08/27/2000 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. Coming out of the Practice Yard is where Neelkan can be seen. Surprised? Well, he's a trainee. Half his life from the day he joined to the day he finished will be spent in that place. And he always stands out in a crowd, not because he's overly tall, because he's not, but because his hair poofs up in every direction. Bright red hair with white streaks in it. Not something one sees every day. Especially not on a young man no more then seventeen. Aidou toddles out of the Tower and down the steps out into the snow, shivering a littke, but it's kind of a nice cold as long as she keeps her cloak around her. She has a paper in her hand, and she seems to be jotting some ideas down, making a list in fact. Hmmm... hmmm... she pauses and looks up, glancing around as if her surroundings might give her an idea for the next item on her list. Fire red hair? Oh! That does give her another idea and she starts to scribble, but her had freezes, and not from the cold... she's almost afraid to look back up, but she does, very, very slowly and squints at the head of flaming red hair... with... white... streaks... Without realizing it her feet start to move in the direction of the trainee the hair belongs to, but she's just staring. No, it couldn't be, could it? She gets bumpbed into by a petitioner, but doesn't even hear the woman's apologies. Slowly she comes up behind Neelkan, being rather stealthy without even realizing it. Varcel is already present in the courtyard, off to one side. He's just taking a quiet moment to people watch, his coat pulled tightlyclosed about his person. He does his best to ignore the weather. The snow was a little weird to Neelkan when he first saw it, but he's ok with the cold pretty much, or doesn't seem to pull his long coat tighter or anything. He does kind of wish he wore a hat or something though. His head's a little cold! He continues into the Courtyard, unaware of his 'stalker' and notices Varcel in the corner of his eye. He pauses for a few moments (enough time for the novice to catch up in fact), then shrugs and starts to head over in the direction of the trainee. Aidou does catch up, but she stops just behind him, just kind of staring at the back of his head. "Shun'u," she whispers softly as he starts heading over towards Varcel. The walking away makes her snap out of it though and she calls after him, "Shun'u?!" Normally she would bean him on the head for walking away from her but she's far too happy to see him again right now for that. Her feet get moving again, more quickly than the last time. Hopefully he will have turned around though by now as she skids to a stop and stares up at him. It is! It's him! I must be dreaming. She stands there for a moment and then pounces on him, squeezing him more on the painful side than not. "Shun'uyou'realive!Weweresoworriedaboutyou!ThanktheLight!" She doesn't give him much of a chance to respond though before she grabs his shirt and forces him to lean down so she can bring her elbow crashing down on his head. "How dare you run off like that!! Mom was worried sick about you! She practically starved herself for a month! What are you doing here anyway?" She starts to grab his earlobe as if she was going to drag him all the way back to Eharon by it and then stops dead, "AND YOU GOT YOUR EAR'S PIERCED?!?!" Somehow despite being shorter she manages to tower over him as she says that. Varcel notices Neelkan's approach, and looks over, nodding politely. And then he notices the stalker. He's about to try and tip him off when she....well, makes her presence known. Varcel stands there, dumbstruck, part of him wondering who she is, and another part of him wondering if he should rescue the poor lad. Shun'u?!? ... Who's calling him that!? One of those stupid Yellows probably! Neelkan turns around to face her and then he blinks a few times, then finds himself getting a death hug. Ack! "Aidou!! Lemme go!" Yeah, he could recognize his sister anywhere. But he's thinking this must be a nightmare. Yup. Then all of a sudden he gets pulled down and an elbow to the head. Ow. Ow. He reaches up and touches the side of his head with a hand and then yells, "What d'ya think yer doin'!? 