A World of Trouble (Attn: Andy)

[Craig]

So many questions!

Zarayne

Zarayne shook her head. "First sisters either share the same mother, or have been made first sisters by the Wise Ones. I have a sister, but she is not my first sister." She frowned. "I don't think Kaira Darrow would have me for a first sister. As for where I am from, I am Aiel." She pulled a few strands of red hair over the front of her face. "I thought this and the height gave it away."

The novice listened without comment on Alrim's opinion on Ravak Darrow. He is sad? He had looked remorseful once her sister had slipped silently away, but aside from that he seemed warm and friendly. The sadness was something she would look out for. Wetlanders did lie, and Ravak Darrow's speech about knowing nothing about her could have been a ruse. It seems unlikely, but it was possible.

When conversation turned to the other apprentices, Zarayne clammed up. She refused to even acknowledge the question, much less answer it. She would not be shamed into admitting her frustrations at Accepted Belaida's tutelage. That was between herself and Belaida, and if a third person needed to be involved, she would have chosen Vanya Sedai beyond all others. Wise Ones' business was between Wise Ones, and the same seemed true for Aes Sedai.

Despite the fact that she was ignoring his question, she noticed the way Alrim held his shoulder and the wince that accompanied it. Her mother's kitchen was filled with remedies for all manner of ailments, when she didn't simply use the One Power to heal. Zarayne wondered if the Gardens had the correct herbs and flowers needed to put together an unction to sooth the pain.

She brightened at the mention of not being found. Admittedly she had chosen this spot so that she would be happened upon eventually, but the punishment from the Mistress of Novices wouldn't drastically change for the addition of a few more hours of freedom. "The Gardens? Absolutely, please. Lead the way!"

[Andy]

Aiel! I knew there was something that was bothering me! Should have remembered, stupid man he berated himself mentally, a wry smile creeping to his lips. He was a fool and he was fine with that for now, though the signs were definitely clear now that the mental links had been made for him to pull upon. Hair colour, the height and her manner of speech were clear indicators. Her skin tone was perhaps less so, which might have thrown him off but still he should have been more observant. He felt his cheeks redden at her comment but he knuckled his cheek with his hand to hide it. “It should have done, I am slow today I think. I apologise Zarayne. I can’t speak for customs but perhaps one day you and Kaira may grow close enough to be…first sisters. Nothing is impossible, so they tell me” he allowed his mouth to frame the words in context, a memory to make sure he remembered what the term meant. He pushed himself up and offered a hand to help her up when she told him to lead the way, it was polite and he was well aware that one day it would be his job to protect those such as her, perhaps even die for them. It should start with common decency and assistance, he could work his way up to dying. He was in no rush for that ultimate ending. He noted, now they were both standing, that she was a good hand taller than him or thereabouts. It was strange to look up at a woman, most were shorter. There was no intimidation just a strangeness of observation. There must be a few of them here so I’ll have to get used to it he told himself, aware that at the Grey Tower all of his assumptions were being put through the mangle and hammered into newer perspectives. “I’ve come to like the Gardens,” he said as they crossed the threshold of its domain, “it is peaceful and if you’re clever and quiet enough you could stay here without notice for days. Never tried it of course but I’d reckon I could do it. It…makes you think. Lost count of the things I’ve figured out under these leaves” Where he had in mind was in the far corner from where they had entered, tucked away and surrounded by thick walls of leaves. He had only found it when trying to avoid another Drin - Viktor - after finding out he wanted to fight. He had only played a prank, in this case leaving his spare clothes hanging from the top of a flag pole, or what he had thought was a flag pole. Something tall, thin and metal at any rate. And he had only done that because he had been threatening Logan, his roommate. Rushing through the gardens he had slipped through a slight gap, bending slightly to do so, pushed through to the right, curving slightly and stepped into a small clearing, big enough perhaps for three people to sit in cross-legged. “It‘s just across the ways a bit,” he stated, walking slowly and trying to be alert to anyone noticing what they were trying to do, “a small little hole to hide in when you need to be alone. There’s even a slight roof of vines to it, I think they’re vines, though I poked some holes in to let light through. Shaped the space a bit too to make it easier to sit in” he shrugged. “And now I let you know about it, so if you need to you can come and be yourself. I don’t take responsibility for any telling off you get though” he waggled a finger at her theatrically as they walked. “Have you been here before? Are you interested in flowers?” he asked her as they walked, hoping not to bump into Ravak, noticing that she was seemingly assessing the growths as they passed them.

