Zekieal sighed in contenment as he sat back in one of the stiff chairs in the library, reading A copy of The adventures of Jain Farstrider. It had been a long time since he could take the time to simply come to the library, and do something this simple. The tower had indeed become his life, his days of exploration long gone. He could no longer go out and work missions to undermine Darkfriends, could no longer play pranks. Things were dull now that he was the grand and mighty M'hael. No, I mustn't think of the past. The Tower must be strong, and to do that, I must sacrifice some of my enjoyment... Concentrating on his book, He slowly lost himself in the exploits of Jain Farstrider...Something he was always curious of, was who was Jain Farstrider now? The heroes were spun out into life every once and awhile, and he was positive that he had at least seen Gaidal before, even though he was told that he was having wishful thoughts.

OOC- ill expand on this later...i gotta go to school

Sapphira walked along the gardens, enjoying the flowers, it was not often she got to enjoy these gardens, the Aes Sedai and Asha'man worked hard to keep them looking their best, and the servants too, but many were too busy to ever really see them. She made a point to stop and smell her favorite ones, though most of those she had growing in her own garden outside of her rooms. She sighed in contentment, she had nothing that needed doing, at least nothing that could not be saved for the next day, or at least for a few hours. That rarely happened, and Sapphira planned to make the most of it.

She made her way slowly to the library, it was a good day to find a book and bring it to the gardens and read. Who knows, perhaps she would get to meet one of the novices too. She smiled at the thought, she knew few of the initates, but meeting one of her future daughters was always enjoyable. She walked into the library and looked around, the Tower housed more books than any other library in the world, and now and then Sapphira just like to wonder at the sheer number.

She walked among the aisles of books, past all the information sections over to the pleasure reading books. She was surprised to see Zekieal sitting in a chair reading also. Not studying, at least, not likely in this section. What were the odds that both m'Hael and Amyrlin had a break in their duties on the same day, and both chose to come to the library. She made her way across to him and took the seat across the table from him. "What a surprise to see you here Zekieal," she said, hoping not to startle him from his reading, simply to alert him to her presence.

Zekieal knew the voice of his long-time companion better then anyone, and hearing her voice was a relief almost. Despite all the work, and all the things they had done since attaining the seats of Amyrlin and M'hael, they had only spoken formally, during meetings or through letter. If it was anyone but Zekieal, a broad grin would have filled his face, but Zekieal didnt even move. part of an ongoing game to him, was being completely apathetic to Sapphira, no matter what. She knew well by now that it was his way of "playing" now that they were M'hael and Amyrlin, but feigned ignorance at all times.

"What brings you to the library?" His eyes didnt even waver from the book. Sitting with his back to Sapphira, the man looked like he hadnt even heard her, his body language unchanged, and the unnerving fast pace at he read ever steady, turning the page every fifteen to thirty seconds, depending if the part was exciting or not. If it were anyone else, they should have been insulted, but Sapphira knew this game well.

(OOC: I wasn't going to comment, but my name's not Tammira. ;) I changed it, so it reads Sapphira now, but just so you know. ;))

Sapphira was unsurprised when Zekieal did not move, nor even stop reading, long ago she had been bothered by this, but for years now she had been used to it. She had never found out why Zekieal had made up this game, but she did know that there was nothing she could do about it, he would turn eventually, possibly feigning surprise at her presence.

After a moment he did speak, though he still concentrated on his book, still unconcerned, Sapphira leaned back in her chair, adjusting the seven-striped stole around her shoulders. "Nothing really," she replied, "I have nothing that needs doing this instant, so I thought I would find a good book. What about you?" She looked at the shelves behind Zekieal, and after a moment stood to find one. She did not play this game of Zekieal's though she did not need to concentrate solely on conversation, she had mentally thanked Zekieal many times for this game, it had helped to make her visitors feel less than priority. Any Amyrlin could do it, but Sapphira had often seen people fidget who were more than used to making others shift nervously.

