With nimble fingers, the young man plucked up several apples, making all but one disappear into his clothing. The one left was his favorite- a red one with just the right firmness. Biting into it, he began to trot towards the doors to the grounds. He had always disliked being cooped up in stuffy places like the tower, not to mention the bloody library. Pushing his way out into the sunshine, he felt almost immediately the freedom in this place. Oh sure- they weren’t allowed out, but it was so beautiful here. You could do as you liked. There was little, if any, tension in the air. The sky was bright blue and the grass sprung up underneath his step, implying that it was healthy and recently watered.

While the black and silver of his uniform made him blend in, the mischievous grin on his face made him stand out. So many people here were in need of amusement that it almost hurt him not to perform. The people here were so… sad. Many of them wouldn’t stop frowning, and the Aes Sedai and Asha’man did little to help. They just heaped more work on and kept looking down their noses at them. These people had left their lives behind for this. Honestly, Ren wasn’t sure it was entirely worth it, even if you did come out fully raised. You could live a happy life without the One Power, and these people all seemed to be miserable. Ignoring the unhappy faces of the few novices and fellow soldiers he passed, he munched on his apple until he found the tree he was looking for.

Tossing the center of the apple beside the trunk, he held his arms up and jumped so that his hands found a purchase and he was able to swing himself up. Settling back against the crook of the branch, he brought out all six of the apples he had grabbed and began to throw them up in the air. For him, they seemed to dance, turning into three interlinking rings, and then two parallel circles. It seemed as if his hands were no more than blurs, but he was grinning as if this was little effort for him. Juggling was how he had lived for so many years that it came effortlessly to him.

Stretching out, he put his legs along the branch, his knee-high boots blending into the bark. He kept his balance with little thought, having been taught how to stand on one hand. This was a usual activity for him, although usually he had more… professional balls. Smiling, one of the balls seemed to pause for long enough for him to take a bite out of it before it went back into the patterns that the young man’s hands made.

Evei stared pensively down at her breakfast, unsure. There was some sort of goopy, white substance that she had never seen before in her life. She was used to a Tuatha’an breakfast of any fruits the children had been able to find, not the bowl of soggy grain that lay before her on the table. Evei bit her lip, and twirled the spoon in her fingers as she looked down at her bowl. It’s better to just try it and get it over with. I’m not a child anymore. I can deal with odd foods. She decided, yet her spoon still hovered for a moment before she plunged it into the bowl of slop. It took almost a full minute for Evei to pick up the spoon again and take a tentative bite. She wrinkled her nose, and stared down at the gooey white mass in disbelief. How can something possibly taste this bland? She wrinkled her nose, but forced herself to eat. After all, she would be no good as a student with an empty stomach.

Evei sighed, and pushed away her bowl after a few minutes. It was helpless, and she knew it. I admit defeat, then. Breakfast won. The thought was a humorless one, and Evei refused to let herself crack a smile over her own mental joke. The Evei that had laughed had died with Diju, and she refused to let that girl take over again. I will become Aes Sedai, and I will make sure the experience that I went through will never happen to anyone else. Evei thought, even as she bowed her head in silent contemplation. Never. She shook her head for a moment, then rested her forehead against the solid wood of the table. It had been days since Evei had rested properly, for getting up early had never been part of her Tuatha’an lifestyle. I almost fell asleep this morning while reading that history book at the grounds. She thought wryly. The library book! Evei sat up quickly, her brows knit. I couldn’t have left it there!

Still, it was easy enough for her to once again admit defeat. She had left it there, and the Brown sisters would murder her if they’re precious book was covered in a bit of dew. Evei bit her lip for a moment, then stood up quickly and gathered her bowl and spoon. If she was lucky, the book would still be there. If she wasn’t, another novice or even an Aes Sedai would have found the book. I hope to fate, then. Evei thought, sardonically, as she deposited her bowl and utensils in the kitchen and made her way toward the exit to the grounds. The gardens were pretty, and almost reminded her of the caravan and the lands she had traveled through. Still, the place wasn’t wild enough to be compared to the landscapes Evei was used to. However, it was a welcome change from the indoors. When she was inside the tower, she felt as if she was locked inside a cave.

