04/23/2000 -

Infirmary, White Tower, Tar Valon
Square in shape, this room is most often abuzz with activity. It contains
the normal implements of a teaching infirmary, in fact, it is extremely
well stocked with all manner of things: cots, jars, bottles, syringes,
bandages, cloths, cabinets, shelves, books and tables along with plenty of
hot water. The air has that sterile smell associated with the constant use
of redwort, tinged with the unpleasant prickle of witchhazel. While most of
the Healing is done via the One Power at the Tower, there are many minor
medical situations that are dealt with the old fashioned way.

There are several areas curtained off, for patients' privacy as well as for
instructional usages. This is a teaching infirmary for the Yellow Ajah,
after all. Beds in cheerful colors are lined up in neat rows, providing a
comfortable place to sleep after a Healer's tender ministrations. Windows
are kept wide open to all for light and fresh air.


For once in a great long while, Neelkan actually wishes he hadn't have
woken up at all. From behind the curtained off area that his bed is behind,
there's a soft grumble of a few curses and he tries to sit up again, with
about the same luck as last time. He feels like he just got done running a
mile when he finally gets seated up. If he can just get this things back
and get out of this... place... everything would be great. He reaches over
and pulls back the curtain a little to peek out, as if checking to see if
the coast is clear to make a run for it, but of course, it never is...

As Neelkan peeks out, he may be able to see Denn'ryiel enter the infirmary.
She walks over towards one of the Yellows on duty, to check in to see what
they wish for her to do today. The Yellow she addresses waves over towards
the curtained off bed.

Sigh... Surrounded by women. That's worse then surrounded by water (but
once he realizes he's on an island as well, this is going to be even worse
for Neel). He should... call someone over. Wait... did the that woman just
motion towards his bed? Neelkan quickly closes the curtain completely and
tries to think of some way to get out of here.

Denn'ryiel reaches the curtain a few moments later and moves it aside
enough for her to pass through. "Light shine, how are you feeling today?"
Denn asks, preparing a Healing delve to find out what's wrong.

Neelkan's eyes are wide, and almost fearful at the sight of the woman, then
narrow considerably as he tries to back away, but there's no where he can
really back away too, "I'm fine. Just wanna get outta this bloody place!"

Denn'ryiel blinks, and glances behind her to the Sedai who sent her over
here. The Yellow has already moved on to other projects however. "I'm
sorry, I'm just an Accepted here. You'll have to talk to a Sedai about
leaving. Until then though, is there anything I can get for you?"

Neelkan looks as if he has no idea what an Accepted is, and probably
doesn't want to know. "I... I -have- to talk to a Sedai?" He grumbles a
soft curse under his breath. "Could ya find out where they put my clothes
and other things at least??" He'd like to get back into his own clothes and
out of these silly infirmary shift things.

Denn'ryiel looks at the young man quizically. "I don't understand. I
probably could, but you wouldn't have any need of them until the Sedai
cleared you to leave. And they are probably going to give them back to you
then."

"I'd kinda of like to have them back now," Neelkan grumbles, just
pictureing the women touching his things... Arg. "Can ya at least find out
wear my earrings are?? I'd like them back at least." He reaches up and
touches on his earlobes for a moment. He'd like them back at least.

Denn'ryiel nods to Neelkan. "I suppose I can do that, yes. But I have to
check your health out first. The Yellows are concerned for you."

Neelkan actually growls softly, "They don't gotta be. I'm fine!" And just a
few days ago he'd probably have been dead without the Yellows. Not very
thankful, is he?

Denn'ryiel smirks a little bit, though it's not harsh. "Well, if you're
fine, then I should be able to confirm that quickly. A delve will only take
a few moments."

"A what!?" Neelkan jumps back a little. "Can't ya just touch my forehead or
something!?" Sorry, but the word delve just doesn't sit well with him right
now, even though he has yet to connect it to the power.

Denn'ryiel laughs softly but warmly and shakes her head. "A delve is where
I use Saidar to find out if anything is wrong with you. It's painless, I
assure you. You've probably been delved several times already, without
knowing."

Neelkan ehs... "Sai...dar...?? As in... the One Power...? No no! I'm fine!
Really. You don't have to ... 'delve' me!" He actually looks frightened.
Not just a woman, but a channeler! "I'm feeling much better! Honest!"

