05/07/2000

Courtyard, The White Tower, Tar Valon
Marble tiles gleam from a straight path which leads from the Gates of the
Tower to the wide double doors which announce its entry point. Soft grass
and well planned patches of flowers can be found to either side, with the
occasional shady tree. Accepted and novices sit on stone benches, some
practicing their Power to the dismay of uneasy petitioners passing through.
To the side there is a stable, near the fenced entrance to the clearly
visible yard where shirtless boys go through sword forms through the day.

Guards take the weapons of those wanting to enter, though the Gaidin spread
about the courtyard, seemingly about their leisure, look ready to pounce on
any men who "forgot" a dagger at the gates. Aes Sedai pass through on
various errands, some nodding to acknowledge bows or curtsies. The
atmosphere is busy, but calm.


Sitting under one of the shady trees in the Courtyard, Neelkan is humming a
song softly under his breath and trying to ignore the fact that there are
tons of -evil- women walking around all over the place. The occassional
Gaidin gets a little more of a glance then the others, he looks positively
bored. But at least he's out of the infirmary!

Tiau nods her head towards the others as she continues onwards.

Sunan is walking around the Courtyard, also bored. Looking at Neelkan, he
spontaneously heads over and greets in a monotone, "Good afternoon, siir."

Denn'ryiel exits the Tower following Tiau. She shields her eyes from the
sun for the moment as she gets blinded.

Tiau looks up at the sky and ehs.. "Well fun.."

Eh? Neelkan glances up as someone speaks, stops humming that song, then
shrugs and says, "Ye'h, ye'h. Could be better though." Ain't that the truth
(heh)! He hasn't noticed the exit of Denn and the other woman yet.

Sunan sits down, and asks, "Are you going to become a trainee here? Or are
you here for other reasons?"

Denn'ryiel looks up after Tiau, trying to see what she is looking at. "Hrm?
What's fun?" she asks, probably announcing her presense to Neelkan.

Tiau looks back over to Denn and nods her head.

"Yer kind of nosey, aren't ya?" Neelkan glances over at the boy, but he's a
lot more at ease then he would normally be if he was... say... a girl!
"Well, I came 'ere f'r other reasons, but I might be stayin'. 'specially if
'ey don't gimme m'earrings back." He glances towards the Tower and glares
for a moment. The might is only the truth, because he honestly doesn't know
for sure yet. He's a confused young man. In more ways then one. Pause...
does he know that voice? He glances up, searching around, then they fall on
Denn. He smirks.

Sunan shrugs, "Why did they take your earrings away? If I may ask?"

Denn'ryiel smiles to Tiau, even though she still doesn't know. She also
overhears Neelkan, and turns to see both him and Sunan. She greets both
with a smile, but doesn't interrupt their conversation.

Tiau continues to use her staff to help her walk, even though she doesn't
look like she needs it.

At that question, Neelkan's eyes leave Denn and the smirk fades, "I don't
know. 'ey just haven't given 'em back yet. 'ey gave m' back my necklaces
though, so I don't see no reason 'ey wouldn't gimme back the earrings!" He
reaches up to finger his beaded necklaces absently. "'ey kept m' fan too,
but 'at at least I can understand, cause it's a weapon 'n all." With all
that said he turns his smirk back on Denn, giving his head a small nod
which bobs his strangely white-streaked spikey hair slightly.

Sunan shrugs again, exaggerating the motion and holding it too long. "I
don't know. They must have a reason." Pausing, he waves to Denn. Then,
looking back to Neelkan, "Were you brought here for healing?"

Denn'ryiel waves back to Sunan. "I know both of those tr," she says to
Tiau, cutting off before she finishes since she isn't sure if Neelkan has
enlisted yet. "Have you met them yet?"

Tiau shakes her head.. "No, not yet at all."

"Uh, ye'h. 'r 'at's what the Yellows say at least. Don't really remember
bein' brought 'ere at all." Neelkan shrugs right back, then glances up at
Denn again, then catches sight of the woman beside her. "Hey, she was
singin' at the Tavern the other day..." What was he doing at a tavern?

