Raeza says 'Things do change very quickly, particularly when you are young.'

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Lexiane
Posts: 23
Joined: Wed Jul 27, 2022 10:40 pm

Raeza says 'Things do change very quickly, particularly when you are young.'

Post by Lexiane » Wed Aug 03, 2022 7:58 pm

Summary: Novices Lexiane and Tigiria independently approach Raeza Sedai about topics related to the White Ajah. An impromptu lesson on hypotheticals and thought experiments breaks out, where Lexiane attempts to aid Raeza in her explanations. Tigiria has a revelation about the nature of change.

Main characters: Tigiria, Lexiane, Raeza

Rp-lizered and lightly edited

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Raeza bellows 'Did one of you girls knock?'

Lexiane bellows 'I did, Aes Sedai!'

Lexiane hustles to the White Ajah's Hall of Inferences

Hall of Inferences of the White Ajah
[ obvious exits: N ]
Zone: White Tower Upper Floors
Door north: door
A chair made of red oak rests next to the table. [2]
Lady Raeza Dovoros is standing here.
A silver-haired Aes Sedai sits here, reading.
A White Sister walks by, deep in thought.
Carlinya Sedai stands here, pale of skin and cold of manner as the white fringe on her shawl.

Lexiane curtseys before Raeza,

Raeza nods in agreement.

Lexiane says 'Apologies for leaving, Aes Sedai'

Raeza says 'You wish to see me, child?'

Lexiane says 'I did not mean to disturb you, Aes Sedai'

Raeza says 'I had thought for a moment someone was playing a prank.'

Raeza looks at you sternly.

Lexiane stands demurely before you. Well, as demurely as she can with a clean shaven head.

Lexiane says 'Not I, Aes Sedai.'

Someone knocks on the carveddoor from the other side.

Lexiane says 'I knocked and waited but with no reply I went to see the silver-haired Aes Sedai.'

Raeza opens the carveddoor.

Tigiria has arrived from the north.

Hall of Inferences of the White Ajah
The oval room is entirely filled by a single immense table, ornately
carved chairs with white leather cushions placed around it at equidistant
intervals. Behind each chair sits a large blackboard, smeared with chalk
dust accumulated over many years. Slender soaring windows pierce the high
walls, stretching to the distant ceiling. A large arch to the north leads
out of the chamber, heavy wooden doors swinging on cast-iron hinges.
[ obvious exits: N ]
Zone: White Tower Upper Floors
Door north: door
A chair made of red oak rests next to the table. [2]
Tigiria al'Raln, Wearied Novice is standing here.
Lady Raeza Dovoros is standing here.
A silver-haired Aes Sedai sits here, reading.
A White Sister walks by, deep in thought.
Carlinya Sedai stands here, pale of skin and cold of manner as the white fringe on her shawl.

Tigiria closes the carveddoor.

Tigiria curtseys gracefully.

Raeza nods in agreement.

Tigiria stops using a bladed feather staff.

Raeza says 'Hello, child.'

Raeza stops using a yew staff.

Tigiria leans her staff on the wall by the door.

Tigiria says 'Hello, Aes Sedai.'

Lexiane peers interestedly at the chalkboards around the room as Tigiria makes her entrance.

Raeza puts some papers away into a chest.

Raeza says 'I was just doing a bit of reading.'

Raeza sits down on a stout oaken chair.

Lexiane says 'Ah, I like to read, Aes Sedai.'

Lexiane says 'I do not enjoy shelving the books very much, but I do like to read them.'

Tigiria says 'Elmitsu is teaching me to read!'

Lexiane smiles proudly at Tigiria.

Tigiria says 'She gave me this book about Jain.'

Raeza says 'Have you come for some reason, girls, or just to gawk and chatter?'

Tigiria shows a well read book to Raeza.

Raeza taps her foot.

Lexiane blushes a deep red.

Tigiria shoves the book in her pack.

Tigiria looks over at Lexiane.

Lexiane says 'I came to ask about the mission of the White Ajah, Aes Sedai, and your own work.'

Raeza nods in agreement.

Lexiane says 'I do not know why Tigiria came, Aes Sedai.'

Tigiria says 'I had a silly question about time but I am also interested in those things, Aes Sedai.'

