Fifty Shades of Green - Green Ajah Dinner [OPEN to GA]

[Lou]

The room was arranged as Tamora had instructed; the table was laid, the wine ready to the poured, and the food prepared in the kitchens. And she was dressed and waiting for the others to arrive. Her gown was of domani design, in a rich silk the colour of the wood at night. It was a favourite of Sarkaska's, especially when it was on the bedroom floor. He had wanted to come tonight, he was still wary, but she had told him to go and drink with his friends in the Warders Yards. It was best that way. Tam stood by the unlit hearth, it being summer and all, and the small balcony window of the Green dining room was open, letting in the cool, fragrant breeze of the coming evening.

She was nervous about this, seeing her Brothers and Sisters like this for the first time. She had hardly spoken to anyone since she had returned, they either did not care, did not want her back, or were all very busy. She did not hold it against them either way, it was what it was, and the Wheel weaves as the wheel wills after all. She sipped her andoran wine, it being sweet and crisp, suiting her mood well.

[Sean]

Delicacies from a gleeman’s tale assaulted the senses from the moment the double doors creaked open. Servants bowed their heads respectfully as Val walked by. Not knowing what to make of it he returned the gesture sparking some startled looks in his direction. Luckily none said anything of it—to him anyway.

Rich food aromas that watered his mouth and made his stomach growl in complaint at his having not eaten supper yet. Nervously fingering the parchment with his invitation scrawled in gold filigree, Valadin stepped into the room. A spread that would’ve put old Samhl’s inn to shame centered the chamber, but the splendor was equally shared by everything else. Tables designed for fine dining were lined along the walls and tapestries illustrating scenes from legends he’d never heard of plastered the walls. Even the lighting amplified the sensation of walking into a royal reception hall.

A quick sweep of the area saw that most present were servants. Their liveried jerkins and prim garments after the Grey Tower’s fashion marking them as easily as the lone the Sister who casually sipped at a drink while staring reservedly into fireless hearth. That must be el’Galina Sedai. Burn me she’s a pretty one. Wouldn’t mind dandling that over me knee. The thought had come so abruptly that Val wondered where it had come from.

Nykk would have his manhood if she knew he was eyeing up other Sisters…at least he thought she would. Another mystery fer another day, he signed inwardly.

Forcing nerves from the surface, Val approached the Aes Sedai with even strides all the while keeping the expressions of the servants in his peripheral’s. Rank had its perks as he was learning, but that meant observing the etiquette that went along with it evermore important to those who wished to survive. The Sister didn’t turn around at his presence…not that she should’ve been expected to. Most Aes Sedai loved flaunting power whether real or imagined. It was always best to leave them to their illusions; healthier in fact.

“Greetin’s Sister, Valadin Manelle at yer service.” Bowing as deeply as was necessary to acknowledge her rank, he extended the invitation in her direction upon he rising. “Really ‘preciate you invitin’ me here an’ all. Can’t say I know that deserve it, but I’m grateful all the same.”

The urge to say more was overwhelming, but Val clamped his mouth shut as Alshamz Sedai had advised. Having never attended a gala, he’d sought the Brown’s advice. Hopefully she hadn’t given him some horse dung to go on; Light knows he wasn’t looking for any trouble. Truthfully he wouldn’t have come, but Alshamz Sedai had said it would look poorly on him to reject an invitation from the Ajah one was interested joining. He’d almost sighed then…

He’d almost sighed now too. Just make it through Late an’ head down to Elman’s. That’s the plan.

[Bella]

There was a part of Mia that almost declined the invitation to a dinner for her ajah. She was, after all, no longer the Captain General. Now she was just a regular Aes Sedai. Since when is a woman who lived nearly a hundred and fifty years before dying and then been resurrected anything regular? At best, you're a force of nature. At worst, a freak of nature...

Freak. The indelicate, unkind word that her subconscious had hissed in her ear sent a sharp pang through her soul. The feeling was like someone had leveled the butt end of a quarterstaff or the heel of their boot into her solar plexus. The Freak of the Yards...

She could imagine a line of three dead husbands chastising her for trying to crawl back into the grave. None of them would have approved of her turning down the chance to mingle with her fellow Greens again, and would have given her the rough sides of their tongues. The only people who would dare to do so. So, as she sometimes had in life, she would listen.

