A Trip (open)

[Matt]

Dylan was taking one of his very brief free periods with a trip to the library. He had been there during his tour. That experience took his breath away. He had never seen so many books in one place before. All the bindings, all the knowledge, made him want to run in and never leave.

On his way to the library, the only place in the Tower that he he knew where he was going, he kept getting distracted by the paintings and tapestries that he came across. All of them were beautiful and stunning. Never had he seen the like. Dylan felt the need to stop and look at almost everyone he came across. There was one painting that he had come across that was of some battle from the distant past. The little placard that went with it said it was a battle that Artur Hawkwing had fought in. He didn't know anything about it, but the artist did such a fine job of painting, that Dylan couldn't help but feel both the horror of the battle, but also how proud the combatants were to be fighting for their respective causes. There was something about the painting that made it hard for him not to keep staring at it.

[Bree]

"Oh, is that the Battle of Aldeshar?" Ubriel came up behind the young Soldier and stood with her hands on her hips, smiling broadly at the painting.

She had just finished an exhausting chore period sweeping halls and some of the dust she had removed from the floors was hitching a ride on the shoulders of her Drin’s Uniform. Even had she been aware of it, she probably would not have known either how it got there nor whether or not to be concerned by it. She studied the positioning of the soldiers portrayed and the cut of the uniform of the opposing army. The time of day as indicated by the way the sky and shadows had been painted also gave some clues. “I think it is. I think that is supposed to be Culain there.” She pointed to a finely dressed horseman in the opposing ranks.

[Leala]

Kaci stared at the book she was being forced the read, wishing she could read anything but these silly techniques for breaking blocks. It was all dreadfully boring, and nothing felt like it was helping. Then, she heard a girl ask if something was the "Battle of Aldeshar." She perked up, closing the book, and keeping her place with her notes. She quickly spotted a female drin and a soldier standing in front of a painting.

She squeezed in with them, staring at the painting. She didn't really care which battle it was at first. She loved the pageantry, and the movement of it.

It looked really fun.

After looking at it a little more, she realized that it probably was the Battle of Aldeshar. "I think it is," she said. She sighed contentedly, dreaming of the future. "I want to be in a painting like that one day. Hopefully I won't be in a dress." She tugged at her novice dress that didn't quite fit, and still felt like she was wearing a blanket sometimes.

[Bree]

Bree glanced at the novice. She still didn't know one white dress from the next so she made a point of noticing something about the face above this one. The face far above this one. Very tall. with very red hair.

"Hi. What do you mean? Don't Aes Sedai have to take oaths not to participate in fighting? Isn't that why Warders exist?" Bree had lost most of her interest in the details of the lives of channelers when she had been turned away from the White Tower. But everyone knew there were Oaths and Aes Sedai couldn't lift a hand in fighting of any sort. She was absolutely certain she had heard that somewhere.

"My name is Bree. I am going to be a Warder one day. It was kind of a prophecy." She smiled hugely and her eyes widened in genuine amazement at the next thought. "Maybe I will be a Warder for one of you!" She balled up one of her hands and gave a tiny, ineffectual little false punch to the shoulder of the Soldier standing with them.

[Zack]

"I'm really hurt!" Zacharyn said walking around the corner into the conversation. "I couldn't help but overhear you offering your future services as a warder to this lovely novice. Zacharyn paused for a moment seemingly having just noticed the other soldier in the room. "And of course two soldiers in the room make it a party! I don't believe I've introduced myself. My name is Zacharyn Mael'Din. It's a pleasure to make the acquaintance of a fellow soldier and a new novice. Might I inquire you names? Zacharyn fidgeted openly, obviously not realizing the number of people before he walked in. A giant flush lit up his entire face at having made the grand entrance.

[Leala]

"Well," Kaci said to the drin, "I'm not entirely clear on Aes Sedai and battle, but the Green Ajah can't have the name 'Battle Ajah' without fighting in some capacity, right? Warders exist, because to be able to fight, Aes Sedai have to jump through hoops, metaphorically speaking," she explained. She hoped she wasn't just making something up, but it sounded right.

Another soldier joined them, and Kaci wanted to laugh at his jokes, but they were in a library, so she opted for a soft giggle. "My name's Kaci Saratome. They want me to become an Aes Sedai, but I'd much rather be a Blademaster."

[Matt]

Dylan looked at the small gathering around him. He didn't realize that looking at a painting would attract so much attention. A sudden thought made him look around quickly. He could only image what an Aes Sedi or Asha'man would think if they happened along this little group.

Dylan cleared his throat a little. "I'm Dylan. It's nice to meet you all, but I think it's best if we find somewhere... not so exposed to get to know each other." Looking at Kaci Dylan added, "And for the record your more or less right. Waders are here because an Aes Sedi's or Asha'man's power is not limitless." Giving a wink and a smile, he started looking for someplace a little less likely to cause an issue should the powers that be decide we appear to have to much free time.

[Bree]

Ubriel grinned and offered, "Well I have a horse in the stables if you guys want to go out there and hang out with her for a bit. No one is likely to order us off from there."