| Kat laid on her back next to Clara on the floor of the basket as the flying machine drifted along on the winds, miles above the ground. Salem, too, laid down to rest himself, and soon fell asleep again. "I hope he doesn't snore," Kat whispered to Clara, snickering a little. "Oh, come on," Clara laughed. "He probably won't." Kat paused for a minute, then continued. "I have a confession to make to you, Clara," she said, her smile fading. She turned her head to look at Clara. "What is that, Kat?" Clara asked, still looking up at the wings above her. "Last night," Kat continued, "I heard Salem awaken and talk to you. I couldn't help but listen to you and he talk together in the darkness." "You were listening to our conversation, weren't you?" Clara asked, showing no emotion. "I'm sorry, my friend," Kat replied. "I couldn't help myself." "That's all right, I forgive you," Clara said. "He was upset because he thought he offended me when I undressed him in the pond." Kat giggled. "That is nothing to be sorry about," she said. "He is a man; his eyes are directed towards a woman when she is undressed, so it is only natural that he is stimulated." "I suppose so," Clara said. Kat again turned her head towards Clara. "He wants to court you, doesn't he?" she asked. "Yes, he does. He is in love with me." "That is very beautiful, Clara. You should be honored; I think that he will be a perfect gentleman towards you." "But we are on a quest for S'Allumer. I cannot make time for him; we have an obligation to the world." "You have time for me, Clara. You should then certainly have time for Salem. At the very least, you should let him kiss you once or twice." "I don't know about that, Kat." "What is to not know? You let me kiss you all the time." Clara sighed loudly. "Perhaps," she began, "but what I never told you is that...that sometimes your gestures of love are...unwelcome." Kat sat up, in disbelief. "'Unwelcome?'" she asked. "What do you mean?" "Wait, Kat," Clara said, directing Kat to lie back down. "I don't mean you discomfort, but sometimes I don't think it's appropriate for us to kiss the way you want to." "What are you saying??" Kat begged, nearly crying. "I just don't like it when you kiss me and put your tongue in my mouth at the same time," Clara answered. "I just thought I would tell you so that--no, Kat, please. Please, don't cry." Kat burst into tears. "I don't believe you!" she wailed, turning away. Her tears ran down her face, dripping onto the deck. Clara sighed. "I'm sorry, Kat," she said. "Please, don't cry like this. I didn't mean to hurt you." "Why do have a problem with how I communicate my love for you?" Kat sobbed. "That's what I believe you deserve for being such a wonderful companion." "I know," Clara said. "I just--well, that is--" Kat looked up at Clara, still crying. Clara sighed. "I'm sorry," she said. "I should not judge you like this. If it's what you think is good for me, it probably is. We've known each other all our lives; no one can see how we love each other." "I'm glad you understand how I feel," Kat said, drying her eyes. "I have another confession to make to you." "Yes?" Clara said. "All this time," Kat said, quietly, "that I've shown my love for you, I have been silent. I've kissed you passionately for the past few years, and I've held you tight in my arms, and I've held your hands, and we've always protected each other our whole lives--" "What are you trying to say, Kat?" Clara interrupted. It was then that Kat reached down and held Clara's hands, both in her hands. "I am more than just your friend, Clara," she said. "I have treated you more like a lover than a friend....I want you to take my hand in marriage someday." Clara was so shocked that she could not even say anything. Finally, she spoke. "Kat," she whispered, "I don't know what to tell you! I'm so surprised by what you've told me that I cannot even think." "I am serious; I swear it upon my honor," Kat said, looking Clara straight in the eyes. "I love you more than anyone I've ever known in my life; you are as close as a sister to me, but also a lifelong friend. We've grown together each day for almost 20 years; you must consider me." Clara was torn between horror and astonishment. "Kat, I don't know if it's right!" she snapped. "I don't even know if S'Allumer would allow such a thing!" "It's love, Clara!" Kat cried. "Love transcends all boundaries, even those of religion. I believe that S'Allumer would look into our hearts and discover that what connects us is love and devotion to each other. As long as we are faithful, S'Allumer will forever bless us." Clara sighed. "I don't know, Kat," she said. "But I understand how you feel towards me; your love towards me is romantic and passionate, and you treat me like I am more than only a friend of yours. I will not make my decision now; we must focus on what lies ahead in our travels. I must even set my feelings toward Salem; it is only fair to him and you." Kat smiled. "I understand, my friend," she said. "I will put this out of my mind for now, but I wish that someday we will be wed." "We shall see if your dream comes true," Clara said. She then cradled Kat's head in her arms, as Kat put her hands on Clara's shoulders. "For now, let your mouth not speak of this any longer; instead, let this gesture towards you ensure your silence." Clara's mouth neared Kat's face. She then kissed Kat on the mouth, and slipped her tongue into it. Kat closed her eyes, as tears streamed out of them, overcome with emotion of Clara's rare gesture of love. The girls kissed for nearly half a minute, their tongues touching each other and writhing about. Clara then withdrew. "I love you, too, Kat," she whispered, smiling at her crying friend. "Let that be a reminder of my promise to you." "I will, of course," Kat replied, drying her eyes once more. "Now, let us concentrate on the mission at hand: the return of our glorious world to happiness." Kat and Clara joined Salem in slumber once more as the flying machine soared through the morning sky, on its way to the vast oceans, on its way to Trillan. Back to Stories Back to "TAOK&C" Back to Home |