Library work for the Gray Ajah (Open )

24 August 2007 (12:29PM)

A strand of hair fell down Ava’s face as she flipped another page, absentmindedly she pulled the hair back and forced it to remain behind her ear. She had read this page over for the third time now, the book was dreary and hard to chew on it seemed. Ava had taken the job her Ajah Head had set on her as something of a prize, something that she could make her own project. But now she wished she had tried to refuse, hard as that would have been because the materials that were in the Gray Archives were old, dusty and too long for a quick read through.

“Ava, I need help with a letter I am writing to a member of the Council in Cairhien, I hope you can help me with some background research, it seems they want to offer us a different type of ambassadorship. One based on a former contract some decades ago,” Phaedra had explained to Ava what it was she needed, Ava had taken notes, asked questions and set about to talk with both Vera and Faerzyne about their experience with this type of treaty. Neither woman had been a really big help, but that was Phaedra’s problem to start with, so much was lost from memory when it came to very specific dealings. It was best to study the records, she had told Ava and of course she could ask one of the clerks to help her with that.

The Gray had pushed that thought off, this was a matter she could deal with herself, she was experienced in law and regulations in the southern regions and had studied with Phaedra during her days as Clerk, right after her raising to the Shawl on ambassador history in Cairhien. That research had led the older Gray to go to Cairhien and work there for a long time as High Court Judge, a position she had gained while working at court and also studying the different laws in Cairhien for the Tower. Ava did not care, she had been happy for the other Gray to find a position she fitted so well in, she herself should be so lucky.

And in return, Phaedra had helped her get a position in Andor as ambassador for a high lord there. The connection with the Tower was improved thoroughly in that southern part of Andor and she had picked up a lot of great skills while working abroad. But now, back in the Tower, Ava had trouble fitting as well as she had before. It was a combination of finding it hard to adjust to the changes in the Ajah and to the changes in the Hall. The Tower had grown, just as she had, but over time, Ava had never chosen to keep in close touch with the politics in Tar Valon. She always believed politics changed to rapidly to keep up, but the gist of the whole thing would never change – how wrong she had been.

Now she was working through these papers, some of them had old notes in her own handwriting, she could read them but not figure out what they meant exactly. They were from an Ava Sedai young and inexperienced in writing notes and references. Some were outdated by now, she needed new records to complete the background report for Phaedra and she realized that the Library was probably a better place to look for those than the Gray Archives. The Library was kept up to date much better and the reference archives were clear and uniform – as taught to novices by a Brown who made them write up references to their own study books. If only the Browns could help her rummage through the Gray Archives, maybe set something up -.but of course there was no possibility of that. The information the Browns could find there was not for their eyes, their curious quickly scanning eyes to see. Ava shrugged her worries off and headed down to the Library to find out more about this particular deal.

She stroked her soft lavender dress-sleeve. Her dress wore a brighter color than could be said for her mood, but she did not mind hiding behind a frivolous color, her mood said deep tones of gray and black for she did not find what she was looking for. Her temper rising, Ava found a novice standing idly by one of the longer tables and called the child to help her out. “If you have nothing better to do than stand there, child, help me sort through this selection of books. I need to you to take notes of all books that have references to ambassador rights in Cairhien for the past 200 years.”

The directive could not be more vague without specifying nothing at all, the novice would be set to work for many hours and Ava could probably only use a tenth of that work. But she could not be more precise right now as she simply did not know where to look. Taking up another book and her quill, Ava started to note down law references she thought might help in her search. The ideas flew through her head and she did not notice anymore who sat down and who rose to leave around her. The job was tedious at best, but also in a good way as she enjoyed the hard work and the outcome that could help out her Ajah. Sometimes it was good to do the manual work yourself and see what was out there to find.
Ava
Gray Ajah

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24 August 2007 (7:24pm)

Rubbing her eyes, Raeyn blinked at the partially-scribed book before her, and wondered why it was so dim.  “Of course,” she muttered under her breath, “I’ve let the candles go out again.”

