The White Tower ~ The Grounds
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		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Human Small Groups =&gt; Topic started by: Cynadea on 17-08-2015, 20:58:43</h2>
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				Title: <strong>The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cynadea</strong> on <strong>17-08-2015, 20:58:43</strong>
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				<div align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt;" class="bbc_size"><span style="font-family: times new roman;" class="bbc_font">The Grounds</span></span></div><hr>This is the area surrounding the tower, outside. The stables, the gardens, the training grounds for the trainees and Valdar. <br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Blinkin</strong> on <strong>17-08-2015, 23:00:38</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/4/42/Gaidin.jpg)</div><strong>Character name: </strong>Warner Du'Baru<br><strong>Position: </strong>Gaidin<br><strong>Tag: </strong> Open<br><strong>Time: </strong> Morning... what day is it again?<br><strong>Place: </strong>&nbsp; Near the training grounds, in the tower's smithing forge.<br><strong>Warning: </strong>&nbsp; Hot Sparks!<br><hr><br><br><br><br>Warner Du'Baru lifted the heavy hammer again and let it fall, with the control of long years, onto the piece of red-gold metal that sat in the grasp of a pair of tongs. He watched as sparks flew and he automatically tapped the anvil to keep the head clean before he lifted the tool again. The stady rhythm of the ringing ssteel on steel sounding across the grounds and calmed his thoughts as few things could.<br><br>Oh, he could seek the void and feed everything into it, as he had been taught since he was a young boy, but the flame only delayed thoughts, not exorcized them... No, good, honest work was far more often a balm for a troubled mind... and the ring of the anvil was something that he could almost do without thinking at all... he was, afterall, the son of one of the borderland's best weapon smiths... not that he had actually done much forging in the last few years... he had been too busy learning the art of the blade and perfecting the flow of the dance. He might not be called a blade-master, but everyone knew that he was as close as one could become without laying claim to the marked blade... he had no need for the title though as it was often more trouble than it was worth to always been seen only as a blade-master... no, he would much rather be seen as less than he was and have that extra bit of advantage than the herren marked blade itself.<br><br>But, his mind was wondering even from it's efforts to not think too strongly on thinking to begin with. <br><br>He was bare-chested except for the leather apron that protected skin from fire... a broad chest and strong arms that had nearly as much hair covering them as the bear many compared him to... the skin glistened with a thin film of sweat from the effort and the heat and even his shaved scalp beaded with the work of shaping the metal... Quite a specimen some women would say and perhaps he was, but he only really concerned himself with the opinion of one woman... one&nbsp; hazel eyed and brown haired woman with a ring on her finger; not the ring finger of her left hand either. Even with the efforts of his hammer, he considered the recent events that had led to his present situation... chiefly among them, the fact that Avalyn was Avalyn Sedai and the banded white dress that she had worn since the first time that he had seen her was gone and a green gown had replaced it... She was bound to chose a warder soon and he wasn't sure how he would deal with it... Oh, they had spent years teasing, taunting, flirting and even sparring, but who knew a woman's mind when she was not only a woman with her cultural background, but an ais sedai to boot! Damn all of the luck, he hadn't been prepared for the reality of her taking the shaw, much less thinking that she might chose someone other than him as her warder... She was going to take her sweet time in the choosing too and drive him to do more than drink.
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				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cynadea</strong> on <strong>18-08-2015, 01:20:45</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e8/GreenAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Avalyn Amasera<br><strong>Position:</strong> Sister, Green Ajah<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Warner<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 5th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Training grounds, Smithing<br><strong>Warning:</strong><br><hr><div style="text-align: justify;">Avalyn had spent the better part of an hour practicing a new form and learning its application, but also how to counter it.&nbsp; She was not learning sword forms at a fast pace, but she was doing more to be prepared than to become any sorts of expert. She knew that there might come a time when using the One Power would not be possible, and when that happened, the last thing that Avalyn wanted was to be unprepared and unskilled. Practicing the same form over and over had some of her muscles ache and left her right arm feeling like burdened with led.<br><br>Soon, the practice sword was put back where it came from and Avalyn was ready to head to her chambers to soak in a warm bath. The warm water would ease the tension in her shoulders&nbsp; and in her arm. After… perhaps it was time for her to pay a visit to he faire before everything worth noticing was sold or gone.&nbsp; She had heard that there was an impressive menagerie there with creatures from the other side of the Spine of the World. Her ear caught onto the rhythmic sound of metal being hammered and her steps slowed.<br><br>It was no secret that Warner spent some time in the forge sometimes and the idea that they could head to the faire together crossed her mind. She entered the forge to see who was there and recognized him immediately.&nbsp; There was no way that she would miss him; not when one considered that he was the person that her gaze sought to find each time she crossed the training grounds, or that she had to enter the mess hall.&nbsp; She knew it was him, and now she even had the privilege to see him without a shirt on and her eyes openly lingered. Avalyn glided into the space so that he could see that she was there, but far enough away not to risk her mint-green dress. It was an altaran-style dress, showing a hint of cleavage in the oval cut-out at her throat. The tight bodice molded her slender form and the skirts fell down to her ankles loosely, the hem embroidered with dark vines. She had a small, roguish smile on her lips that said she was definitely up to no good.<br><br>Truth was, she had made her choice for her first warder for some time now.&nbsp; Warner was the one that she wanted but it seemed that she had a horrible timin. Each time that she wanted to speak to him something happened; a sitter wanted to see her or it was time to go for a class, or either of them didn't seem to be in the right mood for that discussion to happen. It was never a good time, but it had to happen sooner rather than later before someone else snatched him away from her. Tonight, she decided, she would make her offer and stop finding excuses to push it to later.&nbsp; The worst he could say was no, and it wouldn't be like the wheel would stop spinning if he did.<br><br><em>The wheel weaves as the wheel wills…</em></div>
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				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Blinkin</strong> on <strong>18-08-2015, 03:05:45</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/4/42/Gaidin.jpg)</div><strong>Character name: </strong>Warner Du'Baru<br><strong>Position: </strong>Gaidin<br><strong>Tag: </strong>Avalyn<br><strong>Time: </strong> Evening, Saven 5th, 990NE<br><strong>Place: </strong>&nbsp; The smithy, practice grounds<br><strong>Warning: </strong> <br><hr><br><br>Warner smelled her before he saw her, her scent subtle but well known after all of this time. As she slipped into his line of sight; careful to protect the dress that he couldn't help but notice and the grin on her lips.<br><br>He met her eyes for a moment as the hammer rose again, "A sane man would run when he saw a smile like that on a woman's lips." he said, a teasing tone in his deep voice. The hammer rang again in the double-tap of a practiced smith. "But no one's accused me of being particular sane these days, so I guess I'll stand here a minute or two more." He couldn't help but give her a mischievous smile of his own as he met her eyes again.<br><br>He lifted the glowing length of steel and showed it to her, "One day, this'll be something to carry on your hip." He glanced down at the afore mentioned body part and quickly pulled his eyes away again. "You need a decent blade if you intend to carry one outside of the Tower."<br><br>He thrust the metal into a vat of water and looked away as steam rose in a cloud and placed the cooled blade into a place that he knew that wouldn't be bothered befoe he turned back to face her fully. "What can I do for you Avalyn?" he asked and pulled the leather apron over his head; giving her an excellent view of his bare chest in the process. "Or, should I ask what trouble can you get me into?" he grinned agin and picked up a towel to dry himself off before he reached for a tunic. He wanted to reach out and wrap a strand of her hair about a finger, to lean in close and take a deep breath of her scent... to risk another nick from the dagger she always carried for his trouble... but he didn't want to stain her silk dress.
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				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>18-08-2015, 05:26:16</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/f/fa/Trainee.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Yfan Bravni<br><strong>Position:</strong> Trainee<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Open<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 5th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Training Grounds, running track<br><strong>Warning:</strong> <br><hr><br>Yfan Bravni was, for the edification of one of the masters, running. He was running around the foot race track built into the training grounds within the grounds of the White Tower set aside for the training of trainees like himself and the Valdar. It was something that Yfan had been doing since the middle of the day. His mouth was dry and the grey woolen tunic and pants he was wearing were wet with sweat. They clung to his immense frame, and in places where they sweat had evaporated to a degree and left behind salt, chafed. It was not a pleasant feeling but it was a petty discomfort to be endured. No doubt by design. <br><br>But it was not just running. Propped on one shoulder, Yfan was carrying a large, stout barrel held together by iron bands. Within this barrel was many nails. It was a barrel that was, in fact, full of nails. Yfan was used to the sound that the nails made as they moved within the barrel as a result of his every step. He was used to the ache developing in his muscles and the burn in his lungs. The sting of sweat in his eyes was very familiar now, and he closed his eyes and felt the sweat flow away. He had done so many laps now that he could run about the course with his eyes so closed, and did. When he felt it prudent, the trainee did open his eyes again. There was nothing new to see.<br><br>Yfan continued to run. In another hour, he could stop. He could have stopped hours ago, but the conditions were not ones that Yfan was amenable to. Perhaps there had been a secret lesson of humility in all of this that Yfan failed to grasp. It was perfectly plausible.<br><br>But Yfan did not stop running.
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				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Moraline</strong> on <strong>19-08-2015, 02:50:06</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/6/6f/Accepted.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Ishara Casalain (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11551036#msg11551036)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Accepted (ready for the Test)<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Yfan, Open<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 5th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Training Grounds, running track<br><strong>Warning:</strong> n/a<br><hr><br>An outfit such as this one was more fit for a barmaid than one of the Accepted but it was fitting for one wishing to train in the sword. Ishara's long pale blond hair spilled down over her shoulders and collar of her fine white linen poet blouse with full bishop sleeves. The ruffles of the top neatly tucked behind a long sleeveless dark green waist coast. She also wore an over the shoulder wide leather belt that fastened with a broad brass buckled in the front, it's black leather strap curving over her hip where a a slender, sharply pointed sword hung. The rapier at her waist was accompanied by a similarly styled slender long dagger. Each ones hilt had intricately coiled, curved, and styled silver guards. To a keen eye though, they'd notice that the hilt itself was well worn from years of practice. Shockingly though, she also wore black linen tights that left little to the imagination and a pair if black soft leather riding boots. Thankfully by the grace of the Light, the length of the sleeveless waistcoat brought it down over her hips, hid her backside, and despite being open in the front for ease of movement the shadowing mostly hid her lower waist. It was somewhat scandalous but given her chosen task of sword training it was far more modest then many of near shirtless men in the yard training.<br><br>Ishara came to the edge and watched as Yfan was running along the path with a barrel over his shoulder. She wore a cool emotionless expression as he approached, once he was within ear shot she spoke up, attempting to be loud enough for him to hear over the rattling barrel. "You Light-blinded fool. Whatever have you done now? It's as hot as the forges of Thakan'dar. Have you lost your mind?" She crossed the path in front of him. "I came outside to seek a fencing partner but instead I find myself pressed to fetch water. Slow yourself you great bullcalf." <br><br>She was known among most of the men that trained in the yard. She was the one that almost always spoke her mind, and openly flirted with every man she fenced with. It made her both very popular and somewhat terrifying. Afterall, who would risk getting caught messing around with an Accepted? Apparently, the stable hands could tell tales of when she was a novice and the few that took that risk. She had spent a good deal of time in the Mistress of Novices office those first couple years but she had no idea what sort of punishment the young trainees underwent. The stable hands could most likely tell them of those tales, "Beware the pretty one with the pale blond hair. She'll invite you to fence and before you know it you'll find yourself on guard duty for the next year. That's what you get for stealing a kiss from a novice in the stables." Whether any of that was true was hard to say, but she was tall, breathtakingly beautiful by most standards, very well formed, and her full pink lips most appealing. It was more then enough to tempt a man.&nbsp; But all of that was many years ago.. Now she was an Accepted, her calm cool exterior every bit the Aes Sedai that she would most likely soon become.<br><br>"Stop, Yfan. Tell me, how I get you out of this so I can get my fencing practice in," Ishara said to him. If he were to approach her she would be let a trickle of the One Power slip through her fingers and pass into him as she gently brushed his hand. She was not particularly skilled at the weave to refresh those suffering exhaustion but she wanted him to stop his profuse sweating. The aroma was pungent to her delicate senses.<br><br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>19-08-2015, 04:03:40</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/f/fa/Trainee.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Yfan Bravni<br><strong>Position:</strong> Trainee<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Ishara, Open<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 5th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Training Grounds, running track<br><strong>Warning:</strong> <br><hr><br>Yfan was very nearly free when Ishara placed herself in his path. He was compelled to stop; physically she could impel him to halt with the blades and her hips, to say nothing of the One Power. He could crush her beneath his bulk as surely as a prize bull if he had the mind to run her over. She commanded him to stop, and so he did, coming to a halt less than an arm's length from her. His breathing was heavy and laboured. His heart pounded in his ears but the blond woman still managed to make herself heard over it. <br><br>His blue eyes met those of the Accepted. He bowed his head to her as the weave passed over him. There was nothing it could do about his odor: while it may have stopped him from sweating there was no escaping that he was profusely covered in the results of hours of running. <br><br>"Gratitude, Accepted." Yfan said, with the fullest respect the woman was due, to Ishara, and he began to pace so that his muscles would not cramp up. His eyes sought for the sun, and he judged the time. "I am free from this task now." The man told the blonde Accepted. He could sense that others were jealous not only of the attention that he was receiving, but that Ishara appeared to want to relieve him of his burden so that she could fence with him. The eyes of the other men were upon them, and with varying degrees of subtlety. For his part, Yfan was ambivalent to this attention. He knew that Ishara was a beautiful woman and that he should feel something more than the feint stirrings that he did, and that he would be the object of envy and jealousy of other men, at least for a time, while Ishara spoke to him. Yfan knew that he was gazed upon with scorn now, as other men thought him unworthy of Ishara's attention. Such was her beauty. Later, one might even bring the matter to debate with fists.<br><br>It was uncomfortable to speak, because Yfan's mouth and throat were so dry. He could not remain silent, however. <br><br>"As for what I have done? I disagreed with a master. We were asked which is more important: courage or expertise. The master, and several other trainees, favoured expertise. Expertise, as held by the gaidin and blademasters. For my part, I championed courage." Yfan said, with some difficulty. But he hid his discomfort well. "If I had reversed myself and agreed with the master, I would now be taking my supper." The man's stomach made a rumbling noise. It was a day after Shayella Sedai had performed a healing weave to repair a torn muscle sustained during a training exercise where Yfan had faced three other men and pushed his body beyond any sane limit, and he was still feeling the effects of that weave's drain on his energy. "If I had reversed myself and debased myself to the master, admitting my foolishness in making such a choice, then I would not have been made to run."<br><br>The tall man shrugged. He was able to look down at Ishara by virtue of his height, one of the few men capable of doing so. <br><br>Yfan licked his lips and tried to encourage his mouth to generate more saliva. <br><br>"Do you wish to cross swords with me, Accepted?" Yfan asked, with all deference that Ishara was due. He did not dare assume that she desired to fence with him. The man was not so bold as to presume to know the mind of any of the women of the White Tower.
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				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Moraline</strong> on <strong>19-08-2015, 04:43:57</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/6/6f/Accepted.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Ishara Casalain (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11551036#msg11551036)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Accepted (ready for the Test)<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Yfan, Open<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 5th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Training Grounds, running track<br><strong>Warning:</strong> n/a<br><hr><br>Listening intently she let him speak, regardless of infuriating it was to watch him struggle so. The man's lips were so parched they looked about ready to crack. She was not about to be his water girl no matter how pathetic he looked. Her calm exterior remained broken only by nods of understanding. She hoped her little weave refreshed him slightly but it was clear that he needed more and since she had no idea about his recent healing she could only assume it was normal fatigue. At that moment she became aware of some of the eyes fixed on them. With passive impartial gaze she turned her head as if simply looking across the training grounds, all eyes quickly averted. Beautiful or otherwise, when an Aes Sedai looked in your direction you got back to work.. even if she was still just an Accepted. Only the Gaidin, Valar, and Master's would dare to continue staring. She paid no mind to them, men of a certain age would not be swayed even by the sternest Aes Sedai. "<em>All bull calves</em>," she mused thoughtfully in near whisper.<br><br>"If you're hungry and parched then let's see to it first. I'll join you," Ishara insisted. It was most likely improper and the cook was likely to have a heart attack seeing one of the women in his mess hall but there you have it, Ishara in a nutshell. Just one of the boys.. a long legged, pale blond, wildly dressed, in your face tomboy / would-be Aes Sedai. <br><br>Motioning for him to lead the way she would talk as they walked, "Why not consider that perhaps the Master meant in practicing expertise you could find courage. I mean it's better to know you are good and understand your limitations then to be blindly courageous. Is it not?" That sounded like a question but she had a way of making it come out as more or less a statement of fact. "Hurry along with whatever you have to do. If you take any longer they'll feed the leftovers to the pigs before you get there."
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				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>19-08-2015, 06:20:06</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/f/fa/Trainee.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Yfan Bravni<br><strong>Position:</strong> Trainee<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Ishara, Closed<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 5th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Training Grounds, running track<br><strong>Warning:</strong> <br><hr><br>"As the Accepted wishes." Yfan said, bowing his head. He could have fenced with her, although it would have been poor <em>sport</em> in his condition. But he could still take up a blade and provide her with something. "I have faced Shadowspawn in worse condition than this, Accepted." The tall man told her as he trundled towards the forge to divest himself of the barrel of nails. "I say this only for the Accepted's knowledge; I do not question your direction." The trainee was quick to add, again with all of the respect and deference that Ishara was due. "I shall consider as the Accepted directs."<br><br>Yfan maintained an even, somewhat swift pace to the forge. It was due in part to very long legs and benefit derived from the punitive exercise itself, added atop many years of training in his mother country. Certain muscles burned and some twinged with pain but the trainee gave no outward indication that he suffered. He replaced the barrel in its proper place and then took a direct course to the mess hall reserved for males. Trainees, Valdar, Masters who lacked a bond, all took their meals in this mess hall and resided in the barracks nearby. Yfan was no different.<br><br>Transition to Barracks and Mess Hall (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234957.0)
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				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cynadea</strong> on <strong>19-08-2015, 17:10:52</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e8/GreenAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Avalyn Amasera<br><strong>Position:</strong> Sister, Green Ajah<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Warner<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 5th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Training grounds, Smithing<br><strong>Warning:</strong><br><hr><div style="text-align: justify;">Avalyn chuckled quietly when he commented on her smile. "A sane man would avoid trouble, but sometimes trouble can be so much fun. Don't let the Mistress of Novice hear me say this, she'd try to put me right back into my novice whites." She replied, her tone light-hearted and playful.&nbsp; Her voice had this soft, husky feel to it, making it warm and did not carry much if she spoke softly. She fingered the embroidered neckline of her dress near her shoulder and then glanced toward the door to make sure that no one heard. She was showing signs of being playful, and to be looking for trouble, but it was nowhere near how she truly felt. Her insides were tied in a knot, keeping butterflies prisoners there quite efficiently. The commitment was a big one, and she prayed&nbsp; that he would agree if she gathered the courage to tell him about it.<br><br>"I would appreciate having my own sword, but I hope you are making it light. My arms still tire too quickly for me to withstand a full sword fight."&nbsp; The wooden lathe would give her a good work out, but she knew that metal was heavier than wood.&nbsp; Her gaze followed his every movement, but that was nothing new; she was always quite aware of what was happening around her.&nbsp; To have her eyes on him as they interacted together was no surprise. They way she looked at his chest though, muscles made more visible by the physical workout he had put himself through to forge something, was more talking and she didn't bother to hide that she enjoyed the sight.<br><br>"There is a faire in Tar Valon.&nbsp; I was wondering if you would accompany me this evening.&nbsp; I heard they might even have some fireworks later tonight. I wonder if the rumor is true, but… I would like to have you at my side regardless." Nothing in her tone or in her outward appearance betrayed the anxiety in her thoughts. The worst that he could do was to say no, but to be refused was something Avalyn had never taken kindly. To be refused by him would be more than a bruise to her ego and she knew it. Her gaze traveled upward to hold his. "Should I give you time to clean up properly, and wait for you at the gates?" Avalyn added, eyebrow quirked and smile still on her lips.&nbsp; </div>
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				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Blinkin</strong> on <strong>19-08-2015, 21:37:19</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/4/42/Gaidin.jpg)</div><strong>Character name: </strong>Warner Du'Baru<br><strong>Position: </strong>Gaidin<br><strong>Tags: </strong>Avalyn<br><strong>Time: </strong> Evening, Saven 5th, 990NE<br><strong>Place: </strong> The Training Grounds, at the smithy<br><strong>Warning: </strong> <br><hr><br>The big man laughed softly, "I suppose that trouble will find a man regardless. We're attracted to it from the moment that we're born and probably well past the grave." He couldn't stop his eyes from following the fingers that traced along her shoulder, nor the fact that the oval of bare skin that the dress sported that gave such a tentalizing curve of cleavage. He did love the style of dress, but he had nearly swallowed his tongue the first time that she had worn a dress like this. It didn't help that it did little to hide the curve of waist and hip as well. He had been known to growl under his breath when another man had looked at her in his presence.<br><br>Warner forced his mind back to it's proper track with more effort than it should of taken and realized that he was still holding the tunic that he should of been pulling on. "I suppose that I could accompany you to the festivities if you like." He tried to make his tone even, uneffected, but he doubted that he had managed either. He was far too interested in her for his own good and had completely missed the comment about the sword entirely. She did that to him sometimes... he was only a man, afterall. "I wouldn't want you to miss the opportunity to see fireworks." He, himself, had never actually seen them, but had heard of the magical things, so he was a little excited about the opportunity. "And, of course, carry your purchases for you." he offered teasingly. "I may have to take a pack horse, of course, but someone needs to watch out for you."<br><br>He cleared his throat and smiled ryely, "Just let me run over and jump into the pond and I'll be ready to go." He knew that he should at least wash up, but he was loath to lose the time that it would take. "Or, if you prefer, I could actually wash... it might distress the fish less, I suppose."<br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cynadea</strong> on <strong>19-08-2015, 22:26:20</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e8/GreenAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Avalyn Amasera<br><strong>Position:</strong> Sister, Green Ajah<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Warner<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 5th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Training grounds, Smithing<br><strong>Warning:</strong><br><hr><div style="text-align: justify;">Avalyn went from smile to grin. There was a sparkle in her eye that spoke length about her awareness of how troubled he could get over her. That he be experiencing such trouble now was not completely unnoticed.&nbsp; She was amused and pleased, because she was attracted to him too even if she could keep a good head on her shoulders when he was bare-chested, like now. It wasn't that she didn't find it distracting, it was that focus had been worked into her in such a way that she simply couldn't let it slip just for the sake of a fair bit of skin.<br><br>"Let's spare the fishes. I will not buy so much at the faire that a pack animal will be required, dear friend." Avalyn said, her voice a mirror of her expression.&nbsp; She was in a good mood and for a moment there she forgot the tension brought on by her wish to make him a very personal offer that he could very well refuse. She was simply living the moment and making the best of it before the thought of offering a bond would occupy her mind once again.<br><br>She glided toward him for a few steps, but then angled toward the door out of the forge. Avalyn might not sweat, but that did not mean that she wasn't aware of the stifling warmth of the forge with every breath. "I can wait for you. I will be sitting at the fountain, near the gate out of the grounds. We can walk from there, as the evening is quite comfortable and the faire not all that far." She felt excited like a girl at the idea of fireworks, and maybe even a menagerie with exotic animals and acrobats… It took her every bit of control not to jump excitedly at the idea…</div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Blinkin</strong> on <strong>19-08-2015, 23:31:37</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/4/42/Gaidin.jpg)</div><strong>Character name: </strong>Warner Du'Baru<br><strong>Position: </strong>Gaidin<br><strong>Tags: </strong>Avalyn<br><strong>Time: </strong> Evening, Saven 5th, 990NE<br><strong>Place: </strong> The Training Grounds, Barracks, the gate.<br><strong>Warning: </strong> <br><hr><br><br>Warner laughed again, a full throated laugh that was almost musical even in it's depth. "I would probably agree, no need in scaring the carp to death tonight." He eyed her after he pulled his tunic over his head, "Don't make promises that you can't keep. I grew up with 5 sisters and not a one of them could pass a merchant's stall and not buy something. I'll be loaded down with packages before the night's out." he said with a broad grin. He enjoyed teasing her and in spite of his previous ill thoughts about her bonding someone else, he couldn't stay ill around her. "Perhaps if it's not inappropriate, perhaps I'll buy you something pretty as well." He paused in his turn and glanced over her shoulder, "I know how fond you are of honey cakes." he winked and retrieved the sheathed sword. He strapped it about his waist and watched her glide from the smithy with perhaps a moment... or two... too much attention on her backside. "Going to get myself killed over that woman." he said softly to himself and picked up the coat from it's hook.<br><br>He strolled briskly back to the barracks that the men in training shared and dropped the coat on his bunk. He pulled the tunic back off and dropped it onto the coat. It took him little time to reduce himself to his small clothes and with a wash-cloth, a basin of warm water and soap, he made quick, but thorough work of washing up. With towel in hand, he opened a trunk and retrieved his best tunic, a deep blue one that his sister had sent him just the month before, a fresh pair of breaches and a black coat cut in the andorian style. He took a moment to replace the leather tie in his top-knot with a hammered silver ring and buckled his sword back on again. A Borderlander never went anywhere, not even to the privy, without his sword, and walked back out again. He waved at a couple of the others and was gone.<br><br>Warner approached the fountain from behind Avalyn and paused to catch his breath. He knew better than to surprise her and ran his hands through the water as he approached to make enough noise to alert her to his presence. "Your escort awaits Avalyn Sedai." he said as he stopped beside of her.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cynadea</strong> on <strong>20-08-2015, 19:52:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e8/GreenAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Avalyn Amasera<br><strong>Position:</strong> Sister, Green Ajah<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Warner<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 5th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> At the gates<br><strong>Warning:</strong><br><hr><div style="text-align: justify;">Avalyn waited patiently, taking the time to enjoy the comfortable temperature. She had left her green-fringed shawl behind, even though she thought it could be of use later when the temperature would be cooler. Of course, she could ignore the temperature problem most of the time by some neat breathing exercise.&nbsp; She didn't want to show where her loyalty laid, tonight; Avalyn just wanted to have a good time.&nbsp; Besides, she still had her Great Serpent's ring at her finger if anyone wanted to know about her without asking.<br><br>Avalyn heard steps coming toward her and she turned her head to be able to catch who was coming from the corner of her eye. It was him and she realized then how firm her decision to take him as her first Gaidin was. He might even get to be her only one for a while. He was so handsome, all cleaned up and dressed to impress. She took a deep breath to calm the fluttering in her stomach. He would be her first, even if she had to hammer it through his thick skull. Sometimes it took men a while before they could see sense…<br><br>Avalyn stood slowly when he came closer to her. While he had cleaned up, she had braided two thin strands of hair at her temples and tied them behind her head with a thin green ribbon that came from the pouch at her belt. She had not changed anything else since he had set eyes on her last, but she had calmed down a little, the roguishness gone from her smile. She looked calmer, more composed with the typical Aes Sedai serenity.<br><br>"You cleaned up nicely." Avalyn said and she held out a hand toward Warner at the height of his elbow, as if she intended to take his arm. This wasn't some formal outing. They were going together to a faire, and she just wanted for them to have a good time. Possibly come back to bond, but that would depend on how much convincing Warner would require. She pondered doing it right there and then, while they were still on tower grounds and allow them to celebrate it together at the faire. Her mouth worked independently from her undecided mind, then, and she simply breached the subject. "Did I tell you that I have chosen my first Gaidin? All that I need now is to know if he is willing…"</div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Blinkin</strong> on <strong>20-08-2015, 20:12:21</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/4/42/Gaidin.jpg)</div><strong>Character name: </strong>Warner Du'Baru<br><strong>Position: </strong>Gaidin to Avalyn Sedai<br><strong>Tags: </strong>Avalyn<br><strong>Time: </strong> Evening, Saven 5th, 990NE<br><strong>Place: </strong> The fountain by the gate.<br><strong>Warning: </strong>&nbsp; Potentiall for emotional outburst, Beware!<br><hr><br><br>Warner took in the addition of the braids and how it allowed her features to be more open; he liked it, he decided as he took the last couple of steps. "A poor example next to you, I assure you Lady." he said in what passed for a soft voice for the bear of a man. "Of course, the Light itself doesn't compare to your eyes." He smiled a little, trying to set a casual tone of two people enjoying an evening, not an Ais sedai and a tower warrior. However much he wished to be more than that to her.<br><br>He accepted her hand in his large one and with a small step, fitted the hand along the inside of his elbow and rested it on his arm. Not exactly proper, but not entirely in appropriate for the situation. <br><br>Warner glanced down at her and opened his mouth as she made her announcement. He froze and his teeth met with an audible click as he closed his mouth before a small bird decided to begin nesting. "That is good." he said with uncertainty, "I have been concerned about your lack of a warder for some time; you find far too much trouble within the walls, nevermind without." He smiled to make sure that she knew that he was teasing her, but in his guts, giant nettles were spearing his insides while giant wasp played in his stomach. "And who might this poor man be that you have settled upon?" he asked with a mouth that would of had more moisture in it if he had been stranded in the waste for a week.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cynadea</strong> on <strong>20-08-2015, 22:11:50</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e8/GreenAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Avalyn Amasera<br><strong>Position:</strong> Sister, Green Ajah<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Warner<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 5th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> At the gates<br><strong>Warning:</strong><br><hr><div style="text-align: justify;">Avalyn was in a state of hyper awareness, where any clues that he would give her would be caught. She was going to make a very important proposition to him and she wanted to make sure that she wasn't going to ruin a perfectly good friendship with an offer that he would refuse. The last thing that she wanted was to have their friendship ruined by some awkwardness. She had come to appreciate him, grown quite fond of him, over the last year and now was more than time for her to act on it before another notices him and snatched him away from her.<br><br>With her hand at his elbow, she pulled onto him gently so that he would turn to her. Avalyn was not sure what to make of his reaction. It was more than surprise, though there was surprise there. The way he spoke, though, sounded almost wary as if he dreaded her answer. She chuckled when he mentioned her easiness to find trouble. A girl needed a challenge, and an Aes Sedai was no different if not that the challenges needed to be bigger in order to be challenges. Still, she wasn't necessarily running after trouble, but she was resourceful and thought she might lose that edge if she never used it.<br><br>Avalyn looked up at him, her hazel eyes seeking to make eye contact with his dark grey ones. "He's tall, strong, handsome, skilled, has a wicked smile and good manners most of the time. He's daring enough for stealing kisses from me, though he hasn't tried that in a while…"&nbsp; Avalyn let her sentence trail for a few seconds, her heart racing. Would she remember the bonding weave? Of course she would! She berated herself for being a wool-brained fool and steadied herself. Her gaze searched his for any signs, but she decided to ask him regardless. "Would you try to keep me out of trouble? Keep me safe and sound, help me in battle when The Last Battle comes?"<br><br>There, she had asked it. Her heart was beating so hard in her chest that it felt like it was trying to beat its way out of her rib cage and run away from her. She was quite aware of what she was asking of him, of the level of sacrifice being a Green's Warder would require of him. Being a White's warder was safe, being a Green's was far more risky. He would put that sword to use sooner or later, because where there was need for help from Aes Sedai against the forces of the Dark One, Avalyn would stand. That was something that she had made quite clear through their time together. It was by some miracle that her hands weren't clammy, or her cheeks reddened by all those emotions swirling in her mind. She could&nbsp; take care of this swiftly, embrace Ko'di and feed the flame, but somehow, it seemed like cheating out of a tough situation and Avalyn was no cheater.</div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Blinkin</strong> on <strong>20-08-2015, 22:37:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/4/42/Gaidin.jpg)</div><strong>Character name: </strong>Warner Du'Baru<br><strong>Position: </strong>Gaidin to Avalyn Sedai<br><strong>Tags: </strong>Avalyn<br><strong>Time: </strong> Evening, Saven 5th, 990NE<br><strong>Place: </strong> The fountain by the gate.<br><strong>Warning: </strong> Timber!!<br><hr><br><br>Warner froze again as she spoke of her selection and his heart beat so hard that he was sure that it would fly across the courtyard at any moment, taking his ribs with it. He had been afraid of never hearing the question... afraid of hearing it spoken to another... Just afraid to feel what he was feeling at that moment. She meant him... no one else in the tower would be that big of a pain in the backside, he thought.<br><br>As she finished speaking and had asked him the most important question in his 30 years of life, He met her eyes and knew that they showed far more than he should let them. He took a slow breath, although he couldn't of found the void if his life had depended on it at the moment... the flame couldn't of contained all that was running through him if he spent hours trying.<br><br>The big man slid slowly down to one knee and he touched the carved hilt of his sword; the image of a leaping lion was worn but clear, as were slight stains of blood at it's hind-quarters. But, Warner had no thought for it as he lowered his head and spoke in a deep, sincere and respectful voice, "The last drop of my life's blood before a scratch touches your skin Avalyn. Your shield and, blade and shadow until no breath remains. Always and forever by your side; this I sware to you under the Light and by my hope for Salvation and Rebirth under the Light."<br><br>In spite of himself, his hand shook ever so slightly as he waited for her to say something. Even without a warders bond, he would not hesitate an instant to protect her with his life... he ad sworn that to himself what seemed a lifetime ago.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cynadea</strong> on <strong>21-08-2015, 01:04:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e8/GreenAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Avalyn Amasera<br><strong>Position:</strong> Sister, Green Ajah<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Warner<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 5th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> At the gates<br><strong>Warning:</strong><br><hr><div style="text-align: justify;">Avalyn sought her answer in his eyes, wary to see there either a rejection or more than&nbsp; there really was to see. She&nbsp; still didn't break the contact though, she could not bring herself to look away from him. If he refused her, what then? Would their friendship survive it? Would it survive enough for her to convince him at a later date to accept? What if she kissed him, would he understand that he meant more to her than just a <br><br>Suddenly he moved, and dropped to one knee. In that moment, she knew his answer and a huge weight was lifted off her shoulders. She let go of a breath she wasn't aware that she was holding. The level of stress fell down as he sunk to his knee. Her hand reached out to touch his head, caress his hair in an affectionate manner. He spoke, and her mind registered the words but the moment had something a little surreal to her. Still, he agreed, he swore an oath, and that is all that mattered to her.<br><br>What could she say? She had imagined doing this a thousand times at least, whether it was to him or to some imaginary&nbsp; warder, each time she could think of swearing an oath right back to him. Now, though, most of it seemed superfluous. If he agreed to bond her, he knew that she valued his life and would not lay it to waste. He knew that she valued her own and would not risk it needlessly. He knew that she was loyal to the tower and that now, she would be loyal to him too, to a flaw. He knew her more than any man on tower ground.<br><br>"There is no word to express the gratitude that I feel, Warner, but soon words won't be necessary."&nbsp; Avalyn said softly. With a gentle guidance of her hands, she tilted his head up so he could look at her and she kissed his forehead. She reached out to the warmth of Saidar and surrendered. For a brief moment, she simply focused on its feeling of joy and life, everything so much more vivid as it filled her being. She carefully wove the weave and her hands moved to each side of head, holding him still before the skillfully built tangle of flows settled into his mind.</div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Blinkin</strong> on <strong>21-08-2015, 03:16:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/4/42/Gaidin.jpg)</div><strong>Character name: </strong>Warner Du'Baru<br><strong>Position: </strong>Gaidin to Avalyn Sedai<br><strong>Tags: </strong>Avalyn<br><strong>Time: </strong> Evening, Saven 5th, 990NE<br><strong>Place: </strong>&nbsp; Inside the gates<br><strong>Warning: </strong>&nbsp; <br><hr><br><br>Warner grinned a little at her words, "It's not exactly gratitude that I was-" His words cut off as lips touched his forehead and her fingertips stroked his temples. He felt the weave settle on his mind; indescrible... unmistakable... awe-inspiring.<br><br>His eyes became vague for a moment before widening in an expression of wonder, "I... can feel you." he said softly "In the back of my mind... like a little ball of... " he struggled for a word and finally gave up. The sense of wonder and amazement filled the bond coupled with no small amount of affection and respect... no little vaguely wicked humor and definently purely physical attraction.<br><br>The big man rose in a fluid motion, his hands grasping her about the waist and lifting her into the air. With a laugh, he spun her round in a circle once before he carefully placed her back onto her feet. "Ummmm, sorry Lady." he offered as his face reddened for a moment; a flash of embarrassment accompanied it through the link. "I should be careful as I wouldn't want to delay your visit to the faire with having to stitch a cut in my coat." he said lightly.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cynadea</strong> on <strong>21-08-2015, 05:48:44</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e8/GreenAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Avalyn Amasera<br><strong>Position:</strong> Sister, Green Ajah<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Warner<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 5th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> At the gates<br><strong>Warning:</strong><br><hr><div style="text-align: justify;">The weave settled and suddenly, she felt his presence like a bundle of feelings in the back of her mind, a distinct other person. Feelings and physical state but no thoughts.&nbsp; She knew that he would feel her excitement, her immense gratitude, her affection for him and how attached to him she truly was. Avalyn would not have spoken of romantic feelings, because she&nbsp; did not think that it was romantic, but if questioned about it, she would be hard-pressed to deny feeling for him more than for a platonic friend. It had been clear in her mind since the very first day that she would not be platonic with her bondmate unless he wanted nothing more of it.<br><br>As she caught onto what he felt, it became even more obvious that their bond would never be a platonic one. She let go of the Source to focus solely on getting used to him and to his feeling. For a moment, the Aes Sedai grasped for her usual calm but before she could do this, Warner surprised her by lifting her up. It took her a few seconds before she laughed with him, and when he put her down, she found herself leaning against him, still reeling from all the new, intense emotions and sensations that were there.<br><br>"Well, bonding me pretty much guarantees I will not be tempted to poke you with a knife. I am not so fond of pain as to experience yours caused by my hand." She replied quite matter-of-factly, although there was amusement seeping through the bond. She stood there, with both hands on his shoulders and looking up at him.<br><br>&nbsp;"Warner, I never thought… expected… Hmm…"&nbsp; There was a quick flash of annoyance, aimed at herself as she stumbled onto words. "I did not expect that intensity regarding how you feel about me, but it certainly doesn't disappoint." She finally manage to say. When you spent nearly a decade of your life being told that Aes Sedai seldom marry, that romantic notions should not be entertained and all that, being romantically involved with one's warder seems to be unreasonable to hope for. <br><br>Avalyn's smile changed for something that was a touch less playful and&nbsp; a lot more affectionate. Her arms reached up to wrap around his neck and give him a hug. Those who thought that this was improper could all go kiss a goat for all she cared. She felt the need to be physically close to her Gaidin, though she knew the need for closeness would most likely grow once they would be behind closed doors.</div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Blinkin</strong> on <strong>21-08-2015, 14:03:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/4/42/Gaidin.jpg)</div><strong>Character name: </strong>Warner Du'Baru<br><strong>Position: </strong>Gaidin to Avalyn Sedai<br><strong>Tags: </strong>Avalyn<br><strong>Time: </strong> Evening, Saven 5th, 990NE<br><strong>Place: </strong> At the Gate<br><strong>Warning: </strong> <br><hr><br><br>Warner couldn't help the rumble of a chuckle at her annoyance at herself, "I admit that I might mess the challenge of avoiding the little cuts, but I wouldn't want you to feel pain of any kind." He slipped his arms about her and squeezed carefully, she wasn't a big example of womanhood and he didn't want to bruise ribs, afterall. "No more relieved than I am Avalyn." he said against her hair, "I had never hoped to find that you have such feelings."<br><br>With obvious reluctance, he loosened his embrace and looked down at her, seeing something different inn her eyes and knowing that she saw more in his, "I am not sure how I should act knowing that you must see me in a different way now... and I you." He hesitated a moment and decided that he might as well test her resolve now, while it was somewhat private. He leaned forward and touched his lips to hers in a... well, he had intended it to be a brief kiss but intentions don't always work out as... intended.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cynadea</strong> on <strong>21-08-2015, 21:45:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e8/GreenAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Avalyn Amasera<br><strong>Position:</strong> Sister, Green Ajah<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Warner<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 5th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> At the gates<br><strong>Warning:</strong><br><hr><div style="text-align: justify;">Being held by him felt good, it felt like she belonged there. He held her tightly for a moment and then loosened his hold, but the words that he said struck her. Find that she had such feelings? Did she really?&nbsp; She was fond of him, care for him… but weren't this just fancy way to avoid saying how she really felt? Her oath was to speak no word that is not true, but she could like to herself plenty if she didn't want to face the truth. She was better than that though; lying to oneself was not the way to go.<br><br>Besides, being in his arms felt good, being with him was always comfortable. She had chosen him as her first warder for several reasons, all of which could be brought down to her liking him a lot and wanting to be with him as often as possible. She also found him to be quite attractive and so the physical side of such a relationship with him was not excluded. Her hands lowered, and then came to rest gently on the sides of his head, her thumb running along the front of his ear and her fingertips gently digging into his hair.<br><br>While she had no clue what he had in mind, she felt that little surge of will to do something. When he leaned toward her, Avalyn understood what Warner intended to do and her hands followed his head, not attempting to control his movement in any way. IF he had any lingering doubts, he'd feel her acceptance through the bond or how not only did she tilt her head to make the kiss comfortable but she did not tense into his arms. If she had not welcomed the kiss, or thought it to be inappropriate, she would have tensed and made it a quick brush of their lips, no more. She was a Green, and their reputation about warders and men was mostly well-deserved.<br><br>Her lips pressed to his for a few seconds more than required to be called brief, but did not open to deepen. That, she thought, would be kept for later.&nbsp; When she moved her head back, she pressed her forehead to his gently, her hands holding him there for a moment. There was a sudden peak of excitement flowing from her as it crossed her mind that he really was her warder now, and how pleased that made her joined the feeling. "Let's head to the Faire before we change our minds and you cleaned up for nothing."</div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Blinkin</strong> on <strong>22-08-2015, 01:30:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/4/42/Gaidin.jpg)</div><strong>Character name: </strong>Warner Du'Baru<br><strong>Position: </strong>Gaidin to Avalyn Sedai<br><strong>Tags: </strong>Avalyn<br><strong>Time: </strong> Evening, Saven 5th, 990NE<br><strong>Place: </strong> At the gate<br><strong>Warning: </strong> 4 out of 5 Reds agree that men are scum!<br><hr><br>Warner let out a slow breath and reached up to stroke her cheek; still coping with the fact that she had actually chosen him to be her warder. Joy mixed with pleasure streaked with the humor that ran deeply within him. He met her hazel eyes and nodded slowly as she suggested that they go. "I wouldn't say that my cleaning up was very wasted, look at what it's gotten me so far." he waggled his eyebrows in a teasing&nbsp; expression that was accompanied by some pride in the bond. "Let us go before I lose what control that I have and sweep you into a dark corner for a more thorough kiss." he said in a playful tone.