Summary: Accepted Elmitsu finds Aelrena Sedai to discuss the conclusion of her punishment. Aelrena leads the pair on a walk around the island.
Characters: Elmitsu, Aelrena
-+-+-+
Elmitsu trails slightly behind Aelrena as the pair walk through the White Tower.
Aelrena glides out of the guest room with the Accepted in tow, her pace dignified.
Aelrena leaves east. >>
Elmitsu follows Aelrena.
Aelrena walks on in silence, clearly waiting for something.
Elmitsu bobs along like a duckling as she continues to follow Aelrena.
Aelrena leaves south. vv
Elmitsu follows Aelrena.
Elmitsu says, her voice only a little unsure, "Aes Sedai, I am happy to see you."
Aelrena's tone is absent as she responds, "Is that so?"
Elmitsu says 'Yes. It has been some time. Since you set my penance.'
Aelrena nods at Elmitsu.
Aelrena says 'It has. And what have you learned since I did so, Elmitsu?'
Elmitsu says 'A great many things, Aes Sedai.'
Aelrena gently fills a water skin from an elaborately sculpted fountain.
Aelrena leaves west. <<
Elmitsu follows Aelrena.
Aelrena says 'Such as?'
Aelrena arches an eyebrow.
Elmitsu says 'When to be quiet.'
Aelrena's lips twitch up slightly at the corners.
Elmitsu blinks her eyes innocently.
Aelrena says 'Then perhaps you've proven yourself to have a touch more wisdom than you had before.'
Elmitsu says contritely, "I hope so, Aes Sedai."
Aelrena looks out over North Harbor, her eyes scanning the distance for something unseen.
Elmitsu 's eyes follow Aelrena's across the Harbor.
Aelrena says 'Was there a particular reason you came to find me, child?'
Elmitsu says in a rush, “One of the clerks in the office is kind of gross. He should be fired before he hurts one of the younger girls.”
Aelrena's expression freezes and she turns slowly toward the Accepted, her tone serious, "What have you heard or seen child?"
Elmitsu says 'He was just a little too forward with me until I put him in his place.'
Aelrena says 'I see. Give me his name and I'll ensure it's taken care of.'
Elmitsu proffers the name and then drops into another brief curtsey.
Aelrena nods at Elmitsu.
Aelrena frowns slightly, "Thank you for coming to me with the information."
Aelrena says 'I'll admit, I am a touch surprised, however.'
Elmitsu studies Aelrena curiously.
Aelrena says 'I would have expected you to take care of it yourself, likely in some inappropriate way.'
Aelrena says 'Blood and ashes if I'm certain what that would have been however.'
Elmitsu says 'I would never do something inappropriate, Aes Sedai.'
Elmitsu giggles when the Aes Sedai swears.
Aelrena snorts indelicately at the Accepted's words.
Aelrena says 'What you find inappropriate and what the Tower finds inappropriate are vastly different, child.'
[Elmitsu is called away on an urgent errand by Sheriam Sedai. She returns after to find Aelrena once more.]
The Forest Thickens
The verdant forest spreads out in all directions, a green blanket stretched
across the Pattern. Looming trunks of paperbark and leatherleaf stretch
their branches upwards as if trying to catch clouds. The ground is dark and
fertile, the loamy scent of the rich soil hanging in the air. The muffled
roar of churning water drifts through the tangled briars to the east.
A large wooden raft sits here. [3]
Aelrena Solyan is standing here.
Elmitsu smiles sweetly.
Aelrena says 'Ah, you're back.'
Aelrena nods at Elmitsu.
Aelrena says 'Get a raft.'
Elmitsu gets a large wooden raft.
Elmitsu says 'Of course, Aes Sedai.'
Elmitsu now follows Aelrena.
Aelrena leaves east. >>
Elmitsu follows Aelrena.
Aelrena says 'I take there was more you wished to discuss?'
Elmitsu watches Aelrena with curiosity.
Elmitsu says 'Do I have to keep doing my penance, Aelrena Sedai?'
Aelrena arches an eyebrow.
Elmitsu asks, more quietly than her first question, "Will you like me again?"
Aelrena says 'Have you carried out your month of penance yet?'
Aelrena arches an eyebrow.
Elmitsu says 'Yes.'
Aelrena says 'Then why would you carry on with it?'
Aelrena leaves south. vv
Elmitsu follows Aelrena.
Elmitsu says 'I only wished to speak to you at its conclusion.'
Elmitsu says 'That seemed like the appropriate thing to do after it was over.'
Aelrena's lips twitch up slightly at the corners.
Aelrena nods at Elmitsu.
Aelrena says 'No, if you understand the nature of your transgressions and why you were punished, I do not think it need continue any further.'
Aelrena says 'As for liking you, Child.'
Elmitsu permits herself a small smile at Aelrena's words before her expression wilts once more.
Aelrena says 'As for liking you...'
Aelrena seems thoughtful for a moment, her umber eyes locked upon the Accepted.
Elmitsu tries to return Aelrena's gaze with middling results.
Aelrena says 'I do not have to like you. I am your instructor, it is my duty to see that you learn, that you wear the shawl one day.'
Elmitsu nods solemnly.
Aelrena says 'I am not one of the other initiates who seeks to braid your hair, or gossip about the going ons within the Tower.'
Elmitsu says 'I understand, Aes Sedai.'
Elmitsu tries not to sound forlorn.
Aelrena's gaze turns away from the girl toward the alarms ringing to the south.
Aelrena says 'Elmitsu, why do you have such worry on whether I have a fondness for you or not?'
Aelrena turns her attention back to the girl, her expression tranquil.
Elmitsu says 'Because I like talking to you, Aes Sedai.'
