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| Food for Thought (Tower Grounds); Attn: Accepted Adena | |
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| Topic Started: Aug 30 2008, 02:54 AM (454 Views) | |
| Jetsuade Kaeth | Aug 30 2008, 02:54 AM Post #1 |
Novice, Lost during the War
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Jetsuade was beginning to get used to novice life. The chores were still useless and thus quite annoying, but she had learned not to comment on them. The classes were very interesting, especially saidar classes. She had learned to embrace the source and she knew the sweet sensation of saidar filling your mind and body. She found herself aching in anticipation for the next lesson and that wonderful emotion. It was dangerous, she knew, saidar was addicting and you should never draw more saidar than you can handle. But she ached nonetheless. Her other classes were interesting too. She had found herself quite overwhelmed and extremely interested in a class about White Tower hierarchy and what it meant to be an Aes Sedai. But there was one thing that bothered her very much. She had even approached Karanina Sedai, the only Aes Sedai she felt somewhat comfortable talking to, about the subject and had a long chat with her. She had only echoed what the Aes Sedai teaching the class had said. Aes Sedai marriages and families were very discouraged. Both Aes Sedai had given the same reasons for the discouragement. Aes Sedai lived a lot longer than ordinary people, so the husband and possible children would wither and die while the Aes Sedai lived on. The loss would be unbearable. Plus the life of an Aes Sedai was full of commitments to the White Tower, and a family could hinder that. There weren't many men who would decide to share their life with an Aes Sedai anyway. Jetsuade found that very depressing. She was the oldest daughter of a big family, and her life-long dream had been to find her true love, marry him and have a big family. Three daughters and at least two sons. She had searched for her true love for two years already, but she was willing to wait. Yes, she was willing to live her novice and Accepted years in abstinence like she was supposed to. But knowing that she could never have a family... that was something else. Jetsuade shook her head, her braids swaying wildly. She grabbed her white cloak and held it close to her body. The weather wasn't too nice, but she sat on a bench in the gardens regardless. The coldness of the wind was nothing compared to the coldness of her thoughts. The coldness of her dreams shattering. |
 Talents: Illusion, Making Cuendillar, Delving (earth) Artwork by Natascha Roeoesli. Deceased during the War | |
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| Adena Moren | Aug 30 2008, 09:45 AM Post #2 |
Accepted
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It was a windy, cold day, unusual for the end of summer, and for some people it might be a nice break from the heat. Adena had grown up in Amadicia though, and this day could almost pass for late fall there. Amadicia was not like Tear and Illian, where they did not even believe snow existed, but it was certainly warmer climate than Tar Valon. It was somewhat strange to Adena that although she had not left Tar Valon for twelve years, she was still not entirely used to their cold weather. If only she knew that Aes Sedai trick to not feeling heat or cold. She was not entirely sure why she was wandering around the gardens in this weather, but she had no intentions of heading anywhere else. She had a lesson in the Great Game later with Morella Sedai of the Blue which she was looking forward to, but until then, the only thing she had to do was eat lunch. The time of intense, awful chores was over, thank the Light, and Karanina Sedai was apparently convinced that she was worthy to be here. Adena was not quite sure how convinced other sisters and Accepted were, but that did not matter. They would see. She would show them, she would be as good an Aes Sedai as any of them. She resisted the urge to nod emphatically at the end of that thought, and felt a little childish for having the impulse. She may not look much above eighteen or twenty, but that did not give her an excuse to act her thirty two years, and it certainly would not be any excuse to give a sister for not acting like one of the Accepted. Adena realized suddenly that for once her mind was not plagued by the memory of her arches. Immediately she cursed the thought, knowing what it would bring. And she was right, as if the thought was a summons, her arches were suddenly there, intruding on her peace once again. It had been months since her raising, and yet there seemed to be no relief. She spent somewhat less time thinking about them now, and last week she had even had a dream that was completely unrelated to her arches, but there seemed to be no end in sight. She was going to be an old Aes Sedai, waking up in the middle of the night sobbing because of what she had left behind. What she had done to the people in her arches. It was unfair. It was unjust. It was simply not right. How could a woman be a useful Aes Sedai and do any good for the world if she was constantly haunted by choices she was forced to make years and years before? Adena tried to push the memory out of her mind. She tried running through novice exercises for calm and an empty mind, but it only worked for a moment. As soon as she finished the exercise, those light forsaken memories rushed back in. Finally she gave up. There was no getting rid of this. Either she would learn to live with it, or it would drive her mad. The latter option did not sound too appealing to Adena, but there was nothing she could do. The Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills[/i, she thought simply, not realizing how much like an Aes Sedai she was already becoming. She turned a corner in the gardens that she knew would take her to her favorite bench in all the Towers. As she came to where she could see it, there was someone else there. A novice, sitting on the bench, holding a cloak around her. It was not that cold, at least, Adena did not think so. Perhaps the girl was new from Illian and not used to this weather. Adena had not particularly wanted to share her favorite place in the Towers with a novice, but she also did not want to pass this place up. This tended to be one of the only places where she could gain some peace for more than a few moments. She approached the bench slowly, still trying to make up her mind whether to walk past or to join the girl already sitting there. |
