Pillow.

 

Blinking, Aran orientated himself as he stretched. Light but he felt good, probably because he was still drunk, but he'd had a deep sleep. There was nothing like a substantial nightcap to give one a decent rest. Almost catlike as he bent backward on the bed, his hands grabbed at the air as he forced a yawn out of himself.

 

Cairma.

 

Throwing the sheets off his bed as he remembered the night before, he was quick to get dressed. He had a visit to pay, and he wanted to make sure that she wasn't up already. Out the window, the light was already cresting the horizon and would be just perfect if Cairma was still in bed. Pulling his last boot on, he collected his picks and made his way outside.

 

Finding Cairma's room didn't take long. Like faces and names, he liked to know where people in the barracks lived. Those that were moving about in the morning were already outside, and others wouldn't be up and about for awhile. Not that it would've mattered, most people if they saw him with his picks knew he was up to nothing more than a bit of mischief. Applying himself to the lock, it didn't take much to get it open. The locks on all the doors were so similar that it took little to get them open since he'd done the first couple.

 

Closing the door behind him, his grin had already taken a rather evil edge. There she was in just her shirt and underclothes, and she'd managed to kick the sheets off herself during the night. Yet she'd had the presence of mind to shut the curtains before she'd gone to sleep, or maybe she always left them shut. Either way, Aran quietly made his way over to those self same curtains.

 

"WAKE UP!!!!!"

 

Ripping the curtains open at the same time, Cairma's reaction sent Aran into a fit of laughter. Oh light, it was times like these that he thanked the Creator for gifting him immunity to hangovers. "We're going to breakfast! Meet you outside in five minutes or I'll be back with a bucket of water."

 

Making his way to the door, he stopped as he trod on something. Bending down, he picked up her breeches and chucked them over to her. "You might try wearing those as well. Remember, five minutes!"

 

Closing the door behind him, he laughed as he walked down the corridor a little and waited for her.

 

 

Aran

Tower Guard

Her bed had been a welcome relief. After carrying Aran back to the barracks (along with Beast, which, while drunk, was an unusually heavy load) she cursed herself for bothering to bring Beast along with her, kicking off her breechs and fell into bed. And then the sweetess bliss of sleep washed over her, making her extremely oblivious to the world around her.

 

"WAKE UP!!!!!"

 

The simple two words Rang loudly in her ears as light suddenly shon in her eyes causing her to shrink back with a hiss, searching for her non-existant blankets.

 

"We're going to breakfast! Meet you outside in five minutes or I'll be back with a bucket of water."

 

his words were oddly louder then they should have been, unless he was talking louder just to mess with her. Remembering the little she learned about him last night it would no surprise her.. With her eyes barely open, she started to grope around for her blanket. Muttering incoherently what sounded like a string of fishmen insults and death threats.

 

"You might try wearing those as well. Remember, five minutes!"

 

The Door closing, Cairma sighed with resignition with her head under her pillow, forcing herself to push away the excurtiating pain in her head. She couldnt' even pul on the void as in her hungover state seemed to be dulling even the basics of the simple disiple.

 

"burn me.. Burn aran..." She cursed, her eyes still closed. She laid in her bed for a few moments, Arans threat not regestering past the pounding in her head.

After a few minutes, it became clear that Cairma was not doing as she had been asked. Finding a bucket didn't take long and Aran sauntered down to the baths while whistling a tune. He'd always thought his father and older brother had been quite harsh when they'd done this to him, but then he'd done it to others and realised how much fun it was.

 

The cold bath was a place for men and women of courage in the early hours of the morning. While Aran generally wasn't possessed of that sort of courage, he was glad it was there nevertheless. Dipping the bucket in, he collected, a full pail of icy cold water. Making his way to Cairma's room as slowly as he needed to in order to avoid spillage, he tested the handle and smirked to himself, she hadn't thought to lock it again.

 

WHAM!

 

SPLASH!

 

Laughing at the shriek Cairma let loose as she was thoroughly drenched, Aran tossed the bucket aside. His feet were twitchy and he was pretty sure he'd need them.

 

 

Aran

Tower Guard

Ee..eEEEECK!!!

