All speech is in the Old Tongue given this is during the Age of Legends.

Interlude XX - Taija and the Scientific Outreach Committee

Approximately 3,025 years ago. Well into the Collapse as the Age of Legends became less and less of a utopian society. Not long after Taija met Tel.

Taija was not happy.

She'd agreed to be part of a new committee event tasked with scientific outreach for a few reasons. Helping to promote science education and encourage children to study the various sciences was a noble goal of course.

Also, as Professor Kolin, the university's vice chancellor, had helpfully pointed out during one of her rare visits to the staff common room, it would be good for her profile and the university's own fund raising efforts. He'd put rather too much emphasis on that last part in her opinion.

So, when an already filled in application form landed on her desk the next morning, with a note from him attached to it with the words, "as discussed," Taija had decided there hadn't been much point protesting. Especially given she'd managed to palm off the last five similar 'opportunities' to more naive colleagues.

She'd already been bracing herself for a tiring couple of hours after she'd Traveled to the World Media Centre in Paaran Disen. Sitting in committee meetings had never been her favourite thing, but such was life. She'd have thought that getting her third name would have meant more freedom to do the things she actually wanted to do, but while she hadn't had it for long, so far it seemed more like the opposite.

There hadn't been much in the way of details given, just that she'd be discussing her experiences as a scientist and that there might be some media involvement. It wasn't ideal, not being able to prepare properly, but she could think on her feet well enough.

When she arrived Taija was sent straight upstairs to the committee room by a solicitous, but irritated young man. It seemed that she'd been expected to be there at least a couple of hours in advance for make-up and briefing and there'd been some kind of a communication failure. Why she needed that for this Taija really wasn't sure.

The young man practically shoved her into the room, leaving her standing there under the gaze of her fellow committee members. Taija recognised most of them. Galen Bashar, a chemist she'd met once or twice in the Hall of the Servants and Lorina Fallan who she'd corresponded with before. An enthusiastic woman who'd cornered her more than once to bend her ear off about one idea or another.

Both of them were more what some people would sneeringly call 'popular scientists', Focused on communication rather than genuine original research. Personally Taija thought that was unfair, both approaches were important.

More of a surprise was Ishar Morrad Chuain, wearing the formal long, black coat of the aes sedai with the golden circles of a third name on his collar. He was sitting at the table looking annoyed to even be there. Taija couldn't help but wonder who on earth had let him out of his box, it wasn't like she knew him well, but he was hardly a good communicator. Even back then there were also rumours about unethical experimental practices swirling around him.

Then there was Zolyor Machira Ondyel. Perfectly coiffed hair flopping over his irritatingly handsome face. Taija supposed he'd done a lot of good for getting people interested in science with his zany broadcasts, but he seemed a little out of place on this committee as the only non-scientist. Although thinking about it, she suspected that if she said that to his face he'd be quite offended.

Other than Zolyor Machira, Taija was the youngest looking in the room and she noticed that everyone else in the room looked rather like stereotypical scientists of one kind or another. Ishar Morrad in his formal coat. Lorina Fallan and Galen Bashar with white hair and wearing lab coats. The other two who she didn't recognise were wearing very old fashioned clothing, looking rather out of touch with the modern world.

There were a number of cameras in the room too, which was also a surprise. Obviously Taija had expected some publicity, but not to have various lenses pointed at her the moment she walked in. No one had mentioned this was going to be filmed. Still, she was adaptable, she could roll with events.

A young woman flounced up to Taija before looking her up and down, her lips thinning in poorly concealed disappointment, "oh you must be Taija! I'm Belase." Taija resisted the urge to scowl at her over-familiarity. "Welcome! Welcome! You're a little late, but no matter, we can just do your interview during the break." She grabbed Taija's arm and started urging her towards the seat next to Ishar Morrad, babbling as she went. "It's a pity you missed out on make-up, but no worry, you're still young and we can play it off well enough, anyway. Absent-minded, head in the clouds, you know."

"E e excuse me?" Taija managed to stutter, but the woman completely ignored her.

"Also you could have dressed properly, didn't you get the memo?"

