Waters of Home (Attn:Elia)

[Damien]

Danos

Danos listened attentively to Elia as she described being found, and the White Tower, and he was glad to hear that she was enjoying the Grey Tower. Although he truthfully had no idea, he recalled that Marzell Sedia had never spoke well of the White Tower, merely mentioning what she had heard of the Grey Tower.

"I am surprised given what I've encountered here, that they do not approach teaching Novices as a chance to cultivate not treat so roughly. Still there lose," said Danos with a smile.

As he watched people walking by, he thought of what it would be like to return to Jornhill, especially with such a stunning and exotic looking woman. Her colouring was not something you saw often there, and he chuckled as he pictured the Women's Circle. "I had not thought about going back once I was done, but if I do you are of course welcome to come. You would cause the suitors to line up three deep in my little Village; and should we find ourselves in Sheinar, I would enjoy the chance to bathe with you."

The words escaped his mouth before he could consider them, and with a cough he tried to cover his flush. Wool brained idiot, why would you say it like that, thought Danos embarrassed.

[Craig]

Elia

Elia continued smiling as Danos spoke. "You would cause the suitors to line up three deep in my little village." So he had noticed her beauty? That was unsurprising; she knew she was beautiful. That had often been remarked upon as she was growing up, first by her parents' friends, then by her peers, followed by her 'suitors'. Well, she had been a young adult, but what else would you call them? He was being charming, even endearing in his own way, with his words and his gestures. Then his mouth ran him into a ditch that didn't quite match the subtleties of his previous statement. He tried to mask it, but the colour that ran into his face was quite apparent.

The Accepted giggled jovially. "I'm sure you would." Her tone relayed that she knew exactly what he was thinking about. Also the fact that she was not displeased by the suggestion. "It's a shame that they don't have a bathhouse on the Tower grounds. Or an Aiel sweat tent. I think either would make for a eye-opening cultural experience." Her malachite green eyes blazed openly with a mischievous intent that she mentally dared him to join in with.

"If I were to be propositioned by your village's suitors, would I be greeted by sons and widowers with picnic lunches?" she asked, turning his words around. "I would much rather meet an able-bodied man. After all, if I am to become an Aes Sedai, I shall need a Warder to protect me." In her mind, she would like a great deal more from her Warder, or Warders - I could choose the Green Ajah after all - although that was still some time off, yet. But nothing said she couldn't look.

[Damien]

Danos

Danos could feel his eyes practically pop out of his head when Elia not only caught his slip of the tongue, but then upped the ante on it. The woman sitting next to him was beautiful, her coloring and the shape of her face, but as she teased about a bathhouse or sweat tent, Danos realized she had a wit and charm that more than matched her beauty. Light I don't even know what a sweat tent is, and I'm flushed like its my first summer bonfire, thought Danos to himself.

As she turned his words round, he realized that the prospect of village suitors seemed small. "I suppose none of the women here at the Tower would be swayed much by sons or widowers. I hadn't thought what a woman would have to weigh before gaining the ring. But in our short meeting, I have the feeling you have the mind to fly high t the Grey Tower, and a Warder you chose would have to be able indeed," Danos said as he considered anew what being truly redy or a bond meant on the man's end.

[Craig]

Elia

Elia quite enjoyed the effect she was having on the Drin, but she didn't want his blood to boil. Danos was from a village, not a city like Fal Dara. Likely he had never properly met a Shienaran before, Ravak aside. He's probably go a shade of crimson without even a word from a Domani, or a Taraboner. It was time to bring him back to a simmer.

Elia edged along the bench towards him. His jacket lifted up at the waist, as she slipped her hand delicately over his. "You're very sweet to say such things, but I'm only newly Accepted. It will be some years yet until I choose an Ajah to call my own, or could actually forge a bond with anyone." She give his hand a slight squeeze. "However I do hope by that time, I have some idea who I wish to look over me as my Warder. My brother told me it was wise to get to know my peers in the Warder Yards, and I'm starting early." Truth be told, she had started shortly after coming to the Tower. Her first choice had been stolen away, but she had time to find others. Or just an other.

