Courtyard: White Tower, Tar Valon

Before you stands a magnificent palace made of delicately sculpted marble, rather than blocks. Gently arching walls and bulging domes rise high into the sky, seemingly just barely touching the clouds with its delicately crafted spires, topping off the breathtaking sight before you. Looking about, one can see a small garden off to the side, with a small winding path down it's center that leads into a maze of bushes where one might get lost if not too careful.

Colors seem to change from bright pastels to earthy tones and vibrant reds as the days start to grow colder and the days shorter. There are several benches about the grounds where one might be able to sit and relax. The sky seems to brighten as the sun rises from the horizon beyond, bringing the start of a new day. All around you can see residents of the White Tower milling about as Novices and Accepted start to their early morning chores.

A broad stairway, made of pristine white marble, enters into the White Tower, marked by a massive pair of doors decorated with delicate carvings of intricate workmanship. A tall, white wall cascades around the yard, its entrances and exits marked by high gates leading to the street, watched by the Tower Guard. Somewhere in the courtyard you can see buildings for the barracks and the stables. You can also see an entrance to the practice yard, marked of by a row of high hedges.

Ellorin walks down the steps into the Courtyard, after pushing through the main doors of the Tower.

The door to the Tower swings open just wide enough to allow Ellorin to slip through, swinging heavily shut behind her. The Aes Sedai pauses at the top of the steps, giving a brief, measuring glance at the sky before returning her gaze to earth and extending her hand to take the railing as she begins to make her way down the stairs.

Sitting on the lawn, by himself, Zannick has a funny little potbellied flutelike object in his hands, the reed area pressed to his lips, and is playing the item laboriously. One would assume he doesn't really know how to play it, but he'd like to. Every now and again he manages to please his ear with the breathy instrument, and he grins before trying again. He draws a few odd looks from other students walking by, but it doesn't bother him. He offers those he knows a wave and a grin, and those he doesn't a smile.

A particularly unmelodious squeak draws Ellorin's startled attention towards the young man as she pauses halfway down the steps. Recognition and faint amusement come to her face at about the same time, and she resumes her course down the stairs. Stepping off onto the flagstone path of the courtyard, she turns her steps towards the stable...a course which carries her straight past Zannick and his instrument. "Good day," she murmurs as she draws near.

That same squeak had Zannick wincing and itching his ear. OOh that was nasty. Note to self, don't do it that way again. As the Sedai nears him however, she catches his attention with her movements. The potbellied instrument is only about as long as his palm and so it slips into his shirt pocket quickly as the young man stands up. "Light Shine Ellorin Sedai." He smiles pleasantly.

"Studying something besides the sword, I see?" Ellorin comments, lifting her head to continue meeting the young man's eyes as he rises to stand above her. A small smile, subdued but friendly, and with a spark of humor in it, turns up the corners of the Aes Sedai's lips in answer to Zannick's greeting and smile.

"Attempting to." Zannick chuckles softly, "But I think.. I should not quit the sword in hopes of becoming a bard." He jokes, tapping the pocket into which the instrument disappeared. "I hope you did not hear that last note, but somehow, I suspect you did." He adds, not greatly embarrassed, but poking gentle fun at himself.

Ellorin is a small, slight young woman, barely over five feet tall. She appears to be in her early twenties, but from the comparison between her youthful face and her steady, intelligent gaze, these appearances might be deceiving. Her hair is short, barely covering the tiny gold hoops that decorate her ears. Golden highlights show when the light catches her hair the right way, but otherwise it is a straight, even, brown. Her clear blue eyes look steadily out at the world, searching each new person and thing she sees for whatever knowledge may lie within. Her whole face changes when she smiles, lighting up with some inner fire. Her feet are covered in sturdy, sensible-looking black boots. The right one is a bit more scuffed than the left - the reason for which becomes apparent when she walks, dragging her right foot behind her in a limp.

She wears a dress of dark blue wool, simply cut, although still flattering in its color which makes her eyes seem bluer. The dress has long sleeves with just a touch of white lace at the narrow cuffs, and matching lace circles the jewel-neck collar. The full skirt falls in thick heavy folds nearly to the ground. A Great Serpent ring encircles the third finger of her right hand.

A soft laugh is the Aes Sedai's first response, warmer and more reassuring than the smile was. "Yes, I did," Ellorin agrees, tilting her head in a little half-shrug, as if to say 'how could I help it?' "But," she continues, the smile returning, "neither swordsmanship nor gleemanship is a profession that should be entered without being fully prepared, I believe."

Adri enters the Courtyard through an opening in the large wall surrounding the Practice Yard.

Zannick grins, acceeding the point with a nod, "Agreed. Ah well. Perhaps I shall stick to singing. My fingers do not seem to be taking to the thing well." He notices as they stand talking that Ellorin is not very tall at all. He had not noticed that at the table in the Cafe really.

Adri comes ambling out of the practice yard cane in hand. He seems in an unusually good mood this evening.