<br><br>He took her hand once again in his big one and slipped it under his elbow and back onto his arm. "I'll buy you some of those sweet cakes that you like so much."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lithium</strong> on <strong>22-08-2015, 03:13:42</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/c/c1/RedAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Theraeve Valaim (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11557599#msg11557599)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Aes Sedai of the Red Ajah<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Kalain, Open<br><strong>Time:</strong> Early Afternoon, Saven 6th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Training grounds<br><strong>Warning:</strong> n/a<br><hr><br>As an Accepted, Theraeve had enjoyed all of the attention and the reverent looks that she received from members of the opposite sex. Funnily enough, it was the one thing about life in the White Tower which made her feel the most special, even more than her ability to wield the One Power with considerable aptitude. The memories of that much simpler time tasted bittersweet now when she reflected back on them, sometimes wishing that she could trade her title of Aes Sedai along with all of the duties and freedoms that it came with it back in; to just go back to having nothing to worry about but her chores, her classes and coming up with the next amusing prank. Theraeve made a conscious effort to dismiss that faintly nauseating sensation of nostalgia from her mind. Learning to suppress and compartmentalized her emotions had been a necessity for her, probably the only thing that kept her sane, although when that failed, a stiff drink could come in handy as well.<br><br>Dressed in a dark red lace-up shirt with the laces only partially done, a leather girdle around her waist, a pair of black trousers and matching knee-high leather boots, she stepped on to the sands where the Tower's Trainees, Valdars and Gaidin came to hone their bodies and sharpen their skills. <br><br>Gone were the mens' reverent looks as she made her way across the training grounds, replaced by cautious wariness and in some cases even fear, as if her hatred towards them ran so deep that she would just make them spontaneously combust on a whim. It was annoying, to be sure, but having heard many of the conversations that went on between the sisters of her Ajah, she had to admit that perhaps it was justified. In any case, she'd had years to get accustomed to it by now, so she'd learned to tolerate it for the most part.<br><br>Despite all of the self-doubts that plagued her and her displeasure at the stagnant or even regressive stance of her Ajah in regards to dealing with the Saidin issue, Theraeve still believed that what she did was a necessary evil for the greater good. Left unchecked, the male channelers would go insane and end up dying anyways. At least she could give them some chance to carry on, as small as it may be, not to mention save countless of innocents in the process.<br><br>That's what pushed her to constantly aim towards improvement - well, that and the fact that she didn't really know anything else. Whenever possible, she would practice her hand to hand combat against men to more accurately simulate what she'd face in the real world. Ironically, even though the White Tower boasted some of the finest warriors, Theraeve got much better practice elsewhere, especially where her sparring partners didn't know or care that she was Aes Sedai.<br><br>Instead, here they all held back, even when she went out of her way to leave glaring openings for them to strike. In a matter of minutes, Theraeve had already gone through three different Valdars, growing so frustrated with the last one that she nearly lost herself and snapped his arm while taking him down. Probably not the best way to go about dispelling the stereotype associated with her Ajah, in hindsight. She tried to apologize, but the young man was already currying away, bumbling something about the infirmary. <br><br>Glancing around for anyone else who'd like to have a go, Theraeve could only sigh hopelessly as every man nearby either averted her gaze or was already pretending to be busy with something else. <br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cynadea</strong> on <strong>22-08-2015, 06:41:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e8/GreenAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Avalyn Amasera<br><strong>Position:</strong> Sister, Green Ajah<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Warner<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 5th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> At the gates<br><strong>Warning:</strong><br><hr><div style="text-align: justify;">When Warner touched her cheek, Avalyn leaned toward his hand as if she sought to lengthen the touch. He had agreed; he was now her warder. Bonded together until death and she would do everything she could to avoid it happening before several decades. She didn't want to think about the end now, not when it was just beginning. She was thrilled that he had agreed, excited that it was done and she longed to be alone with him so that he could kiss her, really kiss her, without risking to be poked with a knife, or caught by eyes that would deemed that behavior inappropriate.<br><br>&nbsp;"Oh I had a mind to offer you the bond before you cleaned up, dear Gaidin." She said softly, and with a playful tone, she added, "But it certainly helps with the kisses… among other things." That roguish smile that potentially caused a man to both melt and want to run for the hills reappeared on her lips. She was up for trouble, and this time he would be pulled into it with her.<br><br>"I wonder if they have raspberries, or strawberries somewhere in the market. You know how I love those with the honeycakes…" She said,&nbsp; and then she let him place her hand in the crook of his arm and was ready to head out.&nbsp; Avalyn was ready to head into Tar Valon. She felt the city was secure enough to go out on her own, but to go in with him was even better. She enjoyed his company greatly, and he openly wore his weapon, while hers was not visible for just anyone. "Did you say that you needed a new stone to sharpen your weapon?"<br><br>&lt;Continued in Tar Valon (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234951.0)&gt;</div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cerigo</strong> on <strong>23-08-2015, 04:31:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<br><div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/9/90/WTMaster.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Kalain Baneron (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11561809#msg11561809)<br><strong>Position:</strong>Master of Arms, Pain in the Ass<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Theraeve Valaim<br><strong>Time:</strong> Saven 6th | 990 NE | Afternoon<br><strong>Place:</strong> Training Grounds<br><strong>Warning:</strong> <br><hr><br>It was the absolute hottest part of the day. Granted it was within the growing season still so that meant the heat would not be all that bad but it was the sheer principle of the thing. Kal lounged in the shade watching over the sands. He leaned up against one of the walls, staying away from the raised seats as to not invite conversation over. It was one of the things he hated the most about being the Master of Arms, well hated second the most. Paperwork was the first but the second was having to smile and make nice with every noble that thought their little snowflake should train here at the tower. Sure, they could use the money, prestige or even favors but the very idea of having to whip another spoiled noble into shape was enough to cause his stomach to turn.<br><br>This position let him watch. There was much he could tell about a man by watching him fight. Was he cautious or aggressive? Which way did he move or which foot did he favor? They all told a story, one that could only be finished when they crossed steel. Every man had taken their turn with the Master of Arms, it was a requirement at some point. Unspoken, but there. He gently tugged the deep blue shirt free from his belt using the fabric to polish up an apple that he had stolen from the gardens. Green. It was a green apple. His lips turned up into a snarl, just looking at that color made him think of that infernal woman. Even here on the sands, here in his domain despite what the Amyrlin might think of it. He tried to push it out of his mind, turning his gaze upon the trainees to see who would be the victim of the hour.<br><br>That was when he saw her. A red he guessed only because a fool or an actual red sister would ever bother with such a color. It was a political statement around here, even more so because of the bond he carried. A bond that…no he was not a blue warder and more importantly he didn’t care. Bloody politics, all it ever did was ruin a perfectly good meal and turn men and women alike against each other. Pushing those thoughts aside he brought the apple up to his lips taking a bite, a loud crunch filling the area as the juices welled up on his lips and started to dribble down his chin. Pulling it away then wiping what was left on his sleeve he observed the little red sister rip through two separate warders. No not warders, cowards. She had given them a dozen or so openings only a few on purpose and they had pulled every one of their punches.<br><br>Cowards. The lot of them.<br><br>Pushing away from the wall he strolled over there, taking his time and correcting a few stances on the way. The third man didn’t fare any better and instead almost had his arm broken for his tameness. Kal wished she had followed through. That made both of them cowards. Mistakes like that needed to be punished or they would never learn. Taking another bite from the apple he spoke, his mouth still containing a bit of the pulp so that his speech was muffled. “You keep this up, there is not going to be any warders left for the rest of them.” He pointed slightly sending the men scurrying away. Oh, he was going to have words with them too but they knew better then to get within the area when an angry red and the master of arms clashed. “Usually I have to send your kind scattering away from gawking but it seems today that I am saving their lives.” He took another bite, the crunch just as loud as before the juices over flowing and dribbling down the stubble on his face.<br><br>“So what brings a pretty little thing like you to my sands, run out of men to terrorize and have to search within?”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lithium</strong> on <strong>23-08-2015, 07:13:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/c/c1/RedAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Theraeve Valaim (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11557599#msg11557599)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Aes Sedai of the Red Ajah<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Kalain, Open<br><strong>Time:</strong> Early Afternoon, Saven 6th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Training grounds<br><strong>Warning:</strong> n/a<br><hr><br>Convinced that this whole endeavor had just been one pointless waste of time, Theraeve was just on the verge of storming off - probably to go find a tavern where she could drink away what was left of her ruined afternoon - but she was held back when one man actually approached her rather than shying away. And of his own volition, no less. It was enough to pique her curiosity for a few more seconds, if nothing else.<br><br>Not helped by the fact that she was already in a rather sour mood, the crunch of the apple being bitten into seemed to grate right against one of Theraeve's nerves. Although proper manners were a considerable aspect of the teachings offered to both prospective Aes Sedai and Warders at the White Tower, she'd never been particularly stringent about adhering to perfect etiquette herself, but the way that this man was nonchalantly biting and chewing while speaking to her translated into an off-putting smugness. It just made her want to slap that stupid green fruit right out of his hand.<br><br>He had the face of a grizzled veteran with keen, hard blue eyes that had plainly witnessed much battle and hardship over the years, so in other words, he was a completely different beast than the three young Valdars that she'd just dispatched. It just so happened that Theraeve found him quite handsome, his appearance touching on several of her weaknesses, and that somehow only made his behavior seem that much more insufferable. She actually pursed her lips and ground her teeth when he took the second bite out of his apple while speaking.<br><br>Having spent much more time away from the Tower than she did within its walls, Theraeve could barely keep track of the ranks and politics of the different Ajahs, let alone anything that was going on with the male side, so she had no idea who this man was or what rank he held. As far as she could tell, he wore no pin or anything else by which she could identify him, although from the manner in which the recruits looked upon him with a mixture of fear and respect and the way that he appropriated the sands to himself, she could only assume that he was the Master of something or other. All those Masters, and yet apparently they couldn't train a single recruit who was willing to put up a real fight between the lot of them.<br><br>Unable to hid her displeasure at patronizingly being referred to as 'a pretty little thing', Theraeve couldn't help but scoff. "Something like that, sure." She flicked her head to the side a single time to displace the stray locks of hair hanging over her eyes and wiped away the sweat which had pearled on her forehead. "Those pups were hardly capable of defending <em>themselves</em>, let alone anyone else," she continued in a harsh tone, almost as if accusing him of having failed, specifically. Had she known about his past, Theraeve might have chosen a slightly more tactful way of getting her point across, but she had no idea about the loss of his Aes Sedai or anything else. Not even his name, since he hadn't bothered introducing himself.<br><br>"It seems this was the wrong place to come searching for competent sparring partners, so worry not, I'll let you get back to your...<em>lunch</em>." The last word was spoken as she tilted her head to the side slightly, followed up by a jeering little smirk before she attempted to brush past him on her way back to the Tower.<br><br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cerigo</strong> on <strong>23-08-2015, 21:08:08</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/9/90/WTMaster.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Kalain Baneron (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11561809#msg11561809)<br><strong>Position:</strong>Master of Arms, Pain in the Ass<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Theraeve Valaim<br><strong>Time:</strong> Saven 6th | 990 NE | Afternoon<br><strong>Place:</strong> Training Grounds<br><strong>Warning:</strong> <br><hr><br>After systematically emasculating three of his men, the simple fact that she did not rise to the challenge was perplexing. Granted not every red sister was a homicidal, emotional, man hating maniac but there was a good proportion of their numbers that it might as well be. Kal half wondered if just maybe there was a personality test required upon petitioning for acceptance into their halls or if they just naturally attracted each other. Still, there was something to be said about her general skill. While the men had not been giving their best there were a few of them that would not have been able to hold a candle to her even if they had tried. Best to leave that particular fact out as he noticed a flash of something close to anger in her eyes. Oh, this was going to be fun.<br><br>Kal gave an easy smile, following it with another loud bite of his apple. The Master of Arms was really going to have to send a commendation to the gardeners. If they could make every apple harvested from their trees this crunchy then the hell with their taste he would order an entire bushel. “Yeah, you are probably right” a few morsels of apple escaped from his mouth as he spoke, he was really playing this up and enjoying every last second of it. The warder could almost see her wince with every time he bit down but it could have been his imagination. “they are lucky that you did not choose the blade. They would have probably tripped and cut their own arms off.” The last bit he had said with a slightly raised voice making sure that they could hear him.<br><br>There were many that respected the man, and his disappointment carried far more of an impact than any amount of lapse or corporal punishment. However that did not excuse them and with a flick of his eyes they were sent running laps until he was tired of watching them go by. Turning his attention back to the sister he could only raise an eyebrow. Turnabout was fair play after all, he did start this little bout with a backhanded compliment, Light knows red sisters hated when someone called them pretty. “Hey now!” he started softly, “Lunch was clearly several hours ago this is more of a supper perhaps or maybe an alternative to afternoon tea. I did not realize that Aes Sedai were so…” he paused taking another bite before wiping the juices on his sleeve, “uncultured.”<br><br>Their shoulders touched as she moved by, usually he would have hardened his muscles forcing her to rebound off the lines of his muscles but this time he gave in. His leg however, remained in place. Left there to trip up the poor woman as the rest of his body turned. The free arm, devoid of annoying fruits came down elbow first to the back of her neck. It snapped out, reflexes that only lifetimes of battle could hone but instead of feeling the full brunt of the impact he slowed just as he touched it. Showing her full well that such a blow would have been fatal before pushing her down hard towards the sand. It was one thing to simply knock out your opponent but something else entirely to be good enough to point out just how bad they were with only a few bruises to remember it by.<br><br>“Yeah, I think you are right. It is so hard to find competent partners” He sighed wistfully turning the apple and taking a bite. He walked a few steps, pausing to brush at the sand. “Oh hey look a coin, my lucky day.”<br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lithium</strong> on <strong>23-08-2015, 22:22:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/c/c1/RedAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Theraeve Valaim (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11557599#msg11557599)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Aes Sedai of the Red Ajah<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Kalain, Open<br><strong>Time:</strong> Early Afternoon, Saven 6th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Training grounds<br><strong>Warning:</strong> n/a<br><hr><br>The irksome crunching sounds resonating through Theraeve's ears every time the man's teeth sheered through the apple didn't just make her wince - she could actually feel the veins in her temples throbbing on either side of her head. Obnoxious chewing sounds were something that she could hardly tolerate at the best of times, much less when she was standing in the sun's unforgiving heat, trading not-so-subtle barbs with a the most pompous of asses. Theraeve had half a mind to finally snatch that apple away and force it down his throat so that next time he might remember to show the bare minimum of respect, but through the combined force of her willpower, she was just able to convince herself that he wasn't worth the time or effort.<br><br>And she most certainly was <em>not</em> the least bit interested in debating semantics to determine which meal was most appropriate for this time of day. Sensing that she wouldn't be able to suppress the urge for violence bubbling up inside of her, Theraeve quickened her steps, wishing to get far away from this loathsome individual before she did something that she might regret. In her haste, she practically stampeded through him, but unfortunately failed to notice the trap he'd laid out for her. <br><br>She took in a sharp intake of breath as soon as she realized what was happening, and by then it was already too late. Her eyes went wide when an elbow come down against the back of her neck, an intense pang of fear jolting up her spine as she understood immediately that he could have snapped her neck right then and there if he'd wanted to. Instead, Theraeve found herself crashing down face first into the sand. Scowling bitterly, she balled her hands up into fists as she swiftly pushed herself back up, turning her body back towards the threat in the process.<br><br>Glaring at him with an intensity in each of her dark eyes that made the burning sun above pale in comparison, it was unclear even to her what had been more infuriating and embarrassing - the fact that he'd dared to lay hands on her when she clearly wasn't intending to fight him, or that she'd actually allowed herself to be caught off-guard. That mistake wouldn't happen a second time. <br><br><em>“Oh hey look a coin, my lucky day.”</em><br><br>"I hope for your sake that it is, wretch!"&nbsp; Theraeve spat, nostrils flaring angrily as she went after him like a ruthless predator, not so much as the faintest trace of hesitation detectable in her movements. The moment she was in range, she leaning back and twisted her body slightly while launching her right leg into the most vicious sweeping kick that she could manage, aiming for her opponent's flank. Whether it was blocked or landed successfully, she'd already be shifting her weight back forwards into a hard right cross to the face before her foot even had time to come back down to the ground. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>23-08-2015, 23:07:29</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/f/fa/Trainee.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Yfan Bravni (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11554896#msg11554896)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Trainee<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Kalain Baneron, Theraeve Valaim<br><strong>Time:</strong> Early Afternoon, Saven 6th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Training grounds<br><strong>Warning:</strong> <br><hr><br>Yfan emerged onto the training grounds from laundry detail wearing grey woolen training clothes. The entirety of the morning and even some of the afternoon was taken up with the task of cleaning the sweat-soaked clothing that he and his fellow trainees wore, as well as any garments that the higher ranked men chose to submit to them. Sometimes this was intensely cruel: Yfan had been tasked with trying to get blood of some Valdar's white silken shirt. It was a labour intensive task that Yfan had nevertheless succeeded at. <br><br>But it had taken extra time and one of the training instructors took - rightly - umbrage with Yfan's tardiness and set him to running laps. But not simply running. Yfan was set with a wooden device that somewhat resembled a yoke used to harness beasts to a wagon. The loops that would typically go about an animal's neck was instead used to affix a rope which was affixed to a bucket. Each hoop had a bucket, and each bucket was filled in part with lead casting weights and in part with water. Yfan had to run and not spill any of the water, or else there would be further penalty. He was set to twenty laps. <br><br>These he ran, and as such was occupied when Theraeve Sedai was in search of sparring partners. <br><br>But he did finish his laps in time to see Master Kalain confront the Aes Sedai. Lacking any specific task at that time, and needing to speak to Master Kalain, Yfan approached to watch the bout that was forming. He still had the wooden contraption around his shoulders as he approached the sands, arriving just in time for the first kick from Theraeve Sedai to fly Master Kalain's way. Yfan knew them both to be very skilled combatants even without arms, and it would at the least be instructive to watch two individuals of such skill square off.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cerigo</strong> on <strong>23-08-2015, 23:14:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/9/90/WTMaster.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Kalain Baneron (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11561809#msg11561809)<br><strong>Position:</strong>Master of Arms, Pain in the Ass, Most Pompous of ass<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Theraeve Valaim<br><strong>Time:</strong> Saven 6th | 990 NE | Afternoon<br><strong>Place:</strong> Training Grounds<br><strong>Warning:</strong> <br><hr><br>Unfortunately, it was not his lucky day. The coin was only a copper, in the sunlight it had appeared to be gold but alas not every day could be a good day. It would be just like the lordlings to leave money laying around in such quantity. Yet as he picked the coin up there was something he felt like he was forgetting and as if on cue he heard the muffled thump of a body striking the sand. It was a very distinct sound, one that was heard often around the Master of Arms. “Nah, it’s only a copper.” Kal made a large showing of a sigh as he flicked it up into the air towards the red sister. “Did it fall out of your pocket on the way down?” The smile that he flashed her way was far from genuine. If anything it had been his nearly trade mark smirk as she started to stand from her close up exploration of the sands. There was not much that one could buy with a copper mark within the walls of Tar Valon but today he was able to purchase the ire of a Red Sister with it.<br><br>“Wretch. Good… good but I feel like you have not really gotten to know me enough to use such language.” He turned more to face her, just in time to watch her close the distance between them in a few steps. Light, she was fast. There was a very real part of himself that wondered how long he could keep this up, eventually he might have to use the other hand and that would really ruin his snack. Apples like this were hard to come by. Her weight shifted to the back leg, he could not help but notice that once she decided to strike it was almost a fluid movement to where she set for it. There were many warriors that took far too much time between them, clearly she had some practice and experience under her belt. A quick step into her guard followed by a sweep would have sent her back to the sands again but then it would be over and he still had plenty of quips left for her.<br><br>Instead he stepped in, letting her ankle strike his side. The muscles flexed the instant before the impact, rolling slightly back to disperse more of the impact and sparing the ribs from the full force of that blow. “My name is Kal by the way, I thought you should know as you seem to have forgotten your manners.” She leaned back enough to telegraph the next punch. The muscles along her side gathering up, her weight shifting again. There was plenty of time for him to raise up the arm holding the apple to catch the punch for his face on his forearm, thrusting the half eaten apple towards her face in the process as he once again stepped forward and placed himself within her guard. “Did you want a bite?” He spoke, the scent of the leather and oils that he used for the weapons lingering between the two of them. “It is exceptionally good and since I did not bring enough for the two of us…”<br><br>Before she could even answer, Kal twisted sharply. There was no delay, no thought, just instinct as his body moved. All together his hips moved, his legs pushed forward and his body turned bringing the free hand up and towards her stomach. It was aimed at the solar plexus, designed to knock the wind completely out of her as he brought his strength to bear. With luck she would end up gasping for breath on the sands so he could continue to lecture her. This was the training grounds after all, he was expected to teach.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lithium</strong> on <strong>24-08-2015, 00:36:44</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/c/c1/RedAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Theraeve Valaim (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11557599#msg11557599)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Aes Sedai of the Red Ajah<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> n/a<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Kalain, Open<br><strong>Time:</strong> Early Afternoon, Saven 6th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Training grounds<br><strong>Warning:</strong> n/a<br><hr><br>When her kick wasn't immediately blocked or parried, Theraeve knew that it was going to connect just as she'd pictured before throwing it, but the end result was far from being as satisfying as she'd hoped. Having learned to protect herself in the very same way, by distributing the force of a blow more evenly through an area rather than allowing it all to be concentrated upon the point of impact, she instinctively recognized that she'd failed to truly hurt him just by the way that his muscles felt when her shin connected against them.<br><br>Impressive enough, but what really shocked her was the manner in which he caught the follow up punch so effortlessly, even taking the time to taunt her with that blasted apple, earning himself an angry snarl for his efforts. "It's not even wor-" Theraeve started, only to be cut off as her opponent brusquely shifted his body and hurled his fist directly towards her solar plexus, striking at the vulnerable area with a level of precision that could only have been earned through countless hours of training and experience.<br><br>In the fraction of a second that she was afforded, Theraeve breathed out and momentarily flexed her sternum outwards to meet the blow head on, causing it to act as a sort of hard shell that protected the diaphragm behind it from the full force of Kal's punch. Having so little time to react, she hadn't been able to defend perfectly, and so still found most of the air being driven out of her lungs, causing her to double over with an involuntary gasp before going down to one knee. Without that instinctive reaction, however, she surely would have been left writhing around on the sand, desperately wheezing for air, an outcome that she'd only avoided by the narrowest of margins.<br><br>Even now he continued to insult her by not pressing the attack further when he could. Instead, he was seemingly content to just stand there, looking oh-so very proud of himself in a way that drove Theraeve absolutely crazy. She wanted so desperately to punish this bastard, to rip him the shreds with her bare hands, and yet...her shapely lips slowly curved upwards into an almost fiendish smirk even as she clutched an arm over her bruised solar plexus, the pain feeding her adrenaline and making her feel more alive than she had while facing the three Valdars previously.<br><br>"Theraeve," she gave him her name, her naturally deep and smoky voice carrying even more of a raspy edge than usual. He'd earned that much, at least. "If I didn't know any better," she continued, pausing once to breathe, "I'd think you were trying to impress me." Doing her best to ignore the pain spreading out throughout her chest, Theraeve pushed herself back up to her feet, ready to continue. She had definitely found some respect for him already, but that didn't mean that she wanted to take him apart any less than before, especially here on his own turf, in front of his own men. <br><br>The thought of it alone was enough to excite her and make her eager for more, although this time she would let him come to her. "It's impolite to keep a lady waiting. Manners." As casually as she could managed under the circumstances, she dusted herself off and brushed the stray strands of blonde hair away from her face, inviting him to make his move whenever he was ready.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedMoon</strong> on <strong>24-08-2015, 02:00:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/f/fd/Valdar.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Rhoven Bryce (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11565549#msg11565549)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Valdar, formerly Gaidin<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Yfan, Theraeve, Kalain, Open<br><strong>Time:</strong> Afternoon, Saven 6th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Training Grounds<br><strong>Warning:</strong><br><hr><br>Rhoven kept most of his afternoons occupied with training, usually of the solitary kind. He wasn't too sociable in recent days, and while he had plenty of old friends among the trainees, Valdar and Gaidin, he felt somewhat out of place with them lately, and it seemed there was some awkwardness around him, despite the Master at Arms himself being in a somewhat similar predicament. Warders shouldn't outlive their Aes Sedai, period. But, what happened, happened, and there was nothing to do about it now except keep working away and try to stay focused. Focus that afternoon, though, was disrupted by a peculiar squabble taking place on the grounds. Rhoven had been working through his sword forms, as he often was, when he looked up to see a familiar blonde attacking the Master at Arms. Normally, he kept his nose out of other people's business, but, this was something of a rare sight. Few Aes Sedai spent time among the men, training themselves with weapons and the like, and fewer still put on such a... Spectacle. Setting his blade down and picking up a towel, Rhoven wiped sweat from his face as he made his way across the yard, to where other spectators were apparently gathering to witness what was apparently the battle of the century. The trainee he didn't know personally, but, had seen before. Ivan? Stefan? Something like that. He nodded to trainee as he came to stand beside him, watching the combatants work.<br><br>Theraeve, he knew. She was skilled, both in the Power, apparently in hand-to-hand combat, and was exceptionally dangerous in chastisement. He suspected if the battle did not go her way, she could just shout and insult her way to victory. He grimaced at the memory of one of her angry tirades. It had certainly worked on him. The Aes Sedai was showing admirable determination against a skilled opponent, and somehow managed to look pretty even when being tossed around, though he still flinched inwardly every time it looked like she might take a blow. He was a little protective, if not of her specifically, than just in general. He had seen Theraeve put more than a few men on the ground before, but, he had doubts she would be able to best the Master at Arms. He probably wouldn't put money on it, though. Only because he thought gambling was frivolous, of course. Glancing at the trainee again, he seemed to have paused his own training as well.<br><br>"Learning anything?" He remarked. Apart from not to try and pick a fight with Theraeve, of course.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cerigo</strong> on <strong>24-08-2015, 02:52:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/9/90/WTMaster.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Kalain Baneron (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11561809#msg11561809)<br><strong>Position:</strong>Master of Arms, Pain in the Ass, Most Pompous of ass<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Theraeve Valaim<br><strong>Time:</strong> Saven 6th | 990 NE | Afternoon<br><strong>Place:</strong> Training Grounds<br><strong>Warning:</strong> <br><hr><br>There was no cry of pain, nor soft whimper as his fist connected with her smaller frame. The edge of his lips turned into a smile as he felt her body harden around it, felt the rush of air as it gave into the force before pulling away. So she knew how to take a punch as well as throw one, not too bad. Kal would have killed for a woman like her on the sands, to be in the program and be trained properly. As it was, she was already ruined the tower having long sense placed its talons deep within her. A shame that. With a sigh he stepped away, letting her fall to her knee and catch her breath. A comment about an Aes Sedai on her knees bubbled up to his lips but for once he thought better of it. A quick glance around showed him that they were gathering an audience. Sexual remarks about the women of the tower were considered bad form while shouted…spoken in a whisper however.<br><br>“Well it is a pleasure to meet you ‘eve” There was a bow, courtly and as mocking as he could make it. Somewhere deep within his mind he had been paying attention to the lessons on how to not piss off royalty. That was the only way he could make the mocking bow so close to the actual thing to matter. The lengths that he went through for a joke. Kal sighed inwardly again, taking the last bite of the apple. “If you knew me better, you would know that I was holding back.” He rolled the apple core up on the back of his hand balancing it there before tossing it in the air and plucking it back to his hand. All of this before tossing it aside, striking a garbage pail and t hen having it roll out. “Wow! Did you see that I almost made it!” He brought a hand up, brushing it through his hair and wiping his forehead off. “I gotta get another apple and try that again.”<br><br>He did however turn his attention back to the red sister, his head tilting to the side when she readied herself again. Usually by this point they would call it enough and leave his sands. There were only a few that once he struck would be clamoring for more. That was interesting. Kal rolled his shoulders back, stretching them out now that he had use of both of his hands. If anything that should make Theraeve even more worried. He had done so much with a hand almost behind his back, easily putting her down twice if he had wanted to. “Is it? I am going to be honest with you. I have always had terrible manners. A shame no one ever thought to teach me right.” He rose up on his feet bouncing a bit loosening up his legs and settling into a fighting stance, a hand lifting up and brushing a thumb at the bottom of his nose.<br><br>The question, end it quick and leave her on her back or draw it out and enjoy the thrill of the fight?<br><br>The entire build up was for naught instead of charging her like some fool brained lordling he casually walked over towards her. The fighting stance melting away as he closed the distance one step at a time. The movements were no way deceptive he let her see when he would be coming in, and as he stepped into the obvious punch, one that would be a quick jab he took one more step, closing the distance fully and turning it into a grapple. One leg sliding between hers, heel pressing against the inside of her leg and forcing it apart as his body started to pivot and try to throw her off balance. Any fool could trade punches but rarely did any kind of real fight stay a comfortable distance between two people.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Caela</strong> on <strong>24-08-2015, 03:20:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e8/GreenAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> <strong>Moira Niall</strong> (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11564337#msg11564337)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Sister, Green Ajah<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Kalain Baneron <br><strong>Tag:</strong> Open, Watching Kal and Theraeve<br><strong>Time:</strong> Saven 6th | 990NE | Afternoon<br><strong>Place:</strong> The Training Grounds<br><strong>Warning:</strong><br><hr><br>Today would be a good day to practice her weapons training. After her evening at the faire, her muscles ached and the best way she'd found to ease aching muscles was the warm them up with exercise and the best exercise in the Tower was on the training sands. Besides, if she didn't practice with her sword, her hard won, though meager, skills with it would begin to fade. Granted if she had to count on her sword skills she was likely a dead woman. She would count on the Source and her skills with her daggers first and foremost but she had fought hard for the skills she had with the sword and she would maintain them, even improve them, if she could. At least if she was practicing with her sword, she wouldn't have to practice with Kal, her meager skills weren't worth his time, though he did usually pair her with someone else that could kick her ass. It was frustrating, but if she wasn't challenged she wouldn't get better so she didn't complain...much.<br><br>Dressed in a pair of black breeches, a blue tunic belted at the waist with a wide black belt and black leather boots that hugged her legs up to her knees, she had her thick mane of chestnut hair drawn back into a tight braid and the rolled up and pinned tightly. She refused to cut her hair, but she did style it to make it harder for her opponents to use it against her when she came to practice. <br><br>Except that when she reached the practice yard there was a small crowd beginning to gather around the sands. She knew that usually meant either a particularly difficult bout was happening, or someone was doing something incredibly stupid...sometimes both. It didn't take but a mere glance to see that the head she could see moving on the sands was Kal but she couldn't see his opponent around the crowd. She could have used her status as a Sister to push her way through but glancing around a small grin curved her lips as another idea occurred to her. Marking her path in her mind's eye she suddenly broke into a jog, speeding up to a sprint in the last few feet and leaping up to grab the lowest branch of a maple tree near a corner of the sands. Using the strength of her arms she pulled herself up and into the thick branches that spread out, offering safe perches to sit in their welcoming embrace and a perfect view of what was happening down below. <br><br>What she saw made her lips quirk with amusement. It was indeed Kal on the sands but, instead of one of his usual students, he was with a Sister. A Red that Moira recognized but didn't know well, and Kal was simply toying with her the way a cat toys with a mouse. Seeing what was happening she forgot about her own aches and tight muscles entirely as her entire focus settled on the two combatants. This was going to be fun.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lithium</strong> on <strong>24-08-2015, 08:05:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/c/c1/RedAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Theraeve Valaim (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11557599#msg11557599)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Aes Sedai of the Red Ajah<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> n/a<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Kalain<br><strong>Time:</strong> Early Afternoon, Saven 6th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Training grounds<br><strong>Warning:</strong> n/a<br><hr><br>The gathering of the crowd around them wasn't lost on Theraeve, but she wasn't particularly phased by it either. She was used to taking on men that were desperate enough to want to harm or kill her for real, men who could pull off far more dangerous tricks than throwing a good punch while taking a bite out of an apple, so a little added pressure was nothing that would make her fold. It only made her want to come out victorious that much more badly, and she could only assume that it had a similar effect on the man standing across from her.<br><br>She'd seriously underestimated him, thinking to herself that only a pathetic failure would even think about taking a cheap shot like he'd done at the very beginning, but now she knew better. He was still a dishonorable and insufferable bastard, but there was no denying his ability to fight. "Don't call it a pleasure yet, we're just getting started." Despite doing a commendable job of keeping her composure, Theraeve wasn't oblivious to the fact that she'd been struggling thus far, and that was without Kal using his second hand.<br><br>This time, she wasn't about to repeat the mistake of taking him lightly, so she read his body language intently while settling into her own fighting stance. Knowing better than to make herself a stationary target, she circled him while he came closer, varying up the cadence of her own movements in no particular pattern to avoid being predictable. Now that she was already convinced of his skill, Kal's entirely transparent movements struck her as being suspicious, so even though Theraeve reacted to the fist that he seemingly lashed out with, she was ready for some sort of feint. <br><br>Recognizing the disguised grapple attempt, she managed to place a straight arm against one of his shoulders to impede him and centered herself as well as she could, trying not to let Kal take her down. Unfortunately, it wasn't quite enough to compensate for the size and strength disadvantage that she was at, but at least she managed to pull him down with her so that neither of them had an immediate positional advantage when they hit the sand.<br><br>Overpowering her again, Kal was the one who managed to come out on top after a brief struggle, but rather than contesting him further, Theraeve conceded the position the instant that she knew it was lost and instead adapted to fighting from the bottom. Wrapping her legs around his torso, she hooked her feet together to keep them locked and began to squeeze him as hard as she could, applying a surprising amount of pressure. "You just needed...a firmer hand," Theraeve breathed while exerting herself, at the same time attempting to keep Kal's arms tied up with her own in an effort to prevent him from striking while she wore him down enough to slip him into a more painful hold.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cerigo</strong> on <strong>24-08-2015, 20:55:45</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/9/90/WTMaster.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Kalain Baneron (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11561809#msg11561809)<br><strong>Position:</strong>Master of Arms, Pain in the Ass, Most Pompous of ass<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Theraeve Valaim<br><strong>Time:</strong> Saven 6th | 990 NE | Afternoon<br><strong>Place:</strong> Training Grounds<br><strong>Warning:</strong> <br><hr><br>The majority of his partners disliked witty repartee. Kal was well versed in the language of grunts and growls but there was so much more that they could do. The red sister had presented him with a rare opportunity of not only a warm up but a mostly quick tongue as well. Granted, the majority of his sparring victims had to steppe themselves into the void, to discard all emotions and thought, focusing on their fight and only that. It left little for verbal exchanges but Kal avoided that. It was when he became quiet that he was at his most dangerous, the void was there waiting for him as only a Master Swordsman could call but it was reserved for dire times. When he felt the cold rush of that place there was no mercy, no retreat there was simply death.<br><br>The first comment was on the tip of his tongue, the gathering crowd the only reason why he did not reply quickly instead he waited. The gap closed and he felt her body slip next to his, and her hand on his chest as it pushed against the hard line of muscle. He held them both there, feeling her strain as physics and gravity started to catch up with her. Only then did he lean in enough to whisper, “No, maybe you are right for it to be called pleasure you would be on your back.” Legs intentionally buckled sending them both down to the sand making sure that he landed first to absorb the impact. If it had been a real fight she would have ended up on the bottom the ground like a third fist in his hands but he wanted this to last longer. It was not every day he could enjoy himself like this.<br><br>They squirmed together on the hot sands but there was only one way this could end now. She had him beat in quickness, her lithe form no doubt even more flexible then his but when it came to brute strength…He exercised that strength shifting the dynamic and putting her on her back, taking his eyes of hers as her legs slipped around him to try and hold him back. “See? I am certainly enjoying myself, what about you?” The last bit of those words came out lower as she squeezed, pushing the air out a bit faster than he had expected. Good. She was not out of surprises yet. The Master of Arms had to harden the core muscles, to keep her from putting too much attention on his ribs and trying to crack them if he was not careful.<br><br>His weight fully settled on her, letting her tighten the hold giving that moment where she could think she had won. Body pressed to hers, if they had not be in public or even clothed it could have been considered lewd but now, now it was just another fight. “Do I?” His muscles strained as his legs dug into the sand forcing his body tighter to her and squeezing her into the ground. His arms no longer trying to strike but use his overpowering strength to pin hers to the ground. “Here I am thinking you are the same way, tell me ‘Eve how long has it been?” The question could have been taken in two ways, since she was challenged in a real fight or the positions that the fighting had started to take.<br><br>Either would work, the quick smile spoke volumes and he made sure that she could see it.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lithium</strong> on <strong>24-08-2015, 23:37:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/c/c1/RedAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Theraeve Valaim (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11557599#msg11557599)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Aes Sedai of the Red Ajah<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> n/a<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Kalain<br><strong>Time:</strong> Early Afternoon, Saven 6th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Training grounds<br><strong>Warning:</strong> n/a<br><hr><br>"Having a stellar time," Theraeve retorted in between groans, her pulse racing as Kal pressed himself on top of her with all of his weight to pin her firmly against the ground. Breathing became more complicated as her chest heaved up against his, her full breasts being crushed by his iron-like pectoral muscles, effectively making it an endurance challenge to see who could outlast the other. Realizing that he was aiming to immobilize her arms, Theraeve tried to lock them around his neck to prevent that from happening, but she couldn't quite get them locked in before his calloused hands grabbed her wrists.<br><br>Summoning up all of her willpower, she overcame the instinct to struggle, recognizing that she wouldn't be able to free her arms at that point, so there was no point burning her energy with a futile endeavor. It wasn't easy to remain disciplined, not with all of the adrenaline coursing through her veins, and especially not with the thrilling sensation that rippled through her entire being as Kal continued to taunt her despite the punishing constriction that she was inflicting upon him. <br><br>The animosity and exchange of verbal blows between them had raised the stakes, elevating the situation into something more than a simple round of sparring. The honest truth was that Theraeve couldn't remember the last time she'd experienced such intense or passionate training, though of course the double-entendre in his words wasn't lost on her either. The sheer amount of audacity was impressive, but it would take a lot more to scandalize her. "A while since I've met...nnghhh...any man that can last this long between my thighs," she answered in kind, growling wolfishly into his ear.<br><br>Hoping that the suggestive phrase might rattle Kal's focus, if only for a moment, that was when Theraeve decided to make her move. Unhooking her feet, she pulled her legs back and kept his ribs pinched between her knees momentarily before bending and retracting her right leg even further, looking to bring it over his shoulder. If the attempt was successful, then Theraeve could wrap her legs around his head and neck instead, at which point her opponent certainly wouldn't be able to hold out, not matter how prodigiously skilled or resilient he might be.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>25-08-2015, 04:51:38</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/f/fa/Trainee.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Yfan Bravni<br><strong>Position:</strong> Trainee<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> None<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Rhoven Bryce, Open<br><strong>Time:</strong> Early Afternoon, Saven 6th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Training grounds<br><strong>Warning:</strong> <br><hr><br>"Greetings, Valdar." Yfan said when he was addressed by Rhoven. The trainee pursed his lips and considered the question that the Valdar posed. "Yes. Whether I could apply the lesson is another matter - I lack the Master's skill - both words and with body - so I could not seek to inflame an opponent as he does, nor handle one with such ease." The Kandori man told the former Warder. Yfan's blue eyes did not leave the match and he doubted now that this was truly instructive for him. No two men were perfectly alike, and the Master's strengths were not Yfan's. <br><br>It was intriguing to watch Theraeve. It was a wise move to yield position and then consolidate so as to attack from it. As a tall man, Yfan was accustomed to smaller opponents attacking his legs and trying to take away his vertical base to eliminate his advantage of reach, and knew well enough how to fight from his back. While they contested with arms, Yfan cocked his head. He expected one or the other to deliver a head butt or perhaps a bite, but neither employed such a maneuver.<br><br>"Were I in the Aes Sedai's position, I would have struck the Master with my forehead," Yfan said to Rhoven, "or sought to bite him. Perhaps in the cheek or nose." For a moment he turned his blue eyes over to Rhoven. "Would you judge that an improper course of action?" Yfan knew that Rhoven was the more experienced, though the gap in years was slim.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cerigo</strong> on <strong>25-08-2015, 06:15:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/9/90/WTMaster.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Kalain Baneron (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11561809#msg11561809)<br><strong>Position:</strong>Master of Arms, Pain in the Ass, Most Pompous of ass<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Theraeve Valaim<br><strong>Time:</strong> Saven 6th | 990 NE | Afternoon<br><strong>Place:</strong> Training Grounds<br><strong>Warning:</strong> <br><hr><br>“Good, good.” He chuckled softly causing his entire body to shake and giving her a few more inches within her hold. It had set him back but it was worth it. “I mean, I would hate for you to be feeling like I was not making proper accommodations after all.” It would not do, an Aes Sedai coming to his sands and not feeling at home. If he was not careful the Master of Arms would develop a reputation! They pushed at each other, each trying to get a minor foot hold upon the other. He had her outmatched and could have ended it several times but how often did he get to taunt a red sister without them threatening to burn his eyebrows off? <br><br>He had time to think more on this as she attempted to push her arms away from him, tsking softly. “No… I rather like them there…” He stole a quick look at her pinned like that it would be an enticing prospect for any male foolish enough to venture this close. She was trained well, at this point many would have given up or started to devolve into a pure scrap. Panic or desperation kicking in as they became immobilized but to her credit she stayed in control. Perhaps he was underestimated her, the good news was that she had not embraced the source yet. The bad news would be she seemed to still have a plan.