Obsession...

[TaeaDawn]

Things were never as simple as Aramina wished they would be. She never counted them simple, but for once she wished just one thing in her life could have a little simplicity. The reports from her eyes and ears were settling on her desk and Aramina hadn't bothered to look at them past the first she had received that morning. Her mind was divided about what she had read and what to do about it. This had all started to get crazy 3 weeks ago. Almost to the day. Three weeks and she still knew nothing more about Aran than she had the first night at the White Stallion when she had reched out to touch his arm.

 

Sighing, Aramina looked one last time at the news on her desk. The High Seat of Mallien was dead. Aramina didn't mourn for his death. She had been manipulating him for some time, but the information she had held over his head had never been revealed. After his attempt to kill her she had thought about releasing it to his opposition, but she had held her hand. Suspicion had been eating at her since, wondering if news of what had happened would get back. There was only one person in Tar Valon who knew and she had no clue where his loyalties led.

 

Aran. Aran with no last name. Even his records with the Tower Guard were incomplete. She'd requested to see them, claiming to be looking for a possible escort on a mission but the report had been mostly useless. There was no background information on Aran. He'd been on a number of missions as a Tower Guard and those spoke highly of him. There were other things in there though, disiplinary actions threatened, an incident where the Mistress of Trainees had broken his hand, and no trainee reports. Nothing to note his progress or who he would have trained under. It was like it had never happened.

 

Asking about him had been useless as well. When asking about Aran, Aramina had tried a number of tactics. Asking about his performance if she needed a Guard, general curiosity, she'd even continued with a lightskirt approach that had gotten her more answers than anything else. All in all what she learned was that Aran liked to do as little work as possible and was really good at it.

 

None of this was helping her any. Her problem was simple really. He had met and bedded her the night before a man he knew attacked her. He had been given any number of chances to kill her himself and he hadn't. But the coincidence was still too strong and when asked about it, Aran had simply evaded her questions. Light, but she needed some answers to this. She was beginning to act like a Novice hovering over the wall to the Warders Yard drooling over a trainee. Obsession came to mind, but Aramina pushed the word aside. Challenge was a better word. At least, it was a kinder word to her battered ego.

 

None of it was helped by the fact that memories of him still caught her unexpectedly throughout the day when she was trying to work, memories of lips and arms and nights entwined with him. Cursing under her breath, she got up from her desk and made her choice. She had to talk to him. She had to know if he'd had anything to do with the death of the High Seat and the attack on herself. Since nothing she had learned so far had given her the answer, she would go to the source.

 

With a quick look in the mirror to make sure she was presentable, she nodded before heading out the door. She was farily certain she knew where to find him. This time of day, she had noticed him more than once at his favorite tree. Today was no different than any other day and she found him laying with his eyes closed. Not that she had been looking for him or anything the past few weeks. Challenge. Yes, challenge, not obsessed.

 

[Wayfarer]

Opening an eye at the sound of footsteps on the grass nearby, he smiled as he saw who it was. Closing his eye again, he stretched slightly as he spoke. "Haven't seen you for awhile, why don't you sit down and relax? Its a nice day, perfect for meditating. Maybe even stumble over an answer or two." The advantage of knowing the guards that helped keep records was that they told him when his had been pulled, and there were only a few who would have bothered to pull his specifically. The fact that she was here now with an almost determined look on her face told him who it was. This was going to be interesting, though hopefully not as painful as the last time he'd been questioned.

 

Aramina thought for a moment before sitting down beside him on the ground. She spread her skirts carefully, taking her time to gather her thoughts. Something she should have done before walking down here. "An answer or two? Can you really give those? I was under the impression you only evaded them." Her slight smile was warm though as she commented. "Or perhaps I just needed to spend time away from the Tower and it's grueling news."

 

"Oh, it depends on the questions I suppose. And I don't blame you, Tower gives you far too much work, its unhealthy." Making a face as he said the last, he smiled again as he continued. "But if you've come to get away, this is the place. Vasya long ago wrote off the idea of turning me into a motivated guard, and my lieutenant leaves me be. Unless there's a card game and they need an extra player, we should be free of bother."