 

 

Corld water had Cairma up and awake within seconds as the sheer shock of the ice cold bath brough through the darkness in her vision and in her head. But not without her starting to see red. And an Aran without a head.

 

Slowly she looked to him, like an Aes Sedai with an evil plan in mind, her eyes flaming with rage. The man in front of her had the gall to laugh as he then took the hint etremely fast as she grabeed her sword, chasing him in a blind rage with her word swinign behind her. His laughter taunted her as they ran out of the barracks, people jumping out ofthe way as one trouble maker was being chased by one nearly naked and wet Tower guard with an unusually large sword.

 

"Aarraan... you will pay for this....." Her blood boiling agaisnt the sharp cold air of the earily morning, hours well before the final breakfast call. her bare feet pattered hard agaist the cold ground as Aran ran through gates and over fences, and found himself stuck in a tree with Cairma's sword stuck in the tree merely inches from his feet.

 

He was still laughing hard, rolling if he could, amoung the branches of the large oak.breathing hard as the cold air stung at her throat. And within those precious few seconds.. it dawned on her...

 

 

She had just ran through the tower yard.. in nothing but a wet white shirt... underwear and a sword.....

 

heat flared up in her cheeks as she suddenly looked around to see many men staring at her extreemly exposed figure, some cat calling, and others cheering Aran on.

 

She didn't know what to do, frozen in her spot with bright red cheeks, she hissed.

 

"You will pay for this Aran."

 

 

Carima

Tower Guard

Running through the barracks, he'd dodged about a few people and virtually thrown himself down stairs in order to keep ahead of her. Yet he managed to keep ahead of her, for even while her run was fueled by her rage, his was fueled by that ultimate instinct that dominated every creature, every thread in existance, survival. There was little mistaking it, if she caught him he was done for.

 

Then again, she was weighed down by her sword, which was handy. It meant he was always able to keep just a bit ahead, and if he lost ground he could gain it with obstacles. Like the fences outside that divided the yard up into different practice areas. Flying over them with ease, it took her a bit more to make it over them with that monstrous sword in tow.

 

Salvation came in the form of faith. Spending a great deal of his time resting against it, he knew how to get up it in a flash and it was a good thing he did because otherwise he would have been even shorter. The blade had lodged itself in the tree just a few inches beneath his feet, he would've been a cripple had he not been fast enough. On the otherhand he had, and he got to enjoy the fruits of it has he looked down at her, laughing.

 

And there it was.

 

Realisation.

 

The moment it dawned on her what her current garb was, Aran was swept by a gale of laughter. He wasn't the only one other, there were quite a number of people either cheering Aran on or whistling at Cairma who quickly put an arm over her chest as she made her threat to Aran.

 

Still laughing, he managed to squeeze out his response between chuckles. "You might want to put some breeches on first. A new shirt too, its looking a little nippy down there!" Shuddering with laughter, if he hadn't had the trunk to lean on he would have tumbled out of the branches altogether.

 

 

Aran

Tower Guard

If only the light had granted her a look that could kill. if it did, Aran would bea very very very dead man. Not even dignifying his retort with a word, she effortlessly pulled her blade out of the trunk of the tree, leaving a very large gash in it's trunk with a good half foot deep.

 

Still covering her chest with her sword head out infront of her, she stalked away, past the cat calls, the yards were onlookeders wolf-whistled and laughed. Carima's face was red with embaressment. only thankful that it was still earily morning and it wasn't the whole yard to catch her in only a wet shite. ironically white in colour. The colour a trainee would whisper to catch a novice in, dumping water over her.

 

Her hangover long gone, a different sort of pain hit her as she entered the barracks. Leaning Beast within reach, she washed and dressed in her normal apparel, and then headed into the Dining Area. There were smirks and whispers that she blatently ignored. Not even bothering with something to eat, she pulled out the largest mug that she could find out of the stash that was clean and proceeded to pout herself a cup of boiling water. Adding 3 tea bags and no sugar, she then headed to her usual corner of the mess hall. Not seeing Aran anywhere, she relaxed only a little, sipping her tea.

