Oh, Light, this was ridiculous. They hadn't the slightest idea how to handle an escape. Maryam watched as the other girls skulked - SKULKED! - from hiding spot to hiding spot. At this point, there wasn't a chance of them all getting away. Walking over to the kitchen maid, she faced the girl, dress still bulging with pastries, and scowled. "You do get out of my way, lass! It doesna matter what any other novice tells me, by the Light, I'm TAKING these tarts! It's all Tower food, anyhow! You just TRY and catch me!"

Maryam bolted for the door, running past the hiding spot of Knytiri, Ray, and Amadine, mouthing, "go back now", making a show of noise and trouble intended to draw every eye to her. If the other girls had any sense, they'd slip out in the confusion, and share some of that honey and lamb with one Maryam Aldevwin... AFTER she could sit again. Darting between two tables, the novice evaded the rather overweight kitchen maid, and ran for the door, deliberately sending a pile of pans crashing to the ground.  Grabbing one of the pastries from her dress, she stuffed it into her mouth while cackling wildly in glee, and let the rest spill out onto the floor, leaving a terribly sticky mess for the girl chasing her to evade. As she headed to the door of the pantry leading to the dining hall, it looked like she might be able to make it to the eating area proper, at which point the others might be able to make an excellent haul. Distraction gave advantage, and she needed SOMETHING to endear herself to the other novices. She charged at the door and ran full tilt right into the waiting arms of...

Maryam stared up at the motherly figure from across the desk, missing the comforting arms, especially when the woman described how she could hurt herself and the people she loved by ignoring this potential. Light, what had she gotten herself into? Oh, Light, she was in a serious amount of trouble, Light's own truth to it. But what did that mean, she could just return home? Frowning, Maryam continued listening, doubtful at this point. Then the woman mentioned Gram. She had KNOWN? Of course she had known. She must have. Why, the scheming old baggage... Maryam couldn't help the fond smile forming on her lips as she stared at the enormous book. This was JUST LIKE Gram. She never had just the one purpose that was obvious.

Taking a deep breath, Maryam responded, knowing what this would mean. But Pia had made it clear, and Gram had done this for a reason.  In a loud, clear voice, she declared, “My name do be Maryam Ceilidh Aldevwin, daughter of Magrath Aldevwin of Kirgard, and Seram of the Tuatha'an, and I am fifteen years old, born in Kirgard, though my heart still wanders, searching for th-” Blushing, she realized that she was perhaps going on more than she should have, in the Tinker way. She wasn't searching for the song, that was just silly. However, not to be so easily foiled by her own foolishness, she continued, “I would like very much to see the names of my gram and my mother in the book, if it do please you, Mistress Sedai. And if you would be willing to indulge me, I've a question. Am I to be trained to become Aes Sedai, Mistress Sedai? I do not mean to presume, but I've heard the stories that girls do come to learn to be Aes Sedai. I would like to know, then, what does it mean to be Aes Sedai? If I'm to become one someday... well... what is an Aes Sedai? What makes y-” Choking off the last word, she corrected, “an Aes Sedai different from, say, my gram who trained in the Tower?”

Maryam yawned as she settled into her chair on the fifteenth day, rubbing her eyes. She should have gone to bed earlier last night, but she had been set to clean the alcove on the third floor west study nook 5, but apparently some accepted in times gone by had decided it was a wonderful place to doodle scorchmarks into the back of one of the benches in the classic symbol of the Aes Sedai, the circle with the sinuous like down it, with her initials and another's. She'd seen the like before, probably two pillowfriends – eww – professing undying love and devotion and blah blah blah. All it meant was more work for Maryam. She'd had to get a sanding tool from the servant's workshop. The carpenter had yelled at her for that. Apparently novices were not allowed in. Ridiculous.

