Sapphira looked from the reports on her desk at the clock and blinked. Was it really that late? She had had no idea that reports could be so engaging, not that there was anything especially interesting in these, but today Sapphira found them more interesting than usual. Now that she knew it was well after midday, though, she realized that she had not eaten lunch, and was actually quite hungry. She thought a moment about going down to the mess hall for lunch, but it would be full of initiates at this time, and Sapphira prefered not to be stared at, which she was sure she would be. Even in the Tower, the Amyrlin Seat could not walk about and not receive at least a few awed looks from initiates. Even if she went without her stole, someone would recognize her, and in moments everyone would know. She could have food sent up, she knew, but Sapphira never liked eating in her study, it required her to clear space on her desk. She had become very orgainized since becoming Aes Sedai, but today she did not want to have to deal with keeping everything straight once it was moved around. She put her pen down and stood, still thinking. She slipped her stole off her shoulders, and hung it over the back of her chair. As she did, she realized what she wanted to do. Go into Tar Valon for lunch. She had not visited the city for some time, and it would mean being among far fewer people who would recognize her. Of course, there were some, but most would probably not see her, it was a large city, after all, and there was no gaurantee that those who did see her would realize it was her. She picked a black cloak with gold embroidery up off of a hook on the wall and folded it over her arm. Even if she could ignore the cold, that did not mean it was not there. It was much smarter to protect oneself from it.

Sapphira stepped though her study and out into the antechamber, and looked out of habit at Lyla's desk. The Keeper was out for the moment, it seemed, perhaps getting her own lunch. Lyla often ate at her desk, but maybe she had wanted a change of pace. Whatever she was doing was up to her, even the Amyrlin did not question the doings of Aes Sedai without serious reason. She walked out into the hall and looked around. Just now there was no one here, but that was no surprise. Her study was in such a place that there were few reasons to be in this area unless you needed to see the Keeper or Amyrlin. She smoothed her blue silk skirts, she had been sitting for quite a while, after all, and continued on. She met surprisingly few people on her way through the Tower, oh, of course there were people bustling this way and that, but Sapphira thought it was fewer than usual, especially concidering that it was none too warm outside. Surely novices and Accepted would prefer to be within the Tower right now, winter was well and truly underway now, and it was cold. It made Sapphira very grateful that she was Aes Sedai, and could ignore the temperature, the walk in Tar Valon would be pleasant without the factor of weather. Before she stepped out of the Tower proper and into the grounds, she wrapped her cloak about her, but left the hood down. It was snowing lightly, and Sapphira realized just how beautiful the grounds looked covered in snow. Of course, the gardens were beautiful any time of year, the groundskeepers took very good care of it, only the best for the Aes Sedai, Asha'man and Gaidin, after all.

She walked through the grounds, where she found some of the people that were apparently missing inside. Initiates still had chores in the winter, and there were some unfortunate novices out working. She gave them an encouraging smile as she walked past, and noticed the girls start whispering. Started by one girl, the one in the group who knew for a fact who Sapphira was, and possibly how lucky she was to get a warm smile out of her. Not that Sapphira was closed or mean, she just generally did not offer smiles to novices with no cause. Today she was in a fine mood, though, and wanted to spread it around. A wonderful lunch at a fine inn would be just perfect today. It did not take her long to get out of the Tower grounds to one of the entrances. She exited through a smaller, less used gate, but one she knew was located near a lovely little inn. She walked through the streets, it was not a quick walk, even for an Aes Sedai. In Tar Valon Aes Sedai were a fairly common sight, and while it did tend to be easier for a sister to walk through the streets than someone else, it was not as quick as it would be elsewhere. Even in the cold weather, people had business to be about, and they were all certainly eager to be done with it and back into a warm building. Even with the bustle of the city, or perhaps concidering it, it did not take her long to get to the inn. The White Flame, it was called. The little building had been there since before the Towers were combined, and had proudly kept its name. Sapphira first visited it as Accepted, thinking that a smaller inn would be one she could afford.

