Courtyard: White Tower, Tar Valon

Before you stands a magnificent palace made of delicately sculpted marble, rather than blocks. Gently arching walls and bulging domes rise high into the sky, seemingly just barely touching the clouds with its delicately crafted spires, topping off the breathtaking sight before you. Looking about, one can see a small garden off to the side, with a small winding path down it's center that leads into a maze of bushes where one might get lost if not too careful.

Colors seem to change from bright pastels to earthy tones and vibrant reds as the days start to grow colder and the days shorter. There are several benches about the grounds where one might be able to sit and relax. The noon sun rises high in the sky, shining down brightly into the courtyard grounds. All around you can see that the area is a bustle of activity as Novices and Accepted alike work on their chores or mill about on various benches in the yard doing their studies. Aes Sedai clump together in small groups, holding private conversations, keeping a careful eye on events in the area.

A broad stairway, made of pristine white marble, enters into the White Tower, marked by a massive pair of doors decorated with delicate carvings of intricate workmanship. A tall, white wall cascades around the yard, its entrances and exits marked by high gates leading to the street, watched by the Tower Guard. Somewhere in the courtyard you can see buildings for the barracks and the stables. You can also see an entrance to the practice yard, marked of by a row of high hedges.

Adri is just making his way into the courtyard from the practice yard.

Zannick walks his boots into the courtyard from the south harbor gate. He's if possible, more tan today than he was yesterday. A free day spent in the water down at the docks is likely the reason. Somehow, in the process he's lost his shirt as well, which makes it plain just how tan he is. He's heading for the barracks at a good clip, his hair and trousers still a bit damp, and maybe vaguely embarrassed to be returning that way. He's got a fishing spear in his hand.

Adri smiles as he watches Zan walk by. "You catch anything?"

As Morse has fallen silent, Emmeran turns her primary attention away from him for a moment to glance over at Zannick.

Zannick might have liked to keep walking, but he just can't do it. Nope. He can't. A people person has to talk to other people, especially when spoken to. He hesitates and then halts to chat with Adri with a wryly friendly grin. "Nothing I wanted to keep. You're right though. Those spoonbills are pretty good sized." He rubs his spear-holding arm with his free hand and does NOT mention catching a Novice. His eyes cast briefly about, and he waves to Emmeran with that same friendly grin as he catches her eyes looking at him.

Emmeran smiles slightly and offers the Sworn a bit of a wave from the bench, "Light Shine, Zannick."

Adri chuckles. "Why does nobody ever listen to me when I warn them?"

Zannick smiles a bit, "Light Shine Emmeran." he responds in a slightly elevated voice so it will carry to where she sits and then turns back to Adri, touching his finger to the tip of the spear, "Well I did have to warn a couple off me, but once they figured out my 'teeth' where as sharp as theirs, they didn't bother me." In other words the first one tried to eat him and he had to kill it. Its not like there were no "sea monsters" in Tear's harbor either. This is why he takes a spear diving, not really to catch fish.

Adri chuckles and just shakes his head. "I've seen some pretty freaked up stuff down there in my time kid. But I guess for now I will take your word that it is safe."

Zannick makes no explanation for his missing shirt as he stands and talks to the gaidin. He shakes his head, "Depends how deep you go I suppose. I only took down the first 50 feet or so. I'll go deeper later." He grins and adds, "With a bigger spear."

Adri scratches his head. "How da hell you manage to get down that far? The pressure in my head tells me to stop round about 15."

Emmeran rises from her seat and begins to move over toward the two. Fishing is something she can actually relate to rather well.

Zannick chuckles "I have a thicker skull than you do Adri." He's joking of course.

Adri nods his head. "That I coulda told ya a long time ago."

"Training and breathing," suggests Emmeran as she finishes her approach, "It just takes practice mostly."

Zannick grins widely, shrugs, and digs a little water out of his ear, noticing Emmeran's approach as he does so. "Yeah. that's what I meant. Training and breathing." He amends with a wink at the Novice.

Adri looks between the 2 swimmers and takes a step back to let them talk. He knows how to fish...and that's about it.

"Though I didn't tend to do much diving myself," admits Emmeran, "My father did some though."

"Yeah? For fun or did he do it for a living?" Zan asks curiously, his blue eyes darting to Adri as the Gaidin steps back as if to enquire where he's going.

"Part of our living," says Emmeran, "Diving, fishing, and the like."

Adri is going nowhere. He is just a severe advocate of not getting in the way of a man and a woman with something in common

Zannick nods at Emmeran's comment and rubs his arm again. "Make a good living at it then?" Zan of course has no idea how profitable that business is. His father's business is shipping, not fishing. Zan just got into diving because he can't leave a mystery alone. He glances at Adri again.

The novice considers that a moment then notes, "Well, too many people fishing really. The individual fisherman and diver wasn't that important. We made enough to get by..and when you are fishing you at least always have food.." She shrugs.

Adri cocks a brow and knows...nothing about fish...with the possible exception of the spoon bills.

Zannick nods, starting to shiver a little bit. His trousers are just damp enough still to keep him slightly cooler than he'd like to be. "Yeah, I suppose there is that. You'll never starve as a fisherman." He looks over at Adri and asks, "So when did you dive, Gaidin? I didn't know you liked that sort of thing."

Emmeran glances around for a moment then turns her attention back to Zannick and Adri. Apparently, she's satisfied just to listen for the moment.