Evei let out her pent up breath as she stepped into the sunlight. It was dim inside the Tower, too dark for her comfort. Light was almost like a smile in the Tower. Everyone was so... miserable. But, then, if their lives were like mine, I can’t blame them. Evei mused as she made her way to the bench where she had been reading, hoping against hope that her book was still there. Yes! Evei’s face broke out into a grin as she reached down to retrieve the book. She held it close to her face, inspecting it at every angle she could think of for signs of dew. Oh, good. The Browns won’t murder me, then. The thought of murder brought her mind back to Diju, and then to Malkir. Oh, my son. She thought tearfully. You had never even begun to live.

A crunching sound broke Evei from her reverie. She looked up, surprised to see a soldier perched on a tree limb, six whirling apples in his hands. Is he... juggling? It had been a common sight in Andor, when she was young, but the Tuatha’an had never done such things. Evei tilted her head, watching as the apples swirled about. Apples. Evei’s mouth watered as she gazed up at the man, hungering for one of his apples. It’s been so long since I’ve had an apple. Evei almost laughed at her own longing and apparent inability to act. I’m not a girl anymore.

“Can I have one of the apples?” She called up to him, her voice just loud enough to reach the reclining figure. He seemed as if he wanted to cheer up the populace, so he likely wouldn’t mind tossing down one of his apples. As Celosia said, I have the power when I know someone’s deepest desires and shallowest wishes. Evei bit her lip, her neck beginning to ache, as she stared watchfully up at the man above her.

Ren paused with his juggling, looking down at the novice. She was looking longingly towards the apples in his hand. She seemed so sad that it was almost amusing. Almost. With little visible shifting, he hooked his legs around the branch and let himself fall, so that he did a flip and landed in directly in front of her. The soft grass made a perfect surface for landing, and the man never lost his balance. He would always thank Jaayl for his ability to throw his body into the air in ways that other people could only stare at. He held three apples in one hand, two in the other, and one in his mouth. Taking another bite, he removed the apple from his mouth, seeming to contemplate the bite in this apple. It was a green one, but he liked most apples anyway.

Standing up, he was more than a head taller than the young lady, but he was quite a bit bigger than most people anyway. She was dressed in the novice white, and holding a library book in one of her hands. That was almost enough to make him climb back in his tree. He’d had to spend too much time in company of books lately to make him want to talk to a human one. However, he wasn’t one to judge by looks, and there was nothing to loose in talking to her. He’d left his dignity far behind, as well as his pride. Too many people had insulted him over the years for him to care much anymore.

With a flourish, all but two apples disappeared. He grinned at the young woman. She was rather pretty, if solemn. She seemed to be single-mindedly focused on that apple. How strange. He held out the red apple, but spoke before she could reach for it.

“Now since these are my apples, I might want something in return. I will give you this apple,” He paused, brandishing said apple. ”if you will tell me what your name is.”

He had nothing to loose, other than perhaps his free time, and it seemed as if this was one woman who would try not to appear happy or cheerful. He hated these people. Most of them dwelt on their past, always trying to bring back someone lost, or always regretting something done. People should live in the present, not the past.

And I’m the one who wants to spend his life hunting after darkfriends? Inwardly he grimaced at the traitorous thought. In ways, he was a bit of a hypocrite. However, he did live in the present, and he did try to enjoy himself and live. Of course, he wouldn’t if it weren’t for Cendaline. But Cendaline was in the past as well, and just like everything else, she had to recede to the back of his head, to be known only in memories. Some people forgot to make new memories because they were so focused on reliving old ones. This novice reminded him of one of those people.

The man hardly shifted, but in a flash, he was falling.

