Lightning does strike twice

[Wayfarer]

Smiling dreamily, Aran was taking his ease with his constant companion on the yards, Faith, when he noticed something through barely opened slits. His favourite person had finally decided to go on their break and get something to eat. That was what he'd been waiting for, and it was about time that the wench had decided to get a move on.

 

Of course, that left the little matter of the required assistance, but Aran was quite confident. He'd spent the past week picking out potential candidates, after all there had been no rush in the task, and most would be keen. Especially with a bit of incentive thrown in.

 

Patting Faith's roots, Aran curled his legs in and rocked to his feet. Brushing his pants off, he took his time as he made his way towards the yards, looking for one of those potentials he had picked out earlier. And sure enough, he was in luck.

 

Deneira.

 

Falling in step with her, Aran grinned as he spoke without looking. "Dene is what they call you isn't it?" Getting a murmur of assent, Aran chuckled. "I was wondering, what would you be willing to do for a bottle of spirits?â€

 

 

Aran

Tower Guard

[Christine]

Deneira was smiling that morning, enjoying a nice walk. Once again, Mateo was called off to some boring duty, so that meant that once again, she was left to do as she pleased. And it was only midday! Well, all of her friends were busy that morning, and she didn’t really feel like going into town, so she decided to look around the Tower Guard area. Yes, she knew that she was not supposed to go anywhere near it, but she was almost to the end of her training as a trainee, and had been there almost two years. Soon, she would be one of them.

 

She noticed a man laying down on the ground, but she ignored him. Just one of those lazy people that she should ignore… but it bothered her it was a Tower Guard. She saw the Mistress of Trainees leaving her office, and looked away, hoping to not be spotted by her. How much worse could she have spent her day off…

 

The man was beside her at this point, and she just kept her head high. She was Deneira l’Spada, and she didn’t stop for anyone. â€Dene is what they call you isn’t it.†She didn’t know who they were, but she had a feeling it wasn’t something good. She murmered yes, and he said, “I was wondering, what would you be willing to do for a bottle of spirits?â€

 

That made her stop, and she wanted to moan. ‘Please, please,’ she thought, ‘don’t tell me this man thinks he can sleep with me with only a bottle of spirits as payment…’ She just looked at him, and raised an eyebrow slowly, her arms crossed over her chest. “It really depends on what you need, because some things are not worth a bottle of spirits.†She said it with her teeth in a smile, trying to keep from slapping him. If she slapped every tower guard she met that bothered her, she would be stuck under some hard training forever.

 

 

 

 

Deneira l'Spada

Trainee

[Wayfarer]

Laughing, Aran looked her up and down quite deliberately. “No, not quite that. Actually, there’s a certain job that needs doing, in about the next ten minutes. I can’t reveal the job until you agree to do it, and don’t worry, its nothing embaressing for you… As long as you’re not caught.â€

 

He had to be joking. There was simply no way that he was serious. Some weird job that she had to do now, wasn’t embarrassing as long as she didn’t get caught. What could it be? She returned his smile as he stared at her. “I have to ask, but why cant you do it? I am just a trainee, and you are a tower guard. What could I do for you that you couldn’t do yourself?â€

 

Grinning, Aran signaled for her to walk with him, speaking as she fell in step. “Some tasks take more than one person, working together. Besides, your status as a trainee, even if it is coming to an end as I’m told, makes you eminently suitable for the task. But, let me be blunt. You can either earn a bottle for assisting in a simple prank, or I have to find someone else quickly, your choice.â€

 

Deneira paused for a moment, then thought about it. If he could go find someone else in a hurry… she caught up in step with him and nodded. “I’ll do it!†they shook hands on it, and then Deneira started to laugh. His face looked puzzled, and she tried to stop laughing, and grinned, saying, “I don’t even know your name!â€

 

“They call me Aran.†Grinning at his new recruit, he looked about casually to make sure no one was paying attention before slipping her a vial. “When we go to lunch, I’m going to go sit with Ginae. At some point I’ll call for you to go fetch us all drinks. Pour what is in there in the drink you’ll serve her. Head to the armoury after you’re finished with lunch, if I ain’t there, I’ll be there before long. Got it?â€

 

Dene took the vial and looked at it, then gasped. “We aren’t POISONING her are we?†She was in horror. What in the light was she doing for a bottle of spirits?

