Do you think you could help? (attn: Trent/Ayden)

[Jon]

Phineas

Ayden’s response to Phineas’s comments were enough to make Phineas smile. He peeked open an eye to see the man’s face, and he had to admit that he was radiant in that sunlight. Closing his eye again, not because he was tired of the man’s beauty but because the light was too bright with his face directly facing the sun, he let the comment roll through him. Perhaps, one day, they could find some fun together. Certainly, when they were both Asha’man, they would enjoy each other’s company as necessary. Phineas wasn’t sure he’d ever commit to any man, though he guessed that he would if he found a bondmate. He doubted he’d choose Green Ajah, but he appreciated that some of that Ajah’s members married their Warders. So much intimacy would be awkward without those bonds; at least, they would be for the small-town blacksmith. “You flatter me,” he said when the Dedicated had finished. He didn't mention the touch though, which had sent shivers down his spine. Instead, he just added, “We had better stop that line of talk, or we might do something that will have us before the Master of Soldiers.” It would be up the Dedicated to take the higher road. Phineas really didn't want to be punished; not that the punishment wouldn’t be worthwhile. Phineas just didn’t want to find himself on the Asha’man’s bad side. Part of life as a Soldier was learning to play the Tower’s game, which meant following all of the rules. Fraternization of the like Phineas’s body desired with Ayden would definitely fall outside the lines clearly set for their lives. “As for my logic, that too was flattering,” he continued. “I will content myself with what is and use what I have for the benefit of the Tower.” He paused for a second. “Do you have a particular Ajah that you plan on joining?” The question came from his own musing over the Green and marriage. He thought the Indigo was where he would end up, but that was a long way off. The Dedicated, however, could have the decision imminent.

[Trent]

Ayden

Ayden grinned down at Phineas when he opened his eyes to peek up at him. The sunlight bearing down lit up his blue eyes in spectacular fashion. The soldier was right, of course, and it was an interesting juxtaposition for the lower ranked member to be more cognizant and mature about the rules. Ayden gave a short laugh and a sigh that was both acceptance and mirth with a hint of frustration.

“You’re right. Burn me, but you’re right. Neither of us needs our paths here threatened, and I’ve already done enough to delay mine. At my rate you might end up Asha’man before me.”

An interesting thought crossed his mind just after that. “Although,” he started with a brief pause, “if we end up both being Dedicated at the same time, things become much more… self-guided. Also, we would each have private rooms.” He knew Phineas would understand the intimation.

With a good amount of conscious effort, Ayden stopped trailing his fingers along Phineas’ upper body. He looked forward to future exploration. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly as he also rolled over to lay on his back, enjoying the cool grass underneath him, also closing his eyes to the sun.

“Your question about Ajahs is an easy one for me. I’ve known I would be a Yellow since my first few weeks at the Tower. I’m told I am developing latent healing talents, so that fits in well. My whole life I’ve been interested in easing pain and discomfort. When I was in Mayene’s army I was trained as a field medic. While I never saw myself working in an infirmary, my mother and I had some business plans in mind before my channeling manifested, I’ve been volunteering at ours most of my time here and I’ve found it very rewarding. It comes naturally to me to take care of others.”

Ayden turned his head toward Phin again, though he kept his eyes closed. “How about you? You have a bit of time to decide, but do you have a few narrowed down?”

[Jon]

Phineas

A part of Phineas was slightly unhappy with the Dedicated’s self control. It was good. They needed not to cross that line. But, after feeling his fingers on his bare skin, Phineas wanted to feel all that Ayden had to offer. He just had to be patient. “I think the Indigo is where I want to be,” Phineas replied to the man’s question. “I don’t think I have the requisite Talents to enter the Yellow.” He had a passion to know, to understand, and that pointed to the Indigo or to the Brown. He could see the White’s desire for cold logic as something that he might enjoy, but the Indigo would give him access to the Vaults on a permanent basis. “But I think the Brown or the White having some aspects of their purpose that would draw me to them.” He was still young. He had time to figure that out. As he thought a bit longer on the question, Phineas noticed some bustling in the gardens. He looked up at the sun, but it took him some time to read the time. He was learning. He just wasn’t there yet, all in good time. However, when he finally realized how late in the afternoon it was, Phineas’s eyes went wide in realization. “Oh Light,” he said, reaching out and grabbing his coat, “Burn me! I am going to be late.” No longer was he worried about his problems with saidin nor with how he compared to the other initiates. Ayden had given him confidence, reminded him that he was valued by some. And that was enough. Instead, he was worried that he would be late to his chores. A trip to the Master of Soldiers was not part of his plan for the day. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Ayden,” he said after standing up and as he was pulling on his coat. “I look forward to our meeting in the future, especially after I receive the pin.” He flashed the Dedicated a coy wink before taking off in a run. The gardens were normally tranquil, but he had a long way to go. So he ran away, but Ayden never really left him.