"Late,  again.. " A gray bun and hunched back gave away the age her face hid. For an Aes Sadai to have gray hair, alone, told of an incredible age, but a hunched back? And wrinkled hands? It was speculated that Genevieve Sadai was one of the oldest Aes Sadai alive. Ilia wasn't so sure. She thought Genevieve Sadai only looked so old because she never went outside and spent all her time bent over books. That thought alone cemented her own decision NOT to join the Brown Ajah. That and the fact that most of the browns seemed to be either crotchety old women, or grossly out of touch with reality.<br/><br/>"I apologize, Genevieve Sadai." She spoke with a curtsy. Ilia would have given an explanation, but the older woman would have only viewed it as excuses and the recruit from before could have possibly gotten in even more trouble than he already was. Thinking back he seemed almost afraid? No. Why would he have been afraid of her? It's not like she was an Aes Sadai. Chewing on a lower lip and lost in thought, Ilia missed Genevieve Sadai's instruction to place the books on a desk. A small sting on her bottom quickly grabbed her attention, however. "What has gotten into your head, girl? I had high hopes for you becoming a Brown, but I see now you're much too woolheaded." Ilia resisted the urge to rub her bottom as she placed the books down and returned to where she had been standing. With her hands folded before her and her gaze lowered to the floor, Ilia listened as the barrage of insults and complaints washed over her in a shrill voice. Instead of listening, she chose to think back to her encounter from before. What was that boy's name? She would have to ask him, but she had heard he didn't speak. She wondered if it was because he was not able to,  or was his past so horrible he could not.<br/><br/>"Back in MY day Accepted never got away with as much. We were always on time, and never slacked. Expectations have simply slipp-" The sound of footsteps on carpet pulled Ilia's eyes from the floor. It was the recruit! And in his hands were papers that she had missed. Internally, Ilia groaned. If Genevieve Sadai did not know about the ruined book, she did now. Stiffening, she braced herself for another lashing, but it didn't come. Instead, the boy indicated it had been his fault before pulling out books and rearranging them! A small smile pulled at the corners of her mouth. The look on Genevieve Sadai's face! Her own little smile faded as the boy pointed to the leaky bucket. Was he trying to get himself killed?? The next few moments seemed to happen so fast: Genevieve attempting to scare him from the room, him falling and getting water everywhere, Ilia attempted to side step what little made its way to her and failed miserably, she felt her toes getting wet through her shoes just as Genevieve Sadai channeled what water she could from the books and back into the bucket. When the boy recoiled from the old woman, Ilia wanted to get between the two. He was only trying to help! But... There was no way he was that incompetent. He had, after all, taken the flag without being caught. Perhaps he was trying to distract Genevieve from herself. Of course! It was the only thing to make sense. As he left the room, Ilia made a promise that she would thank it for it.<br/><br/>"Don't just stand there girl!" Genevieve continued to complain as Ilia helped open books and channel them dry. While it would be a shame to lose such knowledge, Ilia was finding it hard to keep a straight face as the woman continued to rant. Beady eyed? No, Ilia did not agree. He had such large, dark eyes. Extremely pretty, in her opinion. Of course, Ilia had no interest in boys. Having such interests could get a girl in a lot of trouble within the Tower. But.. If she DID have such an interest, Ilia suspected that boy would most certainly catch her eye. No.. That wasn't something to be thinking of. Besides, there were so many Aes Sadai looking at him already as a potential Warder. By the time she was allowed to choose he would surely already be bonded.<br/><br/>~<br/><br/>That evening after classes and dinner were finished, Ilia spent the her free time in the gardens along with a few of her friends. All they seemed to speak of were Gallad and Gawayn. Sure, they were lovely to look at and exceptional with a sword, but Ilia just couldn't find herself to fawn over them. Instead she sat upon a bench, an elbow on her knee and head resting upon a fist.