As she stepped in now, she saw people sitting at most of the tables, the inn may be small, but it was quite fine, and the food nearly unparalleled in Sapphira's opinion. She was greeted at the door by a woman past her middle years, the great-granddaughter of the man who had been innkeeper when Sapphira first visited. The woman greeted her warmly, she was one of those who knew who Sapphira was, but she never made any great fuss, for which Sapphira was eternally grateful. It did mean, though, that Sapphira got her food more quickly than others, and perhaps a little more carefully prepared. There were perks to having people know she was the Amyrlin, certainly. She gave the woman her order and took a seat at an empty table. As she sat, Sapphira thought. She probably should have brought a guard with her, since the attack during the Feast of the Dragon she had been much more careful about going into the city. Today it had slipped her mind, though, she was in too fine a mood to worry, and a guard would have put a damper on her spirits. Besides, she knew it would irk Rialt to no end if he found out she was in the city without a guard. Not that she would actually jeopardize her safety just to make that infuriating man angry, it was simply an added bonus. She shook thoughts of the Seeker out of her head, that was another thing that could put a damper on a fine day, and sent up a prayer that he would not suddenly decide that he wanted a fine meal at a little inn as well.

"Now class, that will be all for today. I will see all of you tomorrow at the usual time." Erin watched as the Novices and Recruits and Soldiers filed their way out of the classroom. It was her last class of the day here. It had started as a lark, her taking up her brother's suggestion that someone was needed to teach the new channelers and recruits about how to handle themselves in different social situations, but she had found that she truly enjoyed it, and had expanded the cirriculum into court dancing and etiquette and about the Game of Houses. Many Aes Sedai and Asha'man and Gaidin were common-born and they didn't have a clue on how to handle themselves in such circumstances, and in the past it had led to some quite spectacular diplomatic and social disasters. Mother had approved the suggestion immediately; she herself well knew the stakes that could be at play. Besides, it made Erin feel useful. Otherwise she would be at the town mansion feeling quite the opposite. She could handle the money matters and handle them well, but there were long-time family retainers who could do better, and did, and she was content to leave them to do their jobs without her peering over their shoulders every moment. The servants didn't need supervising, and Cook certainly didn't, so she was glad of having somethign worthwhile to do.

Elaine poked her head in the door. "Ready for lunch?" the other woman asked. "Robert's in a meeting with the military attache from Andor. They had lunch sent up and they'll be in there until dinner, if not beyond." Erin snickered. She thought the man was an unmitigated ass and a colossal bore, but he had the great virtue of listening to and agreeing with everything her brother said. Still, she thought to herself, I'm glad it's him and not me stuck in there with him! Erin paused for a moment, considering. "How about at The White Tower?" she asked. "We haven't been there for a while and the food is wonderful." Elaine quickly agreed and the two women set off, making their way through the barracks complex to the small gate that exited closest to their goal. As they passed beyond the complex, a group of men and women formed an invisible bubble about them as they started to move through the streets. Erin hated the necessity, but at the level at which at which she and her brother played the Game, it was a prudent precaution. They were family retainers all, sworn to her brother's service.

Erin was clad as befitted a woman of her class, a dress of blue silk with gold trim: the House colors. Elaine was dressed in her usual men's clothes, with her ever-present rapier hanging at her side and no doubt her usual collection of knives and daggers secreted in various places about her person. She had just come from a salle des armes where she had been giving lessons in dirty fighting to a flock of wide-eyed Novices. Erin knew that such lessons could be lifesaving; they had saved her life more than once. She was a soldier's daughter after all, and trained to it herself; but being the eldest had not taken up the soldier's trade like her brother, but had had to fight for her lands after she suddenly became a young widow. She smirked as she thought of the Cairhien noblemen who would likely soil their smallclothes at the mention of her name or Robert's.

Erin covertly studied the younger woman as she walked beside her. Elaine had been acting different, in many subtle small ways that only one close to her would notice. Erin sighed to herself. She was sure she knew perfectly well what was wrong, and her brother, being a typical male, had no idea at all. She wanted to hit him upside the head with a clue-by-four, but she didn't think it would help, his skull was so thick. They were adults, and would work out their own affairs. Eventually.

