After a failed attempt plucking hair from her upper lip, Tolza conducts a class on channeling the One Power, focusing on the Lightball weave. The session includes practical demonstrations and guidance, with active participation from Melosa, Maddy, Celeste, Robinn, and Vala. Tolza emphasizes the importance of proper training to avoid dangerous habits and accidents.
Point of view of:
Tolza
Participants::
Melosa
Maddy
Celeste
Robinn
Vala (joins later)
In the Classroom
A board of black slate hangs on the wall near the door, suggesting this
room is used as a classroom. The room is plain and windowless and has
enough place to seat thirty students. A dais with a desk sits at the front
of the room, where the Aes Sedai or Accepted teaching the class can sit.
[ obvious exits: W ]
Zone: White Tower Upper Floors
Door west: door
Celeste the Fledgling Novice is standing here.
Robinn Sena, the Journey Accepted is standing here.
Maddy Mantear, Journey Accepted is standing here.
Melosa Beshar, Accepted and Apprentice to the Green Ajah is standing here.
A haughty young woman strides by practicing Aes Sedai serenity.
Melosa greets Maddy with a light kiss on her cheek.
You say 'Take a seat in a half circle please.'
Tolza seats herself gracefully on a cushioned stool at the front of the class, her serene expression welcoming.
Melosa rises from her chair and shifts it to the front of the room, arranging herself in the middle of the half-circle.
Celeste takes her place in the circle.
You nod at her.
You nod at her.
Maddy grabs her bag and moves to one of the front desks in the half circle.
Robinn sits to Melosa's left, arranging her dress just so.
You say 'A very good start.'
You emote: Tolza gives you a toothy grin.
Maddy beams a smile at Robinn.
You say '"Welcome, everyone. Today, we will discuss the progression of a woman's ability to channel the One Power."'
You emote: Tolza folds her hands in her lap, her gaze steady and calm as she addresses the class.
You say '"When a woman first starts to touch the Source, it can feel like grasping at air. More often than not, she will reach out and fail to touch saidar, or she will touch it but be unable to do anything with it."'
Celeste nods ruefully.
Maddy pulls her notebook, pen, inkwell and blotter from her bag setting them on the desk before gently laying her bag on the floor at her feet.
You say 'In the beginning, even when the One Power is flowing through you, controlling it can be elusive. You may find that your attempts to channel result in unexpected or unintended outcomes.'
You emote: Tolza raises a finger to emphasize her point, her voice taking on a slightly firmer tone.
You say 'This is where guidance and training become essential. Without proper instruction, a novice can become frustrated or, worse, inadvertently cause harm. That is why we insist on a gradual and supervised approach.'
You emote: Tolza gives the Novice a stern look.
Maddy nods slowly as she jots Tolza Sedai's words in her book.
You emote: Tolza channels a delicate illusion of a red rose, which appears to hover gently above her hand.
You say 'With practice and time, the ability to touch the Source and channel saidar will become more reliable. You will find that your control improves, and you will be able to channel more complex weaves with precision.'
Celeste watches with rapt interest.
You emote: Tolza channels, the rose decays and disappears.
Robinn pulls out a worn, well-loved leather-bound notebook and a quill, eyes rapt as she begins to take notes.
You say 'However, if a woman begins to channel without guidance, she might develop dangerous habits. Imagine trying to run before you have learned to walk properly. The risk of falling is much greater.'
Maddy crosses her legs at the ankle, slightly shifting her bag as she does.
You say 'Uncontrolled channeling can lead to accidents. A woman might harm herself, others, or even many people, entirely by accident. This is why it is crucial to learn control early.'
You say 'Any questions so far?'
Melosa mutters under her breath, 'Wilders.'
Melosa snorts in derision.
Maddy beams a smile at Melosa.
Robinn shakes her breath before shooting an unreadable look at Melosa.
You say 'The "Wilders" are the lucky ones that develop a way to manage saidar before she can cause herself harm.'
Celeste says 'Aes Sedai, is it true that Wilders sometimes develop new weaves?'
Celeste says 'According to Commonly Used....'
Celeste trails off as she remembers that book belongs in the restricted section.
Celeste concludes lamely 'According to what I've read.'
