It's a party, what can go wrong? (OPEN)

[U4ea]

Edana looked around the small tavern, the silly grin she'd been wearing for most of the day still curving her lips. She was pretty sure she'd get ragged about it come morning, but she truly didn't care. This day had to be one of the best days of her life. She'd been promoted to Tower Guard, Sandre had come home to her... apparently that's all it took to make her grin like a loon for hours on end.

 

She'd been visiting this tavern since the day she'd found it. That had been two days after signing the logs to join the Warder's Guild. There were so many memories in this little tavern. Betting Kynwric she'd drink him under the table had happened at the third stool at the bar. She'd been sitting on the stool to the far right the night before Sandre left for the Borderlands. She'd been in a fight in that corner with an idiot who thought it funny to argue with the barmaid about how much ale he'd inhaled. She'd met Dante in the corner booth on the other wall. So much history. Now she was adding to it!

 

She recognized a few other faces around the tavern and nodded, raising her glass to a few of them. She was waiting for Sandre to catch up with her, so she was sitting at this table by the window all by herself. She hummed under her breath as she waited, her happiness barely contained in the tapping of her fingers and toes to the music filtering from the small stage that dominated the far wall of the tavern.

 

~Edana

OK, this is the Open Thread we've been talking about. Ya'll come on in and let's start talking about how much fun it has been to get promoted and laugh about the stuff we did when we were young and dumb. *grins* You know... yesterday! Planning thread is here: http://forums.dragonmount.com/index.php/topic,42705.0.html Let's have some fun! :D

[Sangreal]

Sandre arrived with the cold feeling of being checked still in him. He had intended to change though was afraid he might be disappointed if he didnt see her stuff in the room so left his jacket hanging on the door handle instead... if her stuff was in there she would read him like a book as to why he did it but... that was later.

 

Seeing Edana turned the other way he moved in without a sound and sat next to her. She turned to see him with only a little surprise. He wasnt a huge fan of ale... at all... until about the third or fourth one... but ordered one anyways and laid down a small coin purse in case they forgot to pay in their drunkeness to follow. Holding up the glass he toasted.

 

"To days like this one."

 

Hopefully this would be a night as good as the day was.

[Sieve]

Kennar sat at the next table over from the pair.  He had seen both of them training in the yards but had never met either of them.  Most likely they did not remember him.  Kennar had the good fortune to look very average, nothing about him stood out.  He was neither tall nor short, fat nor skinny, he was just average.  His features were very ordinary.

 

This tavern was a place he frequented.  It was a common stomping ground for those training in the yards.  Not that he liked drinking with these light cursed fools, but they always spoke freely after a few rounds.  The information he gathered from these light blinded fools had helped him keep his neck from the hangman's neuse a time or two.

 

Kennar raised his mug towards the pair as the man made a toast then took a gulp.  Taking the opening he asked

 

"The light shine on both of you, what's the occasion?"  When they responded he asked to join them.  Moving to their table he said

 

"Congratulations, it is an honor to have you amongst our ranks.  The name's Kennar Tynes, I was promoted to Tower Guard less than a year ago.  It's been great serving in the Guard, always something new unless you pull gate duty.  Other than that there's plenty of free time when your not on assignment." 

 

Seeing the purse on the table Kennar threw down a handful of coins.  "Well the next round is on me then.  So what are your plans?  Have you been assigned to a company yet?"

 

 

 

 

 

[U4ea]

Edana smiled and held up her glass, eagerly toasting to more days like this one. She hadn't felt this happy since...

 

...well, never. It was a glorious feeling!

 

She even smiled when a vaguely familiar face wandered over. The Yards? she asked herself. When Joe nodded behind the man's back, it hit her. She'd seen him here more than in the Yards.

"The light shine on both of you, what's the occasion?"

 

Edana smiled, feeling far too good to let her usual suspicions rouse themselves. "I was promoted to Tower Guard this morning."

 

When he'd pulled up a chair, he continued. "Congratulations, it is an honor to have you amongst our ranks.  The name's Kennar Tynes, I was promoted to Tower Guard less than a year ago.  It's been great serving in the Guard, always something new unless you pull gate duty.  Other than that there's plenty of free time when your not on assignment." He tossed coins down and Edana's grin widened. "Well the next round is on me then.  So what are your plans?  Have you been assigned to a company yet?"