<br><br>She started to move and he let up, “Is that so, I suppose you should stop placing boys between them and get used to a man.” Her legs shifted, the pressure fading immediately and letting him breathe easily once again. It would be a rookie move to take a deep breath, to gasp for air giving her more to push out, instead he kept his breath even and controlled. The gap of contact let her move her leg up, moving to his shoulder and neck. Now, it would have been hilarious to let her wrap those legs around him to press his head between her thighs as a way to shock the poor red but there would be no escaping that hold and he had to weigh that risk and quick reward for a day of ridicule. In the end, he took the safer way out.<br><br>It allowed him to move, with one hand holding her arms by the wrist knowing full well that he was bound to lose control of at least one his hand slipped down around her waist looping around a leg and keeping it in place so that only one made the journey up to his shoulder. In an impressive feat of strength he lifted them both up, in one smooth motion. One thing would be now clear, he had been holding back on her. With little pomp and far less circumstance he slammed them both back into the sand adding his strength to that of gravity. Unless she thought of more risqué verbal sparring it was approaching time to end this.<br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedMoon</strong> on <strong>25-08-2015, 06:37:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/f/fd/Valdar.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Rhoven Bryce (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11565549#msg11565549)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Valdar, formerly Gaidin<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> None<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Yfan, Kombatants, Open<br><strong>Time:</strong> Afternoon, Saven 6th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Training Grounds<br><strong>Warning:</strong><br><hr><br>Rhoven managed not to twitch at being called Valdar. It was a slow process, but he was getting used to it. He watched the sparring in silence, towel about his neck. They certainly both seemed to do a lot of talking. Rhoven preferred to fight in relative silence, save his breath and give his opponent as few indications what he was thinking or doing as possible. Maybe he had been more talkative back in the day? Janna had teased him about it once, but, he couldn't remember the last time he had attempted something like witty banter. Both combatants were skilled, regardless, Kalain as expected and Theraeve surprisingly so. He hadn't seen her get quite so... Physical, before. He wasn't about to complain.<br><br>"I wouldn't judge it improper, in a real fight." Rhoven agreed with the trainee. A bit rude in a sparring bout, perhaps. "You do whatever you have to, including going for your opponents throat with your teeth." He said grimly. "A sharp blow to the forehead is useful. The skin is thin, and bleeds heavily. You can blind your opponent with their own blood if you get a good strike." He glanced at Yfan again. "A headbutt would be more practical from Th- From the Aes Sedai. She's smaller. It's easier to bring her head up, in to the nose." He shrugged after a moment. "It's easy to make guesses from here, but you don't know until you're in the moment. Keep watching people more skilled than you are. Even if you can't emulate them now, it's something to work towards. You'll be there soon enough." He advised. Hopefully the trainee would take his duties more seriously than Rhoven had, and avoid his mistakes.<br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lithium</strong> on <strong>25-08-2015, 15:21:47</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/c/c1/RedAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Theraeve Valaim (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11557599#msg11557599)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Aes Sedai of the Red Ajah<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> n/a<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Kalain<br><strong>Time:</strong> Early Afternoon, Saven 6th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Training grounds<br><strong>Warning:</strong> n/a<br><hr><br>Ignoring his provocations this time, Theraeve focused on what she wanted to do, the plan still being to clamp her legs around Kal's head until he either lost consciousness or submitted. Judging by the enormous size of his ego, her guess was that he would opt for the former, which suited her just as well. One step at a time, however, and first she still needed to lock the hold in. <br><br>Getting her first leg over his shoulder went smoothly enough, and for a few moments there, Theraeve believed that the end was in sight. Her attempt also drew out a reaction from Kal, in addition to him running his mouth some more, of course. His control over her wrists deteriorated as he got overly ambitious, trying to keep them both pinned with only a single one of his own, so she was able to regain the use of her hands after a brief struggle. <br><br>Putting them to use immediately, she went hunting for her opponent's right arm, aiming to pull it up over his head so that she could trap them both by finally closing the hold with her left leg, which would make any chance of escape even more remote. He succeeded in slowing her down slightly through some clever maneuvering, but he wasn't doing anything to improve his situation, so it was only a matter of time until Theraeve sealed the deal, or so she thought.<br><br>Suddenly, she felt her weight being lifted up until her back no longer touched the ground, a possibility which hadn't even crossed her mind considering the awkward position that she had Kal in. Her eyes widened in shock and time seemed to slow down as she watched his expression contort with exertion while the lean muscles of his neck grew tense. By the point when her brain was able to fully process what was happening, Theraeve was already on her way back down, so it was all that she could do to twist her body to the side, causing her left shoulder to absorb the brunt of the impact rather than her neck or back.<br><br>A dull pain flooded her entire upper body after it hit the ground, her spine and internal organs having been rattled as well, but at least she hadn't been crippled. Despite crying out sharply, she'd also maintained enough presence of mind to scoop up a fistful of sand, which she promptly whipped right at Kal's eyes without any hesitation. Not something that she would have deemed acceptable in the typical sparring match, but as far as she was concerned, it was just payback for the underhanded way in which he'd started it all off.<br><br>Using the diversion, Theraeve planted her foot against his shoulder and pushed him away, using the momentum to roll herself back and land one knee, making it quicker and safer to stand without allowing for any retaliation. Swiftly dashing back into striking distance aggressively, hoping to perhaps catch Kal unprepared, she naturally chose to throw a kick first since her upper body was still reeling after being slammed. Not just any kick, but a tricky little fake-out that she'd come up with herself.<br><br>It would seem as if she was aiming low, only that as she twisted her hips to throw the kick, Theraeve never unbent her knee so that it could actually reach. Instead, she followed through with the movement until her side was turned towards Kal, at which point she stopped abruptly and shifted her momentum back in the opposite direction, finally extending her leg so that it could be raised in an arc and come crashing down with the heel striking at the side of his head. It wasn't the most devastatingly powerful blow, but it was all executed in less than a second, and if it landed without being mitigated at all like it was intended to, then it should certainly be enough to cause some damage and leave him dazed, vulnerable to a more decisive follow-up.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cerigo</strong> on <strong>25-08-2015, 21:40:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/9/90/WTMaster.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Kalain Baneron (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11561809#msg11561809)<br><strong>Position:</strong>Master of Arms, Pain in the Ass, Most Pompous of ass<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Theraeve Valaim<br><strong>Time:</strong> Saven 6th | 990 NE | Afternoon<br><strong>Place:</strong> Training Grounds<br><strong>Warning:</strong> <br><hr><br>The verbal banter seemed to be at an end. He would not mourn the loss, even with winning the last word; the Master of Arms would persevere. Somehow. It did mean that things were starting to get serious. There was no longer a time for quips or even innuendo, at least on her side. He still had quite a few in reserve. So focused on completing the hold she had forgotten the landscape of the fight, the leverage he gave up by the change in position being completely negated by his superior strength. By the time she realized what was happening it was too late. As she came off the ground he felt the way her muscles tensed for the impact the ground shaking. The only reason why she could still move after was the sudden twist at the end.<br><br>Good, she still hadn’t lost her edge.<br><br>There was pain there, if the situation was reversed it would have even drawn more than a grunt from him as well. The dirt however was not something he had really expected. It usually took a year for the Warder to pound into the trainees that there was no honor or glory in a battle. Those things were decided when it was over, the victor claiming them or reshaping history so that others called them that. In a fight to the death there was no middle ground it was life or death, no one ever talked about the honorable dead combatants outside of speeches to widows. Kal hissed softly as the sand got into his eyes and to his credit he did not rear back. Instead he tried to strike where she was within his memory, it however would never connect.<br><br>A foot struck him in the shoulder pushing him away. Without thinking he tucked into a roll, separating them and using the momentum to spring back to his feet. His eyes closed he wiped away the sand with the back of his hand slowly opening them his vision still cloudy but one thing was certain she was on the move. A foot slid behind him, strengthening his stance while bending at the knee. There was no way she would charge him without a plan, it would place their strength against one another and the Sister already knew how that would end. So he went into the contest expecting deception and was not surprised when he found it.<br><br>It was fancy, well thought out, and entirely over engineers. She bent her knee and planted the back leg committing fully to the attack. That would be her undoing. He stepped forward a quick burst of speed pressing them together once more. With most of her power disarmed he only held a hand up as the leg came back down to soften the blow to his head. It struck and the power behind it was more then he expected. His vision fuzzed, the pain flaring up and turning into a flame. The void called, its icy claws reaching up and sliding him down into it. Violence would be there within its cold embrace. Calculating and unremorseful violence.<br><br>He resisted.<br><br>“Good, improvisation and creativity.” He twisted slightly his right hand winding up and reaching out to strike her across the face with the back of it. “Never try something fancy when a normal kick would do. If it succeeds then you might have won but if it fails you leave yourself wide open and your opponent knows even more of what to expect.”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lithium</strong> on <strong>26-08-2015, 02:33:08</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/c/c1/RedAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Theraeve Valaim (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11557599#msg11557599)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Aes Sedai of the Red Ajah<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> n/a<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Kalain<br><strong>Time:</strong> Early Afternoon, Saven 6th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Training grounds<br><strong>Warning:</strong> n/a<br><hr><br>It was almost frightening how sharp Kal's reflexes were. Even though Theraeve was quite confident that she'd disguised her attack successfully and fooled him, the resilient bastard still somehow managed to whip an arm up in time, shielding himself partially from the force of the blow. Her heel did partially connect, so she thought - at least hoped - that it would have some effect, but any advantage would have been lost if she stood around idly, waiting for confirmation.<br><br>Reckless, perhaps, Theraeve committed fully to going in for the proverbial kill, looking to bury a knee into her opponent's now exposed gut. Not expecting Kal to recover so quickly, she was unprepared for the jarring backhand which caught her squarely across the jaw and put a damper on her offense. Seeing stars, she staggered a few steps to the side before nearly going down, but instead she was able to plant one hand against the ground to steady and push herself back up.<br><br>A few white specs floated around behind her eyes as hot pain flared all throughout the left half of her face, which would have been the perfect time for Kal to capitalize and try finishing her off, but luckily for her, he seemed more interested in being a patronizing ass. It was a silver lining of sorts, though Theraeve still felt a sting of humiliation at being lectured and toyed with in such a way. "What can I say, I love to gamble," she retorted dispassionately, unwilling to give him the satisfaction of knowing just how badly the blood was boiling in her veins. However, he'd certainly find a clue in her eyes if he cared to examine them intently enough.<br><br>Right now, the banter worked in Theraeve's favor as she regained her senses, which was the only reason she drew it out. "And almost any risk would seem worth it when weighed against the reward of shutting you up." Peeking her tongue out, she licked over the corner of her bottom lip and tasted blood where the flesh had been split. The taste had never really bothered her in and of itself, but getting bloodied by this self-aggrandizing prick most certainly did. <br><br>Feeling as if she'd sufficiently recovered, the Aes Sedai went back on the offensive once more as droplets of blood dripped down from his chin, leaving small stains in the sand as well as on her shirt, although the latter was almost the same color so they were hardly visible. Being more concerned with Kal's lightning fast counter attacks than before, Theraeve took a more cautious approach, using her speed to pester him with quick jabs (trying hard to keep from wincing every time she threw one) and leg kicks from a distance. <br><br>Constantly threatening to do more if she found a chink in his defense, her goal was to bait something out of him first - hopefully something that she could parry while getting inside his guard so that she could return the favor with palm strike to the bottom of his nose followed up by an elbow to the neck.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cerigo</strong> on <strong>26-08-2015, 06:08:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/9/90/WTMaster.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Kalain Baneron (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11561809#msg11561809)<br><strong>Position:</strong>Master of Arms, Pain in the Ass, Most Pompous of ass<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Theraeve Valaim<br><strong>Time:</strong> Saven 6th | 990 NE | Afternoon<br><strong>Place:</strong> Training Grounds<br><strong>Warning:</strong> <br><hr><br>The impact sent a shock up his arm as it made contact with her face. Just how much strength had he used? Kal looked down at his hand, flexing it a bit as though for the first time seeing it. If he closed his eyes he could have seen the end of the fight. His fingers itched, the muscles trembling along his arms as it longed to follow her stunned form, to strike hard and fast. A quick strike to the head, followed by a kick to the knee to stop her from running and then a twist of the neck. So simple. So quick. It would be over and he would have won. His legs moved forward, the cold feeling deep within his chest spreading out slowly.<br><br>It was her words that saved her in that moment. Pulling him back to his senses as she engaged him once more on the verbal battle field. Kal smiled, a soft chuckle as he nodded in agreement. “I can see that, it is not every day that the Mater of Arms is challenged to a fight, if you are going to aim I see that you aim high.” She was recovering, slower then he was accustomed to. One of the many benefits of the bond that he took for granted. The slightly glassy look of her eyes hardening as she seemed to catch him back in focus once more. “You know, I get that a lot. I suppose I have to find other ways to entertain myself when the fighting bores me.” If the blood was any indication she would most likely have a bruise there, he was going to have to see later if every finger could be made out from the hit in perfect relief to her otherwise smooth skin.<br><br>Then she went on the offensive again. Now she was utilizing her strengths properly, exchanging strength for speed. “Wonderful!” He exclaimed the edge of a thrill in his voice as he moved with her. Constantly stepping into her guard or letting her in close, blocking her punches when she tried to strike someplace vulnerable or letting them through to test her own resilience by making exchanges where he could. “Swing, swing, now block yes very good!”A row of bruises would decorate his chest, his shoulder ached but it had felt good. He could fight like this for hours letting the feeling take him away and as each moment passed he fell into that wonderful rhythm. He started to move faster, started to hit harder, started to hold back less.<br><br>One of her strikes pierced his guard, his face snapped with it lessening the blow but he could feel the warmth spread on it. The trickle of blood that followed as the Thrill grew. The need for battle, the need for violence. His eyes danced as feet planted into the sand to give him more strength. He waited, for the follow up deciding to trade it for his own advantage. Aimed for her stomach, a blow that arced up and hard enough to swing through her as if he were trying to place his fist up within her ribs. He was out of niceties, he was done training, and the only thing left was the lesson.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lithium</strong> on <strong>26-08-2015, 19:37:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/c/c1/RedAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Theraeve Valaim (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11557599#msg11557599)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Aes Sedai of the Red Ajah<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> n/a<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Kalain<br><strong>Time:</strong> Early Afternoon, Saven 6th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Training grounds<br><strong>Warning:</strong> n/a<br><hr><br>Theraeve could try to convince herself all she wanted that she'd come to the training grounds seeking to improve herself, and on some level that was true enough, but it wasn't her primary motivation. It was the exhilaration and danger of the fight that she was chasing, a fight against an opponent trained for that very purpose, one which wouldn't leave her with lingering feelings of regret after it was over. In that sense, she'd actually been fortunate to square off against possibly the most insufferable man that she'd ever met. If they were all like him, Theraeve would surely have adopted the same stance as the rest of her Ajah.<br><br>Currently, all she wanted to do was live in that moment, forgetting everything else that weighed on her for however long it might last. As she and Kal traded blows, it was like a pattern that they were creating together, weaving it with their own bodies rather than the Five Powers. A bloody and violent pattern which only grew more extreme the further that they got wrapped up in it. Fatigue settled in and the bruises piled up, but the arrogance of his unsolicited coaching made sure the embers of passion in her belly kept glowing brightly.<br><br>Without any cause for restraint, Theraeve surrendered herself to her instincts, which was nothing at all like embracing the serenity of saidar, though no less elating. Lost in the heat and frenzy of battle, it also became easier to overextend and make mistakes, which was precisely what happened after she'd bypassed her opponent's guard with a shot that connected particularly well. Smelling blood in the water, Theraeve went in for the kill, only to be stopped inches short when the uppercut to her stomach nearly folded her in half. <br><br>The leather girdle that she wore may just as well have been a sheer wisp of silk for all the protection that it offered her against the vicious blow. With a heavy, almost incredulous gasp, she went down as if her legs had just been sawed off at the knees, landing on all fours. Tendrils of paralyzing agony spread out through her entire torso as Theraeve gasped desperately for air, the suffering playing out visibly over her bloodied face. Bizarrely, even in defeat and with her body screaming in pain, she still found some twisted sense of satisfaction that she could cling to.<br><br>With surrender not being a term that she was familiar with, Theraeve used whatever scraps of energy that she could still muster to shakily push herself back up on one knee as if trying to stand, her eyes somehow still glimmering with zeal even as she struggled to draw breath through her mouth. Being too stubborn to give up, she would rather force him to give their fight the proper conclusion that it deserved.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Caela</strong> on <strong>26-08-2015, 21:54:46</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e8/GreenAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> <strong>Moira Niall</strong> (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11564337#msg11564337)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Sister, Green Ajah<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Kalain Baneron <br><strong>Tag:</strong> Open, Watching Kal and Theraeve<br><strong>Time:</strong> Saven 6th | 990NE | Afternoon<br><strong>Place:</strong> The Training Grounds<br><strong>Warning:</strong><br><hr><br>The fight was intriguing. Of course watching Kal was usually worth a glance or two but he rarely had an opponent who was willing to quite so all out in their pursuit of him. From her perch in the tree she had an excellent view of the sands but she was too far away to hear the banter between the two reliably. Of course she was an Aes Sedai so that was an easy enough thing to fix. Finding her center, the peace that allowed her to tap saidar, it was easy enough to bring a few weaves of Air to shape them almost like a wind funnel that would carry the combatants words to her but wouldn't effect their fight in any way. She had to admit, some of the repartee amused her, while others (particularly the overtly sexual comments made by either fighter) made her want to grind her teeth.<br><br>She and Kal would have a talk about that later.<br><br>As the fight continued, however, a sense of worry started to grow within Moira. While he was having fun and simply taunting the Red sister, Moira was fine but when he started to actually seem more serious, like he might make this a <em>true</em> battle her concern grew. She knew when he started to feel the press of what many swordsman called, "The Void", because it made her sense of him in her head seem to almost flicker. Just as she could shield him from <em>her</em> emotions, when he went to the Void she was shielded, entirely, from his. Her sense of him physically was still there, she could pinpoint him in the dead of night in the middle of a blizzard of whiteout proportions, but when he went to that place her sense of him <em>emotionally</em> all but disappeared.<br><br>The first time she'd felt it she hadn't understood it. Right after Elaine had died she'd felt the new Bond settle on her, felt his excruciating pain at the loss of his Aes Sedai...and then nothing. In her own grief she hadn't paid it much mind as she had slammed down her own mental shields to keep from being utterly overwhelmed by their shared pain. Then, a few months ago, he'd gone with her on one of her, frequent, trips to Saladea. She was a Green, she sought Battle and challenges, and where better to find either than on the Border with the Blight. On a patrol of the Blight with Kal and the men from a small Keep about a days right from Fal Dara they were attacked by a band of Trollocs. The men of Shienar seemed to relish the battle but Kal...as she'd been forming weaves to aid the men she had suddenly lost all sense of him. It had been such a shock she'd almost lost her control of her Weaves, only years of training had allowed her to maintain her control while she searched for, and found, Kal moving with the grace and beauty, and deadly accuracy, of a mountain cat. Where his blade went, enemies fell and there was a beauty in the pureness of the destruction her wrought but the complete absence of his presence in her mind, and the single-mindedness with which he fought, actually scared her. Releasing her weaves to cast a net over the remaining Trollocs, she drew her own sword and fought her way to Kal's side only to realize he was truly lost in his Battle Lust! He even, unwittingly, started to turn on her. Before he could bring his sword to bear however, she'd stepped inside his guard and placed one of her own, battle bloodied, hands on his face and gently spoken his name to draw his attention out of the Void and back to her.<br><br>Now she felt him sliding toward that Void again as he fought Theraeve, and her concern grew. If he went to that still, quiet, place, he would no longer be teaching a lesson but would engage her in earnest and the fight wouldn't stop until one of them was dead. <br><br>She couldn't allow that.<br><br>Without a thought she lept from her perch and pushed her way toward the sands with little care for those she pushed out of her way until she reached the edge. She didn't speak loudly, in fact those closest to her would barely hear her, but she wove the opposite to the pattern of Air she'd used to listen, this time she used the pattern she created to carry her voice directly to whisper in Kal's ear, "This is just a practice bout Kalain Baneron. If you push this Sister to the point that she uses the One Power to kill you and leave me without a Warder I am going to find a way for the living to haunt a Shade!"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cerigo</strong> on <strong>27-08-2015, 19:57:00</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/9/90/WTMaster.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Kalain Baneron (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11561809#msg11561809)<br><strong>Position:</strong>Master of Arms, Pain in the Ass, Most Pompous of ass<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Theraeve Valaim, Rhoven Bryce, Yfan Bravni<br><strong>Time:</strong> Saven 6th | 990 NE | Afternoon<br><strong>Place:</strong> Training Grounds<br><strong>Warning:</strong> <br><hr><br>The sweet tang of copper danced across his lips. It made him smile, the lips pulling up to reveal teeth stained red from the blood. It was a taste every warder knew, a taste that ever warrior understood at an instinctual level. Life. Pain. All of it rolled into a single word. Blood. It was in the air, blood had been spilled and the Thrill of it caused his senses to sharpen. He could feel the impact of his fist, knew that it was over the moment he had touched her with it. This is what fighting would be like, when the end came and either side was no longer holding back. As he watched her fall to the ground and struggle to stand back up he was…disappointed. It was over, she had lost and he…he wanted more.<br><br>The need of it should have scared him. It did scare him but that part was gone now as his eyes found hers. The way they danced with a fire that he understood all too well. She had wanted this, from the very beginning. He took a step forward. The hand at his side balling into a fist, the knuckles bleeding to white as his grip hardened. The muscles trembled and shook as if they were waiting for the next moment, where it would all end. He loomed over her, the smile still there as the emotions started to bleed away from him. Eyes still danced with the thrill of battle, they still burned but now he understood why. The tower had failed her. They could have saved her, could have saved Elaine but instead she was forced to go alone. It was not complete. There was still so much to do, so much weakness so much…<br><br>Kal’s body jolted when he heard the words. It was his name, shattering the walls of the void. Elaine was dead. Her killers had been killed. The warder glanced down at his fist then back at the woman. This would not bring her back. He had a duty, had oaths, to protect these women and right now that meant from people like him. “It’s over.” His voice was cold, empty as he turned away not entirely trusting himself. There would not have been a way for her to tap into the source, he knew how to handle channelers. Strike fast, kill them before they could blink and there was nothing they could do to stop it. “Good fight, we should do it again sometime.” He smiled starting to walk away from the sands, his hand opening up to reveal four half-moon circles and a trickle of blood. That was going to make sword practice and strength training suck the next few days unless he went for healing but it would be a small price to pay.<br><br>Glancing up he saw the gathering crowd pointed at two of the younger men, “You two…” he paused shielding his eyes from the sun to get a better look at them. “Yfan and Rhoven is it? See to the sister then I want you back on the sands within the hour.” If they had time to gawk or as he would have put it when he was young to observe then they better have learned something. Rolling his shoulder a bit he could feel that hunger for another fight building. Maybe if he took them both on at the same time? Would be worth a shot.<br><br>Maybe today wasn’t going to be all that bad.<br>&nbsp;<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedMoon</strong> on <strong>27-08-2015, 20:20:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/f/fd/Valdar.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Rhoven Bryce (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11565549#msg11565549)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Valdar, formerly Gaidin<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Yfan, Theraeve, Kalain, Open<br><strong>Time:</strong> Afternoon, Saven 6th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Training Grounds<br><strong>Warning:</strong><br><hr><br>Rhoven's eyes narrowed as he saw the fight take a turn. He could certainly understand not holding back, but, this was still a sparring match. Whether healing was available after or not, the former Gaidin thought the Master at Arms was pushing too far. Theraeve might have been pushing back, but she was a still an Aes Sedai. Fortunately, whatever had been running through Kalain's head, he had refrained from delivering a finishing blow, much as it seemed like he had been about to. Rhoven relaxed slightly when the Master at Arms turned away from the fight, but grimaced when he and Yfan were singled out to assist. Not that he had any problems with helping, but, he wasn't sure Theraeve would want the assistance. She certainly had pride, as she had demonstrated just now. He bowed his head respectfully in acquiescence, though. Stepping up to the sands, he offered a helping hand to the Red sister.<br><br>"Well fought, Aes Sedai." He said respectfully, "Might I escort you to the infirmary?" He suggested evenly.<br><br>Theraeve didn't seem quite so prickly around men as most Reds, as she had demonstrated simply by being here on the training grounds, but, he had no wish to offend her pride by suggesting that she might need help. Regardless, she was injured, and he wasn't about to let her get away. He would take her by the arm and drag her off for healing if he needed to. Respectfully, of course.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lithium</strong> on <strong>28-08-2015, 07:03:07</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/c/c1/RedAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Theraeve Valaim (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11557599#msg11557599)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Aes Sedai of the Red Ajah<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> n/a<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Kalain, Moira, Rhoven<br><strong>Time:</strong> Early Afternoon, Saven 6th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Training grounds<br><strong>Warning:</strong> n/a<br><hr><br>Fear blended with some sort of manic yearning in Theraeve's gaze when Kalain purposefully stalked back towards her, his lean frame casting shadows over her as he ominously towered over her, blotting out the sun. Meeting his razor-sharp blue eyes, it was as if they were windows to his soul through which she could see beyond the contemptuous and aloof facade, and what she saw left her practically hypnotized. Had it been possible, she might have willingly thrown herself into the tempestuous void that crackled with blazing rage behind those icy irises. <br><br>Without even glancing down, Theraeve's breath caught in her throat as she was somehow acutely aware of the first being balled up into a dangerous weapon. Was she happy to have been defeated? Quite the opposite, she had a sizable ego of her own and absolutely abhorred failure, which left her confused by the way that she was feeling. While her heart pounded wildly, it was as if something incredibly potent and visceral was bleeding out through her chest, transmuting dread and disappointment into anticipation. Any sensation that might make Theraeve forget about her own demons, even if it was that of receiving a painful beating, was still one that she desperately craved.<br><br>That was why her entire body trembled with anger and frustration when it was denied to her. Snapping her head to the side, she noticed the familiar white aura enveloping the Aes Sedai standing at the edge of the sands. Recognizing the simple Air weave used to carry the sound of one's voice, Theraeve immediately jumped to conclusions, blaming Kal's reluctance on this meddling little chit's interference without even hearing a word of what had been spoken.<br><br>Eyes narrowing into a venomous glare directed at Moira, Theraeve applied the technique that she'd taught herself to overcome - or at least circumvent - her own fierce temper when she wanted to tap into the One Power. Rounding up the stormy mess of emotions running rampant through her head, she stuffed them all into an imagined vault where they could be kept temporarily isolated while she channeled. <br><br>Putting together a relatively simple weave of Spirit, she used it to cut through the other woman's Air weave with a quick swipe of her hand. Half a moment later, Theraeve was already forcing herself up to her feet, albeit with great difficulty, slapping Rhoven's hand away abruptly and otherwise ignoring his presence. She was already too focused on her next move, which was another simple weave, this one utilizing Air to lift up a blunted practice sword that had been left discarded a few feet away from where she stood.<br><br>The weapon came flying hilt-first into her grasp while she was already on the move, blitzing forward to slash down across Kalain's shoulder, the strike fueled by every shred of vindictive rage that suddenly erupted back out from the depths of her mind all at once. A mixture between a labored groan and a hoarse, incensed scream escaped from Theraeve's dry throat as the vibrations transferred from the steel through to her bones, and she nearly stumbled back down to the ground herself when the Master of Arms went down.<br><br>The sword slipping from between her fingers when she took a step back on shaky legs, her eyes went wide with horror as she took in the scene and began to realize what she'd just done. Overwhelmed with the scalding flames of shame and guilt that suddenly engulfed her, her chest heaving from her heavy panting, Theraeve turned on her heels and tried to distance herself from the chaos she'd just unwittingly orchestrated, wanting nothing more than to disappear and crawl under a rock somewhere far away.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Caela</strong> on <strong>30-08-2015, 01:58:17</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e8/GreenAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> <strong>Moira Niall</strong> (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11564337#msg11564337)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Sister, Green Ajah<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Kalain Baneron <br><strong>Tag:</strong> Open, Watching Kal and Theraeve<br><strong>Time:</strong> Saven 6th | 990NE | Afternoon<br><strong>Place:</strong> The Training Grounds<br><strong>Warning:</strong><br><hr><br>Moira felt a sense of satisfaction when she felt Kal's surprise jolt through their Bond. She'd gotten through to him and that was all that really mattered to her. It was one thing for him to sink into the Void when they were in the midst of an actual battle, but she'd seen the carnage he could wreak in the silence of that mental emptiness and it wasn't something that should be unleashed on the Training Grounds. Watching him start to walk away she saw him shake out his hands and her lips turned down in a small frown as she watched a few, small, drops of blood fall to the sand. Having cut her own palms on her nails before she knew what he had done, and that it would make sword practice a literal pain for the next couple of days but it served him right, he really should have paid more attention to what he was doing and not let himself get caught up like that!<br><br>Drawing her weave back to release it, the only excuse she had for what happened next was complete and utter shock. She saw Theraeve start to move but was surprised when the white aura that covered any woman when she channeled sprang up around the other Sister. Later she would berate herself for being slow but in all honesty she didn't expect such an overt attack within the walls of the Tower itself! Only her complete surprise, and the fact that she was already releasing her Weave, allowed the Red Sister to actually sever the Weave she'd been holding. Feeling her Weave cut off her eyes narrowed sharply and she kept her grip on Saidar, refusing to let it go in case the other woman's attention should go to a full out attack. The Red would no longer have the element of surprise, if she meant to attack she'd wasted her opportunity and put Moira on the defensive, a place she was used to being. With her actual Battle experience she doubted the other woman would be able to beat her in an all out fight, but she had learned to never underestimate her enemies.<br><br>And what Theraeve did next made them enemies.<br><br>Too far away to stop her, all she could do was watch as the Red Sister used Saidar to call a practice sword to her and attack Kal from behind! Through their Bond she felt the sudden jolt and pain of the strike, knew his skin had opened under it, but also knew it wasn't life threatening. It was only a practice sword after all, not a fully sharpened blade. She knew he would be fine but still looked to one of the Trainees nearby and barked a sharp order, "Go get a Yellow Sister," and when he didn't move quickly enough because he was gaping she added, "<em>NOW,</em>" to get him moving.<br><br>Seeing the Trainee speed off she drew a breath and turned a sharp glare in the direction that Theraeve was heading. Watching the woman try and slink away after what she'd just done made Moira's blood want to boil and she released Saidar while drawing one of the daggers that were always in a sheath at her waist. Flipping it to grasp the blade she took careful aim before letting her body twist slightly as her arm drew back, using her fully body to give the blade momentum as she released it with practices ease. There was a small frisson of satisfaction that ran through her body as she watched the sharpened steel sink into the ground right in front of the Red Sister. Her intention was to stop the other woman in her tracks and when their gazes met, there was nothing friendly or laughing in the Green's eyes, in fact her gaze was cold and threatening and showed the edges of her personality that allowed her walk without fear into the Blight with a band of Shinaran or Saladaen Warriors to bring the fight to their enemies.<br><br>When she spoke her voice was calm, but just as cold as the look in her eyes, "Beating my Warder in a fair fight is one thing, attacking him when his back is turned is another thing entirely. If I <em>ever</em> catching you playing the hotheaded coward again Theraeve, especially when that cowardice harms what is <em>mine</em>, you won't walk away from these sands."<br><br>Her threat given she allowed saidar to fill her once more, breathing in the peace that allowed her to channel before holding out her hand and using the Source to call her blade from the earth and back to her hand. Wiping the small flecks of dirt that clung to it on the legs of her breeches she re-sheathed the weapon before giving the Red Sister her back and turning her attention, at last, to her Warder. It took only a few steps to carry her to his side to sink down next to him and give him a light push on his shoulder, "Let me see, I'm no Yellow but I can manage some basic healing," she grumbled knowing she didn't have the mental fortitude right now to keep him from feeling the fury that still flowed through her veins or the fear that it was based on. If it hadn't been a practice sword that Theraeve had taken up, he could have been seriously hurt and she'd been too far away and too caught off guard to do a damned thing about it!<br><br>It gave her some perspective on his own grumbling at her some days.<br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>30-08-2015, 07:21:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/f/fa/Trainee.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Yfan Bravni<br><strong>Position:</strong> Trainee<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> None<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Rhoven Bryce, Open<br><strong>Time:</strong> Early Afternoon, Saven 6th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Training grounds<br><strong>Warning:</strong> <br><hr><br>At the order of the Master at Arms, Yfan moved forward towards the Red sister Theraeve. The Valdar Rhoven approached and offered his hand, only for it to be slapped away. What happened next was unexpected, and Yfan was unable to react as Theraeve used the One Power to propel a training sword through the air, to her hand, charge the Master at Arms, and strike him down. When the aftermath of that transpired in another Aes Sedai appearing and cutting Theraeve off before the Red Sister could complete her flight before Yfan could do anything, the Trainee felt like an abject failure. The Kandori man may as well not have even been there for all the effect he had upon these events. The same was true of the events at the fair where his inaction allowed Ishara to come to harm.<br><br>It was very easy to consider that if Theraeve were striking at someone to whom Yfan was bonded, he would have just allowed her to die because of inaction. There was no logical acrobatics that could change that he'd just stood there like a woolheaded conscript rather than the hardened soldier he thought he was. Ishara was right. He was just a woolheaded sheepherder. Another trainee was dispatched to fetch a Yellow sister. A tense feeling roiled in Yfan's stomach. He did not know what to do with himself now. Should someone try to put Theraeve in irons? Was it even a crime? <br><br>"I do not know what to do, Valdar." Yfan said to the other man. He did not give voice to the sense of failure he experienced; that was not what a man should do in these circumstances. The more crucial thing was the Master at Arms, who was being tended. But without purpose or direction Yfan was floundering and looked to someone more senior in rank for each.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cerigo</strong> on <strong>31-08-2015, 18:31:16</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/9/90/WTMaster.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Kalain Baneron (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11561809#msg11561809)<br><strong>Position:</strong>Master of Arms, Pain in the Ass, Most Pompous of ass<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Theraeve Valaim, Rhoven Bryce, Yfan Bravni, Moira Niall<br><strong>Time:</strong> Saven 6th | 990 NE | Afternoon<br><strong>Place:</strong> Training Grounds<br><strong>Warning:</strong> <br><hr><br>The fight was over and the Master of Arms could still feel the heat in his blood, the need to finish it fully roaring in his ears as he walked away. He had almost lost himself. Again. Aes Sedai fully trained and even willing to brave his sands were few and far between if he had finished it, it would have been impossible. So lost in those dark thoughts that he failed to heed the itch between his shoulders, the way the wind shifted and caused every hair at the back of his neck stand on it. Something was happening and in the relatively safe confines of the training area he had ignored it. There was no scuffle, no gasp or even scream as she drew the practice sword. No warning from his men only shock as his vision shifted from the sands to absolute white.<br><br>The pain caught up to him next, the trained reflexed that had been honed as sharp as any blade failing to react fast enough. The muscles tensed but it was already too late. They valiantly resisted the sword, weighted with iron to provide a workout for even the best of warders, but something had to give. He fell to one knee trying to dampen the impact to turn it into a roll but the moment it touched the ground the bone gave and then cracked. The world was alight once again, instinct reaching for the blade that was not there. He needed to think, needed to…he pushed the pain away. There would be time for that instead he focused his mind inward taking stock of the injuries.&nbsp; The muscles in his shoulder flexed and while he could still move the arm he could feel sharp knife of pain pressing against his control.<br><br>Left handed.<br><br>Holding his arm close to his body in a make shift spring he turned sharply eyes alight with a fire that was rarely seen within the sands. His one good hand caught the practice blade before it hit the ground, slipping over it until it settled in the hilt. The sands erupted in chaos after that and Kal remained still eyes burned into the red as she realized what she had done. If looks could kill, if he could focus all of the hate, the need, the lust for blood in that moment she could see it all behind his blue eyes. Then she ran. He pushed up to his legs again shaking not from the pain but from the adrenaline that begged for him to act, to fight to do anything other than just stand here. Before he could persue he felt a push on his shoulder as though it was distant almost happening to another man.<br><br>He snarled turning sharply the muscles in his arm flexing and preparing to strike. It was only the dark eyes of his Aes Sedai that had saved her. If it had been anyone else to touch him, anyone else to get in the way of his quarry then it would have ended poorly but she… she seemed to be able to push through the haze of violence that clung to him. “It’s broken.” He spoke, voice detached tossing the blade to a nearby trainee to be cleaned and put back on the rack. Blood had a tendency to deteriorate the equipment. That caused him to pause, when did he start bleeding. Taking a look over at his shoulder and the growing pool of red he could see it was rather recent. He could feel her rage, but next to his it looked like a candle in an already burning inferno. There was so much of it, and until now he had tried to keep it hidden tried to keep it tempered by the void. She would know. Could feel what he was capable of where everyone else could only guess.<br><br>He would need to handle that later right now the men needed tending.<br><br>“Yfan,” his voice was sharp carrying the authority that only a man used to command could take, “Rule Number Fourteen.” He paused to see if he would remember but kept going before he could speak. “If you are going to strike a man in the back make sure he never gets up. Now, I want you to run laps until you find five warders, each time drop and give them twenty pushups and ask for them to get a training blade. On your next time around they are going to attack you. You can stop running laps until every one of them has failed to hit you.” There, hopefully that will get the man used to surprise but already his mind was working on what would be next. Every man froze the first time they were confronted with unrestrained violence, the good news was this time it didn’t have to cost any lives.<br><br>Dismissing the man with a nod he turned back to the Green Sister, “You or them it doesn’t matter. I will live,” He looked down at his hands and the small cuts, “guess I won’t have to worry about these after all now.” Kal was slowly pushing that anger down with each passing moment, bottling it back up in the place beyond the void. He would need it, but now it would only make things worse.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedMoon</strong> on <strong>31-08-2015, 19:43:59</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/f/fd/Valdar.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Rhoven Bryce (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11565549#msg11565549)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Valdar, formerly Gaidin<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Yfan, Theraeve, Kalain, Moira<br><strong>Time:</strong> Afternoon, Saven 6th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Training Grounds<br><strong>Warning:</strong><br><hr><br>Things sure went from bad to worse in a hurry. If he had been half convinced that Kalain was going to kill the Red Sister before, he was completely convinced after she struck him in the back. He wasn't sure he would have been able to stop her from landing the blow if he had wanted to, given the anger in her eyes and the fact that she had been channeling. Too late to interpose himself between them, at any rate, and if he had, he might have just been killed by both of them. Thankfully, Light be praised, neither of them decided to follow through. He would never have claimed to be the most rational or stable person in the tower, after what he had been through, but, he had never seen such a vicious display on the training grounds, and it did raise some doubts about the stability of both the Master at Arms, and his... Business partner, or whatever Theraeve was. And she had lectured him about not holding back? He had to hold back a laugh at the thought of giving her the same lecture. Doing so might prove fatal. In truth, he was as uncertain as Yfan, and he grimaced at the question.<br><br>"Not much you can do when people get like that." He muttered. Still, if everyone who lashed out in anger during training was kicked out or imprisoned, there would hardly be anyone left. Injuries happened. Pride interfered. Anger took hold. It happened, if rarely with such... Spectacle. Hopefully Yfan had learned a valuable life lesson from all of this, but, Rhoven would be burned if he knew what it was. At least the Master at Arms had composure enough left to send the trainee off practicing.<br><br>The Green Sister, whom he didn't recognize, seemed just as furious as everyone else involved, and perhaps just as ready to attack Theraeve. That, he wasn't willing to get in the middle of. If Kalain had lashed out again, he might have been prepared to try and tackle him or interpose himself to stop the fight, but, if two Aes Sedai decided to duke it out in anger... Well, fortunately again, cooler heads prevailed. Shaking his head slightly, he followed after Theraeve, only approaching once it seemed like she and the Green sister weren't going to kill each other.<br><br>"Again, Aes Sedai, I would like to escort you to the infirmary." He suggested quietly. "Please." He added. It wouldn't do her any good to hang about here, and she had taken quite a beating.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lithium</strong> on <strong>01-09-2015, 00:40:28</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/c/c1/RedAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Theraeve Valaim (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11557599#msg11557599)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Aes Sedai of the Red Ajah<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> n/a<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Kalain, Moira, Rhoven<br><strong>Time:</strong> Early Afternoon, Saven 6th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Training grounds<br><strong>Warning:</strong> n/a<br><hr><br>The dagger burying itself point-first into the sand at Theraeve's feet was enough to stop her in her tracks and get her to turn around to see who'd thrown it, though she could already make an educated guess. Unsurprisingly, she was greeted by the sight of the Green Sister, standing a short distance away and clearly fuming about the events that had just transpired. She wasn't aware of the exact nature of Moira's relationship with the Mater of Arms, although the verbal lashing which followed all but confirmed the Bond between them.<br><br>Meeting the other woman's hostile glare, Theraeve wrinkled her nose slightly at being called a coward, but her expression remained blank and detached for the most part, the shock of her own actions still maintaining a tight grip over her. The words still cut her, and under any other circumstances, the red Aes Sedai would have never suffered such a disparaging comment, but in this case she couldn't bring herself to argue. If Moira decided to come after her with more than a warning shot, she wouldn't have put up any amount of resistance either. Theraeve almost invited it to happen, knowing that she deserved that punishment and worse.<br><br>Contenting herself with her threat, however, the Green Sister turned back to tend to her Warder. For some reason, Theraeve couldn't help but steal a quick glance at the man, knowing exactly what she would see. The sheer intensity of his hatred and furious lust was staggering, sending the most visceral chill running down her spine before she turned away to leave once more, heading for the southern gate.<br><br>The sound of Rhoven's voice made the left side of her face twitch when he caught up to her. The hypocrisy of her own actions after having berated him for his lack of self-control during the mission they'd undertaken together wasn't lost on her, and that made him just about the last person that she wanted anywhere in her vicinity. "Only way you're escorting me anywhere is if you drag me," Theraeve snapped at him, betting more on his reluctance to lay a hand on her rather than her own ability to repel him in her current state.<br><br>Keeping an elbow pressed against her ribs which caused her enough pain that she couldn't walk properly, instead dragging her feet with difficulty through the sand, Theraeve kept her head down and stubbornly fought through it until she could leave the Tower grounds.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cold Heritage</strong> on <strong>02-09-2015, 04:37:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/f/fa/Trainee.