 

"Does it ever cross your mind that you should be ashamed of the way you pass of duty and hard work when others around you are trying their best to be as good as you are?" She asked. She didn't expect an answer so she went on. "I received interesting news today. The High Seat of Mallien is dead. He died quietly in his sleep."

 

Absorbing the news, Aran grinned as he responded. "Shame is for people with all the wrong priorities. As to the High Seat, good, its one less threat to worry about for yourself. Without him to pay, the contract out on you is null and void. You don't sound all that excited though, what is the problem?"

 

"The problem is that I never let go of his secrets. The House wouldn't have moved against him without it. Which means someone else did. Whenever my plans are disrupted it worries me. In this case, I can't help but wonder who would have taken the pains to kill him. Unless this has something to do with your friends."

 

Aran laughed. "Friends? Which friends do you speak of? There are a fair few."

 

"Raslin." The name was still clear in her memory, the panicked look the man had when he heard Aran's voice for the first time, the violent acceptence of fate as he answered her questions. He would never have walked out alive, but Aramina had expected to be the one to kill him, not Aran after their private conversation.

 

Ah, so that was where this conversation was going to go. "Raslin wasn't a friend, he wasn't even very funny. People with no humour are rather tiresome, don't you think?"

 

"Quite." Aramina said, giving him an appraising look. Evasion, never ending. She wished she could force him to talk to her but there was no point in wishing really. "Give me one straight answer Aran. Something. You knew this man that had come to kill me the night after we met. You insinuated yourself into that meeting. You killed them all. I've tried to find some reason to trust you but everything about you is a mystery. Your file is a sham, your aquaintances know nothing about you, and when I ask a direct question you refuse to answer it." She gave a bitter laugh. "I don't even know your last name."

 

"Well, strictly speaking, I don't even know my real last name." Smiling slightly, he was nevertheless silent as he thought to himself quietly. "Tell me something first, how many other people have you told about this?"

 

Her instinct was to cover the truth, but she doubted he'd try to murder her right there in the Yards. "None. I wasn't feeling particularly motivated to tell my Ajah Head about my lack in judgement." She said with a frown. "She might have decided she needed to find me a suitable escort to control my habits."

 

Laughing, Aran opened his eyes and look at her. "I didn't realise I was such a terrible mistake. But I tell you what, I'll make you a deal. You promise not to throw anymore suspicion me than you already have with your pulling of my records, and no doubt other little investigations, and I'll tell you a bit about myself. Actually, ontop of that, you don't communicate what you learn to anyone else. Or use the information to gain any advantage on myself or others."

 

"I wouldn't worry about your reputation Aran. I've raised no suspicion your way. I pulled the records of other Guards and the same time I asked for yours with a future mission in mind. As for the questions i've asked, the worse you have to be worried about is people thinking you have a Green Sister falling madly in love with you." She said with a roll of her eyes. "And I will keep your words secret and not use it to gain an advantage over you." She promised.

 

Nodding, Aran looked about the tree to either side, no one else was within hearing. "Just as a precaution, care to ward our conversation?" Catching her nod, he waited a moment then assumed that the ward was up. "Tell me, you ever meet Quatilina Sedai? White Ajah, lovely woman."

 

Aramina gave them the privacy he asked though she knew any sister walked through the Yards would be curious. Still, she nodded when Aran started speaking to let him know they were safe. Aramina shook her head at the mention of Quatilina Sedai, wondering what a White Sister had to do with Aran's tale. "I have heard the name." She said.

 

Closing his eyes, Aran eased himself on the tree. "Did you know that a number of years ago she was kidnapped right from underneath the Tower's nose? Taken all the way to Cairhien no less, a few steps ahead of the pursuing Tower Guard and Gaidin. At anyrate, one thing led to another, as it appeared that this individual was part of a larger group. Rather than bloodshed, the two groups made an accord of sorts. They said they'd help each other out with training, information, even weaponry from the smiths here was traded. Quatilina Sedai, as well as all those involved from Tar Valon, were sworn to secrecy on the matter. Following me so far?"

