milliways_bar | (no subject)

(no subject)

A line of silver light flickers and then widens into a portal. Beyond it can be seen a stone corridor, dusty with disuse and somehow almost wrong in shape, and sealed at each end.

The illusion of "Syrenne" fades as Moiraine steps through into Milliways, and for a single unguarded moment the Aes Sedai looks unutterably weary.

"Matters worsen, I think, if familiar paths are twisted so," she murmurs under her breath. "Perhaps a space here will grant respite enough, still." Moiraine straightens, then, and glides toward her usual table, signaling to Holly as she passes.

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"I see," she murmurs.

"You might begin by announcing it elsewhere -- but unless you mean it, child, it will avail you nothing."

Draco nodded, and asked nervously, "What then? I'll be exposed, won't I?"

"I should think it quite possible."

A pause, while she studies him.

"Would you wish help?"

Draco remarked, "What kind of help?"

"This is not a bargain, child." The Aes Sedai's voice lashes out like a whip, and dark eyes are hot with temper, although her composed manner does not change.

"If you would seek freedom from the Shadow, then I might help you to oppose it, but if you persist in cringing in search of guarantees for the damnation you have sworn yourself to, then I will see you dealt with instead."

Draco flinched at that, and resisted the urge to run.

He then straightned himself, and calmed his emotions again. Packing it away neatly in his mind.

"My apologies then," he said.

"It is not your apologies that you had best concern yourself with, I think."

"You have a decision to make, and I shall give you time to make it. If when we speak again you have chosen freely to abandon the Shadow, then we shall see what may be done."

"And if not... then we shall see what that may lead to, as well."

There is absolutely nothing of compromise in the diamond-hard tone.

Draco nodded, and that looked as a good of an exit as anything.

He had much to consider and decide after all.

He bowed his head in farewell, and then left.

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