 

 

"Ahh.... Sweet sweet caffine... "

 

 

Cairma

Tower Guard

Getting a few congratulatory calls as Cairma stamped away with her treekiller, Aran slipped out of the tree and took a bow as well as gave a few waves. He almost felt like a celebrity on some days, and this was one of them. Does that mean I crave attention?... Probably.

 

It was sometime before he made his way into the dining hall after joking about with the others. And setting the record straight, no he hadn't been sleeping with Cairma, etc etc. Not that he could blame their conclusion, she'd been running about in her small clothes after him. On the otherhand, he probably would have been in small clothes himself or not at all if that had been the case.

 

Speaking of Cairma, there she was making tea. Laughing to himself, he chatted with people as he collected his food, bacon and toast amongst other things finding their way to his plate. It was then that he sauntered over to where Cairma was sitting and sat opposite her. Light he was glad the tables were large, he doubted she'd be able to kick him from underneath the table. He'd be more worried about her trying to reach over at him.

 

"Feeling a bit more relaxed after that sprightly jog hmm eh?"

 

 

Aran

Tower Guard

Sitting down with her second cup of tea, the first finally starting to perk her up, she contemplated what she needed do for the day. Although her usual day consisted of meditation and lathe swinging, after her morning start, maybe something different should be on the menu. But what?

 

Unfortunatly her train of thought was interrupted but a far to cheerful voice. Aan sat across from her, nd all she wanted to do was kick him in the .. shins and tell him to go away. But her mother, ironically, had taught her better. Cairma looked up at him, nearly surprised that the man had even bothered to come anywhere near her. Especially since she 'almost' made him a few inches shorter.

 

"Do you have a death wish?" She looked at him through slitted eyes, his unusual cheerfulness made her hate him. His brilliant smile just shone brighter as she waved her hand in a slight dismissive way. "Never mind. You must have a death wish if you make a habit of toruring fellow men at arms." Slightly glowering, she looked t him in a slightly more pouty manner. "How can you be awake and functioning after last night? You couldnt' even make it home without me hauling you back."

Cairma's response had him laughing even as he got into his first piece of bacon. She wasn't impressed with him at all, and that was going to pose some interesting problems. Especially since he remembered the bet from the night before, which she did not. But still, she was just going through a phase that alot of people, especially women, went through with him at first. She'd be fine once she was through it, that or she'd break his hand like Ginae did. Something that he still had to take his revenge for, he'd have to think of something suitably public.

 

"Death wish? You don't seem to understand, the Creator loves me. If he didn't I wouldn't have made it up that tree fast enough. That or be immune from hangovers. Thats right, no hangovers for me, no matter how much I drink." Grinning widely he leant in a little closer. "Actually, between us, I'm still drunk, but shhhh."

 

Leaning back again, Aran chewed on piece of toast as Cairma glowered at him. Perhaps it was time to remind her of a few things. "So, Daemon picked a dress out for you yet? I hear light blue with white cuffs is all the craze at the moment. I know its still a week, but I can't remember all of last night so I thought I'd ask all the same."

 

 

Aran

Tower Guard

Cairma's face fell at those words.

 

 

The Bet.

 

Burn me..

 

 

Cairma's head fall onto the table with a hard thud as a 'oh.. shi....' came from her lips. How drunk had she gotten. Obviously enough for someone to get her into a dress.. A DRESS!!! She despised anything that was flowy that didn't have a sharp edge. And a Dance, with Aran. She had just officially cursed herself in the worst possible way. She would have to acutally put up with the man's idiocy for the honour of her own drunken bet.

 

She looked at the man sitting across from her with a suddenly tired look. Changing the subject so she did not have to think of herself dressed up in pink corsets and skirts dancing like a fool. "So whats the plan for the day? I think there was anouther reason why you wished to wake me this morning other then to see my undergarments."

 

 

 

Carima

Tower Guard

Aran threw an insolent grin at her as he spoke. "Well, yes, your undergarments were quite the marvel, but that wasn't why I came to wake you up at all. Though I think I have your rough size now, if Daemon doesn't pick you a dress I'd be more than happy to help you find one."