Sunan doesn't look at Tiau, "Yes, she was." He suddenly remembers something
and says, "Hi." He doesn't look at her. How odd.

Denn'ryiel smiles and nods in greeting to both students. "Good day Sunan,
Neelkan... Can I introduce Tiau? We just met a few moments ago, ourselves."

Tiau inclines her head and smiles. "Hello."

Neelkan stands up from the tree, smiling at Denn, "Hey! It's good t' see
ya!" Then he glances at the woman, "'n I still got yer songs stuck in m'
head!" He scratches at his hair for a moment, but that's just a common
gesture with him.

Sunan nods, "Nice to meet you." He's looking at Neelkan still. "Didn't you
like her songs?"

Tiau grins and lets the man answer that.

Denn'ryiel grins. "Likewise. You seem to be in better shape than last
time." She chuckles at Sunan's question, also turning to Neelkan to see how
he will answer.

Huh? "I liked 'em... 'ey're just stuck in m' head." Neelkan pauses, then
adds a second later, "'ey were a little girly, 'n stuff, but nice." Still
scratching at his hair. Try not to confuse this boy. He's confused enough
as it is.

Tiau chuckles softly and nods.. "of course they were.. 'girly." I am a
woman.

Sunan shrugs, again exagerating it, "I liked them. Te were very nice. And
not loud, too." This seems to be a plus with him. Oddly, he's addressing
the tree."

Denn'ryiel chuckles at that. "I'll have to listen to you sing one time
then, Tiau. I trust Neelkan and Sunan's judgement."

Keay exits from Tower proper and pauses a little to adjust to the light.
She then advances toward the stairs and gives a pleasant, "Good day!"

"I noticed 'at..." Neelkan mutters softly under his breath to Tiau. Why
does he suddenly not want to look at her? He keeps his eyes on Denn now and
continues to smirk.

Tiau hmms and begins to play her harp slowly.

Sunan stays quietly seated, and then asks, turning to Denn, "Can you make
the grass grow longer? And maybe do things?" He asks.

Denn'ryiel turns at the new voice and curtseys to Keay as she exits. She
doesn't have to, but she is the Keeper after all. "Light Shine, Aes Sedai,"
she says in return. She nods her head to answer Sunan's question, though
her eyes don't turn away from Keay until the Sedai is done with her.

As Denn turns away, Neelkan's blue-green eyes follow to where her's go, and
fall on the person who shouted a moment ago. A woman! Glare. Sorry. That's
his natural response to women.

Kirra exits the Tower, smiling to herself as if at some secret. Maybe she's
happy about her new position, or maybe it's something else altogether.
Whatver it is, she's looking quite pleased with the world.

Sunan gives a wave to Kirra, and then asks, "How fast *could* you make it
go?"

Keay enjoys to light sounds from the harp and decends close to the
Accepted, simply enjoying the break.

Tiau continues to play the music slowly, humming gently

Denn'ryiel nods her head low in respect to Kirra, though she starts to
blush under Sunan's questions. "Please, don't ask me that," she whispers to
Sunan, knowing for some reason she would probably have to answer around
this odd trainee.

Neelkan is just going to continue to glare with narrowed eyes for a few
moments.

Sunan nods in reply, "Okay Denn'ryiel Sedai." He looks over at Neelkan, and
asks cursiouly, puzzled. "Why are you furrowing your face like that at
Keeper Keay?"

Kirra archs a brow slightly at Sunan's words, but says nothing. Instead,
she walks to join the group and takes a seat.

Neelkan glances towards Sunan and shrugs a little, "Women 'r mean! Well,
most of 'em anyway." He throws the smirk at Denn again. She's not mean. But
most of the others are! Or so he thinks.

Keay chuckles lightly at the mistitle, "You must be that new trainee we've
heard so much about. Your name is . . su . . Forgive me, it escapes my mind
at this moment."

Kirra looks at Neelkan, curious. "We are? Oh dear. Why then, child, are you
here, where you will be surrounded by them?"

Denn'ryiel almost winces visibly at Sunan's misstep, but manages not to.
She smiles back to Neelkan, and then turns to Sunan to see what his answer
will be.