[Craig]

Zarayne

The Aielwoman had not been to the Gardens before and it showed on her face. In Shienar, she and her mother had cultivated a small variety of flowers and herbs in the rear room of their house. They had to be indoors, either due to their fragility, or to protect against the cold snaps that killed even the hardiest of trees. Some of her mother's tinctures could only be acquired from merchants, but she made great use of the plants she did have, and Zarayne had spent a lot of time with them, learning about how their grew and what they were good for.

But this. It was more colour than Zarayne had seen in her entire life, or so it seemed. Her fingers brushed over purple flowers and orange flowers and yellow flowers. There were trees so different in appearance that she wondered if they were some other types of flora she'd never come across before. There was one that looked like a frozen waterfall of yellow leaves. Attaching words and descriptions of some of the plant life seemed impossible, but the way Alrim calmly took it all in convinced her that this was all an acceptable reality, and not a conjuration of the Dreaming World.

Zarayne smiled broadly. "No, I haven't! It's wonderful!" She let anxiousness fade away and gave into the wonder of it all. She stepped off the pathway and moved amongst some flower beds. The edges of her skirt picked up more dirt, as well as the occasional petal. Her slippered steps were deftly placed, never intruding too close to any of the life underfoot.

She skipped back onto the path in front of Alrim, beaming from cheek to cheek. "Thank you! I didn't know all of this existed! It's beautiful." The wild abandonment made her reach out and grab one of Alrim's hand in both of hers, as she pulled him after her.

Or that had been her intent. Instead as she started to pull on the Drin's arm, forgotten pain flared across her shoulders and upper arms. She realised her grip as she cringed from the pain, which led to her next problem. Zarayne had no time to react as she fell backwards, no longer counterbalanced by Alrim's weight. She hit the ground with a grunt, then heard the sound of stone cracking against the back of her head. Her sight blurred; foliage danced at the edges of her vision, and even the sky seemed wrong.

Almost as soon as she was sprawled on her back, the Aiel was trying to pull herself up. The pain in her arms were forgotten, but there was no strength in them to hoist herself up. She raised one forearm, bent at the elbow, with the rest of her arm flat on the ground. Her fingers wriggled. "Alrim?" she groaned groggily. "Help me up?"

[Andy]