They reached the entrance to The White Tower Inn and stepped inside, basking in the warm glow that awaited them. The proprietess greeted them warmly; senior Gaidin used the inn for dinners, and Erin was well known here. The two walked into the common room and Erin caught her breath in surprise. The Amyrlin Seat herself was sitting by herself in a table in the corner, with a glass in front of her and waiting for her meal. "May we join you, Mother?" Erin asked quietly.

Only a few moments after Sapphira seated herself, a serving maid brought out a glass of wine. Sapphira thanked her, and gave her a small tip before tasting it. As she had known it would be, it was quite good. She took the time before her food arrived to think. Not about anything in particular, she let her mind wander. As she sat, she thought about the fact that the current innkeeper was three generations separated from the first she had known. The woman was past her middle years already, and Sapphira had not yet reached hers, really. It was sometimes depressing, everyone Sapphira had ever known outside of the Towers was long dead by now, and she knew that everyone she currently knew, though that number was significantly smaller, would be dead before she was concidered to be growing old. It meant that Sapphira had much more time to do what she could for the world, and to better the Tower, but it meant that the world she touched toward the end of her life would be a world full of entirely different people than the world she touched now. As her mind continued down that path, Sapphira did not notice anyone going in or out of the inn, she was not faced toward the door, and so it did not attract her notice. She was slightly surprised when a woman spoke to her, asking if she and her companion could join her for lunch. As Sapphira looked up, she recognized the speaker, and her companion. Erin, Robert's sister, and Elaine, another of the Towers' Gaidar.

"Of course, please do," she said with a smile for the women. She did not know either of them particularly well, but Elaine had been involved in protecting her life during the attack on the Feast of the Dragon, and had revealed some of her life to Sapphira that night. As she looked the women over, she noted their differences. Erin was clearly a noble, even if Sapphira had not previously known it would have been easy to see. Her fine dress, nicely embroidered, and her personal carriage marked her so. Elaine, on the other hand, was just as obviously not. Dressed as a man, she appeared ready to fight on command, and deal with whatever was thrown at her. Yet, different as they were, the women went together well. It was clear that they were good friends. Sapphira could not be surprised at that, it only took one thought of Zekieal to remind her of how strongly two such opposite people could form a tight bond. And surely a tight bond of trust, respect and friendship was necessary for a partnership in the Red, and there was no way anyone could deny that they were completely different. Sapphira was glad the other two women had showed up, for more than one reason. It gave her fine company for lunch, much better than eating alone, in silence, and it made it much more likely that, should Rialt appear, that he would simply leave or say nothing more than required to her. Rialt may see the two women as a guard for her, not exactly what he would prefer she had, but enough, surely. Sapphira did not doubt, either, that should the need arise, that she would be protected. As they sat, Sapphira took a sip of her wine. "How are you ladies today?" she asked, hoping that their answers would be positive.

((OOC: Sorry about the shortness))

((OOC: No problem. Do whatever seems right to you.))

The two sat down at the Amyrlin's invitation. A serving girl came over and the two of them quickly gave their orders, and she came back quickly with glasses of wine for them both.

Erin sat back and studied Sapphira. It was obvious that she was tired from working too hard, and the paleness of her skin showed that she was not exercising and getting out of the office enough. The international situation was not likely to get any better. As a matter of fact, it was much more likely to get worse. She knew her brother spent many long nights in conference with his staff about possible war, and that he had been advising the Amyrlin with the negotiations that they hoped would forestall any such conflict. A thought came to her, but she was reluctant to voice it just then. Perhaps later...

She glanced over at Elaine, and was astonished to see that the younger woman had turned a deep shade of crimson. Elaine? Blush! The thought nearly had Erin arching her eyebrows in astonishment.

In truth, Elaine had been thinking about the Feast of the Dragon. Elaine had gotten Sapphira out of danger, and had in the process blurted out to the Amyrlin rather more of her life's story than she normally revealed to anyone. I still can't believe I opened myself up that way! she chastised herself. She normally was cool and collected, and kept her own counsel, but there was something about Sapphira that inspired confidences.