Sunan stands and bows to both Keay and Kirra, now that they have come
closer. "Sunan, Keeper Keay. Who is we? And why have ytou heard about me?"
Then, to Neelkan, he rpelies, "Some are, some aren't. It depends on the
person. Denn'ryiel Sedai is nice, Dalloria Sedai acts like an old goat."
Did he just say that?

Tiau grins and continues to play her music slowly. She's humming softly.

"I was kinda dragged 'ere." is all Neelkan can say in answer to that
question. If he had had a choice, he would never have stepped foot on this
island at all. Then he frowns and looks at Sunan, "She is not!" he says to
the old goat comment.

Kirra nods to Neel, "Well then, why don't you leave? Is someone holding you
here?"

Denn'ryiel looks a bit concerned for Neelkan, under Kirra's questioning.
Between watching Sunan under Keay's gaze, and Neel under Kirra's, she's got
quite a bit to see.

Keay smiles, "We are most of the Sedai. It is nothing bad dear. Besides I
enjoy keeping tabs on the newcomers. You'll have the heirarchy an all down
pat in no time." She smiles another disarming smile.

Neelkan looks over at Kirra again, then says a little too loudly, "Bet ya
'ey are! The Yellows 'r whatever say I can't leave til I'm fully recovered
from Healin' 'r some such nonsense. I feel fi..." he suddenly pauses.
"A'right, a'right, I'm a lil' tired 'n hungry 'n stuff sometimes! But I
could make it... 'n anyway, ya Aes Sedai 'rn't givin' m'earring's back yet.
'n I ain't leavin' without 'em. Hakurou gave 'em t' me..." His smirk is
fully gone now.

Tiau continues to play her harp slowly, humming softly.

Kirra archs a brow, listening to Neelkan impassively. Ooh, this is all the
Yellows fault, is it? Well,well, well. She smiles at the boy, "Well, you
could always just walk out."

*Boom* one of the doors to the Tower is more or less thrown open by the
nearly seven foot Master Gaidin as he strides from the Tower and down the
steps. Pausing for a moment to survery the courtyard he pulls an old briar
pipe from his belt pouching thumbing it full of tabac, as he looks. Bitting
down on the stem of the pipe he strikes flint to steel puffing away till a
cloud of smoke rolls from the bowl of the pipe.

Sunan nods quietly, "Yes Keeper Keay. By the way, what does strength in the
Power have to do with Aes Sedai hierachy?"

Tiau continues to play the music slowly, humming lightly.

From the garden, slip a sight to see. An Aes Sedai dressed in bright
colors. Hearing the music, her eyes try to find the source as she tries to
pick out what tune it is.

Denn'ryiel starts to frown as Kirra begins to press Neelkan further. If she
were quicker witted, she might come up with a lie to spare him.

Keay smiles, "Well, strength in the POwer may simply just move you through
the heirarchy from Novice to Accepted to Sedai quicker or slower than most.
Other than that it just dictates how well you can manipulate something."

The song is an old tinker song, and the young woman begins to sing the
words to it slowly. It's about love and the freedom of the woods.

"I told ya. I'm not goin' nowhere til I get m' earrings back." Neelkan
grumbles, then mutters a few obscure curses under his breath. Women. "'ey
were a gift. I earned 'em." He scratches at his odd white-streaked red hair
with slightly yellow highlights in the sunlight.

Kirra nods. "Well then, who has them? No one here has any need to steal
your property, child."

Sunan nods in reply, "I was just curious, Keeper. So, is that it's only
effect on Aes Sedai hierarchy? Yes or no?" He asks monotonusly.

Wyntere finds the source of the song and grins. She pulls out a small
wooden pan flute and begins to join te little tune. Note matching note for
the first few and then she finds the harmony parts.

Tiau blinks and swings around, noting Wyntere. Her smile broadens as she
continues to play the harp. She's stopped moving now so she can sing more
firmly. Her voice rises above the talking in the area... beautiful.

Michael begins to stride towards the stables armor clanking slightly as he
walks one hand resting on the pommel of the heron marked blade at his
waist. " Keay Sedai, is Fledgling Sunan being a bother to you? If so I have
a hole that needs digging somewhere."