She sat up with a start as Salandrian glared at her, and tracked back over what the Aes Sedai had said. Embrace. Right. Rose. Rose and sunlight. She reached, grasped, and nothing. Annoyed, she grabbed for saidar again. Still, nothing! Curse her wandering head! Taking deep breaths, she imagined her father's voice, singing in her mind, calming her, soothing her, and closed her eyes, opening herself to the power.  Warmth and awareness flowed into her. Her knees and hands were raw and her collarbone bruised from where she'd dashed it against the doorframe while escaping the carpenter's wrath. Slowly she nodded, listening to Saline Sedai's instructions. Pull more? Light, what did that even mean? Then it came to her. Her father had spoken of singing, of controlled breathing. He'd taught her the trick of it, and with that as a guide, she let her body, her mind, her awareness expand. It was natural, just like breath, just like life, but oh, Light, the power! The Power! She shivered, feeling a puissant thrumming in her veins, a potential, and for an instant, she resisted the Aes Sedai's instructions. She could not let go, not now... but the memory of Pia Sedai's strap suddenly rebounded off her awareness, and she hastily released. She opened her eyes, and looked up at the Aes Sedai and accepted, abashed.

Feeling much relieved after the Aes Sedai apparently took no offense, Maryam shook her head, staring wide-eyed at the Aes Sedai. Glancing at Salandrian - Light, the woman didn't have to scowl so, just because she was Accepted - she closed her eyes and calmed her breathing. A rose? It would be enough of a start to gain some semblance of focus. Maryam thought of mother. No, not mother. Gram. It would be Gram, now. Mother was a coward, a scoundrel. Light, what kind of woman would abandon her own daughter and... This wasn't helping. Focus on Gram. Maryam fixed Gram's smile in her mind, and the feel of the woman's hug, like when she had to stop crying in the Lady's house. Slow breathing. Blank mind. Focus.

Mind calm and clear, Maryam pulled open the drawer with the most recent instructions. She was a rosebud opening to the dawn sun, on a bright summer morning, ready for the warmth on her face. The flower filled her, the rich, thick scent sending a slight shiver down her spine. Hands calm and flat on her lap, feet flat on the floor. Calm, focused. She closed the drawer, opened her eyes, and looked up to the window, smiling at the shining sun. It filled her, warmed her, the wild rose she was. Humming to herself a song her father had taught her, she opened, stretched, reached, embraced the sun, and suddenly, it was flowing into her, filling her with life, with richness and beauty. Oh, light, the wild rose, the rose, the Rose...

Her voice, soft and warm, clear and rich, began to sing a song her father had taught her years before, one she always thought of in connection with flowers.

"I ambled down yon riverside, to see my one true love.

The brook had overflowed the banks, with heavy clouds above.

My lady love, she loved the stream, she loved the rocks below.

And though the rain come pelting down, she'd out in it, I know, I know.

My rose, my rose, she's sleeping still, her hair as red as blood.

With skin so soft, she pricks me yet, a'lyin in the mud.

When thunder crash and lighting strike, she's swept away in flood,

and there she lies, I close her eyes, my sweet, my lost rosebud.

I wandered up, and wandered down, all for me love to find.

I crossed that river, wide and strong, a-worried out me mind.

When clouds they parted for the sun, and lit for me that lass,

I ran to her, and knelt beside that still form on the grass, the grass.

My rose, my rose, she's sleeping still, her hair as red as blood.

With skin so soft, she pricks me yet, a'lyin in the mud.

When thunder crash and lighting strike, she's swept away in flood,

and there she lies, I close her eyes, my sweet, my lost rosebud."

With a start, Maryam looked around at staring faces. Oh, light, she'd SUNG, hadn't she? This is why she didn't let her mind wander.

Didn't they know how this worked?

Maryam had spent many a year in a lady's household, and had learned the art of knicking food without getting caught. With a glance at the other girls, she lifted her skirt and began filling the pouch thus made with sticky buns, rolls, and a couple nice brown potatoes. Her head whipped suddenly up at the mention of "Green Currant Buns", and she rushed over to Ray.

"Fill me up, and let's go!" Maryam waited with some small impatience for the other girls to fill up her now drooping dress with the currant buns, looking around all the while at the various items on display. Fish? No, they'd smell up the quarters. The honey jar? Definitely. There was flour and meal, which was right out, but... "OOO! Nightie, grab that leg of lamb! Madi, the jar, the honey! And do fetch some of the cooking wine. It will na be good, but it do be real! This definitely do be the cleanest pantry I've ever seen. See if you can get some of them clean sheets for laying out tarts. We can use those, by my reckon."

