Marian had finally grown use to the horrid feeling in her head that seemed to take hold of all her thoughts. Light, what have I gotten myself into? she thought to herself, as she made her way quietly down the stairs of the White Tower towards the kitchens. All was silent in the White Tower, and Marian hadn’t even seen on of her Gray sisters up and about the hallways. Glancing at a window as she passed, she saw that it was well into the night, a time for all to be sleeping. Marian had had trouble with that the past few nights.

Even without the dark weave that Edeleas had placed on her to seal her lips from telling his secrets, her mind was chaotically spinning. She should have guessed that he was a darkfriend before, but Light, she wouldn’t have, even in her wildest dreams, dreamed what was happening to her now. She was helping him, even though he had openly admitted to being a Dreadlord. The Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills, she thought to herself, glancing at the shadows that the candle she held cast on the walls. Everything made her jump now, though she kept it within herself. Her Aes Sedai mask kept her as concealed as her one at the masquerade would. She doubted that any could guess how she was feeling, though her heart pounded the majority of her waking hours.

She supposed that she would grow used to it eventually, but given the chance, she knew how many of the Red Shen would kill her if they knew her secret… Just that thought made her head hurt even more. Any thoughts of telling anyone anything about that night made her long for some ale to soothe the pain in her head, and Marian rarely drank such substances. Tea had been good enough for her since she had been raised to Aes Sedai.

Finally, she reached the kitchen, even the sound of her slippers gliding aross the floor making her slightly nervous. She had seen the other Asha’man with Edeleas, and towards that man, she could hardly be so kind. At least Edeleas had been forced into his fate. At least he had once been her friend. Marian could not see herself helping any others. The kitchen was quiet at this hour, though a fire glimmered in the pit. She set her candle down and began making herself tea, trying to concentrate on the task at hand and not to think about other things that had been happening. She wondered if the Gray Ajah suspected anything. She was Head Clerk after all, and a change like this could hardly be unnoticed… She hoped it had been. She hoped that she’d learned enough about being Aes Sedai to keep her feelings hidden. None of the women had asked her if she was feeling all right, but Marian didn’t take that as a sign of…

She heard a noise and stopped for a moment, before continuing to make her tea quietly. Nothing is wrong… she tried to reassure herself. Someone just got hungry in the middle of the night. Keeping her face smooth in Aes Sedai serenity, she waited for the person to reveal himself or herself.

It was late, but Avialle's stomach was grumbling. She tried to ignore it and get some sleep, but all she could do was think of food. She was afraid her rumbling tummy was going to wake up her roommates! Finally, she couldn't stand it any more. Crawling quietly out of bed, she slipped one of her novice dresses over her shift and tiptoed out of the room she shared with Farina, Mirazhe, and Morgaine.

She remembered the way to the kitchens as she had just had kitchen duty yesterday so it didn't take her long to arrive. It was so late that there was no one in sight, leaving Avialle free to poke around for something to eat. She was in luck - she found some bread and cheese easily, and even some water to wash it down with. She made herself comfortable on a bench and started eating. She had only managed to get down a few bites before she heard something. Oh no, someone's coming! Panicking, she ducked behind some barrels in the corner, trying her best to be quiet.

The new arrival looked to be an Aes Sedai. Oh that's just wonderful, she thought. I've only been here a few days and I'm already going to get in trouble. Maybe if I just lay low, she'll get something to eat and go away. The Aes Sedai was preparing something - tea, by the smell of it - and Avialle took a deep, calming breath. Another few minutes and the woman would be gone.

That plan might have worked, but at that moment Avialle's leg began to cramp. She tried to ignore it, but the pain began to get to her. She tried to move her leg very quietly ... and failed as she kicked the barrel. Cursing herself anew, she froze, but the Aes Sedai would have to have been deaf not to hear that. Just come clean and take what you get, she told herself. Face flaming, she rose from behind the barrels and cleared her throat, waiting for the Aes Sedai to turn around and acknowledge her.

A novice sneaking around in the dark, just what she needed... Marian sighed and beckoned for the girl to come forward. "Come here, child," she said, more gently than she felt. Truth be told, she didn't feel like giving the girl any punishment for breaking the rules this particular night. She actually wanted to send the girl away from the Tower, away from all these plots and horrid things that she didn't know of yet. When she had been a novice, she had had no idea of all the things that were going on in the White Tower, or the Black Tower for that matter. She still didn't know everything, even though her status as Head Clerk kept her far more informed than some of the others. She knew that the Gray Ajah didn't like her in that position now, merely because Marian withheld information, so she could use it to her advantage.

She stirred her tea a little bit more and gestured to the novice to take a seat. She could remember being a novice and get hungry during the middle of the night. Marian was not nearly as adventurous as some of her companions who would sneak out to get food, like this girl had probably done, but she understood. The Tower was a lonely place sometimes, and Marian doubted that the girl had meant any harm by doing it. But neither did Edeleas... She tried not to think about the Master of Soldiers anymore, but that almost made her worse.

She pushed the novice a mug of tea and found some cookies hidden away in a cabinet for her too. Marian remembered some of the Aes Sedai passing her sweets as a novice. It had always been a nice gesture, and she didn't see why, even as late as it was, with her splitting headache, that she could not be just as nice as those Aes Sedai. She knew very well that someday, she would be just another one of those frumpy Gray sisters. That was... If the Red Shen didn't catch her. She took a sip of her tea. I'm going to help him, she thought to herself.

She looked back at the novice in front of her, figuring that it would be best to talk to her instead of dwelling on her own thoughts. "You know that it is quite late to be out, child," she said, warning in her voice. She nodded at the tea and cookie. "Drink and eat. I figure you must be hungry."

When the Aes Sedai turned to face her, Avialle remembered to curtsy. The Sister looked more annoyed than angry, which gave Avialle hope of not being sent to the Mistress of Novices for punishment. She'd only been here a few days, she didn't need more trouble. The fact that her troubles were of her own making was only a slight deterrent, however.

Pulling up a seat on the Aes Sedai's instructions, Avialle watched as the woman made the tea and found something else in a cabinet. She wondered if she should say something, but what? She was finding out quickly that the Aes Sedai were all different: some were prickly, some were sweet, some were fierce, some were absentminded ... you never knew what you might expect from them. It was difficult for her at times; she'd always known what to expect from Maric, he was unchanging. Still, the changing Aes Sedai were better than a whole Tower full of bitter sorceresses, as Maric had once intimated that they were. For once, Avialle was glad to find he was wrong.

The Aes Sedai presented her with a mug of steaming tea and some cookies - much better than the stale bread and cheese she'd been having before.

"You know that it is quite late to be out, child." The Aes Sedai said, making sure that Avialle could hear the warning in the tone of her voice. Avialle tensed, waiting for the punishment. "Drink and eat. I figure you must be hungry." The Aes Sedai said instead. Avialle was surprised, but she wasn't going to question her luck.

"Thank you, Aes Sedai, I am." She ate a cookie without further ado, then washed it down with some tea. Now that she had some food in her belly, her courage increased. "I hope I'm not being presumptuous, but are the Aes Sedai usually up and around this late?" She figured she had better find out now than later.

((OOC: I'm so sorry I haven't gotten to this, Avialle. I'll try to soon.))