From Boy to Man

[Guest Arie Ronshor]

Ooc: Rping with myself.. Cairma & Conor... This occurs 'just' after "Room Service" & before "Mutilation" .. About that time... Fudging the Time..

 

 

IC: 

 

Rubbing his right arm with his left hand Conor felt the chill of the early night grated along his skin. The night felt colder than usual and it caused imense unease that would not have normally bothered him. But the cold was not from the weather. The events that bothered him most were a series of unfortunate proceedings that occured around him, without him. A spectator in the Patterns bloody Wheel.

 

Time spent in the Tower was aways filled with its ups and downs. He had learned from his first step in the Yard that he was not meant for much. Cannon fodder, or the arrows shield, Conor knew he would not become a Warder. It was a secondary role to those far greater than himself to which he gladly took and held for granted. He prefered to be on the sidelines of the major events. Learning more from the mistakes of others and not becoming part of the larger chaotic life of those around him. Beautiful Sahra was but one that he would be a supporting hand. Watching from afar as she would fret over those who were burried deep in her heart. He envied Tower Guard Ursana and Fior. Both fell in her good graces. He was sure that she merely put up with him because he roomed with them and he did not advance on her like so many others.

 

That and he could make her laugh. Conor loved hearing her laugh. But what he hated most was to see her cry.

 

"Burn you, Fior. You bloody fool." he muttered as he climbed the stairs of the Tower Guard Barracks. There was so little of her rambling that he was able to understand. There was Cairma. He knew they were back now, her and Master Aran. It would be nice to see Cairma again, sort of. He got along okay with his mentor, but.. She made him so bloody nervous. Of all the people in the yards, her sword for her size just made him feel.. inadequate. But it was her that he needed to talk to. unsure of why, but he felt drawn to find her and make sure she was alright. Maybe it was out of respect as she was his Mentor, or maybe it was because she was the only link he felt was approachable about this whole ordeal. Unsure, he climbed the last steps to find Cairma man-handling a door off the floor and onto the wall.

 

"Ca...Cairma....?"

 

 

 

 

Conor Palfrey

Trainee

[Guest Arie Ronshor]

 

 

Sahra's retort had been one thing, but her words gave Cairma paused. Perhaps a year away had caused her loss of the trainee's progress and Sahra had at least shown a little more mind than usual in her responce. Pursing her lips she gave no more to what she thought on the matter as one more pressing seemed to shake her from with in far deeper than anything else. Although she worried a little on Aran's behalf, missing greatly the time they had passed in Arafel, there could be no more thought on the matter. What was done was done and Cairma knew that Aran could care well enough for himself just as she could of her own skin.

 

And that of your charges...

 

The worry and guilt sunk deep within her. She did nto mean for him to take what she had said the way he did. The damage was done and with each pressing moment that passed by regret piled higher and higher on her shoulders. Weighted heavily on her heart. Was it the passing events that triggered such a .... violent reaction, or was it the fact that Cairma, Tower Guard of the White Tower, Blade Master, Grandmaster, had denied her own trainee that was placed soley in her care the needed attention and care that he had needed.

 

Yes.

 

Her foot steps carried her back to her quarters in a different section of the Barracks. A room that she shared with Lyssa. A room that when she first came back felt warm, welcoming, and -right. Her steps paused her at the door that lay haphazardly against the adjourning wall. Nothing was ever going to be the same. It wasnt' the same. How could it? Cairma felt alone in this place she called home, and felt a level of failure for the welfare of her Trainee.

 

Fior.... His name is Fior.. Scolding.

 

She held such hope for the boy, seeing something special in him. It must have been more, more than his.. curse that pulled her to him. Admittantly, she had not once expressed it, but she saw him as a younger sibling. So few had she called family. Lyssa, Rosheen, and even Brand held a form of closeness to her. How, she could nto say. As her superior it threatened her grasp  of professionalism. Although, the man could some times be far from professional. It made him endearing. Looking down at the door, she sighed, heavily. And started to lift it up, at least to get it out of the way.

 

 

"Ca....Cairma?"

 

 

Cairma..

