May the Odds be Ever in Your Favor (attn: Battle Weaves peeps)

[Sunny]

Fiona

Fiona sat next to the waterfall in the Gardens, a bundle in the grass at her feet. She had had precious little time to spend with her friends since she was shoved into a white dress, and even less since that dress had gained eight colorful bands. Some of them had left the Tower, some had been raised, some were just as busy as she. She had made new friends as well...and re-established an acquaintance from her past that she had thought not to see again.

She wiggled a little against the rock she sat on, a wide grin spread across her youthful face. It had taken a little time and a lot of luck, but she had managed to arrange a gathering….a picnic, truly, for she had encouraged everyone to bring something for the group to share. She did not intend to remain in the Gardens, of course, and most of them knew that. She had learned to Travel a few weeks earlier, and the desire to see her home had been eating at her ever since. What harm could it do to sit in the forest she loved and eat food with people she adored, away from the watchful eyes of their overseers?

A small voice in her mind reminded her of what had happened when Zeen Traveled away from the Tower, but she shook it away. That had been an entirely different scenario- impetuous, angry, in a time already tense with foreboding and murder. By contrast, on that particular day the sky arched clear and blue, a gentle spring breeze wafted through the trees, and there hadn’t been so much as a whisper of trouble in months. Besides….who would bother Andor of all places?

The Accepted kicked her feet, humming softly. When she saw the first figure approaching, she jumped up with a grin. “I was beginning to wonder if anyone would make it,” she commented, eyes sparkling. “Once we’re all here, I’ll take us off.”

OOC: I swear there's a point to this post. If you are a learning rank, feel free to hop aboard the Fiona-is-an-idiot train, and we'll see where it goes!

[Chris]

Nathaniel Carridus Today was going to be a good day. Nate could feel it in his bones, as if he was one of those people who could sense the weather, but really it was a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast that made him positive about the day ahead. Fiona had some shenanigans planned and the Dedicated was always up for a bit of trouble, especially when it involved the pretty Andoran. He wasn’t exactly a troublemaker, but he was not adverse to causing a bit of a ruckus and what was better than some of the trainees hanging out and having a good time? Nate liked to meet new people and have a good time, this was a great opportunity to do just that.

The burly young man had brought along a small basket containing bread and meat, because he liked these things and other people would eat them as well if he brought them along he was sure of it. Nate figured that this was more than a mere picnic in the garden, but if they were going to bring food he was going to bring along more than some dumb fruit.

“Hey, good to see you Fiona!” he greeted the Accepted when he saw her. His grin was as broad as hers, and his eyes bright. “I’m looking forward to this ‘picnic’. Yeah. Here, I brought food! I’ll put it here.” He set the little basket down and looked around, straightening up to his full height. The Dedicated wore the usually uniform a man of his rank was supposed to have on, but he managed to make it look a tad rumpled and messy even without having done anything particularly strenuous. The collar wasn’t quite right, the top buttons of his coat and shirt were undone, and the sleeves looked like they didn’t quite fit over his arms the way they were supposed to, like it was a coat made for a man more slender than he. Even his boots, which were standard as far as footwear went amongst the male channelers went, looked more scuffed and worn as if being on Nate’s feet made them cheaper and flimsier. The truth of it was that Nate took them off at every opportunity he had, and now they were stood still he kicked them off and set them to one side.

“Don’t put them too close to the water,” Fiona teased, “I’d hate for you to have to walk with wet feet.”

“Not that we’re going anywhere!” Nate said rather jovially as he wriggled his toes.

[Elan]

Jaren

Throughout his adult life, Jaren had mostly appreciated summer for the improvement in travelling conditions it offered over the other seasons. This summer, however, was turning out to be different. Maybe it was because he’d spent the winter confined to the Tower grounds and the relief he usually felt at the roads finally drying was not a factor; maybe it was because he had so little time to enjoy the sun that he’d finally learnt to appreciate it properly. Either way, he wasn’t complaining.