This was a change of emotion, almost an entire transformation he had to admit. He had thought she might find peace and quiet, perhaps somewhere to rest and get a break between whatever punishments were being doled out. He did have a heart after all, much as he mat jest otherwise. He could mock himself for being a terrible Drin but he would like to think people would look at the factual score more than listen to his words. What he hadn’t expected for one moment was for Zarayne to veritably dance and prance about. She moved like he imagined an Aiel would from the stories but she was hunting plants instead of enemies. Graceful in it’s own way, at least she seems to have forgotten about her woes, that is something worthwhile and a good deed to get me through the week he told himself as he watched her with a surprised smile and scratched the back of his head. In truth he thought she had forgotten about him and so he merely stayed where she had left him upon the path, waiting out her exuberance patiently. He was fine with being surplus to requirements for a while. Still, he did watch her and noted that without that sour cast to her face she could be considered pretty indeed. He wondered, idly, if all Aiel were like that - hiding behind masks until you get them alone and prove to them your worthy of letting it slip. Or surprising enough, perhaps. “You’re welcome, if I’d have known I’d have brought you here sooner,” he began, giving in to the insistent tugging and stepping forwards, “it is quite pretty, yes, peaceful-” his words stopped though with the sudden releasing of her grip. As soon as he saw her shift backwards he knew what was going to happen and that both of them would then be having a bad day. It was instinctive, he knew it would be a bad fall. He lunged forwards to try to grab her and managed to get a grip upon fabric. It slowed her slightly but she kept on going, Alrim following and trying to get an arm under her. He deflected her descent just enough to stop it being fatal and got a decent tear in his uniform and from the feel of it a gash to his left shoulder for the trouble. He pushed himself up quickly and came to a kneeling position next to Zarayne, looking down in concern. “Zarayne,” he asked, hissing slightly as he extended his arm to try to see if she was okay, “come on now, don’t play with me lass. You’re fine right?” he asked worriedly. She wasn’t moving immediately, that was a bad sign. Then she shifted and relief flooded him just before it was snatched away. She’s not moving right, not talking right. She hit her head, Light I hope she’s not addled for good, head hits are bad he told himself, knowing that he would get in trouble but also that he would take both their blames and it’d be worth it if she ended up fine. “I’m here, come on Zarayne, let’s get you up,” he helped her up, mostly he outright picked her up, checking the back of her head for any wounds, he couldn’t see much blood so that was a point for the good, “no no no, stand, stand come you’ve got those lovely long legs for a reason- okay I’ll carry you” he took her up in his arms when she began to stagger, he wasn’t risking another fall. He bit his lower lip in deliberation and weighed her life as infinitely precious compared to his own and set off in the direction of the Infirmary. It would hopefully be nothing but he saw no reason that a professional shouldn’t check Zarayne over, heads were funny things. It would be a short trip but he didn’t run. “Stay awake now lass, use that infamous Aiel stubbornness eh?” he told her as he walked as he exited the Gardens and made his way to his destination. “Don’t worry, was my fault, will take the blame. You’ve had enough already and you’re not admitting it” he muttered to himself.

OOC: If you would prefer me to change and not go to the Infirmary if you had other plans let me know and I'll edit. Otherwise I'll assume that Alrim is probably going to be had a go at by Ravak at some point

[Craig]

Zarayne

Convenience would have dictated that the Infirmary should have been located on the northern side of the ground floor of the Grey Tower, closest to the Warder Yards. But tradition was tradition, so instead it resided eight stories up amongst other rooms set aside from Ajah-specific purposes.

By the time Alrim and Zarayne had ascending the endless flights of spiralling stairwells, the latter was feeling quite woozy. She was relying more and more on her companion for support, both for keeping her upright and to guide her in the right direction.

The Infirmary had a sterile smell that simultaneously seemed reassuring and disgusting to Zarayne. She let herself be led through the doorway into the room, and almost as soon as she was through the threshold, an Aes Sedai was standing in front of her.

"What's this?" the Aes Sedai asked sharply. She was shorter than both learning ranks, yet somehow each of them felt like they were being stared down by a giant. "Peace, look at those eyes. Come on, take her over here."

The Aes Sedai seemed to vanish as far as Zarayne was concerned, but fortunately Alrim's eyes weren't unfocused and rolling in their sockets. He led her into a small alcove with a bed, and with a bit of effort, both Drin and Aes Sedai got her laying down.

The sharp-voiced sister spoke again, but in a more motherly tone. "I'm going to delve and then heal you. Is that okay?"

"Yes, Aes Se..." The words died on her tongue as everything slipped away into darkness.

Elia Darrow, First Seeker

Elia pursed her lips together. Admitting to her faults was not one of her many attributes, but she hesitated slightly over Delving the novice. If this was serious (and it was a head injury, so it probably was), then there were far better Healers. After all, she was an Indigo, and it was the Yellows that specialised in this sort of thing.

The Drin looked at her, which gave Elia the impetus to act. She wasn't about to go crawling to some slack-jawed Yellow in front of this boy. She embraced saidar, feeling the warming flow of the One Power fill her. The rose-shaped angreal in her hair glowed with a soft pink light as she channeled through it. She wove Air, Spirit and Water into an unending loop, settling it on the novice's head. As soon as it touched her, the weave expanded to encompass the girl's entire form, with filigrees of Spirit returning into Elia to communicate the extent of the damage.

