09/06/2000

Entrance Hall, White Tower, Tar Valon

The floor forms a beautiful mosaic of color as the seven colors of the
seven Ajahs are employed in tiny tile work to form the flame of Tar Valon
in all of its glory. Though it appears white from a distance, one needs
only bend down to see the fine artistry that went into employing those
colors in just the right way to create such an illusion. Seven that make
one, a fine metaphor for the Aes Sedai, and the first thing a petitioner
would see.

Women wearing great serpent rings, their faces young whatever their real
age, stride through the area, sidestepping petitioners, white-clad novices,
and striped Accepted, for the most part calm and aloof. Novices run
through, to grab petitioners or on their way to lessons, either one, wheras
the Accepted comport themselves with better decorum. Usually, these days,
it is tattered refugees, in grimy clothing, that finds itself huddling
within these fine white walls. As often as not, they cannot be helped,
whatever titles or sad stories they brought with them when they came.

More often than not the denizens of the Tower look straight over the heads
of these pathetic souls, staring straight south. As though they could see
the enemy over the horizon straight through the perfect white Ogier
stonework, and somehow eliminate it with a gaze, a glare, a frown. As if
some answer to the growing corner they find themselves backed in will
present itself from beneath the tangled hair of one of the refugees. Heads
tilt upwards with determination and perhaps a hint of anger, then, and
often times will disappear in a swirl of cloak and hemline.


Darenmar looks at those people speaking about Manetheren, with interrest,
but keeps off to his side, for now...

Her eyebrow raises slightly as the phrase "the Tower may..." is spoken, but
it is an instinctual reaction solely, from her years of training here. She
steps forward to accept the letter, pursing her lips as she reads through
its contents. "How long ago did you leave Manetheran?" she asks, without
lifting her eyes off the page.

The guard seems to think for a momment.. "A few weeks ago? I think that's
right. Feels like a /lot/ longer." he looks to the boy and it is obvious
why that was. Alexander simply stares of into space. He is not going to
give any of these people the benifit of even a glance...

Denn'ryiel nods her head as she finishes reading the letter, and begins to
fold it back up. "I am afraid this is a matter you will have to take up
with the Gaidin here among the Tower. Generally we do not overstep upon
their training practices. I can however secure space for the three of you
until the storm passes over. With the rest of the city taking refuge here,
I'm afraid it won't be much space."

The two guards sigh... more waiting... they were so looking forward to
simply dropping the boy off and leaving... they would have even braved the
storm if it ment being away. Ahh well... that is life. They nod and look
about briefly.. "Is there anywhere we can dry off?" they asks sheepishly.
Alexander only sits up straighter... he doesn't need to dry off. *drip*
*drip*

Roderick scratches his face absently, with his gloved right hand

Denn'ryiel is able to snag a passing Novice, and whispers a few
instructions to her that send her scurrying off. "The least I can do is
show you gentlemen to the Dining Hall. There is certain to be something
warm served there." She glances at the boy after saying that, wondering if
the prospect of something hot will bring him out of his coccoon.

Denn'ryiel adds, "The novice will return shortly with some dry towels."

The guards smile and bow, "Thank you Aes Sedai... if that is the best you
can do, we are certain it will be addiquate." They begin to move off,
Alexander simply wandering with them now... He /will/ find a way out of
this place... he swares it... But they pause.. "Aes Sedai... are there any
rules we should know in regards to the boy?"

Coming into the Tower front the front entrance, Neelkan looks to be in an
extremely grumpy mood as he moves into the Entrance hall, avoiding running
into anyone at least. He notices Denn almost immediately and pauses to look
at the people she's talking to before giving her a grin. Hmmm.

Roderick is standing, hands clasped in front of him, observing, you might
say, the Hall

Denn'ryiel shakes her head as she begins to walk towards the Dining Hall.
"No, no rules beyond those that apply to all guests until he is accepted by
a Gaidin, at least," she says, to both the guard and Alex. As she turns her
head back to answer, she spots Neelkan and returns his grin. "I would not
worry about him leaving the Tower until his situation is addressed though.
We're able to man the outer walls, at least, and the guards are turning
everyone back that leaves the Tower."