"What's wrong with my outfit?" Taija was feeling rather overwhelmed by everything. Anyway she'd dressed very professionally, smart shoes, a knee length black skirt and cream blouse. There was nothing to criticise, she'd even checked with Tel!

"Nothing, nothing. You could have just tried a bit harder to look, well you know, scientific." She practically pushed Taija into the seat next to Ishar Morrad, "say hello Ishar!"

As soon as Taija's backside hit the seat Belase bustled off leaving her feeling a little stunned.

Ishar Morrad leaned over with a grimace and whispered, "welcome to hell. Did your funding committee make you do this too?"

Taija couldn't have said she was particularly keen on the man. No doubt he was a great scientist, but in her admittedly limited experience he was also an obsessive weirdo most of the time with unsavoury rumours swirling around him. That being said, at that moment she was glad to have an ally of any kind in the room. "No… My vice chancellor just told me I should go and filled in the form for me."

"Sounds about right." He leant in closer, "well done on not giving in on their dress code though."

"Dress code?" She asked in confusion, but before he could answer Belase's voice rang out across the room.

"Alright, now that everyone's here let's get going. We'll have the intro from Zolyor first. We roll in 3, 2, 1, action!"

"Hey guys, so I'm here with some of the great minds of our scientific community and we're going to be talking about all the crazy sciencey things they do!" He gave the camera a big grin and Taija had to admit he had a certain charisma about him even if he was deeply irritating. "You'll already be familiar with Galen and Lorina, who you've seen on my show before, but today we've also got some really big brains here too to talk to you about science! Over there you've got Ishar and Taija, two real science nerds!" What had he just called her?!

What followed was one of the more excruciating hours of Taija's life. Zolyor Machira read out idiotic questions that he claimed were from his followers in his smooth Paaran Disen accent, directing them at her and other committee members. She couldn't help but notice that she seemed to be getting the stupider questions too.

"So, Taija my lovely," she was already quietly seething and being called that didn't help. "I read about your work, but it's really rather dense. Myca, aged 16 from M'Jinn, wants to know why we spend time and money on that kind of thing when we could be working on more exciting things like how to make bigger spaceships?"

Taija's first instinct had been to say that that was a stupid question, but actually it was the sort of thing young people really did think about and it wasn't totally unfair. "Well, hello Myca, that's a good question." She gathered her thoughts as she started to speak. "Spaceships are definitely cool and I love them as much as anybody, but when we design them they're based on fundamental scientific research that can often seem boring. It's like a skyscraper, you can't build something that big and amazing without having deep foundations underneath it even if no one sees them. In the case of…"

She was cut off by Zolyor Machira. "Well sure Taija dear, but what about your research."

Taija ruthlessly suppressed her growl of frustration, keeping her tone mild. She was talking to the audience not to him. "Thank you Zolyor Machira, I was just getting to that. My own research at the moment is focused around differentiating tiny elements of the Power, both saidin and saidar. It's certainly pretty obscure," she laughed self-deprecatingly, "but ultimately it will make our use of the Power more efficient and in turn what that means is more powerful engines for spaceships and more powerful engines means we can have bigger spaceships."

She took a sip of water, pleased with her answer only to nearly spit it out when Zolyor Machira spoke, "well thank you Taija. It all sounds rather nerdy to me, but I suppose someone has to do the boring stuff." What. The. Fuck.

The questioning of the participants continued in a similar vein for most of an hour and at the same time Taija had to work harder and harder to control her growing anger. While the others received fairer treatment, it quickly became clear that she and Ishar Morrad were both regularly the butt of jokes or snide comments while Zolyor Machira spouted vapid platitudes for his audience. The real question was why?

Taija had already decided that she was going to be having words with Professor Kolin when she got back to work the next day. Words like 'resignation, 'never again if he valued his life' and 'significant pay increase'.

Thankfully a halt was eventually called, although apparently there would be more after a break. Zolyor Machira was already being hustled off to have his hair and make-up touched up. Neither Galen Bashen nor Lorina Fallan would meet Taija's eyes.