Raeza nods slowly.

Raeza says 'Well I am always pleased to educate girls about the White.'

Raeza looks back and forth between you.

Raeza says 'What do you know about our Ajah already, girls?'

Lexiane says 'I know that the White Ajah is devoted to philosophy and the pursuit of truth.'

Carlinya Sedai glares icily at Lexiane, she feels cold to her bones.

Lexiane blanches under Carlinya's gaze.

Raeza says 'You have something to say, sister?'

Raeza looks at Carlinya Sedai.

Tigiria looks over at Carlinya with some confusion but drops her gaze to the floor quickly.

Raeza shrugs helplessly.

Lexiane says 'I hope that I did not offend, Aes Sedai.'

Lexiane shuffles her feet.

Raeza says 'Yes, those are two of the things that we devote ourselves to. Anything else?'

Raeza says 'She is touchy sometimes.'

Tigiria says 'The White Ajah deals with issues that are a little more esoteric, and considers a lot of things before they happen in the world?'

Tigiria says 'Also Seaine was telling me a little bit about meditation and finding some sort of inner calm.'

Raeza says 'What do you mean by considering things "before they happen"?'

Raeza looks at Tigiria.

Lexiane says 'I have heard it said that some White Aes Sedai are interested in mathematics and use such skills to predict events.'

Tigiria says 'Well, like, instead of having the experience of having a thing, thinking about the experience of the thing and considering how best to react.'

Tigiria says 'She also mentioned a textbook about um, outcomes?'

Raeza says 'Perhaps you are referring to thinking of hypotheticals?'

Tigiria says 'Oh that's a mouthful. Does that mean something that hasn't happened yet?'

Lexiane watches the exchange, clearly hanging on Raeza's every word.

Raeza says 'It means considering something that could happen, given some precise occurrence of events.'

Raeza says 'We are not fortune tellers, child.'

Tigiria tries out 'hy-po-thet-i-cal' very quietly to herself.

Raeza says 'But, hypotheticals can indeed be useful.'

Lexiane nods her bald head in comprehension.

Raeza says 'Tigiria, I asked you to clarify your words a moment ago.'

Raeza says 'Why did I do that?'

Tigiria says 'Umm, so I would say more words, and hopefully say the ones that helped you understand what I was trying to say?'

Raeza tilts her head back and forth a bit.

Raeza says 'It is on the right track. It is about precision.'

Lexiane gets a sheet of paper from a belt pack.

Raeza says 'In order to evaluate an argument, we must first be sure that we understand precisely what it is saying.'

Lexiane begins taking notes.

Lexiane says 'Sarinda Sedai tasked me with such a hypothetical, Aes Sedai. To help me understand how to interact better with Accepted Mariah, Aes Sedai.'

Lexiane says 'A thought experiment, Aes Sedai.'

Raeza nods in agreement.

Raeza says 'And what was this hypothetical'

Lexiane says 'To follow the path using reason and see where we ended up, Aes Sedai.'

Lexiane's cheeks are burning.

Lexiane says 'She asked me to imagine myself an Aes Sedai, Aes Sedai.'

Lexiane says 'Sitter for the White Ajah.'

Raeza nods slowly.

Lexiane says 'And that I had committed some grave error that Sarinda Sedai knew about.'

Lexiane says 'And she asked why she might not publicly expose the error.'

Tigiria looks sidelong at Lexiane.

Lexiane says 'I gave her several reasons why she may not, Aes Sedai.'

Tigiria sips from the goblet.

Raeza says 'Do you care to share them, child?'

Lexiane says 'Of course, Aes Sedai.'

Lexiane says 'The first possible reasoning was that she wished to use that knowledge later, Aes Sedai.'

Lexiane says 'As leverage in future negotiations, Aes Sedai.'

Lexiane says 'Another reason was that she may wish to not offend me and harm our relationship in the Hall, Aes Sedai.'

Raeza nods slowly.

Lexiane says 'Another reason, Aes Sedai, could have been that Sarinda Sedai and I were friends.'

Lexiane says 'And she did not wish to offend her friend.'

Raeza nods in agreement.

