12/18/2000

Infirmary, White Tower, Tar Valon

Square in shape, this room is most often abuzz with activity. It contains
the normal implements of a teaching infirmary, in fact, it is extremely
well stocked with all manner of things: cots, jars, bottles, syringes,
bandages, cloths, cabinets, shelves, books and tables along with plenty of
hot water. The air has that sterile smell associated with the constant use
of redwort, tinged with the unpleasant prickle of witchhazel. While most of
the Healing is done via the One Power at the Tower, there are many minor
medical situations that are dealt with the old fashioned way.

There are several areas curtained off, for patients' privacy as well as for
instructional usages. This is a teaching infirmary for the Yellow Ajah,
after all. Beds in cheerful colors are lined up in neat rows, providing a
comfortable place to sleep after a Healer's tender ministrations. Windows
are kept wide open to all for light and fresh air.


Laying back on one of the infirmary beds, Neelkan has been stripped down to
his trousers and has just recently has his ribs binded tightly by a Yellow
sister. He looks rather tired, and a little sweaty, his hair damp, but this
obviously isn't from fever, more like extensive over-exersion. His skin
also has a nice reddening to it, and in more then a few places there's
already bruises showing up. They're letting him lay with pillows under him
so he's partly sitting up, which is likely in hopes to avoid him whining
and complaining for the next couple of days. Besides looking tired, way
over-exerted, and bruised and a little battered, he looks incredably surly.
Not in a good mood. And to top it off, he has two fingers in his mouth,
apparently pressing a swab against the side of his cheek to stop the
bleeding where he bit into the skin by accident. Why hasn't he been healed?
Well, would you risk healing someone who looks like they're about to
collapse anyway? They're probably waiting until his body stops thinking
it's running around.

Zaidah didn't get to see the mac truck that hit Neelkan, but she definately
heard about it, and something about him maybe being a channeler? What the
flame is that bleeding about? Neelkan is the last person in the world she
would expect to be a channeler. Besides, the Aes Sedai wouldn't have him in
the infirmary if that were the case. He'd be down in the dungeons, right?
Thankfully she's back into her normal clothes. She still hasn't gone to get
a new dress since the last one got ruined, no time, or maybe she's just
putting it off. Well, she's here for a purpose so she goes over to
Neelkan's bed side and looks down at him. "What happened to you?" She plops
down on the side of the bed, seemingly heedlessof disturbing any broken
bonesor anything. "You look like you tried to race a horse and got trampled
in the process." How kind of her to notice.

There was a time when Neelkan was extremely fearful that he might just be a
channeler. He nearly went into a breakdown over it. But Espiria talked him
into telling Wyntere about his dreams (which he thought might have to do
with channeling) and she assured him that there was very little chance that
he could be a channeler. Especially since she would have sensed him trying.
Surely after being here a more then a year someone would have sensed it. So
it's not possible. Right? Neelkan grunts softly as Zaidah plops down, and
has to remove his fingers from his mouth (bloody swab and all) so that he
can speak without slurring his voice (more then usual), "Nawh. Just got
int' a sparrin' match 'at got a lil' carried 'way, 'at's all." He looks at
the bloody swab for a long moment, then some novice on duty takes it from
him and gives him a clean one after dipping it in some stinky ointment and
reminding him to do his best not to swallow it. Which is why he has a cup
of water and a bowl to spit into nearby.

"That's really gross, you know that pumpkin?" Zai says looking at the
bloody swab and the ointment he's having to put in his mouth and then spit
out. "Well, I brought you something. Figured you'd need some cheering up."
She glances over her shoulder and slips him a small flask. "It's not much,
but especially if they're not healing you it'll come in handy." Wait a
minute. Just a darn minute. Why on the Creator's green earth wouldn't they
heal him? She looks at him suspiciously, arching an eyebrow. "Just a little
carried away, hmm?" She reaches down and pokes a finger into one of his
bruises. "Then why do you still have that?"