 Masking the Glow, Folding Light, Inverting | |
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| Jetsuade Kaeth | Sep 2 2008, 02:47 AM Post #3 |
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Novice, Lost during the War
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Jetsuade kept rolling the same thoughts in her mind. Whatever way she looked at the subject, it didn't help. If she was to be Aes Sedai, she would have to give up her pursuit of her love and own family. Only then could she show proper dedication to become Aes Sedai, Karanina Sedai had been pretty clear about that. Jetsuade was sure that the Mistress of Novices had only her best interest in mind - she did not want Jetsuade to have false hopes - but Jetsuade still wasn't pleased with how strict she had been. Was there no exception to that rule? Jetsuade shook her head again. She had mulled it over a thousand times and it only made her depressed. She should stop worrying about it for now. She would continue her studies and then decide what it was that she wanted. Did she want to become Aes Sedai or did she wish to leave and start a family? She would have to answer that question later. Now was far too soon. Jetsuade finally looked up to see a familiar face approaching the bench. Jetsuade had only met the woman once - she had helped her when she had been lost in the Tower during her first days as a novice. She wondered if Adena would remember her. It had been months ago. Their encounter had been brief but Jetsuade remembered her rescuer. "Congratulations on your raising, Accepted," she called, remembering that Adena had still been novice when she had first met her. For a brief moment Jetsuade wondered what the raising would be. She had been strictly told not to ask an Accepted about it, though. Novices apparently was not supposed to know about the test too much before it began. Something about meeting their fears, that much she had been told. And that it was very hard, because Aes Sedai could not afford to be weak. She shook the thought away, another thing that she was stressing about far too early. "Would you like to join me?" she asked. Whether or not the woman wanted to talk, Jetsuade would appreciate the company. At least she could get her mind off the things that troubled her. Edited by Jetsuade Kaeth, Sep 2 2008, 02:53 AM.
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Talents: Illusion, Making Cuendillar, Delving (earth) Artwork by Natascha Roeoesli. Deceased during the War | |
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| Adena Moren | Sep 2 2008, 10:40 AM Post #4 |
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Accepted
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As Adena made her way toward the bench, the novice apparently noticed her approaching, and looked up. As she did, Adena recognized the girl as a novice she had helped find her way once. The girl had been very new then, and had, by her own admission, been completely lost. Adena remembered the day fairly well, though she had not thought about this particular novice since then. She had not really even expected to see her again, there were so many people in the Towers that Adena might never have met the girl again unless she was raised to Accepted. As such, Adena had not put much effort into learning the girl's name. A stupid decision, that, she told herself with a frown. If she was really turning over a new leaf, if this was really her life now, then she should be trying harder to make that obvious. Learning names would be one very good way to show that she did not hate everyone anymore. Of course, I had not decided yet when I first met this girl, she thought, but immediately reminded herself that she was trying to decide, and could have been working a little harder at the time. Well, there was nothing for it, Adena could not remember the girl's name, it was completely gone from her memory. The novice either remembered Adena, was very good at recognizing new Accepted, or had somehow heard of her raising and learned who she was without Adena hearing a word of it. Most likely, Adena thought, was the first. She congratulated Adena on her raising, and invited Adena to join her on the bench. "Thank you, and yes, I think I would like to join you," she said, thinking that it sounded a little awkward without anything to actually address the novice. She thought for a moment about adding "child" to the end, it would be proper from Accepted to novice, but Adena could not quite do it. She had hated being called child when she was a novice, and she simply did not think that she would ever call anyone child unless she really did hate them. As she took a seat on the bench next to this nameless novice, Adena suddenly understood why the girl was holding her cloak so tightly around her. The stone was cold, and now Adena wished she had brought her cloak, if not to put over her shoulders then at least to sit on and add some insulation from the bench. She tried not to let the shock of the cold show on her face though. She was expected to emulate the Aes Sedai, and that was what she would do. Unfortunately, Adena was fairly sure she did not do a very good job of it this time. She would have to be more aware of things in the future, and ready for things that might break her concentration. How Aes Sedai did it all the time was beyond Adena, but to be fair, she had only been Accepted for a few months. With time she would learn it, and nothing was going to stop her. "I am terribly sorry," she said, interrupting her own thoughts, "but I simply cannot remember your name. I know we've met, I remember showing you the way to the novice well, you were lost. But for the life of me, I can't bring up your name." She hoped the novice would not be offended, but at any rate, the girl could hardly show that she was taking offense to one of the Accepted. Adena would not send her for punishment, but this girl could hardly know that. She had not known much about being a novcie when they had met the first time, but surely since that she had learned a little more about how a novice was expected to behave. Adena hoped for her sake that she had, at least. Adena waited for the girl to give her name, not doubting for a second that she would, still hoping that she would not be disappointed or upset by Adena's lack of memory. |
