When she realised she actually had a free hour in between chores and classes, Rahien took the chance to finally explore the Tower’s gardens that she had thus far only been able to catch a glimpse of. She was really supposed to assemble for lunch, but she very much doubted anyone would miss her. She had done her best to keep everyone at a distance with her frosty demeanour and ruthless sarcasm and it worked a treat. Somehow their resentment stung less than their compassion. She had flung their pity back at them till none of her fellow novices dared feel sorry for her anymore and most just made a wide birth around her when they saw her now.

She realised not many believed her story about not being able to Heal, as only an experienced Channeler might be able to pick up on the subtle web that had been put on her, or so the Wise Ones had said. Rahien had not actually begun her channelling classes yet, but she was determined to learn quickly, so she might have the tools available to one day unravel the web and be restored to what she once was. It was the one hope she clung to when things got really tough. Few realised just how much it cost her just to keep up with the daily chores, since her body was still very weak. The natural healing process just took so very long and there was seldom a time that she was without pain. It mattered not, she would rather have them think she was just plain lazy when she snuck in a moment’s rest than admit to her weakness. She knew full well that some of the Accepted would give her the dirty and heavy jobs, like scrubbing the pots or cleaning the ovens, just because they thought she felt too good for things like that.

Even without saying so, it had been painfully obvious from the start that Rahien was clueless when it came to chores. The hardest thing she ever had to do when she grew up was pick out an outfit for the day and maybe carry a few books for her mother. Sometimes her arms and legs would betray her and suddenly loose strength, making her drop things or trip. Already she had a reputation for being hopelessly clumsy, up to the point that certain novices flat-out refused to be grouped with her for chores, since it took them twice as long. So usually she did her chores alone, something she considered a blessing. Keeping her head low and the headscarf pulled down as low as she possible could without blocking her vision, Rahien walked out to the very end of the garden, until she was sure there was no one about. Only then did she visibly relax and her step became lighter. Rahien rolled her shoulders, feeling like she had been walking hunched over for weeks. Inhaling deeply, she took notice of her surroundings for the first time.

The garden was truly beautiful, even in winter. She sat down by a flowerbed of roses that had obviously been grown with the Power, as it was not the season for roses. They smelled no less sweet for it and Rahien deeply inhaled their scent. Smiling to herself, Rahien realised that the person she had been before the accident would never have bothered to stop for a something as simple as a flower. It was funny how you learned to appreciate these things if you lost something you thought was the most important thing in the world. If someone had asked her a year ago what she would do if she lost her beauty, she would promptly have answered that she would want to die, but now she began to see things in a different light. There wasn’t a day when she didn’t wish she didn’t have to wake up to the mangled and grotesque face that stared back at her in the mirror, but to say she wanted to die was no longer true. Her finger traced one of the rose petals, marvelling at how velvety soft it felt. She looked up as a breeze stirred the trees and made the leaves rustle like a whisper.

Strolling slowly through the gardens on a calm, somewhat warm winter day it was nice with a little break from everything. Her training was going as well as it could be, she was no longer banned to see Resolute after the test a few days ago, though she had avoided seeing him thus far. The testing had involved getting several very visible injuries, among other things a big black eye on the left side of her face, a bruised jaw and a swollen lip. Other areas of her body had cuts and bruises as well but with fully covering clothes from the neck down they weren't visible. Knowing Resolutes reaction after a certain incident with a few recruits a few years ago Nevira didn't really feel like going to him looking like this just yet, even if it did mean she was a youngling now. They had met so long ago in this very garden, only a short time after she had arrived here. Now, many years after, they were as close as they could be. He had become Neviras reason and motivation to stay on with the training. The reason she hadn't left long ago. She wondered if she had ever set a goal of becoming as fully trained as a Gaidin unless she had met Res. Nevira thought not.

