OOC: If you disagree with the portrayal of your characters, then sue me :P It amused me at least, but I am willing to change if you have complaints.

 

IC:

 

A year ago after learning that she was an orphan, Sana had offered to Sahra that they could be a bit like family members to each others and bring others to their unofficial little group too. And since they couldn't be a couple, that was kind of what they had settled for, being friends and having strange relationships between the three members of their generational mentor-mentee lines. Aran was of course the Grandpa and he and Sahra aka Groper got kicks from teasing him for his age and totteriness and trouble with the pork sword and she often ended up sitting on his lap and tugging his imaginary mustache and trying to avoid his hands fondling her breasts and keeping a straight face as he wondered how she had grown up so suddenly. That was when they weren't teasing each others for something more original and refreshing. But some routines just brought security to your life.

 

Sana was the Daddy, a short form for Pimp Daddy, although he hadn't tried to pair her with young men after the first time when the joke had failed to make either one of them to laugh. Instead they were judging women together even if it always made her a bit jealous. But she could handle it and Sana always gave her the weirdest challenges to go and hit on the woman of the night they chose for her. Usually it took quite a bit of persuading and threatening to get her to do it but she almost always went for it and they had fun following the reactions of the unwitting poor victim. So far they had been just random Tar Valoners or travelers but at Aran's goading Sana had started adding up the difficulty and Sahra dreaded for the day when she would be set up on a female Tower Guard or, Light forbid, an Aes Sedai.

 

Thankfully their dark little family secrets and this particular craziness took place only once a month when they set a date for the special dinner. Each one of them got to pick the place in turns and on the unfortunate day after Sahra and Fior had been caught frolicking together, it had been Aran's turn. He had passed on word that today's meeting was to be in the Red Stallion, a Saldaean inn and after certain incidents, Sahra doubted that it was a coincidence. That morning Fior, a Saldaean fool, had made the mistake of going to the public washing room with his badly scratched back which had naturally lead to a rage of guesses of who had been the one marking him. They had quickly and accurately pinned it down on Sahra and he and Fior had been a butt of all kind of crude jokes all day.

 

It hadn't helped to make her mood any better with things so tense between her and Sana. They had barely talked a word to each others all day and now they were supposed to have a hilarious night with Aran. And Aran had surely heard the story about her and Fior too and wouldn't miss the chance to bring it up. She had been miss high and mighty about her superior morals in comparison to him until now and he would relish bringing her down a peg or two. A real field day he would have when he'd realise that she had kind of cheated on Sana with Fior. So no, Sahra definately was not looking forward to the night. But it could not be called off either or Aran would descend upon them and put his nose on their business where it did not belong to. The only choice was to go there and put on a happy mask and try to pretend like everything was normal.

 

She and Sana had gotten to the Red Stallion together after ending their training for the day and washing up and changing clothes. Now they sat at their table in a miserable silence sipping their ales as the gleeman played Saldaean tunes that called them mockingly to the dance floor. Any night but today they would have already been on each others' arms and enjoying the music and the charge it set between them. It was the perfect moment for Aran to enter the scene and after a shared glance Sana and Sahra donned fake smiles. From the way Aran grinned and hummed as he approached their table, Sahra knew that he knew and her happy facade faltered.

 

Before he had the chance to say anything, she was already speaking. Some said that attack was the best defense and maybe it would work now. "Hey Grandpa. Little birds told me that you have heard a really juicy story today but how about if you left that topic for private moments for tonight." She gave a guick gaze at Sana hoping that he would back her up on this but if he really was playing his role, he of course would have been teasing her about it too. She didn't know how much Aran had figured out about their feelings for each others and she definately wanted to keep that tangled issue off today's agenda.

As far as the particular monthly ritual Aran was attending went, it couldn't have been better timing. Today he'd heard about as much of it as he was going to without talking to the people involved. Sahra had picked up with another trainee, Fior, and Sana hadn't taken it well at all. Indeed, he'd even seen the pair himself, Sana giving her tasks that didn't require him to be near her and occasionally excusing himself and leaving her to work on things by herself. That was not Sana's teaching technique, he was deliberately distancing himself from his mentee over what had happened.

 

Finding the pair waiting for him at the venue he had selected, The Red Stallion, he smiled warmly as he approached their table and even managed to keep it as Sahra managed to blurt everything out in less than ten seconds. Aran couldn't say for sure which person Sahra thought was dim, him that he needed a hint akin to a squirreling or Sana for hoping to find support from him. Either way, Sahra had at least put the issue straight on the table, there was no need to force them into such an uncomfortable situation they owned up, she'd effectively handled that for them.

 

"Well done Sahra, if you were anymore subtle I would have just completely failed to grasp what was going on. Really." Rolling his eyes at her, he looked at Sana and added sharply. "And don't think you're off the hook either, the pair of you have a bit of talking to do because I'm thoroughly inclined to make both of your lives miserable. But, far be it to make wild conclusions and get my facts wrong, so howabout we have one of you summarise everything thats happened for me? Then whichever of you is tweedledumber can fill in all the extra bits and those parts where you disagree and blah."

 

"Hmm, one moment." Smiling up at the attendant, a slim but fair woman he recognised as Shaia, he proceeded to order all their meals. Chicken and vegetables for all of them, water for their drinks. Usually they each chose their own meals but he decided to make his point from the outset. He was calling the shots and they were not going to be allowed to retreat into their cups until it was done. Sana knew what to expect having been his mentee. As for Sahra, if she wanted to call him grandfather she could deal with everything that came with it, including him being a persistent and ornery bastard when something came up.

 

As Shaia walked away, Aran looked at the pair of them. "Well?"

 

 

Aran

Tower Guard

Aran's starting remark made Sahra flinch and she berated herself already for speaking anything beyond regular greeting. Aran would have still known - he could be shockingly perceptively from time to time - and he would have pestered them to talk but at least she couldn't have blamed herself for that. It was the only blame she possibly could have avoided as everything else was her fault. Aran ordered their food after his announcement that he would force the story out of their own mouths and Sahra gave Sana a despairing look he missed as he was studying intently the contents of his pint.

 

She was ready for the confrontation by the time the waitress had taken their orders and glided off. "Sana doesn't have anything to do with this so there is no need to bore him with this", she lied defiantly but withered under the scathing look from Aran. He didn't need to even tell her to not try to insult his intelligence.

