((OOC- ATTN: Lalaine and Sloane. Sorry forgot to put it in the topic description))
Edited in for you - Marian

Finally some free time. She had spent a few weeks in the White Tower
now and her time had been packed full with lessons and chores; everything from washing dishes to doing laundary. She was tired of wearing the plain white dress of a Novice. Today she had some free time, no lessons, no chores and it was a beautiful day. So she had decided to take a stroll around the gardens. To her surprise her roomate, Lalane had decided to take a walk with her.

After their first frosty meeting, their relationship had grown quite a bit more. Nina would not exactly call the other girl a friend, but they got along well enough. The other girl did not have anything to do either and so they had gone to the gardens together. The flowers were in full bloom, she could see a multitude of colors from bright yellows to deep and dark reds. They were beautiful and stretched in many flower beds in all directions. She could see a tree, its branches swaying ever so slightly in the gentle breeze that swept the gardens.

There were only a few other people about. She could see an Accepted studying some plants. Even two other Novices who she did not recognize from this distance. She also saw an Aes Sedai, a White by her icyness,, witb her Warder by the looks of it. Ninas heart jumped when she saw the sister, she aspired to be of the White Ajah some day. Her and Lalaine talked about simple things as the walked, about how they were enjoying their free time. Nina knew that they would not become great friends but at least they were not enemys.

Finally, Lalaine had found some free time for herself, without having to worry about a chore or a class that she was to attend within the next hour. Her afternoon was free, save when the bell tolled for dinner, and later she had a channeling class with the Accepted Mirazhe. Lalaine was thankful that her time was not filled up with meaningless chores assigned as punishments. Secretly, she prided herself in the fact that she had not been sent to the Mistress of Novices yet, at least not for punishment, though she had more than enough chores to keep her busy anyway and it wasn’t as though there weren’t circles under her eyes. The business of her days kept her from thinking too much, and from being far too lonely, but still, Lalaine’s lack of friends was still undeniable, though she had been at the Tower for some time now. A sad sort of envy enveloped her whenever she saw the groups of girls wandering the Tower halls together or giggling as they dusted a tapestry, though at least she had acquired some acquaintances now. Yet, there were still nights when tears leaked from her eyes as she fell asleep, missing home, Sloane, and even sometimes her father, still wondering whether he was all right or not. However much she tried to believe her brother, she could still remember the sickening bruise on her father’s head as Sloane had awakened. At least now, she could keep herself from shuddering at the thought. What’s done is done, she would try to tell herself, but sometimes the nightmares were too much.

That’s why she had decided to accompany her room mate, Nina, on her stroll in the gardens. The other girl had acquired some free time as well, and Lalaine didn’t feel like being alone that afternoon. Looking up at Nina, who was about three inches taller, she supposed that she was more of a woman than a girl. Nina had at least four years on Lalaine, she would suspect. Nevertheless, Lalaine did not look up to her, or even regard her as a friend. Her first impression of Nina had not been all too pleasant, and Lalaine did not easily forget things. Company, however, was company, and Lalaine did not doubt that she needed some fresh air. However busy the Tower kept her, it didn’t make the kitchen any less stuffy or hot.

The gardens were as beautiful as ever, and the weather of the day allowed many a sort of people outside. Lalaine had found a liking for the gardens, especially their peace and quiet, but today she saw several wandering its paths. She didn’t recognize many, though there was a novice who had been in one of her initial channeling classes, before they had realized that she had a block. Lalaine couldn’t help but sigh at the thought of that. Nothing seemed to work concerning that matter. She still had not so much as touched saidar since arriving in Tar Valon, despite the hundreds of dishes she had washed. Lalaine often wondered whether they only told her she could channel to keep her from being paid for the work she was doing. Seeing how the servants lived, versus the novices, Lalaine wondered if perhaps that wouldn’t be a better life.

Wandering along the pathways themselves, they chattered meaninglessly about odds and ends, though Lalaine looked around the gardens more intently that she talked. She wished that she could see her brother. There really was no way to know how he was, aside from visiting the Black Tower herself, which was most definitely not allowed. Though she did catch sight of a man in a black uniform… He turned slightly, and Lalaine’s face lit up. “SLOANE!” she shouted, interrupting Nina, catching her brother’s attention.

