Food for Thought (attn: Jenn)

[Chris]

Nathaniel Carridus Nathaniel Carridus, Drin turned Soldier and all around swell guy, was feeling rather chipper this late afternoon. His lessons were done for the day and he was all set to have a quiet evening to himself. At least that was his alibi, he was actually going to put some recently acquired food dyes into the pots and containers in the kitchens so that breakfast the next morning would include delicacies such as pink porridge and strangely purple breads...

It was something to do to destress after the faff that was channelling. Nate didn't want to spend all day channelling and pretending he could use a sword, then all evening revising or meditating or whatever it was they were expected to do. He had to let off some steam, and Hama Valon was no fun since it had been blown up. Security made it much harder for him to sneak out on a whim, so he was going to have a bit of fun at home instead.

He had kitchen duty after dinner which was the best time to pull off his little prank. Nate wasn't above getting his hands dirty, he could get on his knees and give a pot a good scrub like the best of them, but he wasn't a big fan of it. Lining the clean pot with the harmless dye afterwards was easy to do when you were actually supposed to be there, and he moved from place to place with an enthusiasm not normally seen by those on cleaning duty.

By the time he was done with the pots, Nate was a little less well presented than he ought to be. His coat was undone, and the buttons of his shirt were open at the top. The collar was askew as if determined to imitate his messy hair, and there was a smudge of purple dye on his cheek. Not to mention his calloused hands were purple as well from where he had been spreading the dye with his fingertips. Nate didn't notice and even if he did, he wouldn't have been all that bothered. What did it matter whether or not he wore this silly coat? But then it was cold here compared to Mayene so he didn't particularly mind the excuse to wear extra layers, even if he would be happier in shorts and shorts alone.

Tomorrow was going to be a riot, he couldn't wait to see the looks on people's faces when they were presented with pink porridge. He felt sorry for everyone on cleaning duty tomorrow, they would have to double clean the pots- oh. Oh blood and ashes, he was on cleaning duty again tomorrow! For the love of- Son of a goat Nate, you should have waited until tomorrow! but there was nothing to do about it now and hey, maybe that could be used as his defence if fingers were pointed at him. "Only an idiot would mess with the kitchens when he has to clean them."

Heading out of the kitchens to get a quick bath, Nate paused on his travels, footsteps naturally quiet thanks to his Drin training. It was getting dark, and he naturally skulked to the shadow of some nearby shelving as he got a look at a certain young woman in the kitchen who looked like she probably ought to not be there. She wasn't on cleaning duty that was for certain. Nate recognised her as Affie of Falafel or Affaffoo or something like that, from his stint in the Warder program, and a lopsided grin crossed his face as he watched her. Great minds think alike, and Nate had done his fair share of pilfering food from the kitchens when he needed a snack. He recognised this in the Drin, but rather than let her think she got away with it he went to say hello. Because, why not? He could always help carry some bread away, he was a good sport like that. So he peeked out from the shadows and gave the woman a grin. "You've picked a good time to come looking for food, the cooks are all busy over yonder. But you could probably use a lookout, right?" Nate raised his eyebrows, "I won't turn you in and I'll even help carry some stuff, for a kiss and an apple. In whatever order you want to give them." Delivered with a cheeky grin and a wink.

[Jenn]

Afanen Vallen

Afanen certainly didn't feel any different clad in the grey uniform that she had been given several sets of. Her outsides were scrubbed clean and tidied up, but everything on the inside was still the same. Some attempt had been made to tame her hair, but the tail it had been pulled back into still ended in a wild frizzy puff. She tried to shove her hands up into her sleeves and cursed silently when she found she couldn't; the sleeves ended in tapered cuffs at her wrists.

The clothes she wore were new and clean, nicer than anything she had ever owned before... and the fabric, stiff and itchy, didn't smell like old sweat left out in the sun too long. She even had her own pair of boots. Two pairs, in fact.

There was a trade off, always was, but it didn't seem too bad. She had to learn things. Or well, she was under the expectation to learn things. There wasn't a whole lot she found interesting about reading or writing. The squiggles and shapes meant nothing to her and made her head hurt. But there were things far more useful than trying to keep the symbols between the parallel lines as she copied them out. How to hit someone, for instance; that was useful. So was knowing how and where to stab them. Moving without making a sound was another, and so was learning how to move without being seen. She had someplace dry and warm to sleep. She was fed several times a day and could always ask for more food, if she wanted.