Walking past the pond, where Nevira had snook out to meet Resolute several times when he was just a dedicated, she just continued walking on without much more then a glance. This garden was a beautiful place, though obviously touched by the One Power. Nevira slightly wondered wether it was the Aes Sedai or others who actually tended to stuff like these. After all, she had rarely ever seen Aes Sedai so much as stop to smell the roses. With the thought of an Aes Sedai stopping to smell the roses in her head she saw someone up ahead who seemed to be doing that very thing. She was dressed in white, which was natural for a novice, but her head was wrapped in a shawl. Curious, but careful, Nevira approached the girl on soft feet. "You shouldn't let an Aes Sedai see you like this. They might send you off for chores no matter how little free time you have." Neviras voice might have been very matter-of-factly, but it held a joking tone. She was in a cheery mood today.

Stopping a few steps behind the girl Nevira corrected the short sword at her hip, the only visible weapon on her, and watched the girl. She was short, slender, but other then that her appearance told nothing. The scarf hid her hair and face making Nevira wonder where she was from and why the Aes Sedai allowed her to wear it. As the girl turned around fixing her barely visible green eyes on Nevira, Nevira looked straight back with almost as intense green eyes as the other girl. Green eyes were as common around the world as blond hair. Nevira might not know the girls hair color but as usual her mind fixed down all the locations she knew where green eyes were common. They weren't many. If the girl spoke that might help better since knowing dialects was one of Neviras major strengths. Then again she still didn't know all dialects. A memory suddenly appeared in her head, her first conversation with Resolute. He had asked her if she had aiel blood in her as she had green eyes. There are so many things I know so little about. She thought to herself as she watched the girl she thought was a novice. Giving the girl a small smile she added. "Are you new around here?"

Rahien lifted her face to the breeze that gently made its way through the garden. It felt so peaceful that she could almost forget where she was. She was abruptly brought back to reality when a soft voice spoke up behind her and Rahien jumped back from the rose as if being caught out at doing something wrong. She nearly sighed in relief when she realised the woman behind her was most likely not an Aes Sedai, although from the way she held herself, Rahien got the distinct impression that she was someone who was used to giving orders and being obeyed. Rahien blinked as she took in the woman’s bruised face that was marked by an unsightly black eye as well. The woman casually adjusted the sword on her hip with ease of one that was used to its presence there, a bit of information Rahien quickly added to her first impression.

Making a quick decision, Rahien decided it was better to err on the side of caution and dropped into a low curtsy. “I apologise M’lady, I thought it would be alright if I stepped outside for some fresh air before classes, I did not mean to give offence.” Rahien kept her voice neutral, she knew better than to try and be flippant with someone like this, but neither was her tone overly submissive. Pride was the only thing she had left these days and she clung to it fiercely. The woman bore no markings that gave any indication as to her role or status in the Tower; in fact, she looked a lot like Rahien herself would have looked under normal circumstances. The woman’s fiery red hair was a slightly lighter shade then her own, but they were of similar build and height and their eyes were alike in colour enough for them to be sisters. Obviously the way she looked now, no one would ever think they were sisters. Rahien broke from her thoughts as she realised the woman was still waiting for an answer to her question.

“Yes, I only arrived a few weeks ago, M’lady.” Rahien could not help but feel curious about the state this woman was in. She looked like she had been in a street fight or common bar brawl. She could not imagine any man hitting a woman like that and the black eye looked too severe to come from a woman’s punch. She realised that such impressions could be deceiving though. She suddenly missed having her fan, as she often found herself at a loss of what to do with her hands, like now. She settled for folding them at her waist, as she wondered if she would be punished for being out here. The Aes Sedai and Accepted certainly seemed to waste little time when it came to handing out penances, but then that could have something to do with the fact that she didn’t know when to leave well enough alone. It seemed her temperament and sharp tongue had only intensified after the accident and now she didn’t have a sweet face to take the sting out of her words. She was quickly learning to bite her tongue when the urge arose to make a flippant remark, but sometimes the words were out before she realised who she was speaking to. It seemed it took a certain kind of humour to appreciate sarcasm. Surprisingly enough it had been one of the few things she seemed to have in common with the Aiel; they seemed to understand and favour the dry and sometimes cutting humour.