Dressed in a gown of the Saldean style in deep green, as usual, she made her way to the dining room. The only difference was the silkier tone of the material compared to the usual more utilitarian look she chose. Her hair with its cords of grey was pulled back in a loose braid that dangled over her shoulder, while her face like porcelain in motion tried to find warmth. (Only the reactions of her compatriots would prove her success or failure.)

Miahala reached the room and stepped inside. She was among the earlier of the participants, clearly, but that was no matter. She took in her surroundings like she always did before approaching the Aes Sedai--Tamora el'Galina, she remembered from her days of yore--and the young man standing near. "Good evening to you both," she greeted simply.

[Lou]

As lost as she was in her own thoughts, Tamora had not heard anyone else come into the room. The small noises she did hear she attributed to the servants who were setting up the room for her. She did not interfere with their task, they knew their job better than she, and she was not the type to interfere with their work. That was not her way. People knew their work better than she did in most cases, after all her work was war. She sipped her wine, continuing to stare into the empty hearth, almost tempted to light t despite he heat of the eve. There was something comforting in fire, especially if she was going to be alone for this meal, as there was a strong possibility that she would be.

The voice behind her made her jump, and could be noticed in the slight movement of her body, though she composed her face before turning around and looking at the man before her. He was attractive enough, good shoulders, and nice eyes. Two things she usually noticed first on a man, and no one could beat Sarkaska's shoulders. Though this man's accent...that would need honing if he ever planned to do well outside of the Tower. A show of power only went so far. She gave him a small dip to his bow. "Soldier Manelle, I have hard good things whispered about you in the Green Halls since my return, and I hear that your talents lean towards the Green." She smiled to him, "And if you are to be one of us soon, then this is the time to get to all of us." At least those of us that actually come.

At that moment another guest came into the room, and it was one that Tam was least expecting. She gave the small dip to Miahala, woman of much renown, and Tam could feel the woman's strength as no doubt the woman could feel hers. "Good evening, Sister. It is a pleasure to see you again after so long." Tam did not move in to kiss or hug the woman, they had hardly known one another even back then. "May I introduce Soldier Valadin Manelle, a future Green in the making." She introduced the man smoothly, the way she had been taught to by her Mother, she was a daughter of one of the High Lady's of Mayene after all.

[Sean]

Curbing an urge to whistle Val watched as another woman, this one strong and stoic in her bearing, introduced herself in a tone used to subservience. Where el Galina Sedai was a petite thing, shape and size alluringly pleasant to any who beheld her, this second Sister didn’t fit the description of being ‘pretty’. Handsome came as a more apt accounting for this second Aes Sedai. Everything about her was firmly crafted and though buxom there was none of the girlish charm that came with such endowments.

As the woman approached Val noted nervously that she was nearly eye level with him. Used to being the tallest in the room by at least a head, the presence of another of his stature was an unnerving development in the evening’s proceedings.

Through his first encounter with the el Galina Sedai he immediately took a liking to the woman. She was charming as she introduced herself to a fellow Green Sister and Val found his gaze examining the curves beneath her gown. Only being titled as Soldier drew him back to the course of the conversation, “Ah, well…,” he interjected.

His face reddened at the prospect of correcting an Aes Sedai. “Y’see I was Raised to Dedicated just a fortnight ago, Sister. Still gettin’ tryin’ ta get used to wearin’ the extra pin—burned thing pricked me more’n coupla times.”

It was only the scoffing of a nearby server who had glided by with a platter of freshly baked honeycakes that made Valadin realize he’d just sworn in the presence of two Sisters of the Green Ajah. More heat flushed his cheeks as he awkwardly made an apologetic bow to the women.

“S’cuse me! Light, um, see I-I ent much for fancy events like this. Forgive me. I’ll…well I’ll try an’ keep my manners. Maybe some, ah, some wine’ll help.”

Spotting an idle man along the wall near a table laden with pitchers of drink, Val motioned him over. Like everyone else in the room the man had a dignified grace to his step as he approached the trio. When the fellow made a leg none of the awkwardness of Val’s curtsies accompanied the motion and his posture upon rising matched the elegance of the Aes Sedai. Must be some sorta training they go through, Val noted. “Good evening, Miladies, young Master. How may I serve you?”

“A drink would be nice, mate.” Val replied.

“Of course, sir,” the servant answered bending his neck respectfully. “And what would suit you? Lady el Galina has procured the finest spirits and vintages for this venue.”

“Uh, well, an ale? That…that’s something I can get, right? Regular mug—er—goblet of ale?”

