What Under The Light? Attn: Zoe and Open to CoL

[Winter Mist]

~Darin~

 

His hands pressed the skin under his eyes lightly; one hand felt the age-old resistance of scar tissue, the other met with skin bruised from a lack of sleep.  Cold water would not revive him, not now.  At least he did not look any different from his usual macabre self.  Fifty sit-ups with his feet under the edge of his hard bed were followed by more floor work, to be completed with fifty pull-ups on a bar over the doorway.  After shaving, Darin felt a little more human, and the grey light of pre-dawn still filtered through the window: sunlight from the east mixed with leaden clouds that purported ill for the day’s sojourn into the city; the sky itself beginning to bleed orange into it where the sun was rising.  Very few would be up at this time. 

 

Zoe would.  Zoe and those other Children who neglected the proprieties sometimes had all been tapped on the shoulder or taken to his office to be told they would accompany him on a ride through the city and learn what it truly meant to be a Child of the Light in practice.  Theory was all well and good, but they had to have experience of what the dark could do to those people who believed they lived an ordinary life.  He had some experience of customs in other countries, and this made him one of the better candidates to teach what was considered acceptable.  The poorer areas would be his first port of call, and then on to a tavern reputed to set a fine table.  Darkfriends knew no bounds to class or society. 

 

Still, those recruits would learn that it was not all as clear-cut as they believed.  It was not only a case of Light against the Darkness, but also a case of right against wrong.  How many times had justice been ill served because it suited someone with more money?  No matter what those Tar Valon witches thought of justice, they did not consider the real truth; they would use anything to further their political gains.  Darin stretched, feeling the fabric of his uniform tighten over his chest muscles.  He must have increased his strength again; the shirt was definitely snugger than he remembered, but it did not feel as though he had put weight on.  He fastened the cloak around his shoulders, taking pride in his status as he could as his social status was denied him, as being anything other than another unwanted bastard son he could never expect much in life. 

 

The faint salmon-tinged sky was yielding to greater streaks of orange, and soon the first golden slit of the sun would be visible over the hills to the east.  Time to take these recruits into town and to show them the meaning of being a Child of the Light.  And if that girl turned up in a bath towel, he would make her an example she would never forget.

 

[Nynaeve]

Zoe opened one eye. Just the one. She felt suspended between the land of dreams and the land of awakening. No human being should be expected to wake up that early. Maybe Selindra deserved it. But that was about the only one who did, that is, if Selindra would be considered part of the human race. Smiling at the thought, Zoe stretched. Counting in her head until ten, she slipped out of bed reluctantly and washed her face to try and take off some of the heaviness sleep seemed to have produced.

 

Throwing a pillow on Selindra's face to wake her up, Zoe dodged a book that Selindra threw at her and opened the closet to find something to wear. Zoe couldn't remember the last time she had to pick out what to wear. She was too used to her uniforms. Not much to pick from in there. But that day's tour was in Amador and aside from Darin, they were all to dress as civilians so as not to attract attention. It was the sensible thing. After all, the whole point was observation. Influencing the surroundings made things askew.

 

Deciding to put on her favorite green dress, Zoe rearranged her hair, threw another pillow at Selindra, put on some shoes and then urged Selindra to hurry up. The last thing she wanted was to be late. Especially since Darin seemed to be all over her case because of recent events. She hoped it didn't mean he was going to pick on her specifically. Some instructors seemed to be in a habit of doing that. It could grow tiring. Or so she heard.

 

Dragging Selindra out of the room, they both headed to the gates of the Fortress, where they were told to report to at the strike of dawn. When they arrived there, Zoe waved faintly to Darin and fell into line.

