05/14/2000

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.



Espiria heads into the room with her arms carrying a bolt of cloth. She
doesn't glance over to you at first because the bolt of material blocks her
view, but after she sets it down, she glances over to see if you are awake.

Indeed, Neelkan is very much awake. He's laying back on the bed, staring up
at the ceiling, his mouth all bunched up on one side in a half-frown. He
looks rather... well... grumpy and thoughtful at the same time. Perhaps
he's sulking. He's wearing a new shirt at least. He had to explain to the
Yellows that he got into a little fight, but no one got hurt. It was sort
of a lie, and he feels guilty about it. But it's better then the
embarassing truth! Hopefully no one will site him on it later... The shirt
was ripped, not cut after all...

Espiria smiles brightly at you, head tipping to one side as she unrolls the
bolt a bit. "Hello Neelkan. You're looking much better than the last time I
saw you." She chuckles softly, turning to cut a strip of the material from
the bolt.

Bright blue-green eyes blink slightly and look away from the cieling at the
sound of your voice. Then Neelkan's frown softens a little. It's one of the
flukes! A girl who's not evil, cheating, trollop. Grrr. Uh. Sorry. His
frown has softened, but he isn't smirking, or smiling back, and he doesn't
sit up either as he replies, "Hey, Espi. Ye'h. I've had a lil' time t' calm
down." His hands are folded under his head, and his usually spikey hair is
actually somewhat flat at the moment, the a few locks hanging between his
eyes and on his forehead.

Espiria purses her lips gently, head tipping to one side as she smiles.
Just because your mood isn't a happy one at the moment, doesn't mean you
will make her loose her 'semi-happy' mood. She chuckles softly and nods,
"You were really angry last night when I saw you. I thought for sure you
were going to take on that Gaidin." She shakes her head, "Umm...Someone
must have really ticked you off for that to have happened." Her hands
continue working, cutting several more strips before she carries them to a
chair and takes a seat. Her hands fold them gently and begin to wrap.
Evidently they are supposed to be nearly wrapped bandages and her hands
move without her looking. She's done this often enough to not have to watch
what she does.

Neelkan opens his mouth to take in a quick breath at the reminder of his...
mood, then ends up biting down on his lower lip slightly with one of his
canine teeth. Reminding him of the day before... not really a good idea.
Not that he could forget, but it still isn't the safest subject. After a
few moments of brooding slightly, he opens his mouth again and merely says,
"If it would've come t' a fight, I could've taken 'im." Uh-huh. If you say
so Neel. He sounds like he believes he could at least.

Espiria smiles, taking her eyes from her wrapping to look at your face. Her
brow raises slightly as she smiles, "You certainly have the heart..and the
will to have done it." She looks up for just a moment though toward the
ceiling herself as she shakes her head. "Hmm..but he sure did have a great
deal of size on you." She chuckles softly, "I've heard though..that he's a
very nice Gaidin. Well, unless ticked off. Very easy going for the most
part...." She reaches over for another strip, starting to wrap it into
another small bundle. "I'm just glad to see you're back..and safe. You know
how worried people were? Umm...there was muttering by some of the other
novices at a few of the Aes Sedai were alittle worried for you. Especially
when you didn't make it back."

"Size isn't e'erythin'..." Neelkan mutters softly at the first part, but
then when you get further and say that people were worried... he actually
flushes slightly and looks away. Either he's embarassed about having been
gone, or he doesn't know how to take the fact that people were actually
worried about him. After a few seconds the flush fades away as if it were
never there and he shrugs slightly, quirking up one side of his mouth in a
small smirk, "I didn't mean t' stay out, if 'at's any consolation." He
was... unavoidably detained. Alright, that isn't true. He could have
avoided it. "Who all was worried?" he asks with the smirk widening a
little.

Espiria raises a slim brow at the muttered comment, but she won't ask since
she probably wouldn't like the answer she'd get from that one. She's
looking down so she doesn't see you're blushing at her telling of there
actually being worried persons for him. She does look up after this though
and smiles. "I understand completely. I know how it is..when things don't
quite work out as we would expect." Cryptic remark? Definately. Especially
in her case. She lifts her shoulders gently as she places another rolled
bandage into the pile. Reaching for another one, she offers a smile. "Well,
they were't very specific, but it was someone rather high and definately an
Aes Sedai. At least one of them was." She isn't going to say that the other
person was she herself that worried for you, since you embarrass so easily
when you hear people care. "It was basiclly Tower Gossip, but most of the
time..it's true." She chuckles, tipping her head to one side. "I..just
thought you should know that people actually do care what happens to you,
Neelkan. We really do..."

"Oh." Neelkan mutters softly after all that is finished, trying not to show
any embarassment. Trying being the operative word. After a few moments he
takes in a deep breath and sits up on the bed, running his hands forwards
over his hair and making it go all spikey as he does this. When he looks
back over, his head tilted slightly, those white streaked red hair is half
hiding one of his eyes, "'anks. It's... nice t' know some people care." His
smirk widens even more, becoming a full blown grin as he adds, "Light, e'en
if it -is- a bunch'a women!" Heh. His mood seems to be better.

Espiria giggles, bright eyes flashing warmth and kindness as she reaches
for another strip to wrap. "It's not so bad...I mean, not /all/ women are
bad, right?" She tips her head to one side, intelligent eyes staying on you
as she blushes just a bit. "My Ma was a really nice person too. She turned
the council down to be the village Wisdom. She said she didn't feel right
in being up so high above everyone else." She chuckles, "But..she always
was there for everyone who came by for help. No matter who it was." She
giggles, shaking her head. "Ticked of the Wisdom they /did/ pick..cuz' Ma
always helped when the other one turned them away for whatever reason."

One of Neelkan's legs pull up so he can lean his elbow on the knee slightly
while the other one stays straight. His hand goes into his hair so he can
just lean there casually for a few moments as he ponders over that, "Yer ma
sounds like'n 'kay woman. Prolly where ya got it, ya know..." He scratches
at his hair for a second with the same hand he's leaning on, then looks
beyond you and around the infirmary, as he adds on, "I know not all
women're bad, but in general ya just... don't play fair." His smirk goes
back into that bunched up frown for a moment. Nope. Women don't play fair.
If they had he wouldn't have gotten his shirt torn and his ego bruised
about a billion different ways the two days ago and the morning after.

Espiria continues to wrap, hearing you shift on your bed and she looks up
eyes bewildered for a moment. Not play fair? She chuckles, nodding at your
speaking of her Ma. "Well..If I end up ha;f as good as she was..then I'm
going really good with myself." She shrugs a shoulder, "I'm..not sure what
you mean by not playing fair, but I'm..sorry if you've been treated badly
by others. I.." her hand goes to her chest, "I for one would never mistreat
a friendship..male or female. Especially not friends."