She wasn't as bad as Elia had first thought. The Indigo sister turned her attention to the Drin. She briefly thought of her brother's scissors as she saw the bells in his hair, but any moment of levity was crushed beneath the sister's dissatisfaction. "What happened?" she asked sharply. "Did she fall out of a tree, or were you tussling in the Gardens when she struck her head on a stone? Speak up, or have you injured your tongue as well?"

[Andy]

He watched carefully as the Aes Sedai worked, did as he was instructed and hoped that there would be a resolution that didn’t end up with a bad ending. The Aes Sedai was small but wore dashes of the Indigo colour so he presumed she belonged to the Indigo Ajah. He was not sure why she was here in that case as he presumed only Yellows healed others. At least in the Infirmary. He did not question it though, he was just glad there was someone around to provide a quick response, it had been a long way from the Gardens and even he knew every moment counted with injuries. He wisely kept himself to himself, watching. She’ll be okay, she’s Aiel for Light’s sake. They never die. Well, never give up. Come to think of it she did say things that might mean she isn’t from the…tribes. Light lend her strength he thought, privately hoping it would lend him some luck too. He blinked in surprise as her hair started to glow pink, he was not sure if that was meant to happen but he dared not break her concentration. One of the first lessons he had been given on the One Power was that breaking a channeller's focus led to disastrous results. He flicked his gaze to Zarayne, she seemed somewhat more settled as far as he could see, breathing more even perhaps. He made a mental note to learn about healing things, he might need it in future. When the Aes Sedai rounded on him he was not surprised but so focused had he been that it startled him from his reverie. It took every ounce of control not to frown and snap a reply back at the very suggestion that he had been doing something wrong. He believed in fairness and justice and the reality was the opposite, he had been trying to help her. It likely showed upon his face all the same but he didn't care, just so long as he didn't say something he regretted. "I was not...tussling...with her in the Gardens Aes Sedai," he bowed his head, perhaps not as low as he should but still being respectful, "we were walking the Gardens and she grabbed my hand to show me something. She likes flowers. She couldn't grip properly and lost it, falling back and hitting her head on the path stones. I tried to get between her and the ground and hopefully it meant she will be okay" he stated, it was a matter-of-fact and dull tone of voice, as if repeating rote. "I suspect that someone has been beating her," he frowned at that and his lips did twist slightly before his face returned to normal, " far more than is probably allowed. Which was why I took her there in the first place and why she lost her grip. I was trying to help Zarayne, to find out more about it, she didn't want to talk about it. It was my idea, my fault, not hers. I will accept punishment if deemed appropriate, Aes Sedai" he finished with another slight bow of the head. He didn't even bother to mention his shoulder, he would get over it. The least he could do for Zarayne was take the blame for everything and tell the truth. If he was proven mistaken then he would get more punishment, right then he didn't care. He just stood there, almost as if at attention and wondering if Zarayne was okay. "Will Zarayne be okay?" he asked, his voice slightly softer then.

[Craig]

Elia Darrow

"She likes flowers," Elia repeated drawly. Well that explains everything. She resisted the urge to roll her eyes as she may have done privately. The learning ranks had to feel chastised, not insulted.

The comment on beatings did not go unnoticed. A far better Delver than a Healer, Elia had sensed the harsh injuries on the novice. She dismissed it as treatable, not really thinking anything more of it. Now she was curious.

Carefully, Elia rolled up the sleeves of Zarayne's dress. Faintly tanned skin gave way to red scar tissue. Elia continued upwards; those weren't the injuries she had felt. As she got beyond the novice's bony elbows, the skin changed from red to purple and yellow. They sadly looked familiar. Cane marks. And far too many to count as regular discipline. "You suspect correctly," Elia conceded. Punishment didn't seem to be justified in this case, and she was always justified in her actions.

