Ilia listened to what little Shadow told her of his past. It was very reminiscent of her own. The sad fact, it seemed, was that entire families being wiped out by Trollops was becoming more and more common. It didn't lessen Shadow's story, however. Due to her own past, Ilia knew his pain and felt it deep within her bones. She understood why he hadn't spoken to anyone. She, herself, could very easily have done the same thing.<br/><br/>To her surprise, Ilia felt something of relief upon learning Shadow wasn't actually holding out for a white. He looked almost...sad? To Ilia he looked lost. His gaze was to the ground, his hair falling into his face. Ilia wanted to take his strong, broad shoulders and just wrap her arms around them...or as best she could anyway-he was a good foot or more taller than she was. Had he looked at her, her brown eyes would hold something of sympathy. Of course, she was sure had he looked at her she wouldn't be able to help but cry. Ilia was never good at comforting people,  mostly because she usually cried with them.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"It's not an easy thing to be bonded..."</span><br/>Ilia's brow furrowed as she thought on his first statement. She, nor most Aes Sedai Ilia supposed, thought about bonding from a Warders perspective. They lived their life doing as Aes Sedai told, bound to listen and protect, and, light forbid, should their Aes Sedai perish Warders felt it much worse than the reverse. Thinking about it, Ilia wasn't sure why anyone would actually want to become a Warder. At least as a soldier a man had his freedom...sort of.<span style="font-style: italic">"...be in a green's harem."</span>Ilia bristled. A Green's harem?? Aes Sedai did not have harems! She almost had a mind to box his ears!! Ilia certainly was going to give him an earful and her mouth was open to speak before he piped up again, removing what steam she had in her.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"I wish you were green."</span><br/><br/>Should she tell him? The mischievous voice inside her said to let him think otherwise...if only for a little while. But that look. His look. It WAS heartbreaking. His entire life, she supposed, hadn't gone the way he wanted. Looking at the scarf he laid beside her, Ilia wondered if he'd wear the kerchief she was embroidering. Ilia bit her bottom lip gently. As strong as Shadow was he seemed so...vulnerable in this moment. "Shadow.. I" Ilia began as she rose to her feet, lightly placing her hand on his forearm to get his attention.<br/><br/>"Ilia! There you are!" An Accepted's voice rose from the entrance of the gardens, much to Ilia's misfortune. "Sheriam Sedai has summoned you to her study." Something of a growl sounded low in Ilia's throat and her gaze darted to the Accepted, a slim, dark, pretty thing with a pouty mouth. Instead of voicing her frustrations Ilia instead sighed, dropping her hand. "It seems that old bat didn't forget my punishment after all." While there was a hint of the frustration she felt in her eyes, there was also regret. She wanted to spend more time with Shadow, but it seemed it would have to be another time. "I would like to spend more time with you." Ilia left her statement open for a reply, but as the other Accepted approached, she was sure he wouldn't reply right then. Perhaps they may accidentally bump into each other again.<br/><br/>"Oh, you're Shadow, aren't you?" Ilia heard the Accepted say as she made her way from the gardens, looking back just once to see the darker haired girl fawning over him. Ilia thought she knew her name, Mari, if she remembered correctly. Mari had once expressed interest in the Green Ajah, but perhaps it had been a joke for within the same breath her reasoning had been because they bonded more than one Warder. Perhaps Shadow's comments about the Greens had some truth to them. Hearing her stomach growl, Ilia made her way to the Mistress of Novice's study. Perhaps after her punishment, she would get some lunch. As Ilia knocked on the Aes Sedai's carved door, she thought back. She had forgotten her embroidery basket and hoop.