Claude slips in from the snow like a ghost. He smiles cruelly and slips off behind Fayth in the small tent. Grinning the charming, lopsided, roguish grin that tends to grace his features Claude pokes you softly in the small of the back. "Evening Fayth." He says casually.  (Claude)

 

Her head snapping up quick as lightning, Fayth frantically reaches for the inkwell to keep it from spilling. Taking a deep breath, she visibly calms herself before turning around in her seat, her face a study in calmness. "You know," she says, tilting her head up to look at Claude directly. "I wish you wouldn't do that."  She smiles and shakes her head. "Not that that's ever stopped you before..." (Fayth)

 

Claude grins roguishly and rejoinders playfully. "You know," he begins, "It's a good thing you have me around or someone's gunna take you while your head is turned." He

winks and flops down onto the floor, then rolls into indian position. "Good book?"

 

Fayth waves a hand dismissively in the direction of the book. "Absolutely fascinating, obviously." She grins back, then grows serious. "You're right, it is a good thing I have you around. I don't believe I'd be able to function properly without you. You're the center of my universe, the wheel that keeps me turning, the trunk to my tree, the...the..." Apparently unable to think of something more, she shrugs. "Well, you get the idea." It would almost have been a high compliment, if not for the excessive amounts of sarcasm. "Besides, anyone else would have made much more noise than you did."

 

Claude chuckles richly, "I'll take the last one as a compliment." He continues to chuckle to himself and then launches his most winning smile at you. "Aww, come on. You'll have to forgive me eventually." He yanks off the boots he was wearing and shoves his feet under him, "So, any news?"

 

Fayth snickers. "You know me too well. And the last was -meant- to be a compliment." She smiles tenderly, any signs of irritation completely gone, then shrugs. "If you mean news other than the big move, then no. I haven't been informed of anything. I believe we'll be moving at a slow pace, though. Doesn't seem as if anyone is in too terrible of a hurry."

 

Claude cracks his knuckles. "Well, I'm getting edgy. Haven't had on a good hunt or spar in weeks. And personally I wouldn't mind carving up a few pompous warders stuck in

their high and mighty tower. But whatcha gunna do?" He shrugs his heavy shoulders and tosses a braid out of his face. "Guess we're stuck with the group till then huh?" He sighs in frustration and then just shrugs again. "Spose I could start drinkin' again." He says with a roguish smile.

 

Fayth raises an eyebrow and narrows her eyes. "Oh, you could..." She smiles sweetly, her face as innocent as ever. "Actually, I've been looking for some patients with extremely rough hangovers. I've developed this great new concoction that I would -love- to try, but I haven't been able to get any volunteers." An evil grin spreads slowly across her face. "I've made sure it tastes just -wonderful- as well..."

 

Claude gags at the thought of that and waves his hands, "No thank you. You could just tell me not too, sheesh." He sounds sour, but his eyes are laughing. "You can do wonders with the one power. But I'll stay away from your concoctions." He gives you another wink and sprawls out on the tent floor.

 

Fayth laughs. "I thought we already determined that you never listen when I tell you not to do something?" She shakes her head ruefully. "And if you're really needing something to do, aren't there a million other brutes out there who brandish swords and need a whipping?" She grins mischeviously. "I can't think of anyone better suited to the job!"

 

Claude smiles at the compliment, "Yeah, yeah. But I'm sure you're sick of fixing up my messes. And I'll bet the other sedai aren't so fond of students they have their eyes on being showed they still have a lot to learn." He shrugs softly and then smiles wickedly, "Guess I'll just have to hang around you all day long."

 

Fayth lays the back of her hand against her forehead and leans back dramatically. "Ahh...a fate worse than death!" She winks, then smiles a wicked smile of her own. "We -could- use someone to help clean up all the blood in the tent...just a short while ago I saw a young man walk past here headed toward the Yellow tent holding his nose, and there was blood -everywhere.- I'm sure the rest of the accepted would really appreciate all your help!" She cackles gleefully. "Ahh. What a mental picture."

