While the two Aes Sedai lost their composure, Zaire opened her mouth to tell Salandrian the plan when she nodded towards the door. Zaire took the hint with no question and headed towards the door while the Aes Sedai were preoccupied. When Salandrian followed her, Zaire began to explain the plan.

"Just in case we don't get out of here, the other two novices folded the towels and we simply brought them out here," she whispered. "If they call us back before we get out, start to itch your arms and hands. That way, they will believe that we got itchweed on our hands when we handled the towels. They wouldn't believe that the pranksters would affect themselves."

They continued towards the door, quickly, but trying to move so that they would not be seen amongst the arguing Aes Sedai. Zaire only hoped they could make it out the door before the Aes Sedai realized the culprits were escaping. This private club stuff was thrilling, but scary.

Zaire, seeing that her smile was returned, felt more comfortable and paid no attention to the Aes Sedai in the bathing pool. A novice in this circumstance was to be meek, not trying to listen to the Aes Sedai's conversation, if it wasn't warded, and not watching them bathe. Zaire thought that it would be weird to look at the nude Aes Sedai in the bathing pool anyways, so she made no effort to raise her eyes to the naked women. She did however, randomly glance at the towels. This couldn't be taken as suspicious, seeing as she was a novice who placed them there for the Aes Sedai to use. If anything worse than that, they might think her eager for the Aes Sedai to finish so she could get back to the Tower and spend the rest of her free day the way she desired. The latter was true in her case.

Finally, after a good while of standing against the wall next to Salandrian, the Aes Sedai made to get out of the bathing pool. Zaire looked straight down at her feet popping out of the bottom of her white dress and made no eye contact with any other person in the room; nor did she look at the towels containing the itchweed. Once each Aes Sedai had a towel wrapped around their bodies, Zaire raised her head and waited for any further request from the women. Her face remained as hard as marble as the women rubbed the towels all their bodies, drying the water from their skin. She started to think of exactly how they would get away with this. There had to be some way to use the other two novices and be innocent as well. They could say that they were the two who folded the towels, and that Zaire and Salandrian only brought them out. Obviously the other two would deny it, because it wasn't true, but they would be seen as the guilty ones. Perhaps there was a way for Zaire and Salandrian to be innocent and convince the Aes Sedai that they were innocent. The two novices folded the towels and laced them with itchweed. Zaire and Salandrian brought them out, and while doing so got itchweed on their hands and arms from the towels. Zaire needed a way to tell Salandrian the plan, or at least hint that their arms and hands itch. If only one of the Aes Sedai could ask for something.

After getting the confirmation from Salandrian that she was ready to what they were made to do, she picked up her pile of towels and walked through the doorway and into the bathroom where the Aes Sedai were still bathing and talking amongst themselves. Salandrian and the two other Novices followed her through the doorway, but only Zaire and Salandrian walked further to place the towels on the ground near the stairs to the bathing pool. After placing the towels neatly on the ground so that the itchweed would not fall out, Zaire and Salandrian exchanged a quick glance of mischief and continued on back to the doorway where they stood and waited on the Aes Sedai, in case they desired anything more. Zaire crossed her fingers behind her back, careful so that no one could see them, not even the two Novices. They could ruin the whole plan, and she wasn't about to give up her hide for two young twits who were too weak to do anything further than follow Aes Sedai on a leash. She looked over at Salandrian once more and smiled a warm smile, one of friendship. Now that they had done something against the White Tower, no matter how small, they were in it together, and would be, until they were raised at least.

Zaire took a deep breath in and let it go through her lips. She didn't care much about the lack of serenity because the only people near her were her friend Salandrian and two other Novices. The Aes Sedai were already bathing in the other room. Spending a free day like this...If there was some way to still get back at that Saline, she would grab the chance in a heartbeat. But the whole idea of pulling a prank on Aes Sedai and being stealthy about it intrigued her. She was folding the towels for the Aes Sedai and placing them in a pile behind her and Salandrian so that they could place the itchweed inside of them. Keeping an eye on the two other Novices across the room, Zaire folded the last towel and placed on top of hers and Salandrian's pile. Then she turned around to face the towels with Salandrian. Zaire pulled her packet of itchweed out of her bodice, thanking the fact that it was in a leather pouch, and opened up the top towel. She opened the pouch and sprinkled some of the itchweed around the whole inside of the towel, making sure not to drop any on the ground, get any on her, or get any on Salandrian. She continued this for the rest of her pile of towels and then turned to Salandrian, giving her an eye that said she was ready for what they were about to do.

ooc: DONT FORGET ABOUT ME!!!

