Setting: Courtyard: White Tower, Tar Valon

Occupants: Jelanna, Gregory, Trelaine, Marisa, Arwen, Ashlynn, Kristalisa,, Sionil, Analee

Jelanna exits the White Tower, wrapped in a warm cloak against the chill in the air. She glances toward the gathered at the assemblage of the courtyard, and as she makes her down the steps she curtsies to the Aes Sedai.

Kelsyn continues to lazily prop up the wall.

Trelaine catches the look from Ashlynn, but doesn't seem to notice. After Ashlynn's gaze finds itself elsewhere, Trelaine turns and curtsies. "Ashlynn Sedai," she nods, before waiting for the final people to be chosen.

Ashlynn carefully crosses her arms before her, watching the yard in a quiet manner. Tilting her head to the side she continues to carefully observe those about her, for an instant her eyes lighting upon the 'men' present in an appreciate manner.

Gregory does his best not to notice Ashlynn's gaze, of course. Because of this he clears his throat and actually draws a little nearer to the women of his group.

Sionil walks to one side where the other (one eyed) purple people (eater) are.

Go, Gregory! Arwen watches, also ignoring Ashlynn's gaze, though that's more for safety's sake than ought else. Stretching, he glances about, idly looking about the courtyard, gaze assessing.

Trelaine fidgets with her orange slip absently, waiting for all to be worked out.

If that's going to deter the Aes Sedai from giving that particular trainee his own once over, think again. In fact, he seems to receive even more attention and an amusedly raised brow, the slight up-turning of her lips giving away her amusement, along with the twinkle in her eyes. A light, airy chuckle escapes from her lips, then she moves on to the others once more.

Jelanna eyes Analee Sedai before wandering over to says "I apologize for my tardiness, Analee Sedai. I was doing some research in the library." Before moving over to join her group of purple patriots in the great snow war. ;)

Analee walks over to Kristalisa and hands her an orange flag. "Here you go." She hands a purple one to Sionil. "Novices are our generals today. Each will choose a base in order to get to know her command better. Her teammates are responsible for offering advice and assistance in capturing the other team's flag. Our only weapon is snow, and channeling is limited to defensive snow maneuvers and helping to build snow forts."

Gregory fights with himself to keep from gulping. Light, Aes Sedai would be fine if they didn't look at men like meat at market. He huddles closer to the purple platoon, in hopes of hiding.

A snort appears to originate from somewhere in Kelsyn's direction for some reason or another. He keeps all expression from his features, most especially emotion.

Kristalisa seems to pale at the thought of being a leader, after serving the Aes Sedai all this time.

Trelaine turns to raise an eyebrow at the snort from Kelsyn's direction, then turns back to Kristalisa. "The first order of business I would suggest, is finding a defendable location."

Sionil giggles slightly at that

Gregory raises an eyebrow at Sionil. Oh Light! One of /THOSE/ novices. Fortune is not with him today, it seems.

Kristalisa nods. "The stables were the first place that popped into my mind, any other suggestions?"

Sionil looks about and says "The circular bench looks like a good place"

Gregory looks at Sionil, then at the bench. "Let's get building then," he grunts and starts to walk over, piling snow to start the primitive workings of a wall.

Sionil sits down on the Circular Bench.

Gregory sits down on the Circular Bench.

Arwen mulls, "I'd assumed we needed to stay in the Courtyard-- if not, that's a good choice...if we do, over by the guardhouse works-- the small cul-de-sac where they stay in the weather...it's open to the ear..."

Analee shakes her head. "You may not leave the courtyard, and you may not bury the flag in snow. It must be visible at all times."

Trelaine looks at Arwen, nodding. "Yes, or against one of the walls so at least our backs are covered."

Kristalisa nods. "What about the North Wall Bench? It's protected by the North Wall."

Ashlynn inclines her head faintly to Kristalisa, eyes watching the others, assessing them now. She leans over to the closest person, which happens to be Trelaine, She mutters to Trelaine, "... sure... watch... to... It's... to... do not..." She turns her eyes to the rest, observing them quietly for a few moments. "Then perhaps by the northern wall, Kristalisa..." She suggests, "It still offers backwards protection.

Kristalisa sits down on the North Wall Bench.

Ashlynn sits down on the North Wall Bench.

Analee sits down on the Circular Bench.

Jelanna sits down on the Circular Bench.

Trelaine looks to Ashlynn and nods. Almost lazily Trelaine's eyes scan the courtyard, as if laying every measure of land for further use.

Arwen quirks a brow and shrugs. One wall is almost as bad as none, but not quite. He ambles over to join the others by the bench.

Arwen sits down on the North Wall Bench.

Ashlynn lowers her voice, She mutters to North Wall Bench, "... would be... assign us..." She tilts her head slightly.

Gregory grunts with a nod to Sionil and starts using the bench for support of the snow. He pauses and looks at Sionil, He mutters to Circular Bench, "We're... to... an... where... it..."

Trelaine finally turns away from her viewing of the Courtyard and walks over to where the rest of her team is.

Trelaine sits down on the North Wall Bench.

