Let the books teach you how to bow ~Rossa~

[ashara]

“Is there a reason you are here, boy?â€

 

The Library always scared him a little. It was too much like…well, home really. Except, Selandre would’ve never allowed for her books to get dusty. Nerome personally found it rather ironic that it was the women who were most passionate about books who lived in halls of dust and dirt. Almost like they couldn’t be bothered by anything else. The Library did have a certain allure to it though- he hadn’t been able to put a finger on it yet, but there was something. “I’ve come to do research for an assignment my mentor has given me, Aes Sedai.†Smooth, polite, to the point. They wanted etiquette? He would give them etiquette alright. That and a lot more if he had his way.

 

“Indeed? And what is this assignment on?â€

 

He really was Lady Luck’s favorite.

 

~~~**~~~

 

Now Nerome had always been one for books- they were second in his heart only to horses and friends; he had always been up for a nice long read in the fields back in Cairhien. But today and yes, strangely enough today when he needed his love to be renewed the most- he could fathom nothing of what he was reading. Everything seemed so appallingly unappealing. Boring, even. And he was tired too, he realized, suppressing a yawn. As ridiculous as this sounded- he had been training harder than usual in the past few weeks. Early mornings, late nights and lots and lots of sweat. Not the best combination. Not at all.

 

What is the definition of Etiquette?

 

The practices and forms prescribed by social convention, etiquette above everything else, is meant to aid us to be the way we are supposed to.

 

How could they expect anyone to read such things? It had twenty pages dedicated merely to the accepted definition for Light’s sake. How was he supposed to study something so astoundingly ridiculous?

 

‘Socially acceptable’, ‘correct behaviour’, ‘customary approach’- these are merely ways to describe…

 

Stifling another yawn, Nerome flipped through the pages lazily, eyes barely taking in the matter they read. His mother had always told him that if his mind was not on the subject at hand, there was never any point in pretending to study it. Ah well, he had always been a loafer. Except during his days as a thief of course, he thought wearily…except…then…

 

Head rested against the brown fabric of the armchair, Nerome Seshir was fast asleep.

 

OOC: Rossa could always poke him awake. Or cough discreetly. ;)

[Winter Mist]

~Rossa~

 

It was hard for a novice to find a moment of her day that was not taken up with books, chores or errands, yet somehow Rossa had managed to find a spare moment to herself. One of the things she prided herself on doing at least once a week, was to slip away for five minutes to have a look at a book she had never picked up before to increase her knowledge a little. Oh, it was from texts that they were permitted to study at Rossa’s level, but ones that she had never had time to pick up before, or that were not strictly relating to the topics they were studying. Most of the time it was research into how to better preserve and keep food for a long time, and not necessarily with something she had seen written down called “keeping weaves.†Salting, smoking and other housekeeper style methods abounded, and Rossa found them fascinating. Maybe there was a way to prepare better for harsh winters that they were not yet aware of. It bore thinking about.

 

A figure sat in one of the armchairs by the bookcase she was perusing, looking perfectly relaxed with a book in his hand and looking vaguely familiar as she walked closer. His features tickled something … some event … at the back of her memory from her early days at the White Tower. What was it? Then it came to her, as swift and as sudden as the first beams had started falling down when her house had been burnt around her. She had managed to escape then, but every little thing was a constant reminder for now of her loss and her grief, and there was seemingly no respite from it. Not even here.

 

Nerome.

 

He had been walking into the gardens when she had been walking away from it - head down, not concentrating on what she was doing and in tears so she did not see when her head bounced off his chest. A chance encounter that had resulted in Rossa staining her dress with grass, gravel and tearstains as he had tried to convince her to not throw her life away for the sake of the past. The Light burn it, it was her past! Still, Rossa did not wish for him to get into trouble – she had received too many chores and trips to the Mistress of Novices to allow him the same punishment. No. A quiet word, little more than whisper; calling his name only made him stir a little. It was going to be one of those days… Rossa walked forward tentatively and laid a hand on his arm.

 

“Nerome?â€

[ashara]

The slight touch made him start up, instantly ready to attack whatever had woken him in the first place, when a moment later, he realized that he was sitting in the Library. Well, atleast not all of Rosheen’s training had been an utter waste. Eyes still fighting the slumber that had embarked so heavily upon him but a few moments ago looked uncertainly at the face that was before him. Thank the Light: it wasn’t Rosheen. Or Aramina. That would’ve really been the end for him. But wait. Sitting up properly, he stared a little more closely at the woman before him. He knew her, he was sure of it. From where though? Had she just said his name?