After answering a couple of emails she'd been about to get up and look for a restroom when Belase pounced on her. "Taija dear! Since you were late do you mind terribly if we do your one on one interview now?" She didn't give Taija the opportunity to protest, already dragging her over to a corner where Zolyor Machira was preening in front of the cameras. "Zolyor's already good to go, come along, just sit here and smile. I'm sure you'll look fantastic."

Taija found herself deposited in the corner, plonked down in an uncomfortable seat faced with Zolyor Machira's pearly white grin. She could have sworn for a second that she could see cold, calculation in his eyes, but it was gone a moment later replaced with friendly warmth. "Wonderful Taija, you look lovely by the way, very smart. Now, don't worry this won't take long, I just want to get a few candid moments for the cameras so that we can slot them in around the main event. Just be yourself, I'm sure they'll love you."

Taija forced herself to smile. "Thank you Zolyor Machira, of course, I'll do my best."

"Of course you will." He very briefly pursed his lips as if thinking before nodding, his grin back in place. "Ready? We're rolling in 3, 2, 1, action!"

"Now I'm here with Taija who's well known in scientific circles for her work on studying the tiniest bits that make up the universe. She's even pretty good at it, a lot of talent in such a little package, why she even got her third name quite recently." Was he just an idiot or was he deliberately being patronising? Also, was that a hint of scepticism in his tone? He lowered his voice conspiratorially, "she's also a bit of a cutie. Now how did you get into science Taija dear."

Taija clamped down on her anger. It was difficult. Was this man incapable of showing even a modicum of politeness and respect? "Thank you Zolyor Machira," she steadfastly refused to address him with the same over-familiarity he used. "I'd always liked science when I was in school and when I was young I desperately wanted to make a difference, to make people's lives better. That never changed and I also just found the way the world worked to be so fascinating so I…"

He cut her off with a grin, "well isn't that adorable guys." She had to remind herself to breath. "You say you wanted to change the world, but your research is pretty obscure isn't it? Mightn't it have been better to have worked on something more practical, like Ishar does?"

Taija forced herself to chuckle, even as she was already composing the letter of complaint to the media regulators in her head. "Well Zolyor Machira, like I said when I was answering young Myca's question, fundamental research is all about creating the blocks we can use as the foundations for more public facing science. I have nothing but respect for Ishar Morrad's research," although if some of the rumours were actually true… "but without more theoretical research, the work the public sees wouldn't be possible."

"Well it does all sound very esoteric and impressive, you can really get a third name for that kind of thing?"

His tone said it was a teasing joke, but she saw him turn his head slightly so that his sneer wouldn't be seen by the cameras. "Well." She was so stunned by the rudeness that she struggled to respond quickly. "I suppose that's a question for the Naming Council." The T'zora Institute of Science had already offered to pay her 20% more if she moved there and she was almost certain she'd be able to negotiate a clause in her contract about not having to ever do anything like this again.

"Of course, we wouldn't want to question their wisdom," he winked at the camera as Taija wondered, not for the first time that day, how he had his own third name. "You just look ever so young to have one, why back in my day it took a while to get a third name." Wasn't he younger than her?!

She resisted the urge to snap at him, "well I'm older than I look." That was shorter than she'd meant to be, she needed to try to keep her temper under better control.

======

Ishar sat awkwardly at the conference table toying with his phone. He could hardly believe what was going on. He'd only agreed to come because he'd been informed in no uncertain terms that if he didn't do more public outreach then his university was going to stop making excuses for his research practices.

He had better things to do than be taking part in some stupid outreach event anyway. Leave that for the popular 'science' types like the others. Taija Kosola was the only other real scientist here.

With half an ear he listened to Zolyor Machira starting his interview with her. He should probably pay some attention, that deeply irritating Belase woman had said he'd need to do one after the show.

Wait a second! He blinked in surprise. That was an extremely inappropriate way to speak to Taija Kosola, but she deflected it admirably.

As the questions went on, Ishar listened with growing horror. It had quickly become clear to him that Zolyor Machira was trying to provoke her, there couldn't be any other explanation for the kinds of questions he was asking. The poor woman! Was he going to be next?

The man just kept on going back to her appearance, calling her boring, questioning her competence, but all in a teasing jokey way that meant he'd no doubt deny anything untoward if he was challenged.