 

 

 

 

Zoe

Squadman

CotL

 

[Kara_J]

Yawning and stretching, Edalia stumbled out of bed. It wasn't even light yet! Muttering to herself she flinched at the cold floor and quickly crossed to her cupboard, hopping from one foot to another, shivering with the cold. Oh yes Zoe, I'd love to wake up at the crack of dawn and ride with you around town to who knows where! What a fantastic idea, don't know why I didn't think of it myself! She thought sarcastically to herself as she fumbled in the dark for something plain yet warm. It was odd how she'd gotten used to the uniform so quickly.

 

Finding a pair or worn woollen breeches and a woollen top she pulled them on and quickly washed before brushing her hair and teeth and pulling on the thickest socks she could find. She always had cold feet..she could wear three pairs of socks and still have cold feet! Stamping her feet into her boots, Edalia grabbed her plain cloak and ran out of her room, hoping that the sudden burst of energy would warm her quicker.

 

In a short while she arrived, panting slightly and considerably warmer, at the gates of the Fortress, looking around for Zoe.

[Dunbar]

Bert was standing in the middle of a wide, open field, his chest bare to the elements and only a loincloth covering his muscular body. The sky was dark with clouds, and lightning crisscrossed the sullen scene, giving it a most dramatic effect. Ferocious winds were howling through the valley, and Berts long, luscious hair whipped with each gust of wind. In his right hand he held a golden burning sword, and in his left he cradled a strangely undressed Zoe, who at the moment appeared to be faining. Grinning, Bert raised his sword and ran towards the mighty dragon sitting a mere 30 feet away from Bert, looking as angry and ferocious as any dragon could look. Roaring, the dragon rose it's head and breathed a warning ball of fire into the sky. This didn't seem to bother Bert much, as he swiftly jumped across the barren land, sword raised high in anger and murder in his bloodcurdling scream. As he closed the distance, the dragon turned it's head towards him and with an ear-shattering scream shot a pillar of smoldering flame towards him. Dodging swiftly, Bert sidestepped the flame and let loose an onslaught of slashes and cuts, climaxing the whole affair by slicing his sword through the dragon's thick neck in a most blood-splattering fashion. As the dragon's head hit the ground, Bert awoke to find himself in his chambers at the fortress of light.

He was most certainly late for the rendezvous.

"Mothers milk in a-!"

Bert hated running.

[Twitchy]

Tuc woke up. Tuc went back to sleep. Tuc woke up again, reached blindly for the glass of water that was supposed to be near his bed, and fell to the floor.  Groaning, he struggled to his feet, and remembered that he was supposed to be meeting Zoe and others for a tour. He quickly put on a pair of pants, or what he imagined was quickly, but in his state of tiredness, it took him a good five minutes to get both legs in.  Tuc decided that he could put his shirt on the go, so he grabbed it and opened up the door.  He began to run towards the exit of the building.  He began pulling his shirt over his head, and forgot in his haste that cloth easily blinded humans, even the Children of the Light.  He heard a door open, but in his sleepiness, it did not register for him to slow down.  Pain ricocheted through his body, and even though he was pumping his legs, he couldn't feel the ground underneath of him.  Struggling to pull his shirt over his head, he saw Bert standing over top of him.

 

"Hey Bert."

"Hey Tuc."

 

They began to run. Late.

[Tigara]

Zari and Zela opened their eyes at the same time, stood up in bed at the same time, rubbed their eyes with their fists at the same time, and got out of bed at the same time. It was early dawn, with the sun just rising.

 

"G'morning, Zari."

 

"G'morning Zela."

 

They were supposed to meet some other Children at the Gates early in the morning. Something about seeing what being in the Children of the Light meant. Emanuela thought it would be good for them go participate in. So, they had woken up to give themselves plenty of time. Zari pulled his dark green wollens over his head and slipped his matching breeches on. Zela put on a matching set of clothes, but in a light tan, instead.

 

Yes, they indeed had woken up early enough to get there in time. Unfortunately, this was  only their third day in the Fortress, so they got horribly lost. They finally did find their way to the Gates, but  it appeared they were late. They arrived just after two other young men ran into line. They followed in suit.

