OOM: In the Summer Country (Moiraine)

[creator_raven]

It is not so bad a country, perhaps, though it is a kind of static that makes Raven's head itch.

Still.

Hopefully Moiraine will appreciate the slippers he left on her bed.

They are very comfortable, and fuzzy, and blue.

Also shaped like bunnies. She forgot them when she left.

It is a pity.

They would have been keeping her feet very warm in this drafty castle.

Like Raven's boots, as they click against the stone floors as he goes in search of the Aes Sedai.

Comments

[blue_ajah]

In her days here, she has come to an understanding of the normal routine of the castle. At present, Moiraine is gliding down a hallway on her way toward a particular courtyard, intending to take the air-- and to observe some of the others who tend to do the same at this time of the afternoon.

She tilts her head slightly at the clicking sound, and tosses a glance over her shoulder.

[creator_raven]

Possibly Raven is like Macavity.

Except for the bits about being a cat.

And Scotland Yard.

Still.













It is at this point, perhaps, that Raven taps Moiraine lightly on the shoulder.

"You, I hope, have been well?"

[blue_ajah]

She does not quite startle, having caught a glimpse of him out of the corner of her eye, but Moiraine turns the rest of the way around very quickly.

"Raven! I did not expect to see you here."

[creator_raven]

Raven grins brightly.

"I am, I think, often fond of visiting kin, so."

This, as it happens, is not a lie at all.

"Also you, I think, had forgotten your slippers."

[blue_ajah]

She arches an eyebrow and says with a hint of dry amusement,

"And here I had thought you were not all that fond of long conversations with the cousins."

Still, Moiraine is smiling slightly -- even after he mentions the slippers.

"I left on rather short notice, as it happens."

[creator_raven]

Raven laughs.

"It is, I think, not only cousins. So."

He ruffles her hair, easy and carefree.

"You did, I think. But I have brought them with me."

He smiles, perhaps a little smug.

"Stone is often very cold, perhaps."

[blue_ajah]

She reaches up to straighten her hair with a look of quiet resignation, and says,

"Or perhaps Bran is a different sort of cousin. In any case, I think it likely that he will be pleased to see you."

Moiraine casts a quick suspicious glance at his pockets.

"As for the cold of stone, that is why I am wearing shoes," she points out. Serenely.

[creator_raven]

"Those, I think, are very boring."

He might be giving a dirty glance to her feet.

Or her shoes, at least.

"Likely he has been, yes."

There was no smiting, at least.

[blue_ajah]

"I like them the way they are," she says, not-quite-hastily. "No ruffles, no pink."

[creator_raven]

Raven blinks, looking almost hopeful.

"You are for preferring blue and leopard-print, perhaps?"

And, you know, bunnies?

[blue_ajah]

"Raven," she says, on a faint sigh. "I like these as they are, thank you."

A pause.

"There is a garden, and a courtyard nearby; I could request something from the kitchens, if you are hungry?"

[creator_raven]

Raven grins, tugging at her hair again.

"You, I think, are very welcome. So."

He blinks.

"They are for having cookies here?"

[blue_ajah]

"I am certain that something can be arranged."

Moiraine places one hand gracefully on his arm, and attempts to guide him along beside her down the hallway.

"How are matters with you, and back at Milliways?"

[creator_raven]

Raven grins down at her, possibly amused by her attempts at guidance.

But he does follow along meekly enough.

Meekly enough for Raven, that is.

"Things are reasonably well, I am thinking? Mostly I am bored, so."

Beat.

"And things with you? It is a good place, this?"

[blue_ajah]

"I am not entirely certain that it is well for you to be bored, but I will admit that it could be worse if you were not," she tells him, as they pass through one hallway and into another.

Moiraine is quiet while a couple passes, then murmurs, "I am well enough; indeed, I am not unwell."

[creator_raven]

Raven's smile is a little wry.

"It is mostly a question of circumstance, I think."

He blinks, then, head tilting.

"This not unwell is a very great change, then?"

It is certainly not a thing that she has said before.

[blue_ajah]

"I would hope it is not so very great a change as all that," she says, then pauses at the next intersection of halls.

"Courtyard, or garden?"

[creator_raven]

"I would hope so too, I think."

He nudges her shoulder with his.

"But possibly I am not thinking it likely."

His voice is very quiet.

"It is not so bad a thing, perhaps, to see you looking almost happy, yes?"

He wrinkles his nose.

"It is the serene that makes it tricky, I think."

[blue_ajah]

The swift, startled glance she gives him makes her look oddly young, just for a moment.

Moiraine does not say anything just yet, but guides him down the hallway to the right, then out into a small garden.

She seats herself gracefully on a bench against the stone wall, and dark eyes meet his.

"No, it is not so bad a thing, I believe," she says, finally. "Even though the reason for it is a great strain for others, still, I am..."

The Aes Sedai trails off, with a very small shrug.

[creator_raven]

Raven's smile is small and almost sweet.

It might, for a moment, also be a little bit sad.

"It is not a thing you are undeserving of, so."

[blue_ajah]

"The Wheel weaves," she murmurs, with a faint smile of her own, "and all things are part of the Pattern."

Moiraine shrugs, and glances up at the rustle of a tree-branch overhead, watching as the wind stirs the leaves.

"It is a strain for others, but I believe that things are as yet well enough, and so."

[creator_raven]

Raven wrinkles his nose at her.

"Most things, perhaps."

This, by now, is almost old hat.

"Still. It is best to take advantage of such things, I think."

That is not mischief in his expression. Nope. Perish the thought.

"You are having ways to keep busy?"

[blue_ajah]

"Have no doubt," she tells him, turning to face him once more. "There is a great deal to do in any court, I think, even during times of peace."

A beat.

"And this, of course, might not best be called exactly that."

[creator_raven]

"It is mostly a misnomer regardless, I think."

Raven shrugs, tone oddly matter-of-fact.

"It is the problem with living, yes?"

Or being associated with things that are alive, too.

There are always hazards aplenty.

[blue_ajah]

"If one chooses to see it as such, perhaps," Moiraine agrees.