"Sorry. I just meant 'at if I get int' an arguement with a woman it's
always unfair. 'ey always win." Neelkan grumbles softly for a moment.
Cheaters. They always win because they cheat. They use their cuteness and
stuff to make him think he's being a jerk, and he ends up feeling bad. And
because he could never hurt one, no matter how tempted he might be just to
smack the girl upside the head with a blunt metal object. He could do it in
a playful fashion, and barely thump them, but he could never do it with
intent to harm. They could beat him to a bloody pulp and he still wouldn't
hurt one. Bwah. Women're cheaters! Then he blinks as that last part is
processed and sits up even more, turning to let his legs dangle off the
bed, "Hey, Espi. I didn't say ya were unfair. Light, I mean I..." Arg. He
sucks at this stuff. "I mean yer m'friend 'n all. 'r least I consider ya
one. I don't 'ink ya would intentionally... hurt m' 'r nothin'. 'n I..." He
shrugs and trials off. This whole being open and stuff... not too good at
it. Especially not with a giiiiiirl.

Espiria smiles and nods, "Oh..I know that Neelkan. I've just never been
around anyone that felt that way before. Well...unless you can count my
uncle. But..he was way to the other end of the scale. He always thought
women should know their place..and stay there." She chuckles weakly,
remembering the loss of her aunt and cousins not long ago. "He was always
saying that women overstepped where they should be in the scheme of
things." She rolls her eyes, "He..took me in after my parents died, but
it..was never really home, ya' know?" She smiles, shaking her head gently.
"I should just let it drop though...forgive and forget." She blinks,
staying quiet for just a short while. "I know you'd never think of me that
way, Neelkan. I think of you as a friend too." She beams a happy smile,
head tipping to one side. "And..don't feel bad cuz' you can't get out all
you want to say...Don't worry about it. Even Da had problems in saying all
the mushy stuff... We still knew what he meant." She giggles softly,
standing up and heading back over to the bolt of fabric and cutting more
strips.

Grump. "Who said I was bein' mushy?" But it's only said in a grumpy
fashion. His expression isn't grumpy at all. In fact, Neelkan is back to
smirking again. He puts his hands on his knees and sits there for a few
moments, trying to think of something to say to add on to this conversation
that won't make it awkward. He has a friend. That happens to be a girl now.
And a younger girl at that! He knows Denn is probably older then him (good
thing he has no idea just -how- much older...) He's never been good with
dealing with younger people in general, because he never had to do it. He
was always the youngest everywhere he spent a lot of time in. Lately he
seems to have to do it a lot. Redd. Aed. Espi. Bwah. Ah. Here's a subject,
"Jessian offered t' get m' int' the trainin' program 'ere if I wanted. I'm
supposed t' give 'im m' answer tomorrow."

Espiria glances over to you with a grin, then goes back to her cutting of
the fabric. So many of these things to wrap today. She seems just a bit
distracted and perhaps that's good since she doesn't see any awkward
feelings you may express and thus embarrass yourself even more. She does
blink and look over to you though as something registers. "Really? That's
wonderful, Neelkan." She beams a happy smile, taking the small bundle back
to her chair and sitting down. As she begins to roll the bandages, she
looks over to you again with her head tipping to one side. "Have..you
decided if you want to do that? The training /is/ heard I hear, but well
worth it in the long run." She won't even ask if you're going on for
Gaidin...considering how you feel about most females.

"I've been 'inkin' 'bout it a lot, 'n I don't see why not!" Neelkan says in
response, his voice finally raising a little to his normal volume of
speaking, then he adds a little softer after spotting a glare of a Yellow,
"It'll mean I prolly won't be leavin' at least. I it doesn't matter how
hard the trainin' is 'ere. If I decide I wanna do it, I'll do it!" And he
means that just how it sounds too. He didn't even want to be a bandit
really, he just wanted to be just like the cooooooool Leader that stepped
in and recued a scrawny fifteen year old boy from getting robbed. He jumped
on the guys leg and begged and begged and even after he was kicked off he
tracked the guy back to his camp and snuck in. Presistance paid off there,
and in less then a year, even if he had been the youngest there, he was
named the Leader's second. Once he decides on something, there's no budging
this young man. Well, unless ya happen to be a woman. Grump.

Continuing to wrap the strips, Espi is quiet for a time, listening to your
words even as her eyes floow the motions of her hands. Once done with that
one, she beams a happy smile over to you. "I'm so happy for you, Neelkan.
Not many get accepted to train here. You must have something special that
they like." She hmms softly, finger rubbing her chin for a moment. "Maybe
they like your excitment at being able to try something new? Or..maybe they
like you strength of character even though you've had a few bad breaks."
She chuckles, placing the new roll onto her growing stack. "I think you'll
do just fine, Neelkan. I am so happy for you." She giggles, reaching for
another strip of material to roll.

Denn'ryiel sleeps peacefully upon one of the cots in the corner of the
room. Everything but her head is underneath linen sheets. Even while
dreaming Denn'ryiel smiles.

All this giggling, Neelkan has to chuckle softly at the girl for a few
moments. "I'm glad yer happy f'r m', 'n I heard ya the first time." His
grin is joined with a soft playful wink, since she did say she was 'so
happy' twice on there. "'n I got no idea what 'xactly he wanted m' f'r. I
mean he started with yellin' at m', 'n he even picked m' up by m' shirt!
'en he said how he'd heard 'bout m' 'n 'at I didn't have the best
reputation 'n all..." Nope. He has no idea why the Gaidin targeted him
specifically. "But I haven't said yes yet."

Espiria smiles a bit more as she looks down the rows and spots the sleeping
form of Denn. She's still here? I hope she's alright. She bites her lower
lip, hoping all the noise isn't disturbing her and she looks back to Neel
with a more subdued voice. "Were you thinking of saying no?" She blinks,
head tipping to one side in curiousity. "I..mean it's a great honor to be
asked and they wouldn't have unless they saw something about you have
showed promise." Sge covers her lips to cover a giggle. "Maybe they liked
how you stood up to a Gaidin.."

Denn'ryiel begins to stir as Neelkan and Espiria begin talking. Within a
few moments, she starts helping herself with her elbows on the bed. She
looks around a bit dizzily, and smiles when her eyes focus on Espiria and
Neelkan. "Good morning... or, whatever," she says quietly.

"I don't know. I just haven't decided fully t' say yes 'r not yet." Neelkan
answers with a shrug, just being truthful. Then he hears Denn's voice and
glances over. Oops. He really needs to learn to control the volume of his
voice when he gets excited about things. Which is very often. "G'mornin'
Denn. Sorry! I didn't mean t' wake ya." His grin moves into that bunched up
frown again for a moment, feeling a little guilty. Women always have a way
of making him feel guilty without even trying.

Espiria blinks and looks over to Denn with a raised brow. She's up in a
moment to head over to her as she smiles back to Neel. "Would you like
something to drink, Deen'ryiel?" She glances over to the pitcher of water
waiting at her bedside. "I'm sorry too...if I was being too loud. I never
meant to wake you." She tips her head to one side, biting her lip for a
short while. "Umm..You feeling any better?"

Denn'ryiel nods her head slightly as she pulls herself up against the
backboard of the bed. "I'd like a glass, if it's not too much to ask. Don't
apologize, though... you didn't sound too loud to me," she answers. She
extends the same waiver of guilt to Neelkan with a look and gentle smile.
"My apologies though, if I interrupted anything private."