Denn'ryiel's smile does disappear at that, and she glances down slightly.
"Oh... I see." She turns away, stopping near the end of the bed. "So I'm a
monster then?"

"Uh..." Neelkan bites his lip slightly, then rubs a hand through his hair
red hair with those strange white streaks. "I didn't say that..."

Denn'ryiel doesn't turn around. "No, but that's what you were thinking,
weren't you?" Her leg taps slightly as she becomes distressed.

How come even though he hates women with a passion they can still somehow
make him feel guilty? The answer would be yet another reason he hates them.
Neelkan sighs softly, "Just.. get it over with! Go ahead and 'delve' me."
He grumbles a few soft curses.

Denn'ryiel turns towards Neelkan and nods once. The smile that seems
everpresent on the Accepted is still missing though, and there is a hint of
sadness in her eyes. A slight tingling feeling should occur as she starts
the weave.

Neelkan shivers visably but tries to keep from cringing or jerking away.
Tries. He does a little. To try and take his mind off this fact he says
softly, "Look, I got nothin' against ya personally." Just her entire sex in
general. But he doesn't add that last part outloud.

Denn'ryiel nods once, accepting Neelkan's apology of sorts. "You're fine,
physically" she says, as the weave ends. "Just suffering from the side
effects of Healing. I'll prepare a dinner tray for you." Her voice still
doesn't have the life in it that it had before.

Healing? He was healed? Neelkan frowns for a moment, then of course he
realizes he had to have been healed, he's alive isn't he? "Eh... thanks."
he says very softly, as if not wanting her to hear it at all.

The thank you must have been too quiet, for she leaves the curtained off
area without pausing. A bit of rattling as she prepares the dinner tray can
be heard from the other side.

Well, good. Neelkan didn't want it to be heard anyway! He settles back into
the bed and looks up at the cieling. There has to be a way to get out of
this place.

Denn'ryiel returns after a few moments with a meal that looks more
appropriate for a fully grown Gaidin. "You'll have to make do without a
knife and fork... we're not allowed to give those out to patients," she
explains. Of course, he may know that already.

Neelkan nods. He did know that already. "I don't see why. Not like I'm
gonna stab ya with 'em." And he starts to dig into that meal, almost as if
he doesn't even bother with chewing. He does, it just looks like it's going
into a bottomless pit or something.

Denn'ryiel nods and watches Neelkan eat for a few moments. After deciding
that he's not in emminent danger of choking, she disappears behind the
curtains once more. The sound of water being sloshed from a bucket and
other various actions comes through this time.

And while she's gone the sound of eating fills the air. There's not even a
crumb left by the time Neelkan finishes and sets the tray aside. And the
worst part is he's still hungry, but he can resist. He reaches to push open
the curtain a little and look out again.

Denn'ryiel can be seen wringing out several rags used for cleaning
patients, as well as one sponge that must have been shipped in from Mayene.
She is oblivious to the curtain being opened.

"Thanks." Neelkan says a little more loudly this time. "For the food." he
adds a second later as if to clarify what he meant.

Denn'ryiel looks up and finally smiles a little bit again. "You're
welcome," she says, strugling a moment to pick up the bucket. She walks
over towards the curtained bed again and sets it down. "Let me get the tray
out of the way for you."

"Oh.. yeah." Neelkan glances down at the tray for a moment, as if hoping to
see a few crumbs he missed that he can munch on, but alas, not a one. So he
holds the tray over. ... "What's the water for?"

Denn'ryiel takes the tray, nodding her head in thanks as she does so. She
adjusts it onto her shoulder, since it's a little big. "The water? It's for
your bath. All patients are clensed regularly."

"My... bath...?" Neelkan suddenly wonders if he was bathed before while he
was out of it!? Some woman, not his mother or big sisters... bathing him!?
A horrified expression crosses his face and he starts to flush.

Denn'ryiel blinks at the question. "Yes... they bathe where you hail from,
correct? We need everything here to be as sterile as possible." She pauses
just briefly (though it probably seems like an eternity) before she asks,
"Would you like me to find a male servant to assist you with the places you
can't reach?"

"YES!" Neelkan answers a little too loudly and a little too quickly. "I
mean... uh... yes... please." he corrects a lot softer. He flushes at the
very idea of the woman in front of him helping him... wash himself....
Light!

Denn'ryiel nods and disappears behind the curtain with the tray. "Just
inform me when you're finished, please, or when you need more hot water."