Celeste coughs loudly.
Maddy frowns as she notates the name of the book Celeste began to mention in her book.
You emote: Tolza turns her attention to Celeste.
Celeste turns a distinct shade of pink.
You say 'Yes, Celeste, it is true that Wilders who learn to channel without formal training sometimes develop new weaves.'
You say 'However, this can be risky, as their lack of formal training means they might not fully understand the dangers or limitations of their creations.'
Maddy says 'Do they develop new ways to weave what we currently know?'
You emote: Tolza strokes her moustache thoughtfully.
You say 'That is a very good question Maddy.'
Melosa sniffs, 'Many wilders I've met squander the gift of channeling with laziness and the lack of will to apply themselves.'
Maddy says 'How is that Melosa?'
You say 'Think of it this way..'
Melosa says 'Hard work and diligence as Tolza Sedai pointed out is the correct way to learn to channel.'
Maddy nods at Melosa.
You say 'It's like cooking a meal. There are traditional recipes that everyone knows and trusts, but a creative cook might find a new way to prepare the same dish. Both methods can work, but the new approach needs testing to ensure it's just as good and safe as the traditional one.'
Robinn looks at Melosa, eyes frosting behind her glasses.
Maddy nods at you.
You say 'Having said that, there is also the cook in the back alley selling horse meat.'
Maddy snickers softly.
You say 'As much as I dislike horses, I do not enjoy their taste.'
Robinn shifts herself away from Melosa slightly, before continuing her note taking, the soft skritching of her quill on the paper resuming.
You emote: Tolza shifts uncomfortably and mutters under her breath about saddle sores, rubbing her lower back with a grimace.
You say 'Now, where was I?'
Celeste says 'Horses.. I wonder if we could set up a stable of wilders to....'
You emote: Tolza glances around the room, her eyes searching each face as if looking for an answer.
Maddy says 'We were talking about the importance of being taught correctly.'
Celeste nods in agreement.
Melosa frowns.
You emote: Tolza nods reassuringly.
You say 'Remember, your innate abilities will grow stronger with time, but so will your control if you commit to your training. This journey requires patience and discipline.'
Maddy looks from Robinn to Melosa wondering if the tension will escalate.
You say 'I will continue to some practical application for those of you that have time.'
You say 'Those who do not are dismissed now.'
Celeste remains seated eager to hear more.
Robinn smiles brightly, eyes twinkling.
You say 'Lightball primarily involves the elements of Air and Fire. The key is to balance these flows to create a stable, glowing sphere of light.'
You emote: Tolza channels, carefully weaving strands of Air and Fire together, forming a small glowing orb between her hands.
You say 'Watch closely. I start with a thin stream of Fire, then gradually add Air to stabilize and control the flame, turning it into a harmless light.'
Maddy pats at the desk beside her motioning for Vala to join the semi circle.
Vala takes a seat next to Maddy.
You say 'Now, it's your turn. Remember, the size of the Lightball can be controlled by how much of each element you use. Start small to maintain control.'
Robinn raises her hand.
You say 'Yes Accepted?'
Robinn lowers it as she senses Celeste Embracing Saidar. 'Never mind Tolza Sedai. I was going to volunteer to begin.'
You emote: Tolza shuffles over to Celeste, peering closely at her weaves with a keen eye, assessing each flow and its placement.
Maddy rips a paper out of her book and passes it to Vala with some quickly jotted notes on it regarding the class thus far.
Celeste creates a creditable lightball.
Celeste bites her lip and deliberately adds some fire, unbalancing the weave.
You emote: Tolza nods approvingly at Celeste's efforts, a warm smile spreading across her face.
You say 'You're doing very well, Celeste. Keep practicing and refining your technique. Remember, every small improvement brings you closer to mastering the weave.'
Celeste flinches back slightly as a ball of fire springs into existence between her hands, she hastily brings it back under control.
Maddy beams a smile at Celeste.
You say 'Be careful with the amount of Fire you use, Celeste. Too much Fire can make the weave unstable and difficult to control. Balance is key. Ensure you have enough Air to stabilize the flame.'
Robinn smiles warmly at Celeste.
