Two Guys and a Hiatus: A Bells and Brawn Adventure

[Chris]

Nathaniel Carridus, Asha'man of the Blue Ajah All things considered, Nate felt like he'd managed to come off quite lightly from the back of his experiences at the Black Tower. He wasn't the sort of person to let his past define him, and any negative experiences he simply rolled with and absorbed into his psyche. He'd survived Viadulo and he didn't let that bother him, becoming Asha'man soon afterwards. What was a bit of Compulsion and a kidnapping after that?

Nate couldn't say he was particularly pleased with his brother though, and he was sure he had some choice words for Reuben when they next met. For now though, he was glad to be back at the Grey Tower, where he definitely felt like he was home. The Healing had taken its toll on him and he'd been asleep for some time, but then he'd recovered and after some sessions with the Yellows to test his memory and to ask what exactly had happened, Nate was free to do his own thing. Whatever that involved.

It actually involved conversations with the Head of the Blue Ajah, who after talking to Maever decided that Nate wasn't a runaway and he was good to return to the Blue Ajah as before. As someone who generally spent a lot of time outside the Grey Tower, his absence wasn't going to be noted by most (he hoped).

But there was one person he definitely had to talk to and that was Bells. Once Nate was back on his feet and allowed to return to his regular duties, he made sure to go find the man. Nate wore his Asha'man uniform, though now he was quite glad he could deviate from it when he wanted, so the coat was worn open and underneath he wore a thin blue shirt, laces open. He left his hammer in his room for now, though he'd spent plenty of time practicing with it and he wanted to throw some lads around the yards for extra training when he could. He could run it by Alrim, see who the best person to speak to about that was now.

"The Gaidin Captain?" one of the Novices asked when Nate enquired after his whereabouts. Huh. That was new, but then it had been some months since he'd gone missing in Mayene.

"Sure. Is he around?"

"He should be in the Yards, if he's not out on Tower business with his Aes Sedai." Huh, that was new too. Seeing his expression, the Novice began to add "his Aes Sedai is-"

"It doesn't matter. I'll find him." Nate stomped on his continued mission to find his brother in arms, ignoring the jumbling in his mind at the idea of Bells not only being Gaidin Captain but also having "an Aes Sedai". Whoever that was. Nate didn't want to focus on that part, he wasn't sure he'd like what he found or how it made him feel. No, he first of all needed to find the bloody man, wherever he was. What did Gaidin Captains do with their time? He could be teaching, or in his rooms. Nate squared his jaw and went to scout out the yards, finding that his first guess was the right one. There was a small group of trainees who looked to be cleaning swords, and Alrim was supervising them. There was probably a knack to it, something Nate had never really bothered with; his hammer had different requirements and was less likely to cut him open when cleaning it.

He didn't know whether or not Alrim was aware of his return, and suddenly as the man caught sight of his brother the burly Blue faltered, not really sure what the appropriate thing to say was in this sort of scenario. Still, there was a lot to be said for confidence and Nate had plenty of that, so he put on a grin and made his way over between the rows of busy students.

"Bells!" he greeted the man, putting his hands on his hips and looking down at his friend. It was good to see him, very good. He'd missed the man in his time at the Black Tower, that was something that couldn't be helped. "It's good to see you. You free to walk and talk, maybe grab a pie? I was gonna send a Soldier with a note but, uhhh, I wasn't sure if you knew I was back, so... here I am." Nate wore his usual grin but there were a few nerves behind it, something only someone like Bells might actually pick up on.

[Andy]

"Kelly I swear to the Light that I will make you get your blade up in time if it kills you. We can arrange a resurrection if required" he barked, his frustration finally cutting through into his tone. Normally he had a good amount of control over himself whilst training the Ji and Drin but tiredness had sapped some of it away and what had been left had been battered for several hours by one Ji - a promising one but a lazy one. Perhaps the fact that she reminded him of himself played a role. He wasn't sure anymore. Duties were duties and they seemed to pile ever higher. Especially since the damned White Tower fiasco, burn me it's left a damned crater in the world and we're picking up the pieces he mused to himself darkly, ending the training session with some directions for further training before sitting down to rake his jingling hair back across his scalp. He had tried to pinpoint when things had started to go wrong with the world. The Citadel, perhaps. Events had escalated and seemed to quicken in pace from then on. Wrong was the wrong word though, many happy things had happened to him since then - one in particular - but as for the lands...it felt like they were still waiting for the real events to take place. It'll be the Black Tower and the Blight next I swear. Seanchan. Whitecloaks. Sometimes I wish we could wipe the whole bloody thing awa- the mental grumbling continued until he saw what he thought was a ghost at first. Blinking and rubbing his eyes did not make him vanish and so it was without really hearing the giant's words at first that he picked his brother up into a hug that barely lifted him off of his feet before he gave up and let him go, looking him over with a quick eye. "I thought I'd never see you again! You have," he started before cutting off, "I tried to...no I had no idea! Buggers kept that quiet I'll have to knock some heads for that. I'd love to have some pie. You sure you're okay?" The words came one after the other as if from a burst dam. He had lived for a long time with the guilt of losing Brawn in Mayene. A terrible failure and one he wished he could correct by going back in time sometimes. The man's smile seemed more strained than he remembered, but perhaps that was what Alrim deserved, he reasoned. He noted it but thought better than to push the matter immediately.