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Yfan Bravni<br><strong>Position:</strong> Trainee<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> None<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Closed<br><strong>Time:</strong> Dusk, Saven 6th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Training grounds<br><strong>Warning:</strong> Yfan spends enough time running alps and getting hit that afternoon transitions to dusk<br><hr><br>The sharp tone of authority was one that Yfan responded to quickly and readily. Enough drilling allowed him that, at least. The rule came to Yfan after some thought and after the Master at Arms began to recite it for Yfan. The trainee nodded his head at the Master's command. It gave Yfan a sense of security to hear those words; there was a comfort in being punished. It brought a certain closure to the scenario that did not entirely banish Yfan's shame, but eased his anxiety over his failure to act at all.<br><br>The trainee left the area of the sands to run the laps instructed. He still bore the yoke over his shoulders, and he found, in time, five warders. Each of them bore a heron-marked blade at their hips, but Yfan was too consoled in the feeling of being punished to care that each man was so skilled with a blade that dodging would be all but impossible. To each warder the trainee relayed the directive of the Master at Arms, and when pressed recited verbatim the Master's words. The push-ups were easy enough the first time around. It was one hundred over all, but there was time enough between to recuperate to a degree. Yfan was in excellent condition; for all of his shortcomings one could not fault his conditioning. The first warder struck Yfan in the leg, taking the limb out from Yfan. The second struck Yfan in the midsection. The third struck Yfan's left bicep. That made future push-ups more difficult. The fourth struck Yfan's other leg. The trainee's ability to run was inhibited by that, and he forced himself to run at an odd, lop-sided gait. The fifth warder struck Yfan in the groin, to which the trainee released a muted grunt through clenched teeth, unable to keep from crying out at that strike. The warder struck Yfan again in the ribs; a discretionary punishment for crying out at a blow. <br><br>Yfan ran many laps and suffered many blows. Some of the warders had other business, so Yfan was obliged to find new ones to strike him - and these men proved too to be masters. The sun was setting and Yfan had not managed to dodge a single blow. Though not for lack of effort, however. The trainee could scarcely run and his blood and sweat watered the sands, and each time he approached a warder he gamely tried to avoid the impact of the training blade, and each time the training implement found his flesh. He had long since stopped feeling the impacts. <br><br>"I fear that you are not a man for whom pain is instructive." One of the warders quipped after he struck a blow that sent Yfan to the ground and broke the trainee's nose. Yfan lay face down, face plastered to the sand, sucking air and pushing with trembling, burning, protesting arms to try and right himself. "Have you dodged even a single attack?"<br><br>"No, gaidin." Yfan said, swords slurred because of a large bruise on the side of his face. His broken nose did not help. It was bleeding freely, flowing down into the sand. The warder made a sound of acknowledgement.<br><br>"Flaming lummox." The gaidin said as Yfan righted himself.<br><br>The next gaidin switched the training sword to his other arm as Yfan approached - the other having grown tired from striking Yfan so many times for so long. "Ashes, lad. My arm's tired as a sailor's a year without shore leave. If you don't bloody dodge this it'll be the last time." The gaidin warned, and Yfan tried to gauge where the blade would land and avoid it, but all he saw was a bright light and then he knew only darkness. He did not dodge.<br><br>Yfan awoke and unspecified amount of time later, and all five training swords rested before him, their points driven into the ground. His entire body ached, but his head was especially troublesome. His broken nose bothered him a great deal, and when he touched his temple experimentally, he found a large bump that felt like an egg. Despite the pain, he probed gently, trying to see if his skull was cracked. His vision swam and a wave of nausea swept over him. There was nothing to come up, but that did not stop Yfan from dry heaving some anyway. <br><br>When he recovered, Yfan looked around the training grounds and found, to his dismay, that there was no one else there.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RedMoon</strong> on <strong>04-09-2015, 04:26:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/f/fd/Valdar.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Rhoven Bryce (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11565549#msg11565549)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Valdar<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Theraeve<br><strong>Time:</strong> Afternoon, Saven 6th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Training Grounds -&gt; Exit<br><strong>Warning:</strong><br><hr><br>The poor Valdar frowned as Theraeve rebuffed his attempts to assist her, and stormed off. Or, hobbled off anyway. Limped. He strongly considered picking her up and carting her off to the infirmary against her will. She wouldn't be able to stop him, unless she tried to channel, but, he suspected she wouldn't. Probably. Still, best not to underestimate the anger of a woman in her condition. Other problems would also arise if other Red Sisters saw a man carrying off a no doubt yelling and struggling member of their own Ajah, and he certainly didn't want to deal with that, even if Theraeve didn't stab him herself. Perhaps it would just be better if he returned to his training... He threw a sidelong glance back at the sands, where the crowd was dispersing, and people were getting back about their business. The Master at Arms had instructed him to see to her, but, if she didn't want help, what could he do? He clenched his teeth angrily at the thought. Stubborn woman. He was only trying to ensure she got the treatment she needed, but, she was too prideful for her own good. It wasn't like he actually would have lectured her about losing control of her temper... Not much, anyway.<br><br>Sighing in frustration, he marched back across the grounds to put his training blade back and pick up his actual sword. Dropping his towel, he pulled his shirt back on and started back off across the grounds after her. Fine. If she didn't want to go, he would just follow her until she had calmed down or passed out. Then he would carry her back. The Amyrlin wouldn't be pleased if a member of her little task force got stabbed in a back alley. Or if any Aes Sedai did, really. He wouldn't be able to forgive himself if he let something happen to her either, even if she wasn't exactly his responsibility. Just a little bit. Muttering irritably under his breath, he stalked off after the sulking Sister, to watch over her and give her some space until she was prepared to be sensible. As if women were ever sensible. Sigh.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Caela</strong> on <strong>04-09-2015, 23:16:05</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e8/GreenAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> <strong>Moira Niall</strong> (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11564337#msg11564337)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Sister, Green Ajah<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Kalain Baneron <br><strong>Tag:</strong> Open, Watching Kal and Theraeve<br><strong>Time:</strong> Saven 6th | 990NE | Afternoon<br><strong>Place:</strong> The Training Grounds<br><strong>Warning:</strong><br><hr><br>Moira let a small frown pull her lips down when Kal said it didn't matter who healed him. It <em>did</em> matter. Her skills with healing weren't great, mostly things she'd learned on one battlefield or another but she could set a broken and that's what he seemed to have. A couple of torn muscles as well but she could knit those back together. If the Red had sliced him with an actual sword instead of bludgeoning him with a wooden practice blade he'd have been beyond her meager battlefield skills but, as it was, this was simple enough to handle.<br><br>Stilling her mind enough to do it, however, that was another story. She was still furious and a part of that rage was the very real fear that if Theraeve had picked up a real sword, Kal would likely have been dead before anyone could act. Fear and anger did not make good companions when one needed to tap into the Source. She also wasn't thrilled that, no doubt, <em>he'd</em> feel those roiling emotions and know that she was worried about, no afraid for, <em>him</em>.<br><br>That alone was maddening.<br><br>Drawing a ragged breath she let her eyes fall closed, concentrating on the sound of her breathing until her mind stilled and she could touch the peace that was the Source. When her gaze drifted open once more, it was with that calm stare that so many found unnerving about the Aes Sedai. Having knelt beside him, Moira now let her fingers move above Kal's collarbone, her hands dancing to form a weave of energy that would sink down into the man before her and pulls his bones back into alignment while knitting the muscles around them firmly back together as well. It wasn't as smooth as a Yellow could have done and she couldn't make it painless, but neither would he ever have to be concerned about a lack of healing when they sought out battles together. Oh there were things that were well beyond her skills, but she could, usually, stabilize a person well enough to reach a more skilled healer. <br><br>When she felt the bones knitting themselves back together as well she released the Source, a gentle smile curving her lips for just a second before her gaze settled on her Warder once more, and without thinking, her right hand lashed out and slapped his uninjured shoulder, "Never do that again!" she growled before her voice dropped so low only he would hear her words, "If you are going to push a Sister far enough that she truly tries to kill you, kill her first. I'd prefer not to start a war with any of my Sisters, but I damned well protect what's mine, and make no mistake about it Kalain Baneron, <em>you</em> are <em>mine</em>."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cerigo</strong> on <strong>08-09-2015, 21:53:50</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/9/90/WTMaster.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Kalain Baneron (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11561809#msg11561809)<br><strong>Position:</strong>Master of Arms, Pain in the Ass, Most Pompous of ass<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Moira Niall<br><strong>Time:</strong> Saven 6th | 990 NE | Afternoon<br><strong>Place:</strong> Training Grounds<br><strong>Warning:</strong> <br><hr><br>The storm howled. It was not just fueled by his own anger, a fire that had going long before the death of Elaine and only fanned to an inferno that sought to overwhelm him, but by that of the bond as well. He could feel the heat, the way her rage complimented his own but when he sought it out, searched through the bundle of emotions tightened at the back of his head looking for the near constant source of stabilization he instead found fear. The storm shivered. It had waited for this moment, waited to pull free from the chains of iron control that the Master of Arms had subdued it in. <br><br>It shook the foundations, ripping free, screaming for him to act. Kal’s body trembled with it. The need was overwhelming. It was only when Moira started to channel that she pushed such emotions away that he was able to hold it back. It danced behind his eyes, an almost inhuman fire that wanted nothing more than to watch the world burn.<br><br>The heat clashed with the icy calm of the Aes Sedai as their gazes met. There would be no hiding now, it was a rare moment were all pretense was cast aside between them. Even in the heat of their embrace, when passion overwhelmed thought there had been those iron chains of control. Now she saw him one step closer to the brink, the abyss that Elaine’s death had pushed him to, the one that he had crawled back to bring her body to be put to rest. It was all there, a story written of the things he had to do the pain he had to endure, and the wish for a good death. <br><br>The healing weave hit him next. The weaves acting like ice water being injected into his veins as the skin and bone physically moved within his body. No matter how many times he had experienced the sensation was always jarring. The breathe was torn from his lungs as he gasped the pain whiting out his vision once more as the bone snapped back into place and was mended whole within a second. Kal had to grit his teeth to avoid any more of an audible sound as the power worked leaving him shaking but for an entirely different reason now. He waited there for half a heartbeat, instinct propelling his now good hand to catch hers by the wrist, his strength like steel as he held it in place.<br><br>“Do not presume to lecture me girl. I was holding a sword before you were even a blink in your mother’s eyes.” His voice was soft but cold, speaking through his teeth. The Master of Arms still boiled with the anger but he still retained enough intelligence that to insult an Aes Sedai in such a way in public was just as suicidal as walking into the blight. “You have seen nothing, the day I push one of you to the point where you fear for your life, you will already be dead. There is no half way Moira, anywhere outside of these sands I fight to live.” It went back to the first rule. One that almost every trainee that had spent personal time learning from the Master of Arms understood.<br><br>The moment you draw your sword you are already dead. You fight to live. Every swing of your sword is for a beat of your heart, every form is for a breathe in your lungs. Fight to Live.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Caela</strong> on <strong>13-09-2015, 17:18:46</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e8/GreenAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> <strong>Moira Niall</strong> (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11564337#msg11564337)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Sister, Green Ajah<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Kalain Baneron <br><strong>Tag:</strong> Open, Watching Kal and Theraeve<br><strong>Time:</strong> Saven 6th | 990NE | Afternoon<br><strong>Place:</strong> The Training Grounds<br><strong>Warning:</strong><br><hr><br>Moira didn't miss it. She saw, and felt, the fury raging inside of her Warder, knew where they stemmed from, and felt him managing to leash it just as she reigned in her own emotions in order to channel. Because he was able to reign it in she was able to focus on the immediate need of healing him, but she noted it all the same, to be examined later. She had no doubt the damned Yellows that harassed him every week, prying into his life and emotions, would have a field day with this days happenings and was beyond glad she didn't have to deal with that particular quirk of his fate. <br><br>Little did she know that small gratitude would be short lived.<br><br>When their eyes met she was taken slightly aback, without any sort of pretense or control between them she could see deeper into him than she ever had before and that seeing, that knowledge, would have shaken her to her very core if she hadn't already been touching the Source. Caught in the peace that one needed to channel, nothing could shake her in that moment,&nbsp; but, as with his rage, the new knowledge was seen, noted, and filed away for when she had more leisure to examine it. It was there though, in her eyes, as she held his gaze, the knowing was there and he would know that while she might not use it against him, she wouldn't forget, and it would always be there now, between them, until they dealt with it.<br><br>Sometimes she wondered if a Warder was really worth the trouble, but Elaine had seen fit to transfer his Bond instead of taking him into danger with her which meant she wanted him to live and Moira wouldn't negate her deceased friends final wish for this man.<br><br>Or didn't think she would until he growled at her. Done healing him she released the source and her own emotions came surging back to the forefront. Still deeply enmeshed in their bond there would be no hiding her own rage, her own confusion or fear. Even though none of those things would show on her cool Aes Sedai features, he'd feel them between them before she was able to wrap her own chains of control on her emotions and answer his anger with her own, distant, fury. Unlike his, Moira's rage wasn't a thing that would burn the world, it was cold, calculating, and patient. It was a thing that would outlast the Wheel itself in order to break those she deemed responsible for the death of her friend. Oh he'd taken care of those physically responsible, but Elaine had been deeply enmeshed in her causes and Moira had never had any doubt that there was someone else, someone with power and influence, someone who had given the order to have an Aes Sedai killed and kept their own lily white hands clean in the process. It was this person her own anger wanted to bring to wrack and ruin. <br><br>Pushing such thoughts aside she faced Kal's words with an expression of complete, and utter, indifference that only he would know was nothing more than an Aes Sedai facade, "Liar. You forget Master at Arms, I can see inside your head, I can feel what you feel. Ever since your return, you haven't been fighting to <em>live</em>, you've been fighting the urge to die and that's not the same thing at all. So choose Kalain Baneron. Decide what is more precious to you, your life or your death. Elaine chose your life but if you wish to dishonor her final wish and choose your death say so, speak up Master at Arms and I'll free you of your Bond so you can go see Trollocs in the Blight, or throw yourself on your own sword. If you want, in any part of you, however, to honor Elaine then <em>live</em>, don't just exist but live your life."<br><br>As she spoke she yanked her wrist, pulling herself free of the grip holding her and trying not to let her mind wander to other moments, some just the night before, when those strong hands had held her. It was a shock to realize how much she'd miss him if he chose freedom and death over remaining but she couldn't force him to stay. Couldn't force him to do anything more than go through the motions of living a life he clearly didn't value anymore. It wasn't an argument she'd expected to bring to a head quite yet, but there it was anyway, brought forth in a burst of anger and now a wash of sadness at the thought of losing him. Folding her arms across her chest she spun on one heel, turning her back so that she wouldn't have to look at him for a moment, drawing a deep breath and trying to find enough control to put her mental shields back in place. The last thing she wanted was for him to feel what she was feeling, for him to know she'd miss his gruff presence if he chose to leave. Staying had to be <em>his</em> choice, not something he felt guilted into by her emotions.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cerigo</strong> on <strong>17-09-2015, 16:02:50</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/9/90/WTMaster.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Kalain Baneron (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11561809#msg11561809)<br><strong>Position:</strong>Master of Arms, Pain in the Ass, Most Pompous of ass<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Moira Niall<br><strong>Time:</strong> Saven 6th | 990 NE | Afternoon<br><strong>Place:</strong> Training Grounds<br><strong>Warning:</strong> <br><hr><br>Their eyes met, and she could see the beginning of that storm. The way the waves of anger rose, swirling, building upon each other until it threatened to consume the small little island in the middle. It would have been easy to give in, so easy. They would not have been able to stop him, the battle would be glorious. The trained men of the tower, the clash of steel and the rush of a battle. His blood sang within his veins, urging him forward. Urging him to act. He was a fighter, every piece of him born, bred, and trained to resist the Shadow in all its forms. He would fight, not because he wanted to, but because he had to. With a growl he pushed back against the storm wall, he would not give in not today not…<br><br><em>Liar</em><br><br>Her voice cut through the anger, straight to the heart. There was a moment where it stilled, frozen in time each droplet of anger, each time he had failed, each time he had lost, every death that was laid at his feet in perfect detail. The storm…turned. “You can see? You can feel?” The voice had gone cold, moving closer to her not letting her get away, not letting anything get away between them, how could she understand. How could she know what it felt like to feel someone die, to lose the part of yourself that lived within the other person. The Aes Sedai could replace that part, rebuild it with the sweet embrace of the source. They could live, but the warders. They were already dead. He fought to live. He fought to survive. He fought. He…<br><br>Let go.<br><br>Her hand slipped from his grip, but it would not save her not today. “You know nothing little girl, but I will show you.” There had been no time to grieve, no time to understand. Elaine had died and he had acted on instinct. Hunting them all down and separating their heads from their necks but as each one fell the bloodlust did not fade. They thought he had wanted to die, he had thought that as well but he was starting to understand now. He wanted to kill. The only time that the Master of Arms felt alive was when he held that blade, when he fought. Elaine had taken the good parts of him with her, now this was what was left. The warrior. The proud borderlander. The anger.<br><br>He showed it to her, no games no walls of the void that he could hide his rational mind in and steer it. The muscles in his jaw rippled, his teeth groaning at the pressure threatening to crack. Moira stepped away, presenting her back and uncaring he stepped forward hand slipping to her hip fingers like iron holding her in place with the barely restrained fury. She would bruise there, he knew. He knew just how much her body could take before it broke. “We are not done yet Aes Sedai.” He would not stay out of love for Elaine. She was gone and nothing could replace her. He would not stay for vengeance, those that had killed her were already gone.<br><br>“We still have so much to kill.”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Caela</strong> on <strong>05-10-2015, 14:04:29</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e8/GreenAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> <strong>Moira Niall</strong> (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11564337#msg11564337)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Sister, Green Ajah<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Kalain Baneron <br><strong>Tag:</strong> Open, Watching Kal and Theraeve<br><strong>Time:</strong> Saven 6th | 990NE | Afternoon<br><strong>Place:</strong> The Training Grounds<br><strong>Warning:</strong><br><hr><br>They were making quite the scene and for once, she didn't care. This was an argument that would have been better suited to the privacy of one of their rooms but it had come to a head here, very much in public, and now that it had, Moira wasn't going to back down from it. Her eyes flashed with fury when he called her "little girl" but only he would be close enough to see it and only he would know he had breached the Aes Sedai coolness that held her features. Anyone else would likely know she was angry from the tone of her words, or the tight way she held her body but her face...her face betrayed nothing.<br><br>Of course he didn't need her face to know he hadn't just cracked that cool exterior, he'd breached it fully, splitting her emotions wide open until, mentally, she lay raw before him. If he wasn't caught up entirely in his own fury he'd feel hers, and feel the underlying fear at the root of it and beyond all that, despite all that, an thread of desire would between them as well. How not when that sure grip released her wrist only to be transferred to her hip when she turned her back to him. That bruising hand on her hip making her draw the barest of&nbsp; gasps and sending a shiver down her spine that only he would feel.<br><br>This had become a recent annoyance to her within the last few months. Arguing with him often led to other passions igniting as well.<br><br>With his voice growling in her ear, he could have said almost anything and she might have melted into him. Might have if there had been just a little less anger, a little more of other things, but his fury, his bloodlust, they pounded at her mind through the Bond they shared and distracted her from the reactions of her body. Being Aes Sedai, the body could be put aside, could all but be ignored, while the mind was occupied and he was entirely occupying her mind at the moment.<br><br>"Not so many, or not so many that are important. Just one, just one to be hunted, captured, and put to our mercy," she all but hissed, her voice pitched low so only he would hear. "Everything else is practice."<br><br>It was an honest assessment of her own desire for vengeance. Someone had ordered her friend's death. Someone had dared to hide in the shadows and watch as others did their dirty work. Someone had dared to send cutthroats and thugs to destroy someone she held precious and she <em>would</em> make them pay for it. Kal had taken care of the cutthroats and thugs...Moira intended to take care of the man or woman who had pulled their strings.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Vergil Tanner</strong> on <strong>22-10-2015, 14:57:47</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/f/fd/Valdar.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Galvren Valynar (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11585469#msg11585469)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Valdar (Newly Risen to Gaidin)<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Open<br><strong>Tag:</strong> None, yet.<br><strong>Time:</strong> Afternoon, Saven 7th.<br><strong>Place:</strong> The Grounds, Main Yard.<br><strong>Warning:</strong><br><hr><br>Being injured really wasn't all that it was cracked up to be; people seemed to be under the illusion that in exchange for a little bit of chronic pain, you effectively got time off of your duties and lots of tea and sympathy from your friends until you recovered...and whilst that indeed may be a part of it, what they seemed to not be able to grasp was that any injury serious enough to warrant permission to take a leave of absence from his duties was evidently going to cause Galvren a lot of issues; first and foremost, he was a newly raised Gaidin who, until he was back to full health, had to walk around knowing that he was not yet eligible to be chosen as a Warder. After a decade of training for his Raising, to be forced to wait several more weeks before he could be Bonded just because he hadn't twisted his body at the right moment was....well, it was utterly galling, to say the least. Secondly, the level of discomfort he felt in his shoulder frequently kept him up at night or had him grimacing in pain whenever it was moved even slight, especially after yesterdays...encounter...with Theraeve Sedai. Third, it stopped him from exercising or training, and though he didn't think for a moment that ten years of training would disappear from just a few weeks of not being able to practice, he had never felt comfortable with going for extended periods of time without making sure that his "edge" didn't dull...and finally, of course, he had the small problem of being unable to go to the Faire that was in the city until the crowds cleared up a little. He'd never really had the opportunity to visit it - being in training, obviously - and now that he had the freedom to do so...well, he had to wait until the tail end of the whole thing so the crowds weren't quite so brutal for him and his injury. Tomorrow was going to be a bit better - he was heading out with a couple of friends, including Shayella Sedai, and the crowds always tended to part for Aes Sedai - but it did pose the problem of what to do with his days when on his own.<br><br>See, all of his friends were either busy, or had disappeared from the face of the Earth. He wasn't too certain where Theraeve Sedai was or what she was doing - though he had made a point of saying to her yesterday that he wanted to see more of her now that she was back, he couldn't be certain whether Theraeve Sedai would take that to heart or not - and he knew that Shayella Sedai was most probably working...and, of course, his only other real friend was still MIA, though he had heard a couple of rumours that suggested that she might have been getting Tested for the Shawl...though rumours of that kind always abounded whenever anybody disappeared for a couple of days, and they very rarely turned out to be true. But still...it would be a shame if she didn't get tested soon, since if he was ready to be a Warder, he highly doubted that she was far behind in becoming a member of the Green Ajah like she'd always wanted. But regardless, he didn't have anything really to do....that was the other thing about having "time off" with an injury...you just got <em>bored.</em> He couldn't spar because of his injury. He couldn't get overly drunk because of his injury. He couldn't find one of the many Accepted who liked to fool around with the Warders-In-Training <em>because of his injury.</em> He couldn't even go into town on his own since, with his injury, he was largely defenceless if he couldn't outrun any assailants and the slightest knock from the crowd could bring him to his knees. So all that was left to do was simply....wander around and see if anybody fancied a chat, or perhaps a card game or two. Really, Galvren would have rather been training at that point in time. At least it was something he was good at that passed the time, even if he earned himself a few new bruises from the Masters.<br><br>Alas, that wasn't an option...and thus, Galvren had woken up - after a rather fitful, uncomfortable nights sleep - just before midday and set about attempting to kill time before he could reasonably roll himself back into bed in an attempt to make his shoulder heal faster. Unfortunately, none of his attempts at killing time worked; he couldn't find anybody else who was off that he knew would want to play a few rounds of cards, he ate in the Mess Hall relatively alone - everybody else being in their Training Groups, even his own Untested Squad being taken by a different Warder while he recovered (much to his chagrin; he should at least be there to offer instruction, but apparently having two different Warders there giving instruction could lead to arguments and the undermining of authority or something) - and then failed to find anybody around the halls who he knew would appreciate a chat. He flirted a little with a couple of passing Accepted - no Novices, though; they tended to be a <em>little</em> too young for him to feel comfortable sweet talking...besides, a lot of the new novices this time round reminded him of his sister, and that would just be <em>weird</em> - before they got hurried along when they heard familiar footsteps resounding down the corridor behind them (which prompted Galvren to make a swift exit as well; as he said before, anybody who doesn't fear an Aes Sedai's wrath is either insane or stupid or both)...and now he's just....wandering aimlessly in the main grounds, just inside one of the gates that leads from The White Tower to the city of Tar Valon proper. He had toyed with the idea of leaving the Tower to explore town, but decided against it....after all, he still has his shoulder to think of, and the Faire is making the crowds ten times worse than they would be otherwise. So...he was doing the only thing he could think of to at least try and kill some time; he wandered over to the sparring ring where there were three or four pairs enacting a basic-level duel, leaned against the post with his good arm - keeping his injured one bent up against his chest - and just....watched.<br><br>He remembered when he was at that new level, where his footwork wasn't really all that good, when his thrusts were sloppy and his parries were sluggish and delayed....where he would walk away from training with more bruises on his hand from improperly holding the sword and messily blocking blows that he was supposed to avoid than he had blisters on his feet from running and jumping and exercising all day. He'd come a long way since then, of course, but it was amazing to him how he could have been so bad in the first place when he was now so <em>good</em> at what he did. Even as he watched, one of the Trainees went to dodge-parry, turning to get out of the way of a blow as he sought to knock his opponents sword away in order to create an opening for a counterattack. It was a good strategy in certain circumstances and certainly benefited certain fighting styles - especially the popular "dodge-and-feint" style which, though it used up more energy, tended to end fights quicker against aggressive enemies. Galvren personally wasn't a fan of the style, instead preferring a minimalistic "solid defence" tactic, but he could appreciate its elegance and effectiveness - but it was also a difficult technique to pull off correctly. You needed to move at the last second in order to get them to commit to the swing and simultaneously lash out with blinding accuracy and control, ready to twist the blade into an instant counterattack before they regained their balance whilst also being on guard for any counter techniques that your opponent attempted....and unfortunately for the trainee, he got it wrong. <br><br>His foot twisted slightly as he tried to spin, his body jerking to a halt suddenly in order to prevent his ankle from snapping, the sloppy parry sending his own sword out of his hand as his opponent reversed the sword in a basic momentum change and rammed the edge into the failed dodgers stomach. The trainee doubled over sharply, collapsing to his knees, and Galvren couldn't help but wince sympathetically; they were taught to give no quarter in training, and he himself had been struck many a time with the heavy training swords and could very well empathise with just how much it hurt, especially if you weren't expecting it. The kid was lucky, though; a botched twist and parry could easily lead to a serious injury if your ankle caught, and it was only because he stopped in time that his ankle didn't sprain or break...though he would probably have a nasty bruise in the morning. Galvren turned his attention to a different pair, then; there was not really anything else to do than watch the training session and reminisce for the moment. Besides...maybe he'd see something interesting in one of the sparring matches. These were to be the next generation of Warders, after all...it couldn't hurt to familiarise himself with some of their faces, could it? Besides, it's not like he had anything else to do, right?
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cynadea</strong> on <strong>11-12-2015, 05:47:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e8/GreenAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Suana Bemesta<br><strong>Position:</strong> Acting Sitter, Green Ajah<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Not yet<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Galvren<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Secluded corner of the garden<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/a<br><hr><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="floatright">(http://adapartners.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Garden-Pond-Ideas-03-.jpg)</div>Suana spread the usual picnic blanket, but this time she actually had some little things to eat it and drink, it wasn't just to protect her dress. She took her bottle of wine and placed it into the pond near by, in shallow water that came up to the three-quarters of the bottle. The water wasn't cold, but it was cooler than the ambient air and would keep the red wine chilled to the right temperature. Plus, it hid the bottle of alcohol from any vulture who might come by and crash a party that was meant to be something… intimate.<br><br>For almost a year now, she had devoted her training time to a single man whenever it was possible. First she had noticed him for his good looks. He was quite handsome, had a very attractive form and she loved his blue eyes. She had always been something of a sucker for blue eyes. For a year, she had pushed the man to become a better fighter, to be better if a war came during his time as a warder. She was grooming him to become hers, and so far he had not given her any signal that he was not interested. Whether it was because he had not caught on, because he was too polite, too unassuming or because he was interested, she had no clue, but she figured that soon she would get her answer.<br><br>She had sent a message with a page as soon as the Hall let go of the sitters. Bloody meetings of squabbling Ajahs. There were better things to do with her time than to sit there and decide which side to pick and which Ajahs to miff. Politics were for Grays and Blues, not for Greens. At least the Amyrlin was a Blue, that made things slightly less painful. Slightly. The message had been to Galvren, whom she was told upon getting out of the useless meeting had been released from the infirmary. She scribbled something onto a piece of parchment very quickly. It was short and to the point. "Congratulations are in order. I have a cup of wine with your name on it. Come join me at our usual meeting place tonight after the last service. Come alone." <br><br>Now that the bells for the last service had chimed, Suana sat on her picnic blanket. She toyed with two silver cups as she sat there, waiting for him. She wore a comfortable green dress with vines of yellow and red roses running around the hem of the skirt and the square neckline that showed more than just a hint of cleavage. The bodice was comfortably tight, emphasizing the petite, slender form, before it flared into a skirt that would hide her legs down to the ankles. As always, she had her soft leather boots, preferring their sturdiness to slippers.&nbsp; The sleeves of her dress were tighter to her arms than the average, making it easier for her to use sword or staff without getting the fabric in the way. Her green-fringed shawl was folded and left on a corner of the blanket.<br><br>Suana was of two minds about what she was about to do. She was a Green, and she had gone almost a decade without a warder. It was unthinkable, but not that unusual after losing a first warder.&nbsp; It was more than time for her to pick a new one and that new warder, she hoped would be Galvren. Gorgeous man, right behavior, good amount of skill… He had been beating her more and more the last few weeks, pushing her to fight harder and that was exactly what she wanted. She wanted him to become better than her, to force her to become better to keep up with him. He had been so perfect so far, and there was that little something in his behavior that tickled her the right way. She wanted -him-, in an intimate manner.<br><br>The garden was very quiet, a lot of the Tower's population had gone to the faire. Even Novices had received special permission to go if they could find an Aes Sedai who was willing to babysit them. Suana had received her fair share of polite requests, but she had no will to go and see whatever was happening down there. Tight crowds reminded her of battlefield and she did not need to have flashback of black-veiled savages with their spears while she stood in the middle of Tar Valon. She would hear Galvren as he drew closer. The gravel path that passed nearby would give her a fair warning, but that secluded spot, surrounded by a cluster of trees would not be seen from the path. She had found it by chance, when her cat had run off on her and went straight here to fish some of the tiny decorative fishes that swam in the pond…</div>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Vergil Tanner</strong> on <strong>11-12-2015, 15:26:39</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/f/fd/Valdar.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Galvren Valynar (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11585469#msg11585469)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Valdar (Newly Risen to Gaidin)<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Open<br><strong>Tag:</strong> None, yet.<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th.<br><strong>Place:</strong> The Grounds, Main Yard.<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/A<br><hr><br>Tonight was going to be....different, and in more ways than one. Ordinarily, his liaisons with Suana Sedai outside of training were simple, friendly affairs where they just sat and talked and spent idle time with one another in various levels of conversation. Sometimes they discussed politics or philosophy, and other times they just talked about what kind of food the main barracks had decided to serve its recruits that day; there weren't any specific topics of conversation that they always went over or avoided - besides the odd one or two - and there wasn't always a <em>point</em> to the meeting other than to simply sit and chat outside the training grounds and away from prying eyes. Whenever they were in the Main Training Grounds or near the barracks they were usually trying to beat the other one into submission with a variety of weaponry and techniques, so that left very little room for much in the way of actual discussion, and when they bumped into each other around the Tower, Suana Sedai was usually on important Ajah business; being a Sitter meant that she was ordinarily much busier than your "average" Aes Sedai - if there even was such a thing, that was - and could oftentimes only spare a minute or so for the most basic of greetings. Honestly, had Suana Sedai not started inviting him to meet with her in the evenings in her "secret spot" as he called it, then he might well know nothing else about her other than her rank and her skill at arms. As it was...he actually knew a surprising amount about her, and most of that had been volunteered by her directly, believe it or not. She was the sitter for the Green Ajah, as he had previously mentioned, and hailed from the lands bordering the Blight. As such, she was extraordinarily skilled and - despite appearances - had possession of an absolutely unbreakable will. That alone deserved anybodies respect, regardless of their opinion on Aes Sedai, but she was also a veteran of the Aiel War, having fought at the very battle that ended up turning the tide in favour of the Western Realms. To be spending an evening with her at all by direct request had, at first, been a little overwhelming.<br><br>See, before she had taken an interest in him - first approaching him about a year ago at that point - she had already been a rather permanent fixture around the training grounds for long enough that everybody had grown used to her presence. To have the Green Sitter coming down to the training grounds was, at first, a huge - and very distracting - honour, and the few people she asked to spar with had understandably massive reservations about getting "into the ring" with such a high-profile Aes Sedai. Arrogantly, they had worried about hurting her...when they should have been more worried about her hurting <em>them.</em> As a long proponent of the staff as a primary weapon, Galvren had instantly recognised the work of a master as she utilised her positioning and her momentum to make up for her lack of physical strength. She weaved and ducked and dodged with the best of them, and it was a rare day when anybody managed to force her to outright block a strike rather than parry or avoid it. Her speed was her biggest advantage over the slower, almost lumbering recruits she had sparred with, and when paired with a weapon as suited to duelling as the staff? Her opponents had had no chance. She did it often, coming down and selecting a specific recruit to spar and train with her on almost a daily basis, and it soon became novelty when she <em>didn't</em> show up...it had still been an honour to have her attend, of course, and (almost) everybody strove to impress her in some way, but it also became routine with its frequency. Of course, the rumours wouldn't leave her alone; she was famous in The White Tower not only as one of the Greens who had served during the Aiel Wars, but one of the only Green Ajah who <em>didn't have a Warder.</em> No details were known, of course - extracting an Aes Sedai's secrets was next to impossible, so they said - but the fact that she didn't have a Warder was not something that could be kept secret. So, of course, the rumours naturally turned to her reason for appearing in the training grounds...she was looking for one, hence why she seemed to favour one over the others. In retrospect, Galvren figured that it was obvious; why else would a Green with no Warder be training with recruits? But at the time? He had put it down to silly hearsay.<br><br>That was, until <em>he</em> somehow caught her attention. She'd abandoned her first "favourite," for whatever reason - he had heard him complaining later on that Suana Sedai had called him lazy, which he could believe, so perhaps that was the reason....why would a Veteran want a Warder who she felt to not be making the effort desired of him? - and after a brief stint with a second, had approached <em>him,</em> seemingly out of nowhere, and asked him to spar with her. He had been surprised, of course, and a little overawed - at that point, she was legendary in the Training Grounds at least and definitely amongst the Recruits...and honestly, having her there had been routine, but having her talk to him? That was something else entirely - and had agreed, though with no small amount of trepidation. He knew how good she was, after all, and already knew that he was nowhere near her level. He expected - and received - one hell of a hiding from her, barely able to keep up with just how fast she moved and how fluid and sharp her strikes were. Honestly, he walked away from it feeling more than a little humiliated despite himself, convinced that he'd put on a poor showing. He had been proud of his progress with the staff, but she'd made him feel like an utter novice...so, imagine his surprise when she approached him again a day or so later and outright told him that he was going to be training with her from then on! He had accepted, of course - the only way to improve was to fight and learn from your betters, after all - and that had started almost a year of constant bruises, sprains, sore knuckles and black eyes, but it had also been the year where he had improved the most. There were always whispers in the barracks that she was looking for a Warder - she was a <em>Green</em> without a Warder, which was almost unheard of...since speaking to her regularly, Galvren had gathered that she did have a Warder once before and didn't anymore, and Galvren had left it at that; he knew better than to press an obviously troubling, painful memory -&nbsp; and honestly, Galvren was ok with that. Though he doubted she would want a raw recruit for her Warder, the idea that perhaps she was testing him was thrilling. To have the attention of a Veteran Green like her, and a Sitter to boot? It was a great, great honour, and of all the Ajah's, Green was the only one that he held as much respect for as he did the Red. He respected all of them, of course, but...the Red had saved his home town, and the Green was literally dedicated to training fighters for Tarmon Gaiden. Which two Ajah's did more to thwart The Shadow directly than those two?<br><br>So, he'd trained with her, and he quickly outpaced his other trainees in his weapon of choice. Compared to Suana Sedai, they all moved at a snails pace, unable to keep up with his rapidly increasing skill. Of course, Suana always remained on a whole different level, always staying one step ahead of him...until one day she wasn't. After a gruelling sparring match that lasted much longer than any of their other ones, they eventually fought...to a <em>tie.</em> Neither could gain an advantage over the other, so they just called it. And honestly, at that moment, it was the proudest that Galvren had ever felt about his abilities. He'd managed to fight and not lose to the almost mythical at that point Suana Sedai with her weapon of choice. It was amazing...and he kept doing it. Over the next couple of weeks, they kept drawing, unable to win over the other no matter how much energy they put into the match, no matter what new techniques they attempted...and apparently that impressed Suana Sedai, since soon after that - only a few months ago - she invited him to spend the evening with her in the garden, in a secluded, isolated spot that she had apparently discovered one day when one of her pets had run off into the bushes. There, for the first time, they just...talked, and found that they actually got along really, really well on a personal level as well as a professional level. And after that, it became a frequent thing, especially after Galvren's first victory over her not five or six weeks previous to the current night. If he had thought he felt good at tying with her, imagine how proud he was that he actually managed to beat her! After almost a year of training, he had managed to defeat in single combat a Veteran of one of the biggest and worst wars in living memory, and one of the most difficult in the entire historical record! He hadn't been able to stop beaming to himself all day after that moment. <br><br>Which brought him to that night, as he entered the garden as Twilight was beginning to gather around the town. The sounds of the crowds and the faire across the rive in Tar Valon proper were audible even from the centre of the White Tower and, predictably, everybody was either in bed from a long day or down at the faire enjoying themselves. Galvren would have been there himself, had his arm not been bandaged in a sling since his Warder Test...and had he not received the message obviously penned by Suana Sedai herself. Which brought him back to the original point; how that night was different to the others. The first thing was that there was wine mentioned; whereas they occasionally ate together in the small clearing where they met, they almost never drank except on special occasions...so, she had heard that he was cleared from the Infirmary and that his arm was getting better, and sought to arrange a meeting to congratulate him...hell, she'd been there in the training grounds when he'd been shot, so she'd know first hand that he'd passed his test and just how...sickening the crunch from the bolts impact had been. Honestly, he still flinched slightly whenever he heard the "thunk" of a bolt sinking into its target, though he had been told that that was normal and would go away over time. So, the alcohol was the first difference. The second? Well...he was a qualified Warder, now. And if she had indeed been grooming him for some reason as the rumours said - which he thought was a possibility, sure, but didn't actually believe would happen; he was only just graduated, so why would he qualify as a Veterans Warder? Surely she'd want somebody more experienced than he, right? - then tonight would be the night she broached the subject. So there was that anticipation in his stomach; though he knew himself to be inexperienced...well, he wanted nothing more than to be asked to be a Warder, and being bonded to Suana Sedai would be an honour beyond words. Unlikely, perhaps, but still...a hope he held. And the third was obvious; his arm was broken, so he was not about to be able to move particularly quickly or suddenly. The meeting would be a little more ginger than before, just because he'd have to be careful where he moved his arm.<br><br>It didn't take him long to reach her special spot, walking as quickly as he could down the deserted gravel path as he passed through the gardens, doing his best to move quickly and yet not move his shoulder too much...Suana Sedai appreciated punctuality, but he appreciated not being in pain, which was why he had set out early to attempt to show up just before the last bell started, as per her note...but he had ended up delayed when a large crowd of off-duty recruits had barred his way as they moved agonisingly slowly towards the exit to the White Tower and the path to the Faire. That was why he hated large crowds; they moved so damn slowly, and with his broken shoulder, he couldn't just shove through them impatiently. He'd managed to get past them and increased his pace, so his current speed was a compromise of sorts between speed and comfort, but he was well aware that he was now running later than he had wanted to. He heard the penultimate bell tolling as he moved down the gravel path and increased his pace - wincing at the sudden movement in his shoulder - straining a little to get to the meeting spot before the last bell finished. Suana Sedai would probably understand, but he did so hate disappointing her. If an Aes Sedai gave you an order, you followed it to the <em>letter,</em> no excuses. She wanted him punctual, and he was going to be punctual if it killed him, and then apologise for not being early. It was that simple. As the path bent around to the left to travel back along the outskirts of the garden, he instead turned right and hurriedly strode off the designated path and towards the small, secluded corner that he and Suana had shared many a conversation and occasional meal in. It was hidden from the path by some conveniently placed shrubbery, so he had to walk around it to gain access, but as he rounded the corner the small burbling river, the efficiently, neatly placed blanket and the lazily-but-still-obviously alert Suana Sedai reclining ever so slightly on top of it. The last bell for the last service chimed out over the grounds just as he turned the corner into their meeting spot proper, and he breathed a soft sigh of relief, wincing a little as he rolled his shoulder in an attempt to loosen it up a little. It had forced a slight, protesting ache from his wound at having to move so quickly, but he had gotten there on time, which was all that mattered.<br><br>"Good evening, Suana Sedai," he said, bowing at the waist respectfully, though he was careful not to move his shoulder too much. He noted her customary practical-yet-elegant attire, and had to admire her style. Both a flowing, beautiful dress and one that allowed plenty of movement with the least amount of ways to get caught and snagged as possible...she always did have a head for practical fashion. Him? Not so much. He had attempted to dress in a similar smart-but-practical fashion with a neat white tunic and a boiled leather over-vest that as well as looking semi-formal offered some basic protection and mobility (not that it mattered in his current state), along with some simple black britches and boots, but next to her elegant half-dress half-battlegear, he suddenly felt rather inadequately dressed. Well...it wasn't his fault; fashion was rarely on the Warders list of assigned classes, so he didn't really know how to make something fashionable and practical at the same time. He'd have to ask about that at some point, but not now. He straightened a little, and raised his eyes to her face, though he kept a civil expression. no staring into her eyes defiantly; look her in the eyes, but make sure to blink and have his head slightly angled so as to show deference. He was not about to disrespect an Aes Sedai, <em>especially</em> not Suana Sedai after all the time and effort she has invested both in him and in the fight against the Shadow. "My apologies for being late; I found myself stuck behind a group of particularly slow recruits." He grimaced a little. "I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long, Aes Sedai?" They were friendly, yes, and he could joke with her when appropriate...but that didn't mean he got to drop the honorific and his manners. Even when friends with an Aes Sedai, you <em>always</em> showed due deference and respect. That was just the way it was as far as he was concerned, whether you liked it or not. 
