01/26/2001

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.


It probably didn't take long for someone to mention that a certain Proven
who's a little difficult to miss didn't sleep in his room after returning
from the trip to the cache down in his home region. It probably wouldn't
take very much longer to find out where he did sleep. No. He did not sleep
with an Aes Sedai (unless you count the hundreds Yellows on duty), but once
again, he slept in his home away from home. The Infirmary. Why? Because
sometime during the events in the tunnel he got a medium sized injury, and
at one time or another after or before, his earring ter'angreal activated.
They did not know this until it was too late. When an Aes Sedai tried to
heal him after returning, he almost immediately passed out. His strength
was already tapped to the point by the wound, and the exertions of the
trip, and the ter'angreal. The healing just sent him right over. Which is
why they didn't just send him back to his room in the Trainee area to rest
it off. So with the wound that he had already healed, Neelkan is sleeping
off the recovery time, which means of course that he is literally asleep,
for now. And actually sleeping rather soundlessly.

Zaidah storms in and looks at an Accepted demanding to know where the
aforementioned Proven is. The woman just blinks, arches an eyebrow and
points, clearly not impressed, but for once Zaidah couldn't care less. She
storms over to his bed and opens her mouth to begin haranguing him when-
she stops, and sees that he's asleep. Sighing she runs a hand through her
hair. "Blood and ashes." She frowns at his sleeping form, and then pulls up
a chair, dropping into it and propping her feet up against the side of he
bed. Come on Neel. Wake up so I can tell you how stupid and careless you
are. And she was relatively happy too these past few days! I know, that
must come as quite a shock, but such is life. Wait.. Neelkan doesn't need
anymore shocks to his system right now.. so it's just as well he doesn't
know.

Neelkan actually looks quite peaceful when he's asleep, and not having a
white-streak making dream. This time he's in luck, and he isn't having any
prophetic dreams, or at least if he is they're not disturbing to the point
of near insanity. And he isn't dreamwalking either, so that is an extremely
good thing, is it not? Either way, he seems to be sleeping quite well, and
no doubt has been sleeping since he first collapsed. Zai's in luck, so she
only has to wait about twenty-some minutes before he starts to move around.
His nose twitchs a little, as if he got a sudden itch, then he starts to
roll his shoulders and try to pull the covers up somemore. Why can't they
keep this room warmer? Neelkan is from Eharon. It's so warm there that
nearly anything that isn't hot... is too cold to him. That's followed by a
yawn, and his eyes blink open a few times before he lets out a soft groan
at the light and reaches to cover his eyes. At least he doesn't have a
hangover... He didn't get drunk down in those tunnels. But the light in his
eyes is still a little much so quickly after waking. He yawns a few more
times and peeks out between his fingers, wondering where he is exactly,
then finds Zai in the edge of his eyesight. "Zai*yawn*dah? What're
ya*yawn*doin' 'ere?"

Zaidah snorts. "It's about time. I'm here to see you, you idiot." Isn't
that a wonderful thing to wake up to? "I must say you've taken the cake
when it comes to stupidity. Did you forget what happened the last time you
used those burned earrings?" She glares at him, and leans over, resting her
elbows on her knees... which... she really shouldn't do considering the
shirt she's wearing but for once she's actually not thinking about that.
The expression softens into a little grump though and she actually admits,
"you had me worried. But I'm glad to see you're alright." Gasp! She's
actually admiting to caring? And.. feelings in general? Has the world come
to an end? Is Tarmon Gai'don being fought out in the courtyard? No wait,
maybe this is a Zaidah hallucination, or just a wierd dream he's having..
uh.. not that I'm suggesting he dreams about Zaidah... c.c

Eh? Neelkan furrows his bro and starts to rake figures through his hair.
Why is she calling him an idiot? It's not like he consiously tried to use
it. True, he put on both of the earrings before going into the tunnel, but
that was because Espi was there, and he wouldn't let her down and he needed
every edge he had in battle if it came to that. "Zai.. I wasn't tryin'...
Light. Ya don't have t' worry. I'm fine..." He yawns a few more times. He
is fine right? He doesn't even know why he's in the infirmary. His earrings
must have acted up again. Oi. Then... eh? Um... Repeat that? Zai's worried
about him? And admiting it? He blinks and stares over at her for a minute,
as if expecting her to morph into a dream demon and terrorize him. When she
doesn't right away, and he yawns again and again, he figures he's too
sleepy to still be asleep, so this isn't a dream. So Zai cares? "Uh.. 'r ya
'kay? Ya weren't at the bleedin' tunnel stuff t', were ya?" He doesn't
remember seeing her. She's kinda hard to mistake! So... she probably didn't
get banged on the head in the tunnels or effected by that male channeler
and his taint.

Zaidah hrmphs and sits back, folding her arms across her chest. "I'm fine,"
she snaps. "No, I wasn't there, but I heard a bit of what happened." If she
had gone she might have been able to visit home, and her mother. That would
have been nice. Neel may not like his family, but Zaidah actually misses
her mother. But then, the woman wasn't very old when she had her daughter
and their relationship was never a normal parent child one. They were
actually friends. Oh, pardon me, Zaidah was getting a little nostalgic
there. She never would have actually left though, not for good anyway.
There are too many things keeping her here, too many people. "Anyway, I
guess if you're fine you don't want what I brought you," she says with a
coy smile, changing the subject.