Gregory keeps piling up snow. He mutters to Circular Bench, "Perhaps... the outside... fort... on... this... be."

Ashlynn stands silently as her comrades speak things over, eyes carefully observing her teammates. Occasionally does she look toward the opposition. She mutters to North Wall Bench, "... agree. With... resources..."

Trelaine nods and walks to the front of the bench and kneels in the snow. She mutters to North Wall Bench, "We should design... build upon that."

Kristalisa begins to pile up snow in a massive heap around their bench, using the wall as the back half.

Gregory hmmmpfs and nods in agreement. He mutters to Circular Bench, "... I'm... working, I'll keep... wall."

Sionil smiles and nods to Gregory

Ashlynn carefully puts the snow into something unseen and packs it down hard, a slight grin upon her features, She mutters to North Wall Bench, "... Arwen, perhaps." She speaks, as if suggesting something, before going back to her work. Her snow appears to form a perfect 'square' though how she accomplished that is unknown.

Sionil looks towards Analee She mutters to Circular Bench, "May..."

Gregory glances at his coworkers then returns to packing snow.

Arwen quirks a brow, and moves to move the square piece of snow, and starts to build the fort, assembly-line style.

Ashlynn seems to consider her work after observing her single 'block', She mutters to North Wall Bench, "... proceed... power... snow in... One... us working as the... other... masher...." Much like a cookie press.

Trelaine hmmms slightly to herself and looks at the members of her group. She mutters to North Wall Bench, "... a... in and... that... will,... to consider... positions are... NO... a... can't pour... parapets."

A small pile of snow in a snowdrift begins to float into the air, it comes closer to the circular bench.

Analee begins to help Jelanna by creating snowballs and piling them up behind the bench.

Sionil mutters to Circular Bench, "Here Gregory, Use... snow-blocks... the... I'll..."

Ashlynn shakes her head, She mutters to North Wall Bench, "Not if we... have you... hard,... just... one... you... then..." She points to another section.....

Gregory nearly jumps and starts to back away from the snowdrift before he shakes his head. This One Power stuff still takes getting used to. Gregory makes sure he's out of the way, then returns to building the fort.

Ashlynn mutters to North Wall Bench, "... exit... by... we... get..."

Sionil giggles slightly

Ashlynn stops talking, her mind churning as she continues to pack more snow.

Arwen packs snow. Blocks, snowballs, it all. He lets the others concentrate on the Power, he just works.

More snow-blocks begin to move towards the circular fort.

Lanta enters the Courtyard of the White Tower through the Osendrelle Gates, watched by the hawk-eyes of the Tower Guard.

Shamus enters the Courtyard of the White Tower through the Osendrelle Gates, watched by the hawk-eyes of the Tower Guard.

More snow seems to pile about Ashlynn as she carefully loads another 'mold' she does this with several more blocks before she hands them over to Arwen, a twinkle within her eyes for some reason. Then, something else happens....

Lanta steps out of a couch, looking absolutely grouchy, and then finds a safe spot from which to view the snow war, as she has arrived late.

Arwen inclines his head at Ashlynn and moves the blocks in by the wall, sliding around to get those other blocks near the side, and packs snow, getting the fortress hopefully secure.

Snow moves up in a large quantity, backed like it were a wall, then compressed into place, fortifying another area by the northern walls.

Kelsyn stands propped up against 'his' wall, not moving, looking like some sort of statue.

Lanta takes a wall opposite of Kelsyn, and props up against it, claiming it as /her/ wall.

Shamus arrives at the same time as Lanta, though he finds cover immediately. He appears to be making snowballs. What is happening here? It appears that a third force has entered the fray. A small force, but one that could sway the outcome of the battle one way or another. How will the young /generals/ deal with this?

If Kelsyn looks bothered, think again. In fact he does not even seem to blink in Lanta's direction this time, as if doing his best to ignore per presence entirely.

The snowball formation around Jelanna starts to increase exponentially until several large piles of snow missiles are ready.

Sionil continues to move snow-blocks to her fort. Assisting Gregory to finish up their snow fort

Trelaine, to take over command of the Orange Team.

Lanta looks at Kelsyn as if seriously considering influencing a "random" snowball in his direction...then decides not to.

Sionil nods She mutters to Circular Bench, "I guess... this..." She glances over at Shamus a moment

The novice and accepted in group orange quickly move about to make their own snowballs while Arwen and Ashlynn continue work on the fort, building and designing it. Carefully is a mound piled high deep inside the protective walls where the 'orange' flag is placed so that one would have to climb to get it. Fortunately, this means that the walks are also cleared, yet.... are they?

A slight breeze seems to blow a dusting of snow before the 'orange' fort.

Kristalisa , standing in the middle of the chaos, seems to suddenly remember an earlier commitment and slips off into the Tower....

Building, building, building. Arwen seems to not notice the interplay going around the courtyard as he builds, then nods, and starts on ammo again.

Lanta looks to Analee. "Okay, who's on what teams?"

Ashlynn murmurs quietly, She mutters to North Wall Bench, "... the fort that... encounter before they get... covered... the..."

