Dawn, and their first steps onto the stony paves. Sunlight scattered and shined, transforming faded outlines into startling architectures. Bridges leaped and arched, catwalks of previously unfathomable size now appearing into sight. Towers flanked with the standout Flame rose from roofs, each higher than the one before, which made her wonder with amusement about just what sort of people the residents of Tar Valon were. There was nothing simple in this place, not amongst the curvy swirls of the legend worthy sculptures, nor was it in the sparkle of the chime of every bell of every door, as the city burst into life. Here, there was only pride. And I cannot help but like it. To hell with amazement and wonder, with gapes suiting only the finest village idiot. With every gathered inch, she grew closer to the Tower. With every gathered inch, new determination swelled in her. She would call this place home.

 

Tirzah gave a quick glance to the figure to her left, and grinned. Cia’s face was a shining mask of hope, barely contained by all the tough and spirit that she loved about her twin. Her eyes were fixed on their approaching destination, brighter than usual with that added sparkle of excitement. “Someone’s excited,” she commented. Turning towards the other, she felt the dreaming she had contained all the while rise up in sudden torrent. Hopes and dreams, glory and steel. They were almost there. “Well? Are you going to tell me what you think, or were you waiting for me to ask?” Exchanging a smile, she continued more seriously. “Do you think we should stop and ask for directions on how to get to wherever-it-is-that-our-future-will-be-shaped, or do we wait until we get to the White Tower?” An explanation which was exactly how she’d expected it to be, and then a nod. “Great minds, sister, great minds. Let’s hurry up then- this city seems to come to life rather early.”

 

After the chatter dulled, they resumed their walk at a faster pace, and in silent contemplation. Tirzah watched people around her for a while, eager to know more about the passing faces and bustling figures, the residents who she would have to befriend if she hoped to create a future for herself. The one thing about them that stood out the most, was the lack of stares she received from them. Usually, their combination drew eyes seconds after they would reach a locale, but not one face had turned to acknowledge their somewhat unique presence. Everyone was too busy, wrapped up in the hum and buzz of the city of Tar Valon. Again, unsought approval reared its head, making her insides tingle at the prospect that their future lay only minutes from grasp. Pulled by habit she reached out and gave her hair a good shake, and then continued on to pat it into place. It was rather windswept from the journey, and she did not mind sacrificing a little bit of boyish charm, was it so that it would provide her with a good first impression.

 

Past the gates and one with crowd, trying to look up at the looming Tower dizzied her. Instinct made her step a little closer to her twin, a shade of the protective nature within revealing itself as they pushed and pleaded, until finally, they seemed to have reached a place where help could be procured. She looked beyond the scores of men and women who were already present at what she figured, was a sort of courtyard. That was all she could figure, though. Who to ask, where to look… “Cia, I think we’ll need a bit of branching into the charm farm right here. Who do you think will help us here, if you were to give simper some?” 

Tirzah Behen

Twin to Lucrecia

Lucrecia let her gaze wander over the large open courtyard from one side to the next. She took in all the different styles of clothing, most unrecognizable to her, and she wondered how many of these peddlers and nobles were form out of the city. Or perhaps Tar Valon alone had tons of different styles. Unlike Tirzah she always had an eye for the latest fashions. She liked what she saw here no matter how foreign--from dresses that exposed petticoats and oval cutouts in the chest to the women wearing veils and braided hair, or the wide bell skirts with hair piled high. She began thinking of styles she could create incorporating what she saw.

 

But all that was only in the matter of a few seconds, and her gaze wandered back up towards the White Tower. "I think we should wait until we get inside the Tower. No one here is going to know a thing, and I bet inside there are plenty of servants we could ask. Servants know everything. Or maybe we can run into one of those Warders." Just as she finished speaking she saw a woman in a cream dress slashes with brown, a man behind her that reminded Lucrecia of one of those dangerous wild cats she encountered when she was younger. The way he moved... and the cloak on his back made her look away with a bit of dizziness. The woman had looked like a noble. "I bet she was Aes Sedai." Tirzah nodded agreement, both twins watching the pair until they walked out of site, and quickly Lucrecia quickened her pace towards the gleaming White Tower.

 

Every step she took made her more nervous. What if she couldn't learn to channel? Maybe Tirzah could stay and train as the Warder she wanted to be but if Lucrecia couldn't learn... she would be crushed, and what could she do after? She wanted to help people, and her other career choice of designing clothes and styles wasn't exactly what she truly wanted to do. Maybe she would have to go back to her herbal shop... But I don't want to do that, either. There has to be something for me here!

 

Both twins eyed the guards they saw, with the a white teardrop on emblazoned on their shining armor. Lucrecia kept her fast walking pace up, inclining her heads to the guards as they passed onto the grounds. Servants awaited on the other side to hold the horses while the women visited. They gave their names and then Lucrecia made a beeline for the large doors of the Tower itself. She was more than determined--she needed to know as soon as possible if she could learn to channel or not!

 

"Tirzah, you'll stay with me for this, right? We can go to the Warders yard after, but will you stay with me? I have to find out first."

 

 

Tirzah smiled. Her sister was not just her anchor and confidant, she was also the strongest person Tirzah knew, besides their father. This moment of weakness that her twin revealed touched Tirzah, and it occurred to her how much more nervous Cia was. Indeed, it made sense that it was so, seeing as there was little basis for the Warders to reject her for training, but it was a one in a million chance that Lucrecia could channel. Logic would've lead them to finding an Aes Sedai first, rather than prancing off to the place of legend and myth. However, it was something beyond logic that told Tirzah her sister would be accepted. It was faith, tinged with such reassuring hope that it had cemented itself onto Tirzah, and become calm understanding.

 

Reaching out, she gave her sister's hand a little squeeze before slipping it away again. "I'll stay, Cia, of course I'll stay." No matter the bubbles of excitement lurching inside, Lucrecia was her twin, and family...well, this particular member of her family, came first.

 

Watching warily as the strangers lead their horses away, she turned to gaze at the ominous entrance that they were about to slip through. This was it, she knew. "I know you'll be able to channel Cia, but just one thing." Turning to face her twin, she swallowed. She was not one to indulge in too much emotion, didn't care for vast displays of feelings beyond what was required, but somehow as they made to embark on a newer, more different life than ever before, there was a pressing need in Tirzah to make her twin know how she felt. "When you join this place. This world, and these people...when you become like the rest of these women...you won't forget me, will you?"

