Careful What You Wish For

[Sariska Atwahar]

The afternoon was sunny and warm, the first of its kind after several weeks of chilly spring rain. As a result the tower grounds were full of life. Novices, Accepted, and Aes Sedai all clamoring for fresh air and sunlight after the dreary period. Bad weather hadn't kept the men inside but there was certainly more enthusiasm on the training grounds. Though perhaps that had more to do with the assortment of women who had taken watch. Whether it was Accepted staring dreamily at soldiers or a sister eyeing her next Warder to be plenty of women kept an eye on the training grounds. Still more moved about the courtyard and in the gardens. Some sisters even brought their classes out, relishing the change as much as their charges. It had been a cold winter and these warm spring days were still far and few between.

Sariska did not mind being stuck inside. The power of books was that they took you beyond the walls that held you. Moreover her independent studies were all done inside. The fine weather only meant the walk from the Ajah quarters to the library could be more relaxed. That and there would be less chance of tripping over Novices as she glided through the library in search of this or that. Otherwise it was the same as any other morning. Or at least it should have been. A conversation before leaving the Ajah quarters had left the usually contented brown a bit unsettled.

“You need to be better with people Sariska”

The words had been spoken as another brown-Sariskas mentor since she was an Accepted-plucked the paper she’d been skimming from her hand. It had not stopped there. Michiru was a kind woman but critical. Sariska was not mindful enough. She needed to pay attention to what was going on around her. She needed to be more aware of the history that was being made in front of her. Such lectures were not terribly new, for all her cleverness the Aes Sedai had always struggled with fitting in. Now that Sariska was being sent out more Michiru had picked up the old refrain. And added new material as well. Maybe she needed a warder to help ground her? Perhaps some extra attention to notes on current political climates? It was the sisters final remark though that had settled beneath Sariskas skin like a bur.

“What do you do when you don’t know something? You learn. This is something you need to learn”

Sariska knew her weaves. She knew the history of the Tower well enough to tell it backwards and forwards. Among her fellow browns few were more proficient in Old Tongue written or orally. She even knew scraps of Ogiers written language! Yet none of it seemed to help when Sariska went out into the world and dealt with the people who were NOT interested in the minutia of researching Ter’angreal. Just because going out into the world wasn't something she wanted to do the brown had enough pride to want to do the task well. Besides when it was paused a certain way….

Wasn't this just another thing she could memorize? Unfortunately there hadn't been anything of obvious use on the communal shelves of the brown ajahs quarters. A packet of Saldean poetry and a romance novel called Swords and Shields were the only leads she discovered thus far. Naturally the library would hold more answers. You could learn anything worth knowing from the tomes held there. With a new mission in mind Sariska had tucked her current reading material under her arm and made way for the library. Her mind puzzling over if she should begin in regional folk tales or journals.

A trio of novices loaded with baskets of fruit for the kitchen artfully dodged the tall brown as she glided down the halls. An unlucky Accepted who’d been set to scrubbing the floor almost had her fingers stepped on as Sariska strolled by. The edge of her skirt catching the suds of half clean stones. It wasn't until the brown stepped out into the courtyard, the sudden change of light making her pause and blink. Those large dark eyes adjusting to the sunshine. When HAD it stopped raining? Squinting up at the sky a moment Sariska frowned. She hadn't noticed. Those dark eyes swept down to survey the courtyard. What DID catch Sariskas attention was a flamboyantly dressed gray sister walking by.

“Calina!” the only reason Sariska recalled the other woman's name was that she was a Sitter of the Gray Ajah. Such things were easy enough to memorize. Vital even! Then there was the fact that even for someone like Sariska it was hard to ignore such a….bold personality. She always seemed to be the life of whatever room she went in. In short...she was perfect! Swallowing down her own surprise at this perfect turn of events the Sariska smiled brightly and moved forward, settling those intent dark eyes on the other Aes Sedai.

“May I have a moment of your time?”

