Dead Poets' Sorority

[Catisune]

Catisune Sedai teaches an advanced poetry seminar for Tower Accepted; Amilya, Mariah, and Penzei attend. Novice Lexiane petitions for special admittance, and is so granted. Sedais Kathala, Chloro, and Tolza also attend.

*

Lexiane says 'I came to petition admittance to your class, Aes Sedai.'

Catisune says 'Upon what grounds?'

Lexiane says 'I am not an Accepted but I am quite close, Aes Sedai.'

Someone knocks on the carveddoor from the other side.

Lexiane says 'I love Shienaran poetry, Aes Sedai.'

Catisune gestures with her hand.

The doors smoothly swing open.

Catisune glances at the door and calls, 'You may enter.'

Lexiane says 'I find it very moving, Aes Sedai.'

The carveddoor is opened from the other side.

Mariah has arrived from the south.

Catisune says 'Then despite the dubious veracity of your first statement, I shall allow you to remain.'

Mariah closes the carveddoor.

Lexiane curtseys gracefully.

Mariah curtseys before Catisune.

Lexiane says 'Thank you, Aes Sedai.'

Lexiane says 'I will be silent as a mouse, Aes Sedai.'

Lexiane says 'Not a peep or an interruption from me, Aes Sedai.'

Catisune says 'Do not let custom bind you, dear. We are all lovers of poetry here.'

Someone knocks on the carveddoor from the other side.

Mariah walks into the room after closing the door and stands studiously behind a chair.

Catisune gestures with her hand.

Amilya favors Mariah with a grin.

Lexiane backs into a corner.

The doors smoothly swing open.

Catisune glances at the door and calls, 'You may enter.'

The carveddoor is opened from the other side.

Chloro has arrived from the south.

Lexiane curtseys gracefully.

Chloro closes the carveddoor.

Mariah curtseys before Chloro.

Catisune rises from her comfortable seat to admire the motley crew assembled before her.

Amilya stands from her chair and curtseys before the Aes Sedai.

Chloro smiles warmly to her sisters and looks at the girls gathered.

Amilya says 'Would you like my seat, Chloro Sedai?'

Mariah gets a book on shienaran poetry from a backpack.

Chloro greets Catisune with a light kiss on the cheek.

Catisune greets her with a light kiss on her cheek.

Mariah grabs a book on shienaran poetry.

Lexiane folds her hands before her and squeezes her eyes shut, obviously delighted about the class to come.

Mariah gets a book on shienaran poetry from a backpack.

Mariah offers a spare copy to Amilya.

Someone knocks on the carveddoor from the other side.

Catisune observes those assembled as one might a particularly unruly cache of kittens 'I see at least one of you is prepared today.'

Catisune gestures with her hand.

The doors smoothly swing open.

Catisune glances at the door and calls, 'You may enter.'

The carveddoor is opened from the other side.

Penzei has arrived from the south.

Amilya moves away from the chair and stands by one of the bookshelves, taking the book from Mariah as she walks by.

Penzei curtseys gracefully.

Mariah beams a smile at Penzei.

Mariah gives a book on shienaran poetry to Amilya.

Mariah gets a book on shienaran poetry from a backpack.

Mariah blinks innocently.

Penzei quickly rushes in and finds a seat.

Chloro moves through those gathered to a chair closer to the the embroidery hoop.

Catisune says 'Will someone close the door before I am catching flies with my mouth agape?'

Amilya leafs through the book, entranced in thought.

Mariah offers a spare copy of Shienaran poetry to Penzei.

Lexiane closes the carveddoor.

Catisune gestures with her hand.

Lexiane rushes to close the door.

The doors smoothly swing open.

Catisune glances at the door and calls, 'You may enter.'

The carveddoor is opened from the other side.

Kathala has arrived from the south.

Lexiane curtseys gracefully.

Penzei produces a leather binder from seemingly nowhere in her dress with a quill, taking the book from Mariah nodding her thanks.

Mariah gives a book on shienaran poetry to Penzei.

Kathala closes the door softly behind her.

Amilya curtseys as Kathala Sedai enters the room.

Mariah gets a book on shienaran poetry from a backpack.

Chloro rises and greets the Yellow sister

Lexiane grabs a fine quill pen.

Mariah curtseys before Kathala.

