The guests crowded around as Siuan distributed the food.
'What fish is this? Carp? I've never had it before' said someone in an arty dress that looked like a monk robe.
'Fished by Siuan's own fair hands. She scoops them out of the water like a bear' teased Lan. The hostess smacked him lightly.
'Shut it, you' she said affectionately. She turned to Moiraine who was looking out of place. There was a fish out of water. She was wearing a blue dress with gold embroidery and looked lovely. She had the face of a Madonna, thought Siuan. Her guest took a proffered crispy skin carp bite and chewed politely.
'You…fish?'
'When I have the time. Use my father's old equipment. Works like a charm.'
'It's the only way Siuan can lure animals to her' Lan joked.
'Get behind the bar and start mixing drinks, you're on time out.'
The bar was the kitchen island, bedazzled with jewelled bottles. Lan knew his way around them and soon he was mixing drinks like a pro.
'Are you offering Moiraine a drink? Don't leave her thirsty.'
'She doesn't really drink. I've seen her drink once but she's terrified of losing control. Probably her parents' fault she's so emotionally repressive.'
Siuan stored the information away for further rumination. She enquired as to what Moiraine would like.
'A cup of tea' came the answer.
Siuan was delighted. Here was something she could guarantee to please with. She beckoned over the pufferfish who was at that moment examining the artwork on the walls.
'There's a nice painting in my bedroom' she said cheekily as Moiraine twirled round and blushed a delicate shade of pink.
'I don't know anything about art' she started.
'Me neither. I just see something pretty and I get it. Let's get a drink.'
Moiraine protested that she only wanted water but Siuan led her to an alcove set into the wall.
'Take your pick.'
Moiraine looked at the tea cupboard in wonder. She'd never met anyone else with such an extensive stash of tea.
'Take your water hot with one of these.'
Moiraine shuffled through each tin, all loose-leaf wonderment. She hardly knew what to pick. Some of these she'd never heard of. Siuan boiled the kettle and waited. Eventually her guest picked out a tin of genmaicha and held it out.
'One of my favourites. You have good taste' Siuan teased and Moiraine looked down shyly. They brewed a teapot and sat in in a corner of the living room ignoring everyone else. Siuan made small talk when someone came near but waved them away after a fashion. She only wanted to talk to Moiraine who couldn't believe her luck.
Lan watched them as he circulated. He noted every mark of flirtation, from the tea brewing to the way Moiraine smiled wider as the time went by. Siuan was clearly indulging her in her speciality topic, horses.
Once the topic of horses had been exhausted, Siuan deftly moved onto other subjects. They enjoyed a wonderful hour together until canapes were upended on the floor. Siuan bustled in with a pan and brush and occupied herself with other guests for a few minutes while Moiraine decided to snoop around a bit more. Siuan had told her she could.
Moiraine bypassed the electronic entertainment. She didn't mind the bossa nova lo-fi strumming from the speakers but barely watched TV and didn't really know what music she liked. Pop culture eluded her. She was aware that it made her a dull sort at parties but the older she got, the less she cared.
She did see a bookshelf around the corner. Scanning the eclectic selection, she noted only one classic and a few books on history, the rest made up of contemporary fiction from authors she never would have heard of. She might ask to borrow one to try something new. Her eye caught a familiar looking cover and she drew back in shock.
