The Grey Tower

He merely smiled at her acceptance, he was not about to end up accidentally talking himself out of having a delightful partner for the dance. Not to mention that she was probably far better than he and so she would likely improve his mediocre dancing. Before they started he did look up at the chandelier and his eyes narrowed ever so slightly. He laughed at himself, at his mild paranoia, and took up the dance with Sadira in his arms.

"Sorry, it's just the last time I danced under that thing it fell on me" he noted wryly as they stepped into the rhythm of the music.

Even though they had spoken he hadn't really had the opportunity to study Sadira until they were quite literally face to face. When speaking to Aes Sedai he usually spent most of his time thinking bout not causing offence. Either that or his mouth ran away with his tongue and just did their own thing. He found that she was of a height with him and that her features were quite strikingly different to Miahala's. Whoever her father had been must have had stronger blood than her mother and that was saying something. Aes Sedai agelessness had its mark upon her but not to the extent of the more serious ones. She had more signs of joy and mirth that were more noticeable up close.

"You know, I have spent many days in the rain in places I'd rather not have been. I helped defend places I'd rather not had to. Got more scars than I'd like and I've even tended to orphans," he spoke, his tone amused and thoughtful, "but I think this is the first time I have danced with an Aes Sedai at a wedding. I think I'm going to have to complain to the Gaidin Captain about this, clearly there needs to be more fun in this Tower"

He led the dancing though he was fairly certain she's have done a better job. But teaching was teaching and it had been how he had been taught. He looked over her shoulder briefly to see Miahala and Ravak making a tour of relatives apparently. He nodded for Sadira to see them over his shoulder as they turned.

"I am happy for them both. Ravak was the man who talked me into staying here and not giving up. In his way. Despite his...recent decisions...he is a good man. I am glad that he is happy and he clearly means the world to your mother"

"If I might ask, seeing as we are here, what is it that a Blue does with her days? I can't recall seeing you around. Have you been away fighting a cause somewhere?" he asked for way of quiet conversation as he tried to blow a bell out of his face, failed and realised he was probably jingling to the beat before giving up and look at her once more.

He gave her a look of thanks as she put the errant bell back into place. Truly he loved them but he was beginning to see the sense of not wearing them at times. He had not had cause to be particularly stealthy so far so it had not become an issue beyond the occasional annoyance. He did need a haircut though, he noted to himself.

"They are impossible," he told her before moving onto her own words, "I would imagine that many causes would change with time, or even become fulfilled. Perhaps you chose best by not tying yourself to just one"

He was not surprised by her own question, he had perhaps asked a lot about her without giving much back in return. He tilted his head and wondered if he were as interesting. Somehow he doubted it but it was poor form not to fulfil requests of the woman you were dancing with.

"The tale of Alrim Farshera is probably not as interesting as the one of Sadira Jolstraer but as the lady asks," he inclined his head, "I was born in Arafel, a little ways outside Shol Arbela. Son of quite a successful merchant, but not a successful son. Quite the mischievous rogue apparently. Got into trouble, so I came here, to the Grey Tower, where I learned how to be better. Lost most of the bad habits, kept the fun ones" he smiled.

"Very dramatic, no? That's the short version, anyway. Longer one would require somewhere less crowded and probably more to drink," he chuckled, "but if you' meant what do I do now...mostly travelling with channelers and protecting them best I can. I like to travel but haven't been to many new places yet. Teaching the Drin and Ji, of course, otherwise they'd have far too much free time on their hands. Spent some time in Arafel. Apparently I am a merchant partner now, of sorts, though I couldn't really tell you the first thing about being one"

"What else would you like to know?" he asked as the dance continued.

He was never very good at telling his own tale, truth be told. He much preferred telling the tales of others. He smiled and wondered when he'd next get the chance to try keep people entertained with a story around a campfire, or at a tavern hearth perhaps. He did miss those times.

He looked at her for a few moments, thinking behind his gaze. Such striking eyes too, up close, not the usual blue. Perhaps they matched the character too, he told himself. Still, the question wasn't one he was asked often, even by his friends. And of all the other questions she could have had she chose that one. He wondered if she had need of someone perhaps.

"Truthfully? Everywhere," he smiled, "I have yet to see any of the grand capitals of the Southlands. Illian, Caemlyn, Cairhien. And then there are Saldea, Kandor and Shienar. I am quite the ignorant Borderlander, haven't been to any of them yet. Unless you count the land just outside of the Citadel" he added thoughtfully, it was in Shienar after all.

"I don't know why, I just feel like I should visit these places. Learn their culture. Help if they need it but I wouldn't complain if it were just a quiet visit. If you ever needed someone to go with you somewhere, please feel free to ask"

He looked away briefly as a commotion bubbled up, someone running from the dance floor. He thought they looked familiar but with so many people in the way it was difficult to tell properly. Still, despite that it had been a wonderful occasion so far. He had even met a stranger who was no longer a stranger. And was pleasant company too. He turned his gaze back to Sadira.

"As a far more experienced traveller than myself, clearly, where would you suggest I start with?"