May I Present...Ravhala [Attn: Anyone Who Is Interested]

[Roan]

Paks Liard: Attn Locke/Nas

Paks Liard tugged at the sleeves of her shirt such that the ends slightly stuck out from the sleeves of her uniform jacket. There was not a wrinkle on the girl, and her boots had such a high polish on them, she could almost see her reflection. Giving her jacket one more tug, the Drin walked in and grabbed a glass of bubbly alcoholic substance not a second later. Taking a sip of the beverage, she scanned the room, seeing a lot of familiar faces.

The Drin’s eternal smirk broadened as she looked over to the Bride and Groom’s table. The last time Paks had been in the Grand Ballroom, she somehow managed to pull Miahala Sedai in for one impressive kiss before being pushed back with a wall of Air. More than a few people told Paks she’d been lucky to come out of that exchange alive. The not-so-new Master of Arms was a lucky man, as far as Paks was concerned.

Another familiar face in the crowd was Einion, the Captain General’s great great grandson, who Paks also snogged on that same night. She couldn’t help but laugh at herself as she continued to scan the room. She saw several of her friends derssed to the nines, including Alric who looked stunningly handsome in his Asha’man’s uniform, and had a very stunning Andraste Sedai on his arm.

Two more of your friends who’ve gone on to get raised not just to mid-rank but full rank before you, came an uninvited thought. Pushing it out of her mind by downing her first glass of bubbly, Paks grabbed another as she walked through the ballroom. She saw Alrim Gaidin, which was another friend who’d started as a Drin after her and now bore the Fancloak.

Not wanting to let her thoughts dwell or let memories of the vision she’d had with her Father and dead mother haunt her too much, the Drin looked for someone to distract her from herself. That is when she caught sight of someone in blue, but only saw the woman’s back at first. The way those hips wiggled as the woman walked, though, spoke to one particular Novice.

Moving to the corner, Paks let her smirk grow, “Nas. . .why are you over here hiding in a corner in that dress? You should be out on that dance floor, flaunting those hips to everyone here!”

[Bella]

Natlya Cade Gaidin

Nat flashed That Smile again as Terric slipped the flower into her hair. It had never been an accessory that she thought much of, but when he gave it to her, it seemed like the best thing in the world. She reached up and touched it gingerly, an adverb that Bella chose very much on purpose. She was careful, though, to not dislodge it.

"Yes, I would love to dance some more," she said. "Although I promise to not keep you on the dance floor so long that you miss your opportunity at all the food." Those hazel eyes sparkled as she teased him.

Marriage had never really been something she'd given a lot of thought too. When she was young, and it seemed so long ago now, she had thought that Morgan and her would be together forever...but they'd never actually talked about marriage. It was just assumed that that's the way it would be, and they had both been happy with that.

Now, though, looking through the eyes of someone a little older... Well, she couldn't help but wonder.

Not too much, though. Because this was a party, and she was going to enjoy it. She had a handsome Aiel on her arm, there was music and dancing and drinking and eating, which was enough to satisfy the both of them...for now, at least. She pulled him back onto the floor with the next song and spun herself into his arms.

"It's such a lovely event," she complimented the room to no one who had any involvement in the creating of it. "I'm glad to be here to enjoy it with you." Maybe the night was going to make her sappy.

Andraste Alhandra Aes Sedai

They walked into the ballroom and Andra immediately took it all in. It was beautiful, and the effervescence immediately swept her under.

"Dear Alric Asha'man," she said with some playfulness turning up her full lips and dancing in her dark eyes, "I believe that I would first enjoy a drink and then I would enjoy a dance." She tilted her head, dark hair waving over her shoulder and her earrings glittering in the light of the multitude of candelabras and chandeliers. "You do dance, I hope?"

Gareth Tomosan Asha'man

"I would always trust your memma's instincts when it comes to people," Gareth said easily to his wife. Not that he'd been any more enthused than Riahana to learn about what had happened while they were at the Citadel, but... Well. The big man was not the type to hold a grudge, and there was some understanding of motives.

Yes, Ravak had been an idiot--husband and wife were agreed on that--but it had not been out of malicious intent. If Miahala deemed him a good enough man to marry, and have a child with, then Gareth was not going to second guess her.