Sionil is in a fort with Analee, Jelanna, and Gregory, facing Ashlynn, Trel and Arwen (and was Krista)

Ashlynn mutters to North Wall Bench,

Ashlynn finishes work on the fort with Arwen then goes to create as many snowballs as she can, gathering small loads of snow here and there inside the fort for reinforcements later.

Analee pauses in making snowballs to look at the outside of her fort.

Kelsyn seems to stand straighter, almost in challenge to something, though yawns instead, as if watching were the most boring thing to do. He stretches out his arms, then leans against the wall once more, crossing them before him.

Lanta pretends to ignore Kelsyn.

Arwen mulls, then murmurs to Ashlynn.

Analee scoops up snow, makes an additional snowball, and tosses it at Kelsyn.

Sionil giggles She mutters to Circular Bench.

Snow gathers up in a small pile on the air once more, then 'dusts' down along the Orange Forts ledges.

Kelsyn takes one step out of the way of the snowball, making it go slat against the wall and leaving a white mark. He was paying attention, despite what many may thing, Cat Crosses coming in handy at times like these. He does, however, turn his eyes toward Analee, a dangerous look there. Few times does that look ever enter his eyes.

Arwen nods at Ashlynn, mulling as he goes through defenses in his mind. Distraction, security, surprise. Anything else...no. As he thinks, he keeps on packing more snowballs.

Shamus appears to be digging in the snow. He extracts a large wooden Tower shield that must have been buried in the snow before the Orange and Purple armies took the field. The third minor army is now armored and mobile. Shamus straps the shield to his right arm and begins scooping his ammo into pockets within his shimmering warder cloak.

Ashlynn seems to consider something else, glancing to the two girls. Quietly does she speak, motioning to the outsides of the Fort with her hands, perhaps instructing something.

From within the purple fort several snowballs begin to fly at Kelsyn of all targets

Lanta murmurs, "Bad strategy, Purple."

The warning was not taken, nope. He told her he doesn't work well in groups, made it very clear he did not want to get involved. Guess what, they involved him.... That dangerous look appears to grow by the snowball thrown, one of them actually hitting him. He pushes himself from the wall, something of an uncharacteristic look forming about him... as if he were not in his own mind.

Ashlynn stops explaining a few things to Kristalisa and Trelaine, her eyes wandering curiously toward Kelsyn. It seems she's never seen this side of the Gaidin, when she actually had a chance to see him.

Shamus watches Kelsyn carefully now. The look on Kelsyn's face giving him reason for concern. He stands now, watching, but not acting as of yet.

Lanta grimaces. Her headaches' not all the way gone yet.

And not in his own mind, is he not. Like a predator he stalks forward, eyes glowering darkly, body moving in a threatening manner. He might give the impression of a panther on the hunt, searching out that which just annoyed it to put it out of its misery. His eyes rest on those within the fort, seemingly not caring who threw the first snow ball, a look of revenge.... present?

Lanta waits to see what Kelsyn will do, her own pose one of wariness, a grumpy grimace still present on her face.

Ashlynn carefully glances at those in the purple fort, a look of worry starting to cross her features. She had not known Kelsyn was a time-bomb ticking and waiting to go off.

Analee watches Kelsyn warily, looking to see exactly what kind of threat he will be.

Shamus moves closer to the purple fort. His face a stoic mask as he watches Kelsyn. His own gait seems similar to Kelsyn's. The graceful strides marking him Gaidin as quickly as his color shifting cloak.

Anger seems to come from the ex-Gaidin with no emotions, no trust, no cares, "Do not. ever. throw. anything. at. me. again." He speaks pointedly, clipped and curtly at the same time, his rough voice booming in the yard. He seems to have that tone well practiced. Yep, he's lost it as he continues to stalk, though fortunately the big lug left his weapons back in his room, foresight perhaps or just luck. "Understand?" Scores of insinuations can be heard in his voice, leaving to the imagination just what he might do otherwise. The look from his eyes is enough to even register he means business.

Shamus looks pointedly at Lanta, then his eyes return to Kelsyn. He watches the ex-Gaidin carefully, his posture tensing slightly as Kelsyn nears Analee.

Analee looks at Kelsyn and says evenly, "If you would prefer not to be the target of wayward snowballs, I recommend that you leave."

"I would recommend you just leave me be, and that would be the end of that -Aes Sedai-." Kelsyn says the last remark with a derogatory note, no respect within his voice for the woman he had asked to leave him be earlier.

Lanta glides forward, "Nobody meant any harm, Kelsyn," she murmurs, softly. "I'm certain nobody will throw anything at you again."

"I will leave you alone," Analee continues evenly, "but I cannot vouch for random snowballs. There are innocent casualties in a war."

"Most certainly not. Effective now, since I seem to get the drift of the attack, I am resigning my commission." Kelsyn speaks, his eyes pointedly staying on Analee. It seems I am not welcome here." With that he abruptly turns to the gates, no telling what damage he'll do out in the city.

Lanta simply follows him with a sigh.

Kelsyn pushes past several of the guards rather roughly, nearly knocking one out of his way to do so. Several onlookers just watch, stunned at the Gaidin's outburst.