Chloro greets Kathala with a light kiss on her cheek.

Catisune greets Kathala with a light kiss on her cheek.

Kathala inclines her head in greeting to Chloro.

Kathala says 'Sisters.'

Lexiane shuffles some paper and then leans forward eagerly.

Lexiane closes the carveddoor.

Lexiane closes the door tightly.

Mariah places the spare copies of the poetry books on the corner of the next, with easy access.

Mariah gets a book on shienaran poetry from a backpack.
Mariah gets a book on shienaran poetry from a backpack.
Mariah gets a book on shienaran poetry from a backpack.
Chloro retakes her seat gracefully pulling out two knitting needs and a ball of yarn as she begins casting off while she listens.

Catisune whispers to Danelle Sedai 'So many interested in our poetry corner.'

Mariah puts a book on shienaran poetry in a desk.
Mariah puts a book on shienaran poetry in a desk.
Mariah puts a book on shienaran poetry in a desk.
Mariah puts a book on shienaran poetry in a desk.

Kathala shuffles to the side, manoeuvering her girth carefully.

Penzei opens the book, perusing it a bit waiting for the seminar to start.

Mariah stops using a book on shienaran poetry.

Catisune 's eyes drift wistfully to the River Erinin coursing outside the Ajah study windows.

Catisune gestures at the door with her hand.

The door silently swings shut and lock with a soft *click*.

Lexiane tries to take up as little space is possible, moving deeper and deeper into her corner.

Catisune says 'Any stragglers must wait at the door for our poetic scraps, it would seem.'

Mariah takes a quick look around the room, noting who showed up for the lesson.

Penzei grins slightly at the mention.'

Catisune turns her considerable attention like a crank toward the group of women assembled before her.

Mariah opens a book of Shienaran poetry to the second page, the title "Table of Contents" labeled clearly at the top.

Kathala takes a book and examines the title.

Catisune says 'By a show of hands only, who here is familiar with Shienaran poetry?'

Lexiane raises her hand fast as lightning.

Penzei raises her hand tenatively.

Mariah's hand remains at her side.

Chloro deftly begins to knit her first row, the needles silent as she observes those gathered and listens to her sister speak.

Amilya grasps her hands behind her back, still holding onto her book.

Kathala considers for a moment.

Catisune purses her lips tighter than the strings of a coin pouch.

Catisune says 'The poetry of the Borderlands holds an especial place in my heart, for it often confronts the stark reality of those who reside there.'

Catisune says 'Who can define for me--and succinctly--the concept of elegy?'

Lexiane raises her hand once more, though more tentatively this time.

Catisune acknowledges Lexiane with a curt nod.

Penzei raises her hand confidently.

Mariah slowly glances around at the other Accepted.

Catisune says 'Let the Novice instruct us.'

Lexiane says 'Thank you, Aes Sedai. An elegy is a poem where a person is reflecting on some serious aspect of their life. Usually lamenting the death of a loved one.'

Lexiane blushes at Catisune's comment.

Catisune says 'You are quite right, Novice.'

Penzei starts jotting on a parchment in her binder, scribbling intently.

Lexiane blushes even more deeply.

Catisune says 'An elegy is a poem of lament--typically one written for a deceased loved one.'

Mariah rests the bottom of the book pages still open, against her chest, making it easier to hold.

Catisune drones on 'While elegies can take many forms--narrative, lyric, etcetera--the poets of Shienar typically embrace spare language and heavy symbolism to convey an aspect of loss.'

Catisune gestures with her hand.

The doors smoothly swing open.

Catisune glances at the door and calls, 'You may enter.'

Tolza has arrived from the south.

Amilya reaches into her pack, pulling out a notebook and quill.

Lexiane curtseys gracefully.

Tolza gestures at the door with her hand.

The door silently swings shut and lock with a soft *click*.

Tolza sits down and rests.

Amilya curtseys before Tolza Sedai.

Penzei smiles faintly.

Mariah considers the implications of what else once could lament with in an elegy.

Penzei curtseys gracefully.

Kathala inclines her head in greeting to Tolza.

Amilya holds the book of Shienaran poetry under her chin as she writes notes in her notebook.

Chloro inclines her head in greeting to Tolza while continuing to knit one and pearl two.

Mariah gets a book on shienaran poetry from a desk.

