Hello everyone!

I'm the new old guy, former member from back in the day (The day being several years ago). I wrote as a GiT by the name of Sarin who as I recall used to get in trouble and was often rather dark. I've grown quite a bit as a writer since then (and as a human, I think I was in Highschool when I last got to write here), and I am ready to enjoy the awesomness that is the WoTRp…again!

Hope to see you all IC out there soon,

~Kyle
 

(Sorry if this ends up a double post, didn't see it go up thought my NoScript might of blocked it!)

I'm the new old guy, former member from back in the day (The day being several years ago). I wrote as a GiT by the name of Sarin who as I recall used to get in trouble and was often rather dark. I've grown quite a bit as a writer since then (and as a human, I think I was in Highschool when I last got to write here), and I am ready to enjoy the awesomness that is the WoTRp…again!

Hope to see you all IC out there soon,

~Kyle

Giving Teli’s arm a squeeze, Elana leaned in and whispered. “You know how men are: they do not think before they speak. As well as you should know Kai, he meant it in the nicest possible way. It’s the trainee in him; he does not mean to be insensitive.”

Teli gave her a sideways glance; a look Elana could not easily decipher, but she seemed to be waiting for more. Elana knew how Teli felt; or at least, she liked to think she did. She could understand how Teli might have taken the comment; but then, Elana could always see two sides of any story. Perhaps if she wasn’t so taken with the Blue Ajah at the moment, she might consider the Gray. She wanted to be able to tell Teli that she understood, but in bringing the matter up, she might upset the woman further.

“A woman does not only have one thing in her life. Of course you know that.” Elana gently bumped hips with Teli in a kind gesture and immediately wished she hadn’t. Teli did not seem to notice but Elana almost grimaced when she felt the other woman’s bones next to her own. She had felt so light and thin. Even her arm felt fragile.

Teli nodded slowly and sighed. Elana smiled sympathetically at her; feeling that the conversation needed to lighten. She removed her arm from Teli’s so that they had freedom to walk – even though the crowd parted to let them pass. Elana wondered if Teli was hurt by the fact that people moved out of their way because of the Accepted dress; something Teli would never wear again. Though in saying that, Elana envied Teli’s ability to wear whatever she wanted.

Casting a critical eye over Teli’s dress, Elana decided what they both needed was a fun activity. The thought of clothes reminded her that she still needed to collect her dress from Mistress Lianna’s shop. She decided to bring it up.

“How do you feel about dress shopping?” At Teli’s flat stare; “It will be fun; I have to pick one up I ordered, anyway.”

“Oh?” Teli said, raising an eyebrow.

Elana blushed and shied away, grinning cheekily. “Yes, Kai took me to Mistress Lianna’s and he …” Her words trailed away under Teli’s intense look. She could not tell if it was amusement or teasing that twinkled in her blue eyes. How was it that only a few short moments with Teli could reduce Elana to feeling like a little girl? She actually giggled – giggled! – under that stare.

“So, you and Kai spend a lot of time together?” Her voice was quietly casual, though it hinted at more than the question. Elana looked away, not caring that her silence said more.

She pondered how she could respond; whether Teli actually knew the truth or whether it was only a fancy. Elana could have sworn that Teli already knew and was being coy; but why had she asked in such a way? Kai was such a blabbermouth she was surprised that he had not told the woman; seeing as how close they were.

Elana could not bear the thought that anyone would know about them together – the amount of trouble they would be in if any Aes Sedai found out. But what were the chances Teli would say anything? And to an Aes Sedai? It was a harsh thought, but a harsh reality. Even though she barely knew the other woman, Elana felt she could trust Teli. More than anything, she wished to convey just how much she and Kai meant to each other. It was no passing fancy; this was real. She was not just another air-headed initiate falling in with a trainee to be dangled on his knee. The very thought made her angry; and not much made Elana angry.

“We are in love.” Elana said simply and quietly. The words sounded strange to hear aloud, and to someone not Kai. They hung in the air, thick and heavy before being swallowed by the noise of the city. Elana suddenly felt childish; that the words were silly and clichéd. She cleared her throat and looked confidently into Teli’s eyes.