 

“Nerome?â€

 

Her voice brought it all back, quicker than any smile or feature on her face. “I am Rossa Venye, Novice of the White Tower.â€Of course he remembered her. He had thought about her days after the incident, wondering, worrying. Quite like a boneless girl really. They had apologized to each other, come to a vague sort of agreement, but it was a shallow rooted understanding and that, more than anything else, had annoyed him. “Rossa. This is…â€what exactly could he say to her? “I didn’t think I’d see you anytime soon.†Sweet bliss, what tremendous eloquence that had required. Why was he suddenly tongue tied and foolish? Surely, it was not because she had caught him off guard? “You seem like you are getting on very well here.†Yes, that was true enough. She certainly seemed much less troubled than she had that day. But then, Nerome sincerely doubted any woman-especially this particular one-would go around expressing any sadness and grief she felt with the same openness and vulnerability she had that time. Still…something was different. He looked into her eyes, giving her that same piercing look that he had when she had come running, straight into his arms.

 

“How are you?â€

 

He wondered idly if she would catch the meaning of his words. Knowing her though, she’d probably catch that and just a whole lot more.

[Winter Mist]

~Rossa~

 

“How are you?â€

 

It flashed a temper of usually controlled and dormant embers into life; a living and breathing anger that threatened to overwhelm even the tightest strictures her training at both the White Tower so far and prior to that with her parents in preparation for the Royal Court at Ebou Dar had so far been imposed. Such a thoughtless question, and yet one laden with so much meaning. Light. It took a long time to mimic the icy calm some of the Accepted adopted, pretending to be the Aes Sedai they aspired to be. Finally it came to her as she thought how much more … deceptive … it would be if she hid her reaction. Much like the time her sister had deliberately ripped Rossa’s dress so hers would be the prettiest, Rossa had swallowed her pride then and worn the torn dress. Her pride and bearing had made up for the minor intentional accident and it had most definitely backfired on her sister. However, if one wore a mask for long enough, one started to resemble what lay on the surface…

 

They had exchanged a few civilised words since their first fateful meeting in the garden, but had not had much more of a chance to get over this awkwardness yet. Rossa felt older than her young age – still a few weeks shy of her fifteenth birthday, and put on an expressionless face.

 

“I’m fine, thank you. Much better than I was when I first arrived here, so yes, I’m fine.†She made herself smile, as though being given a chore by an Aes Sedai, but her eyes spoke volumes. Smile and let them see it’s not affecting you, and maybe they’ll give you a different chore next time. All that remains is to trust to the Light that it is an easier chore than the last…

 

What was he really doing in the library? Was he eyeing up all the passing novices and accepted to find a likely candidate for a prank? Or was it something a little more serious than a passing fancy? Rossa wasn’t really sure she wanted to follow that particular line of thought and then considered the one possibility she had not previously thought of. Her mother had always told her to consider both sides of every equation and to read between the lines, yet sometimes her mother had chided her for reading too deeply into things. Politics were there, but not all the time. It might have been that he was there to … study, of all things.

 

“Did I interrupt you?†Rossa cast an eye over him, remembering how he had been asleep mere moments before. “I was going to do some research here, but I can easily find somewhere else.â€

[ashara]

He’d seen it. It had barely been there, like a shadow on someone’s face, flickering its way in and out of the world, but he’d caught it: that flash of fury, that suppressed lighting. He caught the deep breath that had come after it and wondered if she really was all that different. She was calmer, but healed? No, no definitely not. Not wise to mention his thoughts though- he would probably be attacked if he was to look as if he believed so, and attacks he had certainly had more than enough of for one day. “I’m fine, thank you. Much better than I was when I first arrived here, so yes, I’m fine.†Surprise colouring his eyes before he could hide it, he couldn’t help feeling a wave of respect for Rossa. She’d come a long way. Longer than most in their entire lifetimes, really, and she was barely a woman…that was when he looked into her eyes. Deep brown pools of everything that had been there that last day they’d met stared hard at him, daring him to say another word and indeed, it intrigued him. He could not look away.

 

Quite the duel, he thought with a grin. And her eyes really were quite exquisite. Full of emotion, full of meaning. Suppress as she did, some water always slipped through the dam. It took him a few moments for him to realize that she in turn too, was assessing him. Her face was a facade of calculating serenity, looking him up and down as if wondering who he really was. However hard it was to admit, it made him uncomfortable. He disliked the feeling. The feeling that she could see straight through him. Anyone would of course, but that wasn’t the point. “Did I interrupt you?†came the well timed disturbance, and it took a certain amount of willpower for Nerome not to sigh as it allowed him to look elsewhere for a few moments. Was she looking for an explanation of some sort…? Bloody women. They were all the same.

