Elghin on chores, subservience, and to stay or to go

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Asandra
Posts: 748
Joined: Mon May 13, 2019 11:30 am

Elghin on chores, subservience, and to stay or to go

Post by Asandra » Wed Nov 10, 2021 6:29 am

Log where Asandra Sedai interviews Novice Elghin. Elghin is not yet fully comfortable in the Tower, but she is learning and growing.

Point of view: Asandra
Main character: Elghin

---

Asandra narrates 'Novice Elghin, join me in the Green Ajah Strategy Room as soon as possible.'
Elghin narrates 'Yes, Aes Sedai.'

Strategy Room of the Green Ajah
Tall, arched windows on the east wall offer a view of the Tower Grounds and
the spires and sky bridges which dominate the city of Tar Valon. A few
cushioned chairs have been drawn up to the windows. The other seats in the
room consist of tiered benches carved elaborately with oak leaves and
swords, rising in a semi-circle around a central platform. Each place on
the benches has been marked by a green silk cushion. A large oaken table
for strategic planning stands on the platform, ready for use.
[ obvious exits: W ]
A chair made of red oak rests next to the table. [3]
A long wooden table offers room for patrons.
A silver-haired Aes Sedai sits here, reading.
A Green Sister struts about the halls.
Alanna Mosvani, a tall, slenderly beautiful woman with dark, penetrating eyes stands here.

Asandra sits down and rests her tired bones on a stout oaken chair.

Someone knocks on the door from the other side.
Asandra bellows 'Come in please!'

The door is opened from the other side.

Elghin has arrived from the west.
Elghin closes the door.

Asandra nods in agreement.

smi Elghin
Asandra smiles at her.

Elghin curtseys awkwardly to Asandra.

Asandra says 'Could you be a dear and make us some tea?'
Asandra says 'Join me at the table once you have it, please.'

Elghin says 'You asked to see me, Aes- Yes Aes Sedai.'
Elghin dips her head and ducks back out of the study.

Elghin opens the door.
Elghin leaves west. <<

Strategy Room of the Green Ajah
Tall, arched windows on the east wall offer a view of the Tower Grounds and
the spires and sky bridges which dominate the city of Tar Valon. A few
cushioned chairs have been drawn up to the windows. The other seats in the
room consist of tiered benches carved elaborately with oak leaves and
swords, rising in a semi-circle around a central platform. Each place on
the benches has been marked by a green silk cushion. A large oaken table
for strategic planning stands on the platform, ready for use.
[ obvious exits: W ]
A chair made of red oak rests next to the table. [3]
A long wooden table offers room for patrons.
A silver-haired Aes Sedai sits here, reading.
A Green Sister struts about the halls.
Alanna Mosvani, a tall, slenderly beautiful woman with dark, penetrating eyes stands here.

A White Sister has arrived from the west.

You tell Elghin 'And, eh, I usually expect people to emote making tea while having smalltalk'
You tell Elghin 'But this is also fine!'
Elghin tells you 'Why have it one way when you can have it both? What Novice is just going to *happen* to have the fixings for tea handy? Like milk, sugar, or honey?'
You tell Elghin '*gestures to her luxurious Strategy Room'
You tell Elghin 'What strategy room does not have tea requirements? And Kaf to boot!'

Elghin has arrived from the west.

grin Elghin
Asandra grins at her.

Asandra says 'Please close the door, to give us some privacy.'
Asandra says 'Even though the Whites have decided to join us'

Asandra winks suggestively at a White Sister.

Asandra gestures with her hand.
The door swings silently and shuts with a click.

Asandra shrugs.

Elghin clears her throat as she re-enters the strategy room and curtseys awkwardly while carrying the platter of tea-fixings from the kitchen. *Somehow* she manages to balance all of this and toe the door closed again.
Asandra whistles appreciatively.

nod Elghin
Asandra nods at her.