 

"You know everything anyway", she mumbled and tried to pay time by taking a sip of her ale. It tasted bitter on her mouth. Aran was just staring at her and she knew he could keep it up all night if she wouldn't budge. It might not be any easier for Sana to listen the story but if he'd have to tell it, he might be as upset as the night before despite Aran hearing it. Light, better not force him to do that.

 

"Fine. Me and Fior spent our free day by skating. I fell through ice and we..." She couldn't say it. "We got back to the Yards late and Sana had been looking for me and was worried and then upset. We already spoke after that and Sana will still be my mentor. That is it. There is no need to talk about anything. All has been said and it is very clear to everyone what the situation is." Clear and yet still painful. "So don't put your fingers on this pie, Aran. We just need time and things will sort out." If only he could leave it to that.

Today, he hated his life. Truly. If ever there had been a day when his feet had felt like taking the road, it had been this one. In fact as he had come closer and closer to The Red Stallion he had wondered how far he could make it with just the clothes on his back and the coin in his pocket. He was a good enough gambler that he could probably see himself through until he could find honest work. He could be a guard for hire, he had the skill for it and the road was a friend to him. Only... only he had pledged himself to the Tower and to the Guard and Ursana had thought long and hard about that oath before saying it. So instead he found himself sitting at a table trying not to look at Sahra, waiting for Aran.

 

Aran. Now there was another thing he would have avoided if he could. He didn't know how his mentor would react to the whole thing, but he knew it wouldn't be a happy time. The only good thing he could think of was that if anyone could force him to see clear of all this, it was Aran. Light blast him.

 

When his mentor did arrive, he groaned at Sahra's words but hid it in his mug. In fact, her drained it and was dismayed to hear Aran ordering water for them. He knew exactly what that meant and just took a deep breath.

 

Funny how the words didn't seem to hurt when Sahra spoke them. Of course, she had left the worst of it out, leaving Aran's imagination to fill in the gaps, but no one could dispute Aran's imaginative powers. When Sahra was done with her story he looked at Aran and gave a bitter smile. "Well, that's one way to put it."

 

Ursana Tahn Sakhr

"How would you put it?"

 

The words came from Aran with little intonation or even inclination that he cared. Ursana knew better. He's spent too long in training with Aran and though he no longer needed a mentor, he still had an enormous amount of respect for him. It was why he still went to Aran when he needed help or just needed to talk something through. Tonight, he wished he'd kept his mouth shut. As soon as he made the comment about Sahra's rendition of events he had known it was a mistake though he was certain Aran would have seen it in his body language anyway.

 

"I would put it..." He took a deep breath as he looked down at the table. "that Sahra and I had different expectations of her behavior and I found out I was wrong, the hard way."

 

He shrugged when it looked like Aran might say something. "Sahra has a right to do what she wants and I... just thought she had other plans." He looked up at Aran. "Discuss if you want. I'm honsetly tired of thinking about it."

 

Ursana Tahn Sakhr.. trying not to have to say it :P

Sahra listened to Sana in silence. There wasn't much she disagreed about and that one thing didn't matter anymore because Sana didn't want her anymore. It was funny how she could have argued that he didn't have the right to be disappointed with her because he had been with others but this wasn't about him, it was about her. And she had thought she could never do something like this. She believed that Sana could be a one woman's man and would be loyal to her once they just could be together. Even if she was jealous, she couldn't stop him from being with others as long as she was not available and she didn't really even want to. Better for him to sow the wild oats and if they entered something together, be able to do it without regrets that grass might be greener on the other side of the fence.

 

But she was different, or so she had imagined. Once she was committed to someone in her heart, she stayed true and that was what Sana had expected from her, what everyone had. She should be greatful that Aran wasn't mocking her of her supposedly high morals that went flying with the wind once a man kissed her. And in fact, it had been she who had made the initiative so she didn't have even that excuse. She had feelings for Fior too, genuine and strong feelings, but they did not justify sleeping with him before she had decided that it really was him she wanted and told it to Sana too.

 

"There's nothing to discuss really. I had the same expectations of my behaviour than Sana but I and everyone were wrong about me. I very much had other plans and now I don't know what I want anymore except that I want to become a Tower Guard."

Listening to the pair, Aran found himself wondering whether this was going to be worth the effort. It wasn't that what they were doing was unexpected, the opposite in fact. It was the knowledge that if they chose to be intractable and downright stubborn, it was going to be painful and if he wanted that sort of pain he could just run head first into a wall and get it over and done with. Of course, that would be too easy and he wasn't going to let the two of them off the hook so quickly. If they'd seen fit to be stupid, and leave him stuck with pushing them in the right direction, then damn it all he'd give them a good shove whether they liked it or not.

 

Snorting at the pair of them, Aran shook his head. "Different expectations? Have the pair of you tried listening to yourselves? What sort of language is that? Does it help to couch it in such pretty language? Hurt or not, you could try being a bit more open and honest with each other. You." Aran pointed at Ursana. "Are not going to whinge your way out of it. As for you." Aran pointed to Sahra in turn. "You are most certainly not sliding out of it with a few slippery words and begging confusion. If you're confused, then this is your chance to clear it up. And its a good chance for you Ursana to figure out where you really stand, as opposed to just being hurt and wounded. The pair of you should be better than this and you shouldn't need me to tell you."

 

Standing from his seat, Aran looked down at the pair as he continued. "I'm going to pretend the pair of you are capable of acting like rational adults so I'm going to give you a chance to talk to each other without me here. I'll be in the kitchen and I'll be back when our meals are ready. Disappearing isn't an option, and neither is telling me that things are sorted when I return when they aren't, and I doubt they will be. But, the pair of you will talk it out. So help me though, if no progress has been made by the time I get back you'll rue it. Really, hurt or not you owe each other that much."

 

Turning away from them, Aran went to the kitchen to occupy himself with something that wouldn't irritate him as much. That and because the pair did need a chance to open up a little without him being there stiffling it. Of course, if they couldn't do it themselves he'd make them open up, but it'd be better if it was something done on their part rather than himself.

