Gender Bending (attn: Tirzah)

[Arette]

Tapping a neatly tended finger throughfully to her lips, Arette dipped a quill on the brown ink and scribbled in her elegant handwriting to her notebook.

 

Novice Tirzah Behen from Saldaea, aged sixteen, has an interesting and unique block of the kind I have never even heard of before. Her mentor Accepted Saline approached me with this challenge as I have successfully helped others to break through theirs before. I have some ideas indeed but I need to discuss with Tirzan herself first and make an assesment of her personality to be able to find a way that best suits her. That will also determine which Tower Guard to approach for assistance. I am not even certain of the needed gender yet. More questions need to be answered to...

 

A light tap on her door interrupted her personal ramblings and a clock on the mantelpiece of her fireplace chimed lightly signaling midday. How time flew, this was the young woman already. A punctual one it seemed, a virtue the Brown Sister appreciated even if it was a necessity for a novice. Some good habits could be taught by exposure and routine and this was such.

 

"Enter", she called as she put away her writing kit. Arette greeted the dark haired girl with a smile and a nod and noticed how ill at ease Tirzan was in her novice dress. Her hair was cropped short ending right below her ears which make her face seem sharper than it is. The eyes were beautifully almond shaped and would have told anyone who knew about things what her home country was. The tan on her skin revealed that she liked spending time outdoors and the Tower would be an unpleasent change in that sense. She would have to make sure to hold as many lessons as possible in the gardens.

 

She stood from behind her desk and motioned toward cozy looking arm chairs. A quick weave of Fire tied off began to warm the water in the tea pot and the cookies were enticingly available on a plate. Only... why was there so little of them? Ah well, she must have nibbled them more than she had intended again. "Lets take a seat and get to know each others a bit first. Saline has told me about you and your obstacle but I don't know if she has told you much about me. I am Arette Nenatiar of the Brown Ajah and...", she blinked "... well, what would you like to know about me?"

 

Smiling at the questions and replying promptly, she continued. "Our lessons will be about the One Power too but first we need to determine how the block of yours has developed and more importantly, how we might overcome it. How old were you when you decided that being a boy would be much more fun and why do you think that it is so?"

 

Arette Nenatiar

Brown Sister

[ashara]

It had been a good two weeks since they had trapped her, but if it had ever been said that time healed all, the festering outrage in her would give the eloquent speaker of the words much more than bubbles of doubt. If she ever met said speaker, she would squash and stamp, insult and attack as well as she could…unless there was a chance that the speaker would calmly decide to reassess said words, take them back, and come up with a sparkly new line that contradicted the previous, heart and soul.

 

Pulling at the dress to ease her discomfort, she knocked sharply against the wood of the door. If they’d let her be and become a Warder, there could’ve been hopes of courtesy and manners being followed, but if any of these Servants of All expected her to fall in with the others Novices who whispered and obeyed, after her dreams had been snatched away, she suspected very little logic prevailed in a Tower that had an ‘ajah’ dedicated to the cause. As the bidding words came, she marched in noisily and surveyed the woman before her. Her mentor had come earlier in the day, informing her-and yes, splutter all you like, Saline was now informing her- that Arette Sedai had come hailing with summons. 

 

She wouldn’t have even gone, had it not been for the fact that maybe this could help her. Maybe, this Arette Sedai would find her block impossible to deal with, give up and send her away. Oh, that would be best. Studying the plain face with its pallor deeply contrasting against the dark eyes set in, Tirzah found herself a little worried. This didn’t seem like someone who would be fooled easily- there was intelligence to her manner and greeting, understanding in her smile and nod. Blast it, trust Saline to find someone who actually would help. Offering not exactly a smile, but an upward turning of her lips that she imagined molded her a little unpleasant to look at, she sat herself down.

 

And was startled.

