04/30/2000

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.


Sitting with his legs folded on one of the infirmary beds, a young man with
dark red hair with really odd white streaks is grumbling under his breath.
His arms are crossed and he has a look of complete and utter grumpiness all
over his face. Neelkan just stares straight ahead, sitting there stubbornly
as if just by looking around at everyone like this he'll get whatever it is
that he wants. Which is out of this place.

Well, it's that time again and Espi was the one picked this time for the
chore of rolling bandages and making sure the cabinets are fully stocked
for the /actual/ healers who seem to work nonstop in this place at times.
She enters with a good sized bundle of cloth and passes by you with a soft
smile before heading over to the table. Setting the cloth down, she takes
up a pair of sheers and begins cutting the cloth that she will be bundling
up in small rolls. She glances over to you again, biting her lower with for
a moment before she sets the sheers down and take a couple of steps toward
you with her head tipped gently to one side. "Umm..Excuse me. You..you like
some water or something? I..can get that for you if you would like." Her
bright innocent eyes remain on you and even though she's
heard...rumors..she still wants to see if she can help you in some way.
That's /is/ after all what she's being taught.

Someone's actually talkin' to 'im!? Neelkan sits up a little, then puts a
scowl on his face. A angry, angry scowl. "No no no!" he says, shaking his
head around and sending that poofy hair fluttering about wildly for a
moment, making it spike up even more, but oddly staying in a strange sense
of... disorder. But disorder that always seems to be about the same...
Anyway... after having all that said, he unfolds an arm and waves it about
slightly, "What I would LIKE is my flaming earrings back so I can get offa
'is bloody island!!" Not out of this room. Not out of this Tower. But off
of the island? "I'm startin' t' think ya'll'r keepin' m'earrings from m' t'
keep m' 'ere f'r some flamin' reason!!" With that said he casts his bright
blue-green eyes around at all those within earshot. Ya hear that!? He's on
to yooooouuuuuu!!! Or at least that's what he thinks...

Espiria blinks taking a step back from the outburst. That is untol she
giggles softly, shaking her head. "Um...well I don't know anything about
earrings, but I can ask Wyntere Sedai for you. I'm sure that she can find
out really quick for you." She smiles, happily. She's shocked at your
manners, from the confusion in her eyes, but her manners remain wanting to
help and open. Friendly.

Those blue-green eyes narrow at the giggling, and Neelkan asks, "'r ya
laughin' at me??" But then he pauses and tries to look at his strange
outburst from her perspective. Nope. He still doesn't see anything funny!
Women are strange. "Wyn told m' t' be patient. I've bloody well been
patient!! I've been here f'r far, far too long! M'friends 'r prolly halfway
int' another nation by now!"

Espiria frowns gently, head tipping to one side as she sighs. "Umm..I'm
sorry I couldn't be more helpful, Sir. Umm...I../know/ how hard it is to
sit in here. I had to for awhile too." She widens her eyes and shakes her
head alittle, "I feel so cooped up...I hated it. But...now I don't have to
stay in here and I'm learning all kinds of really nice things." She is
eveidently trying to help you feel alittle better by sharing her joy.

Hrm? Did she just...? Neelkan's glowering and scowling and looking grumpy
dissolves into a confused frown. She just... apologized. What, has he never
had a young woman apologize before? He reaches up with that hand he was
flailing about and scratches at that hair for a moment, "Uh... It's..
'kay." He looks her over. Wyn explained to him that students of the Tower
wear dresses. White, or white with colored hems. "Yer a student 'ere, 'en?
'n don't call me, sir. I'm Neelkan. 'r just Neel if ya want. Sir makes me
feel old." What was that? No curses this whole round? Did the world Break
again or something?