The difference in height hardly seems to bother Ellorin at all - she tilts her head back easily to look up at the young man as she lifts her eyebrows. "Then you have actually considered the gleeman's trade?" she asks, her smile remaining even though it narrows a bit into an expression of surprise. "Or is it merely something to pass the time between lessons with the sword?" Polite small talk, yet it occupies enough of the Aes Sedai's attention so that she does not yet notice Adri's entrance.

Adri is in no hurry to be noticed. He spotts Zan and begins moving that way though. Tip tap tip tap tip tap...Yup most can hear that cane a mile away.

Shaking his head, the little bell on his braid making a far more pleasant sound than the little instrument's last sound, Zannick spreads his hands, "Oh no. Not for long anyway. I found that in a shop in town a few days ago, and well, I was curious." And this is one of Zan's most persistent qualities. Never ending exploration. He does hear that tapping though and turns his head to see Adri coming this way. He waves to the Gaidin from where he is.

"Quite understandable," replies the Brown, with another smile, a flash of understanding among the humor. And then the sound of the cane reaches her ears as well, and she turns to glance over her shoulder towards Adri, offering a smile and nod of her head towards him.

Adri speaks up as he gets within ear shot. "Recovering nicely I see."

"What? Recovering? You're the one who took a dive into the compost heap Adri!" Zannick responds in an incredulously laughing tone, sparing a wink at Ellorin conspiritorially. Zannick does take a step back though, in case Adri decides to become a missile again and start soemthing in the courtyard. He's grinning though.

Ellorin's eyebrows arch swiftly up, and she too takes a small step backwards, letting the two men face each other unobstructed. "Compost heap?" she murmurs, glancing from one to the other and back again. "I suppose I dont' really want to know..."

Adri chuckles. "I did not dive." he corrects. he is quite unarmed and is wearing his good clothes...doubtful he will start much of anything. "I fell quite gracefully."

Zannick claps his hands together laughing at Adri's correction and Ellorin's murmur. "I stand corrected. Yes, it was a veritable ballet of form and color. You did quite well." He glances at Ellorin and offers a tiny cheerful explanation, "We were fencing last night.. and I'm not quite sure how we ended up on that low wall between the graden and the practice yard.. but I suspect it needs some repairs."

Adri snorts. "It wasn't stable."

Ellorin almost can't help but absorb some of Zannick's good humor, letting out a soft laugh of her own as she shakes her head. "So that's what happened to the fence," she says. "It was all the Novices could talk about today, it seemed."

Adri scratches his head with the pommel of his cane. "The novices have nothing better to talk about then a messed up fence?" He seems amused by this idea.

Sionil walks down the steps into the Courtyard, after pushing through the main doors of the Tower.

Zannick smirks a little. "What exactly did you hear about it anyway, Ellorin Sedai?"

"When it fell all over the radishes and prevented them from doing the weeding, yes," Ellorin replies with an ironic little lift of her eyebrows. "And when it gives them something to talk about besides the political ramifications of the fall of the Ten Nations - or finding books about that in the library - then yes also."

Adri chuckles and looks to matt. "Well perhaps we should go create some more mayhem so we can give those poor girls something more to talk about?"

Sionil looks over the courtyard and seeing Ellorin walks over to her.

Zannick chuckles softly, "Why do I get the feeling I know who's going to be fixing the fence and planting more radishes?" He glances at Ellorin and grins again, though he squelches it a bit as Sionil approaches. She's probably quite aware of who the culprits in the white suits and fencing masks were though.

Adri licks his lips. "Well yer going to have to spend the work time doing something aren't you Zan?"

Sionil reaching Elly gives her a smile then eyes the other two, with a smirk to her face wondering what mischief they will do tonite.

The approach of a newcomer draws Ellorin's attention away from the men once more. As she catches sight of her fellow Aes Sedai, she inclines her head, offering a smile and a "Good day, Sister," as Sionil draws within earshot.

With a free day coming up....God only knows...what havoc they could create...

Zannick bows smoothly to Sionil, trying to keep that laugh out of his blue eyes, but failing. "Light Shine Sionil Sedai." He shoots Adri a glance though, "Well, probably.. I suppose it won't be so bad. If you could fall off it again it would be worth it." He winks discreetly.

Adri shakes his head. "You can do the honors this time. And don't worry...the compost heap is very soft."

Sionil says out finally "Good day, Sister." then after a slight pause "Gentlemen" well, at least that's better then yesterday when ya got a child.

Adri salutes Sionil with his cane.

To the men's conversation, Ellorin simply shakes her head and laughs, rolling her eyes briefly heavenward.

Zannick grins and refrains from making some other to Adri. For now. He eyes Sionil speculatively. Yup. He's sure she knows it was he and Adri. His hands go into his pockets, but that crackle of amusement remains.

Adri decides to make conversation. "So tell me Zannick. How do you plan on spending your upcoming free day?"

Zannick turns his head cocking an eyebrow, "Freeday? We have a freeday coming up? Light, why didn't somebody tell me? When?" He smiles comfortably, glancing at the two Sedai to see what they are up to.