The guards nod rather uncertainly... then begin heading in the direction of
the dinning hall again... Alexander between them. They spend half their
attention on the boy, and half on the Sedai, and everything else sort of
becomes lost in the shuffle...

A large, wet, and furry lump enters the Hall by means of the courtyard,
hands over its head. As he reaches the roof, he takes his hands from his
head for his ears to shake the water from themselves. Still dripping, he
looks around himself and the Tower, as if waiting for something.


Dining Hall, White Tower, Tar Valon

One may see, here, a huge buffet table full of every type of food
imaginable, from nearly every part of the known world. Occasionally empty
plates are removed and replaced, for there is no common eating time for any
but the students. Most eat when they remember to, or find the time. Other
tables are present. Some have broad cloths thrown over them, in the color
of the Ajah that normally sits there. Others are left plain, indicating a
table at which anyone may sit.

Bobbing lights, produced by the One Power, emit a soft glow, replacing the
need for candles and lamp oil, whose supplies are growing short each day
and which are getting quite expensive. Occasionally as some fade an
Accepted will walk in and replace them. The floor, white, is kept
meticulously clean and scrubbed. No sooner does some morsel find its
accidental way to the ground than someone is along to sweep it up and throw
it away.

The Dining Hall is naturally crowded, like every other public area of the
Tower. Nevertheless, Denn'ryiel secures a spot for everyone to sit down at.
"I hope the weather has been kinder to you during your journey than it has
been these last few days," she remarks, as she takes a seat.

Alexander sits down with something of a huff... a dignified huff... he must
be dignified.. he is a /Noble/. The guards sit down gratefully... speaking
humbly to the Sedai. "It was fine until we reached the area around Tar
Valon not a few days ago. Then the storm came out of no where. We could not
turn back, so we simply pressed on." Gee.. the boy must be pretty bad to
risk traveling through this weather just to get rid of him faster.

Having moved to follow the Aes Sedai, Neelkan looks around at all the
people crowding the Tower and shakes his head a little, partly glad that
they didn't try to shove any more people into /his/ room. Already has to
share it with enough other Trainees. He glances over at the young man who
seems to have guards speaking for him, and shakes his head a little. He
looks over at Denn, then back at the huffy noble, and can't help but
snicker. He's amused. He doesn't even ask as he sits down in a seat at the
same table, and a seat that is close to the Aes Sedai.

The way Denn turns her head to smile to Neelkan makes her friendship with
the trainee obvious to even the least observant stranger. But then, with
Alexander looking down at the table, he may not have noticed. A very busy
novice arrives at the table, and sets five bowls of warm soup down, before
leaving immediately to bring food to another table. "Is there anything else
we can fetch for any of you?" she asks, making certain the question is
directed partially at Alexander. She's resolved to get this one to talk
eventually. "If nothing else, I'd apprieciate any news you can share from
my homeland." The Sedai does look rather Manetheronish.

Alexander looks at the soup for a momment... well... he /is/ hungry... so
he reaches out and brings it to him.. starting to eat it in as Noble a way
as he can... given that his hair keeps dripping water into it. The guards
also begin to dig into the soup... well as much as they feel they can with
a woman present.. and a Sedai at that. "No Sedai... those towels should do
it fine... as for home... Well things are much the same there as they have
been for some time. The war hasn't touched us directly for a while...
though we still keep our fources ready to recieve or deal the blow."

And at the way the strange young trainee looks right back, the friendship
is obviously returned. Neelkan lifts a hand to shoo off the bowl of soup,
but then decides against it as he's still quite hungry from the healing he
had the other day. Instead he lets her sit it down and runs his fingers
through his odd spikey red hair with white streaks throughout it. A young
man who probably is younger then Alexander there has white streaks in his
hair? Yup. He glances over at Denn as she mentions her homeland, and then
smirks. He turns his attention on Alex finally and speaks, "So Master
I-don't-need-t'-speak-so-m'-guards-can-do-it-f'r-m' is lookin' t' train
'ere, huh?" His accent screams south. Or more accurately, Northern Eharon
commoner. But he doesn't really have the look.