[Chris]

Nate There was a brief second where Nate had no idea how Bells was going to react but when the hug came the Blue took it happily, letting out a small noise of surprise when the man managed to get him off his feet, albeit briefly. Nate's return hug had involved keeping Alrim's feet on the ground.

"Bells!" he said again, just because he was so happy to see the man, especially because he wasn't mad. He wasn't sure why the man would be angry to see him, but he had disappeared without warning. Not that it was his fault, but there was no small amount of frustration involved for Nate and he imagined it was much the same on the other side of the fence as well. As the Warder agreed to pie and asked if he was ok, the Blue grinned all the more broadly and put an arm over his shoulders, pointing in the direction of Hama Valon. "Time for pie!" he announced, setting off at a walk. The trainees would be fine, he was sure.

"To be fair to the Yellows I spent a few days in the Infirmary before Maever signed me off. That's just normal for me though, eh? Go away for a bit, get hurt, come back and get patched up." Nate tapped his forehead with his knuckles, "surprised there's any brain left, number of times it's been knocked."

There was a more serious conversation to be had about where Nate had gone and how much Bells did or didn't know there. He didn't want to talk about it all that much but for Alrim he could and would, so as they crossed over the bridge into Hama Valon he took his arm back and shoved his hands into his pockets. "So, uhhh, I ain't gonna elaborate on this because it's not so fun. But Mayene- I went to the Inn to get my stuff and Reuben was there. You've heard of Compulsion, yeah? It's a weave that makes people do whatever you want. Turns out he's a good channeller with that stuff. I went with him to the Black Tower and ended up there for... a while?" Nate made a face. "Whenever I worked out a way to get round his Compulsion he added more, so I was trapped. Then we went out to the Blight and he did it one too many times, so my brain just went 'pffft' and shut down. Luckliy Maever and the Yellows sorted that out. Some of the Grey Tower folk were there at the time. Lucky how the Wheel weaves these things, eh?"

So that was that. "I'm open for questions now," Nate said. "But I'm sorry for what happened, I didn't mean to abandon ya." That was why Nate was worried, he realised; he didn't want his brother to think he'd let him down on purpose, that he'd gone away to spite him or because he didn't value him. It wasn't in Nate's nature to do such a thing and he was sure his friend knew that. Besides which, Reuben's disposition was a dodgy one at best even before he made his appearance, so him turning out to be a complete heel wasn't outside the realms of possibility.

[Andy]