 

"I don't make plans, I get pulled into them," she laughed. Sandre could attest to that. "And no, I only just moved my things into the barracks this morning. The Quartermaster ordered me to report tomorrow morning for my assignments and scheduling. I suppose he's going to let me feel good about this promotion for a night before slapping me with babysitting the fences. From the look on his face, he's figured out how much trouble I can be already."

 

She turned her eyes on Sandre and raised her eyebrows. "You wouldn't have anything to do with that, would you?" Her lips were still curved in a smile, which meant this was more teasing than anything. The look on the Quartermaster's face when she'd told him which room she'd chosen had only reinforced their inability to keep secrets from anyone. He wasn't surprised and only gave her a gruff "humph" before writing it down. She was sure that was going to equate to totally opposite shifts and plenty of wall duty, but, even now, she really didn't care!

 

~Edana

 

 

 

 

[Sieve]

Kennar laughed along with Edana, she seemed as if she would be a fine drinking partner despite the fact that she was likely a light blinded fool.  Then again there were some who claimed to serve the light yet they were almost as coldhearted as he was.  Wouldn't that be fine if this one served the Great Lord of the Dark, she would be a pleasure to play with.

 

As the woman continued he made note of the obvious connection between the two.  A shame Kennar thought, there would be no rolling in the hay with her.  Looking around he noticed several serving girls that he had gotten acquainted with.  Even when his luck had run out his mistress was always kind.  She always found someone for him to play with.  Kennar laughed again at Edana's comment about guarding fences.  Raising his mug he made a toast "Here's to hoping you receive an assignment other than guarding fences.  Hopefully you can manage to stay out of trouble or not if that's what you prefer."  Kennar smiled then drained his mug.  Placing the empty mug on the table he asked the serving girl for another round.

 

His attention turned to her companion as Edana directed her question his way.  When the man responded Kennar extended his hand to him.  "I don't believe we have officially met.  I have seen you around the yards training but I have never had the pleasure to meet you."  After the other introduced himself he asked  "So have you had the chance to leave the Tower yet or have you been stuck here guarding fences."  As he said the final words he smiled at Edana since she had worded it so.

[_Kynwric_]

Kynwric had heard of Edana's ceremony for raising, but it hadn't been for him to attend. that was reserved for her close friends and the Aes Sedai involved... even if it was Lor doing the ceremony. However, the after-party, that was something he was up for and he knew Lor would be as well. So he was up sitting in her quarters, well their quarters since he lived there too, and waiting on her to finish whatever primping was necessary before they went out. "Love, really, its a bar..."

[U4ea]

"Love, really, its a bar..."

 

Loraine turned her eyes to where Kynwric sat, with his back to her, in a chair. He still didn't look terribly comfortable here, but at least with enough of his things filling the room, he didn't look miserable. She smirked at his comment, reaching down for a stray slipper that was sitting next to her chair and threw it at the back of his head. She didn't say at word, just turned back to the mirror, adjusting the pins in her hair so they would disappear in the intricate knot she'd twisted on the back of her head.

 

She hadn't been out to celebrate in a long time and was really looking forward to this trip into town. That was probably why she was spending a little more time on getting ready, but he could wait. She paused and smirked at him again, shaking her head. "One would almost think you had a particular interest in this Guard being raised," she said, standing with a fluid grace even her grandfather would've been proud of. She made her way past him and stopped at the door, turning and crossing her arms as she waited on him to stand up. "Well? Is the Tower suddenly not on fire, anymore?"

 

~Loraine

teasing the heck out of her wardie, because she can. ;)

[Sangreal]

In response to Edana's question he stopped nursing the bitter tasting drink and looked back at her as though he didnt hear her. "Hmm? What was that? Lets hope the Quartermaster doesnt assign you duties or you would be counting inventories for your career. But yes he does know you are trouble. Its where the Captain puts you that you should be worried about. Just hope you dont get stuck with some uptight bridge guard. I heard those guys are real pains in the neck." Of course he knew this because he was one of those uptight bridge guards. She had no idea how many "favors" for the commanding officers he had to pull over the year before he left to get her on his shift in case she was raised before he got home, but it was the only way he could see the relationship working. The commanders knew this too and used it as a way to have someone do the dirty work. He would never see her at work. She would be on another part of the island but assuming it was a normal day they might have lunch together. He felt bad about appealing this to a Captain in the same situation but a slight change in his own shift starting tomorrow would guarantee them more time together.