 

The questions flooded through quickly, but there a sense of….of normality to this woman she hadn’t seen in Aes Sedai before. She was allowing Tirzah to ask her about her, rather than more impersonal matters of just what exactly Tirzah had been summoned for. On second thought, maybe the Aes Sedai was saving that for later. “Well, first of all, why did you come to this Tower?” She found herself asking, saying whatever came to her reckless mind. “And second, has the Tower ever crushed a dream you’ve had?”

 

Taken aback as she was, her answers were not hesitant. Frowning thoughtfully, she spoke and truthfully. “I was about thirteen when I actually decided to step into men’s clothing. Cut my hair, but other than that there was little I changed about myself as a person. I am who I am, and as I found during my younger years, my questions and thoughts better suited the male gender. I prefer their company, and think more in relation to them than I do to the average girl. Boys…being a boy is less complicated. No dresses for one, no worries that my sister seems to have so often, and no odd mood shifts. Does that help, Aes Sedai?”

 

~Tirzah

[Arette]

The questions were more frank than Arette had expected but she had given Tirzah the leave to ask. The girl did definately not lack courage and she intended to answer candidly and openly. "I came to the Tower because I was found to have the spark inborn. There was no other option for me but I was only glad since I did not enjoy living with my relatives who unwillingly raised me up. Life in the Tower was an improvement for me." She smiled at Tirzah's incredulous look. "Yes, even the novice chores. I had been doing as much back at home but here I was at least getting education. And I was absolutely giddy thanks of the vastness of the Tower library. I was destined for the Brown from the start."

 

"As for dreams... well, most young women have all kind of dreams of handsome princes and adventures. The latter the Tower provides ample opportunity for but most initiates find that service to the Tower and the world is more important than any man in the world."

 

Then it was Tirzah's turn to answer her and she listened carefully. "It is good that you have not compromised yourself and caved in to what is stereotypically demanded of young women. That kind of strenght of will and noncompliance are required of an Aes Sedai but be warned, the Tower seeks to refine you in some sense and the process is as relentless and slow as when water shapes stone. You think that you can outpatience us but the Tower never lets anyone go until the Tower is done with you."

 

"Life as a girl may seem easier to you but Aes Sedai are no ordinary women and nor are the initiates of the Tower. I was told that you aspired to become a Tower Guard. Our discipline and training are every bit as demanding as theirs, just in a different way. What is it that you seeked from that kind of a service and what do you resent the most in being in the Tower?"

 

Arette Nenatiar

Brown Sister

[ashara]

Just like her questions, Arette Sedai’s answers surprised Tirzah. Appearances were deceiving yes, and even though she had assumed she had seen through the plain face and marked the thoughtful gaze, this woman was making her think. A life better than the one she had before. What kind of life was that? For once though, she held her tongue and continued to listen. Not only was the Brown Sister’s reply clearly said, the woman seemed adept with making out how Tirzah felt and responded to the other’s words. And indeed, when the mention of chores came she grinned. It was not that Tirzah minded the chores, the orders and the discipline, it was who they came from that had affected her, and sparked off a deep grudge within. She didn’t doubt that Trainees as they were called were subject to a hard and vigorous lifestyle. Listening as carefully, with her eyes sharp on the Aes Sedai’s face, the Sister’s words were having a soothing effect on her temper. While she did weave way around answering exactly what dream, or which man, the details had been enough for Tirzah. She preferred the lady’s opinion to some tale about a broken heart, and nodded.

 

Then the tables turned, and the arrow pointed towards her. She could not see things the way the Aes Sedai did, but she knew what the woman said was true. Firstly, because they were the reasons Cia had been attracted to the Tower herself, these characteristics they had both admired in Aes Sedai, but with different eyes. Cia’s had been aspiring hopeful ones, whereas Tirzah’s admiration had led her to understand that she would rather protect and serve a woman like that, than become one herself. She could not see herself abiding to the severe rules of this place the way she would if the Warders instructed her, nor did she desire ever being looked at in awe the way most people did at Aes Sedai. She had wanted the dust and steel of being a Guard for the Lady, not the skill and Saidar of the Lady. She said as much.

