red Sitter's door for a moment, Should I tell Zarinen Sedai that I won't be attending her?, the Accepted strode quickly after Valeri Sedai. There couldn't be a better excuse for missing her appointment. The Arches didn't wait on anyone and Mimi surmised that neither did the test to be Aes Sedai. Perhaps Valeri Sedai had already told the Red Sitter for her. Besides, once she gained the shawl she couldn't be punished for not attending one of her Sisters, right?

 

She caught up to the older woman after a mere few steps. The bells at the ends of the dark braid jingled in the quiet hallway. Mimi was quietly vibrating with nervousness; it felt like at any moment her body might explode into a thousand tiny pieces. Good thing Valeri Sedai was ahead of her instead of next to her. Taking a deep breath, the Accepted forced her body to calm down. The vibration slowed into a shallow pulse until it left her system all together. At that point, the two women had descended into the basement of the White Tower and were standing in front of a set of massive stone doors. Miahna was pondering how the two of them were going to open the doors when Valeri Sedai embraced Saidar and the doors swung open silently. It would have been disconcerting that they hadn't made any noise if the Accepted's attention hadn't been on the oval ter'angreal in the center of the room.

 

The ter’angreal was unsupported and appeared to be floating in the center of the room. An Aes Sedai of every Ajah stood on the edges of the room. The Sisters seemingly unimpressed by the ter'angreal stared at the pair of women who had walked into the room. Raising her voice - which sounded louder in the silent room than it probably would have in a bustling hallway - Valeri Sedai called out one word: "Attend," and the seven Aes Sedai glided in to surround the Mistress of Novices and her charge. Each Sister’s face was schooled to that of perfect serenity. Despite the fluttering in her stomach, Miahna schooled her face to serenity as well.

 

"You come in ignorance Miahna Telonne, how would you depart?"

 

This is really it.Mimi thought briefly before swallowing and answering the question. "In knowledge of myself."

 

"For what reason have you been summoned here?"

 

"To be tried," Miahna said strongly, tamping down on the fluttering feeling in her stomach until her entire body was once again still.

 

"For what reason should you be tried?"

 

"So that I may learn whether I am worthy." So that I may show you all what I already know: that I am.

 

"For what would you be found worthy?"

 

With confidence, Miahna stared straight into Valeri Sedai's eyes. The woman who had welcomed her into the Tower, taught her discipline, taught her how to follow authority, how to respect authority. "To wear the shawl." She said simply, her emerald eyes flashing with defiance lest anyone try to tell her otherwise. Mimi thought she saw the hint of a smile on the Mistress of Novice's face before her attention was diverted.

 

The seven women around her embraced the Source. Mimi listened attentively to Valeri Sedai explaining some last minute directions and felt a weave of something brush the back of her head. What in the flaming world?She thought, irritated that she had not been informed about everything within the ceremony. Repressing the urge to look back at the weave's owner, Miahna stared at Valeri with intensity.

 

"You will see this sign upon the ground," the Mistress of Novices stated as a six-pointed star flickered in the air next to her.

 

"Remember what must be remembered," spoke a disembodied voice from behind her. Though she itched to look back, Miahna remained facing Valeri Sedai. The older woman didn't seem troubled and Mimi trusted her, so she ignored the weave and the Sister behind her.

 

"When you see that sign you will immediately go to it. Use a steady pace, to rush or to dawdle would mean failure. Only once you reach the sign may you embrace the Source. The weaving required must begin immediately and you may not leave the sign until you have finished." The words were imperative, but the blasted woman's voice maintained a bored monotony. Miahna blinked and nodded.

 

"Remember what must be remembered," the voice said softly again. I'll remember to suggest that they change this part, Miahna thought annoyed.

 

Valeri Sedai continued in her slightly bored tone, "One hundred times you will weave, in the order you've been given and in perfect composure."

 

"Remember what must be remembered," the Aes Sedai behind her said again. The Arafellin reminded herself yet again that she must stay still; she wanted to turn around at smack the woman. Of course she would remember what she needed to remember...