He’d been surprised to be invited to the picnic organised by the Accepted Fiona Trakand. He didn’t really know her — well, as an Andoran he certainly knew of her — and had maybe ever exchanged a couple of words with her, but he figured that the invitation was open for any students of the Tower who could get away from classes and chores for the afternoon and thought no more of it. He had acquired an apple pie from the kitchens — to think that he should resort to stealing pies — and confiscated a bottle of wine his roommate had somehow got his hands on — he honestly didn’t want to know how — and was now approaching the meeting place in the gardens.

Besides Fiona, there was already a Dedicated; a tall fellow whose name Jaren couldn’t summon to mind though he’d seen him around. Well, it would have been difficult not to see him, the way he towered over the general populace. “Accepted Fiona,” Jaren greeted Fiona with a nod as he reached the duo. “Dedicated,” he added, acknowledging the Dedicated in turn. Realising how painfully formal that sounded, he flashed a grin and continued, still addressing the Dedicated, “I’m afraid I don’t know your name. I’m Jaren.”

[Cat]

Tristram

The first things to go had been his clothes. Or, rather, upon hearing about the picnic, Tristram had immediately swapped his Soldier uniform for a shirt, trousers, and coat that had these amazing things called colour. He wasn’t going to spend any more time in the uniform than he had to. Black was simply not for him. He wasn’t a Cairhienin, after all, and he didn’t think he would be able to pass for one… unless he suddenly found himself a foot shorter. His coat was open, the top buttons of his shirt undone. Well-dressed, but casual. It felt bloody good to be out of uniform.

There had, of course, been no second thoughts about coming along. The thought of being able to get out of the Tower filled him with a certain amount of eagerness that he would never admit to feeling. It was the type of excitement you felt just before throwing yourself headfirst into a fight; a mix of anticipation and expectation. He couldn’t wait to get out of the bloody Tower and escape its light-forsaken curfew for just a little while. He didn’t think he would ever get used to being cooped up and treated like he was some child.

He carried a basket with him, because apparently they had to bring something along with them, as he made his way through the gardens and approached those already there.

“I thought I’d be the healthy one and bring the salad,” he said, placing the basket down next to the other one, not even bothering with a greeting. He’d never been very good with the ‘Hello, I’m Tristram, and you-?’ Most people usually knew who he was. He straightened and grinned. “Of course, I also brought some Oosquai to wash it down with. Three bottles will do, I hope?”

[Avyra]

It was a perfect morning for hunting, and that's just what the Accepted was doing. Eagle perched on her fist, she made her way around to Tower grounds, in search of unwanted rabbits. They always got into the Garden plants, and a few had already told her that they were grateful for her to have gotten rid of them. Kyella was hooded, as she should be in such a situation, until Avyra spotted game. Then she'd set the bird lose to do her magic. Then, the Accepted stopped, raising an eyebrow. There appeared to be a meeting. Nothing official, it seemed, since she hadn't been informed of it. She was about to make the best crime bust of her lifetime or get into the biggest trouble of it. She paused, then. These were learning ranks, her own people to an extent. She was already the outcast. It wouldn't help her case to barge in and turn them all in. In fact, it wouldn't help her case to join at all. But she didn't care. They could view her intrusion how they wanted to. "Hello," she said simply, taking Kyella by a touch of suprise, the eagle fanning her wings. "Is there room for another? Or rather, a pair, if you count the feathered one."

[Bella]

Although she hadn't been looking for a group outing to attend, and frankly had been more of a mind to avoid it, Andra was at the unfortunate behest of her roommate. She still could not forgive the redhead's incessant nighttime sawing-symphony, but otherwise, they managed to get along...reasonably well.

What a pair they made! Where Andra was short, somewhat slender and dark, Gritte was tall, "big boned" and pale, with frizzy red hair and a perpetual assault of freckles. She could be a little abrasive, but ultimately, Andra had learned, very nice.

It was Gritte's fault that Andra was here at all, being dragged to a picnic being orchestrated by an Accepted that Andra didn't know, but Gritte did, at least somewhat. It was in the gardens, though, and the Kandori could never argue with that. This remained her favorite place in the entire Tower, and it was a truly beautiful day.

Gritte carried the basket with the smoked beef strips she had "acquired" from the kitchen, while Andra carried a small bag with the apples she had been able to procure herself. Neither woman would tell the other just how those things had happened. Neither was truly asking either, though, so it all worked out.

