Aes Sedai Quest [Wheel of Time]

[Choo Choo]

You take a deep breath. This might earn you another punishment, getting smart with an Aes Sedai, but she did ask what you think. It would be worse to lie to her, wouldn't it?

"I... I do think that a gesture carries a message, Aes Sedai," you say, still bent into your curtsy and eyes respectfully lowered. "We did want to communicate to Talaitha, and to ourselves, that we do care enough about her to sacrifice a night's sleep, and to risk punishments for all of us. I do think that is why we did it, no because we did think it would help."

"I see," Merean Sedai says, her face as smooth as it ever is, eyebrow still raised. "An interesting answer, novice. Well, you are right about one thing, at the very least - you are all getting punishments for breaking curfew. I expect to see all of you in my office after breakfast, understood?"

All of you form a chorus of meek agreement. Hopefully it won't be anything too bad.

"Now, all of you, to your beds." Merean Sedai shoos you all off, and you scurry off towards your rooms like frightened chickens. You're just about to close the door behind you when she adds, "I will let Accepted Talaitha know of your concern for her. I am certain she will appreciate it."

You stop, relief flooding you from head all the way down to your frozen toes. Accepted Talaitha. You hear Ninea, a few doors over, letting out a soft sigh. She made it. She's alright.

"To bed!" the Mistress of Novices repeats in a sharp command, and that is all the prompting you need to close the door and get ready for bed at record pace. It's all of half a minute before you're curled up on your hard bunk, shivering under your blanket. You're still smiling when you fall asleep.

[OPTION SELECT]​

​

[] Spend more time with... (pick 3 - she'll spend time with all of them, but to greater or lesser degree)
-[] Rielin
-[] Tiravia
-[] Ninea
-[] Addrie
-[] Janna
-[] Nacelle
-[] Kiyoshi
-[] Marissa
-[] Try to befriend someone else
--[] Amarya
--[] Ellyne

[] Focus your studying on... (pick 2 - she'll cover all of this, of course, but to greater or lesser degree)
-[] History
-[] Law
-[] Diplomacy and etiquette
-[] Mathematics
-[] Geography
-[] Sciences
-[] Philosophy

[] Extracurricular activities and hobbies (pick 2)
-[] Music
--[] Harp, flute, or vocals
-[] Cooking
-[] Gardening
-[] Sewing
-[] Reading circle
-[] Continue swordwork
--[] Keep teaching Janna

~

Time for another big timeskip, so make sure you choose well!

 

[keenscythe]

[X] Spend more time with... (pick 3 - she'll spend time with all of them, but to greater or lesser degree)
-[X] Rielin
-[X] Try to befriend someone else
--[X] Ellyne
-[X] Law
-[X] Geography
-[X] Cooking
-[X] Continue swordwork
--[X] Keep teaching Janna

Going with what I feel would be most useful for traveling as knowing the Local Laws, as being able to cook for herself could only be handy.
Plus it be nice to have an Aes Sedai who could shift for herself without having to browbeat someone into being a servant.

 

[Briefvoice]

So for people like me who might have kind of lost track of who all these people are.

[] Spend more time with... (pick 3 - she'll spend time with all of them, but to greater or lesser degree)

-[] Rielin - "I'm Saldaean," she says, and you could have guessed as much from the tilted eyes. "I, ah... ran away from home." She wrinkles her nose in disdain. "I'm technically a noble, but my father is the least among all the lesser nobles of the Borderlands. So my parents wanted to marry me off to some second son or other and improve the standing of our House. I wasn't interested in that at all, so I packed my things and left. I knew that if I made my way to Tar Valon, and the Aes Sedai found me able to channel, there was nothing father could do to bring me back." Friend who showed you lots of great views. Smiles a lot. You... sort of swore an oath of eternal loyalty with her in a moment when you got carried away. Hope that was a good idea!

-[] Tiravia - Tiravia Mantear, Daughter-Heir of Andor and only daughter of Queen Tigraine.