"I know, but Yellow's orders." Neelkan grumps, though honestly around the
fingers stuck in his mouths and his accent, it sounds more like "I 'ow, b'
'llew 'ders." But at the flask that finds it's way into his free hand, he
immediately grins, removing the swab from his mouth, this one thankefully
with a lot less blood, and goes about washing his mouth out so he can get
the awful taste gone, "Blood 'n ashes. 'at stuff's worse 'en the flamin'
crap 'ey gave us durin' the plague thin'." Where he got to spend more time
in the infirmary then his sanity would like. At the poke on his bruise he
flinches a little and mutters, "'ey, quit 'at. I didn't poke on ya 'en ya
had broken ribs." But... she has a good question. He looks a little
uncomfortable, then shrugs and says, "It's not too bad. I just fractured a
rib, 'at's all. I guess 'ey didn't want t' waste energy on m'." Liar.
Though, she might notice his hooped earrings have been removed, and are
laying next to his necklace nearby.

"You're a lying piece of swallop. At the very least they'd let an Accepted
practice on you and we both know a broken rib is nothing to scoff out. Now
tell me the truth or I'll poke your bruises some more." No way is she
letting him out of this. Hmmm... that's interesting. She reaches over to
snatch up the earrings. She doesn't ask anything about them, just looks
back and forth between him and them. She doesn't even come close to
suspecting the truth, but it's wierd 'cause he never takes them out. His
necklaces he does... She's no sherlock holmes, not even close but she's not
stupid either, and something is definately up.

"'ey! 'ose're mine." Neelkan grumbles and reaches to snatch them, but the
exertion seems to cause even more sweat to appear on his forehead and he
lets his arm drop before he makes a second go at them. Sigh. He closes his
eyes and lets his head rest back a second, and could very well be falling
asleep on her, he looks exhausted enough to. But he's breathing a little
too fast and if she pokes him in the right places she'll likely feel that
his heart is trying to beat right out of his body. Or that's what it's
sounds like. That can't be too healthy. It's no wonder the earrings don't
last very long. If they did, whoever used them would probably be dead a few
minutes later. Did he fall asleep? No. After a few more moments he forces
his eyes open and props himself up a little more to say, "Ya know how
healin' makes ya tired 'n hungry? 'at milk-drinkin' Yellow o'er 'ere said
it'd be best if I not be healed 'til 'morrow. I need t' rest so the flamin'
healin' doesn't end up killin' m'." Not that he's a fan of healing, but
he's even less of a fan of staying the night /here/. Not that he's going to
blame it on the earrings.

Zaidah frowns, and puts her hand over his heart to confirm the small
inkling that she got. She certainly does seem to be invading his personal
space a lot, but she's Zaidah. What did you expect? Her dark eyes widen as
she feels his heart beating as fast as it is. He is a healthy young man, a
trainee, and obviously in excellent shape. If he's been here long enoough
for them to have bound his wounds then even if he exerted himself enough to
make his heart beat that fast it should be long past recovered by now.
"Light Neelkan." The earrings are forgotten and put down. "This has to do
with the Power doesn't it? Did someone channel at you?" That's easier than
saying... 'did you channel?' She doesn't even want to think about that. For
once she actually looks worried.

Glancing at the hand on his chest, Neelkan resists the urge to chew on the
side of his mouth (that would hurt) and instead just brings his hand over
and nudges her own away as much as she will allow. None of his strength is
behind it though. Not that he has much left right now. "No one channeled at
m'. I just need t' rest, 'at's all." Why is she so worried about him? It's
weird... She didn't seem to be the mothering type to him, but she's doing a
semi-decent impression.

Zaidah blinks as he moves her hand and quickly pulls it back. "Sorry." She
frowns. She doesn't want to, but she... has to ask. "Did -you- channel?"
No, she's really not the mothering type. She's the warrior um.. uh..
maiden? type who kicks butt and dishes out punishment to the insolent, and
she doesn't care. Nope, no caring going on here. But she's not letting him
get away with not telling her either. "You're weak as a kitten, pumpkin.
You didn't get that way just because of a broken rib."

"It's not broken." Neelkan grumbles, but seems to have expected the
channeling thing. When the tower went up in arms a few moments after his
little... ahem... display... searching for a male channeler out in the
city, it no doubt could cause a few people to wonder if... maybe. "No, I
didn't channel." He hopes. He has enough problems being just a plain
Dreamer. He'd rather go insane the old fashion way, and skip the whole
taint thing. And for those new to the scene, Neelkan's propped up on a bed
looking a little surly with his ribs bound. His skin is also flushed, as if
he had just recently finished running a lot, but the fact that he's had
time to get bandaged, that assumption is not well supported. Unless the
Yellows let him get out of bed and run around the Tower ten times a few
minutes ago. Oh, and he's got a few bruises too. The most visable ones on
his chin and shoulder.

