Noteworthy [attn; Damien]

[Avyra]

(Help I'm running out of punny titles)
Avyra

As much as the tall trees taunted her, Avyra had started to like the gardens. They were quite peaceful to the Novice, and nearly everyone in the Tower showed up at some point, so it was great for people watching. People were interesting. A few times she would just sit there in the grass, watching over the grounds. Other times she found it to be a nice spot for a nap, sprawled out on the fresh green grass in the sun. It was relaxing. But today she was doing sonething a bit different. She had played her flute in the gardens before, and it had been quite an excitement for everyone around. They seemed to love her playing, which made her want to bring it out even more. Most of the time she didn't use music, memorized or otherwise, although she did know a few songs. Usually she would pick a scale and move through the key, making up her notes and melody as she went. It would usually go all right, for the most part. It was a day like this that called for some flute. Avyra sat in the sun, taking her time through a slow melody she had made up five minutes before, her eyes closed to hear the music better. There weren't many people around, and those that were obviously weren't complaining about the Novice's flute tunes.

[Damien]

Danos

Danos was walking through the Gardens, enjoying the cool breeze and trees after a hard day of working in the stables. {I} One of these days I'm going to find a chore I enjoy that's easy, maybe folding laundry [/I] thought Danos with a chuckle as he rubbed neck muscles that had stiffened from mucking the straw and mess.

Since he had began the riding class, he had been drawn to the majestic horses of the Grey Tower, and although it was backbreaking work on top of a Drin'far'ji's other duties, he knew the time mucking stables and hauling feed had strengthened his muscles.

As he walked, he allowed his mind to drift, enjoying the peace of the Gardens, when he realized he was hearing music over the sound of the water and wind. The melody was sweet, the sounds of the flute well suited to the surroundings, and Danos followed the notes along the paths until he found a woman in Novice dress. She was playing a flute, her hands deft and moving through a melody Danos did not recognize. Something from her homeland perhaps, or maybe she has composed it herself, thought Danos as he listened to the melody.

He sank down to the ground, his practice in the combat yard allowing him to fold his long legs gracefully to the ground, without making enough noise to interrupt the Novice. When her scales ended, and he could see she was pausing for breath, he spoke softly and warmly, "That was beautiful Novice. It's been a long time since I've heard music that good. Have you played long?"

[Avyra]

Avyra finished out what she thought would make a completed piece, even though she had no paper to write it down. Pity, she had quite liked that composition; maybe she would remember it later. She was, however, not expecting someone to speak from behind her. "It's been a long time since I've heard music that good. Have you played long?" It was a male voice, rather deep too. It startled her, and she jumped, then turned to look at whoever said it. He was a Drin'far'ji, quite possibly the tallest man she had ever seen. Sitting there he was a hand or so short of being able to look her in the eyes if she was standing. However, he looked nice; his eyes and voice were both very gentle, a bit unexpected for a man that large. "Oh, thank you! You startled me." She paused, looking him over again before turning fully around, putting the flute safely on her lap as she did so. "I've been playing for about six years. I don't get to play it much anymore, but it is still fun to take it out and test my abilities." Deciding to stand to introduce herself, Avyra made her way over to the Drin, holding out one hand, the flute in the other. "Avyra Moeryr; I've been here for a few days."

[Damien]

Danos

Danos chuckled and held his hands out when he saw he had started the Novice. Seeing her face, he realized she wasn't as young as he had supposed, just extremely petite and short.

"Good to meet you Avyra Moeryr. I've been here a short time as well. To be honest this is about the only area of the Grey Tower I've been to other than chores. How are you finding the Tower? I've often wondered what classes are like for the channelers," asked Danos as he relaxed under the shade of a tree.

[Avyra]

Avyra took a seat beside him as he tossed out his question, and she smiled. "I... well... our classes are fairly straightforward, I think at least. Channeling isn't too complicated once you get the basics. Everyone here is very nice. Its refreshing." She closed her eyes, considering her question. She hadn't met a Drin yet. "How are classes for the Gaiden? I've considered going to a few of them, actually. To learn to fight in situations where I can't use the Power." She paused. "But you are all ridiculously big. I'd have a huge disadvantage sparring, even if my technique was perfect." She paused again, turning back to look at him, trying to attach a name to his face, but failing. "What's your name?"

[Damien]

Danos

Danos chuckled as he realized he had completely forgotten to introduce himself in his haste to ask his questions.
"Danos al'Sheen, and to answer your questions, yes you would probably be at a disadvantage. But I would suggest coming anyways, I know the Gaidin who have taught me would probably know a trick or two to even your odds."

"The rest of our classes are really about rounding us out as warriors, and ensuring we are all prepared to aid the Tower. Some of the histories and such I have found harder, I am too used to learning with my hands. The burden of a trade I guess," said Danos with a shrug. He knew he preferred action and being constructive, but it wouldn't be drilled into his head needlessly.

"I suppose I never thought much about all of this before leaving Jornhill, my village. Aes Sedai, Gaidin, they were gleeman stories for the most part. Where do you hail from Avyra?" asked Danos as he watched others enjoying the paths as well.

[Avyra]

"Cairhien," Avyra replied, stretching out her arms. "I hadn't been exposed to the One Power much, but I knew it was real. My mother used to be a Novice, but she had to leave." She didn't say any more on the subject, briefly cutting herself off. "If you need help with your studies, I would be delighted to help you out. The histories we have to learn are pretty much the same, no?" She glanced over at him again. He did look like a tradesman, his hands, each one larger than her head, worn from his craft. "What was your trade?"

[Damien]

Danos

Danos had never been to Cairhien, but he had heard many things about it from travelling merchants, peddlers and the barge workers.

He nodded when Avyra spoke of her mother, and he found himself wondering if the One Power ran in families or bloodlines. "Thank you fr your offer, and believe me I will definitely use it when we get to the Great Houses and such. I don't know how anyone keeps that all straight," said Danos , pausing as he thought how to explain his once trade.

"I was apprenticed to my Uncle, and helped him at his shop after getting my seal. We were coopers, so mostly we made the barrels and drums needed by the wine makers. When not making those, we made other wooden goods, spoons and such for the good wives of town," said Danos with a smile.

[Avyra]

Avyra nodded, listening to him as he elaborated on what he did. Woodworking, basically. She had never worked with wood, mainly metals and stone if she got the chance, but that wasn't often. She had never done manual labor in her life, and her artistic ability was limited to mostly music alone.

However, she was used to retaining large amounts of information; that was her job in the shop when she was younger. Keeping records straight was downright annoying.

She smiled to him, looking at the wood flute in her hand. "We had a woodworker back in our town; he mainly made instruments though." It was an odd thing, a flute held to the side rather than in front.

She paused. "How did you decide to be a Gaidin? Is there some sort of test required?"

[Damien]

Danos

Danos couldn't imagine a shop that made musical instruments. That would be a form of woodworking he had never seen before. Perhaps he would get a chance to travel to Cairhein and see for himself.

"There's no test that I know of. Although I arrived with a letter of introduction so that may have changed it. As far as I know anyone Master Darrow believes will handle the training can join. I don't know if as we go farther if there are tests. Wouldn't surprise me to find something down the road though, we have to prove we are capable of watching over our Aes Sedai or Ashaman after all," said Danos as he considered what he'd heard around the classes.

"What do Aes Sedai have to test? Is it like having a Spar with your teacher?" asked Danos curious.