Into a controlled flip, of course. Evei couldn’t help but dispel a sigh of relief. It wasn’t as if she wanted some soldier falling to death from a tree because of a request for an apple. Now, standing before her, he took a careful bite of the apple. Obviously taunting me. Males never cease to be extraordinarily predictable. Evei thought, though she didn’t let it bother her. Really, she was refusing to let the whole scene bother her. It was clear enough that the man was showing off as a way to set the stage for flirting, but Evei had no intentions to let his plot go according to plan. After all, she was a widow, and not a shy girl. Evei was just as good as the next proper Andoran at telling off an unwanted suitor of sorts. So she watched him, face impassive. I still want that apple. She mused, longingly. Really, the only reason she hadn’t turned at walked away after that fantastically risky jump was because of the fruit.

“Now since these are my apples, I might want something in return. I will give you this apple,” He paused, then waved the apple under her nose. Oh, cruel world. ”if you will tell me what your name is.” Evei couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. So it’s that way, is it? She thought sarcastically. It wasn’t that she minded having a male friend, but even the idea of some man trying to replace Diju- it was preposterous. If I play my cards right, I can slip out of this trap and gain some sort of a friend. Evei considered to herself, then nodded inwardly. It wouldn’t be wise to mention any of her past, even though the man reminded her of Diju. Defiantly not. In fact, I don’t want to play any of my cards yet. Not even my name.

Evei bit her lip, then looked back at the man. “My name is Esoria.” It wouldn’t be hard at all to answer to the name, and it wasn’t as if anyone at the Tower other than a few Aes Sedai knew her real name. She may not look like an Esoria, for it seemed a cheerful name, but Evei knew that she could convince anyone that it was her name. After all, it is, in a sense. Though Esoria is dead to me, for she was a joyful type. It was rather humorous, in fact, to by using the name Esoria as an alias. Esoria was an honest, kindly woman. Right now, Evei was far from what Esoria had achieved.

Still, Evei didn’t want to be Esoria anymore. Both Diju’s, Simil’s, and Malkir’s death had shattered that wish. I don’t want to be so naïve as to believe the best of people. It is best, really, to admit others faults to yourself. She bit her lip, and looked away from the man’s face to the cobblestones of the path. It wasn’t as if she wanted to be a liar, but it seemed so much safer. He wouldn’t have any power over her, so there was no way she could be hurt- Evei couldn’t grow to care for him if he didn’t even know her name, and it would spare her the pain for when he was gone, either like Celosia left her life or Diju did.

But I will keep that from happening to anyone. Evei swore to herself, even as she glanced once again to the soldier. “What is your name, then?” She asked, her voice curious. I wonder if you will play this game like I am. Really, Evei doubted it. The man didn’t look cynical enough. She thought for a few more moments, casting her mind about for a subject of discussion. All of the other novices love to talk about what Ajah they wanted to join, so she figured it was a safe enough topic. “What Shens are you most interested in?”

Really, Shens and Ajahs had the weak points and strong points. They separated people with the same interests in the same areas, but they also divided the Towers themselves. After all, some Ajahs were well known for disliking other Ajahs. Therefore, they didn’t work well together under pressure. Still, they were ingenious creations. Their purposes were strong, and the ideas well made. Evei couldn’t help but be interested in the Red Shen, White Ajah, and Green Ajah. Each of them had their attractions to her, but she liked the Red the most. Still, it would be impossible for Evei.

Trusting someone with her life had never been one of her strong points.

Ren kept the insolent smile on his face, although he pretended to let it fall when she didn’t engage in his playful flirtations. The girl was hiding something. What it was, Ren didn’t know, and honestly, he didn’t want to. She seemed so… cold. At first he had thought her a noble, but seeing as she didn’t state titles in relation to her name, it was unlikely. Ren hated nobles, the stuck-up, big-headed, ignorant bloody fools. They didn’t care about their people. They cared about their funds. If they were forced to do something by the royalty they whined and grumbled. This girl wasn’t one of them. There was something odd about her, but he couldn’t place it exactly. Ah well.