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cynadea</strong> on <strong>11-12-2015, 22:43:32</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e8/GreenAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Suana Bemesta<br><strong>Position:</strong> Acting Sitter, Green Ajah<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Not yet<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Galvren<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Secluded corner of the garden<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/a<br><hr><div style="text-align: justify;">Suana was a patient woman. She was the kind of woman who thought hat being 10 minutes ahead was being very polite, being five minutes ahead was being on time, and being right on time, well… It was tolerable. She was sure that Galvren had a good reason to be near the tolerable range, and she would not give him grief about it. After all, he was required to obey Aes Sedai, but if he had a prior engagement or if he had to return to the infirmary, some things took precedence on her. He did not have to give her the top priority… yet. She meant to change that and soon. Tonight, if at all possible. He still had to agree to it, and she wasn't entirely sure that he would.<br><br>The steps on the gravel were hasty and she knew that he wanted to be there before he would qualify as being late. It made her smile that he cared so much about not displeasing her. It was one of the traits that had struck her about him. He desired to please. It seemed ingrained in him and she appreciated that. It spoke to a part of her that she had shoveled under a heap of training. It seemed that he might very well unearth that urge of her to be the dominant partner of a relationship, but not just in an Aes Sedai kind of way.<br><br>She had a smile playing on her lips when he arrived. Sitting on the blanket with her legs folded under her, she motioned for him to come. A frown came to her brow when she saw the sling. What in the name of the Creator were the Yellows doing? Letting a potential warder go out of the infirmary half-healed as if they were mere petitioners coming in to have something trivial healed with the One Power. "You've kept me waiting just long enough to kindle my eagerness to see you, Valdar. Come." She said, her tone flirty and she pat the blanket beside her.<br><br>"Have the Yellows told you for what reason you are not fully healed yet? That test is stupid enough on its own, it would be ludicrous to let you live with the pain that it caused you when you passed it." Suana said and she held out and empty hand for him to take balance on if he wanted to. She wanted to touch him also because she always found delving easier with contact that without, and healing required contact. The One Power filled her just enough for her to weave spirit, air and water into a delving weave that would tell her what remained to be healed in his obviously painful shoulder.</div>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Vergil Tanner</strong> on <strong>12-12-2015, 13:24:15</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/f/fd/Valdar.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Galvren Valynar (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11585469#msg11585469)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Valdar (Newly Risen to Gaidin)<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Open<br><strong>Tag:</strong> None, yet.<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th.<br><strong>Place:</strong> The Grounds, Main Yard.<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/A<br><hr><br>Galvren breathed a small sigh of relief when he looked up and saw the smile on her face; she wouldn't be smiling if she were displeased, he knew that much, and even though he had yet to truly experience her wrath he already knew that he wouldn't overly enjoy it that much; nobody got angry quite like an Aes Sedai, after all, and anybody on the receiving end of their wrath certainly stepped lightly in the immediate future around them. Aes Sedai as a whole tended to appreciate punctuality - which, to them, meant being at least ten minutes early, which was why he tried to be <em>fifteen</em> minutes early most of the time - which certainly made running late feel a lot more hectic and nerve-racking than it would ordinarily, but thankfully it appeared that Suana Sedai wasn't angry or even mildly irritated with him; that was something he'd never been able to quite pin down...sometimes she'd be annoyed if he ran a little later than planned, and sometimes she'd take it in stride. He supposed it could have to do with whether she was busy or not, but honestly it happened so rarely that it was difficult to ascertain any kind of meaningful pattern from the scattered points of data on the graph. If he had a graph, that was; mathematics had never really been his strong suit, no matter how many times his mother tried to drum it into him. Still, it was nice to see that Suana Sedai at least appeared to be in a good mood such that she didn't hold his tardiness against him. It was always nice to see Suana Sedai in a good mood, considering her duties as a Sitter, especially since in a weird kind of way he counted her amongst his friends. It was an unconventional friendship, to be sure, but they got along and they shared some common interests...so what other criteria was there, really? Alas, her mood did seem to sour just a little - if only momentarily - at the sight of his sling. He knew he should have left it in his bunk, but he'd just gotten tired of people bumping into it all the time, so had decided to bite the bullet and start wearing it, at least until he could take an impact on it without crumpling in pain.<br><br>Fortunately, at least, the frown that crumpled her otherwise smooth, graceful features quickly disappeared as she patted the blanket beside her and invited him to sit...honestly, whilst he had gotten used to being flirted with at the Tower - for one, the Novices and the Accepted seemed to have a rather acute fascination with the young men in the training yard, but that was understandable; most of them were young women who had much the same thoughts and impulses as the young men did at times, so it was perhaps understandable that they would take the time to occasionally oggle the more good looking of the recruits - and had even developed some skill at returning said flirtation, when it came from a full Aes Sedai - especially one as high-up and almost mythical as Suana Sedai - it was a lot more unnerving. Not unwelcome, mind; she was, like most Aes Sedai, a woman of ethereal, ageless beauty and being as confident and assertive as she was she was definitely his "type"...but considering his only real extra experience with Aes Sedai being in any way intimately interested in him was Theraeve Sedai and she didn't so much flirt as just drag him off to a corner somewhere, he was always a little at a loss for what to say in return. Granted, Suana Sedai likely only meant it as a joke or to be friendly or something, but it was still enough to make him blush just a little. It always made him blush, whenever she decided to flirt with him...he wouldn't be surprised if that's why she did it; she wouldn't be the first woman to make him blush just to see him blush. Still, it would be rude not to answer, and he'd at least gotten some rudimentary skills in what to say in return. Should he flirt back? Well, considering that Suana in particular valued men with a little bit of a spine, probably. He wouldn't want to disappoint her, after all. He offered an ever-so-slightly hesitant smile as he approached, crossing the distance between them quickly despite his shoulder. <br><br>"I am glad, then, that I arrived in time to prevent that spark from fizzling out, Suana Sedai," he said, "as I've found myself looking forward to this meeting since I received your 'summons' and I would have hated to disappoint you." He offered another small smile. He always referred to her messages as "Summons," whether the invitations were optional or not. It was a bit of a joke between them, though it had some basis in truth; you didn't refuse an invitation from <em>any</em> Aes Sedai if you were just an unclaimed Valdar, let alone a Sitter. He took her outstretched hand, then - no sense in being proud or arrogant in refusing her help; she was being considerate, and honestly, he wasn't about to sit down gracefully with only one arm. He could get to the ground, of course, but that would likely involve some degree of <em>falling,</em> which wasn't high on his list of priorities. Using the proffered hand as more of a lever than a leaning aid, he stooped down onto one knee, then turned himself around and lowered himself to the blanket beside her. He couldn't avoid a little bit of a heavy landing - his backside thudding into the ground hard enough to send a slight jarring sensation through his body, though he managed to avoid wincing - but it was better than tripping over his own feet because he was too proud to accept help when he needed it. That was the first thing you had to learn if you were about to guard the Aes Sedai; if you needed help, the Aes Sedai's safety took precedent over your own pride. He grimaced a little at her question and shook his head. <br><br>"They've not said so directly, Aes Sedai, but I imagine that it's the same reason as always; they wish to save their energy in case an emergency comes in late in the day, rather than 'wasting' it on wounds that will heal naturally either way. I can understand the logic, of course, but if I were a selfish man I might complain bitterly about how difficult it is to live in Tar Valon with an injury that aches with every movement." He glanced at her briefly, and the ghost of a wry smile flitted across his features. They'd known each other on a personal level for a few months now, so he had an idea of what was acceptable and what wasn't in these secret meetings of theirs, but he still had to try to tread carefully; offending a Sitter of the Aes Sedai was not a wise thing to do if you wished to have a productive life in the White Tower. "So it's a good thing that I'm not a selfish man, is it not, Aes Sedai?" It would, after all, be improper of him to complain about the Aes Sedai's methods; Suana Sedai could, of course, but he was just a lowly Valdar; it was most certainly not his place to criticise the practices of the Aes Sedai. To do so would be to insult the traditions of The White Tower, and that was not something that he was about to do. Of course, he disagreed with Suana Sedai about the necessity of the test - how else would they ascertain whether or not the Valdar in question was willing to put his life in danger to secure the safety of their Aes Sedai? - despite his injuries, but she already knew that; they'd discussed it at length in a previous conversation, when he mentioned that he felt like <em>his</em> test was coming up - and it turned out that he'd been right - and it wasn't worth picking up again. Whilst it had been a civil, good-natured discourse, he had no real inclination to reopen a topic where they were never going to agree on a day as good as that one. It was a time to relax and celebrate his passing, not quibble over every minor comment. It wasn't <em>that</em> important, after all.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cynadea</strong> on <strong>15-12-2015, 07:05:34</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e8/GreenAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Suana Bemesta<br><strong>Position:</strong> Acting Sitter, Green Ajah<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Not yet<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Galvren<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Secluded corner of the garden<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/a<br><hr><div style="text-align: justify;">"Flattery may get you a long way." Suana said, her smile taking a youthful edge to her although she was older than she looked by a decade or two, thanks to the smoothness typical of seasoned Aes Sedai. She did not further the flirt, not right now. She wanted him to be in a comfortable place both physically and mentally when she made the big offer, not to have him already blushing and squirming in discomfort because she was too obvious in her interest in him. <br><br>It had been such a long time since she had had such an interest in a man. Galvren was very handsome to her; definitely a man that she would bring to her quarters to warm her blankets. He also had a very charming, almost naive or innocent, feel to his personality, although she suspected that he was neither naive nor innocent. Then there was the skillful aspect. That was something that she had worked on with him. He had gradually become better, and he had the potential to be even better for sure. Thus, he had won her on all three major points to become her warder, although the physical desire was not a requirement, it sure was a nice bonus.<br><br>Suana had strength in her limbs. She did not have a frame built for strength as much as dexterity, and Galvren's weight was certainly too much for her to do anything but to be dragged down by it, but she could sustain some of the weight long enough for him to sit down without causing a surge of pain in his shoulder. She was surprised that he took her hand and accepted it, but it was most definitely points in his favor that he was not too proud to accept help.<br><br>"Of course. They would barely heal a dying man, just in case another dying man came along the same day. You are lucky, though, I am not going to let you suffer any longer unless you refuse my help. You have my leave to be selfish here, and let me use my energy to heal you" She said with a smile tugging at her lips, and the delving weave told her everything there was to know about his shoulder, and any other aches and bruises that he might have gotten since his last healing. It wouldn't take her much of her energy, though he would find himself hungry and thirsty and while she did have food and drink, she thought that she would not be carrying any leftovers back to the kitchen this time.<br><br>Suana put&nbsp; the cups aside and turned a hundred and eighty degrees to face him. Maybe bond talk could be done this way too, it allowed one another to look into each others eyes. She held out her hands to take his head, but would wait for him to cover the rest of the distance to place his head between her hands to begin the healing. She knew, from experience, that he would feel like she had just dunked him in the small bond beside them when the healing weave settled into him, and she was prepared to maintain her hold onto his head if he created vividly.<br></div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Vergil Tanner</strong> on <strong>15-12-2015, 14:31:42</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/f/fd/Valdar.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Galvren Valynar (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11585469#msg11585469)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Valdar (Newly Risen to Gaidin)<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Open<br><strong>Tag:</strong> None, yet.<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th.<br><strong>Place:</strong> The Grounds, Main Yard.<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/A<br><hr><br>Whilst he thought that her assessment of the Yellow Ajah was unfair - though she was likely just using hyperbole; he doubted she actually thought that they'd let a patient die because they were worried about not being able to heal another dying man later on - he couldn't argue with her distaste for their logic. Whilst he did indeed understand why they practised the way they did, not wasting energy on minor cuts and bruises, he didn't deny that secretly at the very least he disagreed with it. Yes, it was probably more down to his own selfish "I don't want to run around with a broken shoulder any longer than is necessary," but surely they should heal the people in front of them as much as they could, instead of holding some energy back in reserve for a nebulous hypothetical patient later down the line. He could understand and support not healing things like grazed elbows or nosebleeds - since they healed quickly on their own and if you taught overreliance on the One Power, that could lead to all sorts of issues - but bruises like the one that spiderwebbed his shoulder, or sprained wrists or concussions that actively hindered a Warders ability to do his job? That sort of thing should have been top priority...and Light, maybe it was; maybe if he was bonded to an Aes Sedai he would have been healed immediately in order to protect her, but the problem was that he didn't have a Bondmate and so was deemed "low priority." He didn't know for certain, but that would definitely go some way to explaining their reluctance to heal him, at the very least. Either way, he allowed himself a small, grateful smile as Suana Sedai shifted herself to sit opposite him on the blanket rather than next to him, crossing his legs so that she didn't end up straddling him...whilst their friendship wasn't exactly conventional, <em>that</em> would have been rather inappropriate. A Sitter of the Aes Sedai straddling a newly-risen Valdar? Yes, not a good idea. It would also be very awkward to explain, should they be discovered in a position as compromising out of context as that would be.<br><br>Still, he smiled at her gratefully as she offered to use her own reserves of energy to heal him the rest of the way; Suana Sedai was truly generous with her aid to those she deemed worth her time, and the prospect of actually being able to use his arm again without wincing or being in pain at the slightest firm touch was extremely gladdening. He couldn't even say it was <em>tempting,</em> since that assumed that there was a chance that he wouldn't take the offer; if an Aes Sedai offered to heal him, he would gladly leap at the offer. He would be a fool not to, after all, and if he healed up completely it meant that he could not only go to visit the faire without fear of worsening his injury if he so desired, but he could also begin training again and even possibly find himself an Aes Sedai willing to bond him; a Warder without a serious injury was a much more tempting prospect for most available Aes Sedai, after all. He inclined his head respectfully. "That's very kind of you, Suana Sedai," he said, a smile eking into his voice. "I will happily take you up on the offer. Thank you." Again, manners cost nothing, especially when somebody was offering to go out of their way to help you out. Using his healthy arm as a lever, he pushed himself forwards a little bit towards Suana Sedai's kneeling form, placing his head slowly between her outstretched arms. Almost as soon as his skin made contact with hers, he felt the familiar sharp cooling sensation wash over his body, as if he was being dunked in a chilly pond, his skin erupting into goosebumps more out of habit than discomfort. He felt the One Power wash over him, tickling at his flesh as a soothing balm settled over his various aches and pains. He could <em>feel</em> his shoulder growing less and less troublesome, the pain ebbing away and receding at the presence of the calming wave of cooling sensation. He gasped a little when Suana Sedai took her hands away from his head, warmth returning to his body as suddenly as it had disappeared. However, the ache and pain in his shoulder <em>didn't</em> return.<br><br>He lifted his other arm up, gently removing the sling - as if expecting pain to blossom in his arm again at any moment, even though he knew it to be a silly thing to worry about; he knew what healing felt like, and he trusted Suana Sedai to do exactly as she had said she would - and setting it to one side. He gingerly extended his arm, expecting at any moment for it to spike him with agony, but no pain came. Once it was fully extended, he bent it a little bit and proceeded to roll his shoulder slowly in its socket, testing its reactions and its flexibility. Though it was admittedly a little tight and moving it quickly proved to be difficult at first, he <em>had</em> kept it largely in the same position for just over a week and a bit, so that was to be expected, at least, and as far as he knew, healing couldn't remove tightness in the muscles unless it was part of a systematic issue due to damage to the musculature of the back of some description; if it was simply tight from lack of use, there was no actual physical damage for Healing to repair. Yes, he did listen to Shayella Sedai and the Accepted's who fussed over him in the infirmary sometimes. Even as he moved his, he could feel some of the tightness drop away and his manoeuvrability improve just a little. He didn't have to check to know that his bruise was gone, but he still wanted to see his shoulder absent the large network of bruises and burst veins, so he reached up and shifted his shirt to the side so he could peer down at his chest. <br><br>Sure enough, the nasty looking purple and black and yellow spots that had covered his otherwise muscular chest were gone, replaced by smooth, unblemished skin. He shifted his tunic back into place and lowered his arm to his side, resting his hand on his knee as he looked up at Suana Sedai. He bowed his head again in thanks. "My gratitude, Aes Sedai," he said, "It's good to be able to move my arm without wincing again." He was about to say more, but his stomach chose that moment to growl aggressively; ah yes. Healing tended to make the recipient especially hungry, and after healing a bruise as large as that? It was bound to compound the hunger he had already been feeling, since he hadn't eaten since lunch time. He smiled apologetically, more than a little bit embarrassed over his stomach's outburst. "My apologies, Suana Sedai; my stomach does not always follow the rules of etiquette as closely as I do." He smiled wryly, shifting his weight a little as he leaned back into an upright position. He wasn't actually worried that Suana Sedai would take offence - he knew her well enough to know that she wouldn't - but it was too good an opportunity for one of his poor jokes to miss. He was respectful to Aes Sedai, yes, but that didn't mean that he had to be an aloof, stoic misery-guts all the time, now did it?
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cynadea</strong> on <strong>18-12-2015, 22:44:28</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e8/GreenAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Suana Bemesta<br><strong>Position:</strong> Acting Sitter, Green Ajah<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Not yet<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Galvren<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Secluded corner of the garden<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/a<br><hr><div style="text-align: justify;">Suana let the healing weave settle into the man's body and watched as he would react to the healing.&nbsp; Her hold onto his head was firm but not uncomfortably tight. She thought of not letting go when she was done, leaning in and giving him a kiss. Suana was not entirely sure how he would react to it, and so she decided to let it go for now. There would be a time for kissing later, if he agreed to bond her. Yes, there would be plenty of kissing, if he let her have her way. She would certainly not force herself onto him. She wasn't that kind of woman.<br><br>The damage receded and eventually, Suana felt that her weave was useless; there was nothing left to repair in his body. "There." She said, in a most affectionate manner, but she removed only one of her hands from the side of his head. The other came to cup his cheek, the soft ball of her thumb running along the cheekbone. He made a motion to test his shoulder and she took it as her cue to move away from him and give him his personal space back.&nbsp; <br><br>"I consider you a friend, Galvren Valynar. You can come to me for healing when you need it, and fear not that my answer be negative. I trust you have good enough judgment not to come to me for little things that will heal on their own, but crippling damage should be dealt with to ensure you are always at the top of your game, and not left with residual pain for the rest of your life." Suana assured him, but when his stomach growled it reminded her of the content of the basket. She leaned back and grabbed the brown, woven picnic basket and opened one side on its rudimentary hinges.<br><br>"Of course, unruly stomachs can be a problem, but it is one easily taken care of. We have some aged cheese, a chunk of butter, some of the dinner's fresh bread rolls, some strawberry preserve… Or perhaps is it raspberry? She took the small jar from the basket and in the dimming light of the evening, the preserves were a dark purple color. "Blueberries. I love blueberry preserves. Ah… There are apples in there, and plums. I think the Mistress of the Kitchens doesn't understand the concept of a light snack, which is a good thing tonight. Oh, cookies. Chewy oatmeal cookies." She enumerated everything as she took it out of the basket, as well as a pair of plates, butter knives and forks, although she had no clue what they could use forks for. "And as promised, there is wine to drink. Before it muddles our senses, though, we have a serious matter to discuss."</div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Vergil Tanner</strong> on <strong>19-12-2015, 01:49:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/f/fd/Valdar.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Galvren Valynar (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11585469#msg11585469)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Valdar (Newly Risen to Gaidin)<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Open<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Suana Bemesta.<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE.<br><strong>Place:</strong> The Grounds, Secluded Corner Of The Garden.<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/A<br><hr><br>Truly, Suana Sedai's offer was a generous one; ordinarily, as he understood it, healing was regarded as a last resort of sorts. They shouldn't heal anything that wasn't life threatening or could potentially put a member of the Aes Sedai in danger, since it used up a decent amount of energy, took time and effort and reduced concentration on other matters. Further, if an Aes Sedai were to gain the reputation of being liberal with her healing, any number of people might come to rely on it more than their own bodies and capabilities to the point where they may be bothering the Aes Sedai for mere trifles that would, with proper bandaging and disinfectant, simply go away on their own in a few days with no ill effects on anybody worth mentioning. Many Aes Sedai were fastidious with their healing, too, viewing it as the purview of the Yellows when within the bounds of Tar Valon, though when caught in the wilderness, they were rather more willing to apply their Talent more generously than they otherwise would. But for an Aes Sedai to outright tell him that he could come to her over the dedicated healers in the hospital for serious injuries that he wanted gone as soon as possible? That was extremely generous and more than he could possibly even ask for, even from a friend. He knew second hand how much healing could take it out of both parties, and for her to offer him practically unlimited access to Healing so long as he didn't abuse the privilege? Very few unbonded Warders got that privilege. "Aes Sedai, that is...<em>most</em> kind; your generosity humbles me. Thank you very, very much Suana Sedai." He bowed his head respectfully, then raised it just in time to see her lifting the various foodstuffs out of the basket. Cheese, butter, bread, blueberry spread, various fruits...she really had brought a veritable feast, of sorts, had she not? Once again, he felt humbled by her thoughtfulness as he gazed in no small amount of awe at just how much food she had brought.<br><br>Of course, what she said next had him pausing in his admittedly gluttonous eye-feasting of the food; an important matter that needed to be discussed in private? He glanced around, despite himself, and shifted forwards a little with his now-completely-healed arm. What could it be? Was she in some kind of trouble, or danger, or just in a general spot of bother? Was <em>he</em> in trouble or danger or something? Had something filtered its way up to her that involved him, or could she be asking if he had information on something? Or perhaps...the rumours of Suana Sedai attempting to groom her new Warder came back to him sharply, as did the fact that ever since she started paying attention to him, she hadn't been looking at the other Valdar or any of the half-trained recruits...all of her time at the training yard had been spent wailing on him, and he hadn't heard of anybody else being brought to this particular secluded spot for late-night snacks and chats...she <em>had</em> just healed his shoulder and invited him to seek her out for quick healing of serious wounds again in the future, and that lingering touch before she pulled away had almost been <em>affectionate</em> in nature, more like the comforting touch of a lover rather than the bedside touch of a medic. <br><br>Could she be attempting to broach the subject of Wardership? Her behaviour certainly did appear to support that...but he couldn't afford to get ahead of himself. If he jumped to conclusions he might find a hidden blade waiting to slit his throat on arrival, as some of the instructors liked to say, and he knew Suana Sedai to be generous and kindhearted so he couldn't afford to risk reading too much into her words and risk becoming presumptuous. He looked at her intently, meeting her gaze but keeping his head bowed slightly in respect. "A serious matter, Suana Sedai? Is everything ok? Do you require my assistance at all? If so, I would be <em>honoured</em> to provide you whatever support you require." He tilted his head to the side a little. Honestly? He hoped that it was the offer of a Warder Bond - he liked Suana Sedai, and they got along very, very well - but if it was anything else, he would be equally willing to offer whatever service she required. It was the duty of a Warder to obey, support and protect the Aes Sedai, after all, and he wasn't about to be the exception.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cynadea</strong> on <strong>21-12-2015, 21:39:13</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e8/GreenAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Suana Bemesta<br><strong>Position:</strong> Acting Sitter, Green Ajah<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Not yet<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Galvren<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Secluded corner of the garden<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/a<br><hr><div style="text-align: justify;">Suana shook her head slightly, "It's nothing. The creator gave me a gift, it would be spiteful of me not to use it. Or so the Yellows kept telling me when I was fending them off to become Green and not one of them." Suana said, with a sheepish smile. There was a tension in her body language, like the one found in a feline ready to pounce. It was way that wasn't too far from the truth. She wanted to pounce; she wanted him as her warder and as her lover.<br><br>Giving him access to the food so that he would stuff himself with all that was there if he so wanted, she simply took a roll with a bit of butter and preserves herself. The wine was kept to the perfect temperature by the water of the pond so she was not in any urge to open the bottle just yet. Besides, if they were going to face the bonding question here and now, it was better to do it with a clear her. No, there was no if. She would offer him a bond right here, right now, because she needed a warder and she wanted to pick him herself before one of the older green thought it would be a good thing to play matchmaker.<br><br>"Very serious, but neither of us in any immediate danger. It's just… Serious. Although I've helped you in your training, giving you a worthy opponent for a while, I don't want you to feel like you owe me anything. You also do not have to answer today.&nbsp; I would like you to consider accepting a bond with me. I am comfortable with your current level of skill which can only get better from here. I enjoy our time together and I feel I must be forthcoming about one other important point." Suana said, her gaze holding his if he dared to look into her eyes. <br><br>She could be offering him a job as a merchant for all the confidence that she was showing, but it faltered slightly as she tackled the next point. "I am also attracted to you. I would not take very kindly to you being intimate with another woman. I am possessive in that way." He would never be allowed to take a wife; a warder seldom married, unless to his Aes Sedai in a Green's case. That didn't mean that he would not fancy turning his attention to a serving maid of little virtue. She tilted her head, causing a cascade of long blond curls and for just a split second, took her eyes off him; a complete betrayal that she was anxious about this, for anyone who knew her enough to catch it.</div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Vergil Tanner</strong> on <strong>22-12-2015, 01:11:37</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/f/fd/Valdar.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Galvren Valynar (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11585469#msg11585469)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Valdar (Newly Risen to Gaidin)<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Open<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Suana Bemesta.<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE.<br><strong>Place:</strong> The Grounds, Secluded Corner Of The Garden.<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/A<br><hr><br>Despite the presence of a surprising abundance of food tempting him to indulge his suddenly ravenous hunger, Galvren suddenly found his immediate desire to eat quashed somewhat by the suddenly serious tone that their conversation had adopted; he could tell from the tension and angle of her body, leaning in a little with muscles taut as if ready to move at any given moment, that whatever she wanted to say, whatever subject she wanted to broach was obviously important to <em>her</em> at the very least, and was likely of the utmost importance...and call him crazy, but he just didn't think it polite or respectful to start stuffing his face when she was so obviously wound tight. He leaned in a little, brow furrowing a little in concern as he met her gaze...and the intensity there surprised him, causing him to give a surprised, startled blink; the way she looked at him was suddenly so...fierce. No, not fierce...more determined, he would say, and definitely more than a little anxious, if her brief hesitation was anything to go by. What could she possibly have to discuss with a Valdar like him that would make the Sitter of the Green Ajah nervous, or even so much as perturbed? It must be something important to elicit such a reaction...could she indeed be asking him for a Bond? It was an intimate thing, to be sure, and it fit with the other more unique aspects of that night, but...surely not? Surely an Aes Sedai of Suana Sedai's rank wouldn't ask an unproven Valdar like him to be her Warder, right? He looked at her seriously, his heart pounding in his chest; <em>was</em> he about to be offered a Wardership?<br><br>He blinked sharply. Apparently...he was. He sat back a little, his entire body suddenly falling still. He was being offered the chance to be the Green Sitters new Warder? Her first one in what some people said was over a decade? He'd never really taken the rumours in the barracks seriously, but...but it appeared that they were right; Suana Sedai had indeed been grooming him to be her Warder, and even though she assured him that she wanted an honest answer and not one given out of a sense of duty or repayment, he didn't even need to consider it; to guard a Sitter at all was a massive honour, especially when you were only just out of Warder Training and were generally expected to bond with a newly Risen Aes Sedai, and for him at least, guarding the <em>Green</em> Sitter? The Ajah dedicated to fighting The Shadow in all its forms and eventually taking the Vanguard in Tarmon Gaidan? The Ajah that took only the strongest warriors for its ranks, and he was being asked to guard one of their most important members? He would be a fool not to accept! Not to mention, he and Suana Sedai were <em>friends,</em> and why wouldn't he want to guard his friends back from all dangers? He was in the middle of opening his mouth to accept without hesitation, but he didn't get the chance; Suana Sedai continued...and his mouth clicked shut with another startled blink...though this one was less of a surprised-but-pleased one and more of a look that gave him an appearance similar to a small woodland creature staring down a cavalry charge. Suana Sedai - the Green Sitter, and a legend amongst the Ajah - <em>fancied</em> him? Enough so that she wanted him as her Warder - in what he inferred was the "Green Way" - and claimed that she would get jealous if he was with other women if he accepted her offer? That revelation in and of itself just completely floored him. She'd flirted with him before, of course, but he'd never realised that she was <em>serious!</em> <br><br>He looked at her for a long moment, struggling to process the new information. Did he want to be her Warder? Yes. No hesitation there. It would be an honour and a pleasure to be a Sitters Warder full stop, but Suana Sedai's? A veteran, a Green and his friend? There was no reason not to, and every reason to accept in that regards so that....that was a yes. But her admission of attraction...that was slightly more difficult. The most obvious question was "Was he attracted to her?" Again, the answer would be yes; she had the ageless face of an Aes Sedai, but she also had a graceful, elegant beauty that captured your attention as soon as she walked into the room with lovely flowing golden hair that seemed to shimmer in the moonlight...and most importantly, she was <em>kind.</em> She was beautiful, she was compassionate, she was kindhearted and one of the most brave and selfless individuals he had ever met. How could he not be attracted to her? The problem was that there were other Aes Sedai he was friends with who also enjoyed his company from time to time who might feel...he didn't know. Betrayed? Abandoned? But that was a weak counter-argument, and he knew it; he hadn't seen any of them properly in months, really, and Theraeve Sedai in particular had been drifting away from him as of late...when she was around (which wasn't often), they rarely spoke and she was getting more and more worryingly aggressive and violent every day. There was...no real reason for him to say no. He was just....surprised, he guessed, and some part of him still kind of held that admiration for Theraeve Sedai. Unfortunately, she was no longer the woman he had followed to Tar Valon...sometimes it felt like he didn't even know her any more, if he even knew her at <em>that</em> point. He looked at Suana Sedai, obviously nervous despite her attempts to hide it, her tilted head sending waves of golden hair falling down about her shoulders as she looked at him with curious, almost....almost <em>worried</em> eyes. He hadn't even thought that Suana could <em>get</em> worried or nervous...and over <em>him?</em> He made up his mind a split second later.<br><br>He wet his mouth a little then gave a slow, gradual nod. He nodded a second time afterwards, faster, and a hesitant smile spread across his face. "I...it would be an honour and a pleasure to accept your offer, Suana Sedai." He said carefully, catching her gaze once again. He swallowed quietly, seeking to wet his throat. He knew what he wanted to say next. "That is to say...I accept your proposal. B-both of them." He knew what she had been implying with her admission of attraction...and he reciprocated the feeling. Greens were known for indulging in their Warders, so why should a Sitter be any different? They were supposed to Embody their Ajah, after all, so...yeah. Besides. He <em>did</em> like her - she deserved to be <em>liked</em> - and honestly...if he lost friends from becoming exclusively Suana Sedai's? Then they evidently weren't friends to begin with. He wasn't about to turn down the chance to be her Warder, and he saw no reason to deny himself the chance to act on the attraction he felt towards her. So...he didn't.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cynadea</strong> on <strong>23-12-2015, 23:55:08</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e8/GreenAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Suana Bemesta<br><strong>Position:</strong> Acting Sitter, Green Ajah<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Not yet<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Galvren<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Secluded corner of the garden<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/a<br><hr><div style="text-align: justify;">Suana waited for his answer with her heart racing. She knew that her hands now would be cold and clammy, that she could not control. Keeping the image of serenity up had become a second nature after a few decades with the shawl, but this now was too uncertain, far too personal, for her to appear unaffected by the outcome. It mattered to her whether he accepted her bond or not and it was important to her that he knew that. She wsan't sure what she would do if he refused.&nbsp; Would she take it gracefully and keep on with their snack and wine? Would she ask to be excuse and go nurse her wounded pride in the Green hall, or vent some steam on a recruit to see if there was one in there that was worth spending her time with like she had done with Galvren? She had no clue, but she clung to the hope that he would agree. He was, for lack of a better word, perfect; exactly what she sought and then some.<br><br>Finally, he gave her a glimmer of hope, by one slow nod. She figured that the offer must have caught him by surprised, though she wondered why. Why else would a green spend so much time training one specific recruit? Why else would she have lured him here on a regular basis to get to know him, and no one else? Surely, the pieces of the puzzle were coming together in his mind now, considering that she had given him her offer. A second nod, less hesitant, and a smile. So his answer was positive! Just like that, the ton of tension that was on Suana's shoulders was lifted. She gave him a coy smile in answer to his second statement,<br><br>"You have no idea how happy that makes me." She said, with a smirk. "But you are about to feel it. Do you want to do it now, the bonding, or do you want to spend one last night alone in your mind; not feeling my happiness, my anxiety, or my desire?" She would feel every emotions of his too. Suana had some experience with a bond, no matter how short-lived her first one had been, so she would be able to make her presence as discreet as possible to make it easier on him, in the beginning. Eventually she would let go of that control to focus on battle or weaving, and he had to be able to take it all, but she had faith that he could, or else she wouldn't offer. She placed her hand onto his thigh, clearly too high to have been aiming for the knee and too far inside to be a platonic touch.</div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Vergil Tanner</strong> on <strong>24-12-2015, 13:08:29</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/f/fd/Valdar.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Galvren Valynar (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11585469#msg11585469)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Valdar (Newly Risen to Gaidin)<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Open<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Suana Bemesta.<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE.<br><strong>Place:</strong> The Grounds, Secluded Corner Of The Garden.<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/A<br><hr><br>Oddly enough, Suana Sedai's relief is palpable and obvious as soon as he nods his head and accepts her offer. Oh, it isn't odd that she's relieved - offering to Bond somebody is always a personal thing to do, and after the amount of time and effort she'd invested in his training it had to be reassuring to know that it wasn't all for nothing and that it was going to pay off somehow - just that he noticed it without yet being in possession of the Warder Bond; Aes Sedai were trained to retain their aloof persona's no matter what and always maintain an air of mystery and control, and yet Suana Sedai's relieved joy at his acceptance is immediately obvious to him and probably to anybody else who would have been watching, were anybody present in the garden at that moment. Of course, he didn't doubt that it was entirely intentional; she wouldn't lose control as easily as that, and why shouldn't she show some happiness if she was feeling joyous or pleased or relieved? He was soon to be her Warder, after all, a thought that still had him slightly dizzy with anticipation, and he was soon going to have an insight into her head whether she wanted him to or not at times...so why bother hiding things from him any more? He stared as she smiled at him, soon finding that it was infectious as what he just agreed to actually finally sank in; he allowed his lips to pull into a small grin at first, then a broad one as he leans in a little, edging just a bit closer to <em>his</em> Aes Sedai. You weren't supposed to think of them that way, of course, but every Warder got a little possessive of his Aes Sedai - understandably so; if something happened to them, you would go off on a roaring rampage of revenge that would end in your death - and he was already feeling somewhat attached to Suana Sedai.<br><br>He did jump just a little as he felt her hand on his thigh - higher and further inwards than perhaps was appropriate - causing his skin to heat up a little both in sudden anticipatory anxiety over the contact and in slight embarrassment at the brazen nature of the contact, though he didn't move away, or move to remove the hand. It was fairly obvious what she was interested in besides Bonding him as a Warder - she <em>had</em> outright told him, more or less, that she wanted to take him as a lover as well as a Warder, so unless that was just her teasing him or lying to him to try and convince him to be her Warder the contact was likely meant to do exactly what it had done; provoke his body into a warm, agitated reaction - and in some case, he may even have returned the gesture. If it had been a barmaid down in Tar Valon, or an Accepted who had decided to take an interest in him, he might had slipped his own hand onto her thigh in return to express his interest...but this was an Aes Sedai, and a Sitter for the Green...and he knew from experience, a woman used to being in control. He didn't want to risk anything that might come across as presumptuous or too forward, so he kept his hands to himself...though he did place his opposite hand over hers lightly, edging himself closer (inadvertently inching her hand further up his leg, a fact he became aware of <em>very</em> acutely a moment later) slightly. She was offering a wait in terms of Bonding for his own benefit, he knew, but she needn't have bothered; he had been preparing to be taken as a Warder for eight years at that point, and there was no way he was waiting even a second longer than he had to. His heart was beating at a million miles a minute; he had aspired to this moment for almost a third of his life...and it was finally happening. He swallowed a little, and smiled a little wider, eyes dancing with excitement, hunger temporarily forgotten in the light of this new opportunity. <br><br>"There's no time like the present, Suana Sedai," he said quietly, "and I cannot imagine enjoying a delay. I've worked for almost a decade for this moment, and it is an honour to be Bonded by one such as you. I'm ready to receive the Bond now if you are comfortable bestowing it, Aes Sedai." He looked at her carefully, his body warming with excitement and - he wasn't about to lie - desire. The hand on his thigh had a lot to do with that last one; he'd been attracted to her for a while - she was a strong-willed, beautiful woman; why wouldn't he be "interested?" - and now that he knew it was reciprocated...well, he wasn't holding himself in check any more. And neither, it seemed was she. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cynadea</strong> on <strong>30-12-2015, 02:20:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e8/GreenAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Suana Bemesta<br><strong>Position:</strong> Acting Sitter, Green Ajah<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Not yet<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Galvren<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Secluded corner of the garden<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/a<br><hr><div style="text-align: justify;">Suana's coy smile turned into a broad smile when he agreed to do it now. She felt her hand being shifted, moved higher on his legs and she wasn't sure what to make of it. Was his hand on hers to stop her from getting more frisky, or had he moved her hand in hopes that she would? She really had no clue, but she would now once she tried to move her hand whether he would hold it there or let it go. All this was quite unnerving; Suana felt rusty. She had been somewhat promiscuous with her first warder, but only in the last few days of his life when she had finally allowed herself to let go of the distance she was told should be between Aes Sedai and warder.<br><br>She scooted just a bit closer to him, then, and her free hand came to rest on the side of his cheek. "Now it is, but I do want that first kiss before we bond. That is definitely something I would rather live without you in my mind." She pointed out, her tone rather play. She was quite visibly happy that he had agreed. A faint color to her cheeks, a broad smile, and bright eyes. Her hand on his cheek remained warm and was soft in spite of her hard work with the staff. She went at great length to keep her hands smooth and without calluses. <br><br>She was about to lean in and give him a kiss when she decided that it would simply not do in that position. She secured her food away from potential ants and bugs by weaving a ward against them around the picnic area. She had a fleeting thought that they might even avoid bug bites, if things ever went that far, but the thought was pushed aside as she moved closer to him.<br><br>Suana gathered her skirts just above her knees, shamelessly showing him a great deal of smooth and lithely muscled leg. She knelt and stood on her knees, placing her right knee along his left hip, and she passed her left leg over him and mirrored the first leg. Now that she was in position, her hips came to rest high on his lap and her arms around his neck.</div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Vergil Tanner</strong> on <strong>30-12-2015, 15:49:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/f/fd/Valdar.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Galvren Valynar (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11585469#msg11585469)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Valdar (Newly Risen to Gaidin)<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Open<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Suana Bemesta.<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE.<br><strong>Place:</strong> The Grounds, Secluded Corner Of The Garden.<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/A<br><hr><br>Well at the very least, Suana Sedai seemed pleased that he had agreed to Bond right there and then; he watched as her playfully coy smile transformed into a broad grin, and he found his own face shifting into a smile of his own (albeit a little less wide); Suana Sedai may not have grinned in public very often - from what he could see, anyway; granted, his public experience with her was limited to the training field where concentration and determination were the more common expressions over happiness and humour - but he maintained (privately, for the moment) that that was a damn shame since it was so infectious when it did appear. It was always a genuine, happy smile that split her face in half and lit her eyes with such mirth that you would have to be made of stone not to at least <em>feel</em> like smiling back. She was so...so happy that he almost forgot for the moment that she was an Aes Sedai and simply saw the face of a nervous woman who had just realised that her nerves were unfounded and that there was nothing to be worried about. But that Aes Sedai status returned quickly as she shifted a little closer and reached for him, and he reflexively braced for the Bond; he had been told that it was a rather surreal experience, and that it took a fair amount of bracing to truly prepare for it by the older Warders. Whether they had been messing with him, or whether it was a different experience for different people, or whether he had just simply misunderstood what they meant - since they were a little cagey on the details, perhaps understandably so - he still got the impression that you shouldn't just jump straight into it. Having another person in your head was <em>bound</em> to be a bit of a jarring change the first time it happened, after all, so perhaps some pacing was required. <br><br>Thankfully, however, it appeared that he hadn't needed to brace himself; the hand on his cheek didn't send any noticeable washes of Power through him, and he didn't feel her appear in his head in any way, shape or form...the most he felt was the soft, warm touch of Suana Sedai's hand on his cheek. He opened his eyes - when had he closed them? Apparently bracing himself also meant closing his eyes in preparation, for some reason - and looked up into her face, meeting her gaze evenly even as she blushed a little. When he registered her words, he couldn't help himself; he flushed just a little as well, though it was more from the sudden realisation of why she had touched his cheek more than any kind of embarrassment. Of course...she wanted to kiss him without getting any possible feedback from the Warder Bond, just in case things didn't "click." Or maybe she just wanted a point of reference to compare how the kisses felt before and after the bond? Or maybe she just wanted a first kiss absent any kind of obligation or compulsion? He had no idea which one - if any of them - was true in her case, but he found that he had the same desire. Just one kiss, outside the bond, just to see what it was like. Probably a good idea...and definitely an alluring one. He felt his heartrate increase a little at the thought of locking lips with Suana Sedai - the agelessly beautiful woman and legend who had just confessed to "desiring" him; how could he not become anxious and excited? - and that reaction only intensified as she shifted - giving him a brief glance of her long, subtly muscular, rather fantastic legs - and slid herself onto his lap, his legs now bearing her weight as she lopoed her arms around his neck slowly, bringing them closer together than they had perhaps ever been before.<br><br>He sucked in a small, steadying breath as he attempted to get his newly rapid heartrate under control. This was a woman who wanted to Bond him and, more jarringly, wanted him <em>exclusively.</em> It would be a change, not being able to be "intimate" with Theraeve Sedai or his other female friends, but...well, as he had noted earlier, he hadn't really seen them in a long time and Theraeve Sedai was drifting away from him more and more as of late...and he and Suana Sedai got along really, really well, better than he had any right to expect at the beginning of this. He found that his hands had drifted upwards to rest lightly on Suana Sedai's waist, idling there as he looked across the short distance into her eyes, her gaze apparently searching his for something. His heartrate spiked a little, and he felt a fresh bundle of anxiety ball up in his stomach...but why? She had outright said that she wanted him and that she wanted to kiss him...and then she had <em>sat in his lap.</em> These weren't "signals," these were outright declarations of what her intentions were. So then...why wasn't she leaning in, or making any more moves? Did she...want <em>him</em> to engage the activity? He felt suddenly a little nervous over that, but quickly swallowed it. He was a <em>Gaidin,</em> for Lights Sake, and he couldn't get the courage up to make the first move on a woman who had outright told him she wanted him to kiss her? Grow the hell up, man!<br>He licked at his lips a little. No more delaying. She wanted a kiss...well, if he was to be her Warder, he would have to get used to fulfilling her desires. "I...hope you don't take offence to this, Suana Sedai," he said softly...before he leaned in towards her, eyes slipping closed as he pressed his lips against her slowly and gently. He just hoped he didn't find himself suspended in the air upside down for this. That would be awkward, to say the least.