 

When the man extended his hand Sandre took his forearm in a clasp. "Sandre Kaldun just returning from the Borderlands. I was a patrol guard but either they noticed I took the job seriously or the Captain got tired of me suggesting new defenses, patrol techniques, and counter measures so they put me on the bridges with the rest of the over zealous obsessive trainers."

 

He took another sip of the bitter drink and wondered how anyone enjoyed this. Well... he had to stay sober enough to get Edana back safely if it came to it. He was happy to see her wearing the jade handled sword. He supposed her old Captains sword would go on a wall.

 

"I got a brief look at your schedule...I believe you were assigned to escort duty for trainees who need to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night." He was smiling as he drank the ale. She was a trouble maker but really she wasnt as bad as she thought she was... for everyone else.

 

"So Kennar... where have they put you? Judging from the way you scan this room and positioned yourself at a seat where if a fight broke out you have time to either draw your weapon or make a hasty escape before someone got to you I would say they have you working closer to the Tower."

 

 

[Sieve]

Kennar smiled warmly as the man clasped his arm and introduced himself as Sandre Kaldun.  The man was both taller and wider than Kennar though that never bothered him.  Big men died just as easily as smaller ones.  He seemed to listen intently as Sandre spoke so as not to appear disinterested though truthfully he could have cared less what this fool did.  Kennar laughed as Sandre finished "There are many here in positions of authority who do not wish to hear the opinions of younger guardsmen."

 

Kennar took a gulp of ale then spluttered some at Sandre's comments.  "Light let us hope that is not your assignment Edana." 

 

"So Kennar... where have they put you? Judging from the way you scan this room and positioned yourself at a seat where if a fight broke out you have time to either draw your weapon or make a hasty escape before someone got to you I would say they have you working closer to the Tower." 

 

In a matter of moments he disliked the man.  If he wasn't afraid of drawing attention to himself he would have challenged the fool.  Instead he wisely let the slight pass as if he didn't recognize it as such.  "One can never be too careful Sandre."  He smiled again, let him catch this fool alone and he would sing a different tune.  "That is very observant of you but I assure you it is the former, guardsmen, at least those I know do not flee from trouble."  Let him chew on that for a bit.  Draining his mug again he hailed the serving girl asking for another round before he finished answering Sandre. 

 

"Yes I have been assigned to the Tower grounds mostly though I have been selected for a few missions outside of Tar Valon.  The latter are fewer than I would like but it appears my abilites with a sword as well as pen and parchment have attracted the eye of a few Aes Sedai.  The Yellow, Brown, and Grey Ajahs in particular seem to like guards with a dual purpose."  He shrugged as if it were no big deal.  If the fool felt slighted then so be it.  "It is not as fun and exciting as trips to the Borderlands I suppose though it does keep me busy." 

 

[Sangreal]

Sandre nodded at the man though he was focused on the man himself. It seemed as though his smile was forced and though his eyes said he was intelligent, it seemed a cold intelligence.

 

"Never said there was anything wrong with being careful. Too many Guardsmen take the notion of honor too far. Why die to the last man when a retreat could result in a victory later? Why not use a concealed dagger in a melee if it means victory? In war the honorable die first. But then that was not what I meant with the observations I gave you. I was simply complementing your intelligence."

 

Sandre turned back to Edana. He wondered if she read into what had just happened. It was something he would think on in detail later. He was however still conscious of Kennar's eyes on his him and kept himself aware of the mans movements. Kennar was not the only one who was careful. Only Edana was excluded in his mind from being measured as a threat. Still Sandre seemed to be seeing more and more Guardsmen with that look in their eyes. Like the only thing holding them from killing whoever they wanted and taking whatever they wanted was the law. The thought that they might be overpowered and lose their right to live or their freedom for their actions. If he ever made rank screening was going to be more thorough.

 

"So Edana will you be doing any running tonight?" The joke came from a bet she had with Master Kynwric. His smile to her was warm and only emphasized that he was playing with her. "Or will we be carrying you back to the barracks?"

 

Yeah... he would pay for this later...