 

“I am the half of one creation. The other half is my twin, Lucrecia Behen. It was always her dream to become a Sister such as yourself, Aes Sedai, and follow the training of the White Tower. It was always my dream to complete the other half of the tale, become the sword where she became the leader. I do not mind being a person’s shadow, there is glory in that itself. Do you not see that it would be so...complete like that?”

 

Pausing for breath she had thought that was enough, but more words came. “I would not resent anyone in this Tower, if they had simply let me be. I’ve every block in me that stops the Tower from desiring a student like me, whereas the Guard would’ve welcomed me, and I know it. I may be stubborn, but I would’ve worked hard to become the best. Simply put, I resent the snatching of my freedom. I am locked in a Tower, but I want to be outside. And all this is more than I expected to tell you, Arette Sedai.”

 

Tirzah Behen

Thoughtful

[ashara]

"Not all Aes Sedai have to be leaders but a certain level of independence and autonomy is required of all Sisters. But it works the same way for the Tower Guards. They may go where the Aes Sedai point but they need to be able to think of their feet and on their own. And that is how it will be with you too. If you desire to serve in the world, you can always go on missions with other Sisters with someone else as the leader. If not, you can always choose an Ajah like the Whites or the Browns who mainly stay in Tar Valon."

 

"The Creator has given you the gift of channeling and it is a rare talent in the world. Too rare to be left to be wasted and unused even if you don't see that yourself. Every student who can be taught to channel is valuable to the White Tower and so are you. With time you will come to understand the responsibility and accept the way in which you will serve the Tower and All."

"There are far too little channelers in the world that we can left anyone go. You may resent us for it all you want, but you will learn and with time you will come to enjoy it. It is a shame that you have a block because a woman's first touch of Saidar usually makes her eager to learn more. Now what do you think of Saidar? Does it scare you?"

 

It had been a meeting of revelations, but now Tirzah found herself shivering off several layers of shock at Arette's question. How did she know? All that the Aes Sedai had before hadn't taken her apart and made her think like she had right in the beginning- what she had said, Sisters and Initiates alike had tried to force down her throat before, except that Arette had chosen more appealling words rather than a forceful fist to squeeze out Tirzah's stubborn nature. How could she possibly see through Tirzah within this short meeting, and have seen her fear linked to Saidar? The sensation, the tiniest embrace though it had been, had scared the living wits out of Tirzah. It had been everything Saline had tried to explain it was, and more. She hadn't expected it to have such a powerful grip on her, because she had always prided herself to be strong. And yet it had. She had been breathless, amazed and unable to let go of it until Saline had entered the room.

 

A dark glare lit her face as she turned to look again at Arette, but the glare was not so much a glare towards Arette as it was towards the subject of Saidar. "Yes, it did scare me. I don't know how you know that, but it did." Indeed, she didn't. Cia was the only one who knew and her sister would never give her away. That was the strength of their bond. "I didn't like it. I mean, it was all there, the beauty and wonder of it all, but I didn't like it. I'd be happier giving it away, if it could be given away."

 

From the look on her face, Tirzah did not like Arette figuring out her fear. She likely also assumed that someone had told her or maybe even suspected the frustrating false belief that Aes Sedai could read thoughts. "I know that, Tirzah, because I felt the same once and so did many other novices I have taught over the years", she said gently. "But we will guide you through it safely and you will learn to control it once you just overcome your fear and resistance. I don't think that your block is so much about fear of Saidar itself but more about the lifestyle that comes with it. Embracing Saidar means giving away your dream and replacing it with something new and that is not easy for anyone. But we will give you time and your mentor and I will support you through it."

"No more of that for now. I would like you to tell me about your views about what it is like to be a young man and a woman. Anything that comes to your mind. Do you actually know what it is like to be a boy?"

