Only One is a Wanderer (Attn: anyone)

[Sunny]

The olive-skinned man who stood in the Tower's antechamber certainly did not look like he had once been one of the leaders of the Light-following world. He had a small leather pack slung over his shoulder, and his cloak had seen a great deal of use. His brown breeches were sturdy wool, his shirt equally serviceable white cotton, and his boots were well-worn and scuffed from foot travel. He wore a dark thigh-length vest over the ensemble, and a maroon sash held a curved dagger at his hip. A week of scruff partially disguised his ageless face, and his black hair -once cropped to less than a finger length- had grown enough that he constantly felt the need to push the thick curls away from his dark eyes.

Jaryd had been out of the Tower for some time. As soon as Durent had taken his place in the Triumvirate's office, the Red had slipped away into the night to pursue life on his own terms for a time. Carra had joined him occasionally, but she had her own business to attend to, and her visits had been short. Therefore he had spent the vast majority of his time wandering alone, seeking answers to questions he didn't know how to ask. He had enjoyed the anonymity of the experiment. Most of the common folk of the Westlands had little idea of what an Aes Sedai or Asha'man really looked like, and thus he had been able to explore the world with little trouble. He had learned more than he expected, considering he had once been one of them.

Now he returned, and after the cramped taverns and ramshackle huts he had found peace in for the last year, the grand arches and fanciful decorations of the Grey Tower seemed overwhelming and gaudy. He found a seat on one of the marble benches against the wall, contemplating what to do. He could find Carra -he could tell by the prickles that she was relatively near by- but he rather thought if she had an immediate desire to see him, she would have found him when she felt him approaching, days ago. He could talk to Durent -to what purpose? He had learned little of value to the Tower as a whole. So what, then?

As he thought, he watched the activity of the antechamber- petitioners entering, visitors leaving, men and women in white and black leading them hither and thither. What is my purpose in returning?

---

OOC: This is open to anyone. I figured maybe one of the LRs could mistake him for a petitioner himself, or someone he knows could recognize him. I'm not picky. Just want to get him back in the RP game.

[Astarte]

Betrys had picked the morning to spend in the library - once her least favorite place and while it was still not exactly the location she'd chose above any and all the options that were available in the Grey Tower but it had its uses and she was determined to take as much advantage of it as possible. Especially as she really wanted to do some further research onto Earthsinging and how it could be used. There hadn't been much mention of it in the early books she'd read about the One Power but now more than opened up and become available.

So it was with books in hand that she arrived in the main foyer of the Grey Tower.

Normally, Betrys wouldn't have troubled herself with stopping given that she was usually intent on some task or other but she had ore time and opportunity on hand than had been the case before she was Raised to Accepted and had her timetable altered to reflect that change in circumstance "Can I's help you?" she asked, directing her attention to this stranger (at least to her) who had clearly only just arrived. Perhaps he was lost? Betrys was aware that he might well be waiting for someone to arrive but her question shouldn't be that much of a burden on his time and attention.

She waited for a reply "Are you waiting for someone?" she asked, her softness of her accent born from the efforts of her Appearance classes and her continued efforts to make a lasting impression on improving that aspect of her manner.

[Sunny]

"Can I's help you? Are you waiting for someone?" Jaryd pulled himself out of his thoughts and looked up to find he had been joined by a woman in an Accepted's striped hems, her black hair pulled back from her face in a practical braid. She seemed wholly unremarkable, other than her odd accent and curiosity about his presence. He ran through his memory of the novices and Accepted he had encountered before his departure, but could not recall her name. However, as an Accepted she might eventually recognize him, and would certainly know his name along with every other former M'hael's. He wasn't sure he was ready to give up his comfortable bubble of being unknown just yet.

He smiled at her, but remained sitting. "No, not waiting for anyone," he said slowly, "but I thank you for your kindness, Accepted." She tilted her head to the side -likely surprised that he knew her rank- and he smiled. "I've been traveling a while, but this is certainly not my first time at the Grey Tower." His voice took on a musing tone, "No matter how far or long I roam, I suspect I'll always find my way back here." His gaze arched to take in the high ceilings. "I've missed it." That, at least, he could say truthfully. That he was glad to be back, he wasn't yet certain of.

"How long have you been at the Tower?" He asked, and just managed to keep himself from tacking on the habitual 'daughter'. "Can you tell me what of note has happened in the last year or so?" He scooted over so there was space on the bench. "You can sit, if you like."

[Astarte]

Betrys would probably have recognised the name of a former M'hael, although as he was still not introducing himself to her that didn't come up as a specific challenge. She knew that she wasn't the best when it came to that sort of learning, after all she'd only been here a short while and her new position as an Accepted was a matter of days as opposed to any prolonged period like some of her sisters here.