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Masking the Glow, Folding Light, Inverting | |
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| Jetsuade Kaeth | Sep 3 2008, 11:27 AM Post #5 |
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Novice, Lost during the War
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Jetsuade smiled as Adena accepted her invitation and settled down on the bench. She wasn't sure where to go from there, though. She did not feel comfortable talking freely to the woman now that she was Accepted. Jetsuade had somewhat looked up to her when they had first met because she had spent so many years in the Tower, but they had still both been novices. Now there was a big gap between them. Jetsuade was sure that she would not have addressed an unknown Accepted at all. Accepted had the power to order novices, even to assign a punishment if necessary. And Jetsuade had been in the receiving end of an Accepted tantrum which only meant a couple of shifts washing dishes for the novice and an extra one for complaining the unfairness. Jetsuade had learned to keep her mouth shut from then on. But Adena did not seem to mind Jetsuade's offer of company, on the contrary, she seemed quite content. Jetsuade still didn't know if she wanted to chat or not, and decided that she would not force conversation on her. So she kept quiet for a while and let herself wallow in her own thoughts again. They were the same thoughts... Family, love, being an Aes Sedai. Adena's presence had not yet had the affect she had hoped. Luckily the Accepted did end her trail of thoughts as she apologized for not remembering her name. "I'm Jetsuade, Accepted Adena," she answered with a small smile. She wasn't surprised, she was actually happy that the woman did remember her, even though she could not recall her name. "I quite understand. There are so many women in the Towers and I can't remember half of the names of novices who I have met during my stay here." Most of her energy went to trying to remember names of Aes Sedai and Accepted who would surely be offended if she could not recall them. Novices could be offended too, but at least they couldn't do much about it. If you forgot the name of an Aes Sedai who remembered yours, you were in so much trouble. |
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Talents: Illusion, Making Cuendillar, Delving (earth) Artwork by Natascha Roeoesli. Deceased during the War | |
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| Adena Moren | Sep 3 2008, 03:56 PM Post #6 |
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Accepted
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The novice did not seem offended at all at the fact that Adena did not remember her name, but instead said that she understood, and offered her name. Jetsuade. Light, I never would have thought of that, she thought guiltily, even now that she had heard the girl's name she did not recognize it even the slightest bit. Adena would have to put more effort into learning names from now on. If this was going to be her home, she wanted to know the names of the people she shared it with, especially the women who may become her sisters one day. It seemed a little strange to Adena that Aes Sedai considered other Aes Sedai sisters, and in many cases, they seemed to mean it as more than a title. Adena had had two siblings in Amadicia, an older brother and sister, but she had never been that close to anyone in her life, including her siblings. She did not think that she would ever be close enough to the women of this place to consider the term sister anything more than a title. Stranger things had happened though, such as her current desire to become Aes Sedai. That was certainly the last thing she would have predicted a few years ago, so maybe one day she really would think of Aes Sedai as her sisters. Maybe. "Do you have any siblings, Jetsuade?" Adena asked almost before she realized what she was doing. It did not occur to her to worry that the mention of family might cause pain for the new novice. She was more interested in hearing whether the novice had any siblings. If she did, perhaps she could shed some light on the bond between them. Maybe she could help Adena understand how Aes Sedai considered each other sisters. If she did not, well, it did not really matter anyway. As she waited for the novice's answer, Adena looked around the gardens. This was her favorite place for a reason, it was the most beautiful place she had found so far. The path ran parallel to a little brook for a little way, and this particular bench was positioned just across from a small pond. It held only five or six fish, and no ornate fountains like other ponds around the grounds had, but Adena thought it was perfect. In the summer and early fall, it was under a sprawling oak tree, shaded and cooler if it got too hot, but nearby there was a clear patch that was just perfect for sitting in the sun. Adena could have spent hours in this one little corner of the gardens- probably would have, if it was permitted. It certainly would not be doable for a novice, and even Accepted were supposed to keep busy, though thankfully they did not have chores after the first few weeks. Free time was to be spent studying. Adena did not mind the studying, she had chosen the Great Game as one of her primary topics, and was greatly enjoying her lessons with Morella Sedai, but the Aes Sedai did not seem to understand that people sometimes needed more of a break than one freeday every few months. Edited by Adena Moren, Sep 6 2008, 11:44 AM.