Denn'ryiel freezes, waiting to see what Neelkan's answer will be. She spots
Wyntere, and nods to her with a slight smile.

Keay looks at the trainee, "You are a curious boy aren't you?" Being a
Brown though she is more willing than most to help a seeker of knowledge.
She raises her eyes to Michae. "Thank you Gaidin, I am fine right now, but
I will keep that hole in mind. " She returns gaze to the Fledgling, "Well,
certain Sedai use it to 'gain' a tad more respect by weilding it in various
ways,."

"I dunno who has 'em, 'xactly." Neelkan answers. He doesn't. "'n 'at's what
I been thinkin'! 'ey gave 'm other jewelry back..." Why not his earrings?
Grump. He doesn't understand! This is when he notices Michael. His eyes go
really wide and he stares. Wow!! He looks impressed!

Wyntere walks up beside Tiau and stops moving to play a little better. The
sounds coming from the pan flute are amazing as she plays. It's like the
song flows in the Sedai's blood. She nods lightly to Denn.

Tiau continues to play and then sings the last few notes without the harp.

Sunan nods, "I am. Waht does taht mean, Keay Sedai? Oh." He seems to
remember something and turns toward Wyntere, "Wyntere Sedai." He bows,
"Amabassador Felos said he's ready to see you at any time." Then he goes
back to Keay.

Michael nods to Keay, " Light Shine then Keay Sedai," he replies before
giving Sunan a rather stern if slightly grim look. Turning on his heel he
begins to head futher into the courtyard puffing his pipe back into life.

Wyntere with the last notes sung and the message from Sunan, she pts the
flute down. Nodding to Tiau. "Thank you for the song. Please excuse me for
a moment." She walks over to Sunan. "When did you talk to Ambassador
Felos?"

Kirra watchs Neelkan and his reaction to Michael. She considers a moment.
"Perhaps you're here for other reasons, child. If you could overcome your
dislike of the feminine sex, perhaps you would be comfortable here."

Redd steps out of the Tower doors. He is going back to what he is supposed
to be doing, even if he has to leave without permission. His eyes note
people he knows, and he stops, long enough to decide it best to keep going
and hope they don't notice.

Sunan replies to Wyntere, "I saw him only a few days ago, at the Inn."

Keay looks a tad flustered, "I mean . . that some gain respect byy their
masteryof weaves and the ways they apply them and others use it to force
repect.

"M' dislike'a women's only cause ya deserve it." Neelkan grumbles again,
but still is watching Michael with a big impressed look. Wow. He doesn't
notice Redd, at least, not yet.

Tiau nods her head and smiles. "Of course." She watches the others.

Sunan asks, puzzled. "So Sedai beat each other up with the Power to see
who's better? Do they do it physically, too?"

Kirra smiles slightly at Neelkan, visions of handing him over to Darelen to
learn a little respect dancing in her head, though she says nothing.
Instead she turns to Sunan, "We train like the Gaiden do, child. Don't you
respect the more skilled Warders more?"

Wyntere nods to Sunan and then frowns. "Sunan, these questions aren't usual
ones that people ask." She nods to Keay. "But thank you for the
information." After that she returns to Tiau. "Sorry about that. My name is
Wyntere Shar, Sister of the Grey Ajah and Mistress of Novices." She
chuckles. "Feel free to Call me Wyntere Sedai. What's your name?" She asks
the brightly colored girl.

Keay looks at Sunan, "My child, I never said there were wrestling matches
or anything of the sort. Yes a few Sedai tend to be more agreessive with
their use of the Power, but that is all."

Tiau inclines her head and nods.. "Tiau is my name, I am Tu'athan."

Michael alters his course slightly and makes his way over to where Redd is
standing, " Hello Redd," he says obviously having noticed the boy. " The
cooks say you havn't been around camp lately..care to explain?"

Sunan asks, "Aggressive can mean lots of things. It's vague. Do they just
base it on who would win in a fight? I once saw a pair of beetles size each
other up like that. I think they were male. Is it like whoever can make the
bigger fireball?"

