| "The Adventures of Kat and Clara" Part XX: Coming to Terms Kat returned to her quarters and laid her sword in a corner, against the great bag of materials carried with her and Clara. She undid the laces of her purple cape and removed it from her shoulders, setting it aside over her sword, then carefully removed her tight-fitting gloves from her gentle hands and laid them on her cape. As she reached behind her back to undo the clasps that held her breast cups to her leotard, she heard a voice -- Clara's voice. "Kat?" she asked. "May I speak to you?" Kat turned around and took her hands away from the clasps. "Clara!" she exclaimed. "You startled me." "Sorry," Clara said. "I wanted to talk to you for a few minutes, if that is fine with you." "Surely," Kat said, sitting down upon her bed. "Won't you sit with me?" Clara smiled and sat down. "Thank you," she said. "I wanted to talk to you about something I've been meaning to tell you." "Yes?" Kat said, waiting intently. She folded her hands in quiet anticipation. "Well," Clara began, a shake in her voice, "I have given a little thought to your hopes for the future...after our quest." "Yes?" Kat urged. Then she frowned slowly. "Oh...I know...about--about you...and me...." "Yes," Clara said, sighing. "I just wanted to ease your mind a little bit....I don't think I could ever be married to you, Kat. I just can't do it." Kat's head dropped, and a tightness in her chest developed. She began to cry, tears welling up in her eyes. "Please," Kat sobbed, covering her face, "tell me it isn't so...." "I am sorry, Kat," Clara sighed, comforting her friend, embracing her. "But you must understand something." "What is to understand?" Kat asked, uncovering her face. "Do you understand that I love you deeply, and wish to make our bond matrimonial?" "I do understand that, Kat," Clara continued, "but I must tell you -- I do not have romantic intentions for other women. Such intentions have always been for men; I love you only as a lifelong friend, not a lifelong bride." Kat wiped her eyes. "Why did you not tell me, Clara?" she asked. "Did you think I would not understand?" "That is what was difficult for me," Clara said. "You are a wonderful person, Kat; I will not allow anyone else in our world to say otherwise. But I often felt discomfort when you used to kiss me on my mouth, when you would slip your tongue into it at times. I found it so hard to resist when you would do such things to me, not because you had bad intentions, but because I did not know what you would say." "Is that all, Clara?" Kat asked, weeping a little more. "Is that all you wanted to tell me over the last few years of our lives? I would have certainly understood, you sharing your feelings with me, because that is what has kept us together for so long." "Then you do understand, don't you?" Clara asked. "That you respect my decision?" "Of course, Clara," Kat said, finally stopping her crying. "I will always respect your opinions; all you need to do is tell me what they are." "That is good, Kat," Clara said. "I will love you only as a friend, deserving of less passionate kisses and embraces. If you greatly respect me, you will honor my decision. I will always respect your romantic intentions for other women, because certainly, in this great world of ours, their are others like you who will feel the same way. You are not cursed by S'Allumer for this; He will forever respect you for being a devoted Penitent." "Thank you, Clara," Kat said, embracing Clara. "You have greatly put my mind at ease. I will find my way in the world." "You have already done that," Clara assured her. "You have undertaken a great quest for worldly glory with devoted friends like me. You have been selected from S'Allumer to save us all. You should be proud of yourself." "I am indeed," Kat said. "Good," Clara said. "Now, get some rest, Kat. You must rest up for tomorrow; we have a long day of travel ahead of us." She then stood up and walked toward the door to Kat's quarters. "Clara?" Kat called out. Clara turned around. "Yes, Kat?" she asked. "I was just wondering, inwardly," Kat continued. "Do you think about other men in the world? Do you have feelings for them?" Clara smiled slyly. "Confidentially, for the time," she began, then began to whisper, "I have taken a liking to Salem!" Kat giggled. "Well, then," she said, "you must tell him eventually, because I am sure he would court you in a heartbeat." Clara smiled. "Goodnight, Kat," she said. "Goodnight," Kat replied, as Clara left the room. That evening, Kat fell asleep with a smile on her face, feeling relieved at Clara's decision. She no longer paid mind to such issues; now she could live freely again. Back to Stories Back to "TAOK&C" Back to Home |