 

[Guest Arie Ronshor]

 

Conor rarely saw Cairma out of the Yards. He tended for younger crowds than that his Mentor flitted with. But never had he seen such a raw look in her eyes when she looked up to him. Startled, he wasn't sure how to approach her anymore. Turn and leave.. turn and leave.....

 

"Conor." She broke the silence first. Her eyes stealing to a cold he had never seen before... Only so many were known to have such eyes... Cold, rushing streams of ... How could he put it. Danger. Lethal. Deadly. "What can I do for you?" Her question didn't seem real to him. Automatic. yes, automatic.

 

"I came across Sahra and heard something was wrong. I came looking for... you to see if ... you were .. uh.. okay.." He finished lamely.

 

"I am fine." She looked back at the door, and lifted it up properly on end.

 

"What happened to the door?"

 

"Nothing." She said simply. Conor didn't believe her. The doors were solid wood and heavy as all hell. The fact she could lift one without straining was, as always, disconsorting to see. Scary woman.

 

"Can I help you with anything?" She paused as if wanting to say something, He pressed, "I mean, I know that there was a fight with Fior, did you break the door?" He watched her intently. She was like a leapord, ready to pounce. He could no eaiser read her thougths beyond the danger of the tension in her shoulders. She was known to strike out at a moments notice, if one were to be even that lucky.

 

"I'm sorry. I'll leave.. " Conor turned around. He wanted to help, but his skin was more important intact than skinned by whichever Blade Cairma had handy.

 

"Wait." He glanced over his shoulders. It took her a while to speak each sentence, it didn't feel right. "Go retrieve some basic tools so I can put this back into place. Do you know how to fix such things?"

 

Conor nodded. He had snuck out of his fathers home numerous amount of times without giving a hint to how the door was suddenly unlocked. Doing as she said, he headed out of the corridor without anouther word.

 

 

Cairma & Conor

[Guest Arie Ronshor]

 

There were thing that he did, thing that he had said that he was not always proud of. Although careless, Conor simply held no value on his own life as cause from the reactions to his actions and in turn subjected himself to stupitity or varying degrees to keep people at a distance. Once he knew that Sahra was not nor ever would be his, he knew that his heart would fall too hard and fast to recover if any were to catch his attention again. Ligh knew it took a few weeks of good hard drinking, a bit of avoidance and a numerous amount of hand slaps in the face for him to get over it. He still wasn't sure if he was, but at least he was comfortable with it. Comfortable to accept Sahra as that little sister he always wanted to protect.

 

But to see that look...

 

He paused at the door to the storage closet that was often filled with small useful and useless things. (It was perfect for throwing in younger smaller trainee's in when they were being annoying or taking up space in the hallways.) There was something that should have made sense to him, a click of knowledge, but for the light burn him Conor could not seem to put two and two together. There was something about a gaidins eyes that made them that cold, hard, and so few had that look. Who else did.... Who else... Scratching the hair on the side of his face, he thought hard, not really paying attention to his reaching hand. Instead of grabbing the driver and nails, his hand found the wrench that was locked onto the board against the wall, pulling the whole thing down.

 

"Bloody.. Burn.. " He hissed, attempting to reign in some form of tongue lest someone come out to hear him. -Not that the crashing of the entire utility closet work every bloody inhabitant of the Tower.- Gathering everythign up as quickly as possible and then cramming it back into the closet Conor waited for a momen, abaited and listening. Were there footsteps? ... three... two... one... Silence.

 

"Phew.." Letting the air rush out of him in a sigh, he took two glances down each corridor and then headed back towards Cairma's quarters. Had it been any other time, Conor would have felt the need to whistle, or inscribe some random initial in a wall but the serious note of the evening had bled him dry of such thoughts. Instead, his mind wandered over and over again as to the look Cairma had given him. Cold, Deadly.. If he was not so bloody scared of them he'd have wished for eyes like that for his own. But to show absolutely no emotion and all but death in the eyes of one that he should feel safe around... "brrr.. " he shivered. He just could not grasp it. Not at all.

 

Reaching the higher floors, Conor did not bother to pass Cairma the tools but instead proceeded to rescrew in the door hinges. Cairma stood in the doorway staring at something on the dresser, familiar but misplaced to him, and Conor didn't want to have her do something that he could do for her. Conor liked to think that he wasn't completely useless. A poor trainee, perhaps, but he was very far from useless.