She paused, letting her feet stop in their tracks and Teli had to stop, too. People flowed around them as though nothing unusual had happened; as though their mere presence parted the crowd. For a moment, it seemed like it was just Teli in front of her, not a hundred other people.

“I love him. He loves me.” It sounded a touch better. But what other words could she use? They were the ones that rang true. She said it in earnest, praying to the Light that Teli understood. And praying against hope that it stayed true. That this, their love, was endless.

She tried to smooth her face to calmness and not let the disbelief show on her face. Talaitha was more obvious in her open stare. Elana had expected to be guiding them through it, letting them search for translations and piece it together word for word. With Kyrel’s surprising knowledge there was no need. Elana was partly glad, though: she did not much feel like spending half the night helping this young novice translate her homework.

If Evyn was here, she would know how to handle the situation. Elana was always the one who wanted to be friends with the novices; she had a reputation for being particularly soft on them, even if she tried to remain professional. Elana knew she could not continue that behaviour once she gained the shawl; but she was just too nice to give punishments or harsh words. Evyn would have said something like: “Study is on your own time,” and hurried them off to bed. Elana refrained from heaving a big sigh – all she wanted to do was get to her own bed.

She had not expected to contend with not only one, but two novices this evening. But she could not very well send Kyrel away: he would surely get in trouble if he was caught alone this late. And the fact that he had been lost. Elana remembered the feeling all too well. Kyrel was a kind-hearted boy; if overly eager at times. She had not seen him for some time – with so many new novices in the Tower it was hard to keep track of them all. The main reason they had met was because of the Old Tongue translation book of his, which she assumed he still possessed.

At his wide-eyed expression, Elana felt like frowning. He was much too flighty for a young boy. Keeping her voice level, though she felt like scolding, she said;

“While it is admirable that you know so much Old Tongue, novice Kyrel, I find the best way for someone to learn is to let them discover it for themselves: one is more likely to retain information that way.”

She turned her attention back to Talaitha; the girl’s eyes fixed on her book. “Novice Kyrel is right in his translation, though I would have asked you to find it through your own study. As he has already done the work for you, it seems quite pointless to guide you through it now.”

Elana had not missed that Talaitha had mentioned a Madhi and her heart had lightened upon hearing it. She smiled warmly at the younger girl and lowered her voice to a whisper. “I know the temptation of a late night study session, but don’t let it get you in trouble. It would be worth studying in your own room; that way no one will catch you.”

She winked then, and debated whether to bring up being a fellow Tuatha’an. Two thoughts crossed her mind at that: one; that it would not be “proper” of her to speak so casually with a younger initiate and two; that Kyrel was still in the room. Now was not the time, but perhaps she could see the young girl again. They would certainly have a lot in common and Elana burned to ask what Camp Talaitha was from. Had they ever crossed paths?

Elana knew the troubles the poor girl would be dealing with, for she, too, had experienced them. A Tuatha’an fresh into the Tower would be going through some culture shock. Elana would have to help the girl. But for now, she would let the matter rest.

The resounding echo of a bell tolled through the Tower and each of them looked up.

“Well, it is officially past curfew,” Elana mused, “If there is nothing else you wish to ask, I can escort you both back to your rooms.” She glanced at Kyrel. “We will go to the male quarters first and I shall drop you off. I cannot enter the wells, so once we get there, you should hurry.”

She swept to the door with a swish of her skirts, expecting the novices to follow. She would not hurry; she was far too drained of energy to rush about. The image of her feathery pillow beckoned as she held back the yawn that threatened. Yes, just a leisurely walk through the halls. Hopefully they would not pass any Aes Sedai.

As they walked down the first corridor, Elana turned to Talaitha. “So, now you have the translation for that passage, do you understand it? I assume you have a lesson tomorrow and from experience, I know your teacher will not only expect the translation, but its significance, as well.”

Placing the book back on the shelf, Kyrel turned slowly in a complete circle, to make sure all of the books he had been ask to, were put away. The Brown Aes Sedai that had been watching his progress, saw him make his turn, and silently glided over. “You have done well, child,” An uncommon praise, “You seem to of managed to place all of the books back appropriately.” He was pleased, but tried not to show it.

“Is there anything more you wish me to do Aes Sedai?” Kyrel asked patently.