 

Not really, she wanted to say. Who had been behind a kidnap attempt and what did Aran know about it? If he had been part of something like that before, how much could she trust him now. "So far, I'm still with you." She answered.

 

Grinning, he had to wonder how much she was, he was glossing the details as much as possible. "Good. Well, lets say a number of years after that, the group from Cairhien wanted to shield someone who was being hunted by an assassin. They wanted a place where no one would think to look for him, so the Commander of the time, Con Stavros, honoured the agreement and brought that person into the Tower Guard. But, disliking the deal that those before him had made, and being the rather overly virtuous man he was, he refused to falsify records so simply recorded the first name of the man rather than put a false one. This man beginning to sound familiar?"

 

Aramina nodded, but there were too many things he hadn't explained. "Why were you being hunted by an assassin and what did you have to do with the kidnapping of an Aes Sedai?" She asked, careful to keep her voice calm and not betray the emotional turmoil within her.

 

"Oh, the hunting thing was due to a problem the man, Crescent, had with my brother. By killing me, he felt that he could get to my brother. I killed him sometime ago, so that is no longer an issue. It was also my brother who actually swiped Quatilina Sedai from the city, singlehandedly." That had been quite an achievement in itself, certainly no one else had managed it, or tried to as far as he knew.

 

"So your brother almost got you killed and sent you here, where he had kidnapped an Aes Sedai. You can understand where i'm having trouble understanding the logic behind all that, can't you?" She asked. It wasn't actually the agreement that concerned her. She knew the Tower was capable of making alliances with just about anyone if it served it's purpose. What bothered her was his brother. If he'd kidnapped an Aes Sedai, was it possible he had sent Aran here to do the same thing?

 

Laughing, Aran was surprised, he would have thought it obvious. "What do assassins like to avoid? Guardsmen. What better place to hide a target then in the midst of about two thousand of them? Makes perfect sense. Not only hidden, but with alot of blades for protection. The trade off being that the Tower Guard got a person that would recognise the majority of assassins from the nations, which you've benefited from I might remind you."

 

"But nevertheless, things have become... difficult. When Con Stavros left, he took the knowledge of the deal with him, no one here remaining was a party to it so it has died. But, I chose to stay even after I killed my assassins. Its almost normal here, and not nearly as tense. Granted, the hours of wall duty are abysmal, and taking orders is something I'll never quite get used to, but I like being here all the same." Grinning, Aran opened his eyes and looked at her. "The company might have something to do with it."

 

Aramina needed to get a handle on her emotions. She had come for answers about him and he had actually given them, but they hadn't helped her sense of doubt about him. "So you're turned from assassin to Tower Guard. Tell me this Aran. How much money would the High Seat of Mallien have had to pay before you put your knife in my heart?" She asked. There was a quiver in her voice and she hated herself for the weakness. "How soon before your brother asks for another Aes Sedai to be whisked away?"

 

Frowning at her, Aran was finding himself becoming vaguely annoyed with her persistent mistrust. "If my actions haven't been enough to convince you I'm trustworthy, I wonder how much words will help. If I was as mercanery as you seem to think, I could have asked for a cut, or simply killed them and taken you as helpless as you were when you were tied and bagged."

 

"And you know nothing of why Quatilina Sedai was taken. My brother's actions were a freak, a one off that was required because of the time. Quatilina Sedai wasn't harmed, nor was she going to be. Contrary to the belief you seem to have, my brother and his fellows do not want trouble with the Tower, they do not even wished to be noticed by it. Even now, they forbid business in Tar Valon, which is why Raslin was such a surprise. I'm giving you my trust by telling you these things, why do you repay my trust with more suspicion?"

 

Think, don't feel, she told herself as she listened to his words. The truth was that Aran had given her a lot of information about himself and she believed what he said. He had given her a large hold over him, oath or no oath and she was still acting like a silly novice. It was like the morning after all over only she had promised herself she wouldn't be that stupid again.