[Calina Taborwin]

The weather was never much of a secret to Calina Taborwin. It hadn't been for many, many years. The bleak rain that had blanketed Tar Valon had lifted that morning, precisely on schedule. That predictability had turned the weather merely another element to deal with in her daily planning, one that was far more transparent than most people. Calina was thankful for the edge; any hint of disorder tended to spiral drastically.

Her list today was fairly simple. First, she would check her letters. She had, finally, received access to reports from the head of the Gray's network of eyes-and-ears. The information in those reports, properly scrutinized, would provide insight into the Tower and the rest of the Westlands. At the moment she was more concerned with the Tower. Well, the Towers. The bonding ceremony was fast approaching and there were elements in both Towers that still despised the idea. Calina wanted no last-minute surprises derailing the Amyrlin's agenda for the Asha'man and their M'Hael, Jadin Al'vyron. That she'd already accomplished in the morning. The letters were tucked securely away, along with her notes, in a box locked and warded with inverted weaves in her chambers.


Some of her Sisters within and without her Ajah whispered that Calina Taborwin was the Amyrlin's creature. It was true, to an extent. Katreine din Ziago's vision and ambition had won Calina's loyalty. The Gray Sitter would use each and every skill she had to sway the Hall, in spite of her more traditional sister's hesitations.

Then would come the more trying part of her day. Hunting down Sisters to sway was something of an art. Aes Sedai were, on the whole, a willful bunch. Even those that disdained Daes Dae'mar were more difficult to manipulate than many Cairhienin, and their memories were long. Calina still labored against the sins of her youth. Her relative age was an issue too; she'd risen to the rank of Sitter early by all accounts. Her strength in the Power, prodigious though it was, was only a minor balm for those that disliked her. So Calina was generally and well studied with her approaches. Today she thought to track down Mahira and Setsuko Nachiman, a pair of Arafellin sisters split between the Green and Red Ajahs. They were younger and more tolerant of her approach, and increasingly influential.

Then would come small gatherings with more Sisters, chosen with less care. This was the riskiest, as much of her performance would by necessity be off the cuff. Still, she'd had decades to improve her improvisational skills. In all, it would be another busy day even without a formal Sitting. She hoped, not for the first time, that Katreine appreciated the lengths to which she went. Calina would be sure to grumble appropriately the next time she cornered the Amyrlin and her Keeper Veira alone.

For the moment, though, Calina was enjoying a brief moment of luxurious freedom outdoors. She was considering, not for the first time, visiting the Gaidin's training grounds. A Warder could be useful...but she was more interested in discretion over swordplay, truth be told, and watching grown men lash at each other with sticks was dreadfully boring. So she paced the courtyard for a moment, giving herself until Prime before resuming her work for the day. She attracted eyes, of course, as was her wont. Today she wore a Domani dress, high collared in comparison to her Taraboner outfits. It was pale lilac silk, almost entirely diaphanous. Most regions of the dress weren't particularly opaque. It covered her body from her neck to her toes but in truth concealed nothing. She wore, as always, her kesiera, along with a necklace and belt. Both were silver; the necklace was a wide choker in almost a solid piece, while the belt was formed by narrow links sitting just above her hips. It was uncommon garb to see on the Tower grounds; Domani women typically wore something more muted for their infrequent visits.

“Calina!”

The sound of her name drew her attention, and Calina raised an eyebrow as a harried-seeming Aes Sedai approached. No, not harried. Distracted. Her hair was long but mostly ignored, the hem of her dress seemed damp. She also towered over Calina as she approached, but then most did. It took a second to place her, but Calina's memory remained sharp. Sariska, a Brown Sister. Like many Browns, she was more concerned with research than politics. Still, Calina's rosebud lips quirked into a smile as she looked up at Sariska.

"Of course Sister."

Calina's voice was a purr; by Tower tradition, strength in the One Power determined standing. In that Calina towered over most Sisters, and in many ways, it was more of a hindrance than a help. She was curious, now, and didn't wish for that to hang over the conversation. She crossed her arms, still looking up. It was rare that someone approached her so familiarly.

"What might I do for you?"

