05/21/2000


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.



Having entered through the gates that exit into the River Plaza at rather
early morning, Neelkan is now in the Courtyard leaning against a tree. Not
the same tree he was breaking his hand against just a day ago, but a tree.
He has his arms folded across his chest, and a slightly grumpy expression
on his face, but anyone who knows him would know that's the expression he
usually has until he sees someone he knows or gets interupted. If it's the
former, then it's usually taken over with a smile. If it's the latter...
well it depends on who interupts him and how, but it could turn to anything
from a laugh, to the boy yelling at the top of his lungs at the person. He
does seem to be watching the Courtyard pretty carefully though.

The light laughter of girls floats down into the area as a group of 'said'
girls enters from another area of the Tower. They all have books in their
hands and as a hand flashes upwards to flick some hair from her face, a
certain one of them seems to stand out as someone you know, if you are
looking in that direction. She is laughing along with them, but perhaps
it's mearly just a good front? Perhaps, since when her eyes light upon you
her smile falters just a bit before she glances to the other girls with
her. "Umm..I do have a few things to get done. Maybe I could meet with all
of you later to study?" There are murmurs among the girls and nods to the
affirmative. They move off, parting around Espi as they head into the Tower
and she remains behind. She's hesitant in walking over to you, wondering if
your mood is indeed the later. But..she knows that she won't know unless
she just does it. Biting her lower lip a bit, she steps away from the Tower
entrance and heads your way. Hopefully, she still has you as a friend.
Hell, what could she expect out of anyone when it deals with these kinds of
things. She's not expecting anything at all...that way she won't be hurt if
you decide not to be and she can be happily surprised it you do.

As his eyes were scanning over a different part of the Courtyard when the
giggling girl's appeared, it isn't until you start heading towards him and
are already a few paces on your journey when Neelkan spots you. Bright
blue-green eyes blink for a moment, and he shifts to unfold his arms and
stand up full so he's no longer leaning on the tree itself. He knew when he
left the Inn he would run into you eventually. He knew, and he had perpared
himself for it. Well, at least to the point where he wouldn't run away or
go and hide the minute he saw you. That wouldn't help matters any. He had a
good tree pummeling... followed by a good sob on a surprisingly nice Aes
Sedai's shoulder... then actually got a decent night's sleep, due mostly to
the aftereffects of the healing of his broken bone and the bruises on his
hands. He was tired. Didn't have a single dream that couldn't be passed off
as just a counter to what he learned. Or at least he -hoped- those were a
counter to what he'd just learned... If he has them again he might take
more note of them. But after he woke up he dismissed them all instantly.
This time. Anyway, after taking a deep breath he smirks a little in your
direction and then brings up a hand to wave. Nothing wrong here. Though,
the smirk doesn't come anywhere near his eyes.

Watching you as she walked that way, she sees you step away from the tree.
She notes the blink, biting her lower lip a bit more and stoppin where she
is. No..she's not going to push the issue. She doesn't want you feeling
funny around her and she truely believes that someone hearing what you did
would. Even if you hide it real good. She shifts on her feet, unsure of
what to do..feeling as though she's betrayed you somehow in opening up to
you. Maybe she is really a bad person? Maybe she deserves what's happening
to her? She's been feeling that more and more lately. Why would things like
this happen to anyone unless they were really bad? Isn't that what the
stories say? The ones told to children so they are good? That the Bad One
will come to get you if you aren't? She shivers for a moment, standing
there and hugging her books to her chest as she looks over to you from a
distance. Yes, she sees the smirk and returns a sad form of it herself.
Have things changed between the both of you? The lack of happiness to see
her in your eyes, tells her they have. They always used to sparkle at
seeing your friend Espi and now....Now they just sit there. She is about to
turn away, head dropping to her chest. No..she won't bother you in coming
close. She doesn't want to do any more harm than she's already done to the
friendship that she's always held close to her. She's never had many
friends. Even back home, she was always too busy to have them... Now this.
If you make no move toward her, she will keep going and wish you well. She
will keep you at a distance so she doesn't inflict anymore of her life upon
you...maybe in that way..she can repair the damage she's done.

