When llhaesa first met M’traliel, an immediate connection was felt. It ultimately became a tight bond of friendship, even though they were lovers initially. The separation had been of mutual agreement, though M’traliel had not yet reached a point where she was actively looking to separate – and so llhaesa had been the one looking to move onward.

There were sound reasons for this in llhaesa’s mind. M’traliel was a dear friend, but she was very intense in some ways, where llhaesa was one who always looked for positives, even as she worked so hard for change. And when they had met, llhaesa was just moving into adulthood; M’traliel was the first person she ever loved. With time, she realised she was mistaking love in friendship for a more intimate love, and it would be an injustice to both she and M’traliel if they continued the relationship. In the end, M’traliel had to admit llhaesa was right, and the two moved on, friends for life.

On the night of her first meet up with the Khentavras, llhaesa had felt a pull toward Jahrae in a way she had never really felt before, even with M’traliel -almost a feeling of childlike giddiness. And so over the following week as llhaesa looked deeper, thinking on why this might be, she had come to believe the childlike feeling was representative of something far more adult in nature, something that was not there with M’traliel.

After the week of pondering, she called Jahrae, asked if Jahrae wished to meet up and chat over lunch. Llhaesa would venture close in to the Arrhazon College campus in order that Jahrae not miss any classes. Jahrae readily agreed, or more correctly excitedly jumped at the chance. They agreed to meet around noon on the following day. Llhaesa arrived early, feeling quite jittery. She could not recall a time where she felt more nervous than in this time immediately prior to Jahrae’s arrival.

Choosing a booth along the right side wall of the restaurant, llhaesa slid into the booth and settled in as she made this space temporarily her own. Llhaesa fiddled with the decorative centrepiece, turning it around and around, picking up the unlit centre candle, putting it back; only to pick it up again. She repeated this cycle several times, before finally reaching for her mobile, where she then played some with various features. Her skittishness not so much spent as replaced by realisation of her jitteriness, Llhaesa replaced the mobile in her bag, looking down into the bag as she slid it back into its usual spot. With her head down, llhaesa missed seeing the new arrival; she did not see this person walk steadily right towards the distracted llhaesa. Her first awareness came from hearing a familiar voice inquire as to why llhaesa was totally oblivious to her arrival.

Llhaesa, startled at the voice breaking her fidgetiness, jumped. Watching this unfold, Jahrae laughed – even though inside she was as skittish as the striking musician sitting before her. Llhaesa slid to the side of the booth and stood, and as she did so, opened both arms for what she had no intention of pretending was anything other than an intimate embrace.

The two exchanged verbal greetings, inquired into each other’s unfolding day – while keeping eyes squarely on each other. People have a funny way of remaining coy and discreet even when they feel the pull of connection, even when they know where that pull is telling them where to go.

After getting through this opening round of conversation, llhaesa took a deep breath and jumped in. “Jahrae, when we met last week, something deep inside of me was triggered. You have dominated my thoughts every day since, and well… you are screwing with my work.”

At this unexpected conclusion of her comment, both burst into uncontrolled laughter. Jahrae had something to add, but had to wait until her mind was of a place to speak without falling into a new round of laughter. “Well now, curly q… I’m sorry for fucking up your work, but maybe we could take care of that by just removing ‘up your work’ from that statement. There was no missing this meaning, for the two were still fully connected eye to eye. And as she made the comment, Jahrae reached across the table and grasped the hand of her llhaesa.

“To be honest llhaesa, it has been very difficult to concentrate on my studies, because you inevitably find a way to get into whatever subject matter I’m trying to think on.”

At this, llhaesa lost the last of her initial skittishness. They only had a few moments; Jahrae had another class in 30 minutes. “I live at 34 West Xrgna Circle only a few miles from your home – it is just a small flat really, but it suits my needs currently. Perhaps you might come over one night this week,” Llhaesa was extending an offer she knew would not be refused.

Llhaesa went on to give proper directions, knowing Jahrae would have public transport available right to her area. With this done, both rose, exchanged an even longer hug than the first, and said their temporary goodbyes as they headed out to their workday tasks.