Sionil smirks a little at the trainee "You didn't knock him on his head, did you, Adri?"

Adri licks his lips. "It begins at mid night tonight or so I have heard." He shakes his own fragile head in response to Sionil's question. "Nope he pretty much beat the tar out of me."

Sionil smirks "Then I suppose it's a good thing you went into politics."

Zannick laughs at Sionil's remark, letting his head roll back a bit. "Yes! He did! That explains it." He winks at Sionil this time. "Though he must have forgot when he went rolling in the garden." Zan can't seem to stop laughing really. He's almost infectious in that way.

As the conversation turns away from her and towards other things, Ellorin takes a few small, unobtrusive steps back towards a bench that stands by the side of the path and takes a seat on it, carefully gathering her skirts around her. Soft laughter greets the jokes, but the Brown does not interject any comments of her own.

Adri says "I have been finding that the life of a politician suites me better. never have thought of myself as the warrior type. You didn't answer my question Zan."

Zannick rubs his chin and considers, "Well I hadn't really thought about it, since I didn't know we had one coming up. Maybe go down to the harbor and do some diving." He smiles over his shoulder at the now seated brown sister. He certainly doesn't mean to leave her out of the conversation.

Emmeran emerges from the Tower apparently on a course toward the kitchgen garden.

Adri nods his head. "Do me a favor kid. Find yourself some company. You not going to have much more for a while once Kelsyn starts in with you."

Sionil raises her eyebrows "Kelsyn? What does he have to do with things?"

Emmeran opens the gate to the kitchen garden and leaves.

"He's my sponsor." Zannick offers, giving Adri a funny glance. "He can't be any worse now than he was when I was here last. He was tough, but I didn't mind the work." Of course this is also the boy who sat at a table earlier having a conversation with kelsin composed of more than grunts.

Adri chuckles. "I will remember you said that kid."

Sionil grins "Ahhh. Well... it might be better now that he's not Head Gaidin."

Ellorin laughs softly again, at the edges of the conversation, and interjects softly, "It's good that you feel that way about your sponsor...it will likely make it easier to take the work, even when it gets harder."

Zannick smiles at the diminutive brown on the bench, "Light, I'm not an inductee anymore. I've gone this road with Kelsyn Gaidin before." He grins at Adri. Though company might not be a bad idea if he has a free day. He shakes his head a little, still smiling. What's the big deal? Does everyone thing he got soft away or something?

"Indeed you have," Ellorin replies mildly. "But that doesn't mean that you won't have to work hard now, I'm sure. Fencing and fences notwithstanding," she adds, a smile taking even more of the edge from her words.

Sionil grins "Well if you all will excuse me."

Zannick shakes his head, "I don't expect him to go easy. That's certainly not what I meant. But I can hardly see the man getting any harder to deal with than he was before. He wasn't easy then, he won't be easy now. But I did it then, I can do it now." His blue eyes crinkle at the corners a bit at her remark on fences and fencing though.

"Of course, Sister," Ellorin replies, inclining her head to the other Aes Sedai.

"Good Evening to you Sionil Sedai." Zannick adds his goodbye to Ellorin's quickly.

Sionil walks up the steps and goes through the main doors of the Tower.

Sionil has left.

Ellorin's eyes are serious now, as she looks up at Zannick, blue meeting blue directly and holding his gaze steadily for a long moment, measuring. "Good," she says at last. "As long as you are resolved."

Adri quirks a brow. "Resolved? I don't think I've ever heard it put quite that way before Aes Sedai."

"Resolved to continue in his training," Ellorin replies, lifting her gaze to Adri. "That _is_ the real issue, isn't it?" Both men are included in the simple question, but the Brown's eyes fall last on Zannick, and remain there after she finishes speaking, gentle and quiet.

Zannick nods, somehow not needing to explain that he didn't have to come back. Usually when you leave the tower before completing your training, it's permanent. Coming back is not only difficult from a standpoint of permission, it difficult from a standpoint of trying not to lose all you worked for in skills as well. "I am." He remarks softly, no wavering in his voice. He grins at Adri though. Sometimes the ex-gaidin is quite humorous, sometimes odd, sometimes quite a friend. He's almost as odd as Kelsyn. Almost. What IS biting Adri about this?

Adri nods his head. "I shall be interested to see how you progress. I have not seen Kelsyn train a student....in a long long time."

Ellorin nods once, and that is all, as she falls silent again. She lets Adri take over the conversation, but her bright eyes remain on Zannick the whole time, carefully watching his reactions.

"So when was the last time you went for a swim Gaidin?" Zannick pushes the matter of wether he will survive training with Kelsyn aside for the moment, pushing aside some of his brown hair out of his eyes, and moves to sit down on the bench next to Ellorin with a relaxed posture.

Adri scratches his head. "If the creator had wanted me to swim...I would have been born with webbed feet." He pauses. "There are spoon bills swimming in that river that can get up to ten feet long. No way am I going to put a toe into water when I cannot see what is in it with me."