 

Zari and Zela Chasei

No sense of direction

[Guest Far Dareis Mai]

Sorcha rolled over in the cold morning and clutched her blankets closer. It always seemed colder in the morning, right before the sun rose. With the coals gray from cooling in the night, Sorcha new the air in the room would have a chill that would not be pleasant to experience. In the haze of half-sleep, her mind kept nudging her to wakefulness--with the reminder that she was due somewhere...for something. Sorcha, wanting only to succumb to the warm embrace of sleep, did her best to ignore it. Slowly the black tendrils of oblivion began to creep around her consciousness once again, and she sighed softly. Sleep seemed scarce for her lately, and the bed was so warm and comfortable....

 

It wasn't until she heard the scuffling of a neighboring room in their barracks did she realize what she was supposed to be up for. Tossing her blankets with a start, she leaped hurriedly out of bed and began her morning routine. She doused her face with water from the wash basin, made her bed, put her clothes on, and tied up her boots. Grabbing her heavy woolen cloak from the hook by her door, she walked out of her room. She noticed Tuc and Bert falling over themselves in the distance, and found her first smile of the day. With a skip in her step, she began to trot over to the Gate, where she had agreed to meet the Instructor. It looked as though she was the last to arrive, and so she lined up beside the rest, and awaited further instruction.

 

~Sorcha Barshande

CotL

[Winter Mist]

~Darin~

 

The initiates assembled, his party was ready.  He cast an appraising eye over the lot of them; the twins, inseparable, could pose problems if they would not look out for anyone’s backs but each other’s, the girl that had walked so brazenly through the corridors of the Fortress of Light wearing nothing but a towel and a rueful smile, Zoe, and some other candidates that he only recognised by sight.  Darin shifted his position slightly and looked over his shoulder towards the town, his breath faintly steaming in the early morning cool.  The gate framed his deceptively muscular form and when he turned back to the assembled students, he turned his scar on them first.

 

“I’m glad to see that you are all good at time-keeping.  Good.”  Darin turned all the way around now, so that his rippling disfigurement was only half of his head.  Light, some of these were little more than children.  Well, they had to learn, and they signed up of their own free will.  Some of them shuffled from foot to foot to ward against the chill.  “Be still in the ranks!” Darin spoke sternly, but not loudly.  It was early enough that shouts this close to town would rouse more attention than they wanted.  This was a teaching mission, not a point and stare show.

 

“Some of you,” Darin began, looking pointedly at Zoe “seem to have forgotten the ideals that a Child of the Light aspires to.  When you reach higher ranks villagers and city dwellers alike, not to mention nobles and perhaps royalty, will see you.  For them to see you in a poor state of uniform would reflect badly on the reputation of the Children of the Light.  Would you bring that shame down on us?”

 

He was greeted with an uncomfortable silence.  Good, they were thinking about it then.  “I specified this lesson to be carried out in Amador itself – that is why you are wearing civilian clothes.  As you see, I am wearing my full uniform.”  Pristine white clad his body and shimmered down his back.  “For extra marks, make mental note of the difference in people’s reactions to yourselves and to me.  This notwithstanding” he pointed to his scarred face “there should be measures of fear, perhaps, but certainly awe and respect.  Remember there is nothing to fear if you walk in the Light.  An innocent man or woman should not fear the Children of the Light.”

 

“I will be asking questions about people’s reactions later.  Our first destination will be the Light of Truth tavern on Bright Street.”  Darin shook his head at the excited murmurs that arose from his mentioning the word ‘tavern’ and stared at a few of them.  “This does not mean that you will be drinking.  I know the owner.  This is an object lesson, and we are leaving now.  On this occasion we will not keep to ranks so as not to draw attention, but anyone that falls behind will have to spend the rest of the day copying pages from Lothair Mantelar’s book on truths.  Move out!”