[Sariska Atwahar]

Books were best. They did not fret over little things. They didn't grow angry with you. They were available whenever the urge to study them overcame you. By contrast people were far less reasonable, prone to odd little swings of mood or demands. They were also far more likely to roam then any book on a shelf and grew tired of questioning much quicker. Sariska liked people. She did! But there was no denying books were just….better! At the very least simpler. Unfortunately the dark haired sister had realized quickly that books alone would not be of help. This was one of those situations were some hands on research would be required. A more difficult matter but Sariska was not one to shy from the work of knowledge.

“Thank you Calina Sedai” the title added on as an afterthought. Sariska never intended to be rude, though there was no denying she sometimes was so swept up there was little consideration given to details of social interactions. Thankfully the brown ajah was very egalitarian. Anywhere else and Sariska would have likely ruffled even more feathers. As it was she had some sisters who found her clumsy manner too much. It was one of the reasons she’d found herself saddled with duties outside the tower. Among her ajah such duties were not exactly prized. Even if it was in the greater pursuit of knowledge leaving the tower meant leaving the library, leaving studies. For many it might as well be set to scrubbing floors.

Just because Sariska was being optimistic didn't mean she was thrilled either. Despite her wide expanse of knowledge she’d seen little of the world. What was the point? What could possibly compare to the vast library of the white tower? She hadn't volunteered to leave. She had also been given no choice in the matter. Sariska would do her best though, even if it was a daunting task ahead of her.

Not content to waste time with small talk the brown sister plowed ahead, especially since Calina had consented to listening. While she’d been initially hesitant once she set her mind to studying something Sariska did it with an all encompassing enthusiasm. The kind would say dedicated. The annoyed were more likely to use a word like relentless. Both were accurate. That dreamy air was gone now that she’d settled her attention on the other woman.

“I’ve been tasked with some errands that will take me outside the tower. It’s been pointed out to me that I do not have the best manner with people. To better prepare I’m going to be do some reading on the cultures I’ll be visiting but I believe studying you would also be very beneficial as well. You see, you seem very comfortable in social situations. And even sisters who dislike you agree you have an impressive way with people. If I could get your insights I'm sure I'll improve immensely on this subject” the words came out in a steady matter of fact march, the brown sisters gaze intent on Calina as she spoke. No mocking or insult meant, nothing but relentless sincerity in her voice.

There was no shame in not knowing anymore than there was shame in knowing. Only willful ignorance was to be frowned upon. With Michuru’s words still fluttering about her mind Sariska had decided it was time she got to knowing more about people-difficult as they sometimes were. It had never been an urgent matter when she was cloistered in the tower. Knowing how to handle people outside the tower would doubtlessly be beneficial! In Sarikas mind learning to better interact with others was no different then learning Old Tongue. It would require some study and a grasp of the fundamentals-whatever those were. Then she would master it!

[Calina Taborwin]

The intent energy from the Brown caught Calina off guard. As did the request, come to think of it.  Both eyebrows raised, the closest to a dropped jaw Calina would ever manage in public.  Sariska was certainly a blunt instrument.

“I’ve been tasked with some errands that will take me outside the tower. It’s been pointed out to me that I do not have the best manner with people. To better prepare I’m going to be doing some reading on the cultures I’ll be visiting but I believe studying you would also be very beneficial as well. You see, you seem very comfortable in social situations. And even sisters who dislike you agree you have an impressive way with people. If I could get your insights I'm sure I'll improve immensely on this subject.”

Calina took a moment, smoothed her features, and raised a hand to her chin.  Plots and plans spun in her mind, glimmering into fullness and disappearing into dust in the space between seconds.  What was the advantage here?  Was this a ploy?  How could she use it?  How could Sariska be used?  Calina knew many Browns came off as dreamy and distracted, but that could be as excellent a camouflage as her own.  But after a moment she set the suspicion aside, or as aside as she ever did.  This seemed genuine, and for some reason that caused a laugh to bubble up through her and break her mask, if only for a moment. She waved her hand and shook her head, kesiera catching the light of the sun.  Sariska wanted a tutor for interacting with people.

"Apologies, Sister!"  There was still a glimmer of amusement in her voice, but she reached out and patted Sariska on the arm in consolation.