((OOC: I hope I don't assume anything here that won't happen, if so please PM me and I'll change it immediately.))

The novice dropped a curtsy and kept her voice neutral as she said. “I apologise M’lady, I thought it would be alright if I stepped outside for some fresh air before classes, I did not mean to give offence.” Nevira realized suddenly she had forgotten to introduce herself and without introduction only experienced people knew who was youngling and not. No one new ever assumed her Gaidin, but she was frankly quite glad for that. Just the curtsy of this novice made her feel guilty to not have introduced herself, without realizing that as a novice this girl was supposed to show the same respect to a youngling as a Gaidin. It's going to take a long time to get used to this. Shaking her head slowly she was about to respond as the novice answered her question. “Yes, I only arrived a few weeks ago, M’lady.”

Stopping to shake her head she nodded and smiled a little. "Please don't call me 'Lady', I'm not of noble birth. My name is Nevira Lomere and I'm a Youngling here in the Towers. Didn't mean to startle you, just thought I'd not let you get into trouble over nothing what so ever. Apparently Aes Sedai find taking a breath between everything is a bad thing. I however do not see their view on that." Motioning for the girl to join her she asked. "Would you like to walk with me for a bit? I'm sure the Aes Sedai won't send you off when you have company and seem to be going somewhere." Smiling again she tried to warm up the girls neutral tone to a friendly one. Nevira couldn't know what the girl was going through or thinking. One thing she was starting to suspect though was that her dialect was boarderlandish, perhaps even Saldaea. Nevira had a friend from Saldaea, and her mother had come from there. Myara was a Gaidin now, bonded to the Master of Soldiers, and she was quite busy. Hopefully they could get together to do something now when they both were raised, now that Neviras time was a little more flexible. She noted in her mind to look Myara up sometime in the very near future. Now though she was speaking to this novice and not an old close friend, that didn't mean she wasn't going to be friendly, being friendly was usually a better approach then any other one.

They started walking together along the none existing path Nevira had chosen to walk today. It kept them from bumping into people in a larger extent, and they weren't so easily spotted. "Pardon me for asking, but do you happen to be from Saldaea? Your dialect seems similar to the dialect of a friend of mine." Still making sure to show the girl proper respect and friendliness Nevira made sure not to mention the word novice. When addressed with recruit before the test it was usually a 'get in your place' kind of thing or a mark that the person stood above you. Nevira knew the reason for rank, but it sometimes just got in the way. Like now, during a friendly conversation. At least on her part it was friendly.

Rahien made a point out of being suspicious about people’s intentions, they had no reason to be nice to her, as far as she was concerned, she certainly didn’t give them a reason to be. She was surprised therefore, when the woman introduced herself and indicated that she had not wanted Rahien to get in trouble. Despite herself, she could not help but laugh at the dry comment that Aes Sedai seemed to make an issue out of people breathing in between doing things, it was so near the truth that it was just comical. Rahien was a long way from mastering the Aes Sedai’s unreadable expression; she had always been someone who showed her emotions on her face to be read like a book and when Nevira said she was a Youngling at the Tower, there was no doubt that her astonishment must have been clear.

She suddenly recalled the lecture she had been given after she entered her name in the novice book; something about mingling with the other factions being strictly forbidden. Rahien had paid little attention; at the time she had been too overwhelmed to absorb much of anything. It had never once occurred to her that members of the other factions might be female though. She could not help but be curious, despite her resolve to stay away from everybody. During her time with the Aiel, she had learned to respect female warriors, as strange as the idea seemed to her at first. Even though she was skilled at the art of fan fighting, it was more of sport that was meant to entertain. She had seen the Maidens of the Spear hunt and fight though and they were as skilled, if not more so, than the male warriors. She looked at Nevira with different eyes now, although she was still very aware of the rank difference. She had only seen a Warder once, when he stalked behind his Aes Sedai on their way through the Hallways and it had been an impressive sight indeed. It was easy to see how Aes Sedai could make kings and queens yield with a single look and any man would think twice about attacking a Warder that moved with such deadly grace. Rahien was quickly picking up on things and she knew enough to know that a Youngling was a Warder that had not been bonded yet.

