Rendezvous....by Daylight? (Nuit)

[Lavinya]

Lavinya double checked the contents of the basket she had prepared for her outing. She had a small feast in there, bread and cheese, dried meat, pastries, fruit, and a bottle of wine. She couldn't help but smile at the bottle, she had done her best to find it, as it was the same kind of wine she had shared with Nuitari the night they met. Light, it seemed so long ago now, though in reality it wasn't that long, just that much had happened since.

 

Smoothing her blue skirts, divided for riding, Lavinya made her way out of the Gray Ajah quarters towards the stables, where she was to meet Nuitari. She felt light on her feet as she walked, her red curls pinned up, with a few tendrils escaping about her neck. The dark blue of her skirts was slashed with cream, matching the embroidery around the neckline and bodice. The dress fit her well, and she silently hoped Nuitari approved. He impressed her, no matter what he wore.

 

Nuitari had informed Lavinya that Ata would be occupied for the better part of the day, and she had jumped at the opportunity to spend more time with him. Their meetings were more often than not stolen, under the moonlight in the gardens. It would be refreshing to have his company for such an extended period of time. A ride out of Tar Valon, away from the tower, away from his bond mate, would be delightful. Just the two of them. Lavinya couldn't stop the small smile twisting her lips again. She had fallen in love with that wonderful man, and he with her as well. It somehow still felt like it must be a dream, though as fate would have it he was not free for her to bond. Still, she was grateful for what time she could have with him, and would take advantage of it today.

 

As she neared the stables, Lavinya quickened her pace. He was already there, she could sense him, thanks to the ward on the pin she had gifted to him. She could never bond him as her own, but it was a small comfort to be able to tell when he was near, though it told her nothing else.

 

Opening the door, Lavinya spotted him in the dim interior, and felt her heart leap at the sight. Painfully aware of the grooms present, she sedately glided over to him. "Good day to you, Nuitari." Her tone was somewhat casual, for the benefit of those would be watchers, but her eyes were dancing with unspoken promise as she gazed up at him.

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Lavinya Morganen - Aes Sedai of the Gray Ajah, Mentor to Elyna and Kilivia

 

 

Nuitari moved about the stables, preparing dovienya for a days riding. He'd gotten some new black silks tailored, and his boots were blacked and polished. They weren't polished to mirrors, but they were better than when he'd first met Lavinya.

 

He was looking forwards to spending some time with her, and not just a few quick minutes in the night in the gardens. He'd nearly gotten dovienya ready when he saw her walk in and froze a heartbeat. He kept himself from dropping his jaw, but it wasn't too far from it.

 

"Good day to you, Nuitari.", Nuitari nodded and bowed back, hand resting on the hilt to the sword on his hip and responded formally, remembering the stablehands. "Good day to you, Lavinya Sedai. It's a pleasant day for riding it seems."

 

As he looked into her eyes as he rose, he had to concentrate hard to not step forward and gather her in his arms right there. He smiled slightly and turned his attention back to his black stallion, tighening the girth and swinging up.

 

Touching his right hand to a black hat he'd purchased only the day before, he rode out and headed towards the bridge and the small store he partially owned.

 

 

"Good day to you, Lavinya Sedai. It's a pleasant day for riding it seems." Lavinya nodded in response, taking in his obviously new clothes, liking the way they fit his taut body. He gave her a secret smile which she returned, watching with barely hidden admiration as he gracefully mounted his black stallion.

 

Hurriedly taking her eyes away, Lavinya made her way to her own mount, scratching Fireheart behind the ears absently as a groom hurried to saddle the palomino mare for her, before securing her basket behind the saddle. Waving the groom away, Lavinya hoisted herself easily up into the saddle, adjusting her skirts over her stockinged legs carefully, before tugging lightly on the reins and headed out after Nuitari.