Dangling the apple by its stem, he held it out for her to take.
“Apple for a name, as promised. You may call me Ren, Esoria. “ He paused for a moment. He’d thought about the Shens before, but he had no friends here. This was a place that was filled with sadness, and while he didn’t mind sharing his joy, he didn’t want to spend his time listening to other peoples’ problems. He didn’t really want to hear people wallow in his own misery. However, it had occurred to him that if he wasn’t going to make friends, he at least needed to spend time getting to know those around him. He couldn’t live in his own secluded little world forever.

“As for the Shen of my choice…” He pretended to think for a moment. “ Al’N’dore Al’mordero or the red shen, I suppose. I seriously doubt I’ll get past the testing. I'm not a strong channeler.” The latter was said with an accompanying shrug. It was a complete and total lie, but there was no way that any female would know that unless they talked to a man who knew. Ren was one of the strongest soldiers presently in the tower, and he was completely and totally aware of it. There was little doubt in his mind he would become Asha’man, if he applied himself.

“And the Ajah of your choice? If I’m not mistaken, you are a novice. How long have you been at the tower?” With a hand that wasn’t holding his own apple, he gestured vaguely towards the white towers. He wanted to see if the girl would leave. Many here only tried for powerful friends. If that was what she was seeking, he doubted that she would persist. Then again, perhaps she really was going for nothing more than an apple, but he rather doubted it. Why would she have started a conversation? Ren wasn’t an expert on reading people, but he certainly wasn’t dense.

Suddenly he realized what he was doing. The bloody tower was rubbing off on him. Did I really expect to avoid it?. He was manipulating her. Waiting to see what she did. He hated this! No one here was actually honest. He understood the necessity of secrets, but here? Sometimes he wondered if there was a single person who did something without four or five motives.

Was it possible to remain honest?

ooc - Not trying to embarass anyone here, but figured it might help other newcomers. It isn't necessary to put your diolouge in bold letters, just use the quotes and all will be well in the universe.

Nice RP, I can't wait to read more.

ooc- I do it more out of habit than anything else. Something that the first site I was on requested. :unsure:

Thank you! Trust me, neither can we. :P

(OOC: Thanks for the hint, Father!)

The soldier paused for a moment, then held out the red apple by the stem. “Apple for a name, as promised. You may call me Ren, Esoria.” His voice was a joyful one, just like Evei had explected. Ren has to be short for something. Evei considered, tilting her head as she stared at the man. She had no idea about his nationality, though, so it would be silly to try and guess his whole name. She shrugged to herself, and reached out to snag her apple from his grasp. An apple! However, her joyful musings were put to a hault by Ren’s voice. “As for the Shen of my choice…” Ren paused for a moment, thinkgin. “ Al’N’dore Al’mordero or the red shen, I suppose. I seriously doubt I’ll get past the testing. I'm not a strong channeler.” Evei blinked, the stared at him. Somehow, she couldn’t help but think he was lying. I don’t think he’s the sort to admit his own weaknesses so casually. He’s probably lying in order to... Test me? Perhaps to see if I am fit for friendship. After all, he wouldn’t want to befriend someone after his own power. She thought for a moment, but could come up with no other ideas. Still, she had no idea if her guess was correct. There were still many layers of Ren to uncover, and until then, her theory would remain a guess.

“And the Ajah of your choice? If I’m not mistaken, you are a novice. How long have you been at the tower?” Ren’s question pulled her from her thoughts, but Evei didn’t answer. Instead, she sat down on the bench where she had left her book earlier, and set said book down next to her. Still in thought, Evei took a bit of the apple, almost wanting to cry with joy at tasting the fruit. It had been so long since she had an apple. Evei sighed to herself, the wiped away a bit of juice dribbling down her chin with her sleeve. She swallowed, and then turned to Ren. She wouldn’t tell him she thought he was lying, after all. It would be better to just go along with his scheme.

“Strength isn’t the only element of the test. It is part of how you are selected for the test, but really, you’ll only be allowed to test for Dedicated if you are strong enough to become Asha'man.” Evei considered for a moment, taking another bite of her apple. After swallowing, she continued. “If you aren’t strong enough, the Tower will send you away as soon as you’re capable of controlling yourself and not killing anyone. Presuming that you are capable of controlling yourself and not killing anyone by mistake with the One Power and are still, in fact, here, it is rather safe to conclude that you will join the ranks of Asha’man.” Evei couldn’t help but smile at her last minute analysis. Really, it all made sense. She gave herself a mental pat on the back.