Zaire's eyes flashed with contempt and she was about to grit her teeth when she bit her tongue instead. She held herself, and her anger, for the such disrespectful way this new Aes Sedai presented herself to Zaire, in. She didn't want to know what would happen if she retorted an Aes Sedai, and this one looked a mess. She straightened her face and looked away; Out the window she saw a bird perched on a tree. She came back to the two Aes Sedai immediately after Serena started to speak again.

Seeing all of the Blue-Shawled Aes Sedai in the hallway made Zaire a bit nervous. Seeing all of the decoration of the entrance to the Blue's Quarters made her think back, too. The rest of the Tower wasn't this decorated. Well, of the part that she saw at least. Either this was nothing, or the Blue Ajah held quite a bit of authority, or wealth, here.

Zaire was in awe when she stepped into the Aes Sedai's room. The rest of the Tower looked like a giant piece of stone compared to this. And it wasn't even that much. To see comfortable chairs was enough for her. When the air hit her face, she breathed in the smell of Two Rivers tabac. It reminded her of home because her father always smelled of it. Serena Sedai gestured for her to take a seat and she aprehensively but greatfully took a seat on the very comfortable couch. "Do you think you could find your way here," the woman asked. Zaire studied the room as she thought of how they came here. "Well, I only know by the way we just came, but I am rather good with direction. If I get lost I will be sure to ask someone," she said as she smiled and nodded her head.

Zaire studied the kitchens with her cup in hand. She circled the rim with her finger, watching all those girls work about. If I behave, indeed. I have a feeling I'll be here anyways.

"Now, the Dining Halls are where you will be eating. If you like I can show them to you, however, is there something here that you would like to see? There are plenty of Gardens, some woods, and ponds, as well. I can take you to the Blue's Quarters, because that is where I will have you meet me some of the time."

She took a quick sip and said, "Oh, well I suppose I'd like to know where the, Blue's Quarters, are if I will need to go there. The Gardens sound nice, I bet they are extraordinary." She doubted she would be able to see much of them as a Novice if Serena Sedai said she would be spending most of her time here. She looked around the kitchens again and noticed a novice eyeing her with distaste. She brought her cup down from her mouth, slowly eyeing the girl back.

Back at home she never remembered stepping foot in her kitchens, seeing as her brothers nor her father did. When her mother would ask her to let Gretch, her cook, teach her how to make food, Zaire ran away and claimed it was a place for girls. Well, no use escaping it now. The thought of being elbow-deep in fluids used for cooking made her sick, so she stopped thinking about it. She wasn't about to show everyone the delicious food she had just eaten, and wasn't willing to give it up either.

Zaire tried so hard to keep her feelings from showing on her face. She was shocked, disgusted, and intrigued at the same time. How the woman could speak to a girl like that, and how the girl just yelped and thanked her!? I must have been mad to come here. But at the same time, she was intrigued, that an Aes Sedai really did have so much power. The thing that made her snap out of her thoughts was when Serena Sedai said the kitchens. She better mean I'll be eating there frequently.

"Thank you Serena Sedai. I do not think I have any questions, but if I do, I will be sure to ask a Brown Sister." The words "Brown Sister" felt strange in her mouth. Or so it seemed, because they sounded so normal in Serena's. As Zaire spoke to the woman she swore she saw a child in Serena's eyes. The way they shone with mishief. Still, it wasn't something you questioned an Aes Sedai about. So, Zaire continued, "If you could show me the kitchens now, Serena Sedai. If you say I will spend most of my time there, I would like to get very aquainted with the area." Why not play around with her while she still had the chance. Zaire's eyes flashed with defiance and she grew a slow smile. Still, she managed to remain an innocent position.

Serena eyed her for a moment and then turned on her heel and led Zaire out of the library, down a dark corridor and down some stairs. As they walked, the short Aes Sedai in front, of course, Zaire studied the walls. Most of the time there was nothing to look at, just smooth, or creviced, wall. In some hallways there were tapestries, which she found rather interesting in that, she had never seen much like them. The pictures were strange, nothing like she'd ever seen on a tapestry before. She shrugged and continued studying the passing walls, seeing as there was nothing else much to look at.