-[] Ninea - Especially Ninea; she's been here for all of three weeks and acts like she's five minutes from her Raising." "A new girl!" the pretty one says and claps her hands together, beaming at you. "How wonderful! Welcome to the White Tower. My name is Ninea Moenelle; I do hope we'll be friends." Ninea smiles back at you in a way that reminds you of an older sister you've never had. "Lucia," she says, as if trying the name out. "What a lovely name. Come, let us get in line for food. We don't want to miss out on supper, do we?" Likes to study!

-[] Addrie - "out of the Ebou Dar slum" "I-I'm Addrie," the other girl says, glancing up at you and meeting your eyes for only a few seconds before looking away. "Addrie Sasami."

-[] Janna - a Taraboner girl a few years older than you; her face framed by a multitude of thin dark braids looks like it was hewn out of rock, but her gruff smile is kind. She's got more muscle on her than you've ever seen on another girl, and her handshake is a touch too strong for your liking. Now me, I play the flute. Not particularly well, truth be told, but I do enjoy it." You also spend a lot of your limited free time with Janna, as the two of you work on your swordplay.

-[] Nacelle - a pair of light-haired Shienaran twins a few years older than you, easy to tell apart even though their faces are identical; "Her favorite book, it is The Flame, the Blade and the Heart; she hides it under her pillow so that the Aes Sedai won't find it. Nacelle Kayama grins happily at you, her every moment carefree and careless. "No, I'm going to stay up and wait to see if she comes back. I'll break curfew for this."

-[] Kiyoshi - a pair of light-haired Shienaran twins a few years older than you, easy to tell apart even though their faces are identical; Kiyoshi is much calmer and soft-spoken, often glancing at her sister's antics with fond exasperation. "I am going to bed," she says. "Staying up will not do Talaitha any good one way or another, and if I were her, I would rather we take care of ourselves and get some sleep."

-[] Marissa - "Marissa?" Rielin shrugs. "She's nice, I suppose, I don't know her that well. A bit of a teacher's pet, and she spends every free moment she has in the library, and she can be kind of a know-it-all... she's been a novice for a couple of years, I think." How long have you been here for, Marissa?" "Four years," Marissa says, her smile flickering a little. Loves to read, taught you how to sweep. "Some of the other girls like to go watch the Warder recruits... I don't see the appeal personally."

-[] Try to befriend someone else

--[] Amarya - "Nobody's mean. Except Amarya," she makes a face, "but she's just a stuck-up Cairhienin There's a soft gasp of joy from a pale, petite girl with sleek dark hair, her eyes wide with euphoria.

--[] Ellyne - "A little off to the side sits a girl your own age, flanked by a worried-looking Accepted. The girl is quite pretty, with a cascade of fiery red curls falling to the middle of her back, but her brown eyes staring straight ahead look dull and dead in a way that is really disturbing." She's from Amadicia, where channeling is a capital crime.

 

[Briefvoice]

[X] Spend more time with... (pick 3 - she'll spend time with all of them, but to greater or lesser degree)
-[X] Rielin
-[X] Ninea
-[X] Try to befriend someone else
--[X] Ellyne

Rielin to deepen an existing friendship, Ninea for the academics, and Ellyne for the charity case.

[X] Focus your studying on... (pick 2 - she'll cover all of this, of course, but to greater or lesser degree)
-[X] History
-[X] Mathematics

[X] Extracurricular activities and hobbies (pick 2)
-[X] Reading circle
-[X] Continue swordwork

 

[Dirtnap]

[X] Spend more time with... (pick 3 - she'll spend time with all of them, but to greater or lesser degree)
-[X] Rielin
-[X] Ninea
-[X] Try to befriend someone else
--[X] Ellyne

[X] Focus your studying on... (pick 2 - she'll cover all of this, of course, but to greater or lesser degree)
-[X] History
-[X] Mathematics

[X] Extracurricular activities and hobbies (pick 2)
-[X] Reading circle
-[X] Continue swordwork

I approve

 

[No7sHere]

[X] Spend more time with... (pick 3 - she'll spend time with all of them, but to greater or lesser degree)
-[X] Rielin
-[X] Ninea
-[X] Try to befriend someone else
--[X] Ellyne

