Phantasm 1: For the Light of the Stars (two)

Laura made the effort to sit a little straighter and offered a brief gesture forwards, her right hand dripping juice on the table. "Well, I’m not expecting anyone, but I should probably give you a warning. The food’s okay but the company is lousy."

He placed his tray down and spun a chair around so he sat with his back supported only by air. The man tried his oatmeal, grimaced. "You must have lived an… interesting life if you can honestly find this passable," he said.

"Not as interesting as you might think," Laura replied quietly.

"You dismiss yourself much too easily," he said. "Where’s your self-confidence?"

"Ah, yes. That. Well, I have self-confidence, I just choose when to exhibit it," said Laura. "Do you have a name?"

"Noah. And you?"

"Laura."

"Good. Then I haven’t made a complete fool of myself by sitting at the wrong table," said Noah.

"Not a complete fool, no." Laura picked up another strawberry, bit it to the end before dropping the remains into the bowl on her tray. She motioned around the mess hall emphatically. "But I’d say that it wasn’t a difficult guess, anyway. I don’t think there’re all that many new arrivals here."

"True," agreed Noah. "Most of the people here are Commonwealth officers. Guests and others generally don’t arrive until a little later. The people here now tend to rely on routine a bit heavily, myself included. We all know who is new and who’s out of place."

"Or maybe out of their depth?" she suggested.

"That, too," he replied without a smile. "I was looking for you anyway, though. Silverburgh told me to find you. Meet you. I am to be your instructor for as long as you are here."

Laura was unimpressed. "Hello," she said, "but I’d already thought as much. This isn’t exactly a conspicuous meeting place. I may draw attention but no one has approached me. Until you, so you must have been expecting me. Or waiting for me."

"Waiting." Noah continued with his oatmeal, still grimacing a little, but that stern expression seemed to suit him as a natural expression as well. "Tell me, are you happy being here, Laura?"

Laura squirmed. "That’s not quite what I expected first up."

"I like keeping my students on their feet. You had best get used to it. Now, answer the question. Please. If you can."

His tone remained cold but had a slightly more casual tone that disguised his intent. Laura recognised it anyway. He was informing her that she was to do things on his terms, he would allow Laura her freedom if she did what was required of her and did it quickly. Laura had thought that by coming here she might be trusted more, perhaps even accepted for who she was. Instead, again she was being chided, treated like a child, stripped of responsibilities.

What else was new? She had to earn his respect, that was all.

"I’m not happy about being here, not really," she said slowly. Noah watched her through his visor while he ate. "I want to learn. But I can’t say I’m happy for being here. I’m a freak, I don’t care how other people sugar-coat it, that’s what’s made me come here. I don’t fit in anywhere. How can I be happy knowing that?"

"That’s something I don’t think I can know. But I can say that other people learn to accept that about themselves. It makes them… if not happier, then certainly glad for the opportunity. They want to be taught. You don’t seem like them to me in any way. Why are you different?" he asked.

"How should I know?" snapped Laura.

"Try," replied Noah quietly.

She released a sigh, her anger deflating. "God, I don’t know. I like keeping my independence, I guess. Maybe that has something to do with it."