Pulling the sleeve back down, Elia moved around the bed so that she was standing over Zarayne's head. Her slender hairs rested on either side of the novice's head. "She will be fine," reassured the Indigo, as she wove saidar once more. A mesh of Spirit laced with Air and Water formed above the Aielwoman's unconscious form. With delicate care, Elia lowered the weave of Healing onto her patient.

Zarayne

Zarayne screamed. Frozen water had suddenly engulfed her. I've fallen through the ice again, she dimly thought. Dimly, because she was too busy thrashing against the body of water she found herself in. She'd never learned how to swim; the waters in Shienar were too cold, when they weren't simply solid. So she thrashed like she had the last time she'd found herself drowning, incapable of doing any other action.

Suddenly reality shifted. She was no longer drowning; she was burning up. Flames roared out towards her from the centre of the room. Zarayne shielded her face with her forearms. Everything about this moment was familiar too. I'm back in the house. Zarayne had been showing off her gift with the One Power. Just a small flame, dancing in mid-air. Everything had changed the moment she started to pull at the threads holding the flame together. One slip-up and the room had become an inferno. She screamed again as her skin blistered and cracked. This time she wouldn't make it, she was certain.

Reality shifted once more, and Zarayne sat up. She gasped, gulping down lungfuls of air. It had seemed an Age since she had last drawn breath. Wide green eyes found Alrim's piercing brown. Alrim. She wasn't burning or drowning. Those had been memories; Alrim was the present.

Weakly, Zarayne raised a hand to her forehand. "What--?" was all she got out as a hand rested on each one of her shoulders, pulling her back flat onto the bed.

"Welcome back child." The voice and hands belonged to an Aes Sedai Zarayne did not know. She hadn't the strength to argue, even if she wanted to. Zarayne let the Aes Sedai guide her.

"What happened?" Zarayne asked in a hoarse whisper.

"You have been Healed, child." The Aes Sedai moved around the bed, so that Zarayne could see her clearly. She was quite clearly a Shienaran, both in her face and in her accent. "You and your friend here were in the Gardens, looking at flowers. Do you remember that, child?"

She did. She also remembered falling, remembered Alrim's attempt to shield her. "I do, Aes Sedai."

"Good." The red-haired Shienaran gave Zarayne a motherly smile, then sent Alrim a sharp look. "Be useful and go to the kitchens. Ask the Mistress of the Kitchens for a meal, say it's for the Infirmary. And be quick!" The Aes Sedai snapped her fingers in impatience.

[Andy]

This was a turn up for the books, he wasn't being punished and he had probably done worse this day - even unwittingly - than any other day. He contained his smile as he watched, concerned gaze shifting back to Zarayne. The Aes Sedai dismissed him from her attention as neatly as one might bat away a midge, he wondered whether she was normally that ignorant or is being a full rank meant you were excused from interacting with those who likely made your life run properly. Idly he mused himself with the idea of what Aes Sedai and Asha'man might do if the servants were to ever disappear. Scrabble around for food and smack each other about for the biggest hoard of clean sheets probably. She might run of clean sticks for her arse he told himself with a carefully neutral face. He certainly didn't get the impression she had many friends at any rate. Still as she assessed his claim and found it correct he was thankful to her, she had at least discerned truth instead of ignoring the accusation. He stepped forwards to get a better look at what she was doing, he couldn't see anything so he presumed the Power was at work. It was proven correct when Zarayne's eyes shot open and she sat up instantly. He grinned, thankful and relieved as the Aes Sedai pulled her back to lie down. The instruction was barked at him though Zarayne got a nicer tone. So she can be nice, guess I'm just not her type then. I wonder if she trains dogs he told himself as he nodded at her, trying not to show irritation. "Yes, Aes Sedai, immediately" was all he responded before turning and fleeing before any punishment could be forthcoming. It was with winged feet that he found himself fetching food for Zarayne for the second time. He didn't mind, it was his fault after all and if foods was what was needed then he would willingly supply it. The kitchen was as large, bustling and sweet smelling as usual. Enticingly so but he thought not about the fact he had eaten little himself, instead occupying himself with procurement. Deft hands, a smile and choice words were usually enough to pilfer a few scraps but today he had to explain what had happened to get a larger portion. It was easy enough and he found himself returning to the Infirmary with two heaped plates of assorted foodstuffs. "As requested Aes Sedai, food for Zarayne. Should you need more I can go back again, or if there was anything else I could do?" he asked and was pointed towards Zarayne. "There you go Zarayne, sorry about the trip to the Gardens, didn't think it'd go like that. Here, I've got food for you," he told her as he set both plates down next to the bed, "hope you're all okay, I'll take you there another time perhaps" he smiled down at her wryly.