 

 

 

Conor Palfrey

Trainee

[Guest Arie Ronshor]

 

 

Things always needed fixing or replaced. Swords, doors, problems, hearts.. Fixing.. fixing.. toiling under the light it all wears down and breaks and needs fixing. Her eyes were transfixed to the hilt of what remained of Beast, a sword that had become her ally in the ever present battles around and within her. Even in her dreams the sword was always attached to her back, an ever present weight that left her feeling naked if missed. Wrapping her arms around her, she did not glance at Conor as he started on the bottom hinge after completing the top, hold herself in her collective thoughts. The nights in the Tower turned as quickly as she had remembered and it stole away her last moments of peace and happiness. Had she known... No, Cairma could not stay away from the Yards. As tempting as it was, there was nothign for her in the world beyond the Tower gates. Her family was here within the Tower, as was her heart. Ironically, this night, it was not what needed fixing.

 

"Cairma?" She turned to look at Conor and his eye droped to the ground. "The door is fixed. Did you need anything else?"

 

About to shake her head, Cairma paused and changed her mind. "Come in and close the door." Conor looked up a little surprised but did as he was requested.

 

"What occured tonight was.." She licked her lips.." unfortunate, at best. Your friend Fior has most likely left the Yard by this time and would most likely be found in Tar Valon." There was a mirth of a smile to her lips. "Few boats leave at this time of the night and to ride this late would be foolish."

 

"Why did he leave? I thought that it was only a little.. Aran trouble?" There was a flicker in her eyes that Conor could not quite grasp, but his confusion of the situation in its entirety kept him from grasping a mere glimmer in a look.

 

She twitched a little, an eyetick of some sort, asshe thought on what was worth revealing, and what was not. "We, Fior and I, had a disagreement. I fear he would not listen to anything that I may say."

"And you would like me to go retrieve him." Conor filled in.

 

She nodded, "Or at least find out if he is...sane"

 

There was something in her words that Conor knew was being left out. Noding his head, he bowed to her to leave the room. "It will be done, on my honor. You can trust me."

 

If Conor had not looked up when he did, he may have missed the soft smile on her lips. Light, he had never seen her smile so.. delicately before.

 

"I know."

 

With that Conor left Cairma with her thoughts and set in search of his best friend.

 

 

 

Cairma & Conor

[Guest nephitess]

IC: Sada clicked her tongue with a rueful sigh. She had over booked herself again. Shaking her head she thought to herself how she really needed to hire an assistant. Either that or make a point of keeping better records. In a few hours she was to meet with the Shan and the other sitters, but she had also planned to meet with one of her Eyes and Ears. How she had made this mistake was no mystery…she had a bad memory lately. Maybe the yellows would have something for her spotty memory. Thinking a moment on what she should do…a smile came to her lips. Taking a piece of parchment she began to write…

 

Not able to make my fitting. Please come to my quarters in the tower.

The person who delivers this will escort you to the gates.

 

Dusting the sheet with sand she rolled it up and sealed it. Getting up she grabbed her cloak and went on her way.

 

Stepping into the rain, Sada Channeled a shield against the rain and started for the Main Gates. When she got there, she saw a few people around but none going into town. As she came closer to the gates she saw a young man trying to go through the gates but being held back by the guards.

 

“Let me pass!” She heard the young man say…

 

“We have our orders…”

 

A grin crossed Sada’s face and she approached the two men.

 

“Gentlemen what seems to be the problem?”

 

Listening to what the guard told her she nodded and made sure the guard understood she knew he was doing his duty.

 

“Guard, I need you to let him pass, he is going to carry a very important letter for me. It needs to be done right now.”

 

Sada gave the young man a look from the corner of her eye and hoped he would follow her lead. The Young man nodded his agreement. The guard grunted and bowed to Sada. He barked an order to the other guards to let the “boy” through.

 

Motioning for the Young man to come to follow her she walked a few steps away from the guards. The Boy had a curios look on his face but held his piece until she explained what she needed.

 

“I need you to take this note to Mistress Juner’s seamstress shop on Harbor road. It must be delivered as soon as possible. You will escort her back to my quarters. Can you do that?”

