"Welcome to Tar Valon, Leala Gymorraine. Welcome to the White Tower, Novice Leala."

A feeling of pride swelled in the new Novice's chest when she was given her new title. The most she could hope for in her own home was the title of a noble's wife, with little power. The title of "Novice" granted her access to the greatest structure in the world. She was now part of the White Tower. With her skills in the Great Game, she would conduct Daes Dae'mar with Aes Sedai when the time came. With her talents in the One Power, she would find strength in herself that she had not known until a year ago. She knew that she was at the very bottom of the Aes Sedai hierarchy, but she was so happy to have found a place where she would be useful, needed. She was sure that the Tower had need of Novices.

Leala watched Valeri complete her entry and go to a cabinet and retrieve a few items. The young girl leaned to try and see what she was doing. Her hair slipped over her shoulder a bit, distracting her. Her hair, when not controlled, would invade her vision and throw off her thoughts for a moment. By the time she had tamed her golden locks once more,Valeri Sedai had returned with a bundle of clothes and a few accessories, all in white. On top of the bundle was a wooden token that had the Aes Sedai's full name, Valeri Kinaea, carved into it. Looking up, she listened to what the Mistress of Novices had to say.

"This is the prescribed attire of a Novice, child. Your own things will be stored for you against the day you are raised to Aes Sedai or otherwise leave the Tower. These here will see you through the next few days, when you have time take the token to the Tower seamstresses and they will measure you and sew a set of Novice whites to fit you."

The now titled Novice Leala ran her hands over the bundle. She wondered how they would fit on her. Looking through the items, she found two white dresses, shifts, a belt, and a pouch, all of them white. Like the Tower. If the dresses were too large around her hips, the belt would certainly be needed. Her mind flitted to the statement about her own possessions being held until the day that she was raised tot he shawl. When Valeri Sedai continued, she told her that she would soon be escorted to her room and posed the opportunity for more questions.

"Just one more, Aes Sedai. You see, if my hair is not tied back with this cord," she began, indicating the simple silver cord that wrapped around the crown of her head, holding her intricate, yet unwieldy hair back. "It almost immediately springs into my face, interfering with my sight. Will this be held for me as well? If so, I'll need a replacement." She assumed that if there was need for a replacement, it would be white. She had no complaint against that.

Lol, yes, I'm excited about this arrangement, too! x3

Leala nodded along, taking in what the Mistress of Novices had to say about the Ajahs. She then explained that she would be informed about the Ajahs more in details during her classes, which she understood. Valeri Sedai must have been very busy. She had seen many women in white dresses. Soon she would be added to that number as well. From what she had heard of the Ajahs, she liked the ideas of the Brown and White. But she would have more than enough time to consider this. She wasn't even officially a Novice after all. She smiled when Valeri Sedai approved of her "keen"-ness. Leala enjoyed pursuing the sources of her curiosity. She watched as the Aes Sedai produced an immense leather-bound book. She almost expected a cloud of dust to breathe out of the tome when it landed on her desk. As Valeri Sedai explained the purpose of the Book of Novices, Leala's mind wandered to the stories behind these Novices. How many had been raised to the shawl? How many was she possibly related to? How many of them would she meet? Her attention quickly returned to the Aes Sedai addressing her. She had asked for her full name, where she had been born, and her age.

"Of course," she said with a nod. "My full name is Leala Amaryss Gymorraine." She paused to let the Mistress of Novices copy down her name into the pages of the book. "I was born in Caemlyn, in the Palace." She wasn't sure if she needed thebit about the Palace, but she figured the more information she gave, the more accurate what she gave would be. "And I am fourteen years of age," she said, completing the information that had been requested of her.

The Aes Sedai that had escorted her to the Tower had told her of the arduous tasks of a Novice and the duties she would be expected to perform. At first, she was worried about those, but she grew to accept them. They must have been put in place for a reason. She would be a part of something much, much bigger than House Gymorraine. She would do her chores and tasks and whatever else was expected of her with pride.

