Bindings and Glue [Attn: Leala]

[Lugh]

Maryn Maryn reached the Library, pausing for a moment to catch his breath after having made his way across the grounds of the Grey Tower. As he stood, the color returning to his face, he stopped mouth agape in wonder.

Shelving filled every inch of the Library that wasn’t devoted to the many chairs and desks for studying learning ranks. Ashaman and Aes Sedai were welcome to study of course, but Maryn had found out many of them maintained their own libraries, or had a runner bring them copies from the Library’s collection.

It was those duties that Maryn had been assigned; given both his ailment and his practiced hand at both illustration and writing. He had tried to argue against the Healer’s announcement, but the stubborn veritable mountain of a man had simply inspected him, run him through som exercises and declared that he should be kept from many of the chores.

Red faced and ashamed, he had wanted to flee the Infirmary when the Healer, Gareth Ashaman had stopped him with a single firm grasp. “Do not think that we do not see strength here, or that you are somehow being pampered. Long hours spent running books and scrolls, with the Brown Ajah or others as needed will not be leisurely. As well there is a never ending stream of repairs, bindings and copies to be made. You will also be meeting others to work on your physical strength.”

Maryn shook his head to banish the memory, and made his way towards the desk where a distracted Brown Sister merely waved him in the direction of the back room. A little overwhelmed and aimless, Maryn allowed his curiosity to guide him as he checked the backs of the books.

Paying more attention to the wonder of all the books surrounding him, Maryn accidentally crashed into a Novice who had been shelving a book of her own. “Sorry, I didn’t see you there. Are you okay?”

[Leala]

Abby Having lived in the Grey Tower for the past few years, Abby knew the life of a novice would be difficult. She saw the young women in white and the young men in black rushing about to complete chores and appease their superiors. She had seen them work harder than the servants sometimes. She did not mind the chores, really, now that she was one of those women in white. Cleaning had been a way to cope with a bad environment when she was a child. Although, she had grown out of it, she still saw the productivity in it.

Other novices kept away from her during lessons. She had been the privileged daughter of an Aes Sedai until now. Now that she was enrolled as a novice, they could be as catty to her as they were to each other. Still, she had been through worse. She still gave everyone a soft, shy smile and tried her best, keeping her head down and doing her work. She would like to have friends, but she would endure until things improved.

The thing that truly rankled her was that she could not see her mother. Now she was Torianin Sedai, as she had been before she adopted Abby. She would respect protocol, just as the Aes Sedai did. But, it was difficult, knowing she couldn't go to her with her problems.

For now, she was shelving books for the Browns of the Library. She liked this task, but it would make the others think she was being favored. The Browns knew that she would respect the books, though. No finger prints or wrinkled pages, and everything put tidily away. The task allowed her to think, and she was not sure she wanted to. When she thought, it just reminded her of the tense situation she felt with her contemporaries.

She shook off those thoughts and glanced at the title of the book she picked up from the cart. Purposefully moving to the correct section, she found its spot, and after checking for any slips of note paper, she reached up to place it. She let out a small squeak when someone bumped into her. Abby tried to catch herself, but the weight of the book in her hand, and the duty to protect it, she held it in front of her as she tumbled, landing on her bottom. Franticly, she checked the book and sighed in relief when she realized it was unharmed.

Blue eyes looked up to see a young man in a soldier's black coat. He looked concerned and asked if she was all right. "Ah...yes, I am all right," she answered in a small voice with a sweet smile. Tucking the book under one arm, she hefted herself up and placed the book on the shelf before dusting her skirts. Looking around, she made sure the noise she had made didn't disturb any Aes Sedai or Asha'man at work. Satisfied that she hadn't, the novice turned back to the soldier. "Light shine on you, Soldier," she said, keeping her voice down. "I am Abby Soulane...are you looking for a particular book?"

[Lugh]

Maryn
Maryn breathed a sigh of relief when the Novice said she was alright. He had been nervous enough about settling in with all the differences at the Grey Tower, without making it worse by knocking some poor girls teeth out on the wooden shelves.

