Arania stood shrouded in a black mist so thick she imagined she had only to reach out and she'd be able to grasp it in her hands. She felt cold a clammy as sweat clung to her skin and chilled her right through to the bone. This place made her skin crawl, she felt as if she was walking through a tunnel of spider webs, the sensation of having cobwebs clinging to her skin was so strong that she clawed at her face momentarily, trying to brush off what had never been there except for in her mind. Shuddering, her beautiful face twisted into a grimace of disgust. Spiders didn't bother her too much, as long as they weren't ON her anyways.
The darkness that enveloped her felt alive, as if it had eyes that always watched her, yet she saw nothing, nothing but the endless blackness before her. It seemed to stretch on forever. She tried to search for a way out, but she only tripped on the uneven ground. And when she landed with a thud, there was also a 'squish'. Her hand touched something thick and slimy. That did it, she leapt to her feet with a startled shriek and gave up trying to navigate through the darkness.
Then she felt something solid brush against her shoulder and she froze with a gasp, her heart racing. Standing as still as possible she willed herself not to be seen. Then, more persistently than before the thing brushed her shoulder again, but it felt more like a tap... her mind racing Arania choked down a scream, nearly swallowing her tongue as a deep voice rumbled out from the darkness behind her, the thing's breath hot against her ear.
"This is it!" she thought panic stricken, so scared that she hadn't even heard the words. Chastising herself for being so weak in the face of her demise, she drew herself up with courage and a grim determination... THEN she understood the words being spoken to her!

"Miss Velarin! Do you think you can wake yourself long enough to change classes?!" Arania whirled around to face 'it'; Shaking off the dream as she stirred from her restless sleep with a start. The sudden movement rocked her chair unsteadily and it spilled her unceremoniously to the floor with a harsh thud.
Scattered laughter rippled through the room as her peers filed out, but with a sharp and hate filled glance from Arania they all shut up and seemed suddenly intent on being anywhere but 'there'. Rubbing her eyes drowsily she looked up to see her exasperated English Literature professor standing over her, his brows knitting together in annoyance, his thin lips compressed into a frown of disapproval.
"Arania, midterms are coming up... You're one of my top students but you really need to pay attention. In the past two weeks your assignments have become haphazard, like you wrote them when you were half asleep, which now I wonder if that isn't JUST the case. What's going on? This irresponsible behaviour is unlike you."
Her teacher's deep voice and thick southern drawl made her have to listen carefully to read into. She had a knack for being able to talk her way out of corners.. But that ability rested a good deal on being able to judge a person by their voice and expression. Unfortunately for her, Mr. Berthas was harder than most to judge but she was certain that under his scolding tones she had detected an under current of concern. It was enough for her to play on.
Staggering to her feet she did her best to look the epitome of an overworked, exhausted and sleep deprived student. It wasn't that hard, she did have dark smudges under her grey-blue-greenish eyes. The eyes that usually burned with intelligence and awareness of all around her were lack lustre and her normally pale skin seemed waxy. She schooled her face to emphasise this; Making it appear as if she was having trouble keeping her eyes open, swaying ever so slightly.
Righting her chair she filled her voice with sincere remorse and averted her eyes as if she were ashamed. "I'm s-sorry Mr. Berthas. I've been feeling rather unwell lately and I haven't been sleeping well either. I'll uhh, put more effort into my work. I'm sorry to have disappointed you."
He looked at her and his frown seemed to her to deepen but she didn't care, she saw his eyes soften and that's what mattered. "Arania I don't want you to overdo it. You're a very gifted young writer, you have a talent for it that is unparalleled by your peers. Indeed it seems even to me that your characters come to life. Your degree in Anthropology and Folklore only add to your abilities. It would be a shame to see your grades suffer when you have such vast potential."
Flushing with pleasure as she thought appropriate she tried to sound as resolute as possible, filling her voice with conviction. "Yes sir! I'll do better, I won't let this affect my work anymore I promise to do my best from now on."