 

The day was indeed perfectly suited for riding, the sun shining brightly, though it was not too hot, just pleasantly warm, a light breeze stirring Lavinya's skirts as she rode, catching up to Nuit and riding alongside him. She liked the picture of him in his hat, one she had not seen him wearing before, and she couldn't help stealing glances at him, smiling to herself. He made quite a picture. dressed all in black, back straight and proud atop his glossy black stallion.

 

It had been a little while since she had been to his small shop, and it seemed a nice place to stop by, the chances of them being noticed by any other sister's there quite slim. They reined in outside, Lavinya watching Nuit slide from his mount, before he walked over to assist her. Not that she needed the help, but she thoroughly enjoyed the contact as he helped lift her down from her perch. "Thankyou." She murmured softly, lingering near him a moment before stepping away. There would be time enough for such closeness when they were not in the public eye, out somewhere outside of the city, enjoying their picnic.

 

Sweeping inside, Lavinya smiled as the memory of her first visit came to mind. She was still Accepted, finding some respite from the Age of Legends Ball. She blushed ever so slightly. She had been slightly tipsy that night, and had been forward enough to kiss Nuitari on the cheek, in this very inn. The price he paid for his kindness. Never mind the fact that she was kissing him a lot more thoroughly by the end of the evening. And now here she was, sitting at 'their' table, looking into the eyes of the man she loved, as he ordered them some Tearan tea.

 

Her fingers itched, wanting to reach out and touch him. It seemed an age since they had last been able to meet, and she longed to throw herself into his arms, to hold him close, and kiss him into oblivion. If only there weren't so many witnesses, she may even consider doing just that, but proprieties had to be observed. Soon enough, she would have him to herself.

 

Leaning forward slightly, she smiled up at Nuit, her voice lowered slightly and her eyes dancing with mischief. "Do you remember the night you first brought me here?" Her smile broadened as she remembered how the night had ended, her firmly wrapped in his arms, his lips upon hers. He realy had saved her evening, not to mention brighten her life. "Taking advantage of an innocent Accepted." She teased quietly, knowing full well she had been the first to kiss him.

_________________

Lavinya Morganen - Aes Sedai of the Gray Ajah, Mentor to Elyna and Kilivia

 

 

Nuitari slid off dovienya and helped Lavinya down from her horse, smiling slightly as he looked down into her eyes before she stepped away. He suppressed the urge to sigh at having to keep this hidden, and walked inside taking a table near the back. They wouldn't be staying long enough to bother going into a backroom and he just wanted some Tairen tea before they left.

 

He noticed Lavinya blush, and pretended not to notice, fully aware of the other patrons. As the waiter who Captain had hired walked away with his order for himself and Lavinya, he saw Lavinya lean forwards and looked towards her.

 

"Do you remember the night you first brought me here? Taking advantage of an innocent Accepted." Nuitari looked at her and blinked, wanting to protest it was her who started it. He smiled after a moment, and nodded replying just as softly. "Of course I remember, how could I ever forget?"

 

He took his cup of tea and sipped it, nodding after a moment. It was a new tea, but one that would help draw more patrons. He made a note in his head to discuss with Captain later on it.

 

 

"Of course I remember, how could I ever forget?" Lavinya rewarded his comment with a winning smile, her heart leaping with pleasure. She would never be able to forget either. In her eyes, that night had been magical. Second only to the day when he had told her of his love. Even now, gazing at his profile as he sipped his tea, she felt her heart swell with love once more, though it was tinged with sadness. Ata would always have his bond, would always have that connection with Nuit that she could never have.

 

With a slight shake of her head she pushed the thought aside. She would not dwell on it today. Today was just for her and Nuitari. It was rare they could catch this much time together, and she did not want to spend it thinking on something she couldn't change. She forced a bright smile to cross her features once more as she finished her tea quickly, almost scalding herself in the process. She enjoyed the tea, loved the quaintness of the store, but all in all she was impatient to have her hands on him, pressing her lips against his.