 

In the end the truth had to suffice. "I mistrust because it matters too much to me." She said in a quiet voice. "What happened meant more than I wanted it to and it... " she shook her head trying to get the words out in a steady voice. "hurt to think that you might have had another agenda where I was concerned."

 

Nodding, Aran could see the problem more clearly now. "I can see that now. But, you know the truth of it now, and that is the main thing." Grinning, Aran came to a decision about something. "You know, I think I've decided on what my favour will be."

 

It was the last thing she had expected to hear. Of course, his unpredictibility had become one of the things that had fascinated her about him in the first place, but now when she had said far more than she ever meant to, it was frightening. She'd rather face down a horde of trollocs barehanded than hear what he had to say next. She looked up at him with confused eyes. "And what favour would that be?" She asked.

 

She wasn't sure where he was going with this, but thats why Aran didn't plan to press his favour today. "One day, certainly not today, I'd like to ask you about your story. I've given you my secret, I'd like to learn yours when you are ready to give it."

 

Aramina wasn't sure what to say to that. She'd expected so many other things, but her own story? Would she ever be ready to share that particular pain with anyone? Her grief was her own and she had held the pain for over 100 years. But she owed Aran. She owed him her life and she owed him for the mistrust she had shown. She took a deep breath and nodded then. "Some other day." She agreed.

 

"Good." Smiling, he slid forward a bit so he was sitting closer to Aramina. "So, what're you planning for the rest of the day? I was thinking of maybe throwing together a bit of a card game later, you should come along. No coins, just friendly, and a way to relax."

 

She almost moved away from his proximity just out of instinct. He was the only person who had cut into her personal space in years and she already worried about what others would think of their warded interaction. Still, she didn't lean away because more than anything she would have preferred to let him closer. She smiled at his words. "Can you imagine the scandal? Aramina Sedai in a card game?"

 

Throwing a look of mock mortification on his face, Aran nodded. "Absolutely! Quite the disgrace really. Card games indeed, everyone knows that Aes Sedai don't play common games, or treat with the commoners. They don't even breath, breathing is for the weak!" Grinning, he leaned back on his arms and stretched as he spoke normally. "It'd just be up in the barracks, in my company's commonroom. No formalities there, just people taking a break. You could even say later that you were appraising the Tower Guard in the company."

 

She realized that the fact he had asked her to come had already decided her. She wasn't sure how to act in front of other guards, nor would she know how to act in front of him with others there, but she still needed to understand this... challenge.. this obsession she had. She smiled lightly at him. "I guess even an Aes Sedai needs a little time to relax."

 

"Brilliant, in fact, why waste time? Come along, we'll see who we can find in there." Getting to his feet, he gave Aramina a hand to help her up and led the way. There was always a bit of fun to be had in the Barracks after all.

 

 

Aran

Tower Guard

 

Aramina sur Dulciena

Sitter of the Green Ajah

[Wayfarer]

They'd only gotten a few looks as they walked through the Barracks. Green sisters were hardly strangers to the place, they had enough of their Gaidin to visit and other things besides to bring them here. The way to the commonroom was easy enough, as soon as one reached the third floor, it was already whispering. By the time one was close, one could clearly hear the laughter and comments that were being made. Aran doubted it was anything like Aes Sedai expected, but then again Aes Sedai didn't go to their commonroom.

 

And they weren't going to, precisely. Stopping at the door, Aran turned and grinned at Aramina. "Just a word of warning in advance, we aren't very formal in there. We have no rank in there, and it allows us to relax. In there you'll just be Ara, or Aramina."

 

Aramina nodded, partly in understanding and partly in thanks for the warning. To be without rank, it was an interesting idea. Even in the privacy of her own rooms Aramina was always a Sitter. She wasn't sure she could step away from that, except that Aran was at her side. She smiled. "Alright. No rank. I think I can manage that. For your information, I used to be nothing more than a barmaid, when I was still young." She confided. Light, had she ever revealed that to anyone? Normally if people asked she told them she was from a village in Cairhein. She never talked about the year she had lived in Tar Valon before the sisters had found her.

