~’*’~ A startling riposte from so young a person, still drabbed in pristine white. Could she perhaps have glimpsed briefly the promise of another potential nemesis, sharp and conniving as herself? Her heart seemed to constrict at what sounded like harsh accusation from the novice, who dared to discount her questions and hurl poorly veiled insults undoubtedly meant to hurt the recipient. Halvie could not have felt more rebuffed and insulted at that moment, not when the shadow of the hurt acquired through her rejected petition still hung conspicuously above her. Then, her illustrious and almighty company were people she was not on equal footing with; people she would still have to grovel and serve for now. But this mere novice was altogether a different matter and in so abandoned a place in such an unearthly hour, vulnerable and naïve as the child, anything could happen.

~’*’~ “You are delightfully presumptuous, my dear. One would wonder why but then, is it worth the bother to speculate?†Her eyes flashed menacingly as she took a step forward, another hand casually dusting the sides of her dress in a meaningless gesture. It was highly doubtful that the girl would think to read more into such an action in her current state & apparent lack of schooling in the ways of a manipulator; subtle movements that were suggestive only to the most astute. Nevertheless, it would never do to attempt to underestimate another despite their rank, as many in past history had learnt to their own sorrowful end. Halvie always had been one who treasured such things, to the extent that she had once considered joining the Browns in pursue of ancient knowledge. In retrospect, it might not have been so dreadful if she had.

~’*’~ “Come along with me,†she commanded condescendingly. Not a few days had passed since she had been one of the nameless insignificants dressed in white, albeit with the additional seven-coloured hem. Her control over areas most Aes Sedai would have treated as second nature was still unsteady at best, but she was learning. With the presence of this particularly enigmatic child, perhaps she had found someone to practice and eradicate those flaws. And without stretching herself too far, she began to harbour hopes of being able to initiate a certain tie with this other person, for her own benefit. It was a bitterly fragile hope, but it was the only reason she could give herself for even asking the novice to accompany her, instead of simply issuing a harsh penance and severe further communication.

~’*’~ Sharply did she recall the feel of the rod, how cold it had been and the tightening of chest when she spoke the oaths; there had been an eerie sense of foreboding, though she had not wanted to admit that to herself then. The thoughts passed through her mind at her dizzying pace as she walked by the individual representatives of every ajah within the tower, dismay & regret mingling as she imagined each door slamming shut behind her as she walked pass them. She would never be one of them and never had there been so much dread in her steps. Fortitude had been the only thing that drove her own, well rehearsed words leaving her lips almost mechanically. Encompassing apprehension, then the surge of joyous release when it finally dawned upon her that she had taken the first real step towards her destiny – a shawl now rested upon her slender shoulders. She was Aes Sedai.

~’*’~ Now Halvie realised that after the magnitude of recent events had hit upon her, arrogance began to govern her every move, albeit slowly. She had considered the steps to be taken upon achieving her goal during the odd moments of leisure & peace as novice and later as Accepted, but never seriously. So confident had she been to be admitted, so full of herself, rationalizing that she of all people could bring this prideful Ajah down to their knees, begging for her to enter their ranks. Who was she to have entertained such thoughts? Barely more than a child. With that sudden revelation, she began to view things in a different light.

~’*’~ She had no friends. She never had a loving mentor the way most of the other girls had, so that advantage was lost upon her. The Yellow sister had never really cared for her, having left Halvie to fend for herself, stumbling around mistakes, lost and alone. Intentional? Perhaps. To have been abandoned so had hurt her more than she cared to admit, more so when the tragedy that had befallen her… family remained so fresh, the wounds still raw and open. How many times had she sought for someone to offer comfort, the nights when her pillow was stained with salty tears? Acquaintances were formed out of necessity but never encouraged, strengthened; except one, only….no. It would not do to relive the unfortunate incident. The insomnia was creating disorder in her mind. A frown crossed her features at the thought. This would not do.

Halvie Sedai

Rejected Sister of the Green Ajah

Ooc: Trust me to keep you waiting. Again. :roll:

Drew/Auron! Welcome back! :D

~’*’~ It was a frantic scramble down the mountain of logs that resulted in not a few heart-stopping moments when Carla felt her foot slip, body instinctively bracing for the crash onto the ground that never came. During instances such as those, she found herself dependant upon Con to steady herself & recover her equilibrium, barely having time to heave a sigh of relief when her feet did eventually touch the blessedly solid ground. The weapons were snatched from the ground before they immediately swirled around to confront the other pair already in position, waiting. A small part of her cringed in disappointment to find that they could not be so easily beaten, having formed an absurd notion that they could perhaps have attacked while the other two was still unarmed. That was hardly meant to be.

~’*’~ The basic guard stance was promptly assumed as instructed; she could not have acted otherwise. Too long had she been training under him, his heavy Illianer accent filtered pass all doubts & contorted forms of anxiety; she simply obeyed. But spars would always limit the amount of conversation and instructions that could be shared and thus Carla soon found herself frantically thinking of ways to deflect a stinging blow, angling her in a certain manner to met his. A frantic exchange that only grew more desperate as time wore on, before Carla found it best to simply quit thinking and allow her body to remember the movements she had trained hard to master. It did not entirely dispel the fear and uncertainty shifting deep within her, but at least she managed to meet him blow for blow.

~’*’~ Yet she was forced to adapt to the situation, when arms instinctively moving downwards would meet with resistance, when a step back proved unbalancing for she had neglected to remember the bonds around her arms and ankles. Hummingbird Kisses the Honeyroses was attempted with relative success, a quick thrust that quickly resulted in the heavy clash of wood against wood. Rebounding, she altered position slightly and parried the slashes and blows that were aimed at her, unnerved when one came unfortunately close to drawing blood. She did not fancy continuing the parry with open injuries however minor, though there was a sneaking feeling that she would be sporting several bruises as souvenirs from today’s fast-paced events.

~’*’~ Muscles strained to maintain momentum and she came to rely upon Con when she slipped or dealt a blow that lacked the strength, leaving her vulnerable. A strong gust of wind that blew in their direction momentarily blurred her vision as she squinted, head shaking slightly to clear the few strands of hair from her eyes. Her complexion was scrubbed raw by the sheer intensity and chill of the wind, a minor distraction that very nearly caused her to miss the shadow of a lathe arching down towards her. Carla raised her own weapon to block its descendent, although it was already far too near for her to be able to block it successfully. Its unexpected weight had her staggering, consequently placing Con in a rather awkward position. In a more… calm situation, she would have felt mortification to cause discomfort of whatever form towards her mentor but with the stakes placed so high, she hardly dared to so much as glance at what he did. Or what his opponent was dealing in response to his retaliation, though she did occasionally observe those graceful, flowing movements; unknown forms that did not register in her mind.

~’*’~ A surreal moment came about during the time when their blades were clashed & locked, causing her to twist her blade to prepare for a counter attack. It spanned no more than a split second, but Carla could have sworn to have noted a shadow of… something cross her opponent’s features, so distracting that he paused a while longer than was wise. The opportunity presented, Carla manipulated his apparent hesitation with a swift disarming tactic, The Grapevine Twines, delighting in finally being able to catch him off guard. It was a classic move that did not fail, for them.

Carla Sades

Tower Trainee

Mentee to Con Stavros

~'*'~ Curious, how easily the true meaning of words could be misinterpreted by another. It served as a severe reminder as to how much power these utterances held and Halvie took a moment longer to meditate on the words that were to be shared. The last sentence had hardly been meant for Kaylan but it would serve no purpose to correct the august veteran, certainly not when she saw the person as one who held the keys to her advancing through the rigid ranks within the Tower. The invitation offered she would grasp will both hands willingly if somewhat tentatively, for she had yet to formulate an appropriate plan to manipulated a peer of such high seniority & distinction. Still, that the Green had even proposed such a possibility spoke volumes, for she was well aware of the many affairs these pompous Aes Sedai had to deal with on a daily basis. For Kaylan to have offer her a slot in her timetable was a wicked opportunity she would never let escape. But first, her eagerness would have to be closeted.

~'*'~ "I will strive to learn, Kaylan Sedai. You will not be disappointed," Halvie vowed softly, her voice wavering ever so slightly as she allowed herself to speculate where such a promise would lead her to. Such a foolish move; there was no need to trumpet her trepidation being in such illustrious company more than necessary. A courteous nod was once more directed towards the elder Aes Sedai as they began to move away from the door, down the hallway towards yet more Greens. She wondered how long the trial would last, but feared to know. Fatigue was already beginning to cloud her judgements and the sheer effort of maintaining an indifferent façade was taking its toll. It would be so easy to give in to grief and frustration, too easy to scream abuse and beg them to re-evaluate her petition, to create uproar, just about anything, if only they would accept her now. Even though deep within she already knew it would not occur, but her mind could not accept it. Still refused to.