Espiria blushes a bit and smiles again having felt that Neel took her
appology. She chuckles, "Okay..Neelkan." She picks that since it's safer.
She's not supposed to get /too/ friendly. "Umm..Yes. I'm learning here. One
day..maybe I'll be a full Aes Sedai. Umm..If I work really hard." She
smiles again, clasping her hands in front of her before she inquires,
"Umm..You feeling better? I..heard that you got hurt really bad when you
were brought in."

A faint commotion at the door, people bowing and getting out of the way
heralds someones approach. This someone is resolved to be a red haired, red
sister. Dalloria stalks in, absently nodding in return to curtseys, lithe
muscles flowing with an almost predatory grace as her piercing gaze sweeps
the room slowly

Still scratching at his white streaked hair, Neelkan shrugs to the
question, "I feel fine 'nough t' leave!" He sends a narrow-eyed glare
around the room, trying to see if any of the people take the rather loudly
said hint. "'n I don't remember much'a what happened, but ye'h, I guess."
While glaring around blue-green eyes fall on someone... someone who
instantly causes his entire manner to change. His eyes widen considerably,
his jaw slacks a little, and he jumps back almost as if he'd like to jump
through the wall behind him. His eyes are of course on the red sister,
though he does not know she is a red sister. All he sees is an Eharon noble
woman.

Espiria smiles and nods, "I would be too. It's nice and quiet, but to be
cooped up.." Her voice trails off, watching the reaction before she turns
in the direction of the stare. She widens her eyes and quickly bobs a neat
curtsey to Dall, rising after and keeping her eyes downcast in respect and
just a hint of fear of this particular Sedai. "Good afternoon, Dalloria
Sedai." She falls quiet then, eyes remaining down for the time being and
feeling inwardly just about as cowed as Neel does, but managing now to show
it as much as he does.

As her eyes fall upon Espiria she starts to stalks gracefully in that
direction, until her gaze is caught by Neelkans strange actions, an eyebrow
arches elegantly as she turns back to the novice "You..friend.." she says
in her cutting aristocratic tones "seems a little disterbed Novice.."
As the noble Eharon woman moves closer to him and right after she speaks,
something slowly seems to return to his face. One of which is color! The
second of which is losing the shock and cowerdice and fear. Or at least
hiding it under something else. Neelkan is at the moment looking pretty
determined, "I'm not disturbed, woman!" Oi.

Espiria opens her lips to speak, telling Dall what might be the problem,
but she turns a shocked gaze toward Neel as her eyes widen enough to seem
to bug them out of her head a bit. She gulps, dropping her eyes and taking
a few steps back. Sure don't wabt to get between the dagger glance of Dall
which is sure to come from that comment. Not like a Novice can step in the
way of that and not feel like she's been dropped into a pit...umm..of fire
no less. She doesn't feel like combusting at the moment. That..and
obviously he doesn't know how to show respect to an Aes Sedai. Unfortnate
that he might have to learn the lesson from Dall. She winces just a bit,
gulping back something else as she remains standing silently.

Dalloria snaps her gaze to Neelkan thoose piercing eyes flashing
dangerously "You will refer to every Aes Sedai with the proper curtseys"
her voice cracks like a whip "Of your stay within the infirmary will
be..prolonged.." she finishes in a low almost hiss

Neelkan's eyes narrow again, and he takes a deep breath before saying,
"W'ever ya say..." He pauses after saying that. And it is a very, very long
pause. Or at least a long pause considering what she just said about
refering to Aes Sedai with the proper curtseys. Finally he smirks and
un-narrows those eyes until he looks almost like he's enjoying himself,
even if he really wants to hide under the bed... (Does he -have- a death
wish?) "Pretty red-headed Aes Sedai Lady."

Espiria darts her eyes toward Neel for a moment, biting her lower lip and
wishing he could just behave while she's there. After all, Dall seems to
think he's her friend, when she just met him now. Oh boy. Ideas start
running thru her mind of all the extra things she will end up getting
because Dall's going to think she didn't instruct him in the proper
respect. She sighs softly, closing ehr eyes after studing the tile
flooring. Yeah, maybe if I make myself really small? Maybe she won't notice
me...

