lastgunslinger

"Alain -- I was listening a bit too closely, I think. I let myself go, a little bit." Ted doesn't elaborate on exactly how; he figures he doesn't have to explain. "Could that have done it, maybe?"

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Alain flicks an unreadable glance sidelong at Ted but doesn't say anything about Ted letting himself go. Doesn't need to. It worked for them in this instance, anyway.

"Could have."

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"How much damage do you think was done, by the hearing of it all?"

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Alain shakes his head.

"Depends who and how long. Hard to say. Not much was said of specific plans, but..."

One hand moves, a brief gesture like a shrug.

"Could have been much worse. But I'd still wish it otherwise."

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"As would I."

Roland looks less the dinh here, and more himself -- as much as the two can ever be separated.

"So. What did you make of them all?" Beat. "Alain? Did Jayne remind you of anyone?"

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Alain's eyebrows rise, a little, humorlessly. Silently, he touches the webbing between left thumb and forefinger with his right hand.

"He'd not cross the street without pay or benefit, that one."

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Roland's eyes glitter in a way that is not friendly at all.

"You say true." And he looks to Ted.

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Ted shrugs. "It's a hell of a story, you have to admit, and if I weren't in it, I wouldn't believe it myself. That's why I offered the books to -- Book."

His lips twitch, a little; but then he sobers.

"It's the best way -- the only way -- I could think of to get him to understand. To get all of them to understand. Because...they get the point across."

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Alain's glance goes from him to Roland.

His face is very neutral.

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And Roland nods, glancing back at Alain.

"There are other ways, but not those that would get them to understand quickly. Can't say I'm entirely happy with them having the books. But it was well enough. Aye. It is well."

He looks from one to the other. "Anything else?"

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"Not from me, I think." And Ted makes to stand. "I'll come in a bit more this week. Keep an eye out for Book."

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"Say thankya, Ted." A pause. "And I'd have you come find me, as well. Palaver we need to hold, I wot. Long days and pleasant nights."

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"May you have twice the number. Both of you." A brief smile. "I'll be in later this week. Good night."

The door closes behind him.

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And Roland looks at Alain, eyebrows raised a fraction.

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Alain nods to Ted, seconding the good night. After the door closes, he turns back to Roland, and meets his gaze.

He looks down, and exhales. "Can't say I'm happy with them reading the books, either. But if it's the best way..."

A one-shouldered shrug. He doesn't like it, but he'll follow Roland on this.

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"The only way I see." Calm. "They've got to know what we are, and they've got to know we're honest. We're asking them to risk a lot."

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Slowly, he nods.

"Simon Tam knows the most, from palaver, does he not? Besides River herself."

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"He does -- but he's like Cuthbert in his way, Al. Born to doubt. And..." His voice trails off, thoughtful. "It is difficult to be in a bad situation without much hope. He left all he knew and loved, except for his sister -- and if he had stayed as he was, rather than go after her, he'd be happy. Successful. And so -- born to doubt, and perhaps he is not so willing to believe that what we suggest is possible. He's lived in the shadow of their Alliance -- feared them -- for months, now."

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"And we'd ask them to risk all, for this."

He sees Roland's point.

He still doesn't entirely like it -- who knows how many details the books have of them? Their thoughts, their secrets... their whole lives, joy and deepest pain. He'd not give that to these near-strangers if he could help it, even to buy their trust. But he can't really see a better way.

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Roland nods. "Yar." Pause. "Enough of this for tonight, I think. Fresh eyes see clear. And the world won't move on tomorrow."

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