Shifting from one foot to the other, Maryam watched the door, edging toward the hatch wherein they had entered. This was going to end badly, if they didn't hurry. Maybe she could hide behind the other girls? "Liseri Sedai will have my ears for bein' so late, Light's own truth. Let's at least make out good!"

Sorry! Sorry sorry! It's up!

((OOC: Sorry about the delay.))

Glancing at the other students, and at the Accepted, Maryam swallowed the lump in her throat, at the thought of learning to CHANNEL! She looked Saline Sedai in the eye, and said, "Well, actually several questions, if it pleases milady. Why did Lately Sedai refuse to help the Dragon? I understand not wanting to work with men who can channel but for something like killing the Dark One, it do seem like the sort of compromise someone might make. If she did help the Dragon, would the Dark One have tainted both saidar and saidin? What was Later Sedai's plan to deal with the Dark One? It sounds like they thought that the Dragon would fail, which would suggest they must have had at least an inkling of a plan themselves. What exactly is the taint of saidin? If it's lasted all this time, does that mean that the Dark One is still loose? Does he channel the One Power himself? How do you make a fireball? Why does being Red Ajah mean you have a specific interest in this? Why would the Dark One taint saidin to make men go mad instead of just killing th... oh, never mind that one. I do think I see that one. Why is that the symbol for the One Power? Does it have any power itself? Why are you wearing trousers like a man?"

Maryam clapped her mouth closed, realizing she'd probably said a little more than she'd intended, and was rather startled to find herself standing tall. Her mind tracked back over the last couple minutes, and she realized what she'd asked. Cheeks reddening, she took a seat, positive that everyone in the room was thinking she was a goose-brained ninny. Light, SHE thought she was a goose-brained ninny. How many lashes in Pia Sedai's office would this have earned her? Ears burning, she listened quietly, eyes focused on the desk in front of her.

It seemed like the last ten minutes had passed Maryam by in a bit of a haze of furious thought. Calculating how much trouble she would get in for being late was an almost hopeless task, but she couldn't help trying. Ultimately deciding that the exercise was fruitless since she already WAS late, she glanced at the girls in front of her, her own belly rumbling. Light, had lunch really been so soon? Lessons took it out of her, but she was STARVING! Muttering about how they didn't feed novices enough, she jumped when a loud growl filled the corridor, then blushed, clutching her own belly in response. Light, the corridors were close.

Glancing at Knytiri, she murmured softly, "We're gonna make it, right? I mean, we're not gonna get caught? She DOES know where we're going, right? Right?"

As the group clustered around the small doorway, Maryam paused, looking up at the sign in Old Tongue. That was odd. What did it say? She'd have to ask, next class, but what a strange place to mark with such grandeur. Maryam rolled up the sleeve of her left arm, and with her fingernail, carved lightly the word, wincing somewhat at the sting. Perhaps not the best solution, but she had neither paper nor ink, and she certainly wouldn't remember. For some reason words and names eluded her. Still, she hadn't carved deep enough to draw blood, just leave a raised impression. It would serve.

With a start, she realized the other girls had stepped into the kitchen. She followed behind them, entering the wonderfully scented room with a suppressed giggle. They'd MADE it!

Maryam sat wretchedly in the chair, choking over wracking sobs that tore through her small frame, startling momentarily when Pia's hand touched her own. Glancing up at the blurry image through her tear-filled eyes, she rather unceremoniously took the linen and blew noisily into it, then threw her arms around the older woman, only half listening to the words of condolence. "But it-it-it's so SILLY! I neh-AAAAWWW (hic) never even knowed h.. knew her!" Maryam plunged her face into the crook of Pia's neck and wept, fifteen years of pent-up grief and agony finally spilling out, pain over the loss of years and love.

Pia was wonderful. She held on good and hard, which reminded Maryam of Gram. Gram knew a good cry when she saw one, and always knew what to do. Maybe she'd learned from this woman. Huffing gulps of air, the young girl finally started to pull composure back onto her face, sniffling loudly, as Pia continued, explaining - well, telling - about what may have happened. Maryam drew back slowly, composing herself. She listened impassively to the woman's well-intentioned words, mouth tightening into a line at the comment, "Just sadly no longer with us." Maryam looked down at her lap, at the calloused hands, remembering years of labor in a manor house, sweeping, scrubbing floors, being thumped with the Lady's fan. Her hand lifted to a small lump of scar tissue behind her right ear, remembering looking up at the wretched woman and flinching and cringing, and how she'd KNOWN mother would surely have put an end to it if she'd lived. But she had, of course. She was living as a queen, playing with some other Maryam's babes. Selfish trull.

