This is a Revenge Plot [attn; Damien]

[Avyra]

Avyra considered what he said. She did... well... she loved the contest. She did love the thrill. But... but she didn't feel at home. Everyone here, even Danos, looked like they were supposed to for their rank. But she didn't. She looked like a child. But the garden here shows that some of it must be useful for creation. Maybe that would help, you don't have to look regal and ice cold like the Sisters if you're a smith or make the crops grow strong with the Power," he suggested, looking for a way to cheer her up. She only sighed. "That... That wouldn't work. I can't channel Earth. Whatsoever. Not like any other Sisters can. At least they can somewhat touch it. I can only use it if I'm using illusion, and that's because I have a talent in it." She paused. "I should just leave when I can. Nobody would want me in their Ajah. I don't fit in one. And nobody would want me as a bondmate."

[Damien]

Danos

Avyra sighed, saying softly "I can only use it if I'm using illusion, and that's because I have a talent in it." She paused. "I should just leave when I can. Nobody would want me in their Ajah. I don't fit in one. And nobody would want me as a bondmate."

Danos paused for a moment and tried to let her words sink in. He could understand the doubts, he could understand the pressures Avyra was facing as she trained to be one of the women who could move Creation itself with a power most couldn't dream of.

"Well I for one would be sorry to see you go Avyra. I know our free time is limited with all the demands and skills we must learn, and Illusion sounds like something that takes a lot of time and a keen eye, but I do number you among my friends here at the Grey Tower. I do not know about the Ajah's, I actually have been meaning to meet with someone about that and learn more, and I do know that there seems to be far more unbonded Aes Sedai than bonded. For the bond, I would imagine it depends on the two people involved, and what you're skills at the Tower drive you towards for goals," said Danos as he watched the darkening sky and listened to the growing quiet of the Warder Yards. He knew the bells would probably be sounding soon, but for now it was simply a quiet evening with the stars and a friend in need.

"How does one go about leaving if that is your choice? Do you march into Mirin Sedai's office and strike your name from the books? Or is it a quiet slinking off into the dark sky. Would your family be available to provide for the trip home?" Danos asked, concerned that Avyra might just disappear into the wilds without having thought the consequences through.

[Avyra]

"How does one go about leaving if that is your choice? Do you march into Mirin Sedai's office and strike your name from the books? Or is it a quiet slinking off into the dark sky. Would your family be available to provide for the trip home?" Avyra just sighed. "I don't know. Mirin Sedai said I could leave when she felt I was ready. For now, I'm stuck, until she can either trust me as an Accepted or trust me not to use my powers for malicious intent." She paused. "I don't know what to think of this goal of mine. But I'm here, I guess, and I better make the best of it, because I think I'll be here a while." She paused, looking back to him. "Thank you, Danos. Really. You didn't need to listen to me. I shouldn't have kept you..." She paused, curling her legs up to her chest, wrapping her arms around them as she put her head on her knees, rocking herself back and forth. She seemed to be... dazed almost. Lost in some sort of thought.

[Damien]

Danos

Danos was glad when he heard Avyra say that she was planning to make the best of it. He had come to enjoy when he was able to spend time with the feisty Novice.

As she paused and curled her legs up, Danos hugged her back to acknowledge her thanks. "Of course Avyra, that's one thing you don't need to thank me for. I will always be there for friends," Danos said gently as he sat beside her.

He knew the days could grow into a series of exhaustion, and stress and hard work, and in the back of his mind he wondered if perhaps the Grey Tower was mistaken to thrust rules between the learning ranks and friendships that would last many years.

It was with that thought he noticed that Avyra was still sitting quiet, almost dazed as she sat with her legs tucked under her chin.

"Avyra, are you alright? Did you over exert yourself today?" Danos asked concerned over her dazed look.

Not sure what else to do, Danos sat up and grabbed her some cool water. He held the ladle to see if she wanted a drink.

