What'd I Miss? (Open)

[Leala]

Jhanic

Spoiler: show

(OOC: Why, yes. That is a Hamilton reference in the title.)

Jhanic almost felt like he had when he first entered the Grey Tower as a soldier, all those years ago. The air was thick and humid, it was certainly cooler than it had been in the Three-Fold Land. The people were different as well. They brought up noises and commotions that were different in candor and level than the clan's had been. At the very least, he could wear his cadin'sor and carry his spears and buckler, since he was Asha'man.

Along with the strangeness of being back in the wetlands, Jhanic could also feel a difference in the Grey Tower that wasn't there before. He saw women with the ageless faces of those who had sworn on the Oath Rod, but he had not been gone for that long...had he? Finally, he realized that they were Aes Sedai from the White Tower, but he was not sure exactly why they were now in the Grey Tower, and why there were so many of them. One of them had stunned him to silence when she had hinted that she needed a Warder. Instead of deigning to answer, he simply walked away, not wanting to show disrespect for an Aes Sedai by laughing in her face.

The Indigo Ajah seemed to be cloistered in their studies, and he was proud to know that one of their number had been raised to the Amyrlin Seat. Along with these new sisters, Accepted, and novices from another Tower, he was met with quizzical looks that he was not used to. He had spent years in the cadin'sor while wearing the pins and cord. Perhaps that was why the novice who had stood on the other side of the gateway looked stunned to see him when he returned.

Jhanic strode through the Grey Tower's grounds to familiarize himself with the layout again, and the feel of grass beneath his boots once again. He knew that if he had overseen spies, like so many other Brothers and Sisters, he would have some idea of what had happened. But, he had spent years beyond the Spine of the World, with no contact with the Grey Tower besides. Perhaps he could meet with someone who he knew was from the Grey Tower to get some kind of explanation.

[Craig]

Farah Kattan

Farah was enjoying life as a Drin far more than she'd ever done as a Novice. Part of that came from being more readily accepted for who she was, or perhaps more accurately, how she looked. There was always this unspoken expectation that anyone seeking to become Aes Sedai should act and look the part and she never looked the part. She kept her hair short, and she was unassuming; she was never going to adopt the stately regal air that Aes Sedai surrounded themselves in.

Aside from being accepted, and having actual friends to converse with, Drin had more freedoms than Novices or Soldiers. She was making good use of that liberty, strolling around the Tower grounds, eavesdropping into conversations. Not that she was nosey, but gossip was a currency amongst the learning ranks, and she loved anything that got her one-over on an Aes Sedai or Accepted.

She was approached the Travelling Yards when an Aielman appeared at its entrance. That in itself wasn't surprising, although there were very few Aiel who dressed that way. Farah was about to move onto a different subject, but a flash of light off the Aiel's collar drew her attention. Dragon pin? She only knew one Asha'man who wore the cadin'sor and wielding spears, but she hadn't seen Jhanic in forever. Not that she'd ever spoken with the former Master of Soldiers, nor he her, but she remembered him.

Still, it couldn't be Jhanic. Could it?

Farah's face scrunched up as she considered it. If it was Jhanic, and he had returned from wherever he'd been, there had to be a good story behind it. On the other hand, this could just be some other Asha'man in a cadin'sor. She hadn't caught sight of his face after all. But then, who else had been out in the Aiel Waste, and why?

Curiosity got the better of her, so she started followed him. From a distance, of course; she wasn't new to going unseen.

[Leala]

Jhanic

Spoiler: show

(OOC: This song will not get out of my head. I did this to myself. )

As Jhanic walked among the people of the Grey Tower, he began to think that perhaps he should get back to his studies, then wonder about recent events. He had left notes unattended and unfinished for so long. He didn't even what to think about his unfinished projects, and what might have happened to them. Unifnished and tied off weaves on ter'angreal...he wondered if his rooms had even survived. At that thought, he very nearly turned around.

But, he didn't.

Someone was following him.

His expression did not change. At a glance behind him, he saw something out of the corner of his eye. Between the swishing skirts and coats of a crowd, a certain flash of gray appeared and reappeared, the same size and shape. Was this a drin'far'ji? He slowed his pace, and the gray figure slowed as well, keeping the same distance. He knew the drin likely did not have intentions to harm him, but he was curious. Why was a drin'far'ji following him? Bobbing out of the way through the crowd, he changed his position slowly, then walked nearly close enough to the drin to have a proper conversation.