She had difficulty with that, asking for what she wanted. She had never asked for anything in her life. She took it, and if she couldn't hang onto it, it was taken from her. Didn't matter if half the sky was blocked out by that fancy glass Tower. Didn't matter if she wore some uniform or other. That was how things were. She frowned irritably. Why was she thinking about this? Thinking didn't help matters any and she was hungry again. That, at least, she could do something about. No one blinked twice at her as she made her way into the kitchens. Afanen didn't exactly walk in, but she wasn't really sneaking about either. She just didn't want to be noticed.

She peered around cautiously, taking in the busy bustle on the opposite end of the giant room. Her feet carefully picked their way forward, scarred hands curling in anticipation as she approached one of the empty unattended tables. If she could get settled beneath it then -

"You've picked a good time to come looking for food, the cooks are all busy over yonder." Afanen jumped, nearly leaving her skin behind. "But you could probably use a lookout, right?" She dropped into a reflexive crouch, looking around wildly for the source of the murmured voice. She found... him. She had no idea who he was or why he was looking at her with raised eyebrows and laughter. "I won't turn you in and I'll even help carry some stuff," he continued blithely, grinning outright at her and then winking. "For a kiss and an apple. In whatever order you want to give them."

Black eyes took in the unbuttoned black coat, the expanse of revealed chest from the open collar of shirt, the just visible lines of his shoulders. He was scruffy and disheveled and didn't look at all like the put together stone and perfection of those Gaidin and Aes Sedai and Asha'man. She found that oddly comforting, even if he was... well, odd.

Afanen slowly pushed herself back to her feet, her cheeks burning beneath dark skin. "I can get as much food as I want to if I ask," she informed him quietly, her soft lilting voice barely carrying distance between them.

Nevermind that she hadn't planned on it. That grin didn't change a bit. And his eyebrows just lifted higher. Fine.

"Stand there," she pointed, "and whistle or something if anyone's coming." She dropped her hands back to her sides before he could start staring at them, suddenly very aware of the thin twisting scars.

The Drin glanced around for something to turn into a makeshift bag. Her eyes alighted on an apron hanging from a nearby peg. She snatched it down and a few twists and knots later, slung it over one shoulder. From there it was only a matter of sweeping whatever the cooks had left cooling onto the tables into the food carrying receptacle. Bread was the easiest to find... and rummaging around in some cupboards revealed a stash of cheese. She avoided the messier things like pie, but couldn't resist the plate of glazed pastries. She dumped that in, licking the sticky glaze from her fingers as she looked around for some fruit.

"Hey. Hey!" she hissed, finally throwing a wooden spoon at the Soldier to get his attention. It glanced off his shoulder. "I don't see any apples." She made no mention or acknowledgement of the kiss he wanted. "Would a banana work? And what -" A loud crash came and something large and heavy shattered behind her. The noise was startling and her mind went blank.

Afanen bit down on her tongue and bolted. The stolen food thudded heavily against her hip, one or two sections of the cheese bouncing out as she fled. She ran blindly down corridors and halls that looked the same, and it didn't take long for her to realize that she was utterly and hopelessly lost. She skidded to a halt, cursing and then cursing again as she turned in place.

Her shoulders slumped dejectedly for a moment. She couldn't be caught with all this food. She'd have to find somewhere to hide it... and then come back for it once she figured out where in the Pit she was. She plucked irritably at the apron string digging into her shoulder before folding her fingers against her palms. She started off as quickly as she could, and as she abruptly rounded the corner, collided face first with a scruffy wall of chest whose coat was unbuttoned.

[Chris]

Something Nate had learned about the Grey Tower was that it would take anyone in if they wanted to train. Nobles, merchants, beggars from the street with questionable morals, it was all to be found within these walls. The girl in front of him seemed a little, er, common, for lack of a better word, not that it bothered Nate; he didn’t exactly come from wealth and prosperity himself. He watched her crouch and then stand again, eyebrows raised in question. If she could get food any time she wanted, then why was she skulking? He gave a small chuckle and when she pointed for him to stand watch, he went and did just that with a small bob of his head in a bow.

He stood partially concealed in the shadows, keeping a watch on the other end of the kitchens. He didn’t think anyone would be over here for a while but he did offer to stand guard, so he did just that. Nate did glance over his shoulder briefly to see what Falafel did. Resourceful. Nate looked back at the other side of the kitchens, so he didn’t hear her hissing at him.

