[pfsb] investigations and explorations

[blue_ajah]

Two days after Moiraine brought Wei Wuxian's talismans back to Twin Peaks, after she has taken the time necessary to review all of her notes as well as the histories she has been collecting, she calls Dale Cooper, who is still in Olympia, now, rather than Seattle.

All things considered, the conversation could have gone much, much worse.

She is well aware that they are going to have a much longer discussion after he returns in a few weeks, but he had agreed not to ask her to wait. She, in turn, had agreed, as before, not to go to Glastonbury Grove alone, or at night. She also agrees not to approach the pool closer than necessary to place the talismans, or to test it with her own weaving - not at present, anyway.

Hawk had been her next call.

A few days later, after he has had time to consider and to consult with the Bookhouse Boys, Hawk knocks on her apartment door and agrees to her request.

* * * * * * *
When Moiraine returns to Milliways, she leaves a sealed note with Bar, addressed to Wei Wuxian.

Master Wei--

I made the trial of your talismans according to your instructions. When I activated the one at the northernmost point, glowing red energy swept inward from the circle in a wave focused on the pool at its center.

The pool absorbed it all. It vanished into the depths without a ripple, and without a trace.

Nothing else has happened. Yet.

--Moiraine Sedai

That task completed, she settles at her preferred table with tea and begins sketching something in a notebook.

Comments

[blue_ajah]

"Ingress," she replies, with a smile. "Light illumine. It has been some time, has it not?"

She indicates a seat at her table with a graceful gesture, clearly inviting the younger woman to join her.

[herald_ingress]

Ingress takes the seat, because actually, Moiraine might just be the perfect person to ask about this new found compulsion of hers to visit Milliways more often.

“It has. I trust you’re well?”

[blue_ajah]

"As well as might be expected," she replies, and pours Ingress a cup of tea.

"And yourself?"

[herald_ingress]

“I’m well,” she says, grinning as she takes the cup of tea.

“I’m a full Herald now. Megwyn and I have been riding circuits for the kingdom for over a year.”

[blue_ajah]

"I am pleased to hear it," the Aes Sedai says, with a hint of surprise in her dark eyes.

"Time has passed indeed, but I suppose you are hearing that from several people here, are you not?"

[herald_ingress]

“You’re actually one of the first people I’ve spoken with here lately who knew me as a girl. In my recent visits I’ve met new friends.”

[blue_ajah]

"Is it so?" she murmurs. "I myself have noticed more new arrivals recently."

[herald_ingress]

“It’s lovely. I haven’t come to Milliways this often since I dressed in tutus and glittery shoes. I still have a milkshake from Bar each time, though.”

[blue_ajah]

"There is something to be said for the familiar," she agrees. "As well as the new."

[herald_ingress]

Hmm. Speaking of new things...

“Moiraine, I know you’ve been coming to Milliways since Tom has, and you’ve been a large part of happenings here, both good and bad, throughout that time. I’ve noticed some changes around how I access the bar, and I know that each person’s experience here can differ slightly. Would you mind if I asked you about what I’ve noticed?”

[blue_ajah]

"I would not mind at all," the Aes Sedai tells her.

"Indeed, I should be glad to discuss such matters with you, as both the young woman I knew before and as the colleague of sorts that I see before me now."

[herald_ingress]

Ingress can't suppress the delighted pink blush that spreads across her cheeks. Being considered an adult, a worthy participant in conversations and planning, is still a new thing for her.

"I appreciate that. Very much. I've never had time go out of sync when I visited here before, whether I was coming from London Below or from Valdemar. But time on the other side of the door is stopping for me now. I've been gone for hours at a time, and Megwyn thought it was only minutes. Do you know whether there are reasons why that happens?"

[blue_ajah]

"There must be," Moiraine says. "All things are part of the Pattern."

She takes a sip of tea.

"What they are, however, is often much less clear. I have known people to hold many theories and opinions on why the passage of time between worlds here is different for different people. Sometimes, it changes for the same person, as it appears to be doing for you. To the best of my knowledge, no one has been able to determine why with certainty."

"I have my suspicions, however, if you would hear them."

[herald_ingress]

“I would, please. I felt that there was meaning behind the change, even if I can’t figure out what it is.”

[blue_ajah]

"Most of those who observe such a change seem to have experienced some need," Moiraine says. "Whether it is something to be learned for themselves or to use in their worlds, or some ally to be found, some aid or succor--"

She places no particular weight on any word, but each is carefully chosen.

"-- often, those things can be discovered here. But to do so can take time, and so it seems that time is somehow granted in the passage through crossing into this place."

She takes a sip of tea.

"In the world where I was born, there is a place known as Tel'aran'rhiod, the World of Dreams. It is not unlike the Dreaming that you may have visited through here, at some point."

"Need is the key, in Tel'aran'rhiod. Need can bring you where you must go, or help you find what you seek. I suspect a similar effect is in play in this place."

[herald_ingress]

She nods, considering this.

“I’d like to figure out what it is, then, that I need. So far I’ve just been...”

Having a lot of fun? Making new friends? Remembering a very happy childhood in a special place as she looks upon it with adult eyes? Finding out who she is as an adult on her own, without a Companion beside her every moment?

“I’ll have to think on it. I also have the feeling that I need to do something. Say something. I don’t know what, but I’ve had dreams of memories of stories, and sometimes even objects, from my childhood.”

She laughs ruefully. “It’s maddening, because it seems like it’s right there in front of me, but I can’t wrap my fingers round it.”

[blue_ajah]

"Do not discount such feelings," the Aes Sedai advises her. "Would you tell me of these dreams?"

[herald_ingress]

She nods. "Mostly they're reminders, I think, of people who cared for me, or played with me, or taught me. I see their faces, I remember their words, things they gave me. Did you know Eddie Dean?"

[blue_ajah]

She nods.

"I did, as it happens."

[herald_ingress]

"He was one of my favorite people. He told me stories and made the best milkshakes. And he gave me something else he made, a wooden yo-yo, and it does something important, but I can't remember what."

[blue_ajah]

Dark eyes narrow at this.

"Do you have it with you?"

[herald_ingress]

"No, I don't. It's back in my quarters in Haven. I could bring it next time. I'll have the chance, I have a feeling."

[blue_ajah]

“It might well be wise of you to do so,” Moiraine says.

“The things Eddie made in the past were often much more than they appeared.”

She sounds very, very certain of this.

[herald_ingress]

"But... not bad. Nothing about this feels wrong," she says, a little uncertain. "Just strange."

[blue_ajah]

Moiraine nods.

"Strange is enough. The Wheel weaves. It may be that ta'maral'ailen, the web of destiny, is forming."