07/21/2000

Practice Yard, White Tower, Tar Valon

Hard packed earth is ringed in by a plain wooden fence. Daily the practice
area is maintained by the pounding of young men's feet, as they are ran
about the yard or set to forms. Towards the left hand side of the yard the
thud of arrows hitting targets can be heard. The right is devoted to racks
full of practice weapons and armor. Throughout the day the harsh voices of
Gaidin urging the boys to work faster, stronger, harder can be heard. At
night the silence is almost eerie as only the cicadas come out to play
their nocturnal commentary.

A three story building is at the end of the hall, providing a place for the
trainees to live. A set of iron stairs up to the door is a favorite meeting
spot for some of the boys, to sit and rest when such things are granted.
Often they can be seen catching a meal there, to avoid wrinkled noses and
sniffs from young ladies unaccustomed to the sweat and grime they daily
generate.


Aaaah. Just another day in the Tower Practice Yard. Neelkan is taking a
break from doing tasks for a few hours, and giving some time to the one of
the reasons he's actually here in the Tower. He's not here to clean
people's rooms, and run errands or sit in the Infirmary. He's here to
train! Even if he really doesn't need all that much training in the end all
of things. Everything but his boots and dark red trousers were discarded
about twenty minutes ago, when it just got too darn hot with the fabric,
but thankfully the fall air has kept him cooled down since then. It was
just the trapped heat. He's already gone through some early exersizes,
under the watch of some Gaidin whose sword he had to sharpen as a task a
few days ago, and already did a small work out in unarmed combat with a
trainee of his level. Now he's working on sword forms (with a woosy
practice wooden sword at that! Grrr! He wants a real sword, dangit!). But
he won't argue about it. He's already heard the rule a hundred times. No
live steel until blahblahblahblah. (Snore) Even though he's only been in
the Tower a few months (and spent most of it in the Infirmary) he's
apparently pretty skilled, falling into the positions naturally, thrusting,
falling back, defending, moving around. Most his moves aren't common sword
forms though, because he made a lot of them up, or another bandit over him
did. Though surely a few of the bandits had formal training, so there's
probably a few known sword forms in there. Just probably altered.

Espi just got back from her walk with Wynt and amazingly she's not the
least bit tired. Who would be after meeting another Ogier! Oh, she's so
happy that she asked Wynt to go walk with her and even more happy that the
one time she felt like going to the grove it proved to be the best thing
ever! She beams a happy smile, childishly wanting to giggle since her
meeting him made her happines scale just go thru the roof. Now she has
someone calm and ancient to talk to and maybe that's why she was so happy
to be with Gralic all those years when he lived in back of her parents
house? Perhaps..and she may never have known it. She sighs, walking into
the practice yard in search for someone. Well anyone even. It doesn't
matter whom it is really and she stops in her tracks when she sees you
working out with..umm..less the normal ammount of clothing on. Ohdear.
Well, she should get used to this she supposes. I mean..you're going to see
partly clad people at /some/ point right? Might as well get used to it now?
If only her memories helped her deal with this..made her less easy to blush
at the drop of a hat or a shirt for that matter. She slips into a seat,
watching you workout with her head tipped slightly to one side.

Oblivious to the fact that he has a blushing observer, Neelkan goes into
another set of attacks, moving forward and fighting an ivisable enemy,
because for some reason none of the trainees of his level wanted to spar
with him again after he basically flattened the poor kid in the unarmed
practice. Oh, he wasn't seriously injured or anything, but he'll likely
have bruises for a few days. This set of attacks consist of upward diagnal
slashes followed by a two handed level slice that would probably cut a
decent portion of a guy's chest if the person there was real, then pulled
back into an instant defensive position as if the guy got in a last blow
before falling. Then he twists on his heel and seems to be facing a
completely different opponent, and mostly doing defensive stances and
forms, falling back a step at a time as if bidding his time and waiting for
a strike. Which comes in a spin, and a lower slash which seems aimed at an
invisable knee. His poofy white streaked red hair keeps falling into his
eyes, but he never once flinches or tries to remove it from his line if
sight. Still hasn't noticed his observer yet, but he does seem to keep an
eye (or just be aware) of where other boys are practicing, cause he never
comes within two sword lengths of one.