[Avyra]

Danos put his arms around her, and she melted into him, almost. She instantly felt incredibly dwarfed by his close presense, but, for the first time, she didn't mind. "Of course Avyra, that's one thing you don't need to thank me for. I will always be there for friends." It was reassuring to hear. Friends were in short supply at the Tower, it seemed. "Avyra, are you alright? Did you over exert yourself today?" He sounded concerned, an left momentarily to find some water. She wasn't thirsty but didn't turn it down, taking a few sips. "I... no. To both, I think. I don't really know what to do. I guess you could say... I'm just confused." She paused. Don't do it. Don't do it don't do it don't do it don'tdoitdon'tdoitdon't- "I really like you. Danos. Not just as a friend." She paused. "I... I'm not sure what to do with that feeling. I've never actually felt this way for someone before." She shook her head. "Light, I'm a fool."

[Damien]

Danos

"I really like you. Danos. Not just as a friend." Avyra paused. "I... I'm not sure what to do with that feeling. I've never actually felt this way for someone before." She shook her head shyly. "Light, I'm a fool."

Danos stopped in mid thought, the sudden admission both a surprise, and one he was not prepared for. He knew they had interacted often, he had even endeavoured to teach her some unarmed skills, but he doubted that encounter had ended with these feelings. After all I broke ribs and she ended up on an Infirmary bed. Light first Seonin and now Avyra, I’m going to be the village lecher if this keeps up, thought Danos.

He was unused to dealing with heady emotions, and the professed interest of someone younger than himself once again had him reeling a little in his mind. Plus there was the Garden, and the moments he had shared with Elia. Light but I need to see her again, the golden glow was so sudden, so unlike me to be that forward. I need to see if she always brings that out it me, thought Danos to himself. He had not been chaste his whole apprenticeship, and there had even been good natured teasing about a certain barmaid. But his response to Elia had been on a whole new level.

Danos looked down at Avyra, and had no idea how to proceed. He knew she was a friend to him, and he admired her tenacity, and could see the woman the mischief had been hiding, but he also knew it was unfair to build her expectations. There’s never a good time for this I suppose, but she bloody well can’t feel lower he thought to himself. Ever forthright and honest, he crouched down into a squat and looked at the young Novice.

“Avyra,” he began gently, “You don’t ever need to feel foolish for expressing how you feel. It takes more guts than you know. Sadly I cannot say that I return those feelings. You are a dear friend, and there is much ahead of you, but I would never lie to you,” he finished as gently as he could.

[Avyra]

He didn't speak for a very long time. Very, very long, and she could feel herself sinking even lower and lower. She had already been at rock bottom, but now she was pulling out that shovel she had brought and was digging even further. Avyra knew she was in trouble. She had been too upfront, too open. And now it landed her in a situation she didn't want to be in. Danos as already a wonderful friend, and she felt guilty that she wanted him to be more to her. Was nothing good enough for her? Okay, maybe it wasn't that long, but it sure felt like it. He moved away, and sudden fear sliced her. Was he leaving her? No, no he wasn't. He had squatted down in front of her, eye level with her as she was sitting on the bench. “Avyra, you don’t ever need to feel foolish for expressing how you feel. It takes more guts than you know," he rumbled gently. “Sadly I cannot say that I return those feelings. You are a dear friend, and there is much ahead of you, but I would never lie to you.” She didn't meet his eyes for a long time. In fact, she closed hers, looking down. "I..." She finally said. "I understand. I figured as much." She paused. "But friends, friends is fine. I don't know if I could bear forcing myself to not be your friend." She paused again. "I... I was scared to tell you. I was worried you might cut off all ties we have with one another. I... would not want to lose one of my friends over something like this." Then, she laughed softly, shoulders shaking. "The pattern seems to hate me today. I didn't want this to happen. I was getting back at you for breaking my ribs. How did it end in this?" She sighed. "Its funny. You accidentally break my ribs but I still find a way to develop feelings beyond friendship. What a mess I am." She paused, finally looking at him. "Its because you're so gentle and sweet. Stop it." Her tone had become playful, now, but still hinted with a tinge of sadness from earlier.