 

OOC: If you need me to change anything let me know. *hugs*

 

[Guest Arie Ronshor]

“Let me pass!” Conor said for the umpting-th time. Frustrated and gritting his teeth, he was about ready to sock one of the men in the eye and walk past. If he hit hard enough perhaps the other would differ from saying no as well as his friend would be unconscious. But even i am not that violent. I don't actually 'like' fighting!

 

“We have our orders…”

 

About to say something rather rude that would have Cairma wash his mouth out.

 

“Gentlemen what seems to be the problem?”

 

The Guard related the problem with a rather smug look on his face, one that tempted Conor to carry out his unspoken threat.

 

“Guard, I need you to let him pass, he is going to carry a very important letter for me. It needs to be done right now.”

 

...Wha?!? Conor barely kept his mouth from dropping at the Aes Sedai. He was carrying no message, and not for her. He needed to find Fior, and fast, before he did anything rash. About to protest he caught the look in the Aes Sedai's eye. Light she was beautiful. I wonder what she would be lying on her back... A devious thought made him smirk. The guards looked a little abashed and foul, mistaking it as truth. Wincing, it would be truth as he knew the Aes Sedai would not let him escape her impending quest. Burning flames of ashes.....

 

Motioning for the Conor, he went to the Aes Sedai after they passed through the gates. Curious to know what she needed.

 

“I need you to take this note to Mistress Juner’s seamstress shop on Harbor road. It must be delivered as soon as possible. You will escort her back to my quarters. Can you do that?”

 

He withheld a groan. If he did that, he would no longer be able to find Fior. Choices.. choices. Maybe a few detours could give him a chance to look, but she was an Aes Sedai, and he a meager Trainee. Nodding his head, he bowed deeply.

 

"Anything you request will be done, Aes Sedai."

 

 

 

Conor Palfrey

Trainee

[TaeaDawn]

It was one of the better nights, Aramina thought as she made her way through the darkening streets of Tar Valon.  There had been news to gather and information was always worth the expense.  Especially when it was fresh news and reliable.  Spending some time at the taverns closer to the docks had always been an interesting way to not only hear new stories, but confirm the wilder stories that were heard as well.

 

She'd been able to discard a couple things tonight that would have been problematic had they been true.  So it was with a much lighter heart that she managed to nearly run into a young man.  He looked lost and she sighed as she realized she was about to try to take care of another wanderer in her path.  How many young woman had she brought to the White Tower in her day, women who she had just caught out and about?  She didn't remember anymore. 

 

"Young man?  Do you know where you're going?" she asked, noting the slightly distracted look in his eye as he took in his surroundings.

 

Aramina sur Dulciena

[Guest Arie Ronshor]

 

"Bleedin'... this bites... "

 

Street after street blurred by as he practically ran his way through the varied streets of Tar Valon. Not one sight of that bloody flaming Fior. The git was probably half way to Light knows where or holed in some shack with some two bit red head. Both possibilities seemed about right for his apparent luck all around. Not that his luck ever had anything to do with it, but the day seems to be rolling in a further downward spiral with each step that he took.

 

On top of it all he still needed to deliver the letter and escort someone back to the Tower. The ship in question had not docked yet and it gave him a wee bit of time to search around for Fior, but that time was precious little and it put Conor and a right sour mood. Walking out of the Prancing Pony, a pitiful tavern at best, even for Tar Valon, Conor was starting to give up hope and and give up all together.

 

But that means facing Cairma with nothing at hand. No Fior. If he didn't fear her so much it may not have been so bad. Lost in thought, Maybe if I get a letter of pardon from that Aes Sedai...

 

HMPH..

 

The dark hired woman caught him completely off guard and with a few quick steps saves himself from plowing over the smaller frame. Looking up, a series of curses ran through his head before he bowed low.

 

"Forgive me, Aes Sedai.. " He wanted to smake himself in the head.. "Ow. " Did he just smack himself in the head? "Sorry.. I didn't see you.. I was.. uh, looking for a friend. Can I help you at all?" Whinge. He didn't just offer to help her. Dumb, dumb...