Espiria blinks, completely ignoring the other trainees for the time being.
She never realized that you had such skill. Or such flamboyance in style.
She gasps, hand raising to cover her mouth as she watches you do your
slashes and hacks. My goodness, but she's never seen you in quite a way
like this before. Definately a warrior even if the style is your own..or a
blending of other style into this one. It still makes her widen her eyes
and feel slightly faint of heart. After all, if she were ever on the
recieving end of any of that she would be toast. She tips her head to the
side again, leaning just a bit forward as she notes your careful monitoring
of where the other boys are. That's very gallant of you to do and to stay
aware of even in the midst of such concentration. Surely you will find that
Void place very quickly with such a focused mind. She leans back a moment,
thought crossing her mind. Could she? Would you? Hmm..and if they could
keep it secret..that would be the main thing. But it would certainly take
off the hands of those far more busy. Hmm... She continues to watch and
waits for a chance to actually speak to you.

Void? It's unlikely that Neelkan will be any good at the void actually.
He's far too emotional. Almost all of his actions are based on emotion. He
wouldn't know what to do if he suddenly found himself without them! It
would just be a strange exprience. No doubt he will have to learn to cope.
Especially if he wants to advance in the training here. He goes into
another set of attacks, this time against yet another opponent, and ends up
facing the direction that you are sitting in. His face is twisted in
consentration, but there is clearly emotion in his eyes. No doubt he's
picturing himself fighting some Gaidin who made him do some horrible task
(like go down to the docks and get something from a boat! So close to all
that water!! Waaaai!). His eyes carry anger, determination and... then
surprise as he suddenly spots the unlooker mid-sideways swing with his
sword. The surprise instantly falls into an expression that shows he's
clearly happy to see you. And he falls out of the stance and drops into a
bow, pressing the tip of his sword against the yard, slightly damp hair
falling in front of his eyes until he straightens, lifting one hand off the
sword to brush the hair back, where for once it actually stays. Then he
starts over towards you, keeping the wooden sword in hand. "'ey 'ere, Espi.
Watch ya doin' out 'ere?"

Espiria watches the display, widening her eyes slightly at the fierceness
of the emotions she does see flit over your features. it's clear that she's
not exactly sure what to say just for the moment, but she does find her
tounge once you see her and actually speak to her. "Umm..Well..I just got
back from a lovely walk in the Grove with Wyntere Sedai. I..wasn't sleepy
and just thought I would come out here to watch the trainees practice.
I..never knew you were so good, Neel. You learn all of that...umm..where
you were before?" And yes, she knows what you were before. Only so much
delirious muttering that can been passed over as fever. Especially when it
happens /all/ the time. She chuckles softly, motioning toward the seat next
to you. "Got time for a chat?"

There's a small chuckle for a moment over something or another, likely
something to do with you, then Neelkan moves to sit down, leaning the
practice sword against something nearby as he does, bending over a little
to rest his hands on his knees so he can catch his breath from the work
out. He was in a sick bed not /too/ long ago after all. He still needs to
get back a lot of his stamina, so he's a little wiped from the workouts.
The constant tasks the last few days helped a lot though! So he's not
falling over or anything, or suffocating. "Um.. ye'h. I learned all'a it
from m' friends." He's not really asshamed of his past, he just wants to
stay here, and isn't sure they'll let him if they know the real reason he
was in the line of fire during that battle between Tower forces and Dark
forces was because him and three others were trying to steal supplies from
one of the Army wagons... "'n 'course I got time t' chat!"

Espiria glances over to you, smirking playfully before she leans over the
other way to grab a towel. One end has been moistened the other side is
dry. Hmm..I wonder how she did that? Yeah..right. As if it couldn't be
guessed. She offers the towel to you, grinning for a moment and staying
silent till you can cool off. Her eyes leave you and look out toward the
yard in general. She watches the youngster swat at each other like they
were some great flies. or perhaps they even swat like they were astride a
donkey and have to force it into forward motion by hitting it's backside.
She frowns slightly, feeling that she's waited about as long as she can and
looks over to you. "Neel...did you know I was attacked not long ago?
When...I went out with Master Gaidin and one of the Aes Sedai?"

