07/10/2000

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.


Christabel pauses then and simply watches the girl... Lost in her own
thoughts. After a momment she channels again... mostly Spirit this time,
trying to give the girl strength... ease her tension. Why does she keep
poping in here taking such a special interest in this girl? It isn't like
she's the MoN... she's a general...

Tada! Insert the man of the hour! Or at least that's what the talk of the
Tower seems to be on right now. It was just a kiss! Not like he threw her
on the ground and stripped off her clothes and... ahem. Nevermind. Neelkan
walks in, looking around as a few of the Infirm staff instantly go into a
fit of giggles (mostly novices likely). He glares at them and grumbles, "If
ya weren't women, I'd deck ya." Likely he had to restrain himself from
decking a few trainees! Grump. He moves towards th bed that Espi is in,
intent on checking on her, and pauses when he sees that the General is
there.

Espiria relaxes a bit more, sighing softly now as she worst of the dream
passes. There are a few tears that fall from the sides of her eyes though,
even as her eyes flutter open and she seems not to know where she is for
the moment. She mutters some very odd words, not really 'there' for the few
moments that she wakes up. She doesn't even know that Christa is standing
over her.

Christabel continues looking down at the girl with a look of concern.. that
is until Neelkan makes his entrance, and her gaze raises to look at him
with a scowl. "The infirmary is not a place for threats young man." She
looks back to Espi as she begins to wake up and keeps her hand on her
cheast, not wanting her to try to rise. "Espiria... How do you feel?" she
asks softly, a smile gracing her face.

What is Neelkan's reaction to the General? Very mature! Let me tell ya! He
sticks out his tongue and actually razzes her for a moment before saying,
"Then tell 'em t' stop gossipin'!" Then he looks over at Espi... waking
up... he frowns and quickly moves over to the bed and looks down at his
friend, "Espi? Ya a'right?"

Espiria opens her mouth and tries to say something, then it shuts again
when no words come out. She looks around in confusion, biting her lower lip
slightly. "Where....where am I?" She shivers and does just as Christa
expected. She tries sitting up. Though..she doesn't get very far with a
hand resting on her chest. Not as weak as she is. She looks around in
confusion, frowning slightly before she shakes her head. "I..." That dream
must have really rattled her badly for her to be so confused.

Christabel smiles a little more and shakes her head. "Just lie still...
you've had a bad dream.. and been through much before that even. You've
earned some time off." Then she looks up to Neelkan and her eyes narrow.
"You, /boy/,need to learn some respect. Perhaps if you didn't give them
cause to gossip about you they would not. Your lucky I don't cut that
tongue out of your head... Stand over there." she orders, pointing to a
place two beds down, and off to the side.

Looking down at Espi, Neelkan immediately softens in expression a little.
She's a friend, and so far off the 'Evil Woman' scroll it's unimaginable.
But... at the words of the Green the expression goes into a glare and a
frown again when he glances up at her. Eh? Those blue-green eyes of his
seem to darken for a moment as he shakes his head, grumbling under his
breath, "Espi's m' friend, 'n I came up 'ere t' check on 'er. So if ya
don't mind, I'd like t' stay 'ere." He manages to not sound -too- rude
there. Well... not as rude as normal...

Christabel's eyes flame. "With an attitude like that I am amayzed that you
have stayed at the Tower this long. But that can be easily fixed." she
channels as she talks, weaving tight bands of air around the boy and moving
him around the table to stand in front of her. "I think cutting out your
tongue is not quite sufficiant. Burning alive I think will do much
better... and with that the young man is engulfed in flames.. flames that
from outside and in seem too close not to burn, yet, thankfully for
Neelkan, do not, even if he does move, which he no doubt will.

Espiria takes a deep shuddering breath, trying not to feel freaked out
about the dream she just had, but just something about bolt and dark
shapes...and a certain 'thing' that calls itself Ba'alzamon that sticks in
her mind and makes it hard to stay calm. Her eyes go wide though as she
hears Neel's voice and her eyes shift alittle to look his way. Yes, she
remembers him. He's a friend..just like he said. She watches Christa move,
eyes going wide though as part of the horror of her dream is realized. She
opens her mouth in a silent 'no', eyes going wide and afraid before she
starts gasping for air. No..it's all too real. It's...all..much too real.
And she is panicing now, like she's never paniced before.

