Two Different Sands [Attn: Kenneth]

[Leala]

There was something calming about walking on the streets of Hama Valon for Jhanic. He was not a naturally social creature, and there was a lot of movement in the Grey Tower, but there was something about the movement of a city that made him think of the clans in the Three-Fold Land. Everyone had a purpose, a place to go, and something to do. He felt as though he was finding his place too. But, today was a day to relax. He had a small bit of coin in his pouch, and the sword pin on his coat meant that he could come here without an escort. It had taken a while for him to get used to being treated like an irresponsible child when he had first come there at nearly thirty name days. He had understood that rules were in place for a reason, but part of him had riled at that.

Of course, after he became Dedicated, the new responsibilities and privileges that had come with them came naturally to him. He had simply moved up in rank. But, days like today, where his trainees seemed like they were fighting him, and his mentors no longer made sense, he needed to take a step back and think of something else. Washing his spears was no longer the only thing he could use to straighten his mind.

The sound of raucous laughter caught his attention. He was usually reserved, but perhaps it was time to put his spears down, so to speak. Jhanic walked into the tavern and was immediately met with what his mind interpreted as chaos. He was used to loud and happy members of his clan, making jokes and being happy with each other's company. But, he felt like it would be impossible to find his place in a situation like this. He very nearly turned around and walked out when he spotted a familiar face in the crowds. He had met the young Atha'an Miere when they were both soldiers. He was pleased to see that he had been raised to Dedicated as well.

Taesh had a smile on his face, as he had in the Gardens of the Grey Tower. It seemed like those around him were happy as well. Jhanic made his way through the crowds to his old friend and said, "I see you, Taesh of Star Song," Jhanic sat easily next to his fellow Dedicated. "What is good to drink here?" he asked. He wasn't well-versed in the drinks here, besides the too-sweet wine.

[Kenneth]

Taesh was newly Raised, and enjoying it. Before, as a Soldier he had been confined to the grounds of the Grey Tower. Now, having proven himself to at least be somewhat competent in wielding saidin and mature in decision making, the young Atha'an Miere was given leave to explore the city of Hama Valon. After passing through the Arches and receiving the the sword pin, Taesh had found a small pouch of coins at his door. So he had taken the coin, and came to the city that for so long had been so close yet so far.

His natural instinct to be among people having a good time had led him to a tavern. Before this he had never been in a tavern, only heard about them from other Seafolk, or the few dockmasters, deckhands and traders he had met at various ports. Their descriptions varied from place to place, but everyone agreed that the tavern was the social port of any town. So the dark-skinned Dedicated had made his way to the first tavern he came across and entered.

Immediately the noise and smell of the place overwhelmed Taesh's senses, and he had to stand at the entrance for a moment to adjust. Things could get rowdy on an Atha'an Miere ship, especially during a marriage celebration or after a great bargain was struck, but this was different somehow. Still, the laughter and light mood drew the Dedicated in, and he quickly found himself at a table. He was a new face in the tavern, and that brought him a degree of attention, the sword pin kept all but the most daring, or the most drunk from approaching him. A man too far into his mugs did attempt to speak, the conversation did not last long though. The man had called Taesh a lass several times, and not so discretely rubbed that Atha'an Miere under the table. Taesh allowed the man to keep creeping his hand up the thigh and find out exactly how much of a lass the Seafolk Dedicated truly was. It was the drunkards horror and confusion at the discovery of what he didn't believe should have been there that had set Taesh and those around him to laughing, just as the Aiel approached.

"I see you, Taesh of Star Song. What is good to drink here? "

Taesh turned, his smile brightening even more as he recognized the Aiel that he had met some time before in the Gardens of the Tower.

"Jhanic of the Thunder Walkers!" he exclaimed, clapping the Dedicated on the shoulder in greetind. "I see you" he responded, still attempting to truly understand the meaning of the greeting.

"I have no idea what to drink, I only just arrived. Couldn't rest well before that one" and Taesh pointed his head toward the glaring drunkard "decided he wanted to hold my spear." As the Atha'an Miere finished the statement he laughed, even louder than the other patrons around him. He remember that Jhanic had discovered that he could channel by what he could do with spears, and so it made the joke all the more funny to the young Dedicated.

[Leala]

Jhanic was impressed when Taesh remembered even his warrior's society. He was further impressed when Taesh used his greeting, if perhaps a bit too late. It was still appreciated, though. He followed his fellow Dedicated's motion to the drunk glaring at him from a corner. When his friend explained to him what had happened, Jhanic immediately thought of the jokes that his fellow soldiers had made before he had been raised. It made him laugh as well. "Well, if he tries again, and you don't wish him to, I will defend you." He had a smile on his face, but he meant what he said. He did not like the way the man continued to glare. Otherwise rational people transformed into someone other than themselves when they had too much drink in them. He would have to keep an eye on that one.