 

The tense fear that had gripped her so tightly earlier eased itself away as she listened, but she still felt tiny tingles of frustration. How to tell the Aes Sedai that she'd never felt fear so great before? Not only would that sound foolish, but it would sound unmistakeably vain. And since the Aes Sedai actually did know nothing of her than what research and other opinions could reveal, Tirzah had no way of convincing the Aes Sedai that she was anything but the more than forthright, demanding little student who asked and answered as she pleased. Fumbling through words and feelings as she tried to think of something practical, she was relieved when the topic shifted. It puzzled her that she was grateful for the Aes Sedai's words, because on the other side, she was convinced that she would never give in to the water that molded the stone. Pushing the thought away, she made herself focus on Arette's question. It was an interesting one, but one she knew would be asked, if Arette believed she was going to break through her block. And the Aes Sedai had said anything.

 

"Well, I can swear like one, but I hardly think that was the answer you're looking for. I've been around boys all my life. I like horses better than any silk dress, and swords better than any" and she shuddered while saying the next word, "sewing class my mother could've offered me. I enjoy being a boy, because somehow, things I say aren't taken so badly when they come out from the mouth of Tirzah the lad. And I will always say those things, and I will always be me. Thank the stars no one seems to care whether Tirzah sounds like a boy or girl's name."

"You haven't come off that badly so far and you are still young so you have time to learn. There is no reason why an Aes Sedai couldn't prefer horses and swords over silk dresses and sewing. In fact most Green Sisters likely fit that description." Tirzah would fit the Battle Ajah like a nose to head. She just needed to be weaned off the desire to do nothing but learn sword play. She would come around once her block was just dealt with.... only Arette was very afraid that the two came hand in hand. But she had patience. "What do you want to accomplish in life? Could the One Power help you in that better than the sword?"

 

"I want to accomplish being the best in what I choose. And as of now, well, as of two weeks ago, I had chosen becoming a Tower Guard and in the future, being bonded by my Sister. I'd wanted to be an example for others to follow in my thoughts, and well, make a name for myself. You could say I'm ambitious and arrogant all at once, Arette Sedai. As for the One Power..." Tirzah frowned, as was habit to her when she was thinking hard on something. "I guess it could. But I would be an unfair opponent for someone without the One Power. More than unfair, and people might resent me for that. I am not looking for enemies, but if people are a bother, then there's nothing I can do but keep going I guess." Pausing, she thought again. "However, if I were to give up on my hopes and give in..." Looking straight at Arette, she continued. "Then yes, the One Power would be the very sword I would use if I was forced to start over." A pause, and the silence in between was prickly with confusion, at least for Tirzah. Why was Arette asking her all this? Why had an Aes Sedai suddenly decided to listen to Tirzah's view more than enforcing her own? "However, since I've a block that only lets me dress as a man, and act as one, I've doubt in my mind about how the Tower plans to go around breaking it, without breaking it's own rules first. Unless you're that brilliant." Smugly, she waited for a response. A queer thought in her made her wonder if Arette Sedai really was, but she stamped it down immediately. Pulling at the dress again, Tirzah smiled.

 

Arette and Tirzah

[Wayfarer]

Giggle.

 

Flinging the door open, a man of improbable proportions and copper skin stepped into a room filled with books and occupied by a pair of women, one wearing brown and the other white.  Easily towering over them as he stepped inside, there seemed to be an almost vacant look in his pale blue eyes as he looked over the pair of them.  Garbed in simple woollen shirt and breeches, the latter of which secured with a rope, his hands and feet were so large that they could have been mistaken for hams, his fingers and toes for little fat sausages.

 

Lifting arms that looked more like legs so they were horizontal, the man crouched down a little as he tilted his head to one side.  "I'M A BIRD!  CAW!"  Flapping his arms as he jumped about, he hopped right past the pair and straight for the open door that he knew would lead to the Aes Sedai's quarters.  "CAW!  CAW!  CAAAW!"  It wasn't even until he got to the doorway that a word of protest was raised, no doubt the women were too shocked at the sight to do anything.

 

But, he was out of sight and it was only a few hops and he had the door open to the Aes Sedai's bedroom.  Jumping inside and closing the door behind him and locking it, he heard the Aes Sedai knock on the other side so he knocked back as he called over.  "I'M A COW!  MOOOOO!!!!"

