Orientations
a University Story
by Tal Greywolf

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   "Have you seen the new guy?"
   "Which one?"
   "There's only one that came in last night.  Someone named Jared, or
Jaren... something like that."
   "Figures you'd know the name.  Did you see him?"
   "No.  The shuttle arrived late last night, after I went to bed."
   "You mean after you went to see Tomas, you mean."
   "Now wait one damn minute..."

   I ignored the conversation next to me.  Once more, the rumor patrol was
running at full steam.  All they'll be able to talk about today is the new
arrival.  If it wasn't someone new, it would have been who was sleeping
with who, or who's broken up recently.  And that bit of news was something
I wasn't interested in hearing about.
   I went back to eating my breakfast.  Class was in 20 minutes, and I
didn't want to be late.  Besides, by working on my meal maybe I could tune
out the twitterings from those next to me.
   A shadow crossed my plate, and I looked up to see Fariss taking the
seat across from me.  I sighed, and stopped eating.
   "So, kit, have you heard about the new arrival?"  He looked at me
expectantly.
   I tilted my head to the group behind me.  "That's all they can talk
about.  Only thing is that no one has seen him yet."
   "I'm not surprised.  He arrived at 0200.  The Mardara shuttle was
running very late last night."
   I nodded absently at his comment.  "Well, more than likely we'll see
him around later on."  I started eating again, but Fariss' next comment
made me stop.
   "I also heard you broke up with Wyn, dear."
   "Yeah."  I put my fork down, and looked at him.  "She didn't exactly
want to keep the relationship going."
   "And was it worth continuing?"  He waited patiently as I thought for a
moment.
   "No.  I got tired of the bullshit after a while.  She was good for me
when I needed it.  But now?"  I shrugged my shoulders, my tail twitching
behind me.  "I don't need her anymore."
   "So what are you going to do now?"
   I sighed.  "Right now, I need time to myself.  Get my own life back in
order, then decide what sort of relationship I want."
   He nodded in understanding.  "I'm glad you can see that, Shara.  If you
want to talk, you know where to find me."  He rose from his chair, and I
watched him quickly head out the door.  For a moment I wondered why he was
so concerned about me, then realized the reasons.  He was one of my first
friends here, as well as being a group counselor.  He'd have reasons to
worry about me, and not all of them professional.  It made me feel a little
better.
   I looked at the chrono on the wall, then back at my breakfast.  During
the talk with Fariss, it had gotten cold.  Sighing, I went over to the
recycler, dumped it and headed out the door to class.

   Everyone was waiting for Professor Salis to enter.  He was running
rather late, which was highly unusual for him.  Promptness was his middle
name, some students claimed.  Most of the conversations were about his
tardiness, with the general view that something must have happened to him.  
Finally he entered the classroom with someone behind him.
   "Students, I would like you to meet our new arrival.  His name is Jarin
Hadrison and he's just transferred from the university on Mardara."
   I took a good look at him.  He was Mardaran, a wolf recom, which was a
bit unusual to begin with.  Physically he was striking, standing nearly two
meters tall.  His fur was a dark brown, with some black coloration mixed
in.  What struck me was not his physical form though, but his emotions.  
For some reason, he gave me the impression of being quite embarrassed at
all of the attention.  Quietly, he took a seat in the far right row, near
the door.  Professor Salis, ignoring the obvious questions on everyone's
minds, sailed to his podium and began lecturing.
   I halfway listened to the lecture, my mind being more on Jarin.  There
was something elusive about him, something that fascinated me.  He was
trying to concentrate on what the professor was speaking about and the
lesson instead of everyone else in class.  At one point, he glanced around
the room, and our eyes locked.  A look of startlement crossed his face, as
if he had seen something he didn't expect.  I was rather startled by his
reaction as well, my natural curiosity wondering what it was that he saw in
me.
   When the bell rang signaling the end of the lesson, I quickly grabbed
my books and looked to where Jarin had been sitting.  Instead of him
getting together, I found myself looking at an empty chair.  He had slipped
out of the room the moment class was dismissed.

