(no subject)

[blue_ajah]

*Having left the room where Alex of Tirragen lies, Moiraine turns to Meg in the hallway outside.*

I wish to speak with you, Meg. I think there are things that need to be discussed.

Comments

[balletrat]

*Meg hesitates, then nods.*

Yeah. I think so too.

- are you talking about Nick?

[blue_ajah]

Among other things, yes.

*She gestures to her door, visible a short ways down the hall.*

[balletrat]

*Meg glances back at the room where Tainted Alex still lies, and follows her to her door.*

[blue_ajah]

*She opens it, and gestures for Meg to precede her; then Moiraine enters the room and shuts the door behind her. The Aes Sedai moves to one of the two chairs and takes a seat, indicating that Meg should take the other if she so chooses.*

Do you wish to explain?

[balletrat]

*Meg hesitates and sits down, because, why not? Her eyes fix on the flowers on the table.

Rosemary, that's for remembrance -*

I guess you mean why I was acting like I was yesterday?

[blue_ajah]

That would do, for a start.

*Her tone is still calm and even.*

[balletrat]

Er. That was because -

*And there is pansies. That's for thoughts.

Unfortunately, there are no pansies on the table.*

Well, it's sort of complicated, but -

You remember what I did at the last duel, right?

[blue_ajah]

Very clearly, in fact.

[balletrat]

*Meg takes a breath.*

Well. That won me the duel last time, but - I couldn't really do that anymore. 'cause of the Bug - there was some kind of mental block or something.

So Nick said he could get rid of the mental block, and that it'd be safe, because we already had a blood connection 'cause I'd just given him some of mine - blood, that is, and I know that sounds gross but it's a vampire thing - so he could sort of act as an anchor, so I'd be being him and I wouldn't get lost and he could break it and I wouldn't be stuck like I got last time -

*Oh you must wear your rue with a difference, and damn why had they ever put on bloody Hamlet at the Opera House -*

Only it didn't sort of work exactly altogether.

[blue_ajah]

No, I would say not.

*Still serenely composed, but dark eyes are intent and watchful, fixed on Meg. Moiraine waits.*

[balletrat]

*Meg takes another breath. Shrugs.*

Well. Then Nick severed the link, and I -

And then I remembered who I was, and that was that.

[blue_ajah]

*She tilts her head, studying Meg carefully.*

Was it really as simple as that?

[balletrat]

*Meg shrugs, with a small grin.*

Well, nothing's ever as simple as that.

But.

[blue_ajah]

Very well. I see.

*Moiraine looks directly at Meg.*

Do you intend to try this again?

[balletrat]

I -

*Meg hesitates, looks away.*

No. Not this way.

It's too much of a risk. And it didn't work anyways.

[blue_ajah]

I am glad of that, certainly.

*Moiraine pauses.*

Do you know why Alex challenged you, Meg?

[balletrat]

He told me it was to help a sick friend, but couldn't 'explain how it would help - then he told me it was to help her, but yeah, fat chance of that -

*Meg pulls on a curl absently.* But - I think it has to be whatever-it-is that's in his head, doesn't it?

[blue_ajah]

We do not know that for certain, although I admit that it is a possibility.

Do you intend to challenge him again?

[balletrat]

*Meg looks straight at Moiraine.*

Soon as he's well enough.

And then, if I lose, again.

[blue_ajah]

Why?

[balletrat]

'cause I don't know what he's going to do.

*Meg hesitates.*

And whatever he's going to do, I don't trust that it'll be good for Anthy.

[blue_ajah]

You would defend her at all costs, it seems.

*A thread of weariness is in her voice.*

[balletrat]

*Meg bites her lip, and searches for a way to explain it so that Moiraine will understand.*

I made a commitment and I owe a debt.

*This is rather spoiled by the addition of,* And I'm stubborn as a mule.

And she needs it.

[blue_ajah]

*Moiraine opens her mouth as if to speak, then closes it again. A moment of silence passes before the Aes Sedai quietly asks,*

Is there nothing that would convince you otherwise?

[balletrat]

*Meg opens her mouth to say 'nothing', and in fact has the word half-formed - and then hesitates.

Don't say always. Never say always.*

. . . it would be really really hard. And I wouldn't advise trying.

[blue_ajah]

Very well.

*A long pause, and Moiraine sighs.*

The Wheel weaves.

[balletrat]

How, *Meg says to the silver puzzle box on the mantelpiece,* did I know she was going to say that?

[blue_ajah]

*Moiraine laughs softly, and looks briefly very amused. A long moment passes, then, and she quietly offers,*

I could explain why, if you wanted.

[balletrat]

*Meg turns back around fast at that.*

'Why' is always good to know.

[blue_ajah]

Because if I cannot convince you otherwise, then I must accept that such a thing is evidently meant to be, whether I would wish it so or not.

*Moiraine looks directly at her.*

The Wheel weaves.

[balletrat]

*Meg's line of eyesight is almost straight into Moiraine's - it's so easy to forget how short the other woman is.

Slowly, Meg says:*

In France, we say, Que sera sera.

[blue_ajah]

*She tilts her head curiously.*

Does it mean the same?

[balletrat]

Sort of.

It means basically, 'What will be, will be.'