She knew that she still had a lot of things she still needed to learn and the history of the Grey Tower was only one of many courses that she was currently working her way through, especially as it required reading, rather than anything practical. As the practical side of learning was something Betrys was far more confident about.

At least she could now read. Not the best or the most confident but perhaps the most determined of the students who made use of the library on a semi-regular basis "ummm alright" Betrys seriously doubted that she was the best person for this sort of thing but she'd try her best "I's hae some time. I've nae been here long really. It seems longer at times though...when I sit and think about it" she mused, becoming thoughtful and a little distracted about the thinking of such things as time and how much had passed since she'd first arrived here all those many days in the past. It seemed more like another age.

"I's...umm what would you like to hear about. There is a new Amirilyn Seat - though I arrived not long after her selection, so I ken little about her predecessor" she replied, sticking to facts instead of the rumors which were all too often rife though the halls of the Grey Tower.

[Sunny]

Jaryd hid a smile at the Accepted's comment about the new Amyrlin. She really had not spent that much time as a novice, if she had arrived after that particular event. He and Carra had resigned hand in hand that day. Given their reasons, made their last statements, and departed. A new Amyrlin and M'hael had been chosen, and life had gone on just as it always did. He was certain there were more undercurrents than this woman was aware of, but the fact that so little had happened that only the changing of leadership seemed remarkable enough to mention was comforting.

"I remember that day," he said, unable to keep the amusement out of his voice. "It actually happened a short time before I departed the Tower myself. There was quite a kerfluffle about it, really. I would count myself lucky to have missed it if I could." His lips spread into an involuntary grin, and his eyes twinkled at the thought.


The girl gave him a confused look, and he smiled. "My clothes may be rough but I belong here," he told her kindly. "My name is Jaryd, and I am of the Red Ajah. Can you tell me your name?"


---

OOC: Sorry for the short post, but I wanted you to RP your own response.

I guarantee Betrys knows Jaryd by name, even if she doesn't know his face (Red + was an unpopular M'hael and stepped down the same time as Carra). Anything she's heard about him was likely very negative (and a lie, but she wouldn't know that...) , and it's totally okay if she doesn't like him as a result. I'll roll with whatever you decide to do.

[Astarte]

As much as she was probably one of the most uninterested members of the Accepted when it came to gossip, Betrys had a serious advantage in her best friend - Mirin. She was more than passingly skilled at ferreting out the merest whispers of what was going on through the whole of the Grey Tower, which helped her out a great deal. Not to forget her own efforts in reading.

So, the name...yes, Betrys had heard that name.

There hadn't been much good associated with it but Betrys had learned (as did most) that gossip was rarely the best way to judge another person of their overall character. It was something that tended to only end up backfiring but it was impossible for her not to make some assumptions about this man "umm...oh...!" she mumbled and then remembered her manners and her own wish not to be like the hundred others who all gaggled about like a flock of geese "I'm Betrys, it's umm a surprise tae meet ya" she commented, sticking to the most polite and still honest reply that was possible.

She had other questions she wanted to ask but the first one "Is what is said really true?" she asked and then flushed "Ya, nae need tae answer that. I'm sorry, it slipped out" Betrys apologized.

[Sunny]

Jaryd grinned at Betrys' phrasing. A surprise, ey? then he outright laughed when she inquired about rumors. He should have known...the Tower was a hive of gossip and intrigue, and a year was a long time in that knid of environment. He tapped his fingers thoughtfully, wondering how to answer her question.

"I would have to know what they are saying, in order to answer that properly," he said finally, rolling his head to the side and cracking his neck. "Yes, I have quite a temper. Yes, I have little respect for rules. Yes, I can be quite sarcastic. No, I do not eat small children for lunch. Yes, I play dice, but no, I don't cheat." He spread his hands, eyes twinkling "I have honor. I have pride. And I have always had the best interests of the Grey Tower at my heart, child, and that is one thing the rumors do not like to acknowledge, in my experience."

As he fell silent, he saw a man in rough clothing shambling towards them. His hair was white-streaked gray and stood out in wild poofs beneath the wide brimmed hat he wore, and he supported himself with a gnarled stick. His sun-weathered face drew Jaryd's attention next; age-pale eyes glittered beneath wild white eyebrows, and a hooked nose stood prominently in a field of wrinkles. His lower lip was quite pronounced, and enveloped the upper lip and part of his whispy white mustache.

"You there, girlie," the stranger called, and Betrys turned to look. Jaryd saw her eyes widen, but before either of them could say anything, the old man came to a halt in front of them, peering up at Betrys with sharp eyes. "You witches took my granddaughter!" the man declared, poking at Betrys' striped skirts with his stick. "She didn't do nobody no harm, she's a good girl. Give her back, I say!"

