Right Back Into Trouble

[Locke]

Nasrin Naceri

“Yes Aes Sedai,” Nasrin said in an uncharacteristically meek tone. She shifted in her chair unable to find a position that didn’t hurt. The Mistress of Novices definietly knew her way around a slipper. “I apologize for rubbing itch weed into Accepted Maradeth’s small cloths,” the Domani Novice said fighting back a satisfied smile despite the pain, “She treats some of the girls so unfairly.”

“I respect your sense of justice, my child, but you must learn your place. Next time an Accepted is abusing her position, come to me. Do not take matters into your own hands. Definitely do not shout at her like last time,” Velanya Sedai said with a tired shake of her head. “What am I supposed to do with you Child? Your teachers see so much potential, when you actually bother coming to class.”

“Most classes are so boring, Aes Sedai,” Nasrin said with a petulant sniff. “If they they let me work ahead like like Asha’man Yacoob does, I’d be fine, I never skip his class.”

“They want to make sure you know the materials”

“I know it better than they do,” Nasrin muttered.

“What was that, Child?”

“I know the materials, Aes Sedai, they know I know them. I’m bored all the time.”

“That cannot be helped, my child. Doing things you do not want to, or even care about is part of becoming a woman. You have the makings of an outstanding Aes Sedai, you just need to learn patience, focus, and restraint. Learn to work within the rules before you decide which rules to break,” the Aes Sedai said with a wink. “Now hurry before you miss dinner, and stay out of trouble. I would hate to have to use the strap,” the Yellow sister concluded with a hint of steel.



After a dinner of baked fish and greens, Nasrin made her way back to her quarters. Over half an hour later and she could still feel her woolen shift as it pressed against her tender rump. She didn’t regret what she’d done though. Little Tilly had looked at her like a hero. Sometimes it felt good to do the right thing. Not that all of her mischief had such a deserving target. She could feel a yawn forming as she entered her hall. Being back in her own room would be nice. She didn’t have a roommate and could do what she pleased. Tonight she would strip out of this horribly tailored dress and lay on her stomach reading. Blood and bloody ashes, Velanya could swing a slipper.

The book she had in mind was a book on mathematics far above the level she was supposed to be studying. That said, she had an upcoming test she’d probably fail if she couldn't bring herself to study the actual course material. She was already undoing the buttons on the back of her dress as she shouldered her way into her room. The white dress drifted lazily to the floor as Nasrin stood frozen in confusion. A short girl with pale skin and brown hair sat on the other bed brushing her hair. Finally gathering herself, she stalked over to the girl standing coming to stand looking down at her with her arms crossed. “Hey kid, are you lost? This is my room,” Nasrin said annoyed as her night’s plans came tumbling down. For the first time in years, she hadn’t had to share her space with a soul. Now that was all over.

[Jenny]

Kaira Darrow

Kaira walked down the hall with an armful of clothing and counted the doors under her breath. Third floor, seventh door on the right. She noticed with delight that she had been given the room furthest from the staircase. Which meant, hopefully, that the Accepted in charge would be less likely to come check in on her. She offered up thanks to the Creator for this small blessing.

She pushed open the door without knocking and glanced around the room. The left side appeared already occupied. Her roommate was not present. Kaira observed that the bedsheets had been made without a wrinkle, and the books on the desk were stacked neatly. She skimmed the titles, and realized in awe that the subject matter was far above her own understanding. She grimaced. Had she been paired with a goody-two-shoes model student, then?

Yet there were hints that perhaps this mysterious new stranger would have extracurricular interests. A sketchbook lay open on the desk with drawings of dresses. Kaira smiled to see a shared hobby. And she found a dog-eared romance novel among the stack of books. How funny! She set down her bundle of clothing and folded them into the untaken dresser. Then she sat down on her bed and sighed. The past day had been a whirlwind. Seeing her Aunt Elia… the long conversation that had followed… then Traveling back to the Tower… meeting with Vanya Sedai...

Now she was home.

And wearing novice whites, she thought, bitterly. The mirror above her dresser reflected a thin and pale girl with mousy brown hair. She touched the scar across her throat self-consciously, then picked a ribbon - white, of course - from her dresser and tied it around her neck.

She looked into the mirror again. Well, she might as well begin making herself into the young lady that they would all expect from the daughter of the Gaidin Captain. She pinched her cheeks and rubbed at her lips. Then she took up a hairbrush.

The door swung open. Kaira turned to see a tall, freckled girl striding towards her. Her hand flew instinctively to her belt where she grasped at thin air, and she realized with sudden panic that she had no weapon. Her grip tightened on her hairbrush. She held it before her like a dagger.

The stranger crossed her arms and looked down at her.

“Hey kid, are you lost? This is my room.”

Kaira’s temper flared. She leapt to her feet and looked her opponent up and down. The girl had shrugged off her novice’s dress as soon as she had come in and stood only in her shift. Kaira narrowed her eyes in contempt.

“It is not just your room anymore,” she said. “Didn’t Vanya Sedai tell you? My name is Kaira Darrow. I am your new roommate, not a child. Not to you.”

Her anger cooled as quickly as it had risen. She tilted her head and offered a small smile. She did not want to make an enemy of this girl, especially if she would be sharing such close quarters with her.

