Touch of Magic (attn: Sean)

[Astarte]

The warmth in the room had been increased due to her efforts in making various poultices and the additional presence of other people; the last had left to finish taking one of the containers of the finished products down to the storage and two more had been called away to see about tending to the injured who'd come in during the day. It had freed up the space and given her room to maneuver in a proper fashion without the risk of bumping into anyone else.

That suited her fine. She'd needed the space to thing and this was the first chance that she'd had to make that happen. Betrys took a deep breath as she poured out the hot water from the kettle adding it to a tincture she'd prepared to overcome the headache that had been pressing on her mind lately. Betrys had little time or chance to think about the conversation she'd had with Mirin and this...this was private as it really got for her at the moment. The work seemed not to end, the constant use and preparation of tonics, potions, salves and the various other things which were needed in the Infirmary kept her more than busy. Add in the needs of her own work in understanding and developing the One Power and additional skills like her horseriding and it was a long day with few hours.

The Black Ajah exists those simple words continued to haunt her and Betrys didn't really know what to do in order to make it better or resolve the conflict and concern that seemed to be ever-present at the moment. She lifted up the cup and allowed the heat of the cup to penetrate her hands before she sipped at the liquid slowly, turning about to head for one of the few stools present in the stillroom preparation area and calmly (or as calmly) as she could and making herself comfortable.

[Sean]

The emerald cord dangling opposite the freshly minted Dragon pin added a notable weight to Valadin’s attire. Getting dressed in his new quarters was an…experience.

Most believed the Green ajah to be little more than temperamental warmongers with little use for words or culture, but Val quickly found his new brothers and sisters were far from thoughtless. Yes, there was a bond forged in fire and blood between them—many carried marks from their years of service to the Light, yet when they laughed the mirth reached their eyes and when there was heat in someone’s voice it was something to be feared. Drink may have been the catalyst for witnessing such a wide range of emotion from Aes Sedai and Asha’man—or it may have been his finally becoming one of them—but in a sense Valadin felt he had never truly known what lay behind those ageless countenances before joining the Green. Now strolling through the courtyard overlooking the portcullis leading towards Elman’s Creek, he found understanding in the bearings which had been perceived as arrogance.

Soldiers and Dedicated alike eyed him warily, gaze shifting from him to the cord at his lapel, all while feigning respect. It meant nothing. Their pandering was as meaningful as when the other Ajahs played for political influence within the safety of the Grey Tower; there was war waiting for all of them. That few others beyond those of the Green could not see it was vexing to no end, but Val knew only those who’d seen the trials of the Great Stair could understand what it meant to encounter life’s realities. That was what it meant to be Asha’man or Aes Sedai.

During his thinking he paid little mind to where he was going and soon found himself before the Yellow Ajah’s apothecary. Never having a head for medicine other than helpful brews fed to animals the place was foreign to him. In the past the stern, admonishing stares of the Yellow sisters served to quiet and subdue him, but as an Asha’man he met those gazes confidently.

“Light shine on you, Asha’man,” a woman greeted after a standoff yielded in neither side relenting. The yellow shawl about her shoulders explained the wintery reception. “What brings you to the Healer this morn?”

“Greetings Sister,” Val replied, inclining his head in a cursory show of respect; Aes Sedai and their bloody pomp. “I’m told one of the Accepted spends her time here—Betrys Cadawaller?”

A mysterious expression clouded the older woman’s expression, but the wrinkled smoothed away like sands in the desert, replaced by the unreadable Aes Sedai calm. Saying nothing further she led Valadin through a serious of corridors. From the outside the apothecary seemed little more than a hut, but its interior housed rooms of varied size and purpose. Some were in disrepair from disuse while others saw frequent care or traffic. All of this provided little interest to Val; he was only here to see his friend…if they were still such.

Reminded of how long it had been since they’d broken words—of how he’d left her at the Tower courtyard, nerves began to swim beneath the aloofness of his demeanor. Finally the Aes Sedai stopped before at a door set away from the commotion near the entrance. When the woman rapped gently it made Val wonder what exactly took place in such secluded sections of the building.

“A visitor. Calls ‘imself…” Val supplied his name when she turned to him with a raised brow, “Valadin Manelle of the Green Ajah. Says you know him.”

Overtly displeased with something, the Aes Sedai huffed on her way past him, but stopped after a steps. “If she’ll see you the door will open. If she will not then you’d best see your way elsewhere. This is a place of study and healing—do not interrupt the Creator’s work.”