She had been surprised that some never did and chose to stay to guard the Tower in general instead of one Aes Sedai in particular. Nodding her head in response to Nevira’s question she said: “Yes, my name is Rahien Ayendes, formerly of Saldea.” Unable to help her curiosity, she gestured at Nevira’s black eye. “I always thought there was nothing that could beat a trained Tower guard, but you look like you’ve gone to battle with a horde of Trollocs.” As soon as the words were out, Rahien realised that they were not the kind of words a novice could get away with saying to a Youngling, but it was too late to take them back. She felt the heat rise in her cheeks and subconsciously pulled at her scarf. What was she thinking? Sometimes it was too easy to forget she was only a novice now, speaking to everyone like they were equals was a habit that had been ingrained over many years.

Nevira was a little surprised when she saw the girls reaction to her introduction of herself. The girl seemed rather astonished, then again it could have been something completely different as the girl was still veiled. The girl really was from Saldaea, just as she had guessed. Also she spoke her name, Rahien Ayendes, something Nevira was glad to hear. Knowing a persons name made them easier to remember.

As they walked along the path Rahien gestured to Neviras face. It took a moment before Nevira realized what the girl was talking about. Her face had gone numb along time ago and only hurt if she touched it now. “I always thought there was nothing that could beat a trained Tower guard, but you look like you’ve gone to battle with a horde of Trollocs.” Nevira laughed a soft light laugh. "How ever much damage a horde of trollocs can do I can honestly say no trolloc gave me a black eye." They had given her plenty of other cuts and bruises, which had ruined the ball dress she had been wearing at the time, but no black eye. "How ever, everyone can be beaten by someone somehow. Tower guards, Gaidin, even Aes Sedai and Asha'man." She looked at the novice. "I just passed my youngling test a few days ago, the black eye comes from the hilt and fist of one of the Gaidin." She didn't elaborate. The testings may be easy to partly guess, but they were private, not only so for Novices, Accepted, Aes Sedai or their male counter parts, but also for every Recruit, Youngling and Gaidin. Nevira would never speak of exactly what she had been put through, not with anyone who wasn't a Gaidin and a very close friend.

Rahiens blushing had missed Neviras normally keen eye. She might usually be good at spotting things, but she were no aiel and Rahien was veiled after all. "So aside from the 'merciless' Aes Sedai, how are you enjoying the Towers so far?" Nevira asked her, still acting no different then she had when the conversation had started. Rahien had not pushed a nerve with Nevira for asking about the black eye, rather she had been rather flattered to hear that there was actually a rumor that Tower Guards could not be beaten. Sometimes the best defense was exaggerated reputations. Sometimes living up to them made them even stronger. Nevira hoped that she wouldn't ever be one to ruin the reputation of the Tower Guard, nor the Gaidin for that matter. A moment later she found herself thinking. The day I do is the day I die. And she certainly knew where she would die if she had something to say about it.

Walking past one of the bridges Nevira stopped by the stream and looked down into the water. It wasn't frozen today, but murmured softly under the bridge. Nevira guessed it was as cold as snow, but the sound was still as relaxing as during a hot summer day. "Winters are cold where ever you go, but some how Tar Valon makes winter soft even when it's cold. I hear it's quite the contrary in Saldaea. Was warned by a friend one time not to go there in the midst of winter as it sometimes gets so cold that trees explode?" She looked at the novice with a slightly doubtful expression. "Still I have always wondered what it was like back in my mothers homeland." She smiled as if the memory of her mother was a sweet one.