Accepting the towel with a thanks, and marveling for a moment out of the
strangeness of the thing, Neelkan starts to use the wet end to cool off his
face and the rest of his exposed skin, wiping of dirt and sweat and stuff
which obviously tends to be there. Boy's can't practice without getting a
little dirty after all! At the chosen conversation he pauses, wiping off
the arm closest to you and then looks over. "Where ya got shot in the
stomach 'r somethin'? 'r another time?" For some reason he seems not to
doubt that there might in fact be another time. He's had too many bad
dreams centered around the you (or things he thinks are connected to you)
to think otherwise. Plus he knows enough about what is going on with you to
be worried. Almost obsessively so. It shows on his face and in his eyes
that he is worried. Extremely worried. And almost looks as if he'd be
willing to smash his fist into the Dark One's face (if he has a face...) if
it would help!

Espiria watches you for the time being, letting you get cooled off before
she sighs softly and shakes her head. "No..this was another time." She
seems quite chilled to even think about it, but it did happen and she
survived. That's the important thing. If Michael hadn't of...if..she hadn't
of. She shivers again and not from anything cold that you may feel. She
glances over to you for a moment, sighing. "A storm started while we were
out riding. We..had to take shelter in the abandoned village. We..got
attacked while we were there." She sighs softly, steadying her nerves.
"There..were Faceless Ones. Trollocs...It was just horrible." She shakes
her head, "I..am upset that I couldn't do more...didn't know more about
protecting myself. Da tried to teach me some, but...well they were taken
from me before I was really old enough to learn much." Perhaps you see
where this is going? "If..I'd of known more...I might of been able to help
more that I did. Might have been able to..do something besides sitting
there and staring horrified." She seems really upset about that, "Not..like
I froze, but I just didn't know what to do. The Aes Sedai...and Master
Gaidin did all the work...too most of the bruises and blows and all I did
was sit." Not that she remembers what else she did, but that's not here nor
there.

There's a small frown on Neelkan's face through all this, and he actually
seems to twitch slightly at the mention of a storm and... it just reminds
him of one of his dreams. A storm. Lightning lashing out and attacking a
yellow arch. And a key. And... Oh, he better not think more on it, but it's
clear that he's somewhat upset by the time you finish with the story. He
puts the towel down to rest on his knee, and despite how it may look he
leans over and puts an arm around you for a moment, squeezing you against
him in a half hug. "Ya did all ya knew how t' do. Ya can't be asshamed 'a
'at, Espi. 'n it's the Aes Sedai 'n Gaidin's job t' protect ya when yer out
with 'em, isn't it? I'm just glad ya weren't hurt." He gives another small
squeeze of his hand against your opposite shoulder, then loosens his grip a
little, though not removing his arm. "So why're ya tellin' m' 'is now?"
Does he not see where it's going? Nope. The boy is dense sometimes. Sigh.

Yes, she remembers the dream you told her about and though no yellow arches
were anywhere to be seen that is partly why she felt compeled to tell you.
She sighs as well, feeling great comfort from the hug and she even manages
a smile as she looks over to you. "Yes..I know I did as much as I could,
but if they had died? If I would have been left alone with...those
things..." She closes her eyes and can't contain the shudder that passes
thru her. When she looks back over to you, her eyes are misted and sad.
"I'd rather die fighting than just..give in to something like that. But..if
I don't know /how/ to fight, then how can I hope of getting free?" She
glances out to the yard again, biting her lower lip for a moment. "I..saw
you fighting out there and just knew that I had to ask you something Neel.
It..was offered by others when I asked, but..they are so busy and it really
might get them in trouble to do this for me." She glances over to you with
a chuckle, "I saw you fighting..and I thought...he's not one to care about
trouble and I know if he thinks he could do..he would do it." She pauses
for a moment, "Would you teach me how to fight Neel? Something..that I can
use if I ever really need it? Like..hand to hand..or even daggers of some
kind?"