Trelaine raises an eyebrow from where she watches.

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

Shamus listens to the exchange between the Aes Sedai and Kelsyn with no emotion. His eyes never leave the ex-warder as he leaves the courtyard.

Adriene exits the Tower and curtsies to all the Aes Sedai, Accepted and Gaidin.

Gregory stands stoically watching the going ons, too shocked to show emotion.

Ashlynn gives the purple fort a relieved glance, her eyes following Kelsyn in silence. There is no telling what this particular Green thinks.

Trelaine puts her hands on her hips and frowns at the scene.

Lanta simply glides after Kelsyn.

Arwen chuckles softly, glancing at Trelaine, and quips. "Perhaps not quite." Then he turns back to watch once more.

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

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

[SouthHarbor Road: Tar Valon, Tar Valon

Occupants: Alyndara, Kelsyn]

Lanta walks onto SouthHarbor Road, coming from the northwestern gates of the White Tower, watched carefully by the Tower Guard.

Angrily does Kelsyn stalk out of the gates, kicking about any crates that might be in the road, toppling things over. There is a look to his eyes that suggests he's not in his right mind as he randomly destroys things in his path, unmindful of the person following him... perhaps for the better he does not know she is there.

Lanta simply glides calmly after him, waiting for the storm to lessen. Odd, that, an Aes Sedai following a Gaidin, rather than the other way around.

Alyndara practically jumps out of the way of the charging Kelsyn.

Alyndara continues on, grinning slightly at the flip-situation. She nods to the Aes Sedai with respect. "Good day to you, Aes Sedai."

Kelsyn continues forward, storm not lessening, nope not at all, fueled by the flames started within the courtyard. The ex-Gaidin has a lot of pent up energy, always a time-bomb waiting to explode as he continues his destruction unproductively down the streets, heading toward the docks. One poor man gets shoved out of his path, though not so hard that he is damaged. Startled cries and glances come from several people about, all just -staring-.

Lanta inclines her head, remembering Alyndara, but seems focused on Kelsyn. She follows in the wake of the storm.

You branch off to the southeast, heading for Waterman's Plaza.

[Waterman's Plaza: Tar Valon, Tar Valon]

Lanta passes into Waterman's Plaza from the southeast, coming from SouthHarbor Road.

More and more people get pushed out of the way, roughly, if they find themselves in Kelsyn's path, "Get the bloody hell outta my way!" He booms, as if he owns the street, "I'm getting out of this bloody, light forsaken city." An insult to the Tower and Aes Sedai surely... or an act of anger. "Don't need to be where I'm bloody not wanted." He grumbles more to himself, "Should have never come back to this Trolloc laden place." Long strides are his steps, easily covering ground. He may have left his sword, butgold he does have.

Good thing Atalanta is tall. She follows in the wake easily.

[Southharbor Docks: Southharbor, Tar Valon]

Lanta pauses a moment for the Dockmaster, after entering the docks area from the northwest.

Like a storm raging at sea does the Gaidin continue only pausing long enough to mutter some garbled curses to someone, exchange gold with the other then head toward the ships waiting. He's not about to take any crap from anyone, it seems, his eyes still lurking dangerously, and his foul language enough to set people on edge enough to give a fair price.

Lanta simply pays out another entire sack of gold, which should be more than enough balm for their troubled minds, and follows, stepping lightly onto the ship behind him...but pulling up the hood of her cloak. Just another boarder, for now.

You step onto the deck of a rather enormous ship, though rumors have it that she's one of the fastest about. Darksteed, named after one of the famous racing horses in Altara, having made the trip to Tar Valon, after passing through the Alindrelle River with breakneck speeds. The masts stand tall and proud, appearing ready to open on a single command from the captain, with the crews help of course. The crew appears to be a good group, working together and cracking jokes when there is not work to be done. If one were to look below deck, they would see fine cabins, a good kitchen and a large cargo hold.

Lanta steps quietly onto the boat, hood pulled up. She speaks a quiet word to the Captain, requesting that he start off immediately.

Kelsyn just moves under deck, not wanting to deal with the people on board and wanting to get to his room immediately.

Atalanta waits until the boat is about an hour down the river, and then goes downstairs and knocks on the cabin door.

"Go way!" The answer comes, "I don' wan' no flamin' visitors."

"Kelsyn," Atalanta calls, her own voice quite recognizable. She pulls down the hood, "I would speak with you, please."

"Most particularly do I -not- want to speak to any flamin' witches." Ouch. This from a man that put respect higher than anything while he was at the Tower, even beating trainees to a pulp until they understood the concept; his anger must run deep. The door remains tightly fastened, though nothing an earth weave cannot readily fix.

Lanta scowls.

"You absolutely are /not/ going to be that way, Kelsyn," Atalanta says savagely while she works on the door. "That's not fair."

"I'll be whatever flamin' way I /want/ to be -Aes Sedai-" Again there is that derogatory note to his voice, "I did not ask to be followed and want no visitors, swim back to your warm and cozy tower and your warm and cozy jobs."