He didn't want to focus on all that tonight, though. Miahala's advice was sound, he determined, and he was also determined to make sure that his wife remembered it. It was obvious that the kids had already taken it well to heart. "Being at one wedding makes me think to our own," he rumbled with a smile. "Hardly seems like it was as long ago as it was. More like just yesterday."

Brynmor Brook Gaidin

He found himself a little caught off-guard by the smile, in a good way... That is, he found it attractive, although being caught off-guard for a Gaidin was never a "good" thing. Still, it was a celebration and there was, as of yet, no sign of trouble. Of course, around this place, one could never be too sure...

"I am indeed," he said with a slight inclination of his head. "And it is Gaidin. Brynmor Brook Gaidin. But most people call me Bryn, and I hope that you will feel at liberty to do so yourself."

Lysira Viathene Gaidin

The diminutive Gaidin floated through the room in that silent way of hers. She disturbed no one and no one disturbed her, although she did snag a glass of champagne from one of the passing waiters. Lys had managed to do it without even letting the waiter himself know that she had done it until he looked at the tray and saw one less.

She had already passed by the table of the bride and groom to wish them the best, and dodged the melancholy memories of Miahala watching over her when she herself had gotten married. Then, she had been married to Caden. Ravak would not feel like kin in the way the last Master of Arms had, but that was alright.

Trying to dodge that passing melancholy, Lysira spotted a familiar face.

Lysira decided to distract herself with company, since the other girl looked as on-her-own as the Gaidin herself did, so she cut her way through the crowd to the side of the tall Accepted. 'Good evening,' she signed as she caught Zarayne's eye.

[Locke]

Gaval the people watcher: Open

What in the Light is that bloody Aiel doing? Gaval mused. From his balcony, he could see his old roommate defacing a flower arrangement. The lanky desert dweller tucked the blossom behind Nat’s ear, and her face lit up like a beacon.

“Bloody ashes, you two are way too mushy,” he muttered before taking a sip of his wine. Content to be left alone to with his wine, the Gaidin continued his people watching. He found the bride at the heart of her massive clan. Like the oldest mare surrounded by her herd, they all seemed to move with her, even even when their attention wasn’t fully on her. He really hoped Rav knew what he was getting into. The Master of Arms was a braver man than he, marrying a Saldaean woman. Not just any Saldaean woman either, Miahala Sedai could pull the building down around them if she so chose. Sometimes he wondered why he’d even let himself get mixed up with channelers.

Alric kinda a dork attn: Andra

“I’m, admittedly, a bit rusty,” Alric said leading his way towards the bar. “If I remember correctly, you want to find a partner and try to feel the music. I just don’t remember when the swords come into things.” As he talked he kept his head deliberately turned, he was having an uncharacteristically hard time keeping a straight face.

Spoiler: show

Long posts aren't conducive to witty banter

Nas who needs to give herself more credit attn: Paks

“I don’t know, Paks,” Nas said glumly. “Maybe I should. Just have fun, ya’know.” How in the Light did the bloody woman make a Drin uniform look downright dashing? It just wasn’t fair. While she definitely wasn’t a bad looking woman, it was beyond that.

Nas straightened, surveying the dancefloor. Maybe she would find somebody to dance with. She considered asking Paks, but another question sprung to mind instead. “How do you do it Paks?” It was out of her mouth before she could stop it, and the questions kept coming. “How’re you always so confident? You don’t care what other people think and when people do try to change you, you just tell ‘em ‘piss off.’ I want to be like that.” Her eyes widened as she realized she was clutching the older woman’s sleeve.

[Craig]

Zarayne - Attn: Lysira

There was a visible unknotting of tensed muscles when Lysira attracted Zarayne's attention. The Accepted even managed a smile, although one tinged by uncertainty. 'Hello Lysira', she signed. Zarayne even added in the conditioned bow that came alongside greeting the Gaidin in public. It was hard to break out from daily habits when you were still in your Tower-prescribed clothing.