'at hurt!!" Then she screams about his earrings and his eyes widen a little and he actually seems to duck down, shying away from the woman who seems to tower above him. Geez. Someone just put him out of his misery... Redd comes into the courtyard from the outside, on horseback, being towed by Yannick and his horse. Redd's right leg is all wrapped up and immobilized, and he lays on his horse's neck, holding on since he can't use both legs to remain balanced. He doesn't seem to notice anyone, and seem to want to. "Good! I' was supposed t' hurt" Aidou shouts right back at him. A very loving family, eh? "I should tan yer hide for runnin' off like 'at!" And she looks like she has a mind to do it right there in the courtyard too. "What're ya doin' here anyway?" Of all the places she expected him to go.. this was really the last one, and... Light! "'n," Ack! She notices her own accent reverting a little under his influence and takes some pains to smooth it out. "And when did you get here anyway?" She crosses her arms and looks up at him sternly, tapping her foot. Varcel continues to watch, bemused. And then he notices the injured coming in. Shaking himself out of his daze, he hurries over to offer what help he can." "What 'm I doin' 'ere!? What're ya doin' 'ere!??" Ye'h. Loving family. Uh-huh. Neelkan (or is it Shun'u?) pushes himself up to try to not look like he's cowering in front of his abusive and quite angry sister. He doesn't quite succeed though. Unfortunately, all his attention is currently occupied on the fact that his /sister/ is standing right in front of him, so he doesn't notice the injured. Good thing Varcel has his wits about him. "I've been 'ere f'r months! I'm a bloody Trainee! Why'ra ya 'ere 'n---" This is when he notices what his sister is wearing. Oh Light! "Yer.. yer--- Blood 'n ashes..." Redd notes Varcel, and hands him the sword he has in his hand. Sword? What is Redd doing with a sword other than a practice blade? The horses stop, and Redd looks around. The Tower, yep, that is where they are. He waits for help down, since he knows he won't be able to safely on his own. Varcel frowns a bit, but doesn't ask questions. Holding the sword in one hand, he offers his other to Redd, being strong enough to lift the trainee bodily with just the hand if need be. Noticing a gawking fledgling, he calls out, "Don't just stand there. Find a yellow!" Out comes the log that she has tucked into her belt, at the small of her back and she thwaps him soundly over the head with it. "Don't swear!" It dissapears as promptly as it came out and she recrosses her arms and frowns at him. "I'm a novice. Vanessa Sedai came t' our house just after ya left 'n brought m' here." A trainee? What is going on here? Why would Shun'u want to be a trainee? "Well yer goin' t' hafta go ba-" Wait.. wait... this is perfect, isn't it? Why send him back when he'd probably just run off again? At least here she can keep an eye on him and make sure he behaves... she'll just write to their mother telling her that he's still alive. Poor Ma. She's been half a woman ever since he went away... in.. many senses. Her train of though is interupted by the call for a yellow and she glances over towards Redd. She doesn't know that one... she's been gone for far too long. OW! Neelkan's eyes widen at the sudden appearance of the log, and he sees it coming, and you know what he does? Nothing. He lets it hit him soundly on the head, then swears about ten oaths even though she hit him to tell him not to swear. "'at hurts!!! 're ya tryin' t' kill m'!?" Why didn't he dodge!? Or even try to. Well, if you grew up in a house with six women a few of which loved to throw and smack with things... dodging was far more dangerous, and meant more pain in the end. "Yer a bloody NOVICE!? 'at means ya can /channel/!? Light!!" And even though she doesn't finish the order to go home he yells at her anyway, "I'm not goin' ANYWHERE!" ... Um... Actually, he kind of was considering leaving once he got his earrings back... Oh well. If she was going to 'order' it, he's going to stay just to spite her. Redd accepts Varcel's help down, and offers a quiet explanation before one is asked for. "Trollocs." He whispers to Varcel, putting all his weight on his good leg. Varcel nods solemnly to Redd, still trying to follow the...events with Neelkan. "Are they near?" he asks. Aidou threatens to pull the log out again, but she doens't 'cause Redd is injured and needs help. She does grab Neelkan by the ear, earrings or no and drags him over to Redd and Varcel. When she gets there though she's all sweetness, despite -still- holding onto her brother's earlobe. "What happened? Are you alright Redd? We should take him up to the infirmary." It's rather a strange sight... to see a concerned novice... dragging a trainee around... "Light-oooooowwwwwww!!" Neelkan is pulled over by his ear and is obviously in a little bit of pain. He /just/ got his ears repeirced! They're still /sore/!! This /HURTS!/ Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow. "Blood 'n ashes..." He mutters under his breath as he stumbles to keep up so she won't tear his earring out and cause more pain. Ow. Ow. Ow. He looks absolutely miserable as he gets over there, especially when he sees who it is that's hurt. "Re-ow!