"Should we go for a walk around the Gardens? " The water off of the ter'angreal was still billowing cold air their way, and she was feeling a little restless. "Unless your injury is bothering you?" She pursed her lips together. "I could look at it for you, if you like. I have some ability in Healing."

[Damien]

Danos al'Sheen

Danos was surprised when he heard Elia declare it was likely to be years until she was an Aes Sedai. He knew the Sisters had an immense knowledge, but he had never thought of training in terms of years.

He was caught off guard by her asking about the Garden, but he knew he would enjoy a walk with Elia very much. And so with a smile in his eyes, he got up from the bench and offered Elia his arm, "I would enjoy a walk very much, it would be good to stretch my legs around the paths. I've swept them enough I feel like I know each one by name."

Danos waved off her concern over his injuries, he knew most of it was bruising and the rest was simply scars that were torn or hurt by the rigors of training, "Thank you Elia, but it is as far as I know nothing that can be healed. An Aes Sedai healed me once, and the rest is just bruises. Although if I ever need healing, I would prefer to ask you over some scowling Yellow Sister."

[Craig]

Elia

Elia slipped her arms into the jacket's sleeves, her hands lost in the cuffs. The material was a lot softer than she had imagined - Warders were all rough and tumble, and she assumed they would have coarser threads. It was also a pleasant change to have something on that wasn't white. What I would do to have an actual choice of clothing again. The beautiful Accepted graciously took Danos' arm, entwining her own with his as they began down a random pathway. It followed the water through the gardens, that eventually made it's way into the Sinuous Lake.

The murmuring sounds of rainwater running downstream accompanied the Accepted and Drin'far'ji on their peaceful meandering. Elia found herself watching the stream, wondering if there was more works of the One Power sequestered away in the Gardens. The Grey Tower had stood for over two hundred years, and it was a modest assumption to make that there were secrets hidden in plain sight somewhere on the grounds. The waterfall was evidence of one such secret.

Interest became desire, and once more the sweetness of saidar suffused Elia with its marvelous, life-affirming sensation. She rested her head slightly against Danos' upper arm, and felt his heart pound blood through his body. The babbling water was a clear and crisp sound. She spun out an entwined thread of Air and Spirit, invisible to the naked eye but thrumming gold and silver to her sight. She moved it around before the two of them, seeking out the presence of any ter'angreal.

As the tendril of the One Power scoped out the gardens, her mind returned to a previous thought. She bit down on her lower lip pensively, before speaking in hesitant tones. "I should tell you now, before anyone else makes mention of it. My name..." She paused, malachite green catching a look of quiet curiosity in Danos' hazel eyes. "My full name is Elia Darrow. My brother, younger brother is Ravak."

The Drin stiffened at that revelation. Gentle fingers felt the Andoran's muscles tense, and his walking faltered somewhat, resettling into a slower pace. A rush of anxiety fired out from Elia's heart, a clammy cold sensation that chilled every part of her body. The flow of the One Power she had been channelling became a thread of pure Spirit. She spun out something she had seen other novices and Accepted use. Elia had never channelled without permission whilst a novice, but some had. The weave helped to nudge people, not physically but emotionally. Or so they had claimed - each and every one who had woven it was a wilder, like her. She layered the twisted and complex pattern of Spirit, and settled it onto Danos' heart. Elia had an intense need for him not to be afraid of her, or who her brother was. Ravak, why do you have to be so hard?

As the weave of pure Spirit resolved into the Drin's tall form, the tension seemed to lift from him. Hazel eyes glittered not with concern or worry, but with... notice? Had he noticed, or did the weave not do what she had intended? She didn't let herself get carried away by whatever that was for. All she needed was for him to stay, and not run away because she was the bloody Master of Training's sister.

Spoiler: show

OOC: I originally wrote this thread in a way that inferred that Elia was naturally gifted in the ways of Compulsion. I've edited the above, but the original text is below.

Elia

Elia slipped her arms into the jacket's sleeves, her hands lost in the cuffs. The material was a lot softer than she had imagined - Warders were all rough and tumble, and she assumed they would have coarser threads. It was also a pleasant change to have something on that wasn't white. What I would do to have an actual choice of clothing again. The beautiful Accepted graciously took Danos' arm, entwining her own with his as they began down a random pathway. It followed the water through the gardens, that eventually made it's way into the Sinuous Lake.

