“Child…you have about 2 minutes to get this cleaned up. When you are done, you will report to me down stairs!”

Dre watched the Accepted stomp away without a sound. She didn't understand. She started out just looking for a book, made one simple mistake, and now she was bruised and had to pick up the mess herself. She bristled slightly at the unfairness of it all, then sighed and gave it up. There was no use getting upset.

Working quickly she got the books arranged in a neat stack and cleaned up any loose pages, putting them with the books for the librarians to repair. Looking around to make sure she didn't miss anything, she dusted off her dress and searched out the Accepted.  After a few minutes she finally found her waiting and still looking irritated.

"I did as you asked Accepted and straigthened up the mess. I'm so sorry for dropping the books on you and making a mess. It truly was an accident."

If you don't get anyone, I'd be willing to start a new character at TG level that I'd actually play that will stay a TG. Unlike Kopair who is destined for Warder-hood.

OOC: You are so evil. :P  I'm heading hoem from work early, so a short post for now.  You know I'll be around tonight though. :)

IC:

As Dre watched the books fall and hit the Accepted she felt the ladder sway. With a squeek she reached out to try and break her fall by grabbing hold of the shelf, but it didn't help. The floor rushed up to meet her and with a painful thump she hit the ground as more books fell around her.

“Get up child…don’t just sit there!  Start stacking the books up while I placate the sisters.”

The Accepted pulled Dre to her feet with a scowl and then ran off to meet a group of three Brown Sisters that had appeared at the end of the row, all looking as if soemone had kicked their first born child. Dre gave another squeek of terror, and despite the pain and bruises that would probably last for weeks, Dre scrambled to start piling the books up.

Haven't been back a week and already being slapped around. ;)

You get used to it. ;D I've come to realize that it's an occupational hazard around these parts.  The women here are all insane. :P

Dre walked through the library, a scrap of parchment clutched in her hand. She hadn't even had her first classes learning to touch Saidar yet but she already had a research paper to write on the theory.  She searched through the stacks for what seemed like hours and couldn't find the book in question. Finally she decided she needed some help.  Looking back toward the front of the library she found a pretty red-haired Accepted sorting through books on a cart. She had an annoyed look on her face, but Dre needed the help so she had to ask.

"Excuse me," said in a shy voice, ducking her head to hide her face in her hair. "My name is An'drea and I was wondering if you could help me find a book for an essay I have to write. It's called "The Power and the Wheel" by Coriann de'Fabre.  I was told it should be in the stacks, but I can't find it."

The Accepted stared at her for a moment as if Dre had interrupted her in something important. Finally she replied with a curt "Follow me," and lead Dre back into the stacks.  After a few minutes she stopped in front of a tall stack and pointed at the fifth shelf up.

"It's up there, but don't expect me to fetch it for you.  Grab that ladder over there. I'll hold it while you climb up."

Dre mumbled her thanks and fetched the ladder over to the shelf.  AS she climbed up she began to tremble. She'd never been comfortable with heights, and combined with the Accepted's unfriendly attitude Dre felt as if things couldn't be worse.  Finally she reached the shelf the woman had indicated and began to look through the books.  As she reached to pull back a particularly large one in order to read the title, the Accepted shouted out "Be careful not to damage the books!"

Dre jumped with surprise, pulling the book harder then she had meant. The book slipped from her fingers to tumble toward the ground below, and three or four other books that had been nearby followed after. Dre gave out a scream of warning and watched helplessly as they fell.

OOC: I'll leave you to decide f Veria gets hurt or not. :)  Maybe she's cranky because Kopair is gone on his training excersize right now and she misses him? ;)

Ok, sounds like a plan. :)

Just that I wanted to keep the year of her arrival the same as the year Kopair came back to the Yard.  Just personal preferance. :)

Speaking of Kopair, he's getting very lonely sitting here in the Ogier Grove. :P

I'm taking off from work now, so see you when I get home. :)

The dropping a book idea is interesting. :)  I don't want to screw up Dre's timeline too badly so soon. :P  And with my luck I'd screw up her timline, which would screw up Veria's, which would screw up Kopair's, which would cause a rift in the fabric of space-time and destroy the world.

It's possible! :P

Stop laughing at me! :'(

Hmm. So many choices.  Well, as Dre hasn't even had her first lessons yet, it can't be that.  I'd be open to a prank except that doesn't really fit her personality right now.  (In the future though...  ;D )  I could see her messing up somehow though in her first weeks in the Tower.