Nina jumped slightly when Lalaine shouted. "SLOANE". It had given Nina a fright, as well it should. She turned to see what Lalaine had shouted at, and saw a man in a black coat. The black coat of a Soldier, one who was training to be an Asha'man. Memories flooded back at the site of the man. Painful memories. She had had them surpressed before now. She had not seen anyone from the Black Tower while she had been here, but now, now she saw one, and the pain returned.

She knew that tears were begining to well up in her eyes. She wanted to cry but stopped herself from doing so. She was going to be Aes Sedai one day, she could not go around crying whenever she wanted. But it hurt so bad! Emotional pain is worse than physical pain, in Ninas opinion, she had experienced both and knew that emotional traumer was much much worse. She remembered her beloved then. Who had left her to pursue the dream of becoming an Asha'man, just like this man before her. Since then she had had a problem with Asha'man and any man who could channel the One Power. Partly because it reminded her of her beloved, and partly because the Black Tower had drove him to his death, in her opinion. She couldnt even bring herself to look at the Black Tower at times, which was not that far from the White Tower itself. Then there was the matter of her unborn baby which had died, most likely from the greif she had felt at losing Teela, she layed that at the feet of the Black Tower too. Why had Teela taken part in that experiment? What was the experiment? she had never been told.She would never forgive the Black Tower for what it had done. Never. And she would find it hard to trust, let alone like any initiate of the Black Tower.

This Sloane was obviously somebody that Lalaine knew. Nina could not ever remember Lalaine mentioing a Sloane, or mentioning that she knew someone training at the Black Tower. The man had come over to them, smiling. Nina found it even harder not to cry. What should she do? She could not leave, that would be rude. She did not exactly like Lalaine but she did not want to offend her by leaving. She did not care about the Soldier. He scared her slightly. She had expected to ate anyone from the Black Tower, but not fear them. Her heart ached, and shestood there and waited for Lalaine to finish so they could leave. Yet she doubted this meeting would be concluded quickly.

It was moments like these that made living in the Black Tower worth it. He had gotten used to the busy schedule of training, classes and chores, and learned to value any free moment given to him. He had such free moment now, although only for an hour before he had another class. It was still more than he had had in a while, due to a certain number of extra chores he had managed to earn during the week. And he was going to enjoy the moment, no matter what.

One of the good places to spend a quiet hour was the gardens. Library would have been another, but he wasn't too keen on reading and the Browns breathing over his shoulder were not in his idea of a peaceful study hour. And it was a beautiful day, so gardens it was. He would let nothing break his good mood. It was easier said than done, considering his abrupt temper, but he promised to himself that he would try. The gardens was a peaceful place after all, so what could happen?

Sloane walked around aimlessly, enjoying the warm weather and idly looking at the flowers. It felt like a perfect way to spend a free hour, but after just a few minutes it got really boring. Sloane wasn't too interested in flowers anyway. He looked around, searching for some other source of entertainment, but he couldn't find any. He stood still for a while and sighed, utterly bored. So he nearly jumped with delight when he heard someone call his name and turned around to see his sister. A wide smile spread on his face as he walked to Lalaine. He hadn't seen his sister for a while now, and he had never quite gotten used to seeing her so seldom. He found himself wondering how she was doing far more often than he liked, but he couldn't help it. It was hard to live without her, even when he knew that she was so close.

Another novice stood beside Lalaine, one with long black hair and a harassed look on her face. Sloane dismissed her for a moment after the first glance and grabbed Lalaine with one of his one-armed awkward hugs. "It's so good to see you," he muttered before letting go. "I'm glad to see you're okay," he said when he had retreated and smiled. He glanced at the other novice again. "And who is your friend?"

A broad grin spread across her brother’s face as he came to greet her. It was obvious that the two of them were siblings, or so Lalaine thought, because despite their difference in eye color, the two of them had similarities in their appearances. Their brown hair was the same sort of texture, if slightly different shades, and Lalaine had always seen a resemblance in their face structure, sometimes even their smile. Sloane was a few inches taller than she was, but he was a man, so it was only natural, especially since he was three years older than she. Then again, she doubted that she would grow much more. She was almost a grown woman, after all.

