09/29/2000

Trainee Living Area, White Tower, Tar Valon

Three stories worth of polished wooden hallways greet you, along with many
doors. Behind these doors are sets of four bunk beds, shared by trainees.
There is a wash-up area on the first floor, down the hall, a communal area
of wooden tubs that must be hand-pumped to be used.

Boys ranging from their early teens to their mid-twenties stroll down this
hall, talking or running as the situation demands. There is quite a bit of
noise as talk and rough housing are common events here.



It's been a few days since the trip out into the city to get the cast put
on, and Neelkan's left the other trainee alone for the most part. In fact,
he's spent the bare minimum time that he's allowed down in the Pratice Yard
and the Trainee Barracks, spending a lot of time off by himself, or in the
Tower with his 'Aes Sedai and Accepted' friends. After getting back down
from a late dinner, it's not quite time for everyone to be in bed, and most
the trainees are still out practicing in the Yard or doing chores, and the
red haired young man heads down the hall, looking for a certain room. He
didn't see a certain trainee out in the yard, so... anyway. There's a soft
knock on the door to Corain's room. Followed by a slightly louder one if
that one isn't acknowledged.

No, she wasn't out in the yard. She's been feigning an illness that makes
her very tired if she exerts herself for too long, for the past few days,
but whenever anyone tells her to get it Healed she basically whimpers,
whines, bitches, and stomps her feet until they decide she might as well
suffer over it if she's going to be such a pain in the ass. Why has she
been doing this? Because after a while, despite it being set, the rib
starts to ache to he point that to continue would likely be dangerous, so
she's been -trying- to take it a little easy herself. Knowing the Gaidin
this won't last very long though so one can only pray that she's a fast
healer. There is some shuffling from inside the room as Corain arranges
himself with the covers pulled up to his nose to hide the fact that he
wasn't really resting in bed before calling out a muffled, "Come in."

Peeking his head inside first, Neelkan casts a glance around to make sure
none of the roomies are around before stepping inside. "'ey, Cor." He says,
then runs hands through his hair and moves over to the edge of the bed that
he/she is laying in. He reaches down with his free hand and tugs at the
blanket slightly, "How're ya doin'? Ya haven't tried t' remove the flamin'
thing I hope? I'm not bloody carrin' ya back out 'ere t' get 'nother put
on, ya know." Well, actually, he probably would if he had to, but sigh...

Corain pulls her arms out from under the blanket and folds them over her
cast bound chest (which is very uncomfortable I might add), and furrows her
brow up at him a moment before shrugging and looking over towards the wall.
"Maybe I have, maybe I haven't. What's it to you?" Since it's him, there's
no reason for her to pretend like she's sick so she sits up, a little
awakwardly with the whole not really being able to bend her waist thing,
and lets her hands fall into her lap, plucking at the blanket a little
herself. Part of her is thinking... 'I made a complete ass of myself on
that trip' and another part is thinking 'so what? It was fun.' and
another.. well.. you get the idea. She can't keep up the air of
indifference though. After all, she's honorbound, and.. she -sort of- owes
him one. "Sorry," and man that word tastes bad. "No, I haven't tried to
take it off, but I won't say I haven't been tempted. And if I do there's
nothing I'm going to bleeding let -you- do about it."

"If ya do, ya might break yer ribs e'en more, 'n 'en 'at'll just make 'is
whole 'ing worse, won't it?" Neelkan says, actually sounding smart for a
change, like he didn't hear the sorry at all. He sits down on his heels
beside the bed, resting an elbow on the matress as he looks up at her
silently for a little while. After that while he says, "'n it's not a
pro'lem. I just don't want ya t' get anymore hurt is all." Not that he
really cares or anything... He doesn't! Not like she's a friend or
anything! Grrr. Anyway, he glances over towards the door, then says, "'n
I'll trust ya, so I won't ask t' look at the cast t' make sure."