Something private? "Denn, if I wanted t' talk 'bout somethin' in private, I
wouldn't be doin' it in the infirmary!" Neelkan says, his smirk return and
that playful wink making another appearance. He continues to sit with his
legs dangling off the side of the bed, letting Espi do her thing and get
his other female friend in the Tower something to drink. "I really hope yer
feelin' better..." He was worried. Though he'll never say that. Since he
was... gone from the Tower for a whole day he wasn't able to check and make
sure Denn was doing better after the Parade...

Espiria beams a happy smile to Denn, nodding as she pours her a glass of
the water. She shakes her head to her, chuckling. "It's not trouble at
all." She glances over to Neel, smirking just a bit. Boy..they sure will
have their hands full when they try teaching him. She glances over to Denn
again, handing over the glass once she is settled where she wants. "Here
you go..." She shakes her head a bit though, "You weren't interupting. I
was mostly asking Neelkan how he was..and he was telling me that he's
recieved an offer to train here." She chuckles, glancing back over to him
with a warm smile. It's not like it'll be a secret soon anyway. Nothing
stays that way long around here. And besides, she knows Denn is a friend to
him also...she should be able to share in the joy of that offer.

Denn'ryiel's face beams as she hears the news from Espiria. She moves her
feet off the bed and sits there facing the other two. She takes a few
moments to drink before responding; however. "That's great news, Neelkan.
Such offers are not made lightly." At Neelkan's concern she nods slightly.
"I am feeling better; much better, actually. I don't remember much, but I
was told I have you to thank largely for it."

"I'm supposed t' give m' answer tomorrow." Neelkan repeats for Denn this
time, shrugging slightly at this honor or whatever. He has no idea the
offers aren't just made to every young man who happens to find himself in
the Tower, but from the surprise and happiness he's seen from his friends
so far he's starting to get an idea... Then at the last part he ducks his
head, letting his hair hide his face a little before he says, "It was
nothin', really! Just went 'n got Aliana Sedai 'n she did all the hard
stuff!" Sedai? Yup. Sedai. Hmmm. He's a little... embarassed at the
graditude it seems.

Espiria glances over to Denn, grinning gently as she darts a glance to Neel
and his sudden shyness. "That might be true, Neel, but there was so much
chaos going on that noone would have known she was hurt until it was too
late if you hadn't of done that. You did a good thing, Neel." She smiles,
glancing back over to Denn's glass in the event she would like more.

Denn'ryiel nods in complete agreement to Espiria as she drains her glass.
"I'm in your debt, it appears," she says, smiling. "Could I have a little
more water, Espiria?" she asks the Novice politely.

If it wasn't for his hair obscuring his face for the most part, someone
might notice that Neelkan's cheeks are almost as red as the parts of his
hair that aren't white. "Ya... ya don't have t' be in m' debt, Denn." he
says in a soft voice, trying not to sound too... flustered. And failing for
the most part. "I mean, I couldn't just leave ya layin' 'ere! Not after ya
were sittin' next t' m' 'n all... 'n yer m'... uh... friend..." Arg. Light.
Could the two of them kindly lay off the embarassing stuff, please?

Espiria smiles at Denn, nodding for a moment as she takes the glass and
refills it for her. She chuckles and nods, eyes darting over to Neel again
as she comments. "Freinds do for friends..right Neelkan? At least all the
ones that I've known do." She shrugs a shoulder, handing the glass back to
Denn before she grabs a handfull of the cut strips and begins to roll them.
"Anyone with conscience and with the heart..wouldn't have left anyone
behind. I know that..." She chuckles shaking her head, "They whole thing
was just...scary. That guy floating up out of the crowds like
that...everyone going nuts like they did..." She sighs softly, glancing
across the room again as she frowns. "I..hope they catch him before he
hurts anyone else without really understanding what he's doing."

Denn'ryiel nods once to Espiria. "I hope they catch him too, but I haven't
heard any word on that, one way or the other. At least no one was killed."
Turning back to Neelkan, she smiles. "Alright, but I'll only cancel the
debt if you agree to stop looking so embarrassed," she says, grinning.

And they're just making it worse! Neelkan isn't good with this kind of
thing. Whenever he did things for his sisters or friends he'd barely ever
get a thanks and usually (especially when it was his sisters) he'd even get
yelled at like he'd done something wrong! But... all that talk about the
male channeler... and the stampede of people... He looks up and stares
straight forward for a few moments, his face going back to it's normal
color. "It... it was a lil'... odd, ye'h..." He adds on softly, still
staring forward. He wasn't scared of the man, or the stampede... He was
scared of something else entirely...

Espiria glances over to Neel, "Umm..it's okay Neelkan. I won't mention it
again. It's..just best left to those who can fight him and stop him." She
shrugs a shoulder, "I'm just a Novice..a beginner. I'm not even going to
pretend to understand what goes thru someone like that when they feel the
loss of control that they end up having." She sighs, going back to her
wrapping again. Then she changes the topic and looks over to Denn as well
as Neel. "I learned what a talent of mine is though....Keay Sedai tested
me." She beams a happy smile over that.

Denn'ryiel smiles to Espiria widely and nods. "Healing?" she asks, since
she is in an infirmary. "Or another?"

Taking in a deep breath, Neelkan just shakes his head. He isn't even going
to say that that wasn't the reason he was suddenly bothered. Instead he
just says, "Don't worry 'bout it, Espi! I'm fine." He quirks his mouth back
into a smirk and listens to the news about having a talent... What's a
talent exactly? He's lost when it comes to One Power conversation for the
most part. Healing? That one he understands! "What Talent? 'n what all
talents are 'ere?" He's curious, and she brought the topic up first.

Espiria blinks, biting her lower lip for a moment before she thinks.
"Umm..I'm not sure of all the names really. There are talents that allow
someone to make things out of nothing. Find stuff in the earth like metal
and such. There are ones for fortelling the future. Umm..There is one where
someone has dreams of things that could happen..or might happen. That kind
of thing." She smiles happily, head tipping to one side. "I..don't know if
healing is one of mine, Denn'ryiel. Keay Sedai said I had to learn the
weaves and such before i ever got to try that. But..I am really strong with
animals though. I..can talk to them..and see thru their eyes. Make them
feel what I want them to feel." She frowns, "Poor mouse...I didn't know
that it would get hurt."

Denn'ryiel nods to Espiria, and her smiles falters slightly. "Compulsion
with animals... it's a very serious ability, Espiria. You need to make
certain that you use it responsibly."

Suddenly, Neelkan's face goes completely pale, color draining out of his
cheeks. White as those streaks in his hair. His eyes even widen a little.
His breathing speeds up a little, but it doesn't exactly sound steady. Hmm?
What's wrong now. He doesn't even seem to hear all of the end of Espiria's
answer to the question of her talent. After a few moments he asks softly,
"All 'ese... talents 'r connected t'.. uh.. channelin'?"

Espiria glances over to Neel, shaking her head. "Nope..not all of them.
Some of them are just special things people get for no real reason at
all..except they are special." Her eyes then actually /see/ Neel and she's
up in a flash and over to him, "Neelkan? You..alright? You're as white as a
sheet." She grabs a glass and quickly pours some water for him, frowning
slightly. "Here...try to relax..take some water maybe?" She glances over to
Denn worry on her features.