Adri shakes his head frantically. "Right about the time I fell off the pier with a rock tied to my ankle. That was my first amateur attempt." he winks

Zannick laughs, and slaps his knee. "Adri, now how'd you get a rock tied to your ankle? Was this a present from your political opponent in the last race for Ambassador?" He shivers again though and sticks the spear point down in the ground so he can rub both arms.

Adri smirks. "No nothing quite that profound. Was my first wife." He licks his lips. "Perhaps you should go get changed."

The novice glances around again. Waiting for just the right moment, she grasps the Source. Of course, the men can't see that...and the general background hum of Saidar always present in the Tower doesn't make it particularly noticeable to anyone else...yet. She then begins to make weave a small net of Water weaves just over Zannick's pants...slowly drawing out some of the moisture without being too obvious.

Zannick grins at Emmeran and then laughs quite merrily at Adri, though wether he believes it or not, is uncertain. He might think Adri is joking. Raising both eyebrows high, he shakes his head, "Light that's a bit of a drastic way to get a divorce, isn't it?" The ordinary jingling of the bell is absent however, as the bell ordinarily decorating his braid is not there. Maybe he just didn't want that braid to look like a fish lure. He of course has no idea the novice is channeling, but maybe he's a bit less cold than he was? "Yeah.. maybe I should.. get a shirt on or something." he finally admits out loud that item is missing.

Emmeran actually doesn't seem to react to Zannick's grin. To outside appearance, it might just seem that she is staring off to space..while actually she is rather intently working on the weaves. It might be easier if she wasn't trying to be so precise, but that would be too obvious. Of course, the only sign to a non-channeler of what she is doing might be her manner and a few hand motions here and there, but maybe she's just a fidgety young girl.

Adri looks between the both of you. "Well i don't know about either of you, but I intend to make the most of our last hours off. perhaps a little fun and games at the inn? That's where I will be if either of you wish to join."

Zannick grins and nods, his shivering noticeably less, though it has not yet occured to him to wonder why his trousers are getting drier so much faster than earlier. "Yeah, I might wander down there after I've changed. I'll walk you down there if you wanna go, Emmeran?" He remarks with an easy going shrug. Then it occurs to him to wonder.. he quirks a brow, "Our free day? Don't tell me you still have chores around here and have to do as th Amyrlin says Adri?"

Adri smirks. "Nope. I don't have chores persay. Just not very often i get to take tower folks out...and get them drunk." He winks.

Emmeran blinks slightly as she's addressed. She offers a smile to Zannick as she releases the weave and lets go of Saidar, "That..sounds good. I've only been out of the Tower once since coming here."

Adri chuckles. "Well i suppose you are in for a treat." he salutes with his cane. "I'll see you both there."

Zannick smiles sideways at Adri. "Oh go on Adri. You know the channellers don't get drunk. We'll see ya there in just a few though. Maybe we could get up a game of cards, or darts, or do some dancing or something." Zannick rattles off a few things and then smiles at Emmeran.

Adri chuckles and heads out

Emmeran offers a curtsey to Adri, "See you soon, Gaidin." She actually is fairly excited at the idea of getting to leave the Tower for the first time in a long while.

Adri passes through the Alindrelle Gates under the watchful eyes of the Tower Guards.

Adri has left.

Zannick grins and waggles his eyebrows in a self deprecating fashion. "Guess I better get changed into some dry.." He sort of pats down his trousers and looks puzzled, finishing slowly, "clothes." But then dismisses it with a shake of his head and a glance around. Odd. "I'll meet you back here in a minute, all right?" He pulls the spear out of the ground to take it with him into the barracks.

The novice nods quickly, "Alright, I'll be waiting here." She smiles cheerfully and folds her hands in front of her.

Zannick trots into the barracks, and a few minutes pass before he comes back out adjusting the loose collar of a soft grey shirt as he walks. His trousers have been changed anyway for a dark grey pair, and his hair is sticking up a little. He smiles as he rejoins Emmeran. "I'm ready. How about you?"

Emmeran nods and offers you a smile back, "I'm ready to go."

Zannick glances around, and then just offers an arm. What the heck. it's free day. "Right. Sounds good to me. Let's get over there before Adri gets too drunk to be any fun." He winks showing he's teasing.

Emmeran blinks for a moment almost as if she's surprised by the gesture which she is...chivalry is something that until very recently just was not really a part of her life. She then smiles a bit and takes the offered arm.

Zannick smiles comfortably and begins to lead out, making small conversation as he walks with the Novice.

You pass through the Alindrelle Gates under the watchful eyes of the Tower Guards.

You walk inside from the Inn's front porch to arrive at:

Common Room: Flaming Arrow Inn, Tar Valon(#1106RJMs)

The common room of the Flaming Arrow Inn attracts both travelers and residents of Tar Valon. Its casual elegance comes from the extensive use of waxed and carved golden oak. To one side, an solid staircase with bronze arrow banisters below the oaken railing rises to the upper floor. Across from the stairs, a huge stone fireplace sits below a mantle carved with flames and arrows on either side. Large beams cross the high ceiling, supported by shaped columns where lanterns are mounted. Windows are placed across the entry wall of the Inn, which lies opposite from the long bronze-trimmed carved bar by the kitchen door.