 

Lucrecia looked at her in surprise. How could she possibly ask such a thing? Her expression became hard, her gaze firm. "Tir, look at me. I would never forget you. Besides, you're going to be with me every step of the way. I'll be training inside, you'll be training outside. We'll still see each other every day, I promise." She grabbed Tirzah's hand and squeezed it in something of a boyish shake, wearing a grin.

"Good. No, really good." Grinning in return, she considered the future Cia had laid out for them. It was obvious she had given it much more thought than Tirzah had, and in a way, Tirzah supposed she had been a little selfish in her dreaming. Always first was she herself in her fantasies; brandishing a sword or fancying the grip of a spear, bearing the colour shifting cloak of the Warders as she scouted and shadowed, crushed foe and gave mercy to the weak. Oh, yes, always her ambition. Lucrecia's Aes Sedai dream had always been there with her of course, a lovely glimmering thing that was the very cause of this whole expedition- Tirzah would not be Warder to any but her sister, but had she really let herself think it through the way Cia did? No. The realization stirred a random thought inside her, and she spoke. "You know, you're going to make one mighty Aes Sedai. Much better than I would've if I tried." Laughing, she continued. "I would strike a pose now, to give proof to how ridiculous that would be, but I don't really want to embarass you in a place you're going to be living in for the rest of your life. Not yet, anyway."

 

Humour lapping through her previous worries, Tirzah found herself at ease once more and thus, more keen to follow through on their talk. "I think we should find one of those white-clad girls to help us. They seem to know what they're doing better than the servants. Besides, they'd be much nicer to you because of me." Grinning, she let her eyes wander over the faces and figures, shrewdly looking through to find an idle face. There weren't many, she noticed with some irritation. Most were scurrying about, heads held up or down in accordance to how many of them were bundled together, but none would look their way.

 

Lucrecia and Tirzah

This was supposed to be my day off! Janine thought irritably as she stalked through the corridors of the White Tower, a glare plastered on her face, her hands balled up into fists.  Normally, she'd have paused to admire the artwork or pottery that was on display in the alcoves along the way, but stopping was the last thing on her mind.  If she stopped, Janine was afraid that she'd do something... irrational.  And it wouldn't be pretty.  For a moment, she imagined a priceless vase exploding in a violent rush of air, shards of pottery ricocheting about the halls.  Then she imagined the results of such an action.  To say that Janine rushed on would be a great injustice to her.  Instead, she simply hastened her pace to set a good example to the other novices.

 

It was relatively common for women to enter any of the main lobbies, asking to be tested.  An Accepted or an Aes Sedai could easily perform the required test, but a novice was not permitted to do so.  Instead, they were instructed to bring any candidates they met to whichever Aes Sedai had assigned them the task, the Mistress of Novice in Janine's case.  It was merely happenstance, in her case.  She just happened to be in the Mistress' office at the time for something completely unrelated- and she wasn't going to be sitting for about a week, from the feel of it- when the woman asked if she'd be so kind as to volunteer her time to finding prospective novices.  To say that Janine had other things in mind was an understatement.  For once, the head cook had failed to notice her swiping a small flask of wine from the kitchen, and she'd planned to spend the day in the company of that little bottle.

 

Any additional thoughts in that direction were stifled by a pair of faces in the relatively empty hall.  A few novices were scurrying about their business, some headed to classes, some headed to do chores.  However, these two were no novices.  Stopping dead in her tracks, Janine took a moment to take in the two.  Twins.  Identical twins, if her eyes served her correctly, but two more different people she couldn't imagine.  One of the two looked like... well, like Janine used to look before the Tower had shoved her into these bloody dresses and burnt her clothes.  The other?  Well, she looked as if she would be more comfortable in a dress.  Idly, Janine pictured the tomboyish girl in the white dress of a novice, grinning at the look on her face as the mental image examined the rough but well-cut dress that she suddenly found herself wearing.  After her private joke had run its course, Janine returned to the task at hand, offering the pair a curtsy that would have been barely acceptable in any company.

 

"Welcome to the White Tower," Janine said, her voice low and dripping with sarcasm.  She'd do the job, but she didn't have to like it.  "Are you here to be tested?"  Though the question could have been answered by either, there was no doubt in Janine's mind to whom the question was addressed in her mind.  Misery loves company, she thought as she gazed at the tomboy, her eyes sparkling with sadistic glee.  This could be fun.

When Tirzah had suggested that they should approach one of the white-clads, it had been due to the docility they seemed to be well met with, the lamb like obedience that clung to their shoulders and faces. She had expected that one gruff demand would have sent them scurrying, and felt no less should be indulged in, should it be that she was the one who gave out the command for directions. So while the greeting had come as foreseen, the twins turned to find a rather different looking white-clad. The sarcasm dripping off every word as they turned, Tirzah found herself matching eye for eye with a woman slightly older to her, with green eyes that seemed to glimmer with malice.

 

Tirzah grinned. So the girl had decided to pick at her gender and garb all at once, as well as a disguise no one had seen through before. It was a surprise, but somehow didn’t offend her like she’d always expected. Critically eyeing the woman without any hint of embarrassment, she decided the white-clad was tougher than her soft face had led Tirzah to believe. While she couldn’t place a nation’s name at the currently amused face, something about her had caught Tirzah’s interest. Perhaps it was because she was different to the rest she had seen…yes, that was it.

“How good of you to consider my feelings too.” She gave back, her tone dry but her eyes shining with even humour in return for the other’s cryptic glee. “We already gave our names back there in the courtyard place, but since you’re eager to help- my name is Tirzah, and this is my sister Lucrecia. She’s here to be tested, and I’ll be there with her while she is. Will you lead us to the…the place where she’ll be tested?” The girl might know she was a girl by gender too, but her theory of having a man’s soul and being trapped in a woman’s body might work some charm, if needed.

 

Tirzah Behen

Amused. :D

 

 

 

Lucrecia's own guard went up the moment this white-clad woman started talking to them. She was always as protective of Tirzah as she was of her. And women could be just as dangerous as men, of course. She had gotten into fist fights with women more than once. And she didn't like the tone this woman used.

