A Visit (ATTN: Nox / Open)

[Matalina]

Nox had never been to any of those things and he didn't know what chad.. whatever she said was.  Though he'd heard some stories of objects of immense power.  Nox didn't need that sort of thing he knew the taint was gone, but it had left it's impact before it was gone.  Saidin was different now.  Before he had to reach through the oil slick on top before he could seize it's great power, now it was just there in all it's dark glory.  It still sang as beautifully as before and Nox wanted to touch the source, but he knew doing so in front of a Red he might find himself in worse situation.  

 

His thoughts started the spiral again and Nox focused on her words she asked him about the book.  "Histories of Mayne."  Nox held it closer. 

 

He wasn't sure if he liked to read books, but Adrim was chuckling as he stood nearby. "He doesn't so much like to read but takes comfort in them.  In focusing on what each letter says, how it sounds and the words they make.  If he can keep his mind active he can pull out of the anxiety and paranoia.  Learning to read was the hardest thing he had to do here."

[Jagen Sedai]

Jagen only nodded. She finally picked up the tea and took in the smell to see what kind it was.  She took a small sip out of politeness and kept the cup in her hands. She didn't know anything about Mayene, other than where it was on a map and the few facts she could recall from political lessons over the years.

 

This visit certainly took a turn she would not have predicted, but she was getting useful information at least. She felt perhaps she should not have mentioned the Choedan Kal, lest the boy get it in his head to try to get more power. She wondered how strong he was, how strong they both were.

 

A curious look on her face, she turned to Adrim. "Have you ever linked before? I wonder if such a thing would help, or hinder your friend here. Of course, I am not talking of giving you control, but I do think the wonder of feeling saidar might draw him back to some state of normalcy."

[Matalina]

Adrim laughed.  "I don't think linking with the big bad Red is going to make him better.  He's fine.  Though to answer your question.  I've never linked.  I'm an instructor here I never had the opportunity to to work with the Aes Sedai."

 

Nox pulled the blanket around him.  And sipped at the tea.  He felt his heart calming and his body unfreezing.  But he didn't want to feel Saidar.  He didn't care.  Nox wanted nothing to with power.  Just his.  Nox was shaking his head.

 

Adrim looked back.  "You overestimate his curiosity."  Adrim smiled.  "Saidar may be wonderous in your opinion, but he has enough issues dealing with his own wondrous power. Though I wouldn't mind a demonstration. That might show him Saidar is nothing to be afraid of.  However, his fears are irrational and not likely to be extinguished upon a demonstration."  

[Jagen Sedai]

Jagen took another tiny sip of the tea. Her blue eyes watched Nox for a time before she pointedly turned her body to face Adrim more than Nox. "Perhaps today, it is not the best time," she told him. "There are... rules... to linking. It is not surprising you have not linked before. Two men alone cannot link--this combines their power. But two men and one woman may, or a man and a woman." This certainly confirmed that, yet again, they were only children in use of the One Power. Even if they could kill with it.

 

Then again, a novice, even she can kill with the One Power, properly trained or not. "But you should know about linking ahead of time, before it is even attempted," she stressed, and her eyes flicked to Nox. "Including that whoever leads such a linked circle has control over it, and you cannot simply let go of the One Power. The leader, they are leading the circle and must do that. Thus even if you decide to try to get out of a circle, you cannot, and it should only be performed with those one trusts." She sipped the tea again. "Even had Nox agreed, I would not link you today. But in the future, I may be willing."

 

It stunned her at times how quickly her own attitude had changed about Asha'man. Or perhaps it had not--only her method of handling had changed. She had to adaptable to an extent, after all, though she still considered these men dangerous creatures. Even when she was a newer sister she realized the importance of bending on certain issues to address the situation. One had to be somewhat malleable.

 

Still, there was information she purposely did not tell them about linking, not yet, anyway. She gave a nod, long, beaded braids clicking together. "Perhaps this can be considered the beginning of a... partnership. Though that has already begun. I was part of the first group, Adrim, to even brooch the subject of bonding men who can channel. I am here as an ally, not en enemy."

Edited February 26, 2018 by Jagen Sedai

[Matalina]

Nox stood up and was walked with an awkward gimp as his foot had fallen asleep underneath him.  Nox really didn't like the idea of giving a woman control.  He didn't like giving his control to anyone.  Well .... Nox pushed those thoughts away.   She would be offended by them anyway.  Nox idly wondered if all Aes Sedai were such prudes... or maybe she was too old... Aes Sedai were said to be hundreds of years old and still look like young women.  

 

Nox stood several feet away from the Red.  Still his mind threatening to trip him up again, but control he had.  He'd prove it to her, she seemed to think he was a danger.  He was not!  But he didn't want linking, or an Aes Sedai.  He'd heard about the bondings but had been in Tear most of that time away from all the action.  Probably because Adrim thought he was incapable of dealing with it.  And he probably was.  Last thing the Aes Sedai needed was to see him in a bad moment.  Now Nox was fighting the anxiety of the whole White Tower hunting him because he was dangerous.

