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| Reflection; OtA | |
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| Topic Started: Apr 22 2009, 01:14 PM (229 Views) | |
| Jetsuade Kaeth | Apr 22 2009, 01:14 PM Post #1 |
Novice, Lost during the War
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Jetsuade sat down on a wide and cold stone bench and pulled the cloak shut with her hand at the front. The sun was shining, but the wind was freezing cold. She cringed as another gust of wind pulled at her hems. She shook her head. Why did she even come here? She shrugged. It was windy and cold, but it was still better than moping around in her room with her sometimes very annoying roommates. It was infinitely better than doing chores. And it was even better than studying for her classes. Well, she usually enjoyed studying because the Tower taught her many interesting subjects, but right now she was not in the mood. Novice life had proved to be way more complicated and difficult than she had ever expected. She looked to her left where a very small pond was surrounded by benches of flowers in all different hues of blue imaginable. The wind made the surface of the water ripple, but she could see her own face when she leaned over the water. She had not changed much, she supposed. Same hair, same eyes, perhaps just a touch of the roundness of her face had disappeared due to strict diet and manual labour. But inside, she felt like there were only a few traces of the old Jetsuade left. That Jetsuade who had woven rugs with her mother and taken care of her younger siblings. That Jetsuade who had looked up to Aes Sedai in adoration. That Jetsuade who had looked for her real love. All of that had changed. She could not weave rugs, she could not see her family. She had seen her father a few times, which was more than most novices ever got, but it never felt like enough. She had realized what deceitful cows Aes Sedai were. She had fallen in love... to a man who wanted nothing to do with her, who took every opportunity to explain how he did not want to settle down and have a family, ever. Light, what will become of me? She was far from her goal, far from being Aes Sedai, but she was well on her way nevertheless. There was no turning back. Jetsuade sighed deeply and straigthened. She shook her head again to herself and leaned back on the hard bench. |
 Talents: Illusion, Making Cuendillar, Delving (earth) Artwork by Natascha Roeoesli. Deceased during the War | |
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| Gwen Laurel | Apr 23 2009, 08:01 PM Post #2 |
Heir-Presumptive to the High Kingdom
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Gwen walked down towards the Gardens, deep in thought. She had a lot to think about. She was only in light armor today, just in heavyweight winter uniform. In truth, the barracks and her father's offices were well heated and ventilated, but her job as his aide required her to spend a lot of time running around outside in the cold. It really wasn't that bad, though. The uniform was adequate protection in itself, and the cloak she wore over it took care of any wind or water that might fall from the sky. Like her father, she wore only a light chain shirt, not needing any more since there was no prospect of action this day. She was however wearing her sword. She would feel nearly naked without it these days. She had been indoors most of the day, helping her father with his papers, until he finally told her to get out and get some air and enjoy some wine in some tavern like everybody else this winter's day. She wasn't that much into drinking, but she did got out and headed towards one of her favorite spots, the Gardens. They were quiet and peaceful and still beautiful, even in the winter. She came down by the pond and saw a forlorn looking novice setting on a bench, staring morosely into the water. Gwen walked up. "You look like you've lost your best friend," she said by way of greeting. "My name's Gwen." Edited by Gwen Laurel, Apr 28 2009, 10:57 PM.