 

However Tirzah took the lead, as was usual in such matters, where Lucrecia would be her backup. But for now she kept silent, awaiting an answer and maybe to be lead to this place. With every step her worry grew--could she learn to channel? What if she couldn't? They had come so far already it would seem all for nothing if they had to turn around again. Not that it would be that simple of course. Even if she couldn't channel, Tirzah would want to stay to train and Lucrecia wouldn't leave her by herself.

ooc: I'm Lucrecia's mentor

Why do I feel as if I've got another session with the strap coming? Janine thought as she eyed the girl- Tirzah, she'd named herself.  From her appearance, she was obviously used to being taken for a boy or a young man.  Short-cropped black hair, tanned, and riding a strange line between handsome boy and beautiful girl, this Tirzah seemed as if she belonged in some field or doing actual work, unlike her sister.  Though tanned, she seemed more likely to have men at her beck and call.  Again, Janine found herself comparing the two, nearly floored by the similarity.  Dipping into another curtsy, this one a touch more respectful- just a touch- she spoke again, her tone still carrying some of the amusement she felt, though less sarcasm.  "My name is Janine Alastarn, of Andor, and if you wish to be tested, Tirzah, then I can bring you to the Mistress of Novices."  Her eyes shifted to the other- Lucrecia, if she recalled correctly- and another sly smile slid over her face.  "Your sister may accompany us, as well, should she wish to see you safe to the Mistress of Novices before seeking the Warders."

 

Janine didn't wait for a response before turning on her heel and starting down the corridor, tripping over the hem of her dress as she did so.  Blood and bloody ashes, the things were hazardous!  She kept her face turned so as to keep her blushes hidden, especially from Tirzah.  She couldn't say why; tripping over a dress was nothing new to her.  With a barely perceptible shrug, Janine pushed it from her mind.  It probably had to do with the woman wearing similar clothing to what she used to wear.  Albeit, her clothing was of far better cut and material than Janine's had been.  Her face finally back to a normal shade, Janine slowed her pace, dropping back to match the pace of the twins.  "What brings you two to the Tower, then, if you don't mind me asking?" Janine asked.  She'd have to cut down on the teasing for now; either one of these two could turn her in for her behavior, and they'd probably be permitted to see her punishment, which would be more embarrassing than painful.

The next few words from the interesting white-clad’s mouth-while certainly more cooperative in nature than before- were clusters of information for the two striving, but somewhat ignorant twins. Janine Alastarn of Andor, eh? Nice name, Tirzah decided. If Cia was to befriend her during her Novitiate-and she was certain that this was what all initiates were called now-Tirzah would have to make sure that they fastened some fitting nicknames to the flashing green eyes and contemptuous smirk. Maybe Jan-Jan, to start with. Or even Alas, she thought with a grin. Imagine that, she thought. Running down the hallway with a woe filled face, hand reaching out for the Novice only stretches away; Alas!. A little bit of wordplay was always fun, after all.

“I most definitely will be accompanying her, my thanks for that, Jan-Jan. Your polite enquiries must be giving you a flurry of visitors all for yourself, I reckon.” She said, nodding vehemently. Glancing at her twin, she found her a touch paler than usual and moved a little closer to her. She had felt Cia’s hackles rise by volumes upon Janine’s entrance, but wariness had been replaced by a sheet of anxiety, which was enough cause for concern. Slipping close, she whispered in her ear: “What ifs and how tos are made for people weaker than you, Cia. Feeling doubtful will make the pleasure no greater when you are accepted. It will only come full circle, and relieve you of the fear it brought to you itself. Come now, I’ll be with you. And look, Jan-Jan looks like she’s about to speed her way out of our vision.”

Taking her by the arm, she began to follow the Novice, laughing softly as the other blundered and paused. Leaning towards Lucrecia again, she spoke softly. “Promise me you’ll try and make friends with her, Cia. She looks like you’d do her some good. I would if I could, but-” Gesturing at her garb and face to make her point, she continued, “Our horses would miss me too much. Have you thought of a name for yours as yet?” They had received the horses only a few weeks before leaving, but so far, every name that had come to their minds would be considered and then, dismissed.

 

Argus was too severe; both of them had found Spirit too common and Brandy had made her laugh. For now, the sleek black horse had been responsive enough with Nameless, but she doubted men and women of the Guard would look at her as kindly if she were to inform them of her qualms on names, of all things. Making ready to listen to Lucrecia’s answer, they were both interrupted in their thinking by Janine, who had slackened step so as to meet with theirs. Giving a subtle glance at Lucrecia, as if trying to prove her earlier point, she considered the question.

“Mind? ‘Course not, don’t be that polite either, for Light’s sake. Lucrecia, what do you think? Why’d we come to the Tower?” Nodding as Cia offered her explanation, she turned back towards Janine as they continued to weave through the never ending hallways. “As she says. What of you, Janine? If you don’t mind me asking.” She finished with a teasing grin.

 

Tirzah Behen- "You don't need to move for me to be able to talk at you."

Lucrecia's Twin

Lucrecia let some of her worry fade at her sister's words. She was right; Lucrecia barely worried about much of anything, at least openly, so why should this be any different? Whatever was going to happen would. The Wheel weaved as it willed.

“Mind? ‘Course not, don’t be that polite either, for Light’s sake. Lucrecia, what do you think? Why’d we come to the Tower?”

 

What a silly question, Lucrecia thought. She decided to voice her own thoughts further, "Why does anyone come to the Tower, miss Janine? To help the world I should think. I want to see if I can channel. Tirzah wants to train with the best warriors in the world. They are the best, right?" she half teased in a questioning tone. When the novice looked back at her she gave a polite smile. "I'm just playing, I know they're the best. That's why we've come. We want to be part of the Tower... and yourself? Why did you come here?" Mayhaps her own reasons for being at the Tower were different.

Lucrecia looked to her sister and gave a small, reassuring nod; she would try to make friends with this girl to benefit them both. In any new environment it was good to try to make friends before enemies.

