tibetanmethod | (no subject)

(no subject)

He'd suggested a game of chess.

Their cups -- tea and coffee -- sit by the pieces they've taken. Moiraine has more. Cooper's mind isn't really on the game.

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"Can you expand?"

He knows -- he's pretty sure he knows -- but he wants to hear it.

A soft breath, followed by a slight sigh, and then:

"Did my presence here have anything to do with your decision?"

He knows.

"Not as much as you might think," Cooper says, mildly. "Call it the catalyst."

She studies him for several moments, then nods, evidently accepting this.

"May I thank you anyway?"

"As long as you understand that any thanks are completely unnecessary." With a slight smile. "Truly."

"I do," Moiraine replies. "And yet."

A beat of silence.

"Thank you. Guardian."

The slight smile turns into something a little more rueful, a little more crooked. Cooper hides it by finishing off his cup of coffee.

After:

"Friend," he says. "Guardian when necessary, especially now. But friend first."

And at this, a soft light brightens the dark eyes, and a faint smile curves her lips.

"Friend first, then."

Moiraine leans forward, and places her free hand over his.

"I confess that I am glad of it."

For a moment Cooper looks surprised -- but only for a moment.

His faint smile deepens.

"I hope you're not surprised."

"Not particularly, no," she admits. "But sometimes it is good to be certain."

She gives a very slight shrug.

"Immersion in Daes Dae'mar affects one's perceptions."

Cooper nods. "I have... some idea." Lightly, he brushes his thumb against her fingers -- a brief touch, no more. "I also have hope that it won't be necessary as often for you, here."

"It is the habit of a lifetime," Moiraine says, very simply.

"But be that as it may, this is a different sort of place than anywhere else I have lived, as I think you realize."

"Yes." He's silent for a moment. Then: "When you've settled in more. And when you have a better grip on the town's fault lines."

"Perhaps," she allows.

Another moment's silence.

Quiet:

"And if you want to."

"Dale."

Although quiet, each word is clear, and her gaze is steady on his.

"Have you not yet realized that I would not be here if-- if I did not wish-- ?"

"No, I know." He's nodding again. "But it's hard to break patterns. And habits. Especially habits that your safety's often depended on, in the past."

She inclines her head to him.

"Precisely. And that of others, as well, of course."

"And as you can imagine -- "

His tone gets a little wry.

"I hope that will change as well."

"I have gathered something of that impression, yes," the Aes Sedai observes, dryly.

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