I'm not sure if this is the right forum to post this in, but I've got a new Novice that desperately needs a roommate. Leala''s a noble's child from Andor and has trouble relating to people as friends because she's basically been playing Daes Dae'mar since she could talk. A roommate would be a great way for her to learn how to make friends and relate to the Novices as well as her higher ups.

She's trying to keep an open mind, so it won't be that hard for her to open up. More than one roomie would be okay, too! :)

Send me a PM if you're interested. I have no IMs. :(

For the first time in these lessons, Leala had perhaps a five minute break between her chores and when the class began. Her lungs were full of clean air, her eyes were only as moist as they needed to be, and there was no grime on her hands or her dress. She walked confidently from her room to the classroom for the lesson on Earth, Fire, and Spirit. She was now getting better at controlling her emotions when holding Saidar. Most of the other Novices were still giggly and easily excited. However, this journey to becoming an Aes Sedai, as had been repeated to them nearly constantly since their arrival at the Tower, had much to do with control. She saw the colored hems of Accepted Amadine's skirt flutter into the room. She followed her teacher into the room and sat in her usual proximity to the front of the room. There seemed to be an apprehension in the air, as if everyone was nervous that their control over Fire and Earth would not be up to par. However, Leala was looking forward to seeing her talents. After all, Amadine had said that it was the normal case for women to be stronger in Water and Air. There had to be a few cases where someone had an affinity to Fire or Earth.

Accepted Amadine began this class in her usual way, with an explanation as to what they would be doing for this lesson and its point. She demonstrated the correct use of a simple weave of Earth on none other than a rose. The first rose opened was a bright red, almost similar to the rose that she had constructed in her mind's eyes in the first lesson. Leala readied herself in her seat as the Accepted passed out a vase with three tightly closed rose buds in them. She waited for permission once more and when it was given, she reached into the One Power. Out came the threads of brown tinged very slightly with red. She found that the weaving and controlling of this element came almost clumsily to her. She concentrated as had as she had ever done to guide the weaves over the rose bud and let it settle. The rose opened to reveal a bright, sky blue. She marveled at what she had done for a moment before repeating this action. This time, she knew what she needed to do, and the second rose bud opened at her will. This rose was a beautiful and gay pink. Neither rose was the color that she imagined in her mind, but they were still full of life with delicate veins in their petals and their smooth texture. Amadine went on before she could open the third rose.

She listened as she explained the correct want to douse a fire and why it was dangerous to pull heat with a weave of Fire. It made sense to her. After all, fighting fire with fire was never wise. She watched as a beautiful thread of red Fire lit a candle with her teacher's guidance and was doused with a simple thread of Water. The teacher passed out the candles for the Novices to light. After hearing what a danger Fire was, she was a bit hesitant again. However, she reached to Saidar again and found the element of Fire. She guided the thread with much more ease than she had expected after her fumbling with Earth and lit the candle easily. Reaching for Water once more, she doused it. She seemed to be stronger with Water. And from what she could tell with her classmates around her, she was even strong in Fire. The Andoran Novice waited for the Accepted to continue. She liked that she would weave around the students and give them encouragement. It made her feel that she was making progress.

Looking up when she returned to the front of the room, Leala watched as two of her classmates were called to the front of the room. This weave would be with Spirit to ward off eavesdroppers. The thread of Spirit looked like a cross between silver and yellow to her, almost like the gold in her family seal. She watched as it curled and wove itself in a glittering display before settling on her fellow Novices. She tried as hard as she could, but she could not hear a word from them. Amadine explained that the volunteers could not hear the class, either. The One Power was truly amazing. She wanted to try her hand at the weave, to know what Spirit felt like, but before any further instructions were given, the Accepted dismissed the class. Before she left, Leala stood up and curtsied to her teacher and thanked her for the classes. She had taken several steps toward knowing control over Saidar under her tutelage.