“I am glad to hear you are okay, Abby Soulane, I would feel terrible if I’d caused any harm to you or the book,” Maryn replied, his own face softening in response to her sweetly voiced question.

“The short answer is no, I am not looking for any book in particular. I am actually here for chores, but the sister in charge seems more buried in her books than making sure I’m on task,” Maryn spoke softly as well, noticing the way Abby kept looking around to make sure she was not disturbing anyone.

“It’s my first full day here at the Grey Tower, so I am a little unused to the schedule. Usually by now I would be hard at work in ledgers or some writing. Maybe I can help you though,” Maryn suggested almost off handedly.

“Are you studying or here on chores as well? I would be glad to help either way,” Maryn offered as he looked around the titles and section they were in. It would take a lifetime to know everything here, and although his bearing and pride would never admit it, he was hoping helping Abby would give him an idea of where to start.

[Leala]

Abby Abby turned her head back to Maryn as he explained that he had walked away from his chores. She blinked a bit. Sometimes it was difficult for her to remember that not everyone was compelled by nature to obey an order, like she was. He explained that it was his first full day in the Grey Tower, and it would make sense that his schedule would need re-working. Abby's schedule had expanded quite a bit since she became a novice, in truth. Looking at the cart, still almost full to capacity of books waiting to be shelved, she thought for a moment. Would they get in trouble if they worked on it together?

Well, she could use the help. She wasn't used to hefting books except to read them. "I am here for chores as well," she explained. "Another novice gathered these books, lying unshelved around the Library, and I was told to shelve them again when I reported here, and she went to her next class." She paused as she picked up a book with one hand, then held it with both. "I am rather new to the novice whites, but I've lived in the Grey Tower with...the Torianin Sedai, who adopted me when I was a child. I am familiar with how things work and where things are. If you would like to help me, I would very much appreciate that..." she trailed off, casting her eyes down, then reading the title of the book she was holding. "I can tell you where each book will go..."

She had rid herself of her stammer, but Abby still had difficulty holding a very lengthy conversation.

[Lugh]

Maryn
Maryn worried at first that perhaps he had given her the wrong impression, when she stood there blinking for a few moments. He had not wanted to shirk his chores, or interfere with hers so he was glad when she gestured to the cart of books waiting to be shelved.

"I am here for chores as well," she explained. "Another novice gathered these books, lying unshelved around the Library, and I was told to shelve them again when I reported here, and she went to her next class." She paused as she picked up a book with one hand, then held it with both. "I am rather new to the novice whites, but I've lived in the Grey Tower with...the Torianin Sedai, who adopted me when I was a child. I am familiar with how things work and where things are. If you would like to help me, I would very much appreciate that..." she trailed off, casting her eyes down, then reading the title of the book she was holding. "I can tell you where each book will go.”

“That sounds like the best plan. I won’t know the labyrinth of shelves yet, so I would get less done by myself. Here let me take that,” Maryn said as he took the book gently from Abby and placed it at the hole in the shelf. As they settled into a comfortable rhythm, Maryn found himself noticing the odd title or section that might merit further exploration later.

After a half chime or so of working together, the silence of the Great Library letting them fall into a companionable quiet, Maryn had to pause after struggling with a particularly heavy volume and a hard to reach shelf.

Wiping off his sweat with a grey handkerchief he had acquired to match his Soldier’s uniform, he paused for a moment and considered something she had said earlier. “You said you have lived in the Grey Tower, do the children who grow up here attend lessons early? I just can’t imagine how amazing it must have been to be surrounded by all the splendor and wonder. Did you always hope to be tested? Or was it a sudden discovery? I’m just curious because mine happened almost by accident, and I have heard the One Power is found differently in men and women.”

[Leala]

Abby Abby was happy to find that she and Maryn made a good team, working together. He seemed interested in the books, and learning where things were in the Library. For the first time in a long time, she felt like perhaps she might make a friend with someone. Neither of them spoke much, except for the work, but it wasn't a tense silence. It wasn't the kind of silence she had had with her mother since she came back from her mission, either. Instead, she felt as if she was working in tandem with someone, with a similar goal. She hoped more days like this would come as she progressed through her novice training.

