Kathera walked slowly down the path, and stopped, looking about for a moment. Spoting a bench, she made her way over and sat down slowly. I just don't believe this.... Head of the Brown Ajah? Being raised is suprising enough, but that? It's unbeliveable. Stroking her shawl, just to see if it was still there, Kathera glanced down at her skirts, rather expecting to see the banded hem. No, it was fine red-brown linnen. The color that really looked quite perfect on her. Sighing, Kathera propped her chin in her hand and looked about. She had wandered through these gardens as a novice... but still they seemed different to her. Better, mainly because she was now Aes Sedai. Kathera glanced down again, this time spoting her necklace. It was a running golded horse, a present from her mother before she left for the White Tower. She really couldn't efford it... but she wanted to give me something I would remeber her by. And not just a pretty colored bauble. Something lovely. Something that I would like. To bad it had to be gold. Snorting quietly, Kathera twisted her ring around on her finger. I still can't believe it's on my right hand.....

But it was. And she had the shawl on her shoulders, and... the title of Head of the Brown Ajah. Lucky Marian. I bet she isn't Head. It made her sigh all over again, and Kathera stood, slowly. She remebered her test to well, it haunted her. Mainly because of the presense of her brother there. It weighed down on her mind even more than the rediculous title of head. Bloodly Head of the Brown Ajah. "'We want someone that will work for all of us, Kathera. Someone that can be our perfect head. And you are our only chance at the moment.'" She mimicked Larlia perfectly, then found herself glancing around, hoping no one had heard. And no one was there.

Growling under her breath, the Aes Sedai paced. Wanting to howl out all the curses she knew, Kathera forced herself to stop, forced herself to sit back down. Curses won't help. Think this over. She knew very well that all the Brown sisters were trying to mold her into what they wanted in a Head. And she knew very well that all of them had different oppinions. And the only one whose going to win there is the one that wants me just how I am. I'm not going to change! They can't make me, and I won't let them. "Blood and ashes." the words escaped her mouth again, and Kathera scowled down at the path under her feet. Why me? Why me? The answer was obvious. Because they think they can take control of me. Because they think I'm fit for the plucking. And the sad thing, if I don't do anything about it now, I will be. The thought was depressing.

Marian was making her way back from the city of Tar Valon on her horse, a bundle of freshly printed parchment clutched in her free hand. Of course, she could have sent a clerk or something to do it, but Marian needed the break from her study, and she would use any excuse that she could to get out. Buying new parchment was certainly as good an excuse as any. Besides, she had heard of her close friend's raising to Aes Sedai, and she'd had to stop and buy her a present. Her heart still leapt as she thought about that. Kathera was Aes Sedai now. Light, she was so happy for her friend, but she was also very happy that they could now start to renew their friendship. Of course, it would never be the same as it had been so many years ago, but they could at least speak now, without being too suspicious. At least when no other Gray sisters were around.

Sighing, she felt as though her life were completely restricted by those Light awful women who wanted to manipulate her position as Head Clerk of the Gray Ajah. Of course, she had rather known going into the position that things would be like such. It wasn't as though she could refuse. As a young Aes Sedai, newly raised, she hadn't had much of a choice - she was young and vulnerable, and the Aes Sedai stopped at nothing to get what they wanted. That was a skill that Marian was learning to master, at least over the particularly fussy sisters in her Ajah. They had thought that she would have budged with certain plans concerning rulers, but she would not. Plotting was the Blues' department, not her own. She was only a Gray sister because she had wanted to help people, but it seemed that the only thing she could do was make sure the women didn't swallow her whole.

Someday, she would be getting out of the Tower. She would be leaving at some point, but the time had not presented itself yet. She had learned over her short years as Aes Sedai that even though she was the Head Clerk, she could still find ways to get out. She could help, once she had a firm grip on her Ajah. Besides, she should probably wait until she acquired the ageless face of Aes Sedai anyway. No one outside the White Tower would believe that she was Aes Sedai anyway - not even her own mentee had thought so. Marian almost rolled her eyes at that thought.

After resting her horse in the stable, she hurried up to the Tower, knowing that she had plenty to do before the day was over. Her break was done, at least for now, and Marian doubted that she would have time to visit Kathera. Maybe the new Brown sister would come and visit her instead, but passing a woman clad in brown on the grounds, she heard a muttered, "Blood and ashes." She instantly recognized the voice and glided back around, angry with herself for being so absorbed in her thoughts to not see Kathera. "It seems someone's got a new dress," said she primly, in a manner that she had not had a few years ago. Aes Sedai mannerisms had certainly found their way onto her. Turning to face Kathera, she smiled slightly, keeping Aes Sedai composure. It was second nature now. "Congratulations, sister."

