Melianna in the Tower (ATTN Mon)

[Tigara]

OOC: I'm new, so if I mess up, bear with me, please. My bio is here. http://forums.dragonmount.com/index.php/topic,21592.0.html

 

IC:

 

Melianna was still flabergasted at the suddenness of the recent events. She had no words to say as the Gray Sister escorted her up to the Mistress of Novices Office. It seemed like a very long walk, which was more of a slow trot at the pace the Aes Sedai was setting. The Sister did not even bother to hide her joy.

 

I don't know why she's so happy. So she found me. Big deal Melianna thought to herself.

 

Occasionally on the way down a hallway, she would glance at a tapestry on the wall that looked like it would fall apart from the slightest wind.

 

My father wouldn't be caught a year dead selling something trashy like that! I thought Aes Sedai had better taste.was another thought crossing her mind when she wasn't so baffled.

 

They came to a large door when the Gray Sister finally stopped.

 

"Wait here while I go talk to the Mistress of Novices, child." said the Sister in an almost eager voice.

 

She disappeared into the room and closed the door behind her with a click.

Melianna studied the floor, then the walls, then the ceiling, then her shoes. She thought they had taken enought time to bake a loaf of bread in there.

 

I wonder what they could be talking about...

[Wayfarer]

OOC:  Never!  I expect perFeCtioN! :D

 

IC:

 

"That is a bit curious."

 

"I know!  I'm surprised no one noticed it sooner."

 

"You know I can't count this on the tally."

 

"What?!"

 

"Fair is fair, its one thing to be out there in the world and find someone, its another thing to be in the Kitchens and looking for an extra roll to take to your room and just stumble across someone accidentally."

 

"Bu-"

 

"Ah!  Miri, you know full well it wouldn't be fair."

 

"Bugger fair!"

 

"Miri!"

 

"Everyone else had an equal opportunity, if they weren't paying attention well its too bad for them."

 

"I'm just glad this room is warded against eavesdropping.  You know, if that to be Novice outside were able to hear this, it would probably ruin her image of Aes Sedai?"

 

"Dar, you know you want to give me the point."

 

"... I'll think about it.  You realise I will get dirty looks and a few choice comments with us being from the same Ajah?"

 

"You've never quite struck me as fragile."

 

"Go and bring her in already, and you can go back to your dissertation on Murandian politics.  Or lackthereof."

 

"Murandy is very misunderstood, if you ju-"

 

"Out!  And send her in already."

 

                    *                    *                    *

 

Smiling as the girl was shown into the room, Darienna was unperturbed at the thumbs up that Mirian gave her behind the girl's back.  She could maintain Aes Sedai reserve with the best of them, it was just unfortunate that she rarely felt the need to do so.  Well, not unfortunate as such, it was nice having such an open sister, but it was problematic out in the world where she sometimes deemed the reserve unecessary when it was in fact rather useful.  Hence why her travel duties had been curtailed for the meantime and she had been left with writing papers and teaching classes.  No doubt Mirian would be informing other sisters throughout the day that she was a student magnet, even able to find new potential visiting the Tower itself.

 

Removing her pipe from her mouth, Darienna gestured with it to the pair of seats before her.  "Come, take a seat.  Melianna isn't it?"  Getting a nod from the girl as she went to sit down, Darienna reached over to the left of the desk and dragged a particularly large ledger across.  Opening it up, she began to flick through the pages even as she spoke.  "Well, I'm not sure precisely what Mirian Sedai told you, so I'm going to give you the basic explanation of what has happened and why you are here."

 

"You're here because you can channel.  That means you can do things like this."  Embracing saidar, Darienna wrapped a thread of air around the quill in the inkpot and then floated it over to her outstretched hand.  "Yes, a lot of seemingly impossible feats may become possible for you here if you have enough strength for it, some women who are able to channel cannot even do that, others can create earthquakes and storms of disastrous magnitude.  That is something you will only be able to discover with time and study for yourself."