 

The circle of Sisters the split and moved to the center of the room where they knelt around the ter'angreal and embraced the Source. Removing her clothing, Miahna noticed the air had a damp chill to it - her skin bubbled up into goosepimples as her shift went over her head. Having no shift left the Accepted Lightclad save for her Great Serpent ring. The ring was last; Miahna felt like she was tearing off her own eyelids as she slid the ring off her finger. It had sat there unmoved for nearly a decade. Shaking her head at her idiocy, she removed the ring swiftly and placed it on top of her dress. It would be replaced as soon as she finished and she would never have to remove it again if she didn't want to.

 

Glancing up, the Arafellin saw that the center of the oval ter'angreal was now a brilliant white. It’s far brighter than a novice dress could ever be. As she stared, the ring started to revolve. Miahna walked forward, ignoring the cramp in her stomach as she briefly remembered her Arches. This can’t be any worse than those blasted things… Her thoughts trailed off as she entered the white glow.

[keyholder21]

Stumbling forward, Miahna entered the dark forest. Usually, nature made her feel good – better, more alive. This wooded area, however, felt the exact opposite. The hair on the back of her neck itched as it rose and her emerald eyes scanned incessantly; every fiber of her being screamed to turn back, but Mimi knew that she could not. There was a child in here somewhere and he could die of starvation or an animal attack if she didn’t find him. She put one foot in front of the other, making a path through the dense forest.

 

Her dress snagged on a branch and Miahna dropped painfully to one knee. I thought that branch was a little farther away. Standing, the girl brushed her skirt clean and shook her head to regain her bearings. She strode forward again, intent on finding the child quickly. Her imagination kept picturing Tessa or Rolland as the lost child, which only spurred her on more quickly.

 

Tripping over an exposed tree root, Mimi landed roughly on the ground. Frowning, she once again stood up and brushed off her skirts. That was decidedly odd – she didn’t remember seeing that root and looking back at it, it didn’t appear to be sticking out of the ground enough to have tripped her. Apparently I need to lift my feet a little more.

 

Miahna looked forward and widened her eyes as the forest...changed. Trees moved forward, blocking her path. They encircled her, their branches swinging forward to connect with her back, her knees, her torso, her head. Vision swarming, the Accepted suddenly stood straight up as a six pointed star appeared at the base of her feet. Taking one step forward, she embraced the Source and started to weave a combination of Earth, Fire, and Air. Blows continued to reign down on her, sending lances of pain reverberating through her body, but she remained standing and channeling.

 

----

The chamber was dark and silent. You could probably hear a pin drop. Her shoes echoed as Miahna walked across the room and into the hall. She frowned as the hall also appeared dark and silent. There was never a time that there wasn’t at least a servant or a novice in the hall. The clack of her heels sounded foreign to her ears as the Arafellin made her way through the Accepted quarters. Mimi tried to door to her room, but it wouldn’t budge, so she tried the room next to hers. Coincidentally that would not open either.

 

After trying all the doors and finding that they wouldn’t budge, Miahna traipsed over to the Valeri Sedai’s office. Her door, too, wouldn’t budge, and Mimi heard no noise from inside. The woman was always in her office at this time of day. Come to think of her, the Accepted in the room next to her was also always in her room at this time of day – she’d set it aside for study time every single day of the week. There has to be somebody somewhere! Her bells and heels echoed softly against the empty hallway as she made her way down to the Kitchens. The Kitchens were always manned.

 

Arriving at the dining areas, Mimi frowned. This place, too, was abandoned. The stoves lay silent and the hearths cold. A place between her shoulder blades itched and she realized why she felt so unsettled – the air felt old, as if no one had been here in years. That’s impossible! I was just here! People were just here! It was very disturbing. She ran a finger across the nearest countertop and blinked as it came away with a thick smudge of dust.

 

Of its own accord, her finger drew a symbol on the countertop. A six pointed star. Mimi gazed at it for a moment before dragging a chair over and climbing on top of the counter to stand on the star. She embraced the Source and began weaving; dust motes continued to float through the stale air.

 

---

 

Mimi walked through the hall, her emerald eyes facing forward. All around her women from the White Tower – novices, Accepted, and Aes Sedai – burned. Their voices pleaded with her to put out the fire, all it would take was a simple Water weave, but she looked only ahead. She’d made that mistake earlier. As bad as it smelled; the sight was worse. Blinking slowly, the Arafellin stepped over a burning body. The fire licked up, catching the banded hem and igniting furiously. She wanted to scream in pain, but she choked it back, something overriding her to stay silent. As the flames cut into her flesh she walked on.