Lexiane says 'Sarinda Sedai proposed that if she had an apprentice who was up for a vote soon, she may not wish to generate ill will.'

Lexiane says 'And I also thought that such a public disclosure could be unkind, Aes Sedai, and perhaps she would just wish to be kind.'

Raeza holds up a finger.

Lexiane pauses immediately.

Tigiria watches the conversation with the intermittently furrowed brow of contemplation.

Raeza says 'Could you explain to Tigiria why this is a hypothetical?'

Lexiane says 'Yes, Aes Sedai.'

Lexiane turns to Tigiria.

Tigiria blinks and snaps her attention to the other novice.

Lexiane says 'Hypothetical is first related to the word hypothesis.'

Lexiane says 'Do you know what a hypothesis is?'

Lexiane runs a hand over her bald head.

Lexiane says 'Of course you do not, I am sorry Tigiria!'

Tigiria looks momentarily distressed but tries to mask her expression.

Lexiane says 'Let me back up.'

Tigiria says 'What is a hypothesis, Lexiane?'

Lexiane says 'A hypothesis is a possible explanation for something you do not yet know.'

Tigiria reaches one arm for the other and holds it tightly under the dress.

Lexiane says 'For example, if I ask you what would happen if I threw a frog in the air, what do you say would happen?'

Tigiria says 'The frog would fall back down?'

Tigiria says 'Or if you had a good weave maybe you could get it to float for a second.'

Tigiria smiles a little dully.

Lexiane says 'Exactly, you would say the frog would fall back down.'

Lexiane says 'That is a hypothesis!'

Lexiane says 'Because you are not SURE the frog would fall.'

Raeza offers a slight smile.

Lexiane says 'What if the frog was actually a bird, painted to look like a frog?'

Lexiane says 'Or if it was an illusion made of air!'

Lexiane smiles happily.

Tigiria says 'Then it wouldn't be a frog?'

Tigiria says 'Did you paint the bird?'

Lexiane says 'What?'

Lexiane runs a hand over her bald head.

Lexiane says 'Ok.'

Lexiane says 'That was an example.'

Lexiane says 'But your belief was a hypothesis!'

Lexiane says 'And you could test it or not.'

Lexiane says 'It is something unproven that you believe would happen.'

Lexiane says 'Now, a hypothetical.'

Tigiria trails off a 'It would be imprecise to call a bird a frog...'

Tigiria looks back at Lexiane.

Tigiria says 'I think I see.'

Lexiane says 'Is a proposed idea that we are then exploring to see if it makes sense or not.'

Lexiane says 'It is a thing that does not exist, just as the idea of that frog falling does not yet exist'

Lexiane says 'But we use it to explore an idea!'

Tigiria says 'Like in a story.'

Raeza nods in agreement.

Lexiane says 'It is a tool to help us understand situations or ideas.'

Lexiane says 'Exactly!'

Lexiane says 'A story!'

Raeza says 'In fact, the moment she says "Imagine there is a frog thrown into the air..."'

Lexiane grins evilly.

Raeza says 'We are entering a hypothetical.'

Lexiane says 'That's a hypothetical!'

Raeza looks around the room.

Lexiane nods vigorously.

Raeza says 'There is no frog in the air.'

Raeza says 'We are considering a possibility, but not a true condition at this moment.'

Raeza says 'Does that make sense, Tigiria?'

Tigiria squeezes her own arm and lets out a hopefully quiet but tense breath.

Tigiria says 'I...think so? '

Lexiane says 'May I offer another example, Aes Sedai?'

Raeza nods in agreement.

Lexiane looks to Raeza eagerly.

Raeza says 'Yes, you may.'

Lexiane nods in agreement.

Lexiane says 'Tigiria, when you have thought about the best way to do your chores.'

Lexiane says 'Have you sat down and considered how to approach them as quickly as possible? As easily as possible?'

Lexiane says 'What would be the most fun way to do them all?'

Tigiria says 'I suppose I've thought about the best way to occupy my mind while doing them.'

Lexiane smiles happily.

Tigiria says 'Which is to say I um, enter hypothetical situations while my body performs actions?'

Tigiria bites her lip nervously.

Lexiane giggles.

Lexiane says 'I think that you could!'

