“Shuli,” Tercala called out. He was surprised to see her at the college. “What are you doing here?” “I was looking for you. I haven’t seen you for a while.” “I’ve been busy. We’re testing for advancement here. I’ve been studying like crazy. I haven’t slept in two days.” “Aren’t you ready to drop?” “I’m getting tired. My magical energy is strong enough that it helps me stay awake. I usually only sleep a couple of hours at a time. Imagine living on nothing but coffee. That’s what it’s like for me most days. But now that they have me casting so much, I’m starting to feel it.” “I heard there was testing and thought it might be something like that so I brought a picnic lunch.” She held up a large basket. “What’s a picnic? Is that one of those birds that they like to serve at the palace?” “No, it’s not a food. It’s when you eat outside together. You’ve never been on a picnic?” Tercala shook his head. “I wasn’t allowed outside.” “You never talk about your childhood. Someday you’re going to have to tell me all about it.” “People don’t want to hear about Cramda.” “I want to hear about you. If Cramda was involved, so be it.” She spread a blanket on the ground and sat. He followed her lead. She pulled food out of the basket and gave him some. Shay, Shuli asked me to eat with her. Is that okay?” It’s fine. I’m running late anyhow. Thanks for letting me know. “How long before your next test?” Shuli asked as they ate. “A couple of hours.” He was amazed at how much food she brought. Most humans didn’t realize how much food he needed. She finished well before he did, but didn’t mind waiting. She asked him a little about his childhood. Then she started watching the clouds. “Andy says where he grew up they used to find shapes in the clouds.” He frowned. “Shapes? Like squares and triangles?” “No, like dogs or fish or trees. Do you see that one?” She pointed. Tercala nodded. “It looks like a boat.” “And that one looks like a wagon.” She lay down on the blanket while they continued finding shapes. He lay next to her once he finished eating. “That one looks like a dragon,” She said. “No, it doesn’t.” “Not a real dragon, but maybe a kid’s drawing of one. See, there’s its wings and tail.” She pointed the parts out. “I guess.” “You didn’t draw growing up either, did you?” Tercala shook his head. “Cramda didn’t let me.” “I did one time at the orphanage. I’d found a pen and a piece of parchment so I drew a picture for Chirin. When the keepers found out, they beat me.” Tercala frowned. He closed his eyes as he focused on pushing away the anger at her mistreatment. The next thing he knew, she was shaking him. He sat up startled. “What is it?” “You need to get going for class.” He frowned. “No, I have plenty of time” But as he looked around, he noticed how much the crowd had thinned and the sun had moved. She’d packed up the picnic things. “You fell asleep. You were right. You were tired.” Tercala shook his head. “I couldn’t have been asleep. I didn’t dream.” “We sleep without dreaming.” “No, I don’t. I always have dreams. Having nightmares is part of being a White Wyrm.” “You have nightmares all the time?” Tercala nodded as he stood. “I usually cast ground quakes.” He offered her a hand up. “Well, you didn’t this time. You slept quite peacefully.” He helped her fold the blanket. “You better get going so you aren’t late,” she warned. He nodded and gathered his own things. She watched. It seemed almost like she was waiting for something. “Thank you for lunch. Sorry that I fell asleep.” “It’s okay. You needed it.” On impulse, he kissed her cheek before hurrying off. He wasn’t sure why he did. He just felt like it. He’d seen her smile. He glanced back at her. She was watching him, still smiling. He smiled back and hurried off.