[Craig]

Zarayne

The Aielwoman felt tired. More than that. She thought her eyes should have been sore based on how exhausted she was, but it was her stomach that protested. The two plates of fresh food from the kitchens smelled amazing! She forewent using cutlery, grasping at a roasting hot potato with her bare hands. It disappeared in two ravenous bites, as did two more. It was only as she sought out the fourth that she realised Alrim had spoken. She gave him a lazy look through hooded eyelids. It may have seemed seductive, if it wasn't so obvious that Zarayne was only half aware of herself.

"I would like that." Her smile was a pale reflection of her beaming grin from the gardens, but it came from the same place. It was worth the brief visit, even if this had been the cost of it. She took up a slice of meat between two fingers, dribbling gravy onto her dress as she moved it towards her mouth. A dirty dress was of no real concern now that she was in the Infirmary after being caught outside of class. Vanya Sedai was probably on her way up to them right this moment. The concern over the Mistress of Novices did nothing to assuage her appetite.

"You should go, before you get into further trouble." Maybe the Master of Training and Vanya were both coming to the Infirmary. She had no idea if running from the Master of Training was a wise course of action, but Alrim didn't have to share the fate she was consigned to. She gave a bashful, apologetic look over the two plates.

[Andy]

She looked weak, very weak for someone her height and her age, though the latter was merely a guess but she looked younger than he was and she was shaking visibly. Tired eyes looked out from circles and she seemed to care not a jot as she half-ate and half-spilled her food as she ravenously tucked it away. He was glad that she seemed okay and his smile showed it, though he was still concerned. Aes Sedai or not he would be happier when he saw her walking around again and dancing amidst flowers. "Then it shall be so," he promised, "when things have blown over and you're better. If your father comes to see you just blame me. No doubt I'll get blamed anyway. Parents seldom blame their children" he noted, ironic as that sounded coming from his mouth. He had been given years to change though and had refused so it made sense to him. Ravak would likely blame him anyway, it served no purpose for Zarayne to defend him and get the sharp end of his tongue for nought. As it was he was assuming he would get blamed for everything. The only reason she had been out was because of her mistreatment, He had been the one to needlessly break with his lessons, whatever the reason. "I'd like to stay but there's probably going to be shouting when the Master of Training finds me, you don't need to hear that when you need rest. Yes...I'll...I'll let you rest, if you want to see me when you're recovered they'll likely have me running laps in the Yards until I fall over and make me crawl the rest of the way. It's not your fault that you were...mistreated. Tell the Mistress of Novices if she asks and let the Master of Training blame it all on me. I don't mind," he flicked away a bit of free hair from her face with a grin, "I can take it. Besides, serves me right for not catching you properly eh?" "Rest easy Zarayne, look after yourself now and fight back if the one as hit you comes back again, sometimes talking does nothing but end the same way" he told her sadly before turning away and letting her eat and rest, no doubt sleep soon too. He was angry with himself, he had let it happen and had been the cause of her presence in the Gardens. He deserved the punishment that was likely to come. On some level he hoped that Ravak did come and have it out with him, he'd tell him that he clearly didn't pay attention enough and whatever he had done he, at least, tried.