Chloro Sedai calls a hopeful novice to the Gray Ajah meeting room, a discussion begins which ends in a girl coming face to face with the deepst darkest parts of her mind. That which she fears most.
(OOC NOTE: We do not share this often, however in light of recent events. I think it is good to remind everyone that women of the Tower pay a hefty price to become the Aes Sedai you have come to know. It is also some good rp!)
View of Chloro
Participants: Chloro, Katene, Rebeka
Meeting Room of the Gray Ajah
Large, leaded glass windows surround the room on all sides, save the
southern where a large doorway leads out into a antechamber. The room
itself is dominated by a large wooden table around which sits at least
fifty matching chairs, something close to a record for the White Tower. In
the middle of the table are an assortment of unused parchments, quill pens
and stoppered ink jars. A small stand off to one side of the room holds a
large number of glass cups and a large pitcher of chilled water. An
inscription in fine lettering is etched upon the windows.
[ obvious exits: E ]
Zone: White Tower Upper Floors
Door east: door
A large round table built from black oak dominates the center of the room.
Katene Myter, the Wearied Novice is standing here.
A silver-haired Aes Sedai sits here, reading.
A Gray Sister walks here, considering her options.
Annoura Larisen is here, weighing your words.
Chloro looks up from her spot at the large round table and nods at seeing the initiate enter. "Ah yes, Novice Katene, my yellow sisters seem rather impressed with you. Let us see if I can glean the same. Please have a seat child
Katene glides to the nearest chair and slowly sits down.
Chloro looks the girl over weighing and measuring her with calculating gray eyes. "You have been with us some time now. Tell me child, what is the lesson that sticks out most in your mind?"
Katene says 'I would have to say a conversation I had with Melosa Sedai when we discussed the Three Oaths.'
Chloro nods and motions for the novice to continue. "Elaborate child."
Katene says 'She made me realize that they were all pillars of the tower, each as important as the next and should one fall, they all would. This same perspective can be used on many things about the tower.'
Katene says 'and likely many things outside the tower as well.'
Chloro says 'Well spoken, now, to your other studies. I see you have met with a few of my sisters. Did any, one specific Ajah stand out, or pull at you more?'
Chloro waits patiently for the novice's response.
Katene says 'I would say that the conversations I have had with the some of the Yellow Ajah has gained my interest most at this point. When I first came to the Tower, I had no preconceived notions of an Ajah, but slowly Green and Yellow pulled my interest. Now Yellow has my attention. I have even learned some Wisdom skills with potion making to help with those that may be in need.'
Katene says 'Though I must say that there is still much to learn, and should I be elevated to Accepted, I want to go into it with an open mind.'
Chloro internally sighs at yet another girl seeking the yellows but maintains a face of serene calm, her voice warm but firm. "I see, and what have you done towards progressing to more responsibility? To which Accepted have you spoken to?"
Katene says 'I have spoken with several of the Accepteds. Though, I must say that Accepteds Maddy and Vala have been mentors. I did receive some fighting instruction for Isela Sedai, prior to her taking the Shawl.'
Chloro considers the names mentioned and files them away for later contemplation. "What have you learned from them about being Accepted, and the price each of them paid to attain it?"
Katene says 'From my observations, first and foremost, they take responsibility for the Novices. No only guiding and teaching but also, if necessary, protecting us. They seem to have dedicated their lives to the tower and to advancing to the Shawl. I would say that they are just as busy, if not more so, that the Novices with their tasks.'
Katene says 'I would say that their sacrifice is their time. It is all dedicated to the Tower and to their advancement. It leaves little to no time for a personal life.'
Chloro nods and looks to her sisters in the room. "Each woman pays a price to wear the banded dress. Though to each the price is different. A career, a simple life, the ability to fade from society, all of these will be taken from you. To face the arches and broken and tempered. To become Aes Sedai is to shattered and reforged."
Katene thinks deeply about this.
Chloro says 'Tell me Katene, what drives you to seek the shawl? What strength in your heart do you think has the metal to take you all the way?'
Someone knocks on the carveddoor from the other side.
Rebeka has arrived from the east.
Rebeka greets Chloro with a light kiss on her cheek.