Not bothering to wait for a response, the frumpy Sister hobbled down the maze of hallways leaving Val in front of the door where he guessed Bee would welcome or turn him away. Strangely the occurrence of either scenario bothered him little. Once he had fretted losing what few friends he could make, but now having the only person he needed in this world there was little that could inspire such concerns in him.

Still after almost a year of not seeing Betrys there was curiosity of what feelings would stir at the sight of her.

[Astarte]

It had been a year of...change. Yes, a good one. A kind one and less offensive than some of the ones that Betrys could have picked under other circumstances but it was one she preferred to use as much as possible whenever she actually gave it any consideration to do as much - she tended not too.

She'd changed though, that much had been noted. Betrys had seen a distance begin to widen between herself and her oldest female friend, Mirin. Betrys had accepted it because Aes Sedai were certainly not meant to mix with Accepted on a social scale; not that it made it feel better to understand that being the case. Of course, Betrys was also certain that getting into trouble and having adventures was always going to be be among her fondest memories of her time here at the Grey Tower and it was certainly going to mean the latest batch of Novices would need to be especially creative to pull the wool over her eyes of her friend. When Mirin had told her about assuming the position she'd been surprised but proud. They so rarely got to speak with one another.

Aside from her congratulations there hadn't been much more than that.

Even though Betrys had wanted to ask more, she really had. Especially in the wake of the revelation about the Black Ajah. She was still not sure about what she should do about that...if anything.

When one of the older (though the term was rather useless) Aes Sedai informed her of who was calling, Betrys felt her heart sink and then flutter dangerously. It had been...so long, long enough that she had started to believe herself able to handle the loss of Valadin.

For a while Betrys considered not allowing him entrance but that would be wrong and instead she nodded and released the lock on the door, stepping away as she put down her cup and took in the appearance of her friend. Another lost one. She seemed to have become a woman surrounded with the ghosts of lost friends and it hurt her each time there was any reminder, at least Mirin had never been as cruel as Valadin had become - at least her reasons had been real and offered freely. Valadin had never bothered with providing her with that courtesy and that had cut the deepest of all.

"Valadin...congratulations" she stated, a reply made in polite terms and meant kindly as she took in his new appearance and Betrys was happy for him, happy enough to allow some flicker of her smile to appear on her face in response to his presence.

[Sean]

The door opened. Val hadn’t been expecting that.

Truthfully in those nerve tingling moments before the young man on inside the dim-lit room became visible he’d already been resigned to turning around and continuing on with his day. Part of him still clamored to flee the dismal hallways.

The year had been generous to Bee. Clothed in a modest smock dotted with substances that gave off an earthy odor she was young, pretty, and strong; the way he’d always seen her. Now the stammering girl he’d come up on the Tower Gardens embodied those traits more than ever. Pride bloomed in his chest though only a slight curve gave any indication of the feeling.

“Good to see you as well Bee,” Val answered, edging past her to enter the study without waiting for invitation. If she threw a fit that would be fine. After all they were due for a fight after so long.

The chill in her voice wounded and that surprised Valadin. After attaining the Green cord and the fast approaching time to share his life completely with the woman who had made him strong during days when he hadn’t the strength…Val had thought little could bring his heart to hurt. As ever, Betrys Cadawaller surprises ‘til the end, he ruminated with bitter humor. Casting his eyes to take in what was presumably a workplace he found his brow bunching into a frown as he noted the staleness of the air. Near the far wall a table was laden with various tools for mixing poultices along with a significant spread of herbs and ingredients. From the lowness of the candles burning weakly in the corners of the study it was obvious that Bee had been working for a considerable amount of time.

“So this is where you waste away the day.”

It was a statement to himself, but he meant her to hear the disapproval in his voice. In the confined space Val could hear how gravely his voice had become; the results of shouting orders to unruly Dedicated and calling patrolmen to attention. The mountain guard frequently called upon him now for their rounds and he obliged them though nothing of note took place most days. There was still the men in the Mountains of the Mist from that time with Kiellan and Daelar, but between new responsibilities, Nykk, and the ceremony there hadn’t been time to delve into the matter.

Strange to think there was a time not far off when the only concerns were for horses and which flowers were available for picking in the nearby meadows of Hama Valon.

Lowering himself onto the countertop of an unoccupied Val forced himself to look Bee full in the face. Being as big as he was, the area felt like a cage and the earlier instinct to escape to the open air outside stubbornly returned. “You went and became pretty despite locking yourself away,” he commented, flashing his teeth in a half-smile. It faded as quickly as it had come.

Humor didn’t fit his mood and he doubted Bee had much time for it either. So be it. Let’s have it out then, the voice in his head muttered.

“How have you been?” Bloody coward.