Rahien blinked as Nevira said that the black eye was caused by one of her fellow Gaidin. She could only wonder what the test to become a Youngling involved, but if Nevira fought off a fellow Gaidin to pass her test, the rank she obtained had to be well deserved. Her respect for the woman rose with a couple of notches and she made a mental note not to ever get in trouble with her. Even though they were of similar build, it was obvious that Nevira could wipe the floor with her with one hand tied to her back. Rahien suddenly realised that she had asked Nevira about her face out of sheer curiosity, where she had been avoiding and even resenting people for asking about her own.

She thought back on the many occasions she had snapped at some poor unsuspecting fellow novice, telling her it was none of her business and felt a pang of guilt. It was human nature to be curious about anything out of the ordinary, but her shame was too great to be gracious about it. Nevira did not seem bothered by her marred appearance though, if anything she wore her bruises with pride. Of course she had gotten her bruises in an honourable fight and she did not have to wear them like a visible sign of her disgrace, like Rahien. She didn’t think she would ever be able to look at herself without flinching. Every morning, when she was sure she was alone, she carefully wrapped a clean scarf around her head, checking the mirror against knowing better for any improvements. Even though her cuts and bruises had long since healed. The bones in her face had grown back in permanent disfigurement that nothing except a Healing could ever correct.

A score of Aes Sedai had already poked and prodded at the Weave that had been placed on her, but even without it, she would not be able to accept any Healing. She had made a vow to restore her family’s honour and she could only do that by abiding to the Wise One’s conditions. More than she needed to show them, she needed to prove to herself that there was more to her than what they seemed to think. The Wise Ones had made it painfully clear that they did not think she was strong enough to amount to anything without being able to manipulate some poor unsuspecting man into marrying her because of her looks. Yet they must have known she had the ability to Channel when they send her to the Tower. Rahien shook the thoughts from her head; she had thought about it almost constantly and she had made her decision when she accepted the Wise One’s terms, she would just have to learn to live with that choice, one way or another.

The hardest thing to do was to reshape her expectations of the future. For the longest time she had thought her life would consist of travelling the world with her mother and doing her best to make a favourable impression on any potential suitors that had the money to keep her in the life she had grown accustomed to and provide for her after her mother had gone. She had a keen mind, but she had never really seen the point in burying her nose in a dusty book, when the only skills she would need was to manage her husband’s household and organise the social events that made up a large portion of the politics. Rahien realised that she had gone quiet after Nevira mentioned that her mother was from Saldea and had to think back to recall the question that she had been asked. “Its true, winters in Saldea are as hard as the country itself, though softer than the scorn of a Saldean woman.” Rahien smiled at the old saying that was popular in her country. Looking up from the stream that ran along happily beneath them, Rahien asked: “So how come you have never experienced a Saldean winter if your mother is from my country?” Rahien could not help but wonder if Nevira had not known her father either, as they both shared the fact that they did not have the typical Saldean look.

Rahien grew quiet for a moment and as she did Nevira leaned against the railing of the bridge, looking down into the water. She was sue that Rahien didn't appreciate anything that could seem like staring, Nevira had a tendency to look into peoples eyes rather then at their full faces though. There were faces that made her way more uncomfortable then Rahiens. The girls face looked mangled and Nevira suspected she had been in a bad accident. But remembering her own feelings after any of the times she had had losses in her life, pity was something that healed no wounds, life did, life as just an other person among many. Resolute had given Nevira that here, as well as Myara. She had found her home here. She might not know Rahien but she was sure the girl deserved a shot at life.

“Its true, winters in Saldea are as hard as the country itself, though softer than the scorn of a Saldean woman.” Rahiens voice made Nevira look up. The girl was smiling and so Nevira smiled back, though she didn't understand the saying Rahien had just said. The girl then continued to ask a question that was very personal to say the least. “So how come you have never experienced a Saldean winter if your mother is from my country?” Her smiled became smaller, but it didn't fade away completely. Turning around she looked at Rahien. Her past was something she had accepted now, it was part of her. It didn't how ever mean that she didn't feel a sence of loss still at certain things. "I have never been in Saldaea. My mother is from there, but my father .. was Domani." Grimacing for a moment she added. "I haven't seen either of them since I was a child." Shaking her head she turned the questioning on Rahien. "Since we are talking about pasts, how come you came to Tar Valon?" Nevira was expecting that that accident had something to do with channeling, but then again she had no way of knowing.

