The Mistress of Novice's Office
A large wooden desk, its surface polished smooth and worn by
countless years of use, dominates the center of the room, a
comfortably upholstered chair behind it. A simple wooden chair
sits squarely in front of the desk, and two more sit to either side
of the wooden door to the hallway. The wall to the left has a large
stone hearth flanked by shelves laden with books of every
description. The small door to the east is similarly guarded by
heavily laden bookshelves. The large white linen draped window
behind the desk allows ample light to flow into the room, and is
aided when darkness falls by lamps set into the pale blue walls.
A large, thick, leather bound book, its binding cracked and worn
with age, rests on a pedestal near the desk. No rug softens the
gray stone floor. The only sign of idle decoration is the statue
that stands in one corner.
[ Exits: e s ]
A statue of an Aes Sedai rests in the corner.


It appears that today the Mistress of Novices has been busy, Novices and Accepted alike have drawn her attention away from her study, we have yet to know if this is a bane or a boon.  Still, there are those who need to be entered into the Book.  Rayenia has decided to assist Maura Sedai, the Mistress of Novices, by adding the most recent addition to the White Tower.   (scene setter)  [Rayenia]
 
Rayenia walks with Vevina, the talk with her mother had gone quite well and she was as excited for her daughter as her daughter was when she learned that she has the ability to learn to channel.  "Ahh, here it is."  Out of respect the Gray knocks on the door and slowly opens it, revealing a rarity, an empty Mistress of Novices office.  "Let us begin."  The Gray waits for Vevina to enter before joining her and closing the door behind her.

Vevina enters the room cautiously.
 
As the door closes with a soft *click* behind the pair Rayenia turns and offers Vevina a warm smile.  "I know that this is a big change from the life that you are used to," the Saldaean woman moves over to the large shelf of books beside the desk, it's clear she's looking for something, "but I think you will find its challenges most rewarding." the tone of her voice seems to cheer up even more as she pulls down the large book, The Book, and places it upon the desk.    [Rayenia]

Vevina says in awe, "this is most certainly a big change, Aes Sedai".
 
Rayenia inclines her head in a nod of agreement, it is a big change.  "Now," she moves out from behind the desk and over to the large cabinet in the room, pausing just long enough to open it up.  Within are stacks of white garments, folded neatly and arranged in sizes.  "Come over here, Vevina," her tone is warm, meant to be comforting.  The Gray draws down a folded garment, the pristine white dress of a Novice.  She unfolds it and holds it up, sizing it and the new Novice.

Vevina walks over to Rayenia the Aes Sedai, as she asked her to. So she steps over as directed quietly as to not disturb the silence of this peaceful room.
 
Rayenia holds the dress up to the quiet girl and nods satisfactorily.  "Yes, this one.." she holds the dress out in silent offering and as Vevina takes it the Gray turns back to the cabinet and pulls down a second dress, a pair of slippers, stockings, a belt and pouch, and a cloak.  The swish of silken skirts speaks of her turning back to face Vevina.  "You will have an extra dress to wear while the other is dirty.  You will be responsible for keeping your dresses clean."  She hands the stack of new attire to the aspirant and gestures to the screen in the corner.  "Go ahead and put them on."

While Vevina is changing Rayenia moves out the large metal bowl, the very bowl that all aspirants old clothing has been burned in since long before even she came to the Tower.  Once it is in position the Gray stands beside it.  [Rayenia]

Vevina changes into her new novice clothes excitedly while being gentle as if it were to rip if she moved the wrong way. After she has finished putting on her new clothes she folds her old clothes in an orderly fashion and piles everything on top of each other. She then geingerly picks up her old clothes and holds them a few inches apart so she doesn't dirty her new dress. She holds her head high to prepare herself for whats about to happen next.

"Is there anything that you would like to keep safe until your training is complete?" While Rayenia's tone is still warm, the words echo years of ceremony.  [Rayenia]

Vevina hesistantly says, "There is one thing I would like to keep, Aes Sedai... And that would be my necklace that my mother gave to me on my 11th birthday."
 
Rayenia nods in understanding.  "Very well," the Gray moves positions, this time to sit at the desk.  She withdraws the quill from it's rest and opens the ink.  She begins to document the necklace, who it belongs to and the date it was placed in the vaults, "I assure you it will be kept safe within the vault."  As she finishes writing in the logbook the Gray rises.  "If you will place your old clothing in the braizer, except for your necklace, that we will put in this," she produces a small lockbox.

Vevina nods respectively, and then walks over to place her old clothing in the braizer. She then walks over to the Aes Sedai and says "Thank you, Aes Sedai" and then gently sets her necklace in the small lock box.

Once the necklace is safe within the box, it's home for the next few years, Rayenia closes it and places it aside on the desk.  A warm golden nimbus surrounds the Gray lifts her right hand as she begins to weave threads of fire into the braizer and through the clothes, as the fabric takes fire she urges the burning along with the thinnest threads of air, her fingers move as if she were tickling the fire as it burns.  [Rayenia]

Vevina keeps her head up and looks into the braizer to say her final good-byes to the old life that she knew. Because she knows that to become an Aes Sedai, you have to give up your past.

Once the clothing is burned out and reduced to ashes Rayenia looks over to Vevina, "We discard and burn the old, clearing the path towards our new life."  [Rayenia]
 
Rayenia turns to the desk and prepares the book for Vevina's entry.  "Now, sign your full name, your age, the city of your birth, and the name of your parents."

Rayenia watches as Vevina signs her name to the book.  Once the quill is back to it's rest the Gray weaves thin flows of air across the page to help dry the ink, once this is done she releases saidar, the nimbus fades away.  "Welcome, Vevina, to your new life.  You are now a Novice of the White Tower.  Take the rest of the day to familiarize yourself with the floors of the Tower that you are not familiar with.  Be mindful, you are not permitted to cavort with the trainees or any men in the Tower.  If you will wait outside of the Office I will have another Novice escort you to your room.  Tomorrow will come early so rest well."

Vevina politely repsonds "thank you, Aes Sedai". And then proceeds out of the room.