After a time, Maryn struggled with a large book. She stayed behind, watching to make sure that he didn't drop it, or that he didn't fall. When he succeeded in putting the book back, she began to turn away when he asked her a question. Or, well...a couple of questions. She knew she had been blessed by the Light to be taken in by an Aes Sedai. She had so much knowledge around her, both in books and in her teachers. Her mother and Asha'man Erishar had both given her the love of a family as well. The thought made her smile.

"My lessons with Aes Sedai depended on when my teachers wished to give lessons, so some were rather early, and some went on into the evening as I grew older. And...it was amazing. It's still amazing to me. Ah, but the testing..." She paused at that. That was a more complicated matter. "I was afraid of most everything when I came here. Torianin Sedai made sure I was comfortable and happy, and I wanted to stay that way for as long as I could. She always told sisters that she would be the one to test me, when I was ready. I finally asked a few days ago." She tugged at her white skirt and smiled to herself. It seemed she would end up channeling, whether she wanted to or not. "My mother had me try to turn the page of a book with the One Power. It fluttered, but she said that was my power." She had not yet had her first lessons with the One Power, so a part of her still doubted that conclusion.

"I've also heard that men find their abilities differently. How did you discover you could channel?" Though she still kept her voice down, for her location, she found she no longer felt nervous around Maryn. The sheepishness had disappeared a bit.

[Lugh]

Maryn

Maryn has decided it was a good thing he loved books as much as he did, because it was becoming clear that returning books would never end. No sooner had they emptied a cart, then another Soldier emerged with a cart from deep within the shelves.

He had also decided that the company of another lover of the Library was a pleasant change. His uncle and father had both been more inclined to hunting, hawking and other pursuits of that nature. That meant he had often spent his time in the study at home alone. Spending it with an intelligent young woman was much more enjoyable.

“I enjoyed tutors myself from time to time, but to have them be Aes Sedai would definitely be a large advantage. There were a few books I had in my study that were written by Aes Sedai from the Grey Tower, I’ll have to discuss the works one day,” Maryn said with a shrug and a brief smile.

“I have yet to try and channel Saidin actively, I go to my meeting shortly so we are practically on the same board,” said Maryn as he tried to assure Abby that he was also new. “And yes for men, I was tested with a flame an Ashaman had created. Eventually I sunk deep enough into myself that I resonated with Saidin. The Ashaman then told me I was able to learn to channel, so I am eager to see how that lesson goes.”

Maryn stopped for a moment, and chuckled softly to himself, “It’s truly amazing that the two sides of something so vast, would be so different from each other. I’m just glad the Grey Tower was happy to add another Soldier to the lists.”

Looking around the stacks, and grabbing the next cart of books he chewed his lip for a moment before asking, “Is there anything in particular your hoping to learn with the Power? I have wondered at some of the Ajahs, as I learn more here I am starting to realize they are not as cut and dry as my texts implied.”

[Leala]

Abby Abby picked up two books that she recognized right away. Their covers were different colors, but she had read them enough times that she knew not only the subject, but also who the author was. These were two philosophy books, one written before the taint on Saidin had been cleansed, and the other after. The first was meant to compare Saidar and Saidin, speculating on what Saidin would be like without the taint, and what purpose they both served. After the taint had been cleansed, the Aes Sedai worked together with an Asha'man to release an updated version. They were both very old, but the Browns kept them sturdy and clean.

She blinked when he said that he had read some books by authors in the Grey Tower. "Ah, that would be fascinating, to be able to talk to them. Which books were they?" she asked, now feeling animated by the conversation. Holding the books close to her, she listened again. She was glad to know she wasn't the only one so new to channeling. She was worried her first lesson would go terribly, and that she wouldn't be strong enough, or the Aes Sedai would see how frightened she was. She knew all of that was silly, but they were worries, nonetheless.