No, no, no, no, no! What's with this nice ash? He's not supposed to be
nice. He's not supposed to -trust- her of all things! It's not fair- ...
Hmph. Corain pulls up her shirt and knocks solidly on the white cast
encasing her torso, as if -he- hadn't said anything about trusting her.
"There? Happy?" She's not. Screeeeeeeeeeeeeech! Hold up! When did this go
from her tormenting him to him tormenting her?? This will not do! But how
can she turn the tables back around? Well for starter she hops up off the
bed and pulls a chest out from under her bunk. "Which reminds me." She
rumages around in it, which doesn't take very long as there's not much in
there, and fishes out a silver coin. She flicks it off her thumb to toss it
over to him. "There, debt paid in full. Don't go getting any silly notions
like I owe you or something." Though technically.. she still does,
considering it wasn't just money he shelled out.

Catching the coin with little effort (he can catch pretty good it seems) he
turns the coin around in his fingers, then tucks it away with a nod.
Neelkan moves to stand up, shrugging his shoulders. "Whate'er. Ya don't owe
m' anymore though. Like I wanted a bloody woman t' repay m' anyway." Ahem.
"I know I should've said 'at." He says, a half-apology, when not sounding
like it. "Ya be careful on 'at, a'right? I'd rather not flamin' worry 'bout
ya." He starts to edge back towards the door.

"Yeah, you and me both! Why the flaming Trolloc tongues are you being so
burned nice to me?? What did I ever do to deserve it," Corain asks as if it
was a punishment or something. "This is Zaidah remember? The girl who got
you liquored up and slept with you. What happened to hating women? I still
am one you know, despite this stupid cast, and this stupid training, and
this stupid tower. You really don't want to tempt me into proving it to
you," she finishes in a much softer, much more dangerous tone of voice than
the rest of it was said in. It's just a good thing most of the trainees are
outside right now, 'cause that was all probably a little too loud.

You really know how to make a guy hate you again, you know that Corain?
Neelkan flinches lightly at all that, and turns around to glare at her on
the bed there. And this is one of his death glares that is reserved to the
evil of the evil. He opens his mouth, no doubt to yell, but then closes it
with a growl. Grrr. Women! "Burn ya. Zaidah, Corain, Firefly, whate'er! I
don't give a Fade's scabby face if yer a hurt 'r nor, /I/ just don't wanna
get kicked out f'r helpin' ya! So save yer 'provin' f'r someone else!" Grr.
He turns around and stomps towards the door, opening it, heading out, and
slamming it shut loudly behind him.

Ouch. "Fine! I -will-! Just as soon as I get this flaming cast off..." she
adds muttered under her breath. As if just knowing about her would get him
kicked ou- ok.. maybe it would, but it's not like she would actually tell
anyone that he did, or that anyone did for that matter. Burn it even a
-Gaidin- knows and is keeping her secret. Just for good measure she shouts
through the door again, "And I don't need your flaming help!... Pumpkin!"
Just because she knows he -loooooves- that nickname so much. :P She's
tempted to shout an 'I hate you' through the door too, but that would be a
little -too- childish, so she just mutters it under her breath instead.
Somehow.. that tactic wasn't as satisfying as she was expecting. Oh well.

And plus, the whole 'I hate you' tactic is usually used with people that
someone is denying that they have fluffy feelings for... And well all know
Corain can't possible have those. Anyway, Neelkan doesn't answer at all and
just stomps off towards his room. Bristling while he does even.
Grrrrrrrrrrr! Women!


Barracks Room #41, White Tower, Tar Valon

        This room is much like any trainee's room. Large enough for two
bunk beds, two good sized dressers, a table that could seat three
comfortably (or four if it was pulled away from the wall) and a couple
chairs for the table. There's not all that much room between the furnature,
and not all that much room to move around in either. Lanterns and candles
keep the room dimly bright, the setting of the light focused on the table
where writen work and study is likely supposed to be done if it is
required.

Redd sits at the table, head resting on it. He's passed out.

Grrrrrr! Neelkan throws the door open, looking rather upset and angry. He
slams the door behind him, not even seeming to realize that he might wake
someone. He's a little mad right now.

Redd jumps when the door slams, turning to Neelkan. "Uh, Neelkan?" he
sounds reluctant. "I need to talk to you..." The 'now, while unspoken, is
still present.

Neelkan snaps out of his anger quickly and runs a hand through his hair,
nodding, "Ye'h ye'h..." He flops down on the bunk below his own bed, and
looks towards him, "What 'bout?"