 

She cleared her throat and waited almost impatiently for Nuitari to finish. They had agreed that it may throw off suspicion if they stopped there first, since they had been known to come here for tea on occasion. Now though, she longed to ride past the city, where she didn't have to pretend any longer, and leave their cares behind them.

 

Lavinya's eyes gleamed as he finished his tea, barely waiting for him to finish before bounding out of her seat, though she forced herself to walk with some dignity on her way out. She was Aes Sedai, after all, even though her shawl was folded neatly, sitting on her bed. Her great serpent ring still glinted on her hand, so she carried herself arrogantly out to her horse, her fingers tingling with excitement as Nuitari helped her to mount, her breath catching at the feel of his hands at her waist. All too soon the contact was gone, and Lavinya gathered the reins, straightening her skirts with one free hand.

 

With a nod she followed Nuitari, letting him lead her from Tar Valon, over the bridge. He had told her that he knew of a perfect place for them to be alone, somewhere just beyond the city, where they could enjoy being together without being bothered by the outside world, or the bloody interfering tower. With a small smile, Lavinya turned her face to the breeze as she heeled her mount to a gallop, blindly letting Nuitari lead the way.

_________________

Lavinya Morganen - Aes Sedai of the Gray Ajah, Mentor to Elyna and Kilivia

 

 

 

Nuitari heard Lavinya clear her throat and looked at her. He could almost feel her impatience and couldn't resist taking just a little longer than he normally would to enjoy his tea, hiding his smile behind the cup.

 

Setting the cup down, he got up and walked after her back outside to their horses, helping her up to her horse. He held on a few moments more than he needed to, and then he walked over and swung into dovienya's saddle, riding at a quick pace out of the city.

 

Once free from the city, he heeled dovienya into a canter riding towards a nice forest area. His face dimmed slightly as he recalled the first time he'd used these woods, accompanied by his guards.

 

As they entered the woods, he couldn't stop himself from slowing dovienya and looking around, listening hard. Smiling at Lavinya, he stopped right where he'd camped for nearly a month before entering the Yards. "Here we are," he said as his smile deepened into a grin.

 

 

"Here we are." Lavinya returned his smile as she looked around. The location was perfect, a quiet clearing surrounded by dense trees, giving them shelter from the sun and prying eyes. The grass was green and lush, and a faint tinkling sound indicated a creek ran nearby. "It is lovely." She breathed, the scent of the fresh grass and trees teasing her senses.

 

She watched as Nuitari swung down from his saddle, his movements smooth and graceful as he strode determinedly towards her to help her down from her own mount. She slid eagerly into his arms, her arms around his neck as her feet settled on the grass, her face very near to his. "It seems an eternity since I last had you to myself." She murmured, her breath fanning his cheek as she spoke. Her lips curved into a smile as she held him tight, simply enjoying his closeness for the moment. The opportunities to be close to him like this were too rare, and now she wanted to make the most of it.

 

Lavinya's lips brushed his lightly, before she carefully pulled away with a smile. As much as she loved kissing him, she wanted this day to be memorable for them both, not just stolen kisses while no one was watching. Unstrapping the basket behind her saddle, she passed it to Nuit, before pulling a large blanket from her saddle bag. "Come let us relax and eat. There will be time enough for me to have my fill of you soon enough." Her words were lightly teasing, but her eyes glinted with promise.

 

Finding a flat spot in the shade, she spread out the blanket, smoothing it with a quick thread of air, before sitting, arranging her skirts carefully around her, her eyes devouring Nuitari as he sat. Lavinya could not keep the smile off her face as she watched him, thrilled to be alone with him at last. There was still so much she wanted to know about him, so much she had to share. Unpacking the basket, she handed him the bottle of wine, wondering if he would recognise it.

_________________

Lavinya Morganen - Aes Sedai of the Gray Ajah, Mentor to Elyna and Kilivia

 

 

 

As Nuitari lowered Lavinya to the ground, he smiled and stood there, grateful he didn't have to step away quickly. He didn't like having to pretend that there wasn't anything between them, and at times wanted to fling it in everyones faces.