“A pleasure to meet you,” she said politely. “And what is your name?”

[Locke]

Nasrin Naceri

“It's Nasrin, and no, she didn’t,” Nasrin replied snippishly, as she trudged over to her bed. She collapsed back onto her bed before popping back up with a squeak and a curse. Carefully, the embarrassed Novice, laid back down on her stomach. “It must have slipped her mind when she was turning my rump twelve shades of blue,” she grumbled. Even her thin shift caused it to sting. She had wanted to take the whole thing off and let the night air sooth her bruised skin, but she didn’t think her new roommate would approve.

“Darrow, you’re the Gaidin Captain’s kid aren’t you?” Nasrin asked, reaching for one of the books on her desk, “I guess they think you’ll help keep me out of trouble, eh?” This new girl would find out soon enough, no use hiding it. She reached back trying to adjust her shift, “Bloody woman, I’ll show her where she can keep her slippers,” she muttered. Maybe the Mistress of Novices would be next on her list to prank, or not. Surprisingly, despite her frequent need to deliver punishments, Nasrin liked the woman. She was fair and she never talked down to her. That was more than she could say for most Aes Sedai.

“So what do you do for fun?” Nasrin asked. She hissed as her shift brushed against her bruises again. Little Miss Darrow would just have to get over it. Nasrin swallowed her pride, and hiked her shift up above her hips. “What’re you staring at? You’ve got one too. If we’re going to be roommates, we’ll probably see more of each other than we ever wanted to.”

[Jenny]

Kaira Darrow

Kaira turned back to the mirror and returned to brushing her hair.

“For fun? I am not quite sure,” she said, slowly. “I liked talking to Stefan. He is someone I met when I was living in Caemlyn. He taught me a little about herbcraft and medicine, which is so much more interesting when you are mixing powders and potions and not just learning from a book. I also liked to practice sword forms and spar with the Drin when I was younger. But I am not so fond of it now.”

She nodded when Nasrin mentioned the Gaidin Captain.

“Yes, you’re right. Ravak is my father,” she said. Then she giggled. “Light, they should know better than to expect someone like me to keep you out of trouble. I was often sent to the Headmistress’ office when I went to school in Hama Valon. Nearly every week! I also ran away from home. If you don't want to get into trouble, then keep away. I am a terrible influence.”

Then she glanced over her shoulder and stifled a gasp. Her new roommate had pulled up her shift and laid down belly-first on her bed. Bruises dotted her backside. Some were old and yellowing, but a new batch blossomed in shades of blue and black.

Kaira cursed under her breath. Aloud, she said, “Vanya Sedai did this to you? That evil, evil woman! You need ointment.”

She leapt up and tossed her hairbrush aside. And then she ran out the door. Soon she came back with a jar of pale green ointment. She knelt and handed it to Nasrin.

“This is a mixture of five-finger, ground ivy, and sunburst root. It should help.”

[Locke]

Nasrin

“I like trouble,” Nasrin murmured, voice almost a purr. While she talked, she began scratching notes into her books margins. While Beratran’s Formula was long since solved, and this book was full of proofs, she still wanted to try to solve it herself. Katalona Sedai would have told her to read something more on her level. That woman had done quite a bit to earn Nasrin’s ire. Nasrin hadn’t sought retribution yet though.

Her head snapped up, calculations abandoned, when the younger Novice let out a gasp. She’d seen the bruises then hadn’t she? Before Nasrin could protest, the girl was running to find medicine. She hated for somebody else to go out of their way on her accord, but she also felt a wave of appreciation. They barely knew each other and Kaira already wanted to help her. Soon, she was back with a jar of some sort of paste. When she unscrewed the lid, it released an earthy smell.

A sly smile crept onto her lips as an idea popped into her head. “I’ll take the ointment, if you’ll rub it on,” she said giving her hips a little wiggle. She hadn’t planned to say that, nor did she known what she expected. However, she did not expect the Novice simply start applying the ointment.

The strange paste went to work immediately, soothing away some of her aches. She closed her eyes with a sigh and settled down into her pillow, book forgotten. “So, this Stefan guy, was he cute?” Nasrin asked, voice almost languid. “Why did you come here instead of staying with your guy in Caemlyn?”

[Jenny]

Kaira Darrow

Kaira dipped her fingers in the ointment and scooped a large green dollop onto Nasrin’s skin. Gently, she rubbed it over the bruises. Nasrin's little hip wriggle did not slip by unnoticed - nor her suggestive tone - but Kaira ignored it. She simply didn’t know how to respond.

At the mention of Stefan, a light pink blush rose to her cheeks. She had kissed him, yes. She had even let him touch her, for a little while. Her skin still tingled with the memory. It had been pleasurable, far better than any of the rough treatment she had endured from other men. But her feelings were complicated. And while she had been content to return home, she had also seen the hurt in his eyes as the faint flame of hope that she would stay with him had flickered and died.

“W-well, yes, he was cute,” she stammered. “I wasn’t really happy, though. Caemlyn isn’t the same as home. And besides, I had to come back here to learn how to channel.”

She peered curiously at her roommate. “And how about you? How did you make your way here?”