Denn'ryiel also tries to get up from her seat, but by the time she manages
to get standing, Espiria is already by Neelkan's side. So she sits back
down. "I'm afraid most of them are, Neelkan, yes," she says, somberly.

Neelkan liked Epsi's answer a lot more then Denn's, unfortunately. For a
few moments he was actually starting to calm down, and then the other
answer about most of them being... and he clenches the end of his bed with
his hand, as if trying to keep from falling off. Oh. Wait. Water? It takes
a few moments for his mind to catch up to the water part and reach out with
his hand (the one that isn't clencing the side of the bed) and takes the
glass and gulps down about half of it without lowering it. He isn't looking
too well.

Espiria frowns gently, staying close to Neel as she darts her eyes over to
Denn. She thinks quickly, trying to remember the ones that she was told
don't. "Umm...There are those that don't though. Even if it's only a few.
Umm..." She bites her lower lip, not understanding why this is bothering
him so badly. "I..think that dreaming didn't use any. Yeah..that's right.
Kaey Sedai told me that Dreaming and fortelling don't. They..just happen."
She shrugs, darting another worried glance over to Denn. "I mean..that's
right, isn't it Denn'ryiel?"

Denn'ryiel nods once in agreement to Espiria. "Thos two are the ones that
come to mind first and foremost. Detecting Ta'veren is another. But most of
us do have to work with the Source to use our Talents." She simply gives
Neelkan the truth as she knows it.

Christabel opens the door to the infirmary and stands in the doorway for a
momment.. She does /not/ look happy. But only for a momment. Only for as
long as it takes her to force herself to calm.. Then a small smile comes to
her face and she steps inside, closing the door softly behind her.

Liiiiiiight. Neelkan doesn't look very good sitting on his bed with his
legs dangling over the edge. His face is nearly as pale as the white
streaks throughout his red hair, and he's gripping the edge of the bed like
he might fall off. The other hand is holding a glass and he's staring
straight forward. At nothing. Not a thing. Then he finally nods softly and
allows himself to.. well.. breathe. That's a start. Finally he forces out,
very softly, "I was.. just.. wonderin'..." Ye'h. He's so pale and looks a
little freaked out because he was curious. Mmmhmm.

Espiria blinks and bites her lower lip, face forming into a frown as she
stands near to his bed. "Are...you feeling better?" Her concerned tones are
aimed to Neel of course, considering his state at the moment. She comes up
with another idea, grabbing one of the clean cloths that she was going to
use as a bandage and pouring some of the water into it.
"Neel....here...Neel? Her's a damp cloth...to cool your face off. You need
some more water?" She's clearly worried about him since he /did/
freak..just not screaming freak...but freak out he did. "I'm..so sorry that
I mentioned it. I..didn't know it would bother you so badly to hear about
such things. I'm..sorry, Neel."

Denn'ryiel also looks concerned for Neelkan, but remains seated on her cot
a few beds down. "Neelkan, if there is something troubling you, you can
tell us. I'm sorry we worried you." She turns when she hears another enter,
and her eyes widen slightly as she spots the Sedai from the podium.

Christabel's eyes glance about briefly until they find the target of her
trip here. Novice Espiria... She pauses though as she hears the words being
spoken... and takes only a few steps forward.. waiting. No need to interupt
just yet.

"No.. no.. I don't need more water.. I'm.. fine. Really!! Ya.. ya don't
have t' apologize!" Neelkan tries to sound honest, holding the now
half-empty glass back towards the novice. He's trying not to show he's
freaking out. Though they seem to have caught on to that... Then his eyes
follow Denn's and he sees the woman from the podium.... There goes any
semblance of calm. The glass drops out of his hand and he stops breathing.
Or at least he's now holding his breath. Oh Light. Oh Light. He... he
really should lay down. This has been a bad few days over all, and they
keep getting worse.

Espiria nods gently to Neel, reaching out for the glass just as it goes the
the floor and crashes. She jumps back, glass flying from where it hit. She
bites her lip and looks up again to see what causes Neel to act so. Oh...
She quickly bobs a neat curtsey to Christa, blinking as she darts a glance
back to Neel. "Please...please try to calm down. You're going to make
yourself sick, Neelkan. Please...try to get a hold of yourself." She looks
right into his eyes, shaking her head. "Ther's nothing to be afraid of
Neel. it's just Christabel Sedai. Please...friend...try to relax." She
turns to the glass, taking a towel and pulling the shard to one side until
she can clean them from the floor.

Christabel doesn't even blink as the glass falls to the floor. She does
tilt her head slightly though.. She has had other's fear her... one child
even screamed... but this... She seems to try to remember his name but
cannot.. and so turns to the novice. "Novice Espiria.. Is something wrong
here?" Her voice is soft, curious.. not the least bit antagonistic. Nothing
to be afraid of...

Neelkan isn't afraid of her though. He's afraid of something else all
together. Not just afraid. Terrified. He'd rather get dropped in a river of
milk. He'd be less afraid. (The only things he's ever feared in his life
are oddly enough deep water and milk.) When he's finally able to breathe he
takes in a few deep breaths, then moves to get off the bed, not caring that
he's stepping barefoot on broken glass and water. "I.. I have t' go..."
That's the only thing he can really think of right now. He has to go. He
has to get out of here. This can't be happening!

Espiria blinks and opens her mouth to speak, when Neel gets up and moves
away from her. "Neel...You can't leave. Wtyntere Sedai wanted you to stay
so she could help you. You know that... She cares what happens to you as do
I. There's nothing to be afraid of Neel. Please...stay. We are going to be
very worried for you..especially the state your in. Please...Talk to
Wyntere Sedai if something is troubling you. You know you can talk to you,
right? She's always been nice to you...as I have." She looks with worry to
her friend, but stays just far enough away as is proper. "Please...won't
you please wait for her? Talk to her before you go?" She glances over to
Christa, biting her lower lip in nervousness for a moment. "I..I'm not
sure, Christabel Sedai. I don't think he's feeling well at the moment and
he seems very...well scared of something." She motions to his white face.
"I've never seen him so scared before.."

Christabel looks to Neelkan and pauses, then walks towards him with long
strides. The glow of Saidar surrounds her as she moves, and a hand raises
to touch Neelkan... a short weave flooding into him.

She's never seen him this scared, because he's never been this scared...
Neelkan looks like he... or at least until the weave enters him. Topped on
to Espiria's words trying to get him to stay... and talk about what's
wrong... He made it a few steps towards the door, then stopped to listen to
what his friend had to say. When the weave enters him though, he was just
about to bolt again. He makes a half step when all of a sudden... his
facial expressions lighten and he calms down, but also loses what was
driving him to get out of here, and just falls to his knees right there. At
least he doesn't start crying. He'd never live that down.

Espiria widens her eyes and moves to Neel's side. "Oh..Neelkan." She sighs
softly, shaking her head before she glances back up to Christa. "Thank you,
Christabel Sedai." She moves out of the way as two Yellows finally hear the
commotion. The won't let Espi help pick him up, but then they are used to
carrying the injured when needed. They manage to get him back into bed,
pulling the covers up and tucking him back in. One does check him over, but
finds nothing wrong exactly so she slips back away and to more needy
patients. Espi watches all of this with wide eyes. Could..just talling
about talents have bothered him that badly? She stands watching him for a
moment, worry on her face for her friend.