[U4ea]

"I believe you were assigned to escort duty for trainees who need to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night." Edana narrowed her eyes on Sandre and laughingly punched him in the arm.

 

Kennar didn't make it any better, either. "Light let us hope that is not your assignment Edana."

 

She turned her dancing green eyes on him and arched her eyebrows up. "If I knew you better, I'd be aiming at your arm, too! Give me three hours and we'll see about changing that!" She grinned.

 

"So Edana will you be doing any running tonight? Or will we be carrying you back to the barracks?" Sandre eyes were laughing. Bah! Like she'd be angry with that crack. Aside from the food poisoning she'd endured the next day (and staunchly refusing to go to the infirmary!), that had been quite a bit of fun!

 

She looked him up and down a moment, then turned her eye on Kennar, giving him the once over, too. "If I didn't have to smile at the Captain tomorrow morning, I'd challenge both of you to a drinking contest and the losers would have to dance the on the wall in only their skin!" She grinned at Sandre. "And while I wouldn't mind seeing that, I'm pretty sure the Captain would!"

 

~Edana

thoroughly oblivious and loving it

[Sieve]

Edana turned her dancing green eyes on him and arched her eyebrows up. "If I knew you better, I'd be aiming at your arm, too! Give me three hours and we'll see about changing that!" She grinned and he smiled in response then broke into laughter.  Edana was certainly a live one, something about her made him forget her allegiances.  Kennar was surprised that he had taken a liking to her in such a short time.  When it came to light blinded fools he usually preferred the submissive type, they were much easier to manipulate and have your way with.

 

Kennar glanced at Sandre, now he was someone he depised on sight.  Kennar did not know how to read him.  He would have to find out more about the man who looked as if he could be trouble.  Sandre asked Edana if she would be running tonight.  Obviously it was an inside joke that Kennar did not get.  He was going to ask but Edana eyed Sandre then turned her attention on him.

 

"If I didn't have to smile at the Captain tomorrow morning, I'd challenge both of you to a drinking contest and the losers would have to dance the on the wall in only their skin!"  "And while I wouldn't mind seeing that, I'm pretty sure the Captain would!" 

 

Kennar laughed out loud clapping Edana on the shoulder.  It took him a few moments before he could respond.  "Yes, if we lost that would be quite a sight!  I am sure the Captain would rather not see Sandre and I dancing on the wall in our skin."

 

Kennar

actually enjoying himself

 

[Sangreal]

Sandre smiled at the thought of the Captain coming out to see that one. Though it would hardly be a surprise at all to him. Guards often got themselves in rather odd situations.

 

"Well if we could get him in here he could tell you stories of his own life that are worse than that. Making sure that you are memorable is a good way to be thought of when promotions do come up. They had to get someone who knew every prank in the book and he knew because he had done them all."

 

Sandre shrugged. His mind going a hundred miles an hour and hardly focused on the purpose he was here for at all. Kennar seemed to be stranger and stranger every time he spoke or made a sound. (Still he is not the strangest I have met.) he thought to himself.

 

Sandre turned to the bar tender "Do you have something with a bit more kick?" no way he was going to be able to endure the bitter taste of ale for too long.

 

"Pick your poison."the bartender replied as motioned to some bottles that did not have a tap.

 

"Poison... now theres an interesting concept." He said as he pointed a bottle of a clear liquid. "In the Game of houses poison is a favorite so naturally when I got here I started to build a tolerance in case I had to escort some Aes Sedai somewhere. Turned out to be a good thing since when I started learning how to cook some of the food came out down right lethal." Of course he timed the punchline perfectly for when Edana was drinking...

[U4ea]

Edana laughed at Kennar's reaction, shaking her head. How had he been raised so close to her and she not know him? Had she been that focused on Sandre? Of course, Sandre's next crack about his cooking answered that. There was a lot to be distracted by. "Now, the Captain is NOT who I'd get up late to see dancing on the wall in his skin. In fact, it may well take me a month to get that mental image OUT of my head! And I thank you for it, truly. How am I supposed to keep a straight face while he's throwing the book at me tomorrow?"

 

"Turned out to be a good thing since when I started learning how to cook some of the food came out down right lethal."