Well, Neelkan's never been considered the rippest melon in the garden, nor
does he usually use what intelligence he has... Oh, he's not completely
stupid or anything. He can sometimes use his brain to a point, but he
rarely does. Most people who were smart enough would take your offer to
keep a distance... but... well, this is the guy who would climb the tallest
trees as a kid just to prove to himself he could do it. He'd the young man
who grabbed the leg of a tall, impressive bandit leader and begged to be
allowed to join. He's the guy who snuck into the bandit's current strong
hold after being kicked off, even when he knew they might have killed him.
Oh, he was very upset by what he learned, and he considered more then once,
even if for very brief moments, if he should just leave or not. But... but
then he remembered how he told you that no matter what he would be your
friend. Now sure, he may have been a bandit for a good amount of his
teenage life, but he sticks by what he says if he meant it. So after a
moment he takes a step forward, followed by a second, and a third, until he
makes it only a pace away from you. The smirk is still on his face, and
eventually widens to touch his eyes, but only after about the third step.
His hand moves to scratch at his hair again and once he stops he says, "Hey
'ere, Espi. Ya doin' 'kay?"

Espiria stops moving, glancing over her shoulder to see you standing there.
There are a few tears of happiness in her eyes as she nods quietly,
"I'm...doing as well as I can be, Neel." She doesn't want to push it, even
if it seems as though you are staying her friend. Friendships are such
delicate things at times, this being one of those times. She takes a deep
breath, managing to smile a bit stronger. "You..are looking well, Neel."
She looks down, head resting on the books hugged to her chest as she
speaks. "YOu..umm..doing okay, Neel?" That's a loaded question. Sure, she
knows it, but she really wants to know. Is so concerned about you and how
you are, she can't help but ask it. She looks up to you, biting her lower
lip as she waits to hear the verdict. And even if you try to lie, she would
know...Not like she can't tell when someone is. She does it often enough
herself. She can tell when someone is trying to hide how one feels.
"I..I..was worried about you Neel. I mean...I didn't see you at all last
night and I wa going to treat you to a dinner." She tries a soft chuckle an
a joke...sort of, considering noone has to pay for meals here.

The moment Neelkan sees the expression of happiness, his own widens
considerably. "Glad yer not doin' too bad 'en." As well as you can. That's
better then 'I wish I could curl up and never have to open my eyes again'.
But alas, he doesn't have that option to even give that answer, because his
dreams would still be there to haunt him... He scratches at his hair
slightly for a moment, then adds on, "'n I'm a'right. I needed some time
'way from the Aes Sedai 'n bein' 'round 'em all day, so I spent the night
in an Inn. Actually got some decent sleep on a bed bigger then me for a
change!" His expression brightens at the joke, and it shows that he means
that for the most part. He's alright. He had his time to cope. "I didn't
know ya were plannin' t' 'treat' m' t' dinner. But I really did need some
time t' m'self, 'n I've never liked sleepin' in 'at Infirmary." Or sleeping
in general at that, but that's a completely different subject. "'n... I'm
glad t' see ya 'gain. Really." That part is said softly and seriously. He
means it. Despite everything he just found out...

Espiria smiles gently, head tipping to one side as she sighs. "I..know the
feeling sometimes." She chuckles glancing around as she lowers her voice.
"I sometimes wish I could have some time away from here too." She purses
her lips just a bit, shrugging. "But there's nothing I can do about it
right now. Novices can't go anywhere really....well unless it's with an
Accepted or Aes Sedai..or a family member." She chuckles, shaking her head
slowly. "And my uncle is usually so busy that it'd be a shock to see him
show up. Not..that it wouldn't be welcomed. I..really miss home sometimes."
She sighs, trying not to speak too much about anything..serious. Picking
instead easier topics of conversation. "I miss Ma and Da's farm...the
animals...the whole village and I never thought I'd ever miss hat." She
chuckles, eyes squinting just a bit as she blushes. "The food here is
okay..but Ma used to make this roast thing on special occassions that just
melted in your mouth."

Espiria smiles and adds softly, "I'm really glad to see you too, Neel..."