“No, you may go to your midday meal, until your next lesson.” The Aes Sedai glided away, and Kyrel made his way from the library and walked through the tower heading for the novice quarters.

When he got there, he made sure that his tunic was still clean, and quickly filled his satchel bag with a few pieces of paper, some ink and a book, knowing that his next class that afternoon would require them.

He walked through the throng of novices making their way to rooms, or back down toward the dining hall. He managed not to have to bow to too many Accepted or Aes Sedai as he went along the winding path down the tower.

He reached the kitchen and managed to get some of the food as it left the ovens. He missed being able to cook, it was the only thing he had gotten praise on when he was back at his father’s inn, his cooking was much like his mother’s, but unfortunately, his father didn’t recognise the fact that he was in fact the one cooking for most part.

Lunch was hurried, as the dining hall became crowded, and just as he finished and got up, another novice took his place. He moved through the hall to the kitchen, and cleaned his crockery that he’d used and noticed the novice that he’d met a few nights ago leave the kitchen.

Kyrel followed her as she made her way from the tower, out into the grounds and into a small garden, not far from the one that he’d found on his first day.

As he watched her sit herself down, took a ribbon from her hair, and opened the basket, he stepped into view. When she finally realized that, he was there, her face lit up. “Good afternoon.” He said quietly.  

It was a bright day, if not a little chilly as Tala moved through the gardens, towards a specific place.  She had found the place in the gardens the day before, and she wanted to return there for a little while, just enough time to eat her lunch and read some of the book that she had been given.  Looking down at the basket over her arm, she smiled as she knew what awaited her inside.  It had been a while since she had eaten something that she had made, and after all the bland food she had been eating since she had arrived, her mouth was practically watering at the thought of eating something so lovely.  Good food, a good book and the warm sun, just what I need.  She was glad that she had two hours free today, where she could enjoy all three aspects of what she could have.

Being sent to the kitchens to work had been a saving grace here, which was odd as so many of her Novices saw it as a chore.  She had been sent to wash dishes and scrub pots, which she did not mind as she had done her fare share in the Camp all her life.  It’s not a chore when it has to be done.  On her third session in the kitchens she had seen one of the undercooks making some sweet meat rolls and some honeycakes in the corner.  She had watched the girl, not much older than herself, and after a few minutes she knew the girl would be making some of the worst cakes and sweet rolls ever to be baked.  How can she mess up such simple recipes?  The thought had driven her to go over and begin to whisper the girl some hints to rescue her food, which the girl seemed to take offence to.

It was not until she had started to shout at Tala, telling her to mind her place that they had brought the attention of the Mistress of the Kitchens over.  She was a fearsome woman, big and imposing, and used to her orders being followed to the letter.  Tala felt so small and insignificant before the woman, like she was facing down an Aes Sedai.  The woman demanded to know what the fuss was about, and between the kitchen girls rash words and Tala’s own defensive ones, the Mistress looked amused and asked the girl what she was using to make the sweets.  After the girls boasting, she then asked Tala what she had said to the girl, and Tala repeated what she had told the girl, what ingredients she would have added.  The Mistress nodded and after ordering the kitchen girl to continue scrubbing Tala’s pots, she asked Tala to take over the preparing of the sweets for the Aes Sedai’s afternoon tea’s.

That was how Tala spent her time in the kitchens now, not scrubbing or cleaning, but baking and creating all kinds of food stuffs.  And that was where she had been this morning.  She had been in the kitchens for the last two hours, and had baked a batch of all butter scones, and some honeycakes with sprinkled nuts on top.  As she left, the Mistress had pressed a small basket into her hands, and inside was two of her honeycakes, two pork and apple rolls, and some fresh milk.  And I cannot wait to taste them especially as I have the perfect place to sit and eat them!

Looking up she saw she had arrived, and smiled as she looked around. It was a small clearing, with wild roses to the left, and tall line of olive trees to the right.  The smell was divine, and she sat down in a shady spot, and pressed her back to one of the trees.  Pulling the white ribbon out from her hair, she let her long blue black hair come loose, and hand down her back and fall over her shoulders.  Looking into the basket, she licked her plump lips in anticipation.  She was so busy laying out her lunch, milk and getting her book, The History of the White Tower, prepared, that she did not see the figure approach.  When she did, she looked up and smiled, her smile lighting up her whole face.