The spoon bounced off his shoulder and he turned with a small yelp, giving her a bemused look. Oh. No apples? That was fine. “Sure, a banana works,” he started to say, about to make some sort of innuendo about needing the practice when, through fate or chance or just plain bad luck, a pile of plates behind her tipped from their shelf. “Look out!” he called out, but it was to no avail as the plates shattered loudly enough to be heard throughout the kitchen.

Falafel skittered away quicker than Nate would have thought possible. “Hey, come back!” he called out, taking two steps to follow her and being suddenly stopped by a hand on his shoulder. Forcibly turned, Nate came face to face… well, face to chest, with a stout cook wielding a large spoon. Oh dear.

“What happened? Who was that girl, do you know her?”

“I don’t,” Nate lied.

“I saw she took some food. Why didn’t you stop her with the Power?”

“I’m new!” Nate insisted, though maybe he could have if he’d thought about it.

The woman huffed, her mighty bosom challenging her greasy shirt. “Well, don’t just stand there. Go get that food back!” She swatted his side with the spoon, and Nate wriggled at the sensation because spoons could bloody well hurt.

“Y-yes ma’am!” Nate said with a salute, before turning and following in the direction he thought Falafel had gone. Oh blood and ashes, how was he supposed to catch up with her? Besides, it wasn’t as if he wanted to turn her in. Nate wasn’t the kind of guy to deny someone a bit of bread and cheese if they wanted it. But he did want to catch up with her… she owed him a kiss and, apparently, a banana. Some bread wouldn’t go amiss either, cleaning those pans was hungry work.

He walked at a brisk pace, not sure if this corridor was the correct one or not, but the small wheel of cheese on the floor said that he had to be going in the right direction, thank the Light. He leaned down to scoop it up and he was glad it was wrapped in brown paper, it meant it was still edible. He pocketed it and kept going, with renewed confidence. He was tempted to call out but someone else might hear, and he didn’t want to explain what he was doing. Besides which, he wasn’t entirely familiar with this part of the Tower so lying his way out of his situation would be less than desirable.

In the end he took out the wheel of cheese, unwrapped it, and took a hearty bite. Mmm, cheese. Needed some bread but he was not a picky eater. Nate licked his lips and snacked away as he walked, but unfortunately this multitasking meant he was not using his barely trained Warderly senses as he rounded a corner and some small little Drin smacked into him hard enough that he nearly dropped his cheese. He caught it with one hand and looked down at… Falafel! Aha!

“I found you!” he said, pleased. “I thought you were gone for good – you move quicker than a rabbit being chased by a fox. But I’m a rabbit too, fuzzy and friendly, so you don’t need to run. Here, have some cheese.” He held it out as a peace offering.

“Let’s walk. Moving with a purpose brings less questions from people. Here, I think I remember the way I came.” Nate gestured for her to follow, and he began to retrace his steps. Probably. “Here, let me carry the bag for you, it looks rather heavy.” Someone else might have taken it and run away, but Nate had integrity on his side. “The cook sent me to bring the food back, so if worst comes to worst I can say I got it. But I’d rather eat it before it comes to that.”

Alright, so this probably wasn’t the way back, but the good news was that nobody saw them, and Nate was pretty confident that they wouldn’t be interrupted if they paused for a bit. “Hey, let’s hide in here for a bit,” he said, pushing the door open to what looked to be an empty storage room. It was a little dusty but nothing Nate couldn’t handle, though it was a little dark. Seizing Saidin, he made a small ball of fire to light the place – much easier than using Air, ugh – and set the bag on top of a large crate where they could both access the contents.

“I believe you should get first pickings, seeing as you took the trouble of carrying it all at such speed,” he said warmly. “Oh, and you can call me Nate. It’s a real pleasure to meet you, Falafel. I mean, er, what’s your name?”

[Jenn]

Falafel Bunny Rabbit

Afanen’s sidelong look up at the fuzzy friendly rabbit man in the black coat was dubious, but she said nothing. She had been startled. She had run. He said she’d been quick... of course she had been. She’d have been caught otherwise. But if he thought to call her ‘rabbit’ or ‘bunny’ or whatever else though, she was going to kick him between the legs. He didn’t. Good. His family jewels were safe. She gave him another sidelong look. He sure talked a lot though.