Jaryd let the Void fall around him, ready to reach for saidin, but held back. The man hardly seemed truly dangerous, and Jaryd was curious how the Accepted would handle this rather...unusual....interruption. "What did you witches do with her?" the man demanded. "Where is my Nelly?"

[Astarte]

She had wondered if he would reply at all. It had hardly been the finest of her achievements, blurting out a comment like that, in fact Betrys was actually surprised that he'd not turned around and told her off for her overwhelming rudeness and simply left. Perhaps he really did just want someone to talk to him and give him the chance to catch up. In any case, it certainly managed to put a whole load of the rumors to rest, if she chose to believe him about them of course.

That was the only real question left between the two of them.

"I...guess rumor has a habit of choosing not tae worry about whether the truth is actually being involved at all" she suggested, it was something her mother had mentioned more than one and was certainly why Betrys hadn't ever bothered with developing the same skills at rumor and gossip that Mirin had ended up achieving.

Although, she had to admit there were times when it did seem to come in handy even in spite of her own desires to the contrary. What she hadn't expected was that they would end up being so interrupted by someone clearly in need of help? Perhaps not in the manner he might like but still, Betrys wouldn't like to leave anyone standing out without any recourse to help "...I's? Well I didnae know a Nelly but I's would..." she stopped and rose up to stand and face him, swallowing and then taking a deep breath to steady herself "You cannot demand answers of anyone like this, no matter what your objection might be to us as a group, we do not deserve to be dismissed into your pain or anger. If you can keep a civil tongue, I will ask about Nelly while you wait here" she would not defend the Sisterhood, because nothing he'd done so far had suggested that would be necessary at all.

Yes, he had age but he also had to learn to temper his tongue as well. She had been angry once before and she could respect he would want answers but that didn't mean he could walk in and call them names that only showed his ignorance "When did she come to join us?" she asked, softening her tone a little but still concentrating on how her words were shaped and pronounced.

[Sunny]

Jaryd's eyebrows went up at the sharp change in Betrys's demeanor as she faced their unexpected assailant. She had seemed so uncertain, and he had wondered a little how she had been considered for raising, let alone passed the Arches. As the stranger spoke, she wrapped authority around her like a cloak. The accent vanished, her eyes grew sharp, and she spoke with a clarity worthy of any Accepted. Aha. There it is. Then her tone softened as she inquired after this 'Nelly' and her arrival date. Now why doesn't she show that side of her all the time? A curious mystery, to be sure.

The Asha'man remained quiet. If Betrys had not seen him for what he was, an outsider certainly would not unless he forced the issue with the One Power. Instead, he put his hands behind his head and committed himself to observation. The old man's jaw had dropped a little as Betrys spoke; now he gathered himself, squaring his shoulders as best he could, and shook his head as if to clear it. "We live south of Caemlyn. She left with a wi-" he stumbled, "I mean, Aes Sedai, some months ago," he said in a plaintive voice, his gnarled hands flexing on his stick. "I followed as quick as I might, but some Light-blasted good for nothing stole my mule, so I had to walk a good way." Jaryd blinked. He had walked from Caemlyn?

"I know they came here. Nelly was so excited, but I could see the truth. She's probably being worked to death, and I want her back!" His voice had risen until the last bit was nearly a yell. Jaryd resisted the urge to laugh. The man was clearly very worried, and if Betrys did not know a Nelly, then perhaps something had happene dto the girl. Unless she has another name she goes by here. Endless possibilities.

"Illyria Sedai might know what we do not," he murmured softly, flows of Air carrying the words to the Accepted's ear.

[Astarte]

She had embraced a lot of what it meant to be an Aes Sedai, but the core of her being remained a young woman who was modest, polite and not a little shy. Betrys could wear the role though when she needed too, as had happened here and now. If she'd known the direction of his thoughts than she would have have answered to what he had doubted about her person.

However, picking the thoughts of others from their minds was not a skill she possessed nor would it have been one that Betrys would have welcomed into her life without some deep concern and a severe change in her personal character.

Accomplishing things might be an appealing matter but she had no desire to overwhelm or control. She was a helpful soul, which was why she'd not banished the Elder in the first place. Betrys could only imagine how her family had felt, although they had let her go and none of them had come calling for her...did that hurt? She was no longer sure, it was only sensible and right that she had come here but that didn't stop her from missing them all the same.

"I...can ask one of the Sisters here, she is likely to know more. But you should wait here" she replied, the accent still smoothed over with her efforts towards the proper appearance and manner of an Accepted. She did glance towards where he'd sat, surprised but pleased with his help in this matter. Even if the idea of using an Air Weave like that hadn't occurred to her before now, Betrys could see and understand the uses of such.