 

Claude grins a hidden smile, "Broken nose, huh? Well, okay, I did say I hadn't been in any -good- spars recently right?" His eyes smile along with him before he lets out two quick whistles and in through the tent barges the now fully grown, but still playful as ever pup. She jumps into Claude's lap and Claude wrestles with her until the pup is still, her tongue hanging out the side of her mouth. (the dog, not Claude.)

 

Fayth laughs and shakes her head. "Now that I think about it, maybe allowing you into the tent wouldn't be such a good idea..." She beams when Summer comes barreling in, and can't help but laugh as the two wrestle. "At least you won't have to suffer with just my company...Summer will still be here, and she thinks you're the biggest toy ever made! And if you get too bored, you can always take her out into the forest and 'hunt.'" She giggles, then kneels down on the floor to scratch Summer behind the ears.

 

Claude chuckles, "Well, at least one of the females in the tent -likes- my company." This said he commences to pin the big female down and wrestle again. After a little bit of this, he releases Summer. Who lunges for Fayth's feet.

 

Fayth grins and winks at Claude. Grabbing Summer on either side of her head, Fayth stares at her with a shocked expression on her face. "Did you hear that, Summer? Now what did Claude ever do to you to make you not enjoy his company? Has he stepped on your tail one too many times?" She tsks softly, then lets Summer go back to attacking her feet. Turning a serious face to Claude, she sighs loudly. "I'm really sorry to hear that, Claude dear. It sounds like you're stuck with me."

 

Claude laughs heartily and and shrugs, "Well, won't hear any complaining from me. But You are right. I would be a bad idea to let me inside the yellow tent." He smiles and pulls himself closer to the other two in the tent and ruffles Summers ears playfully.

 

Fayth giggles. "At least you're honest." She pushes the stool out of the way and makes herself more comfortable on the floor. "Seriously, though, do you really think you'll be very bored? I'm sure I could speak with some of the other sisters to see if perhaps we could find something that would actually enjoy doing. I'd hate to have you unhappy, and I'm sure you won't be the only restless warder."

 

Claude waves a hand dismissivly. "Don't you worry. I'll find something to amuse myself with. And I'll even be good too." He winks and unbuckles his swordbelt. Tossing it at an empty edge of the tent and smiling. "See."

 

Fayth rolls her eyes. "You, and good, in the same sentence. What is this world coming to?" She gestures toward the sword. "Though, how are you ever going to protect me

without your sharp pointy thing?" Grinning mischeviously, she snickers softly under her breath.

 

Claude rolls his eyes, "You know, if you spent more time watching me fight than watching the end result, you'd see I like to give the trainees a chance and spar barehanded." With that he breaks into a sing-song, gleeful laugh and hoists Summer into his lap. Scratching her on the belly.

 

Fayth raises her eyebrows. "You know, it's almost scary how much pleasure you derive from that...and maybe you're right. Perhaps I should spend some time watching you knocking some sense into the trainees. Make sure you aren't getting too old to be keeping people from 'taking me when my head's turned.'" She smiles to demonstrate that she's joking, then adds almost as an afterthought, "I have complete faith in your abilities. Pun intended."

 

Claude smiles, "Well, you didn't bond me for that anyways. Otherwise you'd be a green and I'd probably be dead. I think I got picked by the most eccentric Yellow ever spun out by the wheel." He's silent for a moment and then smiles geniunely. "Not that I'd change a thing, even if I could." He seems to dismiss the getting too old goad. But he does snort slightly.

 

Fayth smiles back broadly. "I'm going to take that as a compliment, as well." She blushes, but just slightly, and suddenly becomes fascinated by Summer's belly. "And to

be perfectly honest with you, I don't think I -could- be a Green, even if I wanted to." She smirks. "I don't have the stamina."

