* Alhanna smiled at the news, already waving off the gold the girl offered. "Keep the spare money as payment for your good services and spend it well," she says, sounding pleased. She positively glowed from happiness. "I appreciate your loyalty, Maya. Asha’Man Garret will be joining us for our trip after all. I'm going to the baths, please notify me when Onua arrives." Maya nodded and bowed again as the Aes Sedai passed her to continue down the hall to Lacy Sedai's room, tapping lightly on the doorway.

* Lacy had just snuck out of Jelsa’s room into her own, though it wasn’t really sneaking as much as trying to get to her room without anyone noticing she was not fully dressed, and was digging through her trunk to find a clean shift and dress. The morning had been full of shopping and other adventures and she felt that her dress was not quite clean enough. Hearing a knock upon her door, Lacy nodded to her maid while still rooting in her trunk. Lacy looked up as the door was open to see Alhanna. “Hello Sister.” Lacy said with a smile looking even more happy than normal. Standing she threw the clean dress and shift over her shoulder. “Come on in Alhanna.” Lacy said.

* Alhanna returns her former mentor's smile as she enters the room. "Thank you, Faei," she says to the maid. She wasn't surprised to see her Sister rooting through her own trunk, too impatient to wait for her own maid to unpack her properly. The sight only made Alhanna's smile grow fondly. She would miss Lacy. "Changing again, Sister?"

* Lacy smiles at Alhanna. "I had a," Lacy paused slightly, "busy morning." Lacy smiled.. "I was considering a bath while Faei finishes unpacking my things, now that she‘s found me." Lacy let her maid give her a long suffering look and only smiled at the woman. Lacy turns her gray gaze to Alhanna. "Was there anything in particular you were seeking me out for?" She took a small bag from Faei and opened it too look inside. It wasn't that she didn't think that Faei would pack everything, she just liked to make sure.

* Alhanna crosses her arms below her bosom and leans against the doorframe. "Sounds like I wasn't the only one," she remarks with a vague smile. She didn't realize she looked as smug as Lacy herself had after the eventful night in Cairhien. The exchange between Aes Sedai and maid reminded Alhanna of Maya. She had no doubt they would become just as familiar with one another in the coming months. "I myself was thinking of a bath as it just so happens. Jeze once told me about this fantastic bath house that I simply must visit should I ever find myself in Mayene," she adopted Jezebelle Sedai's over enthusiastic tone of voice, "and I'm told it isn't too far from here.. Care to join me?"

* Lacy smiles at her Sister. "Indeed. Public bath houses sounds like an interesting experience that I must have." Lacy's grin had returned to her face. Pulling the strings of her bag Lacy grabs a larger bag to put her pink dress into and threw her corset on her bed. "I think we'll have plenty to gossip about in this bath house." Lacy said with a slight grin. "Ready?"

* Alhanna nods once to indicate she was prepared to go. "It's a pity we weren't able to visit a Shineran bath house, though Jeze hinted that the experience was similar," she said, smoothing a hand over the skirt of her fresh dress. "Things have been interesting, haven't they?" she mused.

* Lacy grins. "Shineran baths are indeed interesting. Bathing with all those soldiers all at the same time." Lacy giggled at the thought. Not worrying about giving Faei instructions Lacy headed out the door with Alhanna. "I think I'll wait and share my information when we get to the baths." Lacy said, meaning they'd get to the good gossip when they got there so as not to have other party members hear.

* Alhanna laughs at Lacy's description of her imagined bathing experience. She couldn't help but consider the experience, if only for a brief moment. Perhaps I truly am more of a typical Green than I thought, she thought to herself. Still, she would take a bath with Garret over a couple of hardened soldiers any time. She left the inn with Lacy, ignoring the looks they drew from onlookers. "We have much to talk about," she agreed.

* Lacy walked along the street with Alhanna towards the bath house ignoring the looks they drew. Aes Sedai always drew looks. Following Alhanna they soon arrived at the bath house and walked in. The place was a study in elegance. Studded with finery down to the golden steps that lead to the tubs that sunk down into a marble floor..

* Alhanna gazes up at the front of the building as they approach. Obnoxious the Green may be, but Jezebel was no simpleton. The Illianer marble was not just a decoration - it was a work of art. She had difficulty keeping her eyes off the fetching veins of champagne colors swirled into the rock. "Amazing," she breathed, resisting the urge to reach out and trace a finger along one of the closer marks as a woman dressed in a simple, but finely made dress. "This way, mistresses, if it pleases the Light," she ushered them into a small bathing room, obviously meant for the more preferred clientele. "Mielle will return shortly with a tray of food," the shorter of the two women waiting on one side of the doorway curtsied deeply and disappeared immediately.. "Sara will remain here to fetch anything you need," the remaining girl curtsied in kind, her long blonde braid falling over her shoulder.