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cynadea</strong> on <strong>05-01-2016, 10:36:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e8/GreenAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Suana Bemesta<br><strong>Position:</strong> Acting Sitter, Green Ajah<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Not yet<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Galvren<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Secluded corner of the garden<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/a<br><hr><div style="text-align: justify;">Suana looked into his eyes for a moment, simply savoring the closeness and wrapping her head around the fact that it had been incredibly easy to get him to accept a bond. Had he been hoping that she would offer it to him? Was it why he did not need to think about it? Maybe he felt the chemistry between them the same way that she did. It was quite possible that the attraction truly went both ways, that the affection that she had developed for him through their year of intense work together had not been one-sided. If the Tower wasn't so keen on drilling into its people that romantic relationships were unlikely, then maybe he would have been bonded eve before reaching the ranks of Valdar, because there would have been no holding back of feelings then.<br><br>"No, I don't" she replied as she leaned in to meet him halfway. Their lips met in a soft kiss, but Suana did not move back after the contact.&nbsp; Instead, she sought to deepen the kiss but she was not in a rush to do so. The movement of her lips grew gradually more insistent, until the tip of her tongue came to tickle his lips, requesting entrance. She tilted her head to make the deeper kiss easier for the both of them. While she had her arms around his neck, Suana had no strong hold onto him. He could back off at any time if he wished to. Suana knew that she might get to push his limits, to continue if she felt through the bond that he wanted it but his words denied it, but she would never force herself on him without feeling consent from him, that was simply not who she was.<br><br>Her hips lifted slightly and she moved her legs forward further, so that when she lowered her hips again, her crotch was right on top of his, protected by nothing more than delicate smallclothes. He still had his breeches on, of course, but if he were to slip his hand under her skirt that would be all that he found. Her weight was light but firm against his hips, as she was seeking to arouse him as much as to kiss him, she wanted to see if he did, indeed, feel desire for her or if it was only that he wanted the bond so much that he would do with having to be intimate with her every once in a while.<br><br>There was no one in the garden at this time of the evening, especially not today with the faire going on in Tar Valon. The Tower had the minimum of people to keep it running, and most who were there were people who couldn't go or had no interest in the distractions that the faire could provide. Suana herself had a loathing of crowds, over-excited and excitable. She could find herself in a mob faster than one could say "Light" and she knew it. In Tar Valon it was highly unlikely, but she had seen faires before, and menageries and even the Illuminator's guild's displays, although those were always something. No, there was nowhere she would rather be than right here, kissing the man who ha agreed to become her warder.</div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Vergil Tanner</strong> on <strong>05-01-2016, 13:24:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/f/fd/Valdar.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Galvren Valynar (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11585469#msg11585469)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Valdar (Newly Risen to Gaidin)<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Open<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Suana Bemesta.<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE.<br><strong>Place:</strong> The Grounds, Secluded Corner Of The Garden.<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/A<br><hr><br>To Galvren's <em>intense</em> relief, it seemed like Suana Sedai wasn't about to take offence to his forwardness in leaning in for the kiss; in retrospect, it seemed just a touch silly that he had worried about coming across in the wrong way considering that she had been the one to request the "First Kiss" whilst perched in his lap, but you could never be too careful. Humans were by and large rather fickle creatures, and you never knew what might offend or upset them...so it was best to be safe rather than sorry in certain situations, and when dealing with the Sitter for the Green Ajah? That was one of the times where you should tread lightly, just in case. But it proved to be a baseless worry as he felt her lips meet his even as he continued to drift closer, her softer, plusher pair surprisingly yielding just a little under his slightly rougher mouth. He wasn't entirely certain why he was surprised that her lips should be softer and more malleable than his - they definitely <em>looked</em> softer and more delicate than his, at the very least - other than perhaps the fact that when you thought of an Aes Sedai, you rarely thought "soft," "pliant" or "yielding." She didn't give him an inch, of course, taking the initiative to deepen and increase the force of the kiss, which he reciprocated in kind, pushing himself forward a bit more in order to match her apparent desire. Despite his earlier internal hesitation, he <em>did</em> like her and he <em>did</em> desire her - it was safe to admit that at that point, right? - and he didn't particularly see the need to disguise that fact any longer. He could almost feel small sparks fly as his heart jumped in his chest ever so slightly, his hands slipping around her waist to rest on her back; she increased the force of the kiss ever further and, true to what you would expect from a Sitter of the Aes Sedai, she took further control as he felt her mouth open just a little, her tongue slipping from it to prod gently at his lips. <br><br>Automatically, almost as if he was under some kind of Compulsion, he felt his mouth opening in response to allow her tongue passage, instantly yielding to her will; years of "being with" Theraeve Sedai had, he supposed, conditioned him to follow such prompts without question, especially when given by an Aes Sedai, and it was a habit he didn't particularly feel like getting out of. Suana Sedai was certainly nowhere near as obviously aggressive or domineering as Theraeve Sedai could be at times, but she was no less confident in her actions and definitely no less forward...and for whatever reason, when a confident woman made her will clear to him, he often found it difficult to resist or refuse. Not that he particularly wanted to refuse Suana Sedai, of course; he was enjoying himself immensely, and it was both his pleasure and honour to open his mouth and allow her to claim it for herself. He could also feel that she was shifting closer to him, perching herself further up his lap in a far more intimate gesture - if that was even possible - than before, her weight pressing down on the already stirring section of his body. Yes, a deep, firm kiss from a beautiful woman who had outright told him that she wished to be intimate with him was enough to elicit the beginnings of an arousal, ok? He was a Warder, yes, but he was not chiselled from stone like some of the more grizzled veterans were. He was, after all, still only in his mid-twenties, barely out of adolescence. Was that kind of reaction really a surprise to anybody? No? He thought not. But he tried not to concentrate on his worsening tumescence - as hard as it was - and instead focus on the woman in front and on top of him. <br><br>He greeted her tongue into his mouth without hesitation, his own tongue moving to trace and tease at the tip of hers, as if beckoning it in further. One of his hands slipped up her back absently, tracing the delicate curve of her back through her dress, his other hand remaining decidedly on her waist...whilst he felt the urge to let it go wandering "in the other direction," as it were, this was still the Sitter of the Green Ajah; he would not risk offending her by being too forward just yet. He intended to enjoy the kiss for a bit longer before potentially ruining it by going "too far too soon," as it were. He didn't doubt that his hands would demand a more "intimate" touch soon, particularly on her long, smooth, beautiful legs and through those shimmering golden locks of hers...but he should take it slow for the moment, at least. There was, after all, hardly a hurry. Nobody was around in the garden at that time of night, and even if they were, their spot was well concealed...and besides, it wasn't unheard of for Green's in particular to "enjoy the company" of Warders, so it wasn't like they were doing anything illegal. At least, he hoped they weren't. Honestly, he wasn't privy to the rules and regulations, so it was entirely possible that they <em>were</em> banned from doing it, but so many did it that they rarely enforced the rule due to its prevalence and the time it would take to punish all of the perpetrators. Best not to think about that at that moment, however...nobody was going to find them, so they had all night if they so desired. And Galvren, at least, felt no real inclination to move from his current position.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cynadea</strong> on <strong>06-01-2016, 17:56:37</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e8/GreenAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Suana Bemesta<br><strong>Position:</strong> Acting Sitter, Green Ajah<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Not yet<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Galvren<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Secluded corner of the garden<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/a<br><hr><div style="text-align: justify;">Suana felt the lump under her, pressing into a part of her that could have been quite interesting if there had not been several layers of clothing between them. She was not surprised to feel that he was aroused. However, not surprised did not mean not pleased. She was convinced that if he did not like her and not feel desire for her, then he would not have developed arousal simply from having her sitting into his lap and kissing him. It would have required a bit more work on her part, wouldn't it? She leaned into the kiss, leaned into him, but did not press against his body in a way that he would feel the need to lay on his back; she simply molded her body up against his comfortably.<br><br>She was thrilled, exalted. He wanted to bond with her, he wanted to be intimate with her. She would have only one warder from here on, and it would be him. It was amazing in a way that she had finally found someone that she thought was worth the sacrifice. Losing her first warder had crushed her with grief for a time, even though very few were truly aware of how deep it had cut her. The decade that had followed without warder was proof enough that it had been a deeply wounding loss, and she was now ready to go through it again, though she hoped that it would be because he died of old age, rather than into a pointless war.<br><br>Her hand came up to tangle in his hair while the other arm remained firmly wound around him. It was a comfortable position for her, and she was loving the kiss. Every precious second of it. The feel of his lips against hers, the softness of his tongue, the sound of his breathing, the touch of his hands… but while she could allow the kiss to go longer - and that would be so incredibly easy, to just let it go on and on - there was something that she wanted to do before either of them got second thoughts. She didn't think that either of them would, but bonding was such a great commitment, getting cold feet would not be such a surprise.<br><br>Suana brought the kiss to a gentle end, slowed it gradually before she finally broke the contact between their lips. Rather than to pull back completely, however, she rested her forehead against his. "I was told that for a moment, the bonding weave feels like needle pricks to the brain. The sensation doesn't last, and will be replaced by my presence in your mind." Suana said, though she had no clue if the warning was part of his training already. Her first warder had not been tower-trained and there had been quite a bit of surprise at the feel of the weave. Suana embraced saidar and both of her hands moved to take his head into her hands. She moved her head back to look into his eyes as she wove the flows together. She wanted the bond to be strong, perfect, so that their bonding link be flawless, and then she settled the weave into his mind.<br></div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Vergil Tanner</strong> on <strong>07-01-2016, 00:37:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/f/fd/Valdar.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Galvren Valynar (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11585469#msg11585469)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Valdar (Newly Risen to Gaidin)<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Open<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Suana Bemesta.<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE.<br><strong>Place:</strong> The Grounds, Secluded Corner Of The Garden.<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/A<br><hr><br>He knew that the kiss had to end eventually - all things must eventually come to some conclusion, regardless of how pleasant they may be at the time - but he was pleasantly surprised by the fact that Suana Sedai evidently felt the same way he did about that fact; rebelliously defiant in its approaching end, and determined to stretch out the experience for as long as reasonably possible, if her body language was anything to go by; he'd kissed more than a few women in his time, such that he knew the basic signals...what actions and anglings indicated that they wanted to deepen or lighten up the kiss, what little hints showed that they were into it or having doubts...whether they wanted more or less or just the same amount that they were currently receiving or taking or giving...little things like directional changes, the positions of their hands, how much weight they placed on certain areas of his body, whether they seemed hesitant in the kiss or eager and enthusiastic...and though it shouldn't have surprised him that Suana Sedai was enjoying their intimacy - given that she was the one who instigated it - it was a pleasant realisation nonetheless to have. He felt her leaning closer, her beautiful form moulding slowly against his, her lips more insistent, her hands trailing around his back and tangling in his hair, keeping him close and unable to pull away even if he wanted to - which he didn't - as she shared his apparent desire and newfound passion for the contact. Apparently, she was enjoying the kiss as much as he was...which was more than a relief for him. Alas, as alluded to before, all good things must eventually end...and thus, he felt Suana Sedai pulling away from him slowly and despite his urge to follow, he forced himself to remain in place...if she sought to break the kiss, she must have had a reason. His eyes slipped open to look at her as she separated their lips and was surprised at just how close Suana Sedai had decided to stay, their faces still mere inches apart. <br><br>He watched her carefully, not so much as taking his eyes off of her as she slid her hands to the side of his head, though it did elicit a little bit of a shudder of anticipation; he knew what was coming next, of course; she had said that she wanted their first kiss to be without Bonding, and now that that kiss had been concluded...it appeared that there was nothing left to say or do other than to simply go ahead and do it. Did he have doubts? Hell no. He'd trained for the last decade of his life near enough to be considered for a Warder position, and now he was getting bonded by the Sitter of the Green Ajah? He'd said it before and he'd say it again - and probably would yet again afore long - but it was a tremendous honour and he was beyond ready. He steeled himself for the slightly weird sensations, locking his gaze with Suana Sedai as she visibly began to concentrate and even though he couldn't feel or see the weaves of power, he could almost swear that he felt the air warp around them a little, as if the world around them was more than simply a surrounding and was in fact the back of a massive, slowly breathing beast whose body rose and fell so gradually that nobody ever noticed...though that could easily have been his imagination, since non-power users would never be able to sense or see anything more than any visible effects of <em>Saidar.</em> The sensation began much as Suana Sedai described, like an outburst of pins and needles in the back of his brain, tickling and scratching at the edges of his consciousness, pricking and stabbing with gradually more and more aggression and insistence, demanding to be felt and addressed and scratched...<br><br>And then suddenly, it was gone. The pressure that had built up following the prickling sensation was replaced by relative peace, much like what he usually experienced within his own mind...except now there was something <em>different.</em> Right there, sequestered in one corner of his mind, was a fresh bundle of emotions and desires and hints of thought not his own, slowly growing up from the ground and stretching its branches like one of the large, overhanging oak trees back in his home village, each leaf and fruit hanging from it representing a different emotion. Some were bigger than others, of course, and many disappeared even as he attempted to focus on them...and he knew instinctively that this was how his subconscious was choosing to manifest Suana Sedai's presence in his mind. Even as he curiously investigated the strange-feeling phenomenon of having somebody else now permanently living in his brain, he felt a small pull in her direction, an innate knowledge of in which direction she lay...and though he didn't need such a service at that moment in time, he didn't doubt it would be useful later on. After the moment of curiosity and bewilderment, however, came a moment of joy and relief; he was a Warder! A fully fledged, qualified Warder, and to a living legend no less! A living legend that wanted intimacy, to boot! He felt like kissing her suddenly, able to tell from her small tree in that little garden in the corner of his mind that she was just as pleased as he was that he had accepted - from what he could tell, she hadn't been lying - and just as pleased that it had worked. He allowed his mouth to pull into a small, hesitant, almost shy-but-genuine smile. <br><br>"I...feel you in my head, Suana Sedai...It's a strange sensation, but....but not an unpleasant one." He paused, then tilted his head a little. "I did it." He grinned to himself in disbelief. "I'm a Warder. A fully qualified, Bonded Warder." This was easily the proudest day of his life, and one of the happiest, so he had a duty to thank those responsible. "Thank you, Suana Sedai...I will serve you faithfully and to the best of my ability for as long as I live." Which, if he was honest, he intended to be a long, long time...and he had no intention of letting Suana Sedai get injured, either.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cynadea</strong> on <strong>10-01-2016, 05:53:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e8/GreenAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Suana Bemesta<br><strong>Position:</strong> Acting Sitter, Green Ajah<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Galvren Valynar<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Galvren<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Secluded corner of the garden<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/a<br><hr><div style="text-align: justify;">Suana triple-checked that her weave was perfect before settling it in the man's brain. To Suana, the matter of a bond was quite simple even if some people made it to be so very intricate and complicated. He was entering service to her of his own free will. She did not take it lightly. She was honored by his commitment and the sacrifices that it required. She was proud that he had agreed to be bonded to her. All about the bond circled around one very important thing. It wasn't about keeping things platonic, professional, being domineering - something she found to be of very bad taste for an Aes Sedai - or being the leader of the pair. It was about respecting the man, and doing all that was in her power to remain alive and well, and to keep him alive and well too.<br><br>The bond would be strong, the weave was perfect as she finally let it do what it was made to do. There was a small moment of discomfort for her as she felt his presence bloom in her mind. Wonder, curiosity, pride, happiness… and desire although his mind was preoccupied by something else than the lump that pressed into her tender, sensitive flesh at the moment. Her own mind was only distantly aware of her arousal, although it was there, pulsing in the background. The discomfort passed, for both of them it seemed, and Suana focused on the feeling coming from the man.<br><br>She wondered if he would feel that what she felt for him was more than friendship and that it went beyond simple carnal desire. She had a deep affection for him that would have made his refusal cut much deeper than she cared to admit. Deep affection, longing, desire, intense happiness, humility - because yes, Aes Sedai do get to feel this kind of thing once in a while though most would not admit to it - gratefulness. "I expect no less of you. Protection, service, and when we are alone be a reminder that I am a woman and not just a soldier. You can now be addressed as Galvren Gaidin by the recruits. You are my brother in arms, my Gaidin." It was no small amount of pride that flared as she said the words to him. <br><br>"I trust you with my life, Galvren." It was a simple statement of truth. There was no way she could have put another meaning in those words than the one intended. He was hers now. "Kiss me, Galvren. Kiss me like you mean to." She whispered and tilted her head just enough to meet him halfway and make a deep kiss&nbsp; quite comfortable for the both of them.</div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Vergil Tanner</strong> on <strong>10-01-2016, 13:31:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/4/42/Gaidin.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Galvren Valynar (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11585469#msg11585469)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Gaidin.<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Suana Bemesta.<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Suana Bemesta.<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE.<br><strong>Place:</strong> The Grounds, Secluded Corner Of The Garden.<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/A<br><hr><br>It would take some getting used to, of course; the discomfort had passed as quickly as it had come, but the presence of another mind in the back of his own was a strange, alien sensation that, whilst not exactly unpleasant, was certainly odd if nothing else. He could reach out and <em>feel</em> whatever she was feeling, and she could do the same...he could tell where she was at any given time, and if she felt any powerful emotions, he would feel them too...a portion of his mind was forever dedicated to her, and vice versa, and that very fact was in and of itself a strange thing to contemplate. Did she simply have an insight into his mind, or was a portion of his self now implanted in her, independent of the rest of his mind? Was it a copy, a slice or a window? He had no idea, and at that moment, he didn't really care because he could <em>feel</em> what was radiating from that little tree in the back of his mind; just as he was happy to finally be able to call himself a <em>Gaidin,</em> just as he was grateful to Suana Sedai for giving him this opportunity, he could feel that Suana Sedai felt the same way; she, too, was grateful and happy for the bonding, and whilst the Bond didn't give him specific enough insight to know <em>why,</em> he could guess; she had been a long time without a Warder, and requesting a Valdar to Bond with you was an extremely personal thing...it was effectively asking somebody to spend the rest of their lives with you, more or less, especially when you added the whole "monogamous sexual relations" into the mix; on top of the Warder Bond, asking them to not only desire you romantically for so long? That was one hell of a commitment, and he couldn't imagine how nerve-racking it was to ask somebody to make that kind of commitment....or how joyful and relieving it must be to have that person accept, especially with as little apparent hesitation as he had had.<br><br>The simple truth of the matter was that her life <em>was</em> in his hands, now - that's what being a Warder meant, after all - just as his was in hers; it was his job to ensure her safety, and it was her job to keep him alive to protect her. She would suffer immeasurable grief and pain were he to die, now, since losing a Warder was intensely traumatic - so much so that many Aes Sedai that went through it never fully recovered - and since she could Compel him to do whatever she wanted using the Bond, she could feasibly order him to his death if she desired...but just the same, he could feasibly do a deliberately bad job defending her (if he wanted to go on a suicidal, murderous rampage, that was). They relied on each other for their lives, now, and that required a large degree of trust. That was part of the point of the bond, he guessed; he could tell that what she said was the truth, since there was no tinge of deception in that tree in the back of his head. True, she could be hiding it...but there would come a day where they were both so good at reading each others presence that lies would be all but impossible between them. It took a strong kind of relationship to survive <em>that</em> without any apocalyptic arguments, but he thought they could do it, with the right attitude. And part of that attitude? It was loyalty and, above all, obedience. He would need to do exactly what she said, when she said it, but tempered with concern for her well being; if she told him to do something that would put her in danger, it was his duty to ensure that she was in as little trouble as possible. It would mean knowing when to give her unquestioning obedience, and when to argue the point with her, for her own good. But through it all...loyalty was a must.<br><br>But he had no problems obeying her current order; their first kiss had been private, something to keep to themselves, one last secret between them in that they would never know how the other one felt during that kiss...but this second one? That would be exposed, raw, seen between the two of them...he remembered that fiery desire and that exquisite taste of her lips against his, how wonderful it felt to have her pressed atop him, showing him the affection that she held for him...and now, now he could tell whether that affection and desire was merely affected to win him over, or if it was genuine...he didn't doubt that she had meant what she said, but now he would know for certain that she truly desired it. He nodded slowly, his heart beating quickly as he took in her beauty as she approached, tilting her head a little to grant him an easier access. He swallowed, then smiled just a little. "Your wish is my command, Suana Sedai," he said quietly as he leaned in, and pressed his lips slowly and firmly against hers. He kissed her slowly at first, little shockwaves of desire and pleasure radiating from the contact, his hands moving back up to her waist, one hand sliding around her back to hold her closer, excitement and joy blooming in his head. He <em>did</em> desire her, after all, and he intended for her to know that without a shadow of a doubt.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cynadea</strong> on <strong>13-01-2016, 16:43:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e8/GreenAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Suana Bemesta<br><strong>Position:</strong> Acting Sitter, Green Ajah<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Galvren Valynar<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Galvren<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Secluded corner of the garden<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/a<br><hr><div style="text-align: justify;">"This is a very unwise thing to say to an Aes Sedai, Gaidin." Suana said with a sheepish grin on her lips. Her wish, his command… It was a so tempting concept, a so tempting statement to take advantage of.&nbsp; Her arms slipped around him, once again pressing her body up against him and desire flared. This time, she knew that he would feel how intense it was. He would definitely be able to feel, through the bond, that she felt for him more than a friendly kind of affection. She was possessive with him for a very specific reason, and it would be easy to read if he looked into it. She cared; she loved him. The words would not pass her lips for the time being unless he spoke the words first, but the bond would not be controlled or made to conceal this particular feeling. It was laced with her desire for something more carnal between them too.<br><br>Suana, just like before, melted against him as their kiss progressed into something a bit more passionate. Without any conscious thought on her part, she rocked her hips just barely enough for him to feel the movement, a slight grinding against the hard lump that was pressed up against the crotch of her smallclothes. She let a very soft moan escape into the kiss, because the movement of her hips caused a spike in her arousal that she had not anticipated.&nbsp; She had him; she finally had him all to herself. He was hers, body and soul, just like she was his. The only option that she had, which he did not have, was whether or not she would take a second or a third Gaidin in addition to him, but she doubted that she would. After the time that she had taken to groom him, prepare him and get him to the proper level of skills, she felt no need to add to her mind the presence of another warder.<br><br>Being in his arms now had something absolutely delightful. He was broader than her, built stronger than her petite frame, and yet if she wanted to dangle him by his ankles she could do so almost effortlessly. He could beat her if they dueled with a staff - something she was incredibly grateful for, strangely enough - and with the sword, but ultimately, she could stop every single blow or, better yet, prevent him from even being able to strike if she wished. Yet, while he was physically stronger, built to be more powerful, he was offering her no resistance at all. "The row of buttons holding this dress closed is on the back, do you intend to do anything about it?" She asked, her lips bushing against his, and remaining within reach if he wished to resume the kiss. It wasn't a request, not worded as a request, but he had been around Aes Sedai enough to know exactly what her words meant.</div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Vergil Tanner</strong> on <strong>14-01-2016, 03:11:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/4/42/Gaidin.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Galvren Valynar (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11585469#msg11585469)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Gaidin.<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Suana Bemesta.<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Suana Bemesta.<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE.<br><strong>Place:</strong> The Grounds, Secluded Corner Of The Garden.<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/A<br><hr><br>The kiss that time around was...<em>different.</em> Not better, per say, just...<em>different.</em> Whereas before he was alone in his own head and feeling his own desire and excitement and nervousness and all the other hundred and one emotions that rampaged through his body in that moment, now he had not only an eavesdropped lying in the back of his mind but also a window into just how his partner was feeling throughout; as soon as their lips met and she leant forward to press her body against him, in addition to his own fresh surge of desire and warmth and excitement he could <em>feel</em> a sudden spike of hot, trembling, raw emotion pulsing from that tree, the leaves upon it shimmering from a dark bronze to a fiery blossom-red, the sudden shock of the change and the force of the emotions making him gasp a little as her own pleasure at the contact echoed through into his own mind. He found himself tightening his grasp on her waist as she pushed herself closer, his own desire and affection only being stoked by the fires emanating from across the bond; whereas before he had still been just a little bit doubtful of the sincerity of her desire, now he could feel the truth of it first hand. Every one of his touches, every time he dragged his lips across hers, every time his breath tickled along her skin, he could feel the tree rustling in response, new blossoms sprouting every moment that passed. That unrestrained desire and affection - mixed in a curious way that he wasn't entirely certain how to read yet; he didn't doubt he would be able to detect her emotions with more subtlety once he'd gotten used to the bond, but at that moment he was still working out how to interpret the various signs, so anything more subtle than her raging passion eluded him, for the time being - bled through to his own emotions, amplifying them and pushing him to more insistent touches and harder kisses which in turn inflamed <em>her</em> passions, which then bled through to him...it was a sweet, sweet circle that he had no desire to end any time soon. <br><br>His hands clutched at her waist and back, his mind slowly losing itself in the kiss and the feel of her lips and the proximity of her body that was just radiating heat, yielding to her aggressive insistent body automatically, submitting to her quiet, subtle confidence, every fibre of his being enjoying such intimate contact with Suana Sedai...he didn't know to what extent he liked her yet, but he <em>did</em> like her, that much he was certain of. He enjoyed her company, respected her ability, admired her beauty and wanted to sit there and kiss her all night...he wanted to talk to her and protect her and aid her in whatever she decided to do, and genuinely valued her not only as the beautiful creature she was but as a person worthy of respect, deference and his affections. Was that enough for the long-term? He didn't know. But he knew that it was not something easily thrown away...and he knew that his parents own partnership had been founded on much less than his attraction to Suana Sedai was, and for the moment at least, that was enough; they desired each other, they had great affection for one another and regardless of how far that affection extended...they both wanted and <em>needed</em> to express that desire as soon as they could to celebrate their new Bond. He just hoped that his affection was indeed real, true affection rather than simply desperate lust. He knew that he did genuinely desire and care about Suana Sedai...but the doubt was still in the back of his mind, and any reasonably person would have that same reservation in his situation. But he shoved it to one side; right then, he desired her and she him and they both held affection for each other...and that was enough, for the moment. Only time would tell whether that affection was simple physical desire...or something more.<br><br>And then it ended. Well, perhaps that was dramatic; the intimacy itself and the passion driving it didn't end - how could it possibly go away as quickly as that, after all? - but the intense, insistent, fiery contact most certainly did cease as Suana Sedai pulled away just a little, her lips now mere fractions of an inch from Galvren's as she stopped their intense kiss. Galvren blinked a little in surprise as he slowly came back to his senses, the raging inferno that had sprouted from the base and boughs of that tree and had spread to meet his own flickering bonfire had retreated just a little from the edges of his mind, giving him precious room to think. He hadn't been thinking consciously in that contact, hadn't been considering what their intimacy might mean...it had simply felt good and right and he had done it. But now...now Suana Sedai was requesting something far more conscious of him, a thought that flooded him with both sudden desire and excitement, and extreme nervousness at the same time. Suana Sedai framed it as a simple question, but he had known Aes Sedai - and women - long enough to know when a question was more of a hint or - in that case - an order, and despite his sudden anxiety, he didn't hesitate; he was nervous, true, but when an Aes Sedai tells you to undress her, it's only natural that you feel a little trepidation. But that was only a tiny corner of his mind, the rest of his self being consumed with <em>want</em> and <em>excitement</em> and even - dare he say - <em>lust.</em> <br><br>His eyes opened slowly and flickered up to meet Suana Sedai's gaze, his eyes admittedly just a little lidded and flared with desire. "I would be a poor...lover..." it was going to take a while to get used to using that word to refer to Suana Sedai, even just in private. He felt a small spike of nervousness as he wondered whether that would be deemed appropriate by her or not, but he shoved it to one side; he didn't have time to worry about it yet. "...if I didn't..." He finished after a brief pause. His hands slipped from their position around her waist, moving up further along her body, his hands taking in every dip and curve along the way until they eventually found those small, rounded buttons connecting the two sides of her dress. These weren't the first buttons his hands had seen and he popped them easily, panting a little from the force of the previous kiss as he looked Suana Sedai in the eye. He wanted to kiss her again, Burn It, but this felt like something that should be observed and shared rather than something that should be rushed through and forgotten; it was the first time that they would undress each other...it just felt like it deserved more ceremony. <br><br>His hands continued slipping the buttons through the holes deftly until none remained, the shoulders of the dress now hanging loosely on Suana Sedai's upper arms. Then....he pulled at the edges slowly, dragging the dress down her body and off of her arms, slowly exposing that beautifully, wonderfully pale skin to the cool night air, the parts being revealed practically glowing in the soft moonlight, his breath hitching a little as the dress sliding down her body revealed more of her smooth, graceful, elegant beauty. "Suana Sedai..." he breathed quietly, "Your beauty humbles me..." He blushed at using such a cliché, cheesy line...but he couldn't think of anything else to say; it may have been cliché, but it was also - in that case - truer than anything else he had said that evening, the awe and wonder and affection and desire in his voice and pulsing in his mind - and, no doubt, through the Bond as well - 100% genuine. He went slowly, giving her every opportunity to stop him and throw him backwards if she so desired, but honestly? He sincerely hoped that she didn't...and not only because he wanted to kiss her again and feel that wildfire of passion raging through him again. Of course...that was part of it. He <em>was</em> a man, after all.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cynadea</strong> on <strong>15-01-2016, 21:13:40</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e8/GreenAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Suana Bemesta<br><strong>Position:</strong> Acting Sitter, Green Ajah<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Galvren Valynar<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Galvren<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Secluded corner of the garden<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/a<br><hr><div style="text-align: justify;">"Be at ease, Galvren." Suana said when she felt the surge of anxiety go through the bond. Was it because they were outside, in the garden, exposed with the possibility of being caught? Was it simply because it was her? She had no clue. He had his reason to be anxious, and she wanted him to relax. There was nothing to be anxious about. She had spent a lot of time in this little corner of the garden and it seemed to be forgotten by everyone but the gardener to who kept the grass cut short, and the pond clean. No one else ever came here, but them, as far as Suana was aware.<br><br>"You would also miss an opportunity." The blond woman replied to his comment about being a bad lover if he didn't take care of the row of pearl buttons on the back of her dress. She felt the dress loosen with each button, and when he reached her waist where the buttons stopped, she moved back slightly to allow the dress to be slipped of her shoulders and arms. Her skin was pale, and as he pulled the dress down, it revealed more of the milky skin, mostly unblemished though there were faded scars of cuts from a fight that happened a decade ago. Her firm breasts were as perky as any twenty years old although she was twice that age, topped with dark, thick nipples that pointed at him now as if to accuse him for their hardened state.<br><br>"Thank you. I am glad that you appreciate it. When we are alone, use only my name. You are not tending to the Aes Sedai's needs now, you are a lover tending to a woman's needs." Suana pointed out, but she was pleased - and he would certainly feel that through the bond - that he was so taken by her form, her curves. Her hand went to the front of his throat when she took care of the first few buttons so that his head could pass through, and then reached for the hem with the intent of pulling it over his head. She would not be the only one naked tonight, not if she had her way and she had every intentions of having it. Sure, she wouldn't force herself onto him, but if what she felt through the bond was any indication, there wouldn't be any coercion. She leaned forward to kiss him again, as soon as the shirt would be off.</div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Vergil Tanner</strong> on <strong>16-01-2016, 11:56:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/4/42/Gaidin.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Galvren Valynar (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11585469#msg11585469)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Gaidin.<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Suana Bemesta.<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Suana Bemesta.<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE.<br><strong>Place:</strong> The Grounds, Secluded Corner Of The Garden.<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/A<br><hr><br>In all honesty, of all the things he had expected to happen tonight between him and Suana Sedai, <em>this</em> hadn't even cracked the top ten; how was he to know to expect the Sitter of the Green Ajah declaring affection for him and then shedding her dress while sitting on his lap? It might have seemed a tad obvious in hindsight - she had spent a year training him exclusively, after all, and always seemed to make the time for him regardless of what else was going on - but coming into it blind? He had hoped that he was right in expecting some kind of broaching the topic of Wardership, or at least a continuation of their training once his arm was healed, but this? This was....entirely out of left field for him, so perhaps some nervousness and anxiety was natural. Suana Sedai did her best to assuage his nerves and, for the most part, managed to succeed - it didn't take much reassurance for him to calm himself a little with the knowledge that if this wasn't something she wanted, she would be hanging him upside down in the air right now, and that though it was a new experience for him, he'd been with women before so at least knew what he was doing in <em>that</em> respect; despite the rank and the awe-inspiring legend around Suana Sedai, she was still a human woman, so he would expect the principle to be the same as most other women...at least, he hoped as much - though a tiny part of him was still just a touch nervous. How could he not be? This was Suana Sedai, his new Bondmate...if he left a bad impression here, it could be very, very bad. The dress itself proved to be a mite difficult - after sliding it down her torso, it kind of got stuck by the simple snag that it wasn't easily removed from her waist or legs due to her position on his lap, so for the moment he left it pooled down by her waist, lest he accidentally rip it or something...it looked to be more expensive than anything he could have afforded with a months earnings back in his village, and he wasn't about to be the one to damage it.<br><br>Though he was a little surprised when she asked him to use her name; whilst Theraeve Sedai in particular had wanted him to call her by her name (among other things) he hadn't expected such intimacy on his and Suana Sedai's first time; usually it took time and experience with each other to build up that level of trust and intimacy to the point where titles could be disposed of - at least in his mind; he'd kind of been conditioned to always use peoples titles outside of his home village, since you never knew what people would take offence to, and offended people were far harder to deal with than pleasant-mooded or flattered people. But he supposed that it made sense; they'd known each other for a year and were now closer than most people could ever hope to be...and she was a Sitter all day, every day. Being an Aes Sedai was a full time job, after all, and a Sitter even more so...so he supposed it made sense that she'd want to leave her title at the door sometimes, as it were, and just be an ordinary woman for a few hours. It made sense, and it was a reasonable request that came from his Aes Sedai...so he didn't see a single reason not to obey. He inclined his head a little, still looking her marvellous upper body up and down slowly, but then changed his gazes direction to fix on her eyes. "Of course, Suana Se-" He paused, then corrected himself. "- I mean, Suana. I understand." However, he did flinch just a little as she reached for his throat - images of that time with Theraeve Sedai flashed through his head, when she had wanted him to choke her of all things...he still had nightmares about that sometimes, though he wasn't entirely sure why he had such an adverse reaction to it considering how rough they had been with each other beforehand - but he forced himself to remain still, suppressing the urge to flick his gaze down to watch what she was doing. He knew that she was undoing his tunic to pull it over his head, it was just his stupid reflexes that were misbehaving. <br><br>He calmed himself, soothing his mind after the sharp spike of irrational panic, and allowed her to remove his tunic, lifting his arms above his head in order to facilitate its movement before taking it and putting it in a pile by his side, his chest now exposed to the cool summer-nights air. He scooched himself a little closer, his chest now brushing against her hardened nipples - making him shudder just a little - as he calmed down from that sudden moment of panic. He forcibly banished the ill thoughts from his head; they had no place with him on that night, of all nights. He was with Suana Se- Suana now, and he would not allow thoughts of Theraeve Sedai to sour things. His hands drifted back to Suana's waist, alighting on the pooled dress. "So, Suana S- I mean...Suana..." He blushed a little at the almost-slip-up. That was going to take a bit of getting used to, considering that every time he had used her name before it had been followed by "Sedai." "...how exactly are we going to get the rest of this dress off? I am assuming that you don't want it torn...but it needs to come off <em>somehow.</em>" He tilted his head, his lips only a few inches away...the urge to kiss her again was strong, stoked by her own excitement and desire, but he resisted it...for the time being, at least. He knew that they would have to disentangle from each other even if only briefly to remove their lower clothing, but he wasn't about to just shove Suana off. He....rather liked having her straddling his lap, and he wasn't about to encourage her departure from it. He was going to enjoy it just a <em>little</em> longer before having to move. He didn't think he could be blamed for that, especially since he could tell that Suana felt the same way. At least, he thought she did; as he said before...picking up her more subtle emotions was going to take practice...but not tonight. That night, they both had other things on their mind. He didn't need to be her Bondmate to know <em>that</em> much, at least.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cynadea</strong> on <strong>19-01-2016, 13:12:46</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e8/GreenAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Suana Bemesta<br><strong>Position:</strong> Acting Sitter, Green Ajah<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Galvren Valynar<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Galvren<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Secluded corner of the garden<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/a<br><hr><div style="text-align: justify;">Suana smirked when he almost slipped. Old habits died hard, and he would still get to use the title from time to time when required. Right now, though, it wasn't. Right now she wanted to be the woman he desired, not the Aes Sedai he bonded. Even though the bond could not be removed for a specific period of time, her title could be and that was how she wished it to be. The flinch that followed did not go unnoticed, and neither did the spike in his emotions. She tilted her head, in appearance focused on what her nimble fingers were worked on, but her inner ear listened to the bond.<br><br>"Yes, the dress has to go.&nbsp; I still have the ability to stand up or put the food back into the basket for now and lie down. Right this minute, though, I want to know what scared you, what made you want to shy away from my hand. I want to know everything about you and this could be important." She had a few theories in a corner of her mind. She knew that some Aes Sedai sometimes would partake in intimacy with the recruit and some of them had a skewed idea of what should happen during these moment. Different folks, different strokes, or so the saying said, but if Galvren had a stigma from a previous experience, she would work with him to iron it out so that panic would never enter their intimacy in that accidental manner ever again.<br><br>There was a deeply caring feeling that flowed through the bond as she requested to know. She leaned forward, pressing her body against his. Her arms moved around his broad shoulders and she rested her head into his shoulder, her forehead pressing against the side of his neck. There was no annoyance, no impatience in the bond. Curiosity, affection, desire, arousal, but a deep desire to make him comfortable and well. He was her man now, and if he was to keep her safe, she was to take care of him, to care for him.<br><br>Bonded. Suana still had a hard time to wrap her head around it. Bonded to Galvren, because he had earned her trust and attained a satisfying level of mastery. She had survived the Aiel war fighting with the staff a decade ago. Her skill had increased since through the daily practice that she put herself through until her arms felt heavy. He could beat her, so she trusted that he would be able to survive a fight with one of the savages, or a creature of the Dark One. She had faith in him, and right now was concerned that he might not fully trust her as she did him. Her hands left him momentarily, to pull all the loose fabric of the skirt behind her in an attempt to lessen the amount of fabric between them at the waist.</div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Vergil Tanner</strong> on <strong>19-01-2016, 13:56:51</strong>
			</dt>
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				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/4/42/Gaidin.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Galvren Valynar (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11585469#msg11585469)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Gaidin.<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Suana Bemesta.<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Suana Bemesta.<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE.<br><strong>Place:</strong> The Grounds, Secluded Corner Of The Garden.<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/A<br><hr><br>Well...<em>shit.</em> He had hoped that his momentary panic and fear - as brief as it was - would go unnoticed or at least ignored for the time being, but apparently Suana Se- <em>Suana</em> was more observant and more concerned than that. He supposed that it made sense, in retrospect; she was undressing him, ready for a night of passion and intimacy, and they she felt a spike of - of all things - <em>fear</em> and possibly even a little <em>revulsion.</em> That was not exactly something you'd want to feel from your partner; a flinch on its own would likely warrant an "Are you ok," but actually feeling the emotions behind it being fed directly into your brain? That would give cause for real concern, and obviously since he was her Warder, she would want to know anything and everything that could affect his efficacy and his mental and physical wellbeing. It just made sense for her to be concerned, and he was even a little touched that she was so worried about his well being that she cut straight to the point instead of delaying it for later...but it didn't make things any easier for him. Despite the wave of cuddly, caring warmth that flowed through the Bond, Galvren instead began to feel just a little sense of unease. <br><br>He <em>really</em> didn't want to talk about it <em>now</em> of all times, especially since it would kind of sour the mood of what was supposed to be an exuberant celebration of a momentous occasion, but how was he supposed to deny the <em>Sitter of the Green Ajah?!</em> If an Aes Sedai asked you something, you answered, no questions asked, unless it put another Aes Sedai in danger. And here he was, considering outright saying "no" to a Sitter! It was, honestly, kind of terrifying. He could always tell her, of course...but that thought scared him more. Not only would it bring the whole mood down, but he actively avoided thinking about it at all times and he just didn't think he could talk about it without getting to the verge of breaking down somehow. And honestly? Breaking down was not the sort of thing that an Aes Sedai would want to see in her Warder over something as trivial as a kink that he didn't care for. Besides, what would he say? He'd describe the situation, but he honestly didn't know <em>why</em> it had affected him so profoundly. Could it be that it had gone against every instinct in his body, both as a Warder-In-Training and as a man who valued his friends safety? Could it be that he just abhorred unnecessary violence? Could it be that it was because she wanted him to actively cut off air supply, which could kill her, and he didn't like the thought of killing a friend? Could it just be that he was being melodramatic about the whole thing? Any one - or more - of them could be true and he didn't know which one/s. How could he really talk about it to any effect without knowing why it bothered him?<br><br>He swallowed a little, his hands resting on the back of her waist as he tried to gather his thoughts enough to speak; his brain was scattered, scrambling for an answer that could get him out of this without having to talk about it, but he was coming up empty. "Suana Se- <em>Suana.</em>" he began hesitantly, turning his head to look at her hesitantly. Uncertainty, worry and no small amount of trepidation and even a tinge of fear all warred for dominance in his mind. He knew he had to talk about it with somebody, but...well, knowing it and doing it were two entirely different things. And honestly, he didn't think he was ready. "With all due respect, and with as many apologies as I can give...I really, <em>really</em> don't wish to speak of it. It isn't that I don't trust you, I just...do not believe myself to be ready just yet." He grimaced a little. "I don't wish to sour the mood of our celebration any more than I already have, and it's something that I don't entirely understand myself." Keep as close to the truth as possible without giving details...a trick he picked up from Theraeve Sedai, amusingly enough. <br><br>"It's nothing serious, Suana, I promise. I highly doubt it will come up between us again, and if it does, I will tell you about it right then and there. But for the moment...it's something I would much rather forget, at least for the time being. But...your concern...it comforts me to know you care. It means a lot. Thank you." He looked at her perhaps a little pleadingly; he could forget it tonight, he was certain, but only if she dropped it. She could always Compel him to answer her, of course, but he knew - well, hoped - that she wouldn't resort to that so soon. He would tell her eventually, but...he just didn't think he was ready to speak of it. He needed to figure it out himself before he explained it to somebody else, for one. For the other...well, this was a celebration. And he didn't want to talk about it on what should be one of the happiest and proudest moments of his life. He wanted to forget about it, if only for the night, and if he started talking about it he'd be dwelling on it for the rest of the week. He just wanted one night where he slept peacefully without thinking about it as he drifted off to sleep...was that so much to ask?
