07/22/2000

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...."


Espi's come up here after leaving the message for Neel. She hopes he
doesn't get into trouble over what he's been doing, but she's also thankful
that he's caring enough to help her out. In her hand is the fan that was
given to her as a gift. She turns it over several times, looking at it and
wondering if it will be good enough to use.

Like Neelkan cares about getting in trouble. Hrmpt. If any of the Gaidin
ask where he was he'll just complain about some Red who gave him a chore to
do because of his stupid tasks. If they ask her name, he won't remember. He
just knows she was a Red. Uh-huh. Convient excuse! As soon as he gets the
note, he heads up, after fishing out his fan that they did return to him.
He's just not allowed to practice with it, because it would be considered
'live steel'. Feh. He leaves it concealed though, just because the fact
that he would rather not be questioned about it. The red head reappears on
the rooftop, looking around slowly to make sure that there isn't an 'Evil
Woman' waiting to pounce or something. Then sees it's just you. And you're
hardly an evil woman and heads fully onto the roof, "'ey Espi."

Espiria turns around thinking it might be someone coming upstairs to enjoy
the evening air, but thankfully it's just you. She heaves a sigh and
relaxes again, smiling. "Hi, Neel." She giggles softly, looking down to her
fan before she looks over to you and holds it out. "I'm..not sure that it's
usable or not, but I brought it with me in case." She moves forward,
holding it out so you can take a look at it closer.

Grinning at you for a moment, Neelkan reaches out to take the fan,
examining it a few times with his eyes before flicking it open. While he's
not as graceful as a woman who uses the fans to dance with and stuff, it's
kind of odd how he seems to manage to look somewhat graceful with it. In
a... guy-like way. He nods at the ribbing of it, feeling the thin, yet
still strong wooden ribs. It wouldn't hold under much punishment though, so
he won't test it. "We'll have t' get the ribs replaced. 'n ya might want t'
add on a little handle 'ere at the bottom so yer not clasping the part that
could shut on ya rather easily, but it could do. Smaller 'en I'm used t',
but then yer kinda small t', so maybe it's just right f'r ya." He reaches
forward, closing he fan and poking the end at your nose cutely. "I can
least show ya how t' hold it 'n a few uses of the fan as a weapon t'day
though, then I'll head int' the city 'n see if I can get ya some metal ribs
put in." And no doubt get looked at funny. But he's used to it. He had his
own fan specially made after all.

Espiria bites on her lower lip as you flick it open and watches as you look
it over with a criticle eye. She knows that this would be the best thing to
use by far and especially when she's a girl and knives would be noticed on
her. She's never been seen with one..so why would she start carrying one
now? Yup..the fan is the best idea, that way she can start carrying it
now(with permission) and everyone get used to seeing her with it..never
knowing that it's actually a weapon. She smiles, listening to you mention
different things, chuckling softly before nodding once. "Good..I was
worried that it couldn't be used at all. You..umm..really think that it
will be okay? I..don't want it /too/ obvious that I'm going to use it for,
but..you think that just the metal ribbing with me enough? I mean..I'd have
surprise at least on my side if I ever did have to use it..."

"The metal ribbin' should b' 'nough, ye'h." Neelkan starts to ponder over
different types of metals to use, which would stand up to things better.
Hmmm. Too bad he doesn't know that the One Power can strengthen metals, or
he might suggest you ask a favor. Maybe you could say the fan keeps bending
too much. He does however feel the need to mention, "If ya d' end up usin'
it in battle, ya'll prolly sheer off the lace 'n stuff 'ere." Pointing at
the 'fins' of the fan. "Ya can easily have 'ose replaced though." He flips
the fan in his hand and holds it towards you again, "'n in case 'at
happens, I'll have some knotches put int' the frame of the ribs so 'at it
won't completely fall apart if the lace is torn or cut."

Espiria smiles and nods, taking the fan back and looking at it a moment as
she debates a few things in her own mind. "Light forbid..that I ever have
to, but at least I'll have something." She smiles, glancing back over to
you as she takes a deep breath. "I've been practicing that stance you
showed me. Got a strange look when an Aes Sedai walked into my room, but
otherwise I've been able to keep anyone from finding out. What would you
like to show me today.." She smiles, head tipping to one side in
curiousity.