Something about the request must of have been out of order for despite the man’s acknowledging curtsy Val got the sense that his choice of drink wasn’t up to snuff as the man floated away to procure the order. Apparently common ale wasn’t amongst the items readily available for a few words were exchanged with another woman. This one replied with cowed obedience to the man who spoke with a stern expression the entire time. At a motion the woman disappeared from the hall. Val could only guess that it was to bring his beverage. Now I feel bloody guilty about orderin’ a mug of ale. I wish Nykk was here…

Eyeing the fine cloth that man wore, Val decided he must have had some rank amongst the servants. The Grey Tower emblem patched on his tabard seemed a bit more embellished than the others and the deference they paid him as he subtly inspected the work of the others was similar to the sort that Soldiers paid to the Dedicated. Seemed an odd thing that even servers would have a chain of command. Then again the Samhl’s stables weren’t without people barkin’ order to make sure things got done. The thought sent a lance of nostalgia cutting into his heart.

Turning thoughts towards more pressing matters he quietly waited for his drink, letting the Aes Sedai take lead of the conversation. Jus’ a few more hours….

[Trent]

Durent hoped he wasn't too late as he fought the urge to hurry his pace from his quarters to where the dinner was being held. He hated being the last one to a function, even to one among friends and fellow Ajah members. He'd never known the Green Ajah to have formal events like this that weren't fighting tournaments or hunts. It would be a nice change of pace. Durent had broken out some of his finer clothing for the first time since returning to the Tower. He wore a coat that might almost be confused for an Asha'man's traditional garb if not for the high quality cloth and fine embroidery. Black with green accents, a green dragon pattern ran across the chest and down the arms. It was one of his favorites and seemed to fit the occasion perfectly.

As he made his way down the halls he wondered who would be in attendance tonight. Certainly they would not get all of their Ajah in one place. Many would be out on missions, training, or on patrols or a combination of the three. Some were also just not incredibly social. That was one trait Durent was happy he'd not lost in his life. He was serene, regal, and haunted by pain and loss, yes, but could still find joy and laughter in life.

He made his way inside to find some familiar faces. The soldier, or dedicated now rather, that Durent had met in the Gardens soon after his return was here. He'd heard the young man had planned to pledge Green, and was happy to see him here. "Dedicated Valadin. It's good to see you again. Congratulations on your recent raising," he said with a sincere but serious face. "Perhaps that lesson in Battle Weaves you requested is something we should do soon."

Miahala, his friend, ally, and confidante was always a welcome sight. He was happily surprised to find her at such an event. It would be good for her, he felt, something to get her mind into matters of frivolity and away from morbidity. He gave her a faint smile and a bow. "Miahala Sedai, it is always a pleasure and an honor to see you." The two of them didn't want to completely broadcast their new close allying in trying to help each other solve mysteries surrounding their returns. One of the reasons he came tonight was that Tamora's return had also been close to theirs in timing. Another coincidence or part of something larger?

Turning to their host, Durent bowed again in respect and friendship. He knew that Asha'man and Aes Sedai didn't have to bow or curtsy to each other, necessarily, but it was something he'd never lost from his childhood to bow to a lady, especially the host of an event. "Good evening. Much thanks to you in organizing this event, I think it is something many of us needed, and I look forward to the night's festivities."

[Bella]

Inwardly, Miahala was like a pendulum swinging over the pit of her own emotions. With each breath, she seemed to sway between wanting to be the woman she once was who flowed through social events like a stream through a river bed, and the woman who wasn't sure of who the people around her were anymore or what she was to them. Tamora was a familiar face, but only vaguely. Still, she gave a small bow of her head in acknowledgement of the greeting.

And the young man, the Dedicated, had the uncertain reaction she saw more of from Novices when she was the Mistress of Novices, but was familiar with all the same. "Dedicated Valadin," she greeted before he stammered his escape to the servant with the drinks. Her eyes followed him for but a curious moment before she turned back.

Before she had to come up with something more to say, another entrant came to the arena. This one was a welcome relief, however, as she saw Durent approach them. He made his greetings, and she returned it in kind with a small dip of her head. "Good evening to you as well, Brother," she said. His words wound through her head and she turned back to Tamora. "Yes, our Ajah has seen the return of many faces and it will be good for us to be reacquainted in these new times."

She tread carefully, of course, around things akin to what she and Durent spoke of privately, but the return of them all after many years away was no secret but quite public knowledge.