 

"As for why you have been brought here and possibly not given a choice in the matter."  Darienna had a vague suspicion that Mirian had virtually snatched and grabbed her.  "If you don't train and learn at least basic control, the power within you will cause to become sick and every recorded case of a woman falling ill for this reason ends up dying in an agonising fashion.  Since we don't want that, you are here to at the very least learn that basic control, so you are not in danger or endangering anyone around you."

 

"But, that might be a little too much to take in at once."  Finding the right page, Darienna placed the pipe back in her mouth as she looked up at Melianna.  "For now, I need to enter you on the Novice roll.  If you would give me your full name, age and place of birth or origin?  And perhaps you would tell me about that tattoo on your hand?"  Darienna nodded at what she recognised to be a clan marking of the Sea Folk.

 

 

Darienna Ceradin

Mistress of Novices

 

OOC:  Well, hi :)  Your posting is pretty good so far, did notice a small thing though in your bio.  Seafolk carry their clan and lineage tattoo's on their left hand, the right is for themselves.  Interesting lineage too, you should probably explain it to Darienna, it'll leave her wondering how she's meant to fill that category :)

 

Sent you an email as well with some materials you might not have had...  Well, I did except I screwed it up, I forgot the map which I sent in a second email :)

[Tigara]

Having listened to the small lecture, Melianna figures out some of what has happened.

 

"My father told me that by birth, my name is Tsunami dur Northwave. But I have never gone by that name. I go by Melianna Hollmen. I am 17 years old. I do not know where I was born. But I can share some of my origin. My Father is a wealthy merchant in Arafel. He is of the last noble house of Caralain to be able to track his liniage. As for my Mother, all I know of her is the little my Father knows. She was a Sea Folk Trader who had stopped in Tear. That is all I know."

 

"As for my tattoo, I know very little. My Father said I have had it since I was born. People I have talked to ask about it, and i have no answer. Some say it indicates the clan I come from among the Sea Folk, but if it is, no one has been able to tell me which one."

 

Seeing the Aes Sedai writing all this down with the tiniest fraction of the enthusiasm the Gray Sister had, Meli worried.

 

Come on, Meli. it's not like you have not been to tar Valon before. You've even been in the Tower before. But why does it seem so different when Father is not here. I don't know what the Aes Sedai have gotten me into, but I intend to keep my head.

 

Sweat beabed down Meli's face as the Aes seadi behind the desk comtinues writing....

 

OoC: OK, thanks. I'm kinda nervous doing this. Thanks for the Sea Folk stuff, too!

[Wayfarer]

Now that was interesting.

 

Sea folk, Arafel and Caralain all flowing through her veins.  Darienna had to wonder about the truth of it, but the girl's light brown skin marked her of sea folk blood as did her tattoo so that much was true at least.  Kandor could be seen in her manner in turn, though of Caralain if it were true, there was little more than the claim.  Unsurprising as it had been a dead nation for a number of centuries now, but it was interesting that the girl claimed it nevertheless.  It also left her wondering how best to note down where the girl was from.

 

Melianna Hollmen/Tsunami dur Northwave, Seventeen, Arafel/Atha'an Miere/Caralain...  No, that didn't look confusing at all, whoever succeeded her would be a touch wroth no doubt if they actually consulted the record.  But, that would be awhile yet, and by the time she retired as Mistress of Novices she'd be ready to travel again, away from the Tower and away from being pestered about how she chose to keep her records of the students.  But, she was becoming too lost in her thoughts and from her peripheral vision she could see the effect it was having on the girl.

 

"Relax, Melianna.  I'm just thinking...  While I'm thinking I may as well get your Novice garb.  If you would stand up for me please?"  Watching as Melianna complied, Darienna stood from her seat and puffed away on her pipe as she slowly walked about the table.  Looking her up and down, Darienna walked around her so she could see her from her side, then from behind, then from the front again.  "Alright, I have a fairly good idea of your measurements.  Just wait here."