 

A six pointed star appeared at the end of the hall. The pain was agonizing, but Miahna kept the steady pace. She knew that reaching that star would end the fire, end the pain, but that she must remain calm. Her foot stepped on the star and she embraced the Source. The fire ate up her backside as Mimi weaved Spirit, Air and Water. She gritted her teeth, forcing herself to finish the weave. The flames disappeared as the last weave clicked into place.

 

----

One more time and that’s that, Mimi thought, a bit smugly. She wasn’t quite sure to what she was referring, nor why it felt like it had taken her a long time to get there, but she was smug about it. Her feet kicked up red dust as she made her way home from town, coating the bottom of her threadbare dress. Her arms carried a bag of food, including fresh fruit that she’d bargained away from the shopkeeper. It would be a feast for dinner tonight. Her stomach rumbled in anticipation.

 

She arrived home a few minutes later – the old farmhouse looking slightly shabby against the beautiful scenery. Mimi made a note to start repairing the windows as soon as she got a chance, and to mention to Kagan and Cale that they might want to put a paintbrush to the house. Because her hands were full, Miahna kicked open the door. Heaving the bags onto the table, the eldest Telonne girl bustled about the kitchen preparing dinner. There was a roast to put on the fire, bread to slice, vegetables to peel, etc. She whistled a tune and then set into singing a song softly as she peeled and chopped some potatoes, followed by some carrots. It was an old song, something Mother had said her mother had sung to her. Miahna rarely felt in the singing mood lately, but picturing her brothers and sisters faces when they saw the large dinner on the table tonight made her happier than she’d been in a long time.

 

It struck her, in the middle of slicing bread, that the house had seemed oddly quiet during her dinner preparations. Her mind wandered through a few possibilities before deciding that the lot of them were probably playing in the woods and had lost track of time. They’d be home soon enough – she wouldn’t let that ruin her good mood. Putting the knife down for a moment, Mimi opened the door again and called out for them to come to dinner. Returning to the bread, the Arafellin stared at the counter where a few cut pieces and a half a loaf lay. What did I do with the knife? Scratching the top of her head between the dark braids, she scanned the kitchen looking for the large knife.

 

Miahna whipped her head toward the main room as she heard a little giggle and the scamper of some small feet. Placing her hands on her hips, the oldest sister called to her siblings. “Okay, whoever took that knife, bring it back! I have to finish slicing the bread for dinner. Actually, come to think of it, why don’t you bring that knife in here and slice it yourself as another of you sets the table!” She grinned and wiped her hands on her apron.

 

“Whatever you say Mimi,” said Tessa as she sidled into the room. Her grin stretched across her entire face; it looked unnerving instead of mirthful. She held the knife behind her back, walking slowly to the bread. Her older sister shook at her head and walked over to the stove, as if the younger girl was being ridiculous and Miahna wasn’t quite sure what to think of it.

 

“Where’s everyone else?” Miahna asked as she ducked down to check the roast. A thunk sounded as Tessa sliced another piece of bread. The younger girl giggled again. Thunk thunk thunk in rapid succession as her sister pulled the main course from the fire.

 

“In the other room.” Tessa said simply, her back to Mimi. She placed the bread in a bowl, her pieces on the bottom, and whipped around to put it in the middle of the table. “They’re waiting for you.”

 

Puzzled, Miahna lifted an eyebrow and stared at her youngest sister. Wiping her hands on her apron, Mimi walked in the main room. Tessa rushed up behind her; a breeze from the quickness of her movement ruffling the small hairs on the back of Mimi’s head that had come loose from her braids. “What are they doing?” She asked, only to receive no response.

 

The room looked as quiet as it sounded. At a quick glance, one might not notice the puddle of dark liquid starting to show under the couch, or the toe of a boot protruding from under a dark blanket. Miahna’s eyes swept across the room, only to be drawn to that boot. She walked over to the bed and threw back the covers, barely holding back a gasp as the glazed eyes of her brother Cale stared up at her. His mouth was twisted into agony and three stab wounds seeped a burgundy liquid out of his chest.

