08/29/2000

Ogier Grove

Trees so big around that it would take nine men holding hands to encircle
them raise their branches to the sky as if in prayer. Sunlight only pierces
the leaf canopy occasionally, coating this entire haven from the city in a
pleasant semi-shadow. Here and there, however, the trees part ways to allow
the sunshine through,a bright spot for those who enjoy the sun on their
back. One cannot view any other part of the city from here, for even the
Tower is blocked from view. Soft moss and patches of grass form natural
reclining spots. Save for the wide wall encompassing the Grove,there is not
a single man-made structure to be seen: no paths,no benches, no fountains.
The lack seems only good and right.Even the wall disappears from view in
just a few steps.

At the very back of the Grove one might view Tar Valon's worst-kept secret.
Near a portion of the wall covered over with stonework --leaves and vines
and other such things, things that the Ogier are well known to be able to
do but generally avoid for their own pleasure -- are a group of three or
four Aes Sedai and no less than twelve Gaidin doing a poor job of
pretending to picnic. The pretense is kept up daily -- a basket here, a
bottle of wine there, a frisbee or a ball that a couple of the Gaidin toss
back and forth. The faces change constantly, but they are always here, even
at night, when they pretend to cuddle and look at stars. The youngest child
knows that there is Something Special about that wall; scholars and old men
say that it must really be a Waygate. In fact, there are times when they
glare so that the normal citizens find other parts of the Grove to visit,
times when, local wisdom says, someone is either coming in,or going out.


Burr. Neelkan doesn't care much for the cold really, but it doesn't bother
him all together either. He doesn't even try to keep his head covered to
keep the cold out or the warmth in. He just wears a dark blue, almost, long
jacket that is pulled tight and goes all the way down to his ankles. It's
made of a thick fabric, and does a good job keeping him warm, or at least
as far as he is concerned it does. Though with his red and white hair, it
would do better if he made some attempt to cover it. With a scarf or a hat
or something. He's leaning against one of the large trees, his hands shoved
into folds of his coat to keep warm, his placement with the tree so that
the tree blocks a majority of the wind from hitting his head and face, yet
still his coat and hair stirs every so often.

Espiria walks into the grove, breath puffing out in small clouds. She's
very used to this kind of weather and if she didn't know that someone would
have thrown a hissy with her leaving and not wearing a cloak she could have
easily taken this snow and the chill. She smiles, tipping her face upwards
as she walks further into the grove. She knows Neel was supposed to meet
her here and she smiles gently as she sees a form leaning against the tree.
"Neel?" She chuckles softly, heading over to you as she tips her head. "You
look very cold, Neel. You sure you want to chat out here?"

"No.. Light, no. I'm fine." Neelkan professes, shaking his head a little
bit, and able to keep his teeth from chattering or anything. He is Eharon
born after all, even if he doesn't have the appearance of one. Winter down
there was pretty much what most people up here would consider fall. Though,
being a bandit he had gotten to travel north, and the last winter he spent
most of it outside, but still a little further south. Just colder then he
is used to is all. "Though, blood 'n ashes, anywhere's a'right. 'cept the
Tower." He's been avoiding the Tower as much as possible. Whenever he can
in fact. One name states the purpose for his avoidance: Aidou il'Sharil.
"'ere's a'right. It's not 'at bad." Then why is his nose and cheeks flushed
with the cold? Hrmpt.

Espiria rubs her pink nose and chuckles, offering a soft sigh as well
before she moves over to the benches. Hmm..snow covered? Not a problem and
she embraces gently, brushing the snow away from the bench and drying it
off a bit too. "Here..let's have a seat then. I suppose it has to do with
your sister? I mean..coming all the way out here? I noticed you weren't all
that happy to see her..."

There's a pause and Neelkan chews on his lip a little before nodding and
heading away from the tree and over to the bench. He sits down on it and
shrugs, "Ye'h, I'm not 'at glad t' see 'er. I mean... Light, ne'ermind. Ya
prolly wouldn't understand if I tried t' explain." He shakes his head and
glances away, resisting the urge to try to warm his face with his own
breath by bringing his hand up and doing such.

