<span style="font-style: italic">I can't believe I invited him to the garden! </span>Ilia chided herself. Now was not the time to get tangled up in boys! She could practically hear Sheriam Sedai scolds.<br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">"So close to the shawl and you choose now to take an interest in boys! Could you not wait just a little longer?" Ilia could feel the imaginary whips on her rump and calves. "You're one of our brightest pupils." Sheriam's face would fall, a shadow covering her eyes as Ilia would take her punishment in silence. </span></span><br/><br/>Ilia shivered at her imagination. She did NOT want to make it come true, but she had extended the invitation, despite how spontaneous, and what was she if she did not have her word? Besides, if Ilia was to be an Aes Sedai, what better time to begin following the 3 Oaths than now? Regardless, Ilia was going to meet Shadow in the gardens that evening and that was that. In the meantime, with her chores finished and the rest of her day free, Ilia had planned on taking a short trip into town. She had wanted to get a few spools of ribbon and thread for her embroidery: and it gave her an excuse to leave the Tower. Not that she didn't enjoy learning and being amongst those who could channel.<br/><br/>Once in her rooms, Ilia looked to the few belonging she possessed. Pegs along the wall held her few Accepted's dresses, 2 shifts, and a bright blue cloak made from fine wool, one you might find a wealthy merchant's daughter wearing, embroidered with silver thread. Besides the sturdy shoes Ilia already wore, a pair of blue slippers, embroidered to match her cloak, were placed just so under her dresses. Ilia had embroidered her cloak and slippers herself and was rather proud of how beautifully they turned out. Besides her pegs of clothing not much else the room actually belonged to Ilia. The washstand and mirror along with a small dresser, that held a white vase sent to her from home,  and bed belonged to the Tower. However, they were nicer than anything she had ever had. A knock at her door drew Ilia's attention and she opened it to find a Novice holding an envelope in her hand.<br/><br/>"Hello, Ilia." The novice said politely. Ilia recognized her from one of the classes she taught. Ilia's classes seemed to be growing, despite the fact that the Tower had never had such few Novices.<br/><br/>"Hello, Lavern. It's so lovely to see you on my day off." Ilia offered a warm smile which brought a flush to the Novice's cheeks. Ilia was used to the Novices blushing around her. Perhaps it was that she was an Accepted that didn't abuse the power she had over them. That's what Ilia suspected, but that was only because she didn't realize just how much her looks influenced those around her. Not wanting to embarrass the girl, Ilia looked to the letter. "Is that for me? Thank you so much for bringing it to me! You certainly didn't have to do that." Ilia opened the door wider for the Novice and invited her in. She motioned for the girl to place the letter atop the small dresser while she dug a copper coin from her handbag.<br/><br/>"Oh! No, Ilia. I couldn't possibly." Lavern shook her head and curtsied. "I was just sorting through the mail with Rain and Annalise, at Jolene Sedai's request and you had a letter." The younger girl began to twirl a finger in her white dress as she tried to look anywhere but at Ilia. "I just figured, since you don't get many letters and your apartment..." Lavern trailed off. She was going to say that her room had been on the way back, but thinking upon it, it was clear that Lavern had gone out of her way to deliver Ilia her letter.<br/><br/>"Thank you very much, Lavern." Ilia spoke to the girl as she escorted her from her room. She didn't want the girl to be any more uncomfortable than she already was. "I very much appreciate your kindness." A brief touch on her forearm heated Lavern's cheeks as she curtsied once more and hurried away, no doubt to talk to her friends of her encounter. Silently Ilia wondered if Lavern would have ever expressed an interest in being a pillow friend, had they been Novice's together. Of course, Ilia would have kindly, yet firmly rejected the offer. That was just as silly a distraction as boys! And, she never had such an interest in girls that way anyway. Ilia had dealt with rejecting a few girls when she was a Novice and thankfully word had traveled enough that there hadn't been any more attempts since she had become an Accepted. Still.. It would not do to have Lavern distracted from her studies. If the behavior persisted, Ilia thought to herself, she would have to sit Lavern down and have a conversation with her. Better Ilia than the Mistress of Novices!<br/><br/>Sitting upon her bed, Ilia broke open the sealed letter: it was from her adopted family in Ebou Dar. They spoke of how quiet the city had been and expressed pride in Ilia's studies. They spoke of how often the regulars asked about her, even after almost 6 years away from home. There was hope she would visit them after she attained the shawl. Embarrassingly, her mother mentioned Fredrick, the blacksmith's apprentice down the street from The Morning Star. Ilia had been sweet on him when she was younger, there was something about broad, powerful shoulders-her thoughts drifted to Shadow momentarily.<span style="font-style: italic">Stop that! </span>Anyhow, the letter spoke of Fredrick having been married and his wife, who her mother said was a horrible girl who couldn't hold a candle to Ilia, had birthed Fredrick twins. Twins! "Those twins should have been yours!" Ilia read and could imagine her mother saying to her while waving about a wooden spoon. Ilia made a note to tell her mother that she was happy for Fredrick and his little family and she wished them well.