Celeste experiments by adding a flow of spirit, turning the fire into s a shifting aurora of colors. She laughs delightedly, causing her control to waver.
Celeste releases the Source with a slight puff of smoke.
You emote: Tolza's eyes widen with surprise as she watches Celeste.
Vala scans Maddy's notes after watching Celeste.
You say 'Very good Celeste.'
You emote: Tolza strokes her moustache thoughtfully.
Celeste smiles happily.
Robinn adds a second, smaller diagram illustrating Celeste's variant of the weave.
You emote: Tolza nods at Vala, her red hair swaying slightly with the motion.
Vala weaves flows of Air and Fire to create a small light ball.
Vala adds a little of each element slowly.
Melosa flinches, half-expecting the flow to unwind and explode across the room.
Melosa forms a beautiful weave of white light about Melosa's body.
Vala increases the size of the lightball three times until it's hard to look at, then snuffs it out.
You are hungry.
Melosa frowns.
Vala grins at Melosa.
Melosa glares at Celeste.
You emote: Tolza's brow furrows slightly, a faint frown crossing her face.
Celeste shivers uncomfortably.
You emote: Tolza's brow furrows slightly, a faint frown crossing her face.
Melosa says 'It is not safe for novices to be experimenting with the elements.'
You say 'We will circle back to Vala as she composes her self.'
You nod at her.
Vala smiles at you.
Celeste purses her lips but makes no comment.
You tell Melosa 'You are up.'
You reply to Melosa 'Need a moment?'
Melosa nods in agreement.
You sense Melosa connecting to the True Source.
You sense Melosa is channeling saidar.
Melosa deftly weaves Fire and Air together to form a small but brilliant ball of floating light.
Maddy nods at Melosa.
Robinn looks at Melosa's weave with a small smile of happiness.
Melosa releases the Source and the ball winks out of existence, a few glowing motes dancing.
Maddy weaves a quick flow of air, adding a flow of fire to it creating a small light ball, then releases it quickly, nodding at Tolza Sedai.
Vala blushes.
You say 'Impressive, Melosa. You've mastered the balance between Fire and Air beautifully.'
Vala says 'I thought the exercise was in changing its size.'
Maddy gives Vala a reassuring smile.
Melosa nods gratefully at Tolza.
You say 'Extra points for creativity.'
You say 'Who has not had a turn?'
Robinn raises her hand once more.
Robinn says 'I haven't Tolza Sedai.'
You nod at her.
Robinn embraces the Source.
Celeste makes another diagram, making the flows of air and fire significantly more intense.
Robinn smiles serenely as threads of fire flow about her body, twining with threads of air and creating three gently glowing orbs floating around her head.
Maddy beams a smile at Robinn.
Vala claps approvingly.
Robinn smiles gently as she releases the weaves and the orbs wink out sequentially.
You say 'I think we might have a winner! I will tell Larus to make you a chicken dinner.'
You wink suggestively at Robinn.
Celeste grins evilly.
Maddy writes the method Robinn used in her notebook.
Robinn laughs warmly, eyes crinkling slightly.
Maddy says 'Well done Robinn.'
Robinn says 'Thank you Tolza Sedai, and you as well Maddy.'
You say 'Vala, would you like a chance to redeem yourself?'
Vala says 'You mentioned controlling the size of the light ball Tolza Sedai.'
Vala says 'I thought that's what we were doing.'
You say 'Feel free to impress us now.'
Robinn whispers something to Vala.
Vala quickly weaves air and fire creating a small brilliant sphere that hangs calmly in the air.
You emote: Tolza gives a small, gleeful clap, her eyes sparkling.
Celeste explodes with whistles and cheers.
Vala says 'That's all I usually do. It lasts so long I've forgotten about it before.'
Maddy nods at Vala.
You say 'Did I miss any one?'
Maddy says 'I don't like to use that weave as I did forget once and go through Tear with it.'
Maddy shakes her head.
Vala nods at Maddy.
You say 'Ok, let's wrap this up.'
Celeste adds even more weaves of fire to her diagram.
You say 'Any questions before I dismiss the class?'
You say 'No?'
You say 'Good!'
You say 'Class dismissed.'