Participants: Jaice, Maeve, Celebril

Background: After over a month in Cairhien, Jaice is faced with heading back to the Tower... leaving her good friend behind, again. Her concern is valid; she can no longer see Maeve sitting about Cairhien doing nothing but pander to foolish Nobles any more than she could see herself living in the Aiel Waste. But as she was soon to find out, there was no changing Maeve's mind.

Setting: Moderal Residence: Cairhien, Cairhien

Maeve is seated in the armchair by the window, occasionally glancing out through the latter, perhaps to see if there exists the slimmest chance of improvement of the weather, cloudy and dark as it has been over the last weeks. As the sound of an opening door is heard she looks up from the small, leatherbound volume resting opened in her lap, the faintest touch of a smile on her lips though mostly her expression conveys hesitation. "I see," she simply responds after a brief pause to consider you words, though adds with a slight sigh only moments later; "I suppose it was always inevitable. Suddenly... suddenly working on it isn't so exciting, but we'll finish it, of course." No direct answer to your unspoken question, not at once anyhow.

Jaice circles around the edge of the couch to take a seat on the plush surface, crossing her legs comfortably at the ankle, her distinctively patterned hands lightly placed in her lap. "They say it is fine to stay here until it is done," she says conversationally, though those blue eyes still study you as though awaiting... something. "I told them it would take no more than two days; we have not much left to do really, and there is a need to get the cube back quickly."

"Good, I much prefer working here than... supervised in any way by them." A slight hint of unease as Maeve replies, and she closes the book in her lap firmly, as if to emphasize her words. "We will make sure to be ready within that time, and unless there is any kind of complication, I do think it should pose no problem." A stray glance drifts to the window again, a touch of restlessness showing as she fidgets about in her seat for a moment. "What... what else has been said? You are not in too much trouble, I hope?" She turns to you again, the concern on her face obvious, though likely for more than one reason.

Jaice shakes her head, her own gaze straying toward the window as yours does. "No... I was surprised, actually. Coliena seemed pleased that we had found the cube. Apparently that was their second task; to investigate a 'leaning ladder' while they were looking for me. But..." And here her gaze rests back on you again, "When Morillin Sedai told Coliena that we'd made a Ter'angreal, I didn't know if she was going to faint, kiss me, or both. She was -shaking-, Maeve. I do not know how they will treat your intentions to stay; though nothing was said about wanting to bring you as well." Sighing, she finishes the story. "They were trying to figure out how to send a message to Raemira, so I used my project again to do it. Morillin looked like a cat after a mouse at that one." No need saying who the mouse was.

Obvious surprise show upon Maeve's face as you describe Coliena's reaction, as if, no matter what has gone on over the past weeks, she hasn't quite realized the magnitude of your discover. "I... guess you will be kept busy by that one when you return," she begins, a touch hesitantly, of course not missing what else you said. "Perhaps there are more at the Tower who share the Talent, it should make them less concerned about me." She doesn't quite look as if she believes this, though, and at your words about the message and Morillin she frowns. "She enjoys looking that way at people."

"Are you sure you would rather stay here?" Jaice asks softly. She hasn't moved at all, but you might think she's regarding you more watchfully.

Silence, and a pressing, uncomfortable such, until its broken by the faintest of sighs. "No, not sure Jaice. Well... I am sure that right now, I would rather be here than in the Tower. Of the future..." Maeve sighs more deeply, that she's troubled is impossible to miss. "I might regret it, and I will have a long time to do so, but if I leave I know I will regret it right now. Diar wouldn't wait, not again." She pauses, then half-ways raises a hand in a gesture meant to silent what arguements giving such a reason could bring. "I can only imagine how that must seem to you, but... too much has passed between us for me to simply leave him."

There is no need to silence any arguments; there are none coming, and Jaice is quiet for a few moments longer, simply watching you. One hand upraised to support her head, elbow propped on the back of the couch, she merely regards you with that eerily unreadable expression. Looking closer though, there's concern in those sea-blue eyes. "Does he really treat you well, Maeve?"