<br/><br/>"Oh, Ilia! I heard from one of the Brown sisters that the Recruit, Shadow.. Is that his name?" a pretty brunette asked before continuing. "I heard he had made a mess in the library today!" Ilia nodded, her brow furrowing. She wasn't sure where this was headed. "I heard he isn't allowed back." Her friend continued. "I also heard he's very nice to look at." The girls around her giggled to themselves while Ilia just blushed. Thankfully in the waning daylight, it was missed. As the conversation around her continued, Ilia decided to excuse herself. While tomorrow was a free day from classes,  today had drained Ilia of energy.<br/><br/>~<br/><br/>Breakfast had gone by quickly and Ilia had spent most of her morning running errands for Aes Sadai, or doing her daily chores. She would rather get all her responsibilities finished early and have the rest of the day off, instead of sleep in like most Accepted. Her last chore had been to sweep the pathways in the garden. As the sun climbed to its zenith, Ilia finished the last bit of pathway. Outside chores were always her favorite and, Ilia would be lying if she denied it, she always took more time doing them. Of course, if asked by a sister Ilia would adamantly insist she performed all her duties with equal diligence. It's just that some required a little extra time to complete. Her thoughts drifted back to breakfast. All anyone could talk about was the trouble making Recruit. Shadow, her friend had called him. Not one for gossip, Ilia kept her mouth shut, but she did listen. Apparently he had shown up for chores wearing a white scarf, obviously pining for a white sister. With hopes of joining the greens, Ilia was a little disappointed, but what could be done about it? Everyone had their preference, and other greens had told her that an older, more experienced man was always best for a green's first Warder. What they did not know was that Ilia didn't plan on having more than one Warder. She wanted to be green because they were the battle Ajah and she had every intention of being one of the first to rise up for Tarmon Gai'don. Such thoughts always seemed to bring up old memories from her past and in order to escape them, Ilia banished them from her thoughts.<br/><br/>Humming a little tune to herself, one she remembered her father teaching her, Ilia went to return the broom she had borrowed from the stables. Rounding a corner, Ilia froze as she spotted Shadow's back. Oh goodness, what was she to say? Scrambling back around the corner, Ilia held the broom handle to her chest, forcing herself to breath normally. Why was her heart threatening to burst from her ribcage? She had yet to have an actual conversation with the boy. Ilia shook her head, hair swaying slightly with the movement. What was there to be afraid of? All she had to do was thank him and be on her way. That's all. Nothing hard about it. Peaking around the corner, she eyed him as he continued his work. While his clothing was loose, there was no mistaking his muscles moving beneath-stop that! Ilia chided herself. She could not, WOULD NOT,  let herself get distracted. Not this close to the shawl. Stealing a deep breath, Ilia strode forward a few steps before pausing<br/><br/>"Oh! Shadow." Ilia feigned surprise, as if she had not been standing just around the corner, staring at him. "What a pleasant surprise!" Ilia went to the brackets on the far wall, hanging her broom there. "I wanted to..." Ilia folded her hands together as she got closer and gulped audibly. "I wanted to thank you for yesterday." Ilia lowered her eyes, her lashes brushing her cheeks. When she looked back up at the boy, their was a twinkle there and mischievous grin pulled at her lips. "It was brilliant." Eyeing the scarf briefly, Ilia furrowed her brow. Was he REALLY wanting a White sister? Her hand half rose to touch the scarf's hemline, but instead she brushed a few curls from her shoulder. "I guess I should be going." As Ilia headed for the exit she had come from she contemplated inviting him to lunch. Of course, that would be silly. Warders to be and Accepted weren't allowed to eat together. Before she could bring herself to ask she rounded the corner.<br/><br/>"I'll be embroidering in the garden this afternoon, if you care to join me." Ilia was surprised with herself as she realized she had popped her head back around and spoken to the boy aloud. With a light blush and a jump, Ilia quickly made for the exit. Oh, she would do nothing but get herself into trouble.