   Jarin was in three of my other classes that day.  From what I could
tell, he had a fairly heavy load for someone new.  I never did get the
chance to talk to him during any of the classes, and during lunch I found
out that no one else had been able to talk to him.  Finally, classes were
over for the day and we had about an hour before dinner.  Since that was a
communal function, I figured that would be the best time to try and meet
him.
   I had just finished taking a shower and was trying to get my fur dry
when someone knocked on the door.
   "Shara?  It's Mirana.  You decent?"
   "Not really, but come on in."
   The door quickly opened and Mirana slipped inside.  "Sorry dear, but I
wanted a chance to talk to you.  Did you see the new student?"
   "He's in four of my classes."
   Mirana gave a low whistle.  "Lucky you.  He is a looker, isn't he?"
   "Actually, his appearance didn't make that much impression to me." I
continued trying to dry off since I hated wet fur.  Mirana watched for a
moment, then grabbed the towel and started working on my tail.
   "Are you trying to tell me that you aren't interested in him at all?"
she asked softly.
   "Maybe I am and maybe I'm not.  What's it to you all of a sudden?"
   She gave a sympathetic smile.  "I heard about the breakup between you
and Wyn."
   I threw my hands up in despair.  "Gods!  Can't anyone have any privacy
around here?"
   Mirana grinned as he finished drying my tail.  "Not in this cage,
dear."  Her expression quickly sobered. "You still haven't answered me.  
You do find something about him interesting."
   I nodded.  "He seems so different from anyone else around here.  He's
very quiet and reserved, almost shy.  It's almost like he's afraid of
saying anything at all."
   "That's what I heard from others.  I've also heard that he has the room
at the end of hallway Three.  With two vacant rooms between him and
everyone else."
   That startled me.  "I thought that when new students arrived they went
into the next room that was open."
   "Normally, yes.  That's what is supposed to happen.  But not this time.  
He has the end room.  And everyone is trying to guess why."
   "There's probably a good reason."  I looked at the clock on my desk.
"Listen, I hate to say this but I have got to finish drying off and get
ready for dinner."
   "Thanks for reminding me."  Mirana handed me the towel and gave me a
quick hug.  "Listen, if you find out anything about him let me know ok?"
   "I will.  If I find out anything.  And if I think you should know."
   "Good enough."  She quickly left the room, and I was left alone to get
ready for the evening.  For some reason I decided to go a little more
formal than usual.  Going to the closet, I rummaged around until I found a
dress I liked.  It was a light blue one that shimmered slightly.  
Moderately cut, it would do nicely for what I had planned.

   Heading down to the dining hall, I ran back into Mirana along with
Fariss arm in arm.  "New pairing tonight?" I asked.
   Fariss grinned at my comment.  "You could say that."  Mirana just
smiled at me and I knew that she had something planned for the night.  I
returned the smile and told them to enjoy themselves.  Which they probably
would.  I watched them head into the dining hall, and started that way
myself.  Suddenly I caught sight of Wyn further up the hall with someone
new on her arm.  I felt sick almost immediately, remembering last night.  
But I forced myself past them, not letting it get to me.  All I wanted was
to get something to eat, and to try and meet Jarin.
   For once the dining hall was quite crowded.  There were nearly 200
students on the satellite and it seemed as if every single one decided to
have dinner at once.  I went quickly through the line, picking something
that would keep me sated for the evening and looked around.
   He was sitting at a far table, alone.  I couldn't tell what he was
eating, but he picked at it like he wasn't certain of the edibility.  
Sometimes I wondered about the food myself but it was him that I was more
interested in.
   I started walking toward his table.  A few heads turned to watch me,
waiting to see if I would succeed in sitting with him.  He noticed my
approach, waiting for me to get closer.  Seeing no expression of refusal or
anger on his face, I hesitated, wondering if I was making a mistake.  
Taking a deep breath, I decided to do it anyways.
   "Hi."  My voice, normally controlled, cracked slightly.  "My name's
Shara. Mind if I sit here?"
   He stared at me for a long moment, then an odd smile appeared on his
face. He flipped his paw towards the empty chair.
   "No m'lady, I don't mind."  His voice was a deep baritone and extremely
lush.  "In fact, I'd like your company."
   I took the offered seat, causing some surprised expressions from others
nearby who were watching.  He gave the odd smile again and explained.  "A
few others expressed a wish to sit with me.  I didn't quite feel
comfortable with them, and tried to make it plain that I didn't want their
company right now."