Her heart was skipping with delight to see him again as he gave her one of his hugs, as awkward as they were. She embraced him in return, overcome with love for her brother. Light, how Lalaine had missed him! She wondered about him often, and though he was only a Tower away, it was difficult for her not to be able to talk to him. All of her life, her brother had been there for her, and now things were different. Away from their home, however much safer it was, they were not able to be as close as they had been, though the bonds of brother and sister retained their relationship well. Lalaine was suddenly very glad that she had decided to follow Nina out to the gardens. Likely she would not have seen her brother for months otherwise!

“It’s so good to see you,” said her brother. “I’m glad to see you’re okay.” She grinned at him, knowing that he worried far too much. That day, it did not bother her. Lalaine was too happy to see him to be annoyed with Sloane, and besides, she rather missed his concern over her. No one else looked out for her in the Tower now – no one but herself. “And who is your friend?” Sloane asked, glancing at Nina. Lalaine felt slightly guilty at forgetting about her room mate, but only a bit. Light, she hadn’t seen her brother in some time, she was bound to forget!

Smiling, she swept a hand to Nina as an introduction. “This is Nina Kian, my room mate,” she offered to Sloane. In return, she said to Nina, “This is my brother, Sloane.” She figured that the woman could see for herself that Sloane was a soldier. It was rather obvious, with his uniform, and Nina had been in the Tower long enough to know what that meant. Lalaine looked at Sloane, noticing that he appeared handsome in black (not that he wasn’t otherwise), and secretly, she was glad that he had not yet acquired the sword pin of Dedicated. Her fears were still that he would leave her behind.

But Lalaine had to place her present happiness aside for a moment, because she could see that Nina was not well. Looking upon her room mate with a frown, she asked, “Are you all right?” She wondered if she had taken sick or something…

So. The Soldier was Lalaines brother. That explained why the other woman was so happy to see the man. Lalaine and Sloane had exchanged words, saying they had missed each other so much etc. Then Lalaine had introduced them. Nina wanted to lash out with the Power, she was so angry, in so much pain. It felt like her heart was being torn up once more, the pain of it would never end. Her baby. A tear trickled down her cheek as Lalaine asked her whether she was alright. Lalaine looked worried. For a moment Nina did not answer, she was not alright, but she did not want to hurt Lalaine. True they were not the best of friend but still, she did not want to give the other woman pain,. But Ninas pain was far too great. The Black Tower would pay for ruining her life, for killing her unborn child.

"No i do not be alright" she said the Illian accent strong on her tongue. A look of confusion crossed Lalaines face, or so it seemed to Nina. She would have to get this over with one day, telling Lalaine, they were roomates after all. What else could she do? She had to tell her that she hated the Black Tower. Oh Light but why did this have to happen? Why did it have to be Lalaines brother? Why not some other random Soldier? "I cannot be around the likes of him" she almost spat the last word out. Heat was rising in her cheeks, she knew she would be bright red. This always happened when she got angry. She tried to keep her anger under control, but when she started it was hard for her to stop, and she was often very rash when she was angry. Light let her control herself "I do not be able to stand them" she gestured vaguely in the direction of the Black Tower. And then at Slaone. "Male channelers, creatures of the Black, who did ruin everything" the last word came out strained, she was holding back a flood of tears by this point. A few trickled down her face. She would not cry, she had already shed too many tears in her life, she would not give any minion of the Black Tower the satisfaction of seeing her cry!

"No, I do not be alright," said her room mate, in response to her question. When she spoke, Lalaine was highly aware of the Illianer accent in her voice, though she hadn't really been before that moment. She frowned, wondering what was going on, but Nina went on to enlighten her. "I cannot be around the likes of him," said the other novice, obviously quite distastefully referring to her brother. Lalaine glanced at Sloane, as though it was a personal remark. Had the two of them met before? By the expression on Sloane's face, she figured that they had not. "I do not be able to stand them," she continued, gesturing towards the Black Tower, looming in the distance. "Male channelers, creatures of the Black, who did ruin everything!" Nina was obviously quite upset.