 

“Tell me, did you actually think before you blurted that out? She takes afternoon naps, this will make her nap run longer than usual, long enough for us to carry out our little prank. Now go find a table near her and take a seat there.â€

 

Parting ways with Dene, Aran wandered on in ahead of her and talking to others, losing himself amongst other Tower Guard. Getting his lunch, a bit of stew with some bread, he wandered over to where Ginae was sitting, with a spare seat right next to her. Helping himself to the seat, Aran grinned at her “looking well Ginny, how’s the paperwork?â€

 

 

Aran

Tower Guard

 

Dene

Accomplice

[silhouette]

Ginae’s day had progressed as usual so far. She started her morning off the same way as she did ever since she returned to the yards, and continued it the way she had ever since she had accepted the position of Mistress of Trainees. When noon approached she stretched, little kinks in her neck causing her to wince. This was definitely not the day for her to wander out into the city for lunch. The barracks would have to do. The corner of the mess hall she usually frequented was quiet as she settled on one of the benches. Most people avoided this corner for the simple reason that the staff preferred to eat there. Just as she took her first bite, a familiar voice made her raise her head.

 

“Why thank you, Aran.†She said, looking at the Tower Guard that sat next to her now. “All is well, thanks for asking. Though I didn’t know you cared about mundane things like paperwork.â€

 

"Of course I care for paperwork. The sheer amount of effort I put into avoiding anything resembling paperwork, with great success I might add, makes me quite careful when it comes to those sheafs of paper you get drowned in." Grinning, Aran couldn't help but nudge Ginae with his elbow in his jaunty manner. "You know you could always put it aside and be a real Tower Guard, could even show you how to drink again."

 

“Hmm, well, I’m sure that your liver deserves it’s reputation, Aran. But unlike popular belief, being a Tower Guard does not mean you get to be drunk all the time. You should try spending some time in the borderlands, I’m sure that will help you get rid of the illusions you seem to have about certain matters.†Ginae took another bite of her lunch, scowling at it. There was something about Aran that brought out the worst in her, and she was quite sure that he knew it. Why else would he seek her out like this?

 

"I've been to the Borderlands before, but all the people there are too stuffy. No offence, but they really need to have a Feast of Lights the way we Cairhienin do and enjoy life a bit more. Or maybe I'm just thoroughly disreputable, but I maintain I'm truly misunderstood. Some people actually mistake me for a teacher, did you know?" Aran grinned at her before taking a mouthful of stew, there was something about stirring his little Ginny that gave him a warm glow deep inside.

 

Ginae glanced sideways at Aran, her face expressionless even if she wanted to shake the little man and shout at him. Tarmon Gaidon was coming, and he was just sitting there, joking. “Oh really… I’m sure that person thoroughly regrets having such faith in your qualities.†She sighed, staring into her empty cup. She could use a glass of… something, right now, but getting up and getting it would mean that she had to walk past Aran, something he would no doubt repay by commenting on her backside or something equally ridiculous.

 

Laughing, Aran shook his head at her. "So that person should. And I can take a hint, here, I need a drink as well." She seemed reluctant to hand over the cup but hand it over she did. Turning about in his seat, Aran took a moment to single Dene out. Taking a piece of stew from his bowl, he flicked it across the space that separated their tables to hit her in the shoulder. She looked about confused but Aran crooking his finger at her and naming her serving wench got her attention. Telling her to fill up the cup and grab one for him while he was at it, Aran turned back to Ginae as Dene trundled off to go get the drink. "So, about my teaching. I don't suppose its possible to find anyone, anyone at all? I'd even consider toning down my jovial nature for a week afterwards."