 

Surveying the room as he kept mooing, he looked for somewhere to hide.  The bed was too low to fit him, the shelves would take too long to move and a wall of books would take too long to build.  There was a screen for getting dressed, that would be the perfect cover.  Running over to it, he ducked about behind it and sat down.  Curling his legs up to himself as he heard the door open, he quickly put his hands to his face and covered his eyes.

 

Footsteps.

 

Hearing them stop right near him, he couldn't help it.

 

"I'M INVISIBLE!"

 

Meanwhile...

 

In a room deserted by an Aes Sedai and where a Novice remained, a pair of people in red cloaks, one male and the other female, stole into the room quickly and made a shushing sound at the Novice.  A single leatherbound book sat on display upon a wooden pedestal in a corner of the room.  Grins on their faces, they gave the thumbs up to the Novice as they quickly dashed outside as silently as they had stolen in to begin with even as they heard their companion declare himself invisible...

[Arette]

Arette was just pondering her response to Tirzah when the door to her apartment opened without a knock or any kind of a warning. She sat her back to the door and as she turned to look, her jaw dropped in a very un-Aes Sedaish way. She had never seen a man that big before, in fact he didn't pale to a trolloc. She felt a first stab of fear that turned into a goggle when he began to imitate a chicken. Light, this had to be some sick joke. Surely the Yellows would not bring their wards from the Infirmary to the Tower proper and the Yellow quarters were two floors above those of the Brown's anyway.

 

Then the bloody burning man bounced into her bed room and locked the door. That broke the spell and she sprang to her feet and rushed to the door. She rapped her knuckles on the wood authoritatively if a bit too fast and got a moo and a knock from the other side as an answer in return. Her usually calm temper was definately starting to rise and even if the man really was as empty minded as he appeared, she would find out who was responsible for releasing him and they would be sorry for their carelessness. "Open the door right now", she snapped but the lock remained closed and she could hear footsteps moving away from the door.

 

Embracing Saidar she directed Earth and Fire to the bolt and cut it neatly apart. She pulled the door open forcibly and as the man was nowhere in sight, there was only one place he could be at: behind her screen. She was not the least bit amused by his latest antic and moved to stare at him sternly. "Stand up", she articulated clearly like to a simpleton and when he shook his head with a grin, she lifted him with bonds of Air. His size had her working at the edge of her strenght with Saidar and she glowed brightly to anyone who could see such things. She forced his limbs to straighten before setting him on the floor to stand on his own two feet. She didn't release the binding around him and craned her neck to glare at his strong jawed face.

 

"Who are you and what are you doing in my room?" Slowly and without exploding. The Creator had not given him much sense so yelling at him would not help.

 

Pulled to his feet and set on the ground by a force that could not be seen, he knew that he had been caught.  It wouldn't have been worth continuing the act, except the way the Aes Sedai spoke to him.  His grin opening up as his jaw fell, he was bedazzled by the opportunity that had now been presented to him.  She wanted to know who he was and what he was doing in her room!  He had plenty of answers to give!  He just needed to decide on one.  "I'm Big Mac!  Hiding from Snevrvel!  Thats why Big Mac is invisible!  You can't see Big Mac!  Hehehehe."

 

His reply made Arette heave a heavy sigh and she released him from the encasement. Steadily she eased the flow of Saidar that coursed through her and the world became dull when the last light died around her. He likely would not know where he had come from so she would have to retun him to the Infirmary. "Do not touch anything and follow me." She stepped back to the sitting room and it took her a moment to realise what was amiss. Her book! The Raising gift from Karana. What in the Pit of Doom was going on here? Her eyes bore on Tirzah with fury that finally reflected from her voice too. "Where is the book, you wretched girl?"

