Wheel of Time MUD

Summary: Wandering the halls of the Tower late at night, Lyla notices that Ashlynn Sedai is still awake and takes the opportunity to ask her for advice.

Point of view: Lyla
Main character: Ashlynn

Setting:
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.

Lyla says 'Good evening, Ashlynn Sedai. Sorry to bother you so late.'

Ashlynn says 'Is it late? Oh my, it does seem to be a little late. That's fine. You've caught me while I was taking a short break for some tea. Would you care to join me?'

Lyla nods.

Lyla says 'Yes, please.'

Lyla says 'Shall I pour?'

Ashlynn says 'Feel free.'

Lyla makes her way over to the impressive selection of teas. "How about something with sleepwell root? Considering the hour."

Ashlynn says 'For you, maybe. I'll just have regular black tea with a couple sugar cubes.'

Lyla says 'As you wish, Ashlynn Sedai.'

Ashlynn clasps her hands together and says 'You never know when some tragedy might befall someone who ends up needing the skills and expertise of the Yellow Ajah.'

Lyla selects two small tea pots and scoops a bit of tea into each before channeling a thin thread of Fire into the kettle.

Lyla says 'Oh, interesting. Do you normally stagger your working hours in case someone needs healing?'

Ashlynn sits down on a chaise lounge.

Ashlynn says 'It has been hellish as of late. I am often one of the few sisters around.'

Ashlynn says 'I try to take some sleep here and there when I am able, in case someone calls.'

Ashlynn says 'It is fortunate that our sitting room does not only contain luxurious decorations, but also luxurious and comfortable accommodations.'

Lyla listens for the sound of water boiling, then pours a bit into each pot. "Anything I can do to lighten the load? I'm not... the best at Healing, though I do know some basics.

Ashlynn says 'Careful what you ask, I may very well put you to work.'

Ashlynn says 'It's not necessary to be the best, but it is necessary to be willing to learn.'

Ashlynn says 'Is that something that interests you?'

Lyla says 'Honestly, Ashlynn Sedai, I feel a bit directionless here at the Tower. I've never been particularly interested in Healing, but I'm also wondering if that might change with more exposure to it.'

Ashlynn says 'Directionless? I might be able to see how that might happen.'

Ashlynn says 'While some come here with aspirations in mind, myself, this is where I belong, and I knew it from the first day...'

Lyla pours the tea into two cups, adding two cubes of sugar to Ashlynn Sedai's cup before taking her own.

Ashlynn says 'Others might not be so sure. A lot of sisters are away from the Tower right now...'

Lyla says 'Oh? So you knew right away you wanted to join the Yellow Ajah?'

Lyla hands Ashlynn a cup of black tea with sugar.

Ashlynn says 'Thank you for the tea.'

Ashlynn says 'Yes, it did.'

Ashlynn says 'I apologize for misspeaking. I meant that yes, I did know I wanted to join the Yellow from the beginning.'

Ashlynn says 'I don't know if I ever told you my story. Maybe you heard it from someone else.'

Lyla thinks for a moment.

Ashlynn says 'I was born on a farm in Altara.'

Lyla says 'I seem to remember a cow? Or a pig? Named Princess, I think.'

Ashlynn says 'Yes, she was a calf that almost died when being birthed.'

Ashlynn says 'I was overcome with emotion and unknowingly Healed her.'

Ashlynn says 'More things began to happen. It all culminated in the discovery of what I was capable of doing when our chickens were suffering from a bout of influenza.'

Ashlynn says 'The other farms suffered in their egg production, but I was able to Heal our flock.'

Lyla says 'Ah, interesting. That confirms one theory, at least.'

Ashlynn says 'I found out about what I was doing by speaking to the local wisdom. She suggested I travel to the White Tower.'

Ashlynn says 'A lot of things transpired in between that and reaching the Tower, but I arrived safely, and was added to the Book of Novices by Aishling Sedai, Creator shelter her soul.'

Lyla says 'Do most sisters of the Yellow Ajah have a similar experience? Healing something before they came to the Tower?'

Lyla tests to see if her tea is cool enough, then takes a long sip.

Ashlynn says 'I haven't looked into it deeply. I am sure many have a similar experience, while others do not. Some might have no experience at all, come here, and find out they have a Talent, whether for Healing, or learning how to Heal and then finding they have an affinity at least.'

Ashlynn takes a sip from the delicate porcelain cup.

Ashlynn says 'Like you said, you might not have an interest in it, but with some practice you may find yourself talented at it...if you do not have the Talent for it.'

Ashlynn says 'Or maybe you do have the Talent. Who is to say? Until you try, I guess.'

