The breeze picked up and whirled leaves around them gently, and Jacquelynn remained sitting where she was on the marble bench. Her auburn red curls shifted slightly around her shoulders and her blue-green gaze was both deep and yet somehow innocent, as she looked up to Lavenda, a slightly curious expression on her face.
The Sitter knew when to guard her expression, and could do it with little effort. Anything can be done with little effort if you give it enough time. Anything...except forgetting. That alone cannot be learned or refined. It cannot be taught and it cannot be forced, but it is the one thing I desire more than anything.
Now, however, she left her warm face open. She liked to be seen as someone that people could talk to her, and despite her office, she tried to be as involved in everyday Tower life as was possible. Jacquelynn had never been ever so comfortable with formalities and eloquence, anyway. Even the shawl and ring could not wash away her past, and at heart, she was still the Ghealdanin farmer's daughter who had spent her days looking after younger siblings, letting her nurturing nature grow. That was one thing she had never let go of, through everything she had experienced at the White Tower. During her Novice and Accepted years, she had clung to the hope that she could offer others a little comfort as though it were driftwood in a stormy sea. Even when she was safely ashore, she had taken a little chip of it with her, and had no intention of ever letting go.
She smiled ever so slightly as she watched Lavenda think over what she had said. At least some of these Warders have as much brain as brawn! she thought in satisfaction. The Aiel woman was yet young, but Jacquelynn could sense a resilience about her. The fact that she had survived her Aes Sedai's death told her that much. She won't give up easily. Admirable.
Expression touched nothing but Lavenda's eyes, but even so, the Sitter could see...everything. Eyes really are the doors to the soul. Her own eyes met the other woman's for a second in a moment of recognition and understanding, and she nodded her head ever so slightly.
The next development in their conversation was not at all expected, and Jacquelynn raised her eyebrows in surprise, the only suggestion of it she would freely show, and even that was a lot for an Aes Sedai. Go with her? Why? she considered. Why not? And with a shrug, she stood, dusting off her skirts automatically.
"The exercise will do me good." she said jovially "I would be delighted to accompany you Lavenda, and if Mentiri is disinclined to my presence...well, you'd be surprised at how quickly I can make myself scarce!" she said, a twinkle in her bright eyes.
"Lead the way, Gaidar!"
xxxx
After she processed what the Violet Sitter- Jacquelynn- said, Lavenda still couldn't believe it. The storm that was brewing had... turned into a mild summer day? Even though she had shown a measure of surprise at the request- as good as a shout of surprise for others- she had agreed?
Take what you get and don't complain. That had been her mantra for as long as she could remember... but she didn't feel like complaining. She felt... relieved. Yes, relieved was the word for it. Standing in front of the Sitter, she shocked herself again by putting on an easy smile.
Sheathing her spears in cases on her back- she had forgotten completely about them- she continued. Some may think it odd she carried them everywhere, but they were her equivalent of a Warder's sword, and when when did a Gaidin or Gaidar every go anywhere without their sword?
The Sitter looked... excited? Well, she thought with a mental shrug, There's always a first time for everything. Laina had always been excited...
"I agreed to meet him at a tavern called the Lester's Jesting, Sitter Mailli," she told that ageless face. "I hope you do not mind meeting in such rough accommodations?" That hadn't occurred to her before, that an Aes Sedai might not agree to meeting in a smoke-filled tavern. However, Aes Sedai were much respected in the city, and it would be likely that most would actually enjoy her presence.
I do hope Mentiri doesn't mind, she thought with a frown on her tanned face. As they left the gardens, the winds picked up, promising a chilly night. That, she didn't like. Heat, she reveled in, but cold... And maybe I'll go to the Waste and join my rightful clan, she thought with a smirk.
x
Lavenda pushed into the tavern, cloak pulled close against the chilly breeze. Small droplets of rain came in with them, and several patrons groaned at them, only to fall respectfully silent when they got a good glimpse of the pair, especially the ageless face of the Sitter.
Walking briskly to a table in the corner, Lavenda held out a chair for the Sitter, then took her own. The table was near the fire, Lavenda's chair being next to it. Heat. She smiled, once again in her element, and adjusted her various weapons. Spears, knives and blades were adjusted until she could sit comfortably, yet draw with a twitch of her hand. Nothing out of the ordinary; sometimes she had slept like that.