~'*'~ A door behind them swung shut. There was neither a soul in sight nor a hint of movement save theirs now. "How many left, Sirayn?" she queried casually, sating a sudden need to break the icy silence between them. "They are not much different, are they? They're all the same. Why the need to greet them all? Tradition?" She babbled, though it could not be helped. So much tension was building and she felt compressed, constrained, limited. There was no need to further emphasise her rejection. Far better for all that she was released to return to her quarters, to weep sorrowfully, alone.

Halvie Sedai

Rejected Petitioner for the Green

Ooc: An opening for you, Sirayn, on a silver platter. I beg of you to take it.

Posted: 29 Jun 2005 11:53 pm

Ooc: Deepest apologies for the delay on this one. I'd like to add for the sake of clarity that anybody raised after Halvie on the timeline, that is Eadon, Tinnulim and Karissa, strictly may not post. Much love, but the timeline would scream.

: : : : Of all the recruits who had passed under her tutelage, and they numbered many, Halvie concerned her most by a fair margin. She had liked some better, others less; been angered by some and proud of a few; but this species of watchful distrust rang foreign to her. Her meagre strength had been bettered on many occasions. However, never before in her memory had she met a woman who was so skilled so young in the same fields she had made her own. It gave her the eerie sense of looking in a mirror and seeing her initiate self, only more confident, more powerful, and all round better. This was not a comfortable thought.

: : : : None of this showed on her serene face when Sirayn tapped at the unmarked door and summoned forth her recruit. In the space of the hour since she had been turned out of the Captain General’s office, rejected, her dreams shattered; the young woman had drawn about her an unnerving air of cold competence. Sirayn studied her in silence for some moments and thought once more that if she was to keep Halvie in line and under control for any length of time it would require every scrap of wit she possessed. One advantage she held might be telling … that for all her undoubted talent, Halvie still wanted to learn certain ways from her that she ordinarily would not teach. That instruction she might yet hold back as a threat or a bribe. Only time would tell.

: : : : “I’m about to introduce you to your future sisters. It’s for ceremonial purposes only. Be polite and try not to say anything outrageous.†She couldn’t imagine Halvie needed that warning, but she had seen some interesting confrontations in her time. “Ready?†Upon confirmation she turned away from the plain door and, passing by several quarters either empty or whose occupants were presently away, approached another door and tapped crisply. It yawned open and Sirayn composed her expression into one of fitting gravity. “Sister, this is Halvie Sedai. She is bound to the Battle Ajah, yet not a part of it.†Keeping a wary eye on Halvie she waited for some response.

Sirayn Sedai

Sister of the Battle Ajah

Posted: 01 Jul 2005 02:14 pm

OOC: Ok so according to the timeline Halvie is a generation younger than Tia so I’m going to say this is after Undercover Shadowspawn and Tia and Andular’s trip to Ebou Dar. If that doesn’t jibe right please poke me!

Tiassale had just returned from a breathtaking ride through the countryside on her mare, Ayende. With flushed cheeks and bright eyes she smiled and nodded at passing Sisters as she made her way to her quarters within the Green Halls. Out of the corner of her eye she spotted Sirayn leading a young woman down the hallway, pausing at each door. Light! How could I forget today was Halvie’s initiation? She glanced down at herself, mud splattered boots and the hem of her riding dress wet to the knees. Not quite the image she’d wished to present to their newest Recruit.

Swiftly she opened the door to her rooms and slammed in behind her with a flow of Air. In the bedroom she rifled through the contents of her dresser and finally found a cleaner divided skirt. She glanced longingly at the silk dresses hanging nearby as she donned it and wiped her shoes clean with Saidar. But the tight, fancily embroidered dresses were impractical for her daily life in the Tower. And besides, they made a much bigger impact when worn sporadically and for the right reasons.

Similarly she passed her jewellery box and mirror without so much as a glance. Though a pretty enough young woman she had no time for fretting or primping. At least not usually, unless it was to attempt to tame her wild curls into some semblance of order. A knock at the door told her it was too late for anything more.

Crossing the room she swung the door wide and smiled. Halvie Faury had been one of her first students when she was herself, newly Raised to the Shawl and Tiassale felt a special affection for her. Halvie’s earnestness and hard work in her class had helped Tiassale feel more confident in her position, and the young woman truly felt like a younger Sister.

“Sirayn, it’s good to see you again. Halvie, I do apologize for being absent during your Oaths and your first petition. I only returned from Ebou Dar late last evening. Welcome to the Green Halls.†Squeezing both the woman’s hands warmly she went on, “You must come for dinner when you’re settled in. I know you’ll be working hard these next few weeks but a bit of relaxation may do you good.â€

Tiassale Morobin

Green Sister

Bonded to Andular Rojvas

Posted: 24 Aug 2005 02:29 am

~’*’~ The lady in black stood tall & erect facing the unfolding scene of bustling activity where many others mingled and conversed freely, from afar. Occasionally she would avert her eyes somewhat slyly back to the near bare room, towards the solid closed door. Her hands were clasped behind and her body would stiffen when a particularly harsh thought entered her mind. For those unlike her this was the dawn of a new beginning, not the dusk she saw stretching out into limitless horizons. They couldn’t have known the fear she now felt so keenly, the trepidation and reckless… enthusiasm.

~’*’~ The cold seeped in unbidden – oh, even nature mocked her. Seconds trickled by, turning to minutes over & over until the harsh knock came. And still she had not made a decision. Nothing except a single-minded determination to not break, to remain impassive & indifferent to the world. Pathetic, aye; inconsequential, never. Given half an inch she’d blast the woman into bloody cinders, but taking another half second to rationalize and it would be deemed folly. No, she’d bid her time well and for all the misfortunes that now fell on her in heaps, she still carried some form of dignity. She towered over the woman, after all. That had to count for something. But Light forbid she fall in public, like she nearly had. Light, it was all a trial. A bloody, murderous trial.

~’*’~ Harsh echoes littered her path towards her first confrontation, and it was as though she floated in an abyss, so cold did she feel. Not through physical receptors, but rather the chill that could reach into the spirit, the soul. Something akin to her being severed from truly interacting with the Tower because… she was better, melded to take part in the grander schemes of life. Soon enough, anyway. She held a crystal clean slate and what of the black sins too many sisters had already chalked up? What of Sirayn, whose demeanour had so captivated her in her brief ingenuous age, enthralled her even? Halvie’s very own supporter during crueller times though the Green herself remained unaware; she’d been careful after all.

~’*’~ She bit down an acerbic remark towards Tiassale and instead, preoccupied herself with examining the other woman in her present world. Ebou Dar, last evening? she thought curiously, and willed herself to look into the pair of eyes that stared straight at her, in front, and smiled shyly. “Naturally I shall accept, good sister. Anything for a chance to know one another better.†Nodding courteously towards Tiassale, Halvie bowed her head a fraction more, caught the undivided attention of those stormy grey eyes, and gave Sirayn a teasing wink.

The coin spins now; where it stops no one knows.

Halvie Faury

Rejected Green

11 Sep 2005 01:08 am

: : : : A brief, rare smile touched her mouth at the welcome sight of Tiassale Morobin and she cast her eyes down rather than respond. She was unaccustomed to wanting to see anyone and it made her uncomfortable. Particularly this sister for, while they were currently on agreeable enough terms, much history lay behind them which was less than pleasant. Their acquaintance using the shared link of a woman who had once been so special to both of them; who now lay mouldering in the ground while they, once shadows cast by her flame, laboured on … the hard times after her death when accusations, grief and loss divided them both. She had known for so long that Tiassale, whom she had loved as a daughter, rightly blamed her that it was difficult to remember that they were on the same side now.

: : : : Dismissing those thoughts in the quiet while the two women talked Sirayn cut a glance sideways to her companion. From the young woman’s serenity one would never guess that such scheming thoughts went on behind the cool green gaze; scarcely an inch out of whites and already Halvie had a better command of composure than many among her sisters. It was nothing short of masterly. She resolved to keep her eyes on Halvie and note what other mannerisms the new recruit might have picked up from her peers. The smile which Halvie offered so innocently to the older sister rang hollow with her; she knew how the woman thought better than to be taken in by that. Narrowing her eyes, she studied the fair face seeking to discern its secrets … then stilled as Halvie winked at her.