Redd jumps onto his bed, quickly crossing it to sit in front of Neelkan.
He's as far on the edge of the bed as he can go without falling off.
"Espiria... I don't know if I can be everything she expects out of me, I'm
scared I'll do something to make her think less of me." That comes out
fast, almost a blur of words.

Sigh. "Redd... Blood 'n ashes... What d'ya think I am? A genius?" Neelkan
looks towards the bottom of his bunk and sighs again. Loudly. Then shrugs,
"Just don't worry 'bout it. The more ya flamin' worry 'bout it, the more
yer likely t' make a mistake ya'll worry e'en more 'bout later."

Redd stands, "No, it's different now..." He says slowly, "I didn't know
before..."

"'at yer 'er brother?" Neelkan says plainly. Yes. It seems that he was
told. By Espiria no doubt. Only then does he glance back over and up at the
boy, "Kid, ya loved 'er like a sister, if not more 'fore, didn't ya? 'at
hasn't changed any now, has it?"

Redd stops himself from pacing, looking to Neelkan. "Yes... it hasn't
changed..." 

Neelkan nods, "Well, 'en don't worry 'bout it. She loves ya. 'n I doubt she
would e'er stop. 'specially not now 'at she knows 'n ya do too."

Redd smiles, slightly, sitting down again, this time not so far off the
edge of the bed. "Thanks, Neelkan."

Neelkan reaches a hand up and grips his arm briefly with a shrug. "Yer
welcome." He grins and asks witha laugh, "So how does it feel t' be a
/real/ lil' bro t' someone?"

Redd smiles. "I'm happy that it was her." He shrugs, "I don't know really.
Just happier."

"I'm glad. Ya deserve t' be happy." Neelkan shrugs as well, then looks back
away up at the bottom of his bed, "'n I know she's happy too. She a'ways
said she wanted t' have a brother."

Redd falls back onto his bed. "Did she tell you how I was seperated?"

Neelkan bites his lip, "Pretty much, ye'h. I'm... sorry 'at 'at happened t'
ya."

Redd rolls onto his side and looks to Neelkan. "I might not have met you if
it hadn't. I'm not sorry, except I wish I could have known my ma and da..."

That causes Neelkan to grin. "I guess 'at's a good thin' 'en. Meetin' me."
As if he doesn't think most people would believe it so.

Redd smiles. "Yes, it is. Even if it isn't the same as with me and Espiria,
you're my brother." He smiles bigger, a proud grin that one is.

Neelkan smiles and nods slowly, "I'm glad. I a'ways wanted a lil' brother."
Yeah, he had nearly a half-dozen terror older sisters.

"I'm here." Redd sits up, "I can talk to you about anything, right?"

Neelkan pauses for a moment, then nods, "Ye'h. Ya can talk t' m' 'bout
whate'er ya want."

Redd nods turning his eyes first to the door, then to the other beds. If
what Redd's about to say isn't life-threatening type information, it sure
is private to the boy. "What's having a sister like?" He's probably asking
the wrong person, but he doesn't know better. Or care, honestly.

Wrong person. Definately the wrong person. "Mine're more pains 'en anythin'
else," Neelkan says with a grumble, then adds, "But Espi isn't, so yer the
lucky one of us 'en it comes t' sisters."

Redd tucks his legs up, sliding back onto his bed further. "Oh." Not the
answer he was hoping for, but it's what he got, it's what he'll deal with.
"I'm sorry."

"Don't worry 'bout it. Espi's great. Ya really are lucky t' have 'er."
Neelkan offers a smile over. "M' sisters mostly bossed m' 'round, but
sometimes 'ey were a'right."

Redd nods. "If they were alright sometimes, then it couldn't have been that
baAAD!" He had decided to fall back onto his bed again, but he didn't
realize he was far enough back so that when he leaned back, he rolled right
off the back side of his bed.

Neelkan immediately gets up and sighs, shaking his head a little and
heading over, "'re ya a'right?"

Redd is laying on his back on the ground, looking up when Neelkan gets
around to him. The boy seems content to lay there. "It's not bad here." He
says.