Vorsha comes into the room and goes about her rounds. She volenteers every
now and then because she enjoys Healing. Spoting Neelkan she comes over to
stand beside him. "Is it alright for me to delve you, good sir?" She
actually asks for a change. That's a good sign. Of course, if you don't
answer right, the Creator only knows what she'll try to shove down your
throat.

Zaidah folds her arms across her chest, sitting on the edge of his cot.
"It's not? Is that the Yellow's opinion, or yours?" She looks up at Vorsha
as she comes over. "He insists his rib isn't broken, but I seriously doubt
that." Hey, just be glad the Aes Sedai is here. Zai has her own ways of
checking, which would probably involve more painful poking. But that's
totally beisde the point. She stands up and walks to the window near his
bed, letting the Aes Sedai do her thing, thinking quietly.

Sigh. This is why Neelkan hates the infirmary. Besides the fact that in a
few hours they'll slip him into one of those awful robes that is so close
to a dress it's sickining, and the fact that he can't have a moment of
privacy. But after closing his eyes for a few seconds he mumbles to Vorsha,
"Sure, but I'm fine. I just need t' rest a'right? Blood 'n ashes, d' 'ey
treat all patients like 'is, 'r am I just the flamin' lucky one?" And when
she goes about the delving she'll see that he has a good many bruises, the
inside of his cheek is bit open but the bleeding has settled for the most
part, and the medicines they had him hold inside his mouth have stopped any
infection. And while one of his ribs is fractured, it's not a full break,
and it should heal fine. The main problem would be the fact that even
though he's laying down and resting and barely moving, his body seems to
think it's still running around. Which explains why his pulse is rather
fast at the moment, his skin is hot and flushed and his breathing isn't
exactly calm either. He's also extremely worn out. Which is likely the
reason they haven't risked healing him just yet.

Vorsha does do a delve oh him and mumbles softly to herself. "Well." She
says as she moves her hand. "I think it's about time you told me everything
that happened to give you the bruises, the brusied rib, and the exaustion."
She takes a seat at the edge of his bed. "And we treat all the patients
here like this, sweet one." She says, and flashes him a winning smile.

Zaidah glances over at Vorsha, and smirks a little. She remembers when she
got a glimpse of that winning smile, when she was still 'Corain'. You
should leave Zaidah. It's pretty clear you're not needed, or wanted, or...
She shakes off that line of thought and looks down into the courtyard
below. "Holy pigs swallop. Is that a body? They're bringing in the bottom
half of a body!" Alright, she probably didn't need to shout that in the
infirmary. It's likely not very comforting but she couldn't help it. At
least that got her mind off of (amazingly enough) more morbid thoughts. She
glances over and manages to look sheepish. "Sorry." Yeah, stop interupting.
There's important business going on and it doesn't involve you. Strange...
she's never wanted to do anything important before, and she doesn't think
of herself as having done anything really all that great, not even with
being the first Female.. not-Trainee as Raeth says, but history will
probably drop the not. And being a lady.. well.. she still wants that, but
she doesn't think of it as anything important really. You're going soft
Zaidah. This is a definate sign that you're going soft. Stop it.

Neelkan grumbles, "No wonder 'ere's a'ways beds empty." It seems like his
tired, grumpy attempt at a stab, though there isn't really cruelty behind
it. "Vorsh, it's trainin'. A couple bruises is 'xpected. 'n if I'm a lil'
worn out, 'at shouldn't be a surprise either." But then again, he's not a
little worn out, he's lucky he got himself to the infirm before collapsing.
He wasn't about to let Gaidin carry him. Grr. He's a trainee, not a sack of
grain. Is he going to leave that cheap explaination standing? Well... after
a few moments he grumbles and shrugs (or at least makes the slight motion
of a shrug) then adds on, "It was just a sparrin' mat--..." And then Zaidah
makes her wonderful announcement... He shifts his head over and just looks
at her for a few moments until she says an apology. Only then does he
really respond. He laughs softly, then grimaces a little and settles with
light chuckles. "Zai, get o'er 'ere 'n sit back down, I may not enjoy bein'
in 'ere 'at much, but I'd much rather have a friend who isn't sick, 'r
hurtin', 'r tryin' t' fix m'." He grins lightly at Vorsha, showing that it
wasn't meant in offense. While she isn't quite at fluke status, the Brown
certainly isn't hated.