 

"That explains the dancing." Grinning, he clapped her on the shoulder. "Come on in."

 

Stepping inside, he grinned as he saw who was inside. It wouldn't take them long to find players at all, he wouldn't even need to go wake people up. The room was sizeable with windows lining one wall that opened onto the yards below and around it were a wide assortment of tables, chairs and lounges. None of the furniture was uniform, but most of it was comfortable, even if they'd had to throw a few blankets onto them to soften them up. In one corner there were a number of kegs stacked, Aran's influence there.

 

As was the keg that was open, sitting beside Marie who had a mug in hand. With her were Jakob, Maude and Fenwin, a pack of cards infront of them but no one was playing. Instead, they were picking on Maude, from the sounds of it she'd been busy last night.

 

They looked up as Aran and Ara neared and their chatter faded. They probably couldn't remember the last time an Aes Sedai had been in their common room, probably because one hadn't been. "Oh, don't look so shocked. This is Aramina, she'll be hiding here for at least an hour. And if anyone says Aes Sedai I'll hit them myself."

 

Taking a seat next to Marie because the keg was between them, he pulled out the other seat next to him for Aramina as he spoke. "Aramina, these are Jakob, Maude, Fenwin, and the shrew sitting next to m- Ow, don't even start." Rubbing his arm, Aran grinned. "Her name is Marie."

 

Aramina noticed the silence among them and she had a sudden desire to kick Aran for talking her into this. An Aes Sedai was always an Aes Sedai. People didn't forget that. Still, it would be interesting to see how the Guard spent their time. If a little informality would put them at ease and let her see the lifestyle they led, it would help her understand them better. And one thing Aramina understood was that it was much easier to manipulate people if you knew them. So she smiled warmly at the others as she took a seat next to Aran. "Thank you, for allowing me to hide away from the Tower for a while."

 

"Not a problem, but you have to do one thing." Marie pushed the cards over to Aramina. "We're playing Chop, your deal." As she spoke she leaned back on her chair and reached over to the table behind her, grabbing a couple of mugs. Dipping it in the keg, she put it on the table near Aramina then lobbed the other mug at Aran.

 

Grinning at Marie, he helped himself even as Fenwin asked Jakob if he wanted to wager on guard duty. He was keen to have a game of chop, he hadn't played in at least a few days. Was particularly popular in Tear, though there Flames was low, whereas in Tar Valon, Flames were highest suit. Amyrlin seat with a flame in her hand was highest card of all. As he watched Aramina deal, Maude spoke to the Aes Sedai.

 

"I've seen you about a bit practicing with the blade. One of those Katana's right? Not a bad choice, ever use anything else?"

 

Aramina nodded as she dealt the cards. Dealing she could do. She remembered the game from her early days of travelling but she was definitely rusty. This was going to be bad, but then again, it might make the others loosen up to know she was lowsy at cards. She smiled at Maude.

 

"A katana is the only sword I've ever trained with for long. Everything was just long enough that Orion was certain I wouldn't kill myself with it if I needed to pick it up." She said with a grin. "Though I dare say I remember the staff well enough to use it too." In fact she practiced with it as well to keep in practice with it. It was a less obvious weapon when travelling and she had been in her share of places where she hadn't wanted anything that would make her stand out.

 

"Staves aren't bad, easy to replace on the road at least." Fenwin was speaking now. "Anton used one of those didn't he?"

 

"Yeah, he was also handy with his daggers too. We both agreed that swords were a bad idea though. If you can't kill someone with the first couple of inches of a blade, another foot or two isn't going to make any difference."

 

"Really? I could show you different."

 

Laughing, Aran grinned at Jakob. "You'd have to learn how to do something more than swat people with your claymore first."

 

 

Aran

Tower Guard

 

Aramina sur Dulciena

Sitter of the Green Ajah

[TaeaDawn]

It was amazing really, how their playful banter made her feel more at ease. Perhaps it was their own coping mechanism as well that allowed them to continue as if an Aes Sedai weren't there, but Aramina enjoyed it either way. As they continued playing, she entered into the verbal sparring as well, starting to figure out who could be teased about what.