"Of course.  People can be a tricky subject, and they're rarely as straightforward as you'd find in a text.  I wouldn't want you to leave the Tower unprepared!"

Calina smiled broadly and stepped forward, taking Sariska's arm in her own.  "Come, walk with me Sariska.  I am free until Prime and I was just enjoying our brief reprieve from the rain.  I suspect we'll see more before too much longer." 

She moved, arm in arm with the taller woman, totally at ease with the drastic shift in conversation and meandering through the courtyard.  She had a heading in mind, now.

"People," she began, taking on the authoritative tone of a lecturer, "are the threads of the Pattern.  Our lives are weaved as the Wheel wills...but not a one of us are the same.  We think differently.  Act differently.  Learn differently.  Love differently.  That last is the most important, sometimes.  If you truly want to understand someone,  you must understand what they love, and why."

[Sariska Atwahar]

For a fraction of a moment Sariska wondered if she’d misjudged. The silence. The laughter. It wouldn't be the first time her sincerity was met with scorn. But then Calina was smiling and agreeing to help so pleasantly the brown felt foolish for every doubting. Not to mention she worded it so precisely! People were anything but straightforward. Trying to understand a persons meaning was like….like translating some drunken Tairen nobles attempts at Old Tongue! The brown smiled, though her intensity did not wane in the least, she at least felt more comfortable. 

“Exactly” Sariska breathed with a nod, obviously pleased that the other woman understood her so clearly. People changed too rapidly. They kept their secrets to themselves. They had no clear explanation and no reference guide. It was so...so hard to relate to them! Most of them anyway. In the tower she could usually chatter with her sisters about research or studies. Sometimes even a lively debate! Naturally it was among the browns Sariska felt most comfortable, although she knew a number of pleasant white and gray sisters. “Thank you”

It was part of the motivation ask Calina at all. Maybe this was just the gray sister working her charms or she really did care...as long as she was willing to teach Sariska didn't mind! Arm in arm with the other Aes Sedai she was more focused on the other woman than their destination. As it so often did when she focused the world seemed to narrow down, nothing existing beyond the object of her intent. In this case it was Calina. Later Sariska might not be able to recall what the woman was wearing-even as flashy as it was!-but she’d have her every word committed exactly to memory. An attentive student and scholar in all things. 

Too bad the other woman's words quickly went down a strange path indeed! Love. Like asking about Ogier and ending up at Trollocs. Sariska’s brows drew together but she did not interrupt. She had asked for a lesson and it would be rude to be dismissive so quickly. Besides Calina had a point. Of sorts. Sariska mulled over the words, following the line of thought to a question. “But... how do you decipher what a person loves? You can’t just ask them” the brown spoke from experience! People were vague and nervous and half the time didn't seem to even know what they wanted. Even less seemed inclined to share! Being matter of fact about feelings seemed to upset too many people. No one wanted to be frank about affection. Or animosity. There were times it really felt like the rest of the world was playing Daes Da’mar!

[Calina Taborwin]

Calina luxuriated in the warm spring afternoon, meandering slowly through the courtyard arm in arm with Sariska. The Brown, she'd decided, was exactly as she appeared. That was a rarity in the White Tower, even among those more interested in scholarship than politics. It was also quite refreshing. Most of Calina's days were spent agonizing over the exact wording of a request or comment, the precise way to 'accidentally' stumble across a certain Sister, or how to present herself just so. A brief reprieve from that to aid another was a rare opportunity, and Calina was secretly thrilled with the chance. She listened to Sariska's confusion with a faint smile.

"But... how do you decipher what a person loves? You can’t just ask them."

She continued walking for a moment, only glancing up at the Brown for a moment before returning her eyes to the courtyard. How to phrase it? Calina had always been able to read people. Their likes, their wants, their desires, their loves. She manipulated them when required. Before, in Cairhien, she'd done so frequently, even eagerly. How to describe such a thing to a woman who barely understood people at all?

"Tell me Sariska Sedai. When reading your texts, do authors always state exactly what they mean? Are they straightforward and without guile at all times? Are they always truthful and accurate?"