Leala, thank the Light, did not need a rag over her face to wash dishes. In fact, the allergens that had irritated her eyes and her lungs the week before seemed to lessen with the room fill with steam rising from hot water. She could breathe easily and preferred this chore to the more dusty and dirty ones. She picked up a small stack of plates that she had finished washing and placed them into their appropriate places. She and a couple other Novices dispersed from the room after their task had been done. She didn't recognize either of them as her classmates, but nodded to them before leaving. She heard them whispering amongst themselves as they went a separate way. Because of the the tones in their hushed voices, she assumed they were gossiping about her cold nature. She was beginning to want friends that were Novices as well. It was not a normal thing to feel lonely in a place with so many people. Her mood lightened a bit, though, as she remembered that today was her third lesson in Saidar. She hoped they would be able to explore the great potential of what she had felt in the last two lessons.

Finding the classroom once again, her pale hand opened the door. She noticed that the dishwater had left a slight film on her hand. Someone would have to wash the knob. Her mind left chores again when she entered the room. Her usual seat in the front of the room was filled, so she graciously sat in a seat in the second row. Again, Accepted Amadine stood in front of the room and began the lesson with a lecture on the elements that could be found in Saidar. Her eyes brightened a bit when she realized that her hopes for this lesson would be realized. She would be able to explore the elements. She took out her parchment and loaded her pen, taking notes on the colors mentioned that marked the elements in usual circumstances. She watched as the Accepted pulled a thread from her hold on Saidar. The thread of Water looked green to her, but with more of a tinge of blue than was needed. She wrote that Water was perceived as blue green in her case. It was a beautiful color.

Before Amadine continued, she set up a demonstration and showed them how to wring out a rag with two simple weaves of Water. Leala was happy that she was able to not only see the glow around her teacher, but also the clear and bright color of the weave of Water. The young noble's heart leapt when her own bowl and handkerchief were presented to her. She was so excited to finally see that she could do this like all the girls around her. When permission was given, Leala quickly found the place in her mind that she had found in the last lesson and embraced Saidar. She felt jubilant and happy. For the first time, the Novice from Andor reach into the power that she had grown to love and pulled out a thread of the brilliant color. Almost surprisingly easily, she pulled another thread of Water next to it. This felt natural to her as she wove the simple weave shown to her. When she finished and the rag was completely dry, she looked around and noticed that she had finished before most everyone else. Maybe she had an affinity for this element.

Soon after everyone else finished the simple exercise, Accepted Amadine returned to her post at the head of the classroom. This time taking a blue weave of Air, she began a new exercise. Leala quickly jotted down the color of Air that she saw. She watched as the instructor at the front of the room lifted the rag into the air, and then even made it wriggle in front of her. Again, she reached into Saidar and found the element Air. Upon taking it out, she found that it was a little harder for her to control than Water. It seemed stiffer than the previous thread, but after a while, she successfully lifted the rag easily. With a little encouragement from Amadine, she tugged the thread as she had seen and the rag danced as it hovered above her. The tight feeling in her chest that had accrued while she had not notice relaxed in having finished the second exercise. Air was not as hard to control has she had thought when it resisted more than Water. She could apply this tot he lesson before about control.

Leala's arm worked in circular motions, finishing the dusting in an unused classroom. This was the third one she had finished this morning. In the middle of the first one, she had had to cover her mouth with a clean rag to breathe in cleaner air. She had opened a window to help the dust clear out as well. She coughed into the rag after she closed the window in this last room. Her eyes had been watering since she began this chore and knew that after her second class in Saidar, she would have to continue in this arduous task. Stepping out of the room and back into the hall, she dropped the rag from her face and breathed in fresh air again. She had breathed in too deeply, though, and caused herself to cough once again. She returned the rags to a hook in the supply closet for use again after her lesson. She cleared her throat out of necessity and wiped her eyes clean before departing to her lesson. Luckily, her chore was within close proximity to the classroom where Accepted Amadine was giving her lesson. She was perhaps the second Novice in the classroom due to the nature of her duties. She took her seat close to the front again and waited.

