(no subject)

[blue_ajah]

[OOM: Everything is tangled.]

A shining portal flashes into existence, but there is something clearly wrong with it: it flares once, twice, unstable and very nearly uncontrolled.

From the other side, a soft despairing cry slices through the air-- and then Moiraine falls through the gateway as it sparks and dissolves in silver fire around her.

The slender figure of the Aes Sedai then crumples to the floor and lies there, unmoving.

Comments

[tibetanmethod]

Cooper isn't looking at Moiraine. He's looking at Merriman, for clarification, for multiple reasons.

If he was looking for a reminder that he is, in fact, a small mortal --

Well.

[gramarye1971]

Merriman had been on the point of picking up his teacup, but his hands still at Moiraine's reply -- one hand on his cup, the other poised to lift it and the saucer.

Quietly, and cautiously:

'Within yourself?'

[blue_ajah]

Moiraine shakes her head.

"I am not so foolish as to attempt that. But I support where I can, if you see the difference."

[tibetanmethod]

"I'm not certain I do." This said quietly. "This -- isn't my area of specialization." A nod to Merriman; a smile that's a touch wry for Moiraine.

[gramarye1971]

It cannot be denied that Merriman looks rather relieved at Moiraine's reply. His teacup finishes its interrupted journey, and he takes a long sip before setting it down again.

'Learning to counteract instabilities as they arise, perhaps? Or to identify potential areas of the same?'

[blue_ajah]

Her answering smile to Cooper is understanding.

"It is not the sort of thing that is innate knowledge, I do not think, but must be learned as other things are." A considered pause, and her glance flicks to Merriman. "Not among most, at any rate. Even those who are ta'veren."

"In any case, you might look at it so--"

Moiraine sets aside her teacup and picks up the cloth napkin that had been provided with the food. With a precise movement, she takes her belt knife and cuts a small slit in it, then spreads it on the table where they can see clearly.

"Here. Consider the tear as a weakness in the Pattern. Even if one cannot repair it, if one is aware of the flaw, then one can alter matters by exerting pressure on connecting threads, like so."

As she speaks, she pulls on different areas of the cloth, placing varying strain on the whole. Some angles open the tear wider; some minimize its very appearance.

[tibetanmethod]

He doesn't understand the how of it, but the what is good enough to start with. Cooper nods. "That clears things up a fair amount. Thank you." Beat. "What can we do to help you?"