Ashlynn says 'I would very much be interested in exploring that with you.'

Lyla says 'So far, I only know how to cure light wounds. The weaves come together easily enough, but I've never put it into practice outside the classroom.'

Ashlynn says 'It can be difficult to practice sometimes. Unless you find some animal test subjects, maybe. Other than that, you are dependent on others needing Healing and being on the island.'

Lyla nods in agreement.

Ashlynn says 'Much of the violence occurs outside the gates, up in the Borderlands.'

Ashlynn says 'If you advance and become Accepted, you will find much more hands-on opportunities to help the fighters of the Light.'

Lyla says 'I know we're not meant to ask about what happens in the Arches, but... how did you know you were ready to attempt them?'

Ashlynn says 'That is an interesting question. '

Ashlynn says 'I'm of the opinion that no one ever really knows whether or not they are ready.'

Ashlynn says 'They might think they are, or think they are not.'

Ashlynn says 'Not until they step through and emerge do they know if they were truly ready.'

Lyla ponders this for a moment.

Ashlynn says 'I apologize for waxing philosophical.'

Lyla says 'Not at all, Ashlynn Sedai. It's a useful answer.'

Lyla says 'The sailors have a saying where I grew up. "Sometimes all you can do is raise your sail and pray for wind."'

Ashlynn says 'Unless you are a Sea Folk, that is a veritable truth.'

Ashlynn says 'What about your own experiences? What brought you here?'

Lyla takes another sip of tea, gathering her thoughts.

Lyla says 'I also grew up on a farm in southern Altara, believe it or not. A little port town called Nor Chasen, about halfway between Ebou Dar and Illian.'

Ashlynn nods, her green eyes sparkling.

Lyla says 'But my own experience with the Power was a bit less... altruistic.'

Lyla says 'I made it rain. A lot. Mostly on accident, but perhaps just a little out of spite.'

Lyla says 'My aunt Chirelle was the one who told me about the Tower. She had enough of the spark to sense it in others, but not enough to hurt herself or anyone else, so she never enrolled as a Novice.'

Ashlynn nods, her green eyes sparkling.

Ashlynn says 'Would you say you have strength in Water, then?'

Lyla says 'Anything to do with the weather seems to come easily. At first, Sheriam Sedai thought it was due to an affinity for Air and Water, but I also managed to call lightning after very little practice.'

Ashlynn nods, her green eyes sparkling.

Ashlynn says 'If I am not mistaken, it does not take too much Fire to make lightning.'

Lyla says 'I can also summon fog and chill the air around a person. But I don't have much knack for Healing, which also uses Air and Water.' (OOC Edit: Water, Earth, and Spirit. Guess there's a reason I'm bad at healing...)

Ashlynn says 'Have you ever frozen someone or something?'

Lyla shakes her head.

Lyla says 'Not yet, though I did help Tolza Sedai test that particular weave.'

Ashlynn nods, her green eyes sparkling.

Ashlynn says 'Most of what you have thus described requires flows of Water to some extent. While it seems like you do have a natural Talent for manipulating weather systems, I would not be quick to discount the possibility of learning how to better control Water, with a little bit of Earth and Spirit, to learn how to Heal.'

Ashlynn says 'Due to the sheer amount of the flows of Water that are generally required to manipulate the weather, I would think with some lessons and practice, one day, you may be quite the gifted Healer.'

Ashlynn sips from the porcelain cup, then places it down on a small, intricately carved table next to the chaise she is sitting upon.

Lyla takes another long sip of tea, finishing the cup.

Lyla says 'I'll practice, Ashlynn Sedai. If nothing else, even an adequate healer is better than none.'

Lyla says 'In the meantime, I think this sleepwell root is doing its work.'

Ashlynn nods, her green eyes sparkling.

Lyla says 'Would you like me to take these cups down to the kitchen?'

Ashlynn says 'Just remember...while it might seem like the Talent is required, it is just as, if not more important, that you have a strong desire to help others.'

Ashlynn says 'Yes, please take the dishes down to the kitchen.'

Lyla gathers the dishes and nestles them in the crook of her arm.

Lyla curtseys before Ashlynn.

Ashlynn says 'I look forward to hearing from you again about some lessons in Healing.'

Ashlynn gestures with her hand.

The door smoothly swings open.

Lyla says 'Thank you, Ashlynn Sedai. You will.'

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 Lyla: 3 QPs

Participants:

Ashlynn: 2 QP (Reason: Providing advice and mentorship)

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

Some sage advice. Ashlynn says 'It's not necessary to be the best, but it is necessary to be willing to learn.'