Another Dreary Day

"We did not have to be relatives ..." he said softly "Generally a way an Aes Sedai hides an unknown warder is to pretend to be lovers, lovers who do not publicly display much affection ... it is a tried and tested method."

I nodded once as I listened to him. Okay, kind of awkward. . "Anyway, that's kind of not normal around here. If your lover is around, you let people know, generally." I smiled.

He shrugged "Well such as it is then I suppose." he sighed "Though I could SHOW them" he teased softly "I am kidding though if it is your wish I will do it."

"Hmm." Was all I said, maybe his idea would be better. Seeing as Hayley barely knew him, if at all. I thought it over in my head.

He watched her silently then said softly "And that Matt boy can be made to forget, not painlessly but not ... very painfully."

I shook my head, smiling at the thought. "Don't hurt him. He's only human."

He sneered "He is a swine coddling coward." he shook his head "The boy can be made to forget other ways but I would prefer to make him beg in the process." he shrugged then "He deserves nothing less, it may teach him humility and respect for his betters."

I grimaced, okay so maybe trying to convince Matt was a bad idea. But, his idea made more sense, although wouldn't it be a little awkward?

He sighed "Look I'll use forkroot, I have seen some here already ... put it in his drink and take him for a little chat, he will believe us if we told him he was a frog crossed with a bull and he would never be convinced other wise. and your next question is wouldn't it be awkward, no. You are a beautiful girl so it would not be awkward for me."

Crap. See, this is what I meant. That, right there. I was silent as I thought through the pros and cons.

He sighed then "Look I promise I won't hurt him either way unless he attacks me..... it is up to you whether to follow the standard ideals of Aes Sedai with their warders being in disguise... if you do go for it we can make Matt admit that he told his mates we were cousins to try and slander us and get me to start a fight with him ..."

"Or..." I smiled, thinking of another way, "Instead of making him admit it, we could make him make us admit it." I knew I made no sense, but in Beccaville, it made absolute sense.

"Speak plainly" he growled "That made no sense."

"Sorry," I said sincerely. "But, don't worry about it. Becca'll take care of it. And, yes, I'll go by the standard ideals of Aes Sedai, if you don't mind."

He hid his smile then remembered she would feel his .. well almost happiness that she had agreed. Most Warders fell in love with their Aes Sedai in his home reality but normally the Aes Sedai used it to get into Altera, where they were outlawed. Never did Aes Sedai love their warders back or put any emotion to them except for the green Ajah.

I felt something from Lan, some emotion, but it was controlled before I could figure out what it was. Maybe he was sad. That made me feel, slightly hurt, I composed it quickly, praying mentally that he hadn't noticed.

He frowned and let the emotion bubble forth rather than letting her feel guilty over it, the .. joy almost ... but a little bit twisted by a tinge of sadness that he doubted she would ever feel anything like what he felt about her.

I didn't understand the reason behind his emotion, his happiness and his slight sadness. I ignored them altogether, hoping that they would either fade away, or I would start to understand them.

Once he had let her know the feelings he forced them away and smiled softly "Always I am yours." he said ruefully.

I smiled back. "And vice versa." There was no-one around anymore, cleared out to class. I sighed, wishing we could skip class for today, my throat really didn't like being near humans when I was this thirsty. I pulled a small, white box from my pocket and put the blue contacts into my eyes, I blinked so that they would fit exactly into place and then sighed again.

He nodded and began walking to class at her side, just a little behind her. He watched everything like a serpent ready to strike.

I walked to my first class and took a step indoors before the sun broke through the clouds.

He walked to the gym class with her then frowned "I'll see you in a second" he said then walked into the boys changing rooms.

"You betcha." I grinned before heading into the girls' changing rooms and getting hell from the teacher. Sometimes, I wished I was in the boys changing rooms. Their coach was so much nicer. I changed quickly, the skimpy yellow shorts, not looking good. But, I didn't want even more hell on my first lesson, so I wore them, without complaint.

Lan came out pretty much as he had gone in bar the hidden mail shirt, his boiled leather armour ready for the martial arts they were doing, a double lesson with the girls. He had .. rigged the draw and he had made sure his sparring partner was Becca.