Calina knew they didn't. Couldn't. They were written by people, and men and women were practiced in misdirection even if they weren't aware of it. Good readers, of both people and text, learned to see what lay behind such obfustication.

"No, of course not. You have to examine the context, the subtext, and read between the lines, do you not? What you learn is not always clearly stated. You have to look beyond the surface."

She strolled a bit further, leading them out of the courtyard onto a shaded path.

"People are much the same. Of course you cannot just ask a woman who or what she loves. She might not wish to answer. She might not know. She might even be willing to tell you, but not understand it herself. If you wish to understand a woman, or a man for that matter, watch them. Speak with them. See how they react." She nodded up at Sariska. "For instance, Sariska Sedai, one could learn a great deal about you by spending a few moments in your presence. You are disinterested in your appearance, for one. You wear plain clothing and do as little as possible, caring not for how others perceive you. You are capable of intense focus, sometimes causing you to be unaware of what's going on around you. The hem of your skirt seems a bit damp; you likely walked through something on your way here? Your speech is blunt and occasionally lacking tact, allowing me to guess that interacting with people is not something you enjoy. Yet you are bold, clever, and have a desire to improve. You love learning most of all."

Calina looked up at Sariska, a genuine smile on her face. She hadn't stopped walking down the path just yet.

"I hope I've not misjudged you much, Sister. One of the risks of reading people instead of books is that you only rarely can find proof elsewhere. But observing the people you wish to know is always the first step."

[Sariska Atwahar]

Calina was a clever woman indeed! By speaking of books she set the brown sister at ease, earning an ernest nod from Sariska as she listened to the little lecture. Of course! Language was full of nuance. Exceptions for every rule. Colorful turns of phrase. Bias. Context. Subtext. It had taken her a while to become that clever and thoughtful of a reader. Her own mother had been an illiterate servant, lacking both time and knowledge to teach her daughter. When Sariska had finally learned to read an entire world had opened before her. Possibilities so vast and wondrous… true books were written by fallible faulty mortal minds but they were also unchanging. Consistent in their own way. The letters did not rearrange themselves on whim. They did not mock you for failing to grasp their true depth. Tease you. Isolate you. They were eternally forgiving. Allowing a thousand rereads until you grasped the various layers Calina spoke of.

For all their subtly books were nothing like the maze of the human mind. Sariska felt she could no more read that then translate the pattern itself. The dimunivite woman at her side though seemed beyond fluent in the social intricacies. No. More than that. She was a scholar of men. Or in this case a woman. Where Sariska could only wonder how to read a heart Calina had taken her measure with startling accuracy. The taller sister leaned back slightly. Not put off by the assessment but slightly startled by it. That all consuming gaze finally broke from Calina and darted down to her own damp skirts. It would not take a great master of the game to see Sariskas surprise. She hadn't noticed. In fact only now at the sight of her wet skirt did the sister seem to realize her soft slippers were also cold and wet. Not that she’d let such a trifle deter their walk. Especially when she was learning so much!

Looking back up to Calina Sariska felt the same wonder as she had the first time she’d seen a gleeman juggle 10 colorful balls in the air. An impressive trick! What else could it be called? Had she really learned all that from a few moments together?! If so she’d only reaffirmed Sariskas’s decision to seek her council. Her judgement was remarkably accurate, it earned a return smile from the Aes sedai. No insult taken.

“Not at all! That was marvelous. You picked up so much. I couldn't even begin…” she trailed off looking the other woman over. Attempting to mimic the trick just performed. What did she see? Truthfully Sariska had breezed over the other woman's appearance paying it no mind. Now she tried to take some note. Calina was pretty and small and colorful. There had been a time she might have noticed that dress and assumed the woman wearing it was foolish. No longer! Tar Valon was full of bright colors and lovely gowns, the women who wore them were not fools. However it was not just being aware of the other person. Like attempting to juggle 10 balls Sariska had no idea how to leap from what she saw to the conclusions Calina had made.