There's a small chuckle before Neelkan responds, "Well, the stance can b'
used f'r a fan, because closed like 'is..." he holds the fan closed with
his fist while you still hold it, "it's basically the same as a knife, just
without a handle. 'specially if ya sharpen the outter rib along the edge
'ere." He touches the place near the top. "So it's a good thin' ya
practiced." He continues to grin down at you for a moment, then quickly
blinks at himself and shakes his head. "Anyway, I was thinkin' I'd show ya
a few thin's, 'n show ya more ways t' hold it 'n stuff." He reaches up and
scratches at his hair as he often does when... when about anything happens.

Espiria smiles, watching the fan again before she glances over to you and
nods. "Okay. Umm..You want me taking that stance now? To show you?" She
moves to stand the way you showed her, holding the fan like it was the
knife she was holding the other day. She smiles hoping that she's got it
right this time and strange enough..it's much improved than the last time.
She looks over to you, waiting to see what you will say or what you will
show her next. Her cheeks hold a bit of a flush to them as well, mainly
because she's embarrassed not to know more or be such a bad student as you
struggle to teach her.

Looking over the stance for any major flaws, Neelkan doesn't spot any, and
seems quite happy about it. He could probably find some minor flaw in the
stance and position and point it out if he really tried, but he isn't
really reaching for total perfection here. Added on to that, he happens to
not really want to pester you too much about it. Now if this was any other
woman (except maybe Denn) he probably would point out every little flaw,
and make up new ones. "Looks great actually. Like with the knife, 'is
stance can b' used t' attack 'n defend." He hesitates for a few seconds,
then moves to stand behind you, moving one hand around to hold on to your
elbow on the hand holding the fan, while the other one goes to your
shoulder. "Dependin' on the attack, ya defend b' holdin' it just like 'is,
'n just move yer arm where yer blockin' the attack. Like... so." he gently
nudges your elbow to move your arm as if an attack was coming from the
above on the arm with the fan.

Espiria tips her head watches you move her arms correctly, and smiling as
she sees the point of it being done that way. She widens her eyes just a
bit at the closeness, but after all how can someone teach without showing.
She chuckles softly, nodding again as she feels the fan move like a knife
would across 'someone's' path. "Hmm..Okay. So..I move it like this...and
the fan blocks it? Umm...I have to be careful though...or my arm would get
the attack tho'..right?" She glances over her shoulder to you to see if her
guess was right, "If my arm gets it..then chances are I might drop the
fan."

Ahem. Um... Closeness... Better if Neelkan do his best to ignore the fact
that he's so close to you... and that you're glancing over your shoulder at
him and... Arg. What is the matter with him these days!? Grrr. For a moment
there it almost seems as if he doesn't hear the question, because he just
glances down at you blankly, then all of a sudden he shakes his head
furiously and snaps out of it, "Ye'h. But 'en, Espi, ya a'ways gotta b'
careful in battles. Though if ya do gotta get hit, 'n ya don't got nothin'
t' block with, yer arm's the best way t' go. Though ya should always try t'
make it a grazing hit, like move yer arm t' knock the sword away at the
same time so it doesn't hit dead on 'r nothin'." A good sword could go
through bone if enough strength is behind it after all. "Better 'en it
gettin' yer head 'r chest." He lifts the hand from your shoulder and pokes
your forehead lightly. He's not going to point out the other example
though! Blush. Grump. Though of course Trollocs and fades tend to be
different, thanks to their often poisoned blades. But he doesn't know that.
He's not well versed in Shadowspawn combat stuff.

Espiria grins, redoing the motion until she feels she can do it right. Not
that she knows if she can do it in combat, but at least she knows what
she's doing. She mmm's softly, "Umm..Okay...I can see that. You loose an
arm..." She shivers and you can feel it, "At least...at least there's a
chance to save you, hmm?" She glances over to you again, smiling softly as
her eyes look at your own. "I mean...that can be healed if you can get
taken for help soon enough. I've never heard of chest..of neck wounds that
are healed all that easily."