Espiria smiles softly and tips her head to one side. Her hand motions
alittle bit before a small round sphere of light bounces in front of you.
"Use that...just hold your hands over the top of it to keep them warm. I
wouldn't advise touching it though..might be too hot." She chuckles and
sighs softly, "I never had any siblings, Neel..but I can see discomfort
when it put before me. Tell me Neel...I'll listen and try to understand.
You know that. How many times have you listened to me jabber away about
things that probably left you confused..or with a bad case of head spins.
I'll always listen...and I will really try to understand what you say.
Please?" She tips her head to one side, really wanting to help you in at
least being a compassionat ear.

There's a pause, then Neelkan brings his hands up to put them near the
little glowing light. He's not really reluctent to get so close to a
display of the Power at least. He's gotten used to it by now. Living in the
Tower he sees it everywhere after all. He chews on his lower lip for a few
moments, then shrugs, "A'right. Ya'll prolly see what I mean soon 'nough
anyway." Anyone that sees him with his sister would have a hard time
missing it. "Well... blood 'n ashes, ya know how most Eharon think,
dontcha? Women 're better 'n men 're just 'ere to move thing's 'round 'n
serve the women. Well 'at's how m' family thinks. Light, don't know why m'
fa would marry an Eharon woman. He was from Coremanda, I think. He didn't
talk much 'bout it though." He shakes his head and grumbles for a minute
before going on, "I had t' share a room with Aidou 'til Jiang -- 'at's m'
oldest sis -- got married, 'n... she... used t'... she'd like t' 'point
out' all the thin's 'bout m' 'at... 'weren't normal.'"

Espiria sighs and shakes her head slowly, "You should know better than that
Neel. People have strange ways in some countries. Just because you are
different..doesn't mean that's bad. You know what you can do...and you know
that other people's prejudices don't mean anything when it comes down to
action. maybe people say things like that because they are jeolous of
another. Maybe they see things that they wish they could have..but never
will. Maybe it's because they see that the other person is a threat to
their way of life, just because they feel differently..act differently.
That doesn't make it bad..and you shouldn't let her make you believe
otherwise."

Shaking his head, Neelkan pulls his hands back and rubs the warmth against
his face for a few moments, almost hiding there behind the palms of his
hands. Perhaps he is. After a few moments though he sighs and puts his
hands back up to the light so you won't take it away. "Espi, ya don't
understand. I didn't know. Not then. Bloody Light, I still didn't want t'
accept it e'en when ya told m' 'bout the talent. I've had 'em since I was
younger 'en Redd e'en. 'n Aidou, 'n most m' other sisters in fact, used t'
tease m' 'bout it." He pulls a hand back and fingers at his hair. Probably
that too. Even before the white streaks appeared. Not even one of his other
siblings got their father's looks. Though some came close. More a
lightening of their mother's features. Neel on the other hand, could almost
pass for someone else's son all together when standing next to his mother.
"It doesn't matter though..."

Espiria sighs softly, reaching out to touch your arm gently. "Neel...it
must mean something or else it wouldn't bother you so badly to be around
her. How they treated you was wrong..pure and simple. But it was right
according to their culture. You should realize that you..are a special
person, Neel. Very special. And because of the being special people will
always try to make you feel bad about that specialness. It's their way of
covering up how lacking they are." She chuckles and lifts a shoulder, "I
don't think your odd at all, Neel. I think you are a very important part of
the world and only little minds pick on something like that."

Neelkan glances over and stares at you, his hands dropping down a little.
And he's looking at you in a way that would probably make Denn fume, if not
Varcel also. He pulls his eyes away with a yelp though as his hands get a
little too close to the light and he flushes a little more, and it has
nothing at all to do with the cold around his face, though perhaps that can
cover it. He pulls his hands back to a safe distance and looks at the light
as he says, "Thanks. But I don't think m' sister, 'r Light, e'en half the
women in the Tower, would agree with ya on 'at." But he does. Of course
he's special. It just always hurt when his sisters poked fun at him about
things he had no control over and didn't understand himself.