She stood and stretched, enjoying the sensation.  “Important preservation work or not, I could do with a break!” Raeyn thought to herself as she eyeballed the text upon her desk.  It was some treatise or another on Cairhien ambassadorship; it was not a tome that was of particular interest to her, it was just another one of the endless books that needed rescribing after years of existence.

Stifling a yawn, Raeyn stretched a bit more before stepping over to her mirror.  She studied her image – a slightly plump woman clad in dark violet with faint circles under her eyes, and unmussed dark hair sensibly pulled away from her face.  She nodded in satisfaction, and headed for the door.

Raeyn glided down the hall with no particular destination in mind.  For once, her brain was a peaceful blank to match the serene exterior as she progressed downward.  Before she knew it, Raeyn found herself within the welcoming warmth of the Library.

“It shouldn’t surprise you,” Raeyn thought ruefully to herself as she nodded a greeting to the Sisters on duty, “You DO spend more time in your quarters over the Library than you ever did in your chambers within the Tower!”

She panned her eyes around the room.  Suddenly, her gazed locked onto a frustrated young woman sitting next to a nervous-looking Novice.  Permitting herself a small smile, Raeyn approached their table.

“Hello… Eva, is it?” Raeyn queried, “You look frustrated… do you wish assistance in anything?”
Raeyn Priya Saethyr
Brown Ajah

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25 August 2007 (4:26pm)

The voice was kind and familiar, but Ava had to look up to see who the voice belonged to and found Raeyn Sedai of the Brown Ajah standing next to her. She looked disturbed for an instant, then found the novice had not budged and was still working hard so she allowed herself a moment to break away.

“Good day, Raeyn and thank you for offering your help, it is not frustration you see, but an hour too long of studies I guess.” Ava pursed her lips an instant thinking of kind words to send the Brown off again when she noticed a book under the other Sister’s arm. It was a volume of a series Ava had been reading through and maybe she could find some information directly from the Brown. This Sister would probably have studied the book and know all about what was in there, was it not quicker to ask her than to read the 1000 pages herself?

“I see that you carry a book in the same series as one I am reading,” Ava pointed at the stack that lay next to her. It had the first two volumes and missed the third that Raeyn held. “Would you be so kind to have a seat and maybe discuss the topic with me? I am studying the ambassadorship in Cairhien and am slightly pressed for time to go over all these volumes,” her smile was warm as her hand swooned over the books. She found the novice staring up at her and Ava chose to ignore the child, hopefully Raeyn would help her and sort out some of these various details Ava had scribbled down so far.

Ava Dorelle
Gray Ajah

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25 August 2007 (9:10pm)

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Sial Daemoa liked the library. It was perhaps a strange place to appreciate when she only got a day off every 20 days, unless her lessons got cancelled or she finished a chore extra early, but she liked the library all the same. There were books, for a start. Sial knew how to read but that was more luck than judgement; her mother had been too busy for books and she had always been skeptical of wether her father and uncles knew their letters at all and, as such, a luxury like books had not been common back in her home in Maerone. The books, in such numbers, were facinating but her attraction to the library was more than that. There was a peacefulness to it.

This particular day was not a day off but her main chore had been cleaning fire grates and so she had finished with time to spare: you didnt spend your life as a chimneysweeps daughter and not pick up a few tricks. This particular day she was not in the library entirely for lesiure, either. She had nipped into the stables to visit Coal, a heavy horse that had been an unintentional gift from Eqwina Sedai, and had noticed the massive grey animal was less chirpy than usual and that his nose was running. Sial liked Coal a lot but did not claim to be an equine expert. The Tower grooms looked after Coal as well as all the other White Tower horses and while they did their job well, she avoided them as much as possible to avoid calling attention to herself. She wasnt entirly certain that Novices were technically allowed horses, despite an Aes Sedai being the one who had given her Coal four months ago, and if that was the case she definatly didnt want the grooms poking their noses in and getting her big grey pet confisgated. No grooms meant no one to ask for horse infomation, though, which had lead her to the Library.

The trouble was that the Library was so big. Sial had had no idea where to start looking for infomation on why a horse might have a runny nose. She had stopped, just for a moment, to consider her predicament, twiddling the end of her plait around her finger and scowling.