 

 

Conor Palfrey

Trainee sucking at his mission

[TaeaDawn]

Aramina gave a small smile as she watched the young man's reaction.  There were a number of reactions that one expected when one ran into this type on the streets at night.  This was one of the funnier she had witnessed in her life.  She schooled her face and only allowed a small polite smile to grace her features, though for some reason his reaction to her had tickled her somewhat.  Since she was in a lighter mood she didn't bother to try to correct him on the proper way to greet an Aes Sedai and refrained from commenting on smacking himself in the head.

 

"That would explain the lost look then.  Were you supposed to meet someplace?  Or has your friend gotten himself lost?"  He opened his mouth as if he was about to protest her help but she waved him off.  "I am more than capable of getting myself back to the Tower, though I thank you for the concern.  Perhaps I might be of some assistance to you though."

 

Aramina :P

[Guest Arie Ronshor]

 

If only he was conscious of every fly he caught as his jaw dropped and hung low. An Aes Sedai offered hIm.. Conor the Trainee.. to help him with is task!?! An AES SEDAI!! Physically making a show of closing his mouth, clearing his throat *a hem* and and then posed a little with a straight back, broad shoulders ...as women tend to like that sort of thing.. and smiled with a bit of a wink at her. The women in the Barracks always loved that smile. Shame it never worked on the lustrous Sahra. ..mutter..

 

"Nonsense. An Aes Sedai like you should be on the arms of a man, like myself, not wandering the streets." He winked. "It's not safe for such a pretty lay-dee." He purred on the 'lady'. Oh yeah. He was totally going to get smacked. "However, Alas," Dramatic sigh. "Anouther has sent me on such a dreadful task. A rogue of the worst kind has escaped.." Pause for effect along with a wriggle of his eyebrow, "And I am to rescue anouther from the Docks of Tar Valon and hide them away in the Tower. Pile books on top of them to keep them safe."

 

There was a longing look to his eyes as he gazed down at the Aes Sedai. "It is no easy task, but I felt I must accept it. I do apologize for it will not be an easy or safe task that was set upon my person." Puffing up his chest. "But someone had to do it."

 

 

Conor Palfrey

Trainee on aires..

[TaeaDawn]

Aramina shook her head at the way he was acting.  If she was some light skirt she might be less amused, but being of the serious nature and having found that someone had actually managed to get on her good side today and not her bad, seemed to have made the lad far more amusing than she was sure he was.  No doubt about it, she was simply amused where she would normally be trying to hang the boy from the nearest tree with his own tongue. 

 

"Yes, I can see that they have certainly chosen the right man for the job.  If I ever find my own self in need of someone to round up ruffians in the city I shall be certain to ask for you.  If I could know your name?" She asked.

 

 

Aramina

[Guest Arie Ronshor]

 

If he had a hat, he would have tipped it and bowed, but he opted for a rediculously floral bow that nearly had him falling over had he not been Tower trained.

 

"Grand Master Conor Palfery, my lay-dee Sedai." Even he scowled at the lie. "Well, I will be. Just a trainee right now, nearly done too if I can ever convince my mentor that I won't stab myself in practice. Did that once. Got my foot. Hurt like a ..." he grinned widely at her, catching himself before he swore in front of the Aes Sedai. That at the very least was some mediocre of decency he showed.

 

"Just Conor Palfrey. But if you so desire, Conor is just fine. And what may I call you?"

 

 

Conor Palfrey

Trainee

 

Woot... WS 7!

[TaeaDawn]

Aramina's eyes went a little wide at his bravado but her smile was still in place as he began talking about getting his foot.  She didn't think she'd ever been so clumsy with a weapon as that, but Orion might have a different opinion.  After all these years, she decided she should make a point of asking him.  His Aes Sedai would hate her for talking to him, but that wasn't something that stopped Aramina much.  Orion was a good man and because of him, she'd met a few others.  Michael was still too dear to her heart to talk about, even after all these years, his name still wrung pain from her heart, but it wasn't always bad to remember.  A new thought for her, but one that had been learned hard.

 

"I am Aramina sur Dulciena, of the Green Ajah." She said with a small smile.