 

Walking to the door to the sideroom, Darienna opened it up and disappeared inside as she began to look through the different sets of Novice Whites.  As she did so, she kept talking.  "Now, the next thing I have to do is select for you a mentor.  Your mentor will assist in your education, but their primary purpose is to help you settle in and make sure you have another person to talk to about anything that worries you if you don't feel you can come to me about something.  Which you shouldn't feel, just so you know."

 

Appearing from the sideroom with several novice dresses over her arm, Darienna gestured for the girl to follow her outside her office.  From there, she began to lead "And now we will go and find your mentor, I have in mind someone I think will be good for you.  In fac-"

 

Stopping in her tracks as she noticed a tawdry mess of a tapestry, Darienna narrowed her eyes as she waved her hand towards it.  There was a brief shimmer before the tapestry seemingly restored itself to perfect condition.  "An illusion, someone clearly thought they were amusing."  She already had a fairly good idea of who it was, she would have to catch up with Rory later about it.

 

"I'll have to talk with them later, come along Melianna."

 

 

Darienna Ceradin

Mistress of Novices

 

OOC:  Its Jen's post next, your mentor :)

[Jaydena]

ooc- The bio for this character is not cross checked, once we get talents, etc sorted out I will post as the mentor of Melianna. Thanks guys.

[Guest Arie Ronshor]

Ooc: It is :) we sorted it out. Just the details were dismissed, but this player is free to RP as both have been remedied. :)

[Jaydena]

OOC- Thanks Andrea

 

Jaydena sat down to eat her breakfast and wished the day to be over already, there were many tasks she was not looking forward to this day. One of which was her reports that needed doing. She still couldn't believe she was Ajah Head and filling out that report for the Amyrlin as well as her own reports as Sitter and Eyes and Ears. Biting into the strawberry in front of her she closed her eyes and just enjoyed the moment, ignoring the stack of paperwork and the shopping that need done. The organizing and the fact that she needed to go to her office and work there as well. She picked up the delicate cup in front of her, ivy leaves crossed the paper thin glass, and drank the tea in her glass. Her thoughts wandered to the times when she used to share her breakfast with her lover, the person she loved more than anything in life, now she just lived without anyone, her only love was for the Tower and her Ajah. A lover just wasn't worth the pain; she doubted she would ever worry about that area again.

 

Of course life had a way of changing, so maybe she would find a lover, someone she could whip into shape, who wouldn't leave her for another woman. Jade laughed at that thought and started giggling quite hard. Standing up she walked toward her door to call her servants to clean up when there was a knock at the door. Jade tilted her head as she was apt to do and opened the door. A woman she hadn't seen in some time stood at her door with a street clad girl in town clothes and not novice whites. The girl had several sets of those over her arm and Jaydena eyed her for a moment, taking in the smallest details. She enjoyed teaching Novices and Accepted and had been offered the Mistress of Novices position more than once. Doing it once in awhile was fine but not something she wanted to do day in and day out. Her eyebrows shot up, it had been some time since she had had a new mentee and this one was unusual, honey coloring with a Seafolk tattoo on her hand.

 

She patted her dress to make sure it was in place and refrained from looking down at it, she hadn't been expecting company. Auburn hair was hooked atop her head in an elegant design, secured with sword shaped hair pins. The thick mass often tumbled down her curl down to her bottom, a green dress with roses at the cuffs and waist, a shiny satin fabric with a golden rose worked belt around her waist. A matching necklace and earrings sparkled at her ears and neck. She saw the girl look up at her face and almost sighed, her face looked different in the mirrors these days. Burn marks crossed her face now and she often scared small children in the street, even with her mask on. The mask covered half her forehead, around her nose, most of her cheek but luckily not her nose or chin. They all had to sacrifice something for the Tower and hers had been her beauty. She smiled and her emerald green yes lit up, well at least she still had that she thought. Looking over at the stack of papers one last time she shrugged, there was nothing for it. "Hello Darienna Sedai, it's been some time since I saw you around the Tower. Please come in and introduce me to this young lady, who I can only assume is a new mentee for me." She winked at the other woman and opened her door wide for them. Her room was clean and well ordered, with weapons on the walls, crystals glittered on every surface, as she had a thing for crystals. Her floor to ceiling bookcases at the entrance were packed full of tomes and swords on stands stood in front of some of them.