Note to self: that trainee is strange. Neelkan makes that mental note,
listening to what he's saying, his eyes still following the cool looking
Gaidin. And then all of a sudden he spots who the Gaidin is following.
Redd? Um... Neel's just going to stand right here and scratch on his hair.
Yup.

Redd blinks, glancing up at Michael. "Hello, sir. The Aes Sedai wouldn't
let me leave the infirmary. I had a bad dream, and they wanted to study it,
sir. They still do..."

Keay glares, "My child." She is still polite however flustered and turning
cold, a lady 'til the breaking point, "There are somethings that can only
be learned by experience, those by reasearch, those by observations and
those by questioning. The latter must be used in well reason. I would
kindly advise you to learn this and apply it to your life."

Michael nods his head, " Which Aes Sedai?" he ask Redd a frowns having
settled it way onto his face around the stim of the pipe.

Slowly the doors to the Tower part, and out steps Aliana, her quarterstaff
resting in her hands. Cool eyes flickering around the courtyard.

Wyntere nods to Tiau, "Well met, Tiau. My father was a Tu'athan. I fool
people sometimes by my colors, but I'm a child of the Tower." Duh. She's an
Aes Sedai. A deep frown crosses her face. "Sunan, I think that is enough
questions. You are searching a topoic which is none of your business. And
if I hear you asking about it again, I'm sure Master Michael can find
enough chores to keep you busy." Yes, Wyntere overheard it. or was it her
sister getting flustered?

Tiau nods.. "A lost sister then." She nods her head and smiles, "Thank you
for your accompinate."

Redd looks down at his feet for a moment. So many different Aes Sedai he
sees, which one... oh yes. "Mindra Sedai, sir."

Sunan nods to both of them, "Okay. I just wanted to see how much I was
allowed to find out. It's always good to know as much as you can." His face
seems completely oblivious to their reactions. And yet he stops, so he has
taken some discretion.

Neelkan just scratches at his hair a few more moments, then settles back
down into his seat under the tree. He keeps his eyes on Redd and the
impressive guy though.

Michael reaches up to rub at a jaw covered with stubble for a moment,
before nodding his head, " Yes the yellow," he mutters to himself. " Well
regardless boy, your on the payroll of the army and expected to be there
tomorrow to help with breakfast. When I finish things up witht he tower
I'll be more than happy to give you a ride back to camp on Storm."

Keay rises, "Well then you have learned something." She smiles, already
feeling better, excuses herself and returns to her work in the Tower.

Wyntere looks back to Tiau. "A lost sister?" She trys to understand. "I'm
not lost. And yes, thank you for allowing me to join you. It has been a
long time since I had a companion for playing."

Redd smiles to Michael. When the boy smiles, he means it. "Thank you, sir."
Something about riding horses, or maybe that horse specifically, seems to
please him.

Neelkan is just sitting under the tree. Until someone says anything to him
specifically that's all he's going to be doing.

Sunan turns over to Wyntere and asks, "At what point did I ask too much,
Wyntere Sedai?"

Tiau begins to move out.

Michael nods his head to Redd, " Your welcome," he replies simply, before
looking over to where Sunan has moved on the pestering Wyntere. Shaking his
head slightly he mutters something before looking to Redd, " If this
happens again you will send word to me?"

"Who are you?" Aliana's voice is rather cool as she looks directly at
Neelkan, eyes like polished emeralds.

Redd nods. "Yes, sir." He keeps his eyes on Michael at the moment. "I am
sorry, sir."

Michael reaches down patting Redd on the shoulder, " Nothing to be sorry
for son," he replies. " Was not your doing in this situation."

Neelkan glances up from where he's seated at the voice and frowns. Woman...
in men's clothes. That's not something he sees every day! But a woman
none-the-less (or a man who's far too pretty for his own good). So his eyes
narrow slightly, and he glares a -little-, but not much, then he responds,
"I'm Neelkan."

"May I ask what you business here at the White Tower, Master Neelkan?"
Aliana's voice glides smoothly as she speaks.

Redd smiles a little, and catches something out of the corner of his eye.
He allows himself a small glance, and notices Neelkan. He almost starts for
him immediately, but Michael hasn't said he could leave yet, so he remains
in his place.