Standing still, however, seemed to have been the wrong thing to do when a cross sounding Aes Sedai in a pretty lavender gown called to her. “If you have nothing better to do than stand there, child, help me sort through this selection of books. I need to you to take notes of all books that have references to ambassador rights in Cairhien for the past 200 years.”

200 years?! She must be bloody joking! Sial had hesitated, but only for a moment. She did have something better to do but she wasnt totally daft. You didnt go telling a full Sister that you couldnt help her because your horse might have a cold, not unless you particularly wanted to be scubbing pots with black-and-blue buttocks for the next Age. Coal would have to wait. Besides, any work for an Aes Sedai could be useful…she walked rather warily over to the lavander-gowned sister and sat down beside her.

The sooty-eyed Cairheinin felt awkward. Awkward was putting it lightly. The Aes Sedai in an irritable, lets-give-the-lazy-Novice-a-rubbish job mood and now she couldnt escape. Sial picked up a book to look busy but she was too dazed to actually work. She felt wrongfooted. The day had started so well, what with getting such a straightforward chore and having the chance to pet her horse but now…Light, let this be easy. Even as she thought it, Sial realised exactly how many books were in the Aes Sedais selection. Light, 200 years? It will take me that long to read one of these buggering great books! In the future some doddery old Brown will decide to look for a Cairheinin ambassadorism book for a bit of light reading and will find my withered corpse jamming up the pages. Assuming I dont die of boredom in the next 200 minutes…

Almost as if her thoughts had called her, a Brown sister appeared. Sial did not even know the sisters name but knew the sister was Brown from catching a fragment of conversation on one of her own excursions to the Library. This particular Brown was not the doddery old figure of Sials musing but a sensible, tired looking woman in a violet dress that contrasted rather nicely with that of the lavender-clad sister. “Hello… Eva, is it? You look frustrated… do you wish assistance in anything?”

Sial did not presume that the woman was talking to her. Instead, she made a mental note that lavender-dress was Eva Sedai, assuming, of course, that the Brown had not made a mistake. Lavender-dress replied “Good day, Raeyn and thank you for offering your help, it is not frustration you see, but an hour too long of studies I guess.”

Again, Sial noted the name but also made a good pretense of reading the book in front of her. Lavender-dress sounded frustrated, whatever she claimed, and the Novice had no intention of irritating her further by appearing to slack. She carefully picked up a quill and a piece of paper.

“I see that you carry a book in the same series as one I am reading,” the woman continued, suddenly looking interested in the Brown sister. Sial stopped imitating scanning the page and looked up, intregued at the change of tone. “Would you be so kind to have a seat and maybe discuss the topic with me? I am studying the ambassadorship in Cairhien and am slightly pressed for time to go over all these volumes.” The woman looked straight at Sial, who shifted in her seat, but either did not see that she had stopped reading or did not care to make an issue of it. Thats interesting…whats she up to?

To cover the fact that she was trying her hardest to eavesdrop, the Novice made her dark-lashed eyes look at the page before her. ‘…cairhein has been the centre of both commerce and social advancement in years and under its current talented monarch promises to rival the glory of Artur Hawking. In particular, it can be noted that the recent relationship bewteen the country and…‘ Out of nosiness more than anything else, Sial read the page she was looking at properly. She was a surprisingly quick reader for a commoner and by the time she had finished the page, she had sussed why Ava-Sedai was so snippy. Anything titled ‘Cairheinin relations with the North’ promised to be about as fun as poking yourself repeatedly in the eye with a chimney brush. That page alone made the Novices own temper deteriorate a notch; not only was it blatently written by some suck-up noble who wanted to get into the monarchs favour, she would probably have to read the entire book to see if there were any references to Ambassador rights at all.

Sial titled her bit of paper ‘A list of books that contain references to the rights of Ambassadors in Cairhein’ in her appauling writing, then doodled a hangman on the corner of her page as her mind drifted back to the Aes Sedais conversation. Eavesdropping was so much more fun than reasearching…

Sial Daemoa
Nosy, nosy Novice

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28 August 2007 (5:46pm)

Raeyn blinked at the Sister in front of her before looking down.  Sure enough, the volume she had been copying from had wandered downstairs with her!