The noble's daughter listened for a moment to the chatter around her. The other Novices seemed to be complaining about their chores and how the White Tower was nothing like what they had expected. When the conversations carried on, she felt that they were holding something back. She had been taught to listen to what others were not saying more than what they were saying.She wondered if perhaps some of her colleagues did not what to admit that they had tried to embrace Saidar unsupervised after Amadine had said repeatedly that this was unacceptable. She, of course, followed the rules placed before her and had held back from that temptation. The group's attention was brought back to the front of the room when their instructor began the lesson with a cautionary tale of Novices like themselves who had burned themselves out and were now incapable of even embracing Saidar. She wondered if any of her classmates around her would add themselves to this list while she was enrolled as a Novice.

Light, what if I try to embrace Saidar while I'm asleep and burn myself out?! she thought to herself. Her chest had grown tight from that thought. No, she knew that she was more disciplined than that. She was determined to follow all rules and regulations. She would make the White Tower proud whether she was a Novice or Aes Sedai. She would not submit to pressure from her peers, nor the pressures of her own wants. This journey was much more important to her than a reputation as a friendly Novice. This list and the accompanying story were certainly strong reminders to her. They were not, however, as strong as the reminders that she had when she thought of her brother gloating as the Lord of House Gymorraine while she was a White Tower reject and his new subject of humiliation. Her attention returned to the lesson after a moment of thinking of her situation. Now Amadine wanted them to follow a slightly more complicated set of instructions.

Closing her eyes, her mind returned to the gorgeous red rose that she had conjured a week before in the previous lesson. Life flowed in its color and life was offered from the warm rays of the sun once more. With the opening of these petals, she reached out a took her hold on Saidar. She listened as the Accepted continued now with a cloud passing over, blocking out the power-giving warmth to a degree. The jubilation of Saidar slipped away, but she still held on to it delicately, this time. She repeated this pattern, holding on to the power that set her apart from normal girls. She felt so much pleasure, even when she pulled away from Saidar, there was so much potential and so much she wanted to do with it, but she continued to follow instructions and let go when the Accepted instructed the class to do so again. She thought of her actions just then. After the first couple of "pushes" and "pulls", she scarcely needed the image of the rose bud any more. She was finding a place in her mind that she could manipulate without added help to find her potential. It brought back flashes of the testing she had received just over a year ago involving the glistening blue stone presented to her. She must have concentrated so hard that she hadn't felt this amazing feeling. She was glad now that she was able to tap into this power and feel what the Wheel was weaving for her.

Truth be told, Leala had many questions about the White Tower. She had read all books and records of the place that were available in the Palace in Caemlyn. However, there were only two slender books, and very sparse records. The records sometimes told of an Aes Sedai of the Gray Ajah visiting the Palace, and other times there may have been a Blue. She remembered very a vaguely a time when a Green was a guest as well. But she did not know what these colors meant, and there were several more to be seen in the Tower itself. "Actually, if I may, I was wonder what the Ajahs meant in their colors. I've studied what I had available on the White Tower in the past year after my testing, and there was scarcely anything available."

She hoped that she wasn't being too forward in asking about the Ajahs and their missions at this point, but this had been a question that had been swelling and growing inside her since she began her small investigation. Her elder brother, Tobias, would belittle her studying at times, but their mother would step in and remind him that if Leala ever did become an Aes Sedai, he would certainly regret his words. She would never be so childish as to hold a grudge for that long, but it did stop his antics for a short time. The thought of her brother's grinning face if she were ever sent home sent a feeling of resolve into her mind. She would not be his political tool. She would contribute to the world around her with her unique talents and skills.

