OOC: I’ll wrap the thread here, if that works for you both. Thanks for a fun introduction! <3
Strict. Of course.
Casey had never imagined that sneaking into the Tower would be easy. But she had dared to hope that Mistress of Novices was a title given to Aes Sedai who became too old and feeble to venture outside, perhaps a first step to retirement. Instead, it sounded like Mirin Sedai would be even sharper than the others. And since Casey had no intention of speaking even one word of the truth… that could be a problem.
It was just her luck that Avyra didn’t even know what this test for the Power was. Maybe it was something dangerous. Maybe she would have to fight. Maybe if she couldn’t channel, she’d die.
That tiny dagger still hid in her boot. Casey resisted the urge to palm it while nobody was looking.
A woman in a shawl passed her, followed by a young man in a black coat, and Casey spun all the way around to watch them go. Prickles raced down her spine. She had just come within touching distance of something strange and otherworldly, something capable of ice and fire and murder. And nobody else had even blinked. Just like nobody twitched at the clash of blades in the distance or the armed guards who sauntered past. Maybe when you spent every day in the reflected glow of a massive spire of crystal and glass, nothing seemed odd any more.
Still walking backward, Casey stumbled and hastily turned to face forward again. Truly, she would never get used to this.
Her steps slowed as they drew near the Tower itself, and Casey crept inside feeling more like a mouse than ever. The hall inside staggered her with its scale, its richness; immense tapestries blazed with colour in the slanting light. Surely this rivalled even the Stone of Tear. Its sheer size shook her until Casey had to take several deep breaths. She didn’t belong here. She couldn’t survive.
Stop. She dipped another little curtsey to her two rescuers, both of whom had been inexplicably kind to her. “Thank you so much, Accepted Avyra and Dedicated Felix. I’m sure I would never have dared make it this far by myself. I would’ve been too scared to even speak to the gate guards. You’ve been very helpful. And if… if I ever need friends, I’ll know who to speak to.”
For some reason, a slight blush heated her face again.
It was ridiculous. A friend was the last thing she needed.