-dd!?" Redd answers Varcel with a quiet, "They're dead." Then comes the trainee and his big brother. Wait! That doesn't look too nice. His own leg forgotten, Redd pipes up with, "Hey, let him go, that has to hurt." Varcel helps Redd along, nodding. "Were you ambushed?" He glances over at...the interesting woman curiously. Aidou gives Neel's ear a little yank before she does let go. "Now tha' Shun'u is a trainee," she says just a little bitterly, "I doubt 'ere's anythin' new I can do fer him 'n the pain department." Oh but she will definately try! Despite chewing him out for the earrings she actually is kind of careful not to actually rip the one she's holding out. She looks back and instantly goes to concern again though, but (gasp!) decides not to butt in with her own questions, not wanting to bombard the poor boy. Funny.. she has no qualms whatever about bombarding Neelkan. "M' name isn't Shun'u," The trainee more commonly known as Neelkan mutters under his breath in a grumble as he reaches up to rub on his poor redded and sore ear, then me moves forward to try to get a better look at his adopted little brother, trying to ignore the fact that his sister is right over there and regaining a little of his composure and confidence, "Redd? Yer 'urt, was 'ere anyone else with ya?" No doubt his composure will not remain very long. It never does when his sisters are about. Anyone wonder why he claims to hate women now? Redd frowns at Neelkan. "It isn't that bad." He says to him. "Yannick Gaidin saved me... from the Trollocs." He doesn't want to add that, but he's always believed in being fully honest. Varcel looks to Neelkan, asking with his eyes if he wants Varcel to hand off Redd tohim. Should he wish, V will happily do so. "What else would i' be," the novice murmurs back to her brother. Yup, she heard. Isn't that one of the things he hates about women? They always seem to know what you don't want them too? At least in his case. "Yannick Gaidin," she asks Redd. "Where's 'e now? Should we tell some'n so they can go after 'im?" Sometimes, she has great control over her accent, and others.. especially stressful situations it runs away with her mouth, much to her shagrin. She pretends not to notice it though. Neelkan mumbles a little louder, "M' name's /Neelkan/ now." Not that... other name. Looking at Varcel, he pauses for a moment (allowing enough time for her to clock him one last time if she wants to) and glances at his sister. Hmmm. If he takes Redd, then she likely won't hurt him any until he at least gets the boy into the infirmary! So he nods and takes the kid, supporting him as best he can, which is fairly good. It's his ears and head that hurts from the constant abuse of his sister. "Ye'h, should we send someone out 'ere t' find 'im?" Redd looks to the two. "He's back." On the switch between Varcel to Neelkan, he steps wrong and lands on his bad leg. He winces and falls into Neelkan, letting out a loud yelp of pain. Varcel winces insympathy, almost reaching out to take him back. Aidou snorts! "Neelkan?? What kinda name is tha'? Red Peacock? More like red chicken! Bawk bawk ba-" Redd's little yelp cuts her off though and she gets serious. There will be plenty of time to torment her brother later. Muahahahahahah. She does mutter something about Shun'u being a proper name though as she watches Redd. "Ya better jus' carry 'im. I'll go tell the Yellows yer coming," and conveiently, without giving -Shun'u- a chance to argue or yell at her or anything, unless of course it's at her retreating back, she turns on her heel and hurries back towards the Tower. RED CHICKEN!?! What was that!?!? Neelkan opens his mouth to start screaming at his sister when Redd yelps and he more thuroughly supports the boy against him. "I'm not a flamin' chicken." He still grumbles, and nods in agreement to take the boy to the infirmary. But only because it was what he was planning to do anyway!! "Come on, Varc. 