Evse Joins the White Tower

[Isela]

Summary: Isela meets Evse, who has arrived in Tar Valon and seeks to join the Tower. She brings her to Ashlynn Sedai, who has Isela interview the girl before induction.

Point of view: Isela
Main character: Evse
Main character: Ashlynn




Solarium of the Yellow Ajah
Tall, arched windows offer a view of the island of Tar Valon and the confluence of the river Erinin beyond Southharbor, as the river starts on its journey to Tear. Pots and plants dot the balcony outside the windows. Chairs have been drawn up near the windows and vases containing bouquets of of yellow flowers have been placed nearby. Several desks and clusters of chairs have been distributed around the room, allowing for informal discussion of Yellow Sisters' research and studies.
Sumptuously upholstered, a gold brocade chaise lounge with gilded legs rests nearby.
A large desk made of fine, thick wood stands across the room from here.
A chair made of red oak rests next to the table.
A chair made of red oak rests next to the table.
Lady Ashlynn is standing here, looking out a tall, arched window.
A Yellow Sister glides past.
A silver-haired Aes Sedai sits here, reading.
Corele Hovian stands here with concern in her eyes.

Evse has arrived from the north.

Isela drops into a low curtsey.

Evse looks around in awe.

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

Evse looks wide eyed at Ashlynn.

Ashlynn slowly turns around, looking the Accepted and the unfamiliar face up and down.

Isela says 'Greetings Aes Sedai. This one wishes to join the Tower.'

Evse slowely takes in her surroundings.

Ashlynn says 'Hello Accepted. And who might this be?'

Evse says 'This place is huge!'

Ashlynn glances over at the wide-eyed young girl.

Isela says 'I'm unfamiliar with Evse, though she has a Murandian accent.'

Ashlynn nods, her green eyes sparkling.

Evse nods at Isela.

Evse says 'We move around alot, but that is where I was born.'

Ashlynn says 'Hello, Evse. I am Ashlynn Sedai of the Yellow Ajah and one of the sorority's three Sitters.'

Ashlynn says 'Welcome. '

Evse smiles happily.

Evse says 'Hello!'

Isela gestures to a chair. 'May we, Ashlynn Sedai?'

Ashlynn says 'Please, Evse, have a seat.'

Ashlynn points to a beautifully upholstered chair at the far end of the room.

Ashlynn says 'Accepted, please come closer.'

Evse sits on one of the chairs, elbows on knees, looking around the room.

Isela moves closer to Ashlynn Sedai, hands folded in front of her.

Ashlynn whispers to Isela, 'You have sat in on this situation at least once with me before.'

Ashlynn whispers to Isela, 'Possibly even twice or more.'

Isela nods at Ashlynn.

Evse pulls some small twigs from the ends of her long hair.

Evse glances around the room.

Ashlynn looks over to Evse, regarding her with a cool gaze.

Evse places the twigs next to the chair closest to the wall.

Ashlynn beams a smile at Evse.

Ashlynn looks back to Isela.

Evse grins ear to ear at Ashlynn.

Ashlynn whispers to Isela, 'Today, I would like to do something different.'

Evse chuckles politely.

Isela glances at Evse, still listening intently to Ashlynn Sedai.

Evse fidgets as she tries to take in the grandeur of the room.

Ashlynn whispers to Isela, 'Considering you are training to become Aes Sedai, and potentially as a Red, you will not only be looking for girls, but inducting them too.'

Ashlynn smiles at Isela.

Ashlynn whispers to Isela, 'Today, I would like you to play the role of interviewer and inductor.'

Isela nods, tilting her head.

Evse kicks her legs.

Ashlynn whispers to Isela, 'Obviously, I will handle the official paperwork and oversee you in case anything is overlooked.'

Isela whispers to Ashlynn 'Thank you for the opportunity, Aes Sedai.'

Isela turns to Evse. 'Welcome Evse. Why have you come to us today?'

Evse says 'Everyone kept telling me, "Evse, you need to go to the White Tower."'

Ashlynn walks over to a desk, and sits at a chair in front of it.

Ashlynn takes a notebook and pen from a drawer and begins writing .

Ashlynn is now sitting here, writing at a beautifully crafted desk.

Evse says 'They told me that the things I can do aren't "normal".'

Isela arches an eyebrow.

Evse says 'I had no idea what they were talking about, it seems normal to me.'

Evse says 'I think they are just jealous.'

Evse nods to herself, she must need reassurance.

Isela allows a small smile.

Evse says 'Who wouldn't want to be able to pull fruit from anywhere?!'

Evse says 'They get old after awhile, and the taste is a bit too tart for my liking.'

Evse shrugs helplessly.

Isela taps a finger to her lips.

Isela says 'It seems you may have already touched the Source, child. Are you able to perform these "normal" functions at will?'

Evse ponders life, the universe, and everything.

Evse says 'It isn't always easy...'

Evse says '...sometimes, I have to try a few times and sometimes I get a terrible headache, like I used my brain too much.'

Isela nods curtly. 'What you describe is a connection to the One Power, the force that drives the Wheel of Time itself.'