There was a moment where he blinked a few times at the suggestion of pie. All this time and it was as if time were starting up again where it had left off, without the missing portions. He shook his head with a wry grin and eyed him for a few seconds after before following at a slow pace. He signalled that he was leaving and a suitable replacement slipped in quick enough - they all liked to take a hand at training, and if they didn't he put them on the rota by request to the Mistress of Training. "I always did tell you to keep your guard up, you never listened. One day I'll have to train it into you. When you're not off fighting injustice and darkness somewhere, that comes first just so long as you are around after" he said as they crossed the bridge, keeping the conversation light despite the unstated recent past looming in the background. It didn't take long after that really, a handful of seconds and Brawn was not his usual self. Hands in pockets and a less confident tone were not things he associated with the usually loud and headstrong giant. He listened intently, he owed his brother more than that but it was all he could do. A frown increasingly crept onto his face as the tale unfolded, his fists clenching and unclenching towards the end. He should have been quicker, smarter in Mayene. Killed the bastard before it had all happened. He knew it wouldn't have worked, traitor to blood or not killing family was always messy. Besides which he wouldn't have had much of a reason back then, not to go so far. Now though...well Reuben might turn up in a dark alley one day if the wheel saw fit. Alrim was quiet until Nate had finished, then he sighed and let the tension ease away some. "You didn't abandon me, and I never would have thought so. It was my job to protect you and I failed. I knew you had put up a fight. As soon as I was told your brother had turned up unexpectedly after your talk of storms I went to the inn and saw the scene. I should be thankful your too stubborn to be controlled but I'm not. I shouldn't have let it happen in the first place," he said, almost to himself, "and if I ever meet this Reuben I will make sure it never happens again" he returned his gaze to Brawn then and place his had upon his shoulder. "It took me a long time to get back to the Tower, had to travel normal half the way. Stumbled across Sadira halfway and then when I got back...well I couldn't get anything to happen to get you back. I'm sorry. I am glad you are back though, and that you are still you" "Come on Brawn, I think we might both be overdue a pie and a mug of ale...or ten" he said, setting them going once more towards that stall they had first visited so long ago. "Are you okay?" he asked gently, the man would know just how he meant it and he was perhaps one of the few who Brawn would fully, honestly confide in, "if you need anything if I can help I will. Gaidin Captain now," he scratched his chin and a smile crept back onto his face at a thought, "maybe I'll assign you a rowdy Gaidin or four, make sure you are fully protected when you're having your fun"

[Chris]

Nate Bells wasn't upset with Nate, and knowing that made the man heave out a relieved sigh. He didn't want the man to think he'd left on purpose, and knowing that wasn't the case cheered Nate up greatly. Though when Bells mentioned how long it took for him to get home, the Blue did cringe a little. He took for granted how easy it was to travel the world with, well, Travelling, and it never occurred to him that leaving as he had, had put his brother in a compromising position. At least he'd made it back in one piece.

They paused at the stall and Nate nodded at the vendor, a fellow he no longer recognised, earning a nod in return. Bells asked if he was okay and normally the man would just shrug it off or laugh and make some joke or other. For Bells though, Nate was not all that good at lying, and his posture faltered slightly as he gave a sigh lacking any ego or impatience, just fatigue. "I'll be alright. Easier to look back on it now than it was to deal with it, sort of like waking up after a bad dream I couldn't do anything in." Nate rolled his shoulders in an apologetic shrug, "it ain't your job to protect me, I'm not your channeller. And I should be able to look after myself," he added a tag grumpily. And just like that, that moment of opening up was closed, and he was back to being Nate again. It was a brief window, always was with him, but it wasn't something he did naturally.

Nate ordered three pies - a pie and a half for each of them - and took them with thanks, passing two to Bells. "No need for forks here!" He said, moving a few paces from the stall and inhaling the scent of the pie through his nose. Eh. It smelled alright, and tasted ok. Better than at other stalls, the Blue recognised that decent quality ingredients were used.

To be honest Nate didn't know what the Gaidin Captain really did, but it was a fancy title all the same. "Look at you, getting all responsible on me. They trust you with students? Good on you. But I wouldn't send any Gaidin my way, might be a bit risky for them and I ain't a Green." Not that a sword arm or three wouldn't be unappreciated, he was sure he'd find uses for them. It wasn't "fun" he had, he was doing important work! But Bells meant well, so the affable Blue remained so. Anyone else might have gotten a scowl, that was how Nate was feeling of late. "Sounds like you've had a busy few months. Nothing like a good bit of travelling to pass the time, no? Lucky Sadira was there otherwise you might still be making your way back." The name was thrown in discretely but if this was his Aes Sedai then he was worth knowing and for some reason it felt a bit odd to just ask outright. It left an awkward turn in his stomach but he could do nothing but let it roll in its own time.

He finished his pie before Bells so he took the second one back, split it in half, and offered the bigger piece back.

[Andy]

