![[Image: Vladamir-683x1024.jpg?strip=info&w=1709]](https://i2.wp.com/thefirstage.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Vladamir-683x1024.jpg?strip=info&w=1709)
He was pleasantly surprised that she continued the conversation. Vladamir would always defer to the Aes Sedai when it came to the degree of comfort between himself and any Sister. As they were usually far too busy to dally polite small talk with idle warders, the conversation was welcome.
As was the offering. Vladamir was a fan not a scholar. If there were ongoing debates about Mathevron’s work, he was fully ignorant of them. Nor was he qualified at all to participate in such conversations. He reacted with genuine surprise verging on outright delight to glimpse a possible lost piece of the man’s artistry. If the greatest minds among the Ajah considered Mathevron may be the author of an unidentified piece, whether he was or not meant it was moving.
“That’s most unexpected. Thank you. I would be honored,” he replied with a bow of the head in gratitude. He watched her profile return forward for a few moments in case the conversation continued, but it seemed to have fallen into a natural lull that held Vladamir’s lips together in like kind. He fell into the second-nature habit of noting their surroundings was generally unchanged, and listened for the ebb and flow of distant conversation. Despite the number of people taking up space in corners and on benches, this area of the Tower was so grand, it naturally demanded awe and respect even on the best of nights. Most kept their voices little more than polite volumes, even among the warders, whom Vladamir knew first hand possessed the capacity to be anything but quiet.
Which was why Malaika Sedai’s question took him by surprise. As he shifted in his seat enough to angle slightly toward her, he was very aware that he was armed and padded with leathers in that moment. He did what he could to be graceful about the motion. Curiosity colored his expression for a moment although it wasn’t for what she may desire to confess but why she thought she need ask at all.
“And I will always listen to anything you have to say. Please, what is on your mind?"