'n don't put any wieght on 'at leg of yers, ya hear?" he speaks down at Redd as he starts towards the Tower, moving rather slowly. Redd walks slowly along side Neelkan, doing his best not to use his bad leg at all. He's doing good though, but he seems bothered by something else. He looks to Varcel and says, "Can you watch that sword for me? It was my father's..." Varcel nods to Redd. "i've got it, don't worry. He look sover at Redd, curiously. "Chicken?" His father's? Neelkan thought the kid didn't remember anything about his past really? How'd he get his father's sword? He glances over at the kid as he helps him walk, wondering all these things silently, then muttering, "E'ery flamin' day I stay 'ere, m' life's gettin' turned inside out 'n back 'gain." And now his sister is in the Tower. Light! He might as well just tie himself to a pole so people can throw things at him. It's just as humilating as knowing that all his friends -- knowing that Espi and Denn even!! -- will get to meet his sister... He continues to lead the boy along. Then he glares over at Varcel at the Chicken question and sighs softly, "The name Neelkan means Red Peacock." Not the literal meaning of the word. That's just what the name means. Redd leans against Neelkan, keeping his immobilized leg off the ground. He lets Neelkan talk for now, moving toward the infirmary. He remains bothered silently about something, though. Varcel helps Redd along on the other side. 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. As if the beds aren't already ready for the wounded to be dumped into them Aidou has made extra certain that there is a spot close to the door ready for Redd when her brother brings him in. She doesn't stand there wringing her hands, she's actually rather calm, but she does stand at the elbow of a Yellow who is waiting serenely for the approach of the injured. Half-carrying Redd, Neelkan moves into the Infirmary and immediately notes the place he's supposed to take the boy. He's half tempted to move on and get another bed... but then he sighs and heads over anyway and lets him move over to sit on the bed, helping him up. "'ere ya go, kid. Ya'll be fine soon as the Yellows get a look at ya." He glances towards his sister and gives her the death glare. And she can probably tell by the looks of some of the Yellow sisters in the room, his presense is not exactly a welcome one. Redd gets up on the bed with Neel's help. Once there, he gets a bit comfortable. He looks between Neelkan and Aidou silently. Varcel finds a place out of the way to stand and watch, quietly. Espiria comes walking in from a long day so far of classes. Mainly, she's coming here so that she can hopefully learn something interesting and maybe even get to heal someone. She stops at the door though, eyes going wide at seeing Redd sitting here. "Redd?" She glances at everyone, hurrying in and over to Redd as she looks at the leg, "What's happened...." The Yellow steps forward, pointedly ignoring Neelkan's presence, and everyone else for that matter beside her patient. She does the Delving and the Healing thing, like it was sleeping and breathing, but then, that's her job. She murmurs something about people having classes to be about, but doesn't actually chase anyone off just yet knowing it probably won't do any good anyway, they'll just swarm back here like flies to honey. Aidou, as cheerfully as can be what with still being a little worried, and curious over what happens manages to do both her chores and hang around at the same time. She picks up a tray of bandages and stands there rolling them while she listens to the conversation. She looks up and grins at Espi as she enters, dipping a little curtsy, but doesn't look surprised to find that she's returned and now the other former novice is an Accepted. But she can save the getting re-aquianted for later, since the other girl is clearly busy at the moment. Nonononononono!!! Espi CAN'T be here!! Neelkan looks ready to flee from the room no matter the fact that Redd was recently injured, and he kind of wants to hear how, and why if there's a why to it. But he's not /about/ to leave his sister ALONE with his friends! She might start saying things about him! She might... might... Someone just take a crossbow and put him out of his misery. A clean bolt right to the heart? ... No? Foo. "'ey Esp." he mutters to the Accepted despite himself. He probably shouldn't so such informality in front of his sister. Redd looks up at Espi. The same thoughts cross through his mind. No! Espi can't be here, she'll only worry uneccesarily. "I fell from my horse... running from Trollocs." No, he really shouldn't 'cause she very easily starts getting ideas. Aidou glances back and forth between -Shun'u- and Espi, and you can almost see the little cupids flying around her head. She'll have to see what she can make of that. No, rather like her brother she's not exactly the most subtle person in the world. Neelkan doesn't really have a reason to worry at the moment, later though. She will definately embarass him more later. Espiria blinks, widening her eyes. "Trollocs?" She shivers, sighing deeply before she glances back to Redd again. "And how did you come to be around trollocs? We didn't have another attack like we did the other day, did we?" Course, where she was working you wouldn't have heard a bomb dropping, but that's another story. She glances to everyone else, "Anyone mind being...a bit more informative?" She grins, squeezing Redd's arm gently as she glances over to Neel. He should know more..or should at least be a bit more giving in info. Varcel watches Espriria quietly. ANd then speaks up. "He was out with Yannick Gaidin, so it should be alright." "I dunno anythin' more 'en 'at he came in lookin' like someone decided t' bloody step on his leg. But ye'h. 