His smile stayed in place but his gaze flickered with concern for a few moments at the way Brawn seemed to shrug off his trials. He knew the giant better than that but he also knew it was useless to press - he could be stubborn to a fault. Better that he talked it through as and when he wanted. He was a brother and he would be there for him if he ever needed it. "You are a bother to me, of course I care about you. You're right, it's not a job. It's more than that," he said gently, "well...either way if you want to train up with that mallet of yours I could always use the practise" he said, leaving it at that and continuing on their way. And like that it was if nothing had happened and they were back to that first time when they had done terribly foolish things that had started them down the paths to here they were now. He still wondered at times if he should do something about those fighting circles. It would be a fruitless task but at least it would marginally respectful to try. He slipped some coin out for the food and took his own share happily. It tasted as good as he remembered. "Heh, I am hardly responsible. I do what I can but I'm not sure whether it's a good job or not. Mostly paperwork and chivvying things along. No one has complained much so that's a good sign. No one with bigger boots anyway," he chuckled, raking his hair back with a jingle, "maybe you'll end up Ajah Head one day. Got enough fire for it" he said, not entirely joking. "As for luck, yes, I have been very lucky. The Pattern saw fit to shine some sun upon me with Sadira. She has looked after me better than I could have hoped, and I her. I would say she was lucky too but we both know how testing I can be" he grinned at Brawn before looking into the middle distance. "She helped me back from a brink I could have fallen over," he said with fondness in his voice, "and now we help the world were we can. A far cry from when I was a Drin and almost walked away from the whole thing" "What about you Brawn? What's next for you?" he asked, taking the offered pie gratefully.

[Chris]

Nate Nate couldn't see himself at the head of the Blue Ajah. They were always banging on about picking the best people for a task, and it seemed to him like they were doing a fine job of that without Nate sticking his oar in. Besides, it would mean more meetings, more faffing about with procedures and policies, and the man really couldn't be doing with listening to self-involved Blues talking about their personal causes as if they were worthwhile or important. They were rooted in a personal investment, sure, but their aims were never entirely altruistic. Nate cared very little for those endeavors. "I don't think I'm so popular with my Ajah right now. They might complain if I push them too far in the right direction." The man tried to sound light and airy, but his frustration still managed to shine through. Sure, Nate had drive, but that was what made him not fit in with many of his peers. And he had more important things to do than to herd a bunch of goats; he pushed himself forwards in the right direction.

Nate really wanted to be happy for Bells, and to a degree he was. He knew that on the other side of that glass wall he was glad Bells had found someone he could protect and take care of and... love? Was that in the equation as well? He certainly sounded fond. And anyone who could help Bells when he was in a dark place couldn't be all bad.

It did occur to Nate that had he been around, that wouldn't have been an issue, but that guilt did nobody any favours, so he disregarded it.

Maybe it was the idea of him helping with world with someone who, by all accounts, had no real aim. Nate was a fairly judgemental about his fellow Blues and their ideologies, but Sadira - to Nate's standards - seemed to have none. And Bells thought it fine to Warder up with her when Nate had been there the whole flaming time, 'helping the world' and getting into trouble.

But you weren't there the whole time, were you? And why would Bells want anything to do with you anyway? Nate reminded himself. Check your privilege. You weren't an only child, stop acting like you can't share your toys.

During this internal dilemma with the green-eyed monster, Nate shoved the other half of pie into his mouth and ate slowly and deliberately, cheeks puffed out a little with the effort. It was good pie. "You ain't testing," he said a little more gruffly than intended, "stop putting yerself down." He couldn't, and didn't, trust himself to elaborate any further on the Bells/Sadira companionship. It was confirmed, and he was happy, so he would go away and deal with that in his own sweet time. No need to bring Bells down with it.

But he didn't know how best to answer the man's next question. What was next for him? Now he was at the Grey Tower he needed to work that out, and he had no clue what he was supposed to do. Carry on as normal and help people who couldn't help themselves, that was the ideal answer. But more and more it felt like there were political barriers preventing thus, not to mention how much (or little) his Ajah trusted him, regardless of how aware they were of his circumstances. He ought to do something to repair those relationships, but more and more the man questioned whether it was worth the effort, when ultimately everything he did, he completed alone.

"I guess," he said with a bit of a grunt, "keep on top of my hammer practice. Got a lot of that at the Black Tower. See if there's anything else I can do with reading the weather, got a fair bit of practice there too. Carry on travelling the place and fixing all the stuff that's wrong with people... places. Places. I don't know." It was all short term, and he had no clue what to do beyond the next few days. "I need to Travel around and pick up on those lose connections with my Eyes and Ears so that'll take a while. Got some leads about the Aiel acting kinda fully so I want to go check that out too." The hulking Blue wiped his hands on his trousers. He wanted to invite Bells along, to see if he was up for causing a ruckus somewhere, but the question failed to form. Instead, all he could think about was how he didn't want to interrupt his time with Sadira, and not in a companionable, understanding way either. That green eyed monster was going to be persistent.

Don't be weird. Stop being weird. Why are you being so weird? "I feel more human after that pie. Missed that at the Black Tower. That and your bells," he said with a forced grin. "You wanna go drink enough that we need carrying home? Have you tested that new constitution of yours yet?"