At the answer she received from the one in the dress- Lucrecia.  Her name's Lucrecia.- Janine nearly forgot her efforts to be civil.  To help the world?!  What was wrong with this girl?  Nobody that Janine knew had come here with purely righteous intent.  She was either hiding something or not telling all.  Oh well, that's not my problem.  Janine's gaze shifted back to Tirzah.  Her being here to train with the Warders was no surprise; she had the right look for it.  She couldn't say why her gaze lingered, but for a moment she found herself looking over the slightly younger girl.  Catching herself, she turned her eyes back to the halls.  "Well, I'm here because I didn't look before I leaped.  I left home under, shall we say, less than friendly circumstances, and I figured that the White Tower would be my best bet for hiding."  Janine could still remember that day, just over a year ago.  She could remember being wrapped up in what she'd eventually learn was weaves of Air, restrained by that red-haired wench Lavinya.  The woman still had her pipe!

 

A grim smile playing on her lips, Janine continued, "I've only stayed because one of the flaming Aes Sedai thought it'd be funny to steal my pipe after I worked so hard to steal it in the first place.  There's no way that I'm letting the wench keep it."  It was only then that Janine realized how loudly she'd spoken.  Looking around furtively, she prepared herself to be struck by that invisible blow that should be coming.  Nothing happened.  Relaxing visibly, Janine looked back at the two she was escorting.  "That's why I'm here."  Suddenly aware of her surroundings from the countless visits she'd had to this particular area of the White Tower, Janine added, "We're here.  I'll introduce you two and take off.  I've a bottle back in my room that I can hear calling to me."  Giving a loud knock on the door, Janine waited for the Mistress of Novices to reply before entering the room.  As she curtsied, a sudden thought struck her.  Grinning evilly at Tirzah, Janine said, "Mistress, this is Lucrecia and Tirzah Behen.  They wish to be tested."

ooc: sorry gals and guys, I'm taking an LoA until the 27th or 28th. Work related stuff. :( Ashara, please use Lucrecia as needed.

“I’ll get you for this, later today. That is a promise. Also, it was wonderful to meet you.” That was all Tirzah could manage as Lucrecia tugged her along, past the open door. Giving Janine one last grin before she disappeared through the door, Tirzah knew she would get her back, no matter how many rules would have to be crossed on the very first day. Besides, there was little to worry about. It was not like she herself would be found channelling or having the “stone pulsate in a momentary flash” if she was tested. She would merely fail the test, and carry on to find some good lady to lead her to the Warders so that she could enrol. The simplicity of the situation calmed her as they stepped through and found themselves in the study, so that when she found herself facing the Mistress of Novices, Tirzah did so with a small smile. Tightening her grip on Cia’s hand before letting go, she gave a deep bow which immediately prompted her twin into a curtsey as well.

 

As she bent down to give her respect, she mulled over what the right words would be. Just by the reluctance with which Cia had let go of her hand, Tirzah knew that the other would be mortified if she stumbled over a word or the Aes Sedai’s name while she spoke first. No, it would be better if Tirzah herself introduced them, so that once the formalities were done, she could breeze away as quickly as she had come. As for Janine’s little screw up concerning the testing…. A sudden thought lit Tirzah’s hidden face as she decided what to do. She would go ahead with the lie Janine had told, simply because it would be entertaining to pretend that a person such as she would wish to be tested. As she rose however, another thought occurred to her. It would probably make things go more smoothly for her sister.

 

“Good morning to you, Aes Sedai. I am Tirzah Behen, and this is my sister Lucrecia. We wish to be tested, if it is possible.”

 

~Tirzah

Puffing away as she observed the two girls that had been let into her office, Darienna was struck by the difference between the two almost immediately.  Even in something as simple as the on the right bowing, while the one on the left curtsied.  While the one who curtsied was dressed and acted in a feminine fashion, the one who bowed displayed attributes that were far more masculine despite the fact that the pair's faces were for all intents and purposes identical if one ignored the style of their hair and the make up on the feminine one.  Twins it was then, and the more feminine one seemed far more nervous about all of this than the one who had elected to speak for the pair of them.

 

Perhaps Janine had told some stories that had the one called Lucrecia worried, if that were the case then Darienna was going to have to have a word with the girl.  Not so much for telling stories, that was always going to happen to the occasional woman brought to be tested, but more to make sure that it didn't get out of hand.  Gesturing to the pair of chairs before the pair, Darienna smiled slightly as she took the pipe from her mouth.  "Well, you should come and sit down then.  The test is easy enough, let me get the ter'angreal."

 

Opening the top drawer on her right as she replaced her pipe, Darienna frowned and closed it in favour of the second drawer.  That wasn't useful either, nor was the third or fourth.  Checking the top left drawer, Darienna frowned, the ter'angreal had no business being there and she didn't keep it there.  Someone had been playing with it it seemed, she would have to find out who it was later.  For now, she was more concerned about the pair of girls who had come to be tested.  Tossing the gem in the air, it froze midair above the desk, supported by a weave of air that she tied off easily enough.

 

Smiling at the pair of girls who seemed fascinated to varying degrees by the phenomenon of a floating object, Darienna pointed to the girl who had spoken, Tirzah, or tomboy as she inwardly identified her.  "This is a simple enough test.  You simply look at the gem, just keep looking at it and ignore everything else around you.  As far as you're concerned, that gem is it.  If you can channel, your ability will reveal itself as the gem flashes a light blue.  Since you spoke up, you can start first."

 

Turning to the other girl, Darienna nodded.  "You'll need to look away, look at anything other than the gem.  Otherwise you may disrupt her attempt.  It should only take ten to twenty minutes at most for the ability to reveal itself so you won't be waiting long."

 

 

Darienna Ceradin

Mistress of Novices

Lucrecia's shoulders slumped slightly at tirzah being allowed to test first and she had been rather confused by her sister's words to the lady about both of them wishing to be tested. They were here for her to be tested, and for Tirzah to train with the warders. Her mood was shifting with hope, that her sister could channel or that she could not. But which did Tirzah want more, and how much did talking to that other girl change her mind?