“Light,” she muttered as she eased into a seat, “I meant to leave this up in my chambers, as I was in the process of rescribing it – boring stuff, really.”  Raeyn placed the book on the table in front of her and paused to muse aloud, “I still have a bit to go on this volume, and should take it back up with me… in addition to the fact that this volume is in need of rescribing both due to age and the fact the prior scribe did a very poor job – it’s quite difficult to read.”  Her brows furrowed as she thought further before suddenly brightening, “However, I do have another Sister’s notes in my chamber on this volume and those other two you have with you – I fetched them from the Library as a reference aid to make sure that I copied everything as correctly as possible… perhaps they would be of greater aid to your research than recreating it yourself?”

Raeyn had to suppress a smile as the Sister in front of her’s head jerked upwards, “Actually, yes!”, the Gray replied, “It could save me time that would otherwise be spent pouring through all these volumes myself.”  Raeyn nodded and spoke again, “Indeed!  If you would like to accompany me back to my chambers, you are more than welcome to read through them.”

She did permit herself a small smile as the Gray Sister’s body visibly relaxed as she nodded agreement.  “Poor dear,” Raeyn thought to herself, “she must be on a task for Phaedra or one of the Sitters.”

Raeyn stood up and gestured to the Gray that should should as well.  As the rose, Raeyn suddenly gestured to the Novice  and spoke, “Before we leave, perhaps you should see what your young assistant has found, if anything.”

Raeyn

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28 August 2007 (9:47pm)

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Sial had to fight the urge to dance. As it was, it was difficult not to drop the book, now open on the line ‘…not only what is collectively known as the Borderlands but the tenuous relationship with the Aiel…’,  in her enthusiasm. Raeyn Sedai was going to take the other Sister away! Surely a Novice would not be left to reasearch unsupervised, so she could get dismiessed. She could drop this tedious task, look up a cure for Coal, maybe sit in the gardens, get some dinner-

“Before we leave, perhaps you should see what your young assistant has found, if anything.” the Brown Sister finished. Any delight Sial had felt at the likelihood of getting away evaporated. Oh buggery! I cant say anything! They’ll get cross at me for being a Novice bloody slacking and I’ll spend the rest of the day-and probably the rest of my bleeding life too-cleaning chamberpots as punishment. Arg! I’ll…I dont know!…I’ll…blag…

In desperation, Sial scanned the page. ‘…and the mightiest nation this side of the Aryth Ocean is acknowledged even by the savages, who the might Monarch of Cairheinin continues to negotiate patiently with despite the Aiel lack of understanding in the concept of Ambassadorship. May the Royal line of Cairhein live forever, light be willing! In the case of Tar Valon…‘ The Novice kept her face neutral-you couldnt play merchants off against eachother if your face told your infomation for free-but her eyes darted. Time for some quick thinking.

“Yes Aes Sedai, though I have not been working for long. On this, I mean. I mean, all Ive found out is the general overview of…um, this book.” A Cairheinin accent was not meant for umming and ahhing and usually the mere sound of herself would have been enough to trip the young woman over her words. In this case, however, the waffling gave her a chance to think. To think very, very quickly. She adressed Ava but switched eye contact between the two Sisters when she spoke, in a bolder tone.

“I have only had a chance to check this book, Aes Sedai, and I havent read much beyond the prologue but Ive found out several things. First, this was written before the relationship between Cairhein and the Aiel soured, in the time of a king or queen. Second, it contains referances to Ambassadorships between the North-the Borderlands and Tar Valon included-and Cairhein. And third, its been written by some bloo-ah, someone of noble blood or maybe someone who wanted to suck up…er, who wanted to gain royal favour, so its strongly biased.” Sial tried not to shrink under the eyes of the two Aes Sedai. She was not particularly tall and wanted to keep every inch she had when facing these women, even in response to a question.