 

 

Aran

Tower Guard

When Aran got up and left them, Sana just took a deep breath to try to calm himself before anything started again. At least Aran was giving them a little time. He might not want to be there right now and he would love to avoid talking about it all together, but at least Aran wouldn't be hovering to listen to every word. Though he would bet if he tried to get up and walk out his mentor would be on him in a second. That was what happened when you had a mentor like Aran. You got the good and the bad, and Sana could never quite tell at the time which was which.

 

He took a drink of water and looked at Sahra for a minute over the rim of the glass. She was at edge and he knew it. Nothing Aran said had been wrong of course. He'd been right on about their behavior, though he wished Aran would understand that he'd have forgone this night all together and not have bothered his mentor with it like this if not for Sahra and his own need to give her some semblance of a family. He had started that a long time ago and he couldn't stop it now just because he'd been hurt. It would be cruel, and he was anything but cruel.

 

When he set the glass down it sounded loud and he realized he'd slammed it. Not because of intention but simply because he was being clumsy. "Sorry." He said lightly out of habit.

 

When their eyes met he couldn't look away though. He wanted to. He wasn't good at hiding his feelings and he didn't want her to see what he was going through now, but he couldn't look away. She finally broke eye contact and he took a deep breath. "I should go." He said finally. "This is supposed to be your family time and i'm not really welcome here anymore, am I?" He asked. He meant it too.

 

Ursana

OOC: Before replying to this, Crista, please Check your PM ;) I have a proposition for you.

 

IC:

 

As Aran begun his tirade, Sahra winced. Grandpa might have a point but she still did not appreciate the interference. She was of the opinion that they needed time and talking now might have them both say things they would regret later. At least he had the courtesy to leave them alone for now. It might take longer than he had patience to mend things between her and Sana to any semblance of neutrality and his sledgehammer diplomacy would not help the situation, just the contrary.

 

The silence stretched and made her edgy but she would not be the first to break it. She had no idea what she should say and she didn't even know what she wanted to say or wanted. A part of her still wanted to play home with Sana but now a nagging voice of doubt had come to the picture that questioned the wisdom of waiting for two years. It shouldn't have mattered if she really cared for him enough. But if she did, she would never have done anything with Fior or felt anything for him beyond friendship. And because she could not promise to him anything certain, it would be cruel to speak anything of her feelings for him. And would he even believe her anymore? Or want her?

 

Sana banged his glass on the table and the noise startled her. She looked at him alerted. He had to be really angry because he was always so graceful and in control. He wouldn't do something like that without the intention but his apology confused her and she couldn't be sure of even that anymore.

 

Their gazes locked and there was turmoil in the eyes of both. And hurt and pain in his eyes that was too much for her to bear. She bowed her head but it snapped right back up when he said he should leave. So, he doesn't want to be even near you, her heart cried and bled. His next words revealed that he thought she didn't want him here. Frustrating! It seemed that they both were making alot of assumptions so Aran's commandment to be more upright might help them wade through things.

 

"You are my family too, Sana", she said vehemently. In the context it sounded somehow pervert so she flushed slightly. "Although I can't think of you entirely in a brotherly way. And I want it to stay that way... I mean... you being that to me... not a brother.... GAH! I don't want to loose you in that sense or in any way. But this is different than being my mentor. Then you can block your feelings and be just a trainer... You don't want to be close to me anymore and I understand that. So if someone should leave, it is me. Do you want that?"

Did he want her to go? Light, did the woman ever listen to anything he said? Did she think all of this was over a little bruised ego? He felt like his heart was shriveling up, just looking at her, and she asks if he wants her to go? The last thing in the world that he wanted was for her to go, but she made her bed and now she had to lie in it. With someone else.

 

His eyes upon your face,

His hand upon your hand,

 

 

He dropped his eyes from hers, unable to stop the biting anger that seemed to want to spill from every part of him. He could only remember being so angry once in his life, and that had been when he had thought Aran had paid someone to be with him. Aran had been innocent of the accusation, at least that part of it, but Sana had never been so angry at anything else in his life. He wasn't sure if it was Sahra he was mad at or himself but it was eating at him. He couldn't seem to think straight and the music was pounding a seductive, almost angry, ballad and he found himself pulling Sahra to her feet without thought or hesitation.

 

His lips caress your skin,

It's more than I can stand!

 

 

He held her close, in ways that had once been familiar but suddenly seemed foreign and hostile. When he spun her the movements were fluid but hard-edged and at times sharp. The words seemed to bore into his heart, but he wasn't able to stop the dance anymore than he was able to stop the anger.

 

 

Roxanne

 

Why does my heart cry?

 

Roxanne

 

Feelings I can't fight,

You're free to leave me,

But just don't deceive me

And please,

Believe me when I say,

I love you.

 

 

 

Ursana

(dancing to Roxanne, The Moulin Rouge Version :P)

(Got the PM and ran with it. Hope you like :P)

OOC: That was an awesome post! :D Sorry that it took me so long to reply.

 

 

IC:

 

Sana dropped his gaze and despite her intense stare, he did not look up and she responded in kind. The table cloth was very interesting. It was fine white linen and there were slight creases in the fabric and something that looked like an old wine stain. Sahra began to feel idiotic and her uncomfort was only increased when the trio of players returned from their break and played the first notes of a famous song telling of jealousy. The Wheel seemed to have a sense of irony. Sana stood up suddenly and she was miserably certain that he was going to walk out. Instead he had an intense look on his face and he grabbed her arm pulling her up.

 

He wanted to dance and she realised that it wasn't because he wanted to be close to her but because he needed to do something physical to let out some of the steam. It was the only thing she could do to help him so she played the role of the treacherous lover defiantly even if she rather would have rather closed her ears from the pained and angry lyrics. Sana reflected the suffering of the song's man and even though he retained his grace, his movements were betimes harsh as he moved her through the steps. Every push and shove were earned so she kept gliding.

 

Finally the song ended but she didn't let him to put distance between them again. Instead she embraced him and brought her lips to his ear so her words were for him only. "I don't want to deceive and hurt you, Sana. The latter I have already done and I can't take it back even though I'd want to. But I can't promise anything to you right now except what I just said. I need time." It felt good to be close to him even if he didn't welcome her and mold against her so she stayed a bit longer. He didn't shove her away but finally she released him with a sigh.