 

Still rather overwhelmed at being here she had elected to let Tirzah do the speaking, as her own tongue wouldn't seem to work at the moment. She was too nervous and tried suppressing any negative thoughts. What would happen would happen, after all. The Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills, she thought, looking away as Darienna directed. She couldn't concentrate on much, though the office was pretty, she was mentally feeling for her sister, physically feeling the aura of her energy and body next to hers. What did Tirzah desire of this world, she wondered? She shook her head and straightened her posture, her expression rather neutral. She would wait and see. They had the time now, even as everything was moving forward around them... I think I think too much. I need to slow down and wait. I wish I had some tea. She nearly sighed again but did not want to ruin Tirzah's concentration. Patience was something she had only at her own convenience.

There were many things that took odd, unsettling shapes in Tirzah’s eyes and opinion. Many things, she thought as her eyes lingered on the pipe that the Aes Sedai held, as she took in the clear instructions the Mistress provided, as she resisted the tempting urge to smile and simply, leave. So her imagination had not led her down quite the setting she found herself immersed in now. So the second Aes Sedai she found herself in close contact with matched any uncle she had sat beside back home, when it came to the ease with which she held her pipe. So there was a gem hovering in the air by what appeared to be, no support at all. The last in particular made Tirzah grin, especially as she pictured what her twin’s expression would be. In truth though, she was far more admiring of the pipe-puffing Aes Sedai, than any flashing gem. It was as she nodded to the Aes Sedai’s instructions that she made a swift decision- under no circumstances was she going to laugh in the next few minutes.

 

When the Aes Sedai informed her that she was to go first, Tirzah smiled. She had expected no less, rather, she had hoped it would be so. Her going through it would show Lucrecia how simple the task that lay before her was and hopefully let loose some of the knots that she knew were tightening in the other’s stomach. The only fear that clawed Tirzah’s own mind was the possibility that failing the test could subdue Cia as well, making the testing several shades more difficult than Tirzah had desired it to be. Grinning widely at her sister one last time before Cia turned away, a soft melody lurked in Tirzah’s mind as she focused on the gem. This was going to be amusing.

 

Eyes narrowing slightly as she replayed the instructions the Aes Sedai had given her in mind, Tirzah wondered how many others were put to the same test, sitting not so unlike her as hopes were stretched out far and fast. Her father had once taught her a little about a philosophy, beginning the brief lesson by stating his hope that she would stick to it in the future herself, as was common for people in the borderlands. Rakim Behen might never have expected to see his daughter be tested and enrolled in the two factions of the White Tower on the same day, but his words came in handy now, as she began to block out everything but the gem. Tirzah suspected that the testing would’ve been far more entertaining had it been that she could’ve conjured the blank face without thinking back to her father’s teachings, but she didn’t trust herself to be a good enough actor to mask her play under the sharp gaze of the pipe-puffing Aes Sedai.

 

Her father had said that things would feel more still, that the sense of detachment that came with the philosophy was something that people had to adjust to as they trained. As she groped through her feeble attempts to master the stillness now, Tirzah accepted that the dangling thread was a shaky one. When she got accepted for training under the Warders, learning the philosophy properly would be one of the first things she would do.

 

Still, even shaky beginnings had their effects. The colour of the stone, so much brighter than before shone out at her as time ticked by, seconds merging into minutes far quicker than she had expected. Deciding firmly that she finally had her chance at a little swooning and striving, Tirzah pushed at the stone with her gaze.

 

Nothing. Oh Light, she was enjoying this. Although she could not see anything but the stone any longer, the tense atmosphere of the room was thrilling. It was a shame that there was no such thing as a Glee-woman, because otherwise, the choice between future Warder and Yarn-spinner would’ve been a very tempting one indeed. Gritting her teeth in two tight lines, she pushed once more.

 

And there it was. Where it shouldn’t have been. Where it could not have been. Her father had not mentioned that the philosophy could play tricks on her eyes and mind, but Tirzah supposed her father had not assumed she would try and use it while faking her way through a channelling test. Rising, her face was frozen into a pleasant smile. “Oh well, that’s that. Too bad I couldn’t join you, but good luck my twin!” Turning towards the Aes Sedai with the same fixed expression, she gave a small bow. “Aes Sedai.” With that, Tirzah began to withdraw to the door. If she was quick, she could run.

 

~Tirzah

 

OOC: Hope it's all good, let me know if I need to edit. :)

The moment Tirzah turned her back, Darienna simply raised her hand as she used a very small weave of air to accomplish an easy trick, mainly for the benefit of Lucrecia so she would know something was being done and she turned to watch her sister.  As her sister reached for the door and turned the handle, nothing happened.  Smiling as the girl pulled on it a couple of times, Darienna said mildly.  "It would seem that the door is jammed."  As Tirzah turned about to face her, Darienna gestured to the seat that the girl had just vacated.  "Perhaps you would care to be seated again?"

 

"The White Tower was always known for its hospitality."  Simply smiling at the tone as the girl returned to her seat and sat down, trying to maintain a calm facade all the while, the girl was silent for a moment before she said.  "Let, me, out."

 

"No."  Leaning back in her seat, Darienna decided there was no point beating around the bush.  "You chose to be tested, and now that it is clear that you can channel, you will become a Novice.  Once you unlock the power, either you learn to control it or it kills you.  Since the Tower doesn't take kindly to the idea of letting young girls like yourself die a slow and painful death over a period as long as a couple of weeks.  So, you may as well get used to the fact that you are here now."

 

"Now, Lucrecia."  Turning away from the more disobedient twin, Darienna pointed to the gem.  "It is your turn to try now.  Knowing that your twin can channel means the likelihood that you are capable is high, but it doesn't guarantee it.  Focus upon the gem, the gem and absolutely nothing else.  The gem is your world, your meaning, your existance, nothing else matters but it.  Let yourself block out the rest of the world and know only that gem."

 

 

Darienna Ceradin

Mistress of Novices

Lucrecia nodded slowly, though she was giving Tirzah a subtle, apologetic look. It lasted only a second before she focused her eyes on the gem. She didn't want to share the look too long for fear or embarrassing her sister. It was best to keep their shared emotions hidden until they were alone and could express them more safely, away from prying eyes. She felt a bit trapped, then.

 

However, Tirzah could channel. That surely meant she could too, right? Excitement welled up in her but she tried to contain it. Her hands smoothed out her dress as she looked at the gem. What if Tirzah could channel and she could not? No, don't think about that, she thought. Just concentrate. The gem.