 

He sighed and pushed it all down.  Stamped it hard like he was packing dirt into a sink hole.  A sink hole that never filled.  Nox plastered a fake smile on his face.  "I apologize for my issues.  I can't imagine you want to stay here.  Is there anything else you'd like to see?  An actual class?  Or I could make a gateway for you to return home, save your travel time.  Or even to the city itself here? "

[Jagen Sedai]

Jagen smiled politely as she set down the tea, half finished. Watching that boy, she was sure he was faking it--or was he so mad already that his mood really was fine, just that quickly? The Red could not be sure. No, she was sure she had enough of him today.

 

"That is very kind of you, Nox." She stood and adjusted her skirt and looked between them. "I believe we have had a good conversation today. But I will be heading back the way I came." She left it at that. No need to give any details on what she could or could not do, or how strong she was. Or even where she was going. Yet Nox was strong in the Power, it seemed. "Perhaps next time I visit, we may have tea again, but I will announce myself next time." She paused, then added, "And perhaps bring a friend. My understanding here, it is that Aes Sedai are not so uncommon around the grounds anymore.

 

"Now, I hate to take any more of your time, but you could escort me back to the stables, yes? I think I've seen enough for today. And it is almost time for lunch." She looked expectantly between them, not really caring which would offer her that escort. What was important in Jagen's mind was that she should not walk alone here, and it was always better to be seen with someone; let people make of that what they would.

[Matalina]

Nox inclined his head to hide a smirk.  Likely tired of him already.  It was the usual response when people found out you were dangerous and you had issues as Adrim like to say.  "As you wish.  This way."  

 

Nox walked slowly so she could catch up instead of looking like she was being led around.  Nox watched everything as they passed.  The mannerisms of the others there, of the families.  The dogs that ran around chasing the cats.  It was more like a village at times but nearly every man here could wield the power of Saidin.  Nox wondered if it was like that at the White Tower.  He shook his head, no it couldn't be.  Not if the White Tower creates women like Jagen Sedai.  He wasn't certain any Aes Sedai was fun to be around he hadn't meant any yet.

 

The walk to the stables was across the farm.  Adrim was one of the first here, he built his home far away from the smell of the stables and the tanneries.  Important pieces of the puzzle, but not very pleasant to be around.  The same boy from before greeted Nox with a smile.  "She leaving?"

 

Nox nodded.  "Aye.  Can you get Vega ready quickly please, I think Jagen Sedai wishes to leave sooner rather than later."  He turned to Jagen Sedai with a bright smile - it was still fake his heart was racing, and he was having trouble keeping his breathing in check.  Too much today, he needed to get back into the rhythm of his life. "Mac will get Vega for you.  Do you need me to wait with you while he readies her?"

[Jagen Sedai]

Jagen inclined her head slightly to Adrim, not as an equal, but more like a person as dangerous as she; two wolves who watched one another warily. She followed Nox out quietly. She watched Nox half the time on their way to the stable yard, and made some observations of the Black Tower--stupid name, she thought, when they had no Tower; but the name still served its purpose unfortunately--and tucked those observations into the back of her mind. She'd be making a map of this place, soon, between this information and that of other sisters who'd visited ahead of her. And those who would come. She wasn't sure yet what she would do with that information, and it hardly mattered now; what was important was that she had it.

 

When they got into the stable and the young boy came up, Jagen looked as if she had no idea how to react in the kid's presence. Before she had been distracted, but she seemed to step around Nox and move away to wait casually near the entrance; in truth, she didn't like kids and didn't want to be around him. But it also made her uneasy that children were here, to be corrupted around men who could channel. "What happens if one is harmed?" she asked, but then shook her head when she saw Nox looking at her. She smoothed her features still. "No, there is no need to wait. But I will return. I may ask for you." Then the Aes Sedai looked away, over the flatness of the town full of channeling men. All around her men still worked with saidin. "You may go."

 

Jagen did not bother to look at him again; instead, she stayed as she was, watching, still as a statue, until the boy had Vega ready to go. Without a word she swung up into the saddle and set her mare at an easy trot. As much as she wanted to get far away from this place as soon as possible, the Red made herself take her horse out three miles before weaving a gateway big enough for her and Vega to go through, the White Tower shining like a beacon in the sunlight on the other side.

[Jagen Sedai]

(If you wish, btw, I wouldn't mind reading another reply; I did enjoy this thread very much!)

[Matalina]

13 hours ago, Jagen Sedai said:

(If you wish, btw, I wouldn't mind reading another reply; I did enjoy this thread very much!)

 Me too.

 

I continued directly next day ish:  

 

[Jagen Sedai]

Nice, thanks for the link :D