* Lacy followed the simply dressed lady to one of the private rooms, as she walked she studied the marble and the carvings that decorated the stone. It was true craftsmanship, the carvings must have taken years to finish. She did not stare, she was used to the White Tower after all. But it was hard not to admire it more than she was.. Lacy looped her long hair into a large bun upon her head and barely waited for the lady to leave before twisting her arms up behind her to remove the buttons. The pink dress was removed easily enough and put on a bench at the side of the room.. She had not had time to put on a corset after Jelsa‘s morning love making, she had had other more important things upon her mind. Lacy‘s stockings and garters followed soon after onto the pile of discard clothing. She was used to the Shineran baths and this was her Sister after all. She slowly descended the golden streaked marble steps into the water and set her own personal oils beside the tub along with her soaps.

* The shorter girl returns and sets the tray of food onto a short table between the two baths inlaid into the floor. A quick glance showed that the tray contained many fruits, small pieces of cheese and dried meats. Alhanna follows Lacy into the private room, continuing to observe the workmanship as they walked. The building was well crafted, though obviously not Ogier. The beauty they instilled was more of a subtle nature, whereas the entire building spoke of decadence and art. She also began to undress without much ado, leaving her rust-colored silk dress for the young girls to attend to. She slid into the silken dressing gown provided to cover her for the return to the baths. Seeing that Lacy had her own oils, the simply-dressed hostess turned her attention to Alhanna, "Is there a scent you prefer? The Green shook her head as she removed the gown to hand it to the woman. Some women were bashful about their bodies, Alhanna was not one of them. It seemed Lacy was also unmodest as they stepped into the hot water of their baths.

* Lacy sunk into the hot water of her bath with a sigh, her head leaning back against the marble as she made herself comfortable in the steaming water. It was nice not to have to warm her own water. She eyed the tray for a moment but decided to put her oils into the water first. She pulled the stopper in the bottle and inhaled the lovely scent. Lacy ‘s personal signal was a lily as was her fragrance of choice although the fragrance was that of Water Lilies. Dropping a few drops into the water Lacy replaced the corked stopper and returned to her relaxed position.. The tubs were made so that the inhabitants could face each other and carry on a conversation. “Today is a wonderful day is in not Sister?” Lacy asked after Alhanna had gotten herself comfortable in her own tub.

* Alhanna relaxes against the sloped tile wall of the bath with a sigh echoing Lacy's. Immersed in the steaming water, she could feel her body wrought with tension. The past few weeks had been taxing on both her body and mind. Sara entered the room with a smaller tray to set beside her on the floor. "My mistress hoped you would find the scent of jasmine acceptable," she said in earnest, picking up the bottle. Alhanna closed her eyes and nodded. "Indeed, it is, Lacy," she sighed again, wiggling her toes in the water. "Now," she said as the door closed after the blonde child, "Tell me exactly what happened in Cairhien," Alhanna kept her eyes shut, lazily reaching across the floor for the food. She plucked a grape, a cube of cheese, and a piece of meat and dropped them one at a time into her mouth.

* Lacy sunk down in the tub till the water reached her chin, her eyes closed lazily enjoying the steam off the water on her face, the ringlets on the sides of her temples were soon flattened to her face. Her slim fingers found a grape and she popped it into her mouth enjoying the fruity flavor. Lacy opened her eye slightly to look about the room upon hearing Alhanna's words. She wondered if she needed to weave a ward and decided to be on the safe side and quickly wove one about them and the room.. "Exactly what parts of that story do you want to know?" Lacy asked still wondering if she should tell Alhanna about what Adolphus had done.

* Alhanna opens her eyes and lifts her head only slightly to turn and look at Lacy. She sent her a look that suggested she was serious. "Everything," she said succinctly, "from beginning to end. Maya told me you and Kristal were -both- carried to your rooms?"

* Lacy laughs at her Sister. "Well we were both carried back by our protectors though in very different ways." Lacy said with a wink. "I'm sure my experience was all the more pleasant one." Lacy sighed as she sunk into the water and remembered Jelsa‘s lips upon her side. "Very Well. I'll tell you what I can." Lacy knew she couldn't tell everything that happened. Some things were other Sister's secrets to keep. "The tracking of the Whitecloak was easy enough since Adolphus had the man's scent and could follow it. We found him in a guard shack, apparently he had been arrested." Lacy paused to pour herself some wine and take a sip. "It was easy sneaking in past the guard on duty as well, he was easily persuaded to turn his attentions else where." Lacy said with a slight giggle. "Any how, he found himself knocked out and on the floor with his commanding officer." Lacy said matter of factly. "But that isn't the horrid part." Lacy said and reached over and pulled her pouch towards her. Pulling out a leather thong, Lacy tossed it at Alhanna, it still had the five Great Serpent rings attached to it. "Apparently those were the man's trophies." Lacy could barely hide her disgust. "I was going to kill him myself then Adolphus knocked Kristal out, he said she was going crazy but I think he was the one going insane." Lacy said with a sniff. After that he carried Kristal out.."