Oy. That is the best expression right now. Neelkan's eyes narrow at the
woman's threats, then all of a sudden it looks like he's on fire. His first
thought is that he must be asleep, especially when he yelps softly and
jumps backwards and tries to smother the fire with his hands and he
realizes he's not really burning. His clothes would be gone in a few
seconds. His skin would start to get puffy and blistered and red and black
and stuff, and none of that is happening. And he's not asleep, because DAMN
is it hot in here. So hot he would love to take off the tunic he's wearing.
He doesn't though, instead he glares through the flames at the woman who
did this to him and mentally says every single curse and swear he's ever
heard (which is a lot), but all he says outload is, "What a pretty show.
Aren't ya talented." If anything he looks even more pissed. He's not really
afraid for some reason. Intially, he was shocked. But he wasn't afraid.
This is part of who Neel is. He's too stupid to be afraid. He's only afraid
of three things, and being on fire is not one of them. Too bad he doesn't
notice Espi's current dilemia... He'd just be even more pissed though.

The show only last a few seconds, long enough for the initial shock to hit
Neelkan before it flashes out. "Out. Get out of this infirmary and down to
the first Gaidin you see and tell him /exactly/ what has happened here, and
ask for the worst punishment he can think of. I will check later, if you
have not given him an acurate description of these events then you will
find yourself out of the Tower for good faster then you can blink. I've a
good mind to see you expelled regardless, but perhaps the Gaidin can forge
some kind of usefull tool from you, you certainly wont make any kind of a
soldier. Now go!" her voice is clod and firm throught.. she will broke no
more nonsence from this boy. She doesn't have the time nor the inclination.
Espiria she will deal with in a momment, which is not to say she's ignoring
her... a hand is still resting on the girl.. trying to keep her still.

Espiria seems to be too tired to keep the freaking out going for long and
soon she just lays there, staring up at the ceiling. Nope, this is not a
good week at all. Where is Wynt when you need her? Why is this happening to
me? Why do I always get the bad things to happen to me? Why is Neel on
Fire? So many thing srushing thru her tired mind and the fear that
something horrible is happening keeps nagging at the back of her mind. Oh,
it doesn't matter right now that it's a dream she's remembering..nor the
fact that the fire is gone. It all seems too real to her in her weak state
and the only reason she still stays in the bed is the hand holding her
down. She refuses to look over to Neel, and her mind won't accept the fact
right this second that Neel isn't screaming his head off about being /on/
fire. Nope, she's just been thru too much for it all to sink in that fast.
At least she's not gasping anymore..which is a good thing. But is her
staring blankly at the ceiling much better?

If it wasn't for Espiria... And Denn'ryiel. And Redd. Neelkan would quit in
a second and just leave after this... demonstration. He glares at the woman
for a few moments while she makes the treats and everything, then looks
down at the girl laying there in the bed, hurt and staring up at the
ceiling. His glare softens again, and he shakes his head, white-streaked
red hair falling to obscure his eyes as he turns them back to the woman
again, "Sometimes I wonder how ya Aes Sedai e'er manage t' 'xpect people t'
look up t' ya 'n respect ya 'en ya treat people like 'is. At least I got an
excuse, because I'm a brat." Yes, he knows this. He likes being a brat. But
he's a brat with a backbone! He'd stand up to the Dark One himself!
Especially for a friend. But this time he doesn't need to stand up with
anyone for a friend. He needs to back down, for a friend. So he steps
backwards and moves into a bow for a moment, not even mocking at all, and
says, head lowered, "I shall do so, Christabel Aes Sedai. 'n if ya would
like I'll e'en report back t' ya afterwards." He raises up, looking the
woman right in the eye with defiance, but respectful defiance and then
turns to head out of the Infirmary.

Christabel waits untill the boy is almost out the door before calling his
name. Still sternly. "You may check up on Espiria after you have completed
whatever punishment the Gaidin gives you. Being a brat is not an excuse..
it's a cop out. And it is something you should not be proud of." She then
turns back to Espi, sighing softly.. she hates this..