'at's 'bout the end all of what I know." Neelkan nods in agreement to what Varcel says. Cupids flying around his sister's head!? Oh fun. The last thing he needs is to be teased about that, but when did things like that ever bother his sister any. She teased him about /everything/ at one point or another after all. He waits to see if Redd is going to give more information. Redd frowns. "No, Varcel... I went on my own... out towards CS." He begins to explain then. "I was sparring with Sunan, and I got hit on the head... then after we were talking, I suddenly remembered where my family had died... I had to go see it for myself... that is where I found my father's sword..." He points to the sword Varcel is holding, if he hasn't discarded it somewhere already. Espiria lifts her brows, glancing back over to Redd before she takes a seat next to him. "Redd...That was a /very/ dangerous thing you did." She sighs softly, shaking her head for a moment. "Did you take anyone with you? Did you at least think to ask someone who could watch your back to go along?" She glances over to Varcel wondering if he went with him..and then over to Neel wondering the saem thing. "There are friends here..who understand why you would want to go and would do that for you if you asked them." Raising his hands in a gesture of innocence, Neelkan professes, "I had no idea at all 'r I would've gone with 'im." He leans over and gives Redd a soft poke on the shoulder as if to emphasize that he would have gone with him. Seeing the red haired boy they don't much care for poking at one of their patients, the Yellows firmly tell them to leave so that the boy can rest. Pbbbt. The red head actually sticks his tongue out at the Aes Sedai when she isn't looking, then gladly backs out, since that means a little while longer of not having to deal with his sister. 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. Espiria headed out of the infirmary, letting the 'boys' have a chat since they seemed so 'shy' around her a bit ago. She chuckles a bit to herself, reaching up to touch the light bandage that still remains on the back of her head. Good thing they didn't see this or 'all sorts' of questions would happen. But, maybe she /should/ tell them. After all, it did happen the day Wynt was freed. Varcel frowns a bit, noticing her motion, and of course, picking up on the bandage. He just looks at her meaningfully. "Well?" Neelkan is moving behind the group, glancing back towards the Tower every few seconds as if expecting to see a log flying at him from the hand of a certain Novice. When Varcel draws attention with a little word, he glances back over, raising his eyebrows as if wondering what he means. Well wha--oh. This is when he sees the bandage and his eyes narrow a little. Espiria turns on the bench, blushing brightly. Ohdear. Varcel has the 'look' and so does Neel now. She heaves a sigh, smiling at you both. "I..well..umm." She heaves a soft sigh, "It happened the day we all freed Wyntere Sedai. Cyli Sedai...she..." Varcel makes a 'Go on' motion with his hands. "Cyli Sedai...?" "..." Neelkan makes a soft sound, not really a word, then glances over at Varcel and responds, "When she threw ya back? 'at's when 'at happened?" He hadn't thought she'd gotten badly hurt then. Now he feels bad for not staying with her afterwards, but he needed some... time by himself. He shifts a little bit in his stance, looking a tad upset at something. On the plus, side, one thing Espi might notice, is the fact that he's wearing two gold hooped earrings in his ears. The earrings he was always talking about? One of the lobes looks a little reddish though. As if someone decided to drag him by the ear for a few moments. Which is what happened. Espiria bites her lip a bit, glancing at Neel before she offers a smile. "Yes. That's when it happened. I..I didn't want to put a harm into the joyousness of the day after Wyntere Sedai was aquitted of the crime so I didn't tell anyone. Redd and Vashta got me to the infirmary though and now..it's just a matter of letting it heal normally." She glances over to Varcel, "She..gave me a concussion." Varcel grimaces. "Well, at least you're okay now.." He looks at her worriedly. A warder's supposed to stop that type of thing, right? Neelkan grumbles a few harsh curses under his breath even if she's trying