[Astarte]

She wasn't planning on being cold or cruel but he had been the one who'd been doing the walking away when they had last been together and Betrys had respected him enough to choose not to push the matter. It had still hurt each and everyday when he didn't bother to at least leave a message or even just spend a passing moment together, the Grey Tower wasn't a terribly large place for those who knew one another and actually wanted to run into each other. So, his absence had been telling.

Betrys might have spoken to Mirin about it but that seemed wrong and she trusted no one else to share in her pain. So, she had buried it under the mask that was worn by an Accepted and now...now, by an Aes Sedai.

Not that Valadin would know that.

He'd not been interested enough to even care about checking on her health, like when her arm had been broken during the training in horsemanship or her assumption of the role of teacher and even the time spent here. Time she liked and appreciated, here she was valued and...respected? Although Betrys kept everyone at far more of a distance than she had done before, there were times when she still managed to smile and have some fun but she didn't allow anyone in.

Betrys had enough pain.

She didn't really need anymore to risk damaging her heart behind all prospect of repair.

"I'm nae wasting a thing here. Nor am I solely here ALL day, either! Which those who know anything of me are aware. I work in gardens and teach...not to mention tending to the wounded when I'm called on..." her voice trailed off as she looked up at him. Even with all the changes in her appearance and body as she finally matured, she had gained no height but Betrys had filled out, though she'd never be curvy or buxom, her frame would always tend towards slim and given her habit of missing meals it wasn't likely to change. The dark hollows under her eyes and the shadows that rested in them as a result of the experiences which she had endured made her very different from the girl she had been. But she was still there.

The braid and the direct attitude that had always been Betrys "Seems like we both been finding our ways of keeping busy" she commented and calmly wiped her hands down the surface of her smock, noticing the stains and such, Betrys turned her back to him and considered removing it but instead merely watched him as he settled down on a relatively clean surface.

Relatively. There might well be an interesting stain later on but the laundry was no longer her concern.

"Pretty? Clearly yer here cause ya head as been based in, right?" she shook her head and then snorted "How hae I been? Well...working, busy. Those sort of things. Why what else would I have been Valadin Asha’man? Clearly yer been tending to those who are far more important than a brewers daughter from Andor..." Betrys replied, only just managing to hold onto the remaining tattered edges of her temper, born from pain it was...

It was so hard.

"...is that why yer here? Make sure I'm well?" was that hope there? Had he decided to respect her choice to remain his friend, he had he finally remembered her...? Betrys almost silently cursed her self for that being the case, that she could still look and see the best in him. The man she regarded as a true friend (like Mirin) and more, not that the more mattered. Betrys had begun to accept she'd be alone - while she'd heard others Sisters discussing Warders and such but Betrys wondered if that wouldn't be a bad idea.

Still, she wanted to travel and see the world but there was time...and this was not the right one to start on that line of thinking.

[Sean]

The explosion had been what he had come for. A roundabout method of seeking atonement after forsaking the part of the old Valadin that he still wanted back; the part that longed to belong. Betrys had been that for him…she stood at the front of a clutch of Tower friends who had provided distraction when everything became too much. Being a channeller had never truly sat right with him, yet if it meant that people like Bee and Kiellan were with him then things were…alright.

Meeting Nykkolaia had changed him. Loving her had reinvented him. The path to becoming Asha’man allowed for his heart to beat for only two things; the sword and the scarred woman who had saved him from the dark loneliness. Just those two things.

Bee’s voice emptied out into the empty hallway, lingering a bit before fading away. Doubtless some vain Sister will soon come along to hush our racket, Val thought sourly. Returning his attention to Bee herself he noted the reddening of her cheeks, the squaring of her shoulders, the flatness of her heel and his mind—body as well—fell instinctively into the pattern of assessing the potential means to defend himself. Have we grown so distant? The question spawned a wave of shame and Val sighed as he ran a hand through the bedraggled dark locks of his hair. Preening was another habit that had needed to be let go.

Then something made him frown. She had known that he’d become Asha’man.

It was too soon for the larger population of the Tower to know of his appointment. Spending little time with anyone save for Nykk and those of his Ajah that anyone else knew was suspicious. Another quick survey of the vexed young woman before him reminded of whom was being suspecting; Betrys was not the sort to snoop about or play the petty little games of the other Aes Sedai. Even if she did it was of no import.

“Will you sit and talk or should we take our disagreement to the Warder Yards?” Val heard himself ask scathingly. The words were too cold to have come from him. She was still close to heart. He knew this, but also knew there was no room for confused feelings. The Shadow was out there. Nykk was his and he hers. Tarrying between romances was not something a warrior of the Light could afford to entertain…

Yet this was Betrys.