Zaire was relieved to be out of that Light-forsaken chair. Her bottom still hurt. But as she left the room with her mentor, she couldn't help but mentally giggle. It wasn't right, to laugh at someone shorter than her who would help her out in nearly any way possible, but she still did, and it made her feel guilty. She studied the short woman, with her dark, and short!, hair and her slanted green eyes. She could tell right off the bat that she was Saldaen. She had learned all about the World, growing up.

She followed her mentor out into the hallway and the woman turned around, straight away, and asked, "Would you like a small tour of the White Tower first? Or would you rather get right to your rooms? I'm sure the Aes Sedai that brought you here was tremendously helpful,however if you have any questions, please feel free to ask me."

Zaire would have admitted to anyone that she was tired through to her bones. "Well, I am rather tired and wouldn't mind being shown to my room," Serena Sedai started to lead Zaire down the hallway, "But I would really enjoy a tour. I feel so lost and I've been here less than an hour. Aes Sedai." She added that last title so quickly she thought she might faint. She almost forgot this woman was Aes Sedai because of her height. Oh would you get over it, girl! You fool...thinking about an Aes Sedai's height.

oook...now what?

“Welcome to the White Tower."

Zaire felt a surge of relief. She no longer paid any attention to the painful chair underneath her. There was the relief but with it, she realized, came thousands of questions. She sat up in her seat and said, "Mistress, what happens now?"

Boy is this chair uncomfortable!Hopefully this will be the only time I have to sit in it! Zaire shifted uncomfortably in her chair while Faerzyne said some things and asked her if she'd been tested.

"Oh, yes ma'm. Aramina Sedai tested me at my home in Caemlyn." Zaire wondered if this woman would test her again, for her own desire and what else she would be asking. Epona shifted again, her bottom started to hurt. Light, this bloody chair!

Zaire felt that Aramina shouldn't have left her, but she realized she had to become accustomed to the Tower sooner or later. She opened the door slowly and walked in. She curtsied deeper than she ever had before, seeing as this was an important woman. "Mistress, I am Zaire Sharimaei, here to become a Novice."

She kept her eyes on the floor and her feet until she heard the Aes Sedai speak. She didn't know all of the customs here but she didn't want to blow it on the first try.

Zaire took in all of the city she could. Compared to Caemlyn, this was a bit larger of a city, but they were both just as crowded. She couldn't, however, compare the presence of the White Tower. Caemlyn could never compare to that. They rode, with Aramina pointing out places to her, why exactly, she had no idea. Aramina Sedai had said something about them being safe for a young woman but the point of it she didn't quite understand.

As they approached the steps to the White Tower, Zaire felt butterflies in her stomach. This she would remember for the rest of her life, and remember exactly how she felt. It was very soon that she would meet the Mistress of Novices and officially become a Novice. These were some of the things her and Aramina spoke of throughout the past weeks.

She followed Aramina Sedai to a stable where a young man, she found to be quite fit, handled their mares and saddles. She then led Zaire to the main entrance to the Tower. Everything that happened after was quite a blur to her.

ooc: ok, i still dont know this place very well but i would assume we transfer this post to the White Tower? and then the MoN comes and does her thing. i thought maybe zaire could be "in a blur" cuz i dont know how you guys do this.

Zaire smiled and returned her gaze back to the road in front of her. Sisters one day, huh? Well, I wouldn't know about that. Aes Sedai can be strange sometimes. Well, I guess I better get used to it, I may very well become one. I will become Aes Sedai.

They rode on for days, nearly weeks, having pleasant conversations. Some pertaining the Tower, others pertaining to the outside world and people and cultures. Zaire took it all in like a deep breath when you had no oxygen left. She felt a special relationship with Aramina Sedai, and no doubt, they would always get along and be friends, even, one day.

One morning, as they rode down the Tar Valon road, Zaire thought she saw something glittering from the sunlight in the distance. She lost her breath, thought she was silly, and regained it again, asking, "Aramina Sedai, is that..?"

"Yes it is, child," Aramina said with a laugh. Zaire couldn't believe it. She had heard about it in stories, some straight from Aramina herself, but just that tiny sparkle of light was exhilarating! She suddenly couldn't wait to arrive. By the end of the day, if my sense of time and distance are still intact. They rode on, Zaire almost bouncing in her saddle because she was anxious to get there.

Finally, when the sun was in between it's zenith and the horizon, they were approaching the white-arched bridges of Tar Valon.