His eyes scanned quickly over the page, particularly the passage that the other novice pointed to.

Muad'drin tia dar allende caba'drin rhiadem! Los Valdar Cuebiyari! Los! Carai an Caldazar! Al Caldazar!

The passage played across his mind several times as the words became ones that he could understand without over thinking it. He looked at Elana, before opening his mouth to answer.

“Foot soldiers, to pass forward cavalry prepare.  Forward centre guard! Forward! For honour of the Red Eagle! For the Red Eagle! Most of that was contextual translation, Cuebiyari is actually Hearts, so to put it into context Centre would be correct, I think, and caba’drin is actually horse soldiers so a more accurate term was Cavalry.” He was pleased that he’d managed to translate the passage quite quickly and looked for the reaction of the girl whose hand still pointed to the passage. “I am assuming it is about a battle that Manetheren took part in, since their Motif was the Red eagle.”

Quickly looking back and forth from Elana to the other novice he quickly withdrew his head from above the book, and stepped back some.

Kyrel realized that there was a small amount of possibility that the other novice was looking him over, it was usual for most of the female novices to look at him. He was slender and had nice features, unlike the muscular frames, and often the plumper frames that other male novices had, though there were some that were much like him, though taller or shorter. He did know that this other girl would be someone that his brother would have pinched or winked at, if he wasn’t one of the Queen’s Guards, or had she of been a maid or waitress at a tavern. When he looked at the training grounds, Kyrel seemed to notice the men more than he did the women, he found it odd, but he couldn’t help it, he found himself looking at the half naked men on the training ground, much like the girl standing over the book in front of him, looked at him. It was unnerving getting that sort of attention, he wasn’t one of the Gaidin in Training being fawned over by the female novices, or the occasional Accepted.

While reading the book he had nearly forgotten why he’d been pleased to run into Elana, and quickly said, “Accepted, about the fact that I got lost?” he left it there, not quite sure how she would react to his interruption of a possible train of thought. He took another step back, and bumped into a table, sliding it back several inches. His face took on a slight tone of horror at hearing the noise, and prepared for whatever might come his way.    

OOC: Your welcome… and if you noticed I did put a slight reference to his sexuality… I hope it doesn't offend, but I must admit I am Bi so hence why I put it in, I find it easier to write when I am technically for all intensive purposes writing in third person about myself… I hope it doesn't interfere but it does lend a hand to something's that may happen… I don't expect any of those things to happen… this OOC was way to long, but there wasn't much I could do.

Talaitha blinked her eyes a few times and stifled the yawn that threatened to tear her jaw apart.  She was tired, and as she stared down at the Old Tongue book before she was sure the words and phrases were beginning to blur together before her eyes.  Maybe I should really go to bed?  She held her hand up to her mouth again and let the yawn happen this time, covering her mouth as she looked down at the book and at the words that made no sense what so ever.  I think I am definitely going to have to call it a night, how long is it until curfew?  She blinked her eyes a few more times before finally deciding to move off to her rooms.  A sudden thought struck her then how she had not lit the small fire there, and she knew her room was going to be freezing.

Suddenly the noise of someone coming into the room, and a cool voice asking her if she knew what the time was.  Talaitha jumped a span high off the chair and dived to her feet.  She looked over to see a dark haired Accepted, wearing her banded dress and cloak, and felt her blood freeze in her veins.  Light! It an Accepted. This could go very badly even if it isn’t passed curfew and depending what mood she is in.  Quickly bobbing a deep curtsy, Talaitha looked back up to the girl who had walked a little way more into the room.  In the dim candle light, she could see the girl’s skin was pale and her hair was a light brown.  The girls eyes glowed green in the candle flame’s light, and there was something about the girls accent that tugged at Talaitha’s memory, though her heart was racing far to fat to remember any such thing.

“I….um…please forgive me, Accepted. I did not realise what the time was.”  She bobbed another crusty and realised that she had not answered the Accepted’s question.  Oh Light, I am in the deepest trouble now.  “I am Novice Talaitha, Accepted, and I just wanted to try and get a look at some Old Tongue before my first lesson tomorrow…”  she let her words trail off and looked down at her shoes.  She knew that there was little she could say to the woman before her to get her out of trouble, if she was so inclined to put her into it.  She was about to tell the Accepted why she was still up when another figure appeared at the doorway.