“My apologies,” he conceded, raising his hands in a show of surrender. “It appears that my coming here…it was a mistake.”

Taking to his feet he made as if to go to the door, but stopped when he drew close to her. He wanted to swallow his pride. He wanted to throw his arms around her and tell her that he hadn’t meant to shirk her friendship, needed to explain that their predicament wasn’t her fault. He wanted to tell her these things, but only managed to stand there with his hands dangling uselessly at his sides while he stared down at her angry face.

Those grey eyes hadn’t changed. The color of slate and every bit as unyielding. That had always been the most intriguing feature about the Novice he once knew. Soon it would be his thirtieth winter. Time was slowly passing him by…stripping away the things he’d once been so fond of.

“Did it hurt when you realized I wouldn’t come calling after you?”

Age did not always come with wisdom, but at this intersection of life much had become clear. The damage he’d caused by being so mired in his own ghosts. How could he not have seen?

His hand came up to touch her cheek. “I am sorry,” he repeated. This time there was more…weight in the statement. She would understand what he referred to.

[Astarte]

She wouldn't explain the slip unless he asked about it. However, Betrys knew what a Asha'man would wear and she had always paid attention to the rumours (largely to scoff) and pieces of information that floated around the Tower.

While she'd never been as good as Mirin but Betrys remained informed about what was going on, spending so much time in the Infirmary meant she usually saw people at least once in any given period of time whether as the result of physical harm or in fact because of something much more simpler like a cold remedy or something to clear a headache from bothering them. Another reason why she enjoyed it so much "I doubt it would be a good idea tae try the Yards, wouldn't want tae folks seeing yer haeing a wee slip of a girl take yer down a peg or four..." she replied and folded her arms across the front of her body.

Betrys wouldn't choose to back down. She'd never been someone who would back down and that hadn't changed, besides once it would have been teasing and she almost wanted it back even if her efforts were rather stiff and uncertain. But whose fault was that? Betrys knew her cheeks would colour again, that was just something that happened - irritating but impossible to avoid in spite of her efforts to the contrary "It hurt that it was so easy for you tae...tae forget me...I suppose I wasnae interesting or important enough fer yer tae bother sticking around or just visiting me..." she stopped and took a deep breath.

Betrys was after all an Aes Sedai now, she could handle this.

She could.

"I made yer a promise. Seems like that wasnae enough..." she paused and took another deep breath, closing her eyes at his touch "I thought about yer, worried and such but yer were never here tae be tended too when I was here...so that were something and I listened tae make sure..." Betrys reached her hand up to touch his own with those delicate tapered fingers.

[Sean]

Remembrance spawned from the meeting of their hands. Valadin tried to tell himself that it was simply the fondness for a good friend that he was sensing, but his spirit yelled the lie back forcefully. He was Asha’man now; the Oaths bound him to truth without while his heart bound him to it within.

A choice had been made. No changing that.

Her words held the longing that had been missed in the time they’d known each other. The way she felt absolutely comfortable was somewhat startling...frank and to straightforward. Seems she’ll always be Bee no matter how she might grow. A calming if not saddening realization for Val knew he had changed. Whether for the better he could not say.

Saying nothing as he stood, taking in the sight of this young woman, knowing the pain she’d endured on account of him, Val didn’t remove his hand; he could at least give her this moment. Who knew what would come next to tear them from this tremulous instant in time?

As he thought this the frumpy woman from before darkened the doorway to the room, her fleshy jowls quivering indignantly. “Is this the reason you’ve come?! To harass working Sisters?!”

With ease the mettle of the Green returned and Valadin’s harsh gaze fell upon the sanctimonious cow, eyes flashing like burning coal.

“What I’ve come to do is little business of yours, Sister,” he sneered, body tensing in preparation.

Few people could have kept him calm just then and none were around at the time. A response was forming—he could see it. The parting lips, the furrowed brow, the hands knuckling the hips, all were signs that this Aes Sedai meant to make a statement—meant to attempt to put him in his place. Fool woman, all parts of him fumed in harmony. With feral grace he had left Bee where she stood and was now at the door, his large frame filling the space and making the Aes Sedai crane her neck to look up at him. As a Soldier, nay, even as Dedicated he’d never dared to defy the word of these infuriating hags and their pontificating, but no more. He was Asha’man! A Green at that! No more words! No more scorn!

“Either you make issue of this or return to whatever is you were doing.” The statement was delivered preemptively in a low and stiff tone.

