Pick a color, any color! Part 2 (Alyss continues to explore the Ajahs)

A forum to leave your non-sensitive roleplay logs, stories and other roleplay contributions that deal with Tar Valon affairs.
Alyss
Posts: 4
Joined: Wed Dec 08, 2021 4:58 pm

Pick a color, any color! Part 2 (Alyss continues to explore the Ajahs)

Post by Alyss » Sun Feb 20, 2022 3:48 pm

Log session starting at 15:56:51 on Tuesday, 25 January 2022.

Characters:
Accepted Alyss
Nevirha Sedai
Valkner Gaidin (in passing)

Note: minor editorializing for flow and grouping statements/reactions together.

[RP qps already awarded by Nevirha]

------

Meeting Room of the Gray Ajah
Large, leaded glass windows surround the room on all sides, save the
southern where a large doorway leads out into a antechamber. The room
itself is dominated by a large wooden table around which sits at least
fifty matching chairs, something close to a record for the White Tower. In
the middle of the table are an assortment of unused parchments, quill pens
and stoppered ink jars. A small stand off to one side of the room holds a
large number of glass cups and a large pitcher of chilled water. An
inscription in fine lettering is etched upon the windows.
[ obvious exits: E ]
Zone: White Tower Upper Floors
Door east: door
A large round table built from black oak dominates the center of the room.
Lady Nevirha Biandhn is standing here.
A silver-haired Aes Sedai sits here, reading.
A Gray Sister walks here, considering her options.
Annoura Larisen is here, weighing your words.
------

Alyss has arrived from the east.

Nevirha gestures at the doors with her hand.

The door silently swings shut and lock with a soft *click*.

Alyss curtseys before Nevirha.
Alyss curtseys before Annoura Larisen.

Nevirha says 'You asked to speak with me, child?'

Alyss says 'Yes, thank you for agreeing to meet with me, Nevirha Sedai'

Alyss says 'I...I'm trying to learn more about the Ajahs.'

Nevirha says 'What do you know of the Gray already?'

Alyss says 'My main goal is to help other people. I had assumed that meant healing individuals,
but my lessons as a Novice and Accepted have opened my eyes to other possibilities.'

Alyss says 'I now realize that the world as a whole is more complex'

Alyss says 'and that the decisions and policies of those in power can affect hundreds and thousands...'

Nevirha nods her head.

Alyss lifts her eyes slightly.

Alyss says 'I feel like the Gray Ajah understands that best.'

Nevirha says 'Indeed, that is true.'

Nevirha says 'We do put ourselves in a position to know what those in power are thinking and to
affect their decisions to the benefit of mankind, that is true.'

Alyss bites her lip in thought.

Nevirha says 'Did you have any other thoughts on what the Gray Ajah do?'

Alyss says 'I know the Gray are fantastic mediators.'

Nevirha nods in agreement.

Alyss says 'And I know intellectually that mediation requires give-and-take between two parties...but
I'm not sure what that looks like on the grand scale.'

Nevirha says 'The first step to mediating is to listen.'

Alyss nods in agreement.

Nevirha says 'Not just to hear, but to listen to what each party actually wants and needs.'

Nevirha says 'Then ascertaining what each is willing to give up and getting to the bottom of their
true wants and desires.'

Nevirha says 'Why do you think listening is the most important part of mediation, Accepted?'

Alyss frowns in thought.

Alyss says 'I suppose it's often hard to feel like someone is actually listening to you, especially
when people are passionate about the topic and hostile to an opposing view....?'

Nevirha says 'That is part of it. Often, more than anything, people want to be listened to.'

Alyss says 'There is a deep human connection in feeling like someone actually listens to you.'

Alyss says 'So even in matters of State, the individual connection is important....fascinating.'

Alyss ponders life, the universe, and everything.

Someone knocks on the carveddoor from the other side.

Nevirha gestures with her hand.

The door smoothly swings open.

Valkner has arrived from the east.

Nevirha gestures at the doors with her hand.
Nevirha stops using a backpack.

Alyss curtseys before Valkner.

Valkner bows deeply.

Nevirha gives a backpack to Valkner.

The door silently swings shut and lock with a soft *click*.

Nevirha gets a heron-marked greatsword from an embroidered, cotton shoulder bag.
Nevirha gets a bubbling draught from an embroidered, cotton shoulder bag.
Nevirha gets a bubbling draught from an embroidered, cotton shoulder bag.
Nevirha gives a heron-marked greatsword to Valkner.
Nevirha gives a bubbling draught to Valkner.
Nevirha gives a bubbling draught to Valkner.

Nevirha says 'Valkner, we were just discussing why listening is the most important part of
mediation.'

Valkner wields a heron-marked greatsword in a two-handed grip.
Valkner wears a backpack on his back.

Nevirha says 'It is also important because often people do not say what they mean.'

Alyss nods at Nevirha.

Nevirha says 'In truly listening to someone, you may be able to pick up some subtext of what they
want or need, something they may not even be aware of.'

Alyss nods slowly.

Nevirha gestures with her hand.

The door smoothly swings open.
Valkner leaves east.

Alyss says 'that's very true.'

Nevirha gestures at the doors with her hand.
The door silently swings shut and lock with a soft *click*.

Alyss eyes Valkner's exit.

Alyss half-mutters 'especially with men...'

Alyss coughs.

Nevirha smiles kindly at Alyss. 'The Grays do not hold the same sentiment towards men that many of the
other Ajahs do, but they can certainly be bull-headed at times.'

Alyss smiles, slightly, and nods in agreement.