“I hope that helps Aes Sedai” she added, standing to throw in a clumsy half-curtsy for good measure. That ought to do it. She’ll know if thats what shes after. Light, I wonder what she is after? She’d better not be bloody messing with Maerone…not unless she’s planning to soot up some chimneys. Dami can make a fourtune if she did that. Oh, who bloody cares what the bloody woman is up to? Let me go, lady!

Sial

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29 August 2007 (1:03pm)

Ava frowned at the thought that Raeyn would invite her to her quarters. Yet, she was happy with any help she could get that would lighten her chore a bit. It would take much longer to stay there and have a conversation than to stay in the Library and work. But the Brown had notes that Ava could use and she was all the more glad for it, her mind running over the possibilities of scanning those notes quickly and then adding them as a reference to her report to Phaedra. The Gray Sitter did not need the actual reference, but it was useful to know where this information had come from, Ava suddenly realized it could not be that only a Brown had such detailed notes and made a mental note to find the time to do some rearranging of the Gray archives after this particular quest was over.

Raeyn rose to leave and Ava followed, gathering her notes when the Brown pointed at the novice who was looking up at them now. Ava would have thought a Brown would have forgotten about a novice as the stories went of Browns too lost in thought to even remember themselves. But now the Gray had lost the novice from her thoughts and she nodded, then turned on her heel to face the woman clad in white woolen. Yet, before Ava had opened her mouth to inquire after the young woman’s progress, a whole waterfall of words fell from her lips and Ava stared at her, her brows lifted slightly as she listened to the girl’s explanations and findings. When she finished, there was not a trace of happiness of pride over the girl’s work on Ava’s features, it was annoyance and aggravation that painted along her stern gaze.

Ava forgot about the Brown for a moment and took a long moment of silence before speaking, “Child, did I ask for an elaborate report on your findings?” the girl’s jaw clasped open and shut again, “Tell me, did I ask you to speak, or did you decide that for yourself?” she found the questions rhetorical enough to turn back to Raeyn and said, “Perhaps this novice can carry some of my materials, so I do not lose anything and then she can wait outside of your quarters while we discuss the notes that you offer?” she could not bring herself to smile at the thought of help from the Brown, as she felt like the novice had taken the last shred of Ava’s patience. Why did these novices not see that they were students and had to learn? Had the Brown not been standing there she would have put the novice to a particularly nasty chore for the rest of the day. But now it seemed she was stuck with the child as she could not very well send her on her way now. The girl would have to stay near and behave from now on, for Ava felt a responsibility for the child. Maybe the Mistress of Novices would be a good next stop, but she had no time to fit in that type of a meeting today.

“Best follow us,” she told the novice. “Bring all that and try not to blotch any ink on my papers,” she said and took just one leaflet she had been writing on just now. The novice bopped an odd sort of curtsy which Ava recognized as one she received often when speaking to novices. The willingness and relief had washed off the child’s face and Ava shook her head lightly as she headed out of the Library. Did none understand that she was not interested in hearing a life story about how they had done a job she asked them to do, was it not enough to simply do the job and be quiet? Did the novice require a pat on the back and a cookie every time she did as she was asked? She would certainly lead a very uneventful life if all her work was treated by rewards and no endurance was asked in any task laid on her. Ava headed towards Raeyn who had started towards her quarters, lost in thought evidently as the two women walked quietly. Outside of Rayen’s door, Ava checked briefly that the novice brought all the books and papers and then told the girl to wait outside. She would be called if any of the belongings in her arms were necessary. “I will call for you, no need to barge in and bring me what I do not need,” she insisted finally.