Maryam's face reddened as she glanced up at Pia Sedai's admonishment to remember her mother fondly. Of course. Her anger was petty and cruel, and she was better than that. Frowning at the small stone the Aes Sedai brought over, Maryam opened her mouth to protest that Gram had already shown her something like this, when the woman's commanding voice drew her in. There was something compelling, something... dimly remembered. A moment, a flash of euphoria with Gram, but... concentrate on the stone. Relax. The stone is the world. Concentrate on the stone. Surrender to the stone. Surrender...

Flinching at the harshness of the Aes Sedai's voice, she looked up with wide, frightened eyes, now convinced that it must be true, and responded, "But... but... But Mistress Sedai, I'm a lady's maid. I do no want to channel the power. What does this mean?"

Who would have thought it to be so BIG?

Maryam wandered the corridors for twenty minutes desperately trying to recall the location of the classroom. Light, how many rooms did they need? There weren't THAT many novices, and even less Accepted. And everything was so FAR! Staggering to a halt in front of the classroom, she leaned against the wall to catch her breath, and then squared her shoulders to head inside.

Glancing at some of the other novices present, she attempted to assess where the best seat would be. In front would mean that the Aes Sedai would notice her first, but in back would mean she was marked out as a potential troublemaker. Frowning for a long moment, she moved toward the back of the room, taking the row in front of the very back row. Better to be a troublemaker than a pet. She WAS working to be Aes Sedai, after all, and that meant that she had to exhibit independence of thought and boldness. Taking her seat quietly, she watched the novices in front of her, and shifted nervously. Who was the teacher again? Salty Sedai, or something like that. Well, whoever it was, she'd be teaching them to use the one power today, which of course meant fireballs. Maryam straightened as the red sister entered the room.

Listening with rapt attention, Maryam's eyes widened at mention of the Dragon. Light, he had really channeled? That was supposed to be a myth. Something tugged at her, though. Something the Aes Sedai had said... what was it? Continuing to listen, she considered the Accepted. She was still a bit uncertain about the women in banded dresses. Sure, she was supposed to obey them, and sure, they had to obey the Aes Sedai, but what was it about them that set them apart from the novices? Shaking her head in some confusion, she waited until the Accepted finished her speech.

Maryam bobbed to her feet then dropped into a curtsey. "I am Maryam Aldevwin, Salamander Accepted." Not sure if the honorific "accepted" was appropriate, it seemed safest to just give it. Turning her gaze to the woman in trousers - Trousers! on a WOMAN! Oh, light! - she continued meekly, "Sa-uh-Saltine Sedai, may, uh. I-I... I do have a question, if it pleases you, Saltine Sedai." Hesitantly, she stayed dipped in her best maid's curtsey.

Rey DID try to put a brave face on it, it was clear, but Light, she stole cookies so often. That was bound to be it. Wincing at the mention of Pia Sedai, Maryam placed her hand over her mouth to stifle a giggle. Bum? Ridiculous, when "bottom" was the kind of word an Aes Sedai would use. Glancing left and right down the hall, she elbowed her way past into the room. "I'd love some cheese, but if we do stand around much lollygaggin' in the hallway, we'll all get shiny backsides. Now, come in here, love, and give us a blow." Maryam held the dustcloth out to Ray for her to tidy her face, and took the opportunity to glance around the room. "I see you got one of the big rooms, you did. Are you nobly born then?" Fighting down a smile, the girl reflected that her own room was probably slightly larger, if only because whoever had been there before had apparently spent a large portion of time hollowing out a small hole behind the pallet, wherein Maryam had found an old bit of twine, the remnants of a heel of bread, and a beat up old bit of paper with a rather good drawing of a lovely young man. That had gone back into the hole, of course, once Maryam had looked at it. For the twelfth time.