 

“No, of course you didn’t,†he started, flashing her a reassuring smile. “I was just doing…†It was then, that Nerome Seshir, who had always not so secretly prided himself for his ’brilliance’ found himself just a touch embarrassed. How did he always get himself stuck in such situations? “This is just a little…humiliating, but I’m here to-†he looked up into her eyes once more, showing his embarrassment full and clear before continuing, “I’m here to study Basic Etiquette.â€

 

“Yes, I know it’s ironic- I laughed to at first, but it cost me quite…a little too dearly. Lets just say the idea of not having read these texts before I reappear in the Yard, does not sound particularly endearing.â€

 

“May I ask what you are here for?†he said in his most polite tone, eyes sparkling as he waited for to catch his drift. And laugh if possible. He needed to hear some laughter.

 

~Nerome

Pansy boy :P

[Winter Mist]

~Rossa~

 

The man was truly not all present. Her mother would have described him as a few stones short of a full set, but then if Rossa had taken Nerome home to meet her mother, she would have smiled and encouraged her daughter accordingly. No matter what Rossa thought! Through long eyelashes she considered him shyly in the same light her sisters would have done if they had been alive to see him and realised he was rather handsome, if shorter than she would have hoped for. And he asked questions she had already told him the answers to! Light! She held her patience though, and her tongue and calmly repeated what she had already told him. Here to do research. On impulse though, a sudden flash of mischievousness oft suppressed as a child, Rossa added something from her own thoughts.

 

“Oh, and I wondered if you were keeping my seat warm for me.†Light, he’ll be thinking he’s found an aspiring Green at this rate. Maybe that was what he had come here for and she had played right into his hands! Maybe he was looking out for those novices to tease and prank … well, at least Rossa had shown him she was a good sport with that comment. In truth, she hated being teased and even though it rarely happened to her, every time someone had pulled a childish prank on her to relieve the tension of novice life, Rossa actually lost her temper and went into an icy mood for days. Woe betide anyone that crossed her in those moods; they would get a glare and silence. Nothing more. Clutching the book to her breast, Rossa looked at Nerome again and continued.

 

“I’m doing some research. I’m looking for any books on Keeping Weaves in relation to foods and also preserving techniques. Too many people go hungry or throw away food because of inefficient methods of storage and I’d like to help.†Rossa looked at him, wondering. “Although I can put that to one side if you need some help.â€

[ashara]

Nerome blinked.

 

And then smirked. He had not thought Rossa Venye to be the sort…but perhaps that was exactly why? She would not laugh for him, but this was even better. He had found his match in Rossa, an identical pillar of ice and fire guided by the teachings of Daes Dae’mar and Etiquette. He was about to bow with mock politeness as he ushered her to a seat when he noticed her eyes were clouded and her face was not unlike a sheet of ice, hard, cold, impassive. A second later, and a second only, it seemed like a distant flash, one perhaps that had never even come further than mere chimerical thought. Who are you? It was unquestionably wrong to ask such a thing, so instead, he firmed his smile and looked at her expectantly. The answer came soon enough, bringing with it the sun and the light; the darkness of the mood vanished instantly. Everyone had secrets.

 

“That’s very gracious of you,†he said, continuing with a laugh. “Yes, I am polishing my dexterity by using it on you. I ruined things for me today due to a little…run in with an Aes Sedai. I’m afraid she didn’t quite appreciate my brilliance in the art of mockery. Neither did my mentor for that matter. So yes, help would be appreciated, but only if you allow me to help you in return.â€

 

“Not that I know much about…Keeping was it? Not that I know much about Keeping, but it never hurts to try. Never hurts much anyway.†With that said, he felt more at ease, the mood had taken a lighter turn and the strings seemed a little less taut. Perhaps being sent to the Library would be beneficial in the end…

 

 

 

~Sorry for the short post. :oops:

[Winter Mist]

~Rossa~

 

What was he on about? Mockery? Was he mocking her now? His smile and laughter seemed genuine and the myriad little ways of finding out if a man was lying came back to her, learnt at her mother’s knee all those years ago, but it wasn’t just that. Nerome’s face looked a bit more relaxed, a bit unguarded. Not that she knew what he was really like. It was probably some passing fancy of hers that made her think him handsome when he smiled; the way the light caught his hair and cast dappled shadows over his face and the way his eyes, so deep, seemed to be able to see to the part of her that was her and not the one Rossa showed to everyone else. He disconcerted her, and yet she could not fathom exactly what it was that irritated her about him.