 

She clapped her hand over her mouth to keep from spewing ale across the table. Her mug hit the table and she laughed once her mouth was clear. She reached for a kerchief she kept tucked in her jacket pocket and cleaned her hand, grinning at him. "I have heard stories. From the sound of it, I should be glad I haven't tasted it! Perhaps I should watch you cook, just to make sure you know which end of the cookpot to use?"

 

~Edana

[_Kynwric_]

Kyn stood and followed Lor out of the room, escorting her out of the Tower and to the appointed bar. "I've interest in any Guard being raised. It makes things safer here, which in turn makes my life easier. But in Edana, she's done good work. Work I wouldn't trust to just anyone." he said that if it said enough, and to him it did. "here we go, one party... made to order." Pushing the door open for Lor before following her in, of course he had already had a look inside through the windows before allowing her to precede him into the room.

[U4ea]

Alright, so she was happy to be away from her quarters, away from her duties and able to relax a bit. Loraine smiled and inhaled the air of the city as Kynwric escorted her through it. He'd never been particularly wordy and she could only smile at him as they made their way to the bar. She'd done a good job and he trusted her. What else was there?

 

She paused in the doorway and kissed his cheek before slipping inside. She heard the laughter from the corner and recognized the rich, thick rope of hair that seemed to be coming from the same area. Seeing Sandre, as well, she had to nod in their direction. "Do you want to swing by the bar first, or offer our congratulations? They seem to be having a good time already, so we could let them at it a bit longer before the old fuddy-duddies show up..."

 

~Loraine

[_Kynwric_]

"Bar first then, but we're, or at least I am not an old fuddy-duddy." He swung his eyes towards the bar and let her lead. "No reason to interrupt their festivities quite yet."

[Sieve]

 

 

Sandre spoke "Well if we could get him in here he could tell you stories of his own life that are worse than that. Making sure that you are memorable is a good way to be thought of when promotions do come up. They had to get someone who knew every prank in the book and he knew because he had done them all." 

 

Kennar smiled then responded "That is true Sandre, a very good point, he probably has some very interesting stories from his training and service.  I am sure he probably does know almost every trick in the book."  Sandre seemed consumed by promotion.  Kennar thoughts on promotion lie elsewhere.  Being in the service of the Great Lord of the Dark, one did not think of promotion in the same sense.  Power, immortality, and survival were the daily course.

 

Kennar would have to watch for Sandre while keeping his distance.  Edana on the other hand, she was someone he would like to get to know better.  As Sandre spoke with the Bartender Kennar took the opportunity to get more acquainted with Edana.  "Another round?" he asked her.

 

Kennar's ears perked up at the mention of poison.  Something that would serve him well in his line of work.  He would have to find the right person to instruct him without them learning the true purpose.  A good Tower Guard should know about poison to better protect the Aes Sedai.  Yes that reason should be enough.

 

Kennar laughed at Sandre's joke though it was more to mask the glare that he wanted to fix on the man.  Kennar was trying to talk with Edana and this fool kept trying to steal her attention from him.  Kennar was not ugly but it seemed as if he would have to get her alone if he wanted to work his charm on her. 

 

Kennar drained his mug again and asked for another round oblivious of the Aes Sedai and Warder that just entered the tavern.

[Sangreal]

Upon seeing Kynwric and as a surprise Loraine Sedai walk in Sandre smiled at the two. "Have you come to join us in celebrating our newest Tower Guard Loraine Sedai and Master Kynwric?" Sandre rose to bow to the two and pulled out a chair for Loraine Sedai earning him a look from Kynwric that he couldnt read. Was it because he knew her well enough to do such a small act or that he did what was proper? Dismissing that and unconsciously scooting closer to Edana he gripped Edana's hand a moment. A nervous trait he had picked up whenever the two had encountered Aes Sedai from the days back to when they were both still trainees. However it always made him noticeably relax as well. Not enough to not feel Kennar's gaze however. The man's eyes were like thin knives where his focus lay.

 

"Perhaps you know Guard Kennar Loraine Sedai? Hes apparently as deadly with a pen as he is with a sword and so sees a lot of use inside and outside the Tower." Sandre had thus far played hot and cold with Kennar. It was often dangerous to let someone know how much you know about them. The Game of Houses at even a simple social event. Sandre was disgusted with himself. (Let him think we are friends until he proves himself trustworthy. By the light I hope whatever gave him that gaze were not horrors caused by his own hands.) he thought. In some cases they were with Tower Guards. Some were fleeing a horror they witnessed others a memory of a horror they had been ordered to cause. The look was the same though. Sandre himself had seen what bandits would do to a village if allowed to go unchecked.