: : : : Startlement flared and distrust wound its creeping tendrils through her thoughts. Some sort of code? A threat? A warning? She disliked not knowing. Frowning, she asked herself what else Halvie might have in store for her, weighed risk and game. All of a sudden this so called game seemed a lot darker. She shot the recruit a look of cold condemnation; that stare presented one with the definite impression of being shown before a judge for sentencing. “Thank you, Tiassale Sedai.†Drawing composure about her she tipped a courteous nod to the woman and beckoned Halvie onward. At her most forbidding, a chill silence froze out any attempt at conversation as she listened intently for any sound. The door closed behind them. Thus released Sirayn stopped, turned, and snapped: “What are you playing at?â€

: : : : Her tone betrayed too well that she was rattled. The slightest shift in Halvie’s gaze proved that the recruit had picked up on that change too well. Even as she registered the advantage she had gifted so cleanly to the other side … steps echoed through the hall as another sister entered it; shooting them a dark glance she bit off the questions that hovered on her tongue and jerked her head toward the nearest door. “We will discuss this later, Halvie Sedai.†None too well hidden, anger painted her tones. She turned and without waiting to see if Halvie followed headed onward; taking this respite to order her thoughts once more perhaps not to be caught out again. The next door bore a different stamp in the making of the sword carved upon it and its paints and colours. She tapped twice and waited until the door opened before speaking the ritual words. “Sister, this is Halvie Sedai. She is bound to the Battle Ajah, yet not a part of it.†This time she would not be startled.

Sirayn Sedai

Sister of the Battle Ajah

Posted: 17 Sep 2005 07:23 am

ooc- I am assuming that this would be when Sirayn and Jade were still best friends and not fighting all the time, so I will go with that! *G*

IC- Jaydena sighed and looked around her rooms; she should have cleaned them earlier or at least called the cleaning staff to do it. For some absurd reason she had not done so and now there was at least an inch of dust on everything. She had been so busy with her duties lately that she had neglected her precious room. Being a novice and having next to nothing still was clear in her mind, being an Accepted hadn't been much better but she had survived it and been given this wonderful room. With that her lips twisted, she couldn't lie to herself as much as she wanted to, she hadn't been given anything, she had paid for it in blood, sweat, and tears. Days where she had come back to her new rooms, bare of any decoration, and wanted to curl up in a ball and cry. She had been denied of the right to enter her ajah until she was worthy, she had hated every moment of it but it had tempered her like a blade in the bilges. Today she had had to deny another woman the right to become a green; it was the worst duty she had taken on when she was chosen as sitter. Of course she had wanted the job and her ajah had chosen her but sometimes it still wore on her, at times it felt like a set of chain mail made of the heaviest steel. Turning back to her room she looked at the daggers and swords throughout the room, she had started collecting them as an Accepted and the collection had grown.

She had been given daggers and swords by her friends, by her sisters, by kings and queens; she could look at each one and remember exactly who had given it to her. Of course she could also look in her journals and find the exact spots where they were given. Walking gracefully she picked up one with a green jade handle, roses ran up the hilt and were actually carved into the blade. Just tiny roses with thorns running up the metal. A matching sheath with accents of jade and rose graced the spot on her shelf behind the sword, resting up against her books, another passion of hers. Around her room, were paintings done by herself and other artists, on one wall was a painting off a famous battle sister fighting a fist of trollocs with nothing but serenity on her face. Another wall contained a soft seascape she had picked up on another trip from a man selling on the street. She had paintings and art pieces from urchins and from ladies intent on being something by a lady or just thinking paiting was a lady like pursuit. Time was running short and here she stood buried in old memories! She looked around her and then embraced the source; she picked the dust off with a swirl of air and pushed it out the open window. Using close to the same weave she flew the pillows to the windows and thumped them clear of dust.

A polishing weave she had used more than she liked to remember as a novice was used on her swords and the vases and such sitting around the room. She scrubbed the table with air and water and then looked around again. It would have to do and her company was bound to be here any minute. With that she walked back into her bedroom and repeated the same process. Soon she had a fairly clean room and she was back in the living area. The room was as clean as it was going to get so she decided to work on some more paperwork. However before she even had a chance to sit down at her desk, the knock she had been expected sounded at her sword inlaid door. With quick strides she reached the door and pulled it open, in front of her stood Sirayn Sedai and the newest recruit, Halvie Sedai. Sirayn spoke the customary words, “Sister, this is Halvie Sedai. She is bound to the Battle Ajah, yet not a part of it.†Jade nodded and regarded the woman in front of her; the woman looked more than a little angry and Jade couldn't help but remember the scene in the office of the Captain General. Adopting full serenity until she was blanketed in ice she spoke, "I would say welcome to the rank of Aes Sedai, but at this moment you don't look like you want to hear anything of the kind. All I will say is that if you study hard and prove yourself to your instructors than all the sooner you will be raised to the shawl." She nodded and waited to see if Sirayn or the girl had anything to say....

Posted: 24 Oct 2005 02:17 am

~’*’~ Her eyes widened a fraction in astonishment; too stunned to immediately comprehend the implications of events such as were happening at that very moment. Emotions witnessed in public Halvie had never anticipated from Sirayn, her ideal of Aes Sedai serenity & indifference. The beginnings of a friendly grin died on her lips the moment their eyes locked in contact, and to her dismay, some small tendrils of fear & diffidence continued to gain strength in her. Her resolve to stay impassive wavered a little more as Halvie steeled herself for a confrontation that would surely arrive soon enough. That was certain from Sirayn’s remarks, albeit expressed somewhat curtly.

~’*’~ Halvie clenched her fists out of frustration behind her back, disliking the hostile feelings shared between both of them. She caught herself just before she began regretting again having not attempted the bridge the gap between her and the sister before. Perhaps in a friendlier atmosphere she might’ve found it substantially easier to learn what she wanted from Sirayn. Halvie shook her head slightly to clear the confusing thoughts. There was little time as it was to waste feeling abashed & allow the sister an upper hand again.

~’*’~ Out of habit, Halvie eyed the diminutive figure walking ahead of her warily, wondering just how easily she could crack open a sister that’d already been well tempered by bloody battles & murky Tower politics. She held the advantage of being younger, however much that was being contested in her current situation. But she had to remember that the Greens had done so to instil respect & the importance of subjugating to higher authority into their newest recruits. Well, she could offer them that in spades, easily when required. Halvie shook her head again, this time out of impatience. Too many plans yet to be laid, let alone carried out. Just before the door was pulled open, Halvie recalled enough to adopt a façade that carried the anger of a rejected child suited to her current situation; a move some might call deception.

~’*’~ Fury & shame rushed into her with renewed intensity the moment Jaydena began to speak, in a cold, harsh voice she’d never deserved. Halvie barely recognised the lady Green, had never been one to pull pranks on the sitter to merit being greeted so callously. Oh, she would acknowledge the fact that her lower rankings were asking for watered-down veneration willingly but this could very well border on the edge of cruelty. Halvie offered a weaker smile in return to the sitter, realising that the brilliant mechanisms of the Green Ajah itself were not to be overlooked. The trial was roughly a simple act of continuous snubbing that created waves of psychological effects on the victim; an ingenious step. Briefly, Halvie wondered whose brainchild it was, more so she would understand better the person whose achievements she would one day overshadow.

~’*’~ “Your words,†she began calculatingly, “Are a gift that I do not deserve. But rest assured you shall not regret my entry into the Green Ajah, Jaydena Sedai.†Her eyes began to shine with a hidden light. No, regret would be the last thing on their minds.

Halvie Sedai

Rejected Green Aspirant

Posted: 24 Oct 2005 01:17 pm

Long years have never dulled tradition, hundred, two hundred? How long had this one been around. She couldn't remember just how long it had been since she had raised girls to the Green as Captain General. Most who held the title were inclined never to return to the Tower, as if their job was done. A few did the last couple. Lanfir now held the Amyrlin Seat, it was good to see a Green holding such a postion. In this time it was prudent that the Battle Ajah be Ready. From what she'd heard from Jade, it seemed to the old Green that this wasn't happening.

I stand ready, how many times had the words been uttered in this hall. Mandi could scarely guess, but as the years went by she said it over and over, yet she was one that meant it, she owed that Light that much. Stepping into the hall, sapphire eyes cool and collected, shawl looping on her slender elbows. It was the formal one that hung nearly to the floor, she had worn creme today, setting off her coppery skin.