 

A Green sister had a suite of rooms, enough room for 4 or more warders, a bedroom for herself, a small dining room, kitchen area, living room, and office space. As well as a bathroom area for herself and one for her Gaidin’s. Her room was done in pale greens, emerald green, and other jewel tones. Roses and ivy leaves were in heavy evidence and all the fabric pillows, blankets, etc had been sewed by her many years ago. There was even a blanket folded on her couch with a large Aes Sedai symbol sewed on it. A mentee had given it to her years ago when she had been Accepted. A rose carved cherry wood table stood in front of the pale green couches. Across the room was a small dining room with a breakfast bar, hutch, and table, all done in the same pattern as the coffeetable. She motioned to the table, "Would you like me to order tea?"

 

Jaydena Mckanthur

 

[Tigara]

Melianna looks around the room with awe and fear. Awe for the vast array of weapons and crystals on the shelves. Fear of the woman clad in green that seems to dominate the room. She studies her toes in avoid looking at this woman at all. Something in the back of her head told her that if she looked her in the eyes, Melianna would melt. She fought very hard to not run out the door or hide behind the Mistress of Novices. She had to be brave. She couldn't turn back now, not that they would let her.

[Wayfarer]

Smiling at the subtle wink that Jaydena gave her, Darienna had to admit that the room was impressive.  The first time she had seen it in fact, not the way she would and indeed had not decorated her own, but a weapon was her last resort as opposed to her profession.  But then, that was why Jaydena was Green Ajah and why she was Gray Ajah and why the Tower had both.  There was a time for words and a time for swords, something that the young girl who had just been enrolled as a Novice would learn to appreciate for herself as the years passed by and she found her way in the Tower.

 

The effect of the surroundings was obvious on Melianna, wide eyed and tense as she took in her surroundings.  As Jaydena asked about ordering tea, Darienna shook her head as she placed a hand on Melianna's shoulder comfortingly.  There wouldn't be any need on her part at least, perhaps Melianna would appreciate some to settle her down though.  But, Jaydena would take care of that.  "That won't be necessary Jaydena Sedai on my part at least.  But, let me introduce you.  This is Melianna Hollmen."

 

Turning Melianna a little so Darienna could see her face, she smiled.  "This is Jaydena Sedai, one of our Green Sisters.  The Green Sisters are our warriors, the ones you will most likely find in the Borderlands helping the northern nations keep the Blight and its horrors at bay.  She will be your mentor, the person who helps you settle into your life in the Tower as well as your studies."

 

Looking to Jaydena, Darienna's smile became apologetic.  "I'm sorry I can't stay, I have other things I have to attend to so I will leave the pair of you to become acquainted."  Nodding at the reply she had, she patted Melianna's shoulder once before letting it go and taking her leave.

 

 

Darienna Ceradin

Mistress of Novices

[Tigara]

Melianna's heart sank into her stomach. Not only was she in a room with with this very intimidating woman, she was now alone with her. Once again, it took all her energy to not curl up in a ball and wimper, or call after the Mistress of Novices, or run, or a million other things she would prefer to do than be here in this room with this lady. She decided it would help if she gave a curtsy, so she gave her best, which was not very good. She never really had to before. Whenever a person requiring one was present, her father scurried her away.

 

"Well, no better time to learn than now" thought Melianna.

[Jaydena]

Jaydena laughed softly as she looked down at her new mentees face, the Mistress of Novices had bowed quickly from the room and now the little girl looked like she was about to be slayed. Shaking her head she walked to the door and headed outside, she found a novice and asked for a tea tray to be brought to her quarters. When she was done she headed back to her room and saw the young woman looking around her quartes curiously while she had been away. "Hello there my child, I promise I am not horribly scary. You will have to learn to be respectful with all Aes Sedai but I am your mentor and I will help to guide you through all things in this Tower. I am just like any other woman under this mask just horribly burned."  Jaydena stepped around the front of the girl and removed her mask, showing the horrible burn that circled her eyes and took up part of her cheek. "Congratulations my dear you have gotten the medical maricle for a mentor. The Yellows still don't know why they couldn't heal me." She chuckled and put the mask back on before a knock sounded at the door, she opened the door, motioning to the table she watched as the novice set the tea up on the table and curtsied before leaving the room. Jade turned to her and said, "Why don't you pour the tea my child, I have to go get something out of my room. She smiled and then walked back into her bedroom.