 

"As for Edana here, we may need to hire more guards to protect the criminals from her." The look he gave her was exactly as he would have before he left. All his heart and soul poured out to her in a single moment of eye contact. He felt as though the connection returned in that instant. His slip however was that he gave away his biggest weakness for everyone to see.

 

 

[Sieve]

Kennar turned to look over the room as Sandre addressed the Aes Sedai and her warder.  Kennar was familiar with Master Kynwric, well who wasn't the man was a Grandmaster.  As deadly a swordsman as you could meet, one he knew he should steer way clear of.  His Aes Sedai on the other hand was someone he had not met.  She appeared motherly, well what Kennar assumed was motherly.  His mother had been nothing cruel to him as a child though this woman, this Aes Sedai seemed pleasant.

 

Bowing in front of the pair Kennar quickly interjected.  He fought back the urge to glare at Sandre again.  What was the fool trying to do?  "I don't believe I have had the pleasure to make your acquaintance Loraine Sedai, it is an honor.  Though I dare say that I know of your warder.  I don't believe their is anyone in the yards who is unfamiliar with Master Kynwric."  He nodded and smiled warmly to the older man.  The Grandmaster swordsman simply emanated danger. 

 

"It is true Loraine Sedai, I have quite a nice hand.  It is not what I enjoy most but it does get me out of other less interesting duties like guarding gates or escorting trainees to privy."  As he remarked about taking trainees to the privy he smiled at Edana and chuckled a bit before returning his attention to Loraine Sedai and Master Kynwric.  "Sorry it is an inside joke.  Sandre made mention earlier that Edana's first assignment will be escorting the new trainees to the privy."  Kennar smiled at her again then chuckled.

 

"Well if you ever need my services I will be more than happy to help."  Kennar doubted she would take him up on it.  Most Aes Sedai had their own clerks or used one from the abundant group that the Tower kept on hand.

 

 

[U4ea]

Loraine smiled as she heard Sandre's voice from across the room and sent Kyn a look. "Apparently, I'm not the fuddy-duddy! Must be you..." She grinned and turned towards the table with her glass of wine, her smile turning warm as she settled into the chair Sandre held out. "Thank you," she murmured as she took in the party at the table. Edana was smiling rather broadly and the look in Sandre's eyes as he touched her answered for why. So, that's who she'd been waiting for, she thought, turning her eyes to the other at their table. Sandre's words skimmed like a haze through her thoughts as her habit of picking people apart on sight kicked in.

 

Kennar, Sandre had called him, was Edana's age and a nice enough looking man. If you ignored the expression in his eyes, his laughter seemed a match for Edana's, even. The tightness around Kennar's eyes seemed at odds with his laughing expression, though and Loraine's guard went up. She masked it before it became visible and turned her words towards his deeds, rather than his person. "A fine hand comes in handy, though I must admit I've only ever trusted my own hands to my work. A pen is only as mighty as the sword that backs the ink up, my father used to say." She smiled at Edana, turning the attention back where it should be. "Perhaps the Captain would know better than to entrust the escort of such tender young recruits to such a known prankster. While I trust Edana with many a thing, I'm not sure handing her care of the new ones once their training is done is such a good idea..."

 

She grinned and took a drink of her wine, holding the glass between sips. What was it about him that made her not trust him so quickly? she wondered, her thoughts skimming what she knew of Kennar as she listened to the banter erupt around her.

 

~Loraine

LMAO Motherly? I should cry...

***********************

Edana grinned at Loraine and Kynwric as they drew closer. From her place, she couldn't rise to greet them, but neither seemed to notice. Sandre's nerves seemed a bit frayed and she smiled up at him as his hands clasped hers.

 

When Kennar mentioned the escort of new trainees to the privy's, she turned her laughter back to him and kicked at him under the table. She aimed for the chair leg and kicked it soundly with her boot, the thump audible around the table. "I said three hours, didn't I? It's only been one, so just remember it gets closer the closer to three hours you get." She laughed and shook her head at Kennar across the table.