Tolza rests at the corner attempting not to interrupt.

Catisune says 'Some of you may have spent time in the Borderlands preparing yourself to claim the shawl of an Aes Sedai.'

Mariah nods along with the Aes Sedai's connection.

Penzei nods, listening intently.

Catisune says 'What do they say in Shienar about death and duty?'

Mariah raises her hand.

Catisune nods at Mariah.

Mariah recites the commonly used saying in an even voice 'Death is lighter than a feather, duty heavier than a mountain'

Catisune taps her nose knowingly.

Kathala's face gains a chin as she smiles.

Chloro nods hearing the words.

Catisune says 'Correct, Mariah, for even the warriors who guard the world from the horrors of the Blight understand that symbolism is a most effective tool to convey sentiment succinctly.'

Catisune says 'To whom are those words attributed?'

Catisune levies a blank look at the room, and her disappointment is palpable before she breaks into a wide smile.

Catisune says 'Of course, we cannot say for sure.'

Catisune says 'But--'

Catisune wields her spindly finger like a knife 'Many would say Anasai of Ryddingwood, the most accomplished poet in the history of Shienar, might be responsible for that adage.'

Amilya looks at Catisune with interest.

Catisune says 'Are any here familiar with Anasai?'

Penzei raises her hand.

Lexiane's hand shoots up above her head, straining to be seen from her corner.

Catisune nods at Penzei.

Catisune nods at Lexiane.

Catisune says 'Can any recite for us some of her work?'

Penzei nods, clearing her throat before standing.

Lexiane waits patiently for Penzei, but clearly eager.

Mariah turns the pages in the book until it lands on one by Anasai of Ryddingwood.

Penzei says 'A drum with no head, A pump with no grip, A song with no voice.'

Chloro maintains Aes Sedai calm as her lips quirk into a smile hearing the poets name.

Penzei says 'Still, it is mine, Still, it is mine'

Catisune smiles, or perhaps she shows her teeth.

Catisune says 'Very good, Penzei.'

Penzei clutches the front of her dress as she finishes before taking her seat.

Catisune says 'Who can tell me the caveat Anasai provided with that poem?'

Penzei raises her hand again.

Catisune nods at Penzei.

Amilya looks to Penzei.

Lexiane raises her hand tentatively in the silence.

Kathala waits expectantly.

Catisune taps her lip thoughtfully.

Chloro looks about the room hoping someone knows the answer.

Penzei says 'Well, many of her poems are infact elegy, I think I've lost my thought about it.'

Catisune says 'Novice, you may assist the Accepted.'

Lexiane says 'Yes, Aes Sedai.'

Lexiane says 'The poem is not to be read aloud until the moment is right, Aes Sedai.'

Catisune says 'So says Anasai, yes, you are correct.'

Lexiane beams.

Catisune says 'I myself have read it aloud several times today, for the moment is ripe, and the Shadow falls over the pattern.'

Penzei writes furiously in her binder.

Catisune says 'But what do you suspect she meant by that?'

Lexiane frowns at Catisune's words, her joy evaporating.

Lexiane says 'Are you asking me, Aes Sedai?'

Mariah raises her hand.

Lexiane blushes.

Catisune says 'I am asking any with a brain between their ears.'

Catisune says 'But Mariah, you may answer.'

Penzei looks around, trying to give someone else a chance.

Tolza smirks.

Mariah says 'I wonder if it means that the words, when spoken aloud, will instill upon someone somegreat movement. While slightly prophetic, meaning that at some point in the future someone will find value in the reading of the poem at a pivotal or impactful time.'

Catisune says 'I could not have said it better myself.'

Catisune says 'So I won't.'

Catisune says 'But the rest of you should make a note as to Accepted Mariah's observation.'

Amilya grins at Catisu ne Sedai's quip.

Penzei nods appreciatively before continuing to write on her parchment.

Catisune says 'Scholars postulate that Anasai wrote those words for her father, but the lament is nearly universal.'

Kathala shifts in her seat and rearranges her skirt.

Chloro looks over the accepted measuring them with her gray eyes.

Catisune says 'Have any here experienced loss?'

Penzei raises her hand.

Lexiane raises her hand, but with much less enthusiasm this time.

Mariah nods in answer to the Aes Sedai's question.

Amilya lifts her hand, still grabbing her notebook.