 

She would have placed several gold-gaining wagers that none of the other novices had any such problems. Rossa kept her eyes open, and most of the ones she saw always knew how to deal with trainees that hung around, or a stable-hand that they fancied, yet maybe it was because she felt so much older than them and was not much more than a girl herself that she felt she couldn’t. A glance at her body had revealed she had most definitely filled out the white novice dress in places and her hair now hung midway down her back, but she was still the same person. Sometimes I am too political by half!

 

“I’ll gladly let you help me. For a start, you’re taller than I am and you can help me take some books down from the top shelves that I wanted to look through.†That would help her and give him something to do. It was nice that he was willing to help her. Another thing her mother had told her – if a man wants to do something for you, that you know he is capable of and that he would be happy because he feels useful. Sometimes, Rossa thought her political mind appalled her…

[ashara]

With every added word and pause in conversation, Rossa was showing him a new, different shade to her. A thousand mirror images, and which one was real? Or were they all her? The complexities of women, Nerome thought with a slight shaking of his head. What was interesting beyond all other things though was that although Rossa had more grace and dignity than all the other white clad women, she looked younger than most. Nay- not looked, her expressions were far too mature for such a thing. She wasn’t exactly petite either, most women in Cairhien would be forced to look up at her. And yet he could tell the difference between Rossa and the next passing Novice. She stood out with her big eyes and steel like control over herself. If only she was taught how to use some weapon…the idea of a person such as Rossa armed with knives brought him only one thought: Power. Words, Training in the Yard had taught him, were simply not enough.

 

Was she assessing him again? Light she made him wonder. Her eyes were upon him with that hawk like stance- it was a look he would grow to link with her moods in time, of that he was sure. The truth was, he had never quite seen such intensity before, so unsheathed, so vulnerable and yet, so very guarded. It was like teetering over the highest and strongest walls, but teetering none the less. Upon realizing that he was in fact the assessor now, he turned his eyes towards the books she was gesturing at. An old, musky smell, well reputed for not having been touched in just about eternity. One of the other things Training had brought him, was height. He was tall for a Cairhienin and truly, he would not have looked like one at all had it not been for the fact that he had lived there for long bits of his life. The person one was had almost everything to do with where he or she was from and it reflected true not only in his veins, but the eyes and intensity of Rossa too. She was every inch an Ebou Dari, with her quiet but fierce pride, her calculating thoughts, her love-and maybe even shame?- her hope, her dreams. Someone to remember, she was.

 

The books were easy enough to reach and he brought them down to her with one smooth flow. Dusting his hands, he looked up at her again. “Any more, my lady?â€

[Winter Mist]

~Rossa~

 

A sad smile ghosted her lips. My lady… How long had it been since someone had called her that? Months, perhaps … she had lost track of the days here. Since her arrival, Rossa had never forgotten what it was to be who she was, but the white of the dress, the stern air of the Aes Sedai and Accepted teaching her; treating her as a novice rather than who she actually was, had suppressed the memory somewhat. Hearing his voice, however, had triggered something in her. He’s not a bad sort after all. For someone to recognise her rank meant he had status himself, and was courteous and considerate to boot. But then why would he like her? She was just a novice here.

 

“No, thank you, I have enough here to be working from at the moment. Now all I have to do is find some passages in here about those Keeping Weaves and I should be fine. I won’t practice them … I’d be visiting the Mistress of Novices quicker than you could say “fine silk skirts†… but at least I would understand how I could help people.†She really wanted to, as well, and not just purely for the reason of those in the villages she cared for prospering and praising her name. Starvation was not something anyone should have to endure. A tear began to form at the corner of her eye and she dashed it away angrily, hopefully before Nerome could see.

 

“Anyway, how can I help you? Surely there must be something I can do to help?†Light, she was being friendly. It was unlike her to be so open to him without political motivation, and yet Rossa really wanted to help this one. Could it be that she had found someone that understood her? No, no one understood the pain she had endured already and was continuing to do so every sunset and every sunrise. Burn it! She should be passed the tears by now!

[ashara]

What was it about her? A moment here, a sentence there and she had changed once more.