The old Green stood towards the back of the room, watching in silence. For some reason she felt as if she didn't belong here anymore. She'd been gone too long, was too far out of the loop, yet still she was here, to give this girl her proper send off. Standing tall, as most Domani do the woman watched, in silence waiting for the ceremony to begin. Seeing both Jade and Sirayn here, returned her to the days that she had accepted them into the Green. Sira had not been happy when Mandi had turned her down, none of them had been. But it made them stronger, in the Green Ajah no one could be weak.

Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2005 7:58 pm

The serene, arresting beauty, the regal bearing and the carefully tempered manner, all were as well learnt to her as the face which looked back from her own mirror every morning … if significantly easier on the eyes. Being confronted by the Banner Captain in all her splendour brought out a tumultuous mix of feelings: regret, loss and resentment; bitterness and dark envy toward the woman who had stolen everything she wanted; the same creeping sense of longing, small and plain and ill favoured as she was, nothing beside Jaydena. It reminded her bitterly why she did not stand as an equal here but merely as an obedient servant to be controlled and directed. All these were some excellent reasons to avoid these quarters in future.

None of this she let show even a hint through her composure. Had she ever told the whole of what was on her mind when she was around this shining example of sisterhood? Not, she thought, and fortunate with it … for Jaydena already had enough to laugh about in her cups when she had drunk a little too much and had her satisfaction from other people’s stolen Gaidin. She could just imagine how they would mock her together. Resentment had taken her wits and rather than speak and show a trace of her feelings she remained silent, kept her secrets close.

Her apprentice she kept under a stern grey gaze while the young woman spoke; marking as she did so the subtle note of cunning behind the words, the slightest of warnings, for any who chose to heed it. Burn her if she would be worried over a green student barely out of banded skirts. If the child ever got the courage to come after her directly Halvie would find that a wolf lay in waiting: old and graying, perhaps, but vicious fast, and backed by friends the likes of which she could never match. And that contest would be done on her terms, on her territory … and she would see if this pup could not be taught some respect than to be so insolent in front of half a hundred watchers.

“Your time is, as always, appreciated Banner Captain.†She let only a trace of irony colour her tone and the slight lift of her brow; her secret jest against the mockery of life. “I expect that our recruit here will have cause to reflect upon your words before long.†And perhaps that was true, even for one so young and arrogant as Halvie, for even those gifted among them had moments of doubt and darkness; or maybe she too would discover a life of solitude, its benefits and drawbacks, even as her initiation leader had done before her. “Now if you will excuse us …†cutting a brief and guarded glance toward Halvie, who at least had remained civil on the surface, “we must move on.â€

The silence echoed empty round them while they crossed the white corridor toward a different door. Half a hundred comments she might have made came to her tongue, but she stilled them all, guarded against showing the least hint to Halvie of the direction in which her thoughts lay. At the next door she tapped briefly, a cool look toward Halvie warning her of the consequences of any moment of creativity on her part, and reeled off the ritual words: “Sister, this is Halvie Sedai. She is bound to the Battle Ajah, yet not a part of it.â€

Sirayn Sedai

Sister of the Battle Ajah

Posted: 02 Feb 2006 11:34 am

The knock on her door startled the green-clad woman into poking a knot on the branch in front of her, and she immediately winced. Nothing good ever came from accidents with her subjects, and sure enough, putrid yellow liquid poured out and immediately started to eat away at the wood of the desk she was sitting at. With a loud curse, Kaylan embraced the source, Water and Air cleaning off the once-pristine polished surface, now inlaid with a pattern that she was at least thankful had not ended up on her skin. The pen that she'd been holding, though, had suffered a far worse fate - the nib entirely gone, and half of the shaft with it. Someone was always disturbing her during her research, it had been that way for years, and seemed unlikely to change any time in the near future.

She realised as she was grumbling what it was that had made her end up in this situation, and with a dark expression on her face strode over to the door, flinging it open with Air as she approached it. Flinging long blonde locks behind her shoulders, Kaylan fixed the pair of women in front of her with a hard stare. Sirayn was standing with what was obviously a new recruit, but the older Green let the woman say the ceremonial words anyway. It would not do to interrupt the ceremony, no matter how Kaylan felt about it all. Sirayn was to teach this one, no doubt, if she was leading her around like a stray puppy for the introductions, but the older Sister well remembered how Sirayn had acted at her own initiation - like a spoiled child who never deserved the ring, let alone the shawl.

"Yes, yes, another bright eyed girl wanting to be a part of the Battle Ajah, I can see that." Green eyes swept over both of them, a reminder to Sirayn that she remembered well, but her gaze landed on Halvie and took her measure. It was whim more than anything else that determined how Kaylan behaved on these occasions, and the stub of a pen that she was still grasping was a reminder that she didn't appreciate being disturbed. Especially not for half trained girls who presumed that they could be soldiers.

"Do you know what it means to be a part of the Battle Ajah, Halvie Sedai?" There was only a hint of amusement in the honourific, she had earned the Shawl, after all, and had given no reason to assume that she'd followed in Sirayn's footsteps in terms of her behaviour. Not allowing the woman to answer, Kaylan continued. "Do you know what it is to fight with all of your strength, to smell the stench of those dying around you, the ones that you killed, and the ones that you could not save? Do you have any comprehension of what it means to stand ready? We all say the words, I stand ready, but none of us can truly understand them just from standing secure within these halls, secure in our traditions and assuming ourselves better than the men who die fighting for our ideals while we sit by and watch." She realised that she was about to launch into a tirade, her irritation directed at entirely the wrong person, but none of the girls who petitioned the Green could understand, none of them could know. She had not known, and she wished that she had. Blinking to clear away the memories that were replaying in her mind, the Battles fought and won, the price she and her Warders had paid over the years, Kaylan focused her attention once more on the new recruit.

"Welcome to the halls of the Green Ajah, Halvie. My door is always open if you wish to discuss anything over tea." They seldom did, Kaylan had earned herself a reputation for a bad temper and a collection that ranged from the interesting to the downright dangerous, but those that did... The Green had spent over a century researching and fighting the Shadow, and while she had a temper, it was true, those that she held close would never want for help.

~Kaylan Sedai

Battle Ajah

Posted: 03 Mar 2006 05:10 pm

~’*’~ With eyes meekly cast earthward, the disparagement from the other older sister came as a large surprise. So startled was she that Halvie found herself half staring at the Aes Sedai before the gratuitous words came to a halt, as silence resumed and the attention momentarily stolen reverted back upon her. Kaylan could not know of the profound effects those words had on her, it was not possible. She stood before a formidable personage to be sure; whose astounding arrogance was the underbelly of most aging war veterans. It even amused her to a certain extent when she analysed the words so bluntly uttered, no doubt to petrify but succeeding in only making her smile in response. Lovely flowing words that gave life to the dreams she once held during stormy nights, promises tightly laced with danger that had her gravitating towards.

~’*’~ “I am not ready,†she whispered softly, eyes glazing over at the memories that continuously haunted her unguarded moments. “Only ready to learn, if you would care to teach.†Her voice hardened into steel, features twisting slightly to show some misleadingly conflicting emotions. Halvie could barely restrain the anger that came with the following words, learning together with the others present just how fragile her hold was over feelings decades old were. “But it seems that some would refuse to pass on their knowledge, and we all wonder why. “ The ambience evolved into something oddly menacing then, shivers creeping down one smooth arm and she with considerable effort, unclenched her fists. She had just stepped over some set boundaries.

~’*’~ “Why?†The word was echoed bitterly though she took care that little else was given away to the two sharp observers. Disdain & some form of cold hostility still emitted but she restrained herself from retaliating more than required. Halvie shifted her weight slightly for equilibrium and lifted her gaze from the tiled floors to linger fractionally at Kaylan, before resting upon a pair of flint grey eyes. “Inappropriate perhaps, or something else?†A curious supposition came to mind and her thumping heart came close to skipping a beat at the likelihood. So many hours spent in meditation whilst she turned the issue inside out, ever wondering how relationships could have been better handled to deter such disastrous… results. Suspicion had been sown in the hearts of many due to her severe lack of discretion and now she struggled to overturn those impressions; a failing battle. In a rare moment born purely of frustration & impetuosity, she hurled one final, feeble contumely. “You fear, do you not?â€

Halvie Sedai

Rejected Green Aspirant

Posted: Tue Mar 07, 2006 2:03 pm

"I am not ready."