Absently he admired Taija Kosola as she sat there, still somehow looking composed and in control - he'd have lost his temper long ago. She was certainly a good looking woman too, if perhaps a bit young for him, he wouldn't mind… He gave himself a mental slap. That was not an appropriate way to think about someone, let alone a respected peer. At this rate he'd end up thinking like Ared Mossinel.

He winced as Zolyor Machira asked her whether she felt she had been compensating for her upbringing by working so hard, striving to overcome her humble roots, sympathy oozing from his voice.

What was the matter with that man? What possible goal could he have for this?

His thoughts drifted back to some tentative conversations he'd been having with certain people. There might be an alternative, no having to put up with this kind of shit. One that would give him the academic freedom that he craved, building a world that would also show proper respect to people like him and Taija Kosola.

Had Zolyor Machira just asked her whether she thought she'd be a good mother? Light what was wrong with the man?!

======

The infuriating and inappropriate questions just kept coming. However, Taija kept control of her temper despite them, she wasn't going to explode and embarrass herself! She wouldn't allow herself to!

Zolyor Machira looked her over, "now, Taija dear, it looks like you've dressed up specially for today, but we were all a little disappointed. Don't you normally prefer proper lab coats," he stage whispered to the invisible audience, "wouldn't she look adorable in one?" Going back to his normal tone he continued, "or maybe a proper aes sedai coat? You can channel, can't you?"

There was that brief calculating look in his eyes again, she hadn't been imagining it! Taija forced herself to smile, "yes I can channel. I don't think that's something that should define anybody though. What's important is what they can contribute. As for lab coats, well sometimes I'll wear one, but a lot of the time it's just casual clothes for work. Personally I like to be comfortable, just jeans and a t-shirt." She hoped that would be relatable.

Zolyor Machira laughed, "don't you think it's a little difficult to take you seriously if you turn up looking like that?"

Taija wondered, through rising fury, why he was being like this. It wasn't going to persuade anyone that they wanted to be a scientist. It might be entertaining for some people. Messed up ones, but it would just put most people off. "Well no, I think that in our society people judge based on ability not appearances."

"Of course of course and naturally you do look lovely," his eyes roved uncomfortably across her body and she was fairly sure that wouldn't be picked up by the cameras. Not for the first time Taija wondered whether he was trying to provoke her? "So, I'm told you're single. It must be a lonely thing when that pretty little head is thinking such big thoughts, maybe there's someone in your department that's caught your eye? A secret little intra-office romance?"

This time there was no mistaking the maliciously expectant gleam in his eyes and certainty dawned on Taija. He really was trying to provoke her! Light only knew why.

With a decisive movement she stood. "Nope! This interview is over. I don't know who in the Light you think you are, but this is deeply inappropriate and you should be ashamed of yourself." Without another word she stormed back to her spot at the table to grab her bag from where she'd left it next to Ishar Morrad, uncomfortably aware of the cameras tracking her.

Behind her, as she grabbed her bag, Taija heard him saying, "it can be difficult sometimes to talk about your emotions when you spend all your time thinking about hard sciencey things, especially when you you've had a bit of a rough upbringing, we'll get back to poor Taija when she's calmed down a bit."

That was the last straw. She lost her temper. "Go walk on a scree slope you slimy piece of shit! You want to provoke me, well consider me provoked! You undermine everything our society stands for! Who the fuck did you even bribe to get your third name." Then she turned to her fellow scientist, "fuck this. Ishar Morrad I need a drink, want to come?"

He sprang to his feet even as she spun a gateway right there in the room. She figured she could just pay the fine if anyone made an issue of it, "oh Light yes!" A second later both of them were half way across the city.

=====

Over a couple of glasses of wine Taija discovered that Ishar Morrad wasn't actually all that bad of a guy. Definitely a bit obsessive about his work, it was true, but that wasn't something she could criticise too much - no throwing stones in a glasshouse. On the positive side of the ledger she found he had a wonderfully cynical sense of humour and he was very much capable of an intelligent conversation.

