Mat gets Shaggy's "It Wasn't Me".

I would have done more with Alanna. She was this profound, important link to Rand, but ended up being functionally irrelevant, except for people to whine about/at. I would have had her kidnapped by a member of the forsaken, Graendal or Semirhage, and manipulated. Turn her into a darkfriend. Show us that process earlier in the books, and against someone who MATTERS.

Who told you you were incapable? Girt thought about that, and grunted, listening to the Aes Sedai. Of course she would SAY that everyone was equal, but Girt knew who ended up with the fuzzy end of the sweet-cake. "I was lady's maid for Lady Zilna back home, mum, and she and her mum and her friends they all said it. Whenever they were learning book stuff, they'd send me out the room because I am dimwitted. It was not an insult, no more than it insults a rock to call it hard." She shrugged. "It just is. I'll try to learn, I will, but I hope they don't expect more than I can do or I'm probably going to end up getting beaten again." She glanced to one side,  eyes tracing over the artwork on the walls, the little bits that made this office personal to the Mistress of Novices.

She stared at a tapestry depicting a woman holding some sort of... scales? Hard to make out, as the older woman talked about how other Novices viewed her. It had been a stupid question, anyway. She doesn't want to be your mum, no one wants a stupid girl for a daughter. Girt nodded at Valeri Sedai's comment about needing guidance, and then shifted her gaze to the other woman, and thought about the question. DID she want this? She'd come all the way here, yes, but that was because Unari Sedai had told her to.

Girt frowned, considering the options. Valeri's assertion about talking seemed a potential invitation, so she decided it wouldn't hurt to speak. "I traveled here because Unari Sedai said so, said I could learn and so had a duty to serve. I guess I'm used to that, and I'm used to doing as I'm told, so that seemed natural enough. I suppose I was thinking you'd just put me to work. I didn't really think as how I'd have a choice. But... what is there to go back to? Lady Zilna would never forgive me for being able to learn and her not. I know work as a lady's maid, but I'm not pretty enough to be a really highly placed one, so I couldn't get a well-paying job. I suppose I could find some small low house and settle in, maybe marry a stable boy and have babies, but I don't much like children. But those are all selfish reasons."

Girt chewed her lip, looking down and to one side. "If I can learn this, and it's useful... Aes Sedai can't lie, and Unari Sedai said it was important, so it must be. I never really thought I'd ever be important. I suppose if this needs doing, it's my responsibility to see it done, isn't it? Aes Sedai make the world a better place, and that means more Aes Sedai make it better still..."

She looked up at Valeri. "I know I'm not smart, but it seems like this is the right thing to do. If it's worse than the life I've already led, well, I guess I can get used to that, but you did say there were free days sometimes, and if I don't have to buy my own dresses or bleach, that'll save me money. Um, not that I have any left now, anyway. Since you said there's other common folk, I'll wager you pay enough for us to tend to our room and board, and our other necessaries. Though I WOULD like enough of an advance to visit the kitchens today, if it please the Aes Sedai."

Girt glanced at the purse on the desk, frowning, then back up at Valeri. "So that's three, isn't it? The selfish, the selfless, the pragmatic. Da always told me to look for three reasons before making a big decision, and that's three. Easy to find plenty of reasons not to, but the only really troublesome one is that I might do ill with the power, and I figure that that one's on me to be careful. I found I MIGHT do ill with any number of things, and it's my most important job not to, because It's RIGHT not to. So I won't." She swallowed, then continued. "Easier just to not learn, so I don't need to be so careful, but that also ignores the responsibility. Okay. I'm sorry for chattering so long, and I won't question if you beat me for it, but I'd like to become an Aes Sedai, please."

Girt sat back, calm, resolute, and finally, blessedly quiet, watching the other woman levelly, her composure spoiled by a loud grumbling from her belly. Her eyes widened, and she clapped her hands to her belly, cheeks turning red.

After what felt like four months, but surely was no more than a few seconds, Girt rested her head on Meridian's shoulder. She closed her eyes, struggling against the urge to cry harder, and snuggled closer, surprised at how a simple consolation could break through years of heartache and pain. She breathed slowly, evenly, calming herself, calming her nerves, then murmured softly, "There's nothing there for me anymore, Meridian. Lady Zilna won't have me, now that I embarrassed her by being able to learn to use the Power. But... I thank you for the thought. You are not like most nobles I know."