 

“No.†there was a certain finality to the answer that anyone but Aran would find hard to deny. “Even if Vasya would no doubt be pleased with one week of relative peace and quiet... The poor boy is attached to you now, Aran, To send him over to another mentor would only serve to break his spirit. You know how fragile trainees are these days. They all seem to take after you.â€

 

"Hah! Oh you are quite the wit Ginny joy. Now I remember why I came over to sit with you, to be dazzled by a charm only surpassed by beauty." With their drinks arriving, Aran took his with a grin. "Thanks be to you for your kind service oh tireless serving wench, now away with you, shoo!" His wave of dismissal and his choice of words clearly betrayed he was in one of his moods where nothing was remotely serious and a flippant response was the best one could hope from him. "But I must say, my trainee is made of sterner stuff, he's Borderlander after all. He's Domani just like you after all."

 

Ginae took the drink from the trainee while frowning at Aran. She faintly recognised the girl as being one that was close to getting herself promoted. She looked a little nervous. Ginae could relate to that, no one could ever be too sure of what Aran was going to do next. Her eyes narrowed dangerously as she listened to Aran speak. With a swipe of her arm she knocked Aran’s plate off the table, and upturned in his lap while she emptied her cup in a few gulps. “Oops.†She said, her face expressionless once more. “You know us borderlanders… not a hint of grace in the lot of us.â€

 

With a sigh she rose from her seat. “Well, I’m sure I’ll see you around the yards, Aran. I won’t assume to be lucky enough to avoid it.†Smirking slightly she returned her plate, and walked off towards her room. It was definitely time for a nap now. As she walked up the stairs she noticed her vision was getting slightly blurry. “Strange…†she muttered. By the time she reached her room her limbs were heavier than they had been in a long time. With a lot of effort she managed to remove her boots and her coat before falling on her bed, sound asleep.

[Wayfarer]

"Oh! Oh come on! Gosh!" Gesturing at his shirt and trousers as Ginae walked away, Aran shook his head as he stood up from the table, wiping the worst of it off with his hands. Appearing thoroughly disgruntled, Aran meandered out of the dining hall, heading for the armoury. Inwardly, he was cheering.

 

She'd publically done something to him, so if he were suspected he'd be suspected for today, rather than their argument sometime earlier. The prank that was involved required too much planning for him to have created on such short notice, so he was in the clear as long as he wasn't seen, which he wouldn't be.

 

It wasn't that long before Dene met him in the armoury. Studying some of the daggers as he was wont to do whenever he visited, he told her to meet him at his room in a few minutes, as well as how to find the room.

 

In his room back in the barracks, he already had everything he needed. A bucket full of blue dye, a second bucket with water two pairs of light leather gloves and the picks he used last time he had to gain access to the Mistress of Trainees room.

 

Giving her the buckets when she arrived, he took the lead as he led her up to the Mistress of Trainee's room. He always took good care to monitor people's habits, and he'd picked his day well, as he had picked a night not so long ago to prank Lyv. The only people that were in the barracks during the day where either resting or studying, neither of which were likely to leave their rooms.

 

Arriving at Ginae's door, Aran picked the door within a moment as the lock amazingly enough hadn't been changed since Lyv's prank. Once inside, it was a matter of setting up. Ginae herself was sound asleep, and would be so for at least the next hour if not a little longer.

 

Locking the door behind them, Aran turned to Dene and grinned as he handed her a pair of gloves. "Put those on and grab that chair over there, I'll grab Ginae and put her in the seat. If you hadn't realised yet, we're dying her hair a nice blue that everyone will be able to see."

 

"Thats why we're wearing these gloves. You don't want to be caught with blue on you at all. Once we're done, we'll dump the gloves in the buckets and put the buckets underneath the bed. Well, lets get to it."

 

 

Aran

Tower Guard

[Christine]

Deneira went in behind Aran, and watched as he headed to get the food. She was a little worried at first, but now that she thought about it, what better way to meet a Tower Guard friend. And even better, how else could a trainee go out with a bang before being raised? She was drugging the Mistress of Trainees… how much funnier could it get?