Now that it is autumn, a fire usually is burning in the large fireplace. Even so, some of the windows of the common room remain open to the stableyard. Occasional conversation and the rich smell of fallen leaves drifts in from the tables and garden there. Here inside, fall arrangements of gourds, pumpkins and dried corn grace the mantle and beams, their rich form and color making the room festive. Delectable smells from the kitchen drift in and mix with the autumnal smell of burning leaves and trace aroma of Tabac. The common room is filled with patrons this evening, delicious smells emanate from the kitchen, mixing with the faint smell of pipe smoke, around the room the hanging lanterns have been lit, their glow is cheery. By the door to the kitchen, a hand-lettered sign reads "This Evening's Special from the kitchen is: Vegatable Soup, Smoked Pork, Creamed Potatoes with Cheese, Apple Fritters."

Emmeran comes into the common room from the stable yard outside.

Emmeran has arrived.

Matt, Aurora, and three gentlemen sit at a table playing cards.

Zannick steps inside, walking with Emmeran, the pair talking comfortably as they have been all the way from the tower.

"Awwwww, Aurora, that is sweet." Matt smiles at what Aurora whispers to them, though the smile is just a facade. He should be doubling over and laughing at what she just said. But no, he can't just at this moment. He takes his two new cards and shows them to Aurora. A pair of Three of Cups, one Twelve of Flames, One Seven of Cups, One Four of Cups, and one Five of Wands." He leans over to Aurora and whispers something softly after showing her his hand, and then pulls away to smile at the other men. "So what now? Do we bet here?" His coin purse, sitting near his hands, just begs to be exploited.

Adri moves to the bar after having just arrived himself. he looks to Zan and Em who just came in and can't help smiling. "2 wiskys and...hmm...what to get for the lady?" He pauses for a moment to speak. "let's try some cider for starters. We'll see if she has stomach for something heavier later." he winks and puts the coins down on the bar. yeah...like maybe cranberry juice.

Half-way across the world from Tear to Tar Valon and in the end Inns are pretty much the same. Food, drinks, gambling. Emmeran cannot help but chuckle quietly to herself at the realization as she glances around the Inn.

The bar tender comes back with a tray loaded with the requested drinks. Adri whistles to get Zan and Emm's attention and proceeds to becon them with his cane.

Zannick raises an eyebrow at Emmeran's chuckling and walks with her over to the bar where Adri is standing as the ex-Gaidin whistles to alert them of where he is. He slides a chair out with his foot for Emmeran and slides onto one himself. That comfortable smile never goes away. He glances around, noticing Aurora, and he thinks, the fellow Adri was bantering with in the courtyard about some bet.

Emmeran offers a quiet thank you Zannick before getting comfortable in the chair that Zannick produced for her.

Aurora smiles sweetly and nods to Matt. "Of course, I'll be right back." She flutters her eyelashes at him before heading over to the bar to get them some drinks as well. The Illianer grunts and nods, "Yes or you can stack, which means you give up this game and forfeit the money you've put in. He looks hopeful, probably that Matt will stay in, though it could possibly be read the other way of course. They put in their money and the betting seems to be pretty steep, but Matt can afford it right? Aurora smiles surreptitiously and just barely inclines her head to the people from the Tower, but hurries towards the bar before they can say anything, trying to maintain the charade that she and Matt are new in town, though she needn't really, considering the men aren't paying attention.

Adri sets the tray down and proceeds to hand Zan and Emm each their whiskey and then takes his cider. He looks like he is about to take a drink bfore he stops and examines the drink...and then examines Emmy's drink. After a moment he sets the cider before Emy and retrieves his whiskey. He takes a quick drink and then remarks. "Well it looks like a crowd has beaten me to the card table this evening."

"My pa told me never to quit. And perhaps he didn't mean card games when he said that, but then, perhaps he did." Matt throws in enough gold to match in all the other's, and lays down his cards. A pair of threes. The other men lay down their's as well, and Matt is clearly beaten by a full house produced by the Andoran. He collects his winnings with a large grin. "Looks like it is my night." Indeed, the Andoran does have the biggest pile of earnings. Matt nods at this. "You sure have won a lot, sir." Heh. Just wait. Another hand is dealt out. Matt tosses in three coins, removes three cards from his new hand, and recieves three new ones. "Wow! Three pair!" he yells out in glee.

"I fold," comes from the Ilianer and the Andoran, while the Cairheinian just smiles. "Quite a hand, kid." He tosses in a handfull of silvers, which Matt matches before laying down his cards. "Was that good?" Matt asks.

"Almost, kid. Almost." The Cairhienian lays down a straight. "Maybe next time."

Zannick peers over Emmeran's shoulder at her drink about the time Adri does and laughs, "I didn't know you liked cider Adri," He remarks as Adri switches drinks. And if Adri hadn't switched it out, Zan likely would have. Wouldn't be good to be bringing Emmeran back to the tower in the evening drunker than drunk. He takes a swallow of his own drink then. Small, and slow. He's not a big drunkard himself.

Aurora returns with the drinks, setting an ale down before Matt and taking a mulled wine for herself. "So, how are we-" she starts out chipperly enough, but her face falls dramaticaly when she sees what's going on, and she sits down a little heavily. The Andoran looks on with a bit of pity, though neither of the other two do. "Maybe you should stop. It would be a shame for your wife to have to sell that pretty dress..." Aurora smiles at him gratefully and looks back at Matt, her expression imploring, though of course it's all just an act.

Emmeran chuckles slightly and half-heartedly complains, "Maybe I like whiskey better." The girl actually is no particular stranger to alcohol, but...then again when you are a relatively small 14 year old girl, the reality is that it doesn't take all that much to get you smashed. She picks up her own now corrected rink and takes a sip before glancing over at all the gambling commotion. She considers for a moment before noting, "It seems that a few people are getting very lucky this evening."