Elmitsu says 'You helped me before.'
Aelrena nods in agreement.
Aelrena says 'I did.'
Elmitsu 's voice is admirably steady, "I am sorry I disappointed you."
Aelrena's lips twitch up slightly at the corners.
Aelrena says 'The realization that an apology is needed is the first step to attonement. Your apology is accepted, though on your own behalf rather than my own.'
Elmitsu mumbles, "Thank you, Aes Sedai."
Aelrena says 'My disappointment in you was not based upon you failing me, Elmitsu.'
Aelrena says 'You have been failing yourself, those other girls, and the Tower as a whole.'
Elmitsu's eyes glisten with unwept tears.
Aelrena says 'Every action that you take will have effects, and you have to be prepared for those effects. '
Aelrena leaves east. >>
Elmitsu follows Aelrena.
A large frogs croaks noisily atop a lily pad.
Aelrena leaves south. vv
Elmitsu follows Aelrena.
Aelrena says 'It's my understanding that you've spoken to Ashlynn Sedai about the possible ramifications of your actions.'
Elmitsu puts an oilstone in a backpack.
Elmitsu says 'Sorry. I am trying to learn to meditate.'
Aelrena's lips twitch up slightly at the corners.
Aelrena says 'you needn't apologize for pursuing your studies, though there are perhaps more appropriate times.'
Elmitsu says 'Thank you, Aes Sedai.'
Aelrena says 'Elmitsu, I see great promise in you.'
Aelrena says 'However, I also see a girl who asks for people to give her the attention that she's never given herself.'
Elmitsu nods thoughtfully to herself as she listens to the Aes Sedai. She does not speak.
Aelrena says 'You act out in order to be seen, to feel like you're more than what your past made you.'
Aelrena says 'Even your block required that you hold the hand of a boy, for there to be another person you felt was paying you mind.'
Aelrena places a hand upon the girl's shoulder, a small smile on her face.
Elmitsu looks shaken by Aelrena's words, though she attempts to conceal it with a schooled expression.
Aelrena says 'The greatest enemy you will face in your journey to the Shawl is not the Shadowspawn or Dreadlords that you'll fight in the Borderlands.'
Aelrena says 'It is not the diplomatic discussions that you will help to facilitate in nations like Tear and Illian.'
Aelrena says 'It is yourself.'
Elmitsu absorbs what Aelrena's saying with a stoic expression.
Aelrena says 'Take some time with yourself, Elmitsu. My having positive feelings toward you will only be a temporary balm for something greater.'
Aelrena says 'But until you're capable of giving yourself the attention you desire, to look closer at your reasons for acting out, you will continue to find difficulty in your studies.'
Elmitsu says stiffly, "I understand, Aes Sedai."
Aelrena nods in agreement.
Aelrena says 'I am proud that you made it through your penance and I didn't hear a word of complaint.'
Aelrena leaves west. <<
Elmitsu follows Aelrena.
Elmitsu says 'It was educational, Aes Sedai.'
Aelrena says 'That was the intent.'
Aelrena's lips twitch up slightly at the corners.
Aelrena says 'Do you understand everything that we have spoken about today, Elmitsu?'
Elmitsu says 'I do, Aes Sedai.'
Elmitsu clasps her hands before her demurely.
Aelrena's lips twitch up slightly at the corners.
Aelrena says 'Is there anything else you'd like to speak about?'
Aelrena arches an eyebrow.
Elmitsu says 'Not today, Aes Sedai.'
Elmitsu smiles sweetly.
Aelrena nods in agreement.
Elmitsu says 'I should return my raft, Aes Sedai.'
Elmitsu stops following Aelrena.
Aelrena says 'Then you may be about your duties child.'
Elmitsu offers a brief curtsey as she departs.
[Coda: Later, in the Well]
The chamber door swings open.
In the Well
This open-roofed building used to house the initiates of the Tower consists
of nine levels, but only three of them are currently in use. A number of
small, windowless rooms open up to a gallery which surrounds a courtyard,
there is ample fresh air. A fountain with a small garden sits at the bottom
of this well, the sound of falling waters echoing among the towering walls.
Dust collects on a discarded book marked with a teardrop. [3]
A chicken wanders around here, pecking at the ground.
Aleera the Tower Accepted is standing here.
Alaren the Tower Accepted is standing here.
Trajega the Wearied Novice is standing here.
Kennira, Caretaker of Novices tends to the boarding of her young charges.
The chamberdoor closes quietly.
Elmitsu saunters into the Well.
Trajega says 'Hi Accepted Elmitsu. How are you?'
Elmitsu says 'Aelrena Sedai is riding my case, as ever.'
Elmitsu smiles sweetly.
Elmitsu shoots Aleera a dirty look.
Trajega comforts Elmitsu.
Trajega says 'what happened?'
Elmitsu says 'Oh, nothing. I finished my penance.'
Elmitsu flexes her fingers experimentally.
Aleera purses her lips. She asks, "That bad?"
Elmitsu says decisively, "It's over now."
Trajega looks at Elmitsu.
Elmitsu pokes around the Well, "So what's the story around here?"
Aleera nods. She then apologizes, "Sorry all, I forgot something in my room that I need to take care of."
Trajega waves goodbye to Aleera.
Elmitsu says 'See you, Aleera.'
Kennira, Caretaker of Novices helps Aleera into her private chamber.
Elmitsu says 'How are you, Trajega?'
Alaren disappears into the void.
Elmitsu studies the Novice as if she were rehearsing to be Aes Sedai.
Trajega says I’m doing ok'
Trajega says 'Got scalded, but still in hopes. An Aes Sedai said they might be able to interview me for advancement in a few minutes.'
Elmitsu says 'Good luck.'