"I don't want to deceive and hurt you, Sana. The latter I have already done and I can't take it back even though I'd want to. But I can't promise anything to you right now except what I just said. I need time."

 

He needed distance. There was too much he couldn't control when she got this close. Her words bore into him, giving hope that he knew he couldn't accept. "Time?" He asked, his voice quiet and strangely silky. "Oh my dear Sahra, you have plenty of time. I'm sure you'll spend it wisely in someone else's bed."

 

He couldn't take the words back anymore than stop any of the other things that had been done and said tonight and the night before. Instead he gently released her and headed back to their table, trying to ignore the stares that followed them back after the heated dance.

 

Ursana

Sana's words stunned her into a wordless numbness that soon exploded into blistering anger. She wanted to scream and stomp her foot but that would have been way too girly and powerless reaction to give her any measure of satisfaction. Instead a plan was starting to form in her mind, a plan that was totally crazy and wrong. But right then she was too mad to care. Running her gaze over the females of the place, she decided with disappointment that none of them would do. They did not spark her interest and they had besides just witnessed the scene between her and Sana. They would realise that she was just using them to get at him. But was it really so wrong to get bloody even? She could assure that the other one would have as good time as she.

 

Then the Light shone on her - or maybe it was the Dark One's own luck - and just the right woman stepped into the establishment. She had a beautiful and lively face, her clothing was colourful and her mien spoke of a person who enjoyed herself and her life. Perfect! Now she just needed one more audience member and he resided in the kitchen, likely womanizing with the staff. As she made her way back to their table, she followed the chosen lady with her eyes and right before she took her seat, their gazes met. Sahra did not break the contact but smiled admiringly staring for long enough time that her intent was clear and then cast her eyes down biting her lip before resuming the intense look. The smile she got in return was very promising and she tapped her lip and sent the kiss at the woman's direction before heading to the kitchen with an exaggerated sway to her hips.

 

The kitchen people were busy with dinner preparations and Aran was nowhere to found. She asked about him from a pretty light-haired girl who looked decidedly flushed - could have been just for the heat - and were her lips a bit more redder and plush than usual... Sahra was quite certain that she was lying and covering for the scoundrel but to the Pit of Doom with it. The show was for Sana anyway and she had to do it before she stopped and started thinking.

 

 

 

"Is she gone?"

 

Hearing an affirmative, Aran opened the cupboard door and stepped out into the light with a bottle of wine in hand.  He'd been happy to watch the festivities from the kitchen, the whole point of it had been to watch the two and see what happened, letting them get their feelings out in the process.  He'd also seen exactly what was going to happen, though he hadn't gotten a good look at who Sahra had chosen for the particularly vindictive thing she seemed set on.  He'd also guessed exactly what was going to happen next and with Mindy's help quickly secreted himself away.  The two were meant to be adults, that meant choosing what to do themselves.  He was tempted to go sit outside because he had a strange feeling that the bouncers would have to step in soon, but he entertained a small hope that they might yet assert their nobler, or at least sensible natures.  Not that the two always screamed those two virtues, but one could hope as he did while he went to observe once more.

 

 

 

Sahra took a deep assuring breath before she emerged again to the dining hall and riveted her gaze on the lady again. She was just getting her order taken by the waitress as she looked up from the menu and watched Sahra approach with a beam and twinkle in her eyes. "Good evening, my lady. Do you mind if I sit down with you for a while or are you maybe expecting company?" She doubted it since she was ordering already and seated herself as the woman begun to nod even before she answered. Sahra blatantly glanced at what the waiting girl had scribbled down and whistled approvingly. "You have a good taste. Still, if it wouldn't be too arrogant, I would like to add a few items to the list on my expanse. It is sometimes nice to sample different kind of cuisines... and a hot dessert would suit you, I think. A lemon pie, maybe?" It was subtle and maybe she would not catch it, but Sahra's scent was lemon.

 

Light, please let the woman have a sense of humour. If she didn't, Sahra had crossed the border and might get slapped right then or just turned down coolly. And if that happened, she would never dare to face Sana again. This was not a normal night when he and Aran picked a woman for her and betted how far she could get with her. And she was different anyway, someone Sahra had chosen herself because she had interested her. This lady seemed someone who had seen the world and this could be good. She wished that she had kept her momentary loss of nerve from reflecting to her face. She needed to appear confident and older than her years.

 

Sahra Covenry & Aran

It was perhaps one of the strangest things he'd witnessed in this whole mess. He'd seen her going out to the kitchen and had assumed she'd be bringing Aran out to try to put a stop to the angry words. Instead she came out alone and without looking his way, made her way to another table instead. The woman at the table seemed quite happy about the intrusion and Sana recognized the way Sahra leaned into the woman. She was trying to seduce the woman?

 

This was rich, really. She tells him she needs more time to deal with all this when he was the one that was really hurt by it all, then proceeds to hang on the first thing she comes across, right in front of him. He shook his head as he got up and walked across the room.

 

"Thanks for the show ladies. I enjoyed it immensely. If you decide to move it a little further along let me know and i'll double it." He said, flipping a coin on the table for the sake of Sahra's act. Without waiting for a response, he walked out of the establishment and into the darkened streets of Tar Valon.

 

Ursana Tahn Sakhr

Dilora’s face lit up like Bel Tine with Illuminator’s night-flowers blossoming in the sky.  Someone else that liked desserts!  She turned to study the new arrival, with all that flame-red hair and green eyes sparkling with some kind of excitement that made them glow from within.  She had a lithe form, and she liked desserts.  Well, this day seemed to be getting better quickly! 

 

“Hot desserts have always been my favourites.  Ever since I started travelling, I’ve made a point of sampling the apple pie on the menu.  I particularly like it with cream.”  So far her visit to Tar Valon had been particularly full of unexpected meetings and a fair few very beneficial deals indeed.  Today, there had been nothing exciting happening at all, other than restocking on vital supplies.  If Dilora saw one more jar of honey or pickles today, she thought she might scream.

 

The response was even warmer than Sahra had hoped for and the cream comment made her purr. Light but she could not continue on that line, though. Likely the woman hadn't meant it quite that way. The little experience she and Fior had given to each others had given her a good idea of how well pies and cream really went together. "I think that I can arrange you some cream tonight" slipped off her mouth.

