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The
Meeting
Resisting
the urge to smooth
her dress, Michelle
returned Zarlash's
frigid glare with a
defiant one of her
own. The image of
that afternoon flew
back into her mind
and she had to keep
her mouth shut so
she would not
chortle. Basically,
the gentling circle
had collapsed with
Dallah's departure,
followed closely by
Sephirael's, and
then hers and
Yavanne's. Zarlash
probably had to
summon other Red
Sisters to complete
the task, which
would have been a
blow to her pride. Laurya
hissed in vexation
as Dallah took the
lead. Things were
NOT going as they
ought to have. The
pigeon she had been
expecting this
morning had not
arrived, and that
would likely hand
the Ajah to the
Head. She ground her
teeth and glowered
at Michelle who had
so brazenly insulted
her. No, this was
not a good day.
First, Daelin
escaping, then this.
Light, she was in a
bad mood. Sephirael
really hadnt
expected to account
for her experiences
at the Black
Tower...she had
thought that her Red
sisters wouldnt even
want to consider ANY
possibilities other
than the existing
policies for male
channelers. Idenya had been so tempted to leave the room behind Laurya—she couldn't understand Dallah's motivations at all. Idenya had always known that Dallah was certainly a new breed of Red Ajah. However, Red she was, through and through. There was no question in her mind that Dallah was too independant to even desire a Warder; and that Dallah, like all other Reds, wanted to deal with the very real threat of male channelers. The other Ajahs tended to overlook the threat. A threat Idenya had felt, in part, well before coming to the White Tower. A threat made even more timely with the rise of this Black Tower. Yes, Dallah was Red, through and through; and while young for the role of Head, Idenya did feel Dallah would come into the role nicely given time. Dallah wasn't being given time, though—although it was Dallah's own fault. Zarlash, on the other hand, seemed to keep her wits about her, even in the face of advesity, Zarlash was strong; admirable! And furthermore, correct: Dallah had indeed wavered during the gentling circle the other day! But Idenya didn't follow Laurya out of the room. For one thing, it wouldn't mean much if she did. For another, though, she wanted to face the tension in the room, and do what she could to ensure that Zarlash and the other Red sisters could help Dallah... see... how wrong she was. When Sephirael first stood to speak, a shiver went down her spine. Sephirael, a beautiful Red sister who, quite bluntly, made Dallah look *conservative*! She'd recently visited the Black Tower, hoping to do what Idenya never could fathom. Surely, anything Sephirael said would be rubbish: colored by her own wanton ideology, far too naive for a Red sister. However, Idenya was literally struck by what Sephirael said. No: not by what she said, but by her delivery of the words. Sephirael wasn't playing sides or anything of the sort here—her report was indeed heartfelt, but not as naively so as Idenya had imagined she'd be. She was sincere. Idenya recalled her own past, then: is it just because of a horribly bad experience in my own past that I've—'condemned'—all men? Clearing her throat that had grown thick with sudden anguish, she continued listening to Sephirael. The sister is the only one amongst us to have visited this Black Tower. She's... she'd done what a true Red would do: tried to deal with the issue, without letting historical policies guide her. She grew ashamed of herself, not for wanting to continue gentling male channellers, but for not being a true Red: for not being open to new ways of dealing with circumstances as they changed. Blinking back tears, she suddenly felt the need to go ask for penance. Not for being too focused on gentling male channelers; and not for being "weakened" by Sephirael's speech. Rather, for not living up to the standards of Aes Sedai; for not being even willing to face change head-on. Possibly, for letting her past influence her actions far too much. She felt like she'd done her Ajah a disservice, and thus the White Tower, and thus the world. She looked over to Dallah, who was remarkably calm; then over to Zarlash, who was remarkably unaffected by Sephirael's report. Standing, clearing her throat, she voiced one thought: "Sister Sephirael: I'm sure I speak for... many... when I put forth my _gratitude_ for the dangerous journey you've just made." Starting to take her seat again, she stood again and said, "I'd... I'd like to know more about how the... Black Tower... ensures that their members won't... cause harm. When the Taint starts to affect them, that is. Especially regarding their leader, Mr. Taim. Are there any plans in place, of which you're aware, for Taim's... replacement?... when the inevitable occurs? Thank you." After airing her question, she resumed her seat. Though she felt eyes boring into her from all directions, she finally felt she was going to make her tenure at the White Tower mean something; she was going to help show that the Reds were an Ajah with which to be dealt adriotly; and that they would help lead all the Ajahs into the uncertain times ahead. In
the moment of
silence following
Idinya's question,
the doors burst open
and slammed against
the walls. Laurya
was full almost to
brimming with
Saidar, having just
withdrawn the weaves
of Air that had
thrown the doors
open. She stalked
into the room,
around her sisters,
and stopped in front
of Dallah. Sensing
that all the women
were staring at her
with utter
amazement, Laurya
spoke, loud and with
perfect clarity. Zarlash rose from her place amongst the other Red Sisters, eying Laurya with disgrace. The girl's run off with the chickens and I fear the dogs will catch her this time. Smoothing her dress, she began almost too quietly for her normal manner of abruptness, "Laurya, please take your seat. We have matters that need discussing, and without your acting a child." Laurya stared at her blankly, as though taken aback. She straightened, adjusted her dress, giving Dallah one last menacing gaze before taking her seat. It is enough that the girl shows her anger so openly, much less spatting all that out in one breath. It is foolishness, running headlong into a den of irritated vipers. Turning to face Dallah, Zarlash continued on Laurya's comment, "Dallah, does she speak the truth?", Zarlash said all too knowingly. It is best to play it safe and see how the snake reacts to being tapped with a stick. Zarlash's gaze held no more mercy than that of a beheader. If she dodges this one, I'll still have something to use against her. One way or another... I will have her thrown from her high chair. |