05/26/2000

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.


Wyntere comes inside the infirmary. Her face looks tired and worn as if she
hasn't slept much lately. She kindly smiles to the accepted on gaurd before
making her way down the rows of beds. The grey stops when she sees Neelkan
in here again. She heads over towards him as if to check on him.

Laying back on a bed near the boy who was brought in a few days ago,
Neelkan has a damp cloth over his forhead and his eyes are open, staring up
at the ceiling. Well, glaring is more like it. He's not going to go to
sleep. He's not. Or that's what he wants. He's tried hard not to sleep
since he came up here, but he's slipped off a few times. He catches
movement near him and glances his eyes over without moving much ready to
tell the Yellow that he doesn't need anything, or attempt to, but then he
sees it's not another Yellow, so he relaxes. It's Wyn. It takes a few
moments, but he eventually says, "'ey.. Wyn."

Wyntere grins softly and pulls up a chair. "You don't mind me staying for a
little while, do you? I mean... I can go if you like. But how are you
feeling?" Her voice isn't as cheerful as always. She sounds tired and
worried. Taking a seat anyway, she looks across the room. "There are lots
of boys here...." Her voice fading as she starts counting them.

"Feelin'.. bloody well fine..." Neelkan grumbles under his breath and
through his teeth. Then he closes his eyes for a moment, trying to get a
semblance of control over himself. He doesn't like being sick! But then,
who does? "'n ye'h... ya can stay f'r a while..." His voice is much softer
then it usually is.

Wyntere sits in a chair next to Neelkan's bed. "You seem to be doing better
than most of the boys here. Need fresh water in that rag? I don't mind
doing that for you." SHe gets up to change it if Neelkan allows it. "Not
fun being sick, is it? You'll get better soon. This shouldn't keep you down
for too long. Then think, you'll be out training again." She starts to
sound a little upbeat for him. She doesn't know what the heck to do about
all this, but at least she knows what it is. Sorta...

"Ye'h... ye'h... whate'er..." Neelkan mutters under his breath in a much
softer voice then he would normally use. Yes, he's doing better then most
the boys, but only because he's forcing himself to. He's not going to start
talking in his feverdreams, if he can help it, and he has to force himself
to stay awake a lot too... sigh. This is not fun for him. He doesn't
protest as she takes the cloth away, just glares at the ceiling. Like it's
the ceiling's fault he's here.

Wyntere drips the rag into the cool water at the side of the bed. She
wrings it out and the sound of water splashing can be heard. Carefully she
replaces the rag upon Neelkan's forehead. "What are you thinking about,
Neelkan? Must be something on your mind to stay awake like this." Wyntere
knows this one well.

"I'm.. not thinkin'.. of nothin'..." Neelkan says with some effort. Grrr.
Light, he really wishes this thing would be over. Not that he would take
back any of the time he spent with Redd or anything... but he hates being
sick. More then he hates women! But women are part of the reason. They
always baby him when he's sick, and talk about him like he isn't there.
Grrr. Um. No offense, Wyn. "'n 'ere's... no way I'm sleepin' like 'is." He
can barely handle the dreams when he's healthy. He doesn't think he can
when he's not.

Espiria heads into the infirmary, frowning slightly as she sees Neel and
hoping beyond all her other hopes that she can remember that cure. She puts
on her best 'face' and heads over to the both of you, bobbing a neat
curtsey to Wynt before smiling at Neel. "Hello. Umm..I'm not disturbing
anything am I?"

Wyntere nods and takes a seat again. Yeah, she does baby. But not as bad as
some, I hope. :/ Wyntere thinks a moment in wonder. "What is wrong with
sleeping..." SHe fades and then shakes her head. "Nevermind. I remember."
Then she looks disgusted that she can't do a stinkin' thing about it. Can't
set the ward to him him avoid the dreams right now. Shaking her head, she
sees Espiria. A soft grin goes to her. "No, you aren't disturbing anything.
You may stay if Neelkan doesn't mind." Then wyntere tilts her head. "Do you
still have my shawl, Espiria?"

Taking slow, deep breaths in through his teeth, Neelkan is still glaring at
the ceiling when Espiria makes her presense known. His eyes dart over and
he forces a small smirk on his face and says, "'ey, Espi..." He's trying to
put on a good face for his friends, but it's difficult... Grump. "Ya can
stay." He adds on, trying to get his voice more to it's normal tone, but
it's still not quite there. Sounds like it takes a lot of effort just to
speak coherently.