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Masking the Glow, Folding Light, Inverting | |
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| Jetsuade Kaeth | Sep 4 2008, 05:30 AM Post #7 |
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Novice, Lost during the War
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Accepted Adena did not comment on Jetsuade's name and seemed to be lost in her thoughts. Jetsuade didn't mind and still did not try to start a conversation. Adena would surely open a discussion if she felt like it, and Jetsuade would join gladly, but it was the Accepted's choice this time. Jetsuade tugged her cloak a bit and wondered a little more about the test for raising. Jetsuade would not have to worry about it for... years, maybe. She wanted to become Accepted as soon as possible, but she knew that it would take time. She would work hard, though. She did want to become Aes Sedai... Even the thought that it meant that she wouldn't be able to have her own family had not convinced her that she did not want to become Aes Sedai. Not yet. Again she was thinking about the same thing that she was trying to avoid, so she quickly tried to think of something else. "Do you have any siblings, Jetsuade?" Jetsuade had not been expecting a question like that at all. They had never approached that subject before and Jetsuade wondered why the Accepted had decided to ask that. She didn't ask, though, she didn't want to seem insolent in any way. It was a conversation starter, if a loose one, and Jetsuade grabbed it. "I have five siblings, actually," she said with a smile. The thought of her younger brothers and sisters always brought a smile to her face. Most of the time it was a longing smile. She missed them terribly. "Nanini is almost twelve years old now. It sounds silly, but she is my best friend. My first friend, actually." Jetsuade was her older sister by every definition, and Jetsuade's transformation to womanhood had created an unexpected gap between them, but she still considered Nani her friend as well as her sister. "I have three brothers. Kael is eight, Nadin is turning seven and Ryel is five. Mayana, my baby sister, has just turned two." That was a painful thought. Jetsuade had not seen her baby sister grow. She had not heard her first words or seen her first walk. Mayana probably didn't even remember her. Jetsuade bit her lip to stop herself from crying. She fell silent, not knowing what Adena thought of her explanation and why she had asked the question. She did not mind telling her about her siblings, but remembering them did bring such longing to her heart that she wasn't sure how much she would be able to tell without bursting into tears. She didn't want to seem weak though, so she bit her lip again and waited to see if Adena wanted to know more. |
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Talents: Illusion, Making Cuendillar, Delving (earth) Artwork by Natascha Roeoesli. Deceased during the War | |
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| Adena Moren | Sep 6 2008, 12:08 PM Post #8 |
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Accepted
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((OOC: Okay, so I realized I'm an idiot and in my bio it says Adena has a brother and sister.  But I think it's going to be OK. I edited my last post a little bit. Just wanted to let you know so that it's not so much like I'm stupid and forget things I wrote two days ago. Just things I wrote three years ago. *shame*))Jetsuade replied with a smile that she had five siblings, and then went on to explain who they all were. Adena did not particularly care who Jetsuade's siblings were, but as the novice described her family, it was clear to Adena that she loved them all dearly. Finally, when she bit her lip with a none-to-happy expression on her face, did Adena realize what a difficult subject this might be for Jetsuade. That was not what she had intended at all. Light, now I'll never know about Aes Sedai sisters, she thought somewhat frustrated with herself. She should have realized that if Jetsuade, a new novice, had any siblings, that talking about them would be difficult. For Adena, family was hardly a touchy subject anymore, she had missed them terribly when she had first arrived though. She had loved her family, yes, but she had never been extremely close to any of them. She had hardly spoken to her brother and sister, they had not liked her very much, thinking that she was a spoiled brat and that their mother and father should have done something about her behavior. The thought still grated, but Adena had to admit now that they were right. She did not think that her mother and father actually could have done anything about her though, she had had them both- especially her father -wrapped around her finger so tightly they had had little hope of getting loose. It did not help either that her siblings were both several years older than Adena. By the time she was seven, her brother was married and had a home of his own, and when Adena turned twelve her sister follwed him out of the house. Theirs was hardly a relationship to base the idea of siblings off of. "I'm sorry," Adena began, "I didn't mean to upset you, I was just thinking about the way Aes Sedai call each other sisters. Do you think that there are many Aes Sedai as close to each other as sisters are supposed to be? I have a brother and sister in Amadicia, but we were not close, and they were much older than me. Maybe if you use my family's definition of sister then they could be, but going by yours, I'm not so sure." Adena knew she did not have to explain herself to a novice, but she felt like she deserved the girl an explanation for bringing up a painful memory. Not to mention she would rather like to get someone else's thoughts on the subject. Maybe I should ask a sister...a White might be best. That might cause an argument in the White halls that could break some sister bonds, Adena thought with a small smile. She had visited those halls occasionally, and Whites were always involved in some argument about logic. Without fail, it was