(Untitled)

[lifeisacatch]

The door swings open and an old woman walks in. Well, the white hair suggests great age, as do the fine lines around her eyes and mouth. The armor and the muscular shape beneath it, as well as the upsweep of red-tipped horns (or a very fixed hairstyle) from her temples may, however, suggest otherwise

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[blue_ajah]

She is seated at a table in the corner, lingering over a cup of tea, when the woman declares her observation.

Moiraine glances up, arching an eyebrow.

[lifeisacatch]

"Or can one have everything?"

Flemeth is looking at Moiraine as she asks that question.

"Do you know?"

Blame the arched eyebrow.

[blue_ajah]

"It may be possible," she replies, evidently untroubled. "Although unlikely to occur all at once."

A pause.

"Might I presume that you are new to this place?"

[lifeisacatch]

"One might presume many things. Some of them may even be accurate. On such short acquaintance, I am sure I cannot say."

She speaks with evident merriment, then begins making her way toward Moiraine's table.

"This place. That place. One tavern is much like another, save for the sign above the door and the relative cleanliness of the cups."

[blue_ajah]

The Aes Sedai smiles.

"I myself have found that this particular tavern has some oddities that appear peculiar to its nature, but otherwise I would not disagree," she says.

"Be welcome to Milliways, in any case, whether it is your first visit or not."

[lifeisacatch]

"Its nature, your nature, my nature. Peculiarities are very relative, are they not?"

She chuckles quietly.

"But manners are a much more welcome surprise. And so precisely worded, too!"

[blue_ajah]

She inclines her head, still smiling very slightly.

"I am Aes Sedai," she observes.

It may stand as explanation for more than one thing, as it happens.

"My name is Moiraine."

[lifeisacatch]

"I am Flemeth. Or Asha'bellanar. Or the old hag who lives in the wilds. A name for every season, and all of them more or less the same. Which is why I use them, no?"

Her own smile widens, while amusement still dances through each and every word.

"Though Aes Sedai is a strange word. Fitting, I suppose."

[blue_ajah]

"It might be one reason," she agrees. "As long as you know they refer to you, and those that you would have call you by one or another of them know, then any would seem to serve well enough."

She traces the rim of her teacup with one fingertip.

"In the Old Tongue, aes sedai means 'servant of all,'" Moiraine says. "It is accurate, although some might find it more fitting than others."

[lifeisacatch]

"Some tongues age well, and others wither into dust. Though a tongue that speaks of serving -- that tongue might live well past old age."

Everybody loves a servant.

Especially the masters.

"And some names, of course, fit less and less well with time. Like an old pair of socks. Harder to throw away, but so are many things."

[blue_ajah]

"Time brings change, does it not?" she asks. "And change can alter meaning, as well as other things."

She gestures to the seat across from her in clear invitation.

"Would you like tea?"

[lifeisacatch]

"Tea, is it? Nothing mild or insipid, I hope."

Flemeth seats herself with the creak of leather and old bones.

"As for time, it brings many things. Old age, for one. Which is enough of a change to be going on with, for some."

[blue_ajah]

"For many," she agrees. "And for all that many do complain of it, it is a change that might be considered better than the alternative, for the most part."

She lowers her hand beside her chair and flicks her fingers in what appears to be a signal, and in short order a rat dashes up bearing another cup, which she accepts with a nod of thanks. Moiraine sets the cup on the table and begins to pour out.

"I prefer to avoid the insipid, but you must decide for yourself if this blend is to your taste."

[lifeisacatch]

"So many things depend on who is doing the considering!"

Flemeth appears more amused than delighted with this course of events.

It keeps her entertained.

"As for my tastes, it certainly smells better than brackish water. That seems like a good start, eh?"