Christabel just stands there as the Yellows take the boy back to his bed.
She seems to be thinking... She glances down to Espiria and, bites a lower
lip. She is only a Novice.. she musn't expect so much from her... She sighs
softly and walks over to Neelkan's bed, sitting on the edge and looking at
him closely. "What is your name young man?" she asks softly.. kindly..

Neelkan doesn't fight at all as the Yellows carry him around. That's so
unlike him... He's really out of it right now. This... new fear... thrown
on top of everything else that's happen the last few days... just too much
for the young man to cope with right now. His emotions are overloading. The
calming weave probably helped though. After a few moments he gives an
answer softly, "Shu...uh...Neelkan." Blood and ashes! So out of it he
almost said his real name...

Espiria looks on with worry, but she manages to keep her lips closed. She
wasn't asked for info, so she's not going to say anything. It's better that
way, but at least she can be here for her friend and let him know he's not
alone. What is that bothered him? Did I do that? She wraps her arms around
her for comfort, worrying if she is the cause of his problem. Will nothing
ever go right with me? She closes her eyes, sighing deeply as she waits.

Christabel examines the young man for a few momments then stans and turns
back to Espiria. "I would like to see you when you have the time Espiria. I
would like to speak with you." She /sounds/ friendly... she /sounds/ as if
it isn't trouble...

With that said, and without really waiting for a responce, but smiling down
at the Novice nonetheless... she walks out... her green coat billowing
behind her.

Deeeeep breaths. That's what Neelkan takes for the first few moments after
the Aes Sedai leaves. The Aes Sedai that triggered his little emotional
break down there for a moment. After the talent conversation it just
seemed... really strange. Because she had been the... nevermind. He doesn't
want to think about it. After the Aes Sedai is gone, he notices... Espi's
distress. "Uh.. Espi? I... I didn't mean t' scare ya..." He thinks that
must be what's wrong with her. "I just.. I'm fine.. sorry..." Gah. He feels
awful for being scared now. See what being around girls does to him?

Espiria takes a quick seat after Christa leaves, heaving a sigh of relief
that you seem to be calming down. Her face bears the worried gaze of before
since she still feels it's her fault for what just happened. "I..wasn't
scared really. I..was really sad that I made that happen to you." She
shakes her head, looking with continued concern to you. "Why did you..freak
out so bad, Neel. Was it what I mentioned?" She looks down, sadly
considering her hands. "Was it..something having to do with talents? If..if
it was..I'll never mention them again. I promise. Just..please don't get
sick again?" Yeah..well okay. maybe she was scared out of her whits there
for awhile. Mainly because it seems that she causes all sorts of things to
happen lately...even without wanting them too. "I..never wanted to upset
you, Neelkan. I'm...just glad that Christabel Sedai came in when she did.
I...wouldn't have wanted to leave and end up getting hurt because of the
state you were in."

Neelkan isn't going to say that if Christabel Sedai hadn't come in, he
probably wouldn't have freaked out as bad as he did... "Espi... Don't worry
'bout it. Wasn't yer fault..." He asked the questions. He got curious. You
gave him the answers. Just because he didn't like the answers and made him
think something he'd never considered before... well... "It's not yer
fault." He looks away and closes his eyes. He's never been so consiously
scared of something in his life. He considers something for a long moment,
then opens his eyes and turns his face back over towards you. Before he
says anything he looks around before lowering his voice, so only you could
hear it. Or at least hopefully. "I... if ya wanted... I.." Light! This is
hard... He bites his lower lip for a few seconds. "I'll tell ya... if..."
No. No. He can't tell her! She'll probably hate him! Or be scared of him!
He'll lose one of his only Tower friends! The thought alone scared the hell
out of him, and he's hard to scare. How would a young girl take it!? All
these doubts and worries could be easily seen on his face if anyone looked
at him.

Espiria blinks, tipping her head to one side. "But..it was my fault. At
least partly. I..should never have dumped all of that one you, Neelkan."
She shakes her head slowly, "So...much has happened to me that I sometimes
forget myself." She sighs, looking down for a moment as she wonders if her
life will /ever/ be normal again. You're worrying about freaking her? You
would probably have a coranary if you knew about her. She thinking about
this when she hears you speak again, "If? We're friends, Neelkan. I'm not
going to change how I feel..no matter what you tell me. I'm not that
way..and I certainly wasn't raised that way." She notes your expression,
taking a deep breath to calm her own nerves. "If..it will help you to say
it..then just say it. Like i said..I'm your friend and always will be,
Neel. That will never change."

The expression of worry and doubt slowly drain from his face, and Neelkan
forces a half-smirk and a small nod, then lets his eyes trail up on the
cieling for a moment. He's never talked about this before. He almost talked
about it with Redd the other day... almost... After the boy had that bad
dream. And after he'd heard about the boy's strange... visions. Or
whatever. But this isn't something he's ever talked about. With anyone.
Erk. "M'be it would help...." He takes a deep breath. He will promptly die
after he says this, or at least that's how it feels right now. It all comes
out in a whispered rush of words, "I freaked out so bad cuz I 'ink I might
have onna 'ose talents ya mentioned..." He clenches his eyes closed as if
expecting you to start screaming and yelling for the Aes Sedai... Light, he
doesn't want this. Go away! Hey, maybe he could sympathize with you a
little, Espi.

Espiria moves to take a seat, making herself comfortable since it seems you
are taking her advice. She relaxes so that she won't let anything odd
happen. please not now. She smiles and nods to your words, but stays silent
since she doesn't want to disupt the courage that you've found to speak of
this. The only reaction that she maks is a lifting of a brow, when you make
your admission. She blinks, head tipping to one side and clearly more
curious than afraid of you. Regardless of what you can do, your still a
friend of her's. She thinks for a moment before commenting, "Is..is that
why you freaked out so badly? Because you think you might be channeling?"
Odd reaction for her to have, but then life for her has been more than odd
lately. "Which..one do you think you have?"

Eh? No... screaming. One of those bright blue-green eyes of Neelkan's peek
open. Just one. Then they widen at the words and as he takes in the
reaction, the other one joining the first. She's not freaking!?? No. Maybe
she's just better at hiding it then he was... His eyes go back to normal
now and he looks away from her as he answers the questions, "Ye'h... Denn
said most of 'em come with channelin'... 'n..." He lets out a small sigh,
and closes his eyes again. If he keeps then closed he can just pretend he's
talking to himself. Somehow that's easier. His voice is still soft though,
"The one 'bout dreams 'at tell the future 'n stuff......"

Espiria widens her eyes just a bit, nodding quietly before she smiles.
"Yes..but you might also have not heard that we both said that
Dreaming...Foretelling and Ta'veren as the 3 that would normally /not/ need
channeling to work." She smiles, shaking her head. "If you can dream
things...That's a wonderful gift. And I feel that you are a good person and
wouldn't be given anything bad. You certainly aren't crazy..which marks a
man who can channel a mile away." She grins, trying to help you feel better
about things. "Are you going to mention it to Wyntere Sedai? I..think she
can help you find out all about it..if you still believe she is your
friend? I know I trust her with my life...I've had to, Neelkan in more ways
than you can imagine." She sighs softly, shaking her head. "You..aren't the
only one with odd things to happen to them." She smiles, still calm and
honestly caring for you still.