 

Claude gasps faintly and rolls his eyes, "Light, what would you need stamina for now....hmmm...?" He continues to scratch the big girl in his laps belly, making her do that

leg thing. Which only seems to amuse him more.

 

Fayth chuckles. "Oh, I'm sure I could find -something- that would require a bit of stamina." She snickers at the dog, then shakes her head. "You spoil her, you know that, right? Pretty soon she's not going to want to have anything to do with me unless I scratch her belly like you do." She shakes an admonishing finger at Summer. "Which I -refuse- to do, missy, do you hear me? At least not in public."

 

Claude smiles, "I -may- spoil her. But how can I refuse when she gives me those eyes? Besides, this one has more instinct in her than a pure blood wolf. And we both know she loves you more anyways." He chuckles, but he stops, and Summer rolls over. And jumps up into Fayths lap, completely covering up the book. Which only seems to make Claude snicker with true mirth.

 

Fayth giggles, and squeezes Summer gently. "Well, honestly. Can you blame her?" She slowly pulls the book out from underneath the dog, then reaches up to place it on top of the desk. Returning her attention to Summer, she tweaks an ear. "Honestly, dog. You're crazier than I am. It's no wonder we get along so well. Though, I must say, you're getting to be too big to be a lap dog!"

 

Claude grins, "Well, she may -hear- you. But I'm afraid she's spent too much time with me. She never seems to listen to you." Claude grins wickedly as Summer manages to half roll over to expose her belly and makes a soft playful yipp. Claude moves his legs, stretching them out and looks to the brazier. Realizing how warm it his he peels off his long coat. And relaxes in just his shirt, shaking his legs out to regain feeling in them.

 

Fayth snickers. "You're telling me. All your bad habits are rubbing off on her!" Speaking of rubbing, she moves closer to vigorously rub Summer on her now exposed belly, murmuring silly nonsense words, as if she were a young child. Eventually, she slows down, and proceeds to tickle her belly softly, almost absentmindedly tracing delicate patterns on her tummy, and giggling at the silly dog's expression, with her tongue lolling out the side.

 

Claude grins his lopsided, roguish grin. The gall of him, throwing all that charm about all the time. "It's like a sauna in here you know. -But- I'm not surprised you didn't notice, you had your face buried in a book and those notes you always write."  He tosses his hat at his coat and whips his shirt off over his head, and lies down on the canvas floor of the tent. He absentmidly tosses a braid out of the way, stretches, yawns heavily, and flexes. So, here he is, being a lazy bum on the tent floor at your feet.

 

Fayth begins to rise toward the brazier to control a bit more of the heat, then pauses mid-rise and raises an eyebrow. Leaning back on her heels, she nods slowly. "As a matter of fact, I -didn't- notice, but it had nothing to do with having my nose in my book. I happen to like the heat, that's all...And those notes will be very helpful in the future for...oh what am I talking about, I'm never going to win this discussion..." She smiles a secretive half smile as if sharing a private joke, then eyes Claude a moment. "Comfortable?"

 

"Well, as a matter of fact, I need a pillow. Any chance of getting one?" Claude fires back playfully and flicks a braid at your feet. He grins and his eyes seem to sparkle in the light. "Well, I like the heat too, but when you've been in the cold as many hours today as I have, you;d notice the difference." Yet, for all his complaint of heat, he isn't sweating at all. Yet another nifty warder trick he's picked up probably. (Claude)
 
Fayth chuckles and leans back behind her to the sleeping mat, and grabs the blanket. Rolling it up into as tight a ball as possible, she throws it at Claude, aiming for his head. As notorious as her aim is however, it flies well over his head and hits the tent wall behind him, the tight ball coming undone. Fayth shrugs. "At least you know that if you get too cold, you can always come in here and have me warm you up. And if that doesn't work for you as a pillow, I'm sure you could use Summer. I doubt she'd mind." She laughs, as Summer raises her head up and peers at her indignantly.