about something Adena found either incredibly obvious or incredibly unimportant. And no matter what the argument was, the Whites' logic was always way above her head. The White Ajah still interested Adena, and she would have to spend a little more time among them before she could decide whether that was the place she would want to spend her entire future, but there were other options to consider as well. "I just don't know if I could ever become that close to so many people that I don't even know very well. I can't imagine that every Aes Sedai knows every one of her 'sisters' that well, or cares about them all that much." That, Adena thought, was the real issue. Sisters cared about each other. Even Adena, in her own odd way, had cared for her sister. She did not like the woman, but she had not wanted to see her hurt or anything like that. If Jain had really needed her, Adena would have been there. Were the Aes Sedai that interested in the fates of the women they called sisters? But you did not have to be close to someone to care about what happened to them, Adena and Jain were a perfect example of that. Light, maybe I really should be a White, she thought, suppressing a sigh. Suddenly she was further from an answer than she had been before, all because she started thinking about Jain. |
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Masking the Glow, Folding Light, Inverting | |
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| Jetsuade Kaeth | Sep 10 2008, 06:10 AM Post #9 |
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Novice, Lost during the War
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(OOC:  I'm sure no one would have even noticed. )Adena apologized for upsetting Jetsuade and went on to explain that she was wondering about how Aes Sedai called each other sisters. The novice was glad of that. It meant that Adena did not mean to ask further about Jetsuade's siblings personally, just to talk about sibling relationships in general. Jetsuade didn't have a problem with that at all. "Do you think that there are many Aes Sedai as close to each other as sisters are supposed to be?" That was an interesting topic, although Jetsuade hadn't particularly wondered about that before. Adena told her that she had a brother and a sister, but they hadn't been very close. Jetsuade felt a little sorry for Adena. Jetsuade remembered being happy as the only child, but once she had had her sisters and brothers, she wouldn't have traded them for anything. She had loved them all dearly all her life, and she was sure that she would have been lonely had she not had the company and affection of her siblings. Of course, she didn't know Adena and her nature. Adena could be the kind of person who was happier without such strong connections with a bunch of siblings. "I just don't know if I could ever become that close to so many people that I don't even know very well. I can't imagine that every Aes Sedai knows every one of her 'sisters' that well, or cares about them all that much." Jetsuade immediately knew that she disagreed. Aes Sedai were compassionate, caring and pure-hearted. Of course they cared of other Aes Sedai, even if they didn't know them very well. She was sure that the Aes Sedai worked together in various situations and lived in the same building for so long that they would get to know each other more or less. And there were other things that connected them, too. "Hmmm.." Jetsuade hummed in an indication that she was thinking about what the Accepted had said. She mulled it over for a while, trying to form her thoughts. She tried to recall everything her mother and father had ever said about Aes Sedai, and all the things she had learned thus far as a novice. "I do believe that Aes Sedai could consider each other sisters, family," she finally said. "They share something that no outsider can even comprehend. They can channel. They have experienced the same training and they share the responsibilities that come with the talent of touching saidar. I'm sure that no one else can understand an Aes Sedai life style and problems than another Aes Sedai. So they do share a bond, a bond of understanding instead of blood bonds." "And they live in the same building most of their lives. They take orders from the Amyrlin Seat, Mother. Aes Sedai come in contact with other Aes Sedai every day, even if they do not meet all the other Aes Sedai all that often. But as in many big families, you can feel more connected, more close to some of your brothers or sisters, but the other ones are still your siblings and you care for them. Maybe it's the same with Aes Sedai." "In a way, I even understand why Aes Sedai call us children, no matter how much I hate it. They are our family now. The White Tower is our home. They train us to become their sisters, and so we are in a way their children." Jetsuade was a little surprised by her own reasoning. She hadn't realized that she had accepted the White Tower as her new home so strongly. She loved her family, but they weren't her real family any more. Light, the thought hurt, but it was true. One day she would never think twice about it. It was frightening. Jetsuade fell silent, waiting for the Accepted's response to her rather long explanation. |
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Talents: Illusion, Making Cuendillar, Delving (earth) Artwork by Natascha Roeoesli. Deceased during the War | |
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| Adena Moren | Sep 10 2008, 04:01 PM Post #10 |
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Accepted