Neelkan just opens his eyes again in the middle of that, right around the
time you mention Wyn. "I dunno... What am I supposed t' say 'xactly? 'Oh, I
'ink I had a dream 'bout what happened at the parade 'fore it actually
happened.'?" Sigh. He looks up at the ceiling again. That would probably
explain why his freaking increased when Christabel entered, and his
reactions after the Parade if you had seen them. "'n I don't want it. I
don't want 'is. Why can't it just... go 'way... It's nothin' but a pain.
I've ne'er been able t' sleep well, e'er since I was really young. But at
least 'en I could convince m'self 'ey were... just dreams." Kinda hard to
do that now... It's a talent! It's something people really can do! And he
wants it to go away. "I mean, Light," he reaches a hand up and sticks it in
his white-streaked hair, then raises his voice a little more then he has
been, "look at m' hair! Ya think I was born like 'is!"

Espiria stays quiet for a moment as she thinks, "I think you should be
honest about it. She is a very understanding woman, Neelkan. She's seen
more than any of us could ever think possible. That's why I feel so safe in
her hands. I..know I'll be safe even if..." She bites her lip, biting back
the rest of that comment and hoping she hasn't said too much already.
"I../know/ that she would try to help you in some way. Teach you how not to
see maybe? How...to maybe distance yourself if you do?" She shakes her
head, "I've read a few books in the library and they say it can be done
with hard work and learning how to control yourself in other ways." She
sighs, lifting a shoulder to shrug. "You..have it because the Wheel wills
it so. I..never asked for me to be this way either, Neel. Never asked
for..what's been happening to me. But..I have to hold onto the belief that
it's for something important. I..may just be a small part of something
important, but I will help the Wheel in whatever way I can..if it stops the
Dark from growing stronger." She glances at the window for just a moment,
"I..was raised on a farm for goodness sake. I..wasn't ready for any.." Her
hand motiosn to the room...the Tower. "Of this. I certainly wasn't ready to
have to come here..or learning that I can channel. But it's there..and I
/have/ to learn to control it. If I..can be strong. If I can learn
enough...maybe I can help others. Those maybe who can't help themselves..."

Neelkan listens to all that in silence, still keeping his hand in his hair,
one of his eyes covered by the heel of his hand, but his other eye is doing
all the watching. Watching you too. He takes slow breaths, and calms
himself down from the moment of anger there. When you finish and it's his
turn to say something, he contiues to remain silent for a little while
longer. Then he offers a small lop-sided grin and asks, "Ya want m' t' tell
Kaomi 'bout it too?" Kaomi!? He's on a first name basis with the AMYRLIN
SEAT!? Ye'h. Ya got a problem with that? He didn't KNOW she was the Amyrlin
until the very end of the conversation! Honest! But he'll still call her by
her first name most likely. He's just that kind of person. He doesn't even
pause, no matter what your reaction and adds on, "Yer right. Whate'er 'is
is I got 'xactly was given t' m' f'r a reason, 'n if it can help 'en..." He
shrugs. "I still kinda wished it'd not be so annoyin' though." Grump.
That's one word for it. Annoying. The boy can barely get a full night's
sleep, and sometimes he refuses to sleep at all, and hence ends up staying
up all night and just trying to do anything -but- sleep... Sigh. But he
seems to feel better. Or at least that's what it seems like. He still
doesn't like this at all.

Espiria raises a slim brow, pursing her lips for just a moment as she
ponders that. Tell Mother? Hmm... Now why would she hesitate to just say
yes? Only she knows, but she is quiet for a few moments before she can find
the words to say what she wants to say. "I think that to tell Wyntere Sedai
first, since she is much less busy most times is the best way to go. Mother
is so bogged down with all sorts of things right now..and Wyntere Sedai is
nearly always available. Besides..you feel more friends with her right?
I..think that to speak to friends first of all will help you feel even more
better about all of this." She smiles warmly, nodding. "Yes...it's all for
a reason and I know there have to be ways to help you with this. Help you
to get sleep nights and so that you won't be so completely plagued by what
you see." She says that with an odd tone to her voice. Almost like she
understands about seeing/hearing things other than the norm, but she says
nothing else on that. Her hand smooths down her dress as she tips her head
to one side. She looks back to you coming up with an idea that may help you
even more. "I..could speak to Wyntere Sedai first of all..so you won't have
to just jump into things right off. I could tell her about what you said
and then she could come down to talk to you, already knowing what you
needed to speak to her about." She glances around to the other sister busy
with patients. "It..might help you not worry over other listening in on
private conversations too..if she already knows what your talking about.
That way..you won't have to say it right out.." She smiles again, slipping
into a chair cross from you. "Do..you think you would like me to do that
for you?"

Denn'ryiel walks into the Infirmary slowly, after a quick trip to the
Dining Hall. She makes her way back to her cot, smiling and nodding to both
Neelkan and Espiria.

Alright, well, Neelkan doesn't exactly process everything very quickly, so
all he does is nod while he thinks over what has been said. "Ya'd go 'n
talk t' Wyn f'r m'?" But of course she would. He didn't have to ask that
question. She said so more then once. Maybe he really is just slow on these
sorts of things... "'at might be a good way t' start. Though I'd rather not
talk 'bout 'is in 'ere at all..." He casts a glare around the room a little
bit. Sigh. He just doesn't care much for this place. Had to spend too much
time here lately. Then during his glare he spots Denn and smiles. Well,
that's one way to end the slightly awkward conversation.

Espiria tips her head in the direction that Neel looks, smiling to Denn.
She chuckles softly, making it seem like nothing at all serious was being
spoken of. "Don't worry, Neelkan. I'll make sure everything works out okay
for you." She tips her head back to Neel, smiling before she manages to
rise from her seat. "You know...I will probably be looked for about now. I
should get that bolt of fabric back to the storeroom and then get back to
my chores." She grins, covering over her worry for her friend. "I'll be
back later to see you again, if that's alright?" She reaches for the bolt,
leaving the neatly stacked rolls already made on the table for the Yellows
to place away where they need them most. She pauses in front of Neel's bed,
nodding to him. "And rest easy, okay? You'll be better in no time. I know
you will..." She chuckles softly, offering a reassuring glance to him
before she starts heading for the door. best to see about this now..so he
can rest easy that it's being worked on.

Denn'ryiel nods low to Espiria as she passes her. "Light shine, Espiria.
And thank you for your help earlier," she says, smiling. She takes a seat
back down on her bed and faces Neelkan. Well, there was a wall on the other
direction. "Are you feeling alright Neelkan? You were looking pretty
stressed when I left the room earlier. And that was before Christabel
walked over."

Hrmpt. "I'm just fine right now," Neelkan says softly in a minor grump,
working to push himself into a sitting position on the bed again. Just
because he freaked out earlier doesn't mean he's going to let himself be
confined to a bed again! He hates that. He was only laying down originally
in here because he needed to sulk by himself. "I'm fine. Really." he says
reassuringly to Denn. Stress. That's one word for what had him so freaked
out. Then he turns back to Espi and smirks at her again, "I won't keep ya
from yer work, 'r whate'er. Bye."

