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Siuan gently caressed Moiraine's shoulder. Accepted Quarters were still around them. It was the night of Contemplation. Tomorrow at dawn, they would be raised, together.
They would be Blues.
Siuan vividly remembered that moment more than six years earlier, when for a moment she too had thought that the slender beautiful, that Cairhienin girl dressed in dark colors, had seemed like a doll, expensive, distant and fragile. But that first impression was quickly shattered.
Moiraine was anything but doll-like, her determination and drive to learn was unparalleled. Every setback seemed to strengthen her, every reproach. Elaida's handling had not caused Moiraine to break, not even though Moiraine herself might have believed so, for the tears and half-suppressed cries of pain were not signs of brokenness or weakness.
Siuan smiled at Moiraine, her momentary thoughtful silence seemed to be wiped away. The weight of Moiraine's soft hair was pleasant against Siuan's shoulder. The air smelled lightly of Moiraine's rose water.
Moiraine playfully glanced at Siuan, and holding back her smile, as she knew what the other wanted.
Moiraine gently touched Siuan lower and lower, shifting her fingers to her lips.
Siuan shuddered, violently, with a choked half-bitten moan, "My pufferfish, do not toy with me, please the Light!"
Siuan was wet, sopping, and trembling as Moiraine with the delicate skill of shared nights and experience slipped her fingers one by one inside Siuan, until her whole hand was in. It was always so wonderful to feel how Siuan reacted to even the smallest movement, that Moiraine made, as they were locked in place like this.
With an impish smile, Moiraine kissed her, soft and slow.
Siuan trembled for a time.
Her fingers caressed Moiraine in turn, toyed with her silken hair, before they continued lower and lower still, until Moiraine let out that little lovely ragged moan.
Later Siuan remarked with bright eyes, "We have a score to settle with Elaida, now is an excellent opportunity."
They crept towards the Red Ajah's quarters with the mice in tow.
It was hard to tell which of the doors along the branching corridor was Elaida's.
A door opened, pretty woman with large dark, twinkling eyes, short black hair and a merry face, stepped out into the main corridor. She wasn't Elaida.
Siuan and Moirane froze in place.
Pevara Tazanovni glanced at the two Accepted and said gleefully, "Somehow I think those mice are part of some prank. I'm not saying one of my sisters doesn't deserve it, but proper forms must be met. Merean Sedai will be here soon, and she will get the bottom of it."
Four months later at the inn called Gates of Heaven Canluum as new spring coolness was on the ground, Moiraine was pinned in place by Cadsuane Sedai´s commanding presence as well as that soft grip that had tilted her chin upwards, softly.
Dark eyes looked at Moiraine unblinkingly as Cadsuane said unflinchingly, " Such a pretty doll, this child newly raised that she is. She truly needs more seasoning, the standards are slipping."
Internally Moiraine squirmed as Merean Sedai and Larine Sedai almost babbled certain private things, to this living legend.
Cadsuane just sat as she sipped her spiced wine and broke customs, suggesting things that were anathema to most sisters, but not to her apparently. Her bluntness and directness reminded Siuan a touch, as Cadsuane was born to command, as sure as Siuan had been born to lead.
Triftle wistfully Moiraine wished for a heartbeat that Siuan could have been with her in this room, or at least closer to her than in Tar Valon, of course that was impossible. Hearing Cadsuane's suggestive meaningful words, Moiraine felt her face flush.
Her Damodred temper was up, and Moiraine had trouble keeping it under control, but she managed, as she kept her cool, barely.
And then, enclosing Siuan in her embrace, in the side alley.
Moiraine felt whole, looking at Siuan's beloved features, and then slowly Siuan broke free from her grasp and began to speak, passionately. And Moiraine noticed, from a distance, that a circle of ice was wrapped around her heart.