<span style="font-style: italic">"Lan."</span><br/><br/>Not actually expecting an answer, Ilia jumped as Shadow spoke. Or rather croaked. His voice was unused to being used. Looking to the would be Warder, Ilia furrowed her brow. "You're the recruit everyone was whispering about." Her words were not accusing, but rather amused. Reaching out, Ilia peeled the white rag from his temple using her left forefinger and thumb. He needed to be cleaned up and, fortunately both water and rag were provided. Half turning her upper body, Ilia immersed the rag in the pond beside them, enjoying as the cool water ran over her hands. "You're welcome." Ilia responded while ringing out the rag.  "But I'm sure anyone else would have done the same, in my position."<br/><br/>Leaning forward, Ilia began to methodically clean Shadow's face while placing a hand on his shoulder: for support as much as to keep him still-of course, the feel of his muscle beneath her hand had nothing to do with it. Head wounds had a habit of bleeding much more than others, and there was quite a bit caked on his forehead and face. Ilia took notice of his eyes and the fact that he avoided looking at her. For all his mischievousness in the library yesterday, he sure seemed pretty shy. Although trying to be serious, Ilia couldnt help but find that a little funny and she even cracked a small smile. Trying to make Shadow as comfortable as possible, Ilia kept her gaze away from his eyes and upon the task at hand.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Please...please don't...don't tell anyone."</span><br/><br/>Ilia wondered to herself if he possibly had a stutter. Not that it mattered. Sitting back and twisting towards the pond, Ilia dipped the rag in the water to clean it out. "Of course not." Ilia replied while ringing out the excess water and reapplying the cloth to his head. "I don't know why you'd think sparing Lan was a good idea though." Using her free hand, Ilia placed it under his chin, and turned his head as she continued to clean him up. "But, from what I had heard, you held your own against him well enough." Ilia made a point not to look him in the eyes. She was surely making him uncomfortable and, as much as she oddly enjoyed her effect on him, Ilia didn't want to scare Shadow away. Slicking back his hair from his face, Ilia looked at him, inspecting for anymore blood. Satisfied, Ilia dipped the rag in the water, rung it out and handed it back to him. "For you hands."<br/><br/>Standing, Ilia dried her own on her dress. Of course she could have used the power, but it was ingrained in her head to not use it excessively. Walking to her basket, Ilia began to gather what had fallen out before making her way to a bench. Sitting, she pulled out a hoop, which held a tightened white, linen, handkerchief. Along the edges were embroidered green vines and leaves outlined in gold. Momentarily admiring her work, Ilia found where she had last ended and began again. Having expected Shadow to follow her, perhaps she was more like an Aes Sedai than she had thought, Ilia motioned to the space beside her. After all, she had invited him to the gardens it was only polite to welcome him to sit beside her. Admiring his physique from the corner of her eye-<span style="font-style: italic">Stop that! </span>Ilia spoke up, surprising herself.<br/><br/>"You have such a lovely voice." Her voice was low, so as not to travel. They were not in a private spot and anyone could be eavesdropping. "I think I should like to hear more of it." Ilia hunched over her needlework, as if she wasn't actually talking to him. Straightening herself and resting her hoop in her lap, Ilia looked to him. "Is Shadow your real name?" She was curious as to what sane parent would name their child Shadow. Of course, having been in the Tower for only 5 years, Ilia was unaware of his history. Gossiping was never something Ilia enjoyed and she had always made it a point to stay away from the training yard and barracks. She didn't expect a vocal answer, but a simple nod or shake of the head would have sufficed.<br/><br/>Knowing he could speak, Ilia knew he wasn't as simple as everyone made him out to be and with his stunt in the training yard, Ilia was sure everyone else knew it too. She was certain that Aes Sedai would be keeping a close eye on him now, if they hadn't been before. Ilia could almost sigh. There went any hope of bonding him. Of course, she could still spend time with him before he was bonded and perhaps other Aes Sedai would assume she meant him as her own and leave him alone... Who was she fooling? This was Aes Sedai. They rarely were considerate of others, especially when the others were Accepted. Still, Ilia would try and enjoy herself. Besides, what was one more heartbreak? She had left Fredrick behind for the Tower and she supposed she could do it again.<br/><br/>She didn't want to though. Ilia lowered her eyes to her hoop, her fingers tracing the thread. Perhaps she was being selfish. It was hard not to be! Almost 6 years had gone by and she had been a model student! No distractions, whatsoever. Who cared if she took a little interest in a boy,  even if he WAS pining for a white? Shaking the thoughts from her head and clearing her throat, Ilia took up her hoop and needle again.<br/><br/>Lost in her thoughts, Ilia had all but forgotten Shadow was there. "Ouch!" Pricking herself, Ilia frowned and put her fingertip in her mouth. Just what she deserved! In a desperate attempt to distract herself from her thoughts, Ilia looked to Shadow. "I can't believe you were able to get the flag from its mast." She spoke while inspecting her finger. "You're a surprising person."