[X] Focus your studying on... (pick 2 - she'll cover all of this, of course, but to greater or lesser degree)
-[X] History
-[X] Mathematics

[X] Extracurricular activities and hobbies (pick 2)
-[X] Reading circle
-[X] Continue swordwork

 

[Pinniped]

[X] Spend more time with... (pick 3 - she'll spend time with all of them, but to greater or lesser degree)
-[X] Rielin
-[X] Ninea
-[X] Try to befriend someone else

[X] Focus your studying on... (pick 2 - she'll cover all of this, of course, but to greater or lesser degree)
-[X] Sciences
-[X] Mathematics

[X] Extracurricular activities and hobbies (pick 2)
-[X] Reading circle
-[X] Continue swordwork

 

[veekie]

[X] Spend more time with... (pick 3 - she'll spend time with all of them, but to greater or lesser degree)
-[X] Rielin
-[X] Ninea
-[X] Nacelle

[X] Focus your studying on... (pick 2 - she'll cover all of this, of course, but to greater or lesser degree)
-[X] Sciences
-[X] Mathematics

[X] Extracurricular activities and hobbies (pick 2)
-[X] Reading circle
-[X] Continue swordwork

 

[HeWhoAdds]

[X] Spend more time with... (pick 3 - she'll spend time with all of them, but to greater or lesser degree)
-[X] Rielin
-[X] Ninea
-[X] Try to befriend someone else
--[X] Ellyne

[X] Focus your studying on... (pick 2 - she'll cover all of this, of course, but to greater or lesser degree)
-[X] History
-[X] Geography

[X] Extracurricular activities and hobbies (pick 2)
-[X] Reading circle
-[X] Continue swordwork

The other plan most works with me. I want to become Aes Sedai Indian Jones, tho, so geography seems like a better fit then mathematics.

 

[EtchedSteel]

[X] Spend more time with... (pick 3 - she'll spend time with all of them, but to greater or lesser degree)
-[X] Rielin
-[X] Ninea
-[X] Try to befriend someone else
--[X] Ellyne

[X] Focus your studying on... (pick 2 - she'll cover all of this, of course, but to greater or lesser degree)
-[X] History
-[X] Mathematics

[X] Extracurricular activities and hobbies (pick 2)
-[X] Reading circle
-[X] Continue swordwork

 

[Choo Choo]

Another year passes by in a flash.

That's what it feels like to you, anyway; every day is filled with lessons and chores from sunup to sundown, and you fall into bed and pass out every evening. Sometimes you forget what day of the week it is.

This year, you choose to focus your studies on mathematics and history. The former is not exactly your forte, but that is why you chose it - to improve. And so you do, especially since Kiyoshi is taking the class with you; she is very good at math, and does a good sight better of helping you understand than the stodgy Accepted named Vandrani who is teaching the class.

History, funnily enough, ends up being taught by Talaitha. Novices and Accepted are not supposed to mix, any friendships put on hold while you are of unequal standing. She follows the Tower rules to the letter, and there is no special treatment to be had in her class - but sometimes, she winks at you and the others. She hasn't forgotten.

Addrie gets raised to Accepted a few months after Talaitha does. You feel bad, but... you don't really notice that she's not in your group of friends anymore. She was always just there, quiet and unassuming. But you're happy for her!

You spend most of what little free time you have with Rielin and Ninea. Often you're in the stables, petting and brushing the horses. Rielin has her own, the beautiful chestnut mare that she fled from Saldaea on, held there for her until she becomes Aes Sedai; novices aren't allowed to leave the Tower, and though Accepted are, they must stay in Tar Valon. Ninea had never seen a horse in her life before leaving Mayene, never mind ridden one, and whenever Rielin brings up the topic of teaching her she looks very nervous. She doesn't protest, though, and she does enjoy being around the horses.

You also spend a good deal of time with Marissa, since you're both in the novice reading circle. However, you're no longer trying to teach Janna swordwork, since it was distracting from your own improvement. At first she would ask you often when you were going to pick that back up, but eventually she stopped. Actually, come to think of it, the two of you don't really talk much anymore... but your skills are improving, or at least you think that they are. It's hard to say without an actual instructor.