The door slams open then. Atalanta steps inside, and then...it slams shut, held there with Air, which she savagely ties off. She folds her arms and stares at him.

A dangerous glint stares back at the Aes Sedai, an equally dangerous note to his voice, "You should not have done that." If there was any shred of emotion or humanity to him, it is gone as if it never existed.

Lanta folds her arms in a challenging manner. "Yes yes yes," she says impatiently, "you're very nice and scary."

You say "I should just kill you were you stand, Sedai." Kelsyn's words come threateningly, "If you leave now, you'll escape that fate." He stands from his cot and stalks closer to Lanta, the insanity deep within his eyes. There is no doubt he means exactly what he says at this moment, no compassion, no warmth to his features; ice cold, dead, emotionless he is."

Lanta gives an unimpressed sigh. "Number one, I don't believe you'd kill me." Number two, she could probably stop you, though she'd be tired...but she decides not to mention that. "No matter how much you stalk."

Kelsyn continues to press closer, no cares about the One Power, "Do not under estimate me girl." His words come menacingly. Is it getting warm in here? His breath is certainly coming closer to you as the fire burns deep within his eyes, "I've killed before." So emotionless do his words come that they seem but a dream, or somehow misspoken, "And cared not a whip about who died."

Lanta snaps, "Kelsyn, don't be such a bloody infernal /jerk/. Do you even wonder why I came after you?"

"Do you think I -care-?" He snaps back, looking as if he really does not care at this particular moment, "About your petty squabbles, inane conversations, stupid philosophies that mean literally nothing, when you -know- nothing." Kelsyn's eyes continue to glower as he steps closer, not too far away from you now. The question is... what will he do now.

Lanta growls, "Burn you, I've just been trying to be a friend. But oh. I know. I know. You don't want any bloody friendship, I flaming well forgot!"

And forward does he press, attempting to shove Lanta back, perhaps to show her the gravity if her situation, "I want no one in my bloody life. Do you -hear- wench, no one! Especially not one that's tainted by the bloody Dark one himself with her accursed witches powers" Should his shove go through it is rather angered and powerful. Little does he care for Lanta's welfare.

Lanta 's eyes go wide as she goes flying back into the door. Her head rebounds on it with a crack. She rubs at it, all ready nursing one headache, and her eyes go dangerously narrow.

"GET OUT!" Kelsyn yells, his eyes even more dangerous now than before. He is giving the chance for you to recover and do so, despite the fact he just shoved you. Maybe he really doesn't want to kill, though if pushed he will try.

With a mighty force, Kelsyn finds a wall of that "filthy power" lifting him three inches in the air and shoving him back into the opposite wall of the cabin. Not hard enough to knock him out, but hard enough to knock him around. And through it all, Atalanta stands there, her own eyes narrowed and dangerous.

"Ooof" comes from Kelsyn, though if he is phased he does not even look it. "That...." He breathes out sharply, "Was a very bad idea." And a bad feeling about this would be an appropriate term, as it only seems to fuel Kelsyn's anger. Quickly does he gather himself, already in the Void, never leaving it, and move for Lanta once more, "Witch."

Lanta says, "Yes, a Witch! You seemed not to have such a bloody problem with it before!" She rants at him, angrily. "And if you think you big bloody lug, that you can just push me and shove me around and have me /not/ shove back, and if you think I'm going to use my flaming /hands/ to do it when I could barely move you! You take one step further and I'll do it again you big lummox! I happen to actually /care/ about you and if you think that's so /flaming/ inane you can...can...!"

Even at Lanta's words he does not stop, continuing to move forward with a deadly grace, marking his skill from the Tower. Anger moves to calm, though a chilling calm as a dark smile spreads upon his features, "Keep on going then girlie." He speaks, "Keep hitting at me." In a perverse way, maybe... maybe he's hoping he'll get knocked so hard he just wont get back up again, ever. "I can take whatever you throw at me, but know this witch, I do not care about anyone but myself." Still he clings to his insults and himself.

"Oh, so that's why you followed me and listened to my problems, I suppose." Atalanta says, acidly. "It was all a big act. Well. Then if you hate me so much, you prove it. I can't lie. Go ahead. Kill me. I won't stop you." And something about her suddenly indicates a stance of less ready. "If you're so bloody flaming heartless, go right ahead."

To knock her bloody head off, or let it flamin' stay. Decisions, decisions. Twould be a shame to kill such a pretty wench, for that is all Lanta is to him really, just another pretty.... or is it? The maniacal look remains, deadly serious. He cackles faintly, "You don't think I'll do it, do you?" He takes a few threatening steps forward, hands outstretched threateningly. Remember those movies where the men are about to strangle the women?

Lanta stands there. Aes Sedai calm descends on her. She just looks him in the eye, perfectly still, and watches him, waits. Her chin lifts slightly, defiantly. That is her only show of anything but preparedness...for whatever happens.

Kelsyn continues to move forward, his hands outstretched, then something stops him, "Leave." Is all he speaks, eyes not begging or imploring. He turns his back to you as if cutting you out of his line of sight or vision would be enough to just simply make you leave, "I am not going back."