The sound of voices and footsteps made Nevira look up. A couple of novices, whispering together as they walked was coming their way. The two didn't notice Nevira and Rahien before they came up on the bridge and as they did gave them both a look. Neviras look being unusual in its own they practically stared at Rahien for a moment. Nevira cleared her throat at which the novices gave a start and looked at her. A hard look at them both made them hurry past and on their way. Nevira looked after them, shaking her head. "Idiots." She spoke quietly. As they where gone Nevira looked at Rahien again and offered her a smile. "Where were we? Oh right, I asked you about how you came here?" She motioned for Rahien to come with her as she started to walk again.

If it was something Nevira had never liked it was gossip, and childish acting adults or teenagers. Words scared so much worse then a punch and even so any time Nevira came upon any type of bullying what she wanted was to yell at them and hit them. She couldn't though, not as a Youngling and never as a recruit. If she did ever catch anyone now she did have a little more authority then before, but it wasn't her place to raise novices.
She had stumbled on some bullies among the recruits once. Or rather they had stumbled across her and lived to regret it. After having put one of those guys, the apparent leader, in his place he had never tried to go near her and he even soon left the Towers to go back home. Noble boys were rarely Gaidin material, most never really learned as much as proper respect for their fellow recruits. It was however a long time ago, and long since gone now.

Only when she saw Nevira’s smile falter slightly did Rahien realise just how personal her question had been. She mentally kicked herself for being so forward. It surprised her that she felt that bad about it though, because normally she wouldn’t, but she realised that there was something about Nevira that allowed her to let her guard down a little. Perhaps it was because the woman seemed to treat her without judging her or without imposing her rank upon her. Against her own resolve not to get to close to anyone, she found herself warming up to the woman nonetheless. Nevira only briefly touched on the subject of why she had never been to Saldea and Rahien merely nodded. It was obvious even to someone as insensitive to other people’s feelings as she was, that the other woman did not want to talk about it.

To emphasise the fact, Nevira parried the question with one of her own and Rahien nodded slowly. Rahien normally did not talk about her life before the Tower, but it was only fair that she answer Nevira’s question in return. She wasn’t sure how to explain though, without going into the whole tale of what had happened. She leaned back against the railing of the bridge, lifting her face up to the sun. It was nice to feel a little warmth on the parts of her skin that were left exposed. “My mother made a life’s work out of studying ancient artefacts and at some point she caught wind of the fact that there was one rumoured to be buried inside the ruins of Rhuidean.” Rahien’s green eyes grew distant as she thought back to the days before they had travelled to the Waste. Shaking herself visibly, she forced a smile as she continued:

“To cut a long story short, my mother violated some sacred Aiel laws in her determination to find this artefact and she paid for it with her life.” Rahien looked down on her hands, some memories were too painful to tell while looking in someone’s eyes. “I tried to save her and that’s when the rocks crushed me. The Aiel Wise Ones saved my life, but there was a price.” She pointed at her face. “They Healed me as much as was necessary to keep me alive and offered me a choice: I would either serve in the White Tower looking like this, or be chased from Aiel land in disgrace with no hope of ever being restored.” Rahien shrugged, the way her choice fell out was obvious by the fact that she was standing there. She wanted to say more but just then a couple of novices passed their way and Rahien could not suppress an amused smile when she saw Nevira’s reaction. One of the novices gave her a look of triumph as they quickly walked on, probably thinking that Nevira was punishing Rahien. Rahien made an effort to keep a straight face as Nevira called them idiots under her breath.