“I’ve only been here for about a month as a novice.” Evei considered her apple, unsure if she should mention her interest in the Red Shen. If she did and Ren had concluded she was friend material, he might show interest in becoming partners for the Red. It wasn’t that Evei didn’t want to find a partner, but she just wasn’t sure if Ren would be the correct choice for it. After all, she hardly knew him. Maybe later, when she got to know him, Evei could express her interest in the Red Shen. “Right now, I’m mainly considering the White Ajah. I’m also considering the Green Ajah, because they are the battle Ajah and I wish to fight darkfriends, but I’m not sure if I’ll be able to deal with the other side of the Green.” Evei shrugged then returned to speaking. “By the way, are you able to control the One Power well enough to not murder anyone? Because, in that lies your answer.”

She looked at him for a moment, sorting her thoughts. Evei was almost sure that she had passed what she had concluded to be his test. Though that is mere speculation. Evei chewed on her lower lip for a moment, then took another bite of her apple. “Do you even want to become an Asha’man?” She asked, her gaze shrewd as she started at her companion.

Ren watched her, his trademark smile on his lips. The surprise bubbling up inside was carefully hidden. Esoria was intelligent. More so than he would ever have guessed. Not only had she completely passed his ‘test’, but he thought that by the way she had seemed so lost in though after he had first spoken that she might have realized that it was indeed a test. She even knew enough not to say anything saying she knew. Esoria had more to her than one could see at first. Of course, then again, so did he. He grinned at the sight of her gobbling down the apple. At least he knew that she hadn’t been lying about wanting an apple.
“I’ve only been here about a month as a novice.” She focused on her apple, as if there was something extremely interesting on it. Right now, I’m mainly considering the White Ajah. I’m also considering the Green Ajah, because they are the battle Ajah and I wish to fight darkfriends, but I’m not sure if I’ll be able to deal with the other side of the Green. By the way, are you able to control the One Power well enough to not murder anyone? Because, in that lies your answer.” She paused for a moment. ”Do you even want to become Asha’man?” His smile turned wry. It took him a moment to realize what she meant about ‘the other side of the green’. Men? Ah, no matter.

“White sounds perfect for you.” What he’d seen so far of this young woman was that she
perfect for the white. She seemed coldly logical- in many more ways than one. He thought for a moment, under the pretense of making another apple flourish from under his sleeve and biting into it. The girl seemed… distrustful. That was the best word for it. As if she thought that everybody lied. In any other place, he would have thought her paranoid. Of course, these were the Towers. The Aes Sedai and Asha’man may not lie, but they spun truth like a child spun a top. Not to mention the fact that everyone else did lie. The fact that she had been able to guess what he was like enough to make an assumption that he didn’t particularly want to be Asha’man was so Aes Sedai-ish that it was almost scary. He wasn’t kidding. She’d make a perfect white.

He grinned in response to her last words.
“Maybe. It depends what kind of mood I’m in. As for being Asha’man…” He shrugged. “my nose isn’t big enough to look down at people quite as well as most of the Asha’man.” His look was purely innocent, as if he hadn’t just insulted all of the powerful male channelers. For once, there was no hidden meaning in his words. He meant everything he'd said. Then again, he doubted honesty would be recognized, here.

Ren smiled, but Evei could easily see the surprise plastered behind the smile. I wonder what startled him so. She mused, even as she watched him carefully, trying to pick apart the different layers of his personality that lay behind the mask. Still, she didn’t know him well enough to look past the more prominent bits of his personality into the hidden parts. It was easy enough to tell that he loved to make others forget their misery, enjoyed acting, and wasn’t naïve enough to trust everyone he came across. Past that, Evei knew very little. Still, it was enough to read his face, and he was defiantly surprised. It was Ren’s voice that pulled Evei from her analysis.

