RP: Is the Sitter Available?
by Doralyse and Iris
(6/28/2002 - 7/17/2002)
Doralyse checked her hair to make sure it was staying in place. She adjusted her white dress one more time, smoothing the white skirt. The time had finally come to ask. As she stood before the door to the Hall of the Blue Ajah, she trembled only a little. It wasn't so much anxiety, as excitement. At least she thought it was excitement.She knocked on the door, and opened it slightly. Seeing a Blue Sister by one of the windows, Dory made a brief curtsey.
"Are you looking for someone, Child?" The Blue asked.
"Yes, Aes Sedai, I'm seeking the Sitter, Iris Sedai."
"I believe she is in her office. That door there."
Thanking the Sister for her help, Dory went to the door indicated and knocked.
SOMEONE AT MY DOOR (Iris)Iris looked up when she heard a knock on the door to her study, and gave a relieved sigh. She knew that she wasn't too far behind in her paperwork, but after spending the morning in her office doing nothing but looking over one report after the other did get rather tiresome.
"Enter." She said as she pushed the papers away from herself and wiped her hands on the ever-handy cloth she had on her large desk.
THANK YOU FOR SEEING ME (Doralyse)As she waited in the hallway for her knock to be answered, Dory tried to calm herself with a deep breath, she had hardly taken it in when she heard the Sitter say, "Enter."
Opening the door the novice walked into the room and gave the Aes Sedai a proper curtsey. Raising her head she looked the Blue Sitter in the eye. Her own soft brown eyes were probably as wide as they would go.
"Thank you for seeing me, Sitter. I wanted to speak with you about aspiring to the Blue Ajah. I have been in the White Tower for almost four years. When I came I had no idea, no preconceived notions, which Ajah would be the one where I could best serve. Since becoming a novice I have taken the class on the Ajahs given by Kristal Sedai and that led me to strongly consider the Blue. I also had classes with Velieen Sedai, Mordelain Sedai and, of course, contact with Kirlanna Sedai as Mistress of Novices. Each of these women has helped me to recognize the gifts I have that might be suited to the Blue Ajah."
Dory paused, not knowing if she should go on, or wait. Not getting a clear sign from Iris Sedai, she began again. "I wasn't born with the spark, so it is taking me some time to learn the weaves of saidar so it may be many years before I reach the shawl, if that day ever comes. But I would like to learn to be Blue, if that is possible, and if you think it would be fitting."
As her voice dropped a bit on those last words, Dory caught herself reaching to straighten her skirts. I haven't done that in a long time. I didn't realize I was that nervous! How can a woman I feel so comfortable with in the stable scare me silly in her office?
Dory waited in stillness and silence for the Blue Sitter to reply.
AN ASPIRANT? (Iris)Iris carefully studied Doralyse as she spoke. One, who was so sure of herself in the stables, looked more like she would rather be somewhere else than in the Blue Sitter's study.
The Blue Sitter nodded her head as the girl spoke, she herself could remember what it was like to be novice, she had wanted to aspire to the Green Ajah at the time. To follow in her own mother's footsteps...
She brought her mind back to the conversation at hand, not that she had missed any of it. "Have you had any classes with sisters or aspirants of the other Ajahs, child?" She asked softly. "Other than the Ajah class run by Kristal Sedai?" As she did not wish for Dory to make a fool-hardy decision and choose and Ajah she may end up regretting she had joined.
Her face showing no sign of acceptance or refusal, the Blue Sitter sat back in her chair as she waited for the novice's reply.
I HOPE (Doralyse)Iris Sedai was a calming presence. Dory began to understand why the woman was so good with horses. Horses and novices both had reputations for being skittish creatures. As Dory thought about it, she could feel her sense of humor beginning to return. It was a sign she was becoming more comfortable here.
"Have you had any classes with sisters or aspirants of the other Ajahs, child?" She asked softly. The Sitters question was a good one. Dory was grateful for it. Besides helping her to keep some perspective on this whole process, it gave her a chance to show a breadth of her studies.
"Yes, Sitter," Dory replied. "When I first came to the White Tower I was given Tamika Ulanti, Accepted of the Violet Ajah as my mentor. She and I have been working together till quite recently on channeling and Earth singing. I also worked with Lettarysa Sedai, when she was an Accepted of the Yellow Ajah. She taught a class on Dreaming and we did a special tutorial on Dream walking, though I am not really very good at it. I am currently taking a healing weaves class with Lenatta Sedai of the Yellow Ajah."
Pausing, Dory wondered if she should add another class. It wasn't the same as the other classes, but she had worked hard. And it wasn't taught by a sister of the Blue Ajah.
"I also took the general orientation class that Tevalon Kargo is teaching. He is a Warder in training. He is available to help newcomers learn their way around the Tower and stay within the rules. He was a fine instructor."
As she relaxed, Dory began to gesture with her hands as she spoke. "The Different Ajah class did have an impact on me. I will admit that. At first, I had thought about being Green. Then Raine Sedai came in dressed in full battle armor. Perhaps it was more than the way she looked; perhaps it was her attitude. I know that any Aes Sedai must have an air of confidence and power about her. But the impression I had was more aggressive than assertive. It wasn't who I am.
