(Untitled)

[not_only_wisdom]

The last thing Nynaeve was expecting this morning was to walk out of her -- all right, her bedroom -- and wander into Milliways

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[furiousmaximus]

There's a tall, broad-shouldered man sitting at the bar already. As her tea appears, he looks over and gives her a very subtle examination.

By which we mean he openly ogles her.

[not_only_wisdom]

Nynaeve scowls darkly into her tea.

She knows when she is being ogled.

Then she favors the ogler with a glare fierce enough to sear paint.

[furiousmaximus]

Max responds with an amused smile and an arch of his eyebrow that might, if one was generous, be construed as apologetic.

He didn't mean to offend, after all. (It was a poor strategy for making friends.)

[not_only_wisdom]

"You might try using your words," Nynaeve snaps.

It's entirely possible she's more out of the habit of being a morning person than she ought to be.

(Or she's like this all the time. Either/or.)

[furiousmaximus]

"My apologies," Max says, his deep voice polite. "I wasn't trying to be offensive."

Or, no more so than usual.

[not_only_wisdom]

She sniffs.

"You might try watching the way you look at a lady, in that case."

Hmmph.

[furiousmaximus]

"Again, I apologize." Max smiles. "I merely wished to convey my appreciation."

[not_only_wisdom]

"Well, don't."

She manages to refrain from yanking on her braid again. It's a struggle.

"Leering is unseemly."

And it makes Nynaeve very cranky.

[furiousmaximus]

"I have apologized," Max points out. "Is there anything else I might offer to make up for my behavior?" How about a tour of his room?

[not_only_wisdom]

Even if Nynaeve were not married, she would be highly unlikely to want to see Max's room. Especially with him in it.

Not that she has an idea that this is what's on offer. Yet.

"I do not think so. Thank you for your concern."

[furiousmaximus]

"I'm Max, by the way." There. That was a polite introduction without any innuendo! She should appreciate that.

[not_only_wisdom]

"Max, is it? I'm Nynaeve. My husband, Lan, may be along presently."

It's unlikely, really.

But.

Well. It'll tell her what kind of man he is, for certain. Won't it?

[furiousmaximus]

Max glances toward the door and shrugs. "So you both visit here often?"

The mention of a husband doesn't seem to have changed his demeanor.

[not_only_wisdom]

"We have spent a great deal of time here in the past."

She folds one hand over the other, settling both into her lap.

"I don't think I saw you frequenting the House of Arch."

[furiousmaximus]

"The fact that I don't even know what that is might serve as at least a partial explanation of that."

[not_only_wisdom]

"Well enough."

She doesn't smile, but a little of the stiffness ekes out of her manner.

(There's still a lot left.)

"You are, however, familiar with the painting of dogs playing -- I believe the card game is called poker?"