Budding Connections [Attn: Gareth Asha'man]

[Kenneth]

Taesh smiled at the Yellow as he responded.

"I would be more than happy to assist you. In all honesty, I am still non too adept with the Talent. Much of what I can do has been self taught, and I am always looking for opportunities to test what can be done. Working in the Gardens, it has become something that helps to relax me. Assisting in the Infirmary will at least let me feel like I am doing something other than being an amazing gardener."

A laugh escaped the Asha'man's lips as he thought about how the Tower gardeners would sometimes become annoyed with the Atha'an Miere's adjustments to their work. He had started using his Plantweaving Talent in the Gardens years ago, after the Seanchan attack that had ruined some of the Tower proper. Since then, it had become a relaxing, if tiring and wasteful display of Power, pastime for the dark skinned channeler.

[Bella]

"You are always welcome here," Gareth said easily. "And in our gardens. The Yellows strive to do our best with what it before us, and the better that we can do with that, the better for the entirety of the Tower." Some had accused the large Asha'man of living with a narrow focus, but it was a focus that served the betterment of all. He made no apologies for that.

Besides, his single-focused traits could be turned in other directions and served useful benefits there. It helps him as both husband and father. So, he rarely worried what others thought.

"Are you able to work on any others, or do you need to stop now?" He knew that one's reserves for using the One Power were not unlimited, and he didn't want to ask too much.

[Kenneth]

Taesh flexed his mental muscles, and physical ones. The Atha'an Miere felt that he could go on for a little while now. When he had first discovered the Talent, the then Soldier could do little more than create uncontrolled growth. Through constant experimentation, he had developed some finesse, and also stamina.

"I think I can manage two, maybe three more bunches today" the Grey informed the Yellow.

"I am hoping, once I become a bit more proficient to teach some others. Can't teach someone to man the helm if you can't rig the sail, as my mother used to say. But maybe I can lure some Yellows, maybe an aspiring Dedicated or Accepted. Then we can keep the Infirmary well stocked, and someone other than myself can terrorize the gardeners."

Taesh laughed, a true and infectious sound escaping his lips. He thought about the many times that he had added his own personal touches to the Gardens, to the horror of those who labored to keep it green and beautiful.

[Bella]

Gareth nodded and thought through the collection of herb bunches hanging from the beam, sorting through them until he found the ones that he wanted and thought the Grey would best be able to work with. He pulled them down, double-checked them, and then put them on the work bench in front of Taesh.

"I have no doubt that many a Yellow will want to try their hand at the skill and hopefully find themselves talented at it," he said. "We are, as much as any, very dedicated to the craft and anything to aid in healing others is something of which we are interested."

[Kenneth]

Taesh again began to apply his Talent to the herbs as he spoke with Gareth.

"I myself was briefly interested in the Yellow. When I first discovered I had the Talent, to the anguish of the Tower gardeners after I ruined their hard work, I thought the Yellow would be the perfect place for me. Of course at that time I didn't know about this aspect of the Talent, I thought I could at least grow more plants for the Infirmary."

Taesh spoke true, he had considered the Ajah. Ultimately the call of the Grey was one that he could not deny. The Atha'an Miere fit almost perfectly into the aims of his chosen Ajah. Now that he was a member and Head, he knew that had he chosen any other, even the Blue with which he felt a close connection, he would never be this happy.

"I would like to think though that even as a Grey I do some little healing. Not healing of the mind and body as you all, but mending bonds and peoples" he said as he completed enhancing the second bunch of medicinal herbs.

[Bella]

As he watched Taesh at work, Gareth listened and nodded appropriately. "There is more to healing than simply mending broken bones," he rumbled thoughtfully. "It has always been my philosophy to treat as many components to a person as possible for their best well-being. I can see how your work would contribute to that, for such things have an effect on that.

"For me, I never considered another Ajah. I discovered that the best and strongest Talents I have were for Healing, and I have always wanted to help people. It was not only the natural choice, but really the only one." He nodded to the herbs. "This is one thing I wish I had been able to learn, though. It would have supplemented my work nicely."

[Kenneth]

Taesh gave a sigh as he sat down, considering what the Asha'man had said.

"I wonder sometimes about my own Talents. I know that the Grey was the only Ajah I could have chosen and been even remotely happy with my choice. Still, my Talents seem to me all over the sea, and I am still figuring how to best use them for the aims of the Grey."

Taesh had always held some concern over his Talents and their use. It was obvious that Yellows would need some Healing, and Greens and Reds needed to know battleweaves. Plantweaving and a budding skill in Cloud Dancing did not seem to be specifically needed for a Grey. There was too little known about Scrying, and Taesh's proficiency with the Talent was slow going at best to be considered overly useful for much of anything at this point.

"I suppose being able to make beautiful flowers could help in peace talks with a Queen or Lady, but other than that..." Taesh shrugged off the statement. If the Light was willing he would have many years, generations in fact, to perfect his Talents and their useful for the Grey, both Ajah and Tower, so he would no stress it too much.

[Bella]

Gareth crossed thick arms over his thick chest, and turned to lean back slightly against the bench. It was one of the few pieces of furniture that handled his bulk without too much trouble. He looked at the Grey thoughtfully. "Talents are not like choices," he rumbled. "Sometimes we make a choice and then learn our gifts. Sometimes, we learn our gifts and then make our choices.

"For me, my gifts helped dictate my path. But that's rarely the way of it, I've found. It's not anything to be concerned about. You make use of the gifts and skills that you have, and make the best choices you can make."