Girt sat up, blinking, and realized that was perhaps not the best thing to have said. "That's not a bad thing, you know. You're one of the nice ones! I know you didn't have to be kind to me, and I appreciate it. I hope you'll forgive me; sometimes I say stupid things." She smiled shyly. "I AM hungry. If you're hungry too, there might still be food left. And the Mistress of Novices said I was going to have to learn book knowledge stuff, so I had an idea I'd like to discuss." She licked her lips a bit nervously, not knowing if this would be a good idea.

Girt listened attentively as Valeri Sedai explained the clothing situation. Well, that would have saved some time and effort. Seemed a waste to burn them, but it was just dresses. Her eyes were drawn to the tome again. The thing seemed ancient beyond time, and the girl figured it must be some ancient object of the power.

It is not an easy life. You will be expected to do chores, study many subjects, including the One Power. There are rarely free days, and even then you must adhere to all White Tower rules. If you are caught breaking any rules you will be sent to me for punishment, Valeri had said. This all seemed standard, but… guidance? Comfort? Girt looked at her hands, trying to hide her discomfort and confusion, and her belly gurgled audibly causing her to flush with embarrassment. “Forgive me, Valeri Sedai… you said rarely free days. Does that mean there are, um, there are SOME free days?” She tried to hide the thrill of excitement, and continued, not wanting to spoil the mood. “And I will study? Like schooling? Where you sit and listen and learn things, like a proper lady?”

Girt froze, and stared at Valeri Sedai, her heart sinking. “Oh… I think perhaps I was not clear, Valeri Sedai. I am not a noble girl. I am a stupid serving girl and lady’s maid, and schooling is not for the likes of me.” Girt held up her chapped hands, the roughened flesh betraying her rude upbringing. “I will gladly do all the chores, especially with free days!” She broke into a brilliant smile. “Free days! And I will learn whatever I can about the One Power until I become Aes Sedai, but I do not want to mislead anyone. I am a stupid girl and incapable of learning education things.” This was said with the ease and unconcern that only comes from constant repetition.

She considered the rest of what Valeri had said, oblivious to the expression of consternation on the older woman’s face, and continued, “You said guidance and comfort? Are you my new mum, then?” Girt shifted on the little chair, and sat on her hands, avoiding eye contact, but the look on her face was full of worry, hope, and loneliness. “My other mum died six years past. It wasn’t her fault, though. She didn’t steal nothing. She was a good mum.” She finally fell silent, staring at the floor, feeling lost.

Girt surveyed the room, then the Aes Sedai at her desk. It wasn’t messy, strictly speaking, but… cluttered. With an enormous tome. It would be annoying to clean; they always wanted you to be careful of getting dust on the books and papers and all that. Dropping a deep curtsey, she nodded nervously. “Yes, Aes Sedai, I would like some tea very much, thank you.” Walking over to the tea set, Girt hesitated. There was no flame. She blinked several times, then turned, confused, and walked to the chair, blushing.

Sitting on the edge of the chair, she stared at the desk in front of her, and at the huge book. She swallowed nerves, and continued, “I am called Girt Salinas. I was sent to the White Tower by Unari Sedai, who tested me and says that I can learn how to use the One Power, and that I must go and learn and become Aes Sedai. I know little of this, but I take her at her word, of course. She gave me this purse, with 20 Andoran marks, to see me safely here, but warned me not to waste it.” Girt placed a nearly full purse on the desk with a clunk. “I did have to spend one silver penny to pay the caravan driver who aided me in travelling, one copper bit for a meal at an inn near Whitebridge, and two copper for a banking receipt to hold my necklace against my eventual ascendance to Aes Sedai.” Girt took a small stack of papers, and set them on the desk as well. “Here are receipts indicating amount paid. I will stay as long as needed to repay the debt, I give my word under the light. The remainder, 19 crowns and change, are still in the purse.” A blink, then she shook her head, then leaned forward, tugging off a boot. She turned it up, and another coin rolled out into her hand, one of the gold marks. “Well… now they are. Da always said a coin in the boot could save a girl’s life.” She tucked the coin into the purse, apparently unmindful of the unpleasantness of a coin that had seen heavy foot-wear. “I never understood that one. Mostly it made my foot ache.”