Ellorin slides over on the bench to make room for Zannick, reaching down to smooth out the momentary disarray that the motion causes to her skirts. A soft laugh greets Adri's comment, and she murmurs, "Surely the spoonbills don't come that close to the shore..."

"I've got webbed feet." Zannick mentions casually, a slyness slipping into his grin, and his eyes. He looks down at his boots, hiding that grin as much as possible.

Adri smirks. "Don't say it too loud kid...lest the browns haul your butt off for study and experimentation." he looks to Elli now. "You would be suprised how close they will get when they are hungry."

A genuine laugh, louder and fuller than any before, bubbles up from Ellorin as she shakes her head. "I will have to keep that in mind," she says lightly. "But speaking of study and experimentation...I should be getting back to the library." She slides forward on the bench, pushing herself to her feet, and adds, when she has straightened up again, "Good day, gentlemen. Enjoy the free day."

Zannick stands up quickly and bends the knee, bowing quickly, "Light Shine on and keep you, Ellorin Sedai." He smiles as she departs. She's not so dull as browns are supposed to be. She's actually quite likeable.

Adri salutes the departing Sedai with his cane

Adri says "I honestly believe the browns are the most eccentric of the lot...perhaps the only ones that are truly...random in their pursuites."

Zannick smiles, and tilts his head, "You were bonded to a brown. Is that.. an opinion of Zephi Sedai?"

Adri snorts "No that is the opinion of one who had the dubious distinction of watching her and being in her head for a year."

Zannick grins, "I take it you did not care for it much then. What do the Sedai think about anyway?"

Adri shrugs his shoulders. "I imagine that all depends upon the Sedai. My particular one thinks about reading books...and of translating books...and of shelving books...and of finding books...and of hiding books..." Sheesh anyone else noting a pattern developing here? No wonder Adri went nutty and unbonded her. "Oh yes she thought of having her gaidin carry books on quite a few occassions as well." Nope...not at all the glamorous story book relationship one invisions going into the warder training program

Zannick starts to chuckle, and by the time Adri is finished, he's all out laughing and slapping his thigh. Or is that crying? It's hard to tell. "Light!" Zan finally manages to get out, "No wonder you keep warning me about bonding!" He wipes a tear of laughter away from his eye and continues to chuckle merrily.

Adri just shakes his head. "It's not really all that funny. I watch people come in here day in and day out and beg me to make them bust their asses so that they can become glorified nurse maids. They tell me all about hw they want to serve the light and whatever...when all they do once they are bonded...is serve those women." It almost seems like he is holding a grudge. "We cannot help but be pestered by their every whim...we sense their needs and their desires and are compelled to fulfill them...whatever they may be." In Adri's case it was books. what a lame break aye? "You know when they are hungry...and take them food. You know when they are busy...and feel the need to help them do their work. You know when they are tired...and you become that way also. You spend your life giving...and receive rarely more then their gratitude in return." Yup...seems like Adri had a bad experience.

Zannick manages to quit laughing. No, maybe in reality it isn't all that funny. But the way Adri says it, it does have that feel of being humorous. "Oh I'm sorry Adri, it was just the way you put it." He pauses and then asks a question, "So tell me.. why do Gaidin go nuts when they lose their bond, and.. how are you coping.. being unbonded? I mean.. shouldn't you be.. feeling the effects, even though it's what you wanted?" Zan does look very curious.

Adri says "I am not going to lie to you kid. The perks you receive from the bond are all...automatic though. Hmm...how to put this? What you get from her...she gives you with no effort. She walks through life with her own agenda, While you on the other hand...spend the rest of your life thinking of nothing but her needs. Rarely will she ever pause for a moment to consider yours...unless of course your needs force her to. *he pauses as he considers your question* I am not going to lie to you kid, there are aspects of it I miss...for instance the unbounding energy...Were I bonded last night...I likely could have run circles around you...Still no matter what advantages I may have gained...there is nothing that can make up for the fact that she was in my head...My head is mine...The idea of sharing it...drove me nuts. Even with a wife...one has some privacy." Again a pause. "And they usually get sex out of the deal occassionally as well. Living with a 150 year old virgin...is frustrating."

Zannick strokes his chin, his expression growing more serious as Adri goes on. All good points. He can see where Adri's opinion comes from certainly. That last one is a bit of a bombshell though, when you put it that way. Zannick blinks. Its a good thing he wasn't drinking something, or he may have choked on it. "No wonder the green's are so popular.." He mutters under his breath, and then louder, "So about this in your head thing? How much does she know about what you are thinking? Can she... tell exactly what you are thinking? Or merely feel emotion?" Zannick ponders internally how the Sedai could be in a man's head and yet ignore his needs. That would imply a certain coldness certainly.