 

Somehow it was just as easy here to let loose a little as it had been at the tavern the first night. Something about Aran brought this out in her. He seemed to sense the moments that she was tensing up again, her natural facade coming back into place because a hand would find itself subtly on her thigh with a quick squeeze and a smile, or a jab to the midsection with a tease about how horrible she was at cards.

 

It was amazing how she was able to come here and relax like this. Amazing and sad really, that she would never feel this way among her Sisters. She smiled at Aran as the thought about the debt she owed him. He had given her far more than she had ever dreamed when she walked into that tavern. He had somehow gotten her to accept what he was offering which was more than anyone had been able to do since... well, in too long.

 

As the hand played out she was on the bottom again and she shook her head. "It's a good thing I don't play in taverns." She said with a grin. "I think i'd have lost my shirt by now."

 

Keeping Ara off balance was the key Aran was finding, never allowing her to entirely settle back into her habit. That was how it was with most people actually, but worth noting all the same. "Probably, reminds me of a time when Mari- Ow!"

 

"I won that shirt back. Prepare to weep." Aran raised an eyebrow at the cards Marie put down, five rulers, nothing would beat that. Tossing his cards in as did everyone else, Aran grinned at Ara. "You're getting better at least, Fenwin's always been terrible though." The protest he got made him laugh.

 

Hey Ara, that mug's nearly empty, you should finish it." Maude had a smile on her face as she said it.

 

Aramina looked at her mug and realized it wasn't all that full. She gave Aran a considering loo, wondering if there was some evil plan of his that involved making her become a drunk. She tipped it back quickly enough though and smiled at Maude. "You know, i've always been under the impression that the Tower Guard was a group of hard working, tightly disciplined people. You are ruining my nice little vision of the world."

 

"I always thought Aes Sedai had no time for cards either, but the world is full of exceptions it seems." Grinning, Maude grabbed her mug and held it up, in the common room when a toast was made, everyone had to finish. Everyone else was also taking up their mugs, even Marie who kept collecting the cards with her free hand. "To exceptions!"

 

Aran laughed "To the exceptional!"

 

Aramina tilted her mug back to finish it off with the others. "I'm almost afraid to ask, but what else do you do when you aren't on duty?" She asked, her inate curiosity getting the better of her. "Or are your vices contagious around here?" She asked Aran.

 

"Why does everyone think I'm so corrupt? I was such a nice lad before I joined this company."

 

"I suppose you were as innocent as a lamb too."

 

"Well, maybe not that much."

 

"Mmhmm. Well, at anyrate we do train on occasion. Can always find fun in town though, some of us take up hobbies. I myself like to hit Aran alot."

 

Wincing, Aran rubbed his arm. "That hobby has got to stop Marie, or something bad is going to happen."

 

"What? Not as if you're ever going to relocate my room like you did Lyv's."

 

"Relocate her room?" Aramina asked. "I'm almost afraid to ask, but I have to. What did you do?"

 

Fenwin laughed. "Oh, he and Rosheen gathered up a few trainees and while Lyv was in her office sleeping that night, they removed all her stuff and put it out in the yards. Laid it out just like her room was too. They then decorated her face with ink and slipped her in her bed out in the yard. She woke up the next morning with a fair number of people standing about. She was the Mistress of Trainees then too."

 

"Heh, she was a bit dazed when she woke up, not quite sure where she was. Does she even know for certain you did it?" The grin on Jakob's face was one of from a genuinely amusing memory.

 

"Oh, I haven't told her but I'm pretty sure she knows. I don't know if she realises Rosheen was in on it though, and she never found out which trainees. Was good fun, bookcases were a bastard to move though. Especially taking it back afterwards, couldn't leave Lyv to do it herself after all." Aran grinned, Aramina seemed somewhat surprised. "What? You never did anything like that?"

 

Aramina shook her head. "No, I never did anything like that. I wasn't the type of novice to pull pranks. Except on the occassional dare by my roommate and those were normally just embarassing to me, no one else." She said with a fond smile.