 

Following the Aes Sedai into the next room, his eyes weren't quite so vacant while her back was turned.  He couldn't believe he'd managed to fool her, but then he didn't exactly exude an air of refinement.  People tended to make ready assumptions about him from the simple look on his face, exactly the reason he'd ended up running into the room and flapping his arms like an idiot while cawing at the top of his lungs.  The simple look was back on his face as they entered the main room, though he was surprised at the speed that the Aes Sedai noticed the book was missing.

 

He didn't like the idea of the Novice taking the blame for it, maybe there was a way to create a moment's distraction.  If nothing else, her ire would be centered on him when she finally figured it out.  Skipping over to the pedestal, he crouched down on his haunches by it and proceeded to sniff.  Several audible inhales and he straightened again as he looked over at the Aes Sedai sadly.  "Snevrvel."

 

Wandering back over to her, he giggled as he poked her arm gently.  "You're so tiny."

 

Ignoring the giant who lumbered around, Arette had eyes only for Tirzah who had either taken the book or seen who had taken it. The latter option opened whole new prospects. If this was a prank, the people involved would have a hell to pay. "Answer me, child!" The man came to poke her and she realised that she stood only halfway to his chest. She tried to be as if he wasn't there but then he stabbed a sausage sized finger on her. She tried to futilely push the hand away but she could have as well pushed a wall. She merely ceased and stared at Tirzah demanding an explanation.

 

The past few minutes of sitting agape in Arette’s quarters, had been every kind of hell. And to the slightly strange, but mostly just fun loving Tirzah Behen, they had been the best since she had entered the Tower. A giant of a man swooping in, so fleshy and pink and well large that he had an unmistakeable resemblance to a chicken. Upon following Tirzah’s thoughts as if he had caught them and taken glee at her wonderings, the man had burst into a frenzy of actions, leaving Arette Sedai in a mingled state of fury and shock, causing her to snap and command in a voice completely contrasting the soothing voice that seemed to coax every drop of thought out of Tirzah.

 

However, the past few minutes were in fact the past, and without even being able to understand the sudden appearance and disappearance of the other man and woman, she found herself cornered by a rather stormy looking Aes Sedai, and the big friendly giant who had made her laugh. Dice were rolling in Tirzah’s head. Should she laugh or should she be boggled? Should she jut her chin out in anger that Arette Sedai could suggest such a thing? Somehow, no matter how kind the Aes Sedai had been to her since their meeting, mischief’s sparkle was far greater than the other’s promise to break her block. Perhaps this could even stop her from teaching Tirzah. Eyes widening at the realization, she spoke as came to her.

 

“What book?” Receiving a glare, she continued. “Oh that book. Well…it’s umm..gone?” Tirzah shrugged.

 

Mac poked Arette again after the Novice had answered and was insistent.  He had a point to make and it would be made.  "Snevrvel."

 

The girl tried to play games with her but Arette wasn't in the mood. She wanted that book back and now. The first instict was to slap Tirzah, oh how her hand itched to do it. But she had gauged enough of the child to know that the response would be mutiny and besides it would ruin any process she had made and any chance of it in the future. The giant poked her again and she wanted to scream at the simpleton. She didn't do that either but bound him again and forced the hand to lower. She would not be touched now. "Where. Is. The. Book?"

 

Feeling his hand lowered, he couldn't help but let his lip tremble.  In fact, he began to sob right at that moment as he began struggling against the invisible bonds.  He didn't like being restrained in this manner, and he was certainly going to make his discontent vocal.  Wailing as he tried to grasp onto any sad memory he could, he managed to amaze himself as he squeezed a tear out that trailed down a cheek.

 

Oh Light. A big man made a big noise and a giant weeping was something that disturbed even an Aes Sedai's composure. She tried to maintain her glare on Tirzah nonetheless but as the keening peaked, she couldn't take it anymore. Her shoulders slumped in defeat. She would never get the book back. She released the bonds. "Alright, alright. They are gone now. Calm down, please. Calm... No. Stop! What are you... umpf..." Her words were muffled into the bear hug the enormous man gave her. She was lifted into the air as effortlessly as if she was a doll. The man was shaking from the sobs... wait, was that laughter? She began to struggle in vain to be released and finally she was let off breathless and dizzy. Everything seemed to be in order so she merely backed away from the man.