Vorsha raises an eyebrow at him. "You are not a little exausted, Neelkan.
You are hovering jsut above death. You haven't been healed lately, and
/soemthing/ has nearly exausted you. Now... what happened?" She asks again,
though surprising with little heat. They just went after a male channeler,
she doesn't jump a the mention of a body. After all, there's nothing she
can do for the dead.

Zaidah blinks and stares over at Neelkan, and of all things she frowns, but
she goes to him and sits back down. She doesn't look at him but she answers
the summons, feigning reluctance. "It's no use, Vorsha Sedai. I think it'd
be easier to to pluck out Ishamael's teeth than force Neelkan to talk about
something he doesn't want to." Maybe that's why she's so sulky? Nah, likely
not. She is going to find out about that body though. That was a clean
slice, not even a power-wrought blade could do something like that. Though
maybe Raeth's could... Yup, -much- better thoughts. Her mind wanders again
though and she smirks. "Oh, maybe you'd prefer people who are here to hurt
you?" She pokes one of his bruises again, and pointedly doesn't use the
word friend.

With Vorsha's words, Neelkan sets his jaw, though is careful not to set it
on the poor puffy cheek that needs a little while to heal. He isn't going
to talk. Nope. But then Zaidah goes and says that exact same thing and his
jaw unsets and works for a moment as if to protest, then he grumbles and
protests in the best way possible. He reaches over and claims the earrings
that he removed as soon as he was out of sight of the Practice Yard, and
says softly, "'ese're ter'angreal. Don't worry, Wyn knows 'bout 'em, 'n I'm
pretty sure Kaomi did t'. ya Sedai took 'em from m' 'en I first got 'ere,
but Wyn got 'em back f'r m' after we helped prove 'er innocent. Not sure
how 'ey work, 'xactly, but 'ey did t'day, 'n it wore m' out. 'at's it,
a'right? I just need a day 'r two t' rest. It ne'er killed m' 'fore." Of
course, when it activated before he came here, he had no idea it was a
ter'angreal. And he doesn't remember it all that well, because he no doubt
wasn't entirely sober the other times... The joys of spending two years as
a bandit. He keeps his hands on the hooped silver earrings, as if worried
they're get taken away again.

Vorsha nods. "Very well. If it pleases you, I may ask to study them. I
won't take them away, like some Aes Sedai might." She says, and means it.
"But I would like to get my hands on them and have a look. It would be a
good idea to know what they do." She doesn't ask for them now. She hopes up
and looks at the chart at the end of the bed, then wonders off to the herb
table.

Zaidah is frowning even more, but she doesn't try to take the earrings
either. "Isn't it obvious what they do? Nearly kill him that's what." Mad?
Who's mad? "You said you've used them before... but you didn't say what
they did." It's not actually a question. He could always take it at face
value and say yes, but she's rather hoping that he won't. "Whatever it is,
I hope it's worth a couple days in the infirmary." Being a bandit sounds
really nice, or it would have sounded nice to her a year ago. Now well.. it
would still be nice but she couldn't be content with it. Not now. Bloody
Tower bloody changing people. She looks at Vorsha as she stands up, and
glances back at Neel, but just for a moment. "Is he really... in that bad
of shape?" No flaming way is she going to let him do a bloody fool thing
like die on her. Awww, Zaidah, I didn't know you cared, a little voice
mocks her from the back of her head and she just sulks some more. I didn't
ask for any of this, just you remember that.

Neelkan grumbles softly at the mention of them nearly killing him. He
doesn't seem to care. He curls a finger inside the hoop and holds on to
them. It isn't what they do that he cares about. He could live without the
quick bursts, and especially the exhaustion afterwards, but he doesn't
care. It's not what it does that make it important to him. The Leader gave
them to him. They're a symbol of everything he worked so hard for among the
bandits. Sure, they weren't really a big group, and honestly, they didn't
do that much, but they had fun, and he wouldn't trade that for anything.
Heck, if it weren't for them he wouldn't even be called Neelkan at all. He
stays silent for a while, then says loud enough for them to hear over where
they are, "Ya can study 'em if ya want. Light, maybe 'ere's a way t' get
'round 'is side'ffect e'en." Or maybe the ter'angreal had another part it
it besides just the earrings... But then, only the person who made it
likely knows. And probably had a twisted sense of humor too.

