(no subject)

[tibetanmethod]

He's given it some thought, this proposition of Moiraine's.

He's thought about it while idling through the grocery.

He's thought about it over breakfast.

He's thought about it while waiting for a group of juvenile delinquents to finish dumping Everclear, orange juice, pineapple, and Kool-Aid packets into a trash can so he can scatter them.

It is perhaps this last occasion -- and there were many others -- that makes him comfortable with his decision.

After Cooper retrieves his lunch from the Double R, he stops at the pay phone outside, and calls Moiraine to ask if he can see her after his shift ends that afternoon.

Comments

[blue_ajah]

She had agreed, of course, and had suggested a place where they might meet.

Pete Martell is happy to drop her off at Upper Twin Park after their chess game. Moiraine thanks him for the ride, and settles herself on a bench to wait.

Moiraine watches the play of leaves stirred by the light breeze. It is pretty here; soothing, even.

[tibetanmethod]

Cooper finds her a short time later.

Her back is to him, as he approaches; he lets his steps slow for a moment, watching her, checking in with himself -- am I sure? Am I really sure?

He feels nothing but calm certainty.





"Hello, Moiraine." He sits beside her. "You're looking well."

(It's not like it's been years since he last saw her.)

[blue_ajah]

She glances over at him as her lips curve upward in a smile.

"As are you. Hello, Dale," she replies. "Light illumine."

[tibetanmethod]

He glances briefly up at the sky. "Yes," he says.

And looks at her. "Moiraine. I've made my decision."

[blue_ajah]

"I see," the Aes Sedai murmurs.

She does not ask, does not push him to tell, but simply watches his face and waits to hear.

[tibetanmethod]

His expression is calm, and very sure.

"Yes," he says simply.

[blue_ajah]

She studies him in silence for several seconds, then reaches to take one of his hands from where it rests on his knee.

Her slim fingers intertwine with his.

"Thank you."

[tibetanmethod]

Cooper tightens his hold on her hand.

"When?"

There's a lot of planning to do. Not to mention he has to find a way to tell Harry.

(If she asks why he said yes, he'll tell her.)

[blue_ajah]

"There is some time, I think," she tells him. "The pace of days here is different by far than in Milliways, I have found, and Milliways itself was different than where we will be going. I would speak to Nynaeve first, to be certain of a few things."

A soft breath.

"So, a few weeks, perhaps. A month at the utmost."

[tibetanmethod]

He nods a little. "That's more than enough time."

It isn't. But maybe he'll have pie every day. Just in case.

"I'll be ready in two. And then... whenever you think is best."

[blue_ajah]

"Very well."

Moiraine glances out across the park, then turns to him again.

"I will not ask if you are certain, for I believe that you would not have agreed to this if you were not. But I will ask - why?"

[tibetanmethod]

"This wasn't a hasty decision. Please don't worry about that. But today -- it was as good a reason as any."

Slowly his thumb strokes Moiraine's hand.

"At eleven o'clock this morning I sat and waited for a group of adolescents to finish pouring grain alcohol into a trash can along with other ingredients used for flavoring. I had to wait, because if I didn't, they'd be able to scatter and take the ingredients with them. And it struck me that upholding this law wouldn't fix what made them want to do that at eleven o'clock in the morning. Or at all. I'm here in Twin Peaks because this is where I want to be. But sometimes..." Cooper shakes his head a little. "I'd like to do something more necessary."

Pause.

More quietly: "For you."

[blue_ajah]

She nods, very slowly. Something in her dark-eyed gaze softens as she searches his face.

Moiraine shifts slightly, just enough to lean to the side and rest her head against his shoulder.

"Perhaps I should not be, but I am glad."

[tibetanmethod]

Lightly, not quite into her hair, Cooper says, "I'd rather you were glad than disappointed, Moiraine."

[blue_ajah]

"I am not disappointed in the slightest."

She allows herself to stay as she is for a moment. There are things that will need to be done, both here and elsewhere, but not this very instant.

[tibetanmethod]

"That's good to know." Cooper isn't much inclined to move, either.

The first and foremost task is to make the shopping list for the gun shop in Spokane.

But Dale Cooper has some skill at dwelling in the present moment.

[blue_ajah]

She takes some few seconds more, then eases herself fully upright once more.

"I shall go tonight to Milliways, to leave word for Nynaeve that I wish to speak with her. I do not know when she will receive the message, you see."

[tibetanmethod]

That will give Cooper time to begin sketching out his plans.

...at least one of which should probably involve an updated will.

"Tomorrow night -- will you come over for dinner? There are things we should discuss, about certain preparations."

Another of which should be figuring out exactly how much ammunition he can and should carry.

[blue_ajah]

"I will."

Something flickers in the depths of her glance, there and gone.

"And I agree; there are several matters we should discuss, now."

[tibetanmethod]

"...maybe we should make it two or three nights in a row."

[blue_ajah]

"I suspect it would not be unwise."