Espiria frowns gently, shaking her head as she looks over to your hands.
Nope..not badly burned, just heated up a bit too much. She glances over to
you and asks the obvious question, "Have you told anyone about how she's
been treating you? I know there are those who don't stand for that kind of
thing. It's bad for her..in causing a distraction and it's bad for your
training if you always have to worry about her dropping by and poking fun
again. That's no way for a nocive to conduct herself." And yes, she's very
concerned about that and it shows on her face. "I know Wyntere Sedai would
be very displeased if she knew..and she should since she is Mistress of
Novices."

Neelkan chews on his lip for a few moments, then shakes his head, "No. It
won't do any good. Ya don't know Aidou..." And he couldn't speak up against
her. Even if that's what he would rather do. It's probably one of the
reasons it was always so bad. He stopped fighting back a long time ago.
"Don't worry 'bout it. Blood 'n ashes, worse she can do is make fun of m'
name now." Which she already did... "'n..." He trails off and bites on his
lip. No. He isn't going to say that his sister might make fun of him
because of other things, things involving you mainly. No. He won't say
that. Instead he just shakes his head and glances away, "Don't worry 'bout
it. I'll just do m' best t' stay outta 'er way."

Espiria chuckles and then sighs softly, "If you want me to. Alright. But I
still don't like the fact that she's bothering you here. It's too important
for things to go well for you and you can't have your mind on your work if
you're busy trying to avoid her too. Some instances you won't be able to
and then what..." She shakes her head, "Her attitude is improper for a
novice, Neel. It needs to be told to Wyntere Sedai..even if she only tells
her to avoid you. It will at least give you peace of mind..that should
anything end up happening between you the problem was addressed before that
happens."

"I'm not gonna tell Wyn anythin' 'bout it. 'n I'd perfer if ya didn't
either." Neelkan says finally after a long pause, sounding a little angry
for a moment or two, but then letting it slide off. "Ya don't know
e'erythin', 'n I'd rather if e'eryone /not/ know 'bout... the rest." But of
course, Varcel already knows some of what he would rather nobody know. And
as soon as he and his sister happen to be in a public place together
again... the whole Tower will probably know. But he wants to avoid it as
long as possible.

Espiria sighs softly, biting her lip before she nods quietly.
"Alright...but I don't like it, Neel. I don't like it one bit. This Tower
can't have these kinds of things happening within it. It's not right..."
She looks down for a time, teeth still biting at her lower lip in thought.
"Let's...talk about something else then. Since you would rather not discuss
her..." She heaves a sigh, "I know I haven't had time for a lesson lately,
but I think in the spring we can pick that up again. You still want to
teach me?"

"Why isn't it right? I've seen Aes Sedai who treat m' lil' better 'en she
would. 'least Aidou ne'er tried t' make m' think I was on fire just f'r
tryin' t' make sure ya were a'right..." Neelkan grumbles under his breath
as he looks at the ball of light, refering to the time when he was suddenly
engulfed with illusionary flames in the Infirmary. "I know ya don't like
it, 'n if ya really want t' try t' do somethin', ya can talk t' m' sister.
But I doubt it'll help much." And he seems to think it'll make things worse
if someone talks to her, but he doesn't add that outloud. At the change of
subject he looks over and grins, nodding his head, "'course I'm still gonna
teach ya. Just whene'er yer ready. 'n if yer worried 'bout the snow 'n
cold, don't b'. Ya prolly won't e'en notice it after a few minutes."

Espiria sighs softly, lifting a shoulder. "I think we can safely say we
pick it back up in the spring. I doubt it very much that either of us will
have too much time at any other date." She chuckles, "With everyone being
indoors so much, I've been given more and more work. I suppose they figure
I shouldn't be idle..."

"Idle? You? Esp, I don't think ya could stay idle very long if ya tried."
Neelkan says with a smirk. "'r me either really." He shakes his head a
little and seems amused by that. Hahaha. Idle. In the Tower? Ye'h right. He
pauses for a moment, then nods, "We'll take up yer trainin' 'gain in the
Spring. Light, who knows, I might e'en be a Gaidin by 'en." He jokes with a
small wink.

Espiria chuckles and brightly smiles. "Oh..That would be wonderful." She
tips her head to one side, "Have..you and Denn patched things up? I..I know
for awhile there you were holding things against her for...well, for what
she had to do during the trial. I was hoping that you managed to work thru
that." She glances back over to you with a grin.