“White sounds perfect for you.” He declared. After a moment, Ren twirled his hand in a flourish in order to take a bite of his apple. Evei’s eyes followed the movement, her gaze shrewd. He is undoubtedly a former gleeman, but I don’t think that motion is just a habit. It was meant to be noticed. He’s hiding something, then. Evei’s gaze flicked to his face for a moment, then back down to his apple. I wonder what. She mused, her mind spitting out possibilities. Likely to think something over and stall for time. The question is, what is he thinking about and trying to analyze?

Once again, it was his voice that pulled Evei from her thoughts. I wonder if he’s the only thing that is keeping me from just sitting here and evaluating everyone around me. She thought, wryly. “Maybe. It depends what kind of mood I’m in. As for being Asha’man…” Ren shrugged. “My nose isn’t big enough to look down at people quite as well as most of the Asha’man.” Evei raised her eyebrows, and glanced up at his face. The look passing over his features was... Reminiscent of a five year old denying that he had a cookie shoved in his mouth. She narrowed her eyes, staring at him for a moment, before breaking into laughter.

Not at his joke, though. Ren was the type to conclude that all Asha’men were strong channelers, and since Evei was almost completely sure that he had been lying about being weak in the One Power... Ren had, in effect, insulted himself. Evei chuckled for a moment more, then schooled her amused expression away. It wouldn’t do for Ren to see the fact that she was laughing at him and not with him, after all. “You never know. With the proper conditioning, your nose will grow.” Evei shook her head, amusement still sparkling in her eyes.

“You see, these Asha’men you hate are quite adept at making you into one of them.” Evei gave him a long look, and then turned her head away. “Why do you think they keep strong soldiers at soldier rank for so long? At Dedicated rank? They tweak you and they twist you and they wait for their experiments to grow into what they want. And they’ll never let you go until you are.” Evei scratched her nose, and then continued. “After all, haven’t you seen Dedicated who seem so against becoming Asha’men stay at the Black Tower and teach new soldiers instead of going back to their home lands once they are Asha'men? Your thoughts won’t be your own for much longer, Ren.” Her smile was pure laughter.

Evei took another bite of her apple, half wondering why she had chosen to tell Ren such a thing. Yes, it was true enough, but Ren didn’t need to hear it, really. He knew well enough, or at least Evei though he did. Anyways, Ren hadn’t learned enough to accept the fact like Evei did. It had been rather silly to tell him, but Evei... wanted to test him. Will you be afraid of me, now that I have shown you what seems to be one of your fears? Or will you simply accept my perception? If he couldn’t deal with her intelligence, then she wouldn’t bother to deal with him. He seems good material for a partner in the Red Shen, but if he can’t pass this test... He’ll be hopeless.

With that thought in mind, Evei turned her gaze squarely and unflinchingly to Ren’s face. Do your worst. She thought, grimly.

Renoeil watched her calmly. He was right- she would make a perfect white. He knew how many of the other soliders and Novices hated- and feared that. He already knew it, as did they all. Most just went into denial. The others ignored it and hoped that it didn’t happen to them. It was futile, though. Ren knew it. They new it. The Towers were made to make people into what they wanted their channelers to be. They wanted loyalty, and they wanted secrecy. If you weren’t like that when you came to the towers, well then, you were just going to have to learn. That was their way; if you didn’t like it, too bad. Ren knew it, he knew he couldn’t change it, and he knew that nothing he did would effect it. He’d already seen the effects of their mind twisting.

“Most people use the analogy ‘molding us’. It’s shorter than your long explanation there. Are you sure you don’t want to be a brown?” At the latter he raised his eyebrows. He had already rather figured that she wasn’t the type to sit in a library for days and ignore the world, but right now the air seemed rather dark and moody. Not surprising, really, all things considered. This wasn’t a light subject. He took the last few bites of his apple, although what was left was the top and bottom. He tossed the apple rind over beside the first one before he licked the sticky juice off his fingers. He thought about flirting with Esoria, before he discarded it. She was much too serious, even if she had just laughed.