"To drink, hmm..." He had not had a good oosquai in so long, but he highly doubted the Band of Brothers would have it. Should he really drink, now that he could channel more deftly? He remembered something that a teacher had told him about the One Power being immensely difficult to wield when one. He would not overdo it. The atmosphere of the place begged to differ, but he would hold back. "I have been giving thought to trying ale," he admitted. Wine seemed to be the drink of choice in the Grey Tower, aside from tea, and he had already decided he did not like that.

[Kenneth]

"Well, if he tries again, and you don't wish him to, I will defend you."

Taesh laughed, feeling no real sense of threat from the drunkard, but still it made the Atha'an Miere happy that Jhanic was willing to defend his honor. From all the accounts he had heard and those he had read, the Aiel were incredible warriors and deadly with the spears. The young dark-skinned Dedicated silently hoped that the intoxicated man would not try anything more than glaring. They may have moved up in rank, but Taesh was quite sure that the Tower would still frown on two of its own being involved in a tavern brawl.

"I have been giving thought to trying ale"

Taesh gave the Aiel Dedicated an inquisitive look, one that was tinged with just a hint of mischief. He had never had ale himself, nothing other than water and tea really. The whole purpose in coming into the city of the Tower was to try new things, why not start with ale? The Atha'an Miere waved for one of the barmaids to come over, and he flashed her a brilliant smile.

"Two of your best ales," the younger man began, not really knowing what exactly to say "for me and my friend Jhanic."

The barmaid gave the two of them a suspicious look, until her eyes caught on the silver sword pins on their collars. Her eyes widened briefly in surprise before she nodded in acquiescence and moved to bar to fetch the drinks. Taesh noticed this and made a mental note of it. If I want to truly get a feel for this place, I will need to leave the coat and pin in my rooms he thought to himself.

"So Thunder Walker, how goes things with you at our great Tower?" he asked of his companion, the smile ever present on his lips and in his eyes.

[Leala]

Jhanic relaxed a bit when Taesh didn't seem too threatened by the man glowering in the back of the inn. Not completely, but he relaxed. Thunder Walkers were known for being hard-headed, after all. He made sure to keep his guard up and made a note to glance in the way of the man every now and then, just to make sure he hadn't moved. When the waitress came by and took their orders, Jhanic noticed that she hesitated a bit when the order was given. Well, Accepted were a bit easier to distinguish from novices, because their garb was clearly different. Dedicated simply had a bit of sparkle on their coats to tell them from soldiers. As long as she did not challenge them when their rank was discovered, he had no qualms with her.

"It goes well," he said with a smile for his friend in response to his question. "My studies go further each day, and each day I find something new to focus on. I have reclaimed my spears as well. Studying them has helped me quite a bit in understanding Aligning the Matrix. I hope I can use it to help someone else one day. I've also been designing ter'angreal...I suppose I should try some of them out eventually. What of your own studies? I know you were recently raised, but surely you've thought of what you'd like to focus on?"

[Kenneth]

Taesh listened to the Aiel, remembering their first conversation. It made the Atha'an Miere smile, knowing that Jhanic had found his place and niche within the Tower. Taesh's particular skills were not so focused on applications of the Power as much as they were negotiations, but still the dark skinned Dedicated felt that he had also found his place.

"Soothing rough seas my friend, that is what I do best. I don't think I've touched a ter'angreal more than twice" Taesh said laughing. When he had taken one class on ter'angreal the Indigo who taught the class had warned the students about the dangers of the objects, and how they were not to be trifled with. The Aes Sedai had allowed the class to hold a harmless one, it could provide a small space with heat, but when Taesh had got it, one of the Soldiers had made a loud sound, scaring the sea-faring channeler. Thinking back on the incident Taesh could enjoy the laugh, but at that moment he was sure that he had done something wrong and was going to burn alive. "No, no Power baubles for me. Strangely enough, I have found that I can Plantweave. Me born to the Sea messing around with flowers" Taesh laughed again at the irony.

"I like it though, no interest in being the Tower gardener however. I do plan on studying Cloud Dancing, it only seems right. Other than that, my I find myself more often than not in the Library, studying customs and law. I can't wait to really get out of this Tower. With that I already know and what I've learned, the bargains I could make..." there was a mischievous and excited gleam in the Atha'an Miere's eyes. He wanted to test his knowledge and ability, eager to prove his worth to the Tower.