Dalloria merely arches an eyebrow but her face hardens further as if that
were possible and her eyes burn "As well you stand within the infirmary of
Tar Valon child, anywhere else and you and I would be discusing this in the
manner of my homeland" the promise delivered in an utterly cold precise
voice. And with that she brushes off the mere man looking back to Espiria
"I need to have words about this..essay" the faint disdainfull pause before
essay not promising "Not to mention your choice in companions.."

"That would be fittin' as I'm from 'ere as well!" Neelkan yells out, trying
not to look fearful, eyes going for a moment to the scar on the woman's
face. "I'd hope ya'd at least lemme get a weapon first though, cause yer
pals took mine." Uh... then she speaks to the novice person... and he looks
from the evil woman to the Novice and says, "She was just makin' sure I was
feelin' a'right, f'r the Yellows prolly. Don't know 'er at all. Don't e'en
know 'er name. 'N I'd like t' keep it 'at way. Less people I know 'round
'ere the better."

Dalloria makes a brief motion towards Neelkan, weaving saidar absently as
he finds himself gagged with air, not even lifting her gaze from the novice
before her as she does so

Espiria stiffens just a bit at Dall's words. Her eyes do not turn to Neel
as he speaks, but she knows he's just probably trying to be nice. She bites
her lip for a moment, bobbing a curtsey to Dall and saying quickly, "Yes,
Dalloria Sedai. Anytime you wish." Her eyes dart over to Neel for a moment,
but if she smiles she knows Dall will think the worst.

Dalloria speaks almost clinicaly "As you can see when you are skilled
enough you can weave simple weaves without even looking closely..of course
such a feat is beyond you now novice" she says warningly "And the results
could be..dangerous"

Erk! Suddenly... Neelkan seems to have something in his mouth, but he KNOWS
there's nothing there. He tries to move his mouth, trying to make sounds
around whatever it is and ends up sounding like he's choaking, because of
the sounds of effort in his throat. Then he just sits there and glowers,
glaring at the woman with a soft rumbling sound in his throat.
Grrrrrrrrrrr.

Espiria looks up to her, blinking. What weaves would those be? Well, she's
sure to find out. Her head jerks around to glance at Neel, eyes widening
slightly as she gasps. She's? But..that's cruel. She looks back to Dall
eyes remaining wide for a moment before she looks quickly back down.
"I..I..understand Dalloria Sedai."

Dalloria turns her gaze to Neelkan "Now if you can behave with a modicum of
civility you will find yourself able to speak again..or if not I will fill
your mouth with something far less pleasant" againt delivered in carefully
calm tones before turning back to Espiria "Next time follow my weaves
child"

Since Neelkan is sort of gagged at the moment, all he can really do is
glower, and grown slightly, and keep his eyes narrowed at the evil woman.
Oh, that and plot evil, evil revenge against the women. Which of course
he'll never do. He may talk big, but he would never actually hurt a
woman...

Espiria glances over to Dall wating for further instructions since she said
she wanted to speak to her about her paper. She glances for just a moment
over to Neel to see if he is alright and notes he probably looks very upset
about the whole thing. If she gets the chance, she will come back...if
she's not busy scrubbing the tower walls witha toothbrush that is.

Dalloria simply lets the weaves go before turning to espiria looking down
on her novice her face icily calm "whilst it was not the worst in the class
I received it was quite far from the standard the tower demands of
you...you will find it back in your room, my corrections written upon it..I
will have it corrected and returned to my room no later than tomorrow
child"

Grumbling something under his breath as soon as he feels the strange object
is gone, Neelkan crosses his arms again and glares at the woman. What he
grumbled is something along the lines of saying an animal, sounded like a
duck, and saying she was the daughter of one. But it was said pretty
softly.