Their food began to arrive; first a hot loaf of bread with butter, fresh out of the over, closely followed by a nice, rich soup. The smells were so good that the three women fell to with a will. "This is excellent, as it always is here," Erin said. "This is a favorite after-hours haunt of the senior Gaidin, and Robert has spoken of how good the food is here." She smiled. "He has talked about how much he has come to love this city, and how when he cannot swing a blade any longer he wishes to retire here, to write his memoirs and to teach classes as the Dragon Academy here. The town mansion is his. The estates in Cairhien are mine, but my son and his family do an excellent job of running them, and so I am content to visit once of twice a year."

Erin and Elaine's wine was not long in coming, and the three women sat in a comfortable silence for several minutes. She did not fail to notice, though, that Elaine's face turned scarlet, and that Erin looked surprised. Sapphira resisted the urge to arch an eyebrow, wondering what had made her blush so suddenly. She would not be rude, though, and did not ask what was wrong. A woman had a right to privacy, after all, it was Elaine's business alone unless she should decide to share. She did not, though, and so Sapphira could only put it out of her mind. Before long, she had something else to focus on. A warm loaf of bread was placed on the table, with butter, and followed shortly by a lovely looking soup. Sitting here, with the smells of food all around her, had reminded Sapphira yet again that she had missed a meal, and had emphasized her hunger. She began eating politely, but quickly, as if to make up for lost time. After a few moments, Erin spoke, talking about how she, as well as most of the other Gaidin, quite liked this particular inn. She went on to mention Robert's plans to retire in the city later in life, as well as her own Cairhienin estates. The thought of Robert retiring was not one Sapphira wished to dwell on just then. Things in the world were not perfect, the nations were not as happy as she wished, and they were unwilling to let the Towers involve Asha'man and Aes Sedai to help. She had spent quite a lot of time in meetings lately, Robert often played a key part in those meetings. One day, she knew, she would have to find someone to replace him, but for now both Robert and Kiren were in good health.

She switched the direction of her thoughts to the other things Erin had mentioned. The quality of the inn Sapphira knew well, she had been a patron since before any of them were born. She suppressed the urge to sigh, again somewhat depressed at thoughts of time. She would have to get over that, it was just the way of things, and there was nothing she could do about it. Erin's Cairhienin estates. Robert and Erin were, technically, Sapphira's countrymen by birth, though Sapphira did not really concider herself Cairhienin anymore. Anyone looking at her would, she was short, and if she did not usually dress in her home country's dark fashion perhaps that was because she had not been a noble. Among the common classes, after all, bright colors were perfectly acceptable. That did not matter though, neither did the fact that both Erin and Robert had grown up in the same country as she. What mattered was that they were loyal to the Towers and the Light. And what mattered immediately was that she did not appear rude to Erin and Elaine, and that meant focusing again, and making some sort of reply. She gave a nod, and a smile, "This is my favorite inn, I don't know that I've ever enjoyed a meal more than the ones I've had here." She finished her soup, and with perfec timing. Just as she set the bowl aside, the serving girl came over with their meals. Fresh fish for Sapphira, just out of the Erinen, the innkeeper had said.

Their food arrived, and the women fell to with a will. Sapphira was having fresh fish direct from the river, while Erin had a roast capon and Elaine was having roast beef. Succulent aromas arose from all their assorted dishes and talk was put aside for the more important business of eating. An excellent selection of vegetables and salads completed the ensemble. As the first feeding frenzy passed, Elaine sat back and relaxed a little. She had come to an important decision, after much discussion with Erin. She was going to tell Robert. She thought he would approve. She had accompanied Robert to many meetings with the Amyrlin Seat, and had been called upon more than once to deliver her assessments.

"One thing you need to know, Mother," she began. "I'm retiring from field service as Robert's Eyes and Ears." She watched as the woman sat up straight in her chair, looking at her. "I'll still be here, and I'll be in charge of intelligence matters still, but I won't be gathering the information myself anymore." She sighed. "Last time I went out, I ran into a couple of people who were younger and faster, and I was lucky to come back alive." She paused. "I've been doing this for almost twenty years, and that's a long time in this line of work. I have younger agents whom I've trained for this possibility, and it's time to let them take over that part."