 

Surely he couldn’t have offended her again; his words had been practically monosyllabic! Devoid of any possible mockery or sarcasm, unusually enough. It was her past again of course, there was no doubt about it. He bit back the temptation to let his thoughts slip out, for during his hours of being with Rossa, he had learnt that this woman here was not one for such blatancy. Especially not now, he found himself thinking. He wondered for a moment whether she knew of how open and raw and vulnerable she was. Or definitely seemed anyway. Judging from the way she was though, Rossa did not have a clue. And perhaps that was not such a bad thing after all. A thought struck him suddenly: Was she really that obvious, or was it just to him? He could relate after all. Shock. Denial. These were natures one could adopt with ease.

 

Maybe when the time came someone would hold up the mirror for her, give her the required boost and help her follow through. Or maybe time would just heal all and Rossa Venye would grow into the beautiful and prevailing woman life had promised her. Perhaps he would even be there to see it for himself, he realized as he watched her blinking away what could only be a tear. The urge to take her hand took a newer, greater stand and it was only because he sensed that was going to continue on that he stopped himself.

 

“Anyway, how can I help you? Surely there must be something I can do to help?â€

 

If only you would help yourself first Rossa. “Actually, there is a way!,†he said effervescently. “Could you perhaps play a young beautiful lady who I have come to flatter into taking my hand by charming her with my manners and fair words? I’m sure it won’t be very hard to play.†he finished, eyes shining with laughter. “Oh for Light’s sake Rossa, I’m joking. Only about the last bit I mean. You would play the lady well.â€

 

If he could not help her heal, he would help her forget.

[Winter Mist]

~Rossa~

 

I can play the lady better than you know…

 

…Light, what a sense of humour he has. Mother would love him…

 

…Mother…

 

…Ah! I can’t live like this anymore!

 

Such a tumult of thoughts was ill timed. Why did her brain pick now to relive old memories, to try and convince her that she should forget her family and move on, when all she wanted to do was go back to being the middle daughter. A sigh escaped her lips. Curling into a smile when she saw the enthusiastic expression on his face had not faded and he seemed to be encouraging her with his eyes. It might be fun. But what was fun?

 

An affectedly indolent hand plucked at the white fabric of her skirts, spotted with grease from her chores in the kitchens that morning that no amount of scrubbing on her part had been able to remove full traces of, and Rossa dropped into a deep curtsy. Truly, it was more suited to a servant, but she doubted he would recognise that. Even if he did, if would confuse him. Rossa smiled again, and rose from the curtsy to extend her hand. She could be a noble; it was a chance for her, a chance to be how she was before she came to the White Tower and to shine like the High Seat she was. Except, of course, that if anyone saw, Rossa would likely be back in the kitchens doing the foulest chores that probably involved plucking poultry for some Aes Sedai’s dinner. That Blue sister she had sketched … Estel Sedai… If it was to be anyone it would likely end up being for her.

 

How was he any different to anyone else? But… If Rossa got to know him better, maybe he could keep his ears open for anything that was happening of a noteworthy nature in her homeland of Ebou Dar. It would be her own private network of eyes and ears listening and looking out for clues as to how her family was targeted and who might have been responsible. True, she could not do anything about it until she both gained enough experience and had been raised to the shawl with enough honour and prestige to glide forth as the rightful heir to the Seat of House Venye and take it back. Vengeance still burnt within her, even if studying how to wield Saidar and become a talented player of the Great Game were offering her more diversions - just like Nerome was … but in a different way.

 

“Gladly I shall help you, Nerome. It has been a long time since I last considered myself a lady.†Oh, that was such an Aes Sedai answer! She suppressed the thrill of self-congratulation though, in case it shone through in her eyes. Her mother would be proud of her!

[ashara]

OOC: Rossa’s so adorable. :) “Her mother would be proud of her!†:) :)

 

A deep curtsey, but not quite…refraining from raising his eyebrow, Nerome went into a deep bow, arm behind back, eyes on the ground until with careful, steady pace, he got himself upright again. It had been a while since he had done that. Properly. When Nerome had first been taught the means and ways to greet another, he had been appalled, if one was to put it mildly. Such precision, for nothing more than thirty seconds of careful scrutiny? A waste, he had remembered saying to Selandre. And quite the lesson he had gotten for that. She had forced him to roam around for the next week frozen in a constant bow, and for once, Nerome had not been able to see the humour.