* Alhanna shakes her head, not even daring to wonder what her Sisters had done to distract the guard. She barely had time to react when Lacy tossed the rings in her direction.. Alhanna reached out and caught them cleanly, her arm dripping with water. "Those were the man's trophies," Lacy said as she inspected them closer. "No..." she whispered, her hand instinctively tightening around the rings. Lacy continued speaking, which was for the better, because Alhanna was left speechless. Alhanna had to take several minutes to regain her composure. Finally, with a heavy sigh, Alhanna set the thong of rings back onto the tiles beside her bath. The Light have mercy, she prayed, may their souls rest with the Creator and be reborn to a better life. "Adolphus... knocked her out?" Alhanna's voice rose tersely, remembering Lacy's description of the man as being 'insane'. "Did you see his face when it happened? Were his eyes...?" She didn't dare say it. She had seen his face on the afternoon of the festival when he attacked her. His eyes had been wild, as feral as any caged animal she'd ever seen.

* Lacy nodded. "He looked sane enough, even spoke as if it was nothing out of the ordinary.. Just kept telling me that Kristal, of all people, was going crazy." Lacy snorted and she grabbed the rings and put them back into her pouch for safe keeping. "He seemed worried she'd have killed the man. Although had she wanted to I would have more than let her do the deed, I would have even held the door open. I was going to but after Adolphus attacked Kristal I was more worried with getting that pair back to the Inn before I had to take things into my own hands."

* Alhanna clenches her hand together in a fist. "Does he have no scruples at all?!" She growled between clenched teeth. "I can understand wanting to prevent Kristal from doing something she may regret - an assumption that Adolphus, as of yet, has no right to make," she slid back against the tiles with her jaw clenched. "That idiot will get himself in worse trouble than he'll be able to claw his way out of," she added, closing her eyes again.

* Lacy nods her sentiments. "Indeed. Had she done something she would regret I could have easily stopped her without reverting to knocking her out or any bodily harm. I let him know that fact too." Lacy sniffed to add to her point. She raised up in the tub enough to grab another grape. "I'm not sure if Nefer knows about her being carried in although as comfy as she's getting with Crag, I bet she does." Lacy sniffed slightly. To think Nefer and Crag.

* Alhanna chuckles softly, her mood effectively improved by the new topic. "I admit, it is an unlikely pairing," she muses. Crag was often crude, at best. Inappropriate at worst. "Nefertariamun seems to be a bit prudish, anyway. Crag will be good for her.." a sudden thought struck her. Alhanna sat up again to reach for more grapes and cheese. "Do you think..? What of Jharin?"

* Lacy giggles. "Well I can almost guarantee he won't get that one to dance the Sa'Sara or get her drunk." Lacy remembered when Nefer got drunk as a mere novice while she was an Accepted. "As for Jharin." Lacy knew that the Jiadin had given him orders long ago to go to Seanchan infested lands but she couldn't share that news. The fact that she herself was part of that society was secret from anyone not in the Society. "I think he's been sent else where by al'Thor."

* Alhanna raises an eyebrow. They were both present when Nefertariamun Sedai Bonded her Gaidin without gaining his permission first, she only being an Accepted at the time. The Blue Aes Sedai had saved his life, but it was bound to her in the process. Alhanna had hardly seen the man since. In fact, she could hardly recall ever seeing him after they returned to the Tower. She hadn't wanted to be rude and ask after the man, but she wondered if Nefer's new interest was more than a passing fancy. "The woman does have strange taste in men, I'll say that much."

* Lacy raises her eyebrow at her sister and tries to keep a straight face. "Sister, I don't think that leaves much to say for us." Lacy herself had been involved with Crag for a short while. "You yourself have bonded an Asha'Man, and I'm still trying to capture one, not to mention being involved with Crag himself for a brief amount of time." Lacy wiggled her toes in the hot water.

* Alhanna laughs shortly, having a vague impression of exactly what had led to - and followed - Lacy being carried to her room by Jelsa. "Have I set a new trend?" she asked, only half-expecting a reply. "Tread carefully, Lacy," she said, suddenly serious.. She recalled the first few weeks of her Bonding with Garret; the fury of his Channeling, the foul darkness that enveloped him at times. She also remembered the night she Bonded him, with the others present. "You court many dangers when you court a male Channeler."

* Lacy smiles. "Since when have I worried about courting danger?" Lacy said with a small smile. Her face went serious for a moment. "I know all about what they go through.. Be linked to one and experience that torment." Lacy said and shook her head. "Its maddening." Lacy splashed a little water onto her shoulders that were out of the water. "Besides, I'm hoping I'm the one being courted." Lacy said with a smile..

* Alhanna glances sideways at her friend and pops another grape into her mouth. "He may court you, Lacy, but Jade will have your head on a platter if she finds out. Did you not see the eyes she made at him?" she raised an eyebrow at her fellow Green, deliberately not mentioning the eyes the Asha’Man made back to their Sister.

* Lacy laughed softly. "Jade can try to have my head if she'd like but I think that I could hold my own in that battle. She's never been one to fight with daggers anyhow.." Lacy said with a slight wink. "Besides, who says Jade will know about Jelsa and myself?" Lacy asked with a slight raise to her eyebrow and popped a piece of cheese in her mouth.