 

Once inside she made a beeline for her wardrobe, she reached inside and organized something before walking out of the room with it. She handed the package to her mintee and said, "My mentor Kaylan Sedai gave me one of these many years ago and I added some things to it." She watched as Melianna opened it and revealed a wooden box made out of maple with a tear shape in the center, which was the sign of a AS, she motioned the girl to open the box, upon opening the box, you could see, several drawers and two lids that flipped up in the middle. Melianna opened the first drawer and inside we're seven glass bottles in different colors. Inside the colored bottles we're 7 different colors of paint. Brown, Green, Red, Yellow, Gray, Blue, and White. At the end of the row was a clear bottle full of a solution. Jade saw the confusion on her face and waved for her to continue opening the drawers. She wouldn't understand until she opened all the drawers. The next drawer contained a small jar which had a tray on the inside made out of wood and a small brush inside the jar with fluid. Several small squares of fabric were also in this drawer and a brush that matched the one in the liquid but was larger. She closed the drawer and then went on to the third, in it was a velvet pouch, which contained three charms done in silver, one was a tear drop like on the box, the second was a serpent eating it's own tail, and the last one was a intial, the intail M. Jade kept one of each letter so that she always had the right letter for who ever she was giving a gift to. Jade was known to give gifts on a regular basis, she had large amounts of money from the family business and enjoyed spending it on others.

 

She watched as the girl closed the door and looked up at her. Jade smiled and said, "Open the doors my child." Inside the doors were two more velvet pouchs. Jade watched as the girl took the first one and opening it, pulling out a pendant. It was shaped like the upside down teadrop and had a outline as though something was supposed to go on the inside of the ridge. The second pouch contained a long chain also in the sterling silver of the pendant. Jade smiled at the startled look on her face and then said, "I give this same thing to all my mintees. Hand me the box my child and I will explain it to you." Taking the box in her hand she closed it and said, "Ok this box has been stained or veneered all over except for the AS sign as you can see. If you look at you necklace and the charm that match you will notice that they are the same design. The necklace is what Kaylan gave me so long ago." Jade reached into her neckline and pulled a necklace just like hers but with much wear, only Jade's was painted green. Jade watched the comprehension dawning on her face and continued, "The paints in the first drawer are what you can use the paint the box, the pendant, and the charm when you decide what Ajah you have chosen. The paint should stay good for at least 15 years so don't worry about it drying out. Keep it sealed and it won't dry out. The clear bottle contains a varnish to put over the paint, so it will shine. The second drawer contains, jewelry cleaner, you can use it for these and then when you get your ring you can also clean that. The cloths and brushes are for cleaning also. You of course can't wear the charms unless your in your room, and the necklace will have to stay under you dress out of sight till you are raised." She smiled and waited to see what Melianna thought...

 

Jaydena Sedai

 

[Tigara]

Melianna was speechless. She had never been given something as special as this. Of course her Father gave her lots of gifts, but none that looked even a third this expensive. She ran her fingers over the necklace and the charms.

 

"Thank you very much, Jaydena Sedai! I love them!", she said with a great deal of excitement. The Aes Sedai didn't seem so scary anymore, at least with her mask on, she wasn't. That nearly frightened her out of her skin.

 

"I'll make sure no one finds them until I'm raised." she quickly added. She smiled.

