Years of work had finally paid off and Sahra Covenry was a Tower Guard. She so deserved a frothy pint of beer. The time of ceremonies was over so she headed to the small group of people who had been waiting for her to pay her respects to the Tower Guards of ye olde days. Conor was the first one to catch her and she was surprised when instead of simple congratulatory hug he also kissed her. She returned the embrace and smiled under his lips but didn't yield hers.

 

When they pulled apart, she eyed him fondly and grinned teasingly. "Don't pretend, Connie. We both know that I am not your type. I don't say baa, baa and I am not quite wool-headed enough." It pulled some snickers from her new Company mates and she glanced toward Sana. If she had been anyone else but Sahra, she could have been said to look almost shy. "Whereas someone here might be just my type."

 

Her words were replied with some eager 'me' and 'I'm your man' calls that she ignored with a snort. Her intention of kissing him properly was foiled, however, when Jaz and Marie hoisted her on their shoulders and begun to carry her toward the city accompanied with rhytmical 'Drink, drink, drink' chanting. She looked back at Sana and when their eyes locked, she mouthed word 'later'. From his wink and eager grin she figured out that he had understood.

 

 

***

 

 

If you were into dancing, the Red Stallion inn was a good place to be at. They had hired permanently some good players who knew rhythms from all the lands but especially Saldaean dances which were Sahra's favourites. That was why she had insisted that they ended up here. She was extremely happy that so many people had showed up to celebrate the event. The more the merrier after all.

 

She really hoped that she wouldn't make a total fool of herself tonight and be piss drunk. It would be difficult to politely refuse all the drinks she would be offered tonight as all her new Company mates didn't know yet that she prefered to drink moderately. She had seen too many idiots during her time a bar maid and even as a Trainee. She liked to hang at bars and have fun just like everyone else, she just need to be totally wasted to do it.

 

And her roomies certainly had been fun. Thinking her first room mate, Fior, still hurt a bit. They had been together for a year against the rules until he had left. But they would have had to have broke it off anyway as they had gotten caught red handed by Aran. He had made her to realise that she had failed in her dedication to her training. And Sahra had wanted to become a Tower Guard more than anything. Conor and Mahiko were still left of the group of four that they had had and that was more than enough for her.

 

She also had her wonderful mentor despite hurting him by getting involved with Fior. If she would have had to name one single most important person in her life, it would be Sana. He had a wonderful sense of humour and he was one of the warmest and most laid-back people Sahra knew. She hadn't been let through her training easily and she was thankful for that. But she had always known that if she had any troubles what so ever, she could turn to him. With everything else but Fior.

 

Included in the lovely Sana package had been also the craziest and best grand mentor ever, Aran. He certainly was an unconventional Tower Guard who often flaunted tradition and propriety but his skill with blade couldn't be denied nor could his devotion when it really mattered. It was such a shame that he couldn't be there today. He would tease her horribly of course and it would be a bit embarrassing if she and Sana really would... there were some doubts and matters they would need to clear out first, but not tonight. Tonight was for enjoying themselves and being with friends.

 

Sahra Covenry

Tower Guard

 

The Kiss had been a sloppy one. One with a lot of tongue and noise. Much of his own courtesy to her as she refused to comply. Close enough. At least she would always remember it. With a satisfied grin he pulled back.

 

Connie? ..Sounded like a girls name. Looking hurt, he called after her.

 

"Well, if it be a woman you are after.. " He voice chanced to a much higher octave. "I'm sure that Ursula will be happy to lend you a kiss. And when you've had enough of her You know where I'll be!" With a few inappropriate motions that made a few of the younger trainees that surrounded the group laugh, he felt the mocking anger of her glare as she walked away.

 

Ah, it was good to be a Palfrey.