 

It was a rather pretty thing, but seemed kind of gaudy too, she decided. Concentrate! Tirzah was sitting next to her, near fuming she was sure. Her own hands clutched her skirt to mirror her twins, a rather subconscious gesture that she forced away as soon as she realized she was doing it. No, concentrate on the gem! she chided herself.

 

The thing was gaudy. Lucrecia was more for natural beauty and rather hated it when women bedecked themselves in tones of jewelery of gold and stones. The gem was shining in the light. She concentrated again, focusing. It was essential! Try to feel it, she told herself. Concentrate. Nothing but the gem.

 

Her fingers twitched. She concentrated again. But she could sense Tirzah's impatience. Lucrecia momentarily shoved it aside. This was more important, after all. The sooner she was done, the sooner they both could get out of here. No, don't rush. Focus. She stared at the gem, trying to feel. Feel for...

 

It was several moments but not as long as Tirzah had been sitting. Something seemed to flicker inside the gem. She shook her head, putting a hand to her forehead and shaking off a sudden feeling. That had been her imagination. Tirzah didn't seem any calmer. Growling, she stood up, "Forget it. I have to go. I'm not feeling well. I'm sorry, Aes Sedai." She stepped around her chair. "Tirzah let's go. I'll be back later at a better time." She hated Tirzah's discomfort and it was doing nothing but making her uncomfortable too. Especially the Aes Sedai's rudeness toward her twin.

Simply waiting in her seat as the pair got up, Darienna was in no hurry as they made their way to the door.  After all, it wasn't going to open for them and they weren't going anywhere until they were given permission to do so.  The former fact was quickly appreciated as Lucrecia tried the door and found that she had as little luck as Tirzah.  The handle could be tried as many times until the Last Battle came, but until Darienna was ready to open the door, it was going to remain very solidly closed.  And because the pair couldn't even channel consciously, there was not a single thing they could do about it.

 

She was a bit surprised more than anything else, Darienna had some odd people come through the door, but the blatant rudeness of the pair was surprising.  Most people knew better than to try the patience of an Aes Sedai, and most people knew it was polite to ask to withdraw before simply deciding to flounce out the door.  They were the ones that had wanted to come and take up her time and ask her for testing, to see if they had a chance at becoming Aes Sedai.  She hadn't forced them to come along, and now they had what they'd asked for, they just wanted to stroll right out the door?

 

That wasn't how it worked at all.

 

"When you're done with the door, you may sit down again, both of you.  You do not simply drift into my office then expect to drift out at the drop of a hat, as if being tested is like going to the market where you may go and do as you please.  You've both been tested, both been found able to channel, and are both to be enrolled here so you don't end up killing yourselves or hurting those around you."

 

"So."  Reaching over to the ledger to her right, Darienna pulled it across and began to flick through it as she continued.  "You're both going to sit down, and when you have done so you can then tell me your age and place of birth."  Finding the page, Darienna took a quill and began to studiously ignore the pair as she carefully inscribed the pair's names within the Novice Roll.

 

 

Darienna Ceradin

Mistress of Novices

Lucrecia's expression calmed rather consierably as the Aes Sedai before them said 'both' more than once. She could channel? But she swore it had all been a mistake. "Are you sure?" she blurted.

 

Then she blushed lightly, realizing her own foolhardiness. "I'm sorry, Aes Sedai." Blessed by the Light, she could channel! A small smile worked its way onto her lips before she forced it away and simply nodded. She didn't want to seem too much like a little girl.

 

Looking to Tirzah she mouthed a soft 'sorry.' She didn't want to see her twin so disappointed and would hate to be the cause for it. But she knew too that Tirzah had wanted to train with the warders, not be a novice. Slowly, she made her way back for the chair, hands clutching the skirt of her dress.

Things were happening too fast for comprehension. Too fast at a moment when she felt too dazed to handle anything but the slowest, most well thought out explanations possible. Tirzah was stumped. It stung to admit it, stung her pride and her façade and came as a slap too well deserved across a face that was still too soft from long years of shelter and warmth. Perhaps in the future she would understand what fate had dealt her, but shock right now was still too fresh to do anything remotely sensible. 

 

She had flung herself down into her chair in a furious state at Darienna’s bidding, biting down the spiky retorts for later on, when her twin’s fate didn’t dangle on the thread of whether or not the Aes Sedai chose to test her due to unacceptable behaviour from Tirzah. As the minutes had stretched and the need for ‘justice’ in her had raged, Tirzah had tightened her grip on the arms of the chair, knowing that it was more important now to hold back than ever before. Besides, she needed time to think.

 

…Or perhaps not. Wincing mentally as she thought back to that dull flicker in what was comparatively an exquisitely glittery gemstone, she decided firmly that thinking anymore on the hows, or most certainly the whys of the matter would only weaken her and make her fumble as she figured out how she was going to get out. Darienna Sedai was by far, the creepiest woman she had encountered thus far. No, that wasn’t the word for it, and this woman wasn’t just any woman. She was an Aes Sedai, she had the power to flick her hand and close doors so tightly that no wrenching of the knob would let an average individual out, which made her a potentially formidable foe.  Formidable, that was better.

 

What Tirzah found she found most worrisome about the Aes Sedai was the fact that other than the firm refusal to open the door for them, she had suggested rather than stated, or even when stated, it somehow seemed milder than when another woman might’ve put it. Was this how she expected to win her over? Still seated, unlike her twin, Tirzah watched Darienna Sedai carefully for a few seconds and not without the full weight of her anger bubbling as she digested the realization. Lucrecia had chosen to sit down after a meek apology that Tirzah felt had come swinging in at an uncannily good moment, so at least one of them was enjoying the full delight of dreams sparkling into reality. Tirzah was surprised at the slight edge of bitterness she recognised in her thinking and while it was obvious that jealousy had caused it, she felt mingled shame and anger at her behaviour. Apparently, she was crossing too many lines today, including her own. The self induced rage worked well for her, beating down the moment of indecision and transforming it into a covert glance at Darienna, incensed further to find her seeming perfectly composed, so that Lucrecia’s heartfelt apology had slid off her shoulders without any thought of redemption offered to her sister.