"Don't worry about it, Aurora. I have it. Look. I know how to play now." The next hand it dealt out, and Matt picks up his cards, holding them out for Aurora to see. Four 10 of Coins. And a lone 2 of rods. Matt tosses in a coin, gets a card back. A six of wands, but it doesn't matter. The four of a kind will probably be enough. The Andoran and Cairhienians, heady on their good luck, make large bets, which Matt matches. The Ilianer stacks, though doesn't quit completely. His hand must have not been up to par. The betting goes on, until there is quite a mound of money in the center of the table, before it is time to lay down. The Cairhienain and Andoran are more playing against eachother then Matt. They think him harmless. The Andoran lays down his hand first. Two pair. Then Matt lays down his hand. Four of a kind. And then that leaves the Cairhienian.

Adri shakes his head adimently. "oh no no...I don't mind cider. Just not the drink of champions when one is playing cards." he reaches into his jacket pocket and pulls out his tabacco pouch and opens it up to reveal 6 freshly rolled stocks of tabac. he offers one to Zan.

Adri looks to Emmy and nods. "Luck is fickle dear...and it likes some people better then it likes others. You do well to figure out who at the table it likes before you sit down to play a game of cards."

Zannick looks at what is offered and shakes his head with a smile, "No thanks. See.. that there Adri, is the reason you can only get down 15 feet in a dive." Zannick quips lightly, with a poke of his finger and a sideways glance and wink at Emmeran. "Whiskey's good enough for me." He adds, and leans back into his chair, draping an arm over the back, and tipping a boot onto the bottom rest of the bar.

Aurora looks a bit skeptical, even after she sees his hand, especially after she sees his hand considering she doesn't want to give it away to their gambling partners, though keeping a straight face is quite difficult as the pot continue to grow, and grow some more, and some more. She combats the urge to let her eyes pop by thinking about losing all that money, which produces an apporpriately sickened expression on her face. She disappears into her mug of wine and then eyes the Cairhienin consideringly as he has yet to lay down his cards. She holds her breath a little, and a curse can be heard from the Andoran. The Illianer though is looking at them more appraisingly, as though they had been cast into a much different light and he was just getting his first good look at them. The Cairhienin remains stone faced for a moment longer before flinging his cards down with a muttered, "blood and ashes." An Amyrlin, a Tairen High Lord and a King of Cairhien stare unblinking up at the gamblers, but still don't beat Matt's 4 of a kind. Aurora pretends to choke on her wine.

The girl considers Adri's statement for a long moment after taking another sip of her drink before saying, "Maybe. But my father always to tell me something that I think is pretty true. He always used to say that the a lucky fisherman is just a fisherman who knew where to fish and just didn't tell anyone." She shrugs a shoulder.

"Wow," Matt gushes, blinking in surprise. "Must be begginer's luck." He rakes in the massive earnings, which totally fill his purse. "Aurora, love, do you have another purse on you?" he asks softly, as there is still probably enough to fill half another purse. "If you do, could you put the rest of this in it?" If not, well, that wouldn't be so bad. It will serve to remind them just who one this massive pot. "So, another round gentlemen?" he asks, rubbing his hands together. Just like a slave getting his first touch of freedom, Matt is acting the gambler with his first taste of winning. "I'll deal, if you like?"

Adri chuckles. "Suite yourself Zan." He moves to the fire to light up his tabac. he takes several long puffs on it and exhales the smoke through his nose before coming back to the table and plopping down into a seat. He looks to Emy now. "Your father is a very wise man. Too bad I don't fish." adri smiles and takes a sip of his whiskey.

Aurora lets herself look awed by the amount of money, though the time when she would have fainted at the thought of so much has long, long passed. She does indeed produce a purse from the bodice of her gown and slide the money into it, and trying not to look smug. The Illianer seems reluctant to hand over the cards. One might begin to think he was onto their little game, but surrender them he does. Aurora arches an eyebrow slightly and whispers a little too loudly, "Are you sure that's a good idea, Matt? Have you ever dealt cards before?" A snort from a nearby table reveals someone who's been fleeced by this pair before, but misery loves company so he pretends it was at something his companion said.

Zannick nods approvingly to Emmeran's remark and then tilts his head in an ultra casual salute to Adri as he comes back to the table. That nod turns into a following of the music being played in, and a toe tapping. Zan looks to be enjoying the relaxation and good company a lot, though he watches the game over at the table from time to time. He wonders briefly if the novice knows how to dance. This produces another friendly grin.

Emmeran grins a bit at Adri as she also begins to relax to the atmosphere of the Inn. It has been a rather long time since she's been outside the regimented and often severe existence of a Tower novice, "All life is just fishing if you look at it the right way." She smiles and takes another sip of her drink.

Adri snorts and blows another long stream of smoke from his nose. "Fishing is perhaps not the word I would use Emmy." He states quickly

"No. But it doesn't look hard." Matt takes the deck of cards and begins to flip them out. "See?" he asks Aurora, smiling as the cards go fairly near their respective targets. With only a few landing on the floor. "Not too bad," he then congratulates himself, before setting the deck down. Ooooooooooops! He forgot to deal himself in. Matt gives them all a sheepish grin, and then deals himself five cards. He isn't sure if that is okay, or at least makes a little look like he isn't sure, but the men are too frusterated with him to care at this point and just make motions for him to proceed. Finishing that, he sets downt he deck and looks at his hand. An Amrylin, a Tairen Highlord, a King of Cairhien, the Queen of Andor, and a Lord Captain Commander. Matt' hides his real look of surprise well. Though on the inside he is amazed. A perfect hand. "Shucks!" he says, belying his inner joy. "How can I possibly use this?" he demands of Aurora, flashing his cards at her. "Well, I'll just see what happens." He doesn't toss a coin in, obviously, though around the table a few are as the men exchange cards for new ones. And then, the betting starts. And everyone seems to be in it, this time. Even the reluctant Illianer, who throws in five gold crowns to start them all off.

