Fancy in Cairhien (Attn: Matty, Roan)

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Daniel
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Re: Fancy in Cairhien (Attn: Matty, Roan)

Post by Daniel » June 21st, 2017, 9:02 pm

Nyaine
Nyaine frowned. Obviously the Aes Sedai’s command overrode both Lady Devalaine’s very firm hint for her leave and her own suggestion to wait for them, should they still require her services, so she immediately aborted her attempt to leave the three women and stayed rooted in place. Yet she could not help but notice that staying would not endear herself with the hostess, quite the contrary in fact. Gretchen Sedai seemed to be approaching the whole situation with the subtlety of a bull in a porcelain shop and Nyaine would have to revise her assessment of the Red sister yet again. Helping her was apparently not what was foremost on her mind.

Listening and watching as the conversation continued – well, it was really more the Aes Sedai bullying the older Cairhienin into obedience - she tried to search the faces for any kind of clue, but was generally unsuccessful with the channellers. Where Tia Sedai’s expression seemed non-descript friendly, similar, she hoped, to what she herself was now portraying, an open-minded young woman, Gretchen Sedai showed a face of determination, a woman with a purpose. Apparently, that purpose had to do with the Devalaine’s stables which were burned down. It was the first time Nyaine had heard that.

“Obviously, I have a name, Aes Sedai. I am Nyaine, first daughter of House Lintelle”, she replied with a mixture of indignation and irritation as the group of now four women set into motion. She certainly wasn’t used to having to introduce herself. Could it be that they didn’t even know her House? Of course, that wasn’t out of the question. Neither of them were Cairhienin after all, but she had always assumed Aes Sedai would be if not all-knowing at least very close to it. This evening turned out to hold quite a few surprises and was unexpectedly not dull at all. She wasn’t sure whether to hope for more of the kind, though.

Leaving the great hall and a number of interested gazes and stares behind, the group left the building through the rear exit. Even from this distance, the rubble of the former stables was still clearly visible despite the fading light.

“More than just a simple fire”, she said to no one in particular and curiously glanced at the ruins, “it must have taken quite some time to put this out. I wonder what happened.”

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Re: Fancy in Cairhien (Attn: Matty, Roan)

Post by Roan » June 29th, 2017, 1:25 am

Tia Sedai
Holding her skirt up so that the hem didn’t drag on the ground, Tia studied the ruins of the barn. Nyaine, first daughter of the House Lintelle was likely right, though the Green Sister couldn’t exactly pinpoint why. She cast a glance towards Gretchen, wondering what was going through the other Aes Sedai’s mind.

Turning her attention back to Nyaine, Tia wondered what the young girl would think, or how she would react when she learned she’d be returning to the Tower with the two Aes Sedai. Given how excited she’d been to just introduce herself, Tia expected she’d be happy for the adventure, but then again most who came to the Tower grew homesick at one time or another.

“It was a big fire. . . by the looks of it, burned itself out,” Tia commented. She looked back to Gretchen, “I’m guessing there’s a reason you wanted to see what is left of the barn. Does this mean you have an idea of what happened?” The Red Sister hadn't revealed much of why she'd traveled all this way, and for some reason Tia doubted she'd be especially forthcoming. The Green didn't really care for being left in the dark, but she wasn't going to press the point in front of the others.
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Re: Fancy in Cairhien (Attn: Matty, Roan)

Post by Matty » July 5th, 2017, 8:24 pm

This would have been much easier without the girl and Tia making obtuse comments about the stables, as if it wasn't clear to anyone with eyes that there was a fire and it was not a small one. Yes, thank you very much. The Red wore her determined look, though it was marred with concentration as she advanced upon the stables and looked down at them with her skinny arms loosely folded. Little care was given to the way her red dress fell around her feet and mingled with the debris.

"Yes." It was only one heavy word, but Gretchen didn't waste her time saying more than was needed. She wouldn't be standing here if she had no reason to be, and Tia bringing it up only served to bring it to the forefront of Lady Devalaine's mind before it ought to be. No matter, Gretchen would get the answers she wanted and she would do it with or without their present company. "Lady Devalaine, the Grey Tower has a long reach. Why, from the west of Andor we have access to any part of the land should we so choose. Know that I am Oathsworn and cannot lie, so listen to my next words very carefully as I present them as fact: I know how this fire started."