"Ye'h. If ya gotta take a hit, take one where ya know it'll be able t'
heal." Neelkan pauses as he notices all the shivering and stuff, and moves
his hand to rub your shoulder and upper arm gently, "Don't worry, Espi." He
flashes one of his best grins at you, trying to show that there's nothing
at all for you to worry about. He's teaching you how to fight. He'll be
there to protect you. Even if he isn't you have Varcel, and Redd, and the
Tower behind you as well. He won't say any of that though. Not with words
at least. He should probably get back to the lessen, shouldn't he? Well, he
doesn't seem in much of a hurry at the moment, just looking right back at
you. Grrr. What's /wrong/ with him!? Grump. He snaps out of it eventually,
but you might notice some oddness and he pulls his hands back and backs up
a little, "So ya think ya got 'at position 'n stuff down?"

Espiria chuckles softly, looking at her positioning before she glances over
to you. She didn't see the oddness, but she can tell nervousness when she
sees it. She smiles, putting a bit of space between her and you before she
softly asks, "You okay, Neel? You...seem a bit off just then." She looks
toward the fan, holding it one way and then another as though testing the
grip of the thing in her hand. "If...you think that you don't want to do
this, that's okay with me. I'd understand..."

"Eh?" Neelkan responds in confusion. He really doesn't understand how you
could think that's what was bothering him and making him a little off. He
quickly shakes his head again, waving his arms around a little but, "Espi,
I wanna teach ya. Don't worry 'bout 'at. I said I would, 'n I will, but not
cause I have t' 'r nothin', but because I wanna. A'right?" It's just... all
this weirdness from being around you is just... weird. He doesn't really
understand why it's weird. The boy is completely dense sometimes. "Anyway,
don't worry 'bout it. Now I'm gonna teach ya one ways the fan is a unique
weapon. Unlike knives it can be used t' shield a larger area, especially if
I get ya extra strong ribs f'r the thin'." He reaches forward and moves you
hand to extend the fan to it's full fan form. "When it's like 'is, ya can
shield larger areas, 'n, ya could e'en trap someone's sword. If ya get it
so it slips in between the ribs. It'll cut the lace, obviously, but 'en yer
in combat ya don't gotta worry 'bout 'ose things o'er stayin' 'live,
right?" Right. The weirdness is still there, he's just trying to ignore it.
No weirdness!

Espiria chuckles softly, taking a deep breath as she moves to one side.
"I'm glad to hear that, Neel. I'd never want you to feel as though you're
doing it because you felt you had to." She chuckles, raising a thin brow,
"Not like I ever really though you'd do /anything/ if you /had/ to do it."
She grins, watching the fan go to it's full size before she hmms softly.
"You can actually trap a Power Forged blade?" She tips to look over to you,
blinking. "Or..is that just normal ones..."

"Power Forged blades... eh?" Looks like /someone/ needs to stick around for
a few more General lessons. Neelkan's still for the most part lost on this
sort of thing. "Well, uh.. prolly not. I dunno. What's the difference
between 'Power Forged' 'n regular? Either way, prolly just regular
blades..." Power just... well it's power! And regular is regular. So you
can assume which one he's going to bet is more likely to be trapped...

Espiria nods several times, "They..well it's metal that's been altered with
the One Power. Hmm..Like it's been made unbreakable." She shrugs a
shoulder, not willing to go further into her memories than this. "Hmm...You
think it would be better if the ribs were that way?" She looks surprised
that she didn't think of it before. She chuckles softly, nodding.
"Alright..if it's normal, then what can I do?"