 

She was quick to correct her blunder. "But how impolite of me, I haven't introduced myself yet. I am Sahra Covenry, a native citizen." She extended her hand and the woman shook it with a solid grip. "Who do I have the pleasure of speaking with? A traveler, you said? Where all has the Wheel woven your path?"

 

Aha, the time for introductions had arrived.  Dilora smiled and raised her voice slightly so that the other patrons in the room could hear of her and know she was always open for trade.  “My name is Dilora Fashelle, and I am peddler.  I wander the lands with my wagon full of wares, offering my goods to those discerning patrons with taste and money.”  She looked over at the girl, hoping to see the serving maid walk up behind her with a tray full of pies with cream, but saw instead only mischief in those dancing green eyes.

 

“Tell me, Sahra, is there anything you need?  Anything at all?” The last part was almost a purr and Dilora laid her hand on the table, not far from Sahra’s to give emphasis of how open she was being.  “I have some lovely items for sale.  What sort of thing, other than pies and cream, would you like?”

 

Sahra was a bit startled as Dilora introduced herself loudly enough that the nearest people heard her but then she leaned back in her chair, admiring her showmanship spirit and confidence. She was in fact enjoying herself so much that she hadn't even stolen victorious glances at Sana. When she looked at his direction, he was half on his way to them. She was pleasently distracted by the older woman laying her hand close to hers and she moved her palm to cover it for a brief moment, smiling at the peddler. There was a sense of warmth and slight tingling in her belly but not the knot and tension that appeared there with Sana or Fior.

 

Then Sana was on them and tossed the coin on the table like they were some bloody paid women offering to even give them more. Her eyes shot lightnings and she was about to grab the burning money and throw it on his retreating thick skull but Dilora took with good sense of humour. Her chuckle was low and throaty and she tried the coin with her teeth. She seemed satisfied and polished it to the front of her shirt. Sahra stared the movement mesmerized. She wanted very much to take the stupid jab with as light spirit as Dilora and on most days she would have but the escalation of hurt between her and Sana was getting more and more difficult to bear.

 

But she would not let him to ruin her night. "I like all kind of pretty things and if you yourself and your good taste with food are any indicator, your wagon is full of them. I would just have to see the items to decide which one of them suits my fancy. I can see something that I like right in front of me, though."

 

Her grin widened and she placed the coin into her belt pouch under the table.  Dilora thought this evening could be fun.  The man that had intruded familiarly and that had given Dilora the coin had almost sensed the spark between the flame and the peddler.  She smiled and ran a finger over Sahra’s hand, looking up playfully into the green eyes.

 

“Oh, you like the look of my wares, do you?” Dilora took a drink of her wine and she moved her chair further under the table.  Did their knees briefly touch?  Dilora leant forward.  “Do you come from around here?  I mean, Tar Valon is quite the cosmopolitan city.”

 

Dilora's finger touching the ball of her hand sent a shiver of anticipation through Sahra and she admired the merrily lit beautiful brown eyes of the peddler. They had such a rich colour of warm wood surface. She chuckled at Dilora's innuendo and nodded firmly in confirmation that she enjoyed the sights. "I really am born and bred Tar Valoner and I have lived here my whole life. I'm training to become a Tower Guard but I still have a few years to go." Thinking of her training made her think of Sana and their earlier dance and his mean words... and what she was doing now. And wasn't this betraying Fior too? She closed her eyes for a pained moment and forced herself to smile and be happier.

 

"Do you like it here? I bet that you have seen and experienced more things than most two people. Tell me of some adventure you have had?" Longing and slight envy were clearly audible in her expressive voice. And under the table she had slipped her shoe off and run her toes alongside Dilora's calf in a slow caresses.

 

Dilora Fashelle

Peddler Extraordinaire

 

Sahra Covenry

Tower Trainee

Dilora looked at the redhead as she felt a foot run up her leg through the fabric of her skirt.  Had she thought her stay in Tar Valon was going to be lonely?  Well, now it seemed it didn’t.  Her smile broadened as she heard the girl’s question and she pondered over which one to tell: there had been so many adventures!  Settling on the old favourite of when she had encountered the Aielman in the foothills of the Mountains of Mist.

 

“We travelled together for a time.  His name is Cor and he had a lion with him called Nei’din.   We went in search of a cloud eagle chick.  Ahh, good times.” Dilora closed her eyes in reminiscence and lifted her drink to sip.  When she opened her dark eyes, they were focussed directly on Sahra’s.

 

“Of course, there were many adventures.  Meeting pretty girls like you was not an everyday occurrence.” Oh my, it was getting so warm in here!  “I love to come back to Tar Valon though.  The welcome is always so very warm and comforting.”  She arched an eyebrow enigmatically and gently stroked the other woman’s leg back.

 

Sahra's eyes widened at the mention of an Aiel and a lion. The tale seemed almost too unbelievable to be true. She smiled at the compliment, though and felt the slightest blush creep to her cheeks when Dilora returned the caress. It was a titillating mix of excitement, slight arousal and guilt. "I am sure that such an eye-turning woman as yourself garners attention where ever she goes. And we Tar Valoners are friendly folks who know how to pleasure our guests." The toes wiggled nimbly on Dilora's knee before they slid ever so lightly up on her thigh.

 

"You must have a courage of a lioness. Weren't you alarmed of meeting an Aiel? They have such a savage reputation after all. But I am sure that you could speak your way out of many interesting situations and that you have been to many too."

 

Dilora’s heart started beating a little faster as the woman’s toes gently advanced along her thigh and then laughed.  “A lioness?  No, I’m not that courageous.  Thank you for styling me as such, but in all truth I was scared to the point that when I went to comfort my horse, the poor thing moved suddenly when she caught it’s scent, and dumped me on the ground on my bottom!”  Another drink. “The bruises did eventually fade.  Luckily, I’ve a little padding there.”

 

The air crackled with suppressed energy and it felt like everything outside of their little bubble was extraneous noise; and wouldn’t intrude on their conversation at all.  Not like that first person that had come up and given the pair of them a coin.  It seemed to be just the two of them.  “What about you though?  You’re a good looking woman – what do you do for a living?”