Espiria bobs a quick curtsey to Dall, eyes raising slightly to manage a
smile. "Thank you, Dalloria Sedai. I will have it done by tommorrow." She
looks back down in the event that looking up would be considered disrespect
and sighs softly. Another long night in the library. She can just feel it
coming. She widens her eyes as she looks down, biting her lip and hoping
that Dall missed that comment.

Dalloria turns to Neelkan and smiles slowly, an icy expression as her
eyebrow arches "Actualy my mother is the High Lady of House Telarissa" her
smile fades as she names one of the more powerfull Ehoran houses "I would
advise you not to visit" she turns back to espi and nods once "Do try to
work harder child, next time I will assign pennance for pour work.." she
pauses briefly not sparing another glance to Neelkan "Light Illumine and
grant you wisdom Novice" she says before starting to stalk off

Espiria curtseys quickly as Dall turns away, "Light keep you safem Dalloria
Sedai." She heaves a heavy sigh, watching her leave before she turns toward
Neel with a frightened glance. "Umm...you really should try to..umm..be a
bit more careful."

Blink. Neelkan looks a little... surprised there for a moment. "Ya'd prolly
be more 'fraid'a m'ma." is all he says in reply. Nothing more. Not even the
proper Aes Sedai, or Lady of Telarissa. Byebye, evil lady. Once she's gone
he visably relaxes in the shoulders and then blinks over at the novice. He
forgot she was there... "Why? She's just some puffed up woman." He mutters
that softly at least... "I grew up 'round 'em. Well, not noble Aes Sedai
ones a'least..." he has to correct himself there. Never grew up around
them. ... As far as he knows?

Espiria sighs softly, shaking her head. Her eyes remain on Neel for a
moment longer before she mutters, "You..umm..don't have to live here.
So..please? Umm..Try not to tick her off anymore?" She bites her lip,
glancing toward the door again as she sighs. "It's..not easy to live with
the weight of her stare on you all the time. It's..nice to be forgotten
about." She chuckles softly, shaking her head. "I'd..rather like to keep it
that way till..I'm stronger and don't feel like she can...well do more than
give a gag and me not be able to protect myself if she's just feeling
mean."

"I know what it's like t' live with 'em... None'a m'sisters could
channel..." Pause... that he knows off at least... "So that part's new 'n
all, but..." Neelkan trails off and he shrugs, "A'right, a'right. I'll try
not t' make 'er mad no more." But it's so much fun... And he's out to prove
to himself that he'll never be cowered by women again! "Guess 'is gives
m'nother reason not t' wanna stay 'ere 'n train..." That last bit is spoken
as if he didn't realize he was speaking. He does that a lot. Thinking and
speaking at the same time without realizing he's doing both.

Espiria tips her head to one side, blinking. "You...were wanting to train?
As a Warder?" She smiles brightly, giggling. "But...that's better than must
being here. The Gaidins are fair men...Hard to their students, but fair."
She shakes her head, motioning toward the door. "And..she won't be able to
touch you. Your trainer gives out the punishments if you overstep the rules
and she can't do it..unless it's really bad. And..only then if the Amyrlin
says she can. Even she has rules to follow..even if she doesn't like to
think so..or show that she knows that all too well."

At first, peacock blue-green blink. He spoke outloud? Then he hears what
she has to say... "Well I don't wanna become a Warder 'r nothin'!" Neelkan
corrects instantly. "Just talkin' with uh... some Denn lady yesterday 'n
she mentioned how 'ey taught 'em how t' fight 'n stuff. I know how t' fight
'n all." What man doesn't these days... "But since I likely won't find
m'pals..." Thanks to being kept here so bloody long! But he doesn't say
that. "I was thinkin' I might stay f'r a while. And if they don't gimme
back m'flamin' earrings..." Grrr. Those earrings must he something
important to him.