"He... he does the best he can." Maeve replies, and when she does avert her eyes from you it is not until she continues, with a more difficult admission. "I don't always recognize that, there's... too much in the way, but that is a fault of mine, not his." Leaning her head back against the cushioned chair, she turns to look at you once again. "I can't change him, Jaice. And he's not to blame for what is wrong."

Jaice could say much here, but she doesn't. Her gaze drops a moment, one hand running over the smooth fabric of the cushions beside her. "His... hrm... exploits, are well known, Maeve." That's all that needs saying, of her concerns. In her mind, a man committed to her wouldn't be showing it by making more notches on his bedpost. But then, Jaice is constantly discovering there's still much she doesn't know of shorebound ways, and by the dry look she's casting the stairway up to your chambers, that's likely what she's thinking right now.

Celebril, dressed in his more proper apparel, exits his guest room with the look of a man going out on the town. Coins jingle happily in a purse at his belt as he shuts the door behind him and turns to cross the room.

Jaice is sitting on one couch, her head propped on one upraised arm that's resting along the back. Maeve is sitting opposite on the chair by the window, looking vaguely uncomfortable.

"I know. I knew from day one." A pale smile, and Maeve shrughs half-heartedly. "And I didn't really think of changing him either, for all that I was more than allowably foolish." Hearing a door open, she falls silent where she sits, in her favourite armchair nearby one of the windows. "Afternoon," she greets Celebril with, pleasantly enough though her discomfort doesn't disappear simply because she banishes the frown from her face, and she glances back to Jaice soon enough. "I wish I could explain better."

Jaice turns too as Celebril makes his entrance, her watchful gaze taking in his garb and the coinpurse at his belt. She greets him in a smooth, silken tone, her many braids tumbling over her shoulder as she cocks her head slightly. "Celebril... going out?"

"Adroit observation as ever, Jaice," the blademaster answers, his tone light and merry. Pausing to pluck an apple from a fruit basket, Celebril polishes the fruit against his scarlet coat. "This may be a dull city, but the Foregate holds its share of amusements."

Jaice exchanges glances with Maeve for one brief moment before she turns her attention back to Celebril. "You might like to know; I will be leaving here, with the Aes Sedai, as soon as the ter'angreal is ready to be used for that purpose. Perhaps... a day, perhaps two." Jaice's brows furrow in a bit of a frown, though that's the only expression of her unease. She doesn't know why she's telling him, frankly; Light knows she hasn't seen much of him the past weeks.

A wry smile more alike what usually graces her lips, as Maeve once again tilts her head to glance over at Celebril, grey eyes brushing over him with casual interest. "Amusements... yes, perhaps. Understandable, the weather and the people..." She lets her voice trail of in a rather telling manner, though if she had more comments of the kind on her mind, these are forgotten as Jaice speaks again. "And even duller it will be," she adds, rather more quietly as her friend finishes.

A long moment passes as Celebril gives Jaice a studious, contemplative look. Finally, he nods. "I see." Another moment passes, interrupted only by the shining of an apple, before he adds, "Well then, I am sure you will be cared for by your.. Aes Sedai, in this journey."

Jaice's brows do furrow then, the frown coming to her lips, as well. "You are welcome to come, if you like." Her voice sounds in cool, even tones, her gaze studying the blademaster as she speaks. "There is no 'caring' to speak of. The 'journey' will be nothing more than a heartbeat, provided we can get the ter'angreal to work as it should." She does not mention that it was him that urged her to stay and complete her Tower training in the first place.

A stray lock of auburn hair finds its way into Maeve's face, though she leaves it be for now, grey and clouded eyes flicking thoughtfully between the two of you and the window out onto the equally cloudy. "How will we test it, Jaice?" It comes a little suddenly perhaps, but the question can hardly be avoided forever. "Can you, for sure, duplicate the weave twisted by that other ter'angreal?"

"I can," Jaice says certainly, never taking that gaze from Celebril. "We can't test it and know for sure that whatever goes through ended up in the Tower; but we can test it and know that the flows are working properly."