"Oh good." Atalanta says calmly. "Seeing as you're not going to kill me perhaps we'd like to talk about what's eating you. You are perfectly welcome in the Tower. Otherwise, I wouldn't be in here."

Silence greets Lanta's words, much as it did in the courtyard. He's not calm or rational, just has enough sense not to kill senselessly, just yet. He hefts himself onto the cot provided within the ship, closing his eyes against Lanta, closing himself off even further. "Leave." He suggests once more, making it an order this time. "Afore I call the Captain to throw you overboard."

Lanta bursts out laughing.

Quite serious was the Gaidin being, nor does he laugh.

Lanta shakes her head. "The poor captain," she says, dryly. "Caught between an Aes Sedai and a rampaging lion. More than likely it will be our captain that ends up overboard in /that/ struggle. Were you always this stubborn?"

No answer follows, nor does there seem to be a likely aspect of one, silence airing throughout the room once more. Kelsyn is intent on not speaking.

Lanta sits down, leaning against the door which is /still/ tied shut. "All right, I'll wait until you finish pouting, then."

Pouting he is not, though the Aes Sedai might be. Deeply enclosed in the Void does he remain, losing himself to the outside world.

Lanta simply waits him out, not saying another word.

Kelsyn continues to sit in his seat, folding his hands upon his lap. It's almost as if he drifted off... the question is, did he?

Lanta sighs. This not talking is beginning to..."Are you asleep?" she demands. If he isn't he doesn't answer and if he is, of course he won't answer. He's just sitting there quietly, breathing normally, calmly almost. Still, something does not seem right.

Lanta gets a mischievous gleam in her eye, thinking...

Lanta decides to act as if he were asleep. Maybe he'll hear something. "You know," she says from her spot on the floor, shifting around and trying to get comfortable, "I wish I could do something to soothe your hurt. But I can't, not really."

Lanta shakes her head. "I'd like you for my Gaidin. But you've probably figured that out. But I'd never force you to that if it would hurt you more. Don't want to press you into it. But burn it, I do want to be a friend, only you won't let me, will you?"

The Aes Sedai is right about one thing, she can't. There's now way to heal his hurts or his mind, or so he things. Breathe in, breathe out, wax on, wax off, well you get the picture, even if he's not waxing anything. Kelsyn remains still and motionless, as if he himself were the void he has created.

Lanta stands. "All right. I am pretty sure you're awake. So. I'll leave you alone. I've said what I came to say--that I care about you. Don't go off and die." She turns and stares intently on the door. "I'm having the captain put me off at the next port. I'll find my own way home."

Lanta says, "Oh. But I do have one more thing to say. You can't forget your hurts, but you can move on. Its up to you whether or not you do so or whether or not you let it consume you. The fact that you were alive to get back to the Tower in the first place says you have the strength to make the choice to move on. But, Kelsyn /Gaidin/...do you have the courage?" And with that, the door opens, and she returns to the deck...

As she parts, she hears, "I am -not- a Gaidin" almost defiantly.

Lanta doesn't answer. From above you hear her ringing voice, "Captain, I would appreciate if you would let me off at the next town. I've nothing more to do here. No, you may keep the gold."

No movements from below suggests that Kelsyn will be doing the same for you as you did for him, following you. Maybe he is moving on, but not with the Tower, not there.

Eventually, the boat stops.

The boat remains stopped for several long moments. Kelsyn does move outside, out into the fresh air after the long voyage, of wherever it was they've gone. He simply stands there, staring out into the waters of the river, eyeing it with a cold, calm expression. Too calm.

If Atalanta notes Kelsyn and his stare, she doesn't give any indication of it. Head held high, she steps lightly off of the boat...to begin the long journey home. Alone.

Alone, something Kelsyn has been for along time, having lived alone for the past 10-12 years until he joined the Tower once more. Alone. He might just die that way. He looks up and down the deck, where the hands are starting to busily cast off. 'Move on' echoes through his mind. 'Move on'. Well, for Kelsyn there is only one way to move on and stop hurting, to forget. He continues to quietly watch the waters, not even aware of the fact Lanta has left.

Atalanta turns and starts walking, but before the boat starts up again, a streak flies through the air. It misses Atalanta's heart...but not the back of her right thigh, sending her sprawling with a cry of pain and surprise.

The lurking figure contemplating his life turns at the sound of the cry, his eyes quickly scanning the deck for any more violent actions about to be dealt before he moves deftly to Lanta's side. This, of course, still does not change his mind about how he wants to move on, but no need not to help the hurt woman to a place where she can be healed before he ends his hurts.

The boat starts up again with a hurried lurch, and you can hear a great deal of yelling from the deck. Another arrow flies...from the crow's nest, but this lands farther away, on the bank. "Blast it," Atalanta says, clenching her teeth and twisting so as to clamp her hand around her bleeding thigh, tears springing to her eyes.

Choices, decisions, choices, decisions. To stay on board to climb to the crows nest and beat the man to a bloody pulp before jumping, thus leaving Atalanta to her own devices to find help, or, to help Atalanta, thus risk getting shot himself before jumping. "By the Dark ones unborn child ..." He curses out-loud, jumping from the boat and opting to get Lanta to safety instead.