Espiria blinks at the outburst, looking down and softly saying, "Oh." She
purses her lips just a bit, head tipping to one side as she sighs,
"Umm..Those earrings must be something special? I...never had any myself,
but someone back in the village had a pair. She said they were a gift from
someone she got to meet as he was passing thru. He..was kinda sweet on her,
I guess." She smiles gently, "I'll mention to Wyntere Sedai about those and
see if you can get them back. No reason you should be kept from anything
important...especially if you're feeling better now."

"'ey're sorta a gift... But not from a woman 'r nothin'" Neelkan gives a
small shrug, then reaches up to ruffle at his strange hair again,
"Hakurou," like she knows who he is... "He gave 'em t' me when I got picked
as his Second." Uh... Huh? He blinks for a moment. "Uh.. I mean.. he's
m'friend.. 'n gave 'em.. t' me... as a kinda gift."

Espiria smiles and nods and mutters something in Ogier. She continues with,
"I do understand. Is..that how you got hurt? Being his second?"

A'right... Someone here is now confused. And is it any surprise that it's
Neelkan? He has no clue what she muttered before that... then the rest
kinda of just... confuses him. She understands? "Uh... sorta. Ye'h. He
prolly thinks I'm dead now though..." Which he doesn't like that idea very
much at all.

Espiria tips her head to one side, noting the confused look. She widens her
eyes, covering her mouth. "OOOh. I'm sorry..I sometimes forget that not
everyone knows Ogier." She giggles, shaking her head as she looks up for a
moment, "Umm...I said..'The greatest treasure is one who finds a soul
willing to aid in the hour of need.' Umm..It's an Ogier saying." She grins,
widening her eyes just a bit. "Do you..know where he went? A message could
be sent..to let him know you are well."

'The greatest treasure is one who finds a soul willing to aid in the hour
of need.' ... Wow. Neelkan likes that saying. A lot. "If I stick 'round,
could ya gimme a few lessons on it!" Maybe he should learn to speak the
tongue he's speaking now properly, before he tries to learn Ogier... But as
for the rest, he shrugs his shoulders, "We usually didn't plan 'at far
ahead. Not as long as I've been 'ere at least. Ya'd prolly like 'im! He's
absolutely the strongest, and bravest and most impressive man I've ever
met!" Which says a lot considering at times the guy forgot he even had a pa
his father was so unimpressive. "First time I saw 'im, I wanted t' be just
like 'im!" Pause... This is when he realizes he's getting semi-chumy with a
giiiiiiiirl.

Espiria grins happily and nods, "I'd love to. Well..in between my own
classes and such." She grins brightly, blushing as she listens to your
words. She sighs softly, glancing down to the tile again. "My..Da was that
to me. Me..was so brave and strong. He always...helped out no matter what
it cost him. Time? Money? He didn't care so long as the person in need got
the help needed." She grins, "Gralic....Well..He was the TreeBother that
taught Ma and me how to speak his language. He always had alot of respect
for Da. Which is why he taught us. But...he never taught Da. Said he didn't
need it." She chuckles, lifting a shoulder. She doesn't notice your
realization, since she's just open and frendly with anyone.

"Ne'er met... a TreeBrother." Neelkan says softly, then scratches at his
hair somemore. "Ya better get back t' whate'er it is ya students have t' do
so ya don't get seen talkin' with me again. That Aes Sedai Lady was kinda
mean t' ya earlier." Yeah, just a nice way of saying that he kind of wants
to back out of this chummy conversation right now.

Espiria smiles brightly and nods, "Okay...It was really nice meeting you,
Neelkan. Umm...I'll make sure to mention your earrings to Wyntere Sedai.
Maybe you can get them back sometime today...I'll do what I can." She's
smiles again, chuckling softly. "LIght keep you safe, Neelkan." She nods
her head your way, turning to head back to work.

Espiria oooh's softly, turning back to you as she gathers up the fabric for
bandages, "I'm Espiria." She blushes brightly, tipping her head to one side
for a moment, hefting up the bolt of white cloth. "See you soon."