 

“Gladly I shall help you, Nerome. It has been a long time since I last considered myself a lady.†Satisfaction was not an easy one to suppress. And Nerome did not bother to hide it, unlike the proud faced woman beside him. His constantly broadening smile was full of it for indeed, the gleam that had entered her brown eyes was hard to receive in any way but this. Slowly but surely Nerome, slowly but surely. “Everyone’s a little bit of a lady.†He started solemnly, but one look at Nerome’s face would’ve made one know there was more coming. “And of course, I don’t just mean women.†Before he gave her a chance to react, or laugh or even stare, he continued on, as enthusiastic as ever before. “But Lady Rossa! Let us not talk of such trifles. I’ve come to win your heart, but even now, I know nothing of you but a name and a smile.†Was it dangerous going there? Oh burn him, it was! “Surely there is more to know?â€

[Winter Mist]

~Rossa~

 

Surely there was more to know indeed! What a cheek! She hid it with her usual aplomb, not at all thinking of her parents or siblings and tried to find the peace she had possessed for a small moment when she was considering his face before, feeling that there might actually be a future that did not consist down a route of ruin and Daes Dae’mar. On the one hand, she had to avenge her family, but what would she do then other than restore the prestige to her family name? How could she do that with nothing but hope? True, Rossa had a store of determination that bordered on innate stubbornness, but she could not do much as one person, even with the One Power. A damaged reputation was far harder to recover from than any injury… Taking a deep breath, Rossa cleared her thoughts the way she would if she were going to embrace the Source and channel.

 

“My Lord Nerome.†Another curtsey - that should put him at his ease again. She had noticed that the young trainee had looked at her a little carefully when she had hesitated, and Rossa did not want to make him think there was anything wrong. Stupid mistake! I’ve not made one like that since I was nine years old! Resuming her position, she looked him in the eye and told him about her family, in as matter of fact a tone as possible.

 

“You would like to know about my family? Well, in truth, there is little to tell now. My family died in a fire not long before I came to the White Tower. They were … well known … in courtly circles at Ebou Dar and I would have been a Lady in Waiting for the Queen if my parent’s ultimate plan had worked.†Throughout her little speech, she kept her eyes on his face, studying for reactions, little gestures that would hint at his sympathy, or lack of it. Either way, she would know him better, particularly after that first fateful meeting in the gardens… Unconsciously, she scrubbed at the spot on the front of her dress that had picked up scuffmarks from the gravel path where she had collapsed, sobbing. “I have - had three sisters and a brother, of which I was the middle daughter. Now, I am a the High Seat of a House with a ruined reputation that I have to hide even here, because of my Novice status.†Light, she was proud of herself for not breaking down into the usual floods of tears! Rossa had managed to keep her head held high and not give in to the grief this time. Her chin was almost defiant and her voice, admittedly trembling slightly from the effort, but she had done it. “Is there anything else my Lord Nerome would like to know?â€

[ashara]

It was not like men were ever reputed for sense, certainly not him, but Nerome knew the moment the words left his mouth, that he had made a grave grave wrong. Perhaps it had been the complete drastic way with which all softness fled from her face or perhaps it was merely instinct. If only this ‘instinct’ had worked for him a little quicker. He had expected what he would hear to be bad of course, nasty even, but this. This? He wasn’t prepared for this. He hadn’t been taught how to react to such things. Deception and Parrying and Judgment he knew, even if he disliked them occasionally. But how was he supposed to behave now, when all he could do was stare at her, completely thunderstruck? Which handbook in the vast Library of the White Tower would tell him the answer to that?

 

….“I have - had three sisters and a brother, of which I was the middle daughter. Now, I am a the High Seat of a House with a ruined reputation that I have to hide even here, because of my Novice status.â€

 

Oh Light Rossa. It cut. Her words cut. And not just him, he knew, but the Novice herself. Yet again, it had been proved that he was a fool at the worst times. And he couldn’t exactly wrap his arms around her either could he? Light only knew what would happen then, for it was not any Aes Sedai’s wrath he feared most…it was Rossa’s. He felt his skin flush red underneath his tan as he looked into her eyes. For all the calm that Rossa intoned her reply with, her eyes was rage itself. Rage and something else. It was almost like they were challenging him. What, just what can you say now?Like a rat caught by his tail, came the unwanted proverb, except this time, he could feel no laughter coming with it. He had got what he was looking for strangely enough, but he’d also got a whole lot more.

 

I am Nerome Seshir… My past? Well… come from a House that’s filled with more than just the greed for Daes Dae’mar, its filled with malice and……Friends of the Dark….. I ranaway, then became a…and the icing on the cake was…..my friends….Carthwin, dear friend dead….all gone now….what left? Me.

 

The memory came to him quite suddenly, rushing to him in a way that made his senses swim. And it stung too. Did the faces he had first admitted this to even remember him?