She chose a book at random, and looking at the title recognized it as something she had not yet read. She took the book back to her chair and sat it on the table, unlike Zekieal she could not read and carry on conversation at the same time very well. Oh, glancing over a report from the Keeper was one thing, actually reading was quite another. She wondered what people thought when attending Zekieal, the man could do twelve things at once, it was quite amazing.

((OOC :thump: bah, my apologies, I was reading some glimmers stuff to and I kinda typed down what i was reading.))

Zekieal continued to read, his face and body language showing no signs of change, and it almost appeared like he forgot her. That was of course, until a grin split his face. Setting his book down, he sighed loudy.
"I personally, Felt like reading about something other then Tear's imports, and how The Doon M'taal and Grey Ajah's combined efforts succesfully ended a possible war between Mayene and Tear. I've read Jain Farstrider's book so many times that I could go out and be Gleeman, reciting Jain's epic tale in high chant. But at least it isnt those Light forsaken papers. I sometimes wonder what would have happened if I said no to being the M'hael?" His voice did indeed sound inquisitive, but this was an old complaint of his, starting from their first week of being M'hael and Amyrlin. Sitting there, lost in thought, Zekieal suddenly remembered the first time he had come to the library with his dear friend Sapphira, although it was hardly a topic that could be spoken of, with the possibility of someone listening in. Embracing a small dose of Saidin, he wove a warding against hearing around Sapphira and himself. Even with this precautionary measure, he couldnt help but speak softly.

"Do you recall all those long years ago, the day we came to the library, and... well..." His voice hushed even lower, and he cupped his mouth so that only Sapphira could see, in case one tried to read his lips. "Balefire." Was all that was needed to be said. Sapphira would understand the rest.

Sapphira could not help but nod, reading about all the goings on in the world was necessary, but it was usually far from interesting. She was thankful for the Grays' and the Doon m'Taals' efforts in Mayene and Tear, but it was not the sort of thing she would choose to read. "I had no idea you'd read Farstrider so many times...everyone's read it a few times, but that is quite an accomplishment," she said teasingly. Zekieal never seemed to choose a new book, where Sapphira could hardly bear to read the same book twice. She opened her mouth to say something else, but just then Zekieal began speaking again.

He must have a Ward up...he wouldn't have waited to speak, nor said that, without a ward, she reasoned. That was something that could well get them into trouble with the Hall. "Ah yes, I remember," she said in a normal voice, she trusted Zekieal's ward, better than he did, judging by his voice. "That was a long time ago...a very long time ago." She let herself drift back to the day during her novice-hood that Zekieal had dragged her to the library, saying he had found something amazing. It had turned out to be quite a find. From it Zekieal had learned Balefire, and Sapphira her own forbidden weave.

Sapphira had not thought of that day for years, certainly not every time she visited the library, but perhaps Zekiel did, she had never tried to understand her dear friend. At any rate, that had not changed their Tower life to all appearances, but in the past Sapphira had had to use her weave. It was a terrible thing, and she hated to do it, and thank the Light she had only needed it once. Light, if I ever have to use it again maybe I'll tell the Sitters about it! It was a forbidden weave with good reason, that was a death she would not even wish on most Darkfriends.

Zekieal sighed ever so slightly. Sapphira wasn't nearly as precautious as himself, and at times it irritated him beyond belief. This was one of those times. The weave she had found all those long years ago was still nameless, but it was in some ways worse then balefire. Zekieal had watched her use that weave on a man before, long ago, One of their last field days before taking on the role of Amyrlin and M'hael. It was interesting how quickly it worked, but a disgusting sight indeed. It absorbed the liquids of the body, drying everything that could hold moisture. The Jelly of a human's eyes, The Human Brain, everything. Dried up. A quick process, but horrifically painful. A strong wind could shatter the remaing husk of a human, sending the "ashes" blowing away. The man was a darkfriend, and of great importance in their ranks, so it was a successfully completed mission, but he felt it was her fault in the end. She was the spymaster of the team, tapping into the Eyes and Ears of the Ajah, and using them to find the dirty and darker secrets of the world. He was the Agent, the hunter and the Judge, sentencing and punishing the Darkfriends for their deads. Even after these many years, he still felt upset about that mission. He felt she hadn't done her job properly, and when they went to eradicate the damned man, that she hadn't covered their trail as much. Although he would take blame for some of that, considering the fact that the night before he had allowed himself to be drawn into a tavern brawl, breaking arms and legs and noses left and right, without being touched. word spread of him like wildfire, and the darkfriend's own informants had taken an interest in him. But part of her job was to cover up any messy spots he made. He felt it was a lack of precaution. Shaking his head, he returned his attention to the matter at hand.