"It seems someone's got a new dress," A prim voice, an Aes Sedai voice, came out of nowhere. Kathera squeaked, and whirled to curtsy... ah, she didn't have to curtsy anymore. Smoothing her skirts, Kathera turned to see who it was. "Congratulations, sister." Kathera looked in suprise at Marian, then changed her look into a grin. Yes, she had not yet lost the ability to grin. "Ah, Marian." She said smoothly, managing to turn Aes Sedai composure into a joke. "How lovely to see you." Winking, she fell into step with her friend. Lucky Marian. She isn't bloody head! Kathera sighed, remebering her plans to travel the world. It wouldn't happen now. All she could do now was work on putting her Ajah under her thumb, and hoping it would bite her. Dropping her suposed Aes Sedai composure, Kathera grinned at her friend. "And how are you, Marian? It wonderfull to see you... Exspecially now that were on the same level. Thats the best about all of this." She indicated her shawl, and stopped for a minute to stroke it lovingly. At least she had it.

Kathera smiled at her friend, and drew her hand away from her shawl. Light! I'm going to have work ahead of me... To put the Brown Ajah completely under my control? I'm not even thirty yet! I don't have Aes Sedai composure, it's going to be seven years until I'm at my full strength in the One Power, and I don't have an ageless face! Kathera wanted to wail, but all the couldn't do was smile at her friend, and pat her dress, saying "I know. Isn't it pretty?" Kathera gave a little pose, right there in the middle of the path, and felt all the better for acting like her usual silly self.

Going back to walking beside her friend, Kathera found herself picking at her skirts. It felt strange to be wearing the fine linen. Glancing back at the stables, Kathera smiled. I need to get myself a horse... I'm going to want the escuse of exersicing a deserving animal soon. It brought her an idea, and Kathera gave a grin. Perhaps Marian would be able to.. and if not, she could ask if they could later. Marian probably didn't want to ride anymore, but they could walk....

Giving her friend another smile, Kathera spoke. "Are you suposed to be doing anything right now?" It would be great to get out of Tar Valon and out of Brown sisters sights for a few hours... and, well, she just wanted to have some fun. And fun didn't await her in the tower, only work did. Only work....

Her friend squeaked and whirled around. Marian almost chuckled at that reaction that Kathera gave her. She watched Kathera smooth her skirts. Light, she remembered having to adjust to being Aes Sedai. It had been a strange transistion, though she doubted that Kathera had the burden of being head of her Ajah as well. Light. She hoped she didn't. Marian hadn't enjoyed that process, and she still wished she were free of the bloody title, but it didn't look as though she was going to get that wish anytime soon. "Ah, Marian." Kathera's "composure" was absolutely laughable, but Marian knew that it was safe in their situation to crack a grin at it. They were alone, and they could be friends in that. "How lovely to see you." Kathera winked at her, and they began walking along.

Marian was glad that Kathera was Aes Sedai now. Things certainly would change now that they were both at the same level. They could talk freely without suspicious looks from anyone... Well, at least to some extent. Marian wished that Kathera had joined the Gray Ajah, but she had known since being a novice that Kathera had wanted to be a Brown. Well, the color did suit her, and Marian was sure that she would do fine there. Probably better than in the Gray Ajah, considering all the frumpy old women who liked to manipulate within it.

"And how are you, Marian? It wonderfull to see you... Exspecially now that were on the same level. Thats the best about all of this." Marian shrugged. She could hardly tell Kathera everything, as much as it pained her to keep things from her. "I've been fine. Congratulations," she said again, smiling. She felt some sympathy for Kathera now, being immersed in all the White Tower politics, but that was the way it worked, Marian supposed. She'd get used to it in time. She'd learn to swim in the White Tower's ways.

"I know. Isn't it pretty?" said Kathera, making a pose in her dress. Marian had to laugh at that one, and it was amazing to see how much Kathera could soften her up. No one could do that anymore, but it seemed that Marian still had part of her younger self in her. "Light, Kathera, you're still just a novice," she said teasingly, shaking her head.

"Are you suposed to be doing anything right now?" asked her friend. Marian glanced up towards the White Tower. She had only just come back, but she supposed that she wouldn't get another chance to see Kathera soon. Light... She didn't want to do that paperwork. "Yes," she replied with a sigh. Nevertheless... "But I'll get to it later." She really really did not want to spend another evening at her desk. She would work all day tomorrow. Today, it was a cause for celebration, considering her best friend since novicehood had been raised to Aes Sedai.

She took the package that she had been clutching, along with her parchment and handed it to Kathera. "Here. This is for you," said Marian. It had taken a bit to get it, but Marian didn't mind. Kathera certainly deserved it. Inside was a necklace, strung on white silver with an amber crystal hanging from the bottom. Marian didn't really know if Kathera would like it or not, but she had gotten it from one of the Sea Folk traders... It had cost a decent amount, but as Aes Sedai, money was no problem.

((OOC: *BUMP* Silly, Kathera. ;)))