Lavenda gazed at the Aes Sedai across from her, still surprised at her own daring, but distracted. She wondered when Mentiri would arrive; and what he would tell her. Once again, she wondered if he would mind Sitter Mailli.
She hoped he would; for as short as she had known them both, she felt a bond, and didn't know what she would do if they didn't get along. Silently, she waited.
xxxx
They made their way through Tar Valon swiftly, both the Aiel woman and the Aes Sedai ignoring the rain as best they could. And it had promised to be such a beautiful day. Jacquelynn thought with a twinge of regret as she watched early spring blossoms being plastered back by the heavy shower. At least, she hoped it was only a shower. At this time of year, they seemed all too frequent though!
By the Lavenda led her into a comfortably pleasant looking tavern, the Sitter was certain that she looked more that a little wet and bedraggled - a state which no Aes Sedai should allow herself to be seen in. Not much I can do about it now! she thought, and brushed raindrops from her dress and cloak before following Lavenda through the crowded common room to a table directly in front of a large fireplace, which she was grateful to see had a roaring fire in it. Ignoring the weather was all very well, but even women of the White Tower still looked damp when it rained, and there simply wasn't anything to top the feeling of warming one's hands in front of a friendly blaze.
Lavenda drew a chair out for her, and Jacquelynn took it with a smile of gratitude and a nod of her head as she arranged her skirts neatly around her, not wanting them to dry with creases in peculiar places. A serving maiden approached them, and asked if she could get them anything. Jacquelynn ordered herself a glass of mulled wine, but decided that it would be best to let Lavenda order for herself. I don't have a clue what Aiel like to drink...although, I'm sure I shall find out soon enough!
After the serving maiden had left, Jacquelynn allowed her natural, insatiable curiosity to take over for a little while. At first, she was content to simply let her blue-green gaze rove over the people in the common room, everyone from merchants to Warders. It was a pleasant sight to say the least. There really was something ever so comforting about being inside in a warm atmosphere while it was raining and miserable outside!
This Mentiri had piqued her interest, though, and she wondered what he would make of her presence. In truth, she didn't really mind whether he wanted her there or not. Aes Sedai were used to making people awkward with their presence, and taking it all with a smooth face was second nature. Little fazed the good-natured Violet Sister, anyway!
She turned to Lavenda as the serving maid returned with her drink, wondering if she would get any answers from the woman. With the ghost of a smile, she noted how alert, how ready the woman appeared, so acutely so that even she could notice it. I don't imagine ever so much could sneak up on her!
Smiling more openly as she sipped the warm, aromatic drink, Jacquelynn asked "How much do you know about Mentiri, Lavenda? I'm afraid I don't spend enough time away from my rooms anymore, and scarcely have acquaintance with any but a few older Sisters!"
xxxx
Lavenda sat quietly in her chair, considering her answer. How much did she truly know of Mentiri? Little more than she knew of the Violet Sitter, that was certain, but... She thought on this. He was a blind warder who had lost his Aes Sedai. He had been blinded in the incident, and it was oft said that the Aes Sedai had been his lover, or more. He was as good as most men with both eyes, and had an almost supernatural ability to sense what someone was doing. Also, she felt a great bond with him, of friendship and something closer. Kinship, perhaps?
While she thought, she signaled the serving girl aside.
"Hot tea, please," she said kindly to the slightly unnerved girl. She probably didn't see many Aiel, even in Tar Valon. Not many people did. "Black." she added. Weak tea was no good, sweetened or milked. As the server curtseyed slightly and returned to the kitchen, she tried to answer the question.
"I don't truly know that much about Mentiri, Sitter," she began slowly. "But I know that he is a trustworthy man. Honest, too, I suppose." she paused, thinking of how to phrase the next part. "I know I've only met him, but I think that he is a man to which I would trust my life. Is that enough?" she questioned, abnormally blunt. She wasn't usually that pert, but when someone asked her a straightforward question, she usually gave a straightforward answer.
The girl returned with her tea, and Lavenda gratefully wrapped her fingers around it, curling to soak in the warmth. Taking a sip, she smiled. Black tea was a favorite of hers, as she didn't like expensive or rich drinks such as spiced wine or honeyed herbal teas. Pursing her lips, she watched the Aes Sedai's reaction to the question, watching also the door to the tavern in her peripheral vision. When would Mentiri get here?