"Well, 'at's 'ere we differ from each other, Espi. I don't miss m' home 'r
family at all." And it sounds like Neelkan really means that. "'n ye'h. The
food 'ere in the Tower isn't as good as some I've tasted. But it's not
completely awful. When I was recoverin', every time it was meal time --
which was quite often then -- I could scarf down five plate fulls of the
stuff and barely pause to see how it tasted!" Side effect of the healing
process. "But now I think I'd much rather go out t' eat. 'n I doubt m' ma's
cookin' was a good as yers. Oh, it didn't kill ya 'r nothin', but it wasn't
'melt in yer mouth' good 'r anythin'." He seems to have liked this new
subject. Keeps him from thinking on the reasons he should be afrad to be
around you. "Wanna go sit down 'n we can talk some? Ya could tell m' more
'bout yer family if ya want...?" Pause, then he adds reclucently, "'r I
could tell ya 'bout mine." His evil mother, his meek father, and his evil
five older sisters. Oi. What a funny story that would be. But anything to
keep his mind off the Dark One, please.

Espiria smiles brightly, feeling the mood lighten considerably at the
change in topic. She nods happily, placing her books to one side as she
glances over to you. "Umm..well we could go to the Common Dining Hall I
suppose. Otherwise..I'd have to find someone go with me if I wanted to
leave the Tower grounds." She chuckles and shrugs a shoulder, "I think they
have something good today for lunch." She chuckles softly, eyes sparkling
about telling you about her folks. "I'd love to tell you about them, Neel.
You would have liked them..and Da would have surely liked you." She
giggles, turning for the Tower again as she glances over her shoulder.
"Come on...It'll be fun."

Da surely would have liked him? That's something Neelkan hasn't heard
before. He grins and nods, lowering his hand down to the sash around his
waist and says, "I kinda doubt yer da would like m', but I'll take yer word
f'r it! 'n we could go t' the Dinin' Hall." He moves up to beside you and
reaches out to touch your arm briefly as he adds on, "I'm sure it'll be
fun, Espi." Most things around her are, if nothing else, interesting. And
even if it would usually be considered the bad kind of interesting, he
finds it to be exciting, even if he shouldn't. He's strange that way. ...
Still finds it exciting after learning of the Dark One part of things?
Well... Maybe that wouldn't be the best way to put it. But at least he
knows things won't be boring as long as he's your friend.



Dining Hall, White Tower, Tar Valon

One may see, here, a huge buffet table full of every type of food
imaginable, from nearly every part of the known world. Occasionally empty
plates are removed and replaced, for there is no common eating time for any
but the students. Most eat when they remember to, or find the time. Other
tables are present. Some have broad cloths thrown over them, in the color
of the Ajah that normally sits there. Others are left plain, indicating a
table at which anyone may sit.

Bobbing lights, produced by the One Power, emit a soft glow, replacing the
need for candles and lamp oil, whose supplies are growing short each day
and which are getting quite expensive. Occasionally as some fade an
Accepted will walk in and replace them. The floor, white, is kept
meticulously clean and scrubbed. No sooner does some morsel find its
accidental way to the ground than someone is along to sweep it up and throw
it away.



Espiria heads into the Hall, glancing around for a moment before she
smiles. "Oh...it's nice and quiet for a change. Everyone must be busy." She
smiles, taking a hold of your sleeve and pulling you along to the food
tables. She chuckling releasing the sleeve as she motions. "Look..That's
what I was talking about." Her eyes fall to a roast, potaoes laying around
it with nice greenery and such for fixings. "Doesn't that look delicious?"
She grins, grabbing a plate and handing you one as well before she starts
pulling stuff onto the plate. "I'm starved..." She giggles, shaking her
head. "I didn't realize it until I saw all this food.."

Bright blue-green eyes dart around quickly as well, as if to see if there's
anyone else he knows around. Oh, there's one Yellow that he doesn't know
the name of that he saw in the Infirmary a few times. But then Neelkan got
to know most the Yellows by face. He refrains from glaring and lets the
good mood stay on his face when suddenly you secure his sleeve. Heeeey. He
doesn't resist being pulled though and ends up standing in front of the
food. "Mmmmm. Ye'h. I see what ya mean! 'n now 'at I think 'bout it, I'm
rather hungry too." Starved is more like it. He didn't eat last night, even
after the healing... Big empty place where his stomach is.