Hmm? "Brought me?" Watch Neelkan sit right up and bounce a little bit on
his bed, like a five year old getting a Sunday present. "What'd ya get m'!?
Hmm?" He leans forward and starts to grab at her hands trying to force her
to hand over whatever she got him. At least until he realizes that...
he's... not... wearing anything except for that shift that they usually
slip patients into. ... Meep. He looks down and quickly snaps his hand back
and pulls up the sheet to cover himself properly. Hrmpt! Grrrr! Whoever
clothed him is gonna get kicked!!

Now that is a good way to bring a smile to Zaidah's face. Did I mention
that she likes to see men squirm? ;) And she's not ashamed of it either.
One eyebrow, the scarred one arches and she grins at him. "Tsk tsk, now is
hardly the time to start being modest pumpkin." Sorry, she just had to
tease him a little. Has she forgotten about the present? The female Proven
sits back and just looks at him, grinning and bouncing one leg as it's
crossed over the other. When she deicdes she's made him wait long enough
she pulls out a slim cloth lined case which she hands over. It's
rectangular shaped, but much longer than it is thick. In fact it looks like
something that might hold a necklace.

Oh! Oh! Modesty is totally forgotten as Neelkan reaches out and grabs the
rectangular box. He doesn't open it at first, as if preparing himself. Did
he not get presents very much as a kid? Well, no, but that's another story
all together. He grins over at Zai and throws a wink in her direction, then
opens up the box to see what is inside. And his eyes widen and he leans in
to inspect. Then leans back out again and reaches his hand to pull outthe
necklace. He brings the clear beads close to his face so he can example and
the miniature images inside them. "Oh wow! Blood 'n ashes! Zai, 'is' great!
Burn it, ya must've had t' make someone slave o'er 'is f'r weeks!" ... Wait
a minute... He looks away from the necklace to the woman who gave it to
him. This kinda had to be special made. Not everyone wants beaded necklaces
with a red peacock inside the clear beads. In fact, he'd probably be the
only one who would! So... why would she? Oh! To make up for all the times
he helped her so she isn't in his debt anymore. Yeah. That must be it!
"'anks! It's great."

Zaidah chuckles softly, and is actually smiling about how excited he is
about this. "You're welcome. I gave a few... favors for it." Is she teasing
still? You really never know with Zai. She reaches over and tousles his
hair. "I'm glad you like it. And in payment you can get better so I can
beat you up for being such an idiot. I can't keep all those Fledglings in
line without help you know." She pauses and peers at him. "Do you really
think you should hang onto those earrings though? I mean, they seem to keep
landing you in the infirmary... Maybe they weren't meant to be worn."
Speaking of which, he still has to pierce her ears, which is why she isn't
wearing his present.

Grinning at the jesting and the hair tossling, Neelkan mutters how he hopes
the favor wasn't too extremely, before he puts the necklace on and lets it
settle against his chest. He definately likes it, and he's been meaning to
get another necklace to replace the one that the milk-drinker Tetrarch
broke. At the mention of his earrings through his expression goes grumpy.
"Zai... I understand 'at yer just worried 'bout m', but 'ey're /mine/."
What, like they were the first thing ever given to him before? Well,
partly. They were one of the first things he'd ever worked his ass off to
earn. From his family he usually just got whatever they were willing to
give him, and they usually never let him forget it. He hadn't /earned/ the
clothing he was wearing. He hadn't /earned/ the food in his stomach. The
earrings though. They are his. Hakurou gave them to him. No way is he gonna
give 'em up. "'sides, I kinda think it's cool. Vorsh said 'ere might b' a
way t' get 'round the side-effects, 'n I'd like t' at least try..."

Zaidah just looks at him for a moment. "You think it's cool that you almost
kill yourself? No, nevermind. Have it your way. I wouldn't trust too much
in the Aes Sedai though. I think Vorsha was just saying that so she could
get her hands on them." But she's cynical like that. She of course, doesn't
know the story of how he earned them, but if she did she would probably
understand a little more. After all... once she gets her Gaidin cloak she
doubts she'll ever take it off. Heck, maybe she'll even let Kate bond her,
not that she foresees that happening any time soon. Raeth enjoys tormenting
her too much to let her out from under his thumb. But strangely... she's
stopped minding so much. She's certainly stopped complaining about the
Tower, now that it's kind of her choice to stay. Now that she's had to
fight so hard to be -able- to stay.

"The Tower had 'ey're hands on 'em f'r almost a year, Zai." Neelkan says
with a shrug and a frown. "'n no matter what, no one is e'er takin' 'em
'way from m' 'gain. Unless I find Hakurou 'n can return 'em t' 'im..." he
mumbles that last part rather softly, yawning a little bit again. A yellow
catches sight of this is the corner of her eyes and starts over, "He should
really be resting." She speaks to Zaidah, then turns eyes on Neelkan,
though she spoke around him like he wasn't even there. Women. Grrr. He
grumbles, "A'right, a'right. Bloody flamin' women..." He starts to settle
back before he says to Zai, "I am a lil' tired, but 'anks f'r the necklace!
I'll help ya whip 'ose Fledglin's int' shape soon 'nough." Yaaaaawn.