Vorsha walks over with a nasty looking brew in her hands. "Oh, we can get
around the side effects." She says and hands him the mug. "Drink, and don't
argue or I'll make you drink it." She says sternly. "But I will see what I
can do for the Ter'angreal's sideeffects otherwise."

Ech. Neelkan makes a face at the brew, then mutters something about how if
they made medicines actually taste good people would probably try to get
hurt, and then they'd get more work. Of course, any true healer would want
the people to try to stay well, so it makes sense that the drugs would
taste awful. Yes, he's rambling. And a little incoherent, but he does take
the mug and gulp it down like it's ale. Bad ale. With paint in it.

Vorsha nods sharply and takes the mug back. "Good. That will help with
restoring your energy, Neelkan." She says as she sits on the side of his
bed again. "Denn'ryiel would not enjoy it if you were hurt seriously, you
know."

"I fell better a'ready. Guess I don't have t' stay the night in 'ere 'en??"
Neelkan pushes himself up a little bit more, in an attempt to support the
lie. It'll take a little bit longer before he feels well enough most
likely, but he doesn't want to stay in here long enough to get a flaming
dress (or the next best -- worse? -- thing) shoved over his head. At the
mention of Denn though he leans back a little and hrmpts. "I know... but
she's gonna have t' get used t' it. I'm gonna be a Gaidin, 'n 'is isn't
'xactly the safest time t' be one."

Vorsha nods. "That's quite correct, Neelkan." She says to him. "However,
you are not Gaidin yet, and as yet unbonded." She says as she firmly pushes
him back into the bed. "And she wouldn't want you pushing yourself
unnecessarly. You'll stay the night, and be released in the morning. More
than likely you just need sleep."

Zaidah chuckles softly, pitying Neelkan for a moment with this brew
business and Vorsha's bullying. He needs it though. And if Vorsha hadn't
done it she would have. "I'll make sure he doesn't go anywhere Vorsha
Sedai," she says quietly. Not a boast, or a threat, just simple fact. She
looks towards the window again, but only for a moment. She needs something
to settle her stomach. Where is that flask she gave- oh wait, she has
another one. She pulls it out and takes a small swig, just enough so she
stops feeling that sinking sensation... er.. except that she doesn't stop
feeling it. Oh well, she can wait for more until Vorsha's gone, suspecting
the Aes Sedai would not approve. She quickly tucks her spare, for
emergencies back in her inside coat pocket.

The other flask was deftly hidden under Neelkan's pillow. He's saving it
for later. Gotta wash that awful contraption down with /something/. He
grumps at the lecture and then nods slowly, murmuring something about how
it's a wonder anyone wants to be a gaidin at all, then looks over at Zai
and glares a little when she says she'll watch him. "I don't need a
watcher, 'firefly'. 'n I'll stay, 'long as ya tell 'ose Yellows 'at I'm not
wearin' one of 'ose flamin' robes."

Vorsha thinks about that one. "I don't see any need for it. You'll probally
be all right come morining. But I will be the person who checks you out in
the morning, Neelkan, and if you don't wait for me, I'll come and find you
and stick you a robe /myself/ if your in the middle of sword practice,
understand?"

Zaidah chuckles again, but very soberly, ironically enough. "Apparently you
-do- or you wouldn't be in this mess in the first place -pumpkin-" She's
just going to stay away from commenting on the robes, for once doing the
smart thing. That would be really funny to see what Vorsha is describing,
and she goes off on a tangent picturing just that, and chuckling softly to
herself. Then again, she knows how it feels to be forced into clothing you
hate, though even that can be a gratifying experience, as she's discovered.

"Yer all just wantin' t' see m' legs." Neelkan grumbles softly, folding his
arms over his chest a little, but careful to keep from nudging his ribs
much. Then he nods, adding on, "I'll be 'ere. I'm not lookin' forward t'
makin' 'at image reality. I think Zai'd enjoy it too much. Not t' e'en
mention Denn 'n the students." He grins a little, as if saying he'd rather
the women suffer the pain of not having the gift of admiring him. ... Err.
Well, they'd probably be laughing at him though. But he's not going to
admit that.