The dark haired woman pursed her lips, that intensity fading as her focus turned inward. It did not disappear, merely slipping from the outside world to the vast internal workings of her own mind. Gaze going distant the brown sister spoke slower as she explained. ”Sometimes Calina Sedai ….I feel as if everyone is speaking a language I do not understand. Effortlessly they all seem to comprehend one another but it’s as if….it’s as if I’m missing some piece. An understanding. A nuance they all have. And though I can make the same sounds there is no doubt I can not hope to understand them-and they I. It can be...difficult. I don’t dislike people but it is difficult” and that one word held a world of frustrations and disappointments and hurts unspoken. Books were simply easier. Kinder. It was entirely possible if left to her own devices Sariska would have never ventured down this road. Never bothered to try and learn the unspoken language everyone else just seemed to bloody know.

Only she did love learning. And challenges. If this stood in the way of her greater mission she would overcome. After all, any language could be mastered. "I will en devour to inspect others appearance more intently" 

[Calina Taborwin]

Calina continued to set their meandering pace along the shaded path leading from the courtyard. The two made a strange pair; the daringly dressed Gray and the studious and focused Brown linked arm in arm could hardly be more different. The more Sariska spoke, the more Calina found herself surprised by a desire to help the Brown Sister who seemed so very lost by human interaction. Calina Taborwin had only rarely had opportunities to be genuinely helpful in a straightforward way...it was a surprisingly good feeling.

Calina kept her smile warm and placid as Sariska attempted to read her. The intent look Sariska leveled at her could hardly be anything else, but unfortunately for the Brown where Sariska was an open book Calina had a lifetime of closing herself off. Calina Taborwin was not a story to be deciphered by novices.

”Sometimes Calina Sedai ….I feel as if everyone is speaking a language I do not understand. Effortlessly they all seem to comprehend one another but it’s as if….it’s as if I’m missing some piece. An understanding. A nuance they all have. And though I can make the same sounds there is no doubt I can not hope to understand them-and they I. It can be...difficult. I don’t dislike people but it is difficult”

Calina's smile didn't falter, but some part of her ached for the other woman. Calina knew enough of loneliness to know it when she heard it, even if her own was the result of a different story. Instead, she continued to walk, her smile brightening as Sariska steadied herself and vowed to take the lesson to heart. Bold, clever, and a desire to improve indeed.

"It may never come naturally to you, Sariska Sedai. But that doesn't mean you're alone."

Calina was quiet now, looking ahead thoughtfully.

"I was born and shaped to observe and to understand people. It is as natural to me as breathing, more comfortable than the embrace of saidar, and always there in my head. But never fear: effortless comprehension is not a trait we possess. Your struggles to understand and be understood are different only in degree. We all must struggle with that, no matter how effortless it might appear."

There were noises ahead, the sharp clack of wood on wood, grunts of exertion, and perhaps the sound of quiet chatter just underneath. Calina's smile turned into a genuine as the pair passed out of the shaded path and onto the Warder's training grounds. There were perhaps a dozen there today, students and gaidin together, most stripped to the waist and going at one another with wooden practice swords under the watchful eyes of instructors. A terribly barbaric practice, really, and not something Calina would ever be caught dead enjoying. More importantly for Calina's object lesson, however, were the half-dozen Aes Sedai and a similar number of Accepted nearby watching. Most were Greens, which certainly would help with the point; the gazes of the Sisters were by turns analytical and lecherous.

Calina led Sariska nearby, stopping them a fair distance from both the Warders and the other Aes Sedai underneath the shade of a tree. This had been intended, at first, to be a tongue in cheek lecture for a woman who spent most of her life in her books instead of the world around her. Given what Calina knew now, however, it might prove to be more immediately useful, and Calina was curious as to how the Brown would answer.

"Now, Sariska Sedai. We've come to our object lesson for today. We've discussed love, and reading between the lines, and trying to use our observations to understand the people around us. What do you make of the scene before us? We have men and women both, here, can you tell me what is driving any of them? "

[Sariska Atwahar]

Born and shaped to observe others… Of course Sariska had read about the Game of Houses. Tear was not Cairhien but even as a child her mother had warned her to never ask questions about the lordlings she cleaned for. Never gain their notice. Stay quiet, don't catch their attention. Focus on something else. Anything else. Even minor nobility was dangerous. They schemed, twisted words, lied with smiling faces. Her mother had made them seem like monsters, trollocs in fancy suits. As a grown woman Sariska could look back and imagine that there had been some resentment and genuine fear behind her mother's stories. They had worked though.