Oh! Oh! Duh! Most people would have gotten the idea before you had to tell
him exactly. In fact, he doesn't seem to get it until you actually ask!
Believe it or not. Neelkan blinks at the question, and almost opens his
mouth to say something about being a woman, and he can't teach women, but a
moment later he closes it before a word comes out and pauses to think. He
doesn't think before talking very often though, so this could be a little
odd. After a little bit he tightens the hug again for a second, then says,
"Sure. Light, don't see why not! Ya prolly don't wanna learn the sword
though, but I could teach ya hand to hand stuff, 'n knives. I /was/ raised
in Eharon after all." Every Eharon knows how to duel. But then again, he's
not really much like a typical Eharon. Not even appearance wise. His
parents were driven south because of the war as far as he knows. That's why
he's not your typical dark haired, olive complexioned person. And he
certainly isn't a submissive Eharon male either. Hrmpt! "'n don't worry
'bout gettin' m' in trouble. 'long as we found a place where we wouldn't
have gossipers watchin', I'm sure I can find time t' teach ya a few things.
But ya won't e'er need t' use 'em, cause I'll a'ways be 'ere t' protect ya
from 'at sorta thin' from now on." Or that's what he wants to think anyway,
but obviously he can't /always/ be there... He is smart enough to keep his
volume level down at least!

Espiria smiles brightly, worry eased by the fact that you say yes. She even
reaches around to hug you tightly for a moment before releasing you and
heaving a sigh of relief. "Oh..Light. Thank you, Neel. I hope I'll never
need it, but at least...at least I'll know what to do if I ever /do/ need
it." At least she hopes that to be the case. Things have grow wierder
lately and she never knows what end is up. She tips her eyes over to you,
lifting a brow as she quietly asks. "You have any time now? No time like
the present for things like this, hmm? That is..unless you have other
chores to get done before turning in?" She purses her lips slightly,
thinking of a place that would be out of the sight of others. "Oh..I
know...we could go to the roof of the Tower. I know Wyntere Sedai has
already turned in for the night and she's the one that mostly goes up
there." She looks hopefully over to you as she inwardly shivers again.
Oh..if thinking about certain things would just stop doing that! Maybe once
she feels personally safer...it will...

During the returned hug he actually pushes against you for a few seconds,
"'ey, 'ey. Don't get all 'mooky' on m' 'r nothin'. Might gimme the wrong
idea." Too bad he kinda wants to get the wrong idea. But Neelkan is not
going to say that, instead he nods at the idea of starting now, and the
rooftop is considered, then he nods again, "Rooftop 'n now it is 'en. Since
yer not tired." He pulls back from the half-hug, and the other stuff,
picking the towel up and laying it on the bench before sayin, "Lemme get
rid of 'is bloody well stupid wooden thin' 'n see if I can 'borrow' a
couple knives." He winks an eye closed slightly for a moment, showing what
he means by borrowing. Then quickly trots off to go put the sword away and
see if he can round up a few unsharpened knives. No need to use sharp ones
the first lesson after all. Not out to hurt anyone. But he wants the exact
wieght! Not any of this wooden sword stuff. Though the Tower seems to have
the weights fairly close somehow... Anyway, he returns with his gray tunic
and sash back on and holds out a hand in offer, "Lead the way, Accepted."
He gives a title with a smirk.

Espiria smiles as you leave, sitting there for the time being as she tries
to steady her nerves. Well, hopefully she can keep a grip on things and
nothing wierd slip out this time. Though...the Aiel she seemed to be liked
men even if she was a Maiden. She takes a few cleansing breaths, dropping
her head forward for a moment before she notes you heading back. She
chuckles softly, taking the offered hand as she rises to step down out of
the seating area. She gives aplayful wink as well, "Certainly, Trainee."
before she moves to head out of the yard. She thinks this will be an
interesting night..definately...