Vorsha pats Neelkan on the head. "Oh no dear, I wanting to see a lot more
than your legs." With that she hopes up and walks out, as calmly Aes Sedai
as ever.

At the Brown's words, the smirk drops off his face and his jaw slacks
slightly. Neelkan watches as the Aes Sedai walks away, then looks towards
Zaidah and grumbles, "Well 'ey certainly ain't gonna be lookin' at /'at/
either." Hrmpt.

Zaidah chuckles very, very softly, and decides to move from the side of the
bed to a stool. It's just... better. "Sometimes I think that woman is worse
than I am." It's meant as a joke, but isn't really said in a very joking
tone. She keeps looking towards that window. What could possibly be so
interesting there? Maybe she just needs an excuse to look somewhere else.
"Who's Denn," she asks quietly.

"I dunno. I don't think she really means it." Neelkan says with a shrug,
dismissing it now that it's out of sight. Out of sight, out of mind.
"Though 'en 'gain, ya prolly didn't either." But that trail of thought
truly dies off at the question about Denn. He pauses for a few moments,
then shrugs and says, "She's a White Sedai. She's a... good friend." He
pauses again for a moment, then adds, "'n if I finish m' trainin' without
gettin' thrown out, 'n if she still wants, she'll prolly be the one t' bond
m'."

The old Zaidah would have grinned at him evilly and made some horribly
shameless comment about just how much she meant it, but this Zaidah
doesn't. She doesn't smile at all, and just nods, and proceeds to ask a
very personal question. "Do you love her?" Women can be so annoyingly
direct at times, especially when it's most uncomfortable, can't they? She
looks away from the window now, and at him. She has to know, and if he
doesn't come out and say it... she might at least be able to catch
something from his expression. She feigns a smile, "After all, friends tell
eachother stuff like that, don't they?" Her cheer is completely fake, but
she's no slouch at being a faker. She's been doing it all her life hasn't
she?

Neelkan blinks at the question and looks a little surprised, but then his
eyes narrow suspeciously, wondering why she's asking. It is a little
personal, after all. Love. Pah. But instead of denying it completely, or
going into how he hates women, he just says softly, "I like Denn. A lot.
But if it's more 'en 'at, I dunno. Last I checked though, love wasn't a
requirement t' bond." He looks a little uncomfortable though, even if what
he said was probably the most truthful thing he's said all day. He really
doesn't know how he feels about Denn.

"No, it's not. That's why I asked." She's looking back at the window again.
I need a good, stiff drink, that's what I need. Zai's not going to do it in
front of him though, not now. She stands up. "Well, I should let you
sleep." She's very, very subdued, but a little relieved at the same time.
Yeah, she told Vorsha she'd make sure he stayed but... things change, and
it's not like the Yellows can't do that just as well.. or better. She
forces another smile. "I hope you enjoy the present."

Wait a second... Why is she acting all weird on him. It's a little
uncomfortable. "Zai? Hold up a sec. Why'd ya ask?" Neelkan doesn't really
understand the 'it's not a requirment, so that's why' business. The Firefly
never seemed the type to ask things like 'at. Of course, she probably just
asked it to make him squirm, now that he thinks about it. Hmm.

Burn it. Zaidah looks at him, and knows she's going to have to do something
drastic or... So she laughs and does grin evilly this time. "Because I'm
running out of stuff to tease you with, pumpkin." That's right, she just
asked to make your squirm, you go right on thinking that and the world will
be a happier place.

"Oh, 'n 'ere I thought ya had lotsa thin's t' tease m' 'bout." Neelkan
mutters softly, then lets out a slight yawn and lays back a little more.
He's doing much better now then when she first came in. His breathing has
settled to a slow, steady pace, and his skin is no longer flushed and
sweaty. And if she had her hand on him again, she'd see his pulse has
slowed back down. Looks like Vorsha's brew really worked. His eyes closed,
he adds, hopefully before she's gone, "'n 'anks." Whether he meant for her
company, or for the flask, only he knows, because he's clearly lost to the
waking world not a few seconds after closing his eyes. Though she might not
know that right away. The guy doesn't snore, so it's difficult to tell
sometimes.

"You're welcome," she barely whispers. For a moment her gaze rests on him,
but she doesn't let herself look too long before she turns on her heel and
strides out, swiftly, but quietly. A good stiff drink, and maybe a
pretty... or two.