“Neither of us travelled here seeking to show our fine skills in haggling, Aes Sedai. We came seeking truths behind the legends that have been woven around this place, concerning women who I was told were quite like you. I cannot say I was disappointed, until now. Is this the justice that the tales spoke of?” She knew she was teetering towards a very sharp fall, establishing foes of the worst sort with every scathing word, but since she could not exactly make her way into punching the Lady the way she wished, this was all that would suffice. She was curious to see how long the Sister’s blatant ignorance of their presence lasted, and even more concerned about what it would take to get a woman such as she to be enraged so that she would not see things that normally, would’ve been taken into notice by any quick witted mind.

“Or does the righteousness of it all linger in this decision you’ve made to leave no open doors? Deciding firmly that you are doing what is best for us, as you, Aes Sedai of our acquaintance of less than a day- no, half a day! would indeed know us better than any others. I applaud you, Aes Sedai, you have me smitten.”

 

Things were not going as she had planned; words had flooded out too rash, too full of venom for her to not have blown away her last shred of control and found herself positively livid. Her face was alive with what she felt inside as always, but she tried in a last attempt to control her thoughts again, order them so that she could read them with some clarity and make to run the moment Darienna Sedai showed that needed hint of annoyance. Tirzah ran through the past minutes in her head over and over as she spoke, sifting through them for a space where she could find the right words to fiddle with.

“Perhaps you know your world better than any, perhaps this is why they put you up as the face of the entire White Tower to little girls and girls being boys such as myself. But do not assume, not even for a moment, that-”

 

The train of thought, the fury with which it had unleashed itself, the insult that had rushed out eagerly died on her lips. In her mind, a scene of minutes passed not so long back was playing. Darienna Sedai as infuriatingly calm as ever, had her hands clasped as she looked them both in the eye and told them just where there place in the world lay.

 

“What do you mean, hurting others around ourselves?”

 

 

~Tirzah Behen

The quieter one, yet strangely dominant, was the one to give first as she took her seat and apologised for the fuss that was being caused.  Darienna appreciated that as it meant that they could at least put that angst behind them, but the lack of forthcoming answers to her query of name, age and nation of origin was mildly annoying.  It was generally rude to ignore a query from another person, the least one could do was at least acknowledge the query even if there was no intention of actually answering the question that was posed.

 

It was the other one, the one that talked more but Darienna felt didn't have as much control between the pair, that caused the problem for the Mistress of Novices.  The girl seemed unable to let go of her earlier weight that still sat upon her shoulders.  That was to saying, she was attempting to condescend and criticise Darienna, an exercise that she found amusing because the girl known as Tirzah was nowhere near Darienna's level of education and refinement.  Claims of injustice were easily swept aside due to the girl's naivety and lack of training, it was simply too dangerous to even allow such a girl to wander alone.  For both herself and those around her.

 

Something that Tirzah seemed to key into, but Darienna was more concerned with the rudenessthat both the girls continued to perpetuate.  She had asked for their names, ages and their place of origina dn the simple pieces of information had not been provided.  If that was the measure of them and their ability to understand, let alone obey, simple instructions, then not only would they find it difficult but it also reaised the question of how the girls were raised.  They certainly didn't do their parents proud in any way from the manner which Darienna was being treated to.

 

Sighing quite audibly, Darienna reached for another piece of work and shoved the Novice roll aside and began to wokr her way through another sheaf of papers.  She wasn't going to waste words on the pair until they had displayed a very basic ability to listen and respond, the cornerstone of the ability to hold a conversation.  She could wait far longer than the pair could, and she was not going to waste her energ fighting something that she was going to simply allow to resolve itself.  If the pair were interestedin finding out whatthey wanted to know, they'd comply.  If not, they would be waiting a long time because Darienna wasn't going to waste her energ pushing the Novices to do the right thing, they could reason it for themselves.

 

 

Darienna Ceradin

Mistress of Novices

Lucrecia's thoughtful gaze shifted between the Mistress of Novices and her twin. The Aes Sedai didn't seem much affected by her words, or if she was she certainly wasn't about to show it. In a way she wished Tirzah had not said any of her rage-induced words. However, neither did she say anything to her sister about it either. She could channel. That milestone had been passed, her big worry dissipated. And Lucrecia wasn't about to leave this place any time soon. She had come so far already and they could not turn back.

 

Lucrecia herself felt turned upside-down since coming into the office. She didn't know why she herself was acting so tense and emotional unless she was feeding off of Tirzah's own feelings. She didn't want to upset her sister anymore than she did the Aes Sedai. She had come here to learn, to see if she could better herself and help the world. She could not be turned away. Authority although it was, authority she did not really care for as a free spirit, it was one she had no choice but to obey. A child only learned and grew by listening to authority. Coming here, she was nothing more than a child again. The Aes Sedai and the Tower would be her guidance, and if they told her to do something she did not like, she'd have to bite her own tongue.

 

"We're from Saldaea," she replied in a tone to attempt to override everything Tirzah had just said. With her features it was pretty obvious where she was from though. "We lived just outside the capital." she decided that, if Tirzah wanted to show some cooperation and not just venom, her sister could give their ages. She just wanted everything to smooth over.

“We’re from Saldaea.”

 

It was odd how often after large expanses of venting,, usually driven by angst that came from within, took away huge chunks of a person’s energy. Tirzah’s shoulders were still as straight as they had been when she’d first taken the chair, but her eyes lingered on the patterned floor and now that she had screamed mutiny, realization was seeping in that this was no fight, as she had no enemy. Other than fate perhaps, but then again, fate often gave into her bizarre sense of humour so it was hardly just to throw her past enemy lines as well.

 

She was exhausted and Darienna’s response, or rather, lack of,  had been more than enough indication that while her anger had died, many other things, including a possible understanding between her and the other, as well as that tick for approval she would’ve thought mandatory had Darienna been in charge of Warder initiates instead, were lost.

 

Cia’s words were timely, perhaps perfectly so. She raised her head slightly and gave her twin a long look, which was probably unreadable for any but her sister. Tirzah took in the expression Cia’s features held- the mingled disappointment and anxiety as well as that relief and bursting need for this to get done with. A touch of red coloured Tirzah’s cheeks as she nodded slightly, before turning back to face Darienna Sedai.