   For some reason that comment made me smile.  "But you wish me to sit
with you?"
   "Yes.  Strange as it might sound."  He gave me a lopsided grin.  "I
also know that you're the one who's been watching me closely in class."
   That made me blush slightly.  "Sorry if I've been a little blunt about
it. I'll try not to stare so hard next time."
   He laughed at my comment, a soft warm sound.  "No, don't worry about
that.  It's a little refreshing to see some honesty in a person."  Without
warning, he moved a bit closer to me, pitching his voice low.
   "Would you mind helping me get settled with the classwork?  I'm a
little confused on a few things, and since you've been here a while,
well..." His comment trailed off as I thought about it.
   "Sure."  My sudden agreement took him by surprise.  I was a little
surprised myself, but tried not to show it.  "When and where would you like
me to show up?"
   He cocked his head slightly looking at me, measuringly.  "How about a
half-hour after dinner in my room?  Room 3-10.  I would suggest dressing
more casually."  He nodded toward the dress I was wearing.  "Granted that
looks lovely on you but I doubt it would be comfortable on the floor."  He
grinned and added, "I tend to do my work on the floor.  It's more
comfortable for me than sitting at a desk."
   I blushed at his comment.  He was asking me for help, not company.  
Although the way he phrased it made me wonder until I saw the amusement in
his eyes. Smiling in return, I replied, "Half an hour sounds fine to me."
   "Good.  I'll see you then."  He got up, took his tray to the recycler
and headed out of the dining hall.  Once Jarin was out of sight the
conversations picked up around me with a vengeance.  I tried to go back to
eating dinner but Fariss and Mirana came over to sit at the table.
   "Congrats."  Mirana looked pleased.  "You've done the impossible."
   "What, sit with Jarin?"
   Fariss chuckled.  "More than that, kit.  Six others tried to sit with
him before you did, Lythera included."
   "Lythera's only interested in bedding him."  There was a sharp tone to
my words, something I had never heard before.  Both Fariss and Mirana
looked shocked at my words.
   "It's true, and you know it."  I continued on, not realizing how much
emotion I was putting in behind my words.  "The only thing she's interested
in is trying to get him into her bed and top him.  That's it."
   Fariss touched my arm, cooling my anger.  "Shara, take it easy.  Calm
down. We're not arguing with you."
   Mirana quickly added her thoughts.  "We're just amazed at the fact that
of all the people here, you are the only one he's willing to talk to, and
the only one he's willing to allow close to him.  Doesn't that say anything
to you?"
   I thought about her comment, and realized that it was rather strange.  
"I don't know," I said slowly.  "All I want to do is get to know him.  He
seems so quiet."
   Mirana nodded.  "That's part of it.  There's also the fact that he's
keeping a lot of distance between himself and everyone else.  Physical
distance, not emotional distance.  Most Mardarans generally enjoy being
around people, but he doesn't seem to."
   Fariss added another thought.  "You're the only one here who he's
allowed to get close to him.  Don't lose that advantage."
   I shook my head.  "I'm interested in finding out about him, not trying
to talk him into bed with me.  He seems so fascinating to me."
   "And maybe he finds you just as fascinating."  Mirana rose from the
table. "Just be careful, dear.  I have a hunch that there's more about him
than any of us realize."

   I finished my dinner and quickly left the dining hall to my room to
change.  Jarin recommended comfortable, which meant to me what I wear after
school hours.  A t-shirt, short jeans, and sandals.  Most of the time I
would have shunned even this much, since I rarely went outside my room at
night and would have just sat around studying in my fur.  Grabbing my
books, I left my room and headed down the hall for the lift.
   A few minutes later, I arrived in front of his door.  I began having
second thoughts about all of this.  What if there was another reason why I
wanted to see him?  What if he had something else in mind?  A few dozen
possibilities danced in my mind.  But before I could decide if I should
knock or leave, the door opened and he was standing there in a cloth vest
and short pants.
   "Come in."
   He ushered me into the room and I was very surprised at what met my
eyes. Several pieces of artwork hung on one wall, and two free-standing
lights created an ambience that made the room more comfortable.  Several
large throw pillows were piled in one corner, and his desk was on the
opposite side.  The door to his room was closed, which piqued my curiosity.