 

Laughing at the face he got from Cairma, Aran finished up the last of his breakfast as he leant forward, resting his chin on his hands. "I admit, part of it was to see how bad a hangover you had, it always strikes me as curious how people get hangovers and how bad they are. But something stayed with my from last night I wanted to ask you about. In particular, about that mountain cleaver you carry about."

 

"See, I'm thinking to myself that'd be quite a difficult weapon to use. Maybe you'd show me how you use it, a bit of a spare say? With lathes off course, I'd rather a broken arm to a stump anyday. We'll even make it interesting. Say... If you win, you only have to dance with me once and I'll plant a big sloppy one on Ginae's face infront of the entire mess hall, but if I win you have to dance the entire night and I get to pick your dress."

 

 

Aran

Tower Guard

The image of seeing Ginae's face alone put a smile on Cairma's face. On the other hand, having Aran pick her dress could very well be disasterous. She may not mind the dancing, but the dress...

 

She looked at him, her eyes narrowing with mischief. "Even with a regular lathe I can see you beating me with only one arm available. I hardly see that as being fair. Now if we were to use the heavy lathes that I use to practice, than i can see it being a little more fair." She set down her empty tea cup, and leaned back a little with her arms crossed. "You have not done much work with the heavy Lathes, have you?" She eyed his sword, one obviously much smaller than her own.

 

"As much fun as it would be to hit you with the side of my sword, i dont' think a beating would be enough to knock sense into you. Seeing as your still part of the guard and not knocked out of the Yard for your overly zealous attitude. They allow you stay for a reason." She actually winked at him with her tease. Maybe she was starting to come out of her shell a little. Daemon would be proud.

 

 

 

Cairma

TG

She wasn't taking the bait, not yet anyway. Still, he did want that chance to dress her up, he figured he could pick her a nice enough dress. That would be after making her try some rather scanty Domani dresses and get her thinking her modesty would be better protected by her morning attire when she chased Aran with that whopping great club of a blade. What would tempt her into agreeing, and still give him a decent chance of victory.

 

"Like I said, the Creator loves me. The Tower Guard needs me, someone needs to bring some fun to our little playground after all. I like to think of it as my service to the Guard, bringing people closer and all. After this morning for example, I'm sure that people will recognise you more easily."

 

Grinning at the look he got, Aran continued. "But speaking of fun and lathes... Lets not use the same lathes, rather whatever is most comfortable for us. Light, I'm no blademaster, and I tell you what, I'll owe you a favour, whether it be to do your washing or ot take a couple of yours shifts. I'd understand if you aren't up to it though, you were born to wear a skirt, not breeches. Therefore its alright if you are't up to it." Aran's grin was rather impudent as he leant forward slightly then poked his tongue out.

 

 

Aran

Tower Guard

Cairma sniffed at him. How dare he say such a thing. If the boy had been any close and she hd brought Beast to the dinning hall she could very much see the flat part of the blade landing right on top of Aran's head. Being as she had neither on her side, she nearly sniffed at him, standing up and glaring down at him.

 

"I hardly thing that between the two of us that i would be the one wearing the skirt. I'll see you in the yard." And with a a little bit of a feminine nose lift she strolled out of the dining hall, refusing to let the slightest bit of strain from the night before effect her.

 

Mentally she was rather split about the whole situation. She, unwillingly, was enjoying her day, despite the rude awakening. It was nice to have a change in her usual pattern. She found his behavior only slitghly irritating and amusing. She nearly tripped over her own feet at her next thought. She had barely knew him for 24 hours and he already had her trust in him.

 

Cairma paused inside of her room that she did not share. She reached out and pucked up Beast from where she had last left it. beside it was two different lathes of equal size. one with twise the wieght and one of equal weight. Picking the second along with Beast, as she took It everywhere, she pondered a little on that last thought, and muttered her own curse. "Light Curse the man if he betrays me.." There was an odd current of death on her breath as a smaller part of her wrestled out, but She pushed it back along with her other pains. Stepping back out into the Yards she headed towards the tree that she had chased Aran into, ignoring the whispers of those that had seen her earlier.