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Gwen Laurel Heir-Presumptive to the High Kingdom Gwen's biography | |
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| Jetsuade Kaeth | Apr 25 2009, 04:17 AM Post #3 |
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Novice, Lost during the War
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"You look like you've lost your best friend," a voice said near her. Jetsuade looked up and flinched. She hadn't noticed the woman approaching, she had been so lost in her thoughts. "My name's Gwen." Jetsuade looked at the woman quickly and stood up hastily to make an appropriate curtsy. The woman looked young, so she wasn't an Aes Sedai. She had a faint scar on her cheek, which indicated a military career, and the sword on her hip marked her as a Youngling or Gaidin instead of a recruit, so Jetsuade was supposed to curtsy and obey. She did not know much about the inhabitants of the Garrison though. The woman must have wanted to talk to her, otherwise she would not have said anything. She didn't sound like she was going to berate her or punish her for something. So Jetsuade took the liberty to be a bit more familiar than she otherwise would have been with a Gaidin. She sat down after the curtsy without waiting to be told to do so. "I'm Jetsuade," she answered. "And I haven't lost my best friend," she said with a smile. "More like, I feel like I have lost myself," she said, her face dropping again. That was exactly what she felt like. And she wasn't sure if what she was becoming was an improvement to what she had been. Surely being Aes Sedai will be better than anything I have longed for before. At the moment, she was not so certain. Jetsuade bit her lip and bowed her head a bit, her long black braids decorated with white beads falling forward. "I'm not sure if I want to be Aes Sedai," she said quietly. There, I've said it. This was the first time she had admitted the feeling. "I'm not sure if I like the way my personality is changing here." She bit her lip again, berating herself for telling the Gaidin all that. She was burdening the woman with her own worries. |
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Talents: Illusion, Making Cuendillar, Delving (earth) Artwork by Natascha Roeoesli. Deceased during the War | |
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| Gwen Laurel | Apr 28 2009, 11:15 PM Post #4 |
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Heir-Presumptive to the High Kingdom
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I'm not sure if I want to be Aes Sedai, Jetsuade said. Oh dear, Gwen thought to herself. She had never had that uncertainty. She had known from when she was very little that she wanted to be a soldier. Blood told, she supposed. But she had seen plenty of people who were adrift, who found themselves tossed by fortune into roles that they really weren't prepared for. The novice looked painfully young. "Well," Gwen said, "I've had a lot of changes in my life myself lately. I'm getting to know a father whom I had only just heard stories about until just a few weeks ago. As well as a whole horde of new aunts, uncles and counsins. Just eight weeks ago I was fighting trollocs in the Borderlands, and now...," her voice trailed off. She studied the novice carefully. "I think you need to get out of the Tower for a while. A few hours at least." Gwen grinned. "My father told me to get out of his office before I got a fat rear end from spending too many hours in a swivel chair. Come with me and I'll spell you to a good meal at an inn. I'll tell them you're helping me run an errand for my father. Being the Marshal's daughter has to be good for something." |
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Gwen Laurel Heir-Presumptive to the High Kingdom Gwen's biography | |
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| Jetsuade Kaeth | May 3 2009, 08:35 AM Post #5 |
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Novice, Lost during the War
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Jetsuade was glad that the Gaidin didn't berate her for her words. To an Aes Sedai, she never would have said such a thing, and Jetsuade was not entirely sure how a member of the Garrison would take it. Gwen did not seem outraged, at least. "Well," the woman replied, "I've had a lot of changes in my life myself lately. I'm getting to know a father whom I had only just heard stories about until just a few weeks ago. As well as a whole horde of new aunts, uncles and counsins. Just eight weeks ago I was fighting trollocs in the Borderlands, and now...," Jetsuade smiled a bit. The woman was actually comforting her, saying that Jetsuade was not the only one whose life had been turned upside down recently. The novice appreciated that, although she did not mean to fish for sympathy in any way. "I think you need to get out of the Tower for a while. A few hours at least." Jetsuade's eyes widened in astonishment as the woman grinned. What did she mean? "My father told me to get out of his office before I got a fat rear end from spending too many hours in a swivel chair. Come with me and I'll spell you to a good meal at an inn." Oh my. She had not expected it. Novices were rarely treated to anything, and now Gwen was offering to take her to the City to eat! "I'll tell them you're helping me run an errand for my father. Being the Marshal's daughter has to be good for something." Jetsuade's jaw dropped at that, but she quickly took control of herself. Marhal's daughter! Only now did she realize who she was talking to. She did not know much of the Garrison, but of course she knew Robert Laurel and had heard of his daughter. A couple of her friends had been serving in the huge ball held for her honor just recently. She could not believe it. Gwen Laurel of all people was offering to take her, a novice, to the City. Gwen Laurel was willing to spend a couple of hours in her company. She was quite overwhelmed. She squirmed for a moment, trying to figure out a way to accept her offer without seeming grabby in any way. "I thank you for the honor. Of course I will accept, although I don't deserve it... " Oh no, now she was sniveling. She didn't want to do that either. She smiled sheepishly. Oh Light, I probably seem like a fool. "I will come with you," she said finally and stood up, waiting for the woman to lead the way, anxious to see what would come of it. |