Espiria frowns slightly, shivering a bit as she sees Neel. Good grief.
It...hit him so quickly. She sighs softly, shaking her head for just a
moment before she glances at Wyntere. Nope, she doesn't look well either,
but at least it's not /that/. She frowns slightly, pulling out from behind
her back the shawl. "Yes, Wyntere Sedai. I brought it with me in case you
wanted it back." She puts on her best smile this time, trying not to let
her feelings bother her about what's happening. But oh..it's really hard.

Wyntere catches the frown in Espi. "Come here, Espiria. You don't look so
good. Did you not sleep last night?" Who is Wyntere to be worrying over
sleep?? The MoNster hasn't slept much for the past two weeks, and not worth
calling sleep when she does. Wyntere takes the shawl, placing it in her
lap. "Thank you for returning this to me." Glancing back to Neelkan, she
sighs. She knows where the answer to this is and she'll figure out how to
get it from the novice. "Does it hurt to talk, Neelkan? You don't have to
if it does. I can get a charcoal and paper for you." She wants to ease him
as much as she can.

"No, no. I can talk.." Neelkan says, skin around his eyes tightening for a
moment. He's not about to let them see how horrible his writing his. He has
trouble reading, and writing is even worse, mainly because he doesn't do it
very much. Awful grammar and handwriting... He takes a few more slow
breaths, then forces that grin back on, glancing towards his little buddy
again. He moves his arm a little, then tries to push himself up. He wants
to sit up.

Espiria slips into a seat near Neel as well, head tipping to one side as
she looks him over for a moment. Her eyes seem to be looking carefully at
his hands, studying them almost as though checking for something. She sighs
in relief as she leans back, eyes closing. Evidently, she didn't see what
she was expecting to see and she's relieved.

Wyntere nods to Neelkan. "That's fine. Whatever you feel like." She is
going to let Neelkan sit up on his own unless he asks for help. Looking at
Espiria, she asks, "Espiria, what's going on?" Wyntere is a bit direct
today. The novice didn't answer her first questions and that causes the
Grey more concern.

Ah-hah! He made it! Neelkan manages to sit up, even though he gets
distracted when Espi's looking at his hand... Oh yeah. Those things that
were on Redd's hands... He twists around to lean against the wall, pulling
the sheet to cover up the bloody robe like thing they got him in. Grrr. No
matter how hot he is, he's wearing the cover. The cloth falls from his
forehead though, and he lets it. He looks from one woman to the other
wondering what's going on himself.

Espiria glances over to Wynt, bleary eyes looking her way again before she
sighs. "I'm..just tired, Wyntere Sedai. I..had bad dreams of people..." She
darts her glance over to Neel, shaking her head slightly. "I..had bad
dreams." She sighs, looking over at Neels' hands again, biting her lip.
"I...remember a few things about this...thing too." She sighs, "Sadly..not
the cure as yet though."

Wyntere motions Espiria to come over to her. "Espiria, give it time. You
are going to remember and save all these guys. You'll by a heroine." She
tries her encouragement. Hmm.. Espi not sleeping. "Espi, do you need an
hour or two off this afternoon to take a nap? I'm not going to tolerate you
not getting rest. It's not good for you. I can block some of the dreams for
you." She glances back to Neelkan, "I would do the same for you, but we've
been told not to channel on those with this illness. It seems to make the
sickness worse." She looks to Espiria for comfirmation on that.

Mouth going down into a frown for a moment as his friend talks about her
dreams, Neelkan looks... well... like he knows what she means. And he does.
Bad dreams... Shudder. "I.. I know how 'ose are, Espi..." he mutters
softly, then glances at Wyn as she says she could block his out if it
wasn't for this illness. He takes a deep breath and nods a little, "It's
'kay. I can make it..." Not like he isn't used to not sleeping...

Keay enters the infirary. She looks around for the Yellow sisters, to make
sure they got and are obeying the order she passed down. As she skims the
room she spots Wyntere and Espiria. She smiles at the later, but the grin
fades as she approaches the Sedai. A not-so-pleasant "light shine" is heard
as she approaches.

Espiria tips her eyes to Neel, trying her best strong smile with him to
reasssure him that everything will be okay. She glances at Wyntere, smiling
as well at the offer. "I'l..be alright Wyntere Sedai. I...I don't want to
block anything that may be what we need. I'll be alright." She sighs
softly, shaking her head before she sees Keay walk in. She rises quickly,
bobbing a neat curtsey to her before slipping back into her seat.

Wyntere takes a deep breath glancing between these two. "Both of you are a
few of the bravest people I know." Yep, she'll keep their spirits up if she
can. Seeing Keay, she nods to her with kindness. "Peace favor you, Keeper."
Wynt holds no grudge of anything. The Grey does what she has to do. Wyntere
does look like it's been awhile since she's gotten good sleep, but you have
to be close to notice.