The words that came were unexpected, and Kaylan's eyes opened wide. Not many would say such words, even with the idea firmly ingrained by the Captain General and Sitters upon a petition for the Green Shawl. "Only ready to learn, if you would care to teach." Halvie's face changed, looking beyond the old Green to another place or time, and the words delivered with clenched fists made no sense to Kaylan. "But it seems that some would refuse to pass on their knowledge, and we all wonder why."

She'd never involved herself in politics, even less in the lives of new initiates to the Tower, so whatever it was that Halvie was speaking of was not familiar to Kaylan. Her Warders, her research and her travels were the only things that she paid attention to, it was a rare Sister who could hold her attention long enough for Kaylan to want to learn all the gossip about them. Oh, she heard it, it was part of having Eyes and Ears in Tar Valon, but she wasn't overly interested in guesses and rumours of some perceived breach of conduct. The amount of reports that she saw about her own behaviour did nothing but amuse her, some of the things she was rumoured to have done went further than her imagination had ever previously stretched. And yet, sometimes it was good for inspiration along with a laugh. Keep them guessing and entertained with frivolous behaviour and most people would underestimate you, even those skilled in the Great Game. It was a game she tired of.

"Why?" The new Aes Sedai's words brought her out of her thoughts, and Kaylan merely raised an eyebrow as she listened to the woman talk. "Inappropriate perhaps, or something else?" Ready to bark out an answer, Kaylan was left with her mouth open at Halvie's last words. "You fear, do you not?" She did not pause to think about her answer.

"Of course I fear. Fear is a constant companion to one who walks this path. You would be stupid not to fear." Her mind rattled through all of her own fears, but she did not speak them. Fear for loved ones, for the world itself, fear of such a horrid inadequacy that utter failure was the only possible result, fear of death and missing it all, that this whole life and those sacrificed in protection of it meant naught... "Not all knowledge should be shared. There are some things best left unknown." Her research on Shadowspawn... even if she could figure out how they were made, and she had inklings here and there, she'd never record it. To leave that somewhere for the wrong person to find and use; or even for a person with good intentions to discover in some distant future without a proper memory of the horrors... "Yes, there are some things best kept secret." The Age of Legends had been a time without war, she'd been told, but the books recording such things had remained, and war had indeed broken out. Knowledge was not always a good thing.

"But I will teach you what you need to know, if you wish it." Blonde hair with strands of white coming in spoke a testament to the life she had lived, and her eyes met the newest Aes Sedai to tie herself to the Green Ajah with interest. She did not know anything of Halvie beyond her name and status, and Kaylan's curiosity was kindled by her behaviour. "Yes, I will teach you, if you will learn."

~Kayls

OId biddy Greenie

Taya! :D

Heh, what's this about the clique of evil Tayas I hear?

Posted: 07 Dec 2005 06:08 am Post subject: Racey Racey (Carlz, Roshie and Caddie) Spacey? Not Lacey

"I know."

Reaching up and scratching Stephanos behind the ears, Con waited patiently as he sat on the fence. He was here early, nothing unusual about that, and he wanted a moment to himself anyway. Lathe balanced on his lap, the lead that ran through it gave it quite a hefty weight. Wielding it as quickly as a lighter one, the weight gave an advantage when taking the blows of others and more importantly, to beat past an opponent's guard. Today that would be important, as the test that faced Carla required both mentee and mentor to participate.

The race was an old tradition of sorts, and although the way it was run, what was used for obstacles and such changed, the basics remained the same. Con himself ran a similar race under Mikalen Gaidin, except it was with fellow trainees only who ran alone. One of the obstacles had been collapsable pits, and while Con had gotten through, one of the other students had fallen in. Hearing her cry of shock, he'd gone back to pull her out, which had resulted in him being overtaken by everyone else. Together they'd finished the race, coming last but in Mikalen's mind coming first. The object of the race then had not only been to show athletic ability, but also to work together.

But back then, trainees had been left to figure that out for themselves. Now the mentor and trainee worked together in the same course against another pair. It had become alot more competitive as a result, and the competition would prove interesting. One of the new trainees, Cado, was a bit of an unknown in terms of ability and his mentor, Rosheen, was an accomplished fighter in her own right. He'd been unhappy to lose her from the Tower Guard to an Aes Sedai, but that was each man and woman's choice.

Still, Con had a great deal of faith in Carla's ability. The girl was shaping up well, and though his instruction was harsh to some and constant, she had a degree of natural ability which stood her in good stead. Still, he knew from his own time as a trainee, it must seem to her that her victories were far and few between. Today he planned to give Carla one of those rare victories. He could hold back in the spar, but that would be unfair on Carla as she was going to give her all, he could do nothing less.

Still, the course would prove interesting, very interesting. The first task they had was to climb the wall, a fifteen foot set of logs. Using the niches between the logs, they were to make their way up and over. Lathes waited on the other side, and once people were across they armed themselves and sparred. Whoever won by disarming the other pair then got a head start on the final obstacle. In this case, the pairs had to crawl across the ground underneath nets which made sure they could barely rise.

The prize for winning the race was a weekend free, though in common practice, the mentor of the trainee who lost the race often gave them the same leave for the weekend. Then again, not every mentor did, so it was incentive just the same to try your hardest.

Getting off the fence, Con walked over to the other side of the wall, Stephanos still sitting on his shoulder. Laying the lathe on the ground, Con went back to his seat, thinking about his own race as he waited for the others to arrive.

Con Stavros

Commander of the Tower Guard

Note: Retro RP

Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 12:40 pm

As Rosheen calmly walked around the lap once more, she allowed herself to be overtaken by the trainees that had been running the same lap as she had, only with less ease. One of them grinned at her, as though he seemed to think she was tired. She grinned back at him, as if she meant to tell him he was a fool. He was, of course. Running laps was something she had done with a great deal of joy ever since she had arrived at the yards. In a way it still reminded her of her life before she had taken up the challenge, and aimed towards becoming a Tower Guard. She took a moment to stretch, making sure that her muscles were loose enough for the challenge that was to come.

Moridin was the first trainee trained by her who would go through the race. That also meant that this would be the first time Rosheen did the race as a mentor, not as the trainee. She wondered what it would be like. Back when she had been a trainee she had won, mostly due to the similarity in size that she and Raisa had. It had made things a lot easier. She would have to see how things turned out today. Moridin’s style of fighting was still influenced a lot by the things he had learnt before he came to the yards. She wasn’t quite sure if that put him at a disadvantage or not. Either way, she hoped he would do well. He was dedicated enough as it was, even if he didn’t always seem to know what he was dedicated to.

After she picked up a lathe which was weighed down slightly at the end, she walked over to where the obstacle course was waiting for them. As it turned out, it wasn’t the only thing waiting. Rosheen grinned as she saw Con sitting on the fence, with his trusty squirrel on his shoulder. She had kept squirrels when she was younger, until her mother told her that she couldn’t take them with her because it wasn’t fair to take them away from the forests they grew up in. She guessed that Con’s mother had never bothered telling him that.

She waved a greeting at the commander of the Guards, and placed the lathe behind the wall. She eyed the one Con had brought for a moment, trying to see if it was special in any way. It looked normal enough. She grinned briefly before walking back to the fence. Mumbling a greeting she sat down on the ground, with her back against the fence. “Moridin had better not be late.†She said. She didn’t think he would be late, but one could never be too sure with trainees. Even if they were the same age as you were.

Rosheen

TG here, I suppose.

Posted: 18 Jan 2006 10:32 pm

OOC: Wow we sure let this get away from us... glad you noticed it Rosh cause i'd completely forgotten.

IC:

Moridin had been up long before the sun as the little sleep he'd gotten hadn't come easily. He just wasn't tired. Physically he had been fatuiged but his mind was racing and wouldn't allow him the rest he was going to need for the days training. He was also reasonably anxious with regards to the lesson he had before him today. Rosheen Had talked to him briefly about the obstacle course yesterday but the details on it had been vague. It was his first official lesson here at the tower. In the time he'd spent here ha hadn't recovered any memory as he'd hoped. Nothing had come to him as the brief knowledge of warders had when he had entered. It was mostly these thoughts that kept him awake at night.