 

Things were not in control and she liked control. She had to get this person away from her room and worry about anything else later. Carefully walking toward the door making sure that she kept the table between them, she beckoned to Mac and Tirzah. "Come here both of you. We will head to the Infirmary now. On the way you will tell me about that book, Tirzah, or we will do a stop to the office of Mistress of Novices and she will persuade you."

 

Oh, how Lucrecia was going to laugh when she heard this one. The strange chicken-man had shifted all the fixed glaring and boiling rage of Arette Sedai straight onto himself, and big tears were rolling down the man who was either unquestionably brilliant, or unquestionably daft. Tirzah smothered her laughter just as the Sister turned back towards her and resumed the steely method that she herself liked to use so often - the “I’ll outstare you before you can even think.” technique had often allowed her to skim past many difficulties she’d faced when she was younger. And she had just the right eyes for staring matches too.

 

It was upon Arette’s words that her even gaze flickered, and her smile faded. The Mistress of Novices? Why, that was the bloody woman who had got her into this mess in the first place. There was no way any man or woman was going to drag her to that woman again. Throwing an apologetic glance towards the teary faced giant, she began walking without a struggle. While her mood did sink by several levels, after receiving such a large -and unexpected - boost in her quarters, Tirzah only held her silence for a few seconds before she spoke. “This isn't going to make sense,” she started, looking at Arette expectantly before continuing. When the nod came, a curt thing that teetered into a nod by just enough, she went on. “While that giant over there ran around and generally let hell break loose, two people entered your room. A man and a woman. They uhh…took the book. I hadn’t even noticed it until then.”

 

It all made sense then, Arette realized with a gasp. She had been duped and the man had been laughing. He was a willing accomplice, an actor of talent and she had fallen for it like any dim-witted sucker. How Tirzah had to be laughing at her too. Well, lesson was over for today. "I see", she managed to say tightly. "You are dismissed, Tirzah. I will send for you again as soon as possible and our lessons continue. Go now and remember that it is not wise to tell everything you see in the White Tower to others." The warning was evident. The novice gave a curtsy and she waited until the girl had vanished to the end of the corridor before turning to the giant.

 

"Where is the book?", was all that she said. The tone was full of quiet menace of the rage that she was still barely able to hold in check.

 

Well, it was good to see that Tirzah, that was the Novice's name, had spoken up.  He really hadn't wanted to own up on his own, though he would have if pressed.  He certainly had no intention of letting the Novice take the blame for something he and his companions did.  But, it had been fun and he wasn't frightened of the Aes Sedai by any means.  They were good women, even if they got a little angry at times with the things he did, like right now.  Maybe it would be better if he just gave her a slight shove so she let it all out.  Well, that and the way she was looking at him, he couldn't help it.  Slapping his hands over his face, he grinned.  "I'm invisible!"

 

This was just too much, the last straw that broke the horse's back. Loosing the last vestiges of her fragile self-control, Arette screamed and began to pummel the man's barrel chest with her fists. She was too angry to get any coherent words out but she tried and the obscenities and curses jumbled together into an uncomprendible mess. The man's skin and muscles were like stone and the pain on her knuckles soon returned some sense. She gulped for breath shivering all over and more than anything she felt bone deep shame. She had made an utter fool of herself and now she had really done it. Aes Sedai took pride on letting nothing touch them and even if something did, they would never let anyone see it. She had never burst out like this before in her life and she just wanted to get out of the situation. She could just dismiss the giant and she wished from the bottom of her heart that she would never see him again. But with him would go the hope of getting the book back.

 

"Where is the book?", she asked hoarsely.