Ava Dorelle
Gray Sister

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29 August 2007 (7:58pm)

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Sial had felt a momentary surge of satisfaction as she had spun her tale. Still can do it! Any positiveness soon evapourated. Lavander-dress not only looked like she had just discovered that she had stepped in cow dung, she wasnt even slightly grateful. Sial was accustomed to Aes Sedai looking down on her as a Novice (it never occoured to her that her height might have something to do with that as well) but to be told off for doing as she was told?! That bloody Brown as good as bleeding told me to speak up! Im not Lavander-dress’s personal bleeding maid! I ought to bleeding well burn her bloody papers…

It took a certain amount of effort for Sial to keep her features acceptable. She was so used to scowling in this situation that it was a struggle not to. As it was, she couldnt stop herself completely, but better to look faintly pained than to glare at a Sister. She gathered up the books first, into a rough and decidedly heavy stack, then carefully sandwiched the papers in ‘Cairheinin relations with the North’ so that she couldnt crease them unless she tore up the book first. Tearing up the book was starting to look decidedly appealing but it was a bad idea and even thinking of such damage to something as expensive and precious as a book made her wince. Balancing the inkpot and quills on top, Sial waddled after the Sisters with the pile teetering. She was quite pleased with herself for not dropping it but it made her muscles ache. It wasnt that she was weak; books just weighed a lot and were awkward. The 19 year old clenched her teeth to stop herself cursing and instead cheered herself up by thinking of as many insults for the Sister as she could manage.

The Aes Sedai paused, then Lavander-dress rummaged through the pile Sial was holding as if she honestly expected the Novice to have set fire to them somehow between Raeyn Sedais door and the Library. “I will call for you, no need to barge in and bring me what I do not need,” the woman said. Sial nodded. She could hardly attempt to curtsy with her hands full. “Yes, Aes Sedai.”

Sial

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02 September 2007 (7:53pm)

Gesturing to her desk, Raeyn seated herself in her cushioned relining chair, “The notes are there, Ava… feel free to make use of the blank sheets for whatever notes you wish to make, as I’m afraid that I can’t let you walk off with the lot while I’m  still using them.”

Ava’s eyes flashed sullenly, “Perhaps she thought she could dash off with them,” Raeyn mused to herself as she watched the Gray Sister start into her efforts,  “Perhaps some tea would calm her.”

She rose silently and strode to the outer door.  Opening it, she leaned out and spoke quietly to the Novice, “Child, why don’t you run down and fetch some tea and cakes for us.  I’ll move her stack in here in the meantime, so it will be safe.”  The Novice curtsied, “Yes,  Aes Sedai,” and started to turn.  Raeyn stopped her with a firm hand on the shoulder, “I should add that I wouldn’t be too cross if a little cake didn’t make it all the way up here, if you understand what I mean… off with you, now!”

Raeyn closed the door behind herself and made her way back to her recliner.  “I sent the Novice for tea and cakes,” the Brown Sister spoke.  She raised her hand to forestall Ava from speaking, and continued, “I’ve moved your things inside by the doorway, where they will be safe… and I also wanted to speak to you briefly on a matter.”

“And what would that be, Raeyn?”

“I couldn’t help but notice the way you were acting towards that Novice girl,” she smiled apologetically, “but it’s generally not wise to take your stress out on a Novice, or anyone for that matter.  Just because you are on an important task… for one of the Sitters, I’d guess?”

Ava opened her mouth, but Raeyn once again gestured for silence, “Whatever the case – taking out bad feelings on Tower initiates is in poor taste –  we as Sisters have a standard of firmness and fairness to set.  This isn’t just for their own good, but for yours and mine, too.”  Raeyn leaned forward and caught hold of Ava’s gaze, “Because… ‘lazy, slacking’ Novice or not now – some of these children will be our future Sisters.

Suddenly, someone knocked on the door.  “One moment!”  Raeyn called as she rose from her chair.  “Of course,” she started, turning once again to face Ava, “that is unless you want to find a lack of allies in future years due to thoughtlessly alienating people in petty ways… not that I condone coddling the children either, but there must be balance.”

Raeyn stopped on that note and strode to the door.  Upon opening it, she found the Novice waiting.  “Come in, child!”  Raeyn spoke, and gestured to the table where Ava was sitting.  Smiling brightly, Raeyn shut the door behind herself and turned again to face Ava, “Well, the tea is here now.”

Raeyn

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02 September 2007 (10:51pm)

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“I should add that I wouldn’t be too cross if a little cake didn’t make it all the way up here, if you understand what I mean… off with you, now!”