"Of course," the Lady said, and to her credit she did manage to maintain a fairly calm countenance throughout, "a simple lantern accident..."

"Please, do not think to patronise me. Tell me about your brother."

"My brother," the woman repeated a little blankly.

"Yes. Arton." Gretchen gave the woman a level look, "tell me about him. Farrier, fond of animals, a little more rough around the edges than your delicacies can handle. Most men manifest in their late teenage years, you know. Those with the spark, especially with Fire. Men do seem to enjoy igniting things." Gretchen gave a cold smile, "so where is Arton now?"

"Aes Sedai, you dare to suggest that my brother was responsible?"

"Why yes," Gretchen said. "And if you let me see him, then we may be able to take two children to the Tower for training instead of one." Here Gretchen's eyes widened and she gave a very unconvincing "oops" motion with her hand, looking a little amused at Tia. "I said that out loud," she remarked. Maybe the Green would learn to do more than state the obvious, maybe she wouldn't. Let her handle the child, Gretchen had a rogue male channeller to reign in.
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Daniel
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Re: Fancy in Cairhien (Attn: Matty, Roan)

Post by Daniel » July 10th, 2017, 11:56 am

Nyaine
Slightly irritated with the red-dressed sister, Nyaine yanked up her dress and followed. Neither it nor her slippers where made for prancing about outdoors, in the ruins of a burned down building no less. Yet when the hostess followed the Aes Sedai and she had previously been commanded to do the same, there was little choice in the matter.

She listened with a large amount of curiosity that only grew as Gretchen Sedai revealed more and more information. She felt a slight queasiness when thinking about how the fire that had produced the rubble they now found themselves in had been caused by the One Power. The male half of the One Power. The Aes Sedai were looking to take in the channelling brother of the Lady. She wondered why that was necessary and why the brother hadn’t been sent to the Black or Grey Tower to become Asha’man already. Having a channeller in the House would surely bring if not prestige then at least influence. Even now, giving up the brother to these Aes Sedai might help the Devalaines. Especially if they were bringing in not only one, but two new channellers, that could be used to save face.

It was now clearer than ever before that the Oathsworn wanted to cut right through daes dae’mar. yet did she not ignore parts of it that could be of help? Certain expectations had to be met if other houses were to remain unsuspecting, and not smell a chance at hostile takeover of the Devalaine’s assets. Especially when you held a big celebration where you had invited half of Cairhien’s nobility and the other half might show up despite not being invited. Should she point out her conclusion? Well, the Aes Sedai had demanded she accompany them, she might as well comment.

“Given today is the Lady’s birthday celebration,” she said matter-of-factly, indicating Devalaine, “her brother will in all likelihood attend today. An unexplained or badly excused absence, say by pleading sickness, would only raise suspicion. I think it would in fact be a safe bet that he is on the premises already. If not in the great hall with the guests, then in the family’s living quarters awaiting an opportune moment to join the celebration.”

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Re: Fancy in Cairhien (Attn: Matty, Roan)

Post by Roan » August 16th, 2017, 8:06 pm

Tia Sedai
Tia did her best to school her expression, but she was currently less than impressed with Gretchen Sedai’s demeanor. Not for the first time, Tia wondered why it was thought she’d be an asset to join the Red Sister on this trip, but the powers that be had their reasons. One thing Tia was fairly certain. . .she wasn’t sent to join Gretchen Sedai in an effort to learn Daes Dae’mar. . .unless being rude to the hostess was part of the Game.

The Green Sister was not well versed in the game, preferring to get straight to the point than to try and manipulate others involved in conversation. Perhaps Tia was naive in her desire for such an approach, but it had worked for her thus far. What was the saying? If it’s not broken, don’t fix it?