Bright eyes flashed as Zarayne took in Lysira's ensemble for the evening. Not another fancy dress like everyone bar her wore, but a uniform. It was the 'special' uniform, although Zarayne didn't know the true name saying there was no equivalent for Accepted. 'I thought I would be the only one here without a dress'. She made it clear that wasn't accusatory (as if she had a leg to stand on with that subject) but just an observation.

'Have you said anything to the wedded couple?', she enquired. 'I was just on my way over if you wish for me to translate for you.'

[Craig]

Ravak t'Sha'hal Darrow - Attn: The Wife

Ravak couldn't keep a smile from his face. Any time it even threatened to fade, one glance towards his wife put a stop to that. My wife, he mused. That sounded good. So too did Missus Darrow. How long until it's Mister Sha'hal, I wonder?

Maybe drawn by his thoughts, Miahala drifted away from their well-wishers back towards him. Her smile was beautiful and drew him straight into the moment. "You are gorgeous, wife." He grinned broadly. "And I've come to a decision."

"Oh?" One eyebrow rose up on Mia's pale face. The bond brimmed within curiosity and a touch of amusement.

"Mmhm," he agreed. "We are dancing. Right now." Even as he said those words, he rose from his chair and took Miahala's hands in his, leading her towards the centre of the ballroom. His grin only grew broader as he whispered in her ear as they walked alone. "But in concession to our union, you can choose which dance, Missus Darrow."

[Bella]

Andraste Alhandra Aes Sedai

"Swords, eh?" she said, her voice lighthearted and teasing as she watched his profile. He could not keep his face entirely away from her if he wanted to avoid walking into things, she saw caught half of his attempts to keep a straight face. "Well, it's been a while for me too," she went on lightly as they reached where drinks were being served, "it all depends on the success of the evening."

She did a far better job keeping her face straight, looking at him straight on.

Lysira Viathene Gaidin

Lysira smiled and tilted her head slightly. 'I appreciate the offer,' she said sincerely, 'though I have already been over there to wish them well. I have know Miahala Sedai for...well, many years. She and I can speak on our own.' For a moment she was struck with the longing for her own parents again, the wish that her son was there, the desire to have her marriage have survived its second try...

She forced all of those thoughts from her mind. 'I will go with you if you would like to say something now, though.' It wasn't that she didn't think the young woman could manage on her own, but she looked...a little lost.

Miahala ni Sha'hal t'Darrow Aes Sedai ~ Attn: The Husband

Not that she was a woman who could ever be contained, but the seemed to be even truer than usual that day. She felt as thought she could have lit the room all on her won without the help of windows or candles. And the light only grew when her husband smiled at her, and took her by the hands.

Was it all just her own happiness she felt, or his too?

Did it matter?

Missus Darrow. His joy at saying those words, however, could not be mistaken. It pleased her to hear them, although there was a touch less newness to her than to him and so perhaps he took the big more pleasure. However, his joy made hers deeper over again.

"I get to choose the dance?" she replied lightly, her brows up as her eyes glinted. "But for me to choose best, we'd have to leave our reception early..." She smiled. "And it seems a bit soon for that. So for now, I shall be pleased with whatever dance suits the music of the floor."

[Andy]