Katene says 'That is an interesting question Chloro Sedai....When I came to the tower, it was to escape my life on the streets. To have stability. Now, being a Novice as long as I have, my knowledge has deepened, not only in the Tower, but in myself. Having my parents killed by trollocs at a young age made me hate them as well as fear them. I wanted revenge. Now, it is more than that. With my abilities I want to help save the world from the dark. Whether that be by fighting Trollocs, or healing and protecting tho'
Chloro leans up from her seat and kisses her sister on the cheek. "Good timing as always."
Katene clambers to her feet.
Rebeka inclines her head in greeting to Katene.
Katene curtseys before Rebeka.
Rebeka takes a seat around the table and listens in.
Katene sits down.
Chloro contemplates the answer and rebuttals. "What if you do not leave the tower? What if the Ajah you choose to join relegates you to duties within Tar Valon? Would you still seek the shawl? Would be satisfied with that life?"
Katene says 'If my abilities, whether that be researching, law, negotiation, battle, healing, etc. can help, it matters not where I put them to use, what matters is that they are put to use to for the good of the Tower and for the light.'
Chloro says 'One final question for this talk child. What is the price of becoming Accepted? One shared by every woman who wears the ring?'
Katene says 'I would surmise that becoming an Accepted means that her life is no longer her own. She has dedicated her life to the Tower and the light.'
Chloro say 'That is a status and way of life child. The true price of becoming Accepted. Is facing the fears within the deep dark recesses of your mind and either overcoming them or being lost to us.'
Chloro says 'To know yourself, the real you, is the price.'
Katene nods in agreement.
Rebeka says 'Some do not like what they find and seek to leave. Some do not return. That is what can happen.'
Katene nods in agreement.
Chloro says 'After all we have discussed. Do you still seek to face the arches?'
Katene says 'I understand that the path can have three results. Passing, dyeing or being stilled.'
Katene says 'Even with this knowledge, I still with to proceed.'
Katene says 'A conversation I had with Rebeka Sedai not to long ago got me thinking.'
Chloro looks to Rebeka sharing a knowing glance then gracefully stands. "Perhaps we should take a walk them about the Tower."
Katene says 'I realized the only one who can truly know if I was ready for the test, is me.'
Rebeka gives a nod and stands. "That is the way this is heading, yes."
A Long, Portrait-Lined Hallway
Floor tiles in various hues of gray, such as pewter, dove and slate cover
the floor of the hallway, interspersed with pure white floor tiles marked
with a gray Flame of Tar Valon. A number of large portraits line the
corridor. Each image shows a woman with an ageless face wearing a
seven-striped stole. These are all sisters who were raised to Amyrlin from
the Gray Ajah. A frieze depicting olive branches, their blossoms and fruits
decorates the uppermost part of the pale, white stone wall.
[ obvious exits: N E S W ]
Zone: White Tower Upper Floors
Door north: woodendoor
Door east: doubledoors
Door south: thickdoor
Rebeka has arrived from the west.
Katene has arrived from the west.
Chloro stops a moment looking at the portraits of great women that have come before, then turns to the left heading down the long corridor.
In the Lit Corridor
Occupying the entire height and bredth of the hallway, two double doors
block the way east. Made of some kind of dark wood, they are imposing due
to their sheer size and stark appearance. Lighting the way are oil lamps
mounted on iron wall brackets that shed pools of light on the pale stone
floor. Towards the west, a ramp leads towards the storage areas on the
upper levels of the White Tower's basements, as well as the surface.
[ obvious exits: E W ]
(wotmudmapper): (error): No matches found.
Rebeka has arrived from the west.
Katene has arrived from the west.
Chloro pauses before the large double doors and thinks for a moment. Without turning around to see the Novice her voice rings clear. "You are about to enter where only those who wear the ring emerge successfully. Do you still wish to know your fate and proceed?"
Katene says 'I still wish to proceed.'
Chloro says 'Then steal yourself girl, where you are about to go, no one else can go with you.
Katene says 'Yes Chloro Sedai'
Chloro takes a deep measured breath and raises her right fist.
Chloro knocks loudly on the wooden doors.
Chloro knocks loudly on the wooden doors a second time.
Chloro knocks loudly on the wooden doors a third time.
The woodendoors shudder for a moment and then creak open.
Silently the trio enter, and one girl face's the first step towards becoming what she wishes to be.