 

Claude grins charmingly and throws up a wink at you. "Well, I'd rather it was you, personally. No offence, Summer" He smiles and props his head up on the semi-rolled up blanket. "Oh, this is great." He winks again and flexes again, for warmth mostly, before relaxing and stretching with a heavy yawn, which as always just means he's being himself, and isn't sleepy at all.  "So, any idea when we get to ol' Tar Valon? I can't wait to start busting heads." His eyes show his curiousity, and even his face seems to be interested, which is different. Something about his look and a balled up flow of some jumbled, hard to place emotion that seems like concern and worry and excitement and anxiety and who knows what else all bundled up flows through the bond.

 

Fayth snorts in a most unladylike fashion. "At the rate we're currently going? Not anytime soon, I can tell you that much. Every single time some decision needs to be made, every single Sedai in the camp -must- be consulted, or they'll throw such a fit..." She pauses a moment, and breathes a bit heavy in an effort to get her emotions under control. "Not that I'm in -too- much of a hurry to get there, of course. I never look forward to bloodshed, and I'm certain that there will be quite a bit of that once we get there..." She throws a worried glance in Claude's direction before finishing. "...but that's what I signed up for, and I'll do what I can to make sure the tower is united again."  She shrugs.

 

Claude nods calmly and adds, "And I'll make sure that you can heal anyone who needs it and don't let anyone besides the wounded and our side get within ten feet of you. Just let them -try- and stop me." He nods vigorously and puts a hand to your knee, giving it a soft squeeze. A soft smile plays on his lips.

 

Fayth smiles back, and her eyes twinkle mischeviously. "I pity any man who comes within range of you and your weapons. I've seen you use those things, and I know I certainly would not want to get anywhere near you...especially if you were in a temper!" The complete and total confidence she feels in his abilities echoes up through the bond as she grins. "Besides. I'm a coward. I have no intention of even getting -close- to where any fighting might be going on."

 

Claude's mouth curves into a smile that mirrors the mischief in Fayth's eyes. "Well, either that or I could just clear a path for you to waltz safely up to the Tower, huh? There won't be much fighting in that path." He snickers to himself and gives your knee another squeeze before retracting his hand. Pulling both his hands behind his head, and showing himself off as he relaxes. It's almost amazing at how much he seems to do by expending the least amount of energy.

 

The corners of her mouth quirking upward, Fayth just shakes her head. "I'm not sure how much good I'd be able to do in the Tower...I'm not even sure there's going to -be- much of a Tower left by that time. Who knows what's been going on since we have been away?" She sighs, then waves a hand dismissively. Leaning her head in close and bringing her voice down to almost a whisper, she adds, "Especially since we're sitting here, not accomplishing much of anything."  (Fayth)

 

Claude chuckles softly and shakes his head. Braids splaying slightly on the make-shift pillow he rests on. "Yeah well, we can still hang around. Plus, you've got plenty of work and even though you never tell me anything. Your skills must be improving with all the practice the Yellow tents get. You're probably all developing some way to make us all live forever."

 

Fayth grows thoughtful a moment, as if pondering that very idea. She stands suddenly, startling Summer, and moves to the desk. She quickly jots something down, then plops back down in front of Claude again. "That's definitely a thought. I'll have to see about doing a bit more research on that." She grins suddenly as if a thought just came to her, and snickers at Claude. "You -would- know about all the practice we get, since most of the injuries we receive are from you! It's almost getting to the point that everytime a new one comes in, the sisters look at me and shake their head...as if their own warders don't do the same." She snorts again, and looks most amused.

 

Claude grins mischieviously and comments, "If it were me, I'd give them a whopping smile every time that means: 'Look at what my warder can do. What have yours done?' and then toss my head real cocky like." He laughs softly and gives you a broad smile.

 

Fayth grins a mischevious smile of her own, tossing her head real cocky like in a fair impersonation. Smiling almost as broadly, she tilts her head, eyes twinkling. "And tell me, my dear. What makes you think I don't do that already?" She raises an eyebrow questioningly, chuckling softly under her breath.