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Adena waited patiently for a few moments while Jetsuade thought about what she had said. The other woman seemed to take her time deciding exactly what to say, and Adena wondered if perhaps she was unsure as well. When she spoke though, her words and tone were anything but unsure. She said that she believed Aes Sedai could consider each other family. They shared a common bond that other women only dreamed about Other women can channel though, but that line of thought was cut off quickly as Jetsuade went on. She said that they all had the same kind of training as novice and Accepted, and they grew up, as it were, in the same building, the White Tower. Perhaps they did not all know each other that well, but they were compassionate and pure-hearted and truly did care for each other. Adena was not so sure how compassionate they were, given the way novices and new Accepted were treated, but she supposed in other matters they could be. As Jetsuade explained it, there was more to the sisterhood of Aes Sedai than simply knowing one another. It was about a commonality that all women shared. As Adena thought about it, she supposed she could understand that. Even if the other Accepted did not care for Adena just yet, they all had a common bond. They had all spent years as a novice and learned to control saidar. And they had all faced the Arches. Regardless of whether or not Adena liked those other women, she felt that kinship at least. Most of the women had been Accepted a few years, raisings were not that common after all, and they had dealt with their Arches at least a little bit by this point. Adena was still just starting to figure out what she was supposed to do with that memory, and on a few occasions, women who scorned her in public had stopped by her room to offer their support. Adena had accepted only once, the week after her raising, but had often wished she had not turned the other women away at every visit. Maybe Jetsuade had a point. And the Aes Sedai had another test in common and the Oath to tie them together as well. Aes Sedai was a rather exclusive group after all, it probably did promote some unity to simply be one of them. It was still a little strange to Adena that someone could feel like a sister to a woman she barely knew, but she supposed that would just be one of the mysteries of Aes Sedai until she wore the shawl. If I wear the shawl, she tried to tell herself, knowing that it was a pointless argument now. That was what she was working for. One small part of her mind acknowledged that she could not simply let go of everything just like that, even though technically she already had. Another part, locked away and drowned out, knew that the real reason she still told herself if was because she was afraid to get too confident. Afraid that the Aes Sedai might not ever find her worthy, or worse, that she would never fit into any Ajah, and would have no future except an extended lifetime as Accepted. Before it rose to the surface though, Adena forcibly pushed down the discomfort she felt, almost before she realized it was there, and long before she knew what caused it. "I suppose you have a point Jetsuade. I had never thought of it like that," she said with a small smile for the novice. She did not mention that she had actually never thought about it before a few moments ago, there was no reason to tell the girl that. Despite Jetsuade saying she understood why the Aes Sedai considered novices and Accepted children, Adena was not moved on that point. She still despised being thought of as a child. She was a grown woman, if she was not in the Tower, she could have almost had grown children, and yet the Aes Sedai still called her child! Granted, Accepted were usually called by their names unless a sister felt she was acting like a novice, but even so. She understood the logic behind it, but that did not mean she had to like it. "So anyway, how have you been? Have you settled in nicely? How do you like the Tower?" Adena asked the novice, truly interested in her life. Adena knew that many new novcies were enthralled with the Tower almost from arrival- some before. Adena had certainly not been of course, but that was an entirely different situation. She did not know which of the many possibilities fit Jetsuade the best, but was interested in learning the young woman's opinion of the Tower, and perhaps even what she planned for her future. Would she remain in the Tower? Of course, at this point, even if she said she was going to leave eventually, that was hardly set in stone. Adena was a perfect example of that. |
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Masking the Glow, Folding Light, Inverting | |
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| Jetsuade Kaeth | Sep 12 2008, 08:16 AM Post #11 |
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Novice, Lost during the War
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Adena admitted that Jetsuade might have a point there, and said that she hadn't thought of it her way. Jetsuade answered the Accepted's smile. She was glad that Adena accepted her ideas and might even find them useful. She did not continue on the subject further, so Jetsuade put the topic to rest herself and decided that she would think about it later. "So anyway, how have you been? Have you settled in nicely? How do you like the Tower?" the Accepted asked instead. Not many had asked her that. Certainly not Aes Sedai or Accepted, except for the Mistress of Novices. Even most novices had lost their interest in the new novice, because she wasn't that new anymore. The truth was that she had indeed settled in nicely and there were only a few things that bothered her with her new path of life. She did not think that she should bring them up with Adena though, at least not yet. And besides, they were things that she would have figure out by herself. No one could tell her whether or not she would get accustomed to the idea of giving up her dream of a big family forever to become Aes Sedai. Only time would tell. "I love the Tower," she said, but with a little less enthusiams than normal because of her previous grim thoughts. But she did love it. She had admired Aes Sedai all her life, and had never imagined that one day she would have a chance to join them. "I have settled in, and I don't get lost anymore," she said with a little smile. "I'm learning a lot, and I know how I'm supposed to behave in different situations now." Like when talking to Accepted. She was to be respectful and compliant. Adena had given her some freedom by initiating the conversation, though. She still didn't want to act like she was complaining, so she decided to comment quite lamely on the chores. "The chores are still a bit annoying, because I'm not used to them yet, but otherwise everything has been very interesting. Especially saidar training." Sweet saidar... "I miss my family of course," she did add, even though Adena had probably noticed that already. "But my father works in the Black Tower, I have seen him a couple of times during my time here." She had not been able to visit her family, even though they lived in Tar Valon. Novices were not allowed out of the Tower on their own. Maybe as an Accepted... It was a cold thought. How much would she miss her family after one, two, three years? How long would it take to become Accepted? No, the White Tower was her home. Most novices never saw their families. She was quite lucky that she got to see her father. |