Espiria chuckles softly, nodding her head as she stands by the door. "I was
happy to help you, Denn'ryiel." She smiles, chuckling just a bit more as
she nods to Neel. "Ah..a Novice's work is never done.." She chuckles and
strikes a dramatic pose with her hand on her forehead before she breaks
into giggles and heads out of the room, "Light guard you both."

Denn'ryiel laughs back at the cheerful novice, before turning back to
Neelkan and nodding once. A small frown appears on her face, since Neelkan
apparently doesn't want to talk about what happened. She was only trying to
help. She changes the subject though, before her frown ends up making
Neelkan feel guilty again. "May I ask, which Gaidin made the offer to you?"

Too late. The minute he notices the fround, Neelkan has a soft stab of
guilt. But he pushes it away in a few moments and turns to dangle his feet
off the bed again. "Uh.. Jessian somethin'-'r-other. Don't really know if I
like the idea of some guy I ne'er e'en heard of knowin' so much 'bout m'
though! He e'en knew I hated women!" Course then again the young man did
come stomping into the Tower last night grumbling a mantra of 'I hate
women' over and over through his teeth right before the gaidin spoke to
him...

Denn'ryiel chuckles. "Well, you do mention that fact often... Surprising
often considering that you're staying in a Tower full of them." Or is it
full of us? She pours herself another glass of water before turning back.
"Have you given any additional thought to it while I was out?"

There's a pause, and Neelkan looks away for a moment... "Uh, sorta. I
think, e'en if I don't decide t' train 'ere, 'at I'm gonna see if I can
still stay..." Though they likely wouldn't let him unless he told them the
reason why he'd be interested in staying. "I dunno. I'll prolly say yes
though." He adds with a shrug.

Denn'ryiel nods once, looking quite confused. But a warmer smile returns at
the final sentence. "It will be good to have you around more, you certainly
make things more interesting. Could... could I ask, what changed your mind?
I mean, nothing personal, but when we first met you couldn't be more eager
to leave this place."

Neelkan frowns slightly, then shrugs again, "I dunno. Lotta thin's, I
guess. Don't get m' wrong, still not 'at fond'a women in general, but yer
not all bad. Not all'a ya're like m' sisters. 'n I'm not 'at fond'a stayin'
on an island either..." He actually shivers a little at the thought. "But
ya've been nice t' m'. 'n Wyn's been nice t' m'. 'n 'ere's Espi. 'n Redd,
and Light, e'en 'at boy Aed. Don't think I've e'er had so many friends
'fore, 'specially not half of 'em bein' female." He pauses again. "'ere are
other reasons, but..." He scratches at his hair and trails off.

Denn'ryiel nods once more, but she still looks confused. She also looks a
bit curious now, as well. She stands up slowly and moves over to sit on a
closer bed. "Other reasons?" she asks, with a raised eyebrow.

Neelkan lowers his head and sighs, letting his hair fall in front of his
eyes again after his hand falls into his lap. After a few moments his
blue-green eyes look up again, peering through his hair and he adds, "Well,
it's just e'ery day I stay 'ere I end up with a reason 'r two t' stay
longer! I mean I cud've taken the silver 'at Kaomi gave m' the other day 'n
not come back. 'specially after... well.. some not very good stuff
happened. But I did..." That's not all, but... It says sort of what he
wanted to say... Sort of. He never was good with this kind of thing...

Denn'ryiel nods once as she listens. She readjusts the vest around her,
that still has the holes in it from the incident. Apparently she only owns
one. "That's alright Neelkan. You don't have to answer any more than you
have if you don't want..." Trailing off, she gives thought to another line.
"Have you spoken with any trainees yet, to find out what trainee life is
like?"

"No. But whate'er it's like, if I decide t' do it 'ey ain't gettin' rid'a
me if 'ey try!" Neelkan says with a soft yell, showing off just how he can
be when he's determined about something. "I mean, Light, I became a ban..."
Erk. He really need to watch his tongue sometimes. "I've become stuff
without knowin' 'xactly what I'm gettin' m'self int' 'fore. In fact, it's
prolly better if I don't know!"

Denn'ryiel blinks, and that confused look reappears on her face. "Ban?" she
asks, clueless as to what that was supposed to be.

Neelkan sighs softly at having been sited on his half slip. "'fore I came
'ere I was part'a a..." He glances around. Who knows how the Aes Sedai
would react to this. Might want to lock him up! Glare. He at least trusts
his friends not to react too badly... "I was a bandit. 'ey're the ones 'at
gave m' m'name."

Denn'ryiel blinks, looking quite surprised. "Oh... Oh, I see... Well, I
guess everyone has a skeleton in their closet." Perhaps not a skeleton this
large though. "How long were you a bandit?"

"'bout two years." Neelkan says softly, frowning a little at the reaction.
A'right, so it wasn't exactly ideal. Maybe he shouldn't have mentioned
it... "Sorry.. I shouldn't have mentioned it." he tags on, agreeing with
his thought instantly.

Denn'ryiel shakes her head. "No, it's alright Neelkan. I don't judge people
on what they were, even though I suppose there are good aspects even to
bandits. You have been a good friend, and that is what is important." She
smiles a little more, to convince him of what she said.

"I thought bein' a bandit was a dirty occupation at first m'self. Least
'til I met the Leader!" Neelkan actually seems to brighten up a little as
he remembers the really neat Leader he had. "I was only fifteen, 'n I was
tryin' t' run 'way from home after m' sis 'n I got int' a fight. I stumbled
int' 'ier area. But he wouldn't let his men take m'things, and he was...
well, he was really neat. I wanted t' be just like 'im. He was... very
impressive. He wasn't gonna lemme join though, cuz I was so young, but I
kept after 'im til he let m'!" Uh. Maybe he should lower his voice again...

Denn'ryiel chuckles and nods. "Fifteen's about the age of a lot of the
trainees here, so I know what kind of decisions are made. Even if he was a
bandit, it sounds like he was a positive influence in your life."

"Oh ye'h!" Neelkan grins with a huge smile. And yes, it's an actual smile.
"He's the one who gave m' 'ose earrin's I want back so much. I got 'em when
he made m' his Second." He was the youngest bandit but the Leader made him
the Second? Hmm. "I'd give 'em back if I could, but I got no idea where
'ey'd be now, 'n 'ey prolly 'ink I died 'r something." He doesn't want to
consider that maybe -they- died... Bwah. "We moved 'round a lot, so I
wouldn't be surprised if 'ey were in another nation by now."

Denn'ryiel nods once, and her smile falters somewhat. "You... you do
realize that often Gaidin are called upon to put an end to bandit raids,
correct?"

Neelkan shrugs a little, looking off to the side for a few moments, "No...
I didn't know. But 'en I prolly still wouldn't know a Gaidin from just
another man yet either... 'n..." Bwah. He doesn't know. "What're ya tryin'
t' say 'xactly..?"

Denn'ryiel sighs, and glances over to a Warder, who is assisting his Yellow
Sedai. "Neelkan, a Gaidin is a warrior who has trained fully here at the
Tower. Some serve as Warders for Sedai, but all act in benefit of the
Light."