 

OOC – RP the walk to the Light of Truth tavern on Bright Street.  It will be early morning and there will be signs of the morning after, possibly some still there from the night before.  Maids will be clearing up.  Write about people’s reactions to Darin and then to yourself, and Darin will take charge again when everyone has arrived.  Thanks for taking part, everyone!

 

[Nynaeve]

"I will be asking questions about people's reactions later. Our first destination will be the Light of Truth tavern on Bright Street. This does not mean that you will be drinking. I know the owner. This is an object lesson, and we are leaving now. On this occasion we will not keep to ranks so as not to draw attention, but anyone that falls behind will have to spend the rest of the day copying pages from Lothair Mantelar's book on truths. Move out!"

 

Zoe grabbed Edalia's hand and dragged her as far away from Selindra as possible. She didn't want Selindra to sink her teeth into Edalia and suck her dry. "Just stick with me, Edalia. We'll have fun together, you'll see!" Smiling widely Zoe and Edalia walked side by side, giggling occasionally when Zoe made a joke about a passerby. The streets were rather empty that early in the morning, but there were a few shopkeepers about, organizing their shop before opening them.

 

A few men who passed them by smiled fondly at Zoe and Edalia. Zoe winked at them playfully and they were about to approach them when Darin walked by and they quickly changed course and went to a different direction hurriedly. Zoe grinned widely at Darin. He only walked away shaking his head. Oh, he was falling under her charms for sure. She was irresistible after all.

 

They continued their walk to the Light of Truth tavern. It was amazing to see people passing them, pretty much ignoring their existence, but when passing next to Darin they moved to the sides of the streets. Zoe had a feeling that if there were no houses around they would have gone further. Some stared openly. Some seemed unperturbed but it was obvious they were gazing at him from the corner of their eyes as they passed him by.

 

Zoe found herself wishing they were in the tavern already. She knew that the uniforms attracted attention, but seeing it from the side was somehow different. It made her a bit nervous to see first hand the difference in people's behavior. It was as if the uniform made you someone else.

 

When Zoe spotted the tavern from the distance, she breathed deeply and reassured Edalia that she was okay. Just a bit tired.

 

 

 

Zoe

CotL

[Kara_J]

Edalia walked alongside Zoe as they walked towards the Tavern, giggling at her jokes. Edalia felt she really liked the vivacious woman, even if she did seem to be in trouble the majority of the time, though she was curious to find out who Zoe was with before she dragged Edalia away from the rest of the group.

 

Putting that little puzzle to one side, Edalia observed her surroundings. It was strange how people would come up to her and Zoe and then shy away once they saw the White Cloak and emblem of the Child of Light officer. Their faces changed too, from open and friendly to fearful and closed.

 

Obviously the uniform carried a good deal of weight and reputation, not to mention the Officer's scarred visage. He seemed to hover by Zoe a lot, at least she hoped it was Zoe and not herself that had caught the Officer's eye.

 

Distracted by something Zoe said, Edalia let out a peal of laughter and clapped her hand over her mouth as the Officer glared at them. In time they caught sight of the Tavern and Zoe let out a deep sigh, concerned, Edalia turned to her friend and was reassured by her reply. Grabbing Zoe's hand Edalia pulled her through the door of the Tavern and blinked at the sudden change of light level. Taking a few moments to become accustomed to the dim interior, Edalia stepped further into the Tavern.

 

She was used to taverns after her brief sojourn after her parents had died, so she expected what she saw, though this time she looked it through new eyes.

[Tigara]

The Twins walked a bit apart from the others while they walked down the street. The Light of Truth was the inn where they had gotten their interest in the Children. They knew the place. Zela saw two other girls smiling and winking as the men passing by. "Amateurs." she muttered. Zari looked at her and just shook his head. He knew that look. She was going to do something to show off and likely get her in trouble.