Espiria tips her eyes back to you as she grins, "Well, then help yourself.
I know they have more where that came from. Channeling takes alot out of a
person, so they always make sure food is ready whenever it's needed. Can't
have Aes Sedai without food..or they get all sleepy and weak." She
chuckles, piling as bit more onto her plate before she grabs a glass of the
blueberry tea that she likes so much. She takes a sip, smiling as she
watches you. "This is the kind of stuff Ma used to fix for weddings and
such. Big happenings that needed alot of food." She grins as her stomach
grumbles in protest. Her widens her eyes a bit, smiling. "I guess that's
definate hungry sign hmm?" She giggles, taking her plate over to a table
away from everyone else and slips into the seat. her eyes look at the food
before glances over to you to see how you're doing.

Hmmm. Neelkan takes mostly meat. Yes, his name might mean Crimson Peacock
(or Blooded Peacock, or Red Peacock, or something of the like), which makes
him a bird with pretty tail-feathers, but that doesn't mean he likes to
peck seeds or anything. He gets a small pile of the roast on his plate, and
puts a few slices of potatoes on the side. Then he grabbs a glass before
looking down at it and starts to sputter for a moment. MILK!! Oi! He
quickly puts the glass back down and avoids looking at it as he catches his
breath and grabs a -different- glass. This one with apple cider. Hopefully
no one noticed his strange reaction to the white liquid... And he moves to
follow after you and sits down in silence across from you on the table.
"When m' sisters got married, well, when the two 'at got married did, m' ma
fixed big meals too. Course, most the village showed up t' see who the poor
idiot who got suckered int' marryin' one of the il'Sharil girls." He won't
say that he ended up having to help. He will -never- admit to the fact he
knows how to cook. Nope. Sorry.

Espiria was glancing over to you as you grabbed the milk. She blinks at the
reaction, but won't mention it to you. After all, who ever wants someone
else to know that they actually 'fear' something as simple? Like someone
who is afraid of wood..or air. Except that wood can be avoided...as well as
milk. She looks away before you turn toward her and begin speaking, smiling
as she raises her own glass of blueish tea, smiling as she nods. "Ahh...I
take it your sisters were hard ones to get married off?" She giggles
softly, lifting a shoulder. "Some girls are..some aren't. I've seen the
shrillest shrew get married because there was a man finally found who could
tame her. Or..at least put up with her." She giggles again, taking a bite
of the roast and closing her eyes in delight. "Oh..This is sooo good.
Almost like Ma used to make, but alittle less spicy." She grins, glancing
over to you to see how you like it before she adds. "I was an only
child....Ma said that the Wisdom couldn't fiz what got hurt when she tried
to have me. But..I guess I'm kinda glad of that, I wouldn't have traded a
single moment alone with my parents that I had..not a single one."

"I'm from Eharon, so... men don't really end up with the best choices
anyway!" Neelkan says, shaking his head a little, "Ah, well, I don't know.
I got five sisters though. All older. 'fore I left home only the two oldest
had gotten married off. Pa'lui and Jiang. Wouldn't be surprised if ma roped
up husbands f'r Li'an 'n Mai though." He wouldn't be at all surprised. Now,
he pauses in his story telling and takes a rather big sized bite off the
roast. Mmmmmmmmmm. After that is done he grins, "I ne'er had much time
'lone with m' parents. One of m' sisters would always come home with a
problem, 'r I'd always get told t' do 'is 'n 'at 'round the house 'n I'd
never have any free time t' do nothin'..." His eyes narrow slightly at the
memory of home. Nope. He's not at all sorry to be away. He did run away
after all. He takes a drink from his glass, as if to hide the expression.

Espiria lifts a brow, smiling. "You...had 5 sisters? Wow." She takes
another bite of the food, smiling softly as she shakes her head. "I can't
imagine having that many siblings running around. Thouhg...it sure would
hav emade work on the farm alot easier." She giggles softly, taking a sip
from the glass before she continues. "Well, you're here now and you have
chances to do anything you want with your life now. You have a chance to
learn here...to work to be better than you are right now. I think for
one..that's a big accomplishment from having to do house work." She
giggles, hand moving to flick some hair from her face. "I..I'm not sure
where i would have ended up if it hadn't been for my uncle taking me in.
Well, after my parents were killed." She seems just a bit pained about
that, but she hides it well enough for now. No sense in bringing you down
with this topic. "I did learn alot though while I lived with them. Tending
the animals...how to grow crops...how to make sure the home ran smoothly
when they both were away. That kind of thing."