Catisune says 'I do not trust any woman who does not raise her hand to such a question.'

Catisune says 'For to be a woman is to understand loss acutely, and to be Aes Sedai--'

Catisune says 'Well, we are but women.'

Catisune observes the room as if she can see inside your pockets and your soul.

Chloro nods agreeing with Catisune's words.

Penzei writes furiously in her binder again making few loud taps on the parchment by that remark.

Catisune says 'Danelle, is the wine ready?'

Danelle Sedai says 'It's a good day for a stiff drink.'

Mariah burrows her eyebrows in thought, biting her lips, then flips through the poetry book looking for what sounded familiar.

Catisune says 'Very well.'

Catisune says 'I do not demand reports, for I find them mostly tiresome.'

Catisune says 'But if any here wish to write an elegy--'

Catisune says 'I will consider it.'

Catisune says 'I will take questions before you are dismissed.'

Mariah raises her hand.

Catisune nods at Mariah.

Amilya begins to put her notebook away, and stops to raise her hand.

Mariah says 'Aes Sedai, I am not intimately versed in this type of poetry. Does general loss of something fall into an elegy? Such as, if one were to use the format to call out a perceived loss on an ideal.'

Catisune says 'Clever, Mariah.'

Amilya puts her hand down and puts her notebook away as Mariah and Catisune speak.

Catisune says 'While an elegy typically refers to a poem lamenting the loss of a loved one, no prohibition exists for decrying such other kinds of losses.'

Mariah says 'I do not have a great example, but let us as if I am a litary adjacent to a government body, and they made a ruling that seems to lack principle.'

Chloro darts an approving look to Mariah as she continues to knit and listen.

Catisune nods, the bun atop her head swaying dangerously.

Catisune nods at Amilya.

Amilya drops the book from under her chin, catching it in her hand.

Amilya says 'Do you have recommendations for books where we can learn more about poetry, Aes Sedai?'

Catisune says 'I shall provide you a reading list.'

Catisune says 'Other questions?'

Chloro raises her hand in kind.

Catisune nods at Chloro.

One long blast from a trumpet resonates through the Tower!

One long blast from a trumpet resonates through the Tower!

Chloro says 'Catisune is correct, for being here each and everyone one of us gave up another life to be where we are today. An elegy would fit that as well.'

Kathala sits up stiffly.

Penzei looks around the room.

Lexiane closes her eyes and smiles happily before jumping nearly out of her skin at the horns.

Amilya startles at the sound of the trumpets.

Catisune seems quite startled at the interruption, her trademark aplomb dislodged for a moment.

Catisune says 'All are dismissed, save the Novice, who I shall keep with me.'

Chloro packs away her knitting hastily and rises looking through the window.

Penzei nods in agreement.

Penzei curtseys gracefully.

Mariah raises her hand.

Tolza stops resting, and clambers on her feet.

Catisune feels the flows of saidar coursing through her body.

Catisune gestures with her hand.

The door smoothly swings open.
Kathala rises slowly.

Mariah says 'You mentioned specifically Shienaran elegies. Do the other borderland countries follow the same trends, or are there nuances between them in their poetry?'

Amilya puts the book into her backpack and curtseys before leaving the room.

Penzei leaves south. vv

Tolza leaves south. vv

Amilya leaves south. vv

Kathala smoothes her skirts.

Chloro nods to her sister before gracefully and swiftly moving to the door.

Chloro leaves south. vv

Lexiane curtsies to the departing crowd.

Kathala says 'Thank you for that informative class, Sister. It has been years since I last studied poetry.'

Mariah puts a book on shienaran poetry in a desk.

Catisune smiles, her lips twitching for but a moment.

A Brown Sister leaves south. vv

Catisune says 'Thank you for attending, sister.'

Mariah curtseys before Kathala.

Kathala inclines her head towards Chloro and Tolza, before leaving the room.

Kathala leaves south. vv

Catisune says 'Mariah, seek me later for further instruction.'

Mariah says 'Of course, Aes Sedai.'

Mariah leaves south. vv

[Catisune]

I awarded all initiates 3 rpqps for attending this class.

[Raeza]

I awarded Catisune for teaching this class and posting the log. I also awarded 1 rpqp for each attending Sedai. Please see the silver-haired sister.