(no subject)

[river_meimei]

It's warming up, a little. Not to full spring yet, but the snow has melted and the mud is beginning to dry, here and there. There are snowdrops, and faint ripples of green in the brown grass.

River -- in sweater and coat and boots -- sits under a willow tree, watching the lake. The spreading branches are just beginning to haze yellow-green with new leaf-buds, and somewhere a lark is singing.

Comments

[blue_ajah]

She is quiet for a moment more, and then gracefully rises to her feet.

"I believe that I shall continue on my way," Moiraine tells River. "I thought I would walk in the forest. You are welcome to join me, if you would like."

It comes across clearly as an invitation that is welcome to be accepted or refused, without consequence either way.

[river_meimei]

River glances at her again after a moment, head turning against the willow trunk.

"I'm sitting down," she says.

Still no smile, not exactly, but this is probably the most relaxed demeanor she's ever directed at Moiraine.

[blue_ajah]

"So you are," Moiraine agrees serenely. "Another time, perhaps."

"Light illumine and protect you, River."

With a small nod of farewell, the Aes Sedai parts the hanging branches and glides away, soon disappearing into the forest.

[river_meimei]

The afternoon sun is bright on the lake, and the grass is beginning to haze towards green. There's a faint warmth in the air -- new spring, they call this season, in some parts of the multiverse.

River sits under her tree, and watches leaves unfold.