Zaire let the tears fall down her cheeks and listened to the Aes Sedai. She had been broken and it was too much for her to handle. She would find the White Tower to be a wonderful place to be, but it would be hard for Zaire to admit it. She nodded her head to Aramina Sedai's reply and continued riding in silence.

Hours later, the tears that had fallen, dried and made her cheeks itch. The ride became harder and harder for her to bear because of the awkard silence that had thrived so well in Zaire's upset mood. "Aramina Sedai," Zaire thought the woman would have jumped if she hadn't been Aes Sedai, "I am glad my mother sent me. I feel I can become strong and do my very best to achieve my goal of Aes Sedai. I do this for me. And Aes Sedai," Zaire added, "Thank you for helping me realize that this is what I want to do." She looked over to Aramina and smiled.

"What is it you hope to achieve at the White Tower?" She asked. "You will do as your mother asks certainly, but what else will it gain you?"

Zaire didn't mean to stall answering Aramina Sedai's question, but she wasn't sure how to answer it. She also wasn't sure what the Aes Sedai would do if she didn't answer the question soon enough; it might seem to her that Zaire was completely ignoring it.

"Aramina Sedai..." she began but didn't finish it. She swallowed hard and looked around. She played with the reins inbetween her fingers. "I think, I have decided that I will not do this for my mother anymore. I will do this for me. I-I want to become Aes Sedai. I no longer need to." She looked at Aramina Sedai through the corner of her eye, noticed her smiling and added, "I don't know if you understand how hard this is for me to admit, Aramina Sedai. I am a very strong-willed person and I would usually never admit that I was wrong." She continued looking around and ignored the feeling of how the Aes Sedai was looking at her and the tear that was sliding down her cheek.

Zaire's head was full of thoughts when she layed down to sleep. Before long, she fell asleep and she dreamt about her time at the White Tower.

***

The next morning, she woke up to Aramina Sedai's voice. "Zaire, you need to wake up. We must be on our way soon." The Aes Sedai left the room and Zaire got up. She dressed herself and grabbed her bags, seeing that the Aes Sedai's weren't there. She followed the Aes Sedai down to the common room where she was eating her breakfast. She sat down and started on the plate that was set up in front of Aramina's. Zaire was barely awake, so she didn't say a word to the Aes Sedai, or even the serving girl when she came around to refill her milk.

After breakfast, they went to the stable where Aramina Sedai had a stable boy ready their horses. After several minutes of playing with hay between her fingers, they were up on their mares and leaving the small town they had stopped in for the night. They rode for several hours with little conversation, save for comments on what a beautiful day it was.

"I beg your pardon Aramina Sedai, but how much longer a ride is it to Tar Valon?" That was the first question Zaire had asked the woman since the night before and it hurt her brain to ask it, but she, once again, was curious and was getting impatient. She hated being impatient. It was something that had hurt her since her birthday. Some things were easy for her to wait for but others just made her itch in her seat.

Zaire listened so intently, she thought her head might spin with all the odd information. When Aramina Sedai started talking she turned around on her bed and put the picture in her lap.

She found it all so interesting for some reason. Despite the fact that she was so against this in the start, she began to become interested in it all. When she heard about all of the Ajah's she thought which one she would fit into, or want to join. She found Aramina's interesting, the fighters.

It also sounded interesting to learn about all the other things. The customs from other lands; She always wanted to travel. When her mother tried to teach her diplomacy, it was awful, but Zaire thought that hopefully it would be better to learn it in the White Tower. The word Shadowspawn made her cringe. Those were things you only heard in child's stories; Zaire didn't think they were real.

Finally, the One Power. She had always known about the Aes Sedai magic, as she called it, and had always been fascinated by it. Actually, she was more scared of it at first and never thought she could do it. Zaire wondered what it would be like to "wield" the One Power. How did you do it? And how could you possibly learn?

"It all sounds very interesting, but intimidating, Aramina Sedai. I look forward to learning about all of these things at the White Tower."