   He stood silently, looking again at me with that odd stare.  I smiled
at him, and he relaxed.
   "It's nice.  The room, that is."
   "I was told that students had some options in making the rooms more
livable.  I decided to use the option."
   "That you did."  I wondered what he would think of my room, with what
little I had in it.
   Waving his hand, he indicated a spot on the floor where I could sit
down. "If you feel more comfortable, the chairs are available.  I'm going
to take the floor for my own comfort."  Grabbing a few pillows, he made
himself comfortable near some books and a portable screen.  I recognized it
as a Magna Systems TermLink, which shocked me.  They were some of the most
expensive portable computers around.  It showed, and he chuckled very
softly.
   "This was one of my mother's ideas.  She wanted me to have the best
equipment possible."  He gave that odd smile again, and added, "She's also
the one who decided on what the room would look like."
   "She's here now?"  I wondered if this was why he was being so cautious.
   "No, not anymore." The look on his face was one of relief.  "She left
with the shuttle this afternoon, after 'discussing' some things with the
regents.  I had a talk with them afterwards, asking them to kindly forget
whatever she said or demanded."
   I laughed despite myself.  "Sounds like you two don't quite get along
with each other."
   "To be honest?  I don't.  She doesn't understand that I don't want to
be coddled and pampered for the rest of my life.  So when the opening for
here came, I took the chance and applied.  Mostly to get away from her."
   He looked off toward the middle distance, something I occasionally do
when I'm being reflective.  "I can understand why, I think."
   He smiled at me, and nodded toward the books.  "Do you want something
to drink before we get started here?"
   "You wouldn't have anything alcoholic, would you?"
   He grinned.  "As a matter of fact, I have a bottle or two of wine, if
that'll do."
   "Anything will be fine."
   He stood up and went to the cabinet and took two glasses out.  Reaching
underneath, he pulled out a bottle of wine, and quickly poured some in each
of the glasses.  He walked back to where I was sitting, and handed it to
me.  I thanked him, took a sip and was pleased at the taste.  "Mmmmm.  I
haven't had anything good like this in about a year."
   He took a sip of his wine, and nodded in agreement.  "It is good, I'll
admit.  So, where do you want to start?"

   We began working on the lessons, him trying to figure out where we were
in classes, me trying to discover what he knew and didn't know.  His
learning, while fairly comprehensive, was spotty in a few places.  We kept
discussing topics and schoolwork until both of us forgot the time.  
Finally, after three hours he turned off the link.
   "Whoosh.  I didn't realize you got that deep into social dynamics." He
took another sip of his wine, his second of the night.
   "It's different from the ground universities.  Here, we're an example
of group dynamics, so we're both class and lab at the same time."  I looked
at my glass, now empty.  I was feeling quite warm from the alcohol, as well
as from the comfortable feeling that was coming from Jarin.  He chuckled,
and noted the glass.  "Another refill?"
   "No, I don't think I should."  Actually I would have taken it, but
other thoughts were on my mind.
   "Ok."  He rolled over onto his back, and looked up at me.  His eyes
were slightly out of focus.  "So."  He made it sound like a question.  
"What do you want to know?"
   "About what?" I sprawled across the chair, placing the glass on a
nearby table.
   "About me.  You want to know how I can know about what you or anyone
else is thinking.  And why I'm keeping my distance from people."
   I nodded, slightly surprised at his guess.
   He sighed, and looked forlorn.  "I'm a natural telepath."  He said it
like it was a disease.  "Grade 4."
   That shocked me.  The telepathic grading system had been around for
about a century.  There were 5 grades, from basic telepaths who needed to
touch a person to hear thoughts to ones that could communicate across light
years.  And he was a grade 4?
   I looked at him with real concern.  If it's true, then his mental
shields must be under considerable stress, although not as badly as they
must had been at the university.  He caught my concern, and answered it.
   "No, they aren't quite that bad off.  I have a small device that helps
shield me from stray thoughts.  I carry it with me to class, as well as
using it here in the room.  But sometimes it isn't enough if someone is
projecting strongly.  Especially emotions."
