The Grey Tower

Leala had gotten word that the Ajah Head's study had been cleaned out and was ready for her to occupy it whenever she wished. She had taken a few books and a few personal items, along with the banner that had been given to her upon her ceremony. She unlocked the door with her key, and found that there actually was a useable space in this room. Truly, she knew that underneath the clutter of Aelyn's studies, there were desks and tables to use, but the former First Reasoner had his own system that was indecipherable to anyone other than himself. Seeing the office so empty was a bit surprising. She noticed one piece of paper that was sitting on the desk, waiting for her. It was addressed to her, and she noticed the Amyrlin's seal on it. Curious. She sat her books down and hung the Banner of the First Reasoner on its usual place with simple flows of Air. It always stayed in that one spot, but whenever a new Head of the White Ajah was instated, it was tradition that they still hang it there.

After she placed her books on the shelf closest to her, she walked to the desk and picked up the message from the Amyrlin. Leala sat as she unsealed it, reading the words in the small letter. It was an invitation to share a meal with her along with a simple congratulations in gaining her new status as Head of the Ajah. Well, it would make sense that the Amyrlin would wish to speak with her after her Ajah elevated her to the status of their leader. She wrote a simple message, accepting the invitation, then sent it with a maid to the Amyrlin's office.

~~~

Leala spent the rest of the time before the meeting settling her new office in. She utilized gateways for this, taking with her books that she would need, communications between herself and Ajah members that would likely be useful in the near future. She did not decorate much, simply setting a few trinkets from home out on her desk for the time being. Once it was acceptable, she used yet another gateway to go to her rooms. She changed into a more formal dress, this one with small splashes of House Gymorraine's colors (deep blue, silver, and gold), in with the white. She was not visiting a diplomat, but she used this dress for formal occasions. Draping her shawl over her shoulders, she stepped back through the gateway to her new office in the Tower proper.

Dispelling the gateway, she let go of Saidar, and left her office, locking it behind her. She walked the rest of the way up the Tower to nearly the very top and walked up to the doors for the Amyrlin's offices. There, she knocked and waited for a response. She did not know Miahala Ives personally, but she was satisfied with the job that she did as Amyrlin. She wondered for a moment what it was that she wished to discuss.

Miahala Ives Sedai The Keeper of the Chronicles, also known as the guard dog (privately in Miahala's thoughts) was the one to answer the door for Leala and escort her into the antechamber that served as the Keeper's office. After announcing to Miahala that the First Reasoner was there, the White Sister was escorted into the room.

Miahala Ives Sedai, in all her austere anti-glory, was seated behind her desk when Leala walked in. A woman of fair height and full figure, she was perfectly and completely ageless. Her face may as well have been carved of ivory, with just keen blue-green eyes staring out of the porcelain mask. They showed the full slant of her Saldean heritage set above a strong nose, Threads of grey in her auburn hair, settled into a simple braid, showed the age her face did not and a small scar on her cheek marred her otherwise smooth visage.

"First Reasoner," Mia greeted, looking up from her writing and inclining her eyes--eyes still up--in a respectful greeting. "It is good to meet you, Daughter." Oh, how she still loathed the Mother tradition. If I didn't birth you, don't call me Mother... "Take your ease and have a seat," she went on, rising and gesturing at a small dining table against the near wall. A tea pot and cups were already arrayed.

Leala entered the Amyrlin's office with the Keeper's announcement and nodded respectfully to Miahala as she sat at her desk. She had called Leala by the title of the Head of the White Ajah, which brought forth a smile. She had been a Sitter for the Whites for a time, but now she would be working with the former Green more closely than before. Miahala made a wonderful Amyrlin, and was as formidable and respectable as one carrying that title, but Leala had sensed something in her that pushed away from the idea of the courtesies and titles, behind the mask of the Aes Sedai. Still. She was the Amyrlin, and Leala would address her as such. "It is good to meet you as well, Mother, and thank you for the invitation. I am honored," she answered.

As Miahala had directed, she took a seat and made herself comfortable. Embracing Saidar, she poured herself a cup of tea as she liked it with very little honey with a small flow of Air. As she settled in, she decided to begin with small talk. It seemed like such a nuisance to most people, but she knew that it could sometimes offer important information about the person with whom one conversed. "How have you fared today, Mother?" she asked, sipping in the mint-flavored tea.

Joining the White at the table, she poured herself a cup of tea as well. She preferred to use her hands to handle it, even though she could very easily have managed it all with the One Power. She liked to not let it remove her too far from the act of living, however, because after one hundred and fifty years...well, it could happen all too easily.

Am I not human? The words had yet to cease echoing in her mind since she'd had that infernal dream, and that had been well before being...granted the stole. Though, it had tried to warn her.

"I am well," Mia replied, her answer instinctively lacking in specifics and happily in the middle of all things. She picked words like this without even thinking about it anymore. Just the platitudes of life, really, with enough truth to not go against the Oaths and enough blandness to not reveal anything. "And you? How are you finding the new mantle of office?"

It was strange for Mia to sit and call this woman the First Reasoner, but a good thing. The last one Mia had known... Well... That was best not thought of.