She didn’t protest as he took the apron sling from her... he didn’t seem the sort that would run off with it and if he did... well, better he be caught with it than her. Even if... all that food... To her surprise, she found herself nodding in agreement with him about something; he shared her belief that food should be eaten, now and quickly.

The Drin wiped the end of the cheese with the teeth marks on her sleeve, then took a satisfied bite... and almost choked at the pungent, sharp taste that made the fines hair on the back of her neck stand on end. She swallowed reflexively, toes curling, tears blurring her vision. Her face scrunched up, and she shook her head from side to side. The moment was slow to pass. She exhaled sharply, then took another bite. Same reaction.

“Hey, let’s hide in here for a bit.”

Ink black eyes peered past the Soldier. He stepped into the dimly lit room first. Afanen hesitated. The food and the desire not to be caught won out and she glanced up and down the empty hall before following, closing the door shut behind her. Well now it was too dark to see - until a small rolling ball of fire appeared, hanging in the air above her head.

Fuzzy rabbit man had set the apron on a crate between them. She frowned at it, not quite able to reach like he could. Some rummaging around and she found a much smaller box that she nudged over, stepping up onto it. There. Much better. Dust tickled at her nose and she turned her face away from the food as she sneezed, then sneezed again. Her sniffle was loud but thankfully that nonsense was done with.

“I believe you should get first pickings, seeing as you took the trouble of carrying it all at such speed.” The Soldier was looking at her all friendly like. She met his eyes for a moment before glancing away hastily. “Oh, and you can call me Nate. It’s a real pleasure to meet you, Falafel. I mean, er, what’s your name?”

Falafel. She tried to pull her hands up into her sleeves again, forgetting for a moment that she couldn’t. Nate. Fuzzy friendly rabbit Soldier Nate. Well, with the facial and chest hair, he could certainly pass for fuzzy. She plucked up another section of wrapped cheese and stuck it into her pocket. The box beneath her feet creaked and she pushed at the apron, clearing a space for herself. She hefted herself up, perching on one corner of the crate.

“I’m Afanen. I don’t know what a ‘falafel’ is.” She selected one of the partially mashed pastries, not finding the fruit that she had borrowed anywhere. Nate would have to find the banana he wanted on his own.

“Is that hard to do?” she pointed at the floating ball of fire, quickly dropping her hand so he wouldn’t notice the scars. The area immediately around them was illuminated and she watched Nate out of the corner of her eyes. “I meant to ask earlier... why’re your hands purple?” she asked around a mouthful of pastry. Was it some channeler thing she didn’t know about? On second thought, if it was, maybe she was better off not knowing. She swung her feet a little as she ate, the soles of her boots dangling some distance from the floor. Maybe fuzzy Nate just enjoyed walking around with colourful palms... who was she to judge?

[Chris]

Nate gave Falafel - er, Afanen a grin as she introduced herself. "I don't know what a falafel is either, but I thought it sounded like your name. I think I've heard it before, when I was a Drin, or maybe I listen to too many conversations that aren't my business." He took the cheese Afanen didn't like, finishing it off with no apparent reaction to the strong flavour. He wasn't picky about food, he liked all the sensations that crossed his tongue. Though he did have a preference for fish, given his upbringing.

Nate ate whatever there was available, not discriminating between anything that had been jostled about in the apron. It was all food, therefore it was a win. No sign of the fruit though. No fruit and no kiss, oh well. "Thanks foe letting me join you on your escapades. Oh, this light? It's not hard. It's like breathing, or walking. It just happens." An exaggeration for him, he was no Asha'man, but he had managed to make the fire reliably and it sat there, tied off, and happily floating over them. It would have been romantic if not for the fact that this place was so dusty. Nate sneezed a couple of times as well, shrugging at Afanen in a 'what can you do about it?' sort of way.

At the question about his hands, Nate held them up to get a good look. Oh, they were rather purple weren't they? Oh dear. "It's not a channelling thing. It's a... erm..." he looked around as if anyone could hear them, "more of a, breakfast is going to be a fascinating colour tomorrow, sort of thing." He grinned brightly, natural and charming - happiness suited his face. "Nothing harmful or dangerous, don't worry. It's a prank, not a crime." That being said, sometimes the Tower didn't see much difference between the two. He rubbed at the skin but knew he would need to have a long scrub in the baths later to get this out. Oh well, it was worth it as long as nobody found him first. He didn't worry, life was too short for that.