Smiling, Abby nodded when Maryn speculated about Saidar and Saidin being so different. "You might be interested in these two books, then," she suggested, holding them out to him. "One was written by an Aes Sedai of the White Ajah, before Saidin was cleansed. The other was a new version she wrote with her bonded Asha'man. I found them one day after a lesson. They're very interesting."

"Hmm..." The novice twirled a lock of her black hair around her finger as she thought on his last question. "I haven't given it much thought. Most of what I know of the One Power, I read thinking that I likely would never use it. Torianin Sedai is especially good at Illusion. I've seen some of her work. It's beautiful. I know there are dreamers, and a whole other world in our dreams...there is so much... And, Ajahs...most of my tutors were of the White or Brown, and I know they would like me to join one of theirs. I do like that they concentrate on studying, but...I think it's best that I take my time for now." She had encouraged her mother to do much the same.

[Lugh]

Maryn

Maryn was in complete agreement when Abby mentioned being able to speak to th author. He knew he would one day endeavour to do that, and see if some of the minds that had created to works he had devoured would be as interesting as their writings.

“Many were written by Brown Sisters, or Ashaman. I had read a couple history primers by Green Aes Sedai who served during the earliest days of the Grey Tower. Histories and some of the White Ajah writings on philosophy and such really interested me,” he replied to Abby’s questions as she handed him two books, both of which would hopefully contain some notes or ideas to help him examine his newfound skill.

“Thank you Abby, I will sign them out today. Sadly I won’t have as many chimes to read as I would like, but these will help settle me into this vast collection,” Maryn commented with a small smile and a hint of the awe he still felt at the Library.

Among all the places of the Grey Tower, the Library and the legendary Vault were places he hoped to one day experience and explore. He knew many Soldiers had pushed for the Indigo since its founding, but it remained a difficult cord to earn. With that in mind he wasn’t surprised to find out that Abby had possible inroads to a few of the Ajahs, it seemed like recruitment was constant and common.

“I know what you mean. Worrying about the cord right now seems a bit like worrying if I prefer and ax or sword, when I probably couldn’t lift either. Illusion is not something I have heard much about, I will have to see if there is a class to explore it. And I agree with you Abby, might as well try to learn as much of the picture as you can, then worry about where you land,” Maryn continued to chat as he placed the books on a nearby table, where he was certain he would remember them.

As the pair of them continued to work, shelving books and clearing off the occasional desk that was littered with paper and quills; Maryn continued to chat about the Grey Tower and the grounds. As well he spoke a little about Cairhein, his estates and some of the pursuits he had enjoyed there.

“Have you ever had a chance to go riding? I know we cannot leave the grounds unless escorted or required to attend a function, but I thought it might be enjoyable even to ride the stable pasture. It’s one martial activity I really enjoyed at home,” Maryn said as he conversed with the friendly Novice he had met.

[Leala]

Abby

Though Abby had not taken classes on the uses of the One Power yet, the thought of having so much to explore was just as exciting as it was terrifying. Her tutors and her mother had explained that most people who did not channel did not know near as much about it as she did, and that was only from reading. She wondered when her first class on it would be. She hadn't felt anything while being tested, but Torianin Sedai had said she had channeled, even if just a hair. Abby knew for certain that her mother wsan't lying, even though she was no longer Oathsworn. She had read in books that women who could channel could see a glow around another who held Saidar. She also knew that they could see each other's weaves as well. Erishar had told her about men who could channel as well, but not nearly as much.

She glanced over her shoulder when she heard Maryn address her again as she straightened a group of books she had just shelved. "I have ridden a little," Abby answered, satisfied now that the books were in order. "I can't say I've ever ridden for sport, though," she admitted with a small smile. "Maybe we could find time to go riding during a free day." It seemed every time she finished one chore or assignment, another assignment came about.

"I wish I could at least visit my mother on a free and tell her how I am doing..." Her eyes fluttered when she realized that she had said that aloud. Blue eyes glanced around to make sure no Brown had overheard her. "But I know I cannot see her until I am at least Accepted," she finished as she gathered some discarded scratch paper.