 

Watching Dilora sip her wine and the continuing motion of her feet on her leg made Sahra feel like she could use some moisture in her throat too. "You have just the right amount of padding, I wouldn't remove any", she assured huskily and admired again the beautifully proportioned face and warm eyes. She had to clear her throat before answering the peddler's question. "I am training to become a Tower Guard and I still have a few years to go." She grinned. "Men often think that it is the most important to know how to handle a sword but it is the hands that guide it and the whole body needs to be controlled. I suppose that I am fairly good with my hands and a soldier needs a glib tongue too."

 

"Oh, but your food is here." She moved her chair closer, right beside Dilora in fact and mourned the fact that she had to remove her foot. But even better, now she could show her under the table cloth that her talk about nimble fingers hadn't been just that. As the waitress brought her a glass and poured wine, she began to pick pieces of meat and vegetables from the pot to cool on the other woman's plate. Finally she speared a small carrot and directed it at Dilora's lips and slipped her other hand under the table and encouraged Dilora to lift her thigh to rest on hers. As Dilora chewed, Sahra lowered the fork and run her finger along her lower lip gently as if wiping away something.

 

Sweet and firm – the carrot was delicious.  Resting her thigh on Sahra’s seemed very forward but incredibly right.  Dilora was amazed that someone as pretty as Sahra was acting in such a manner but it was a nice surprise, a welcome one.  Her fork reached for a small portion of the meat and she offered it to Sahra’s lips and watched the even white teeth close on it, pulling it off the fork.  Encouraged by her reaction to the food, Dilora smiled and reached for a napkin.  She leant forward as much as her position allowed and gently caressed the woman’s upper chest with the napkin, letting her fingers trail lightly before removing the small square of cloth.

 

“A Tower Guard, eh?  That in itself is dangerous work – you must be as courageous as a lioness yourself, Sahra.  I like that.” Dilora wondered briefly why such a pretty girl had honed in on her and was using her charms on her, but she knew she was an attractive woman herself.  She held up a potato on her fork. “Would you like a taste?”

 

The food was delicious and that was one of the reasons Aran had likely picked this place. Dilora was very generous to share her dinner with her even though she wasn't hungry anymore. At least not for food but they couldn't really... Light, Dilora touched her breasts slightly. The napkin trick was very clever. Her nipples reacted and were soon displayed prominently through her shirt which only added to the colour on her cheeks. She responded by beginning to hoist Dilora's skirt up slowly but firmly, the fingers of her right hand drawing circles and triangles on the sensitive skin of her thigh. She didn't dare to go all the way up yet.

 

"A Tower Guard to be", she corrected with a smile. "And my mettle is untested yet as my mentor hasn't taken me to any missions." Speaking of Sana had been a bad idea and she doubted that after tonight he might just decide to get her assigned to someone else. She made a dismayed frown before she could control herself again. The piece of potato was a welcomed distraction and she gave a sizzling look at Dilora. "I am famished. Looks extremely juicy and definately whets my appetite", she said looking pointedly at Dilora's well-formed bosom. "I can't wait for the dessert and the... pie and cream."

 

 

Sahra & Dilora

“Cream has always been my favourite way to round off a meal.” Dilora told the girl with a look at her own bosom.  Sahra was definitely after something and a little no string attached “dessert” might be just the thing the Yellow Sister ordered for Dilora too.  She decided to roll with it and see where it led.  For an odd moment Dilora wondered why she was eager to experience women that seemingly threw themselves at her and yet she was reticent to approach the men that acted in the same way.  That was for consideration another time though, as the girl’s finger traced a shivering maze over Dilora’s thigh.  Her breath caught, and she slipped her own hand under the table to touch Sahra’s leg.

 

“Cats also like cream, you know.  They spend enough time licking their whiskers clean, that’s for certain.” Dilora smiled and fed the girl a bit more of her meal, receiving some in turn.  “Do you have to go back to the Tower immediately after your meal?”  Her large brown eyes turned to stare with mock-innocence at Sahra.

 

Dilora's caress on her leg made Sahra sigh deep in her throat and she didn't really taste the food that the peddler fed her. It was delicious but she was tuned for the supposedly accidental touches she received and tried to focus on returning the same and keeping the food she served the other woman on the fork. Her hand was not entirely steady anymore. "It is my lucky day and that is a free day. I have a curfew to meet many hours ahead but until that I am all yours." What she also had was a mentor who would surely check if she was in her bed. And expecting her to find sharing it with who knew who, burn him. She directed the smolder the thought incited into a promising stare. "Beside being handy with their tongues, cats are clever with games and know how to play with their prey. Would you say that you're a cat or a mouse?"

 

Dilora smiled, showing teeth.  “I would say that I am most definitely a cat.  Did you not earlier compare me to a lioness?” Her hand squeezed the soft thigh under the table and moved a tiny bit higher.  The fingers on her own thigh danced lightly over the surface that was a cross between a pleasurable tickle and a butterfly’s caress.  “But you have to be back for a curfew?  I’m sure we can find enjoyable things for you to do on a free day, Sahra.” Dilora let her tongue roll the “r” in Sahra’s name slightly, feeling the vibrations warm her throat.  She licked her lips to catch some of the gravy from the last time the Trainee had fed her something.

 

A glance at their plates revealed there was not much left at all.  Dilora felt a fluttering in her stomach and, with the hand not resting on the redhead’s thigh; she pushed the plate to one side with a smile.  “You know, you can have too much of a good meal before the excitement gets too much and you just have to have dessert.  Life is too short sometimes so we should eat the things we desire every now and again.”  The hand brought her drink first to her lips and then to Sahra’s before returning it to the tabletop.  “But to go back to the question you posed me a little while ago: do you consider yourself to be a cat or a mouse?”

 

Oh how she loved Dilora's reaction that she should have guessed. Sahra laughed throatily and enjoyed the way the peddler made her name purr on her lips. A cat indeed. "I know the feeling of being ready to almost die for a dessert from desiring it so much." She turned the glass Dilora offered to her so that her lips touched the exact same spot than Dilora's before drinking. "As for your question..." she gave the lioness a wicked little grin and hooked the fingers of her hand under Dilora's skirts into claws and run them gently over her pearl enjoying the effect she caused. "Meow."