And for some reason so was Lalaine.

The rational part of Lalaine's mind was screaming at her that Nina was upset, some event in her past or something wrong... But for some reason at that moment, Lalaine could not let the rational part of her mind take over. Perhaps it was because of the stress of the life at the White Tower. Maybe it was because she felt guilty about events in her own past. But most likely, it was probably because of her love for her brother.

"You don't even know him!" she couldn't help but exclaim in exasperation. Her cheeks colored in... frustration or anger... Lalaine didn't know which one. Light, I'm acting like Sloane... "He's my brother!" Adrenaline rushed through her, and suddenly, she was clenching a fist by her side. That at least, she made herself stop. Instead, she stared in disbelief at Nina. How could she be so... assuming?? Sloane hadn't done anything wrong!

((OOC: Cool new avy, Nina. :) Sorry that was incredibly crappy and short... I've got about a bazillion RPs to reply to...))

“This is Nina Kian, my room mate,” Lalaine said and Sloane nodded at the girl. She still looked awkward and angry for no apparent reason. Sloane wondered if he had interrupted something. Lalaine introduced him to Nina, but she didn't say anything. What is wrong with her? Lalaine too had noticed that something wasn't quite right, and asked the girl if she was alright. Sloane looked at his sister's roommate, trying to look concerned. He wasn't sure if he managed it that well, he didn't really care what was wrong. He didn't even now the novice. He was curious, though.

"No i do not be alright" the girl answered in an accent that Sloane couldn't locate. "I cannot be around the likes of him" Excuse me? Sloane's hands slowly curled to fists, but he was unaware of it. "I do not be able to stand them" Sloane didn't know why the girl was so upset, but he did not deserve to be talked about like he wasn't even human! "Male channelers, creatures of the Black, who did ruin everything" He had no idea what the girl had against the Black Tower or male channelers, but he didn't have anything to do with it! He was just a Soldier. It wasn't like he had done anything very meaningful in the Black Tower.

Sloane opened his mouth to give the girl a lecture, or at least a proper shouting, but Lalaine was faster. "You don't even know him!" she exclaimed. Sloane's surprise was enough to make most of the anger go away. "He's my brother!" Light, she's supposed to be the calm one! It was probably for the best, since Sloane's anger had subsided by now. It was still there, though.

"Look, Nina, I don't know why you're so upset, but I can tell you that whatever it is that the Black Tower ruined, I had no part of it," Sloane said in a firm voice. "Understood?" he demanded.

Understand. The word echod in Ninas head. She understood very well. This man might not have been responsable for all the hurt in her life, but everything he stood for, everything he would do in service of the Black Tower, everything he beleived, that the Black Tower was a good thing, went against everything Nina beleived in. And she could not stand by and watch them get on with it. She understood. But blinded by her hatred and anger she would not let this matter go, and she would not let a Soldier speak to her like she was no more than a baby, she would not be smoothed talked!

"I do be understanding" she said harshly. "But i do not be caring!!" She was so angry, she was shaking and tears were flooding down her face. She gripped her hands in the white skirts of her dress and tried to calm down. But her heart was on fire once more, and the passion that was within her now would not be easily put out. The hatred within her for the Black Tower was burning like a torch. If only they could see, Lalaine and Sloane, if only they knew her pain. But they would never truely understand. Never. They could not understand losing the love of your life and his child. Never. And then she did something which she knew she would regret, which she knew that she wanted to do, that she would get in to trouble for most likely. She embraced the Source. For a moment she stood there, not knowing what to do. Should she use Fire? Air? Both? another element. She was not that far on in her lessons but she would be able to hurt Sloane. She waited. Lalaine had a block and would not be able to tell she was holding the Power, and those men could not tell when a woman held it. "You" she said pointing at Sloane. "Is the one that to not be understanding. You do not be having any idea about me. Not a single one" She talked while she thought, what should she do? Which weave? The fire of her passion and anger was strong, she needed to loose it somehow. And that was by using the Power.