An uncertain encounter

[verne]

Verne meets a nervous novice who she thinks is worried about the Arches, and tries to scare her. She finds out the issue wasn't about the test but never figures out what it actually was.

Pov: Verne
Participants: Verne, Lona



Lona looks about checking the halls, seeing no Aes Sedai she speaks in the Accepted's
direction. "Accepted, can I talk to you about the arches?

Verne arches her brow, then looks around as well. "You know you are not
supposed to talk about those. You are still asking about them?"

Lona dips her head in a quick nod. "They said I could not ask about what happens. I
want to ask how you knew you were ready. I have been getting looks from the Aes Sedai
lately, I think they might be considering me.."

Verne says 'well then.'

Verne grins with a predatory gleam,
"In that case have you ever attempted to channel while distracted?"


Lona thinks about her past and closes her eyes trying to banish it from her mind. "In
a different life, yes."


Verne says 'you should be ready to weave intricate flows even while water is dripping on
your forehead for hours'

You say 'you should be ready to maintain strict discipline and poise while a hundred
rats crawl over your body.'

You say 'you should be able to weave air to guide a thread through the eye of a
needle while maintaining a full conversation.'

Verne asks, "do you think you are able to do that?"


Lona says 'I do not doubt my ability to channel, only what my mind can create. The
past was not kind to me and I do not know if I would survive it again.'


Verne continues, with a bit less enthusiasm than before, "You will need to
be ready to face the unimaginable to make it through the arches intact, if you could
not face what you have been through already how can you expect to face your worst
fears?"

Lona says 'I question it, Accepted. Though I wonder if it is not fear of that, but
fear of succeeding and what comes next?'

Verne pauses, suddenly uncertain.


Verne says 'fear of becoming an Accepted?'


Lona nods in agreement.


Verne says 'what is to fear from that?'


Lona says 'We are trained to be less than from were I came. To become someone seems
so weighty with so much responsibility. I often wonder how the Accepted do it.'


Verne says 'what are you suggesting? it sounds as if you are saying a Novice is less of
a person than an Accepted?'

Lona says 'No Accepted, a lesser station yes, but not less of a person. Accepted in
my view are watched hard, worked longer, and molded stronger than novices. It is the
difference between an apprentice and a journeyman in a craft.'


Verne says 'and that is what you fear?'


Verne says 'it seems like the seanchan would have worked you harder, and watched you
closer than any Aes Sedai would.'



Lona says 'I fear leaving this place, no collar can touch me here, no sul'dam will
come here without a war.'


Verne says 'being an Accepted doesn't mean you HAVE to leave the Tower, many don't.'

Verne says 'I myself sometimes spend months at a time in the library, barely even
visiting the kitchens.'


Lona sighs the edge of her veil fluttering. "Perhaps it is time I face them, perhaps
the Aes Sedai are right. Talking now fear jumps from one thing to the other. Thank
you for helping me Accepted."


Verne says 'I'm not sure how but you are welcome? Honestly at first I thought you were
just nervous from the test and was going to mess with you but that doesn't seem to be
the case.'


Verne says 'even if I'm not sure what the case is....'


Lona says 'It helps, sometimes to talk things out. Aelrena Sedai taught me that when
I first entered the tower. Sometimes I just need a sounding board.'

Verne smiles with a concerned look on her face, "well I'm happy to help
how I can, but to me it sounds like you may actually have a few things to work
through. Trust me, it will be easier to face your fears..... whatever they may be....
here rather than in the arches unprepared."


Lona says 'Thank you Accepted.'


Lona lowers into a curtsy with head bowed.


Verne smiles hesitantly.


time
It is 10 o'clock am, on the 22nd day of the month of Nesan, year 1530.
According to legend and prophecy, this is the First Turn of the Wheel.
The Shadow grows stronger as Lisennet and Sarras are raised as dreadlords.

(Server: Sun Sep 3 21:17:58 2023 EST, last rebooted 1 hour, 17 minutes ago)

[Callesa]

Awarding:

2 qps, depending on length and quality.
Rplizer +1 qps : 1
Extra meticulous edit +1 qps : 1
Length bonus +1-2 qps : 0
Summary: +1 qps : 1

Total:
Verne 5 RPqps
Lona 2 RPqps