"Ye'h. Five." Neelkan says in response, remembering how awful it was to be
the only son and the youngest in a family of six kids in Eharon... Shudder.
Not fun. He doesn't think about it much longer though and goes about eating
while listening to you talk. After you get to the part about your parents
being killed he pauses for a moment to looks sympathically at you. He's
never lost anyone before, oddly enough. Well, except Jiang's first child,
but it wasn't really his loss, it was his sister's. Probably the only time
before coming to the Tower that he ever held anyone while they cried. Only
time he actually got to be a brother to one of his siblings, even if he had
only been thirteen at the time. After taking a drink, he adds on, "Well 'ey
actually weren't much help 'round the farm. By the time I was old 'nough t'
work, 'ey were all, well, 'cept Aidou, goin' off t' get educated 'n
everything. I got stuck with almost all the work, though Aidou would help
some, but I'd usually perfer if she didn't..." For some reason the youngest
of his sisters had a strange fasination with throwing things at him. She
always went to help him gather firewood, and she'd end up throwing it at
him! Never fun.

Espiria blinks and tips her gaze over to you with a soft grin. "Hmm..Sounds
like life wasn't all that fun." She giggles softly, shaking her head. "I
guess you never know how good you have it, till you hear about someone
else's life and what they had to go thru. Makes mine seem pale in
comparison." She smiles, reaching a hand out to pat your arm. "But you're
here now..and you don't have to worry about that anymore. You'll have a new
kind of work to leep you busy...and interesting stuff to learn when you
start training. Varcel...." Her eyes get alittle glassy when she says his
name, "He's always saying they keep him so busy..that he's not time to
dwell on his past either. Always working on a form of fighting. Or doing
chores to build up muscles and such." She giggles softly, taking another
bite of her food and chewing quietly for a moment. "I can remember Da
telling me that working builds character and that it's a good way to tone
the metal of anyone. I never quite knew what he meant by that...though now
I do. It's..like making a blade to fight with. It gets heated over and over
again till it's perfect."

"Oh, no. M' life wasn't all bad! Got better 'en I ran 'way, but..." But
Neelkan doesn't want to tell that part of the story, because that would
lead to telling her that he was a bandit, and she might not want to be
his... Wait a second... What is he so afraid of? The friendship the two
have has been tested by worse things then the fact that he used to run
around with a bunch of bandits! But then she gets to the Varcel part. And
the glassy eyes... His eyebrow raise up slightly as he sees the expression,
then he smirks, "Varcel, huh?" There's something about the way he says
that, and the way he's smirking... Hehe.

Espiria chuckles softly, head tipping to one side as she blushes. "He's
very nice. And a good friend, I've found." She glances at Neel's face, eyes
widening slightly as she sees the smirk. Ohmy... "No..it's not like that at
all." She giggles, thinking 'at least not yet'. "He's just very
nice...That's all." She's trying to play it down since such things are so
frowned upon when they are so early in the training. She continues to blush
though, giggling self consciously a bit as she takes another bite of food,
followed quickly by a drink from the glass. Her eyes dart around as she
bites her lip a bit. Looking back to you, she looks worried for a moment.
"Umm..really..we are just friends, okay?" Please oh please...leave it at
that. "Besides...He's way too busy anyway to even know I'm alive right
now." She chuckles, shaking her head to blow it off a bit more.

"Just friends? Mmmhmm." Neelkan chuckles very softly and then goes back to
eating on his food for a moment, a wistful expression in his eyes as he
continues to watch you. He finally finishes the bite he was working on and
the lays down his utencils and reaches forward to poke a finger lightly at
your nose, "If you say so, Espi. But I'm sure he'll notice ya. Kinda hard
not t'." That's followed by a playful, almost flirty wink. He's just
kidding around. Really.