Isela says 'It seems you were born with the spark to channel it.'

Evse ponders life, the universe, and everything.

Evse says 'I don't think so. Not me, I'm nobody.'

Isela scoffs. 'The Tower will help you with that notion.'

Isela says 'I was also a nobody, from Murandy, like yourself.'

Evse smiles at Isela.

Ashlynn looks over at the young girl, weighing her statement that people were just jealous, wondering why they would be jealous of a nobody.

Ashlynn writes some more notes to the book.

Evse says 'A nobody that can make fruit is still a nobody'

Evse smiles a little smile.

Evse seems to be a little lost in thought.

Isela says 'We bring girls here with your abilities for one main purpose, girl: to ensure the safety of yourself and those around you. We'll make certain that you are no longer a danger to yourself. If you do well here, you may even advance to one of the Accepted one day.'

Evse gasps in astonishment.

Evse says 'A danger? From fruit? Is it poisonous?'

Evse says 'I have only eaten some! And I only let a few others try! Are they in danger as well?'

Isela smirks.

Isela says 'The fruit is just the beginning. Like it or not, you will continue to channel the One Power.'

Isela says 'No, they are not in danger from eating fruit.'

Isela waves a hand dismissively.

Evse gets a thoughtful look.

Evse ponders life, the universe, and everything.

Isela says 'If your stomach handled the fruit well, you have nothing to fear from the fruit itself.'

Evse says 'Phew, thats good'

Isela says 'The process by which you created it, however. That requires training. And that is what you will receive here.'

Ashlynn looks at Isela.

Evse says 'The food was just the beginning?'

Isela nods at Evse.

Isela says 'You will begin to sense your ability to channel with time and training.'

Isela says 'You may even begin to sense others' ability as well, given time and training.'

Evse says 'How long is this training? It's almost harvest season.'

Isela says 'As long as it takes to ensure you won't harm yourself or others.'

Isela says 'I'd forget about harvest season. That part of your life is over, child.'

Evse gets a frightened look in her eyes.

Evse says 'Who is going to help Mom and Dad? I have 4 brothers, and only 2 of them are old enough.'

Isela taps a finger against her lips. 'Let me put it this way:'

Ashlynn raises a finger and motions for the Accepted to come to the desk for a quick word.

Isela opens her mouth, closes it, then approaches the desk instead.

Ashlynn whispers to Isela, 'You are doing a great job so far.'

Ashlynn smiles at Isela.

Isela allows a small smile.

Evse fidgets more.

Ashlynn whispers to Isela, 'What are your immediate thoughts on this young girl and her answers, her demeanor?'

Isela whispers to Ashlynn 'she has no clue what the One Power is, or what is happening to her. I may be rushing her a bit.'

Evse gets a few pink foxgloves from a backpack.

Evse smells the pink foxgloves.

Evse looks a bit more relaxed.

Evse untenses her shoulders.

Ashlynn whispers to Isela, 'I am not so sure about your pace being too fast. I think it is fine. I am worried about the girl, though.'

Isela frowns.

Isela whispers to Ashlynn 'Does the Tower not accept some girls who have already begun channeling?'

Ashlynn whispers to Isela, 'I think she is much too immature, though it may be to out recent experience with another young girl. Did you hear about Sarabeth? Maybe from Accepted Melosa?'

Evse twirls the foxglove stem in her fingers.

Evse says 'I used to do this all the time.'

Isela whispers to Ashlynn 'Only the smallest part of the story of Sarabeth, I'm sure.'

Ashlynn nods at Isela.

Evse says 'It's nice and relaxing...'

Evse says '...and the smell is great.'

Evse smiles faintly.

Ashlynn whispers to Isela, 'If you wish to hear more about that we can talk some other time. For now though...'

Isela turns to Evse briefly. 'Be calm, child. You did well to come to us.'

Evse relaxes a bit more.

Isela turns back to Ashlynn Sedai.

Ashlynn whispers to Isela, 'The reason I stopped you is to share with you something I do to potential novices.'

Isela nods at Ashlynn.

Isela whispers to Ashlynn 'I'll gladly take some direction here.'

Ashlynn whispers to Isela, 'If you did not notice before, I make sure to explain all of the potential drawbacks of joining the White Tower explicitly and several times.'

Isela whispers to Ashlynn 'Indeed. I was about to get into that next.'

Ashlynn whispers to Isela, 'I have made it a rule to ask a girl if she understands, if this is what she wants to do...'

Ashlynn raises one finger.

Ashlynn whispers to Isela, 'Not once...'

Ashlynn raises a second finger.

Ashlynn whispers to Isela, 'not twice...'

Ashlynn raises a third finger.

Ashlynn whispers to Isela, 'but three times. '

Evse glances at her own fingers.

Isela nods her head in thought.

Evse twirls the foxglove some more.

Ashlynn whispers to Isela, 'I think this is one of those times where we need to ask and make sure she understands.'

Ashlynn closes her hand.

Ashlynn whispers to Isela, 'You may continue.'

Ashlynn nods at Isela.

