What made Selucia&Tuon teary eyed?

Ibon Caseï

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In KoD in the chapter with Mat POV where they go to a "hell" called The White Ring, Mat gets attacked when they leave the inn. But just before that attack they're talking about the conspiracy claiming Tuon is an impostor, and there's an interesting exchange between Tuon and Selucia. Selucia says Tuon should be "in the Tarasin Palace where she belongs". Then Tuons face becomes "chill as an executioner", she finger-talks furiously at Selucia, Selucia's face goes pale, she kneels huddling at Tuons feet. Selucia gestures briefly, Tuon breathes for a second then lifts Selucia back on her feet.

"Standing very close, she said something short in finger-talk. Selucia replied silently, Tuon made the same gesture again, and they exchanged tremulous smiles. Tears glistened in their eyes."

What ON EARTH just happened there?!?

I'm guessing Tuon expressed displeasure that Selucia would berate Mat.. Tuon is following a prophecy about who she'll marry, just as much as Mat is. She belives she's just where she should be. But what exactly could make Selucia kneel? And what on earth could Tuon say, twice, to make them both teary eyed??

Any ideas?
 

Jaryd Kosari

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Selucia has been with Tuon since Tuon's birth (and given up a lot of her personal freedoms to stay by her side), so their emotional bond is likely quite strong, similar to mother and daughter. I imagine that exchange had quite a bit to do with Seanchan rigid hierarchy/social law contending with that bond- i.e. Selucia speaking so freely (and from a place of opinion, rather than fact) could be grounds for her literal execution (since I believe this occurred before Selucia was made her Truthspeaker), and Tuon did not want to have to voice that order to one she cared about.

I assumed when I read this that this was Tuon first warning Selucia, then acknowledging their bond, Selucia expressing penitence, Tuon re-affirming their relationship, and then them mutually choosing to move on.
 

Keisha al'Benn

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I just figured Selucia spoke out of turn and Tuon was very harsh on her.
But then Tuon....didn't apologize....but said something that forgave Selucia and reaffirmed their friendship bond.
 
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