Lanta hardly notices Kelsyn's actions for the moment. Never having been wounded before beyond bumps and scratches, this is a new experience. She grasps the arrow as if about to yank it out of herself without even breaking the shaft.

"Don't even think about it." Kelsyn's voice comes, "You'll bloody hurt yourself even more." He kneels down in front of the Aes Sedai, his back exposed but blocking any other arrows that might get to her.

Lanta gasps, startled. So wrapped up was she in her situation that she didn't even notice Kelsyn. She nods, almost meekly."

"Brace yourself" That's all Kelsyn speaks before he takes his hand about the shaft of the arrow, and braces against her, yanking it out freely and cleanly. Seems he's had some experience in doing this. He did warn it would hurt.

A very quick yelp is what Atalanta lets out before she clamps down on it, going white.

Kelsyn nods his head shortly, looking calmly at Atalanta, "Do you think you can stand so we can get you to a healer?"

"Of course," she grates. And tries to...and promptly that leg crumples out from under her. Apparently it hit her in a bad spot. This produces a string of wagoneer's oaths.

"Of course." Kelsyn speaks wryly, "Here, grab onto my arm" He holds out his arm for Atalanta, "Then put all of your weight into me."

Continuing the cursing for a moment, she takes the arm and does as she is told. She actually doesn't seem to weigh much, for all her height. "Thank you." She says. And then, "I apologize."

"No need for thanks." Kelsyn speaks, not mentioning what he is going to do afterwards. He really didn't want to see herdie, even if he wants to die. Carefully does he make his way through the busy streets. If Lanta even shows signs of tiring he picks her up in his arms as if she were weightless and looks for the healer.

Lanta shakes her head. "Some of what I said was really unfair. Not all of it, but some. Some I also meant every word of. You were going to jump, weren't you?"

"So what if I do?" He didn't say was, he said do. Kelsyn continues to move along the streets until he gets to the healers. He uses one hand to knock on the door.

Lanta frowns. "So what? Because I don't want you to die. That's why I followed you in the first place, because I was afraid you'd do something like that."

"My life is mine to lead, Aes Sedai. Better that it's removed from this world than others die by it's hands." Kelsyn speaks, his words sounding rather rational, even with the insane intent behind them. He waits for the healer to open the door then takes Lanta inside.

Lanta smiles to the healer, but looks rather frustrated. "Yes, it is yours to lead, but burn it Kelsyn, there's a better way."

"Is there?" He counters. Maybe he did listen to part of that class yesterday. "If it includes staying at the Tower I want no part of it." He nods thankfully to the healer then moves to the indicated section and sets Lanta down to be examined, "She was attacked with an arrow on her leg." He announces, then steps away from Lanta to let the healer work.

Lanta bites down on another cry of pain at some of the healer's ministrations, and then demands, "Why? Ow. Why? Because Analee messed around and threw a snowball at you?"

"I have no place there." Kelsyn answers as he watches, keeping his distance, "Should not have returned." His voice holds a firm, vehement note to it.

Lanta says, "You have a place if you want it, and you know it."

"No." Kelsyn speaks, "I do not." He does not look at the Aes Sedai, just the healer. He'll see her through then quietly leave, that's his plan.

Lanta says, "Well, I'm going to ask you once, formally, when you're not laying and meditating or doing whatever it is you--ow! That's a leg, Mistress," she grumbles, "not a bloody side of meat! Whatever it is you do when you are sleeping/not sleeping, and then if you still insist on being stubborn about it, I'm not going to bug you any longer, because it makes me sound stupid and I can't seem to budge you, that's for--burn it, /ow!/ bloody sure. I'd like you to be my Gaidin, which seems like a place to me!"

"You're delirious from your wound and know not what you are talking about Aes Sedai." Kelsyn seems to answer, though he does not deny the request either. "I suggest getting rest and thinking over your irrationalities in the morning."

Lanta snorts rudely. "Delirious, am I? Healer, what say you? Am I delirious?"

The healer just continues on her work, wisely keeping out of the conversation. "You do need rest dear, that would will take a while to heal."

Lanta shoots the healer a glare. "See?" Atalanta says, triumphantly, deciding, as Aes Sedai do, to take refuge in what is /not/ said. "She doesn't think I'm delirious. Besides, I said the same thing in the boat while you were off trying your best to get into Tel'Aran'Rhiod as if you were Corianin Nedeal, and you heard me perfectly well."

"Get into what?" Obviously he knows not what T'A'R is, though he does know the Void magnificently well. "And she did not answer your question either." He points out, having caught that himself.

Lanta says, "All right. I promise I'll sleep on it if /you/ give me your word of /honor/ that you will still be here, alive, and well, in this room, your bloody /oath/...when I wake up...or I refuse to sleep at all..." and she looks at the Healer, "and don't /think/ you can pour some concoction down my throat to make me."

The healer gently pats shoulder, "Oh... I do not think that dear, not at all." Nope, she doesn't think, she knows she will to make certain her patient keeps still during the night.

