"Ah, driectness. The one thing I hadn't tried." She's teasing, but it's true, she hasn't been very direct at all. "We talk about the mortals, but also about the things we've seen and done in our lives. I know that he enjoys these woods," Claire says as she looks around, then adds what may truly be holding her back.

"It was so long ago that I should most certainly not let any of what happened between Sam and I influence this, but I remember what it feels like to be gently put aside for something else. It wasn't a good feeling, no matter how kind and mutual it wound up. If Jon is focused elsewhere, I would rather know it before I do anything...direct."

Claire isn't good at this, any relationship she's had, even those long, long ago forgotten, the men have seemed to fall into her lap with hardly any effort. Gone are those days, and she might need a little help.