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Talents: Illusion, Making Cuendillar, Delving (earth) Artwork by Natascha Roeoesli. Deceased during the War | |
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| Gwen Laurel | May 7 2009, 08:24 PM Post #6 |
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Heir-Presumptive to the High Kingdom
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Gwen's eyebrows raised briefly at the young woman's surprise at finding out who she was talking too. Then she chuckled to herself. The entire world does not revolve around you, girl! Even though it does seem to at times! She waited for the novice to follow her. As the pair walked through the Tower, Gwen returned the smiles and waves she got in kind. Gwen had always found it easy to make friends, and that was no different here. She nodded respectfully to the few Aes Sedai they encountered, who nodded back but said nothing. They left the Tower and passed through the main square beyond. Gwen led the way to a very nice establishment just a couple of streets away from the square. It has a small sign above the entrance: "Robin's," in gold letters. The head waiter met them just inside the door. "Welcome, Mistress Gwen. I see you have a guest. Your usual table?" "Yes, thank you, Arnold," she said. She had discovered this place soon after her arrival in the City; she was not surprised to find that her father and aunt ate here often when they wanted to give the cook a night off. The food here was excellent. They maintained their own farm outside the City, from which they got most of their menu. Friendly Aes Sedai over the years had put in a series of weaves that kept the food as fresh as anyone could want at the proper temperatures. The prices were steep, but the food was worth it. Arnold escorted and seated them at a corner table, Gwen sitting with her back to the wall so she could see all the doors. A waiter made to hand them menus. Gwen waved hers away. "I'll have the mutton today, with boiled potatoes and the usual sides." She smiled at Jetsuade. "I know you can only have fruit juice, but feel free to order anything else you like." |
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Gwen Laurel Heir-Presumptive to the High Kingdom Gwen's biography | |
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| Jetsuade Kaeth | May 15 2009, 10:12 AM Post #7 |
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Novice, Lost during the War
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Jetsuade followed the woman happily. She could not believe her luck! She did not even have any classes or chores to attend that day, she had a freeday after a few morning classes. And soon they were out of the Tower. And in the City! Her home. She wondered if she would encounter her mother... or her siblings. No. She refused to entertain those thoughts. She was already so privileged because she could occasionally see her father who worked in the Black Tower. And she could probably go and visit her family if she was allowed to go to the City alone as an Accepted. That was so much more than most novices got, she did not dare wish for more. Nevertheless, it felt good to be out of the Tower. Jetsuade's jaw dropped again when she realised where the Gaidin was taking her. She quickly collected herself so she would not be an embarrassment. Jetsuade had been in Robin's once. Her mother and father had celebrated their wedding anniversary and had treated the oldest siblings to great - and expensive - food. She did not dare to imagine how much meals for two were going to cost. But she did not say anything - after all, what could she even say without offending her? Jetsuade looked around while the waiter showed them to their table. Gwen Laurel waved away her menu and placed her order. "I know you can only have fruit juice, but feel free to order anything else you like." Jetsuade nodded a bit uncertainly and took the menu. She was glad to find a dish that was very close to Altaran food she was used to, so she smiled happily. "I'll have the roasted lamb with honey sauce and glazed pears and fruit juice, please," she said and watched as the waiter left with their orders. "How do you like the City?" she asked, knowing that Gwen Gaidin had not lived in Tar Valon for too long yet. |
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Talents: Illusion, Making Cuendillar, Delving (earth) Artwork by Natascha Roeoesli. Deceased during the War | |
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| Gwen Laurel | May 22 2009, 01:29 PM Post #8 |
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Heir-Presumptive to the High Kingdom
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"That order sounds heavenly. I'll have to try it next time I'm here." Gwen took a sip from the glass of wine that had suddenly appeared at her elbow. "I love it here in Tar Valon. I'm a city girl. I grew up in Caemlyn. I had a lot of things I could do here. But this..." Her voice trailed off. "This is far beyond what I had ever dreamed. Just the very variety of things here. And the books!" Her face lit with enthusiasm. "I could spend a year just in the Tower Library. Mother has been kind enough to give me the same access to the archives that my father has. So much to read!" She grinned at the younger woman. "My father says that when he finally retires he wants to write and teach. He has a standing offer to be chairman of the Department of History at the Dragon Academy here in Tar Valon. He says he want to finally write his biography where he can tell everyone what he thinks of them!" Her face alighted in mischief. "I've already heard some of his opinions. Oh my!" |
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Gwen Laurel Heir-Presumptive to the High Kingdom Gwen's biography | |
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1:12 PM Nov 8