 

Nearing, Cairma nearly burst into laughter as the sight of Aran. Thankfully she held it in, but she still smiled brightly. The short Cairhien was posing near the Tree. Not just standing there, but Posing, holding his lathes like a threatening noble who, so Cairma would have thought, was unclear on his sexuality. Exacerated and feminine. Setting Beast in the rack on the edge of the yard, Cairma walked up to him with a bright smile.

 

"At last we understand eachother." She bowed with a wink of her own, saluting with her own lathe. "So, Mistress Aran, what are the rules of this engagement?"

 

 

Cairma Vishnu

TG

Aran laughed at her greeting, it seemed like she wasn't one to hold onto her anger which was always handy. Especially as he liked to push buttons, joke about and do all sorts of things which tended to... make people rather exciteable. Still, he'd adopted the role of the dandy so he would play it, or better still, adapt to her suggestion. Walking towards her, he stopped short of a few feet and spread his lathes low and to the sides as he placed his right foot behind his left and curtsied with a practiced ease that would make her wonder how he'd learnt to do it so if she wasn't trying not to laugh.

 

"Well, my Lord Vithhnu, thith ith my humble thuggethtion. Three toucheth, the uthual ruleth of melee. Firtht to three winth the bet." His lisp was shocking, but Aran managed to pull off the highly trendy speech impediment with a straight face. Assuming a guard stance that was more suited for a tapestry than actual combat, Aran held his left lathe low following the angle of his leg, while the other was held back and high.

 

"Whenever you are ready." Aran doubted she'd be fooled by it, but perhaps a little. After all, she might take into account that he'd said he was still drunk earlier on. Which he was, but not in a manner that would terribly impair his fighting. Still, he would let her make the first move.

 

Ladyth firtht after all.

 

 

Aran

Tower Guard

Cairma only shook her head to the man's lisp. A musing, or not, it put her off just a little as her heavy lathe came down on top of his. Aran's speed was comparable as he countered and danced around her hits. Arching the blade around her, she was always one step out of reach, one block ready. They battered back and forth for a while, until Cairma took one step closer and swung underhanded at him. Using the momentum of her body, he dance lightly around his sword, tagging her in his first effort of an attack.

 

She ignored his witty comment, as she centered herself a bit better, using the momentum of her sword, she flow through the forms with great speed, and he danced along with her as they battled. She thought through his forms, as her foot scrapped along the dirt, her constant practice showing in her steps, but also, she was learning something new. Combat. It was one thing to practice alone, and another to practice with another. Moving through her own steps, her calculations pushes her a little more to the left or a little more to the right as she swung at him, hoping to catch him off balance without actually doing serious damage to him.

 

And then she saw it, like a choreographer from the sidelines, a small weakness that she knew would give her one shot. His 'fancy feet' catered more to one side than the other. And after a quick arched swing from underneath, Cairma used the momentum of the swing and brought her sword back around and right on the Aran's back end.

 

"Your mom should have disciplined you better." She smiled at his slight surprise. "Good boys don't deserve those kind of hits, only the naughty ones."

 

 

 

Cairma

Tower Guard

 

- Care to finish it off ;)

Expecting that blow he did not. Rubbing his backside ruefully, he had to laugh at her comment. It was good to discover a playfulness under her previous remoteness. Well, that and her previous rage but that was never going to last anyway. Part of his charm, his animal charisma, his sideburns, or maybe she was just a really nice girl. That seemed far more likely, or would have if Aran had possessed the time to think it over. Instead he was conjuring up a witty retort, being the witty retorting retorter of wit he was.

 

"You could always discipline me later if you want."

 

Smirking at her, she laughed in turn as she came at him again. Dancing about once more, Aran began looking for a way to end it all. He'd held back because he was playing, as quick as she could be with her Tower splitter, his lighter blades could easily outmatch her for speed, it was just a matter of the right moment, the right timing. He'd be patient as well, no point in spoiling it, and he didn't want to hurt her either.

