(Untitled)

[v_knidh8er]

Through the din, smoke and wreckage of the most recent battle to baptize Milliways in flame, the small tinny sound of a classical piece can be heard. The tell-tale door of the Loompas opens in the front of the bar, and from which a cleaning crew of 9 in HazMat suits emerge.

Oompa loompa doom pa de do

Comments

[blue_ajah]

*She looks around to check on the others after she finishes Healing Joe, in the process taking in the destruction and the actions of the busy Oompa Loompas cleaning up the mess.*

[balletrat]

*Meg grins at Moiraine, weary but proud.*

[blue_ajah]

*Moiraine looks back at Meg with a serene gaze, dark eyes warm with understanding and approval, both.*

Are you well, Meg? *She looks carefully at her.* Were you hurt?

[balletrat]

Just a bruise on the elbow or something, *Meg says cheerfully.* War wounds. I'm just impressed I managed not to misfire anything, really.

[blue_ajah]

War wounds. *Moiraine looks grim for a moment, then nods.* Light be thanked that it was no worse. Are you in need of Healing?

[balletrat]

*Meg shakes her head.* Save it for anyone who actually needs it. Are you all right? That whole fire thing was pretty bloody impressive, I have to say -

[blue_ajah]

It is called balefire. *Moiraine looks at Meg calmly, and her expression is serious.* It is extremely dangerous; in fact, its use has been forbidden for many years; but sometimes such things are necessary.

*She sighs.* It destroys what it touches to before the moment it was actually destroyed, do you understand, Meg? It erases the thread of the Pattern itself.

[balletrat]

*Meg's eyes widen, rather.*

Talk about your total annihilation . . .

*She hesitates.* Those - betes, though - were they - I mean, would you count them part of the Pattern?

[blue_ajah]

All things are part of the Pattern in their own way, Meg. Perhaps I should not have used that particular weapon, but I know my own limitations; I am not strong enough to destroy more than a few seconds in the flow of time, and so it is less of a risk than it might otherwise be.

*Then again, she had been weaker, once, before Dream became her Warder. Moiraine frowns slightly, thinking about that, and then continues. Done is done, now.*

And the need, of course, was very great.

[balletrat]

No one, *Meg says hastily,* is saying you shouldn't have. Dieu only knows you did more damage'n me with my little pistol -

*But despite that, there is a satisfaction deep inside her.

No one else had to rescue Meg Giry, this time.*

[blue_ajah]

*Moiraine laughs softly, suddenly.* No, Meg -- I was thinking aloud, as it happens.

And you, with your gun? I knew of your sword practice, but I was unaware that you had learned to use a gun in such a fashion.

[balletrat]

I haven't, really, *Meg says, with an answering grin.* I know how to load it, and how to aim in vaguely the right direction, but for this that was sort of all that was needed, so.

[blue_ajah]

*Her serene smile turns slightly wry, and amusement flickers in the dark eyes.*

At least it was in the right direction, then. And effective, as well.

[balletrat]

At least, *Meg says firmly,* no one else had to be distracted by hauling my derriere out of the fire.

*And isn't that what counts?*

[blue_ajah]

*Moiraine considers her for a moment, and then nods to her.*

No; we were all together protecting others, this time.

[balletrat]

*Meg smiles at her aunt - not a beaming Meg grin, but a small, proud, very nearly adult smile.*

Yes. We were.