Festival concluded!

As a former White Sister, Melina was supposed to feel little emotion over the start of a large celebration such as Sunday, but she had never been a typical White.  She recalled year s as a Novice getting into some trouble or another with her friends as she terrorized unsuspecting Accepted and as an Accepted she recalled being terrorized by similar Novices.  Despite the rules, Festivals at the White Tower meant a few hours of relative freedom—freedom from the rules, from chores and from the unending learning.  She recalled spending many conversations with her friends boasting about how they would find their Warders among one of these celebrations, and yet when she had earned her Shawl, the first thing she sought was exit from the Tower to explore the world.

There will be little exploring left for you, Melina.  A good thing you spent eight decades doing so.

As Melina looked at her reflection in the mirror, the Tairen style gown in a bright leaf green with silver embroidery a pleasant contrast to the warm tones of her loose auburn hair, she thought on how her Sisters had always frowned on her for wearing colors instead of the stark white of her Ajah.  Such a silly, illogical thing to be reprimanded on when there had been so much more in which to reprimand her.  She’d chosen green tonight to pay slight homage to the Green Ajah and the loss of face that they had endured recently with the former Amyrlin and Mistress of Novices. Tairen cut because she just liked the style and always had.  Across the green silk was the seven striped stole of office, looped loosely against her arms and shimmering in the soft light of her apartments.

It was her first Festival to begin, the money she had approved for all the expenses seemed excessive and she tried not to let her eyes pop with each bill.  It was worth it, however, as tonight would be a history of firsts for the Tower, and she felt a surge of pride to be the one that had been leading the Tower when it occurred.  Male Novices would most likely create a whole new dynamic to the Festival for certain; with saidin cleansed, the fear and barriers were coming down from what Candance had reported  and it seemed more likely for the girls to get into the same romantic situations with the boys now as they would with the Trainees.

More importantly was the warm welcome and strong presence of the Black Tower to the celebrations.  The curt yet brief message from the M’Hael indicated he would be unable to attend, but he was sending additional men to supplement those already established in the White Tower.  There had been some Sitters demanding that she express her displeasure at the leader of the Black Tower refusing the invitation, but Melina had quelled it with a simple “No”.  She had her reasons—all logical of course—and would not risk tensions between a budding relationship over something such as a Festival.  He would have attended if he could, and she understood better than any of the Sitters the pressures and demands he was under.  She was more pleased with the additional Soldiers, Dedicated and Asha’man attending as it would provide both Towers an opportunity to further get to know one another in a casual setting.

“Mother, it’s time.”  Nathalia spoke from the doorway, her eyes looking at Melina as if she were trying to see into and through her soul.

“Thank you, Nathalia.”  Melina slipped into the embroidered slippers and touched the simple silver and emerald necklace that circled her neck closely.  It had been a gift from Alimon nearly fifty years ago and she had been angry at him for spending any money at all on her for something she thought she would never wear. Bringing herself back to the present, Melina walked swiftly through the hallways, Nathalia keeping stride with her.  “Has the Black Tower delegation arrived?”

“Just a couple minutes ago, Asha’man Locke greeted them and brought them to the Hall.”

“How many?”

“Three score.  Mostly Asha’man and Dedicated but there was perhaps ten Soldiers as well.”

It was a large enough delegation that showed Melina that the M’Hael respected her invitation, but not so large to frighten the White Tower.  As they descended to the lower levels of the Tower, chords of music reached her ears, the beautiful strains of an Andoran composition that was light and whimsical.  The corridors leading to the Hallway began to start showing signs of decoration, leading the wanderer to follow the lines of silk and flowers wrapped and skillfully attached to the walls, and as they reached the tall mahogany double doors of the Hall, light spilled forth and washed over Melina.  There were already many men and women in attendance, some dressed in their Novice Whites, while others were dressed in a rainbow of colors and cuts—some fine some simple.  Many Aes Sedai wore their Shawls as a badge of honor for the formal occasion, while some ageless faces simply appeared above the necklines of their gowns.

Those who immediately saw the stole of office on her entrance fell into deep curtseys, even the Aes Sedai bending in respect for her position.  She made her way to the dais where the commencement of the Festival always took place and as she reached the platform, a wave of black caught her eye from the same doors she’d arrived.  The orchestra let their music drift to silence and the Hall went quiet as she embraced the Source, weaving Fire and Air to amplify her voice.  “Welcome one and all to the Sunday Festival at the White Tower.  It is my distinct pleasure to not only offer a warm hand of welcome to those who live here in Tar Valon, but also to our new friends from the Black Tower, the men who fight the same battle as us and seek the same goals of keeping the world safe.  Please be welcome to the White Tower Asha’man, Dedicated and Soldiers of the Black Tower!”

A warm applause, though light, received the men in black as they filed in with almost military discipline to the Hallway and they bowed as one to the attendants of the White Tower.  As the applause quieted, Melina continued with a smile, “Sunday is a night for celebrating, so please enjoy the food, drink and dance and take this opportunity to become acquainted with new friends.  Let the Festival begin!”

OOC: The Festial has now begun!  Please remember that no posts are allowed above this one until it's finished on August 29.  Any posts that do get placed above it will be deleted without notice.  For rules and guidelines on what is expected by the characters, please see Joni's post.  Remember that if you break the rules, expect to be caught--but sometimes that's just part of the fun!

Everyone have a great time writing and enjoy the Festival!!! =)