Alyss says 'Perhaps it's a consequence of spending most of my time in Saldaea, Andor, and Tar Valon,
but I feel like the countries ruled by women tend to be more...hospitable.'

Nevirha says 'So why do you think the work of the Gray is important?'

Alyss thinks really hard.

Alyss says 'I believe the most important thing is the help the most people in the fight against the
Shadow....'

Nevirha says 'And where do the Gray fit into that?'

Alyss says 'If countries let petty grievances distract them from the greater good...?'

Alyss frowns.

Nevirha says 'It is the Shadow's will to divide men.'

Alyss nods in agreement.

Nevirha says 'Where we see division and rancour, the Shadow cannot be far.'

Alyss nods, grimly.

Nevirha says 'Take, for instance, Shador Logoth - Aridhol, as it was known.'

Nevirha says 'It was not the Shadow that took Aridhol, but rather divisions between men.'

Nevirha curls her lips, uttering the word 'Mordeth.'

Alyss shivers uncomfortably.

Nevirha says 'But that division did the work of the Shadow even though it was a different evil.'

Alyss nods in agreement.

Nevirha says 'The crumbling of Aridhol led, in part, to the dissolution of the Compact of the Ten
Nations.'

Nevirha says 'Aridhol did not come to the aid of Manetheren.'

Alyss nods in agreement.

Nevirha says 'Here is Tar Valon, one of only a few Amyrlins to be deposed was removed during that
period.'

Nevirha says 'Do you remember her name?'

Alyss says 'Bonwhin Sedai...?'

Nevirha says 'No, though Bonwhin was also deposed.'

Alyss' cheeks are burning.

Nevirha says 'The Amyrlin deposed during the Trolloc Wars was Tetsuan. Do you know her crime?'

Alyss says 'Envy of Ellisande, Queen of Manetheren.'

Nevirha says 'Exactly. When Manetheren called for aid, Tetsuan held back the reinforcements.'

Nevirha says 'Tetsuan's jealousy, coupled with Aridhol's betrayal, led to the eventual loss of the
Light against the forces of the Shadow during the Trolloc Wars.'

Nevirha says 'While some may argue that the forces of the Light did indeed win the Trolloc Wars,
they were so weakened and disjointed, that a win was almost as bad as a loss.'

Nevirha holds up her index finger. 'This is why the Gray Ajah fights for unity - unity here in the
Tower, unity across the world.'

Alyss nods in agreement.

Nevirha says 'Only the Shadow benefits when humans fight each other.'

Alyss thinks really hard.

Alyss says 'You've given me a lot to think about, but could you share what a Gray would do on a typical
day, Nevirha Sedai?'

Alyss says 'I'm wondering how I might fit in....'

Nevirha spreads her hands in front of her. 'A typical day...'

Nevirha says 'It really depends on the Gray, child.'

Nevirha nods towards Annoura.

Nevirha says 'She spends most days attending the Hall of Sitters.'

Alyss nods in agreement.

Nevirha says 'Yukiri who is down the way reads treaties and is our expert in such.'

Nevirha says 'Some of us go into the world to help other nations with needs doing.'

Alyss says 'I suppose it was a naive wish that everyone could be a hero single-handedly stopping
wars....'

Alyss says 'There is a lot more important work than that.'

Nevirha says 'Some of us go north to fight the Shadow and strengthen relationships with the
Borderlanders.'

Alyss nods in agreement.

Nevirha says 'And some do a little of each.'

Nevirha shrugs her shoulders. 'The work of the Gray is as varied as are the needs of men.'

Alyss nods.

Alyss says 'I'm beginning to understand that helping people is a lot more complex and multivaried than
I had once believed.'

Alyss says 'Yet nonetheless necessary.'

Nevirha says 'There are many ways to help people, and I would argue that each Ajah has their own way
of helping.'

Nevirha says 'Some are more obvious than others, but an Aes Sedai is a servant of all.'

Alyss nods in agreement.

Nevirha says 'Servants help others, each in their own way.'

Alyss says 'I think...I think I've been focusing on how *I* could help the most people. But I'm
beginning to see that that's the wrong attitude. I think it's more about how I can use my skills to
support and bolster the most good based upon my abilities.'

Nevirha nods at you.

Nevirha says 'That is a very healthy way to look at it.'

Nevirha says 'What Ajah or Ajahs do you find yourself gravitating towards?'

Alyss says 'I have been mostly leaning towards the Blue, Brown, Gray, and Yellow. But I think I have a
lot more listening and learning to do.'

Nevirha says 'Each Aes Sedai has a bit of every Ajah in us, but we direct our skills towards what is
most beneficial.'

Alyss nods in agreement.

Nevirha says 'I chose the Gray because I believe healing rifts between men must be done before the
Last Battle comes.'

Alyss nods, grimly.

Nevirha says 'In my time in Caemlyn, during the war of succession, I saw how greatly political
divides can affect people.'

Nevirha says 'I vowed to never be part of that, but rather to help bridge divides where I can.'

Alyss nods in agreement.

Nevirha says 'Do you have any other questions for me today, child?'

Alyss pauses, then shakes her head.

Alyss says 'I think you have provided me with all I need to ponder for now. Thank you, Nevirha Sedai.'

Aloisa
Posts: 968
Joined: Tue May 30, 2017 8:24 pm

Re: Pick a color, any color! Part 2 (Alyss continues to explore the Ajahs)

Post by Aloisa » Thu May 12, 2022 6:52 pm

Alyss awarded 4 qps

Nevirha awarded 2 qps

say Receive at a silver-haired aes sedai to receive your merits

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