*"Do not be so foolish as to discount the way word travels, Lacy, you should know better than that," she had difficulty keeping the lecturing tone out of her voice. "I did not find out about Adolphus and Nefertariamun’s indiscretion because they told me, Sister." Alhanna frowns, her brow furrowed.

* Lacy nods. "I do not discount that word travels Sister. If Jade does find out I'll have to cross that bridge when I get to it." Lacy grinned. "Besides, even if it does come to that it was worth it in my estimation. Although I find it difficult to picture me fighting with a Sister over a man, even if it is an Asha‘Man and an Aielman mixed into one." Lacy laughs softly, her face absolutely radiant..

* Alhanna looks over at her Sister opposite her. "I don't know if I've ever seen you this happy," she murmured, a vague smile on her face. She was pleased to see her friend content at last.

* Lacy gives Alhanna a look from beneath lowered lashes that could only be called saucy.. "I don't think I've been this happy in a long time." Lacy shrugged. "Its hard to explain really. I don't know why I'm so bloody happy." Lacy paused. "Oh wait. I do. Its due to a very tall Aiel Asha'Man that without a doubt taught me a few things." Lacy grinned slightly. "He brought it upon himself however carrying me around like that, torturing me like he did."

* Alhanna laughs in spite herself. "'Torture', indeed!" she embraces Saidar and absently weaves to heat the water back up. She didn't often allow herself such a luxury. Usually she didn't even bathe long enough for the water to get cold, in a hurry to continue her day. It would be some time before she experienced such a fine thing as this bath house, and intended to enjoy every second of it. "So - what's it like with an Aielman?" She asks with a wink.

* Lacy swirls the wine in her cup about as she looks into it, the grin still on her face.. "A very good day.“ Lacy said with a laugh then added a bit more seriously, “With an Aielman it makes even a Green wonder about her endurance and makes for a wonderful day and night. The daggers are definitely more of a tool for foreplay than a tool of danger." Lacy's grin grew broader. "Some of the techniques...." Lacy trailed off. "Lets say I was in awe for a very long time. I think I also need to develop a liking for rosewater."

* Alhanna blushes slightly and shakes her head. "I can't say I was honestly looking for an answer - especially one as honest as that!" she chuckles and dips lower into the water, tilting her head back until the tips of her earlobes were submersed. She was wrapped into a deliciously warm cocoon. "I should have expected no less, of course. As long as he scratches that itch, I suppose."

* Lacy uses Saidar to heat her water back up to the steaming temperature that it was when she first entered the tub. Noticing Alhanna blushing she put her elbows on the edge of the tub and smiled. "Why Sister I did not think you were able to blush. After all you know I'm going to give very honest answers." Lacy's smile said she was very amused. "Of course I didn't go into what happened." Lacy acted as if she were about to give details then smiled. "I'll not bore you with the details" Lacy finished and leaned back in the tub again. "However it does leave one to wonder what will happen when we return to the Tower. If I do decide to return with the party."

* Alhanna suddenly becomes sober at Lacy's final words. If she were to return to the Tower? Was it possible that Lacy was considering the same thing she had already planned? "What do you mean, Lacy, if you decide to return?"

* Lacy grabs a cake of soap and lathers up a sponge and begins to bathe her legs. "Well there is no doubt that we are all going to be in trouble when we get back. Jelsa will probably be in trouble with Jak for going with this party, even though I asked him to protect me. Needless to say I've been in enough of trouble in the past couple of years that I have no wish to put my neck in the noose again. So I think I'll tour the Borderlands and train in the Blight some more. Maybe by the time I decide to go back to the Tower, The Mother will have other fish to fry or more important things on her mind than punishing me further than I've been punished in the past couple of years." Lacy shrugged. "I’m going to tell Jelsa he is more than welcome to join me if he wishes to. Tonight I think, or maybe in the morning." Lacy grinned and added. "And if its long enough, and if he does join me, maybe Jade will have forgotten any gossip she has heard."

* Alhanna sighs and ducks her head under the water, letting the air flow from her lips. The bubbles rose to the surface of the water, breaking it quietly. Over a full minute later she resurfaced, gasping slightly for air and rubbing the water out of her eyes. Her hair hung heavy into the water, an auburn pool. "I'm going to Arad Doman," she stated bluntly.

* Lacy had sunk down in the tub enjoying the warmth and listening to Alhanna bubble while wondering if Jelsa would take her offer when she told him. When Alhanna came up and gasped for breath she didn't turn her head. However at Alhanna's next words she sat up and looked at her fellow Green. "What ever for?"

* Alhanna presses her lips together and reaches for her own soap. She didn't raise her eyes as she lathered up. "Well, for one thing, to escape," she tried to joke, failing miserably. "After we returned from our last trip, Tomas sent me some things he found with my father's belongings. They were my mother's," Alhanna sighed. "It's mostly silly things, junk, really... but there are other things, among them was a seal. It was a signet I've never seen, so I'm going to investigate it."