He had spent over an hour running in hopes of clearing his mind though the irony of it was that it was a clear mind that troubled him. Basic worldly knowledge was simply gone. He head words and names used frequently by most but understood none of them. He made a mental note to spend some time in the Towers library in hopes that learning something might trigger a memory. He continued running all the same, almost trying to outrun the sun that was slowly rising behind him. He was a fairly decent runner which only wound up spawning more questions in his mind. There were a fair number of others running who were faster then he but as time went on and more people came out he discovered that he was in the minority of those who ran well and with ease. Before the sun completely cleared the horizon he stopped and found a darker and more reclusive spot of the yard to rest briefly.

He was able to watch the yard and it's occupants going about their routines from where he sat. He watched them mill about in groups or alone, practicing with their swords or other weapons, exercising and stretching. All of them with a purpose and a goal. and the knowledge of where that goal or purpose came from. His eyes also came upon his mentor Talking to an older looking man with a small furry animal sitting on his shoulder. He chuckled a little at that and decided to go over and greet his mentor.

"Good morning Rosheen." He said as he drew close enough and gave her a small bow. "And good morning to you Sir." He gave the man a bow as well. He wasn't sure who he was but he had seen how his Mentor had regarded him and guessed he must but a superior officer. "I hope i'm not late." Seeing as Rosheen had only just arrived he assumed he wasn't but it was good to be sure. Noticing they both held training lathes he decided it would be best if he himself got one. He chose one of a slightly smaller build then most in the same design of the sword that he wore. It was strong but light as well and allowed him to quickly get inside another’s defence. He only hoped he was well enough rested to be able to do that in their lesson today.

Posted: 02 Feb 2006 12:46 pm

~’*’~ The smallest tendril of fear wound its way through her as she stood lurking beneath pale shadows, hands nervously tugging the edge of her light apparel. A washed out grey that had been painstakingly ironed the previous night; Carla wondered briefly how much dirt & tear it would bear much later, if not worse. Even now she hesitated to walk towards her mentor, no uncertain amount of doubt making her pull back until her back bumped against the hard, cool wall that loomed above her. Con had trained her well & hard to the extent of her being resentful of their lessons during the odd occasion but now, to test those honed skills… an intimidating prospect. He would be discontented if they lost, she was certain, while she would combat the mortification for having not been on par with his expectations.

~’*’~ She lifted her gaze to behold the morning sun light up the yards in a pale, mellow glow that threw shadows onto hard soil. Verdant floras and the sleek ivory tower were the only vibrant colours patent against the general blandness of surroundings that was regarded through her hooded eyes. Brown eyes shrouded deep in obscure maudlin contemplation though there really wasn’t much to be considered, should Carla ever decide to be truthful with herself. It was best the event come to pass promptly so as to allow more time for the memory to be coated in grime; at least she hoped it to be so. She hardly dared to risk herself to speculate on the likelihood of a victory just yet.

~’*’~ A forbidding mass of logs rose before her as she stepped cautiously towards her mentor, eyes shifting slightly to note the few others that littered the grounds. None too many present as witnesses; thank the Light. Carla lifted a hand halfway to still the apprehension that was wrecking havoc within her but paused a terrible moment before it came to settle on her middle. A red flush coloured her pale cheeks when the others turned their impassive face towards her, observing her walk towards them, scrutinising. She was the last to arrive, oddly enough. Suddenly, the brisk morning air felt too cold & compressed and the land too open & steep; far too vulnerable for suitable defence.

~’*’~ Winters past, she had stumbled in to train for the right to protect yet never had the notion of such omnipresent danger being applicable to herself occurred, until now. She had abandoned the abode of her past for what she had deemed far loftier & appropriate, eagerness crowding her thoughts until all other specks of doubt were compressed thoroughly. Those early days she had managed to endure by virtue of her eagerness to prove her worth, her steely character carrying her through many unbearable days. But she had shifted through mentors with an abandonment that frightened her witless at times; to wake up another day and wonder whether her instructor remained the same person, or had they reckoned her too fickle & weak for their time? Too many times had it occurred in the past to the extent that she no longer dared attach herself to one mentor for fear of discovering one day that they, too, had abandoned her to yet another. Left alone. Cut off. Deemed worthless. And so it was that her whittled determination wilted away…

~’*’~ Such dark uncertainties as they were Carla kept shuttered safely in the back of her mind, as she bowed her head meekly to hide any emotions that managed to escape. A sere leaf, crushed with its brown veins protruding by its side; she concentrated on that as the greetings slipped out from her, soft and respectable. She traced its translucent membranes studious with her eyes, noting how fragile its connections were, how it held itself together by a thread. A gentle wind would suffice to shatter its attachments, or perhaps a feet; it hardly mattered. Her world swirled to a standstill as she heard the words being spoken, words that would carry such momentous consequences. Thump!

It starts now.

Carla Sades

Tower Trainee

Mentee to Con Stavros

Ooc: My apologies for the delay.

Posted: 08 Feb 2006 01:12 am

"You're late"

These days it was rare if Con smiled, yet there was a hint of one as he looked to his twin sister who was approaching with the ropes. Mia was going to act as their marshall for the day, so as to ensure things were fair. Catching the ropes thrown to him, they were a foot long in length with each end in a noose. Slipping his right hand through the noose, he tightened it before moving onto the ankle rope. Looking up to see Mia collecting the remaining lathes, she was putting them on the ground of the other side of the wall. Once they'd made it over, they'd be able to take their lathes up, so as not to impede their climb further.

Turning to his student, Con laid his free hand on her shoulder as he spoke. "Remember, unity of movement. Lead off with your left, and I'll match your pace. At the wall, we scale at the same pace, everything in the same motion. As long as we maintain that, everything flows from there."

Clapping Carla on the shoulder, Con turned towards the wall, his knees bent and leaning forward, ready to start when Mia called out for them to begin. Even if they didn't win, they were certainly going to make Rosheen and Cado earn their victory every step of the way.

Con Stavros

Commander of the Tower Guard

OOC: Rightio, best way to unfold this... Rosh you take us to starting off and reaching the wall, Cado you get us halfway up, Halvie you get us over? Dunno, should do it though

Posted: 09 Feb 2006 06:54 pm

OOC: Sounds good to me

IC:

Rosheen only had a moment or two alone with Moridin before the race would start. And even that was stretching the definition of alone a bit far, as Con could hear every word she said. That was the one thing she didn’t want, as he would be a part of their competition during this race. She didn’t have high hopes of winning this, as she had only known the trainee she was working with for a few weeks, and they hadn’t done any serious training together, aside from a few runs. It was too soon. “The sooner we get this over with, the better.†She muttered under her breath. “What’s your sword hand?†she asked, embarrassed that she had to ask. Still, it would be even worse if she didn’t ask. She imagined her trainee being defenceless because she had picked the wrong hand.

Moridin kept his voice low as he answered. By the time Rosheen was ready to tie them together, Carla also appeared. Rosheen greeted her briefly, and wondered if she looked as tense as Carla did. The trainee/mentor pairs were just tied together by their ankles and wrists on one side of their bodies as Mia appeared, ready for them to go. Rosheen leant over to Moridin, hoping that Con and Carla wouldn’t be able to hear. “Just take moderately sized steps. We’re of equal size, so it should work in our advantage. Start with our tied foot, and then with our untied foot.†And then there was no more time for instructions, as Mia called for them to get in their places.

As Rosheen had expected, the first few steps went fairly well, considering the fact that they’d never ran with someone tied to their ankle and wrist. Then things got worse. Even though Moridin had her height, his strides were slightly longer. Rosheen silently cursed the male arrogance in him that wanted to get to the wall before Con and Carla did, and wanted to reach it by sheer force. “Steady.†She said, barely unclenching her teeth enough to make herself heard. Con and Carla had just found a way to work together better even though they had a size difference to deal with. Even though they had stumbled slightly at the end. Rosheen and Moridin arrived at the wall just a few paces ahead of their competition. As Rosheen looked up she realised that climbing the wall would be harder than she thought.

Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2006 6:17 pm

OOC: alrighty then. good ol' weekends and having friends who havn't broken their computers. Yet...

IC:

“What’s your sword hand?†Moridin looked up and noticed Rosheen had walked over to where he was. Carla and her mentor Con were nearly ready to begin and he realized he must look stupid standing there doing nothing. Quickly though he looked over the course once more and ran his eyes over the log wall. Alone the wall would have been scaled easily as the grooves were easily large enough to provide a decent grip. But, attached to another person...

"My right hand." he replied in as much a hushed tone as she had. It was at this point that someone he hadn't met before came over and began tying the pairs together. He didn't like the idea of being patially immobalized but for the moment it was a necessary evil which had to be over come.

