Bringing the Rain, attn: Bella

[Alianora]

Liaran Sedai

Liaran left the First Selector's office behind her and as she walked through the halls of her Ajah, wished she didn't feel quite so nervous. She sighed, irritated with herself, and reminded herself that it was more than time for her to leave the Grey Tower to do work in the outside world as she'd always meant to do. She knew this, and wanted to go, but the Aes Sedai couldn't quite shake her fear of what could go wrong out there. It's a simple task, she told herself firmly. You know how to work the weather, you'll be home in just a few days. The thought only served to remind her of how badly her last trip outside the Tower had gone, something Liaran did not want on her mind right now.

The Aes Sedai picked up her pace, but instead of returning to her rooms, Liaran left the Ajah halls. Soon enough, she left the main building of the Tower behind her, heading towards the Warder Yards. It was a place she rarely saw unless she was preparing for a trip such as this one, during which she would need to have a Warder with her. In the past, she'd always worked with whoever was available, but this time, Liaran had a specific person in mind. Knowing this did nothing to help her nerves, which only grew worse as she reached her destination.

Liaran looked around the area briefly, but was quick to determine that Haeden wasn't there. She hadn't really wanted to bother him if he was working, but the only other place she thought he might be was in his rooms. She'd never been there, and was more than a little worried about just showing up outside the door, but she forced herself to look for him anyways. She wasn't pleased to admit it, but she very much wanted Haeden to come with her instead of someone she didn't know. After a couple of stops to ask directions, Liaran finally found the right door. Still nervous, both about the upcoming trip and the request she was about to make, Liaran raised her hand and knocked.

[Bella]

It wasn't particularly common for Haeden to not be in the Warder Yards during the day, but he had actually been gently encouraged to take the afternoon off by his... Well, he wasn't really sure what to call her, but Lysira had recommended it. She wasn't blood, but she felt like it, so he regarded her as such and took her thoughts like he would from his mother or sister.

He was sitting in the armchair in the corner of his modest chamber, like most quarters were for Gaidin without a bond or a ranked position, but it suited him. It was simple, but comfortable. And he was indulging in some reading, which he didn't often allow himself.

The knock on the door surprised him somewhat, but he recalled that he'd sent a request for a meal to be delivered. He thus assumed this was who was there, so he didn't worry about his untucked shirt, bare feet, or ruffled hair as he crossed the room with his book in hand, closed with his finger in place.

Of course, he was surprised when he opened the door and saw...

"Liaran!" he exclaimed, blinking slightly widened green eyes. He hastily ran a hand through his hair, although he knew there was little for it in this state. "I didn't expect it to be you. Please, come in?" He stepped back and invited her in with his free hand, his mind racing at what would bring her to his door.

[Alianora]

Liaran Sedai

As far as Liaran could tell, Haeden didn't seem to mind that she was there, yet Liaran still worried that she'd disturbed him. If she'd had to guess, she would have said he'd been reading, if the book he carried was anything to go by. Since he'd invited her in, Liaran entered, but she looked nervously up at Haeden once they were both inside. She tried not to think about the question that had brought her here, and her fear that he wouldn't wish to accompany her. She knew she had no right to complain if Haeden didn't want to go anywhere with her, after the events of their last, and first, trip together. Still, Liaran knew she'd be disappointed if that was his answer, and she feared she wouldn't be able to hide it from him.

"Are you busy?" she asked him. "I can come back later if this isn't a good time." Liaran did not especially want to do that, but she offered anyways to be polite. She had not been expected, and it was Haeden's right to decide whether he wanted to speak to her now or at another time.

[Bella]

Suddenly, he became very self-conscious about his appearance, but he was pragmatic enough to know there was precisely nothing that could be done about it now. At least he was generally decent, but for the bare feet. But his shirt and pants were both on. Not that he'd have answered the door without his pants, but still...

Off course. He offered her a smile. "Not at all," he said, gesturing to invite her to one of the two armchairs in his room--the only furniture suitable for general guests--and moved to the one he'd been sitting in to put a marker in his book and set it aside. "I just didn't expect to see you today, but I'm...happy I am. What brings you by?"

