Creatures of Snow by Dr. Doctor Doctur

the
tides.
    “ I know it may be rude for
me to ask, but,” His face reddened slightly, “why are you still
here? On Archaios?”
    “That is rude.” She let
her voice bleed aggravation - just for the satisfaction of watching
his eyes go wide and his color deepen to a deeper shade of
scarlet.
    “I apologize, I am-” He
stuttered out his words, stopping in his long tracks.
    “Shut up. I’m just
joking.” She laughed, punching his shoulder. “Geeze, you’re a
serious guy. Hey, look, the Silverlight!” Diverting his attention
across the street to a small squat building nestled comfortably
amongst its colossal neighbors. The restaurant was featured in all
her literature on Delphos – it was the hot spot for tourists and
Academy folk.
    Lee’s gaze followed her
arm over, “Oh, yes. I have heard of that establishment.” He nodded
pleasantly.
    “ Let’s go get a bite, eh?
What do you say?” Because she had never been in a restaurant, and
she would never go alone.
    His slight hesitation was overpowered by her
pleading smile.
    “ I suppose I am hungry,
and a real meal might be a welcome change.” He laughed for the
first time, giving up his rigid posture slightly for one more
suited for social interaction.
    She led the way across the
street and under the small arch that marked the entrance into
Silverlight’s outdoor dining area. Lights and lanterns illuminated
the small courtyard, strung up by an unseen source and seemingly
floating above their heads, while tiny sparkles of iridescence
twisted in and around the plasticized foliage. Sara breathed in a
lungful of the rich aromas that hung heavy in the air, caught up in
the beauty of the moment.
    “ How does this work?” She
whispered over to Lee, “I want that table over there.” She pointed
over to a small round stone table that sat under a drooping tree.
The strings of lights that surrounded the sagging branches gave the
appearance of a twinkling waterfall.
    “Go and sit.” Lee nudged
her gently towards the table, “I will tell them.”
    She knew she stared after
him a bit too long once he walked away towards the building.Lee was
back before she was even settled into the perfect spot. “The
waitress should be out shortly.” He tried an uncomfortable smile as
he carefully sat down across from her.
    She smiled back. It was
the strangest thing. The whole situation was so unlike anything she
had ever done. Not that she ever really had the opportunity
before.
    “ That pin on your jacket –
is that a symbol from your clan?”
    She absently looked down below the crest of
REALM. One thing none of them had thought to ask is what to tell
other students. Was Axis public knowledge, or need-to-know
information?
    “No, nothing like that.
It’s a club I’m in.” That had to be safe to say.
    Lee seemed to have good
intuition and proved to never press an issue. In fact, as they
began to talk, he seemed to know just what to say to keep the
conversation flowing – it was if they had known each other forever
and their little chat rolled and moved and took on a life of its
own.
    “… and what about that last
one? What did you have to do to get that one?” Sara asked with
curiosity, pointing to the bar type piercing above his left
eyebrow.
    “ This I received for the
completion of the third level of defense military training. Since I
graduated at the top of my class I was able to place it anywhere
above my eyes.”
    “ That’s so awesome.” Sara
grabbed her drink as soon as the waitress set it down and gestured
to her own lip ring. “I never knew that these things could actually
mean anything. What about your tattoos? Do they have meaning as
well?”
    “ Mostly they are more of a
rite of passage, once your parents or guardians decide you are of
age you can get them. Different patterns and symbols mean different
things.” Lee said with a shrug. “But, really, when you are young
you basically just choose what looks...cool.” Lee leaned forward
across the table.