 

Another giggle sounded behind her. Horror crept through her body as Miahna switched her eyes from the lifeless eyes of her brother to the merry eyes of her sister. Tessa waved the knife in a hello and stalked toward her. Looking back down to the bed, a trail of blood had formed a six pointed star. Calmly – how was she calm!? – Mimi sat down on the sign and embraced the Source. She started to weave a shower of meaningless sparks when she heard a moan from across the room. Kagan sat up, shaking his head from side to side slowly and blinking as it to put everything back into focus.

 

“Tessa! Mimi!” He cried, launching himself as the smaller girl. She grunted and dropped the knife as she fell, the object spinning until it stopped hilt first in front of Miahna’s toes. “Mimi! Grab it! Move it out of her reach!” Kagan screamed as Tessa furiously struggled to get out from under him. His face contorted into agony as his sister bit down hard on his ear and twisted her mouth away.

 

Mimi’s heart clenched, but she kept weaving. For some reason, she knew this was of the utmost importance. She closed her eyes as she snapped the last strand of Spirit into place; Kagan’s screams continued to ring in her ears.

 

---

 

The Accepted blinked as she stepped back into the damp room. Pain seared through her entire body, but it was her mind and heart that hurt the most. Why in the name of the Light would anyone make her go through that again? Mimi forced her tears away as the Mistress of Novices stepped up to meet her at the base of the ter’angreal. “It is done. Let no one speak of what has passed here. It is for us, and only us, to share in silence with she who experienced it. It is done.” She clapped softly – to the tune of Kagan screaming – and turned to regard Miahna. “Miahna Telonne, you will spend tonight in prayer and contemplation of the burdens you will take up on the morrow when you don the shawl of an Aes Sedai. It is done.” Clapping again, Valeri Sedai moved back as a Yellow Sister glided forward. Gratefully, the Arafellin stood as the Yellow Healed her body. If only you could Heal my other wounds...

[keyholder21]

The night passed much like her nights a few years ago. Miahna did not spend the time sleeping, but alternating between crying and screaming into her pillow. The same emotions from all those years ago ripped through her in rapid succession leaving her breathless as the sun started to peak over the edge of her small window. “I will never let a darkfriend rip apart a family like that again.” The Arafellin swore to herself as she sat on the edge of her bed. An exaggeration, no doubt, but the intent was the same. Just as she had decided with Larindhra years ago, Mimi would devote her life to ending the string of heartache and death that darkfriends left behind.

 

Dragging the tray closer, Miahna shoveled in a few bites of the bread and thick soup that had been left for her. Even room temperature it tasted delicious. She stood, then, and tidied the room for the next girl. She’d barely finished when a knock sounded. Opening the door, Mimi saw that the seven women waiting for her were the same women that had attended her ceremony yesterday. Though she was not yet a Sister, Miahna looked each Aes Sedai in the eyes before she pulled the door shut behind her.

 

The eight women moved briskly and quietly through the early morning halls. An occasional novice looked on in confusion, or an Accepted in jealousy, but overall the procession moved without incident to the bowels of the Tower once again. The Green Sister of the group embraced the Source and the heavy doors swung open noiselessly. Inside, the Amyrlin and her Keeper of the Chronicles waited.

 

“Who comes here?” The Amyrlin asked as Miahna and her escorts stopped inside the doorframe.

 

“Accepted Miahna Telonne.” The Arafellin forced back a smile at realizing she would never be an Accepted again.

“For what reason do you come?”

 

“To swear the Three Oaths and thereby claim the shawl of an Aes Sedai.” Finally!

 

“By what right do you claim this burden?” The Amyrlin’s monotone made Valeri Sedai’s voice last night sound like the height of emotion. Mimi blinked.

 

“By right of having made the passage, submitting myself to the White Tower.”

 

“Then enter, if you dare, and bind yourself to the White Tower.”