Sial was a little bemused as she passed the stack of books to Raeyn Sedai. She knew what the woman meant all right, but what was she playing at? The Novice had been bought up in a country where hints and insinuation were as good as straight out bluntness but such a hint from a Sister? The woman had as good as told her to steal cake. Not that she probably wouldnt have anyway but this puzzled her considerably.

Nethertheless, whatever the Brown was playing at, Sial was not about to drop a cake oppertunity. Aes Sedai could not, after all, lie, so Raeyn at least would not get her in trouble for being a cake theif…or would she? Aes Sedai told the truth but not always the truth you thought you heard and the woman had not said ‘Sial, sweetie, have some cake and you will not get in trouble’, just that she wouldnt be too cross…maybe ‘not too cross’ would get her in trouble out of some sort of Brownish lesson? Of course, assuming there was no politics behind it (a foriegn and strange suggestion) then the Aes Sedai must just be kindly and, assuming that unlikly possibility was the case, Sial was grateful for the option of cake.

Glad to get away from the bizzare Brown and a disgruntled Lavender-dress (Eva, Ava, whatever her name was) the Cairheinin bounded down the corridor with her usual skippy walk toward the kitchens. There was no point in bothering a cook, she decided. It was easier and quicker to take what she needed, something that she did. Despite her distinct resentment to Ava and her suspicion of Raeyns motives, the dark haired woman took special care over the tray. There was a hot pot of water, as she didnt want the tea to stew, and several different options for leaves on a saucer. In a moment of cheekiness, she even added the tealeaves that allowed preganancy to be avoided. Ha. I wonder if that will offend them. There was a dish of sugar and some honey in a tiny bowl. Looking around the kitchen, Sials sooty dark eyes latched onto cakes. Many cakes. May as well take a bit of everything…who knows what bloody Aes Sedai expe-ooh! Is that a cookie? Better add some of them for good measure… Once she was finsihed, the Novice had succeeded in loading the tray with enough selection to put a bakery to shame.

Stuffing a few biscuits and a slice of what appeared to be cherry cake into her belt pouch, Sial picked up the tray. Then put it down very quickly. Blood and ashes, whod have thought cake could weight such a trollocing lot?! She picked it up again, more warily this time, and walked very carefully to Raeyns dwelling. She was quite pleased with herself for making it such a long way without upsetting the water or dropping anything, although her shoulders did complain at the weight. The problem came when she reached the door. How in the Light do I knock? If I put the tray down, I’ll spill stuff but I cant knock with my hands full…

With the hooliganistic balance of someone who climbed, Sial balanced on one leg and used the other to drum against the door. It made a satisfying knock and she managed to keep the tray straight. “Come in, child!” Raeyn Sedai called. Sial opened the door with an elbow and walked carefully over to the table that the smiling Brown indicated. What is she beaming about? I wouldnt be smiling if I was stuck on my own with Lavender-dress looking that irked. Browns really are nutty.  I should have bought her the almond cake.

Setting down the tray, Sial bobbed a very bad curtsy to both Sisters. She just couldnt seem to get the hang of this flouncing arounf with your skirts lark. Which was when she noticed the black smudges on either side of her Novice whites…

As noncholently and possible, she shifted her dark eyed gaze to her hands. Her fingertips were smudged with ink from writing earlier with the quill. Which meant-

Oh, Light, no! She looked out of the corner of her eye to the teatray. Everything was perfect. Everything, that was, apart from the rim of ink around the edge of the teacups. Had Sial been watching events featuring another Novice, she would have laughed at the potential for a prank and perhaps suggested handing the inkiest teacup to Lavender-dress. As the Novice was her, however, she wanted to scream and the best suggestion she could think of for herself was to run, far away, and live in the woods for the next Age or so.

Thinking quickly, Sial made a plan. She had a feeling Ava would shoot her down for speaking out of turn but better a reprind than a punishment for a horrible, horrible accident. “Ava Sedai, Raeyn Sedai, would you like me to pour the tea?” She curtsied again, eyes on the floor. She didnt trust herself to catch either Aes Sedai’s eye.

Sial Daemoa
Unfortunatly untidy Novice