Femurs, and Poultices, and Rashes--Oh My! [Attn: Anyone]

[Bella]

Gareth sat again. It was quiet elsewhere in the infirmary, and he was due to leave shift shortly anyways. He wanted to make sure she was well enough to leave when she attempted to do so again. He smiled. It was a small expression, economical in effort, but genuine and slightly crooked, as was the natural wont of his face.

"No one wants to learn first hand," he said. "Or if they do, I would be worried there were other things to treat that were harder to see." He was quiet a moment, letting her drink. "You may wish to exercise more caution with the kettle in the future. It seem innocuous, but burns are nothing to mess with. Fortunately, getting it Healed so soon, you did not risk infection."

[Avyra]

Avyra shrugged, her eyes falling a tad. "I don't think I'll be messing with that anymore, honestly. I'm lucky it was just my arm." She looked a bit ashamed, embarrassed. It was an easy task, making tea, but she had still managed to mess it up. She looked up briefly to watch him. He was huge, the same build as Danos, if a bit shorter and broader, and although her sitting on the bed added a head to her height, he was nearly eye-level with her when sitting on the shorter chair. But his face was kind, his deep voice a gentle rumble. He seemed to be trustworthy, the kind of man who would listen to stories. So, she decided to ask him a question that had been nagging her for a while. "Asha'man Gareth, do you think I made a good choice?" She paused. "Coming here to the Tower, I mean?"

[Bella]

Her question certainly surprised him, but really only for a moment. Being hurt seemed to open up doors in people's minds, which in turned opened up the doors of their mouths. He'd had more than his share of confessions and personal questions, as people felt rattled to their core following their injuries. Healing fixed the physical, but not the jarring the psyche took in the first place.

"I cannot tell you that, Novice," he said, but kindly. "I don't know you enough to do so. And really, only you can know that for sure, but I've known many a young man and women--myself among them--who have made a good home and found good paths here in the Tower. I do not think it was a bad choice, at the very least. This is a good place."

[Avyra]

Avyra nodded, shoulders falling a bit. "I know, I know. I feel safe here, and its nice. But. I don't know. I miss my home, and I'm not sure I can give it up." She paused. "But I can't go back, not to tell my mother I did the same thing she did. I can't face that." Closing her eyes, the small Novice seemed to shrink a bit as she brought her legs up to her chest, wrapping her arms around them. Why am I telling him all this? Close your bloody mouth, Avyra! "I've been having some trouble with the Power, too. Mainly with Earth and Water. Water is okay, I guess, but I think its impossible for me to channel Earth."

[Bella]

"I'm certainly no expert in female channeling," Gareth rumbled thoughtfully, "but from what I understand, Earth and-or Fire are always difficult for women. Some aren't able to touch them at all." He paused. "While on the other side, many men struggle with Air and Water. Few channelers are able to use them all equally.

"Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses, so I wouldn't get down on yourself too much." Another pause. "You're still young, too. It takes time to learn control, and you still have plenty of time to learn."

[Avyra]

Avyra sighed. "I guess so. I still... I don't know. I don't really know how to explain it. I want to do well. But some things I want to do well in haven't worked out too nicely." She paused. "I guess its just bad luck." She hesitated, unsure if she could keep talking. "I'm also a bit stressed for my years after being a Novice. Even though that's a long way away. I don't have a slightest idea where I fit, or if I should bond a Warder when that happens, or..." She paused. "Or if I end up failing the tests between the ranks. I... I have no idea what I'll be doing. "I don't know. I mean-" She stopped her phrase. "I don't know. I've done too much talking, honestly." She paused, looking over to him, trying to fish for a change of subject. "What's the Yellow Ajah like?"

[Bella]

He had followed most of that, but the sudden subject change had him blinking. Gareth wondered what had been in that tea, thinking it would have had a sedative effect rather than a stimulating one...but maybe this young woman was just always like this? He had no way of knowing, since he only had seen her in his horsemanship lecture.

"The Yellow Ajah is..." He considered. "Busy." The large Asha'man chuckled. "It's an Ajah with a clear mission, but can be difficult at times. It is one that I think, more than some other Ajahs, requires a calling to it." He nodded at her cup. "Have you finished?"

[Avyra]

She considered that. Probably not for her, then. "Have you finished?" Avyra nodded, setting the empty cup down on the nightstand beside the bed. "Yeah, I think I can make it back to my room. Hopefully without hurting myself too much, but that seems to happen anyway." She slid off the bed, getting her footing for a few moments. She still felt lightheaded, but she knew a good night's rest would clear that up in a heartbeat. "In any case, I doubt you've seen the last of me in here, Asha'man. Bruises and scrapes tend to like following me around." She paused, and while Gareth was still sitting she darted in for a quick hug. It was probably her version of a bear-hug, but it didn't nearly have the same effect from a woman as small as she. And on a man as huge as Gareth. "Thank you, Asha'man Gareth. For healing me. And listening to that little... I'm not sure what to call that." She pulled away, shrugging her shoulders. "Oh well, the Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills, I guess." She stood on her toes, trying to find the other sister who had been with them. "Can you tell the other Aes Sedai who was here thank you for me, please?"

[Bella]

Her embrace surprised him, but only for a moment. The gratitude often shown by those he had Healed could, frequently, take this form of expression. He patted her on the back so she did not feel her gesture ignored, but obviously did not do anything more. As she stepped back, he inclined his head. "I will let her know," he said. "And I was glad to be of assistance. I and my brothers and sisters in Yellow shall be here whenever you should have such need, Novice Avyra."

[Avyra]

"Thank you again, Asha'man Gareth. If I need it again, I will come back here," she replied, giving a small bow. It felt good to have a friend in the full ranks, or at least, someone she thought of as a friend. But then again, Ravak Gaidin had seemed to be a friend, but he ended up being... not a friend. But she didn't want to dwell on him. She walked out, not exactly sure who she could trust around here. It made her want to scream.

(Merp, I think this is done?)