Glad to have worn the Dragon pin and Cord on this day Valadin stood there matching glares with the aged Sister, reveling in the mounting tension; this he was used to. The only thing that would have been better is if she had come at him with a knife in hand. A gratifying fantasy that made him wish for it to be true.

Sniffing the woman peeked around him, making of show of ignoring his presence though with some difficulty as she tried to find Bee past his size. “Sister Cadawaller, if this…churlish brute is causing any trouble for you, I’ll have a Tower Guard waiting not far from here. Just give a shout.”

Of course the message was meant to for him. This was made clear since she didn’t wait for Betrys’ answer before huffing and turning up her nose before trundling down the empty hall while Valadin’s eyes tracked her progress until she was out of sight. An incredulous chuckle shook him and a jibe of how milk-hearted the Sisters of the Grey Tower had become nearly dripped from his tongue when it dawned on him that the woman had referred to Betrys as ‘Sister Cadawaller’.

Turning slowly at first, Val rounded on Bee, the question on his quirked brow. “You? You’re Aes Sedai?”

[Astarte]

This wasn't exactly what she had wanted one of the other Sisters who worked here to walk in on, though neither of them had actually done anything wrong. She was no longer a Novice or Accepted to be bound to avoid the company of men should she want to do that. Not that it had been an option which Betrys had actually considered since being Raised to the Shawl and what had just happened...that had been innocent and probably far less than what some enjoyed between siblings.

None of which removed the flicker of guilt and shame that caused her cheeks to brighten to a bright red "It be fine; he isnae causing harm or hurt. Besides I can handle it" she insisted. This hadn't been the way Betrys had pictured their reunion, true some had been more fantastic than the others but that didn't remove her imaginings from running all over the place in some of the wilder moments of what Betrys had thought about in respect of Valadin and their friendship.

He had said sorry.

Perhaps mentioning she'd been Raised would have been a good thing but there really hadn't been a good time in their previous conversation but...now the cat was out the bag and she had to deal with it. Betrys smiled gently "Aye, is there some reason I wouldn't be one? At least eventually...I'm one of the Yellow Ajah" she added, though it was probably fairly easy to guess "Always found it to be the right place for me. I could lose myself in work and it felt..." Betrys shrugged, she might have run here in the first place to spend time working herself to the bone so her mind couldn't dwell on things that she couldn't solve.

Betrys briefly looked down at her hands and then back to him "I'm happy" she added. The Oaths bound them both but honesty and sticking to the truth wasn't something that caused her problems and none of the others had really come up yet.

[Sean]

Standing there in the doorway with only the room’s dying candlelight and the leftover illumination of the sunshine from hallway to see by, Val felt mistrust fight its way to the surface of his thoughts. Aes Sedai were worthy adversaries—women of keen intellect, cunning, strength and shrewdness. Some were even fine warriors if Miahala Ives was to be considered any example. Many things they were, yet friend was not usually counted among this number; not wisely so.

Like daggers doubt cut into the fleeting instance of trust they’d shared earlier. The sensation of her touch on his hand, the softness of her cheek against the calloused skin of his fingertips...

“You should always seek out your happiness. Tis’ what all folk should do though few’ll be fortunate enough to find it.”

A clumsy line he knew, but the dizzying combination of discovery and suspicion left little room for clever quips. Maybe it was the shadows of the room playing tricks on the eye, but at his words Val believed Bee winced. The hurt was there for only a heartbeat before Aes Sedai serenity swallowed up all vestige of emotion leaving behind a hardened woman. Of all things Val felt pride at the young woman’s development.

Running his hand along the wooden ridges of the doorway he noted signs of overuse. Telltale marks suggesting that someone made use of this small closet more than was healthy. A look over the shoulder at Bee placed her in the same spot. A curious eye studied her appearance not for the first time since their reunion and Valadin decided he rather liked the matured farm girl—aside from being Aes Sedai of course.

“So here we stand…freshly minted in our advancements,” Val mused, a dark smile playing on his lips while his back leaned against the nearby wall. Wrinkling his nose at the heavy scent of fermentation the desire to move this conversation elsewhere inspired the want for a change of scenery, “Perhaps we celebrate our success over a pint?”

Ale would serve to melt the ice between them. Failing that it would at least make all this mincing about with uncertainty somewhat bearable. How Kiellan could ever be satisfied with bandying words about with venal sycophants was a wonder; better to cleave something right and good or burn it out of existence with the cleansing fire of the One Power. Saidin stirred at the edge of consciousness in what could easily have been mistaken as approval.

Folding his arms over his chest, Valadin watched closely for signs of another tirade. Of anger. Sadness….anything, but the apathetic glare fixed upon the face he’d regretfully abandoned a year ago.