The murmuring sounds of rainwater running downstream accompanied the Accepted and Drin'far'ji on their peaceful meandering. Elia found herself watching the stream, wondering if there was more works of the One Power sequestered away in the Gardens. The Grey Tower had stood for over two hundred years, and it was a modest assumption to make that there were secrets hidden in plain sight somewhere on the grounds. The waterfall was evidence of one such secret.

Interest became desire, and once more the sweetness of saidar suffused Elia with its marvelous, life-affirming sensation. She rested her head slightly against Danos' upper arm, and felt his heart pound blood through his body. The babbling water was a clear and crisp sound. She spun out an entwined thread of Air and Spirit, invisible to the naked eye but thrumming gold and silver to her sight. She moved it around before the two of them, seeking out the presence of any ter'angreal.

As the tendril of the One Power scoped out the gardens, her mind returned to a previous thought. She bit down on her lower lip pensively, before speaking in hesitant tones. "I should tell you now, before anyone else makes mention of it. My name..." She paused, malachite green catching a look of quiet curiosity in Danos' hazel eyes. "My full name is Elia Darrow. My brother, younger brother is Ravak."

The Drin stiffened at that revelation. Gentle fingers felt the Andoran's muscles tense, and his walking faltered somewhat, resettling into a slower pace. A rush of anxiety fired out from Elia's heart, a clammy cold sensation that chilled every part of her body. The flow of the One Power she had been channelling became a thread of pure Spirit. She spun out something, a twisted and complex pattern that somehow felt appropriate, and let it settle onto Danos' heart. Elia had an intense need for him not to be afraid of her, or who her brother was. Ravak, why do you have to be so hard?

As the weave of pure Spirit resolved into the Drin's tall form, the tension seemed to lift from him. Hazel eyes glittered not with concern or worry, but with... notice? She didn't let herself get carried away by whatever that was for. All she needed was for him to stay, and not run away because she was the bloody Master of Training's sister.

[Damien]

Danos

Danos walked along the Gardens, enjoying the quiet companionship of Elia as they enjoyed the waters and greenery surrounding them.

In the peace of the garden, it was easier to forget about being Accepted and Drin'far'ji, easier to just be a man who was escorting a striking beautiful intelligent woman.

Danos could feel her rest her head on his arm, and he wondered what she was looking at or thinking. He could see the enormous construction that created the waterfall, and wondered how in the Light that had been created.

Before he could ask he could hear Elia quietly admit that not only was Master Darrow her brother, he was in fact her younger brother.

Danos immediately stiffened, his body reacting to the thought of the same man who had warned him against distracting relationships, not only seeing him with a very distracting Accepted, but indeed his own sister.

Suddenly, Danos felt the cool touch of what he knew was the One Power from his experience in the infirmary. The sensation washed over him and he could feel it settle in his chest.

A warm glow suffused him, the power banishing all his worries of Master Darrow, all his concerns about the consequences and rules. In their place was a warmth, and a peace that Danos couldn't quite place.

Looking down at Elia, she seemed even more beautiful, and the attraction he had been holding at a modest reserve , seemed suddenly more sure, more right. It was almost as if a golden nimbus surrounded Elia, and Danos held her in his arms, pulling her tight in a firm, caring embrace.

His heart beat stronger, and he seemed poised on his feet, awaiting her next words.

OOC: With no command behind the weaves, I took it as banishing his anxiety and reserve. Hope that matches what you had in mind.

[Craig]

Elia

Elia's eyes widened as Danos pulled her in close, green fire flaring in surprise and mild shock. Her lips parted, anticipating the need to protest against his sudden forwardness, but he simply held her tenderly. His hands were a numb impression moving against her back, muffled by the thickness of the jacket still wrapped around her. She wished the damned thing wasn't on her now, despite the cold. Inside the long sleeves, her slender arms moved around his waist, her hands resting without much grip against the small of his back. It felt right to be held again; it had been a long time since she had last been this way with anyone.

