09/21/2000 Laundry Room The cloying smell of too much soap rises into the air on the backs of dozens upon dozens of bubbles, which in turn are birthed from huge brass tubs. Servants kneel beside Novices and Accepted recently punished, scrubbing clothes from the huge pile beneath several chutes that come from all levels of the Tower. Steam from water kept very hot makes it difficult to breathe, and sweat seems to want to pop out of every pore from the moment one enters, whether it actually does or not. A large table near the window provides a spot for folding or hanging up. Various tags are attached to dresses and such to indicate who they belong to, so that they may be delivered to the correct room. What is pleasant about this place, despite the many unpleasant aspects, is that it is completely normal. War? What war? I have to get these shirts the perfect shade of blue! Denn'ryiel opens the door to the laundry room and closes it quickly behind her. Light it is /cold/ out there, still. Denn may be a Sedai, so she might not look cold, but she can feel the chill seep into her bones. The same chill that has likely decimated the garden she spent so many month preparing as well. With a sigh, she slumps against a warm wall near the door. There's someone else using the Laundry room as an escape from the cold. Namely, Neelkan. He /hates/ the cold. With a fiery passion even. He'd much rather have weather that would make him sweat oceans. He's sitting up against the wall a little distance from the door, out of the way, but still present. He sees the Aes Sedai come into the room and grins lightly, but doesn't get up from his huddle as he calls out in a whisper-like voice that carries, "Someone looks tired." And someone else looks amused. Denn'ryiel opens her eyes and looks straight at Neelkan's spot. She smiles in amusement as the heat from the room causes her cheeks to flush. "Someone looks inconspicuous," she fires back. Denn straightens her posture against the wall. "I see you took my advice." Back against the wall, Neelkan shrugs his shoulders and grins, "Well, it's bloody well warmer in 'ere, burn me it is." He has his arms resting on top of his bent knees, folded up partly against his chest. "Don't care much f'r the cold." Understatement of the Age. Denn'ryiel chuckles a bit and nods to the young man. "Well, if you wish I can brew you a cup of tea in my room, or heat some spiced cidar if you want something to warm you up. I wasn't going to use my firewood just for myself, but having company over is a good enough excuse." Chuckling, Neelkan shakes his head and then peers up at the Aes Sedai, "Guess I couldn't 'spect ya t' sit down on the floor so I won't have to break m' neck lookin' at ya?" He doesn't wait for an answer as he lifts his arms and pushes himself up to his feet. And tries not to look like he's using the wall for support, even if he is. "I guess it wouldn't hurt. But it's warm 'nough in /'ere/. Warmer 'en my room, 'at's f'r sure." Denn'ryiel fortunately can't blush in response to that, since the heat has already made her cheeks rosy. "It's your choice... if you prefer it here, I'd be more than happy to stay and chat. Or if you want to be left alone for awhile... I can see to that as well." A hand goes up to scratch at his hair, then Neelkan chuckles as he moves closer to her, still trying to hide the fact he's not exactly steady on his feet right now. "Nawh, yer room'll be fine. But I might end up stealin' yer bed f'r the night if ya let m' stay 'ere too long." Denn'ryiel smiles to herself as she watches Neelkan struggle a bit, but refuse to admit it. It's so cute! Of course, she'll never mention that. "You're more than welcome to some of my sheets, if the trainee quarters are as cold as you say," she says, as she opens the door for him. Thank the Light she isn't going to say he's so cute. He'd probably... not like that too much. Neelkan grins though and shrugs again, "Well, the rooms don't have fireplaces, but 'ey also don't have windows, so 'at helps. After a while it warms up, cause 'ey're's usually three of us in the room 'n stuff, but still..." He doesn't like the cold at /all/. "Let's go, Denn." He motions for her to go first, so he can walk behind her. And hide unsteadyness a little bit longer. No need for her to know he hasn't been sleeping much at all the last few days. Denn'ryiel's Room, White Tower, Tar Valon Denn'ryiel's room is rather large for a servant's. A feather bed is against