He continued to eat away, his appetite ample but not ridiculous. As he did so he watched his new little friend, perching on the crate as if she was on the menu also. He singled out some of the things she seemed to prefer eating, nudging them closer and avoiding them himself. The unasked question about her hands remained, well, unasked. It was none of his business where someone came from and how they got their scars. Nate had a couple of his own, though they were his own foolish fault and nothing more than that. Young men could get a bit too rough with their rough and tumbling ways. So no, Nate didn't ask about her hands, or where she was from. Where she was now and where she was going was more important, and probably more fascinating.

But before there could be more discussion, Nate heard a noise in the corridor outside. His eyes shifted to the door and he put a finger to his lips, moving across to the door on light footsteps and deftly clicking the lock in place. The footsteps moved closer, nothing ominous but also not something Nate wanted to risk. An Aes Sedai would not appreciate the two of them hiding away and eating in here. Nate wasn't nervous, though. He was still smirking, and he gave Afanen a "look at this!" gesture, pointing to the door handle as he kneeled down and took a nosy through the lock.

The sudden rap on the door knocked him in the nose and he fell back with a yelp, his nose bleeding from the impact. "Blood and ashes!" he swore aloud, as the knocking continued. So much for being discrete.

[Jenn]

Afanen

“Nate!!”

The silly Soldier’s name came hissing out with equal parts dismay and fear. Wide dark eyes stared at the door, then to him, then to the ball of floating fire, then to the apron still half full of food. This couldn’t be good. The knocking became more insistent and she shook her head to clear it. The noise made for good cover. Or so she hoped.

Afanen slipped off the crate and put her finger to her lips, wincing at Nate’s bloody nose. She crept around to the back of the crate, hastily gathering up the food into the middle of the apron. Frantic fingers hastily swept aside crumbs and she tried her best not to stir up any more dust. As she rolled it all up into ball, heedless of what got crushed and what didn’t, a banana rolled free. She looked at it for a moment, oddly mesmerized. Nate wanted an apple...

Well, she hadn’t found any apples. So this bloody banana would have to do. Without warning, she tossed the yellow fruit at the Soldier, smacking him in the back of the head with it. “Tell them you got stuck!” she whispered as loudly as she dared to, hoping that he heard her.

“I heard someone in there. Hello??” The rapping grew louder and the voice, though muffled, carried through clearly. “Open the door!”

Afanen grabbed at the bundle of apron and food, and ducked behind the crate. She placed the bundle in her lap, wrapping her arms loosely around it. She settled back on her heels, and then thought better of it and gingerly sat down instead. The dark-skinned girl grimaced at the faint tickle in her nose and at the back of her throat; she pulled the collar of her shirt up over her mouth and nose, breathing as slowly and as shallowly as she could. Hopefully Nate would be able to deflect... what if he couldn’t? He wouldn’t leave just her in here, would he?

She glanced up towards the gentle light that spilled above the crate. Maybe she shouldn’t have been so quick to hide... It was too late to worry about that now. If she was left in here... well, she had food and someone else had found them with apparent ease. If she kicked the door and walls long enough, she was bound to be heard. There came scuffling sounds and some more muffled cursing. She had to resist the urge to peek around the side. Oh no! She remembered too late that Nate’s hands were stained purple.

“Wait, don’t -” but it was too late. He couldn’t hear her with her shirt pulled up over half of her face anyway. The door was opening. Afanen scrambled back and cursed silently over and over again.

[Chris]

There are some things a man cannot handle. Being hit by a door, square in the nose? Fine. Trapped in a storage room with a Novice and about to get into trouble? Sure, he'd handled worse. But a banana to the back of the head was quite something, and Nate turned to give Afanen an incredulous look. Stuck? How would he explain that one away? Bloody ashes!

"Er...." he called back through at the demand to open the door. It was obvious someone was in there, but Nate didn't want to just let them in when it looked like Afanen was trying to hide. If he had to get rumbled then so be it, but he wasn't going to get her into bother if he didn't have to. This was his idea, to hide in here, and he would take it on the chin. Or the nose, as was the case here. Sigh. "I, er, there's a bit of a problem, I appear to be.... stuck!" It sounded weak, even to his ears. He looked around the storage room frantically, before his eyes fell on what looked to be some sort of blanket. He pulled it from the box and settled it over Afanen without preamble, hoping the fabric wasn't too dusty. That was all he could do before someone did something on the other side of the door. There was a faint indication of someone channelling Saidin, Nate thought anyway, and then the door was opening. He turned to face their intruder, and his face fell.