"We never did...name it...." His voice was still hushed, but now he did not cover his mouth. Anyone that read his lips would be mystified as to what this enigmatic "it" was, and, the light take them, that was fine by him. "It was a pity that book was so broken, we would have benefitted from some of those weaves...but regardless....We could at least put a name to that weave of yours."

Sapphira watched as Zekieal let himself slip into the past as well, probably remembering that day in the library as well, or perhaps the occasion when she had been forced to use her weave. She could not recall a time when he had used Balefire, but most times she was behind the scenes and did not get all the details about exactly how he did what he did. She could not think it was her fault that she had had to kill the man so horribly. There would have been other ways to kill him, but none would have been so swift or clean, strange as it was to think of that as a clean death, it truly was, though terribly painful, she would imagine.

Of course, they had covered themselves well enough that neither of them was suspected for the sudden disappearance of the Darkfriend, high-ranking both in the Shadow's ranks and out. By the time anyone visited the site where he had died, the weave's residues were long gone, thank the Light, that would have brought awkward questions for everyone in the Tower.

Finally, Zekieal came back to the present, still speaking softly, it was odd, he could see the ward and he spoke softly, but Sapphira could not see it, and she spoke normally. It was a bit irritating how little trust Zekieal showed in his own weapon, he trusted completely in that sense- as a weapon -but it seemed that he was doubtful of other things. She embraced saidar for a moment, but did nothing with it, though he would not know that. "You do not need to whisper, I decided to put up a ward, you can relax now." Zekieal would not know that there was no ward of saidar, but he could not tell her that she was lying, that was impossible for both of them.

"No, we never did name it...I think perhaps naming it would make that all too real, I'm happy without knowing its name. If you want one though, go right ahead and name it." Naming that weave would mean Sapphira might use it again, much as she intended not to, something without a name could be more easily slipped around the Oath, and it seemed less than real without a name. Once it was named, that made it certain that whatever it was, she could never forget. That was rediculous, she could not forget it anyway, but perhaps it was her city commoner's past superstitions reaching the surface, though she had left that life behind over a hundred years ago.

Zekieal raised an eyebrow at her. He could feel the familiar tingle of Saidar, and he nodded, his voice returning to normal. He had no knowledge of course, that she had led him astray. "These wards can only hold off against prying ears. If someone could read lips, then everything we said could be used against us." He paused and he took the time to examine Sapphira, noot physically but as if he examined her from the inside. A grin spread across his face, and his jolly disposition was becoming more evident. "No matter, though A name for that weave should be chosen, if anything to record it in the secret records of the Amyrlin and M'hael. You could just name it Sapphira Calren. small, painful, and deadly..." This was another way for him to play with Sapphira, if a little harsh.

Sapphira saw the sense in what Zekieal said about the wards not working against lip reading, but grinned anyway. "Assuming that there is someone good enough at lip reading to follow us, and close enough to see what we say, then all the soft talking in the world will not keep them from reading your lips." She waited for Zekieal to speak again, not bothered by his staring at her, but curious as to what he was thinking.

After a few moments he grinned, and made a joke about naming that terrible weave after her. "Well, I can't say it'd be misnamed," she said with a grin, "but I'd hate to have something like that to remember me by!" She was sure that if Zekieal really wanted to come up with a name, one of them could come up with a good one, and not someone's name.