Zannick taps his toes a little more and his fingers join in tapping on the table. Yeah, this is great. He leans over to mention to Emmeran, "I don't suppose you know how to dance Novice?" there's nothing predatory about the comment. Zan certainly does not seem to be on the prowl, so much as just enjoying the socialization. He reaches up to smooth down that bit of hair that has been sticking up forever, finally noticing it in the reflection in his glass. "Gah. Why didn't someone tell me my hair was going all goofy?" He enquires jokingly.

"I know how to dance alright," says Emmeran with a smile. She doesn't seem to be particularly disturbed or worried by the question and implicit offer. Everything is simply in good fun. She begins to stand from her chair while inquiring of Adri, "If life isn't fishing, Gaidin. What is it then?"

Adri smirks. "You think that's bad? you should see the sign Emmy here put on your ass a while back." Adri winks. Predatory? Now come on...men who seek to pick up blue eyed bubble heads for one night stands and midnight romps are not predators. :)

Adri must take a moment to ponder Emmy's question

Aurora looks at the cards and lets her eyes widen, she looks at Matt, and then leans in to whisper to him some more, probably something about the proverbial poker face. Or, at least that is what she hopes the men at the table will think. When she looks back to the men she is all smiles again, sipping her mulled wine, though she does shoot a warning glance at Matt. All in good fun though. She fingers the chain around her neck as though debating whether she will have to sell it or not after this...

Adri finally responds. "Well I suppose life is whatever we decide to make of it." He clearly was not prepared for the question.

Zannick sets down his whiskey and laughs openly at Adri's comments on what's occupying his backside. "Well then I suppose you all will enjoy it so much the more when I get up here and go dance with her, as that sign goes by each time, hm?" He stands up and remarks, "We'll be back in a minute. Don't put a spoonbill in my drink while I'm gone, Gaidin." He winks back and offers Emmeran his arm to walk her out to where the dancing is taking place rather boyantly.

Mathor'an says something very quietly back to Aurora, before he tosses in his next bet. Ten gold crowns. And that is on top of another already large pile of money. The bets keep going around, and around, each man's purse, even both of Matt's, getting emptier and emptier. The Cairhienian throws in fifteen gold crowns. The Andoran matches it, and throws in seven more. Then goes the Ilianer, and finally Matt. All different sums, yet soon there is a small fortune in gold on the table. Sweat beads on some of the other men's foreheads, while Matt's stays totally dry. He, of course, is used to this, so he unconsiously doesn't sweat. But then, the betting winds down, and finally it is time to lay down the cards to decide who wins this large sum. The Cairhienian lies down first. A straight, again. A good hand, but beaten by the Andoran's hand, who lays down next. A low straight flush. The Andoran man grins, thinking he has it, until Matt lays down his. A royal straight. And then, it is just the Illianer, and whatever he holds in his hands.

Emmeran offers Adri a faint grin as she rises to take Zannick's offered arm. She seems slightly pleased that she managed to catch the Gaidin off guard.

Adri smiles and leans back in his chair. "You two have a good time." he squints so he can read the words written on poor Zann's ass.

Zannick weaves between and around a few patrons leading Emmeran with him till a good spot is found to dance. He grins and watches the surrounding dancers a second before starting to whirl Emmeran through what the rest are doing, though not too proficiently. Acceptable, not stellar. He seems unconcerned about anything on his butt.

Well, the Novice isn't exactly the Creator's gift to dancing either. However, she is relatively light on her feet and the typical dances you find in Inn don't exactly require weeks of choregraphy. For this brief moment, the girl can just enjoy life again..no pressure about learning, no pressure about the Power...she can just enjoy a fun day in an Inn dancing...and from the look on her face she is enjoying it thoroughly.

The Illianer eyes the cards carefully, and the pile and then leaps to his feet drawing a dagger. "You do be a cheating sack of barnacles if ever I saw one." The Andoran stands to put a hand on the man's shoulder. "Hilern, calm down." The Cairhienin eyes the pile like he might just make off with it anyway, and to Emmeran's eyes Aurora would be glowing with the light of saidar, though she doesn't use it just yet.

Adri watches Zan and Emy dance. He didn't figure Emy for the dancing sort, but then he didn't figure her for much of anything more then an ignorant retch this morning. he seems happy to be discovering otherwise. Everybody deserves a little fun once in a while afterall.

The congenially smiling Sworn is having a blast. Around and around the pair go. Who knows when another free day will happen along to allow it again. Everyone keeps saying Kelsyn is gonna be hard on Zannick and kick his butt. Might as well take advantage of this day so he can knuckle down tomorrow. The dancing doesn't leave much room for talking, so he contents himself with grinning at his dance partner as the go around.