Of all the people it had to be, it was bloody Darren Davrill.

The man was almost of a height with Nate, and slightly less stocky, but he was a Dedicated, and he walked with a grace Nate had hoped he wouldn't have to see any time soon. His shock of sandy hair was a mess, and his piercing blue eyes landed on Nate like a cat that got the cream. "Oh ho ho, Nathaniel Carridus himself, caught in the act. I thought it might have been you the cook described to me. See, she didn't trust you and that little Drin you were supposed to be finding, and I know what you're like with these women." Darren closed the door on them, so they were well and truly inside the storage room now.

"Darren, hey, there's a perfectly good explanation for all of this," Nate said with his hands spread, "no women were harmed in the pranking life of Soldier Nate, I assure you!"

"Is that so?" Darren asked. "What was it you said to my sister, when she declared her undying love for you? 'I'm here for a good time, not...." he took Nate by the collar, "tell me what you said, in full."

Oh dear oh dear. Eleanor Davrill was a beauty but she wasn't worth her brother's ire. Oh well, he was in enough trouble already. " 'I'm here for a good time, not a long time'." It was a little muffled, what with his bleeding nose. It wasn't helped when Darren punched him in it either.

"That's for breaking my sister's heart!" Darren yelled, as Nate curled into himself on the floor. "If she fails her Test for Accepted because of you, I swear I will break every bone in your body!"

"Hey now, it's not my fault she got too clingy! I made it very clear we were just friends having some fun. And it only happened, like, three times? Or was it four..." Nate looked up with a rogue grin, in spite of his bloody face and hands. "Does it count if you get interrupted by her roommate?"

"You are a piece of work!" Darren snarled, taking his collar and hauling him to his feet. "So tell me, where is this Drin you were with? You going to take advantage of her too?"

"No! We were just getting some food, that's all!" Nate insisted. "The Cook sent me here to find her and I thought she came this way. Look, I found a banana!" he gestured to the item on the floor, "but she's not here. I was going to leave when you turned up. We can find her together if you want... no hard feelings about the broken nose..."

"You are full of pigswill," Darren said. "I'm taking you to the Master of Soldiers. But first I think you need a lesson in what happens when you fool around with little sisters."

"Really, Darren?" Nate asked, exasperated now. "I was a Drin for a while. I'm pretty badass if I do say so myself." At least, he thought he was. He had to convey that if people were to leave him alone for, er, sleeping with their sisters. "And don't you think Asha'man Jhanic will have some questions about why I'm tenderised like a steal if you beat on me?"

"I'll tell him exactly what happened," Darren promised. He shoved Nate into the wall, and followed it with a knee to the stomach. This is why a guy always needs a wingman for this sort of thing, Nate thought to himself, as the two of them began to scrap.

[Jenn]

Afanen

The blanket made it next to impossible to see, but Afanen did her best as she lifted up the very edge and peeked out, craning her neck as she tried to peer around the crate. She barely bit back a gasp as Nate’s face suddenly landed sideways near her, the Soldier somehow eye level with her on the ground.

What in the bloody Light...

Maybe that particularly expletive wasn’t the wisest to use, seeing as Nate’s nose was indeed bloody. That didn’t seem to impair his ability to speak however, and the scruffy Soldier made good use of that talent. Afanen didn’t have to see the other man to know that he was upset. By the way that very angry sounding other man, Darren something or other, went and hauled Nate out of her field of vision, she guessed that her strange companion was in danger of being further bloodied. And who was the obnoxious loudmouth to call her ‘the little Drin’?

As she struggled with shrugging out of the blanket while keeping the bundle of food balanced in her lap, the banana she had tossed at Nate earlier slowly rolled-wobbled towards her. Dark eyes stared it for a moment as she listened to the half shouted dialogue, the Soldier’s answers causing her to wince. Light but Nate really was a furry Soldier bunny with the brains to match... At this rate, Derren was going to murder him!

Stop answering him about his sister! she wanted to hiss at her companion. Trepidation made her stay silent, however, though she seemed to have gotten free of the musty smelling blanket without notice. Afanen turned around in place where she crouched behind the crate, thinking furiously. She couldn’t get past them... not without being seen. She could... leave the food behind but that still didn’t solve the problem of the door being closed and the two men that banged and crashed about... they would most certainly get in the way of any kind of escape. Afanen sighed inwardly. She supposed she couldn’t really leave Nate either... not when he had been willing to take the blame for the food on himself.