Michael looks down to Redd, " You can go, just don't stay to far," he says.
" I'll be leaving in a bit."

Wyntere looks to Tiau. "You don't have to leave, Tiau." Then hearing Sunan,
she turns to him. "Sunan, when you start asking about Aes Sedai affairs
that is the point that's too far." She answers. Then looks to Neelkan.
Hmm...

Sigh. Why do people ask that like he's not supposed to be here!? Grump.
Neelkan visabely looks grumpy, slumping slightly and muttering, "I wouldn't
be 'ere if I didn't have t' be, woman. 'n just call m' Neelkan, please."
Bah. Master. Sir. No thanks. Just Neelkan.

Tiau turns backwards and looks around. "Tower business, Aes Sedai."

Redd nods then quickly starts off toward Neelkan. "Neel." He says as he
starts toward him, pausing when he sees Aliana, he stops talking, standing
a few steps from Neelkan, waiting to be acknowledged.

"I'd prefer you call me Aliana Sedai than woman, Neelkan." Aliana's voice
hardens slightly,"And you need to begin learning some manners. Perhaps
General Michael will teach you manners." Suddenly the Aes Sedai seems a bit
nervous with Redd around...Then again whenever a child is near it seems to
make her more than slightly nervous... especially since she returned from
Eharon.

Wyntere tilts her head slightly to Tiau. "Tower business, Tiau? And please
call me Wyntere." She looks puzzled now, but her voice is still calm and
patient. "What do you mean by Tower business?" Smokey blue eyes reflect
that reflect the sky seems curious.

"Whate'er ya say, Aliana." No Sedai. What a baaaad boy. Neelkan glances
over and sees Redd and his expression brightens and he instantly moves to
push himself up, using the tree as support, "'ey..." He seems a little...
well... nervous, but for different reasons likely. "'r ya doin' better?" He
scratches at his strange white-streaked hair for about the billion-th time
since he arrived on this Island.

Kirra looks at Neelkan and nods to herself. The boy needs to learn manners.
How best to teach him, well, give her time.

Tiau moves over and motions towards the others in the courtyard. "Their
speech. It's none of my business.. If you'd like to come to the Ogier
stedding to speak, I would enjoy your company."

Wyntere glances back to the group. She hates to leave Neelkan to the
wolves, but he'll live. Turning back to Tiau, the MoNster nods. "Yes, the
Ogier stedding sounds wonderful. Shall we?"

Redd smiles. All manners says he should acknowledge both present. Neelkan,
however, seems to have a bad influence on the boy whenever he is present,
and he just speaks with Neel. "Yes. I had the dream again..."

Tiau nods and smiles.. "Please, you first."

A forced calmness spreads over Aliana's face as she says,"Child, it is not
polite to ignore someone."

Neelkan frowns slightly, scratching at his hair, then Aliana says that and
he snaps towards her, "Leave 'im 'lone." The kid's been through enough
lately! Neel doesn't want him getting all clingy again... that was awkward,
"Not like ya were speakin' to 'im 'r nothin'." He moves over to Redd and
just pats him on the shoulder lightly, "Don't worry 'bout it... 'ey're just
dreams." That's what he's been telling himself for years...

Redd looks to Aliana as Neelkan talks to her, then when the attention is
back on him he nods. "They just seem, so... like it was happening..."

"Neelkan, has anyone ever warned you about playing with fire?" Aliana's
voice is calm and slowly she lowers herself,"How many of the Aes Sedai have
you spoken to child?"

"I 'ear it quite often," Neelkan growls under his breath, taking that as a
threat and not liking it at all. He keeps his eyes on Redd though, "I
know..." And for a moment he really sounds like he knows. "I mean, dreams
can sometimes seem pretty.. uh.. real 'n stuff, but.." He trails off. He
sucks at this comforting stuff.

Redd looks between Aliana and Neelkan now. "Mindra Sedai..."

Hmming slightly for a second before she finally begins speaking,"You should
heed it so you stop setting such a bad example for the boy here. Be
respectful. That doesn't mean spineless. " Turning to Redd again,"Child,
let me assure you of one thing. I rather doubt what you are experiencing is
any different from some others. Perhaps the answer lies not with your
health but in the past. Try talking to a Brown about your 'dreams.' Perhaps
they know of a volume in our library that might pertain to your...
predicament.'"