 

Laughing, Aran looked around at the others. "You know, I just had an idea. Rosh is still out at practice isn't she?"

 

Getting to his feet, Fenwin wandered over to the nearest window. "Yeah, she's out there with a couple of trainees."

 

"Excellent, can you keep a watch and come and let us know if she starts coming back? Great." Grinning as he got to his feet, he motioned for Aramina to get up. "Going to show you something, come on."

 

Aramina got to her feet and shook her head at the others. "How does he talk me into these things? I don't know what it is, but i'm sure it's going to get me in trouble with someone." Still she followed Aran out of the room. When they were alone she laughed. "What are you doing?" She asked quietly as they reached the hallway.

 

"Trust me." Grinning at her, it was only a couple of turns before they found the door he was after. Twisting the handle, Aran grinned to himself as it slipped open. Running his hand along the inside of the door, it stopped on the top hinge.

 

"You see where the door is joined to the hinge? Think you could pull those nails out with the one power? Normally I'd use one of my daggers to pry them out, but this easier. Just the nails connecting the hinge to the door though."

 

She really was going to get in trouble. And instead of walking away she was grinning like an idiot and embracing Saidar. Tight weaves of air pushed at the hinges and Aramina caught them in her hand. She smiled at Aran. "Easy enough."

 

Grinning, he inclined his head inside. "Just sit the nails on her bed then come back out." Waiting for her to come out, he pushed the hinges closed then carefully fitted the door back into its closed position. "Now we go back to the common room and wait."

 

Aramina couldn't believe she'd just helped him pull a prank. Actually, she had pulled the prank. He had just told her what to do. She followed him back to the Common Room, not sure what to feel about this. Guilt that she'd done something to someone like this, but excitement too. Light, if Sirayn knew what she was doing she'd be doing private penancy for a year to come. "How long do we wait?" She asked with a grin.

 

"Oh, depends when she finishes, probably won't be too long." Grinning, he took his seat again as did Aramina.

 

"What did you end up doing?" Marie's curiosity was almost bored.

 

"Pulled the nails from her door. It hasn't been done to her yet, in fact nothing has been done for quite awhile. Should be a nice shock."

 

"I'm not going to help you if she decides to hit you."

 

"More likely you'll help her, I remember the last time, you tripped me of all things when I had a good distance on her."

 

Fenwin laughed. "Don't even try to deny it Marie, I saw you do it."

 

"It seemed like the thing to do." Marie smiled slightly. "Just keep sitting there Fenwin and look out once in awhile. Let us know when she starts coming back, I want to go watch when she tries to open it."

 

Aramina started laughing then. Not the polite laughs she was used to and in the end she felt she had been close to giggling. Aramina Sedai wasn't known for laughing so giggling was out of the question. It really had been close though. She wasn't sure why this was so fun or what it was about this group of people but she waited as anxiously as they did to see what would happen when Rosheen came back to her rooms and tried to open the door.

 

Aran

Tower Guard

 

Aramina sur Dulciena

Sitter of the Green Ajah

[silhouette]

“No, Left! Left you dolt… No, the other left!†Rosheen slapped her hand to her forehead, seeing that Dane once again failed at what should have been a simple move. “Right then… that’s enough for now. You two get cleaned up and head to bed. I’ll see you here again tomorrow morning.†With slumped shoulders the two trainees vanished from her sight. After some thought Rosheen started out on a few cooling down laps. There was no point in risking sore muscles just because she was frustrated with some trainees. Lyv had to stop giving her mentees, surely there were better teacher than she around. Blood and Ashes, she supposed Aran was a better teacher than she was.

 

After a few laps she returned to the barracks, intent on getting a clean shirt before joining her company in the common room. With some luck she could play cards without losing all her coin to Aran this time. She shrugged at the thought. If he did help her out of her coin, he could spend the rest week buying her ale because she was broke. Whistling a merry tune she half ran up the stairs, looking forward to forgetting all about her clumsy trainees for a while. Turning right on her floor, she noticed Marie was standing near the door to the common room. She waved at her fellow tower guard, before turning to face the door to her room, not noticing the effort it took Marie to keep from laughing.