Espiria giggles, tipping her head to look at the pointing finger with a
raised brow. She blushes brightly, shaking her head. "In time..perhaps. But
right now he has to concentrate on what he's learning. /Has/ to." She
chuckles softly, shaking her head once before she slips a playful smirk on
her lips. "Somehow...I don't think any woman could hope to ever tame that
wild part of you, Neel. And I sincerely hope they never do. Perhaps..calm
it a bit, but never tame it. You're too much fun just as you are." She
grins, blush still on her cheeks as she reaches for another drink of her
tea. "You have alot of work ahead of you, Neel. You think you'll be able to
stand having people tell you what to do?" She giggles, head tipping to one
side. "Or is it just females you have trouble with that with.."

After pulling his hand back and returning them to his silverwear, Neelkan
listens to what you have to say then laughs softly, "No worries 'bout 'at.
Don't think I'll e'er let a woman e'en calm m' much." Nope. He has no
intentions of ending up all meek like his father. He's going to be someone
impressive! But he doesn't say that. He takes a bite of his food before he
adds on, "Oh, well, it depends on how 'ey order m' too. If it needs t' be
done, I'll do it easily... but ye'h. It's mostly orders from women I got a
problem with." Now if a woman ASKED that's a different story...

Espiria chuckles softly and nods, "Ma was hat way with Da all the time.
It...umm...was more like they co-operated with each other. But if she knew
better he'd just do it..and same for her if he knew better. That was how it
worked." She giggles, shaking her head alittle bit. "I think that's the way
it should be for anyone...in anything. If you can't co-operate, then you
can't get anything done and it all falls apart. And what good is that?" She
takes a few more bites of her food as she thinks about her own words, then
glances over to you as she takes a sip from her glass. "You know..this is
the first time I've been able to relax....really relax in days. It's nice."
She sighs, taking the last of her bread to get as much of the juice as
possible before grinning over to you. "Bet you never thought you'd be
having a pleasant conversation with a girl, hmm?" She giggles, "We aren't
all bad..thank the Light. You just have to look for the ones who won't make
you feel bad." She chuckles, taking the last bite.

"I can honestly say I ne'er though 'at." Neelkan says with a small wink, to
the last part. "But yer different from the women I knew in Eharon, 'n when
I was travellin' t' get up 'ere... well... didn't spend much time with
'round girls 'en, unless 'ey were tavern maids 'r somethin', 'en I didn't
have much use f'r conversin' with 'em beyond 'get m' 'nother plate!' 'r
somethin'..." He shakes his head and ponders over that a second, "I dunno.
I kinda realize yer not all bad. Ya certainly aren't! If ya weren't so cute
I might think ya were a guy in disguise." He winks playfully again at that
last part. He's kidding. Really. He just likes making you blush. Then he
goes back to eating a little of his potatoes this time.

Espiria chuckles as she takes another bite of her food from the plate in
front of her and nods happily. "Thank you, Neel. I'm glad that I'm not
classified with the women you have known before. I mean...it's not to know,
isn't it, that not all women are all bad?" She shakes her head a moment,
"Neel...I know from experience..Not alot mind you, but some...that most
people are good inside. I mean, they don't mean to be bad at times..it's
just something that happens. Like..being in the wrong place at the wrong
time." She shrugs, "I'm sure no matter what you think you've done on your
way to get here...it's not so bad. Not nearly as bad as some have done."
She looks hopefully at Neel, taking another sip from her glass. She blushes
at the compliment, eyes widening slightly as she giggles. "Neel....why I do
believe you're actually loosening up some. That's wonderfull...Now doesn't
it feel good to just relax for a change?"

Denn'ryiel enters the Dining Hall quetly, closing the doors behind her. She
turns around and almost slips on the newly cleaned floors, but she reaches
out to the nearest table to maintain her balance. She looks up sheepishly
to make certain few saw that. Perhaps it's a good thing the lady wasn't
Raised to Sedai. With a look on her face that says nothing just happened,
she makes her way over towards where the food is served, pausing along the
way to nod and give other greetings to those she knows that she walks by.

Blushing briefly, Neelkan waves his fork at the girl a little and says,
"Yer the one who needs t' loosen up more often, Espi." Then he lowers the
fork down again and settles for taking a sip of his apple cider, nearly
finishing it off this time. When that is finished the blush is gone from
his cheeks and he looks about to start respond to the rest of the
conversation when he sees... Denn? Denn nearly slipping? He will try very
hard not to laugh, but he fails. There's a soft chuckle for a moment, then
he waves his hand at the woman. Another woman who's a fluke! Fluke as in
not evil and mean or anything.