 

Oh I bloody dare! The Arafellin exclaimed to herself. Outwardly, Miahna merely glided ahead, stopping only when she was a few scant feet away from the Amyrlin. From the corners of her sharp green eyes, Mimi could see that the chamber was lined with Aes Sedai – three Sitters from each Ajah and a Sister from her escort. Ahead of her, the Keeper stood with the Oath Rod on a velvet lined pillow. As Miahna slowed to a stop, the Amyrlin lifted the rod from the pillow and held it out to the former Accepted.

 

Mimi strangled back a giggle that threatened to escape her mouth. She swallowed – her throat felt a bit dry – as she took the Oath Rod from the Amyrlin Seat. Still, that didn’t stop her from swearing the Three Oaths, from finally becoming Aes Sedai.

 

“Under the Light and by my hope of salvation and rebirth, I vow that I will speak no word that is untrue.” The Arafellin shifted on her feet as her skin suddenly felt tighter.

 

“Under the Light and by my hope of salvation and rebirth, I vow that I will make no weapon for one man to kill another.” Mimi blinked slowly as the pressure increased. Her studies of the ceremony said nothing about this.

 

“Under the Light and by my hope of salvation and rebirth, I vow that I will never use the One Power as a weapon except against Shadowspawn, or in the last extreme of defending my life, or that of my Warder, or another Sister.” She shuddered as the set of Oaths compressed around her body, binding her to the words she had just spoken.

 

Nodding, the Amyrlin stated the last words necessary to the ceremony, “It is half done, and the White Tower graven on your bones. Rise now, Aes Sedai, and choose your Ajah and all that will be done that may done under the Light.” The older woman took the Oath Rod from Miahna and replaced it on the pillow with a swift and sure motion.

 

Mimi kissed the Amyrlin’s ring and turned around to the twenty eight women that stood behind her. While she debated over Ajah choice for a long time, wondering if her passion made her a choice for Red, her love of studying a candidate for Brown, her determination an applicant for Green, there was only one Ajah were she could use all of her talents. Miahna glided toward the Sisters of the Blue, their causes were her causes and vice versa. She paid no attention to the rest of the Sisters taking their leave as the Blues held out a shawl, just waiting to place it on her shoulders.

Edited November 8, 2010 by keyholder21

[Wayward_fool]

Regalia Frantelle kept her face smooth and serene. She had not achieved the agelesss look yet, but that did not matter for age was not a measure of authority in the White Tower. It still amused her greatly that there were Aes Sedai who were far older in their years who had to differ to her. But this thought was not to occupy her interest for now. A new sister of the Blue. Her eyes drifted to the slim, dark haired girl who was treading towards her. Beside Regalia stood three other Blue sisters, all Sitters including the First Selector, Elyssa Lliet. But as the second newest sister of the Ajah, it was Regalia who held the Blue fringed shawl.

 

"Miahna Telonne." Regalia's voice was cool as she spoke. She smiled slightly and moved to drape the blue fringed shawl across the girl's shoulders. "The Blue Ajah welcomes you home, sister. My name is Regalia Frantelle, and as the last sister to join the Ajah it is my duty to guide you through our traditions. Attend." Regalia tapped her nose amusedly as the girl looked curiously towards her. "For one thing, it is a tradition, ancient beyond ages, that every sister parade through the White Tower clad only in the Light." Regalia almost blushed at the memory. "As such..." She gestured to Mimi. "Proceed."

[keyholder21]

Miahna beamed at the Blue Sisters as the youngest Sister draped a Blue fringed shawl over her shoulders. It was strange to think of herself as an equal to these women now; similarly strange was the fact that the next raised Accepted to the Blue would have Miahna as a guide. She didn’t think her smile could grow any bigger, but that thought kicked it up a couple of notches. She turned her attention back to Regalia, reigning in thoughts of what she would do as her first day as Aes Sedai. The first novice she would scold, the first dress she would wear, Light – her quarters!, as the woman tapped her nose and smiled mischeiviously.

 

The Arafellin barely retained her composure as Regalia enlightened her on the Blue Ajah tradition of parading through the Tower ...Lightclad only. The Blue gestured to Mimi and the new Aes Sedai looked down at her banded dress. She did need to take it off anyway, though she’d planned to wear something with a little more coverage and lot more warm. She returned her emerald gaze back to the four women in front of her. “Are you serious?”