The slim Altaran glanced around, looking for inspiration. It came in the form of a dull and watermarked candlestick. Or... what looked to be a dull and watermarked candlestick. It was difficult to tell in the dim lighting... and really, who cared what it was so long as she could swing it. She hoped.

Holding her breath, she set the apron bundle of food down next to her, stretching out slowly towards the candlestick. She perched on just her toes and the fingertip of one hand, her face adopting a grimace of effort. Just as she grasped it, the crate in front of her shook, then simply imploded inward as Nate dropped on top of it in a heap. She squeaked, then squeaked again as a rough hand spun her around.

“Oh ho! What’s this?!” She stared up into the snarling face, Derren’s laboured breath passing hot and heavy across her cheek. He shook her a little, their gazes breaking apart as he turned his face to a very unhappy Nate. “You lied to me!” She was shaken again as a barrage of questions was launched her way, the world jolting to and fro unpleasantly for a sickening moment.

Afanen cringed away from the loud voice and tried desperately to make herself smaller. The metal in her hand felt slick and clammy, her fingers curling around it so tightly that the scars on her palm twinged while the scars across the back of her hand stretched. She looked at Nate beseechingly, but he looked as if he had enough to do just trying to get up again.

“He’s not going to help you! Stop looking at him. Look at me and answer me!”

She stared up into the contorted face. A silver sword pin on a black collar winked back at her. Afanen took a deep breath in........ and then swung her arm as fast as she could, clubbing Derren across the face as hard as she could with whatever it was that she held in her hand. A candlestick. Yes, that seemed right. She fell forward as the man suddenly dropped, his meaty hand still grasped around her shoulder. She yanked herself free and quickly tugged her uniform in order, patting at her chest and arms to reassure herself that she was okay.

Her step over the prone body was almost casual as she offered her hand to Nate, leaning backwards in order to get him back to his feet with comical awkwardness. He was so much taller than she was. She thumped back against the door and muttered, not knowing what to do about the mess of partially dried blood that caked around his nose and... it looked as if some of his chest hair had not been spared either.

“Do you think I killed him?” she asked hesitantly as she looked down at Darren.

“Not to worry, Falafel, he’s still breathing.” Nate sounded far too cheerful.

She grasped at the ends of her cuffs and pulled at them, uncertain. “Should I pick up the food or... Maybe we should leave him with it and just go...”

[Chris]

Nate was pretty used to scuffles and the like, so when it came to a scrap he wasn't unfamiliar with the typical brawling one did as a lad in the streets. His stint as a Drin had helped him with his footwork and his body positioning, how to throw an opponent off and such like, but that was with a staff. With his bare hands he was less sure, and Darren had a bit of size on him so that made it even more awkward. Still, the pair threw one another round the room with aplomb, though Nate was determined that whatever happened Falafel was not discovered.

"Is that the best you've got?" Nate growled, straightening up from where he had been shoved into the wall. "I've been pushed harder by your mother. Oh and your sister-" he let out a yelp as suddenly he was flung into a crate at the other side of the room, crashing through it and seeing stars. Saidin. The cheating pig-kissing swill lover! Nate was going to kick his ass!.... when he worked out whether this was the floor or ceiling or wall or whatever. Ouch.

He heard Darren find Afanen and he made a dismayed noise. He tried to say "leave her alone!" but it came out as more of a pained grunt. He didn't like the way Darren was talking to the Drin, and he was supposed to be protecting her. This wasn't how he wanted it to go.

But then with a sudden thud Darren was on the ground, and apparently Afanen was fine. Well! That was an unexpected yet pleasing turn of events! An offer of a hand was given, and he gladly took it. Nate was not going to question why the little woman was hauling a big man like him up but he as still a little dizzy so no looking a gift horse in the mouth. He did lean against the wall for a moment though so he could get his bearings, feeling much better about the world at large.

“Do you think I killed him?” she asked, and Nate gave her a look. The body was fine, he was still breathing, just knocked out that was all.

“Not to worry, Falafel, he’s still breathing.”

“Should I pick up the food or... Maybe we should leave him with it and just go...”