[Alianora]

Liaran Sedai

Liaran sat up straight in the chair that Haeden had indicated, feeling more nervous than ever. She felt out of place here in Haeden's rooms, and tried not to look around too much. She didn't want to appear nosy. To prevent that, she made herself look at Haeden instead, seated in the opposite chair. "Well...." she said hesitantly in response to his question."...I have to leave for New Braem in a couple of days. They're having a terrible drought in that part of Andor, and they've requested help from the Tower to fix it." He doesn't care about any of that, she told herself, annoyed by her own nerves. Just ask him already.

The Aes Sedai took a deep breath before voicing the question that had brought her here. "I thought....I was wondering.......do you think you could go with me?" The last part of the sentence spilled out of her in a rush, and she was no less nervous now that she'd asked it. Liaran looked down at her hands, toying with the edges of her sleeves, not at all sure what Haeden's answer would be.

[Bella]

"Of course."

The answer was out of his mouth before he really had a chance to consciously think through what she had just asked. He knew what she'd asked, and it wasn't even really a question in his mind. If she wanted his presence, he would be there. If she trusted him to keep her safe, when he'd failed so spectacularly before...

He would be there.

Somewhere within, he was surprised. Bordering on shocked. She had another mission to attend, and she truly did not hold the events in Cairhein and Tar Valon against him. It wasn't that he hadn't believed her when she said it, but as they said... Actions speak louder, and this spoke the loudest.

"Of course, Liaran," he said again, bowing his head slightly. "I would be glad to. When do we leave?"

[Alianora]

Liaran Sedai

"Really?" Liaran said, with none of the composure one would usually associate with an Aes Sedai. She knew she sounded more than a little shocked. Haeden's answer was what she'd hoped for, but hadn't quite expected to get. She let out a quiet sigh of relief, far more relaxed now that she knew Haeden would be traveling with her.

She smiled at him and said,"I was planning to leave in two days, if you can do that. It's important, but it isn't something I need to rush to immediately." She had packing to do, which she would do herself, and classes to reassign, and expected that Haeden would have similar things to take care of before leaving. She paused for a breath before quietly adding. "I'm....glad you agreed. I wasn't entirely sure you'd want to travel anywhere outside of the Tower with me."

[Bella]

He held her gaze with that slight, crooked smile of his. "Liaran, I would follow you anywhere."

The words were out of his mouth before he had a chance to stop them. His face nearly contorted into shock of its own, but he managed to avoid that part at least and keep his expression mostly schooled and even. He had only spoken the truth, after all, and what was the harm in her knowing that?

"I can be ready to go in two days," he went on without revealing his inward chaos. "I'm glad that you asked me."

[Alianora]

Liaran Sedai

What?

Liaran was more shocked now, but did better this time at not letting Haeden see that. The Aes Sedai managed a thin but genuine smile before standing from her chair, not wanting to keep Haeden for too long. She told him as much. "I won't keep you any longer," the Aes Sedai said, "but I'll see you in the Traveling Grounds in two days. And you can bring your horse this time." Part of that was the necessity of riding, much as Liaran disliked it, but the other was that she knew now how much Haeden valued his horse, and didn't want to keep him separated from the animal.

Two days later, Liaran stood in the Traveling Grounds wearing the sort of dark blue dress she generally wore for leaving the Tower. Her hands held the reins of a small black horse that was almost small enough to be called a pony. Unlike some she'd ridden, this one was fairly calm, grazing on the grass, but that didn't make Liaran want to ride it until she had no choice. She watched the animal, not because seeing it eat was exciting, but because she needed something to focus on. Liaran was afraid, now that it was time to leave, and she knew she was being ridiculous, yet she was having a difficult time shaking the feeling. She scowled in irritation with herself before taking her eyes off the horse to see if Haeden was coming.

[Bella]

A chestnut mare walked placidly at Haeden's side as together, they walked to the Traveling Yard. Ivy, as she was called, had been bred and born onto the Sha'hal family horse farm just outside of Hama Valon. She was tame when the situation was calm, but she had been trained as a warhorse by Haeden's mother.

He saw Liaran standing and waiting next to a little black horse that Haeden recognized from the stables, although he couldn't recall her name off the top of his head.

"Well met, Liaran," he said with a small smile, bowing his head slightly. If he didn't miss his guess, she didn't look particularly happy, but he imagined that was understandable. After all, this would be her first mission out of the Grey Tower aside from the trip to Tar Valon. He was just happy that she asked him to attend the trip, and he was bloody well not going to fail her again.