 

She entered the room, and looked around, a little worried. Some of the men noticed her, but they didn’t notice her as a trainee, but as a girl. She got some whistles, and smiled and waved a little bit, then made her way towards Aran. Someone came up to her, and she was introducing herself when she felt something hit her arm.

 

She turned and look, only to see Aran waving her over. She went to him, and he told her to fill up the cup for the Mistress of Trainees, then grab another glass for him. She nodded and took the glass, running to fill it. As she returned, she held the glass with the liquid in it to Ginae, and the regular glass to Aran. She bowed to them both, then went off.

 

She hung back, and mixed herself in the crowd, making sure she drank it. When she saw the woman take a sip, she watched and waited for Aran to leave. She heard a commotion and laughed as his plate ended up on his lap, then disappeared into the mix, and out of the door.

 

Deneira was stopped a few times, but she eventually made it to the armory. He gave her two buckets, and she followed him as they went to the Mistress of Trainee’s room. She was quiet as they entered, and she saw Ginae on the bed, asleep.

 

He locked the door, and Dene picked up a pair of gloves. Oh light, this wasn’t good. "Put those on and grab that chair over there, I'll grab Ginae and put her in the seat. If you hadn't realised yet, we're dying her hair a nice blue that everyone will be able to see." Color her hair blue? Oh light…

 

"Thats why we're wearing these gloves. You don't want to be caught with blue on you at all. Once we're done, we'll dump the gloves in the buckets and put the buckets underneath the bed. Well, lets get to it." Dene nodded, and waited until Ginae was in the chair, then took the blue dye. Aran stood back, and she soaked all of Ginae’s beautiful hair. She felt a little bad, but the woman was the Mistress of Trainees… she should have expected it!

 

She got all the way down, so that all of her hair was blue. She even got some on the woman’s eyebrows. After it was all soaked, she rinsed her hair in the clean water, then looked around for a clothing item. She rubbed the hair between a shirt and dried it till it was only slightly damp- and in this heat, she would notice.

 

When they were done, they pushed the buckets under the bed, and she put the gloves inside while Aran put her back in the bed. When they left the room, he locked it back, and they smiled and nodded. She put out her hand, and they shook, and she nodded. “Been a pleasure doing business with you.†He nodded, and looked around. â€Ok, go run off, we don’t want to be caught when everything happens. Might be smart to even get an alibi.â€

 

Deneira nodded, and ran off, while Aran ran the other way. There was no way she would get in trouble for this one.

 

 

Deneira l'Spada

Naughty Trainee

 

Aran

Mastermind Tower Guard

[silhouette]

With a heavy sensation in her head, Ginae woke up after her rather sudden nap. With a groan she postponed having to deal with the brightness of the day by keeping one arm firmly over her eyes. After a moment or two she had to live up to the truth though. She still had work to do. Slowly she rose from her bed, feeling more than a little unsteady on her feet. “I’d better go see Fayth about this.†She muttered. It wouldn’t be the first time that she saw a veteran warrior complain about being overly tired all the time, days before they dropped dead because their heart stopped. “But I’m not even that old.†She complained to her empty room. As she walked out she failed to notice that one of her previously white shirts was now discarded in the corner, painted blue.

 

She also didn’t notice the looks people gave her as she walked down the hallway. The few looks she did catch were dismissed swiftly. People were probably wondering why she’d been in bed for more than an hour. Stumbling here and there she made her way to the infirmary. She waved at Vasya when she passed him, ignoring the strange look on his face.

 

Today had been a rather sedentary day, trainees kept clear of him because of his reputation for a fierce temper, most Tower Guard were quite wary about him and in general anyone he didn't associate with was quite careful to keep clear of him. And so his day had passed until he'd been asked to demonstrate the not so finer consequences of not observing etiquette on a new Tower Guard in his company. He was speaking to one of the yellow sisters about the Tower Guard when he saw Ginae enter the infirmary. With blue hair. It wasn't until after she passed by that he came out of his daze. "Ginae!" Catching up with her as she turned around, Vasya was quite blunt "are you insane?"