Zaidah chuckles and nods to the Aes Sedai. "Alright. I was sick of looking
at his ugly mug anyway." Um... reverse psychology much? Sorry Zai, but
you're not fooling anyone. His mug is far from ugly. "You'd better," she
replies as she stands up. "Sleep well Neelkan," and with that she turns and
strides purposefully out. And where did her arrogant swagger go? It turned
into a more feminine form of Cat Crosses the Courtyard while she wasn't
looking. Bad swagger. Bad, naughty swagger. She doesn't really need it
anymore though. Sure she was pretty deadly when she joined but... before
she had something to prove and for the most part she's already Proven it
(pun intended). Sometimes it's amazing how people can mature almost over
night.


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.


All rested up again, and recovered for the most part, Neelkan's fully
dressed again (no more robes for this boy) and ready to get checked out. He
hides a yawn from one of the Yellows so they won't catch him and make him
stay anymore. He's fine, really.

Jedan comes walking in, with two color-changing cloaks wrapped around one
arm as he does so. His eyes glance around and he spots Neelkan immedintly,
and walks over to him. "I've got good news for you, Neelkan." He holds out
one of the cloaks. "You're Gaidin."

Zaidah wanders in a little ways after Jedan and stops dead, catching those
last words. Brown eyes widen and she stares at the both of them, and then
she grins. "Congratulations Neel." Yes, she sees that other cloak... but
doesn't dare hope that it's for her.

Uh.. uh.. uh.. Ya know, it's a really good thing that Jedan didn't come in
and say that when Neelkan was eating dinner or getting a drink. He stares
for a few moments, then glances at Zaidah and steps forward a little, "I..
'anks." He bows a little bit, not too deep, because from him that would
probably be mocking. He takes the cloak and looks at it a few moments. Does
this mean he has to beat of Aes Sedai with a stick now?

Usually, yes. But only if she's a realy understanding, or rather likes that
sort of thing. Jedan smirks. "Yeap, you're now required to spend half your
day teaching if you are not out on mission with your Aes Sedai." He pats
the boys shoulder and turns, nearly bumping into Zaidah. "Zaidah!" He says
with a smile, "I was just on my way to see you."

Gaidin are never that happy to see her unless they're... well.. happy to
see her, or she's in trouble. "Really?" No, don't look at the cloak. Don't
get your hopes up...

Jedan nods and hands over to cloak. "I need you to clean this for me
please, and be quick about it." He turns, seemingly going to leave.

Looking from Jedan to Zaidah, Neelkan works his mouth for a moment after
the Gaidin tells her to have it cleaned. He clenches his jaw to keep from
yelling at the man. Grrr. He looks at Zai and shrugs a lil', and manages
with a soft voice, "Ya'd prolly maim the students 'at ya gotta spend half a
day teachin' anyway."

Oh you're evil Jedan. Pure evil. Zaidah takes the cloak, feeling that
sinking ceiling in the pit of her stomach. "Why thank you Gaidin. It would
be my pleasure Gaidin." She smirks at Neel and nods, "Yeah, probably. You
know... this cloak isn't dirty..."

Jedan stops and turns back to Zaidah. "It is dirty, Zaidah. And I do need
you to clean it for me. However, when you are done, I want you wearing it
and out in the practice yard. You're a full Gaidin now."

This turn causes Neelkan to grin like a mad man. Though he keeps from
saying anything silly or too outburst-like. But he certainly is happy for
her.

Zaidah blinks. Well she's never been that picky about clean or dirty anyway
so it's not surprising she didn't notice. Not like she sniffed it or
anything. This is rather unseemly of a new Gaidin but she actually shrieks
happily and pounces on Jedan kissing him on both cheeks. The cloak is still
tightly clenched in her hand though.

Hrmpt. Why does /he/ get the kisses? Not that Neelkan is jealous or
anything, but he does grump for a brief second before resuming his smile.

Jedan chuckles softly and extracts himself from Zaidah's hold. "Easy there,
Gaidin. I don't think it's best for us to be seen too close. I am bonded,
you know." He smiles, however.

Zaidah clears her throat and let's hops back. "Of course." Does that mean
the unbonded Gaidin are fair game now? Oooo, and all those cute Trainees...
Wake up Zaidah, and get real. Though now would be good time to celebrate,
spread the love around... Come to think of it Zai pounces Neel and kisses
his cheeks as well. Just how many times is she going to do this?

"Yeah, but I'm not." Neelkan says, winking towards Zai in a totally jesting
mode as he shifts the cloak to put it around his shoulder. And this is when
she pounces on him and starts kissing him. Maybe he shouldn't have
encouraged her. "Yipe! Uh.. congrats, Zai." He grins and gives a quick kiss
to her cheek too while she's close.

Jedan chuckles softly, and heads for the gates. He's Master Gaidin now, so
he's still got work to be about.