Alright. Now Neelkan is really confused. "Holdin' things 'gainst 'er? Why
would I hold it 'gainst 'er? She was just doin' 'er job..." He's rather
confused that you would think that, then wonders who else thought that.
That would explain why Denn was so reluctent to talk to him afterwards.
Like she would be walking into a bed of snakes or something. "But... ye'h.
We're... we've patched thin's up I guess. Though Light, I didn't realize
'ey needed patchin'..." Maybe he's just a little dense.

Espiria chuckles softly, shaking her head. "That's good to hear, Neel.
She...she really blames herself for Wyntere being in the position she was
in. She feels so badly about what happened..and what Wyntere almost had
happen to her. She doesn't want to face anyone because of it." She sighs
softly, hands moving to smooth out the material of her dress. "Wyntere..I
think patched things up with her, but...I think she's still going to blame
herself for awhile over what happened. I kept trying to tell her..she did
only what she thought was right at the time. How was she to know it was all
planted evidence. But..she still blames herself for not seeing it
sooner...or perhaps doing something differently."

Neelkan's just about to go into a speech on how people can't blame
themselves for think outside their control, and it would be another speech
he should say into a mirror, or at least something with a reflection.
Instead he just shakes his head and says, "Well, I.. I didn't really know
'at. When we talked, didn't go int' much 'bout the trial." He flushes a
little more even enough for it to be a tad noticed, even under the weather
flush, and he pulls his hands away from the light again to try and hide--
err --warm his face.

Espiria chuckles and nods, "I'm glad you have good friends, Neel. Friends
you can be close to and talk about all sorts of things. That's important
for anyone to have...especially people like us." She glances over to you,
sighing softly. "I don't know where our lives will lead us, Neel...but
never forget that I'll always be your friend..and that no matter what, you
can always count on that."

Pulling his hands down, Neelkan glances over and shakes his head a little.
Not really in disagreement, but in wonder. How come women always seem to
know what to say, and he always ends up stumbling over his tongue? They
always seem to know what's going on in his head, and he doesn't even have a
clue what's going on in theirs. It's not fair, blood and ashes. But after a
while of pause he says, "'anks, Espi. I'll remember 'at. 'n ya better
remeber it too, 'cause I'm holdin' ya t' yer word now." Cause he's still
just waiting for the day when a certain nine year old will decide to yell
out something he shouldn't. Or when someone else will let something slip.
Not that he isn't already screaming it loudly without words for half the
Tower to see...

Espiria chuckles softly, smile growing brighter on her face before she
sighs, "We should start heading back. Or at least I should. If I'm gone to
long, everyone will wonder where I wandered off to..and they seem to watch
me very closely lately for some strange reason." She chuckles, lifting a
shoulder. "Any time you need to talk though...just let me know and I will
/make/ time for you, understood?" She grins, reaching over to squeeze your
hand before she rises.

"A'right..." Neelkan says softly, muttering a little and turning his hand
so he can return the squeeze. "Ya could a'ways tell 'em ya were in the
Grove with m'. 'at'll ease 'ey're minds." Ye'h right. And he knows it
probably wouldn't either. Especially if what Aed said was true. Is it
/really/ that obvious? If it was, why hasn't anyone smacked him yet and
told him to stop mooning over the Accepted...? Ah well. "I'll prolly head
back in a bit. But go 'head 'n go." he glances up to see where the sun is,
then nods, "I still got a lil' bit 'til m' next lesson."

Espiria smiles and nods, motioning toward the small globe floating before
you. "It's set so that if you leave it behind here..it will just let go
soon after that, so don't worry about it. Hang onto it..and keep your hands
warm till you head back." She smiles, turning to head out of the Grove.
"Light always keep you safe, Neel."

"'n... Light keep ya, Esp." Neelkan says with a smile, then glances down at
the globe. Hang onto it, hmm? Wonder if he goes and walks through the
streets with it if people will start pummeling him with rocks and thinking
he's a male channeler... Hmmm. Now /that/ would be a funny prank. Up until
he gets himself killed pulling it off. But still. It would be funny to see
their faces...