“Then perhaps we should rejoin the festivities? I’m sure people will take notice if we keep our hostess from her celebration, after all,” Tia offered. Given Gretchen’s comments, Tia doubted the Red sister would want to let Develaine out of her sight so that she could warn her brother. With two Aes Sedai, it would be relatively easy to keep tabs on the Cairhein woman. Given how eager the young girl seemed to be, they could likely recruit her to keep an eye on their hostess, if need be.
Spoiler: show
Sorry all for the slow reply. Daniel, you might want to make sure Matty and I both know the direction you hope to take this thread since it is a key part of her backstory! :D
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Re: Fancy in Cairhien (Attn: Matty, Roan)

Post by Daniel » August 29th, 2017, 6:43 pm

Nyaine
Nyaine agreed with the suggestion wholeheartedly. Tia Sedai at least seemed not set on direct confrontation with the hostess. Well, they had all seen the burnt down barn now and there was no way for Devalaine to deny its current state. Neither was there any point to hiding her brother’s… abilities. Nyaine still felt a little queasy, thinking about the male channeller. He would not go mad as it was said in the stories they once had, but anyone that did not channel could not help but be conflicted about someone wielding the Creator’s power, could they? She shivered and thought it was well past time to get back inside. How to get the group moving without appearing to take charge, which she of all the four women most certainly could not?

“I imagine it might be better even if you were to confront the man away from the main gathering? Less interference and less chance for… collateral damage.” Nyaine almost shivered again thinking about what an actual fight between the two sisters and the rogue brother might look like. She did not like everyone in that great hall, some might even be her families opponents, but killed by accident by channellers, that was a fate she did not wish on any of them, herself most certainly included.
Spoiler: show
Well, the only thing left that I want out of this thread is for Nyaine to be told about her ability. Given that this has been dragging along for quite a while, I suggest we get to wrapping up the business with the channelling brother however the two of you like. Maybe even a little channelling fight? Then one of you could enlighten Nyaine about her future.

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Re: Fancy in Cairhien (Attn: Matty, Roan)

Post by Roan » August 31st, 2017, 7:30 pm

Tia Sedai
Looking briefly to Nyaine, the Green Sister arched a brow ever so slightly before looking back to Gretchen, “Perhaps it would be best if you and our hostess track down her brother. I’ll escort Nyaine back to the festivities.” There was a certain amount of weight to the look Tia cast Gretchen’s way.

Now that Tia knew why Gretchen was here, she suspected the Red Sister would rather she, and the potential Novice, not get in her way. Taking the ever so slight nod from the Red as her queue, Tia motioned for Nyaine to follow. Only once she knew they were out of earshot of their hostess did Tia directly address the young woman.

“Gretchen Sedai would rather us not be under her feet while she sees to her objective. While she and our hostess are attending other business, now would be a good time to discuss you,” Tia began. She made sure to walk at a slow pace and kept an eye out for any potential eavesdroppers, “There is a reason we asked you to stay with us, and it has little to do with the Game or anything related. Truth be told, I have little time or patience for the Game, so to speak. I leave such dealings to the likes of Gretchen or others who don’t mind navigating the nuances of Cairhein society.

“Which brings me back to you,” the Green said as she stopped and faced Nyaine. “Aes Sedai can sense when someone has the ability to channel, and this is something both my Red Sister and I picked up on with you. What it means for you is a new life, but one that will take you from here and see you enrolled as a Novice at the Grey Tower.”

Tia paused to let the news sink in, though she continued after several moments, “The path that lies ahead will not be an easy one, but it will be one that, should you be successful, will earn you the right to wear the Shawl and call yourself Aes Sedai. Do you understand?
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Re: Fancy in Cairhien (Attn: Matty, Roan)

Post by Daniel » September 5th, 2017, 4:13 pm

Nyaine
Not sure whether to be relieved or aggrieved at being removed from the party that was to deal with the hostess’ channelling brother, Nyaine complied with Tia Sedai’s beckoning her to follow. They had only walked a short distance before the Aes Sedai addressed her. Outside of anyone’s earshot, Nyaine noticed. Did she now have to pay for speaking up or getting to hear about the Aes Sedai’s mission here? She grasped her skirts to keep from shivering in the cold air.