the west wall, facing the east window in order to catch the sun's morning rays. Plants of all variety grow in pots throughout the room. Some of them don't appear to be indoor plants, and a few flowers look completely unique. They all combine to give a rather fragrant aroma, that becomes apparent the moment anyone crosses the threshold into the room. A hearth against the north wall provides warmth during the cold seasons. There's one half-filled book shelf, but nothing else that would interest a Brown Sedai. An oaken drawer with images of leaves carved into it sits next to the window and holds her clothing. The only other furniture in the room are a couple of birch chairs, a changing screen in one corner of the room, and a well made Saferi rug covering the floor near the chairs and door. Denn'ryiel holds the door open to the room the trainee is probably more than familiar with now. It's a little chilly, but nothing compared to most of the spacious tower. "I'll have a fire going in moments," she says with a smile. "Go ahead and make yourself comfortable." Moving inside the room, Neelkan doesn't even hesitate before plopping down on the bed and falling back to look up at the ceiling. He /definately/ wants one of these feather beds when he makes it to Gaidin. Not that he'll admit he wants a nice soft compfy place to sleep... He's a guy! And a bandit! He can sleep anywhere! Really... "A'right." he says after a moment. Denn'ryiel finds her flint and steel near the fireplace, and takes a few moments to set up the logs so that they will catch fire. "I'm definately going to have to get you one of those," she says, without turning her head. She can tell by the frumping sound where Neelkan headed to immediately. "What can I get you to drink?" "F'r m' name day?" Neelkan says with a grin at the ceiling, then peeks his head up at the mention of a drink and then says, "Umm. Just somethin' warm would be a'right. Tea'll do, doubt ya're gonna serve m' any ale." He winks even if she isn't looking and then lays back again. Yes. He definately likes this kind of matress. Denn'ryiel turns her head and smiles a little bit. "That depends on how soon your name day is... I suppose one of your future name days." She then directs her attention to her tea kettle, which she sets up. "Have you patching things up with Novice Aidou?" she asks. "Atril. The twenty-first day of Atril." Neelkan says with a shrug. "Well, 'at's not really right though, since ya know m' as Neelkan, but then I'm only nearly three years old, 'n I think I'm a tad older 'en 'at." He says with a grin. Then is silent for a bit. "Well, I wouldn't say 'ey're patched up. But I'm doin' m' best not t' strangle 'er. 'at work?" Denn'ryiel nods her head affirmatively as she pours out a cup of tea. "As long as you're succeeding in your efforts," she says, with a small smile, before carrying the tea over to the bed and sitting down on the end. "How is your training going?" There's a soft groan as Neelkan realizes he'll have to sit up to drink the tea, and pushes himself into a sitting position... and grumps somemore. He takes the tea though, and gulps on it before shrugging, "It's slowed down, due t' the flamin' weather. But it's goin'." Denn'ryiel nods her head and sips her own cup. "The weather can't last much longer... even if it is artifical, we'll have to strike out against it eventually." That might be a disaster, but it may have to be done. "I'm glad you came up here," she suddenly admits, quietly. "I'd like t' help. I mean... I know a thing 'r two 'bout takin' back things from places 'at would like t' keep 'em." Neelkan says softly before taking another gulp of the tea. He doesn't sip, sorry. There's a pause afterwards before he says, "I'm glad I came 'ere too." Denn'ryiel nods her head once. "I'm sure Mother will consider you when she makes up her plan," she replies, though her mind is on the second thing said. "I... I understand Christabel recently bonded a trainee," she remarks offhand. "Ye'h, I heard 'at..." Neelkan says, looking away and into his tea cup for a few moments. "I didn't know 'at was 'llowed, but I guess /Christabel/ can make up 'er own rules 'r whate'er." He doesn't like the Master General much. She made him think he was on fire! Denn'ryiel laughs and that and nods, sipping on her tea. "I imagine she can do anything that Mother hasn't said she couldn't. Still, she seems a nice enough person." Apparently Denn hasn't had the same dealings with her.