* Lacy nods as she continues to run the soapy rag over her leg. "That’s understandable.. You should have left the Tower long ago." Lacy had been lucky enough to escape the Tower often enough as an young Aes Sedai not to be drawn in by her older Sisters.. "You know you have full availability of Warrick Castle if you need it. Its a little farther up into Arad Doman, near the northern border but I do not think the Seanchan have spread that far yet." Lacy added as she rinsed her legs.

* Alhanna lays back in the bath, looking up at the tiled ceiling. It mirrored the mosaic design laid out on the floor, almost giving her a sense of vertigo. "Our sisters made my departure to Saldaea nearly impossible, you know that. I don't know why I was worried about alienating them any more than I already have," she mutters, closing her eyes. "I appreciate your offer, Lacy. My business will be in the city, but should I ever need a place... I'll remember."

* Leaning her arms on the side of the tub watching her friend study the ceiling Lacy nodded.. "Yes they did. Our Sisters are not always interested in what is in our best interest, only about their own." Lacy remembered how hard it had been to get out of the Tower her first time. She had snuck out under the cover of darkness. "Do not worry.. I will not let them know where you have gone." Lacy said with a slight smile. "I'll send a note to my servants to let them know you might be dropping by."

* Alhanna turns her head and looks at Lacy. She had been an Accepted while Lacy Sedai was Mistress of Novices, so her memories were vague. The woman ran even wilder than she; she couldn't have had anything any easier. "I'm sorry if they blame you for me leaving. I've spent so much time thinking my mother was... maybe not ordinary, but certainly not remarkable. My father never told me anything about her..." the Green's voice trails away. She wasn't looking for sympathy, but she felt she owed her old mentor an explanation. "Sometimes he would look at me, and I would see so much love in his eyes that I knew it couldn't possibly be me he was thinking of. I never asked about my mother because of that look; I couldn't bear to hurt my father any more." She was silent for a long moment before speaking again. "Is it... betraying the Tower, if I feel like I'm not ready to stop being a woman yet?" she asks, her voice soft. "An Aes Sedai should be entirely devoted to the White Tower, shouldn't she? A servant of all can't serve if she is still trying to find her past - can she?"

* Lacy listened to her old mentee, her friend, and felt her pain. Her gray eyes did not betray any of her feelings though, they were calm pools of early morning. At Alhanna's last questions, Lacy sighed and leaned back in the tub. It was her time to stare up at the mosaic ceiling as if there might be answers written upon it in a secret code that she might could decipher. Unfortunately there were no easy answer to be found there. She remained silent for a few minute thinking of how to answer the question. She knew the answer but she wasn't sure if she'd be able to say it. Using her hands to push herself back up in the tub she rested her arms on the side of the tub looking at Alhanna, her chin resting on her folded arms. "An Aes Sedai is a woman at all times." Lacy said before continuing. "We are Greens, we have passions and feelings. I do not think a Green can be entirely devoted to the Tower. I've never seen a good Green that was." Lacy knew that for a fact. Every Green she ever met that had been completely devoted to the Tower was not complete. "Find out about your past Alhanna, everyone has to know what they were to know where they are going.. You'll be an excellent Green one day, after you find out who you are and were you're going. If our Sisters say something about it." Lacy said with a small smile.. "I'll give you advanced warning so you can hide."

* Alhanna nodded to herself slightly, turning her gaze back up to the tiled ceiling. "They say an Aes Sedai continues her education even after gaining the shawl - I'd always assumed that referred to weaves and such. We really don't have all the answers, do we?" she laughed humorlessly. Up until now, she hadn't really believed that Aes Sedai didn't hold the world in the palm of their hands, for all they acted like it. She bit her lower lip as Lacy's words washed over her. She had always idolized those great, strong women of her Ajah who managed to be remembered throughout the many years. "You are a wonderful friend, Sister," she smiles across the way to her mentor, "I will sorely miss you."

* Lacy smiled at her fellow Green, her gray eyes amused slightly as Alhanna questioned her thoughts about their fellow Sisters. “We’re merely women with an extraordinary gift.” Lacy said in a soft voice. “We know no more than the Creator wishes us to. We may know more than women without our gifts but we do not know it all.” Lacy’s gray eyes meet with Alhanna’s. “You’re a wonderful friend to Sister, I will miss you as well but I think I might be able to add something to your knowledge that might help you in your quest.” Lacy didn’t know why she had not taught Alhanna this weave earlier.

* Alhanna sits up in her bath, water cascading from her dark hair. A droplet fell from her eyelashes, making her blink her tilted eyes. "What would that be?" she queries, her brows furrowed slightly. Garret was very concerned about the Seanchan. "Anything that could help deal with the Seanchan would be wonderful."

* Lacy smiled at her friend as she perked up and became interested in the offer. "Its a small weave but one that's better than being able to hide those ageless features when you get them." Lacy said with a smile. "Its allows you to hide your ability to channel." Lacy said, her gray eyes amused.

* Alhanna raises her eyebrows and lets out a low whistle. She'd heard of such a weave, but it was among the most closely-guarded secrets in the Tower. She was somehow unsurprised that her mentor had such knowledge. "I think that would be a sufficient way to do what I need without having to worry about the horde of Seanchan," she stated obviously. "Garret will be relieved."

