No, it's not Catwoman Part 2. (sorry!) This time it's a science
fictional setting of my own creation, with characters of my own.
The story is told in four parts, which I will post separately. It is
important that they be read in order... so if they come out backwards
at your end, try and go through 1,2,3,4... *And thanks to Elf for
convincing me to post it.*
Telepaths Don't Need Safewords
by cecilia tan
copyright c 1991 by cecilia m. tan
Part One of Four: The Arrival Arshan tugged on the leash and gave me a bare-toothed
smile, insistent and yet as catty as if he had winked. I
replied with a sullen look, half a sneer really, saying with
the look what I thought -- You know how much I hate this
leash and you know how much I love this scene. He dangled
the leash over his shoulder, leading me across an open plaza
toward the Hall. I kept my eyes down, not out of submission
but to keep an eye on his feet. Arshan stands about 6'4".
With the leash over his shoulder, I didn't have much room to
avoid his long legs. I may have been playing the slave, but
the last thing I wanted was to look like a klutz. I could
feel him smiling. At the door we exchanged looks again, and he thought, *It's
been a while.* *I know. But I'm up for it if you are,* I assured him,
making a last mental check on our costumes. He carried no
weapon, no instrument, no tool, save pieces of his costume
which had more than one use. We'd worked hard perfecting it,
the belts, the waist length cape, the boots. His colors, as
always, were black and dark green. My own costume had less
elements--a basic black halter stretched over my breasts and
black dancers' tights came to mid-calf. Oh, and the leash.
Barefoot, I believe in traveling light. I draped myself
against him as he presented our pass to the door man. We
donned simple eyemasks, and proceeded down the carpeted
hallway. *Think people will remember us?* The Hall's inside ceiling is about fifty feet high, I
think, perhaps higher, with one long wall made entirely of
glass, overlooking the Galdarin River. Balconies dot the
opposite wall, and crystals and lights and chandeliers
everywhere. Arshan made his way straight for Cleopatra, one
of our old friends. She dripped with black beads, completely covered, and yet
not covered at all by a complex network of beaded strands,
hanging in long wings from her arms, and cascading down her
back from her black hair. She turned from the conversation
when she saw us, throwing up her hands and kissing Arshan on
the cheek. "Arshan! You've arrived! We've missed you, you know.
And you, Mriah." she added, turning to me. "It got very dull here
for a while." She sighed, fluttering her eyelids. I love
Cleo's act. And she loves ours. Arshan smiled. "It's good to be back." "Easy for you to say," I said, tossing my head. He turned on me, shortening up the leash and speaking
harshly. "I am trying to converse with the Lady Cleopatra.
Now, will you be quiet or will I have to cut your tongue
out?" I gave no answer at all except to nod my head toward Cleo. She smiled. "As I said, it was getting very dull around