Neelkan just grumbles softly and doesn't look at the woman. He doesn't like
this at all. Then he hears the last bit the Aes Sedai says to his young
friend and his head whips around, "Dreams don't mean anythin'! Why would he
have t' go talk to a... Brown 'r whatever! 'ey're just dreams!" Suddenly,
for a moment it seems almost as if he isn't talking about his friend...

Almost as if Neelkan was an errant child Aliana says,"Who's to say what is
what? Do you know enough about the world that you can say for sure what
something is? Such as a ter'angreal, can you know what it is and what it
will do simply by looking at it?" Her voice is smooth as she
speaks,"Sometimes what we think is true can be quite false."

Redd looks between the two as they argue. Polite, yes. Respectful, mostly.
He can't stand two things, though, lying, and arguing. The latter is
luckily (for Redd) the lesser of the two he dislikes. "Stop, please." He
says, loud enough to echo in the courtyard, without realizing it.

Neel's eyes quickly dart back to the boy. Er... "Sorry." He mutters, then
responds again, towards the Aes Sedai this time, "Sorry..." He slowly backs
away from both of them. "I... I'll be.. uh.. I'll... I should... leave..."

Now there's something new. A silver fan over his head, spread out, that
looks like it's made of some kind of metal. The tips of it are glowing red
hot, like it was heated over a fire. It's only there for a few seconds
before folding up and vanishing.

An eyebrow goes up at the boy,"So you can speak for real?" Aliana's voice
is gentle and her lips curve into a pseudo-smile.

Redd looks oddly at Aliana, no clue what she meant by that. He then looks
to Neelkan, "Don't leave..." then he freezes, not looking at Neelkan
anymore, but instead, above him staring at nothing.

A hand is laid on Redd's shoulder in a single smooth gesture and in a brief
moment where Aliana isn't being the cold Green her voice is quite motherly
as sh says,"Are you okay?" There is not even a hint of her normal coldness
about her now.

Well, at least someone doesn't want him to leave... Neelkan stops in his
walking backwards (which is a really good thing because he was about to
bang his head on a low limb). "I just..." he trails off as the Aes Sedai
asks if the kid is alright. Huh? And Neelkan moves forward again, "What
happened??" Did he miss something? (He's a little on the slow side
sometimes...)

Redd jumps when Aliana's hand is placed on his shoulder, then he spins
around. He shakes his head slowly. He won't lie, but lying doesn't mean
telling everything. "I don't want to talk about it, Aes Sedai."

"Sometimes not telling can be worse." Aliana's voice in nonetheless quite
gentle, almost as though something about the boy managed o awaken mothering
instincts in the Sedai who is rumours to be quite capable of slaughter on
the battlefield, without even blinking an eye too.

"Redd...?" Neelkan looks worried for a moment, then shakes his head and
shrugs. He knows all too well about not wanting to talk about things... "Ya
don't gotta if ya don't wanna!" Maybe he's also saying that just because it
seems opposite of what the 'evil woman Sedai' said!

"I never said he had to Neelkan. I merely said sometimes it helps. He must
learn to think for himself. Anyone who can not think is not worth dealing
with." Aliana's voice is cool but not cold like before.

Redd normally would not talk, he prefers to keep this a secret, because
either people believe him, or they don't. Both are bad. He misses the two
starting to argue again. He decides to talk now, because he has no idea
what it means, and if it means Neel might die, he will do anything to stop
it. "I see picture, around people... they tell me what is going to happen
to people..." he pauses. He doesn't need to know what Aliana will say,
whatever it is, it won't be anything new... Neel is the one who he watches
for a reaction.

"Pictures? Interesting. Do you feel I should know about this? Or are you
simply telling me this because you think I won't let you be until you do?"
Aliana's eyes focus on the boy."Have you told any of my Sisters about
this?"