Lexiane says 'If you imagine yourself doing something, think through what you would do in that situation.'

Tigiria nods in agreement.

Lexiane says 'What have you imagined yourself doing?'

Tigiria says 'Well, I imagined myself walking through a Stedding this morning, after I took a lesson with the Yellow Sister.'

Lexiane says 'And do you imagine any choices you might make in that Stedding?'

Tigiria says 'And I thought about the trees that I've seen and also the trees on the frieze that Everesta Sedai showed me and they were there too.'

Lexiane nods in agreement.

Lexiane says 'Well, imagining being somewhere is not exactly the same as a hypothetical'

Lexiane says 'But if an Ogier Elder approached you and asked you to help settle a dispute.'

Lexiane says 'About an old waygate in their Stedding.'

Lexiane says 'Some want to brick it up, others want to leave it, and more want to try and destroy it.'

Tigiria says 'That would be folly, waygates are very important.'

Lexiane says 'What would you think about when answering their request?'

Lexiane nods in agreement.

Lexiane says 'That's a hypothetical!'

Raeza look back and forth between the girls.

Lexiane says 'You were thinking through a situation that does not exist yet!'

Tigiria says 'Did you know they were built by --'

Tigiria drops her voice.

Tigiria says '-- men who could channel?'

Raeza nods approvingly.

Raeza says 'Very well said, Lexiane.'

Raeza says 'Now, I have a question for you Tigiria.'

Tigiria looks between the two of you, a little surprised.

Lexiane beams at Raeza's praise.

Tigiria says 'Yes Aes Sedai.'

Raeza says 'Earlier, Lexiane was explaining the hypothetical that Sarinda asked her to consider, being a White Ajah Sitter. Quite a daring hypothetical for a Novice to consider, if I might say so, but that is beside the point.'

Lexiane blushes.

Raeza says 'What value might there be, Tigiria, in considering such a hypothetical?'

Tigiria says 'Well, like you said, Sarinda Sedai um, proposed a very complicated hypothetical.'

Tigiria says 'Which to imagine it would require like, a lot of details and considerations and things outside of what Lexiane has ever experienced.'

Raeza says 'Very good.'

Raeza offers a slight smile.

Tigiria says 'Like Lexiane may have a full head of hair again before she's even close to there. That's forever from now.'

Tigiria says 'And also she'd have to have done a lot of very important things.'

Tigiria stops herself.

Lexiane's cheeks are burning.

Raeza allows a quick glance at Lexianes hair, and a slight grin.

Raeza says 'That was a very good point. It allows Lexiane to consider something that, first of all...'

Raeza says 'she may have little personal experience with.'

Lexiane blushes an even deeper shade of red.

Raeza says 'In other words, something that is not real.'

Raeza says 'And secondly, ...'

Raeza says 'It allows a fairly complex scenario to be made more concrete, with precise assumptions and parameters.'

Raeza says 'It is often easier to discuss what would happen in a specific concrete scenario than something that is left highly abstract.'

Raeza says 'Or ill defined.'

Lexiane nods in agreement, her face thoughtful.

Tigiria says 'I agree, Aes Sedai.'

Tigiria says 'I feel like I barely have my feet on the ground as it is some days.'

Raeza says 'Imagine for a moment.... Ooo a hypothetical.'

Raeza offers a slight smile.

Tigiria smiles and releases her grip on her arm..

Lexiane grins evilly.

Raeza says 'Imagine for a moment a White Sitter were speaking in the Hall.'

Raeza says 'If she proclaims, "IT MUST BE X."'

Raeza says 'That is more difficult to debate in a helpful way than if she says "Let us assume A. A means B. B means C is true. And C therefore implies X.'

Tigiria reaches back for her arm for a second before stopping herself.

Raeza says 'This is why it can be helpful to use hypotheticals, and why it is important to clearly define the assumptions and parameters in an argument you are making.'

Tigiria instead holds one hand in the other behind her back and sticks her chest out.

Raeza says 'Am I boring you, child?'

Tigiria blinks and shakes her head vehemently.

Tigiria says 'No it just...sometimes takes me a little longer.'

Lexiane finishes writing her note with an elaborate "implies X" then turns to Raeza again.

Raeza nods in agreement.