 

"It seems an eternity since I last had you to myself." His smile grew, and he tightened his arms around her as she did the same. This was certainly far more enjoyable then hiding in the shadows, or quick stolen moments during the day.

 

Leaning down as Lavinya kissed him, she pulled away with a smile, and he pushed away the slight regret quickly. "Come let us relax and eat. There will be time enough for me to have my fill of you soon enough." he nodded, and smiled back at her.

 

Sitting down on the blanket near her after she'd arranged her skirt, he looked at the wine bottle he was passed, and frowned a moment. Something was familiar about it, but he couldn't think of what it was until he looked up and saw Lavinya's eyes. After he shifted his grip on the bottle, he smiled slowly and looked back into her eyes. "A very nice wine, it brings back such lovely memories."

 

 

"A very nice wine, it brings back such lovely memories." Lavinya beamed at him, pleased he remembered the night as well as she, when they had first met and shared a bottle of wine. She passed him two silver goblets from her basket with an amused smile. "I thought this time we could share the wine in a more civilised manner." She chuckled softly, remembering how they had passed the bottle back and forth, not bothering with cups. It was a wonder he hadn't thought her an uncouth hoyden!

 

Taking the cup he offered with another smile, she clinked her goblet against his in a toast. "To time together...at last!" Lavinya smiled at Nuit over the rim of the cup as she took a long pull, savouring the taste of the wine on her palate. "I must say, this wine would not be nearly so delightful if not for the company." Her cheek dimpled as she eyed Nuit, taking in his dark profile. Why had she decided to eat first? Her blood pounded through her veins, everything within her longing for her to leap into his arms. Yet she knew she wanted more than just a hasty tumble in the grass. She wanted to know his thoughts, his feelings, know him as well as she knew herself. She knew she loved him, yet there was still so much she wanted to learn. Hence, with the softest of sighs, she turned her gaze away and began arranging the food from the bastket on the blanket in front of them.

 

Lavinya prepared a plate for Nuitar, taking pleasure in being able to complete the simple task for him. It grated terribly, knowing they had to hide their relationship, preventing her from even the simplest pleasures. Still, if anyone had told her she would enjoy preparing a meal for a man only a few short months ago, she would have ridiculed them quite thoroughly. Obviously, Nuitari was having quite an effect on her.

 

Filling a plate for herself, Lavinya leaned back casually on one elbow, her legs stretched out before her, watching the shadows play across her companion's features as he ate. Not for the first time, she thanked the creator for her good fortune, while at the same time cursing for her dilemma. It was cruel, bringing a man as wonderful as Nuitari into her life, only to taunt her with the fact that he was bonded to another, and could never truly be hers. Still, she was grateful for any time she had with him. He had truly brightened her days at the tower.

 

"Tell me, my sweet, how it is you grow more handsome each time I see you." Her eyes danced with mischief and love, as she rested her head on the heel of her palm, never taking her gaze from him. "And how I came to be so lucky?" An idle hand lifted to trace the countours of his face, his cheekbones and proud nose, before caressing his ever tempting lips. How she wished the day would never end.

_________________

Lavinya Morganen - Aes Sedai of the Gray Ajah, Mentor to Elyna and Kilivia

 

 

 

Nuitari looked at the silver goblets, and shook his head with a grin. He'd almost started thinking they would be drinking straight from the bottle again, and just began looking forwards to that.

 

Carefully opening the wine, he poured a nice amount in each goblet before passing one back to Lavinya, clinking his against hers with a smile.

 

"To time together...at last!" Nuitari nodded and murmured his agreement before drinking deeply, enjoying the taste much more this time.

 

"I must say, this wine would not be nearly so delightful if not for the company." He smiled, "the company is indeed very delightful, and only increased by the sharing of such a good drink," he said softly looking into Lavinya's eyes.