Like her, he'd been pushed into this farce without any idea what he was going to be subjected to. It was actually quite nice having a good moan about university politics, funding and all the things that seemed to be going wrong with society over recent decades. Riding the buzz of mild tipsiness and having vented at each other for a while Taija was feeling bad about the negative thoughts she'd been having about him at the start of the day. He was actually pretty cool.

Then he put his hand on her thigh with a shy smile.

Nope! Taija recoiled and he snatched it away. "Oh I'm sorry, were we not? Did I misread the situation?"

He'd seemed to be genuinely embarrassed, she might even have felt bad for him, but it was the last thing she needed on that shit sandwich of a day. Still, no reason to be rude. "No no, it's alright, I'm sorry, but I'm not interested. You're very nice, but I have a boyfriend."

"No, it's ok, I understand, I should be the one apologising." He sat and fidgeted with his hands in his lap.

"Look it's been a pleasure getting to know you Ishar Morrad, but I really should be getting back home, there's a lot to do and I need to get going on my letter of complaint."

"Yes, yes absolutely, me too." He smiled awkwardly at her, "well I'll be seeing you around Taija Kosola?"

========

After settling the bill Taija Traveled straight to Tel's place, not even bothering with the polite chime that would request permission to come through the gateway. He wouldn't mind, he'd actually given her a key to his place recently and told her to treat it as her home too. They hadn't been together all that long, it felt a bit fast, but on the other hand it just felt right. Also his house was gigantic and far nicer than hers.

Taija stormed into his study without ceremony, grabbing a chair with saidar to throw herself into. "Are you busy?" She didn't give him the chance to reply. "I have had the worst day ever!"

He looked up from the papers he'd been reading with a mixture of annoyance, amusement and sympathy on his face. "You could have knocked so I had time to get myself ready for this… So the outreach thing didn't go well?"

Taija launched into a blow by blow account of the day. Letting it all out while Tel made appropriately sympathetic noises and comments.

"And then to finish it all off Ishar Morrad put his hand on my leg! Why is it that men seem to think having a nice conversation means you want to sleep with them?!"

"I've got no idea, maybe it's just a miswiring in our brains?" Taija let out a growl of frustration only to feel Tel's hand land on her leg. She looked down and then up again to see his amused smile.

With a snort she pushed his hand off her thigh, "stop it. I'm not done venting."

"Sorry, sorry, please continue to vent." He held his hands up in mock surrender.

She told him about how angry she'd been with Zolyor Machira and how worried she was about the impression she'd made, what they'd broadcast about her, how it might affect her career.

As ever Tel had good advice. "So you've already mentioned the letter of complaint. I suspect Professor Kolin will be no happier than you, I can't imagine he'd have deliberately set you up like this and he knows you have other options. You need to get him onside and then go on the offensive…"

Dating a celebrity wasn't such a terrible idea after all. Not that Tel was anything like Zolyor Machira, but he at least knew how to handle public relations.

Eventually, as her anger had faded in the face of a combination of sympathy and helpful advice Taija smiled at Tel. "Thank you, I don't know what I'd do without you." Then her smile had widened, "do you ever wonder? Why is it that women think you being a good listener means you want to sleep with them?" She put her hand on his firm thigh with a sideways smile.

=======

The present day

Osan'gar stood musing over the dissected corpse of a myrddraal. For some reason his mind going back to the day he'd met Zolyor Machira Ondyel. He'd never forgot that excruciating day, one of so many things that had confirmed that joining the Shadow had been the right choice. Still, he'd eventually had his revenge on Zolyor Machira, for science of course, although it was certainly one of those times he'd enjoyed the opportunity to mix science with pleasure. As for the painfully awkward ending to it all…

Taija Kosola was one of the few people he respected. It was a pity that she hadn't seen the truth and joined the Shadow, but he could still admire her. abilities It had been awkward the way she'd rejected him, but these things happened, life wasn't about base urges. It was just a pity her thinking had been limited by her so-called morality and now to think that she'd survived. It would be nice to see her, but a sad at the same time because they would no doubt have to try to kill each other. Perhaps best just to avoid her. Being stuck in this shithole of a time was just a series of disappointments…