Celebril's look turns to a mild frown, but his only vocalized reply is another, "I see." Repeating himself, but there is little else to say. "Well then," he adds after another interminable pause, "I am certain you will enjoy your journey. I will see you in Tar Valon in a few months' time, I suppose."

Jaice pauses, thoughtful. "Although... last time it happened so quickly. I think if I were to hold the weave, it would be... just a doorway. You may be able to see the storage room beyond." At Celebril's words, she turns her gaze to him again, her lips pressing into a thin line. So it would be like that, would it? "Fine," she finally says. "Do not rush on my account. I am sure you have many pressing needs in the Foregate." Shifting on the couch, she folds her arms under her breasts and turns her gaze elsewhere.

There's a hint of relief in Maeve's expression, perhaps that the discussion has turned away from her situation, though of course it cannot quite be forgotten. "I hope they won't be too distressed, should we be somewhat delayed. Diar would not appreciate another visit from them." A rather failed attempt at... idle talk, and she gives it up with a minimal sigh, glancing down at the book in her lap once again. It doesn't look like it will be easy, in any way.

Celebril shrugs his shoulders, his mistrust of this magical mode of transport readily apparent on his face. Sighing, he tiredly replies, "As you say. I see no point in arguing the matter." With that, he turns about and in a few steps, is at and out the door.

Jaice gets to her feet as Celebril closes the door behind him, her expression as unreadable as ever but with fire burning behind those blue eyes. Her hands plant themselves firmly on her hips, the silken fabric of her dress swirling about her legs as she spins to face the window. "Are shorebound men -always- so inconceivably maddening, or is it just him?!"

"I think its all men," Maeve replies with no humor in her voice for once, though such a statement could easily have brought amusement to the surface. Not so now. "They... do not like it when something matters more to us than themselves, or when we make choices they cannot understand. Which includes anything concerning our... gifts." A faint twist to the last word, a touch of bitter irony even. "Had they been brought up at the Tower... but that isn't the case."

Jaice snorts softly, her steely gaze still focused out the window. "One moment he acts as though nothing would keep him from standing by me, and the next I may as well be some alleyway mongrel for all the attention he pays. Well! I never needed that before, and I don't now." Only now does she realize she's been tugging at one of those narrow braids, and she forces her hands smooth along her skirts. "I will return to the tower and finish my studies; perhaps... if the doorway is left here... I will be allowed to return and continue studying with you on occassion." It's a big perhaps, but at least focusing on that allows her to get her thoughts straight.

More than familiar with such behaviour, Maeve does nothing but carefully nods to your words, there's little to be said of it after all. "Once you've finished... it ought to be easier for you then," is all she says about the subject, and about the rest she falls into a few moments of thoughtful contemplation. "I do not believe that they will wish me to learn any more, when I am not... properly controlled." A dark frown all of a sudden, and a sharpened gleam in her eyes. "I fear it is much more likely that they would seek a way to eliminate the current 'risk', rather than allowing it to grow."

"Eliminate it?" Jaice turns toward you, frowning. Her previous problem seems completely forgotten. "What do you mean?"

"I would be a fool to trust them, or the Tower itself completely, after these... changes at least. I might decline any 'offers' to return, but will it matter?" Maeve has obviously been considering this over the last day, for there's nothing if the worry on her face that one might associate with a sudden realization. Rather her expression is perfectly calm, and her voice as well. "For all I know they might think that I just need to be... persuaded, and that Cairhien might not be the place to do it."

Jaice snorts at that idea, though a shadow of doubt lingers in her eyes. "I do not think it would come to that, Maeve. You are among the very strongest in the Tower, and yet they let you go; we both know they train girls until they will not harm anyone; and then many of those girls leave. Not all become Aes Sedai." Not even close. Jaice shakes her head, sighing as she stares out to the rain. "Likely they would rather you learn more, so that what you make -is- safer. But... beyond that, I do not know what they would do any more than you."