Adri smiles. "oh yes...I watch the guys in the practice yard crossing their fingers...hoping beyond hope they get a green. I don't think it's ever occurred to them that they will have to take a number and wait their turn as her 57 other gaidin each get their night with her. And let us not forget you get to feel every damn thing that goes on with her." his eyes lock with yours. "Does the thought of a 250 lb behemoth of a man violating you for 5 hours of the night appeal to you kid? Oh she loves it...and on your night...you love it. Just realize everybody is sharing and everybody is festering." Yup his outlook is pretty damn synical on the whole bonding thing. "Think of it more in terms of pictures. When I am impatient...she knows. When I am angry...she knows. When I am out on the town having fun for the first time in a year...She knows that to. She is in your head kid...and there is no shutting her out or hiding from her." he puts his hands in his pockets. "but here's the real kicker. She can keep you out if she likes. She can fuz her bond with you any time she wants. Hide her feelings any time she decides. She can give you more stamina...and she can take it away. She's got all the control...and you've got shit. Honestly...i think the only reason we are treated with a bit of respect at all is because A. we occassionally keep the comapny...and B. because our health and well being is their health and well being...to a point.

Aurora walks down the steps into the Courtyard, after pushing through the main doors of the Tower.

Aurora has arrived.

Zannick scuffs the ground with a boot and thinks on this. He did not know they could fuz the bond. He's assumed it was an equal disadvantage, or advantage. The way Adri paints it, it sounds pretty dubiuous. "So why do so many bond then?" There's got to be SOME reason for it.

Adri smirks. "Cause 99 of the people in this whole wide world are not very bright kid. That's why."

Oh look! It's an Aes Sedai! No wait, it's just Aurora not in her Accepted dress. Better luck next time. The aforementioned Accepted glides out of the Tower, a huge smile on her face. Free day! Free day! She flashes her grin around the courtyard and lifts a hand to wave to Zannick, or is it Adri? Hard to tell, but most likely the former. She seems content to stand there for a moment, still looking around, rather than walk over to them just yet.

It certainly raises some questions for Zan. But don't think he wont ask a few other Gaidin about it to see what the general feeling is. The ones Zan thinks are smart of course. He nods a little reluctantly. Of course its not earth shattering for him either. He hasn't relly given the bond much thought till now. To bond, or not to, a moot point till he's graduated through his last level. He hasn't noticed Aurora yet, as he's still thinking about what Adri just got finished laying on him.

Adri says "take my advice kid. Finish this program...allow the tower to proclaim you a warder...and then thumb your nose at every one of those women that comes along. You deserve better then to spend your life in ther servitude of a woman...that is going to take you absolutely nowhere in life. Look at me...you think I would be High Councilor of tar valon right now had I been Zephi's bond? THose people would have laughed me off the stage...just as they did Cava. The tower has many useful things to teach. learn them...then get on with your life...not on with her life."

Adri sees Rora waving and actually does not recognize her at first. Then her identity occurrs to him. He responds to the wave she obviously directed at him with a casual salute with his cane.

Aurora puts on her serene smile at what she takes as an invitation to join them. She inclines her head and dips a little curtsy for Adri before glancing over to Zannick, curious as to what has the usually smiling trainee so... well he just seems a bit more sedated. "Light shine Zan, Adri Gaidin. Have either of you seen Mathor'an?" She glances over her shoulder and scans the courtyard again.

Adri grumbles and shakes his head. "Can't say that I have dear."

Zannick turns around as Adri salutes someone unseen and then smiles and waves at Aurora as she's walking over. "Light Shine." He summons back his normal sunny demeanor and shakes his head. "I don't think I know this Mathor'an. Is he a trainee, or Gaidin here?"

Adri allows Rora to handel that question...If he did it it might get him back up onto his soap box...

Devon walks down the steps into the Courtyard, after pushing through the main doors of the Tower.

Aurora's slight dissapointment at Adri's reply turns to an even brighter smile at Zan's question. "He is a sworn like yourself. Soon to be Gaidin hopefully though. We were supposed to go see if our luck was still holding at a dice game in town," she flicks a slightly impish grin at the Gaidin, "considering the Derby coming up and all. But, it seems he got tied up somewhere." She shrugs a little and seems content to wait for him patiently.

Adri says "Has he decided on his wager yet?"

Adri is curious

Devon exits the Tower, spotting Aurora and Zan and making a line for them. Oh wait, Adri's with them, oh he of the infernally annoying cane. Sometimes she considered thwapping him over the head with it, with an Air weave. Then again, she's crazy enough to do it and get away with it. "Light Shine, Gaidin. Aurora, Zan, how are you all today?"

Emmeran walks down the steps into the Courtyard, after pushing through the main doors of the Tower.

Emmeran has arrived.

Emmeran emerges quietly from the Tower proper stopping for a moment to glance about.

Adri is crazy enough to have gotten away with far worse already. Why do all Accepteds seem to be so...silly? "It's the start of a free day...how can we not be doing spectacularly?" Adri inquires in response to Devon's question

Aurora thinks about Adri's question a moment, while smiling and nodding to Devon. Then she tilts her head to the side and taps a finger against her lips, as though debating whether to tell him or not. "Well... we discussed a few things. I believe his horse was mentioned... but then again, if he lost why would you want Dai'shar? Not that he's going to mind you..."