Asandra says 'You took your time, but it smells good, please have a seat.'
Asandra gestures to the chair available
Elghin sits down on a stout oaken chair.

Strategy Room of the Green Ajah
Tall, arched windows on the east wall offer a view of the Tower Grounds and
the spires and sky bridges which dominate the city of Tar Valon. A few
cushioned chairs have been drawn up to the windows. The other seats in the
room consist of tiered benches carved elaborately with oak leaves and
swords, rising in a semi-circle around a central platform. Each place on
the benches has been marked by a green silk cushion. A large oaken table
for strategic planning stands on the platform, ready for use.
[ obvious exits: W ]
A chair made of red oak rests next to the table. [3]
A long wooden table offers room for patrons.
Elghin the Wearied Novice is sitting here on a stout oaken chair.
A woman with an ageless face stands here.
A White Sister walks by, deep in thought.
A silver-haired Aes Sedai sits here, reading.
A Green Sister struts about the halls.
Alanna Mosvani, a tall, slenderly beautiful woman with dark, penetrating eyes stands here.

Asandra smiles happily.


Asandra puts away her notebook and inspects Elghin thoroughly.
Asandra nods in agreement.

Elghin settles the tray on the table and pours two cups of steaming water from the kettle and filling a pair of metal tea-balls, setting one closer to Asandra first, along with the cream, honey, and sugar servers, and leaving her own for last.

Asandra says 'Could you tell me about your time here a bit, child?'
Asandra picks up her cup of tea and smiles a bit at all the sweet stuff she never uses.
Asandra blows off some steam from the tea and take a sip, letting out a quiet "Ahhhh" after.

Elghin furrows her brow briefly before schooling her expression back into neutrality. "What would you like to know? Forgive me, but... Most don't often stop to chat except to pawn off chores that need done or that they don't want."

Asandra chuckles politely.
Asandra nods in agreement.

Asandra says 'Us Aes Sedai'
Asandra says 'Always so busy.'

Asandra lets out a soft "PFAH".

Asandra says 'While we have more time than most.'
Asandra says 'I am interested in your chores, how you like the life here in Tar Valon and how you feel you are progressing.'
Asandra says '3 things, thus.'

Asandra sips some more tea, picks up her notebook to take some notes while listening.

Elghin withdraws the tea-ball from her cup and sets it in a spare cup on the tray, though she doesn't drink from it quite yet. "Well... Sheriam Sedai's tasks kept me busy enough trawling through the tower and earning myself plenty of stares trying to find... Things..."

Elghin thinks hard.

Asandra says 'Things'
Asandra says 'What 'Things' have you found, and did you do all of Sheriam's task already?'

Elghin says hesitantly "... Yes... Laras' broom, dirty laundry... That... F- ferret..." Her eye twitches at the mention of the ferret. Either it was a source of frustration, or she was about to say something *very* impolite about it before nodding to Asandra. "Yes, I finished Sheriam's tasks."

Asandra chuckles softly.
Asandra ticks off "Sheriam Sedai's tasks" in her notebook.

Elghin says 'I've enjoyed working in the library... though, I don't think the Librarians appreciate my... "Bloody Aielwoman run" to keep the books properly shelved.'

Asandra grins evilly.
Asandra nods in agreement.
Asandra says 'The Browns, they are not used to anything that moves faster than... a book?'

Asandra notes Elghin's general fitness and writes down in her notebook "In good shape".

Elghin grumbles quietly to herself before picking up her tea and sipping at it with a neutral expression. "At least I haven't crashed into any of the shelves... Though, I did learn that going barefoot in the library gives me better grip on the floor."

Asandra writes down, "More green soap required".
Asandra seems to like anything that's Green. Odd.
Asandra nods in agreement.

Asandra says 'Ok, chores you have done - that's good. How is your life here in general?'
Elghin purses and licks her lips a moment, giving some genuine thought before she opens her mouth to answer.

Asandra says 'I can imagine it's a bit... different... for you?'
Elghin nods in agreement.