"Will you collect our winnings, love?" Matt asks cheerily as he stands to confront the angry Illianer. "Oh, yeah, you might need to get a few more purses. Though the Light knows that Illian coin is as light a weight as they come." He then turns to face the Illianer man who do be calling him a cheater. ""I do be a cheater, do I be?" Matt asks, a broad smile. "For certain, my do be sir, this is is only the first time I have played the game. How could a simple country boy like me cheat at a game I just learned? Hmmm? It do be impossible, I do be believe. Do be do be." Yes, Matt is trying to press the Illianer's buttons. Standard, for him. "So, either take back what you just said, or attack me. But I promise you, if you attack, I will have you disarmed and screaming for your do be mother in, oh, do be 20 seconds."

Always funny how people are so much more..and so much less than they seem at times isn't it? The novice does seem to be having a good time with the dancing, not all that aware of any tension going on at the table until Aurora grasps the source. She blinks slightly and glances to the side for a moment to see the nimbus of energy surrounding the Accepted. Turning her attention back to her partner she moves in close for a moment so she can speak somewhat quietly to him, "Trouble, I think, is coming."

Adri takes another drink of his liquir and then puts the tabac to his mouth and takes a long drag. His eyes are still on the pair. Perhaps Matt is about to learn a lesson in who to cheat and who not to? Hmm...likely not. Adri watches Zan and Emmy go round and round and for a moment wishes Faleen were around. Ah well...nice glass of whiskey will do him just as well. And yes...kelsyn will eventually get around to kicking the boy's ass. just a question of how and when.

Far from playing the frightened country woman Aurora continues to eye the Illianer as intently as any hawk. Almost absently she reaches out and pulls the pile towards her. Indeed there is a lot, but she actually prepared for this and produces several empty purses to fill, and when filled they disappear to the Light knows where on her person, probably the same mysterious otherworldly dimensions where she keeps her own daggers. Matt might indeed be about to learn a lesson in who to cheat and who not to, if he had cheated that is. There is such a thing as blind, or not so blind.. luck. Aurora stands and steps off to the side so the hotheads can duke it out to their hearts' content should they choose. The Illianer snarls and then licks his lips in the face of Matt's rudeness and his challenge. He starts to lunge forward and stops, or something stops him. He looks a little perplexed and tries again, and once again is stopped, or stops himself. It's difficult to tell. On the third try he manages to complete the lunge, his dagger aimed for Matt's gut. Aurora shakes her head and tsks a little as if to say, 'This is why alcohol and loosing money don't mix.'

Zannick turns his head to look where Emmeran is looking, but of course he sees no nimbus of the one power around Aurora, or anyone else for that matter. The card players do look a bit tense, but no one is bashing heads with chairs or anything yet. Oh wait, there we go, the knives are out. The dancing has by now stopped and Zannick leans to whisper to Emmeran, "Go back to Adri, I'm gonna go stand by in case." he lets go of her hand and steps that direction, expecting her to go, apparently forgetting she can channel and he can't do anything but swing.

Adri watches the scene now with an amused expression. Blind luck indeed. Forgetting to deal yourself in...and then dealing yourself 5 straight. Nothing blind about that. he sees the guy getting stopped by that oh so familiar invisible wall of air and just shakes his head with that odd smile of his. Now eyes go back to the dancing pair. Oh darn...they not dancing anymore. Drats. So much for playing the match maker

The novice nods and begins moving back over toward Adri occasionally glancing over toward the scene. The girl considers for a moment then saidar flares around her. At this point she doesn't do anything, but apparently she wants to be prepared if something else occurs. Perhaps it might result in her getting a lecture later, but in the end one can always survive a tongue lashing.

Adri pushes out a chair for Emmy as she approaches and is curious. "I've always wondered Emmy...what it is you women see...that we don't?"

Mathor'an has time to even roll his eyes and let out a small sigh before daintely stepping out of the way. The knife thrust misses him by a good foot, and catches the Illianer off balance. And now the Illianer man is in trouble. Matt brings his hand down, hard, on the Illianer man's elbow, and he drops the knife as he goes to clutch is arm in pain. But he has little time for that as Matt then balls his hands together into a massive fist, and swings with all his might in a great roundhouse blow, which catches the Illianer square in the jaw. A pleasent crack is heard as Matt connects the blow. The Illian spins, and then falls to the ground, dazed but not unconsious. Matt, still not quite done with him, rolls him onto his stomach, grabs his arm, and begins to apply pressure to it after moving it behind his back. The Illianer lets out a lovely squeel as Matt does. "So, my Illian friend," Matt chatters as if in pleasent conversation. "Who do be the winner? Who do be not be a cheater?" Matt presses the Illian man's arm further up. "And your sister do be a pig, yes? And your mother do be a whore? And Illianer's do be smell really, really, bad, right?" The Tairen sworn is really getting a kick out of this.

Zannick had come close enough to assist if its needed, but now his expression may get just slightly irritated. Light is that really necessary? Zan turns away and walks off, ignoring the finish of the fight, rejoining Adri and Emmeran with a soft comment, "Apparently he's fine." He slides Emmeran's chair out if she happens to want to sit again, and plunks down in his own chair and slams back the remaining whiskey without checking for unlikely spoonbills in there.

Aurora's tilted eyes lift from the fight to settle on Emmeran, and she doesn't frown in dissaproval, she merely arches an eyebrow that does nothing more than promise that very tongue lashing later, or perhpas more, or perhaps nothing at all depending on the Accepted's mood. Then she looks back down to the Illianer on the ground and gives a slightly annoyed click of her tongue, as though this was all highly unnecessary. The red faced, beared man being pinned face first to the floor grunts and flails with his legs a little. Just flopping like a fish? Or is there more? Well considering he hooks a chair with his leg and tries to kick it up and fling it towards Matt with his foot, quite awkwardly I might add, hints that there was a bith of method to that madness.