to insist on it not being a big deal. Redd and Vashta helped her, and what did he do? He went to return the cloaks and then got into an arguement with a friend. That's about the end all of it. He doesn't say anything that isn't in incoherent grumble or curse though. Espiria shakes her head at the both of you, "Varcel..you can't be in all places at all times. You're job was very important and I couldn't have done what I did without you there. Neel...you had some important things to do as well and also..I couldn't have done what I did without you there. A bump on the head is a /very/ small price to pay for Wyntere Sedai's freedom. Any price is worth that..right? So..please, don't kick yourselves over this. It all worked out fine...and Wyntere Sedai and her mother were both cleared. Past and present now the way it should be." She reaches out gently to touch Varcel's arm and Neel's. "You both were the best for this job we had to do..and I'm so proud of the both of you at how you handled working with everyone. If..you both hadn't of been there, who knows what would have happened. And I don't just mean a bump on the head either." Varcel chuckles softly, looking over at her. "In this, I think we agree, Espra. It's the nature of how we feel that we wish we could've done more. Neelkan and I both know, we did all we could, given our tasks at the time. It doesn't change how we feel now." The nature of how we feel? Neelkan glances over at Varcel as if wondering what he means exactly. That doesn't mean... does Varcel..? Light, does /everyone/ know!? Sigh. He shakes his head slightly and shrugs his shoulder even under the touch and the words of how he was needed, "Ye'h, ye'h. Well, I know how it feels t' get pinged o'er the head. It isn't 'at bad, once ya get used t' it." He should know. Varcel already saw a few times today how his head has a big target sign on it as far as his sister is concerned. He's almost tempted to rub at the bruise she gave him. Espiria smiles and nods to you both, tipping her head to one side at Varcel for a moment before glancing at Neel, "Was..that one of your sisters I saw in there with you? I recall meeting her one time, but it's been so long I wasn't sure." She chuckles shaking her head, "Hmm...if that /is/ the case, I'm sure you'll have alot of avoiding to do, hmm?" She chuckles, recalling what Neel said about his sisters. "Perhaps, now that things have calmed down somewhat you and Varcel could help me with a little idea that I'm working with?" Varcel just grins. He'll let Neel handle this on his own. Doh! Neelkan visably flinches, as if just the brief mention of his sister is enough to take away all his confidence, which it is. He's usually fairly confident most the time. Now it's all draining away and leaving him cold and pale faced. Then he nods after a moment, "Ye'h. 'at's m' sis. One of 'em at least. Blood 'n ashes. Of all m' sisters 'at had t' show up in the Tower as a student, why couldn't it've been another one?" Mai maybe. Or Li'an! But no. No. It had to be Aidou. He glances behind himself as if afraid she'll appear out of the Tower, weilding a log and ready to punish him for speaking ill of her. When she doesn't appear right away and glances back at Espi and shrugs slightly, "Ye'h, sure. What is it ya need?" Espiria follows Neel's glance toward the Tower and grins, "Well...Have both of you heard about Mother's little cooking contest?" She grins, glancing at Varcel too to make sure either or niether of you have. "I have a wonderful idea for something to enter, but I'm going to need help with it." She rubs her chin, "Hmm...and can either of you cook at all?" Varcel hmms? "What contest is this?" Cook...? Neelkan shakes his head and lies through his teeth, "Nope. Ne'er cooked at all." What? A big "tough" guy like Neel is going to admit he used to be stuck with all the chores in the house, including cooking? Nope. Never going to admit it. Espiria grins at you both, "Mother has opened a cooking contest. It's for Tar Valon. I'm not sure if we can actually take part, but if we can I wanted to enter something. The prizes are made by Mother herself!" She giggles, ticking them off one by one. "First prize is an actualy Ceuendillar bowl...second is I think a mug or the same thing...and then lastly silverware of the same thing." She giggles, lifting her shoulders. "I needed some help with it, if we can join in on the fun." Varcel hmms thoughtfully. "Wonder if the bowl would work as ahelmet." Neelkan snickers at Varcel's thoughtfulness, and nods lightly. "It prolly could, 'r at leas a shield of some kind, 'pending on the size." He offers a grin, then looks over at Espi. "Well, uh... so ya don't know how t' cook, 'r are ya just lookin' f'r help?"