The other woman immediately confirmed her suspicion. They were apparently going to discuss her. She gave a tentative light nod and continued to listen. The admission that she did not enjoy the game was neither a surprise nor unexpected. The way the two Aes Sedai had trampled through the gathering so far had all the subtlety of a Borderlander rushing to defend Tarwin’s Gap. Her eyebrows inched up when Tia said she left the nuances of the Cairhienin to Gretchen. At this point, she did not think Gretchen was aware of any nuances.

But when Tia came to the meat of the discussion, it was not at all what she had expected. They wanted her as a Novice in the Grey Tower. So she could not blab about any secrets she had learned tonight? No, there was more. Tia had said they had picked up on her… what? That she had the ability to channel? She could channel? “I can channel,” she said silently, awestruck, as if trying to convince herself. Oh, Light! The implications crashed in on her, all the consideration in regards to what that meant for a House she had considered earlier.
But her thoughts were interrupted when the Aes Sedai continued about her potentially becoming Aes Sedai. That was plain logic and did not help to entice her. It would be a difficult path, she had said. She wondered what difficulties that would be. She expected they would be entirely different from the one she had imagined for herself only this morning. That of meeting young men of her age for example. Somehow she doubted there would be a lot of science, philosophy or even romance for a Novice.

“What if I don’t want to go to the Tower...” She trailed off and shook her head. No, there was no choice, she did not want to end up being dragged out of her home like Arton Devalaine probably would be soon enough, disgracing her House in the process. Going to a Tower and becoming a Novice was the only option that made sense. And, she realized, she could learn there. Not just about the Power, but other things as well, most certainly politics, maybe philosophy and the sciences. But the Power most of all. No matter how difficult the path ahead was, it was a huge opportunity both for herself and House Lintelle.

“Thank you, Aes Sedai, for telling me this,” she said, trying to keep her enthusiasm in check but failing miserably.

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Matty
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Re: Fancy in Cairhien (Attn: Matty, Roan)

Post by Matty » September 8th, 2017, 3:11 pm

Gretchen was never that good at talking to Novices, whether they were already in their whites or well on their way to being so. The woman was quite relieved when Tia strongly suggested she go and perform her business elsewhere - a splitting up suited everyone in that moment it would seem, and the Red was glad to be able to sink her teeth into this business with the Devalaine brother. Tia didn't seem best impressed but Gretchen wasn't here to make friends, she was here to tend to her business.

Of course, Lady Devalaine was less than enthused about this turn of events, probably because she was playing a part in her brother's being taken to the Grey Tower. Well, the Great Game would have to fold itself around this business because it was still bloody well happening whether she liked it or not, and the fact that this was sloppily covered up meant they only had themselves to blame. "This is for the best. Anton will get the training he needs to not be a danger to those around him, including himself." She took the woman away to find Arton, and the Lady looked up at her with a dismayed expression, powerless to resist the Red and what she wanted. Aes Sedai were more than mere ladies, and Gretchen was stubborn even for an Aes Sedai.

Arton was in his rooms, and Gretchen gave the Lady a slight nod of her head as they paused outside the door. The man on guard let them in of course, she was his sister and Gretchen was an Aes Sedai. The man didn't look like he burned stables for fun, but the fit of his attire said he wasn't accustomed to this sort of formal gathering, and he was more at ease in his work gear. He'd suit the black just fine. "Arton Devalaine," Gretchen presumed. At his nod she gave a wan smile. "Gretchen Sedai, of the Red Ajah."

"She knows what happened," the Lady told Arton.

"I'm here to talk to you about the Grey Tower," Gretchen said. "What you did put people at risk, and if you don't seek the proper training you could well die. This is not an exaggeration for dramatic effect - the struggle is quite real. While I have no personal interest in your wellbeing, the Grey Tower does, and it is my business to ensure that we take care of all channellers, both those "on the books" and those out in the great wide world. As you seem to have the spark... you will be coming with me until you are no longer a liability to those around you. Should you be inclined, you could become Asha'man. Now," Gretchen smiled a little wider, "how does that sound?"

Arton gulped, and Gretchen tilted her head slightly in anticipation for his arguments. She did so love a good discussion about why she was right.
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