Fayth steps into the tent, pausing for a moment just inside to allow her eyes to get adjusted. She brushes a strand of hair out of her eyes and stifles a yawn, rolling her head around in a circle to relieve what must be tense neck muscles. She removes her shawl, folds it, and places it on the corner of the desk, moving a book or two to make room. She does all of this as quietly as possible, to prevent disturbing Claude.

 

The cold breath of air doesn't disturb Claude, neither does anything Fayth does. But still he takes a deep breath and his eyelids flutter. Shaking his head softly he opens one eyeball and asks simply, "What time is it?" (Claude)

 

Fayth removes the kerchief holding back her hair and places it on the desk next to the shawl before moving to the floor, making herself comfortable. "Late." She shakes out her head, curls of ebony flying every which way before settling in a somewhat orderly fashion above her shoulders, and stretches. She raises an eyebrow at him, and her voice grows stern. "Have you eaten?"

 

Claude grins lopsidedly, "Yeah, sure, if you don't get mad at me. Otherwise, no, not yet. I was busy." His heavy shoulders shrug, "Besides, I can go for days without food, you know that." His emerald eyes blink and he grins slightly. He can't help as his smile spreads at your curls flouncing all over the place.

 

Fayth wrinkles her nose at Claude. "You know that's no excuse. You should still eat." She sighs. "But luckily for you, I'm too tired to be mad at you." She smiles softly at him, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Busy making sure nobody finds out that you're not actually doing anything and tries to get you to work, you mean?"

 

Claude grins roguishly, "I prefer strengthing my mind into a lethal weapon to better hone my fighting and protection skills. But, hey. I'm a bit biased." He grins wider and laughs. "Besides, would you rather I be in the fields sending the new Yellows more work than they thought possible?"

 

Fayth laughs. "Aha, so -that's- what they're calling it these days." Chuckling softly, she shakes her head. "More work is the last thing we need. Did I tell you one of the clumsy accepted knocked over a candle today and nearly burned the tent down? Light, but I don't remember ever being that clumsy!"

 

Claude grins, "Well, I do seem to remember a certain accepted and her friend who did their fair share of pranks and other things. -Including- tying up one not to happy Gaidin." He gives a quick wink and smiles ear to ear. "Well, at least you aren't hurt and the accepted will probably scrub more pots than I've ever seen."

 

As her eyes glaze over momentarily, a small, rather mischevious smile slowly creeps onto Fayth's face as she reminisces. "We -did- do some crazy things." She  focuses

back on Claude and has the grace to blush, but only slightly. Waving a hand dismissively, Fayth shakes her head. "Nah. I went easy on her. It's not like she did it on purpose, and I know how nerve wracking it can be when you're in the company of -one- Aes Sedai, let alone three or four at once, and all of them shouting orders." She frowns before continuing. "But I did lecture her long and hard. After all, if she's going to be responsible for healing others, she may find herself in worse conditions, and she needs to stay focused."  (Fayth)

 

Claude chuckles softly and reaches out to give your shoulder a small squeeze. "I know you had to discipline her in some way. But remember that the teacher was once the student. And one day, that girl may surpass you in healing, and you may again be the student." He pauses and gives a knowing smile, "And besides..." he adds, "Three or four Aes Sedai barking orders is bad enough for warders, and we don't even have to listen to them." At this he breaks into hardy laughter, his head tilting back slightly.

 

Fayth can't help but laugh and nod in agreement. "So very true. I guess we can be pretty intimidating, huh?" She grins, flexes, and does her very best to appear as menacing as possible, even going so far as to growl. Unfortunately, she isn't very good at that sort of thing, and ends up coughing and sputtering for a moment. After getting hold of herself, she looks at Claude and shrugs. "Ahh well. So I'm not ferocious. But I am a bloody fine healer, and it's going to take quite a bit for that little slip of a thing to surpass me!" She crosses her arms and harrumphs, though the twinkle in her eye reveals her amusement.

 

Claude gives a knowing smile, "Well, I was trying to be philosophical. And I know she can't, you're the best healer in Salidar. That Nynaeve needs to drop her nose a couple

hundred steps." He smiles and scoots a bit closer. "And, you know, I surpassed my masters. It -can- happen."

 

In response to the compliment, waves of intense pleasure float through the bond. Fayth beams at Claude, and a faint blush colors her face once more. "Thank you. You're wrong, but thank you anyway." She reaches out and lightly brushes his cheek with her thumb. "And obviously you surpassed your masters, silly. You're the best. Nobody can beat the best...that's why they're the best." She rolls her eyes and smirks. "Duh." (Fayth)

 

Claude chuckles softly, "Well, you'd be surprised. Some of the boys I've trained might have a shot at beating me. Besides, they'd better hope they get close or they'll never become Gaidin." He snickers softly and then sombers slightly. A faint blush coming to his cheeks as she brushes it with her thumb. "You work too hard healing to say you aren't at least one of the best. All I ever see you doing is taking notes or draining yourself. The only time you ever eat or take care of yourself is when I'm around."