Shifting uncomfortably, she continued. “And I am to submit myself for punishment. A dark-haired Aes Sedai with dark skin and a mouth like she chewed a lemon, Rinoa Sedai? I do not recall her name precisely. Rinoa Sedai says I am to tell you I am an insolent and indolent child, that I do not pay attention, and have not been attending my studies. I believe, though I am not sure, that she was trying to explain something called an angry L, and she scolded me when I said I did not know that the letters had moods. I am supposed to request ten lashes as a reminder of my place. One of the girls with the rainbow on her dress says I am a stupid novice, and should tell the Mistress of Novices that I am disrespectful to Accepted, because I asked her where you were, and my tone was one of frustration rather than courteous submission, and an Aes Sedai named Maolin has said that when I have finished speaking with you, I am to return to her rooms and finish scrubbing her hearth, for it is clearly all I am good for, and that I am to not stop for food beforehand. She had taken me to her rooms to attend her as a maid, I believe, and when she sent me for fresh ink, I told her I did not know where to find it.”

Girt swallowed, staring at the floor, cheeks red. “Valeri Sedai, I am sorry, but I believe that there is a grave misunderstanding here. Begging your pardon, please, but…” Mouth dry, she met the other woman’s eyes, and continued in a tone of quiet desperation, sitting there in her dirtied novice dress, “I am not a novice yet! I do not know why people think I am! Please. I do not know where things are, or what an angry L, or angry M is, and I do not know what accepted things ARE, let alone how to respect them, and I AM very hungry, and if I am not to be a novice, then after you have beaten me, and I have finished scrubbing the fireplace, might I at least visit the kitchens before I begin working off my debt?”

Girt hanged her head again, obviously weary, her stomach audibly gurgling. She clapped her hands to her belly, cheeks turning even redder. It was not a good look for the already quite plain girl.

Eyes bright, Girt bowed her head and did a perfect servant’s curtsey to Loraine Sedai, not smiling (Servants were NOT to smile, and clearly novices, neither), but gratitude shone on her features nonetheless. Her belly had started to grumble. It would be useful, should the wine flow freely enough for people to loosen up. It was also good to know that not all the Aes Sedai were as pointlessly mean and pedantic as her instructor had been in the class about the history of the wheel. She had thought that would be an interesting overview of the world, but the woman insisted on teaching about different milling techniques, and then scolded Girt fiercely when she’d quite reasonably and unobtrusively fallen asleep.

She caught herself frowning, and forced a calm demeanor back. Loraine Sedai was nice. That wink suggested a willingness to overlook a bit of pilfering, which could definitely come in handy in the future. When Kira Sedai arrived in her lovely blue gown and sapphire pendant, Girt stepped closer to her, belly growling again over the buffet. With a quick glance at the table, she held up the tray. A shy, tiny smile would be appropriate in response to a compliment, wouldn’t it? The ugly novice smiled gratefully, and in a soft voice replied, “Thank you, Aes Sedai.”

Girt watched the gathering carefully, offering a glass to a stone-faced warder, who accepted with a glance and a small nod, then a jewel-bedecked noble woman. Retreating to the more familiar Aes Sedai, she watched the group carefully, trying to discern the political connections between these women. They were every bit as convoluted as any noble court, and Girt knew very well how that kind of thing could turn on the low-born with nary a moment’s notice. Two blue, now, and one purple. Maybe they were both blue ajah? She stepped a little closer, attempting to hear a bit more of what they were saying. The newcomer was friendly enough, cheerful, even, but the first Blue sister… there was the sound of cracking. Knowing the sound of shattering glass quite well, Girt stepped closer, prepared to replace the glass before it spilled too much, but then the Aes Sedai turned and lunged at Girt. Startled, the girl let out a squawk, red wine splashing over the floor and the hem of her gown. She stared down, eyes wide. Oh, light, oh light, I cannot afford to replace those, what will they do to me? Will I be sent out of the tower? Is this how it ends? The Aes Sedai snarled at her, “Why don’t you watch where you’re going?”

Girt blinked, startled by the look in Ellisha Sedai’s eye, as much as by the tone of her voice, and the words. She wants to strike me. Light, she wishes me dead! No Aes Sedai would behave that way, and so Girt realized she’d been mistaken this whole time. She dipped a deep curtsey, head nearly to the ground. “My deepest apologies, milady. I shall request that the Mistress of Novices, one of the Aes Sedai,  address my clumsiness and crude behavior. I beg you not to measure the hospitality of the White Tower based on my witless performance here this evening.” That should suit any noble lady, even one with a stick the size of Cairhien up her rump. As Girt began to rise, she saw the ring on the other woman's finger, and froze, turning even more pale. Oh. Blood and ashes. Blood and bloody ashes! She was AES SEDAI? The young girl began to tremble.