Rooftop, White Tower, Tar Valon

Those that venture up to the top of the tower, find that it is breathtaking
no matter whether the sun is overhead or it's the moon that lights the
land. Whether it's your first time to step foot upon the roof or the first
time after a hundred years, a feeling of awe rushes through most that take
in the sight of surrounding beauty. Nothing but Sky above, earth below, and
the always present wind that seems to want to whip around people as if in a
dancing to some unknown tune beckoning the folk to join along.

During the day, the sun beats down upon the land as one looks out over the
edge to the rolling countryside. There are many farms and roads and
mountains and streams. A toy world from such a great height. Something that
might strike those who ponder things is that boundaries do not exist here
in this tranquilty above the height that the birds fly.

During the night time, the world is pitch black save for the moon and
stars. There is feel of standing in the center of blackness with nothing
beneath beneath you or around you like you are suspended in air with the
only the stars to keep you from falling. The twinkling lights seem to call
those who are inclined to hear, "Sit.. Listen to our stories of old.
Stories from other time and another age...."


Espiria heads out of the tower and motions with her hand. Two globes float
out to make a bit of light outside. Not enough to be seen far away, but
enough to make the roof a bit brighter. She steps away from you, smiling as
she turns to face you. "Ummm..what do I need to do first."

Wow. Just... wow. You know, it's a /really/ good thing Neelkan isn't afraid
of hieghts. He's never been this high up before. Ever. (Well, obviously)
He's been in tall trees, but nothing comes close to comparison. He moves
over to where he can look around at the darkenish sky, able to see the
rivers that trap him here from this distance. They seem so small from up
here. He shakes his head after a moment, running a hand through his hair.
"'is place is wonderful. I can see why Wyn likes comin' up 'ere." He
reaches into a couple folds in his tunic and pulls out two apparently
unsharpened knives. "'ey a lil' smaller 'en I'm used t', but 'ey're the
best I could dig up. I'll try t' find better one's later." He heads over to
stand in front of you, looking you up and down (and enjoying it far too
much, even with the unrevealing dress. Sigh. And here he always tried to
ignore women. Grrr) then he steps forward and picks up one of your hands,
putting the knife into it gently. "First I just need t' teach ya how to
hold it 'n stand. Try 'n keep yer legs 'part, 'n bend her knees a little,
'n hold the knife like 'is." He presses the knife into a position, making
it so the butt of the hilt is closest to your thumb. "'is is yer defensive
hold. Ya can block attackes t' yer lower arm 'n wrist holdin' it like 'is,
'n ya can also slash out if ya have t' by rotatin' yer hips a lil." Um...
He isn't going to do that movement for her once she gets the stance right.
But he is kind of tempted. Yes. He's hopeless.

Espiria glances out over the hamlets and nods. "I always feel such peace
being up here. I can almost forget...things when I'm so high up and away
from everyone." She smiles, turning back to the task at hand. She watches
how you put the knife, head tipping as she grips it too tight. But then,
she thinks it will be knocked out of her hand. Awkwardly she moves to stand
as you tell her. Her knees slightly bend to make the weight evenly
distributed, but her feet aren't quite right and if someone were to kick at
her legs, she'd go down. but then..noone said she was good at this. That's
why she asked you. She nods at the mention of defensive, looking at her
hand and then you for a moment before she smiles. "Rotate? Umm..you mean
move slightly so I'm facing partly away?"

"No, don't try to choak the poor knife, Espi." Neelkan sighs as he gets a
good look at your grip. "The paded skin of yer palm'll keep it from
slippin' 'n long as ya hold it right it shouldn't be a problem." Long as
you don't get nervous and your palms sweat. But he's not worried about that
right now. "Err. Ye'h. Rotate yer body, 'n move yer arm with ya, but keep
all the force in yer body..." Sigh. He's not really good at explaining this
sort of thing. He glances down at your stance and sighs again, nudging one
foot with the toe of his boot. "Ya need t' try 'n balance a lil' better.
One key t' fightin' is t' stay on yer flamin' feet. But if ya get knocked
down I can help ya out 'ere as well." He continues to nudge with his boot
until he thinks her feet are in the right place. He's not the best teacher,
but he's trying really hard.