Lexiane says 'I am having an excellent time, Aes Sedai.'

Raeza says 'Lexiane please finish your story.'

Lexiane runs a hand over her bald head.

Lexiane says 'I am not sure which story, Aes Sedai.'

Tigiria mouths 'parameters' to herself.

Lexiane says 'Was it of the conversation with Sarinda Sedai?'

Raeza says 'Indeed it was.'

Lexiane says 'Ah.'

Lexiane squares her shoulders.

Raeza motions Lexiane to continue.
.
Lexiane says 'The hypothetical was to highlight how I could have better engaged with Accepted Mariah after our disagreement, or my sense of her having a faulty sense of the rules of the handbook.'

Lexiane says 'By my being too quick to dismiss and, perhaps, ridicule her, I was harming a possible relationship before it ever began.'

Raeza nods slowly.

Tigiria smirks briefly.

Lexiane says 'And there were consequences to my behavior.'

Lexiane says 'I was brought to Damena Sedai and given a stern talking to and some particularly bad chores, Aes Sedai.'

Lexiane says 'And then of course, I put myself against Accepted Mariah. Should she have wished it, she could have made my life very difficult, Aes Sedai.'

Lexiane says 'And there was no reason for me to do those things over a small disagreement with a literal understanding of the rules, Aes Sedai.'

Raeza nods slowly.

Lexiane says 'That was the point of Sarinda Sedai's thought experiment, to help me understand how I had created a situation with consequences that I could have avoided easily.'

Raeza says 'Can I share some words of wisdom with you, child?'

Lexiane says 'I would welcome them, Aes Sedai.'

Tigiria's eyes wander to the symbols on the blackboard.

Raeza says 'Some of us in this world, the Tower being no exception, think of things in a much more literal manner than others do. And while there is nothing wrong with that, and indeed it can be a boon to those of us who wander into areas of study like those we focus on in the White, it is worth learning early that many other people do not see the world in that way.'

Lexiane says 'Thank you, Aes Sedai. It took me a bit to figure that out on my own.'

Lexiane's cheeks are burning.

Raeza says 'The thought experiment shared with you by Sarinda will be a good one to keep in your pocket, I dare say.'

Lexiane nods her bald head vigorously.

Raeza looks to Tigiria.

Raeza says 'And you, child? Something seems to have caught your interest.'

Tigiria looks back to Raeza.

Tigiria says 'I -- am just trying to find a pattern in all this, I think.'

Tigiria says 'Why are people literal, Aes Sedai?'

Tigiria says 'It seems so unimaginative.'

Lexiane bites her lip and squints her left eye as she considers Tigiria's question.

Raeza says 'Well, we do not all see the world the same way, child.'

Tigiria says 'Then how can we begin to speak the same language and be precise?'

Tigiria says 'Oh uh, sorry Aes Sedai.'

Raeza says 'Language often has a literal meaning and a more pragmatic meaning.'

Raeza says 'Both can be important.'

Lexiane says 'May I speak, Aes Sedai?'

Raeza looks at Lexiane.

Raeza nods in agreement.

Raeza says 'Go ahead.'

Raeza motions with her hand.

Lexiane says 'Tigiria, this is why we must use hypotheticals and thought experiments to come to a common understanding!'

Tigiria says 'But doesn't that just put more words between us?'

Lexiane says 'While everyone experiences life differently, and those experiences can guide our sense or understanding, it is hypotheticals that help us come to a common understand or cause.'

Lexiane says 'Well, it can have the effect of asking us to remove the things about us that are different.'

Lexiane says 'The parts that see the world in different ways.'

Lexiane says 'Like I am from Andor, my da always told me people from Murandy were thieves and liars.'

Tigiria says 'They are, mostly.'

Lexiane says 'If I believed that, I would believe that everyone there was bad!'

Lexiane says 'Well, if we follow a thought experiment'

Lexiane says 'And think about who makes up a nation, and how many people they are, and how different they all are'

Lexiane says 'We might see that it's silly to paint in such broad strokes about Murandians'

Lexiane says 'So it helps me step outside of what I was taught, what I think I know.'

Tigiria says 'But --- how do you even begin to start accepting or having someone else accept that their definition of Murandy is not yours.'