 

The waiters of the inn had a perfect timing and they emerged from the kitchen right then carrying the two pies they had ordered. "But Tower Guards train to Serve and we can assume any roles needed. And it is dessert time now, wouldn't you say?" Sahra nodded her head slightly toward the upstairs with a questioning look. Nervousness roiled in her stomach and she wondered what she would actually do if Dilora accepted.

 

Assuming roles was something Dilora had not previously thought of.  Was it in Sahra’s mind to have one of them dressed up as a Tower Guard, the other as an Aes Sedai so she could get some practice in?  That was a strange mental picture, but not an entirely unpleasant one.  Smiling encouragingly at the woman whose response of “meow” had made Dilora’s day once again, she followed the flame-haired girl’s gaze to the upstairs and had to laugh.

 

“Yes, my dear, I think we should let our main course settle and then indulge in some of that dessert we are both looking forward to so much.”  Almost regretfully, Dilora moved her thigh from Sahra’s and, in pretending to get up, traced the hand that had been resting on Sahra’s thigh all the way up over her hip and back, coming to land lightly on her shoulder.  “You should know Tar Valon better than I, being a native and all.  Lead the way.”  She couldn’t resist adding a little “meow.”

 

Light, the dice had been tossed and she had no idea was she winning or loosing with these pips. But she could still call it off, just better do it in somewhere private where Dilora trying to claw her eyes out wouldn't cause such a scene. Dilora's hand left a trace of heat over her body and she found it hard to concentrate suddenly. "Uh... umm... we have been most satisfied with the dinner so far but we would like to enjoy the rest of it in a more private environment", she managed to say to the waitresses who exchanged a strange look. They provided her with a room number and key nonetheless and she found Dilora holding the apple pie and cream pitcher. She grabbed the lemon pie herself and followed the swaying hips to upstairs feeling the bottom of her stomach falling off with anxiety and excitement. This was absolutely depraved and wicked and she was enjoying it far too much.

 

She fumbled with the key, all the while trying to balance the pie and Dilora's "helping" hand made her even more flustered. But finally they were in the room all alone and the door was firmly closed behind them. Things were definately out of her control now. "Which pie should we start with?", she asked with a tremor in her voice.

 

Sahra & Dilly

The massage felt heavenly and even though Dilora's hands weren't as strong as those of the Tower Guards, she knew the right spots that made Sahra loosen up slightly physically. The kiss the peddler planted on her neck made her close her eyes with a shiver and the indecision was getting worse. She didn't want to disappoint Dilora and hurt her by revealing that she had been using the poor woman. And she was enchanted and more than a bit aroused. But there were still Sana and Fior and she couldn't look either of them in the eye if she did anything with Dilora.

 

The brown eyed woman turned Sahra's face to meet hers and the kiss was a sweet and powerful persuation. She opened her lips with a sigh and Dilora explored deeper. Just this one kiss, she thought foggily before responding eagerly. Their tongues danced and breaths mingled and Sahra decided that Dilora was the best kisser she had met so far. Her touch was soft but passionate and she controlled her tongue completely and knew how to use it to the best effect. The kiss was heady and she leaned heavily against Dilora breathing raggedly when she pulled back a bit.

 

"Oh Dilora", Sahra moaned. "I can't do this! I want it so much but I have someone else... the man who gave us money." The words kept pouring out. "And there is another one too. That's why he is so angry. And now this. I have ruined everything and you'll be angry at me too."

 

They parted, and Dilora looked into those green eyes, smoothing the flame red hair away from alabaster cheeks.  “Why would I be angry?”  She continued to stroke the other woman’s face, hoping she was not going to pull out of this little tryst or, if she was, that at least she would be allowed a taste of pie.

 

The other woman had not spoken, but lowered her head.  Dilora continued to stroke her cheek and with one gentle finger lifted her chin up again to face her.  And on impulse, she cheekily kissed the tip of her nose.  “Why would I be angry?”  She repeated.  “Is it some sort of game?”  She did not know how she would react if the woman agreed with her statement.  Dilora wanted this to go further, but not if she was unwilling.  She was not some woman of loose morals!

 

Dilora's reaction made Sahra heave a sigh of release; at least she hadn't exploded right away, quite the contrary, she was stroking her cheeks. It made her feel even more guilty. She had wanted to use Dilora and she was so sweet now. Sahra drooped her head. The other woman's question made her look up with alarm. "No! It's no game", she exclaimed. But it was, wasn't it? She had tried to make Sana jealous with Dilora and this followed the formula they had had before. She had just never gone even half way this far with any of the quarry Aran and Sana had set her after before.

 

"I was so angry at him because he pretty much said out loud that I am a loose moraled light-skirt. And I just proved him right." She laughed at her own stupidity but grew quickly severe as she faced the peddler. "Can you forgive me, Dilora? I don't want to ruin your evening but I set up such expectations. We should at least eat the real pies."

 

Dilora threw back her head and laughed, unconsciously pressing herself against Sahra again.  She realised her position and moved back, and around to the other side of the table.  The trainee was trying to get her own back on some men.    She had come across that kind of man before and Dilora had full respect for any woman doing such a hard job in the face of such a male-dominated field.  She shook her head and cut two slices of pie; one of apple and one of lemon, and started to daintily break off bite-sized pieces of the apple one and pouring some cream over the top.

 

“So, let me get this straight, Sahra.”  Dilora tasted one of the bites of cream-drenched pie and swallowed.  “You have attempted to, and succeeded in seducing me in order to prove to some men that you can do anything?”  Dilora smiled and laid her hand on Sahra’s arm, her eyes sparkling with incredible mischief.  The girl just looked a little sick.  “Oh, love!  Don’t fret so!” Dilora ate a few more pieces of pie and gestured for the redhead to do the same. “If you like, we can make lots of noise in pretend so that they believe you’re the best thing this side of the district!”

 

Light but Dilora had an enticing laughter and Sahra could feel her body heat climbing up as the peddler leaned against her momentarily. She watched as Dilora fixed herself pieces of both pies and started savouring them. She had the talent to make even that simple act look seductive and the desserts were delicious. Sahra was following her instruction to taste the pies but Dilora's humour was contagious and the suggestion utterly insane. She chuckled. "I really adore you, Dilora." She took a first bite of the apple pie and closed her eyes from the rich flavour. "I just don't think that anyone is listening", she said sadly. Although Aran was still in the building but he was likely too busy wooing some maid to be interested of what she did.

