Moment Past
© 2019 by Walter Reimer


Thumbnail Art by  wom-bat


The moment passed, and Meredith blinked.

She and Varan were in her bed, lying down and facing each other; both still wearing their underwear. It was momentarily disorienting. “What – “

Varan’s honey-gold feline eyes widened as her vertical pupils dilated and the corners of her mouth drooped in a fond smile. “You pulled me onto the bed, love. Not that I was at all hesitant, but you did tell your father that we were just going to talk.”

“I confess that I didn’t really think of it, Varan,” the mare’s smile widened, “but now that we’re here, I can’t think of a more comfortable place to talk.” Hoof-hard fingernails trailed through the vir’s fur. “I think you need a trim.”

“Hnnh? Yes, I’ll have to see to that when I get back aboard.” Her ears dipped. “There are times when I don’t have any free time. Certainly not enough to work on that silly game,” she added with a soft chuckle. Her fingerclaws brushed down Meredith’s arm, and the palomino shivered.

The mare’s paw gently gripped the vir’s bicep. “Has it been very bad?” she asked in a quiet voice.

Varan felt the muscles in her face pulling up and her tail went rigid for a fleeting moment. “Yes,” she replied softly. “You mentioned that I had made Dorwant.”

“Yes.” Meredith drew the larger female closer to her, sensing a need to hold her closer. “You’d just made Subcommander, the last time we talked.”

The vir sighed. “My superior . . . died, in action against a Terran ship. I took her place.” Varan felt her nostrils flare and she closed her eyes. She felt a five-fingered paw stroke the back of her head.

The dam broke then, and Varan began to cry as Meredith held her.