The shorter Shienaran looked up, her chin almost resting on Danos' sternum. "Hello!" she said with amazement in her voice. Things had jumped straight from mild flirting to... well. Not that she was complaining, but she was unused to this pace. "I didn't realise saying my full name would have quite this effect." Or was it the thought of being with the Master of Training's sister? That she was more off-limits than the average Accepted? Elia pulled away, as much as she could still enveloped by Danos' arms. She still had a hold of saidar, as anger bubbled up inside her. I'm not some sort of challenge to be overcome; I am not beholden to Ravak. A whip-like cord of Spirit manifested beside them, held by Elia's flows and set ready to strike. It was a subtle variation on the weave she'd just used. For the moment, she held the weave in check, just like Danos held her. She could hear his heartbeat, feel the quickened rhythm of blood surging through him. Is that from the risk of exposure, or just for me alone?

Malachite green eyes considered the Andoran before her. His curly hair needed a slight trim, as it was growing out all messy. And he would need to let her look at his bruises, old injury or not. Something was also going to have to be done about his height, or she'd be kissing his elbows instead of his- Light woman, you're leaping ahead of yourself! A moment before and she had been angry. Now her mind was racing ahead about ways to groom him.

Elia slowly settled upon what to do. Pulling the jacket's sleeves up, she properly clasped her hands around his waist. She found a nook between his arm and chest, and rested the side of her head against it. There was a simple comfort in just holding one another, and she focused every part of her being on guiltlessly appreciating it.

Time passed, how much Elia couldn't say, but she eventually noticed that Danos was rocking on his heels. "Ants in your shoes?" she jested, before she happened upon his potential concerns. "Admittedly, we are a little exposed out here. Maybe we should... go somewhere less public."

OOC: The weave was what we discussed privately, although it can take any number of forms and have any number of effects, so it's all good Plus, there is a relevant Mastery that may affect the effect it has on Danos.

Spoiler: show

OOC: I originally wrote this thread in a way that inferred that Elia was naturally gifted in the ways of Compulsion. I've edited the above, but the original text is below.

Elia

Elia's eyes widened as Danos pulled her in close, green fire flaring in surprise and mild shock. Her lips parted, anticipating the need to protest against his sudden forwardness, but he simply held her tenderly. His hands were a numb impression moving against her back, muffled by the thickness of the jacket still wrapped around her. She wished the damned thing wasn't on her now, despite the cold. Inside the long sleeves, her slender arms moved around his waist, her hands resting without much grip against the small of his back. It felt right to be held again; it had been a long time since she had last been this way with anyone.

The shorter Shienaran looked up, her chin almost resting on Danos' sternum. "Hello!" she said with amazement in her voice. Things had jumped straight from mild flirting to... well. Not that she was complaining, but she was unused to this pace. "I didn't realise saying my full name would have quite this effect." Or was it the thought of being with the Master of Training's sister? That she was more off-limits than the average Accepted. Elia pulled away, as much as she could still enveloped by Danos' arms. She still had a hold of saidar, and the anger that she may just be some form of challenge to be bested made her channel. She wasn't sure what made her form a whip-like weave of Spirit, but it manifested quickly beside them, set ready to strike. For the moment, she held the weave in check, just like Danos held her. She could hear his heartbeat, feel the quickened rhythm of blood surging through him. Is that from the risk of exposure, or just for me alone?

Malachite green eyes considered the Andoran before her. His curly hair needed a slight trim, as it was growing out all messy. And he would need to let her look at his bruises, old injury or not. Something was also going to have to be done about his height, or she'd be kissing his elbows instead of his- Light woman, you're leaping ahead of yourself! A moment before and she had been angry. Now her mind was racing ahead about ways to groom him.

Elia slowly settled upon what to do. Pulling the jacket's sleeves up, she properly clasped her hands around his waist. She found a nook between his arm and chest, and rested the side of her head against it. There was a simple comfort in just holding one another, and she focused every part of her being on guiltlessly appreciating it.

Time passed, how much Elia couldn't say, but she eventually noticed that Danos was rocking on his heels. "Ants in your shoes?" she jested, before she happened upon his potential concerns. "Admittedly, we are a little exposed out here. Maybe we should... go somewhere less public."

[Damien]

Danos

Danos couldn't believe how amazing it felt to hold Elia close, there was a magnetic attraction to her that he had felt from the first moment, which had suddenly bloomed into something he wouldn't ignore.