They found the small group already gathering, and Gritte immediately headed for Fiona. She greeted the other woman, and introduced Andra in her less-than-couth way, but the Kandori was already looking around. She realized she knew a few people here. Neither of the Accepted, or the Dedicated, but she nodded to the two Soldiers who she had met during various chore times.

[Jenny]

Kaira "This isn't a good idea," Kaira said. Despite her statement, she offered little resistance and allowed her enthusiastic roommate to drag her by the arm. Her free hand balanced a covered blueberry pie.

Nasrin tossed her head and glanced back with twinkling eyes.

"It's a picnic, what's the worst that could happen?"

"We both know that it's not just going to be a picnic, Nas."

Nasrin rolled her eyes.

"Come on Kay, where's your sense of adventure?"

Kaira laughed.

"I said that I was coming, didn't I? We need to be careful, that's all."

Soon they approached the group. She cast a quick glance around at the gathered learning ranks and noted with some caution that most were older than her. There was Accepted Fiona, of course, and a tall Dedicated. Two soldiers had already arrived. Kaira carefully avoided Accepted Avyra. She hadn't forgotten what the woman had said about her mother. She also turned away from Andraste and her roommate.

But while Kaira was uncomfortable, she was far from shy. She unveiled her pie with a flourish and settled it among the other offerings. She cut a thin slice for herself. Then she sat down between the Dedicated and Nasrin and began to converse lightly about the weather and classes. The sun warmed her skin, and the greenery of the Gardens was pleasant to the eye. Oh, what a wonderful idea to have a picnic!

[Locke]

Alric

They didn’t have proper summers this far north. That said, it was still hot enough for Alric to wish there was an alternate uniform, something summer weight or at least without the heavy coat. There wasn’t though, so Alric wore his coat done up to the collar, silver pin shined, and his sword hung from his thick leather belt. He was a military man after all. He’d been a scholar at one point and a carpenter. Sometimes Alric found it quite odd which parts of his previous lives he still held onto and which he didn’t.

Alric had managed to free himself from his studies today. Fiona had organized a picnic of sorts. She’d been sparing with the details, but they were supposed to meet in the gardens. Afanen would rip his ears off if she found out he’d gone to a picnic without her. He’d done his best though, he hadn’t been able to find her in time to tell her. Their schedules kept them apart more than either of them would have liked. He’d have to secure some leftovers for the voracious little Novice.

As he stepped over an above ground root, Alric’s backpack made a distinctive rattling sound. Over half a dozen tin mugs were strung by the handles about the outside of his bulging backpack. He hadn’t known how many people were going to show up and he might have gone a bit overboard. Each step caused his heavy pack to make another sloshing noise. A few weeks back, he’d taken a trip into town where he’d met with a merchant to haggle over a small keg of an Andoran Wheat beer. That seemed like a good summer drink. The man had thrown in the cups as a favor. The whole lot had been neatly hidden in a far corner of the grounds until today. He had plans to drink it at some point, but a picnic seemed as good a time as any. Traveling really made skirting the rules much simpler. Sometimes, though, he wondered if it was becoming too easy.

When he finally reached the clearing where Fiona and the others had gathered, a grin began to grow on his face. Something occurred to him, it was silly, but he couldn’t be a stuffed shirt every day now could he? Straightening his back, he strode forth with military precision. Stopping before Fiona, he swung his pack from his back with a flourish and dropped to a knee. “My, Lady Trakand,” he said with mock solemnity, “I bring you the finest of ales from your homeland.” Somehow he’d forgotten the little blond Accepted was as Andoran as his beer.

He dropped the pretense at courtly etiquette with a snort and a laugh before plopping himself down next to Nate, a fellow Dedicated from Mayene. “How’s it going, Scruffs?” he said cheerfully. He gave Jaren a friendly nod but froze when he noticed Kaira and her friend. If word of this whole get together made it’s way back to Ravak, they’d all be dead.

[Jenn]

Affie

Hadn’t been much information to go on, but Affie had been sold on the idea the moment she had overheard the word “picnic.” Didn’t matter whose it was, only that learning ranks were invited. The cooks and kitchen staff knew her from her days as a Drin, and it had only taken a lingering sniff and a solemn look with equally solemn eyes before the small Novice had somehow managed to acquire an entire wheel of cheese wrapped in brown paper.

