”I went too fast… and, um, you were too tired…” Kes told her softly, regret and apology strong in her words. ”I’m so sorry, Anara…”

”It’s all right, it didn’t hurt… I just… fell asleep.” Anara told her, sounding confused.

”I’m going more slowly this time, moving our minds apart… There was no damage, I think you were just tired… and surprised…” Kes told her solicitously. ”Or your mind was. I think we both need to practice doing this, become more accustomed to it. To each others thoughts, before we seriously consider making our connection permanent… I mean, if it’s even possible for it to be permanent.” Kes didn’t know if it was at all, actually. This was all almost as new to her as it was to Anara, really. It was exciting, but… at the same time, she’d been so scared when Anara had passed out, and she never wanted that to happen again. Never again.

”Of course, whatever is needed.” Anara replied without worry, snuggling up to her and kissing her cheek softly, her devotion unwavering.

Kes smiled, feeling a little shy somehow, and moved to kiss her wife once more. She had that feeling again, the one that tempted her to kiss and touch and make love and lose herself in those feelings they shared, and, if anything, it was stronger now, but… also more familiar, more a friend whom she was beginning to know well. As things were now, the nagging sense of growing physical exhaustion was too at odds with her desire though, so she was able to easily place that very pleasant feeling into the back of her mind for now, knowing that it would be there for her again whenever the opportunity next presented itself for them to indulge in it.

Kes looked over and saw that Lanam was gently tossing little pebbles at Tresit and asking him silly questions. Tresit was sitting in place, not moving, and calmly answering the questions factually. With care, she connected her sight to Anara’s and let her wife see what she saw. Anara gasped a little in wonder at what she still saw as something of a miracle. ”What do you think they’re up to over there?” Kes asked curiously of the scene.