Girt watched Meridian carefully, not sure how the other girl would react. But her words, while haughty and arrogant, did seem somewhat genuine. Then she offered to help wash her hair. Girt looked away, blinking several times. No, don't cry, you're not a cry-baby bunting. You'll scare her off. Girt regained her composure in time to catch the question. Why DO I miss it? It was a fair question. She thought about it a long time, smiling slightly at the mention of cats.

"No one was nice, but most people were not cruel, either. And I did care about some people. Lady Zilna. She saved me, and I was her maid. She was cruel to me, yes, but she saved me when her lady mum was going to throw me out on the street, even though I never did anything for to warrant it."

Girt swallowed a lump in her throat at the painful memory, then continued. "So, I worked for Lady Zilna and I ran her bath and brushed her hair and I dressed her and brought her food, and she was only cruel to me when I was stupid and slow, when I deserved it. And when Unari Sedai came to the manor, Lady Zilna let me be tested, even though she had no ability to learn. I... I did not like it there, but I do not like it here, either, so that's nothing new. As far as I can tell, I don't have to work any less here than I did there, so that doesn't seem to make a difference, but... there was home. It was unpleasant, but it was home."

Her eyes began to water a bit, and her voice took on a little quaver, getting higher and louder as she went on, pain beginning to seep into her tone. "And every day took me further and further away, and I don't think I could find my way back if I tried, and now I'm here in Tar Valon, and it's supposed to be the best place in the world, but the stupid walls didn't shine because it was cloudy and I got yelled at by a stupid accepted and that Aes Sedai and she made me get ashes all over my freshly white dress and cobwebs in my hair and I HATE it here! I wanna go home! I don't know anyone and everyone's mean but you and you brushed my hair and I messed it all up by yelling at you even though you're a NICE lady and I don't have my necklace and I'm gonna fail here because I'm just a stupid girl who messes things up!" At the end, wailing in obvious distress, Girt clearly vented a lot of pent-up stress. Then, pressing her face to her knees, there was a muffled, "I'm sorry."

Girt listened to Meridian, ashamed of and embarrassed by her outburst. Why did I expect so much from a noble lady? Why would I think she wanted to be friends? Why... Oh. Why did she brush my hair?

She continued laying there for a long moment, then rolled over, facing the other girl. "I apologize for my outburst. It was unjust; you have no reason to be friends without knowing me, and Light knows my reactions have likely been rather unlikeable. I just..." Girt sat up, looking down at her knees. "It has been a very long time since anyone showed me, um, kindness. You brushed my hair. With your brush. I was not expecting that. I do not have nice hair, I know, and besides, no one really wants to touch me, but..." She gave a heavy sigh, and finally lifted her eyes to meet Meridian's. Her eyes were a drab, dull brown, with care lines already creasing the corners. "It took me off balance, you being nice to me, and I interpreted it more deeply than you meant it. I am truly sorry. I will show you to the baths, if you like, or we can go take our meals together. You did not deserve my ire."

Girt pulled her feet up to the bed, and wrapped her arms around her knees, hugging tightly, staring straight ahead. "Thank you for brushing my hair. It was very nice, and a kindness I do not deserve. I miss home." Her tone was rather haunted, expression forlorn, her voice soft and distant. "It was a long journey."

Girt sat silently for a long, long while, listening to Meridian talk, feeling the brush on her hair. She sat stiffly at first, then seemed to relax a little, then more, then she went curiously still.

When Meridian finished Girt's hair, the peasant sat there, still unmoving, then, in a voice choked and almost strangled, as one who had been crying, she gasped, "You don't like me? Why don't you like me? I put away your things! I brushed your hair without being asked! I told you about the accepted and my funny story! Why did you brush my hair if you don't like me? I like YOU!" She got up, stiff, summoning all the dignity of the put upon low-born commoner, and stormed out of the room. Darting away, she disappeared into the maze of corridors, more familiar with them from a few hours of wandering about than Meridian.

