08/04/2000

Courtyard, The White Tower, Tar Valon

Marble tiles gleam from a straight path which leads from the Gates of the
Tower to the wide double doors which announce its entry point. Soft grass
and well planned patches of flowers can be found to either side, with the
occasional shady tree. Accepted and novices sit on stone benches, some
practicing their Power to the dismay of uneasy petitioners passing through.
To the side there is a stable, near the fenced entrance to the clearly
visible yard where shirtless boys go through sword forms through the day.

Guards take the weapons of those wanting to enter, though the Gaidin spread
about the courtyard, seemingly about their leisure, look ready to pounce on
any men who "forgot" a dagger at the gates. Aes Sedai pass through on
various errands, some nodding to acknowledge bows or curtsies. The
atmosphere is busy, but calm.


Neelkan sits on one of the benches in the Courtyard, humming some Eharon
tune under his breath softly while he just rests and thinks for a few
moments. Well... rests and thinks for all of five moments, because he can't
sit still that long and starts to rock his feet inpatiently.

Vanessa is currently wandering across the courtyard, although it seems her
mind is elsewhere. Each step is slow and steady, while the Red cups her
chin in her hand, as if in deep thought...even her eyes, normally quite
attentive, are slighlty closed...

There has /got/ to be something else to do between lessons. Neelkan already
checked to see if any of his friends were free, and they all had other
things to do at the moment... He stops humming and starts to grumble, jumps
up off the bench and starts to pace a little. Until he finds himself
standing right near where the Aes Sedai is walking. He half-bows, not as
deep as he should and mutters a small greeting.

Step...step...suddenly, Vanessa's body completly stops, just as Neelkan
gives that pathetic excuse for a bow. Her eyes are no longer clouded or in
another place..nay, they are now locked directly onto Neelkan, with more
than a slight edge to them. Her hand stays on her chin, with little change
in her posture...only her eyes have taken the change. No other
responce...yet.

Raising his eyebrow as he straightens, Neelkan just looks right back, not
shifting at all in his stance at the look that he's recieving from the
woman. He lifts a hand to push his white streaked red hair out of his eyes
and finally mutters, "D'ya got some kinda pro'lem la--Sedai?"

A single eyebrow raises, not a bit of amusement on the Aes Sedai's face.
So..this is Neelkan. Vanessa has heard of him....and incredibly enough,
some of the Sisters actually /like/ his attitude. Finally, her lips part
and her words come forth...although there is little friendliness to them,
and a cold ring, "Boy, I have heard of you. Proper respect seems to come as
a problem for you."

"Who? Me?" Neelkan asks in a fashion of mocked innocence. Then he shrugs
his shoulders, "I give respect where I feel I should, Sedai. 'n I know, I
know. 'All ya Aes Sedai spent years in trainin' 'n what not 'n desrve
proper respect', ye'h ye'h. I'm sorry if I perfer t' form m' own
conclusions on 'at matter." At least he's bowing now though, right? And
saying 'Sedai'. That's more then he used to.

Vanessa is silent for just a second, before speaking once more. "Your own
conclusions, boy, could land you in serious trouble. It is said you wish to
learn to fight..." She takes a step forward, her eyes blazing, "Lesson one,
/child/, is to /always/ respect the enemy. This applies to your allies as
well...it is a lesson you would do well to take to heart."

"I a'ready know how t' fight /lady/ 'n I'm not a child." Neelkan says in a
harsh tone, then lightens it down. And though he knows good and well that
likely to most the people in this place, he is a child. "Just 'cause I
don't show respect, don't mean I ain't got it. But if ya insist, 'en /ya
all/ show m' respect, I'll show it back. Deal?"

Vanessa reaches forward to kup Neelkan's chin in her hand, "/Child/, you
may now how to fight, but it's quite clear you don't know how to pick them.
We are not here to coddle spoiled little children... " Her eyes narrow,
waiting for a responce.

Neelkan jerks away from the hand on his chin a little at first, grumbling
under his breath, but then stops himself and lets her cup her hand on it.
"I'm not spoiled, 'n I'm not a child. 'n I certainly don't need t' b'
coddled by a buncha women, a'right? I'm 'ere 'cause 'is is where the Wheel
'r whate'er seemed t' want m' t' end up. If ya women would've just given m'
back m' earrin's 'en a few months 'go, I would've left 'n ya'd ne'er have
had t' deal with m' 'gain."

Vanessa's grip on his jaw tightens, just slightly, for a second, and then
lets go, her own lack of high regard for the boy evident. "If you wish to
leave, /child/, it can be arranged." Her hands fall to clasp before her,
the serpant ring clearly evident. "We do not need to waste our time on
those who are...ungrateful."

"I'm not goin' anywhere." Neelkan says with a smirk now, showing off his
teeth now that his face is released. Then he adds, "Ya aren't gettin' rid
of m' 'at easily. 'n, just so ya know. I /am/ grateful t' 'ose who are nice
t' m'. Oh, 'n m' name is Neelkan. Not child."

Vanessa would be amused...if she weren't irritated. After 150 years, she's
not going to lose any sleep because some child doesn't like her. "Often,
child, it is not those who are 'nice' that are those you deserve your
respect. I've heard of your other lessons in respect...a pity that none of
them have sunk in.""

"I told ya. Just 'cause I don't show it, don't mean I ain't respectin' ya.
I got a lotta respect f'r Aes Sedai." Neelkan repeats again with a small
shrug. Though to be honest the... 'lessons' he's had in showing respect
actually just made him more determined not to become a little bowing,
scraping servant of the women in this place. "'n would ya mind not callin'
m' child anymore?"

Vanessa says "Respect that is not shown, is repect that is not given." She
pauses, remebering that she has places to be, and does not have the time to
deal with this upstart anymore. Returning her attention to the boy, "Who is
your sponsor?" She hasn't said his name yet, but at least she did't call
him child again."

"'at's not how I believe, Sedai, but ya can believe whate'er ya want."
Neelkan shrugs, then pauses at the question on his sponsor. He decides to
go ahead and give a truthful answer, "I'm between sponsors right now, but
the Master Gaidin is... lookin' o'er m' trainin'."

Vanessa nods, just slightly. "Then ask him to help you...convey the respect
that you feel for us in a more evident manner." A clear as a dismissal as
ever, the Red has rather important things to attend to right now, her eyes
no longer even focusses on the young trainee.

And what is Neelkan's response to all this? He just grumbles and says,
"I'll show whate'er I bloody well wanna show, 'n how I wanna show it, 'n no
one's gonna /tell/ m' how t' act." Hrmpt. With that over he starts to move
towards the Practice Yard. Maybe he can pick a fight with one of the other
trainees and get a sparring session! Work out frustrations caused by...
well... /women/.