“I don’t know what to say. And I don’t think you’re looking for an ‘I’m sorry’.â€But I really truly am. “Is there anything- No, I mean...Do you….Blood and Ashes!â€

 

He paused, flustered and stared at the ground.

 

“You’re one of the strongest persons I’ve met in the Tower. And I’ve met quite a few. I’m not just saying that. Also-â€hesitating, he glanced at her once more. “Everyone has something black in the past. That’s why its called the past. Because one needs to forget. No not forget- remember and move forward. That’s it.â€

 

He wasn’t any good at this soothing business, he simply was not.

[Winter Mist]

~Rossa~

 

She smiled. In spite of everything, or perhaps because of it, Rossa smiled. Nerome was definitely trying to make her feeling better. He flushed, blanched and lowered his eyes to the floor in rapid succession, obviously not knowing what to say. The fact that he somehow intrinsically knew what she needed to hear was rather startling coming from the person that had reduced her to tears the last time they had met. Strong? Rossa was only as strong as she had to be. You did what you had to do, and moved on. Besides, there were countless things to get involved with at the White Tower if she actually applied herself to doing so – memorising the names and habits of all the Aes Sedai and Accepted for reference for both herself and points of rank, recognising the patterns of people that might be conniving and plotting with each other, the small-talk of servants… that sort of thing. Things that might go unnoticed by novices or those untrained in politics came easily to Rossa, and that gave her the strength she needed to forget the grief on occasions.

 

Still no tears threatened. Was this the first time Rossa had been able to talk about her past without crying? Maybe she was further along the healing process than she had thought. Her mind calculated what Nerome had said about her being one of the strongest persons he had encountered at the Tower and how he had almost asked if there was anything he could do. Such a sweet gesture … no one had done that for her … no one. And yes, she did need to forget, but there was no way to do so, not without forgetting her honour, or what she owed to her family’s memory. Not to mention that Rossa had to restore the lustre to their name and rebuild their home and lands. Would the Queen know something? Her mind never stopped working to find out what might have caused the fire, not once.

 

How to respond to Nerome? What could she say that would make him feel more comfortable and why did she suddenly feel like she just wanted a hug or a cuddle? To be held and rocked and told everything would be all right in the end. That was all she needed. The sudden thought reminded her of her mother, which stiffened her backbone and brought a single tear down her cheek. Mute eyes looked at Nerome’s downcast face, wishing he would bring it up for a single moment so he could see that she wasn’t as strong as all that sometimes. No, she had to be the strong one. There was no one else…

[ashara]

Yet again, it was confirmed to Nerome Seshir that his understanding of women was a little…well maybe very…limited. Can’t know them unless you’re one of them a friend had once told him and oh, he agreed. Rossa Venye, tragedy stricken Novice was smiling. The moment he caught the smile he shifted his gaze back onto the floor. Moody didn’t quite cut it for him; this was plain strange. And he wasn’t sure how to react either, other than feel growing anxiety as he wondered about what thoughts were passing in and out underneath those glossy waves of hair. Was it merely a façade of some sort? Was she about to strike him with Saidar? Somehow, after being attacked with Air all three times upon meeting a chanelling woman, this did not surprise him as much as it should. It unnerved him, but not much else.

 

Say something. Anything.

 

It didn’t feel nice waiting. Made him uncomfortable and any person in the Library could’ve told from several yards away that he looked like the culprit, the guilty one. But even the guilty got their hearing. Standing, staring holes into the ground, this was edgy. The worst part was, he wanted to look up to see her face again. As much as her smile had left him flabbergasted, some small part of him had felt his spirits cheer in response to the fleeting smile. It was new for him to help another-even if he did make it worse in the first place-and the affirmative response he was getting from time to time….well, it made him feel good about himself. And here come the days of the Sappy and the Soft. Gods.

 

“You know,†he said abruptly, “You make me wonder a little. I came here running from my past, trying to forget everything and you? You would do anything to be able to bring it back for you. Don’t you find that strange? Opposites.†he said with a weak smile. “I come from Cairhien obviously enough, from House Seshir. My mother, Selandre Seshir, is now the High Seat I’m guessing, seeing as my grandfather passed away during my last night in Cairhien.†And so he began, in that same odd tone he had first spoken up in. His story was rather a long one, but one could hardly get bored listening to it. Soon time became of little importance and Nerome found his own thoughts drifting far back, to his past homes and travels, loves and friends. Already he could sense that he had changed from the smirking, overconfident boy who had entered the Yard a few years ago. Time changes all, indeed.