Adri chuckles. "Of course. I'm his sponsor." despite his seemingly good humor his expression is decidedly neutral

Emmeran moves into the seat nodding to Zannick as he returns. As the altercation is...under control, she reluctantly lets go off her hold on Saidar taking a few moments to carefully consider her response to Adri's inquiry. After a few moments of thinking she comes up with that not entirely clear, "The light of...life." She frowns faintly wanting to perhaps explain it differently, but the very limits to her education and vocabulary that had her having to ask Adri earlier for help are limiting her in this explanation now. She shrugs, "Its..pretty." Fortunately or unfortunately depending on how you look at it, she doesn't seem to notice Aurora's attention on her, of course the novice was quite well aware that the minute she embraced the Accepted would instantly know she did.

Adri nods his head. "So looking at Aurora over there...tell me...what do you see right now?" Adri has always wanted to know.

Adri says "describe it to me...I know you have troubles...but please try. *he asks nicely enough*"

Most just don't understand the animosity between Tairens and Illianers in general. And thuswise, Matt doesn't try to explain it. They obviously don't realize the Illianer would have done the same thing to him, only worse. Worse being Matt's guts lying all over the Inn floor. But, Matt does tire of this, and he even ignors the chair that goes no where near hitting him. "Well, my good man, you've answered my questions just by being here. We all know what Illianers are. And do." He lets go of his arm, and stands up. "Get up and get out of here. You have already embarassed yourself. And no funny stuff. Or next time, I will do just more then knock you to the floor." Matt gives the Illian man one last, long, pointed look, before promptly turning his back and heading for the bar. "And ale, please. I've worked up quiet a thirst," he asks of the barkeep.

Zannick folds his hands together, his glass empty, and just sort of watches and listens to the conversation between Adri and Emmeran. He isn't quite sure he understands what they are talking about, so he just keeps quiet.

The girl turns her head to focus her attention on Aurora for a moment as she considers her response. She then leans over to all but whisper her response to Adri, "All around her the Saidar..there...is a bright." She bites her lip. A nervous habit apparently, "a bright glow not like the glow of a fire or of an Illuminator's trick...its..." she lapses into silence for a brief moment before declaring, "It is a pure light."

Adri tries to picture that in his mind. If only he could do such things for a day..."And what about the other men? Can you see what she is doing to them?" he assumes Rora must be doing something...

"I do be sorry," the Illianer stares in horror as the words just come out of his mouth. He makes an enraged, strangled sound, and stares in even more shock as he removes his other dagger and sets both of them on the floor as if in obeisance to Mathor'an. Red faced he leaps away from them as if burned and turns, pushing violently past the Andoran to rush out the door without so much as another word. There is a bit of a hush for a moment, and then everyone simply returns to what they were doing before as if nothing had happened.

The novice shakes her head very slowly, "I don't see anything else...just the Saidar itself." She glances around for a moment the general area of the fight just to verify that there aren't any remote weaves or something that she is not seeing. Satisfied with her survey she nods again, "No, just the Saidar." She almost sounds...dissapointed as you says the last part.

"An Illianer saying sorry. I'll be burned." Matt takes his ale and walks over to the daggers. Matt picks one up, examines it, and tucks it away. He picks up the other, examines it, and tosses it in a soft, underhand motion to Adri. "Think fast, Adri Gaidin," he says as he does, before turning to go back to the bar.

Adri licks his lips and leans forward. "When i was a kid...i liked to think I was the king of what people round me called luck. Now that I am a little wiser...I know there's no such thing...least not for me." His eyes lock with Emmy. "Fishing woman or no...book smart or no...You are one of the luckiest women alive Emmeran. That thing you do...it's a gift. I hope you develop it...and don't waste it."

Adri wasn't exactly ready for a dagger coming at him, underhand or no. He does manage to snag the thing out of the air though. Adri is nothing if not quick. "Please tell me you've come up with your wager Matt." After watching that game of cards...on would think Matt had all the time he needed to make wagers.

Being from Tear himself, it would be rather ridiculous to assume Zannick does not understand the animousity. But that is there, and this is here. And maybe he thought the tutelage of the tower might lead to a bit more finesse. Or perhaps Zan is just plain odd in his enlightenment. Travel has forced him to come to a recognition of the things that tie all people to each other. A prime example is that silly bell he wears on his braid. That's not really a very Tairien thing. Arafel has bled into him rather strongly apparently. Adri's little chat with Emmeran does catch his attention though and he leans on the table himself. Is he a trifle weary? Are his eyes drooping a little? Hauling a novice out of the harbor bright and early this morning, a full day of vigorous swimming, and a night of dancing. Yep, he's getting a bit worn and sleepy.

The novice nods very slowly to Adri. She is silent for a moment before noting unsteadily, "I...I know that now gaidin. I truly do. I did not at first. I hated it at first, but now I have begun to see that I should be happy that the Wheel has weaved this....this path for me. The Power...is..." again she falls silence as she looks for the right word, but this time she does know the one she wants to use, "The Power is wonderful."

"Hmmmmm..." Matt says while in mid-drink. "Yes, I have been thinking on our wager, Adri. I've come up with two things you might find interesting." Matt looks to Aurora with an impish smile, and then back to the Gaidin. "And no, not Aurora. Unless, of course, she wanted to, and your return wager was high enough." Mathor'an Alaen deLedici, consumate business man.