   "And considering what normally goes on around here..."  I let the
comment go unfinished, and he nodded in silent agreement.  "And yet you
came here anyway?"  I wondered what could make him decide to come here
knowing what he must face.
   "Mostly to escape my mother, like I said.  And to face my own personal
problems.  Here, no one else knows about me, knows what I can do, or about
the problems I've had in the past.  Maybe here I can learn to deal with my
problems without resorting to other methods."
   I knew the other methods he was speaking of.  Some telepaths couldn't
deal with their abilities, and needed drugs or worse to stay stable.  A few
couldn't even handle that, and went insane after a few years.  I gave him a
sympathetic smile, which he returned.
   "Jarin, answer me this question.  Why me?  Why are you willing to let
me be around you?"
   He sighed, and looked away for a moment.  When he turned back to
answer, there was an odd look on his face.
   "Shara, I know more about you than you realize.  I can't help that
fact.  I know about your breakup with your last lover, and that you're
trying to get back on your feet.  I also know that you find me fascinating,
enticing almost.
   "There's one other reason, though."  He hesitated, then went on.  
"You're a telepath yourself.  Not an active one, but passive, strongly
passive.  You have enough ability to throw up some very good shields.  And
while I don't want to use you, I would like to have you around me.  To help
me when I can't deal with the pressure."
   Hearing those statements from him stunned me.  That he knew about me I
could have guessed, but my having a telepathic gift and him wanting me to
be around to help made me feel helpless.  I tried to answer and couldn't.  
I didn't know what to do.
   He got up from the floor and sat near me.  "Shara, I am not asking you
to do anything against your will.  If you want to help me, then it's your
choice. I'd like your help, though."  He stared straight into my eyes, and
I could see the look in his eyes.  He was opening himself up to me without
reservations.  It made me feel close to him, closer than I would have
thought possible.
   I tentatively reached out to touch his arm.  Inside, I knew that he was
telling the truth.  Smiling warmly at him, I tried to project my feelings.
   "Jarin, I believe you.  And I'll try to help, really.  But I don't know
what to do."
   "Just be yourself, that's all.  You already shield yourself well
enough, and it'll cover me as long as I'm nearby."  He was still worried
about my reactions, and I wanted to reassure him.  I took his paw, giving
it a squeeze. He looked down at my hand, and back to my face.
   "You're sure?" he asked.
   "Jarin, I'm willing to help.  I want to help."
   He reached around and hugged me.  I responded by hugging him tightly,
the feel of him against me warming me inside.  For several moments we
stayed that way, then broke off.
   "It's getting late, and I suppose you had better be going back to your
room."  He sounded sad at the idea.  "Otherwise, others might wonder what
we're up to."
   "Let them.  I could care less what they think."  At that moment I
realized that I really didn't care about what others might think about us.  
All I wanted was to be with him.
   He hesitated, worried and confused.  He was trying to decide if I
should stay, and I continued speaking, hoping to change his mind.  "Jarin,
I want to stay with you.  Nothing is going to happen between us.  I know
that.  Besides, I'd feel more comfortable here than in my room."
   "Oh." He actually looked like he was blushing.  "If you really want to,
Shara..."
   "Remember what you said?  My decision."
   "Guess I did."  He looked sheepish, and sighed.  "Well..."
   I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and gave him a kiss.  He relaxed
against me, sighing softly.  Without a word, we both walked into his
bedroom, and closed the door.
   The room looked exactly the opposite of the living room.  Things were
strewn in several corners, things which hadn't had a chance to be placed in
storage.  Several pieces of luggage were stacked up against one wall, and
his closet looked about as bad as mine.
   There was an embarrassed blush on his muzzle.  "Sorry for the disaster
area appearance.  I haven't had time to get this part straight."
   I glanced around, trying to find some place to sit.  The only spot that
wasn't already occupied was the bed, which was larger than normal.  I
tested it and found that it was quite soft and comfortable.
   Jarin was trying to get some of the clutter straightened up.  I went
over to him, and lightly touched his shoulder.
   "Jarin, please don't bother.  There'll be plenty of time to straighten
up everything tomorrow.  My room's looked worse."
   He smiled at the comment.  "I really didn't want you to see this.  I'm
glad to know that I'm not the only bad housekeeper around here."