* Lacy laughed and nodded. "Indeed he will be." Lacy said and added, "So will I, I can't have my fellow Green getting collared." Lacy's voice was serious and she reached out to Saidar and picked out skeins of Spirit. "Its pure Spirit." Lacy said, "Much like a Ward." Lacy set about weaving the thread showing Alhanna how to go about setting it. "When you're finished invert it and let it settled upon yourself." Lacy did so and the glow winked out around her although she was weaving so that her water was heated once again.

* Alhanna reaches up and brushes a finger along her neck. She had seen drawings of the women kneeling beside their sul'dam. Alhanna followed her mentor's example, copying the threads she formed into the surprisingly simple pattern. Her first try fell into itself and melted away. She tried again, diverting her full concentration to the weave. When it was finished, she did as Lacy said, letting it settle into her skin.. Though she couldn't see her own glow, Alhanna glanced down at herself, as if expecting a change. When she looked up, her Sister's bath water was steaming again. "Lacy -thank you," Alhanna said quietly. Her mentor had just given her upcoming excursion a much more positive outlook.

* Lacy watched as her Sister practiced the weave and settling it upon herself. The first time the weave melted. The second time Alhanna's glow winked out from around her.. Lacy smiled at her sister through the steam rising from her water. "You're welcome Sister." Lacy said giving Alhanna a sisterly smile. "After all, you have to come back to me safely. You're the only one who will listen to my gossip." Lacy said half jokingly so as not to make her Sister feel uncomfortable

* Alhanna smiles sweetly at her dear friend. After Maelinn had disappeared from her life, the formerly shy woman had no one else. Better women than she had broken under the pressures of White Tower life. She forces the thoughts of a collar around her neck and reaches across the distance between them, offering her dearest friend her hand.. "I'll come back, Lacy," she promised solemnly. "I have to," she chuckles lightly, "I cannot tell a lie any more than you can."

* Lacy reached across and grabbed her friends hand squeezing it gently, her smile soft for her old mentee that had slowly become one of her best friends after Aifa disappeared from the Tower more than a decade ago. "Indeed Sister, but we both know that we can make the truth dance a very fine jig and still be loose by the time its time to pay the fiddler." Her gray eyes mirrored her smile in fondness. "But I'm glad you've said it Sister, for I will worry about you less now." Lacy said, her smile still in place. Quickly wiping at her gray eyes with her hands she tried hard not to sniff. "I'm acting like a silly woman." Lacy said with a slight giggle. "We will both have grand adventures while we are gone." Lacy stated matter of factly..

* "Never worry about me less, Lacy," Alhanna jested, losing patience with her misty eyes.. She tilted her head back, letting the single tears that escaped her eyelids slide harmlessly across her temples to disappear into the auburn hair swept up atop her head. "I could use all the concern I can get," she risked a glance across the tiled space between them with a watery smile. "I'll have those Seanchan in the palm of my hand," she adds, with as much confidence as she can muster.

* Lacy returned her Sister's watery smile with a watery one of her own, her gray eyes slightly misty, looking too soft for the tattoos surrounding them. "I'm sure you will Sister." Lacy said with as much confidence in her friend as she could muster.. She didn't know what she would do if any harm came to her friend by those filthy people. She would more than likely get captured in a rescue mission. "Just keep in touch with me Sister if you can." Lacy said as she took her wet cloth to her face to take away the redness that she was sure was forming around her eyes from trying to keep the mistiness at bay.

"Garret has fought extensively against the Seanchan," Alhanna decided it was time for her own bath to be re-warmed. She wove the weave deftly, her fingers nimble through the familiar pattern. "He will be incredibly useful," she murmurs, leaning back against the sloped edge of the tiled bath. "Together with the inverted weave, problems should be few and far between. I foresee no reason I won't be able to maintain contact.”

*Lacy finished wiping her face with the wet cloth before leaning back in the water, sinking so that the hot water was up to her chin, her toes the only other thing sticking out of the water besides her head. Wiggling her toes she listened her fellow Green before nodding. “Indeed, its good to have someone experienced with you when in danger.” Lacy said as she enjoyed the hot water that was pulling out all of the tightness of her muscles. “However, that weave won’t save you if anyone happens to notice you, perhaps a former Aes Sedai turned Damane. Make sure to weave a disguise upon yourself, or actually change the color of your hair often.” Lacy felt like she was giving a lecture so stopped and smiled at her friend. “I’m sure you’ll do fine. You’re a wonderful Aes Sedai and you make the Green Ajah proud.”

* Alhanna cannot help but smile at her friend, feeling, once again, as though she were an Accepted again being lectured on survival in the outside world. Sometimes she felt as though she would never be free of the other Aes Sedai thinking of her as a child in need of instruction. She was grateful to her mentor; though some Aes Sedai made the mistake of concentrating only on studies appropriate for an initiate of the White Tower, Lacy acknowledged the reality that Alhanna was not going to remain in Tar Valon all her life and often focused upon many types of survival in the 'real world' outside of the Shining Walls. "Finally," Alhanna said light-heartedly, "my ability with Mirror of the Mists will come in handy for something other than causing trouble!"