 

Aramina

[Guest Arie Ronshor]

 

"Aramina sur Dulciena of the Green Ajah." The words tested on his tongue, pronouncing it just perfectly. He held out his hand as if to shake it, but as her hand reached his, he bowed and kissed it with a nonsensical smile. "It is a pleasure, Aramina sur Dulciena of the Green Ajah. Greens are often fond of adventures, so I hear. Would you be interested in an adventure, Aramina sur Dulciena of the Green Ajah?"

 

He knew that his use of her full title may be a bit much, but she did state her full title when he had asked her for her desire of address. It was not a manner of imputence that he addressed her, just stating a level of respect that he had yet to show at all in this meeting. He really was a nice fellow..

 

"I have an inquiry at the dock, and I have on good faith that the moon is quite lovely from that few. Less lights, you see." Conor held out the crock of his arm. "But only if you are interested, Aramina sur Dulciena of the Green Ajah."

 

 

Conor

[TaeaDawn]

She shivered as the young man kissed her hand lightly.  She hoped he didn't notice, hoped he didn't get any ideas with her being a Green Sister and all, but his words about adventure made her wonder.  Light, she hated that her body responded to touch in such a way, but there was little to do about it.  She didn't shiver each time Aran touched her anymore, but it had taken some time to get her body away from that.  It was the small touches that she normally didn't allow that always seemed to get her.  And to cause her the most trouble.  It was probably how Aran had taken an interest in her in the first place. 

 

She sighed, then pushed the man from her mind.  It was the young one before her that she had to keep her mind on.  Was he honestly asking her for a moonlit stroll through the docks?  She cocked her head slightly for a moment, realized that he was asking exactly that and had to school her face to keep from laughing. 

 

"The docks?"  She had no idea what his intention was, but she decided it might be interesting to find out.  If he thought her a light skirt she'd teach him what it could mean to take on a Green Sister.  If he was simply harmless, then it didn't hurt to have someone new in the Yards to glean information from.  She smiled then.  "I think an adventure at the docks sounds wonderful."

 

Aramina

[Guest Arie Ronshor]

 

He smiled with a curtious bow of his head as she slipped her arm around his. Back straighter, he felt a little more powerful guiding the Aes Sedai through the streets of Tar Valon. She was pretty, that was for sure. Dark hair, lovely eyes. Her hesitant manner was a bit of a surprise, but he doubted it was more of a feminine quality than an Aes Sedai one. Hard to say with so many women. So used to Sahra's abrasive manner, Aramina Sedai was a nice change. Chivalry at its best. He rolled mentally rolled his eyes at the next thought. His father would be so proud of him.

 

His steps were light not rushed as he fell into a light form of excursive speech as he lead her through the streets. " .. You see, my mother and father are both from Andor. Caemlyn. Can't say I miss them much. I rarely saw them except for the days that they caught me doing something they did not like. They did not like many things. They fought a lot when they were in the same room. Da was pompous and Mum was a twit." He paused, "Well, maybe not a twit, but she was sure sour about many things. Couldn't make them laugh about anything."

 

"So I came here. Roomed with Mahiko and then with Fior.... " Something tickled in the back of his mind. For a moment thinking he forgot something but dismissed it. He cast the Aes Sedai anouther smile. ".. She got along too well with his female roommate, Sahra. Lucky guy. The Yard is pretty nice. Hard to stay in one place though. Training is hard, but probably nothing like what you Aes Sedai must go through."

 

"What of you?" They started to approach the docks. His required ship still not yet docked. "Where are you from? You have a Cairhien look about you. Noble, perhaps?"

 

 

Conor

[TaeaDawn]

Aramina didn't know what to think of the lad, nor his  talking to her as if she were just another woman and not an Aes Sedai but it was something to take advantage of from time to time.  It wasn't often someone tried to forget what she was, or was foolish enough to, and it was always good to have an ear on what people really thought.  She smiled at him as he asked about her own life. 