It was comforting to be reminded that she might not be alone in finding people so difficult. Even among browns Sariska stood out as particularly awkward. That thought that everyone struggled in one way or another was reassuring. Maybe she wasn't so terribly thick witted. Maybe people were just an incredibly difficult subject. “Thank you” She wasnt alone. Especially now that she had a superb tutor on the subject!

Belatedly Sariska began to worry that maybe she should be taking notes. Her memory was sharp but notes were helpful! The dark eyed sister glanced back the way they’d come. Maybe Calina wouldn't mind if she ran back? Only harsh noise drew her attention forward. Apparently they’d arrived at the training yard… Even Sariska would find it hard to shut out the snaps of wooden swords and grunts. Momentarily confused the brown glanced about confirming that yes they were stranding in the training grounds. It wasn't a place the tall woman ever found herself. For one thing it was often busy and for another people could be very very rude if you were sitting on or leaning against something they needed to whack a stick at. It was all very silly in her estimation.

Coming to stand a bit away from the rest of the gathered onlookers Sariska focused back on Calina. This was probably the last place she ever anticipated learning a lesson. Yet, Calina had been very wise about a great number of things so far. And she did love lessons! At the other woman's question Sariska took a deep breath-for this was indeed a monumental task-and turned to look over the assembled bunch. Men of various ages all in good health and physical shape. Even though it was no real battle they swung their weapons at each other with vigor while watchful mentors barked vague things like ‘flow through the movement!’ and ‘harder!’.

“Well...the men are... obviously training to be warders. They are trying to impress their teachers” See? She wasn't THAT oblivious. Sometimes. Having solved one half of this mystery the brown looked at the gathering of women nearby. Some wore the shawl others just the ring. Could one of the Aes Sedai be teaching a lesson on gaidin? No. There would be no need for that many sisters for that! Dismissing that silly thought Sariska considered them each rather than as a mass of women. Observation...right. One woman looked...hungry? Well that didn't make sense. A few seemed very focused while others were grinning and chatting.

Glancing back at the men Sariska heard and saw the unpleasantness of a wooden sword slapping against a shirtless man's midsection. The blow earned a bellow of pain and at least one match was over. The sisters frown deepened. It wasn't exactly a sight to smile about in her estimations. She didn't like violence. Maybe they were green. Oh blast it they were probably ALL greens! Even the ones who didn't know it yet. Why else enjoy watching people scrap like that? And then it hit her. Aha! Nodding to herself Sariska turned back to Calina, pleased with herself at having solved this test. Even if she had taken several minutes to do so. “They are looking over the recruits to try and figure out who would make a good warder. It’s a little presumptuous for the Accepted to be thinking that far ahead but I remember how some girls had their warder picked before their shawl” That always seemed silly to Sariska, but then she had known her destiny from the moment she’d understood what it meant to be a brown sister. “They obviously want to see that they are competent and capable before bonding someone”

[Calina Taborwin]

Sariska's words brought a slight smile to Calina's face, though the Gray's eyes were on the other women standing about the yard. She knew the other Aes Sedai by face, of course. It was her job, though none of those assembled today rated particularly high in the political structure of the White Tower. The Accepted were, as Sariska pointed out, likely destined for the Greens as well. That Sariska had leaped directly to the incomplete conclusion was somewhat endearing, though it did serve as a reminder for how out of touch the Browns could be, at times.

“They are looking over the recruits to try and figure out who would make a good warder. It’s a little presumptuous for the Accepted to be thinking that far ahead but I remember how some girls had their warder picked before their shawl.”

Calina let out a low, short laugh that was genuinely warm, but she nodded as well, returning her gaze to the taller woman at her side.