 

Faces came to him, days past, laughs, dislikes, hates. He was not used to feeling like this. Light, just the second meeting with this strange little woman and yet, he found himself feeling things he was not accustomed to. And still, he was warming to her. And still, he had told her in the past few minutes-many minutes really-things few knew and emotions even fewer knew. It was frustrating in a way. She hadn’t even asked for it. As for him…he hadn’t even realized he had said it, until he had.

 

Maybe there was a way to get out of this? He looked furtively at Rossa.

 

Oh no.

[Winter Mist]

~Rossa~

 

Had he meant to say that? Maybe the trainee was still being in character and trying to throw her off guard in some attempt to make her forget her past or something. She wouldn’t have put it past him. But still, Rossa filed away every little piece of information for trawling through later … the inflections it was spoken with, the expressions on his face and the look in his eyes as he had said it … all of the things that her mother had taught her to use while watching people for fuel for the Great Game. A little trickle of hope bubbled up in her, unbidden, as she remembered something an old tutor had once said.

 

“Opposites attract.â€

 

There was hope for her yet then, if he was thinking about her! She felt a little giddy, but she daren’t let it show, not if they were playing at Lords and Ladies. In any case, Rossa felt a little uncomfortable, not knowing how to feel. She studied the backs of her hands while she tried to gather her thoughts, which at that time consisted of her mother saying in her head “If you like him, and he is of good stock, then go get him!†She had never been one to beat around the bush. Oh, mother… A terrible realisation dawned on her. Her mother’s face was beginning to lose definition in her mind’s eye. When she cast her mind back to the last time she had seen her, just at dinner before going to her bedroom and then the blaze, it had been no more than a passing glance. Everyone expects to see their loved ones again when they go to sleep … they never expect anything like this. Burn it! Why hadn’t she told her mother she loved her that night? That had totally killed any hope that had bubbled up before. It left her feeling vaguely empty … devoid of all feeling apart from a little sadness and maybe some empathy for Nerome. Nerome…

 

She felt for him. Looking around the library, she saw no one and rushed forward to hug him tightly. It felt good to hold someone, to hopefully make them feel better, and it made her feel a little stronger knowing there was someone that needed her strength and protection. Rossa didn’t really want to release him from the hug just yet, because she needed it herself, but made herself pull away before anyone found them and accused them of any inappropriate behaviour. The last thing Rossa wanted was to be given a chore in an area she really disliked, like copying boring pieces of text myriad times until she could read it backwards, forwards and standing on her head. She looked up at him and wondered what he was thinking. Ebou Dari were known to be impulsive…

[ashara]

And to think he had been on the verge of saying, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean for any of that to come out.†So much for a pleasant goodbye, he thought as he returned the hug, tightening his arms around her only for a moment before she slipped away. And that was when he caught it- he’d felt it. There had been a reluctance to let go. She needed it then, he realized, eyes crinkling thoughtfully. But no, he would not question it- a feeling told him it might offend her, hurt her even and surely he’d done more than enough of that? Besides, he had needed it to. However, there was something in her face that suggested she needed to know he’d acknowledged it and accepted it without ridicule. “It is known all across the world and seas that Ebou Dari are impulsive,†he said with the broad smile that mirrored how he felt inside, “and all I can say is- not all impulses are a waste of time. Thankyou for that. I needed it.†And maybe you’ll admit some day that you did too.

 

For a moment he looked out of the window and did so with unchecked dismay. Time had flown it seemed. It was well past any lunch or afternoon practice he could’ve hoped to have. Most of all though, he was going into town tonight and if he wanted to without getting frowns, he needed to work some. He had to- Mara was not the sort of woman one turned down- the Saldaean beauty would slit him a thankyou for not having appeared without difficulty, amusement even possibly. Besides, it was not like she had been easy to persuade. It had made it all the more necessary for him to have her, even if it was one trashy night where she wasted his money. He had to leave. But how? Rossa was delicate right now. And they had only just sorted things out. He felt exasperation well and truly as he went through ideas rapidly in his mind. None were good enough.

 

The truth then. Light. “My Lady Rossa, this has been a meeting of the best sorts. Not one I will be able to forget, truth be told. But now, I am afraid there are places I’ve to be.†Taking her hand, he applied pressure on it for half a second before letting it go. “I hope we meet again. And then again after that,†he said warmly as he stood up. “Goodbye.â€

 

OOC: I didn't know where else to go and the other thing I really want to RP out was how much his feelings for her change over time. :) This is how he feels right now, but I can promise that changes. :P She won't remain the little sister like figure for very long. ;)