"If the ribs were made unbreakable!? Ye'h! 'at'd be great! I was already
worried 'bout findin' a good enough metal so 'at it wouldn't bend whenever
ya used it t' block somethin'." Neelkan offers a warm grin, liking that
idea. He would never have thought of it, but that's pretty much obvious. He
says, "Anyway, t' trap a blade..." he moves around to stand behind you,
reaching around to cup your hands in his (almost hugging you a little) and
puts both hands on the opened fan. "'en ya do 'is, ne'er, under any
circumstances, stick yer fingers between the ribs. E'er. Keep yer thumbs 'n
palm holdin the outter ribs like 'is." He moves your heads around a little,
so that you're holding the fan between your heads, held up and completely
folded out as far as it can go. "'en ya see the sword comin' put yer hands
like 'is, 'n aim t' catch the sword between two of the ribs, perferably two
close t' the center. 'en it cuts through the lace, it'll impact the fan,
'ere, where the metal'll b' extra thick f'r 'at sorta thin', but ya'll
wanna take a step back as ya do 'is t' keep yer balance, 'en close the fan
with yer hands as tight as possible, holdin' it in. 'n yer best bet 'en
would t' be t' aim a kick at the person." He even gently pulls you a step
backwards, and pushes the fan closed for you to show you the motions.
"Don't e'er close yer hand above the trapped blade though, cause if the
person is strong enough t' pull back out of the lundge, 'en ya'll be out a
couple fingers, if not half a hand." Not a pretty thought.

Espiria sighs softly, thinking that over. Well, there is one person she
could ask about that. She's distracted for the moment, then she feels your
arms move around her. She blinks, watching you move her hands so that it
shows her what you are talking about before she nods. "Oh! I see now...
That's wonderful." She giggles and moves that was also. "Hmm..I think I
have someone who could make your blades the same way..." This she says very
softly as she turns to face you again. "I know someone who can do it..."

Keeping his arms practically around you, Neelkan was starting to peek his
head forward to look at you when you turned to face him. Meep. He quickly
lets go of your hands and backs up a few steps. Ahem! He hadn't meant to be
so close. Really. His cheeks even flush a little, "If ya know someone who
could do 'at, 'en 'at's great! I wouldn't mind havin' a blade 'at can't be
broken." He runs fingers through his hair, a little nervous and fidgety
again, "Eh... Anyway, I should b' gettin' back down 'ere, 'fore 'ey miss
m'. If ya gimme the fan I'll take it int' the city 'n have it back t' ya
with the changes in a few days."

Espiria widens her eyes as your lips nearly touch her own. Her face turns a
beet red, bright crimson in fact before she looks down nervously. As you
stel back, she chuckles hand going to her face as she holds out the fan for
you to take. "Umm..I'll check with this person to see if she will do it and
then when mine gets done..maybe she can do both of ours." She looks up
shyly, face still bright neon red from how close it came to kissing.
Oh..not that she would ever admit it, but it did shock her terribly how
close it did come. "Umm..I'll send you another note in a few days to let
you know, okay?"

"A'right." Neelkan takes the fan and tucks it away somewhere. His cheeks
are still flushed a little from the... closeness they had been to each
other, but he's trying to ignore it. Why would he be embarassed? Not like
he's never been close to a girl before! Hrmpt. He did grab and kiss Denn
after all. But it was the only thing he could think of to get her to
believe him when he said that she hadn't ruined anything by telling him the
fact that she was as old as his mother. Suddenly he thinks of something, a
joke that might help turn his flush off, and says it, "'ey, if anyone
catches 'ose notes ya send t' m', 'ey'll prolly think we're up 'ere havin'
romantic relations 'r somethin'." He winks and eye closed, and somehow
joking about it helps with the blushing. "Anyway, I'll b' goin' now. In the
meantime, ya b' safe, a'right?" He waits for some response before heading
towards the passage down.

Espiria smiles, blushing brightly as her eyes go a bit wider. Us? Ohmy. She
never thought of that. She giggles, shaking her head a bit. "And I of
course will deny anything of the sort. After all..I certainly wouldn't
tarnish your reputation..." She winks playfully at you, aiming a punch to
your arm before she nods. "I..will do my best, Neel. It's all I can do
really... Light keep you say always, Neel and thank you..for everything."

There's a final grin at the punch and the return joke, and Neelkan drops
into a small bow for a moment and says, "Yer welcome, Espi." Then he turns
around and heads down the Tower to see if he can get a errand into the city
which will allow him to drop by a metalworker to get the fins of the fan
made. Probably have to go elsewhere to get the lace reattacted.