   "Believe me, you're not.  Mirana is worse than me.  You need a marked
trail to get through her room."
   We both laughed at the joke.  Then all the doubts came back inside him.
"Shara..."
   I laid a finger on his muzzle to hush him.  "Jarin, I said no excuses.  
Now come on to bed."
   He blushed again, but didn't argue.  I quickly stripped, and slid into
the bed.  Turning around, I saw him standing naked nearby, still uncertain
about the idea.
   "Jarin, please."  I indicated the vacant spot next to me, and he
crawled into the bed slowly.
   For a while all we did was lay next to each other barely touching.  He
had a musky scent which attracted me, but I didn't want to do anything that
might cause him to react badly.
   "Shara, I'm not used to having someone else in bed with me." Seeing my
disbelief, he stammered.  "I - I'm not joking.  I've never spent the night
with another person, or shared my bed with anyone."
   I looked at him with wide eyes.  Still a virgin?  I couldn't believe
it.
   He spoke in a low voice.  "It's true.  I've never gone to bed with
anyone. I know about sex, and I've experienced it through the thoughts of
others, but I've never done it myself."
   I felt uncomfortably hot from his words.  The thought that I might be
pushing him into something that he didn't want crossed my mind.  "Jarin, do
you really want me to stay?  If this is going to cause a problem, I can
leave."
   Confusion filled his eyes, as he fought with himself.  I could see that
he was trying to find a way to tell me to leave, to stay with him.  
Finally, he slowly said, "Shara, I think I would like you to stay with me.  
I don't know what will happen, but I promise that unless you want something
to happen, it won't."
   I lightly licked him on the muzzle.  "I know, Jarin.  I trust you in
that."
   He hugged me, and commanded the lights to dim.  We snuggled down to
sleep, lightly holding onto each other.  For a long time we stayed that
way, our bodies relaxing against each other.
   I remember him starting to doze off.  He had turned around in the bed
so that we were back to back, our tails brushing against each other.  The
feeling of him against me was so comfortable that I drifted off to sleep.

   A slight shuddering brought me to wakefulness.  I tried to figure out
what woke me, when I heard a soft whine.  I turned around to see Jarin
curled up, crying softly in his sleep.  I reached out to gently wake him,
hoping that it didn't shock him.
   His eyes flew open, but they were unfocused.  Another whine came out of
his throat, a sound of pain that hurt me.  Instinctively, I reached around
him, holding his body next to mine.
    "Shhh.  It's ok, Jarin.  I'm here."  I started rocking him back and
forth slightly, trying to bring him back from wherever he was.
   A shudder ran through him, and he twisted around in my arms.  He
shivered against me, then looked up into my eyes.
   "I... I'm sorry, Shara.  Sometimes I can't block everything, and it
affects me badly.  It almost hurts."  His voice was rough, and he was
finding it hard to speak.
   "What almost hurts?"
   "What she was doing to him."  He scowled for a second until he could
come up with a name.
   "Mirana."
   I sighed deeply.  Mirana was into BDSM play, and had probably coaxed
Fariss into a play session.  I continued to hold onto Jarin, trying to warm
him.
   "I should have warned you about that.  She does get rather involved in
her play."
   Jarin shuddered again, and managed to speak once more.  "I wouldn't
call it involved so much as excited."  He looked down at the sheets, and I
touched his shoulder.
   "Is there something I can do?"
   "Just hold me."  The pain was evident in his voice.  I pressed myself
against him, arms wrapped around his waist.  With anyone else I would
probably be aroused from the touch, but my fears about what he was going
through drove everything else from my mind.  He closed his eyes, and slowly
started to breathe.  Watching, I made sure he was calm, then closed my eyes
as well to drift back to sleep.
   *Shara*
   My eyes opened in shock.  He still had his eyes closed, slowly
relaxing.  I know he spoke, though.  I closed my eyes again, willing myself
to relax.
   *Shara.  Don't be afraid.*
   >Jarin?<
   *Yes.*
   My heart jumped at that.  I hadn't expected him to mindspeak with me.  
I cautiously asked him why.
   *I thought it might help.*  He mentally sighed, which amused me.  