 

Perhaps at another day, she would’ve mustered enough strength to give away on the non-profit organisation known as her pride and apologised, begged pardon, bowed low and swallowed her prickly nature so that the old ship could sink and a new one, rise. Perhaps at another day, she would.

 

“We’re sixteen years old, Aes Sedai.”

 

Well, they got the point eventually.

 

Deciding that they didn't affirm their names because there was nothing left to add to them, Darienna noted beneath Lucrecia Behen and Tirzah Behen their ages, sixteen, as well as having originated from just outside of Maradon in Saldaea.  Simple facts, but they were necessary items of information, and they were the first step in having the pair acknowledge the simple authority that she held over them.  True authority wasn't exerted with compulsion, it was done so by leaving the other person no other choice but to obey of their own will.

 

It was also a question of basic manners, the lack of such that had been displayed was something that Darienna would address in good time.  But, first she would respond to the questions she had been asked.  After all, now that the twins had finally deigned to answer her queries, she would be more than happy to address theirs in turn.  "Thank you, now that you have answered my questions, I shall answer yours.  Yes Lucrecia, I am quite certain you can channel, much like your twin."

 

Setting aside her quill, Darienna folded her hands in her lap as she spoke towards Tirzah.  "When I say that you will hurt others around you, I refer to unconscious use of saidar.  For example, if you are angry with someone, they might be set alight or hurled away by an unseen force.  Even in your sleep, under a particularly vivid dream you may manifest the power, much in the same way that male channelers do.  Wild, uncontrolled, highly dangerous surges of the power that feed off your emotions and because you haven't learned any control, you don't have the means to control it or rein it in."

 

"That sort of lack of control also endangers yourself.  Without control, your body will begin to feel the strain of it.  A variety of illnesses may plague you before you end up confined to a bed.  At which point, the pain begins to set in, first in your muscles with aches, and then your bones, and then your entire body until you die from the pain, unless you are lucky and something ends your life first."

 

Pausing, reflecting on a memory, Darienna decided it wouldn't hurt to share it with the pair.  "When I was an ambassador in Mayene, there was a woman I attended to, one who manifested naturally and couldn't control her power.  Three out of four such women die because they don't receive the training needed, and when I got to her there was nothing I could do.  Each case is a little different, and Marlene was particularly terrible.  In her final moments, her body was broken as she spasmed uncontrollably."

 

"She bled from her mouth."  Darienna raised a hand and pointed to it.  "Her nose."  Laying her finger on it, she then pointed to her eyes.  "Her eyes and then her ears followed."  Tapping her ears lastly, her gaze hardened on the pair before she dropped her hand to her lap again.  "You'll forgive me if I don't particularly wish to see anyone suffer that same fate twice, even a pair of rude children who saw fit to simply waltz into my office and do as they please."

 

"Speaking of which."  Darienna stood.  "In the future, when you are addressed and asked a question, you do not simply ignore what has been said and continue to babble about whatever happens to be on your mind.  You answer what question you were asked, and then once that is done you ask your questions in turn.  It is one of the most simple and fundamental rules of communication and good manners, and I expect any decent person to be able to do so, regardless of who is speaking to them."

 

"You would do well to remember that when you speak to others in the future, particularly your mentors who I am going to have brought here now.  I'd suggest that you sit here in silence and contemplate what has been said while I do so."  Walking around the table, Darienna released the weave on her door and stuck her head out to find Merise sitting outside in her Novice whites, she would have to institute her new idea soon so she didn't have to worry about hoping someone was waiting to see her.

 

"Why are you here, Merise?"

 

Merise smiled brightly at her.  "Talking in class."

 

Not exactly a surprise, but dealt with easily enough.  "Who were you talking to?"

 

An innocent shrug, Merise's eyes were wide as her voice conveyed a wounded pride.  "I was talking to myself, Darienna Sedai, I couldn't get a good conversation anywhere else."

 

Smiling slightly, Darienna shook her head.  "Better, but until you can make me laugh, you're not getting off the hook.  Would you go and get the Accepted Saline Westrel and Estel Sedai for me please?  After I've finished with this bit of business, we'll have a talk about your scintillating conversation between you and yourself.  Go on."

 

Stepping back inside and closing the door behind her, Darienna affixed the weave on the door once more, she headed for the side room.  They would need their Novice whites after all, and she had already figured out their sizes.  Occasionally she wondered whether she would have made a good seamstress, the way she was able to pick sizes so.  Not that she'd ever find out, not unless she retired, but that was at least a century or so away before she'd be contemplating that seriously.

 

Emerging from the side room with the clothing required on either arm, Darienna folded their clothes on her desk and laid them out before the pair in silence.  There wasn't much more to be said after all, and their mentors would take care of that for them.  Afterwards, probably when they were seperated and therefore not going to be so sensitive to each other's actions, she would get to know them better then.

 

And a knock at the door signalled that the mentors were here.  Embracing the source briefly to undo her weave and open the door, Darienna frowned as Merise curtsied at her and began to turn away with the pair she had summoned behind her.  "No you don't Merise, in here as well."  Curling a finger at the girl who had turned back around, Darienna smiled at the pair who followed her in.  "I am glad that Merise was able to find you both.  These twins have just been tested and found to be able to channel.  I'm going to allot them the same room, but I would like them to have different mentors."

 

"Saline."  The younger woman who had yet to earn her ageless face looked to her.  "I would like you to take Tirzah."  Gesturing to the more rebellious girl, Darienna then gestured to Lucrecia in turn as she spoke to Estel.  "Estel, you will be Lucrecia's mentor."

 

"And now it seems I have some other business to attend to."  Looking to Merise rather pointedly who was wise enough to study her shoes rather intently as all the attention fixed on her, Darienna turned back to the others.  "Tirzah and Lucrecia, be sure to take your new uniforms with you as you follow your mentors out, they will make sure that you are settled into the Tower and learn where to go and what is expected of you.  Off you go."

 

Watching the mentors escort their new charges out, Darienna turned to Merise and gestured to one of the vacated seats that the girl promptly helped herself to.  Leaning back in her chair as she puffed on her pipe, Darienna sighed.  "Start from the beginning."

 

 

Darienna Ceradin

Mistress of Novices

 

OOC:  Its a bit rushed, but it pushes you guys forward so you can get on with RPing, I've held you up too much as it is.