Neelkan still doesn't seem to understand. And he honestly says so. "I
really don't understand, Denn. Jessian sorta 'xplained what a Gaidin is, 'n
I'd heard of Warders 'fore I came 'ere... but... What does 'at have t' do
with m' havin' been a bandit?"

Redd lies asleep in his bed.

Denn'ryiel sighs and shakes her head. "I'm just saying... if you do decide
to become a trainee, you might later be asked to fight bandits... perhaps
even those you used to fight with."

Oh. Neelkan hadn't thought of that... frown. Arg. He doesn't like the idea
of having to fight his former group. 'specially the Leader... But... "Well,
if it comes t' 'at, 'en I will, but the chances 'at I'll be forced t' fight
'em are pretty small... right?"

Denn'ryiel nods, and smiles a little more as she conceeds that possibility.
"That's true enough, I guess. I just wanted to know if you'd be comfortable
with fighting the kind of people you used to associate with." She reaches
up and moves a wisp of hair from her eyes. "I shouldn't be talking, though.
I'm never going to have anything to do with warders most likely, I'm
afraid."

"Why not?" Neelkan won't even pretend to understandfully the relationship
between Sedai and Gaidin. He just knows the Gaidin protect the Aes Sedai,
and they pair off kind of. And he won't pretend to understand why Denn
isn't Aes Sedai, or whatever either... He's sitting up on his usual bed,
with his legs dangling off the side and hair falling over into his eyes a
little.

Redd sits up slowly, appearing still a little weak from the Healing,
looking around slowly.

Denn'ryiel sighs, and shakes her head. "Warders are for Sedai. Only they
are allowed to bond, and since I'm not going to be a Sedai..." She lifts
her arms helplessly.

Bond? Neelkan will ask later. He's heard bonding mentioned before, and a
few Aes Sedai made references to sensing something about their Warder...
"Well, ya don't need one, Denn! Ya got m' remember?" He winks slightly,
showing that he's being playful for the most part. "Warders protect Aes
Sedai, 'n I protect m' friends!" So there!

Denn'ryiel grins and smiles. "Well, if you do become a trainee, I have
little doubt you'll do well and rise to become a Gaidin. When that happens,
you'll have enough trouble looking out for whatever Sedai is lucky enough
to bond you. But thank you for your offer."

"Hey, e'en if I make Gaidin, 'at doesn't mean I gotta 'bond' 'r whate'er...
Does it?" Neelkan asks from where he's sitting on his usual bed, his legs
dangling off the side slightly. Looks like he did return after all!
Surprise, surprise. What's all this talk about making Gaidin? Hmmm.

Denn'ryiel shakes her head, smiling. "No, you don't have to. There are
those that don't bond anyone and serve in the army, or stay behind and
train new trainees... but the vast majority do choose to bond." She is
sitting on the cot across from Neelkan, speaking with him.

Redd stops his eyes on Neelkan, remaining silent for the moment.

Wyntere walks into the infirmary on her daily stop by to check on her
students and other special people. She grins brightly to the accepted
behind the desk, chatting for a few moments about this and that.

"I dunno," Neelkan says with a shrug. "It'll prolly take a few years,
right? So I don't really gotta worry 'bout things like 'at right now!"
Right? Well, either way he doesn't want to worry about it. He looks around
the room for a few moments and catches Redd looking at him. Redd's awake.
He lifts one hand up and waves at the boy slightly. He hasn't noticed Wyn
yet though.

Denn'ryiel nods once. Her level of fatigue is consistant with one who has
had major healing done recently. "Well, that's true. But, you should find
out about it soon, before a Green Sedai tags you," she says, grinning.

Redd frowns slightly at himself before he notices Neelkan looking at him.
He then smiles a little and waves back.

After finishing talking to the Accepted, Wyntere walks down the rows of
cots nodding to everyone. She stops when she sees Denn and Neel and Redd.
Just standing there a moment she watches not wanting to interupt.

"Well, whate'er! I ain't gettin' 'tagged' 'r whate'er by nobody, so 'ey
better just keep 'eir tages t' themselves!" Neelkan says in his usual loud
and almost excited voice. Ah-hah. Oh. He breaks off his wave to the kid
over there, and continues to look around. This is when he notices Wyn.
"Um.. Hi Wyn!"

Denn'ryiel chuckles, to make it clear that she was jesting. "I was teasing,
Neelkan, my apologies." She turns to see Wyntere, and smiles. It drops a
bit though, as she realizes that her vest is still torn in places.

Redd turns his head to look at Wyntere as well, then turns back quickly at
Neelkan again. He pauses, looking around him for a second before looking
back to Wyntere, silently.

Wyntere walks over to the two and nods to each of them. "I hope I'm not
disturbing anything. She does see Denn's smile fade. "Denn'ryiel?" Her
voice is questioning. If she notices the vest, she doesn't say anything.

Neelkan sits there with a small smirk on his face, pulling his legs up into
a sitting position, just watching for the moment.

Denn'ryiel turns and shakes her head to the Mistress. "No, Wyntere Sedai,
you're not interrupting." If Neelkan thought so, he would have said
something. She blushes under her gaze though. "Yes, Wyntere Sedai?"

Redd notices /finally/ the new person, someone he hasn't met before.
Something is wrong when he doesn't notice something, he is usually very
perceptive. He frowns and starts to climb out of the bed, curious yet
cautious.

"No worries on interupting, Wyn!" Neelkan says with that smirk still, but
he does... seem to be a tad... well... nervous about something. Has Espiria
had the chance to talk with the Aes Sedai already? Will she remember the
fight he almost got in the other day outside the Tower... arg. A hundred
things to wonder about.

Wyntere motions to Denn's bed. "May I have a seat? And just call me
Wyntere. You are no longer a student." She gives Denn a kind smile. Looking
to three others, "So how are things today?"

Denn'ryiel nods once to Wyntere. "Please," she says, while moving over to
give Wyntere room. She also returns the Sedai's smile. "Things are pretty
well, for being in the infirmary for a little while."

Redd pauses, with his feet hanging over the edge of his bed. He frowns and
lets the others speak for now.

Um. "Well, uh..." Neelkan shrugs a little, looking unsure how to answer
that. "Not too bad, I guess..." Yeah. Could have been worse. But not much
worse. Not much worse at all. His smirk turns into a frown that's basically
his lips bunching up on one side. Then he reaches up and ruffles his hair.

Wyntere takes a seat feeling like she killed conversation. One downfall of
either being an Aes Sedai or being old. She looks over to Redd to see what
he says.

Denn'ryiel tries to straighten her vest a little bit. "Neelkan, have you
told Wyntere Sedai your news yet?" she asks, curiously, hoping this spurs
some conversation.

"Um. No... I haven't." Neelkan reaches up and ruffles his hair again a
little. His news. He takes a few moments of pause before he lets out said
news. "A Gaidin, Jessian, offered t' get m' int' the trainin' program 'ere,
'n I'm gonna accept." So he's stickin' around. Heh.

Redd forces a smile when Wyntere looks at him. He then looks curiously at
Neelkan as he speaks, a geniune smile appearing once the words are out.