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"I have a big heart that often gets in the way of being a Warder. I try to shut out its desires and think with logic rather than feelings. It's what has gotten me by most of my life. But when I met you and got to know you, the feelings I had became overwhelming, even for me - a man who has learned to shut them out because of a painful past. You are like me, you have a big heart. It was apparent from the beginning when I found out that you were a Yellow. Yellows care for others; they Heal those that are in need. That was the first attraction I found. Your desire to help others.

Once our relationship furthered, I found that there was more to you than helping others. Your cool-minded logic. Again, another trait I can relate to. And last but far from least, your beauty. It shines through even the darkest of times. You are radiant, I hope you know that," Ethin said, blushing a deep red. "I hope.. I did not say too much." He sat, feeling awkward. Hoping he had not scared her away.

"I'm sorry if it did not sound like I sincerely love you, Kiae. My feelings.. they're just so hard to put into words. But don't doubt me. My feelings for you are true, I assure you," Ethin told her, speaking straight from his heart.

"And do not worry, you do not have to learn to love me. You don't have to do anything you don't want to. Just know I will always be here waiting for you should you decide you would like to have me," he said slowly, knowing now that his feelings were in the open, it would hurt more if she prolonged things. But he meant every word he said. He couldn't force her to love him and would accept wherever she wanted things to go.

Ethin placed a gentle finger against her face, turning her eyes to his. "Tell me what is troubling you. Help me make you happy," he told her earnestly.

Esole took a step back. "Tainted? You cannot be serious! Rand al'Thor destroyed the taint!" Esole exclaimed, trying to convince herself that it could not be true. If her Warder was tainted... she could be tainted through the Bond. What if he went mad and destroyed all those around him? He was already a bit on the edge. He could become a danger to all those around.

His mind was oddly on the same wavelength as hers. "If there is somewhere you would rather be then it is fine, I'll stay here in Cairhien and try to gather information. If I am indeed tainted then I will need to isolate myself so as to not hurt anyone. I feel fine...With the exception of the coughing." His mind was scrambling to think of some way to keep Esole safe as well as himself. The only emotion flowing out of his mind was worry.

I should have it healed. That way it would solve the problem and we would both be fine. Yes that would do nicely. "We should return to Kiae. She said it was heal-able. Afterwards we should look for the cause. There is no doubt the dragon abolished the taint on the source, but what if there were items that still contained it. Like the cursed items of Shadar Logath. They are tainted and are not linked to the source." Melthin had already started trying to puzzle the cause out, slowly nitpicking at a list of all of his belongings in his mind.

Kiae nodded and rose to her feet, straightening out her skirts absently; she was preoccupied about the matter of his Bond to Esole, but wasn't about to breach the subject. She felt they both had enough to take in before raising more troubles.

"I'll go downstairs with you and eat there," she replied calmly, quickly making sure her hair was still acceptable. Deciding it was, she smiled - shyly - at the man. "I'm sure you could do with something to eat as well," she remarked.

(I'm thinking...barroom brawl? biggrin Get some action in.)

Kiae edged towards a round table in the corner of the room, away from a bit of the bustle and noise that followed the patrons of the dinner hour. "Order what you like, it doesn't matter," she told him, skimming over the menu with a cursory glance, already knowing what she wanted.

The waitress quickly arrived, hips sashaying in both directions as she eyed Ethin appreciatively. She took note of Kiae's Tower ring as well, but seemed more preoccupied with the man near her. "What can I get you, honey?" she purred, her dress cut alarmingly low for her thin bosom.

Kiae coughed in amusement, giving the woman a warning look. "I'll take the special for tonight, please, and make sure it's hot when it gets here," she ordered.

Kiae snickered a bit at this, finding the idea amusing. "Ethin, I'm surprised more women don't make fools of themselves around you. You're very handsome," she told him, keeping her gaze somewhere to his left to avoid meeting his eyes. She didn't receive too much unwanted attention from men; she knew it was her occupation rather than looks and didn't let it worry her.

Kiae shook her head in amusement; not having been the object of adoration much, she always liked hearing about it from others she knew - there was something about the hilarity of the situation she liked. She began to reply when a hand clamped down on hers, causing her to look up with a cold expression only to see a drunken traveler leering at her. His three friends were a few yards away at the bar, openly gawking.

"Remove yourself from my presence this instant," she ordered, her tone like ice. The man only belched loudly and dragged her halfway to her feet, grinning lecherously.

"Aw, don't be like that, sweetheart," he managed blearily. "You 'n me could 'ave a good time, right?"