 

Ginae blinked when Vasya addressed her rather bluntly. The pang of annoyance that she would have felt at his tome was overshadowed by the ringing in her head though. She grabbed her head with both hands, trying to remain on her feet. She groaned. “Damn it Vasya, a little softer please. My head hurts as though a trolloc hammered on it.†She shook her head softly, trying to get rid of the woozy feeling. “But yes, I’m obviously insane. I mean, what sane person would be minding her own business, on her way to the infirmary? I must be crazy.†She narrowed her eyes at the Captain. This really wasn’t turning out to be a good day at all.

 

It was the headache that clued Vasya in, when combined with the hair. "Come with me." Having been in the infirmary many times, he knew where the mirrors where in the place on a couple of the walls for people to inspect their injuries or their healing. Turning her towards it by her shoulders, he let her look for herself.

 

Feeling rather meek at that very moment, Ginae allowed Vasya to guide her into the infirmary, where he immediately found his way to the mirror. She gritted her teeth as he pointed her to them. “I know what I look like.†She snapped. Instead of explaining matters to her in a delicate manner, Vasya turned her by the shoulders, forcing her to look at the mirror. A startled cry escaped her as she saw her hair. “Blue?! What in the name of the Light!!†she reached up to touch it, noticing for the first time that it was still wet. As on impulse she turned to look out the window, noticing for the first time that the sun was far lower than a one hour nap would merit. She inhaled sharply before cursing violently and creatively. “I am going to kill that… that… worm!†she raged, scaring the few visitors the infirmary had. “He drugged me!†she said as she turned on her heel, prepared to stomp out of the infirmary. She would have, if not for the sudden spinning sensation in her head. She groaned, sitting down immediately. Instead of landing on the ground she found herself sitting on a chair that Vasya pulled up. “I’m going to kill him… as soon as my stomach decides it’s ok with movement.â€

 

While he was quite unsociable, that didn't mean Vasya was by any means unaware of who Ginae was refering to. There were only a few people that would be brazen enough to try something like this, and furthermore succeed. On the otherhand, he did have to admit deep down it was somewhat amusing. On the otherhand, if he was correct in reading Ginae's mind, it was Aran, and the man was insufferable. Laying a hand on her shoulder comfortingly, Vasya was full of helpful advice. "If it is who I'm thinking of, I'd rather you didn't actually kill him, though I'd be fine with a mauling. How did this happen?"

 

Ginae glanced over at the mirror again, once again shocked by just how blue her hair was. “At least it colours nicely with my eyes.†She muttered, preferring to focus on the positive rather than the negative. Vasya looked just a little too amused by this all, and Ginae found herself narrowing her eyes at him. Then she sighed, realising that it wasn’t Vasya she hated with a passion at that moment. “He sat next to me while I was eating. Being his usual self at that, so I got annoyed with him. He must’ve drugged me when I wasn’t looking.†Her hands clenched into fists. “He is going to be in so much pain when I’m through with him.†Fayth looked at her accusingly from a distance, as if mentally telling Ginae that she frowned upon the beating of Aran. She snarled. “That runt has been a pain in the arse ever since I assigned a trainee to him… Thought it would keep him off the street and out of the taverns for a while at least.â€

 

Patting her shoulder, Vasya went and grabbed himself a seat to sit next to Ginae with. "For a pain in the arse runt, he sure managed to do a number on you. If you take your fists to him now, he wins. On the otherhand, maybe I need to tighten his leash for awhile, just to let him know that he needs to show some care in his future decisions."

 

Ginae cursed again, slumping in her seat a little. Vasya was right of course, but that really didn’t lighten her mood at all. She’d dealt with enough unruly trainees to know that if you showed them you were affected by their pranks, things would only get worse. “Bah, you’re right. You’d better tighten his leash a whole lot though. I don’t think he did this all by himself, and though I’m not sure who helped him and if they did it willingly or not, I don’t want him to have the time to try something like this again. Corrupting my trainees wherever he goes…†She glanced over at Vasya’s dagger. “Hand me that.†she said, smiling faintly.