You're on your way back to the novice gallery from one such practice when you hear someone crying nearby, soft and muffled like they're trying to be quiet. This part of the Tower is mostly deserted this late, so if someone was trying to find somewhere secluded to cry, you're not surprised they would come here.

You step closer on quiet feet, peeking around a corner to see who it is. You don't want to be rude, but you're also curious. And maybe you can help?

It's Ellyne, the pretty Amadician girl with the long red curls, the daughter of the Whitecloak - and to your alarm you notice that she is alone, curled up around herself with her forehead resting on her knees. She's on suicide watch, terrified to channel and terrified of herself - she is supposed to always have an Accepted watching over her!

[OPTION SELECT]
​

[] Write-in

~

This update really didn't want to be written, hence the delay. Sorry about that!

 

[redzonejoe]

Umm.

Hmm...

Walk up to her and sit beside her? Comfort with our presence rather than forced dialogue?

If she speaks first, we'd respond of course.

Thoughts?

 

[PoptartProdigy]

First things first, a casual, "Hello," is a hard thing to mess up. "What are you up to?" is a good conversational follower without containing an implicit accusation (such as, "What are you doing?") or being possibly lethally charged ("How are you?"). Beyond that the conversation goes in directions that are presently impossible to predict, but no matter what we cannot let a person on suicide watch out of our sight and must be at all times prepared for the eventuality that she has already procured a lethal weapon. Remember that the update says nothing of what, if anything, we can see her holding, and even if her hands are empty you can hide a lot in a dress.

 

[Briefvoice]

[X] Write-in: Crouch down next to Ellyne and tell her that if she's troubled, you would like to listen. Try to get her to talk and listen to whatever she has to say without judging or interrupting her.

 

[redzonejoe]

[X] Action: Go and sit next to Ellyne. Close, but not actually in contact.
-[X] Intent: Be a comforting presence, avoid being overbearing or demanding.
--[X] Dialogue: Let her initiate, let her know that we're willing to listen to anything she might have to say.
---[X] Contingencies: If she shies away from our presence, give her space. If she appears angry or even hostile, act calm and stoic. Do not leave her alone under any circumstances. If she attacks, fight back or flee as necessary, but again, do not leave her alone. Lead her away or return if she does not chase.

 

[Briefvoice]

However, you're no longer trying to teach Janna swordwork, since it was distracting from your own improvement.

Click to shrink...

By the way, I voted against continuing to teach her because it was my understanding that would consume a second "action slot". Was I mistaken?

 

[Choo Choo]

By the way, I voted against continuing to teach her because it was my understanding that would consume a second "action slot". Was I mistaken?

Click to shrink...

Yeah - it's the difference between continuing swordwork on your own and continuing swordwork with her. It worked the same way in the first big timeskip.

 

[mcclay]

[X] Action: Go and sit next to Ellyne. Close, but not actually in contact.
-[X] Intent: Be a comforting presence, avoid being overbearing or demanding.
--[X] Dialogue: Let her initiate, let her know that we're willing to listen to anything she might have to say.
---[X] Contingencies: If she shies away from our presence, give her space. If she appears angry or even hostile, act calm and stoic. Do not leave her alone under any circumstances. If she attacks, fight back or flee as necessary, but again, do not leave her alone. Lead her away or return if she does not chase.

 

[Pinniped]

[X] Action: Go and sit next to Ellyne. Close, but not actually in contact.
-[X] Intent: Be a comforting presence, avoid being overbearing or demanding.
--[X] Dialogue: Let her initiate, let her know that we're willing to listen to anything she might have to say.
---[X] Contingencies: If she shies away from our presence, give her space. If she appears angry or even hostile, act calm and stoic. Do not leave her alone under any circumstances. If she attacks, fight back or flee as necessary, but again, do not leave her alone. Lead her away or return if she does not chase.


Seems like a good plan.