He had vacated his corner now, the drink and the merry atmosphere getting the better of his caution and worry. It had been inevitable he knew, he was far too easily led astray. He smiled to himself and put an empty glass down onto a passing tray. He didn't take another just yet, he didn't want to go overboard. He'd leave that for later, perhaps. Mostly he was weaving his way around the crowded dance floor, every so often seeing someone he knew. They were usually with someone else already - Alric and Andraste together was not what he would have expected. Good man Creases, get yourself some fun for once. Enough of books and tactics he told himself as he let them be and paced slowly onward. "No Fiona though, nor Brawn" he told himself, wondering if the Princess was trying to brow beat the giant into talking to him. They had not met since the Citadel and he knew that the Green was not one to not correct something that was out of place. He shrugged and noticed that Ravak and Mia were moving now, down towards the dancing. He stood for a while and simply watched them, seeing their joy and their losing themselves in the enjoyment. He reached sideways and plucked another glass from someone passing and swilled it slowly. Brandy this one, very nice. His head tilted and turned, seeing Tia locked in conversation still and as he turned to walk once more he saw Paks with another lass, like as not sweet talking her for an evening of fun. He eventually came to settle himself in a new place, this time about a third way around the side of the room and this time with a chair that he eased himself into and leaned it back onto its back to legs, one foot hooked under the table for balance. He debated with himself on whether to dance. He had no partner but that wasn't a problem. Still he had caught snippets of conversation as he had walked. Gaidin being propositioned for testing reasons. He shook his head to jingle and chuckled to himself. "Aes Sedai never do anything without reason, true enough" he muttered to himself. He wondered if the newer ranks would change that. They seemed so different. More idealistic perhaps than the older ones. Maybe they would change over time. Hundreds of years was a long time after all. He'd be long dead before they had lived a quarter of their lives. He hoped that they would not change. He loved the Tower but if they were to one day go out into the world, save it and then rebuild it, then they would need to be more open and less political. People needed to relate to trust, he reasoned. He wondered if he would change further over time also. So far he had proven relatively immune to change but he was beginning to wonder. He leaned back a bit further, sipping upon his new drink and watched the dancing. Graceful, energetic, filled with passion of all kinds. Yes, they should do this sort of thing more.

[Roan]

Tia Sedai

“Well then, Brynmor Brook Gaidin, I will call you Bryn but only if you call me Tia,” the young Sha’hal replied, her grin firmly in place. There was something about Bryn’s gaze. . .an intensity or something Tia couldn’t quite place, but she found herself somewhat captivated by it. While the music seemed to fill the ballroom, everything else seemed to melt away as she locked her gaze on his.

Part of her wondered how she’d not seen him before, but then the Tower was no small place, and there were more than a few Gaidin that wandered the grounds. There were any number of Aes Sedai and Asha’man she didn’t know, so why did she think she’d know or be familiar with all Gaidin?

Without taking her eyes off of his, she took a sip of her drink and found it to be the last sip as she emptied the glass. She couldn’t help the slight look of disappointment, but set the glass aside before turning her attention back to Bryn, “So tell me. . .do you know the Bride and Groom well?”

Riahana 'What's in a name?' Gaidin

Ria looked up to meet Gareth’s gaze, and smiled warmly at him, “It does seem as if it was just yesterday, doesn’t it? I too find the events of today have me thinking of our own wedding.” She rested her free hand on his chest as the bond between them seemed to overflow with feelings of love and affection. Part of her wondered how long the pair of them would last before wanting a bit of time to themselves.

Pushing that wayward thought to the back of her mind, Ria tilted her head ever so slightly, “If I were honest, I would say I have been more than a bit contemplative not just of our wedding, but of us, as well.” Her heart seemed more than full at the moment, and she directed every ounce of the love she felt for him towards him in that moment.

“Something that has been going through my mind. . .I kept my family name as a sense of pride, but you are my family, Gareth. I think perhaps I should have done it the day we were married, but it is not to late, I don’t think,” Ria paused when she realized she was rambling.

“What I mean to say is. . .I would like to take your last name as my own,” she finally managed.

Paks Liard

Paks cast a curious glance at Nas with her question, but offered the woman a warm smile with a hint of that eternal smirk, “How do I do it? I am not sure I have an easy answer to that question, but I think you also answered it in the rest of what you said.

“I can’t help to be anything other than me. If others have a problem with that, then the problem is theirs. There are very few people in my life whose opinion of me really matters. My father, despite his faults, was wise in many ways, and one nugget of wisdom he gave me was this: Another person’s opinion of you is none of your business, so don’t give it any time or bother,” Paks replied.

The smirk was back, “Life is too short to worry about what others think.” Paks furrowed her brows as she realized what she said, “Well, to those of us non-channellers, life is too short.

“If you want to go dance with someone, then just go do it! Go have fun. That is what tonight is all about. Try not to worry what others think about you. It takes a bit of practice, but life is a lot less stressful if you manage it,” Paks finished.

[Bella]

Gareth Tomosan Asha'man

For as much as he had been curious when she began, he was surprised verging on shocked when she finished.