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cynadea</strong> on <strong>23-01-2016, 06:30:33</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e8/GreenAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Suana Bemesta<br><strong>Position:</strong> Acting Sitter, Green Ajah<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Galvren Valynar<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Galvren<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Secluded corner of the garden<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/a<br><hr><div style="text-align: justify;">Suana heard the first part of his answer and&nbsp; her own answer to it was quite non-verbal: a flat stare and a flash of annoyance through the bond. Avoidance was not something that she wanted from him, neither were secrets. They were going to live in each other's head, put their lives in the other's hands. Secrets were bad, secrets meant unwanted surprises such as what happened just now. If she had known, she would have behaved accordingly. The flinch however, the fear and all that came with it rubbed her off the wrong way. She didn't take offense in it, but that he dodged the answer bothered her.<br><br>"It is serious, Galvren. It's very serious." Suana said, stressing on the word 'very'. "There are many things that I could bear when I touch you, but fear and revulsion are very much like… dunking my head in the ice cold water of the pond in the heart of winter. You are not my first warder. I know how to read the bond. I can feel your arousal, your desire, but yet when I come to touch you, to remove your shirt you flinch away from my hand, and those emotions… They make me very uncomfortable." Suana couldn't help but to wonder if the desire wasn't simply one of a man who had not had the opportunity to be with a woman in so long, rather than to be a desire for her in particular. Was there something about her and her touch that was undesirable?<br><br>"And of course I care. You think that I bare myself for any man who has beautiful eyes and nice calves?" Suana asked, but there was no anger or annoyance in her tone or in the bond. Concern filled her, but while he had not soured the mood as he feared he might have, he did bring the high flame down to glowing ambers for the time being. It wouldn't take much for her to get in the mood again, to kiss him and touch him… There was a touch of self-doubt in the bond, something that the Aes Sedai did not feel every often and which she definitely loathed.<br><br>The string of "what if"s that went through her mind was quick, short but exhaustive. Not once did it cross her mind that Theraeve could have something to do with. As she sat there, into his lap in a most delightful manner all things considered, bare-chested and longing to kiss, Suana hoped that she had not made a mistake, that she had not bonded a man based on a lie. She had been blunt in speaking her desires, what if he had lied to please her? She didn't think that Galvren would lie, not when there was a bond in play. Unless he wanted the bond so badly that having to be intimate with her seemed a small price to pay… Suana sighed, but kept a tight smile on her lips. "It feels like someone told me they have a bad news, but they'll tell me later. I am not very fond of the suspense, but neither am I fond of the idea of coercing a secret out of you. Maybe we should celebrate with food and wine for now." Suana suggested and she looked down at her dress while her hands began to gather the fabric that would be covering her from the waist up.</div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Vergil Tanner</strong> on <strong>23-01-2016, 21:28:14</strong>
			</dt>
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				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/4/42/Gaidin.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Galvren Valynar (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11585469#msg11585469)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Gaidin.<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Suana Bemesta.<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Suana Bemesta.<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE.<br><strong>Place:</strong> The Grounds, Secluded Corner Of The Garden.<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/A<br><hr><br>Galvren actually winced at her tone; it wasn't...angry, per say, or even offended. It was more...disappointment, mixed with concern and just a dash of irritation, and it was the kind of voice you heard from a close friend or confidante when they realised that you weren't being completely honest with them and they got upset that you apparently didn't trust them enough to confide in them. That was far from the truth, of course - if he was going to confide in anybody, Suana Sedai was right at the top of the list - but it was just the kind of thing that was easy to ignore...until you started talking about it. The sort of thing that seemed worse when you spoke it out loud precisely because it wasn't all that bad. When he said it out loud - "I was asked to do something that I didn't enjoy and now it's bothering me" - it sounded so Light-burned <em>pathetic,</em> in all honesty. Oh no. Boo hoo. He had been asked to do something that he didn't like, and it hurt his fee-fee's. There were people dying of terminal illnesses and people whose life partners were just complete assholes and made their other halves live in abject fear and misery, and he was all bent out of shape over something as pitiful as not sharing a kink with somebody? It was, quite frankly, disgraceful for a Gaidin to be so hung up about such a pitiful, pathetic, trite piece of nonsense. <br><br>And yet...he was. And he supposed that was why he didn't want to say it out loud; because then he'd have to face just how pathetically irrelevant it actually was, and he'd have to admit to Suana Sedai that he was blowing the whole thing out of proportion. And then, maybe she'd think that he wasn't the man she had thought him to be, and would pass his Bond onto somebody else because she couldn't have somebody as fragile and sensitive as Galvren as a Warder. Warders were supposed to be hard as nails, unbending, unyielding...and he was distraught over a bit of choking-play. It was, quite honestly, utterly stupid. He felt a small pool of self-loathing gathering in the back of his head, gaining ground in his mental state, and he forced it down <em>hard.</em> He could despise his own cowardice and pathetic hypersensitivity later. Right that moment, he had a disappointed, hurt Aes Sedai to deal with, a difficult situation to be sure...but also one of his own creation. He could feel from the Bond that her previous excitement had tempered significantly with her irritation and even a bit of self doubt - which was a rare thing to see in any Aes Sedai, he knew that much - and his guilt only compounded. He was making her doubt herself and him over <em>nothing.</em> Brilliant. Five minutes on the job, and he'd already upset the woman he was supposed to be protecting. He was a <em>brilliant</em> Gaidin, wasn't he? <br><br>He sighed softly, shoulders slumping a little in dejection and remorse. "My apologies, Suana Sedai...I shame myself." he said quietly, his eyes dropping away from her face. At that point, he wasn't really sure he deserved to use her name. He'd upset her, he'd soured the mood of celebration that they had been enjoying and all for a stupid, pathetic, light-burned moronically pitiful reason. He was an over-sensitive, selfish idiot and he had to at least try to fix it <em>somehow.</em> He grit his teeth a little, his mouth momentarily rebelling against what he felt he needed to say, but he forced the words out anyway, though a spike of fear and self-revulsion punctuated almost every second syllable. He really was being a melodramatic asshole, wasn't he? "I didn't mean to...no. It doesn't matter if I meant to or not." He grimaced. "One of my....<em>previous partners</em>....recently requested a specific service of me. I found it uncomfortable and distressing. That really is it, Suana Sedai; the flinch was simply because I was, for some reason, reminded of it and my mind decided to be dramatic. It isn't that serious, and it has nothing to do with how I feel about you or this Bond." He pursed his lips again. The time for little affectionate names had passed; he had offended her, and was now begging forgiveness. He should act like it. He bowed his head a little further. <br><br>"I apologise....I should have just said so in the first place, but it isn't something that I find particularly pleasant to speak of. Once again...I'm sorry, Suana Sedai. I didn't mean to offend." See? When said out loud, it just sounded like melodramatic nonsense. Maybe he wasn't ready to be a Warder, if something as insignificant as that was enough to give him nightmares. A Warder needed to be made of sterner stuff, and maybe Galvren just wasn't ready for it. Would he end up letting down Suana Sedai again, like he had just done, but in a more serious, fatal way? He frowned as a fresh wave of self-doubt, guilt and self-loathing arrived from his subconscious. It wasn't enough to wash him away and he easily shoved it down, but the doubts were still there. Not only had he ruined their celebrations, not only had he upset and offended Suana Sedai, but he had done it all over the most trivially pathetic of reasons; she briefly reminded him of something that he didn't really like. That was it. He needed to remember not to be so dramatic next time. It really would help a lot, especially if it helped him avoid hurting his new Bondmate...if he stayed her Bondmate for particularly long, that was. He might not remain so for long after that disaster of a night.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cynadea</strong> on <strong>25-01-2016, 21:30:53</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e8/GreenAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Suana Bemesta<br><strong>Position:</strong> Acting Sitter, Green Ajah<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Galvren Valynar<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Galvren<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Secluded corner of the garden<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/a<br><hr><div style="text-align: justify;">"You did not offend at all, nor is there any shame to be had. With what we share, this level of intimacy has no place for bruised pride. Sometimes the level of maturity that you display makes me forget how young you truly are." Suana said, and there was a warmth to her voice that had been there on and off since the beginning of the evening. She was simply showing her affection, but the control of one's display of emotions had become second nature ages ago, and thus sometimes took over even when she did not mean to. Her hands came to cup his face so that he would be able to look into her eyes as she spoke.<br><br>"Intimacy is a moment where we are quite open and vulnerable, Galvren, if something traumatic was done during this time, it is not dramatic of you to flinch as you remember it. Just know that I will never hit you unless we are fighting a duel, and that I do not wish to give you pain or discomfort. All that you feel, I feel. All that I desire, is to feel pleasure from you not pain. Pain does nothing good for me, not in an intimate encounter." Pain did have something good. Pain when your fingers have been hit on because your hold onto the staff had become too broad, that did something good; a lesson learned. It didn't turn her on to have her man experience pain. <br><br>Discomfort was another matter entirely. Discomfort for the sake of it, did not do anything to her. Discomfort that made him say that they -shouldn't- do it, not here or not now because of the risk of getting caught was different. Especially if the discomfort fought with the desire to continue.&nbsp; "Do not wallow in self-doubts now. It's done. When you are ready to tell, you tell me. If you never are ready to tell me what was done to you, all that I ask is that you come to trust me that I would not do it to you without your true consent, that you get used to my touch so that I never feel fear or revulsion from you as my hands draws near. And it's just Suana, now, please do this for me."<br><br>Suana leaned forward to embrace him and hold him against her. She wanted the embrace to be reassuring. Her desire for him had been brought back down to a low simmer for now, but she knew that all they really needed was to start kissing again and the rest of the clothing would simply fall off eventually. The hand that landed on the nape of his neck massaged gently and her other arm caressed his back, back and forth and back again, from shoulder to as far down as she could reach. Her chin rested on top of his shoulder and the side of her head pressed gently toward his. Nothing was changed; he came with a baggage, but could she really hold it against him? The Aes Sedai who had taken a decade finding herself a suitable Gaidin, because the pain of the first had been too dire for her to even consider a bond…</div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Vergil Tanner</strong> on <strong>26-01-2016, 02:15:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/4/42/Gaidin.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Galvren Valynar (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11585469#msg11585469)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Gaidin.<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Suana Bemesta.<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Suana Bemesta.<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE.<br><strong>Place:</strong> The Grounds, Secluded Corner Of The Garden.<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/A<br><hr><br>He wasn't entirely certain whether to take her comments on his maturity as a compliment or a backhanded insult; was she calling him overly mature for his age - whatever that meant - or was she noting that he was young and could therefore be excused for making mistakes born of pride or ego? Was she complimenting him in that he acted in a more mature, more evenly developed manner than some of his peers...or suggesting that he should try to act like that more often since he was slipping into bad habits? He honestly wasn't sure, even with the pulsating warmth in the back of his head...that only told him that she felt affection and other cuddly feelings towards him, not what each specific thought meant...perhaps with practice he would be able to discern such meanings, but for the moment, he really was an amateur when it came to reading the Bond, so he couldn't really be certain of anything past the glaringly obvious. And further, what was he supposed to make of her assumption that his "previous partner" had physically abused him in some way? It was perhaps the obvious conclusion to draw since he was the one who had flinched at <em>her</em> touch, rather than having flinched at taking the initiative, but who was to say that it was her abuse on him? <br><br>As far as he saw it, it was the reverse, and as far as he was concerned, her attempts to persuade him that her hitting him wasn't personal and that she would never do such a thing kind of made him feel a little worse. Did she now see him as a damaged little pup who needed to be protected from being hurt? He frowned a little. He didn't need molly coddling or babysitting and, honestly...he didn't <em>want</em> it either. He wasn't seven, and he wasn't running home crying after being picked on by the neighbour kids. He was a <em>Gaidin,</em> for The Lights Sake, and it actually irritated him a little that she felt the need to assure him that she wasn't going to hurt him. Of course he knew that; he wouldn't have Bonded with her if he didn't trust her. The irritation lasts only a fraction of a second, however, as he quickly tames his - how did she say it? - "bruised pride." She didn't mean it in that way, and she likely assumed that he had been physically abused due to his own actions just a few moments earlier...why would she assume otherwise? Still...he couldn't bear the thought that she might look at him like some kind of victim when the truth was far more ambiguous. <br><br>He shook his head a little. "It isn't like that, Suana Se- <em>Suana.</em>" She'd said that she wanted him to use her name only when alone...so, as a loyal servant, that was what he would do, even though it might take a little while to get used to it. "I wasn't physically hurt in any way, shape or form. It was...a little different than I think you imagine it. I wasn't forced or coerced or threatened or abused. <em>I</em> was asked to do something to <em>her</em> and I did...but I didn't care for it." He looked at her, though, his hands moving to rest on her back. It seemed like the "mood" had been killed for the moment, though the hug was also rather nice...especially given the subject of their conversation. Sometimes, you just needed a hug, after all. He ran his hands along her back slowly, just taking in the warmth both of her body and the pulsing, blooming tree in the back of his head. "I...do appreciate the promise, however. Thank you." And that wasn't lip service; the fact that she wouldn't try to get him to do something he wasn't comfortable with was, whilst obvious, still something that meant quite a bit to him. <br><br>Of course, she could break it with barely a word, but he doubted she would. Suana took her oaths <em>very</em> seriously, even if Aes Sedai could lie in the first place...and that statement was way too direct to be anything other than sincere. For that moment, at least, she was telling the truth. And he believed her. Would he tell her one day? Probably. It might even be one day soon, knowing him. It <em>was</em> important and it was something that Suana would have to know about in due course, especially if the nightmares continued, but it was also not something he wished to talk about during happy times, and most certainly not something he wanted to talk about when he had a beautiful woman perched on his lap. He relaxed a little, his body curling forwards as if to mould around Suana's perching body, his shoulders knitting inwards a little around her frame as his hands crossed each other to rest on opposite sides of her waist. He turned his head and rested his face in the top of Suana's hair, staying largely silent and allowing the Bond - radiating fresh feelings of warmth and comfort, the self doubt and fear if not gone, then at "normal" levels - to do the talking. Of course, he couldn't bear to stay silent....he had to say something. "I enjoy your touch, Suana...very much so. It was a one-time reminder...please don't take it as a sign that I dislike our contact. I, um...I like it very much. Please...allow me to apologise for making you believe otherwise." Before he could change his mind, he pressed a quick, almost timid kiss against Suana's cheek before pulling away and then blushing profusely. He had to do something to drag the mood out of the gutter than it had fallen into, and maybe some genuine affection - and it was indeed genuine; he genuinely wanted to kiss her as much as he possibly could - could do the trick. At least, that was his hope. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cynadea</strong> on <strong>28-01-2016, 20:10:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e8/GreenAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Suana Bemesta<br><strong>Position:</strong> Acting Sitter, Green Ajah<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Galvren Valynar<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Galvren<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Secluded corner of the garden<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/a<br><hr><div style="text-align: justify;">Suana listened to what he decided to share and realized how her words had sounded. She didn't think him weak, or that he would need her to hold his hand through whatever came their way. She would hold his hand, but as an equal and a partner, not like a mother with her child. She felt a flash of guilt and annoyance directed toward herself for her awkwardness with words; she should have been a lot better at handling this. She could blame it on it being harder considering that she was half naked and pressed up against a man that she had desired in this manner for some time, but that would be weak of her, and false. Arousal and desire did not prevent clear thoughts, not at this level.<br><br>She nodded her head as he gave her his thanks, growing more at ease with their talk and the way it went. They had known each other for some time, but always with a certain distance between them, the distance between an Aes Sedai and an untested valdar with whom she had traded bruises, and chatter in this little corner of the garden. There was something to be said about being friends first, and for a while. Of course, Sidon had been such a great childhood friend, and meeting again as adult had seemed to have their friendship resume right where they left off. Her bond with Sidon had been dreadfully short; a handful of months. Bonded shortly before the war, and bond severed by the end of it. Suana pushed thoughts of Sidon aside and refocused on her friend, bondmate and soon-to-be lover.<br><br>"Let us put this all behind us. Today is too good a day to let this mood drag on, my friend. Allow me." Suana said and offered him a smile after his gentle kiss to her cheek. She moved her body backward just enough to put a distance between them,&nbsp; She bundled some of the dress at her waist and pulled it upward over her head. In a split second, she was naked but for her white smallclothes, white thin socks that went over her knees and soft-soled boots that were suitable for long walks, riding or fighting. As her arms went to wrap around his neck again, she tilted her head with the obvious intent of kissing him; not shy, not hesitant, but assertive, confident and filled with desire, all of which he would be able to feel through the bond. She wanted him, wanted to be with him; there was no possible doubts from here on.</div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Vergil Tanner</strong> on <strong>28-01-2016, 20:37:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/4/42/Gaidin.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Galvren Valynar (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11585469#msg11585469)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Gaidin.<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Suana Bemesta.<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Suana Bemesta.<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE.<br><strong>Place:</strong> The Grounds, Secluded Corner Of The Garden.<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/A<br><hr><br>Well...at least he had proven to her that it wasn't that he distrusted her that kept him from speaking much on the subject; as pathetic as it may have been, it was still a difficult topic for him to talk on for overly long, and it was important that now that they were Bonded that there was no doubt of their mutual trust. An Aes Sedai and a Gaidin who didn't trust each other oftentimes either ended up parting ways - through the passing of the Bond - or dead. And that was if they were lucky; many agents of The Shadow would do anything to have access to a captured Aes Sedai and Warder who didn't trust or believe in one another, and he shuddered to think what evil could be accomplished if they were made to believe that the other one had betrayed them somehow. No...no, he trusted Suana. It was just not the kind of topic he particularly enjoyed talking about, and he avoided it whenever he could with everybody, even those he trusted most. It was nothing personal, it was just him not feeling comfortable with it. Hopefully, Suana understood that now; he'd already told her more about it than anybody else knew - from him, anyway - and had come perilously close to telling her the full story...that would have been bad, most certainly, solely because he wasn't sure he was ready to confront the full reality of it just yet. <br><br>But...at least she knew a little of what had happened. That much, at least, certainly made him feel better. He may not ever tell her, but knowing that there was somebody out there who at least had heard the foundations of the story and who could be told faster and more efficiently, who might be sympathetic? It lessened the pressure, if only by a little. In that situation...a little meant a lot. But that was in the past, now, it seemed; he felt her genuine desire and her forgiveness and compassion pulsing through the bond, beams of sunlight being emitted from between the leaves of that tree in the back of his mind - and yes, he was aware that he was starting to stretch the metaphor a little, but it was the best he could do to describe the frankly indescribable sensation of the Bond - to at least beat back some of the darker corners that had advanced in the meantime. He nodded to her slowly; she was right, of course. He had thought it many times over the past few minutes, but that day was one for celebration rather than morose contemplation and reflection, and he intended to use it to his advantage. He smiled back at her, hesitantly at first but quickly spreading across his face in a small-but-genuine upturning of his lips. "I agree, Suana...let us turn our minds to brighter things."<br><br>She leant back and pulled her dress off of her body in one clean motion, and Galvren was left to unexpectedly admire her newly mostly-naked form as she sat astride him, flesh glowing in the moonlight, hair shimmering in the dark. He tilted his head a little, his eyes roving up and down her newly completely exposed body, eyes drinking in the sight of her as she exposed herself for him...suddenly, absurdly, he felt particularly overdressed for the occasion, though he restrained himself from disrobing further...if she wanted im undressed than she would undress him, and for the moment he didn't really want to interrupt what was happening by getting to his feet and moving around in a desperate dash to undress. She leant forwards once more and her desire was clear, even without the feelings of warmth and insistent desire radiating from the tree in the back of his mind, and he didn't hesitate that time; he leant forwards and met her lips with his own, his head turning to allow their lips to lock, his breath leaving his body suddenly as his heart leapt in his chest. His hands splayed out along her back, drawing her closer gently as his lips acquiesced to hers, allowing her control and access should she desire it, bowing to her wants and needs out of sheer habit. He forced all other thoughts out of his mind as he kissed her anew with rekindled desire and affection...she could reach for any part of him at that moment...and he wouldn't so much as flinch.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cynadea</strong> on <strong>02-02-2016, 11:58:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e8/GreenAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Suana Bemesta<br><strong>Position:</strong> Acting Sitter, Green Ajah<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Galvren Valynar<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Galvren<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Secluded corner of the garden<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/a<br><hr><div style="text-align: justify;">Suana felt the mood shift rapidly back to what it was before the flinch, before the fear, the revulsion. Desire came back, if not like before, it was stronger. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that she was now mostly naked? The why and the how did not really matter from then on. As the kiss deepened, Suana's mind slowly returned to that appropriate place for such activity. Done were the doubts and the questioning. Now was a time for celebration, and for finally being with him the way she had longed to be with increasing intensity for the last few weeks. She opened her lips to him, her tongue gently seeking his.<br><br>Her hands explored his shoulders and his back in gentle, firm and long caresses. She enjoyed the feel of his skin under her palms and allowed her small hands to map his body for her. It didn't take much to get her back into that mood, and she found herself wanting to arouse him further, but also to be touched so that she could be aroused more too. She ground her hips against his, knowing that they were exactly on the right spot, same as before. Though the motion was slow and subtle, it would be firm enough against him to be unmistakable. It also made her intentions for the evening quite obvious.<br><br>Suana put just a bit of distance between their bodies, just enough to do what she had in mind. Her hands slid down from his shoulders, along his arms. Just like when she had caressed his back, Suana's hands took the time to appreciate the athletic form of his arms as they moved lower and lower. Suana's arms twisted around her back to get a hold of Galvern's wrists and encourage his hands to come and play in front where her pale, rosy nipples were grazing against his chest.<br><br>She realized then that he would have a first real feel of how being touched felt to her, although he probably could feel her arousal already. A tightness at the breasts where her hard nipples were ready for his attentions, a faint throbbing of her clit between her legs when the slow back and forth motion of her hips bought his lump right against the general area to stimulate it. There was a pressure on her knees, but it was nothing that was overly uncomfortable or distracting from the pleasure of the kiss and the touches or the sheer pleasure of being with him right now. Now that the mood was right again, and things back on the track that she desired them to be, Suana was serene and filled with desire and affection for him.<br>&nbsp;</div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Vergil Tanner</strong> on <strong>02-02-2016, 12:31:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/4/42/Gaidin.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Galvren Valynar (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11585469#msg11585469)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Gaidin.<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Suana Bemesta.<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Suana Bemesta.<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE.<br><strong>Place:</strong> The Grounds, Secluded Corner Of The Garden.<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/A<br><hr><br>Despite his earlier worries, it seemed that Galvren really had nothing to be concerned about; brief digression into less pleasant topics aside, it seemed that nothing he had done had served to even dent Suana's desire or amorous intentions for him, and he certainly didn't feel any lessening in his desire for <em>her.</em> If anything, it was quite the opposite; as their kiss lengthened and deepened, he felt her affection and desire increase through the bond, that soft bloom of blossoms now becoming a blossom-storm as the force of more petals erupting from the branches thrust the existing ones off and into the metaphorical wind to dance in the back of his mind, radiating out warmth and encouragement...but the petals were a darker shade than they had been before, and there was a slight edge to her desire...he could feel her arousal, both physically through her hardened nipples and mentally through the bond...so perhaps those darkened petals were tinged by her lust, the sexual desire slowly pulsing out into his mind, feeding his own darker, more carnal thoughts. They spurred him into opening his mouth for her immediately as she teased at his lips, welcoming her inside his mouth and greeting her with his own tongue, wrapping around and flicking against her probing appendage enticingly, trying to tempt her further in. He moaned softly, pressing his mouth a little closer, both his own and her desire creating a feedback loop that only served to constantly increase his own arousal.<br><br>But Suana wasn't done, apparently; no sooner had she begun to resume her grinding - an act that had Galvren's own hips rocking up against her, eager to add to the stimulation - forcing a small, strained gasp from his lips, then she had also begun to explore his body. He shivered a little as he felt her soft and small yet firm hands sliding along his body, squeezing his muscles, testing his skin as if appraising him, every movement of her hands setting the places she touched tingling in excitement...he had shivered, yes, but it was not an unpleasant shiver. It was one of anticipatory pleasure, one of excitement and the need to be touched more as his body began to demand satisfaction in one way or another...he was straining against his britches ever more with each passing grind, and now his very nerves were tingling and standing on end from her touches...it was all he could do to press closer to her, feeling her soft, warm body pressing up against his, her hardened nipples brushing against his chest, her hands exploring his body, her stomach rubbing slowly against his as their hips gyrated against each other...he barely noticed when her hands slid down his arms and took hold of his wrists, but he <em>did</em> notice her pulling her chest away slowly. He was about to protest...when he noticed what she was doing.<br><br>He felt his hands being guided around to her front and, in a flash of realisation, he finally noticed her hands on his wrists. He didn't fight it - fighting an Aes Sedai in anything was a bad idea, but in this case, he actively <em>wanted</em> what she was doing - and allowed her to move his questing, hungry hands to her front. When they got there, he needed no encouragement; he kissed her harder, his lips covering hers more insistently as his hands closed around her chest, cupping her breasts in the palms of his hands, his thumbs moving to press slowly and insistently on her nipples...he could feel the vague sensation of tightness through the bond - which oddly meant that she was at least aware of his straining erection, which was a strange thought to consider - and the small shudders that occurred when he touched them, so he touched them more, flicking his thumb teasingly over her nipples as his fingers kneaded the sides of her chest, slowly and teasingly and firmly making sure to enjoy the touch and caress she had given him permission to enjoy. After a few more moments of teasing, he shifted his hands so that his index fingers were roughly level with his thumbs...and pinched her nipples between them, slowly squeezing and rolling as he pressed his hips up against her grinding...his lust was building in tandem with his desire, such that he doubted that Suana couldn't feel it...he knew exactly what she had planned for the night...after all, he was thinking a very similar thing. It seemed that both of their formerly secret desires would be satisfied by the end of the night...and Galvren had absolutely no problems with that whatsoever.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cynadea</strong> on <strong>08-02-2016, 00:32:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e8/GreenAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Suana Bemesta<br><strong>Position:</strong> Acting Sitter, Green Ajah<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Galvren Valynar<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Galvren<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Secluded corner of the garden<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/a<br><hr><div style="text-align: justify;">Suana felt no resistance when she guided his hands from her back to her friend and right up to her firm, fleshy orbs.&nbsp; Not only there was no resistance, but once he caught on, his hands needed no guidance anymore. With a deep kiss of mingling tongue and both of his hands on her breasts, Suana felt that the way to his waist and blow was mostly clear and planned to take advantage of it. This was their first time together, it was an important point. Some of her sisters believed that a kiss sealed the bond, but Suana had every intention of going much further than a simple kiss and the man underneath her seemed to be sharing her desire every step of the way, much to her relief.<br><br>The Aes Sedai moaned softly as his hands landed onto her breasts and explored. The brush against her nipple, the slightest of pressure sent a tingling sensation straight into her core and boosted her arousal.&nbsp; The more he lingered there and grew bolder, the more her breathing became irregular; chopped by small sharp inhales or small moans in exhales. She knew that he would be able to feel every single time that his touch caused her arousal to spike. It excited her even more. Some would consider it cheating, she considered it invaluable insight because it cut off a lot of the guessing work.<br><br>&nbsp;Suana's hands came to rest at his flanks and lowered toward the waist band of his britches. The position was less than ideal for the two partners that were not yet naked. If he had been naked, stroking him would have been that much simpler. Now, Suana lifted herself slightly and her palm molded the lump in the front of his pants, following the hard shape underneath, and getting a good idea of how well-endowed he was. She moved her head back slowly to momentarily break the kiss.<br><br>"You need to loose the rest of your clothes, my dear Gaidin. I want to see all of you, to -taste- you… to get to know every little things that makes you moan and squirm and ask for more." She said with a soft and suave voice, her lips still brushing against his with each words. She knew she had to get off him, in order for him to remove his boots and britches and whatever else he was wearing. Her hands moved up against his abs and she pushed gently to get him to lie down on his back. Her weight lifted off him, removing any pressure there was on his hips in the process.<br>&nbsp;</div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Vergil Tanner</strong> on <strong>08-02-2016, 12:52:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/4/42/Gaidin.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Galvren Valynar (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11585469#msg11585469)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Gaidin.<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Suana Bemesta.<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Suana Bemesta.<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE.<br><strong>Place:</strong> The Grounds, Secluded Corner Of The Garden.<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/A<br><hr><br>The Bond made things...interesting, to say the least. Ordinarily, of course, he would have only had his partners physical reactions to go by; did they wince or moan? Did they pull back or press forwards? What did they say? What were their own hands doing? Did they give any sign of discomfort, or arousal? He'd have to keep an eye on all of those things and more, just to make sure that he wasn't doing anything wrong or upsetting her or hurting her or anything like that. With the Bond, though...he didn't need to look for those physical indicators. Every time he touched her, he could <em>feel</em> a pulse of desire and second hand pleasure radiating from that blooming tree, he could sense the leaves turning the deep scarlet of desire...every time he touched her in a specific way, the tree would shudder suddenly in response and the pulse would be that much stronger. He had a window into her mind, and whilst he wasn't practised at reading it yet...he was learning. He knew enough, at least, to be able to spot when certain motions elicited a stronger response from her body and so repeated them more often, his fingers duplicating whatever actions seemed to have the greatest effect on her...he pinched and pulled and rolled her nipples, squeezed and massaged her breasts, making sure to hit the apparently sensitive spots over and over again....and it seemed to have the desired effect, if her laboured breathing and even the occasional heated moan were anything to go by.<br><br>She seemed to be ready to escalate things as well, if her wandering hand was any indication; one of them moved from its slow exploration of his body - a touch that still sent tingles through his body with every lingering brush and caress - down below his waist, to where his britches still regretfully covered his lower body. He felt her hand spreading and then closing over the obvious shape of his arousal, and even through the fabric of his lower garments the touch of her hand elicited a sharp reaction; he groaned a little as it throbbed in anticipation, the slow, teasing contact enough to force a small tingle of strained pleasure through his system. He knew that he needed to get his clothes off as soon as possible, but the question was; how? Their bodies were pressed up so tightly against each other in the key areas that any movement was all but impossible, and he felt no inclination to change that fact. Fortunately - or unfortunately, depending on how you looked at it - Suana had a solution. He felt the hands on his chest and abs a moment before he felt the pressure, but as soon as he did he didn't hesitate; he allowed himself to be pressed gently towards the floor, leaning back slowly. He "allowed" her to break the kiss albeit a tad reluctantly; it was all he could do not to recapture her soft, enticing lips with his as soon as she leant back in...but she was to all intents and purposes in charge there...and he had more pressing matters to attend to.<br><br>"Of course, Suana..." he breathed softly, "...I'm suddenly feeling...significantly overdressed for the occasion..." He smiled, albeit a tad uncertainly - this was kind of an unexpected situation for him, but he wasn't about to let it slip by with him passively remaining silent - and got to work. Taking advantage of the momentary loss of pressure on his lap, he began to pull at his own clothing, his feet moving to push each other out of his boots without having to manually undo the laces. Having only one working arm that morning had meant that his laces were a tad looser than usual, and that worked to his advantage as his feet - after some struggling - managed to escape their confines and flick the shoes a little way away into the grass. Next were his britches; they were the easy things to get rid of, but that did mean using his hands for something other than groping at Suana's enticing chest. Though he didn't really want to, he forced his hands away from her front and down to his lower body, gripping the waistband and pushing down on them, arching his hips just a little to give him some space. He managed to push them down to his knees, where his legs took over, kicking in small, quick flicks to eventually get both the britches and his undergarments off. After a moments thought, his feet caught the edge of his socks and pulled them off, too, as his hands went to Suana's waist, catching the fabric of the scant underwear she still wore in his hands. <br><br>He was now naked beneath his Aes Sedai...he was now naked beneath the <em>Sitter of the Green Ajah.</em> It was...a somewhat surreal experience, he had to be honest. Not surreal enough to stop, of course, but still. He began to pull on the waist of the undergarments slowly...it should peel off down her legs, which might pose a bit of a problem...but he could improvise if necessary. "I...believe we need to dispose of this distraction as well, Suana <em>Sedai...</em>" He said softly as he started to peel the undergarments downwards, slowly seeking to reveal more of her beautiful body. He'd seen her bare chest...but seeing her naked, on top of him in the moonlight? That would most certainly be something else entirely. Of course, if he could find a way for her to keep those boots on, he might just take it. Something about the idea of the only piece of clothing being those boots rather tickled his fancy, for some reason. Oh, and using her title? That wasn't a slip up; he put the slight stress on it to try and hint that he was maybe having a bit of teasing fun with the title. Some mock formality, and all that. He wasn't a fumbling 17 year old boy, blundering his way through his first kiss. He was experienced. He'd been with women - and Aes Sedai - before. He knew what he was doing. He just needed to be a bit more confident in what he was doing with <em>that</em> Aes Sedai. Hopefully it wouldn't blow up in his face....this was even more important than normal; it was important that he impress his new Bondmate, it was important that he demonstrate that she wasn't wrong in selecting him. And part of that was apparently proving that he could meet her needs in ways <em>other</em> than just martial skill. He had that talent, he knew...but showing it to her? That was another matter. The pressure was on...and truthfully? He relished the challenge.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cynadea</strong> on <strong>15-02-2016, 07:37:08</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e8/GreenAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Suana Bemesta<br><strong>Position:</strong> Acting Sitter, Green Ajah<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Galvren Valynar<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Galvren<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Secluded corner of the garden<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/a<br><hr><div style="text-align: justify;">"You are significantly overdressed." Suana agreed, and was glad to see him remedy to the situation. The man was a sight to behold. A nice width of shoulder, a beautiful padding of toned muscles and the only muscle that she truly had yet to see proved not to be disappointing at all. She was amused, filled with desire and need to touch. She wanted to make him groan again, to make him squirm with pleasure, to hear and watch him as his body experienced the pure bliss of ecstasy, but first… She wanted him to experience hers, so that it would not take him by surprise when they would be as one.<br><br><br>His hands were on her waist, her eyes drinking the sight like a woman lost in the desert would drink the water of an oasis. She was deeply pleased with the sight, something that he would no doubt feel through the bond although she did not speak the words. His hands and words made pretty clear that he intended to have her as naked as he was, or at least to have this part of her quite available and she grinned; it was a rare occurrence for anyone to see her grin, but Galvren had seen it happen more and more regularly in the last few weeks. Clearly, she was becoming quite fond of him.<br><br>She lifted her knees off the ground and into a crouching position.&nbsp; She could not stand all the way, doing so would risk exposing her upper body to the view of some passer-by and since attracting attention - other than Galvren's that is - was not want she wanted right this moment, she remained moved to remove the panties in what seemed to be slightly acrobatic and challenging. "You are using that title again. I'll make you pay for that." Suana threatened, but the flimsy garment joined the dress, leaving her with boots and socks, neither of which she felt that she needed to remove in order to have some fun. Besides, while the socks were easy enough to put on in haste, the boots that laced all the way up certainly weren't.<br><br>"I know exactly how I am going to do this." Her grin turned roguish, playful. She wasn't displeased in the slightest. It was a preference that in a moment like this he would not use her title and he knew that, so either he slipped again or he did it on purpose. Given that she had not felt that tinge of feeling he got when he made a mistake, Suana assumed that it was the latter. He had used her title on purpose. She knelt back onto his hips but did not press down on him. Instead, she leaned forward, and her lips pressed high onto his chest, then higher, and higher until she reached his neck, where she nipped gently.<br><br>"Because you are being so defiant," She started and kissed a little higher, toward his ear. "I -demand- that..." another kiss on the side of his neck, close to his ear and then she whispered into his ear "You give me pleasure once, using your hand. Right now." She finished and nipped at his earlobe gently. Her hands slid up his chest and one of them moved beside his shoulder to help with her balance. She pushed herself back so that he could resume the kiss if he wanted to. She was in a good mood, the earlier gloom completely forgotten for the time being. She couldn't help but to wonder if he anticipated what it would feel like through the bond. The empathic link was more than just feeling pain and tiredness, wounds and scrapes. It communicated the good too, and if he did things right, he'd get to feel more than one climax from her tonight.<br>&nbsp;</div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Vergil Tanner</strong> on <strong>16-02-2016, 00:16:52</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/4/42/Gaidin.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Galvren Valynar (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11585469#msg11585469)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Gaidin.<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Suana Bemesta.<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Suana Bemesta.<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE.<br><strong>Place:</strong> The Grounds, Secluded Corner Of The Garden.<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/A<br><hr><br>Whilst he was not the type of man to suffer from insecurities centred around the shape and look of his body - he exercised regularly, ate relatively healthily and had bot a body and a face that he <em>knew</em> that many of the Novices and Accepted swooned over, so why would he ever be insecure or neurotic about his looks? - he imagined that even he would feel somewhat nervous when subjected to the kind of look that he was being treated to right at that moment; Suana was taking his undressing time to allow her eyes to roam his body, her gaze roaming over the flesh that her hands had only just finished exploring in great detail...he might have wondered whether she liked what she saw, or whether he matched up with her expectations, or whether the <em>Sitter of the Green Ajah</em> enjoyed his form sufficiently for her to be satisfied...she was, after all, arguably the most important woman in the entire Green Ajah and therefore, by extension, one of the most powerful and influential women in Tar Valon...and by necessity, the world at large. But....he didn't feel anything of the sort. Just a simple glance at that tree in the back of his mind and a simple reading of that expression in her eyes told him all he needed to know; she liked what she saw a great deal.<br><br>He looked into her mesmerising gaze as she drank in his body, that tree in the back of his head pulsing with need and desire, pleasure and excitement, the feelings mixing with his own nervous-but-excited butterflies to create a confusing and intoxicating blend of almost transfixed anticipation. He didn't even notice her movements until three quarters of the way through, only realising that she had just removed that last barrier between them when he saw it flicking off of her hand out of the corner of his eye....and when she very pointedly sat back on her legs, but apparently made certain not to press onto his lap. He could feel the warmth of her body radiating down onto his now-bare body, could feel the ever so slight brush of her skin against his...but she had apparently decided to stop, to hover, to torture him for his impertinence. He wanted to strain upwards a little, brush his flesh against hers...but that would likely make things worse. In an example of <em>actual</em> irony, trying to get that contact would likely result in less. So he controlled himself...for the time being, at any rate. He couldn't make any promises regarding what he might do in the heat of the moment at a later date, of course.<br><br>But of course, as soon as her lips touched his flesh, he could almost <em>feel</em> his brain becoming a little more like mush beneath her carefully calculated, heated, passionate attentions. His body shivered a little as her lips sealed around his chest, kissed slowly, then moved on up his body, over his pectorals and shoulder, kissing higher with every passing moment...every second seemed to stretch as her lips set his nerves on fire with unrelenting, merciless passion, and he couldn't top a small moan from escaping his throat as her mouth breathed steamy, lust-filled pleasure into his very pores. He tilted his head a little to give her more access, more on autopilot than anything else, and of course...that also gave her better access to his ear. She kissed up towards that, then her quiet, sultry voice filled his head as her warm breath tickled his ear. He began to nod...and then her teeth closed around his earlobe, chasing all conscious thought away for a few moments as he devolved further. What was it about her that made him so....<em>malleable?</em> Towards Aes Sedai, he was naturally submissive, it was true...but still. He'd almost never melted into a puddle this quickly. Was it something to do with the bond? Possible. All he knew was that he didn't much care at that moment in time. He had an order to follow.<br><br>"O-of course....Suana....anything....you desire..." he moaned - practically whimpered - as he almost instantly agreed to her "request," for lack of a better term, turning his head a little to look at her as one of his hands moved away from her waist. He could show further defiance later, but at that moment, he <em>wanted</em> to touch her, <em>wanted</em> to feel her clinging onto him, to feel her moving in ecstasy and pleasure...and he wasn't going to get that by playing the defiant, was he? His hand trailed around her waist, his fingers dragging slowly and lightly along the flesh of her hips, nails teasing a path from her back to her front, slowly dipping down further as they went...they slipped onto her upper thigh, his fingers digging in a little harder as they neared their destination....his breathing hitched a little as his hand slid fully between her lips after only a moments hesitation, earned from looking into those intense, pleasured eyes....the intensity had made him pause for a moment, but no more. His hand dragged between her legs, dipping down lower slowly so that his hand soon cupped her entire sex, his fingers curling beneath her body. <br><br>His thumb rested above the rest of the hand, hovering just above that little bundle of nerves that made every woman writhe. After another moment as he looked at her, his own vision more than a little clouded by lust and desire, he began to press his index and middle fingers against her folds, shifting his hand so that they were the only fingers touching her. They began to slide up and down her sex, dragging along her flesh as he pressed his fingers inside her just a little, parting her lips as he slipped the very tips of his fingers inside of her. At the same time, his thumb began a teasing, slow, circling drag around her little bundle of nerves, the pad of his thumb tracing over that small button, flicking it every so often with a brief curl before he went back to teasing its surface but not really pushing down on it with any great force...yet, at least. Instead, he just slowly increased the pressure, dragging his fingers and their nails into her soft, sensitive flesh. "I'd love to make you...cum...Suana," he said, "...I apologise, Suana...for using your title...it was impertinent of me..." He increased the pressure in his fingers and thumb a little, just to try to elicit a stronger reaction to his touches . <br><br>"How....how&nbsp; may I....apologise properly...Suana"?" Oh, how he wanted to plunge his fingers - and other things - inside of her right that moment, she was so beautiful in the moonlight, her lips hot and her body warm and waiting....It should go without saying of course that he <em>wanted</em> to dive right in, to plunge his fingers inside her and masturbate her to climax right there and then, but he knew a thing or two from his time growing up in the tower....the more you tease, the more you build up to it, the more foreplay you carry out before driving them to climax - in other words, if you build up slow rather than plunging in from the outset - not only is it <em>easier</em> to make them cum since you don't have to improvise a different way of doing things on the fly, but also more pleasurable for the partner involved. Their climax will be that much more satisfying...and he kept his eyes on Suana, just looking for that small hint of pleasure and enjoyment from her face...she'd heard him moan...now it was his turn.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cynadea</strong> on <strong>22-02-2016, 09:42:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e8/GreenAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Suana Bemesta<br><strong>Position:</strong> Acting Sitter, Green Ajah<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Galvren Valynar<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Galvren<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Secluded corner of the garden<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/a<br><hr><div style="text-align: justify;">Her hands roamed over his body, careful to remain out of his way. She had given him a request, but it simply wouldn't do if she was going to make it difficult for him or awkward because she placed her arm or hand in the way. The tone of his voice, the way he moaned, made her feel like she had him. He had surrendered to her so easily, not that it was a bad thing at all. She could have put up a bit more of a fight if he insisted, but to have him&nbsp; submit to her so easily actually made things enjoyable in an effortless kind of way. Some people believed that working hard made the reward better appreciated. Suana believed that her every day life as Aes Sedai was hard enough, the rest could be easy and she would be grateful for it.<br><br>He teased her, taking his sweet time to get to the sweet spot and she let it happen. Her hand mapped his body. Hills and valley, firm or soft, her gentle hands simply couldn't get enough of him. She looked into his eyes as he teased her, and she took deep shuddering breath as he did so. His touch was both arousing and soothing. It turned up the heat, made her want more of it, but it touched a soft, silky skin that craved being touched. She felt warm, in spite of being naked in the evening, but she knew that part of it was because her heart raced and her body was quite primed.<br><br>"You are working on it, but it feels… Like you aren't sure whether you should apologize or not." Suana said, her voice just slightly more husky than usual. He would probably feel the spikes of pleasure that sparked in her core with each flick of his fingers, increasing with the pressure that he put. One said surge made her moan and curve her hips toward his hand. His fingers at her entrance would find a wetness there, a testament to the fact that kneeling on top of him as she had, rubbing against him, and his hands on her body had not left her cold at all.<br><br>&nbsp;</div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Vergil Tanner</strong> on <strong>22-02-2016, 11:25:28</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/4/42/Gaidin.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Galvren Valynar (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11585469#msg11585469)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Gaidin.<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Suana Bemesta.<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Suana Bemesta.<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE.<br><strong>Place:</strong> The Grounds, Secluded Corner Of The Garden.<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/A<br><hr><br>It was almost unbearable; every single one of his touches, every one of his teasing drags and scrapes and rubs, every single one of his movements aimed at bringing her pleasure touched that tree in the back of his head and sent spikes of pleasure and longing and need through him as well. Every spike of pleasure, every surge of ecstasy, every little thrum of desperate passion that she felt from his fingers made his own body tremble in anticipation in turn. Every time his fingers scraped past a sensitive spot of hers, he felt it, and even as he went back to attack it a bit more firmly, the sensation made him want to moan out loud himself, regardless of who was nearby or what they were doing. His breathing hitched and became uneven as he increased his pace, his fingers dipping and dragging faster, the pulses of pleasure coming more frequently even as Suana somehow managed to tease him through it...he shook his head slightly, determined to make clear that he wasn't trying to give her any attitude at all, panting heavily as he did so. "I....<em>am</em> sorry...Suana...let me...ah...show you..." he panted, as he made it clear that he wasn't done yet. How could he be, considering that she had yet to cum, and that was his stated mission? He had to ramp things up a bit...and that meant utilising his rather dexterous and <em>very</em> strong fingers to their full potential.<br><br>He decided to ramp up his attentions, despite the obvious increase in his own second-hand pleasure, and pressed his fingers forwards, his index and middle fingers pushing past her wet, waiting lips and just inside her sex. He didn't slide them all the way inside, but instead just past the entrance, pressing apart and stretching the inner lips slightly as he moved his fingers up and down, still dragging his nails and fingerpad along her slit. He shivered a little as he felt the sensation pulse through the Bond, but he didn't stop; even as he dragged his fingers up and down, he pressed his fingers in further, to about the first knuckle, then - about halfway down her slit - pulled them out, slowly dragging them back out to their nails so that as he reached the bottom, his fingers were out of her...before, on the return trip, he pushed them back in, hit full depth in the middle, then pulled out by the end. He repeated this, again and again, each time getting faster and rougher, more firmly pressing his fingers back in until he was, even as he moved his hand up and down, basically shallow finger-fucking her, if you'll excuse the language, his fingers moving in a constant semi-circle back and forth, his thumb beginning to grind down on her clit more aggressively. He shivered and let out a small moan of his own as her little pulses of pleasure invaded his head...if this is what it felt like to simply pleasure her with his fingers, he couldn't even imagine how it would feel when they actually made love! The way it was going, he might actually cum just from fingering her...and he couldn't decide if that was embarrassing or not.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cynadea</strong> on <strong>26-02-2016, 23:24:25</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e8/GreenAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Suana Bemesta<br><strong>Position:</strong> Acting Sitter, Green Ajah<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Galvren Valynar<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Galvren<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Secluded corner of the garden<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/a<br><hr><div style="text-align: justify;">The sensations built slowly at first. Gentle sparks, a soft glow, a tingle. She had not been with a man in a while, with a bondmate in a decade. There was a major difference between the two. For a woman who was aroused by giving pleasure, who took pleasure from giving it, being intimate with her bondmate ramped the sensations up a few notches in intensity. Galvren would be no different, she knew it now. The bond between them was as strong as she sought to make it. She knew now that with each thrust that would have him bury himself into her, she would feel both her own pleasure and his, bringing her over so very quickly that if he did not last - most likely for the same reasons - it was still very likely that she would have had her own orgasm by then.<br><br>She leaned on top of him, kissing his neck, but he would be able to hear her breathing become heavier, and more and more laced with moans. She had tied a weave around them, allowing them to be noisy, but the sound would be contained so that no one would hear unless they stood right beside them.&nbsp; Her body was quivering, and began to move against his finger. As he thrust into her, Suana would press down against his hand as if she meant for him to go deeper.<br><br>Suddenly, the glow brightened, and the tingle bloomed into something that was intense and washed over her. Her body grew still, tense, and for a few seconds she even held her breath as if it was all too much for her to process. Just as suddenly, her body quivered and she let out a loud shuddering moan. The pleasure that radiated from her core filled her whole for a few seconds and then began to ebb in intensity, allowing her to recover her ability to breathe and make sounds.</div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Vergil Tanner</strong> on <strong>27-02-2016, 00:42:37</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/4/42/Gaidin.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Galvren Valynar (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11585469#msg11585469)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Gaidin.<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Suana Bemesta.<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Suana Bemesta.<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE.<br><strong>Place:</strong> The Grounds, Secluded Corner Of The Garden.<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/A<br><hr><br>Galvren took it as a badge of honour when he heard Suana's moans increasing in volume and pitch and tempo, feeling her body reacting in the most visceral, primal way imaginable; he shivered as her lips touched his throat, his fingers increasing in speed as her hips undulated and ground down against him, his fingers having to work all the harder to probe her rippling, rapidly tightening depths. His own pleasure, oddly enough, increased slowly but surely as he felt her rising passion and lust and pleasure building from her brain. The waves of raw emotion pulsed through his head, crashing through his brain and chasing away everything else as his already fully hardened, pulsating shaft throbbed a bit more with the mental, emotional stimulus of it all...it wasn't enough to make him cum on the spot, not without further and more extensive physical contact, but it was enough to make him almost painfully "excited," and he squirmed in place a little as she increased her downward pressure against his lap. He didn't stop his finger-thrusting, however, instead increasing the speed as much as he could, pushing her forwards and closer to her orgasm, that rising tide of ecstasy in the back of his head threatening to carry him away. It was like a stormfront at high tide, pushing against his self control and his own nerves and pleasure reflexes, threatening and promising to pull him away to a place of pure, thoughtless bliss...<br><br>And then her orgasm hit her, and he found his best efforts to resist were - and this was putting it generously - paltry at best. He felt the sudden, shocking tidal wave crushing through his brain as the tree in the back of his mind stiffened along with her body and then exploded in pure light, blinding all his other senses and suspending all other thoughts and feelings in shock, washing over him in second-hand but no less intense pleasure. He arched his back and groaned in tandem with her moans, his fingers burying themselves deep inside her out of reflex for those few long seconds where nothing but the sharp feelings of ecstasy existed in his brain. Soon enough, however, her pleasure began to wan a little and the brilliant, dazzling light from that tree in his head lessened to the point where, though it was not completely gone - it still pulsed every so often, sending a fresh shiver through him - became more bearable and allowed him to at least think a few coherent sentences before descending into distracted moans of soft pleasure. He shuddered a little and pulled his fingers out from inside her slowly, now coated in her juices...which he elected to, for the moment, keep. Truthfully, it just didn't occur to him to clean them; he was still reeling from the force of the pleasure pulsing through his head!<br><br>Honestly, he was surprised that it didn't make <em>him</em> cum on the spot! Sure, it had come close, but...well, perhaps physical stimulation was still needed in his case? Or maybe the bond hadn't had time to strengthen properly? Either way...he was acutely aware of a needful pulsing in his lap. It was primed and ready to explode, and not being able to was really rather uncomfortable. He shivered and moaned a little, then forced his eyes open slowly - when had he closed them - to look at Suana. "Oh....that was..." Mindblowing? Quite literally! "....wow." He finished lamely, he knew, but right at that moment he could barely string a thought together, let alone a sentence. "Just...wow...I'm...sorry for my earlier....impertinence....Suana... he murmured, still somewhat in a state of pleasured shock. He breathed in heavily and let out another shuddering moan. That was...intense. He could only imagine how it would have felt if he had actually cum as well. His pleasure feeding into her head, increasing her pleasure and then being fed back ten fold into his brain....maintaining a loop of sharp ecstasy...it sounded equal parts exciting and terrifying....and he couldn't wait to experience it.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cynadea</strong> on <strong>06-03-2016, 12:06:00</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e8/GreenAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Suana Bemesta<br><strong>Position:</strong> Acting Sitter, Green Ajah<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Galvren Valynar<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Galvren<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Secluded corner of the garden<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/a<br><hr><div style="text-align: justify;">As Suana's body relaxed completely, drained from any sort of tension by what Galvren had just done to her, she leaned into him and rested her light weight onto his chest. Most of her weight was onto her knees still, but she snuggled up into his chest, her head onto his shoulder and her cascade of blond curls covered the tip of his shoulder and his upper arm on that side. Her breathing would still qualify as panting, although the moans had completely subsided. He was good, she had to give him that. A perfect sense of timing between the teasing and the delivery. She wasn't sated, far from it, but she was quite satisfied that he had not lost his load because she had climaxed. That was quite promising.<br><br>"That was the result of your work. And I am positive, you are not sorry. If you feel sorry after something so intense and pleasurable, I guess you and I are not the same species." Suana said and she let out a soft, husky chuckle after her words. With a soft, languid purr, she stretched her legs, finally letting more of her light weight down on his bigger body. She nipped gently at the side of his neck, feeling playful but still reeling from what he had had her experience. It had been a while, with someone else's hand, and now it showed.<br><br>"When your wits are back, and my muscle tone is, we should consider trading places…" There would be times where she would go down on him to enhance his need and lust for her, but today she was afraid that he might just pop in her mouth like a ripe cherry at the first sign of pressure from her lips.&nbsp; Not that she didn't think penetration would be any less effective in the matter, but he would control that and stop if he felt it was too soon, or slow if the speed was too much… When he would be ready to move, though, she would follow his lead so that they could roll together; the contact between their two body was something she craved way too much to break it now.</div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Vergil Tanner</strong> on <strong>06-03-2016, 12:37:26</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/4/42/Gaidin.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Galvren Valynar (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11585469#msg11585469)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Gaidin.<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Suana Bemesta.<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Suana Bemesta.<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE.<br><strong>Place:</strong> The Grounds, Secluded Corner Of The Garden.<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/A<br><hr><br>Well, Suana was right about one thing; he certainly wasn't sorry for making her cum. Why would he be sorry, after all, for giving her exactly what she asked for and making her feel as good as she had? And no, that wasn't arrogance; though he knew he had rather....deft hands...he didn't have any need for personal pride or cocky arrogance when he himself had felt the pleasure that she had been experiencing first-hand. That was a rather specific benefit of the bond in that situation; there was really no way to misread the emotions coming from it, since you felt them directly yourself, so if your partner felt good...so did you. If your partner was scared or angry or in pain, then so were you. It certainly helped when it came to reading her, that much was certain, and the one thing he felt above all others when he looked at that tree in the back of his head? It wasn't fatigue or relaxation or contentedness or even satisfaction - though there were certainly aspects of all of them - but...desire. It appeared that she hadn't yet been sated - which was good, since neither was he - and that soon became apparent even to anybody without the Bond to inform them as such; she stretched out over him, quite literally purring - his hands reflexively sliding along her back in response - as she pushed up closer to him, making his own desire and need for satisfaction spike in his chest, and nipped at his throat. He let out a soft moan, tilting his head a little at the contact as he managed to slowly finish piecing together his previously scattered brain. He shivered a little, and slowly slid his hands down to her waist again. She was right...they still had a way to go before they could declare themselves "finished."<br><br>He nodded slightly, offering her a small, sly smile. "If that is what you wish, Suana," He said softly, "Then I would be happy to oblige you." Shifting himself, he pushed gently on one side of her waist to alter her position, lifting her hips with his other hand as he slowly rolled them in place, lying her gently back on the ground as he settled between her legs, one of his hands moving to support her head...just in case. She could probably keep it lifted herself, but...well, why take chances? Besides, it gave him an excuse to run his fingers through her delightful curls, so he wasn't about to turn that down; her hair was a beautiful shade of gold ordinarily, and in the moonlight it shimmered in just the right way to make it practically impossible to resist wanting to caress...but he didn't allow himself to indulge overly much. He did, after all, have an implied order to follow, and a Gaidin's duty - indeed, honour - was to serve his Aes Sedai's wishes and needs. The hand that had been on her waist moved down idly to caress her leg as he made sure to keep their close contact, chests lined up and pressed against each other, his forehead resting on hers...though he made damn sure that his "equipment," as it were, remained a small-but-important distance away from hers. He looked down at her, smiling perhaps a little teasingly. "Excellent idea," he murmurs, "This position <em>is</em> rather...interesting. Did you have any further thoughts on what we could do together?" He was teasing, of course...he knew exactly what she was thinking, since he was thinking it too and he didn't need a Bond to confirm that. Still...it would be fun to hear her say it, wouldn't it?