 

They walked a bit further down the street and Zela saw a young man of about 20 walking in the opposite direction of the little menagerie she was in. She walked up to him and he said "Hello, miss." She din't respond. She just grabbed the back of his head and press her lips to his. It lasted about 5 seconds before she pulled away and resumed down the street. "I do be sorry about me sister. She can be...forward at times." Zari said to the man, who was utterly flaberghasted. He caught up with his other half. "Zela, that did be a foolish thing to do. What if he did scream 'rape'? That would no be fitting to a Child of the Light."

 

"But he did no such thing. All is well, brother. Enjoy life." Zari just shook his head and walked on. She wouldn't have gotten away with it in uniform. Oh no.

 

Zari and Zela

Enjoying the field trip

[Dunbar]

Bert scurried along. The other children tried to walk inconspicuously in the general vicinity of Darin, yet, to Bert's eyes, they all stood out clearly where they tried to mingle with the local folks. Of course, he knew most of them by name, so he wasn't exactly a fair judge. Tuc was walking a few feet away from Bert, and they exchanged glances and polite nods and random intervals. He supposed they didn't exactly blend in perfectly neither, but there'd be no helping that. Tilting his head in the general direction of Darin, Bert could see villagers averting their eyes form his face and clearing space for him to walk in. Bert figured the mix of his scars and the white cloak of the children would be a versatile mixture that would instill both fear and loathing in most people. Perhaps some respect too, with any luck. Personally, Bert had gotten quite accustomed to being shoved and bumped into in the relatively small time they'd been walking. People didn't seem to care much about a youngish lad who, from time to time, scratched his backside. Some girls cleaning out residue from an inn giggled at him, whether it was because of his dashing good looks (Ah yes) or his sudden burp, Bert didn't know. He figured that the less he knew, the better. Smiling back at them, he kept on walking, neatly avoiding all things that would embarrass him. All things except the horse. It wasn't the actual impact that hurt, it was the falling on his backside afterwards. Blushing, he got up and walked the rest of the way to the inn muttering.

[Winter Mist]

~Darin~

 

The debris of the night before was evident on tables that were yet to be cleared and untidy looking piles in the darker corners of the room.  Maids futilely tried to clean the room while some patrons remained to drink their final coin into self-imposed oblivion.  Why they had not been evicted from the premises to go home a few hours ago, Darin did not know.  He would have words with the tavern owner about this, to be sure.  He moved out of the doorway and into the room, momentarily framed by the bright morning light, his uniform gleaming a white and pristine paragon of virtue and authority. 

 

Maids looked up from their duties and looked amongst each other for reassurance.  The innkeeper, one babbled with variously successful degrees of courtesy, had retired some hours ago, leaving the maids to deal with the remnants.  As brave as the woman that had spoken up was, her hands still shook as she went about her work in clearing cups from tables.  Darin twirled his cloak, rippling the white into motion.  Looking over his shoulder, he muttered a single word to his students.

 

“Watch.”

 

Silently he walked to the corner where an obviously drunken man lay in a stupor.  His eyes blinked open and closed, looking up to the man in white looming over him.  “Are you drinking to forget something, friend, or is it more of a guilty conscience?”

 

Quickly, the man tried to stand, but Darin pushed him back to the floor.  “You should stay there.  Any sudden movements might make more work for the maids here and that would not be pleasant.”  The man swallowed but stayed where he was.  “A guilty conscience, if it is that, could mean anything.    I shall not automatically assume you are a friend of the dark, but watch your step.”

 

At the first utterance of the words that everyone in Amadicia dreaded hearing, a hushed silence descended on the room.  The maids ceased their useless toil and even the new recruits were silent.  “If I find out that you have hurt any of these women…” Darin let the sentence trail off significantly “then you will have cause to regret.  Do not let me find you in such a state again!”  He got the man’s stammered name and then called to Zoe and Edalia to come forward.

 

“Clean up Steppen here and try to remember propriety as others see you.”  He knew the lesson would be reinforced if the man was sick, and that the stench while returning to the Fortress would be unbearable if he did spill his previous night’s over-indulgence.  The orders passed on, he turned to the rest of the assembled recruits who had, by now, looked at the room enough to have an inkling of what was going to happen next.  “The rest of you grab whatever cleaning implements you can find and help the maids to return this place to a decent state.  You will be Children of the Light and you should be prepared to help the community as much as defend it from the darkness!  Move!”