Espiria sighs softly, breathing normally, but her eyes still continue to
stare up at the ceiling. There are some things that are just too bad for
some people to face and Espi's dream is one of them. It couldn't be bad
enough what she saw in her dream. No. Then on top of it to see it actually
happen to a friend of hers? She's retreated from thinking or feeling for
the time being. Nothing is better than what she was feeling before.
And..the problem is that it wasn't just a dream. Nope. It was a memory
wrapped in a dream. She really did see what she saw..and when she opened
her eyes and saw it happen again... Well, you can draw your own conclusions
as to what she thought. Regardless, she's feeling better now that she's
numb. Yup..indeedy.


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.



Salamas is sitting in the courtyard, benieth a tree, his eyes closed.

The man before you could best be described as willowy, though there is
little doubt that he would resent the remark if made to his face. He is
thin, both in his legs and arms, with long slender fingers. Every movement
seems to contain a sort of deadly grace, made even more pronounced by the
finely crafted longsword at his side. He is dressed in a royal blue pants
with a snow white shirt. His sword is belted about his waist and fastened
with a buckle of silver that matches the clasp of his cloak. Both are
fashioned in the likeness of an eagle. His black hair falls straight to his
shoulders and grey eyes sparkle on a clean shaven narrow face.

Coming out of the tower is a boy with white streaks in red hair. He looks
around a few times, searching the Courtyard for someone. A gaidin to be
specific. Eventually his blue-green eyes finally find someone who doesn't
look so bad and he moves towards the man leaning against the tree. A man he
recognizes as a Gaidin from Practice or something else. He instantly sweeps
into a bow, though his eyes shine with defiance as he says, "Gaidin, I
require severe punishment." he says in his odd accent. Not even going to
say why?

Salamas opens his eyes and looks at the boy curiously, tilting his head
slightly. "Punishment?" he asks in a soft voice. "What for? Have you been
kissing Novices?"

That actually causes Neelkan to snort, "No." As if he would kiss a Novice,
"M' name is Neelkan, 'n I... stood up t' 'n Aes Sedai 'n was disrespectful.
She told m' t' stand aside 'n I refused, 'n I stuck m' tongue out at 'er 'n
didn't bow 'n show 'er proper respect. She told m' t' find the first Gaidin
'n ask for the strictest punishment he could think of."

Salamas frowns deeply... regarding you with a look that seems to be both
measuring and curious. "And why did you do all of this? You must have known
you would be punished. Do you want to be punished? Or are you simply a
fool?"

"I did not wish t' be punished, and I think most would answer 'at yes, I am
a fool, but I do not think I am either." Neelkan isn't going to explain
why. The man probably wouldn't want to hear it. "Just give m' the
punishment so I can get back t' the infirmary t' see m' friend." He stares
at the man right in the eyes, not ashamed at all.

Salamas chuckles and shakes his head. "Not until you tell me why you did
what you did." he pauses and smiles, "Let's just say that I need the
information if I'm to make a proper punishment."

"Because I don't like bein' told what t' do. 'specially by women. 'n 'ere
were some Novices up 'ere gossipin' 'bout m', 'n I told 'em 'at if 'ey
weren't girls I'd punch 'em." Neelkan shrugs his shoulders, sounding as if
he means that he would have punched them had they been boys gossiping. "'n
she told m' not t' make threats 'n I told 'er t' tell 'em t' stop talkin'
'bout m' 'en. 'n it just went down from 'ere. 'n m' friend seemed t' be in
pain 'n I wanted t' stay near 'er 'n the Aes Sedai ordered m' 'way."

Salamas tilts his head slightly.. "If you do not like being told what to
do, esspecially by women... then why are you here? We all take orders
here... and all of us from women. It is the way things are. The rules will
not be bent for you just because you don't like it."

"I am 'ere 'cause 'ere's somethin' 'ere 'at I can't learn anywhere else. 'n
I have friends 'ere." Neelkan shrugs his shoulders. "I often ask m'self the
same thing. I'll take orders from women if 'ey earn m' respect. Like I'd
take orders from Kaomi 'r Wyntere." Yes, he does call the Amyrlin and the
Mistress of Novices by their first names... He's a strange, strange young
man, "I would die f'r people I respect, but I won't trampled on."

Salamas shakes his head. "Then you will be forced to leave your friends. We
all must take orders from people we don't like.. even those we don't
respect. It's part of being a soldier. If you can't deal with that, I
sujest you leave now and save everyone a lot of trouble."