Looking behind him and to the side, he found the trainee in the gray uniform, a young woman with thick black hair in a short cut. He thought he recognized her, but could not place her name. "I see you, drin'far'ji. I know you do not have business with me. You would speak with me?"

[Craig]

Farah Kattan

When she lost sight of the Aielman in the crowd, Farah didn't suspect she had been spotted. That made Jhanic's - and it was Jhanic - appearance beside her all the more startling. Her eyes bulged in surprise before she wrangled in her composure. She looked up at Jhanic; he was a good head-and-a-half taller than her.

"Yeah... I thought you had left," then after a pause added, "Asha'man. Sorry, you've been gone a long time. It was a-- wait." Farah smirked, just a little. "Did you say Drin'far'ji? It's just Drin now." She liked that. She liked knowing more than an Asha'man, although better yet it if was an Aes Sedai. "Maybe I can help you get reacquainted with the Tower. Sounds like you've been in the Wastes for a long time."

[Leala]

Jhanic

The drin'far'ji seemed surprised for a moment when she saw Jhanic walk up to her. After a moment of explaining herself, she corrected his use of the term. Apparently, trainees in the Warder Yards were referred to as just "drin" now. Well, that was a little easier to say, he supposed. His blue eyes glanced down at her, a look of glee on her face at his mistake. He returned her smile when she suggested she could show him around the Tower and tell him what he had missed while he was gone.

"First, you will tell me your name. You seem to already know me." His years as Master of Soldiers, and then subsequent years training men to channel in the Three-Fold Land had taught him to keep up with names. Should she try to break any rules and make it seem like they were the new ones, he would have her name. He thought she had worn the novice whites the last time he was there, but he thought not to press her on that.

"After your name, perhaps you could tell me why we have so many...guests from the White Tower in our midst." The Aes Sedai and Warders from the White Tower did not act as guests, but that was perhaps the best word he could use for them.

[Craig]

Farah

"My name? It's Farah Kattan." The novice that everyone forgot, a pissed-off voice recalled. "I remember when you were the Master of Soldiers, 'though I suspect you don't remember me."

The Drin studied the refugees from Tar Valon for a moment, her brow drawing down. "I'm not sure what they're doing here," Farah stated with an air of disdain. "There's been quite a mess of changes recently." She snorted softly. "Mess of changes. We went to war with the White Tower, the last Amyrlin killed someone and proclaimed herself a Dreadlord, and then we blew up the White Tower."

The weight of what she said killed off her mirth. Farah cleared her throat. "Honestly, we don't know much. Learning ranks, right? Can't tell us anything or let us brush our teeth without supervision. Maybe someone higher up the food chain knows more. All I know is that their Gaidin aren't like us. I can't believe they let themselves be bossed around. I guess they have no self-respect."

An Aes Sedai returned Farah's stare. The Drin quickly glanced away, looking back up at Jhanic. I wasn't talking that loud, was I?

"Shall I show you to the Indigo Ajah halls? I'm not sure who the First Seeker is any more, though. Or do you want to find a place to put your spears?" Farah didn't know if Asha'man stored their weapons with the Gaidins'.

[Leala]

Jhanic

Jhanic lifted a single brow at her question. He wanted to spare her the thought of the role she had played before. To him, it was like speaking of a Wise One's time as a Maiden of the Spear before she trained with them. But, it seemed Farah Kattan simply wished to be remembered. "I remember your face, Farah Kattan, and the color you once wore. I hope you are enjoying your time in the Warder Yards."

His gaze drifted to those milling around from the White Tower. They were easier to pick out the longer he watched them. They were curious, they were angry, they were very nearly condescending. Some dragged their Warders with them, like prizes won. He wondered what they would say if they had received his parting words to the Wise Ones before he entered Rhuidean. Cooperation was the philosophy of the men and women of the Grey Tower. The White Tower had different ways. Still, he was Aiel. They were still Aes Sedai. They would have his respect until they showed that they were undeserving.

He narrowed his eyes at the drin's explanations. War with the White Tower, the Amyrlin a shadowrunner, the White Tower destroyed. Farah Kattan's demeanor changed at her own words. She explained that those still in training weren't as involved as those of full rank. Still, that did explain quite a lot. It explained why there were Aes Sedai and Gaidin from the White Tower, and why they seemed so angry under their masks. His blue eyes shot to his guide when she started talking about their Warders. It looked like her words had caught the attention of an Aes Sedai.