It was probably twenty minutes before she returned, her face dry, face and voice composed. "I have found the baths. I will save a meal for you if you wish to bathe before you eat, milady. And in the morning, when I think it will not be too much trouble to speak to her again, I will speak with the Mistress of Novices, and explain to her that I am not a suitable roommate for you. I am sorry that I displeased you. I agree that we should try to come to an arrangement, and will watch your back regardless. I know no one but you, so even if you do despise me, you are the closest person to me. I will trouble you no further, though." She climbed onto her bed, and laid down, facing the wall.

Girt stared at the soft, delicate hand in front of her, and hesitantly took it, shaking. "Allies, if you wish." Nothing of value, the girl had said. Girt looked down at the small pile, at the tiny hand mirror, some packed cheese, paper and ink... She shook away an instant flash of resentment, and put on a small, strained smile. "I wonder if you have seen the Mistress of Novices? I waited in her office for what seemed like months and months, though it must have only been a few minutes. At least you were wearing green." Girt knew, at least, the way of putting someone at their ease. If the lady wanted to play at friends, she could handle that. Tell a self-deprecating story.

"I didn't realize they'd provide novice whites, so I bleached my own dress, then when I finally got in, one of the Accepted thought I already WAS a novice, and had me carry books, then an Aes Sedai who looked like she eats raw lemons made me serve her tea, and spent a half hour talking about something called a 'tear angry oh', then yelled at me when I couldn't repeat back what she said. I didn't even know I was supposed to be listening!" Girt fished through the little travel pack until she found a hairbrush, then set to work combing Meridian's hair back into manageable shape.

"She sent me to go see the Mistress of Novices and tell her how I was a stupid child who hadn't an ounce of sense. I tried to tell her I didn't know where the Mistress of Novices was, but I suppose she thought I was talking back, so she made me scrub out her fireplace as penance. When she let me go, I finally managed to find another novice, who knew I wasn't one. I guess we all know each other here. And she helped me find the right office. So, I got punished before even becoming a novice! Overall, though, it wasn't a bad day." This would do nicely; Meridian's hair was finally back under control, and Girt would learn if she liked her servants to chatter or to be silent.

Girt stared at the other girl, her eyes widening as she listened. Lowest of the low? HER? She was a lady, she must be thinking of something else. But... she was talking we?

"I... I am Girt. Girt Salinas. From Arad Doman. Um. Pleased to meet you, milady, and, yes, we're only allowed to wear white. The accepted have color at the hem of their dresses, it's how you can tell them apart." She swallowed, her belly rumbling. "There are three meals a day, and the next should be about an hour from now." Girt studied the other girl. "So... you ARE a novice. Why would they make you room with me, though? You're a lady!"

Girt wrung her rough, work-worn hands, then smoothed her thin, mousey hair. She was not a pretty girl, and the worry on her face did nothing to improve her appearance. Her eyes flickered to Meridian's bed, and distress flickered across her face. Finally, she moved around the other girl, and plucked up the rolled up bundle, and unrolled it, shaking it out. "You're going to stretch the fabric! It's supposed to hung, or be gently folded! You can't just roll it up, not something pretty like this!" She carefully folded the dress, then put it into the cabinet carefully. "I am sorry, but... if you are a novice, and we are the same here, at least let me show you how to take care of your things?" She stepped back, then sat on her bed, and stood up again, startled. Picking up the travel sack, she sighed and carried it over to the cabinet, and began to unpack it. "I was told we were not allowed to bring any personal effects. Perhaps that is one of the things you were allowed as a lady?" Girt glanced up at the other girl. "What is your name? I'm Girt."

This was definitely more familiar. Girt knew the way of things now; she must have been placed here to wait on this lady. When the girl held her arm out, Girt rose, and plucked the dress from her arm. She hurried it over to one of the beds, and laid it out carefully, making sure not to wrinkle the fabric. Her mind racing, she tried to determine why such a fancy lady would dress in such a plain white gown as the one she had laid out, but it wouldn't come to her. She quickly retrieved the traveling satchel, and set it on the other bed.

"I suppose I had better get changed," the pretty girl said. Girt slipped behind her, and began working the buttons of her lovely traveling dress. "Will milady be wanting a bath? I do not know the tower well yet, but I can probably find them shortly, if you'll pardon the delay." She had the other girl half out of the gown before she finally put it together, and her hands slowed, then stopped. "Are... are you here to be a novice? I mean... in white? I am a novice myself... did they say I was to be your maid, then? I'm afraid I do not understand much of the tower organization, but I thought novices were supposed to be servants to the Accepted, but surely milady is not here to serve? Begging your pardon, but I am sorely confused, now." Girt stepped back, retrieved the bucket she'd left on the ground, moved it to a corner, and stood, embarrassed and confused, staring at the ground. She'd messed this up already, and the new girl was going to hate her. She KNEW she wasn't supposed to talk out of turn, yet here she had done just that.