 

Crouching as her lathe passed over his head, he leapt forward as she drew back to hack downward. Standing up even as she brought the blow down, he weasaled up close to her so he was inside her swing, passing around him as he kept his arms close to his sides. Tapping his left lathe on her chest, his left one reached about her back and tapped her on the back of the head lightly. A decidedly evil grin pasted his face as he spoke.

 

"You know, I think I have the perfect dress for you, but what colour do you prefer?"

 

 

Aran

Tower Guard

That flaming lightfooted fool beat me!! She knew she was beat fair and square as soon as she felt him touch her twice. That one shot on him was lucky on her part. The man was better than he let others believed he was, and she respected that. More so than she was going to admit outloud as he grinned at her. no point fanning his ego more than the bright smile on his face.

 

She pretended to sniff into the air, as if the loss was not her fault and that she just let him win. Trying to let the dawning that he was picking her dress not bother her. But light, this wasn't fair.... Bloody bet.

 

"Red, to match the pool of your blood if you dress me in anything sheer." She warned, giving a teasing wink, she strolled over to Beast, laying her lathe against it. "That is, unless you plan to dance every dance with me to ensure that i dance all night. i doubt that any one would want to dance with a tower guard dressed in blood."

 

As 'sadistic' as her comments were, she wasn't about to use that on him. That voice was well gone from her head. Although, if he DID dress her in Domani's finest, she couldn't guarantee that it would be like that for long..

 

 

Cairma Vishnu

No matter how she spun her words, Aran was aware that even though she was quite unhappy with the fact he'd won, she probably wasn't going to murder him. Yet. Of course, by the week's end, that might change dramatically. Of course, before the day was done, that might change dramatically. His mentees for the most part taught themselves with him guiding them from time to time rather than standing over them constantly like a number of mentors did. He didn't have wall duty anytime soon either, so that did leave the question of what he could do with his day.

 

And Cairma.

 

"You know, I just had this crazy idea Cairma. I feel like hitting the shops, maybe looking at a few dresses, and I have this feeling that you should come along with me, even try a few on. That way we can get your measurements and see what styles and cuts really capture your figure."

 

His grin growing even wider, he prudently decided to take a couple of steps away seeing as she had her sword in hand. "I'll meet you by the eastern gate, and we'll go from there. Why, we might even make a day of it!" Laughing, Aran walked to a nearby rack and depositing his lathes there, proceeded to make his way to his room in the barracks. He'd need a few things before they left, like his cloak.

 

 

Aran

Tower Guard

As unhappy as she was at loosing, she wasn't in the mood to indulge his antics quite yet. Cairma looked at him as he smiled, mischief in his eyes. That was never a good sign with him, or so she was slowly begining to learn.

 

"After loosing to you, i truely have no desire to be inflicted with the pain of trying on gowns of any kind." She smirked at him. "Instead, how about softening me up for that horrible blow by holding to your end of our bargin from the night before. I to believe you were going to teach me something useful. Unless your going to pull back on that as well. If you do, then there is really no point in me going shopping with you." Qui pro quo, darling Aran... that is all it is.....

 

 

 

Cairma Vishnu

 

Catching up!! now for that dance.. :P Crimson is already in the works... but not long enough.. yet... :P

Turning to Cairma, Aran frowned then grinned. "I did? Well, if you say I did I most likely did. But what though, there are plenty of things I could teach... Oh, now I remember. Go grab a pair of paired lathes that you're comfortable with, short lathes though. There are some people who think they're just wonderful wielding a pair of long blades in tandem but they're idiots. Hurry along now."

 

Retrieving the lathes that he'd been using even as Cairma went to pick out a pair, it wasn't long before they were facing one another armed once more. Twirling his lathes idly, Aran began. "I'm sure you've done this a fair bit before, but what I'm offering to do is help you hone your skills a bit. What I want you to do is come at me with everything you have. I'll not attack at first, then I'll start riposting occasionally, and I'll keep going until you're only able to defend."

 

"It'll give me a chance to see where you are at with your skills, and I'll know what I'll be able to help with. When you're ready of course though." Assuming a simple stance, the left lathe was slanted infront of him diagonally while the right was held back in a position ready to swing if need be.

 

 

Aran

Tower Guard