 

OOC – Zoe, Edalia, help the man get clean and sober him up a bit.  There might be a rain barrel outside, some strong tea, that sort of thing.  Get him out of the door but have caution in case he is guilty of something! 

 

Everyone else, grab a broom and clean the room!  Try to get some information about the night before and the levels that people can sink to, and also their reasons.  When we’re all done, we’ll move on to our next lesson.  Good luck everyone, and thanks!

 

[Jehaine]

OOC: Nyn said i could join in here, sorry i'm a bit late ^^;

 

IC:

 

From a distance, the figure of a Child of the Light could be seen running towards Darin. From what he could tell, she had been in quite a hurry to get where he was, and it was easy to tell by looking at the way she was running that she was running out of breath.

 

Stopping in front of the man, she leaned down, putting her hands on her knees as she tried to steady her breath. After a few seconds, she stood up again, wiping sweat from her brow with one of her bracers, and made something that was barely passable for a salute.

 

- "Ahh... Instructor Darin, yes...? Sharina Val'Danath... Recently joined, and was told... to report to you..."

 

Reaching into her pocket, she held out a piece of paper to the man. Despite it being a bit crumpled, the letter itself was still closed, and the name 'Ezekiel' could still be made out on it. She held it out to Darin with a shaky hand, still busy recovering her lost stamina from running.

 

- "I was told... to hand you this. Sir."

 

Still breathing heavily, she stood in front of him, now noticing the scar on his face. She opened her mouth to ask about it, but changed her mind and took a deep breath instead.

[Dunbar]

Bert picked up a broom. He looked at it, somewhat sullenly. Him, Bert the incredibly great, clean a tavern floor!? This madness had gone on for far too long. Was this what he'd gotten up early for!? Ach! Once he saw that Darin again, he'd have a serious conversation with him! Bert turned his head and caught Darin's eye, his scar a menacingly eye catching mark of rank. Or maybe not. Brooming could be fun! Putting on a smile of sorts, Bert started brooming filth and dust and broken glass into a little heap.

 

The work wasn't all that hard, but tedious all the same. Bert wasn't used to this kind of work. This was servant's work, not a chore for children of the light in the making! He silently turned his anger upon the dust, and swept with greater vigor than previously. And then someone was sick. On him. From the second story of the inn. Bert hated drunks. He thought he heard the giggle of maidens in the background.

[Kara_J]

Sharing a 'Oh Light, Why us?' look with Zoe, Edalia went to one side of the drunkard and hooked her arm under his, grimacing at the feel of the sweaty fabric. She waited for Zoe to do the same and counted under her breath. As one they heaved him to his feet and started to pilot him carefully towards the door.

 

Edalia didn't think he was guilty of anything in particular...unless having breath that could stun a horse at 50 paces was a crime, or a failure to use soap and water was a crime too. Wrinkling her nose with distaste she thought that they should be made into Crimes. Yuk! The man positively reeked!

 

They had managed to get him just outside the door when the drunk decided that he would divest himself of what appeared to be most of the nights intake. Both Edalia and Zoe had to move sharply to avoid the resulting spatter of vomit.

 

Sighing deeply in unison, they hoisted him between them once more and located a convenient water barrel near the wall of the inn. Propping him against the wall briefly, Edalia grabbed a bucket and filled it up. Then, leaving Zoe to dunk the man into something resembling sobriety, Edalia went back to the doorway of the inn to wash down the step to rid it of the Drunkard's last few drinks.

[Tigara]

Cleaning was alright. They could clean. The twins scanned the room for jobs they could do in pairs. Here and there there was a table needing set back up, or a couple chairs. Zari borrowed a tray from a serving maid and Zela loaded him up with empty mugs on the floor or on tables. They made a few trip between the kitchen and the tables.