There. It was done. She felt nothing but relief, as if a great weight had fallen from her shoulders. She felt a start of surprise; she hadn't realized what a burden that had been until now. Sapphira was looking across the table at her with concern in her eyes. Elaine smiled, shrugged, and went back to her meal, looking at Mother through her eyelashes.

Erin looked at her friend. She and Elaine had been talking about his for weeks, ever since Elaine had gotten back from her last venture out. Now if only the two of them would settle everything else! She really didn't want to take a hand in that; interventions such as that usually led to disaster. She cleared her throat. "Mother, I've been meaning to ask you this for a while now. How is it that a man like my brother has so far escaped being bonded? Surely he hasn't been running away from prospect, I hope?"

After a few bites, Elaine began speaking again. As the woman talked, Sapphira set her utinsels down, and gave her her full attention. Elaine, it seemed, would be changing her role in Robert's intelligence network. Well, that would change some things. They would no longer have her firsthand experiences to call on if they needed something, but they would also be sure to have her around if they needed her for something. Elaine looked relieved when her news was out, but Sapphira stayed silent for a moment, until Elaine just shrugged and went back to her meal. Before Sapphira had any more opportunity to answer, Erin chimed in with a question of her own, though unrelated to what Elaine had said. She wondered how her brother had managed to stay unbonded this long. That was certainly a valid question, though not one Sapphira could really answer, except from her own perspective. It was easier to reply to, though, so she chose Erin's question first. "Well," she began, "I don't think he's been running from a bond, I just think he's careful about who he will finally choose. A good precaution, it keeps him from getting attached to an Aes Sedai or Asha'man who he doesn't work well with. There is also all his duties to the Towers, true that doesn't remove the prospect, it just makes it more difficult, less time for a bondmate, and I know that none of the Gaidin would bond someone without knowing they could protect him or her. There are also some people who simply do not bond. Most of the Reds do not see the need, it would only complicate things. Browns and Whites are not out of the Tower that much, and so they generally have less need for Warders. I can't really say for sure, that's all speculation, of course. I would expect his sister to know more than me." She finished with a smile to say that that last sentence was completely honest, not meant as any kind of insult.

That question somewhat answered, she took a sip of her wine and turned back Elaine. "If you think it's best for you to retire from the field, that is your decision. I'll be grateful to have another sharp mind in the Tower all the time, and I'm sure you'll do wonderfully heading the network." She gave the woman a smile, and wondered why it had seemed to be a little difficult to give that news. That's like me announcing I'm retiring as Aes Sedai, of course it would be difficult! Granted, Elaine was not giving up an entire rank, just a duty, but certainly one that meant much to her. Doubtless it had been a difficult decision to make, and one that, though she was sure of her choice, was not easy to follow through with. And if she had run in with someone who made her see that she was not right for the job anymore, that likely made it all the harder. Like having a novice know more about the Power than a sister, very unlikely, but it was the closest comparison Sapphira could think of. She turned back to her meal, and enjoyed a few more bites. Light, even out here she could not escape her duty as Amyrlin, but at least here it felt less like a chore. Some days it really was a chore, those were the days when Sapphira knew how Zekieal felt all the time. She knew he did not like being M'hael, he did not like the paperwork, or being, as he saw it, trapped in his office all the time. Somehow, after twenty five years, the man still had not found the good in their rank. Sapphira had long ago learned that she had to make it interesting for herself, and she worked hard at it, but it made her position much more enjoyable. She shook off those thoughts, they would not do anyone any good after all, and focused again on where she was.

Erin thought for a moment at Sapphira's answer to her question. "I think my brother would like to be bonded," she said, "but like you said, I think he is wise to be very selective about who he considers. But," she said, continuing, "he is also not your typical soldier, either. He has written several books on military matters, as well as several histories, and he's been a patron of the Dragon Academies here and in Cairhien, and takes a wide interest in what the scholars do. Plus you have the public works he's sponsored with the army to help the general populace, with the new roads and well and sanitation, as well as the schools and clinics. No doubt many Sisters find such a mix confusing and don't know what to make of it! A man of many parts.