Isela whispers to Ashlynn 'I suppose I figured that since she's already a potential danger to others that we weren't going to give her the opportunity to refuse.'

Ashlynn says 'Indeed, Accepted. '

Ashlynn writes some more notes into the book.

Isela straightens, turning back to Evse.

Evse rubs some of the foxglove onto a small handkerchief.

Evse takes a sniff of the handkerchief.

Evse smiles happily.

Isela says 'Evse, you are used to your family farm, living in the country, but the White Tower is the place for you.'

Ashlynn continues writing.

Isela says 'It will take time for you to understand what is happening and how to control it.'

Evse says 'Everyone in town said I should be here.'

Evse says 'I wonder if they can help out Mom and Dad.'

Evse says 'Can I send a letter?'

Isela says 'You may, if necessary. For now, I need to explain to you what it means to be an inductee of the Tower.'

Evse takes a deep breath.

Evse nods in agreement.

Isela says 'While it is absolutely necessary for you to receive the training to keep yourself and others safe, you need to be aware of what life is like in the Tower.'

Isela says 'Once you have joined the White Tower, you may not leave the bounds of Tar Valon. You are sealed to us, and if you attempt to flee, we will find you. Your training will continue until we are certain you are no longer a danger to yourself or others.'

Evse gasps in astonishment.

Isela says 'This isn't about fruit any longer. There are far more dangerous things you can do with the One Power you wield.'

Evse says 'Flee?'

Evse says 'Dangerous?'

Isela nods at Evse.

Isela says 'I'm sure you wouldn't want to accidentally set fire to your father's crops.'

Evse gasps in astonishment.

Evse says 'That was something I could do?'

Isela says 'Have you never heard stories of Aes Sedai as a child?'

Evse says 'Some, but they seemed so far fetched.'

Isela nods in agreement.

Isela strokes her chin thoughtfully.

Isela says 'The world is about to get a lot bigger for you.'

Evse shivers a bit, maybe from excitement.

Evse leans forward slightly on her chair.

Isela says 'Do you fully understand what I have told you, Evse?'

Evse says 'For the most part'

Evse says 'What I can do is dangerous, I need training...'

Evse says '...and I can only get it here, and I cannot leave until trained'

Isela nods, continuing.

Isela says 'As a Novice of the White Tower, you will attend instruction from Accepted such as myself, as well as full Aes Sedai'

Evse nods in agreement.

Isela says 'We will help you to embrace Saidar, the female half of the True Source. Over time, you'll be able to do this at will.'

Isela says 'When embraced, you will be able to channel the One Power, which consists of the five powers: Earth, Air, Water, Fire, and Spirit.'

Isela says 'To make that fruit you made, you unknowingly channeled Earth.'

Evse ponders life, the universe, and everything.

Evse says 'I guess that makes sense.'

Evse says 'Plants grow in the dirt.'

Isela says 'As you train, you'll start to recognize when these five threads of the One Power are being woven by other women.'

Evse says 'We can see these threads?'

Evse looks around the room.

Isela nods at Evse.

Evse shrugs helplessly.

Evse says 'I don't see anything.'

Isela says 'All the more reason why you need training, child.'

Evse slowly nods along.

Isela says 'If you show enough strength in the One Power, and have enough discipline, you may reach the rank of Accepted. Eventually, it's possible to become an Aes Sedai yourself.'

Isela says 'Do you know what Aes Sedai means, Evse?'

Evse shakes her head.

Isela says 'Servant of All.'

Evse says 'Ahh, ok.'

Isela says 'It's different than your childhood stories. Aes Sedai are bound by the Three Oaths, and exist to be Servants of All.'

Isela says 'Are you ready to join the Tower and start your training, Evse?'

Isela says 'It will mean leaving your family behind, your past life.'

Evse takes a deep breath and squares her shoulders.

Evse says 'I am Isela....Accepted?'

Isela nods in agreement.

Evse says 'It isn't going to be easy. Mom will worry.'

Isela says 'Let us visit the bookkeeper. Will you please lead us, Ashlynn Sedai?'

Ashlynn nods, her green eyes sparkling.

Isela now follows Ashlynn.

Evse stands from her chair.

Ashlynn clambers to her feet.
Ashlynn says 'Evse, follow me.'

Evse stops following Isela.
Evse now follows Ashlynn.

Ashlynn Sedai leads Evse and Isela to Sheriam Sedai, who inducts Evse as a Novice.

[Tolza]

Rplizer: +1 QP (1 of 1)
Extra Meticulous Edit: +1 QP (1 of 1)
Length Bonus: +0 QP (0 of 2, less than 10,000 words)
Part of a Series: +0 QP (0 of 1)
Summary: +1 QP (1 of 1)
Total for Isela: 3 QPs

Participants:

Evse: 2 QPs (Reason: Demonstrating a new ability and actively engaging)
Ashlynn: 2 QPs (Reason: Active participation and guiding the induction)

Please say "RECEIVE" at a silver-haired sedai located in every Ajah wing.

It is encouraging to see Accepted Isela being trained for a larger role in the Tower.