Lexiane says 'Well, first step is considering the hypothetical!'

Lexiane says 'Then we ask them to follow the path to a better understanding!'

Lexiane is clearly satisfied with her own thinking.

Raeza turns to Tigiria.

Tigiria looks down a second. 'I feel like you've got all these big words now.'

Tigiria rubs her nose.

Lexiane puts her hand on Tigiria's arm.

Raeza says 'It is a good question, child, and it points to an important aspect of debates.'

Raeza says 'Something we are fond of in these quarters.'

Tigiria pulls her arm away.

Lexiane says 'I always had words, Tigiria. It doesn't mean anything. We're still friends.'

Lexiane says 'I just like to think!'

Tigiria looks back and forth between the two of you.

Raeza looks between the girls as she trails off.

Lexiane says 'Sometimes people grow a bit, Tigiria, but they're still the same people. You can imagine how that could happen to me, right?'

Tigiria sniffs quietly and nods.

Raeza says 'Has there been a problem between you two?'

Raeza looks back and forth between the two girls, expressionless.

Lexiane says 'Not to my knowledge, Aes Sedai.'

Tigiria straightens her back and squares her jaw.

Lexiane says 'But I have not been able to spend as much time with Tigiria lately, Aes Sedai.'

Lexiane says 'I have been studying hard, Aes Sedai.'

Tigiria says 'No, Aes Sedai. Everything is okay.'

Lexiane says 'Tigiria is new to Tar Valon, Aes Sedai.'

Raeza looks at Tigiria with a doubtful face.

Tigiria rubs quickly at her eyes.

Tigiria blows out a deep breath.

Raeza says 'Do you feel like Lexiane is advancing too fast, Tigiria?'

Raeza says 'or changing too fast?'

Tigiria says 'No, no, Lexiane has always been the cleverest one.'

Tigiria says 'I'm just afraid --'

Lexiane's cheeks are burning.

Tigiria's voice cracks slightly.

Tigiria says 'That I'm gonna get left behind.'

Tigiria says 'But that's okay, everything has a time I think.'

Lexiane says 'I have just been here longer than you, Tigiria. That's all!'

Tigiria rubs her nose again.

Raeza says 'You have only just arrived, child. Lexiane has been here for quite a while now.'

Raeza says 'I am sure you will achieve just as much, though you must work hard.'

Tigiria says 'Things change very quickly around here, Aes Sedai.'

Raeza says 'Things do change very quickly, particularly when you are young.'

Raeza says 'But as you advance, things will slow down and settle a bit. That, I can assure you, child.'

Tigiria shakes her head in a bit of a weird way and then blows out a deep breath.

Tigiria reaches over for Lexiane's hand.

Lexiane takes Tigiria's hand eagerly.

Lexiane positively beams.

Tigiria says 'I am sorry for being a bother.'

Lexiane says 'It's ok for us to change. I'll keep helping with your reading no matter what.'

Lexiane says 'And there's always more things for me to show you!'

Raeza looks a bit awkward.

Tigiria purses her lips together tightly and nods emphatically.

Raeza awkwardly pats the two of you on the shoulder.

Raeza says 'Do you both feel better?'

Lexiane says 'Thank you, Raeza Sedai. For talking with us.'

Tigiria says 'Yes, Aes Sedai. I'll um...bother you about time maybe another time. Oh and also about how we know we get rewoven.'

Lexiane says 'May we be excused, Aes Sedai? I'd like to help Tigiria with her reading before my chores.'

Raeza nods in agreement.

Tigiria starts following Lexiane.

Lexiane curtseys before Raeza.

Lexiane nudges Tigiria gently.

Raeza says 'Of course, of course. We can finish discussing all of these topics later, girls.'

Tigiria curtseys and then starts talking to Lexiane about 'Balefire! And your thread is removed from the wheel.'

Catisune
Posts: 245
Joined: Wed Jun 24, 2020 2:18 pm

Re: Raeza says 'Things do change very quickly, particularly when you are young.'

Post by Catisune » Fri Aug 12, 2022 10:01 am

RPQPs for Lexiane, Tigiria, and Raeza. See any silver-haired Aes Sedai to 'receive' them.

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