"I know that strength isn't a factor, but how many can make ter'angreal?" Maeve seems far from convinced that she would be 'safe'. "And even if it would prove a common Talent, will they not worry about what I might be making? Even without guidance... sometimes you stumble on things." That frown lingers still, though she does shrugh her shoulders in an attempt to make light of it. "Perhaps you are right, but I cannot simply count on it. If I trusted everything and everyone..."

"Does it matter?" Jaice shrugs a shoulder, watching you with a small, helpless smile. "Either way, can you help what happens? No. So why worry about it? Whatever happens, you will not be able to affect it."

Slender brows arch, almost sharply. "If they were to attempt something, I would not merely accept it." There's a silvery gleam of steel in Maeve's eyes now, though but for a moment before it fades and she shakes her head. "Well, we'll see I guess. We'll finish the ter'angreal, and you will all leave through it... and hopefully everything will go smoothly."

"I did not say that," Jaice points out smoothly. "I said you can't help if they do. But none of them have made any suggestion -- at least in my earshot -- of taking you with them. They all indicate that I will go back and you will remain. I think if anything -were- to happen, it would be after the Amyrlin finds out about it."

A pale smile, and a nod. "Yes, I guess that sounds more likely. For either of them to act on their own... no, it is less believeable." Maeve does seem reassured by this, as if she's managed to convince herself partly at least of the truth of what you say. "Morillin, perhaps, but she could not act on her own." Settling back more relaxed, though with clouds still hovering within her eyes, she regards you thoughtfully. "If you can come here at times, it would be welcome, but I will not bet on it."

"Neither would I," Jaice says, crossing the room to settle on the couch once again. "However; there are no 'instructions' for what we're doing, and we did learn much faster being able to work together."

"True, " Maeve admits with more than a hint of regret in her voice. "Alone, I will not do so well, if I even attempt anything. You will probably find help in the Tower though, in any case you will have many ter'angreal to study." And many Aes Sedai studying you, but thats a bit which doesn't need to be added, you both know that one. "Hopefully it should not delay your raising too much, and then it will be a little easier."

Jaice nods slowly, her calm blue eyes studying you. She's well aware of your unease at not learning fast enough; it is why she thought -- and still thinks -- that you would not be nearly so happy here. "Once I am Raised, I will likely be able to do what I want; however... Light only knows what tasks I'll have assigned for myself then. It certainly won't be anytime soon, even if they do decide not to demote me to Novice just for being out of the Tower without permission."

A scowl flickers over Maeve's angular features, and she snorts rather loudly at that idea. "I can see some of them thinking it should be done, but Light, it was hardly your fault and you will be returning with new knowledge _and_ the means for saving the city." A faint, but wry smile. "You ought to be raised right away, if anything."

"I can tell what most of the Aes Sedai would think on -that- idea," Jaice replies in a dryly amused tone. "I would forever be regarded as the impertinent upstart who only got the shawl because I happened to stumble across a handy cube. No..." Shaking her head, your friend returns a smile to you. "I must finish my lessons, and work at my project, and at learning of ter'angreal. I would not feel ready to be Raised even if they did offer me it. Which they would not."

"There will likely be some resentment and jealousy anyhow. Perhaps... aah well, one can wish but it wont be so I guess. However, if only Raemira was told that I share the Talent too... " Maeve lets her voice trail of with shrug, "If they could keep one secret, they ought to be able to keep another, but it will be in their hands." Silence for a time, as she idly overlooks the room, as if searching for something else which might be worth your attention. "It is a pity I cannot learn how to send those weather messages... perhaps a ter'angreal, sometime in the future."

"If we ever figure out how to make new ones," Jaice agrees thoughtfully. "It seems completely beyond my grasp now; but then, perhaps one day." Standing, she gives a cat-like stretch and heads back toward the frames. "I suppose we should get to work, if you're up for it."

"Oh, some day... we're both stubborn enough I should think." A genuine smile for the first time this afternoon, though it fades soon, to be replaced by an edge of almost grim determination as Maeve rises as well. "No need to delay it any longer, in fact, we better work hard to avoid any... unwanted encouragement."