* Lacy laughed at Alhanna’s words said with a light hearted tone. “Who says you’ll stop causing trouble simply because you’re not in Tar Valon any longer?” Lacy asked with a white eyebrow raised in question.. She herself had caused plenty of trouble on this trip and was bound to cause more.. Of course she always had caused trouble and always would, it was her lot in life.. “I’ve been outside Tar Valon more often than almost any other Green and I think I’ve caused more trouble with out than I ever did within..” Lacy winked, “And the Mirrors of Mist always helped me get out of it as well.” Lacy laughed softly, her mood light once again.

* Alhanna drifts her fingers lazily in the hot scented water. She usually used jasmine scent and wondered how Garret would like the different scent. The thought made her smile; such a womanly care, this concern over a simple matter like a scent! She hadn't felt... girly since Richard, and the Light knew how many years ago that man had left her life. Adolphus had met her in the middle of her most vigorous training, all through her years as an all through her years as an Accepted. Her appearance had never been much of an issue; pretty scents would have likely irritated the man more than anything. "I imagine there'll be a different sort of trouble caused, however. I don't know how fond the Seanchan are of having itching powder spread on the inside of their armor..."

* Lacy laughed at her companion as she lounged in the tub, enjoying the warm water and the smell of lilies that was rising up with the steam. Jelsa had liked the smell of lilies upon her she had discovered their first night together, she herself was very partial to the scent. It was feminine like herself and delicate, like she appeared. Lacy continues to wiggle her toes in the warm water enjoying the feel of the warmth that continued to seep into her body. "I'm sure they would not care for that, much like the novice's didn't care for that red sock in their wash." Lacy said referring to one of her own pranks. "However, I'm sure the trouble will be just as amusing if more mature." Lacy winked at her friend and giggles. "Although it would be a sight to see all those men wiggling in all that armor.

* Alhanna chuckles lightly, likewise imagining some of the owners of the armor pieces Garret had brought home with him from the Seanchan battlefields squirming like a mouse in a snake-pit. With a smile curving her lips, Alhanna held her breath and slowly sank into the warm water with her eyes closed until the level was across the bridge of her nose.

* Lacy takes a deep breath in imitation of her fellow Green and slowly sinks below the water. Her eyes closed she can hear her heart beat in her ears. Alone with her heartbeat and her thoughts under the water she decides to wait until tomorrow to mention the Blight to Jelsa. Maybe after she went through the doorway and knew the answers to her questions. Lacy resurfaces after a few moments and takes a gulp of air, using her delicate fingers to wipe the water from her long eyelashes.

* Alhanna remains under the water for several minutes, waiting until her lungs felt afire before tilting her face up to inhale deeply. "Garret is awake," Alhanna says quietly, gaining her feet slowly. The water sloshed about as she reaches for one of the thick towels. She pats her face dry first, then settled onto the edge of the bath with her feet still in the water as she drapes the towel around her body. "Lacy," she began tentatively, "you are going to enter the Doorway, are you not?”

* Lacy turns to look at her fellow Green as she speaks. Her smile turns to thoughtful for a moment as she wondered what a bond with a man that you loved was like. Of course she could barely remember love, only passion and lust, but it must be nice.. At Alhanna's question she nodded. "Indeed I am Sister." Lacy said grabbing her own thick towel. "It is time we be getting back. Jelsa will think that I've grown fins or drowned." Lacy laughed softly at the idea and sat on the side of her tub, the cool marble against her warm flesh.

* Alhanna frowns slightly, tucking the towel securely around her body. "Please be careful, Lacy," she tells her friend quietly, "I do not trust the creatures that lay beyond that door. Have you given any thought to what questions you will ask?" A silly query, really. Of course Lacy had been going over the opportunity to have any question answered. The Green was foolish enough to want to go, but not quite so foolish as to not be prepared.

* Lacy pauses in the task of drying herself off. "I will Sister. I do not trust them either, not even as far as I could throw them unaided." Lacy's face had a momentary frown.. "I have given some thought to the questions. I know two of the questions that I am going to ask. The third depends upon the answers to the previous two I guess.." Lacy said thoughtfully. "I'm going to ask if I should tell Christian that we are not true brother and sister." Lacy said thoughtfully. "I'm not sure how he would take it." Lacy sighed. "I've wondered over that question for a while now. The other will be if I will make it to the Last Battle." Lacy said simply.

* Alhanna stands gracefully and tosses the towel over the elaborate stand. Unabashedly, she begins redressing, her limbs moving languidly as she ties ribbons and pulls silk over her skin. The spring green dress was thin and light, an acceptable outfit for a Saldaean in a muggy southern city. "If you're unable to decide on your third question," Alhanna reaches up free the long locks of her auburn hair from their restraint atop her head, "feel restraint atop her head, "feel free to refrain from asking about my own future, if you please."

