Lan cleared up the brunch picnic and tuned out to the sound of Moiraine talking about horses. He supposed it was better than seaweed and she'd already covered the rant about government funding and ideas for public libraries. Siuan showed no sign of being bored, contributing to the hodgepodge of topics with enthusiasm. He had checked over his latest work and was reassured that it was healing perfectly. The pattern looked sharp and precise, just what was requested. He asked to take some pictures of it to put on the studio's Instagram page. Siuan happily threw off her tunic to pose. Lan snuck a glance at Moiraine who was watching the other woman intently, appreciatively. He mentally recorded it as the day to discover that she might have a type. Considering that she had never had a third date, the situation was looking promising. The three of them had lain on the picnic blanket under the shade of the oak tree and to relax and digest. Noontime loomed and Siuan took charge, setting up the folding chairs and location for the best fishing. Moiraine tuned out for a while, she knew this was not going to interest her but she held the rod as instructed. Batted away thoughts of dreams and nightmares. She would not talk about it, she would not.
'Do you sometimes dream about a dragon in a ball of fire?' She asked suddenly, in the lull of conversation. The others looked at her. Lan groaned inwardly. She was back on her bullshit. He did not want to see her mess this up. He had told her already that she could come across as either too aloof or too intense. He was used to it but she scared people off.
'Once' mused Siuan. 'That was a long time ago. I never had that dream again.'
They looked at her. She seemed to be taking this swing of the conversation seriously. Moiraine had sat up, attention piqued.
'Was it at a turbulent time in your life?'
'Are you into astrology?' Siuan batted back. 'You sound like mystic Meg.'
Moiraine's face relaxed into a slight smile.
'Yes, as it happens. It was when my father died. I was fairly young. I felt paralysed throughout the dream. I took it to mean that my emotions needed to splurge every hour until the initial grief would pass. I never would have associated him with these elements but the mind has its own way of processing emotions.'
Moiraine wanted to ask her more but caught Lan's eye, shot with a warning glare. She wasn't entirely oblivious, she had realised that Siaun had chosen to share a very personal piece of information and it was a sensitive moment. She sat back and nodded.
'Was that the kind of thing you were looking for?'
Siuan's slight smile put them at their ease. She had not seemed to think that Moiraine was odd at all, appreciating every earnest word said on a subject, replying with sincerity. Her teasing was never malicious, just gentle with a hint of flirtatious response. Very subtle. She seemed to be testing whether Moiraine would pick up on it. Lan wasn't sure if that was noted.
'She likes you' he remarked quietly while Siuan was packing up. Their catch of the day was one tiny fish which Siuan was tucking away in the icebox.
'Stop it.' Moiraine was looking into the water, an endless depth of destiny and doom swirling into ribbons.
'You're so Siaunsexual' he teased. She batted at him with the tube of kitchen towel.
'That's not a word.'
'It is now.'
Moiraine never spoke of her sexual preferences. Lan gathered that men did not interest her but most women did not seem to interest her either. The one date she had with a man she was stiff and unresponsive and made him feel uncomfortable about how abrupt she was. The only smile she gave him was when she left and she looked demented. Lan couldn't blame the man for getting drunk on his own after that. Moiraine was a challenge for the average person. He had a feeling that Siuan was just like her, far from an average person.
'I'll let you know when I next come here and you can join me if you want. Picnic or no deal' she said to them. They nodded.
He decided that the next date Moiraine could handle by herself.