Adri smirks. "Good horses I have plenty of. Tell him to be more creative."

Aurora arches an eyebrow slightly at that. "Well, you are making it rather difficult on us. What can one give the man who has everything?" She smirks a little at that herself...

Adri licks his lips. "Something completely new...and different."

Devon chuckles slightly. "More talk of horses?" She sighs dramatically.

Her survey of the current situation complete, Emmeran begins to head over toward a bench to take a seat.

Zannick smiles politely. He has no idea who Mathor'an is still, beyond him being Sworn. "A gambler is he?" He turns as Devon arrives as well, and offers her a slightly more enthusiastic smile and a soft greeting. "Accepted Devon. Light Shine. Hope you weren't late for your meeting with the Sedai the other day."

Devon turns to smile at Zan. "Nope, I made it in more than enough time. And just got out of an interview with Lynna and Sionil Sedais of the Gray Ajah. A very interesting Ajah, the Gray. I might choose that one myself." Her words are meant as nothing more htan to bait Aurora. "Tell me Zan, how have you fared since our last conversation?"

Mavyn walks down the steps into the Courtyard, after pushing through the main doors of the Tower.

Emmeran takes a seat on the bench and folds her hands in her lap. It seems on the free day, she is taking advantage of the chance to simply do /nothing/ for once.

"Fairly well." Zan seems a little less.. boisterous.. than previous occasions, but that's likely a result of the conversation he just finished having with the Gaidin here. Heavy things to think on. He still smiles comfortably though. "A pleasant surprise finding a free day upon us. I was thinking of doing a little diving in the harbor today."

Aurora glances at Devon and almost sticks out her tongue except for the fact that it's 'I'm pretending to be Aes Sedai day'. "Something new and different... something new.. and different... hmmmmmmmmm," she goes back to tapping her lips thoughtfully. "Well, it's hardly my decision, considering it's Matt's wager." A memory -almost- makes her blush, but she rarely ever does that anymore. "I'm not sure he has anything to offer that you would consider new and creative..." she replies to the Gaidin.

Mavyn trods down into the courtyard, wearing her hair pulled back into a tight ponytail and her domani dress worn much much more losely. She stalks across the yard, seemingly intent on something.

Adri smirks. "I guess we'll see. If he puts up something I consider mundane...i shall do the same in response." Oh yes there are a few things Matt could wager...that Adri would very much be interested in, and Matt knows it.

Devon stands near Aurora, Adri and Zan, the four talking together. Emmeran is at one of the near benches. "Diving, eh? It would be interesting to see you diving, I think. Of course, mischief happens in the harbor, and I don't know if I can agree that nothing will befall you." She turns to Aurora, a grin on her face. "If Matt loses, he agrees not to Bond anyone for a year or more." Take that Aurora. Of course, its all in fun.

Mavyn pauses as she sees Adri. "Well, well.." She grins a bit at the Gaidin. "Seems like you survived your encounter with the other man."

Adri seems annoyed as he recognizes the voice that was booming at him the other night. "Yes...and it seems you survived your first of obviously many encounters with insanity. We must all be blessed." he says without turnig to look

Mathor'an enters the Courtyard of the White Tower through the Osendrelle Gates, watched by the hawkeyes of the Tower Guard.

Sometimes before you can hope to catch any fish, you simply have to know about the environment. You have to not to disturb the natural environment so you can see the patterns therein. And life in the Tower, to the Tairen novice can always be easily reduced to various fishing metaphors. Emmeran sits quietly just watching the various Tower denizens interact. One simple sentence might someday be very useful.

Zannick smiles at Devon, though amusement steals across his features as Mavyn makes her remark to Adri. The other man. That would likely be himself. "I did a lot of diving in Tear's harbor as well. I'm sure I'll survive it." Oh yes, Zannick is a pretty powerful swimmer. He'll be fine.

Well, Matt has yet to inform her of them... and that's probably just as well for the moment anyway. This time she does scowl a bit at Devon. Uh oh, it's the crazy woman. Just for safety sake... the Accepted takes hold of just the tiniest trickle of saidar, just enough to be able to fill herself in case anything.. happened.

Mavyn grins. "Insanity no... strength yes." She looks over towards Zannick. "And you as well...my my well Mavyn will be pleased." She chuckles, very dryly. "You must understand me... she was the one concerned, not I..had Sionil not been there..." She tsks..

Devon turns to look at the new woman, her eyebrow arched. Someone attempting to steal the title of Craziest in the Tower? Not while Devon's breathing, they won't. "That would be Sionil Sedai, correct?" her tone grows a bit colder. "You would do well to learn a bit of respect, madam." She turns back to Zan. "Maybe I'll stop by and watch you dive, that is unless i can find soething else to do instead."

Adri scratches his head without looking back and feels the need to inquire. "Were you by chance bonded to Kelsyn gaidin in a past life dear?" Adri can't help thinking that might explain a few mutual points of curiosity

Mavyn looks over towards Devon and snorts. "Who are you anyway?" She looks back over towards Adri. "Your lover?" She sniffs and chuckles again. "My my, poor Mavyn doesn't understand what she's in, does she?" She motions over towards Aurora. "You, you've seen her?"

