The Grey Tower

The idea of taking this first step was a hard one but she also recognised that it was an important one. Approaching any Aes Sedai was a risky action, technically speaking to them out of turn was a seriously bad idea and another of the endless rules. However, Betrys had the excuse of being asked to come here - well it had been more of a suggestion but she figured stretching the truth a little was perfectly acceptable under the circumstances. At least that was how she was talking herself into taking this first step.

She made sure to approach the Infirmary during one of the brief periods that were supposed to be set aside for personal study - in her case, that had meant lots and lots of reading and spending increasing amounts of time in the library as she figured out what the lessons were actually about. One thing that had become abundantly clear since her arrival here was how woefully ill-prepared she had been for a life outside her village, not that she would censor the limited teaching she'd experienced. After all, that had been the life she'd planned to take up until the arrival of the woman who had changed the course and direction of her life.

Now she was left to pick up those pieces and attempt to move forwards.

The Wheel turns...

And she was learning very much in one direction for someone like her, which had its plus points and certainly encouraged her to avoid looking back and regretting the life she had and the possibilities that might have been as a result.

Betrys had learned to accept that her life would be both very different and much longer than anyone else she had known back in the village and she needed to change how she did things. Such as coming to the Infirmary.

"Hello? I's Betrys...one of the herbcraft. I mean my teacher said I's might be of some use here" she murmured, the nerves showing though as both a stutter and stumble over the phrases, not to mention missing some of the basics of introduction and manner. Betrys tended to revert to the village girl when she was placed under stress or what she might end up perceiving as stress at least.

She'd made sure her clothes were clean, or as clean as possible after a busy day and she certainly hoped her inherent keen attitude would win some points with the people who worked here. What was it like to belong to the Yellow Ajah? Everyone spoke of the Ajah like a home, a family and she wouldn't mind having that experience again in her life when the time came to choose.

While she hadn't believed that it was possible to get more nervous about this rather encouraged visit - that apparently wasn't the case as the tall and impressive looking man approached. The first thing that ran through her mind was Is every man here so tall? and the second chasing rapidly on its heels was I am in trouble, stop acting like it. Betrys was thankful for the latter and attempted to be dismissive of the first thought, concentrating instead on her lessons from Appearances and how to act and behave as if she was possessed of confidence even if she really wasn't sure about that.

"Yes, I's umm...yes" she swallowed.

That was a rather impressive failure and Betrys tried again "Sedai Ubriel suggested I's would find my time well-used tae come and assist. I's Novice Betrys Cadawallader..." the explanation slightly more coherent and thought out than her previous attempt at speech. She swallwoed and tried to at least appear less worried than she felt.

It might have been easier if he wasn't so tall. Everyone was so much taller than she was, or at least the men were that she seemed to run into but that didn't matter, not really...although it would have been kinder on her neck not to have to tilt it upwards all the time at such an acute angle in order to meet their eyes properly.

She had to remind herself that he was here to help...well everyone.

Although thankfully she wasn't worried about needing any sort of healing, hopefully she would be more on the giving things of moments like that but at least she had the reassurance of knowing that there were those with the skills to make it all happen with relative ease should she end up having an accident "I's thank you Gareth Asha'man...I's yes...Ubriel Sedai suggested I come here after the Herbcraft lessons. She thought I's might do well here" she admitted, swallowing slightly as her initial nerves started to fade away.

Not completely but enough to hopefully manage an actual conversation with him without sounding like some kind of foolish little girl, although she doubted that her first impresssion had managed to be much a good one really.

Now there was only going forwards "Could I's help perhaps?" she asked softly, hope written clearly on her face.

And now she felt dafter than a luck-shorn cat, whatever that was. A phrase from her deceased grandmother than no-one had understood exactly but still tended to adopt at moments like this one, it was the sole reason that Betrys didn't color brightly as she nodded her head instead.

Yes...Gaidar.

Betrys had learned the names and ranks but she was as inclined as anyone else to mess them up and make mistakes - which didn't make it any less frustrating "Yes...I-I...can I help?" she decided, an apology would make it work and besides, he'd not told her to leave, which was good and Betrys did really want to help out if that was possible "My mother taught me some of the healing and I'm attending Herbcraft too" she added warmly, slightly proudly of that achievement.

Well this was at least a more familiar territory for her to handle.

Although had Betrys been able to comment on those internal thoughts, she would have explained that it was purely a mixture of her own nerves and the fact she always felt unsure when it came to speaking with men. At least men here at the Tower, she'd spoken the boys in her village and interacted with the rest of the population but being here was very different.

Betrys swallowed down slowly "I umm...I's my mother was...is da healer. She tends to folks and I's helped with making tonics and such, making sure folks were well and helping with some of the other things tae. I's just like tae help out as much as possible" she replied, not exactly liking to sound like she was listing off her capabilities or end up being overbearingly arrogant "...I's really, really enjoyed the herbs and such. It was fun and not a little exciting as well tae be able to spend time learning and listening. I's suppose there was not much in my village. I mean we had old aches and babes - that usual thing" Betrys concluded and concentrated on appearing friendly and far more certain about what she was saying and how she wanted to appear to this man.

After all, a strong first impression was surely a good idea.