09-08-2016, 09:16 AM
A bet with an Aes Sedai; it got more interesting. Brave, or foolish, or seeking a diversion? (a diversion from what, though?) Most at the White Tower had a general understanding of life at the Black; they were supposed allies after all. She had often heard the Asha’man spoken of as not much more than a great army of channelers, and that life there was not far removed from any soldier’s existence. But generalities like that were not much to go on. If she gave any thought on it, it was only to consider it potentially ill-fated to funnel every Asha’man down the path of war. The Dark One’s taint on saidin was not the only thing that could drive a man mad.
He wasn’t very forthcoming, but she supposed she should have expected that. Tossed back in Arad Doman? A strange way of putting it. She could only assume that it was not a bad experience with a woman, else why chase Fate? (not that she was aesthetically typical of her country) Which meant it was something else. It crossed her mind to ask; he had phrased it in such a way as incited questions, but perhaps he only meant the intrigue to nag at her. She was curious, but not so much as to start digging for the sake of it. A surprising amount could be learned by simply waiting, and watching.
"That’s an unusual gift."
Though it partly explained his earlier display in the front hall. "In your head, all the time?"
Nythadri knew what it was like to be dogged by thoughts that banished sleep, but nothing as persistent or distracting as that. Clearly he was able to live with it, but it was a fascinating thing to comprehend. A White would have a field day, and she seriously considered warning him against sharing such an oddity with people here. But she imagined he knew how to take care of himself, and the Black Tower would afford some protection if he was negligent enough to come to an Aes Sedai’s attention for more than sport.
His question made her laugh – which was perhaps an unkind thing to do since he was suddenly so composed of boyish innocence and charm. She half turned, and saw him looking at his hands like they weren’t a part of him at all, else trying to see them from another’s perspective. "I’m not so sure you would like the candidness of my answer."
Pretty as winter is to look at, it’s also brutal. Which was perhaps why Nythadri did not offer such observations up without first being asked; one who jumped into a lake of their own volition could not then complain that the water was freezing. "That sword at your hip isn’t just for show, not that I would expect anything less of an Asha’man. You have soldier’s hands."
She could have said killer; there was little distinction to her, but she imagined there would be to him. It wasn’t her intention to offend him, just to make wry jest of the uniforms that boxed both of them in. The sardonic tilt of her mouth as she spoke said as much, and the heated tease in her gaze suggested she might have said something more complimentary. But she wasn’t going to.
Because it wouldn’t exactly be appropriate to add that it was the duplicity of hands she found attractive. Hands that crushed but chose to caress. Hands roughened by hard labour that also expressed tenderness. Soldiers hands that... well, anyway. She might have also added that she envied Fate, and that such sentiment only grew the longer she talked with him. But she said nothing. Not because she was an Accepted who certainly shouldn’t be saying such things to any man, let alone an Asha’man, but because she didn’t think a man like him lacked ego, or those eager to stroke it. A brief hand gesture indicated a change in direction; crossing over Jai's path to a door that led outside. She went through first and held it open for him. Pale eyes watched him pass with the ghost of a smile.
"It isn't far, now."
The courtyard was, of necessity, clearly marked. They wouldn't simply stumble upon it while passing through the various gardens and groves that comprised the Tower's exterior.
"How long are you staying in Tar Valon?"
He wasn’t very forthcoming, but she supposed she should have expected that. Tossed back in Arad Doman? A strange way of putting it. She could only assume that it was not a bad experience with a woman, else why chase Fate? (not that she was aesthetically typical of her country) Which meant it was something else. It crossed her mind to ask; he had phrased it in such a way as incited questions, but perhaps he only meant the intrigue to nag at her. She was curious, but not so much as to start digging for the sake of it. A surprising amount could be learned by simply waiting, and watching.
"That’s an unusual gift."
Though it partly explained his earlier display in the front hall. "In your head, all the time?"
Nythadri knew what it was like to be dogged by thoughts that banished sleep, but nothing as persistent or distracting as that. Clearly he was able to live with it, but it was a fascinating thing to comprehend. A White would have a field day, and she seriously considered warning him against sharing such an oddity with people here. But she imagined he knew how to take care of himself, and the Black Tower would afford some protection if he was negligent enough to come to an Aes Sedai’s attention for more than sport.
His question made her laugh – which was perhaps an unkind thing to do since he was suddenly so composed of boyish innocence and charm. She half turned, and saw him looking at his hands like they weren’t a part of him at all, else trying to see them from another’s perspective. "I’m not so sure you would like the candidness of my answer."
Pretty as winter is to look at, it’s also brutal. Which was perhaps why Nythadri did not offer such observations up without first being asked; one who jumped into a lake of their own volition could not then complain that the water was freezing. "That sword at your hip isn’t just for show, not that I would expect anything less of an Asha’man. You have soldier’s hands."
She could have said killer; there was little distinction to her, but she imagined there would be to him. It wasn’t her intention to offend him, just to make wry jest of the uniforms that boxed both of them in. The sardonic tilt of her mouth as she spoke said as much, and the heated tease in her gaze suggested she might have said something more complimentary. But she wasn’t going to.
Because it wouldn’t exactly be appropriate to add that it was the duplicity of hands she found attractive. Hands that crushed but chose to caress. Hands roughened by hard labour that also expressed tenderness. Soldiers hands that... well, anyway. She might have also added that she envied Fate, and that such sentiment only grew the longer she talked with him. But she said nothing. Not because she was an Accepted who certainly shouldn’t be saying such things to any man, let alone an Asha’man, but because she didn’t think a man like him lacked ego, or those eager to stroke it. A brief hand gesture indicated a change in direction; crossing over Jai's path to a door that led outside. She went through first and held it open for him. Pale eyes watched him pass with the ghost of a smile.
"It isn't far, now."
The courtyard was, of necessity, clearly marked. They wouldn't simply stumble upon it while passing through the various gardens and groves that comprised the Tower's exterior.
"How long are you staying in Tar Valon?"