Neelkan smirks slightly from where he's sitting, leaned with his back
against the wall on one of the many infirmary beds. He looks like he has a
fever, but he's trying his best to just look like it's any other day.
"Ye'h, well, I won't argue 'ere." He throws a small wink at his little
novice of a friend, then follows their eyes at the entrance of this Keeper
person. Keeper of what? He doesn't ask. Takes too much effort to speak as
it is, so he won't bother asking a question that would likely sound silly.

Keay relaxes a bit from the terseness she had before. If Wynt is willing to
forget, then she will too, soon, sometime. . . She smiles a bit at Wyntere
evem, and her face doesn't crack. "how does the Light find you three?" She
looks to Neelkan, "Any better?"

Espiria blinks at Keay, smiling softly. "I'm well enough, Keay Sedai.
Mostly just dropped in to see how Neel was doing." She bites her lower lip
for a moment, head tipping to one side. "Not much I can do really....right
now anyway." She glances over to Wynt and her question about not channeling
and nods. Yup. That's it exactly.

Wyntere manages a kind, patient smile. Taking a deep breath, she shrugs.
"It could be better, but I'm not complaining. The students have been really
good today and only stopped by my office to pester me." She smiles brighter
at that. Yep, she has a few that come to talk to her on a regular basis.
"I'm just making my daily rounds in the infirmary right now. How does the
Light favor you?"

"Ye'h, ye'h. Bloody well fine." Neelkan responds in a very soft grumble to
the womdn he doesn't know. Wait a moment... Keay Sedai? He's heard that
name before. Just yesterday in fact. Someone important probably. Must be
why Wyn called her Keeper, so he manages a small, "Sorry.. But I'm not
doin' too bad..." Or that's what he's going to insist, so... let him have
his delusion. It seems to take effort for him to speak the way he does, and
he also looks rather tired too, but he's trying to hide all of it.

Keay nods to all three responses. "I am fine thank you. I was just checking
to see if the Yellow Sisters were following the suggestion I sent to them.
" SHe turns to Espiria, "novice, may we talk later? In my office at your
convienince." SHe smiles at all and winks to Espi, then turns to leave.

Espiria nods quickly, "Certainly, Keay Sedai. I will be there as soon as I
am finished here." She glances at Wyntere, smiling gently.

Wyntere glances between Espiria and Keay, wondering what that is about. The
Keeper and Wyntere got in an arguement over the novice the night before.
Well, more like Wyntere was keeping Espiria's name out of things. Just
cause Wynt worries about her students, doesn't mean she has to say why she
worries or who she worries about! She stands up and nods to both Neel and
Espi. "I need to get back to work. Both of you stay strong, okay? If you
need me, come find me or send for me." She smiles softly to both. "Espiria,
if you need a nap, come to my office and let me know." She'll put you on
the couch there hoping that it will help scare the dreams away or she'd
hear something if you started mumbling.

Espiria rises quickly, bobing a neat curtsey to Wynt before she nods. "Of
course Wyntere Sedai. I will immediately if need be." Shje smiles at her,
worry touching the edges of her eyes ofer the MoN as she notes her state
again. She's not resting either. Inwardly she sighs and knows she will have
to say something. She couldn't let that just...go. She cares too much.

"A'right. I'll talk t' ya later, Wyn..." Neelkan says, still rather softly,
then he closes his eyes a little and twists to lay back down on his back.
Sitting up was starting to wear him out. He replaces the still somewhat
damp cloth on his forehead and keeps his eyes open, still looking at
Espiria and watching Wyn get ready to leave.

Espiria sighs softly, turning her eyes back to Neel as she reaches for his
cloth. She dips it and gets it cool again before placing it back on his
forehead. "How...umm..are you feeling really, Neel. I..have to know..."

"I said I'm fine, Espi..." Neelkan insists, speaking once more through his
teeth as he does. He's rather thankful to have the cloth cooled again. His
face is so hot. He hates that. He doesn't care if his body is burning up,
but he likes his face to be cool.

Espiria frowns slightly, reaching for the cloth again to make sure it stays
cool on your face. She sighs softly, knowing you wouldn't say truthfully
how you are even if she needed to know. "Neel...I...I'm trying really hard
to help all of you. It's just..hard. I won't stop trying though...never."

"'ey, don't worry..." Neelkan says, smirking slightly at you, then moving
his hand to grab the one that was reaching for the cloth on his face,
giving it a small squeeze. "I'll be better 'fore ya know it. Just couldn't
let Redd get all the attention..." He chuckles very slightly at the last
part, trying to make it a joke. Nope. Nothing is at all wrong here.