*Maybe by touching your mind it would help me.*
   >I don't mind, even though I didn't expect it.<
   *I should have asked if you would allow it.*
   >Don't.<  His thoughts were clear to me, and I could sense more than
that.  He was finding himself attracted to me, and didn't yet know how to
handle it.  I moved enough to kiss him, keeping the rapport between us
going.  I felt his emotions change from fear to worry to pleasure, and he
began relaxing against me.
   *Maybe we should do that some more.*  He chuckled, and I snuggled back
against him.
   >Maybe later.<  I knew what he was feeling, and my own feelings were
clear to him.  >We need to get used to this first.<
   He sighed again.  *You're right.  And I did promise.*
   >I know you did.  Believe me I'm tempted.  But I'm just too tired to do
anything other than sleep.<
   *Dath hai.*  Total truth.
   We both snuggled up to one another, keeping the rapport between us.  
The feelings we shared helped us to relax so that we both were asleep in
minutes.  The rest of the night was peaceful, more peaceful than I could
ever remember.

   Morning came sooner than expected.  I sighed, realizing I was still in
bed with Jarin.  He was still asleep, his head resting on my shoulders, one
arm draped across me.  I nuzzled him slightly, and felt him stir.
   >Morning, dear.<
   *Morning, t'chena.*  We hugged each other, kissing and licking the
other's muzzles.  *Did you sleep well?*
   >The best sleep I've had in years.<  I looked at him, and saw that his
eyes were bright.  There was no pain in his eyes, but a look of love and
tenderness for me that was clearly visible, and I echoed his emotions.
   *You look absolutely wonderful.*
   >And you look beautiful yourself.  But we had better get dressed for
class.<  I gave him a playful punch, which led to us tussling a bit in the
bed. It ended with him holding me close against his body, kissing me with
passion.
   >Mmmmm.  But it's getting late, and people will start wondering.<
   *D'hai, lover.  So let's get ready to scandalize everyone.*
   It took us a few minutes to get dressed, first slipping back on the
clothes I wore the night before, then wandering down to my room to get
something more acceptable for the day.  We walked out of my room arm in
arm, and headed to the cafeteria.  Once there, we received a few surprised
glances, but no one spoke to us until we sat down.  Almost as if they
teleported in, Mirana and Fariss sat down at the same table.
   "Mind if we join you?"  Fariss looked like warmed-over death, and I
wondered how Jarin was going to react.  To my amazement, he simply nodded
and indicated the chairs.
   "No problem.  You two are good friends of Shara, and that's good enough
for me."
   I giggled at his comment, which brought looks of puzzlement to both
Fariss and Mirana.  Mirana took advantage of the good moods.
   "You spent the night together, didn't you?"
   I answered before Jarin could.  "Yes.  And before you ask your other
question, no.  We didn't do anything other than sleep."
   Fariss shook his head.  "That wasn't on my mind.  What I want to know
is how you are doing."
   Jarin looked at Fariss, and smiled.  "Considering what you went through
last night, I'm doing quite nicely."  He grinned at his shocked expression.
"Yes, I know what happened between you and Mirana.  Everything."
   Mirana blurted out, "Telepath?"
   I nodded.  "He's a telepath, yes.  Just don't tell everyone, ok?"
   "I wouldn't even think about it."  Mirana suddenly sobered when she
realized exactly what Jarin 'overheard.'  "Uh, Jarin. . . I'm sorry about
last night."
   "Don't worry about it.  I've experienced worse.  Just give me a few
minutes warning next time, ok?"
   His comment brought chuckles around the table.  It also brought Jarin
out of his shell.  We chatted for a while, then had to leave for class.  As
we walked out the cafeteria, Jarin mentally asked me a question.
   *You like them, don't you?*
   >Fariss is majoring in group psychology, so he's our unofficial
counselor. Mirana is a medical student here.  They're good friends, and I
can talk to them about problems.<
   *That's good, love.  We're both going to need someone to talk to.*
   >About us?<
   *Among other things.  Like the fact that I'd like you to move in with
me.*  He added hastily, *If you want to.*
   I kissed him in the hall, which made him stop.  >I'd like that.<
   *Well, considering you've made yourself a permanent place in my bed. . .*
   The laughter filled the hall as we both headed to class.

---

copyright 1994, 2018
by Tal Greywolf
all rights reserved