Leala had never curtsied so much in her life. She suddenly felt a connection with her handmaidens back at home. This time, she curtsied to the Gray Aes Sedai who had requested that she take a rather lengthy letter to a clerk and to report back. This was not the first chore of the day, but it was certainly the last chore that she had before her first lesson in Saidar. She left the Aes Sedai's office and calmly walked to the classroom. Even though she was rather exhausted from all the chores and physical labor that she was not used to in her home, she rather enjoyed the sense that she had done something of use. She had wanted to be the first one in the classroom, but when she arrived, she found a few others had arrived before she had. She sat close to the front with her parchment, ink, and pen at the ready. An Accepted stood at the front of the room and waited for the rest of her charges. She asked the girls to introduce themselves and when the cycle found itself at Leala's turn, she did as instructed.

"My name is Leala Gymorraine. I am the first daughter and second child of House Gymorraine in Caemlyn. I was too young to enter the Tower when I was tested, but I was escorted here recently and enrolled. I do not remember much about my testing, but I am looking forward to my journey to becoming an Aes Sedai."

Once everyone had entered the room, Amadine started the lesson with a few rules about not channeling without supervision. She drove the point home to her class by taking on a stern voice. Leala was aware of some of the rules, but took in all the ones that she did not know with sincerity. She remained quiet at the others gasped at the rules and chatted amongst themselves for a moment before they all nodded their acceptance of this rule to their teacher. Accepted Amadine continued. Leala listened intently as she explained the addictive nature of Saidar which explained why exactly it was imperative that they never channeled unsupervised. When the Accepted said to take out their parchment and pens, Leala simply took her pen and loaded it with ink and waited for the rest of the lecture.

She took notes on the One Power as her instructor continued and even copied the symbol of the Flame of Tar Valon and the Dragon's Fang next to it with a few hatch lines. She did not overreact at the explanation of Saidin. She did not claim to know everything and always wanted to keep her mind open to new things. She knew next to nothing about Saidar. Who was she to say that its counterpart had anything wrong with it? She continued by taking notes about the Red Ajah's mission and the elements of the One Power. She wondered for a moment where her talents lay in those. As instructed, she set her pen down and closed her eyes.

The image she conjured in her mind of the rose was a silver rose, like the ones on her House's seal. She quickly changed the color, however. The rose was now a deep crimson, full of life and potential. she imagined herself as this beautiful flower waiting to bloom and the sun's kiss on her petals. The dew she imagined glittered like crystals in the sun light as well. When her proverbial petals pulled back to the sun, she felt an immense warm feeling. For the first time in a while, a smile crept across her mouth. She would have to train herself like the Aes Sedai to hold back this joy that she felt. But, this power felt like the source of all joy in the world. The power pulled back for a moment, but she quickly embraced it again, wanting to feel more. In her reaching of this miraculous feeling, she heard the Amadine tell them to release Saidar. She hesitated for just a moment, but reluctantly let go, as she had been told. So, that was Saidar. Her instructor had told them about its power in increasing the senses and the elements contained in it as well. Now that she had consciously touched the female half of the One Power, she yearned to learn more.

• Novice Quiz - [Complete]

• Arrival: Meet MoN Leala's Arrival [ 5 / 4 ] [Complete]

• Novice Life - In the Tower Grounds - [ 5 / 4 ] [Complete - thread ongoing]

• One OP Related RP - URL - [ 4 / 4 ] [Complete]
  * Class 1: - Lesson One - [ 1 / 1 ] [Complete]
  * Class 2: - Lesson Two - [ 1 / 1 ] [Complete]
  * Class 3: - Lesson Three - [ 1 / 1 ] [Complete]
  * Class 4: - Lesson Four - [ 1 / 1 ] [Complete]

• Choice RP:
  * [Meet the Roommate] - Company - 1,617 / [ 4 / 4 ] [Complete]
  

• Three Arches - Traversing the Arches- 2,744 - [Complete]

Handle: Leala

Character: Leala Gymorraine

Rank: Traditional Novice

Last RPed: Today!

