Bad Seed (Attn: Matty)

[Craig]

Elia

The smile that spread over the Shienaran's face was not warm. "Of course, this conversation never happened, and I get to hold onto this trinket indefinitely." He was cute, fussing like that. As if Elia had any intention of mentioning the conversation to anyone, or reveal that the Keeper was now in the possession of an angreal. Even if a rumour got out about that last, Murdock would know the source, and their alliance would be over. Begrudgingly Elia recognised she needed allies, if not friends. It may a sloppy way to inconvenience him if that was required, but it would hardly last as a distraction for long.

"You will get your directions later," she said plainly. "We shall act when the opportunity is right. I have no intention of failing, any more than you do, so you will come promptly when beckoned. I plan to live for a very, very long time." She wasn't used to fighting tooth and claw for every scrap, but that seemed to be the Black Ajah's way. Maybe, if this plan worked, things could change.

Her voice became a touch softer. "I hope you will join me in that." Maybe Murdock could be redeemed from that mindset too. Too what end, Elia really didn't know. She pushed back the stool, making to rise, but she halted. "What are you wanting, Murdock, from all this? What is it that's driving you in this endeavour?" Maybe there was a way she could just give him what he wanted. Or at least bait him with the promise.

[Chris]

Murdock did not tend to give directions to a great many people. Sure, in his role as Keeper he had a reasonable amount of responsibility, but he dealt with more paperwork and reports than he did people face to face. For this, he was grateful. But one thing he had grown quite used to was his own company and research, so people imposing limits and restrictions on him was not ideal. He had spent long enough as a Soldier and a Dedicated that he knew what it was like to be at the beck and call of another, and he was thoroughly done with it.

But he understood that in this instance Elia was the one with the knowledge, and he would have to wait for further directions from her. Sigh. He would join her, through necessity and because it gave him what he wanted. Living for a long time was all well and good but Murdok was more interested in the research opportunities it would afford him.

His first reaction to her question about his motivations was to point out that it was none of her bloody business, but that wasn't the most friendly approach and they were going to have to work together on this. Besides, Murdock still had those weaves embedded in his head somewhere that lied to him and told him he could trust the woman. It was pig's swill, the woman couldn't be trusted as far as Murdock could throw her. And unlike many of the other giant men of the Grey Tower, Murdock could not actually throw her very far at all without the Power.

In the end Murdock eased himself to his feet where Elia failed to, holding on to his stick. He hardly noticed the pain in his leg now, it was as much a part of him as the Oaths he had taken. "I want to be on the winning side," he said matter of factly, and it was the truth. As long as he was on the side that didn't lose, he was content, and if Elia's play for power was successful then he had made the right decision there. If not, well, he would lead her like a pig to slaughter before he could be caught in her mistakes, and he would enjoy the opportunity to take her down himself if it came to that. Not because he actively disliked her, there was no hatred really, but simply because it would give him another opportunity to practice his Rending. It was hardly personal at all. But could he find traces, echoes of the old injuries he had caused? Oh, to find out would be a real treat. "I follow as long as it is convenient to do so. Be careful, Elia. There are a lot of people waiting for you to fail." And I am one of them. Dark eyes did not shift as a small smile crossed his lips, "I look forward to your summons. And if there is anyone who needs removing in the meantime, I'm sure I can be convinced if you ask nicely."

That done, Murdock seized Saidin and used it to lift his books. The man did not carry them, it was simply impractical with his current walking arrangements. "I think I am done here for today. You should leave first, and I will take a different route."

[Craig]

Elia

Elia steadied her nerves before rising to her feet. She had, for a moment, forgotten the possibility that Murdock could have done what he liked to her, with saidin at his beck and call. When the books rose from the table, she became acutely aware of that fact once more. She still didn't feel entirely at ease within her own apartments after Murdock's intrusion. That little grin that Murdock may have thought passed for a smile did nothing to ease her concerns, but she wouldn't touch saidar until she was back out from the archives.

The dismissal wasn't too unexpected, and Elia nodded with the due deference afforded to a Keeper from a Sitter. People would comment on the slightest abnormality in protocol, so it was important not to let arrogance or anger get in the way. When this plan was all said and done, Elia hoped to be somewhere comfortably above Murdock in the Ajah. Above Mirin too, if possible. At the very least, she wanted to help steer the Black Ajah towards an eventual takeover of the Tower. The M'Hael's second-in-command and the Mistress of Novices were already members of the Black Ajah. Elia believed, in time, that she could ascend to the Amyrlin Seat itself. That would take time, but a few discrete accidents could make the transition of power come a lot sooner. Mirin could make for a good Keeper, in time, so long as nothing distasteful occurred in the interim.

Murdock left going in one direction, and Elia departed in the opposite, making her way swiftly back out from these restricted shelves. Now that she had Murdock's aid, she had to now convince Mirin. That was going to be the real challenge. Elia had some insight into Murdock's motivations already. With Mirin, that was a different scenario entirely.