 

Fayth shakes her head but doesn't argue. "Someone needs to be taking care of these people. Otherwise everyone will be walking around sick or dying, and eventually there won't be anyone left. Especially in this cold...so many people go out unprepared. And if I stop taking care of all the broken bones from sparring, when it comes to the real thing we'll be short quite a few fighters." She shrugs, and smiles softly at Claude. "I guess it's a good thing I have you around, then, isn't it?"

 

Claude nods, "Of course it is. Now, speaking of food. You should eat whatever is left around here. Because all you do all day long is tire yourself out all day long. Eat. Warders orders."

 

Kiala brushes lightly against the flap of the tent, then pushes it open ever so slightly. Her hair is tied back into a tight bun, and her soft silk green dress shines with it's own strange light. She smiles slightly, taking in Claude and Fayth in the room before her. "Am I disturbing something?" she asks politely.

 

Fayth mock salutes her warder. "As you wish." She starts to stand, then pauses when she hears Kiala's voice. She grins at Claude. "Guess food will have to wait." Turning toward the flap, she smiles politely. "Of course not, sister. Please, do come in. We would be glad to have your company."

 

A series of low mutters follows Fayth inviting Kiala in and putting off food. He glowers slightly, then remembers his place, smoothes his features, and stands faster than one

would think possible, and moves to lie on the cot. "Good Evening, Aes Sedai." Claude says with a small bow before he lies down. (Claude)

 

Kiala smiles and enters the tent. She pays little attention to Claude as he moves, yet acknowledges his presence. "Good Evening, Gaidin." She smiles softly in Fayth's direction. "I had been hoping to have a meal with you, Sister," she says softly. "I brought some extra food, and some spiced wine along with me."

 

Fayth grins at Claude ruefully and shakes her head. "Why, that would be wonderful, Sister. Claude and I were just discussing putting some food in my stomach, weren't we?" She makes a great show of looking excited at the prospect of eating. She pulls the stool out to use as a makeshift table and gestures to Kiala. "Please. Make yourself comfortable."

 

Claude smiles softly, "Yes, we were at that." In the company of other Aes Sedai Claude regains his somewhat regal image and shifts on the cot, his braids shifting in place. He halfway stiffles a yawn and watches the two woman impassively.

 

Kiala gathers her skirts, and nimbly sets herself on the floor. She smiles at Fayth, and lays out the goodies from her basket. "I have stopped a lot of my old ways since attaining the Shawl, Sister. I no longer carry fowl to my belts. I fear that the blood will ruin my silks." She smiles mischiviously, then pulls out a few mugs from her pouch. She sets them aside and pulls out a corked bottle of spiced wine. "I brought enough for the three of us, expecting that your warder may have need of some food. I do hope you don't mind."

 

Fayth chuckles softly and nods in agreement. "Yes, blood does have a way of ruining beautiful clothing. And of course I don't mind. I think it's wonderful that you thought to include him. I'm not surprised, of course. You always were so thoughtful." She smiles warmly at Kiala, and gestures for Claude to join them.

 

Claude inclines his head slightly in acknowledgement and moves within reach of the food. Thanking Kiala as well, he sits quietly, an almost bored expression on his face.

 

Kiala smiles. "I am glad you thought so, Sister. I had always found you to be a grand teacher." She takes a cup and fills it with some wine, then pours the other two cups. She looks to Claude, then back to Fayth. "Perhaps some time soon I will find a warder. I could use the company." She stares into her cup softly and swishes the contents around.

 

Her expression softening almost immediately, Fayth reaches out and places a hand on Kiala's shoulder comfortingly. Allowing one somber moment to pass, she smiles, and if the smile is a bit forced, well, so be it. "You will have to find a very strong man to be able to keep up with you, Kiala dear. Though I'm certain that men would stand in line waiting for the opportunity to aid you on your journeys. And if it's company you're looking for, you are always welcome here. Always."   (Fayth)

 

Claude nods and stay quiet. He trys to pull his bored expression away and stares into his cup. The toe of his boot rubs into the ground softly, not loud enough to make any

noise.
Gaidin Claude: {Slim} A feeling of awkwardness flows through the bond.

 

Kiala shakes her head slightly. "I am sorry. Ever since Drennan died, I am not entirely myself." She takes a long drink of her wine, and idly pulls out a dagger from under her sleeve. She begins to trace circles in the dirt, and pours a little wine into the tracts. "In the past couple months, I have seen more Shadowspawn than most living people. And yet, hunting them is no longer exciting without a companion. But I do thank you for your company, my old friend." She smiles softly, and looks back to the circles in the dirt.

 

Fayth nods slowly. "I..." She shakes her head, reaching out for the remaining cup of wine. Her hands shake slightly, and she blinks rapidly, suddenly fascinated with the contents of her cup, bending her head so her curls hide her face. After a few moments, she raises her head and is all Aes Sedai serenity once more. "Exciting is an interesting term to use to describe hunting Shadowspawn." She chuckles. "One only you would think to use, I believe."
Aes Sedai Fayth: {Goddess} Sadness and Fear. Lots of it.

 

Claude shrugs his heavy set shoulders. He looks like he's about to say something. Then looks back into his face and works his jaw shut, obviously forcing whatever it was

out of his mind. He gives Fayth a look and sighs slightly.