"Hm. I suppose a culture built on that would produce Gaidin acted as gai'shain. At least gai'shain return to their societies after a year and a day, though." He meant it as a pointed joke so that the drin would know he would defend her if an Aes Sedai demanded she take it back. Still, the reactions to his words were amusing. Most did not know what he had meant, but a couple of Gaidin tensed, and at least one Aes Sedai turned on her heel and swished away in the opposite direction.

In truth, Jhanic could find the Indigo Halls easily enough, no matter how long he had been gone. Farah Kattan seemed eager to help, though. Perhaps she would have more information as they went along. "I would appreciate a guide, in case there is something else I have missed, Farah Kattan," he said with a smile. "Though, I have a place where I keep my spears in my rooms." He had left them a mess, though.

[Craig]

Farah

Farah led the way, although she doubted Jhanic needed her actual guidance. "The Triumvirate is just Elia Sedai and Feroce Asha'man; the Gaidin haven't elected a new Master of Arms yet. And Jaryd Asha'man is the current Master of Soldiers." She didn't know who else Jhanic knew or would be interested in. Murdock Asha'man, the Keeper of the Archives, was still there. Farah was sure the Brown would be Keeper forever.

I'm sure he was here when they rebuilt the Ajah Halls. She thought about what else the Asha'man had missed. The Amyrlin joined the Shadow. The last Master of Arms interrogated the Grey Tower. People were murdered in the Great Hall. The Great Serpent was blown up. No, Jhanic had definitely been here when the Great Serpent was destroyed.

"Jhanic Asha'man, why did you leave?" Farah wasn't certain, but she thought Jhanic had disappeared after the deaths of those fifty-one people trapped within the Great Serpent. It had been a horrific attack, orchestrated by another Darkfriend. Why do they always murder learning ranks? The attacks may have been cowardly but they still left their marks on those that survived. "Was it because of..." She gestured towards the Great Serpent behind them. Even rebuilt, the building seemed cursed. Farah was relieved she never had to sleep in there again.

[Leala]

Jhanic

As the pair strode toward the Indigo Ajah's Quarters, Farah Kattan filled him in on who had which positions in the Triumvirate. He was glad to know that someone from the Indigo had been raised Amyrlin. He wondered at the state of the Hall, how a Master of Arms had not been selected yet. Jaryd Kosari had been M'Hael twice now. He wondered how he was filling the role of Master of Soldiers. Likely well.

His guide then asked him why he had left. He looked down at Farah Kattan, and she asked if it had anything to do with the Great Serpent. She did not directly ask about its collapse, but it was plain. He remembered working with the people of every rank in the Grey Tower, pulling away rubble, freeing young trainees, and mourning as they moved for those who did not survive. He had shown up in the Hall in his durty cadin'sor that day, eager to get back to saving as many of his charges as he could. "No," he replied, the conversation tone in his voice gone. "Though that likely played a part in why I came back."

He paused for a moment before giving her the real reason. What he had done among his clan was unheard of for so long, but it was sorely needed. Losing spears, losing men, it was a waste, blood spilled needlessly. Even now, he wondered how Clan Tomanelle would be faring. How would the other clans react? Would they meet in Alcair Dal to formalize it? Would he be called to that too? He changed his voice back to the less gravely, more conversational tone. "I was called back to the Three-Fold Land. I spent my time there teaching our men to channel," he explained.

[Craig]

Farah

She was oddly glad that Jhanic showed emotion when speaking about the attack against the Great Serpent. Glad because it justified her feelings, even now, about the people they had lost. It was normal to grieve, and that was something that didn't go away, even if some people hid it behind their porcelain masks. She hated them, mostly those Aes Sedai who acted like nothing affected them. But not Jhanic. Even if he said no, his actions then and now spoke to the contrary.

"You were called back to the Waste?" Farah frowned as she looked towards where they were heading. Her teachers - her former teachers - had drummed in the mantra that Aes Sedai had to be severed from their former ties. They were Servants of All, and could not be beholden to previous loyalties. Of course Asha'man were different, and the word asha'man itself meant something different.

"But why did you go? Were you guarding against something?" That was the literal translation of asha'man after all. "And if you were teaching Aiel to channel, does that mean they're coming to the Grey Tower?" Aiel were still few and far between in Hama Valon. Maybe the men stopped when they came to the Black Tower? It was further to the east, closer to the Aiel Waste.