Girt had helped prepare several High Chasaline celebrations before, and had grown rather fond of the event. Sure, it meant a lot of extra work, but the tradition was that the servants got to eat the leftover food. More than once she’d eaten herself sick, but it was worth it. The fine gowns, lovely men, bright lights and music all made the event a pleasure even for one who had to work it.

The situation was different for a novice, it seemed to her. She wasn’t, strictly speaking, a servant, but it had been made crystal clear that there was no part of being a novice which was supposed to be pleasant, and so it was obvious that she wouldn’t be one of the revelers herself. The easiest solution was the most familiar one: Upon arriving at the Warder Yard, Girt stayed in the background, clutching a wineskin, and planned to move from Aes Sedai to Warder, from visiting noble to highly-placed tower employee, filling empty glasses, and generally being useful. She didn’t really know anyone yet except her roommate, had only been to classes a handful of times, and generally was still growing accustomed to the environment. Still: If she took the role of a servant, surely no one could deny her the leftover food. That was the way things were. She had already circled one of the display tables several times, eyeing the various dishes, and had marked in her mind which ones she would lay claim to once everything had picked over. It would be a good opportunity to get to know the servants and other novices, once the squabbling over the leavings began, and it was always good fun, especially if some wine remained. THAT was allocated evenly.

Her white dress was a bit faded, greying from true white. It would need a good bleaching again soon, but for now, it served, though it was a bit chilly, especially since the warder’s yard wasn’t protected from the elements. It would warm up when more people arrived, but for now, she had to work to suppress the occasional shiver. Things perked up when some others arrived. Spying an Aes Sedai with gorgeous golden hair, Girt moved to one of the tables, picked up a waiting tray topped with several glasses containing a deep crimson, and hustled it over to Loraine Sedai, avoiding eye contact and curtseying deeply. Her dress was a lovely purple, showing a scandalous amount of cleavage, but that was, of course, not for a novice to notice at all. The unfortunate part was, as near as Girt had been able to work out, there was no purple ajah. She counted them in her mind again, white, yellow, green, blue, brown, red, grey. No purple. She hadn’t actually realized that the Aes Sedai were allowed to wear a color other than their ajah. Useful fact.

Girt stood just within visual angle, enough to be barely noticed, so Loraine would be aware if she was looking for wine, and otherwise would be unobtrusive. When Loraine Sedai walked over to the Aes Sedai in blue, (blue! One of the ajahs. Good. Though… if the other could wear purple, who knew what was possible?) Girt followed unobtrusively, and stopped several feet away, making her tray available to both women, while not interfering with the conversation. So far, things were going well, though again, the blue dress showed surprising cleavage. Maybe this was the fashion in the Tower for High Chasaline? Girt couldn’t decipher it, but thankfully didn’t need to.  It was enough to be here. In the tower. With the chance at that food! Her eyes flicked over to the buffet table again, belly rumbling audibly, then back to the Aes Sedai, as she stood ready to provide wine at this blessed holiday.

Girt was tired.

It had been a long day of talking to Aes Sedai, scrubbing fireplaces, carrying books, getting lost, getting bossed around by Accepted, coming to the Tower, bleaching her clothes, finding a bank, coming to Tar Valon, and tending to camp. Her mind traced back over every frustration and indignity, as she stepped into the room, and stopped, staring, her eyes growing wide.

This was her room. HER room. And some other girl's, but who cared about that? HER room! It was practically palatial! Look, there was a bed, with a real mattress, and a little desk that she could put... well, nothing... on, another bed - ANOTHER BED! She didn't have to share a bed! And the beds weren't tiny, either! Wide enough for at least two girls huddled together, not that that would be necessary because that one was HERS! And a cabinet, which the novice who showed her to the room assured her she was welcome to use. Girt opened the cabinet, and stuffed her spare novice dress in, then walked to the bed, and sat awkwardly. What to do now? Ideally, sleep, and she WAS tired, but she had this wonderful room! And no more chores until third bell! THIRD BELL! Being in the white tower was far better than she'd imagined.