<br/><br/>The lettered ended with lots of love from her adoptive family. With a hint of tears in her eyes Ilia folded the letter and put it back in its envelope, kissing the seal as she placed it within a box inside the top drawer of her dresser. Inside, Ilia kept every letter she received from family and friends back home. On days that were especially difficult, Ilia opened her box and read every one,  while reminding herself why she chose to stay and become an Aes Sedai in the first place.<br/><br/>Washing her face in the washstand, Ilia looked at her reflection. Water stuck a few of her soft curls to the outer edges of her heartshaped faced and wet her long lashes. A sigh slipped from her plump lips and she turned away. Knowing she looked almost the identical of her deceased mother kept Ilia from appreciating her reflection. It only brought thoughts of her mother, who she had never met, and in turn, her father. Shaking the memories from her head, Ilia placed her cloak upon her shoulders, picked up her handbag and a basket,  and made her way to the city.<br/><br/>~~~<br/><br/>Outside the Tower gates, the city was bustling. It was no different from any other day, but being amongst the bustle gave Ilia a small kick to her step. It was the people, their energy, Ilia supposed. She had always liked being around people. Nodding and waving, Ilia made her way into several shops,  eyeing the wares they had displayed.<br/>"Such a pretty girl needs pretty trinkets." "This jewelry pales in comparison to you, dear, but put you twl together and you'd rival the stars themselves." "These silk ribbons would set off your eyes beautifully!"<br/><br/>Everywhere around her, people shouted their wares and Ilia loved it. Coming upon a small, rather adorable shop displaying ribbons, threads, and samples of cloth, Ilia stepped inside. It was called The Needle and it was Ilia's favorite place to stop. It was owned by a shrivelled up old lady named Bria. With thinning hair, a hunched back, and willowy fingers, Bria smiled from behind the counter. "Ilia!" Though an exclamation of excitement, her voice was reedy,  quivering with the effort of speech. "I was hoping to see you soon. I just got some of the prettiest silver thread. I know how much you enjoy silver." The old woman shuffled to tall, curved, dresser. Opening a shelf in the middle exposed all kinds of threads, ribbons, and cloth all organized into smaller sections by color. Bria's shop was small, but efficiently organized. With a shaky hand, Bria plucked a bundle of silver thread from the draw and placed it into Ilia's hand. "There you go, dear." With a pat on Ilia's cheek, Bria hobbled back to her seat behind the counter while telling Ilia to take her time and look around.<br/><br/>While keeping in mind the cost of her items, Ilia placed a few bundles of thread and ribbon within her basket. After debating on whether or not to get a few squares of cloth, Ilia returned to the counter, paid for her items, and thanked Bria with a hug before leaving. She wanted to get started on her letter back home before she went out to the gardens. Thinking to herself, Ilia wondered if Shadow would actually meet her. He didn't seem as if he wanted to back in the stables. The thought furrowed her soft brow, shadowing her eyes and brought the corners of her lips down in a small pout. Why HAD he been wearing a white scarf? It was none of her business. But then, why was she upset about it? "Miss!" A shout in her direction brought Ilia from her thoughts as a young man, barely 16, motioned her over to his vendor. "Why the long face?" He plucked a few flowers from in front of him, tied them in twine, and handed them to her. "A pretty girl deserves to smile!" And Ilia did smile as she took out a coin and handed it to him. This was just what her room needed! A fresh bouquet of flowers.<br/><br/>~~~<br/><br/>Back at the Tower, rumors spread of a recruit challenging everyone in the ring. Not one generally interested in fighting, Ilia merely listened to the Novices and Accepted's speak in hushed whispers amongst themselves as she made her way to her room. Once inside, she placed her flowers in the face, and took up her embroidery basket. It was well time enough to head to the gardens, even if Shadow wasn't going to meet with her. On her way to the gardens, the rumors told of Lan, a very renowned Warder, taking on the recruit and winning. Of course, they all seemed to change with every person, but they all said the same thing- the recruit held his own and both lost. Ilia wasn't so sure she believed them for there was a reason Lan was so renowned, but... They all had the same ending.<br/><br/>Politely excusing herself from the Accepted wanting to stop and talk, Ilia finally made her way to the gardens. It was absolutely beautiful! Her favorite place to sit quietly and enjoy herself. The sound of heavy footsteps upon wood drew her attention and Ilia gasped as she spotted what looked like Shadow stumbled from a gazebo, leaving blood behind him. What had he gotten himself into??<br/><br/>"Oh, Shadow." Ilia whispered as she knelt beside him, her basket had been dropped and it's contents spilt. His dark eyes were dilated far to wide, even as he covered his face from the sun. Surely he had a concussion. Not caring to ask for permission, Ilia placed her hands to either side of his temples. "Don't struggle. This will go by much faster if you don't." While Ilia wasn't the best at healing, hence her reasoning for not joining yellow, she was still adequate enough to repair his busted scalp and bring the swelling down in his brain. Knowing that he wouldn't particular enjoy the healing, Ilia finished as fast as she could and sat back on her heals, his blood covering the palms of her hands. "What did you get yourself into?" While her words were stern, there was a hint of sympathy and more than a touch of worry in her voice. "Are you alright? I'm not very good at healing, but I think I've gotten everything."