"Plus I think he's afraid of what a bonding might lead to. His first marriage was a love match, and he would like that again, except that he carries still a tremendous load of guilt for Sharra's murder. It was not his fault. Sharra Prydain was a strong-willed woman, and almost always got her way, and it was reasonable to assume that there was no danger in where they went. He knows this, really deep down on the inside, but I think he needs to acknowledge it and work it for himself, even after all these years, He fears, deep down, that an emotional involvement with another human being, even as a Warder, and yes, I know that most of those bondings are chaste, will lead to the death of that person. I know, and he knows, intellectually, that those fears are groundless, but emotionally, that another matter altogether. Me, I don't count. I'm his sister, therefore safe. Besides, I know how to defend myself. I had to defend my lands with the blade when my husband died, after all. I didn't hire someone to do it; I did it myself.

"And when he is emotionally healed enough to want to wed again, it won't matter one whit as to whether the woman is an aes sedai or a noble or a sheepherder."

She wanted to say more, but stopped. She was hoping Elaine would take the hint. Light, she said to herself, there are times when that woman can be so dense!

((OOC: Have fun, mother!!!))

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Erin did not wait long before answering Sapphira's speech with her own, rather longer. She talked about the diversities of Robert's duties, as well as what she thought to be his own personal feelings about bonding. She stopped after saying that whenever Robert decided he wanted to remarry, the woman's status would make no difference. Sapphira wondered momentarily how a discussion about bonding had turned into one on marriage. Well, if that was what Erin wished to discuss, Sapphira saw no problem with it. She glanced at Elaine, and wondered what the woman thought about what Erin said. The Feast of the Dragon was well past now, but Sapphira doubted that Elaine had changed her mind about Robert. Sapphira wondered what she was supposed to say to that. How did one respond to something like that? Sapphira knew Robert well enough, but mostly from their duties to the Towers, little enough came from Robert's personal life. Erin doubtless knew far more about that than Sapphira, and the woman had certainly covered it well enough. According to Erin, one of the reasons she thought Robert had stayed away from a bond or marriage thus far was because of the murder of his former wife. Sapphira knew very little about that, beyond that she had been murdered, and did not really know why Robert would be guilty about it. If it was as Erin said, the man had no reason to be so, he just had to accept that fact before he could move on.

Light, but some men could command entire armies justly, but they could not let one mistake from their past go. Sapphira did not know the surrounding circumstances, and she was not about to pry, but she would never understand why some people could not simply accept their mistake, resolve not to make the same one in the future, and move on. True, the loss of a wife was involved, but it was not recent, time for grieving was past, as well as time for guilt. But that was none of Sapphira's business, and either way, it made no difference to her. As long as Robert continued his work, what else was as important? To people close to Robert, certainly there were things, but from a strictly administrative standpoint, that was the one thing that had to be done. Things between the nations were not as good as they could be, and much as Sapphira hoped otherwise, they may have a real need of Robert's knowledge before too long. Light, she hoped it would not turn out that way, but they had to be prepared. Sapphira suppressed a sigh and shook that thought off. She may not be able to relate with Erin's closeness to Robert, but she could at least listen to what she had to say. She glanced at Elaine again, wondering if perhaps her presence was the reason for the switch between bonding and marriage. Again, Sapphira would not pry, she would just watch. If she could get no answers from observation, well, it was not that dire, and if anything did come of Elaine's feelings for Robert, Sapphira would likely find out eventually. She knew she needed to at least remark on what Erin had said, so she thought for a moment about what she was familiar enough with to remark on. She had never been bonded or married, but she had spent much of her life with Zekieal. "Robert will come around when he does. When he opens his eyes and sees someone who makes him willing to come around. Until then, there's not much to be done." Sapphira left it at that, hoping that it would be enough for her companions, and waited to see what would come next. Her past few meetings with these women, she realized, had been quite full of interesting information.