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Talents: Illusion, Making Cuendillar, Delving (earth) Artwork by Natascha Roeoesli. Deceased during the War | |
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| Adena Moren | Sep 12 2008, 04:48 PM Post #12 |
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Accepted
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Jetsuade did not seem to mind the abrupt change of subject, but Adena was not worried about it. She was satisfied with what the novice had said about Aes Sedai being sisters, she had certainly given a different point of view than Adena had previously considered. Now that she was not preoccupied with random thoughts, she could think more about the person she was sitting with. Jetsuade immediately replied that she loved the Tower, she had settled in, and did not get lost anymore. Adena gave a small smile at that, remembering again the first time they had met. Novices learned their way around quickly if they did not want a lifetime of chores. She then went on to say that chores were annoying, which caused Adena to chuckle a bit as Jetsuade began to say how she loved saidar and missed her family, though she had seen her father a few times, as he worked in the Black Tower. Adena hardly remembered her first months as a novice, except as a blur of anger and fear. She had hardly even had time to miss her family, so worried was she about getting control of the Power and out of this place as soon as possible. How strange, then, that she had ended up staying here. She probably would have shouted at someone who tried to tell her she would still be in the Tower twelve years later, and would one day become Accepted. But one thing was the same for all novices, whether they hated or loved the Tower: no one liked chores. "I'm glad you're settling in, and I'm very glad you like it here. Not everyone is so eager after only a few months. But you don't have to spare me the truth, you can tell me you hate chores. I've never been overly fond of them myself, as a matter of fact," she said with a smile and a chuckle. That was one reason she was very glad to be Accepted. So long as she did not get into trouble, all she had to do was general upkeep on her room and herself. That she could handle. Adena was unsure of what to say next though. She had not had a lot of experience having civilized conversations with people in the Towers, and did not really know what they usually talked about. Various possibilities floated through her head, but none of them seemed like anything very interesting. Adena knew that Accepted often discussed Ajahs, though she had never been involved in one of those discussions, and novices often talked about home, but she had never been involved in that either. By the time she came to accept the Tower she had been a novice too long to talk much about home, and before that a real conversation with someone was almost out of the question. This was definitel something she would have to work on. If she wanted to change the opinion other Accepted had of her she had to start by changing some things about herself. Not that there was much she could do just now though. Instead of worry herself about it though, she let it fall into a comfortable silence, if Jetsuade wanted to remark about chores or something, or if she had a question, she could. If not, Adena was content to enjoy the beautiful view. |
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Masking the Glow, Folding Light, Inverting | |
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| Jetsuade Kaeth | Sep 13 2008, 03:43 PM Post #13 |
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Novice, Lost during the War
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Adena told her that she was glad that Jetsuade had settled in well, and said that Jetsuade could say that she did hate chores. Jetsuade answered Adena's chuckle with her own. She supposed that it wasn't much of a secret that novices hated chores, so the Accepted had easily noticed Jetsuade's underestimation. She even admitted that she hadn't liked chores either. Jetsuade had been used to chores at home - in a family of eight you had to do your share of the housework - but the chores assigned to novices were more often than not plain useless. 'To build character', so they said. Jetsuade honestly did not mind doing the useful things, but the useless... That reminded her that she hadn't been able to weave rugs. She missed the work that required nimble fingers, precision and an eye for colours, but left her mind free to wander. Jetsuade had not been used to a lot of free time on her own before, so she had accepted the novice schedule quite painlessly, but weaving rugs had in a way been her own break. The siblings had been taught not to bother her or her mother while they wove. Now she had no such break. She wondered if she would be able to weave rugs as an Accepted. The Tower would not mind her doing something useful, now would it? "If you don't mind me asking, how do you like being Accepted?" she asked Adena in return. Being Accepted was a big step up from novice, but Jetsuade had not had a chance to actually ask an Accepted her experiences on the raising. She would not ask about the test, but she was interested in what kind of change Acceptedhood brought to your everyday life. "What kind of new liberties do you have, Accepted Adena?" she asked to be more precise with her question. She had to admit that she was still wondering when she would be able to see her family. Surely before she was raised to Aes Sedai. Right? |