 

When Loraine seemed intent in joining in on the Edana-bashing, she could only laugh harder. "Aye, I'd lead them to Elyan's favorite fishing spot and forget them there, perhaps..." She grinned. "Either that, or they'd be found digging pits near the back wall of the Yards for their 'late night wanderings' the night before come morning!"

 

She waved at the barmaid as she passed, asking for a refill of her ale before the girl sauntered off. "I could always have THEM go shopping for the next 'working girl' I send to harass you, Sandre." She grinned. "They'd probably do a better job at it than Addi and I did..."

 

~Edana

[_Kynwric_]

Kynwric leaned against the wall next to Loraine, greeting each of the young men and finally Edana. "You boys just beware lest she try to kill you with the mess hall. As for her handling training, I doubt any of the three of you have the experience she does... neither in nor out of the tower." Kyn was as relaxed as he ever got when they were out and about, particularly in a bar. He wasn't wearing a sword though, just a dagger and that spoke volumes about how secure he felt here, at least to those who know him.

[Sangreal]

Sandre became content to sit quietly. He was not one for the boasting game and his Shienar heritage made it all... foreign. He was more used to joking about things that could be a certainty not jokes of probability of skill or experience. These were things you knew about someone or you didnt and if you didnt you watched and learned. Maybe he was too serious? Or maybe this was just one more part of social interaction his noble heritage denied him. Either way didnt matter. No one seemed to mind that he sat there quietly, not even Kennar.

 

He pretended to busy himself with his drink and idly chatted with the tavern maiden about other drinks before making his choice. It was just a stall tactic he had learned from his teacher who taught him about the Game of Houses. A very common stall tactic that was easy to pick up if you were looking for it.

 

Edana noticed his unease. He held her hand under the table to let her know he was ok and spelled "I love you" in her palm with his finger. Had he told her that already? So much was happening today he almost wished he could take it back in case something else went wrong.

[U4ea]

Loraine smiled brightly at Kynwric. He was more relaxed than she'd seen him in a while and if he'd reached the point of putting his bet on Edana in a fight, she'd really made an impression on him. She turned her eyes on the young Tower Guard and her smile didn't falter. She hadn't asked many questions since Kyn had returned from his hunt through Seanchan territory. If he felt that confident in this woman, perhaps she should!

 

She watched Sandre stalling and wondered at that. Was he aware of how obvious his tactics were? He seemed to carry himself like someone bred from noble stock, so surely he understood... perhaps she should pull him aside and teach him a thing or two. If he was matching himself with Edana, he'd need to work on his subtlety a little. She eyed Edana another moment, her smile never falthering. She could use a little training on subtlety, as well...

 

She cleared her throat as Edana raised her ale and shook her head. "So, now that you're all Tower Guards, what do you think you'll miss most about being a trainee?"

 

 

~Loraine

 

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Edana grinned at Kynwric, knowing that was as close to a compliment as she was likely to receive. He didn't say much. Light knows how crazy that made her while traipsing halfway across the world tracking the Seanchan. So, when he did... "Why, I believe that's the nicest thing you've ever said about me, Master Kynwric! I should write this day down in my diary so my great-grandkids can oooh and aaah over the flowery compliments!" She laughed.

 

She heard Sandre ordering a drink and smiled at him. He seemed uneasy, with his shoulders tense and the silly conversation with the bar maid. She reached under the table for his hand and shivered as he traced lines on her palm. After a few patterns, she realized he wasn't just doodling on her hand with nerves and felt the blush rising on her cheeks as she understood what he was telling her. She used her thumb to reciprocate, lifting her ale with her free hand to cover her sudden quiet.

 

When Loraine asked her question, she couldn't help but laugh. "I shall miss... " She thought for a moment and winked at Kennar. "I shall miss all of the free time I had in between trainings, I think." She laughed, because there hadn't been much free time, at all. "Now that I will be escorting the trainees to the latrines, I fear I shall never have a moment to myself again!"

 

~Edana

[_Kynwric_]

"Be wary those who shower you in praise, for they want one of two things and neither is good for you." Kyn finally pulled a chair out and settled into it, draining the remnants of his tankard and hoisting a hand to catch a barmaid for a refill. "Besides, that is hardly the nicest thing I've ever said about you."