Perhaps it had been something he'd thought of early on in their marriage. She had been perfectly up front with him about wanting to keep her name, and he understood the pride of it. There were moments when he wondered what it would've been like to share his name with hers, but he was a...passive man, oftentimes. Not one to press, certainly not just for his own ego.

And any times he had thought of it had been long ago. Those bits and ideas had faded away long ago, so to have her bring it up nigh on thirty years after their wedding day... Well. It was a shock.

Yet something warmed in his chest, not just for her desire to do so but the fact that she had thought about it. That after all this time, it was something that she would think of and want to pursue. Perhaps that more than the idea itself caught him and made his heart seem to swell within his chest.

"I would like that very much, my wife," he rumbled softly, "if you were sure that it was what you wished."

Brynmor Brook Gaidin, PSC

The Gaidin smiled. It was a crooked line with his lips still together, yet somehow filled with subtle, genuine warmth. "As you wish, Tia," he agreed with a small bow of his head. She was quite lovely, and more so when she smiled, he had to note to himself.

"I'm afraid I don't really know the bride or the groom much at all," he admitted, waving towards the dance floor below. "However, I am Gaidin and he is the Master of Arms. Not to mention, the Captain-General is well respected among the Yards. So, I have no personal reason to be here, but wish to pay my respects. And besides, good food and drink is hard to resist."

With a quiet laugh, he looked at the floor again and then back to Tia. "And do you know them well?"

Sadira Jolstraer Aes Sedai, PSC ~ Attn: Alrim Farshera Gaidin

It was not the first of her mother's weddings that she had attended, though she liked this one better.

Sadira recalled, quite some time ago, the Sha'hal-Ives affair. It had been in Arafel, and much...stuffier, although her mother had done all in her considerable power to make it less so. Still, it was not her home. This was her home, and to have the wedding and reception here made it all the warmer for the Blue.

With a glass in her hand, she loitered around the periphery of the dance floor. Idly, she thought about Scerai. It had been over twenty years since his death, but she still missed him. She had taken neither warder nor lover in all that time, and while she hadn't lamented it, the wedding made her...nostalgic.

Then she began to turn away...and with a moment of uncharacteristic gracelessness, she nearly collided with a Gaidin. Instantly, she took in that he was (ironically? with her earlier memories) Arafellin. She smiled slightly. "I'm terribly sorry," she said, something else uncharacteristic of an Aes Sedai of her age and standing. "The edges of the floor are gaining quite the crowd."

[Roan]

Riahana Gaidin

Feeling his own emotion resonate through the bond, Ria rewarded him with a warm smile. She reached up with her free hand and placed it on his cheek, “It is what I want, my love. I come from a long line of independent, if not stubborn women, and wanted to hold on to that identity.

“It seems silly now, especially when I look to my Great Grandmother’s legacy. After what happened at the Citadel. . .well, for me life is too short not to cherish those things so near and dear,” Ria said, not once taking her eyes from his. “You are my heart, and if it were not for you, I would not be here today. I intend to make the most of every moment we have together,” she added.

It was heavy conversation during what was a merry celebration, and while there might be a somber note to what she said, Ria felt no sadness. If anything, she felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude and love for the man she called her husband.

Tia Sedai

Tia smirked at his comment about good food and drink being hard to resist. She would have been here anyway because her kin was getting married. Not just her kin, but the one woman she looked up to and respected more than just about anyone. She looked towards the dance floor just as Miahala and Ravak stepped onto it, and couldn’t help but smile warmly as the pair began to dance, “I know one quite a bit better than the other.”

When she looked back to Bryn, her smile turned more towards a playful smirk, “The Bride is my Great Great Grandmother, and dare I say the matriarch to our family. Miahala Sedai was the one to discover I had the spark and had channeled without knowing it, and the reason I took the path towards the Shawl instead of the Fancloak.”

One of the servers walked by with more of the bubbling wine they had on offer, and Tia happily took a glass. “Memma. . .er . . .the Captain General gave explicit instructions to myself and my brother to make the most of the evening and enjoy ourselves. I intend not to disappoint,” she finished with a grin before taking a sip from her second glass of bubbly.