* Lacy laughs at Alhanna's words and pushes herself up with one hand, holding the towel to her chest though not really trying to cover herself. "I will refrain from asking about you Sister. I figure if you want to know about your life you would go through the Doorway yourself." Rubbing herself vigorously with the towel, Lacy quickly dries and digs a light pink lawn dress from her bag. Shaking out the wrinkles out of the dress she pulled it on over her toned body. Her head popped out of the dress.. "None of my questions will have to do with romance." Lacy said with a smile. "Though it would be nice to know." She laughed softly as she tied a white ribbon about her small waist.

* Alhanna shakes her head and turns her concentration to tying up the rich gold ribbons closing the front of her dress. "Light deliver me from romance," she mutters, deftly pulling the knots tight. "It is convenient for me that everyone will be occupied with the Ter’Angreal. Even should I choose to stay, I wouldn't go anywhere near that door - nor would Garret allow me to," she adds, looking up at her mentor with a smile.

* Lacy laughed. "Save you from romance?" Lacy asked in an amused fashion. Sitting on a stool, Lacy pulled lotion out of her bag and pulled the hem of her dress up to her thigh, applying the scented lotion to her well toned legs. "Indeed." She said though she did not mean it. "Although I had assumed Garrett offered a little bit of romance if not much leeway into getting into trouble."

* Alhanna half-shrugs with one shoulder as she adjusts the generous neckline of her dress before settling herself on her own stool opposite Lacy. Alhanna rarely used scented lotion for her skin; luckily, she didn't need it but for in the depths of winter.. Some women would put anything on their bodies if they thought it would make them prettier - there was a surprising amount of disgusting things that she had witnessed many of her Sisters putting on their bodies. One Aes Sedai even used horse urine to lighten her hair. "There is a great deal of affection," Alhanna said, bending over to reach for her shoes, "but of romance, there is little. We don't have much time, I suppose," she says in a dismissive tone. "It's not as though I'm missing much - Adolphus wasn't exactly what you would call a Romantic, either."

* Lacy throws the hem of her skirt down to her ankles and looks at Alhanna as if she's grown another head. "Not missing much?" Lacy snorted. "I'm shocked to hear such a thing." Lacy had enjoyed romance during her life before the Tower and had missed it sorely. "Romance is a wonderful thing. I wished I had a little of it in my life.." Lacy wasn't really complaining, just wishing. Lacy stood and started to put things into her bag that she was finished with while hunting around for her slippers. "Dolly might not have been the romantic type but that doesn't mean you need to count it out of your life completely." Lacy said while stuffing her dress into her bag.. "If you get a taste of it you'll crave it for the rest of your life." Lacy predicted finally finding her shoes.

* Alhanna sighs as she slips her foot into the first boot, stomping it into place. She stops and rests her elbow on her knee and places her chin in her hand. "Then perhaps it's best I don't even taste it," she replies sadly. "I honestly don't know about Garret's ability for romance, and I'm too much of a coward to go through my life feeling that lack..."

* Lacy slips her feet into her brown leather slippers and sighs, sitting on her stool once more to adjust them on her feet. "That is a hard thing to live without once you taste it. I've always wondered how my life would have turned out if I couldn't channel and if I would have gotten married like I was planning to." Lacy said with a small smile. "No need in thinking about what might have been though." Lacy said with a wistful smile upon her face. Clearing her throat awkwardly, Lacy stood and gathered her bag and slug on her shoulder. "I think we've done enough sharing today." Lacy said with a small laugh. "I don't think even Aifa knew that much about me." Lacy said turning slightly red.

* Alhanna bites her lower lip and looks up as she pulls the strings in her boots tight before tying them up. "I apologize, Lacy, I didn't realize..." Alhanna breaks off. Apologies and empathy was useless in making you feel better. "If it helps, it turned out for the best that I didn't remain in Saldaea and marry my intended - perhaps it's the best for you, as well. You wouldn't have met Jelsa, or me, if you weren't able to channel, eh?" she smiles as she stomps her foot into the second boot. "Shall we return to the Inn and see what our men are up to?"

* Lacy smiles at her Sister as she stands. "It is for the better." Lacy said in a light hearted tone. "I wouldn't have gotten in nearly as much trouble as I have, and needless to say the man I was intended to marry did not have a glorious end." Lacy said making a face and acting likes she was hanging herself. Giggling slightly she nodded. "Indeed. I'm interested to know what they are up to. I don't have the courtesy of a bond to tell me what mine is up to." Lacy laughed softly. Jelsa would probably crawl out of his skin at knowing what Lacy just said.

* Alhanna chuckles lightly as she stands, fully dressed now. "It is a very handy thing," she remembers the frequent black moods her Bondmate enters while he was away and turns toward the door. "But at the same time, it can be aggravating. I admire Jelsa's tenacity," she remarks as she leads the way out the room, "taming a Green such as you."

* Lacy snorts as she walks out with her fellow Sister. "Who says I'm going to be tamed.." Lacy grins. "I have my eyes on an Aiel and I plan to do the taming." Lacy said in an amused tone. "Then again. Perhaps we'll tame each other." Lacy seriously doubted either of them would be tamed.