Espiria loosens up on the blade, eyes going wide as she 'ohs' softly. She
feels thw weight in her hands, nodding slightly as she listens to your
words. She tries the rotating slightly. Just enough really to get a vague
feel for what you are saying before she looks down at her feet. She shifts
them according what your trying to show her, looking back up with a bright
smile. They seem to be in the right place now at least, "Better?" She
glances at herself, shivering slightly as she wonders if she will ever need
this. Probably. With her luck anyway. She glances over to you, taking a
deep breath and trying to get a good student teacher feel going on, but you
are a friend and she can't help but smile at you as you struggle with her
learning this. Some things are easy...One Power is very easy for her, but
physical combat? Nah...not easy at /all/ for her. But she's also practicle
and she knows that if anything were to happen, it'd be an ace in the hole
if she knew something that noone else knew that she knew.

Hrmpt. "It'd be 'lot easier if ya didn't have 'is skirt, but we can work
with what we got I guess!" Neelkan glances over the stance again, finally
fairly satisfied with it and takes a step back, then two. Then a third.
Hmmm. He enjoys looking over you a little too much again, but luckily
channeling doesn't include the ability to read minds or he'd probably be in
serious trouble about now. Good thing Varcel can't either! He hates women!
Really! Grr. He nods, then says, "A'right... not too sure how I'm supposed
t' teach ya, cause I ne'er really taught anyone else 'ese kinda thin's
'fore, 'cept other bandits, but 'ats a lil' different." He notices the
slip, but he figures it doesn't matter and moves forward again, this time
moving around to stand behind you, putting his hands on your shoulders and
planning to help you with the movements a little, then suddenly... realizes
what he was thinking of doing. Being so close and all. He might mess up and
do something stupid like... like... Ack. He quickly drops his hands and
backs around in front of you again, "Just... practice 'at stance 'n attack
f'r a while. I'll teach ya 'nother one next time ya catch m' f'r a lesson,
'kay?" Why is he suddenly a little nervous...? Peeeeeer.

Espiria smiles, staying in the stance while you take a look. Nope, she
can't read minds and she just thinks your checking to make sure she has
this part right. She chuckles softly, nodding. "It's alright, Neel. You're
doing wonderful...I feel like I can actually learn with you teaching me."
She glances over to you, then back forward as you move to look her over.
Oh..maybe he's going to teach me another move? She tries not to look too
eager and sighs softly as you move to stand in front of her
again."Oh...Alright." She smiles, nodding several times. She's a firm
believer in getting things right. "I will make sure to practice this as
much as I can. Since..I won't have time to think about it if I'll actually
need to use it." She shivers, frowning slightly as she flips the blade in
her hand. The hilt is now facing you as she hands it back. How did she do
that? She didn't even notice that she did it, but she seems still happy
that you're going to be teaching her. "I'll give this back..so you won't be
in trouble at least for having them. maybe...we can borrow them again next
time? Or..maybe I can see if I can find something else to use, hmm?"

Watching the knife flip and get held out and stuff Neelkan wonders idly if
the memories that you have also include things like that... He takes the
knife, slipping it back in with the other in the folds of his tunic,
nodding his head, "A'right. I'll go put 'ese back 'fore 'ier even missed,
'n just contact m' next time ya need a lesson." Spending a lot of time
alone with you...? Arg. He's going to have to learn to resist emotional
impulses. Not his greatest skill, lemme tell ya! But he's going to try. He
doesn't want to go and ruin this friendship, especially since he knows
about you and Varcel (which pisses him off to no end for some reason he
doesn't really understand...) Aw well. "So d'ya want m' t' walk ya down t'
yer level at least?" He gives a small smirk.

Espiria chuckles and nods, "If you'd like. I doubt anyone is awake at this
point to actually see us heading downstairs together." She smirks
playfully, hand raising to brush some hair off of her shoulder. "Thank you
again, Neel. This is very kind of you to do." She giggles, blushing
slightly as she moves for the stairs. "Hmm...wait a moment. Umm..do you
think a fan would work as a weapon? Keay Sedai gave me one when I passed my
testing. It's still in the box and I...could bring it with me next time we
get to meet. Umm..If you think it will be any good."