Uh. Well, it appears that something has happened here that Neelkan really
wasn't prepared for. He usually doesn't let things shock him too easily.
But this talk of seeing pictures around people... that tell what's going to
happen... He takes a step back slowly, then gives his head a small shake.
Can he sit down now? No. No. "Ya.. see pictures..? 'en yer awake...?" That
last part is almost reluctent...

Redd frowns, slowly. "I only see them when I am awake, Neel..." He then
looks to Aliana. "I told you, Aes Sedai, because I don't want Neelkan
getting hurt. Wyntere Sedai, Cristabel Sedai, and Kael Sedai know... so
does..." he pauses, knowing the last one only as, "Mother."

Aliana says "Why would Neelkan get hurt? How can I help prevent him from
being hurt?" Aliana's voice is remarkably gentle as though she was two
different people when dealing with Neelkan and Redd."

"I'm... gonna get hurt?" Now, Neelkan really wants to sit down, but he
resists. At hearing that Wyntere knows he relaxes a little. He kind of
likes Wyn...

Redd looks to Neelkan as he speaks. "Keay Sedai said the pictures mean
something more than I would normally see... met-a-four-i-cal... I think she
said..." He looks back to Aliana. "I don't understand what I saw... I never
like that, Aes Sedai."

Aliana smiles gently at the boy,"That is metaphorical. WHat did you see
that made you tell me?"

Neelkan just looks like he -really- wants to sit down. Or at least lean
against something. He doesn't like all this talk about seeing things and
getting hurt and knowing things that will happen to people... He stays
silent for the moment though, just looking a little distraught.

Redd frowns, then the words come out. "I saw a fan... it looked like it was
made out of the same thing a sword is made out of." Why can't he remember
that word? That is odd... "It was glowing red on the outside..."

"A... fan..." Neelkan seems to tense even more, "I... I never mentioned m'
fan t' ya... did I?" This is -really- starting to freak him out now.

Redd stands between Neelkan and Aliana(if/when she returns) looking between
them. He then looks to Neelkan and asks, confused. "What fan?"

What fan? Good question. "I.. I have a fan. It's made 'a iron... 'r at
least the ribs are. 'at's the part that unfolds... The Aes Sedai haven't
given it back yet, but 'ey said 'ey would..." Unlike insuring him they
would return his earrings... Neelkan still looks very bothered by this
entire thing. Especially since the 'picture' or whatever seems to be based
on something that is in reality, and means something to him, that the boy
couldn't have known about...

Aliana hmms slightly,"Perhaps there is something to it that no one knows
yet. Perhaps there is something about it...I've not heard of anything but I
am still rather young for an Aes Sedai."

Wyntere walks into the courtyard. Smokey blue eyes look a little refreshed
and there's a flower blossom in her hair. She sees Neelkan and Redd and
Aliana. Then heads over to the group. "Peace favor you, Sister." Then looks
to the boys giving them a kind nod in greeting. "Redd, Neelkan."

Redd frowns again, this at Neelkan's words. He has no idea what Aliana
said, but he is quickly caught offguard by Wyntere's words and he spins
around to look at her. Good, it is someone who knows...

"Wyn... hey..." Neelkan says, sounding a little... well... preoccupied.
Sorry, his mind is still trying to cope with all this information that just
got thrown at him. He gives his head a firm shake, which spikes up his
oddly white-streaked hair and then offers a small smile towards Wyn. He
likes Wyn.. Even if she is a woman.

Emerald eyes flicker to Wyntere and Aliana's voice is calm,"Peace favour
you as well Sister." SHe seems to retreat in on herself slightly as if lost
in thought.

Wyntere grins to Aliana. Then looks to Redd. "How are you? Still working
out in the Army?" Then glancing to Neel. "I see the Yellows finally let you
out. have you gotten your fan back?"

Flinch. She had to mention his fan... Neelkan visably flinches, then shakes
his head, "'ey haven't let m' out completely yet... 'ey still want m' t'
stay f'r a lil while longer... 'ey're concerned cause I'm still eatin' so
much..." Maybe the boy just has a strong appetite now that he's gotten used
to eating meals made for three. "So no... I haven't got m' fan back..."

Redd nods slowly. So she doesn't know about his nightmare... but she hasn't
asked yet...