Well, my Novice hasn't even finished her intro thread, but I'm always willing to jump a few days in the future.  You know I'm always willing to play with you. :)

Ata, is this related to our project? :)

Kopair almost laughed at the idea of this lithe woman hurting him, then cut it short with a smile as he remembered she could channel.  Perhaps he should be a little more careful in the future.

"I'll remember that from now on beautiful. But for the present, let us go deeper into the Grove. I have a spot prepared for us."

Taking Veria's hand again in his he began to slowly walk with her beneath the trees. "This Grove has come to mean a great deal to me since I came to Tar Valon. There's another spot I would like to take you to later, if you're willing. But for now I have someplace more... romantic in mind."

Kopair smiled at Veria and lead off the path and through the trees. Though her eyes kept taking in the beauty of the trees around them, Kopair's eye kept being drawn back to the beauty walking next to him. More then once she caught him staring at her and she always gave him a small smile when she did, but never said anything.

Finally they arrived at the glade Kopair had chosen, Leading her beside the stream they stopped beneath the apple tree and he helped Veria to a seat on the ground and then sat down next to her.  Tossing a lump of sugar to rascal from the tea service Kopair poured them both tea and set out an assortment of meats and cheeses for them to eat.

As he served them both he began to talk to fill the silence as she seemed to be having difficulty speaking. "Like I told you when we first met, I feel a connection between us. And though I don't know what your plans are for the future, my plans including graduating to the ranks of the Tower Guard, and then to find a Sister to Bond with and become her Gaidin."

Smiling as he looked into her eyes once again he set his hand next to hers as he continued. "So, I thought I would share with you the story of what brought me here. I come from a small village in Andor called Robin's Creek, across the Aringill from Cairhien.  I lived there with my father and mother, my younger sister, and Alyssa, my promised from childhood."

Seeing the look in Veria's eyes he took her hand again. "Worry not about that part. The feelings I had for her were part of a childhood dream that I left behind on the night that drove me here.  I came home from the village where I'd been working to find my home in flames and my father dieing in the yard. With his final breathe he told me of the bandits that had come over the right, attacked him, set fire to the farm, and took the women with them,  I swore I would find a way to fight such evil, and perhaps in the process find word of my family. My mother had come to the Tower when she was young, and could have learned but couldn't concentrate on the lessons so was sent away. The stories she told as I grew up about the great Aes Sedai drew me to the White Tower."

Trying to keep her hand tight in his, hoping Veria wouldn't pull away, Kopair turned to look at the stream nearby to hide the tears he knew were threatening.

Kopair put the last touches on his work and stood back to take a look. He stood in a small glade on the North end of the Ogier grove. A small stream ran close by and a large apple tree stood in the middle. Underneath the tree Kopair had spread out a blanket laid with food and drink he had purchased from The Last Stand, a nearby inn. He glanced up at the sky and marked the position of the sun.

"She should be there any time now," he said to himself.

Checking to make sure his horse Rascal was still tethered securely nearby Kopair walked through the grove and soon emerged at the edge. Nearby one of the many archways used as sculpted entrances to the grove stood. Kopair stepped into the shadows and trees near the edge, hidden from view, and waited.  Soon enough the person he was waiting for came walking down the street. She looked beautiful with her long red hair shining in the sunlight, her banded Accepted's dress fitting her in a way that well reminded him of the much more revelaing outfit she'd worn at their first meeting.

Grateful for the shadows that hid his blush Kopair watched as Veria stopped in front of the inn and read the sign.  Then she turned and looked at the Grove, spotted the arched entryway near Kopair's hiding place. Deciding to give her a surprise, Kopair waitied as she walked up to the archway, an anxious look on her face as if she expected him not to show.

Using all the skill he'd been taught by his father hunting, and expanded upon by Liitha in his training, Kopair slipped through the shadows and trees until he stood just off the path next to Veria. Reaching out he took her hand and stepped out next to her as he raised her hand to his lips.

"My lady Veria, it is a pleasure to look upon your beautiful face once again."

Kopair watched with a dazed smile on his face as Veria walked away toward the Tower. Now that was a woman he was very happy to have met. He kicked himself inside for not taking the kiss as he walked toward his friends and gathered up his coat. But he hadn't wanted to push things. He felt sure that things couldn't have ended better for them.