 

Nuitari carefully took the plate Lavinya offered him, and smiled as he saw the obvious planning of some good Tairen foods, and a few he didn't quite recognize but suspected were from Arad Doman. He selected a few and sampled small pieces, and looked over as he heard Lavinya moving. He smiled and slowly looked over her leaning back on one elbow, completely at ease and felt his heartbeat quicken.

 

He ran his eyes up and down, taking in the way the sun shone on her hair, the look on her face, and smiled slightly as he slowly ate small portions of food without really paying attention to what he was eating.

 

"Tell me, my sweet, how it is you grow more handsome each time I see you." Nuitari blinked, and focused on her eyes, trying not to be distracted and pay attention to her words, seeing in the edges of his vision the way her head was resting on her hand. "And how I came to be so lucky?"

 

He reached up and placed his hand on hers, smiling. "That would be difficult to answer, just like how you become ever more beautiful every day. But it was fate which has brought us together, and something I treasure," he said softly. Setting his plate down nearby, he reached out to brush some hair out of her eyes and smiled.

 

"But the Creator has certainly favoured me this life, and I am quite thankful now that I did not die with the passing of my first Bondholder. You bring light to many dark places," smiling he leaned over and kissed her quickly before leaning back to pick his plate back up.

_________________

Nuitari Asteri, Blade Master and Warder to Ata,

 

 

The look in Nuitari's eyes melted her heart as he looked over her face, his soft words bringing an answering smile to her lips. "That would be difficult to answer, just like how you become ever more beautiful every day. But it was fate which has brought us together, and something I treasure," His touch was gentle as he brushed away a stray hair having escaped from it's place at her nape.

 

"But the Creator has certainly favoured me this life, and I am quite thankful now that I did not die with the passing of my first Bondholder. You bring light to many dark places." Lavinya sighed a soft, happy sigh as Nuitari's lips descended to brush against hers in a kiss that was sweetness itself. Too soon the touch ended, and Lavinya sighed again, though a smile brightened her features, setting a warm light to her dark eyes.

 

"You have not left me unchanged either." She lifted morsel of dried fig to his lips, watching as he took the offering, his mouth brushing her finger softly. "In fact, I no longer know what kept me going all these years, because truly I never felt alive before I knew the warmth of your embrace." Her words were soft lyrical, floating to him on the soft breeze that stirred their hair gently, lulling and intoxicating. Nuit was enchanting her, by his mere physical presence, so close to her, so welcoming. She knew this was where she belonged, that he was what her life had been lacking.

 

"What was it like - the bond breaking?" Lavinya lifted her gaze once more to meet his, genuine concern in her expression. "I don't want to bring back old pain, but I do want to know everything about you, I want to share your joy and your pain." She traced the line of his jaw with a finger, before dropping her hand once more. "In fact, I have never before been concerned with how someone else felt, but with you, I want to more than know, I want to be a part. I may not hold your bond, but I like to think I hold your heart." The corners ofer her full lips lifted in a small smile as she moved her hand to cover his, lightly stroking the warm skin at it's back.

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Lavinya Morganen - Aes Sedai of the Gray Ajah, Mentor to Elyna and Kilivia

[706Somtaaw]

"What was it like - the bond breaking?" Nuitar blinked and turned his attention away from his plate of food.

 

"I don't want to bring back old pain, but I do want to know everything about you, I want to share your joy and your pain." Nuitar blinked again and pushed back the quick pulse of anger, and regret.

 

"In fact, I have never before been concerned with how someone else felt, but with you, I want to more than know, I want to be a part. I may not hold your bond, but I like to think I hold your heart."

 

Nuitari nodded, and looked away a moment. "It's very painful, many Gaidin can't take the grief and either waste away, or go on suicidal missions. It is something not lightly spoken of," he said after a moment.

 

"Only the strongest of will seem to pull through, I know only of 2 others who have survived, and heard of a bare hnandful more. When the Bond itself snaps, it feels of agony. It's losing a needed part of yourself, its the part where the Bondholder was."