“Just take moderately sized steps. We’re of equal size, so it should work in our advantage. Start with our tied foot, and then with our untied foot.†Aknowledging her with a nod of his head he was about to say something but he was interupted by the woman who was governing this exercise. They had no more time to prepare and Moridin knew he would have prefered to stretch a little more before they started but that time had passed. With the sound of a sharp whisel they began.

They began well and their steps were fairly sincronized but after a few more Moridin began to feel some resistence against his movment as Rosheen took ever so slightly smaller steps then him. Why do women always have to be all slow and calculated... He thought to himself. But, as he heard her mutter to slow down he realized there was no time for discussion on the matter and paced himself to her. Upon reaching the wall he had an idea to more control their movements.

"Tied on one. Free on two." Glancing at Rosheen he saw her nod her head to say she understood. Without timing here they would surely fall. Wasting no time he began. "One" They both moved there tied foot in unison and found a footing on the first log. "Two" Bracing himself he moved his second foot to the log above. "One" Grabbing a higher log with his hands he moved his tied foot once again with Rosheen. "Two" One log higher. "One, two, one, two, one, two..."

OOC: Alrighty then. Up to you Carla.

~’*’~ She drew in a sharp breath and took a brief moment to steady herself. The instructions were acknowledged with an imperceptible nod she knew Con could hardly miss; she trusted that he knew her well enough. It was to be hoped that her anxiety would not serve to enhance the confidence of their opponents, both possessing skills as yet unknown to her. Her limbs were stiff with tension and for a long moment, her eyes rested upon the length of rope that was to prove a hindrance during their journey across the wall. The trills of many a creature grew muffled as literally everything faded into obscurity exempting the obstacle that lay before them, waiting.

And then they were off.

~’*’~ The first steps taken were done hesitantly and Carla gritted her teeth whenever the other pair seemed to cover the ground at a speedier pace. During those times she would attempt to hurry only to find herself close to stumbling and that would leave her more frustrated than ever. And fretting as to how her mentor regarded her progress thus far, fearful to know how he analyzed her performance. “Unity,†she muttered almost agitatedly, despair giving way at the sight of the pile of logs before them. They were doomed.

~’*’~ “You first,†she gestured slightly towards the front before hastily scrambling forward. It was a painstaking progression that soon commanded all her attention and had her ignoring the advancements of the other pair. Frozen fingers assisted in her getting into position as they climbed, with Carla ever wary of maintaining her balance lest she slipped. And there were such moments when increasing confidence had her rushing forward, recklessly destroying their steady tempo. Those were the times when realisation would hit her with all force, reminding her of her companion and the extra care that had to be taken into consideration. Cursed game!

Carla Sades

Tower Trainee

It is perhaps unfortunate that I drink neither wine, beer or spirit, regardless of alcoholic content.

Teetotaler here. Please do not offer me any drinks. 8)

You jest. :P

*laughs*

Creative. CC'ed!

Had figured that she would cut the mustard.

Username: Vivien Senette

Handle at DM/WT: Lannie

Email: lannie@lannie.net

Physical Description: Vivien is a pretty young thing; she stands 5â€7 tall, has lightblond, thick hair that she usually wears in an interesting fashion (think coloured beads, tiny braids, etc), has full lips, high cheekbones and long-lashed lightblue eyes. Slender, athletic build; she has the kind of body that doesn\'t need much maintenance to look good

Place of birth: somewhere around the Caralain Grass & Andor

Age: almost 16

Character History: Vivien was born amidst a Tuatha\'an camp, to loving parents and a troupe of traveling Tinkers that were all as close to her as any family. She grew up amidst a slew of other kids and spent a happy youth playing with children, nurtured by her parents and the easy atmosphere in the group. She has a set of twin sisters, Tina and Tirase, that is two years younger than she is, but in all actuality she was a lot closer to her best friend, Berida – who they called Bibi. Bibi was only a week younger than Vivien – who was playfully called Vivi, and the two literally did everything together. They sat together at the evening campfires and listened to the stories, they studied together as Bibi\'s mother gave reading and writing lessons to the Tinker kids, and they shared their first kiss with the same boy on the same night.

She was sheltered from the outside world; when she would encounter violence in villages where they would camp, her parents would tell her that some people needed guidance, that they did not have the strength and patience to overcome heavy emotions. She drank in their words and followed the Path of the Leaf in the most innocent and truthful way possible. Always was she smiling, always was she peaceful and full of a genuine wish to make people feel better when they were down or sad. Vivien was the kind of person who would remember naming days and who would bake you pies when you felt down, she was the first to console children with skinned knees, and she was always the one to depend upon if there was something that needed to be done for you.

Vivien loved everyone, and pretty much everyone loved Vivien.

Until the day came that they camped near Tar Valon. Vivien loved the beauty of the White Tower, and the grace of the city. “Ogier-built,†her father told her. “Tar Valon is one of the most beautiful cities in the world,†he added, and Vivien was inclined to agree. She had artistic tendencies herself; she loved creating things out of nothing: pottery, painting, sculpting – she loved being busy with her hands and creating beauty. She wanted nothing more than to go into the city and see it\'s splendor for itself. Her father, however, wasn\'t about to let her go unchaperoned and forbade her to go.

Vivien couldn\'t wait, though. Her enthusiasm won over her normal obedience for her father, and as soon as their camp was all busy preparing dinner, she slipped out of camp and into the city. She walked around with eyes full of wonder, taking in the graceful lines of the buildings. Even in the smallest buildings there was beauty to be found. The sun was setting and the windows were lit with candles, and lampoons were hanging between roofs, lighting up alleyways and streets. The city seemed very safe and beautiful to Vivien and she couldn\'t quite understand why her father had not wanted her to venture out here on her own. Naturally, that was at the same moment that she realized that true night was falling over the city and that she was lost in a maze of streets and alleyways and she had no idea how to get back to camp.

“I feel so stupid,†she chided herself, looking around frantically for something she recognized. But it was all just as pretty and just as new to her, and she found herself completely, utterly lost when she rounded a corner and found everything unfamiliar. Looking up, she scanned the area for landmarks and then figured she might as well head for the biggest landmark she could find: the White Tower. It would be a starting point, and it was easy enough to find.

She walked through boulevards and wide streets, passed through dim alleys, and half an hour later she had finally found her way to the White Tower. She had heard stories about it, if course. The Aes Sedai dwelled here and did lots of mysterious things, things that had to do with power and... well, mystery. Or something. The place they lived in, though, was one of splendor. Vivien stood on the plaza before it and laid her hand in her neck, looking up and up to the top of it, white and glorious against a sky that was tinted with sunset. It was so beautiful!

“Child,†a female voice spoke close to her ear. Vivien started and whirled around. She was facing a regal-looking woman, clad in a gown of sapphire velvet.

“Hello Mistress,†Vivien said, curtesying quickly. Her parents had taught her manners, and this woman seemed to be a rich and powerful one. “What can I do for you?â€

“You are not a novice, are you?†The woman asked. She nearly demanded it, as if she completely expected Vivien to do whatever she wished. “You have the looks of a Tinker.â€

Vivien blinked in confusion. What did she want? “I... I am with the Tuatha\'an, my lady.â€

“I think you should be both,†the woman stated.

“Excuse me?â€

And with that, the woman just decided Vivien\'s future for her. “You\'re coming to the Mistress of Novices with me. I want you to be tested.â€

And Vivien went with her, mostly too confused to put up any objection, and also because she didn\'t feel like getting into conflict with the woman. The so-called Mistress of Novices gave her a jewelstone and told her to concentrate, and the next thing she knew was that she was going to be a novice, and that her family would be notified. And thus her fate was sealed.

Username: Syara

Handle at DM/WT: DM-Syara WT-Syara

Email: Shortstuff34nz@gmail.com

Physical Description: Height-5’6

Build-Slender

Eye Colour-Green

Hair-Shoulder Length

Hair Colour-Red

Skin Tone-Pale

Doesn\'t have particularly beautiful features but her Firey red hair and emerald green eyes more than make up for it.

Place of birth: Tyr, Sidona

Age: 15

Character History: I. A Simple Life

Syara Peron was born in Tyr, Saldea, her father was a soldier and her mother helped support the family by mending clothes. She had two siblings, an older brother Kendrick and a younger sister Laurana. Kendrick always dreamed of following after his father and joining the Saldean Cavalry. He often traveled with his father learning how to handle horses and use the lances and swords common among the Saldean cavalry. Syara and her sister stayed at home helping their mother and fantasizing about being swept away by some Saldean Lord.