"Oh," Zaire mumbled while nodding her head. She straightened her skirts and set her things down next to her bed. She sat down and waited for Aramina to start eating first, then took up her plate. They ate with no conversation except for compliments on the food here and there. Finally, when Zaire finished, she looked up and noticed Aramina Sedai still eating. She took a sip of her water and waited until the Aes Sedai was done eating. She had spoken to someone while they were eating before and she got away with little less than a beating from her mother, saying it was one of the rudest things someone could do. "Aramina Sedai, you said back on the road something about A-A...Ajah?" She stumbled fluently on the word seeing as it was brand new to her. The Aes Sedai nodded her head and she continued, "May I ask what it is or will I learn about it in the White Tower? Well, of course I will. I'm sorry, I don't know why I asked, Aes Sedai." She stood up and curtsied, then walked to her bed and plopped herself down on the edge. She took out a picture of her father and her brothers that she had in her saddlebags and jumped when Aramina Sedai spoke.

Zaire listened intently, and when Aramina Sedai was done, she nodded silently and continued her gaze on the road ahead. They rode for 3 hours or so with occasional small talk about a passerby or an animal off in the distance. When it started to become dark, Zaire became curious as to what you did next. She had never been outside of Caemlyn, except to travel to her family's summer home in the west of Andor.

"Aramina Sedai, are we going to stay at an inn or are we going to camp out? I will do either if I have to, I am only curious, Aes Sedai."

Zaire followed the Aes Sedai's lead through the streets of Caemlyn to the city gate. When they were through the city gate and on the road to Tar Valon, Zaire finally spoke up. "Aramina Sedai, how long does it take to get to Tar Valon from here?"

The Aes Sedai looked at Zaire out of the corner of her eye, studying her with a small smirk. Why, Zaire had no idea. She sat her horse, waiting patiently for her answer. "It should take no longer than (ooc:i dont know the actual time so if u wanted to tell me and ill edit it in?), child." She said it calmy, with a voice that said Zaire should have known.

They rode on another several minutes when Zaire thought she had her first Tower-related question. She was still nervous in front of the Aes Sedai. The women who used to taunt you when you were a little girl, if you did something wrong. Clearly they didn't seem as bad as your parents made them out to be, but they were so mysterious that you didn't know what to expect next. Will I become an Aes Sedai like that?

"Aramina Sedai, I know you must think I have little respect for authority, seeing the way I speak with my mother, but I want you to know that I have all the respect I need to show to a even a queen. But I do ask, is there a certain way to present myself to the Amyrlin Seat, or this Mistress of Novice's you spoke of?"

Zaire had woken up too early, she thought, in order to be ready and to the Aes Sedai's Inn. Not a minute late, but not a minute too early either. She didn't want Aramina Sedai to think she was over eager to leave or to go to the White Tower.

She walked down the streets, a chilly morning, the sky painted beautiful colors, looking for the Inn where Aramina Sedai was waiting. When she turned a corner, she squinted her eyes to see Aramina Sedai outside of a stable. She slowed down her pace a slight bit, whether because she was having second thoughts or because she didn't want the Aes Sedai to think she was running, Zaire didn't know for herself.

"Good morning Zaire." She said with a slight nod of the head. "It is good that you are on time. A fine trait for a novice , which you will learn if you show up late to any of your classes at the White Tower." She said.

"Of course, Aes Sedai. Like I said I am not late for anyone. It is one thing I find to be very disrespectful, Aramina Sedai." She had butterflies in her stomach, realizing that this was it; she was leaving Caemlyn soon. The place she had grown up in and loved. And now she was leaving it to become Aes Sedai for her mother. She tried to hold her stomach so that she didn't empty it anymore than it already was.

"Aes Sedai, I would like to ask you something." She waited for Aramina Sedai to gesture her to go on. "Well, Aes Sedai, I know you must think I'm stubborn, after last night and all, but I wondered if, on the way to Tar Valon, that you might teach me some things?" She dry-scrubbed her hands and played with her skirts while she avoided Aramina's gaze and added, "Not about Aes Sedai magic, but about.. manners I will need and any other things that might help me?"

Zaire was about to collapse when she saw the Aes Sedai smile. She was sure she was in for it when she spoke to Aramina Sedai without manners. "You need only bring clothes to see you to the Tower and any personal effects you wish to carry with you. All else will be provided for you when we reach the Tower." Zaire kept all the emotions in the back of her head but kept the temporary air that she held, seeing as the Aes Sedai wasn't doing anything about it. This time.

She curtsied deeply, bowing her head with it, and said, "Thank you Aes Sedai. I shall meet you tomorrow morning, Aes Sedai." That might clear some of her unmannered actions. She waited for the Aes Sedai to release her to slip through the door and down the hall to her quarters.