 

“Zari, look! Someone left a slab of beef on their plate.”

“Zela, do no be touchin’ that. Who knows what had been touchin’ it or how long it’s been out.”

“But it’s good beef! I can no be leavin’ good food to go to waste.”

 

“It’ll be goin’ to a hog or somethin’.”

 

“Are you calling me a hog?”

 

Zari just shook his head. “No, just eat it already.” Zela grabbed it up and it was suddenly gone in two bites. She licked the juices off her fingers and smiled. “Well, let’s get back to cleanin’.”

 

[Nynaeve]

Zoe grumbled. Darin disliked her. It was obvious. He chose her particularly for a grotesque task. The perfect punishment for running around without a stitch on. But he knew it was not her doing. Still, he was irritated that she would not reveal to him who was the one who set her up. Selindra was going to pay. There was no question about that. But it was going to be by Zoe's hands. Not Darin's. That much she could control. But as for now, she had to obey Darin and do what she was told like a good little CotL.

 

Zoe and Edalia carried the bum outside. Zoe had to breath from her mouth because she had a feeling that if she took one more sniff of the man's vile aroma she would pass out. Edalia seemed to be fencing quite well, which made Zoe feel a little better. After all, she was the one who dragged her to the tour. She never knew she had to suffer her punishment with her and hoped Edalia wouldn't be mad at her.

 

When they reached the outside the man slipped from their grip as he leaned down to throw up. Zoe quickly jumped to the side, refusing to let her dress get dirty. No, she wasn't going to give Darin that satisfaction. She would return as spotless as when she first went out. Sighing, she gave Edalia a sympathetic look. But they both knew what had to happen next.

 

When they were sure the man was done throwing up each went to one side of him and they both hoisted him up and brought him next to the water barrel. Zoe watched as Edalia went off to take care of cleaning the vomit, which meant that she was left with the task of sobering the man up. Grabbing an empty back she filled it with water from the barrel and splashed it all over the bum. "Light, the water is freezing, woman!". He managed to splutter. "really? an unfortunate mistake, then", she said, as she splashed water at him again. "Blast! I am already sober!". Zoe laughed. "That was for the smell." The man tried to grab her. "Wretched woman..." Zoe stepped back as the man fell flat on his face.

 

 

 

Nyn

 

 

[Winter Mist]

~Darin~

 

He watched the initiates with a mixture of amusement and contempt twisting his already twisted features.  The scar tissue covering his left cheek rippled, life animated by the dead, as it were.  The skin would never regenerate but the muscles underneath still danced their macabre dance, giving him an appearance that often had people questioning his allegiance to the Light.  He heard the whispers: “Darkfriend.  What under the Light would keep him as he looks?  He is a filthy misshapen Darkfriend.”  At least he was certain they were not voices in his head.  He had enough on his plate without being tortured by the fact of being a channelling male.  Darin shivered and twitched his white cloak irritably, setting the sunburst into graphic motion.

 

“All right!” He bellowed, his voice booming back from the corners of the room and making some of the less sober occupants of the tavern hold their heads in morning-after pain.  Darin merely sneered.  “Regroup!  We leave this place in a while.  Anyone not here by the time we leave gets left behind and will get woken up in the middle of the night so they may practice not being tardy!”  That got their attention.  One by one, the trainees finished their tasks quickly and made their way back to the common room where Darin was idly questioning one of the serving maids.  She was yawning, obviously wanting her bed and more than a little intimidated by the morning’s events. 

 

Darin pointed to one of the trainees.  “You, there” he began, pointing a white-gloved finger “tell me.  What did you notice about the effects of ale on people?  It makes them loud and sometimes abusive, yes?”  Various nods.  “If people lose their inhibitions and become violent, that does not speak very well for them, does it?”  Various shakes of head this time.  “Well then.  Appearances are everything, yes?”  Darin walked up and down the assembled initiates and shook his head.  “We are Children of the Light.  We wear this uniform for a reason, so that people may know we hold certain standards and walk in the Light.  Ale loosens the tongue and Darkfriends could hold sway anywhere inhibitions are lowered and the mind opened to possibilities it would not otherwise consider.  Watch taverns carefully!”