It wasn't long after she began scrubbing down the room that another girl stepped in. She carried herself with a noble air, and had the hands and face of someone unaccustomed to work. Girt immediately stood, bowed her head, and dipped into a deep curtsey. "Begging your pardon, milady. I was told this was my room to share, but they must have told me wrong. I'll be heading out."

• Novice Quiz - Complete

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Arrr! And ewe!

The trip had taken a month, and cost a great deal of peace of mind, but finally, FINALLY, Girt stood at the foot of the bridge. Tar Valon. City of the Shining Walls. Well, they were supposed to, but it was a cloudy day. Still, it was an impressive sight, the White Tower climbing into the sky. Now that she was here, though, there was work to do.

Girt strode across the bridge, clutching the pack on her back tightly. A novice has no possessions. That is what Unari Sedai had told her. With a sigh, she fingered the necklace, the turquoise dull in the diffuse light. She stalked through town, pausing here and there to study signs. "B-a-n-k" was what she was looking for. She found a large, surprisingly fancy building, ogier wrought stonework climbing pillars in front of a massive, forboding edifice, but it had those letters, in that order. Swallowing down nerves, she headed inside, and waited in the line.

After what felt like hours, she stepped up to the counter, and presented the necklace to the suspicious looking woman standing at the window. "I would like to deposit this. I will return for it when I am Aes Sedai. I will need a receipt." She had practiced the phrase long enough that it rolled off the tongue easily. The woman's expression turned from suspicious to bemused, and after a brief transaction, and the deposit of two copper pennies, which elicited a frown from the young girl, she walked away, receipt in hand. That's one task down.

Next, she sought out the tanner. Unsurprisingly, the odoriferous shop was near the shore, downwind. Another copper bought her a bucket of bleach and some plain thread. Heading out to the shore, Girt stripped down to her small-clothes and set to work bleaching her dress. A novice wears white, to symbolize her pure devotion to the Tower. This wasn't too bad; once the dress was bleached, she removed the other dress from her pack, and set to work altering it with needle and thread. Thankfully, it was already white, and just needed a good scrubbing when she was done. A nice drawing she'd seen was useful for getting the proportions of the gown correct, and soon she had two reasonable facsimiles of novice gowns. After letting them dry, she tugged one on, pleased by the fit, and packed the other away. That's the other. Time to face my fate.

As Girt approached the Tower, she felt suddenly nervous. All that time travelling, this had seemed a distant thing. It was the future, not now. But here she was, and her belly was clenching up. Swallowing her fears, she stepped into the entryway. And gaped. It was ENORMOUS! And beautiful, and frightening, and everything! She stood stock still, staring, stupefied. She started in surprise when an annoyed figure bumped into her from behind, mumbling about fool girls standing in everyone's way. Embarassed, Girt moved off to one side, and collected herself, when a tall, beautiful girl in a white dress banded with all the colors of the rainbow walked up to her, a business-like smile on her face. "You, girl, come with me. I need someone to help carry. If you can stare, you can carry." And just like that, Girt's embarassment and nerves melted away. THIS was familiar territory. She ducked her head, and followed the older girl dutifully.

It was an hour later when the accepted finally let her return to the hall, after collecting several books that had apparently been left lying in common areas. The girl turned to regard Girt, carrying a stack of tomes that rose above her nose, and frowned. "Wait... it's nearing class time, isn't it? Light illumine us, give those here, and run, girl! Next time speak up! Light save us from idiots and novices..." She took the stack and started down the hall, leaving a thoroughly confused Girt standing there, staring after the woman in white. She shook her head, and turned to walk back, only to realize she was completely lost. She approached another woman walking industriously down the hall, and, as meek as can be, asked, "Um, excuse me, ma'am? I..." The woman rounded on her, glaring, her pinched face taking in Girt's gown. "Attend." She turned and stalked down the hall, Girt in tow.

It was several hours later before she finally found herself standing in front of the door to the mistress of novices. Throroughly chastised, and needing to do penance, she bowed her head and knocked on the door, waited a beat, then opened it, stepping inside. She stepped to one side, away from the door, and stood quietly, head bowed, her dress dark with soot, hair a mess of cobwebs, and waited for the yelling to begin. It seemed this was the way things went here, and her not even a novice yet.

Hello. Is RP still going on regularly? I submitted an email app on Tuesday, and haven't heard back, and it looks like the overall time between posts is pretty long.