He could feel her form beneath his jacket, and as much as the cool air made it necessary, he wished the damn thing wasn't in the way. He could smell her soap and hair as he held her close, and as she looked up at him from his chest, he was drawn into her Malachite eyes. "I didn't realize saying my name would have that effect," he heard he say to him, and before he could speak past the fog in his mind, he felt her stiffen and pull away slightly.

Danos was unsure of why she had pulled away, but he knew deep in his core that he was not willing to let her go, not yet. And he breathed a sigh of relief as she settled back into his arm, her head resting against the crook of his arm. He held her protectively, not realizing how much he had missed the simple comfort of being held, and holding a beautiful woman. Her red hair had immediately caught his eye, and as he gazed upon her, he could see the way it framed her heart shape face, her lips soft and inviting and he could feel his heart quicken.

Briefly, the image of blond hair, framing a face with piercing blue eyes popped into his head through the fog, but for the life of Danos, he could not recall her name, nor did it truly feel to matter. As he stood there, he could feel his heart pounding, and as they stood in an embrace, he could feel the sudden confusion lighten.

Light, we're like two youths at the spring dances, you would think I'd never been out of my mothers kitchen. Holding her like this where anyone can see us, thought Danos as the cold was also making him fidget.

"Ants in your shoes?" she jested, before she happened upon his potential concerns. "Admittedly, we are a little exposed out here. Maybe we should... go somewhere less public."

Elia's question helped him focus once more, and he looked down at her, kissing her forehead gently, "I would like that very much, I feel like we need to curl up by a fire. I act as if I've know you forever, but it's been moments. Lead the way Boan , I will follow," Danos said, his voice husky with the emotions swirling inside.

[Chris]

Click, thud. Click, thud. Not the normal sound of footsteps, but they were for a man who used a walking stick. The tall Dedicated moved carefully along the paths of the Gardens, his dark brown eyes searching for anyone who might be nearby. Vigilante of the Grey Tower? No. Stickler for rules? Hardly. No, Murdock wanted to find somewhere quiet to sit, and his leg wasn’t up to the task of heading all the way into Hama Valon today. So instead, somewhere on the Tower grounds itself, where people like Ravak wouldn’t find him burying birds, would be just the ticket. The problem was finding such places, because it always seemed that there was someone else occupying them. Didn’t they know Murdock had some studying to do?

Ahead, Giselle skipped a few paces in front of him, looking over her shoulder every so often to make sure he was keeping up fine. Murdock had taken to seeing his wife more frequently as of late, even when he wasn’t trying to channel. He ought to have been worried, but honestly it was nice to have her face brightening up his day again. She was always able to pull him out of his darker moods, and even after death she was taking care of him.

Though as Murdock’s eyes settled on company before him, Giselle paused as well, fading from his consciousness as he assessed the situation.

He recognised the Warder trainee as the fellow he had attempted to Heal in the Infirmary. That hadn’t gone over so well, but it had set off a chain reaction of events in Murdock’s mind. In that respect maybe he owed the lad something, but there was no easy way to say “thank you for letting me damage your insides by accident”. The girl, Murdock didn’t recognise, especially with a jacket covering her dress, but regardless of her rank Murdock was quite sure neither of them were supposed to be in the current position he caught them in. The way she was pressed against the man made Murdock think of the way Giselle used to look when she held herself close to him, an image he did not need at this moment in time. All he knew was trainees cuddling was bad, and in coming across them he had to say something, otherwise he risked getting himself into bother as well.

He was no stealthy walker but apparently they were distracted enough that he could get close enough to hear their conversation before he was noticed. He paused where he stood, his stick thumping the ground in his left hand and his expression sticking firmly on “stern”. He wanted to say something light and a quip or two might have started to form on his lips, but the way the tall man leaned down and kissed her forehead... familiar images reminded him of what was no longer his, and darkened anything he was about to say.

“I highly doubt Mirin Sedai or Ravak Gaidin would approve of this,” he said to them without preamble. “So unless you were leading your ‘Boan’ to the Mistress of Novices before taking yourself off to the Master of Training, Danos, then maybe you should reconsider what you were about to do.” His dark eyes took in the pair of them in their compromising position, waiting for them to prise apart as was right and proper in this situation.