"And the barkeeper said, 'That's a mouse?' And the man say, 'Of course it is! What did you think it, a dog?' Get it? A dog?" Laughter breaks out as two men walk into the yard, one being Mathor'an, and the other man a jollly-faced Dedicated. It is the Dedicated that is laughing, and Matt only gives him a tight grin. "Yeah, I get it. Very funny, Taylor." Matt shakes his head, though he is laughing silently. More like at the young Dedicated that with him. "Look Taylor, you go on and I'm going to go talk to some of the people over there," he says, gesturing towards the cluster of people. "I will catch up to you later."

Adri finds that thought amusing for whatever reason. Like he would survive a love making session with Kelsyn gaidin. He is able to tuck that thought away for some later grueling noghtmare thankfully. He indicates mathor'ann with his cane as the kid approaches. "You decided on a bet yet?" he asks with an odd smile.

Mavyn looks over towards Devon and snorts. "Who are you anyway?" She looks back over towards Adri. "Your lover?" She sniffs and chuckles again. "My my, poor Mavyn doesn't understand what she's in, does she?" She motions over towards Aurora. "You, you've seen her?" (repose for Emmy)

Zannick shrugs at Devon's remark. "I'm sure watching the ripple left by my downward departing toes will not be very exciting." He laughs and seems not to be offended by her minor belittling of him.

Devon's lips thin, and she gives Zan an apologetic look before turning towards the utterly rude little chit. "My name is Devon, Accepted Devon. Did your mother raise you to be such a rude little brat, or is it an acquired taste? Either way, you should learn some manners if you plan on spending any time around the Tower, or you'll find one Sister or another who are more than willing to teach you the meaning of respect. What sort of woman thrusts herself into a conversation and doesn't even have the manners to introduce herself?"

Adri says "perhaps not...but seeing the spoon bills chase you out of the water would amuse me to no end. *he speaks to Zan*"

Emmeran rises from the bench and begins walking over toward the group. There is a faint curious expression on her face.

"Hello Adri Gaidin," Matt greets pleasently. He makes no mention back to the bet, yet. "How are you today?"

Zannick laughs at Adri with a shake of his head. "That's why we dive with /spears/ Adri." he remarks.

Aurora stares a little incredulously at Mavyn. What under the Light is she talking about. She resists the urge to shield her though, the very strong urge. Ah well. She positively beams at Matt and gestures him over, while keeping an eye on Mavyn. "Adri and I were just discussing the Derby and what you might wager."

"I.." She pauses. "Don't really have a name. but this." She motions. "Is Mavyn.. I'm her better half... her.. benefactor if you will."

Galjea walks down the steps into the Courtyard, after pushing through the main doors of the Tower.

Adri shakes his head and admonishes the trainee with his cane. "bet bet bet. I've told a dozen people I'm fine in the past hour. You know I'm always fine. I know you are fine most of the time...so lets skip to the good part."

Forehead creasing, Devon spends a moment or two staring at the girl. Okay, no contest. This chick can have her former title. Who wants to be Craziest in the Tower anyways. "Aurora?" She turns and takes a step towards the other woman, even embroiled as she is between Adri and Matt. She gestures back to the crazy woman, the Source flaring around her.

Of course Matt knows Adri is fine. It was a stall tactic, one that didn't fly to well, Orville. "Yes, the bet." He beams over at Aurora as he draws closer to both Gaidin and Saeldean Accepted. "I was thinking, ummm, Aurora." He grins.

Devon mutters to Aurora, "... she... or... She... channeled..."

Emmeran finishes her approach and offers a quick curtsey to the Accepted before beginning to speak, "This one is new here Accepted. I should tell you that she has lots of trouble with remembering things but can channel enough to try and restrain a man." The novice frowns a bit as the idea of women potentially going channelling-mad crosses her mind.

Adri ahs. "Now that's an interesting wager kid. Shessh." he runs a hand through his hair. "Now how to go about offering something equal in return?" he turns round and examines Rora for a long moment.

Galjea steps out of the tower and from the top of the steps looks down at the people in the courtyeard gathered. She takes a seat on the steps and watches.

Adri seems momentarily purplexed. he wasn't expecting to get into the skin trade this early.

Aurora blinks vigorously at the both of them. "What??" Now I know what a horse being sold at market feels like, thanks Matt. She shoots a glare at him, but then Devon is whispering her and embracing and they might had a crazy channeler to death with. She glances over at Mavyn again, "So you're saying there are two halves to you?"

"I was just kidding. Burn me." Matt rolls his eyes at hor everyone always takes him so seriously. He's a Cad, ha ha, joke. Letting out a martyr's sigh, he plods on into tell Adri that, no, he hasn't come up with anything yet. "I don't have a bet yet, Adri. But don't worry, I will come up with something."