 

Without noticing that her door was no longer attached to the frame, Rosheen took a hold of the handle and pushed inward… only to find herself pulled into her room along with the door. “What the…†she exclaimed, before landing on her door belly first, her nose half an inch away from the door. “Phew… that could’ve been painful.†She muttered, getting up slowly. Her room was empty and… laughing at her? A glance out the door told her that it wasn’t actually her door, but half her company. She narrowed her eyes at them, causing them to fall silent one at a time. Except for one, of course. “Aran.†She stated. Fenwin shook his head, blushing, but Marie nodded vigorously.

 

Not bothering to chance her shirt, Rosheen wandered into the common room. Aran was sitting by a table with some woman Rosheen didn’t recognise. She didn’t particularly care about whatever wench he brought with him either. She snatched the cup Fendwin was holding from his hand, and emptied the contents of it on Aran’s head. “Git.†She said, taking a seat on the other side of the table. “You’d better fix my door before I decide to turn in, or I’ll take your room. I’m sure Krelsa won’t mind you sleeping with him tonight.â€

 

Rosheen Tahn Sakhr

Tower Guard

[Wayfarer]

Following Marie as she signalled that Rosh had come up, the group moved quickly, and were just in time to see Rosh approach her door. Leaving her alone had paid off, her false sense of security leading her to simply push into the door as she always did. Dragged forward and off balance as the door fell backward with a crash, the thump a moment later meant that she'd fallen ontop of it.

 

Cracking up, a few of the group were heading up the hall to check on her even as a few others popped out of their rooms to check what was going on. Grinning, he guided Ara back to the common room, the others would return shortly enough. Sure enough, they did with their mugs in hand and Rosh with them. Aran had expected retaliation, and all things considered a half mug dumped on his head was rather light considering.

 

Grinning even as Rosh sat down, Aran took a swig from his own mug before speaking. "I bet Krelsa wouldn't, but his fantasies shall have to go unfulfilled again. And yes, I'll put the door back up in a bit. This is Ara by the way." Inclining his head to Aramina who was sitting next to him, he continued. "Ara, this is Rosheen. How was your training today? Dane seemed to be struggling from what we could see up here. Also, toss me one of those mugs from behind you and I'll fill it up."

 

Despite just being pranked and laughed at, Rosheen’s mood had lightened up a lot, compared to what it was a while ago. Thanks to that Aran got away just smelling like ale, and without a few new bruises. With a sigh when Aran mentioned her new trainee she reached back for a mug, knocking one over before she finally got her hand on it. Then she finally glanced at Ara. And stopped in mid-movement, because Ara was in fact Aramina Sedai, a sitter for the green Ajah. Being promised to the Keeper of the Chronicles had it’s benefits, and one of those benefits was knowing who was who in the White Tower, and knowing some of the best gossip around.

 

Whatever she’d heard about Aramina made her presence hear completely unbelievable. Rosheen blinked, before handing her mug to Aran. Well, the Aes Sedai was here, and Aran introduced her as Ara, so that had to mean she was ‘off-duty’. As far as Aes Sedai ever got off duty. She focused on Aran again. “Yeah, he’s struggling a bit. Or a lot, really. Boy is as clumsy as a mule and about half as graceful as an ox.†‘Ara’ sure was sitting close to Aran. Rosheen found herself raising an eyebrow at Aran in a none to subtle manner. How to openly wonder about his affinity for this Aes Sedai without sending her off into a fit of rage. Did she even do fits of rage? She hadn’t heard Lyanna mention it...

 

Aran laughed at the comical look on Rosheen's face. One of the endearing things about her, and one of the reasons he tolerated her violent outbursts, was that it was rare when what she was thinking didn't register on her face. Dipping her mug in the keg, he handed it over to her as he spoke "Ara's here to get away from the Tower for at least a couple of hours. Seeing as no one comes and disturbs us here, its the place to be."

 

"Should get a card game going, need some players though."

 

 

Aran

Tower Guard