OOC: Background Notes

First of all, for those who don't know, "OOC" means "Out Of Character".

Okay, this is the "chapter" in which I give some info on the character of Rayel. The idea is to make the rest of the fic make more sense. :)

If you haven't read the Wheel of Time series (Robert Jordan) it will take a lot of explaining on my part to give you background on that series. Let's say for now that it is a fantasy series in which there are magicians, known as Aes Sedai, whose headquarters are in the White Tower. The Tower is situated in the magnificent (architecturally) city of Tar Valon. Aes Sedai (who for more complex reasons are all female at this point in WoT history) use the One Power by tapping the Source. It's kinda complicated. *draws breath*

I'm not going to go into much more of that, because I will be talking forever. :P

Now onto the fic itself, which was written as part of my "training" at the Shining Walls, to advance my character Rayel in rank. Some of the other stories I've written for similar purposes are 'Into the Arches' and 'The Legend of Buenico the White'.

Rayel is a trainee at the White Tower. Even before she arrived there, she had met the best friend she's ever known, a young girl (about her own age) named Marana al'Jade, on the road to Tar Valon. The two girls didn't get off to a magnificent start, but they eventually became close friends, thinking of one another more as sisters.

As time passed they began to realise that they had a bond that went beyond emotions. They had a psychic bond, one that allowed them to communicate without words, and merely via thoughts. Hopefully this makes sense of some aspects of the fic that you've seen.

At one stage in Rayel's history, Marana mysteriously disappeared. The bond between the two girls gradually grew weaker. The fact that it was always there, in some weak form at least, assured Rayel that her friend was still alive somewhere. If you've read this fic you know what becomes of all of that.

The story of what happened to Marana is not known, as the real-life girl who played Marana is not around to complete the tale. Marana's disappearance corresponded to the real-life departure of Marana's maker, a girl named Tiffany Wimsatt. She was a friend of mine and unlike with Marana, I do know what became of to her. The Marana storyline has been highly significant to me because of my ties of friendship to Tiffany.

I think that may be enough. If anyone wants to leave notes and tell me that I need to explain something better, please do so. I don't mind adding to this chapter over time.

Stormer/Trish.