Espiria scowls softly, tears forming at the corners of her eyes as she
bites her lower lip just a bit harder. "You..You just have to make jokes
don't you? This..this thing will kill you if I can't make it all better.
It's all in here.." Her hand motions angrily to her head, "I can't get it
out..and people are dying!" She sobs a bit, biting her lip harder still,
tillit seems as though she may bite thru it. "You..just don't realize how
bad this is! You could die! And It's...all up to me to find the cure! The
one that locked in my...head..my memories..." She turns from you feeling
ashamed as well as frustrated at not being able to get to it.

Alright, so he didn't pick the best timing to crack a joke. Neelkan takes a
deep breath and reaches out to grab your arm again, trying to pull you to
look at him again, but he doesn't have much strength to back him up right
now so you'll have to want to turn. Either way he says, "Espi... I.. I
dunno what I can say t' make ya feel better. If I did... I would.. but..."
He trails off for a minute to cough slightly, trying to make it sound like
he's just clearing his throat, nothing to be worried about. "...I know
ya'll remember, 'n I'll be right 'ere 'til ya do... 'kay? I'm not goin'
anywhere." He's gotta protect you from the Dark One after all... But he
doesn't add that.

Espiria frowns sadly, tipping her bleary eyes back to you as she sighs.
"I'm...trying sooo hard Neel. I...." How can she tell him that this stuff
is fatal if she can't? How can she say that? She clantches her hands into
tight fists, nails digging into her palms slightly to try to keep control
of herself. "I..know you will try, Neel, but..it's all on my shoulders.
All..of it. I..know the cure..somewhere inside me. I..have to get it
out..while...while there is still time."

"I told ya... not t' worry too much..." Neelkan says with a sigh, closing
his eyes for a few moments as he does. "I wish... I wish 'is didn't all
have t' be..." Arg. He doesn't know how to say this, but he wishes it
didn't have to be -you- that had to worry over this. You already have
enough to worry about, now you have to scramble to save the lives of a lot
of people, including him. He doesn't particularly like the idea of having
his life put into the hands of a woman... but... at least it's in the hands
of a friend. "Just... just let it come..." He lets his hand fall down and
rests it on his chest, his eyes still closed. He would really like to be
able to sleep right about now. He needs the rest... but he just can't face
the dreams...

Espiria frowns deeply, "I..I'm trying, Neel. Light knows I'm trying." She
sighs softly, shaking her head. "I...got pieces of things, but nothing that
is really needed. I'm trying so hard....to remember. It's...so far back
though. So far.." Her eyes go a bit distant as she speaks,
"Like....reaching to something that speeds by you headin the other way.
Trying to..hold it is like trying to hold water in a fast moving stream."

"Then... why don't... ya... just let it come t' ya." Neelkan mutters very
softly, almost under his breath. He's so tired... And so flamin' hot too.
"Why don't.. ya just.. do things that trigger the memories... Like how
talkin' 'bout war 'at one time triggered 'em 'at one time..." He's trying
to help. Trying to think and speak coherently, but... it's getting even
harder. He forces his eyes to open halfway, to try and keep from sleeping.

Espiria looks over to you with concern, biting her lip again. Boy, that
spot will get sore if she doesn't stop doing that soon. She sighs,
"Neel..just rest. I'll..do what I can as I always do. I know...it will
come. I just want it now before any more pain is caused..." She sighs,
taking the cloth and making it cool again before replacing it to your
forehead. "Just..rest. I'll stay with you..."

There's a soft laugh before Neelkan lets his eyes ease closed again,
relaxing a little at hearing that you'll stay here... Maybe that will be
enough to keep the dreams away... or it won't, but at least he can pretend.
There's another incredabily soft mutter of, "Ya know... 'at Varcel guy's
pretty lucky..." Um... That's the fever talking. And he'll insist on it if
it's brought up again later. So don't get the wrong idea. ... Really...
just the fever. He doesn't like giiiiiirls. Not to say he likes boys like
that or anything... He just... bwah. Nevermind.

Espiria blushes brightly, eyes closing for a moment as Espi thinks of
Varcel. He'll be getting sick soon too. She sighs, frowning slightly as she
smiles. Her hand goes to the cloth, cooling it again before replacing it.
Hopefully Neel will fall gently to sleep and actually rest. Not that he'll
have much choice later on. She winces at that thought, smile staying on her
lips. "Rest..Don't worry about anything, Neel. Just..rest.."

"A'right..." Neelkan whispers softly under his breath, then eventually
drifts into sleep. Sort of. ... Kind of. It's sleep. Might not be pleasent,
but it doesn't look too bad.