 

The Aes Sedai nodded and Mimi sighed. She was definitely comfortable with her body – she just didn’t need other people getting as comfortable with it. As she started to remove her clothing, a few things occurred to her. She asked them in rapid fire. “Do I need to take off my Great Serpent ring? How fast do you mean by parade? Are you ladies following me or do I meet you elsewhere afterward? Should I then put my banded hem dress back on or do I find something else to where?” She finished with her shift and then stood there with her hands on her hips, the silver bells at the ends of her braids and the gold Great Serpent ring on her left hand were the only things she still wore.

[Wayward_fool]

"Peace, Miahna." Regalia smiled pleasantly. At least the afternoon was turning out pretty interesting. "I will answer the questions one by one, if you will let me. You may keep your ring, although it is now up to you which finger you wish to keep it on. There is no tradition in that. You will walk with us, and walk where we walk. At the pace we walk. And while you are free to greet your friends and accept congratulations, tradition states that you do not leave the group nor enter any rooms while this walk proceeds. During the walk, I will brief you on other things within the Ajah, things you must keep secret for it is Ajah bonded." Regalia embraced Saidar and wove a Ward around them. "We will be Warded against eavesdropping as we speak, but rest assured any friends you encounter will be able to speak to you. Do not worry, they are used to our ways."

 

Regalia glanced at the Sitters, who nodded amusedly. "Alright then, we shall proceed. The order we will parade will be Yellows first followed by Red, White, Brown, Gray, Green, Novice quarters, Accepted quarters and then end off at the Blue wing. Do not worry about your belongings in your Accepted room, by the time the walk is over the porters would have moved them to your new room amongst the Blue." Regalia pulled her shawl closer to her body. She seldom wore the shawl these days except to official functions and the last time she had left the White Tower she had gotten a second shawl. "You may have your shawl with you, but I always believe in being proud of being a woman. Even amongst the porters. Let us proceed."

 

The Sitters formed a triangle and Regalia led Miahna to the centre while she led the ring. The Ward glowed about them with Saidar. "There are many traditions within the Blue Ajah. Some more important than others. While your Novices and Accepted lessons may have taught you what we stand for and why we exist, it probably left out most of the intricacies of how we run. For one thing," Regalia paused. "Sisters in the White Tower are ranked by strength and not age." Regalia let herself feel the other woman's strength. "Which means should you meet an Aes Sedai who is stronger than you, you must differ to her. Not as an Accepted differs to an Aes Sedai, but as a younger sister to an elder one. You will heed her advice and do as she advices. To be rebelious and insubordinate would be undesirable." Regalia turned a bend. Already they were in the more crowded part of the Tower. Aes Sedai walked past the little group, but they were used to the Blues. The only excitement was that there was a new sister amongst them, and not that she was Light clad. It would probably be different with Novices and Accepted. "There are exceptions to the rule, however. Authorities such as Sitters and Heads of Ajah are obviously immune to comparisons in strength. If a person is placed as leader of a delegation, even if she is the weakest in the Tower, she will be obeyed. Our Head of the Ajah is called the First Selector, and Elyssa Sedai is our current First Selector. This is not to be mentioned to anyone outside the Ajah. Not. At. All."

 

And so they walked, as Regalia mentioned detail after detail of the Blue Ajah. Things only Blue sisters knew about. It was a long list. And only finished as they passed the Green Ajah wing.

 

"We will now proceed to the Novice Quarters. You may ask any question you have and I will do my best to answer." Regalia reWarded their group and they walked on.

[keyholder21]

The new Aes Sedai stood there in front of the Blues listening to Regalia as the chill of the room caressed her bottom. She winced as goosepimples started to form on her arms and legs. I hope it’s not this flaming cold in the rest of the Tower! Miahna wasn’t sure if it was better or worse that she would be with the group of Sisters. On one hand, at least she’d be partially shielded, but on the other, a group of Aes Sedai moving through the halls was sure to bring attention…especially when one was wearing nothing…

 

The second newest Blue embraced the Source and wove a Ward around the group. Too bad she didn’t add a lick of Fire to keep Mimi warm. Rubbing her hands up and down her arms, Miahna tried to keep her jaw from dropping as Regalia related that the Arafellin would truly be parading through the entire Tower. From the Aes Sedai quarters to the Novice and Accepted. The woman finished with what sounded like a challenge: "You may have your shawl with you, but I always believe in being proud of being a woman. Even amongst the porters. Let us proceed." Lifting her chin, Miahna folded the shawl in front of the women and merely held the bundle at her side as she joined the group.