Mavyn grins and inclines her head. "In a way, yes." She pauses and hmms. "You see, when Mavyn was little, her mother died... actually when she was born. And so, her father.. who loved her and her father.. but.." She pauses. "When she died, her father began to drink...and drink.. and then when she was old enough, he decided that she would serve as his punching bag..." She tsks. "So she created me..and after he was killed I stayed on, protecting her."

Zannick isn't sure he really wants intimate knowledge of this sort, whatever it is, and with everyone busy, he sort of sneaks off unnoticed. Free days should be spent doing something fun.

Adri sighs. "Do hurry up and figure it out Matt. If I am to make good on a loss and you request something...interesting, I might require some lead time." He pauses. "And the longer you wait...the more intruiging I take it your offer will be?"

His bell jingles just a little as he sneaks off.

Devon blinks slightly, watching the other girl carefully. "So where is Mavyn? When you're here, that is? Can you let her talk to us, or is she not able to talk?" Okay, this is weird. This girl is about 4 Ajah's short of the brawl that's going to start for Devon's sympathies any day now. Any day.

You pass through the NorthHarbor Gate under the watchful eyes of the Tower Guards.

* * * Later that day at the docks * * *

Galjea pauses a moment for the Dockmaster, after entering the docks from the southeast.

Galjea carries an empty basket on her arm she walks about the dock stalls looking at the fish that are being hawked here by the vendors. She looks alittle out of her emlement.

Zannick is sitting on the dock at the end, shirtless, peeling off his boots, whistling softly as he pries them off his feet. There's a fishing spear beside him on the dock. He appears to be getting ready to dive.

Galjea hrmms and wanders to the end of the peer. She seems to be haggling with an old man about her fish. Wrinkling her knows she shakes her head. "These are not worth what your asking for sir!" Her tone is icy and regal.

Zannick gets the second boot off, and bundles his clothes up, sticking his toes into the water testing it. He seems engrossed in doing this.

Galjea picks up a fish to show the man just how poor it is, but he grabs it from her but she won't let go.. till she tug har enough to jolt her to let and she steps back and looses her balance over a coil of rope. "Aiiiieee " she crys out as she falls through a thin railing into the water.

Splash! Zannick might have wanted to stow his things somewhere else where people wouldn't be tripping on them, but there's no time. He noticed Galjea right about the time her heels were flying up over the rail sending her into the water. Light. He left the spear on the deck as he hit the water, in after her.

Galjea flays in the water, but her novice dress is weighing her down.. she let go of the basket and she struggles to get to the surface, sputtering water and trying not to panic. She though she heard a second splash..but right now is trying to make it up so she can breath.

Zannick has spent enough time diving in the past that he could probably track a ship five hours ahead of him. Okay so maybe that's pressing it a bit. But he easily finds the novice and slips an arm around her waist, lifting her up, pushing her towards the surface. He makes sure he comes up behind, so she's less likely to grab him and sink them both in a panic.

Galjea flays abuit for a moment till she realises she above water and can breath. She takes deep gasping breaths, it is then she noticed that someone ahs an arm around her waist. She still trying to fill her air starved lungs as who ever helped her helps her to the peir and the ladder. She slowly makes her way up the ladder with some aid. Once at the top she turns to helped her. He looks familar, oh that trainee she meat a few days ago. "Uhh thank you..you saved my life" Says the soden novice.

"Well, maybe not so much as that," The now wet sworn demurs a bit. "I'm sure you would have been able to climb out.. was just a precaution." He follows her up the ladder though, making sure she doesn't slip off.

Galjea nods..and once on somewhat solid planking she brings to ring out her hair for a moment then stops. She smooths out some excess water from her sleeves then notices the gown is thin and well clinging to her. She blushes and crosses her arms. "Umm.. yeah.. I can swim. just the shock of hitting the water knocked the air from my lungs" She says still blushing.

Zannick smiles, quirking an eyebrow upwards as he notices her blushing. He moves to scoop up his shirt and offer it to her. "Here.. I um. You're from the tower, right? We've met? You can return this later."

Galjea says "Well I can monday night heh..since I don't work till 3 pm tuesday afternoon my time.. heh"

Galjea nods and takes the shirt she puts it on. "Yes.. Galjea..I'm a novice at the tower.. and your ..Zannick? isn't it? " She smiles and thanks you for the shirt. "So what are you doing down here today"

"Yeah, Zannick. That's me." He rocks on his bare feet a bit and steps back a bit. "Just... diving. Free Day. Thought I'd get some swimming in."

Galjea smiles and nods. "I thought I do alittle shoping.. but not intended on that swim." She chuckles and rings her hair again. "Well.. I better get back to the tower and change before I'm sent to the infirmary if I get ill.." She smiles warmly. "Thank you again.."

Zannick waves and rocks on his heels again. "Yeah, thanks. Light Shine Novice." He seems slightly nervous for some reason. Or maybe just wet and cold.

Galjea nods and walks back to the tower. She glances back at you and smiles again.. before turning around the corner from your sight.