Espiria giggles softly, staring at the fork with a raised brow as she
softly comments, "Yeah..I know." She grins tipping her head to one side as
she sighs, "It's just nice to /be/ for a change. I used to do that alot
on..." She follows Neels' gaze, brow raising slightly as she blinks. She
sees Denn slip as well, and her eyes widen slightly. Ohmy..she'd be
terribly embarrassed.. Her thought stops there as Neel begins chuckling.
Her eyes dart over to him as she covers her lips to keep herself from doing
the same. No. It's not because Denn slipped, it's because of Neel laughing
that makes her want to as well.

Denn'ryiel notices Neelkan's hand gesture from the corner of her eyes, and
she turns her head as she continues walking. She gives a smile when she
recognizes the pair, and would have just nodded and gone on to get her
food. Instead an eyebrow raises when she sees Neelkan laughing, and Espiria
struggling not to do the same. Her gaze lingers too long, and a small frown
just has moments to form before she ends up walking into a full-grown
Gaidin. She of course falls down, and the Gaidin might as well have been
hit by a fly.

Poor Denn. Neelkan stops chuckling and quickly pushes himself to his feet,
glancing towards Espi in that 'I'll be right back' type way and moves to
head where Denn fell to the ground, moving rather quickly at that and
leaning down to look at her, holding out a hand. "Need a lil' help 'ere,
Denn?" he says in a playful voice, like he's having a good time doing this,
even if he knows he shouldn't be laughing at his friend's expense. This is
better then dwelling on all the bad things that he could be though!

Espiria blinks t Neel as he continues to chuckle, darting a glance over to
Denn as she begins heading that way. Utoh. She frowns slightly, looking
down at her food for as moment before she hears a loud thud and Denn takes
a spill to the floor. She winces, eyes going wide as she sees who took the
spill and she was just about to jump out of her seat when Neel says what he
does. She nods quietly, eyes looking with concern at Denn again from where
she is. She wasn't laughing at her, she was laughing at Neel who was
laughing. I hope she's okay. She scowls just a bit, watching over the top
of her glass to see if she neds help or a Healer from the spill. That must
have must have jurt like the dickens.

Denn'ryiel looks a little dizzy, but she landed on her... backside, so she
doesn't look too bad. The Gaidin turns curiously and chuckles when he sees
what happened. He shakes his head and returns to his seat without offering
help. By the time Neelkan reaches her, she's up on her elbows. She reaches
up to accept Neelkan's hand, before the dizziness clears and she remembers
the reason she fell in the first place. Her cheeks turn the color of a
tomato, and it's obvious embarrassment is devouring her. "Um, thanks," she
murmurs.

Pulling her too her feet, Neelkan still has a look of amusement on his
face, but it doesn't seem to be at his friend's loss of motor control. He
keeps a hold of her hand and offers his arm to her fully, "Ya a'right? How
'bout I help ya to a table, 'en get ya a plate, Denn?" Isn't he being sweet
today? Without even waiting for a response he starts to help her towards
the table he's sharing with Espi, ignoring any looks from anyone. Yes, he
hates women in general, but these two at least he likes. So his usual
default grumpy or glaring expression is nowhere in sight.

Espiria stands quickly, hurrying over to take Denn's other arm as she looks
with concern at her. "You alright Denn'ryiel?" She helps her over to the
seat, making sure she is securely down and comfy before she softly asks,
"Would you like some tea? Something to eat maybe?" She glances with concern
to Neel too, hoping Denn will be okay. Shake ups tend to be tricky things
at best and she feels really bad about laughing at all at the moment. She
bites her lip gently, darting her eyes back to Denn and then tries to smile
hopefully to her.

Denn'ryiel looks even more embarrassed by all of the attention, though she
doesn't fight being lead to the table. "Thank you... I'd apprieciate that,"
she replies weakly to the questions. Why haven't the Sisters discovered
invisibility yet?

Helping the women into a seat which is beside the one he was in, Neelkan
lets her go and says, "I'll be right back with some tea 'n food. Don't ya
worry 'bout nothin', Denn." Then he moves over to where the food is and
fixes a quick plate with a little bit of everything, then pours a glass of
tea. He's not being picky here, but it takes a little while to walk the
distance there and get around people who are also trying to fix a place.
Wait in line? As if.