Aurora walks over without releasing the source, all cool serenity. No need to pretend not to know them anymore. "Emmeran... have you had my talk about not getting caught yet?" She doesn't seem to care if she's interupting anything. She doesn't put her hands on her hips though the effect is the same. This time she does channel, to bring her mulled wine over to her and warm it a bit before taking a sip. Even in casualness she manages to fix the Novice with a weighty stare.

Aurora adds without looking to Matt, "And I am not for sale DeLedici." Sheesh.

Emmeran blinks at that as she looks up at Aurora. Apparently she was so deep into waxing philosophically (as well as she can manage at least) that the fallout of some of her earlier actions hasn't quite sunk into her mind yet. However, Aurora's stare does seem to do wonders for memory. All her practice at seeming non-plussed seems to fail her as she openly winces at Aurora's statement, "I...no, I have not had that talk with you, Accepted." Nice, polite, and even a little bit penitent.

Adri licks his lips. "Alright let me hear them then."

Zannick looks up from leaning on the table at Aurora and smiles, still comfortably, and maybe, with the intention of diverting her a little from coming down so hard on poor Emmeran. It was Aurora's boyfriend after all that started the fight, not Emmeran. "Light Shine Accepted. Found my dog dish yet? I'm dying for a drink you know." He grins and winks.

Damn. Well, maybe next time. However, though Aurora is not for sale, Matt does have a few things Adri might be interested in. "How about this, Gaidin." He lifts up his foot, on which is one of a pair of very nice shoes. "These and..." he smiles, and takes another drink of ale before going on. "My soul."

"Very well. These are my rules. You can do what you like as long as you don't get caught." It's what she did anyway. "But if I catch you, and it's not a prank that I was a part of then I have no pity because you'll just have to learn better for the next time. The standard punishment for a Novic who embraces without permission is to pour drinks in the dinning hall saying each time, 'I will not fill myself with saidar unless given permission'" She pauses to look at Zan but Matt's next words, 'cause by Power enhanced ears make her jerk her head and stare even more indredulously than when he offered her. "Matt, sometimes you havve a very poor sense of humor..."

Adri smiles and looks down at matt's shoes. "You make it a tough one. Shoes...I could use." He licks his lips. "Don't know what the hell i would do with your soul though."

"I'm sure you could come up with something," Matt replies back to Adri, after sparing a wink for Aurora. "And I'm not asking you to choose between one or the other, Adri. I'm telling you I am putting both on the line."

Emmeran nods slowly as the Accepted delivers her rules. However, a few things are not totally clear so she dares to ask for a clarification. A bit timidly she inquires of the Accepted, "That..is the standard punishment, Accepted. What is your punishment in this case?" There is a still a thin sliver of hope that she can get out of this with just a warning.

Adri fixes Matt with his levelest of gazes. "Alright then...help me out as I am novice to the stealing of souls. After I beat you...what good is your soul to me? What perks do i get out of owning it?" The boots of course...are obvious.

Aurora mutters to herself, "... keep... body..." and smiles sweetly back at Matt, regaining her composure. She looks back to Emmeran and regards her carefully for a moment. "My punishment is that you have to come up with a prank and pull it off. A good one mind you." She takes another sip of her wine and glances over to the conversation between Adri and Matt before looking back to the Novice. "Are my terms acceptable?"

The novice blinks. Of all the things she was expecting Aurora to say, that was certainally not one of them. However, the surprise quickly gives way to the excitement at the idea of what is, in a sense, sanctioned mischief. She only grins slightly as she inquires, "Yes, Accepted. Who am I supposed to do it to?"

"I don't know, Adri. I'm not one who has ever dealt in the soul trade before." Matt takes another drink of his ale, draining the tankard. "But it has to be worth something, right? After all, everyone always says their souls are one of the most valuable things they own. But, if not that, then I guess with the shoes..." Matt hmmms, and then chuckles. "Perhaps I can learn the Sa'sara from Aurora and dance it from you? She said you might go for that."

Now... Aurora has lost most of her shame. However Matt's statment does make her choke on her mulled wine a bit, and then she bursts out laughing, shaking her head. Matt, what am I going to do with you, she asks herself. Then she looks back to Emm and shrugs nonchalantly. "Whomever you like. But you should run it by me first to make sure it's alright, and then I want proof afterwards that you did it."

Zannick slides out of his chair and smiles down at Emmeran, "Are you of a mind to stay a bit longer? I think I'm gonna drag these boots back to the barracks, before the two of you have to carry me back fast asleep." He glances at Adri, perhaps hoping the Gaidin will see her back if she is staying.

Adri shakes his head. He finds the light manor in which matt and Rora treat this particular subject...amusing to say the least. he decides 2 things right then and there. 1. regardless of the outcome of this bet...Matt will give up his soul...2. The prank Emmeran will be playing...will be on Aurora. Now that. Will be fun. After that akward moment he speaks up. "Does possesion of your soul mean that I get to decide the path your life takes?" His tone still light and conversational.

Adri nods his head to Zannick. "I'll get her back Zan. You go get some sleep."

Perhaps, the prank will be against Aurora..perhaps not. It certainally would be more efficient that way. The novice looks up and offers a shrug to Zannick, "I think I want to stay for a bit. Thank you for the escort, Zannick."

Zannick smiles "Thanks Adri. Light Shine and Good Night.", He bows swiftly, smiles around, and turns on his heel, making his way out of the inn, roughing his dark hair up as if that would be something to keep him awake till he gets back.