Gathering up his friends they moved toward the barracks and he thought about his upcoming meeting with Veria. Enduring their jibes he found himself hoping that Liitha wouldn't be taking him out on their training mission any time soon. He suddenly had something to look forward to other then training.

OOC: It was my pleasure, and I enjoyed myself greatly. :)  Until our first date. ;)

"A week?  It will be a pain to wait so long to see your face again, but I look forward to it.  Meet me in the Ogier grove at mid-day, at the North end.  You'll see an entry into the Grove across the street from an Inn called The Last Stand. I'll find you there."

Reaching out with his other hand Kopair ran his finger's through Veria's soft red hair and tilted her head back too look him in the eyes. "I'm not normally like this with women. I may put on a front for fun, but never this far. But You're caught my eye, and though I can't explain it, I feel a connection with you." He moved his face closer to hers, until their lips almost touched, afraid she might pull away.

"Remember my name, Kopair Rialyn, and no that as of today I am yours to call. Perhaps some day when you are in need of a Warder you'll keep that in mind. And until then, I look forward to seeing you again."

Kopair couldn't help but feel shocked.  An Accepted?  Light!  He'd heard all the rules and regulations about interacting with the women in the Tower. He know things could go badly wrong for them both. But it was too late now.  He couldn't help but want to see again this little Accepted before him. Her beautiful green eyes held him trapped for a moment as he pondered what to say.

"Bother me?  Not at all my Lady.  If anything it intrigues me even more. A strong woman is a woman to be treasured and one who is to become Aes Sedai can be no stronger." Tightening his grip on her hand to his chest he continued, knowing she could feel his heart beating as he felt her pulse quickening. "Though seeing you later in the barracks is obviously out of the question, I would be honored for the chance to see you again. Perhaps you'd be willing to meet me in the City some time?"

Kopair watched as Veria looked up at the sun adn did so himself. It was getting late and he had his own training to get to as well.  He decided to run Veria through a few quick exercises to improve her coordination and breathing, as well as how to take advantage of leverage.

"If you're going to find yourself in hand-to-hand combat with someone stronger then you, that strength can be difficult to overcome. Your best tools will be a knowledge of leverage, and of pressure points. Know how to break your attackers grip, how to slip under their guard, and the where to strike when you get in close."

Walking close to her he took her hand in his once more. "It's been a pleasure to work with you. Though a bit lacking in the training you said you'd give me in return," he added with a roguish grin. "Perhaps that's something we can look into later. What room in the barracksa re you housed in?"

Kopair staggered back and used the breathing exercises he was taught to recover his lost breath quickly he did his best to ignore his friends watching nearby. They'd all had their matches where they lost to women in the yard, and with his Mentor being a woman it was something he was used to. Still, he knew he'd hear about it.

“Did I do ok?” she asked.

"You did great," he replied with a smile. "Another tactic in that situation, if your attacker has their head directly behind you, is to jerk your head back hard into their face while delivering the kicks. If you strike true you could break their nose and the blood could help blind them, making it easier to incapacitate them once you've broken their grip."

Walking to the middle of the ring Kopair fell into a ready stance facing Veria again smiled at the bruise he felt forming on his shin. A very good study.

"Now I want you to rust at me head-on and try to plant a punch to my stomach. I want to show you some leverage flips."

He watched as Veria appraised him and then rushed forward with that quickness he admired so much.  She feinted to one side and then threw a jab, but Kopair was wrapped in the Spring and easily flowed with it. Reaching out he slid his hand down her arm to the elbow, twisted, and soon had veria down on the ground with her arm twisted straight behind her.  They practiced this a few times until it finally took all of Kopair's skill to avoid being thrown.

"You've a very good student," he said finally, with another smile for her as he looked into her eyes and saw how pleased she was with the compliment. "Next we're going to go over similar moves with attackers throwing kicks. The principals are basically the same, but grabbing the foot doe give extra leverage."

The spent some more time, and more bruises on Veria's part, as they ran throw the flips and throws over and over. Though he could tell the work was getting to her, he could tell she was getting more and more pleased with how well she was doing.

Kopair let himself be distracted at Veria's words. He let himself feel the lithe figure under him and his eye traveled down her body. Suddenly he found her wisting out of his grasp as his grip on her leg slipped. With a speed and agility he hadn't expected she soon had him on his back in the dirt. He was still trying to focus again when he found her straddling him and landing a stiff jab to his face.