"Madi? Nightingale? Are you lot coming in or am I the only one being late to attend my Aes Sedai?"

"Reqs for NOVICE: Maryam Aldevwin"

 

• Novice Quiz - [Complete]

 

• Arrival: Meet MoN - http://forums.dragonmount.com/index.php/topic,54223.0.html - [ - / 4 ] [Complete / Incomplete]

 

• Novice Life - URL - [ - / 4 ] [Complete / Incomplete]

 

• One OP Related RP - URL - [ - / 4 ] [Complete / Incomplete]
  * Class 1: - URL - [ - / 1 ] [Complete / Incomplete]
  * Class 2: - URL - [ - / 1 ] [Complete / Incomplete]
  * Class 3: - URL - [ - / 1 ] [Complete / Incomplete]
  * Class 4: - URL - [ - / 1 ] [Complete / Incomplete]

 

• Choice RP:
  * [Name of Req] - URL - Word Count / [ - / 4 ] [Complete / Incomplete]
  

 

• Three Arches - URL - Word Count - [Complete / Incomplete]

Maryam Aldevwin, Murandian Novice. Gotta love that lilting accent. Puts you off guard, then, BAM! Gotcher cookie.

So, the best part of any prank is picking the target. And, well, I have to say, our teacher is ideal. I have an idea about that, but I'm not sure if this is the board for it?

Also, lovely Lavi, I'd love to proceed in my recognition, as well... Nudge nudge wink wink lookovertherenowitsmycookie... http://forums.dragonmount.com/index.php/topic,54223.0.html

Novice get!

I'm so in.

Got it.

1. Maryam.

2. Maryam Aldevwin.

3. Novice.

4. I see the light... and it BURNS! Oh, Light!

R&R

Maryam is 15 and a novice. I can see the WT Classroom board, and the main WT RP board, but no others. Besides, like, Tar Valon, etc.

Link doesn't work. Not sure why.

Peeking out the door to her novice... well... box, Maryam noticed Amadine approaching Regalia's door, and studied the girl with some curiosity. She hadn't noticed, she couldn't have noticed Maryam sitting quietly in her quarters relaxing, unfolding herself like a bud. NO! Not the time. Besides, she had to attend Liseri Sedai in ten minutes, and it was best she be about it. Still, she could run and get there in seven.

"Madi, what happened? Is Rey well?" Maryam brought out the dusting rag she kept up her sleeve and approached the door only to discover the curse. Lips pursing into disapproval, she shouted back, "Pia Sedai would tan your bottom and good for that kind of language, Rey! You're better'n that, by my reckon!" Turning to Amadine, she flashed a bright smile. "She's fine if she c'n curse, I'll warrant."

Maryam listened quietly to the other woman's explanation, nodded, then blinked in surprise at the last comment. She could channel? Ridiculous. "Oh, there must be some misunderstanding, Aes Sedai. I cannot channel, I just came for information about my mo-"

Frowning, Maryam touched her throat. Why wouldn't the word come out? "About my... my..." No, sure enough, she was unable to say it. Some Aes Sedai trick? And why was a drop of water running down her cheek? Touching the offending bit of liquid, she pulled her fingers away, staring with annoyance, then looked up. No, the roof wasn't leaking. Light, she must be coming down with a chill. She couldn't be crying. She COULDN'T! What was there to cry about?

Glancing at the Aes Sedai, she frowned. "I am sorry, Aes Sedai, I do not usually get weepy. Tha-thank you for waaaaaa!" Oh, light, she was sobbing like a child who couldn't have a cookie.

Pulling her feet up onto the chair and her knees tight to her chest, Maryam wept, great deep-throated sobs that tore through her slender frame. Oh, her mother, her mother was gone! She had never mourned, not really. After all, she never knew the woman who had given her birth. A tight ache in her belly caused her sobs to turn momentarily into heavy, wracking coughs, and she was quickly reduced to a sniveling mess. Huddling in the chair, Maryam managed to croak miserably, "I am sorry, Mistress Sedai. I mean no di-di-DISrespect." Choking back another sob, her shoulders continued to shake.

So long as we are agreed that cookies are not a SOMETIMES food.

I'm in for this, too!

Where'd you get the nifty signature pic?