"He'll do his duty to the Tower, Mother," Elaine said, "none better. He could have had a throne by now if he wanted it, but he much prefers being here than to ruling anyplace else. He would be a very good king, but I don't think he would be happy with it." She paused.

"He doesn't even see me as a woman at all, but as a battle comrade. I mean really, look at me! I wear men's clothes almost all the time, because of what I do. And besides, there's his bloody damned sense of honor. He won't look at me because I'm a subordinate, and he wouldn't want to take unfair advantage!" she said heatedly.

"My dear," Erin said. "You dress up quite nicely when you have to. Besides, there are men's clothes and then there are men's clothes, if you get my meaning. We'll have my seamstress by in the morning and you'll see what I mean. You have a good figure, girl. About time you started flaunting it. Loose fitting clothing are good for moving around in, and for comfort, but still. I have some ideas. Leave it up to someone who was a very happily married woman for many years to come up with some ideas.

"Besides," she continued, "if all else fails, we'll just sneak you into his bed one night," she finished outrageously. She leaned back in her chair, one eyebrow tilted upward, waiting to see Sapphira's reaction to her comments.

*poke*

((OOC: So sorry about the wait! :look))

Sapphira listened as the other two women talked. Erin assuring her that Robert would do his duty to the Tower, and Elaine complaining that Robert did not see her as a woman. Erin had a few choice replies to that, and ended with an outrageous suggestion of sneaking Elaine into Erin's bed. Sapphira raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. What was she supposed to say to that, after all? It was not something that Sapphira was at all involved in, nor would she choose to interfere in Robert's bedmates. Still, Erin looked at her as if she expected a remark. What sort of remark did she expect to hear about that? Sapphira glanced at Elaine, wondering what she thought about that? Sapphira did not know the woman well enough to know whether she would be embarassed about such a suggestion, or laugh at it. However, she had to agree with Erin, if Elaine wanted to attract Robert's attention, she would have to do something. "Well, I can't say as to the last suggestion," she said to Elaine with a small smile, "but I agree, if you want him to see you as more than a comerade, don't leave him any choice." Sapphira hoped that was the right thing to say. She was good enough at conversation, and had developed the ability to negotiate and mediate since becoming Amyrlin, but to discuss the private lives of people she hardly knew was foriegn to her.

Well, even if it was not right, she decided, it would not matter. If she made a fool of herself with these two women, likely no one else save perhaps Robert would ever know. All three of them, she knew, were not superficial enough to make anything of it. Still, she watched her companions closely, looking for a hint of what they thought. Light, but how long had it been since she had such a difficult conversation? And all the others were doing was talking. When had simply talking become such a big deal? When was the last time she had simply talked with someone? Perhaps that was the problem, most over conversations revolved around what the Tower needed, what the world needed, or, lately, less than satisfactory negotiations between Tear and Illian. That was something she did not want to think about right now. There was still hope for the old rivals, depending upon who's opinion was given, but it was not enough for Sapphira to be able to think about it without worrying. She pushed those thoughts aside and returned her focus to Elaine and Erin. Now was not the time for worrying, that was why she had gotten out of the Tower, after all. She took a sip of her wine, and tried to keep her mind on her meal and their conversation.

Erin could see that this line of conversation was making Sapphira very uncomfortable, so she decided to quickly change the subject. How young she seems, for all her years of life, she mused. "Mother, I have an idea that I think you will like," Erin said. "It is all very well to gather in our favorite inns to listen to our favorite musicians and gleemen, but I would like to propose something better. I would like to build a performance hall here in Tar Valon, specifically set up for performances of that nature. It will give the people a chance to see the performers that they have heard so much about, and it will give the performers much greater exposure than they would have had otherwise. It would also be a place where plays and operas could be staged. Lots of good, cheap seats for the majority of the populace, and nice expensive seating for the rich, who can afford it. My family will build it and donate it to the people of the City. We will maintain it through yearly subscriptions from the wealthy. After all, most wealthy family like to mainitain that they are patrons of the arts, now they can publicly show it."