(no subject)

[blue_ajah]

Tomorrow will be here soon. The one day that remains is not very long at all.

And yet, she thinks, it may be long enough. All things are part of the Pattern.

Moiraine settles herself in the bar at her preferred table, with tea, and waits to see what the evening might bring.

Comments

[maid-of-astolat.livejournal.com]

Elaine has tea ready.

Even though she's not seen Moiraine for a couple of weeks.

She sets the service down and pours. "Good even, Moiraine. And how do you fare?"

Elaine's voice is quiet and subdued, and her eyes are red, her hair a little messy.

[blue_ajah]

"I am as well as may be expected," comes the calm reply.

Dark eyes seem to weigh the other woman, and Moiraine gestures to a seat.

"And yourself?" It is not an idle question.

[maid-of-astolat.livejournal.com]

Elaine sits down, places her hands in her lap, and says, "My lover has left the bar and I do not think he will ever come back. I'm afraid I drank rather a lot last night."

Though Elaine has learned to keep her face composed, her eyes still show how devestated she truly is.

[blue_ajah]

There is an odd quality to her silence for some few moments, and then the Aes Sedai inclines her head.

"I see. It is ... difficult, when such things happen; such loss is hard to bear."

[maid-of-astolat.livejournal.com]

"Aye, it is." Elaine remains silent for a moment or two, then she takes a deep breath and says, "But I would know how things are with you. I've not seen you in quite some time."

[blue_ajah]

"As well as may be expected," she repeats calmly, but then continues, "given what the morrow will bring."

A pause. "I have been ... preoccupied, I am afraid, Elaine."

[maid-of-astolat.livejournal.com]

"What is happening tomorrow?" Elaine asks in concern.

[blue_ajah]

Moiraine takes a sip of her tea before speaking. When she does, the Aes Sedai's tone is slightly distant and thoughtful.

"I have made mention before that my world is at war?"

[maid-of-astolat.livejournal.com]

"Yes, you have," Elaine says, leaning forward, attentive. She would hear this closely.

[not_that_spike]

"Hey."

Apparently, the evening brings trouble in the form of a bounty hunter. "How's it going, Moiraine? It's been a while."

And it has. It's not like he's been real busy, but he has been preoccupied.

[blue_ajah]

"Spike." Moiraine smiles serenely at him. "It has been some time indeed, to be certain."

"I myself am as well as may be expected. How are matters with you?"

[not_that_spike]

"Good."

And really, they are. "Got no complaints. But... I do have a question. You've been in and out of here a bunch of times, right?" He glances at the door.

[blue_ajah]

Dark eyes narrow slightly as she studies him.

"More than once, yes; and I have been dwelling in the Dreaming for some time, as well."

A pause. "Why do you ask?"

[not_that_spike]

He gestures to a chair, scratching his head. "Mind if I sit down for this one?"

He's kind of a gentleman. He doesn't like to just assume much of anything.

[blue_ajah]

She nods in turn. "Be welcome, Spike. May I offer you tea, or some other hospitality?"

Perfectly poised, and awaiting further details.

[not_that_spike]

"No, I'm okay." He's had coffee; he's good. But he does pull out the chair and sit opposite her, almost unsure of how to ask the question.

But finally the words just spill out. "You ever heard of the door opening onto someone's past, and they just... get to stand there and watch it like some movie playing in front of them?"

He's still trying to figure that one out, and he's not sure if it was some illusion he shared with Beth or if it's something that really happened. Or if it even matters.

[blue_ajah]

Moiraine studies him with sharp interest.

"No. That, I am afraid, I have not heard of before. Have you had such an experience, then?"

[magius-unlocked.livejournal.com]

And a white-robed Magius watches, his eyes picking out threads and an almost non-existant glow in her flesh, like a hidden star... quietlike. His eyes quint and then clear and he nods and approaches, his staff held in one hand as he bows to her.

"Good even, Lady."

[blue_ajah]

"Good evening," she answers, studying him with calm interest-- from staff to white robe, to polite manner.

"I do not believe that we have met before." There is something about her that is almost dangerously controlled, at the moment.

[magius-unlocked.livejournal.com]

And he notices, for she is very powerful and very dangerous.

"Indeed. I am Magius the White, of Krynn."

He nods to her.

"May I know your name?"

[blue_ajah]

"Krynn," she repeats, and her relaxation is infinitesmal, but there. "I am not familiar with that world, as it happens."

The Aes Sedai's tone is serene. "I am Moiraine Sedai."

[magius-unlocked.livejournal.com]

"A pleasure to meet you, Moraine Sedai. And Krynn is a world far off from that of any I have met here. Which is just as well. I fear my world would fair poorly amongst some of the wonders I ahev seen here."

he looks at her for a moment. Serenity is very fine.

"I know not your customs, so say on if I offend. I have been gifted with magic on my world and the ability to sense it in others, even in other forms. There is an aura about you as if of magic and yet unlike anything I have ever seen before. May I know what it is?"

[blue_ajah]

Dark eyes narrow slightly.

"You have the gift of seeing the ability to channel, then?" It is calmly inquisitive.

"I am Aes Sedai. As such, I may wield saidar, the feminine half of the One Power, drawn from the True Source, which is the very force of creation itself."

[magius-unlocked.livejournal.com]

"It is called channel?"Then he listens more.

"Ah, I see. Or rather I do not, but I understand as I can."

He nods.

"A primal force then, split into sex based halves... most unusual."

Then, he shakes his head and looks apologetic.

"I am sorry. I did not answer your words. I can see what I call Magic. it is seemingly related to this Channel ability you have."

[blue_ajah]

"It is the force of creation itself," she repeats with tranquil patience. "The same force that turns the Wheel of Time."

"Not all have the ability to draw the One Power and channel it, weaving it according to their will."