(no subject)

[tibetanmethod]

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.

Comments

[tibetanmethod]

Cooper raises his eyebrows.

"Why is that?"

[blue_ajah]

Her hesitation is visible, but brief, and she meets his glance directly as she says,

"I will be frank with you, Dale; it is the timing that concerns me."

[tibetanmethod]

"Can you expand?"

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

[blue_ajah]

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

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

[tibetanmethod]

He knows.

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

[blue_ajah]

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

"May I thank you anyway?"

[tibetanmethod]

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

[blue_ajah]

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

A beat of silence.

"Thank you. Guardian."

[tibetanmethod]

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."

[blue_ajah]

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."

[tibetanmethod]

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

His faint smile deepens.

"I hope you're not surprised."

[blue_ajah]

"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."

[tibetanmethod]

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."

[blue_ajah]

"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."

[tibetanmethod]

"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."

[blue_ajah]

"Perhaps," she allows.

[tibetanmethod]

Another moment's silence.

Quiet:

"And if you want to."

[blue_ajah]

"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-- ?"

[tibetanmethod]

"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."

[blue_ajah]

She inclines her head to him.

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

[tibetanmethod]

"And as you can imagine -- "

His tone gets a little wry.

"I hope that will change as well."

[blue_ajah]

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