Leala busied herself in the small moment while she waited for the Aes Sedai behind the door to answer. She brushed her hands over her long skirt that was a soft gray like her eyes. The bodice matched the skirt, but the floral designs were in her family's colors, a soft gold and a deep blue. She didn't have much time to worry over any wrinkles in her dress because the door opened itself, revealing the Mistress of Novices. She raised her head and stood up straight again, following the Aes Sedai's orders and walking into the office. Her office seemed a bit more drab compared to the rest of the halls, but she didn't pause to consider why. following her instructions, she came into the office. Before she took her seat, she curtsied and said, "Good Day, Aes Sedai." Sitting down, she still kept her composure, even though, inside she was growing rather nervous. "My name is Leala Gymorraine. I was tested a year ago by an Aes Sedai of the Blue Ajah, and she has told me that I have the capability to learn to channel the One Power. I would like to enroll as a Novice in hopes of becoming an Aes Sedai." As it was when she was speaking with other nobles outside her own family, her voice was cool and even. She wanted Valeri Sedai to know that she was serious about her enrollment. This venture into the White Tower was certainly more appealing than being used as a political tool for the betterment of her House back in Caemlyn. She knew that the Wheel had more in store for her than that.

Leala felt almost foolish as she rode through Tar Valon with an Aes Sedai and her Gaidin. It wasn’t the Aes Sedai and Warder that bothered her sensibilities, no. It was the two young guards that flanked her. Her mother insisted that she be guarded on the way to the White Tower. She had tried to explain that from what she had read, the Aes Sedai and her Warder would be able to protect her from harm, but her mother was rather stubborn and never quite trusted what her daughter read in books. The young noble’s daughter had been waiting for this day for a year. The Aes Sedai that escorted her now had tested her a year before and found that she could channel. The young girl wasn’t exactly sure how that all worked, but she knew that that would change very soon.

Memories of trips to Tar Valon with her father crept into her mind as she observed the city. It was grander than Caemlyn and had a different sort of energy that she liked. The Aes Sedai stopped with her Warder in front of a bridge that led to the Tower. She turned to the three behind her and addressed Leala’s guards. ”Gentlemen, from this point on, your charge will be in the hands of the White Tower.” Her trained eyes shifted to Leala, saying that she would have to dispatch them back to her home. Leala turned her horse as well, to address the two men. “Tal, Jack, thank you for your services. Give mother my regards and may the Light guide you back home safely,” she said in a calm, even tone. Her guards saluted and bowed to her while still mounted. They gave their own parting pleasantries and left the small party.

Turning back to her escort, she waited for further instructions. The Blue Sister didn’t give so much as a nod before guiding her steed in the direction of the Tower again. When they arrived at the magnificent structure, servants came to take their horses to the stables. The Warder parted ways with the Aes Sedai who then guided Leala into the White Tower. As Leala’s gray eyes scanned the faces of the people who walked its halls and the décor that encrusted the place, she began to feel more and more like she was where she belonged. She took note of the girls and young women, sometimes even older women, in white belted dresses and dresses that resembled those, but with colored bands at their hems. After the silent tour, the Aes Sedai stopped in front of a door that was decorated much like the rest of the Tower. ”This is the office of Valeri Sedai. She is the Mistress of Novices. Speak with her and she will see that all your needs as a Novice are taken care of.” Leala nodded politely and thanked her escort before she walked away. Leala had kept her composure this whole time, keeping her head held high and her back straight, as she behave at home. But now, with a whole new life ahead of her, she hesitated to knock on the door, but it didn’t last long. She knocked a few times, soft enough so that it was not a loud noise, but loud enough to be heard.

I can see them now, thanks! :)

1. Leala

2. Leala Gymorraine

3. New Novice

4. Nope. :/ I can see the Classroom, but I can't do anything with it.

R&U :D

Leala Gymorraine

Signed.

Yay. :) I can't wait to play her again, it's been so long.

Thanks! I'll have it finished soon and send it in.

I'm currently filling out a character bio for an Aes Sedai that I've played before, and I've always played her as the daughter of an Andoran noble. She probably won't have any contact with her family unless the tower needs it, but I'm wondering if this is okay. And if it is okay, do I use one of the noble houses from the books or make one up? In her original incarnation, I made up a House name, but I can always tweak it if needed.