[Damien]

Danos

Danos breathed a sigh of relief as Avyra finished saying her peace. He was glad that she understood, but he could hear the notes of sadness in her voice.

The night air was cool, and as he stood there he could feel it pebbling the skin on his neck. He hoped Avyra was comfortable, but it seemed ill timed to offer her a jacket, with the currents of emotion still hanging in the air.

“You don’t need to worry about that Avyra. How could a man feel slighted by interest, and if I pulled away because of something like that I’d be a fool,” Danos said as he looked at his young friend, the glint of humour in his hazel eyes.
“I don’t know about being sweet though,” Danos said with a chuckling breath, “seems to me I owed you the attention and care after the class I tried teaching you.”

Danos stopped for a moment, looked at the stars and their shimmering lights in the inky black sky. He had always loved the sky when it was clear, the sight of the vast vista of lights reminded one of how much world there was.

“I tell you what, when you earn your Serpent ring, I will send for my silver marks. My uncle owes me some back payment, and I had begun to save for a shop. Seeing as the Grey Tower sees to my needs, seems silly to keep the silvers growing dust. The day you get your shawl, we’ll search the whole of Hama Valon till we find a seamstress that can make a dress regal enough for any court,” Danos said, his promise clear and firmly meant. He hoped it would boost Avyra’s spirits and give her something to look forward to. After having to wear ill cut dresses as a Novice and Accepted, I would expect any woman to jump at the chance for new clothes Danos thought with a shrug, he himself would be content to wear the Grey’s provided to him as he cared little for fashion.

[Avyra]

For the first time, Avyra felt the coolness of the night and shivered despite herself, keeping her form small, legs against her chest. She knew that if Mirin Sedai saw her she would have a fit, but the position was comforting to be in when she was nervous. She seemed to have a knack for somehow making herself look even smaller than she already was. Besides, it helped block the cold, which went right through her and froze her skin down to the bone. “You don’t need to worry about that Avyra." He looked relieved. "How could a man feel slighted by interest, and if I pulled away because of something like that I’d be a fool." He paused. “I don’t know about being sweet though,” Danos said with an ounce of amusement in his voice, “seems to me I owed you the attention and care after the class I tried teaching you.” He fell silent and Avyra didn't reply. She just thought as he looked up into the sky, and she followed his gaze. It had gotten dark fast, and was probably almost time for them to part ways. “I tell you what, when you earn your Serpent ring, I will send for my silver marks," he started again, and quickly explained that they would find her a perfect dress suitable for her build. Something that would look regal. She smiled, but shook her head. "No, I will not take your money like that. Besides, half of looking regal is how you look physically, regardless of dress, and I hardly have a regal figure." She paused. "But thank you. I... I appreciate it." She, now, looked like she might actually cry, for real. Was this man really offering something like that for her? "I'm not sure what you mean by not being sweet. Your offer to buy me a new dress only proves that you are. Trust me, I've never met a man so sweet in my life."

[Damien]

Danos

Danos chuckled and raised his hands, signalling that he was accepting her words," Point taken Avyra, I suppose it was a sweet enough offer. I just know that I've been fortunate in my life's path so far, I enjoyed my apprenticeship and trade and now I am finding new joy in learning to be a Drin'far'ji."

Danos paused for a moment to stand and stretch, though his muscles had been toned and turned into slabs of steel beneath his skin, he was numbing from the squat. As he moved his limbs to awaken them, dismissing the pins and needles in them as blood flowed he looked and watched as Novices with an Accepted in attendance lit the lamps. One more chore for the channelers I suppose thought Danos as he again thought about how little he knew about the day to day of the Grey Tower.

Sighing he supposed he should make a note to speak with Master Darrow about that, he planned to be a bound Gaidin, but he supposed he would still need a task or duty to fill his time when the Aes Sedai was busy at classes or some such.

"I'm sure adventure will come calling for both of us soon enough, and we really should get you back soon. I'm sure standing in the lamplight in the Warder Yard will not win you any points with Mirin Sedai," Danos said as he recalled his visit with the Mistress of Novices after the Garden incident.