 

"Cairhein, yes.  Though I grew up in the countryside around the main city.  I was only 19 when I came to the White Tower to learn the many arts that an Aes Sedai must master. Not like the training of the Yards i'm afraid, though i've studied a little of that as well."  She smiled at the memory of her training.  Orion was a rather stoic man, but his manner and methods had worked well with her. As had his employment of Alric who had softened her a bit.  Enough for Michael to come along anyway.  "In my younger days I learned my sword forms from Orion, Estel Sedai's warder, though he was not bonded at the time."  That the man had bonded the Blue Sister still managed to bring a deal of frustration to mind.  He was better than the Blue simpleton but each man had his own path to take and she had no right to dictate his life when all she had of him were memories of lessons.  None of friendship.  It was the life she had  long ago chosen and though it often rang hollow, there were other things that filled her.

 

Aramina Sedai

[Guest Arie Ronshor]

Conor nodded his head with a slight noise that acknowledges her words. "Of course, they are good men, from what I hear. Not that I have come across them myself, you see. My mentor keeps me rather busy and running raged on the best of days." He puffed out his chest and stood a little bit straighter. He wanted to show off his chest and wide shoulders, not that he was trying to impress her or anything. No, he didn't need to impress her at all. Pride stuck to his next words regardless of trying to hide them. "'Course, I would not have this delightfully beautiful figure if it we're for her. Should be thankful for something I suppose."

 

He strolled along the dock, eyes watching them without approaching. A ship just docking to the far horizon. Pained as he was for the night to come to an end, It would seem he would return to the Yard with not one, but perhaps two women on his arms. Neither of which would grace him with more than a mockingly  sweet smile. A tease. All women were teases in their own right.

 

'Course, as a Palfrey he was no better.

 

"Ah, but aloft I see but a goal that my quest is near an end. The ship just beyond that far Tavern. The one with the rather gaudy music." He gave her a quirk of a smile as he tilted his head down to her in a bit of a smile. No meaning behind it, but with such songs on the breeze there was really no need to imply. "Makes for a fun night it does, but I doubt it is much your speed. A lovely Aes Sedai such as yourself would not be caught in such a scrupulous place." He had no doubt that she would Aes Sedai were odd sort of folk that way. They were still a league away from the ship.

 

"Was there a life beyond this place, beyond being an Aes Sedai ,what you may have wished for yourself? Not meaning to pry but I have always been curious. Why an Aes Sedai and not a common trades woman? Respectable sort most of them can be. Not sure myself. With my luck I'd be a fat inn keeper with a wife that would make my ears bleed. God knows the amount of children we'd have." The grin was beyond appropriate. But it was all a inward thought. He wasn't paying attention to that. It didn't matter after all. It was not every day he could consort with an Aes Sedai and not have her shove her rank down his throat. Wait until he told Sahra and Mahiko!

 

 

 

Conor

[TaeaDawn]

As tempting as it was to show the young man that an Aes Sedai wasn't scared off as easily as a couple of rowdy songs, she decided against it.  Though he might be interesting in finding out that she had once been a bar maid in Tar Valon to a place with a rather rowdy reputation to that very day, she doubted he would believe as much.  Or that in her travels around the world she frequented that sort of establishment to find the agents for her eyes and ears.  Lillian had done the same and their combined network could probably give them a set of bawdy tales that would set even this youngsters cheeks red.  Light, she'd been to far worse than this in Cairhein with Aran.  Not that she would ever tell another about that trip and the places she had seen.  Far better to forget she had ever witnessed it, though that thought in itself was impossible.

 

She sighed at his question and gave the answer that was the most true.  "If I hadn't been found by a Sister I suppose I would have found myself married off to a rich merchant or perhaps a minor noble." She said with a small smile.  "Someone of standing whose House I could have built upon and whose name would have been honored by my work.  But such a life wasn't meant for me.  It is not too late for you, you know.  A wife and an Inn are not so far away if you truly wished it." She mentioned, wondering about the boys real commitment to the Guard.

 

Aramina Sedai

[Guest Arie Ronshor]

He couldn't help himself. Really he couldn't. The cheshire grin that plastered his face said it all.

 

"You know, my father is a rich merchant and I am the next in line. If I were to leave here I'm sure that we could come to an arrangement of some kind." His eyebrows wriggled at her with a light-hearted puppy dog eyes at her. "You, me, an inn of rowdy children with music to make our ears bleed."