 

Looking down, Vasya freed the dagger from his sheath and handed it over to Ginae. "You know what you're doing I suppose. Seems a shame though, it suited you." Said with a straight face, it was difficult to determine whether he was serious or far from it.

 

Ginae took the dagger, and pulled her hair back the way she would if she were to tie it back. With a few swift slices she cut of the entire length, letting it fall on the infirmary floor. “Let Fayth wonder where that came from.†She said with a grin. A few more cuts and her hair was appropriately short, if a bit messy and still blue. She shook it slightly, suddenly reminded of the last time she’d worn it as short as it was now. “Ralleigh will pitch a fit when he sees this.†She said, smirking at her reflection. She handed Vasya his dagger. “I suppose it’s time to inform Aran that he won’t have a life for a while.†When she rose this time around her head didn’t spin. Maybe the lack of weight on her head was doing miracles for her headache as well.

 

Whistling a merry tune Ginae made her way through the yards, this time fully aware of the looks she was getting. She openly stared back at people, pleased to see that each and every one of the watchers averted their eyes first. As she had expected she found Aran under his tree. Without warning she walked up to him, surprising him with a swift kick to the thigh. “Well hello there. Fancy seeing you here… I thought worms preferred to stay under the ground, in stead of on top of it.â€

 

Rubbing his leg, he was still a bit dazed by the fact she'd cut her hair. When her words finished, that spell of confusion was gone. He didn't even grin, he was too busy laughing at her. Hair was sticking out everywhere, and since they'd left it the blue had matured rather nicely. Indeed, he was chortling so hard that he fell on his side, consumed with glee as he was. He even slapped the grass a few times, thoroughly enjoying himself. "Hahaha, oh Ginny dear, hehe, you're looking a little blue! Ahahaha!"

 

Ginae waited patiently for Aran’s mirth to pass, which took quite a bit longer than her patience usually lasted. “I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself so thoroughly, little man. I’m just here to inform you that your life is over for a while. Or did you really think you could keep getting away with this sort of thing? Perhaps the previous staff thought it was cute, but I fear that the current staff doesn’t share that opinion. Nope, in fact you’ve just bought yourself your last warning. See you around, Aran.†The grin on her face was more than a little malicious. She turned and stalked off towards the barracks. It was about time to see if she could fix the mess on top of her head a little.

 

The mention of a last warning just made Aran laugh at her as she walked away. Only Krelsa had the authority to issue that sort of edict, and if it were for real he'd be handing it out himself. "From now on I'm calling you spike!" Ah, how she made him laugh. And it wasn't as if they were even done, if another opportunity presented itself, who knew what could happen....

[Christine]

Deneira was hiding behind a tree, and she saw Ginae leave her office and head to the infirmary. She waited, and suddenly saw her come stomping out, furious. Her hair was shorter too, and Deneira had to laugh. Aran was a few feet away, napping, when she saw Ginae walk up and kick him. They yelled for a few minutes, and Deneira laughed. Something she said made him laughed harder than he already was.

 

Light, he was rolling over laughing, but Deneira got worried. How had Ginae figured out it was him? Did that mean she knew it was her too? That could be really bad. She yelled some more about being on his last warning, and he definitely messed with her, yelling something about calling her spike… but Dene was really worried now.

 

Did this mean that she would be caught too? She really didn’t want to be in too much trouble, and if the Mistress of Trainees found out… maybe she should turn herself in. but in the yelling, Ginae had never mentioned an accomplice… so maybe she thought she was innocent. Deneira sure hoped that was what she thought… and it had been pretty fun. Maybe she should do something with Aran again.

 

She was about to walk off, when she stopped, and went to Aran, who was still on the ground laughing. She kicked him in his side, and asked, “Now where is my bottle of spirits?†He looked at her for a moment, then rolled over laughing. He just layed there, and she shook her head, disgusted.

 

â€MEN! she curse as she walked off. They always got her into trouble!