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cynadea</strong> on <strong>15-03-2016, 07:55:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e8/GreenAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Suana Bemesta<br><strong>Position:</strong> Acting Sitter, Green Ajah<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Galvren Valynar<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Galvren<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Secluded corner of the garden<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/a<br><hr><div style="text-align: justify;">Switching position was done quite fluidly. She was small, quite petite against his stronger, heavier form. For him to guide the change was made even easier since she was fully cooperating. Soon, she found herself with her back against the blanket and the hard-packed soil underneath it. She was aware of how careful and caring he was with her and she found it to be quite endearing. It had been so long since she had felt so close to someone else, too long. She had not remained celibate for the past decade, but the encounters had been few and far in between, and none of them had meant anything.<br><br>Being with Galvren meant -something-.&nbsp; She smiled at him, but her gaze sought to meet with his, as if to give this a whole deeper meaning, another layer to this intimacy that they shared and which would soon become as intimate as could bi considering the bond. His words made her smile widen and she chuckled softly. "Don't they teach boys to become men, where you come from Galvren? I had not pegged you for someone clueless." She teased back with soft words.<br><br>Her legs, both of them, moved upward to wrap possessively around his waist, but also opening the way completely for a deep thrust when he would feel that it was time. "A word of advice. A new warder once told me that the first time he buried himself into his Aes Sedai, it felt like ten times as intense as the first time he was with a woman, minus the awkwardness. So you might want to take it really slow the first time if you don't want to embarrass yourself." She explained, her smile turning slightly roguish as she gave her warning. Her hands explored his shoulder and arms in gentle back and forth caresses, but Galvren would feel a gentle pressure of her heels on his ass in an invite to take the first plunge.&nbsp; <br><br></div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Vergil Tanner</strong> on <strong>15-03-2016, 12:12:29</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/4/42/Gaidin.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Galvren Valynar (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11585469#msg11585469)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Gaidin.<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Suana Bemesta.<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Suana Bemesta.<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE.<br><strong>Place:</strong> The Grounds, Secluded Corner Of The Garden.<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/A<br><hr><br>Well, he supposed that he deserved that ribbing, didn't he? He had kind of walked into it after all, and if he was going to feign ignorance of the protocol, he had to expect that she would call him out on it. Not that he minded at all; a bit of light teasing is healthy in any relationship, and he could feel the soft pulse of gentle mirth coming from that tree in the back of his head that signified her lighthearted intentions. He allowed himself a small chuckle as he shook his head, pressing himself a bit closer as her legs came up and wrapped around his waist, locking him into position insistently. Well...if he had had any doubts about where this was going before - which he didn't, to be fair, but still - now there was no mistaking her expectations...and Galvren had no intention of disappointing her. He repositioned himself a little, his lips cracking open in a wider smile than before. "You'd think that they would," he conceded with an inclination of his head, "but for some reason, my parents were always hesitant to have that conversation with me. Maybe they didn't know, either." He chuckle and offered her a wink. Not the best comeback in the world, perhaps, but the best he could do with the distraction of such a beautiful woman lying beneath him, her legs wrapped around his waist. He couldn't begin to stress how distracting that was when trying to think of something witty to say.<br><br>Of course, her warning did not fall on deaf ears; he had assumed that their "first time" together would be extremely intense if their previous intimacy was anything to go by, and it only made sense that the feelings would be compounded by that "infinite loop" of being Bonded together...it was something they'd get used to, for sure, but the first time was going to be completely different to anything else he had ever experienced before...as much as he wanted to make a snarky or witty comment about not embarrassing himself, he took the warning on board and braced himself; the first time was the time to go slowly...and once they'd gotten used to it, <em>then</em> they might be able to go a bit more roughly. But for now....nice and gentle. For his own pride, if nothing else, apparently. Resting his hands on Suana's hips, he wasted no more time...and pushed himself forwards slowly. He felt a bit of resistance at his head, but that quickly slipped away and he felt himself slowly pressing inside of her, his head popping in and - a moment later - the rest of his length slowly following. He shivered sharply at the familiar sensations of being inside a woman, the warmth and tightness drawing a soft, strained groan from him...<br><br>...but then the feedback from her end hit him, a beating rhythm of warmth and pleasure and even a sensation of being filled up with something, forcing a gasp and a louder moan from his lips. His pleasure soon began to feed off of hers and vice versa, creating that pleasure loop that had made the previous experience so intense, and with every inch he pressed inside her, the sensations got more powerful and more demanding. He groaned loudly, arching his back a little as he sought to bury himself inside her, desperately resisting the rapidly mounting pleasure....she was right, of course; it was easily ten times - maybe even a hundred times - more intense than anything he'd ever felt before, and already his cock was pulsing and throbbing painfully inside her. He leaned forwards and, without thinking, crushed his lips to hers automatically, pressing himself further in with each passing second. Any faster and he'd risk finishing right there and then...any slower, and he might go insane!
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cynadea</strong> on <strong>19-03-2016, 07:32:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e8/GreenAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Suana Bemesta<br><strong>Position:</strong> Acting Sitter, Green Ajah<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Galvren Valynar<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Galvren<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Secluded corner of the garden<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/a<br><hr><div style="text-align: justify;">"I doubt that. It is more likely that they didn't tell you because they feared that you would go and explore for yourself. Suana teased gently. As if the simple fact that they would have had the discussion about the birds and the bees would have dared Galvren to give it a try and see how it feels. Now that she thought about it, though, wouldn't it have been exactly what he did? She wondered, but then shoved the thought aside so that she could focus on her bondmate, here and now. Besides, focusing on anything else was becoming quite impossible.<br><br>She felt the touch, the pressure and then, it happened. He slipped inside her and she gasped. Although he had just made her climax, she was far from done. She was still quite aroused and sensitive. She took a deep breath as he pushed forward slowly, feeling how it brought on a faint tickling of pleasure, like miniature sparks in her core. "Take your time. Get used to it. She whispered softly when it became obvious to her that he was climbing up to that edge quickly. Her voice was slightly troubled. Of course, having him basically race through the arousal levels because of how he felt to her didn't leave her cold, but she knew how to mute the input of the bond, and to an extent the output as well but she had never had much experience - or success - with the latter.<br><br>Suana opened her lips to the kiss. She was far calmer and more prepared to what was happening. That didn't make the sensations any easier to bear, and she certainly didn't remain stoic. Her arms wrapped around him, and she tried to push through the bond the same reassurance that she meant to convey with words. Encouragement, acceptance, and no impatience. Pleasure, there was definitely pleasure going through the bond but not only physical although that part was certainly non-negligible. She was pleased with him, pleased to be with him, and excited too. There was a deep affection for him in her heart, something that she had never expressed with words but that he would be able to feel now that they were bonded. Being one with him, experiencing his first time as a bondmate with him, made it all flare. Even if he failed, even if he climaxed within a handful of thrusts, it would be fine. She still wouldn't want to change anything between them.</div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Vergil Tanner</strong> on <strong>19-03-2016, 12:26:21</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/4/42/Gaidin.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Galvren Valynar (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11585469#msg11585469)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Gaidin.<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Suana Bemesta.<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Suana Bemesta.<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE.<br><strong>Place:</strong> The Grounds, Secluded Corner Of The Garden.<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/A<br><hr><br>Honestly, Suana's warning to take his time was largely unnecessary; he knew straight away that if he rushed it, if he went faster than he was already going, he would almost certainly end up finishing far faster than he might otherwise want to...the sensations were so intense, so undiluted in their rawness that if he decided to go at a rapid pace, he didn't know whether he'd even be able to finish the third thrust before the pleasure overwhelmed him...his entire body shook a little with the sensations rampaging through him, and he had to force down a shudder of ecstasy as he slid a little further inside her, the sudden, sharp feelings of reassurance and encouragement that he felt being pushed through the bong doing nothing, really, to alleviate the intensity of the sensations he was feeling. Honestly, he would either have to get used to that kind of pleasure or learn how to deaden the input from that tree in the back of his head, otherwise making love to Suana would become a constant challenge in self discipline and control. Not that he minded...it just meant that he'd have to get plenty of practice, and that suited him just fine! And apparently, it suited Suana, too; she opened her lips to the kiss, her arms wrapping around him welcomingly and he happily accepted the invitation, his own arms snaking around her waist to pull her closer to him in the embrace.<br><br>Though it was admittedly rather difficult, Galvren managed to contain himself long enough to eventually bottom out inside of her, his hips meeting hers in a sudden surge of pleasure as he felt himself sheath entirely inside of her. He shivered and groaned a little, moaning into her mouth as he held himself there for a few moments, getting himself used to the sensation of both filling and feeling the sensation of being filled second-hand, the pleasure radiating from the bond once more feeding back into his own pleasure, intensifying his sensitivity and the pleasure coursing through his system. He moaned softly, breaking the kiss momentarily to get his breath back and look at Suana, lying on the ground beneath him, hair splayed out beneath her head like a golden aura. He offered her a small, breathless smile. "Well....so far, so good..." he murmured almost to himself before he leant back in and kissed her once more, his lips connecting with hers firmly as he braced himself...then progressed to stage two, sliding himself out of her slowly, doing his best not to rush, then pushing himself back in. The sudden shockwave of pleasure forced a low, lewd moan from his lips, but he suppressed the urge to bury himself inside of her swiftly, knowing that too great a sudden stimulation might just make him cum too early. So he maintained his steady, slow, measured pace, gradually sinking back inside her, determined to make it last as long as he possibly could...this was their first time, after all, and he had no intention of rushing it.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cynadea</strong> on <strong>25-03-2016, 10:18:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e8/GreenAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Suana Bemesta<br><strong>Position:</strong> Acting Sitter, Green Ajah<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Galvren Valynar<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Galvren<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Secluded corner of the garden<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/a<br><hr><div style="text-align: justify;">"So good, indeed" Suana agreed. There would be a moment where she would be able to tease him, where she would contract her muscles or squirm under him to add a layer of challenge to the first thrust, but for today the bond itself was a challenge on it's own. He resumed the kiss and she followed his lead. He was in control for now, since he was the one tethering near the edge and trying to keep it at bay a little while longer. She knew that if she climaxed, it was not a game-ending. Well, right there and then it might just very well be the push that he would need to climax too. Still, she would be able to have a second, or a third climax if it came down to it, so his going slow wasn't for her sake, it was for his.<br><br>Suana remained completely relaxed under him, the only tensions in her body were those that were required to make this a pleasant experience for them both: her core tight around his member, her legs holding onto his lower body possessively, her arms around his upper body… The rest of her was drained of tension and apprehension. She wanted to be the reassuring presence in the bond, the rock that he could hold onto if he found himself swimming too deeply in the pleasure and the feed back of pleasure that each thrust would bring.<br><br>Her flesh was still quite aroused and sensitive, and as he pulled out she felt the tingles of pleasure from her own core answer to his. Suana's trick to mellow out the sensation of the sexual stimuli was a very simple one. Every single self-control tricks learned since becoming Aes Sedai had one thing in common: to ignore something, focus on something else; ignore the temperature by a breathing exercise, focus concentration by feeding emotions and thoughts to a flame. In this case, she did not focus her attention to the thrust as he sunk back into her. She focused on all of him. How he felt under her hands, all over her body, between her legs. She paid mind to his breathing, to the little sounds, to the kiss, and how his hair tickled her. She focused on what she felt normally and not through the bond, but as he bottomed up again, she let a soft moan that clearly meant how good this felt to her.</div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Vergil Tanner</strong> on <strong>25-03-2016, 14:48:06</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/4/42/Gaidin.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Galvren Valynar (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11585469#msg11585469)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Gaidin.<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Suana Bemesta.<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Suana Bemesta.<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE.<br><strong>Place:</strong> The Grounds, Secluded Corner Of The Garden.<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/A<br><hr><br>Honestly, Galvren wasn't entirely sure how to react; on the one hand, he could feel her pleasure pulsing across the bond and he could hear her soft, plaintive moan as he pushed himself back inside of her, echoing his own stimulated response....but on the other hand, it wasn't a particularly loud moan and the sensations he could feel across the bond were decidedly muted. It wasn't the spike he had expected when he first began, and though the pleasure was accompanied by a sort of...relaxing feeling, he couldn't help but feel like perhaps he was letting her down somehow. He was already on the edge of his climax and it was taking all of his self control not to fall over that edge too soon, but apparently she was only feeling a fraction of the pleasure...was it just that she was muting her side of the bond to try and make it easier on him? Or maybe she was deliberately trying to concentrate on something else to avoid climaxing too soon, much like he was? Or maybe - and this was the possibility that worried him - she wasn't really enjoying herself all that much. Unlikely, he knew, or she wouldn't have let out that moan just then - Aes Sedai, in his experience, weren't ones for sympathetically faking pleasure; it would be too close to lying for them, perhaps - but it was still a worry...they had Bonded, and if his first job as a Warder ended in disappointment for her....well, that would definitely not be a good start. <br><br>But he quickly shook that doubt from the forefront of his mind; he couldn't banish it completely, not when he was so anxious to make a decent first impression on the <em>Sitter of the Green Ajah,</em> but he could at least crush it down to a place where he wasn't actively thinking about it. The moan helped, to be honest; as he mentioned before, an Aes Sedai faking a moan was unlikely for a variety of reasons so it was probable that said moan was in fact genuine, which certainly meant that he was doing something right, at least. He just had to ignore his paranoia - he was perhaps a little more neurotic about this encounter than he was normally, what with her standing and his status as her new Gaidin - long enough to make her climax, and then he would be more comfortable and confident in his abilities. He knew he was no slouch in this area, but the big thing was proving that to Suana Sedai. As he sank back inside of her, the pressure and warmth and pleasure radiating through both sides of their bond forcing another moan out of him, he deepened the kiss, looping his arms tighter around her waist, pulling her closer to him even as he reached the extent of how far he could press inside her and began to pull out again, slightly faster this time. He had to get used to a faster pace than snail-slow, and the best way to do that was to build up slowly, after all...he pulled out of her, one of his hands moving to slowly and gently caress her waist and thigh, then paused...then pushed back in, slightly faster than before, allowing a low, strained moan to escape into her mouth as he did so....it would prove difficult to speed up and hold back his orgasm at the same time, but he was determined to get more sweet sounds of pleasure to escape from her lips. If he couldn't get her to moan in pleasure, well...he evidently didn't have the skills to be her lover. It was as simple as that.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cynadea</strong> on <strong>31-03-2016, 14:57:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e8/GreenAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Suana Bemesta<br><strong>Position:</strong> Acting Sitter, Green Ajah<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Galvren Valynar<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Galvren<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Secluded corner of the garden<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/a<br><hr><div style="text-align: justify;">"Stop worrying." Suana said, softly, and then she went on to explain. "Even if you bust before the tenth stroke, it would not change anything for me. We would try again later, until the sensation becomes familiar to you to the point where you can do it all without putting so much pressure on yourself. Just do what feels good, my Gaidin, and if you finish before me and want to give me more, there are other ways that you can pleasure me." She truly wanted to take some of the pressure that he put onto himself.<br><br>To be honest, she was expecting him to lose his load quite quickly. Her expectations were not high, because she was aware of how demanding that could be for him. She had been there before with her first warder. Back then, at this point, he was warning her that if he so much as breathed in too deeply, or her squeezed only slightly, he was going to climax, right there. So Galvren was already going better when it came to controlling himself than her first experience had been.<br><br>The tone of her voice was calm, soothing. She truly meant to reassure him. There was no impatience to be found anywhere, whether it was in her voice, in her features or through the bond. All there was, was the pleasure from the trust, how pleased she was to be intimate with him, the joy of being bonded was still quite intense, and a warm feeling of acceptance. He would not feel disappointment or dissatisfaction from her whether he climaxed in the next thrust, in ten, or in a hundred.<br><br>No matter where her focus was set, the pleasure that they both felt was still feeding off one another and she arched her back under him. "Oh light…" She whispered as a thrust brought her that much closer to be put over the edge. His hands on her felt like soothing her skin. They were warm compared to the surrounding air and he would feel a longing for his touch, should his hands leave her skin or a deep appreciation if the contact was not severed.<br><br></div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Vergil Tanner</strong> on <strong>31-03-2016, 15:40:50</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/4/42/Gaidin.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Galvren Valynar (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11585469#msg11585469)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Gaidin.<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Suana Bemesta.<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Suana Bemesta.<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE.<br><strong>Place:</strong> The Grounds, Secluded Corner Of The Garden.<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/A<br><hr><br>Even though he'd known, on some level at least, that he was being perhaps a little paranoid and petty, hearing her say out loud that he was worrying unnecessarily was at least a little reassuring. Though he'd known that she would probably not transfer his Bond over to another Aes Sedai should he finish a little early on this occasion, it still helped to have her directly address that worry and - even if only temporarily - silence that niggling little doubt in the back of his head. That didn't mean, though, that he'd just let himself go and climax right then and there like his body was starting to demand of him, oh no; he was going to hold on until it was physically painful to do so any further if that's what it took. "I'm...ah....relieved...to hear...that..." He almost added "Aes Sedai" to the end, but remembered what she had asked of him in time to cut that off. He continued, even as he kept up his slow movements in and out of her, being careful not to provoke too much stimulation at once...he was walking a delicate line, and too much speed or force could easily tip him over the edge that hewas desperately holding himself back from. "But...Ngn...you'll...have to forgive me if I...ah...hold on...a bit longer..." <br><br>He offered her a wan smile. He was going to last as long as he possibly could, not only to prolong this moment as long as possible, but also because it was a point of pride for him; he was not some fumbling virgin who exploded within the first minute of his first time. He was a grown man, experienced and fit and healthy, and he was either going to hold back his orgasm until the beautiful woman beneath him reached her climax, <em>or</em> until he physically couldn't hold back any longer and no amount of mental self control could stop his bodies inevitable reaction. He didn't know how long either of those would be, but he wasn't giving up without a fight. With that in mind, he pushed forwards, seeking to speed up his movements just a little even as she arched her back and he felt a fresh surge of sharp pleasure flooding his brain. He moaned deeply in response, his body pressing down closer to her arching form automatically, seeking to close the distance...his hands began to wander, as did his lips, as he crumbled to temptation and - guided just by the haze of pleasure and lust, directed solely by his need to make her feel as good as possible before he finally gave in to the building sensations down below - pressed his mouth against hers once more, more firmly this time, not so much as twitching in a way that might suggest he was going to pull away. <br><br>He could feel in the back of his head how her mind leaped in delight and how that tree shuddered in the wind every time his hands touched her, so he allowed them to touch her more, one hand trailing down her long, smooth leg, gently pulling her closer. His other hand slipped up her side, playing along her toned, slender form to come up to her chest...his fingers trailed over away from her side and to her front, his hands slowly cupping over one of her breasts - her arched form inadvertently pushing it out and into his hand - and squeezing gently and gradually. His teeth grazed at her lips as he pushed his luck and sped his movements up just a little more, to the very edge of what he could manage, his moans into her mouth intensifying...he hoped she finished soon, because if she didn't, the pleasure spiking through his system and the mind-numbing sensations both down below and in his own head as her pleasure fed his own raging fire would surely finish him off sooner rather than later...
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cynadea</strong> on <strong>08-04-2016, 06:54:24</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e8/GreenAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Suana Bemesta<br><strong>Position:</strong> Acting Sitter, Green Ajah<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Galvren Valynar<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Galvren<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Secluded corner of the garden<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/a<br><hr><div style="text-align: justify;">Suana chuckled softly when he claimed to want to hold on a bit longer. Whether he did or not was of little consequences. If he did, it was all good. Of course, she wouldn't be upset if he brought her over the edge but the other way around was also true. He had given her pleasure once already after all. To Suana, doing this now with him completed the weave that she had settled into his brain tonight. It was binding them together more deeply, no pun intended. No other men touched her this way, and she would be hard-pressed to tolerate that he go to another woman, as stated earlier. She would see to his physical needs to the best of her abilities, and she knew now that he would be a most dedicated lover. Some would have taken her permission and finished as soon as their body requested. He fought it off.<br><br>Suana applied her own words to herself and decided to stop worrying. Whatever the light willed would happen and she was most accepting of it. Instead, she turned her attention on him and onto the kiss. She ran her hands on his shoulders, his arms, all over his back. There was an instant reaction, another moan, as his hand found her breast and immediately there were sparks in her core that intensified his current level of pleasure. She was drawing closer and closer, and his increase in rhythm helped along.<br><br>Suddenly, she felt it. That second that seemed to stretched indefinitely -just- before, where pleasure was there but at the same time not quite there. And then it bloomed and Suana tensed, moaning softly. Her eyes fluttered closed and he would feel her nails gently pressing against his skin, but not enough to leave a mark on his skin. The pleasure was intense, and she knew that it was turned up a notch because he was her bondmate. Her body quivered under him, fluttered around his member, as if trying to encourage him to give her all that he could. She whispered encouragements to him, telling him how good it felt to her, how good he felt to her too. And then slowly, she passed over the peak and the pleasure ebbed…</div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Vergil Tanner</strong> on <strong>08-04-2016, 11:50:40</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/4/42/Gaidin.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Galvren Valynar (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11585469#msg11585469)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Gaidin.<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Suana Bemesta.<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Suana Bemesta.<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE.<br><strong>Place:</strong> The Grounds, Secluded Corner Of The Garden.<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/A<br><hr><br>Galvren felt it only a moment after Suana herself did; that rapid rising of pleasure, that constant climbing towards the peak....and then the sharp, sudden moment of ecstasy as she soared into her orgasm, climaxing beneath his touch. He actually felt relieved, oddly enough; just above his sudden swelling of pride that he'd managed to push her to that edge once more was a definite feeling of a certain type of anxiety fading away as if it had never been there; he had doubted his ability to hold on, doubted his ability to give her the pleasure she was looking for in return and to know that he'd been able to do just that? It was definitely a relief to know that he was able to handle the intense pleasure given to him via the bond, but it had certainly not been easy. His entire body by the point of her orgasm was shaking a little with the effort of keeping himself back, and even as he felt her beginning to spasm and tighten in climax he knew that his grip was slipping and that only a few more thrusts would be all that he could manage...so he paused when he felt her orgasm, moaning loudly as he felt her tighten and clench around him, felt the extreme wave of ecstasy flood his brain, arching closer to her...and he thrust one final time, sliding himself all the way inside her. <br><br>The ecstasy of the climax she was feeling, combined with just how good she felt, cut that "few thrusts" down to one and he felt himself orgasming before he even realised that it was happening. He realised she was speaking to him, somewhere off in the corner of his mind, but he didn't really register what she was telling him; he was too lost in his own pleasure as he released himself inside of her before he even thought to pull out, just in case, too lost in feeling his own climax coursing through his body like a wildfire for a few precious moments, meeting and combining with her pleasure, before they both began to fizzle out. His body arched a little, then relaxed, losing all tension that was present in it during his orgasm and slumping forwards just a little before he caught himself on his hand just beside her head. He was breathing heavily, he was probably more than a little flushed, and the residual pleasure occasionally spiked and forced a small, soft groan from him lips. He smiled wanly, doing his best to get his breath back. "That was...ah...good timing on your part, Suana Se- Suana." He caught and corrected himself just in time; to be fair his brain was feeling a little fried right then. "A few more thrusts, and I don't think I could have held on..." he allowed himself a small chuckle, then glanced down, and realisation dawned about thirty seconds too late.<br><br>Did he....oh, <em>light burn him.</em> He came inside her without her permission. He blushed brightly, then looked back up at Suana, slight panic evident in his voice. "Ah....my humblest apologies, Suana Sedai...I should have pulled out...I'll do so in future, without fail. M-my humblest apologies!" He swallowed roughly. He had to be more careful in future; if he did that at all, he risked getting into serious trouble, but with a Sitter? It was...not exactly an ideal situation. He licked at his lips quickly. Hopefully she wouldn't be <em>too</em> mad at him, if he was lucky. He sincerely hoped that he was lucky. He'd done so well...the last thing he wanted was to make her angry <em>now</em> of all times, after the hard part was already over. He swallowed again, and turned his eyes down, away from her face. If he had paused for a second, he would have thought to check the Bond for what she was feeling at that moment, but...well. It was still new to him, and his brain was admittedly still a little sluggish. Either way...he awaited her reprimand anxiously. The sooner she did it, the sooner it got it out of the way. He'd have to watch his step in future; the last thing he wanted was to make <em>Suana Sedai,</em> of all people, angry. Leaving aside her political clout, he considered her as much a friend as a Sitter could be to a brand new Gaidin, and having her angry at him, well...it would <em>not</em> be fun. So...he just had to hope that he could earn her forgiveness quickly and efficiently. Otherwise, it was not going to be a good start to their Bond.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cynadea</strong> on <strong>15-04-2016, 08:27:22</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e8/GreenAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Suana Bemesta<br><strong>Position:</strong> Acting Sitter, Green Ajah<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Galvren Valynar<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Galvren<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Secluded corner of the garden<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/a<br><hr><div style="text-align: justify;">Suana reveled in the feeling from his orgasm and hers mingled. It was a wonderful feeling, and with this timing, it appeared like the pleasure was even stretched a few more seconds than usual. She let it wane and die as it was the nature of the beast. She could feel the twitches inside of her, as if her Gaidin's body was refusing to acknowledge that it was all over for the moment, or perhaps seek to&nbsp; draw every possible drop of pleasure from this coupling.<br><br>His words made her smile and she caressed the back of his head. A small pressure of her hand was meant to encourage him to rest his head on her shoulders,and for them to take a more relax position as they basked in the post-coital glow, most likely feeding off each other's too. Something came to disturb that blissful relaxation, she felt it through the bond. What did he have to worry about this time? She wondered.<br><br>"Galvren, look into the bond. Read it. Do you see disappointment? Annoyance? Anything at all there that may seem negative to you regarding what we have just done?" Suana asked, her tone almost taking the lecturing tone that she used whenever she was teaching. There was nothing of what she mentioned in the bond, though. She was content, satisfied, affectionate, and there was a readiness too. She was ready to hold onto him if he decided to rush the separation of their bodies. He would soften - or maybe not, he was a strong, young and health man after all - and slip out of her on his own. She didn't want to sever the contact, right away, and besides, she loved feeling his weight pressing down onto her. That was something that he would definitely feel: she was physically quite comfortable with his weight on top of her.<br><br>"Just kiss me, Galvren. I will not become pregnant, there is nothing to worry about." The petite blond had a soft, tender smile on her lips, and she lifted her head from the blanket slightly so that he would have a shorter distance to cover before their lips met. Her warm hands glided down his back, not at all bothered if it met with a bit of sweat. A Green who had an issue with man sweat would find life to be so very full of unpleasantness, all things considered..</div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Vergil Tanner</strong> on <strong>15-04-2016, 12:32:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/4/42/Gaidin.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Galvren Valynar (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11585469#msg11585469)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Gaidin.<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Suana Bemesta.<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Suana Bemesta.<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE.<br><strong>Place:</strong> The Grounds, Secluded Corner Of The Garden.<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/A<br><hr><br>Honestly, he did feel a little foolish, and that feeling was not overly helped by the lecturing tone she was using; he felt a little like a slightly slow student who failed to grasp the most basic of things, and it was not a sensation he enjoyed...but it was deserved, that much was evident. Yes, he might have worried about it, and ordinarily he would have had to vocally double check whether his partner was angry at him or not, but...he had a Bond, now, a direct window into what she was thinking and feeling and he needed to get used to using it to the best of his ability. In his defence, he was still new to the Bond and still getting used to having her in the back of his head, but he needed to start using it more often if only to prevent him from making himself look like even more of a fool in front of Suana Sedai. It wouldn't do to have his Aes Sedai believing that her Gaidin was foolish or slow, would it? He needed to ensure that her impression of him remained positive, or he could face many a problem later down the line. He flushed a little, heat rising in his cheeks as he realised that she was indeed correct; he didn't <em>feel</em> any negative emotions coming from the Bond, just pleasure and happiness and a certain contentedness. Had he thought to look, he could have saved himself the embarrassment of having her have to explain all of this to him, and he felt more than a little bit sheepish about it all.<br><br>Of course, he was given the perfect cover to recollect himself a little; he obeyed her instantly, leaning down and pressing his lips against hers softly, enjoying the plush feeling of her soft, smooth lips and the heated feeling of her breath against his cheek as their lips met in the middle. His hands caressed her sides slowly as he enjoyed the slow, gentle passion of their post-lovemaking kiss...whereas before the kisses had been edged with that lustful desire and just a tinge of desperation, coloured by their mutually rising pleasures, this one was slower, more relaxed...more graceful, in a way. There was still a slight dash of lust - they <em>were</em> still tangled together, naked, in a moonlit garden after all - but that was forgotten as he allowed his lips to glide over hers, tasting and caressing them gently just to explore their surface. His hand moved to her hair idly, gently running through her golden, flowing curls, revelling in the silken smoothness of her locks before he pulled away slowly, slightly short of breath and still blushing a little, though filled with gentle reassurance and slightly dizzy pleasure. As embarrassing as his little slip up had been, she was right; he felt nothing negative from her, and that was a relief on its own. <br><br>He smiled a little sheepishly. "My apologies, Suana-" He managed to cut off the "Sedai" before he started it, that time. "- The Bond will take me a little getting used to...and truthfully, I'm rather desperate not to displease you. It isn't every day that a new Warder gets the opportunity to guard a Sitter, after all, so...I admit to feeling just a little bit of pressure to perform." He allowed himself a small smile. It wasn't an average occurrence for a Sitter to take a brand new, raw Warder...or a new Warder at all, really. And since he was her first Warder since her original one died...well. It was a lot to live up to, and a lot of pressure. He just needed to make sure that he stayed calm and collected and didn't make any foolish mistakes...then he'd be ok. Hopefully. Well, he was sure that Suana Sedai would tell him if he did...he just needed to figure out how best to read the Bond, and he <em>should</em> be fine. At least...that was the theory.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cynadea</strong> on <strong>22-04-2016, 23:10:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e8/GreenAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Suana Bemesta<br><strong>Position:</strong> Acting Sitter, Green Ajah<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Galvren Valynar<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Galvren<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Secluded corner of the garden<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/a<br><hr><div style="text-align: justify;">The kiss, she hoped, would help put him at ease. He had no reason to be so tensed. She eased into it, her hands caressing his back and shoulders in a tender manner. Having him accepting the bond was appeasing in so many ways, the least of which her sisters of the Green would stop bugging her about being without warder. She was not alone anymore, and though she could still feel the hole that the broken bond had left behind, having Galvren now in her mind appeared to make it smaller, more distant, and far more bearable. Bonding him was a good decision on so many levels, and he had to become aware of it, she thought, so that he could regain some of his self-confidence.<br><br>Suana smiled at his answer, and she thought that she would let him bask in how special being a new warder in, before she would pop his bubble. She was 'acting' as a green Sitter, but the moment a more suitable candidate came alone, she was out of there. She wasn't a bureacrat, or a politician. If she wanted politics, she would have gone gray! No, she was a soldier and she belonged outside, where her expertise would be needed. <br><br>"I have been preparing and watching over you for a year, Galvren. Don't you think that I do know what you can or cannot do?" She teased him gently. "You have proved yourself to me time and time again. You don't need to impress me anymore, or to fear that you might fail." She would never had bonded him if she had the slightest doubt that he would not be a perfect fit. She knew that it was just time for him to regain his bearings with this new thing, the new presence in the back of his mind. She was also aware that it had been a life goal and he did not want to mess it up first chance he got.<br><br>"I have bonded you because I know that you are up to the task. Otherwise, I could have waited for someone more suitable, as I have for a decade. Do not put more pressure on your shoulders than what is absolutely necessary, my dear Gaidin. I am not expecting perfection out of you and I sure hope you aren't expecting it of me. You would be so disappointed." She added and finished with a soft laugh.&nbsp; </div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Vergil Tanner</strong> on <strong>23-04-2016, 11:28:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/4/42/Gaidin.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Galvren Valynar (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11585469#msg11585469)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Gaidin.<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Suana Bemesta.<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Suana Bemesta.<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE.<br><strong>Place:</strong> The Grounds, Secluded Corner Of The Garden.<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/A<br><hr><br>Whilst he had known that she had bonded him, specifically, for a reason...it was nice to hear it spoken aloud rather than merely implied or suggested. It sounded silly even to his own ears, but there was something <em>different</em> about being told that he was chosen because of his skill rather than having it implied; it was like both were acknowledgements that the other party thought that he deserved it, but the former was willing to put it into actual words, voice it aloud, rather than simply hint hint nudge nudging. Did that make sense? Probably not, but it wasn't like it mattered. He didn't have to share his immature need for validation with his Aes Sedai, and it would probably not be the best idea to do it in the first place; she needed a <em>man</em> to guard and serve her, not a <em>boy.</em> A <em>boy</em> would screw this up, a <em>boy</em> would make a mistake, a <em>boy</em> would let his Aes Sedai down. Not him. He was going to be the best Warder there was, or die in the attempt...though the first option was, obviously, preferable to all parties concerned, he did not want to live as an incompetent Warder. That would be a shame too great to bear. She was right, of course, that she wouldn't have bonded him if she didn't believe in him or see potential in him, and she had indeed been grooming him for this moment for an entire year, but....well, it was only human to be nervous, wasn't it? It was only natural to worry over whether he would do a decent job...right?<br><br>He offered her a small smile, and though his nerves had not been entirely calmed, he did nonetheless feel significantly better about the whole affair. He was still feeling nervous over this new chapter in his life, trepidation still hovering at the edges of his mental state like mayflies buzzing around his ear, pausing as he swatted at them but returning only a handful of seconds later, but at least they weren't dragonflies (which make a hell of a lot more noise) any more, so there was that. Only time would remove all of his nerves about his new life, as had been the case with his training, but it was a comfort to know that Suana Sedai already believed in him. He inclined his head deferentially. "I appreciate the kind words, Suana..." He still had to stop himself from saying "Sedai," but this time, he didn't even need to pause to stop himself. He was getting better, slowly but surely. "...but this is something I have been working towards for a decade. Only time and experience is going to remove my nerves over my performance; You might not be expecting perfection...but I certainly demand it of myself, even if I can't attain it. I am determined to prove myself worthy of being selected over everybody else, and that goal breeds a certain type of nervousness about whether I can achieve it or not." He allowed himself a small, wry chuckle. "It will pass, in time...but...thank you. Your confidence means a lot to me." He wasn't lying, either; he knew she could feel it across the bond that his nerves - whilst not gone - had settled down a little, and that he was indeed feeling a bit more warm and fuzzy towards her (though he'd never use those words out loud; a Warder was not supposed to be "Warm and Fuzzy"). They would disappear in time...he just hoped it was sooner rather than later; the sooner he got comfortable with his new life and stopped worrying about whether he would screw it up, the happier he would be.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cynadea</strong> on <strong>03-05-2016, 02:51:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e8/GreenAjah.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Suana Bemesta<br><strong>Position:</strong> Acting Sitter, Green Ajah<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Galvren Valynar<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Galvren<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE<br><strong>Place:</strong> Secluded corner of the garden<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/a<br><hr><div style="text-align: justify;">"Let me give you food for thought for later. What if the perfection that you expect from yourself is not the one that I want from you? What if I find perfection to be boring and unchallenging? Perfection means that there is no room to grow, no room to become better only worse, and thus not giving each other an opportunity to influence each other into becoming better… Better, but still not perfect." Suana paused very briefly, looking into his eyes as if she meant to read his thoughts, not just the bond, but the affectionate touches and spikes through the bond had not gone.<br><br>"What can one do when perfection is attained? Is perfection within the realm of the possible, at all? And yes, I've been hanging around Whites for a little too long. It's time for me to take a trip off the Tower grounds, so that I may remember something else than philosophical debates."&nbsp; Suana said and chuckled, not at all displeased by his answer. She didn't want&nbsp; him to feel like he had done anything wrong. She raised her head to press her lips to his very briefly. Everything was fine, she was far from displeased with him.<br><br>"Now that would be a true test of your skills. Having us both packing everything and leaving for the Borderlands." Suana's hold onto him loosened but she did not let go of him completely. She knew that the longer they remained this way, the higher the risk of being caught naked in the garden was. As important as this ways, Suana didn't push Galvren off her or give any indication that she wanted him off her at all.&nbsp; Her hands simply roamed more loosely on his bigger frame.</div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The White Tower ~ The Grounds</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Vergil Tanner</strong> on <strong>03-05-2016, 12:18:25</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/4/42/Gaidin.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong> Galvren Valynar (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=234819.msg11585469#msg11585469)<br><strong>Position:</strong> Gaidin.<br><strong>Bondmate:</strong> Suana Bemesta.<br><strong>Tag:</strong> Suana Bemesta.<br><strong>Time:</strong> Evening, Saven 7th, 990NE.<br><strong>Place:</strong> The Grounds, Secluded Corner Of The Garden.<br><strong>Warning:</strong> N/A<br><hr><br>Honestly, he hadn't ever thought of the matter quite like that; she was right, of course, that perfection left him nowhere to grow, nowhere to go, nothing to strive for, but he would disagree that it was boring; he was never one to seek out challenge for the sake of challenge, and he wasn't one to actively enjoy the contest...his skills were a means to an end, and that end was protecting the White Tower and his Aes Sedai...and, by definition, being a perfect weaponsmaster meant that he would very rarely - if ever - lose. Was perfection attainable? Probably not. He was no philosopher, but he knew that perfection was never truly in reach for humans. Humans were inherently flawed, imperfect creatures and the imperfect could never hope to attain perfection. But did that mean you didn't strive for it? Of course not. It was a goal that you would never reach, so you settled for as close as you could get, hoping to brush your fingers against it just briefly, so you could have a moment where you thought "I am now the best I can be..." until, that was, you found somebody better who pushed you to improve yet again. "Perfection may be unattainable, Suana...but I do not think it's something that shouldn't be striven for. When improving yourself, you should always aim to be the closest to perfect you can be. What else should we do? Simply aim for being slightly worse than perfect? That then gives us slack. It gives us a margin for error. Even if we don't succeed...aiming for perfection is an admirable goal, especially in matters of life and death."<br><br>He shook his head, then allowed his hands to dance along her waist and sides lightly, absently caressing her soft, supple form as he remained nestled between her legs. The longer they stayed here, the longer they risked discovery...but it was the Faire - which meant people would be out late - and surely it wasn't unheard of for Greens to bed their Warders, right? And who was going to reprimand Suana? She was, after all, the Sitter for the Green...she was the one who scolded, not the one who received scolding! Excuses, of course. He just didn't want to move overly much, and as long as Suana didn't push him off or send him emotions to that effect, he certainly wasn't moving. He tilted his head a little; the Borderlands? That would be a case of "throwing him in at the deep end," wouldn't it? The one place in the world where Trollocs and The Eyeless are actually facts of day to day life, where every day could bring a Trolloc raid or a drought...a brutal place to live, one that bred a people as hard as nails and sturdy as oak. He lifted an eyebrow. "Do you have business in The Borderlands, then? It would be no small Culture Shock, but where you go, I go. I'm sure it wouldn't be <em>too</em> bad..." He offered her a slight smile. Was the prospect nerve-inducing? Of course; he'd be a fool not to be nervous at the prospect! But did he think he could do it, and do it well? ....oh, yes. Right at that moment, he felt like he could do anything. And if she had business in the Borderlands...well, just bring it on.
			</dd>
		</dl>
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