[pfsb]

[acrookedpath]

The lantern is done. It's a momentous achievement; a culmination of all of Wei Wuxian's work since he first arrived at the inn...

And now it means he doesn't have a project to work on anymore. The agony!

He'll think of one soon enough. In the meantime, he's settled for sketching out an update to the Compass of Evil, whittling away at a block of wood Madam Bar provided him. If he has all the tools of a thousand worlds at his disposal, it should be no trouble at all to fine-tune the instrument.

Comments

[acrookedpath]

He exhales a brief, wobbly breath; it might have been his attempt at a laugh. "I am trying," he says, no louder.

[lightamidchaos]

Lan Wangji places his hand at the small of Wei Ying's back, trying to steady and support him.

"The Pattern's weaving is complex," Moiraine murmurs, after a moment. "The more so, when it comes to those who are touched by ta'maral'ailen."

[acrookedpath]

He frowns when the inn's magic does not translate her last words, and looks Moiraine's way.

"By what?"

[blue_ajah]

"It is a web," Moiraine tells him, ignoring the sharp look from Lan Wangji. "Sometimes the Wheel's weaving bends a thread such that all other threads nearby are forced to swirl with it, whether they wish to or not. That swirl, that shift, that is ta'maral'ailen."

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian looses another soft breath at that. An unwilling, unfelt smile tugs at his lips; he drops his gaze.

"Well," he says, his lightness just as forced, "this pattern, in this world, has already been woven, with all its runs and crooked strings, eh? Undoing one bad thread would still make everything fall apart."

[blue_ajah]

"The Pattern has room for small changes," Moiraine murmurs. "Larger ones are not always possible. Especially when one is ta'veren. But perhaps that is a matter of philosophy for another day."

[acrookedpath]

"I think it is, yes," says Wei Wuxian, still with that false breeziness.

He cannot tell if Moiraine agrees with him, or if she is about to argue in favor of ridiculous things like destiny and fate. Perhaps both. Either way -- this is not the time.

He glances to Lan Zhan with another crooked smile -- this one not nearly as forced -- and catches his free hand for a quick squeeze.

[lightamidchaos]

He keeps hold of Wei Ying's hand and meets the Aes Sedai's eyes with a level stare. "Is there anything else we should know before we travel with you?"

Moiraine raises her eyebrows very slightly as she considers him. "Is there anything else you wish to know?" she counters.

[acrookedpath]

Ah, there is the Moiraine he remembers.

Wei Wuxian eyes them both, ready to intervene if it becomes necessary.

[blue_ajah]

"I have asked," Lan Wangji says, levelly, and the Aes Sedai has to fight not to let out an exasperated breath. She needs their assistance, she reminds herself. Besides, it is useful for her to remember what it is like to be challenged so. All things are part of the Pattern.

"And I have responded," she replies, with perfect poise. "I am not unwilling to speak, but I have also learned not to make assumptions about your beliefs and desires. To a certain extent, you may be as prepared as is possible, but if there are other things you are curious about or would wish to discuss beforehand, then do not expect me to read your thoughts to discern them."

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian breaks into an uncertain laugh, turning take Lan Zhan by the shoulders as he insinuates himself between the pair.

"I am certain I'll think of plenty to ask once we have a good look at the anomaly," he says. "We know enough to get started at least, eh?"

He has already had this argument with Moiraine before -- what she considers unimportant, a cultivator may find very important, and vice versa -- and it got him nowhere. Lan Zhan will have even less luck, he's certain.

[lightamidchaos]

It takes him a few moments of leveled gaze before he looks over at Wei Ying and gives an infinitesimal nod. "Mn."

He will just have to be watchful. More watchful.

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian's expression blossoms into a bright grin. He doesn't bother restraining himself from kissing the tip of Lan Zhan's nose.

"Good!" he chirps. "Then shall we?"

[blue_ajah]

Light help us all, Moiraine thinks, but inclines her head in assent. "There is little to be gained through further delay, I should expect."

She glides to the door of her study and opens it, then waits for them to pass through so she can set the wards before departing.

[acrookedpath]

Picking up his bag, Wei Wuxian slings it over one shoulder -- almost knocking it into the doorframe of Moiraine's room -- as he exits.

As Moiraine busies herself with... something; probably like the locking talismans on their own door, he lowers his voice so only Lan Zhan can hear.

"What do you think?"

[lightamidchaos]

"That we shall soon see." He rests his hand at the small of Wei Ying's back to guide him for a moment as they follow the Aes Sedai.

[acrookedpath]

An amused snort. "We will," he agrees, before lifting his voice a little -- not quite including Moiraine in the conversation, but no longer angling for any semblance of privacy. "How many worlds will this be now? Let's see, there was Ingress, Tom-gongzi, Geralt-qianbei and Ciri -- ah, and that brief visit to Canaan House to assist Harrow -- "

[blue_ajah]

"Other worlds than these," the Aes Sedai observes over her shoulder, without turning. There is something very dry about her tone, for some reason.

[acrookedpath]

"Many other worlds than these!" he says, unperturbed by whatever private joke Moiraine might be making. "And now we may add one more to our list."

[blue_ajah]

"So you may." Moiraine crosses the main room without pause until she reaches the front door. "If you are ready, follow me through."

With that, she opens the door and steps through into what looks like a small library.

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian follows readily, glancing around at the books with interest as they step into Twin Peaks. The titles on their spines resolve with a shimmer as the inn's magic does its work.

"Your collection?" he asks Moiraine.

[blue_ajah]

"Some of it," the Aes Sedai tells him. She waits for Lan Wangji to step through as well before closing the door to allow the portal to the bar to dissipate. "That which is acceptable for others to see. Some things are hidden."

She opens the door again onto a neatly kept sitting room. The apartment's small kitchen is to the side, and the bedroom lies behind a door on the other side of the sitting room.

[acrookedpath]

"Ah, Moiraine, you shouldn't tell me you have hidden knowledge in your personal library!" he says -- and it's light enough that he may actually be teasing her.

[blue_ajah]

She arches an eyebrow, considering the teasing sound of his voice, and considering as well whether this is something she wishes to do - then gives the faintest shrug.

Silver-gold light glimmers at her fingertips for an instant, harder here to see than it was in the bar, but visible to a discerning eye all the same. She flicks the weave at an empty spot against the far wall, where a series of small paintings hang, only for them to vanish entirely as the illusion dissipates and a bookcase filled with scrolls and journals and a set of wooden boxes appears.

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian stares -- he hadn't expected Moiraine would actually respond this way! -- then bursts into laughter, making an immediate beeline for the scrolls. To his credit, though, he doesn't touch them.

(Yet.)

"So what is in all of these that requires their hiding?"