[Jaydena]

Jaydena smiled as the girl spoke and ran her fingers ove the smooth wood and the metal of the charms and necklace. Melianna seemed more relaxed around her and that was at least part of the reason for the gift, she liked giving gifts but she found it also helped the girls get to know her better if they didn’t think of her as the scary Aes Sedai. The girl smiled at her and then spoke, "Thank you very much, Jaydena Sedai! I love them! I'll make sure no one finds them until I'm raised."  Jaydena nodded and then picked up her tea which the girl had poured for them. She looked at Melianna, she seemed like she was healthy and from good stock and she seemed to be fairly intellegent, she couldn’t have been here for more than an hour and she was already using the term Sedai. “Well my child let’s start with some rules, you must address all Aes Sedai with either Sedai in front of their name or behind their name. Accepted you will called Accepted and their name after it. They are a step above you and to be looked at with respect as well, though sometimes you will hate them and us you will still treat them with respect. If you don’t you will be sent to the Mistress of Novices and trust me you won’t like that. She may seem kind but from what I hear she’s got a deft hand with a paddle. You will take classes in a number of things, including how to handle the source and you will also do a lot of chores. Do you have any questions for me?”

 

Jaydena Mckanthur

 

[Tigara]

"Yes, Jaydena Sedai", Melianna said with a bob after she explained the rules. "I will try my best to keep them."

 

She thought for a moment.

 

"Jaydena Sedai, how long do you think it will take to become an Aes Sedai? And can you tell me anything about this?" She put forward her tattooed hand.

[Jaydena]

"Yes, Jaydena Sedai, I will try my best to keep them." The girl executed a quick curtsy as she spoke. This one seemed pleasant and easy to please. The girl would go out of her way to give of the best impression and Jade didn't see her as much of a rule breaker. You never knew though, sometimes the easiest ones to get along with turned out to be the secret troublemakers. Jade could only hope that this one made it to Aes Sedaihood, so many of the Novices and Accepted lately hadn't come out of the rings, or had refused, or hadn't passed their one-hundred weaves test. They couldn't afford to lose anymore potential Aes Sedai, the Tower was already small as it was. "Jaydena Sedai, how long do you think it will take to become an Aes Sedai? And can you tell me anything about this?" The Novice held out her left hand and Jaydena lifted the hand and began to examine the small marks. "Well child, I know almost next to nothing about the Sea Folk, they were never my field of interest but I would say that this is a Sea Folk tattoo that signifies your Clan. Were you born of the Seafolk and raised by them by child?"

 

Jaydena Sedai

[Tigara]

"Well child, I know almost next to nothing about the Sea Folk, they were never my field of interest but I would say that this is a Sea Folk tattoo that signifies your Clan. Were you born of the Seafolk and raised by them by child?"

 

"I was born of the Sea Folk, but I was raised in Arafel by my Father." she replied disappointedly.

 

Melianna

[Jaydena]

"I was born of the Sea Folk, but I was raised in Arafel by my Father." Jaydena blinked at the young woman, so her Mother was Seafolk, and she didn't keep her child. That was fairly uncommon among the Sea Folk, they usually were into family. Perhaps it was because the father was a wetlander. She was interested enough to ponder who knew enough in the Tower about Sea Folk to help the girl out. "Well child that is very interesting, I wish I could tell you more, it can be hard not to know your Mother, but I bet there is someone that can help you out. I will ask some of the Aes Sedai and see if I can find an answer for you. Now that we are done with out tea." She gestured at the empty plate and the drained tea glasses. "Would you like a tour of the Tower or would you just like to head off and go to sleep in your rooms. It must have been a long trip for you?"

Jaydena Sedai

[Tigara]

"I think I will go to my rooms now, Aes Sedai. Thank you very much." she said with a bob and left the room.

 

Melianna

 

OOC: Thanks for finishing it, Jade! *hug*

[Jaydena]

Jaydena watched as the young woman curtsied and then left the room, this one would do well she felt and she was very often right about these things. Turning away she rang the bell for someone to come get the tea tray and then sat down at her desk to write some more information. She must find out what she could about the Sea Folk and the Browns most likely were the ones for that. Penning a note she handed it to the Novice that came to pick up the teatray and then she headed out to get some exercise in the yards.

 

ooc- Your very welcome sweetie, sorry it took so long, things are crazy.