Eyeing the garden around him, Ren tried to spot some place other than the ground to sit. Seeing none, he leaned non-chalantly against the tree trunk. He wouldn’t have minded the ground, if it weren’t for the stupid black and silver of the Soliders’ uniform, and the white of the novices. There was no way that they could sit on the grass without getting some mark on the cloth, which simply would not do. Now he turned his full attention to Esoria. Even her name was serious. He cocked his head, watching her. She needed a nickname. He thought for a moment. He could call her busy bee, but he didn’t know her well enough to be sure that she was in fact a busy body. He watched her, until his eyes fell on her apple. Apple!

“You know? I think I’m going to call you apple.” He gestured towards the one she was holding in her hand. “It fits.”

Evei watched Ren’s face and chewed nervously on her lower lip. She didn’t want the time she had spent on Ren to go to waste, after all. The Soldier was a possibility for a partner in the Red Shen, though Evei wasn’t sure yet if the Ren Shen was something she was entirely interested in. The concept of fighting darkfriends with a partner was sound, but Evei had been unable to peek past the secrecy shrouding the Shen. It made sense that they were so secretive, considering one of their aims was to find the darkfriends in the Tower, but Evei couldn’t help but be annoyed by the fact that she couldn’t gain as much information on the Shen as she wanted to. It was hard for her to tell if the Red Shen was something she was interested in when she knew so little about it. Evei was so lost in her thoughts that it was only Ren’s voice that pulled her from her musings. I’m beginning to think that this is going to be come a habit. She thought, rather ruefully.

“Most people use the analogy ‘molding us’. It’s shorter than your long explanation there. Are you sure you don’t want to be a Brown?” Evei couldn’t help but smile. So he can deal with my perception, then. Jubilance welled up inside of her, and Evei had to stop herself from breaking into a happy hum. After a moment of joy, however, Evei forced down her glee. She bowed her head, forcing herself to consider his question. She hadn’t even thought of the Brown as a possible Ajah choice. Evei knew she was a studious person, but Brown had never even entered her mind. Somehow, Evei couldn’t imagine herself sitting for hours researching the diversity of cultural foods, like she had seen a Brown doing that very morning.

“I don’t think I’d make a very good Brown. I don’t have the patience nor the interest to research everyday and I’m not particularly engrossed in hunting down new insect species.” Evei turned her head to stare down at her book. Perhaps that is what gave him the wrong impression. She thought wryly. It was a book on block breaking, for Yalraline Sedai had told her to study her own block. It was a subject she was interested in, but only because it related directly to her. That would be the problem with being a Brown. I wouldn’t want to study anything but a subject that relates to me, and there aren’t many of those. Evei shook herself from thoughts of the Brown Ajah, for it was doubtful that Ren’s question was a serious one.

“You know? I think I’m going to call you apple.” Ren gestured toward the half eaten apple in her hand. “It fits.” Evei stared up at him, caught mid thought. Apple? She thought, disbelief lacing the word. I try so hard to not give him my real name, and he decides to not even use the fake one. Evei blinked for a moment, then forced herself to think of something else. It didn’t matter much that Ren wished to call her Apple. It was only a nickname, if a derogatory one. She could deal with the shame, so it wasn’t too much of a bother.

“If you wish.” She replied, amiably. Evei stood, picking up her book and taking another bite of her apple. “If you don’t mind, I need to go return this book to the library before the Brown sisters skin me alive.” Evei gave him a small parting smile, then turned to make her way up the cobbled path back into the Tower to face the maze of corridors. It would be at least a half hour until she found the library, and Evei did want to get a head start. I hope I see Ren around again, though. I want to know if I can depend on him, and if he’s even interested in having me as a partner for the Red Shen. I’m not the best of choice for such a partnership, after all. Evei thought, deprecatingly. It was true, after all. She was not a very social person, and reacted rather badly to another person’s leadership. I can always hope, though. Evei mused, even as she passed under the archway and entered the dim lighting of the White Tower.