“It’s ok, I’ve not given them much of reason to like me. I tend to prefer my privacy and most of them are too young for me to have anything in common with anyway.” Rahien shrugged to indicate that she preferred things that way really. The novices had reminded her that she was due for class though and so she dropped a smiling curtsy to Nevira. “I’m afraid I’m going to have to excuse myself from your pleasant company Youngling Nevira, because I am expected for class soon.” She wanted to add that she had really enjoyed their talk, but she didn’t want to seem too amicable with Nevira, there was after all, their rank difference to consider. “And thank you for not reporting me.” She remembered at the last moment that Nevira could easily have gotten her in trouble for being out there on her own. She smiled again as she waited for Nevira to give her permission to leave.

Answering her question about Rahiens past the girl offered up like Nevira had done. “My mother made a life’s work out of studying ancient artefacts and at some point she caught wind of the fact that there was one rumoured to be buried inside the ruins of Rhuidean.” Nevira kept herself from grimacing at that point. During her education here somethings one taught outside of all the training. Where stashes of one power objects were, some old tongue, the history of the Towers, anything that could help when being a Gaidin or in this girls case an Aes Sedai. Rahien would come to know that Rhuidean had been emptied by the Dragon. “To cut a long story short, my mother violated some sacred Aiel laws in her determination to find this artefact and she paid for it with her life. I tried to save her and that’s when the rocks crushed me. The Aiel Wise Ones saved my life, but there was a price.” There always seems to be a prize when getting involved with channelers. Pointing at her face shortly Rahien went on. “They Healed me as much as was necessary to keep me alive and offered me a choice: I would either serve in the White Tower looking like this, or be chased from Aiel land in disgrace with no hope of ever being restored.” Nevira nodded.

Rahien was naturally affected by the insolent novices who clearly had to little in their minds to bother with even thinking about what effect their doings had upon others. Nevira did feel sorry at that point, sorry that Rahien hadn't realized that Nevira hadn't during any time of this conversation seen Rahien as less then she was herself. It was clear with what she said after she had said that she preferred that the novices didn't take any consideration of her own feelings as they were to young anyway to make friends with. But what the way Rahien spoke after that was what had caught Neviras ears. “I’m afraid I’m going to have to excuse myself from your pleasant company Youngling Nevira, because I am expected for class soon.” The girl curtsied, with a smile. “And thank you for not reporting me.” Nevira shook her head and formed the words in her mind before letting Rahien decide that that meant she could go or some such as if Nevira had to give her permission. "Rahien, I know that some people feel like the younglings stand far above novices, but I really can't say that I do. We know different worlds and my world, my life is a life to be a Youngling at this point, to stand ready to protect the Tower and its inhabitants. That means you as well. Unless there is danger, would you please not see me as anything but an equal?" The small grimace on her face said clearly that she didn't like all the curtsying and titles. "I hope you have fun in class, and if you need to talk or anything like that, you are welcome to look me up." At this point Nevira smiled again, a small smile, but it was meant to line under that she meant what she said. Rahien seemed like a nice girl and she deserved to have a friend.

Rahien was touched by Nevira’s words. The woman would probably never know how much it meant to her to be treated like a person rather then a nameless novice or bizarre attraction from a travelling show, but Rahien would be forever grateful to her. She nodded and smiled and waited until she trusted her voice to say: “Thank you Nevira, I would very much like to talk again sometimes.” Rahien realised she genuinely meant the words and waved her goodbye.

She walked back towards the Tower, her step a little lighter and her head held a little higher than she had before. Perhaps her time ahead at the Tower was not as bad as she had envisioned after all. Perhaps in time she would even learn to be gracious about her appearance and accept the fact that people would be curious about it, or repulsed by the way it looked. The Light only knew she was repulsed by it enough herself.
She got a few strange looks that day, as she seemed to be smiling for no apparent reason, but she was used to the looks and paid them no attention. It was strange how one brief conversation could have such an impact she mused later when she was about to go to bed.