"You made it!" Nickolai smiled and walked into the bearhug of a man barely taller than he was."You made it!" Nickolai smiled and walked into the bearhug of a man barely taller than he was. Wearing a loose-fitting shirt of thick, off-white cloth that fell about his waist and pants made of some dark, vaguely reflective material, Ken Shardik held Nickolai out at arm's length and examined him. "You've gotten taller." "I certainly hope so, s... Ken." Shardik roared with laughter. "You still haven't gotten used to that, Nickolai. Come on, learn! So, who are these people you've brought with you?" "You don't remember me?" Furry sounded positively indignant. "Of course I remember you, Jofuran. How could I forget the beautiful smile that so wonderfully graced my household two years ago? Surely you'll stay longer this time?" "If it pleases you," Furry replied. "If it pleases you, you mean," Shardik said, pointing back at her. "I would hardly keep you here if you were miserable. Come, come, you two. Introduce your friends." Nickolai reached back and with one hand grabbed Garth by the shoulder. "Come here, you. You did this to me a year ago. Now it's my turn. Garth, this is Ken Shardik. Ken, this is Garth El Baum, my roommate." Shardik extended a hand. Garth reached out and shook it carefully, trembling. "Garth," Shardik said in a voice that seemed to flow over his nervous twitch and calm him, "You have nothing to worry about." "Tell that to my nerves!" the Katckin replied, laughing. |