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Talents: Illusion, Making Cuendillar, Delving (earth) Artwork by Natascha Roeoesli. Deceased during the War | |
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| Sapphira Calren | Sep 17 2008, 12:29 PM Post #14 |
High Queen & Chancellor
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((I haven't forgotten this, the afteraffects of Hurricane Ike stole my Internet for a few days. By tomorrow evening at the latest!  ))
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 Unweaving, Healing, Warding | |
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| Adena Moren | Sep 18 2008, 07:08 PM Post #15 |
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Accepted
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Adena was glad that Jetsuade chuckled back at her little joke. It was an indication that the woman was comfortable, which was always a nice detail for pleasant conversations. A silence lapsed for a few moments, each woman lost in her own thoughts. After a few moments, Jetsuade spoke up again, asking how Adena liked being Accepted, and what kinds of new liberties she had. Adena did not mind Jetsuade asking questions, she was actually glad the novice was comfortable enough to do so. That was what Adena had wanted, after all, it was hard to have a conversation when one side was constantly worried about keeping up strict protocol. A new novice might not catch on that such protocols did not apply in exactly the same way once conversation was initiated, but Adena reminded herself that Jetsuade had been in the Tower a little while now, and should be learning what it meant to live here. Adena took a few moments to think about Jetsuade's question. The obvious, immediate answer would be a resounding "Very much!" from most new Accepted, she was sure. But Adena had not fallen into the stereotypes of most novices, and she was finding that once again the traits that fit "most" women of her path did not strictly apply to her. She wanted to be honest with Jetsuade, but at the same time she did not want to scare the girl away from the Tower or make her think that perhaps she had made a bad choice coming here. If her father worked in the Black Tower though, she probably had not come from far away, one of the bridge towns or Tar Valon itself made the most sense, unless her father spent a lot of time away from his family. Of course, there was the option that by "works in the Black Tower," she had meant that he was Asha'man, in which case Jetsuade's mother may not be her father's wife. She pushed that away, there was no use puzzling over the hidden meanings of one novice's comments about her family, it would do no good for anyone, after all. Instead, she turned to look at Jetsuade, "It is hard to say exactly how much I like being Accepted. It is certainly very different from novice life. The first few weeks are torture, and Accepted are treated differently. We're expected to know what we're doing and how to take care of ourselves without having Karanina Sedai or some other sister watching over us all the time. Of course, that means we have more freedom to do as we choose, and I don't have to worry about being sent for chores for sitting by myself for a few minutes. It is nice to choose my own studies, but I have found that I'm held to a higher standard of learning, both in the Power and in other lessons. One Power training can be brutal sometimes, but I've already learned a lot. Some of that probably has to do with my block being broken of course, but even so, I'm still a little amazed by what I can do with saidar. Then there's new things that Accepted are allowed to do that novices aren't. I haven't visited Tar Valon yet, but I hope to see the city sometime soon. On the other hand, Accepted life is less enjoyable in some ways." Adena did not mention the Arches, that was a secret that only women who faced it knew. Adena thought that even mentioning that it was rather hard on the emotions would be too much. Instead, she settled herself for something a little different, "Becoming Accepted, and one day Aes Sedai, meant giving up things I desperately wanted- or thought I wanted. It means completely reevaluating my future and figuring out what to do next. Thankfully, I have a few years before I need to decide anything," she finished with a smile. That one answer was probably more words than she had said together since arriving in the Tower, and yet she felt like she could say as much again about the differences between novicehood and Accepted life. She did not want to bore or distract Jetsuade though. Simple descriptions could not explain what it was to be Accepted, the girl would have to figure that out for herself when she was raised. Until then she could dream about it, but it would not do for her to get too caught up in what it meant to be Sealed to the Tower, she had other things to concentrate on after all. But that did not mean Adena could not paint a nice, enticing picture of it for her if she wanted to hear. "All in all, it's much better than novice life, and the drawbacks will be worth it someday." As she spoke, she realized that she was not exactly telling the absolute truth. Not that she was lying, of course, she just did not know exactly how sure she was that Aes Sedai was the perfect future for her. It was chosen now, no going back. Whatever qualms she had, she had left them behind in the Arches. She had, in fact, left them behind. Now she just had to convince herself that it really was all behind her. But that was not something she needed to do right now. Much better to have a nice conversation with Jetsuade than dwell on her Arches. |
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Masking the Glow, Folding Light, Inverting | |
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10:38 PM Nov 27
