(no subject)

[creator_raven]

The front door opens, letting in the dark and the cold and the light, and the faintest hint of song.

There is a flash of vast black wings, and then a tall skinny man in a ragged dark coat is standing there, instead.

He is not smiling, and there are faint lines framing his mouth and eyes.

It might be weariness.

Raven pauses just beyond the threshold, hand still on the door.

Then he takes a breath, lets it out, and moves forward.

His hand leaves the door, and he doesn't look behind him as it swings shut.

click

Comments

[nitro-is-ace.livejournal.com]

She doesn't want to be in the bar.

At all.

However, she can't seem to tell a certain ajah that without somehow ending up on the losing side of the argument.

Thus, it is a highly sulky Ace that wanders in through the back door. Maybe if she tells Moiraine that she went to Italy earlier in the day and got food then? She considers this new line of argument as she meanders towards the table she and Moiraine occupied last night.

You know?

Someday, Ace is going to learn how to look around once in a while.

[creator_raven]

It is, perhaps, a little strange to walk after flying so long and so far.

This may explain the half-hitch in his step shortly after he catches sight of Ace.

It may also explain the slight pause before he moves forward.

[nitro-is-ace.livejournal.com]

There is no Moiraine at the table. Well, that does leave her a bit more time to work on a more definitive story about why she doesn't feel much like eating. Fisn and chips in London? No. Something from the TARDIS? Already confirmed there was no food, drat. Um...

Uninspired, she looks around the bar in hope of a sudden idea being thrust upon her.

Instead, she sees a bird.

Her bird.

She doesn't quite remember standing up.

She'll remember trying to run to him for quite a while though, since her coat got hooked in the chair, ending with her and the chair ending in a noisy tangled mess on the floor.

So graceful, our Ace.

[creator_raven]

Raven smiles faintly, moving forward a little faster.

He drops to a crouch beside Ace, reaching out one hand to untangle her from the chair.

"It was not an attack, I am hoping, yes? I do not think even you could offend a chair. Though it is a worthy goal, I think."

[nitro-is-ace.livejournal.com]

This would be a suitable place for Ace to cling and sob and make Raven swear to never leave again, right?

And maybe she would have.

A couple decades ago.

Raven's definitely solid. Ace reassures herself of that by slapping him soundly.

"You bastard. You utter, utter bastard."

Alright. Now she's clinging. She'll worry about the fact that her hand hurts like hell later.

[wizard_howell]

Look. Up in the air. It's a bird. It's a man. It's...

Really, the name Raven shouldn't be quite this difficult to remember.

He'll get round to it, eventually. For the moment, he simply raises his hand in as innocent a gesture of hello as he can muster, given his condition.

Raptor. No. Rascal. No. Ringo. Definitely not. Ray? Close...

[creator_raven]

Raven doesn't startle, but he pauses a moment, head tilted. He might be frowning.

Then his expression clears--though it takes a few moments.

"Howl, yes?"

[wizard_howell]

He nods. "We flew together. I'm the one afraid of heights and you're the one who's..."

That's it; he lets out a relieved sigh. "...called Raven. You look as if you could use some of what I drank far too much of earlier tonight."

[creator_raven]

His smile is faint, the corners of his mouth barely turning upward.

But some of the lines have faded from his face.

"The effect is not the same, perhaps, but I am fond of the taste."

[wizard_howell]

"Glass or pint? Pick your poison; I was on Guinness but I've matriculated to coffi. When the walls start swimming, I know it's time." He gestures halfheartedly to a wait-rat, letting the creature crawl onto his hand. Tilting his head to one side, he appears to be listening to the rat's squeaks and squawks; every now and again, he nods. "Our friend here says you might enjoy the Murphy's Stout. How does that sound?"

Fumbling in his leather coin bag, he takes out a gold coin and hands it to the rat. "Two of those."

He never lets a fellow drink alone if he can help it.

[blue_ajah]

She had come into the bar this evening seeking a number of people.

It is the one she had not truly expected to see, however, that may be the greatest surprise.

Dark eyes are very wide as she stares at him, and Moiraine is very still.

[creator_raven]

Raven keeps walking for a moment, eyes fixed firmly on the floor.

Placing feet is very different than placing wings.

Eventually he looks up, however, and catches Moiraine's gaze.

He smiles faintly, eyes wide and black and old.

"It has been so long?"

[blue_ajah]

"Not very long at all, in a sense," she murmurs, watching him carefully. "This is the second full day since the evening that you... departed so abruptly."

[creator_raven]

He nods, once, some of the lines on his face easing.

"It is difficult to tell, elsewhere."

Outside.

[blue_ajah]

She had seen what lay beyond the door for him, when he had opened it.

"I imagine that it might be, at that."

Quietly said.

"You are well, I may hope?"

[gramarye1971]

Merriman's gaze is...not quite expressionless, but not far from it.

'Incurious' might be a better way of describing it. He isn't curious as to where Raven has been, or why he should be returning. He has a feeling that if he's meant to know the answers to those questions, or indeed any others, he'll know them soon enough.

But he gets to his feet nonetheless, and takes a few steps nearer to the door.

[creator_raven]

Raven slows as he moves nearer to Merriman, coming to a complete stop not far away.

He smiles faintly, and looks up at the Old One.

"Merriman. It has not been long, I hope?"

[gramarye1971]

'Not as time passes here.'

He has an general idea of where Raven has been. He understands the reason for the question.

'Time enough for word to spread. Not time enough for a more organised reaction.'

[creator_raven]

Raven nods.

"The better for them, I think."

For a whole host of reasons.

Some of which involve Blodwen herself.

[gramarye1971]

'Very much so,' Merriman says flatly. 'Convincing them of that, however, is not likely to be a straightforward task.'

[song_tra_bong]

Raven came in from outside.

Raven came in from outside.

Mary Anne looks more than a little confused, and possibly wary.

"Raven?"

[creator_raven]

He stills, settling a little gingerly on both feet.

Black eyes, dark and old and tired, watch her for a moment.

"It is a thing in question?"

[song_tra_bong]

"No, I suppose not..."

Her eyes flicker to the door, then back to his face. "Where did you go?"

[creator_raven]

"Away."

He shrugs, gesturing toward the Observation Window.

"Outside. It was easiest, I think."

[song_tra_bong]

Her eyes widen.

"Way away...Why'd you need to go out there?"