 

[lavanderjasmine]

[X] Action: Go and sit next to Ellyne. Close, but not actually in contact.
-[X] Intent: Be a comforting presence, avoid being overbearing or demanding.
--[X] Dialogue: Let her initiate, let her know that we're willing to listen to anything she might have to say.
---[X] Contingencies: If she shies away from our presence, give her space. If she appears angry or even hostile, act calm and stoic. Do not leave her alone under any circumstances. If she attacks, fight back or flee as necessary, but again, do not leave her alone. Lead her away or return if she does not chase.

 

[veekie]

[X] Action: Go and sit next to Ellyne. Close, but not actually in contact.
-[X] Intent: Be a comforting presence, avoid being overbearing or demanding.
--[X] Dialogue: Let her initiate, let her know that we're willing to listen to anything she might have to say.
---[X] Contingencies: If she shies away from our presence, give her space. If she appears angry or even hostile, act calm and stoic. Do not leave her alone under any circumstances. If she attacks, fight back or flee as necessary, but again, do not leave her alone. Lead her away or return if she does not chase.

 

[EtchedSteel]

[X] Action: Go and sit next to Ellyne. Close, but not actually in contact.
-[X] Intent: Be a comforting presence, avoid being overbearing or demanding.
--[X] Dialogue: Let her initiate, let her know that we're willing to listen to anything she might have to say.
---[X] Contingencies: If she shies away from our presence, give her space. If she appears angry or even hostile, act calm and stoic. Do not leave her alone under any circumstances. If she attacks, fight back or flee as necessary, but again, do not leave her alone. Lead her away or return if she does not chase.

 

[keenscythe]

[X] Action: Go and sit next to Ellyne. Close, but not actually in contact.
-[X] Intent: Be a comforting presence, avoid being overbearing or demanding.
--[X] Dialogue: Let her initiate, let her know that we're willing to listen to anything she might have to say.
---[X] Contingencies: If she shies away from our presence, give her space. If she appears angry or even hostile, act calm and stoic. Do not leave her alone under any circumstances. If she attacks, fight back or flee as necessary, but again, do not leave her alone. Lead her away or return if she does not chase.

 

[Choo Choo]

You can't leave her alone.

For three years now, you have lived side by side with this girl, sharing dormitories and meals, classes and chores. Never before have you seen her without an Accepted assigned to watch over her; never before have you exchanged so much as a word with this girl, come to think of it. She was always just there, a silent, dead-eyed fixture of your life here in the White Tower. You don't know her.

Stranger or not, though, she needs your help. There's no time for you to go get someone else. Even if you were to be in luck and stumble upon someone else in this desolate area of the Tower, even half a minute would be enough for Ellyne to get away and doing something horrible to herself. Inadequate though your help might be, it's all she has right now.

"Ellyne?" you call softly as you round the corner, not wanting to surprise her. "Do you be alone?"

She stiffens, but doesn't reply or meet your eyes. She just curls in on herself a little further. You know that she's tall, if not so tall as Rielin, but hunched over like that she looks tiny and pitiful.

You walk up to her on slow, quiet feet and sit down next to her on the floor, arranging your skirts around you. She shifts away, a little, but she doesn't get up to leave. Good, that's good. "Do it be alright for me to sit here?"

It's a long few seconds before she nods.

"Thank you."

The silence that follows is torture. You don't want to push or prod her, you want to give her space, you want to leave any conversation up to her to initiate... but you are not a patient creature. It's with increasing difficulty that you keep yourself from fidgeting, or picking at your skirts, or playing with your hair, or talking just to fill the silence. Ellyne seems to be content to be quiet forever, staring at the wall.

"I embraced today."

When she finally does speak you're not ready for it, jerking in surprise; she flinches back a little, and you settle down. Her voice is rough from lack of use, but other than that, it's not at all what you expected. You're not sure exactly what you expected, but her voice is deep and warm and slow like the oil your father trades in. "That- that do be good, no?" you stammer, trying to recover. "Embracing do be wonderful-"

She shakes her head, a shiver running through her. "I tried so hard," she whispers. She still isn't looking at you. "To pretend I did not see it, to ignore it, to resist it. The sacrilege of touching it..."

[OPTION SELECT]​

[] Write-in

~

This update brought to you with a delay courtesy of a math midterm.

Now, SV, the time has come for social. ​

 

[veekie]

Amadican?