 

"And Sana knows what he could have but he is my mentor so I am off the limits until I am raised. I had promised that I would wait for him but I didn't." She winced. "That's why he is so hurt. And now this." She sampled the lemon pie but even the tasty sweet thing couldn't take her mind off entirely of her pickle. "He hasn't been at all celibate. Men! But that's not the issue. It's my morals. I never thought that I could do anything like this. Have you ever heard anything this rediculous before?"

 

“I haven’t heard anything along these lines before, no.  But that doesn’t mean anything.  I’m a peddler; I live for new things.”  She put a comforting arm around her companion’s shoulder and rested her dark head on the slightly muscular shoulder.  A thought occurred to her.  “This Sana sounds like a bit of a one.  Would you like me to take care of him?    Perhaps afterwards I could pop a little itching powder into his breeches, or leave him only a pink dress to change into.”  She was delighted to hear a laugh from the girl, and she knew the trainee’s mood had lifted slightly.

 

“I didn’t mean it, love.  Whatever you want to tell them is fine by me – just buy me another of these pies.  They’re delicious!”

 

Sahra accepted gladly the arm around her and stroke the shiny dark tresses as Dilora nestled her head on her shoulder. Her eyes popped at Dilora's suggestion that she'd become Sana's rebound but as she continued, Sahra giggled at the prospects. It was a delightfully evil idea if only it could be done without that before part. The last thing they needed was him to go ahead and loose himself on someone else's arms. She hugged Dilora and rained kisses on her cheek. "You're the best, Dilora. Has anyone ever told you that?" Her eyes shone with humour. "Why on earth have I bothered with men when they are such trouble. Clearly it has been you who I have been waiting for all along. If you keep this up, I will have to keep you. And fear not, you will be well provided with pies and anything you want"

 

"But seriously... have you ever been with a woman before, Dilora? I'm just wondering if it is so very different." She grinned. "I am awfully curious now and that making noises starts to sound like a very interesting idea."

 

Dilora & Sahra

Ah, perhaps there was going to be a little more fun tonight.  Dilora looked at the rest of the pie on the table, and the jug of cream, and wondered whether they would get around to eating the rest of it.  Dilora remembered back to her first female lover fondly and smiled as she told the redhead.  “You’ll laugh, honestly.  Peddlers have a very lonely life, and the road tends to mean you have to take comfort where you can find it.”  She shifted on her shoulder minutely and continued.  “At first I thought it was just the want of attention after so much solitude but I can tell you there is one big difference.”

 

She could feel the curiosity radiating from the girl’s posture.  Breaking free from their hug, Dilora took Sahra by both hands and lead her to the small bed, sitting her down on it.  “It can be more tender.  Women have a tendency to know more intuitively when something is going to feel right.” She traced a pattern on the back of Sahra’s hand and then she placed it back in the girl’s lap.  Dilora crossed back to the table and fetched their portions of pie and cream, and handed one to Sahra. 

 

“Yes,” she continued, pausing every now and then for a mouthful “I have been with another woman.  And it felt really good, and very right.  Of course, men have shared my bed as well, but there are times you want a man and there are times you want that tenderness.  Now,” Dilora laughed, smiling again.  “I’m not saying that to get you into bed, even though the thought is rather nice.  I’m saying it because if you want to know and have curiosities about something, you should investigate it.”

 

“I’m here if you need to…”

 

It didn't surprise her that Dilora was no stranger to female lovers, she had taken her advances far too calmly and enthusiastically to be anything else. She wondered what the woman had been like and which one of them had made the initiative that time. She leaned forward eagerly to hear her every word as Dilora began to explain the difference between men and women. She felt the vignettes the peddler drew on her hand vibrating far beyond and she was most disappointed when she stopped and moved to get them another pieces of pie.

 

She could imagine what Dilora meant with tenderness. She didn't have many female friends, for some reason she didn't get along that well with them and vice versa but women did other things differently than men too if she thought herself. No matter what Dilora said and what she herself wanted, she couldn't sate her curiousity on the matter tonight. What she needed was a resolution and it would just make things even more difficult. But she had enticed Dilora here with a promise of that and she was determined to not disappoint her. At least she would have that experience for reference.

 

Gently she removed the almost untouched piece of lemon pie from the peddler's hand and set it on the table. "I can't let you to have the lemon pie, Dilora but..." she moved closer and traced the dark haired woman's jawline moving toward her lips "... I can still give you something if you accept."

 

Dilora & Sahra

Dilora bent her head to one side, feeling the slightly callused fingers caress her jaw and land lightly on her lips.  She leant into the caress, wanting to feel those strong fingers in her hair, across her back, over her waist…  Dilora felt her breath catch in her throat as Sahra’s hand lay there, her pulse flittering in her neck.

 

“No … pie?” Dilora managed before she had to swallow.  Suddenly the room seemed a lot smaller than it had done before, and now she was very much aware of how the roles seemed to be reversed.  In all her times with female partners this did not happen often.  She was usually the one to initiate and after the revelation that she had been trying to impress someone using Dilora, she was a little confused as to where she actually stood. 

 

“No pie.” The other woman told her and repeated her offer of giving Dilora something.  Curious as to what it could be, Dilora smiled and caressed Sahra’s cheek again.  Things were looking up. 

 

“What did you have in mind?” Dilora asked, her hand moving to pass lightly over the girl’s ear.

 

"Wait and find out", Sahra whispered before she pressed her lips against Dilora's. This was not a sweet kiss but passionate and hungry and she used her tongue tp punge and explore and nipped her lower lip gently with her teeth. All the while she directed Dilora slowly but steadily toward the bed until her calves hit the edge. Releasing her from the embrace, she looked her mischievously in the eyes as she toppled her to the bed with a simple unarmed combat trick against her weak lines. Dilora let out a small squeak of surprise and Sahra kept control of her fall so she didn't hurt herself.

 

She sat to the edge of the bed leaning over Dilora and caressed her face again admiring her beauty. "Is it just me or is it very warm in this room? I wouldn't want you to be uncomfortable so maybe you are wearing too much clothes, mmm?" She trailed her finger down her cheek and column of her neck to between her breasts.

 

Dilora & Sahra

Fading it to black now