Cassie returns

Cassie hummed to herself, mind still half on class. She always liked getting stuck in to a problem, mulling it over in her head - interesting lectures always saw her puzzling it over after, thinking it through and making sure she remembered everything.

Still, she did head back to her dorm fairly quickly. If nothing else, she didn’t want to leave Jentorra alone. She went inside, navigating the hallway around the various rooms, before bumping into Kate.

“Hey! Cassie! Your friend is awesome!” Kate said, grinning. “Well. ‘Friend.’”

“My friend- oh no,” Cassie said. “What happened?”

“She did this cool throw-thing, and she has this cool stoic thing going on, and have you seen her abs? I mean probably no way to not see her abs, unless you’re distracted by all the rest, but…”

“Her abs are something,” Cassie agreed. She hesitated. “No, wait, priorities. Where is she?”

“Huh? Oh, she’s been hanging out in the kitchen,” Kate said.

“She… has?” Cassie said.

“Yeah!” Kate said. “Strode out there bold as anything, refuses any coat we offer her. Seriously, girl has confidence. Got a group photo.”

“You did?” Cassie said faintly. She paused. “Okay, one, send me a copy. Two… should probably get to her.”

There hadn’t been much she could do beyond leaving Jentorra in her room, with the difficulties she faced going anywhere. She hadn’t expected her to leave - then again, maybe she should have expected some of her friends popping by.

“You meet awesome people,” Kate said, as Cassie reached the kitchen.

She threw the door open, to find Jentorra, still stark naked, with two empty bottles next to her, standing up unsteadily, of all things singing loudly, some ditty Cassie didn’t know and imagined was a quantum realm war-or-drinking song. She had her arms in the air, for the moment apparently not remember her current situation, stretching up and displaying every firm curve of her body.

Cassie faltered for a moment, getting an unexpectedly in-depth view of her friend. There were some scars, true - being a rebel was hardly safe. But Jentorra had painted them, dots of black and red that made injury look like marks of pride, little patterns to pair with the warpaint Cassie had seen on her face, over far more of her body than Cassie had ever expected to see.

Someone took a picture. After a moment, Cassie remembered why she was there.

“Cass- Cashie,” Jentorra managed.

She stumbled forwards. Cassie caught her.

“Okay, not used to our **** either huh?” Cassie murmured.

“Makesh things feel fun,” Jentorra said.

“I think we maybe should get you back, huh?” Cassie said. “Before you streak through the college again.”

“Again?” Kate echoed. “She is fun, huh?”

“Er. Sure. Let’s go with that,” Cassie said.

She carefully slipped her arms under Jentorra’s, helping guide her back. Jentorra yelped as her bare feet touched the carpet; Cassie pressed a careful hand to her lower back, urging her on. It wasn’t far back to her room, and she could unlock it.

Just try not to think about what she was very very close to touching.

“Catch up in a sec!” Cassie called back to her friends.

“You go girl!”

“That’s not- never mind,” Cassie said, face hot.

She helped Jentorra into her room, and Jentorra stumbled quickly into the bathroom. She stood unsteadily, resting against the sink.

“You okay?” Cassie said.

“Eashier drunk,” Jentorra said.

“I mean, I guess,” Cassie said. She paused. “Um. Maybe don’t go streaking quite too much? If you’re bored, I can probably work out something, but, er…”

“Didn’t plan on it. They came in,” Jentorra said. “Didn’t know where to go. Thought it would be quieter, then there were people, and I couldn’t do anything so I drank.”

She paused.

“Your world has some upsides,” Jentorra said.

“Um. Thanks?” Cassie said.

Jentorra nodded, swaying unsteadily.