Elghin says 'I... Understand the chores... And have learned to agree with them to a point... But... If I may speak frankly?'

Asandra says 'You may.'
Asandra gestures around, implying something... not sure what.
Asandra says 'We green are also considered the most frank of Ajahs.'
Asandra says 'Only slightly less blunt than the Red.'

Elghin says 'I... Dislike the lack of actual exercise and have had to sneak out to the practice yard after the Warders finish their training to get any *real* exercise.'
Asandra chuckles politely.

nod Elghin
Asandra nods at her.

Asandra says 'The Island can be restraining for some.'

Elghin says 'Running from place to place is one thing, but there is no... *Physical* discipline. Too much focus on the mind makes the body soft.'

Asandra nods in agreement.
Asandra says 'Yes, some sweat never hurt anyone.'
Asandra says 'I shall make a note of this.'
Asandra says 'Though I can inform you that Sheriam Sedai also knows a thing or two on Physical Discipline.'

Asandra chuckles politely.
Asandra says 'But you haven't met that side of her yet, I guess.'

Asandra says 'Ok, how do you feel you are progressing so far?'
Asandra says 'More specifically - do you feel you are ready for the Arches?'

Elghin wrinkles her nose in distaste. "Physical *reprimands* are not the same. Not here in the Wetlands, not back home in the Three-Fold Lands.

Asandra says 'Reprimands, yes. It seems the manner of learning is different all over the world.'
Elghin furrows her brow for a moment, finally letting her neutral expression slip. "I do not feel I can answer that question, Aes Sedai. I haven't heard mention of any 'Arches' and can't give you an honest answer. Could you explain?

Asandra says 'Well, child, I thought this would be in the handbook given to each new Novice. Have you not received one?'
Asandra writes something down in her notebook.

Asandra stops resting, and stands up.
Asandra walks over to the bookshelves.
Asandra grabs a handbook off the shelf.
Asandra sits down and rests her tired bones on a stout oaken chair.
Asandra gives Elghin the handbook.

Elghin frowns. "I-" She stops, sitting upright in her chair. "To tell you the truth, Aes Sedai, I was brought to the Tower against my will, humiliated, put in Gai'shain white, and told to 'civilize myself,' more or less."

Asandra frowns a second, and notes in her notebook "Interesting case".

Asandra says 'You seem civilized enough, also you are free to go as soon as you've learned how to not kill yourself and others on accident with the One Power.'
Asandra says 'This is also in the handbook I believe.'

Elghin says 'I like to think I have been at least moderately successful in doing so, even if the... 'curtsey' is still awkward.'

Asandra says 'The essence of an Aes Sedai is not in the ability to curtsy.'
Asandra says 'Though I wonder why you are so fit and great with anything physical'
Asandra says 'But you can not manage a simple bending of the knees.'

Asandra says 'Nothing wrong with your balance, or is there?'

Elghin smiles wryly. "Acts of subservience don't come naturally to the Aiel."

Asandra says 'Subservience and showing respect are two different things.'
Asandra says 'Do you not respect your tribe chief?'
Asandra says 'Or your Wise Ones?'

Elghin inclines her head, conceding the point to Asandra. "We do. But we don't bend the knee. I take your point, Aes Sedai."

Asandra says 'From what I hear and have seen, the Wise One apprentices however they are called, also seem to jump when a Wise One speaks.'
Elghin dips her head and chuckles to herself. "That explains the dream then."

Asandra frowns.
Asandra says 'I'm sorry, you lost me - the Dream? Could you elaborate?'

Elghin says 'I had a dream a few nights past, one of the Taardad Wise Ones told me my place needed to be here.'
Asandra ponders this a bit.

Elghin says 'Which one, I don't know. Her face was... shrouded.'

Asandra says 'Interesting, do you often see them in your dreams? And do you believe this was a true message?'
Asandra says 'And with here, do you mean Tar Valon, or the Aiel Waste?'
Asandra stops firing off questions and leans back.