 

A safety catch.. he needed a safety catch before she threw him into the river.. "Of course, Your duty is tied like mine is." Puffing up his chest. Always puffing up his chest. "Being a Grand Master and all. Got to keep you strikingly beautiful Aes Sedai safe."

 

 

Conor

A Trainee lying through his teeth

[TaeaDawn]

Aramina laughed lightly at the boys words.  She hadn't expected the joke, nor the excuse afterwards.  Still it was an interesting turn to her evening that would have surely been passed in a much fouler mood had she not found him wandering as she had.

 

"Alas that fate is so cruel.  But duty is not to be undertaken lightly, nor to be abandoned once taken.  But know that I will keep your memory in my heart long after most women have died."  Not withstanding the Last Battle or her own politics.  If she lived through those things, she would remember him.  Tonights humor had set him in her mind and she doubted she would forget his face, even if time blurred the name.  "I find that I feel safer knowing that such a wonderful Guard is working among us, protecting us from the darkness of the world."

 

Aramina

[Guest Arie Ronshor]

He felt a twinge of guilt over his little lie about being a Grand Master. In fact Conor had no doubt that the next time he would see this Aes Sedai again would be when he WAS a Grand Master. Assuming he ever made it that far in his lifetime. He patted her hand for a brief second in a sympathetically comforting manner but no more than just the barest touch. Aes Sedai don't always like being touched, perhaps, but even he wasn't going to push his luck with this Aes Sedai. Or any other Aes Sedai for that matter.

 

Approaching the dock, Conor frowned as the Captain disembarked alone. "Wait one moment, Aramina sur Dulciena of the Green Ajah." Remembering the name she gave him to call her. Light it was a mouthful! "A little business to attend to and than we shall see where the night takes us." . . assuming he did not have to escort a woman or man back to the Brown Sister. Releasing Aramina Sedai, Conor approached the Captain.

 

"Good day, sir. I was sent to retrieve a person onboard your ship to the White Tower. Perhaps you may direct me to this said person?"

 

The Captain looked at him and scratched his head in confusion. If he got the wrong ship than Conor was in deep cows blood if he was wrong. But a light appeared in the mans eyes and even Conor gave a sigh of relief.

 

"Didn't embark, the person you be asking about. Do no be surprised. It be happening most often in my line of work." The Captain sturggled with a pocket for a moment and pulled out what looked to be a sealed letter. He gave it to Conor. "This do be explaining why, I should think. The person be giving me this before I left the harbour."

 

Conor looked the envelope over. There was no marking on it but the wax seal. He could not make out what the seal was. Nodding his head, Conor gave the Captain a salute. "Thank you, Captain. I appreciate it." He walked over to Aramina Sedai while slipping the envelope into his pocket.

 

"Seems that I must head back to the Tower now. Would you care to join me or do you have other plans for the night? I can walk you to wherever you with to go." Conor grinned. "Free of charge, of course."

 

 

Conor Palfery

Trainee

[TaeaDawn]

Aramina watched the interaction, but stayed far enough in the shadows to not be seen.  Even if she was, so far in the shadows no one would see her for an Aes Sedai.  Not that it really mattered, but this was the young man's errand and she didn't want to interfere with it.

 

As he came back to her side she smiled.  "I would be delighted to walk with you back to the Tower grounds." She said as she smiled slightly at him.  In truth, it was time to get some more work done and she had taken more than enough time away from that tonight. 

 

Aramina

[Guest Arie Ronshor]

 

Cocking his head to the side, Conor held out his arm for her to take. He caught the look in her eyes, brief as it was, that indicated that the smile was no longer really there and this new one was to humor him. Could he be wrong? It was hard to guess as she was an Aes Sedai after all.

 

"Something bothers you." Open mouth, insert foot. "It is to pleasant a night for such a flicker in your beautiful eyes. perhaps I could unease your mind?"

 

Conor watched her thoughtfully, but there was nothing except genuine concern on his face. Should the Aes Sedai be troubled is it not a future warders job to help ease the mind of his Aes Sedai? Ease the mind and hold confidence of her trust? It would be good practice, and if nothing else, he would stay true to hold any secret that an Aes Sedai would tell him. Stay true to the Tower and to her.

 

 

Conor Palfrey