As Veria got back to her feet and backed away Kopair stood up and rubbed his cheek. There would be a bruise, that's for sure. Time to stop acting like an idiot or he'd never hear the end of it once the story got back to Liitha.  Shaking his head he wrapped himself in the Spring once more with an effort and settled his thoughts.

"Very well then," he said in a calm voice, a small grin on his face. "Six months is enough to learn the basics.  It's time to learn something a little more advanced then.  I'm going to pretend I'm an attacker that's snuck up on you from behind."

Walking over to Veria he stepped behind her and wrapped his arms around her tight, pressing close and pinning her armos to her side just below the elbow.

"Now, there's more then one part to this," he continued. "First, you need to bring your forearms up, bending your arms at the elbow, to get some slack in my grip.  As you do that you need to stomp on my foot until you get me to back off a little. Once you've got the room, slam your elbow into my stomach.  That should break this type of grip from most attackers, allowing you get free." Tightening his grip he readied himself. "Try it now."

R & U :)

Oh that would be awesome. :)  That'd help allot with picturing the RPs in my mind.  Thanks! ;D

Kopair thanked Thera and left her office with a salute. He felt as if he had narrowly escaped with his life. Walking out of the office Kopair blinked in the sunlight and took in the Yard. He was home at last.

With a smile of relief he took to running laps. He knew the next few weeks or months were going to be weary ones, but at least he would still be able to be here.  He wasn't sure what the future was going to bring, but he was optimistic. He was going to be a Warder. He just knew it.

Watching Veria as she sprang to her feet he couldn't help but admire how quickly she recovered. There was real potential there, she just needed to learn the moves.  As she watched him he decided to test her reactions a little. He let the Spring flow through him and he flowed with it, feeling Veria as she fell for his feint. She slipped by and he let her go unhindred. He staggered forward as her elbow rammed into him and he took the tension off his knee to keep from taking any real damage as her foot brought him down.

She backed away and her pretended to stagger to his feet as she gloated behind him, "Are you even trying??"

"Not yet," he replied with a grin.

Before she could even realize what he had said, while kopair still had one hand on the ground, he used that arm as a pivot and swung around, his foot sweeping her feet out from under her and she landed on her back with the wind knocked out of her. Jumping at her Kopair grabbed Veria's foot with one hand, her calf with the other, and twisted, flipping her onto her stomach. Swinging around he planted his knees on her shoulder blades to keep her from using her arms and twisted her leg around to pin the other leg.

Resting his hand upon the bare skin at the small of her back where her shirt had come untucked, Kopair chuckled. "Now that was me trying."

Kopair was taken by surprise for a moment at Veria's speed, but not enough to throw him off. It was a beginner's move, and one that would catch many a tavern bully off guard. Yet was that really the extent of her skill, or was she just testing?  He'd respond at a similar level for now.

Stepping forward with a quick spin away from her fist he grabbed her wrist and twisted, pulling her up to her feet, with Kopair facing her back and her arm twisted around in his grip to keep her upright.

Leaning forward he pressed close to her back and spoke softly into her ear, "Next step is to see if you can break my grip. Careful though, because a wrong move could potentially lead to a broken wrist. Not that I'd ever do that to such a lovely wrist of course," he added with a soft chuckle.

Kopair took to long though and so was caught off guard as her foot caught his ankle and pulled his leg out from under him, bringing them both to the ground with Veria on top. He grunted slightly at the impact but used the leverage he still had on her arm to flip her off of him and then rolled away.

"Very well done," he said with a smile for her. "Now let's try again. Something different this time."

"Ah yes, the staff." He grinned as he noticed the fist on her hip.  He wasn't sure how Liitha would respond if she saw this, but he knew what Aran would say. "That is a fine weapon, but not one I have any experience in as of yet. But it would be a pleasure to go hand-to-hand with you."

Reaching out his hand once more to her back Kopair steers her toward the sparring rings. "Follow me beautiful. We can use one of the rings over here for our training. You must be fairly new to the Yard as I've not seen you around before. I promise I'll not push you any harder then you'd like."

Arriving at the sparring ring, Kopair shrugged off his coat and then moved to the opposite side of the ring to face Veria.

"First let's start with an assessment of your skills versus mine. You begin by attacking, I'll defend, and we'll see how can get the other out of the ring first."

Kopair fell back into a relaxed defensive stance. His attraction for the woman could be distracting, but he let the feelings wrap around him in the Spring as he was taught.