"I hold no obligations to anyone." Kelsyn seems stubbornly set in his mind, despite the fact the Aes Sedai asked and probably will never ask again.

Lanta shakes her head. "Of course. Silly me." She then lays back on the bed, and rolls over on her side. "Forgive me, Kelsyn, for actually worrying about your welfare. I just haven't got it through my thick head yet that its some sort of crime to care whether or not you want to sneak off in the night and go do yourself in."

"My life is of little consequence, Aes Sedai. I do believe you would be the only one affected if anything ever happened to it." Kelsyn answers back, still not watching Lanta, or at least not seeming to.

Lanta says, "Well, you've hit on it right there. I /would/ be affected." She's not watching /him/ either. She's watching the wall. She takes off her glasses and rubs at her eyes.

Silence marks the moment once more, though this sort of silence is different. Can it be the Ice King has a real heart in there somewhere, beneath all that Void?

Probably. The Ice Queen did, after all. Atalanta shoves an arm under her pillow and makes a grab for the blanket. Missing, she just leaves it there.

After several more long moments of silence Kelsyn finally lets out a long breath of air he's been holding, sighing, "Fine." That's all he says, let her interpret it however she wants.

Lanta smiles at the wall, taking that to mean that, at the very least, he won't kill himself. Then she schools her expression, turning over on the bed and holding her glasses in front of her nose rather than putting them on all the way...which makes her look rather comical, big huge brown orbs suddenly three inches away from her face, her expression quizzical-one eyebrow lifted. The whole effect is either cute or weird or both.

Healer forgotten entirely, the ex-Gaidin moves slowly, deliberately toward Lanta, then kneels. What is he doing? "By the Light and my hope of salvation..." He begins speaking, "and rebirth, I swear to serve you as your Gaidin in whatever way you require for as long as you require, or may the Creator's face turn from me forever and darkness consume my soul." Oh well, that tells it all, having him kneeling there before you, speaking only the strongest oath there can be, punishable by death anywhere should he break it.

Lanta slowly puts her glasses on. Then she smiles. She sits up, also forgetting the poor Healer...and touches her fingertips to her lips. This done, she presses them lightly against Kelsyn's forehead...

Somehow the ex-Gaidin seems to brace himself, already knowing the next part, even though it was so long ago.

And then...she is there, joy and relief traveling down the bond. Her hand stays there a moment longer...and then she removes it.

And brace himself he does, not falling flat on his face like his first time, with Vanessa. He keeps his features carefully constructed, and with it the Void still hiding any emotions it might have. It may take sometime to get used to this bonding thing again. He shakes his head as if to try to clear the nausea of the first few moments, then rights himself on his knees again, silent. No words are needed.

BOND- You can also now feel the throbbing pain behind that wound, despite the numbing poultice slathered all over it.

Kelsyn watches Lanta quietly, though somehow seems to hover over her in a protective manner. Light only knows what will come of this mismatched pairing. "The pain will pass with time." He speaks of the wound, of course, not that of Vanessa, which he keeps carefully hidden by that wall constructed behind the Void; odd how that must feel.

Lanta blinks. "Oh...I'd hardly noticed it, actually."

BOND- Surprise, chagrin.

Lanta says "Well, I mean just now. I noticed it really well when it hit."

"Hurts transmit through the bond," Kelsyn speaks in a softened tone, "Just as much physically as they do emotionally."

Lanta asks, "It doesn't hurt you like its yours, does it?" She seems anxious about this. It seems that she and her previous bond, bad decision that Calderas was, just didn't talk that much.

The ex-Gaidin returned to wardership shakes his head, "Nay, least ways not as much. If you had a worse injury, more like I'd be limping right long with you." A faint pause, "We Gaidin are made of tougher stuff, which is why I think we little rest and heal faster."

"We will see about getting a boat back upstream" Kelsyn speaks, "So you can rest and not have to worry about opening that wound again."

Lanta smiles and nods. Her customary courtesy has her opening her mouth to say thank-you, but then she just grins, amused at the thought that Kelsyn never has been too happy about those two words, and he can feel the sentiment just as well. "I don't know why that fellow was shooting at me in the first place." Her irritation at /that/ would be loud and clear even /without/ the bond. "I didn't do a thing to him, and his Captain got plenty of gold."

"Too much gold tends to make one greedy, or others stand out." Kelsyn speaks out to his new Ward. "Not to mention your ring and my yelling about what you were earlier. Despite what the Tower may think, there are still many who do not like channelers and blame them for everything that goes wrong."

Lanta sighs. "Well, I knew that last, though I hadn't considered the first. Though I'd thought a boat sitting in Tar Valon's own harbor would have a slightly more enlightened group on it."

"From the Captain, yes... crew members tend to think for themselves however." He gives a faint shrug, "So long as they make no trouble, they have no troubles."

Lanta nods and stifles a yawn. The Healer looks smug. "You slipped me something," she accuses the Healer, though she doesn't really sound angry.

The healer watches placidly, then goes about her business.

Kelsyn continues to linger nearby, watching over his new ward protectively.

Lanta for her part, her mind at ease, slips off into a deep sleep fairly quickly.