(OOC: Sorry it's short, I'm slacking *blush*)

Zekieal Chuckled, a deep resonating thing, that if the ward wasnt up, would have echoed through the library. "There are many things we dont want to be known for, and I will agree that is not one of them. But there again, I dont want to be known as the M'hael that could outdo a Gleeman in a story-telling contest" He said this, shaking his copy of Jain Farstrider's tales. "But tonight, I could very well go down into one of the tavern's of our fair Tar Valon, and and recite this tale with such fervor that I would be the talk of the town." A look of contemplation covered his face now, as he actually considered trying his luck out. A grin that stretched from ear to ear. "It would be interesting...I would go down in the tower's history as the first Gleeman M'hael...A Soldier Turned Asha'man, Turned M'hael turned Gleeman....I would be an oddity..." Chuckling again, he stood, and walked around the table, extending a hand. Another thing Zekieal enjoyed ever so much, was escorting Sapphira. She was a beautiful lass, that could rival even a Domani, and what he found entertaining, was his immunity to his longtime friend. She had never tried to use her physical gifts to persuade or attempt swaying Zekieal. She was respectful, and in return Zekieal respected her. But others on the other hand, often times had looked upon his Long time friend with wandering eyes. It angered him that men were so disrespectful, but the thrill of escorting her, was the ability to intimidate those that stared at his smaller friend. He recieved a title when He was of the Red Shen; The Feral King.
When he hunted Darkfriends and those of the black Ajah, he was like a wolf. Swift and efficient, Seeking his pray and violently bringing them down, sometimes with the aide of pack members(those of the Red Shen), but in most cases, with his sheer strength and ability alone. Nobody denied in the Red Shen that he was one of the best, his kill count and successful missions with his Sapphira still the highest ranking. This reputation stuck, and When walking his frailer and more beautiful counterpart, he relished every time he could smile at a man, and watch him melt away, His reputation and his rank as M'hael a deadly double blow. He did not know or care if Sapphira knew this. With a playful and mocking tone, he bowed to the Amyrlin.
"My sweet and fair Amyrlin, shall we depart the Library? There is work that needs to be attended, and I darest not slack on my chores!" Despite the humor in his voice, there was truth behind his words, and a truth he hated much. Being M'hael was a stupendously time consuming job, and he loathed the paperwork. But it was neccassary, to watch the tower he had come to love grow...

Standing to his full height, Sapphira accepted his hand, and stood, looping an arm through his own.
"Shall we be off now?"

Sapphira could not keep from laughing as Zekieal spoke lengthily about his storytelling abilities- at least those stories of Farstrider. It would be something, the M'hael Gleeman would be known forever. She grinned at the thought, he would be remembered as the M'hael Gleeman and she as the Amyrlin whose name was a deadly weave, something told her she was getting the short end of that joking bargain. She suppressed a sigh when Zekieal stood and walked around the table, but smiled and played along. "Yes, I do think it is time to be off M'hael, there is much to be done on my desk as well." She looped an arm through his and began to walk off, hoping he remembered to be rid of the ward, what would people think if they saw a random ward sitting in the middle of the library?

As she walked through the library arm in arm with Zekieal, she remembered all the times she had been incredibly thankful for the tall strong man at her side. There were men who- if not for Zekieal -would have vied for her attentions in more ways than one in the past. She liked men well enough, but respectable men, much like Zekieal, it was almost strange that she had no feelings for her good friend, or it had been, though not after so many years. Just Zekieal's presence had been a shield against most tavern eyes, and when him simply being there was not enough, a few words usually sent a man off. Very rarely would a man try to fight Zekieal, though those that did set an example for any others.

Has it already been a few hours? she asked herself as the exited the library, it seemed only a few moments ago that she had been walking along these very paths. Though now the sun was further to the west, and the shadows lengthening. Light, but I thought I would actually get a break! Her job never gave her a break though, so many things needed doing to keep the Tower as it was, and more things to keep improving it, and she would not settle for staying the same. She said goodbye to Zekieal and made her way back up to her study, nodding at the Keeper's curtsy and back to the monotonous job of reports and audiences with Aes Sedai.