Young trainees were all separated from the Novices and even the Accepted. The only ones walking beside the Aes Sedai were their own Warders, and yet, especially on occasions such as this one, Aes Sedai preferred to be distanced from them, standing beside their sisters. However, the Aes Sedai were all gathered around the table of the Amyrlin Seat, so the young men and women of the Tower all had a bit of time for themselves. Some pairs were very lovely to Min, while others probably should have never been made - she heard quite a lot of insults between them, but just from women, of course.
Min herself was approached by few men. Some she actually found very charming and handsome, like the young Hardol, who was even interesting and witty, unlike most others. However, it was all just that - interesting conversations and nothing more.
Light burn you, Rand al'Thor, Light burn you!
How dare he stay in her mind even leagues away? When she sees him next time - which she will - she will either slap him or hug him. It will depend on the situation, of course.
The conversations going on inside the Tower were almost every day just whispers and arguments, petty squabbles hidden behind the veil of manners, between men and women alike and those whispers were in anything but good faith. The only person who made the evening so bright, at least for some, was the only man not speaking in hushed tones, for everyone to hear him. He was also the only man allowed to sit at the table with the most respected of the Aes Sedai and to be quite open in his words.
"Oh, Katerine Sedai! I think I have never seen a woman of such noble attitude as yourself. I must applaud you for even coming while I'm here - few men have ever had such bravery. Alviarin Sedai, I will take your presence here as a great compliment - having such an important person as yourself is flattering! Lady Rubinde, I would say you look gorgeous today, but I suppose the woman you see in the mirror every day has given you enough compliments for an entire year. And you, Elaida Sedai, you remind me of a person that was very dear to me."
Elaida's lips were shut, and it was obvious that behind them she was gritting her teeth. "Oh? I am honored."
"I would say the same, but I think my cat would have been insulted by the comparison to you. But alas! It is just me making an observation!"
Elaida's face twisted. She stood up, pointing at Siuan Sanche. "This kind of arrogance has never been the way to talk to an Aes Sedai! Mother," and she barely mouthed that. "you cannot seriously tell us we will endure this...filth for much longer?"
The Amyrlin Seat shrugged, surprisingly simple. "I like him. He brought some kind of humor to our Tower, Elaida, and it seems to me, from the way you take it so hard, that we desperately needed some of it."
"Oh, I wouldn't say needed, Mother!" said Hoid, the man who, by all accounts, might have even been older than any Aes Sedai. "I would say my presence here has probably gave all the men and women a breath of fresh air they desperately needed."
The Red sister cussed. "Mother, other men are lovely compared to this...thing you have taken as your advisor."
"Ah, well, I shall consider myself a peacemaker then!" said Hoid. "Filling the gap between the side the Red Ajah and the whole of mankind? I will become a legend in your world yet again! I really should stop coming here, I'm afraid I change everything too much."
Elaida cussed again, then pushed her chair and left the hall. Min was not certain if Hoid was brave or if he was stupid. Brave because, indeed, no one else, man or woman, dared to look an Aes Sedai in the face and insult them the way he did - that even left an effect on young men and women of the Tower. Two days ago, a young Novice spoke to an Aes Sedai using her name, without adding 'Sedai' aftewards - nearly all of the Aes Sedai blamed Hoid for such arrogance arising in the Tower. There were a few who actually laughed at his insults, and those he seemed to actually respect somewhat.
Yet, none of the Aes Sedai dared to actually confront him - he was the Amyrlin Seat's advisor, and practically able to say anything he wanted.
And though the others might have found Hoid amusing, Min always felt uneasy - not because of his wits and insults, which she actually found hilarious most of the time, but because she could never see auras around him. No viewings, no thread seen in the Pattern, nothing. For every person, she had seen something at least once, but never for Hoid. The gleeman was completely invisible to not just the Aes Sedai, but even to her, as if the Pattern of the world had no effect on him whatsoever. And that is what made him terrifying.
"Oh!" He almost slipped, walking beside Elza Penfell. "Oh, I am terribly sorry, my lady! And yet, I must ask you to send my regards to lovely lady Nemene when you meet her. I have not seen her in a long, long time!"
Elza went pale.