Neelkan shakes his head, hair falling in front of his eyes, "I can't leave.
I promised I wouldn't. Just give m' the bloody punishment." He's starting
to get a little impatient, and that's appearant in his stance and eyes and
the tightening of his jaw and fists.

Salamas sighs.. "You aren't going to do your friends any good until you
learn to take orders and show respect even to people you hate. That is a
simple fact. If you don't believe me.. then you are a fool. A big one." He
pauses and thinks for a momment, "Your punishment is to approuch every
Gaidin and Sedai in the Tower, tell them you are being punished, and why,
and ask them for one duty that they need done that you can do. If they have
none, fine... but if they do... you will do it as soon as you can. If I
hear you are not fullfilling any part of this.. I will personally see to it
that you are expelled. Is that understood?"

There is a moment where Neelkan looks disgruntled, but then he steels his
eyes and loosens his fist and nods, "Very well. Though, Gaidin, ya know
nothin' 'bout m'. I will not b' told what t' do. By anyone. If I do
somethin', it's cause I choose t'. I won't b' like the men I grew up
'round. Ever." And that last word is actually said without his accent. Then
he straightens up and bows deeply, "Gaidin, I'm bein' punished f'r being
disrespectful t' Christabel Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah. Is 'ere any one
task ya require of m'?" While he manages to give the words of a humbled
person, he doesn't look like he's been humbled at all. Still fiery as ever.
And yes, he's obviously thinking 'Every Aes Sedai and Gaidin' also means
the one he is speaking to.

Salamas just shakes his head. He'll be gone soon... a waste. With that kind
of determination.... but it wouldn't be the first. "I need you to take the
cloths in my room, the ones against the door, to the laundry.. that will be
all. And at least think about what I said. If you want to help your
friends, you will have to first learn to swollow your pride. I really would
like to help you, but you have to start using your head first." he pasues,
"WHo is your sponcer anyways?"

Neelkan looks at the man for a few moments, then straightens and nods his
head, "Very well. 'ere is yer room?" Then he ponders over the rest of those
words for a few moments, before naming his sponsor. A man who probably took
pity on the poor guy for some reason. Or respected his determination and
backbone maybe. Who knows.

Salamas nods. "My room is in the barracks.. forth one on the right." he
pauses as if he were going to say more then just shakes his head. "When you
have time, look me up for a lesson."

Neelkan nods and says, "I shall do 'at, Gaidin." But likely the poor young
man will not have much time for a very long time. No doubt some Yellows he
glared at during his days in the Infirmary will want him to do rather
difficult tasks, and if any Browns ask him to copy anything... Light. And
what the Reds might do to the self-confessed woman-hater!

Salamas just shakes his head and closes his eyes once more. A waste.

Neelkan goes off to do first task, then go around and get told to do more
as soon as he is done.


Yet again, the Tower's Self Confessed Woman Hater is the talk of the town.
But this time it's for something a lot more then kissing an ex-Accepted!
This time, he is seen walking throughout the entire Tower, stepping up to
Gaidin or Aes Sedai randomly, bowing before them and saying these words,
"Aes Sedai/Gaidin, I am bein' punished f'r bein' derespectful t' General
Christabel Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah. Is 'ere any one task 'at ya require
of m' t' do at 'is time?" All these words sound somewhat humble and
respectful, but not once, even after many, many chores, as the fire left
this boy's eyes. Rumors say that this act of disrespectfulness happened in
the Infirmary (shock) and that he stuck his tongue out at the General and
she channeled illusionary fire around him before ordering him out. Other's
say he tried to kiss her, but those are probably just silly Novices still
reiling over the last rumor about Neelkan. Either way, the young man can be
seen asking every Aes Sedai and Gaidin for a task. Some give him simple
things, like taking their laundry. Others give him larger tasks such as
cleaning their room from top to bottom with a very small brush. A few even
tell him they have nothing to give him, and he continues on. 

This can be used as IC knowledge, because no doubt Neelkan had to do the
task asking to an NPC around your character if they are within the Tower at
one point or another. Neel must also do this to -every- Aes Sedai and
Gaidin within the Tower. So PCs should try to let me finish this task by
letting me RP with them! Be mean! Be very mean! But try to make it
something I can RP! :)