A fleeting grin shifted across her face. Was good. Would anyone else she knew be there? The Altaran mashed her bottom lip against her teeth. Should’ve gone to find Zarayne. A picnic never hurt anybody and her Aiel roommate was too serious by far. Reminded her of Alric sometimes, all duty and honour, though not always with beer. Affie brightened. Maybe he’d be there too? Would be like old times, before she became a Novice. She plucked at the side of the white dress, hastily adjusting her gasp on the cheese wheel so she didn’t drop it.

When she arrived, she hesitated. Already so many people! But oh... there was Alric. And Nate! And he had on all his clothes! Except for his boots. Affie hurriedly set down the cheese wheel next to a basket after introducing herself to Accepted Fiona. Then she made a beeline for the two Dedicated and plopped down unceremoniously between them, wedging herself into the tiny space.

“Hi.” Her gaze was both a touch challenging and warm as she greeted them both, the very tips of her ears flushing pink as she gifted Alric with a rare half-smile. She watched Nate's wriggling toes for a moment before kicking off her slippers as well, resting her legs straight out in front of her. When she was settled, Affie’s attention went to the others, studying each of those she didn’t know with muted curiosity.

OOC: There. Alric's ears are safe, for now.

[Sunny]

Fiona

Fiona remained perched on her rock as her fellow students materialized out of the trees. There were far more people than she had dreamed, which of course meant there would be no sneaking away quietly. With that many of the student channelers missing someone was bound to notice. That, however, was a thought for another time. If it hadn’t stopped them from showing up, why should it stop them from having fun?

Nate’s presence came as no shock. He enjoyed such revelries, though they had not had much chance to interact. Avyra’s appearance was a surprise, however. The other Accepted seemed to take a degree of satisfaction in putting herself on the outside of every event that defied all rhyme or reason. Kaira and Nasrin were to be expected; she grinned at them and their pipe-smoking antics, but her gaze traveled on quickly, taking each participant in with friendly curiosity.

The next face she saw set her back on her bottom and all other thoughts disappeared. What is Tristram Baryn doing in the Tower? Probably the same thing she was doing in white, but still! She gave him a small nod when their eyes met; if he recognized her, he gave no sign. House Baryn had been rather aggressively pursuing an alliance with Trakand when she ran away. Had it been that one they intended her to wed?

How very awkward.

Nate’s commentary interrupted her musing. “I suppose we could stay here, but we would be interrupted rather quickly,” she responded. The people who had brought food had certainly found enough to feed an army...and there was beer and liquor to be consumed. “Wouldn’t it be nice to just….be...for a few hours?” How many years had she lived by the Tower’s clock? Abruptly she knew she would leave even if no one else did.

She channeled, the flows for Traveling slipping through her fingers in a slow, but confident, manner. The Andoran would never be able to Travel with ease; even the door-sized Gateway she created then tired her more than she cared to admit. That had not stopped her from practicing at every chance she could get after learning the weave, however. Tiresome or not, she knew the flows better than most she had been taught.

The flash of light caught the attention of friends and acquaintances. Unperturbed and unabashed, she grinned at them in a mischievous manner. “If we stay here, some Aes Sedai or Asha’man...or interfering Gaidin,” she nodded to Kaira with a wink, “is going to catch us and put a stop to our party. I would like to invite you all to join me in a place very dear to me.”

The blonde girl turned to look through the Gateway. On the opposite side, a small meadow framed by trees drew the eye toward a sparkling stream that ran along the edge of the forest. “Don’t be a bunch of wussies- we’ll be home by bedtime!” She tossed over her shoulder as she walked through, already searching for the place where, seven years before, she had built her last campfire.

The sounds of her companions seemed distant in comparison to the bouncing, rattling dice in her head.

OOC: Because there are so many, having individual interactions may be rather difficult; if you want to have them, I recommend either splitting temporarily into a separate thread, or writing in GDoc and then publishing all as one post. <3

Also: I have a general idea for how this thread will go, but you're all welcome to make up as many events and details as you like. This is a living, growing plot, and the more that gets contributed, the better it will be.