Elghin furrows her brow, her eyes going distant as though trying to remember the details of the dream.
Elghin says 'Here in the Tower. I was...'
Elghin clears her throat. "Uhm. Doing the dishes and cursing the waste of water when she appeared behind me."

comf Elghin
Asandra comforts her.
Asandra says 'Still doing dishes in your dreams? Maybe we push the Novices a bit too hard.'

Elghin chuckles politely.
Elghin says 'More I think that it takes a lot more dishes done than books shelved in the library for Laras to show any notice of your work.'

Elghin snickers softly.

nod Elghin
Asandra nods at her.

Asandra says 'It's a better way to learn, and time spent better in my opinion.'
Asandra says 'Back to your dream - what did you take from it?'
Elghin says 'Comparatively between when I had the dream and just now?'

Asandra says 'Well, how does it influence your feelings about being in the White Tower as Novice and your future plans?'
Asandra says 'As I said, we do not hold woman captive here. You're free to leave when you want.'
Asandra says 'I believe you have been trained enough in the One Power to not hurt yourself or others on accident.'
Asandra says 'So staying now, is a choice of your own.'

Elghin furrows her brow. "Truthfully?"

Asandra nods in agreement.
Asandra says 'Nothing but the truth.'
Asandra says 'It is our main oath.'

Elghin takes a deep breath and exhales slowly before speaking calmly. "Your training methods are... As you yourself have at least partially touched upon, greatly different than those in the Three-Fold Lands. But, I've learned that different... lands, require different methods. They work, but I feel here is room for improvement, but that's my opinion."

Asandra nods in agreement.
Asandra says 'It's always a work in progress, none of us are perfect in any way.'
Asandra says 'I believe there are Sisters dedicated to improving the system.'

Elghin says '"If I stay of my own free will *now,* then I would stay and see this path through to the end. To the..."'
Elghin furrows her brow. "You call it the Shawl?"

Asandra says 'The Shawl.'
Asandra nods in agreement.

Asandra says 'Though that is not the end.'
Asandra says 'I'd like to see it as a new beginning.'
Asandra says 'As Accepted and especially as Aes Sedai, you can help improve the system.'
Asandra says 'Be part of the solution.'

Elghin inclines her head to Asandra.

Asandra says 'I have a suggestion. You study the handbook, to learn how it is now and what can be improved.'
Asandra says 'Then I shall speak with you soon again and you give me 2 points we can improve - for Novices.'
Elghin nods in agreement.

Asandra says 'With regards to Accepted, we shall come to that at a later time, once you have experience there.'
Elghin nods in agreement.

Asandra says 'Also, I shall ask you more on your practice with weaves the next time.'
Elghin nods in agreement.

Asandra thanks Elghin heartily.
Asandra stops resting, and stands up.

Elghin says 'If asked, I would accept the challenge of the Arches.'

smi Elghin
Asandra smiles at her.
Asandra nods in agreement.
Asandra says 'I shall put it forward and we shall see soon enough.'
Asandra says 'Off you go now!'

Elghin nods to Asandra before collecting empty cups and servers, gathering them all back to the tray.

Asandra says 'And thank you for the exchange, I learned something.'
Asandra says 'Or did you have anything else to discuss, Novice Elghin?'

Elghin inclines her head toward Asandra, dipping into a curtsey with a "Thank you, Aes Sedai."

Asandra notes the improved curtsy and can't help but smile a little.
Asandra inclines her head in greeting to Elghin.

Elghin says 'I did not, no. I thank you for your time, Aes Sedai.'
Elghin inclines her head again and quietly dips out of the room.

Nevirha
Posts: 764
Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2017 8:24 pm

Re: Elghin on chores, subservience, and to stay or to go

Post by Nevirha » Sun Nov 28, 2021 3:27 pm

Awarded:

Asandra: 3 qps for log, +1 for editing, +1 for summary
Elghin: 3 qps for log

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