 

~~~

 

Strut, Strut... Scowl.

 

Did he even have permission to leave the yard?

 

Did it matter?! He was a Palfrey! And a Conor no less! Of course he should be allowed to go to Sahra's raising party. Ale and more Ale were but what made for a fine evening of lude jokes and pretty barmaids. Not that he had trouble picking up the pretty ones. They sat nicely on his lap and made everyone think he was 'all that is awesome'. Or however other people had phrased .. the other Tower Guard. The one Cairma liked.

 

Shrug..

 

His days were spend more or less worrying about how much longer it would be before he could out run his mentor than how her mental state was. He had enough troubles keeping his head about him and the conversations light on nights when Sahra was apart from Fior. Her having that Usrana-guy really helped. But it hurt. Just a little. Not that he would admit it. At least Ursana treated her better. Still wasn't good enough for his Sahra, but he'll have to do.

 

Sword swinging and lots of running. Lots and lots of running had put him in great shape. Unfortunately the bulk of him still lingered, and he had come to the realization that he would be the 'bigger man'.

 

..Of course he would be the bigger man! -he puffed-

 

And that bigger man was going to get into Tar Valon to a little get together at... what did she call that place.. the Red Horse?.. no Red Stallion! Yes, that was it. Red Stallion. Ah, what a grand name.

 

Strut, Strut.

 

"It's alright, Boy. Off on a mission for Cairma. Private, you see?" He called to the guards, walking as he went. It was not the first time that he had been sent on crazy missions for light knows whatever reason and if he kept walking they tended not to bother.

 

...Suckers!

 

Wlkaing he way to the in, he was pleased to find Sahra the first one there. Alone no less.

 

"Ah, you were waiting for the best man, I see." He strolled up and kissed her cheek in a purely platonic -damn- way. "Congrats, Sahra."

 

 

 

Conor Palfrey

Trainee

((I was trying to let everyone else get in before Sana stormed the party.. but I had to post before I went on vacation :P))

 

 

He arrived just in time to see a friendly kiss.  No one else but Sahra and her friend.  So it was easy enough to dismiss the one little friend.  He wasn't sure he should be doing this.  Wasn't sure if this was the right time or place, but blood and bloody ashes, he'd waited long enough.  Waited through all of her training, watched as she'd turned to Fior and the debacle that had come from that, waited patiently as mentor and friend until she no longer needed him to guide her steps.  She hadn't really needed it for some time now, but it was in the eyes of others that judged her ready and they had to be sure before letting her move on to become a Tower Guard.  it could have been his own growing impatience as well so he realized that he was a little biased on the matter.

 

He had done his time though and waiting was the last thing on his mind.  Even where normal cordiality would have let her at least recognize her friend's words, he had nothing left in his will tonight.  He watched her with eyes that no longer had to hide.  The first kiss had been friendly yes, but her second of the night would be anything but.

 

Walking straight for her, he didn't bother to say anything.  He grabbed her by the waist and pulled her to him, registering on the surprise in her eyes before he kissed her passionately for all to see.

 

Ursana :P 

Jaz and Marie had abandoned Sahra for a moment and went to grab drinks, and she sat alone at the table tapping her foot to the rhytm and humming softly. She didn't have much of a voice, but humming a good song always got her on a good mood, as it brought back strongly memories associated to the song. This particular song was familiar yet not that important and tied to any special occasion; it reminded her just of good time with friends and fun.

 

Her eyes lit up as one particular friend entered the inn. Conor was still a Trainee even though he had joined only little after Sahra and she had taken her sweet time to reach the cloak. She sometimes suspected that he had held back deliberately so that they could be Raised at the same time but that was just silly. Likely he just hadn't exerted himself as hard as he could. That, and Cairma was a very demanding mentor with high criteria. Sahra felt a bit sorry for Conor because in her opinion Cairma too often focused on his faults instead of what was good in him and what he did well. In a way it had gotten only worse after Fior had left so maybe Cairma was trying to compensate something with Conor. Phaw, but enough of her amateurish analysis. Conor would be Raised soon too.

 

This time the kiss was just friendly as was good and proper. Sahra had sense of humour but the tongue earlier had been a bit too much. She had been tempted to bite him, but it was a happy day so she had been nice. She was about to hug Conor and remark something when another man emerged in the doorway. Poor Conor was all but forgotten for a moment, and she had a pretty good inkling of what Sana was going to do from the hungry look in his eyes. Her stomach constricted with eager anticipation, but she was still half doubting it until he pulled her against him.

 

They had been waiting for so long and all that pent up desire flared up. Her arms entwined tight around his neck and roamed down demandingly as their lips and tongues banqueted. He felt so good and his taste had taunted her for years. Their bodies fit together perfectly, and she had never been as aware of anything as his closeness and the promise of what would come. More, she had to have more and all of him.

 

When Sana finally released her lips, she snuggled her face to his throat kissing it gently and squeezed him tight. She wanted nothing more than to sneak upstairs with him and do some primal horizontal tango. Forget the party and the people who might come. She was about to grab his hand and drag him off when she realized that Jaz and Marie were laughing at them. "Go rent a room. Sheesh, there are some innocent eyes here", Conor yelled mirthfully and that settled it. They just couldn't, not yet.

 

Pulling apart with regret, she sighed. "We haven't danced yet, Sana." She ached for him so badly. She edged a bit further away as she decided that he might want to do it now, and then all her weak willpower would be for nothing. "I have some social duties first." Her voice oozed with disappointment. Sitting beside him would be bad too, so she elbowed some space for herself between Conor and Jaz, who grabbed her by waist and propped her on his lap. She didn't resist and the gesture made her smile but also glance at Sana a bit worriedly. She didn't want him to get any ideas, he just wasn't safe to be around for her right then.

 

Reaching for a beer mug to wet her dry throat, she looked around. "So, does someone have good stories to tell of their Trainee time. Or well, any time? And innocent eyes my ass, Conor. You stopped being innocent the moment you were laid on your mother's breasts, you filthy minded you."

 

Sahra Covenry

Tower Guard

Sana understood exactly what she meant when she said they hadn't danced yet. He understood perfectly why she moved a little further away from him.  In fact, he understood completely why she was sitting on someone else's lap.  Nothing could make him want her less than he did at that moment and nothing could stop it either.  It was as inevitable as the dawn.  She was no longer his trainee now.  She was just his.  He could wait out an hour or two if he had to.  Light, he'd waited years.  His patience could handle a little longer.  In fact, it made him smile a bit that she felt she needed the space to behave herself.  Well, Sahra had always been the impatient one.  Something he liked about her and which had also driven him beyond distraction for a very long time.

 

But she was his now.  Her eyes told him that when he had walked in.  The same eyes that had been telling him that for a while now but he had looked away, unable to return it because of the duty he felt.  No need to worry now.  He paced himself though and as they began telling stories, he began alternating between water and ale.  He was not about to pass out drunk  before the night was through.

 

Ursana.. always thinking ahead :P