“So, what was this about?” I asked once the elevator-doors closed.

Sophia started pouting at the question, “What you don’t like it when I hug you? There needs to be something deeper going on? Maybe I just wanted to hug you.” she asked, trying, and failing, to sound hurt.

“I enjoy it when you hug me, a great deal. But that does not answer my question, especially what you said about ‘staking your claim.’” I pushed, before repeating my question.

My question seemed to amuse Sophia, causing her smile to widen but she responded. “Ah, you really don’t know? It’s quite interesting, they all know about you, but none of them know you.” she said, causing me to cock my head in question. She had not really answered my question, at least not in a way I understood.

“Leona quizzed me yesterday after I returned. Apparently, you are quite the celebrity around the dorm and the, what was it called, cluster? Anyway, she wanted to know all about our relationship.” she explained, her smile only growing wider.

“Huh.” I answered, confused and bewildered. I had hardly interacted with anyone in the dorm, other than my roommates, so why would anyone even care about me?

“And those others, after I got back I asked Leona to introduce me around, so I get to know a few people. Once they heard that I knew you, they all wanted to know more about the Ice Queen, her imperial Majesty and the Icy Heroine.” Sophia started giggling and I wondered just where on Earth those titles came from.

“Dear, you stand out. It’s simply part of you, it was one of the things that drew me back in New Brunsburg, before I ever heard your name. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you slouch in public, you always hold yourself aloof and composed, rarely letting anything slip past that mask of indifferent calm you wear. Add in your particular way of speaking, and yes, you come off as…” she struggled for a word, until finishing with “...royal, like the daughter of a King that you are.” causing me to groan at the joke. At least she had made it where nobody other than me could hear it.

I was about to retort when the elevator-door opened and we headed towards my room, so that I could drop my pack off. Or maybe we would stay there and talk, I was not quite sure about Sophia’s plans.

As we walked, I tried to objectively analyse what she had said about my behaviour, trying to see what she had been talking about. Doing it in real-time was impossible, the simple act of observing myself changed my behaviour and trying to use my memories carried similar problems. But Galatea’s memory was not under such a restriction, so I made a mental note to take a look, once I was no longer with Sophia. It was far more pleasant to pay attention to her, than to look at the way I acted.

“That still does not explain what you meant earlier.” I stated, as I opened the door to my room. Karen was sitting on the couch, reading some book and looked up, greeting Sophia and me.

After returning her greeting, we went into my room, only to get glared at by Tanisha for a moment, before she realised it was me. Sadly, she seemed to be busy working on her school work, so if Sophia and I wanted to talk, we would have to go somewhere else.

“Let’s go back to my room.” Sophia suggested, speaking softly. I nodded, telling Tanisha I would see her later, eliciting a grunt in response. Apparently, whatever she was working on was giving her some problems.

Instead of taking the elevator again, we walked down the stairs to Sophia’s room. Their main-room was empty, as was her bedroom, Leona still downstairs with her friends. The only problem I had with the room was that there could be listening devices installed. I doubted it, but I would not talk about truly secret matters, for example Technica’s suggestion to induct Sophia into some sort of bodyguard position within the Guild, without certainty beyond reasonable doubt that I was not overheard. And there was something I wanted to talk about more, anyway.

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We both sat on the bed, leaning against the wall behind us and, almost automatically, our hands connected, simply taking comfort from the presence of the other.

“Okay, to explain what I meant downstairs. Despite the time that has passed, one thing did not change since we met, back at school in New Brunsburg. I’m attracted to you, I like you and I enjoy being with you.” Sophia began, sounding almost sorry for her words.

“At the same time, with what has happened between us, I’m a little skittish to simply jump in where we left off and that’s before considering that the relationship, or maybe my mental state at the time, were far from healthy. I’m a little afraid that I’d get sucked back into the depression if I revert to the mindset of back then.” she continued, making me squeeze her hand in support. It was something I did not want her to do either, I remembered her listlessness and my anger at being unable to help her. No, witty, funny and adorable Sophia was far better than moping and crying Sophia. I would hold her, if she needed to mope, dry her tears if she needed to cry, but I much preferred it when it was not needed. But, other than the simple squeeze, I did not say anything to interrupt her.

“But at the same time, I’m not willing to look on as some girl talks about catching you and melting the Ice Queen, or some other nonsense. Just because you don’t blast your emotions to the world, doesn't mean you need to be molten.” she continued, sounding almost offended at the idea. I started giggling at her tone, causing her to snort.

“You should’ve heard them. If I didn’t know better, I would have expected you to have blonde hair pulled into a ponytail, wearing a shiny-black skin-tight leather outfit and carrying a riding crop wherever you went.” she grumbled, causing my giggles to turn into outright laughter, which she joined after a second or two.

After I managed to get my laughter back under control, I decided that it was now my turn to talk.

“In a way, I agree with you.” I began, causing Sophia to frown. “I think we both simply held onto the other, because there was no one else to grasp. But that does not mean that it would be the same now, at least not if both of us keep an eye open that we do not isolate us.” I began, trying to find the right words. I wanted, needed, Sophia to understand that I did not care what we called ourselves, girlfriends, lovers, the label was unimportant, if we needed one at all. She was my Sophia and nothing short of death would change that.

Sadly, before I could gather my thoughts in any coherent way, the door opened and Leona waltzed in, as if the room belonged to her. Which it did, in a way. She seemed oblivious to our presence, at least until she did a double-take, her head snapping around.

“There was no sock on the door, I thought you were upstairs.” she blurted out, looking genuinely surprised to see us.

“What?” Sophia asked, sounding as confused as I felt.

“And here I thought the first thing the two of you were doing was giving the other’s kitty a tongue-bath.” Leona said, her tone, rather suggestive. I needed a second to understand and blushed crimson the moment I did.

“It is not…” I blurted out, right as Sophia said, “We haven't…” causing both of us to fall silent.

“Ah, no need to be shy, I’m a Theatre-major, not only is wanton debauchery par for the course, it is part of the course. Well, not literally, but you get what I mean.” Leona said, a smirk evident on her face.

“But really, Sophia, after you were on pins and needles downstairs, looking like you wanted to scratch out Kathy’s eyes, I thought the two of you were banging like a salvation army drum.” Next to me, Sophia was blushing even worse than she had before, making me wonder just what had happened.

But seeing that Leona looked like she was making herself comfortable, I did not think Sophia and I would continue our talk that night, at least not in her room.

Leaning over, I whispered into her ear. “Do you want to go for a walk, so we can finish our talk?”

She only shook her head, whispering back. “No, I think we both need to think about things first. I certainly do, now that I tried to voice my thoughts.”

“Do not worry about it. In the end, it will all work out.” I assured her, not wanting her to fret.

After a soft kiss to her cheek, I got off her bed and wished both of them a good night, before returning to my own room.