 

It was surprisingly not bad. Her body warmed up and soon forgot the goosepimples as they walked; most of the time Miahna forgot to pay attention to the fact that she was naked. As Regalia and the Sitter relayed important information about the Blue Ajah, Mimi hung onto their every word – locking it away to remember when she needed it. As the young Aes Sedai standing closest to her explained about strength, Miahna realized that she’d been comparing herself against other women for about two years now, though she didn’t know what she’d been doing and of course she hadn’t treated them any different. It made sense when she thought about it, the reason for how other Sisters had acted around each other. Weighing herself against the other women in the group, Miahna was pleased to find that she was in the middle, power wise. Ah well – if she couldn’t be the highest, at least she wasn’t the lowest. With a tiny hesitation, however, the Arafellin did realize that she would need to defer to Regalia.

 

Mimi nodded frequently as her Sister continued to enlighten her about the Blue Ajah and Aes Sedai-dom. It was a lot to learn, amounting to nearly the same amount as when she was novice and Accepted, except she was supposed to be able to act on all of this tomorrow, if necessary, today! It wasn’t really a surprise to her that the Ajah had secret weaves – she suspected they all did. It was a surprise that it could be tweaked so that all could do it no matter their particular strengths in the Elements. Definitely a pleasant surprise, that.

 

A blush crept onto her face for the first time as they entered the Green wing. For the first time during the parade there were several men present. The servants earlier had averted their gazes, but there were a few Gaidin here who did no such thing. A few of them even grinned at her. A few of the Blue Sisters chuckled and one in particular highlighted the group with a relatively scandalous story from when she paraded through this wing. Mimi would have suspected it wasn’t true, but merely thought up to put any new Blues at ease if the Oaths hadn't been involved. She widened her eyes and smiled at the Sister, thanking her with a nod of her head. The older woman returned it with a short nod of her own.

 

"We will now proceed to the Novice Quarters. You may ask any question you have and I will do my best to answer." Regalia reWarded their group and they walked on. Miahna breathed in a sigh of contentment as the new Ward contained that lick of Fire she’d wished for earlier. Her skin warmed to a comfortable temperature and she glanced at Regalia.

 

Considering for a moment, Miahna asked a question that had been brewing at the back of her mind. “What is the protocol for leaving the Tower? Do I need to get permission from the ..First Selector? Is there any sort of training I have to do first? Are there any traditions for the first night as a new Blue Sister?” It wasn’t that the Arafellin particularly wanted to leave the White Tower – it was her home now – but she felt a tug pulling her away. She’d set a goal for herself and she intended to act on it as soon as she could. They walked into the novice quarters and Miahna laughed as the girls in white paused to stare at the group and her.

Edited November 12, 2010 by keyholder21

[Wayward_fool]

((Heyhey... I'd PM but the PM system is down. You included the line, "one in particular highlighted the group with a relatively scandalous story from when she paraded through this wing. Mimi suspected it wasn’t true, but merely thought up to put any new Blues at ease." Well, umm... I don't know how to tell you this, but unless you suspect one of us to be Black Ajah, I don't think you should consider anything we say 'thought up'. Because that would be against the Oath. We might not tell the ABSOLUTE truth, but to be caught with an outward lie would be ever so dangerous. Regalia'd step in and decapitate whoever it was on the spot. *lol* Just sayin. If ya could change that, it'd be great.))

 

Regalia smiled cooly at what seemed to be impatience radiating off the new Blue. It was often like this. She herself had spent many hours in quiet contemplation as Accepted, trying to fight the urge to run into the world as soon as she got Raised. And when she finished with the test for the shawl, she had to constantly remind herself that she needed to keep matters in perspective. The Ward went back up as they left the Green quarters.

