05/04/2000 

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.


Mindra enters the infirmary with an Accepted in tow. The girl in the banded
white dress carries a large tray with many small glass jars on it.
Occassionally, Mindra glances back at the Accepted to make sure she hasn't
dropped anything. She takes a quick look around the infirmary as the
novices and Accepted on duty curtsey to her respectfully, but otherwise the
woman takes little notice of them.

Redd sits, instead of on the bed, on the ground next to the closest bed to
the door, leaning against it. (The bed Neelkan occupies) He seems to have
fallen asleep there.

Sitting on the same bed he's been sitting in since he got her, Neelkan is
absently tapping his foot against the frame and glareing without any real
focus at everyone within sight. He does not seem to want to be here another
minute. His arms are crossed over his chest, and his mouth is bunched up in
a small scowl. Upon seeing someone enter, his scowl and glare turns on the
new people. Glare. If only Redd hadn't dozed off he'd have someone to talk
to. Sigh. Instead he'll just glare at all those who enter.

Mindra harmps at the Accepted, "Don't tarry with those, girl. Set them over
there," she gestures toward one of the many wooden tables in the room.
Novices scurry forward to help the Accepted do her duty. The yellow sister
seems to forget the girl as she moves over to the cots in the room. She
looks at the chart at the end of Neelkan's bed. "So, how are we today?" she
asks the man even as she peers at the boy sleeping on the floor beside him.
She doesn't seem to regard his glare as anything but normal...perhaps she
is used to his behavior in her ward by now.

Redd remains asleep, a few incoherant sounds coming from him, but nothing
to be important.

"I'm ready t' leave!" Neelkan insists a little too loudly then he should
when there are people trying to heal and sleep in here, but then he's been
here a while, so most people are used to his "louder then normal
conversation" voice. Not to mention his butchering of language that he
quite often uses. Least he didn't curse though. "I don't see why ya'll
insist on keepin' m' 'ere." It might have something to do with the fact
that even though he should be exhausted from the healing, he barely sleeps
at all, and when he does he often doesn't sleep well.

Although many of the novice's blanch at Neelkan's shouting, Mindra appears
call enough. She looks again at the chart and then hangs it back on the end
of the bad. Curious that Redd has slept through all the ruckus, but the boy
could sleep through a trolloc attack. She shakes her head, "Until you gain
the rest you need to complete your healing, you will remain here Shun'u
il'Sharil." She uses his full name to make herself appear more the
authority figure. Although, since she is around eighty years old, she
doesn't need much more to give her the advantage!

Redd mumbles, "No." quietly. At first, it sounds as if he is disagreeing
with Mindra, but he still sleeps. The second one gets louder. "No!" The
next one is even louder than that, and longer too. "No! Stop! PLEASE HELP!"
He remains asleep through his yelling.

Neelkan's mouth falls open as she calls him by his fullname. He -hates-
that. Then he closes his mouth and tightens his arms over his chest and
glowers loudly. Grrrrr. "M' name's Neelkan, woman. Rem---eh?" He trails off
suddenly as Redd starts making sound in his sleep. His bright blue-green
eyes blink a few times. Is that how he looks to people when he yells in his
sleep like his sisters always teased him? Neel instantly unfolds from his
seat and jumps down, looking at his only -guy- friend in the whole place,
"Redd?" Um... He reaches out to try and touch the boy's shoulder.

Mindra blinks and then smoothly moves to Redd's side. She touches his
shoulder with a firm hand and shakes him. "Wake up, child. Tis but a
dream...wake up." Child? Well...compared to Mindra, maybe he is. She looks
over at Neelkan as he joins her down on the floor.

Redd's eyes shoot open. "STOP!" He yells, jumping up to his feet quickly,
but his legs give out on him and he falls to the ground at Neelkan before
he can stop himself.

Ermp. That's the sound Neelkan makes as Redd half-falls on him. But he's
nice enough to catch the boy at least. "Yo, pal, good thin' ya don't weigh
'at much!" Then he tries to gently put the kid back on the floor where he
was, looking over at the Aes Sedai (like they're supposed to know
everything), "Does he d' 'is often?" No naming of a title, just like he's
speaking to anyone else. Well, anyone else who happens to be female. Hence
the slight glare still. But only slightly. Worry over his friend has kind
of taken most of it away.

Mindra nods at Neelkan, "Yes, since the beginning." There is honest worry
in the Aes Sedai for the boy. "I was hoping to Heal his memory, but
unfortunately, we of the yellow can only Heal the body, not the mind." She
looks down at the struggling Redd and shakes her here, uncertain of what
she might do for him.

Redd stares wide-eyed between each of the two. "They killed them!"

"Calm down, Redd..." Neelkan takes his eyes off the Aes Sedai now and back
to the little guy. "Everythin'll be 'kay. Yer awake now..." This kid is
reminding him way too much of himself, and that really bothers him.

Mindra sighs. "Who was killed, Redd?" she looks at him intently, as a
healer who seeks to solve a mystery does.

Redd breathes hard, thinking. "I don't... know... they looked...
important... but... the attackers are after me..." He then jumps forward
wrapping his arms around, and seeking protection with, guess who? Neelkan.

Mindra looks between the two -men- as Redd clings to Neelkan. She shakes
her head and then rises to her feet, brushing some of the dust from her
dress. "I think that perhaps both of you should remain here for the night."
Where the Accepted can keep an eye on you.... "If you do not rest, neither
of you will heal properly."

Whine. When did he become the protecter type? Sigh. Neelkan doesn't say
anything though and just lets the boy hug him. This is so weird to him.
He's always been the youngest person everyone. Youngest sibling, youngest
bandit. His eyes dart towards the Aes Sedai for a moment, then slowly he
wraps an arm lightly around the boy. Uh... "It'll.. uh.. be... 'kay." He
speaks awkwardly, as if he has no idea what to say here!

Redd just holds onto Neelkan tight. The boy's 'big brother' type's grip
seems to comfort him a little. He whispers, for himself only, but Neelkan
can hear him. "I have to leave. I will get someone killed..."

Mindra speaks quietly to one of the Accepted that has glided up onto the
scene. She gives the girl instructions about Redd and Neelkan, gesturing
with her hands as she speaks. Then the girl curtseys and Mindra nods with
some approval. "Light shine on you both...and rest. Remain here." If you
know what is good for you! She notes the comfort that Redd gains from his
friends presence and makes no move to pull the boy from the bandit.

Huh? A look of confusion (well, more confusion) crosses his face and
Neelkan looks towards the Aes Sedai, "Uh... a'right, Aes Sedai." WHAT!? He
just used the title?! That has to be a shocker to the world. Then he looks
down at Redd, "I'll help ya to a bed, come on..." He makes no comment about
what the boy whispered. He'll ask him about it later, then he starts to try
standing so he can take the kid to a nearby bed.

Redd shakes his head, "No, sir... I am fine..." He is too tired to remember
Neel's hatred of the title, then his head falls back on Neel's shoulder and
he is out again.

Mindra moves off through the infirmary, heading toward her office in the
back. The yellow sister still has research to attend to...something to do
with the war effort no doubt. She leaves the two of them behind.

There's a sleeping kid on his shoulder... Arg. What did he do to deserve
this!? Well, at least he's a -boy-. If it was a girl this would be horrid.
Neelkan slowly picks the boy up carries him over to a bed, trying not to
wake him up while doing so. And after that, he must lay down himself. That
wore him out.