 

Taking a deep breath, he made himself explain further. "When we become Bonded, the Bondholder becomes a part of us, something we rely on as Gaidin. It takes getting used to, but we eventually adapt to having another in our head, and then its silence."

 

Taking a bite of an apple, he shrugged. "It's a heavy price, but something everyone at the Yard's learns about. We enter the Bond knowing we could have this happen, yet it is something we still volunteer to do."

[Lavinya]

Lavinya listened without interruption as Nuitari spoke, chills running down her spine at the thought. She believed she would bond one day, but hearing it from this side did not make it appealing. Besides, how could she bond when her heart belonged to another?

 

With an almost imperceptible shake of the head she pushed the thought aside, her face crinkling in concern for all that Nuitari had endured, for the knowledge of how strong he must be to survive it. And yet, here he was, back in the same predicament. It was his bond with Ata that had helped save him, she knew that, but yet it could end up being something that destroyed him, should something happen to Ata.

 

He seemed so nonchalant, casually eating an apple, yet Lavinya knew better than to think that it didn't still ache at times. Her love just grew, every time she learnt something new about him. No one had warmed her heart like he did. She reached a hand out to him, smiling faintly as she brushed his cheek, before taking hold of the hand which held the apple, leading it to her own mouth so she could take a bite, never taking her eyes from his.

 

"I'm sorry for what you endured, yet I know it is part of what has made you the wonderful man you are today." She squeezed his hand before releasing it, smiling as she looked up at him, her eyes twinkling with love and barely hidden promise. "And it just so happens that the man you are today is the one I've fallen in love with." She whispered, shifting positions so she was kneeling in front of him, her fingers twining with his as the apple fell unnoticed to the ground.

 

"It might be just me, but talking about something unhappy makes me want to discuss...happier notions." A wicked grin crossed her features as she drew herself ever closer to him, her lips hovering just inches from his. "Or perhaps..." She licked her lip absently, her eyes locked on his. "Perhaps experience far happier...notions." Slowly she bridged the gap, pressing her soft lips against his.

[706Somtaaw]

"I'm sorry for what you endured, yet I know it is part of what has made you the wonderful man you are today." Nuitari gave a hint of a smile and focused back on pushing the feelings back into the box in his head.

 

He blinked and focused back on Lavinya as her hand twined with his and the apple he'd been eating fell to the ground. "It might be just me, but talking about something unhappy makes me want to discuss...happier notions."

 

He chuckled as he saw a hint of a wicked grin on her lips as he looked into her eyes, feeling how close she was to him. "Or perhaps... Perhaps experience far happier...notions."

 

Nuitari smiled one last time as he felt his heart beat faster, before starting to return Lavinya's kiss and pulled her closer to him.

[Lavinya]

Lavinya's eyes flickered closed as she felt Nuitari draw her closer, a soft sigh of contentment escaping her lips. It was amazing, they had shared many embraces, but each time she felt his touch it was as though it was the first time, her blood singing through her veins and her heart pounding. He was like some potent elixir, inciting her passions so that she could no longer think rationally, yet at the same time his kiss was the cure.

 

Time seemed to slow, or perhaps it was racing past, Lavinya was blissfully unaware of everything but the man who held her firmly, his lips moving hypnotically upon hers. Her fingers traced his features, as though she were a blind woman, and needed to memorise him by touch alone, the essentially male scent of him invading her nostrils and befuddling her senses.

 

Reluctantly she drew back, breaking the delicious contact, her cheeks flushed and her eyes twinkling. Licking her lower lip, she smiled up into the handsome face above her. "I could quite happily spend all of my days in your arms." Her voice was slightly husky, still filled with the passion of the moment.

 

Leaning forward she awarded him with a light kiss, before disentangling herself with a rueful smile. "Yet as pleasurable as your embrace is, I find it extremely distracting." She grinned impishly at him. "And you mean far more to me than a simple roll in the hay, as it were." She absently adjusted her hair, patting the curls into place. "Come now, is there anything you would like to know of me?"