 

"Aes Sedai are free to leave and return to the White Tower as they please. And for as long as they please. I have not seen some of our sisters for a long time. And everyone has their own mission and cause to fight for. So, no, there is no generic protocol to leaving. However it is always good to leave word with the Ajah as to where you are. Very often, it might be necessary to request help or be contacted for various matters. So, try not to go sneaking off in the middle of the night." Regalia led them towards the Novice Quarters. "Training is probably the least of your worries right now. There are protocols that will be required of you to deal with today. Paperwork and suchlike. And while there are weaves you will be taught, it will take little time to learn them. Besides that, everything you need to know will be explained during this walk. Everything else you live and learn. Your sisters are always around to provide help should you need it. So you need not ever worry about being alone anymore."

 

As they approached the Novice Quarters, Regalia and the Sitters stepped closer to Miahna. It would not do to have Aes Sedai embarassed in front of Novices, but most of them thought it as a penance anyway. Novices scurried and bobbed quite curtseys, many of them lingering their eyes on the naked sister but too afraid to stare. Many of the Novices were familiar with Regalia, having attended her lessons regularly, but a contingent of Blue Sisters was rare. But they did not stop there for long.

 

"What are your plans for the days ahead, Miahna?" Regalia asked as they left the Novices and were Warded again. "If you don't mind me asking, that is."

[keyholder21]

ooc: Oops haha. Yeah, that was an earlier edition of the post and apparently I uploaded the wrong one. Sorry about that; fixed it a day or so ago :).

 

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Paperwork? Miahna thought, her nose scrunching slightly at the statement. It hadn’t occurred to her in all her time of training that Aes Sedai would need to do paperwork as well. Sure, writing missives to and from the White Tower to the Sisters out and about, and things like that. Shrugging, she turned her attention back to Regalia. Obviously there was a lot Mimi didn’t know and this Blue was kind enough to tell her. Idly she wondered if the information was presented in the same way to every Sister, or if that differed with the woman introducing the Ajah secrets. A brief thought, but filed away for next time. Regalia was attempting to enlighten Mimi and she needed to pay attention.

 

As they approached the novice quarters, Regalia and the Sitters stepped closer to Miahna. Miahna laughed, and two of the other women wore a small smile as novices scurried and bobbed quite curtsies. It was apparent that the girls in white did not want to incur the wrath of any of the women present, but it was a rare sight indeed to have a cluster of Blue Sisters. The Ajah was the smallest in general and also the smallest in the Tower. The Blues were exceptionally committed to their goals and those goals weren’t often attainable within the shining walls of the White Tower.

 

As the group left the novice quarters and headed toward the Accepted portion of the Tower, Regalia inquired about Miahna’s plans for the day. “Why would I mind you asking?” the new Sister said without hesitation. While she would still need to stick to some decorum around her fellow Aes Sedai, the Arafellin was happy to flex her bluntness again, even if just a little. “I hadn’t thought about it much – as I wasn’t sure what ceremony would dictate and how much time would be caught up in that. I suppose I am curious to see my quarters. I have also considered going into Tar Valon to commission some dresses – it will be great to wear color again! I also plan to spend time looking for a good horse; I haven’t ridden in years.” All Borderlanders were trained in riding, but Miahna hadn’t spent much time on a horse since she started taking care of the family and then arrived at the White Tower.

 

“Regalia,” it felt weird not to add the ‘Sedai’ at the end. Was she still supposed to do that with Sisters higher than her? “well now I have two questions when I thought I had only one. Firstly, what do new Sisters wear before their own dresses have been made? Does the Tower or the Ajah have some basic ones set aside for a new Aes Sedai, I can hardly think that she must wear her banded dress still. That could provide some awkward situations I’m sure.” She paused as they entered the Accepted halls. It was both more and less embarassing than the other hallways, even the Green wing. These were the women that she’d spent the last decade of her life with, give or take some who were already Aes Sedai. Mimi looked forward to reconnecting with those ladies. She stood up a little straighter as she nodded and smiled toward some of her closer friends. You’ll be here soon enough she thought to some of them, Well, probably not here, but an Aes Sedai nonetheless.

 

“Secondly, what’s the protocol for what to call other Sisters, especially those that I must defer to – do I still add the honorific ‘Sedai’ at the end of their names?”