"That is, indeed, part of the reason they've attended. Some more than others, I'd expect, but there is some genuine desire to judge the merit of the various trainees. But remember what we were discussing earlier. To understand a person is to understand their needs, wants, and loves. The men and women both gathered here have another, deeper motivation to piece together, one that many people share."

Calina paused to regard the scene before them. She'd never had a great deal of interest in romance, herself, though it was a card she'd played somewhat frequently as a young woman in Cairhien. And this wasn't exactly 'romance,' but in any case there was a certain element of mutual attraction between those showing off and those watching on. Sariska had picked it up and misinterpreted it, which went a long way to explaining her difficulties. How to broach the subject?

"This deeper motivation is not necessarily the result of logic. It comes from desire, from want, and for most people these things have no logical basis. I brought you here today to help demonstrate that. Understanding people is not quite as straightforward as reading them off the page, I'm afraid."

[Sariska Atwahar]

Violence had never appealed to Sariska. As a child she’d endured a fair share of bullying. It was mostly taunts or being left out. She’d quickly learned to ignore the former and overtime her own interests became so very different from her peers it stung less to be excluded. On occasion though there had been shoves or pulled hair, maybe a foot stuck out to trip. A rock thrown. It was all petty unkindness but Sariska had never wanted to retaliate... Stomp her foot? Cry? Ofcourse! And educate them on why what they were doing was not very polite. Mostly the child had simply wanted to be left in peace.

In a similar vein she couldn't see the appeal of watching young men beat themselves with sticks. Logically the role of a warder made sense. Their skills made sense. But just because you knew soup kettles needed cleaning didn't mean you had to enjoy watching the scrubbing. Or take part! That another woman might find a thrill from seeing such a display...well it never even entered the brown sisters mind.

She glanced from Calina to the assembled sisters and men. Once twice. Sariska bit the corner of her lip, mental wheels spinning. Deeper motivation? Wants? Needs? What did people need? Food. Shelter. Of course even she knew it had to be more complex than that. Safety then? Purpose? To feel accomplished? To have something others coveted? Although that opened up about a thousand other questions.

Sariska liked knowing things. Even if it meant nothing to anyone else she took pleasure in knowledge for knowledge's sake. While it was vexing to not be able to sleuth out the answer herself the brown wasn't about to miss out on a chance to learn. A slight sting in her lip reminded the woman to smooth her expression. A proper Aes Sedai did not stomp her feet when she was frustrated. But sometimes a brown who was bested by a particular puzzle would bite her lip. That feeling of missing a piece right under her nose came back ten fold.

“It seems you’ve proven your point” the brown sister murmured, glancing down at her boots. Not that she really saw them, thoughts turned inward as they were. No, people were not very simple at all. Not to her at least. “What is their motivation then?”

[Calina Taborwin]

Calina watched Sariska attempt to puzzle it out, frowning when the Brown glanced down and away.

"It seems you’ve proven your point. What is their motivation then?”

She frowned at Sariska, then, folding her arms. The taller woman's willingness to concede so swiftly was tragic, and Calina could read entirely too much in Sariska's face at that moment.

"Raise your chin, Sariska Sedai."

Calina's voice was quiet but sharp, and her mouth set into a hard line.

"I did not agree to teach you so you could admit defeat at the first stumbling block. You have a keen and analytical mind, and I will have you use it."

Calina folded her arms, then, one shifting her attention to the assembled group of men and women.

"Do you ever read for pleasure, Sariska Sedai? Stories or tales? What lesson would you draw from a story where a group of women gathered to watch men compete? If not reading for pleasure, perhaps a study describing a custom found in a foreign culture. Desire, as I said, is the key."

From the ring, a whooping cry went out as one young man got the better of the other...somehow or other, Calina honestly didn't notice beyond that, or care. Some of the Accepted giggled appreciatively, and even the full Sisters watched carefully. My, but men are a distraction at the best of times. I'm not sure if we'd be better off with more of them, or less, Calina mused wryly. Then she turned her attention back to Sariska, forcing herself not to smile. After a moment she spoke again, voice softer.

"It's alright not to understand. Truly, it is. But you know more than you give yourself credit for. People are not books, but sometimes the most obvious bits can be puzzled out as though they were."