FightingSanity by Viola Grace Page A

you are no longer a danger to yourself or others.” Dravi was shrugging into his soft grey robes.
    “What do your robes mean?” She tried to show the same lack of concern for modesty that he had, but she had the sinking feeling that her skin was approaching her hair colour. She fought her way free of the fabric just in time to catch his amused smile.
    “I am a Citadel representative who goes off world. This is the colour recognized by most worlds who have exposure to the Alliance.” He settled his hood.
    “So, you travel often?” She shrugged on her outer robe and sighed as it fell into place with only a short flurry of tugging to get it properly arranged.
    “Fairly often. Minders are usually in high demand.”
    “I thought you were introduced to me as an instructor.”
    “I am, I teach short seminars at the Citadel that help folk narrow down their courses of study. Your talent could have taken you any number of ways and yet you are now here with me and you are wearing the green after only four days.”
    She wandered into the lav and checked her reflection in the only mirror he had. Her hair was brilliant and shining in a crimson wave down her back. The green of her robes made her eyes bright and skin creamy. Erinii knew that she looked pretty, but perhaps her Bassinor features were not to Dravi’s liking. After all, they had spent a night together and he hadn’t even let his hands stray once.
    Perhaps she simply wasn’t his type.
    She sighed heavily and returned to the main room. “Ready when you are.”
    He offered her his arm and she took it, letting him lead her out of his room and down to the dining hall.
    They obtained their foods and were seated and eating when Turnari appeared at their table.
    She swallowed and looked up at the Dhemon warily. “Good morning.”
    He inclined his head. “Good morning. May I join you?”
    Dravi smiled while Erinii blinked. “Of course. Please, have a seat.”
    He put down the tray that he was holding and slid into a seat next to her. “Thank you. Most folk freak out when I take a seat at their table, so this is rather refreshing.”
    Erinii raised her brows. “I can’t imagine why.”
    Turnari smirked, “Perhaps because they feel that I am about to send them off world into dangerous situations. As you know, it does happen.”
    “So I have been learning.” She smiled wryly.
    “When Dravi told me of your elevation to green, I was a little surprised. Then I saw the station recordings and I must say, you do have your talent well under your control. Is that normal for your people?”
    She sighed and toyed with a piece of fruit on her plate. “I don’t know what is normal for my people. Few records of Bassinor talents exist and they are certainly not publicized.”
    He nodded as if it were nothing less than he expected. “It is a common affliction of many races. Even my own has no urge to have true talents among them. It is politely suggested to many families that they send their talents to the Citadel for training the moment that they start to show.”
    “Dravi, how did your people react to your skills?” Turnari was asking the question that she had never dare to ask.
    Dravi sipped at his caf, “My mother was appalled and my father was perplexed, but they both supported me in my decision to pursue life as a minder.”
    “What about your community?”
    Dravi laughed, “It was difficult to get through school when I could read the answers in the teacher’s mind. It was only when a scout from the Citadel cruised through town that everything became completely clear.”
    Erinii furrowed her brow. “The Citadel sends out scouts?”
    Turnari nodded. “It is necessary with the ever-expanding demand for talents, negotiators and counsellors. Dravi was trained as a counsellor before he became a minder.”
    Erinii asked, “What is the difference?”
    Dravi answered, “Counsellors read their patients and give them nudges to the conclusion that will help them wrap up the