Denn'ryiel nods her head as she starts on her own soup. Pleasant enough
tidings, especially considering what is going on outside the Tower walls.
She looks over to Neelkan, but doesn't seem surprised at the man's
bluntness. Obviously she's used to it by now. "We've been requested to take
Alexander under our wing, by his father," she explains, looking to the
guards or Alexander to expound further.

Alexander looks up at Neelkan and smiles an almost evil smile... the kind
that can even scare adults... though doubtfull it would scare anyone here.
Then goes back to his soup. Let the commoner thing what he wants.. and say
what he wants.. for now. The guards wont be around for much longer... The
guards simply look to Neelkan almost horrified... then nod slightly. "Yes..
his father wishes for him to be trained." in more ways then one...

"Too bad I'm not a Gaidin yet." Neelkan gives a glance towards Denn as he
says that then finally takes in a mouthful of the soup. Once that's down he
adds casually, "But I did get raised t' Proven recently, so if ya have any
questions I can answer 'em f'r ya." He's not speaking to the guards. He's
speaking to Alex. And he takes note of the smile, and returns it with his
best mischevious grin. The one that always made his mother get out the
switch because she just knew he was up to something. And he usually was.

At this point the original novice Denn'ryiel cornered in the Entrance Hall
returns, and whispers something into Denn's ear. "Gentlemen," she says to
the two guards. "Novice Adeline has found a place where you can put your
belongings and stay, until the storm passes over. If you go with her, you
can set your belongings there. I would like to talk with Alexander for
awhile though, if you wouldn't mind leaving him here."

Alexander finally speaks up... "I doubt I will need your help, pesent boy."
it is a small sentance... and spoken with utter sympathy for the one to
whom he is talking.. the poor boy can't even talk correctly.. and then it
is right back to his soup. The guards just look to the Sedai... they just
/know/ they're going to get in trouble over this boy... as they hear Denn's
words they nod.. and get up slowly... this'll be it. He'll insult the Sedai
and they'll get it... some way or another... They bow to the Sedai then
move off to follow the Novice.

"Peasent boy, eh?" Neelkan says with raised eyebrows and glances over at
Denn'ryiel for a few moments, finding all this rather amusing. He's getting
insulted by a stuffy little noble, and the poor guy makes it sound like he
feels back for him. This is quite amusing, "Ye'h, I'm a 'peasent boy', but
being a noble pain in the bloody backside doesn't count f'r nothin' in the
Tower. I look f'rward t' gettin' the chance t' spar with ya down in the
Practice Yard. /If/ ya can find a Gaidin t' accept ya." Even if he sounds
like he's attacking the guy, for the most part, as Denn would notice, he
actually seems to like him already. In a 'I can't wait to kick him around'
kind of way though.

Denn'ryiel sighs but takes another spoonful of soup; no sense letting that
go to waste. "Let me guess," she says, pausing to blow on her spoon.
"You're not used to not being in control, are you?" she asks the trainee.
Her own voice speaks of no noble education, despite whatever big words she
tosses around.

Alexander looks up slightly, in between bites.. at the Sedai... "What makes
you think I'm not?" he says softly.. slowly.. coldly... without even
another glance at Neelkan.

Snickering, Neelkan shakes his head a little and starts to eat on his soup
again, watching the young noble pain speak to Denn. Better then a royal
pain. He's just a noble, right? Not that this guy really cares. This is the
young man who calls the Amyrlin seat by her first name, and he isn't going
to start calling a noble 'my Lord' or anything.

Denn'ryiel doesn't appear to be affected by the nobleman's tone. "The
behavior of your guards, for starters," she remarks, sipping another
spoonful of soup. "My guess is you weren't able to rage against your father
effectively for sending him here, so you juvenilely did your best to make
their lives miserable, despite the fact that they had nothing to do
personally for you being sent here."