"No pro'lem! Ya asked after al--" There's a pause and Neelkan glances over,
eyes actually seeming to go excited for a second. "A fan!? Ya wanna learn
how to fight with a fan!?" Sorry, insert moment of silly joy as he quickly
reaches down and picks you up under the arms and twirls you around for a
minute. You have no idea how long he has wanted someone /ANYONE/ to think a
fan would make a weapon. He quickly blushes and puts you back down,
stammering for a second before saying, "Uh, well, ye'h. A fan can be a
weapon, depending on the make of it. If the ribs seperatin' the fabric 're
made of iron or some other strong metal it could be used. Ya could sharpen
the edges of it. Ya could even substatue the fabric f'r metal strips, but
it'd have t' fold differently, which wouldn't be as flashy 'r easy t'
conceal. But ye'h! I could teach ya t' fight with a fan!"

Espiria widens her eyes and giggles happily as she is spun around. Her
cheeks are flushed and eyes bright as she is lower back to the floor. She
giggles, shaking her head. "I...was just wondering since I remembered you
saying you used your that way a few times. I..never thought to ask you, but
it just dawned on me that noone would look at me twice if I had a fan, but
they would notice if I had a knife or something." She smiles brightly,
tipping her head to one side. "I'll have to bring it to you and let you
take a look. Keay Sedai bought it for me, but I don't think she ever
thought that it would be used that way." She chuckles softly, turning back
for the stairs. "I'll make sure to have it with me next time I get to meet
with you...." She's happy that she made your night, and clearly you made
her's as well since you've probably not seen her this happy in awhile.


Sixth Floor, White Tower, Tar Valon

Young women in plain white dresses move in and out of tiny white doors with
names written on them. The hall here is plain wood, scrubbed to a shine.
Candles, not balls of the Power, light the way. A few notes -- reminders to
the girls -- can be seen posted here. There is also a schedule of assigned
chores on a chalkboard in the middle of the hall giving the roster for each
day. Girls periodically walk up and check it, only to walk away grumbling.

The air smells clean, like soap and water, mostly. It is somewhat stuffy
and cramped up here, however, and hot, in this highest area of the Tower.


"A'right! 'n if it doesn't fit the profile, 'en I could easily take it down
t' be altered a little. Get iron ribs added 'r somethin'" Now, he is really
excited about this. Neelkan pulls you into a half shoulder hug again as you
two head down, but as soon as they might be seen he pulls back and goes to
run fingers through his hair again, "It's m' own personal style too, so no
one else could teach ya it. All m' sisters, 'n most e'eryone else kinda
made fun of me f'r it. 'n m' hair, 'n my nightmares, 'n pretty much
e'erythin' else 'ey could find t' make fun of m' 'bout." He shrugs as if it
never did bother him, when it's obvious it had. When he was younger at
least! He doesn't care now.

Espiria smiles and nods, listening to your enthusiasm and chuckling softly.
"I'm sure we can do something with it. Regardless of how it ends up
looking, it will still be basiclly a fan..and noone really looks at those."
She grins broadly, nodding. "It's very unique..which has other advantages
as well. Since only you know it...noone else will think it can be used as a
weapon." She lowers her voice, grinning as she nods. "After hearing your
horror stories about sisters...I'm alittle glad that I never had them." She
chuckles softly, lowering her voice a bit more before she stops at her
door. "Thank you again, Neel. I look forward to my next lesson." She
reaches out to pat your cheek, smiling brightly before she turns to head
into her room. "Light keep you safe always, Neel."

"Light keep ya safe too, Espi." Neelkan says, looking down with a slight
frown for a moment when you aren't looking. Then he shakes his head,
wondering silently to himself what's wrong with him. Grrr! Women. He won't
think about it anymore, and just go down, get rid of the knives and go to
bed. And get ready to teach his... friend. Yes. That's right. Friend.
That's it. Grrr. He heads down the ramps to get down as quickly as
possible.