Neelkan laughs softly and kneels down beside him, "Well, as long as yer not
hurt. I don't want t' carry ya t' the infirm." He reaches over and ruffles
the younger boy's hair.

Redd smiles and brushes his hair back into place when Neelkan finishes
ruffling it. "I've been there too much. Last time was enough." He shrugs.

Neelkan laughs as he brushes the hair back into place, "Ye'h. I understand.
I don't wanna go 'ere anymore either." He looks away for a moment, then
asks, "Did... Espi tell ya anythin' 'bout when I went t' visit 'er in
'ere?"

Redd shakes his head. "No... what happened?" He almost sounds as if he
expects something to have gone wrong.

Letting out a sigh of relief, Neelkan relaxes a little, "Nothin' ya need t'
worry 'bout. Espi just found out somethin' I'd rather she didn't." Or at
least, he thinks she found out then. Either way it is something that he
wished she would never know.

Redd looks to Neelkan, but then decides to drop it. "Has Espi told you how
we found out that she's my sister?"

Neelkan nods. "Ya guys had a... dream, ye'h..." He seems reluctent for a
moment.

Redd nods. "I wanted to tell you about it, but I couldn't find you." He
sits up. "I didn't know what to think..."

"It's a'right..." Neelkan says, shifting around a little, "I'm sure 'at...
it was interestin'." The one he had certainly was.

Redd nods, "It was." A change of topic is needed. He walks around Neelkan
casually, stopping so the Neel is between him and the bed, then looks to
Neelkan. "I see a picture around you." He sounds dead serious.

Neelkan blinks and looks around quickly as if making sure they're alone,
which of course they are, then looks back over at the boy, "Um... What is
it?" He seems to brace himself. The seriousness seems to get him prepared
for something bad.

Redd edges closer, within arms reach of Neelkan. Within one of Redd's arm
reach of Neelkan. "It isn't good." He's keeping very serious, then says,
"You're losing a fight to me," Then he dives at Neelkan, playfully, hoping
to tackle him onto the bed.

Oh great. Something bad is going to happen to h--ACK! Neelkan's eyes widen
as the boy suddenly dives at him. He lets out a quick yelp, then falls back
onto the bed, squirming under the fingers, "'ey! 'at's not fair!" And who
told the boy he was ticklish!? Grrrrr. It's pretty obvious by the way he
squirms around that he is.

Redd goes wide eyed suddenly. Neelkan's ticklish? He was only guessing. He
begins tickling faster, "Do I win? Do I win?"

"Grr! Yes, just get offa me!" Neelkan isn't going to beg, but it's close
enough. He closes his eyes, still squirming around, doing his best to keep
from laughing. Bloody tickling fingers. Grrr.

Redd smiles, stopping and turning his back to Neelkan with a victorious
grin on his face.

Neelkan lays there for a few minutes, huffing softly before he sits up with
a mock glare.

Redd holds up a finger at Neelkan after glancing back. "I won. You said
so."

"Ye'h ye'h." Neelkan says with a grumble, standing up and knuckling his
back lightly. "No need t' rub it in."

Redd grins. "If I was rubbing it in, I'd do this." He smiles and says, "I
won I won I won I won." He then starts laughing, falling backwards onto the
bed.

Neelkan glares and darts forward and tries to ruffle his lil' bro's hair
again after he falls back on the bed and says, "Go t' bed, kid. 'r I'll
have m' sister teach Espi how t' treat a lil' brother."

Redd cuts short in his laughter, looking a bit confused, "How is that?"

Neelkan raises his eyebrows, then realizes that he might not know, "My
sister, Aidou is a student 'ere in the Tower. She's one of the novices. I
didn't e'en know m'self 'til a while 'go. She'd been out at one of the
farms it seems, 'n I'd been 'way 'fore she left."

Redd blinks. He isn't sure he wants Espi to learn how to treat a little
brother, especially hearing what Neelkan has been telling him. Redd strips
down to his smallclothes in record time and is in bed. "I'm going to sleep,
blood and ashes, don't tell her to."

Neelkan bites down on his lip to keep from laughing, and just nods in
satisfaction. "Good. I'm goin' t' bed m'self." He turns around and heads to
his bed, allowing himself to break into a broad grin. He got the last laugh
after all!