Alexander smiles an almost evil smile... from that smile alone you might
sware the child were possessed... but it passes quickly.. "I know what is
expected of me Sedai.." he says the title without any more emphasis than
any of the rest of the words. "My Father wishes to be rid of me... to get
me out of his hair... then so be it. I will play the Tower game."

Neelkan glances up from his bowl and grins, "A game, huh? Well, don't let
any of the Gaidin 'ear ya say 'at. 'ey tend t' be kinda touchy when it
comes t' how 'eir students view 'eir trainin'." He remembers all too well
getting chewed out because he claimed being a trainee was just an 'excuse'
to stay in the Tower.

Denn'ryiel frowns a little bit. This should be a Gray or Blue speaking with
Alexander... someone with more knowledge of the Great Game than she. "You'd
be surprised what little is expected actually, Alexander. Most trainees end
up washing out," she says, sipping another spoonful of soup. "Unless you
meant what your father expects of you, and I suggest you keep that to
yourself. The Gaidin won't care what he wants."

Alexander seems to consider the Sedai's words for a momment... then shrugs
slightly. "Either way. I will win. I /always/ win." he smiles that
malicious smile again before going back to his soup.

Rolling his eyes at Alexander, Neelkan mutters something softly under his
breath. Something that sounds like, "I really hope he gets accepted." Hmm.
Whatever that means. He goes back to his soup as well, no longer grumpy,
but rather amused. The poor guy's gonna love having to share a room with
three other Trainees...

Johiah walks in from the common wing twirling his staff and whistling
lightly. He seems in a jovial mood. Even though the place is rather packed
with the citezens of Tar Velon, he manages to weave his way through without
hitting anyone with his quickly spinning stick of wood. Ho brings his staff
to a stop as he serves himself a bowl of soup. The staff is ornately carved
from top to bottom, thick on one end and pointed at the other. On the very
top is a small sculpture of a girl that on close inspection look exactly
like Juliana.

Denn'ryiel smiles a little bit at Alexander's statement, and goes back to
her soup as well. "If you see it as a game, perhaps. I take it you didn't
try to argue with your father then, when he made his decision." Obviously,
if he had, he would have lost. She notices the Gaidin enter and nods to
him. "Johiah Gaidin, could you join us for a little bit?" she asks.

Johiah comes and sits down near Neelkan and Denn'ryiel. And was about to
say something to her when she excused herself from the table. Instead, he
turns to Neelkan. "So, how are things with you Neelkan?" He takes a sip of
his soop and waits for conversation.

Alexander simply goes back to his soup... noting the Gaidin's presence...
but not bothering to do any more than that.

Neelkan nods to the Gaidin, "Thing's 're fine, 'anks. But I should b'
getting back. With all 'ese people in the Tower I'm supposed t' do a couple
extra chores t' make 'ey're stay more comfortable." And no, he is not
following after Denn like a little lost puppy or anything... Really! He
nods towards Alexander as he stands, "'is boy 'ere came t' the Tower t'
join the trainee program. 'at's why Denn called ya o'er." Boy? The guy has
to be a little older then Neelkan at least...

Johiah turns an eye to Alexander. "So, you want to become a Gaidin do you?
What ever put that idea into your head?" He asks with a bit of jest in his
voice. To Neelkan he adds, "Yes, things are really busy. I'm also up to my
ears in things to do. They've got me running gofer to the store rooms for
all kinds of things."

Alexander watches Neelkan get up, gives him a look that promises they'll
meet again then looks back to Johiah. "/I/ do not wish to be here at all.
My 'Father' wishes it." his voice is cold as ice... he picks up a paper and
gives it to the Gaidin. Might as well... it'll get to one eventually. He
already knows the guards have copies.

"I just hope the river doesn't rise too much." Neelkan mutters softly, for
once sparing the world of his horrible accent. The way the people talk here
is starting to rub off on him and it shows the most when he's upset or
really means something. He can't swim, and rather hated having to live on
an island as is, but that it might flood over? Bleh. He nods to the Gaidin
once more, about as much of a bow as he's giving today, then heads towards
the exit.