"The Gray Sister me to helped me to see I might be too willful and opinionated to be a fair mediator. I'm not the logical type and even though I love to learn, and dabble in philosophy, I'm too passionate for White. Way too passionate! I love the idea of being able to heal, and I hope I can develop some healing abilities, but I want to do more than that, I find Yellow too confining. Though, I hope to have close friends in the Yellow!
"I thought for a long while about the Brown. I will probably haunt the library often. I really have spent time researching my class subjects. I even have a notebook filled with reference materials.
"The Violet Ajah became a real interest, more because of that class than anything else. Though Tamika being Violet and another close friend who is aspiring to that Ajah have both influenced me. I am strong in earth and it is tempting to make pretty objects that do wondrous things. If they ever give a class on "Objects of Power" I'll be there.
"But the Blue Ajah is where I believe I belong. Besides Kristal Sedai's class, I have had some conversations with Velieen Sedai that were quite helpful in discerning my choice. You may wish to speak with her if you have questions."
Dory took a step forward, "Iris Sedai, I have a desire, a hope to be able to serve the 'little ones' - the weak, the young the old and the helpless, to help guard and protect them when the Last Battle comes, and to help them, when the Last Battle is over, to save what can be saved and rebuild their lives and our world. When I have shared this with a few very close friends, they have said it sounded like something a Blue Sister would say.
"Though, I'm still have some ways to go till I have the ring and a long way to the shawl. Who knows how the Wheel will weave. Still, I believe this is where my skills and talents can be best used. If you think it acceptable, I would learn what it means to be Blue and do my best to bring honor and dedication to this Ajah."
*NODS* (Iris)Iris listened silently as Dora explained the classes she had partaken in as well as the friends she had made with aspirants of the other Ajahs.
Once the girl had fallen silently again, the Blue Sitter nodded her head as she gestured around at the many book shelves that lined the walls. All of them filled with books, some of which were spread across the floor. "As you can tell, I could well pass as a Brown sister myself. That is if people didn't know me well enough." She smiled at that.
She then picked up her pen and opened the book that always sat on the edge of her desk and added Doralyse Morell, novice to the list of names she had in there. Some of which were crossed out, but whether the names had been of the women now in the Blue Ajah or those that had been turned away, no one other than the Blue Sitter, and those before her, knew.
"What you wish to do in the future, may change as you grow in your studies. But there again, it may stay the same as it is now. My advice though, is not to have a cause that you know you can not complete, it will only set you up for failure." She smiled again. "I will look forward to seeing you more around the Blue Halls, aspirant. Is there anything else you would like to ask?"
MENTORS (Doralyse)The Sitter nodded her head as Dory finished. She made reference to all the books around the room. It was easy to see why Iris Sedai might be mistaken for a Brown, at least at first glance.
With a rush of relief Dory watched the Blue Sitter write her name in the book of aspirants to the Blue Ajah. It was official. It might not be permanent. They both knew that, but it was, for now, as close as Doralyse could be to being Blue.
When the Sitter asked if there were any questions, Dory didn't have to think hard. "Yes, Sitter, I do have a question. Now that I am a Blue aspirant, it would make sense for me to have a Blue mentor rather than one of the Violet Ajah. I don't need the same kind of mentoring I did when I first came to the Tower, but there is still much I need to learn. It would be good for me to have someone to whom I could go for advice and help. I realize the Ajah has just recently taken as aspirants two of the newly Accepted. They are friends and classmates of mine. I was hoping that I might have a Blue Sister mentor me."
Dory swallowed and watched the Sitter consider this. Not waiting too long, Dory broke the silence again.
"I was hoping Velieen Sedai might be willing and able to be my mentor. Of course, I have not spoken to her about it, as I wanted to see you first. I knew I first needed to come to you and ask about being an aspirant, but I also wanted your wisdom about seeking a mentor."
Dory clasped her hands together and held them still at her waist. She tried not to fidget as she waited for the Blue sister's reply.
A MENTOR (Iris)Iris nodded as Doralyse spoke again. "I think you will need to speak with Velieen Sedai about that subject yourself." She suggested. "As it will show the sister that you know what you want and it will also let her know that you want her to mentor you, rather than you being dumped on her."
She smiled slightly. "I could have a word to her on your behalf if you would like though, otherwise it is all in your hands."
THANK YOU (Doralyse)Listening to Iris Sedai, Doralyse could hear the wisdom of the novice being the one to approach Velieen Sedai. "Thank you, Sitter. I will approach Velieen Sedai, as soon as I may. If she has any questions, may I refer her to you?"
The very idea that all this was real, she was really aspiring to the Blue Ajah, made Dory's heart sing. And Velieen Sedai could help her toward that goal. If she was willing. Dory hoped it wasn't a big if.
Story content © of the Authors: Doralyse and Iris.
Site design/content ©2001 Kirlanna Sedai