Espiria blinks at Neel, but takes a seat across from Denn as she looks at
her in a worried fashion. She bites her lower lip a bit, shaking her head
slowly. "You hit pretty hard, Denn'ryiel. Does anything hurt you at all?"
She glances over to Neel hoping he will get something soothing for her to
drink instead of something tart. That would help her nerves from falling.
She shakes her head as she notes Denn's upset state at being gawked at and
reaches a hand to her with a soft smile. "It's okay...People are just
worried that you took such a hard spill. But you know how things go around
here....they will foget about it by tommorrow when something else catches
their attention." She grins, leaning back a bit as she waits for Neel to
return.

Denn'ryiel sighs and nods, as she is forced to nod to Espiria's
observation. "I... I suppose you're right." She turns her head to see what
Neelkan is doing, and her blush deepens as she sees him filling up a tray
and cutting through line. "Perhaps... but tomorrow always seems to come too
slowly." She manages a smile, but it's not a strong one.

Neelkan just isn't the type to wait in line, and anyone who tries to argue
with him gets a glare. He gets the plate on the tray full, then gets the
first kind of tea he can find and heads back over with it, his smile firmly
back in place. He sets it down in front of Denn then winks playfully, "Here
ya go. Don't worry, I don't expect a tip 'r nothin', just glad t' see yer
not hurt." Then he plops back down into his chair, leaning heavily against
the back of it.

Espiria smiles as Neel returns, chuckling softly at Denn as she nods to her
statement. "I know...sometimes I feel the same way, Denn'ryiel. Sometimes."
She smiles, looking back at her plate and what's left. Hmm, I don't think I
can finish that. She sighs, glancing at Neel and giving him a grin. "I
think she's just shaken up pretty good...that and having everyone stare so
hard at her." She chuckles softly, tipping her head to one side as she
looks at the room. It seems to have calmed down considerably, though a few
eyes still look with scowling faces at Neel for having cut before them. She
chuckles, "Neel....you certainly made an impression it seems.."

Denn'ryiel looks back as Espiria does and winces as she notices the glances
as well. "Thank you, Neelkan... and thank you for not mentioning... you
know." She winces, still feeling the impact slightly.

Grinning a little, Neelkan glances towards the people who he made an...
impression on and he fluffs his hair in front slightly with his fingers
before saying, "Oh, well we all can't cause such reactions in people." He
seems to have a talent for causing people to react to him. Sometimes good.
Usually bad. Suddenly he blinks and glances around for some indication on
the time, "Light, I forgot. I said I'd check in with the Yellows when I got
back today so 'ey could have m' things, what few things I got, moved down
t' the Trainee Area." His things. Basically a few sets of clothes. He
heaves a sigh and moves to stand up, "I better go do it now 'r I might have
t' spend the night in the Infirmary again!" Light Forbid! "Ya two be
careful, 'kay?" And he makes no mention of Denn's spill, though he does
pick up his mostly finished meal and glass and take it to where it needs to
go, but he does wait for responses.

Espiria glances atthe line, then back to Neel as he makes his statements.
She chuckles a bit, face turning just alittle red at his mentioning of
staying in the infirmary. She giggles, shaking her head. "Oh.please don't
let that happen." She giggles, "I don't think they could take another night
of you grumbling...I think they might actually have your things packed up,
if they have the news of your being moved." She winks playfully at Neel so
he knows she's joking. Well, mostly. He's got to make the worst patient
she's ever seen and probably that the Yellows have ever seen. She grins,
tipping her head to one side. "I'll see you later, Neel. Light keep you
safe.."

Denn'ryiel nods to Neelkan, and finds her smile once more. Thank you,
Neelkan, and take care... I guess you're used to dealing with Yellow Sedai
by now."

"Light keep ya safe too, Espi." Neelkan says, his voice softening a moment
as if there is more then one meaning to that little line, then he grins at
both and nods his head, as his hands are full and he can't wave and says,
"'ey're prolly prayin' I'll never step foot in 'ere 'gain!" But he probably
will, if he's going to be a trainee. Oh woe to the Yellows. Then he heads
out and puts his tray and plate and all away then leaves the Dining Hall
all together.