"What? Leave the food?" Nate gave her an incredulous look, "I did not go through all that just to leave the food with someone who doesn't deserve it!" He straightened up and went to grab the apron, taking his time and stepping on Darren's hand as he went. Whoopsie daisy. He handed it back to Afanen straight away though as the warmth on his face told him his nose was bleeding. Ugh. He took out a handkerchief to wipe it up, though there was no hiding that he was going to have some bruises and probably a black eye. His head throbbed, but he figured that would pass soon. "Our hideout has been compromised, so we should go somewhere more discrete. Hey," seeing that the Drin was still agitated he patted her with a consoling shoulder rub, "it'll be alright, I promise. Darren'll get what's coming to him and I might get some penance or other but so what? It's just chores and a strapping, I can handle that. We got cake out of the deal, I think we're the clear winners."

Nate herded Afanen out of the room and he followed carefully, closing the door. He didn't do anything rude like lock it with Air. Darren had been through enough as it was and Nate wasn't malicious by nature. "Alright, time to find somewhere to hide out and eat the rest of this food!" he declared, pushing himself off the wall and taking a step forwards. Only, Nate's foot landed and he simply fell forwards, landing on the floor in a heap with his eyes crossing. He'd taken a nasty blow to the head, one which in the light of the corridor Afanen would see was bleeding from the back.

[Jenn]

Affie

“Oh!” she exclaimed as Nate simply... fell over, his body flopping onto the ground in a way that reminded her of a dead fish. Affie crouched down next to him, dark eyes widening in panic as she caught sight of the blood dripping down his neck from the back of his head.

“Nate!” she hissed, but he didn’t answer her. Not knowing what else to do, the Altaran shook the Soldier abruptly, her voice rising several octaves.

He mumbled finally, but she couldn’t make out the words. The small Drin settled back on her heels, wracking her brain as she tried to figure out what to do. He wasn’t dead... that was good. They still had the food... also good. Hovering next to him while he was lying out on the floor... not so good. He was bleeding from the front and the back... not good either.

She gathered up the food that had rolled around when he had dropped, and then slung the apron pouch over one shoulder. Affie bit down on her bottom lip and then for utter lack of a better idea, she moved until she stood with her feet braced on either side of his head. She grabbed along the back of his coat, grateful that the collar of it soaked up the oozing blood. She leaned back and started to pull. Her fingers slipped and with a startled squeak she toppled over and landed not at all pleasantly on her behind. She scrambled up again, her hands tugging on the stiff black fabric.

“Nate!!”

A faint grunt answered her. The mop of frizzy unruly hair bounced around as she glanced around frantically. Affie muttered under her breath before seizing fistfuls of his coat again and with monumental effort, boots squealing against the tile floor in protest, began dragging him along an inch at a time. Five steps later and she was cursing and sweating profusely from the effort.

She tried not to wince every time she hauled Nate along like a parcel box. She was positive she was leaving pieces of his chest hair behind. It wasn’t her fault that he was laying face down! By the time the Drin backed her way into the neartest empty classroom, his coat was bunched up under his armpits. She was panting, and with a final yank, she ended up with the coat in her hands. She yelped, tumbling backwards again and crashed into a desk.

Affie popped back onto her feet, ignoring the bruises, running to the door. She peeked out, and was relieved to see that there was no obvious trace of their passing. Somehow, all of the food had stayed in place too! Smiling a little, she shut the door and hurried back to Nate’s side. She looked blankly down at the coat still clenched in one of her small fists and hastily folded it. She placed her hands against his side and with a running start was able to turn the larger Soldier over, tucking the coat beneath his head so that he wouldn’t bleed everywhere. It... would also help him be more comfortable??

She crouched down next to him again, her face inches away from his. “NATE!!” She slapped at his cheeks. “Wake up!!” Nothing. The Altaran sighed a little, then brightened as she realized she still had the food strapped to her. She rummaged around quickly, pulling out a mashed pastry and then wafted it beneath his nose.

His eyes popped open and he lifted his head right as she shifted forward in concern. The question of “are you okay?” was poised on the very tip her tongue. He... what... the pastry squished into her cheek instead and for a moment warm... softness pressed against her mouth. His lips... what... Affie’s brows climbed towards her hairline and she pulled in a sharp breath through her nose. Then something hard struck against her teeth... with a clacking kind of scrape that made her hair stand on end. Nate’s teeth?!... and she jerked in surprise, her forehead banging against his.

“Ow!!!”