He stroked his moustaches thoughtfully and his gaze intensified, seeming to stare right through her Arania forced herself to stand up straight and not lower her gaze as she wished to do. Finally he spoke, "Hmmm, I wonder. Still I think it€™s a better case of lack of sleep rather than your not trying. I want you to go to the nurse and see if she can't recommend something to help you sleep --"
She started to protest but he cut her off sharply. "No! You slept through my entire lecture Arania! Go to the nurse, the situation as it stands is unacceptable. Get some sleep and write a thesis on the topic of your choice. I will mark this in the stead of your other assignments. But I expect you to return to class rested and ready to pay attention."
Biting off a curse she mumbled the appropriate 'Yes sirs' and 'Thank you's.' and then when he left the room she slouched backwards into her chair and groaned. This was exactly what she DIDN'T want to happen.
The nurse would give her a prescription for some sleeping pills and they would expect that to resolve the situation. But they wouldn't work! Her body's metabolism was exceptionally high and the drugs would vanish from her system in less than an hour's time instead of knocking her out for the night. Lycanthropy had it's benefits.. But it also came with it's curses.
She had only exaggerated on the truth, She WAS exhausted, she HADN'T slept well in nearly two weeks now. Always that dream... What did it mean?! She had plenty of sleep, but as soon as she closed her eyes she was engulfed by it and always she woke up exhausted and feeling utterly drained.
So deep in thought was she, that she didn't notice the person creep through the door, go wide around the room and sneak up behind her with hands outstretched, reaching for her throat. Then suddenly she was pounced on from behind strong arms encompassing her, wrapping around her neck.
But instead of a struggle she closed her eyes and sank back into the embrace, finding a moment of comfort in their familiarity. The arms, although strong, were feminine but not overtly slender and did not seek to harm, but pulled Arania into a hug.
Grinning, Jerri pushed her light rimmed glasses up onto her head, and nuzzled her cheek into the curve of her girlfriend's neck, resting her chin on her shoulder. Breathing in deeply, she revelled in the fresh foresty scent that always clung to Arania and kissed her gently on the cheek, whispering into her ear. "You look wiped babe."
Arania shivered as she turned her head awkwardly to look back into the deep brown eyes of her lover, her voice caressing her ears even though it had been a casual pass at conversation. That was just the effect that Jerri had on her. "I am Hun, I'm still having that damned dream and now Berthas is demanding I go see the nurse."
Jerri's face twisted into a grimace and she stuck out her tongue obviously as against the idea as Arania. "Like that's going to do anything! Humph this sucks, no wonder you look wiped." Jerri nipped at her ear in playful sensuality.
Arania's eyes strayed to the open-- no it was closed, Jerri had shut the door silently upon entering. Thankful for the privacy she felt her cheeks flush with a heated warmth. She twisted her body around further in her seat and pressed her mouth firmly to the other woman's lips.
Jerri laughed happily and eagerly her own mouth met hers in a passionate kiss. Jerri's tongue flicked out over Arania's lips and was about to kiss her more exuberantly but instead broke away suddenly, her own cheeks glowing slightly with a healthy flush.
Arania blinked up at her, confusion on her face, she was about to ask what was the matter but Jerri pressed a forefinger to her lips hushing her. Grinning she winked and spoke in a low inviting voice, "What d'ya say we blow this joint and take the rest of the afternoon off?"
Words of protest formed in her mind, she was about to say that she had Psychology next but as if reading the unspoken rejection Jerri was suddenly in front of her and pulling her to her feet. Although 2 years younger than her 23 year old girlfriend, she was the taller of the two and just now it seemed as if her height of 5ft 5" towered over Arania's 5ft 3".
She opened her mouth to speak but Jerri's arms enveloped her, sliding under her long sleeved lilac shirt. Her strong hands playing up and down her back, kneading the flesh and causing Arania to gasp softly as a shiver chased down her spine. She was suddenly aware of Jerri's cool touch, her strong and well muscled body next to hers, pulling her tightly against her. Her own body tightened in response, and her pulse raced as the words she had been ready to speak died on her lips.
Jerri watched, grinning like a predator who knows that it has captured it's prey. Her smile broadened as Arania's cheeks flushed a brighter shade of crimson. Watching the battle wage openly on her girlfriend's ever-changing facial expressions.
Therefore when Arania managed a nod of accent Jerri was already handing her, her schoolbag and trench coat. [/teaser (c) Lady Sierra]