Oh please, not another Accepted, or an Aes Sedai.

But to her surprise and relief the persona that came through eh doorway was a young man also dressed in white.  Thank the Light, another Novice.  She looked to the man, tall with light brown hair and eyes that looked hazel in the candle light.  His voice was soft and strong as he spoke, and he called the woman before her Accepted Elana.  Talaitha felt a small relief at hearing the woman’s name as she had heard from other Novices that Elana was a fare woman who was not overly nasty to Novices for any reason.

The Accepted looked back to Talaitah who quickly wanted to explain in case the presence of the other Novice put her in a foul mood.  They do seem to know each other, and they both have me at a disadvantage.  She cleared her throat a little and quickly spoke.  “Accepted, I was going to head to bed a while ago, but I could not translate this one passage.”  She pointed at the passage in the book and was surprised when the Accepted came over and looked.

"Muad'drin tia dar allende caba'drin rhiadem! Los Valdar Cuebiyari! Los! Carai an Caldazar! Al Caldazar!"

She looked up as both Accepted and Novice looked down at the book on the table.  “I know a little Old Tongue, as my old Madhi used to use many phrases in ceremonies and in the greeting.”  She felt the familiar pang of sadness at the thought of her old caravans, but tried to brush it away so that she did not make a fool out of herself before the Accepted and the nice looking Novice.

———————————————————

OOC – Thank you both for posting with Talaitha, I really appreciate it.  I look forward to getting to know everyone again or better or for the first time.  If either of you want to do anything else, drop me a line! :)

Winding his way through the tower, heading for the novice quarters, the night and cold was getting to him. Kyrel pulled himself into the void, to stop him shivering, he found it worked, but he could still feel it through the void and soon he was back out of it, and huddling under his cloak. Trying to clean the kitchens was difficult, but he’d spent worse amounts of time doing the same thing, though not in such a vast kitchen. It was after curfew, he knew it, which was why he was glad that he hadn’t met an Aes Sedai or Accepted in his trip through the tower.

The near freezing temperatures of this area of the tower didn’t help and the tiles beneath the thin soles of his shoes didn’t help to keep much warmth in. He found himself moving past classrooms, and knew that he would be nearing the novice quarters soon, unless he managed to get himself lost again, in which case he’d welcome the meeting of an Aes Sedai or Accepted and possible reprimand, at least he’d have a guide to get back to his quarters. The torches cast a flickering light along the winding path of the corridor, the occasional tapestry billowing as he walked past, or as a draft came through the high windows.

He knew he was lost when he came to a staircase rather than more doorways as he had expected turning the corner, so he tried to back track only to walk a complete circle and end up back at the same stair well. He resolved to see whether it would take him to where he wanted to go, so he opted to go down a level, hoping that it would offer him more choices than this floor afforded him.

He climbed down the stairs and started again on the next floor down, he was trying to keep a mental image of where he expected he was and where the novice quarters were in comparison. This failed dismally, because he was soon on one of the walk ways near one of the gardens. He shook his head and back tracked to try to find the classrooms again, and eventually found one with a small glow coming from it. He heard voices, slightly muffled by the distance and soon he was looking inside to see the back of an Accepted’s head and a novice standing sleepily in front of her.

He looked at the beads in the Accepted’s hair and knew instantly that he’d managed to run into Elana, though he didn’t know the other novice he assumed that she had been out with one of the other male novices, but once he sighted the book, knew that he was way off.

“Excuse me, Accepted Elana,” He said, preparing to bow once she turned, “I’m sorry to barge in, but I seem to be lost, night in the tower isn’t the same, even after a month.” He tried not to make it seem that he was incompetent, but being lost seems to lend that sort of air to a person, so he braced himself for the inevitable lecture about being out so late, and not learning the tower’s layout quickly enough.

OOC: I hope that you both don't mind my barging in like that, but Kyrel is an Old tongue genius and I'd like to see how he can cope with a night time walk and Elana obviously not going to be the caring woman she was when they met.