 

Letting the Aes Sedai beat on his chest in a complete act of futility, he was patient as he let her work the rage out of her system with her fists, didn't hurt him any after all.  After a bit she tired of it and came to her senses, though she was still persisting about the book.  Well, now he could tell her, though she didn't look like she was too steady.  Stepping forward and wrapping his arms around her, he patted her on the back even as she went stiff and tried to get away.  "Its alright.  Just calm down, everything will be alright.  Your book has just fallen foul of a scavenger hunt is all.  Its in good hands and being taken care of and the moment the hunt is finished, I'll bring the book back to you myself.  Alright?"

 

How dared he to touch her after everything? Every muscle of her body opposed the unwelcome embrace and she tried to push him futilely away. Her own behaviour just a moment ago had been unfortunate but she did not enjoy being a butt of a joke. It was a shock that the privacy of her quarters had been compromised like that and she was deeply uncomfortable that the thing she valued the most had been stolen from her. And for what? Some bloody scavenger hunt. Tower Guard foolishness!

 

"It is not alright, I want my book back now", she maintained stubbornly. She likely sounded petulant but she wanted this to be over. She didn't want him to return the book and she did not want to see him again. But involving anyone else would mean that others would learn about this and that she wanted even less.

 

"Of course you do."  Still patting her on the shoulder, he released her but quickly took her left hand in his own as he placed his right on her back and began to guide her back towards her quarters.  "But if we give you your book now, we'll then have to take someone else's book and we don't want to do that.  I'm really sorry you're upset, I didn't think you would be this hurt by it.  Maybe a bit angry because we pulled a swifty on you, but not this.  Either way, I'll have it back to you as soon as the hunt is finished, which should be at the end of the day.  I personally guarantee that nothing will happen to it, I promise."

 

The touching continued and she felt like she was almost getting hauled. But struggling would be useless against a juggernaut like him and if someone saw them, it would look very suspicious. "Let go of me. Please." How it galled to add that little courtesy but her words might actually have the hoped result if she did. "I can walk myself. No need to escort me. And you can return the book to the librarians. They will return it to me." She had lost and she did not trust this man but she would have to just hope for the best. Was his name really Mac? His nickname definately fit. She could track him down by his size, though, if he didn't keep his promise.

 

Stopping, he let Arette's hand go and removed his hand from her back, she was very upset.  He hadn't anticipated someone becoming so hurt over a simple prank.  Today was meant to be a fun day, going around and doing some silly things and at the end hopefully winning some prizes.  He was beginning to feel upset himself and he wore it on his face openly as he spoke.  "I'm really sorry, really really sorry.  And I'll not drop it off to the Librarians in case they lose it, I'll see it in your hands personally the moment the hunt is done."  Stepping back and bowing low to her, he turned and began to walk away feeling terrible about it all.

 

Now he made her feel guilty about it, Arette realised with incredulity. Bloody burning man, he had turned everything upside down. She had every right to be angry and she was still. She would not call after him and... say what? Exactly! Nothing. When she had her book back safely, she might consider cooling off. But not a moment before. Bah. Lessons disturbed and possibly her work with Tirzah ruined. She needed a cookie right then. Maybe two. That and a good book would put her on a better mood.

 

As the two strangers parted ways, a young Novice a corner not many paces away laughed. After having been dismissed at what was easily the best part of the whole day, Tirzah had scowled and curtseyed….and then stuck herself behind the nearest corner. Eavesdropping was no crime, and this was too interesting to succumb to her first chance in some time to her thin mattress and sleep. As she heard the muffled voice that could only be Arette Sedai, and the gentle boom (and what an oxymoron, that) of chicken-man, Tirzah suddenly wished she had skill with the pencil or paintbrush, so that she could’ve painted what was possibly the most amusing encounter she’d had since arrival. She had made her way in to the Brown quarters to find an interesting, courteous and thought provoking Sister, who suddenly had shrieked away to transform into a paranoid, anger driven woman. Still, she had to give her points for the control she’d exuded earlier on. Wincing as she spied an approaching Accepted and more importantly, her roving eye Tirzah hurriedly turned away from the scene of drama and began to walk. The pondering continued however. What would the next lesson bring? And just what was so special about that book?

 

Arette, Mac & Tirzah