 

“Now then, each of you will give a short speech as to why you will wear this uniform whenever you may be seen by anyone in future.  Now then,” he said, brushing an imaginary speck of dust from his epaulette “why do you wear this uniform?”

 

OOC – Step forward, step forward.  Write your character giving a short presentation about what differences in treatment they received compared to Darin in full uniform.  Tell him why you will wear the uniform and the reasons for doing so, and this lesson will be complete.  You may write your character being dismissed and walking back to the barracks one by one after you have given your speech. 

 

[Jehaine]

OOC: Umm.... <.< >.>

 

IC:

 

Sharina looked at the others of the group. Being one of the latecomers, she honestly had no idea what the whole thing at the Inn was about, save for it having something to do with cleaning up an Inn. One of the people with her smelled of... second-hand food, and she winced empathically at Bert as soon as she found out said smell was coming from him.

 

With the only thing to go by being Darin's concluding speech, she instead decided to simply give her reason to have joined the Children of the Light. She just hoped it would be enough.

 

- "Well... For me, it's to protect people. Both my parents are healers, and from the patients we got over the years i found out that sometimes, people have to be protected against themselves. They wouldn't be Darkfriends or anything, it's just... misunderstandings tend to get out of hand, and it happens more often if ale is involved. That's why i decided to join the Children, to show that there are other ways than to resort to violence."

 

Looking around at the others, she gave a small embarrassed cough before stepping back again. Though she was done with the lesson -- whatever it was -- she decided to stick around a bit longer and listen to the others' replies. And besides, maybe Darin had other instructions for her as well ^^;

[Kara_J]

Edalia stood there listening to the newcomer speak, then waited for someone else to put their opinion forward, But, seeing as everyone else seemed to be studying the woodwork or their own feet, she stepped forward and spoke clearly.

 

"When I am not wearing the uniform of the Children I was treated like any normal person, some went so far as to try and flirt with me. If I had been wearing the uniform though, I'd have been treated with more respect and deference and I would also be seen as someone to turn to for assistance should they need it. I could see that you, Sir, were treated with the respect and maybe a little fear, due to your uniform."

 

I'm not going to mention your face! Edalia thought.

 

"Fear seems to be a regular response from the general population, and so they should fear us. We can find the darkness inside them, that is a reason to fear us." Edalia paused to take breath and run back through what she had said so far. Was there anything else she should mention...ah yes...

 

"One other reason I would wear the uniform from now on, and that is Pride. I am proud of the uniform and proud of the Children's ideals and purpose."

 

With that she saluted Darin and strode out the door at his dismissive nod. His face was too impassive for her to make out what he thought of her little presentation.

 

 

[Tigara]

Ackward silence. No one wanted to go next. Edalia was almost out of sight and Darin just looked them over. Zari looked at Zela, and Zela looked at Zari. They nodded and stepped forward in sync.

 

"When not wearing the uniform..."

 

"There are many things you can no be doin'..."

 

"That you could no do when wearing the uniform..."

 

"Like kissing random passerbys..."

 

"Which we did no be doin'."

 

"This is because without the uniform..."

 

"You do no be held to such a high standard..."

 

"But with the uniform..."

 

"You do be held to a high standard because..."

 

"They do be expectin' you to be doin' right and..."

 

"Upholdin' the peace the people deserve."

 

They paused and took another deep breath.

 

"So we will be wearin' the uniform proudly..."

 

"To put us up to that standard..."

 

"And to be servin' the people."

 

With that, they ran off towards the Fortress, big grins on both faces.

 

Zari and Zela

Not kissers of passer-bys