II. Responsibility

Their fantasies were destroyed by the deaths of their father and brother during a raid by Trollocs. Without any income from the army they were forced to rely solely on their mothers work and the two girls did any odd jobs they could find. For three years they struggled to pay for food and shelter. Syara took on more and more responsibility, not only did she do odd jobs but she also had to look after her younger sister. Whenever people did things Syara didn’t like she let them know. She was never able to hold in her emotions and numerous times it got the better of her. Often she was beaten by her mother for saying true but offensive things to adults. If she saw something wrong or annoying to her she was never able to contain her anger or frustration.

III. No Kids no Problems

By the time Syara was fifteen the Peron family was impoverished, no food and they were close to being moved out of their house. Syara’s mother was forced to make the toughest decision she ever had. She decided to send Syara to the White Tower to be tested, she could not support both children and Syara was the older and more responsible of the two. And if she failed as was likely she could ask for a job as a servant. Maybe when things were settled she might be able to return to Tyr.

IV. A Journey

So Syara was sent with a passing merchant to Tar Valon with the last of the money the Perons had stored away. Syara found this very frightening and the merchant she traveled with could have thought her mute. Arriving in Tar Valon she stayed a night at an inn before going to the White Tower to be tested, fail and get a job as a servant. Dirty floors and dishes awaited her.

‘*’ This was certainly a child of unexpected qualities, if one should care to put it mildly. With a chilly air of detachment, Maechella observed the proceedings carefully but refrained from sharing the limelight as well. The repartee between recruit and Captain General rarely failed to unfold in various distinctive manners. She recalled the euphoria that came with the shawl, the shattering of heart when the rejection had been pronounced. Crushing humiliation was something she had managed to work to her own advantage but always would there be the odd one who could not bear such a revelation.

‘*’ A suicide had stood at the end of the list of reactions she had come to expect from new petitioners; this… Christine bordered on the extreme. One of an irrational mind and the intensity of her disgust towards this child stunned even her. For a wild moment she was seized with the need to strike that sickly face and help snuff out the last spark of this pathetic life; the Green Ajah was one that stood for battle and had no space for cowards. Better she die now then suffer worse during her dealings with the outside world, dealings that might prove ruinous to others in contact with her. Better to eliminate all possible weaknesses. Christine was going to have to work doubly hard to earn even an iota of respect from this sitter now.

‘*’ Weaves of healing were extended to seal the worse of wounds and prevent her life’s blood from ebbing away. Maechella would rather have not saved the girl’s life at all given half a chance but an embedded sense of fairness prevailed. Shock could trigger even the most astute of women to do nonsensical things. Still, age and experience had worn away much of her patience and it was with a critical eye that Maechella ran over her patient, memories of other wounds healed in scorching deserts coming unbidden to haunt. She stamped on them before the nostalgia grew too overwhelming. Wounds real people had deserved; wounds she would have been proud to admit she had helped to heal. This? A scenario best stashed into the darkest crevasse of the mind to be exploited at a later date if necessary.

‘*’ Bitterness hardened her heart as thoughts churned through her mind. That a mere slip of a girl who hardly cherished her own life would have what Jon would never experience again, youth, hurt more than she cared to admit. A heartless voice used to issuing the deaths of betrayers and adversaries now rang in the still room. “You deserved to die, Christine, yet you have not. The Tower is not done with you and nor are we. From this moment onwards, you will begin to know the meaning of true sacrifice. We will see to it that you do. You have no other choice.â€

Maechella Verlein

Sitter of the Battle Ajah

Username: Kenny

Handle at DM/WT: Rosetta Squall

Email: musicboy_892000@yahoo.com

Physical Description: Rosetta has a long thin face with full lips and a prominate nose. Her eyes are a deep blue to rival any saphair ston. She has long flowing red hair that gose to the bottom of her back. She is about 5 foot 9 inches at 140lbs

Place of birth: Tear

Age: 19

Character History: Zell Squall a Tairen high lord was about 21 when he had his first child with his loving wife Ora and they named her Rosetta Squall. Rosetta idolized her her father and wanted to be just like him, but when she was 10 her father was posined by another high lord. Rosetta was devistated and started to rebel against her mother who she blamed for his death because she didnt protect him.When she was 16 she ran away from home looking for help in trying to find out who killed her father. she travled for two years before she found out in Tarrabon that Aes Sedai could possibly help her so she set out for the white tower in Tar Valon. It took her just under a year to find the tower and when she went to the tower to ask for help the Aes Sedai told her they could help her but not the way she wanted. It was then that she learned that she could learn to channel.

*thumbs up*

A touching bio, very nicely done.

CC'ed. :)

You can copy/paste the whole thread or just the last few posts from the old boards; either way works. :)

[Now come on guys, be serious. ]

Username: Irina

Handle at DM/WT: Irina

Email: w.torenvliet[at]gmail.com

Appearance/character traits:

Irina is not overly beautiful, but more pretty in a naughty way. She has hazel, almondshaped eyes with grey flecks in them and a very light unblemished skin. Broad face with a score of freckles on her nose and cheeks. Broad, square chin which is an indication of her stubborn nature. Red-tinged, very VERY curly hair that she finds difficult to maintain- she chopped it very short on the streets and still keeps it relatively short.

Slender but nicely shaped where curves are concerned. Comes across as far from fragile while she actually isn't that tall or sturdy at all. Has a nice proficiency in daggers and stickfighting which she honed on the streets. Used to swear a lot, but that has been beaten out of her during her life with the merchant train. Vague Tearan accent is all that remains, and she is completely convinced of the importance of being able to express yourself well – it has brought her quite far under the circumstances. Soaks up education like a sponge, but is too practical and realistic to become a Brown.

Place of birth: Tear

Age: 15

Irina grew up on the street cause her mother tossed her and her siblings out of the house when she was five. She doesn't remember her mother's name, or what she looked like - doesn't even know why her mother's life was such that she felt she had to abandon her children like she did. Irina does not remember a father either, so most likely the man that fathered her was not married to her mother, or left right after she was born. In the hard life on the streets, Irina quickly lost track of her brothers and sisters and cannot even remember their faces or how many there were exactly.

Life on the street was hard, but she soon was picked up by a group of littl girls and boys here age which roamed the streets as messengers, pickpockets and worse. These children were abused and used by whomever saw fit, and so Irina has seen rape, murder, betrayal and disinterest upclose. She always managed to elude personal mishaps though because of quick wit and a strong manipulative side.

Until she was 12 she remained more or less genderless with a mop of unruly hair, a flat chest and gangly legs, but upon her flowering she grew quickly into a curvy young woman. At the same time, she suddenly found herself abandoned by her group of peers, who saw her comeliness and curviness as a liability - she was too great a risk on the street to be very close to. And so she found herself alone in a hostile environment.

After a few gropings and chance escapes of worse, she decided she might be better off in the countryside, working for her livelihood. Even there she found that humankind is harsh - while there were honest pple who gave her honest pay for her work, there were scores who took their advantage. Irina has seen more of her share of the abusive nature of humankind.

In the end she was taken up by a travelling merchant train where she learned all the tricks of the trade – including selling and bargaining. Her quick wit became even more honed: Irina can basically talk her way out of anything. The life on the street and in the merchant train made her realistic, made her cynical, made her a firm believer in "what you can't eat, you can't use, and what you can't see, doesn't exist". She had envisioned a life as a merchant, owning her own train, but yet another thing crossed her path and turned her plans for herself upside down: she was discovered to being able to learn how to channel by a travelling Aes Sedai and was brought to the Tower when she was 15.

Irina can read and write, but obviously has no proper education. She is Very streetwise though and tough as nails underneath an alluringly charming exterior. Very friendly and open on the surface, but she always has her own agenda, and always has her own interests at heart. Thoroughly convinced that the Light won't help her, but that she is responsible for her own happiness and success. She does not believe in coincidence or something like karma. She is a hard worker, very intelligent, but cynical as well and not a very happy child inside. She will always choose what seems the most beneficial course to her – does not do things to please or help others where her own interests are concerned. Does not believe in the innate goodness of humankind either – will be distrustful (though not on the surface) always.

Is perceived as strongwilled and friendly, strong as a mule and as stubborn as one as well once she has set her mind to something.

*reports*

Alaina here.

And I know Master Dias is lurking around somewhere... :)

What kind of problems are you having, exactly? :)

*brandishes stick*

Present. :D

Present.

Carla